12 June 2002: The Queen opens a pioneering coastal regeneration project during a day in mid and south Wales

One of the largest environmental enhancement projects in Britain was given the Royal 'seal of approval' when The Queen visited Llanelli, Dyfed on the second day of her tour of Wales. The £27 million Millennium Coastal Park is one of the largest environmental enhancement projects in Britain, covering 22km of the Llanelli coastline and incorporating over 2,000 acres of land.

The coastal plain had been rendered almost derelict during 200 years of coal and steel production. The millennium project aimed to transform the area into an attractive leisure and working environment. The park now incorporates forests, lakes, public art, a golf course, housing and a visitor centre. The different elements are joined by a continuous footpath, cycleway and train links.

Having opened a new RNLI lifeboat station at Burry Port Harbour, Llanelli, The Queen travelled along part of the Millennium Coastal Park. The Royal car stopped for the Queen to wave at a crowd of almost 4,000 school children gathered along the coastal route. At The Promenade, Llanelli Beach, Her Majesty officially declared the park open and unveiled a plaque. The Queen then took a few minutes to chat to children who presented her with flowers.

After lunch in a marquee in the park, The Queen and Prince Philip travelled to Carmarthenshire Enterprise Day at Llanelli's North Dock, a trade fair featuring exhibitors from the local industries. The Queen and Prince Philip toured different parts of the exhibition, talking to exhibitors.

The day had begun in Powys, one of the most rural areas of Wales, with a population of only 100,000. Having arrived by train at the wooden railway station of the hamlet of Dolau, The Queen and Prince Philip attended the giant Powys Picnic event. This special Jubilee celebration was held in a field of a farm owned by a local family. Present were around 3,000 children from all over Powys, plus a number of exhibitors from all sectors of the county's life.

At the picnic field The Queen was greeted by representatives from the Welsh Corgi Club. The Queen and Prince Philip followed separate routes around the field, viewing a selection of the different exhibitions and activities, including displays of wood, sheep, wool, Welsh ponies and cobs, local food and children's craftwork. A choir of 2,000 schoolchildren sang folk songs for the Royal visitors, and The Queen was presented with a gift of a hamper of Powys food. As The Queen and Prince Philip departed the field by helicopter for Llanelli, the children marked out a giant EIIR for the Royal visitors to see from the air.

The final destination of the day was Port Talbot, West Glamorgan. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh attended the Festival of Youth and Community Service at Margam Park. The free public festival featured members of local voluntary organisations, ethnic groups and schools, taking part in adventure, sports, play, craft and educational activities.

The Queen and Prince Philip watched young people taking part in some of the challenges, including scurry driving, rafting, dressage and a dragon boat race. They also spoke to some of the participants and festival organisers.

Traditional and new aspects of Welsh culture were on display at Margam Castle, an impressive Tudor-Gothic style Victorian mansion. The Queen watched a display of Welsh clog and folk dancing, and met local children. Inside the castle's orangery Her Majesty met representatives of local community organisations. Guests were entertained with traditional Welsh harp music played on a triple harp by Angharad Evans, 24, from Port Talbot.

Meanwhile The Duke of Edinburgh watched Chinese ribbon dancing and a Filipino dance group. His Royal Highness also listened to a performance in the ruins of the Cistercian abbey by a junoir choir and hand bell ringers, and watched a short play on the environment performed by local school children.

Before leaving, The Queen was presented with a new fuchsia named in her honour. The Queen then unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion before leaving for an overnight stay on the Royal Train.
 

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