News
Leader backs down over shutting Ysgol Dewi Sant as hundreds protest

COUNCIL LEADER Jamie Adam’s surprise u-turn in Council on Thursday (Jan 29) may well have been spurred on by community pressure culminating in a huge protest outside County Hall.
Over three hundred protesters, members of the St David’s Community, greeted councillors as they entered the council offices attending the extraordinary meeting. A roar of ‘Save our School’ went up each time a councillor arrived, as the peaceful, but loud, protest gathered momentum.
Speaking to the crowd was Canon Dorian Davies who led a prayer asking for the councillors to be guided to see beyond pounds shillings and pence, and to think of what is the optimum benefit for the local children and community, by keeping the small secondary school open.
The Herald spoke with a number of members of the community who expressed anger, frustration, dismay and doubts over the legality of the proposal to close their school.
Vicky Skeats, a community member, said: “The school in St. Davids is vital: it is the best school in Pembrokeshire, as only two schools are graded 2B yellow, one is Preseli and the other one is Ysgol Dewi Sant. This school is vital to the peninsula, County and community. There is another option; make it a church school. This will address cost cutting issues. It’s a complete mess and Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) haven’t even consulted us on losing the 6th form!”
Abby Voice, a pupil at the school, pleaded for her school, saying: “It’s ridiculous to close our school, without the school there is no community and why close a school full to capacity? It means everything to everyone. It is disgusting”.
Claire Raymond, a parent of two children at the school told The Herald: ‘It’s very important we keep our school as it has close associations with the Cathedral. It’s a well performing school so why would you close it? I asked them (PCC) to consider looking at the boundaries and primary schools that feed in, which was an option.”
Cannon Dorian Davies of St. Davids Cathedral also spoke with The Herald, adding: “The whole of the community oppose this proposal. The people are speaking, as you can see from the turnout, and hopefully the councillors will respond in the most positive way, which is that they need to reconsider to close Ysgol Dewi Sant whilst looking at the whole schools policy.”
Lisa Reeves was holding up a banner saying: “We moved 200 miles for Ysgol Dewi Sant”. She explained what the banner meant: “We are from Liverpool and it was our dream, for me and my partner, since we were 18 to move to St. David’s and bring our children up here. We came for a better life and better education in a smaller school. To hear our dreams are being crushed is awful. We don’t want our kids to go to Fishguard and if the school is taken away this will tear the place apart. I went to a massive comprehensive school and I didn’t want that for my kids; the teachers here are part of the community, it’s more personal.”
Claire Dunn was holding a poster that accused Pembrokeshire County Council of being corrupt. she explained to the Herald the sentiment behind the emotive words: “As we all know there have been a lot of mis-dealings within Pembrokeshire County Council. We (the community) don’t trust the efficiency of the Council to do their jobs properly, especially in matters like this. They shouldn’t vote at all today as they haven’t gone through the proper procedures. What they should do is listen to the views of the community because no one wants super schools; we want individual schools that work. They want us to send our children to a school that is in special measures? They aren’t competent enough to make this decision and they should be taken to task over it. There should be a thorough investigation and then, if they are found to be competent, they can carry on with council activities.”
Hannah Robinson held up a poster reading, ‘Schools not Porsche’s”, stating: “As we all know a certain gentleman had a Porsche; our money should be better spent. None of us want a super-school.”
News
Healthy food for schools: New proposals to improve children’s diets

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has this week launched a public consultation on new school food regulations aimed at improving children’s health and well-being by ensuring all pupils have access to nutritious meals.
The proposed changes focus on increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables in primary school meals and reducing the availability of sugary desserts and fried foods. The plans align with UK dietary guidelines and are part of a broader strategy to promote healthy eating habits from an early age.
Evidence shows that many children in Wales consume too much sugar and not enough fruit, vegetables, or wholegrains. This imbalance contributes to childhood obesity, with one in four children starting school already overweight or obese.
These new proposals support the Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales strategy and follow the completion of the rollout of universal free school meals for all primary pupils. They mark the next phase in the Government’s commitment to making the healthy choice the easy choice.
Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, said: “Good nutrition is vital for helping young people perform at their best – whether in the classroom, on the pitch, or chasing their dreams. Our evidence-based updates to school food rules will give children the best start in life, support Welsh food producers, and nurture a generation of healthy eaters to safeguard the future of our NHS.
“Schools and catering teams across Wales are already working hard to provide nutritious meals. I want to build on that progress and hear directly from parents, teachers, suppliers and young people. By working together, we can shape food standards that benefit every child in Wales – both now and in the future.”
Rachel Bath, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Wales, added: “Public Health Wales welcomes these proposals for primary schools. Evidence shows that robust food standards in schools can have a lasting positive impact on children’s health and well-being. Strengthening these regulations is a vital step toward building lifelong healthy eating habits.
“These changes not only benefit children’s health but also support a more sustainable food system and local economy. Through collaboration and oversight, school food can become a powerful tool for improving public health in Wales.”
Health
Half of adults unaware of key dementia symptom, warns Alzheimer’s Society Cymru

Charity urges early diagnosis in Wales during Dementia Action Week
ALMOST half of adults in Wales are unaware that problems with vision can be a common symptom of dementia, according to new research released by Alzheimer’s Society Cymru.
The figures come as Dementia Action Week (May 19–24) begins, with the charity aiming to raise awareness of the condition and encourage earlier diagnosis. An estimated 50,000 people are currently living with dementia in Wales — but nearly half of them do not have a formal diagnosis.
The new data reveals that 50 per cent of Welsh adults did not recognise changes in vision as a symptom of dementia. One in ten people surveyed could not identify a single common symptom.
Vision-related symptoms can include difficulty judging distances, trouble recognising objects, and misinterpreting patterns or reflections. Larger print may also become harder to read.
Other commonly overlooked signs include changes in mood or communication difficulties. Across the UK, only 61 per cent of adults recognised problems with communication as a symptom, and 64 per cent identified mood changes.
Rachel Nelson, Country Manager for Alzheimer’s Society Cymru, said: “At Alzheimer’s Society, we see too many people delaying seeking a diagnosis because they’re scared or unsure what it will mean.
“A diagnosis is not the end. It’s the beginning of getting the right support, making informed choices and living well.
“That’s why this Dementia Action Week, we’re encouraging everyone to learn more about the symptoms of dementia and to seek help if they notice changes in themselves or someone close to them.”
Alzheimer’s Society Cymru is promoting a free online symptom checklist to help people better understand the warning signs and take action.
Corinne Mills, Interim CEO of Alzheimer’s Society, added: “More than a third of people with dementia don’t have a diagnosis, meaning they’re missing out on the vital care, support, and treatment they need.
“Our research shows that 97 per cent of people affected by dementia saw a benefit in getting a diagnosis.”
The six most common symptoms of dementia include:
- Memory loss – especially of recent events
- Difficulty organising thoughts – trouble making decisions or solving problems
- Problems with communication – struggling to find the right words or follow conversations
- Problems with vision – difficulty judging distances or seeing edges of objects
- Confusion about time or place – losing track of the day or forgetting where they are
- Changes in mood or personality – becoming unusually anxious, irritable, or withdrawn
The charity emphasises that dementia is not a normal part of ageing, and early diagnosis allows access to treatments, care options, and the ability to plan ahead — including appointing a power of attorney and managing finances.
To check symptoms or get support, visit alzheimers.org.uk/checklist or call the Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456. Welsh language support is available on 03300 947 400.
Photo caption: Supporting early diagnosis: Alzheimer’s Society Cymru urges people to check symptoms and seek help during Dementia Action Week (Pic: Alzheimer’s Society).
Crime
Malicious communications charges dropped against Welsh prison campaigner

WEST WALES prison reform advocate Zack Griffiths has had all malicious communications charges against him dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service—but still faces one remaining charge linked to a video posted on social media.
Griffiths, who has become a prominent critic of conditions at HMP Parc in Bridgend, was arrested in April this year while attending Cardiff Crown Court. He was subsequently recalled to prison, where he remains in custody.
The dropped charges were originally brought under the Online Safety Act and related to alleged online harassment. However, the CPS has now confirmed it will offer no evidence on these counts. Supporters have claimed the charges were part of a campaign to silence Griffiths’ outspoken activism.
The remaining charge concerns a video filmed inside a prison, which appeared in a Facebook group run by Griffiths. While it is not alleged that Griffiths himself posted the footage, prosecutors claim he is liable as the group administrator for failing to remove the content.
His legal team, however, argue that the video was uploaded using the platform’s anonymous posting feature, and that Griffiths had no knowledge of its publication. They are expected to apply to have the charge struck out at a hearing on Friday (May 24).
Griffiths is a former inmate who served time for drug-related offences. Since his release, he has dedicated himself to campaigning on behalf of prisoners and their families, often using social media to highlight alleged corruption, drug abuse, and violence inside UK prisons—particularly HMP Parc.
In November 2024, he was jailed for 12 months for posting a video of a Parc prison officer restraining an inmate. He also falsely accused a staff member of involvement in drug dealing, leading to a restraining order. Griffiths represented himself during that trial and argued he was acting in the public interest.
The case against him continues against the backdrop of intensifying scrutiny at HMP Parc, where six prison officers have been arrested in recent months on suspicion of misconduct in public office, and where several deaths in custody are under investigation.
Griffiths’ supporters have branded the ongoing legal proceedings a “witch hunt” and are calling for a public inquiry into G4S-run Parc Prison.
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Adrian James
January 29, 2015 at 11:32 am
Hopefully common dense will prevail. Reasonably sized local schools are important in giving young people a sense of community, belonging and responsibility. It is however, equally important that the school has the energy and vision to engage with the wider world do that students have a proper perspective on the world and are well placed to play their part in the global family.
Charles
January 29, 2015 at 12:49 pm
Its great news for St Davids and well done to the community, but you cant trust PCC so watch this space in the future they may try again through the back door!
tomos
February 4, 2015 at 10:24 pm
don’t believe Jamie or the rest of IPiG, they can change things again, it’ll be “forced” on them after the election- only way to ensure this decision is upheld is to get rid of them at the ballot box