News

Tributes to pioneer Ray Williams

Published

11 years ago

November 27, 2014

Tom Sinclair

All together: Ray’s family were at the ceremony.

WALES’ 1970s rugby legends flocked to honour the genius that was behind everything they achieved on the world stage. Ray Williams received the International Rugby Board’s highest honour, the Vernon Pugh Award, for Distinguished Service this week. Mr Williams, 87, was the leading global coaching guru of his generation – the first paid official when he was appointed National Coaching Organiser by the Welsh Rugby Union in 1967. He is credited with revolutionising rugby coaching. Overseas nations flocked to his clinics.

He helped Carwyn James shape the victorious Lions in New Zealand in 1971 and was the backroom dynamo who engineered Wales’ success in the 70s. He also invented mini rugby. The sepcial reception was led by 1970s British Lion and Wales wing, Gerald Davies at Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli. He said: “Ray did nothing less than to cause a revolution in the game.” “It was the bringing together of coaching ideas and physical preperation in a way that had never been done before and the world came to Wales for his coaching courses and to listen to what Ray Williams had to say.”

“He was a major influence. His aim was to achieve the highest possible levels of skills. Excellence was his theme. And the systems he created here in Wales were replicated all over the world”. Ray, who also became a leading administrator said: “I receive this award with great pride,” and thanked the IRB. The ceremony saw guests such as many of the greats of the 1970’s era golden Grand Slam – Barry John, JPR Williams, John Taylor, Tony Faulkner, and Phil Bennett – as well as former Welsh coaches Clive Rowlands, John Dawes and Gareth Jenkins.

Taylor said: “Most modern players will not know the name of Ray Williams but all those making an excellent living from the game should be eternally grateful to him because he was the man who started the process that would eventually lead to the game becoming professional. Those who hate professionalism will still be cursing him but he can look back with great pride knowing he played a major part in shaping the game as we know it today”.

Mr Williams, who lives in Haverfordwest, went on to become the WRU centenary officer in 1980 before succeeding Bill Clement as WRU secretary. He later became director of the Rugby World Cup and was awarded an OBE for services to the sport. He was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife, Meg; daughters, Judith and Helen; grandchildren and other family members including his son-in-law, ex-Llanelli, Wales and British Lions centre, Peter Morgan. His family are very proud of his success. His grandaughter posted on Facebook: “Not many can say their own Granpa has been awarded an OBE along with the Vernon Pugh award for his services to world Rugby.” “Couldn’t possibly be any prouder of your achievements, we are all so fortunate to have you as ours. We all love you to bits Gigi.”

News

Pembroke Dock man sent to Crown Court over alleged ABH assault

Published

6 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Charge relates to incident in the town last weekend

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sent to the Crown Court for trial after appearing before magistrates accused of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Darren Markes, aged 47, of High Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Markes is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act.

The charge relates to an alleged incident on Friday (Dec 13) in Pembroke Dock, when it is alleged that Markes assaulted a woman, causing her actual bodily harm.

No plea was entered at the hearing.

Due to the seriousness of the allegation, magistrates declined jurisdiction and ordered that the case be sent to the Crown Court for trial under the Crime and Disorder Act.

Markes was remanded on conditional bail. Conditions include:

Not contacting a witness, directly or indirectly
Reporting to Pembroke Dock police station every Wednesday between 12:00pm and 2:00pm
Living and sleeping each night at his home address

He is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Jan 16) at 9:30am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Crime

Aberystwyth man denies criminal damage charge over Cardigan gallery window

Published

6 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Alleged incident said to have taken place on Bridge Street

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has denied a charge of criminal damage relating to an alleged incident in Cardigan.

Ricky Myers, aged 27, of Jasper House, Aberystwyth, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Myers is accused of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

The charge relates to an incident on Saturday (Aug 24, 2024) at Manchester House on Bridge Street, Cardigan, where it is alleged that a window at the Cardigan Gallery was damaged. The property is said to belong to Peter Austin.

Myers pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

Magistrates adjourned the case for further case management, and Myers was remanded on conditional bail, with a condition that he live and sleep each night at his home address.

He is due to return to court at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 2:00pm.

Crime

Pembroke Dock man remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on string of offences

Published

6 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Harassment charge and three assaults among cases listed for Llanelli court

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing after admitting a series of offences, including harassment and assaults.

Tony Brundrett, aged 21, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard Brundrett has pleaded guilty to harassment without violence, contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act. The charge alleges that between Tuesday (Sep 17) and Thursday (Oct 31) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, he pursued a course of conduct amounting to harassment of a female, including attending her home address and contacting her by text message.

He has also admitted assault by beating against the same female, alleged to have taken place on Wednesday (May 21) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, and a further assault by beating against a second female on Thursday (Oct 30), also at Spring View.

Magistrates were additionally told that Brundrett faces a further allegation of common assault against a third female, said to have occurred on Tuesday (Dec 9) at Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock. No plea was recorded to that matter in the register entry.

Brundrett has also pleaded guilty to a number of offences linked to an incident in Haverfordwest on Saturday (Nov 16). These include:

Aggravated vehicle taking, involving a Vauxhall Corsa, with damage caused before recovery
Using a motor vehicle without insurance
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
Criminal damage, involving a window belonging to Pembrokeshire County Council

He was remanded in custody, with the next hearing listed at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 10:00am.