Latest news with #HuwRees
BBC News
17-06-2025
- BBC News
Bridgnorth Pride paraphernalia stolen, says organiser
Bunting, posters and a rainbow flag put up to celebrate Bridgnorth Pride were torn down and stolen by people opposing the event, organisers 250 people attended the event last weekend, including Bridgnorth mayor David Cooper, West Mercia Police, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and the National organiser Huw Rees said although the event passed off without any trouble, items were removed or stolen in the lead up and the said he planned to run the event again next year and "the negativity shows exactly why Pride events are needed in small rural towns like Bridgnorth". After a parade around Castle Walk and the grounds, there was a performance by Shropshire Rock Choir and events in local venues, he said."The rainbow flag was pulled down from the town council flagpole and stolen after just two days, while posters have been torn off windows and bunting has been ripped off railings, some binned and some stolen," he said."This is on top of many hundreds of homophobic and transphobic comments on social media."Mr Rees said he started the event two years ago after experiencing homophobic abuse in Bridgnorth but said he did not want to focus on the negativity as events like his were important and would continue."Cities have LGBTQ+ venues year-round and access to them is easy. Shropshire has very few venues catering specifically to the LGBTQ+ community, if any at all, and the lack of public transport makes access to cities difficult. "This isolates the local LGBTQ+ community from support, but by holding a Pride event here it gives them an opportunity to come together in solidarity." Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
12-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Landeilo bridal store donates 100 gowns to charity as it closes
The owner of a popular bridal boutique has donated almost 100 bespoke gowns to charity as it closes its doors. Store owner and broadcaster Huw Rees said he had to close Huw Rees Brides in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, after 16 years of business due to his kidney failure. Mr Rees said closing a business is always difficult but he wanted to close it on a "positive note" by giving back to charity. Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast ahead of its closure at the end of March, Mr Rees said dresses have so far been donated to Cancer Research, the British Red Cross, local colleges and a local dogs charity. Also known as Huw "Fash", Mr Rees is a regular face on S4C programmes Prynhawn Da and Heno, and has previously opened up about being on dialysis for kidney disease. "People have been disappointed, we're a multi award-winning brand and just won a national wedding award just recently," Mr Rees said. "But customers who know why have been so supportive." Mr Rees said donations have been ongoing but around 20 dresses have been donated to Cancer Research, while 40 gowns have been handed over to Bridgend and Carmarthen college to "work on sustainability". Donations were also sent to a local dogs charity and around 30 wedding dresses, including bridesmaids' dresses, veils and accessories have gone to the British Red Cross in Llandeilo. British Red Cross shop manager Sarah Morris said they were "overwhelmed" by the generosity of the designer donation. Ms Morris said: "The shop has been buzzing with excitement. The phone has been ringing with enquiries about the dresses, and customers have been visiting us to try the dresses on."The money raised by selling these dresses will support our work across the UK and around the world, allowing us to continue to be there for people in crisis. We're truly grateful to Huw for this donation."The collections include bespoke designs by Mr Rees, as well as gowns from designers such as Ellis Bridal, Lou Lou and Louise Bentley, which are typically priced upwards of £1,000. The stylist said he has also sold a lot of stock in a sale in the shop, adding: "I don't want people to think I'm some extremely kind saint from Wales who gives everyone expensive dresses."I'm doing what I can and it's time now to think clearly about where these dresses are going to go."We've had 16 successful years and I'm just grateful for the supportive brides."The stylist said they will continue to finish working with the brides that they have on the books, and said their last wedding is in Rees said he is now training to be a celebrant and hopes to be marrying the brides instead of working on dresses.
