The family and friends of a popular former Cardiff youth leader have paid tribute to him as a "courageous" man who "had time for everybody" following his death aged 80. Anthony Jellings, who was known affectionately as 'Mr Ely', is remembered fondly for doing "so much" for children in the area, particularly through his work at Trelai Youth Club over 20 years.
The much-loved father and grandfather died on August 10 and his funeral was attended by up to two hundred people from "all over", said his wife Janice Jellings, 77. Born and bred in Ely, as a young man Mr Jellings was "very, very brainy" and passed the scholarship for Howardian High School. But despite his academic talent, he didn't enjoy school and left as soon he could to go into retail.
His first job was as manager of a a Co-op store in Ely. He was there for a number of years and worked his way up to area manager. "When decimalisation came in, he couldn't handle that - so he left," said Janice. "He had a bit of a 'drop-out' era. We were married at the time."
