Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Toot-Toot...Puff the Magic Dragon and a few of his friends are coming to Llanelli Retrofest on September 26-27. With open top bus tours and town criers, traders and exhibitors, church bells ringing out and a lot more besides, all that has been missing from the festival build-up has been monster hissing steam engines from ages past. But Llanelli and District Model Engineers Society have come to the rescue, agreeing to send steam engines into town that will roll up and down Vaughan Street and Stepney Street giving a real yesteryear feel to all the activities. The magnificent machines gush plumes of white steam and will present some fantastic picture opportunities when they chug up and down Llanelli’s high street. It is thought this will be the first steam engines of this kind will have appeared in the town’s streets for more than 100 years. Steam engineers chairman Robert Raynor said Llanelli Retrofest collided with their ninth annual autumn steam rally at Pembrey Country Park, which r...

Buskers from as far away as Bristol are talking about the Llanelli Retrofest. Their music is going to be the mainstay of the event bringing the streets of Llanelli alive, in what is hoped to become a massive annual event in Llanelli’s calendar. More than 20 buskers are already registered, each vying to become the best busker, with singers from Llanelli’s strong folk scene keen to show what they can do, as well as those from further afield. Busker sites will be created along Vaughan Street and Stepney Street over two days and more sites are being set up on the Curly Path leading to Asda and in the Stepney Street and Cowell Street precincts. Buskers or historical street entertainers who are interested in taking part should call 01267 224923.

All roads lead to good old Sospan Fach for Llanelli Retrofest on September 26-27. There will be steam engines, vintage cars and open top buses with free parking in all county council car parks in Llanelli on the Saturday and Sunday too. Llanelli’s Chamber of Trade and Commerce and Carmarthenshire County Council’s transport management team can put on up to five days of free parking each year, and are pleased to announce two of the days have been secured to attract more people in to town for the Llanelli Retrofest. Chamber president Andrew Stephens said: “This is a big bonus for the festival, which we are confident will become a major event in the town’s calendar of fun activities. “It is a fun couple of days designed to bring life to Llanelli’s streets and the fact there is free parking will be a big attraction.” The free parking will run from 9.30am each and all day in all the county council’s car parks in Llanelli.

Llanelli Retrofest on September 26 and 27 is hoped to become a spectacular and long-living annual in event the town’s calendar. The busker idea has really taken hold and buskers are being invited from all over to turn up and show their talents. Musicians and magicians have been booking their spots but organisers said they will even find space for those who turn up on the day. There is a large university and college contingent of buskers with a wide spread of musical talents who are expected to be involved too with a £500 prize up for grabs. One of the more unusual buskers to show an interest is a cross between a street magic show and a fun science lesson. David Price, from Science Made Simple, will amaze, confuse and delight audiences with his unique, interactive busking act. With his tricks and illusions David will spread the joy and wonder of scientific phenomena. Retrofest visitors will have the chance to witness the largest whoopie cushion on earth and find out how it works, and ...

We are even sewing back in time for Llanelli Retrofest. Enthusiasm for the step back in time festival is gathering pace. Even sewing machines have been humming along at Llanelly House with a volunteer band of seamstresses turning out bonnets for the event with expert tuition and support of Llanelli theatrical costume suppliers and manufacturers Costumes to Go. The plan is to bring Llanelli alive recalling the good old days when costermongers competed for custom in the main streets of Llanelli. On Friday and Saturday September 26 and 27, Vaughan Streetand Stepney Street will be filled with olde worlde buskers and traders with trestle tables in the street. Steam engines will roll up and down the streets and there will be a selection of vintage cars on display. Llanelly House is playing its part with staff dressing up in period costumes to cast us back in time. Jesters will be taking to the streets telling stories of the town and Town Criers will be calling all to attention to make sure...

Oyez, oyez, oyez! An exciting new annual festival is being planned for Llanelli on September 26-27th. Llanelli Retrofest will take us on a trip down dusty corridors of time and reinvigorate Llanelli. There will be buskers, traders and market stall holders taking to the streets. Town criers and storytelling jesters will tour about the town. There will be open top bus tours, vintage cars on display; tasty treats from ages past to sample and a lot more besides. Anything goes from 10 years to 300 in the history of glorious Llanelli in the festival that is being jig-sawed together as part of the national High Streets campaign. Town traders are being encouraged to take to the streets costermonger style with an offering of their goods on trestle tables or carts to show what they have to offer and getting everyone in the mood by dressing up in costumes or hats from yesteryear. Bands could bookend the festival at the Eastgate end of Stepney Street and at the Cowell Street junction and betw...