Citizenship ceremony in Carmarthen

Seven people have become new British citizens at a ceremony in Carmarthen Register Office.
Yunming Wu, formerly of China, now living in Kidwelly, and Michelle Ann Wright from South Africa now in Llanimole, were two of the participants.
Others, all now living in Carmarthen, were Talatu Ayaba Stanley from Nigeria, and Govardhan Reddy Mittapalli, Jayakumar Balakrishnan and Bindu Moonjely Divakaran, all from India.
Gurdeep Kaur, now living in Swansea, and originally from India, also took part.
The citizenship ceremony was held to formally welcome on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government seven new people to Britain and to Carmarthenshire.
Designed to enhance the significance and importance of becoming a British Citizen, the aim of the ceremony, provided by Carmarthenshire County Council’s registration service, is also to provide each individual with a memorable occasion and help them celebrate with their friends and family a new sense of place and belonging.
The opening address and ceremony was undertaken by Superintendent Registrar Andrea Rowlands, and presided over by Anthony Jenkins, Under Sheriff of Carmarthenshire. Harpist Teleri Gravell provided musical entertainment.
Dr Mittapalli said: “It was very pleasant and well organised with a warm welcome.”
Carmarthenshire’s statutory services executive board member Cllr Philip Hughes said: “The Citizenship ceremony reflects the importance of becoming part of the British democratic process, which is a major contribution to improving community cohesion and developing a stronger understanding of the roles that individuals can undertake in the culturally diverse society of modern Britain.
“Although we trust that having lived in Carmarthenshire for a while, our new citizens will already have experienced the warmth and welcome of their local communities.”
British Citizenship ceremonies came into being in January 2004 as a result of the provisions contained within the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. There is now a legal requirement for all applicants over the age of 18 years to take part in a Citizenship Ceremony where they are required to swear an Oath or state an Affirmation of Allegiance to the Sovereign and to make a pledge of commitment to the United Kingdom.
For all applicants living within Carmarthenshire, the Carmarthenshire Registration Service is responsible for organising the ceremony.