Call for Baton’s legacy to be an annual event

AN estimated 5,000 turned out to cheer the Queen’s Commonwealth Baton through Llanelli.

Stilt walkers, belly dancers and more than 500 scouts, guides and brownies joined a procession of nine baton bearers including sporting legend Non Evans MBE and 2013 Big Brother winner Sam Evans (and Llanelli’s Town Mayor) parading from Llanelli Town Hall to Ffwrnes, East Gate.

In sweltering heat Asda responded by providing a cooling station of squashes and fruits for the Scouts, Guides and Brownies.

Two hundred turned up at Laugharne, 1,500 at Carmarthen Leisure Centre and another 2,000 at Carmarthen Town Centre to bid the Baton farewell at an evening reception.

The baton, carrying the Queen’s message to Commonwealth Games athletes, was carried by 23 baton bearers including Carmarthenshire’s sporting heroes and celebrities such as Stella star, Julian Lewis Jones and Wynne Evans, Welsh tenor and star of the Go Compere TV adverts.

Baton bearers described it as an exhilerating experience and Mandy Carter from Seaside said :” It was brilliant to see the town come alive.

“It would be wonderful if the legacy of this Baton relay was an annual summer carnival on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.

“That is a challenege the Town Council should take up to put a smile on everyone’s face,” said Mrs Carter.

Leader of Carmarthenshire Council Cllr Kevin Madge said: “Carmarthenshire put on a tremendous show showcasing the county to a global audience.

“The Baton by now is well and truly on the way to Glasgow and that’s where we now turn our eyes too.”

CAPTION: Baton Bearer and sporting legend Non Evans MBE takes off on the relay with Llanelli Mayor in town cheered on by bad crowd of thousands. Pic: Jeff Connell