News
Manorbier school fire legal discussions ongoing
LEGAL discussions are ongoing about Pembrokeshire County Council potentially recouping a £200,000 insurance excess paid by it following the 2022 fire at Manorbier school.
Manorbier Church in Wales VC School and its adjoining schoolhouse was severely damaged by a fire on October 11 of 2022, which broke out in the school roof space.
Pupils and staff were successfully evacuated with no injuries, and a ‘school from school’ was set up in Jameston Village Hall, after a brief period of sanctuary at the nearby Buttyland caravan site.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s insurers have previously said the fire was accidentally started while ‘hot works’ were being carried out by contractors to renew an adjacent flat roof, but, as has previously been stressed, no liability has been accepted to date.
Councillors have previously heard the majority of costs were likely to be met from the council’s insurers, with the caveat of the unknown issue of liability and its effect on a £200,000 insurance excess.
A submitted question, by Councillor Aled Thomas, heard at the full council meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council on May 9, asked Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham “to update the chamber on what progress the Cabinet have made in recouping the £200,000 insurance excess paid following the devastating non-fault fire at Manorbier school”.
Councillors have previously been told by Cllr Woodham: “The legal issues are not straightforward but will be robustly taken forward.
“At this stage it’s still subject to legal discussion. The excess will be covered by a fund the council holds for insurance excess.”
He said that, if liability was found or accepted, the council would “pursue for the full maximum claim of the costs associated with the fire”.
Responding to Cllr Thomas’s question at full council, Cllr Woodham said there was a limited amount of information he could make public due to ongoing active proceedings.
Crime
Dyfed-Powys Police investigating after 20mph signs damaged and stolen
A NUMBER of 20mph signs and also national speed limit signs have been damaged and stolen in the village of Llansawel, Llandeilo.
The most recent incident of damage/theft took place at some point between 08/06/2024 and
10/06/2024.
Anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it to
Dyfed-Powys Police, either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing 101@dyfed-
powys.police.uk, or by calling 101. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Quote reference: 24000533387. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
Community
Armed Forces Day celebrated in in Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven
ON SATURDAY June 29 the community gathered outside the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre to celebrate Armed Forces Day, honouring the service and dedication of military personnel. The event featured historical military vehicles and reenactors in authentic uniforms, capturing the spirit of the past.
The Milford Haven Sea Cadets were in attendance, joining veterans and other participants in showcasing their pride. The cadets displayed impressive skills, reinforcing the event’s focus on teamwork and dedication.
The Mayor of Pembroke Dock delivered a heartfelt speech, highlighting the significance of the day and expressing the community’s gratitude for the Armed Forces’ contributions. The ceremony included a presentation of colours, adding to the sense of tradition and respect.
In addition, a smaller event took place at the Royal British Legion in Milford Haven, which was also well attended. This gathering further emphasised the community’s support for the military.
Armed Forces Day in Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven was a memorable occasion, fostering a strong sense of community and appreciation for those who serve.
Pictures by Martin Cavaney
Community
Public outcry over closed rides at Oakwood Theme Park
LOCAL residents and visitors are up in arms after discovering that several key attractions at Oakwood Theme Park were closed during a recent visit, despite the park charging full admission prices. James Peniket, a visitor, sparked the debate with a Facebook post expressing his frustration over the situation, which quickly garnered numerous supportive comments from others who had similar experiences.
Mr Peniket’s post stated, “How can you charge full price when at least 5 of your main rides are closed? You only had a notice on your website for one of the rides being closed… £45 for a 13-year-old child to go and see a theme park full of closed rides… absolute shambles of a place… Robbing the public of money!”
The reaction was swift, with many people sharing their own stories and grievances about the park. Andrew Graham Feetham echoed the sentiment, calling the situation “unsafe” and the supervision “horrendous.” He added, “£20, fair enough, but £45 for half a theme park is robbery.”
Darren Briggs, a former employee of the park, reminisced about its glory days in the late 1980s. “Back in the day, we would regularly see attendance figures over 12k people a day. Yesterday was probably less than 3k. Very sad. Staff looked totally unhappy and disengaged,” he commented, highlighting the park’s decline and lack of investment.
The closure of multiple rides without prior warning was a common complaint. Alanda Williams and Andrew Morse also joined the conversation, suggesting alternative attractions such as Hangar 5, where all trampolines are open and operational. Joshua J Peniket quipped, “Should have gone to Hangar 5 then. All trampolines are open,” reflecting the public’s disillusionment with Oakwood.
The underlying issue appears to be a lack of transparency and investment. Several commenters, including George Coles, pointed out that the theme park had been sold to new owners, Aspro-Ocio S.A., a Spanish company known for operating water parks. Despite this change in ownership, there has been no noticeable improvement in the park’s conditions.
Visitors like Wayne Scourfield, who had pre-booked tickets for their families, expressed their frustration and disappointment upon learning about the closed rides. “I’ve booked to bring family on Thursday… they’re so looking forward to it,” he lamented, highlighting the broader impact on families planning visits during the school holidays.
In response to the public outcry, Oakwood Theme Park has issued refunds to some visitors, including Mr Peniket, who confirmed receiving an email from the park regarding his refund. However, this measure seems to be a case of too little, too late for many disgruntled customers.
The recurring theme in the comments was a nostalgic longing for the park’s past and a call for significant investment to restore its former glory. As Louise Burgin reminisced, “It used to be amazing when we were kids. It was such a treat to go. You knew you’d spend all day having fun, and it was value for money.”
Oakwood Theme Park, once a beloved local attraction, now faces mounting pressure to address these issues and restore public trust. Without immediate and substantial improvements, the park risks losing its place as a cherished destination for families in Pembrokeshire and beyond.
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