News

New lesson times proposed for schools

Published

8 years ago

January 30, 2018

TWO Pembrokeshire schools are consulting with parents and pupils about a proposed change of lesson times.

Pembroke Dock Community School and Pembroke Comprehensive School want to start earlier in the morning and have a half day on Friday.

The proposed changes to Pembroke Dock Community School would be as follows:

Monday – Thursday: 8:45am – 3:10/3:25pm (depending on year)
Friday: 8:45am – 12:05-12:15pm (12:40/12:45pm if staying for lunch)

Pembroke Comprehensive School, which is soon to be renamed Henry Tudor School, would have the following hours:

Monday: 8:30am – 3:50pm
Tuesday – Thursday: 8:30am – 2:50pm
Friday: 8:30am – 1:20pm

Letters sent to parents state that the new hours would allow for increased family team, and also a better work/life balance for staff at the schools.

However, some parents have voiced concerns that the earlier leaving times could cause a problem for parents who work.

The schools have stressed that this is just an idea which is being considered and no official changes have been made.

They are looking for parents to provide feedback on the proposed new times.

A letter sent out to parents said: “An earlier finishing time on a Friday would also enable pupils, parents and staff to benefit from improved wellbeing through increased family time.

“There would also be opportunities to benefit from long weekends to spend time with friends or engage with sport, hobbies and informal learning.

“It would further support our parents who run and work in local businesses and mirror the flexibility in shift patterns shown by major employees in the local area.

“Teaching staff would have an additional two hours professional development training every fortnight (budgeted for from the directed time budget).

“It could take many different forms and could be used to work as a professional learning community (PLC).”

There have also been reports in the national press today (Jan 30) about St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Isleworth, which is also proposing to cut down the school day on Friday ‘in a bid to save cash’.

The Sun reports: “A primary school in West London could become the first in the country to cut down to a four-and-a-half day week in a desperate bid to save cash.

“St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Isleworth has come under fire after proposing that the school week could end at 12.45pm on Fridays.”

News

Tenby lifeboat tows yacht to safety after skipper falls ill near Caldey

Published

4 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A YACHT was towed back to Tenby after its skipper became unwell off Caldey Island.

Tenby’s all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch at 1:40pm on Monday (Jun 15), after the coastguard received a call from the occupants of a yacht reporting that the skipper had become ill around one mile south of Caldey Island.

The volunteer crew quickly made their way to the vessel, which had three people and a dog on board.

Once alongside, the lifeboat crew discovered that the skipper was suffering badly from seasickness and that the other two people on board were unable to sail the yacht themselves.

After a full assessment by the coxswain, it was decided that the safest course of action was to tow the yacht back to Tenby. The vessel was drifting with the tide towards Caldey Island and was also considered a potential navigational hazard to other boats.

Two lifeboat crew members were placed aboard the yacht to help set up the tow and to monitor the unwell skipper during the journey back.

After a tow of around an hour, the yacht was placed on the lifeboat mooring in the calmer waters of North Bay.

The lifeboat then returned to station, arriving back at 3:15pm.

Entertainment

Waverley marks 79th anniversary with Pembrokeshire sailings

Published

4 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WORLD’S last seagoing paddle steamer will return to Pembrokeshire this week as Waverley marks the 79th anniversary of her maiden voyage.

The historic vessel will sail from Milford Haven and Tenby on Tuesday (Jun 16), with trips including a daytime cruise around Skokholm, Skomer, St Brides Bay and Ramsey Island from 11:30am to 4:30pm.

There will also be an evening sailing from Milford Haven at 5:00pm, travelling to St Govan’s Head, Caldey Island and along the Pembrokeshire coast, returning at 9:50pm.

Passengers can also join Waverley at Tenby, with sailings to Milford Haven and an evening cruise around Caldey Island and the coast.

On Wednesday (Jun 17), Waverley will make her only Fishguard visit of 2026, with an evening cruise to St David’s Head, passing Strumble Head Lighthouse, from 6:15pm to 9:15pm.

Tickets are available through Waverley Excursions.

Crime

Mid Wales peace activist arrested outside court after Palestine Action ruling

Published

5 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MID WALES peace activist Angie Zelter was arrested outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London after holding a placard in support of Palestine Action.

The 75-year-old campaigner, from Knucklas, Powys, was detained at around 12:20pm on the steps of the court, according to Radnor Palestine Links.

The group said Ms Zelter was arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after holding a sign which read: “Saving lives is not terrorism. I support Palestine Action.”

She was taken to Charing Cross Police Station and released around two hours later, the group said.

The arrest came as the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the UK Government over its decision to proscribe Palestine Action under terrorism legislation.

The ruling overturned an earlier High Court decision which had found the ban unlawful. The Court of Appeal held that the Government’s decision was lawful and proportionate.

Palestine Action was banned after the Home Secretary moved to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act 2000. Supporting or inviting support for a proscribed organisation can be a criminal offence.

Radnor Palestine Links said the protest formed part of an ongoing campaign against the use of counter-terrorism laws against peaceful demonstrators.

Ms Zelter, a long-standing peace and human rights campaigner, has been arrested more than 100 times worldwide during decades of non-violent direct action. She is also known as a founder of Trident Ploughshares.

Speaking after her arrest, Ms Zelter said: “I think it’s a terrible indictment of the criminal justice system that you are charging me with terrorism for holding a peaceful sign.

“We have to uphold the most important international laws. Peaceful, disruptive protest is absolutely essential to protect democracy.”

The Metropolitan Police has been asked to confirm the circumstances of the arrest, whether Ms Zelter was formally charged, and the conditions of her release.

Photo caption: Court protest: Angie Zelter outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London holding a sign in support of Palestine Action (Pic: Radnor Palestine Links).