Mr I C Jenkins

Haverfordwest

THE funeral, with full Fire Fighter’s Honours, took place at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth on July 28, of Ian Christopher Jenkins or Chipo as everyone knew him.

The much loved, eldest son of Mike and Gwen Jenkins, of Scarrowscant Lane, Haverfordwest, was predeceased by his brother Andrew who died aged 44 years old, just 8 years ago.

Chipo grew up in Haverfordwest, and was a popular boy who attended Mount Airey School and Haverfordwest VC, from where he won a place at Haverfordwest Boys Grammar School. He had already decided at the age of seven that his future was going to be in the Fire Service, and after a short spell working on the site where the new Withybush Hospital was being built, he applied for and was successful in joining the Pembrokeshire Fire Brigade, at the age of 18.

He served 32 years in the service, which became the Mid and West Wales Fire Brigade, and rose to the rank of Station Officer, before taking early retirement at the age of 50 years old. During his career he was in charge of the Marine Rescue Unit. The members of the Unit were brought together and formed into a highly successful team by his leadership. His management skills and regard for the Fire Fighters under his command, gained him the utmost respect, and those colleagues who became friends, have remained friends for life. His bearers were close friends Steve Myatt, Eoin MacDougall, Dai Court (all retired Fire Fighters) and Arthur Thomas (great friend and golfing roommate).

After his retirement he worked for the Haverfordwest Town Council where he was one of the caretaking team of The Picton Centre, Haverfordwest. During the summer months he worked for the Racecourse Committee, as a groundsman cutting grass, and he thoroughly loved this outdoor life.

Chipo loved all sport. He played golf, cricket and football, but became more involved with cricket when the Haverfordwest Cricket Club opened in 1977. He played a vital role in the club’s development.

He played cricket and football for the club, and could always be called upon to lend a hand, he ran the tote for many years and was one of the club’s youngest committee members. Once his playing days were over, he supported the club in other ways, and was a tireless worker.

His open and honest approach to life was admired by all who knew him. He could communicate across all ages and boundaries. From the youngsters he coached at football, through to the older members of the community, who he would quite often help out, by doing their decorating or other household repairs.

When diagnosed with cancer, Chipo battled his illness with great courage and dignity, and never allowed it to interfere with his life. He was uncomplaining and was highly regarded by those medical professionals with whom he came into contact.

He was an important member of the community, honoured, admired and appreciated by all who knew him.

His friends will miss his wit and generosity of spirit and wicked sense of humour. At the age of 54 he has been taken from us far too soon.

He leaves to mourn Mike and Gwen Jenkins his loving parents; his two children, Jack and Ellen, of whom he was immensely proud; Chris his devoted partner, and her family Simon, Sam and Erin.

He will be sadly missed by his many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Donations for The Fire Fighters Charity and Paul Sartori Foundation can be sent c/o Mr Nigel John, 44 Heritage Gate, Haverfordwest, SA61 2RF.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Roy Folland and Son, Haverfordwest.

The service of celebration and thanksgiving for his life was led by Rev Fr Marcus Zipperlan, with unique and genuine tributes delivered by Stuart Williams and Steve Myatt.The family were grateful to the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Haverfordwest Fire Station who provided the Ceremonial Colour Party.

 

Mr E Hackett

Milford Haven

MR Edward Hackett, known affectionately to everyone as Ted, from Milford Haven died peacefully and painlessly at South Pembrokeshire Hospital on July 23 following a short illness, he was 77.

Ted was born in Haverfordwest and spent his early years in Horns Lane before the family moved to Milton Crescent in Milford Haven where he attended Milford Haven Grammar School. Ted joined British Telecom (then the GPO) in 1954 as a Youth In Training continuing with his education simultaneously at Neyland Technical College.

During this time he also completed his National Service in the Royal Corps of Signals until1958. From 1961 he studied at the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (UWIST) in Cardiff and graduated in 1965 with Bachelor of Science Degree and was elected as a Member of the Institute for Electrical Engineers, (MIEE) and a Charted Electrical Engineer.

He was then assigned as Executive Engineer in the Civil and Mechanical Engineering branch of Telecoms Headquarters and settled in Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire.

Ted was employed by BT in the Wembley area as a Development Engineer on External Design and Development.

As part of that work he also used Bletchley Park for certain experiments on equipment he was designing, some of which is still in use today. During the period 1971- 1974 he assisted in research into the evaluation of telephonists training at the Middlesex Polytechnic at Hendon.

When the research was completed in 1975 he obtained a Masters Degree in Philosophy and became Undergraduate Training Manager for the whole of BT overseeing undergraduate students who were sponsored by BT to go to University to study engineering or sciences. Ted retired from BT in 1988 and returned to Milford Haven and became a familiar face at Hakin Motors helping his sister, Ruth and her husband Billy Culleton in the garage business.

Ted was an avid stamp collector, (and previously a dealer) with particular interest in collecting plates of the Victorian Penny Red which he had developed over many years.

He also enjoyed playing chess and had played at county level for Buckinghamshire. In the years following retirement, Ted played pool for Bunkers Hill and the Avondale in the Coastal League. Ted was also introduced to the world of genealogy and family history and pursuing this interest lead him to be elected Chairman of the Dyfed Family History Society for a time.

He undertook family history research extensively on his own family as well as undertaking individual research for many friends interested in the subject. He enjoyed classical music particularly but also had a fondness for the Beatles.

He was a typical ‘Boffin’ who could calculate to decimal places and fractions in his head with his sharp mathematical brain.

The funeral was held on July 31 at Christ Church, Milford Haven officiated by the Reverend Hugh-John Wilson followed by internment at Milford Haven Cemetery.

Left to mourn are Maureen, (partner); David, Nicola and Jason, (son, daughter and step-son); Nathaniel, Jessica and Christian, (grandchildren); Ruth, (sister) along with many nephews and nieces and friends.

Maureen and the family were grateful to the staff at South Pembrokeshire Hospital Sunderland Ward for the tender care and attention that Ted received in his final days.

 

Mr J Knight

Haverfordwest

JOHN Knight, fondly known as Jack, of Dunsany Park, Haverfordwest, died peacefully aged 91 on June 19 at Withybush Hospital.

Jack was born in 1924 in Nottage, Porthcawl. Soon after he moved to Gwynfe in Carmarthenshire, where he went to the village school and later gained entry to Llandovery Secondary School.

He left school aged 15 and worked on farms in the area until he moved to The Rhos, Pembrokeshire, in 1943. Jack worked at Picton Home Farm for several years before being offered a post at Picton Castle Farm, and was responsible for the prize-winning milking herd of Ayrshire cows.

The estate included Rose Castle Farm and it was there that a herd of Polled Hereford cattle was introduced. Jack was invited to take on the running of this farm and its special herd, and with this came a move to Rose Castle Farm.

During the war years, Jack was in a ‘reserved occupation’ and he joined the Home Guard, serving in the local platoon as a Lance Corporal.

On leaving Rose Castle he bought ‘The Bwythen’ on Bethany Row, Haverfordwest.

After some 30 years in agriculture, Jack joined the Post Office as a postman, where he worked until his retirement.

Whilst living on Bethany Row, he met Margaret, who he married, and soon after adopted Timothy and Elizabeth, and later Simon and Philip. Jack and Margaret lived very happily together for 38 years at their home in Dunsany Park until Margaret’s death in 2010.

Jack had a great interest in current and world affairs. He was a lifelong member of the Labour Party and when he was 90 he was honoured with a ‘Merit Award’ for his support and work for the party over many years.

During his retirement, Jack enjoyed holidays abroad and socialising with his family, many friends and neighbours.

He was a keen and talented gardener, and took great pleasure from the natural world. He was a true ‘gentle’ man who had a wonderfully kind heart. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.

The family left to mourn are Timothy Knight (son), and Jo Gill, Elizabeth Knight (daughter) and Tom Jamieson, Daniel Knight (grandson) and Lydia Britton, Winnie Evans (sister), David and Eirys Evans (nephew and niece), John and Christine Evans (nephew and niece) John and Ann Reeve (brother-in-law and sister-inlaw), Tony and Hazel Bowen (brother-in-law and sister-inlaw), many great nephews and nieces and a great-great nephew who Jack was so proud to meet.

The funeral took place on June 26 at Parc Gwyn. The service was officiated by Huw George and the bearers were Timothy and Daniel Knight, John Evans and Tom Jamieson.

Donations for Amnesty International may be sent C/O Executive Centre, Temple Court, Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9HA. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Roy Folland and Son of Haverfordwest.