December 28, 2021 - 1389 views
Listeners have been paying tribute and sending messages of condolences today following the news that Bayside Radio presenter Phil Hartley-Williams, aka Phillydog, has passed away.
Phil was admitted to Ysbyty Gwynedd a number of days ago and was treated for what was thought to be Covid-19. Sadly in the early hours of Boxing Day, he took a turn for the worse and was unable to recover.
As well as being an enthusiastic champion of local music and performing in local band The Informers during the 70s, Phil was an award winning journalist and ran the newsdesk as editor of the North Wales Pioneer in Colwyn Bay.
Phil was also instrumental in setting up the annual Uke-A-Bay ukuele festival in the Bay and the Sing Along Sunday evenings in the White Lion, Llanellian.
In his spare time, Phil took his turn at match commentary cheering on the Seagulls at the Four Crosses Arena a short distance from his home in Old Colwyn.
Heartfelt tributes have been paid today from many North Wales musicians and volunteers at Bayside including close friend Jeff Pearson.
Jeff said; "Phil was a wonderful presenter and a very good friend. The news won't sink in that he is not with us anymore. It's like a bad dream we are going to wake up from."
Canadian bluesman Manitoba Hal Brolund, a regular visitor to the town's Uke-A-Bay Festival summed up the thoughts of many people who both admired and knew Phil. "Wales won't be the same without you," said Hal.
Phil is survived by his wife Sue, two grown up daughters and a son.
Read More: Tributes to musician and journalist who entertained North Wales for more than half a century - North Wales Live
