Craig is Santa king of Llanelli Carnival

SANTA king of Llanelli Carnival (Friday Nov 22nd) is Owens Transport Services driver Craig Evans.

While Santa rules the skies driving Rudolph’s sleigh at Christmastime Llanelli’s Carnival king rules the tinsel jangling, bells and whistles carnival procession into town heralding festive celebrations.

In all Craig has driven carnival floats in 20 Llanelli carnivals and he admits it is his favourite day of the year despite the fact his lorry – he calls “Babe”, takes him to some high and mighty places in his day job.

He regularly rumbles by Buckingham Palace where he has frequently looked down from his lofty 15ft-plus high perch in his cab on HRH the Queen driving by in her limo.

Craig, of Colby Road, Burry Port, admits that his wife Sandra has come to accept the 13-plate 7-tonne Mercedes he drives is the third person in their marriage. He calls his lorry, which is Owen’s 40th anniversary lorry, “Babe.”

The good news on carnival night is that Sandra is riding shotgun alongside Craig in Babe on the carnival procession.

He said: “It is tremendous to see so many people putting in so much effort and having so much fun, especially the children. And the carnival seems to be getting bigger every year.”

In a tribute to his employers Craig said: “People take for granted the huge sacrifice Owens Transport make for the carnival with so little recognition. This year there are 12 Owens lorries and trailers and 12 drivers of their drivers all giving their time for free. They scrub the lorries and trailers clean for the event and because of the late time of the carnival the lorries and drivers are unavailable for business runs the following day. If you put a price on that commitment it would run to five figures.”

Craig says the company has supported other carnivals throughout the county and many charity events too.

“But Llanelli Carnival is the big one and the drivers love the atmosphere. It certainly is the biggest thing around and a fantastic way to kick off Christmastime.”

Another Llanelli company, Greens Transport, are supplying three lorries this year making the procession of floats one of the longest in Llanelli carnival history. Linking up with the lorries are with marching bands, twirlers and acrobats will be eight vintage tractors driven by Santa clad farmers who are joining the procession for the first time this year.

Schools, sports clubs, theatre groups and businesses decorate their floats at Llanelli carnival Fields with support from Carnival organisers Llanelli Round Table late on Friday afternoon. They will depart Festival Fields at 6.15pm and all being well should arrive at their destination after circumnavigating the town between 7-7.30pm.

Only when the last float has stopped on the dual carriageway on both sides of the dual carriageway fronting Llanelli Town Hall into Church Street will the signal be given to launch the spectacular fireworks display circa 7.45 – 8pm.

The carnival is organised by Llanelli Round table with support from the county, Llanelli Town and Rural Councils, Carmarthenshire Radio and the Welsh Blood Service. Llanelli Town Council is hosting the carnival this year.