Despite the winter weather outstaying its welcome, the first swallow of the season is usually an indication that summer could be on its way, and that’s good news for one local resident who can claim to have made the spot two years running!

Last year, Dai Badham, of Church Farm, East Williamston, contacted the Observer to let us know that he had spotted the first swallow of the year, and on Wednesday morning was on the money again with the first sighting in the area.

“It’s become a bit of a competition with me and my neighbours to spot the first swallow of the season and say ‘Spring has sprung’ - we’ve even got a bit of a wager on it!” laughed Dai.

“Last year it was Tuesday, April 4, and this year again on the Tuesday, when shortly before 8 pm whilst talking to my neighbours, low and behold I spotted a single swallow.”

Dai says that he often sits in his ‘man cave’, a converted old Silcox bus outside his home, observing the world go by whilst enjoying a few ‘sips’ with his friends and neighbours, and is looking forward to telling his friend Campbell Richards, who lives nearby on Clayford Road, that he has once again won their bet this year!