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

Ammanford’s Ioan Anthony is one of the first veterans to feel the benefit of the fundraising work of the Healing The Wounds charity. The 26-year-old has just returned home after a PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) course sponsored by Healing The Wounds. And he is overjoyed at the way it has changed his life. “After I left the army, I had many of the symptoms of PTSD – depression, mood swings, an inability to sleep properly, and nightmares when I could get to sleep. “Today, now that I have completed the PTSD course, it is like the curtain has been lifted on a new world. It’s made a massive difference to my outlook on life and I really feel amazing. “For the first time in ages, I have been able to sleep without being disturbed by nightmares.” Ioan served as a plant operator and mechanic with the Royal Engineers in Afghanistan. “Everyone has stories to tell about their time in Afghanistan and I dare say my story isn’t that different to other soldiers who have completed tours of duty o

Portable snooker tables are helping schools to take a pot at the sport. After a successful introduction to snooker last year, partnerships between Terry Griffiths Snooker Hall and Carmarthenshire’s 5x60 scheme have continued to strengthen. Now collapsible touring tables have been pocketed following a successful Sportslot Community Chest grant application allocated by Carmarthenshire County Council on behalf of Sport Wales. They will be distributed amongst local secondary schools, where, with the support of the school’s 5x60 officer, a clubs will be established. Pupils will be encouraged to play as often as possible during these extra curricular clubs, and then to attend the snooker hall to continue to play the sport regularly. Llanelli’s 1979 World Snooker Champion Terry Griffiths has been supportive in forming strong links with the 5x60 scheme in local schools. He said: “It would be great to see the junior section within the Hall growing. With the addition of having touring tables dis

Excellent piece by Jude Rogers (a former Llanelli Star!) about Welsh male voice choirs in yesterday's Guardian http://omg.ly/Fi8N

A Carmarthenshire couple well known for breeding prize-winning Welsh pigs has found a ready market for their pork on the doorstep. Joyce and Gerallt Owens of Lletty Farm, Llannon, near Llanelli, have been farming pigs for well over 20 years on their 65-acre farm but only started supplying a local farm shop and grill at Cwmcerrig, Gorslas, seven miles away after it opened early in February 2009. "We now supply pork to Cwmcerrig fortnightly as we both enthusiastically support the Farmers' Union of Wales' long-running 'Help Cut Food Miles - Buy The Welsh One' awareness campaign," said Mrs Owens, who also works as an administrative assistant at the union's county branch office in Carmarthen. "We usually supply around four to six pigs every two weeks to the farm shop but over the Christmas period, that figure more than doubles to 15 pigs. We are very happy with the steady flow and hope to keep this going for quite a while," added Mrs Owens. The couple

The Farmers' Union of Wales' "Help Cut Food Miles...Buy The Welsh One" campaign is just as important now as it was when launched over three years ago, the union's president Gareth Vaughan has stressed. Speaking at the Wales the True Taste retailer of the year gold medal award winner, Cwmcerrig Farm Shop at Gorslas in Carmarthenshire, Mr Vaughan said there was a greater demand for local food produced in Wales than ever before. "Recently our Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones expressed a wish to see all supermarkets in Wales give prominence to local and Welsh food," said Mr Vaughan. "And I wholeheartedly agree with her suggestion that if supermarkets fail to stock Welsh goods people should move their trade elsewhere. "Cwmcerrig Farm Shop, where the Watkins family runs such an impressive enterprise and are passionate about producing good food, is the ideal place for people to shop for local produce. "The Minister conceded that a number of supe

Farmers' Union of Wales life member John Price, who died last summer, will be remembered every year when a cup presented by the union's county branch in his memory will be awarded at Gwynfe Show in Carmarthenshire. Mr Price, of Ddafadfa Isaf, Gwynfe, near Llangadog, was chairman of the show when he died, aged 72, at Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen, on Tuesday July 6 2010. He ran a 144-acre hill farm where he kept beef cattle and sheep and rented 66 acres of land with grazing rights on the Black Mountain. After leaving school in 1953, he worked on the family farm with his late father until 1968 when he went to assist with the running of the Earl of Ducie's estate in South Gloucestershire. He returned to Ddafadfa Isaf in 1981. After serving as club chairman of Gwynfe YFC in 1960 and secretary of the East Carmarthen Lamb Group, he started taking part in FUW activities in 1983 when he became Carmarthenshire county delegate on the union's national livestock, wool and marts co

The majority of small and medium-sized slaughterhouses in Wales could close if their operators are forced to pay for bureaucratic and costly meat hygiene inspections, the Farmers' Union of Wales fears. The union has consulted its 12 county branches on the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) move towards the full cost recovery of meat hygiene controls at slaughterhouses and found members unanimously objected to the proposals. "There seems little doubt that the proposals will make a significant number of small and medium-sized slaughterhouses uneconomical to run as many premises estimate large increases in inspection costs," said FUW president Gareth Vaughan. "This would result in the closure of a significant number - possibly the majority - of Welsh premises." FUW staff have also approached slaughterhouse owners within their regions and the majority stated that if the new charging regime is introduced their businesses would be seriously threatened. "The union has

Star-gazers are praying for clear skies on Friday February 11 as the National Botanic Garden of Wales gets ready to host another Star Party. The Swansea Astronomical Society are back at the Garden for another evening of extra-terrestrial entertainment with fingers crossed for a stunning display of heavenly bodies. But there will be plenty to do whatever the weather with a variety of indoor and outdoor activities: in the Marquee there is a telescope clinic, with help and advice being offered to beginners and/or anyone interested in taking up star gazing. Feel free to bring your own telescopes if you need help and/or advice. Meanwhile, in the Theatre, there will be a presentation of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing and Society experts will be examining Astro myths. The Star Party runs from 6.30pm until 9pm and entry is £3 with under-16s free. Refreshments – including the Garden’s fabulous home-made cawl – are available. For more information, call us on 01558 667147.

It's always great to hear from new West Wales authors. So, I was delighted this week to get a call from Gill Morgan, who is based in Haverfordwest and is yet another successful pupil from the MA creative writing course at Trinity College, Carmarthen (now University of Wales Trinity St David). Gill brought me up to speed with her latest work - 'My 'debut' novel, Salt Blue, came out a few months ago. One reviewer remarked: 'This was obviously written by a young girl'. Another commented: 'This is obviously an autobiography'. Such confidence! 'It's a shame they both got it wrong! 'I am 67 years old and, whilst I will allow I have written about a young girl who is a dreamer, like myself, Stella, the heroine, is not me. 'The book is set in a small Welsh seaside town and the year is 1959. 'In 1959 I left Gowerton Grammar school and got married. (Perhaps I should have done things the other way round: written the book when I was 16, got ma

Two short information sessions on EU links for primary and secondary schools teachers in Carmarthenshire were a great success. The event organiser, Lorena Prist, European Networking Officer at the West Wales European Centre, organised the information sessions with the aim of informing teachers of the support and funding available to schools that might be interested in starting links with other schools in Europe. It is hoped it will encourage more schools in Carmarthenshire to participate in European projects. Lorena, who manages the Europe Direct service, a Europe-wide network of information centres which aims to raise awareness of the EU and its institutions, gave a brief overview of the support and resources available to teachers. There was also instructive information on how to introduce the EU into the classroom. There were several presentations from teachers and students, who already have or have had EU links, on some of the projects schools could be involved with. There were very

The latest Simon Buckley 'Iechyd Da' column from the Carmarthen Journal - Whatever anyone says about Gordon Brown and his lack of ability to manage the nation’s finances, he did at least give the small brewers of Britain the chance to compete with their bigger rivals with the introduction of progressive beer duty. In simplistic terms, progressive beer duty was introduced by the last Labour government to bring competition to an otherwise highly uncompetitive industry, where the big boys rule ok! Small brewers such as ourselves were given beneficial beer duty rates to be able to put high quality beers on the bar counters of the UK alongside the national and regional brewers. They are beers that the consumer wants and that the larger brewers cannot produce. Typically the small brewers pay half the beer duty of the national and regional brewers. This allows us to compete against the factory brewers who have the massive advantage of scale. Quietly, between Christmas and the New Year

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen AFC column from the Carmarthen Journal - Carmarthen Town AFC has elected a new club President to succeed Anthony Jenkins. Jeff Thomas, the former chairman of the club, was elected by an unanimous vote at the club’s Extraordinary General Meeting at the clubhouse. The fund-raising work carried out by Mr Thomas proved crucial during his 14 years as chairman. His achievements as club chairman are notable – • Welsh Cup: three Welsh Cup Finals, winning once • League Cup Final – twice – winning once • Consistently finishing in top six of League • 10 European Cup appearances. • Ground brought up to UEFA European standard with European games held at Richmond Park. Capacity of 2,500 including 1056 seats in their Grandstand • State of the art Community Centre, completed at a cost of £400,000 incorporating Social Club, Match Hospitality Suites with conference facilities and meeting rooms available for hire. • An innovative Carmarthen Town com

There’s a tale of great community spirit behind Cor Meibion’s appearance for a charity concert at Capel Adulam in Felinfoel, Llanelli, later this month. “It’s a story which has very poignant moments and very uplifting moments,” said chapel Minister Rev Alan Jones. “Basically, it is about a community’s shared experience and how we come through the good times and the bad times.” Cor Meibion Llanelli will be performing at the chapel in Adulam on Friday, February 18, and will be sharing the stage with the pupils from Ysgol y Felin, the new school in Felinfoel which has been formed by Ysgol y Babanod and the Primary school. “It promises to be an excellent evening’s entertainment and I would hope everyone turns out to support a worthy cause because we will be raising money for the West Wales Hospital in Glangwili in Carmarthen.” The Minister explained: “We have chosen Glangwili because it seems to feature very heavily in the lives of our chapel-goers. “Many have benefited from treatment and

Splendid feature on the Jenkins Bakery in Llanelli in the Western Mail business section today. Jenkins Bakery (Llanelli) story now on the web on Wales Online - http://ning.it/gGQq3R Nice pic of St John Lloyd School presentation of £1000 for Llanelli Rotary Club's HARK appeal in the Llanelli Star today. Llanelli Rotary Club Ball (to be held at the Stradey Park Hotel on April 22) gets a plug in the Llanelli Star today. Llandeilo brewer Simon Buckley's 'Iechyd Da' column in the Carmarthen Journal today. Story about Healing the Wounds charity criticising Edwina Hart for 'snub' in the Carmarthen Journal today. Simon Buckey (Evan-Evans Brewery) and David Butler, Clay Shaw Butler (accountants) featured in 'creative Welsh' story in Carmarthen Journal. 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column in the Carmarthen Journal today.

Thank you very much, folks. Thanks to you, dear readers and visitors, this blog is continuing to pick up more hits. It's now hit the 22,000 page views mark. That's a 1,000 views since January 18. Keep the hits coming, folks! Much appreciated. Many thanks. See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/21000-visits-chalked-up.html Meanwhile, the blog has chalked up its first visitor from Azerbaijan. The full country by country list (figures from January 6, 2010) is as follows - United Kingdom (GB) 6,085; United States (US) 695; India (IN) 61; Canada (CA) 47; Australia (AU) 46; Germany (DE) 45; Europe (EU) 37; France (FR) 33; Ireland (IE) 33; Belgium (BE) 31; Qatar (QA) 29; Japan (JP) 28; Italy (IT) 24; Malaysia (MY) 17; Netherlands (NL) 15; Taiwan (TW) 14; New Zealand (NZ) 14; Spain (ES) 12; Russian Federation (RU) 12; Pakistan (PK) 11; United Arab Emirates (AE) 11; Philippines (PH) 11; Singapore (SG) 10; Sweden (SE) 8; Denmark (DK) 8; Austria (AT) 7; South Africa (ZA

Supermarkets and stores will be charged £25 for each abandoned shopping trolley recovered by Carmarthenshire County Council. Environment executive board member Cllr Philip Hughes has taken an executive board member decision allowing officers to trace owners and charge them upwards of £25 every time. An officer’s report showed thousands of customers daily used trolleys at stores and supermarkets across Carmarthenshire. Retailers provided them at a cost of many millions of pounds, with trolleys costing more than £100 each. Unfortunately, some irresponsible people leave their shopping trolleys unattended in streets and public places risking injuring passers by or damaging property and vehicles. Cllr Hughes said abandoned trolleys also had an environmental impact when they entered drains and waterways and interfered with the provision of public services. County environment enforcement officer Paul Morris said they wanted trolleys to stay on shop premises and the motivation to take this act

Pupils at Ysgol Bryn Teg in Llwynhendy, Llanelli, have been taught not to have more money than sense. And other schools are being urged to give their pupils the chance to learn the same lesson. A new financial literacy initiative, Synnwyr Arian, Money Sense, was taken to the school by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service. The programme consists of a series of six one-hour lessons aimed at years five and six pupils who are sequentially taken through the "concept of money". Pupils are initially taught about the actual source of money, focussing upon different forms of employment, and payslips etc. Further sessions focus upon budgeting, the different methods of borrowing money, and the associated risks, finally finishing with information on consumers’ rights when purchasing faulty goods or services and how to get ‘value for money’. Fair Trading Officer Heidi Neil said: “The third lesson introduces pupils to concepts including income, outgoings, debt, and ba

Road humps are being introduced in Llannon after concerns from the majority of villagers about speeding traffic. Carmarthenshire executive board member for transport services Cllr Philip Hughes said the village had been subject to excessive vehicle speeds for many years despite regular mobile speed camera enforcement speeds remained high. He said: “Complaints continue to be received from residents and road humps are now considered the most appropriate form of speed reduction.” There had been one objection from a Llannon resident to the traffic calming measurers proposed but it did not raise any qualified road safety issues. An executive board member decision was taken to note the objection and proceed with the construction of the humps in the wider interests of road safety.

Carmarthenshire people are being asked to consider the full facts when forming their opinions over the future of care services for older people. The council’s Executive Board member for social services has spoken out to encourage people to be aware of the full story on issues such as care home closures. Cllr Pat Jones said people are forming their opinions without being fully aware of the current situation, and are being swayed by media articles centred on claims by a protest group, which are often very misleading. One of the most recent pieces of misinformation centres on the number of current vacancies in local authority care homes in Llanelli. Claims are being made that there are only five local authority beds available in the Llanelli area, when in fact there are 19 beds lying empty. There are a further 30 beds empty in independent care homes in the Llanelli area. The costs of running these empty beds equate to over £1million – money which would otherwise be spent on the increasing

An accident a year for the last five years was good enough reason to introduce a 20mph speed limit outside a school at Heol y Neuadd, Tumble. Cllr Philip Hughes, making an executive board member decision on speed reduction for Carmarthenshire Council, said: “Five personal injuries in five years on this stretch of road demands a traffic calming measure of this nature.” The speed reduction will be on the A4310 outside Tumble Primary School. Police, local members emergency services and motoring organisations were all contacted and do not object to the proposals. Following a published notice on the changes one objection was received from a local resident who suggested 20mph speed limits should not be introduced on a main traffic route. The resident requested a status quo 30mph limit in Heol y Neuadd to remain in also suggested that many traffic calming measures would need to be introduced there to achieve compliance from motorists. Of the five personal injury accidents, two involved pedest

Smoking a cigarette in his cab has cost a Carmarthen taxi driver £200. James Cook, of Richmond Cottages, Richmond Terrace, Carmarthen, was convicted in his absence at Ammanford Magistrates Court of an offence under Section 7 of the Health Act, 2006. The court was told that at about 8.30am on Friday August 27 last year a licensing officer saw Cook driving a cab for Steve’s Taxis, Carmarthen, on Coracle Way, Carmarthen. Whilst Cook was stationary at the lights, he could clearly see him smoking a cigarette inside the vehicle. On the same day he served a Fixed Penalty Notice under the Health Act 2006 Section 7 (Offence of smoking in a smoke free place). Cook failed to pay the fixed penalty within 29 days of it being served, and was therefore prosecuted. The fixed penalty is for £50, however if paid within the first 15 days of the notice being served, this is discounted to £30. Cook was fined was fined £100 and ordered to pay £100 towards prosecution costs. Executive board member for public

A new Llanelli taxi rank is being provided in Murray Street. The rank will run for 30 metres on the town side of the street between the Cowell Street Junction with Murray Street and the Station Road traffic lights. Both the taxi fraternity and Carmarthenshire’s council senior licensing officer have been requesting additional taxi ranks in the own centre. There is an existing taxi rank in Market Street but it is felt there is need for an additional dedicated on street taxi waiting area to the west of the main shopping precinct. County transport executive board member, Cllr Philip Hughes, said: “The new rank will increase the provision of waiting areas, reduce the potential for crime and anti social behaviour on Murray Street and support trade in the town centre.” There has been consultation with all local members, police, the Road Haulage Association and motoring organisations. There was an objection from Llanelli Town Council concerned the new rank could cause traffic travelling towa

Two more car parks in Carmarthenshire have been awarded the Safer Parking Award. Both the Greyfriars and St Catherine’s Walk multi-storey car parks now display the Park Mark logo. This means they have been assessed by the police and there is improved security and safety for both visitors and their vehicles – from CCTV and lighting to parking areas and management practice. Executive board member for community safety Councillor Pam Palmer said: “The Community Safety Partnership is working hard to reduce vehicle crime in the county and we want to make sure our car parks are as safe and secure as possible. “Under this scheme car parks are assessed against strict criteria before receiving the award and have measures in place to deter criminal activity, thereby creating a safer environment for both you and your vehicle.” The Safer Parking Scheme was established by the Association of Chief Police Officers and is run by the British Parking Association. Other car parks which have achieved the a

Performing arts students from Coleg Sir Gâr are helping to demonstrate the consequences of crime to young people. A theatre in education style performance featuring students from the Graig campus in Llanelli was held at Theatr Elli. Around 1,000 year seven pupils from the Ammanford, Carmarthen and Llanelli areas went along to the show, which was also open to the public. The main performance featured a character called Jay and the moral issues she faces in life around her young friends and family. The show delivers emotional storylines and explosive performances using free-running, street dance and hip-hop. Following the performance, the pupils took part in workshops with the police, the prison service, magistrates and youth offending team. “For the first time in five years, the performance was opened to the public as well as the schools because we felt that this important message could be extended to the general public,” said Eleanor Shaw, course leader for performing arts at the colle

A four-week programme of works has started in St Catherine’s Street in Carmarthen to help deliver an improved crossing point to the new shopping development. Carmarthenshire council’s traffic management proposed to complete the work in February keeping two-way traffic flow during peak hours. There will be a need to operate single file but this will be kept to a minimum and hopefully only outside the peak traffic times - morning and evening rush hours. County executive board member for transport services, Philip Hughes, said: "Everyone will appreciate that this is a strategic hub in Carmarthen's highway network and in the light of last year's tragic accident it is essential that this work is done in the interests of the safety of the public be they pedestrians, cyclists or drivers. "The work will be carried out as quickly as possible with, hopefully, the minimum of disruption." Work started on Sunday to help deliver an improved crossing point at St Catherine’s St

The Welsh Assembly deputy Minister for social services has told of how she is ‘deeply humbled’ by the work being done by Adult Placement Carers in West Wales. Gwenda Thomas AM met with several AP carers and service users during a recent visit to Carmarthen and Newcastle Emlyn. She had been invited by the West Wales Adult Placement Service, which provides a service covering Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, placing vulnerable adults in the care of approved AP carers. During her visit, the Minister was touched when told stories of how short respite care breaks had benefitted service users. She was also told about a new social enterprise set up by AP carers to offer information, support and guidance, and was impressed to see a steel sculpture which had been hand-crafted by AP carers and service users. The Minister said: "I have been extremely impressed by what I have learnt about Adult Placement and am very humbled by the work of the Adult Placement Carers. "It is g

Pupils at Parcyrhun School have had their bicycles security marked thanks to an initiative of the school, Dyfed Powys Police and Communities First Pantyffynnon. Grandparents, parents, children and teachers took part in the initiative to have their equipment security marked by local officers in the area. PC Kevin Jones said: “This type of event is an excellent opportunity for the police to work with local residents and children to make them aware of how they can play a part in crime prevention. “Getting the message across of how you can reduce the chances of theft is important, and getting your equipment marked is the first step.” Emma Martin-Jewell, development worker for Communities First Pantyffynnon, said: “Raising awareness of community safety is an essential part of the work of Communities First and through partnership working we are able to deliver excellent schemes like this.” Communities First Pantyffynnon also runs a community bike loan scheme for residents, so that those who

A tyre amnesty is being held in Carmarthenshire. Residents can get rid of up to 10 unwanted tyres free of charge at collection points in Llanelli, Ammanford, St Clears and Llandeilo. At present, tyre companies attach a charge to any tyres that are disposed of at their business so illegally dumped tyres is a big problem not just in Carmarthenshire but across the UK. It is hoped the amnesty will encourage householders to dispose of their waste responsibly and discourage fly-tipping which is not only a blight on the landscape, but costs local authorities millions of pounds every year to clean up and causes harm to wildlife and the environment. The amnesty is being run by Tidy Towns, a Welsh Assembly Government-funded initiative which is delivered in partnership by Carmarthenshire County Council and Keep Wales Tidy. A staggering 5,376 tyres were collected in an amnesty held in April last year. Tidy Towns project officer Simon Troake said: “Around 450,000 tonnes of used tyres are produced i

Council tenants are being reminded of the importance of smoke alarms following a number of recent cases where the alarms have been removed. Property Services teams regularly check homes and other council premises to ensure smoke alarms, and other appliances, are in good working order. In recent months, they have reported an increase in cases where either batteries have been removed, or the entire unit has been removed altogether. Their warning comes at a time when there have been several serious, and even tragic, house fires in Carmarthenshire. They are asking all tenants to ensure their smoke alarms remain in place, and if batteries do run out, to ensure they are replaced immediately. Len Davies, services manager based at Llanelli’s Trostre Depot, said: “Our staff have reported back an increasing number of cases where smoke alarms have been disabled or removed altogether. “Not only does this pose a serious risk to tenants, but also poses us a problem in terms of compliance. “We have a

Cor Meibion Llanelli welcomed some special visitors to their rehearsals last week. The choir staged a ‘master class’ for more than 40 pupils from the Queen Elizabeth High School in Carmarthen. The session was the idea of Cor Meibion’s new assistant accompanist Sarah Thomas (who teaches at QE High) and musical director Eifion Thomas. Mr Thomas explained: “Sarah is thrilled that so many boys at QE High are interested in singing and joining choirs. “So we thought it would be a good idea to stage a ‘master-class’ at one of our rehearsal sessions at Furnace Community Hall. “The boys went along with the idea and more than 40 of them took part in rehearsals and we were able to put them through their paces with a variety of different songs. “It was a hugely rewarding experience for the choir and I hope the youngsters enjoyed the experience and that they will go on to enjoy their singing for many years to come. Who knows? Perhaps some will now be joining Cor Meibion Llanelli?” Meanwhile, Cor Me

The importance of training the bakers of the future was highlighted during a two-day bakery and confectionery industry conference staged in Llanelli. The British Confectioners’ Association (the body recognised as the torch-bearers for craft baking in the UK) picked Llanelli as the venue for their conference in honour of Jenkins the Bakers. The Jenkins business is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Operations Director Russell Jenkins said the two-day visit by the BCA included business workshops, tours of the Jenkins Bakery main HQ in Trostre and visits to many Jenkins shops in the area. Mr Jenkins added: “They really do pack in as much as they can into BCA meetings. The BCA is highly regarded for preserving the craft element of what we do in the bakery industry. But it is also highly focused on innovation and the future and helping to improve the industry. “The conference is always known for its healthy exchange of ideas and best practice in the craft baking industry and this s

The 30th annual Mayor’s Fun Run in Carmarthen will chalk up yet another notable first this year. The programme of races on Bank Holiday Monday, May 2, will include a special corporate section for businesses. “This is another new venture for the Mayor’s Fun Run team,” said race organiser Noelwyn Daniel. “We strive to include as many races as possible for all sections of the community. There are already races for the very young and for veterans – and last week we announced a wheelchair section for the first time. “Hopefully, a race category for businesses will be another an added attraction for spectators on what should be a very busy Bank Holiday Monday.” Mr Daniel added: “We have had businesses entering before and they make a very colourful sight when they are all dressed up in matching T-shirts advertising their company and business. “It is a great opportunity for local businesses. It’s a great team-building exercise for businesses, it’s great fun, it keeps your staff fit and healthy,

Llanelli Rotary Club's meeting at the Stradey Park Hotel last week was a 'committee think-tank' ahead of 'Rotary Day' on February 23. The next meeting of the Rotary Club is on Friday at 1pm at the Stradey Park Hotel.

Cor Meibion Llanelli will be performing at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday (February 5) for the Wales Under 20 rugby team's Six Nations match. The choir will perform before the match and at half-time. Wales U20 will play both of this season's home games at the home of the Scarlets, starting with the crunch opening clash with England on Saturday (KO 6.30pm). Wales v Ireland takes place there on Friday 11 March (KO 7.10pm). Cor Meibion Llanelli will provide entertainment for both matches.

Wales’ top civil servant will be visiting Aberystwyth University on Thursday. Dame Gill Morgan, Permanent Secretary to the Welsh Assembly Government, will be giving a public lecture on ‘Government in Wales: the Next Ten Years’. Dame Gill is a former general practitioner and hospital consultant, who went on to become Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation from 2002 to 2008. She succeeded Sir Jon Shortridge in the Assembly Government in May 2008. She is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and of the Faculty of Public Health, a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners, and a past President of the International Hospital Federation. Dame Gill’s lecture is being jointly organised by the Institute of Welsh Politics and the Centre for Welsh Legal Affairs at Aberystwyth University. Looking forward to the lecture, Dr Catrin Fflur Huws, Director of the Centre for Welsh Legal Affairs, said “From a legal perspective, the next ten years will be a very exciting time for Wal

Excellent interview on BBC Radio Wales (the Jamie and Louise Show) this am with the Chromogenex firm from Llanelli. They specialise in pain-free fat reductions - by laser! See their website - http://www.chromogenex.com/ Catch the interview again on iPlayer.

The Farmers' Union of Wales has urged the Chancellor to scrap his plans for a fuel duty hike in April and demanded that the Coalition government introduces a fuel stabiliser scheme without further delay. The current surge in inflation, plus the fuel duty rise the Chancellor is committed to introducing, will mean Welsh rural communities could see prices rise by an extra five pence per litre (ppl) or almost 23p per gallon at the pumps. Prices for unleaded petrol across Wales are already reported to be running at £1.32ppl and up to five pence more for diesel. "In view of the acute and growing pressure that rises in fuel prices represent for rural businesses, not to mention businesses across the UK, I believe that we have reached a critical point at which action must be taken to significantly reduce fuel tax in order to aid the economy," said FUW president Gareth Vaughan. "The union is very much in favour of an early introduction of a fuel stabiliser, where duty is cut w

For an entry form for the Carmarthen Mayor's races on Bank Holiday Monday,May 2, see - http://tiny.cc/8sl4k

Ghosts, leeches, bees and special tours under the biggest single span glasshouse on the planet – all this and more is occurring at the National Botanic Garden of Wales in Llanarthne near Carmarthen this half term. All week, from Monday February 21 until Friday February 25, there is a host of activities and family fun events in the Garden. A tour of the Garden’s historic relics will feature ghoulish tales of ghostly goings-on. In the Apothecaries’ Hall, you can find out all about the medicinal use of leeches, not just through history but also in the present day; and there will be candle rolling activities as part of the Bee Garden presentation – in which you will hear all about the half a million bees that work so hard in the Garden. In addition, there is a host of talks and tours, including one under the Great Glasshouse – where the public are not normally permitted. You will be able to discover the hidden regency water park features in a tour of the Forgotten Falls of Pont Felin Gat;

Carmarthen Town were dumped out of the Welsh Cup by Gap Connah's Quay in a match which went into extra time. See report - http://www.carmarthentownafc.net/