Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Community

Questions raised over Haverfordwest mosque-linked education centre

Published

on

NO PUPILS have been placed in a new education centre and no council funding has been transferred, Pembrokeshire councillors heard.

A question submitted to the October 9 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council by Councillor John Cole asked: “With the opening of a new educational school at Haverfordwest Mosque, can the Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language [Cllr Guy Woodham] reply to the following?

“How many children who attended mainstream schools, children due to have returned or started at a mainstream school in September now attend the Peace school, as it is known?

“How has the funding of these children, if they have transferred to the Peace school, impacted mainstream schools due to any former pupils not now attending, or were due to attend, and has those pupils funding attending the Peace school, transferred to their place of education with them?

“From a question put by myself to the headteacher of the Peace school I was told that the school would not be following the national curriculum. As the school is not following the national curriculum, is the Peace school out of the jurisdiction of Ofsted and the educational department of the council?”

A call was made for the “vexatious” and “hearsay” question to be withdrawn by Cllr Joshua Beynon, but was unsuccessful, the question being answered by Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey on behalf of the Cabinet member.

Cllr Harvey said the actual name of the learning centre was Cherry Grove Learning Centre, based at the former Cherry Grove council office building, rather than ‘Peace school’.

He told Cllr Cole no children had been placed at the centre by the council, and no funding had been transferred.

He told members independent private schools were not required to follow the national curriculum, instead following independent schools standards guidelines, but stressed, as far as the council was aware, it was not currently registered as an independent school.

Cllr Harvey suggested Cllr Cole “pop along” to the learning centre if he had any further questions about it.

Cherry Grove Learning Centre, a learning environment for children and young people aged three to 18, officially opened its doors last month.

At the time of the launch, its principal, Saj Madni, said: “Cherry Grove offers a personalised, child-centred approach to learning.

“With small group teaching, bespoke education plans, and a focus on academic achievement, wellbeing and leadership, the centre supports learners from a wide range of backgrounds – including those who are ambitious, anxious, neurodivergent, previously home-educated, or simply looking for a fresh start.”

Cllr Cole also submitted a notice of motion at the October 9 meeting, again with an unsuccessful request for it not to be heard by Cllr Beynon.

The notice said: “I call on the council to review the use of halal products in all council-controlled organisations and in facilities supported financially by the council, such as educational establishments, canteens, restaurants, and healthcare facilities.

“Research and reports have highlighted concerns regarding animal welfare in some methods of ritual slaughter, including non-stun slaughter, where animals may experience distress before loss of consciousness. Even with reversible stunning, questions remain about the welfare implications during slaughter.”

That notice of motion will be considered by Cabinet at a later date.

 

Community

Tenby sailing club works approved by national park

Published

on

PLANS for works at Tenby’s historic sailing club building, part of the ‘iconic view’ of the town’s harbour have been given the go-ahead by the national park.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Tenby Sailing Club, through agent David J P Morgan RIBA Architect sought permission for the two openings in second floor gable wall along with two new windows at Tenby Sailing Club, Penniless Cove Hill, along with a related listed building consent.

The application was supported by Tenby Town Council and Tenby Civic Society, the latter saying it will “add value to the use of the building and maintain the character and value of the listed building and the conservation area”.

Supporting documents for the application said: “The proposal is to form two new openings in the stonework and install two windows. These will replicate the existing windows at first floor level below. The openings will have red brick head as on existing original openings on the building. The proposal will have very little adverse impact on the listed building.”

They added: “The proposed new windows will improve observation of the harbour and bay from the second-floor level. This is where yacht racing is monitored and observed by officials and safety personnel.”

An officer report, recommending approval said: “The sailing club was built as a warehouse c. 1825, abutting the C17 sluice. Originally wine stores, it was later used by the local fishermen for stores and is now the home to Tenby Sailing Club, established in 1936. The rubble-built building is of three storeys and four bays, the glazing all later C20 with a slated roof and a modernised interior. There is a large steel stair to north (seaward) elevation.”

It added: “The building forms part of a group picturesquely clustered around the sluice, in turn forming part of the iconic view of Tenby Harbour. The proposal is to insert two windows at second floor level to the north (seaward) elevation, flanking the existing door,” adding: “The area retains its mercantile character not just in appearance, but also through its character due to ongoing use as fishing boat stores and winter moorings.

“The sailing club has occupied the building for many years and remains very active. The proposal is intended to improve the amenity of the building to provide better viewing at elevation and seeks to copy the detail and proportions of the windows at first floor stage.”

The application, and the related listed building consent, was conditionally approved by park planners.

 

Continue Reading

Community

Pembrokeshire students speak at national Holocaust Memorial Day event

Published

on

TWO Haverfordwest High School pupils addressed senior political and religious figures and a Holocaust survivor at Wales’ main commemoration in Cardiff

Holocaust Memorial Day was marked in Cardiff this week with a powerful contribution from two Pembrokeshire students, who were invited to speak at Wales’ national commemoration event.

Awel Jones and Olivia Beal, both Year 13 pupils at Haverfordwest High School, attended the ceremony at the Temple of Peace on Monday (Jan 27) in their roles as ambassadors for the Holocaust Educational Trust.

The pair were asked to deliver speeches reflecting on their work with the Trust and their involvement in the “Lessons from Auschwitz” project, which educates young people about the Holocaust and the dangers of prejudice, discrimination and hatred.

They spoke in front of a distinguished audience that included the First Minister for Wales, Eluned Morgan, the Archbishop of Wales, senior civic leaders and Holocaust survivor Peter Lantos.

The national event formed part of Holocaust Memorial Day 2026, which was held under the theme “bridging generations”, highlighting the responsibility of younger generations to carry forward the lessons of the past as the number of living survivors declines.

Awel Jones and Olivia Beal were the only young Holocaust Educational Trust ambassadors representing Wales at the national ceremony, a distinction described as a significant honour for both the students and Pembrokeshire.

A parent said the occasion was “profoundly emotive and important”, adding that being invited to speak at such a high-profile event was an accolade for the students and a reflection of the strength of Holocaust education work taking place locally.

Holocaust Memorial Day is observed annually on January 27, marking the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945.

 

Continue Reading

Business

Final wind turbine deliveries completed after months of disruption

Published

on

Last major component reaches site as Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy thank communities for patience

DRAGON LNG and Dragon Energy have confirmed that the final large component for a new wind turbine project has now been successfully delivered, bringing months of complex abnormal load movements on Pembrokeshire roads to an end.

The companies said the final turbine blade was delivered to the site on Wednesday (Jan 28, 2026), marking the completion of all major component deliveries associated with the project.

In a statement, Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy thanked the local community for its patience and cooperation throughout the delivery programme, acknowledging that the operation caused disruption on local roads.

Residents across parts of the county have previously experienced temporary road closures, traffic delays and police escorts as oversized turbine components were transported from the Port of Milford Haven to the site under tightly controlled conditions.

The abnormal load movements required months of detailed planning and coordination, involving route surveys, traffic management, police support and liaison with local authorities to ensure deliveries were carried out safely and with minimal disruption wherever possible.

The companies also apologised for the inconvenience caused during the delivery phase, saying the support and understanding shown by residents had been “invaluable” in allowing the project to reach this milestone.

A number of organisations were involved in supporting the operation, including Pembrokeshire County Council, Dyfed-Powys Police, haulage specialists Collett & Sons Ltd and Green Light Traffic Management.

Local media outlets, including The Pembrokeshire Herald, provided advance notice and updates during the delivery process to help keep residents informed.

With the final major deliveries now complete, Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy said the project would continue to progress to the next phase of construction on site.

 

Continue Reading

News12 hours ago

Wales’ first minister keeps distance from Starmer before May vote

Senedd race not Westminster THE FIRST MINISTER has moved to draw a clear dividing line between the Welsh Labour campaign...

News16 hours ago

Kurtz raises Gumfreston flooding in the Senedd as petition deadline nears

LOCAL Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz has raised the long-running flooding problems affecting the B4318 at Gumfreston in the Senedd, as...

Community1 day ago

Anchor re-dedicated to mark 30 years of US–Haverfordwest ties

Service honours shared history, service and friendship on the Quayside A SYMBOL of Haverfordwest’s wartime and Cold War connections with...

Business1 day ago

Senedd urged to act as Welsh pubs fall further behind England on business rates

Industry leaders warn of closures and job losses as pressure mounts on ministers to pass on funding PUBS across Wales...

Crime2 days ago

Haverfordwest man jailed for online death threat

A Haverfordwest man has been sentenced to a year in prison after sending a threatening message online. Michael Carruthers, 34,...

Community2 days ago

Storm Chandra: Morning impacts across Pembrokeshire

HEAVY overnight rain and strong winds brought by Storm Chandra have caused disruption across Pembrokeshire, with fallen trees and localised...

Business2 days ago

Business voices heard as Kurtz and Davies urge action on business rates

LOCAL businesses from across West Wales have voiced serious concerns about the impact of business rates at a dedicated roundtable...

Crime2 days ago

Milford Haven man appears in court charged with burglary and GBH

Bail granted with tagged curfew and ban from Pembrokeshire A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared in court charged with burglary...

News4 days ago

First Minister warns UK could break up as Starmer faces pressure ahead of elections

Eluned Morgan says there is a “real possibility” the Union could fracture as Labour braces for losses and Prime Minister’s...

Crime4 days ago

New national police force planned in biggest shake-up for generations

Ministers promise “British FBI” to take on terrorism, fraud and organised crime as forces face new performance targets and intervention...

Popular This Week