Crowds pack the streets for a colourful celebration of community and creativity

NEYLAND was transformed into a vibrant sea of colour and celebration today (Saturday, July 12) as the town’s annual carnival returned in spectacular style — and under glorious blue skies.

Starting at 1:00pm, the carnival procession wound its way through packed streets, with floats and walkers bursting with imagination, humour and local pride. Themed entries included everything from 1940s nostalgia and reggae celebrations to cartoon characters, The Thunderbirds car and even a military-style jeep escorting Winston Churchill himself (or at least a very convincing impersonator).

Youngsters aboard the Neyland Sports float cheered and waved to onlookers, while others handed out sweets, high-fived the crowd, and danced to booming music.

There were fancy dress costumes galore — from tiny tots in prams disguised as pirate ships to a full marching troupe of blue-suited cartoon postmen. Spectators were treated to a joyous mix of confetti, retro tunes and community cheer as each entry passed by.

After the parade, the fun continued on the Athletic Club field, with fairground rides, food stalls and live entertainment carrying the spirit of the carnival into the late afternoon.

One local resident said: “It’s the best carnival we’ve had in years. The effort people have put in is amazing — and the weather’s just made it perfect.”

Organisers were quick to thank all volunteers, stewards, sponsors, and parade participants for making the day such a roaring success.

The Herald will be sharing a full photo gallery online — so keep an eye out and tag your friends!

A CARMARTHENSHIRE police officer who risked his life to save a man trapped in a burning car has been recognised for his extraordinary bravery.

PC Jonathan Tatam, 33, leapt into action following a serious road traffic collision between a car and a tractor near Cynwyl Elfed last summer. The crash left a man trapped inside a vehicle that caught fire moments after the impact.

Without hesitation, PC Tatam ran to retrieve a fire extinguisher from his patrol car and rushed back towards the blaze.

Despite the intense heat and risk of explosion, he fought the flames long enough to reach the man, whose leg was pinned beneath the dashboard.

With the fire re-igniting and time running out, he dragged the man free from the wreckage just seconds before the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames.

Speaking after receiving a bravery award at the Dyfed-Powys Police Force Awards, PC Tatam said: “Watching the body-worn footage afterwards was quite surreal. It all happened so fast.

“I remember thinking, if I don’t do something now, this person is going to die. The man’s friends were pleading with us to help and I knew I couldn’t just stand by.

“It was incredibly hot, the car was close to a hedge and there was barely any room to manoeuvre. I was worried the fire would spread.”

Thanks to his quick thinking, PC Tatam was able to suppress the flames long enough for the trapped man to dislodge his leg.

“I thought if I could get the flames away from his legs, it might give him enough strength to free himself,” he said. “He was panicking and in pain, but the relief of the fire being off him must have helped.”

“About 30 seconds after we got him out, the whole car was ablaze. It doesn’t bear thinking about what could have happened if we’d been any slower.”

Once the man was safe, PC Tatam and his colleague, PC Catrin Jones, administered first aid and cleared the scene to allow other emergency services through. He also helped carry medical equipment to the casualty from the air ambulance, which later flew the man to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff with serious injuries including a broken femur and third-degree burns.

Reflecting on the incident, he said: “It didn’t really hit me until I got home that evening. I was grateful for the support from the force and my colleagues – especially Catrin, who was also outstanding on the day.”

PC Tatam, who only joined the police three years ago, added: “It’s lovely to be recognised so early on in my career. I never expected to be nominated, let alone win an award. I was just doing my job.”

“I’d always wanted to be a police officer and applied several times before finally getting in at 30. I joined to help others, but never expected something like this. I’m proud of the award – but even prouder that I was able to help save someone’s life.”

The bravery award, sponsored by Niche, was one of over 20 presented at the Dyfed-Powys Police Force Awards ceremony held at headquarters on Friday (July 4). PC Tatam has also been nominated for a national bravery award.

Brave officer: PC Jonathan Tatam was presented with a bravery award at police headquarters on Friday (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police).

Campaigners condemn Glyn Cothi wind farm plan as threat to landscapes and communities

A RESIDENTS’ group has hit out at plans for a major wind farm in north Carmarthenshire, warning that the county is being turned into the “Wild West” of renewable energy.

CRAiG Sir Gâr (Carmarthenshire Residents Action Group) has issued a strong objection to the proposed Glyn Cothi Wind Farm, a 162 MW development that would see turbines rise above the scenic Cothi Valley and Brechfa Forest.

The proposed scheme follows an earlier 48 MW wind farm at Llanllwni Mountain, rejected over a decade ago after a fierce campaign by local residents.

Concerns over damage to environment and tourism

The group says the development—three times the size of the rejected Llanllwni proposal—would “scar the landscape, wreck communities, and sound the death knell for many tourism businesses.”

They argue that thousands of tonnes of concrete and steel would be needed to construct turbine foundations, while extensive new roads and bridges would carve through the county’s historic rural heartlands. Residents fear access to parts of Brechfa Forest could also be lost due to new infrastructure.

Blame levelled at Welsh Government and County Council

Havard Hughes, spokesperson for CRAiG Sir Gâr, said the development is a direct result of planning policies laid out in the Welsh Government’s Future Wales 2040 strategy, which designated large parts of the county as suitable for industrial-scale wind energy.

“These proposals for Glyn Cothi were utterly predictable when the Welsh Government imposed an industrial wind zone on a third of Carmarthenshire,” Mr Hughes said. “This monstrous scheme will see turbines hundreds of feet high with aircraft warning lights blazing day and night. The dark skies of the Brechfa Forest and Cothi Valley will be gone forever—replaced by a permanent Net Zero glow.”

Mr Hughes also criticised Carmarthenshire County Council’s decision to scrap the Cothi Valley’s Special Landscape Area designation in its draft Local Development Plan, warning that this had left the area vulnerable to industrialisation.

‘Open season for turbines and pylons’

The group further claims that local authorities have removed protections from 18 landscapes across the county while also investing the council’s pension fund in energy infrastructure firms.

“It’s no wonder that one of the largest electricity substations in the UK is being planned for Llandyfaelog,” Mr Hughes said. “It’s open season for turbines and pylons in an area larger than the width of Greater London.”

Calling for a moratorium on individual energy schemes, CRAiG Sir Gâr is urging Welsh and local government to consider the cumulative impact of multiple renewable energy projects across Carmarthenshire.

Background information

• The Glyn Cothi Wind Farm would generate 162 MW of electricity.
• The recently proposed Nant Mithil development by Bute Energy is expected to generate 198 MW, using steel pylons across Carmarthenshire.
• By comparison, the existing Brechfa Forest wind farm produces 57.4 MW and uses wooden poles.
• Page 94 of Future Wales 2040 outlines the areas designated for large-scale wind development in Carmarthenshire.