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

AnthemCorMeibion.wmv - YouTube Apologies for the poor quality. Recorded on a simple Sony Cybershot camera. Concert at Theatr Elli, Llanelli, October 7, 2011 - 1911 Railway Strike Gala Concert.

Pictures from last night's 1911 Railway Strike Gala Concert staged at Theatr Elli, Llanelli.

Carmarthenshire County Council is supporting Action for Children as it hosts a ‘Funtastic Friday’ family event at the National Botanic Gardens during half-term week. There will be plenty of child-friendly activities during the annual event, from 10am-3pm on Friday, October 28. Over 2,000 people enjoyed last year’s ‘Thrilling Thursday’ event, but this year’s event promises to be extra special, as it also marks 100 years of Action for Children in Wales. Special guests from S4C’s children’s programmes will be there, including chef Anthony Evans. There will also be a host of information stalls from family support organisations, including Sure Start, Plant Dewi and Tenovus. New for this year, Action for Children has teamed up with Barclays Bank, which is working with staff to help deliver a money skills programme to local families. Barclays has sponsored the event, and will be holding a competition for children to design a Bank of Wales £100 note. Parenting Project Worker Paul Andrews said

As part of Tidy Wales Week 2011, volunteers from 5th Carmarthen Scouts got their hands dirty as they set about improving access at a Carmarthen beauty spot. The volunteers joined forces with Keep Wales Tidy, and spent two evenings working on the footpaths around Cwmoernant Ponds; cutting back overgrown vegetation, edging the paths and cleaning leaves from the walkways. The ponds have recently undergone habitat works undertaken by the Environment Agency, and the ponds also provide good fishing opportunities. Dan Snaith, Keep Wales Tidy’s Carmarthenshire officer, said, “The ponds at Cwmoernant are a fantastic asset to Carmarthen and its surrounding area, and provide a fantastic recreational area for leisure time. It is important though that these areas are managed for the benefit of visitors and wildlife alike. Therefore, the scouts have set an excellent example to their peers by undertaking this kind of voluntary work, and I hope that many more people, of all ages would come forward to

Carmarthenshire County Council is hosting a MEND programme at each of the four main leisure centres, starting on October 31. The programme is available for families with children aged between seven and 13 and covers a range of topics in a child-friendly way to help improve their food and exercise habits. It takes place over eight weeks, and consists of weekly two-hour sessions. Sessions include an educational component for both children and parents covering topics such as portion sizes and fats and sugars. This is followed by an activity session for the child, whilst parents are invited to discuss a range of topics such as triggers for unhealthy eating. Simon Davies, MEND Project Manager, said: “The MEND programme offers a friendly, relaxed atmosphere to encourage children to become more active, and show parents how they can be supportive as a whole family in making healthier choices and adopting an active lifestyle. “It also offers help to improve eating and exercise habits, thereby i

Newcastle Emlyn’s new day club has thrown open its doors in celebration of International Older People Day. The event was the ideal opportunity for volunteers and members of the club to showcase what the centre can offer older people in the community. As part of the day, there were Nordic Walking and computer taster sessions, as well as a hot freshly-cooked lunch. The club is one of the latest to be launched by the independent sector since Carmarthenshire County Council handed over control of the clubs so that they could be developed. The Newcastle Emlyn club, which is situated near to the Maes Llewellyn Care Home, Church Lane, is run by Age Concerns Ceredigion and Sir Gâr. Launched only recently, it is already thriving, and has a membership of over 20 older people with 12 volunteers. They meet every Tuesday and Thursday to enjoy a hot meal, entertainment, taster sessions and even a nail cutting clinic. Gwyneth Jones, of Age Concern Ceredigion, said: “It was an extremely fun day with lo

Historical treasures dating back centuries are on show at Carmarthenshire’s County Museum. They include mugshots of prisoners from the old Carmarthen gaol; Sir Robert Mansel fighting pirates; the first edition of the Carmarthen Journal, the Laugharne Charter giving them township status; a fishing grant given to Kidwelly in 1313, a recipe book from 1685 and a letter from Nelson. They are among the Carmarthenshire archives accumulated since the 16th Century which now cover nearly two miles of shelves in three strong rooms, holding documents which cover such diverse areas as landed estates, industries, businesses, church, chapel, education, roads, railways, canals, local societies and much more. The exhibition, which will be held at the Museum in Abergwili, from this month until January, will show some of the records held dating from the 13th to the 20th Century. There has been a record office in Carmarthen since at least the 16th century, when the Quarter Sessions was set up after the A

The appointment of six new Welsh medium lecturers has been announced by Aberystwyth University. The appointments have been made under the sponsorship of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. They are: Sara Penrhyn Jones (Theatre, Film and Television Studies); Huw Williams (International Politics); Rhun Emlyn (History and Welsh History); Huw Morgan (Institute of Mathematics and Physics); Rhys Dafydd Jones (Institute of Geography and Earth Science); Hefin Williams (Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, IBERS). Over the next five year the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol will fund over 100 new lecturing posts, providing more opportunities for students to study through the medium of Welsh at University. Professor April McMahon, Aberystwyth University’s Vice-Chancellor said “Aberystwyth University is pleased to be able to take this opportunity to play a major part in the development of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and to be able to appoint new lecturers to enhance the Welsh-mediu

The Dyfi Virtual Observatory is hosting three community workshops at the Owain Glyndŵr Centre in Machynlleth on 13th October and has launched a new ideas website to invite residents and interested parties to help solve environmental issues in the Dyfi region and across the UK. The Dyfi Virtual Observatory, which was recently launched by researchers at Aberystwyth University’s Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, has issued a ‘call to action’ to the wider community to be part of its development. A team is also developing a new website that will enable people for the first time to have access to different types of environmental data and a suite of tools to help them understand and solve environmental issues. Professor Mark Macklin, a leading rivers expert based at Aberystwyth University said: “The Dyfi catchment is probably one of the best studied river catchments in Wales, if not the UK. Now the community will be able to access and analyse data to understand a wide range of issues

Carmarthenshire residents are being urged to sign up to the free Online Watch Link (OWL) so that the police can keep them up-to-date with what is going on in their area. The system sends messages by telephone, fax, email or mobile phone. Crime alerts can be sent out within half an hour of a crime occurring and it can be used to send out crime prevention advice. The aim is to inform communities so that they can share information on incidents from rogue traders to anti-social behaviour. It works particularly well for Neighbourhood Watch groups and can help prevent further crimes being committed as well as reassuring residents. The scheme is being piloted by Dyfed-Powys Police, with funding from the Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership. Crime reduction co-ordinator Brian Jones said: “OWL is an automated system that sends emails with useful information on crimes in the area, news about your local Neighbourhood Policing Team and crime prevention advice. It can also send short SMS te

Motorists in Carmarthenshire are being warned to watch their speed or pay the penalty. Speeding is a major concern for communities and was a top priority in the recent Residents’ Survey carried out by the council. As a result, a much work is being carried out by the Community Safety Partnership to reduce the speed of traffic and educate drivers about the consequences of driving too fast. The partnership has funded a Speed Indicator Device for Neighbourhood Policing Teams to use with schools and community groups. Anyone caught going over the limit is stopped and asked to explain themselves to the children or residents. It has also paid for three speed measurement devices for officers to deploy in areas where concerns of speeding have been raised by residents through PACT meetings. Anyone caught speeding faces a fine and points on their licence Executive Board Member for Community Safety Cllr Pam Palmer said: “Road safety, and speeding in particular, is a key priority for the partnership

Off to wonderful Aberglasney House and Gardens in the Tywi Valley this morning. Celebrity photo-shoot on the agenda.

Interiors firm's ambition | This is South Wales

Schoolchildren across Carmarthenshire will be treating their taste buds to a traditional roast on Wednesday, in celebration of the Food for Life Partnership’s second annual National Roast Dinner Day. Carmarthenshire County Council’s Catering Service is preparing to dish up thousands of roast beef dinners as part of the event on Wednesday, October 12. The roast dinner already features on the three-week rolling menus in all of the county’s primary schools, but it is hoped the event will encourage children to think about where their food comes from, how it is grown and the way it is cooked. Sandra Weigel, Catering Services Manager, said: “The humble roast dinner has always been a firm favourite in schools and is enjoyed by thousands of children every week. “Taking part in National Roast Dinner Day is an ideal way to encourage children to become more aware of the food they eat, and what they need to eat in order to have a varied and balanced diet.” As part of Carmarthenshire’s Local Susta

A Llanelli woman has been fined for failing to comply with the council’s kerbside recycling scheme. Natasha Marie Suttie was convicted in absence for an offence under 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 attended the rear of a property in Dolau Road, Llanelli, and found blue recycling bags that had been contaminated with food waste. Further investigation revealed the bags belonged to Suttie and as she had already been issued with a notice for a similar offence two months earlier; the officers issued her with a fixed penalty notice for £100. However, she failed to pay it and as a result was summonsed to appear before the magistrates court. The 33-year-old was fined £200 and ordered to pay £100 towards prosecution costs. It is now hoped this case will act as a warning to other residents who fail to comply with

A colony of slowworms has moved in the nick of time for work to start on a Burry Port school playground. The slowworms, which are limbless lizards, claimed squatters rights at Parc y Tywyn delaying the build of a new £56,000 play area. Planning rules meant work could not start until they had moved on, and because the creatures go into hibernation from October until March, it was a race against time to start. Carmarthenshire County Council is installing the play area through its Modernising Education Programme. However, the start date which was due to happen in the summer, was delayed because of the slowworms. According to planning rules, there had to be five consecutive days with no evidence of the reptiles before builders can go on site. Ecologists tried to encourage the slowworms to move next door by putting up a barrier on the site and trying to relocate them. They have now recorded five consecutive days without any sign of the lizards. Contractors are due to start on site by the en

A roadshow which aims to make people more aware of the help available to them in times of financial strain is continuing its journey across Carmarthenshire. Representatives from several organisations which make up Advice Support Carmarthenshire have been hitting the road to offer information on a range of issues such as reducing fuel bills, volunteering, benefit entitlements, housing and much more. The roadshow has already visited Newcastle Emlyn and St Clears. Next week it will stop at Brynamman Community Centre and Pontyberem Hall car park on Tuesday, October 11, and at Llandovery town car park on Thursday, October 13. Information and question and answer sessions are also being broadcast on Radio Carmarthenshire and Scarlet FM. Amongst those signed up as part of the ASC network are Age Cymru, CAVS, Mencap, Job Force Wales, the Department of Work and Pensions and Citizens Advice Bureau. ASC co-ordinator, Lyn Bright, said: “We have had an encouraging start to the roadshows, but as ever

A 'set out' survey is underway in the Sandy area of Llanelli to find out how many people are using their kerbside recycling scheme. Council waste officers have been out and about early in the mornings before the crews to count the number of blue bags and green food bins put out for collection. The exercise will then be followed up with letters to those households that are not fully participating in the scheme. A total of 346 homes in the Sandy Water Park, Denham Avenue and Penywern area will be targeted. Officers hope to find out how much people are recycling and what their views are on the scheme. They will also be able to give advice on how to recycle more household waste. The aim is to increase participation in the scheme and subsequently the county’s recycling rate which currently stands at approximately 48%. A similar exercise has already been carried out in the Carmarthen area which led to an 11% increase in participation. Council sustainability officer Tina Brice said: “

Medwyn the Mole Detective is launching his new museum website for schools in Carmarthenshire later this month. The launch will take place at the County Museum in Abergwili on Tuesday, October 18, from 4.30pm to 6pm. The event will provide teachers with an opportunity to learn about the museum’s new service for schools. It includes an innovative bilingual teacher-led visit to the Museum which not only provides an opportunity for children to see historical artefacts but also to handle artefacts from periods covering Roman Times to World War II. By solving Medwyn the Mole’s historical detective puzzles, children develop thinking skills and learn to interpret the information they gather in a fun way. Children also have the chance to investigate local history in order to help learn and understand the factors that have shaped Wales today. Meidrim Community Primary School, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llangadog and Dafen Primary School in Llanelli were invited to pilot the new teacher-led visit. The

A keen crowd of knitters spend an afternoon with children at Parcyrhun School to celebrate Make a Difference Day. It was one of the events which took part across the UK for the day which celebrates volunteering. People from all walks of life have the opportunity to try out volunteering including charities, schools, community groups, universities, businesses, and individuals. Last year an estimated 70,000 people across the UK took part. The event at Parcyrhun was organised with the aim of creating intergenerational opportunities for older people to share their skills with the children. Nancy Jones of Parcyrhun said: “It’s lovely to see how the children can pick up new skills. I was brought up being shown by my mother how to knit, but through generations these skills are being lost. I hope that by running this session it will inspire others to share or pass on a skill with their child or grandchild.” Making scarves and jumpers for is something the group do every week at the Communiti

Rugby World Cup fever spread to Carmarthenshire schools with 500 boys and girls taking part in a rugby festival. The youngsters have been emulating their rugby idols by taking part in the county’s very own ‘World Cup’. Carmarthenshire County Council’s Dragon Sport and WRU Officers Mari-Ann Jones and Richard Hardy have organised a number of local festivals in Carmarthen, Whitland, Llandeilo, Ammanford, Newcastle Emlyn, Gwendraeth and Llanelli. Each event gave school teams the opportunity to represent the country they were allocated. Schools fully embraced the theme by making and bringing flags, painting faces, wearing replica kit and even performing the Haka ! More than 500 pupils from yrs 2, 3 & 4 took part in the festival with the emphasis being on fun and fair play. This year a girl’s only pool was also introduced with aim to encourage girls to play rugby. Students from Coleg Sir Gar were on hand to coach the children and umpire the games. County executive board member for leisur

Advice on a range of housing options available to people in Carmarthenshire is now accessible at the click of a button. A new Housing Options website has been launched by Carmarthenshire County Council, with financial assistance from the Welsh Government. Although still in development, it allows people to log on and get information about a number of options open to people looking for housing, including council and housing association properties, homes available for rent in the private sector, affordable home schemes and sheltered housing schemes. The website also details the demand for types of housing within each ward, providing applicants with a better understanding of where they are most likely to be re-housed in the shortest period of time. It can be accessed online at home, libraries and internet cafes at www.carmarthenshirehousing.co.uk . A number of ‘self-serve’ PC terminals are also being installed in the council’s Customer Service Centres in Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford,

Swansea City will take a strong squad to Llanelli tomorrow night to officially switch on the Reds' new floodlights at Stebonheath Park (7.30pm). The majority of the first team squad not on international duty are involved, including Craig Beattie (ankle) and Andrea Orlandi (knee) who will make their comebacks from injury. The Reds, who have played in the Europa League this season and are currently enjoying a good start to their Welsh Premier League campaign, are managed by former Swans player Andrew Legg. Ticket prices on the night are £7 for adults, £5 for senior citizens and £2 for under-16s. A big crowd is expected and supporters are advised to arrive early for the game. Swansea City (from):Jose Moreira, Gerhard Tremmel, Andrea Orlandi, Craig Beattie, Danny Graham, Scott Sinclair, Nathan Dyer, Stephen Dobbie, Wayne Routledge, Garry Monk, Leroy Lita, Luke Moore, Fede Bessone, Angel Rangel, Mark Gower, Tom Butler, Ben Davies, Joe Walsh, Casey Thomas, Gwion Edwards, Kurtis March.

The Cross Hands choir of Only Boys Aloud will be performing at Cefneithin Rugby Club, on Saturday, October 15, in aid of the Healing The Wounds charity. The theme of the evening will be ‘Stars In Their Eyes’. The Healing The Wounds charity works in Wales to treat sufferers of PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder. The Cross Hands choir of Only Boys Aloud is trained by Craig Yates (pictured above) of Only Men Aloud. The rugby club evening will also feature a Stars in Their Eyes section featuring local performers. For more information, email chairman@cefneithinrfc.co.uk Weblinks – http://healingthewounds.co.uk/ http://www.onlyboysaloud.com/ Pictures attached of Craig Yates and the Cross Hands choir of Only Boys Aloud.

Skateboarders in Llanelli have met with Carmarthenshire council’s Executive Board member to discuss the future of the skate park. Cllr Philip Hughes went along to see the current facility in People’s Park and to talk to the youngsters about what they would like there. The council’s grounds maintenance section had to remove three pieces of equipment at the park three weeks ago for health and safety reasons. One of the units has been repaired and has now been re-installed; however, the other two units are beyond repair. They are now working with officers from the council’s community development section to investigate sources of funding to build a new skate park. The officers are looking at what grants are available and how best to take the project forward as it could mean setting up a trust. The skateboarders are being continually updated with the progress being made and will be very much involved with the design of any new facility. Cllr Hughes said: “I was very impressed with the young

The Oxjam Brecon “Takeover Day” returns for a third year on Saturday, October 15. Tickets are £7 in aid of Oxfam GB and are on sale now at Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon (01874 611622). The charity music festival is sponsored by The George Hotel, Brecon, owned by the award-winning Llandeilo-based brewers Evan-Evans of Llandeilo and BRFM Community radio, based in Brynmawr. Headline acts include Revoker and The Last Republic, alongside Under The Driftwood Tree and Pamela Wyn Shannon. The full line up has now been announced on Oxjam Brecon’s website at www.oxjambrecon.com , where online tickets are also available. Les Rees, Manager of The George Hotel, said:"We are very pleased to be supporting Oxjam Brecon - the festival has got a terrific line up with big acts alongside up-and-coming bands. All proceeds are in aid of a worthy cause, Oxfam GB.“ The main Oxjam “Takeover Days” now take place in 37 towns in the month of October, with Brecon being easily the smallest. Oxjam Brecon has rai

From Tuesday, October 18, people across the whole of Carmarthenshire will be able to go online and support their favourite of the county’s fields which are destined to achieve Queen Elizabeth II Field status in celebration of The Queen’s forthcoming diamond jubilee. Carmarthenshire County Council has nominated seven major parks throughout the county for inclusion in the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge and some of these parks may be able to access funds through the scheme. They will also have a plaque to signify their important status as part of this UK-wide scheme. The nominated fields are: Carmarthen Park, Morfa Lane, Carmarthen, SA31 Llangunnor Park, Brynmeurig, Llangunnor, SA31 Llandovery Park, Broad Street, Llandovery, SA20 People’s Park (Parc y Dre’), Town Hall Square, Llanelli, SA15 Ammanford Park, Tirydail Lane, Ammanford, SA31 Penygroes Park, Waterloo Road, Penygroes, SA14 Park Le Conquet, Carmarthen Road, Llangunnor, SA19 The Save a Space opportunity will be available onli

Latest results from The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club – Brian Rolfe Cup - 1 C Alexander Gear, 76 - 08 = 68; 2, John Ellis, 82 - 13 = 69; 3, Gareth Charles Pugh, 79 - 10 = 69. Prince of Wales Cup – 1, Neil Roberts, 84 - 18 = 66; 2, Steven Fouracre, 84 - 15 = 69; 3, Mark Stevens, 80 - 11 = 69. Saul Cass Cup – 1, Christopher Howells, 40 pts (03); 2, Dennis Hughes, 39 pts (11); 3, Martin Phillips, 38 pts (10). LGU Breakthrough Brooch – 1, Lynette Bassett, 89 - 18 = 71; 2, Susan Collard, 84 - 13 = 71; 3, Eleanor Roberts, 99 - 22 = 77. Current standings in Order of Merit Presidents Cup (Results calculated 26th September) - 1, Roger Bowen, 36pts, 12 competitions; 2, Simon Williams, 26pts, 14 comps; 3, Richard White, 21pts, 4 comps.

New figures show Carmarthenshire achieved a 48% recycling rate for the first quarter of 2011/12. This is an increase of four per cent on the same period last year. In total, 9254 tonnes of household waste was recycled / composted in April, May and June of this year out of a total of 19,300 tonnes. This means Carmarthenshire is now recycling and composting almost half of its waste. Carmarthenshire County Council’s Director of Technical Services Richard Workman said: “The figures for the first quarter of this year are very pleasing and I would like to thank householders for their continued efforts to separate their waste for recycling. “Recycling figures are generally higher during the summer months than at other times of the year because of the large amount of garden waste sent for composting; however, it is still showing a four per cent increase on the same period last year. “A number of new projects are underway to try and increase our recycling rate including a new project with Age C

An Ammanford woman has been fined for failing to comply with the council’s kerbside recycling scheme. Kelly May Bourne was convicted in absence for two offences 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 received a complaint of a number of bags of rubbish to the rear of a property in Parc Penrhiw in Betws. On arrival, they found 18 blue bags, the majority of which contained non-recyclable waste. A number of them also had council stickers on, informing the owner that they had not been collected because they contained incorrect items. Closer inspection showed the bags contained wood shavings mixed with animal faeces, children’s clothing, toys and food waste. The bag also contained a bank document addressed to Kelley May Bourne. As the officers continued to inspect the waste a woman approached them and ide

Llanelli Millennium Coastal Park rangers have detected blue-green algae at Sandy Water Park. It is thought to have been caused by unseasonably hot weather which can encourage algal growth and may be contributed to by pollution from nearby houses. Carmarthenshire County Council is warning members of the public to avoid coming into contact with water there. There are permanent signs in place warning of the possibility of algal contamination. The last such pollution was in the summer of 2006. Health officers and rangers have erected an additional temporary signs around the lake to warn of the dangers. The lake is not used for recreational sports but dogs are frequently allowed by dog walkers to retrieve toys and sticks thrown into the lake. Any pets swimming at the lake could be at risk. Environment Agency Wales confirmed the algal presence testing on Tuesday and will continue to monitor the situation until the all clear is give. The bloom is likely to be a temporary hazard because the al

Schools affected by the UCAC industrial Action on Wednesday October 5th (As at 09.30 Tuesday Oct 4th). Click on pics/graphics to see detail -

‘The Business Brief’ is the new column from Red Kite Law in the Carmarthen Journal. It started its run this week - Welcome to the new business column from the recently-established Red Kite Law, the biggest legal firm in West Wales. By John Lewis, senior partner, Red Kite Law Talking about sewerage might not be the most attractive way to start a new business column, but it’s a very topical – and very important – issue. On October 1 the biggest change in responsibility for sewerage services in England and Wales since 1937 took place. The ownership of all private sewers and lateral drains (but not pumping stations) which were in existence on July 1, 2011, and which connect to an existing public sewer passed to Dwr Cymru (in Wales). A private sewer is a pipe which serves two or more properties conveying either sewerage and/or surface water and connects properties to an existing public sewer. A lateral private drain is a section of pipe serving a single property (or several buildings within

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column from the Carmarthen Journal - The popular Carmarthen Town AFC Community Programme Schools Tournament will soon resume at Richmond Park, Carmarthen. The schools matches, usually played at half-time during floodlit Friday night matches at Richmond Park, are a popular feature of the EMS Services-sponsored Community Programme. Schools Liaison Officer Phil Grice said: “The matches are always a big hit with the crowd at Richmond Park and the children love the buzz of playing under floodlights at a Welsh Premier League ground.” Subject to any possible fixture changes, the next matches in the tournament are scheduled as follows – Friday 11 November: Richmond Park v Nantgaredig Friday 25 November: Model School v Ysgol y Dderwen If your school wants to take part in the programme, then please contact Phil Grice via Carmarthen Town Council on 01267 235073, or at philgrice@live.co.uk. Or you can contact Paul Ashley-Jones, Head

Carers, councillors, staff and members of the public are among those that have already visited a new Telecare demonstration and training facility in Carmarthenshire. The facility, at Pant Y Boblen Sheltered Housing Scheme in Tycroes, is fully fitted with a wide range of equipment which is used to help people live independently in their own homes. Telecare is an innovative system which uses a range of discreet equipment, including smoke, carbon monoxide and flood detectors, fall detectors and property exit sensors, to help people manage risks within their home environment. The service is linked to the council’s 24/7 Careline+ monitoring service, and provides extra peace of mind for carers and relatives of older or vulnerable people living at home. Should any of the detectors or sensors be activated, Careline+ operatives speak to service users in real-time to offer reassurance and call for appropriate help. Telecare manager, Jeanette Munn, said: “Through partnership working with colleagu

Carmarthenshire councillors want more answers from Network Rail on issues such as bridge maintenance, fly-tipping and flood defence. Representatives from Network Rail’s Western and Wales Routes attended a meeting of Carmarthenshire's Environment Scrutiny Committee following concerns raised by members. They gave a presentation on the remit and responsibilities of Network Rail in relation to fly-tipping, graffiti, bridge maintenance, road surfaces at level crossings, safety issues caused by coastal erosion and flood defence. The committee was told that Network Rail was responsible for 900 miles of track in Wales alone and that fly-tipping and litter clearance cost the company £2.3 million a year to remove. Robin Basu, community relations manager for the Western and Wales Routes, said barrier crossings were inspected every seven to 13 weeks; and that bridges received a visual inspection every year and a more detailed examination every six years. In relation to flood defence, Network R

Interesting piece in the Carmarthen Journal today about Golden Grove Mansion House being bought by an anonymous London buyer. Tag: £1m plus. Carmarthen Journal axes its regional editions for Cardigan and Lampeter in order to concentrate on Carmarthenshire. Report in today's paper. Carmarthen Journal's Out and About section puts the spotlight on the forthcoming concert by Only Boys Aloud in aid of Healing The Wounds, The new column by Aberglasney Head Gardener Joseph Atkin starts in the Carmarthen Journal today. And very good it is, too! Splendid feature in the Carmarthen Journal today on the revamp of the Ninfarium at Aberglasney House and Gardens in the Tywi Valley. The new Red Kite Law 'Business Brief' column has started in the Carmarthen Journal today. 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column is in the Carmarthen Journal today. Lovely picture in the Llanelli Star today of Llanelli Rotary Club President Graham Williams and guest speaker Baron Rowla

A triple celebration was held at Llangadog Post Office last weekend. Richard and Win Morgan held the event to mark the official unveiling of their new-look shop front following an RDP Sir Gâr grant of £8,735. It is also 10 years since the Post Office became part of their shop, and their son Dafydd has now left the Royal Marines to join the Morgan family business, established in 1934. The building comprises of Morgan newsagent and Post Office plus CITE (Cadog IT enterprise), a social enterprise aimed at raising funds to support training and help local people get online. The Post Office has won a number of awards including Countryside Alliance’s ‘Best Village Shop and Post Office’ and were winners for the Most Innovative and Heart of the Community Categories in the national Post Office awards. The Morgans received an RDP Sir Gâr Village Improvement grant for the renovation of their shop front through the Village Enhancement scheme. The project was funded by the Rural Development Plan (RD