Standing room only as hundreds turn out and pay respects to Colin
Hundreds of people turned out to pay their last respects to the man who made Llangollen Food Festival such a success.
There was standing room only at the Pentrebychan crematorium near Wrexham for the funeral of Colin Loughlin, who ran the festival for years, and who died aged 76 from a suspected heart attack.
Appropriately, donations in lieu of flowers were accepted to pay for a defibrillator for a new boat being launched by the Vale of Llangollen Canal Boat Trust which Colin supported for many years.
In 2011, Colin came to rescue when the previous organisers of the festival pulled the plug and he was elected chairman of a committee of volunteers who revived the event which has gone from strength.
After being named as one of the top 10 food festivals in the UK by the Independent and Daily Telegraph newspapers, it’s now been hailed as one of the best eight in the UK by the Redonline website.
Colin’s contribution as the chair of the festival committee has been celebrated with a painting of him in a mural on the side of the Llangollen pavilion where the event is held every October.
A native of Wrexham, Colin ran a wine distribution company called Whitehouse Wines in Coedpoeth before going into business with Lorraine Hughes.
Legacy
She said: “Colin was a force of nature and an irreplaceable character but his legacy will live on in the form of Llangollen Food Festival which he was instrumental in saving and ensuring that it thrived and prospered.
“So much so, that the festival has now received another accolade from the Redonline website and been hailed as one of the best eight food festivals in the UK.”
The eulogy at the funeral was delivered by long-time friend Bob Jaques who is also the treasurer of the food festival committee.
Bob said: “We will all, I know, have many memories of Col, his love of wine, his love of cars, particularly his Triumph Vitesse which is parked outside this afternoon thanks to its proud new owner Brian Owen.
After the service, fellow committee member Pip Gale, of Gales Wine Bar and Hotel, added: “Colin was hugely popular and so well respected so his passing came as a huge shock to us all.
“Quite simply, the food festival would not exist today were it not for the enthusiasm and leadership shown by Colin.
“He is a massive loss to the town of Llangollen in general and the food festival in particular but he will always be remembered with great fondness.”
