ONE of the valley's most popular characters and a champion of local causes has died.

Ron Hempstead, a local councillor for Llanishen who along with his wife Babs produced the popular Village News for the community and the surrounding area.

Over the years various attempts had been made to create a village newsletter but most had failed, however, in 1998, the couple believed they could do better and soon The Village News was born.

Babs looked after the editorial side of things while Ron did all the design, printing and publishing.

And just before the millennium, Ron was co-opted as one of the Llanishen members of Trellech United Community Council and continued in that role, being re-elected along the way until earlier this month.

As if that wasn't enough, Ron was an enthusiastic and vociferous supporter of the campaign for a new village hall for Llanishen. When the new hall replaced the tin shack he volunteered to be the unpaid caretaker.

Pipe smoking Ron's no-nonsense manner was instrumental in achieving many local improvements, such as his campaign to get the village's speed limit reduced to 30mph followed by his battle to have the speed limit enforced.

Fellow Llanishen councillor George Weston said: "Ron was a much-needed thorn in the side of Monmouthshire County Council and he would not take no for an answer from the bureaucrats at County Hall. On the other hand, he was a respected local councillor who would always lend a sympathetic ear to local residents with problems."

Ron spent his career with the Coldstream Guards that included a tour of duty with 22nd Special Air Service Regiment. In civvy street, Ron became involved with the Mountain Rescue service, using his military skills to good avail in many of their activities. And until very recently, he would spend nights away on duty, manning communication centres.

On leaving the army Ron became a heavy goods tanker driver transporting various noxious and flammable liquids around.

Mr Weston recalls: "This employment didn't fit too well with Ron's pipe-smoking habit and he would often tell horror-stories about smouldering pipes in his lorry cabs that would nowadays definitely be banned under the 'elf and safety police'."

Bob Dagger, Chairman of Trellech United Community Council added: "My friend, to use one of Ron's phrases, was a character whose voice always boomed out and he told things as they were. He was always cheerful and had a good story to tell, often leaving us in fits of laughter at council meetings.

"I only spoke to him within the past few days and he seemed in good spirits. The whole area will miss this great man."

Debbie Zsygo, licensee of Trellech's Lion Inn said: "Ron and Babs always supported whatever was going on locally in Penallt, Whitebrook, Trellech, Llandogo and the Narth through the printed word in the Village News and as a councillor he always had time to listen to people's concerns. He was a man of very many parts and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

"I hope that in tribute to Ron and Babs' hard work over the years that the Village News continues to be published."

The publication of the Village News for September 1 has been cancelled - it will be the first time in 13 years that the publication has not been published. 

Ron's funeral takes place at 11am on Thursday, September 2 at Llanishen Church.