Gwent | Archive | 2001 | August | 7
From the South Wales Argus, first published Tuesday 7th Aug 2001.
ONE of the best-known and most popular characters in Tintern has died after a short illness.
Grantley James, (pictured) aged 55, of Tanglewood, died at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, after a stroke. He is survived by his mother, Joan James, who is in her eighties, and two sons, David and Christopher.
He was well-known for his work as the Argus correspondent for Tintern in the popular Grassroots community pages, and also as the village postmaster for a few years, until ill-health forced his early retirement.
Alan Butt, owner of The Anchor Hotel, in Tintern, said Mr James was a larger-than-life character who would be sorely missed.
"He was a good orator and writer and tremendously articulate. He had led a very interesting life and had a huge wealth of knowledge.
"I had known him for more than 30 years, and he was a very popular character in the area."
After leaving school Mr James worked for his father's firm, the Lydney and Chepstow Trading Company, then moved to Plymouth to work as a regional manager for a large company of building merchants.
On the death of his wife, in 1987, he returned to live in Lydney with his two small sons, raising them with the help of his mother.
In his younger days he was a middle-distance runner, representing Wales on several occasions, and for many years played hooker for Newport Rugby Club. He was a good musician and played the drums for a band called Canticle, accompanying Max Boyce for several years in the 1970s.
It was while living in Plymouth that he developed his skills as a sailor, and he often used to reminisce in his weekly Grassroots column and in his jottings about Tintern for the Village News.
Ron Hempstead, of the Village News monthly newsletter, said: "He was one of our main contributors and we received more letters and questions concerning Grantley than most other subjects."
The funeral will take place at St Mary's Church, Chepstow, on Friday at 12.30pm, followed by interment at Bulwark cemetery.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008