ELVIS IN WALES
Carol Pugh
Hi, my name is Carol Pugh and I am the Branch Leader for Wales of the Official Elvis Presley Fan Club of Great Britain, the oldest and most respected Elvis fan club in the world.
I became an Elvis Fan in 1975, home from school with the flu and watching an afternoon matinee, the film was called Change of Habit, the star, a chap called Elvis Presley who I knew very little of and whom my parents disliked with a vengeance! From the moment he appeared on screen, my life changed sounds crazy I know, but no exaggeration. I bought every record, book or piece of memorabilia that I could lay my hands on. Neighbours dug out their old Elvis 78 records and recalled the time when they too discovered Elvis, It felt like belonging to a secret, exclusive club that only those that loved Elvis could be part of. My school friends however just didn’t ‘get it’; after all they were still into the Bay City Rollers!
My main aim from that point on was to save enough money so that by the time I was 18 I too would be one of the lucky ones off to the States to see my man in concert. Of course that never happened as on 16 August 1977 my dream of ever seeing Elvis died, for a long time afterwards I was angry with Elvis for not taking better care of himself and with his closest family and friends for not protecting him. A year on and I knew my emphasis had to change to meeting as many people who knew and loved Elvis as possible and to visit the places most closely connected to him. I’ve been quite successful in doing that, but almost as important, if not more so has been the meeting of friends over the years, who like me were born at the wrong time and wrong place to make our dream a reality.
Well what’s my role now? It is to keep the memory of Elvis alive so that as many people can get to know the incredible legacy that Elvis has left us. I do this by organising Elvis events, discos, branch meetings and Elvis related travel. Everyone is welcome to join us whether you are a member of the fan club or not. If you wish to contact me you can do so by e-mailing me at tcb.carol@googlemail.com or by phoning on 07785107814
Until then I’ll keep Taking Care of Business
With Love
Carol X
Dave Wyatt
Hi, my name is Dave Wyatt and I’m the webmaster for the Welsh Branch the Official Elvis Presley Fan Club of Great Britain.
I’ve been an Elvis fan for longer than I can remember. I honestly do not know how I became an Elvis fan as my parents were never fans.
I first went to Memphis in 1992 for the 15th anniversary of Elvis passing and again in 2007 for the 30th anniversary. 15 years between trips is far too long so I’m going back again this year. As I have been to 2 Elvis weeks I want something a bit more leisurely paced so will be going towards the end of this year sometime.
For me being an Elvis fan is a way of life. I absolutely idolise the man. I listen to Elvis music every day and also remain in contact with the many friends I have made by being an Elvis fan.
Last year I decided to make my own website dedicated to Elvis. It was my first effort at making a website and I was proud of it despite it looking a bit amateurish.
Although I had ideas of what I wanted to do with it there was not anything happening in Wales to really put on it. When I heard that Carol was going to become the Welsh Branch fan club leader (incidentally I met Carol in Memphis in 1992) we got together and decided to turn my website into a Welsh branch site.
Over the coming months you will notice changes to the site. I would like feedback as to what you would like to see. If there is something you don’t like about the site let me know (I don’t bite)
If you wish to contact me you can do so by e-mailing me at elvisinwales@sky.com or on Skype elvisinwales.
TCB
Dave