IT now looks unlikely that Cardigan Town Council will pay for a headstone for one of the town’s most influential figures.

Miss Brabara Wood, the last private owner of Cardigan Castle, died in 2009 and is buried in a pauper’s grave at Netpool.

It had been suggested that the town council could contribute to a headstone for the grave but at January’s town council meeting that idea seemed to be placed on the backburner.

Cllr John Adams-Lewis said: “I have had several phone calls since we spoke about it regarding Miss Wood and I don’t see why we as a town council should pay.

“I understand her mother is also buried there just inside the entrance in a pauper’s grave and I don’t think we should be paying.”

Cllr Graham Evans suggested it was a matter for the trustees of Miss Wood’s estate and that it should be up to them to provide any money.

Cllr Clive Davies said the castle trustees could not contribute to any fund as that was not compatible to its charitable status but added it was possible to try to find out if Miss Wood had any surviving relatives and whether they wanted to take any action.

It was also pointed out that there was a memorial to Miss Wood at the castle, with a room named in her honour.

Mayor Cllr Shan Williams said: “While it may not be our responsibility it is still sad she is in a pauper’s grave and perhaps the family and any relatives should be the first stop.”

Miss Wood and her mother moved to Castle Green House in the 1940s. They struggled to maintain the listed Regency House and grounds which quickly fell into disrepair.

A proud, independent woman, Miss Wood continued to live in the house after her mother died and entered into many lively disputes with the local authorities about the declining state of the castle.

In 1984, Castle Green House was declared unfit for human habitation. Miss Wood refused the offer of a bungalow in Cardigan but agreed to the provision of a small caravan in the grounds.

She became a recluse-like figure, cloistered with her numerous cats behind the crumbling castle walls. Her failing health led to her being moved to Brondesbury Lodge in 1996 until her death in 2009.

The castle lay empty and neglected for five more years until the Tivyside’s ‘Castle in Crisis’ campaign started the wheels moving to bring the castle into public ownership.

Miss Wood finally sold the castle to Ceredigion County Council in 2003 for £500,000 and its subsequent restoration has been a driving force in the revival of the town’s fortunes.