IT was the American writer Mark Twain who once remarked, “There is no such thing as an ordinary life.”

This is an universal truth which you will all learn to recognise when you get to my stage of life – a period when diary entries for funerals compete with hospital and medical appointments.

The funerals in the last couple of weeks have been much too frequent, but exposure to crematorium and graveside eulogies does hammer home Mark Twain’s message.

Often, while sitting on a cold pew, I also find the mind wandering to the beautiful poem by Linda Ellis, called ‘The Dash’. The poem illustrates the importance of the ‘dash’ (eg 1959-2024) that is written between the date of a person’s birth and the date of their passing.

If you haven’t read the poem, then seek it out as it makes you think about how much you can pack into that ‘dash’.

Three friends knew how to pack life experiences into that ‘dash’. I was privileged to know them and shed a tear at their funerals.

The lives of David Jenkins, Ken Abban and Charles Braham didn’t fall into the ordinary category.

David Jenkins, for example, was company secretary for the famous Jenkins Bakery. He died aged just 66.

David spent some time working away in England before rejoining the family business in 1990.

At the time, the Jenkins Bakery had five shops in Llanelli. Today, the business has 300 full and part-time employees and has 28 shops on an estate spanning south-west Wales.

That is some legacy for a man who was a pillar of the community in west Wales.

Ken Abban (or to give him his correct title, Dr Kenneth Kwesi Abban MSc, MD, FRSM, FRIPH) died aged 82.

He was a much-loved audiologist in Llanelli, but few knew his full story.

Ken’s birthplace was a village called Niconya Ahenkro in Ghana. Considered academically gifted by his teachers, Ken, aged just10, was awarded a scholarship at a Roman Catholic school some 300 miles from his home!

Aged 17, he had sat all O Level and A Level examinations, gaining top grades in 5 A Levels. However, Ken could not apply for a university place because he was too young.

When he was old enough, he was offered a scholarship in . . . Russia!

Ken was given six months to learn the language and then resit his 5 A levels in Russian.

Needless to say, Ken succeeded and he enrolled at the 1st Leningrad Medical Academy. During his time there he was elected President of the Students Union and represented the Union on travels to Germany, Sweden and Finland.

Ken received a medal for the Most Outstanding Student in his six-year study group, an award the family treasure to this day.

Leaving Russia, Ken worked in Germany, Liverpool and London. It was a colleague who suggested Llanelli was a friendly place to work and Ken met his wife Kim in the town.

A distinguished medical career followed, but Ken never forgot his roots.

As a member of Llanelli Rotary Club, he launched a five-year fundraising campaign for a £40,000 mobile audiology unit called a HARK, to help children in remote parts of Ghana.

Charles Braham, meanwhile, who died aged 92, was a much-admired newspaperman and the founding managing director of Swansea Sound independent radio station.

His grandson James Saralis read the eulogy at his funeral at Llanelli Crematorium.

Charles Braham’s life story, James said, showed perseverance, resilience, and a determination to succeed against all the odds.

Charles was born in Hammersmith, London, in 1931. His world changed forever in 1939 when, aged seven, he became one of the millions of young children evacuated to safety at the start of World War Two.

He was separated from his parents and siblings and evacuated – first to Oxfordshire, then to Penzance in Cornwall and finally to Cardigan.

He was taken in by the family of Mr Brinley R Jones, of Llangoedmor, a newspaperman who was the founding owner and editor of the Llanelli Star.

Charles was a quick learner and continued his education at Haverfordwest Grammar and Millfield School in Somerset.

He developed an interest in journalism and carved out an exceptional career for himself in the media.

At the age of 20, he joined the Llanelli Star as a trainee reporter, learning his trade and progressively taking on more responsibility, eventually rising to the role of managing director, which he held for 16 years.

In 1965, Charles added to his portfolio, with another newspaper, the Cardigan and Tivyside Advertiser, which he owned for almost a quarter of a century.

Charles was a passionate supporter of print media, but he was also an innovator and he began to realise the contribution that radio could make to the local area.

In 1973, he joined a consortium of local business-people to apply for a licence to launch just the seventh independent commercial radio station in the UK (the first in Wales) and, against all the odds, won!

His grandson James said: “True to his word, Swansea Sound served the people of the area with distinction for almost 50 years and through this time retained a loyal and devoted audience.

“Charles was an Englishman born, a Welshman raised, and a journalist by trade. He led an extraordinary life, touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people over a 45-year career in the media, cared and provided for his family, and, to me, he was an inspiration.”

All the above is taken from three wonderful funeral eulogies. Obviously, the reflections have been condensed for use in this column, but it does give you an appreciation for that Mark Twain quote about no such thing as an ordinary life.

It may also make you reflect about your own ‘dash’.

You can find out more about Linda Ellis, the author of The Dash poem, on her website at https://lindaellis.life

Charles Braham, includes photo with five other Llanelli Star editors.

Ken Abban, includes photo with Hark vehicle.

David Jenkins.

IT was an evening with more surprises than a primetime Cilla Black TV show.

There were a ‘lorra, lorra laughs’ and a few tears along the way.

The surprise elements weren’t obvious when people arrived for Llanelli Rotary Club’s annual St David’s Day dinner at The Diplomat Hotel.

They unfolded during an evening which left plenty of food for thought.

The Rotarians had planned special entertainment, with guest appearances by Glynneath soprano Lauren Williams and the two winners of the Llanelli Young Musician of the Year competition – Mariia-Anastasiia Mikulska from Bishop Vaughan Catholic School in Swansea and Jasper Caradoc Hollett, from Bishopston Comprehensive.

It was vocalist Jasper who uncovered the first surprise of the evening – a malfunction in The Diplomat’s sound system. Without batting an eyelid, he proceeded to perform his two numbers unaccompanied.

Rising to the challenge, guitarist Mariia-Anastasiia (resplendent in the traditional dress of her native Ukraine) took the platform to perform without any backing.

And to complete the hat-trick, soprano Lauren provided acapella performances of Calon Lan and Anfonaf Angel.

All three richly deserved their standing ovations for battling through the technical surprises.

Given just a few minutes to draw breath, the Rotarians and their guests were then surprised to see the lights dimmed and a cowled monk enter the dining room.

When the monk’s hood was thrown back, it revealed the Rev Eldon Phillips, a familiar figure to many in the parish of Llanelli – and beyond.

Rev Eldon’s surprise was to take on the role of Dewi Sant (St David) for the evening, taking the audience on a journey from Machynys (monk’s island) in Llanelli to the scene of his most famous miracle in Llanddewi Brefi and on to a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Rev Eldon sat down for a deserved rest after his time-travelling Dewi Sant talk, but there was a further surprise to come as Llanelli Rotary vice-president Cerith Owens outlined an extra item on the evening’s agenda.

Very occasionally, Rotary clubs give out Paul Harris Fellowship (PHF) awards – the highest honour that Rotary can bestow on an individual.

The award is given by The Rotary Foundation in recognition of substantial and exemplary community service in support of Rotary ideals.

Mr Owens surprised the Rev Eldon with the news he had been chosen to receive a Paul Harris Fellowship.

Mr Owens added: “This former Rotarian has left a lasting impact on the local community. Demonstrating the Rotary Objective of ‘Service Above Self’, he willingly engages in a variety of activities to provide help and support wherever needed.

“He has a penchant for dressing up, not only as Llanelli’s Town Crier, but as the historic characters William Chambers and John Wesley for Llanelly House.

“He holds roles such as chaplain of the Scarlets rugby region, chaplain to Ffos Las racecourse and he is a Trustee of Llanelly House and The Links Workshop. He is dedicated to numerous organisations, assisting underprivileged members of the community.

“He has contributed to preserving the town’s industrial heritage through volunteer efforts. He was involved in the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust project and currently chair of the Parc Howard Association.

“His positive outlook on life and encouragement for others to overcome personal challenges make him a beacon of optimism.”

Mr Owens concluded by joking: “There’s a belief that there must be clones of him, as he seems to be present everywhere!”

There was a tear in the Rev Eldon’s eye as he accepted the award.

Those watching were reminded of Dewi Sant’s famous maxim – ‘Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd’ – ‘Do the little things in life.’

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus, Happy St David’s Day one and all.

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BY any standards of concert touring, it is an impressive list of 40-plus locations, taking in Munich, Frankfurt, Rotterdam, Mannheim, Copenhagen, Bucharest, Zurich, Innsbruck and Florence.

Oh, and I nearly forgot . . . this particular concert tour will also be headlining at The Welfare in Ystradgynlais in the Swansea Valley!

The Welfare might be miles away from the status of the Kammerspiele in Munich, but I sure the Swansea Valley welcome will be just as warm for the famous BCUC: Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness.

For those of you without an extensive knowledge of South African music, BCUC is an award-winning group that performs indigenous music with a big twist from the rainbow nation.

The 2023 Womex Artist Award Winners will bring their mix of funk, hiphop consciousness and punk rock energy from Soweto to The Welfare.

From humble beginnings, rehearsing in a shipping container a stone’s throw from the church where Desmond Tutu organised the escape of the most wanted anti-Apartheid activists of Soweto, BCUC have grown to become one of the world’s most celebrated bands, playing the biggest stages at some of the most important festivals in the world.

Artistic heirs to Philip “Malombo” Tabane and Batsumi, BCUC give contemporary voice to the ancestral traditions of South African people. Jazz sounds of 1970s and ’80s productions are replaced by hip-hop influences and punk-rock energy, taking the listener on an intriguing journey, while sharing their controversial yet interesting views on modern Africa.

Singing in all 11 official languages of South Africa, they tackle the harsh realities of the voiceless, especially the plight of the uneducated workers at the bottom of the social food chain. The Africa portrayed by BCUC is not poor, but rich in tradition, rituals and beliefs.

Vocalist Kgomotso Mokone explains: “We bring fun and emo-indigenous Afro psychedelic fire from the hood.”

Friday, March 15, is the date; 8pm the time. It promises to be an amazing night for Ystradgynlais.

Tickets for the performance at The Welfare are now available from the venue website at https://thewelfare.co.uk, in person at the hall or by calling 01639 843163.

ONE of the leading campaigners in the Stradey Park Hotel campaign will be standing for election in next week’s hotly-contested polls for the Llanelli’s Elli Ward.

Steve Williams will be standing in both elections – for a place on Llanelli Town Council and a seat on Carmarthenshire County Council.

Steve lives in the heart of the Elli Ward in New Road – and, in fact, is the only candidate who has given his home address in the constituency to be published in the official list of candidates.

“I am someone who knows the patch of the Elli Ward inside out and I promise to be the honest, sensible and balanced voice our community needs,” said Steve, who will be standing as an independent candidate.

“The Elli Ward has been represented by a strong and independent voice for a number of years in the shape of Cllr John Jenkins, whose retirement has forced these by-elections.

“John deserves the thanks of everyone in the community for his tireless work, dedication and commitment.

“It’s a big pair of shoes to fill, but I have a strong feeling the Elli Ward would like to carry on its fiercely independent tradition and elect someone who is not tied to party politics – someone who cares passionately for the area and someone who is not afraid to stand up and fight for the community.”

Steve served as a Dyfed-Powys police officer for more than 30 years, working in a variety of roles and often on high-profile cases.

Since retiring in 2019, he has played an active role with Furnace United RFC.

His involvement with the successful campaign to stop the Stradey Park Hotel being used for asylum seekers started with a memorable speech to the 400 people who attended the first public meeting to discuss the plan.

His work for the campaign included holding the Home Office to account for their lack of due diligence. He also represented the community at three High Court hearings in London.

Steve added: “By any standards, this has been an interesting year for Llanelli and I’m proud to have played a part in a successful public campaign.

“My promise to the people of the Elli Ward is that I will work tirelessly to represent the community on both councils. I will be fearless in being a strong and independent voice for the people of the ward.”

You can find out more about Steve on his Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555339665037

See earlier story – http://rlloydpr.co.uk/2024/02/10/nomination-for-the-elli-ward-constituency-in-llanelli/

PERHAPS it is a sign of old age? Or perhaps it is it is the unlocking of a new and cherished piece of wisdom?

Maybe, it’s the controversial new 20mph speed limits in Wales, or it could be a rebellion against the mobile phone age?

Whatever the answer, the reality is that I’ve found a new appreciation for not rushing around, constantly fighting the ever-ticking clock. In short, I am more ‘in the moment’, as the lifestyle gurus are fond of saying.

What’s brought this on? A combination of the factors above.

Say what you like about 20mph, but it has (in my case, at least) made driving a more relaxing experience. Allow extra time for that journey and all is well.

In my experience, most road rage and motoring issues stem from not allowing enough time to complete the task in hand.

Round the corner at my local primary school, the morning race to beat the school bell is punctuated by the screech of brakes, the angry toot of horns and the huffs and puffs of stressed-out mums and dads who put life and limb (and the safety of their children) at risk in their race to the schoolyard.

The solution is simple (as I tell any parent or guardian willing to listen): set your alarm clock earlier, get out of bed earlier and pace yourself for a calm journey to the school gates.

The same stressed-out mums and dads are the ones you stand next to at music concerts and sporting events. You know the ones. They are constantly videoing and photographing everything and connecting to their social media apps to show their ‘friends’ what a great time they are having.

They are so busy snapping and tapping on their phones that they forget to enjoy the moment, that cracking goal or try, that never-to-be-repeated piece of music.

On a visit to Morriston Crematorium (visits are becoming increasingly regular, by the way), a pal reminded me of a critical fact.

“You do realise,” he said, as he watched the hearse approach up the drive, “that one day we will be making the same one-way journey!”

That simple sentence had a way of sharpening the mind.

So, does this new philosophy of being more relaxed work?

Well, I’m more chilled than the freezer department at Asda.

In practice, it yields surprising results. Take last weekend, when we were in The Cotswolds for a reconnaissance mission at a wedding venue (more on this in June!).

The nagging voice of the Sat-Nav lady insisted the ‘quickest route home’ would be on the M5 and M4, via the notorious headache we call the Brynglas Tunnels in Newport.

As I drove from Stow-on-the-Wold, I discovered we would be crossing the old A40 – once the road of choice for journeys from west Wales to London in pre-motorway days.

Immediately, I had a flashback to the days when you could get very classy and personalised paper routemaps from the AA. They were days when motoring was an adventure, rather than a chore, a time when you could explore the countryside and roadside attractions at your leisure.

So, with a flick of the indicator lights, I turned right to the road less travelled.

And what a treat it was. Rambling countryside, a leisurely lunch at a roadside pub and a petrol stop at a station which didn’t boast Pont Abraham prices.

We arrived home in reasonable time – and thoroughly relaxed.

It all reminded me of the famous ‘Leisure’poem by the original Supertramp, William Henry (WH) Davies, who wrote, ‘What is this life if, full of care,/We have no time to stand and stare.’

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THERE’S been a lot of rugby nostalgia in this column recently, what with the departures of two of our rugby greats, JPR Williams and Barry John.

The tributes, I am glad to report, have been read far and wide.

For example, my old pal Angelo Morello, from Rovigo in northern Italy, has been in touch to say how much he enjoyed the columns, as they took him on a journey down memory lane.

Rovigo is a town which will be familiar to many rugby fans as it was once home to the legendary Welsh coach Carwyn James.

Carwyn coached Rugby Rovigo – and former teacher Angelo is continuing his mission to keep the coach’s legacy alive by developing rugby and cultural links between west Wales and Treviso, Bologna and Rovigo.

Angelo has fond memories of Barry John and wrote to me to explain more –

‘It was nice that you mentioned Barry’s brothers, Allan and Clive (Allan sadly died in 2022, but Clive is still with us).

‘I have memories of 24 years ago, when we spent a week at Trinity College in Carmarthen, a time when I helped take our first Under-15s rugby tour from this area to ‘Galles’.

‘We played Gwendraeth, Tumble and Llandovery. At Trinity, I made friends with Allan, who worked there for many years. He gave me a large autographed photo of the three brothers.

‘Two years earlier, I’d been in touch with Barry. He sent me a couple of articles on the subject of violence among football supporters. They were translated and published in Il Resto del Carlino (Bologna-based), the national newspaper Carwyn collaborated with every Tuesday during his stay in Rovigo.’

The latest part of Angelo’s mission to keep the Carwyn James legacy alive in Italy continues next month.

Angelo added: ‘On March 28, we are running our usual Under-15s Carwyn James Easter Tournament. Cobra Rugby and Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth will participate.

‘On the cultural front, we arranged the first Carwyn James Choir Festival in 2023. Machynlleth Choir sang. We are planning a second edition of the festival in October and November.’

Any choirs looking for a trip to Italy later in the year should email me and I’ll pass on details to Angelo.

Tom Rogers, one of the Scarlets’ young home-grown Wales internationals, has committed his future to the club by signing a new deal.

A product of Cefneithin RFC in the Gwendraeth Valley, the 25-year-old came through the age-grade ranks of the Scarlets and was part of the Academy set-up.

He shone on the World Sevens stage with some dazzling performances for Wales before making his name in the 15-a-side game, scoring a try on his home league debut for the Scarlets against Southern Kings in 2020.

Rogers boasts pace, strength and is an elusive runner and those qualities were to the fore in an outstanding 2021-22 campaign that saw him earn his first Test cap against Canada in Cardiff. He was part of Wales’ 2023 World Cup training squad, starting against the world champion Springboks at the Principality Stadium and was named in Warren Gatland’s 2024 Six Nations squad before a pectoral muscle injury ended his involvement.

Rogers has made 54 appearances and scored 14 tries in a Scarlets jersey and is looking forward to playing his part as a member of an exciting and youthful squad at Parc y Scarlets over the coming years.

He said: “I grew up in the Gwendraeth supporting the Scarlets, I love playing here and as a back-three player who enjoys having the ball in hand, I love the brand of rugby we look to play.

“It has been a tough campaign so far, but there is a huge amount of talent in the squad who are determined to turn things around in the second half of this season and in the coming years and I’m looking forward to playing my part in that.”

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “Tom is one of a number of young players in this squad who has come through our pathway, grabbed their opportunities in a Scarlets jersey and gone on to play international rugby.

“He is an exciting runner and strong in the air and is a player who is always looking to develop – there is a lot more growth in him. Being a local boy as well, he understands what the club means to the community and what we represent. It is fantastic news that he has signed a new contract.”

THE TROUBLE WITH POLITICAL JOKES IS…THEY SOMETIMES GET ELECTED!

People often ask me (as someone who’s acquainted with comedy) what, as Doddy put it, ‘exercises my chuckle muscles’.

Many comedians do. Billy Connolly for one. While other very successful laughter-makers you might think are hilarious, have never made me so much as smile.

As they say in certain French restaurants, “It’s horses for courses”.

When I’m out and about, people’s quirky mannerisms or their repetitive use of certain words and phrases (often completely out of context) – the little things that most people wouldn’t pick up on – make me smile inwardly.

I should add that comedians are terrified at the prospect of facing an audience who might just sit and smile inwardly through their act!

On the subject of comedians, for modern audiences, weaned on “Live From The Apollo” and other comedy shows where no holds are barred regarding subject matter and language, names from the past like Bob Hope and George Burns probably mean very little. If they do, they’re certainly not revered…and may even be regarded as ‘old hat’.

Yet when BBC 4 recently repeated a couple of “Parkinson” shows from the 70s that featured Hope and Burns, the relaxed, confident way the two veteran entertainers delivered their anecdotes and one-liners in a style developed over decades, were master classes. You could feel the warmth and love they were receiving from the audience.

Sometimes, an ‘Old hat’ can fit very comfortably.

But it’s mainly politicians that make me laugh the loudest today!

Watching ministers, deputy ministers and shadow ministers squirming and struggling to respond with a straightforward, believable answer when grilled by breakfast TV presenters, the politician’s eyes silently screaming “I’d rather be at the dentists!”, tears of laughter roll down my cheeks, diluting the milk in my cereal bowl.

During a recent TV debate, when the PM dispensed with his Armani jacket to address the studio audience and the viewers in his (Shock!) shirt sleeves, this blatantly stage-managed attempt to make the public think “Hey! He’s just like us!” made me roar with laughter so loudly my next-door neighbour complained. And he was visiting his sister in Aberystwyth!

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Are you a keyboard warrior?

Opinions, opinions everywhere, but does anyone really care?

In a world where everyone has a voice, it’s like a never-ending game of “opinion ping-pong” where we’re all just bouncing ideas off each other, hoping to score a point.

With the rise of social media, expressing your thoughts has never been easier. But let’s face it, for every well-thought-out argument, there’s a troll lurking in the digital shadows, ready to pounce with their keyboard warrior skills. It’s like a virtual battlefield out there, with memes and GIFs as our weapons of choice.

Gone are the days of civil discourse and friendly debates. Now, it’s all about who can come up with the wittiest comeback or the most savage clapback. It’s like a digital Wild West, where the fastest typer wins the showdown.

And let’s not forget the power players in this online circus – our politicians, world leaders, and industry giants. If they can’t keep their cool and show some basic human decency, what hope is there for the rest of us? It’s like watching a reality show where the contestants are supposed to be role models but end up throwing shade instead.

So, next time you’re about to hit “send” on that fiery tweet or scathing comment, remember: education is our shield, and empathy is our sword.

Let’s strive for a world where opinions are respected, debates are constructive, and the only trolls we encounter are the ones in fairy tales. After all, there are always two sides to every argument – just like there are two sides to a screen.