The chair of Saundersfoot Community Council Cllr Martyn Williams BEM stood down over the weekend, in the same year he has taken a back seat in organising the successful New Year’s Day Charity Swim - but has shared some exciting news for the future of Saundersfoot in Bloom and a big event in store for the floral side of the seaside village.
Cllr Williams BEM took the role again of chair on the council back before the summer, but over the weekend resigned from the role, after ten years on the council, stating that he wished to spend more time with his family and looking after his own health.
“I’ve had some fabulous times on the council, and there are some really good people on there, but it is time to take a back seat and spend more time with my family,” said Martyn, who has widely been recognised by members of the community for his hard work for the village.
Vice Chair Cllr Colin Evans is expected to take over as chair.
Martyn also had some exciting news to share on behalf of the Saundersfoot in Bloom organisation, which again this year won a Gold Award in the Large Village category in Wales in Bloom!
Both Saundersfoot in Bloom and Saundersfoot Community Council were delighted with the award of Gold at the Wales in Bloom award ceremony in Denbigh, North Wales - testimony to the hard work of so many in the community.
“Saundersfoot has been asked to represent south and mid Wales at next year’s Britain in Bloom contest, which is a huge honour for the village,” said Martyn.
“As well as that the village has been asked to host the Wales in Bloom awards in 2026, which will be a huge community event for the village, where hopefully every local organisation will be able to get on board to work together to showcase Saundersfoot,” he added.
Retired teacher Martyn who along with his family have been behind the success of the seaside village’s charitable New Year’s Day Swim which this year raised over £31,000 for worthy causes, was honoured with a British Empire Medal for his services to charities in the county back in 2016.
This year’s presentation of the 37th swim awards was significant as Martyn Williams along with his wife Carol and fellow swim founder Roger Stephens announced they’d be stepping down from the organisation of the event.
The trio had been involved since the very beginning, when they formed Saundersfoot Festivities Association to put on events in the village for the village.
They started out with the Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner, the Fireworks and the infamous Watersports, and then in 1984 they put on the first Saundersfoot Swim.
That Swim was initially to be a one-off event to raise funds for new changing rooms on the Sports Field and purchase medical equipment for the Doctor’s Surgery.
That was in 1984 and it most certainly didn’t turn out to be a one-off event - as since then the Swim has gone from strength to strength and over the years has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charitable and worthwhile causes and 100s of organisations have benefitted from the fundraising efforts.
Martyn’s son Cllr Chris Williams, County Councillor for Saundersfoot’s south ward has taken on the New Year’s Day Swim baton.
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