Making political history runs in mayor's family

CARMARTHEN has a new mayor and the ceremony had special significance.

- IAN LEWIS

In 1966, Gwynfor Evans became Plaid Cymru’s first MP when he won the Carmarthen by-election following the death of Labour's Megan Lloyd George.

In 2016 a bronze bas-relief plaque of Gwynfor waving to the crowds was placed in front of the town’s Guildhall - where election counts were historically held.

Earlier this month, Gwynfor’s granddaughter Heledd ap Gwynfor was made Carmarthen mayor, marking a historic moment for her family and its links to the Guildhall building.

She has been a town councillor for three years, elected as town sheriff in 2023-24, and was deputy mayor in 2024-25 and now mayor until May 2026. Her consort is her husband Rhys James.