News

New horse training school to be built on Goodwick farm

Published

1 year ago

February 2, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PREVIOUSLY refused plans to allow a Pembrokeshire student permission to develop a sand school for ‘breaking’ horses at his family farm have been approved by the national park.

In an application before Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners, Mr GW Richards sought permission for the sand school for use in ‘breaking’ and training horses at Llanwnwr Farm, Trefasser, Goodwick.

A previous application for a similar scheme was refused on the grounds it was on Grade 3a land, the best and most versatile agricultural land; the proposed school now planned to be sited on lower quality Grade 5 agricultural land after discussions with park officers.

A supporting statement through agent MacRae Associates said: “The proposal is to develop a sand school for use in ‘breaking’ and training horses, which will allow the applicant’s son to stay within the area and develop a small business.

“The applicant’s son is currently in his final year studying Equine Science and Business at the Royal Agricultural University. Without the opportunity to develop a small business at his family farm on graduation he will in all likelihood be forced to leave the area.

“In addition to breaking and training horses the use of the site will provide a space that allows the owner to exercise a stallion safely during wintertime instead of exercising it on the public highways. Traffic to the [nearby] lighthouse is significant particularly in the holiday season. This represents a significant risk reduction to both the applicant and the motoring public.

“Exercising the stallion on wet ground in winter carries the risk of causing injury to both rider and horse by slipping on muddy ground. One of the applicant’s ponies suffers from a disease known as Laminitis caused by too much fresh grass, a sand school would allow this pony to be let out onto a surface which will not exacerbate the condition; the alternative is to keep the pony stabled during times when there is a likelihood of the condition flaring up. It will thus an animal welfare problem.”

The scheduled ancient monument of Llanwnwr Cross-Slab; a stone with a cross carved into the surface, is located some 90m south-west of the site.

An officer report recommending approval said the change to Grade 5 land, alleviated many of the previous concerns, adding: “The application is deemed acceptable subject to detailed development management concerns from the authority and relevant consultees.

“Relevant conditions have been imposed to respect the significance of the archaeological remains in and around the site, and to ensure adequate drainage and green infrastructure implementation. Subject to these conditions the proposal is considered acceptable and to comply with the requirements of relevant local and national planning policies.”

The application was conditionally approved.

Education

Welsh-medium provision to be expanded in some urban areas of Carmarthenshire

Published

14 minutes ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CYMDEITHAS YR LAITH has welcomed Carmarthenshire County Council’s decision to expand Welsh-medium education provision in some of the county’s urban areas.

The Council’s Education, Young People and Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee approved a recommendation to consult on making a regulated change to Welsh-language provision in the following primary schools: Ysgol Bro Banw, Ysgol Griffith Jones, Ysgol Llangynnwr, and Ysgol Llandybie. The decision will go before the Cabinet on Monday (29/06/2026) for final approval.

A spokesperson for Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s Carmarthenshire Region said: “We are very pleased that the Council intends to expand Welsh-medium education provision in these schools, moving closer to the goal of ensuring that no pupil is deprived of the ability to work and communicate confidently in both languages.

“We particularly welcome the changes at the large urban school, Ysgol Bro Banw. However, we seek clarification regarding the decision to introduce bilingual provision at the school, rather than converting it into a fully Welsh-medium school. Research shows that Welsh-medium education is the only way to ensure bilingualism among young people.

“It is worth noting that there are seven bilingual primary schools in the county, in addition to those mentioned in the report, and several of these provide only Welsh-medium education during the Foundation Phase. We therefore encourage the Council to continue the work of converting all these bilingual schools into Welsh-medium schools and to address gaps in Welsh-medium education provision in areas such as the south-west of the county and the town of Carmarthen as well.

“At the same time, we are disappointed that the Council is removing Welsh-medium education from our rural communities. Although they are increasing capacity in St Clears, they are simultaneously losing Welsh-medium capacity in the area through their plans to close Ysgol Meidrim. We therefore call for a new and sustainable strategy for rural education.”

The spokesperson added: “We look forward to the Council’s next announcement, when the names of four additional schools will be revealed. Nevertheless, it is disappointing that we have to wait until the autumn for that announcement. We respectfully ask the Council to accelerate the process in order to prevent the ongoing injustice whereby pupils are being deprived of the ability to communicate and work in Welsh as well as English.”

Education

Milford Haven School issues heatwave update as temperatures soar

Published

1 hour ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL has thanked pupils and staff for the way they have supported one another during the current heatwave.

The school said cooperation and care across the school community had been greatly appreciated.

With tomorrow (Jun 25) forecast to be the hottest day of the current spell, pupils are being asked to come prepared by bringing plenty of water, wearing sunscreen, and staying as protected from the sun as possible.

Pupils will also be permitted to wear their PE kit to help keep cool.

The school said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all necessary steps to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff.

Business

Main Street Music to close retail shop as owner focuses on handmade guitars

Published

1 hour ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A POPULAR Pembrokeshire music shop is changing the way it operates, with Main Street Music confirming it will no longer trade as a retail shop from September 1.

The business said there will be an immediate 15% sale on all stock, but stressed that Main Street Music is not disappearing completely.

The owner said the decision had been made “with a heavy heart”, adding that the shop’s closure as a retail outlet would be a loss for Pembrokeshire as the county’s last professional guitar dealership.

He said his long-term passion had always been making musical instruments, something he had done since his teenage years, later receiving scholarships and a fellowship for his studies.

After college, he was given the opportunity to buy the business at the age of 24.

He said: “I have had an amazing time running this shop, giving it everything I’ve got, met some wonderful people and sold some incredible guitars.”

Although the business itself remains successful, he said tighter retail margins, dealership pressures and rising costs had made it difficult to grow in a way that would allow him to employ others and spend more time in the workshop.

The shop will eventually reopen as an appointment-only workshop and showroom for handmade guitars and repairs.

Current repair work will continue on a case-by-case basis by appointment only.

Main Street Music thanked customers for their support over recent years, saying the owner was proud of where the shop had been taken.

Caption:

Main Street Music will close as a retail shop from September 1, but will continue as an appointment-only workshop and showroom for handmade guitars and repairs.