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Thousands bid farewell to 'Grav' Thousands bid farewell to 'Grav'
(20 minutes later)
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. Thousands of mourners have paid their 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 ground hours before the service began. Many were in Llanelli Scarlets shirts and 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, and applauded as it was taken off.
Gravell, who was 56 and died suddenly in Spain last month, had wished for his funeral to be held at Stradey. Gravell was 56 and died suddenly in Spain last month.
His former Wales and British Lions team mate Gerald Davies told the service Gravell never accepted how good he really was.
"He became a man who could inspire and did inspire without him realising the enormity of what he was doing.
"He had a heart of gold and he was happy to share it not just with the measured few, but with the whole world."
Stories will be told about him with gusto in years to come by people who never met him Historian Hywel Teifi Edwards on Ray Gravell (pictured)
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."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."
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."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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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".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".
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. Folk singer and Plaid Cymru president Dafydd Iwan sang in Welsh the song "My Lord /God I Know You Will Come".
Red roses
The service was in front of the old South Stand, which filled an hour before it began, and there were many more in the North Stand.
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 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".
On top of the hearse were scarlet and red roses, again drawing on Gravell's connection with the Scarlets.On top of the hearse were scarlet and red roses, again drawing on Gravell's connection with the Scarlets.
Current Scarlets players formed a guard of honour at the groundCurrent Scarlets players formed a guard of honour at the ground
In the ground floral tributes were displayed, including a rugby ball, shamrock and the flag of Owain Glyndwr.In the ground floral tributes were displayed, including a rugby ball, shamrock and the flag of Owain Glyndwr.
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. The scoreboard at the town end of Stradey had the score, in Welsh, 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. A guard of honour from the current Llanelli squad and another from the players of that 1972 team met 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.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.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.
Gravell's coffin was placed on a stand on a red carpet on the pitch he loved so much.Gravell's coffin was placed on a stand on a red carpet on the pitch he loved so much.
Mourners began queuing outside Stradey early on ThursdayMourners began queuing outside Stradey early on Thursday
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.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.
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 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. Many members of the public dressed in rugby shirts and scarves to say goodbye, 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.