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School locks pupils out of toilets over concerns about vandalism

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A PEMBROKESHIRE secondary school which opened its new campus just over a year ago, has been compelled to restrict access to some of its toilets following incidents of vandalism.

Haverfordwest High School reports significant damage and misuse of the facilities by a number of pupils.

This decision, however, has sparked concerns among parents regarding the hygiene standards at the school.

A concerned parent, in an email to The Pembrokeshire Herald, highlighted that the school, which accommodates around 1,500 pupils.

Reportedly, out of 12 toilet units, only six are available to students at different times of the day. The Herald has learned that as many as 24 toilets have been locked for several weeks, with the school administration yet to communicate when they will be reopened..

This has led to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions in the remaining toilets, as described by another worried parent. Accounts detail unsettling scenes of unclean seats, fecal matter on walls, and rampant littering. The growing frustration among parents is palpable, particularly concerning the health risks posed to their children in such an environment.

The issue is compounded by what is claimed to be a lack of response from the school administration. One parent alleges that after sending daily emails to Haverfordwest High VC School for a week without response, a recent phone call was initially met with denial, only to be acknowledged when evidence was mentioned.

An anonymous source stated: “At least 24 toilets have been locked for over a month. The open toilets are often filthy, with broken seats, urine on the seats, litter, and frequently no toilet paper. Many children avoid using them during the day, which is detrimental to their health. Despite five unanswered emails last week, I finally received a callback today. The head is firm on not reopening the other toilets, citing misuse by a few students. However, this seems unfair to the majority who behave appropriately, and I suspect they are violating the required toilet-to-pupil ratio.”

In response to inquiries from The Pembrokeshire Herald, a spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council stated: “The School had taken the difficult decision to limit access to toilets due to concerns over the way in which pupils had previously been treating the facilities.

“This has allowed members of staff to closely monitor the toilets used in an effort to identify the limited number of pupils causing mess and damage and to discourage pupils gathering in toilets to improve promptness to lessons.

“The access has been regularly reviewed to ensure there were no queues or pupils unable to access facilities and that they were suitably equipped.”

The council spokesperson added: “The School has this week opened an additional block of toilets and will continue to review the situation regularly.”

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

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THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

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Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

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A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.

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Local Government

Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works

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Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure

SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.

“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.

Urgent works underway

Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.

Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.

Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.

Further updates are expected later this week.

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