Slowly returning to ‘new normal’ But testing times continued
THERE is no doubt 2020 has been a very difficult year in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic.
But while the crisis has dominated the news, here we take a look back at it and other headlines that have shaped the last 12 months.
In the second part of our review, we turn the attention to July to December.
JULY
In July it was announced that the ferry service between Llansteffan and Ferryside would not run again this year due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions – but bosses promised it will return in spring 2021.
Since lockdown came into force in March, directors of the Carmarthen Bay Ferries halted all services of the Glanferry across the River Towy at the mouth of its estuary, meaning its income dried up.
A new fundraising group, Friends of Glansteffan Ferry, was established to help the service survive.
However, directors of Carmarthen Bay Ferries now decided not to restart services this season.
In a statement, directors Les Jones, Martin Smith, Celia Strange and Kenton Morgan said: “The decision was difficult and we know this will disappoint many of our supporters.
“After an austere Covid19 lockdown, there is a need for relaxing and interesting open-air activities in the UK.
“Ferry crossings and boat trips on the River Towy have the potential to provide this for our communities and the increasing numbers of people who are visiting the Welsh coast.”
“Uncertainty over virus ultimately led the to plans of restarting the ferry service this summer being scrapped.”
The directors added: “Our unique amphibious boat was due to operate from April until the end of September.” The ferry remains at its original home – Robust Boatbuilders in Solva, Pembrokeshire – until next season.
Also by this time, during the summer Carmarthenshire Council’s registration services team were working around the clock to catch up with the registration of more than 800 babies born in the county during lockdown.
The team was also assisting couples who intend to marry or form a civil partnership or who have had their big day postponed because of Covid-19 restrictions.
By July the team was the process of contacting new parents inviting them to make an appointment to register their child’s birth.
In Llanelli the first steps to creating a new community park in Tyisha were taken as part of multi-million-pound regeneration plans for the area.
The ‘Tyisha - Making it happen’ project which aims to transform the area to create a vibrant, new community continues to be a priority for the council, although the coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on some planned works.
Lockdown restrictions meant that some physical works were delayed, including the construction of the new play park at Ann Street – but that was then started over the summer.
There are also plans to relocate young people’s projects from the Station Road area along with temporary accommodation.
AUGUST
The month started with tributes pouring in from Welsh rugby communities and beyond following the sudden death of popular Scarlets backroom figure and broadcaster Andrew ‘Tommo’ Thomas.
A statement issued by Scarlets Rugby read: “We
are devastated to hear that the voice of Parc y Scarlets,
Andrew ‘Tommo’ Thomas, passed away suddenly.
“Tommo was a hugely popular figure as the Parc y Scarlets match-day announcer, a passionate Scarlets fan who brought his huge character and energy to every match.”
The statement continued: “Tommo loved the Scarlets and put his heart and soul into his role.
“He was much loved by supporters, players and staff.” Tommo had worked at the BBC and Nation Broadcasting stations, with spells at BBC Radio Cymru, Radio Ceredigion, Radio Carmarthenshire, Radio Pembrokeshire, Bridge FM and Nation
Radio.
Tributes flooded in from rugby and broadcasting circles.
Former Wales and Scarlets scrum-half Rupert Moon was among the first to post his condolences on social media, writing: “Lost a great friend ... my brother by another mother.
“Thoughts with his family and all his many friends. Sleep well buddy. Big boys do cry.”
On August 26 a freight train carrying diesel fuel and gas oil in tank wagons derailed at, Llangennech, Llanelli.
The resulting blaze could be seen from miles around and hundreds of people in the area were evacuated from their homes.
Two workers were the train but were injured and raised alarm.
An evacuation zone was put in place and police contacted residents and asked them to go to Bryn School and Llangennech Community Centre.
They were allowed back into their homes at around 5.30am the following day.
The train consisted of 25 wagons each holding up to 76 tonnes of diesel or gas oil.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said the derailment and subsequent damage to the wagons “resulted in a significant spillage of fuel and a major fire.” Local people reported “seeing a plume of flames and smoke, and the strong smell of fuel”, the RAIB added.
Ten of the wagons derailed and around 330,000 litres of fuel were spilled.
A huge clean up of the fuel spill was launched.
The derailment and subsequent fire of a freight train in Llangennech is not thought to have been caused by criminal activity, British Transport Police (BTP) have said.
Investigators later said the derailment happened after some of its wheels were damaged by a fault with the brakes.
On December 11, work started on removing and replacing 12,000 cubic on not the metres of diesel-contaminated soil around the site.
Specialist environmental contractors are carrying out the complex operation, and working around the clock for several weeks to complete the work as safely and as swiftly as possible.
August saw some streets pedestrianised in Carmarthenshire as part of a package of measures to encourage shoppers and visitors back into town centres after lockdown was lifted.
Parking spaces were moved, speed limits lowered and one-way pedestrian systems put in place to allow safe queuing and social distancing.
The move was part of the still ongoing Carmarthenshire Council recovery plan to help businesses get back on their feet safely while the pandemic still continues.
The temporary measures took effect in Carmarthen, Llanelli and Ammanford on August 3 and will be kept under review.
Council leader Emlyn Dole said in August: “These changes have been implemented after much consideration and within the boundaries of what the council can do safely and responsibly to protect businesses and visitors whilst also keeping our town centres flowing and operating well.
“We really hope that people will come back to our town centres and help them thrive again by shopping and spending their leisure time locally.” December saw a public consultation take place on the measures to assess how effective they have been and what steps can be taken moving into the new year.
Traders in King Street called for the closure to be lifted claiming it had driven all footfall away and businesses were struggling.
Exam results rolled around once again and it was a very different year for many pupils picking up their GCSE and A-level results after months of studying at home in lockdown.
Pupils across
Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion receiving their results were congratulated for their hard work and determination in what education leaders have described as an been an exceptionally challenging year.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, students were unable to sit final exams and instead their grades reflect predicted results based on coursework and mock examination results.
Councillor Glynog Davies, Carmarthenshire Council’s executive board member for education and children’s services, said everyone who has received their exam results should be proud of what they’ve achieved.
Mr Davies said: “All of our students should be proud of what they have achieved, and on behalf of the council I would like to congratulate them and wish them well for their onward journey.
“This year has been unlike any other and has presented exceptional challenges for our students and our teachers.” Bank holiday traffic was brought to a halt on Carmarthen’s busiest roundabout when climate change protesters stood in the carriageway of the busy A40.
Drivers were forced to step on the brakes as a group of Extinction Rebellion protesters brandishing coloured flags emblazoned with their logo stepped into two lanes of traffic at the eastbound entrance of the A40.
The disruption - at what is known locally as the B&Q roundabout - stopped the flow of traffic for several minutes before letting drivers continue on their journeys.
Despite beeping horns and some disgruntled motorists, protesters approached vehicles to speak to drivers and hand out leaflets about why they were taking action.
Campaigners were claiming that part of Carmarthen near the River Towy and its floodplain would be under water in three decades due to climate change.
Extinction Rebellion called on Carmarthenshire Council and the Welsh Government to take steps now.
Protesters even had a large octopus made of material blocking the road and one campaigner sat in a kayak at the roundabout entrance.
SEPTEMBER
The start of the new school term saw a Carmarthen bus firm suspend four school routes because of Covid-19 social distancing restrictions.
The decision by Johnstown-based Morris Travel left children having to find alternative transport as the new term began.
However, the company’s suspension of its school routes meant children who usually pay £1 each way a day to travel to QE High School and Ysgol Bro Myrddin were left without transport.
All those pupils live within the three mile radius of the town’s two secondary schools and are not eligible for school transport from Carmarthenshire Council.
In contrast, pupils catching school buses provided by Carmarthenshire Council were not required to social distance but must wear masks.
In Pembrey Country Park more than 200 youths were moved on by police after a mass gathering in the forest with reports of underage drinking and antisocial behaviour.
Officers from DyfedPowys Police were called to to break up the huge group of youngsters which had descended on the area after being advertised on social media.
Locals said the group was made up of people from as far as Whitland and Swansea and had swelled to more than 200 by around 8.30pm on the day in question.