The twentieth election to Cardiganshire County Council took place on 2 April 1955. It was preceded by the 1952 election and followed by the 1958 election.
Candidates 36 candidates were returned unopposed resulting in only fourteen contests. As was the case three years earlier it was reported that there was little appetite for contests, especially where retiring members sought re-election.
Eight aldermen retired, of whom five sought election. Alderman Simon Davies, Felinfach, announced that he had reluctantly decided to retire from public life at the age of 84 after 33 years as a member of the council. At Devil's Bridge, Llangeitho and Llanwenog the retiring councillors stood down in favour of the retiring aldermen.
Outcome
The fourteen contests were fought on non-political lines, with three retiring members being defeated. These included Alderman Emlyn Abraham Williams, who was heavily defeated at Aberystwyth.
Results
Aberaeron
Aberbanc
Aberporth
Aberystwyth Division 1
Aberystwyth Division 2
Aberystwyth Division 3
Aberystwyth Division 4
Aberystwyth Division 5
Aberystwyth Division 6
Aeron
Borth
Bow Street
Cardigan North
Cardigan South
Cilcennin
Cwmrheidol
Devil's Bridge
Felinfach
Goginan
Lampeter Borough
Llanarth
Llanbadarn Fawr
Llanddewi Brefi
Llandygwydd
Llandysul North
Llandysul South
Llansysiliogogo
Llanfair Clydogau
Llanfarian
Llanfihangel y Creuddyn
Llangoedmor
Llangeitho
Llangrannog
Llanilar
Llanrhystyd
Llanllwchaiarn
Llansantffraed
Llanwnen
Llanwenog
Lledrod
Nantcwnlle
New Quay
Penbryn
Strata Florida
Taliesin
Talybont
Trefeurig
Tregaron
Troedyraur
Ysbyty Ystwyth
Election of Aldermen
In addition to the 50 councillors the council consisted of 16 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the 1955 election, there were eight aldermanic vacancies which were filled at the annual meeting. The following retiring aldermen were re-elected: Rev D.L. Evans, Devil's Bridge D.L. Herbert, Llangeitho W.Z. Jones, Llanfarian Meredydd Ll.G. Williams, Llanwenog
In addition, the following four new aldermen were elected: Benjamin John Davies, Llandyfriog Edward Lloyd Davies, Beulah Evan Glyn Davies, Aberarth John John, Aberystwyth
John John was the sole Labour member of the council and the first Labour councillor to be elevated to the aldermanic bench in Cardiganshire.
By-elections Two contested by-elections were held to fill aldermanic vacancies.
Aberbanc by-election
Devil's Bridge by-election
Llandygwydd by-election
Llangeitho by-election
Llangoedmor by-election
Llanwenog by-election
References