One of the first jobs of the new resident services and leisure cabinet member at Pembrokeshire County Council is to provide financial support for a global rowing event to be held in Saundersfoot this year.

Clr. Rhys Sinnett has taken on the new cabinet position in council leader David Simpson’s post-election executive group, and at Monday’s (June 13) meeting he recommended support for the world coastal and beach sprint rowing finals championship.

The event is due to be held in October in Saundersfoot at its newly developed Wales International Coastal Centre and is set to attract athletes and visitors from all over the world.

The seaside village also boasts a new national events deck space, visitor pontoons and moorings, slipway, dry boat racking facility, a welcome and heritage centre and coastal schooner maritime heritage facility, thanks to European Union and Welsh Government funding.

Clr. Sinnett said that a £10,000 contribution from the council’s major events fund would support an event that “looks like something we should be happy supporting – attracting visitors and providing something different to the county.”

Amroth and Saundersfoot north councillor, and new cabinet member, Clr. Alec Cormack, said there was a lot of interest locally in the event and he was “delighted” to see it being taken forward.

Cabinet approved a recommendation to agree a grant of £10,000 and enter into a memorandum of understanding between both parties and that delegated approval be given to the cabinet member for resident services and leisure to approve grants for events exceeding £2,000 within the envelope of approved major event funding.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is also providing £10,000 and the Welsh Government £100,000.

Jeremy Wilton, Chair of the Event said: “We’re delighted to be bringing elite international rowing to Pembrokeshire.

“The local area has a great history of delivering fantastic, welcoming international sports events and I’m very happy to see the community already well engaged with the event build-up.

Pictured above - Grace and Lottie, both keen members of the local Wiseman’s Bridge Rowing Club, were at the launch of the annoucement last year, along with council representatives.