News
Council doesnt deny Head’s appointment was rigged
THE APPOINTMENT of a head teacher to a Pembrokeshire school was ‘rigged’ to favour one candidate. That is the allegation that has been made to The Pembrokeshire Herald by a member of the panel for the selection of a head teacher for Ysgol Gelli Aur/ Golden Grove School in Pembroke. Pembroke Town Councillor, Mel Phillips told The Herald: “After the former head teacher of Gelli Aur, Les Johnson announced his intention to retire, the Council provided a shortlist of two candidates – Andrew Williams, who formerly taught at Broad aven School and a teacher from Brynconin School. Curiously, I had been told by a friend that Mr Williams would be the new head teacher, even before the job had been advertised as vacant.”
Mel explained that she was puzzled as to shortlist’s brevity and challenged the ‘adviser’ appointed by the Council to assist the Governors in selecting a head teacher as to why that was the case. The adviser, Sue Painter, told selection panel members that the post had been advertised in the Times Education Supplement (TES). Melanie Phillips expressed dissatisfaction at the shortlist’s length and checked with the TES whether an advertisement had been placed. Her enquiries revealed that was not the case and the selection panel demanded it was done properly and in accordance with the regulations governing the appointment of head teachers. After the post had been advertised, a further shortlist was produced. The second shortlist contained only three names: the original two candidates and a Mr Condon from Angle School.
The panel interviewed all of the candidates and at a meeting held at the County Archives, Haverfordwest, were unanimous in considering that the teacher from Brynconin School had performed the best in interview and was the best candidate for the job. Mel Phillips told The Herald: “Sue Painter then intervened and told the selection panel that there were ‘issues’ about the panel’s choice. “When we asked why his name had been put forward, we were told – ‘We didn’t expect him to get this far’.” However, Mel told us, when panel members asked what the issues were Sue Painter refused to say and told panel members it was a confidential matter. “Well, as you can guess, that left us hanging. We asked whether allegations had been made against him, but she would only answer it was ‘confidential’. That left us all hanging, inviting us to draw the worst of adverse conclusions.
“It stank then and it stinks now, Jon. I quickly concluded that the whole process was a stitch up from start to end and that whatever the allegations were they could not be that serious as the candidate was still teaching at another school. However, such was the doubt that Sue Painter had sown that panel members decided to reconsider their decision. “Two of us on the panel, me and Hywel Edwards, walked out in protest. In our absence, Mr Williams was appointed.” Mel explained how distressed she was by the events: “I tell you, I could not sleep. That poor man had been so badly served and so let down. He was clearly the best candidate for the job and I believe he would have been a terrific head teacher at our school. After a couple of days fretting, I had to phone him him and put him in the picture as to what had happened.
I assured him that we had all concluded he was the best candidate for the head teacher’s post and it was only the intervention of Sue Painter right at the end of the process that prevented his appointment. “In fact that there was NO issue regarding the panel’s choice. He has since been appointed to the head teacher’s post at another school.” The events have left Mel with a sour conclusion: “This whole thing was a stitch up from start to end. The best candidate was not appointed, the Council had clearly decided who was going to get the job and the so-called ‘adviser’ was simply there to make sure it got its way.”
The Herald put Mel’s detailed account to the Council as a series of bullet points and asked for a response from the Head of Education, Kate Evans-Hughes. The Herald made it clear that the inference to be drawn from Mel Phillips’s account was that the process had been rigged to favour one candidate over others. The Council DID NOT deny Mel Phillips’s account was truthful or accurate. Instead a spokesperson told The Herald: “The Staffing of Maintained Schools Regulations (Wales) clearly defines the recruitment process to be followed in the case of Head Teachers, with the governing body having responsibility for selection decisions and the Local Authority acting as an ‘adviser’. “This is the role the Authority played in this particular case.” No allegation of wrongdoing is made against the successful candidate and current head teacher at Golden Grove in relation to the selection process. However, the incident highlights concerns about further appointments to head teacher positions made by the local authority since 2012.
Health
Phone calls to reduce GP visits for 42% of patients this winter
NEW research from the Royal Voluntary Service has shown that a simple phone call could significantly impact well-being, reducing GP visits by 42% among patients who receive regular telephone support.
The charity urges those feeling isolated this winter, particularly the elderly, to use telephone support services as a way to improve health and free up GP appointments, potentially reducing waiting times. It is estimated that if people experiencing loneliness in later life reduced their GP visits by just one appointment a year, this could free up 588,000 appointments annually.
As winter approaches, the Royal Voluntary Service reports that isolation can sharply increase, especially for adults over 75, with nearly half (47%) of people in this age group feeling lonelier in the colder months. Among those who live alone, one in six say they feel forgotten during winter, and 20% report having no one to turn to for emotional support.
In addition to loneliness, older generations face several winter worries, including increased heating costs, cited by 55% of respondents, and reduced ability to go out, which 29% said they dreaded as winter sets in.
To address these challenges, Royal Voluntary Service has launched the Stay Safe, Warm and Well campaign in partnership with Yakult. The campaign provides a guide for practical and emotional winter preparation, encouraging sign-ups for telephone support services and offering access to the Virtual Village Hall online community for events and activities. Practical advice on money-saving and energy-saving tips is also available through the guide.
Royal Voluntary Service Ambassador Elaine Paige, who has herself made support calls for the charity, described the positive impact these calls can have. “A warm, friendly phone call can transform someone’s day. Some conversations leave you smiling long after the call ends—something we could all use, especially in winter. For those facing the season alone, there are amazing people ready to remind you that you’re not alone,” she said.
The charity’s support services match volunteers with individuals across the UK for friendly chats, reducing isolation and boosting mental health. Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service, said: “The feedback that conversations with volunteers are helping people to visit their GP less is testament to the value of connection.”
Yakult Marketing Manager Reshma Patel added: “Our research with Royal Voluntary Service shows that one in four adults over 75 feel they’d benefit from practical and emotional support over winter. We are committed to helping people access the Stay Safe, Warm and Well guide to support their overall well-being.”
Crime
Welsh shop workers face ‘surge in shoplifting linked violence and abuse’ says union
A NEW survey by retail trade union Usdaw has revealed disturbing figures on the abuse, threats, and violence endured by Welsh shop workers, with incidents increasingly linked to shoplifting. Released during Respect for Shop Workers Week, which runs from November 11 to 17, the statistics highlight a troubling trend that is impacting thousands of retail employees.
Usdaw’s survey, based on responses from over 4,000 retail staff, shows that in the past year:
- 69% experienced verbal abuse.
- 45% were threatened by customers.
- 17% were assaulted.
Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis commented on the findings, saying: “Shop workers deserve far more respect than they receive. These reports from Welsh retail staff make grim reading. It is shocking to see over two-thirds of our members subjected to abuse, threats, and violence. Seven in ten of these incidents are related to theft, much of it tied to addiction and organised crime.”
Usdaw’s survey suggests that shoplifting is increasingly becoming a flashpoint for violence. Many shop workers report encountering hardened criminals who appear to steal goods “to order” or to fund addictions. According to the union, incidents are on the rise across Wales, with police-reported shoplifting up by 33% in the past year.
Usdaw member testimonies paint a vivid picture of the dangers faced on the shop floor:
- One respondent described being “spat at, pushed against a wall, punched, and threatened with a knife.”
- Another reported that, after refusing to sell alcohol, they were told to “F**k off” and threatened with a beating by a group of five.
- Others spoke of being punched, spat on, and verbally abused, with threats that often left lasting emotional scars.
New measures on the horizon
Usdaw has been calling for greater legal protection for retail workers for years, and it appears these calls are finally being heard. The recent Crime and Policing Bill, announced in the King’s Speech, proposes to:
- End the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, which has been a source of frustration for retailers.
- Introduce town centre banning orders for repeat offenders.
- Allocate funding for tackling organised shoplifting and increase police presence in shopping areas.
“We welcome these new measures and hope they will provide much-needed protection,” said Mr. Lillis. “After 14 years of neglect under successive Tory governments, we are encouraged by the steps the new Labour government is taking to address the retail crime epidemic.”
As Christmas approaches—a time when retail crime tends to peak—Usdaw is urging the public to “respect shop workers” and remain calm as stores become busier.
Usdaw, which represents around 360,000 members, primarily in retail, launched its Freedom From Fear Campaign to tackle the growing issue of violence against shop workers. The final results of the 2024 survey are expected in March 2025.
Charity
Milford Haven RNLI celebrates heartfelt donation from Neyland Ladies Choir
MILFORD HAVEN RNLI Fundraising Group received a generous donation of over £1,000 from Neyland Ladies Choir this October, marking a touching tribute to Mrs. Dorothy Beckett, one of the RNLI’s longest-standing supporters.
The Neyland Ladies Choir held a special concert at St. Mary’s Church on Waterloo Road, Hakin, to celebrate Dorothy Beckett’s 90th birthday. A lifelong supporter of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Dorothy has played a crucial role in lifeboat fundraising in the Milford Haven area, dating back to the 1970s. She was instrumental in establishing the Hakin Point RNLI fundraising group, which has raised over £500,000 to support the RNLI’s lifesaving work.
The concert’s proceeds were presented in a moving ceremony at Bethesda Baptist Church in Neyland. Accepting the donation on behalf of the RNLI were Steve Lewis, Chairman of the fundraising group, and Thomas Kehoe, Deputy Coxswain of the Angle Lifeboat.
Adding to the evening’s celebrations, Alice Coleman, RNLI Community Manager, presented Dorothy with the Long Service Medal, recognizing her fifty years of dedication to the institution. This award, given by the RNLI, honors Dorothy’s unwavering commitment to saving lives at sea.
“Thank you, Neyland Ladies Choir and Dorothy Beckett,” said the RNLI in a heartfelt message to the community. “Your support and dedication mean the world to us.”
The Milford Haven RNLI Fundraising Group encourages supporters to share and spread the word, hoping that Dorothy’s legacy inspires continued community support.
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Tomos
December 31, 2015 at 1:30 pm
It stinks but will the council investigate itself ? will the Police care? nah, doubt it, it’s just the way things are done in the back of beyond where it’s great to be a big fish in a little muddy pond 🙁