We are working on many projects to enhance Yr Hen Ysgol and also across Dinas generally. Many of these projects are in collaboration with the Dinas Community Council (DCC), Dinas Wellbeing Hub (DWH) and Dinas Playing Fields (DPF).
Kitchen refurbishment
During February 2025 we started refurbishing the main kitchen. This was mainly funded by a very generous donation from the ASDA Foundation and the Eileen Webb fund. Special Thanks to Barrie Thomas (Builder), Rhys Stilwell (Electrician) and John Bonner (Plumber).
Week one. Strip out old cabinets and fittings. Take down the ceiling, first fix electrics and plumbing, studding for wall panelling.
Week two. First fix electrics and plumbing including all cables and pipes installed behind wall panelling framework. Ceiling plasterboard, skim and painting once the cables are in place.
Week three. The team came in on a Sunday to spray the ceiling to enable wall panelling could start on Monday. The first panels set out for the whole room. The kitchen units are assembled by volunteers ready for installation.
Week four Completion?.
Boundary wall
The boundary wall between Yr Hen Ysgol and the adjoining playing fields is over a hundred years old. There was a partial collapse which needed urgent repair. Phase one was the repair to the coping on the East boundary wall to protect the otherwise good wall. Phase two was the dismantling of approximately 25 metres and complete rebuilding with a new foundation, core block wall and stone faced to exactly match the existing. The gable of the school is now visible from the playing fields and will create an entrance between the playing field and the walled garden.
External table tennis
We have been successful in applying for funding for an external fixed wheelchair friendly table tennis table, and also a dedicated disabled compliant external picnic table. These were installed in February 2024. Many thanks to Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS) for their “Outdoor Connections” fund . This will encourage people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors and to meet. Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS)
One of the wheel chair, and baby buggy, friendly picnic tables with benches.
Hearing loop and disabled parking space
A hearing loop has been installed in January 2024. This broadcasts from our sound system to your hearing aid, by selecting “T”, where you can control volume. Many thanks to the Dinas Community Council for a major contribution.
A dedicated disabled parking space has been marked out near the ramp to the front entrance. We have two wheelchairs available in the hall.
Snug
We have converted Garn Fach into a “Warm Space”, or Snug, to provide a cosy meeting space. This room has its own kitchenette with free tea, coffee and biscuits, with milk in the fridge, to create a “Home from home”. There is a DVD player, radio, USB charging sockets, internet connection, board games, chess and cards. It is open for anyone to use on Mondays and Fridays from Monday 13th November 10:00-16:00.
War Memorial
The War memorial has been repainted, new hooks, new chippings, planters and Lavender planting. This was a collaborative project with the WellBeing Hub and the Dinas Community Council.
“The Well” refurbishment
The Wellbeing Hub refurbished the Well next to the Tennis Courts.
Tennis courts Orchard
The land beside the tennis court has ben left untouched for a long time. It is owned by the Community Council.
With funding from Pembrokeshire Coast Force for Nature, Dinas Wellbeing Hub gardening group were able to plant an orchard of native Welsh apple trees and 400 bulbs including native Welsh daffodils, snowdrops and bluebells. The next stage will be to introduce native hedging. The well site was also tidied and bulbs planted. Pembrokeshire Coast Trust, Force for Nature
February 2025 Clearing the “jungle” of tree branches using a heavy duty chipper to expose a lovely rock face and provide extra space.
Playing fields drainage
The second half of the playing fields has been trenched and drainage pipes laid in July 2024. This will enable us to set out a full size pitch for football and / or rugby. Excess topsoil is being piled on site for future projects.
