Community
Cardigan family’s urgent appeal after father suffers devastating stroke
Former pilot left unable to speak or swallow after collapsing while mowing lawn
A CARDIGAN family has launched an urgent appeal for help after a 72-year-old father suffered a massive stroke while mowing his garden, leaving him unable to speak, swallow or move the right side of his body.
Les Bell collapsed on Monday, May 11, after suffering what doctors described as an intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) – a serious form of haemorrhagic stroke caused by bleeding in the brain.
His daughter, Jessica Grieve, said the bleed was extensive and that her father remains in a critical condition on an acute stroke ward.
The former pilot, who now works as a flight training consultant at Gatwick Airport, is currently being fed through a tube and can only communicate through eye contact, small nods and grunts.
Jessica said: “Dad has lost the right-hand side of his body, has to be tube fed as he’s not conscious enough to perform a swallow test, although it would seem the muscles on the right side of his throat aren’t working.
“He can’t talk. He can only communicate with brief eye contact, small nods and grunts.”
She added that doctors are still unable to predict her father’s long-term prognosis.
“We don’t know the prognosis, only time will tell, but he is in a critical condition and it’s likely to remain that way for some months,” she said.
The family is now facing a financial crisis after Les, who was the main income earner, became suddenly incapacitated.
Jessica said her father managed all household finances, while her mother is unable to work due to disabilities and her brother, Jake, is still suffering the effects of cancer treatment and cannot work full-time.
She is now applying for lasting power of attorney in order to access her father’s bank accounts, but said the process could take up to ten weeks.
In the meantime, the family say they are struggling to pay rent, bills and other essential costs.
Jessica has launched a GoFundMe appeal to support the family during the coming months.
She said: “I’m asking for donations of any kind to help them pay for the urgent bills while we’re waiting for other benefits and LPA to begin.
“If we can get them through the next couple of months we’d be so, so grateful.”
Anyone wishing can visit the GoFundMe page here: Help for the Family of Les Bell.
Photo caption:
Family by his side: Les Bell in hospital after suffering a devastating stroke while mowing the garden (Pic: GoFundMe).
Community
Public invited to join police scrutiny panel in Brecon
MEMBERS of the public are being encouraged to play a direct role in improving policing by joining a Community Scrutiny Panel hosted by Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn.
The panel will take place in Brecon on Tuesday, July 1, from 4pm to 7pm, offering local residents the opportunity to independently review police interactions with the public.
Volunteers will examine the quality of police contact, the ethical use of police powers and the level of service being delivered to communities across the force area. The panel serves as an independent public voice, providing feedback and recommendations to Dyfed-Powys Police to help strengthen transparency, accountability and public confidence in policing.
The initiative is open to anyone aged 18 and over. No previous experience is required as training and guidance will be provided to all participants.
Those who join the panel will have the chance to influence improvements in police practice, gain valuable real-world skills and experience, and represent the views of the wider community.
Anyone interested in taking part can find out more and register online at: https://forms.office.com/e/u9dR9rjc9Z?origin=lprLink.
Community
Cardiff’s new Hollywood Bowl XL seeks enthusiastic ‘Chief Fun Officers’
HOLLYWOOD BOWL XL has launched an exciting opportunity to find a lucky winner and their family to be the ‘Chief Fun Officers’.
With work set to complete on the stunning new multi-entertainment centre at St David’s shopping centre, local bowling enthusiasts are invited to apply for the chance to test and experience all that the new centre has to offer, ensuring it provides top-tier entertainment for the community to enjoy.
The new centre will feature 20 ten pin bowling lanes, interactive darts, electric go-karting and a live sports bar. This marks the first time the brand has added e-karting to one of its venues, adding a new layer of high-speed competition to the Hollywood Bowl XL experience.
The successful winners will get to test the state-of-the-art bowling lanes, complete with advanced scoring systems, indulge in sampling a variety of delectable food and drink, including American favourites such as hot dogs, burgers, chicken wings, shakes, and signature cocktails (for adults only) and have a go in the state-of-the-art amusements area.
To enter, families must submit a 60 second video entry sent via an Instagram DM to @hollywoodbowluk and explain why they think they should win by midnight on June 19, 2026.
Family participation is encouraged – children can apply for the role with the accompaniment of a parent or guardian. Families also have the option to apply and enjoy the experience together (maximum 2 adults and 3 children). Entries will be judged on creativity, enthusiasm and personality
Jeremy Verecchia, Area Support Manager, said: “Getting the community involved with our new centre is important to us. We want to make sure we’re offering the best experience possible, so what better way to do that than by hearing directly from families and bowling fans? We can’t wait to see who will join us in this exciting new role at Hollywood Bowl XL Cardiff St David’s!”
Hollywood Bowl is the UK’s leading ten-pin bowling and competitive socialising brand and is encouraging families to apply via Instagram with the successful winner bringing their family with them for the experience.
All entrants under 18 will need parent/guardian approval and attendance on the day. Entries are now open via an Instagram DM to @hollywoodbowluk and are being accepted until June 19.
The lucky family will be selected and contacted by June 26 and will need to be available when Hollywood Bowl XL Cardiff St David’s opens to claim their prize. The winning family will be the first to step through the doors of the brand-new centre and bowl at an invite-only pre-opening event on July 15, making it a true VIP experience!
Bookings will open shortly at hollywoodbowl.co.uk and customers are encouraged to sign up to the VIP mailing list for updates and exclusive offers at https://www.hollywoodbowl.co.uk/cardiff-st-davids
Want to work at Hollywood Bowl XL Cardiff St David’s? Recruitment is underway for over 50 roles including team members and management positions. Candidates who wish to find out more information and apply should visit https://careers.hollywoodbowlgroup.co.uk/our-roles.
Community
HMS Erebus exhibition opens as Pembroke Dock marks 200-year milestone
PEMBROKE DOCK HERITAGE CENTRE has marked the 200th anniversary of the launch of HMS Erebus with a special event celebrating one of the town’s most remarkable maritime stories.
HMS Erebus was built at the Royal Dockyard in Pembroke Dock and launched on June 7, 1826, before going on to become one of the most famous exploration vessels of the 19th century.

The ship later took part in major polar expeditions, including voyages to Antarctica, before being lost during Sir John Franklin’s doomed Arctic expedition. Its wreck was discovered in Canadian waters in 2014, reigniting worldwide interest in the vessel and its Pembrokeshire origins.

The anniversary event was attended by supporters, volunteers and visitors, with music from folk trio Broadoak and a presentation by Professor Russell Potter on the ship’s extraordinary career.
The Heritage Centre thanked everyone who helped make the event possible, including its volunteers, catering team, musicians and guest of honour Professor Potter.

The new exhibition, HMS Erebus: From Dockyard to Discovery, opens to the public on Monday (Jun 8).
Professor Potter will also give a public talk, From Land’s End to the Ends of the Earth: The Eventful Career of HMS Erebus, at 10:30am.
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