IN a heartfelt ceremony on Tenby Railway Station on March 9, a planter’s plaque was unveiled to honour the inspiring legacy of the late Des Brown.

The late Des Brown, the teacher whose legacy of establishing a Junior Civic Society for the town was honoured with the dedication of a planter at the railway station on Monday, March 9.
The late Des Brown, the teacher whose legacy of establishing a Junior Civic Society for the town was honoured with the dedication of a planter at the railway station on Monday, March 9. (Photo courtesy of Roger Brown)

Mr Brown, who passed away on August 13, 2024, had been a teacher at Greenhill School when his passion for improving the local environment sparked action from the children in his care. With fellow teacher Mark Lewis’ help, he set up the Tenby Junior Civic Society.

Members of Tenby Civic Society gathered together with Mark Lewis and members of Des’ family to dedicate the platform planter to his memory.

Members of the late Des Brown’s family are pictured with the planter at Tenby Railway Station with Civic Society members and former Greenhill teacher Mark Lewis.
Members of the late Des Brown’s family are pictured with the planter at Tenby Railway Station with Civic Society members and former Greenhill teacher Mark Lewis. (Photo: Observer)

Chris Osborne explained how Des also had a love of all things trains: “And sometimes managed to hit two targets with one stone - i.e. looking after local stations, including Manorbier, Narberth and Tenby, all organised, when needed, with a return train ride to Tenby.”

Sadly, Geraint Morgan, local Stations Manager for TfW, was not able to attend, nor was Ali Lambert, Ysgol Greenhill’s Senior Assistant Headteacher, who had hoped to bring two of her environmentally students along too.

But Chris thanked Mark Lewis for coming from his home in Llanelli - of course by train - and Des’ two sons, Chris (from Bristol) and Roger (from Ireland) for joining the commemoration.

They were delighted that their mother, Pam, was able to participate in the ceremony.

Roger, Pam and Chris Brown
Roger, Pam and Chris Brown (Photo: Observer)

Talking to the Tenby Observer, Roger and Chris recalled how their dad would whisk them off to Narberth Station with a broom - to clean it up as if someone important was due to visit.

“The vandals have been!” Des would say - as railway stations can be out of sight playgrounds for those with destructive tendencies. He wasn’t a vigilante though - just the man to clean up and make good.

The plaque on the planter reads: ‘In memory of Des Brown, Greenhill school staff, Tenby Junior Civic Society & railway buff.’

“Thank you, all of you, for coming today and helping us record an amazing life with this plaque and planter,” concluded Chris, before handing over to Mark Lewis for his memories of Des.

“His lessons were much more enjoyable than mine!” remarked Mr Lewis. One time, when he had entered a class where Mr Brown was teaching, a pupil who had been bashing on a drum for all he was worth simply explained that he was enjoying himself.

“But he wasn’t one to bang his own drum,” the former teacher said of his colleague.

As well as adopting stations, Des would involve the children in Saturday morning litter picks on local beaches - a social activity with the promise of biscuits at the end! In addition, he was responsible for planting vegetables and pots around the school.

A musician himself and with musical sons, Des also organised busks each year outside Morris Brothers in Tudor Square. The band, which included Roger and Chris, played a fusion of blues and jazz amid buckets to raise money for the Civic Society.

Before the unveiling, Roger said of his father: “He taught me so much, and it’s just great to have him acknowledged.”