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

Pembrey Country Park will step back in time over the spring bank holiday. Visitors to the park will be given an insight into what it was like living during the First World War in a two-day event. Infantry, cavalry, medical services, munitionettes and civilians from that era will interact with each other with period police officers doing the rounds. A WWI field hospital, complete with medical equipment, will be set up within the park, near the visitor centre, from 10am to 5pm. Representatives from The Welsh Great War Society, Northamptonshire Regiment and the Norfolk Regiment will also make an appearance along with a group portraying the French/Belgian resistance. A treasure hunt, organised by Dyfed Archaeological Trust, will lead people through the tunnels and munitions factory base. Entry to the event on Sunday and Monday, April 30 and May 1 is free. Usual car parking charges apply. Carmarthenshire County Council’s head of leisure, Ian Jones said: “Pembrey Country Park wasn’t always...

Attended by more than 120 people, Laugharne’s Heritage Day was deemed to be an outstanding success story by all who took part. The day, which had been organised by the Laugharne and District History Society, had the Great War (1914-18) and Laugharne’s connection with it as its main theme. The intention of the day was to highlight and record the strands linking Laugharne families and others in the area to World Ware One. Residents of Laugharne and their families were encouraged to talk about their family members who took part in the war and bring their family photographs to be scanned as a permanent record. These photographs and recorded memories will form the basis of a book focusing on Laugharne’s history at the turn of the last century. Alongside the displays of major national organisations such as the National Library of Wales and Historic Gardens Trust and county-wide groups such as the Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society and the Dyfed Archaeological Trust, there was a live...

More World War One remains have been identified at Pembrey Country Park. Volunteers, working alongside Dyfed Archaeological Trust and supported by Carmarthenshire County Council, came across structures relating to the manufacture of powerful propellant, Cordite, used in the First World War whilst carrying out research and survey work. High explosives and propellants were made at the Munitions Factory which was established by Nobels Explosives Company in 1914. Its founder Alfred Nobel established the Nobel peace prize and is still awarded today. A free leaflet highlighting the fascinating history of the country park is now available at the visitor centre, along with a series of six portable exhibition pop-ups. The council’s executive board member for leisure, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “This is another exciting discovery in a long line of fascinating finds at the park. The tranquil site has not always been so peaceful and the new leaflets will help people explore the park for themselve...

A solid oak bench, designed and crafted by Carmarthenshire schoolchildren and carpentry apprentices, has gone on display in Llanelli. The bench will be available for the public to view at Ty Elwyn until Friday (November 14). Pupils from Ysgol Gorslas , Ysgol Saron , and Swiss Valley Primary School all played their part in designing the bench, which was then hand-crafted from Welsh oak by carpentry apprentices employed by Cyfle Building Skills , supported by Coleg Sir Gâr carpentry tutor Paul Norrington. The project has been supported by Carmarthenshire County Council , and Leader Cllr Kevin Madge and Deputy Leader Cllr Tegwen Devichand were amongst the first to see it on display. “It was my honour and privilege to allow the bench to be displayed in one of our busiest buildings where it can be seen and enjoyed by many people,” said Cllr Madge. “As Armed Forces Champion, and Chair of the Garnant branch of the Royal British Legion , I am proud of the great effort local young people, w...

Llanelli Town Council has arranged a series of lectures to commemorate Llanelli’s involvement in the First World War. The first, focussing on Wales' and Llanelli's role and contribution and the impact on its society during 1914, will be held in the Lliedi Suite, Selwyn Samuel Centre on Thursday 6th November at 7.00 pm. The lecture will be presented by the Deputy Lieutenant and local military historian, Lt Col David Mathias, pictured above. Tickets to the lecture, which are free, are available from The Old Vicarage, Town Hall Square or Selwyn Samuel Centre reception or by phoning 01554 779990

A ceremony has taken place to honour a war hero from Laugharne – the first Welsh man to be awarded a Victoria Cross for heroic deeds in World War One. William Charles Fuller has had a paving stone laid in his honour as part of the WW1 100thanniversary commemorations. Mr Fuller was awarded the Victoria Cross in September 1914, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be given. Now, as part of the commemorations, all VC recipients are receiving a paving stone in their honour to be laid in their home county. As the stones are being laid 100 years to the date that the VC was awarded the ceremony for Mr Fuller took place on September 14. Dozens of members of Mr Fuller’s family came from across the UK to be at the event organised by Carmarthenshire County Council and Laugharne Town Council. The paving stone was unveiled by his daughter Muriel Crooks, aged 91, who said it was a very proud day for her family. “It’s been a fantastic day and a wo...

The programme for this World War One centenary concert staged by Llanelli Rotary Club carried the bold letters, 'Lest we forget'. The words were foremost in everyone's minds (musicians, singers, narrators and audience members) as a supremely fitting commemoration was staged at Greenfield Chapel, Llanelli. It was an evening which tugged at the heart strings and brought a tear to many eyes. It was a concert which told the story of World War One, with sensitive narration of poetry and prose linking the choral contributions. The concert was in aid of the British Legion's Poppy Appeal in South West Wales. The President of Llanelli Rotary Club Hywel Bassett opened the proceedings and explained: "As a Rotary Club, we will soon be approaching our own 100th anniversary in Llanelli and we wanted to pay our own unique tribute to those who died during the war, those who were injured and those who took part, both at home and abroad. "The World War On...

A ceremony is taking place on Sunday to honour a war hero from Laugharne. William Charles Fuller is the first Welsh man, and the only one this year, to have a paving stone laid in his honour as part of this year’s World War One commemorations. Mr Fuller was awarded the Victoria Cross in September 1914, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be given. Now, as part of the WW1 100th anniversary commemorations, all VC recipients will receive a paving stone in their honour to be laid in their home county. As the stones are being laid 100 years to the date that the VC was awarded and the ceremony is taking place in his birth town of Laugharne, on September 14. Dozens of members of Mr Fuller’s family are coming from across the UK to be at the event being organised by Carmarthenshire County Council and Laugharne Town Council. Armed Forces Champion Cllr Kevin Madge will be in attendance. He said: “This is a very prestigious honour to have a ston...

A gala concert to mark the centenary of the start of World War One is being held in Llanelli at the start of September. The concert is being staged by Llanelli Rotary Club in conjunction with the Royal British Legion and Loud Applause Productions. It takes place at 7pm on Saturday, September 6, at Greenfield Chapel in Llanelli town centre. The concert is in aid of the British Legion's Poppy Appeal in South West Wales. "This is a very worthwhile charity and one we are delighted to be supporting," said the President of Llanelli Rotary Club Hywel Bassett. "As a Rotary Club, we will soon be approaching our own 100th anniversary in Llanelli and we wanted to pay our own unique tribute to those who died during the war, those who were injured and those who took part, both at home and abroad. "The World War One 100th anniversary events throughout the country and abroad have touched all our hearts. "With that in mind, we hope to stage a fitting commemoration of t...

People in Carmarthenshire are being asked to share their stories or memorabilia from World War 1 for a national project. Welsh Voices of the Great War Online is a digital community heritage project established and co-ordinated by the School of History, Archaeology & Religion at Cardiff University. The aim is to gather, catalogue and make public an undiscovered treasure trove of World War 1 artefacts and memorabilia which remain in private hands. Any and all items related to the experiences of the Welsh in World War 1 are needed. This might include photographs of men in uniform; letters or postcards from the front; diaries, either from servicemen or from those who remained at home; scrapbooks or newspaper clippings kept by families; and any artefacts or memorabilia. The project team is also keen to gather memories and stories that have been passed down the generations. Once gathered, the material will be catalogued and then made available to the public via The People’s Collection we...