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Haverfordwest: Comprehensive school placed into special measures

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stpA SECOND Haverfordwest secondary school has been placed in special measures by Estyn following a monitoring visit which concluded insufficient progress had been made against recommendations made in January 2015.

Sir Thomas Picton School was found to have made ‘limited progress’ against four out of five recommendations made previously by school inspectors.

While the report noted an improvement in Key Stage Three results, particularly among boys, results at Key Stage Four had fallen back. In addition, school attendance was ‘below modelled’ levels. Meanwhile two staff training issues, relating to self-evaluation and effective middle-leadership, had been resolved by only a minority of the staff concerned.

The background to the report has been the long-term absence of Dr Nick Poole, who has now retired as Headteacher at the school, in combination with the approach of Pembrokeshire County Council, which wants to close it.

In addition, the uncertainty surrounding the future of the school, exacerbated by the Council’s total failure to harmonise its plans for the future of secondary provision in Pembrokeshire or present them in a lawful way, has caused key staff members to leave the school, particularly at the end of the last academic year.

As a result of the finding, newly qualified teachers will not be permitted to carry out induction at Sir Thomas Picton School.

Pembrokeshire Council and the school has to devise an urgent action plan to address the shortcomings identified in the report.

Plaid Cymru’s Simon Thomas, Mid and West AM, said: “It is disappointing to hear that the school has not made sufficient progress in key areas since a previous inspection in January 2015.

“I’m afraid Pembrokeshire Council has to get its act together when it comes to education. Compare their record with neighbouring Plaid-led Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire Council and it is found wanting. For the sake of our children, we need change at the top of Pembrokeshire Council.

“Plaid Cymru has asked for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Education. I’ve written to the school to ask as an Assembly Member what support I can give and alerted my shadow cabinet colleague Llyr Gruffydd who is responsible for education.”

A statement from Pembrokeshire County Council said: “The Acting Headteacher, Tracy Edwards, together with the governing body of Sir Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest, recognises fully the findings of the recent Estyn monitoring visit which has placed the school into the statutory category of special measures.”

While disappointed that there has only been limited progress made against four of the recommendations set out as part of the full inspection report, very good progress has been made against one and the school is working effectively to embed improved systems and processes to bring about the expected increase in outcomes.

“The school will work closely with Estyn to further monitor progress against the recommendations.
“The staff at Sir Thomas Picton School are wholly committed to improving standards, developing learning, and ensuring that the children are able to fully achieve in a caring and safe environment.”
A school governor told The Herald: “It cannot be just a coincidence that the two Haverfordwest secondary schools find themselves in special measures at the same time, and during the two-year period of fiasco consultations running about secondary education in Haverfordwest.
“The potential for losing sixth forms has caused much heartache amongst the staff at both schools. Many have been demoralised and a great many of perhaps our better teachers (not all though) have left for more appealing pastures.”
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Crime

Cocaine dealers jailed after flooding Aberystwyth streets with drugs

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TWO men who supplied cocaine in Aberystwyth have been jailed after police seized large amounts of cash, drugs and weapons during coordinated raids.

Luke Hutton, aged 25, and Lee Mark Walsh, 37, were sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after admitting possession of cocaine with intent to supply and possessing criminal property.

The court heard that police attended Walsh’s flat in Aberystwyth on Thursday (Nov 14) to execute a search warrant. Officers saw several people outside the address, including both defendants. When police approached, Walsh remained at the property while Hutton attempted to flee but was quickly detained.

Walsh, of Yr Hafan, Aberystwyth, was found with cannabis, £160 in cash and a mobile phone. Hutton, of Corporation Street, Aberystwyth, was carrying £8,795 in cash and a phone.

During a strip search in custody, officers recovered a wrap of white powder concealed on Hutton. Further searches uncovered £850 in cash laid out on Walsh’s bed, five mobile phones, a silver knuckleduster and a large kitchen knife hidden beneath the bed.

Police also recovered scales with white powder residue, a bank card contaminated with drug traces, and a further bag of white powder elsewhere in the flat. At Hutton’s address, officers found £1,060 in cash, bicarbonate of soda and empty snap-seal bags, consistent with drug preparation.

Prosecutor Dean Pulling told the court both men were clearly involved in drug supply for financial gain.

Walsh also admitted possession of an offensive weapon and possession of cannabis. He has previous convictions for cannabis offences and failing to comply with a drugs test.

Hutton has a longer record, including offences involving communications, driving matters, domestic abuse and breaching a restraining order.

Mitigating for Walsh, Ryan Bowen said the defendant had experienced a troubled childhood, moving schools frequently, and had struggled with cannabis use from a young age. He said Walsh had shown a strong work ethic and hoped to pursue barbering on release.

Jon Tarrant, representing Hutton, said his client had been heavily addicted to cocaine and that drug use had dominated his life, contributing to the breakdown of relationships, including contact with his two young children.

Sentencing, Judge Vanessa Francis said both men had been involved in dealing with the expectation of making “significant financial gain”.

Addressing Hutton, she said: “You told the author of the pre-sentence report that when your benefits stopped, you ‘did what you had to do’. This court will do what it has to do to take off the streets those who spread the misery of drug supply.”

After reductions for guilty pleas, Hutton was jailed for three years and Walsh for 32 months. Both will serve up to half of their sentences in custody before being released on licence.


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Community

Crowds line streets as tractor run hailed a festive success

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CROWDS lined streets and pavements across Pembrokeshire on Saturday evening (Dec 20) as Clarbeston Road AFC’s illuminated Christmas tractor run was hailed a resounding success.

More than 200 tractors took part in the event, travelling through villages and towns including Newmoat, Maenclochog, Llys-y-frân, Walton East, Clarbeston Road, Wiston, Newbridge, Poyston Cross, Crundale and Haverfordwest, where large crowds gathered to watch the festive convoy pass through.

Families, children and residents wrapped up against the cold to enjoy the sight of tractors decorated with Christmas lights and festive displays, with applause and waves greeting drivers as they made their way through built-up areas and rural roads alike.

The convoy set off from the Clarbeston Road AFC Knock Playing Fields at 5:30pm and concluded at the County Showground in Haverfordwest later in the evening. At the end of the run, refreshments were available and the raffle draw took place at the Park House building, which was open to the public.

Organisers said the turnout from both drivers and spectators exceeded expectations, with the event once again bringing communities together while raising funds for local causes, including The Catrin Vaughan Foundation, In It With Isaac, and Wales Air Ambulance.

Clarbeston Road AFC thanked tractor drivers, volunteers, sponsors and members of the public for their support, as well as residents and road users for their patience while the convoy passed through.

The illuminated tractor run has become a firm fixture in the local festive calendar, with Friday night’s event described by many spectators as one of the best yet.

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Community

Charity tractor and car run set to raise funds for Macmillan and Paul Sartori

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A CHARITY tractor and car run in memory of Charles Rees is set to take place in Pembrokeshire later this month, with funds raised supporting Macmillan Cancer Support and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

The Charles Rees Tractor & Car Run will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, starting and finishing at Dudwell Farm in Camrose.

Participants are being invited to “start their engines” in aid of the two charities, with gates opening at 9:00am and the convoy leaving promptly at 10:30am. Organisers have confirmed that the run will operate with no halfway stops, returning to Dudwell Farm at the end of the route.

The event will begin and finish at Dudwell Farm, Camrose (SA62 6HJ), and is open to tractors and cars. Registration and cash payment will take place on the day, with the price to be confirmed nearer the event.

Additional donations can also be made locally in the run-up to the event at Camrose Country Hardware and Croesgoch Stores.

The run has been organised to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides vital care and assistance to people living with cancer, and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which supports patients and families across Pembrokeshire during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Organisers say more information will be released closer to the event and are encouraging the local community to support the run, whether by taking part, donating, or lining the route to show support.

The event is expected to attract strong local interest, continuing Pembrokeshire’s tradition of community-led fundraising in support of much-valued charities.

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