Elvira Gwenllian Payne

Elvira Gwenllian (Gwen) Payne (née Hinds) (1917 - 2007) was a politician and community activist^[1] who became Wales' first Black female councillor^[2] and remained involved in local politics until her death in 2007.^[3] Known as Gwen, she was the daughter of Leonard Hinds^[3] and Gwenllian Hinds (née Lloyd)^[1] and the sister of John Darwin Hinds, who was himself Wales' first Black, and first Muslim Councillor.

Gwen was born in Morgan Street, Barry^[4] on the 28th March 1917.^[1] Gwen was the eldest of two children. Her father was a merchant seaman from Barbados, who later became a coal miner^[1] and her mother was from Barry.

Gwen initially worked as a carer in London^[5] before working in a munitions factory in Pontypool and then as a school meals supervisor for Colcot school for many years. She married Colin Montgomery Payne in 1951 and they had three sons together before her husband's death in 1978.^[1]

Gwen survived cervical cancer in 1966 and died 5 April 2007 in Llandough Hospital. She is buried in Barry cemetery.^[1]

Gwen was a member of the Labour party along with her brother John.^[1] She was elected to the Vale of Glamorgan Council in 1972.^[2] She served as the Vale of Glamorgan mayoress for her brother^[3] between 1974 and 1976 and became Barry Town Council deputy mayor in 1979.^[4]

As well as her political work, Gwen was a founder secretary and organiser of Guide Dogs for the Blind and a founder member of Buttrills Community Centre.^[1] Gwen was also president of the Arthritis Care Committee for three years^[4] and involved in a range of local initiatives including the Good Street Neighbour's Organisation, Roundel House Day Centre, Tenovus Cancer Research and Barry Island Community Centre.

After Gwen's death there was a campaign to name a new community hall after her which was launched in 2020.^[4]