Val Coleman defies age with medals, records and a message: “Don’t stop moving”

A 97-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire woman who only took up rowing in her nineties is now a world record holder and shows no signs of slowing down.

Val Coleman, from Goodwick, began indoor rowing as part of her recovery after breaking her femur shortly after her 90th birthday.

Now, nearly eight years later, she has broken eight world records and won a string of medals, including 16 golds.

Her latest achievement came this month when she set a new five-kilometre world record in the 95 to 99 age category.

From recovery to records

Val first discovered rowing while watching boats launch at Lower Town Quay in Fishguard.

Her daughter, then captain of Jemima Rowing Club, encouraged her to try a rowing machine.

“She said, ‘I think you’ve got a record there,’ and it went from there really,” Val said.

Despite starting later in life, Val quickly took to the sport and has since built an impressive list of achievements, including World Rowing silver and bronze medals and multiple Welsh titles.

Keeping active key to success

Val credits her longevity and success to staying active.

“I think it’s very important as you get older. You need more exercise, not less,” she said.

In addition to rowing twice a week, she swims or walks daily and attends Pilates classes at her local leisure centre.

“The great thing about rowing is you’re sitting down,” she added. “It’s not as hard on your legs as running.”

A social lifeline

Beyond competition, rowing has brought a strong social element to her life.

“It’s important when you live on your own and you’re getting older,” she said. “I’ve made a lot of new friends.”

Training regularly with her club, Val says she is treated no differently to any other rower.

A lifetime of resilience

A mother of eight, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, Val has lived in Pembrokeshire for six decades and spent 20 years in Goodwick.

She retrained as a nurse in her late forties and worked at Withybush Hospital until retirement.

Now, she continues to challenge expectations of ageing, keeping physically active while also reading a daily newspaper and doing crosswords.

“Don’t give up”

Val has a clear message for others.

“Don’t give up when you get to 60 or 70,” she said. “Keep moving.”

And for those thinking of trying something new, her advice is simple.

“Give it a go. If rowing isn’t for you, there’s always something else.”

LOCAL BUSINESS SUPPORTS GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL

DOLPHIN Fish & Chips in Goodwick has been praised for its support of the local community after stepping up as a sponsor of Goodwick United.

The popular chip shop, known locally for its haddock and chips, has built a strong reputation in the area, with customers praising its freshly cooked food, generous portions, crispy batter and friendly service.

The business says it has also been recognised among the Top 40 fish and chip businesses in the UK, a national achievement which has helped put the Goodwick takeaway firmly on the map.

As well as serving local customers, Dolphin has now shown its backing for grassroots sport by sponsoring Goodwick United, underlining the close links between local businesses and community football in Pembrokeshire.

The sponsorship has been welcomed as another example of a local business putting something back into the community it serves.

Dolphin offers both sit-in and takeaway options and says it currently holds a 4.6 Google rating.

Photo caption:

Community support: Goodwick United players and manager pictured with Mr Bravaham from Dolphin Fish & Chips, Goodwick

NEYLAND made an immediate statement on the opening weekend of the Nicholas Insurance Thomas Carroll Pembroke County Cricket League as they began their Division 1 campaign with a convincing 91-run win over Whitland.

The champions posted 256-8, with Sean Hannon leading the way with 76 and Paul Murray adding 52. Ross Hardy also made 26 before taking 2-21, while Andrew Miller claimed 2-24 and Sam Laugharne 2-30.

Whitland battled to 165-8 in reply, Che Thomas finishing unbeaten on 45 and Matthew Davies making 37, but Neyland took 19 points from the fixture to sit top after the first round of matches.

Carew also made a strong start, beating Burton by eight wickets. Burton were bowled out for 160, despite Joseph Kiff making 44 and both Nick Jones and Luke Hayman adding 31. Carew reached 161-2, Morgan Grieve top-scoring with 68, supported by Brian Hall, who finished 44 not out, and Shaun Whitfield, who added an unbeaten 25 after earlier taking 3-44. Iori Hicks claimed 4-26 and Noah Davies 3-20.

Saundersfoot were another side to open with victory, chasing down Cresselly’s 182 all out to win by seven wickets. Simon Stanford made 63, with Nick Cope unbeaten on 36, after Tom Murphy had earlier hit 66 for Cresselly.

Herbrandston produced the most emphatic batting display of the day, beating Lawrenny by ten wickets. Lawrenny were dismissed for 129, with Harry Thomas making 36, before Herbrandston reached 136 without loss. Harry Nicholas finished 51 not out and Charlie Malloy 43 not out, Malloy having earlier taken a superb 8-57.

There was also early drama at St Ishmaels, where Tish and Narberth finished level. St Ishmaels closed on 122-9, with Narberth then bowled out for the same score. Stephen Williams made 17 and took 3-16 for Tish, while Ben Hughes claimed 3-18 for Narberth.

Lawrenny team at the weekend (Image: Martin Jones)

Division 2

JOHNSTON and Cresselly seconds both took maximum 20-point hauls in Division 2.

Johnston edged a tight contest with Pembroke Dock by 12 runs. Steven Mills starred with 73 and 3-18, while Gary James made 61 and took 2-30 as Johnston were bowled out for 173 before dismissing Pembroke Dock for 161. Nick Daley made 41 for the Dock, with Peter Kingdom adding 31 and Callum Power 26.

Cresselly seconds beat Fishguard by 75 runs after posting 217 all out. Griff Jenkins made 48 and took 2-18, Lewis Mason added 40, and Matthew Lewis claimed 3-19. Fishguard were bowled out for 142, Anthony Cousins top-scoring with 32.

Hook won a high-scoring game against Llangwm, chasing 221-8 to win by six wickets. Mikey Jones was the match-winner with an unbeaten 101, backed up by Rhys Phelps with 60. Llangwm had earlier been led by Luke Brock, who made 108, with Dominic Asson unbeaten on 77.

Pembroke also made a fine start, beating Llanrhian by ten wickets. Llanrhian reached 137-9, Jack Jones carrying his bat for 88 not out, but Pembroke replied with 138 without loss. Ceri Brace made 64 not out and Jack Harries 62 not out.

Haverfordwest were comfortable nine-wicket winners over Llechryd. Jake Merry took 4-13 as Llechryd were bowled out for 74, before Johnnie White, unbeaten on 31, and Ben Field, unbeaten on 25, completed the chase.

Division 3

CAREW seconds lead the early Division 3 table after a three-wicket win over Burton seconds.

Burton were bowled out for 160, Will Ridge making 45, before Carew seconds reached 163-7. Stephen Cole made 50, Dai Rees 37 and Rhys Lewis 33, while Jamie Heeps had earlier taken 3-47.

Laugharne also began with victory, beating Pembroke seconds by seven wickets. Matt Tait finished unbeaten on 50, with Callum Collins-Davies making 34 and Harry Clapperton 24 as Laugharne chased down 131.

Kilgetty defeated Haverfordwest seconds by 20 runs. Dylan Duffy made 48 and Ieuan Prout 29 in Kilgetty’s 142 all out, before Haverfordwest seconds were dismissed for 122 despite James Marchant’s 50. Kieran Williams took 4-20.

Saundersfoot seconds won a low-scoring game at Lamphey by ten runs. Sam Joseph returned excellent figures of 6-26, while Josh Samuel made 19 not out and then took 3-8.

Hundleton edged Stackpole by five wickets, reaching 158-5 in reply to 157-7. Evan Davies finished unbeaten on 50 and Jonathan Williams unbeaten on 36, while Josh Davies made 91 and took 2-34 for Stackpole.

Division 4

HAVERFORDWEST thirds and Llechryd seconds both opened Division 4 with maximum-point victories.

Haverfordwest thirds beat Crymych by two wickets after chasing 126. Richard Davies made 46 and Sidak Mahey 17, while Kos Dammitry took 5-37 for Crymych, who had earlier been led by Nitai Durey with 42 and Sion Vaughan with 38.

Llechryd seconds beat Neyland seconds by 70 runs. Tom Harries made 51, Ollie Roberts 50 and Dan Moulster 36 not out in a total of 198-6. Moulster then completed a fine all-round display with 5-38 as Neyland seconds were bowled out for 128, despite Martin Lewis making 58.

Hook seconds won by four wickets against Carew thirds, with Jamie Phelps making 91 and taking 3-17. Carew thirds had posted 176-8, Robbie Hicks finishing unbeaten on 75.

Narberth seconds beat St Ishmaels seconds by 61 runs, Ceri Davies making 41 not out and taking 2-7. Andrew Williams and Matthew Gow both made 32, while Jordan Howell added 25.

Lawrenny seconds were seven-wicket winners against Herbrandston seconds. Ian Milsom made 56 not out for Herbrandston, but Lawrenny reached 107-3, Jon Beff finishing unbeaten on 36 and Noah Williams unbeaten on 33.

Division 5

LLANRHIAN seconds lead the way in Division 5 after a 97-run win over Pembroke Dock seconds.

Llanrhian seconds made 199-4, with Leon Williams unbeaten on 62, Ryan Bywater making 41 and Ninja Prabath finishing 35 not out. Pembroke Dock seconds were bowled out for 102, despite Johnnie Hay’s 61, as Ryan John took 3-3 and Mark Evans 3-22.

Cresselly thirds also took 20 points, beating Pembroke thirds by six wickets. Pembroke thirds were bowled out for 160, Dan Scourfield falling just short of a century with 95, before Cresselly reached 161-4. Ollie Toy made 59 and Neal Williams 44.

Llangwm seconds beat Hundleton seconds by eight wickets. Josh Davies made 87 not out and John Palmer 65 not out, Palmer having earlier taken 4-14.

Whitland seconds were five-wicket winners over Llechryd thirds. Matt Driver made 51 and Rhys Davies 38 as Whitland chased 115, after Chris Sweeney had taken 4-14 and Joel Evans 4-27.

Division 6

HAVERFORDWEST fourths and Laugharne seconds both opened Division 6 with 20-point wins.

Haverfordwest fourths beat Whitland thirds by four wickets, chasing 92 to finish on 93-6. Will Davies made 57, while Harvey Thomas took 3-12 and Danny Dewstowe 3-7.

Laugharne seconds edged a one-wicket thriller against Neyland thirds. Neyland were bowled out for 134, Mason Kerrison making 40 and Phil Keen 38, before Laugharne reached 135-9. Andrew Edwards finished unbeaten on 37 and Shaun Lynch unbeaten on 22.

Lamphey seconds also started with victory, beating Haverfordwest/Cresselly by four wickets. Haverfordwest/Cresselly made 133-5, Arthur Jenkins top-scoring with 35, before Lamphey seconds reached 134-6 thanks largely to Jack Halstead’s 67.