Hundreds of people lined the streets of Hendy and Pontarddulais today, Saturday (Jun 24) as the Hendy and Bont carnival got underway. A number of floats and walkers made their way from the Hendy Rugby Club starting at 2pm up through Pontarddulais and eventually onto the field at Coed Bach Park.
Awaiting the hundreds of entrants were the judges made up of Phillip Downing, Lord Mayor of the City and County of Swansea and Clive Mathias Acting Town Mayor for Pontarddulais Town Council. There were also stalls, donkey rides, martial arts displays plenty of candy floss, a bouncy castle and a VIP area for the civic dignitaries and guests. Nia Griffith MP and Tonia Antoniazzi were also present running a stall where they were asking for signatories for a petition to bring back a bank in Pontarddulais.
It may not have been a blazingly hot day but that was just as well given some of the costumes being worn. The carnival though a little smaller than last years is still going strong through the hard work of the volunteers who organise the floats, the route and the entertainment.
Large numbers of people watched the martial arts display on the main field where grown men, women and children attacked each other some brandishing knives. There was a show jumping event with a difference as horses were replaced by lamas. Gracing the open top bus and handing out the trophies was none other than Bret Johns the World Champion cage fighter.
Businesses around the town appeared to doing a brisk trade as locals and visitors turned out in force to support the annual event. The themes ranged from Royal Ascot to the British Lions, darts players, Bay Watch and plenty of men dressed as ladies. The fire service, ambulance service and Loughor Inshore Lifeboat crew were also on hand allowing children to don the uniforms and of course set off the sirens and lights. There appeared to be something for everyone and the organisers were no doubt pleased with the day’s events and deservedly so.
Llanelli Online will be uploading a video we made of the day here soon.
Photos: Terence Owens
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