First Minister visits Ffos Las
First Minister Carwyn Jones has visited Carmarthenshire’s newest sporting attraction.
He was taken on a tour of Ffos Las Racecourse following a reception in its hospitality suite, where he met members of the Mid and West Wales Fire Brigade search and rescue team, who recently returned from earthquake-stricken Haiti.
Mr Jones was invited to Ffos Las as part of his visit to Carmarthenshire, hosted by Carmarthenshire County Council leader Cllr Meryl Gravell.
Earlier in the day he announced a £14million theatre and entertainment development at Llanelli Town Centre.
Mr Jones said he was impressed with the facilities at Ffos Las, which has become a major part of Carmarthenshire’s tourism appeal.
Launched in June last year, the racecourse hosts racing meets and provides corporate hospitality and private functions – including weddings – throughout the year.
It has acted as a major catalyst for tourism in Carmarthenshire, and joins Parc Y Scarlets and Machynys Golf Course as a key player in sporting attractions in the county.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “The team at Ffos Las racecourse have created a first-class facility. It is attracting many visitors to the area to watch top-class horse-racing and hopefully it will encourage them to return time and again to explore the area.”
Ffos Las Ltd is part of the successful Walters Group of Companies, together with partners persimmon Homes Ltd and Newbury Racecourse.
Its development was supported from the outset by Carmarthenshire County Council.
Ffos Las, which translates as Blue Ditch, is named a after the farm that used to stand within the site before open casting began in 1983.
The site commands breathtaking views down the Gwendraeth Valley and across Carmarthen Bay to Tenby and Caldey Island.
Council leader, Cllr Meryl Gravell, said: “We are immensely proud of Ffos Las, and wanted to take the opportunity of showing the First Minister around the course during his short visit to the county.
“We were also humbled to meet the search and rescue team from Carmarthenshire who have just returned from Haiti. They had some harrowing tales to tell, but we are glad to have them home, safe and well.”
The First Minister added: “I was pleased and proud to have the opportunity to meet the brave firefighters from the Mid and West Wales Fire Service in person, to thank them on behalf of the people of Wales for the important role they played in the massive humanitarian effort to help the people of Haiti, in often difficult and dangerous situations.”
Ffos Las Racecourse general manager Colin Owens, First Minister Carwyn Jones, Walters Group operational director Huw Richards, and Carmarthenshire County Council Leader Cllr Meryl Gravell. Pic Jeff Connell
Members of the Mid and West Wales Fire Brigade Search and Rescue Team, who recently returned from a rescue mission in earthquake-stricken Haiti, meet First Minister Carwyn Jones, and Carmarthenshire County Council Leader Cllr Meryl Gravell, during a reception at Ffos Las Racecourse. Pic Jeff Connell
He was taken on a tour of Ffos Las Racecourse following a reception in its hospitality suite, where he met members of the Mid and West Wales Fire Brigade search and rescue team, who recently returned from earthquake-stricken Haiti.
Mr Jones was invited to Ffos Las as part of his visit to Carmarthenshire, hosted by Carmarthenshire County Council leader Cllr Meryl Gravell.
Earlier in the day he announced a £14million theatre and entertainment development at Llanelli Town Centre.
Mr Jones said he was impressed with the facilities at Ffos Las, which has become a major part of Carmarthenshire’s tourism appeal.
Launched in June last year, the racecourse hosts racing meets and provides corporate hospitality and private functions – including weddings – throughout the year.
It has acted as a major catalyst for tourism in Carmarthenshire, and joins Parc Y Scarlets and Machynys Golf Course as a key player in sporting attractions in the county.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “The team at Ffos Las racecourse have created a first-class facility. It is attracting many visitors to the area to watch top-class horse-racing and hopefully it will encourage them to return time and again to explore the area.”
Ffos Las Ltd is part of the successful Walters Group of Companies, together with partners persimmon Homes Ltd and Newbury Racecourse.
Its development was supported from the outset by Carmarthenshire County Council.
Ffos Las, which translates as Blue Ditch, is named a after the farm that used to stand within the site before open casting began in 1983.
The site commands breathtaking views down the Gwendraeth Valley and across Carmarthen Bay to Tenby and Caldey Island.
Council leader, Cllr Meryl Gravell, said: “We are immensely proud of Ffos Las, and wanted to take the opportunity of showing the First Minister around the course during his short visit to the county.
“We were also humbled to meet the search and rescue team from Carmarthenshire who have just returned from Haiti. They had some harrowing tales to tell, but we are glad to have them home, safe and well.”
The First Minister added: “I was pleased and proud to have the opportunity to meet the brave firefighters from the Mid and West Wales Fire Service in person, to thank them on behalf of the people of Wales for the important role they played in the massive humanitarian effort to help the people of Haiti, in often difficult and dangerous situations.”
Ffos Las Racecourse general manager Colin Owens, First Minister Carwyn Jones, Walters Group operational director Huw Richards, and Carmarthenshire County Council Leader Cllr Meryl Gravell. Pic Jeff Connell
Members of the Mid and West Wales Fire Brigade Search and Rescue Team, who recently returned from a rescue mission in earthquake-stricken Haiti, meet First Minister Carwyn Jones, and Carmarthenshire County Council Leader Cllr Meryl Gravell, during a reception at Ffos Las Racecourse. Pic Jeff Connell
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