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

A celebration event has been held to recognise the achievements of construction apprentices in Carmarthenshire who gained their NVQ Level Three qualifications. The event was held by Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd (CCTAL) at Llanelli’s Parc Y Scarlets during September. A total of 13 apprentice carpenters and nine apprentice bricklayers gained their Level Three NVQ awards in their respective trades, as well as completing a two-day Construction Site Supervisor’s Safety Course. The scheme has been a success to-date with over a 90 per cent achievement rate, which is above the UK average. The Shared Apprenticeship Scheme is a five-year pilot which commenced in 2007. More than 40 local contractors have engaged in the Shared Apprenticeship Scheme which provides work placements for apprentices to gain practical experience and site evidence towards their qualifications. Robert Williams, chairman of CCTAL, said: “It is extremely encouraging to note the achievements of our

Young people in Carmarthenshire are being encouraged to learn another European language to boost their career prospects. Staff at the Carmarthen-based West Wales European Centre are encouraging people to take up the challenge following the European Day of Languages (EDL). Countries all over Europe observe the occasion each year, celebrating the 200 languages spoken in the continent alone. EDL was first celebrated in 2001. Lorena Prist, European Networking Officer at the West Wales European Centre, has organised a week-long programme of secondary school visits. The theme of the information sessions is EU languages, opportunities and career prospects. She was in Bryngwyn School, Llanelli, last week. Lorena said: “The sessions aim to raise the students’ awareness of the diversity of EU languages and that learning foreign languages can lead to a variety of careers at EU and international levels. There is also a range of EU opportunities available for young people to gain experience, build

Fifty ways to cook your dinner – more than 50 in fact - is the ambition of a new project for older people in Carmarthenshire. The county’s 50+ Forum has set up a sub-committee of six members to create a book of 51 recipes aimed at people aged over 50. The recipes will cover every meal of the day. Sub-committee member Sandra Llewelyn said: “We want people to send in recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, or anything.” Fellow sub-committee member Caroline Streek said: “The emphasis is on fresh local produce, sustainable healthy eating and organic food. We are also keen to have recipes from and for men aged over 50.” They are also appealing for sponsorship from local food producers. Carmarthenshire 50+ Champion Cllr Kevin Madge said: “I think the recipe book is an excellent idea and would urge people to come forward with meals to be included in it.” Anyone who wants to offer a recipe can contact Sandra Llewelyn at sandrallewelyn@hotmail.com Carmarthenshire 50+ Champion Cllr Kevin M

Ysgol Y Strade’s dining room has had a ‘hip’ make-over as part of an S4C children’s TV programme. Three year eight pupils, Gwenllian Jones, Gwenno Evans and Rachel Thomas, wrote to the producers of ‘Hip Neu Sgip’ - a TV show which transforms nominated community venues – to suggest they visit their school hall. The design team moved in and with the help of around 60 volunteers freshened up the dining room with a trendy American diner and cartoon theme. A colourful mural has also been added which depicts the ethos of the government’s Appetite for Life programme, and an ‘eat well plate’ which suggests ways of maintaining a nutritious balanced diet. School pupils helped the production team to transform the hall, which has been brightened up at no cost to the council. Sandra Weigel, catering services manager, said: “We are delighted with the makeover at Ysgol Y Strade, and would like to thank the girls for nominating the dining room to feature in the show. “The dining room has a bright and

Customer Services staff at Carmarthenshire County Council have organised five days of events to mark National Customer Services Week. Staff at Carmarthenshire Direct, which has recently achieved a Customer Service Excellence award from the Cabinet Office, have a series of events organised from Monday October 4 to Friday October 8. Customer Care Champion Cllr Kevin Madge will officially open Customer Service Week in Carmarthen Customer Service Centre on Monday morning and will spend time shadowing Customer Service Centre staff throughout the week. During the week, staff will wear ‘National Customer Service Week’ Shoulder Sashes to promote the celebration. Other events include Customer Services Managers ‘going back to the floor’, customer service quizzes, a charity raffle with prizes donated by Managers, and a non uniform day to raise funds for MIND. Cllr Kevin Madge said: “Customer service is fundamental to everything that the council does and I am delighted that we have a week of event

The chair of Carmarthenshire County Council has organised a Charity Night at the Calsonic Kansei Club in Felinfoel later this month. The event is in aid of chair Cllr Tegwen Devichand’s chosen charities, the Ty Bryngwyn Hospice, Llanelli, the Special Olympics Team and Help the Heroes – Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal. There will be a performance by one of Wales’ top comedy vocal entertainers Gary Le Vell. The Charity Night is on Friday October 22 starting at 7pm and tickets costing £7.50 are available from Eira Evans on 01267 224060 or Cllr Tegwen Devichand on 01554 751243.

Are unwanted items cluttering up you home? Do you need the extra space? Then the Community Skip Day on Friday (October 8) is the answer. Organised by Communities First Pantyffynnon in association with Tidy Towns and Keep Wales Tidy, this event gives you the chance to get rid of your unwanted items ready for Christmas. Skips will be located in three areas for the convenience of residents at Ffynnon Las, Heol Llwchwr and Pantyffynnon Rugby Field, from 10am until 3pm. This is operating on a first come first served basis, so be sure you’re there before anyone else if you need to get rid of your unwanted items and waste. Staff will be on hand to help you at the skips should you need it. Unfortunately the following items can not be accepted: paint, tyres, chemicals, gas bottles, batteries, asbestos, fridges and freezers, televisions and monitors, large electrical items, oil, commercial construction waste or trade waste. Communities First Pantyffynnon Development Worker Emma Martin-Jewell

Environment officers in Carmarthenshire are taking to the streets as part of a major drive to boost recycling. Staff from the county council will be visiting homes to give residents help and advice on recycling their rubbish. The door-to-door exercise is about to get underway in Carmarthen and will be rolled out to other areas of the county. Officers hope to find out how much people are recycling and what their views are on the council’s kerbside schemes. They will also be able to give advice on how to recycle more household waste. The move comes as the council has achieved Welsh Assembly recycling targets of 40 per cent. Sustainability officer Tina Brice said: “This exercise is designed to find out more about participation levels on the blue bag and food waste scheme, and to give help and advice to residents. “We want to encourage residents to use their blue bags and food waste caddies as much as possible to reduce the amount in black bags that end up on landfill sites. “We also want