Pembrokeshire’s ‘coal king’ lifts one of world’s oldest 127 kg lifting stones

Published

16 mins ago

November 18, 2024

A Pembrokeshire man has successfully lifted one of the world’s oldest lifting stones following three previous attempts to raise the 127kg Bodach stone onto its plinth in Perthshire.

Derek Burton travelled to Scotland last week, determined to quash his three previous failed attempts, and raise the 280 lb stone from the ground onto the adjoining plinth.

“Yes, there’s been a lot of hardship and pain along the way, but having finally lifted the Bodach makes it all worthwhile,” Derek told The Pembrokeshire Herald from his home in St Dogmaels.

“The first time I tried to lift the stone was four years ago, and I couldn’t even get it off the soil.

“The second time I managed to break it off the ground after 15 attempts, by around four inches, and the third time there was a massive downpour, but I still managed to get it onto my lap.

“But to qualify for a lift, the stone has to be raised onto the plinth. So I put everything into it, made the 600-mile trip to Scotland once again, and this time I succeeded.”

The Bodach, which is also known as the Fianna Stone, is believed to be the world’s oldest liftable historic stone, and dates from before the turn of the 11th century. According to legend, it was used as an ancient testing stone for the Fianna Warriors who were protecting their land from foreign invaders.

“What makes the Bodach particularly difficult to lift is its shape,” continued Derek. “It’s light on one side but extremely heavy on the other.”

Derek has been lifting stones for the past ten years and carries out regular training sessions with natural stones in his garden. He has also placed two lifting stones in the Preseli Mountains for other people to lift. He has named them Cerrig Ifan – Ifan’s Stones – in memory of a young child who lost his life on a farm in Blaenffos, north Pembrokeshire.

“So those stones will stay there forevermore, in memory of Ifan, at their site near Garn Gwr, which is just past Foel Drygarn,” said Derek.

“Yes, of course there are times when I hit that point when things get painful, but I know that I’ll never give up. If I don’t succeed the first time, if I don’t reach whatever goal I’m aiming for, I’ll just keep going, because however tough things are, I’ll get there in the end.”

Derek’s commitment is now being shared by Cardigan’s Criw Glo which is a team of women who regularly carry 50kg sacks of coal over extensive distances to raise money for local charities. Over the past eight years they have clocked up over 1,000 road miles and have donated more than £70,000 to numerous local charities. The team is currently in training for two new coal carrying challenges in 2025, which will take place in April and June.

Meanwhile Derek has had his coal carrying challenges applauded at the Pride of Britain Award and has been named ITV Cymru’s Fundraiser of the Year.

“I suppose this is how my stone lifting started,” he explains. “As a child I remember watching our local coalman carrying two hundredweight sacks of coal on his back into our house in St Dogmaels instead of just a hundredweight, as he said it saved him from having to go back for the second load. I couldn’t believe that anyone could do this, so I decided to get my own hundredweight of coal and find out for myself. And that’s how the charity coal carrying idea started.

“The Criw Glo is having such a positive impact on all the people who take part as it’s showing them, too, that with determination, they can do it.”

Meanwhile Derek is looking forward to his next stone lifting challenges.

“There are a few more stones in Scotland that I’d like to lift, but there are also a few big ones in Iceland that I’m determined to have a go at.

“Obviously when you do something like this you can get injured or hurt, but I know that whatever I do, my mamgu (grandmother) is always with me. Whenever I feel like quitting, I know she’s there. And this is what keeps me going, each and every time.”

Plans to sever over 200 years of educational history strongly condemned by top Welsh politicians

Published

2 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Sarah Jane Absalom

Plans to sever over 200 years of educational history at Lampeter University have prompted strong resistance from the Welsh Assembly’s Presiding Officer (Llywydd) Elin Jones.

Speaking from the University’s campus earlier this week, Elin Jones said the proposal to discontinue all undergraduate education at Lampeter University would have a devastating effect on the town centre.

“This has been a really difficult week for Lampeter as the campus is so important, not just for the education of students, but also for its contribution to the town and its community,” she said.

“The university’s announcement is bringing to an end undergraduate education after over 200 years of delivering it from the Lampeter campus.

“Our first aim is to try and persuade the university to re-think its decision and realise that there is a future for undergraduate education here in Lampeter.

“If this fails, we as a community need to get together to think about the future of this fine campus with its beautiful quad building, the library and the halls of residence

“Lampeter University has been here for a very long time and it’s important that it’s allowed to continue.”.

Elin Jones, who has served as a Member of the Senedd since 1999 before being appointed Llywydd in 2016, grew up on a farm near Lampeter and attended the town’s Comprehensive School.

Her comments have been endorsed by Ceredigion Preseli MP Ben Lake who described the university as ‘a cornerstone’ of the town, stating it now has a duty to explain how it intends to continue higher education in Lampeter.

Last week The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) announced plans to end all undergraduate teaching at its Lampeter campus by September 2025, resulting in up to 30 courses being moved to Carmarthen. It claimed there had been a ‘progressive decline’ in face-to-face teaching with the result that the current situation was not sustainable.

But students have expressed their disappointment at the proposals, with many now considering changing universities.

“It’s not fair to be told that we have to move,” said international development and global politics student, Jamie Fitter. “I think the way the university has dealt with it is reprehensible.”

A petition has now been launched calling for UWTSD and the Welsh Government to ‘protect Lampeter’s legacy and commit to a sustainable future for this historic campus’. At the time of going to press, the change.org petition had gained 3,810 signatures.

“Lampeter is not only Wales’s oldest university institution but a pillar of its educational and cultural history,” states the petition, which was started by John Jennings

“By allowing undergraduate teaching to end, UWTSD would undermine the very essence of Lampeter’s mission, weaken the local economy, and sever its historic role as a centre of learning. The town of Lampeter, the alumni community, and the people of Wales deserve better.”

Lampeter University was founded in 1822, and incorporated by royal charter in 1828, becoming the oldest degree awarding institution in Wales. It was a self-governing college of the University of Wales from 1972 until its merger (under its 1828 charter) with Trinity University College in 2010 to form the University ot Wales Trinity Saint David.

With fewer than 2,000 students on campus, it was often claimed to be one of the smallest public universities in Europe.

Climate

Keir Starmer ‘spotted’ in Cardigan for climate action

Published

3 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

SHOPPERS and visitors in Cardigan were taken by surprise recently when Keir Starmer—or someone who bore a striking resemblance to him—made an appearance at a climate action stall. The stall, set up in the town centre, invited people to write to their Members of the Senedd urging them to support an international Fossil Fuel Treaty.

‘Keir’ led the way, being the first to post his letter in a special postbox on the stall, which was part of a Global Day of Action for climate justice.

Slow progress at COP29

Organiser Philippa Gibson, a retired Welsh teacher, explained the urgency behind the event. She said:

“The COP29 meeting in Azerbaijan this week is moving at a snail’s pace. Oil lobbyists and petro-states like Azerbaijan have overwhelming influence, blocking serious action on reducing fossil fuel dependency. But ordinary people across the world are saying enough is enough—it’s time for a fossil-free future.

“The climate crisis is already affecting Welsh communities. Rising sea levels are eroding our coastlines, while extreme weather endangers lives, homes, and food security. The economic shockwaves are being felt everywhere.”

Wales urged to lead the way

Physics teacher David Grace, another volunteer at the stall, highlighted the global stakes:

“These threats are even more severe for Pacific Island states, some of the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world. They are leading the Fossil Fuel Treaty campaign because their survival depends on it. Wales has a duty to stand with them and support their demands for a rapid global transition away from fossil fuels.”

The organisers noted that Wales has an opportunity to lead on climate action by endorsing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Thirteen nations, the World Health Organisation, the European Parliament, and thousands of organisations worldwide have already joined the growing movement.

‘Strong support’ in Cardigan

The stall drew significant local support, with many residents signing a petition and posting letters or postcards to their Members of the Senedd. The postbox quickly filled up as people expressed their backing for the Treaty.

A campaigner from Parents for Future, who was helping at the stall, stressed the importance of action:

“By endorsing this treaty, the Welsh government would align with existing policies and commitments. As part of a global effort, Wales could set an example, showing that early action is key to preventing climate disaster. This is vital for the sake of all children, both here in Wales and in more vulnerable countries.”

The event highlighted a growing desire among communities to push for urgent climate action. As part of the day’s activities, ‘Keir’ left a memorable mark—not just as a leader, but as a symbol of the change people want to see.

(Keir’s mask was created by artist Bim Mason.)

Business

Wolfscastle Country Hotel crowned Wales’ best boutique wedding venue

Published

15 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa has been named Wales’ Best Boutique Wedding Venue for 2024 at the prestigious Welsh National Wedding Awards.

The ceremony, held on Sunday (Nov 10) at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall, welcomed more than 600 guests for its 13th annual celebration. Thousands of votes were cast by brides, grooms, and supporters to determine the winners from over 300 shortlisted nominees.

Double victory

The Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa not only won the regional title for west Wales but also secured the national accolade for the second time in three years.

Known for its glamorous reception spaces and elegant ceremony room, the hotel offers a comprehensive bridal package. This includes wedding accommodation and a private spa experience featuring a hot tub, sauna, and various treatments.

Celebrating success

Taking to social media, the hotel expressed gratitude to its guests and staff for their role in achieving this prestigious honour.

Hotel owner Andy Stirling said:
“We’re very proud to have been nominated and voted winners in both our local and national categories.

“I have the pleasure of seeing how tirelessly Lowri, and my wife Mandy Stirling, our wedding coordinators, work on every wedding to tailor the experience to suit the couples we have joining us.

“We pride ourselves on offering exquisite in-house catering provided by head chef Seb, head pastry chef Adama, and our excellent kitchen team, backed up by first-class table service from our highly experienced waiting staff.

“I am overwhelmingly grateful for the support of our guests and couples who have wedded with us in helping achieve this award.

“I know that myself and the team all look forward to hosting many more phenomenal weddings in the future.”