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

Nearly 50 groups have signed up to Carmarthenshire Community Challenge since its launch last September. From fruit and vegetable allotments, eco gardens, river clean ups to composting toilets are some of the inspiring projects taken on by green fingered county residents. The aim is to help reduce impact on the planet, shrink your carbon footprint and improve the place you live. Anything that is helping the environment in some way such as saving energy, creating community gardens/shops, allotments, reducing and reusing resources, helping biodiversity, tackling climate change or finding environmentally friendly ways to travel can create real benefits in your community. If you have a spare few hours, or can assemble a new group to help make a difference in your community then contact the Carmarthenshire Community Challenge team. The team can give you advice and support on the way forward and link you up with similar projects. Executive board member for sustainability, Cllr Pam Palmer sai

It’s not every day that Ammanford comedian Phil Evans feels as if he’s on the losing end of a joke. But he’s spent the last couple of weeks spelling it out to his fans and explaining why he’s now having to see the funny side of Swansea Bay’s City of Culture bid. The City of Culture bid carries the slogan ‘Cwtch The Bid’. And in the eyes of Evans, his fans and many students of the Welsh language, the slogan has a glaring spelling mistake – ‘Cwtch’ should be spelt ‘Cwtsh’. The comic who puts the ‘Cwtsh’ into comedy sparked an internet debate on the use of the word last year. “I thought that I’d said enough about the correct spelling of ‘cwtsh’ last year, but plainly the boys in the Swansea Bay City of Culture bid are coming back for more!” chuckled Evans. “It’s a question as big as ‘To be, or not to be? in Wales: should the favourite Welsh word for a hug be a ‘Cwtsh’ or a ‘Cwtch?’ – that is the question.” Evans, who is often billed as the resident ‘Hug-meister’ of Wales, is convinced t

Mr and Mrs Owen and Wenna Morgan of Cwmffrwd celebrate their Diamond Wedding with Carmarthenshire County Council Chair Cllr Terry Davies and Cllr Mair Stephens.

A 16-year-old from Llanelli has made an unusual start to his career, by winning a unique construction apprenticeship. Former St John Lloyd pupil Keelan McNicholl-Edwards, of Clifton Terrace, has won the Next Steps 2013 competition, in which four teenagers have battled it out through the summer in a bid to win an apprenticeship with Llanelli and Gwendraeth-based construction firm Lloyd & Gravell Ltd. Keelan will start with the firm as a carpentry apprentice tomorrow, picking up skills on site and studying for a qualification at Coleg Sir Gâr’s Ammanford campus. Keelan said: “I am really chuffed, and didn’t think I’d win it because all the boys worked hard and deserved it. It’s been a fantastic experience, and I can’t wait to start.” Kevin Gravell, Director of Lloyd & Gravell Ltd, said: “Yet again, this year’s competition has been a huge success. All four boys have done themselves proud, and it has been harder than ever to pick one from the others. “Keelan has shown great en

Hywel Dda Health Board was recently awarded grant funding from WRAP Cymru – the Waste & Resources Action Programme – to help provide more opportunities for patients and visitors to recycle outside of the home. The clearly marked bins have been placed across various points in Bronglais, Glangwili, Prince Philip and Withybush Hospitals including dining rooms and outpatient areas. Patients and visitors can use the bins to recycle items such as plastic bottles, cans and paper items such as newspapers and magazines. Ruth Llewellyn, Recycle on the Go Project Manager for WRAP Cymru, said: “If Wales is to reach its target of recycling 70 per cent of its waste by 2025, we can’t just recycle when we’re at home. It’s essential that where possible we recycle when we’re out and about too. “I’m delighted that Hywel Dda is the first Health Board in Wales to have implemented their Recycle on the Go project and I look forward to working with them.”

The countdown is on for Wally’s 10 Mile Run for the Paul Popham Fund for Renal Support Wales. The aim of The Paul Popham Fund is to raise monies to be used to directly improve the quality of life of renal patients in Wales and their immediate family and to provide encouragement and financial support to renal patients from Wales in their participation in the annual transplant games. Entry closes for Wally’s 10 Mile Run on Friday 6th September. Details: DATE Sunday 8th September 2013. ROUTE The race will start at Life Gym , Llansamlet and head onto the Tawe River Path, down to The Liberty Stadium and up to Swansea Vale before heading back to Life Gym. The course has been mapped out and will be checked by an official course measurer for The Welsh Athletics. ENTRY FEE £15 START TIME 9.00am REGISTRATION 8.00am EMAIL paulpophamfund@gmail.com CALL 01792 584481 Weblink - http://wallys10milerun.eventbrite.co.uk/

Staff at Jenkins Bakery shops in Llanelli and the rest of South West Wales have collected a magnificent £2,500 for Cancer Research UK. The money was raised during a special fundraising fortnight when pink cup cakes were on sale at Jenkins Bakery shops. The company made a charity donation for every cake sold and customers added to the sum by making their own contributions. “The Pink campaign in our shops was a huge success,” said Jenkins Bakery area manager Fiona Snook. “Last year, more than £1000 was raised for the charity. But we more than doubled that total this year – and the staff had great fun doing it all. Many members of staff dressed up in a pink theme and the shops were decorated to add to the party spirit. “Our loyal customers were, of course, fantastic and hugely supportive of the campaign with generous donations to Cancer Research. The Jenkins bakery has 27 shops across South Wales and employs more than 280 people, full and part-time, with headquarters in Trostre

Latest results from The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club – Gold and Silver Medal 1, Edward Davies, 71+70=141; 2, Aled Greville, 74+69=143; 3, Simon Williams, 76+69=145. Lady Captain's Day 1, Alis Davies, 46 pts (16); 2, Mari Jones, 43 pts (25); 3, Yvonne Williams, 40 pts (26). Junior Stableford Boys 1, Benjamin Sheppard, 42 pts (19); 2, Zakary Oliver Lewis, 38 pts (28); 3, Tomos Davies, 36 pts (18). Junior Stableford Boys 1, Edward Davies, 41 pts (18); 2, Osian Bowen, 40 pts (18); 3, Aled Greville, 37 pts (06). Website - http://www.ashburnhamgolfclub.co.uk/

This week's special offers from the Jenkins Bakery - WEEK COMMENCING 02/09/13 3 MEDIUM CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.60 2 SPICY CHICKEN PASTIES £2.20 2 LARGE CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.90 3 STRAWBERRY SCONES £1.00 2 FRESH CREAM ECLAIRS £1.70 SANDWICH OF THE WEEK – CHICKEN & STUFFING £2.20 BAGUETTE OF THE WEEK – CHICKEN TIKKA WITH YOGHURT & MINT £2.35 ROLLS OF THE WEEK – WHITE BAPS - PACK OF 4 £1.00 ROLLS OF THE WEEK – 4 CRUSTY ROLLS £1.20 LOAF OF THE WEEK – SMALL WHITE BATCH £1.05 SPECIALITY LOAF - ANCIENT CEREALS BREAD (available Thur, Fri, Sat) £1.20 Website - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/

The Welsh Deputy Minister for Tackling Poverty has visited Carmarthenshire to see the good work being done by Communities First. Deputy Minister Vaughan Gething AM visited the Carmarthenshire Communities First Cluster along with Llanelli MP Nia Griffiths and Llanelli AM Keith Davies when he was shown the work of the Carmarthenshire Communities First programme. Carmarthenshire County Council was awarded £1.35m from the Welsh Government to be the Lead Delivery Body to manage the Carmarthenshire Communities First Cluster. Cluster Manager Amy Hawkins said: “The Carmarthenshire Cluster has a total population of 21,796 and covers 14 areas within the top 20 per cent of the most deprived areas in Wales, including Glanymor, Tyisha, Llwynhendy, Bigyn, Lliedi, Felinfoel, Hengoed, Trimsaran and Pantyffynnon. “Our aim is to increase people’s opportunities and reduce inequality through promoting Healthy Communities, Prosperous Communities and Learning Communities.” Prosperous Communities focuse