Flags flown at half-mast as condolences books opened
Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
“The Duke has been a magnificent and constant support to Her Majesty during the 69 years of her reign.
“His long life was devoted to public service and to supporting and advancing many hundreds of causes and organisations that were dear to his heart.
“We will perhaps best remember him for the legacy he has left for young people, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme which he set up in 1956 which has helped countless young people all over the world to achieve their potential and many more will continue to do so.
“The last time the Duke visited West Glamorgan was in 2012 with the Queen for a diamond jubilee reception at Margam Orangery and he always enjoyed his visits to us.
“I never met the Duke but I’m told that he was very down to earth and great fun and took a genuine interest in everyone he met.
“His passing is a great loss to the country and we will remember his long life of distinguished military and public service with respect, affection and
gratitude - but we will also celebrate all the good work he did for the country.
“My deepest sympathy goes to Her Majesty the
Queen and to all of the Royal Family at their great loss.”
The Mayor of Neath Port Talbot, Councillor John Warman and the
leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Councillor Edward Latham, have paid tribute following the announcement by Buckingham Palace of the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. Cllr Warman said: “It is with great sadness that I heard of the passing of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
“He has served this country with great dedication whilst carrying out their royal duties and in active service as a member of our armed forces and on behalf of all the people of Neath Port Talbot I extend my deepest and most sincere condolences to members of the Royal Family.”
Cllr Edward Latham, leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, also expressed his condolences. Cllr Latham said: “I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, and, like many people feel a personal sense of grief at this time. As a mark of respect, flags at civic buildings throughout the county borough will be flown at half-mast.”
In addition, an online book of condolence for Neath Port Talbot has been published at https:// bit.ly/3dswiic
Llanelli Town Council leader Cllr Shahana Najmi
‘‘ Prince Philip was a true hero, whose passing will be a source of great sadness to many people whose lives he touched
- Elsa Davies
issued a statememt on behalf of Town Mayor Cllr Chris Griffiths, councillors, staff, and the people of Llanelli.
Cllr Najmi expressed deep sorrow and sadness upon the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip.
She said: “In offering our deep and sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and all Members of the royal family upon such an irreparable loss, we pay tribute to his most distinguished life and service to our country, for which we are truly thankful.
“More particularly, Llanelli is a town that has benefitted from his creation of The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme that helped so many of our young people in developing their personalities and providing them with career opportunities.
“His memory will not be forgotten with our local hospital bearing his name to remind us of his immense contribution to the public life of our country.”
A spokesman for Llanelli Rural Council said: “Everyone at Llanelli Rural Council is saddened to hear of the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Our thoughts go out to Her Majesty the Queen and the royal family.”
Elsa Davies, from Bancyfelin, remembers the Duke of Edinburgh from the time she worked for
the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA).
She said: “Prince Philip was a true hero, whose passing will be a source of great sadness to many people whose lives he touched.
“As the President of the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) for well over 60 years, he gave generously of his time to ensure that people of all ages, especially children, had access to recreation.
“It was a cause dear to his heart and this was evident when he came to Bancyfelin, a thriving village near Carmarthen, to open a state-of-the-art multi-games court.
“On a personal note, as a former Chief Executive of the NPFA, his acute ability to go to the heart of an issue will be an enduring memory as will his creative approach to problem solving.
“It was a privilege to serve under his Presidency
at the NPFA.”
Carmarthenshire County Councillor Alan Speake said he remembered the Duke of Edinburgh from his time serving with the Welsh Guards.
He said: “When the 1st battalion Welsh Guards completed our active service role in south Arabia (now Yemen) we were posted to Victoria Barracks, Windsor, Berkshire.
“When doing a 48-hours guard of Windsor Castle
over the Christmas period, the Duke of Edinburgh sent his orderly down to the Guard Room with two crates of Guinness. We were chuffed to bits at the thoughtfulness of the Duke.”
Cllr Speake said he remembered Prince Philip visiting the cookhouse to check the quality of meals served to the soldiers.
He added: “He was always friendly and what stood out a mile was his thoughtfulness and cheerfulness. “He was a born leader who showed respect to us all whether you were a farmer’s son from west or north Wales or a South Wales valley boy like myself.”
The chair of Carmarthenshire Council is writing to Her Majesty the Queen and the royal family expressing the county’s great sadness following the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
Cllr Ieuan Davies will express deepest sympathies on behalf of members, staff and residents following today’s announcement from Buckingham Palace.
Flags have been lowered to half-mast at Carmarthen’s County Hall, Llanelli Town Hall and Ammanford Town Hall as a mark of respect.
Further information about events will be shared on the council’s website www.carmarthenshire.wales and social media feeds.
The Duke of Edinburgh last visited Carmarthenshire in April 2010, to officially open an all-weather Village Games Court in
Bancyfelin, in his official capacity as President of Fields In Trust.
He had arrived aboard the Royal Sovereign and was greeted by children of Llangunnor School at Carmarthen Railway Station before travelling to Bancyfelin.
In June 2002, The Duke accompanied HM The Queen on a visit to Llanelli and Burry Port as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour of the UK.
The chairman’s letter read: “It is with great sadness that I learnt of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.
“On behalf of Carmarthenshire County Council, I would ask you to convey to Her Majesty and her family our deepest sympathy at this very sad time.
“Carmarthenshire has fond memories of Her Majesty’s golden jubilee tour of Wales in 2002 accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh when thousands of school children from across the county lined the route from Burry Port Harbour to North Dock in Llanelli, together with the Duke’s visit to Bancyfelin in 2010.’