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

The Aberglasney Gardens website has been updated with the latest tips and advice from head gardener Joseph Atkin - http://ning.it/oLMk71

Making planting holes or flaps for 5000 Scilla bulbs. The latest gardening column written by Aberglasney head gardener Joseph Atkin for the South Wales Evening Post - After weeks of rain, there is finally a glimmer of sunshine allowing us all to get out and do a good stint in the garden. The last few weeks have been spent bulb planting at Aberglasney and with literally thousands to do there is a good deal of trepidation involved. Having spoken about bulb planting recently, I realised that very little had been said about probably my favourite use for bulbs. Planting bulbs in grass or lawns is an excellent way to increase all year round interest. In fact, some of the best garden features I have seen have been simply a tree in a lawn under planted with bulbs. This may seem basic but a really interesting tree with good flower and autumn colour, under-planted with spring and autumn flowering bulbs, can give a huge amount of pleasure for very little cost or effort. There is an added incentiv

Spotted this week - a traffic warden at Pond Twym at the back end of People's Park, Llanelli. Hadn't realised there were such big traffic and parking issues on the footpath!

BBC News - Villagers in Cribyn and Llanwnnen fear for bus route Villagers from Cribyn and neighbouring Llanwnnen in Ceredigion are worried about the Traws Cymru route.

TIS Miri brings quality international education to S’wak | BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News In East Malaysia, they have a 'Tenby Schools Group' and the director is someone called Robert Lloyd.

OPP seek public's help in locating federal offender <b>(photo)</b> Robert Lloyd is described as a 40-year-old white male, 6'1" (185 cms), 170 lbs, (77 kgs), hazel eyes and short brown hair with numerous tattoos on his chest, shoulders, abdomen,legs, right and left arms. Doesn't look anything like me . . . and I haven't been to Canada! :) Although the line about 'Anyone having contact with Robert Lloyd should use caution' may be correct!

A central hub showcasing a portfolio £60million of regeneration developments about Llanelli opened in the town centre last night. Over the last year Llanelli has had buildings in full metal jackets of scaffolding and swirling cranes have hovered over fast rising stuctures as the town strides into the future. Many people are puzzled at the scale and pace of the development most of which will be completed by the autumn of 2012. County executive board member for regeneration Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “We have been talking about redeveloping Llanelli for such a long time and been snagged by so many difficulties down the years that now it is coming together and happening at pace there is a denial by some that it is happening at all. “To address this very problem the former Burton’s building in Stepney Square, opposite Lloyd’s Bank has been transformed into an information centre on the five projects being delivered.” From Friday it will be manned with staff able to answer questions and exp

A group of Kidwelly mums are cooking up a storm thanks to the support they have received from Genesis. Participants of the Families Together Group with Plant Dewi have been receiving training, through providers Babcock, to learn how to safely prepare food. They have now achieved Level 2 Food Hygiene accreditation, and have picked up certificates to celebrate their success. Throughout the course, they have also learned how to eat healthy on a budget. Mums were actively involved in creating menus and cooking, and have received cooking packs with utensils, aprons and oven gloves - provided by Genesis for mums to use at home after finishing the course. Participant Ceri Hurley said: “I didn't realise how simple it was to make some of these dishes and the food is so tasty.” Genesis is a European Social Funded project which aims to improve life for local families. The Genesis Sir Gar team works with parents who are unemployed and economically inactive, with particular focus on lone parent

One of Carmarthenshire County Council’s framework contractors has been helping two Llanelli schools to bloom and grow. Kidwelly-based construction firm Dyfrig Dalziel Ltd has helped Swiss Valley Primary School (above) and Carway Primary School (below) to build vegetable plots where pupils can develop their education in a hands-on environment. During the build, the company also introduced children to various aspects of health and safety by bringing along ‘Ivor Goodsite’, a character from Considerate Constructor, the body which promotes jobs in the construction industry and construction site safety. They teamed up with building supplies firm Travis Perkins and Carmarthen Garden Centre to construct the beds at Carway School, and with Swiss Valley Garden Centre to create the beds at Swiss Valley school. Dyfrig Dalziel, said: “There are several strands to the project, including healthy eating, the environment, recycling and health and safety. “The aim is for the children to have fun, but in

Carmarthenshire's Integrated Community Equipment Service has taken delivery of a new van to help collect and distribute living aids to its service users. The service, based in Dafen, Llanelli, supplies equipment including crutches, walking frames and toileting aids to over 5,000 people, and is operated jointly between health and social care services. The new van will help the smooth operation of the service, as it will allow for more efficient collection and delivery of items. It is hoped the van will also become a mobile ‘face’ of the service, promoting what it does, and how it can benefit people living in the community. Martin Figg, Operations Manager of the service, said: “Our new van is able to carry more equipment per delivery and collection run, and is therefore helping us to make vital efficiency savings. “It has been especially designed for the Equipment Service and features a fold down access ramp to enable staff to load larger items such as beds and specialist hoists, as

The Scarlets and Carmarthenshire County Council held a joint reception at Parc y Scarlets to celebrate the contribution of Scarlets rugby to the West Wales community and the profile the World Cup Scarlets had given to their home region on the global stage. It was a double celebration as the Scarlets marked their 100th European fixture to become the first Welsh club to have reached this major rugby landmark and join distinguished company including giant European clubs Toulouse, Munster, Leinster and Leicester Tigers. Guests at the reception also marked a two-minute silence in respect of those who have lost their lives in the armed forces the line of duty for their country. The entire Scarlets squad for the big Heineken Cup Castres fixture including the Scarlets 10 World Cup internationals was present to meet Council officials including Leader Meryll Gravell, Chairman of the Executive Ivor Jackson, Chairman’s Consort Mrs Jackson, Mark James, Chief Executive, David Gilbert, Wendy Walters

Dinefwr is hosting a fabulous Edwardian Christmas Fayre - and the National Trust estate is being transformed into a winter wonderland complete with ice-skating rink, real reindeer and Santa’s Grotto for the occasion. On November 26 and 27, a children’s choir will sing carols, mulled wine will be served and unique food gifts bought and sold in the Inner Courtyard as up to 35 skaters at a time glide around the rink in front of historic Newton House. Meanwhile down in the old kitchen and laundry room, young visitors will be getting creative as they turn their hands to making traditional decorations. These decorations can be taken home or added to Newton House’s own, magnificent Christmas tree which will be decorated with paper chains, sugar canes and sweet-filled cones, as was the Edwardian way. A century ago, Christmases were not dominated by the television schedule or Internet shopping and Dinefwr’s Edwardian Christmas Fayre aims to bring back the spirit of simple celebration, said Eve

Carmarthenshire Trading Standards is warning householders to be wary of offers of ‘free’ solar panels for their homes, now that the Government has reduced the tariff to companies that install the panels. Householders do need to do their homework and read the small print very very carefully. Many people would like solar panels fitted due to the savings that can be made on their energy bills, however they may not be able to afford the initial purchase and installation of the panels. Therefore if a company offers a ‘free’ system then they may be more inclined to sign up. Such schemes are commonly known as ‘rent a roof’ whereby as the name suggests, the company will lease your roof from you – usually for 25 years. However, traders offer free panels because they’ll receive income from the generation of electricity (known as the ‘Feed-in’ tariff scheme) and also from any additional electricity you make and don’t use which is exported back to the Grid. If a householder purchases their own equ

Carmarthenshire Youth Council’s Annual Youth Conference was held this week. More than 100 young people descended on Parc-y-Scarlets for Carmarthenshire Youth Council’s Annual Youth Conference. The event hosted various workshops to spark discussion among the young people in attendance. This year’s theme of ‘making choices’ tackled the big issues surrounding the recession, employment and training for young people in Carmarthenshire. The first half of the conference gave young people the opportunity to have their say on key issues concerning young people in Carmarthenshire including: jobs, business, volunteering, training and education. The second half transformed the floor into an open forum led by a panel of influential individuals from some of Carmarthenshire’s key youth organisations: Carmarthenshire County Council, Coleg Sir Gar, CAVS and Rathbone UK. Charlene Davies, Chairperson of Carmarthenshire Youth Council, said “The issues raised at the conference will be followed up and actio

A drive to raise awareness of road safety issues is being held in Carmarthenshire this month. It coincides with Road Safety Week from November 21- 27 to show what we can do to make roads safer and prevent needless tragedies. The Community Safety Partnership’s Road Safety Action Group will be out and about with information and advice on speeding, careless driving, driving while using a mobile phone, driving on drink / drugs or while tired, or failing to wear a seatbelt. A ‘crashed car’ will also be on show to help deliver some hard-hitting messages on the consequences of road traffic collisions. Events are being held between 10am and 3pm on Tuesday, November 22 in Llanelli town centre (outside Boots); Wednesday, November 23 in Guildhall Square, Carmarthen; and Thursday, November 24 in Quay Street, Ammanford. Come along and you can also enter a free prize draw to win a sat nav. The action group includes representatives from the council’s road safety team, the police and fire and rescue s

A group of older people living in Carmarthen are going back to school to enjoy a traditional roast dinner. Bancyfelin School is working in partnership with the county council’s Catering Service to operate a luncheon club with a difference. Once a week, older people living in the community are invited in to the school hall to enjoy the same nutritious lunch enjoyed by the pupils – many of whom are their own grandchildren. The club is held every Wednesday, which is ‘roast dinner day’ on the primary schools’ three-week rolling menu. In its second week of operation, around 20 older people have joined the club. Sandra Weigel, Catering Service Manager, said: “This is a new service which is already proving very popular and worthwhile. Nesta and Amy, the cooks at the school kitchen, are working well as a team to provide a high quality meal for everyone young and old on these days. “Many of the older people who have attended have been surprised with the quality of the meals that they are served

There's a Christmas bonus for shoppers to Llanelli town centre with free parking in Llanelli’s Murray Street Multi Storey from 10am on Monday, November 21. And the free parking will remain until a new car park is delivered as part of the £60million East Gate development. Signs at the entrances and exits to the 510 spaces multi storey car park will explain that parking is free after 10am for a period of four hours. The concession does not apply before 10am to prevent the car park spaces being taken up by office workers and traders. It was thought the Traffic Order variation might delay plans until January but Carmarthenshire Council’s transport team have found a way to enable the concession with immediate effect from Monday. Llanelli Chamber of Trade who campaigned for the free parking has welcomed the news. President, Andrew Stephens said: “This is the perfect pre Christmas shopping boost for the town.” Chamber life member David Craddock congratulated the council on its efforts. H

National School Meals Week has gone down a treat with children in Carmarthenshire. Carmarthenshire County Council’s Catering Service served up thousands of healthy school meals throughout the week and also laid on a special Italian themed meal to mark Go Travelling day. As well as being a special treat for children who normally enjoy school meals, it is hoped that the event has encouraged more children to try a school meal. Sandra Weigel, Catering Services Manager, said: “National School Meals Week is an ideal time to introduce children to new tastes and foods – and also to encourage parents who usually give their children packed lunched to try a school meal. “School meals compare better in terms of both nutritional and financial value. With the price of shopping going up, packed lunches are not only becoming more expensive, but very often they do not provide enough nutritional value which children need in order to concentrate in the classroom and to help them lead a healthy lifestyle.

The newest recruit to Llanelli Rotary Club is the 'owner' of one of the most famous voices in Llanelli. Monro Walters is the voice of the world famous Scarlets of Llanelli, the man who provides a rich baritone commentary to some magical rugby moments. Mr Walters is the master of the public address service at Parc y Scarlets - and at Stebonheath Park, home of Llanelli AFC (the Reds). He was welcomed into membership of Llanelli Rotary Club by President Graham Williams (pictured left). Mr Walters said he was very proud to be joining the second oldest club in Wales. He added that he was looking forward to making a significant contribution to the work of Llanelli Rotary Club in Llanelli and beyond. Mr Walters is expanding his career into providing narration and voiceovers for broadcasts and business. His expertise has enabled him to provide a Welsh speaking voice over for a London based Agency at Trident Studios in Soho, as well as having his “cap” for Wales on a number of occasions

Members of Llanelli Rotary Club gave hearty 'Happy Birthday' wishes to Rotarian Jeff Wheeler at their lunch at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, on Friday, November 18. The former Vauxhall garage supremo was tight-lipped about his age, admitting to 'being over 60!' Jeff is a Paul Harris award holder with Llanelli Rotary and has been a Rotarian for more than 30 years.

The Clay Shaw Butler (chartered accountants and business consultants of Carmarthen) website has been updated with a nice new photo of all the staff - http://ning.it/rMeplD

The Cor Meibion Llanelli website has just been updated with latest news - http://llanellimalechoir.co.uk/index.html

Time for a break! Off to the weekly meeting of Llanelli Rotary Club at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli.

The single largest donation - £73,000 - to the Swansea Valley Miners’ Appeal Fund will be made at Ffos Las Racecourse on Monday (November 21). Patrons from the fund and family members will be there to receive the cheque. The racecourse held two fund-raising days at racing fixtures this month. Racecourse General Manager Tim Long said: “This is a massive boost to the appeal fund, and we are delighted at Ffos Las to have been able to assist in raising so much money. "Our visitors were hugely generous in their donations. We will be very pleased to welcome the families of the miners and patrons of the Swansea Valley Miners’ Appeal Fund on Monday for the formal presentation.” The racecourse’s Chairman Dai Walters said: “I am absolutely delighted that our sponsors and supporters have been so generous and made such a major contribution to boosting the appeal fund.” Some £500,000 had been raised for the Swansea Valley Miners’ Appeal Fund prior to the two days of racing, so the addition fr

They’re hotter than a scooter’s exhaust pipe and they’re selling quicker than umbrellas in a monsoon. The new racy calendar produced by the South Wales-based Valley Dragons Scooter Club is all revved-up to help Healing The Wounds, the Welsh charity which helps victims of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). And sales of the calendar are moving faster than Lewis Hamilton off the Grand prix grid! “We’ve got a feeling the calendars are turning out to be something of a collectors’ item,” smiled one of the calendar organisers, Wayne Edwards. “The calendars are going like hot-cakes. Everyone likes the theme we have come up with and I think a lot of people are buying them as Christmas presents for friends and colleagues. “It’s great as 100 per cent of the funds raised by the sale of the calendar go directly to Healing The Wounds, which is a very worthwhile charity which helps our brave servicemen and servicewomen get their lives back on track.” The calendar features the Valley Dragons Scoot

This year’s ever popular, farmer-friendly pocket sized copy of the ‘Wales Farm Income Booklet 2010/11’ has just been published and will be arriving on farmer’s doorsteps in the November edition of Gwlad. The booklet (again kindly sponsored by Farming Connect) features the latest information on farm incomes in Wales and is designed to assist farmers in benchmarking their businesses. This edition is a special one – it marks the 75th Anniversary of the Survey and it offers vital information for Welsh farmers to help them prepare for changes in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Published by the Farm Business Survey Unit at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (Aberystwyth University), the Booklet is based on the full Farm Business Survey. The Survey is funded annually by the Welsh Government, and covers over 550 farms in Wales. Speaking ahead of the booklet’s publication Tony O’Regan, Director of the Farm Business Survey said: “This booklet is aimed at providin

You've probably heard about this by now. The guys at the Cadbury's advertising agency have managed to use shots of Llanelli branded as 'Merthyr Tydfil'. It's about 53 seconds in . . .

There was a special presentation made at Cor Meibion Llanelli's rehearsals at Furnace Community Hall last night. Lieutenant Colonel David Mathias was presented with a bottle of malt whisky for his work in organising the choir's recent successful tour of The Netherlands. In return, Lt Col Mathias presented choir members with DVDs of their concert performance in the World War two Liberation Day concert staged at s'Hertogenbosch. Left to right, choir conductor Eifion Thomas, Lt Col David Mathias, choir chairman Mel Harries.

A new RDP Sir Gâr scheme, Mentro, has been launched that will help those aged between 16-30 years old living in rural Carmarthenshire to start their own business. Mentro Officers Tomas Marks and Glyn Jones will be seeking the next Alan Sugar in Rural Carmarthenshire and identifying specific mentors for each entrepreneur. Mentro will be giving free advice and guidance on starting your own business and raising awareness of start-up loans and financial support available. They can also help with the creation of business plans and budgets. Menter Bro Dinefwr is delivering the project through RDP Sir Gâr’s Rural Entrepreneurship scheme and the project is funded through the Rural Development Plan (RDP) for Wales 2007–2013 by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. “In light of the current economic climate and lack of jobs available this is a good opportunity to identify new initiatives and develop business ideas” says Owain Gruffydd, Chief Executive of M

Motorists caught speeding past Peniel Primary School had red faces when they had to explain their carelessness to the pupils themselves. Some drivers are so embarrassed they prefer not to put themselves through the ordeal and accept a fixed penalty notice. The Speeding Initiative outside schools throughout the county is being promoted as part of Carmarthenshire's Community Safety Partnership. Officers from Carmarthenshire County Council's Road Safety unit teamed up with Carmarthen North Neighbourhood Policing team and pupils from Peniel School to target speeding drivers. The aim of the campaign is to educate drivers and raise awareness of the impact that speeding vehicles have on local communities, and the objective is to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured each year on the roads in Carmarthenshire. The offending drivers were given the option of speaking to the pupils to explain why they were speeding outside their school, or to receive a fixed penalty noti

Animal ban as 36 cats suffered | This is South Wales An Ammanford man has been banned from keeping all animals for 10 years after he was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to 36 cats. Thomas Adrian Sheppard was convicted following a successful RSPCA prosecution at Llanelli Magistrates Court.

'Councillor will ruin kids' lives' | This is South Wales There has been a call for a Llanelli councillor to resign amid fears her objection to £15 million school expansion plans could see funding lost. But Hengoed ward councillor Sian Caiach has said she will not be "bullied".

Neyland 0-29 Llanelli Wanderers (From Western Telegraph) Neyland 0-29 Llanelli Wanderers Division four west side Llanelli Wanderers showed why they are top of the table as they maintained their 100% league record whilst preventing Neyland from scoring a single point.

Locked out of Llanelli bail hostel debate | This is South Wales Residents staged a protest outside Llanelli town hall as the fight to close a controversial bail hostel continues. A large group gathered in the town centre holding placards and posters to showing their strength of feeling against the hostel that opened in Swansea Road early last year. The demonstration — due to be held before a closed meeting with hostel bosses Stonham BASS, the Wales Offender Management Service, Carmarthenshire Council, MP Nia Griffith and selected residents — was prompted when just 12 members of the public were granted permission to attend the meeting.

The Welsh Cup Round Three match between Carmarthen Town and Bridgend Town will now be played on Friday evening 2nd December, kick-off 7.45pm at Richmond Park.

Carmarthen Town AFC Reserves play Drefach at Richmond Park, Carmarthen, on Saturday 19 November, kick-off 2:30pm.

A total of 1,034 bags of rubbish have been collected in Tidy Towns projects across Carmarthenshire in just the past six months. Since April, the team has worked with 367 volunteers, 24 community groups and five schools and the Tidy Towns cleansing operatives have travelled some 4,170 miles. An additional £100,000 funding has also been secured towards various community projects. Activities carried out include river clean-ups, beach clean-ups, habitat management, cycle track clean-ups, community skip days, litter-picks and overgrowth clearance projects. Tidy Towns is a Welsh Government-funded initiative delivered in partnership by Carmarthenshire County Council and Keep Wales Tidy. The aim is to encourage and support communities to improve the quality of their local environment. Executive Board Member for Regeneration Councillor Clive Scourfield said: “It is important that people take pride in where they live and Tidy Towns helps communities to achieve this by assisting volunteers to u

People are being asked to help families in need through a new Christmas Toybox scheme. Carmarthenshire County Council is working with Myrtle House in Llanelli, Towy Community Church in Carmarthen, the Evangelical Church in Ammanford, and Communities First Pantyffynnon, to help make Christmas easier for those in difficult financial situations. People are being asked to donate new toys for children and young people aged from birth to 16, for boys and girls. Local Service Board organisations which include the council, Hywel Dda Health Board, Dyfed Powys Police, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and Coleg Sir Gar are all asking staff if they would like to contribute. The Llanelli Star, Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Guardian are also supporting the appeal. Collections points have been set up at Ty Elwyn, Llanelli Town Hall and the Llanelli Star office in Cowell Street; at County Hall, Spilman Street and the Carmarthen Journal offices in Carmarthen; at Ammanford Town Hall and the

Businesses in Carmarthenshire are being warned about a scam claiming to sell advertising space on behalf of ‘police community support’. Police and Trading Standards have received a number of reports from small businesses in the county that have been targeted over the telephone and by post. A man has phoned or sent letters to a number of businesses claiming to be local and selling advertising space in either magazines or on calendars for ‘police community support’. Cllr Anthony Jones, local member for Llandybie, took a call for the Ammanford Miners Association from a company who portrayed themselves as local but when questioned were based in Chester. He said: “They wanted £100 to take out an advert which they said would support the local community police partnership, which I thought was suspicious and when I started asking questions they became very evasive.” Rogue ‘publishers’ may persuade people to pay for adverts in publications that do not exist, or are not what people are led to be

Families are being encouraged to get crafty this Christmas with a festive-themed event taking place near Carmarthen’s Clock Tower. The event will take place on Saturday, November 26, from 10am-2.30pm, and will allow people to make some hand-made Christmas decorations and cards as part of the Reindeer Parade celebrations. Carmarthenshire County Council has once again teamed up with Trysordy, the charity which helps get people involved with art and craft using leftover bits and pieces collected from local businesses. A similar event held at the Clock Tower, next to Carmarthen’s Indoor Market, during the summer proved popular with visitors of all ages who helped to create a collage depicting the thriving market community. Cllr Clive Scourfield, Executive Board Member for Regeneration and Leisure, said: “This will be a lovely event for all the families who will be coming in to town to welcome Santa and his reindeer.”

The website for Welsh Premier League side Carmarthen Town AFC has just been updated - http://carmarthentownafc.com/

Splendid evening at the Cor Meibion Llanelli rehearsal session at Furnace Community Hall, Llanelli, this evening.

Aberystwyth University’s Arts Centre will this evening host BBC 1’s political debate programme, Question Time. Joining the presenter, David Dimbleby will be Housing and Local Government Minister and Conservative MP for Welwyn Hatfield, Grant Shapps; Shadow Immigration Minister and Labour MP for Rhondda, Chris Bryant; Plaid Cymru Welsh Assembly Member for Ceredigion Elin Jones; Guardian Columnist Will Hutton, and Political Economist and Commentator Sir Simon Jenkins. Professor April McMahon, Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University commented: “I’m pleased we are able to welcome Question Time to our University and look forward to what promises to be a lively debate. Aberystwyth University is renowned for its Department of International Politics, the first department of its kind in the world, so it seems especially appropriate that we are hosting popular political debate of this kind. I am sure our students, colleagues and local people will look forward to engaging with the panellists w

Aberystwyth University has been chosen to host the 2012 Easter Conference of the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB). This exciting meeting will bring together up to 150 scientists from across the UK and Europe from 11th-13th April next year. Organised by Dr Rupert Marshall & Dr Roger Santer of IBERS (Institute for Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences), the meeting is an important event both in Wales and further afield, ASAB’s members comprising nearly 2000 scientists from across the world. Dr Marshall, Lecturer in Animal Behaviour, commented “I am delighted that Aberystwyth’s excellence in the field of behavioural research has been recognised by being chosen to host this prestigious conference. We’re looking forward to welcoming international leaders in animal behaviour research to Aberystwyth.” The conference includes vital training for postgraduate scientists – from using the latest technology to publishing their findings and establishing their careers

Very good business breakfast meeting this morning with the guys and girls at the Business Network International (BNI) Llanelli Chapter at The Diplomat Hotel, Llanelli. The '10-minute' slot was filled by guess who?

Volunteers have helped to create a new footpath in woods near Llangennech. The project at Troserch Community Woodland was a partnership between Tidy Towns, the Prince’s Trust Cymru, Troserch Woods Society and Keep Wales Tidy and the aim was to improve access and to help develop the circular walk that runs around the woods. Previously walkers had to get up a steep bank which, in wet weather, became slippery, resulting in a number of trails being created, and leading to erosion and the trampling of vegetation and bugs. But thanks to the hard work of volunteers, a new footpath has been constructed which means walkers can descend or ascend the bank safely and without being a threat to the natural environment. Keep Wales Tidy’s Carmarthenshire Officer Dan Snaith said, “Once again, the Prince’s Trust volunteers have demonstrated a great commitment to their course by contributing to a community project for the benefit of others. “The project was completed in the allocated time, and the finish

New powers to stop alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in an area of Llanelli are being considered. If given the go ahead it would be Carmarthenshire’s first Designated Public Place Order (DPPO). Carmarthenshire County Council received an application for a DPPO from the Glanymor and Tyisha Safer Communities Action Group following complaints of anti-social behaviour incidents when those responsible are, or have been, drinking alcohol. The application has been supported by the police and the council is now consulting on the proposal. The proposed area includes the length of Station Road and the surrounding area as well as People’s Park. DPPOs give police the power to stop someone drinking alcohol in a public place or to confiscate alcohol if the person is judged to be behaving or about to behave anti-socially. Those who refuse to comply could be issued with a fixed penalty notice or arrested and fined up to £500. Inspector Eric Evans said: “I’m happy to support this DPPO in the interes

St. Mary’s Church in Burry Port has been extensively refurbished and is about to be officially reopened. Carmarthenshire County Council has given grant support and regeneration officers have helped the church access the funding needed to carry out the ambitious project. It has involved a two year campaign launched in September 2008 to restore and redevelop St Mary’s Church. The first phase was to re-slate the entire Nave roof guttering and down pipes and lead work has been completed at a cost of £100,000. The second phase was to develop the interior as a multi purpose community building to provide seating for over 500 people to cater for a large range of community uses. The project has sought to collaborate with the overall development of the town and community of Burry Port and Pembrey. It has raised over £450,000 to date and secured a large number of grants including CFAP £202,475, Carmarthenshire County Council £25,000, Garfield Weston Foundation £5,000, Beatrice Lang Trust £5,000,

Award-winning blogger Caebrwyn (Jacqui Thompson) says she has issued proceedings in the High Court for libel against Chief Executive Mark James and Carmarthenshire County Council. For more, see - http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/2011/11/i-have-issued-proceedings-for-libel.html

BBC newsreader Huw Edwards will be Launching the LINKS anthology on Friday 25th November at 12 noon in the Elli Centre, Llanelli. The book, which is made up of contributions from its members, is a creative collection of creative writing, paintings, photographs and pottery. It is about the journey of empowerment through theraputic activity. There are reflections on illness and recovery. The book aims to show not only the range of activities at LINKS but the quality of work, character and mission to cut through the social stigma and alienation that stems from public misconception. The book, which was sponsored by Llanelli Rural Council, will be available on 25th Nov. and a signed copy can be bought for £5.on the day. The aim of the LINKS project is to support people with mental health problems and to build their confidence and self esteem. The Preface from Patron Huw Edwards can be seen below - I have a confession to make. Before last year I hadn’t even heard of LINKS. It follows that I

Llanelli Resident Victimized with E-Mail Scam - SPAMfighter Llanelli man John Wynne Hopkins, 56, was hit by an email scam. Reportedly, phone calls started to pour in for Hopkins from anxious relatives and friends when they got messages in their mailboxes stating that robbers had attacked him. The e-mail, which reached everyone on his address book, urged readers to wire cash so he could clear his hotel expenses. It was only when a friend from the army asked about his well-being that he came to know about the scam.

Carmarthen parking meter bid scrapped | This is South Wales Controversial plans to put parking meters along a major Carmarthen street have been shelved. More than 1,500 people signed a petition to block the scheme, branded pointless and unnecessary by traders and councillors.

This week, in the run up to Children in Need, staff at the Careers Service at Aberystwyth University are asking students to pitch a career choice for Pudsey. With the aim of raising funds for Children in Need whilst also asking students to consider not only Pudsey’s choice of future career but their own, the Careers Service will be spending three days engaging with students in and around Aberystwyth University’s Guild of Students. “We’re hoping to raise a reasonable amount of money for Children in Need by asking people to donate when they choose a future job for Pudsey.” explains Carolyn Parry, Acting Deputy Director for the Careers Advisory Service. “We’re also raising awareness of the services we provide to students and graduates of the University in helping them to choose and develop their own career. Students participating in this fundraising exercise will also be photographed with their suggested choice and their photos will be uploaded to the Careers’ Facebook page.” Ben Meakin