Llandudno’s 'donkey lady' dies

Nov 25 2010 by Eva Ketley, North Wales Weekly News

Llandudno’s donkey lady dies

ONE of Llandudno’s best known and much loved characters died on Sunday after a short illness.

Olwen Burroughs was known to generations of children in the resort as “Olwen the donkey lady”. Her family had given donkey rides on the North Shore since the 1870s, and Olwen helped her late father Llew Hughes, before taking over the business on his death.

“She will be sadly missed, her death is a big loss to the town. We’re all devastated by the news and our thoughts are with her family,” said town mayor, Ann Yates.

And councillor Janet Finch-Saunders who knew Olwen well also paid tribute.

“I am very saddened to learn that our dear friend Olwen will no longer be with us here in Llandudno. She will be missed by so many people whose lives she has touched.

“Following in her late father's footsteps she was a very familiar sight here on the beach in Llandudno, come rain or shine each day, and for so many years, along with her most dear and precious donkeys.

“I can honestly say that Llandudno will never be the same without her and she will be fondly remembered by us all for many years to come.”

Over the years Olwen and her donkeys were featured on several TV travel programmes, and she had a worldwide fan club of people who had ridden on the donkeys as children and kept in touch after they grew up.

“Every Christmas she would get cards and letters from all over the world,” said her younger son Mark.

Olwen, 84, was taken ill in August, but last May was still campaigning for improvements to the beach which she said had deteriorated after sea defence work 11 years ago.

And recently the family heard that she had won an award for having the best group of beach donkeys in North and Mid-Wales given by the charity the Donkey Sanctuary.

Llandudno Town Council was planning to organise a ceremony at which she would be presented with the award, and councillors are hoping they will be able to present it to her family at a later date.

“It is our intention to make the presentation on the beach in the same location and to have some donkeys present. I am sure that Olwen will be looking down on us with a smile,” said Cllr Finch-Saunders.