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Labour councillor Jim Sadler has passed away at the age of 71.

Cllr Sadler, who was first elected to represent the Penmaen ward at last year’s council elections, died on Tuesday May 23.

Cllr Roy Saralis, who represented the ward alongside him, paid tribute and said: “We were really good pals me and Jim, and we looked after each other. I’m very sorry to lose him after such a short period of time on the council.”

He added: “I had known him for many years, since he moved to Oakdale and married Carol. He loved living here.”

Prior to moving to Oakdale in the 1980s, Cllr Sadler had worked as a printer on Fleet Street in London.

Cllr Sadler cared for and nursed his wife Carol, who passed away earlier this year.

Mrs Sadler was the first Mayor of Caerphilly. She and Cllr Sadler were long-serving members of the Labour Party and had always been politically involved.

After previously leaving the frontline politics to his wife, Cllr Sadler was encouraged by his family to stand in the 2022 election.

Alongside Cllr Saralis, Cllr Sadler was instrumental in the resurrection of Oakdale bowls club, after the community had been threatened with a “use it or lose it“.

Council leader Sean Morgan described him as a “very lovely, quietly spoken man” who was dedicated to his council work.

He added: “He will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time.”

Islwyn’s Labour Senedd Member, Rhianon Passmore, said she was “deeply sorry” to hear of Cllr Sadler’s passing.

Ms Passmore said: “Only recently at an advice surgery that I held in Oakdale Jim came to speak to me. His update on the local issues in his community and his passion for his ward was palpable.

“Jim was passionate about the return of bowls to Oakdale Recreation Ground. Next week there will be free family bowls taster sessions to be held in Oakdale by Caerphilly County Borough Council. I hope many will participate and Jim’s hard work will meet with success.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Jim’s family and friends.

“I know that his ward colleague, Councillor Roy Saralis, and all who knew Jim will miss him greatly.”

Cllr Sadler leaves behind his four step-sons, his grandchildren and his sister.