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Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Tributes planned to memory of Llan legend Wyn


* Wyn "Paraffin" Hughes - legend of Llangollen.


* Denise Williams, left, and Barba Matthews of the Tourist Information Centre with the condolence book for Wyn, which is now open.


* The bench, second from left, which will be dedicated to Wyn.


* The current inscription - in Latin and meaning 'For the people 
and the town' - which will now bear the name of Wyn Hughes.

The town is planning tributes to the memory of Llangollen legend Wyn Hughes who died last week at the age of 87.

llanblogger in association with Llangollen's town clerk has arranged for a book of condolence to be opened for him in the Tourist Information Centre.

And the town council has approved a plan to dedicate a bench in his memory in Centenary Square.

Wyn – affectionately known as Wyn Paraffin – passed away in Chirk Hospital early last Thursday where he had been re-couperating from the stroke he suffered early in August.

As soon as news of his passing became known there was a flood of moving tributes from a host of people who knew and admired him.

There was a suggestion from the manager of Llangollen FC, Damien Tobin,  that such comments could be added to an official book of remembrance to be held in a central venue.

So llanblogger contacted the Tourist Information Office in Castle where the team immediately said they would be honoured to host the book in memory of Wyn.

And the book in which people can write their tributes is to be provided courtesy of town clerk Gareth Thomas.     

From this Friday it will be available for written contributions from Mondays-Wednesdays 9.30am-5pm - not on Thursdays when the centre is closed - and on Fridays and Saturdays from 9.30am-5pm.

llanblogger's Phil Robinson said: "I am extremely grateful to the Tourist Information Centre and the town clerk for their help in making this gesture possible.

"Judging by the number of warm tributes received following Wyn's death many, many people would wish to sign the book of condolence.

"He was most certainly one of the town's best-loved figures and, as was said plenty of times in the social media tributes to him, a true legend of Llangollen."   

A separate book of condolence for Wyn has also been placed in St Collen's Church by Father Lee Taylor.  

At their monthly meeting last night (Tuesday) members of the town council agreed to dedicate one of the wooden benches along the back wall of Centenary Square to Wyn's memory. 

The mayor, Cllr Austin Cheminais, said: "At the meeting I first gave a little background about Wyn and then we had a moment's quite reflection.

"A motion to dedicate one of the benches in the square with a brass plaque inscribed in his memory was unanimously approved by members.

"Wyn was truly a local legend."

Wyn was born in Bank Top, off Hall Street, the son of Joe Hughes, who was George’s father’s brother, and Betty who was originally from Llanuwchilyn near Bala.

Wyn later lived in Willow Hill and latterly spent many years in the small housing development off Regent Street opposite the Co-op.

Following the stroke he moved to the Abbey Dingle nursing home.

His father worked at the Robert Evans ironmongers in Oak Street for which he used to deliver paraffin around the area – which is where both he and Wyn got the famous nickname.

Later both Wyn and his father worked at Mile End Mile where Wyn was a de-greaser of steel and Joe was a lift attendant.

After that Wyn took a job with the council as a road cleansing operative.

He was also well known for the unpaid work he did in the community, including looking after the grounds at St Collen’s Church and helping with the annual sales of Royal British Legion poppies.

However, perhaps his best known role was as a keen supporter and helper for Llangollen Football Cub whose ex- manager and former player, Damien Tobin, paid glowing tribute to him this evening.

He said: “The man held a special place in so many people’s hearts, I'd personally love to see a book of condolence opened up for people to leave a last personal message.

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