The mayor of Cowbridge with Llanblethian Town Council awarded Certificates of Long Service on July 2 to five people who between them have served on the council for 148 years.

At the event held in the main hall of Cowbridge Town Hall, the mayor, councillor John Andrew explained that a number of long-serving councillors had recently either stepped down from the council or decided not to stand for re-election. 

Since the Town Council is no longer able to award Freedom of the Town, the council resolved to mark long service to the council and the community by the award of certificates at an event attended by members of the community.

The five people recognised have all served at least 25 years as a councillor on the Town Council and have all been mayor at least once. They have also all been active in the community in a variety of other ways such as being school governors, trustees of local charities, etc.

The five people to whom certificates were presented are Mrs Susan Cox MBE, councillor Gwen Baty BEM, Geoff Cox, Marian Arnold and Jon R. Harris.

Sue Cox joined Cowbridge with Llanblethian Town Council in 1984 and stepped down just this year so was a town councillor for a remarkable 38 years. In addition, she has served on and chaired many local committees, groups and charities.

Her service to the local community was recognised by the award of an MBE in her Majesty the Queen's Birthday Honours list four years ago. Sue was a founder member of the Town Twinning Association and was one of the signatories of the Charter between Cowbridge and Clisson. 

She is a trustee and founder member of Cowbridge Charter Trust, a trustee of a number of local trusts and charities, as well as having been a governor of two local primary schools. She was mayor of Cowbridge in 1990 and then again in 2004.

Sue's Certificate of Long Service was accepted on her behalf by her husband, Geoff.

Councillor Gwen Baty joined Cowbridge with Llanblethian Town Council in 1992 and is still serving on the council today.

Gwen Baty has been the mayor of Cowbridge three times, in 1997, 2005 and 2013. (Image credit: Mike Wilcock)

For more than 30 years, she also has been very active in the community and was awarded The British Empire Medal by Her Majesty the Queen in the New Year Honours List of 2017.

This was in recognition of her voluntary services to the community of Cowbridge and Llanblethian. The nomination made particular reference to her work over the years with young people and the elderly.

Gwen also has the distinction of having been mayor three times. In 1997, 2005 and 2013.

Geoff Cox joined Cowbridge with Llanblethian Town Council in 1995 and served as a Town Councillor for 27 years before deciding not to stand for re-election in May this year.

Geoff Cox was the mayor of Cowbridge in 2000. (Image credit: Mike Wilcock)

Like his wife Sue, he has also served the community in many other ways including being a school governor but perhaps most importantly as a Vale of Glamorgan councillor for the Cowbridge Ward for over 20 years.

For a part of that time, he was a cabinet member. Notably, he topped the poll in the elections of 2008, 2012 and 2017. Geoff was mayor of Cowbridge in the year 2000.

Marian Arnold joined Cowbridge with Llanblethian Town Council in 1995 and served as a town councillor for 27 years.

She decided to step down earlier this year. Marian was mayor in 2001. Marian was also the mayoress, before she became a councillor, in 1989 when her late husband was the mayor.

Marian's main interests and passions are the outdoor areas for which the Town Council is responsible. The cemetery, Twt Park, Southgate Park and Llanblethian playing field. She is always very keen to ensure that they are maintained to a high standard. 

Another of Marian's interests is footpaths and she chaired a footpath liaison committee for a number of years.

Jon Harris joined Cowbridge with Llanblethian Town Council in 1992 and served as a town councillor for 26 years before deciding to step down in 2018. 

Mr Harris' daughterm Beverley, accepted his certificate at the event. (Image credit: Mike Wilcock)

In addition to being a councillor, Jon was the mayor of Cowbridge in 1996 and then again in 2009.

Also, Jon had the important role of being Chair of the Finance and Governance Committee for many years. When he first took over as Chairman the finances of the Town Council were said to be in a precarious position and during his time as Chairman he was able to restore them to their current solvent and secure state.

Jon's Certificate of Long Service was accepted on his behalf by his daughter, Beverley.

Following the presentation, photographs were taken by Mike Wilcock.

A raffle in aid of the mayor's charities, Barnardo's and Atal y Fro, was held during the event. The prizes were all donated by Barnardo's, Atal y Fro and various Cowbridge businesses.

Those attending also gave donations for coffee, tea and cake all kindly served and donated by volunteers.

The intention is to hold Coffee and Drop-in mornings on the first Saturday of each month, the next one being on Saturday, August 6.

All are most welcome.