Judges see just how special the town is
LAST week the judges of the Great British High Street descended on Carmarthen for a whistle-stop tour and to see just how special the town is to so many people.
It was a chance for them to meet traders and shoppers and see for themselves the atmosphere the town creates, especially on market day when the outdoor stalls bring an added buzz.
We were delighted when we found out that the Chamber of Trade had entered Carmarthen in to the prestigious awards, and thrilled when we discovered it is among the four Welsh towns shortlisted.
As a council we have been pleased to support the nomination, and officers from our economic development team have been working closely with all those involved to ensure the judging panel gets the best possible impression of the town.
On the day of their visit, we offered free parking in all council-run car parks in the town centre, and officers also accompanied the judges on their walkabout, taking the opportunity to talk to them about future plans including the restaurant at Guildhall and the proposals for Jackson’s Lane.
Now, all we need is for people to back Carmarthen and help to give it its moment of glory. I hope as many people as possible vote by using the hashtags #MyHighStreet and #GBHSCarmarthen ZOMBIES! Who likes me!
They never brush their teeth, shave or change their clothes.
They never send Christmas cards or invite you around for drinks on a Friday evening.
Which is just as well . because they’re rubbish small talk. Most annoying all, they move so slowly.
You have to wait for ages if you’re stood behind a couple of them at the supermarket check-out. And they take all day at reverse parking.
While you and me know there are no such things as zombies, there are people who believe they exist.
These aren’t impressionable horror fans who’ve watched every version of Night Of The Living Dead and its many sequels, remakes and spin-offs.
They’re not little ’uns who know about zombies thanks to “family-friendly” scary films like Hotel Transylvania and episodes of Scooby Doo.
Thankfully, any “zombie” featured in that long-running cartoon series turns out to be the evil proprietor of an abandoned amusement park who (in the closing minutes of the episode, as he’s taken away by the cops) complains that he could have got away with it . . . ’em? Not . . at of “If it wasn’t for you pesky kids!”
No, according to a recent survey, 25% of adults who were asked, believed a zombie apoc- alypse could happen, and had taken steps to prepare for it.
They’d stockpiled food and water and planned safe routes out of their home city or town into the mountains and forests.
Presumably because they think zombies rarely enjoy country rambles or go hiking in the hills. Now, if the 25% of people who believe in zombies are the same individuals who believe that the world is run by Lizard People; that the Loch Ness Monster exists; and that one day Casualty will end its 30-year run, we have nothing to worry about.
But if they’re not (and there are millions of gullible people out there who truly believe in these things), then this Halloween the rest of us have good reason to be scared!
You can follow Phil Evans on Twitter @philevanswales or visit www.philevans.co.uk