Rock track raises money for charity while giving a gentle dig to the council

A BRAND-NEW Christmas rock song by a Pembrokeshire musician has namechecked Haverfordwest’s much-debated riverside bridge, offering what its creator describes as a “gentle dig” at local decision-makers while raising money for charity.

Local musicians behind the track

The single, Where has the Christmas spirit gone, has been released by Pembroke Dock musician Ray Roberts, who performs alongside Paul Smith, Ian Pearce and his son Nathan. The idea, Ray says, started as a casual chat about Christmas number ones before quickly turning into a full production.

“We were chatting about Christmas number ones; ‘sausage rolls’ got to number one a few years ago and I thought ‘hold my beer’,” he said. “It’s also quite a catchy song and locally everyone is talking about it. I went to the post office in Pennar and people were saying, ‘I like your song’.”

The accompanying video features locations across Pembrokeshire including Haverfordwest Castle and the new bridge, Pembroke nightclub OUT, Central Motors, Dales Music Store in Tenby, Wisebuys Pembroke, Tenby’s beach and castle, Pembroke Castle, and even a cameo from Ray’s wife’s grandmother, aged 101, who still lives independently in Tenby.

Lyrics take aim at local frustrations

The song opens with lyrics about the pressures facing older residents:

“No money for heating this Christmas time,
Old folks shivering as the frost starts to climb…
Council tax spent on a bridge we didn’t need,
Instagrammable views, but we have mouths to feed.”

Ray told The Herald he included the controversial bridge because “it just p****d me off, simple as that,” referring to recent cutbacks affecting elderly residents in Pembroke Dock, including the closure of the Anchorage day centre.

“Around Pembroke Dock they are having these warm rooms and they’ve recently closed the Anchorage day centre, and they spend £5m…” he said.

Supporters defend the project

Supporters of the bridge, which forms part of the wider regeneration of Haverfordwest, have pointed out that the funding came from a levelling-up scheme and could not have been used to support general council services. The actual cost to the county, they say, is only a proportion of the oft-quoted figures.

“They can spin it how they want,” Ray said. “They can spend money how they want to; they’ve always got a spare pot and then can close centres for OAPs. It’s got to p*** you off spending more money on council tax and getting less and less. It kind of hits home when you see close family friends hit by these cutbacks.”

A good-humoured project for charity

Despite the pointed lyrics, Ray stresses that the song is intended to be more humorous than hostile.

“It’s a bit tongue in cheek and a bit of a kick at the council and a chance to raise money for charity,” he said. “It’s not about a hard hit, it’s a gentle dig and a call to spend time with your family. Don’t waste your money on glitz, be with your family. That’s where the lyrics are. It’s written with good intent.”

Ray has invested around £1,500 of his own money into producing the song and video. Instead of selling CDs, the track is available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music, with charity proceeds raised through advertising and streaming revenue. The song is also registered for the UK charts.

“I want people downloading it. I want to raise money but not get people paying for it,” Ray said. “Hopefully advertising revenue will do that. None of the £1,500 is coming back to me; I’ve always wanted to do a rock video.”

A CALL for works at what is said to be one of the oldest independent museums in Wales has been approved by Pembrokeshire’s national park.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Rob Davies sought permission for the replacement of existing single-glazed timber sash to windows to south and east elevations with replica double glazed units at Grade-II-listed Tenby Museum & Art Gallery, Castle Hill, Tenby.

A supporting statement said: “The museum building is in the former National School, built into a medieval domestic building, possibly the hall, depicted as roofless and gable ended in early views. The school was founded in 1832 and enlarged in 1842. The girl’s schoolroom was above, the boys below. It remained in use until the Parochial School was opened in 1874, and the building became the museum in 1878.

“A mural mosaic depicting the history of Tenby was located on the east elevation in 1991. The 1977 listing refers to two round chimneys to the rear, however, only one was located in 2001.  Two ranges exist, the original museum adapted from a medieval building used as the National School until 1874 and the former Museum Cottage to the west, now also part of the museum.”

Heritage service Cadw, in its response, lists the museum as “among the early museums in Wales,” while a Wikipedia entry says it is “the oldest independent museum in Wales”.

The application was supported by Tenby Town Council and Tenby Civic Society.

An officer report recommending approval said: “No adverse comments have been received from consultees towards the current proposal, and no third-party representations raising issues relating to listed building matters have been received.

“The proposed scheme is in keeping with the character of the listed building, and its setting in terms of design and form. As such, the application can be supported subject to conditions.”

THE LAUNCH of a public consultation on the potential closure of Pembrokeshire school Ysgol Clydau just before Christmas has been called “deeply concerning” and unfair to local families.

At the May meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, members backed a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which included statutory consultation on proposals to discontinue Manorbier Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School and Ysgol Clydau in Tegryn.

A plea on behalf of Ysgol Clydau was previously made 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”.

He added that closure was “a disaster for the future of education locally” and was “not fair and was not moral”.

The Ysgol Clydau consultation has now been launched, on the eve of a plea to keep the school open being heard at County Hall.

A council statement accompanying the launch of the consultation says: “At its meeting on May 8, Pembrokeshire County Council considered a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which outlined the findings of a review of education provision in the Preseli area.

“In particular the review considered the extent of surplus school places in the area, set against a significant decline in the pupil population.”

A petition, opposing closure of the school, on the council’s own website, generated 648 responses, meaning it crossed the threshold to be heard at full council.

That petition call, along with a similar one for Manorbier school, which also crossed the threshold, with 1,511 signatures, is to be heard by councillors at the December 12 meeting of full council.

The Ysgol Clydau petition states: “We demand that Pembrokeshire County Council reconsider its decision to close Ysgol Clydau and instead prioritise the needs of our community by keeping the school open. We oppose the closure of Ysgol Clydau and call for full public scrutiny before any decision is made.

“We urge you to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the community, listen to our concerns, and work with us to find alternative solutions that support the needs of our children and families.”

Paul Davies MS

Local Senedd Member Paul Davies has voiced his opposition to the proposal to close Ysgol Clydau, describing the timing of the consultation—just before Christmas—as “deeply concerning” and unfair to local families.

Mr Davies also highlighted the impact that closing Ysgol Clydau would have on the local community and the Welsh language.

“Ysgol Clydau is a crucial part of the local community, and its closure would have a huge impact on the local area. It’s unacceptable that this consultation has been launched without any discussion with local stakeholders and announcing it just before Christmas is very disappointing.