Llanelli Community Heritage recently unveiled two new blue plaques at the Probation Services office in Lloyd Street in Llanelli Town Centre and at Adulam Chapel in Felinfoel.

The Huw Edwards sponsored Lloyd Street Chapel Blue Plaque

Huw Edwards and the Ty Newydd Blue Plaque

Blue plaques have been appearing all over Llanelli since the group established themselves on Saint David’s Day in 2004, but what made this unveiling unique was the presence of a local celebrity. BBC Newsreader Huw Edwards was only too pleased to become a member of the organisation as he too sees the importance in saving and preserving the heritage of Llanelli. Mr Edwards sponsored the Lloyd Street Chapel blue plaque as well as offering to unveil the Ty Newydd blue plaque at Adulam, Felinfoel.

The Lloyd Street Chapel blue plaque unveiling took place at the Probation Service offices in Lloyd Street which stand where the chapel stood from 1887 until its demolition in 1991. Here Llanelli Community Heritage Chairman John Wynne Hopkins Hopkins outlined the work of the organisation which includes buildings preservation; the early history project in Llanelli’s Parc Howard museum; Interpretive Panels, a number of which have now been installed, with a further panel to be installed to commemorate the Llanelli Pottery; the Blue plaque trail, in which 14 have now been installed with a further 14 to be installed by August 2006. He also mentioned the framed heritage proofs, heritage booklets, DVD’s and educational packs being presented to Llanelli’s schools. Thanks were given to the Carmarthenshire County Council departments, Llanelli Town Council, Llanelli Rural Council, Anne Dorsett and the Museums Service, Mark Jewell and staff of Llanelli Library and John Davies of County Archives, without whose help and cooperation the work could not have been realised.

Deputy Town Mayor Cllr Gary Thomas gave a speech praising the work of Llanelli Community Heritage and this was followed by a speech by Huw Edwards who outlined the history of Lloyd Street Chapel and his own involvement as an organist.

The Reverend Esger James, Minister of Lloyd Street Chapel from 1948 to 1981, was then called upon to unveil the Lloyd Street Chapel blue plaque, which he did after a resounding speech.

Film Crew at the unveiling (click for larger image)

Huw Edwards gives a TV interview (click for larger image)

Reverend Esger James making a speech (click for larger image)	Huw Edwards listens as Reverend Esger James gives his speech (click for larger image)
Reverend Esger James unveils the blue plaque (click for larger image)

The whole gathering then travelled to Adulam Chapel, Felinfoel where Llanelli Community Heritage Chairman John Wynne Hopkins thanked Lisa Jones and staff of Communities First Felinfoel for all their help in providing the village with an interpretive Panel and 5 blue plaques. The Vice Chairman of Llanelli Rural Council Cllr Donald J. Davies then gave a speech followed by Huw Edwards who unveiled the Ty Newydd blue plaque which marks the spot where Ty Newydd, the first Baptist Chapel in Llanelli, stood.

After the unveiling the Rev Aled Maskell, Chapel Committee and Congregation provided a superb reception in the vestry of Adulam Chapel. The day’s events culminated in an impromptu organ recital given by Huw Edwards with the Adulam congregation and members of Llanelli Community Heritage singing a number of stirring Welsh Hymns.

Cllr Donald Davies makes his speech (click for larger image)

Huw Edwards unveils the Ty Newydd blue plaque (click for larger image)

Huw Edwards, LCH Vice Chairman Lyn John and Chairman John Wynne Hopkins (click for larger image)

The Reception held at Adulam Vestry (click for larger image)

Huw Edwards undertakes an impromptu organ recital (click for larger image)

Huw Edwards and friends (click for larger image)

Llanelli Community Heritage would like to thank:-