ST DAVID’S WEEK EVENTS

Carmarthen Welsh Week was launched on Saturday with West Wales’ first St. David’s Day Parade.

The colourful and musical parade, was supported by the Welsh Government via the Town Centre Partnership programme, and launched a week of events to celebrate all that’s Welsh in Wales’ oldest town.

The parade was led by the Llanelli, Wales and British Lion rugby legend Delme Thomas, and was organised by Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths with Carmarthenshire County Council and Carmarthen Town Council.

There were performances from Carmarthen Male Voice Choir, Carmarthen Symphonic wind Band and Crwbin Brass Band beforehand at Carmarthen Park and afterwards at St. Peters Church.

Activities continued into the afternoon at Yr Atom the Welsh Language centre on King Street, where Ysgol Berfformio Dyffryn Tywi and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin entertained the crowd and actor Danny Grehan got in to character as Henry Tudor for a Welsh History Children’s performance.

Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths said: “The numbers that came along were beyond all expectations. I’m so pleased that so many people responded, civic leaders from Carmarthen and other towns and villages, various movements and their banners, people from chapels and churches, and a host of families and individuals.

“It was a really memorable day. Thanks to all who came from near and far to make the big parade such a happy and successful event.

“Thanks also to everyone who helped organise and to the two bands, the piper and choir for creating a lovely and exciting atmosphere as the huge crowd made its way from one end of the town to the other. There’s no doubt that the parade is an event we should hold every year from now on, and because of the number there will be a need for more detailed planning than ever for 2017.”

Children from around Carmarthen yesterday as they held their annual St. David’s celebration. Carmarthen town Council in conjunction with Menter Gorllewin Sir Gar brought together school pupils from Llangunnor, Nantgaredig, Richmond Park, Peniel and Ysgol y Dderwen. They performed traditional music, song and dance.

Forthcoming highlights include the Talwrn y Beirdd Welsh poetry competition on Friday evening, at 7:30pm in Carmarthen Football Club, and the Taste of Carmarthenshire Food & Craft Fayre 10-4pm on Saturday (March 5). The Fayre will be on Guildhall Square and Nott’s Square in Carmarthen town centre.

The Carmarthen Town Cawl Crawl the same day will see Carmarthen food establishments compete to win the Best Cawl of Carmarthen.

Members of the public can buy their sample Cawl bowl which has been produced by a local potter, a map highlighting each establishment and scorecard. The highest scoring Cawl will then be crowned the ‘Carmarthen Town Cawl Crawl Champion’.

Cawl Crawl packs cost £5 per person available from Carmarthen Indoor Market on March 2 only and Castle House Information Centre until Saturday March 5. Carmarthen Cawl Crawl will take place between 11am – 2pm. There will be free parking in the town on Saturday.

For more information on the events during Welsh Week and more log on to DiscoverCarmarthenshire.com/Wh