Latest news with #GaryJones
South Wales Guardian
7 days ago
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Vintage tractor run raises fund for care homes
Allt Y Mynydd Nursing Home and Maes Y Felin Care Home in Drefach were visited by 53 vintage tractors from the 1980s and earlier when the when the Llanybydder Charity Tractor Run stopped off en route. The run was organised by enthusiast Gary Jones, with help from Peter Davies, of Drefach, and started and finished at Mart Evans Bros in Llanybydder. Residents, staff, families and neighbours gathered to see the old Fords, Massey Fergusons and many more. For many residents the vehicles brought back memories of their younger days on farms. Charlotte, a wellbeing coordinator, said: 'It was such a lovely sight — everyone was talking about the tractors they used to drive or see in the fields. It really got people sharing stories and remembering good times.' The visit was also part of the Ashberry Wishing Tree initiative, which encourages residents to share personal wishes. On the day, wishes were granted for Danny, Gerwyn, Ro, Alun and Bill. Home manager at Allt Y Mynydd Jess Bridgewater said: 'It wasn't just about the tractors - it was about the feeling in the air. Residents were smiling, waving, laughing. They felt seen, remembered, and part of something bigger. "The garden was full of chatter, refreshments, and ice creams under the trees. Thanks to donations, an incredible sum was raised on the day, split equally between us and another care home Maes Y Felin to support resident wellbeing activities." Each home was given £600. Ms Bridgewater said: "A huge thank you to Gary, Peter, all the tractor drivers, the team at Mart Evans Bros, and everyone who supported the event. It was a wonderful day that meant a lot to our residents and our team."
The Guardian
10-08-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Gary Jones obituary
My friend Gary Jones, who has died of pancreatic cancer aged 64, was a steelworker, socialist and local councillor. A perfect example of the Welsh working-class autodidact, Gary immersed himself in military history, read voraciously and, it seemed, always had pocketfuls of leftwing badges which he would hand out to anyone. Gary and I first met at the Laugharne Weekend festival in the town on which Dylan Thomas modelled 'Llaregggub' in Under Milk Wood. As there's no green room, the punters and performers mingle all weekend, and consequently the same people come each year. That's how we became friends, albeit just for a weekend a year, though you can fit a lifetime into an hour over a few pints in a Welsh pub. Born in Gwent, Gary was the eldest of the three children of Yvonne Hawkins, a shop assistant, and Robert Jones, a steelworker. His father wanted to call him Yuri Gagarin Jones, but was persuaded by a sober-minded registrar to name him after Gary Cooper instead. After Ebbw Vale grammar school, Gary joined his father in the local steelworks as a tinplater, remaining there until it closed in 2002, when he relocated with his family to Llangennech in Carmarthenshire to work at the Trostre steelworks until his retirement in 2019. Aged 15, Gary joined the Young Socialists, becoming a full member of the Labour party three years later, and remained one for the rest of his life. In Llangennech he embraced village life, being elected to the local community council, serving for a year as chair. He also represented Llangennech and Bryn on Carmarthenshire unitary council. During the 2024 general election (undergoing chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer that had spread to his liver), Gary earned brief notoriety at a hustings when he made a Nazi salute to a far-right Ukip candidate, Stan Robinson, after Robinson had expressed admiration for General Franco. Asked to leave, Gary then apologised to the security staff. Neither I nor any of Gary's many friends were remotely surprised or shocked. He was a passionate analyst of leftwing history, his Twitter handle being 'Poumista' after Partido Obrero de Unificación Marxista (Poum), the anti-Stalinist socialist party George Orwell joined up with in the Spanish civil war. We last met at this year's festival. He gave me a badge. I gave him a book (I also portrayed him in several festival posters). He died seven weeks later, a prospect he spoke of with calm nobility. Gary is survived by his wife, Cara (nee Evans), a trainer for Carmarthenshire school staff on computer systems and data protection, now retired, whom he married in 1985, their daughters, Molly and Rowen, his sister, Dawn, and his brother, David.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Crews searching Lake Oconee for missing swimmer
Crews are searching Lake Oconee on Friday for a man who went under while swimming on Thursday night. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that a 54-year-old man was trying to swim across Collins Cove when he went under. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] They were called to the lake just before 10 p.m. Crews used sonar to search until after midnight. They returned at 7 a.m. on Friday morning. The man's identity has not been released. TRENDING STORIES: Risk for strong to severe storms today, damaging wind gusts and hail possible Zelle confirms issues with payments platform across US Georgia deputy released from the hospital after being shot in the face Earlier this year, a pair of teachers vanished while boating on Lake Oconee. Joycelyn Wilson and her fiancé Gary Jones disappeared in February. Wilson's body was recovered the next day, but crews searched the lake for a month to find Jones' body. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Yahoo
Man dead after being shot multiple times in Clarkston, DCPD investigating
The DeKalb County Police Department is investigating the shooting death of a man Friday morning. Police say at 1:48 a.m., they responded to a report of a shooting in the 6600 block of Hesters Court. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] When they arrived, they found a man who was shot multiple times. The victim was taken to the hospital, however, he died from his injuries. Police say their investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made. TRENDING STORIES: Gary Jones: Homegoing scheduled for teacher recovered from Lake Oconee 73 days into 2025 and already 140 plane crashes in US, 4 in Georgia Be weather aware: Severe storms likely this weekend with potential for large hail, tornadoes Anyone with information on what led to the shooting can send an anonymous tip to DeKalb County Police through the free Tip411 app or by texting 'DKPD' to 847411, followed by the tip. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Yahoo
Gary Jones: Homegoing scheduled for teacher recovered from Lake Oconee
The family of a Westminster teacher whose body was recovered from Lake Oconee have announced memorial service plans for the beloved educator. Gary Jones disappeared on Feb. 8 while boating on Lake Oconee with Joycelyn Wilson, his fiancée who was a Spelman College professor. Crews recovered Wilson's body the next day. It wasn't until weeks later that a specialized dive team from out of state found Jones' body. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Jones will be remembered during a celebration of life service in Riverdale on March 20. His homegoing is scheduled for the next day at Elizabeth Baptist Church. The family asks in lieu of flowers that donations are made to his son's college fund. You can make a donation at using code L48-Y97. RELATED STORIES: Westminster community mourns loss of Coach Gary Jones after body recovered from Lake Oconee Family of missing teacher 'can finally grieve' after Gary Jones' body pulled from Lake Oconee Body of beloved teacher found a month after vanishing on Lake Oconee Family of teacher who vanished on Lake Oconee releases statement Channel 2 Action News followed the extensive search for Jones that lasted several weeks. Channel 2′s Tyisha Fernandes spoke with friends and family of Jones after he was found. His brother, Mike Jones, says these have been some of the worst days of his family's lives. 'My parents can finally grieve now that Gary is coming home,' he said. Bekitembe Eric Taylor told Fernandes that he graduated with Gary Jones from West Lake High School in 1993 and Clark Atlanta University four years later. 'He was one of the people who was not only great in sports and great at academics but his character was always solid. He spoke to everybody,' Taylor remembered. 'I really hope none of the people who said anything negative about him ever have to experience what it's like to wait almost a month to find your friend.' Taylor said the best way to honor the teacher's memory is to get out and help someone, something Gary Jones always aspired to do. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
