Plaid Cymru’s Cefin Campbell says rural Wales ‘in trouble’

Published

2 years ago

May 20, 2024

A PLAID CYMRU MS called for a rural poverty strategy, raising an economist’s warning that rural Wales is probably in more trouble than at any point in living memory.

Cefin Campbell, who lives in the Tywi Valley, described rural Wales as a picture of decline, with banks, schools, post offices and pubs all closing.

The Plaid Cymru politician told the Senedd young people are leaving to seek work, affordable housing, a better life or leisure facilities.

Mr Campbell said an external view of relative wealth can hide poverty under the surface, warning significant poverty is hiding in the shadows in rural Wales.

He raised the example of Ceredigion, which has among the highest house prices in Wales, yet 30% of children living in poverty – the second highest rate in the country.

Mr Campbell, who represents Mid and West Wales, said rural areas face the triple pressures of high costs, low incomes and poor access to public services.

He quoted Calvin Jones, a professor of economics at Cardiff University, as warning rural Wales is in trouble – “probably more trouble than in living memory”.

“Economic dysfunction is old hat here of course,” said Prof Jones.

“The social problems consequent on poor wages, low value added, and a lack of economic opportunity and market income are many and longstanding.

“These include poverty, the hollowing out of towns, poor service provision for rural areas, and the out-migration of the young.”

Mr Campbell advocated following the example of Northern Ireland’s Rural Needs Act which places a legal duty on public bodies to carry out a rural-proofing test

The former lecturer urged the Welsh Government to adopt a specific strategy, arguing urban and rural poverty must be addressed differently.

He told the chamber he has commissioned research and developed a strategy, which will be published shortly, due to the lack of response from the Welsh Government.

His Plaid Cymru colleague Mabon ap Gwynfor said: “There’s one thing that’s certain, which is that there is less investment in our rural areas, in the infrastructure.”

The Dwyfor Meirionnydd MS called for fair funding from Westminster, saying Crown Estate and HS2 money could transform rural Wales.

Siân Gwenllian highlighted a Bevan Foundation report on poverty in her Arfon constituency, warning of a cost-of-living premium in rural areas.

She raised concerns about food deserts in communities such as Dyffryn Nantlle and Deiniole where there is no supermarket and public transport infrastructure is poor.

Samuel Kurtz, who chairs the cross-party group on rural growth, raised a report on rural productivity which made 19 recommendations following an inquiry.

The Conservative said: “There are genuine opportunities within this report that do not require big money bags being spent to improve productivity in rural Wales.

“These are some small changes that can be implemented that can deliver real change in rural Wales, that would benefit people that we represent across Wales.”

Responding to the short debate on May 15, Huw Irranca-Davies agreed it is a crucial issue, with 80% of Wales classified as rural and one in three people living in rural areas.

The new rural affairs secretary told the chamber the Welsh Government’s goal is to ensure equal access to support whether you live in a rural or urban area, or between the two.

Mr Irranca-Davies said ministers firmly believe a strategic all-Wales approach is the best way forward while recognising the challenges in different communities, including rural areas.

“I’m not convinced that a rural poverty strategy on its own is the right approach,” said the former MP, who was environment minister in Gordon Brown’s UK Government.

He battled away calls for legislation, saying rural proofing should form part of existing impact assessments and he will hammer this point home with cabinet colleagues.

Crowds line streets as tractor run hailed a festive success

Published

8 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CROWDS lined streets and pavements across Pembrokeshire on Saturday evening (Dec 20) as Clarbeston Road AFC’s illuminated Christmas tractor run was hailed a resounding success.

More than 200 tractors took part in the event, travelling through villages and towns including Newmoat, Maenclochog, Llys-y-frân, Walton East, Clarbeston Road, Wiston, Newbridge, Poyston Cross, Crundale and Haverfordwest, where large crowds gathered to watch the festive convoy pass through.

Families, children and residents wrapped up against the cold to enjoy the sight of tractors decorated with Christmas lights and festive displays, with applause and waves greeting drivers as they made their way through built-up areas and rural roads alike.

The convoy set off from the Clarbeston Road AFC Knock Playing Fields at 5:30pm and concluded at the County Showground in Haverfordwest later in the evening. At the end of the run, refreshments were available and the raffle draw took place at the Park House building, which was open to the public.

Organisers said the turnout from both drivers and spectators exceeded expectations, with the event once again bringing communities together while raising funds for local causes, including The Catrin Vaughan Foundation, In It With Isaac, and Wales Air Ambulance.

Clarbeston Road AFC thanked tractor drivers, volunteers, sponsors and members of the public for their support, as well as residents and road users for their patience while the convoy passed through.

The illuminated tractor run has become a firm fixture in the local festive calendar, with Friday night’s event described by many spectators as one of the best yet.

Community

Charity tractor and car run set to raise funds for Macmillan and Paul Sartori

Published

9 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A CHARITY tractor and car run in memory of Charles Rees is set to take place in Pembrokeshire later this month, with funds raised supporting Macmillan Cancer Support and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

The Charles Rees Tractor & Car Run will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, starting and finishing at Dudwell Farm in Camrose.

Participants are being invited to “start their engines” in aid of the two charities, with gates opening at 9:00am and the convoy leaving promptly at 10:30am. Organisers have confirmed that the run will operate with no halfway stops, returning to Dudwell Farm at the end of the route.

The event will begin and finish at Dudwell Farm, Camrose (SA62 6HJ), and is open to tractors and cars. Registration and cash payment will take place on the day, with the price to be confirmed nearer the event.

Additional donations can also be made locally in the run-up to the event at Camrose Country Hardware and Croesgoch Stores.

The run has been organised to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides vital care and assistance to people living with cancer, and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which supports patients and families across Pembrokeshire during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Organisers say more information will be released closer to the event and are encouraging the local community to support the run, whether by taking part, donating, or lining the route to show support.

The event is expected to attract strong local interest, continuing Pembrokeshire’s tradition of community-led fundraising in support of much-valued charities.

Community

Cilgerran school could be discontinued as consultation launched

Published

22 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CONSULTATION on proposed changes for a north Pembrokeshire school, which attracted a near-400-strong petition in opposition to the council, has been launched.

At its May meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council considered a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which outlined the findings of a review of education provision in the Preseli area.

“In particular, the review considered the extent of surplus school places in the area, set against a significant decline in the pupil population,” the council in its consultation on proposals for discontinuation of Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School has said.

A later July meeting of the council, following May’s agreed consultation with St David’s Diocese, backed a general consultation to discontinue Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School, and to establish it as a 3-11 community school.

The consultation was launched on December 16 and runs to January 30.

Hundreds have opposed the proposed changes, with a petition, on the council’s own website opposing the changes recently closed after gaining 391 signatures.

Any petition of between 100 and 499 signatures triggers a debate at one of the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees, and any over 500 a debate at full council, meaning this petition will be heard by committee members at a later date.

The proposals for Cilgerran are part of a wide range of potential education changes in the county.

Two petitions, opposing the potential closures of Manorbier and Ysgol Clydau schools, were recently heard at full council and a further petition opposing the potential closure of Stepaside School has recently been launched.

The Cilgerran e-petition, created by Louise Williams, raised concerns including the school could become part of a federation, a loss of permanent head teacher on site, a shared head teacher would have to oversee several schools, loss of funding control and the ability to maintain the school’s current healthy and stable funding, and a loss of commitment to the church, in turn could impact on the school’s and pupils values, beliefs and cultural beliefs.

It said: “Ysgol Cilgerran VC school has strong links with the Church community in Cilgerran and we believe this will have a negative impact on the children who attend the school, the community of Cilgerran and the links between the two.

“We are proud of our school ethos and values which are strengthened by our links with the church. The school has close and strong relationships with our Church in Wales federation governors one of which is also our safeguarding governor.

“Our Church Federation governors work closely with the school and are regular visitors to the school and the children. They provide vital support and guidance to the school and have a positive impact on the Children’s education. We believe these links will be weakened by this proposal to remove our VC status and we believe this is an un-necessary action.”