Youth Theatre opens doors for spring term

YOUNG people in Pembrokeshire are being invited to take their first steps onto the stage as Torch Youth Theatre opens enrolment for its spring term.

The Torch Theatre is welcoming new members to its youngest group, aimed at children in school years three and four, with sessions beginning this January. The programme is designed to nurture creativity, confidence and friendship in a fun, supportive environment.

The Youth Theatre is well known for producing acclaimed shows such as The Bangers and Chips Explosion, Ravers and The Wind in the Willows, but its focus extends far beyond performance alone.

Tim Howe, who leads the programme, said the sessions are about building life skills as much as theatrical ones.

“Our sessions help young people build confidence in a safe, supportive space,” he said. “We encourage social skills by making new friends and learning how to work as a team, while using imagination to tackle creative challenges. Most importantly, every session is packed with energy and laughter.”

Sessions for the youngest age group take place on Tuesday evenings from 4:30pm to 6:00pm.

Tim added: “It’s an ideal after-school activity for all sorts of young people. Whether they’re a born performer, a little bit shy, or just looking to try something new, there’s a place for them here.”

While younger members develop their skills, the Youth Theatre’s senior group is beginning rehearsals for its next production, Sycamore Gap, sponsored by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. The play forms part of the National Theatre’s UK-wide Connections programme.

“The National Theatre Connections production is just one of the many performance opportunities we provide,” Tim said. “Young people can also take part in voiceover work for our pantomime, termly informal showcases, and our spectacular annual summer productions. Torch Youth Theatre is a vital part of our live theatre programme.”

Members themselves speak passionately about the experience.

“Going to Torch Youth Theatre is my favourite part of the week,” said one participant. “It’s funny, welcoming, and a space away from the world where you can let go and be free.”

Another added: “Torch means a lot to us. It has helped us build bonds and given us opportunities we never would have had otherwise.”

Youth Theatre groups meet weekly:

• School years 3 and 4: Tuesdays, 4:30pm–6:00pm
• School years 5 and 6: Wednesdays, 4:30pm–6:00pm
• School years 7, 8 and 9: Tuesdays, 6:30pm–8:00pm
• School years 10, 11, 12 and 13: Wednesdays, 7:30pm–9:30pm

The Torch says it is looking forward to welcoming a new generation of young theatre-makers through its doors in 2026.

For more information, visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk, call the Box Office on 01646 695267, or email Tim Howe at [email protected].

A CONSULTATION on proposed changes for a north Pembrokeshire school, which attracted a near-400-strong petition in opposition to the council, has been launched.

At its May meeting, 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,” the council in its consultation on proposals for discontinuation of Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School has said.

A later July meeting of the council, following May’s agreed consultation with St David’s Diocese, backed a general consultation to discontinue Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School, and to establish it as a 3-11 community school.

The consultation was launched on December 16 and runs to January 30.

Hundreds have opposed the proposed changes, with a petition, on the council’s own website opposing the changes recently closed after gaining 391 signatures.

Any petition of between 100 and 499 signatures triggers a debate at one of the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees, and any over 500 a debate at full council, meaning this petition will be heard by committee members at a later date.

The proposals for Cilgerran are part of a wide range of potential education changes in the county.

Two petitions, opposing the potential closures of Manorbier and Ysgol Clydau schools, were recently heard at full council and a further petition opposing the potential closure of Stepaside School has recently been launched.

The Cilgerran e-petition, created by Louise Williams, raised concerns including the school could become part of a federation, a loss of permanent head teacher on site, a shared head teacher would have to oversee several schools, loss of funding control and the ability to maintain the school’s current healthy and stable funding, and a loss of commitment to the church, in turn could impact on the school’s and pupils values, beliefs and cultural beliefs. 

It said: “Ysgol Cilgerran VC school has strong links with the Church community in Cilgerran and we believe this will have a negative impact on the children who attend the school, the community of Cilgerran and the links between the two.

“We are proud of our school ethos and values which are strengthened by our links with the church. The school has close and strong relationships with our Church in Wales federation governors one of which is also our safeguarding governor.

“Our Church Federation governors work closely with the school and are regular visitors to the school and the children. They provide vital support and guidance to the school and have a positive impact on the Children’s education. We believe these links will be weakened by this proposal to remove our VC status and we believe this is an un-necessary action.”

A PLEA for councillors to not act as “judge, jury and executioner” when the potential closure of fire-ravaged Manorbier is decided upon next year was heard at full council.

At the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, members received a petition opposing the potential closure of Manorbier School.

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.

After that, a ‘school from school’ was set up in Jameston Village Hall.

It had been hoped the school would be rebuilt, but earlier this year members of Pembrokeshire County Council backed a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which, amongst other recommendations, included a statutory consultation on proposals to discontinue Manorbier Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School.

The decision attracted strong local opposition, with more than 1,500 people signing a petition on the council’s own website calling for the school to be rebuilt, meaning it passed the threshold for a formal hearing by members of the council.

The formal consultation for the discontinuation of Manorbier closes in just a few days on December 19.

Manorbier community councillor Richard Hughes

However, many of the council’s figures, especially on the level of surplus places at the school, have been strongly disputed.

Speaking at the December meeting, Richard Hughes, of Manorbier Community Council, said the council consultation was “deeply flawed and unlawful,” the quoted capacity figures after the fire damaged the original building “null and void,” with a true surplus of some 21 per cent.

“The school is clearly thriving under less-than-ideal conditions, your report claims 59 per cent [surplus], it’s misleading and artificial.”

He said the council was acting as “judge, jury and executioner” in its “deeply flawed” consultation.

Cllr Phil Kidney

Local member Cllr Phil Kidney said the staff, parents and pupils had been “living this process for three years,” adding: “At worst light we were misled for three years, living under this shadow, it’s not fair.

“We’ve been promised all along ‘we will rebuild this school; no matter what we do we will have to spend on this school, we have to hand it back in [a useable] condition.

“How members of staff have worked under these conditions for three years is amazing, the service they are providing in that school is fantastic.”

He criticised the consultation wording, feeling it painted Manorbier in an unfair light, saying it was stacked heavily in favour of St Florence school in a submitted question heard later at the meeting.

“We do feel there’s a hidden agenda, nothing more than a boost for St Florence school; we were led to believe was all about the positives and the negatives for the school; we have lost the trust in the director of education, we still feel we’re not been listened to.”

He said it was important councillors, when a final vote on Manorbier’s future, expected in March, keep an open mind “not just going along with the narrative: ‘We can’t afford it, and the figures are going down’.”

He went on to say: “We want to get the right vote, the moral vote, and get the school rebuilt.”

Cllr Guy Woodham

Cabinet member for education Cllr Guy Woodham praised the work at the school following the fire, saying he intended to “set the facts out” when it came to a final decision.

Leader of the independent group Cllr Huw Murphy said: “It just doesn’t sit right with me to close a school that has burned to the ground. Yes, we will respect the decision in March, however we haven’t handled the decision well. We need to do what’s right, and we haven’t done what’s right for Manorbier.”

Members agreed to note receipt of the petition prior to the final report before council in 2026.

Later in the meeting, Cllr Woodham disputed Cllr Kidney’s submitted question claim, Cllr Kidney telling Cllr Woodham: “We’ve put a lot of trust and faith in you on this consultation to make sure it’s fair and transparent. St Florence was referenced more times than our school, for a consultation I think it’s misleading.”

Cllr Woodham responded: “I will do my utmost to give a balanced report when I bring it back to full council.”