For almost all my working life I have been a Bus Driver. Overall, I enjoyed the job.
It had it’s good days and bad but as time goes on the bad memories seem to fade and good memories remain.
I recall one occasion, it was a warm, sunny afternoon, I was driving down the road lost in my favourite fantasy, when a woman near the back of the bus suddenly jumped to her feet and cried out “You passed my stop!” Startled out of my reverie, I slammed on the brakes.
The woman, who had begun walking, broke into a gallop. The passengers lurched forwards in an attitude of prayer and the lady, and I met.
These were the days before there was a screen between the driver and passengers. In her run she grabbed the post behind me, swung around just as I turned my head.
Another half inch and we would have kissed. Sharp words flowed in my direction while I sat there wondering what had possessed me to get this job.
That was not the first or last time I have thought that.
More recently I wonder about the circumstances that led to me being a Councillor for the Pembrey Ward on Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council.
I had a retirement plan. Born and bred a Llanelli boy, I planned to return home close to where I grew up, then spend the morning writing, the afternoon reading and the evening in the pub.
Not a bad plan I thought.
I retired in October 2016 and the wife and I found a lovely little house in a quiet neighborhood in Pembrey.
The first part of the plan was working.
I was having a cup of tea in the Surf Bar Café, now Caffi Lolfa, when I met some friends who remembered me from the 70’s and 80’s.
They pointed out that local elections were coming up in May 2017 and asked if I would be a candidate.
I should point out here that I have been a member and supporter of Plaid Cymru since I was old enough to think.
My friends are of the same view and I was being asked to represent Plaid Cymru. At first I said no. After all, I had just moved into the area, nobody knew me.
I protested that no one would vote for a stranger. But I was asked to wave the flag.
So, I put my name forward with no expectation of winning. The Pembrey ward is represented by 9 councilors.
As it happened only 9 names were put forward. Four Independent councilors, four Labour party and muggins here in the middle.
That is how for good or ill, I became a town councilor. It was even more ominous than that.
The result of the election meant that the councilors numbered 9 Independents, 8 Labour party and 1 Plaid Cymru. For the very first time in the history of this area, the Labour party did not have a majority and it was left to the Independents to form the administration.
The forces of darkness got into a real pwdi over this. Obstruction, misinformation, and half-truths became the order of the day.
So here I am. I can’t promise much but what I can do, I will. I promise to tell the truth.
You may not like what I stand for, but you’ll always know where I stand, and I will do the best I can.
Peter Freeman is a town councilor on Pembrey and Burry Port town council.
His views are his and his alone. His writings express his own opinions and are not the opinions of Plaid Cymru or any other group.
He can be contacted at:ianto47@gmail.com
