Popular North Wales entertainer died due to exposure to asbestos dust

After hearing about his remarkable and varied career Kate Robertson, assistant coroner for North Wales East and Central, said: “He was clearly a wonderful man, very well-known and well-liked.”

Mr Pendleton, of St Asaph, was born into a farming family but started working for an upholstery firm.

Brian Pendleton (Image: Sarah Pendleton),

His ambition was to work in the tourist industry and got his break when he joined the entertainment staff at the Golden Sands Holiday Camp in Kinmel Bay.

READ MORE: Entertainer who ‘lived life to the full’ was ‘one in a million’

During the off-season he put his joinery skills to use by erecting and repairing chalets, which is where he was regularly exposed to asbestos dust.

In a statement he prepared prior to his death in August last year he described how he used to cut asbestos sheets in the workshop..

“At the end of each day I was covered in asbestos dust,” he said.

Brian was known for his work as a holiday park entertainer (Image: Sarah Pendleton)

For many years he had a similar dual role at the Miller’s Cottage and Robin Hood Camps before being appointed as media resources officer at Rhyl High School, proving popular with staff and pupils.

His son Andy told the inquest in Ruthin that he remained fit and active until 2022 when, at the age of 90, he went to hospital after suffering breathing problems.

His health then declined and he died at home, the cause of death being given as mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos.

Recording a conclusion of death from industrial disease, Ms Robertson said Mr Pendleton had obviously lived life to the full.

“Fortunately this awful condition was not identified for so long and he was able to get out and about until shortly before his death,” she said.