MR. B. THOMAS
ST. FLORENCE
After a very long fight against cancer, Brian Thomas passed away peacefully at his home, Carswell, St. Florence, on Saturday, November 15.
Brian was born at Rhydygath, Llanfyrnych, North Pembs. He achieved a BSc in mechanical engineering at Cardiff University and then served as an officer in REME for his National Service. After that, he returned home to farm Vaynor outside Narberth and was an active member of the Llawhaden Young Farmers.
Brian married Betty Hughes in 1954. Together they formed a successful farming partnership, first at Bank Farm, Cosheston. During their time at Bank Farm, they were noted for their breeding of pedigree Landrace pigs. In 1963, they moved to Carswell, St. Florence. In 1981, their son David joined them in their farming enterprise.
At Carswell, Brian successfully developed a local market for second earlies and main crop potatoes (selling under the name 'Old House'). Brian's passionate belief in the importance of growing a 'good tasty' potato drove him to promote the commercial survival of Maris Peer, a variety of potato which the National Institute of Agricultural Botany were wanting to designate as 'outclassed'.
Brian's interest in sheep farming led to the establishment of a pedigree Texel flock. He and Betty were active supporters of the South Wales branch of the Texel Society. Nationally, Brian held the posts of treasurer and president.
As an elected representative for agriculture, Brian had a long association with, initially the West Wales River Authority and then the Welsh Water Authority. For a number of years, he was appointed chairman of the finance committee at the authority headquarters in Brecon. Brian's aim was always to represent the needs of farming and the wider community.
Brian was laid to rest at the lovely old church of St. Florence on Friday, November 21. A very large congregation of family and friends gathered together for the service of thanksgiving which was conducted by the Rector, the Rev. Victor Millgate. Prayers were led by the Rev. Robin Webley. Tributes were paid by Jim Warnock, who also read the psalm, Tony Williams and Graham Jones. The wonderful, rich singing was beautifully led by the organist, Yvonne Morgan.
The bearers, sheep farming friends of Brian, were Gwyn Davies (Caebetran), Gwyn Davies (Trefere), Bill John, Eirwen Morgan, Paul Monaghan and Adrian Windsor.
Unable to attend the funeral were his Australian nieces and nephews, Jill, Martin, Brian, Barbara and their families, Anne and Jack Mark, his cousins in New Zealand, Sir John Gains and Ronald (Proff) Morris and his wife Helen.
Brian will be sadly missed by Betty, his son and daughter, David and Elisabeth, his son-in-law Derek and his grandchildren Jennifer and Alistair.
There were family flowers only, with donations in lieu for the Chemotherapy Day Unit, Withybush Hospital, and Saundersfoot District Nurses Fund, and may be sent to E. C. Thomas and Son, Funeral Directors, 'Archways', Green Plains, Stepaside, who carried out the funeral arrangements.
MRS. E. E. M. WATKINS
TENBY
The funeral took place on November 24 of Mrs. Ethel Elizabeth Maureen Watkins (Hetti), of The Glebe, Tenby, who passed away peacefully at Belmont Court Nursing and Residential Home on November 16. She had been a resident there since May.
Aged 92, Hetti was a native of Tenby where she had lived for all of her life.
Hetti spent most of her working life as a housewife looking after her family, together with various working positions in local hotels. Hetti also looked after other people's children, and became affectionately known as Granny Watkins.
In her later life, she enjoyed all the social clubs she attended, bingo and foreign holidays. Hetti would often be seen out at lunch with her friend Molly Page and afterwards on the benches on the South Parade talking with locals and visitors alike.
Hetti was predeceased by her husband Kenneth in November 1964 and sons Peter and Anthony, daughter Jillian and grandson Kevin.
Hetti is survived by her children, Raymond Watkins (son), Elizabeth Watkins (daughter), Roger and Doreen Watkins, Philip and Wendy Watkins, Simon and Christine Watkins, (sons and daughters-in-law), Ivy Watkins, Mo Watkins (daughters-in-law), 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral service took place at St. Mary's Church, Tenby, followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn, Narberth, conducted by the Rev. Andrew Davies. Interment of Hetti's ashes took place on Tuesday in the grave of her late husband, Kenneth, at Tenby cemetery.
Bearers were Messrs. Stephen Watkins, James Watkins (grandsons), Duane Rossiter and Robert Beynon (great-grandsons), Peter Bush and Mark Greasley (granddaughters' partners).
Principal mourners were: Raymond Watkins (son); Roger and Doreen Watkins (son and daughter-in-law); Philip and Wendy Watkins (son and daughter-in-law); Elizabeth Watkins (daughter); Simon and Christine Watkins (son and daughter-in-law); Mo Watkins (daughter-in-law); Margaret Watkins (late grandson's wife); together with grandchildren and their partners, Trevina and Peter Bush, Wendy and Mark Hallet, Steve Watkins, Jennette and Hugh Scale, Stephen Watkins, Jillian and Steve Sutton, Michelle Watkins, Melissa Watkins, Holly Watkins, Heidi Watkins and Mark Greasley, James Watkins, Jacqueline Harries (niece) and many of her great-grandchildren, cousins, friends and neighbours too numerous to mention.
Unable to attend were Ivy Watkins (daughter-in-law), Nigel and Sheila Boggis (nephew and wife) and Shaun Bowmer (granddaughter's husband).
There were family flowers only, with floral tributes received as follows: To Mum, always in our hearts, we will always remember you, Phillip and Wendy; We will miss your lovely smile and our little chats, we won't say goodbye, for you will always be with us, till we meet again, love you Mum, Roger and Doreen; To Mam, will love and miss you, love as always, Liz; We are grateful and proud that you were our Mum, your presence we will miss, but you will be in our hearts forever, love you Mum, Simon and Christine; In loving memory of my dear Mam, you will be forever missed, lots of love Ray; Mam, in loving memory, rest in peace, love Ivy; Will always lovingly remember you, Mo and Steve; Not just my Gran, my friend too, miss you, love you, always thinking of you, Melissa, Shaun and boys; To our dear Granny, at peace with lovely memories, you will always be in our thoughts, we love and miss you so much, love Trevina, Pete, Cerys and Aaron; With fondest memories of our dear Granny, with all our love, Holly, Heidi, Mark and Luke; You will be missed, with love Michelle, Jack, Robert and Kerri; Granny, through the tears the smile comes, as do my memories of you, always in our hearts, RIP, love Jillian and Steve; A very special Gran, I will miss those cups of tea and chats, love and miss you, Jennette and Hugh; Love and miss you always Granny, James; Granny, you are always in our thoughts and forever in our hearts, loved and missed Stephen and Lynne; Granny, not a day will pass when we will not be thinking of you, rest in peace, love you always, Duane and Abi; To Granny, always in our thoughts, love always, Wendy, Mark and Nicole; Dear Granny Ethel, we will miss you, love and kisses, Lois and Tudor; To Great Granny, always miss you, always be in my memories and dreams, Lucy and Marg; In loving memory of my Aunt Het, God rest, love Jacqueline; Great Granny, you may be gone, but never forgotten, love Jemma and Stuart; Great Granny, until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand, precious memories, love Aaron and Kirsty; Always in our thoughts, love forever, Alexandra, James, Stephanie, Paul, Jessica, Thomas, Christopher and Grant; Great Granny, your memory is my keepsake with which I'll never part, God has you in his keeping, I have you in my heart, love Scott; Great Granny, we hold you close within our hearts and there you will remain, cherished memories, love always Natasha, Seal and Leo; Great Great Granny Ethel, we may not have known you long, but in our hearts you will always go on, Summer and Kane; Good night, God bless Hetti, with love Yvonne, Ian and family (Trelewis); In loving memory of Hetty, from matron, staff and residents of Belmont Court.
Donations in lieu may be made, if desired, to the RNLI Tenby branch, c/o the funeral directors, Messrs. W. and M. J. Rossiter and Sons Ltd., The Old Rectory The Norton, Tenby.
MRS. J. M. BOOKER
TENBY
Family and friends of Mrs. Joan Booker gathered at St. Mary's Church, Tenby, on Tuesday, December 2, to celebrate and give thanks for her long and happy life. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. Michael John. Mrs. Booker died at Withybush Hospital on November 25, aged 87.
A lifelong Tenby resident, having been born in Church House in 1921, Joan (nee Thomas) married Arthur Booker at St. Mary's in 1943 and was widowed five years after her Golden Wedding in 1998.
As well as being devoted to her two daughters and their families, Joan was a much-loved 'Aunty' to many Tenby children as the first supervisor of the Tenby Playgroup. She was also a keen member of St. Mary's Mothers Union and the local Townswomen's Guild, served as a volunteer helper at Tenby Museum and in later years enjoyed spending Saturday afternoons as a steward at St. Mary's sharing her love and knowledge of the church with many of its visitors.
Joan never ceased to delight in the life and colour of Tenby, whether sharing one of the Parade benches with her great friend Margaret Edwards or quietly enjoying the view of the harbour and North Beach from a seat by the Wishing Well. She continued to live independently until fracturing her hip a few days before she died and is survived by Gill and Bob, Julie, Tim and Jayne, Jo and Tim, Nick, Clare and great-grandchildren Charlotte and Dylan.
Donations in memory of Joan can be made to 'Tenovus', c/o the funeral directors, Messrs W. and M. J. Rossiter and Sons Ltd., The Old Rectory, The Norton, Tenby, or Landsker House, 21 Station Road, Narberth.
MR. G. T. SPROWELL
LUDCHURCH
The funeral took place recently of Mr. George Trevor Sprowell, of Ludchurch, who passed away at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, on November 9. He was 79.
A native of Worksop in Nottinghamshire, Mr. Sprowell enjoyed gardening, fishing and model-making amongst his main interests.
He was predeceased by his wife, Mrs. Suzanne Sprowell.
Family left to mourn and principal mourners at the funeral were - Frank (son), Peter and Merilyn (son and daughter-in-law), Phillip and Christine (son and daughter-in-law), Emma, Wayne, Arron and Kelsey (grandchildren).
The funeral, held at St. Elidyr's Church, Ludchurch, on November 18, was conducted by Rev. Sarah Geech.
Bearers were Graham Thomas, John Jones, Arthur Evans, Gavin Wright, Terry Brace and Stewart Treharne.
There were family flowers only, with donations in lieu for the Paul Sartori Foundation and Macmillan Cancer Support, c/o E. C. Thomas and Son, Funeral Directors, Archways, Green Plains, Stepaside, who carried out the funeral arrangements.
MR. D. W. KAYE
SAUNDERSFOOT
(formerly of Johnstown)
The death occurred peacefully on Thursday, November 27, at his home, after an illness bravely born, of Mr. David Warwick Kaye, of 18 Sandyhill Park, Saundersfoot.
Aged 61, David is survived by his wife Janice, daughter Gayle, sons Darren and Russell, father and mother Stanley and Eunice, step-children Ann and Kristian and his grandchildren.
The funeral service takes place today (Friday) at 3.15 pm at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth.
There are to be family flowers only, but donations, if desired, may be made payable to The Paul Sartori Foundation, c/o Messrs. W. and M. J. Rossiter and Sons Ltd., The Old Rectory, The Norton, Tenby, tel. (01834) 843160, or Landsker House, 21 Station Road, Narberth, tel. (01834) 861300, to whom all inquiries should be made.