A GROUP of residents marked the New Year in traditional style this week by taking Calennig singing to the parish streets — and using the evening to raise awareness of the proposed closure of Ysgol Clydau.

Organisers said the walk blended a long-standing local custom with a serious message, as campaigners continue to encourage families and residents to respond to Pembrokeshire County Council’s consultation on the school’s future.

Although numbers were small, those who took part described the evening as upbeat and positive. The weather remained dry, the sky stayed clear, and the group stopped to speak to people along the route, handing out leaflets and discussing what the school means to the area.

Supporters said the event underlined the strength of community spirit in the Clydau area — something they believe is closely tied to the presence of the rural school, not only as a place of learning but as a focal point for local life.

Sarah Farnden, a parent at Ysgol Clydau, said: “Ysgol Clydau is at the heart of our community. It’s where our children learn, but also where friendships are formed and traditions are passed on. Nights like the Calennig remind us how important the school is in bringing people together. Losing it would mean losing a vital part of who we are.”

Consultation open until January 23

Pembrokeshire County Council launched a public consultation on the proposal in December, with responses invited until Friday, January 23.

The council says the proposal follows a review of education provision, taking into account pupil numbers and the use of school places across the wider area.

The issue has already prompted a strong public response, with a petition opposing closure gaining significant support and triggering further discussion among councillors.

Campaigners have also questioned the timing of the consultation over the Christmas period, arguing that families and residents should be given every reasonable opportunity to consider the proposals and respond.

Supporters of Ysgol Clydau say closure would have consequences beyond education, warning it could weaken the fabric of the rural community and reduce opportunities for children to learn and socialise close to home.

Organisers of the Calennig walk said the evening showed how local traditions still bring people together — and can also be used to highlight modern-day challenges facing the community.

They are urging anyone with a stake in the school’s future — parents, former pupils, residents and local organisations — to make sure their views are submitted before the consultation deadline.

A FORMER county councillor has paid tribute to the late Mike Stoddart, describing him as a “principled incredible friend” with an “encyclopaedic knowledge of the law” and an unmatched ability to expose wrongdoing.

In a personal memory piece shared with The Herald, Cllr Michael Williams said he first became aware of Mr Stoddart when he ran the Milford Mercury, recalling how some figures at County Hall appeared “fearful” on publication days because of Stoddart’s determination to “root out… dubious activities”.

Cllr Williams also recounted being threatened with libel action after raising concerns about the record and claimed successes of an external consultant hired “at considerable expense”.

He said he was contacted by a Cardiff legal firm demanding £20,000 and warning he would be sued, describing the correspondence as “frankly intimidating” and saying it left him fearing “the loss of everything”.

Cllr Williams said he sought help from Mr Stoddart, who he recalled arriving at his home with his wife Viv and spending an entire evening working through “a considerable quantity of documentation” and advising how to respond.

“Mikes encyclopaedic knowledge of the law was incredible, and he was able to offer some much-needed reassurance,” Cllr Williams wrote.

He added that he worked with Mr Stoddart on allegations involving grants and “dubious travel claims”, which he said culminated in a referral to the council’s audit committee.

Cllr Williams claimed the “taxpayers of the county were massively let down” by Dyfed-Powys Police and the Crown Prosecution Service, despite what he described as a “detailed dossier” submitted by Mr Stoddart.

Reflecting on decades in public life, he said one enduring lesson was that those who ask “awkward questions” can find themselves “shut down”, adding that bodies including the council and police could become “aggressive and intimidatory” when challenged.

Cllr Williams said he feared that without Mr Stoddart, “far less dubious fraudulent or indeed criminal activities will be exposed”.

“Mikes courage together with his sheer intellectual powers are irreplaceable,” he added.

New owners promise fresh menu, familiar standards and a warm reception for ‘furry friends’

A NEW bar and restaurant is preparing to open its doors on Milford Waterfront next month after the team behind it quietly took over the venue formerly known as Salt.

Dayne and Victoria, who took over the business in October, said they have spent the past few months working behind the scenes and are now ready to relaunch the venue under a new name — Biffy’s Bar and Restaurant.

The official opening date has been set for Friday, February 6.

In a message to customers, the owners said anyone who has visited since October will already have experienced the standard of food and service they plan to build on, adding that a new menu is on the way.

They said: “Over the past few months, we’ve been quietly working behind the scenes and we’re finally ready to start putting our own stamp on the place — which will soon be Biffy’s.

“If you’ve visited us since October, then you’ve already experienced the standard of food and service you can expect going forward — because that’s exactly what we’re building on. We’re excited to say we’ve got a delicious new menu coming your way too.”

Dog-friendly

The announcement has drawn plenty of supportive messages online — including one customer asking whether the new venue will welcome dogs.

Replying to Dympna Pettit, the business confirmed it will be dog friendly, saying: “Of course, we can’t wait to meet your furry friend.”

Others wished the owners well, with some saying they were looking forward to trying the new menu and seeing the venue return to top form.

Helen Court said she used to visit regularly before COVID, adding that she was looking forward to giving the new venture a try.

Customers who want to book a table for opening day are being asked to message the business via its social media page or book through the Tableo link.

The owners also introduced Daisy and Dexter as part of the team — describing them as the venue’s “Head of Security” and “Chief Morale Officer.”