Bench tribute for Valleys tourism boss

Mar 19 2008 by Jackie Bow, South Wales Echo

A COMMEMORATIVE bench dedicated to the memory of South Wales Valleys tourism leader Mick Payne has been unveiled.

The bench has been installed at Rhondda Heritage Park mining museum, Trehafod, near Pontypridd, where Mr Payne had been a project manager and director.

He died last year after a short illness.

The bench was unveiled by Peter Andrews, Bailli of the Ordre des Chevaliers Bretvins Bailliage du Pays de Galles, an organisation dedicated to the wine, food and culture of Brittany, to which Mr Payne belonged.

A dedicated professional, he was regarded as a true gentleman and committed family man, renowned for his sense of humour.

Peter Cole, regional strategy director of South East Wales tourism partnership Capital Region Tourism, said Mr Payne had worked tirelessly to turn the venue into a thriving attraction and put the Valleys on the tourist map.

After retiring as director at the park in 2001, Mr Payne became chairman of Wales Association of Visitor Attractions, Southern Wales Attraction Partnership and Capital Region Tourism.

“I am sure the bench will be appreciated by people visiting the park for many years to come,” said Mr Cole.

Rhondda Heritage Park director John Harrison said the memorial bench was “a fitting tribute to the exceptional work that Mick put into the park and the South Wales Valleys area”.

The bench was bought with donations from Chevaliers Bretvins with help from Capital Region Tourism.