Carmarthen is the county town of Carmarthenshire, Wales and is built on the River Tywi it also.has a larger than average proportion of Welsh speakers.
Carmarthens harbour no longer has a commercial use that is partly due to the dangerous approaches in to the harbour.
In the 17th century a charter decreed that Carmarthen was to be recognised as the county town of Carmarthen and should have two sheriffs this became one in 1835 and although now mainly for ceremonial occasions the post continues today.
In the 18th century the iron and coal trades became important to the town though nowhere near as big as those in Dowlais or Merthyr Tydfil. The Boy’s Grammar school moved, in the middle of this century, to Priory Row before it was again moved to Richmond Terrace. It was later in the century that a travelling circus was given permission to bury an elephant that had died; its grave is under the schools rugby pitch.
According to one of the variations of the Arthurian legend Merlin is said to have been born in a cave outside Carmarthen. Legend also has it that when a tree called Merlin’s Oak fell it would take with it the town, so when the tree died it was dug up so that this could never happen.
Carmarthen Castle is a popular attraction and even more so now the facilities have been improved. Merlin is said to have lived nearby, as did King Arthur. This area is steeped with legends and myths.
The town has been subject to some bad planning over the years and an industrial estate has been built very close to the town centre spoiling the outlook for visitors and giving a wrong first impression.
Shopping in the area has been upgraded but the Greyfriars shopping mall was built without a roof and in one of the wettest places in the country, spoils shopping for some.
Many well known retailers have premises in the town including Laura Ashley, Halfords, Matalan, Focus Harveys and Lidl. Tesco opened a new superstore in 2006 but turned out not to be as large as it was thought to be.
Property for rent is available with average prices of £480pcm for a 2 bed flat, £476pcm for a 3 bed flat and £600pcm for a 3 bed house.
The re-development of the Market is causing controversy but it gets the go ahead permission shoppers will find it a great improvement and it will be able to offer a much greater choice of goods.
The town’s shopping in general is good but only the lack of covered areas spoils it especially in the many wet days the area sees.
|
