Tom Rees attended Tasker Milward School in Haverfordwest. He has gone on to become a pilot and managing director of Williams Property Investment and Sourcing (WPIAS), a Pembrokeshire property acquisition company.
Tasker Milward closed in 2018 when it was merged with Haverfordwest’s other secondary school, Sir Thomas Picton, to create Haverfordwest High.
Since then, the old school has been the site of vandalism, with police investigating reports of burglary and criminal damage.
Both Tasker Milward Upper and Lower Schools are currently on the market with estate agent Savills, describe as ‘an exciting redevelopment opportunity for a variety of alternative uses’.
Tom wants to prevent the 2.5 acre Upper School from being levelled, as he can see an opportunity there to provide training in the local community in his area of expertise.
He wants to develop the old Taskers site into a resource that will provide training and reskilling opportunities for the people of Pembrokeshire.
The scheme would incorporate all areas of education, especially property and business, and also include the performing arts sector, making use of the already existing Upper School assembly hall.
“Training in the property and business sectors is not generally accessible for many, especially in Wales,” said Tom.
“The potential of the site, to serve the community, is phenomenal. If we lose it, we lose the chance to create real change for our young people, for our community and also for our future.”
Tom says that as well as the proposed learning opportunities and the promotion of the arts, the site potentially could appeal to charities, offering them space to help more people and run more cost effectively.
He says that he has already received interest from several local charities.
Tom believes that the Lower School site should be developed for affordable housing while the Upper School should be kept for training purposes and the arts.
“We certainly have a local requirement for affordable housing, but this should be done sensibly, using logic and with the best interest of the town and its inhabitants in mind,” he said.
Tom wants feedback from locals as to how they want to see the site used.
He’s asking for opinions and for people to get involved before the inevitable levelling happens.
As much as he appreciates the need for housing, he believes that just building houses is not the only solution to the housing crisis. Training people to understand property and improving skills through education would prove more beneficial.
Tom feels the potential is there, but time is running out.
He would love to hear from others who think they could work with him and deliver on his vision, a learning and arts hub that serves Haverfordwest and the county.
“I believe in this dream,” he said. “I just need a chance to make it real before it’s too late.”
For more information and to contact Tom, see The Tasker Milward Project on Facebook, linked above.
