LLANELLI gathered once more on Monday (Nov 13) for the annual Ty Bryngwyn Hospice Festival of Lights at the St Elli Shopping Centre. It is a very special date in the calendar for so many people who use, have used or support the Ty Bryngwyn Hospice.
Hundreds of people attended the event to witness the sitch on of the lights. Civic dignitaries from the Llanelli Rural Council, Town Council and County Council including the Chariman Irfon Jones, Mayor of Llanelli Jeff Edmunds and Deputy Mayor Louvain Roberts were present.
The evening began with music from the Salvation Army Band who were perched up on the balcony overlooking the centre. It really was a festive atmposphere as they played Christmas tunes.
The Reverend David Jones of Greenfield Chapel offered a welcome and a prayer.
Cor Meibion Llanelli were on form belting out some wonderful songs for everyone to join in and warm up.
The Reverend Euryl Howells, the senior chaplin of the Hywel Dda University Health Board read from the Gospel According to St John.
Ysgol Brynsierfel and Cor Curiad continued with the musical entertainment, which was much appreciated by the audience.
The congregation joined in once more with the communal hymn, ‘Give Me Oil In My Lamp
It was let to special guest Deny Jenkins BEM aka Denny Twp to switch on the lights an it really was a special moment as the giant candle illuminated and thousands of fairy lights twinkled.
Cor Meibion Llanelli struck up again with Cwm Rhondda and the congregation was asked to join in the singing once more. This very successful evening finished with a blessing.
St Elli Centre manager Andrew Stephens said: “The event is organised each year by the hard working volunteers who work tirelessly throughout the year to bring the Festival of Light Service and many other fundraise activities. Last night we were once again faced with the possibility of no PA system after it was recently stolen. We are extremely grateful to Fone Fix & Gadgets in Llanelli market who stepped with very little notice to provide equipment for the Monday night service.
“The service means so much too so many people who have used the Ty Bryngwyn Hospice as either a patient or that of a loved one. The focal point of the event is the lighting of the Hospice “Lantern and Candle” and this year we were very grateful that local charity fundraising champion Mr. Denys Jenkins BEM agreed to do the honor.
“When the Centre’s lights are switched off the lantern and candle are lit up with the rendition of Cor Meibion Llanelli singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. Which includes the fitting line of “Don’t be afraid of the dark” as the congregation sit and stand together in darkness.
“Cor Curiad and the audience join in together, then some of the St Elli Centre Christmas Lights come on with the centre piece under the glass Pyramid. Last night there was over £1,200 raised just from the lights without the sales of the Christmas Cards and Christmas Puddings.”
You can watch our short film of the event here.
Ty Bryngwyn ‘Festival Of Light’ 2017 from Llanelli Online on Vimeo.
