Tributes to Late Councillor Hag Harris
“I am very sorry to learn of the passing of Cllr Hag Harries. Hag served his community of Lampeter with great commitment and enthusiasm for many, many years. Hag was liked and respected across political boundaries and worked hard for all those he represented. From the town council in Lampeter to the cabinet table in Ceredigion, Hag was a proud advocate for his community and a champion for Labour values throughout his long service as a public representative. My thoughts are with Eiry, his family, and friends who will be coming to terms with Hag’s untimely passing. Huna’n dawel.”
Eluned Morgan, Welsh Labour Minister for Health & Social Services & Senedd Member for the Mid and West Wales
“I am saddened and shocked to hear of the death of my friend and comrade Councillor Hag Harris today. His passing is a massive loss to the Lampeter community, to Lampeter Labour Party Branch, Ceredigion Labour Party and to Lampeter Town Council and Ceredigion Council. I would like to express my sincere condolences to Hag’s partner Eiry, to his sons and family, his friends and comrades, and my own thanks to Hag for his advice, guidance and support since I joined Ceredigion Labour Party. We occasionally had our political differences and sometimes we would robustly air those differences in party and town council meetings, but those differences were never personal, and we enjoyed and appreciated each other’s company very much. He was a kind and witty man with a wealth of local and political knowledge that he gave of generously. I learnt a great deal from Hag. I will miss him very much, as will the Lampeter community. Rest in power Hag.”
Dinah Mulholland, Ceredigion Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate 2017 & 2019
“Very sad to hearing the passing of Cllr Hag Harris, who represented Lampeter for many decades and a true gent. My thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in peace.”
Councillor Rob James, Welsh Labour Group Leader, Carmarthenshire Council
“Today was a very sad day for the town of Lampeter as news broke of the death of councillor Hag Harris. Hag was an ever-present presence in town: known to everyone, and always ready to lend a helping hand. He served as both a town and county councillor for Lampeter for decades, in which time he made an invaluable contribution to every aspect of the town’s life. Lampeter has lost one of its favourite characters, but our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and close friends as they come to terms with this terrible news.”
Ben Lake, MP for Ceredigion, Plaid Cymru
“Truly shocked to learn of the passing of Hag Harris, former mayor of Lampeter, Labour councillor and owner of Hag’s Records – my second home and perhaps more of an education for me than the university itself. 100s of LPs in my collection bear his handwritten stickers. RIP lovely man.”
Pete Paphides, journalist and broadcaster
“There is sadness and shock in Lampeter over the news that our friend, town councillor, county councillor and advocate for the town has passed away so suddenly. Hag gave so much to the town, and was also very proactive in the surrounding area as well. Our hearts are with his family and friends at this time. Rest in peace Hag. You will be greatly missed.”
Helen Thomas, Mayor of Lampeter
“This sad news of our friend and colleague has come as a big shock to us all. He was elected to the Lampeter Ward, Ceredigion Council in 1995, having previously been a member of Dyfed County Council since 1981. He was chairman of Ceredigion Council during 2018-2019 and was a clear and firm voice to residents and to the town that was so close to his heart. Hag was always helpful and ready to offer words of support or wisdom across the floor of the chamber; we will miss his likeable character. We extend our deepest sympathy to his bereaved family and partner.”
Councillor Bryan Davies, Ceredigion Council Leader, Plaid Cymru
“This news has come as a huge shock to us all and it’s hard to believe. The work done by Hag and his commitment to the county over the years has been invaluable and I looked forward to working with him. We extend our condolences to the family and those close to him.”
Councillor Gareth Lloyd, Independent Group Leader, Ceredigion Council
“Very sad news for Lampeter today with the unexpected death of Hag Harris. The town will be quiet for a long time without Hag. I’m not sure whether Lampeter adopted Hag or Hag adopted Lampeter. Either way they gelled beautifully. The young student from Coventry learned Cymraeg and the most unlikely of towns kept voting for a Labour councillor. Hag was involved in most things in the town and championed Lampeter wherever he went. As someone who has known this town all my life, it’s hard to visualise its streets without Hag. Thank you Hag for choosing Lampeter and for serving the town so dearly. All condolences to his family and close friends.”
Elin Jones MS for Ceredigion, Plaid Cymru
“Inestimable loss. Respected and trusted across party lines. A key part of Lampeter, and indeed Ceredigion’s social and political life. He has kept the banner of Labour Politics aloft here for decades.And always asked difficult questions….of everyone , including ourselves. ….Fe oedd wyneb gyhoeddus y Blaid Lafur am ddegawde yng Ngheredigion”
Meic Birtwistle
“Rwyf rwan wedi clywed fod ni wedi colli Hag Harris, cynghorydd hir amser dros Llambed. Dros fy holl amser yn Ceredigion, yn enwedig yn ystod yr ymgyrch senedd, roedd Hag yn ffynhonell o wybodaeth, cryfder, a cefnogaeth. Rwyf wir yn teimlo ni wedi colli pencampwr hynnod o profiadol ac angerddol. Mae fy teimladau yn enwedig efo’i teulu a ffrindiau.
Dylan Lewis-Rowlands
“Hag was ever-present, ebullient, yet quietly direct and inspiring throughout my childhood. His commitment to listening and helping people was unparalleled. He never stopped learning”
James Cook
“I was elected onto Aberystwyth Town Council in 1979. Hag was already a Dyfed County Councillor since 197676, and I met Hag quite often when I was Deputy Mayor in 83/84 and Mayor in 84/85. Also, through the football I was a referee for 16 years. I had given up refereeing and then Hag started refereeing and I used to meet him quite often when I was watching games. When you met Hag he was a very good talker about politics and sport, and also he was very witty in the way he was talking, you always had a good laugh. Hag was very well respected as a councillor. He was on the cabinet for three separate terms, and that speaks very highly of Hag Harris.
When I had a text this morning, I could not believe it. It is very sad indeed. We have lost a very good person, and a faithful and good community person. I’m sure it will be a big loss to Lampeter Town, and to the community.
I will always remember Cllr Hag Harris in 2011 when Bodlondeb Residential Care Home was under threat of closure by the local authority. Cllr Harris was the Cabinet member for Social Services. At the Cabinet meeting, which a large gathering of Aberystwyth residents attended, the Leader of the council said that he was deferring the decision due to the strong objections. Cllr Harris got up on his feet and proposed that Bodlondeb should stay open. His proposal was defeated but at a further meeting it was decided to keep Bodlondeb open. Cllr Harris was a man of integrity and honesty and along with other Councillors helped to ensure that Bodlondeb stayed open for a few more years”
Elwyn Williams
| “I was sorry to hear about Hag’s untimely death. I remember meeting him in the late 1970s when I lived in Lampeter; window cleaning in a striped tee shirt and dungarees. And then there was the passion for records – and politics. When I came to work for the university in 2011, it was lovely to pick up again – and to be challenged constantly on how important a thriving university was and is to Lampeter. I’d only just heard that he’d been elected unopposed when I heard of his death. What a tribute!” Jane Davidson
“So sorry to hear of the death of Hag Harris. I first met Hag in the mid 90s at a meeting in Penparcau about the proposed road through the playing fields. The only memory I have of that meeting are the red braces Hag was wearing with his white shirt! Moved to Lampeter in 97 and Hag soon became a familiar and friendly face to me. It was 10 years before we discovered we were born on the same day and he didn’t believe me at first! Lampeter doesn’t seem the same without Hag; he will always be missed” Jill Oke “I met him first, and still remember, him as a runner, He came to my farm to organise a race over the mountains round Llyn y Fan Fach. I saw him last in Lampeter just before lockdown. We looked at one another, each half remembering where we had met, then realised where and when. We had the occasional encounter in the years between, mostly political. Had he chosen to leave the Lampeter he loved who knows where he might have ended up.” Patrick Dobbs “I’m shocked and saddened to hear of Hag’s untimely passing. Llambed has lost one of its integral parts. Hag was a fine friend and comrade over many decades, and will be hugely missed. Cysgwch yn dawel cymrawd.” Martin Wright |
Pic is of Hag and Jen Cairns in Harford Square Lampeter in 2016, protesting cuts in university pensions, Rest in Power Dinah Mulholland
