Britain's first drink-drive warning - 170 years ago

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.southwalesguardian.co.uk/new ... years_ago/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

THE world's earliest-known monument to the perils of drink-driving is set to receive its first face-lift in 80 years, Llandovery town councillors have been told.

The Mail Coach Pillar on the Brecon-Llandovery stretch of the A40 trunk road marks the spot where the doomed Gloucester and Carmarthen mail coach driver Edward Jenkins drunk at the reins plunged over a 121ft precipice and into a river shortly before Christmas 1835.

During what must have been a wild ride, Jenkins three of his passengers clinging desperately to the stagecoach roof careered at a furious pace onto the wrong side of the road until he met a cart coming in the opposite direction.

The monument an obelisk enclosed by iron railings was subsequently erected in 1841 by the Royal Mail as a warning to its drivers of the dangers of driving whilst intoxicated.

Now Cllr Gill Wright has revealed that the Brecon Beacons National Park, the Royal Mail Heritage Trust and Channel Four have agreed to repair the monument.

And she added that Channel Four were planning to screen a documentary on the story behind the Mail Coach Pillar.

Speaking to the Guardian after the meeting, Cllr Wright described the news as "very exciting".

She added: "This has been a long time coming and it is very satisfying to see disparate groups coming together to pursue a common purpose."

[Lounge Lizard]

Cllr Wright described the news as "very exciting". - well it probably is for that part of Wales.