Renowned and ever-popular fundraiser and storyteller Rory Evans says it is “absolutely a massive honour” that he will be awarded with Newtown’s highest honour for his “outstanding service” to the area.
Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council unanimously agreed that Rory should be made and Honorary Freeman, the only living person to receive the honour.
Rory, who has raised thousands of pounds for charities and good causes over many decades, will be officially presented with a certificate at the Celebration of Newtown event at Theatre Hafren on April 19 which recognises people who do great things for the town.
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“I’m Newtown born and bred so this is absolutely a massive honour,” Rory said. “It’s unbelievable.”
“It’s not just about the money, it’s about raising awareness of mid Wales. It's better to give then to take. It feels much better to give in life, it makes you feel good.”
“Thank you everybody in mid Wales for keeping this going for me. It’s unbelievable. Thank you to the town council. Thank you to Morrisons for putting up with me doing all these things.”
The proud Welshman who was raised in Garth Owen is a familiar face to shoppers at Morrisons and was invited by the supermarket giant to meet King Charles in November because of his charity work.
“It was so funny. What you see is what you get with me," he said. "He asked if anyone was from Wales. I said out loud ‘Cymru am byth!’ I have been working at Morrisons for 32 years this year, and the King said ‘you don't look old enough’ so I told him ‘you're a character you are’ and he burst out laughing.
“I asked if there were ghost stories at Windsor Castle. They didn’t know what to say looking like who’s got this mad Welshman!”
Rory also recently met famous singer Charlotte Church at her new Elan Valley home.
He said: "She just wanted to listen to the stories, myths and legends of mid Wales. I had a lovely afternoon.
"She's absolutely brilliant. She's like me; happy, bubbly, talkative, and singing all of the time."
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