Tipped off by Nia Griffith MP’s office that Lord Neil Kinnock would be in town last week, Llanelli Community Heritage seized the opportunity to ask him to unveil their plaque which marks the site of the former workhouse and hospital at Bryntirion.
Undaunted by the pouring rain, the former Labour Leader addressed the crowd, who had braved the weather to attend the event. He made reference to his own family’s experience of a former workhouse in his area, which like Bryntirion had been turned into a hospital when the NHS was established. Bryntirion Hospital finally closed its doors in 2004 when patients were transferred to Prince Philip Hospital. He also spoke about the use of the workhouse during the Rebecca Riots to house soldiers and imprison the rioters.
Commenting on the event, Nia Griffith MP said, ” It is vital that we should remember our history, and I would like to thank Neil Kinnock for taking time out of his schedule to fit us in, and thank Llanelli Community Heritage for the excellent work that have done in providing plaques and information boards in and around Llanelli …… They are both interesting and informative and inspire people to try and find out more.”
