We are the cycling hub of Wales!
WHAT a fantastic day we had on Saturday as we welcomed the final stage of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour.
I am extremely proud of everyone involved who helped to make this event such a resounding success – the eyes of the world were on Carmarthenshire and we certainly showed them what a beautiful, welcoming county we live in and that we can hold large-scale sporting events to rival the very best.
It was also wonderful to see that communities along the route created a party atmosphere to welcome the cyclists and cheer them on, we definitely had the largest and loudest crowd of supporters out of all six stages.
It was a very special moment to watch our very own Manon Lloyd lead the riders out of the Velodrome at Carmarthen Park – where it all started for her, training with the Towy Riders, and to see how far she has come.
I know her family are so proud of her success, as are we, she really is a true ambassador for Carmarthenshire.
It was an exciting finish at Pembrey Country Park; again there was a brilliant atmosphere.
I hope we have proved that as a county we can host large events such as these, we have the infrastructure, we have the facilities but most of all we have the people.
I think it is safe to say that we can now claim the title of the Cycling Hub of Wales! Check out discovercarmarthenshire. com for our epic road cycling routes – you won’t be disappointed!
CLET me admit straightaway that I think the Queen song Bohemian Rhapsody is a bombastic load of old nonsense which goes on forever.
When it comes on the radio I switch off and have time to shave, iron my shirt and eat a full Welsh breakfast before I switch it on again.
I know I’m in the minority (because there’s only one of me) and understand why a successful film bearing the song’s title was made about Freddie Mercury and Queen.
I also appreciate that over his long and sometimes tempestuous career, Sir Elton John has sold zillions of records and entertained a lot of people at his live concerts.
So his biopic* Rocketman was inevitable, although it’s unusual for a film to be made about a real person while they’re still breathing and pounding their be-jewelled fingers on the keys of a million dollar piano.
But . . . you knew there was a “but” on the way, didn’t you?
I was staggered to read that a “Bye-O-Pick” is being planned about Boy George. As he was recently 58, I’m not sure how much longer he can get away with that “Boy” monicker.
Freddie and Elton both have enough songs to fill several Greatest Hits CDs, while I struggle to remember more than a couple of chart entries by George and his band Culture Club. Wasn’t his biggest
hit about his ability to put his pet lizard at ease – Calm A Chameleon. So, it seems any old pop act could have their careers immortalised in cinema and three months later be available on DVD and VOD.
For example, Kisses For Me – the true story of rock’n’roll rebels The Brotherhood Of Man.
Or how about Shaddap You Face – Joe Dolce sells six million records worldwide then vanishes into obscurity?
But the one I’d most like to see is Chesney Hawkes – How I Made A 30-Year Career Out Of My One And Only Hit.
See you in the cheap seats… Pronounced “Bye-O-Pick” and not, as some broadcasters mis-pronounce it, “BIOPPick”!