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

There was a VIP visitor for Llanelli Rotary Club today. Rotary International District 1150 Governor Bob Lewis (a Paul Harris Fellow and a member of the Rotary Club of Porthcawl ) was the guest speaker. He was welcomed to the club's meeting at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, by Llanelli Rotary Club President Alan Owen. The vote of thanks to DG Bob Lewis was given by Rotarian Harry Griffiths, a past president of the Llanelli club. 

This evening, I will be driving the 18-seater bus for the Llanelli and District Gateway Club. It's my turn on the Llanelli Rotary Club rota. Road-users of Llanelli: be afraid, very afraid!

The official launch of a new free service for rural businesses will be held next month at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales. RDP Sir Gâr’s Adfer, run by Menter Cwm Gwendraeth, will be hosting a free business breakfast seminar in partnership with the Carbon Trust to provide information on how local businesses can pay less for energy bills, protect against future energy price rises and reduce their environmental impact. Adfer provides free guidance to help companies in Carmarthenshire to combat energy price rises and become more energy efficient. Neil Lewis of Adfer says: "The newly available technology allows significant savings with little or no financial outlay. For example, LED lighting can be secured at no upfront cost and with seven (7!) year guarantees. Therefore no initial outlay and guaranteed overhead reduction. Anyone who watched the closing ceremony of London 2012 will have marvelled at the Special Effects created by LED lights. "There is a revolution in

Pensioners in Carmarthenshire are reminded that they have until September 30 to apply for a reduction in their council tax. The county council has been able to give the reduction by using funding provided by the Welsh Government to help pensioners with their council tax. Persons aged over 65 that are already getting some help via council tax benefit will automatically receive a further reduction off their bill. No application is needed as persons entitled to the extra help will be identified from the council’s records. Persons aged over 65 but who are not receiving council tax benefit and are currently paying their council tax bill in full, can also receive a reduction. They simply need to complete and return an application form by no later than September 30. The total fund will be divided equally which means that the reduction will be the same for pensioners receiving partial council tax benefit as for those not on benefit and who have applied for the reduction. Application forms are

The countdown is well on truly on to a special concert planned to give a boost to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal in South West Wales. The Royal British Legion Charity Gala Concert will be staged at The Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen on Saturday, October 27. It will feature Côr Godre’r Aran (above), the celebrated male voice choir from North Wales, and the renowned Richard Williams Singers from Tonyrefail. The driving force behind the concert is Cerith Owens, the director of Loud Applause Productions, a firm which devotes a lot of energy to charitable causes. “This has been a summer of notable events and great celebrations, with everything from the Queen’s Jubilee to the Olympics. “But October will be the time when our thoughts turn towards Remembrance Day and this concert will be a moving and stirring tribute to the fallen,” said Mr Owens. “The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is a cause very dear to all our hearts and I hope the people of Carmarthenshire lend their support to

Latest news from Ffos Las racecourse - Friday 24 August SPECIAL OFFER – BUY 3 TICKETS AND GET THE 4TH FREE!* Start your weekend with a bang and join us for what promises to be an adrenaline-filled day at the races. Kindly sponsored by totepool, our Ladies Day is the most desired and fashionable day of the year here at Ffos Las, so ladies and gents get that group of friends, family or colleagues together for a great day out ahead of the bank holiday weekend! Prior to racing to get your day started, there will be some fantastic music from Wil Jones. Wil Jones, is the South West Walian singer songwriter who performs material on his spainish guitar accompanied with soothing vocals and his Bob Dylan inspired harmonica hung around his neck. Don’t forget we also have competitions for Best Dressed Lady, Gent and Best Hat, Plus new for this year Best Young New Designer, so make every effort to dress to impress as there will be spotters in the crowd! To make your day even more exciting

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column from the Carmarthen Journal newspaper - There is an important meeting at Carmarthen Town AFC this month. The club will be holding an EGM at the clubhouse and community centre on Wednesday, August 29, starting at 7pm. ------------------------------------- The Football Association of Wales are holding a Football Funday/Festival, on Sunday 19th August at Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli - one year before the first match day of the UEFA Women’s U19 Finals Tournament 2013. The aim of the day is to raise awareness of the tournament, recruit volunteers and launch the tournament section of the website. Both the outdoor training pitch and indoor barn at Parc y Scarlets are booked form 12-5pm on the day. Women’s National Team Manager Jarmo Matikainen will be running a coaching session. Colin Staples (Football Development Officer, Carmarthenshire) plus other coaches will run some fun football sessions. There will also be oth

With summer coming to a close, the Evan-Evans Brewery (Llandeilo) would like to introduce the last of their summer beers, Cwrw Haf. Cwrw Haf 4.1% A light straw coloured summer ale. Refreshing clean palate with a hint of citrus. An ideal beer for the hot summer days. Can be served slight cooler. Pre-order yours now to avoid disappointment! See website - http://www.evanevansbrewery.com/

Catch entrepreneur Kevin Green @kevingreenwales on the Radio Wales phone-in with Mai Davies. Good debate on A Levels, education and the value of university studies on the Radio Wales Phone-in programme. Available on iPlayer at - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01lwnm2/The_Radio_Wales_PhoneIn_16_08_2012/

Diane Doona is finance manager with QualitySolicitors Redkite, the biggest law firm in West Wales. The firm has seven offices in the area, including one in Carmarthen. Here is her Holiday Heaven and Hell, as featured in last weekend's South Wales Evening Post. What was your best holiday? I’m lucky; I love travelling and have a lot of really good trips. We abandoned the ‘holiday package’ a long time ago and on our first trip to Sardinia we decided to rough it; no hotels booked, no transport. We would use local buses and cheap B and Bs. We weren’t too old to backpack! We arrived in Alghero, a beautiful old town steeped in naval history, with wonderful churches, squares and museums to explore. Not as cheap as we expected, on our third day we headed for the bus station, knapsacks on our backs. We waited for a bus to take us to the beautiful Maddalena Islands in the North East. No-one seemed to understand where we wanted to go. The bus drivers looked at us blankly and the informati

Burry Port design and manufacturing business is investing in the future by recruiting a new apprentice. Josh Palmer, 18, of Burry Port, is already working part-time at specialist tailored sheet metal solutions firm Amcanu. In September, he will start an apprenticeship linked to a HNC mechanical engineering course at Coleg Sir Gar's campus at The Graig, Llanelli. “We pride ourselves in helping to develop and nurture staff at Amcanu,” said managing director Owain Davies. “We already have excellent links with Coleg Sir Gar and recruiting Josh as an apprentice is just another step along the road for us. “We are a go-ahead firm keen to make sure staff get the best training possible and keen to give local youngsters an opportunity to take those important first steps on the job and career ladder.” Josh, a former pupil at Burry Port's Glanymor School, said: “I'm very grateful to Amcanu for giving me the chance of an apprenticeship. A HNC qualification is my first target, but I ho

Carmarthenshire Council has made it into the 'Rotten Boroughs' section of Private Eye again. This time about an alleged threat to withdraw advertising from the South Wales Guardian. And it has been criticised for its Community News freesheet. See below -

A range of day classes aimed at developing creative skills are being held in Carmarthenshire. The courses are free to people who are over 50 and either in part time employment, or unemployed; to those receiving a means tested benefit; for people who find it difficult to read or write; and for those who want to improve their Welsh language skills. Limited places are available, and there is a maximum of three courses per person. Classes, which are run by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Community Education Department, are: They run from 9.30am – 3pm and cost £25 for those who don’t qualify for free classes. Call 01554 744355 or visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk for more information.

Simon Buckley's letter to the Carmarthen Journal Editor re Sainsbury's in Llandeilo - I write with some degree of satisfaction that Welsh Government has decided to question the planning decision of Carmarthenshire County Council in relation to the application  re Sainsbury's in Llandeilo and to call the planning application in for determination by the Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, John Griffiths AM. The way in which the developers and Sainsbury's conducted themselves in contacting the planning committee members the evening before the planning meeting was nothing more than disgraceful. Add to this the fact that the council’s solicitor had to stop members leaving the meeting to go and get drinks, and I am sure you will appreciate the relief that comes with the decision of the Welsh Government and the fact that they will arbitrate this matter once and for all. I will never forget the day of the meeting and the fact that within 10 minutes of G

Steam traction engines will return to the streets of Carmarthen over the August Bank Holiday. On Saturday August 25, the normal Bank Holiday traffic will be joined by steam traction engines, showman’s engines, traction rollers and scaled models of these, yesteryear workhorses of days gone by. Leading the procession through Carmarthen town will be a 1906 Aveling and Porter engine accompanied by the trailer which has been its companion throughout its working life. This is the only Aveling and Porter of this type in the world. A massive exhibition of vintage vehicles will be on display at the Nantyci Showground during August Bank Holiday weekend. For the first time, the well known Orllwyn Teifi Vintage Show will this year be at the Carmarthen venue. Held on Sunday and Monday August 26 and 27, the Orllwyn Teifi 24th Vintage Show offers a weekend full of action and fun for all the family from early morning to late night. Evening entertainment includes local vocalist Llinos Thomas, the king

Roll up, roll up! Morfa Family Centre is to host a fun day fundraiser! Families with children of all ages are invited to go along to the centre, based within Ysgol Maes Y Morfa, from 10am-2pm on Wednesday, August 22. Children will be able to take part in a circus skills workshop and enjoy a pirate ship bouncy castle. There will also be a soft play area for toddlers under the age of three, as well as a raffle, bric-a-brac sale and a cake stall. Entry is free, and food and refreshments can be bought on the day. Family Centre Co-ordinator Ruth James said: “We hold a number of family events throughout the year where we throw open our doors and invite everyone in to see what we do and what facilities we have to offer. There will be a welcome for new and familiar faces, so come along and join in the fun.” Morfa Family Centre is operated by Carmarthenshire County Council and provides family-friendly support, including advice and guidance. For further information call 01554 742402.

The finishing touches are being applied to another giant ‘Series 14′ water pump enclosure unit at Amcanu’s Burry Port headquarters. The pump enclosure is one of an order of four from one of Amcanu’s key clients, the global pump manufacturer Godwin Pumps. Amcanu managing director Owain Davies said the enclosures were destined for work in Norway. “The Series 14 is the biggest enclosure that we produce and the four in this order are also special in that we have had to kit them out with special covers to allow them to function in the snowy conditions of Norway. “We take pride in every enclosure we produce here in Burry Port, but there is a special buzz at our headquarters when we work on the Series 14, simply because of its size.” Pictures: Top: New Amcanu apprentice Josh Palmer with one of the Series 14 units now being completed. Above: A finished unit being loaded for transport.

The Vista Lounge in Llanelli is hosting a Michael Buble Tribute Night on Sunday, August 26, 2012 7:00 PM until 3:00 AM. FREE ENTRY B4 9pm SELECTED DRINKS £2 B4 9pm Vista Lounge, Murray Street, Llanelli SA15 1SE

Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities’ Strategic Alliance have launched a joint consultancy company. Aberystwyth and Bangor Consultancy Ltd will be the vehicle for both Universities to further develop the portfolio of commercial consultancy services for the two Universities and forms a key feature of the future of the Strategic Alliance. Professor April McMahon, Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University, said: “Our Universities have worked together for a number of years; we’re good friends and good neighbours and have a strong track record of partnership working. Establishing a new joint consultancy company is amongst a range of exciting initiatives which sees our universities strengthen the ties we have, whilst at the same time allowing us to promote our individual areas of academic and professional strengths. I look forward to learning of the successes of our new company as we continue to provide a range of high level consultancy services to our customers.” The company has be

Just had your A Level results? Is the thought of going through clearing a daunting one? There’s no need to worry because Aberystwyth University has created a video guide to help you navigate your way through this difficult time. The video can be viewed on the University’s website http://bit.ly/Q9A1Sm and provides advice and tips on what to do immediately after receiving your A Level results until a place at university has been secured. David Moyle, the Schools & Colleges Liaison Manager at Aberystwyth University, explains, “We understand that going through clearing can be a stressful time for some. We want to make the process as easy as possible and help them in their search to find the right course. “The best advice during clearing is not to panic. It’s vital to research thoroughly the options available and then move quickly to secure a place on the course of your choice and at your favoured university. Throughout the clearing period, colleagues will be on hand to answer

This year’s Merlin Festival has been hailed as a huge success with the entertainment proving very popular with children. The festival was held on Saturday with entertainment laid on throughout the town. The acts included Dragon Quest; Luke Jugglestruck, award winning entertainer and magician; Randalf the Wizard, Okey Dokey the Dragon and the Alchemy Dragons. Marketing & Tourism Development Officer Sarah Owen said: “The acts were brilliant. Dragon Quest gave the public an extraordinary opportunity to encounter with the Goblin Queen and her huge and ancient Dragon! Visitors were enchanted by a smoke breathing, true to life Dragon and entranced by the goblin’s mischief. “Theatre of Alchemy were well received within the town. Children loved being able to touch the dragons. “All the magicians in town - Luke Jugglestruck, Dave, Moses, Randalf the Wizard - created a wonderful atmosphere leaving visitors in awe. “A medieval cook left Nott Square ablaze with wonderful medieval cooking

Burry Port firm Amcanu @AmcanuLtd  is looking for Class 2 HGV driver. T: 01554 833358. Website - http://amcanu.co.uk/

There are some changes to refuse/recycling collections in Carmarthenshire for the August Bank Holiday. Collections for the week beginning August 27th – Bank Holiday Monday - will be one day later than normal. For example, if your usual collection day is a Monday, your waste will be collected on Tuesday instead and so on. For residents whose waste is usually collected on a Friday, their collection day will be Saturday. Collections will be back to normal from Monday, September 3rd. Residents are reminded that the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) in Trostre (Llanelli), Wernddu (Ammanford), Nantycaws (Carmarthen), Whitland and Llangadog are open as usual over the Bank Holiday. Usual collection                   Collection on Monday, August 27th       Tuesday, August 28th Tuesday, August 28th       Wednesday, August 29th Wednesday, August 29th  Thursday, August 30th Thursday, August 30th      Friday, August 31st Friday, August 31st           Saturday, September 1st For further in

There are three big events happening later this month in Carmarthenshire, celebrating local culture, all of which have received funding from a recently launched RDP Sir Gar grant : Dathlu Diwylliant. The Dathlu Diwylliant grant is part of RDP Sir Gâr Innovative Hubs project and is being delivered by Menter Bro Dinefwr in partnership with Carmarthenshire County Council. The grant aims to widen access to quality cultural events through the medium of Welsh and provide opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy and participate in the arts in rural Carmarthenshire. Community groups can apply for up to £5000 towards the cost of putting on such events with no match funding required. The events Dathlu Diwylliant has supported this month are: An evening with Dafydd Iwan at the Orllwyn Teifi Vintage Show 25th August 2012 Nantyci Showground, Carmarthen. Tickets - £10 Contact: Derrick Davies 01559 370885 Cynwyl Elfed Agricultural Show 27th August 2012 Cynwyl Elfed Cookery demonstration b

Quote of the day. One old pal about another older pal - "He's so tight, he wouldn't even give you dandruff!"

  The team at Clay Shaw Butler have extended a warm ‘welcome back’ to 23-year-old Sarah James. Sarah first started work for Clay Shaw Butler, the Carmarthen-based chartered accountants and business consultants, in 2007. She worked for the firm for two years while studying to gain her AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification. She took a break from accountancy to study a three year degree and gain some university experience, graduating with a BSc Hons in Health, Nutrition and Lifestyle at The University of Wales Trinity St David. Sarah is a familiar face to Clay Shaw Butler clients as she has also worked there during holidays and breaks from university. Her next plan is to study with the ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, the global body for professional accountants) from September to become a Chartered Certified Accountant. Clay Shaw Butler director David Butler said: “I am extremely pleased to welcome Sarah back into the team. We have Invest

Prince Philip Hospital will continue to be a pivotal hospital for the people of Llanelli and the wider Hywel Dda health board. It will provide care and assessment for medical emergencies, minor injuries and also highly specialised planned (elective) services, as is currently the case. Hywel Dda Health Board’s preferred option for the hospital is to provide high quality care for all those of patients who should currently attend the Llanelli hospital in an improved way. It wants to bring medical emergency patients (eg patients with strokes, diabetes, infections and asthma attacks) directly into the hospital through an Emergency Medical Admission Unit. This unit would be consultant led and available 24 hours, seven days a week. The plans would improve the assessment and management for the most unwell medical patients. Dr Phil Kloer said: “This is an improvement for medically unwell patients as they will come directly into the hospital, bypassing the walk-in unit and with only one ass

This week's special offers at the Jenkins Bakery shops in South Wales - WEEK COMMENCING 13/08/12 3 MEDIUM CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.60 2 BBQ CHICKEN PASTIES £2.00 2 LARGE CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.85 2 FRESH CREAM ECLAIRS £1.60 2 CUSTARD SLICES £1.50 SANDWICH OF THE WEEK – CHICKEN TIKKA £2.10 BAGUETTE OF THE WEEK – HAM & CHEESE £2.20 CHICKEN TIKKA CIABATTA £2.15 ROLLS OF THE WEEK – BROWN BAPS PACK OF 4 £1.00 LOAF OF THE WEEK – 2 BAKESTONES *Save 10p* £1.10

Work will get underway on the new £7.5million 21 bay state of the art Renal Dialysis Unit proposed for Withybush Hospital on August 20. The funding was recently approved by the Welsh Government and the new unit is expected to open its doors to its first patents in February 2014. This new unit will be the most energy efficient and environmental sustainable building of its kind in the UK and will remove the need for patients to travel out of Pembrokeshire to receive Dialysis treatment. It will be built at the front to the hospital and will replace the current six bay facility which is located in porta-cabins at the back of the hospital site. As part of the construction traffic circulation routes around the hospital site will improve, there will be increased parking provision for patients and visitors, staff and disabled people together with improving the general entry and exit of the hospital site. A further benefit will that local buses will be able drop off / pick up passengers dire

This Healthy Wednesday – make sure you have safe fun in the sun We may have not seen a great deal of sun this summer but this Healthy Wednesday we are reminding you how to stay safe when it does shine! Sunburn is a clear sign that ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or sunbeds has damaged the DNA in your skin cells. Getting painful sunburn just once every two years can triple the risk of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. Most people think about sunburn as something that happens on holiday or in hot, sunny places. But more than half of people suffering sunburn are burnt here in the UK. And many cases happen when people are out and about, rather than sunbathing. Don't let sunburn catch you out - here are some handy tips to stay safe: During the UK summer the sun's UV rays are strongest between 11am and 3pm. Be especially careful about protecting your skin from sunburn during these hours, and spend time in the shade if you’re going to be out for a long time.

Latest news from the guys at Langostinos restaurant in Llanelli - Weekend Offer! OPEN ALL WEEKEND Friday 17th - Saturday 18th August 6.00-10.00pm "DINE IN STYLE" Just £30 "Two" Main Courses and a bottle House Wine £30* BOOK NOW! TEL 01554 773711 Full A la Carte Menu also Available *EXCLUDES FILLET AND RIB-EYE STEAK

The British Blokart Championships (hosted by the BLSA) are set to return to Cefn Sidan beach from the 28th-30th September. A Blokart is a type of mini-landyacht which is gaining tremendous popularity due to its relatively low cost and high degree of accessibility for all ages and abilities. They are also easy to carry and set up. They are easy to learn to sail and fun for the family, but are far faster than any of the sailing boats at the Olympic Games! In fact, the European speed record was set at Cefn Sidan; a stunning 59.6mph. The British Open is set to be the largest mini-landyacht sailing event in the UK this year with more than 50 craft battling it out. Chris Selway, BLSA secretary, said: "We are expecting racers from under 10 years old to over 80 and it’s not just for the able-bodied. "Because the Blokart is hand-steered it makes it a competitive sport for people with disabilities such as paralysis, prosthetic legs or cerebral palsy (I have my sights set o

Latest news from the guys at CIME, Creative Business Exchange - Event on Thursday September 20th at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli. Calling all micro-businesses in Camarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion! Have you benefited from the CIME Project over the last three years? You may have attended a workshop or Masterclass or worked with one of our expert consultants. We'd now like to hear your stories and also invite you to attend our innovation extravaganza! At this unique event you will get one to one support from at least four different expert consultants! Simply submit your business issues and come away with a range of innovative solutions. You must register for this event! Simply email us with your biggest business challenge and we will allocate you a time slot for the day, it's that simple! We are having a Research Symposium on September 19th - so if you'd like to come and find about about the latest research on creativity you're welcome to come to this,

The Pembrokeshire County Show in Haverfordwest is one of the annual highlights of the summer season in West Wales. And the Burry Port delivery firm Celtic Couriers is there! APC Overnight and Celtic Couriers are attending the Pembrokeshire Show from Tuesday 14th through to Thursday 16th. They have the APC Overnight custom-built Strategic Support Vehicle set up at the show to promote their next day delivery business. The APC vehicle has been attracting a lot of attention during its journey around the country. All visitors to the stand will receive a warm welcome and go away with APC gifts and information packs. Clayton Moore, Business Development Manager with Celtic Couriers, said: "We look forward to meeting customers old and new at the show. It promises to be a great event."

People are reminded there is still time to nominate a local healthcare hero. Hywel Dda Health Board’s The Best of Health Staff Awards 2012 are open for nominations. The awards scheme is organised by the Health Board in order to recognise and reward staff who go the extra mile in their day-to-day work. Winners last year included: The Cerecare Community Glaucoma Care healthcare assistants from Ceredigion for their part in helping preserve the sight of 17 patients  Rhian Corcoran for the Cardigan Hospital Recycling Project  Hotel Services Team, Ward 10 Withybush General Hospital who were nominated by staff on the ward for the amazing work they do  The entries will be judged by a panel which will include Executive Directors, Independent Board Members and a representative of the Hywel Dda Community Health Council. Closing date for entries is on September 14 2012 and the winners will be announced at a special ceremony on December 5 2012. People can view all the categories, see last yea

The Jenkins Bakery has lent its support to Llanelli Squash Club. The club fielded five teams in the South Wales and West Glamorgan leagues during last season. Overall, the season was very successful, with the club benefiting from developing younger players and bringing them into the team. A club spokesman said: “We are very grateful to the Jenkins Bakery, who sponsored kit for all five teams.” The first team played in South Wales premier ‘B’ division and benefitted from the return of Andrew Neale to the club. Andrew played at No1 string and was unbeaten during the season. The emergence of Sam Weeds helped keep the team towards the top of the league however the team missed out on promotion to Premier ‘A’ by one point. The team will be looking to get promotion to the top division in the first half of next season. The ‘B’ team had a solid season with Mark Davies and Jeremy Rowlands performing admirably at the top of the order and Sam Weeds again gaining some vital wins. Mark Richards wa

Latest news from Tracey Jenkins at Introbiz - Do you want to attend a network that puts you with your target audience making your networking more time and cost effective? We'll help you create those opportunities to connect you with other like minded business owners in a positive and energetic way. Come and Join Introbiz and see what businesses are signing up to. Get in front of businesses that you WANT. Tell us what types of businesses you wish to connect with and we'll put you with your target audience at the event. Take a look at our new website, it's fab, we're really pleased with it, thanks to Pinnacle Internet Marketing, they did a great job. http://www.introbiz.co.uk/events.html Dates for your diary. Wednesday 15th August Gwent Dragons 4pm - 6pm £10 members and £15 visitors. Wednesday 22nd August Cardiff City Stadium, 4pm - 6pm £10 members £15 visitors Introbiz will be on holiday from Thursday 23rd August until Wednesday 5th September so the next event after

There has been a gold rush to leisure facilities, velodrome and cycle paths in Carmarthenshire as Olympic fever gripped the nation. While families have been taking to cycle paths about the county with the Millennium Coastal Path and Swiss Valley runs proving the most popular. There has also been a family rush to the swimming pools across all five leisure centres from, Llandovery to Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthen, Ammanford and Llanelli. County executive board member for leisure services Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “There is a massive buzz of excitement across our Leisure facilities. “The Olympic effect is having a real impact developing a feeling of community spirit and togetherness. “The children attending the free swim sessions and the bizzy bees play scheme activities, are emulating their hero’s or heroines each day , whether it’s the legend Michael Phelps in the swimming pool, or Bradley Wiggins on a bike the enthusiasm is overwhelming. “There has also been a lot of interest in the Carma

Burry Port Town Band have launched their 40th Anniversary photograph search. The band are looking for pictures that people might have in their home albums of the band from the last 40 years. The Band's Chairman Graham Howe thought that it would be a "fantastic idea to see if people in the area might have old pictures of the band which we could then put into an exhibition celebrating the 40 years of Burry Port Town Band." Photographs can be either dropped off at the Saith Gallery, Burry Port which is open from 1pm to 7pm Mondays, 11am to 7pm Tuesday to Saturday and from 11am to 4pm on Sundays for the attention of the band, or emailed to photos@burryporttownband.co.uk , or if you're on Facebook, they can be added to the band's Facebook page. Graham added: "We're really looking forward to seeing the pictures people might have taken over the last 40 years and thanks to Roz Moreton of the Saith Gallery for helping us with this project."

Managed to catch up on my sleep after Olympics duty. Now back to work! :)