Prince’s no-show not a dampener! (From South Wales Guardian)

Prince’s no-show not a dampener!

10:34am Thursday 27th September 2012 in News

A LARGE crowd which gathered for the opening of the new Amman Valley fire station in Gwaun cae Gurwen on Monday morning was disappointed to learn bad weather had forced the cancellation of Prince Edward’s visit.

HRH, The Earl of Wessex had been due to arrive by helicopter to open the newstation.

But at 9am it emerged that high winds and driving rain had forced officials to abandon their plans.

But The Lord Lieutenant, Byron Lewis, was able to attend as a Royal representative to open the station on HRH’s behalf.

The Lord Lieutenant and his wife were given a tour of the new facilities and met with children from local schools including Ysgol Gynradd Tairgwaith, Ysgol Gynradd Brynaman and Ysgol GynraddGwaun Cae Gurwen.

Martin Evans, Deputy Headteacher of Ysgol GynraddGwaun Cae Gurwen, said: “The children had awonderful experience today, in what was a fantastic opportunity to be involved in a truly memorable and historic occasion for theAmmanValley.”

The tour culminated in the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the visit and mark the official opening of the Amman Valley Community Fire Station.

Chief Fire Officer Richard Smith said: “I am extremely proud of all the hard work and effort put in by so many over the past few years in reaching this milestone, and prouder still of what this new station means to the communities we serve”.

The newcommunity fire station is now operational and will hold its first station open day on Saturday, October 6.