Guardian opinion (From South Wales Guardian)

Guardian opinion

11:47am Wednesday 7th January 2009

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WHEN Westley Roach discovered he had testicular cancer, he decided to meet the challenge head-on.

He maintained a positive outlook and – boosted by the support of countless friends and relatives – did everything he could to defeat the dreaded disease.

He also did his utmost to ensure as many young men as possible were made aware of the symptoms.

Mr Roach’s attitude was if one person could learn the lessons of his plight, then his own personal campaign would have been worthwhile.

Testicular cancer is not a death sentence – the chances of recovery are high.

Westley’s misfortune was that he was afflicted with a rare and extremely aggressive form of the disease.

The young father’s death cast a cloud over many people’s festive holiday.

But we should remember not just Westley’s fighting heart but also the support of so many people around him.

************** So Woolies has gone and Ammanford town centre will never be quite the same. Those who regard tributes to the doomed chain store as mawkish and over-sentimental are missing the point.

Woolies was an iconic store whose loss will be felt far more keenly in towns like Ammanford than other, more urban, areas.

This was the store where many of us bought our first records. Others will remember it for pick ‘n’ mix.

Perhaps it won’t be until we see the old Quay Street premises boarded up that we’ll realise what we have lost.

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