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

Finals Day results from The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club in Pembrey, near Llanelli - Scratch Cup Elliott Anderson beat Jonathan Belwett 7&6 Ashburnham Cup Steve Jones beat Leighton Davies 2&1 Seniors Cup Simon Hill beat John Beynon 3&1 DB Rees Cup Huw Dixon and Olivia Martin beat Gethin Davies and Fiona Halpin 1Up Junior Bowl John Rees beat John Williams 19th DR Lewis Cup Devlin Leach and Rob Stone beat Steff Jones and Simon Gravelle 3&1 Junior Matchplay Rhys Morgan beat Aled Greville 3&1 Judy Ray Championship Nia Greville beat Olwen Davies 3&2 Roger Williams Cup Nia Greville beat Lynette Bassett 1Up Allie David Cup Barbara Buckland beat Ellie Roberts 1Up Ladies Senior Matchplay Mari Jones beat Sue Collard 6&4 WH Jory Foursomes Juliet Ace and Leena Lodha beat Lynette Bassett and Fiona Halpin 19th

TV and radio commentator and former rugby international Garin Jenkins is to be the guest speaker at Ashburnham Golf Club's Men's Dinner on Friday, October 26. With 58 caps, Garin Jenkins is Wales’s most capped hooker. A former captain of Swansea, he’s played in three World Cups, and won both league and cup honours with his club – not to mention scoring a try in Swansea’s famous 21-6 rout of Australia in 1992. The dinner is 7.30pm for 8pm. The dress code is formal/black tie. The menu is - Pate ---------- Smoked peppered mackerel with horseradish sauce ---------- Duo of roast beef and loin of pork ---------- Selection of seasonal vegetables --------- Roast and parsley potatoes -------- Yorkshire pudding and gravy ------- Citrus tart with orange sorbet ------- Coffee ------- Tickets are £20 and places can be reserved by booking a table behind the bar at The Ashburnham Weblink - http://www.garinjenkins.com

Cor Meibion Llanelli will be performing at Hersham in Surrey on Saturday to raise funds for the Royal Marsden Hospital Cancer Charity.

Clay Pigeon Shoooting In a nutshell: You can try your hand at Clay Pigeon Shooting at Llanerchindda Farm, nestling near Cynghordy. There is a ‘down the line’ shoot suitable for all levels of experience. All equipment is provided. Full safety briefings are given and tuition is available. Male and female guns are available. www.activitywales.com Llanerchindda Farm, Cynghordy, Llandoverygathen SA20 0NB 01550 750274 For more ideas of what to see in Carmarthenshire, search this blog for 'What to see in Carmarthenshire' and then tell the search to sort by date. Previous post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/what-to-see-in-carmarthenshire-012.html

Yoga, relaxation techniques and a lesson on healthy snacking are just some of the activities on offer for people with heart problems in Pembrokeshire. Hywel Dda Health Board’s Cardiac Rehabilitation team in Pembrokeshire and Pembrokeshire Leisure are running a special one day event on how to keep your heart healthy. Cardiac disease is the single biggest cause of premature death in Wales and 9 per cent of the people within Hywel Dda are being treated for a heart condition. Hywel Dda Health Board is pledging to prevent 200 people a year developing heart disease over the next five years but it needs your help. The patient convention is being held to educate cardiac patients, carers and their friends about the importance of a healthy heart. Common risk factors for heart disease include being overweight, poor diet, lack of exercise, high alcohol intake and smoking. The patient convention will give people a chance to hear from health professionals as well as the chance to partake in exercise

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column from the Carmarthen Journal newspaper - Comedian Paul Dazely is to star at Carmarthen Town AFC clubhouse at Richmond Park, Carmarthen, on Friday, November 9. Paul describes his act as, “Comedy: the point of no return.” He says that “20 years of being in bands and getting paid to do a hobby is one thing, but to entertain a crowd of people with just words is just the best kick in the world. I mean, there`s no stress in my job for one thing, because I just take it out on the audience!” The evening starts at 7:30pm. Cost £7.50, including sausage and chips and raffle prizes. Tables of 10 are available for this fund-raising event from Peter Fearn 07863 652025 or Michelle at the clubhouse. ------------------------------------- Fixtures (home matches in capitals) – October 5 Fri 7:30pm Port Talbot Town WPL 13 Sat 2:30pm GAP CONNAH'S QUAY WPL 20 Sat 3:45pm Newtown AFC (S4C SGORIO) WPL 27 Sat 2:30pm Aberystwyth Town

Toddlers from Carmarthenshire will be strutting their stuff on the catwalk to show off the latest real nappy designs. A ‘Bumps and Babes’ Fashion Show is being held in Debenhams in St Catherine’s Walk, Carmarthen, on Wednesday, October 10 at 11am. Local real nappy stockists Bum Deal and Nappy Go Lucky are organising the show with Debenhams, and with support from Carmarthenshire County Council’s waste section. The aim is to encourage mums and dads to ditch the disposables and realise the benefits of using cotton nappies. As well as the latest real nappy styles, Debenhams will also be showing their baby and maternity autumn/winter collections. Bump and baby photographer Jason Banbury will be at the event and a percentage of any takings will be donated to the NSPCC, one of Debenhams’ chosen charities. The council’s real nappy advisor Caroline Davies will also be on hand to offer information and advice and the chance for parents to sign up for a free real nappy trial pack. Ella P

The first litter fine for chewing gum has been issued in Carmarthenshire. Council environmental enforcement officers have issued a fixed penalty notice for £75 to a woman at McDonald’s in Cross Hands. Officers were on duty in the area and saw the woman take the chewing gum from her mouth and throw it onto the ground. They continued to observe her to give her a chance to pick it up; however, she then lit up a cigarette and after finishing it, threw that onto the ground as well. Failure to pay the fine could lead to prosecution in the magistrates court and a maximum fine of up to £2,500. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “This is the first fine that we have issued specifically for chewing gum litter. Our enforcement officers have to carry out patrols across the county and it can be very difficult to catch people in the act. “Obviously we don’t want to fine people; we would prefer they don’t drop litter in the first place, but if they fail

Ashburnham Golf Club member Olwen Davies has been representing Wales in the Seniors Home International at Elie and Earlsferry Golf Club in Scotland. She is the second Ashburnham member to represent Wales this year. Junior member Nia Greville was selected to represent Wales earlier in the year. Ashburnham Ladies Captain Mrs Iris Jacob said she was delighted at the successes. "Nia is one of a number of very prominent youngsters who are coming through the ranks here at The Ashburnham. "Olwen is a faithful member who has represented her country before. We congratulate her on her latest selection for the Home International in Scotland." Meanwhile, the Ashburnham Golf Club ladies team finished as winners of the West Wales team Shield. The Ashburnham's Liz Atoniazzi finished second in the bronze division.

There was a big reunion for lady members of The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club in Pembrey when the annual ladies dinner was held. "The dinner was attended by current members, but we'd also worked hard to get as many former members as possible to attend," said Ashburnham Ladies Captain Mrs Iris Jacob. "In the end, more than 50 people attended the dinner. We were delighted with the numbers as this year marks the centenary of ladies golf at 'The Ash'. "The dinner was a great success and it was great for current members and old members to get together and share their memories of playing this wonderful course." The next big event in the centenary year for the ladies will be 'An evening with Maureen Madill', a special dinner at Parc y Scarlets which will feature the popular golf commentator on Friday, October 12.

The winners of the National Assembly for Wales’s inaugural photographic competition have been announced. The “Democracy in Action” competition was launched at Newport’s School of Film, Photography and Digital Media by the National Assembly’s Presiding Officer, Rosemary Butler AM, in May. Its aim has been to get people in Wales to see how individuals, their families and their communities have the ability to effect changes, and to illustrate that by capturing those issues on their camera or smartphone. Almost 200 images were submitted and the judges’ winner and people’s choice winner have now been chosen. Tom Ashmore, a documentary photographer from Cardiff, was chosen by the judges with his image of “Reclaim Cardiff”, showing activists making preparations for a protest. “The image was shot last year, a day prior to the Occupy Cardiff protest at Cardiff Castle,” said Tom. ”I had been following the movement closely as it spread across the globe and into the UK, and a few days

Llanelli will play host to the National Eisteddfod when it visits Carmarthenshire in August 2014. The announcement came after months of discussions between the Eisteddfod and the local council. This is the first time for the festival to be held in the county for 14 years. Councillor Kevin Madge, Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, said, “We are delighted to announce that Carmarthenshire will be welcoming the Eisteddfod in two years’ time. The Eisteddfod’s visit will be a great boost for the whole county, not only during the week itself but during the period leading up to festival week in August 2014. These are exciting times for Llanelli, with Theatr y Ffwrnes and the Eastgate development opening soon. The Eisteddfod visit will be the icing on the cake. “The 2000 Eisteddfod in Llanelli was a week to remember, and I hope that the 2014 festival will be warmly welcomed by all our residents across the county. We are looking forward to working closely with Eisteddfod officers an

Eight people have been fined for leaving materials outside the containers at the recycling banks in Burry Port. Council environmental enforcement officers issued the fixed penalty notices for £75 as part of a targeted operation following a number of complaints from residents about the mess at the site in the Sea View Terrace car park. The council says this is in effect fly-tipping and hopes these fines will act as a warning to others. There are clear signs at all of the recycling sites in Carmarthenshire that fly-tippers will be prosecuted. Residents are being urged to put their waste into the recycling banks and not leave it on the ground as this only attracts further fly-tipping. The banks are emptied regularly but if they are full then people should take their waste home until they are serviced or use an alternative recycling site nearby. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “These sites are important facilities for communities and it i

Carmarthenshire is punching well above its weight – attracting one and a half times the national average of Lottery funding to the county. Thanks to the efforts of Carmarthenshire County Council from 1995 to 2011 a total of £30m over the odds has been attracted to the area – 144 per cent of the national average. This is equivalent to a £171 gain per resident over the national average. The area has been highlighted by the Industrial Communities Alliance as being the third highest performing county in Britain in its list of Lottery winners and losers. The all-party association campaigning on behalf of local authorities in the industrial areas of England, Scotland and Wales shows that only Gateshead and the city of Glasgow have done better than Carmarthenshire. News of the Lottery success comes after it was revealed that Carmarthenshire County Council has gained £15 of outside investment in community programmes for every £1 the council has put in itself. The council’s community regen

Finance Minister Jane Hutt has visited Carmarthenshire to meet construction apprentices who have benefitted from Welsh Government and local authority investment. She was joined by council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge and Chief Executive Mark James for the visit to Y Ffwrnes – a £14.6million theatre and arts development currently under construction as part of a major regeneration scheme in Llanelli. During the visit, the Minister had the chance to meet male and female apprentices who have progressed through a range of schemes created by Constructing Carmarthenshire Together – a partnership of Carmarthenshire County Council, Coleg Sir Gar and Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd. The local authority has facilitated a £160million construction investment since 2007, under which the partnership has developed a number of projects tailored to develop opportunities for people regardless of their ability or background. They range from community taster sessions to advanced degree-le

It must be every man’s fantasy to be dragged to a brewery on their honeymoon. Beer Academy Sommelier Sophie Atherton didn’t let her recent wedding interfere with her passion for beer. Hearing the call for beer sommeliers to help promote cask ale week, she took time out from her honeymoon in New York to visit fellow Sommelier, Garret Oliver, at the Brooklyn Brewery to persuade him to film a clip to promote cask ale week. Recently married Sophie said “It was too good an opportunity to miss to get one of the world’s leading beer experts to give Cask Ale Week a plug. I was really chuffed that Garrett was so keen to help and he made the interesting point that the craft beer revolution in the US might not have happened if it wasn't for the cask ale brewed here in the UK. Yet another reason to be proud of our national drink. “Luckily, my new husband is also a beer lover and didn’t need too much persuading about this disruption to our honeymoon itinerary. Our first date was at

Missing Girl in Machynlleth – Photo released | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police have released photographs of missing five year old April Jones who was last seen playing with her friend on their bikes near to garages in Machynlleth town at around 19:30hrs this evening (Monday). April was seen getting into a light coloured van or van sized vehicle which then drove off. Police ask anyone with any information to call them on 101.

A leading environmental charity has called on Environment Minister John Griffiths to strengthen the protection for communities in Wales against fracking for shale gas. Friends of the Earth’s anti-fracking petition * – signed by more than 1,000 people – has been passed to the Environment Minister by the National Assembly for Wales. Gareth Clubb, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said: “Fracking poses a clear danger to communities across huge swathes of Wales. It can pollute groundwater and it has caused earthquakes across the border in England. But most ominously, fracking would destroy any hope we have of keeping greenhouse gas emissions in check. “I’m delighted that the Environment Minister will now be considering stronger protection for Wales’ communities against the threat of fracking. “Wales needs to be a frack-free country, and the Minister can take the first step towards this by changing Welsh planning laws.” * The petition reads: “We call upon the National Assembly for Wa

Accident and Emergency Consultant, Dr Khalid Bashir has had a once in a lifetime experience by volunteering as a medic at the 2012 Olympic games Dr Bashir has now returned to duty at Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth, after working as an A & E medic at the recent Olympic Games. Dr Bashir was based in the emergency department of the Olympic Village for one month. The medics in the Olympic village had access to very modern equipment such as a 3D MRI scanner and ultrasound and CT scanners. Dr Bashir treated a wide range of injuries and ailments including simple sprains, cardiac problems, cruciate ligament injuries, fractures, typhoid and malaria Amongst the famous faces that Dr Bashir met were members of the Royal family, politicians, members of Team GB and athletes from around the world. Dr Bashir said: “It was a great experience being part of the British medical team of the world’s biggest sporting event. “It was very useful for my professional development as there were regular teach

New multilingual signs have been created for Hywel Dda Health Board to make it easier for people to find their way around. The new symbolised, colour coded signs have recently been introduced at Withybush Hospital. The signs have been developed with help from a group of adults with learning disabilities who are part of the Total Communication network, Siarad Iechyd/Talking Health members and the Community Health Council. Lesley Jenkins, Acute Services Nurse Manager, said: “In hospitals symbols on signs are rare and we are the first hospital within Wales to have colour coded, symbolised signs which are easily noticed and multilingual. “Finding your way around a hospital can be confusing and distressing and we wanted to improve the way finding system and make the hospital accessible for everyone. “In addition about seven million adults in the UK (20% of the adult population) cannot read or understand simple instructions such as those found on medicine labels and we also knew from our wor

One of the star pupils at the Stagecoach Theatre Arts School in Carmarthen has landed a role in the hit BBC series Call The Midwife. Grayce Davis, a Stage 2 pupil, is no stranger to the limelight. The 11-year-old has been making a name for herself with ‘big name’ model photo-shoots in London, including one for Marks and Spencer’s and one for the Emma Bunton fashion range. Stagecoach principal Liane Davies said she was very proud of Grayce’s continued success. She added: “Grayce loved filming with all the stars of Call The Midwife, but said it was strange to see the stars of the series in person. She joked that she wasn’t keen on the period clothes they needed to film the series!” The second series of BBC One's Call the Midwife has been commissioned after the drama's opening episode attracted nearly 10 million viewers. Set in London's East End in the 1950s, the series stars Jessica Raine, Miranda Hart and Jenny Agutter. Liane said: “We are proud of all our pupils and th

South Wales millionaire businessman Kevin Green is to be one of the guest speakers at a special event for budding young entrepreneurs. The Young People’s Breakfast is being held on October 2nd at The Marriott Hotel, Swansea. The breakfast will start at 7.30am at a cost of £6 per person. One of the speakers will be Fraser O’Brian, the 17-year-old Porsche racing driver who also has sent up a business networking website called Driving Wales Forward. Kevin Green, a Dynamo role model for young entrepreneurs, will be talking about about setting up your business and what the workplace looks for in new employees. The event will be hosted by Fred Cooper from Swansea University. It is being organised by Helen Bowden, Station Director 
96.4FM The Wave and Swansea Sound 1170MW.

To coincide with the United Nations’ International Day of Older Persons today (Monday 1 October), health partners in Ceredigion are launching a new website that aims to raise awareness of the preventative actions older people can take to reduce the chances of falling. The partners include Aberystwyth University, Hywel Dda Health Board, Age Cymru Ceredigion, Public Health Wales, Ceredigion Association of Voluntary Services, Ceredigion Care and Repair and Ceredigion County Council. The website, Ceredigion Strategic Falls Group, has been designed to inform people of simple interventions an individual can take which could make a big difference in preventing them from falling. Things to consider include exercising to maintain strength, regular eye and hearing tests as well as wearing supportive footwear which can all be found on the website: http://www.aber.ac.uk/falls/ Dr Joanne Hudson, Head of the Department of Sport & Exercise Science at Aberystwyth University, explains, “Falls have

The go-ahead firm of QualitySolicitors Redkite is yet again breaking the mould of traditional legal services. The firm is going to open its Haverfordwest office from 9.30 am to 1 pm on Saturdays from this weekend (October 6). “We are in the vanguard of changing the face of legal services here at QualitySolicitors Redkite,” said Managing Partner Luke Smith. “We like to think we are in tune with what our customers want from us in terms of providing a service. “We reckon that Saturday opening will work well for both new client instructions and for servicing existing clients. “QualitySolicitors is a brand which is changing the face of legal services in the UK: you can see that from the mould-breaking TV advertisements and other publicity the brand has attracted in recent months. “The goal in opening on a Saturday morning is to provide a more convenient time to meet our customers and to help provide an ever better service for customers old and new.” Mr Smith said the QualitySolicitors Red

A new agreement signed by seven organisations across three counties is demonstrating West Wales’ commitment to working differently with the Third Sector. In September 2011, Hywel Dda Health Board, the three Local Authorities and three County Vouluntary Councils (CVCs), delivered Wales’ first health and social care ‘co-design framework’, a comprehensive report called A Co-designed Future: The Third Sector Role in Health and Social Care in Hywel Dda. The report recognised the contribution of the third sector in the delivery of services that support patients and carers, marking a new strategic direction for joint work with the third sector in supporting health, social care and wellbeing. As part of the report, a number of recommendations were made, including the development of a tripartite (health, local authority and third sector) Compact Agreement across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. This Compact Agreement has now been signed by the Chief Executives of Hywel Dda Health

A £2million redevelopment has turned a former social centre in Llanelli into the first ‘Centre of Economic Inclusion’ (CEI) in Wales. The newly-opened Coleshill Centre aims to improve the lives and outcomes of disabled and disadvantaged people, by building an enterprise-based community which will provide a wide-range of opportunities. The ground-breaking venture will promote economic and social inclusion; provide support, training, employment, development and community opportunities for disabled, vulnerable, disadvantaged and long-term unemployed people. At the same time it will encourage social and economic development and work together with other groups and organisations who share the same goals. The refurbishment was handled by Llanelli-based architects the Lewis Partnership. Jon Hobden, Senior Development Manager for the Coleshill project: “The centre will continue to provide social, networking and peer support but, in addition, is providing training facilities, such as IT, cateri

Housing Minister Huw Lewis is to cut the first sod on the site of a new bungalow scheme being delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council. The council has been given the go-ahead to start the £3.6million scheme which will see 39 two-bedroom bungalows being built across three sites in Carmarthenshire. The bungalows will be the first that the council has purpose-built for older people in the county since the 1980s. As part of the first phase, eight will be built in Morfa Maen, Kidwelly, and five at Llysnewydd, Seaside, Llanelli, where Mr Lewis will cut the first sod on Thursday (October 4). A second phase will deliver more bungalows at Y Waun, in Pemberton, Llanelli, with other sites in the county also being considered. Outline planning permission is already in place, and a contractor has been appointed. Detailed plans will be submitted later this month (October), with work due to start on the first phase in February 2013. The council’s application to build the bungalows was approved by

Latest news from the Introbiz business networking team . . . . DATES FOR THE DAIRY Wednesday 3rd October Park Plaza, Cardiff 3pm - 6pm. Afternoon Tea, members £20, visitors £25. FREE communication and networking tips by Andy Pope from Eryr Glas Ltd 3pm - 4pm then 4pm - 6pm. Introbiz networking as normal. Thursday 11th October Maldron Hotel, Cardiff 4pm-6pm £10 Wednesday 17th October Gwent Dragons, Newport 4pm - 6pm £10 Thursday 25th Capital FM Radio Station, Cardiff Bay 4pm - 6pm £10 Beaujolais Day Thursday 15th November Madeira Restaurant 12 noon - 4pm Two course meal and a half bottle of Beaujolais wine SPECIAL MEMBERS PRICE £30+vat per person . Price is not going up at all. The last three years has been a sell out, so it is first come first served. ONLY 110 SEATS AVAILABLE. You will need to prepay for this event as usual. To book email  info@introbiz.co.uk Tracey Jenkins Divisional Sales Director Introbiz (UK) Ltd W www.introbiz.co.uk @ info@introbiz.co.uk T 07581

The guest speaker at the weekly meeting of Llanelli Rotary Club was Carwyn Matera-Rogers, the manager of  Theatrau Sir Gâr  Carmarthenshire Theatres. Mr Matera-Rogers gave a hugely entertaining and informative talk on the new Ffwrnes theatre complex currently being constructed in Llanelli town centre. He was  welcomed to the meeting by Llanelli Rotary Club president Alan Owen, see picture below. The vote of thanks for the talk was given by Rotarian Alison Evans. Weblink - http://www.carmarthenshiretheatres.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=128&lang=en

Calling all members of the Old Maridunians Association, the organisation for old boys of the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School for Boys in Carmarthen! It's your last chance to sign up for the annual dinner. This year’s annual dinner is to be held at the lvy Bush Hotel, Carmarthen on Saturday 13 October 2012, 4.00pm for 5.00pm; dress: lounge suit or blazer. The dinner is open to all former pupils and staff. lf you know of anyone who has not had an invitation, please pass on this news. This year’s guest speaker will be Andy Edwards, who attended the "Gram" from 1972 to 1978 (when the school ceased to be). Andy trained and qualified as a teacher and started his career in London in the 1980s where, incidentally, he turned out for London Welsh. Andy is now a director of Morfa Bay Adventure Activity Centre in Pendine and is a keen cyclist, often cycling for charity. The reunions continue to be well supported and the association officers hope you will be able to attend what is

'Alternative finance for Welsh micro businesses' is the title for a conference being organised by the Institute of Welsh Affairs in association with the Federation of Small Businesses. Details are - Tuesday 23 October 2012 Novotel, Cardiff 9.00am - 4.15pm Conference Chair: Geraint Talfan Davies, Chairman, IWA Micro-businesses employing fewer than nine people account for the vast majority of businesses in Wales – 193,010 in 2011, or 94.5 per cent. Yet these businesses – the main growth engine of the Welsh economy – are experiencing severe problems in obtaining finance from conventional banks. Even where they are successful they often have to pay over the odds for investment funds. This conference asks whether the model we have for channelling resources to micro businesses is appropriate. Are there alternatives sources of finance and better methods of distribution available to us? Are their lessons to be learnt from other countries, especially Germany and the USA? The confere

Llanelli Rotary Club welcomed a new member at the weekly meeting held at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli. Cerith Owens was welcomed into membership by Llanelli Rotary Club president Alan Owen. Mr Owens was proposed into membership by Rotarian Monro Walters. In his acceptance speech, Mr Owens said that it was a privilege and an honour to be invited to join Llanelli Rotary Club. Married to Alison with three sons, Cerith lives in Bynea, Llanelli, but his roots are in the Swansea Valley, in Cwmtwrch. He has a BSc (Hons) Degree in Geology and an MSc in Applied Environmental Geology.  He has worked as a Geotechnical Engineer for more than 25 years and has been involved in major projects throughout South Wales. Mr Owens currently works for Jacobs Consultancy (American Co) in Llandarcy. His charity work spans 25 years and his concert themes are mainly classical or choral. He is keen for his concerts not only to raise funds but also awareness. In 25 years, he has organised 35 ch

Carmarthen Park In a nutshell: Opened in 1900, Carmarthen Park boasts the very first velodrome (cycle track) built in Wales. It is one of very few to survive in working condition. There is a skateboarding area, children’s play area and a tea room in a glorious park setting close to the town centre. The entrance gates were made by Coalbroookdale. www.carmarthentowncouncil.gov.uk Carmarthen SA31 3AX 01267 235199 For more ideas of what to see in Carmarthenshire, search this blog for 'What to see in Carmarthenshire' and then tell the search to sort by date. Previous post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/what-to-see-in-carmarthenshire-011.html

Big Players is a community-focused project celebrating international rugby talent from the Carmarthenshire area. They have organised a photography exhibition to celebrate Llanelli Vs All Blacks 40th Anniversary. Over the last couple of months, the Big Players project has been working with local clubs to take portraits of 10 international and ex-international rugby players, including Ken Owens, Roy Bergiers, Stephen Jones, Ieuan Evans and Rhys Priestland among others. The images will be taken as assisted self-portraits with the help of professional photographers Ric Bower and Paul Avis. The photographs will be exhibited at four different locations within St Catherine’s Walk Shopping Centre from October 1-31. The celebrations will culminate in an interview session with a panel of the players at The Lyric Theatre at the end of October. Carmarthenshire County Council helps promote local businesses and attractions in the county. For more information visit www.discovercarmarthenshire.

There are exciting developments at Llandovery YMCA. The centre has benefitted from two RDP Sir Gâr schemes and will soon include carpentry and bike workshops and a new kitchen in which to develop OCN accredited Food Hygiene courses. In addition, the community arts room will be enhanced and the vegetable garden extended. A Rural Community Inclusion (RCI) grant has helped to fund these new facilities. RCI comprises of a package of support designed to help increase the availability and accessibility of basic services and facilities in rural areas. RCI Project Development Officer Glyn Jones has worked closely with the group to develop the new plans, including funding £5,500 worth of IT equipment for a Job Club, and David Saywell of the Cryfhau Cymunedau project (part of RDP Sir Gâr’s Innovative Hubs scheme) will be helping to support the job club being created at the Centre. Rural Community Inclusion and Innovative Hubs are funded by the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 w

A Llanelli man has been fined for illegally carrying scrap metal. Patrick Joseph Murphy, aged 30, of Penybryn Caravan Site, Bynea, appeared before Carmarthen Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to four offences; three offences under the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 and a further offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council. The court heard that Murphy was stopped by police on two separate occasions in February and March 2012 driving a vehicle with items of scrap. On both occasions he did not have the relevant waste carriers licence or waste transfer notes. He was also stopped by council environmental enforcement officers on another date in March 2012, again driving a vehicle with scrap metal on it. When questioned under caution, Murphy said he was not a registered waste carrier but had applied for a license online. Murphy was fined a total of £1,000 (£250 for each offence) by magistrates; he was al

A Carmarthenshire youth worker has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award. Cindy Hunt, aged 55, is a finalist in the Society Guardian Public Servant of the Year award. She was nominated by her colleagues and the young people she works with for her dedication and inspiration. Cindy, who has been a youth worker for 14 years, supports young people in two comprehensive schools in the Gwendraeth Valley, helping them to cope with upheaval in their lives. For some, family problems are disrupting their school work, for others the temptations of drugs or alcohol are threatening to send them off the rails. She said: “Sadly there are so many issues for young people in society today - there are harder drugs on the street and easier access to alcohol. A lot of young people find it hard to deal with their mum and dad breaking up. They might have so many issues in their head that learning at school is not happening for them.” Cindy’s approach is to 'start from where the young

Comedian Paul Dazely is to star at Carmarthen Town AFC clubhouse at Richmond Park, Carmarthen, on Friday, November 9. Paul describes his act as, “Comedy: the point of no return” He says that “20 years of being in bands and getting paid to do a hobby is one thing, but to entertain a crowd of people with just words is just the best kick in the world. "I mean, there`s no stress in my job for one thing, because I just take it out on the audience!” The evening starts at 7:30pm. Cost £7.50, including sausage and chips and raffle prizes. Tables of 10 are available for this fund-raising event from Peter Fearn 07863 652025 or Michelle at the clubhouse. Weblink - http://www.carmarthentownafc.com/

Emergency plans have been put in place to get pupils to school throughout Carmarthenshire on Monday when First Cymru bus services might suffer strike action. A spokesman for the Council said there was limited time but they were doing what they could to advise all relevant schools and colleges. He said: “We have been working hard since we were made aware of the possibility of a strike and have done what we realistically can to make alternative arrangements where possible. “As a result alternative transport will be available for all but a very small number of children and students. “We have also done what we can in such a short timescale to publicise the situation.”

Cultural signs proposed | This is South Wales Interpretation panels could be on their way to historical and cultural sites across Carmarthen town centre. The town council has lodged a planning application with Carmarthenshire Council for panels giving information to the public to be put up at the Quay and on Old Oak roundabout in Priory Street.

This week's offers from the Jenkins Bakery - WEEK COMMENCING 01/10/12 3 MEDIUM CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.60 2 SPICY CHICKEN PASTIES £2.00 2 LARGE CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.85 2 TEACAKES 0.90p 2 FRESH CREAM DOUGHNUTS £1.60 SANDWICH OF THE WEEK – SALMON & CUCUMBER £2.10 BAGUETTE OF THE WEEK – CHICKEN TIKKA £2.30 CAJUN CHICKEN CIABATTA £2.25 ROLLS OF THE WEEK – FLOURED BAPS PACK OF 4 0.90p LOAF OF THE WEEK - SMALL MULTISEED £1.35 Weblink - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/