HE was described as a “full of life character”, “hard working” and “wearing his heart on his sleeve” as councillors paid tribute to Cllr Paul James, who died last month.
Cllr James, who represented the Llanbadarn Fawr Sulien ward following election in 2002, was killed in a cycling collision on the collision on the A487 between Waun Fawr and Bow Street, near Aberystwyth, on April 11.
At Tuesday’s (April 30) cabinet meeting members paid tribute to Cllr James with a number of Aberystwyth representatives speaking fondly of him and their work together over the years.
Council leader Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn’s voice cracked as she said how greatly missed Cllr James will be.
“The phone would ring very often, ‘Hi El’, but the phone will not ring anymore,” she said.
Cllr Gareth Rees said there would be a “huge gap” not only in Llanbadard Fawr but Ceredigion as a whole.
Cllr James was also a community councillor, school governor and represented the county council on the Mid and West Wales Fire Authority.
He worked at Aberystwyth University as a security officer and had served as a paratrooper in the British Army and in the French Foreign Legion.
The cabinet extended their sympathy to Cllr James’ family.
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