Latest news with #RobertWilliams
Leader Live
15 hours ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Wrexham law firm welcomes Sarah Talbot into new role
Robert Williams, who became an equity partner at GHP Legal in 2002 and was head of the firm's Civil Litigation, Personal Injury and Dispute Resolution departments, stepped down to become a consultant working three days a week, following his appointment as 2025-26 President of Cheshire and North Wales Law Society earlier this month. Taking Robert's place as an equity partner is Sarah Talbot, who joined GHP Legal's litigation team as a senior solicitor in 2022. Flintshire-raised Sarah qualified as a solicitor in 2013 after studying Law at Liverpool John Moores University part-time whilst raising her children. Read more: North Wales firm launches paid internship scheme with over 50 jobs up for grabs Since qualifying as a solicitor, Sarah has represented both businesses and individuals in a broad range of disputes, including commercial and consumer contracts, property and building issues, professional negligence, data breaches, and inheritance claims. Her clients have included FTSE 100 companies and high-net-worth individuals When she is not working Sarah enjoys travelling and spending time with her family. She also likes to keep fit and enjoys the occasional park run. She once participated in the Three Peaks 24-hour challenge, reaching the summit of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours to raise money for a charitable cause. Read more: 'We're humbled' - Meet the winner of best deli, butchers, farm shop 2025 More recently she took part in a local 5k charity run alongside her colleagues at GHP Legal, raising money for Nightingale House Hospice and making her a perfect fit in the GHP Legal family that is renowned for its charity fundraising and support of local sporting events. Welcoming Sarah into the GHP Legal partner fold, senior partner, Richard Lloyd, said: "We are delighted to welcome Sarah to the partnership. Her deep expertise in civil litigation, strategic insight, and dedication to client service makes her a valuable addition to our team. As we continue to strengthen our litigation offering, Sarah will play a key role in driving excellence and delivering the results our clients expect." Sarah added: "I'm truly honoured to be promoted to Partner at GHP Legal. I want to thank the partnership and my colleagues for their trust and support. It's a privilege to work alongside such a talented team and I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the firm in this new chapter."
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Ceasefire Sunday' continues decade of bringing Mobile communities together through kickball
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Mobile Police and members of the community team up to bring peace through a kid's sport. 'Everybody out here trying to just enjoy life and have a safe and peaceful day,' Kickball president Robert Williams said. Organized by Mobile Public Safety and community members, 'Ceasefire Sunday' is a kickball tournament at Doyle Park, bringing together teams from different parts of Mobile like the Campground area, Orange Grove, and Roger Williams. 'So that people come together and coexist with the police force to have a good time,' Dwight Williams with Ceasefire Sundays said. Organizers say this is a chance to bring people together with public safety officials. 'I hope that people can see the policemen and firemen are regular people when they come out here. They want to visit. And this is what we're trying to show because we're trying to understand it. How can you police the area and you don't know anyone in the community?' Williams said. It's a day of peace with some serious play. 'Because they wanted to show that there are different neighborhoods in this part that they can come together and have a good time like a community should be,' MPD Sgt. Nathaniel McCarty said. Sunday's game included teams from Mobile Police and fire, as well as community resources like USA Health, with people making a day of it at the park. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Pembrokeshire Herald
11-05-2025
- General
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Charity celebrates contribution of nurses in communities across Wales
Welsh RNLI crews braved mines, storms and enemy fire to save lives at sea AS the country marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is paying tribute to the bravery of its volunteer crews in Wales who served during the Second World War. From the storm-lashed coasts of Anglesey to the exposed lifeboat stations of Pembrokeshire and Gower, Welsh RNLI crews launched into perilous seas to save lives, often under enemy threat. Between 1939 and 1945, lifeboats from stations across Wales were launched repeatedly to respond to wartime emergencies. Despite limited resources, ageing equipment and extreme danger, the RNLI never stopped saving lives. During the two World Wars combined, lifeboats around the UK and Ireland launched 5,478 times and rescued nearly 11,700 people. A significant number of those launches came from Welsh waters. Crew at St Davids, seen walking up from the lifeboat station during WWII (Image: RNLI) One of the most remarkable Welsh rescues of the Second World War came in January 1940, when Moelfre Lifeboat Station, on the east coast of Anglesey, responded to a mayday from the SS Gleneden of Glasgow. The vessel was in trouble during a fierce northeasterly gale and very rough seas. The volunteer lifeboat crew, battling bitter cold and towering waves, managed to save all 60 crew members aboard the stricken ship. For their actions, Coxswain John Matthews was awarded the Silver Medal for gallantry, and Motor Mechanic Robert Williams received the Bronze Medal. In December 1944, as the war was drawing to a close, another Welsh lifeboat launched into danger. The Mumbles lifeboat, Edward, Prince of Wales, responded to distress signals from the Canadian cargo vessel Chebogue, which had broken her back in hurricane-force winds off the South Wales coast. In a night-time rescue carried out under extraordinary conditions, the Mumbles crew saved 42 lives. These heroic missions were carried out not by trained naval personnel, but by local men—fishermen, harbour workers, and retirees—who volunteered their time and risked their lives. With many young men serving on the front lines, lifeboat crews in Wales were often made up of older volunteers, with some in their fifties, sixties and even seventies stepping up to fill the gaps. Wartime conditions made the work of the RNLI even more dangerous. Lifeboat stations were occasionally damaged or destroyed in air raids. In all, 40 RNLI crew members across the UK and Ireland died during the war, including those who were machine-gunned by enemy aircraft, blown up by floating mines, or lost during stormy rescues. Seven lifeboats were lost in action. Although most of the RNLI's wartime launches were in response to vessels in distress, the crews often found themselves navigating minefields, dodging enemy fire, and recovering the dead as well as the living. One Welsh example came from Courtmacsherry, across the water from Pembrokeshire, where 14 volunteers rowed 12 miles through calm seas without wind, only to find they were too late. Undeterred, they recovered the bodies and brought them home so that loved ones could bury them with dignity. Wales also played its part in one of the most famous operations of the war—Dunkirk. In May 1940, 19 RNLI lifeboats were part of the fleet of civilian vessels known as the Little Ships that crossed the English Channel to rescue British troops stranded on the beaches of northern France. Lifeboats from Ramsgate and Margate were operated by RNLI crews who brought with them unfamiliar equipment such as steel helmets, gas masks, and extra supplies. They worked for over 30 hours amid wreckage, gunfire and strong currents. Although not from Wales, the spirit of this operation mirrored the courage shown by lifeboatmen in Welsh waters throughout the war. To mark this VE Day anniversary, the RNLI is calling on the public to help uncover more stories connected to lifeboat stations in Wales during the war. A grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has made it possible for the charity to launch a new project: RNLI 1939–45: Stories of Courage. The project aims to record and preserve these memories before they are lost to time. Hayley Whiting, RNLI Heritage Archive and Research Manager, said: 'Our Welsh lifeboat crews experienced some of the most difficult years in the charity's history. Lifeboats were damaged, lifeboat stations were hit, and lives were lost. But their determination never wavered. As we reflect on VE Day, we remember not just those who served on the front lines, but those who braved the storms at home to bring others back to safety.'
North Wales Chronicle
08-05-2025
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
How RNLI lifeboat crews helped during the Second World War
The RNLI played a vital role in the war effort, with lifeboats launching 3,760 times, coming to the aid of those in need from ships and aeroplanes, saving a total of 6,376 lives. RNLI lifeboat crews not only went to the aid of ships that had been wrecked, but also to towed vessels loaded with explosives and top secret information. They navigated minefields, rescued downed aircrew, ferried food to remote villages, brought doctors to the injured and took priests to the dying. During the war years (1939–1945), RNLI lifeboat stations across Wales were actively involved in numerous rescue operations, often under perilous conditions. Significant rescue efforts in Wales involved Moelfre Lifeboat Station in 1940 and 1943. On the 28/29 January 1940, volunteer lifeboat crew rescued a crew of 60 from the SS Gleneden of Glasgow during a north easterly gale and very rough sea. The crew showed great skill and endurance and a Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain John Matthews and a Bronze Medal to Motor Mechanic Robert Williams. In 1944 The Mumbles lifeboat, Edward, Prince of Wales, rescued 42 crew members from the Chebogue during hurricane conditions, highlighting the relentless efforts of the Welsh volunteer lifeboat crews in saving lives amidst wartime perils. The last lifeboat launch of the war happened one minute before the Second World War ended, with Salcombe lifeboat launching to a Norwegian minesweeper which had encountered an explosion off the coast of Devon. Torbay and Salcombe lifeboats conducted a search of the area but, sadly, only two cushions were found. Tragically, during the war, many lifeboat crew lost their lives during rescue efforts. In all, 12 lifeboat crew lost their lives trying to save others and a total of seven lifeboats were lost in various ways – from air-raids on lifeboat stations, to being captured. Many crew were recognised for their bravery and a total of 204 RNLI gallantry medals were awarded to lifeboat crew for their wartime efforts. The RNLI was recently awarded a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to research and share stories of courage from the Second World War. The project, called RNLI 1939-45: Stories of Courage explores and commemorates the charity's Second World War story. Hayley Whiting, RNLI Heritage Archive and Research Manager, said: "As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, it's an important time to reflect on the valiant work of our volunteer crews during the Second World War and the courage and determination they used to save lives at sea. "The RNLI has a rich history and has been saving lives at sea for over 200 years, it played a vital role in the Second World War and saved a total of 6,376 lives. We know there are more stories from the Second World War connected to the RNLI that are yet to be discovered, we want to find them now before it's too late." Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: 'We're proud to be supporting this important RNLI project to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, thanks to National Lottery players. Collecting these stories of courage and heroism will not only mean that they are safeguarded for the future but that they can be heard for generations to come.' The RNLI was awarded a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to research and share stories of courage from the Second World War. The project, called RNLI 1939-45: Stories of Courage explores, commemorates the charity's Second World War story. Please email heritage@ if you have a story you would like to share.
Rhyl Journal
08-05-2025
- General
- Rhyl Journal
How RNLI lifeboat crews helped during the Second World War
The RNLI played a vital role in the war effort, with lifeboats launching 3,760 times, coming to the aid of those in need from ships and aeroplanes, saving a total of 6,376 lives. RNLI lifeboat crews not only went to the aid of ships that had been wrecked, but also to towed vessels loaded with explosives and top secret information. They navigated minefields, rescued downed aircrew, ferried food to remote villages, brought doctors to the injured and took priests to the dying. During the war years (1939–1945), RNLI lifeboat stations across Wales were actively involved in numerous rescue operations, often under perilous conditions. Significant rescue efforts in Wales involved Moelfre Lifeboat Station in 1940 and 1943. On the 28/29 January 1940, volunteer lifeboat crew rescued a crew of 60 from the SS Gleneden of Glasgow during a north easterly gale and very rough sea. The crew showed great skill and endurance and a Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain John Matthews and a Bronze Medal to Motor Mechanic Robert Williams. In 1944 The Mumbles lifeboat, Edward, Prince of Wales, rescued 42 crew members from the Chebogue during hurricane conditions, highlighting the relentless efforts of the Welsh volunteer lifeboat crews in saving lives amidst wartime perils. The last lifeboat launch of the war happened one minute before the Second World War ended, with Salcombe lifeboat launching to a Norwegian minesweeper which had encountered an explosion off the coast of Devon. Torbay and Salcombe lifeboats conducted a search of the area but, sadly, only two cushions were found. Tragically, during the war, many lifeboat crew lost their lives during rescue efforts. In all, 12 lifeboat crew lost their lives trying to save others and a total of seven lifeboats were lost in various ways – from air-raids on lifeboat stations, to being captured. Many crew were recognised for their bravery and a total of 204 RNLI gallantry medals were awarded to lifeboat crew for their wartime efforts. The RNLI was recently awarded a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to research and share stories of courage from the Second World War. The project, called RNLI 1939-45: Stories of Courage explores and commemorates the charity's Second World War story. Hayley Whiting, RNLI Heritage Archive and Research Manager, said: "As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, it's an important time to reflect on the valiant work of our volunteer crews during the Second World War and the courage and determination they used to save lives at sea. "The RNLI has a rich history and has been saving lives at sea for over 200 years, it played a vital role in the Second World War and saved a total of 6,376 lives. We know there are more stories from the Second World War connected to the RNLI that are yet to be discovered, we want to find them now before it's too late." Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: 'We're proud to be supporting this important RNLI project to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, thanks to National Lottery players. Collecting these stories of courage and heroism will not only mean that they are safeguarded for the future but that they can be heard for generations to come.' The RNLI was awarded a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to research and share stories of courage from the Second World War. The project, called RNLI 1939-45: Stories of Courage explores, commemorates the charity's Second World War story. Please email heritage@ if you have a story you would like to share.
