News
College maintains 100% A-level pass rate for three years running
THIS year has seen Pembrokeshire College retain a 100% pass rate for A-levels for the third consecutive year.
Results for 2017/18 have also seen an increase in the number of students achieving A*-C grades with 84% of students achieving these top grades compared to 77% last year (and a Welsh national comparator of 76%). Almost 200 A-level and Extended Diploma students are now hopeful of securing their places at university.
After gaining an A* in Mathematics and Physics and a B in Further Mathematics, Oliver McIntosh has secured a place at the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology. As part of the next generation of Dyson engineers, Oliver will read Engineering at the University of Warwick whilst working alongside Dyson’s Global Engineering team from day one.
Meanwhile, after achieving three A grades in Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics alongside a B grade in AS Level Physics, high-flying student Elin Phillips is off to read Dentistry at the University of Bristol.
Elin commented: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at college and I’m now both nervous and excited about going off to university. I’ve wanted to be a dentist for a long time so I’m thrilled to have got my place at Bristol.”
With an A* in Business and an A in English Literature, Megan Scale has set her sights on Marketing at Durham University while Sion Lewis will be studying Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging in Cardiff University.
Having fast-tracked AS and A2 in just one year Harper Dafforn achieved an incredible A in History and an A in English Literature alongside a B grade in Spanish which she studied via distance learning.
Other student university destinations include: Exeter, Liverpool and University of the Arts London.
The College also saw BTEC National Diploma students excelling with many students achieving Distinction grades and taking up places at universities across the UK to study a range of subjects including Midwifery, Mechanical Engineering, Photography, Medical Imaging, Computing and Nursing.
After receiving this year’s A-level results, Principal Dr Barry Walters said: “We are delighted with our results and to have retained a 100% pass rate for three consecutive years is terrific. These results are testament to the hard work and commitment of both our staff and students. Setting students off on their journey to university and their future careers is why we are here and seeing such great results, across both A2s, AS-levels and Extended Diplomas, further proves our commitment to delivering the highest quality teaching and learning. We wish all our students the best of luck as they now progress either onto university or into employment.”
For further information on the courses available at the College contact Admissions on 0800 9 776 778 or go to pembs.ac.uk/courses
Crime
Pembroke Dock woman in court for failing to remove rubbish from property
A PEMBROKE DOCK resident is due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court later today (Nov 25) for multiple alleged breaches of a community protection notice.
Sheena Deacon, of 13 Wavell Crescent, Pembroke Dock, faces charges under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which carries a maximum penalty of a Level 4 fine.
The charges stem from allegations that Deacon failed to remove accumulated household waste from her property on several occasions. According to court documents, the breaches occurred on September 19, September 26, October 2, October 9, and October 17 this year.
The charges indicate that Deacon, despite being issued with a community protection notice, did not comply with the requirements to clear and appropriately dispose of refuse and household waste from her address.
The Herald will bring updates on the case as it progresses.
News
Welsh Conservatives urge Labour to scrap ‘family farm tax’
THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have announced plans to bring forward a Senedd debate next week (Nov 27) calling on the UK Labour Government to abandon its proposed “family farm tax.”
The tax, introduced by the UK Labour Government, is being criticised as a move that will harm Welsh farming, threaten food security, and increase food prices. Alongside the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme and perceived “anti-farming agenda,” critics argue this new tax amounts to a coordinated effort to undermine the future of agriculture in Wales.
Shadow Minister warns of consequences
Ahead of the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, James Evans MS, condemned the proposal, stating:
“Labour’s family farm tax will put family farms out of business, threaten our food security, and lead to food prices rising. Only the Welsh Conservatives will stand up for our farmers, and that’s why we’re bringing forward a Senedd motion calling on Labour to reverse this decision. No farmers, no food.”
NFU Cymru expresses alarm
NFU Cymru President, Aled Jones, echoed these concerns, highlighting the widespread opposition from the farming community. Speaking about the impact of the tax on Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, Jones said:
“Earlier this week, hundreds of farmers from across Wales journeyed to London to meet with their MPs and register their deeply held concerns about these misguided and ill-thought-out reforms.
“The proposals unveiled by the Treasury last month to introduce a tax on the passing on of our family farms to the next generation are a massive added burden. They will leave many farmers without the means, confidence, or incentive to invest in the future of their business.
“NFU Cymru reiterates its call for the UK Government to halt these changes.”
The motion to be debated
The motion, set to be debated in the Senedd, reads:
“To propose that the Senedd:
Calls on the UK Labour Government to reverse its decision to impose a family farm tax on agricultural businesses.”
This debate is expected to attract significant attention, with Welsh farmers and rural communities keenly watching for the outcome.
Community
Internet outage for two villages after exchange box destroyed
RESIDENTS of Clunderwen and Llandissilio have been left without internet access following the destruction of an Openreach exchange box just outside Llandissilio village.
The incident occurred yesterday (Nov 23) when the box was reportedly demolished by a vehicle. The damage has resulted in a complete loss of internet services for the two villages, with repairs expected to take at least a couple of days.
Local residents have expressed frustration over the disruption, as the outage affects home businesses, remote workers, and households relying on internet connectivity for day-to-day tasks.
Openreach engineers have cordoned off the site, and work is ongoing to assess the extent of the damage. A spokesperson for Openreach has been contacted for comment but had not responded by the time of publication.
The vehicle involved in the incident has not yet been identified. Anyone with information about the collision is urged to contact the local police.
With repair timelines unclear, affected residents have called for increased communication from service providers to manage expectations during the outage.
“Bringing the community back online is a priority,” a local resident said. “We’re hoping Openreach can resolve the issue quickly and ensure it doesn’t happen again in future.”
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