News

Solva: Concern over County Council’s commitment to village school

Published

9 years ago

November 25, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Solva Village hall: Residents attend meeting about the Save Our School campaign

SOLVA COMMUNITY COUNCIL has expressed grave concerns about the Council’s commitment to retain Solva School and the future arrangements for its running and governance.

In a letter addressed specifically to freshly-minted Cabinet member Myles Pepper and St Davids Councillor David Lloyd but sent to all county councillors, the Community Council has laid bare the extent of the arm-twisting tactics to which the IPPG has resorted in order to railroad its proposals through the Extraordinary Meeting scheduled for Thursday (Nov 26)

The letter states that Council Leader Jamie Adams, who is coincidentally also the head of the Council’s 21st Century Schools Project Board has refused a request made by IPPG councillor Lyn Jenkins that changes to Solva School be subject to further clarification. Jamie Adams is said to have told Cllr Jenkins Solva School will close unless the proposal goes through without amendment.

As the Community Council points out, Cllr Adams’s attitude calls the democratic nature of the consultation into question. Regarding Jamie Adams’s dictatorial attitude, the letter continues to say “that any concerns or issues that were unresolved by the consultation would become a matter for the shadow governing body and that neither he nor the Director would respond to our questions”.

A key area for the Community Council is what it regards as its inequitable treatment by the Leader and Head of Education, as funds are ring fenced for development in Saint Davids while Solva School faces being short of space for its Foundation Phase pupils.

The letter reveals that Cllr Adams, on whose authority he has not made clear, has refused to allow Cllr David Lloyd to read a statement from Cllr Lyn Jenkins because Cllr Lloyd is not a member of Jamie Adams loyal band of placement. Cllr Adams has suggested Cllr Myles Pepper read the statement instead.

The Community Council has pointed out that there has been no consultation as to the status of a VA School in Solva. It goes on to suggest that as the proposal is a material change to the school’s status, a further consultation should take place to examine Solva parents’ areas of concern.

The letter concludes by noting the Community Council’s opinion that “the whole process has been brought into disrepute, with the statements made by the leader suggesting that he is in overall control of this issue and that it is bereft of any democratic principle. The council should start again, consider the county as a whole and come up with a plan which, ensures the development of top-class education for everyone in the county, regardless of where they live, their faith or their age!”

As the School will be changing from maintained to Voluntary Aided status, it is not clear whether the Council is aware of, or has chosen to yet again ignore the regulations governing that process published by the Welsh Government.

The relevant section of the compulsory guidance relate that it is not possible for VA, VC or foundation schools with a designated religious character to become a community school through a change of category proposal. Similarly community schools cannot become VA or VC schools with a designated religious character.

Community schools are not permitted to have a religious character and no alteration may be made to a maintained school that changes its designated religious character or causes it to acquire or lose a designated religious character.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

20 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.