News
‘Identity of Pembrokeshire is crucial for survival’
THIS week a report published by the Williams commission recommended that councils in wales should merge.
Currently there are 22 councils in Wales, but the report wants to slash that to just 12. The amalgamation would see Pembrokeshire link up with Ceredigion. The last reorganisation came in 1996, but the report by former NHS Wales chief executive Paul Williams, focuses on how public services can be improved.
Councillor Peter Stock was among the campaigners to bring Pembrokeshire back on to the map in the 70s and he told the Herald:
“I firmly believe at the end of the day that the Williams report is taking a step backwards and we are reverting to what we know was a failed administration. People must not have short memories and they must look back to the Dyfed days and remember how Pembrokeshire lost out”.
Another option put forward was to merge Carmarthenshire with Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire to form a single local authority, but Councillor Stock does not want this to happen.
Cllr Stock continued:
“Dyfed was too big and too remote and we are now talking about situation of amalgamating with Ceredigion and even worse with Carmarthenshire as well. We will be looking at an administration that stretches from Angle to Aberystwyth. What worries me about the Williams report is that Welsh Government is trying to rush forward with these changes very fast without giving a chance for consultation and without giving the reasons as to why.
“I was involved in the fight to bring Pembrokeshire back onto the map from 1973. At that time we found that administration was all centred on Carmarthen to the detriment of Pembrokeshire. When David Hunt announced that Pembrokeshire was to come back as an administration he said that big was not always the best.
“There are times when small could be more efficient, and he believed that Pembrokeshire was one of those administration. Although things have not always been perfect, nothing is, but Pembrokeshire is as good as any administration in Wales. At the end of the day if something is not right, people have the opportunity to vote councillors out and elect new ones.
“The identity of Pembrokeshire is crucial for our survival. We are a tourism county. The name of Pembrokeshire is well known throughout the world and whatever happens in the future we need to keep the name Pembrokeshire.
“When Cardiganshire changed its name to Ceredigion it took years for people to realise where it was. I believe that many people felt after the change in name that they had made a mistake. There was, I believe, a detriment to businesses in the area”.
The report also recommends that the councils should be merged so that they lie within current health board and police force areas.
The report said that changes should be put in place “quickly and decisively”.
News
Body found in missing person search in Carmarthenshire

IN THE LAST few moments, Dyfed-Powys Police can confirm that a body has been found this afternoon, Wednesday, November 29, during the search for Angharad, who had been reported missing.
Formal identification has not yet taken place, however Angharad’s family has been informed of this development.
Police said: “Our thoughts remain with the family at this difficult time.”
Education
Excellent progress on construction of new Welsh medium primary school

A CELEBRATION event was held on the site of the new Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro in Pembroke on Tuesday 14th November to mark the reaching of the highest point of the building, traditionally known as the ‘topping-out’ ceremony.
The event was hosted by Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd and attended by pupils and staff from Ysgol Gelli Aur, the Executive Headteacher of the new school, governors of the Temporary Governing Body of Ysgol Bro Penfro, Cabinet members, senior Council officers, and a members of the project team.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham, said that he was extremely pleased with progress at the site.
“Whilst I was unfortunately unable to attend the ceremony, my Cabinet colleagues have shared with me their experience, and the excellent progress being made on the new school.
“I am particularly pleased that the project remains on budget, and on programme, which means that Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro will be in a position to admit pupils in September 2024.”
Members of the school’s Temporary Governing Body expressed their delight with the building.
The Executive Headteacher of Ysgol Bro Penfro, Mr Dafydd Hughes, confirmed that pupils and staff thoroughly enjoyed the event and that everyone connected with the school is excited at the prospect of moving to the new school next year.
“The fact that a new Welsh medium primary school is being built in Pembroke is an important and exciting development on so many levels.
“As Executive Headteacher of Ysgol Bro Penfro I am committed to ensure that when the school opens its doors in September 2024 every pupil will be given opportunities to flourish and thrive in a welcoming Welsh medium setting. I am also focused on ensuring that the whole Pembroke community takes great pride in the school.”
Pupils were very excited to see the new school. Among the comments received were: “We loved signing the steels, it will help us to remember when we came here when our school was being built and we will always be a part of our new school”
“I can see that everyone is working really hard to build us our school. The school is so much bigger than we expected and can’t wait to start learning in our new classes”.
The project is being funded by Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council, and will provide a significant contribution to the Council’s Welsh in Education Strategic Plan.
News
County mourns loss of revered priest and community pillar, Father McGreal

THE CATHOLIC community in Pembrokeshire is in mourning this week after the passing of one of its most well-known priests, Father Owen McGreal, aged 88, former parish priest of St Teilo’s Catholic Church, Tenby and former governor of Mary Immaculate RC School in Haverfordwest.
It is understood that Father Owen passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning (Nov 28).
Although he had retired from his role as parish priest in 2014, he remained active in the community, serving as a cover priest. He attended a Paul Sartori event in Haverfordwest just a few weeks ago.
In 2009, family, friends, civic guests, clergy, religious, and parishioners gathered together at St. Teilo’s Catholic Church, Tenby, to attend a Concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving for the Golden Jubilee of Father Owen’s ordination to the priesthood.
His brothers, Lt. Col. Patrick McGreal and Mrs. McGreal, Fr. Michael McGreal (who passed away last year, aged 92), and many nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces came from Ireland to celebrate this great event. Among the guests were Rt. Rev. Bishop Thomas Burns SM, then the recently appointed Bishop of Menevia; Bishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. Daniel Mullins, former Bishop of Menevia; and fellow clergy.
In 2014, on his retirement, there was a concert at St Teilo’s bidding farewell to Father Owen after a total of almost 25 years of dedicated service.
Father Owen had dedicated a large part of his life in the church to the service of young people, so it seemed fitting, many said, that the concert included young talented musicians from not only Tenby but also from as far away as Norway and the USA.
On the news of Father McGreal’s passing yesterday, Leanne Prevel, Acting Headteacher of Mary Immaculate RC School, said in a letter to parents and guardians: ‘It is with heavy hearts that we share with you the death of Father McGreal, former parish priest, school governor, and long-term supporter and champion of Mary Immaculate School.
‘We understand that this news will have come as a shock to members of our school community.
‘Should you or your family need any support at this time, please do not hesitate to contact the school, or the Parish…’
‘Our Mass planned for December 8 will now be for the repose of the soul of Father McGreal. We also intend to hold a gathering at the school to remember and celebrate his life in the next couple of weeks. Further details will be shared with our school community in the coming days.
‘We remember in our prayers, Father Owen McGreal, and those impacted by his death.'”
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