7 days ago
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Ammanford events mark Armed Forces Week and Neville Bowen
The first event, held at All Saints Church, saw the dedication of a new standard for the Ammanford-based Military Veterans Club Cymru.
Reverend Ali Reeves led the service, which took place at the end of Holy Communion, bringing veterans and dignitaries together for the unveiling of the local military charity's flag standard.
This standard is set to feature in future events, including Remembrance Sunday.
The new standard was the subject of a dedication ceremony at All Saints Church (Image: Stuart Ladd)
His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed, Sara Edwards, and mayor of Ammanford, Heulwen Howells, were among those who provided readings.
Tara James, a former Royal Navy WRNS, was given the honour of carrying the standard.
As co-owner of local café bar Haz Beanz, she and her husband Matthew have been welcoming former and current members of the armed forces to the venue.
The café has become a fixture in the local support network for veterans, hosting regular weekly meetings and events.
Following the church service, attendees moved to Betws Park for a memorial ceremony.
Wanda, Neville Bowen's daughter, was in attendance for the dedication of a bench in memory of her father (Image: Stuart Ladd)
This event featured the unveiling of a bench and newly planted trees in memory of Neville Bowen, a 102-year-old Royal Naval DEMS gunner who passed away earlier this year.
The Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed, along with the Lord-Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, Louise Fleet, and the Veterans Commissioner for Wales, Colonel James Phillips, attended the ceremony.
They were joined by veterans from the Royal British Legion's Ammanford, Garnant, Llanelli, and Burry Port branches, Military Veterans Club Cymru members, representatives from all three armed forces, local town and community councils, as well as family and friends of Neville Bowen.
There were many people in attendance (Image: Stuart Ladd)
After the unveiling of 'Nev's Bench', a blessing was given by the Military Veterans Club Cymru Padre, Reverend Ali Reeves.
The event concluded with veterans singing one of Mr Bowen's favourite songs, You'll Never Walk Alone.
The bench and trees were installed thanks to an initiative by Military Veterans Club Cymru chairperson Owen Dobson and former Royal Marine Jonathan Andrews as well as the Friends of Betws Park.
