THE FORMER headmaster of Ysgol y Preseli, Martin Lloyd, has passed away following a battle with cancer.

Mr. Lloyd dedicated nearly 50 years to the school in Crymych, shaping the lives of countless students and playing a pivotal role in the development of Welsh-medium education in Pembrokeshire.

He joined Ysgol y Preseli in 1974, starting as an Economics teacher before being promoted to deputy headmaster. In 1991 he became headmaster, a position he held with distinction until his retirement in 2009.

Throughout his tenure, Mr. Lloyd was a strong advocate for bilingual education and was instrumental in strengthening the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Under his leadership, Ysgol y Preseli became a centre of learning and cultural preservation, nurturing generations of Welsh-speaking students.

Speaking at the time of his retirement, Mr. Lloyd reflected on his years of service with pride and gratitude, highlighting the collective achievements of staff and students in maintaining the school’s high standards.

His passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes from former colleagues, students, and the wider community, remembering him as a dedicated educator, mentor, and leader whose contributions left an enduring impact on Welsh education.

Mr. Lloyd’s legacy will live on in the generations he taught and in the continued success of Ysgol y Preseli.

SCHOOL children from across Pembrokeshire, aged from five to 16, learnt how the food produced locally is delicious and nutritious during a highly successful ‘Food Story / Stori Bwyd’ event, held by the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society.

During the event potato, dairy, sheep and poultry farmers from all over the county volunteered their time to talk to the children and give hands-on demonstrations. They explained to the children how they produce potatoes, dairy products, eggs and meat. They also demonstrated how they farm sustainably, look after local wildlife and how they care for the countryside.

The event was held on the Pembrokeshire County Showground and the focus was on potato growing, production and supply. The children also got the opportunity to taste locally produced jacket potatoes with a variety of toppings cooked perfectly and served by staff from Castell Howell.

Kathy Wilson, a former teacher and now an Honorary Pembrokeshire Show Governor, organised the event on behalf of the Society’s Food Story / Stori Bwyd. She said, “I would like to say a massive thank you to each and every one of the volunteers and who took two days out from their busy work on the farm to come and talk to the children and demonstrate how they produce food and drink. A big thanks also to the local providers who contributed to the event. The smiles on the faces of the children said it all, they listened intently, enthusiastically took part in the demonstrations and the teachers took resources back with them to their schools to continue the learning.

“One of the important elements of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s work is educational and spreading the word around the county about how local food is produced by farmers. Everyone enjoyed eating the jacket potatoes after they had learnt how hard the farmers work to produce them.”

As well as food production, the event was an opportunity to teach the children about the seasonality of what farmers produce locally and how the weather and climate affects the work farmers do as well as the different food groups and healthy eating. 

Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s President was one of the farmers who volunteered their time to talk to school children at the event. He said, “The Society would like to thank Kathy Wilson and Jo in the show office for all the hours they have put in to organise this magnificent event. To see how much the children enjoyed learning how their food is produced through hands-on demonstrations is heart warming.”

Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society would like to thank NFU Mutual Pembrokeshire, the CLA Charitable Trust and Women in Wales, for their financial support. Thanks also to the Camrose Vintage Working Day for their support as well as the NFU, Wales Farm Safety and Puffin Produce for providing educational resources and buckets for the schools and pupils.

Food Story volunteers will be at the County Show on 20 and 21 August 2025 with an interactive display and demonstrations for children to have fun and take part in to learn where their food comes from.

LEARNERS from the UAL Level 3 & 4 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design course at Pembrokeshire College recently embarked on an enriching cultural study visit to St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff. The visit provided an invaluable opportunity for learners to gather source material, which they later developed into creative works through screen printing workshops back at the College.

The outdoor museum features a remarkable collection of relocated and reconstructed historical buildings from across Wales, spanning a variety of time periods. The immersive experience allowed learners to engage with diverse architectural styles, objects, and environments, deepening their understanding of Welsh cultural heritage.

Inside the museum, learners explored artefacts showcasing traditional crafts such as weaving, embroidery, pottery, wood carving, blacksmithing, and furniture-making, all of which highlight the richness of Welsh cultural identity both past and present.

The visit coincided with temporary exhibitions. ‘The Wool Coat’ project, for instance, explored sustainability and cultural heritage through the repurposing of Welsh blankets into contemporary garments. This project also involved the independent Cardiff-based printmaking studio ‘Printhaus,’ which designed screen printed lining fabrics. Learners were particularly engaged by the project’s social impact, as it also provided sewing skills to immigrants in Cardiff to help with workplace integration. Issues of sustainability, re-use, culture, traditional skills and immigration were addressed through this multi-faceted project.

Another art installation explored colonialism featuring furniture once owned by ‘Clive of India,’ the installation highlighted the powerful role of visual artists in raising awareness of injustice and driving cultural change. Adding to the dynamic experience, learners witnessed the film industry in action as a production team adapted historic buildings and filmed scenes for ‘Young Sherlock,’ offering a fascinating glimpse into how historical settings can be reimagined for contemporary storytelling.

Back in the College print workshop, learners translated their observations into a collaborative screen-printed banner. They explored both hand-stencil and photographic exposure techniques to create a bold visual response to their visit. The final design reflected elements of the day’s experience, incorporating imagery gathered through drawing and photography.

A highlight of the visit was the warm praise from members of the public, who sought out staff to commend the learners on their conduct, their consideration for others and their interest in and engagement with the Museum and staff members.

We are incredibly proud of our learners and their ability to translate this inspiring experience into innovative artistic outcomes in such a short period of time. Their visit to St Fagans has not only expanded their creative practice but also deepened their appreciation for Welsh cultural heritage and the role of art in shaping contemporary discourse.

This impressive banner is now proudly on display in the College’s atrium.