Farewell to Chepstow's ‘champion of the underdog’ (From Free Press Series)

Farewell to Chepstow's ‘champion of the underdog’, Verona Bamford

1:30pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News

MORE than 60 people turned out at the funeral of a former Chepstow councillor.

Family, friends and politicians remembered Verona Bamford at Chepstow Methodist Church, who represented the Thornwell ward.

Tim Ryan, a family friend read a tribute to the hard-working miner’s daughter.

Mr Ryan told how Mrs Bamford, Chepstow’s mayor from 1989-90, founded Bulwark community football club and the area’s summer playscheme.

He said in the club’s infancy, the footballers used to change in Mrs Bamford’s garage and she used to wash their kit, which drew laughs from the congregation.

During her long career, Mrs Bamford, who moved to Chepstow from the Neath area in 1960 because her father found work at Llanwern, campaigned for disabled ramps at The Reddings sheltered housing scheme.

In the last few weeks of her life, the “honest, fair and passionate” pensioner was pressing for lifts in Davis Court retirement housing in Chepstow and even organised her own funeral.

“She championed the cause of the underdog, so many of us owe her in so many ways,” added Mr Ryan.

A private interment was later held at Bulwark cemetery.