Community

Manorbier school could be forced to close after horror fire

Published

12 months ago

May 14, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

THE EARLY stages of what could lead to the potential closure of Pembrokeshire schools including fire-ravaged Manorbier school has been backed by councillors.

At the May meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, members received a report of the School Modernisation Working Group.

A report for members recommended a series of proposals including the Director of Education be authorised to commence statutory consultation with the St David’s Diocese on proposals to discontinue Manorbier Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School and Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School, establishing the latter as a 3-11 Community School.

It also recommended the Director of Education be authorised to commence statutory consultation on a proposal to discontinue Ysgol Clydau, along with a review of English and Welsh medium, primary and secondary provision in the Tenby cluster.

Manorbier Church in Wales VC School and its adjoining schoolhouse was severely damaged by a fire on October 11, 2022, which broke out in the school roof space.

Pupils and staff were successfully evacuated with no injuries, and a ‘school from school’ was set up in Jameston Village Hall, after a brief period of sanctuary at the nearby Buttyland caravan site.

Manorbier has seen “a 59.8 per cent decline in the school’s pupil population during the period 2015-2025, with no indication that this will be significantly reversed during the next 5-6 years,” the report said, adding: “This decline cannot be attributed wholly to the fire which occurred in October 2022, with a 30.7 per cent decline from 2015 to 2022.”

It added: “The school’s capacity is 86 but there has been an increasing level of surplus places at the school, reaching 74.4 per cent in 2025. The school has been in a position of having significant surplus places (>25 per cent) for at least seven years.”

It said that most children living in the Manorbier school catchment attend other schools in the area, in 2024 only 15 children (18.5 per cent) living in the school’s catchment attended Manorbier school.

The capital cost of rebuilding Manorbier VC School is estimated to be £2.6 million.

On Ysgol Clydau, the report said there has been a 34 per cent decline in the school’s pupil population during the period 2015-2025, with no indication that this will be significantly reversed during the next five-six years.

Cilgerran Church in Wales VC School has seen a nine per cent decline in the school’s pupil population during the period 2015-2025.

Leader Cllr Jon Harvey said, in the case of Manorbier, he wasn’t yet convinced the authority “was in full possession of the relevant data to make a decision,” reading out a letter from Sam Kurtz MS about the fears of potential closure.

Independent group leader Cllr Huw Murphy, who later called for a deferral of any decision on Manorbier, saying: “Two-and-a-half years after the fire we at Pembrokeshire County Council haven’t covered ourselves in glory about this school and its catastrophic fire; numbers have reduced but there has to be a correlation.

“We all wanted Manorbier to be rebuilt, and the majority do now; we owe Manorbier a chance, we’re being asked to make a decision on incomplete information.”

Cllr Rhys Jordan, a neighbouring councillor to Manorbier, said the school had been “caught in a bit of a political football on both sides,” adding: “When that school burned down those children were placed in a safe place that’s become a long-term fix.

“We need to get these young people into a proper educational environment; I can’t support Cllr Murphy’s amendment, it would be just kicking this down the road. I urge members to make a difficult decision today and support the recommendations.”

Local member for Manorbier Cllr Phil Kidney in an impassioned plea, said the teachers and pupils at the school had been though a “horrendous” time with Covid and the later fire.

“Of course, the figures went down; they lost a big catchment to Greenhill [Tenby] and through Covid and the fire. Figures are going up but there’s the uncertainty of the last two-and-a-half years.”

He added: “50 per cent of the pupils have got ALN needs, a lot of them come out of catchment simply due to the nurturing; there’s a lot of poverty in Manorbier, a lot of the children will struggle in classes of big sizes, that’s why they go to Manorbier.

“It shouldn’t all be about money; we’re looking at the bottom line all the time, what they’ve been through is horrendous. I can’t speak highly enough about the level of teaching; this is the sword of Damocles hanging over them, we’re not trying to give people false hope, we’re only trying to make the right decision, with all the information.

“At the moment I would say we haven’t got all the information there; all we’re asking from the council is give us the benefit of the doubt and make the decision with all the information. Waiting another couple of months is well worth it, the staff, pupils and parents of Manorbier school all deserve it.”

A plea on behalf of Ysgol Clyddau was launched by Cllr Iwan Ward, local member, who said it was “the heart of our society not just a school, it’s family, a community, an anchor for children who deserve the opportunity to grow,” adding closure was “a disaster for the future of education locally,” and was “not fair and was not moral”.

Cllr Murphy’s amendment was defeated by 35 votes to 14, with one abstention, the original recommendation later passing by 44 to three, again with one abstention.

Community

Cllr marks 10th blood donation and urges others to give blood

Published

4 minutes ago

May 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE councillor has urged more people to become blood donors after receiving his 10-unit donation badge from the Welsh Blood Service.

Cllr Thomas Tudor said he was pleased to receive the recognition and encouraged anyone who is able to donate to come forward.

He said: “If you can give blood, please do so.”

The Welsh Blood Service says hospitals in Wales need around 350 blood donations every day to support patients in need.

A single donation can help up to three patients, as blood can be separated into different components and used in different ways to help people recover.

The service is calling for donors from all backgrounds, including first-time donors and those who have given blood before, to help maintain supplies for hospitals across Wales.

Giving blood is described as quick, simple and safe, and remains one of the most important ways members of the public can help save lives.

Anyone wishing to find out more can contact the Welsh Blood Service on 0800 252 266, Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 7:00pm, or Saturday from 9:00am to 1:00pm. They can also email [email protected].

Caption:

Cllr Thomas Tudor giving blood after receiving his 10-unit donation badge from the Welsh Blood Service.

Community

Tenby lifeboats called out five times in ‘exceptionally busy’ week

Published

13 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Volunteer RNLI crews dealt with reports of people cut off by the tide, a vessel with engine failure and a possible kitesurfer in difficulty

TENBY lifeboat crews have been called out five times in a week, dealing with a series of incidents around the south Pembrokeshire coast.

The latest launch came just before 5:30pm on Sunday (May 3), when the inshore lifeboat was sent to Monkstone Point following a report that people may have been cut off by the tide.

As the volunteer crew arrived on scene, it was confirmed that the people were fishing and did not require assistance. The lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.

The call-out was the station’s fifth shout of the week.

On Friday (May 1), the all-weather lifeboat launched shortly after 10:00am after the occupants of a 21ft pleasure boat reported engine failure between Lydstep and Giltar.

The lifeboat arrived around ten minutes later and found the vessel at risk of drifting onto rocks. The crew decided the safest option was to tow it back to Saundersfoot.

With the tide out, the vessel was moored in the bay and those on board were taken ashore using the lifeboat’s Y-boat, where they were met by Tenby Coastguard Rescue Team. The lifeboat returned to station at 11:25am.

On Wednesday (Apr 29), the inshore lifeboat was launched shortly after 4:30pm after a report that a kitesurfer appeared to be in difficulty between Tenby and Caldey Island. The crew searched the reported area and extended the search towards Giltar Point, but no one in difficulty was found.

Earlier in the week, both Tenby lifeboats were launched at 6:15pm on Monday (Apr 27) after a report that two people may have been cut off by the tide at Gilman Point, near Pendine.

The all-weather lifeboat arrived first, with choppy conditions slowing the inshore lifeboat. Coastguard rescue team members on the cliffs above directed the crew to two people on rocks.

The Y-boat was launched and the pair confirmed they were in difficulty. They were taken aboard and brought ashore at Pendine, where Coastguards were waiting. The inshore lifeboat also collected the casualties’ bags before returning them ashore.

The busy week came as three Tenby RNLI volunteers — Eddie, Alice and Jack — successfully completed their ALB tier one pass-out on Sunday.

Tenby Lifeboats RNLI congratulated the trio, saying: “Well done guys.”

Community

Whitland street food festival draws thousands for biggest event yet

Published

14 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Record crowds, live music and over 100 traders make bank holiday celebration a major success

THOUSANDS of visitors descended on Whitland on Sunday (May 3) as the Whitland Street Food Festival returned to Parc Dr Owen for what organisers described as its biggest and best event to date.

The annual festival, organised by Together Hendygwyn Gyda’n Gilydd CIC, brought together food traders, performers and community groups from across West Wales, with strong ticket sales suggesting attendance in the thousands.

Record scale and strong turnout

More than 30 street food vendors and over 80 market stalls filled the site, offering everything from Welsh produce and artisan goods to international cuisine, sweet treats and speciality drinks.

A large big-top tent provided covered seating for festivalgoers, while crowds gathered across the field to enjoy live music, entertainment and family attractions throughout the day.

Pre-event figures suggested over 1,300 tickets had already been sold, with some estimates rising closer to 1,800 — continuing the festival’s growth as a major regional attraction.

***Hit attraction: The Queen Hall’s famous cheese stall was at the event***

Music and entertainment headline the day

The event featured a full programme of live performances, culminating in a headline DJ set from BBC Radio 1 DJs Rickie and Melvin.

Local acts also played a central role, with performances from 4th Street, The Western Shires, P’tcheaow, The Home Shores and Just Dylan. Community groups including Ysgol Dyffryn Taf and Whitland & District Male Choir also took to the stage.

Visitors were entertained beyond the music, with live circus shows and interactive activities from Big Top Mania, alongside a popular hot wing challenge.

Family focus and community spirit

The festival placed a strong emphasis on being family-friendly, with a free bouncy castle, inflatable assault course and dedicated toddler area attracting younger visitors.

Across the site, a mix of families, groups and visitors from neighbouring counties created a lively and welcoming atmosphere, with many staying into the evening as entertainment continued.

Pure West Radio broadcast live from the event, interviewing traders, performers and attendees, capturing what many described as a “buzzing” and “fantastic” day.

***The event had a carnival atmosphere (Pic: Pure West Radio)***

Supporting local business and causes

Organisers said the festival was designed to celebrate local food, businesses and community spirit, while supporting independent traders and raising funds or awareness for local causes.

Charity presence on the day included Wales Air Ambulance, which hosted an awareness stand alongside the commercial stalls.

Whitland, a small Carmarthenshire town, has seen the festival grow into a key annual event, drawing visitors from across West Wales and providing a boost to the local economy.

Looking ahead

With strong attendance, a packed programme and widespread community involvement, the 2026 festival is expected to build further momentum for future events.

Organisers are likely to review this year’s success as they look ahead to an even bigger return in 2027.