News

All schools in Wales to close this Friday due to coronavirus outbreak

Published

6 years ago

March 18, 2020

Tom Sinclair

ALL SCHOOLS in Wales will close by Friday this week.

Schools in Pembrokeshire have been preparing for the closure by placing as many teaching resources as possible online.

UWTSD has already moved to online delivery of lectures and seminars for its students.

In a written statement, Education Minister Kirsty Williams said:

“We are in an unprecedented period, one that is changing hour-by-hour, and governments around the world are having to make quick decisions.

Firstly, I would like to extend my gratitude to all those working in our education and childcare settings for the critical work you have been undertaking, under incredible pressure to support our children and young people. You have been at the front-line in supporting wider efforts to prepare for the challenges we are all now facing and I am incredibly grateful and proud.

Today, I can announce we are bringing forward the Easter break for schools in Wales. Schools across Wales will close for statutory provision of education at the latest on 20 March 2020.

I have been clear up to now that the continuity of education and the wellbeing of our learners has been at the heart of my decision making. This will always be the case.

From next week, schools will have a new purpose. They will help support those most in need, including people involved in the immediate response to the coronavirus outbreak. I am working with my colleagues in the Cabinet, with government officials and our partners in local government to develop and finalise these plans.

The key areas we are looking at are supporting and safeguarding the vulnerable and ensuring continuity of learning. We are looking in detail at how we can support and safeguard all those who benefit from free school meals and children with additional learning needs. I will make sure you are kept up-to-date.

While this will apply to schools, childcare settings are expected to remain open until we have definitive advice from the Chief Medical Officer and from Public Health Wales that any closures are required. Parents can, and should, speak with their usual childcare providers if they need care over the Easter holidays

I have discussed my intentions with the Leader of the Welsh Local Government Association, Andrew Morgan, who reflects the views of local authorities. Some school staff will likely have an important role to play in this. We are working closely with our key stakeholders to look at what this will look like for both education and childcare settings, including Flying Start. This position will of course evolve over the coming days and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

One of the critical decisions that we will seek to clarify with urgency is that of the forthcoming examinations. I am also working with Qualifications Wales and the WJEC about this year’s exam series. In line with all education ministers across the UK, I will be making a further announcement shortly.

From the outset, the decisions being taken have been focused on public health advice, and it is right that these science-based recommendations are front and centre of the decisions being made.

The announcement I am making today will help ensure an orderly closure for schools so that they have the time to prepare. However, I am conscious that the SAGE Committee and COBR meet this afternoon, and I will of course be listening closely to see if advice changes and any further urgent decisions about school closures are needed.

Today’s decision will help ensure an orderly closure, so schools have time to prepare ahead of the early break.

My main message for everyone is to stay safe and stay well. We will work together and we will face this outbreak together.

I will of course continue to keep you updated.”

Crime

Fence posts thrown into field damage farming equipment

Published

58 minutes ago

May 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for information after fence posts were removed and thrown into a field between Croesgoch and Llanrhian.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the alleged criminal damage happened sometime between Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3.

The posts, which were next to woodland between the two villages, were removed from the ground and thrown into a nearby field.

They later became lodged in farming equipment, causing significant damage.

Police said the area is only accessible via a footpath.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: 26*366788.

News

Claire Archibald vows to ‘stand up for rural Wales’ after Senedd election victory

Published

60 minutes ago

May 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New MS says every constituent enquiry will be taken seriously as she opens doors to public

NEWLY elected Senedd Member Claire Archibald has pledged to be “available to all constituents” across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion after formally taking up her role representing the region.

Archibald, who was elected earlier this month, said she was “deeply grateful” to everyone who had placed their trust in her and promised to work hard on behalf of communities across west Wales.

In a statement issued following her election, the new MS said she intended to keep her offices open and accessible, with a focus on helping residents with day-to-day concerns.

Claire Archibald said: “I am honoured to have been selected as a representative for Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me.

“I want to be available to all constituents who need my support. My offices will be open, and every enquiry will be taken seriously. I will do my very best to help every single person here in our beautiful corner of Wales.”

Archibald said she entered politics because she believed Wales was “heading in the wrong direction” and wanted to help protect communities, family values and frontline services.

She added: “Above all, I want to make sure Cardiff Bay understands that rural communities matter too.”

Her comments are likely to resonate with many voters in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, where issues including healthcare access, farming pressures, transport links and cost-of-living concerns featured heavily during the Senedd election campaign.

Archibald joins the new intake of representatives following the first election held under Wales’ expanded Senedd system, with Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion now represented under the larger multi-member constituency model.

Taking office: Claire Archibald MS after being selected to represent Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion in the Senedd (Pic: Supplied).

Local Government

Pembrokeshire County Council welcomes new chairman

Published

1 hour ago

May 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CLLR DELME HARRIES has been elected chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council for the coming municipal year.

Cllr Harries, who was elected in 2022 to represent the Bro Gwaun ward, is a member of the Independent Group.

He has worked for the NFU for many years and has extensive experience in agriculture, governance and community leadership.

Within the council, he has held several key roles, including chairman of the Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He is also the council’s Members’ Champion for the Welsh Language and for Children and Young People.

Cllr Harries is deeply involved in education and youth development. He serves as a local authority governor at Ysgol Ger y Llan and Ysgol Casmael a Llychllwydog, and is club leader of Llysyfran Young Farmers Club.

He also chairs the POINT Youth Project in Fishguard, where he is a trustee.

Young Farmers background

Cllr Harries has held numerous senior leadership roles within the Young Farmers’ movement at county, national and international level.

These include chair of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs from 2019 to 2024, chair of Wales Young Farmers Clubs, chair of European Young Farmers, and chair of Pembrokeshire YFC.

In recognition of his contribution, he has been awarded honorary life memberships and vice-presidencies within Young Farmers organisations at county, national and UK level.

He is also a director and trustee of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society.

Upon taking the chains, Cllr Harries thanked outgoing chairman Cllr Maureen Bowen.

He said: “I am truly humbled and honoured to have your support in appointing me as Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council for the coming year.

“When I was elected to represent the Bro Gwaun ward in 2022, this role was certainly not on my list of expectations. To now stand before you as your Chair is something I feel deeply privileged to do, and I am extremely grateful for the confidence you have placed in me to serve as the civic leader of this authority.

“I am particularly proud to serve as Chair in a year when Pembrokeshire will welcome the National Eisteddfod. This is a moment of huge significance for our county, and I hope we will all embrace this wonderful event, which promises to be one of the very best.

“I look forward to seeing many of you in Llantood this August as we celebrate our language, culture and heritage together.”

Cllr Nick Neumann was elected vice-chairman for the coming year. He was nominated by Cllr Di Clements and seconded by Cllr Mark Carter.

Caption:

New chairman: Cllr Delme Harries with new vice-chairman Cllr Nick Neumann, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed Meurig Raymond, High Sheriff of Dyfed Andrew Phillips, Presiding Member Cllr Simon Hancock and outgoing chairman Cllr Maureen Bowen.