03/28/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

Carmarthen and District Harriers Athletic Club annual dinner and awards evening

CARMARTHEN and District Harriers Athletics Club held another successful Annual Club Dinner and Awards Evening for 2019 in Carmarthen on Saturday, (Oct 12).

The Ivy Bush Hotel in the heart of Carmarthen Town Centre has been the host venue of the Dinner & Awards Evening for several years and on Saturday evening the club was back there again using the fantastic facilities on offer at one of the town’s main hotels for the ninth year in succession.

Carmarthen Harriers were established in 1948, 71 years ago. It was when RB Evans became the Chairman between the period 1948 to 1981 before current President Dr. Hedydd Davies took over from 1981 to 2018. Last year, 70 years was celebrated with a special dinner at the Ivy Bush.

In that time, the likes of Lynn Davies, Colin Jackson, Jamie Baulch, Rhys Williams, Matt Elias, Dewi Griffiths, Steve Brace, Angharad Mair, Steve Perks, JJ Williams, Mike Delaney, Lynette Harries, Hedydd Davies, Fred Bell, Roy Bergiers, Wayne Griffiths, Mike Walters, Gwynne Griffiths, Peter Hughes-Griffiths, John H Collins, Berwyn Price, Wynford Leyshon, Claire Williams, Steffan Hughes and Malcolm Arnold have all been past speakers of this annual event.

This year’s gathering moved to an earlier date to previous years and also moved from a Friday to a Saturday night. The room was once again full of athletes, members, friends, parents, and guests as around 160 people attended the dinner to meet and celebrate the successes of the club and its members during the year along with thanking those who work hard in front of and behind the scenes every week.

In attendance was Cllr Kevin Madge, the Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council.

During the three-hour event, there was the chance for athletes, coaches, officials and parents alike to get together in each other’s company whilst enjoying the activities on offer, including a two-course meal, awards, speakers, raffle and a lot of fun!

A copy of the Annual Report was given out on the evening including reports, results, and pictures from the year’s events at the end of 2018 and up to the summer of 2019 as well as club records and outstanding performances.

The club currently has real strength in depth across events with 33 individuals achieving a top 10 Welsh ranking up from 20 last year. Four athletes ranked in the UK’s top 10. Progress and ambition in the athletes were demonstrated when 6 qualified to make the trip to compete in Bedford at the England/British championships, returning with two medals.

It has been a season of great results and performances from juniors and seniors alike in the past 12 months and these were evident in the awards

Having welcomed Dewi Griffiths, Josh Griffiths, Jake Heyward, Caryl Jones, and Claire Williams 12 months ago, there was some good company again as the guest speakers for the 2019 dinner were former Carmarthen Harriers members and current club record holders Bruce Tasker and Caryl Granville.

It was a pleasure to welcome these talented athletes to the dinner and inspire the next generation of athletes from the club.

Pics. Nathan Jones

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