Wheels in motion for Tour celebrations
ONE of Carmarthenshire’s iconic sights will have a special message for Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas when he races through the county next month.
The Welshman will lead Team Sky during the OVO Energy Tour of Britain, which sees its first stage held in Carmarthenshire.
The folly Paxton’s Tower, which sits above the village of Llanarthne, between Llandeilo and Carmarthen, will see the words “G GWYCH” spelt out of pallets painted yellow on the sloping field under the tower .
The “G” refers to Geraint Thomas’s nickname and “gwych” is the Welsh word for great.
It is just one of the efforts being made across Carmarthenshire for the inaugural stage of the race, which begins at Pembrey Country Park on Sunday.
Llanarthne will be holding a street party too on the day.
A number of communities have outlined their celebrations but there are more to be planned as the clock ticks closer to the big day. A unique bike sculpture of a cyclist up to 12ft in height made out of old cycles will be revealed on the day of the race next to Pwll Pavilion, which will be visible to people travelling between Pembrey and Llanelli.
And as part of a land art competition, in Carmarthen the National Baton Twirling Association (NBTA Cymru) will display a giant baton on the grass banks of the former police station at Friars Park.
Carmarthenshire YFC will have a giant bike made out of agricultural machines and materials between Abergwili and Nantgaredig Square.
Back in Carmarthen, the park in Morfa Lane will boast an interactive circus workshop, a climb ’n’ slide and a space hopper race track
Live music will come from the Sharon Wolley duo, Low Down Dirty Dog blues band and Carmarthen Ukulele band.
The town already boasts a giant bicycle looming large at County Hall, but it will also have crazy golf on offer and also free parking in many of the councilowned car parks.
In Kidwelly, traders will open on Sunday, September 2, and Trinity Chapel will hold its weekly service an hour later as refreshments and activities for all ages are planned. There will be singing as the race passes through.
The town will have popup markets in the square, Glan yr Afon.
And Llandovery will be holding a fun day with cycling events along the same route of the race.
Road and cycling safety stalls, along with food and drink stalls, will be in Market Square, together with live music.
Car parking will be free in the main car park.
Councillor Peter Hughes Griffiths, executive board member for culture, sport and tourism, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many communities getting involved and giving a warm Welsh welcome to the Tour of Britain.
“There are events up and down the county for all the family to enjoy, which will create a fantastic atmosphere for riders and visitors, and the land art entries along the route will be a great way for communities to celebrate the Tour of Britain.
“Televised live throughout the day on ITV4 and Eurosport, it means the eyes of the world will be on Carmarthenshire. It will be a fantastic advertisement for our county.”