News

Extraordinary meeting to discuss fate of three Angle peninsula schools

Published

9 years ago

January 12, 2016

File photo: Angle school

THREE schools in the Angle Peninsula have been threatened with closure and are expected to get the final decision at a special council meeting which will be held on Thursday, January 14.

A report before an extraordinary meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s full council by the Director for Children and Schools Kate Evan-Hughes recommends that Angle VC, Orielton CP and Stackpole VC schools should be closed, and replaced by a new English medium VC school for ages 3-11 in the peninsula.

The recommendation to discontinue the three schools follows a PCC decision to authorise statutory consultation on the proposal which lasted 6 weeks from September to mid October.

The report for councillors published that: “Surplus places in the Angle Peninsula are a cause for concern and represent one of the key elements of a case for change,” adding: “Currently there are 40 per cent surplus places across the schools on the peninsula. Surplus places cost money because schools have to run and maintain buildings that are bigger than they need to be.”

All three schools which are currently led by one headteacher, have a higher cost per pupil than the county average. The report states: “The cost per pupil is currently £5,958 for angle, £4,478 for Orielton, and £4,700 for Stackpole against a county-wide average of £3,615.”

It also makes reference to the current condition of the schools, stating: “The condition of the Angle School buildings, in the ownership of the St David’s Diocesan Board, is described as C-Poor, with Stackpole B-Satisfactory and C-Poor, while Orielton is graded as C-Poor and D-Bad.”

The favoured location for the proposed new 120-pupil capacity school is located across the road from the current Orielton CP School in Hundleton, on land south of The Elms, over 7-miles away from the current locations of Angle school.

A public consultation was held at Pembroke Town Hall on September 28, on the matter which was attended by 50 people. A total of 380 responses were received on the consultation, with 67 per cent of those responding supporting the proposal.

Concerns have been raised with regards to the peninsula’s roads which in the winter can be extremely hazardous, also that people might be drawn away from towns like Angle which will then lose their community feel and become more like “holiday/retirement villages”.

Concerns have been raised about the millions of pounds the proposed new school would cost, which would be jointly funded by the Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council.

Another response said: “For the people who will have to live with the consequences of your proposed school closures, the idea of a large school that is not the centre of any community is more than unappealing, it is saddening.”

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

3 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

10 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

11 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.