Honorary Burgess

Councillor Helen Roberts

Councillor Helen Roberts was awarded the title of Honorary Burgess for her 20-year service as a Councillor showing commitment not only to the Town Council but to the community Councillor Helen represents.

Vicky Macdonald, Burgess of Conwy Town Council, presented the Honorary Burgess medal to Councillor Helen which was pinned by her daughter Councillor Eva Roberts, Deputy Mayor.  Councillor Joan Vaughan, Mayor of Conwy & Constable of the Castle, presented a gift of flowers from the Council.  

Following the presentation, the Mayor, Councillors and Distinguished Guests gathered at the Wishing Well Gardens to toast the Constable of the Castle’s pennant where photos were taken to record this rare ceremony.

Councillor Helen became a Councillor in 2002 and elected Mayor in May 2007.  Councillor Helen is currently Chair of North Wales Walled Town Friendship Circle, and every year works hard to make the Walled Towns Car Rally a great success.

Councillor Helen believes in providing a strong voice for residents and doing everything she can to promote Marl Ward.  Councillor Helen makes a real impact to her community affecting change, standing up for what she believes to be right and remaining true in all she does.

Honorary Bailies

Mrs Denise Hughes, Mrs Mel Lewis, and Mr Ifor Williams

In 2015, Conwy Town Council began awarding the title of Honorary Bailie to two members of the community to recognise their outstanding voluntary service.

Edwards Is 1284 Charter for Conwy allows the creation of two Bailies (an alternative word for Bailiff).

Due to the pandemic, the Honorary Bailie ceremony was put on hold in 2020 and again in 2021.  This year the ceremony has finally taken place after a long wait, where 3 Honorary Bailies were awarded.  The ceremony was held on Monday 31st January 2022 for Mrs Denise Hughes of Conwy, Mrs Mel Lewis of Llandudno Junction and Mr Ifor Williams of Deganwy where they were awarded the title of Honorary Bailie by the Mayor of Conwy and the Constable of the Castle, Councillor Collette Ryan.  Mrs Hughes, Mrs Lewis, and Mr Williams received a framed copy of the Charter and a crystal paperweight.

Mrs Hughes became a Member of the Conwy Jackdaws Society in the late 70s, going on to be Chairman and eventually President.  Over 40 years or so she has helped raise thousands and thousands of pounds for local community groups.  Mrs Hughes successfully organised all manner of fundraising events, coffee mornings, cheese and wine evenings, garden parties, 200 clubs, hundreds of raffles and more.  This resulted in the Jackdaw Society being able to give generous donations to so many local groups, too many to name here but just to give you some examples; Ty Gobaith Children’s Hospice, Clwb yr Efail, Derby and Joan, Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, Cubs, Cadets, local School PTAs, Youth Clubs, McMillan and many more.

Mrs Lewis spends much of her time bringing people together.  Through the pandemic she has watched over the ladies who are the “Llandudno Junction Knitters” and made sure they were ok.  For several years she has encouraged these ladies to work together and be creative, through this they all knitted bunting which was used to decorate Venue Cymru for the Tour de Britain Cycle Race and then they all knitted for the first Llawn festival in Llandudno.  The knitting group is still going strong and has raised thousands of pounds for St David’s Hospice amongst many other charities.  Mrs Lewis fought to save the Hotpoint Club in Llandudno Junction, she won the Nationwide Community & Heritage award, and the prize money was put towards a disabled toilet for the Club.  In 2007, Mrs Lewis was the driving force behind the sale of the “Hotpoint Club” back to the community for the sum of £1 as “The Llandudno Junction Community Club”.  She has spent years spearheading fundraising and creating community projects.

Mr Williams, a Welsh Translator was made a Deacon at Peniel Welsh Chapel in Deganwy in 1995 and served as Chapel Secretary for 15 years.  He organised many Chapel outings and started the Annual Community Carol Services with All Saints Church and Bethel Chapel.  Ifor started the History of the Deganwy Group in 2009 and was Secretary until 2 years ago.  He has however been the driving force whilst Chairman have come and gone.  It began with a few enthusiastic members, and they have a membership of nearly 90, and going strong.

The History Group has also published a book entitled ‘Flowers on the Path’ by Betty Mills, chronicling her daily walk around the Vadre from All Saints Church to Park Drive.  They look after the path and with permission from Mostyn Estates, re-named it ‘Betty’s Path’.  The History Group has cared for St Mary’s Well in Llanrhos for many years and had regular gardening and tidying sessions and they have placed an information board there.  Five years ago, Ifor started the Castle View Welsh Speakers’ Group for Welsh speakers to chat in their natural language with others.  This has grown to include Welsh learners.

Honorary Bailie

Ray Lingwood

Edward 1’s 1284 Charter for Conwy allows the creation of Bailies (an alternative word for Bailiff).  This year the Council wished to bestow the honour to one special individual who has served his community and the Town Council for many years.

At a ceremony held on 20th September, Mr Ray Lingwood was awarded the title of Honorary Bailie by the Mayor of Conwy & Constable of the Castle, Councillor Joan Vaughan.  Mr Lingwood received a framed copy of the Charter & a crystal paperweight.

Ray joined the RN Auxiliary Services where he stayed in for 17 years, based in Conwy, Llandudno Junction and then Llandudno.  In the 1980’s, Ray joined the Sea Cadet movement at TS Aberconwy in Deganwy.  He has only recently stopped volunteering with them having given a sterling 40 years of work.  Ray was known by the Cadets as ‘Chief’ and has many treasured memories of his years there.
In the 1990’s Ray became the Mayor of Conwy’s Mace Bearer.  Ray, being an ex-serviceman, always carried himself with confidence and held the Mace high at the head of Parades.  The Town Council were so fortunate to have such an excellent Mace Bearer!

Honorary Burgess

Councillor Vicky Macdonald

Councillor Vicky Macdonald has served over 25 years on Conwy Town Council and contributed considerably to both the Town Council and the local community.  To recognise this contribution and dedication to duty, on Monday 11th April 2022, Conwy Town Council conferred the title of Honorary Burgess upon Councillor Macdonald.

Mr Guto Bebb MP read a citation of Councillor Vicky’s extensive history and achievements followed by the presentation of the award of Honorary Burgess of Conwy, presented by Janet Finch-Saunders AM/MS.

The ceremony was followed by a visit to Conwy Castle to toast the Mayor’s pennant. The procession was led by the Cambria Band and The Knights Templar of England and Wales.  Many dignitaries were in attendance which included numerous Past Mayors of Conwy and Mr Robin Millar MP.