Promoting Water Safety in Prudhoe: A Vital Community Effort

It was a real pleasure to join Cllr Lawrence O’Donnell and Angie Scott at the Water Safety event held today at the Riverside in Prudhoe. The event was also supported by several Town Councillors, including Dot Dickinson, who all helped make the day a great success.

Water safety is a message we can’t share often enough especially in light of recent tragedies across the region. Open water can look calm and inviting, but it carries real dangers. That’s why events like this are so important, raising awareness among families, children, and the wider community.

A huge thank you goes to Lawrence and Angie for their continued commitment to supporting this annual event. Their efforts, year after year, are truly making a difference.

It was also lovely to catch up with Susan Dungworth, Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner. Her team had a strong presence on the day, with several services engaging directly with children and families sharing advice, safety tips, and resources. Joe Morris, MP for Hexham, was also in attendance, showing his support for this important cause. It really was a fantastic example of partnership working at its best, bringing together councillors, emergency services, local leaders, and residents with one shared goal: keeping people safe.

Thank you to everyone who played a part in making the day a success whether as a volunteer, stakeholder, or local resident. Your support is invaluable and greatly appreciated.

Here in our own communities, we’re fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful rivers and lakes but with that beauty comes risk. That’s why I continue to support swimming lessons in our local schools, working closely with the Parish Council for over 15 years to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn this life-saving skill.

Water safety is not just a seasonal message it’s something we must keep promoting all year round. By working together, we can help prevent future tragedies and keep our communities safe.