Summer sizzler to close schools early

While the ongoing summer sizzler may be enjoyed by many, some primary schools in the Welshpool area have decided it is too hot to handle and will close early today.

Berriew, Buttington/Trewern, Llanfechain, Montgomery and even Welshpool’s "state-of-the-art" Church in Wales School, which only opened in 2021 following a multimillion-pound project, will close at lunch time.

And in another embarrassment for Powys County Council, Newtown’s Ysgol Robert Owen, which only opened in September will be the only school that will close all day.

One Welshpool parent told us that it “beggars belief” that the newly-built schools are haveing to close, particularly as the town’s Church in Wales School even won awards for its ‘rigorous Passivhaus energy standards'.

“It’s all well and good keeping the children warm in winter, but didn’t the designers notice the summers are getting longer and hotter too?” she asked us.

The glorious weather is expected to continue throughout the weekend with the usual warning in place regarding taking care around wild water locations. We can expect the temperatures to continue to be high into next week, before showers should bring some welcome relief.