Youth pilgrimage to blend fun, faith, and fellowship in scenic coastal retreat

YOUNG people from across west Wales are being invited to take part in the Annual St Davids’ Youth Pilgrimage this summer, as the Diocese of St Davids prepares for five days of faith-filled adventure along the ancient coastal paths once walked by Wales’ patron saint.

Taking place between August 4 and 8, the pilgrimage is open to all young people aged from rising 11 (Year 6) to 17, and promises a blend of walking, worship, games, storytelling and reflection. The group will be based at the St Davids Bunk Barns, just outside the city on the A487, with daily excursions to explore the landscape that inspired St David’s ministry.

Led by Reverend Sophie Whitmarsh, the Diocese’s Children, Youth & Families Missioner, the week-long event is designed to offer a meaningful experience of Christian fellowship and spiritual growth.

“Each day will include walking parts of the coastal path, engaging activities to explore faith and time for reflection, fun and laughter,” said Reverend Whitmarsh. “We hope this will be a truly Holy Spirit-filled experience for our young people.”

The cost of the pilgrimage is £80 per child, covering food and accommodation for four nights. Thanks to support from the diocese and a new sponsorship scheme called Angels and Archangels, subsidies are available to ensure no child misses out due to financial hardship.

Booking packs include medical and permission forms, a kit list, and a participant contract to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all involved.

For more information call 07870 415378.

THE ORGANISATION representing work-based learning providers across Wales has welcomed representatives from Catalonia to Cardiff to exchange international ideas on vocational training and youth employment.

Part of Taith, Wales’ international learning exchange programme, the visit was organised by the National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW) and included an opportunity for the visitors – who work for the Catalan Government’s Education Department, with specialists in youth employment and international mobility – to view ACT’s apprenticeship and youth training programmes.

The NTFW, which represents the interests of training providers and learners across Wales, fosters strong partnerships with key stakeholders including the Welsh Government, Medr, Members of the Senedd, Qualifications Wales, Education Workforce Council and Estyn.

The Federation brings together four of Wales’ leading training providers – ACT, Itec Skills and Employment, Cambrian Training Company and Educ8 – all of whom were represented during the discussions.

The visit formed part of a wider European study tour for the Catalan representatives who have also visited Finland, France, Italy, Portugal and Mexico to explore how different nations deliver government-funded training programmes.

Despite differences in qualification frameworks and awarding bodies, both the Welsh and Catalan groups quickly identified shared challenges.

These included rising numbers of young people classified as NEET – not in education, employment or training – difficulties in re-engaging learners once they leave the system and the growing demand for improved mental health support in training environments.

NTFW members shared their experiences with the Jobs Growth Wales+ programme, which equips 16 to 19-year-olds with the skills, qualifications and work experience necessary to progress into employment or further training.

In turn, Maribel Rodriguez, international programmes specialist with the Catalan delegation, introduced the ALMA programme. Funded by the Spanish Social Security Fund, the programme focuses on providing training, career guidance and overseas internship opportunities for young people seeking work abroad.

Richard Spear, ACT’s managing director, said: “It was incredibly valuable to sit down with our visitors from Catalonia and learn about the innovative approaches they are taking to address challenges we also face here in Wales.”

Lisa Mytton, NTFW strategic director, who chaired the meeting, added: “We were delighted to share how we are championing vocational training in Wales. It’s clear that while we face similar hurdles, we also share many strengths. Opportunities like this remind us of the power of collaboration and the importance of learning from each other.”

Picture caption:

Visitors from Catalonia with National Training Federation for Wales members during their visit to ACT in Cardiff.

A SPECIAL meeting of senior Pembrokeshire councillors is to consider a ‘call-in’ on a Cabinet decision which has led to claims of “a bias against the provision of Welsh Language education”.

The Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) is a ten-year plan, mandatory for all local authorities in Wales, that outlines how Welsh medium education will be developed within the authority.

The WESP aims to increase the proportion of school year groups taught through the medium of Welsh and focuses on Year 1 learners. The plans also aim to contribute to the Welsh Government’s goal of having 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050, as part of the “Cymraeg 2050” initiative.

Pembrokeshire County council’s schools and learning overview and scrutiny committee met on May 14 to consider a ‘call-in’ by Independent Group leader Cllr Huw Murphy of a cabinet decision on April 28, specifically an amendment by Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller to its previous recommendation to note a report.

The scrutiny committee voted for Cabinet to consider removing an amendment: “That the Director of Education be tasked with exploring how demand for Welsh language can be better captured.

“In particular this work should focus on disaggregating demand for Welsh Medium Education from other school choice considerations such as perceptions of learning outcomes, facility quality etc,” replacing it with: “That the progress being made against the objectives set out in the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan, and Welsh Government’s feedback to the Council’s 2023/24 Annual Report, be noted.”

Cllr Murphy’s lengthy ‘call-in’ said: “Some comments made by Cabinet appeared to display a degree of bias against the provision of Welsh Language education.”

He quoted Cllr Miller from that meeting, in relation to Welsh medium Ysgol Caer Ellen: “…basically we’ve opened Caer Ellen and loads of people went there and therefore by definition they must want a Welsh Language education.

“I’m not sure how true that is, might be partly true, might be completely true but also it might not be. I know quite a few parents in that particular area obviously given my constituency in Neyland West and all of them that I know who send their children to Caer Ellen honestly couldn’t give a toss whether it was Welsh or English, they’re looking for a good school and so what they’ve got is a good school in Caer Ellen, great facilities, and so they’re sending their kids there.”

Cllr Murphy went on to say: “Councillor Miller then continues and commented ‘honestly the fact its Welsh medium has got nothing to do with anything so how do we differentiate those looking for a good school’ and re-asserts this point where it appears that Cllr Miller by his comments does not think parents select Caer Ellen on the basis of providing Welsh education, rather that it’s a ‘good school’ and requests data be collected to ascertain from parents why they choose Welsh Language education.”

Cllr Murphy also raised concerns that some members of the Cabinet “had little idea of the workings” of Fforwm Cymraeg, a committee which examines in greater detail the provision of Welsh language education in Pembrokeshire.

Dealing with the data collection proposal, Cllr Murphy said there is no provision in the Schools Admission Code to enable PCC to collect the data, adding that “to try and collect this data would be a clear indication that some Cabinet members do not believe parental choice in electing Welsh Language education when the evidence is clear that within Pembrokeshire the demand for Welsh education is growing and the majority of schools at or near capacity are those providing Welsh medium education such as Caer Ellen, Hafan y Mor, Bro Ingli, etc”.

At the May 14 meeting, Cllr Murphy said he had reported the matter to the Welsh Language Commissioner, who had shared his concerns, and was “aghast what Pembrokeshire County Council recommended.”

Cllr Miller responded saying there was no evidence members displayed a limited knowledge of WESP, and allegations that his comments displayed a degree of bias were “entirely without merit,” standing by his words.

“It must be the case it is at least possible some parents are choosing Welsh medium schools other than because of the medium of Welsh. It’s currently unknown; surely it’s right the council seeks to understand the impact of other forces.”

On his “perhaps relaxed language” he said he was reflecting the views of some of his constituents, saying Cllr Murphy was “trying to make something out of nothing,” in “a naked attempt to create outrage, trying to paint some in this council as anti-Welsh”.

He added: “Cllr Murphy should be deeply ashamed of his actions over the last week in trying to create artificial division in the county of Pembrokeshire,” suggesting he was attempting to draw a wedge “between the people of Pembrokeshire that speak Welsh and those that don’t,” adding: “If he honestly believes he can draw political benefit I suggest time will show him he is sorely mistaken.

“This administration will continue to make decisions based on sound evidence for the benefit of all it represents.”

Cllr Murphy told members he had received “petulant emails” from Cllr Miller after he contacted the language commissioner, adding of Cllr Miller: “If he’s proud of what the Welsh Language Commissioner has written he needs to have a real serious period of reflection.”

Cllr Murphy’s call succeeded by seven votes to five, with the May 21 extraordinary meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet now considering the matter.