News

New band are the ‘oldest swingers in town’

Published

11 years ago

March 31, 2014

THE Starlite Swing Band is the hottest ‘new’ band on the county’s music scene – and the five members of the band have a staggering combined age of 390 years!

The band boasts a total of 304 years in the entertainment business and they rehearse at the Milford Haven British Legion Club every Tuesday morning. They have already played at a couple of small venues and they specialise in the Big Band Sound, with numbers like “S’wonderful”, “Aint she sweet” and “Bye bye blackbird”.

Dennis Wheeler will celebrate his 88th birthday later this month and is the band’s trumpeter. He says he has been blowing his own trumpet for the last 80 years. He started playing with the Salvation Army at the age of seven and went on to run his own 19-piece dance orchestra in Lincoln. After retiring in Pembrokeshire, Dennis was enticed to take up the baton again to direct the Fishguard and Goodwick Brass Band.

Denis Wheeler (no relation) is the band’s 73-year-old alto/baritone sax player and was formerly head of the music department at Greenhill School, Tenby. Now living in Martletwy, Denis can still be seen at a few local jazz venues, including the Jefferston Arms.

Billy Jenkins is their 73-year-old accomplished keyboard player. Virtually self-taught, Billy has a wonderful ear for music, which is just as well as he doesn’t read a note. Billy has been on the local scene since the late 50s when he was with the Rebels. He later joined Don Wade and the Wayfarers and still goes out with this partner as “Jock-a-Billy”.

Eighty-seven-year-old Nick Carter is the bass player, who came to the county with the Fleet Air Arm and was stationed at Brawdy. Nick had the dubious pleasure of playing “slap bass” with a few of the dance bands at various venues. He also played tenor or bass horn with the Milford Haven Town Band and bass guitar with rehearsal band Opus 18. Having had his guitar stolen a number of years ago, Nick made one out of an old scaffolding plank and no-one has ever tried to steal it!

Finally the ‘youngster’ of the band is Roger Arnold, coming in at a sprightly 69 years. Another non-reader of music, Roger has been playing locally for almost 58 years, starting in school with Billy Bleep and the Satelites, and eventually graduating to Don Wade and the Wayfarers, the City Gents Six and 25 years with the well remembered Knight & Daye.

Roger says: “It’s wonderful to have something to look forward to again, but it would be much nicer to play in front of an audience again, that’s what we’re all best at.”

The Starlite Swing Band is ready and willing to appear at any function, whether it be an afternoon tea dance, birthday party of swing-era themed night.

For details call Roger Arnold on 01646 698003.

Charity

Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities

Published

48 mins ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.

The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.

This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.

For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.

Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.

Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.

Charity

£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital

Published

2 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.

Their 37^th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.

They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.

The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.

Community

Neyland Community Christmas Lunch a festive success

Published

3 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL rolled up their sleeves to support this year’s Community Christmas Lunch, spreading festive cheer and warm hospitality to attendees on Christmas Day at the Alumchine.

Councillors Steve Campodonic, David Devauden, Steve Thomas, and Brian Rothero began their efforts as early as 7:30am, working tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly.

The dedicated organisers, including Trish Campodonic, Pam, and Lloyd Hamilton, along with other volunteers, created a welcoming space filled with festive spirit and a delicious meal with all the trimmings.

The event brought together members of the community who might otherwise have spent the day alone, highlighting the warmth and generosity that Neyland is known for.

A heartfelt ‘Well done’ to everyone involved for making this Christmas lunch a resounding success and spreading joy to so many.