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Thousands bid farewell to 'Grav' | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Thousands of mourners are arriving at the funeral of former Welsh rugby international, broadcaster and actor Ray Gravell at Llanelli's Stradey Park. | |
The first mourners, many in Llanelli Scarlets shirts, began queuing at the ground hours before the service began. | |
Gravell's wife and two young daughters asked that those attending wear their rugby shirts or scarves. | |
Past and present Welsh rugby figures will be among those at the service, which Gravell wanted to be at Stradey. | |
An hour before the 1300 GMT service gets under way, at least 5,000 people were gathered at the ground. | |
First Minister Rhodri Morgan will be among those paying tribute to the 56-year-old, who died suddenly on holiday in Spain on 31 October. | |
Earlier this year he had had part of his leg amputated following complications with diabetes, but had quickly returned to broadcasting. | Earlier this year he had had part of his leg amputated following complications with diabetes, but had quickly returned to broadcasting. |
BBC WALES AND S4C COVERAGE BBC Two Wales - 1230 GMTBBC Radio Wales - 1200 GMTBBC Radio Cymru - 1200 GMTBBC Wales on S4C - 1230 GMT BBC news website coverage | BBC WALES AND S4C COVERAGE BBC Two Wales - 1230 GMTBBC Radio Wales - 1200 GMTBBC Radio Cymru - 1200 GMTBBC Wales on S4C - 1230 GMT BBC news website coverage |
His funeral, in front of the Scarlets' old South Stand, is open to everyone and is also being broadcast live by the BBC and S4C. | |
Gravell was one of Wales's 1970s' rugby heroes, was capped 23 times, and toured with the British Lions to South Africa in 1980. | |
Known universally as Grav, the centre was part of the Llanelli side that beat New Zealand on 31 October, 1972. | Known universally as Grav, the centre was part of the Llanelli side that beat New Zealand on 31 October, 1972. |
After his rugby career, he turned to broadcasting, working for BBC Wales from 1985. He also acted and appeared in films, once alongside Peter O'Toole in Rebecca's Daughters. | After his rugby career, he turned to broadcasting, working for BBC Wales from 1985. He also acted and appeared in films, once alongside Peter O'Toole in Rebecca's Daughters. |
Mourners began queuing outside Stradey early on Thursday | |
The service, which will include the Welsh hymns Calon Lan and Cwm Rhondda, will be conducted by one of his friends, the Reverend Meirion Evans, a former archdruid. | The service, which will include the Welsh hymns Calon Lan and Cwm Rhondda, will be conducted by one of his friends, the Reverend Meirion Evans, a former archdruid. |
Before the service, First Minister Rhodri Morgan said he was proud and honoured to be asked to pay tribute to the rugby legend who "would tackle a Sherman tank if it was playing for the other side". | |
Former Wales and British Lion international Gerald Davies and historian Hywel Teifi Edwards will also pay tribute, while the Llanelli Male Choir and Burry Port Town Band and folk singer Dafydd Iwan will also perform. | Former Wales and British Lion international Gerald Davies and historian Hywel Teifi Edwards will also pay tribute, while the Llanelli Male Choir and Burry Port Town Band and folk singer Dafydd Iwan will also perform. |
Former Llanelli player Robin McBryde, who succeeded Gravell as the ceremonial eisteddfod swordbearer, will also be allowed to carry the sword at the head of the funeral procession. | Former Llanelli player Robin McBryde, who succeeded Gravell as the ceremonial eisteddfod swordbearer, will also be allowed to carry the sword at the head of the funeral procession. |
The pall bearers will be three players from Llanelli Scarlets, Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel and Simon Easterby, alongside three of Gravell's sporting contemporaries, Delme Thomas, Gareth Jenkins and Derek Quinnell. | The pall bearers will be three players from Llanelli Scarlets, Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel and Simon Easterby, alongside three of Gravell's sporting contemporaries, Delme Thomas, Gareth Jenkins and Derek Quinnell. |
Ray Gravell toured South Africa with the British Lions in 1980 | |
The current Llanelli squad will form a guard of honour as the funeral cortege arrives at Stradey, and three schoolchildren will be at the head of the procession carrying flags as it moves onto the rugby field. | The current Llanelli squad will form a guard of honour as the funeral cortege arrives at Stradey, and three schoolchildren will be at the head of the procession carrying flags as it moves onto the rugby field. |
The gates opened to the public at 1100 GMT and officials asked mourners to be present by 1230 GMT. | |
Parking at the ground is restricted to family and those taking part in the service. | |
Alternative parking arrangements have been drawn up by Carmarthenshire Council and will be controlled by Dyfed-Powys Police. | Alternative parking arrangements have been drawn up by Carmarthenshire Council and will be controlled by Dyfed-Powys Police. |
Memorial fund | |
The Festival Field car park has been designated as an official parking area for those attending the funeral. | The Festival Field car park has been designated as an official parking area for those attending the funeral. |
A private service took place at Gravell's Mynydygarreg home before the funeral cortege left at 1215 GMT. | |
It was travelling through Trimsaran and into Llanelli, turning into Denham Avenue down to Sandy Road, and then up to Maes y Coed and into Stradey Park by 1240 GMT. | |
After the public funeral, the cortege will go to Llanelli crematorium, travelling along Sandy Road, Pembrey Road, Gelli Onn and down to Swansea Road. | After the public funeral, the cortege will go to Llanelli crematorium, travelling along Sandy Road, Pembrey Road, Gelli Onn and down to Swansea Road. |
The service at the crematorium will be strictly private. | The service at the crematorium will be strictly private. |
A memorial fund has been set up in his name by his family to help charities and causes close to his heart. | A memorial fund has been set up in his name by his family to help charities and causes close to his heart. |