Community

Pembrokeshire council to hear Stepaside school petition

Published

3 months ago

January 22, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PETITION plea to save a Pembrokeshire village school under threat of potential closure will be heard at full council.

At the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, a call for a breathing space before any decision is made on Stepaside school, Kilgetty, part of a wide-ranging range of education changes mooted in the south of the county, was defeated.

At that meeting, a recommendation before members asked that the Director of Education be authorised to undertake a public consultation on establishing a new 3-19 school, on a split site initially, but as part of a future investment to rebuild/extend Tenby’s Ysgol Greenhill site, or potentially on a new site was backed.

As part of that it also recommended Tenby Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School and Ysgol Greenhill are discontinued.

A second part of the series of recommendations was a call to establish a new 3-11 primary school on the Saundersfoot School site, discontinuing Saundersfoot School and Stepaside school.

A report for members said there were many surplus places for all the schools in the proposals, with Stepaside having a surplus capacity of over 50 per cent.

The Tenby area proposals were backed, with amendments, but a call for a deferral on the second part concerning Stepaside was made by local member Cllr Alistair Cameron.

Cllr Cameron’s amendment call for a deferral was defeated by 37 votes to 12, the original proposal was later passed by 42 votes to seven, with the intention public consultations would be held next year.

Since then, an e-petition on the council’s own website, started by Angela Robinson, calls upon Pembrokeshire County Council “to Save Stepaside School and work with local communities to look at alternative solutions”.

“Stepaside School in Kilgetty is the heart of our community. It represents a high-performing local education asset that delivers significant public value. Any proposal to close it must be assessed not only in terms of short-term financial pressures, but against wider statutory duties, long-term social impact, and the strategic use of public funds that invests in our children best interest.”

The lengthy petition adds: “The rationale for closure appears primarily financial, yet any credible public spending decision must be based on a holistic assessment of costs, benefits, risks, and outcomes. This includes impacts on carers, children with additional learning needs, families from global majority backgrounds, and those reliant on local support networks.”

The e-Petition, which has attracted 582 signatures to date, runs to February 17.

If a petition gets 500 signatures or more, the creator will have an opportunity to debate it at a future full council meeting.

At the December meeting petition pleas to save Manorbier School and Ysgol Clydau, also at threat of potential closure, were heard; members noting those petitions.

Community

Milford Haven dad completes London Marathon in memory of son

Published

20 hours ago

April 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MILFORD HAVEN father has successfully completed the London Marathon today in memory of his son, while raising money for Tŷ Hafan children’s hospice.

Johnathan Crimmins crossed the finish line in an impressive time of 4:04:14, with a halfway split of 2:42:06, in what he described as both a physical and emotional challenge.

He took on the marathon in honour of his son Kieran, who died seven years ago at the age of 21 following a battle with his mental health.

Speaking ahead of the run, Johnathan said the experience of losing his son had shown him how precious time with children can be.

He said: “Sadly seven years ago I lost my son, Kieran, at the age of 21 following a battle with his mental health. So, I know all too well the importance of being able to spend time with your children, as time is precious and not always guaranteed.

“By being able to run for Tŷ Hafan, I know that not only will I be raising awareness of Tŷ Hafan and what they do, but also raising valuable funds which will ensure that families will be supported and enabled to spend quality time together during their children’s short lives.”

This was Johnathan’s fifth full marathon and his third time running the London Marathon, adding to a long list of fundraising challenges including half marathons and even skydives.

He also spoke candidly about the personal challenge behind the run, having been diagnosed with severe PTSD following the discovery of his son alongside his daughter.

He said: “This will be a significant challenge for myself… so I will also be running in Kieran’s memory.”

Tŷ Hafan supports children with life-shortening conditions and their families across Wales, helping them make the most of the time they have together.

Johnathan’s achievement has been praised locally, with many recognising both the physical effort involved and the powerful cause behind his run.

Community

Memorial plaque presented in honour of Cllr Pamela George

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MEMORIAL plaque has been presented in honour of Cllr Pamela George, recognising her dedicated service to Pembroke Dock.

The presentation took place at a recent full meeting of Pembroke Dock Town Council, where the town’s mayor, Cllr Michele Wiggins, presented the plaque to Cllr Jon George and Cllr Tracy George.

The plaque bears the words: “A life of service, a legacy of dedication,” and commemorates Cllr George’s contribution to the town and its community.

Pembroke Dock Town Council thanked Michaels Civic Robes & Regalia, which donated the plaque.

Photo caption:

Tribute: Cllr Jon George and Cllr Tracy George receive the memorial plaque from Pembroke Dock Mayor Cllr Michele Wiggins (Pic: Pembroke Dock Town Council).

Community

Freshwater West memorial honours crews lost in wartime tragedy

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

VETERANS, standard bearers and civic representatives gathered at Freshwater West on Saturday (Apr 25) for a moving service of remembrance for the men lost in one of Pembrokeshire’s worst wartime maritime disasters.

The annual memorial service remembered the crews of HM Landing Craft Gun (Large) 15 and 16, and members of HMS Rosemary, who died after the vessels were overwhelmed in heavy seas off the Pembrokeshire coast in April 1943.

A total of 79 Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel lost their lives in the tragedy, which unfolded on April 25 and 26, 1943.

The two landing craft had been travelling from Belfast to Falmouth when they ran into severe weather off Freshwater West. Their flat-bottomed design made them vulnerable in rough seas, and both vessels were eventually lost.

HMS Rosemary, a fishery protection vessel, went to the aid of the stricken craft, but six of her crew also drowned when a rescue boat capsized during the attempt to save others.

On Saturday, standards were carried to the memorial above the beach, where clergy led prayers and wreaths were laid in honour of the fallen.

The ceremony was attended by veterans, members of the Royal Marines Association, standard bearers, civic dignitaries and members of the public.

The names of those who died are recorded on the memorial at Freshwater West, overlooking the sea where the disaster took place more than eight decades ago.

Those attending stood in silence as the Last Post was sounded, with standards lowered in tribute to the men who never returned.

The service served as a reminder of the sacrifice made by wartime sailors and marines, as well as the bravery of those who gave their lives trying to rescue others.

Photos: Martin Cavaney