Tributes have been paid to a long serving Welsh councillor - described as one of his home town’s “favourite characters" - who has died suddenly. Hag Harris was a Ceredigion councillor for the Lampeter ward for more than 25 years, and was re-elected for another term in the recent council elections in May.
A popular man in the town, Mr Harris also ran a music store called Hag’s in the centre of Lampeter for years until its closure in 2016. The Labour councillor also served on the local town council, and was mayor of Lampeter on three different occasions.
He was first elected as a county councillor in 1995 and prior to that he had been a member of Dyfed County Council since 1981. He passed away on Tuesday at the age of 66, and tributes have flooded in for someone who was “ever present” in Lampeter.
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“Today was a very sad day for the town of Lampeter as news broke of the death of councillor Hag Harris,” said Ceredigion MP Ben Lake. "Hag was an ever-present presence in town: known to everyone, and always ready to lend a helping hand. He served as both a town and county councillor for Lampeter for decades, in which time he made an invaluable contribution to every aspect of the town’s life. Lampeter has lost one of its favourite characters, but our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and close friends as they come to terms with this terrible news."
Elin Jones MS, originally from Lampeter, said: "I’m not sure whether Lampeter adopted Hag or Hag adopted Lampeter. Either way they gelled beautifully. The young student from Coventry learned Cymraeg and the most unlikely of towns kept voting for a Labour councillor. Hag was involved in most things in the town and championed Lampeter wherever he went. As someone who has known this town all my life, it’s hard to visualise its streets without Hag."
Dinah Mulholland, a former Labour general election candidate for Ceredigion, said: "I am saddened and shocked to hear of the death of my friend and comrade councillor Hag Harris today. His passing represents a massive loss to the Lampeter community, to Lampeter Labour Party Branch, Ceredigion Labour Party, to Lampeter Town Council and Ceredigion Council. Meanwhile, I would like to express my sincere condolences to Hag's partner Eiry, to his family, friends and comrades, and my own thanks to Hag for his advice, guidance and support since I joined Ceredigion Labour Party."
Alun Davies, MS for Blaenau Gwent, said: “Shocked and so very sad to hear that we have lost Hag Harris today. Hag was such a lovely person and so very committed to Llambed and Ceredigion.”
Journalist and broadcaster Pete Paphides tweeted: “Truly shocked to learn of the passing of Hag Harris, former mayor of Lampeter, Labour councillor and owner of Hag’s Records - my second home and perhaps more of an education for me than the university itself. 100s of LPs in my collection bear his handwritten stickers. RIP lovely man."
Councillor Bryan Davies, leader of Ceredigion Council, said: “This sad news of our friend and colleague has come as a big shock to us all. He was elected to the Lampeter Ward, Ceredigion Council in 1995, having previously been a member of Dyfed County Council since 1981. He was chairman of Ceredigion Council during 2018-2019 and was a clear and firm voice to residents and to the town that was so close to his heart. Hag was always helpful and ready to offer words of support or wisdom across the floor of the chamber; we will miss his likeable character. We extend our deepest sympathy to his bereaved family and partner.”
Councillor Gareth Lloyd, leader of the independent group on Ceredigion Council, added: “This news has come as a huge shock to us all and it’s hard to believe. The work done by Hag and his commitment to the county over the years has been invaluable and I looked forward to working with him. We extend our condolences to the family and those close to him.”
The flags outside Ceredigion Council's County Hall building in Aberaeron are flying at half-mast on Wednesday in memory of someone the local authority described as a "much respected son and loyal servant of this county".
The current mayor of Lampeter, councillor Helen Thomas, said: "There is sadness and shock in Lampeter over the news that our friend, town councillor, county councillor and advocate for the town has passed away so suddenly. Hag gave so much to the town, and was also very proactive in the surrounding area as well. Our hearts are with his family and friends at this time. Rest in peace Hag. You will be greatly missed."
Joyce Watson MS paid her own tribute to Mr Harris. She said: "Hag will be much missed. He was a man of integrity and rightly respected in Lampeter and across Ceredigion, having served his community throughout his life. I was so sad to hear the news of his death.
"I first met Hag around 1982 when he came into the pub I ran in Llanybydder. It was after the birth of his firstborn and his wife was ill in hospital. Over the years we often talked about that first meeting and I like to think I offered him food and comfort at a difficult time. This is a huge loss, and my thoughts are with his family and friends."
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