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

Published

2 years 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.”

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

1 hour ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

1 hour ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.