Obituaries published June 1st 2005

MRS M. G. NICHOLAS NARBERTH (Formerly of Templeton) The death occurred on April 29th, at Withybush Hospital, of Mrs Margaret Gwendoline Nicholas, of Sunnybank Residential House, Narberth (formerly of Hillside Terrace, Templeton), aged 84. Mrs Nicholas was a native of Whitland and moved to Templeton when she married her late husband Eddie Nicholas, who ran the coal business. Gwen's main interests were her family, bingo, gardening and baking and she was a member of Templeton United Reformed chapel. Predeceased by her husband, Richard Edward Nicholas, in June 1985, she leaves to mourn: Pam Khull (daughter); David and Anne, Richard and Shirley, Clive and Jayne (sons and daughters-in-law); Dewi and Jessie, Aeron and Haulwen (brothers and sisters-in-law); Joyce and Jock (sister and brother-in-law); Olwen Phillips (sister-in-law); together with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The funeral took place on Friday, May 20th, at Templeton United Reformed chapel and was conducted by Rev Hywel Brown. Bearers were: Jason Nicholas (grandson), David Belt, Rhys Davies, Huw Davies, Richard Evans and Adrian Evans. Principal mourners were: Pam Khull (daughter); David and Anne, Richard and Shirley, Clive and Jayne (sons and daughters-in-law); Charles, Gavin, Paul and Jason (grandsons), along with Lynsey, Bridie and Caroline (partners); Debbie, Tanya and Lynsey (granddaughters), along with Bobby, Richard and Wayne (partners); Dewi and Jessie (brother and sister-in-law); Joyce and Jock (sister and brother-in-law); together with nieces and nephews too numerous to mention. Unable to attend were: Aeron and Haulwen (brother and sister-in-law); Olwen Phillips (sister-in-law); Bobby, Bethany and Hayley; Dougie Evans. There were family flowers only, with donations, for Sunnybank Residential Home, Narberth, which may be sent to Stewart Treharne, of E. C. Thomas and Son, funeral directors, Archways, Green Plains, Stepaside, Narberth, who carried out the funeral arrangements.

MR R. BROADHEAD PEMBROKE DOCK The death occurred on Friday, May 20th, at Withybush Hospital, of Mr Robert Broadhead, of 20 Dorset Row, Llanion Park, Pembroke Dock, aged 66. Mr Broadhead had lived in the West Midlands and Pembrokeshire and had worked in management positions in the West Midlands and in the construction industry, in Pakistan, Holland, Norway and Iraq, being held hostage for nine months, being released in December 1990. He also worked on a project in the Royal Dockyard, Plymouth. Robert had served in the RAF in Britain and Goch, Germany, and his main interests were fishing, boating, travel, especially in India and was a former member of Edgebaston Tennis Club, Birmingham. He leaves to mourn: Christine Carvill (long time companion); Alan (brother); Julie and Mary, Canada (sisters); Richard (nephew); Rachel, Viveka and Alicia (nieces); and very many good friends. The funeral took place on May 27th, at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, and was conducted by Father Paul Davies. Bearers were Alan (brother) and Richard (nephew). Principal mourners were: Christine Carvill (long time companion); Alan (brother); Julie and Mary, Canada (sisters); Richard (nephew); Rachel, Viveka and Alicia (nieces); Mr and Mrs Charles Talbot; Chris Talbot; Nicholas Talbot; Pamela Talbot; and many good friends. Donations to ward ten, Withybush Hospital, c/o Mr Graham Thomas, 31 Charles Thomas Avenue, Pembroke Dock. Funeral arrangements were carried out by E. C. Thomas and Son, 31 Stockwell Road, Pembroke Dock.

MRS M. E. BADHAM HOOK The death occurred on Thursday, May 19th, of Mrs Mary Elizabeth (Molly) Badham, of 6 Greenway, Hook. Mrs Badham had been a patient at the Pembroke Haven Residential Home for the last 18 months and until a matter of weeks before her death was a remarkably active 92 year old. Her husband, Tom Badham, predeceased her in February of this year, the couple having recently celebrated 72 years of marriage. Mrs Badham was born and brought up in Ogmore Vale, Glamorgan, although both her mother and father were born in Hook and the neighbouring locality. As a young woman, Mrs Badham went into service with a well-known London family, before coming to live in Hook to assist her aunt in the running of the village shop. It was here she met her husband, Tom, who although a native of the Saundersfoot area, came to Hook to work as a collier in the local anthracite mine. Mrs Badham devoted her life to the raising of her four children and in those early years supplemented family income by taking part in seasonal work provided on local farms and the then thriving Little Milford nursery. Here she enjoyed the camaraderie of those she worked alongside and even shortly before her death could tell stories of those by gone days recalling difficult times with an infectious sense of fun. Mrs Badham had always admired the nursing profession and once her family did not need day-to-day support, she became a nursing auxiliary and worked for many years at the then County, Withybush and St Thomas Hospitals. This period of her life Mrs Badham found very fulfilling and, in retrospect, often described those days as among the most significant of her life. Mrs Badham always played an active and full part in village life, being a prominent member of Mount Zion Chapel and all the activities which centred on the church. She was a leading member of the village Women's Institute; the Pensioners' Association and a member of the village social club, where she spent many a happy hour playing bingo with a wide circle of friends. In fact, there was not an organisation or event in the village which she failed to offer her wholehearted support. Mrs Badham was an enthusiastic cook and gardener and over the years won many prizes at local shows. At one time she served as the local correspondent for the Western Telegraph. Mrs Badham was an outgoing, gregarious person with a wonderful sense of humour and a great pride in her personal appearance. something in which she held great store even into her 90s. She is survived by two daughters, June Folland and Janet Howells and two sons Anthony and Nigel Badham. Cremation took place on Wednesday, May 25th, at Parc Gwyn, when a service at the crematorium was conducted by Rev Colin Foreman, of Mount Zion, Hook, assisted by Rev Stephen Woods, a family friend. The principal mourners were: Mr and Mrs Roy Folland; Mr and Mrs Richard Howells (daughters and sons-in-law) Mr Anthony Badham (son) and Mr Nigel Badham and Miss Samantha Rossiter (son and partner) Also present were grandchildren Janet, Julie, Robin, Kate, Samantha and Steven and their families. Also left to mourn are great-grandchildren Jess, Dani, Ryan, Darren, Nancy, Nial, James, George and Evan. Also at the service were Mrs Trevor Badham and Julie (sister-in-law and niece) together with many friends from the village of Hook and the surrounding area; also representatives of the Pembroke Haven Residential Home, where Mrs Badham had been cared for since her health had began to fail. There were flowers from the immediate family only. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Roy Folland and Son of Haverfordwest.

MR R. THOMAS HAVERFORDWEST The funeral took place on May 23rd, at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, of Mr Roy Thomas, of 15 Beechlands Park, Glenover Fields, Haverfordwest, whose death occurred on May 16th. He had been a patient in Withybush Hospital for two weeks and previously at Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen, where he was a patient for approximately nine weeks. He was 67. Rev A. G. Vaughan officiated at the service. He served as a Full Bombardier and was a bus driver, leaving in 1995. His interests were cycling and cars. He leaves to mourn his partner Gail Brady, of Monkton; Michael and Helen (son and daughter-in-law); Emma and Chris, Samantha and Terry (daughters and sons-in-law); Paul and family; David and family; Gerald and family.

MRS A. THOMAS HAVERFORDWEST The funeral of Mrs Ann Thomas, of 3 Upper Market Street, Haverfordwest, formerly of Min-yr-Awel, Efailwen, took place on May 20th. A family service was held in the Chapel of Rest, Dartmouth Road, Milford Haven, officated by Rev Price, followed by a public service at Parc Gwyn Crematorium officiated by Rev Eirian Wyn Lewis. Prayers were given by Rev T. H. Mudd and a eulogy was given by her daughter, Hayley Thomas. The organists were Mr Peter Griffiths and Miss Jill Morgan. Mrs Thomas, who was 61, died on May 14th in Withybush Hospital, where she had been a patient for seven weeks. Ann had struggled with her health for many years and her courage, determination and strength of spirit were an inspiration to her family and friends. Ann had limitless energy and a zest for life. She was born in Haverfordwest and lived in Pembrokeshire all her life. She was educated in Maenclochog School. She married Paul in 1973 and raised their two daughters, Susan and Hayley in Min-yr-Awel, Efailwen. She retired as a coach driver in 1993 and had previously worked in Watts Bakery and in several hotels in the Tenby area. She was a talented baker. Ann loved music, she was a gifted singer and piano player. She had a wonderful and powerful alto voice and sang with Rhydwilym Chapel. She dedicated her life to her family. She was selfless, popular, cheerful with a bubbling sense of humour and an infectious laugh. She leaves to mourn her husband Paul Thomas; Susan and Phillip Lloyd (daughter and son-in-law); Hayley Thomas and Matthew Willis (daughter and partner); Gareth and Katherine Lloyd (grandchildren); Flo Howells (mother), Hubert Davies, Mwynlan Evans, Rose James, (brother and sisters). In attendance were many family and friends. The bearers were Hubert Davies, Hedley Evans, Phillip Lloyd and Matthew Willis. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing and Sons Ltd. There were family flowers only. Donations in lieu to Withybush Hospital, c/o Tom Newing and Sons Ltd, Dartmouth Street, Milford Haven.

MR W. L. PHILLIPS NEW ZEALAND (Formerly Hubberston) Many local relatives, friends and ex-service colleagues will be sad to hear of the death of William Leonard (Len) Phillips. Aged 81, he died at Cranford Hospice, Hastings, North Island, New Zealand. Len was from one of the old Hubberston families, born and brought up on The Poultry Farm, and enjoyed sport in his youth, especially his cricket with the village team. In later life, he went on to join the RAF, serving in overseas postings. On his retirement from the RAF, Len and his wife Joyce made a new career and their home in New Zealand, where their son and daughter-in-law Roger and Sue had settled. Len also leaves grandchildren, Marion and Tony, and sister Margaret. A service was held at the Dunstall Memorial Chapel in Napier, followed by cremation and interment in the ex-serviceman's cemetery.

MRS S. SHAW PEMBROKE DOCK THE funeral took place on Friday, May 20th, of Mrs Sheila Shaw, of 19 Elizabeth Court, Pembroke Dock, who died on Friday, May 13th. She was 77. The service at St John's Church, Pembroke Dock, was conducted by Rev Andrew Davies and followed by interment at Llanion Cemetery with her husband George, who died in 1995. The bearers were Russell Goldsmith; Lee Goldsmith; Mark McMurray and Ashley McMurray (nephews). The chief mourners were: Irene James (sister); Dinky and Tom Hewlett (sister and brother-in-law); Terry and Maureen Goldsmith (brother and sister-in-law) Rita McMurray (sister); together with nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and friends and neighbours. In her younger days Sheila enjoyed ballroom dancing and playing darts and in later years she enjoyed gardening and crosswords. She always loved spending time with friends and family. The funeral arrangements were carried out by John Roberts and Son funeral directors, of 51 Bush Street, Pembroke Dock.