RESIDENTS across parts of south Pembrokeshire have reported unusually loud explosions over the past week as military exercises take place at the Castlemartin Training Area.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that live firing has been underway at the range between Monday (Mar 2) and Friday (Mar 6) as part of routine training for armoured units.

People living in Milford Haven, Neyland and surrounding communities said the blasts were noticeably louder than usual, with some reporting that the noise could be heard clearly indoors.

One resident in Milford Haven told The Herald that the sound carried across the Haven during the week.

“I’ve lived here for years and you always hear the range from time to time, but this week it seemed much louder than normal. You could hear it clearly inside the house.”

The Castlemartin Range Complex, located on the south Pembrokeshire coast between Bosherston and St Govan’s Head, is one of the UK’s main live-fire training areas for armoured units.

According to the official MOD firing notice for March, a range of weapons systems are being used during the exercises, including 120mm tank guns, mortars and heavy machine guns.

The 120mm main gun used by modern battle tanks produces extremely powerful shockwaves which can carry significant distances, particularly across water.

During some training periods the range operates during normal daytime hours, typically 7:30am to 4:45pm, but certain exercises include 24-hour firing sessions.

For safety reasons, several roads and footpaths in the Castlemartin area are closed during firing periods, including the road from Bosherston to St Govan’s Chapel and access to parts of the coastline.

A sea danger area is also enforced several miles offshore while the exercises are underway.

Castlemartin has been used by the military since the 1930s and is regularly used by armoured units training with Challenger tanks before deployment on operations or major exercises.

Live firing is scheduled to continue at intervals throughout March.

SCHOOL leaders in Wales have raised concerns about elements of Reform UK’s education policies following the launch of the party’s Senedd election manifesto.

The reaction came after Reform Wales unveiled its programme for government on Thursday (Mar 5), which includes proposals aimed at reshaping the Welsh education system.

Among the policies outlined by the party are plans to introduce school league tables and move towards an academy-style system similar to that used in England.

However, the proposals have drawn criticism from education leaders who say some of the ideas risk misunderstanding the realities facing schools.

Union response

Responding to the manifesto, Laura Doel, national secretary of the school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru, said the plans appeared to look backwards rather than addressing the challenges currently facing schools.

She said: “Reform has acknowledged the need to return to core teaching and learning, but has missed the real opportunity here by looking backwards at outdated practice, rather than forward to focusing on what will make a real difference.”

She also challenged the suggestion that schools place too much emphasis on emotional support for pupils.

“The idea that there is too much emotional support for pupils in schools is completely misunderstanding the situation on the ground,” she said.

“School staff are wrestling daily with the symptoms of children and young people’s emotional distress, and without tackling these issues they will continue to get in the way of their learning. Schools need more funding for emotional support, not less.”

League tables questioned

Reform’s plans to introduce league tables comparing school performance also came under criticism.

Doel said there was little evidence such measures would improve education standards or reduce pressure on teachers.

“It is hard to see how introducing league tables pitting schools against each other will reduce bureaucracy or do anything to lessen workload and pressure or free up school staff to teach,” she said.

“And there is no evidence that the structure of a school leads to improvement, so we question why Reform would seek to move to academisation in Wales.”

Some elements welcomed

Despite the criticism, NAHT Cymru said parts of the proposals could be beneficial if developed further.

Doel said school leaders would welcome reforms to Additional Learning Needs (ALN) provision and stronger support for speech and language therapies.

However, she warned that much of the policy appeared disconnected from the day-to-day challenges facing schools.

“Much of it is extremely misguided and fundamentally misunderstands the realities facing schools and young people in Wales,” she said.

“Reform policy might benefit from deeper engagement with school leaders and other education professionals.”

Reform response

Reform Wales has argued its education proposals are aimed at raising standards and improving accountability within the Welsh school system.

The party says reforms such as league tables would help parents better understand how schools are performing and ensure greater transparency in education.

Election debate intensifies

The reaction highlights the growing debate over education policy as parties set out their competing visions ahead of the Senedd election on Thursday (May 7).

Education remains one of the most contested issues in Welsh politics, with concerns frequently raised about pupil attainment, teacher workload and funding pressures.

As campaigning continues, education policy is expected to be a key battleground between parties seeking to convince voters they have the answers to improving standards in Welsh schools.

A NEWPORT man has been fined thousands of pounds after admitting a series of harbour safety offences following a vessel collision in Milford Haven.

Nolan Orford, aged 51, Bishton Village, Newport, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 5).

The court heard that the offences took place on June 4, 2025, when Orford was navigating a vessel named Andy 02 within the Milford Haven Waterway.

Prosecutors, acting on behalf of the Milford Haven Port Authority, said Orford failed to comply with directions lawfully given by the harbourmaster under the Milford Haven Conservancy Act 1983 and the Milford Haven Byelaws 1984.

The first offence related to the manner in which the vessel was navigated. The court was told that Andy 02 was manoeuvred in such a way that it caused damage, danger or inconvenience to other users of the Haven, resulting in a collision with another vessel.

Orford also admitted failing to report the collision to the harbourmaster immediately after the incident, despite being the master of the vessel and required to do so under harbour regulations.

A further offence concerned an act affecting the safety of navigation in the Haven, after Andy 02 struck a vessel that was on its moorings.

Orford had originally denied the charges but changed his pleas to guilty on February 17.

Magistrates fined him £1,125 for the first offence and a further £1,125 for the third offence relating to the safety of navigation.

He was also fined £750 for failing to report the collision.

In addition, Orford was ordered to pay £6,000 in prosecution costs and a £1,200 surcharge to fund victim services.

The court made a collection order and allowed the total amount to be paid at a rate of £100 per month starting from April 2.

The offences were brought under Section 23 of the Milford Haven Conservancy Act 1983 and various Milford Haven Byelaws governing navigation safety within the Haven.

Speaking after the case, the Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven, Mike Ryan said: “We are responsible for ensuring the safe and lawful use of the Waterway. Most users comply with the byelaws and navigational requirements, which exist to protect all who operate on or enjoy the Haven.

“We encourage anyone who is unsure of their responsibilities to consult the guidance available online. Users who do not comply with these byelaws may be subject to legal action.

“This incident is a reminder to everyone using the Waterway of their obligations: to always maintain a proper lookout, to navigate at a safe and appropriate speed, and to take early and decisive action to avoid the risk of collision.

“And, in the event of any collision or incident, users are legally required to report the matter to the Harbourmaster without delay. We will act, including pursuing prosecution when necessary, to keep everyone safe.”

The Port of Milford Haven is responsible for managing the safe use of the Milford Haven Waterway within the defined port limits. The Milford Haven Conservancy Act 1983 and the Milford Haven Harbour Byelaws 1984 provide the legal framework for these responsibilities and give the authority power to prosecute those who endanger the safe use of the Waterway.