A “LEADING figure in Aberystwyth life” has sadly died after being diagnosed with cancer less than six months ago.

John James, 72, died on Saturday, 18 December, after being diagnosed with cancer.

John, who was a former Aberystwyth Town Councillor and Mayor, and his partner, David Christopher Birchall, had recently retired and closed their flower shop in Aberystwyth, Black Orchid and David John’s Florist Studio, on account of John’s bad health.

John’s funeral will take place on 30 December.

David said: “John will be sadly missed, his passing leaves a great hole in my life.

“John became ill so we gave notice and everything. He wasn’t expecting to go as quickly as this but his health was deteriorating. He was having blood transfusions every week, he had three courses of chemotherapy but he refused the fourth because it was making him ill.

“He carried on working every day, as he was having cancer treatment, turning out flowers and funeral work.

“He was still working in the shop until a fortnight before he died, he was really passionate about his flowers. He did several flower festivals around the town and raised money for charities over the last five years.”

John and David were together for around 18 years, and moved to Tywyn, opening a restaurant and bed and breakfast, around 15 years ago after John retired from the town council.

Around five or six years ago, the couple moved to Ponterwyd and opened a cafe, Sosban Fach, on Chapel Street, Aberystwyth. After this venture, they moved to Capel Bangor and took on the Tafarn Y Maes.

While the Black Orchid flower shop was opened by John around 25 years ago, David John Florist was opened in 2019 as a joint venture between John and David.

The pair also lived and owned a cafe in Tregaron, which was recently sold in preparation for a future move to Llanilar, where John sadly died in their home with David.

Member of the Senedd for Ceredigion Elin Jones said she “knew him well during his time as a Plaid Cymru councillor”.

She added: “John James was a leading figure in Aberystwyth life for many years, both as a  prominent business man and as a local councillor. He was always a keen champion of Aberystwyth.

“He was immensely proud of being elected Mayor of Aberystwyth and he undertook the role with dignity and pride. He served his community well.

“He was one of the town’s characters and loved to laugh and make others laugh. He will be sorely missed by his nearest and dearest and fondly remembered by many more.”