The funeral of the first woman to serve on Llanfair Caereinion Town Council will be held in the Powys town where she dedicated half a century serving the community.

A celebration of the life of Viola E. Evans, a long serving councillor, will take place at Moreia Chapel in Llanfair Caereinion, on Saturday (August 24) at 1pm.

The community stalwart was the first woman to serve on Llanfair Caereinion Town Council and went on to represent her local area as a town councillor for 50 years, as well as serving as a county councillor for 18 years.

Cllr Evans, who died on July 31 at the age of 86, was described as “a much loved aunt, great aunt and friend to many”.

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The family has asked people such as friends and work colleagues to give a donation to the Cancer Research UK in her memory rather than flowers.

A town councillor since 1974, making history as the council’s first ever female councillor, she went on to become chairman of the council in 1981 for five years, and again in 1990.

Cllr Evans first took her seat in County Hall in 1999 following a long career in tourism and law. She was later appointed as chairman for 2008-2009 which she described as a “great honour for me and for my community”.

When she retired in 2017, Cllr Evans spoke about her biggest achievements and her hopes for Llanfair Caereinion.

She said: “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.”

Her work was not just within the town and community councils though, as she also dedicated decades to supporting charities and events, such as 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.