Community

Milford Haven parents demand voice in £141m schools redevelopment

Published

3 months ago

September 28, 2025

GROWING calls are being made for parents and the wider community in Milford Haven to have a greater say in the town’s £141.6m schools redevelopment programme.

At last week’s (Sept 25) meeting of the Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Pembrokeshire’s Director of Education, Steven Richards-Downes, admitted that while the “school community” had been consulted during a feasibility study, no direct consultation had taken place with parents, families or students.

In this case “school community” referred to the headteacher, senior leadership team and governing body of Milford Haven School — not the parents or pupils whose daily lives will be most affected by the changes.

That revelation has sparked frustration in Milford Haven, where families say they should be at the heart of shaping the future of local education.

***Says community should have a say on new schools: Cllr Viv Stoddart***

Hubberston councillor Vivien Stoddart, who has repeatedly pressed Welsh Government over delays, told The Herald: “Surely parents and students are the most important people? Why were they not invited to contribute their views to the study?”

One parent who emailed The Herald over the weekend following our recent story on the issue said: “How on earth can £140 million be spent — and let’s face it, probably more in the end as these things always go over budget — without talking to the people of Milford Haven? It’s our children who will have to sit in these classrooms for years to come. Parents and pupils should be asked what they actually need, not just told what’s being planned behind closed doors. If this is meant to be an investment in our community, then the community should have a voice in shaping it.”

The £141.6m scheme, approved by Cabinet in July, would deliver a new co-located primary and secondary school on the current secondary site, together with a 40-place Flying Start centre, a 36-place secondary Learning Resource Centre, and a new Welsh-medium 3–11 school. Around £46.5m of the funding will come from the council’s capital programme, with the remainder expected from Welsh Government.

Although the Strategic Outline Case has already been submitted, construction cannot begin before 2027, leaving Milford Haven pupils in schools graded Condition C — poor — with fire safety work and repairs continuing as stop-gap measures.

Cllr Stoddart said the delays and lack of consultation risk undermining confidence in the project: “The progress is a disgrace. The Welsh Government’s bureaucracy is Monty Python writ large, and now we find that families have been sidelined too. It is absolutely scandalous.”

The Herald understands further consultation will be required at the outline and full business case stages, but parents are pressing for their voices to be heard now, rather than years down the line.

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

19 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

19 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).