“AFTER continuous and repetitive badgering by Roger Penn, I somehow reluctantly agreed to have my name put forward as president of the Annual Whitland Week event. I have no idea of the expectations and being a bit of an introvert by nature, I hope that I can undertake the task and responsibilities in a dignified, responsible and enjoyable manner. I promise to do my best. Oh, incidentally, thanks a lot Roger!  Additionally, since the news broke of my presidency, my good friends,  Brian Harris, Tony Bowen and Derek Morgan have all told me that the presidency will cost me a few bob!  I think, that being good friends, they’ve seen it appropriate to join in a bit of collective banter.”

FAMILY: Born in September 1950 to parents Bet and Llew James of Carnary Farm, Whitland, Meredydd is the youngest of three children, with elder sisters Mair and Lyn. He is married to Mags with two children, Hannah and Rhys, residing in Cathays in Cardiff, since his College days.

EDUCATION: Meredydd was educated initially at Tavernspite C.P. School and then Whitland Grammar School. He commenced at Cardiff College of Education (now Cardiff Met) in September 1969, achieving Advanced Main Certificate of Education in June 1972.

He started teaching in Rhymney Secondary Modern School 11-15 (Monmouthshire) in September 1972. The school later became a Comprehensive 11-16 and in 1978 became a fully fledged 11-18 Comprehensive.

Meredydd rose through the ranks - Head of Boys’ PE in 1973, Head of Middle School (Years 9 and 10) and then Deputy Head in 1981.

In January 2004, Meredydd became Acting Headteacher of Rhymney Comprehensive due to the secondment to the LEA of the Headteacher. He held this post for seven years before retiring in August 2011. Meredydd made the decision to retire on genuine health grounds after teaching in the same school for 39 years.

In November 2012, Meredydd received the MBE for Services to Education, an award presented to him by the late Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle.

RUGBY: Meredydd has represented a plethora of teams:

Whitland Grammar School;  Whitland RFC;  Cardiff College of Education;  British Colleges;  Bridgend RFC;  Wales 'B';   Barbarians (v Newport);  Crawshays;  Welsh Academicals; Pembrokeshire;  East Glamorgan (v Japan);  Public School Wanderers. Meredydd has captained many of the teams listed above but the 2 highlights were captaining Bridgend RFC in the Schweppes Cup Final against Swansea in 1980 where Bridgend were victorious in front of a crowd of 50,000+. He is convinced that half of Whitland were present on the day.

The other highlight would be captaining Wales 'B' against France 'B' at Lourdes. “We lost the game but beat them up front but the backs, even though looking good on paper, were defensively poor.”

Rugby has provided him the opportunity of touring many countries - Canada;  California;  Zimbabwe;  Italy;  France;  Belgium and all the Home Countries. A well used passport!

IT'S A KNOCK OUT: “Having visited the Whitland Week Activities many many times in my younger days, there was one event one year that really stands out in the memory… It’s a Knock Out, August 1975.

“In those days, we had some fab equipment and some very challenging courses. No doubt that the Health and Safety Executive would not have allowed such events these days. Spoilsports!

“We were a team of 6 - 4 boys and 2 girls as per regs and had been brought together virtually ad hoc on the day - we competed under the banner of ‘TIGER BAY’ which was representative of Velfrey Road. Each team member needed specific  skills - strength, agility, fitness,  tenacity, adaptability, courage [I shied away from using the word stupidity] and leadership, but we blended as a team superbly well and we WON!   Some of these fellow participants are dear friends of mine to this day. The team members were - Clifton Bowen (deceased); Marlais Thomas; Jill Lewis (now Thomas);  Denise  Evans (now Davies), myself and the ‘Bosshog’ David  Brown. After a few celebratory beers, we were whisked away for a proper meal at Shakeshafts, now the Savoy Country Inn.

“A most rewarding and enjoyable day at the Whitland Week yet again with lots of money raised for such a deserving cause.”

Diolch yn fawr iawn, 

Meredydd James.

FRIDAY, JULY 26

10am-3pm – Golf Tournament @ Derllys Court (Teams of 4). Tee-off 10am - contact Meurig 07794 076102 or Paul Kirk 07807 852994 (£120 per team).

From 5pm – Italian Evening @ Jabajak Vineyard Restaurant & Rooms (more details on posters).

SATURDAY, JULY 27

9.30am-12 noon – Cake & Savoury Stall @ Hywel Dda Coffee Shop  (in association with Hywel Dda Coffee Shop).

5pm – Steak Night @ The Station House (sponsored by The Station House).

8pm – Presentation of the Chain to the Whitland Week president @ The Station House.

SUNDAY, JULY 28

1pm – Fun Day @ Parc Dr Owen (in association with Whitland Junior Borderers).

5.30pm – Junior Bingo @ The Station House (sponsored by Mike & Sue Adams).

7.30pm – Senior Bingo @ The Station House.

MONDAY, JULY 29

11.30am – Mad Hatters Tea Party @ Whitland Town Hall. Entry £2 (includes refreshments).

6.30pm – Target Bowls & BBQ @ Whitland Bowls Club (in association with Whitland Bowls Club).

7pm – Noson Adloniant @ Capel y Tabernacle, croeso mawr i bawb!

TUESDAY, JULY 30

10.30am Coffee Morning @ The Taf Hotel (sponsored by Taf Hotel & Bronbys).

5pm – Burger Night @ The Roadhouse Restaurant (sponsored by Roadhouse Restaurant).

6.30pm – Children’s Disco (Fancy Dress optional) @ Whitland Rugby Football Club) Entry £1.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31

2pm – Cream Teas @ Dol-y-Cwrt (courtesy of Roger and Celeste Penn). Free bus pick up times (Station House 1.30, St Davids Avenue 1.35, Lon Hywel 1.40, Bryn Gwenllion 1.50). Bus Courtesy of Taf Valley Coaches.

5.30pm onwards – Curry Night @ Whitland R.F.C. (sponsored by Whitland RFC).

THURSDAY,  AUGUST 1

6.30pm – Games Night @ Taf Hotel (Tipp.it etc).

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2

1.30pm – Ice Cream Extravaganza @ Cowshed (in association with Cowpots).

4pm – Whitland Week Pizza Night @ Cowshed  (in association with  The Cowshed).

6pm prompt – Junior Wheelbarrow (only) Race (11-15yrs) @ The Fishers Arms (Teams of 3), £6 per team; (kindly sponsored by Clynderwen Pharmacy).

6.30pm prompt – Adult Wheelbarrow (only) Race @ The Fishers Arms (Teams of 3), £10 per team; (kindly sponsored by The Fishers Arms).

7.30pm – Grand Concert with Whitland Choir (and guest artists) @ Whitland Whitland Sports and Social Club.  Tickets £10. Doors open 7pm.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, CARNIVAL DAY

1.15pm – Crowning of Carnival Queen @ Parc Dr Owen.

1.45pm – Carnival Procession from Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn • Procession led by Marching Band • Vintage Vehicles • Fair Ground Rides  • Caterers  • Teas & Coffees (Whitland WI)   • Narberth & Whitland Rotary  • Narberth & Whitland Round Table • Paul Satori Foundation • Various Other Stalls • Live entertainment by Llinos Thomas • Bar available

PRIZES: Pre-school 1st £10; 2nd £5. Primary school 1st £10; 2nd £5. Secondary school 1st £15; 2nd £10. Best adult pedestrian 1st £20; 2nd £10. Best overall float £200 kindly sponsored by Taf Valley Coaches & Whitland Engineering. Second best float £100 kindly sponsored by Princes Gate Water. Third best float £50

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4

10am – Whitland Week Church Service @ Tabernacle

7.30pm – Whitland Week Quiz & Whitland Week Raffle Draw @ Whitland RFC (Entry: £8 per team of 4) (kindly sponsored by Whitland R.F.C.) Quiz masters: Neil & Heather Jenkins. Registration from 7pm for 7.45pm start (prompt).

“WHITLAND Week is upon us once again and I would like to extend a warm welcome to this year’s President, Mr Meredydd James MBE, Mr Len Shipton, the Mayor and this year’s Carnival Queen, Amelia Lennon. 

Again a big thank you to all our advertisers and sponsors who support us year in year out, and to those who arrange and run events on our behalf, and finally thanks to the residents and visitors for supporting the events throughout the week.

I would like to say a big thank you to a couple of Whitland Week stalwarts, John Seeley and Cally Jones for all their hard work over many years, to Kate Bowen for her help with the sashes last year, and finally, I hope the weather is kind and we all have a fantastic Whitland Week, especially Carnival Day.

Special mention go to Phil and Sue at the Rugby Club and Diane and Roger at the Fishers, who are all leaving their licensed premises this year, and we must say good luck to the incoming licensees.”

Rob Kersey,

Chairman, Whitland Week.

“FIRSTLY, may I say how proud I am to be writing this speech for Whitland Week 2024 as the Mayor of Whitland for a second term.  Having lived in Whitland for over 60 years I am honoured to hold the title for the town that I am proud to call my home.  Thank you to my fellow Councillors for putting their trust and faith in me for another year.  Their support over the last 12 months has been second-to-none. I’d also like to thank Mel, the Town Clerk, for her unwavering assistance and hard work over the past year.

It’s not summer without a Whitland Week extravaganza.  It is such an important part of the town’s calendar as the funds are used to ensure that Parc Dr Owen can be used free of charge for the younger generation in Whitland.  This long tradition of family fun, music and food is what community is all about.  I want to thank the event sponsors and volunteers for producing this wonder event, all under the direction of Rob Kersey.  I’d also like to wish a warm welcome to this year’s Whitland Week President Mr. Meredydd James and also to all guests and judges who will be attending the events. I would also like to take this opportunity of congratulating Joseff Edwards and his team for a hugely successful Food Festival which took place in Parc Dr. Owen in early May.   Hopefully this was the first of many!

In the meantime, I confirm that plans for Phase Two of Whitland Play Park facilities are now signed and underway and we are hoping this will be finalised this summer.  Whitland Town Council is working tirelessly in the pursuit of building the brighter future for Whitland which every member of our community deserves.  We have also been working directly with Carmarthenshire County Council to ensure that the work carried out on the pavements and parking areas in St. John Street is finalised and benefits all residents.  Whitland Town Council have many plans for Whitland and would welcome comments and feedback from residents.  The Clerk can be contacted at [email protected]

On behalf of myself and all my family, I’d like to wish everyone an enjoyable, sunny and successful Week.”

Thank you / Diolch yn Fawr - 

Cllr Len Shipton.