One was a lifeguard who grew up in Somerset, the other a youth offending service volunteer from Birmingham, but they both now represent voters in Carmarthenshire following successful council election campaigns. Russell Sparks and Shelly Godfrey-Coles are among the new intake of councillors who will represent the county for the next five years.
Cllr Sparks' unlikely journey to Plaid Cymru membership and election began when he moved to Swansea with his girlfriend - now wife - Rhiannon, and coached swimming and studied history and Italian at Swansea University. After completing their studies the young Mr Sparks secured a swimming coaching role in Carmarthen, and the couple made the short trip west to live.
Carmarthen reminded them of their home town, Frome, in Somerset. "It was an accident, I suppose - a happy accident," said Cllr Sparks, 45. His first job had been as a lifeguard at Longleat Center Parcs, Wiltshire, followed by working stints in ski resorts, a foreign language school in London, and a campsite in Brittany. You can get more Carmarthenshire news and other story updates by subscribing to our newsletters here.
