Mal's Memories 5

DO YOU remember Bill Jeffcott?

The late Cllr W R Jeffcott has an undeniable place in Penarth’s history as one of the town’s most influential councillors.

A long-serving Labour member of the former Penarth Urban District Council he was as well respected by the Conservatives as by the party he led with such distinction.

Bill Jeffcott was a quiet, gentle man. But when he spoke everyone listened.

He was an inspirational orator, and a master of logic in the debating chamber. It was a brave opponent who was willing to cross swords with him.

When Cardiff set its sights on absorbing Penarth it was Bill Jeffcott who led the resistance. At the public inquiry he proved more than a match for the top legal minds brought in by the capital city to present their case.

And some would say that it is almost entirely due to Bill Jeffcott that today Penarth is part of the Vale of Glamorgan and not a suburb of the city.

He was active in many other fields as well, not least as a leader in the administration of the NHS locally.

Perhaps the greatest tribute paid to the man came from former Prime Minister James Callaghan who was MP for Cardiff South and Penarth for so many years.

"Bill Jeffcott could so easily have held high office instead of me”, he said. “But when he was asked to stand as MP for this constituency this modest man chose to stay and serve his town and local community instead.”

Mr Jeffcott was everything a local councillor should be. Little did I know when I listened to his wise words as a young reporter that I would not see his like again.