News

Are there ‘gender neutral’ toilets in local schools?

Published

6 years ago

September 6, 2018

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is denying that it has ‘gender neutral’ toilet facilities in five of its schools, explaining that they are unisex wash facilities with the toilet cubicles themselves being designated male or female.

Gelliswick Church In Wales School in Milford Haven, Penrhyn Church In Wales School in Hundleton, Ysgol Bro Gwaun Comprehensive School in Fishguard, Henry Tudor School in Pembroke, and Milford Haven Comprehensive School all have unisex wash facilities on site.

The change in policy has sparked heated discussion on social media as local children go back to school, many of whom are attending new build schools which are part of the 21st Century Schools programme.

Many Pembrokeshire pupils are seeing this new kind of facility for the first time this week. It is a trend across the whole of the UK, recently hitting the national headlines.

According to a recent BBC report, there were many critics of the plan to introduce these kids of washrooms, not least the Department for Education which ruled that ‘the time is not right for the introduction of unisex toilets in our schools’, saying they were technically illegal.

Parents also expressed concerns about young people being too embarrassed to use unisex toilets – or, somewhat on the other end of scale, that the cubicles could be used for sexual liaisons between pupils.

But there is another motivation – aside from school cleaners desperately seeking the end of soggy toilet paper stuck to ceilings – and that’s cost.

Unisex toilets with this design are often cheaper to build and maintain.

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council told The Herald: “We do not have ‘gender neutral’ toilets in Pembrokeshire schools.

“There are several schools in Pembrokeshire with what are termed ‘unisex wash facilities’ whereby cubicles within the toilet blocks are designated male / female and are not shared.

“The rows of cubicles, which are separated by shared wash facilities, are equipped with floor to ceiling doors for privacy.

“This toilet layout is common in most new build schools and is also believed to be an effective tool in preventing bullying and bad behaviour.

New idea: Unisex washroom at a school in Cardiff

VOICE OF THE PUBLIC

The Pembrokeshire Herald asked for comments online.

Sarah Jane Howlin said: “I honestly don’t see an issue with it, I’ve been and seen these facilities in Milford haven comp, there is plenty of space between the boys section of toilets and the girls, you cannot look over or under the doors, I honestly don’t know why people are kicking up a fuss again about it, they were there last year and everyone kicked up a fuss then. Nothing was done then nothing will be done now! Jesus there’s more important things going on in that school, there are also another set of toilets if people don’t feel comfortable using the unisex ones!

Tanya Rosemeyer said: “Well, it’s very PC as everyone seems very concerned about gender neutral everything just now. I wonder how the girls will feel when it’s their period though as when you’re a teenager that is like the most embarrassing time EVER and it’s bad enough without sharing facilities. It’s probably an invitation to “school time shenanigans” in the high school if the cubical are ultra private and no one would blink at both sexes coming out of the loos at the same time. As a parent if the kids think it’s fine and are comfortable with it I wouldn’t shout about it.”
Jessica Fox said: “Communication is free, why didn’t the school think to inform the parents, mentally prepare our 11yr old daughters for sharing toilets with 16-year-old boys.”

Tamsin Mathias added: “The only thing that I could see potentially being an issue in comprehensive schools in when girls need to use to bathroom to change a sanitary towel for instance. I remember in my teens it was a very private thing for us, and wasn’t talked about very much in front of boys for fear of being shamed.

“Now, maybe the problem should be solved by being more open in classes about women’s bodies (even some male teachers would shudder when you told them you HAD to go the toilet for “lady reasons”), and then there wouldn’t be so much of a stigma.

“But I remember wanting the toilets to be empty before I got out a fresh sanitary towel because they’re not packed in quiet packaging, and it can sometimes take a while.

“I think you have to judge it on how the students feel, I suppose.

“Preventing bullying can only work by speaking to the children and helping them understand the impact it can have, in my opinion. Shared toilets won’t prevent bullying, but speaking about bullying in classrooms and making students aware of the consequences might.”

Charity

Over 1,100 festive bathers enjoy Tenby’s famous Boxing Day Swim

Published

18 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A RECORD-BREAKING number of 1,150 festive bathers have had a splashing time in the Tenby Boxing Day Swim this morning.

The fancy dress theme of Superheroes – in tribute to the RNLI in its 200th anniversary year – saw Batman, The Incredibles, Wonderwoman and a whole crew of emergency services dashing into the chilly water of Tenby’s North Beach.

RNLI mascot Stormy Stan was there amongst the huge crowds to cheer the brave bathers on their way.
The swim will be one to remember forever for one duo of dippers as they got engaged following a surprise proposal on the sand.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach Philip Frith, 34, made one of his best-ever moves when he popped the question to his girlfriend, former professional dancer Victoria Tansey, 34, who is originally from Hakin.

Said swim chairman Sam Skyrme-Blackhall: “”Well, we said ‘come to the Tenby Boxing Day Swim and take the plunge’ but we weren’t expecting that! Congratulations to the happy couple”.
The swim has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities and good causes in its 52-year history, and this yeae’s event will see Tenby RNLI as the main beneficiary.

Town mayor Dai Morgan said: ”It’s great to see so many people from here, and for such a good cause. I just love it down on the beach on Boxing Day. The swim is such a fantastic tradition.”
The mayor’s daughter, 18-year-old Erin Morgan, who is Tenby’s town crier, gave a special ‘cry’ to welcome the swim.

Swim chairman Sam supervised 10-year-old Sam Fecci as he fired the swim’s starting pistol – a duty usually carried out by his dad, Stuart, who was not well enough to attend.

Festive tunes and a lively commentary from DJ Steve Briers ramped up the atmosphere on the beach and swimmers emerged from the sea to be presented with commemorative medals and warm up with hot soup donated by the Giltar Hotel and served up by Tenby and District Lions.

‘Taking the plunge’ at a festive swim in Wales this morning meant more than just a dip in the sea for one happy couple.

As hundreds of Boxing Day bathers at the legendary event in Tenby dashed for the water, a magical moment was happening between Victoria Tansey and Philip Frith.
Philip, 34, went down on one knee on the sand and asked Victoria, 37, to marry him.

Fortunately, she said an ecstatic ‘yes’ to the carefully-planned proposal, which saw the couple’s special song Ocean Eyes y Billie Eilish sound out over the beach as the newly-engaged couple celebrated with a splash in the sea.

As a former Royal Marine Philip – who is now a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach – has faced some scary situations in his life but the Boxing Day proposal was up there with the most nail-biting.
“I’ve been so nervous/special moment.

Victoria, originally from Hakin, Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, worked as a professional dancer – appearing on the X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and Pineapple Dance Studio: Survival of the Fittest -and before setting up her own entertainment agency.

Although now living in Guildford with Philip, she has always loved returning to her Pembrokeshire roots

“When we first met, Victoria couldn’t wait to show me all around Pembrokeshire and we have made the trip as often as work would allow us, to visit her family, go beach hopping and take in the breathtaking scenery,” said Philip.

“I absolutely love sea swimming, I believe that it is so worthwhile for your body and mind, however Victoria has never been one to enjoy the cold!

“So, on our first Christmas together as a couple, Victoria surprised me by taking me to Tenby for the Boxing Day Swim – it’s honestly one of my most fond memories from the start of our relationship!

“I wanted to return her the favour of surprising her by proposing to her at this year’s swim.”

Victoria’s mum and her childhood best friend , Sean Griffiths – who she set up Milford Haven’s Unison Dance Group with in 2004 –were on the beach to watch the proposal, with Sean bringing along the engagement ring in his pocket to fellow swimmers crowded round to congratulate Victoria and Philip, and swim chairman Sam Skyrme-Blackhall laughed: “Well, we said ‘come to the Tenby Boxing Day Swim and take the plunge’ but we weren’t expecting that! Congratulations to the happy couple”.

Charity

Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities

Published

2 days ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.

The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.

This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.

For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.

Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.

Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.

Charity

£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital

Published

2 days ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.

Their 37^th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.

They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.

The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.