News

Cuts to hit recycling centres

Published

9 years ago

February 18, 2015

LOCAL businesses and employees of Pembrokeshire County Council are set to lose out if the cabinet approves reduced opening hours for recycling centres in Monday’s meeting (Feb 2).

The proposal, set out as a cost-cutting measure, will see all six recycling centres across the county close for two days a week. This is despite all the sites being described as ‘well used and locally important’.

These plans will affect the new recycling facility due to open this year at Crane Cross, Saundersfoot, which was given the go-ahead by planners last August despite concerns regarding access and traffic. This site was originally intended to be open ten hours a day through summer, and eight in winter, seven days a week, to match the centre at Salterns, Tenby which it will replace.

If these changes take place, the proposal states ‘it is envisaged that the current workforce will need to be reduced from current levels’, and warns of ‘significant implications for employees in terms of their working arrangements’. It is claimed that there will be no compulsory redundancies. However, these reductions will be at the expense of temporary staff, and will also result in existing vacancies remaining unfilled.

If approved, the council estimates that around £100,000 a year will be saved. The current cost of running the sites stands at over £900,000.

Under the terms of the proposal, the recycling centres at Waterloo, Pembroke Dock; St Davids; and Hermon will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Winsel, Haverfordwest; Manorowen, Fishguard; and Crane Cross, Saundersfoot will be closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

These weekday closures will have more of an effect on local businesses who use the facilities on a day-to-day basis, than on householders or occasional users. This could have an impact on revenue generated by the sites. At present, a van load of ‘chargeable waste’ costs £101 to dispose of. Although the proposal states that ‘an alternative site in reasonable proximity is always available, local businesses wishing to use the centres will in some cases be forced to travel much greater distances’.

If accepted, it is recommended that this proposal is to ‘undergo a process of both public and staff consultation’

News

Body found in missing person search in Carmarthenshire

Published

1 hour ago

November 29, 2023

Tom Sinclair

IN THE LAST few moments, Dyfed-Powys Police can confirm that a body has been found this afternoon, Wednesday, November 29, during the search for Angharad, who had been reported missing.

Formal identification has not yet taken place, however Angharad’s family has been informed of this development.

Police said: “Our thoughts remain with the family at this difficult time.”

Education

Excellent progress on construction of new Welsh medium primary school

Published

2 hours ago

November 29, 2023

Tom Sinclair

A CELEBRATION event was held on the site of the new Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro in Pembroke on Tuesday 14th November to mark the reaching of the highest point of the building, traditionally known as the ‘topping-out’ ceremony.

The event was hosted by Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd and attended by pupils and staff from Ysgol Gelli Aur, the Executive Headteacher of the new school, governors of the Temporary Governing Body of Ysgol Bro Penfro, Cabinet members, senior Council officers, and a members of the project team.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham, said that he was extremely pleased with progress at the site.
“Whilst I was unfortunately unable to attend the ceremony, my Cabinet colleagues have shared with me their experience, and the excellent progress being made on the new school.
“I am particularly pleased that the project remains on budget, and on programme, which means that Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro will be in a position to admit pupils in September 2024.”
Members of the school’s Temporary Governing Body expressed their delight with the building.

The Executive Headteacher of Ysgol Bro Penfro, Mr Dafydd Hughes, confirmed that pupils and staff thoroughly enjoyed the event and that everyone connected with the school is excited at the prospect of moving to the new school next year.

“The fact that a new Welsh medium primary school is being built in Pembroke is an important and exciting development on so many levels.

“As Executive Headteacher of Ysgol Bro Penfro I am committed to ensure that when the school opens its doors in September 2024 every pupil will be given opportunities to flourish and thrive in a welcoming Welsh medium setting. I am also focused on ensuring that the whole Pembroke community takes great pride in the school.”

Pupils were very excited to see the new school. Among the comments received were: “We loved signing the steels, it will help us to remember when we came here when our school was being built and we will always be a part of our new school”

“I can see that everyone is working really hard to build us our school. The school is so much bigger than we expected and can’t wait to start learning in our new classes”.

The project is being funded by Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council, and will provide a significant contribution to the Council’s Welsh in Education Strategic Plan.

News

County mourns loss of revered priest and community pillar, Father McGreal

Published

3 hours ago

November 29, 2023

Tom Sinclair

THE CATHOLIC community in Pembrokeshire is in mourning this week after the passing of one of its most well-known priests, Father Owen McGreal, aged 88, former parish priest of St Teilo’s Catholic Church, Tenby and former governor of Mary Immaculate RC School in Haverfordwest.

It is understood that Father Owen passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning (Nov 28).

Although he had retired from his role as parish priest in 2014, he remained active in the community, serving as a cover priest. He attended a Paul Sartori event in Haverfordwest just a few weeks ago.

In 2009, family, friends, civic guests, clergy, religious, and parishioners gathered together at St. Teilo’s Catholic Church, Tenby, to attend a Concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving for the Golden Jubilee of Father Owen’s ordination to the priesthood.

His brothers, Lt. Col. Patrick McGreal and Mrs. McGreal, Fr. Michael McGreal (who passed away last year, aged 92), and many nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces came from Ireland to celebrate this great event. Among the guests were Rt. Rev. Bishop Thomas Burns SM, then the recently appointed Bishop of Menevia; Bishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. Daniel Mullins, former Bishop of Menevia; and fellow clergy.

In 2014, on his retirement, there was a concert at St Teilo’s bidding farewell to Father Owen after a total of almost 25 years of dedicated service.

Father Owen had dedicated a large part of his life in the church to the service of young people, so it seemed fitting, many said, that the concert included young talented musicians from not only Tenby but also from as far away as Norway and the USA.

On the news of Father McGreal’s passing yesterday, Leanne Prevel, Acting Headteacher of Mary Immaculate RC School, said in a letter to parents and guardians: ‘It is with heavy hearts that we share with you the death of Father McGreal, former parish priest, school governor, and long-term supporter and champion of Mary Immaculate School.

‘We understand that this news will have come as a shock to members of our school community.

‘Should you or your family need any support at this time, please do not hesitate to contact the school, or the Parish…’

‘Our Mass planned for December 8 will now be for the repose of the soul of Father McGreal. We also intend to hold a gathering at the school to remember and celebrate his life in the next couple of weeks. Further details will be shared with our school community in the coming days.

‘We remember in our prayers, Father Owen McGreal, and those impacted by his death.'”