A PLEA to not “pluck the heart out of a community” by closing a Pembrokeshire village school was heard by councillors just days after a consultation into its future was launched.

At the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, members received a petition opposing the potential closure of Ysgol Clydau, Tegryn, which had generated 648 responses on the council’s own website, meaning it crossed the threshold to be heard at full council.

A council statement accompanying the launch of the consultation said: “At its meeting on May 8, Pembrokeshire County Council considered a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which outlined the findings of a review of education provision in the Preseli area.

“In particular the review considered the extent of surplus school places in the area, set against a significant decline in the pupil population.”

The Ysgol Clydau petition states: “We demand that Pembrokeshire County Council reconsider its decision to close Ysgol Clydau and instead prioritise the needs of our community by keeping the school open. We oppose the closure of Ysgol Clydau and call for full public scrutiny before any decision is made.

“We urge you to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the community, listen to our concerns, and work with us to find alternative solutions that support the needs of our children and families.”

Sarah Farnden

Speaking at the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, Sarah Farnden, in an emotive plea, said the school was “not just a school but a sanctuary, a nurturing environment,” which offered “warmth, belonging and safety”.

“A village without a school becomes a village without families, a village without families becomes a village without a future,” she told members, adding: “Ysgol Clydau is not in debt, it’s not overspent, we’ve done everything asked of us, so why are we being punished?

“There has been a school on this site for 145 years, if you close Ysgol Clydau you are not closing a building you are closing a heritage; we are not here to fight you, we are here to beg you.”

Cllr Iwan Ward

Local member Cllr Iwan Ward said: “The decision of Pembrokeshire County Council to release this consultation on the closure a few days before Christmas is extremely disappointing, a time of year families should be concentrating on being together, not a time to have to face the threat of losing the heart of our community.”

To applause from the gallery, he added: “It’s not a matter of numbers on a paper, it’s a moral matter; the school is much more than four walls, it’s a safe place for children to grow and a cornerstone of community spirit.

“Closing a school like this rips the heart out of rural life, to threaten a school that isn’t failing is an action I cannot, and am not willing to, take quietly.

“I will stand with the staff, the governors, and the children also.”

Members heard the consultation had been expected to launch back in September but had been delayed due to staffing issues; its 42-day period due to now end in late January.

Members agreed to note the petition ahead of the consultation end, recommendations on the school’s future expected to be decided in March.

The final word went to Sarah Farnden, who said: “We’re not asking for special treatment, we’re asking for fairness and compassion; do not pluck the heart out of the community.”

Capacity crowd enjoys Britten masterpiece and light-hearted carols

A CAPACITY audience packed into St Davids Cathedral on Sunday (Dec 14) for the annual Christmas Spectacular, with hundreds filling the nave for one of the Cathedral’s most anticipated events of the year.

The evening opened with a serious and striking performance of Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, delivered by the Cathedral Choir and accompanied by harpist Bethan Semmens. Choristers took on a series of demanding solos, earning warm applause from the audience.

Festive second half

The tone shifted after the interval as the Cathedral Choir and Vox Angelica returned for a lively programme of carols, Christmas favourites and crowd singalongs. The highlight of the evening was a colourful and humorous rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas by the Vicars Choral and Choral Scholars, which had the audience laughing throughout.

Team effort behind the scenes

The event was led by Director of Music Laurence John, with Assistant Director of Music Ben Richards and music team member Arwel Davies supporting the performance. The Cathedral also thanked backstage staff and volunteers for helping to deliver a smooth and memorable evening.

The Christmas Spectacular is now a fixture of the Cathedral’s festive season and continues to draw large crowds, with Sunday’s concert selling out well in advance.

THOSE who attended “The History of Haverfordwest in 40 Artefacts” talk at HaverHub on 5 December 2025, said the event was “excellent”.

The talk offered a fascinating insight into the town’s past, including the remarkable fact that Haverfordwest was once a county within Pembrokeshire with its own currency and police force.

Below is a summary of the themes explored during the presentation, based on the museum’s collection and Dr Simon Hancock, who presented the talk’s expertise:

A journey through Haverfordwest’s story

Haverfordwest’s rich history is brought to life through objects held in its museum, illustrating the town’s development as a medieval port, administrative centre, and thriving market hub. The 40 artefacts selected for the presentation reveal centuries of Welsh life, local craftsmanship, political change, and moments of conflict—from early prehistory to the modern era.

Early and Medieval Life

• Neolithic standing stones & Iron Age slag – Traces of prehistoric occupation near Garn Turne.
• Roman artefacts – Finds demonstrating Roman presence in the wider area.
• Medieval tiles & effigies – Unearthed from the Augustinian Priory, showing craftsmanship and burial practices.
• Imported French floor tiles – Evidence of wealth and long-distance trade at the Priory.
• Jet chess piece – A rare object hinting at leisure activities and trade connections.
• Skeletal remains – Providing insight into high child mortality and possible injuries from the 1405 siege of the town.
• Warfare evidence – Including a skull bearing a puncture wound consistent with medieval combat.

Trade, Power and Governance

• Port and market artefacts – Reflecting Haverfordwest’s importance as one of Wales’s leading medieval ports.
• Banking materials – Linked to the historic Haverfordwest Bank.
• County corporate charters – Documents showing the town’s unique status as a county corporate in its own right, granted by Edward V in 1479.

Social and Cultural Life

• Local crafts and furniture – Examples of regional artistry and practical workmanship.
• Military uniforms and objects – Underlining the town’s long association with local defence forces.
• Music-related artefacts – Celebrating the town’s strong musical tradition.
• Cinema memorabilia – Particularly from the Palace Cinema, operating from 1913 onwards.

Where these stories live today

• Haverfordwest Town Museum – The primary home of many of these significant artefacts.
• HaverHub events – Where Dr Simon Hancock continues to present and interpret local history.
• Archaeological sites – Including the Priory ruins and recent excavations on Bridge Street.