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The funeral of a much-loved former councillor and mayor took place in Bedwellty on Monday afternoon.

Leon Gardiner, who has passed away aged 88, was a Labour councillor for 45 years, representing the Argoed, Cefn Fforest, and Blackwood wards during this time before stepping down as a councillor in 2017.

His funeral was held at St Sannan’s Church.

During his time in local politics, Mr Gardiner had spells as the mayor of Blackwood and of Islwyn. During 2015/16, he served as the mayor of Caerphilly County Borough and helped raise around £18,000 for Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice and MacMillan Cancer Support.

In December 2018, Mr Gardiner was awarded a British Empire Medal, which he was presented with in 2019 at the council’s headquarters in Tredomen.

The Queen’s representative for the County of Gwent, The Lord-Lieutenant, Brigadier Robert Aitken presented him with the medal.

During the presentation ceremony, Mr Gardiner thanked family, friends and former colleagues for coming along to support him, in particular his wife, Alma.

Mr Gardiner also spoke about his father, who inspired him to join the Labour Party when he was just 16-years-old.

In November 2016, concerned that a local special needs unit had lost its vehicle, Mr Gardiner set about starting a fund with his own money and invited friends and family to donate to the fund instead of giving Christmas Cards. By January 2017 the unit had received £750.

Mr Gardiner previously worked as a caretaker at Blackwood Comprehensive School and lived in the school bungalow with his wife and their daughters – a period he described as “the happiest time of my life.”

He was an active governor at a number of schools and spoke at numerous assemblies and functions over the years, talking about a whole range of subjects including the Royal Mint and National Holocaust Memorial Day.

“A great champion”

Cllr Liz Aldworth, the current Caerphilly County Borough mayor, paid tribute to Mr Gardiner and said: “Leon Gardiner was a very special friend indeed. He was kind and generous with lots of interesting stories of times gone by. 

“Leon was a great champion for the young, caring and always smiling – a respectable and wonderful gentleman.”

Cllr Walter Williams, who succeeded Mr Gardiner as councillor for the Argoed ward in 2017, called him a “real character” and said: “I have known Leon since I was 18 years old. In the church Inn, Bedwellty, you would hear him before you would see him.

“He give me advice when I become councillor and helped me a lot. When I informed councillors of Leon’s passing, everyone said the same: He was a Gentleman, he was a loyal friend and he was a stalwart of his community.

“A loving family man. What more can be said about a person.”

Cllr Julian Simmonds, who was mayor in 2019, described Mr Gardiner as a “politician of great conviction” and said: “He was always the type of individual who would speak his mind – he shot from the hip and that was that.

Cllr Simmonds, whose grandfather was friends with Mr Gardiner, said: “He was a good colleague and friend and he was always top notch. He was extremely charismatic.

“He will be sorely missed”.

Blackwood councillor Nigel Dix said: “Leon was dedicated to the community and often would go the extra mile to ensure that residents concerns were addressed.

“He was a very compassionate man who spent his life helping others, a passionate supporter of Ty Hafan and Marie Currie, which he often helped raise money for and which I know gave him a lot pleasure.”

He added: “As Leon would often say, he was lucky to be in a position where he could help others. Leon will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.”

Islwyn’s Labour Senedd Member, Rhianon Passmore, also paid tribute to a “man of true honour and a man of great sincerity”.

Ms Passmore said: “Leon was a human being of rare quality and empathy –  a passionate and compassionate socialist whose ability to comprehend and understand the struggles of others was paramount in his world view but also a true gentleman whose humanistic values shone so very brightly throughout his long and hugely varied life. 

“His friendship has meant so much to me over the years and his loyal support, and sound advice to me as a young Islwyn Labour Party member remains with me always. 

“We mourn a socialist of true exception who gave all for his community. His light will continue to shine.”

Islwyn’s Labour MP, Chris Evans, described Mr Gardiner as a “force of nature” and a “big personality with an even bigger heart”.

He added: “Everyone who ever met Leon will have a story about him, whether raising money for charity or fighting for his community on the council – he was in a word unforgettable. 

“Of course, no one will miss him more than his wife, Alma, and his family. My thoughts are with them at this time.”

Council leader Sean Morgan said Mr Gardiner was a “true gentleman” who will “be missed by members from all sides of the chamber”.

Cllr Morgan said: “His community meant everything to him and he always looked through the lens of his community when scrutinising council business.”