Tributes have been paid following the passing of former Tenby Mayor, ‘Mickey’ Folland - who also served as Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council - whose contributions to both the seaside town and county will be remembered with ‘gratitude and respect’.

Mr Folland attended his last meeting of Tenby Town Council, back in June of 2004 after announcing his retirement. He was presented with a commemorative plate, by then Mayor Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas, in the council chambers, along with another stalwart councillor, Andrew Rees, who said at the time of his colleague: “Myself and Mickey are the only two left from around the 1974 era, so it's quite fitting that we should bow out together.”

"Mickey and I have seen them come and seen them go; we haven't always got it right, but nine times out of 10 we have.

"I've always looked at Mickey as a man of the people and hope that he will continue to keep the peace in his retirement,” he added.

One of Clr. Folland's fondest memories came back in 1979, when he had the honour of being the first Mayor to don the current robes of office - he told those around the council table at the time.

Sharing news of Mr. Folland’s passing, Tenby Town Council posed on Facebook: “It is with great sadness that the Mayor and Members of Tenby Town Council acknowledged the passing of Mr Michael (Micky) T Folland, former Mayor of Tenby and long-serving councillor.

“Mr. Folland served as Mayor of Tenby in 1979, dedicating himself to the wellbeing and prosperity of the town he loved so dearly.

“In addition to his distinguished service at town level, he also represented Tenby as County Council councillor and went on to serve with great distinction as Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council.

“Throughout his years of public service, Mr. Folland was deeply committed to his community, always working with integrity, kindness, and a genuine desire to improve the lives of others.

“His contributions to both Tenby and Pembrokeshire will be remembered with gratitude and respect.

“The Mayor, Councillors, and staff of Tenby Town Council extend their heartfelt condolences to Mr. Folland’s family and friends at this sad time.”

Well known Tenby local, Lance Russell shared on social media, that ‘Mickey’ was a man whose humour would shine even if it was a dull rainy day: “He was one of the first showmen I remember back in the 70s, selling tickets for the island cruises in Castle Square on the likes of the Enterprise, St. Keyne and Viking Saga off my hometown of Tenby.

“Mickey Folland was a natural, charming everyone to put their hands into their pockets and pulling out their pounds, to pay for a trip of their choice to not far off destinations.

“His humour would shine even if it was a dull rainy day, where they would be enticed on board these motor vessels, with the promise of a bar and bowling alley.

‘The latter of course was codswallop but once they were on a boat, they were committed to see the sights.”

The funeral service for Mr Folland will take place on Monday, November 10 at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narbeth at 3pm, with light refreshments at the Castle Mead Hotel, Manorbier afterwards.