News

Frustration grows as council delays to school rebuild continue

Published

10 months ago

April 18, 2025

MANORBIER PROJECT STALLED AGAIN

NEARLY two and a half years after a devastating fire shut the doors of Manorbier Primary School, the community is still waiting for the rebuild to begin—despite repeated promises and reassurances.

The fire, which broke out on October 10, 2022, thankfully caused no injuries, but left the school building unusable. In a remarkable show of resilience, staff resumed lessons the next day in the village pub, and then moved to Jameston Village Hall, where the school remains to this day.

While the temporary accommodation allowed education to continue, progress on rebuilding has stalled. Negotiations between the church (which owns the site), Pembrokeshire County Council, and insurers have dragged on for months with little clarity or urgency.

Parents were left in the dark for six months before receiving any communication from the Council—only after a formal complaint was lodged.

In October 2024, Huw Jones, Chief Officer for School Resources and Governance, wrote to parents:

“We have an estimated cost for the school’s reinstatement and this has been shared with the Council’s insurers. However, negotiations with the insurers remain ongoing… The draft business case has been completed, and pending the value of the insurers’ contribution towards the school reinstatement, this will form the basis of a Cabinet report in the next month or so.”

But as of April 2025, no visible progress has been made, and parents were alarmed to learn via a Council email on March 27 that the business case is now unlikely to be considered until after a report by the School Modernisation Working Group—set up in August 2024—is completed.

The existence of this group had not been publicly disclosed, and teaching staff were reportedly told not to discuss it. The group is tasked with reviewing pupil numbers and surplus places across the Tenby and Preseli areas.

The decision to tie Manorbier’s rebuild to a wider review has sparked anger and suspicion among parents, governors, and staff, many of whom fear that financial concerns—not the needs of children—are driving the delay.

“It feels like they are trying to quietly shelve the rebuild,” one parent told The Herald. “They say it’s about strategy, but it looks like stalling.”

In its 2023–24 Annual Self-Assessment, Pembrokeshire County Council acknowledged the lack of progress:

“During 2023–24, legal and insurance issues for the fire-damaged Manorbier VC School were pursued. Debris was cleared from the building in January 2024, and since this date we have been ascertaining the extent of the reinstatement required and the costs.”

The Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2023–24 also referenced delays to school rebuilds, including Manorbier, due to rising construction costs. The Council has scheduled verbal updates on Manorbier’s progress in April, June, and September this year, suggesting that further updates are expected—but no start date has yet been given.

While the Council maintains that it is meeting its statutory duty by housing the school at Jameston Village Hall, parents argue the temporary site is unsuitable long-term. The hall limits facilities, caps future growth, and deprives the local community of a key public space.

Meanwhile, the original school site in Manorbier remains derelict and vulnerable to weather damage.

“It would be a tragedy to see it become a permanent ruin,” said one parent. “This delay isn’t just bureaucratic—it’s harming our children, our teachers, and the heart of our community.”

With no guarantee that a decision will be made even after the School Modernisation Working Group concludes its report in May, the future of Manorbier Primary remains uncertain.

But one thing is clear: the community is not giving up.

News

Political leaders and unions react to Milford Haven school assault

Published

4 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

First Minister, MP, MS and teaching unions call for safety and support for staff

POLITICAL leaders and teaching unions across Wales have spoken out following Thursday’s assault on a teacher at Milford Haven School, which led to a lockdown, a major police response and the arrest of a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of attempted murder.

The First Minister Eluned Morgan said she was “deeply concerned” by the incident and stressed that violence had no place in Welsh schools.

***Police at Milford Haven School on May 5 (Pic: Herald)***

Her comments come just days after she visited the Milford Haven campus following the school being placed into special measures by Estyn, where she met leaders to discuss improvement plans and support arrangements.

She said her thoughts were with the injured teacher, their family and the wider school community, and praised the swift response of staff and emergency services.

Local MP Henry Tufnell, who represents Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, described the incident as deeply upsetting for what he called a close-knit community.

He said he was thinking of the teacher and pupils affected and thanked Dyfed-Powys Police and ambulance crews for their professionalism.

Meanwhile Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz said: “Deeply concerning news across the water in Milford Haven.

“Sadly, violence in our schools is becoming all too common, and thanks must go to the emergency services for their timely response. Thoughts are with the injured teacher, their family and the wider school community.”

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies said teachers must feel safe at work and called for continued support for school staff.

Teaching unions also responded.

NASUWT said teachers “deserve to feel safe in their workplace” and that any violence against staff must be taken seriously, while National Education Union said schools must remain safe spaces for both pupils and staff and urged continued focus on safeguarding and behaviour support.

All said support would be offered to the Milford Haven school community in the days ahead as police investigations continue.

Crime

Teacher discharged as police step back from Milford Haven school after assault

Published

5 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Teenager remains in custody as school closes and patrols increased to reassure community

POLICE have confirmed they are no longer stationed at Milford Haven School after a teacher was assaulted by a pupil on Thursday afternoon (Feb 5), as the injured member of staff has now been discharged from hospital.

In a joint statement issued by Dyfed-Powys Police, Pembrokeshire County Council and Hywel Dda University Health Board, Superintendent Chris Neve said swift action had been taken to protect pupils and staff.

He said: “Police are no longer in attendance at Milford Haven Comprehensive School, following a report of the assault of a teacher at approx. 3.20pm this afternoon.

“I would like to reassure parents, and the wider community, that swift action was taken to both safeguard pupils and teachers, and to trace the suspect as soon as this report was received.

“The teacher has now been discharged from hospital and is being supported by specialist officers. All pupils at the location were safe, and all returned home unharmed. A 15-year-old boy has been arrested and remains in police custody as enquiries continue.

“You will see a higher than usual police presence in the area over the coming days – these will be dedicated patrols to provide further reassurance.”

The injured teacher was earlier taken to hospital by road ambulance.

An immediate lockdown was put in place at the school while emergency services responded. Most pupils had already left for the day, but those still on site were secured inside classrooms and offices as a precaution.

School closed on Friday

Council leader Cllr Jon Harvey said the school would be closed to pupils on Friday to allow support and safety measures to continue.

He said: “We would like to thank staff and pupils at Milford Haven School for implementing a swift and effective lockdown in response to this incident.

“While the school will be closed to pupils tomorrow, if there are any learners who require additional support they are welcome to attend and there will also be support for staff on site.

“We’d like to reassure learners and parents, along with the wider community, that all measures to ensure safety are being taken.”

The health board added that anyone needing urgent mental health support can call NHS 111 and press option 2 for 24-hour assistance.

National spotlight

The incident has drawn national media attention.

BBC News broadcast live from the school gates during its Ten O’Clock News bulletin, while ITV News and several national titles also covered developments.

Journalists from a number of UK outlets, including The Sun, contacted The Herald as events unfolded, with several Welsh and national publishers using photographs first taken by Herald reporters.

Residents said the scale of coverage was unprecedented for the normally quiet port town.

Police enquiries are continuing.

Photo caption:

Police outside Milford Haven School following Thursday’s incident (Pics: Herald).

Health

Health board targets rise in steroid and gym drug use across west Wales

Published

9 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE LOCAL health board has launched new targeted measures after recording a sharp rise in the use of steroids and other image-enhancing drugs across the region.

Hywel Dda University Health Board says needle exchange figures show significant growth over the past two years in people seeking support related to Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs), including anabolic steroids and so-called Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs).

SARMs, while marketed online as safer alternatives to steroids, are illegal to sell in the UK and health professionals warn they carry serious and largely unknown risks.

The health board has now teamed up with Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS) and Choices, a young people’s substance use service, to tackle what officials describe as an “emerging public health challenge”.

Workshops and outreach

Two key initiatives have been introduced.

Educational workshops are being delivered to young people, focusing on the risks of using performance-enhancing substances during physical development and the potential long-term effects on hormones, mental health and fertility.

At the same time, enhanced support is being offered to people already involved in gym and fitness culture, with harm-reduction advice, health monitoring and confidential drop-in services.

Support includes testosterone testing, blood checks, cycle provision kits and discreet one-to-one consultations.

One service user described the programme as “quick, professional and non-judgemental”.

They said: “The drop-in clinic for my blood test was really convenient. I was seen quickly and given a full run-down of the services available. The staff made me feel comfortable the whole time and I got my results back faster than expected.”

Taking support into the community

The team has also worked directly with local gyms, leisure centres and sports venues, speaking to more than 100 people during five outreach sessions.

Twelve DDAS staff members have completed specialist IPED training delivered by Public Health Wales to strengthen expertise within the service.

Rachel Wilson, Resilient Families Manager at Choices, said the aim is to reduce stigma.

She said: “We’re proud to work alongside Hywel Dda to ensure people who use IPEDs are met with understanding, not judgement. These initiatives are helping us reach individuals who may not have previously considered accessing support.”

Craig Jones, Prevention and Population Health Improvement Manager, added: “This work is about meeting people where they are. By listening and responding with compassion and evidence-based care, we’re making a real difference.”

Dr Ardiana Gjini, Executive Director of Public Health, said the approach showed the board’s commitment to early intervention.

She said: “These initiatives reflect a proactive, collaborative response to emerging health challenges and demonstrate our dedication to protecting the health of our communities.”

Anyone seeking confidential advice or support can contact DDAS on 03303 639997 to book an appointment.