THE new mayor of Newcastle Emlyn has urged the community to ‘think local’ and support businesses and producers in the town.

Cllr Alan Jones took over the chains of office for the fifth time in his near 30-year stint as a town councillor and his message to those attending the mayor-making ceremony was clear.

“I am asking the people of Newcastle Emlyn and the surrounding area to make a pledge to support local,” said Cllr Jones.

“Newcastle Emlyn is a place where you can buy almost anything, with a mix of lovely, independent family-run businesses to national companies.

“You can buy everything from a house to everything you need to put in it. We have the school, the leisure centre and cafes, pubs and restaurants. You name it, we have it and I would ask you to think before you go on-line to buy things.

“Unfortunately, the only thing we don’t have now is a bank.

“Throw away the keyboard, interact with real people in our town who can help you and offer advice and shop local.

“Think when you go on your laptop, tablet or phone, can I get it locally? Ask yourself, do I really need to shop on-line?

“It is important that we support the town in this way and also support the local environment. Global warming is a huge threat to us and we ourselves were hit by severe flooding last year. We can all do our bit as a town and work together to combat climate change.

“We can recycle; we can use public transport or walk or cycle; use recyclable bags and reusable coffee cups; cut down on single-use plastic and donate unwanted goods to charity shops.

“I ask you all to support our local economy and the local environment and let’s make Newcastle Emlyn a thriving town.”

Outgoing mayor Cllr Cefin Evans said his year in office had ranged from “tears of sadness to laughter and joy.”

“A year ago I would not make any promises but said that if we could all come together as a community my goal would have been achieved,” said Cllr Evans.

“I hope this has been the case in what was a challenging year.

“Storm Callum left a trail of destruction and took the life of Corey Sharpling, a young Newcastle Emlyn man.

“The faith and belief of Corey’s family and the support from the local community showed me what the word community really means.

“But we as a community are being challenged every day. We are hammered by lack of funds and cutbacks and I believe that the very foundations of what we stand for as a community are being tested.

“But in times of crisis we have pulled together and that is so important. Long may it continue.”

Award winners

John Fletcher – for supporting the Victorian Night and fund-raising for various charities

Tom Knott-Jones – green belt in Karate

Lily Rees – for her success in being chosen as a member of the Welsh squad in shotokan karate

Alice Walters – being chosen as Miss Carmarthenshire at the Miss Wales competition

Leia Vobe - in recognition of success in being selected as a member of Wales’ gymnastic squad age 13-14

Ken and Ruth Jones – in recognition for founding the Hanes Emlyn in 1999 and working diligently for the group.

Newcastle Emlyn Hockey Team – winning the Welsh Cup against Llandysul in Cardiff in a penalty shoot-out.