A sad day for the town

Welshpool has lost an iconic figure following the news that Ann Holloway has passed away this morning at The Rhallt Nursing Home after a short illness.

As Welshpool’s longest serving councillor, Miss Holloway, a former English teacher, was one of the town’s best known residents.

She served as Mayor from 1993-1995 and again from 2008-2010 and was Town Councillor for Castle Ward. During her time she had served on all the council’s committees as well as being representative on numerous outside bodies including North Wales Association of Local Councils, Burgess Land Trust, school governor, carnival committee.

Last year the council honoured her for services to the Royal British Legion. The town hall flag is flying at half mast this afternoon. 

She was also one of the longest serving County Councillors and The Leader of Powys County Council, Councillor Barry Thomas, has paid tribute to a “longstanding and well respected county councillor”.

He said: “Councillor Ann Holloway, who had represented the Llanerchyddol ward in Welshpool on Powys County Council since its creation in 1996 as part of local Government reorganisation died at the Rhallt Nursing Home this morning.

“During her 21 years with the county council she held a number of senior positions including being Chairman of Council in 2005-06, Chairman of Montgomeryshire in 2002-03, Chairman of Personnel 2006-07 and chairman of the council’s employment committee 2007-08.

“A retired teacher, she was a school governor and a member of the University of Wales – Aberystwyth Court and the Welsh Joint Examination Committee. She was also a member of the Powysland Museum, Library and School of Science and Art and the Flash leisure Centre consultative committee.

“Ann was a hard working councillor dedicated to her ward, town and shire. No Montgomeryshire meeting was complete without her attendance and active participation. “Everyone who knew Ann in whatever context knew her as a strong character not afraid to express her opinion and while we did not always see eye-to-eye our discussions were always conducted with mutual respect, politeness and absolute courtesy.

“She brought wisdom and humour to our debates and will be greatly missed."

“She was fiercely loyal to her community and will be sadly missed by the people of Welshpool. She will be a very hard act to follow and I know that everyone at the council will greatly miss her.”

Cllr Phil Pritchard, county councillor for Welshpool Castle, said: “Ann was such a valiant fighter, not only for the county as a whole but for Welshpool as well.

“Ann surpassed herself in 2010 when, as Mayor of Welshpool, welcomed Her Majesty The Queen to town.  As mayor, she entertained the Queen when she visited the town and conducted proceedings impeccably.

“She was friends to a number of organisations in Welshpool and across the county.  Today is such a sad day and she will be sorely missed by all that knew her.”

Her age has not been confirmed.

 PICTURE (from bbc.co.uk): One of her proudest days... escorting Her Majesty The Queen through the town centre.