News

New Welsh School for Tenby

Published

9 years ago

December 30, 2015

All the trimmings: Tenby Infants having a Christmas dinner on
Wednesday, the last before the new school opens in September

TENBY – traditionally the heart of ‘Little England Beyond Wales’ – will see the opening of its first Welsh language medium primary school next year. The new Welsh school, which can cater for up to 210 pupils between three and 11, is due to open in the south Pembrokeshire town in September 2016. A temporary governing body is already in place and it will be advertising for a new head teacher this month. “This is a very exciting and historic opportunity for primary education in the town,” said Councillor Huw George, Cabinet Member for the Welsh language.

“It will strengthen and develop primary and Welsh medium provision in the area and – along with the new English medium school – will provide children in the area with the very best educational start in life.” The new Welsh school is the result of growing demand for Welsh medium education in the traditionally English speaking town. The current Welsh unit in the town’s Infants School already has 71 pupils while numbers at the Junior School stand at 39. And while the new school’s main intake will come from these current Welsh units, it will also take in pupils from a wider catchment area across the south of the county.

Julie Jones, Chair of the Temporary Governing Body, said there had been a sea-change in attitude towards the Welsh language in Tenby over the last few decades. “Some 37 years ago, one of our new governors – Ann Griffiths – was the first in the area to campaign for a Welsh unit within the existing Infants School, which was eventually established with a handful of children. She is now on the temporary governing body of a brand new Welsh school, which will open its gates in September 2016 with over 110 children on the roll,” she said. “Where once there was a handful of parents waiting to pick up their children from the Welsh units at the end of the school day, we are now in triple figures, waiting at five different classrooms across the Infants and Junior schools.

“The difference is tangible, and the demand for choice to be able to educate one’s child fully in the Welsh language has been recognised by the County Council. “All we need now is to appoint an excellent new Head Teacher with the enthusiasm and drive to take up this exciting challenge – such is the local demand, the numbers in the new Welsh School will only go one way, and that is up. No more little England beyond Wales.” The new school is part of a £8.37m investment in primary education in Tenby by Pembrokeshire County Council. As well as the new Welsh medium school, a new English medium VC primary school, catering for 390 pupils from three to 11, will also be set up. The cost of the £8.37m project will be shared between the County Council and the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools programme.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

1 day 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

2 days 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

2 days 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.