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Wales Online
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
'I never thought I'd be a widow twice by 49 but I never want my brave husband to be forgotten'
'I never thought I'd be a widow twice by 49 but I never want my brave husband to be forgotten' Anna-Louise Stubbings says she can't regret the time she had with her second husband Zach before his death from cancer Anna-Louise and her husband Zach on their wedding day (Image: Anna-Louise Stubbings ) It is hard to fathom what Anna-Louise Stubbings has been through in the last nine years. Anna-Louise is 49 and a widow twice while her daughter has lost her father and stepfather. Anna-Louise's first husband Stuart died alongside the couple's son Fraser when they were hit by a driver just before Christmas in 2015. Anna-Louise and daughter Elizabeth were there having been at a Christmas party together when Stuart and Fraser were hit. In the hours that followed she had to make impossible choices about which of her beloved boys to be with as they both took their last breaths. Fraser's organs were donated and used to save four lives leading to Anna-Louise setting up Believe, which is an organ donation awareness charity. She has shared her advice for others going through organ donation or sudden bereavement too. But, in her grief, she met Zachary Stubbings, an RAF airman. The pair met when he went to see her to collect a Fraser Bear, the charity's mascot, after he himself had a stem cell transplant as part of his treatment for blood cancer. He had multiple myeloma, a cancer that affects the bone marrow and plasma cells. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Getting into another relationship after losing Stuart would have been a big call anyway but knowing about Zach's illness Anna-Louise did have to take some time and did initially end their blossoming relationship before resuming it with some gentle encouragement from Elizabeth who took Zach to one side and said it was about time he asked her mum to be his girlfriend. Article continues below Anna-Louise and Zach on their wedding day (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) Anna-Louise said: "I remember my brother saying to me: 'You knew what you were signing up for' and I don't think I did. He didn't look ill, he didn't look unhealthy. It was a hidden disease and I think we both made that decision [to get together] because you don't know – you could just be crossing a road." Anna-Louise previously said she felt "another piece of my heart has grown for Zach" after the previous losses she experienced. He was an integral part of now 13-year-old Elizabeth's upbringing and it was her who was credited with Zach proposing to her mum in Castell Coch in November 2019. A few months later, when Covid came, Zach was on the shielding list and he caught Covid early on which was a huge scare to them all. However he recovered and they set about making memories together. "He was so intelligent on both levels. So emotionally intelligent, I think because he'd been through so much trauma with his search and rescue job and he wasn't threatened by the fact that I had this huge love for Stu and Fraser. "I thought he was just so interesting, it was never dull, and he was the best stepfather that we could have had," said Anna-Louise. "The last few months I have all this guilt for Elizabeth just thinking: 'Should I have done that?' For her she's lost two fathers." But Anna-Louise wouldn't have swapped the time they all had together. "For me I didn't really envisage being 49 and twice widowed. I didn't think it would be this way. I think we thought that because he was under the [care of a] haematologist that we would have a lot more warning or notice or more times to get treatment or whatever but sadly that wasn't the plan," she said. They both knew he was ill and there were repeated scares but Anna-Louise said they did everything they could to create memories together in whatever time they had. December 6, which was the date her son and first husband had diedm was now also the date Zach went into a hospice. He died a month later in January 2025. Anna-Louise and Zach met because of the charity she set up in memory of her late husband Stuart (Image: Richard Swingler ) "It was really tough for us and of course we were living and breathing it 24/7 because he obviously lived with us. Zach was transferred to hospice on the actual 6th of December. That was weirdly, probably, the worst day of my life because I just couldn't fathom how deeply distressing that was," she said. "I wanted to be with him. I was with him in the hospital and I remember bursting into tears and he just said to me: 'It's not like it was nine years ago' but he kept on fighting back and coming out of hospital. I don't think it's still hit me or Elizabeth that he's gone." Zach had previously been a winch man on search and rescue helicopters flying from RAF Valley on Anglesey and had served in the Falklands, Hong Kong, and Cyprus. He was working as an RAF instructor when he was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2012 and was medically discharged from the forces in 2015. He previously told WalesOnline his condition was only spotted when it was thought he had an allergy to a new suit he was given at work and, because of the rash, he was given blood tests. Anna-Louise and her husband Zach on their wedding day (Image: Anna-Louise Stubbings ) But with colleagues also diagnosed with cancer he spotted a pattern and uncovered documents showing concerns had been expressed about the safety of the now-retired Sea King helicopters since the 1990s. A number of troops who flew in Sea King, Wessex, and more recently Puma and Chinook helicopters had been diagnosed with cancers such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, lung cancer, throat cancer, and testicular cancer after being unwittingly exposed to toxic exhaust fumes and sick personnel claimed the Ministry of Defence (MOD) did nothing about it. A civil suit is now being pursued by more than 100 other military personnel. As well as being one of the people offering support to those involved Zach was working behind the scenes to lobby for better screening so that if cancer was found treatment could be given earlier. Zach with Anna-Louise in his search and rescue uniform (Image: Anna-Louise Stubbings ) In 2013 he had set up a support group and never stopped campaigning and it is that campaign Anna-Louise wants to continue in his memory. On Wednesday, July 2, the couple's Senedd member, Julie Morgan, will bring up Zach's campaign in the Senedd, bidding to get the Welsh Government to put pressure on UK colleagues to help the remaining people affected. "What Zach wanted to look at with the MOD, and the people driving it forward, [was a mechanism] so they could get screening so people are screened quicker – how we could expedite the knowledge of this thing. Zach discovered his when they changed his flight suit when he was 33 and he got sent for bloods and they discovered his multiple myeloma. But without the rash he had no other symptoms," Anna-Louise said. Stuart with Fraser (Image: Wales News Service ) "We want to remember him as the fighter and what he did. The messages of support I got from people he worked with and everything afterwards was phenomenal and that's what he should be remembered for." For Anna-Louise continuing Zach's lobbying is really important since his death. "He fought and obtained all these documents and he really was, ironically, as I keep saying, like the Mr Bates of the Post Office. He was so poorly in the last few years but I want everyone to remember Zach the fighter, Zach the brave, not just the job he did but also the fact he worked hard to get other people to be aware of this. "We really did live life and when he got his settlement we went away on lots of holidays and we made lots of memories. "That's what he, and now I, want with this campaign was if people are aware and they have the time, as well if they can get some money, they can make those memories. That is what is really key. Yes he was taken too young. Yes it's awful – but we had the time at least," she said. Article continues below
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Wales Online
Welsh dad left unable to speak after alleged attack on holiday
Welsh dad left unable to speak after alleged attack on holiday Ashton's father Darren was asked if he wanted to put a do not resuscitate order on Ashton just a week ago. Days on he has made a 'miraculous recovery'. Ashton Jones' family say he is making 'very steady progress' while still in hospital in Thailand following an alleged assault earlier this month (Image: Angela Roden Shepherd ) A Welsh dad fighting for his life in Thailand after an alleged assault led to a bleed on his brain is making 'very steady progress', his family have said. Ashton Jones, 29, from Cwmbran, flew out to Bangkok on May 30 for a holiday with friends but he disappeared from his friends in the early hours of June 3 and he was later found at Chonburi Hospital on a life support machine. Ashton, a father of two, then underwent emergency brain surgery during which a large portion of his skull had to be removed. Almost a month later he remains unable to speak properly and is interacting with his family with eye movements, noises and facial expressions. Ashton had gone out to Thailand to spend a holiday with friends but within days ended up in hospital on a life support machine (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) Family friend Angela Roden Shepherd, speaking on behalf of the family, told WalesOnline: 'He's making very steady progress. The next move is to get him back into the rehabilitation place he originally was in before he got a lung infection. 'To put into context just how miraculous a recovery Ashton has made so far, Darren was actually asked if he wanted to put a do not resuscitate order on Ashton just a week ago. Darren said 'absolutely not' and in a few days Ashton had made a miraculous improvement. Article continues below 'I spoke to Ashton a couple of days ago. He's talking. He's not coherent but he's able to communicate. He's off the ventilator. He still has to be tube fed and he still has oxygen fed to him, and he still has to be restrained because he's in a lot of pain.' Ashton Jones with his grandmother Beverley Walker (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) Ashton's family said the current plan is for him to be in Thailand for around another three weeks before they attempt for him to be brought back to Wales where he will be treated further at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport where he will need to undergo further surgery to replace the part of his skull he has lost with a titanium plate. Ashton's father Darren has been out in Thailand for three weeks, helped by two locals - one British man and a Thai woman - who have put him up and are helping him with the language barrier as well as giving him lifts to and from the hospital. 'It's been awful but two wonderful people - a Thai lady and a British man - have taken Darren in and helped no end,' Angela explained. 'If it wasn't for them the translation would be completely lost and we wouldn't have a clue what was going on. They saw what happened online and reached out to Darren. 'They're putting him up and taking him back and forth to the hospital. They're feeding him and looking after him. They've been a real godsend. We don't know them from Adam but they're just amazing people.' Ashton Jones is gravely ill in a Thai hospital (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) Angela said the family have been speaking with the police in Thailand who they say believe Ashton has been assaulted. 'He has been beaten half to death,' Angela said. 'But we don't know the circumstances around how and why, so we're not going to speculate. 'Ashton is starting to mumble things but it's too incoherent. The chances of catching them are virtually zero and the chances of getting money back to get Ashton home are virtually zero too.' Ashton had no medical insurance when travelling to Thailand. A fundraiser organised by his family online has so far raised more than £22,000 for his treatment and to get him back to the UK. Angela added: 'We really need all the help we can get. We're still short of the funds we need to get Ashton back. Any help at all is greatly appreciated.' You can find the fundraising page here. Article continues below Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.
Wales Online
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Grandad cricketer, 86, finally calls time on his career
Grandad cricketer, 86, finally calls time on his career John Prior who helped set up Cardiff Casuals in the 1960s has been described as a 'true legend' John 'Foxy' Prior has played his final match for the Cardiff Casuals (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) A grandad who helped start a Cardiff cricket club has retired from the sport at 86 years old. John Prior, who worked as an actor and drama teacher, helped set up Cardiff Casuals XI in the 1960s and has been a lifelong servant of the club ever since. The Wenvoe-based club honoured the 86-year-old during his last match on Sunday, with dozens of players past and present gathering for the game. The club played an interclub game against two sides known as The Foxes and The Hounds. John's final over was a maiden and both teams gave the lifelong cricketer a guard of honour as he stepped across the boundary rope for the final time. John Prior was described as "a real custodian of the club's democratic and welcoming ethos" (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) The former teacher had played cricket when he was in school before he helped found the Cardiff Casuals and later adopted the nickname 'Foxy' for his canny legspin bowling. John said: "It was a lovely day - one of the best in my life. Old friends who had been with us at the start came to gather round and reminisce. "I was so proud to have been the excuse for so many old friends to get together if only for the day." Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here . Article continues below John's teammates praised his "fitness, character and commitment" (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) He explained that the team was founded "when a group of players, broke away from a rather authoritarian local club to form a club that would play cricket in a friendly way that would never make winning the sole objective." Club leading run scorer Will Mason-Wilkes said: "Foxy is a true Casuals legend. Most would be more than happy to be getting out of bed at 86 so for him to still be turning out on a cricket pitch is a remarkable testament to his fitness, character and commitment. John has called time on a long innings at the club (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) "A real custodian of the club's democratic and welcoming ethos, Foxy set the tone for how we play the game - not always with the most talent but always with a smile on our faces. "Well played Foxy - retired but not out!" Cardiff Casuals Cricket Club described themselves as "an amateur cricket club based in Cardiff, South Wales". They play Sunday friendlies and in a mid-week league (Willow League). Article continues below During the first innings, the Foxes batted first reaching 121/4 from their 20 overs. The Hounds scored 115/2 from their 20 overs in reply. For the second innings the Foxes scored 122/6 from 20 setting at total of 129 to win. The Hounds chased down the score with an over and a two balls to spare.
Wales Online
20-06-2025
- Wales Online
Dad-of-two took police on 'long and deliberate' chase despite car's tyres being damaged by Stinger
Dad-of-two took police on 'long and deliberate' chase despite car's tyres being damaged by Stinger Jordan Barron, 24, had been previously disqualified from driving three times Jordan Barron, of Peacehaven, Tredegar, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) A Tredegar man took police on a 10 minute long chase before crashing into a police car and trying to run away. On March 29, 2025, Jordan Barron, 24, was travelling from the Dyfed-Powys area to Gwent when his car was spotted by police and a pursuit ensued. Anisha Rai, prosecuting, showed Cardiff Crown Court dashcam footage from a police car which revealed a ten minute long police chase where the Ford Fiesta driver kept on driving despite his tyres being damaged by a police stinger. Footage showed the car going the wrong way around roundabouts, mounting kerbs and bollards, carelessly overtaking other cars, failing to stop at a red light and driving on the wrong side of the road. Other vehicles had to swerve out of the way to avoid being hit as Barron struggled to control the car after the tyres had been slashed. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here . Towards the end of the video, the Ford Fiesta can be seen entering an industrial estate where it goes round the roundabout the wrong way and collides with a police car. Barron can then be seen running out of his car and a short on-foot chase ensues before he is arrested. Article continues below Ms Rai told the court that when Barron was arrested police found he only held a provisional driving licence. Barron then admitted that he was aware he was being followed by police officers and knew he didn't have insurance, claiming it was "too expensive". Ms Rai called it a "long, persistent and deliberate case of dangerous driving". Jeffrey Jones, representing Barron, explained how his client suffered with learning disabilities and described him as someone who had "difficulties handling his emotions". He added that Barron was deemed unfit to work due to his mental health issues and explained that he "accepts how stupid he was". Mr Jones further explained that his client was still young and had two children who he saw weekly. Barron, of Peacehaven, Tredegar, has 12 previous convictions for 17 offences and has undergone three periods of driving disqualification since 2016. He was charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop and driving without a licence or insurance. Article continues below Judge Wayne Beard said: "This was an extended period of driving where you took risks with the vehicle after a level of control had been reduced." The judge gave him an 18 month community order which will include 26 sessions and ten rehabilitation requirement days. Judge Beard also ordered him to pay £414 and disqualified Barron from driving for a further 18 months.
Business News Wales
19-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Entry Deadline Extended for Prestigious Wales Technology Awards 2025
The entry deadline for the highly anticipated Wales Technology Awards 2025 has officially been extended to Friday, 18 July 2025, giving more time for Wales' most innovative companies, rising stars, and standout leaders to enter. Now in its 10th year, the Wales Technology Awards, created by Technology Connected and taking place on 26 November, mark a decade of championing the businesses and individuals powering Wales' dynamic and world-class tech industry. And in a first for the event, this year's Awards will be held as the ultimate grand finale to Wales Tech Week 2025 – Wales' largest international tech summit, taking place 24–26 November at ICC Wales. 20.10.2022Wales Technology Awards WALES NEWS SERVICE Avril Lewis, Managing Director of Technology Connected, said: 'We know how much passion and dedication goes into building a tech business, and that deserves to be celebrated. That's why we've extended the entry deadline, to give everyone a little more time to pull their stories together. With over 11 award categories, there's something for nearly every tech company in Wales – whether you're just starting out, scaling up, or going international. 'This year's awards are extra special – it's our 10th anniversary. It would be fantastic to see the whole community there. So if you've been thinking about entering… now's your moment.' WALES NEWS SERVICE Jacqui Murray, Chair of the Judging Panel and Director of South Wales for the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, added: 'The calibre of talent and innovation coming out of Wales is exceptional. As judges, we want to give every submission the attention it deserves. This deadline extension ensures that entries can be as strong as possible, and that the recognition we give is truly meaningful and competitive.' Award categories include: ● The Sir Michael Moritz Tech Start-up Award ● The Aled Miles International Impact Award ● Rising Star of the Year Award ● Best Tech Leader Award ● Best AI Application Award ● Best Digital Transformation Award – Public Sector ● Best Digital Transformation Award – Private Sector ● Best EdTech Application Award ● Best GreenTech Application Award ● Best Healthtech Application Award ● Best Digital Inclusion Award The Wales Technology Awards 2025 are free to enter, and entries to multiple categories are welcome. Enter here:
