A look back at the stories
There is no doubt 2021 has been another difficult year in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic. 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 . . .
January
■ The year started with the Covid-19 pandemic still dominating headlines.
January saw more people across west Wales starting to be called in for Covid-19 vaccinations as a result of the new Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine being approved for use by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
Batches of the newly-approved coronavirus vaccine from Oxford University and AstraZeneca started arriving at hospitals ahead of the jab’s roll-out.
Despite vaccines being delivered, Wales was still gripped in lockdown and early January saw police urging crowds to stop gathering at beauty spots across Llanelli.
Dyfed-Powys Police warned people to only travel for essential reasons following an increase of crowds gathering at Llanelli beach, as well as at other popular locations.
The force reminded members of the public that exercise should be starting and finishing at their home. ■ Schools and colleges across west Wales and the rest of the country remained closed until January 18 with online learning back in place due to the UK moving to the highest alert level for Covid-19.
Elsewhere the long awaited Llandeilo bypass was once again being discussed with town leaders giving their views on what would solve the town’s crippling traffic woes and pollution - especially along the main A40 artery through the town centre.
Some called for a by-pass as being the only common sense solution, while others wanted another more greener approach such as targeting the use of electric vehicles over the next decade in line with UK Government hopes.
Six months later the scheme was briefly thrown into doubt as the Welsh Government announced it was stopping all new road building projects in Wales as part of a review to reduce carbon emissions.
However days later it was confirmed the Llandeilo by-pass was not part of that review.
■ At the end of January there were calls for urgent talks over how to combat repeated flooding in Carmarthen after The Quay was deluged by water once again.
Following prolonged heavy rain throughout Wednesday, January 20, businesses along the riverside were left with a massive clean-up once again - for the third time in the last 12 months.
Storm Christoph swept in across the UK and saw communities swamped by flooding.
The end of February also saw parts of the town under water again - the third time in two months, leading one business to declare that “enough is enough”.
Almost 12 months on and there is still little movement on any flood defence plan, with Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart criticising Natural Resources Wales for a complete “lack of progress” to finding a solution for businesses close to the river.
Fast forward to the start of Decem
ber, Natural Resources Wales’s flood and water management manager Tim England said Carmarthen “brings its own unique challenges” because much of the lower part of the town was built on a flood plain.
“The Quay was deliberately built lower than other parts of the area to maximise access to the tidal reach of the river, a legacy of its industrial background,” said Mr England.
“History tells us there are no easy solutions for the Quay.
“The scale and challenge of climate change is substantial and increasing, and we will have to manage expectations on how much flooding can realistically be prevented or managed.”
On the retail front, both Carmarthen and Llanelli were weeks away from losing their branches of Debenhams after the brand was snapped up by a new owner.
Online fashion retailer Boohoo bought the Debenhams brand for £55 million and was to relaunch the department store as an online-only operation from 2023.
Bosses said the deal, will not include saving Debenhams stores, which closed for good as part of a structured winding down of the business.
The massive blow meant Carmarthen’s St Catherine’s Walk lost its anchor store, while Llanelli’s branch at Parc Trostre Retail Park also closed, along with Swansea’s Quadrant Shopping Centre store - all of the stores closed in May.
February
An elderly woman from west Wales was conned into buying £10,000-plus worth of gold and then handing it over to a man she thought was a police officer.
The victim of what police were calling ‘courier fraud’ was contacted by a fraudster and convinced that she was actually helping officers to prevent fraud.
This month independent traders who had moved into empty units at Carmarthen’s St Catherine’s Walk spoke about setting up shop at the centre.
Their moves - in some cases temporary - came in the wake of some big chain names moving out during the last year - River Island, Fat Face, Accessorize, Monsoon, Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge - gone. Just like that, in less than 12 months.
More recently another high street name H&M announced it was leaving the centre and shut on October 31.
Lauren Treharne who is still running her shop House by Betty at St
Catherine’s Walk said back in February: “The divide between nationals and independents needs to disappear.
“They need to exist together and this situation is an opportunity for local people.”
In Llanelli, A factory which manufactured cabins, stowages and galleys for passenger planes announced it could close with the loss of almost 100 jobs.
UK-based Aim Altitude said 99 staff at its factory in Dafen, Llanelli, had entered into a period of consultation due to the continued impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the aviation industry.
Bosses wanted to ensure all necessary requirements have been met and be sure it has taken every route possible ahead of the final decision to close. Ultimately the decision was taken to close the factory in May despite calls from Llanelli MP Nia Griffith for the firm to rethink the decision.
March
A drive-through mass vaccination centre opened on the outskirts of
Carmarthen this month.
The new facility, which is still operating, was set up at the United Counties Showground in the Nantyci area, to support Hywel Dda University Health Board’s coronavirus vaccination programme.
While that was getting under way, three field hospitals in West Wales, two of which thankfully were never needed, closed in the first week of March.
Hywel Dda University Health Board confirmed that Ysbyty Enfys Scarlets, based at the Parc y Scarlets rugby stadium in Llanelli, Ysbyty Enfys Carreg Las, at the Bluestone resort near Narberth, and Ysbyty Enfys Plascrug, in Aberystwyth, were returning to their former uses.
In the Amman Valley, plans to demolish a former hospital and build 28 houses were turned down.
Council planning officers said the application for the former Amman Valley Maternity Hospital, Glanaman, would have an adverse impact upon certain priority species, including dormice, and that it failed to incorporate existing landscape features of importance.
Officers also said the proposed access for properties fronting Tirycoed Road would be substandard, and that traffic calming measures were lacking.
It was a month of new multi-million pound developments getting the green light in Llanelli. New bar-restaurants, offices and serviced accommodation were approved for the town centre after a multi-million scheme was unanimously approved by Carmarthenshire councillors.
Members of the planning committee said they had high hopes for the private sector arcade project, which will link Market Street with East Gate and Stepney Place beyond.
Gin and restaurant operator Juniper Place, cocktail and restaurant brand Old Havana, and coffee brand Carma Coffi are expected to occupy some of the space at the Y Linc development.
It is anticipated that more than 100 jobs will be created, excluding construction jobs.
While a project featuring worldclass business, research, education, health and leisure facilities was approved by the UK and Welsh governments.
The approval means the Pentre Awel project can now start drawing down funds from the Swansea Bay City Deal investment portfolio to support with its delivery of the project on an 83-acre site in south Llanelli at Delta Lakes.
Cllr Emlyn Dole, Carmarthenshire Council leader, said at the time: “This is a landmark day for the Pentre Awel project, which is testament to a huge amount of planning work that’s taken place for several years.”
Features of Pentre Awel being funded by a £40 million City Deal contribution in coming years include:
Incubation and acceleration spaces that will help research businesses develop innovative healthcare technology.
A well-being skills centre focusing on health and care training, with courses ranging from entry level through to postgraduate.
A clinical research centre and clinical care centre to deliver multi-disciplinary care closer to home for a wide range of community-focused ser
vices. Pentre Awel is being led by Carmarthenshire Council in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board, universities and colleges.
April
■ Flags fluttering at half-mast, glowing and affectionate tributes from civic leaders, online books of condolences - just three of the many respectful ways Wales marked the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
The Queen’s beloved husband died aged 99 on Friday, April 9.
Flags were lowered to half-mast at Carmarthen’s County Hall, Llanelli Town Hall and Ammanford Town Hall as a mark of respect.
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.
Eight years previous, in June 2002, the Duke accompanied the Queen on a visit to Llanelli and Burry Port as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour of the UK.
The chair of Carmarthenshire Council wrote to the Queen and the royal family expressing the county’s great sadness following the death of the Duke.
Cllr Ieuan Davies expressed deepest sympathies on behalf of members, staff and residents following the announcement from Buckingham Palace while Maria Battle, chair, and Steve Moore, chief executive, paid tribute to the Duke on behalf of staff at Hywel Dda University Health Board.
■ The last weekend of April saw a huge fire rip through Carmarthen’s Nantycaws Recycling Centre - which caused millions of pounds worth of damage.
An investigation would conclude some months later in October that there was “strong evidence” that a mobile phone battery was the most likely cause.
It is believed the lithium-ion style battery was disposed of incorrectly in a blue recycling bag for kerbside collection and taken to the recycling centre.
The blaze broke out at around 3pm on Saturday, April 24, and fire crews scrambled to the scene at the recycling centre’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) off the A48, five miles east of Carmarthen.
The MRF was a large shed containing 400 tonnes of waste, and the fire quickly sent plumes of black smoke into the air which were visible for miles.
Almost 24 hours later, five crews continued to tackle the fire and residents were told to shut windows and doors.
Crews remained in attendance around the clock for three days.
The recycling centre was then forced to close to the public for five days as the clean-up and full investigation got under way.
Cwm Environmental Ltd, which runs the site, worked closely with Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Carmarthenshire Council and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service in the aftermath of the fire.
■ Elsewhere that month, an elderly man and a toddler were rescued after getting stuck in the mud at Llanelli Beach.
Around 100 people stood and watched as emergency services arrived at the scene on April 21 and attempted to rescue the pair, who were stuck in quicksand.
The incident happened near the front of the St Elli’s Bay bistro/cafe at North Dock.
Paramedics checked the man and toddler as soon as they were back on safe ground.
Some patches off Llanelli Beach are notorious for turning into quicksand and members of the public are regularly warned to take care.
May
■ Voters went to the polls on May 6, but the results saw little change in the political landscape in West Wales as all four main constituency seats were held in the Senedd elections.
Despite a disappointing night overall for Plaid Cymru, party leader Adam Price held on to his Carmarthen East and Dinefwr seat, while Elin Jones increased her share of the vote in Ceredigion on a bad night for the
Liberal Democrats.
There was one new face representing the region in the Senedd as Conservative Sam Kurtz won the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire seat, keeping the seat for the Tories after Angela Burns stood down.
In the Llanelli seat, Labour’s Lee Waters recorded an impressive victory over Plaid’s Helen Mary Jones.
In what was due to be a tight tussle, Mr Waters won by more than 5,000 votes.
The regional vote saw Labour’s Eluned Morgan and Joyce Watson return alongside Plaid’s Cefin Campbell and Lib Dem Jane Dodds.
■ Turning to health, and plans to massively overhaul healthcare in West Wales by building a new multimillion pound hospital to the west of Carmarthen were “progressing” three years after an initial public consultation.
May saw the health board asking the public for its opinions on the new hospital and the future role of existing general hospitals in Carmarthen and Haverfordwest.
Following the initial consultation in summer 2018 Hywel Dda UHB decided to vote in favour of a plan that would see the development of a new hospital between St Clears in Carmarthenshire and Narberth in Pembrokeshire.
Months later in September, the health board confirmed there were no plans to close either Carmarthen’s Glangwili or Haverfordwest’s Withybush hospitals and reassured the public after concern was raised. It also stated that Prince Philip hospital in Llanelli would remain open, with a specific role.
This reassurance was made again at the end of October when the health board carried out a review of potential sites to draw up a shortlist of 11 possible locations for the new west Wales hospital. ■ Also making the headlines this month was the launch of a public consultation over efforts to improve traffic flow along Llanelli’s Sandy Road.
Residents said they have campaigned for years, calling for a solution to the traffic misery and pollution on their doorsteps.
Four years ago new traffic lights which were a condition of the planning approval for a new housing estate and retail development in the area - were installed but have caused complaints over an increase in congestion and continued poor air quality.
Ray Jones, who lives in Sandy Road, said the levels of pollution in the area were concerning due to the congestion and maintains a bypass is the only long-term solution.
Mr Jones had even sent transport engineers Atkins his own feasibility study to end the misery being experienced by drivers and homeowners.
In September, 2018, a Carmarthenshire Council Air Quality Progress report conceded that “some nitrogen dioxide measurements have increased slightly over the last few years” in the Sandy Road area.
June
■ Two missing teenage girls were found in the grounds of Carmarthen Castle in the middle of the night on June 1, after a frantic search saw police use phone data and CCTV to find them.
The girls, aged 13 and 14, were due to catch a train from Carmarthen and be home by 9.30pm on the Bank Holiday Monday, May 31.
When they didn’t show up 90 minutes later, they were reported as missing to Dyfed-Powys Police.
An operation was launched to find them involving 15 police officers, and it centred to begin with around Carmarthen railway station.
By 2.30am the girls had not been seen for five hours, although members of the public told police that they had seen two girls in the Nott Square area.
Finally, shortly before 3am, two PCs spotted them in the grounds of the castle.
■ Figures in June revealed Carmarthenshire Council had made more than £115,000 in fines in the two years since it started using a mobile ‘robowarden’ which drives around recording people’s illegal parking.
In February 2019, the council introduced a new white Toyota Auris named Iolo Patrolo by local schoolchildren - at a cost of around £55,000, which is driven around by a civil enforcement officer.
The vehicle has two cameras on its roof - one pointing left and one pointing right - which records evidence against people who park in certain areas such as designated pedestrian zones, bus stops, taxi areas and pedestrian crossings.
That evidence is then reviewed by council officers and, if a parking offence is confirmed, a fine of up to £70 is sent to the offender after information is obtained from the DVLA.
The system, including the car, the cameras and the accompanying software, cost the council around £55,000.
■ Residents and businesses in Burry Port spoke out after the town became a focal point for antisocial behaviour, including a mass brawl on a train.
The town has witnessed a spate of “inexcusable” disorder, with young people travelling to and congregating in the town, often to drink alcohol despite being underage.
Businesses said the police had been trying to stop large gangs coming there.
■ Environmental concern was also at the forefront of people’s minds in the town over the summer.
Material unearthed by coastal erosion in Burry Port contained asbestos, Carmarthenshire Council confirmed.
The authority arranged tests to be carried out after concerns were raised that children were decorating sandcastles with the material on a stretch of beach east of Burry Port Harbour.
It was believed that the grey, corrugated pieces of debris are remnants from the vast Carmarthen Bay Power Station, which occupied land behind the beach before it was demolished in the 1990s.
The south-facing beach has enviable views across the Loughor Estuary to Gower but is strewn with brick rubble, rusting metal rods and broken concrete pipes from the power plant.
The council put up signs in the area in early June warning people that material which may contain asbestos had been found but said it posed little risk.
■ Independent shops in Llanelli urged people to use them or lose them in June, claiming some people would rather go to big chains like Costa and Starbucks.
Some local traders feared that without support from the local community, they might no longer survive.
In a social media post, one trader said: “If you don’t want Tesco, Costa and Amazon to be your only choice then it really is the case of use us or lose us.”
■ Our review of stories that made the headlines for the remaining six months of the year will continue on Wednesday, December 29.