After a devastating fire three and a half years ago, the community of Manorbier will stand outside County Hall this week - the home of Pembrokeshire County Council - to demand that the Local Authority rebuilds their historic school, emphasising its importance...

Almost three and a half years have passed since Manorbier School was devastated by a tragic fire, and in that time the historic building has been left exposed to the elements — deteriorating, decaying, and unused.

For three and a half years, parents say they have been given false hope by Pembrokeshire County Council with repeated promises of a rebuild.

For three and a half years, dedicated staff have lived with uncertainty, yet have continued to show up every single day for their pupils.

For three and a half years, the communities of Manorbier and Jameston have been left in limbo.

On Thursday, March 5, Pembrokeshire County Council will meet at County Hall, Haverfordwest, to decide the future of the school.

Following the public consultation, which closed on December 19, 2025, the Council received an outstanding 365 responses from members of the local community — a powerful demonstration of the strength of feeling surrounding the school’s future.

This was in addition to a petition signed by more than 1,500 people and submitted to PCC on December 12, 2025.

Taken together, these figures send a clear and unmistakable message: the community overwhelmingly supports the rebuilding of the school and expects its voice to be heard.

Amanda Everson, parent and member of the Friends of Manorbier School, said: “We sincerely hope councillors take note of the overwhelming support from the community to rebuild Manorbier School. The volume of responses alone shows how much this school means to local families.

“If the decision is made to close the school, it won’t just be pupils who are affected — the ripple effect will be felt across the entire community.”

Manorbier has had a school at the heart of the village for more than 150 years. While questions surrounding the cause of the fire remain unanswered, many residents are asking why there has been so little transparency. Concerns have also been raised about why insurance funds have not yet been used to rebuild the school, and why accountability has not been clearly established.

Manorbier School is a Church in Wales school, and the land carries a covenant stating it must be used for educational purposes. Campaigners argue that expenditure on the site in some form appears inevitable, and that rebuilding the school — as originally promised — is both the logical and democratic course of action.

Amanda added: “If the Council ultimately has to return the site to the Church in the condition it was in prior to the fire, then investment in the building or land will be unavoidable. Why not rebuild the school, as promised? It is what the community wants.

“If we truly live in a democratic society, and 365 members of the community have made their voices heard, then Manorbier — and its outstanding staff — deserve to be listened to.”

The Friends of Manorbier School will be taking a stand outside County Hall on Thursday, March 5 alongside supporters of Ysgol Clydau, which is also under threat of closure.

Both schools were first informed in May 2025 that they faced potential closure and have been campaigning to secure their futures ever since.

The Friends group is urging members of the public to stand with them, stating - “If you have a voice, please use it.”

“Together, we can make a difference.”