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

St Dogmaels has a new Pembrokeshire County Councillor. He is Michael James who topped the St Dogmaels by-election on Thursday. The by-election had been called because of the retirement through ill health of the sitting member, Ian Gollop. The full result was * David Griffith Michael James (Independent) - 483 votes. * Alwyn Cadwallader Luke (Independent) - 49 votes * Elfyn Owen Rees (Liberal Democrat) - 163 votes The turn-out was 37 per cent.

Carmarthenshire County Council has congratulated a Llanelli community on its successful bid for lottery funding. Morfa Residents and Tenants Association took part in a televised bid to win £50,000 of Big Lottery cash to create a Spray and Play project at the community’s Havelock Park. Having gone head-to-head with a north Wales project, Morfa won the phone vote to secure the funding which will now be matched to the tune of £48,202 by Carmarthenshire County Council, secured mainly through the Communities Collaboration Fund - a partnership approach to funding between Waste Recycling Environmental (WREN), CWM Environmental, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and the authority. The project aims to regenerate Havelock Park with a bright, colourful water play area that would be open to all people, of all ages. Impressive designs have been drawn up to illustrate the scheme, and with the funding now in place, the splash park could be open by next summer. Cllr Clive Scourfield, executive board m

A Carmarthenshire citizen has been conned out of giving their bank details by a bogus caller. The case is one of a number now being reported where callers have asked people for their bank details on the pretext that they have overpaid their council tax, and are due for a refund. Carmarthenshire’s public protection and finance departments are now warning people not to give out any personal details. Head of Public Protection Philip Davies said: “If anyone receives one of these calls, or receives a visit at their home from anyone claiming to be giving council tax rebates, do not give out any details, and report the incident to us or to the police.” A spate of bogus calls has occurred in recent weeks in other parts of Wales and are now increasing in Carmarthenshire. The bogus caller states that he or she is from the council and that the person has overpaid council tax which needs to be refunded. They then ask for the person’s bank details which they say is needed to make the repayment. Mr

Whitland businesses and the local Memorial Hall committee are hoping to establish a Job Club which would offer a place where local businesses and local people could exchange one-off or part-time work opportunities. The organisation is working with Carmarthenshire County Council regeneration officers to gain financial support for the scheme which it hopes would provide a boost for the local economy. They are holding a taster session at Whitland Memorial Hall on Tuesday, December 8, to explain the scheme and gather local support. Regeneration officers and Workways Employment Support will be at the event to give advice and gather feedback from locals about the proposed Job Club. Group member Gabriela Poore said: “The Whitland Job Club is an informal, local initiative set up to help the community and local businesses. We would like local people to be able to pick up part-time or one-off jobs, earn some extra money or for businesses to get support. It’s all about working together.” The tast

Carmarthen’s St Catherine Street will re-open to traffic at 5pm on Friday December 4. The road was closed on August 24 to enable the final stage of the £74million Carmarthen Mart Development, St Catherine Street, to be carried out. The closure, which for safety reasons was essential, has enabled a major push on the development by the Simons Group. As well as major work in St Catherine Street, traffic calming measures have been provided, creating a 20mph loop round the development formed by Pentrefelin Street, Water Street and Barn Road. The work on these streets has involved the installation of vertical traffic calming measures, and a total of seven speed reducing cushions. County head of transport and engineering Trevor Sage said: “The major re-construction of St Catherine Street will allow greatly improved pedestrian access to the northern side of the development. “St Catherine Street will open to traffic again on December 4 at 5pm to cater for Christmas shopping. “There will be wor

Carmarthenshire County Council has welcomed the proposals by the Welsh Assembly Government to ban vehicles from making right-turns at the Cwmgwili junction of the A48. The local authority had lobbied WAG and council executive board member for highways Cllr Haydn Jones had written to Transport Minister and Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones on the issue. Now the Transport Minister has responded saying that the Cwmgwili junction is a high priority and asking the council to use its powers and procedures to bring in Traffic Regulation Orders to allow the dangerous right-turn manoeuvres into and out of the junction to be prohibited. As soon as these orders are made WAG will then introduce physical changes and modifications to the junctions to make these Traffic Regulation Orders self enforcing. The Cwmgwili junction, where there have been two recent fatal accidents involving right-turn manoeuvres across the central reserve, will be treated as priority in a safety review of junctions on t

Older people across Carmarthenshire will be tucking in to turkey and trimmings in the county’s luncheon clubs and day centres once again this year. Carmarthenshire County Council’s social care department has again agreed to provide a free Christmas meal to members of its luncheon clubs and day centres, and will also be providing the seasonal feast through its Meals on Wheels service. It follows a long tradition of putting on a festive treat for older people in Carmarthenshire. Members are also treated to a range of entertainment, including performances by musicians and local school choirs during their Christmas meal. Executive Board Member for Health and Social Care, Cllr Pat Jones, said: “I am delighted that the council will once again provide a free Christmas meal to members of our day centres and luncheon clubs. “The Christmas dinners are always well attended, and service users have a ball. “We hope that these events will help to spread a little joy to the older people who use our s

The Stebo pitch is in good condition after the heavy overnight rain and with the weather fine and sunny at the moment, tonight's game against Aberystwyth Town should go ahead without any problems. There is some rain forecast around 6pm but that should not affect the playing surface too much. Kick Off is at 7.30pm.

"You may imagine them to be extremely glamorous and exciting. In fact, for me, they are like navigating the first Five Circles of Dante's Hell" - Entertainer Frank Skinner on attending red-carpet film premieres.

Carmarthen Town clubhouse on Wedi7 tonight for Mark Aizelwood book launch. You can catch it again on the web if you miss it.

Taxpayers in Carmarthenshire are being warned about a scam that could see their bank accounts cleared of money. Fraudsters are sending out letters claiming to be from HM Revenue and Customs urging taxpayers to contact them to claim tax refunds. The letter, with an official heading, says that the Tax File Number is valid for only 24 hours for security reasons and emphasises the need for confidentiality. Carmarthenshire County Council head of public protection Philip Davies said: “The email, link and form looks quite authentic and people will provide personal information if they think they can get a refund from HMRC. “If you look closely at the string when you use the link you'll see that there is a '.com' site being used. It would not appear on an authentic HMRC website. This is where the personal information ends up and personal details are sold on or a bank account suddenly empties.”

A workshop was organised by Trinity's University College's Student Services and Students’ Union as a continuing partnership with the Iechyd Da Carmarthen's Youth Health Team. The Iechyd Da project is funded by the Hywel Dda's Health board and its purpose is to promote physical and emotional well being among young people through one-to-one sessions, group and workshop presentations. Photo - Becky Icke, Youth Liaison nurse, Lisa Hadley, Health issues Youth worker, Rhys Parry, Student President, Ryan Evans, Deputy president, Myfanwy Williams, Counsellor.

Carmarthenshire County Council has bought an eyesore derelict house in Garnant so that it can be sold and renovated. The local authority served a Compulsory Purchase Order on the owner of 221, Cwmamman Road, and the sale has now gone through. The local authority’s intention is to sell the property as quickly as possible and there are already a number of potential buyers. The move was welcomed by deputy leader Cllr Kevin Madge who said it was good news for the local community and a warning to other owners who allow their properties to become derelict. “This house has been in a terrible state for a long time and I’m delighted that the council has now bought it. We need to ensure that the site is cleared up quickly. “This serves as a warning to other owners who allow their properties to become derelict and a blight on the community. I hope that in the future we will similar action over other houses that have been allowed to get into this condition. “The council’s action is good news for t

Marukyu of Japan has made the decision to locate the UK and European arm of its business in Carmarthenshire. The firm - the biggest manufacturers of fishing baits in the world - will be based at a new prestigious site in Parc Hendre, just outside Ammanford, from December 1, 2009. Around 20 job opportunities will be created initially, with scope for further employment in the future. Headed up by industry stalwart John Loftus, with backing from brand-expert Christos Papadopoulos and fishery and tackle guru Roy Marlow, the brand is set to make a massive impact in the UK market over the coming months. The company has a very strong ecological and environmental ethos – its products provide good nutrition for fish, something that is not the case with many types of bait. When used in significant amounts, poorly formulated baits can jeopardise the heath and welfare of fish, as well as producing adverse conditions in enclosed bodies of water. The move to Carmarthenshire has seen a genuine pa

Members of Carmarthenshire County Council have been given training on the importance of maintaining the diversity of the natural environment. Biodiversity is moving up the council’s agenda now that 23 councillors have recently attended training seminars highlighting the projects being carried out under the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP). The plan seeks to conserve and enhance the species and habitats that exist in the county, and the duties placed on local authorities by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006. Councillors visited the Morfa Berwick site where the Llanelli Water Vole Action Group has been improving the habitat for this severely threatened species on council-owned land. They also heard about the Afon Tywi, its importance in a European context, and the rarer species it supports. The Tywi Afon yr Oesoedd Project, part funded by the Lottery, is working with landowners to enhance the landscape of the valley by managing its hedgerows, planting fie

Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan is using the skills he honed in the game to create modern art. The 35-year-old batsman's work bears a striking resemblance to that of American abstract impressionist painter Jackson Pollock, who was famous for splattering canvases with bright colours. But instead of using a paint brush, Vaughan has either bowled, batted or thrown, in the style of a fielder, cricket balls covered in paint against a black canvas. The new technique is known as art-balling and he has named his paintings to reflect the cricketing theme.

"She's crazy, isn't she? She's kind of like Cruella de Vil on helium" - I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! evictee Colin McAllister on fellow camp mate Kim Woodburn.

More Carmarthenshire children have signed up to kick-start their day the healthy way. Children at Bancyfelin Primary School, Carmarthen, have joined their school breakfast club so that they can tuck in to a healthy breakfast with friends before their school day begins. Carmarthenshire County Council has one of the highest uptakes of breakfast clubs in Wales, and Bancyfelin Primary School has become the latest school to sign up. Run by Carmarthenshire Catering Service, the Primary Free Breakfast Initiative is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government. The clubs are open from 8am, and pupils can enjoy a free breakfast consisting of a choice of non sugar-coated cereal, toast, fruit and a glass of milk or fruit juice. It was first introduced in Carmarthenshire in September 2004, when eight schools were involved. Since then additional schools have joined and to date there are 106 participating schools. Catering services manager Sandra Weigel said: “We are delighted that so many schools are re

Felinfoel is gearing up for the switch-on of the community’s Christmas lights. The event, on Friday, December 4, is being organised by the Felinfoel Events Committee, and supported by the local Communities First team. There will be plenty of seasonal activities, including a Nativity procession and carol singing at the Mill Wheel, as well as a visit from Father Christmas. Festivities kick off at 6pm. Everyone is welcome, with free activities for children and free mince pies and refreshments at the Church Hall. The nativity procession will start from the Felinfoel Family Centre. Those taking part are asked to meet at 5pm. Communities First development officer Amy Wakefield said: “The events committee has done a fantastic job organising this Christmas event. “We hope people will support the event, which is set to be a family occasion with plenty of festive spirit to get everyone in the mood.” The Communities First programme is aimed at helping to regenerate the most deprived communities i

More pictures from True Taste of Wales awards. See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/cwrw-is-top-welsh-drink.html The scene at Abergavenny Market Hall. Simon Buckley with his Gold award for Cwrw!

In a free concert at the University of Wales, Lampeter, this November, the Nanjing University Orchestra will provide a rare opportunity to hear indigenous melodies from the Chinese province of Southern Jiangsu, as well as traditional pieces reflecting the unique character of other regions. Specialising in recreating the authentic sound of traditional Chinese music on instruments such bamboo flute and zheng, better known in the west as the zither, the orchestra has received world-wide praise for their refreshing and original rendering of traditional Chinese folk songs and dance music. Founded in 1996, Nanjing University Traditional Instrument Orchestra is composed of a group of dedicated undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students from various departments of the university, such as Literature, History, Philosophy, Law, Economics, Business Management, Natural Sciences, Engineering Science and Medical Science. The amateur orchestra has toured the United States, Japan, Korea and Malaysia

Mond Cup Final between Ammanford v Carmarthen has been postponed this evening. New date to be arranged. See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/carmarthen-soccer-date.html

A warning has been sounded about rogue taxi drivers as the Christmas party season approaches. Licensing chiefs at the local authority are urging people across Carmarthenshire to stay safe when they use a cab. They fear unlicensed drivers will be cashing in as growing numbers of people need taxis over the busy festive period. The Cab Safe scheme run by Carmarthenshire Council will ensure people get a safe ride home over the coming weeks. All people have to do is to text the word Cab to 83222 to get the numbers of the three nearest licensed taxi firms in their location anywhere in the county. This scheme has now also been rolled out in 8 local authorities across Wales, including Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion. It is thought initiatives of this nature will help, as cabbies will be in high demand over the coming weeks as partygoers decide to drink and not drive. More people are also out shopping and the cold weather means less will be inclined to walk home or wait at bus stops. Licensing off

The Wales Semi Professional team had to settle for a point in their opening International Challenge Trophy match in Shamrock Park, Belfast, last night. The young Welsh side battled tirelessly with nine-men after Neath's Sean Cronin and Airbus UK's Ryan Edwards were shown straight red cards by local referee Stephen Weatherall. The Reds made a great start when Haverfordwest striker Jack Christopher scored a clinical header from a dangerous Scott Barrow corner after just three minutes. Shortly afterwards, Steven Cann made an excellent save from ex-Wrexham winger Michael Carvill. Christopher then overstretched a hamstring and was replaced by Craig Moses on 15 minutes and it was the sub who scored the Welsh second. Captain Craig Jones made a trademark break down the right and his centre was laid on a plate for Moses to tap home on 24 minutes. Just three minutes later, the hosts responded with an excellently struck free-kick from Daryl Fordyce into the top left corner. Cronin was dis

"They cannot do reading. They cannot do arithmetic. They cannot do writing" - Marks & Spencer chairman Sir Stuart Rose on the millions of school and college leavers who, he claims, are "not fit for work".

A petrol station manager has been forced to keep his Marmite supplies behind the counter after a spate of thefts of the spread. The Spar shop at the Northamptonshire petrol station was targeted by a thief who struck several times, each time stealing nothing but a number of jars of Marmite, forecourt manager Jim Keary said. Mr Keary, 54, from Northampton, has decided to restock the spread at the Shell garage in Kingsthorpe after losing £50 from the thefts - but this time will only serve it from behind the till.

The official launch of Mark Aizlewood's autobiography - 'Amddiffyn fy hun' - will be at Carmarthen Town Football Club Clubhouse, Richmond Park, Carmarthen, on Thursday evening 26th November 2009. Kick-off is 7:00pm. Admission is free. Welcome to all. There will be an opportunity to ask the author about his professional football career and his time at Carmarthen. Contact Number 01267 233359

The Mond Cup Final featuring Ammanford v Carmarthen is on Wednesday evening 25th November 2009 at Richmond Park. KO 7:00pm. Admission £2.00, Senior Citizens £1.00, Children free.

Carmarthenshire Trading Standards Service is backing an urgent appeal urging people to check their cookers. The service is supporting the appeal by the Trading Standards Institute urging customers to check their cooker make and model. Thousands of consumers remain at risk from potentially fatal carbon monoxide poisoning in their homes despite concerted efforts by the manufacturer and trading standards to reach them. Earlier this year it emerged that a number of Leisure, Flavel, New World and Belling cookers produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide if the grill door is not left open during use, as specified in the instructions. Since then nearly 40,000 of these appliances sold have been tracked down and modified thanks to extensive advertising, mail-outs, safety notices sent with energy bills, phone calls and home visits. But more than 25,000 homes still have one of these cookers, which could produce extremely dangerous levels of carbon monoxide should the grill be operated with the

Offering unsafe children’s motorbikes for sale has cost a Cross Hands businessman and his firm more than £26,000. Rajbit Singh Kullar and Kullars Ltd pleaded guilty to offences of offering unsafe products for sale and trade mark offences. Swansea Crown Court was told that the offences involved a business venture that imports and sells mini motor bikes. Kullar, who is predominantly active in the hotel and public house businesses, decided to import the children’s bikes and sell them via his website and ebay. A complaint received by Carmarthenshire Trading Standards as to the quality of the bikes led to warrants being executed and the seizure of the mini bikes. On subsequent expert examination the bikes were shown to be in a dangerous and unsafe condition, with any use potentially resulting in serious injury. In addition some of the bikes were illegally using the Honda trade mark, to falsely indicate that the bikes were made or approved by Honda, when this was not the case. The case had b

Licensing officers and police in Carmarthenshire are gearing up for the festive period by undertaking enforcement visits to licensed premises. Officers are reminding licensees and their staff of their responsibilities with regards to the sale of alcohol and its effects on customers. Carmarthenshire County Council head of public protection Philip Davies said: “We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to join the fun without celebrations getting out of hand. “I would urge the owners of licensed venues to avoid happy hours, drinks specials and promotional offers that encourage people to drink more - and drink faster - than they normally would and to be extra vigilant about serving to under-age customers or anyone who appears to be drunk.” Since the introduction of the Licensing Act 2003, premises have been licensed for a variety of activities, extended permitted hours and have specific licence conditions. Licensees and their staff are expected to know what is contained on their

Four local authorities in South West Wales celebrated an important milestone this week - reaching the £150 million mark in investment. Working together as the Regional Partnership Forum for South West Wales, the four councils - Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Swansea and Pembrokeshire - are successfully delivering a range of collaborative projects funded by the EU's Convergence programme through the Welsh Assembly Government. Communities across the area are now benefitting from a wide range of schemes, which include those to help people find long-term employment and learn new skills; to help small businesses flourish despite the recession, and to help developers to continue with major regeneration projects. The Partnership is currently delivering eight collaborative projects. They include: * the South West Wales Property Development Fund which provides grant aid to developers across the region, providing them with ‘gap funding' to encourage the development of high quality b

Former Llanelli Reds defender Stephen Evans has returned to the club after being initially left out of the squad by manager Andy Legg. Evans is now a part-time fireman in Blackwood in Gwent and rejoins the squad as a replacement for Rory Smitham, who has left the club by mutual consent. The next Reds home match is on Friday against Aberystwyth in the Welsh Premier League, kick-off 7.30pm at Stebonheath.

A group of women have been given a taste of the construction industry – thanks to the Pink Ladies Pilot Scheme. They had the chance to try their hand at plumbing, plastering, tiling and carpentry. Carmarthenshire County Council, the Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association, and Coleg Sir Gar joined forces to encourage young women to enter the construction industry. The Pink Ladies Pilot Scheme was launched as part of the council and college’s new partnership with the Construction Youth Trust. The CYT is a registered charity which acts to connect local communities with local construction employers. The aim of the organisation is to attract young people aged 16 to 30 into the construction industry. Carmarthenshire County Council is investing £203m into the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard to refurbish its entire council housing stock and an important part of the project is creating employment for local people and training and encouraging young people, including young women, to tak

Rural businesses in Carmarthenshire are to benefit from a new £300,000 grant fund being launched by Carmarthenshire County Council. The Village Improvement Grant will breathe new life in to town and village centres by providing funding to enable micro enterprises to improve property frontages. A pot of cash will be available for eligible businesses, funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, and the Welsh Assembly Government’s Rural Development Plan, supported by Carmarthenshire County Council. Physical Regeneration Project Manager Vivienne Davies said: “The fund is open to sole traders, partnerships, private companies and community businesses that are based, or wish to be based, in Carmarthenshire’s rural villages and towns. “Priority will be given to applications that work in partnership with neighbouring properties to develop envelope schemes in order that the scheme has a bigger environmental impact. “Applicants demonstrating a need for support can secure up to

Wales Semi-Professional Team Manager Terry Boyle has had to make five late changes to his squad to face Northern Ireland at Portadown on Tuesday in Wales' first group match in the International Challenge Trophy competition. Five players from the original squad pulled out over the weekend with injuries or club call-ups. The team met up on Saturday evening in Cardiff but were hampered with the withdrawal of five players on the day. Captain Lee Surman (ankle and knee) and Owain Warlow (ankle) both sustained injuries in their Welsh Premier games over the weekend and are ruled out. At first, both were suspected to have suffered fractures but Llanelli and Wales physio Chris Miller has confirmed that neither have sustained breaks, but they will be ruled out for several weeks. Full-back Kai Edwards has been brought into the Wrexham squad for their Conference League match on Tuesday, so the teenager has been withdrawn and Michael Pearson of Barrow has also been withdrawn late by his club fo

Llanelli under-19s began their Macwhirter Welsh League Youth Division league campaign in style on as they produced an emphatic second half performance to beat fellow Welsh Premier side Port Talbot Town 8-0 at Stebonheath Park. During the first half the visitors managed to keep the home side at bay apart from an eighth minute goal from Craig Frater, who chipped the keeper from close range. For the remainder of the first period, Port Talbot frustrated the young Reds, who failed to produce their usual free flowing football, by defending in numbers and prevented any further clear cut scoring opportunities. The second half was a completely different affair, with Llanelli producing a superb display of football, scoring a further seven goals without reply. Kieran Hayes started the rout in the 48thminute, when he scored after a fine team move. Three minutes later, Craig Frater got onto the scorsheet again when he played a neat one two with Hayes before hitting the net from 8 yards. Hayes got t

Llwynhendy Children’s Centre leads the way in developing young people’s self-esteem and body image. The Centre’s ‘Girly Group’ has learnt that feeling good and looking good can have a huge impact on young girls’ confidence and have shown that it’s possible for everyone to look their best. The ‘Girly Group’ was established to organise a nine-week ‘Revamp and Revive’ programme. The Programme was established by image consultant and child development officer, Hayley Wheeler. The series of workshops are aimed to develop an understanding of self-esteem and inner self worth. The Girls have enjoyed a hair styling session at ‘Funky Divas’ of Llangennech and a fashion session at New Look, Trostre Park. Other workshops throughout the programme have included relationships, substance misuse teenage pregnancy debates. “Girly Group” Member, Kelsey said:“This has been a great programme. We’ve had so much fun and we all feel a lot more confident. “We’ve been open with each other and we’ve encouraged o

Members of Cwmamman youth club spent time in France as part of a twinning project. Twelve young people and youth workers form the Amman and Gwendraeth team stayed in Brittany and learnt about the French culture and how the Brittany Council functioned for young people. The Twinning Project aims to establish close insights into how young people in their countries live, helping to increase an understanding of their European neighbours. This summer, French youths got the opportunity to visit Carmarthenshire and got a true taste of the Welsh culture. Sarann Richards, Detached Youth Worker, said:“Thanks to funds from the British Council and the Lefever Trust a number of young people are being given fantastic opportunities to visit different countries. “The young people have gained an appreciation for their country and heritage and have developed respect for other cultures. “Good relationships have been built and we’re looking forward to developing twinning projects between the two countries

A taste of success was in the air when Carmarthenshire pupils came together to celebrate their involvement in the Healthy Schools scheme. The Healthy Schools Celebration event was held at Carmarthen’s Halliwell Centre where schoolchildren celebrated their schools’ success in attaining its Healthy Schools plaque. Pupils were entertained by comical children’s entertainment act Jugglestruck, and also saw a live wormery at work by Eco Schools, showing how being healthy and eco-friendly can work together. The event ended with a presentation of plaques to 33 schools that had been successful in attaining the Healthy Schools Award this year. Carmarthenshire schools joined the national scheme, funded by the Welsh Assembly, in 2001. Every school in the county is now pursuing various healthy actions to achieve Healthy Schools accreditation. The scheme aims to educate children on a range of health related issues, including nutrition, as well as sexual and emotional health. Carmarthenshire’s Health

Young people from the Carmarthen Youth Centre have been collecting books for Age Concern to help the charity raise funds to continue its work in Carmarthenshire. Age Concern, a charity aimed at providing help and care for older people, have been collecting books of any size, description, new or old to help continue with their work. As well as helping a much needed local charity, the young people have developed a greater respect for older people and are eager to continue to help the charity in the future. Roger Wilson, Carmarthenshire Council’s Youth Leader said:“Supporting a local charity like Age Concern helps to bridge the gap between the younger and older generations. “The young people have enjoyed giving up their free time to collect books and hope that their contributions will go a long way in helping Age Concern.” Carmarthen Youth Centre offers a wide range of activities and projects to young people between the ages of 11-25. To get involved, or for further information, please co

Every secondary school in the Carmarthensire now has a youth worker as a way of engaging young people facing difficulties in personal, social and educational learning. The aim of this approach is to increase and enhance self-esteem, self-confidence, aspirations and achievement. Youth workers compliment and support the work of schools, ranging from alternative curriculum provision initiatives to delivering accredited programmes within the school. Young people can also discuss confidential issues and receive advice from youth workers during lunch time drop-in sessions as well as receiving information on what projects and activities are available to them outside of school. Councillor Gwynne Wooldridge, Executive Board Member for Children and Eduication Services said:“Having youth workers in schools can enhance many areas of the school curriculum. This can include contributions to personal, social and health education and alternative educational programmes in order to address the current n

"I wouldn't want to be within two miles of that lot, let alone trapped in a building with them for several hours. The amount of hairspray alone could well constitute a fire hazard" - Broadcaster Janet Street-Porter on the number of divas likely to be performing at the Royal Variety Show.

A leading hotel chain has introduced a special mother-in-law rate for the festive season, aimed at families wanting to "offload" certain relatives this Christmas. Holiday Inn said it hoped the idea would help reduce stress levels in the busy days just before and after December 25. A 25% discount will be offered between December 23 and 29 for mothers-in-law staying at any of the 194 Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express hotels across the UK.

The skies of Ammanford will be lit up with a glittering array of lanterns at the start of the town’s Christmas festivities. Local children are being encouraged to join in lantern-making workshops ahead of the town’s Christmas Carnival on Friday, December 4. The lanterns will be released in to the night skies before the carnival parade to provide a magical backdrop to the evening’s activities, which include a walking parade and a grand fireworks display. Father Christmas will also be brought in to town on a horse drawn carriage before he opens his Grotto in the Pensioner’s Hall. Radio Carmarthenshire and Ammanford Town Band will provide a host of musical entertainment on the night, and a funfair and street entertainers, including balloon modelling and magic and Uncle Sam stilt walker, will provide plenty of fun and games for all the family. The event is being organised as a partnership between Carmarthenshire County Council and Ammanford Town Council, and is sponsored this year by natio

The Christmas festivities will get underway in Carmarthen this weekend with two days packed full of seasonal entertainment. The fun will start on Friday night, November 27th, with the annual Christmas fayre and switch-on of the town lights. Radio Carmarthenshire will have a live music stage, and will be joined by a host of local entertainment acts. Carmarthen Town Wind Band and Cor Seingar will also provide a musical backdrop to the carnival events, which will include a lantern parade, stilt walkers and street entertainers. The event is a joint venture between Carmarthenshire County Council, Carmarthen Town Council and and Menter Gorllewin Sir Gar. Day two of the festivities will take place on Saturday, November 28, with a reindeer parade and Sion Corn Grotto. A parade of Sion Corn, his reindeer and elves will be joined by civic dignitaries, Cefn Fforest Jazz Band and street dancers through King Street and on to Nott Square for the first parade, before stopping for a rest at his grotto

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones has officially launched a £2.4million project, aimed at conserving and celebrating the Tywi Valley. Tywi Afon Yr Oesoedd (Tywi a River Through Time) is a partnership funded heritage project, led by Carmarthenshire County Council, which will create a legacy for future generations by safeguarding the valley’s rich and unique landscape, biodiversity and history. The project has received £1.5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £557,378 from the Rural Development Plan, and support from the Countryside Council for Wales, Menter Bro Dinefwr and National Trust. It has already made great strides in the area by engaging with local people through a series of events planned under the four different elements of the project – volunteering, landscape and biodiversity, learning and interpretation and sustainable building. The project was launched at the Canolfan Tywi Centre, the centrepiece of the project, which is housed in two converted barns at Dinefwr Farm, o

Welsh Assembly Finance Minister Andrew Davies has visited Carmarthen to officially launch a third sector procurement support unit. The unit has been created to bring together relevant specialists from Carmarthenshire County Council, Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services, Hywel Dda Health Board and various other partners to support the third sector (charity/voluntary sector) when tendering for public service delivery contracts. The unit will either be able to help with any procurement or commissioning related enquiries itself or will be able to help locate the appropriate support. The unit was launched at The Mount, the voluntary resource centre run by CAVS in Carmarthen. Mr Davies is pictured with Rhodri Walters, rural comissioning project officer for CAVS; CAVS Chair Cllr Mair Stephens; and CAVS deputy director Cris Tomos. Picture Jeff Connell

Following a visit to Ammanford Police Station, young people from the Betws area have been educated on the consequences of anti social behaviour and what happens when an arrest is made. The workshop, delivered by PC Kevin Jones and PCSO Sharee Treharne, was arranged by Amman and Gwendraeth youth workers to try and break down barriers between the young people and their local Neighbourhood Policing Team. Young people had a question and answer session with Police officers and had a real insight as to what a night in the cells would be like and the process of what happens after an arrest has been made. Sarann Richards, Detached Youth Worker said:“This was a good experience for the young people as they learnt what could happen to them as a result of anti social behaviour and what seems like fun at the time of a crime can have very serious implications. “With Christmas fast approaching, and more crimes tend to be committed during the festivities, we felt that this was a good time to raise awa

"We are in a country where the X Factor is much more an agenda for people than homelessness is. Even the Prime Minister talks about the X Factor" - The Office star Martin Freeman.

Police in the US said a man was drunk when he hopped on a lawn tractor and drove it to buy more beer. Ford Earl Broome, 63, of Export, Pennsylvania, was stopped by a state trooper near a tavern, and was questioned because he smelled of alcohol and appeared to be drunk. Broome denied drinking, but then acknowledged he "drank a little" before driving the tractor to a bar to buy more beer. Police said Broome's blood-alcohol content was about double the state's legal limit for drivers.

Roy Noble on Cwrw's True Taste of Wales award. Clip from last Friday's Radio Wales show - http://www.box.net/index.php?rm=box_mp3_player_run&id=f_358737992&name=RoyNoble.mp3&myfiles=1

Click on the link for a clip of Val Newton talking to Shan Cothi on Radio Wales about her Wales Romania Aid charity. http://www.box.net/index.php?rm=box_mp3_player_run&id=f_358738616&name=ValNewton1.mp3&myfiles=1