Over 70 volunteers and local community champions took to the waters of Pembrokeshire on Monday, September 21, for a unique celebration of the Cleddau Waterway. The event, hosted as part of the Cleddau Community Awards, provided a platform to honor the diverse efforts of individuals and organizations dedicated to preserving the estuary’s wildlife, heritage, and accessibility.
The journey, operated by Dale Sailing, commenced at Neyland. The group traveled downriver to Pembroke Dock, where passengers had the opportunity to view the area’s historic buildings and maritime infrastructure. The vessel then navigated upriver toward Llangwm before concluding the journey at Milford Haven. The route served as a poignant reminder of the estuary’s central role in the life of the surrounding region, physically connecting the various communities that rely on its health and vitality.
The initiative was supported by the Welsh Partnership of Marine Protected Areas through the Nature Networks Fund. Sue Burton, representing the partnership, emphasized the importance of bringing together stakeholders who are often working toward the same environmental goals in isolation.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to bring together people recognized through the Cleddau Community Awards, giving them the chance to share ideas and experiences and meet others working with similar aims,” Burton stated. “The estuary runs through the heart of so many of our communities, so a boat trip felt like a particularly fitting way to celebrate the people who give their time to care for this waterway and the communities who live alongside it.”
The awards program intentionally avoided the traditional structure of choosing single winners. According to event organizer Pip Downs, the scope of environmental contribution is too broad to rank. Nominees included individual citizens who dedicate their personal time to clearing trash from the foreshore, as well as representatives from larger organizations working on policy change at the governmental level.
“It is clear to us that an individual who regularly collects rubbish from the foreshore is every bit as worthy of recognition as a large organization working to achieve change at government level,” said Downs. “We are all contributing in our own ways towards the same goal, and this trip was a celebration of everyone who has worked so hard for this important cause.”
Beyond celebrating existing achievements, the event served as a call to action for the broader public. By highlighting the quiet, consistent work of volunteers, organizers hope to inspire greater community participation in environmental stewardship. Downs noted that while the current media landscape can often feel overwhelmed by negative environmental news, the event provided a necessary, optimistic contrast by spotlighting the tangible progress being made locally.
The Cleddau Community Awards program is part of a larger ongoing effort to protect the estuary’s cultural and natural heritage for future generations. Funding for the excursion was provided by The Heritage Fund, with Dale Sailing providing both the vessel and post-cruise refreshments for the attendees. As the volunteers returned to port, the event underscored a collective commitment to the long-term sustainability of the Cleddau Waterway.
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