Last week saw bunting, balloons and a specially dedicated cake at Talgarth's Castle Hotel to honour the birthday of the town's senior resident and favourite son.

John Hugo Gwynne was very much at the heart of the occasion, and chatted with guests - family, friends and well wishers - who looked in during the course of last Thursday afternoon.

Mr Gwynne, a decorated RAF war veteran, returned to Talgarth after the Second World War and founded Gwynne's grocery store at Liverpool House on The Square. The store expanded steadily, and was eventually acquired by the Co-op at the start of this century.

The popular Talgarth resident was 21 when he joined the RAF during the Second World War.

Mr Gwynne served for 50 years on Talgarth Town Council - and it was therefore no surprise that fellow former town councillors Gaynor and Bryan George were amongst the guests, as well as longserving town clerk, Josephine Rumsey.

Current Mayor, Cllr Louise Elston-Reeves, was also on hand to congratulate Mr Gwynne and said: “In this 80th Anniversary Year of VE Day, we in Talgarth are determined to mark the occasion. Mr Gwynne's 104th birthday this month is a special landmark day, leading up to that anniversary.”

Talgarth's County Councillor, William Powell, echoed the Mayor's sentiments: “Mr Gwynne's 104th birthday is a remarkable achievement for Talgarth's favourite son. Born when David Lloyd George was British Prime Minister, he finally handed on the business in the days of Tony Blair.

“It was a real privilege for us all to join the Gwynne family in celebrating this special day."

He celebrated his 100th birthday in 2021 as people lined the streets to clap him and he received cards from both Queen Elizabeth and the then Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones.