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Thousands bid farewell to 'Grav' Thousands bid farewell to 'Grav'
(30 minutes later)
An estimated 10,000 people are paying their final tributes to rugby international, broadcaster and actor Ray Gravell at his funeral. An estimated 10,000 people are paying final tributes to rugby international, broadcaster and actor Ray Gravell at his funeral at Llanelli's Stradey Park.
Mourners, many in Llanelli Scarlets shirts, began queuing at the Stradey Park hours before the service began. Mourners, many in Llanelli Scarlets shirts, began queuing at the ground hours before the service began.
The coffin, draped in the Welsh Dragon, was carried onto the field by six former and current Llanelli players.The coffin, draped in the Welsh Dragon, was carried onto the field by six former and current Llanelli players.
Past and present Welsh rugby figures are among those at the service, which Gravell wanted to be at Stradey. Gravell, who was 56 and died suddenly in Spain last month, had wished for his funeral to be held at Stradey.
First Minister Rhodri Morgan is among those paying tribute to the 56-year-old, who died suddenly on holiday in Spain on 31 October. First Minister Rhodri Morgan told mourners: "Why was he regarded with such huge affection and respect? It was a combination of his common humanity and his almost Bambi-like vulnerability."
The old South Stand in front of which the service is taking place filled an hour earlier with mourners, many of them young children, and more people are sitting in the North Stand. Mr Morgan said: "We politicians rate communicators, but few of us ever touch people's souls like Grav did. That is why there are so many people here today or watching on television."
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The funeral cortege left Gravell's Mynyddygarreg home near Kidwelly with a red dragon flag draped over his coffin with three roses on top from his wife Mari and daughters Manon and Gwenan, aged 11 and eight, and white flowers spelling the word "Dad". Historian Hywel Teifi Edwards told the service: "Stories will be told about him with gusto in years to come by people who never met him, and I'm quite convinced that stories were fashioned with Grav in mind centuries ago".
On top of the hearse are scarlet and red roses, again drawing on Gravell's connection with the Scarlets. The old South Stand in front of which the service is taking place filled an hour earlier with mourners, many of them young children, and more people are sitting in the North Stand.
In the ground floral tributes are displayed, including a rugby ball, shamrock and the flag of Owain Glyndwr. The cortege left Gravell's Mynyddygarreg home near Kidwelly with a Welsh dragon flag draped over his coffin with three roses on top from his wife Mari and daughters Manon and Gwenan, aged 11 and eight, and white flowers spelling the word "Dad".
The scoreboard at the town end of Stradey has the score Llanelli 9 - New Zealand 3, reminding mourners of the great victory on 31 October 1972 in which Gravell played. On top of the hearse were scarlet and red roses, again drawing on Gravell's connection with the Scarlets.
A guard of honour from the current Llanelli squad and another from the players of that 1972 team welcomed the coffin which was taken into the dressing rooms for a private service before the public memorial began outside. Current Scarlets players formed a guard of honour at the ground
Then the coffin was carried in by pall bearers from the Llanelli team of today and yesterday - Simon Easterby, Gareth Jenkins, Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel, Derek Quinnel and Delme Thomas. In the ground floral tributes were displayed, including a rugby ball, shamrock and the flag of Owain Glyndwr.
At the head of the procession were three flag bearing children, and former Llanelli player Robin McBryde, who succeeded Gravell as ceremonial eisteddfod swordbearer, earlier this year. The scoreboard at the town end of Stradey had the score Llanelli 9 - New Zealand 3, reminding mourners of the great victory on 31 October 1972 in which Gravell played.
A guard of honour from the current Llanelli squad and another from the players of that 1972 team welcomed the coffin, which was taken into the dressing rooms for a private service before the public memorial began outside.
Then the coffin was carried in by pall bearers from the Llanelli team of today and yesterday - Simon Easterby, Gareth Jenkins, Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel, Derek Quinnell and Delme Thomas.
At the head of the procession were three flag-bearing children, and former Llanelli player Robin McBryde, who succeeded Gravell as ceremonial eisteddfod swordbearer, earlier this year.
It is the first time the sword has been used without the gorsedd of bards being present.It is the first time the sword has been used without the gorsedd of bards being present.
The service, which includes the Welsh hymns Calon Lan and Cwm Rhondda, is being conducted by one of his friends, the Reverend Meirion Evans, a former archdruid. Gravell's coffin was placed on a stand on a red carpet on the pitch he loved so much.
The funeral is being broadcast live by the BBC and S4C and streamed by BBC News Online.
Mourners began queuing outside Stradey early on ThursdayMourners began queuing outside Stradey early on Thursday
Former Wales and British Lion international Gerald Davies and historian Hywel Teifi Edwards are also paying tribute, while the Llanelli Male Choir and Burry Port Town Band and folk singer Dafydd Iwan will also perform. The service, which includes the Welsh hymns Calon Lan and Cwm Rhondda, was conducted by one of his friends, the Reverend Meirion Evans, a former archdruid.
Former Llanelli player Robin McBryde, who succeeded Gravell as the ceremonial eisteddfod swordbearer, was allowed to carry the sword at the head of the funeral procession. The funeral is being broadcast live by the BBC and S4C and streamed by the BBC news website.
Former Wales and British Lion international Gerald Davies is also paying tribute, while the Llanelli Male Choir and Burry Port Town Band and folk singer Dafydd Iwan were also performing
Many of rugby's leading figures were among the mourners alongside politicians and dignitaries from all walks of life.
Many members of the public have dressed in rugby shirts and scarves to say goodbye to "Grav", as was the family's wish.
A private service took place at Gravell's Mynydygarreg home before the funeral cortege left.A private service took place at Gravell's Mynydygarreg home before the funeral cortege left.
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.