THE FORMER headmaster of Ysgol y Preseli, Martin Lloyd, has passed away following a battle with cancer.

Mr. Lloyd dedicated nearly 50 years to the school in Crymych, shaping the lives of countless students and playing a pivotal role in the development of Welsh-medium education in Pembrokeshire.

He joined Ysgol y Preseli in 1960, just two years after it was founded, starting as a French teacher before being promoted to deputy headmaster in 1974. In 1990, he became headmaster, a position he held with distinction until his retirement in 2009.

Throughout his tenure, Mr. Lloyd was a strong advocate for bilingual education and was instrumental in strengthening the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Under his leadership, Ysgol y Preseli became a centre of learning and cultural preservation, nurturing generations of Welsh-speaking students.

Speaking at the time of his retirement, Mr. Lloyd reflected on his years of service with pride and gratitude, highlighting the collective achievements of staff and students in maintaining the school’s high standards.

His passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes from former colleagues, students, and the wider community, remembering him as a dedicated educator, mentor, and leader whose contributions left an enduring impact on Welsh education.

Mr. Lloyd’s legacy will live on in the generations he taught and in the continued success of Ysgol y Preseli.

Annual Event Promises Community Fun and Festivities on June 8

MILFORD HAVEN is gearing up for its annual Founding Day celebration, scheduled for Saturday, June 8, 2025. Organized by the Milford Haven Business Circle, this event aims to bring together residents and visitors for a day filled with entertainment, local business showcases, and family-friendly activities.

Event highlights:

• Family-Friendly Activities: Attendees can look forward to various attractions suitable for all ages, including bouncy castles, slides, face painting, and small rides.
• Local Business Participation: Local businesses and organizations are expected to host indoor stalls, pop-up shops, and provide engaging games and demonstrations, offering unique products and services to visitors.
• Live Performances: Live music and performances will provide a vibrant backdrop to the day’s festivities, showcasing local talent and adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

The Milford Haven Business Circle is actively seeking support from local businesses to ensure the event’s success. Sponsorship packages are available, offering various promotional opportunities, and businesses can also contribute by donating raffle prizes or assisting with event logistics.

How to get involved:

• Sponsorship and Donations: Businesses interested in sponsoring the event or donating prizes can contact the organizers for more information on available packages and benefits.
• Volunteer Opportunities: Community members wishing to volunteer their time and skills to assist with event preparations and on-the-day activities are encouraged to reach out.

For more details or to offer support, please contact the organizers through the Milford Haven Business Circle Facebook page or via email at secretary.mhbc24@gmail.com.

The community’s collaborative spirit has been instrumental in the event’s past successes, and Milford Haven’s Founding Day 2025 promises to be another memorable celebration of the town’s rich heritage and vibrant community life.

TERRAQUEST will provide its Planning Portal service for planning applications in Wales from 31 March 2025, following an agreement with the Welsh Government.

The launch of Planning Portal, which is already used for more than 97% of planning applications across England, will enable applicants to submit applications and receive vital updates in respect of Welsh sites. 

The new service will be bi-lingual, offering both Welsh and English language options. Current users of Planning Applications Wales will be able to keep the same account and transfer to the new service.

Applicants will benefit from an improved service, including standardised payment options across all 25 Welsh authorities which, in turn, will streamline application submissions and address a key cause of invalidations.

In addition, Planning Portal will offer a built-in location plan tool that generates compliant plans, captures spatial data and transfers digitally to the Welsh authorities – reducing reliance on third-party tools.

The new portal will also ease the process for developers operating in both England and Wales, with a uniform experience across both countries.

It is anticipated that additional features will be added, including integration with building control applications, enabling a comprehensive service from a single platform.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans said: “We said we wanted to streamline the planning process in Wales and speed up the decision-making process on important projects and that’s exactly what we are doing. This seamless transition to a trusted provider and partner will help ensure consistency and speed across the planning process and provide continuity for applicants.”

Geoff Keal, CEO at TerraQuest added: “We will deliver both a seamless transition and an enhanced user experience for customers. Planning Portal is a tried and tested planning tool that offers a highly efficient service that has helped thousands of consumers navigate and keep up-to-speed with the progress of their applications. We look forward to working with the Welsh Government and new customers in Wales.”