Carno man Clem Richards remembered by bowls club and family

Teammates and family members of Clem Richards, who died in 2021 aged 91, described him as a larger-than-life figure who is still sadly missed.

Now his granddaughter Gemma McDonald has donated a memorial bench to his much-loved bowling club which he co-founded in 1989.

"He was very passionate about bowls," Gemma said about her Taid. "Players dreaded and were very nervous to take on Clem Richards. It was big news beating Clem! He was a big figure in Carno."

Carno Bowling Club co-founder Clem Richards. (Image: Gemma McDonald) Gemma McDonald and her family sit on the bench which is dedicated to her Taid Clem Richards at Carno Bowling Club. (Image: Carno Bowling Club)

Gemma said the memorial bench was the family's way of giving back to the community that meant so much to Clem.

"He's always with me," she said. "He was such a larger-than-life guy.

"He was very passionate about singing. He would always sing whether he was down The Aleppo; he'd sing anywhere!"

Corris Owen remembers Clem as a very active member of the club from fundraising to game leagues.

"He was a very good player too," she said. "He was always the life and soul of our team. He was a character.

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"We knew when Clem was about with his beautiful voice. He would lead us out in song.

"Gemma donated the bench in his memory knowing how much he loved coming to the bowling club."

Carno Bowling Club celebrated its 35th anniversary this year and is still going strong with at least 40 members from the village and surrounding area as far as Aberhafesp.

The club is always looking for members to join on Monday evenings at 6.30pm when the bowls season returns in mid-April.