Speaking as her mayoral year draws to a close, Cllr Richards said one of her main aims on being elected was to promote Penarth as a place where “everyone who lives here should feel valued and supported”.
That started with Penarth Pride, a celebration of the town’s LGBTQ+ community held at West House’s Garden Suite last May, which she described as a reminder of values like diversity and the right to live free from discrimination and fear.
Another central focus was her chosen mayoral charity, Llamau, which works with young people, women and children facing homelessness across Wales.
Cllr Richards said she was “really proud to champion” the organisation and its work helping people to rebuild their lives, adding that supporting vulnerable residents had been a key priority of her year.
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Her diary over the past 12 months has taken in everything from a dementia‑friendly event at the Paget Rooms and another at Penarth Library, to the centenary of the Italian Gardens, Remembrance events and Christmas celebrations.
She highlighted how many local groups quietly work to keep Penarth’s parks, squares and public spaces looking their best, including Friends of Victoria Square, Friends of Harcourt Street Triangle, Victoria Park volunteers and Penarth Civic Society.
“The big thing I’ve learned is just how many people give up their time, without much recognition, to make Penarth such a wonderful place to live,” she said, recalling meeting everyone from young choirs and air cadets to a resident celebrating their 106th birthday.
Highlights also included a Balmoral fundraiser trip on the Waverley, the Penarth Sea Festival, the RNLI carol service and switching on the town’s Christmas lights alongside actor Timothy Spall.
Cllr Richards plans to “have a rest” and return to full‑time work once she hands over the chain to incoming mayor Cllr Laura Rochefort, but will continue to serve as a Penarth town councillor for St Augustine’s ward for the remainder of her term.
She thanked fellow councillors, town council officers and the many volunteer groups who “go massively above and beyond” to keep Penarth inclusive, tidy and safe, adding that she will carry on supporting residents in her ward “and seeing what the next election period brings.”
