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YNYSTAWE: Primary school sends pupils home at 12.30 today as heat peaks — the only school in Swansea to close early

Pupils at Ynystawe Primary School are being sent home at 12.30pm today as the summer’s third heatwave peaks — making it the only school in Swansea to close early because of the heat.

The school is listed as “Closed to all pupils from 12.30 on Friday 10 July” on Swansea Council’s school closures page, which states that all schools are assumed open unless otherwise confirmed by the headteacher.

Temperatures in the Swansea Valley are forecast to peak at around 32C this afternoon — the hottest day of the spell locally.

The Met Office said Thursday and Friday would bring the highest temperatures of the heatwave, with parts of England expected to reach 35C or 36C.

Amber heat health alerts are in force across much of England, though none apply in Wales.

School closure lists published by councils show Ynystawe is one of just four schools in Wales closing early because of the heat today.

The other three are all in Powys: Berriew, Buttington/Trewern and Llanfechain primary schools, with a string of schools across England also shutting early or closing altogether.

Llanfechain school, near the Llanymynech border, said in a statement on its website that classroom temperatures became “extremely uncomfortable” during last week’s hot weather, and that with no air conditioning to cool the building, closing early was the most appropriate way to safeguard the wellbeing of pupils and staff.

Elsewhere, a school in Worcestershire has closed altogether because of extreme heat inside its building, while an academy in Swindon is finishing at 1pm and has cancelled detentions for the rest of the week.

Ynystawe Primary has not yet published its own reasons for the early finish. Swansea Bay News has asked the school about the decision and how parents were notified.

Parents are advised to check the school’s own messages for collection arrangements, with the council’s closures page and social media channels carrying the latest updates.

It is the second time this summer that heat has closed classrooms — hundreds of schools across the UK shut during June’s unprecedented heatwave, when the UK recorded its hottest June day on record.

That June spell put heavy pressure on services in south west Wales, with the Welsh Ambulance Service declaring a critical incident as 999 demand soared.

There is some relief for families with an unexpected half-day: Blackpill Lido is expected to open today after weeks of repairs, just in time for the hottest day of the year so far.

The heat is set to continue into Saturday, at around 31C, before easing from Sunday into the start of next week.

Any response from the school will be added to this article once received.

More on the heatwave from Swansea Bay News

BLACKPILL LIDO: Pool could finally be open by Friday 10 July — with new sprinklers arriving Monday
The popular free pool returns just as the heat peaks.

CRITICAL INCIDENT: Welsh Ambulance Service issues 999 plea as heatwave demand soars
How June’s heat pushed 999 services to the limit.

LANGLAND: Police bring in dispersal order at Langland Bay after anti-social behaviour reports
Hot weather brought crowds — and problems — to the coast in June.

YNYSTAWE: ‘Licence to thrill’ — the DVLA man whose six wickets won the village a Lord’s final, 25 years on

When Ynystawe walked out at Lord’s in 2001, they were the outsiders. The team they faced, Elvaston of Derbyshire, were the defending champions and among the most feared village sides in the country, with two titles already to their name.

Ynystawe posted a modest 190 for 5. Then Paul Discombe took the ball.

His 6 for 18 skittled the champions for 91 inside 27 overs — a 99-run win, the largest margin the final had ever seen, and figures no bowler has bettered in a Village Cup final before or since.

Twenty-five years on, Discombe is to be inducted into the National Village Cup’s Hall of Fame.

He will receive the honour at a ceremony during this year’s final, at Lord’s on Sunday 6 September.

Ian Smith, the tournament manager, said Discombe’s performance was “the stuff of dreams for any bowler”.

He added that he had been “particularly amused” to read that, as a DVLA employee, one newspaper headline had described the bowler as having a “licence to thrill at Lord’s” after the 2001 final.

“We look forward to welcoming him to Lord’s for what promises to be a truly amazing celebration of village cricket,” Smith said.

Discombe was named man of the match that day. The XI that beat Elvaston, captained by David Llewellyn, has been remembered by the club ever since.

Ynystawe have not returned to a Lord’s final in the quarter of a century since. It remains the club’s only national title.

Ynystawe Cricket Club was founded in 1920 by villagers returning from the First World War, and originally played at Ynystawe Park, land gifted to the community by John Player. In 1953 it bought four acres from a local farmer at Maes-yr-Afon and built its own ground.

The club now plays in the South Wales Premier Cricket League.

Discombe joins two other inductees this year: Brian and Terry Carter of Troon in Cornwall, whose side won three of the competition’s first five titles in the 1970s.

Laura Graham, head of marketing at competition sponsor Cawston Press, said the Hall of Fame was “a brilliant way to celebrate those who’ve made such a lasting contribution to village cricket”.

“One of the things we love most about the Village Cup is the incredible sense of community and the stories that make the competition so special,” she said.

The competition has been run by The Cricketer magazine since it began in 1972, and Wales has a strong record in it — Gowerton won in 1975, St Fagans three times, and Sully Centurions in 2004.

The August issue of The Cricketer carries a feature on all three of this year’s inductees.

More from Swansea Bay News

CODE CHALLENGE: Swansea and Neath Port Talbot schools sweep top prizes at DVLA’s annual coding contest
Pupils take the honours at the Swansea agency’s competition.

SWANSEA: Three more skateparks open as £3m wheeled sports drive rolls on
New facilities for Ynystawe and beyond.

GORSEINON: Local opticians back South Wales rugby talent ahead of international tournament
Backing for a rising star from the town.

New BMX and skatepark designs revealed for Gowerton and Ynystawe

New designs have been released for two upcoming sports facilities in Swansea — a BMX-focused site at the Elba sports complex in Gowerton and an upgraded skatepark in Ynystawe.

The plans were shared by Swansea Council at a recent update meeting with residents and wheeled sports users. The designs were developed by specialist firm Curve Studio, following what the council described as “extensive consultation.”

Planning and procurement are expected to begin in early 2026, with construction anticipated to start next summer.

The council says the wider programme aims to ensure that most Swansea residents live within two miles of a new or upgraded wheeled sports site.

“Safe, inspiring places” for young people

In a statement, Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said:

“Skateboarding, BMXing and other wheeled sports are incredibly popular in Swansea, and these new designs for Gowerton and Ynystawe show the continued progress we’re making across the city.”

“Our £3m investment is delivering high-quality facilities shaped by local consultation, ensuring they reflect what users themselves have told us they want from modern wheeled sports spaces.”

“This is about more than new ramps or refurbished surfaces — it’s about creating safe, inspiring places that help young people stay active, build confidence and connect with their communities.”

“With Curve Studio’s expertise and the enthusiasm we’ve seen from local residents, these projects will make a real difference.”

More sites in the pipeline

According to Swansea Council, work is also due to begin shortly on a street-plaza style facility at Victoria Park, with further contracts expected for upgrades at Mynydd Newydd in Penlan and the Phoenix Centre in Townhill.

The council says improvements have already been completed at Coed Bach in Pontarddulais and Melin Mynach in Gorseinon, with additional developments planned for Blaenymaes, Bishopston, Clyne Valley, and a new junior pump track in Gorseinon.

Funding for the programme comes from a mix of ward member contributions, the community investment fund, community and town councils, and Welsh Government Active Travel funding.

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