'A Visit from Santa' event most successful yet at Cynheidre

The Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway is celebrating its most successful event ever at the conclusion of a very busy visit last weekend from Santa to its base at Cynheidre near Llanelli. The event was completely sold out with nearly 600 people visiting during the two days. A spokesman commented ‘this was by far the best attended event we have ever held at the railway and it was great to see so many happy smiling faces’.

Photos Courtesy of Phil Fitzsimmons

Santa made his annual visit to the volunteer run railway on the weekend of 4th and 5th December with train rides for all, a gift for each child and seasonal refreshments. Additionally there were a number of craft and gift stalls plus music from the Burry Port Brass Band on Saturday and the Voices Choir from Llanelli on the Sunday. Santa set up his grotto in the recently arrived 1938 vintage tube train, and the Railway would like to thank their friends at the London Transport Traction Group for making the train available for his use. A spokesman commented ‘the volunteers worked very hard at the weekend to ensure that everyone had a good time, and we thank them all for their time and commitment to the project. The railway is a charity and all income from the weekend will be ploughed back into the site to improve facilities and extend the running line’.

Video Courtesy of Bob Masterman

On Saturday morning the railway were pleased to host a visit from Tegwen Devichand, Chair of the Llanelli Rural Council, and on Sunday the Mayor of Llanelli Michael Cranham graced us with a visit by members of Llanelli Town Council. Both were treated to a tour of the site including a train ride and visit to see Santa in his grotto. Sean Rees, Deputy Mayor of the town council commented ‘Llanelli Town Mayor Michael Cranham, Megan, Sarah and I had a tour of the heritage site, a ride on the Class 142 pacer train and we even got to meet Santa in his grotto! Thank you to all the volunteers for an enjoyable day’.

The railway will re-open with a gala running day on Saturday 26 th March 2022 to kick start the new summer season with regular events through to October.