Delme Bowen (pictured), the first Plaid Cymru member to hold the office of Lord Mayor of Cardiff, has announced he will step down as councillor in May after 35 years service.
Delme is not seeking re-election in the Creigiau and St Fagans ward and Plaid Cymru members have selected former actor, Wynford Ellis Owen as the candidate at next May’s elections. Wynford founded the Living Room Cardiff, the first bilingual day-care recovery centre in Wales which helps people with alcohol and drugs problems, and is chief executive of the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs.
A professor of cell biology, Delme, began his political career as a member of Llantrisant Community Council in 1977. He also served on Taff Ely and Mid Glamorgan councils before being elected as a member of Cardiffcouncil in 1995 – as the only Plaid councillor.
Delme said: “I have enjoyed an active political life in Plaid Cymru for more than 50 years and will be 68 years old next spring, so it’s time to retire. I formed my first branch of Plaid Cymru in the Amman Valley Grammar School in 1956 following the flooding of Tryweryn.
“Plaid has selected an excellent candidate in community councillor Wynford Ellis Owen. Wynford is passionate about helping people. He would make an excellent councillor here in Cardiff.”
Delme added: “I have enjoyed my council work immensely and I’ve been delighted that Plaid has been part of the administration to help get things done in our wonderful city.
“I loved my job as traffic and transport executive member in Cardiff, especially getting through the sustainable travel city programme, including Pont y Werin, the pedestrianisation of High Street and St Mary Street and, most importantly, of all introduction of the civil enforcement of parking.
“We also introduced park and ride facilities, car clubs and expanded cycling facilities. I am proud of what has been achieved. I did not expect ever to be Lord Mayor and now that it came to pass I thought it wise to go out with a bang.”
Creigiau-based Wynford is married to Meira and has two daughters, Bethan, an actress and Rwth, a consultant radiologist.
