 Monday June 4th dawned dry and sunny, lady luck was looking down on us on this special day. All the worries of the last few months (rain, rain and more rain) were forgotten and we were able to relax and look forward to a fantastic, memorable event for the local community.
All the hard work organising and planning every last detail with members of St Illtyd’s Church and Pembrey Football club to ensure that this was going to be an evening that everyone would talk about for years to come.
The Beacon was prepared and built on the Sunday, final clearing and tidying up squeezed in on Monday, the marquee and gazebo erected, flags and balloons gently swaying in the warm evening breeze.
The rolls sliced, barbeque lit, the Gypsy Jazz Band warming up, the Belly Dancers and Football Players ready and waiting, now all we needed were the locals.
They did not disappoint and turned up in their droves, picnic tables, chairs, candles and Jubilee bunting suddenly appearing, the sound of the pork, sausages and burgers sizzling on the barbeque enticing everyone to queue and sample the food. Everyone talking and commenting on the “house” not seen for many years; marvelling at the amount of work undertaken to uncover the walls from the ivy and growth of the last 40 years or so.
The Band played and sang a variety of songs followed by the Belly Dancers who kept everyone enthralled with their stunning costumes and dance routines.
The run had begun at the Dhaka2bombay Restaurant (formerly the Butchers Arms), with all seven runners heading eastwards along the main road. A number of villagers showed their support near the turn off to the Country Park.
The first pause came at the Red Lion, where more photographs were taken.
We were aware that the football boys had left and had started the torch procession through the village, giving the whole community a chance to join in and celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a touch of the Olympics! But we don’t think the boys ran that quickly .....
The runners were soon off again and many villagers came out in our support - the next stop was the Ship Aground and it must be said that the runners received a huge welcome here and more photographs were taken.
From here, the football team ran up the “Embankment” towards the “Top Road” and then up Heol Y Mynydd, passing the Community Centre and arrived at Court Farm at the pre-planned time
As the time drew close to 10.26,the designated time as instructed by the Pageant Master, the torch came up the hill and was handed over to Nia Griffith MP with a Guard of Honour provided by the Sea Cadets, Nia lit the Beacon, accompanied by the theme ‘ Sing’ written especially for the jubilee by Gary Barlow .
The fire took hold quickly and the 6.5m high beacon burned brightly over the village linking Pembrey with the thousands of Beacons lit nationwide to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
The gasps and cheers from the ever increasing crowd filling the air and the Jubilee Anthem playing in the background rounded off a successful and enjoyable evening.
Court Farm looked absolutely spectacular lit up by the flames of the beacon and with the many tea light candles that we had placed around , twinkling throughout the grounds it was a magical and majestic view.
The Jubilee Cake was cut and handed out — it was good and many folks had second helpings!!
The ambience of the beacon, company and surroundings left everyone loathe to be the first to depart.
The Fire Brigade popped along to check that all was well and we finished the night sat on log seats around the beacon reflecting on the evening, the success, fantastic turnout and basking in the praise and congratulatory comments from the local community.
We want to thank the members of St Illtyd’s Church , especially Wendy and Elisabeth, the Sea Scouts , Pembrey Football Club for their help and participation. Many thanks to the Gypsy Jazz and the Belly dancers without whom the evening would have been less exciting.
Also the firms who supported us,- Bookers , Felin Foel Brewery, M and S, ,Tesco ,Morrison’s & Asda.
We are especially grateful for the support of the Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council for their sponsorship without which we would not have been able to put this event on.
Many letters and messages of appreciation have been since received – one little boy told us ‘I will remember this all my life , even when I am at least 30’.......
more images available here
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