RIP P Alan Lewis - (SCH, 51-56)

Penry Alan Lewis: School House, 1951 - 1956

Born 11th April 1937 - Died 5th April 2024

Alan was always a very sociable person; active and involved in the local community, and always keeping himself busy with all kinds of projects and ventures. As a result, as I was growing up and coming here to visit, I never quite got to know him well. It wasn’t really until Kerena’s wedding, when I was twelve years old, that I got to hear him speak at length. His Father-of-the-Bride speech has stuck with me for thirty years. I remember finding it brilliantly funny, and it was a glimpse for me of a side of him I hadn’t seen before because I was a child listening to him speaking to an adult audience. I’d love to be able to emulate the spirit he conjured in the room, as I’m sure he brought to many of the rooms that he entered.

The reason, then, that I’m standing up here is not because I knew him best, but because in my professional life, I write and deliver tributes and eulogies for funerals. So setting my own memories aside for now, what follows is an overview of the life and character of Alan Lewis, as informed by the people that knew and loved him best, Pauline, Kerena and Shelley. I hope I can do him justice.

Penry Alan Lewis, was born in Erwain on East Street on April 11, 1937. He was the son of Blodwen and Penry Noel Lewis. His early life was deeply intertwined with his parents' businesses: his mother managed the Bear’s Head Inn, and his father operated the nearby butcher's shop. Alan contributed to both and had memories of making deliveries in the butcher’s van, a task through which he became a familiar face to many in the town. People always looked forward to his visits. His father, Noel, not only served as a lieutenant in the home guard but also made significant contributions to the community as the first chairman of the Rhayader Angling Association.

In a reflective account written over twenty years ago, Alan fondly remembered his childhood, particularly savouring the beef dripping sandwiches and homemade toffee his mother prepared for his school lunches. As a boy, he got up to all sorts of mischief, details of which I won’t share here, but let’s just say he was a bit of a prankster and it’s a wonder he made it to adulthood in one piece! The point was – he had fun! He wasn’t one for sitting on the side-lines when there was life to be lived.

Alan was particularly close to his father, with whom he shared many adventures. These included a car rally using the butcher's van; Noel and a friend sat up front, while Alan and another friend served as navigators from the back. His father kept cows in the field up Abbeycwmhir Lane, and he remembered one particular cow named Rosie. When they went to fetch the cows for milking, Alan would ride on Rosie’s back. It was also during these formative years that Alan first developed what would become one of his lifelong passions: fishing. His earliest memories were of trout tickling in the Marteg River and casting lines at Junction Pool.

Alan's education began at Cwmdauddwr School, followed by Rhayader School. At the age of eight, he moved on to Newport Prep, a boarding school where his rebellious streak manifested in him running away twice. At thirteen, he attended Christ College in Brecon, another boarding school, where he nurtured his burgeoning passion for sports. He notably played for the first teams in both rugby and cricket, and was a proud member of the legendary unbeaten cricket team of 1956.

At the age of 19, Alan embarked on a new chapter in his life by attending EMI College in London, where he studied electronics. To support this transition, his parents moved to Kent. Initially, he faced a 75 mile commute each way to college every day for a year; but eventually, he moved to London, where he lived for two years. During his time in London, he stayed active in sports, playing rugby with the London YMCA.

To earn some extra money, Alan worked in some West End theatres, handling stage lighting—a job he described as ideal for "pocket money." He loved this work, with some of his notable assignments operating the Super Trouper spotlights during a Judy Garland performance. This wasn’t the only famous name he worked with – Frankie Howard and Jeremy Brett, among many others. Alan's approach to life was to seize every opportunity; he walked through every door that opened, eagerly exploring what lay beyond.

In 1959, Alan's parents took over the management of the Elan Valley Hotel, and by 1960, Alan had moved to Coventry to work for Bristol Siddeley Engines. He dedicated a decade to their computer department, working on projects including the engines for Vosper Motor Torpedo Boats and the engine blades for Concorde—a project that he was particularly proud of.

And then, in 1962, Alan met Pauline. Pauline recalls she was immediately struck by his worldly demeanour, social fluency, and impressive education. To her, Alan epitomised the sophisticated "man about town," with connections that seemed to stretch far and wide, and adept at working with colossal computers that could fill entire rooms. During their early days together, they often travelled to Wales to assist at the Elan Valley Hotel. Coincidentally, Pauline, who had never heard of the Elan Valley, learned from her parents that it was where they had enjoyed their first outing together. Alan and Pauline married in 1965.

Kerena was born in 1968, and the following year the family moved back to Wales to take over the Elan Valley Hotel and support Alan’s parents. Shelley was born in 1970. As children, Kerena and Shelley remember an idyllic and free-spirited upbringing within the lively environment of the hotel and the beautiful surroundings. Life at the hotel was vibrant and full. The girls' early memories include welcoming occasionally famous guests and routine trips to Rhayader with their father for bread and groceries. These outings would always include a stop at the Triangle, where the girls had coke and crisps while Alan enjoyed a half of cider. And yes, they still remember the day that he got home only for Pauline to ask where they were – back in the car and back to the playground next to the Triangle!

The hotel was not just a business but a hub of community and social activity, known for its legendary parties featuring Alan's famously potent punch. It became a cornerstone of the girls' "education" in hospitality. Alan and Pauline managed the hotel with tireless dedication, hosting a myriad of events from morning coffee for coach parties to weddings and VIP gatherings. Notable guests over the years included Harold Wilson, David Bellamy, the Russian Ambassador, the Secretary of State for Wales, Gerald Lascelles (the Queen's cousin), and Lord Mountbatten’s daughters. The hotel also had the honour of hosting the Lord Mayor of Birmingham and members of the water department annually, who attended to distribute awards at the Elan Village School prize-giving day, followed by a grand tea party at the hotel. Throughout the 1970s, Alan and Pauline expanded their business interests beyond the Elan Valley Hotel. They briefly acquired the Butcher's Arms on Church Street, renaming it The Horseshoe, and Alan also invested in a local sports shop.

In November 1987, after nearly two decades at the hotel, the family sold it, built Ty-Nant bungalow and moved in. Here, Alan and Pauline embarked on what was meant to be an early retirement. However, retirement couldn't tame Alan's active lifestyle for long, and he dove into the world of competitive fishing. He soon made the Welsh national fishing team in 1989, the same year they clinched a Gold medal at the tournament in Loch Leven. This victory was the beginning of Alan's illustrious stint in international fishing competitions that saw him travel across Europe, competing in places like Finland and Italy and regularly participating in tournaments in France, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

After a brief period at Highfield House on East Street, Alan and Pauline took on the Crown Inn, a time that was enjoyable and exhausting in equal measure. The Crown proved to be a significant chapter in their lives until they sold it in 1999 to move to Hafod Hardware. Alongside this new work, Alan also found time for his passions—fishing, enjoying the garden, and making memories with his grandchildren, alongside visits to their caravan in Aberporth.

After moving to Hafod, one of Alan's projects was creating his ideal garden. This garden featured a fish pond, an abundance of flowers and shrubs, and a decking area perfectly positioned to catch the last of the evening sun. It also included a garden shed filled with fishing memorabilia, which became a special spot for cheese and wine gatherings with friends. The garden was not only a personal retreat but also a community highlight; it hosted an Open Garden fundraising event in 2004 that raised money for St John’s and won the award for Best Garden in 2006.

Alan was very proud to have been involved with his grandson Tom's famous Christmas videos, featuring their hardware shop and, of course, great-grandson Arthur. These videos caught the attention of the then Prince Charles, who made a special visit to Hafod Hardware in December 2021. Despite his health problems at the time, Alan was delighted to be able to meet the Prince.

From 2018, Alan's health declined, marked by several hospital admissions and resulting immobility. To accommodate his needs, the family constructed a specially designed lodge in the garden at Hafod, built by his grandson Will, which allowed them to care for him more comfortably at home. Despite these efforts, Alan eventually required more specialised care, leading to his move into Bryngwy Care Home. There, he received excellent care during his last year and a half. Alan kept busy by doing Sudoku and crosswords, watching TV—particularly sports, Formula 1, and old films—and meticulously planning his daily menu, a task his carers came to know well. His days were brightened by visits from family and friends, and he always looked forward to seeing Frodo, whose visits brought him a lot of joy. He died on 5th April. He will be greatly missed.

How will Alan be remembered?

His love for dogs encapsulates much of his nature. From his boyhood days, when the family dog eagerly pulled him to school on a sledge through the snow, to the companionship of Mervin, the border collie I recall fondly from my earliest memories at Ty-Nant. More recently, his bond with Tom's dog Frodo brought him a lot of happiness. Frodo seemed to possess an innate sense of where to find Alan at the care home, and during visits, one of Alan's most frequent inquiries was about Frodo. But Alan's affinity for animals extended beyond dogs. In his youth, he had a horse named Timbuktu, stabled behind The Bear. Timbuktu was not just a pet but a local celebrity, leading carnival processions and racing in local events. Whenever he raced, the family would always place a bet. Except one time that they forgot – of course, this was the one occasion that he won!

He had a diverse and rich appreciation for music, with tastes that spanned various genres and eras. He was a fan of ABBA, delighting in the melodies of "Mamma Mia," and he enjoyed the iconic sounds of Roy Orbison and Neil Diamond. Perhaps unexpectedly, he also held a fondness for the classical performances of André Rieu.

He was always up for fun and would be game for dressing up for the carnivals to ride on the floats in a bevvy of ridiculous costumes, particularly back in his days at the Elan Valley Hotel in the 70s. This includes one particularly memorable occasion where he was dressed up as a woman, complete with a grass skirt, blonde wig and high heels, only for him to fall and dislocate his shoulder. He loved to tell the story of how he was taken into hospital still all dressed up, make up and all!

He made an annual pilgrimage to the Royal Welsh Show, a tradition he cherished deeply. He attended every day of the event year after year, never missing a moment until his health eventually made it impossible.

Alan's enthusiasm for sports was boundless; there was hardly a sport he wouldn’t try, and impressively, he excelled in nearly all of them. From his lifelong passion for fishing to his active involvement in rugby—playing during his school years, as well as in Ashford, Coventry, and for Rhayader, where he was a founding member and also served many years as club president. He was a dedicated follower of the Six Nations games, and attended many matches in iconic stadiums such as Cardiff, Dublin, Edinburgh, and Twickenham. He enjoyed cricket, which he played at school, and also took part in golf, bowls, tennis, and shooting. His adventurous spirit took him skiing during his honeymoon in Austria and water skiing at Mallory Park with Pauline's parents, family, and friends. Not to forget, he was also skilled in high jump during his school days.

We’ve already mentioned fishing several times, but it would be remiss to let it stand without the proper attention it merits. It was fishing that led to him being awarded the British Empire Medal for services to conservation and Angling in Mid Wales. In the letters sent in support of his nomination, including one by the local MP, his time and service was described as “outstanding”. For his 60th birthday he went to Egypt on a fishing trip to Lake Nasser. He recalled it as an incredible experience, sleeping on the boat under the stars, and having to contend with snakes and crocodiles when on shore. He set up the stocking of the Llyngwyn lake, and he was a lifelong member of the Rhayader and Elan Valley Angling Association. He made so many good friends through fishing – too many to mention by name, and in 1998 he wrote a book to commemorate 50 years of Rhayader Angling Association.

But perhaps the most important thing to remember about Alan was his love for his family, his friends, and his happiness and contentment in life. In the early 2000s Alan recorded some of his memories, and it may be worth rounding off this tribute with a quote of his that sums up how he felt about his life. He said: “I consider myself to be extremely lucky to have been born and brought up in such a beautiful part of the world. I have travelled all over the place, but Rhayader is unique and I would never wish to live anywhere else. I have my wife and family and good friends all around me – and with a glass of cider in my hand at 6 o’clock at the end of the working day – I’m a very happy man!”

Thanks to Blake, Alan’s nephew