THESE are some of the stories which made the headlines in the South Wales Guardian in the week ending Thursday, April 14, 1983.

The deadline for this May's election drew to a close this week, with only 13 Dinefwr Borough Council wards shaping up for a fight. Eleven councillors will be automatically re-elected because nobody has stood against them.

Sparks from a rubbish fire started a blaze in an Ammanford welding works, causing tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage. On Thursday, labourer Jeffrey Zschieschenek discovered a blaze at TRT Welding, Betws. Fanned by high winds, the fire quickly spread to the internal insulation of the zinc-clad lining and damaged the roof.

Dinefwr is preparing itself for a tourism boom. The Year of the Castle, plus various indications from hoteliers and caravan site owners, suggest that a better season is about to begin.

The Co-op is to start building operations on their new store at College Street, Ammanford, this month. The town council were told that the Co-op hope to complete their new store, on the site of the old primary school, in 12 to 15 months.

Moves are afoot to do something about the derelict children's corner at Memorial Park, Llandybie. A petition from parents and other residents asked the welfare committee to restore rusting playground equipment.

All-weather cricket wickets are being installed by Dinefwr Borough Council's parks department. The first wicket, at Llandovery, is ready for play and work at Ammanford recreation ground will start as soon as the weather allows.

Work on Llandeilo's northern bypass is expected to start between 1986 and 1988, it was announced this week.