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

See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/release-is-on-bill-at-carmarthen-film.html

Aberystwyth University is probably the best place in the world to be a student and has the highest level of student satisfaction according to 2009 International Student Barometer which is published this month. Aberystwyth ranks No1 of 123 Higher Education institutions worldwide for the elements ‘good place to be’ and ‘overall student satisfaction’. The International Student Barometer is the largest annual survey of students and has gathered information from more than 600,000 students worldwide since its establishment in 2005. It incorporates more than 500 institutions on five continents. Aberystwyth University performed exceptionally well in all aspects of a student’s experience. From the initial welcome on their first weekend, through to the teaching and learning facilities and academic support, students at Aberystwyth reported that the quality of the academic experience available to them was amongst the very best. Professor Martin Jones, Pro Vice Chancellor at Aberystwyth University

Crunch time arrives in Town's campaign Carmarthen travel to Neath tonight. Points are a must!

Welsh Assembly Government | Welsh Assembly Government Statement:Judicial Review verdict Badger Cull verdict - see earlier post today. The Welsh Assembly Government has successfully defended its decision to implement a limited badger cull in west Wales. The High Court has decided that the TB Eradication Order is lawful.

One of the budding young film-makers aiming to make her mark at the Myrddin Shorts film festival in Carmarthen on the May Bank Holiday weekend is Lauren Mortimer. Mortimer is a third-year student at Trinity University College, Carmarthen, studying a BA Film Studies degree. Her film is called From Echoes Past. She is currently shooting and directing her final university project, a 15-minute film which she scripted, directed and edited. Outside of university she has produced two professional wedding videos. She has also worked alongside a local filmmaker named Chris Kellet, who was employed to film the London stage company, Piccadilly Stages, in Oakwood Park during a live McFly gig. She has also created an advertisement film for a local company to promote the growth of their business. FILMOGRAPHY ‘From Echoes Past’ (2010) – Writer, Director, Editor ‘Broken’ (2009) – Writer, Director, Editor ‘Moving Mountains’ (2009) – Director, Editor From Echoes Past synosis - A young, lost and confused

Journalism jobs and news from Holdthefrontpage.co.uk Friday Funnies from Holdthefrontpage - love the gorilla!

BBC News - Legal ruling due on badger cull in Pembrokeshire Watch this space!

"Marmite... pickled onions... ink" - Analysis of the first UK TV leaders' debate by James Wannerton, who experiences words as tastes. Mr Wannerton has a neurological condition known as lexical-gustatory synaesthesia, which is when a person experiences words as tastes and textures. He said Gordon Brown's name tasted of Marmite, Nick Clegg's tasted of pickled onion and David Cameron's tasted of ink.

WalesOnline - Business - Business News - Iceland and Tinopolis join Sunday Times profit list Llanelli-based TV company doing very nicely, thank-you.

The Tywi Tenant Network will hold its next meeting on Wednesday June 9. The meeting will be held in Maes Elfryn, Llandeilo, at 2pm. Carmarthenshire County Council tenant participation officer Maria Evans said: “All tenants within the network area are more than welcome to attend these meetings. A buffet and creche facilities are available.” Meanwhile, the Taf/Myrddin Tenant Network will hold its next meeting on Wednesday May 26 at 6.30pm at St Johns Court in Carmarthen. For further information, please contact Maria Evans on 01267 228933.

One of the budding film-makers aiming to make his mark at the Myrddin Shorts film festival in Carmarthen on the May Bank Holiday weekend is Benjamin Scarsbrook. Scarsbrook, 22, was born in Carmarthen and brought up in Essex. He has always been interested in filmmaking and has already produced several short films. His short films have been seen by many people across both England and Wales and have received more than 2000 combined views online to this date. Scarsbrook is currently completing a BA Film Studies degree at Trinity University College, Carmarthen, while working on a variety of short films, music videos and non-commercial filming jobs including several ‘Blatella’ produced short films which have been entered into film festivals nationwide. In 2010, he wrote, directed and edited Release, his fifth self-funded short film. Scarsbrook is a founding member of Blatella Productions, an independent film production company which writes, produces and directs films, both short and feature

The Llanelli Reds start their run of four consecutive home games tonight when they take on Haverfordwest County at Stebonheath Park ( KO 7.30pm). The visitors need the points to help gain a top ten finish while the Reds need to win to keep their hopes of lifting the League title alive! The weather is good and the Stebo pitch is in excellent condition so a large crowd is expected tonight. The Reds other home games are at home to Welshpool on Saturday (2 30) , Neath next Tuesday (7 30) and Rhyl next Thursday (7 30). The season finishes with a trip to Prestatyn on Saturday 24th April.

Former Defence Secretary, the Rt. Hon. Des Browne, to deliver the 2010 David Davies Memorial Institute of International Studies Annual Lecture at Aberystwyth University Following on the heels of the recently agreed United States-Russia nuclear weapons reduction pact, a special lecture touching on a nuclear weapon-free world is being hosted by the David Davies Memorial Institute of International Studies (DDMI) at Aberystwyth University on Wednesday 28 April 2010. A former Defence Secretary in the Tony Blair and Gordon Brown governments, the Rt. Hon. Des Browne will deliver a lecture on The Importance of Political Leadership in Achieving a Nuclear Weapon Free World. The 2010 David Davies Memorial Institute Annual Lecture takes place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday 28 April 2010 in the Main Hall of the Department of International Politics at the University’s Penglais campus. The Rt. Hon. Des Browne is presently the Chair of the Top Level Group of UK Parliamentarians for Multilateral Nuclear Disarm

It’s Festival Time for film-makers studying at Trinity University College, Carmarthen. Budding directors, writers, designers and film producers will be staging Myrddin Shorts, a mini film festival in Carmarthen, on the Sunday of the May Bank Holiday weekend. “Screenings will be in three separate venues in Carmarthen town centre,” said one of the film-makers Natalie Williams. “We have split ourselves into three groups of students and each one will be responsible for one venue. The idea is to mimic the London Film Festival. “It promises to be an entertaining day and I am sure people will appreciate the venues we have chosen and the variety of short films on show.” The films will be bold and innovative, tackling a whole range of topics. For example, Release is a psychological thriller, while From Echoes Past charts the story of a young, lost and confused boy who is convinced he was born in the wrong time. In Upgrade, a young man, unhappy with his monotonous life, apparently discovers that

WalesOnline - Business - Business News - Connect Wales develops online system for restaurants Nice one, chaps!

Ammanford families will be among the first to take part in a national research project evaluating how effective a new scheme is at strengthening the family unit to prevent young people from misusing alcohol and drugs. Carmarthenshire families have the opportunity to be part of a prestigious research project funded by the National Prevention Research Initiative, led by Cardiff University in collaboration with Swansea University and Oxford Brookes University. Carmarthenshire County Council was selected as one of six local authorities to deliver the Strengthening Families Programme 10-14 (UK). The first roll-out of the scheme will begin in Ammanford Comprehensive School later this month, and will be run in other areas of the county later in the year. Fran Dixon, Strengthening Families Coordinator, said: “Becoming a teenager can be a challenging time for young people and parents alike. The Strengthening Families Programme has been proven to support parents and young people through this tim

A 98-year-old Llanybydder resident has been congratulated for choosing the winning name of a new Extra Care Scheme for older people in her village. Ada Williams was presented with a £50 prize for coming up with the name for the new scheme, which will be called Cwm Aur (Golden Valley). Mrs Williams hopes to celebrate her 100th birthday during one of her respite care visits to Cwm Aur, the second scheme Carmarthenshire County Council has developed in partnership with Grŵp Gwalia. Over 100 names were put forward for the scheme, which is being built to replace the former Annedd residential home. Due for completion this autumn, Cwm Aur will offer people aged 60 and over the opportunity to experience a real alternative to traditional sheltered housing or residential care. It will contain 40 self-contained one and two bedroom flats, with nine respite and care rooms. It will also have a restaurant, a multi-purpose function and hobby room, library, hairdresser and treatment room, along with lan

BBC Sport - Rugby Union - Scarlets coach Nigel Davies fears players could leave Oh dear! Just what we (don't) need.

"There is a testosterone-fuelled anger in the best sportsmen" - Snooker player Steve Davis raises eyebrows!

Carmarthen Town have once again set the date for their annual celebrity dinner to be held at the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, Carmarthen on Friday, May 14. The principal guest speaker for this year’s event will be Norman Whiteside. Whiteside became Man United's youngest player since Duncan Edwards when he made his debut in 1981/82 season. In the following season, he appeared in both the FA and League Cup finals and became the youngest player to score in both. He also broke Pele’s record as the youngest player to play in the World Cup aged 17 years 41 days. He became known as the Shankhill Skinhead because of his physical, aggressive playing style and was also passionately called the Scourge of the Scousers, given his remarkable match winning displays against Liverpool and Everton. He won 38 caps for his country and made 273 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 66 goals. He also played for Everton before his career was ended by injury in 1991 at the age of 26 years. The celebrity din

The following trainers with Welsh connections have runners today - Peter Bowen 16:30 Cheltenham Ballyvesey (IRE) T J O'Brien Dai Burchell 19:05 Kempton Dancing Sword David Probert Rebecca Curtis 14:10 Cheltenham Sir Bere (FR) A P McCoy David Evans 18:05 Kempton Bazroy (IRE) A Heffernan 18:05 Kempton Straight Face (IRE) Matthew Cosham 21:05 Kempton Ana Moutabahi A Heffernan Ian Williams 17:55 Newmarket Kingdom Of Munster (IRE) T P Queally Evan Williams 14:10 Cheltenham Halling Gal Paul Moloney

The Llanelli Reds won 1 0 at Bala Town on Tuesday night courtesy of a Rhys Griffiths goal after 53 minutes. Griffiths could have scored more goals but good defending by the home side prevented him from adding to his tally. With the Reds playing a 4 4 2 formation, Jordan Follows played well as Griffith's strike partner and Lee Phillips looked comfortable at right back. With TNS winning by the same scorline at Welshpool, the Reds must win all four remaining home games to give themselves a chance of lifting the title! Next up is Haverfordwest at Stebo tomorrow night (KO 7.30pm)

CPD Caerfyrddin / Carmarthen AFC CARMARTHEN TOWN 0 RHYL FC 1 This means hopes of a Top 10 slot in the Welsh Premier League are now slim. Manager Deryn Brace told Y Dre ar Y We, " We didn't deserve anything from tonight as they controlled most of the game and we didn't show enough fight. They were stronger. I'm very disappointed."

BBC Sport - Rugby Union - Wales & England set for Friday Six Nations kick-off Barmy! Poor fans who have to travel to Cardiff ignored again.

A team leader at Pembrokeshire County Council's contact centre is back on the ground after jumping out of a plane at the weekend! Roger Jenkins did his first ever skydive from the skies above Swansea airport. The 58 year-old from Haverfordwest took the plunge for the Haiti Earthquake Appeal. "It was absolutely thrilling although also probably the scariest thing I have ever done," he said. Attached to an instructor, Roger jumped out of the plane at 13,000 ft and then free falled for just under a minute -- for 7,000 ft - before the parachute was deployed. "There's a moment when you're sitting on the edge of the plane looking down and you can't believe that you are going to do what you're going to do" he said. "The first bit was an incredibly frightening 50 second journey of madness, which was frightening and yet exhilarating at the same time. "Then when the chute opens it's the most wonderful thing in the world. Everything goes still

The summer of 2010 will see the opening of two new venues for young people aged 11-25 in Carmarthen, thanks to capital funding from the Welsh Assembly Government. Carmarthenshire Council’s Youth Service will be taking over the Quay Centre (formerly the Carmarthen Heritage Centre) to be the base for youth work delivery in the north and west of the County. As well as being a base for Youth Service staff and the Carmarthenshire Youth Council, the centre will offer targeted support for young people who are not in employment, education and training (NEET) or who have particular needs. The Quay Centre will also be the base for water-based activities including canoeing and kayaking. Securing use of the Quay Centre has meant that the Youth Service has also been able to financially support local charity Dr Mz in their move from Queen Street to the Clubhouse, the old Carmarthen Athletic Club building. Dr Mz are currently refurbishing The Clubhouse to provide a new state of the art facility for y

Carmarthenshire Youth Council is holding their annual general meeting on Wednesday April 28 at County Hall, Carmarthen. The event is open to all young people aged 11-25. The Youth Council will be setting out their priorities for the next twelve months, including their school transport campaign and school council project. New officers will also be elected during the event and will discuss what they will do on behalf of young people in the county. Carmarthenshire Council’s Youth Participation Officer, Sarah Powell said:“Carmarthenshire Youth Council has achieved a lot during the past year and has helped bring about positive change. “This is an opportunity for young people to come along and see what the Youth Council does on their behalf. Young people can also voice their concerns and tell the Youth Council what they would like to see happening. “We want young people to know that they have a right to an opinion and that the Youth Council is there to support their views.” For further infor

Carmarthen Town AFC will wrap up their season next Saturday (April 24) with a special offer for fans. The Welsh Premier League season ends with a home match against Cefn Druids (kick-off 2.30pm). As a special thank you to fans, they are inviting people to come along and pay whatever they feel like as an entrance fee. Normal entrance fees are £6 for adults; £4 concessions and £1 for accompanied children under 11. Club chairman Jeff Thomas said: “This is a gesture to the whole of Carmarthen and the surrounding areas. “We want to pack the ground and we are giving something back to the community by letting people come and watch us for the price they decide. “Whether they wish to pay £1 or £10 on the final Saturday, we just want them to come along and get behind the team.” Manager Deryn Brace said: “With a place in the “Super 12” for next season still up for grabs, the game is vital and the players will get a huge lift with a large crowd getting behind them.” The match will also be an oppor

Residents in the Llwynhendy area are the first in Carmarthenshire to be given the chance to protect their property and beat the burglar through the use of free DNA marking kits. The SelectaDNA marking kits, one of the latest tools in crime prevention, are being offered to householders in Llandafen Road, Llwynhendy Road and Pemberton Road as part of a pilot funded by the Community Safety Partnership (CSP). The funding was made available by the Home Office to make local residents, particularly older people, feel safer. It is being delivered by the Llwynhendy Neighbourhood Policing Team and Llwynhendy Communities First. Officers have carried out a leaflet drop in the area encouraging people to sign up to the scheme. The DNA marking kits work by applying a clear fluid to items of value, such as laptops, computer equipment, TVs, DVD players, iPods and mobile phones. Not only is it almost impossible to remove, but each kit has a unique code (similar to human DNA) that cannot be duplicated in

A man has been fined £75 for failing to clean up after his dog in Waterloo Road in Penygroes. Council environmental enforcement officers were on patrol in the area and issued the man with a fixed penalty notice. Failure to pay could lead to prosecution in the magistrates court where the maximum penalty that can be imposed is £1,000. Enforcement officers regularly carry out patrols across the county and irresponsible dog owners are being warned to clean up or pay up. The council’s Head of Street Scene David Hughes said: “Dog faeces left anywhere is a serious health risk, the majority of residents take their responsibilities seriously but there is still a small minority who do not listen. “This type of anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and those caught flouting the law will be prosecuted.” Carmarthenshire County Council is working hard to tackle the problem of dog fouling and is appealing to the public to help identify those responsible. Anyone with any information is asked to

Rent demand forces trader to close shop £10,000 a year increase. It's bonkers!

The Llanelli Reds Under 19s gained revenge for their only league defeat of the season by thrashing Afan Lido by 6 goals to 1 at Stebonheath Park on Monday night. The Reds scorers were Rikki Evans (4) Antonio Facciuto and Craig Frater. The visitors' reply came from Eliis Harris. All the goals were scored during the first half of the game.

A conference on the future of the Welsh media is being held in Cardiff this weekend. Confirmed speakers include Professor Bob Franklin from Cardiff University, Tom O'Malley from Aberystwyth University and National Union of Journalists general secretary Jeremy Dear. Admission is free and there will be a performance of 'Embedded with the Bankers' by the Banner Theatre Company. The conference runs from 1.30pm to 5.30pm on Saturday at the Chapter Arts Complex, in Market Place.

"The parent is usually best placed to decide the most appropriate course of action" - letter from Manchester City Council to the parents of a 29-year-old man stopped for skateboarding in the city centre. Council chiefs wrote to Tony Da Silva's parents asking them to talk to him about his "antisocial behaviour". "I laughed when I read it, but I was also quite annoyed," said Mr Da Silva, who has not lived at home for years. Manchester City Council said it made an "administrative error".

Trinity's long term commitment to Fairtrade products saw chocolate to drip down the white walls of the new café during a promotional event for Fairtrade Fortnight. Officially recognized as a Fairtrade campus, the university college in Carmarthen uses and offers an array of Fairtrade products for students and staff to choose from and enjoy. The aim of the event was to encourage a general “swap” towards Fairtrade products, though students and staff might have swapped their jumpers for ponchos first! Fairtrade needed to make a splash on Trinity’s campus, though no one knew how messy that splash would be. The morning started out quietly enough as the promotional booths found their spots among the white walls, white chairs, and white table cloths — the chocolate fountain taking centre stage. Excitement began to build as warm milk-chocolate filled the fountain in the high-traffic Starbucks located in Trinity’s new quad. Once turned on, the mayhem began. The malfunctioning chocolate fount

The 2010 Cyfrwng Conference, "Voices", is being held at Trinity University College, Carmarthen, between 13th – 14th May 2010. During the two day conference a series of academics and practitioners will be discussing various aspects on the theme of “Voices”. It will be a chance to hear discussion panels, to listen to academic papers, for practitioners to share their experiences and to see performers at work. Choosing the theme of Voices gives an opportunity to touch on the various aspects of the arts and media in Wales and beyond. Using new technologies has by now become part of everyday work for the majority and a key component of social networking. The conference will have an opportunity to consider how these technologies give an opportunity for new voices to express themselves. It has also become customary to read newspapers on-line, but are the demands of that medium hindering journalism? There will be the opportunity to ponder this with commentators and practitioners in th

Carmarthen Town manager Deryn Brace will be keen to ensure that his squad gets into a qualifying top 10 Welsh Premier League placing with a win against Champions Rhyl at Richmond Park tonight. Brace is expecting an exciting and entertaining game. “I think it will be an exciting encounter between two sides that have to win. We have to get into the top 10 and they have to win to if they want to make top three. “Neither side is over defensive and I think it will be entertaining. I saw them play against Haverfordwest at the weekend and we saw the Jekyll and Hyde of Rhyl. In the first half they were poor but in the second they showed that they can score at will." Brace is confident that midfielder Paul Fowler will be available, having come through training at the weekend without any reaction. “I don’t think it will be a tense affair on Tuesday night. I think it will be a case of two sides going at it hammer and tongs”, he added. KO @ Richmond Park is at 7.30 pm. See earlier post - http

The Llanelli Reds Under 16s drew 2-2 with Swansea City at Llanerch. Henry Hughes levelled the scores at 1-1 but then the Swans gained the lead again before Nick Mooney scored the equaliser from a penalty. The Reds Under-18s lost 4-2 at Cogan Coronation in Penarth. The Reds goals were both scored by Gethin Davies. The Under 18s are away at Bryntirion on Tuesday (13 April) KO 6.30pm.

Llanelli AFC have been informed by the Football Association of Wales, FAW, that they have been awarded both the Domestic and UEFA Licences for season 2010/2011. This means that the Reds will now compete in the newly formed Welsh Premier League and in either the UEFA Champions League or Europa League qualifiers next season. Eight Clubs receive the FAW Domestic Licence, Nine for UEFA. An independent panel awarded eight clubs the FAW Domestic Club Licence, which will allow them to participate in the restructured Welsh Premier League next Season, if they also qualify on sporting merit through their League position. The clubs to receive the Domestic Licence are; 1. Aberystwyth Town 2. Carmarthen Town FC 3. Haverfordwest County FC 4. Llanelli 5. Neath FC 6. Newtown AFC 7. Prestatyn Town 8. The New Saints FC The other clubs who applied for the Domestic Licence, but were turned down have the right to appeal to another independent committee. Clubs will be given 10 days to submit their appeal. T

Special schools in Carmarthenshire are being targeted with special tuition and talks on getting their pupils “hooked on sport.” The 5x60 programme has been expanding to cater for special schools - without additional funding. Carmarthenshire County Council sports development officers have been meeting with Ysgol Heol Goffa over the past few months to identify the ways in which they can enhance their extra-curricular physical activity provision for their secondary school aged pupils. Carmarthenshire county young people co-ordinator Carl Daniels said: “We have worked towards introducing table tennis and fitball into the school and significantly revamped their 'fitness suite' to be used on a daily basis. “We are seeking to provide training opportunities to ensure football and gymnastics can be effectively delivered. We're also laying the foundation for them to access 'bikeability' that is cycling using adapted bikes for people with disabilities, and to offer kayaking, g

The Carmarthen Town Football Academy Under 15s European mission to Holland was an outstanding success. The youngsters landed the prestigious Geusselt Cup in a very challenging tournament in Maastricht. The competition, organised by three Dutch football clubs and the City of Maastricht, is in its 18th year. There were more than 100 teams taking part, both male and female participants at different age groups, from all over Northern Europe. The Carmarthen boys were pitched against opposition from Holland and Denmark in the group stages with results as follows:- Won 4 – 0 against Danish team Farvang IF2 Won 2 – 0 against Dutch team RKVVL Polaris Won 4 – 1 against Dutch team SEV Drew 2 – 2 with Danish side Haverslev IF/IK Sylvia Ravnkilde With Carmarthen finishing in top spot in their group, the boys then faced the best second-placed team from the three qualifying pools. Dutch club SV Meerssen were the opponents in the semi-final in very cold and wet weather conditions on a difficult playin

Carmarthenshire Trading Standards is warning people to beware of traders secretly selling cars from roadsides, verges and waste land. Officers are warning that such activities raise issues that can adversely affect consumers and reputable businesses particularly in the current economic climate. The county has more powers than most Welsh local authorities because it is able to use the Dyfed Act passed in 1987 to tackle vehicles left on council land. Council area environmental enforcement officer Paul Morris said: “The Dyfed Act came out in 1987 and allows the authority to display a notice that prohibits or restricts the leaving of vehicles on authority land. We can use it for a multitude of sins including vehicle left for sale.” Following a survey by local Trading Standards services in Wales, a report has been compiled about roadside sellers, which has highlighted key issues such as that some roadside sellers are often traders hiding behind mobile telephone numbers, and purporting to be

STEBO PITCH IN GREAT SHAPE! After all the comments about the pitch in recent months, the ground looks to be back to its best.

Scarlets suffer loss of £3.3m and blame new stadium costs

This letter has been sent by Simon Buckley to the Carmarthen Journal in reponse to the latest row over the proposed war memorial in Llandeilo. Re: Tywi Afon Yr Oesoedd Statue Proposals I have read the letter (in the Carmarthen Journal) from Charlotte Leadbetter of March 31. At no time have I ever made any personal attacks on any member of Llandeilo Town Council. I have merely urged the council to think about alternative proposals to their half-baked plan for a statue that is limited by budget. I have the following comments to make: 1. The idea for a war memorial was not mine. I, nevertheless, fully support it. The idea was formulated by a group of young people who are customers of the White Horse Llandeilo. Average age 27. People who have lost members of their families in conflicts over the last 25 years. They felt that it was more appropriate to dedicate a piece of local sculpture to the memory of our fallen Heroes than some cheap piece of architectural design that was limited by budg

BBC News - Slug and snail rise could prove fatal to dogs Revenge of the snails!

"Sexual athletes are tuppence a dozen - Fellini was a many-sided genius" - Germaine Greer reveals an affair with Italian director Federico Fellini.

Carmarthen Town has been awarded a Domestic and UEFA club licence. An independent panel meeting on Friday awarded eight Welsh Premier clubs the FAW Domestic Club Licence. Nine clubs have been awarded a UEFA licence. Club Chairman Jeff Thomas felt it was a credit to all the successful clubs. "The gaining of a Domestic Licence and an UEFA Licence is a credit to all of the successful clubs and testimony to the sides who are, in the main, conducted by volunteers, whose service to Welsh Football, not just to their own clubs should not be underestimated. "It is now hoped that the FAW will not just continue but also enhance their financial support for the Welsh Premier League. Carmarthen Town would also wish to place on record their sincere thanks to the FAW Licensing team for their professionalism during the whole process." The Domestic licence is a a pre-requisite for next season's restructured Welsh Premiership but clubs also have to qualify on sporting merit through the