Mary Collard Lion Royal Hotel, Rhayader

Just received the below email:-

Hi Paul,

It's with great sadness to say that Mary Collard (proprietor of the Lion Royal Hotel, Rhayader) passed away on Sunday 14th September.

At 82 years of age she was a vocal & stalwart supporter of keeping the green lanes open. She dearly cared for every single biker who stayed at the hotel.

In her day she was quite capable of building a bike from scratch, could strip & rebuild an engine and thought nothing of riding around test tracks at high speed - or across Europe for that matter.

Several experiences of (as she used to put it) "munching on tarmac" might have dented her physically over the years but she remained an enthusiast for all things "bike" and a certified petrol head.

Despite coping with more pain than she would ever really admit to, she always said that if she had to live her time again she would live it just the same.

Her family, vast number of friend far & wide, and the whole of Rhayader will forever hold her dear to their hearts.

Look to the clouds & know that Mary is roaring along on some glorious motorcycle in a place where speed limits don't apply.

Do please keep an eye on https://www.facebook.com/lionroyal Funeral & remembrance details will be posted when available.

With saddest regards,
Chris.


With fondest memories of my dear friend:
Mrs. Mary E Collard
Lion Royal Hotel
West Street
Rhayader
Powys
LD6 5AB

Tel: (01597)810202
Web: www.lionroyal.co.uk

Staying at the Lion Royal was always an experience!

But despite her eccentricities, Mary was clear that bikers and horse-riders were essential to the prosperity of Rhayader and fought our corner well.

She will be missed.

Always loved staying there as a base for Welsh Rallys and trail rides

Mary's funeral is to be held at Saint Clements Church, Church Street, Rhayader at 2:30pm on Thursday 2nd October.

Donations payable to "Rhayader Doctors Surgery" can be sent to the Funeral Director at Alma Showroom, East Street, Rhayader, LD6 5DL.

The Lion Royal is being run by Mary's family and will be reopen at the beginning of November 2014.

I still miss Mary terribly - despite our age difference she was my best mate. She was was an octogenarian that could make a navvy blush when the mood took her!!

I always helped my friend whenever I could & looked after "all things internet" for her so really want you all to know:

I know many of you were very fond of her. Her family have worked incredibly hard at The Lion & Mary would be so proud.

Generous breakfasts of legend, all the garage & secure parking and PROPER kit drying facilities remain.

Thus far, her families admirable hard work means:
> Brand new bedding throughout with luxury duvets.
> Enhanced in-room beverage facilities.
> Draught lager, bitter & cider on tap.
> Gorgeous log burning stoves installed in the downstairs bars.

The roar of motorbike engines through the Lion's archway is a welcome sound.

All enquiries are welcome from groups of any size with or without the assistance of our guides.