News

Are there ‘gender neutral’ toilets in local schools?

Published

6 years ago

September 6, 2018

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is denying that it has ‘gender neutral’ toilet facilities in five of its schools, explaining that they are unisex wash facilities with the toilet cubicles themselves being designated male or female.

Gelliswick Church In Wales School in Milford Haven, Penrhyn Church In Wales School in Hundleton, Ysgol Bro Gwaun Comprehensive School in Fishguard, Henry Tudor School in Pembroke, and Milford Haven Comprehensive School all have unisex wash facilities on site.

The change in policy has sparked heated discussion on social media as local children go back to school, many of whom are attending new build schools which are part of the 21st Century Schools programme.

Many Pembrokeshire pupils are seeing this new kind of facility for the first time this week. It is a trend across the whole of the UK, recently hitting the national headlines.

According to a recent BBC report, there were many critics of the plan to introduce these kids of washrooms, not least the Department for Education which ruled that ‘the time is not right for the introduction of unisex toilets in our schools’, saying they were technically illegal.

Parents also expressed concerns about young people being too embarrassed to use unisex toilets – or, somewhat on the other end of scale, that the cubicles could be used for sexual liaisons between pupils.

But there is another motivation – aside from school cleaners desperately seeking the end of soggy toilet paper stuck to ceilings – and that’s cost.

Unisex toilets with this design are often cheaper to build and maintain.

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council told The Herald: “We do not have ‘gender neutral’ toilets in Pembrokeshire schools.

“There are several schools in Pembrokeshire with what are termed ‘unisex wash facilities’ whereby cubicles within the toilet blocks are designated male / female and are not shared.

“The rows of cubicles, which are separated by shared wash facilities, are equipped with floor to ceiling doors for privacy.

“This toilet layout is common in most new build schools and is also believed to be an effective tool in preventing bullying and bad behaviour.

New idea: Unisex washroom at a school in Cardiff

VOICE OF THE PUBLIC

The Pembrokeshire Herald asked for comments online.

Sarah Jane Howlin said: “I honestly don’t see an issue with it, I’ve been and seen these facilities in Milford haven comp, there is plenty of space between the boys section of toilets and the girls, you cannot look over or under the doors, I honestly don’t know why people are kicking up a fuss again about it, they were there last year and everyone kicked up a fuss then. Nothing was done then nothing will be done now! Jesus there’s more important things going on in that school, there are also another set of toilets if people don’t feel comfortable using the unisex ones!

Tanya Rosemeyer said: “Well, it’s very PC as everyone seems very concerned about gender neutral everything just now. I wonder how the girls will feel when it’s their period though as when you’re a teenager that is like the most embarrassing time EVER and it’s bad enough without sharing facilities. It’s probably an invitation to “school time shenanigans” in the high school if the cubical are ultra private and no one would blink at both sexes coming out of the loos at the same time. As a parent if the kids think it’s fine and are comfortable with it I wouldn’t shout about it.”
Jessica Fox said: “Communication is free, why didn’t the school think to inform the parents, mentally prepare our 11yr old daughters for sharing toilets with 16-year-old boys.”

Tamsin Mathias added: “The only thing that I could see potentially being an issue in comprehensive schools in when girls need to use to bathroom to change a sanitary towel for instance. I remember in my teens it was a very private thing for us, and wasn’t talked about very much in front of boys for fear of being shamed.

“Now, maybe the problem should be solved by being more open in classes about women’s bodies (even some male teachers would shudder when you told them you HAD to go the toilet for “lady reasons”), and then there wouldn’t be so much of a stigma.

“But I remember wanting the toilets to be empty before I got out a fresh sanitary towel because they’re not packed in quiet packaging, and it can sometimes take a while.

“I think you have to judge it on how the students feel, I suppose.

“Preventing bullying can only work by speaking to the children and helping them understand the impact it can have, in my opinion. Shared toilets won’t prevent bullying, but speaking about bullying in classrooms and making students aware of the consequences might.”

Business

Expansion for Ashmole & Co with acquisition of Jones Ward Accountants

Published

4 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CHARTERED, Certified Accountants, Ashmole & Co, are delighted to announce their expansion following the acquisition of JonesWard accountancy firm in Carmarthen.

Ashmole & Co Carmarthen has today taken over JonesWard who have closed their office in Lammas Street, Carmarthen. All JonesWard staff, including Ian Jones and James Ward, have transferred over to Ashmole & Co and will be based in the Old School, the Quay, Carmarthen.

JonesWard informed their clients that the administrative burden of running a practice had increased significantly over recent years due to the constant changing money laundering and tax regulations, software requirements and so on. Over the past 12 months it had become more challenging to maintain the level of service they had been used to providing.

Ian Jones said, “We feel Ashmole & Co share the same values as us and have the necessary expertise and resources to ensure we can continue to provide the personal touch and level of service clients have been accustomed to. Myself and James are not retiring but we will be supported by Ashmole & Co’s partners and staff from now on in their Carmarthen office.”

Ashmole & Co partners Sharon George, Carwyn Morgan and Vinal Patel will strive to ensure JonesWard clients will continue to receive the high quality of service they are used to.

Vinal Patel, Partner with Ashmole & Co said, “It is our priority to make the transition as smooth as possible with all employees of JonesWard having already transferred to Ashmole & Co and are now based in our office on the Quay in Carmarthen. We look forward to meeting our new clients and working closely with them to meet their needs in the future.”

Ashmole & Co Chartered and Certified Accountants have been established since 1897 and are one of the largest accountancies and auditing practices in south Wales, now operating from thirteen offices throughout south and west Wales including Swansea, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Ammanford.

Charity

Fundraiser to take on epic 87k steps challenge to raise funds for Withybush

Published

4 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

SAM Faulkner is challenging himself to walk 87,000 steps in one day to raise funds for the Cardiac Care Unit at Withybush Hospital in memory of his father.

Sam will be walking along the Brecon and Monmouth Canal from Brecon to Rogerstone in Newport.

Sam said: “Since losing my Dad last year, I made a personal commitment to do something to raise money every year for the Cardiac Care Unit at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest who looked after my Dad so well in his final days.

“I will be challenging myself to complete 87,000 steps in a day on July 20th 2024 – 1,000 steps for every year of my Dad’s life. I’ll be walking around 40 miles in about 10 hours.

“Canal walks were always a firm favourite of mine and my Dad’s, with many days spent walking along the Grand Union in Northamptonshire when I was growing up.

“My family and I, and the unit at the hospital, would be beyond grateful for anything supporters could give. Thank you ever so much in advance.”

Katie Hancock, Pembrokeshire Fundraising Officer, said: “We’d like to say a huge good luck to Sam with his challenge. Thank you so much for dedicating your time to raise more funds for the Cardiac Care Unit.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

You can donate to Sam’s fundraiser here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/sam-faulkner-1712508280259?newPage=true&fbclid=IwAR2tyVVQVea0DLQelSsrp7Ie2CKjX0jXGnwndR_tBKL-Av2kv8f5nchEolw

For more details about the charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk

Business

Dragon LNG explores integration of LNG and CO2 liquefaction processes

Published

4 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DRAGON LNG, based in Waterston, Milford Haven, recently announced a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions.

The company awarded a contract to Worley, global professional services company of energy, chemicals and resources experts, to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study.

The study is focussing on exploring the potential benefits of integrating LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)
regasification and CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) liquefaction processes at Dragon LNG’s facilities. This integration holds promise for a more efficient operation, with the potential to reduce energy consumption, carbon intensity and the levelized cost of CO2 export not only at the Dragon site but also for Haven industry companies.

If feasible, the technology at Dragon would support wider collaboration with RWE Pembroke Net Zero Centre, whose CO2 would be transported to the Dragon facility for processing before being shipped via non-pipeline transport (NPT) to carbon sequestration sites.

Key aspects to be addressed in the feasibility study include:

Technical Solutions: Worley will evaluate various technical approaches to seamlessly integrate LNG and
CO2 liquefaction processes, ensuring optimal energy efficiency and effectiveness.
Carbon Intensity Reduction: Dragon LNG is committed to sustainability, and the study will assess how the integration of processes can contribute to lowering the carbon intensity of operations, aligning with broader environmental goals.
Economic Viability: Understanding the financial implications is crucial. The study will delve into the levelized cost of CO2 and other economic factors to determine the feasibility and financial benefits of the proposed integration.

Commenting on the partnership, a spokesperson for Dragon LNG stated, “We are excited to collaborate with Worley on this important initiative. As a responsible energy provider, Dragon LNG is continuously seeking innovative ways to enhance our operations while minimizing our environmental footprint. This feasibility study represents a significant step towards achieving those objectives.”

Worley’s expertise in engineering and consultancy services including in the CO2 and LNG sectors makes them an ideal partner for this endeavour. Their track record of delivering sustainability solutions aligns perfectly with the ambitious goals of Dragon LNG.

This collaboration underscores Dragon LNG’s commitment to driving sustainable practices within the energy sector. By exploring the integration of LNG regasification and CO2 liquefaction processes, the company aims to pave the way for a cleaner, more efficient energy future with their ambition of a net zero terminal by 2029.