Swansea's first female Lord Mayor celebrated at Guildhall

Councillors last month agreed to re-name the Guildhall's Gloucester Room for the city's first female Lord Mayor and yesterday unveiled a plaque there to commemorate the change.

The newly-named Lilian Hopkin MBE Room hosts many of the council's main committee meetings, including Cabinet, and councillors gathered there again to witness the change.

The late Mrs Hopkin served as a ward member in Fforestfach and then Cockett for over 30 years and was also a committed and tireless trade union official in the Garment Workers Union - a predominantly women's union, which later became part of the GMB.

Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, said: "Lilian was a well-known figure in Swansea for many decades and a real trail-blazer in so many different ways. That's why it's fitting she should be the first to have a space at the Guildhall named after her as a way of celebrating her achievements on behalf of the people of Swansea.

"Important debates and decisions about the life and future of our city are taken in this room and the fact that it is now named for Lilian Hopkin should encourage us to aspire to maintain the high standards she did.

"I was fortunate to know Lilian and she was very helpful and encouraging to me when I was first elected as a councillor and I learned a lot from her."

Cabinet member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, Robert Francis-Davies, said: "Lilian Hopkin was one of the most committed and effective councillors to serve the people of Swansea and in 1986 was the first female to hold the role of Lord Mayor of Swansea.

 "Through her work with the trade union she helped improve the lives of thousands of women helping to unionise many of the garment factories in South Wales.

 "She was the union's National President in 1984/85, was also awarded the TUC Gold Badge for meritorious service and was made an Honorary Alderman of Swansea."

Lilian Hopkin's service to the people of Swansea is among the first to be commemorated at a naming ceremony after Swansea Council agreed a new Naming Policy last month.

The policy sets out the circumstances in which council buildings, facilities and public internal and external spaces can be named to celebrate or commemorate local people for their outstanding achievements and to reflect significant events in the history and heritage of Swansea.

Nominations can be made by members of the public, groups or organisations and any final decision on proposals would need to be agreed at a meeting of Full Council

Last month the coastal park alongside Swansea Arena was named Amy Dilwyn Park on International Women's Day after the 19^th century women's rights campaigner, business pioneer and writer.