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

There’s a chance to try and become part of the fast growing craze of Futsal (hall football) at Newcastle Emlyn Leisure Centre on Sunday (Jan 26th 2-4pm). Carmarthenshire Council’s sports development teams have organised an exhibition match between Wrexham, and Ammanford during the event. Wrexham, the current FAW Futsal Cup Champions defeated Ammanford Futsal in the semi-final of the 2013 Welsh Cup competition so this exhibition match kicking off at 2.15pm will be an opportunity to atone. Clubs and individuals in Carmarthenshire and surrounding areas are being invited to attend to watch the match which will be followed by an opportunity to take part in some Futsal exercises as well as some friendly games. This is all part of a launch of the brand new Futsal Emlyn league which kicks off during February on Friday evenings at Emlyn Leisure Centre, Newcastle Emlyn. Anyone wishing to attend the 'Try Futsal' event, as a player or spectator, should contact Emlyn Leisure Centre on 01267

County marketing and tourism manager Huw Parsons has cherry like cheeks and a Scarlet fevered brow scrumming about his hectic daily workload. It does not help that the former Gloucester Schools player (and whisper it, Leicester Tiger U19, U21 and development player) has to work in partnership promoting Llanelli Scarlets especially when the Cherries and Scarlets clash as they do tomorrow (Fri Jan 24). Huw has been especially active in the last week ensuring that all his Cherry friends get all the information they need nice and early in a digestible manner as they head for Llanelli. Mr Parsons said part of a new tourist promotion to reach visiting supporters to Parc y Scarlets was to assist them to get information on where to park, where to stay, where to eat and drink. “I know this will provide an incentive to those that were not thinking of coming down, thinking it too far or too much bother and making it a more hassle free experience for those already coming. “We are asking for tho

Welsh Government funding of £30,000 has been secured to look at future use of the site of a demolished Amman Valley eyesore. Carmarthenshire County Council has secured the money from the Welsh Government under its Western Valleys Regeneration Initiative to look at possible future uses for the land on Cwmamman Road, Garnant, in front of Arcade Terrace. The County Council bought the row of derelict houses in spring 2012 and immediately arranged for contractors TRJ to carry out demolition and leave a level site for sale to a developer when the property market improves. Investigations into traffic/transportation, site accessibility and an assessment of housing needs will be undertaken with designs also to be produced. It is hoped this initial study will be concluded in April 2014. The information from the investigations will be used to provide clear direction for the site’s future use. This project is being advanced as part of the council’s wider regeneration aspirations for Ammanford and

The latest 'On Song' column from the Llanelli Star -  Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi (Vale of Towy Male Voice Choir) are all set for a memorable year following a very busy 2013. Last year, the choir appeared in 18 concerts and their travels included a weekend stay in Swindon. Derrick Rowlands, the choir secretary, said: “2014 looks to be a busy year as well with eight engagements already booked between January and July.” “A first for the choir this year will be a visit to the Isle of Wight for four days, starting on April 24. “A concert has also been arranged in Hillingdon, London during July. It will mark the choir’s return to Hillingdon following a memorable concert a few years ago.” The choir's annual concert will be held on June 28 at the Princess Gwenllian Centre Kidwelly, with guest artists soprano Catrin Aur and the Welsh Choir of the Year 2013 Cor Y Wiber. 2014 engagements – Sat March 1, Cawl a Chan, Red Lion, Llandyfaelog. Thurs March 6, Peniel Hall. Sun March

Chemical warfare, feminism, fast food, school holidays, food wastage, overpaid footballers and the legacy of the 2012 Olympics . . . These were among the topics debated in the annual Llanelli Rotary Club Youth Speaks competition held at Llanelli Town Hall. “The quality of the arguments presented was outstanding and the children taking part reflected great credit on their schools and families,” said the chairman of the judging panel Lt Colonel David Mathias. The competition saw St John Lloyd scoop the team prizes in both the senior and junior intermediate section to progress to the next round of the Rotary competition – zone area and district finals. Last year, the St John Lloyd senior team made it all the way to the national Rotary finals in Hull. Lt Col Mathias said: “The standard in the competition was exceptionally high and the competitors made the judging task a very difficult one. Llanelli Rotary Club president Ken Abban explained that the Youth Speaks event offered an oppo

Carmarthen Leisure Centre has reduced its carbon footprint and saved more than 400 tonnes of carbon. The centre cut back on its electricity use by five per cent and gas consumption by three and a half per cent in 2012 on the previous year despite colder than average winter temperatures. Carbon Trust Wales carried out a survey of the building and decided training staff in energy saving measures would help to reduce consumption. As part of the remodelling work a combined heat and power unit has been installed as a more energy efficient way to generate electricity and maintain the heat of the pool using heat by-product generated in the process. Staff training included optimum usage of this unit in addition to other awareness raising exercises. The council’s Principal Energy Officer, Andrew Morris, said: “Given that swimming pool complexes are very energy intensive it is important leisure centre staff are able to identify ways they can minimise the carbon footprint. The training was

A Gwendraeth Valley woman has lost three and a half stone in weight thanks to a Carmarthenshire Actif Fitness programme and healthy eating. Ruth Lloyd was forced to rethink her lifestyle after suffering a heart attack two years ago. She was just 50 years old. The thought of not being around to see her sons again spurred the mum of two into action and turn her life around. She gave up her full time job in the bank, changed her diet and joined Carmarthen Leisure Centre gym after her weight ballooned to 13 stone. Now Ruth from Pontyberem is more active more often and fits neatly into a size 10 dress size. She also eats healthily, walks her dog and works part-time from home. Ruth said: “At the time of my heart attack I had been under quite a lot of stress and my weight had escalated to a dress size 18. “One Saturday morning I woke, got out of bed, and started getting ready for work. I bent down to put my socks on and had the most excruciating pain in my chest. My husband was in bed

A waste and tyre amnesty is being held for residents living in the Tregunnor area of Carmarthen. The council’s waste and recycling section has teamed up with housing services and Tidy Towns for the amnesty which is being held on Wednesday, January 29 between 9am and 1pm at Y Talar. Most household waste can be taken along including unwanted furniture, carpets and mattresses, electrical items such as fridge-freezers and televisions, garden waste and tyres (maximum 10 tyres per household / no tractor or lorry tyres). However, paint, garden chemicals, car batteries, gas bottles, asbestos, construction and trade waste will not be accepted. Residents that dispose of any waste items will also get a free bag of Merlin’s Magic Compost (while stocks last) courtesy of CWM Environmental Ltd. Executive Board Member for Technical Services Cllr Colin Evans said: “We hope the amnesty will help to reduce fly-tipping in the area and encourage people to recycle more.” Executive Board Member for Hou

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Householders in Llanelli have increased the amount of rubbish they are recycling. Recycling advisors have been knocking on doors in the Morfa, Dafen and Felinfoel areas to encourage people to recycle as much of their rubbish as possible. It followed a monitoring exercise to find out how many residents were using their food bins and putting out blue bags. As well as offering help and advice to residents, replacement food bins and more blue bags were provided if needed, as well as information booklets and collection calendars. It has led to a 12% increase in the recycling /composting rate in the Morfa, Dafen and Felinfoel areas. Recycling Advisor Geinor Lewis said: “By talking to residents we can sort out any issues they may have. From something as simple as not having a green food bin to not knowing when their collection day is or just by explaining how the scheme works and why it is important that we all take part.” As an incentive to take part in the recycling scheme, householder