TRIBUTES have been paid to a mainstay of Cardigan’s twinning movement who has died at the age of 89.

Richard Staggs had been a driving force behind the Cardigan-Brioude Twinning Committee for 40 years, during which time he served as both secretary and chairman.

“He devoted himself to many years’ dedication to twinning links between Aberteifi and Brioude, acting as chairman from 1991-1993,” said current chair Catrin Miles.

“At the annual Christmas lunch in December 2016 Richard, along with Fay Cori, was honoured for many decades’ unfailing commitment to the twinning cause.

“His links and friendships - not only with Brioude but also with Laufen in Germany - were long-standing and steadfast and he will be fondly remembered by so many.”

Hans Feil, Mayor of Laufen, said the news ‘has filled me with great sadness’.

“He was indeed a link between the cities of Cardigan, Brioude and Laufen,” he added.

“And for these twinning towns , he was an institution.

“In addition to his warm, cheerful demeanour, I especially admired the fact that he was very interested in a reconciliation of Great Britain and France with Germany despite, or perhaps because of, his participation in the Second World War.

“He knew how important personal contacts and the bond between people are.

The citizens of Laufen, and personally me, we are very grateful to him and we will miss him.”

Mr Staggs is survived by his wife, Anne, son Mark, daughter Jane and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.