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Ben brings sport to the ears of listeners to Radio Pembrokeshire
Ben Stone has become the sporting voice of Radio Pembrokeshire over recent months since he returned the station from a stint ‘over the border’ and has built up a strong fan base with his music, warm chat and clear love of sport, especially with the Scarlets and anything to do with sport that is going on within our county.
In that time he has spoken on air to top Welsh sporting stars like Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Dominic Dale (Scarlets), Joe Allen (Swansea City) and Des Shanklin, the doyen of Welsh Football. He was delighted to say ‘well done’ to Dan Duffy (the Liberty Stadium head groundsman who lives in Haverfordwest) and Rhys Harry (Tenby Golf Club’s professional) on their recent award-winning exploits – but is just as much at home chatting to participants and officials in local sport and generally enthusing about all that goes on in Pembrokeshire Sport.
‘Bill and Ben Show’ keeps him busy
Ben has formed a lively partnership with Bill Carne, of PembrokeshireSport.co.uk for what he has dubbed the ‘Bill and Ben Show’ and goes out on Friday evenings from 6pm to 8pm. In those two hours they phone a couple of characters from the Pembrokeshire sporting scene, preview both the rugby and football that goes on the next day, mention some of the unsung heroes and talented youngsters just making their way in sport. Not content with that little lot, Ben works on Saturday afternoons and provides up to date information about matches going on, not only for Radio Pembrokeshire but for their sister stations at Radio Carmarthenshire and Scarlet FM in Llanelli. It is a very busy time, especially since he does a results round-up at 5.30pm and a resume of results every Monday morning after 9.30pm!
Ben’s sporting background
He has always enjoyed sport since the time that he was brought up in Faringdon which nestles between Swindon and Oxford, where youngsters tended to support one or other of those towns’ teams. Ben followed Oxford United and supported them through to the old First Division of the Football League and back down to where they are now, in the Blue Circle League.
“Things can only get better,” says Ben with a chuckle!
He regularly played football in the garden at home with younger brother Tom, whom he admits was a much better player and was on Oxford United’s books for a number of years, as well as representing the region at the old Wembley Stadium. Ben played at left back for Faringdon Town youth team and more recently has been involved in five a side football as a means of keeping fit, but has little chance of returning to play regularly because of his busy work schedule.
In the summer months Ben also played cricket for Buscot Park alongside Tom and their father Peter, who was a useful cricket and hockey player, with all three turning out for the club on a Sunday match, whilst mum Angela made sure that her fellers were selected because the other players really enjoyed her delicious strawberry teas! Ben was a middle order batsman with a top score of 30+ and really enjoyed the fielding aspect of the game.
Love of Pembrokeshire and great support
The Stone family used to holiday in Pembrokeshire every year, staying with Ben’s grandparents, who lived at different times in Templeton, Lampeter Velfry and Saundersfoot – so he was delighted when he started out with Radio Pembrokeshire two and a half years ago, other than a ten-month spell as programme manager at Kick FM in Newbury. But he missed Pembrokeshire a lot and is full of praise for the management team at Radio Pembrokeshire for taking him back on board, and his other presenters for the way that they give their support.
Also very supportive has been Ben’s wife Becci, whom he jokingly says has used the ‘if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em’ policy with regard to sport and outside of his sporting interests at Radio Pembrokeshire, Ben would like to take up golf again because he has dabbled in the past and says it would provide some exercise as well as participation. His least favourite sport to watch is Gran Prix Racing bur says that he enjoys everything else.
Looking ahead
He has always aimed to promote sport in the county because he knows how important is to people in the area, not only for participants but for officials and supporters who generate so many human interest stories, as well as results every weekend. Ask Ben about how he sees it developing and he says,
“As far as interest can be maintained and time allows. I have made a lot of friends already through local sport and I want to see that continuing. I really enjoy local rugby as well as football now and we ask listeners from minority sports to contact us so that we can give them air-time as well.”
Chat to Ben Stone for a short while and it is easy to see the enthusiasm he has for sport in general but Pembrokeshire Sport in particular, and coverage locally has been the better for his considerable efforts – and long may he continue to grace the air waves emanating from Radio Pembrokeshire!
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