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Nation's final farewell to 'Grav' Thousands bid farewell to 'Grav'
(about 4 hours later)
Thousands of mourners are expected at the funeral of former Welsh rugby international, broadcaster and actor Ray Gravell at Llanelli's Stradey Park. Thousands of mourners are arriving at the funeral of former Welsh rugby international, broadcaster and actor Ray Gravell at Llanelli's Stradey Park.
People attending are invited to wear their own rugby colours and scarves. The first mourners, many in Llanelli Scarlets shirts, began queuing at the ground hours before the service began.
His wife and two young daughters have asked that his funeral, at the rugby club where he played and was president, should not be a formal occasion. Gravell's wife and two young daughters asked that those attending wear their rugby shirts or scarves.
First Minister Rhodri Morgan will be among those paying tribute at the service, starting at 1300 GMT. Past and present Welsh rugby figures will be among those at the service, which Gravell wanted to be at Stradey.
The 56-year-old died suddenly on holiday in Spain on 31 October. 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.
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, capped 23 times, and touring with the British Lions to South Africa in 1980.
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 coverageBBC 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.
It had always been his wish that his funeral be held at Stradey Park. 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.
First Minister Rhodri Morgan said he was proud and honoured to be asked to pay tribute to the rugby legend who in his words "would tackle a Sherman tank if it was playing for the other side". 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".
Ray Gravell toured South Africa with the British Lions in 1980
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 will be opened to the public at 1100 GMT and officials have asked mourners to be present by 1230 GMT. The gates opened to the public at 1100 GMT and officials asked mourners to be present by 1230 GMT.
Parking at the ground will be restricted to family and those taking part in the service. Parking at the ground is restricted to family and those taking part in the service.
Official parking
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 will take place at Gravell's Mynydygarreg home before the funeral cortege leaves at 1215 GMT. A private service took place at Gravell's Mynydygarreg home before the funeral cortege left at 1215 GMT.
It will travel 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. 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.