Former mayor of Conwy dies at the age of 81

Apr 28 2011 by Mari Jones, North Wales Weekly News

A THREE times former mayor of Conwy and a councillor for more than 25 years has died aged 81.

Robert Emlyn Roberts was born in Ty’n-y-Groes in 1929. He was married to Rosemary Price in 1962 and they had three children, Rhianon, Gareth and Morwena.

The couple emigrated to New Zealand and settled in Christchurch.

They went on the £10 passage scheme, and Emlyn worked as a joiner and Rosemary as a schoolteacher.

They returned to Wales in 1965 as Rosemary was homesick, and moved to Colwyn Bay.

The family moved to Llandudno Junction in 1966, and Emlyn remained there until his move to Plas Isaf nursing home in 2009.

Rosemary died in 1987, and Emlyn later married Rhona Cape.

Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, Emlyn ran for council in the 1970s and joined Conwy Town Council, and later Aberconwy Borough Council, between 1978-96.

He became mayor of Conwy in 1977-78, and one of his proudest moments was meeting the Queen during their visit to Llandudno.

Emlyn became mayor for the second time in 1984-85 and again in 1995-96.

He was an active member of the community, one of the founding members of the Plas Blodwel League of Friends, a member of the Telford Committee, and was very active in establishing the RSPB nature reserve in Llandudno Junction in the 1990s.

Emlyn had a huge curiosity for people, especially those visiting the area from overseas.

His daughter Morwenna remembers: “We have lots of memories of him bringing home hitchhikers for tea that he’d only just met.

“One Christmas Eve he went to see his mother and came back with a bloke from Hawaii, who ended up having Christmas dinner with us!

“He was a passionate Welshman and hugely patriotic, so would show these people around the Conwy Valley and Conwy Castle whether they liked it or not.

“Dad was well known for a being a storyteller, a musician and a gentleman who stood up for people.”

Robert Emlyn Robert’s funeral took place at St Michael’s Church, Llandudno Junction, yesterday (Wednesday).