Community

Charity appeal raises over £3k

Published

12 years ago

February 11, 2014

AN appeal set up for the Kidney Wales Foundation Charity in support of Adam Hughes of Tenby has raised the magnificent sum of £3,075.45.

Adam, a popular Teaching Assistant at Ysgol Greenhill School, was unfortunately diagnosed with kidney failure in April 2014, and is now on daily dialysis whilst he awaits a kidney transplant.

Following the diagnosis, Adam’s girlfriend Sabrina Revell and friends Alan Townsend, Stephen Handicott and Kathryn Hudson decided to run the Tenby 10k and the Cardiff Half Marathon in support of the Cardiff based charity, Kidney Care Wales, to raise much needed funds.

Donations of sponsorship came in from family, friends, work colleagues and many others in the community who all gave very generously in support of the appeal, and the fund was also swelled with the very kind donations received from the Welsh Cake Ladies of St John’s Church (£200), a collection at the Harvest Festival of Tenby V C Infants School (£240) a collection jar at the Buccaneer Inn Tenby (£103.72) and members of both Tenby and Saundersfoot Rotary Club. Special mention also to John Handicott who collected a large amount from the very generous Tenby harbour community.

The fund was also boosted considerably over the Christmas period with a magnificent collection of £375 in lieu of 50th birthday presents for Mr Russell Knox of Carew, (popularly known of course as Mutley), along with a collection of £260 at a New Year’s Day ‘Banish the Turkey’ walk around the Carew Mill Pond by members of Carew Football and Cricket Club and others from the Carew community organised by Mrs Carol Cole and her brother Mr Kerry Waters. (Many contributors to these two events had already sponsored the runners and their generosity is very gratefully appreciated).

All the runners, Adam and parents Linda and John Hughes are extremely grateful to everyone for all their support both for the appeal and for the family since Adam was diagnosed. The runners will not be resting on their laurels though and are now busy training for further runs in aid of Kidney Care Wales in 2014 including the Tenby and Cardiff 10k and the Cardiff Half Marathon. Adam is now on the transplant list for a kidney transplant. The transplant list for all of the UK is run from Bristol with some 10,000 people of all ages currently waiting for a kidney. When kidneys become available those on the list are checked for a match, and the person who is the best match and has been waiting the longest is selected.

Unfortunately the average time on the list is some three years and there is a great need for more people to become donors. All involved in the above appeal would encourage everyone to join the Organ Donation list, this can be achieved in just a couple of minutes online at www.organdonation.nhs.uk or you can do so by phoning the free phone number 0300 123 23 23.

There is a need to greatly increase the number of people who are willing to consent to organ donation and whilst it is very welcome that the opt-out system was coming to Wales, that was not until 2015, and even then there was the need to change people’s perception that organ donation was a good and natural thing to do. You can also read Adam’s blog ‘Life on the Transplant List’ on the internet at this link. http://adamjohnhughes.wordpress.com/

Community

Rare photo shows original owner of 100-year-old ‘Charlie’ the ventriloquist doll

Published

13 hours ago

April 13, 2026

Cerys Lafferty

A PHOTOGRAPH has come to light of the first owner of ‘Charlie’, the 100-year-old ventriloquist’s doll who was a star turn when Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre opened for the new season last month.

On the opening day (Mar 30), Gerald Williams, a member of the Carew Cheriton Control Tower team, brought along a group photo which features both Charlie’s then owner, Ernie James, and Gerald’s father, Hubert.

It was the first time Paul Elliott, Charlie’s current ‘minder’, had seen a photo of Ernie, who was at one-time very well known as a local entertainer.

“This has made my day,” said Paul. “It is great to see a photo of Ernie, who originally acquired Charlie over 100 years ago.”

***Charlie is pictured with Gerald Williams (left), and Paul Elliott. (Credit: PDHT)***

Gerald added: “Both Ernie and my father were involved at one time with a travelling cinema, visiting communities all over this area.

“Ernie had his own small bus company called Pioneer Buses. This is where dad first met Ernie during driver exchanges during the war. They also worked together for Silcox Bus Company at Pembroke Dock.”

Charlie currently sits in a neat glass case keeping a watchful eye over visitors and volunteers at the Heritage Centre.

While the photograph has solved one mystery, another remains. Ernie is believed to have had another ventriloquist’s doll, named Daisy May. Anyone with information on Daisy May is asked to contact the Heritage Centre on 01646 684220 or [email protected]

Community

Lauren Clewes begins trainee solicitor role at Eaton-Evans and Morris

Published

1 day ago

April 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Pembrokeshire law firm confirms internal promotion after Lauren joined the business as a paralegal in 2024

LAUREN CLEWES has been promoted to trainee solicitor at Eaton-Evans and Morris Solicitors.

Lauren joined the firm in 2024 as a paralegal, working first with Helen Hodges and later with Pauline Mainwaring. Over the coming months, she will work alongside the firm’s fee earners across all departments as part of her training.

Sean Dyer, one of the firm’s directors (pictured), offered his congratulations on her promotion.

Community

Comedy in the Pavilion: Elis James at Eisteddfod y Garreg Las

Published

3 days ago

April 11, 2026

Richard Lewis

COMEDIAN Elis James will take to the Pavilion stage at the National Eisteddfod for the first time this year, performing on Wednesday, August 5 as part of the festival programme. Entry to the gig is included in the Maes day ticket, and with strong roots in the area, his return promises an evening of laughter and a warm homecoming atmosphere.

Famous for making quick connections with people from across Wales on his podcast ‘Elis & John’ on BBC Sounds, Elis will no doubt receive a warm welcome at the National Eisteddfod, arguably one of the best places in the world to connect with fellow Welsh people. With his observational comedy, often inspired by his upbringing in west Wales, this is expected to be an evening full of humour, marking the halfway point of the Eisteddfod week.

Elis said: “I’m very excited. I’ve never done stand-up in the Pavilion before. Mam will be there, I’m sure other members of the family will be there too, but don’t worry, I’m one of those people who is funny under pressure!”

Betsan Moses, the Eisteddfod’s Chief Executive, added: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Elis back home to the Garreg Las area.

“As a Welsh comedy giant, we’re looking forward to a night of humour in his company, reflecting the true spirit of the Eisteddfod.”

Elis was born in Haverfordwest and raised in Carmarthen. He’s a comedian, podcast presenter, actor and broadcaster. Since 2014, he’s presented a radio show with his friend and fellow comedian, John Robins, originally on Radio X before moving to BBC 5 Live in 2019.

Among the UK’s most popular comedians, Elis toured Wales with his show Derwydd in 2024, recording a performance at Carmarthen’s Lyric Theatre. He has since returned to English‑language stand‑up after a ten‑year break.

Day Maes tickets, which include admission to the gig, are available on the Eisteddfod website.

Eisteddfod Genedlaethol y Garreg Las will be held in Llantwd, north Pembrokeshire between August 1 and August 8.