News

Welsh language commissioner highlights compliance failure by Ceredigion Council

Published

1 year ago

October 18, 2024

THE Welsh Language Commissioner has criticized Ceredigion County Council for failing to meet Welsh Language Standards in its consultation process over the proposed closure of Ysgol Llangwyryfon, a Welsh-medium school. This oversight has prompted concerns over the potential impact on the use of the Welsh language among children in the rural area.

In a recent letter addressed to Mr. Nudd Lewis, the Chair of Governors at Ysgol Llangwyryfon, Welsh Language Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones emphasized that the council’s consultation document did not properly account for the impact of the school’s closure on the use of Welsh as the primary language in the playground. If the school closes, students would be relocated to Ysgol Llanilar, where Welsh is not as widely spoken among pupils.

The council, in its correspondence with the Commissioner’s office, acknowledged its failure to comply with the Welsh Language Standards. It committed to revising the Impact Assessment, ensuring it aligns with the requirements, and publishing the updated version. The council also promised to extend the consultation period to allow for further community feedback, a decision welcomed by the Commissioner.

Due to the council’s willingness to rectify its mistakes, the Welsh Language Commissioner decided that a formal investigation would not be necessary. “The council’s commitment to address these issues promptly makes an investigation redundant,” stated Efa Gruffudd Jones.

The future of Ysgol Llangwyryfon is part of a broader review of rural schools in Ceredigion, with Ysgol Craig-yr-Wylfa and Ysgol Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn also facing potential closure. An upcoming consultation concerning Ysgol Syr John Rhys in Ponterwyd is expected later this month, following preliminary discussions with the Church in Wales.

The handling of the consultation process has drawn criticism from local community groups. Jeff Smith, Chair of the Ceredigion branch of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, condemned the council’s approach: “This is another instance where the council has pushed forward with school closures without fully considering their impact or exploring alternative solutions. The council should halt these consultations and engage in genuine dialogue with the communities to find a way forward that respects the needs of rural Welsh speakers.”

Local councillor Gwyn Wigley Evans expressed disappointment in the council’s approach but welcomed the efforts to amend the consultation process. “It is regrettable that the council did not comply initially, but I am pleased that they are now taking steps to correct this oversight,” he said.

The consultation period, initially launched on October 14th, has been extended after it emerged that the necessary documents were not uploaded to the appropriate section of the council’s website until the following evening. This delay and subsequent extension have heightened scrutiny over the council’s adherence to consultation protocols, with a formal complaint already lodged with the Welsh Government’s Education Secretary.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s complaint alleges that the council’s primary motive for the school closures was financial, rather than prioritizing the educational needs of students. They argue that the council failed to give due consideration to alternatives in the early stages of planning, potentially undermining the spirit of fair consultation.

As the debate continues, the future of Welsh-medium education in Ceredigion remains uncertain, with local communities advocating for decisions that will preserve the linguistic heritage of the region.

News

Pembroke Dock man sent to Crown Court over alleged ABH assault

Published

4 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Charge relates to incident in the town last weekend

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sent to the Crown Court for trial after appearing before magistrates accused of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Darren Markes, aged 47, of High Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Markes is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act.

The charge relates to an alleged incident on Friday (Dec 13) in Pembroke Dock, when it is alleged that Markes assaulted a woman, causing her actual bodily harm.

No plea was entered at the hearing.

Due to the seriousness of the allegation, magistrates declined jurisdiction and ordered that the case be sent to the Crown Court for trial under the Crime and Disorder Act.

Markes was remanded on conditional bail. Conditions include:

Not contacting a witness, directly or indirectly
Reporting to Pembroke Dock police station every Wednesday between 12:00pm and 2:00pm
Living and sleeping each night at his home address

He is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Jan 16) at 9:30am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Crime

Aberystwyth man denies criminal damage charge over Cardigan gallery window

Published

4 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Alleged incident said to have taken place on Bridge Street

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has denied a charge of criminal damage relating to an alleged incident in Cardigan.

Ricky Myers, aged 27, of Jasper House, Aberystwyth, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Myers is accused of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

The charge relates to an incident on Saturday (Aug 24, 2024) at Manchester House on Bridge Street, Cardigan, where it is alleged that a window at the Cardigan Gallery was damaged. The property is said to belong to Peter Austin.

Myers pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

Magistrates adjourned the case for further case management, and Myers was remanded on conditional bail, with a condition that he live and sleep each night at his home address.

He is due to return to court at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 2:00pm.

Crime

Pembroke Dock man remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on string of offences

Published

4 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Harassment charge and three assaults among cases listed for Llanelli court

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing after admitting a series of offences, including harassment and assaults.

Tony Brundrett, aged 21, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard Brundrett has pleaded guilty to harassment without violence, contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act. The charge alleges that between Tuesday (Sep 17) and Thursday (Oct 31) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, he pursued a course of conduct amounting to harassment of a female, including attending her home address and contacting her by text message.

He has also admitted assault by beating against the same female, alleged to have taken place on Wednesday (May 21) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, and a further assault by beating against a second female on Thursday (Oct 30), also at Spring View.

Magistrates were additionally told that Brundrett faces a further allegation of common assault against a third female, said to have occurred on Tuesday (Dec 9) at Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock. No plea was recorded to that matter in the register entry.

Brundrett has also pleaded guilty to a number of offences linked to an incident in Haverfordwest on Saturday (Nov 16). These include:

Aggravated vehicle taking, involving a Vauxhall Corsa, with damage caused before recovery
Using a motor vehicle without insurance
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
Criminal damage, involving a window belonging to Pembrokeshire County Council

He was remanded in custody, with the next hearing listed at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 10:00am.