Mum died after being ‘exposed to asbestos on husband’s clothes’
THE family of an Anglesey woman who died from an asbestos-related disease they believe is linked to a power station are seeking “justice for their mother”.
Nelan Christmas Jones, 78, passed away in November 2019 from mesothelioma – an illness linked to asbestos exposure.
Her family claims she came into contact with the now-banned building material when she was washing the work clothes of her husband, Bob Jones, who worked at Wylfa Power Station during its construction between 1964 and 1970.
Nelan lived with Bob, known locally as ‘Bob Twll Clawdd,’ in the village of Llanfaelog at the time.
Bob died in 2015 at the age of 86 – his death was not directly related to his exposure to asbestos during his time at Wylfa.
The couple had three children together, Noel, Arwel and Rhian who are now appealing for anyone who worked at Wylfa Power Station during its construction, or with their father, Bob, to come forward to help them with their mesothelioma claim and “get justice for [their] mother”.
In a joint statement, the family said: “Our mother suffered terribly following her diagnosis with mesothelioma.
“She developed the condition after being exposed to asbestos via our father’s work clothes whilst washing them.
“We are appealing for anyone to come forward who might be able to help us get justice for our mother who sadly passed away as a result of this awful cancer.
“Any help at all would be greatly appreciated by our family.”
The specialist asbestos team at Hugh James were instructed by the late Nelan Christmas Jones following her diagnosis with the asbestos-related disease, mesothelioma.
The family are represented by specialist asbestos disease solicitor Lauren
Bull who says: “We know that Mrs Jones came into contact with asbestos via her late husband’s work whilst he worked at Wylfa Power Station during its construction between 1964 and 1970.
“Her husband was Robert “Bob” Jones, known locally as “Bob Twll Clawdd” and they lived in Llanfaelog near Rhosneigr at the time.
“We were able to take evidence from a former colleague of Mr Jones who has now also sadly passed away from mesothelioma.
“He confirmed that Mr Jones came into contact with asbestos whilst working for Johnson & Phillips Ltd and Enfield Standard Power Cables as an electrician/cable layer and brought it home on his work clothes.
“There were three companies who were the main contractors during the build: Taylor Woodrow, Babcock & Wilcox and English Electric.
“Mr Jones worked for a number of sub-contractors at Wylfa to include:
Rowlinson Constructions Ltd, Johnson & Phillips Ltd, Enfield Standard Power Cables Ltd, James Scott & Co (E.E) Ltd and James Kilpatrick & Son Ltd.
“We are interested to speak to anyone who worked with Bob Jones or who worked for one of these sub-contractors at Wylfa during its construction.
“We are particularly interested to find out whether these main contractors supervised the work of the sub-contractors who worked there”.
A solicitor for Hugh James says that a claim against the successive owner of the Wylfa Power Station site, Magnox Ltd, has been initiated.
A spokesperson for Magnox Ltd said: “Mesothelioma is a recognised industrial disease that is linked with exposure to asbestos.
“In the past asbestos was widely used in all kinds of industries, including in power stations, and there are arrangements in place to make sure legitimate claims are reviewed and dealt with appropriately.
“We acted on this claim when it was initially received.
“Our insurance representatives provided advice to the family and their solicitor as to whom they should approach to take their claim forward.
“In the circumstances it is not appropriate for us to make further public comment on the claim.”
Anyone who worked with Bob Jones, or for one of the above-mentioned contractors during the construction of Wylfa Power Station, is encouraged to contact Lauren Bull at Hugh James on 029 2267 5848 or 02920 391100 to assist the late Mrs Jones’ family with her claim.