Horse fairs would totally transform the streets of Llanelli in years gone by. History lovers have been given a snapshot of what life was like during 1909 as the animals would be brought into the heart of Thomas Street and Goring Road.
The fairs offered an opportunity to trade horses in and sell off the animals. Llanelli-based Martin Davies said the incredible snapshot may have been an unique event or a series of events that the town was home to. He said: “It may have been a one-off event rather than an annual fair.”
The location changed over the years but people continued to flock there to buy the best livestock. Noel Jones, who is also from Llanelli, said: “It was moved from Thomas Street to Prospect Place, what I remember as the Buckley’s Brewery Garage. “It was a cattle market as well as a horse fair market.”
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But it was Llangammarch Fair, which had the reputation for hosting the biggest pony fair in Wales along with the rest of Britain. The fair later declined due to the Army opting to get its ponies off the Epynt range following changes to the service in 1940.
Although, the origins of the event are uncertain Austin Davies of Park Farm, Llangammarch, said it was previously held on the site of the Old School on the Cefn Gorwydd road, where once there were a pub and some cottages. To explore the history of Wales you can read more here and get more stories like this with our newsletters.
