Campaigners say this is now the crucial stage in the battle to stop the closure of the rural Tegryn school, with every formal objection required to be logged and answered before a final council decision.

THE BATTLE to save Ysgol Clydau has entered its most critical stage, with campaigners urging residents to lodge formal objections before the May 11 deadline in a last-ditch effort to stop the village school from being shut.

In a fresh appeal posted on Sunday, Save Ysgol Clydau – Cadw Clydau yn Gadarn said the school was “at the heart of our community” and warned supporters that earlier consultation responses do not count at this stage.

The campaign said: “A local school is at the heart of our community. It means less time travelling and more time together, friendships that last a lifetime, and a place where every child feels they belong.

“If you haven’t already, please submit your objection to the closure of Ysgol Clydau – previous responses do not count, and every single objection must be recorded and answered.”

That message marks a new phase in the fight over the future of the Tegryn school, after Pembrokeshire County Council formally published its statutory notice to discontinue Ysgol Clydau from Aug 31, 2026.

Under the proposal, the school’s catchment area would transfer to Ysgol Bro Preseli from Sept 1, 2026, if councillors approve the closure.

The issue is already highly charged. Members of Pembrokeshire County Council voted by the narrowest of margins in March to move the closure process forward, with the proposal passing by just one vote.

That slim majority has emboldened campaigners, who believe there is still everything to fight for if enough people object during the formal notice period.

The council says the closure is the most appropriate response because of surplus places, concerns over the condition of the buildings, the long-term sustainability of education in the Preseli area, and value for money.

But for families and supporters in Tegryn, the argument is not simply about budgets or buildings.

They say the loss of Ysgol Clydau would strike at the heart of the community, forcing young children to travel further, weakening local ties, and removing a school that many see as central to village life.

Campaigners are also likely to point to the fact that Ysgol Clydau is a rural school, a category that carries added significance in school reorganisation cases in Wales.

The school’s supporters argue that once a rural school is lost, the wider damage can stretch far beyond the classroom, affecting the Welsh language, village identity, and the long-term future of the community itself.

That argument is strengthened by the school’s recent reputation. Ysgol Clydau has been described by inspectors as a happy, caring and welcoming community, with pupils feeling safe and supported.

For opponents of closure, that raises an obvious question: why shut a school that is valued by its children and families?

The latest Facebook appeal makes clear that campaigners now see the statutory objection process as the decisive battleground.

Supporters are being told to email [email protected] or write to County Hall before May 11, with campaigners stressing that each objection must be formally considered and answered.

The final decision is expected to return to councillors in June, setting up what could be a dramatic showdown over the future of one of Pembrokeshire’s rural schools.

For now, the message from Tegryn is simple: this is the stage that counts, and the fight to save Ysgol Clydau is far from over.

Closures, temporary lights and phased schemes across key routes are set to affect drivers, businesses and town-centre traffic into May

DRIVERS in Haverfordwest are facing weeks of disruption as a programme of resurfacing works hits key roads in and around the town.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s roadworks listings show temporary traffic lights on Haven Road and Portfield from Tuesday, April 22 to Tuesday, April 29 as resurfacing work is carried out. At the same time, motorists are already dealing with delays on Main Street, where temporary lights have been in place since March 25 because of a dangerous structure.

Town council information also shows High Street is due to close for two days from Saturday, April 25, adding to concerns about congestion in the town centre and disruption for shoppers, businesses and local traffic.

And the disruption is not expected to end there. Further resurfacing works are also planned at Merlins Hill, Winch Lane and St Thomas Green during the weeks that follow, meaning drivers could face a rolling programme of delays into May.

The works form part of the council’s annual road maintenance programme and come after Pembrokeshire County Council said its newly approved 2026-27 budget would direct extra funding towards front-line services including road repairs, gully clearing and highway maintenance.

While many motorists will welcome smoother and safer road surfaces in the longer term, the timing is likely to frustrate residents and businesses already coping with traffic issues in Haverfordwest. With several schemes either under way or imminent, the impact could be felt well beyond the roads directly affected as drivers look for alternative routes.

The overlap between resurfacing works and existing restrictions is likely to increase pressure on surrounding roads, particularly at busy times of day and as spring visitor numbers begin to rise. Businesses in the town centre may also be concerned that closures and delays could affect trade.

Motorists are being urged to allow extra time for journeys and to check for updated traffic information before travelling.

Pembrokeshire voters have until 11:59pm on Monday (Apr 20) to make sure they can take part in the historic May 7 poll in the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency.

PEMBROKESHIRE residents who have not yet registered to vote have only hours left to make sure they can take part in the 2026 Senedd election, with the deadline set for 11:59pm on Monday (Apr 20). The election itself takes place on Thursday, May 7, with polling stations open from 7am to 10pm.

Registering online through GOV.UK usually takes about five minutes. Voters are normally asked for their National Insurance number, but people can still register if they do not have one. Anyone who has changed address, name or nationality must register again using their new details.

Pembrokeshire County Council has confirmed that voters in the county will cast their ballots in the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency. This election marks a major change for Wales, with the Senedd increasing from 60 to 96 Members, the creation of 16 new constituencies, and six Members being elected in each one.

The voting system is also changing. Voters will now have one vote for a political party or an independent candidate. Under the closed list system, parties rank their candidates in advance, and seats are allocated after the votes are counted.

Voters in Wales do not need photo ID to vote in person at Senedd elections. People aged 16 and over can vote in the Senedd election if they are properly registered and meet the nationality and residency rules, including British and Irish citizens and qualifying Commonwealth, EU and foreign citizens living in Wales.

There are further deadlines close behind. Applications for a postal vote, or a postal proxy vote, must be in by 5pm on Tuesday (Apr 21), while ordinary proxy vote applications close at 5pm on Tuesday (Apr 28).

Disabled voters are entitled to support at polling stations, with measures such as ramps, low-level booths, pencil grips and seating expected to be available where needed. Voters can also bring their own aids, such as a magnifier or text-to-speech app, and assistance animals are welcome.

For anyone still unsure, Pembrokeshire County Council says the Ceredigion Penfro Constituency Returning Officer can be contacted by email at [email protected] or by telephone on 01545 570881.

Key dates:

Register to vote by 11:59pm on Monday (Apr 20).

Postal and postal proxy deadline: 5pm on Tuesday (Apr 21).

Proxy deadline: 5pm on Tuesday (Apr 28).

Polling day is Thursday, May 7, from 7am to 10pm.

No photo ID is required for this election.

Pembrokeshire voters will be in Ceredigion Penfro.

Wales now has 16 constituencies, each electing six Members, and voters have one vote for a party or independent candidate.