FOUR generations of the same Powys family were among the first to sign a book of condolence, opened up by the local town council, to pay tribute following the news of Queen Elizabeth II’s death last week. 

Talgarth Town Council has set up a book of condolence in the town hall committee room following swift action by mayor Phil Lewis and his deputy Louise Elston-Reeves.

And, one of the first groups to sign were four generations of the same family: octogenarian grandmother Maglona Jones, who is from Machynlleth, her daughter Ann Price, a native of Machynlleth who now lives in Talgarth, her granddaughter Laura East and great granddaughter Erin East, both from Talgarth. Laura’s tribute read simply: “Thank you for dedicating your life to us.”

As the nation adjusts to the sad news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, residents in Hay-on-Wye and Talgarth have expressed their condolences, while also rallying to support her successor, King Charles III, in the time to come.

Several Talgarth businesses, including WJ George & Son, Butchers and the Delipot, as well as the staff of the Castle Hotel and Fish Bar, joined Talgarth Town Council and other individuals in leaving a floral tribute at the Cenotaph alongside the River Enig.

Deputy chair of Talgarth Town Council, Councillor Elston-Reeves, and local builder Ryan Carey took to the air to adjust the flags, with help from construction company director Ian Bowen. County councillor for Talgarth, William Powell, accompanied by his wife Ria, also left a message of condolence on the death of Her Majesty, after the special eucharist service at St Gwendoline’s Church on Sunday morning.

Sunday afternoon saw a well-attended proclamation of the accession of King Charles III take place in front of the town’s war memorial in Hay, in the iconic Castle Square. The proclamation was made by Hay town crier George Tofarides, in the presence of Hay mayor Deborah Landymore and Royal British Legion standard bearer, county councillor Gareth Ratcliffe.