News
Schools: Foreign language learning in Pembrokeshire down 52% in ten years

FOREIGN languages are being squeezed out of school timetables by “core” subjects like the Welsh Baccalaureate, a survey suggests.
Pembrokeshire has the largest drop in language learning in Wales.
It found more than a third of schools had dropped one or more languages at GCSE in the last five years.
Teachers also said the perception modern languages were “too hard” was also influencing their uptake.
Schools and colleges were asked for reasons why there had been a major decline in pupils taking subjects such as French and German.
There has been a 29% fall in language GCSE entries in Wales in five years – a steeper fall than the rest of the UK. The Welsh Government said its new curriculum would improve the situation.
Pembrokeshire saw a halving of language GCSEs sat by students from 2013 to 2017 – down 52%
Wales has seen a bigger decline in pupils learning foreign languages than in any other part of the UK – England has seen an 11% drop in the last five years, while in Northern Ireland it was 12% and 19% in Scotland.
Our county is among the 10 local authorities across the UK to see the biggest drop in language learning.
The only increase in Wales was in Anglesey – up 12% – while Cardiff saw the smallest decrease of 9%.
Some schools also mentioned that modern languages were competing with Welsh for space in the timetable, while extra time for English and maths were also highlighted.
A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “The decline in uptake of Modern Foreign Languages in Pembrokeshire Secondary Schools in recent years has multiple causes.
“There has been a squeeze on curriculum time in Key Stage Four as schools have accommodated two Mathematics GCSEs, compulsory Welsh GCSE and the universal adoption of the Welsh Baccalaureate.
“This has led to a reduction in option blocks presented to learners in Year 9.”
The spokesperson added: “The number of option subjects presented has also reduced as falling secondary school rolls, and associated core budgets, have forced governing bodies to restructure curriculum delivery models to remain within budget.”
News
A40 closed after serious crash near Wolfscastle

AIR AMBULANCE LANDS AT SCENE AS TRAFFIC DISRUPTED
THE A40 between Wolfscastle and Haverfordwest was closed in both directions on Friday afternoon (Apr 11) following a serious road traffic collision.
The crash, which was first reported at 12:10pm, prompted a significant emergency services response, including Dyfed-Powys Police and the Wales Air Ambulance, which was seen landing at the scene shortly after the incident.
AA Roadwatch confirmed that the road was shut in both directions, with slow-moving traffic and congestion reported in the surrounding area for several hours after the collision.
Police urged motorists to avoid the area and to seek alternative routes while emergency crews dealt with the incident.
At the time of writing, no official update has been given on the number of vehicles involved or whether there were any injuries. Dyfed-Powys Police have been approached for comment.
Traffic disruption remains ongoing, with live road maps showing long delays approaching Haverfordwest from the east.
More updates will follow as information becomes available.
Crime
Police investigate alleged assault at Milford Haven property

OFFICERS from Dyfed-Powys Police have been maintaining a presence at a property on Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, as part of an ongoing investigation into an assault.
The Herald understands that the front door of the property has been boarded up with plywood, prompting concern and speculation from local residents.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Officers have been undertaking scene preservation in relation to an investigation of assault.”
No further details have been released at this stage, and it is not yet known whether any arrests have been made.
Residents told The Herald they noticed police activity at the address earlier this week, with officers attending the property and cordoning off the area.
The Herald will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Business
Haverfordwest opticians celebrate 100 years of long service

WALES’ LARGEST Specsavers store is celebrating a series of individual long service milestones, with nine team members collectively marking a century of long service in 2025.
At the heart of the celebrations is Andy Britton, ophthalmic director at Specsavers Haverfordwest, who has worked at the company for 20 years.
Since becoming a partner in 2006, Mr Britton has overseen the store’s transformation from a small site with just four test rooms to a state-of-the-art £1.2 million premises at 21 Riverside Quay. The enhanced store now boasts 14 test rooms equipped with cutting edge technology and a significantly larger team, growing from 11 to 45 employees.
Haverfordwest residents benefit from Mr Britton’s clinical expertise – he holds multiple postgraduate diplomas that allow him to prescribe medication directly to customers, helping to ease pressure on local GP surgeries and hospitals. He has also led the introduction of enhanced services, including glaucoma monitoring, ensuring more people can access specialist care closer to home.
Reflecting on his career, Mr Britton says: ‘It’s been a privilege to serve the Haverfordwest community over the last 20 years. I’m proud of the team we’ve built and the progress we’ve made – all with the aim of delivering the best possible care for our customers.’
Mr Britton’s anniversary was celebrated alongside colleagues Elise Evans, Gareth Riley and Carrie Lewis-Jones – each marking 15 years with Specsavers – as well as other team members celebrating 10 and five-year milestones.
Fellow director, Wayne Jones, was among those celebrating five years with the business, after joining the Haverfordwest store in 2020. He was named a finalist for Optometrist of the Year at the Optometry Wales Awards in 2023 and then in 2024, joined forces with Mr Britton as retail director of the store.
Commenting on the milestone, Mr Jones says: ‘Our team’s experience and dedication are what makes Specsavers Haverfordwest so special. Reaching 100 years of individual long service milestones in 2025 is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s a real testament to the commitment of our colleagues, and we look forward to many more successful years ahead.’
To mark the occasion, the directors hosted an in-store awards ceremony, presenting certificates and bottles of champagne to the nine long-serving team members celebrating.
Specsavers Haverfordwest is open seven days a week. To find out more information about Specsavers in Haverfordwest, request an appointment or browse the online store, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/haverfordwest.
Additionally, to make eye health accessible to all, the store offers a Home Visits service for those unable to leave their homes unaccompanied due to disability or illness.
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