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

Joint working between Carmarthenshire County Council’s Home Improvement Team and the Mid and West Wales Fire Brigade may have saved the life of a Brynamman couple. The Home Improvement Team regularly checks for the presence of smoke detectors as part of routine visits to advise people on ways to improve their homes, and sends referrals to the fire brigade where necessary. On one such visit to a property in Station Road, Brynamman, the team noted that there was only one working smoke detector in the premises, located on the upstairs landing. Following a referral, firefighters from the Ammanford Fire Station visited and installed two free smoke alarms. Only weeks later, a fire broke out and the occupiers were able to escape before coming to any harm. Station Manager, Adrian Nicholas, said: “This incident could have been fatal without this vital early warning. There is no excuse for not having working smoke detectors in your home, as the Fire Service will test existing alarms or install n

Universities in South West Wales are teaming up to explain how they can help businesses in the region. The University of Wales Trinity St David, the Swansea Metropolitan University and Swansea University have formed the Dragon Innovation Partnership. They are staging an Open forum event at the Quinnell Room at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli on Thursday, June 23 (10am-3pm). A spokesman explained: "Working in partnership with a university, organisations can gain access to a wide range of opportunities for growing business, including - Funding Training and consultancy Access to state-of-the-art equipment and technology Graduate placements Knowledge and expertise Research And much more . . . The three universities in the region (University of Wales Trinity St David, the Swansea Metropolitan University and Swansea University) are working through the Dragon Innovation Partnership and in collaboration with the Welsh Government to bring together all of their project, initiatives and funding

The Ashburnham Golf Club in Pembrey, near Llanelli, is staging its annual Junior Open Day today. The sun is shining, so take a trip to the links and join in the fun!

More than 400 compost bins were sold in a special half-price compost bin sale held during Compost Awareness Week. The one-off sale was organised by Carmarthenshire County Council’s waste section at the Co-op car park in Cross Hands. The 330 litre compost bins were available to residents at a subsidised price of just £5. The aim was to encourage householders to go green by home composting their garden and kitchen waste. You can compost all sorts of garden waste, including twigs, leaves and grass cuttings, as well as fruit and vegetable peelings and even paper and card. Council waste minimisation/recycling officer Karen Fulham said: “There’s nothing easier, cheaper, or more satisfying than making your own compost. Home composting uses garden waste as a resource, and helps keep green waste away from landfill. You can also add some kitchen waste such as raw vegetable peelings to your compost bin. And remember, for food waste which can’t be composted, there’s always your green food bin. “Th

Carmarthenshire County Council is establishing a forum for traders in Burry Port. The council’s Head of Economic Development Wendy Walters said the intention was to set up a forum along the same lines as the one for traders in Carmarthen’s King Street. She said: “We would be more than happy to work with local traders to look at the regeneration of Burry Port town and see how traders can benefit.” Burry Port businessman and vice chairman of the Chamber of Trade Hefin Williams welcomed the move. He said: “What we are looking for is a voice for the business sector in Burry Port. We have the Chamber of Trade and this is to set up a forum with traders and the council as part of the regeneration of Burry Port.” Executive board member for regeneration Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “I very much welcome this. It shows that the business sector is active and that they feel that by getting together they can bring more trade to Burry Port. I am a great believer that unity is strength.”

Carmarthen Town AFC will be holding their pre-season trials for the different age groups of the club's Academy on the following dates - June 27th Under 12s (first of two) June 28th Under 16s June 29th Under 12s (second of two) June 30th Under 14s All players to report to Richmond Park, home of Carmarthen Town Football Club, by 5.45pm each evening. General Contact Numbers: Keiran Davies: 07718 918442 Ray Squires: 07970 146709 Gareth Jones: 07814 262656 Shane Earp: 07743 489905 Ashley Williams: 07531 295225 Pre-season training for the Under 19s will begin in mid June. Updates will be released in the local press and on the Carmarthen Town website. http://www.carmarthentownafc.net/

The team from The Ashburnham Golf Club in Pembrey, near, Llanelli, has made it through to the fourth round of the Golfing Union of Wales Victory Shield foursomes. The next round is against Cardigan Golf Club on June 12. Flying the flag for 'The Ash' are Devlin Leach and Elliott Anderson.

The Jenkins Bakery in Llanelli has said a very fond farewell to one of the firm’s longest-serving employees. Patricia Hazard, area retail manager, has retired after almost 24 years service with the Jenkins Bakery. “We are very proud of the fact that we are a family-run business with a host of employees who chalk up more than 20 years with us,” said Operations Director Russell Jenkins. “Pat has made a significant contribution to the success of the business over the years and work colleagues and customers will miss her. However, we would like to wish her a well-deserved, long and healthy retirement.” Patricia said: “I have been with the company for almost 24 years and have enjoyed every moment. Since I began in 1987, I have been privileged to see the company grow from five to 25 shops and been part of its development into one of the most successful family bakery businesses in Wales. “I would like to thank the Jenkins family for employing me. They have given me the opportunity for profess

Residents in Llanelli are being urged to report any anti-social behaviour taking place in the Town Hall grounds by calling 101. The Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership, which includes the council and the police, wants to make sure all incidents are reported to the police as soon as possible so that the appropriate action can be taken. Officers say evidence is vital in order to tackle the problem. It follows complaints of noise and criminal damage from nearby householders as well as criminal damage which has led to the council having to cut the electricity supply to the bandstand and nail down benches. The local neighbourhood policing team is always proactive in dealing with any reported incidents and frequently patrols the area and will continue to do so. Community safety manager Kate Thomas said: “We are encouraging residents living near Llanelli Town Hall to report all incidents of anti-social behaviour to the police straight away by calling 101. Early reporting allows offic

A Gwendraeth Valley man has been fined by the courts for throwing litter. William Driver John Coles, aged 34, of Water Street, Kidwelly, was convicted in absence to an offence contrary to Section 87 Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Ammanford Magistrates Court. The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council. The court heard that the council’s environmental enforcement officers were travelling along Lower Trostre Road in Llanelli on December 7 last year when they saw a man walking towards them drinking from a can and then he threw it into the hedge. He was issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75 but he failed to pay it within the specified time and was prosecuted through the courts as a result. Magistrates fined him £175 and ordered him to pay prosecution costs of £300.50. It is now hoped this case will act as a warning to would-be litterbugs that this type of anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. The council’s executive board member for the environment Counci

A Neath man has appeared before Ammanford Magistrates Court for illegally carrying scrap metal. Peter Mark Roberts, aged 38, of Giants Wharf Caravan Site, Briton Ferry, pleaded guilty to an offence contrary to Section 1 of the Control of Pollution (Amendment Act) 1989. The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council. The court heard that Roberts was stopped by police In Llansteffan Road, Johnstown, Carmarthen, on December 31 last year. He was driving a Ford Transit and was carrying scrap metal items including an old cooker, car batteries and an old galvanised gate. The police officers established that Roberts did not have a valid waste carriers licence from the Environment Agency to allow him to transport controlled waste and he had not completed waste transfer notes for the consignment of waste as required by law. Roberts told the court that although he did not have a licence at the time he had now obtained one. He said that he did not know that he needed one as his busi

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC football club column from the Carmarthen Journal newspaper - Carmarthen Town AFC will be staging its 13th Fete and Primary School Football Tournament at the Richmond Park ground on Saturday, July 2. The fete and tournament is being sponsored by the St Catherine’s Walk shopping development, which recently celebrated its first year of business. Club executive committee chairman Gareth O Jones said: “In my opinion, the fete and football tournament is the most important date in Carmarthen Town’s calendar for the year. “It is also an important date in the sporting calendar for the primary schools of Carmarthenshire. “I would like to thank the teaching and support staff of all the schools for their assistance in helping the children compete. Thanks also go to parents for their kind support. “Here at Carmarthen Town, we pride ourselves in being a community-focussed club. We are very grateful for the support of local businesses a

One of the rising stars at The Ashburnham Golf Club in Pembrey will be representing Wales in Italy later this summer. Nia Greville has been chosen to join the Welsh Girls Under-18 team taking part in the European Girls Championships in Sardinia in Italy in July. Nia’s place in the Wales team follows her recent victory in the Welsh Girls Under-16 Championship at the Royal St David’s Golf Club in Harlech. “That was an outstanding win and thoroughly deserved,” said Ashburnham club secretary Huw Morgan. “We are very proud of our junior golfers here at The Ashburnham and we are working very hard to encourage the next generation of golfers. “All of us here at the club are very proud of Nia’s recent win in Harlech and we wish all the very best on her trip to Sardinia.” Nia comes from one of Llanelli’s most famous sporting families. Her father, Simon Greville, played for Llanelli Scarlets, and her grandfather is Handel Greville, a Welsh rugby international and a Scarlets legend who was once ch

Carmarthen Town AFC has announced its ticket package for Vice-Presidents for next season, 2011–2012. Club President Jeff Thomas said: "We are proud to be able to offer supporters who take the Vice-Presidents package the following - • Free admission to all Welsh Premier League Home Games for the 2011/2012 season. • A special Vice-Presidents pass/card for Richmond Park. • Free refreshments at half-time in the Vice-Presidents Lounge. • Special Vice-Presidents evenings. • The services of a Vice-Presidents Liaison Officer regarding club activities and general information. • Preferential consideration for European competition travel arrangements." In addition, said Mr Thomas, the club has a package for Gold Vice-Presidents. He added: "This will entitle you for the period of 10 years to: • All the privileges listed above. • Free travel on team bus to away games. • Free admission to away Welsh Premier League matched when travelling on the bus. • Free admission to all Richmond Pa

A Bank Holiday Monday bucket collection in Carmarthen town centre for the Healing The Wounds charity raised £393.55. Bethan Walters, Jean Bowles, Andy Macdonald-Rice and the charity's fund-raising manager, Rachel Phillips, gave up their holiday to raise funds for the charity. Bill John, a Trustee of Healing The Wounds, said: "Well done to all for their fund-raising efforts. It was an excellent effort." Healing The Wounds is a Welsh charity which helps treat sufferers of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). The charity’s new HQ is Office 26, Enterprise Centre, Bryn Road, Tondu, Bridgend, CF32 9BS, telephone 01656 728281. The Healing The Wounds charity was set up in December 2009 to help provide PTSD treatment for members of the armed forces and veterans. It aims to set up a Welsh base for the treatment of PTSD. It is already arranging treatment courses and building a team of counsellors who can treat PTSD. Donations can be made – By post: To make your donation by post,

A Llanelli woman has been fined £200 and ordered to pay £200 court costs for putting her rubbish out in the back lane when it is collected at the front of her property. Claire Judith Davis, aged 32, of Warerloo Street, was convicted in absence to an offence contrary to Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Ammanford Magistrates Court. The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council. The court heard that the council’s environmental enforcement officers had received a complaint about a large number of rubbish bags in the back lane between Queen Victoria Road and Waterloo Street. On arrival at the scene the officers found 16 black bags of waste and closer examination of the waste revealed a document addressed to Davis. They returned to the office and checked their records which showed that Davis had been issued with a Section 46 Notice on two occasions for not putting her waste at the correct collection point. The officers visited Davis and asked her why she

A Llandeilo man has been prosecuted for failing to remove a static caravan kept on his land without planning permission. Carmarthenshire County Council enforcement officers had issued Mark White with a Planning Enforcement Notice to remove the static caravan from his land at Llwyn y Bedw, Capel Isaac, Llandeilo. He was also served with a Section 215 Notice to remove various steel containers, scrap materials, vehicles and scrap vehicles. Ammanford Magistrates Court heard that White did not comply with either of the Notices served, so the council proceeded with prosecution. White, who pleaded guilty to offences under Sections 179 and 216 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, was fined a total of £300 and ordered to pay £200 towards prosecution costs.

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 33,000 page views mark. That's 1,000 more views since May 24 - just a week ago! Keep the hits coming, folks! Much appreciated. Many thanks. See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/32000-visits-chalked-up.html Meanwhile, the blog has chalked up its first visitor from Latvia. 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; S

Following the trend set by a number of UK universities, Aberystwyth University will be launching a Rent a Room Scheme on Wednesday to assist students in finding accommodation within the town. The scheme encourages University staff to make use of spare rooms within their homes by offering them to students. To ensure that the rooms offered by staff meet with the requirements of students in terms of furniture and equipment, the University is offering an interest free loan to staff. Whilst the Rent a Room scheme has been on offer to some postgraduate and part time/short term students in the past, the University is now expanding the scheme to full time students. Jim Wallace, Head of Residential and Hospitality Services said: “We recognise that, due to the popularity of the University, there are unprecedented calls for accommodation within the private sector this year. At the same time, we are aware that a number of staff have rooms available within their homes and that they, and the stud

Carmarthenshire County Council has bought an Amman Valley eyesore building in order to demolish it. The local authority’s physical regeneration department has bought the former Palais de Danse site in Garnant from the Royal British Legion for £30,000 with funding from the Welsh Government’s Western Valleys Regeneration Area scheme. The dilapidated building, also known as Haig Hall, will be demolished in order to remove an eyesore from the area. The county council proposes to create a low key environmental enhancement of the site including recreational amenities as the second phase of the project. Cwmaman Town Council recently completed a community consultation exercise and this building was highlighted as a problem property which has a detrimental effect on the amenity of the neighbourhood. Upon inviting suggestions from members of the public there was a unanimous view that the building should be demolished and the site cleared. Carmarthenshire County Council is looking to work in part

Cwmaman Carnival will take place next month with an exciting programme of events. The carnival came back with a bang last year after a gap of 15 years. A hard-working community team restored the carnival, winning a £20,000 grant from the Western Valleys programme to help run the event for two years. The Valleys – Heart and Soul of Wales is a three-year campaign led by partnership organisations from the Western Valleys, Heads of the Valleys and The Valleys Partnership. The aim is to change perceptions of The Valleys, attract more tourists and bring long-term economic benefits to the area. The fun starts on Friday June 24 when there will be evening entertainment in the marquee from 6pm to midnight. There will be an Irish theme to the event, with pop acts provided by Turtle Promotions. The main Carnival will be held in Cwmaman Park from 10am until midnight on Saturday June 24. Acts include Meirion Owen's Quack Pack, Tawe Samba, a climbing wall, inflatable Gladiator Challenge and Rugby

Llanelli Rotary Club is staging a ‘Celebrity Ladies Sleepover’ in one of the world-famous Shelterbox tents! The tents are designed for use in ‘disaster zones’ and have been airlifted into Japan and Haiti in recent years. “We have a tent which we use for demonstration purposes to show the people of Llanelli how Rotary is able to help in emergency situations in disaster zones,” said Melanie Carroll-Cliffe, President of Llanelli Rotary Club. “But we will be putting the tent to more pleasant use on Saturday, June 18, when we stage a ‘Celebrity Ladies Sleepover’ at Parc Elin Mair in Five Roads, Llanelli. “The club has picked some special ‘victims’, sorry ‘volunteers’, to spend a night in the Shelterbox tent. I will be there, along with fellow Rotarians Sue Roberts and Alison Evans, Llanelli MP Nia Griffith, Eleanor Marks, Director of the Communities Division with the Welsh Government, Stradey Park Hotel owner Angela Saunders and our Rotary District Governor Donna Wallbank.” There will be a

Carmarthen Town AFC and other clubs from South Wales in the Welsh Premier League have begun planning for the next season. They will be watching closely this afternoon to see if Swansea City succeed in their Championship play-off game at Wembley. The clubs will have to look carefully at home fixtures next season as they will not want to clash with any home Swans fixtures in the Premiership. The Old Gold of Carmarthen AFC have always requested that their home fixtures do not clash with any Swans home games, but that is not always possible. Gareth Jones, the Carmarthen Town Chairman/Secretary, said:“We have always tried to rearrange our games when there are any clashes but this is not always possible when facing a club from North Wales. "It is not practicable for them to travel for Friday night fixtures and we have already decided not to play any home games on a Sunday. "Therefore, whether the Swans are promoted to the Premiership or not, we will continue with our policy of play

Day Three of 'Finish The Book project'. Starting to flag a bit now. But at least the structure is taking shape nicely!

Wonderful stuff from The Independent to celebrate the 90th birthday of Prince Philip! Ninety gaffes in ninety years - Home News, UK - The Independent

Teamwork always pays dividends, as any football team boss knows. It was certainly the case for Carmarthen Town AFC football club and the Parents/Teachers Association of Ysgol Bro Myrddin in Carmarthen. The club and school combined to sell raffle tickets for Carmarthen Town, with the school getting 75% of the funds for all the tickets they sold, while the football club received 25% for supplying the tickets and the prizes. The Grand Raffle first prize winner of £500 was the Parents/Teachers Association of Ysgol Bro Myrddin. The prize money will now go towards sponsoring the school mini-bus. Pictured, left to right are - Dorian Williams, Head of Ysgol Bro Myrddin, Eldeg Rosser, treasurer of the Parents/Teachers Association, and Neil Alexander of EMC Services, the sponsors of Carmarthen Town AFC's Grand Raffle and Community Programme. Carmarthen Town AFC chairman Gareth Jones said: “It was great for both the school and the football club to team up in this way. In the end, we both bene

Cor Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Choir) will be teaming up with choirs from across Wales on Saturday to form a special 1,000 voice choir. The choristers have been recruited by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to envelop the Millennium Stadium in song when Wales face the Barbarians on Saturday (June 4), kick-off 2.30pm. “This is a real one-off occasion and something to truly behold,” said choir secretary Fred Elias. “The power and drama created by a Welsh male voice choir in full voice is something which raises the hairs on the back of your neck. “Putting many of the best choirs in Wales together to create a 1,000-strong massed choir is a huge event and I know that all the boys in Cor Meibion Llanelli are thrilled to be taking part. “We’ve got one choir member in Ray Williams who knows what it feels like to represent Wales on the field of rugby. “Singing in a 1,000-strong male voice choir is almost like a choral international for us as singers and I am sure many of the boys will be feelin

And so it begins, Day Two of 'Let's finish the blooming book project'. Fingers at the keyboard, ready, steady, Go!