Former councillor and museum founder dies aged 84

A former councillor who worked in politics for more than 30 years and was praised for his efforts to preserve aviation history has died at the age of 84.

Elfan Dyfed ap Rees was a member of North Somerset Council from 1995 until he lost his seat in May 2019, during which time he also held the role of deputy leader.

He was most known for founding the Weston Helicopter Museum, which opened in 1989 and reportedly holds the world's largest dedicated rotary-wing collection.

However, in May 2020, ap Rees faced significant backlash after posting a tweet stating that slaves brought to Britain had "a better life than staying in Africa".

The Helicopter Museum, which houses more than 100 aircraft, was born out of ap Rees' lifelong passion and his private collection of aviation documents and artifacts.

In a tribute, the museum confirmed his passing on 24 July "with great sadness".

"For more than 70 years, helicopters were not simply Elfan's passion. They were his life's work," they said.

"Through his vision, determination and perseverance, countless historic aircraft were rescued from the scrapyard and preserved for future generations.

"His legacy lives on in every aircraft preserved within the museum, every visitor inspired by its collection, and in the generations who will continue to discover the history of rotary-wing flight because of his life's work."

His daughter, Claire ap Rees, said the number of tributes flooding in from around the world "has been overwhelming".

"Reading the messages from people who say he inspired their interest in helicopters has been a real comfort at such a difficult time," she added.

After losing his seat on North Somerset Council when the Conservatives lost overall control, ap Rees remained active in local government as a parish councillor for Locking.

During that time, he faced criticism over comments posted online during a discussion about Bristol's historic links to the transatlantic slave trade, made in response to a BBC programme exploring Bristol's past.

He wrote: "Most slaves were sold by their fellow African tribes to visiting ships and had a better life than staying in Africa."

He added while there was "some cruelty" during the slave trade, there "was worse among the white poor living in slum conditions of the time".

Ap Rees denied he had been racist and said he "stated a historical fact".

The Conservative party subsequently suspended him pending an investigation, but he remained involved in local planning and community issues until December 2025, when a formal vacancy notice was issued citing his resignation.

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