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

"Personally, I've been more impressed by these tales of the volcanic Gordon Brown than I was by his teeth-and-tears performance on the Piers Morgan show. I prefer him as the god of thunder" - Entertainer Frank Skinner.

Forget The Byrds and The Eagles... now you can listen to the finches. An installation at the Barbican Centre brings new meaning to air guitar as 40 tiny zebra finches make music as they swoop down on instruments. French artist Celeste Boursier-Mougenot created a walk-in aviary which was unveiled at The Curve Gallery within the north London arts complex.

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Politicians feeling like Twits after hacker sends saucy update Oh dear!

BBC Sport - Rugby Union - Mixed emotions for Wales boss Warren Gatland Mixed up? Join the club Warren.

The following trainers with Welsh connections have runners today - Dai Burchell 6:55 Warwick Babilu B Wharfe David Evans 14:00 Southwell Boundless Prospect (USA) A Heffernan 16:45 Southwell Bosamcliff (IRE) A Heffernan Evan Wlliams 16:55 Warwick Lukie Victor (IRE) Jody McGarvey Ian Williams 14:00 Southwell Doubnov (FR) S Drowne 14:30 Southwell Fandango Boy S Donohoe 18:40 Wolverhampton Sedgwick S Donohoe

Journalism jobs and news from Holdthefrontpage.co.uk Friday Funnies from Hold The Front Page.

The July to December 2009 sale figures for daily newspapers have been posted by the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC). They are (the percentages are comparisons with the same period the previous year) - Daily Post, North Wales 32,804 -5.0pc South Wales Argus 25,035 - 7.6pc Evening Leader, Wrexham 18,363 - 8.5pc South Wales Evening Post 43,664 - 8.8pc Western Mail 30,133 -10.6pc South Wales Echo 36,928 -11.1pc See earlier post on weekly newspaper sales - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/tough-times-for-weekly-papers.html

With Airbus UK one point behind Carmarthen Town AFC in 11th position, Town Chairman Jeff Thomas has made a special appeal to fans to come and support the Richmond Park outfit to ensure the club retains Welsh Premier status next season. “The magnificence of all our achievements at Richmond Park both on and off the field will count for nothing if we fail to qualify for next season’s restructured elite League,” he said. “We currently stand one point within the qualification spot and Saturday’s game against Airbus UK will be a key game as they are only one point behind us. "Whilst our away performances have been credible, undefeated over the past eight games many of our home games have been disappointingly inept. “Instead of staying away from games, I urge our supporters to turn up in strength next Saturday. "I ask them not to be critical but to raise their voices in support as we can all play a part in victory both on and off the field of play”. Town have now been in the Welsh P

"I took more hell for being fat than I did for being an absolute raging drug addict. I will never understand that" - Kelly Osbourne, daughter of rocker Ozzy Osbourne.

A variety of English rhubarb joined the ranks of champagne and Parma ham by having its name legally protected, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced. Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb was awarded Protected Designation of Origin status by an EU scheme which aims to protect regional and traditional foods throughout Europe. It means only companies who produce the vegetable - in this case in the so-called "rhubarb triangle" between Bradford, Wakefield and Leeds - can use the name, guaranteeing the product is authentic and preventing imitation throughout Europe.

Six members of the Band of the Royal Marines Plymouth performed to pupils at Birchgrove Comprehensive School in Swansea. The link between the school and the marines comes through the Mark Jones Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is an annual prize from the City and County of Swansea’s Music Service in memory of Mark Jones, a member of the Band of the Royal Marines who was killed in 1989 when the IRA attacked barracks in Deale, Kent. Mr Jones’s niece and nephew, Ashleigh and Thomas Braddock, are pupils at the school. Mr Ian Davies, the Marines Recruiting Officer, was a friend and colleague and was delighted to be able to play in front of such an appreciative audience. The band’s enthusiasm spilled over into the audience as they clapped and danced along with the wonderful sounds which filled the school theatre. Mr Chris Jones, Head of Music, said “It was a great opportunity for our pupils to witness first hand such quality playing. “We are very grateful to the band for remembering Mr

The downturn in local newspaper readership shows no sign of slowing in the weekly market where just 22 out of 401 paid-for or part-paid-for titles in the UK recorded positive sales growth between July and December last year. The average circulation fall across the sector was 5.8 per cent compared to the same period in 2008. The figures were compiled by the Audit Bureau of Circulation, ABC. The best-selling Welsh titles were as follows (percentages are year on year changes) - Wales on Sunday 32,268 -10.3% Western Telegraph 22,487 -4.7% Carmarthen Journal 18,576 -5.3% Glamorgan Gazette (Series) 18,149 -10.0% North Wales Weekly News (Series) 14,920 -7.4% Merthyr Express (Series) 14,177 -13.5% Llanelli Star 13,880 -4.3% Caernarfon & Denbigh Herald (Series) 12,349 -5.9% Rhondda Leader 9,944 -14.6% Holyhead & Anglesey Mail 8,778 -6.2% Pontypridd & Llantrisant Observer 8,455 -18.4% Newport Advertiser (Series) 7,869 -6.8% Cynon Valley Leader 7,618 -16.9% Gwent Gazette 7,549 -24.8%

Who has Britain's most-smelly urine? Thorpe Park has decided to find out - and wants visitors to provide smelly urine samples. The theme park is looking for bodily waste that most accurately replicates the qualities of the SAW horror films Visitors to the theme park will be offered the opportunity to urinate in small plastic pots at special 'deposit booths', which will then be judged for odour - with the most disgusting urinator winning £500, and the unparalleled honour of having their wee's smell recreated for a new attraction at the park. Those hoping to achieve immortality in this way are advised by the theme park that good ways of making your urine more pungent include drinking alcohol or coffee, deliberately dehydrating yourself, and eating salty or sugary foods, garlic, or most of all asparagus. (Although they should probably bear in mind that it's thought only about one fifth of the population is genetically capable of smelling the odour produced by eating as

"I don't want to be rude but, really, you have the charisma of a damp rag and the appearance of a low-grade bank clerk and the question I want to ask is: who are you? I'd never heard of you, nobody in Europe had ever heard of you" - Ukip MEP Nigel Farage launches an attack on the EU's new president, Herman van Rompuy.

Evan Evans slams 'poor' Welsh brewers - General News - Morning Advertiser See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/record-sales-for-llandeilo-brewery.html

Carmarthen Town AFC has unveiled an exciting new range of sponsorship opportunities which will appeal to a wide spectrum, ranging from individual fans to major businesses. The Welsh Premier League side has spent the last 12 months developing its clubhouse and community programme and is now gearing up to challenge for a place in European competitions. Sponsorship deals are now being arranged for a whole host of different packages linked to Carmarthen Town AFC, a team regularly featured on S4C’s Sgorio programme and in other TV, press, radio and internet coverage of the Welsh Premier League. Sponsorship is available at all levels, from the naming rights for the Richmond Park stadium and the main team and shirt sponsors to support for match-day hospitality packages, match balls and players. “We have something to suit everyone – no matter how big or small their wallet!” said club chairman Jeff Thomas. “Carmarthen Town AFC has always prided itself on being a club with great community roots.

Enjoyed the snippets column from Aled Jones in the Carmarthen Town AFC match programme last Saturday. The snippets included - Almost half of the Blackburn Rovers Team of Season 1952-53 had surnames of future British Prime Ministers - Wilson, Callaghan, Heath, Thatcher and Brown! In the Arsenal v Bolton Wanderers match in the season 1910-1, Willie Thompson, playing in the all-red Jersey of Arsenal had his right sleeve completely torn off by an opponent's foul challenge. Thompson was so 'buoyed' by the desecration of his shirt that he subsequently scored a 'hat-trick'! So prominent and white was his visible right arm that it was considered a 'lucky-omen' by the chairman and so the famous Arsenal kit of today was born! The Sheffield Wednesday full back of the 60s and 70s Wilf Smith was really Wolfgang Schmidt from Wolfsbui, Germany, who believed that the 'adoption' of the name Wilf Smith was more appropriate for the English game! Plymouth Argyle are so-

Haverfordwest Kayak Club has received a welcome boost, thanks to a £2,500 Well-being Activity Grant from Pembrokeshire Council. The grant has enabled the club to buy equipment for adult beginners including buoyancy aids and two kayaks, and other equipment to help with setting up a junior section. It has also helped with the cost of training seven members to become Level One coaches. "This grant has been a fantastic bonus to the club, enabling us to offer a wider range of activities and improving the quality of coaching," said Philip Williams, Chairman. "Having a junior section has injected a whole new group of enthusiastic young members into the club and they are already progressing well thanks to the council's support and the fantastic facilities and staff at the new leisure centre." The grant was awarded by the Welsh Assembly Government to support well-being activities in the Health Challenge Pembrokeshire strategy. * Haverfordwest Kayak Club will be running

The following trainers with Welsh connections have runners today - Peter Bowen 15:40 Doncaster Yes Sir (IRE) D Devereux Dai Burchell 14:55 Ludlow Turbo Shandy Christian Williams Rebecca Curtis 15:30 Ludlow Marodima (FR) Mr A Conlon 17:05 Ludlow Call Me Mulligan (IRE) Mr A Conlon David Evans 14:20 Ludlow No Wonga Christian Williams 14:55 Ludlow Jordan's Light (USA) A Glassonbury 15:20 Lingfield Ana Moutabahi S Donohoe 15:30 Ludlow Novikov A Glassonbury 16:05 Ludlow Dune Raider (USA) K James 17:05 Ludlow I'm In The Pink (FR) L Stephens 17:30 Kempton Rapid City I Mongan 19:00 Kempton Timeteam (IRE) I Mongan 20:00 Kempton Transfixed (IRE) I Mongan Will Goldsworthy 14:20 Ludlow Putney Bridge D Jacob 17:05 Ludlow Prescelli (IRE) D Jacob Mrs DA Hamer 14:20 Ludlow Superfly Felix De Giles Alison Thorpe 13:50 Ludlow Mtoto's Prince J W Farrelly 14:20 Ludlow Tabaran (FR) O Dayman 15:30 Ludlow Nortonthorpe La

Pupils at Portfield School in Haverfordwest have given top marks to a new crossing island installed in Snowdrop Lane. The crossing island and dropped kerbs either side provided by Pembrokeshire County Council has enabled pupils to cross with more ease and safety. The County Council has also introduced several dropped kerbs between Portfield School and local facilities, which help pupils to navigate their way around. Pupils Rebecca Havard and Ryan Jordan said the road improvements had made getting around easier. "The pupils often visit local shops as part of their studies and the crossing island and dropped kerbs are really helpful," added Alison Swain, teacher and school council co-ordinator. The suggestions were put forward after a 16-year-old member of the School Council visited a local Student Voice Conference. He subsequently encouraged other members to suggest improvements to their local community. The School Council members put together a questionnaire and circulated it

"Do you want some docile type of person who is just not going to have any spirit about them or do you want someone who has got a bit of fire in their belly, who will react, who will get a bit emotional sometimes? That is not bullying as far as I am concerned" - Lord Sugar defends Prime Minister Gordon Brown as the "bullying" row continues.

A retired police officer told how a bird box which resembles a speed camera has helped to stop traffic speeding through his village. Bill Angus, 64, attached the yellow box to a pole at the front of his property on the Sunderland Road, near Houghton-le-Spring in Durham. He said the speed limit along the Sunderland Road was 30mph but motorists regularly raced along it at 70mph because there were no cameras in place.

I am grateful to my brother-in-law Ashley for the following - Once again, The Washington Post has published the winning submissions to its yearly neologism contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternative meanings for common words. The winners are: 1. Coffee (n.), the person upon whom one coughs. 2. Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained. 3. Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach. 4. Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk. 5. Willy-nilly (adj.), impotent. 6. Negligent (adj.), a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightgown. 7. Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp. 8. Gargoyle (n), olive-flavoured mouthwash. 9. Flatulence (n.) emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller. 10. Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline. 11. Testicle (n.), a humorous question on an exam. 12. Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists. 13. Pokemon

A pilot scheme aimed at introducing children to sport and activity in a fun way has proved so popular that another course will start on February 27th. The Sportstart scheme for five to seven-year-olds will take place on Saturday mornings at Haverfordwest Leisure Centre. "Sportstart introduces an often overlooked age group to sport and activity," said Councillor Rob Lewis, Cabinet Member for Cultural Services, Sports, Leisure and Tourism. "It aims to help develop movement skills such as agility, balance and co-ordination, including correct running, jumping, twisting, catching, throwing, kicking and striking." Parents whose children attended the pilot scheme said they really enjoyed the course. Comments included ‘Staff were friendly and managed the children well', ‘A very good introduction to sports activities for youngsters', and ‘The staff were excellent'. The project, which is run by qualified teachers and learning support assistants, also helps childre

One of the delights of reading the Carmarthen Town AFC match programme is catching up on the latest from Alan Latham and his 'In a league of his own' column. The latest programme from the Caersws game is worth a wider airing. Alan wrote - I have a lot of sympathy for referees, especially these days when they are under the television microscope and it takes about three slow-motion replays to prove they have made the wrong decision. But, saying that, I was really bemused at the Liberty Stadium over Christmas when Swansea's Albert Serran in the match against Crystal Palace was sent off for foul play when, to my mind, the offence had looked pretty innocuous indeed. Still, Serran left the field in a dignified manner, although Manager Paulo Sousa did seem to create a bit of a rumpus at the end of the game. Unlike the scenario at Hillsborough in 1998 when Paolo di Canio incurred the wrath of referee Paul Alcock while playing for Arsenal by being sent off for his part in a brawl be

Carmarthenshire is taking part in a national awareness week to increase parents’ knowledge of the laws surrounding private fostering arrangements. Throughout this week, Carmarthenshire County Council’s fostering teams will be speaking to parents to explain the rules around private foster care, and the arrangements they have to put in place to ensure the safety of their children. A Private Fostering Arrangement is when a young person aged under 16, or 18 if they are disabled, is placed in the care of another adult who is not a close relative for 28 days or more. A close relative is an aunt, uncle, step-parent, grandparent or sibling, but not a cousin, grand aunt or uncle, or a family friend. If such an arrangement is put in place, the parent has a legal obligation to inform the local authority at least six weeks before it is due to start. Jackie Sloane, Carmarthenshire’s fostering recruitment team manager, said: “Parents have a responsibility to ensure that their child is in a suitable

The following trainers with Welsh connections have runners today - David Evans 14:10 Lingfield Lyster (IRE) P Doe 14:40 Lingfield Tuscan King Hayley Turner 15:40 Lingfield Vhujon (IRE) Kevin Lundie 16:10 Lingfield Goodbye Cash (IRE) P Doe 17:10 Lingfield Foreign Investment (IRE) P Doe Matthew Salaman 16:10 Lingfield Monashee Rock (IRE) L Keniry Evan Williams 15:50 Taunton Prince Massini (IRE) Paul Moloney

Vital services for families will be sustained thanks to a £2,000 grant from Llanelli Rural Council to the Carmarthenshire Youth and Children's Association. A letter to the council from CYCA's Tracy Pike states: "This year has been a very difficult one as we have needed to find funding for capital works including a dangerous wall and leaking roof."

BBC News - Communities First 'not good value' for £214 million

"I am often amazed when some lined, red-faced, blotchy-skinned woman proudly announces that she has never allowed an ounce of make-up touch her face. Well, bully for you ma'am, if you want to go to the grave looking like Dracula's grandma" - Actress Joan Collins.

A Great Dane from Tucson, Arizona, has been declared the world's tallest dog. Giant George is the new Guinness World Records holder of the title, measuring a mighty 43 inches (109cm) from paw to shoulder and 7ft 3in (2.2m) from nose to tail. His title was announced after a special Guinness World Records adjudicator visited the lofty hound to verify his measurements. Meanwhile, a 22-inch tall man has left his home country of Nepal in a quest to be recognised as the world's shortest man. Khagendra Thapa Magar is travelling to Europe to campaign for the Guinness World Record title. He applied for a place in the record book in October, soon after turning 18, but said he has not received any response. Mr Magar and his father, Rup Bahadur Thapa Magar, plan to appear on an Italian television show to talk about his bid for the title. The current record is held by He Pingping of China, who is 29 inches tall.

A St David's Day concert is to be held at Llangyndeyrn Church on Sunday, March 7, at 7pm. Performing will be Llanelli Male Voice Choir and soloist Eirlys Myfanwy Davies. Proceeds from the event will go towards church refurbish¬ment. Tickets, at £7 adults and E3.50 children, are available from Marilyn on 01269 860705, Gwen on 01267 238399 and Marion on 01269860919.

Due to popular demand, Cerys Matthews has extended her sell-out tour and will be hitting Llanelli’s Theatr Elli on the 16th April. The Welsh songbird and multi-instrumentalist carved a name for herself fronting successful rock group Catatonia, whose hits include ‘Mulder And Scully’ and ‘Road Rage’ and has seen continued success with a recent stint on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here plus her own radio show on BBC’s 6 Music. She’s enjoyed a triumphant solo career, kick-started by her duet with Tom Jones on the perennial classic ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ and two critically acclaimed early albums ‘Cockahoop’ and ‘Never Said Goodbye’. Featuring two of Nashville’s finest young musicians, Kevin Teel and Mason Neely, last year’s highly-regarded release ‘Don’t Look Down’ (available in both Welsh and English language versions) was dubbed one of HMV’s most prestigious albums of the year and has led to a sell-out, country-wide tour. Due to the unprecedented demand for tickets, the singer has add

Phillips back in Wales frame Bonkers selection from Gatland. What about Dwayne Peel? What about Ian Gough? See French team on the post below.

BBC Sport - Rugby Union - France call Benjamin Fall and Julien Bonnaire for Wales

Gold Medal winning brewer Evan-Evans has chalked up record sales for the start of 2010. The West Wales brewer, based in Llandeilo, has seen sales up nearly 60% on the same period last year, despite many pubs seeing a significant drop in trade as a result of bad weather and the recession. Chief Executive Simon Buckley said: “We have spent the last five years building a portfolio of high quality cask conditioned beers that are well respected and anticipated by the real ale drinkers of Wales. “We are now brewing at peak summer levels, with ever increasing demand coming from all over the UK. West Wales is now a major trading area for us, and the company is set to fill the void created by the abandonment of West Wales by Heineken Wales, who bought the former SA Brains free trade business. “Our award-winning Cwrw brand is now achieving sales growth of 20% per month year on year, and our seasonal beers are achieving acclaim all over the country. So much so, that the brewery is now running at

A new survey out this week shows that London hotels are fairly catty about accepting pets. The result is in stark contrast to the reality at The Grapes Hotel in the picturesque village of Maentwrog, in the Vale of Ffestiniog. “The welcome mat is well and truly out for dog lovers at The Grapes,” general manager Andrew Roberts Evans said. Mr Evans was responding to a poll by travel company Expedia.co.uk. It showed only 10% of hotels in the UK capital were happy to play host to animals. “This is an area of Wales where people love to get out and sample the fresh Welsh air,” said Mr Evans. “And very often people like to bring their pet dogs with them. “With that in mind, we have two designated rooms where people are allowed to stay with their dogs. “Designating the rooms in such a way also allows us to make sure guests who may suffer from pet allergies are not inconvenienced in any way.” The Grapes Hotel in the picturesque village of Maentwrog, in the Vale of Ffestiniog, is a four-star Visi

ON Wednesday, February 24, Llanelli Rotary Club is holding an open evening at the Stradey Park Hotel. It is to consider the work of Rotary and to highlight the Thanks for Life polio charity. If anyone would like to join the Rotary service charity and also to be at the evening meal, contact Rotary secretary Anthony Jones on 752884. The cost of the three-course meal is £12.50. A Thanks for Life collection will take place outside Tesco in Pare Trostre on Saturday, February 27. The Youth Speaks zone final will take place at the Town Hall, Llanelli, on Tuesday. Both Bryngwyn and St Michael's schools will be representing the town. The event starts at 6pm. At a recent Rotary evening meeting, Jennifer Foster and Mike Bishop were the guest speakers. They gave a talk on the issue of stress management. Rotarian Alan Owen gave the vote of thanks.

The former Milford Haven Library has been given a new lease of life. The building, which once played a key role in the cultural life of the town, is now offering residents a service of a different kind. The Hamilton Terrace building is the new base of Futureworks - the specialist providers of skills and employment services. Part of Pembrokeshire County Council's learning and development services, Futureworks is launching a range of exciting new opportunities for unemployed and economically inactive people; supporting them in their journey back into work. The new services will create jobs in the County by offering employers help in recruiting the right people, provide incentives to create new job opportunities and support new employees once they are in work. Councillor Rob Lewis, Cabinet Member for Cultural Services said he was delighted the Council was able to provide a new lease of life for the much loved building. "I hope it will benefit the people of Milford Haven in th

Carmarthenshire County Council regeneration officers are hosting an event in St Clears to raise awareness of a funding opportunity. Community groups who have innovative ideas for projects that could benefit the area are being invited to go to the event at Carmarthenshire Craft Centre, St Clears, from 4-7pm on Wednesday, February 24. The main focus of the evening will be to highlight the funding opportunities available under the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013. The plan, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, helps rural communities by funding projects which help people to access services and develop distinctive identities. Under Axis 4 of the scheme, community groups can apply for grants which would improve access to services through innovation. Axis 4 supports ground-breaking, innovation community-led projects focusing on the themes of community transport, Information Communication Technology (ICT), community retail

Scarlets find it's so near and yet so far again Chances blown. Scarlets now very near the bottom of the Magners. The only way is up from now on . . .

BBC News - Jobs protest at power plant site

"An economist is someone who knows 364 ways of making love, but doesn't know any women" - Lord Kerr, former British Ambassador to the United States.

More than half of skiers are taking to the slopes without getting lessons, it was revealed. Of those risking danger by taking no tuition, 8% said they "couldn't be bothered" and 2% had a poor opinion of ski instructors, a survey by travel insurance company InsureandGo found. Also, 12% reckoned lessons were not essential and a further 12% said they would rather teach themselves.

WalesOnline - RugbyNation - Welsh Premier - Cup kings too good for spirited Bargoed Llanelli RFC beat Bargoed to progress in Welsh Cup.

Carmarthen 11th in Welsh Premier. Llanelli Reds lead the way. See the full league table at - http://www.welshpremier.com/LeagueTable.ink Yesterday's Carmarthen match report - Mark Pritchard's well taken first-half goal proved the difference between Carmarthen Town and Caersws in the Welsh Premier League. With manager Deryn Brace looking for a positive performance against the struggling Mid-Wales outfit, the injured Craig Hughes was the only casualty from last week's line up which performed so well at Prestatyn. In a half largely dominated by the hosts Town went ahead in the 29th minute when Nathan Cotterrall carried a long ball down the right before pulling back for Danny Thomas and Paul Fowler to play in Pritchard who netted from ten yards. Earlier visiting keeper David Jones did well to save Fowler's shot from the edge of the box and just after the half hour Mark Griffiths put the ball over for the Bluebirds when well placed. Town had some success on the right through

The match between Bala Town and Llanelli Reds has been posponed due to treacherous wintry conditions and snowbound roads between South and North Wales.

WalesOnline - News - Wales News - Gatland warns the party’s over for the Welsh rugby team And about time, too!

A treasure box of Carmarthenshire’s attractions has spilled out to the Emerald Isle. The county’s tourism officers have been visiting tourism and travel exhibitions in Belfast and Dublin enticing more than 200,000 Irish people to come and see what we have to offer. County marketing and tourism manager Huw Parsons said the stand and costs were shared with Pembrokeshire. “We had a great response and people were really interested in our attractions that well displayed and promoted at both the Belfast and the Dublin World Holiday Shows," he said. Marketing and development tourism officer Hywel Davies said: “It was a real eye opener for the Irish how much we had to offer. “The exhibition worked well for both counties and shows a good working partnership working between the tourism departments. “There was a huge amount of interest in our joint South West Wales stand and we even had I’m A Celebrity star Kim Woodburn from How Clean Is Your House visit our stand. “Many already knew about

First Minister Carwyn Jones has visited Carmarthenshire’s newest sporting attraction. He was taken on a tour of Ffos Las Racecourse following a reception in its hospitality suite, where he met members of the Mid and West Wales Fire Brigade search and rescue team, who recently returned from earthquake-stricken Haiti. Mr Jones was invited to Ffos Las as part of his visit to Carmarthenshire, hosted by Carmarthenshire County Council leader Cllr Meryl Gravell. Earlier in the day he announced a £14million theatre and entertainment development at Llanelli Town Centre. Mr Jones said he was impressed with the facilities at Ffos Las, which has become a major part of Carmarthenshire’s tourism appeal. Launched in June last year, the racecourse hosts racing meets and provides corporate hospitality and private functions – including weddings – throughout the year. It has acted as a major catalyst for tourism in Carmarthenshire, and joins Parc Y Scarlets and Machynys Golf Course as a key player in spo

There was a full house in the new hospitality suite at the Carmarthen Town AFC clubhouse for the game against Caersws in the Welsh Premier League. If you are interested in taking hospitality space for forthcoming matches, then give me a ring on 07777 683637. For more pictures from yesterday see- http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/robertapvincent/CarmarthenTownAFCClubhouse#

"I remember when I was about four seeing my dad on TV for the first time and thinking 'Oh brilliant, there's dad' and I waddled over and waved. Of course he didn't wave back and I burst into tears. I was furious, I couldn't believe I had been so ignored" - Actress Lucy Davis, daughter of TV comedian Jasper Carrott.

Police called to a Florida car break-in were confronted with ripped seats and a broken window but nothing stolen. After dusting for fingerprints, they found a noseprint and fur left behind by a bear. There were also claw marks scratched into the paintwork. The car owner said she left a bag of rubbish in the boot, probably tempting the bear to break in.