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

My interview with Estelle Evans, community engagement officer for the Carmarthenshire Heritage Regeneration Trust, for the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind.

Hywel Dda Health Board | Case of cryptosporidiosis investigated in Cardiff school Public Health Wales and Environmental Health Officers from Cardiff County Council are investigating several cases of diarrhoeal illness in sixth formers from The Bishop of Llandaff Church in Wales High School, Cardiff. One case has been confirmed with cryptosporidiosis and a further four cases are under investigation. The illness has been reported in sixth formers who attended a school trip over the Easter holidays.

My interview with Derek Edwards, Llanelli eye clinic liaison officer (ECLO) with sight loss charity RNIB Cymru, for the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind.

Hywel Dda Health Board | Equality Plan for Public Health Wales approved A plan which sets out the principles of the organisation’s commitment to equality and diversity has been adopted.  The Strategic Equality Plan provides a focus of work for protecting the health and wellbeing of the people of Wales. The plan outlines the key equality objectives, the steps Public Health Wales is taking to meet them and, where possible, the timescales for achieving them. The plan identifies seven broad areas of work where Public Health Wales has the greatest opportunity to advance equality, eliminate discrimination and foster good relations.

A group of 20 students from Aberystwyth University, which aims to get more youngsters interested and excited about maths and science, will this Saturday (5 May) hold a science fair at the Belle Vue Royal Hotel in Aberystwyth. The group from the Institute of Maths and Physics (IMAPS), called Phys-CHIC, was formed 18 months ago with the original aim of getting more girls interested in science. Since then, the group has grown considerably and has extended its offer to reach children of primary and secondary school age. More than 1,500 children have participated in sessions arranged by Phys-CHIC to date. Clare McLoughlin, a fourth year physics student explains, “We have visited several local schools and youth groups in the county and our sessions are always very hands on and fun, which is important if we want to get more children interested in the subject. “In the science fair on Saturday, children will be able to participate in activities which will include making motor boats, aer...

Three Aberystwyth University staff members and one student will row across the Irish Sea this weekend (4-6 May) as part of the Celtic Challenge rowing race which will see 23 teams row from Arklow in Ireland to Aberystwyth.  Hannah Payne who works at the Research Office, Dr Phillipa Nicholas and Dr Rosemary Collins from the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) and Sue Walker, a second year student from the Department of Sports and Exercise Science, will form part of a 12 woman team of rowers from Aberystwyth Rowing Club. The 2012 Challenge, which has seen the largest ever entry, will be dependent entirely on the weather conditions during the May Bank Holiday weekend with regard to starting time. The race will aim to start on Saturday afternoon, arriving in Aberystwyth on Sunday morning. The ladies team, who will row a distance of about 90 miles, are taking part in the Challenge in order to raise vital funds for Apêl Elain www.apelelain.com a f...

Dates for your diary at Ffos Las racecourse in the Gwendraeth Valley - WEDNESDAY 9 MAY An evening fixture where you can enjoy live racing action plus soak up the buzz from the 2012 Welsh Grand Slam Winners. It promises to be an evening of top class racing action combined with a celebration for Adam Jones’s Testimonial in association with St. David’s Hospice Care. Tickets ONLY £10* Hospitality from £50*  FRIDAY 25 MAY EAT, DRINK AND LAUGH… An evening of belly-aching laughter at our very first Ha Ha Comedy Night. Enjoy laugh out loud entertainment from 5 top comedians with headlining act Noel James. Enjoy a burger, chips and a drink for only £22.50*. Accommodation Packages also available from £39.50*.

As excitement builds for the Llanelli Proms later this month, local choristers have received exciting messages of goodwill and support from rather prestigious fans.  The Hywel Girls’ Choir & Hywel Boy Singers received a personal letter from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth sending the choristers her best wishes and for the coming Diamond Jubilee Year. The Hywel Choir have had the pleasure of performing to Her Majesty on a number of occasions over the years and also to other members of The Royal Family including HRH The Prince of Wales. Lord Neil Kinnock, Patron of the Circle of Friends of the Hywel Girls’ Choir & Hywel Boy Singers, in anticipation of the 2012 Llanelli Proms said, “Young voices blending in a great choir provide one of the most uplifting sounds in all music – and the Hywel Choristers have the huge advantage of being Welsh and the justified reputation of being World class. What more could any audience want?” The choir had already received letters and messages ...

The readers of Which? Magazine have given a top rating to the National Botanic Garden of Wales at Llanarthne, near Carmarthen. A survey of more than 4,000 subscribers of the Consumers’ Association’s magazine saw the Carmarthenshire attraction rated at 79%, based on overall satisfaction and the likelihood to recommend. This put it level-pegging with the Eden Project in Cornwall and above such garden gems as Chatsworth, Blenheim Palace and Hampton Court. Home to the world’s largest single-span glasshouse and more than 8,000 different plant varieties, the National Botanic Garden received top marks for ‘value for money’ and disabled access, and was also highly rated for the quality of its food. Head of marketing, David Hardy said: “This is a terrific accolade for the Garden. We’ve certainly come a long way in 12 years. To receive such high marks for our food quality, value for money and disabled access is proof positive that all the hard work going on here is really paying off.” T...

The Fly-tipping Action Wales partnership today (23 March 2011) launched a fresh appeal for householders to take responsibility for their own waste, as part of a new campaign cleaning up fly-tipping hotspots in communities across Wales including Carmarthenshire. Latest annual Flycapture* statistics published by the Welsh Government show that a total of 41,750 cases of fly-tipping were reported in Wales (01 April 2010 – end March 2011), which equates to around four incidents per hour on average. Household waste accounts for the highest proportion of total cases at almost two-thirds (65%). The Welsh Government funded partnership, Fly-tipping Action Wales, consists of 50 partner agencies working together to reduce the number of incidents of fly-tipping, which cost Welsh tax payers more than £2.2 million each year to clean-up. The new Spring Clean campaign comes at a time when people across Wales are getting ready to carry out more DIY, renovation and garden work at home. Householde...

Children across Carmarthenshire will be getting a taste of something special as they sit down for their school meals over the next few weeks. Next week (Monday, May 8th) is the first day of the new summer menu for primary schools, which is packed full of nutritious two-course meals. Staying on the menu is the popular ‘Wednesday roast’, a firm favourite with pupils of all ages, with a range of meat and vegetables to help them towards their five a day. New on the three-week rolling menu is beef and tomato meatballs, served with pasta, tomato sauce and garlic bread, followed by rice pudding and peaches sprinkled with cocoa powder. Other favourites include chicken or vegetable korma served with rice and Naan bread; baked fillet of fish; baked breaded chicken grill and vegetarian loaded pizza. Desserts include Carmarthenshire ice cream served with banana and hot chocolate sauce; oat and raisin cookies served with fruit juice, and chocolate muffins. Each meal is analysed for nutritional co...

The Hywel Dda Health Board is making plans to maintain essential services following Unite's announcement of a strike on Thursday 10 May 2012. Health chiefs have warned of possible disruption to healthcare services but at this stage is not planning to cancel any outpatient appointments. Plans are already being put in place to minimise disruption to patients, without compromising quality and safety, although there may be some delays in being seen. Janet Wilkinson, Director of Workforce and Organisational Development at Hywel Dda Health Board said: “Due to the proposed industrial action, we are preparing how we can continue to provide as many services as possible and maintain the safety of patients in our care with a reduced number of staff. “Based on the information we currently have, we are not planning on cancelling outpatient appointments however there may be some delays for patients due to a shortage of staff in specific service areas (such as pathology, pharmacy and estates). W...

Hywel Dda Health Board | “Remarkable achievement”: NHS Wales breaks-even Health Minister Lesley Griffiths has congratulated Local Health Boards across Wales on meeting financial targets for 2011-12. The Minister thanked managers for what she called a “remarkable achievement” given the financial challenges facing NHS Wales. Provisional figures issued by the Welsh Government show all NHS organisations have met their financial targets in 2011-12, making a small surplus of £0.5million. The Health Minister said achieving financial balance had also been delivered against a pattern of general improvement and maintenance against key delivery priorities.

Llanelli Scarlets Director of Rugby Nigel Davies,left, was the the guest speaker at a recent meeting of Llanelli Rotary Club. He was welcomed to the meeting by Llanelli Rotary Club junior vice president Alan Owen.

Hywel Dda Health Board | NHS Wales Data Dictionary v4.0 A new version of the NHS Wales Data Dictionary has been released and is helping developers design systems that comply with national standards. The ‘NHS Wales Data Dictionary’ is the definitive guide to the definition, collection and interpretation of nationally agreed data standards adopted by NHS Wales. It has been developed for anyone who is actively involved in the collection and reporting of data and the management of information in the NHS in Wales.

Students and staff from Aberystwyth University are gearing themselves up to carry the Olympic Torch and join in the evening of celebrations at the University’s Vicarage Fields on Sunday 27 May. Two University staff members and two students have been selected out of hundreds of hopeful candidates to become official Olympic torchbearers. (See profiles below) Professor Qiang Shen, Head of the Department of Computer Science, Bridget James from the University’s Sports Centre and Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences student, Susanna Ditton, will carry the torch in Aberystwyth. Department of Television, Theatre and Film Studies student, Shon Rowcliffe, will carry the torch through the village of Brynhoffnant. To welcome the Olympic Flame to Ceredigion, an evening of entertainment for the whole family has been arranged by LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games) with support from Ceredigion County Council and the University. The show, which includes live music, a...

Clay Shaw Butler director David Butler met one of his sporting heroes - the legendary Welsh sprinter Ron Jones. Mr Jones was in Carmarthen for a SportsAid lunch held at The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, Carmarthen. Mr Butler, director of Clay Shaw Butler, is the vice-chairman of the Carmarthen branch of the SportsAid Wales charity. He presented a cheque for £5000, on behalf of SportsAid Carmarthen, to Mr Jones. SportsAid Wales has supported some of the nation's most successful athletes of all time, including Nicole Cooke who brought home gold from the Beijing Olympic Games. The charity holds regular fundraising events and lunches and is keen to work more closely with local businesses and organisations to help the next generation of sporting heroes who hail from Wales to achieve their potential. Mr Jones heads up SportsAid Wales. He was the athletics team captain for Team GB at the 1968 Mexico Olympics and was inducted into the Welsh Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009. Mr ...

There's a new face to welcome you to the Clay Shaw Butler office in Lammas Street, Carmarthen. Nerys Jones, 25, from Cross Hands, has just joined Clay Shaw Butler as an administrator. Nerys is a former pupil of Ysgol Gyfun Maes-yr-Yrfa in Cefneithin. http://www.clayshawbutler.com/

Ann Thomas, senior consultant at Clay Shaw Butler, gets to meet Wales rugby captain Sam Warburton. http://www.clayshawbutler.com/

Electric guitar, drum stool and cymbal stand stolen from Carmarthen pub – police are looking for information | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police are investigating after musical instruments were stolen from the Parrot Public House in King Street, Carmarthen, some time on Saturday 28th April 2012. Among the items taken are a Jackson Performa electric guitar, a Mapex drum stool and a Mapex cymbal stand.

Llanelli Musical Players are performing at Theatr Elli tonight (Thursday), Friday and Saturday in The Little Shop of Horrors. Last year was the 25th Anniversary of the film. Little Shop of Horrors is a comedy horror rock musical, by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, about a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood. The musical is based on the low-budget 1960 black comedy film The Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Roger Corman. The music, composed by Menken in the style of early 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown, includes several well-known tunes, including the title song, "Skid Row (Downtown)", "Somewhere That's Green", and "Suddenly, Seymour". Should be fun and well worth a visit to Theatr Elli. To book tickets, see - http://theatrelli.ticketsolve.com/shows/126524054/events

Llanelli rugby legend Phil Bennett is hoping to kick bowel cancer into touch after promoting Bowel Screening Wales on ITV this week. Speaking during a feature on the 6pm slot of ITV Wales Tonight, he praised the NHS bowel screening programme and said: “I’ve taken the test myself, and other members of my family have and I’ve found it absolutely outstanding – superb – and you do it in the privacy of your own home. It’s not hard to do, you send it back and the results follow.” Phil was interviewed for a news story which followed up a press release issue by the Screening Engagement Department, released to promote Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, which is held every April. Highlighting the fact that the number of people returning the test kits has fallen, the news item also featured Head of Programme, Hayley Heard, and a member of the public, David Glanmor Jones, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer after completing the test, which is sent to all men and women in Wales aged between 60 a...

Hywel Dda Health Board | Report published on fellowship trip to British Columbia Sarah Hope, Principal Health Promotion Specialist with Powys Public Health Team, has now produced a report detailing her recent travels and studies throughout British Columbia. Sarah travelled to British Columbia to work with the  Ministry of Health’s Department of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, regional health authorities and other key partners after being awarded a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust fellowship in 2011. The Winston Churchill Fellowship provides the opportunity for British Citizens to travel abroad to study their own worthwhile project with the aim of enriching their lives by their wider experience through knowledge, understanding and skills they gain. Applications for the next round of fellowship travel open on 15 May.  There are 10 categories including a medical and health category, and applications close in October.

Aberystwyth University’s Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies will welcome Professor Hans-Thies Lehmann, one the most distinguished international theatre scholars, tomorrow Friday 4 May. His groundbreaking concept of 'postdramatic theatre' has made a significant contribution to the study of contemporary theatre and performance practice. His book, also called Postdramatic Theatre, has been translated into 18 languages. In his lecture, Professor Lehmann will track changes and developments in the postdramatic theatre landscape since his influential book first appeared in German in 1999. A major focus of his talk will also be on the role of the spectator in contemporary theatre in reference to recent works by Nicolas Stemann, Laurent Chétouane, René Pollesch, Falk Richter, And Company, She She Pop and others. Throughout his career, Professor Lehmann has been involved in theatre practice, working as a dramaturg (a literary adviser on the staff of a theatre) for...

Elizabeth Thomas, pictured above, has been promoted Traffic Supervisor with Celtic Couriers. Best wishes go to Liz from all the team. Meanwhile, there is a big welcome to a new employee - Kathryn McCarthy started her position as Administration Clerk with Celtic Couriers this week. Celtic Couriers is also currently filling a vacancy for a courier driver. Celtic Couriers general manager Gareth Jenkins said: "These changes further strengthen the team here at Celtic Couriers, making sure that we continue to deliver the best possible service to our customers."

Celtic Couriers in Burry Port is taking delivery of another new Citroen van next week. The van will take the current fleet up to nine Citroen vans and 17 vehicles in total. Our fleet includes four lorries, ranging from 7.5t, 18t, 24t and 44t. We deliver and collect on average 1,300 parcels a day, and 55 pallets a day. In January our vehicles covered 85,000 miles. In January we purchased 3500 gallons of fuel. Celtic Couriers general manager Gareth Jenkins said: "Sometimes the statistics speak for themselves - we are a progressive firm investing in the future. "Keeping our fleet up-to-date is very important to us as we continue to deliver the best possible service to our customers."

The Jenkins Bakery is doing its bit to help a mammoth charity fund-raising effort during National Doughnut Week (May 12-19). For seven days every year, bakers up and down the country sell doughnuts to raise money for The Children's Trust, a national charity which provides specialist care and rehabilitation for children with multiple disabilities. The Llanelli-based bakery is one of just two bakery businesses in Wales participating in the scheme. “We are a family business and always keen to put something back into the community,” said Russell Jenkins, operations director of the Jenkins Bakery. “We have taken part in National Doughnut Week before and we will be doing our best to make sure that staff and customers can have a bit of fun raising cash for a very worthwhile charity.” Over the last 20 years, National Doughnut Week has raised more than £735,000. In 2012, the target is to raise at least £30,000. National Doughnut Week is sponsored by leading bakery ingredients and products...

Hywel Dda Health Board | Get Your Walking Boots on this Healthy Wednesday This Healthy Wednesday why not start preparing to enjoy the Wales Coast Path and the many health benefits walking can have? On Saturday 5 May, the longest continuous coastal path around any country (870 miles) officially opens and will take you from the Llŷn Peninsula down through Cardigan Bay, through Britain’s only coastal National Park in Pembrokeshire, and along miles of golden sand in Carmarthenshire. This is an exciting time to explore and embrace the coastal landscape of Wales, right on your doorstep.

Hywel Dda Health Board | Registration opens for Welsh Public Health Conference Registration is now open for the second Welsh Public Health Conference being held on 18 July 2012 at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff. The conference, titled ‘Together for Public Health’ will have a very practical focus and is for policy makers and decision makers in the Welsh Government, NHS, local government and the third sector. The conference theme is based around Together for Health, the Welsh Government’s five year vision for the NHS in Wales.

Carms & Pembs Public Enquiry Offices closed Bank Holiday Monday – Llanelli & Haverfordwest remain open 10-6pm. | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire Public Enquiry Offices opening times for Monday 7th May: All Front Counters in Carmarthenshire  and Pembrokeshire will be closed on the Bank Holiday apart from Llanelli and Haverfordwest which will be open between 10.00am and 6.00pm.

Hywel Dda Health Board | Case studies highlight examples of patient and person driven care from across Wales 1000 Lives Plus is launching a series of case studies showcasing tools and techniques applied by teams across Wales to ensure their services are centred on the needs and wishes of patients and their families. “These case studies highlight the excellent and ground breaking work that is already underway in Wales to ensure that patients and families are at the very heart of NHS Wales,” says Annette Bartley, 1000 Lives Plus faculty lead for patient and person driven care.

Ammanford residents and traders have had the chance to see plans for revitalising the centre of the town. Quay Street will be the subject of a major revamp over the next six months which council chiefs believe will help to draw more shoppers into the town. The recent Ammanford on Track public exhibition in the Pensioners Hall in Quay Street, Ammanford, showcased the regeneration works proposed for Quay Street. The exhibition was well attended, with a wide range of people commenting on the scheme. The project - part of the local authority's ambitious Ammanford Regeneration programme - is designed to make the street feel more modern with paviours and street lighting being replaced, together with new seating and additional CCTV. Staff from Carmarthenshire County Council and Alun Griffiths Contractors were on hand to answer any questions. Traders who attended were shown how the scheme will be phased and were informed of the length of time their properties might be affected. John Winney...

Hywel Dda Health Board | Plan for liver health in prisons launched Public Health Wales has launched a service delivery plan to support Welsh prisons in improving liver health for prisoners. Director of HMP/YOI Parc Janet Wallsgrove and Public Health Wales Blood Borne Virus Prison Nurse Specialist Dr Stephanie Perrett launched the liver health information leaflet developed with the help of prisoners. Representatives from all five prisons in Wales and from across the Welsh health service were present at an event that included a presentation by the Minister for Health and Social Services, Lesley Griffiths AM.

Medicines In May 2012 | The National Botanic Garden of Wales Plants have been used for thousands of years to treat illnesses. But how relevant are they to 21st century medicine? The National Botanic Garden of Wales in Llanarthne, near Carmarthen, will help you decide. To do this, the garden is hosting a series of talks, courses, exhibitions and fun activities throughout May 2012. All are free with admission except where indicated.

Mid Wales Public Enquiry Offices closed Bank Holiday Monday – Aberystwyth remains open 10-6pm. | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Mid Wales Public Enquiry Offices opening times for Monday 7th May: Welshpool, Newtown Llandrindod Wells, Brecon, Ystradgynlais, Lampeter and Cardigan will all be closed. Aberystwyth will remain open and the opening hours will be 10am-6pm.

Hywel Dda Health Board | Public Health Wales website statistics for March 2012 published Data collected by Google Analytics on how visitors interacted with the Public Health Wales website during the third month of 2012 are now available. From 1-31 March 2012 the English language version of the website recorded 11,057 visits from 7,769 different visitors resulting in 34,136 webpages being viewed. On average, visitors viewed three pages per visit and spent two and a half minutes on the website. Eighty-eight per cent of visitors were from the UK with 46 per cent (of the total) from Wales.

A new warm-up technique that makes an athlete’s blood more acidic could prove decisive in the race for gold at London 2012. A sports scientist at Aberystwyth University has found new ways of warming up that can help improve an athlete’s performance, helping to give athletes that extra split second advantage which can mean the difference between a gold and silver medal. Dr Mark Burnley, a lecturer in Exercise Physiology at the Department of Sport and Exercise Science (SES) at the University, has been studying high intensity exercises known as “priming”. Dr Burnley and researchers from the University of Brighton and Exeter, have been studying how priming increases concentration of lactate in the blood, making the blood acidic and ultimately, improving performance. The work improves performance in any event that lasts from around two minutes up to about 30 minutes.  In an athletics stadium, this means all events from the 800 metres to the 10,000 metres could be improved by pr...

The latest Iechyd Da beer column written by Simon Buckley, chief executive of the Llandeilo-based Evan-Evans brewery, for the Carmarthen Journal . . . On your marks, ale drinkers of Wales! It’s official: Your taste buds are going to be challenged over the next few months. Get ready for a range of new beers, new tastes and styles of beer not tasted in Wales for a very long time. In total, there will be seven new ales for you to try - and a very special summer stout. Each year, I review the brands we brew, look at the events of the coming year and see how we can then build a beer that will celebrate the great art of brewing and the event in question. By the end of November, the job is done and I have my plan for the following year. This year, we have launched our Archers Guest Ale brand and this summer will see us launch a new range of organic beers for the export market. It’s no easy task, but I believe we have come up with a range of beers that will challenge every ale drink...

Here is the latest Clay Shaw Butler 'Looking after business' column from the pages of the Carmarthen Journal - By Ann Thomas, senior consultant with Clay Shaw Butler, chartered accountants and business consultants of Carmarthen Wednesday (today) is traditionally market day in Carmarthen – the day when farmers and businesspeople arrive from all over Carmarthenshire to add an extra buzz to the town. The conversations are usually dominated by the weather and about the state of the local economy, with many businesses still working their way out of the economic downturn. If your business is feeling the pinch, it´s more important than ever to look at what you can do. Here are some ideas to get you started – 1. Get paid sooner! Encourage your customers to pay more quickly, by giving small discounts or just by chasing them promptly. Send out invoices for completed work as soon as possible, and for long term projects ask for staged payments on account. 2. Promote best value ...

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column from the Carmarthen Journal newspaper - The annual presentation evening for players and fans will be held at the Carmarthen Town AFC Clubhouse and Community Centre at 7.30pm on Friday, May 4. It will be a cause for added celebration as the club has secured a place in the Welsh Premier League for next season. Club members and fans are welcome to attend. There will be awards for -Player of the Year, Youth Team Player of the Year, Reserve Team Player of the Year, Supporters Player of the Year and Clubman of the Year Club members are asked to note that the annual general meeting of Carmarthen Town AFC will take place at the Clubhouse and Community Centre at Richmond Park at 7.30pm on Tuesday, May 8. The date of the annual summer fete has been set for Saturday, July 7, at Richmond Park. ------------------------------------- Popular Carmarthen comedy entertainer Phil Doyle will be staging a fund-raising evening...

Smashing picture story in the Carmarthen Journal today about the opening of the new woodland at Aberglasney House and Gardens. Eye-catching advert in the Carmarthen Journal puts the spotlight on the renamed QualitySolicitors Redkite law firm @QSRedkite Good to see the latest gardening column from Aberglasney's Joseph Atkin in the Carmarthen Journal today. Nice plug for the Dyfed Order of Merit junior golf event at The Ashburnham Golf Club in the Carmarthen Journal today. The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column is in the Carmarthen Journal today. The latest 'Looking After Business' column by Ann Thomas, of Clay Shaw Butler, accountants, is in the Carmarthen Journal today. The latest 'Iechyd Da' beer column from Llandeilo brewer Simon Buckley (Evan-Evans Brewery) is in the Carmarthen Journal today. Check out the Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star today for the new adverts offering great membership deals at The Ashburnham Golf Club. Bi...

BBC News - Cardiff-based Orchard to run Brecon Jazz Festival A Cardiff events and media group has been announced as the new operator of the Brecon Jazz Festival. Orchard was chosen to run the internationally-renowned event by the Arts Council of Wales, Powys council and Brecon Beacons National Park. The search for a new promoter started last December after the Hay Festival organisation announced that it was pulling out after two years.

Interview with Kelvin Guy, of the Carmarthen Bay Film Festival, recorded for the Llanelli and District Talking Newspaper for the Blind.

Welsh landlady hopeful of upturn in trade after receiving Assembly grant for pub refurbishment A Welsh licensee is hopeful of an upturn in trade after receiving a grant from the Welsh Assembly. The Emlyn Arms in Llanarthne has received a grant from the Welsh Assembly Meleri Jones, of the Emlyn Arms in Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire, recently completed a major refurb of the pub with help from the Local Investment Fund (LIF) South West Wales . This project is part-funded through the European Regional Development Fund and offers flexible financial support to assist new and existing businesses by offering capital grants of 40% for eligible projects.

The details for the Carmarthen Bay Film festival have just been released. The festival launches tonight with a special screening of the classic Grand Slam at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli. The festival proper starts next week. Festival programme for Tuesday May 8th. • 1400 Welcome to the festival • 1415 Luminary/Audio visual short fantasy. • 1430 The Future/short dry witted comedy. • 1445 Luella and Me/comedy drama • 1500 BREAK • 1515 Flanagan's Wake/documentary. Q and A with Peter Bach • 1645 BREAK • 1715 Fit Boy Feature film over 18s ONLY • 1900 END OF FIRST DAY • 1930 Film makers reception Festival programme for Wednesday May 9th. • 1100 Foreign film showcase • 1300 LUNCH BREAK • 1400 The Dinorwic Slate Quarry/documentary • 1445 Wonder/documentary • 1500 Reality/Dramatised documentary • 1515 A Season in the Rain/Experimental drama • 1615 BREAK • 1630 Bonfire/drama • 1700 Life Camera Action feature film • 1830 END OF SECOND DAY Festival programme for Thursday May 10th. • 13...

Professor Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield, the Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History at Queen Mary, University of London, will be talking about British intelligence at 6.00 p.m. on Thursday 3 May 2012 at the Old College at Aberystwyth University. Lord Hennessy will be giving the University’s Centre for Intelligence and International Security Studies annual lecture. The title of the lecture is ‘Tasking and Using: the Coalition, the National Security Council, the Joint Intelligence Committee and the Rhythm of British Intelligence.’ Lord Hennessy was Professor of Contemporary History at Queen Mary and Westfield College from 1992 until 2000, before being appointed Attlee Professor in 2001. One of the founders of the Institute of Contemporary British History, he worked as a journalist for twenty year on The Times, The Financial Times and The Economist before joining Queen Mary in 1992. Lord Hennessy is a regular panelist on BBC1’s Question Time and was a regular presenter of ...

Festival gets a grand kick-off | This is South Wales Fasten your seatbelts for a rowdy night in the company of Grand Slam coach-trippers Dewi Pws Morris, Sion Probert and Elizabeth Morgan. The reunion, for a 7pm screening of the 1978 comedy, is likely to pull an appreciative crowd to Llanelli's Parc y Scarlets tomorrow, and it will make for a cork-popping launch for the first Carmarthen Bay Film Festival. That week-long event lines up a host of screenings from Tuesday, May 8.

The legal eagles at Redkite are planning two special networking events to celebrate beating off stiff competition to win the right to represent the new legal super brand called QualitySolicitors in Camarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. Redkite has now been rebranded as QualitySolicitors Redkite, but it’s very much business as usual for customers old and new. The company will be staging two celebration networking events in May – The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel in Carmarthen will be the venue on May 15. The Bridge Innovation Centre (BIC) in Pembroke Dock hosts the event on May 23. Both events are 4 – 6pm and invitations are being sent out to customers old and new. “We wanted to do something special to mark our new branding as QualitySolicitors Redkite,” said Managing Partner Luke Smith. “It will be drinks and canapés and plenty of opportunity for networking. Further details of the events will be released later.” Anyone interested in attending can contact Bethan Hooper at QualitySolicitor...

A short line of cottages off Upper Park Street offered little resistance to bulldozers clearing the way for the dawning of a £65m bright new Llanelli. The removal of the buildings is one of the last stages of clearance work heralding the new East Gate destined to become a mecca for family entertainment boosting the town’s economy and fortunes later this year. Known in recent years at the CopyTech buildings the old stone and brick cottages were fully architecturally surveyed and found to have little or no merit other than being photographically recorded for posterity. Contractors said they were poorly constructed and collapsed in little more than 30 minutes with little encouragement. The cottages clearance has linked the £25million East Gate development with the £14.7 Y Ffwrnes theatre complex giving new vistas to the old Zion Chapal which is listed and incorporated in the new developments.

Work is starting on a £4.3million makeover of Llanelli’s town centre. The environment enhancement scheme will knit together elements of more than £65million of investment incorporating, East Gate, Llanelli Library, Llanelly House and Y Ffwrnes. The public realm improvements along Stepney and Vaughan Street, the Central Square and east and west Cowell Street will include upgrading the key gateways, providing new canopies, improving pedestrian and cycle linkages and a Showcase to provide information about the transformation taking place. The works will be carried out (starting today) by civil engineers Alun Griffiths Construction over 56 weeks aiming for completion in April 2013. The £4.3 has been found from the European Regional Development Fund, Targeted Match Funding and Carmarthenshire County Council There are five overlapping phases of work to help minimise disruption. The programme of works will be scaled down in November and December to assist retailers and consumers over the busy...

Piano Bridge in Lower Trostre Road, Llanelli, is planned to reopen Friday, May 11. There has been widespread disruption for commuters, commercial deliveries and visitors since the necessary bridge replacement works started in January The double bridge spans the main London to Fishguard rail line and a bank of disused sidings. It was not possible to carry out the work piecemeal leaving one lane open because the whole of the two bridge spans, one over the main line and the other over the sidings, has had to be replaced The demolition and reconstruction of the railway and sidings bridge has taken place and the restorations of services and finishing works are in their final stages. Weather proofing of the construction has to be completed and this has to be undertaken in good weather conditions which means the finishing is entirely dependent on weather conditions.

The West Wales European Centre has teamed up with the 50+ Forum to organise the Active mind, Active Body event on Wednesday May 9 in Carmarthen Leisure Centre. The event will run from 10am until 3pm and is open to all. There’s a wide range of activity on offer - please click here for more information wwec.org.uk There will be many stalls and free activities in the sports hall, including First Aid demonstrations, massage, Nordic walking, introduction to e-books, guided tours of the Fusion gym, and from 10am-12pm: blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose testing . There is a free prize draw for those attending and a 10 per cent discount voucher for food in the Leisure centre café on the day.

Almost half of the public (47%) get most of their legal knowledge from TV programmes, films, magazines, newspapers, and online. That’s the result of an online YouGov survey commissioned by QualitySolicitors Redkite, the biggest legal firm in South West Wales. The survey found that people in Wales rely more on the internet for most of their legal knowledge than any other region in England and Wales, with 27% citing it as their main source of legal information. A further 24% of people in Wales rely on TV programmes, films, magazines, and newspapers for most of their legal knowledge. Books ranked last as a source with just 2% - the lowest across all regions in the UK. The results follow the UK’s first televised sentencing in a criminal court. During the sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh, David Gilroy was sentenced to 18 years in prison for murdering his former lover and colleague, Suzanne Pilley, 38. The initial decision to televise proceedings prompted prominent QC, Bria...