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

Merthyr's Jack Bush clinched the Welsh Amateur golf title in emphatic fashion at Ashburnham, gaining the biggest win of his career to cap a fine week on the West Wales links. He beat fellow Wales international Mike Hearne, the America-based student, 9 and 8 in the 36 hole final with some exceptional golf which rounded off a formidable showing. The Morlais Castle player's toughest game was in the semi-final against former champion Ben Westgate, the 20-year-old triumphing on the 21st hole. Bush, Hearne and Westgate will all spearhead the Wales team for the forthcoming Home Internationals to be played in Ganton in England later this month. “That was definitely the biggest win of my career so far,” said a delighted Bush, who works part-time for the family painting and decorating supplies company Rabart. “Winning something like this makes me believe in my game and that will help me in the future because I will now be more positive about myself. “It was a really good game against

Latest news from the Brecon Jazz Club team as the big festival weekend approaches -  BRECON JAZZ FESTIVAL updates FRIDAY tickets - STILL SOME LEFT for Courtney Pine, Zoe Rhaman Quintet, Jason Rebello Group SATURDAY - Phronesis (just a few left) SUPPORT BJF IN THE GUILDHALL Sunday 11 August (choice of concerts) ‘Balança’ Contemporary Bossa Nova / Brazilian Jazz Quintet led by Cathy Jones at 7.15pm  http://breconjazz.com/programme/2013/sunday/balanca-led-by-cathy-jones/ Arturo Serra Quartet Meets Celia Mur Latin-Hispanic vibes & vocals from Spain at 5pm http://breconjazz.com/programme/2013/sunday/arturo-serra-quartet-meets-celia-mur/ Davide Logiri Meets Torfaen Jazz piano & sax-led modern standards at 3pm http://breconjazz.com/programme/2013/sunday/davide-logiri-meets-torfaen-jazz/ Shades of Shearing Quartet tribute featuring maestro guitar & vibes at 12.30 pm http://breconjazz.com/programme/2013/sunday/shades-of-shearing/ Promoted by Brecon Jazz Club, North Wales Jazz Socie

A new project called ‘ffrinDiaith.org’ was launched in the National Eisteddfod (in the Studio on the Maes) to help Welsh learners find Welsh-speaking friends. The original idea for the project came from Hywel Gwynfryn, and it is now being developed in partnership between the six Welsh for Adults Centres throughout Wales and the online course SaySomethinginWelsh.com. Learners and speakers can register at www.ffrinDiaith.org and contact each other to arrange regular informal sessions - in a cafe, in a community centre, or just down the pub! "This is a huge step forward for Welsh learners,’ says Siôn Meredith, Director of the Welsh for Adults Centre in mid-Wales. "One of the biggest challenges learners face is taking their Welsh out of the classroom and into the community. ffrinDiaith.org will help them get to know Welsh speakers as soon as they start learning, so they will have an immediate connection to the Welsh-speaking community that will grow and deepen as their own

Healthy Wednesday advice from the Hywl Dda Health Board - This Healthy Wednesday, come rain or shine, why not enjoy the Wales Coast Path and the many health benefits walking can have? We have the longest continuous coastal path around any country on our doorsteps - it takes you from the Lleyn Peninsula down through Cardigan Bay, through Britain’s only coastal National Park in Pembrokeshire, and along miles of golden sand in Carmarthenshire. Teresa Owen, Director of Public Health at Hywel Dda Health Board said: “Walking is an excellent and free way to get the exercise that can help you stay healthy and people of all ages and fitness levels can take part and enjoy. “Moderate levels of daily exercise, such as walking, increases mobility; it helps you maintain a healthy weight by increasing your metabolism (the rate we burn calories), improves general mental well-being and increases energy and endurance levels. “Exercise has also been shown to either prevent or improve a number of differen

Christmas is coming early to one Llanelli shop. There may be 'only' 139 days to Christmas, but the Card Factory in the St Elli Shopping Centre in Llanelli is getting ready for the festive season. The Card Factory is the first high street store to launch Christmas and shoppers are getting into the spirit by flocking to buy their festive cards. A spokesman for the Llanelli Card Factory shop said: "Lots of our customers like to spread the cost of Christmas, so we make sure we launch our Christmas ranges in plenty of time. "They seem to be going down very well with customers - and the staff are enjoying getting into the Christmas mood." The Card Factory, a business based in Wakefield, is the UK’s fastest growing specialist greetings card retailer, with more than 650 stores nationwide and new stores opening all the time. Weblink -  http://www.stelli.co.uk/

The latest 'Shop Elli' column from the Llanelli Star -  The weather may have turned, but while the scorching sunshine lasted it provided a welcome trade boost at the St Elli Shopping Centre. St Elli Shopping Centre manager Andrew Stephens said: “The lovely weather had everyone smiling. Customers enjoyed it and the shops were delighted with business. “Peacocks, New Look and Argos reported strong dales, with brisk trade in summer clothes, fans, paddling pools and garden furniture. Sports Direct were also been pleased with sales of sports items. “Everyone seemed to be getting the sporting bug following the successes of Andy Murray in the tennis and Chris Froome in the cycling!” ------------------------------------------- Events August All month, Gilded Lili Craft Fair, Pyramid area Wednesday 7th, Rathbone, Cone area Market Hall entrance Thursday 8th, SA15 Theatre Group, Cone area Market Hall entrance Mon 19th – Sat 24th, Ross Aldridge Solicitors, Cone area Wilkinson pillar Thu 22

The Mayor's Charity Appeals Committee is a committee of volunteers who organise a number of events throughout the year including raffles, coffee mornings, a vintage tea party and other events such as the Annual Mayor's Ball. The Committee's aim is to raise funds which are awarded annually to deserving causes in the town of Carmarthen. At St Peter’s Civic Hall Carmarthen, the Committee organised a ‘get-together’ for the organisations which were to receive donations from monies raised during the Mayoral year of Councillor Phil Grice. Both the current Mayor Councillor Doug Rose and Councillor Phil Grice were in attendance and distributed cheques on behalf of the Committee to the 15 local deserving causes, detailed below. Canolfan Elfed Mini Bus Fund Johnstown United Football Club, Shop Mobility Hafan Cymru Just Good Friends Air Ambulance Papur Priordy Carmarthen and District Hospice Appeal Myrddin Special Unit Towy Salmon Swimming Club Girl Guiding Carma

Only just getting around to uploading photos from the Llandeilo Jazz festival - Photo album -

The latest Llanelli Star 'On Song' column about the choral scene in Llanelli -  After their successful concert at Llanelli’s Ffwrnes theatre at the weekend, Côr Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Voice Choir) are finalising arrangements for a trip to Germany. Saturday saw an evening billed as ‘Golden Voices, Golden Harp’, with the choir being joined on stage by Hannah Stone, official harpist to HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, and leading Welsh soprano Gwawr Edwards. It was a busy day for the choir as the morning saw them perform at Sandy Water Park on Llanelli’s Millennium Coastal Park for the opening of the Llanelli Scarlets Heritage Trail. The choir’s trip to Germany will be for a special ‘Britfest’ organised by The Queen’s Dragoon Guards in Paderborn and Sennelager on the weekend of September 14. “The choir members are on a real high after their concert on Saturday evening,” said musical director Eifion Thomas. “It was a great evening and everyone thoroughly enjoye

Latest news from the Introbiz business networking team -  There's only seven weeks to go for the Introbiz Business Show and Charity Celebrity VIP Event for Hilary Devey's Stroke Association. August events Thursday 15th August Le Monde 4pm - 6pm Come and network on the balcony in this fabulous venue, and have food and drink with many Introbiz Members and all the new visitors that attend on a weekly basis £10 members £15 visitors. Thursday 22nd August The Chapel 1877 4pm - 6pm Come and network in this £2m restaurant,in a fabulous location in the heart of Cardiff City Centre and have food and drink with many Introbiz Members and all the new visitors that attend on a weekly basis £10 members £15 visitors. Thursday 29th August Mint and Mustard Cardiff 4pm - 6pm Come and network with like minded business owners with Introbiz at the fabulous recently refurbished award winning Indian restaurant. Indian buffet with drinks. Members £20 visitors £25 4pm - 6pm. Introbiz Keynote S

The kind-hearted ladies of the Inner Wheel Club of Llanelli have given a cash boost to the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind. The donation was one of the final acts of the club, as it is being disbanded in its 75th anniversary year. The club was set up in 1938 as the ladies wing of Llanelli Rotary Club. Club President Jeanne Williams said: "One of our final acts as a club has been to give of variety of donations to local organisations in order to dispose of our funds. "It is a sad occasion as we should be rejoicing in the 75th anniversary of the Inner Wheel club this summer. Instead, we are having to call it a day - but only after 75 years service to the community in and around Llanelli. "We know how the work of the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind is greatly appreciated in and around Llanelli, so we were delighted to be able to give the association a cheque for £650." Robert Lloyd, chairman of the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind