THERE were a few upsets around the county during the county council count for the south of the county, none more so than long-standing New Quay councillor, Gill Hopley, losing her seat to independent candidate, and friend, Dan Potter.

Mrs Hopley (Independent) polled 205 votes, missing out to Dan Potter (Independent) who received 261. Louise Millward (Cons) came third with 30.

Mr Potter said it was difficult going up against his friend Gill. “I’m shocked by the result but I have worked hard to get here,” he said. “I’ve been on the town council for over 20 years and the RNLI for 40. My lifeboat career is coming to an end and I wanted a new challenge. The sad fact is that I’m friends with Gill but I had to do it.”

Mrs Hopley said: “Good luck to Dan. I hope he does well for New Quay. There are lots of cuts to face. People said they wanted change and it has come and I hope it’s to the benefit of New Quay.”

Former UKIP councillor Gethin James lost his seat in Aberporth to Gethin Davies, of Plaid Cymru, by 63 votes. Mr James, who had been the county councillor for the Aberporth ward since 2004, stood as an independent this year.

The other candidates in the ward were Stefani Flower (Lib Dem) 114 and Owen William Edward Millward (Welsh Conservatives) 90.

For further coverage of the Ceredigion County Council election, see this week’s Cambrian News, available in shops and online on Wednesday