News
Three prestigious awards for multi-million pound school construction project
THE £48.7m Haverfordwest High VC School building project has won three national awards in one week.
As well as scooping two awards in the Constructing Excellence in Wales Awards 2023, it also won Project of the Year at the Education Building Wales Awards 2023.
Opened in September 2022, the school provides an outstanding learning environment for 1,750 pupils aged 11-18, together with first-class sports and outdoor facilities that benefit not only learners, but the whole community.
Jane Harries, Headteacher of Haverfordwest High VC School, said: “It has been an absolute privilege and pleasure working with the team from Pembrokeshire County Council, Morgan Sindall and their partners, including Atkins and many locally based contractors, on the project.
“Our amazing school is the result of four years of hard work and team work culminating in giving the pupils of Haverfordwest and our neighbouring areas the learning environment they deserve.
“The Awards are recognition of the collaboration and attention to detail that was given by all to this school building fully considering the needs of the pupils and staff.”
The Constructing in Excellent Wales awards were:
Health, Safety & Wellbeing Award:
Haverfordwest High VC School: Morgan Sindall Construction, Pembrokeshire County Council, Aecom, Atkins, Dudley’s Aluminium
Integration & Collaborative Working Award:
Haverfordwest High Voluntary Controlled School & Sports Facilities: Morgan Sindall Construction, Pembrokeshire County Council, Haverfordwest High VC School, Atkins, Whitehead Building Services, Pembrokeshire Leisure Services
The HHVCS project will now be shortlisted in the national Constructing Excellence awards in November.
Project Manager Paul Williams said the team were delighted. “To then go on to win the Project of the Year at the Education Building Wales Awards 2023 shows what a fantastic school has been provided for the pupils of Haverfordwest. It’s a great achievement from all involved.”
Robert Williams, Area Director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We’re honoured that our work on the Haverfordwest VC School project has been recognised with these three prestigious awards.
“Winning awards for Health, Safety & Wellbeing, and Integration & Collaborative Working really exemplifies our commitment to building a positive, safe, and collaborative working environment which facilitates the best possible outcomes for our projects. To win Project of the Year on top of that is a huge honour and a big thanks to the team who made it all possible.”
Simon Kneafsey, Atkins’ Architectural Project Director for HHVCS, said:
“The project was a perfect balance between the school’s community needs, the local authority’s educational vision, requirements of the new Welsh curriculum, budget constraints and delivery programme. Good teamwork and communication – one goal and it was delivered. Everyone is over the moon with the new school.
“The design of the school was driven by developing new and exciting, agile, digitally enriched educational settings which were to meet the needs of the emerging new Welsh Curriculum (independent learning and problem solving). It provides a mix of traditional classroom environments as well as breakout spaces, large group teaching stairs, and AV (audio/video) systems that could double up as cinemas and immersive environments.”
The school was funded by Pembrokeshire County Council and Welsh Government through the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.
Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said: “Given the many challenges that had to be overcome to successfully deliver this project, it is fantastic to see the hard work of everyone involved being recognised by winning these prestigious awards.
“My thanks go to all those who have, in whatever way, contributed to this achievement, which I hope is only the beginning of delivering outstanding learning environments for learners and communities across Pembrokeshire.”
Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “It is a key focus of the Local Authority that health, wellbeing and sport are integrated throughout our services and the partnerships formed during this project have ensured that outstanding facilities for both our educational and community needs have been created.
“Working collaboratively with the school and Morgan Sindall we developed the Pembrokeshire Sports Village which already supports the school, the public, clubs and leagues for the county. An educationally focused campus during the school day and a thriving community hub serving both Haverfordwest and the whole county during evenings and weekends, it has ensured that our sporting landscape has been enhanced as part of this project.”
Caption
Pictured at the CEW awards are (left to right) Cllr Guy Woodham, Simon Kneafsey, Ree Amroota, Steven Richards-Downes, Jane Harries, Gareth Rees, Mike Thomas, Darren Thomas, Jon McCarthy and David Humphrey.
Crime
Jailed for breaching domestic violence protection order
AMY Woolston, 20, of Vine Road, Johnston, Pembrokeshire, has been sentenced to six weeks in prison for breaching a domestic violence protection order.
On 15th May 2024, Woolston was found in the company of a man in a flat at The Farmers Arms, Market Street, Whitland, in violation of the order issued by Llanelli Magistrates Court on 10th May 2024.
The court deemed the offence serious due to the proximity to the original order and a previous breach involving the same victim. Woolston was not in custody and appeared unrepresented in court. Her total sentence length is 18 weeks.
The case was dealt with in Haverfordwest court on May 16.
News
Lease of former Newcastle Emlyn Courthouse approved
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet has this week approved the transfer of the former Newcastle Emlyn Courthouse to Newcastle Emlyn Town Council.
The Cabinet approved a 21-year lease which will facilitate the Town Council’s plan to bring the premises back into use.
The future of the former Courthouse has been considered in detail, with the Town Council carrying out a public consultation on the community’s requirements, and the sites potential contribution to those local needs. The outcome of the consultation suggested that the local community wanted the building to be retained, refurbished and transformed into a multi- use centre.
Newcastle Emlyn Town Council intend to submit an application for funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund [UKSPF] in order to pay for the necessary restoration work. The funding is conditional upon the Town Council having a lease of sufficient term on the premises.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr Alun Lenny commented: “The building as it currently stands is not needed for further use by the County Council and has been empty for some time. I welcome the Cabinet’s decision to approve the transfer of this asset to Newcastle Emlyn Town Council. The funding will ensure that the building is being used for the benefit of the town’s residents.
“This decision is in line with Carmarthenshire County Council’s Wellbeing Objectives: Enabling our communities and environment to be healthy, safe, and prosperous (Prosperous Communities).”
Crime
Teenagers fled from Pembroke RFC after setting spectators stand on fire
ON MONDAY (may 16) between the hours of 16:25 and 17:00, the spectators stand of Pembroke Rugby Football Club was deliberately set on fire, police have said.
Two males, aged between 17-19, fled from the club grounds immediately after the smoke plumes were noticed.
Both males were on dark framed push bikes and wearing dark coloured hooded jumpers.
Officers are asking if anyone who has any information or has witnessed anyone acting suspiciously in the area around these times, is asked to contact police either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.
Quote reference: 24000446140
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
-
Entertainment5 days ago
Dolly Parton to explore Welsh roots near Tenby in upcoming TV special
-
Crime5 days ago
Milford woman ’caused significant life-changing injuries to motorcyclist’
-
News3 days ago
Life literally ‘buzzing’ for west Wales EuroMillion winners
-
Crime3 days ago
Four young Pembrokeshire men arrested on suspicion of rape
-
News5 days ago
Sian Batchelor: Police issue new appeal for information
-
Crime12 hours ago
Teenagers fled from Pembroke RFC after setting spectators stand on fire
-
Crime2 days ago
Arrest made following report of sexual assault in Haverfordwest
-
Community5 days ago
Work to begin on Pembrokeshire’s ‘treacherous’ stretch of road