Abergavenny mayor follows late dad’s footsteps (From South Wales Argus)

Abergavenny mayor follows late dad’s footsteps

1:50pm Tuesday 22nd May 2012 in Gwent news By Natalie Crockett

AN ABERGAVENNY woman is following in her late father’s footsteps after being elected as the town’s mayor, 28 years after her dad carried out the role.

Cantref town councillor Samantha Dodd, 37, was nominated and elected earlier this month – something she says would have made her dad Richard Dodd extremely proud.

Mr Dodd, who was the Abergavenny mayor in 1984/85 and deputy mayor the year before that, died in 2000 of a lung and heart disease called pulmonary hypertension.

But he remains verymuch in the forefront of the family’s minds and Ms Dodd is sure he would have a few words of advice for her.

She said: “He probably would have told me to mind my p’s and q’s, but I’m sure he would be very, very proud.

“It’s a bit of an emotional roller-coaster.

“I would have loved for him to have been here to experience it with me and guide me in the right direction, but I’ve got very close family and friends who will help me through.”

And perhaps none is more capable than her mayoress and mum, Margaret Dodd, 57, who will take to the role for the second time in her life.

Ms Dodd, who has a daughter Megan, seven, is now looking forward to a busy year of events ahead, including greeting the Olympic Torch when it comes through the town next Friday and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations next month.

The former King Henry VIII School pupil, who was a Beaver Scout leader in the town for 13 years, added: “It will be really busy, but I am really excited.”