THE Freedom of the Town has been granted to longstanding members of the Abergele community.
Former Councillors Richard Waters and Brian Roberts, who served for 39 and 31 years respectively, were recognised for their service at a presentation put on by Mayor of Abergele, Councillor Alan Hunter.
Mr Roberts, who has always lived in Abergele, was first elected to the Council in 1991, representing the Pentre Mawr Ward.
A Town Mayor on three occasions (1994, 2005 and 2014), Mr Roberts was instrumental in the purchasing of the current Town Hall, and accepted in excess of 400 invitations to various events.
Mr Waters served the community of Abergele & Pensarn for 49 years, being regarded as the ‘Father of the Council’ due to his wealth of information and knowledge of the council procedures.
An Abergele Town Council spokesperson said of Mr Waters: “His work at Town & County Council has been of a very dedicated and gentle Councillor who always had the residents at the forefront of any decisions or proposals he made.
“A wise and very knowledgeable man who will be greatly missed for his unstinting work at Abergele Town Council.”
Long service awards were also presented to former Councillors Delyth MacCrae and Sam Rowlands, who served for 18 and 14 years respectively.
Mr Rowlands left his role on the Council shortly after being elected as the MS for North Wales in 2021.
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