THEY tend to remember their favourite sons and daughters in Llanelli.

The latest one is local lad turned Hollywood superstar William John Hughes. He made 45 silent films between 1918 and 1931.

But guardians of the town's past think that is something to shout about.

So, Gareth Hughes — to give him his stage name — will be honoured on his birthday, August 21, when Llanelli Community Heritage Group, joined by Burry Port man and distant relative Kelvin Guy, will officially unveil a blue plaque in Princess Street.

It is far from the first one by the group, which is one of the most proactive supporters in Wales of the historical marker scheme commemorating a link between a location and a famous person or event. The model, run by English Heritage, which dates back in its original form to 1867, has been taken up in various parts of the world.

In Wales the picture is a bit blurred. No one organisation is in charge, so it is left to bodies like Llanelli Community Heritage Group to do their bit.

And it certainly does.

More than 40 blue plaques are in public places in the area, ensuring that what or who should not be forgotten is not.

Llanelli Community Heritage Group was formed in early 2004 and has been busy ever since, actively protecting and promoting the town's historical heritage.

The inaugural blue plaque at the Pottery Street entrance to St Elli Shopping Centre commemorated Llanelly Pottery, which operated in the centre from 1839 to 1922.

William Chambers Junior opened the pottery in 1839. He lived in Llanelly House, was involved in most aspects of the town's business and social life, and as an active magistrate, became involved in the Rebecca Riots.

From the beginning, Llanelly Pottery produced high quality earthenware every bit as good as those of Staffordshire.

John Wynne Hopkins, chairman of Llanelli Community Heritage Group, said: "We were set up to protect the heritage of Llanelli as best we can, and an important part of our work is to remind future generations of what has gone before.

"Blue plaques are one of the ways to do that. They are universally accepted as being easily spotted from a distance, and are to be found all over Britain, including Wales. We have identified many possible sites for such plaques in and around Llanelli, and they will be rolled out as the sponsors are found."

And there has been an appetite for them in the area.

Among the plaques are ones at the Furnace Tollgate, on the Old Road side of Furnace Post Office wall, Carmarthenshire Railway, on the Sustrans underpass in Felinfoel, Felinfoel Brewery, on its boundary wall, and the Royalty Theatre, on the north facing wall of Tinnopolis Studio, in Water Street.

And on the south facing wall there is one for silent movie star Charlie Chaplin, who was believed to have appeared at the theatre.

On the Millennium Coastal cycle path at Pwll is one to Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly the Atlantic — landing near Burry Port after setting off from Newfoundland in June 1928.

Leader of the British suffragette movement, Emmeline Pankhurst, addressed a public meeting in Church Street and has a blue plaque to mark the occasion. Actress Rachel Roberts is remembered on one at the Asda building at the beginning of Pottery Street, while one of the latest plaques is for another local entertainer who went on to great things, Dorothy Squires.

It is sponsored by her ex-husband Sir Roger Moore, who once performed a night of stand- up comedy at Llanelli's Astoria Theatre.

Kidwelly Civic Society has its own scheme and currently has five inductees, launching it with a plaque for industrial giant John Charles Williams, born in the town in 1876.

Further west, and Carmarthen is also of a mind to remember past contributions, like those of one of Wales's most successful and prolific architects, George Morgan.

He designed the English Baptist Church in Lammas Street, and a plaque there recalls that.

Those same church gates also officially recognise Gwilym Davies, who began preaching at the English Baptists in 1908. Concerned with applying Christian principles to social issues, his words carried a powerful force in the town. He became a predominant campaigner for peace and justice, and was later appointed as Honorary Director of the League of Nations Union from 1922 to 1945.

The constitution of UNESCO was based upon Davies's plans for international co-operation in education.

Two of Swansea's favourite sons are honoured. Entertainer Sir Harry Secombe has a plaque in his name on the side of St Thomas Church, in Lewis Road, on the Eastside, where he started his singing career and a lifetime of Christian worship. Comedian Eric Sykes was among the guests at the 2002 unveiling, while messages of goodwill were read out from Prince Charles and Michael Parkinson, with comedian Jimmy Tarbuck giving a speech via a mobile phone to the gathering.

And literary giant and all-round bon viveur Dylan Thomas, who snatched his first bawling breaths at 5 Cwmdonkin Drive in the Uplands, is also remembered with a plaque on the house now open to staying guests.

Novelist, businesswoman and social benefactor Amy Dillwyn, (1845-1935), had an unorthodox appearance and lifestyle which made her a well-known figure in the local community. Her house, Ty Glyn, still stands in West Cross, and a plaque on the promenade near the West Cross Inn marks her contribution.

Gowerton doctor Ernest Jones, known as the father of British psychoanalysis and one of the most significant shapers of the 20th Century, played a major part in rescuing the great Sigmund Freud when he was trapped in German-occupied Austria in 1938, with Europe on the brink of war.

An eminent psychoanalyst, he spoke German and had powerful friends. One day after Hitler arrived in Vienna, Jones landed in a chartered monoplane.

Arrested by German soldiers, he talked his way free. Persuading Freud, then 81 and suffering from cancer, was more difficult, especially as he insisted on bringing his family.

But after calling on his top- rank connections, Jones wangled all the necessary permits and Freud, and a 17-strong party, finally reached London. The media frenzy ensured that psychoanalysis hit the mainstream. Press pictures showed the famous refugee with his triumphant rescuer.

Ernest Jones grew up in The Woodlands, a comfortable semi near his father's work as accountant and general secretary of a large steelworks.

A blue plaque commemorates his connection with the house.

The Heritage Foundation, which was behind the tribute to Sir Harry, would also like to recognise the likes of Swansea's finest ever footballer John Charles and movie star Richard Burton, and are always on the lookout for sponsors to come forward.

In Swansea, the council, Swansea Civic Society and the Institution of Engineering & Technology's Wales South West Network are all talking together about possible future blue plaque inclusions. Annie Haden, who with husband Geoff has restored Dylan Thomas's old house, says the plaque outside is one many people recognise.

She adds: "Whether subliminally or not, I think they can also encourage people to find out more about the house and the person linked to it."