Tributes Paid to Neath Port Talbot Councillor and “Proud Champion” of Rhos Ward

Tributes have been paid to a Neath Port Talbot councillor and “proud champion” of the Rhos ward who died last month.
Councillor Marcia Spooner, who was an advocate for the Welsh language and a “valued member” of the Plaid Cymru Group sadly passed away on Sunday, October 29.
Members of the council spoke about the impact the “friendly and kind” councillor had made to her ward, saying that she will be greatly missed, during trbutes and a minute silence held at the authorities monthly full council meeting.
Councillor Wyndham Fryer Griffiths, who spoke on behalf of the deputy leader Alun Llewellyn, described Marcia as a conscientious councillor for the Rhos ward, who was a friendly, kind and lively person, who had helped many people through her voluntary work as a community councillor.
He said: “Thank you for the opportunity to speak today about the late councillor Marcia Spooner. It is a heart breaking responsibility to pay tribute to Marcia. We will all miss her dearly. Not only as a councillor in Neath Port Talbot, an active member of Plaid Cymru, but as part of her community.”
Councillor Anthony Richard of Pontardawe also spoke at the meeting, discussing his “wonderful memories” with Marcia, adding how she had a positive impact on the area and touched the lives of many people there.
In a previous statement, Neath Port Talbot Council leader, Cllr Steve Hunt said: “It was with great shock and sadness that I learned of the death our friend and colleague Councillor Marcia Spooner.
“As you will know she was a proud champion both of the Rhos
ward she represented and of the Welsh language. She will be greatly missed, and my heartfelt condolences go to Marcia’s family at this very difficult time.”
Cllr Alun Llewelyn added: “Marcia’s friends and colleagues have been devastated by her sudden loss, and all our thoughts are with her family. Marcia was a conscientious councillor and a valued member of the Plaid Cymru group and the council as a whole. She will be dearly missed in her community of Rhos where she lived for many years, and fondly remembered in Ystalyfera where she was brought up.”
Labour leader for Neath Port Talbot Rob Jones also paid his respects at the meeting, saying: “On behalf of the Labour Party we do offer our condolences to the Plaid group and her family, she will be  missed in the chamber.”
The death of Councillor Marcia Spooner will now trigger a by-election for her seat in the Rhos ward which will be decided in the coming months. Tributes were also paid at the meeting for the passing of a former Neath Port Talbot county councillor, Clive Owen of the Taibach ward. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​