AT the Town Council annual meeting in May, Cllr John Deakin was installed as Mayor of Llantwit Major for 2025/26. Cllr Graham Morgan will be his deputy.
A native of the small Warwickshire village of Polesworth, John first came to the area as a RAF boy entrant at the age of 16 in May 1960. He returned to RAF St Athan in 1982 and has lived in Llantwit Major for the past 43 years. Retiring from service as a Warrant Officer in 1992, he then worked for the Football Association of Wales (FAW) for the next 20 years. A former top level football referee, John was elected to the town council in 2022.
Not having to wait long for his first engagement, the new Mayor read the tribute and lit the Beacon in the Town Square as part of the VE Day commemorations three hours after his installation.
The following evening, John and his wife Mary, who he named as his consort, accepted an invitation from Early Voices to a concert of music for Notre Dame, France in the 14th Century and Beyond in St Illtud’s Church.
On the evening of Monday, 12th May, Cllr Deakin and his wife travelled to Barry for the ceremony, where Cllr Dennis Clarke was installed as their Town Mayor for the next year.
The following week, John completed three engagements in Llantwit Major. On the afternoon of Wednesday, 21st May, he greeted the children from Ysgol Y Draig, where he is a school governor, who were volunteering at the Stradling Park Community Garden. This is a project that has progressed with the assistance of town councillors and staff, together with volunteers from the community to set up a garden in a relaxing open space, where a wide range of plants and vegetables are grown.
There is also a pond and seating for visitors who wish to enjoy some quiet relaxation. The project has been led by council employee, Janine Flanigan, who has every right to be proud of what has been achieved with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Local Places for Nature.
The following day, John and Mary accepted an invitation to an event organised by the Vale 50 Plus Forum, who do excellent work for the welfare of older people in the area. There were numerous organisations represented, including Transport for Wales, Valeways and the Llantwit Major Memory Café, who do outstanding work for the people suffering from dementia.
The final event of the new Mayor’s second week was the official opening of Stradling Park, where people of all ages attended to enjoy the excellent facilities in the garden, and the complimentary coffee and ice cream provided by the town council.
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