I took to the water in April to reaffirm my support for the lifesaving work that Severn Area Rescue Association carry out.
During my visit to their Beachley HQ I was able to see how much equipment SARA need to carry out their vital work. The outstanding volunteer lifeboat crews, many of whom will be on standby to respond to calls throughout this festive period, are trained in boat, mud, land and swift-water rescue. From the station at Beachley, SARA is well placed to cover the water from Sharpness in the north to Avonmouth and Cardiff in the south. The Rivers Avon, Usk, Monnow and Wye form part of their operational area.
In the first picture Cllr Nick Evans and I are with Jim Hewitt, the primary founder of SARA over 40 years ago. I was then taken out by a lifeboat crew to see at first hand the capabilities of their lifeboats.
You can find out more about SARA, including ways to support their work, by visiting their website: www.sara-rescue.org.uk.
Elsewhere, April was a busy time in Wesminster and I spoke in the House of Commons in support of the Prime Minister’s decision to authorise action that both degraded Syria’s chemical weapons capability and which sent a very clear message about its unacceptability.
I also took part in the Committee that approved some special licensing conditions for the weekend of the Royal Wedding of HRH Prince Harry to Meghan Markle on 19th May 2018.
The Order - the Licensing Act 2003 (Royal Wedding Licensing Hours) Order 2018 to give it its full title – allowed pubs and clubs to open an extra couple of hours on the weekend of the Royal Wedding, both on Friday 18th May and Saturday 19th May.