Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Off to Stratford-upon-Avon for the weekend. Will I be able to find a TV to watch the Wales match? Will I be able to find the 'Muddy Duck'? Will I be able to get the result of Carmarthen AFC's big clash with Bangor at Richmond Park?

Andy Legg has warned Llanelli that they can expect another "spanking" if they don't mentally prepare for Saturday's trip to Rhyl. The player-manager was part of the Reds' side that was humiliated at Belle Vue last season as the then Welsh Premier champions were hammered 5-1 by the Lilywhites. And Legg reckons attitudes need to be spot on if his side are to oust Rhyl from top spot. "That was a day to forget," Legg told the Llanelli Star. "We just weren't up for it. The focus we normally have wasn't there and Rhyl took their chances and quite rightly hammered us. "We know that we have to go there fully focussed." Third in the table and three points behind Rhyl, with a game in hand, Llanelli could join Rhyl at the top with a victory at Belle Vue. And Legg, who took over the reins from Peter Nicholas in the summer, believes his side are still some way off fulfilling their maximum potential. "The players are trying their hardest -

The next monthly meeting of the Llanelli Veterans Association will be held on Tuesday 10th November at the Conservative Club commencing at 19:30hrs. Reminder for those taking part in the Remembrance services in Llanelli on Sunday. You are on parade on Remembrance Sunday. The parade will march off from the TA Centre in Murray Street at 10:25hrs. If attending please be there by 10:15hrs.

Nice piece on John Dixon's blog today about over-used words. The Plaid chief says - I have been reading Carmarthenshire's Pre-deposit Preferred Strategy which they've published as part of the process of preparing the Local Development Plan. In the course of so doing, I have learned that Carmarthen is in a sustainable location, and reading a little further, I discovered that Llanelli is also in a sustainable location. Now I'm sure that this will be good news for the residents of both towns; I'd certainly hate to think of the implications if the council were to conclude that either town was in an 'unsustainable' location. But what on earth does it actually mean? Read the full text on JD's blog - http://borthlas.blogspot.com/2009/11/over-used-words.html

Coedcae school, Llanelli, damaged by fire last night will see pupils return on Tuesday. The Fire Alarm was activated at 22.50 in Technology, an independent block on the school site. Emergency services attended. All alarm systems and procedures worked effectively and therefore damage was limited to two classrooms. The School will continue to be operational as normal. Today is a planned inset day and therefore the school is closed to Coedcae pupils. However, the partner primary school transition event will continue as planned. Due to a planned inset day the school is closed to Coedcae pupils on Monday. School will re-open for pupils as normal on Tuesday. The Year 6 parents open evening scheduled for Tuesday, 10th November at 5.45pm will go ahead as planned. See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/fire-at-coedcae-school-in-llanelli.html

The search has started for an artist to create a portrait sculpture of the late Welsh rugby international and broadcaster Ray Gravell. It will sit alongside busts of other greats - including rugby coach Carwyn James and comedian Ryan Davies - in the reception area of BBC Wales in Cardiff. See BBC - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/8342740.stm

The reputation of Welsh Lamb among consumers is continuing to grow, according to new research released this week. An independent survey of people in the important trade battleground of Southern England found that recognition of Welsh Lamb grew again this year following a television advertising campaign by Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales. It means that Welsh Lamb is once again the most recognised lamb brand ahead of lamb from all the other countries. The research shows that a growing number of people in the region (75%) agree that they can trust Welsh Lamb and it is the brand for them (66%). It marks another successful year for the Welsh Lamb advert, which was voiced by Hollywood star Matthew Rhys. The survey found that 88 per cent of consumers in the south of England found the messages in the adverts believable and two thirds said they are more likely to buy Welsh Lamb as a result. In Wales the results were even more positive, with 96 per cent saying Welsh Lamb was something they

Four classrooms in a technology block have been badly damaged in a fire at Coedcae Comprehensive School. Fire crews have worked through the night to tackle the blaze at the school. The school is on an inset day today. See BBC - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/8345934.stm

Children living on a remote Scottish island are to hitch a lift to school on what is said to be the world's shortest flight. The plane journey from Papa Westray to Westray in the Orkney Islands takes just 96 seconds, covering a distance of little over a mile. Six teenagers are to take the Loganair service to Westray Junior High after the local ferry service was suspended.

"The bank returned one of my cheques today, marked 'insufficient funds'. I am not sure whether they meant mine or theirs" - Eamonn Butler of the Adam Smith Institute.

Hats are de rigueur when the Queen is awarding honours but this must be the first time she has been faced by a recipient sporting a pen. William Lloyd Williams collected his MBE for services to the meat industry with a biro tucked neatly behind his ear at Buckingham Palace yesterday. The popular butcher is known as something of a character in his home town of Machynlleth in Powys and is known for always having a pen ready to take an order - even after shop hours. When the news spread that he had been nominated for the honour his customers' first question was whether he would still have the trademark biro behind his ear, he said. He explained that he did ask the Palace's permission before bringing along his pen as he did not want to cause offence. He said: "I didn't want to be over-the-top or anything so I rang the palace and said, 'I always have a pen behind my ear, do you think it would be a problem', and They said that if I thought it was part of my personali

A north Pembrokeshire coastal town is to remember a much loved Welsh broadcaster this month. Fishguard will play host to a celebration of the life and work of its adopted son Wynford Vaughan-Thomas on November 27. Family, friends and former colleagues will gather at Fishguard Library for an all-day celebration that will include some of his most famous broadcasts, programmes and tales. Among them will be unforgettable live broadcasts from a bombing raid over Berlin as well as episodes of his memorable television history of Wales - The Dragon has Two Tongues. "Wynford Vaughan-Thomas was one of TV and radio's first great characters. The Swansea boy who, like his friend Dylan Thomas, had the gift of talk," said Councillor Rob Lewis, Cabinet Member for Culture. "Fortunately for him - and for us - he discovered the media, which was the perfect pace for him to use his gifts. "He was the ultimate story teller who helped bring the tale of Wales to the wider world."

Health minister Edwina Hart has commended Carmarthenshire County Council for its success in gaining a Platinum Corporate Health Standard Award. Mrs Hart visited the county to congratulate the authority for achieving the highest possible standard in demonstrating business excellence and sustainable development. The Health Standard, run by the Welsh Assembly Government, is the quality-mark for workplace health promotion in Wales. The awards are usually handed out at bronze, silver and gold standard. Platinum standard is a new grading, only achieved by public and private sector organisations that surpass all other grades of excellence. Carmarthenshire has previously won the bronze, silver and gold standards. To achieve the platinum award, the council had to demonstrate business excellence and sustainable development as an integral part of business practice and culture. A case study had to be presented with evidence across six areas - transport, community engagement, procurement, employmen

Disabled shoppers are being reassured that a Shopmobility scheme will be part of Carmarthen’s new retail development when it opens in the Spring. Carmarthenshire County Council is working with St Catherine’s Walk developers Simons Construction to plan for the scheme, which lends manual and powered wheelchairs and scooters to members of the public with limited mobility. The scheme would help them to enjoy the new £74million retail development which is set to include Debenhams, an Apollo gold multiplex cinema, 950-space car park, restaurants and a wide range of shops. It is due to be launched on April 30, 2010. The authority’s property development advisor, Cyril Davies, said: “Carmarthenshire County Council is committed to bringing this successful mobility scheme to Carmarthen town centre. “It works very well in other parts of the country, and I’m sure will be welcomed by mobility impaired shoppers at Carmarthen’s new retail development. “Further information about the exact location of t

"Mr Law approaches the role with the focus, determination and adrenaline level of an Olympic track competitor staring down an endless line of hurdles" - praise for Jude Law's Hamlet on the US's Broadway.

A pensioner battled a burglar with a brolly during a night-time raid on his home. Ken Creffield, 75, said he fought "like D'Artagnan" of the Three Musketeers when he was confronted by Daniel Jefferies outside his bedroom. Mr Creffield, a grandfather of two, grabbed a golf umbrella and chased him out of the house in his underpants in Thornbury Road, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. Jefferies was jailed for 30 months at Bristol Crown Court after pleading guilty to burglary.

This blog is continuing to pick up a momentum. It's now hit the 2000 page views mark. That's a 1000 views since September 16. Keep the hits coming, folks! Many thanks. See earlier blog - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/1000-chalked-up.html

The Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Anne Hughes, has presented £460 to the Help For Heroes charity. The money was raised during the collection at the recent Civic Service marking her election as Chairman. Councillor Hughes personally chose the charity for its work helping service men and women who are injured in conflicts around the world. She invited representatives of the charity to a special reception at County Hall to hand over the cheques. Councillor Hughes hands over the cheques to Andy Dale, the Help for Heroes Volunteer County Coordinator.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board is freezing chief officers’ pay because of the economic situation and the recession. When considering the two year review of senior officers’ pay, the Executive Board decided on the advice of the Chief Executive to freeze chief officers’ pay for two years. In the light of severe pressures on public finances the Executive Board agreed that it would be inappropriate for senior officers of the Council to be granted any pay increases at this time. Council leader Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “Our senior officers have carried out tremendous work which is seen in the Council’s many award-winning services. We appreciate this very much. “The Chief Executive has also reduced the senior management of the Council considerably over the last seven years. As a result we now have 20 per cent fewer directors, 30 per cent fewer heads of service and 25 per cent fewer third tier managers. “This has resulted in savings of well over £1m in management costs. While

More than 150 people attended Carmarthenshire 50+ Forum’s annual event held at the new Ffos Las Racecourse in Trimsaran. A full programme was laid on for the morning including a talk by Older People’s Commissioner for Wales Ruth Marks, a theatre production on bogus callers by Cwmni’r Fedwen and exhibitions, all on themes of interest to older people. Delegates also took part in workshops on a range of subjects – community safety, leisure, Welsh language, benefit entitlements, independent living, and sustainable communities. Carmarthenshire 50+ Champion Cllr Kevin Madge opened the event and Carmarthenshire County Council assistant chief executive Chris Burns described the progress made over the last year. Cllr Madge said a lot had been achieved since he became 50+ Champion in June 2008, and was delighted that the 50+ Forum now had a membership of over 1,000 people and was steadily increasing. This was a clear recognition of how people wanted to work together with the council and other o

"I came from some of the toughest streets in Britain but we still had respect for ourselves and others. But now? We have a situation where pensioners are too scared to leave their homes. We are living among scumbags" - Actor Sir Michael Caine.

An airline passenger who opened a rear exit and slid down an emergency chute as the plane prepared for take off said he wanted to see if the safety systems were working. Moreno Tavares Lizason jumped from the Athens-bound Cyprus Airways A320 jet in Cyprus moments after the captain ordered the crew to lock the aircraft doors. He then climbed a perimeter fence at Larnaca International Airport, before police caught up with him

The countdown has started for the 29th annual Carmarthen Mayor’s Fun Run. It will take place, as usual, on Easter Monday, which next year falls on April 5, 2010. For those of you who like plenty of warning, there are now just over 20 weeks left to get into shape for the 5k fun run and a series of junior races. “The race is one of the highlights of the year in Carmarthen,” Deputy Town Mayor Councillor Alan Speake said this week. “I would urge everyone, young and old, to consider taking part and making the event a great fun occasion for Carmarthen town.” Councillor Speake is chairing the Mayor’s Fun Run Steering Group in the run-up to race day. He added: “The event is recognised as a great occasion in Carmarthen. So, if you want to get into shape over the winter months ready for the big race day, then now is the time to start.” Runners are being encouraged to dress up in fancy dress and field pub and club teams. The junior races cater for Years 2-10. The senior fun run has categories for

One of the most famous breweries in Wales will be doing their bit on Saturday to make sure Welsh rugby fans are in fine voice for the crucial match against the All Blacks in Cardiff. Felinfoel, of Llanelli, have pledged two free pints for every visitor to what is billed as the biggest rugby party in the city, CeltFest at the Cardiff International Arena (CIA). “Felinfoel and their world famous brand Double Dragon are names synonymous with success in Welsh rugby,” said CeltFest chairman Clayton Jones. “Everyone involved in CeltFest cares very passionately about a Wales victory over the All Blacks. We have, after all been waiting 56 years for that. “And when I was talking to Max Boyce about the game the other day he suggested it would be a good idea to give two free pints to visitors to CeltFest. “That should get them in good voice for the singing and make sure that everyone is full of hwyl and passion and cheering Wales on to victory on Saturday. “Double Dragon has a particular place in

So far, Britain's champion trainer has kept his powder relatively dry at the country's newest racecourse. But, this Sunday, Paul Nicholls may send his horses in bigger numbers than before from his stables to Somerset to west Wales. He has been a big enthusiast about the new track, though he has restricted his runners to just two horses since it opened in June. When the entries for this weekend's seven races were revealed on Monday, Welsh trainers who are in the ascendancy at present were well represented, along with some of their colleagues from Ireland. The feature race is the £15,000 Lindley Catering At Ffos Las Handicap Chase. Among the possible runners is trainer Evan Williams's well-regarded horse William Butler who created a sensation last year by winning four races in the space of 11 days. When trying to make it five wins in a row, the nine-year-old then had to give best to Snoopy Loopy, owned by Dai Walters whose Walters Group developed Ffos Las Racecourse. The

"Diplomacy rivals prostitution as the oldest profession. Like street-walking, it has never enjoyed a wholly favourable reputation" - Sir Christopher Meyer, former UK ambassador to the United States.

Another mystery foot has washed up on the shores of Canada's pacific coast province of British Columbia, the seventh in the last two years. Of the six others found since August 2007, only one has been identified as belonging to a man believed to have committed suicide. The other feet include a female pair, a male pair and a male right foot.

"What keeps you awake more at night? Is it (Mr Cameron) becoming Prime Minister or Tony Blair becoming president of Europe?" - Tory Peter Bone (Wellingborough) to Gordon Brown in Parliament today.

A homeless Florida man stole a ferret by stuffing it down his trousers. Rodney Bolton, 38, has been charged with theft over the £100 animal police say he took from a pet store in Jacksonville Beach. He also pushed it in a teenager's face which makes the ferret a "special weapon" under state law and he faces a further charge of dangerously wielding it.

Just love the two new Go Compare adverts now on the telly. They feature Carmarthen tenor Wynne Evans. See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/go-compare-classic.html