Mayoral Plaque of Paul Davies

Date of Creation: 1989

Arrival in New Zealand: September 2014

Description: Mayoral plaque of Paul Davies, presented upon the completion of his term as mayor.

Material: wood, paint, brass

Dimensions: 350mmx300mm

Researcher: Melissa Carey

History:

Paul Davies was the youngest Mayor of Rhyl when he was elected Mayor and Chairman in 1988. Paul’s duties as mayor included: chairing the council, military services, judging competitions, and opening local events. Paul stepped down as Mayor in 1989, about a month before the end of his service, when the family relocated to Australia. At that time, the plaque was presented to him. It displays the official crest of Rhyl. The blue and white pile symbolises the sea and port at Rhyl giving access to the River Clwyd. The word ‘Clwyd’ means moveable hurdle or wattle, and the River Clwyd is represented by the wattle extending across the shield. The Rhyl motto of ‘Yr hafan deg ar fin y don’ translates as ‘the fair haven at the edge of the waves.’

Significance:

The plaque was rediscovered in 2010 in the garage by Paul’s son, Aaron, who had not seen it until that day. It has hung in each of Aaron’s homes since its discovery. Aaron migrated to New Zealand in 2014. The plaque, which currently hangs in his home in Dunedin, will one day be handed down to his son, Bryn, who was born in New Zealand.