News

Consultation statement not whole story

Published

9 years ago

July 16, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Council was ‘unfair and
unreasonable’: Dr Nick Poole

EMAILS leaked to The Pembrokeshire Herald show that senior staff at Sir Thomas Picton School refused to agree a statement on an investigation into the conduct of a student ballot because it failed to explain that no complaints had been made against any member of staff.

When the Council decided to investigate the conduct of the consultation at Sir Thomas Picton it couched its letter to parents by reference to a single complaint and invitedcorrespondents to contact them if they had any concerns about the school’s handling of the consultation.

Having asked for ‘concerns’, no doubt Kate Evans-Hughes was relieved that there were no takers for her kind invitation. The letter to parents did not make clear that the complaint arose following a presentation by the pupil-led school council which took place in the presence of an independent observer and which was followed by a ballot overseen by the same observer.

Dr Nick Poole was at pains to ensure that the Council, which said that 10 students were told they had to complete the consultation response, presented the facts.

And what appear to be the facts are:

Far from a consultation response, pupils were asked to complete a simple ballot paper containing a single question following a school assembly;
The pupils’ presentation was viewed and approved by an independent adult
No staff asked, still less ordered, pupils to complete their responses;
The ballots were tallied in the presence of an independent adult.

The Council refused to make all of these clarifications, which would have significantly recast its, response. That statement suggested that regardless of the findings of its investigation, the Council was dissatisfied with the conduct of the ballot.

The gulf between the wishes of those involved at the school to provide ‘an accurate reflection’ and the actions of the County Council, which refused to agree to report matters accurately, appears to have increased the possibility of ‘bad feeling and mistrust being generated’.

Regardless of how the consultation process concludes, there will be bridges to be built by the Council. Whether they find receptive staff and governors prepared to be ignored again remains to be seen.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

8 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

15 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

16 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.