Dafen Forum Christmas Fair 2015

Dafen Forum held its 10th Christmas Fair last Friday, with yet another fantastic fireworks display by award winning pyrotechnists Pendragon, a snow machine, and a visit from Disney Frozen's Elsa and Olaf; as well as Beauty and the Beast and comic book heroes Captain America and Batman.

George Earle

LLanelli Labour AM candidate Lee Waters and Cllr. Devichand

The weather of late November 2015 brought its wintry bluster to Dafen on the day of the Christmas Fair, and the wind and rain wagered that the visitor numbers enjoyed in 2014 would not be repeated. But at the Christmas Tree, the inclement weather did not dampen the resolve of the combined choir of Dafen schools that lifted the spirit of the waiting crowd with gentle carol song and excitement. The illumination of the Christmas Tree was done by The Scarlets' South African lock George Earle, before Burry Port Town Band led the festive procession into the park with ebullient Christmas Brass.

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By the time the performers, families and dignitaries reached the entertainment marquee, the weather had begun to clear and a full moon beamed down upon the Park. The primary school choirs from Dafen C.P., Halfway C.P., and St. Mary's R.C., were outstanding as usual, and made the village proud.

At the end of the performances, Captain America turned a snow machine upon the excited children and the crowd. Afterwards the costume characters made the children balloon-models, and posed for photographs.

We even had snow at the Dafen Carnival tonight!! @dafenwebsite pic.twitter.com/06vqR6BXqX

— St Mary's Llanelli (@StMarysLlanell1) November 27, 2015

In the community hall there was a good selection of stalls, with gifts, mementos, Christmas decorations, and cakes. And children visited Santa in our improved Santa's Grotto.

At this year's School Arts and Crafts Competition, the winners, judged by photographer Joyce Mollet A.R.P.S., were:

Reception class to age 6 :– 1st. Charlie Williams (St. Mary's); 2nd. Oliver Ryan (Halfway); 3rd. Ava Ellerton (St Mary's).

Years 4 – 6: 1st. Ancara Drew (Halfway); 2nd. Ella Kavanagh (St. Mary's); 3rd. Shakira May (Dafen).

Comprehensive: 1st. Coral Thomas; 2nd. Daria Baranska; 3rd Abbie Harries (all St. John Lloyd).

Each received a trophy for their winning entries. The winners and runners up also received individual letters from Nia Griffith MP congratulating them on their work, and the pictures will be put up on display in Llanelly House until Christmas. Congratulations to the winners, and to all the school children who entered for another fantastic effort.

Great Night @dafenwebsite @BarclaysUK @StMarysLlanell1 @HalfwaySchool @DafenSchool pic.twitter.com/vVRdRqVwET

— Cellan (@cellansuch2012) November 27, 2015

Despite wind and rain a fantastic time had by all at #Dafen Forum Christmas Fair #Llanelli Great Art and Crafts. pic.twitter.com/KO5R0jywQa

— Rosemary Emery (@RosemaryEmery) November 29, 2015

Lovely to award prize to @StMarysLlanell1 at Dafen Christmas fayre #Llanelli pic.twitter.com/vLyMubV2i8

— Lee Waters (@Amanwy) November 27, 2015

 Finally, the weather was perfect for our annual fireworks display, which was as spectacular as ever.

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Dafen Forum would like to thank all those that helped us make this year's carnival possible.

Dafen Forum is proud to have been able to achieve its goal of keeping the Christmas Fair and Annual Fireworks Display affordable for local families, especially during these economically challenging times. This would not have been possible without the help of our sponsors Dyfed Steel, Parker Plant, Owens Group, Llanelli Rural Council and Barclays Bank.

We also thank George Linsey Funfair and Crazy Crepes for their continued support, no matter what the weather, and Dafen Church for allowing us to use the church hall grounds.

Finally we must thank all those who came out to support the event and all the volunteers who have given up their time to make it a success, as well as our stall holders,  schools, local P.S.O.'s, and St John's Ambulance. Gwylon Jones, Mike Powell, Chris & Sarah Randel, Daniel Vaughan, Brian Evans, Alan Baker, Awen Morgan, Ray Thorne, Sandra Cooke, Dianne Henry. All your efforts have helped build a sense of pride in our community and have left us all with many happy memories.


Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Dafen Forum

Committee: Susan Lewis, Andrew Rogers, Lisa Hopkins, Mr. J. Tree, Rosemary Emery, Sharen Davies, Tegwen Devichand, Rosemary Bartlett, Andrew Lloyd, Steve Warne-Thomas, Rebecca Warne-Thomas, Janice Jones, Cellan Such, Paul Hendra, Andrea Halpin.