CYMDEITHAS YR LAITH have called on the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, to use the current review of the School Organization Code to state clearly the presumption against closing rural schools, and that local authorities must start from the point of view of trying to maintain and strengthen them, only considering closing them if all other options fail.

In a message to the secretary today, the movement referred to the words of Ceredigion Council’s Chief Executive, Eifion Evans, during the authority’s Cabinet meeting at the beginning of the month (Tuesday, 3 December), when it was agreed to treat statutory consultations on the proposal to close Ysgol Llangwyryfon, Ysgol Craig-yr-Wylfa, Ysgol Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn, and Ysgol Syr John Rhys in Ponterwyd as informal ones.

Mr Evans told the meeting: “The Code is extremely complex and extremely difficult. And as I’ve said all along, the Code is very vague at the moment. It’s a headache for officials as much as it is for anyone else as to how to interpret it and use it. I hope that the review that is currently taking place down in Cardiff regarding this Code is going to finally try to get some sort of clarity on what needs to be done.”

In response, Ffred Ffransis said on behalf of the Cymdeithas yr Iaith Education Group: “The 2018 edition of the Code states clearly enough that the introduction of a presumption duty against closing rural schools that are on the Government’s official list. But many local authorities such as Ceredigion believe that they can start from the point of view of an intention to close a number of rural schools to save money, and then, just go through the empty steps of naming and ruling out alternative options with the same generic sentence.”

In September 2018, when introducing the Code, Kirsty Williams AM explained its intention on the floor of the Assembly: “Local authorities in those areas, if they have a school that’s on the list, should start on the basis that closure is the last option and they should seek every opportunity through a variety of ways to keep those schools open… Presumption against a closure and the option to seek alternatives to keeping a school open, again, should not be left to the official consultation period, but should be employed by the council before they make any decision to go out to consultation on the future of the school.”

Mr Ffransis added: “It is clear that following a process similar to what we saw with Ceredigion Council did not follow the intention of the Senedd and the Welsh Government when introducing this change in the Code.

“Quite simply, the principle of presumption against closing rural schools needs to be emphasised and made clear in the third edition of the Code that will be published as a result of the consultation. This way, it should be impossible for anyone to mistake that the Senedd or the Welsh Government is serious about the policy.”

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE has seen a staggering 37% rise in hoax calls over the past three years, wasting valuable time and resources, a new investigation reveals.

Data from Medical Negligence Assist highlights that over 700 hours—equivalent to nearly 29 full days—of ambulance crew time has been lost responding to malicious calls since 2021.

During this period, WAS crews attended 463 face-to-face incidents later identified as deliberate hoaxes, severely straining emergency services already under pressure.

Rise in hoax calls over three years

• 2021/22: 334 hoax calls; 84 face-to-face responses.
• 2022/23: 373 hoax calls; 85 face-to-face responses.
• 2023/24: 457 hoax calls; 163 face-to-face responses.

The upward trend continues, with provisional figures for 2024/25 (April 1 to October 31) already recording 345 hoax calls and 131 face-to-face responses.

Strain across Wales

The geographic impact is widespread, with hoax calls reported in all areas of Wales. WAS officials warn that such incidents divert resources from genuine emergencies, potentially putting lives at risk.

A call to action

The 701 hours spent on hoax calls between 2021 and 2024 represent a critical drain on ambulance availability. A WAS spokesperson said: “Every minute wasted on a hoax call is a minute lost to someone in real need. These actions have serious, life-threatening consequences.”

“The Welsh Ambulance Service is urging the public to recognize the harm caused by hoax calls and act responsibly.

“For information or to report suspicious activity, contact the Welsh Ambulance Service through their official channels.”

THE CAPTAINS from Haverfordwest Golf Club joined forces with Werndale Hospital, part of Circle Health Group, throughout the year to support a lifesaving all Wales charity.

Men’s Captain Alex Jones, Ladies Captain Jacky Jones and Seniors Captain Lynn Davies banded together with their club to raise an incredible £3,322.29 for the Wales Air Ambulance. All donations raised at the club were then match funded by their sponsor partner, Werndale Hospital, part of Circle Health Group which supported bringing the fundraising total to a staggering £6,644.58.

Throughout the year, the local private hospital based in Bancyfelin, Carmarthenshire joined the captains at the club to hold numerous fundraising competitions that helped raise the substantial amount.

Captain Alex Jones held a variety of different events including a whisky trot, Captains Day and a chipping competition. The Ladies section captained by Jacky Jones raised money through fines, donations, tips, raffles, charity competitions and a Christmas Card Tree. The seniors, led by Lynn Davies, also fundraised through their competitions throughout the year. All proceeds raised at these lighthearted fundraising activities were sponsored by and match funded by Werndale Hospital, part of Circle Health Group.

Alongside match funding Haverfordwest Golf Club fundraising efforts, Werndale Hospital once again nominated Wales Air Ambulance as their Charity of the Year, and their final fundraising totals for the year will be confirmed in the spring.

Jacky Jones, Ladies Captain for Haverfordwest Golf Club and Executive Director of Werndale Hospital said “Supporting Wales Air Ambulance has been an incredibly rewarding experience for both the golf club and the hospital. Their work is vital for communities across Wales, and we are proud to have supported them to raise these much needed funds. Knowing that our fundraising efforts have raised enough to fund at least one lifesaving flight for Wales Air Ambulance is incredibly rewarding and it is a testament to what can be achieved when communities and organisations work together for a great cause.”

Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. For the patient, this can mean hours saved when compared to standard care and is proven to greatly improve survival and early recovery. 

This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident. 

As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care. 

Mike May, the Charity’s Regional Fundraising Manager for west Wales was recently invited to the club to receive the substantial amount, he said: “Thank you to the Captains and their fellow golfers at Haverfordwest Golf Club for raising an incredible amount for our Charity. They dedicated the year to fundraising and have raised an incredible amount for us, with the support of the Circle Health Group. We are extremely grateful for their support and all the hard work and effort that went into their fundraising events throughout the year.

“The Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep its helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road, and without support from clubs like Haverfordwest Golf Club, we wouldn’t be able to help saves lives across Wales. Thank you to everyone who supported the captains in their fundraising.”