PEMBROKESHIRE MUSIC SERVICE welcomed pupils from across the county to share their musical talents with a delighted audience at the Primary Valero Music Festival. 

The overall winner of the festival, held at Ysgol Caer Elen on March 22^nd, was Ysgol Bro Penfro pupil Wolfgang Evans on the piano, with his rendition of “Jackson Street Blues” by Martha Mier.

Wolfgang was also winner of the Open Brass class, performing “Rondino” by Allan Street on trumpet.

In the morning the children performed in the Open Classes and in the afternoon the audience enjoyed the Spotlight Concert that featured performances winners:

Open woodwind – Saxophonist Autumn Sheppard, Coastlands, who played “Bye Bye Blackbird by Ray Henderson

Open Strings – violinist Denisa Rusu, Saundersfoot School, who played “Gavotte” by Couperin.

Open Drums – Ifan Murphy, Ysgol Caer Elen, who played “Are You Gonna Go My Way.”

Saundersfoot CP School’s orchestra won the Ensemble category but sadly could not perform in the afternoon due to a variety of commitments. Earlier in the day they performed “Drive Time” by Jock McKenzie. 

Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service Philippa Roberts said: “Congratulations to our dedicated primary pupils for their wonderful performances at the music festival. Their hard work and dedication shone through in a truly inclusive and supportive atmosphere, where every child was celebrated. 

“It was a fantastic showcase of music and teamwork supported by dedicated tutors, parents and carers.”

Karin Jenkins, who adjudicated the strings classes, echoed Philippa’s sentiments, and added: “How amazing today’s music festival was for Pembrokeshire’s primary pupils. It was a fantastic opportunity to immerse ourselves in musical talent and I loved every moment. Everyone seemed to be having such a great time performing, and their energy was fantastic.” 

Pembrokeshire Music Service Primary Valero Music Festival 2025 Results:

Woodwind

Initial Grade flute:

1^st – Lyra Constable, Spittal

2^nd – Maisie Parkin, St Oswalds

3^rd – Lara Morgan, Wolfscastle

Initial Grade clarinet & saxophone:

1^st – Maya Cunliffe, Cleddau Reach

2^nd – Ellis Roberts, Bro Ingli

3^rd – Lois Morgan, Wolfscastle

Grade 1:

1^st – Mia John, Mary Immaculate

2^nd – Ethan Stoney, Prendergast

3^rd – Iolo Thomas, Bro Ingli

Grade 2:

1^st – Eva Evans, St Aidans

2^nd – Paige Youngs, Johnston

3^rd – Phoebe Rees, Coastlands & Skyla Fletcher, Johnston

Open:

1^st – Autumn Sheppard, Coastlands

2^nd – Osian Kite, Roch

3^rd – Hattie Phillips, MHCPS

Brass:

Initial Grade:

1^st – Sam Triggs, Llandudoch

2^nd – Wilf Davies, Llanychllwydog & Leila Mundy-Kearns, Llandudoch

3^rd – Jaxon Price, PDCS

Lower Brass Grade 1:

1^st – Phoebe Jones, Hafan y mor

2^nd – Gwennan Davies, Bro Preseli

3^rd – Eliana Barder, Hafan y mor

HC – Alfie Chester, Cleddau Reach & Molly Thomas, St Teilos

Trumpet & Cornet Grade 1:

1^st – Noah Lewis, Wdig

2^nd – Llion Davies, Bro Preseli

3^rd – Penny de Wreede, Roch

HC – Olivia Conroy-Thornberry, Johnston & Chester Price, Tenby VC

Grade 2:

1^st – Isaac Phillips, Saundersfoot

2^nd – Edward Skidmore, St Teilos

3^rd – TJ Stewart, Glannau Gwaun

Open:

1^st – Wolfgang Evans, Bro Penfro

2^nd – Carys Meiring, Hafan y mor

3^rd – Ella-May Kirby, MHCPS

HC – Mali McFarlane, Caer Elen & Iolo Simms, Caer Elen

Strings

Initial grade:

1^st – Archie Hayden, Redhill

2^nd – Sara Thomas, Bro Preseli

3^rd – Tillie Ward, Bro Preseli

HC – Phoebe Harries, St Oswalds, Nia Owen, Ger y Llan, Maisie Gray, Ger y Llan, Poppy Armstrong

Grade 1:

1^st – Esme Phillips, Penrhyn Dewi

2^nd – Haf Evans, Cilgerran

3^rd – Rebecca Lowe, Caer Elen

HC – Huw Tamplin – Narberth, Efa Britton – Johnston, Suki Heulwen – Bro Penfro, Gracie Jones – Waldo Williams, Patsi Reynolds – Caer Elen, Ashley Cristabel – Prendergast, Aled Hooper – Caer Elen, Saskia Winton – Narberth, Maisie Torok -St Oswalds & Harper Wallis – Hafan y mor

Open:

1^st – Denisa Rusu, Saundersfoot

2^nd – Alice Ng, Caer Elen & Leila Powell

3^rd – Elsa Rae Gibbons, Caer Elen & Fred Powell 

HC – Harrison Sheppard, Caer Elen & Bella Raymond, Caer Elen

Piano & Harp

Initial grade piano:

1^st – Harry Brace, Penrhyn

2^nd – Efa Harries, Penrhyn Dewi

3^rd – Maiya Cunliffe, Redhill

 HC – Dougie Nevinson, Lamphey

Grade 1 piano:

1^st – Carys Callan, Redhill

2^nd – River Regelous, Penrhyn

3^rd – Evelyn James, Tavernspite

HC – Michael Aulehla-Atkin, Caer Elen & Elodie Voaden, Tavernspite

Grade 1 Harp:

1^st – Efa John, Maenclochog

2^nd – Haf Evans, Cilgerran

3^rd – Ruby Robinson, Caer Elen & Bella Grove, Maenclochog

HC – Delun Hancock-Phillips, Caer Elen

Grade 2 piano:

1^st – Harry Hayden, Redhill

2^nd – Emily Thomas-Ward, Redhill

3^rd – Ella Schwierzi, Nant y Cwm

HC – Seth Morris, Croesgoch

Grade 2 harp:

1^st – Elen Davies, Bro Preseli

2^nd – Olivia Davies, Caer Elen

3^rd – Ffion Fenrick, Cilgerran

HC – Ethan Dunkeld, Cilgerran

Open piano & harp:

1^st – Wolfgang Evans, Bro Penfro

2^nd – Eva Evans, St Aidans

3^rd – Gethin Wade, Maenclochog

HC – Cadi Haf Marshall-Jones, Bro Preseli

Percussion

Initial Grade:

1^st – Luca Rebiga, Saundersfoot

2^nd – Harper Wolverson, St Florence

3^rd – Dylan Chan, Saundersfoot & Madi Wright, Saundersfoot

Grade 1:

1^st – Sadie Neuman, Roch

2^nd – Felix Livock, Tenby VC

3^rd – Alfie Hughes, Tenby VC

HC – Harry D’Ortez, Tenby VC

Open:

1^st – Ifan Murphy, Caer Elen

2^nd – Ollie Holloway, Roch

3^rd – Aled Hooper, Caer Elen

HC – Esme Muir, Gelliswick

Ensembles

1^st – Saundersfoot School orchestra

2^nd – Bro Preseli Harp ensemble & Cilgerran Harp ensemble

3^rd – Violin duet (Fred & Leila Powell) & Wiston piano duet (Eva Evans & Millie Griffiths)

HC – Hook ensemble & Caer Elen harp ensemble

PARENTS and guardians of children in Pembrokeshire born between 01/09/2022 – 31/08/2023 are invited to apply for a Nursery school place for January, April and September 2026 by the closing date of 30^th April 2025. 

Applications received after 30^th April 2025 will be considered late which may have a bearing on whether the child gets a place at your preferred school.

It is important to note that no school place will be allocated unless a formal application is received.

The online application form can be found on the Pembrokeshire County Council website: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning under ‘Apply for a School Place’.  

For information on which term your child would be due to join nursery, please follow this link to our  Information to Parents  which sets out the terms based on your child’s date of birth and which school you are applying to.

There is no need to re-apply if you have already submitted an application form.  You can view your current applications by logging into your My Account and into the ‘Schools & Learning’ ‘School Admissions & Transport’ section. 

Parents/guardians are reminded that attending a Nursery at a school does not guarantee a Primary place (to start in September 2027) and a separate application does need to be submitted for this. This application can be submitted at the same time as your Nursery application.

Parents/guardians will be notified of Nursery places by 31^st July 2025.

OVER 18,000 individuals are learning Welsh, according to the latest official data published by the National Centre for Learning Welsh today (27 March 2025) – the highest number of learners since the Centre took responsibility for the Learn Welsh sector in 2016.

During the 2023-2024 academic year, 18,330 people completed the Centre’s courses – an increase of 8% compared to the previous year, and an increase of 45% compared to the first official data published by the Centre for the 2017-2018 academic year, 12,700.

The increase in learners reflects developments within the sector. As well as the face-to-face and virtual courses held in communities, new, pioneering schemes for different audiences, including the Health and Care sector, and young people, are now available.

There has been significant growth in the Health and Care sector, with a Learn Welsh tutor based in every health board, specific schemes for specialties such as Palliative and End of Life Care and Psychiatry, short self-study courses and Confidence Building courses.

The data for 2023-2024 shows more young people aged 16-25 are learning Welsh. A total of 2,635 young learners completed the Centre’s courses during 2023-2024, an increase of 21% compared to the previous year, and an increase of 274% compared to the first year of publication of age in 2018-2019.

The vast majority of all learners (84%) are within the working age group, 16-64.

The majority of learners (76%) follow tutor-led courses, whether face-to-face or in virtual classrooms, and there is an increase in the number of learners following courses at Intermediate and Advanced levels, as well as courses for beginners.

Mark Drakeford, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Welsh Language, said: “The enthusiasm of the Learn Welsh sector and the increase in the number of people learning the language is an inspiration, and a source of pride for us all.

“The National Centre for Learning Welsh has been a strategic partner to the Welsh Government since it was established, and inspections by Estyn have recognised the Centre’s expertise in the field of language learning and acquisition.

“The Centre has led on major changes within the sector, introducing a curriculum aligned with the European framework, the CEFR, and planning and extending its activities in order to welcome new audiences to the Welsh language.

“Cymraeg belongs to us all, and the Centre makes an all-important contribution in terms of normalising the use of the language and supporting the ambition to increase the numbers who can speak, use and enjoy the Welsh language.”

Dona Lewis, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh, said: “Everyone in the Learn Welsh sector can take pride in these latest figures, which tell a story of growth and success, and I’d like to congratulate all our learners, tutors and the extended workforce.

“I’d also like to thank the Welsh Government for its support of the Centre as we’ve extended our services, building new partnerships which have led to flexible learning programmes for specific audiences. These exciting developments have enabled the Centre to welcome more people to the Welsh language.

“The Centre’s language learning and acquisition expertise is key to our learning activities. The national Learn Welsh curriculum, developed by the Centre, gives one clear, single learning pathway to becoming a Welsh speaker. All our courses are based on the curriculum, and the latest data reflects the success of this learning model.

“The Government’s plans to introduce a Welsh Language and Education Bill will create new opportunities for the Centre to share its expertise with other areas, and contribute to the prosperity of the Welsh language. This work has already started, with the Centre’s services for young people, and the wide range of provision for the education workforce, which we will report on in the next academic year.

“More people are learning Welsh, more are learning at higher levels, and new work streams are leading to growth. Our aim is to continue to work creatively to offer a wide choice of opportunities to learn Welsh.”