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Former Llangunnor Community Council chairman dies aged 98 after a lifetime of service to her community

TRIBUTES have been paid to Mair Lloyd, remembered as “a great Carmarthen character” who devoted many years to serving the Llangunnor community.

Mrs Lloyd, who twice chaired Llangunnor Community Council, died at Caemaen residential home in Llanelli on Wednesday, August 19. She was 98.

She was also closely involved with Age Cymru Sir Gâr’s Knit and Natter clubs and served as press officer for Carmarthen Fuchsia Club.

Before moving to Caemaen, Mrs Lloyd lived at Rhoslas in Tregynnwr, Carmarthen. Her previous home was in Southern Terrace, Pensarn.

She found herself at the centre of one of Carmarthen’s most dramatic events in October 1987, when the River Tywi breached the valley’s flood defences.

Mrs Lloyd and other residents had to be rescued by boat during what remains one of the worst floods in living memory in Pensarn and Carmarthen.

The then Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, and Diana, Princess of Wales, were later given a guided tour of Mrs Lloyd’s flood-damaged home when they visited the affected area.

Mrs Lloyd was the widow of Vincent “Vince” Lloyd, proprietor of the former Carmarthen Service Station Esso garage in Llangunnor Road. Mr Lloyd died in 1985.

She is survived by her two sons, Richard, a retired teacher living in Gwent, and Robert, former editor of the Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star newspapers. She also leaves five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Carmarthenshire county councillor Alun Lenny described Mrs Lloyd as “a very dear woman and a great Carmarthen character”.

Lee Whatley, chairman of Llangunnor Community Council, said: “Mair gave many years of dedicated service to our community, serving as a councillor from July 1979 until February 2007, with a brief period away from the council in 1997 before later returning.

“During her long tenure, she held the position of chair twice, in 1982 and 1992 — a reflection of the trust, respect and affection her fellow members had for her.

“Her contribution to Llangunnor extended well beyond formal meetings. In 1993, she led a chairman’s walk, bringing residents together to enjoy and appreciate our local public rights of way while raising funds for restoration work at Llangunnor Church.

“I was always pleased to see her making the effort to attend events held at Babell Chapel, especially my Big Lunch gatherings.

“Even in her early 90s, she would catch the bus and walk the final stretch up to the chapel — a small act that said so much about her determination, kindness and love for this community.”

Mrs Lloyd’s funeral will take place on Monday, September 7. A service will be held at Llangunnor Church, Carmarthen, at 10.30am, followed by a committal service at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth, at 12.15pm.