In consultation with GB News, the LABRATS Directors decided to use some of the excess funds raised by the GB News viewers to give the veterans and their families a Christmas break. 

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With little time to organise the event, Mel soon had the hotel booked, a church service organised and the meal choices ready. 

We chose our local pub ‘The White Hart Inn’ in Llanddarog as they have been extremely supportive of our cause, allowing us to film part of a documentary on the premises. 

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62 people attended the event, travelling from all over the UK. A mixture of veterans and descendants came to the Ivy Bush Hotel and stayed for two nights. Unfortunately, a storm meant that the trains did not come into Carmarthen, they stopped at Swansea. Luckily, LABRATS have a 9-seater minibus at their disposal and with the help of Mel in a 7 seater SUV, we managed to ensure that everyone had arrived at the hotel for the evening meal. 

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The church service was held at St Tworg Church, Llanddarog at 12 noon. The service was conducted by Canon Chancellor Dewi Roberts and Revd Jean Voyle Williams MBE. The organist was Mrs Wendy Jones ALCM. 

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It was a very emotional service, concentrating on remembrance and Christmas. With Alan Owen reading ‘I have seen the Dragon’. The attendees then crossed the road to the White Hart Inn for Christmas Lunch, pudding and tea / coffee.

The staff at the White Hart were incredible, everyone had a fantastic time, the food was brilliant, and everyone was full after the meal. 

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Throughout the day, GB News provided updates to their viewers with Jack Carlson attending the event and commentating all day.  We travelled back to the hotel for a Christmas quiz in the evening. 

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Alan and Mel again took the attendees back to the train stations so that they could return home. It was a fantastic few days, a one off event which we have now been asked to put on again for 2025!