Amman Valley Big Day Out: a feast of football, fun and frolics (From South Wales Guardian)

Amman Valley Big Day Out: a feast of football, fun and frolics

6:20am Wednesday 18th July 2012 in News

THE AMMAN Valley Big Day Out has been declared a rip-roaring success.

Despite overcast skies and the threat of rain on Saturday morning, the event went ahead as planned and organisers were rewarded for their efforts with a fantastic day of fun and football.

Although numbers were down a little on previous years – hardly a surprise considering the awful weather of recent weeks – valley residents flocked to the event.

“All things considered, we are absolutely delighted with the day,” said John Evans, secretary of the Rotary Club of Ammanford, who organised the day.

“To be honest, we were relieved that the weather turned out in our favour – especially having seen the forecast. I know a lot of people were thinking throughout the week that we may have had to consider cancelling, but fortunately we decided to go ahead with the event and the Big Day Out turned out to be one big success.

“The parade was not quite as big as it has been in recent years, but I think that was down to a number of schools and parents deciding to pull out in the middle of the week.

“Fortunately, the weather was not as bad as expected in the morning and then just got better and better as the day went on.”

Certainly one of the highlights of the day was the junior football tournament, which saw a record number of teams signing up to compete.

Such was demand for places that at least one team was disappointed to be told there was just not enough roomfor them in the competition.

“The football was certainly very popular,” said Mr Evans.

“There were lots and lots of people on the field and lots of youngsters and parents enjoying themselves. The whole thing was a great success.”

County councillor and local businessman Deian Harries also had a whale of a time.

“It was an absolutely fantastic day and I thoroughly enjoyed myself,” said Cllr Harries.

“I was lucky enough to help judge some of the events and the standards were extremely high.

“The football tournament was brilliant and the whole event was so well run and planned. I’m sure everyone involved in organising the day is very proud of creating a hugely successful event for the valley.

“I would also like to thank everyone involved on the day for all their hard work and effort in making this perhaps the most successful Big Day Out ever.”

● The winner of the lucky programme draw is yet to come forward. A £100 prize awaits the owner of programme number 0789. If you have the lucky programme, call John Evans on 01269 593938.