Tributes have been paid to “fantastic servant” and history-making Llanfair Caereinion councillor Viola E. Evans who has died.

The long-serving community stalwart who was the first woman to have served on Llanfair Caereinion Town Council represented her local area as a town councillor for half a century and as a county councillor for 18 years.

She dedicated decades to supporting charities and events that were close to her heart including having the honour of being chairman of the town’s Christmas lights committee and her active role as a member of the Llanfair Caereinion Cancer Research Committee for more than 50 years.

A town councillor since 1974, Cllr Evans first took her seat in County Hall in 1999 following a long career in tourism and law.

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She was appointed chairman for 2008-2009 which she described as a “great honour for me and for my community”

“I was very honoured to represent my community, having been born in Llanfair.”

After making history as the town’s first female councillor, she went on to become chairman in 1981 for five years, and again in 1990.

Among the many campaigns fought on behalf of her hometown were the county council’s proposals to close the town’s leisure centre when it faced an uncertain future, and the National Grid’s plans to cover the area with steel pylons.

Before retiring in 2017, Cllr Evans spoke about her biggest achievements and her hopes for Llanfair Caereinion.

“I feel happy with what I have done, but I haven’t been able to get sufficient funds to get other things,” she said.

“I do feel that I have pulled out all the stops for Llanfair because it’s my hometown.”

County councillor for Llanfair Caereinion, paid tribute to Cllr Evans’ tireless work to her community on Wednesday, July 31, adding that his thoughts were with her family.

"It is with great sadness that I learnt today about the passing of Cllr Viola Evans,” he said.

"Viola has been a fantastic servant to our community over many decades serving as County Councillor, Town Councillor, secretary to Llanfair Show, numerous charities and, of course, her tireless work with the town Christmas lights.

"Thank you for everything you have done for our town."