News

Leaked letter shows ‘council isn’t listening’

Published

10 years ago

May 28, 2015

council IN WHAT could generously be interpreted as a ‘testy’ response to a letter from a County Councillor, Director for Children & Schools Kate Evans-Hughes has demonstrated that any hope parents, governors and children may have that their views are taken into account when deciding the future of post-sixteen education is misplaced.
Cllr David Bryan wrote to Ms Evans- Hughes regarding issues arising in the consultation. Her remarkable response is extracted below. The Herald is happy to clarify that Cllr Bryan did not provide us with the copy of Ms Evan-Hughes’ letter we reference below.
Ms Evans-Hughes claims she has seen ‘no report that carefully and substantively provides evidence of an alternative view’ to those referenced by the council in relation to the establishment of a sixth form centre at Pembrokeshire College. She goes on to denigrate the efforts of schools and teachers by saying ‘students in Pembrokeshire are not generally well served by their school sixth forms. Limited choices, lack of guidance and variable quality of teaching all take their toll on students’ ability to choose and stick to the right courses for them, and to leave with results that clearly show that they have made good progress since GCSEs’.
Claiming that proposals to have a sixth form on site at an amalgamated Haverfordwest school would leave Sir Thomas Picton ‘unchanged’ she goes on to impugn Cllr Bryant’s stance by saying: ‘I would expect that the narrow apparent benefit of this one school having ‘no change’, to the significant disadvantages to the others, would not be something that in all conscience, you would be able to promote. Your assertions that staff knowing students well, lead to their doing better is un-evidenced’.
“Your assertion that the very best teachers are attracted to our schools is not borne out by the challenges Pembrokeshire faces on recruitment of staff and our current performance.”
Showing that the council is prepared to maintain sixth forms elsewhere, despite her foregoing words to Cllr Bryant, Ms Evans-Hughes states that the council is looking closely at maintaining post- 16 provision in both St Davids and Fishguard. In other words, and taking her previous words at face value, Ms Evans- Hughes’ logic suggests that potentially inferior post-16 education is acceptable outside Haverfordwest, but not within the county town.
How the council will be able to argue convincingly, or at all, that the consultation has been anything other than a sham exercise designed to tick a statutory box, rather than a meaningful dialogue between the authority and those most affected by the proposed changes is uncertain.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

6 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

14 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

14 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.