Santa descends on Llanelli in a Tuk Tuk

CROWDS lined the streets in Llanelli town centre today as Santa arrived on his tuk tuk. You heard correctly, a tuk tuk. Apparently his reindeer refused to travel any further than Manchester and who can blame them, it is a busy time of year. So quick as a flash the man in red hired the services of a tuk tuk and sped on down the motorway and country lanes to get to Llanelli on time for the parade.

Families lined the route from Theatre Ffwrness along Vaughan Street and Stepney Street to catch a glimpse of Santa and the many different characters in the parade.

Spider Man, Batman, Deadpool, Captain Marvel, Peter Pan, Panto Dames, Malificent, Aquaman,  Prince Charming and the Grinch to name but a few.

The streets were lined with market stalls selling food, drink and Christmas gifts. The town really did look very festive with window displays and market stalls selling holly and Christmas trees.

The old Wilko store had been transformed into a winter wonderland grotto complete with fun fair rides and Santa’s grotto. Coincidentally Santa’s grotto was back in the same location it was almost 50 years ago when the Co-op was used as his base. That was a fact not lost on the former manager of the St. Elli Centre and former manager of the Co-op Andrew Stephens.

Mayor of Llanelli Philp Warlow said that Llanelli was the envy of some towns and that it always delivered on big events. Rev Eldon Phillips who led the parade said that despite the absence of reindeers it was a fantastic event and he paid tribute to the Ymlaen Llanelli Bid team.

The Swansea City Pipe Band and the Royal British Legion Band supplied the soundtrack with carols.

It was another fantastic event supported by the people of Llanelli.

Meanwhile other Christmas events had taken place in Felinfoel and Bryn.

Video: Dave Hurford

At Felinfoel crowds gathered outside the brewery to see the lights being switched on. In attendance were Dame Nia Griffith MP, Rev Eldon Phillips and Chairman of Carmarthenshire County Council, Cllr Rob Evans. The even was well supported by the local community

At Bryn the Chair of Llangennech and Bryn Community Council Ian Morlais Williams officially switched on the lights. The hall was decked with Christmas decorations and there were craft and food stalls dotted around inside and outside the hall. Santa also paid a visit and gave out gifts to local children. Cllr Gary Jones said that the event had been a huge success and had brought a lot of light and warmth to the community.