THESE are some of the stories which made the headlines in the South Wales Guardian in the week ending Thursday, April 28, 1983.

After 60 years of providing recreational facilities for local children, Llandybie's Memorial Hall Committee have said they cannot afford to reinstate the children's play area on their own ground. The announcement follows a petition organised by parents, calling for the renewal of swings and roundabouts

Residents of Llandingat Without will be just that - without a community council from May 9. An administrative slip-up meant that nomination papers for the community, near Llandovery, were not submitted to the returning officer in time.

South Wales pitmen are seeking a successor to 17-year-old 'Coal Queen' Stephanie Bower, from Betws.

Dinefwr Borough Council will not send a reepresentative to a conference in Cardiff because it has no 'problem estates'.

A car port large enough to accommodate five vehicles is the subject of a complaint by a Llandovery family to the Ombudsman for Local Government. The family claim that Dinefwr Borough Council are fully responsible for all costs incurred and for the devaluation of their property.

Local MP Dr Roger Thomas has complained to the Secretary of State for Wales about the high price of petrol in rural areas. In some country garages, petrol is up to 16p a gallon more expensive than in town, he said in a letter to Mr Nicholas Edwards.

Llandeilo's car park is to be landscaped, town councillors were told.

Following overwhelming public opposition to plans for an opencast coal site at Garnant Cwmaman Town Council have registered their "total objection" to the scheme.

Llansadwrn may be getting public toilets following a plea from the local community council.