Ways of generating more funds for Tenby’s secondary school and building stronger links with the community have been discussed between town councillors and the facility’s head.

Greenhill School’s headteacher David Haynes recently met with members of the Town Council to discuss the matter, which had been raised following a recent application to hold ‘pop-up’ licensed events on the school grounds over the summer.

The proposals were eventually scrapped, due to a backlash from those living in the vicinity, and noise disturbance concerns for the locality, but councillors said at the time that they’d be happy to work with the school to explore further funding avenues.

Mr Haynes said that he was grateful to be able to continue to foster links between the council and the school, as it was his wish to have a central role in the community with a school focused community to benefit the young people of Tenby.

Cllr Charles Dale referred to the recent cancellation of the pop-up events, asking Mr Haynes for ways in which the town council could help Greenhill raise funds.

It was confirmed that the Caravan Club will be returning as they have done in the past to occupy the school grounds over the summer.

Cllr Dale suggested if it were a possibility that the school be utilised as a long term car park during the summer as well, similar to that of the catholic school possibly offering shuttle buses into town.

Mr. Haynes said this would that be of interest to the school and he believed that Pembrokeshire County Council would be in support of this, as during the recent Long Course Weekend and again the Ironman event in September, that this parking was available.

Cllr Dale felt that this would also help relieve some of the parking pressure in town during the busy months.

He also told members that in a location he had previously lived, the local school’s 5G pitch was rented to many different local sports clubs for training, and asked as to whether this would be something Greenhill could consider if a 5G pitch could be provided?

Mr. Haynes said that a conversation had been had with Gary Nicholas, Leisure Services Manager at the County Council, along the lines of the astroturf pitch being at the end of its life and what would be best to replace it, not only for the school but for use as a community resource.

Cllr Dale said he had done some research, and spoken to a friend in Cardiff as to how 5G pitches have been provided there with business sponsorship.

He had also been given the contact number of Eddie Lewis a former student at Greenhill and who played rugby for Tenby, who was now working with Cardiff University on 5G provision and he would speak to him for further information.

Cllr Dai Morgan said that he had also spoken to several sports clubs in the area including Narberth, Saundersfoot and Kilgetty, with many of these travelling to Pembroke Dock to train on their 4G pitch, but they would however prefer to come to Tenby if it were possible.

Cllr Tish Rossiter raised her concerns, as she has done recently, for the safety of youngsters walking from the rugby pitch to the Clicketts, and Mr Haynes said the school would support the provision of a footpath.

Cllr Laurence Blackhall suggested discussions around young people carrying out work experience and opportunities for volunteering, referring to the Welsh Baccalaureate, as he felt businesses in the town could offer more opportunity.

He said that there was great benefit working alongside, and developing ‘the child of our time, our future’ and that this was not just about financial gain, but that locals had business acumen that would be beneficial.

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Sue Lane spoke of Tenby in Bloom referring to the Baccalaureate and the volunteering hours of 30 per year, but having been unable to attract students previously.

“It would be lovely to get a team of students annually to carry out light weeding, painting and all manner of jobs,” she commented.

“Many students choose to volunteer at Ironman. There is so much voluntary work available for them but the town council hasn’t been able to get anywhere at all. Only two students had come forward to complete their Duke of Edinburgh awards in many years,” continued Cllr Lane.

She told members that the In Bloom competition includes nine schools which all feed in to Greenhill, and she felt that this was an opportunity for progression, that the town council should follow through and continue working with the senior students.

The Mayor, Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall suggested that, when she attends the Greenhill Senedd in September that the Deputy Mayor join her and they speak directly to the students.

The town clerk Andrew Davies told councillors that their Community Engagement Officer had started to look at potential grants available for students working with older residents.

“There are proven benefits to young and old working together and grants are available to encourage this,” he said.

Cllr Blackhall said he was fully supportive of a partnership supporting the community.

Mr Haynes said that money had been spent upgrading the facilities in the main school hall, and he believed that this was a ‘fantastic facility’ which could be an additional resource for the community to use.

Mr Haynes felt that music, drama and PE were at heart of a school community, and that Greenhill was renowned for music and the musicians it produced.

He said that he had been disappointed that the last production by the school had been as long ago as the ‘School of Rock’ event, but added that that there would be a school production next year as he felt pupils benefited so much from participating.

From learning new skills and being at the heart of decisions in producing a show was an education in itself, he added.