Stallholders pay tribute to ‘loyal customer’ Rhodri

STALLHOLDERS at Riverside Market have paid tribute to Rhodri Morgan – saying he was a “fantastic man” who was “everyone’s best customer”.

The former First Minister died aged 77 on Wednesday while cycling near his home in the Vale of Glamorgan.

He visited the market held every Sunday in Cardiff with his wife Julie and grandchildren – and business owners said he will be missed.

Bennie Thomas, who runs Lodor Meat, said he only had the fondest memories of a man he had known for more than a decade.

He said: “We will miss him. I have the biggest respect for him and his wife. I’ve known him since I’ve been here about 15 years ago.

“It’s so sad, especially since I spoke to him two weeks ago. He used to buy mince to make burgers for his grandchildren and buy pork sausages for them. But diced beef was his favourite.”

Gareth and Helen Cooksley, who run stall Spice of Life, said he loved to meet everyone in the market.

Gareth, 59, said: “He was just a fantastic man. He just had a genuine interest in people. I remember when there was a 12-year-old boy here wearing his fly-fishing gear after fishing in the River Taff, Rhodri asked him questions and wanted to know everything.

“He was everybody’s best customer down here. He always remembered people’s names. It was very sad to hear about his death.”

Roger and Jackie Little, who run Nantgwared Farm in Brecon and sell poultry in the market. Jackie said: “Every Christmas he would give everyone a box of House of Commons chocolates. We only saw him last week.”

Roger added: ”He was a lovely man. He used to come and chat. It was quite a shock to hear he had died.”

Stallholder Anne Loam, who runs Tregwilym Produce, said she remembered the same kindness at Christmas.

She said: “He was very loyal to the market and always has something to say.

“It was lovely at Christmas – him and his wife would say thank you and give us presents.”

Derek Williams, who runs Madgett’s Farm, said what he loved about the former First Minister was his loyalty.

The 68-year-old said: “What I liked about him was he would buy off everyone but not at the same time. He was very loyal to the market. He used to come down here with his grandson. It was a shock when he died.”

And Huw Bryant, who runs BryBequem said he “was always up for a bit of banter”.