Community

Mark Llewhellin takes on Ryan Jones

Published

9 years ago

March 1, 2016

Ryan Jones and Mark Llewhellin: Before competition began in Haverfordwest

PEMBROKESHIRE fitness star Mark Llewhellin, who is famous for finishing 1st for the Strava Distance Running Challenge out of over 51,000 people in 2014 & 2015 and for breaking the 100k Treadmill World Record, recently took on 3-time grand slam winning former Welsh rugby captain Ryan Jones in a cycling challenge in aide of the Princes Gate Trust at Haverfordwest Tesco.

Here he tells his story of the immense challenge, and how plenty of money was made for a worthwhile cause, which helps many people in Wales:

As I walk in to Tesco the crowd of people immediately watching say “go on Mark you’ve got to do this.”, I’m thinking to myself “oh my god my fitness is about 25% as I haven’t trained much and cycling is something that I hardly ever do.”

I know I’m a complete fish out of water but it’s for a good cause so I think why the heck not.

The local crowd are excited about me and Ryan going head to head and after the positive local support for me Ryan is giving me a look as if to say, ‘who is this guy?’

The only time I’ve come up against professional rugby players was when I did a treadmill test, which was roughly 10 minutes in the University of Glamorgan. The Welsh rugby squad had done the same test as me a few weeks before and on that occasion I was lucky enough to beat their fittest person by a comfortable margin.

But this bike sprint was a different ball game. It was explosive power for a 10 second burst so I knew it was going to be a very tall order to beat Ryan.

I’d never met Ryan before but have a mutual friend Ian Gough so we end up talking and chatted about what we’re both doing these days. My first impression of Ryan was, what a nice guy but I know when he gets on that bike he’ll give it everything he’s got to try and beat me, this is something he trains for so I knew he was going to be good.

Ryan had beat every challenger that he took on and I get a sense from some of the locals that they think I’ll easily beat him because of my fitness background.

The last time I got roped into a challenge like this was at the Welsh Boat show when there was a rowing competition to see who is the fastest person over a certain distance. “Go on” my brother Darren said, you’ll be good at this rowing thing. I never row but out of the 40 people that took on the challenge I was lucky enough to win it on my second attempt (I fell off the seat on the first go) so here I am again having a go at something I never really do.

I mount the bike and adjust the pedal straps, then sit up and (jokingly) give Ryan one of those boxers stares that they do in the weigh ins before a big boxing event. He returns the favour and (jokingly) holds his fist up to me, his fist was a lot bigger than mine.

Before we start we both stand up on the bikes to use our body weight to push the peddles down when someone from the crowd shouts “ready, steady, GO.” As I’m pushing down the pedals I can see Ryan in my peripheral vision. His big powerful legs push down the pedals like “Mallard – The Worlds Fastest Locomotive” and I knew within those first few seconds the race over…Ryan powered to victory!

I could see a mixture of smiles and disappointed faces in the crowd as their local fitness lad had lost.

After the race someone in the crowd says “go for a run together,” So I invite Ryan to do a 50 miler with me, there’s a big smile on his face, he gracefully declines and we shake hands.

Overall a great event and a great day for the locals in Pembrokeshire to see Ryan who’s not only a Welsh rugby Super Star but also a genuinely nice person.

Community

Loss of rural Pembrokeshire streetlights ‘a great concern’

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CHANGES to Pembrokeshire streetlight provision, which has seen their loss in some rural areas, has saved £1.5m a year, councillors heard.

In a question submitted to the May meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Michael John asked: “The loss of streetlights in rural areas is an issue which causes great concern to any members of the public affected, and one which is raised with me regularly.

“I believe it is an issue that a number of other members have raised and continue to raise with the department also. Given the policy was introduced around 2006, nearly 20 years ago, does the Cabinet Member agree it would be a good time for it to be reviewed?”

Responding, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said the changes were introduced following a notice of motion by a former county councillor back in 2008, with the need for lights based on four criteria: the number of night-time injuries, high usage – both for vehicles and pedestrians, night-time crime levels, and the number of residents in properties nearby.

Members heard changes to lighting provision, including updating to more efficient LED types, as well as data-led targeting of new areas for lighting, and decommissioning of lighting in areas not meeting the criteria, saved the council some £1.5m a year, along with a reduction in Carbon emissions.

He said he was more than happy the concerns raised following the changes could be reviewed at an appropriate council scrutiny committee.

Cllr Sinnett said was one of the original supporters of the change in policy, adding that, although not universally popular, the change “has had some quite positive effects in terms of budget savings and carbon reduction”.

He finished: “I commend the administration of the time for having the courage to introduce that.”

Community

Donations in Matt Baker’s memory support local mental health charities

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FAMILY of Matt Baker, affectionately known as “Mr Good Times” of Haverfordwest, has presented donations to three local mental health projects during Mental Health Awareness Week.

Matt passed away in March aged 49, and his funeral in April drew hundreds of mourners. In his memory, the Baker and Oostermeijer families collected donations to support causes close to Matt’s heart.

This week, £700 cheques were presented to two well-known Pembrokeshire organisations: Get The Boys A Lift and The VC Gallery. Both groups work extensively with people experiencing mental health challenges, offering safe spaces, support sessions, and community outreach.

A further donation was made to Bro Cerwyn Hospital, where Matt had spent ten months receiving care. The family gifted a Yamaha electric piano, complete with stool and headphones, in the hope that music can bring comfort and joy to patients.

Phyllis Oostermeijer, Matt’s mother, said: “We as a family would like to thank everyone concerned. Truly amazing – and I trust it will do a lot of good. Perhaps every now and again a pianist can go to the hospital and play for the patients. Matt would like that.”

The gesture comes at a time when mental health support services across Wales continue to be stretched, with charities and community organisations increasingly relied upon to bridge the gap.

Reuben Baker and Aad Oostermeijer, Matt’s brother and stepfather, attended the cheque presentation at The VC Gallery alongside representatives from the supported organisations.

Matt’s legacy of positivity, compassion, and community spirit continues to make an impact – not just on those who knew him, but on the many people these donations will go on to help.

Photo caption:
In memory of Matt: The Baker family present £700 to The VC Gallery during Mental Health Awareness Week (Pic: Supplied)

Community

First Minister joins war graves tour in Milford Haven

Published

1 day ago

May 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Visit marks 80th anniversary of VE Day

FIRST MINISTER, Eluned Morgan, visited Milford Haven on Saturday (May 10) as part of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) For Evermore Tour, commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

The First Minister was joined by Pembrokeshire County Councillor Guy Woodham and Milford Haven Town Councillor Colin Sharp during a visit to Milford Haven Cemetery, where they paid tribute to local war dead.

Led by CWGC guide Grahame Owen, the tour highlighted the personal stories of those who served and died in the two world wars, including many from Pembrokeshire. The CWGC maintains records of over 1.7 million Commonwealth service personnel who lost their lives in the conflicts.

Reflecting on the event, the First Minister said: “We must never forget the sacrifices of past generations. VE Day was a moment that changed lives, changed Wales, and changed our world. This tour showed how war touches every street, every village, and every family. Over 15,000 Welsh people never came home.”

The For Evermore Tour is part of a nationwide initiative to ensure younger generations learn about the impact of global conflict on local communities.

The CWGC encourages the public to search its free online records to discover stories from their own families and communities, helping to keep the memories of the fallen alive.

The First Minister thanked all those who took part in what she described as a “moving and important” event.