Mr D Crossling

Haverfordwest and Milford Haven

MR Derek Crossling passed away suddenly, but peacefully on November 10 at Rickeston Mill Nursing Home at the age of 85. Formally of Jury Lane, Haverfordwest and Kensington Court, Milford Haven.

Derek was born in Haverfordwest, to Edgerton and Florence Crossling on February 11 1929. He married Kathleen in 1954, and they celebrated 60 years of married life in March this year. They had one daughter, Pat.

Derek worked for BT until his retirement in 1989. A devoted family man, Derek was at his happiest when surrounded by his family.

Before his illness, he and Kathleen where active members of short mat bowls and BT Retirement Society.

Derek leaves to mourn Kathleen Crossling (wife); Pat and Michael Green (daughter and son-in-law); Simon Green and Lillian Durack (grandson and partner); Ceri and Lee Davies (granddaughter and husband); Rebecca, Evie, Ollie, Leo and Harry (great grandchildren); Judy and Roger Davis (sister and brother-in-law); Anne and Gerald Llewellyn (sisterin- law and brother-in-law), plus numerous nephews, nieces, family and friends.

The funeral took place at Parc Gwyn on November 17.

Father John Davies officiated at the funeral, poems where read by Ceri Davies and Lillian Durack (granddaughters).

The bearers were Michael Green, Simon Green, Lee Davies and Ian Rusinek.

Donations to the Stroke Association c/o Mr Michael Green. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr Glyn Thomas and Son, of Freystrop.

 

Mr G Oliver

Haverfordwest

FROM 1958 to 1999 Gerald Oliver’s unpretentious antique shop at the end of Albany Terrace on St Thomas’s Green was a magnet for a generation of collectors of fine old furniture, local paintings and objects of historic and artistic interest.

Whether calling on business or just for a browse and a chat, every visit was a pleasure.

Gerald’s deep knowledge of antiques and his genial character brought him many friends locally and in the wider antiques trade.

Dealing for so long also allowed him to identify pieces now forgotten but once important furniture makers in west Wales (primarily the notable William Owen of Haverfordwest), which valuable knowledge he was all too happy to pass on to others.

His links to the town stretched far back. His mother Ethel was a Dawkins of Haylett Grange and of the famous old business of Greenish and Dawkins of Commerce House in Market Street. His father, Horace had been a senior officer of the County Council.

Born in 1935 and educated at Dauntcey’s School, Devizes, he won a place at Hertford College, Oxford where he read Philosophy, Politics and Economics. But an interest in motor cars claimed much of his attention, becoming one of the few undergraduates to own one in the 1950s – indeed a gleaming little Lea-Francis sports car, which was his pride and joy.

Antiques however had fascinated him even from schooldays, in particular antique firearms, of which he became an authority and a friend of several famous collectors.

His Oxford days nonetheless were clouded by the great sadness of losing both his parents in the same year when he was 19, hard enough for any person, but more so for an only child.

After gaining his degree, he decided first to be a teacher but one term in the classroom in Swansea convinced him against it.

Embracing then his real vocation, he set up full time in 1957 as antique dealer at the remarkably young age of 22 in a very small shop in Hill Street, before moving the next year to Albany Terrace.

In those early days, he was grateful for the wise advice of John Craggs, the famous dealer in Tenby, whose shop was a treasure house of fine things bought at the many country house dispersal sales in the locality before and after the last War.

From his love of antiques grew an equal fascination for the historic buildings of the town, many of which were then being swept away or harshly modernised.

He became one of the leading campaigners for this vanishing heritage, being a founding member of the Haverfordwest Civic Society and for over 20 years (1981 to 2002) its chairman, being responsible for the submission of many recommendations from the Society to the Council when historic buildings were threatened.

An annual award programme was also set up by the Society under his chairmanship to highlight examples of good conservation work, and a Blue Plaque scheme likewise to draw public attention to buildings of particular importance.

He also wrote a small guide book to the medieval buildings.

His public work was recognised in 1988 when he was elected to the ancient Guild of Freemen of the town.

These interests soon expanded over the whole county.

He was a co-founder of the flourishing Pembrokeshire Historic Buildings Trust, which has allowed many people to appreciate the heritage of the area through organised visits to private properties.

Sadly this valuable public activity was very much reduced by a stroke in 1999.

Though he had to close the shop and was confined to a wheelchair, his friends called on him regularly at his house in Goat Street for cheerful conversation and his many anecdotes of life in Haverfordwest in his younger days.

He remained interested in antiques and all that was going on locally, refusing to be downhearted. A long-held interest in films, film-making and the history of the cinema also kept him fully engaged.

He had been married three times but had no children.

His funeral at historic St Mary’s church on November 18, taken by Rev Nicholas Cale who had known Gerald from his own youth, was attended by many friends and relations, including the Dawkins family now in England, and members of the antiques world in west Wales.

The burial followed at the City Road Cemetery, with many final quiet reflections on a life that had brought pleasure to many and valuable service to the county.

 

Mrs G I Berry

Formerly of Pembroke Dock

MRS Grace Iris Berry one of the last of a generation of the Colvin family of the original King Street, Pembroke Dock passed away recently.

Known as Iris, she was the post wartime sweetheart and eventual loving wife to George, a squaddie from Manchester who made Pembroke Dock more than just a home for them both.

Before that, their family grew a little whilst living in Yorkshire under the wing of elder sister Joan and her husband Dennis, with the birth of daughter Linda in the 50’s and son Colin in the 60’s.

City life was hard at times and with the help of Iris’ mother and siblings - the family eventually settled in Wales, ironically in a post war rebuilt King Street, sharing wonderful moments with the Colvin clan and making many good friends. Iris and George lived in King Street for over 40 years but recently moved to England to be close to Linda.

Iris leaves behind husband George, Linda and Martyn, and Colin and Carole, as well as loving grandchildren, wives and partners, Philip and Beth. Jessica, Michael and Jess, Jack and Emma-jo, plus many many relatives.

A popular member of the Pembroke Dock branch of the Salvation Army in her younger years and a long term employee and member of the Co-op in Pembroke Dock.

Iris died on November 15 at Queens Hospital Nottingham with all of her family present.

All our love from our family and we know Iris would want to thank you all for being her friends.We would wish you to remember Iris as the caring, and jolly person she was known to be.

The funeral was held at Wilford Hill Crematorium, Nottinghamshire on November 24.

Any donations offered in remembrance of Iris will go to the Salvation Army.

These can be made by cheque, made payable to the Salvation Army c/o A. W.

Lymn, with a covering letter or note “in memory of Iris”

and sent to : A. W. Lymn, West Bridgeford Office, Rutland House, West Bridgford, Notinghamshire, NG2 6EP

 

Mrs J John

Narberth

THE death occurred of Mrs Joyce John of Coxhill, Narberth at Withybush Hospital on October 24. She was 72.

Originally from Begelly she was an office administrator in DJ Morrisons and Woolworths in Tenby, then James Williams, Narberth until her retirement. She was also a civilian volunteer at Narberth Police Station.

Her interests included her family and friends, reading, knitting, puzzles and crosswords, gardening, especially the greenhouse, she baked for everyone, attended the coffee mornings and trips with Narberth Senior Citizens, and listening to all types of music.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Vanessa, David, Steven (children); Ruby (granddaughter); Jean and Mike (sister and brother-in-law). Unable to attend were David and Ruby.

The service was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium and was officiated by Rev Elwyn John.

The bearers were Darren Thomas, Calum O’Connell, Christopher O’Connell and John O’Connell.

Donations in lieu for Breast Cancer Research c/o E C Thomas and Son, Zoar Chapel , Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH who also carried out the funeral arrangements.

 

Mrs I Scott

Lamphey

ON Monday November 3 family and friends gathered at Lamphey Parish Church for the funeral of Irene Scott, who was 92 years old.

The beautiful meaningful service was led by the Ven Graham Davies, the organist was Margaret Phillips, lessons read by Rev Caroline Wood and a reading from Celtic Prayer, read by Eira Barrett. Interment followed in the churchyard.

Irene was born and brought up at Lower Farm, Lamphey, enjoying excellent health attributed to her outdoor farming life.

During the war she was a familiar figure, along with her horse Darling, around Pembroke and Pembroke Dock with her milk round.

Irene met and married the late Bob Scott in Lamphey and had two children, four grandsons and was the proud great gran of four.

Being very much a peoples person she threw herself into village life, being a founder member of the WI, a member of the Mothers’ Union and enjoyed all church activities.

Later in life she became the relief custodian at Lamphey Palace, enjoying visitors stories, being surrounded by nature and feeding the birds from her hand.

Irene will be sadly missed by her family, friends and her neighbours who were all very kind and supportive.

The principal family members left to mourn are Gillian David (daughter and son-in-law); John and Anne (son and daughter-in-law); grandchildren Paul, Andrew and Elisa, Ian and Philip and great grandchildren Chloe, Kayleigh, Leon and Layla.

The bearers were life long neighbours David Cole, Newton Thomas, Andrew Skeels and Howard Richards.

Donations for The British Heart Foundation and Lamphey Church may be sent to John Roberts and Son, 51 Bush Street, Pembroke Dock who carried out the funeral arrangements.