Nia Griffith MP was privileged to visit Llanelly House this week, courtesy of Lt Col David Mathias, who has been advising on the military history connected to the House, and the Carmarthenshire Heritage Regeneration Trust .
Commenting on the visit, Nia said
“I am very grateful to Lt Col David Mathias and the Carmarthenshire Heritage Regeneration Trust, for allowing me the privilege of this sneak preview of the delights of Llanelly House. The progress there since l last visited is absolutely astounding. The task has been colossal, with meticulous attention to detail, whether it be the elaborative lead pipework on the facade or the decorative drawings in the bedroom. There is still an army of skilled craftspeople there, working flat out to finish by the anticipated opening date at the end of October. I was fascinated by the history they have uncovered there from the old cobbled street of Llanelli, which will be visible through a glass panel in the floor, to the labels belonging to local wine merchants. Lt Col Mathias enthralled us with the tale of one Jenkins from Llanelli whose severed ear caused us to go to war with Spain for eight years, and of course we heard about Mira the ghost. Anna, the top-class chef, told us about her plans to use traditional Welsh recipes – I am looking forward to enjoying a slice of shearing cake there – it will bring back fond memories of Mamgu’s cooking. The key now is really dynamic professional marketing, to attract people in to see the House and put Llanelli on the itinerary of cultural tours.”