Llanelli business boss praises Eisteddod for its success

by Robert Lloyd

The National Eisteddfod has been praised for bringing the cultural event to Llanelli by one of the bosses at a leading West Wales business.

Russell Jenkins, operations manager at the Jenkins Bakery, said: “I have nothing but praise for the Carmarthenshire National Eisteddfod.

“It brought life, colour and customers to the town. As far as I am concerned it is a pity Llanelli isn’t the established South Wales home of the Eisteddfod. We would then see it here every other year.”

Mr Jenkins said he was disappointed by the negative reaction of some Llanelli town centre traders to the Eisteddfod.

“Yes, it does impact on traffic flow, but speaking for the Jenkins Bakery I can tell you that all our town centre shops were very busy throughout the week.

“Our staff entered into the spirit of the event. They put Welsh flags up and decorated shops with a Welsh theme using daffodils, leeks, rugby balls, Welsh dolls, Welsh flags, a Welsh cake ‘plank’ and red, white and green bunting and helium balloons.

“Some of our ladies wore red Welsh aprons. Staff handed out samples and promoted special offers. Our Welsh-speaking staff wore special badges to make themselves available to Welsh speakers.

“Some of the visiting ‘Eisteddfodwyr’ became ‘regulars’ for the week, returning on a daily basis.

“We also put on a special range of products for the duration of the Eisteddfod – Bara Brith, gift packs of Welsh cakes, Welsh cup cakes and Welsh pasties.”

Mr Jenkins added: “I was lucky enough to find time to visit The Maes and thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.

“One of my highlights was listening to Bryn Fôn on the open stage at the Burry Port end of the Maes.

“It was a spectacular week and event we can take great pride in, both on a Carmarthenshire level and on a Llanelli level.

“Staging a major event like the Eisteddfod will always, inevitably, involve some disruption to routine, but as fas as the Jenkins Bakery is concerned we welcomed the Eisteddfod with open arms and were delighted with the flow of activity into our many shops in the area.”