Mr T I M Frazer

Manorbier

MR Timothy Ian Michael Frazer (known as Tim) of Sunnyhill Farm, Manorbier, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 19 aged 84.

He was born in 1932 the third of four children to Major Alan and Mrs Doris Frazer of Broadmoor Farm, Talbenny, moving with his family to Chester in 1936, due to his father taking up a post as Area Supervisor with the Potato Marketing Board. He was educated at Kings School, Chester where he was an active member of the school Rugby team and excelled in the rowing club.

He was also a chorister with Chester Cathedral Choir which in later life caused much amusement as he was not known for singing ability.

His love of Pembrokeshire was nurtured and maintained by the frequent family holidays visiting the extended family in the county which he always considered home.

His time spent on family farms during those Pembrokeshire holidays lead to him developing a lifelong interest in farming and taking up a place at Reaseheath Agricultural College. He served his apprenticeship and worked on various farms in Cheshire.

During this time, it was decided that he should live with his sister Shirley due to his parents aversion to the strong agricultural fragrance that often followed him after a busy day on the farm. He took every opportunity to visit Pembrokeshire, his record travel time between Chester and Pembroke in a Landrover held together with baler twine has proved to be difficult to achieve even today. He was in Pembroke so often that he was considered a resident and became Chairman of South Pembrokeshire Young Farmers Club.

During one of these trips he met his future wife and soul mate Margaret, who sadly passed away aged 52 in 1985, they married in St Ishmaels in 1954 starting their married life at Greenacres Farm, Manorbier where they were to have their three children; Michael Ruth and John.

In 1961 they bought the neighbouring farm Sunnyhill.

They moved in during one of the harshest winters in memory, the only water supply being from melted snow and ice. Despite the hardships of that winter they overcame major obstacles and opened Sunnyhill as a Guest House in the spring of 1962. From then then on he did not look back, growing the farming business right up until his death in January.

He was always an active member of the community becoming Chairman of Pembroke NFU; Chairman of the Pembrokeshire County Arable Committee; member of Pembroke Farmers Club he also served on the Manorbier Community Bus Committee.

His other interests were developed as a member of Pembroke Round Table, Pembroke Rotary and Probus clubs. He was a member of the Manorbier Church community donating the fence surrounding the Church yard. He was a volunteer of over 20 years with WRVS County Cars. He thoroughly enjoyed this role providing a transport service throughout the county and meeting the various passengers developing a close friendship with many.

He was a keen traveller and took great pleasure in visiting farms abroad with his many friends, he also enjoyed international adventures with his cousin Pat Russel to destinations all over the world.

A large gathering of family and friends attended a service of celebration for his life at St. James’s, Manorbier followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn which was officiated by the Reverend Alex Grace.

The bearers were Nicky Roberts, Kyle Davies, Patrick Russell, George Rees, Martin Ellis and Jonathon Large and Sue Davies provided flowers in the church.

Principal mourners were Michael and Julie (son and daughter-in-law); Ruth and Tim (daughter and son-inlaw); John and Liz (son and daughter-in- law); Kathryn, Nicola, Emily, David, Sarah, Laura and William (grandchildren); Rosie (great granddaughter); Helen and Peter (sister and brother-in-law); unable to attend was Shirley (sister) due to ill health.

He was predeceased by his sister Jean.

The eulogy was delivered by David, with Emily and Sarah presenting the readings.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by John Roberts and Son of Pembroke Dock.

Mr D Jones

Pembroke Dock

Mr Dennis Jones, formerly of Bush Street, Pembroke Dock sadly passed away on June 16.

He was 88.

He had been in poor health for some time but fought hard against it and is now at peace.

Dennis worked at The Power Station for many years and also as a security guard and in the building industry until he retired.

His main interests were being with his daughter, Val and his gardening.

He had been predeceased by his wife Dora in 2011.

The family left to mourn are Valerie (daughter); brothers Idris and family, Fred and family; sisters Dolly and family; Dave (brother-in-law) and family together with nephews, nieces and work colleagues too numerous to mention.

The funeral service was held at St. John’s Church, Pembroke Dock and it was followed by interment at Llanion Cemetery.

There were family flowers only, but if desired, donations in lieu in memory of Dennis for Dementia Care, The British Heart Foundation or Cancer Research may be sent to John Roberts & Son, Funeral Directors, 51, Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6AN who also carried out the arrangements.

Mr W J Richards

Whitland

IF testimony were needed to the respect, esteem and affection widely felt for Mr William John Richards of Lon Hywel, North Road, Whitland, who died peacefully on Wednesday May 10, it was powerfully manifested in the large number at his funeral on Wednesday May 17 at the English Congregational Chapel, Whitland.

John, who was well-known throughout the three counties, particularly by members of the farming community, Fire Brigade colleagues and Milk Factory workmates, was universally popular.

When he left Whitland Council School aged 14 he started work as an apprentice in the Milk Factory, where his father was an engineer.

He later spent a brief period as a shunter at the local GWR locomotive depot, and was called up for National Service spending two years in the Royal Artillery at Dover Castle. He returned to work at the factory handling the milk churns which a fleet of lorries collected daily from local farm, following which he became a driver collecting the churns from milk stands throughout the area, a job which put him in direct contact with scores of farmers who became his friends, his cheerful, polite and helpful nature endearing him to all with whom he came in contact.

It was John who collected the final churns, which became redundant when the outdated system ended in the introduction of tankers, which he drove until his retirement shortly before his 65th birthday.

He thrived on hard work and combined his driving with service as a Retained Firefighter for some years, turning out for many major incidents, among them the fatal explosion and fire aboard the tanker ‘Pointsman’ at Milford Docks. Fire fighting was his passion and he was somewhat lost when compulsory retirement at 55 ended this important phase in his life. When he retired from the Milk Factory he felt fit enough to do more than tend his beloved lawns and potted flowers, and went to work as a driver handyman for Riverlea at Crymych, where he resumed interaction with the farming industry, collecting and delivering tractor parts and farm machinery until his eventual retirement at the age of 81, when ill-health affected his wife Ann, to whom he was devoted.

A faithful member and Deacon of the English Congregational Chapel, he was very proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, rejoicing in their achievements and personalities.

He was a beloved “Gramps” who will be sadly missed.

The funeral service was officiated by the Revd Martin Spain, assisted by the Revds Guto Llewellyn of Tabernacle, Whitland, Beti Wyn James of Priordy, Carmarthen, and Jonathan Kirk of Ebenezer, Haverfordwest.

The Revd Spain delivered a glowing tribute, Elin Llwyd (granddaughter) read a piece of Dylan Thomas prose and Ben Richards (grandson) sang “Ei Gwmni Ef,” by Eric Jones.

The principal mourners and family left to mourn were Mrs Ann Richards (wife); Chris and Huw Lloyd (daughter and son-in-law); Stewart and Jill Richards (son and daughter-in-law); Ceri and Elin Llwyd, Ben and Joe Richards (grandchildren); Cai and Llew Rees (great grandchildren); Val Richards (sister-in-law); Gareth, Ken and Liz Richards (nephews and niece); Gaynor and John Lewis (niece and husband); Richard, Emma and Abbie (great nephew, partner and great niece); David and Jennifer (cousins).

Unable to attend were Yvonne John (niece), David and Hailey John (great nephew and wife).

The bearers were three serving firefighters and three retired Fire Brigade colleagues and interment was made at Soar Cemetery, Whitland. Refreshments were provided at Tabernacle Chapel Vestry and the funeral arrangements were carried out by Ken Davies and Sons, Clynderwen. There were family flowers with donations towards the Fire Brigade Benevolent Fund.