A plaque has been unveiled in memory of Ted Royds by his friends and neighbours on the bench he maintained in the centre of Llangwm near Usk.

Ted, who died at the age of 93 lived in the Monmouthshire village with his wife Pat for more than forty years.

He was a founding member and, at one time, Chair of Llangwm Local History Group and helped to make it the huge success it is today. Ted was also Clerk to the former Llangwm Community Council and on the committee of the village hall, where the bench is situated.

David Keenan, Vice-Chair of the history group, said: “Ted was always the go-to person for news and information on what was happening locally. He started looking after the bench when Llangwm entered the Best Kept Village competition and it now serves as a memorial to all his efforts.”

Peter Gough, Chair of Llangwm Village Hall committee added: “Ted was very active in the community and was also the local fundraiser for the RNLI. He was a lovely, very friendly man, and is deeply missed.”

David Williams is Chair of Llantrisant Fawr Community Council and a former member of the Llangwm council. He agreed that Ted was at the heart of village life. “In our family, Ted was known as “Super Ted”, because he always got things done!” said David Williams.

One of Ted’s neighbours, Rhod Evans, has taken over the maintenance of the bench and made sure it had a fresh coat of varnish before the ceremony.

The photo is of the bench outside Llangwm Village Hall at the unveiling event attended by local people.

A plaque attached to the bench reads: In fond memory of Ted Royds (04.02.1931 - 15.08.2024) who contributed so much to village life.