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

There's a new website (based in Glanamman) dedicated to talent. It follows something of a Britain's Got Talent theme, but is solely for the internet. Users can post video or audio clips and other users can vote them up and down the ratings, comment on them, email links etc. The site is at www.Nu2talent.com The team behind the website is made up of husband and wife Kim Sharp and Elizabeth Sharp of Glanamman. Kim said:"We have been operating since January 2010. The site went live in July of 2010 and has progressed since then to its present state. There are more a few minor details to be taken care of to complete the site. "We’re offering talented people of any genre, the chance to be discovered (if they’re not already) free of charge. "There is also a ‘represent this artist’ button for agents to show an interest in unsigned acts. The ‘Donate’ button is also now working. "Everyone is welcome to post clips. I hope I can count on the support of our local college...

Llanelli boxer Shon Davies makes the first defence of his light-heavyweight crown tonight. Boxing: Title on line at Newport show - Boxing - Sports - WalesOnline

Welsh Premier League play-offs: How they will work Welsh Premier League play-offs: How they will work - Welsh Football League - Sport News - Daily Post North Wales

Llanelli Reds manager Andy Legg calls for the town to get behind his lads in tomorrow's football final. LLANELLI boss Andy Legg has sent a passionate rally cry for the town to get behind his side in their Welsh Cup final at Parc y Scarlets tomorrow (2.30pm).

A couple of pics of the Burry Port Town Band at the Carmarthen Mayor's Fun Run races. The band performed in Red Street and were a big hit with the crowds. Carmarthen Fun Run 2011

Peter Griffiths, a Welsh exile currently living in Denver, Colorado, visited his old friends at Cor Meibion Llanelli at their rehearsal session at Furnace Community Hall, Llanelli. The author presented copies of his book, Tongue Tied, to members of the choir. Peter Griffiths at Cor Meibion Llanelli rehearsal

Pictures from last night's Carmarthen Town AFC presentation evening held at the Clubhouse and Community Centre at Richmond Park. Carmarthen Town AFC annual presentations 2011

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 30,000 page views mark. That's 1,000 more views since April 28. Keep the hits coming, folks! Much appreciated. Many thanks. See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/29000-visits-chalked-up.html Meanwhile, the blog has chalked up its first visitor from Yemen. The full country by country list (figures from January 6, 2010) is as follows - United Kingdom (GB) 8,860; United States (US) 1,124; India (IN) 82; Canada (CA) 66; Germany (DE) 54; Australia (AU) 53; Europe (EU) 50; Ireland (IE) 46; France (FR) 39; Japan (JP) 38; Taiwan (TW) 36; Belgium (BE) 32; Qatar (QA) 29; Netherlands (NL) 27; Italy (IT) 26; Spain (ES) 20; Philippines (PH) 20; New Zealand (NZ) 18; Malaysia (MY) 18; Pakistan (PK) 17; Russian Federation (RU) 16; United Arab Emirates (AE) 14; Sweden (SE) 12; Greece (GR) 10; Austria (AT) 10; Denmark (DK) 10; Singapore (SG) 10;...

Menter Cwm Gwendraeth’s Twilight Service to help patients leave hospital and return to the community has been going from strength to strength. The service operates from 2pm-10pm Thursday to Monday, offering free car transport home from accident and emergency departments at Prince Philip and Glangwili hospitals to vulnerable patients. Twilight Service manager Janet Hague said: “In recent months we have been breaking records in terms of the number of people able to return home. “We helped 70 people return home in November, and 60 in December despite the weather being so bad. “We do assessments in people’s homes. Our role is to help people to stay at home where they want to be, and avoid having to go back into hospital, by providing suitable services at home.” She said that the Twilight Service continued to co-operate with other agencies to make it possible for people to leave hospital and move back home. It was also focusing on safety in the home including whether fire alarms or new ...

A battalion of more than 200 musicians spanning massed choirs, military bands and singers will be uniting next week for the 2011 Llanelli Proms. (Saturday 14th May, 2011). The ever-popular Llanelli Proms will see the musical baton of conductor John Hywel Williams MBE bring together the famous Band of the Adjutant General's Corps, the massed voices of the Hywel Girls' Choir & Hywel Boy Singers, Llanelli Choral Society and the Morriston RFC Male Voice Choir soprano Sarah Estrill, organist Huw Tregelles Willaims and pianist Jean Hywel for a roof-raising evening of patriotic and popular music. "The excitement for the Llanelli Proms is building", explains the founder and director, John Hywel Williams. "The Llanelli Proms is a rare opportunity for audiences and performers alike to unite in furious flag-waving and roof-raising singing and music and many ‘Llanelli Prommers’ are already set with their tickets, flags and balloons ready for this music extravaganza.” The...

Council housing tenants in the Llanelli area are being invited to drop in to a new Tenant Resource Office, which has been set up in the town. Carmarthenshire County Council has set up the facility within its Hafan Y Morfa Sheltered Scheme, in Station Road. The resource office is open five days a week, from 10am to 1pm, and allows housing tenants to drop in and speak to housing and tenant participation officers, as well as tenant executive members which represent tenants and work closely with council officers. Members of tenant and resident associations can also use the office to hold small meetings and access office equipment. Tenant Debbie Pearce said: “Since the resource office has been open, far more tenants have visited us to utilise the equipment and book the meeting room. Housing services staff are available to hold surgeries with tenants on a wide range of issues. Tenants can also meet tenant executive members to share information and get guidance on local events and training co...

Menter Cwm Gwendraeth’s month-long festival Gŵyl y Gwendraeth has an exciting line-up of events. The Menter has a varied programme for the festival, which is held throughout the valley over the course of May and features events that are aimed at bringing local community groups of all ages together to celebrate the modern and traditional culture of Wales. Gŵyl y Gwendraeth attracts about 5,000 people. Forthcoming attractions include a treasure hunt in Pontyates on Wednesday May 11 6-7pm starting from the car park and finishing at the Baltic for food. The cost is £5 a car. For further information, contact 01269 871600. Mynyddygarreg Eisteddfod will be held at Neuadd Mynyddygarreg on Friday May 13 starting at 5pm. For further details, contact Mansel Thomas on 01554 890172. The Festival Lecture by Dr Mererid Hopwood will be held in Neuadd Bethesda, Tumble, on Wednesday May 18, starting at 7pm. For further information, contact Paul Thomas on 01269 871600. On Thursday May 19 Cross Hands Cine...

Residents at Felinfoel’s Tirynys Sheltered Scheme have welcomed a donation which will allow them to purchase artwork for communal areas. A cheque was handed over to residents and staff by TAD Builders Ltd, which has been carrying out renovation work commissioned by the council. Residents were grateful to receive the cheque, which was presented to them at a special tea party to celebrate the completion of the work. Residents are pictured with the council’s housing executive board member Cllr Hugh Evans; site manager Mel Matthews; Felinfoel councillor Huw Richards; project liaison officer Laura John; tenant participation officer Pat Evans; TAD director Delwyn Jones; and housing officer Mary Morgan. Pic Jeff Connell

Phyllis Morgan, a tenant at the council-run Tirynys Sheltered Scheme in Felinfoel, Llanelli, has celebrated her 90th birthday with a lavish birthday bash. ‘Fabulous Phyllis’, as she is known to fellow tenants and staff at the scheme, where she has lived for the past 22 years, was joined by family and friends for the special occasion. A former employee of Llanelli’s Morris Motors car factory (now known as Calsonic Kansei) for many years as she was sadly widowed during WWII. Tenant Participation Officer Pat Evans said: “Phyllis is an accomplished pianist and achieved her cap and gown from the Royal College of Music - she has taught piano locally in Felinfoel for many years and is fondly remembered by former pupils. She is kept very busy and is much loved by fellow tenants and staff at Tirynys as she always finds time to help and support other people.”

The winner of an exciting competition about to get underway in Carmarthenshire will land a two-year minimum paid construction apprenticeship. The council’s Property Services division is launching its second Next Steps competition in association with Llanelli-based building company Lloyd and Gravell, and partners Coleg Sir Gar and Carmarthenshire Construction and Training Association Ltd (CCTAL). The winner will land a paid apprenticeship with Lloyd and Gravell Ltd, with on-site and college-based training in a building trade of their choice, giving them a unique chance to start a new career in construction. Applications for the competition will close at the end of May, and interviews are planned in June. Successfully shortlisted candidates will take part in six-weeks of on-site training with skilled tradesmen working on council houses as part of the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard during July and August. They will learn basic skills in trades including bricklaying, carpentry and plasteri...

On Q Promotions Chairman Paul Mount announced today that Terry Griffiths, the 1979 World Snooker Champion, widely recognised as the World's Leading Coach, has joined On Q Promotions as the new Director of Coaching. Mr Mount said "I am absolutely delighted that Terry has agreed to join On Q Promotions and the South West Snooker Academy. Our aspirations for the sport dovetail perfectly and I am totally confident that with Terry on board we will continue to introduce more players into snooker and nurture the young talent with Terry's guidance at our purpose-built facilities at the South West Snooker Academy." Terry Griffiths' role will include being coach to 'The Pink Army, as On Q Promotions' 19 managed players are popularly known. Griffiths enthused, "I am really excited about this opportunity. The On Q players include opponents who I played as a professional, players who are real contenders for titles and also the new young talent at the start of thei...

Game on this eve - Mond Cup semi-final, Carmarthen Town AFC Reserves v Emlyn Reserves, kick-off 6pm. Cefnogwch Y Dre! Support The Town.

Welsh Icons website puts the spotlight on Cor Meibion Llanelli's concert at the Thomas Arms on Saturday night - http://ning.it/m2l2xX Evening Post Going Out section puts the spotlight on Cor Meibion Llanelli's charity concert at the Thomas Arms on Saturday night. Evening Post story re PTSD victim today helps put spotlight on the Healing The Wounds charity.

Looking after business, the new business page column from the Carmarthen Journal By Nigel Roberts, finance and banking specialist with Carmarthen-based accountants Clay Shaw Butler All West Wales companies – from award winners to new start-ups – will appreciate that there are many factors ensuring success in today’s economy. A good quality product, enthusiasm, enterprise and innovation will be among the factors which will play in a company’s favour. Also central will be a company’s relationship with its bankers. Here, then are my Top 10 tips for making sure have a good relationship with your bankers and fund providers – 1. For your product, research the market undertaking the necessary diligence. 2. Use your bank manager or business consultant as a sounding board for new ideas. Their input at an early stage might save time later. 3. Minimise your borrowing requirement by introducing cash. Family money may also be an option. It’s less formal - and they will not in most cases research yo...

Another ‘missionary’ expedition by Cor Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Voice) has been a resounding success. The choir journeyed to the Dorset hilltop town of Shaftesbury as part of a link which goes back 20 years. “As one of the leading choirs in Wales we enjoy doing our bit to spread the Gospel of Welsh choral singing to parts of England,” smiled choir musical director Eifion Thomas. “Over the years Shaftesbury has been a regular missionary trip for us and the connection is now so strong that there will be a busload of fans from Dorset attending our annual concert in Llanelli on July 16. “Our Dorset concert was held at the Shaftesbury School and Sports College and was a sell-out event. “We had a fabulous reception and it was something of a red letter day for us as it marked a concert debut for our new accompanist Sarah Thomas. Concert organiser Susan Ballett explained the history of the link with Cor Meibion Llanelli: “They first came at the invitation of St James Church in the late ...

The new Clay Shaw Butler 'Looking After Business' column is featured in the Carmarthen Journal Business page. Lovely page one pic of the Carmarthen Mayor's fun run races in the Carmarthen Journal today. Carmarthen Journal page one story helps put the spotlight on the Healing The Wounds charity and their work to treat PTSD. Carmarthen tenor Wynne Evans to star in Parc y Scarlets concert in Llanelli - story in Evening Post and Llanelli Star. Good feature on Trostre Amateur Boxing Club's Del Phillips and his sparring days with the late Henry Cooper in the Evening Post today. Llanelli Star puts spotlight on 'Snakeman-Moon' Ghost Watch DVD - it's raising money for the Healing The Wounds charity. Jenkins Bakery's award-winning 'Royal Wedding' cake featured in the Llanelli Star this week. Cor Meibion Llanelli featured on llanellitown.com - http://ning.it

Over the Easter holidays Ammanford library teamed up with Communities First Pantyffynnon to run a Family Fun Wii Challenge. The event was organised by Emma Martin-Jewell (Communities First development worker) as part of the drive to develop digital inclusion to all. Emma said: “This event proved to be very successful, bringing people of all ages and abilities together to create a sense of cohesion and appreciation of people from different generations. We look forward to running a similar event in the library this summer.” At present, digital inclusion and child poverty is high on the Welsh Assembly Government’s agenda, and opportunities or events like this are being run across the county not only with Communities First, but also with the Communities 2.0 project. In celebration of Adult Learners Week, Communities First Pantyffynnon will be hosting a digital inclusion day in the ICT centre near Parc Amanwy on May 20 from 1pm. This event will be aimed at silver surfers and those who wou...

People living in the Amman Valley are being invited to receive debt support and benefits entitlement checks, as well as free training to enhance their skills. There are also volunteering opportunities to help give people a better chance of gaining long-term employment in the future. The Debt and Benefit Back to Work project is available to people living in the whole of the Amman Valley, covering Saron, Tycroes, Capel Hendre, Ammanford, Garnant, Glanamman, Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, Brynamman, Tairgwaith, and Cwmgors. Residents are being offered debt support, benefits checks, Return to Work support, employment guidance, volunteering opportunities and training. The project is working closely with Communities First partnerships, community groups and voluntary and statutory service providers to create a network of support for those suffering with debt problems, helping them to access benefits and providing them with opportunities to train for new skills. If you would like assistance with your debt,...

Menter Cwm Gwendraeth’s month-long festival Gŵyl y Gwendraeth is now underway. Menter Cwm Gwendraeth has a varied programme for the festival, which is held throughout the valley over the course of May and features events that are aimed at bringing local community groups of all ages together to celebrate the modern and traditional culture of Wales. Gŵyl y Gwendraeth attracts about 5,000 people. Forthcoming events include the Dilwyn Roberts Memorial Walk organised by Crwydriaid Crwbin, which sets out from by Kidwelly Castle at 10.30am on Saturday May 7. For further information, contact 01269 871600. A treasure hunt will be held in Pontyates on Wednesday May 11 6-7pm starting from the car park and finishing at the Baltic for food. The cost is £5 a car. For further information, contact 01269 871600. Mynyddygarreg Eisteddfod will be held at Neuadd Mynyddygarreg on Friday May 13 starting at 5pm. For further details, contact Mansel Thomas on 01554 890172. The Festival Lecture by Dr Mererid Ho...

Carmarthen Town AFC Supporters' Player of the Year 2011 - Voting deadline has been extended. If you have not already voted, please use this link to go to the voting form https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGp4Nk9zbkgyenZhQldlWmdXa2EwT2c6MQ

Llanelli hotel manager Christine Langley Evans has enlisted the help of Cor Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Voice Choir) in her latest fund-raising drive for Leukaemia Research. Mrs Evans, manager at the Thomas Arms, has first hand experience of leukaemia. “I was one of the lucky ones,” she said. “I was diagnosed with leukaemia, but I was lucky enough to get a bone marrow transplant nearly two years ago. “I will always be grateful for the life-saving care and treatment I received, so I like to stage events every now and again to raise awareness for Leukaemia Research and to help raise funding for the charity.” Mrs Evans added: “I am grateful to Cor Meibion Llanelli for helping me out with my latest event – a musical evening at the Thomas Arms this Saturday, starting at 7.30pm. “There will also be a guest soloist, Mandy Starr, who is from Port Talbot and sings classical and operatic items, so it promises to be a real musical treat. “There will be a comedian and cawl and crusty bread is ...

This week's special offers at Jenkins Bakery shops (inc roll of the week, Chicken Tikka Softie, £2.10) http://ning.it/dZZV8w

Photos from yesterday's Carmarthen Mayor's Fun Run now on sportysnaps (scroll to new events) - http://www.sportysnaps.com/ Results will be on - http://www.rasusymaer.org.uk/

Latest 'Iechyd Da' beer column written by Llandeilo brewer Simon Buckley for the Carmarthen Journal - Nationalism on the rebound! If you had been at The Guildhall in London for the International Brewing Awards, you would have sensed a great Welsh Nationalism breaking out among the brewers from Wales who had been summoned to this magnificent and historic building for the prize-giving and medal presentation. For the first time in my brewing career, I had the rare privilege of taking my brewing team to The Guildhall to receive a prize at the awards. Not any old prize, but one of the most cherished and sought-after prizes of this, the oldest brewing awards competition in the world. This was a competition judged over three days in February by some of the most talented brewers in the world, and a final tasting panel of some 30 judges. The significance of our brewing team’s achievement was only to become apparent in the relative splendour and grandeur of The Guildhall. They had brewed...

Latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen AFC column from the Carmarthen Journal - Carmarthen Town's Annual Dinner to be held on Friday 20th May 2011 at the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel Carmarthen with guest speaker Jan Molby is now sold out. --------------------------------------------- Tote draw – April 19 draw, winning numbers 29 and 30. The winner of the prize £200 was Kath Jones. This week’s draw for a prize of £200 was taking place on Tuesday night. ---------------------------------------------- The spotlight falls on the Carmarthen Town AFC Under-13 Academy this week. Here are some of the players who are members of the Academy - Daniel Brice, Kidwelly Black Cats FC; Emyr Green, Kidwelly Black Cats FC; Harry Goforth, Tenby FC; Jack Fisher; Newcastle Emlyn FC; Jack Parkinson, Tenby FC; Keiran Webb, Newcastle Emlyn FC; Kieran Wilson, Ammanford FC; Liam Jeffreys; Ammanford FC; Lloyd Davies; Teigrod Teilo FC; Marco Bonandrini, Teigrod Teilo FC; Ryan Webb, Newcastle Emlyn FC; Sa...

Aberystwyth 1 Carmarthen 0 - Welsh Premier - Football - WalesOnline Carmarthen Town AFC lose final game of the season. Ah well, always next season to look forwward to!

Gastro future for former Archers brewery - General News - Morning Advertiser Evan-Evans brewery in Llandeilo keeps the Archers beer brands going.

On May 12, 2011, Cymdeithas Aberaeron will commemorate 100 years since the opening of the Lampeter to 'Aberayron' railway line and launch a series of events and activities. Thursday 12 May – Centenary Day 11.30am - Commemoration Ceremony A plaque to commemorate the centenary will be unveiled by a descendent of the Gwynne family, Haydn Pythian Adams. Guests will be addressed by Mair Harrison (Chair of Cymdeithas Aberaeron and Mayor of Aberaeron) and Cynog Dafis (President of Cymdeithas Aberaeron) Following the ceremony, 300 primary school children dressed in period costume will sing the National Anthem before walking along the old railway line to National Trust Llanerchaeron. 1pm (Approximately) Picnic Lunch At Llanerchaeron, the 300 children will partake in a picnic lunch. A commemorative train cake will be cut by the guest speakers and two pupils from Ciliau Parc, Felin Fach and Aberaeron Primary Schools. Everyone is welcome to bring their own picnics or have lunch at the Na...

Game on today! Man Flu has been beaten. Bank Hols over. Back to business - only five deadlines today!