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

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star - Burry Port Male Voice Choir have released details of their 2014 diary of events. The choir’s next event is a concert at Greenfield Chapel in Llanelli on Friday, May 23 to raise money for Parkinson’s UK. Susan James will be the guest soloist. Choir secretary Ian Rees said: “The 2014 diary if filling up fast with a wide variety of events. We are always on the look-out for new members and anyone interested can email me for details on - ReesIW@cardiff.ac.uk ” Other 2014 events – Friday, June 13, concert at the Memorial Hall in Burry Port to raise money for the Carmarthenshire Eisteddfod. To be confirmed in July, Gymanfa Ganu in Moriah, Loughor. Saturday, October 4, annual concert to be held at the Memorial Hall in Burry Port. Saturday, October 18, Royal British Legion Gala Concert, Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. Choir rehearsals take place every Monday and Thursday nights (except

Members of the team at Clay Shaw Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants in Carmarthen are taking part in an unusual charity challenge. Four members of the Clay Shaw Butler team will be drinking water only for two weeks as part of a campaign to raise money for the RNLI, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. "All caffeine products are off the menu - and there's no wine," said Clay Shaw Butler director David Butler. "It will be water, H20 Only, for two weeks starting on Tuesday, May 27. "Obviously, the main aim will be to raise money for the RNLI, a very worthwhile charity which helps save lives at sea. "We're being sponsored by friends, colleagues and customers for the duration of the H20 Only challenge. My guess is that at the end of two weeks we will also be feeling a lot healthier as well." Taking part in the Clay Shaw Butler H20 Only challenge will be David Butler, his daughter Kim, Hanne Prescott and T

Funnyman Phil Evans and his friends are getting together this weekend for a special show to raise money for a Porthcawl woman who needs a life-extending operation in Germany. The show, at the Hi Tide Inn, Porthcawl, on Saturday, May 24, is being organised as a massive ‘Cwtsh’ (Welsh hug) for Beth Margetson. Beth is a victim of the so-called ‘postcode lottery system’ that currently exists in the UK. The type of treatment Beth needs to treat her cancer is currently unavailable in Wales, but is available in England. Her latest plan to attack the cancer involves her travelling to Germany in June for a life-extending operation. “Beth is a wonderfully warm and giving person who has contributed a huge amount to her community over the years,” said comedian Phil, who is known throughout Wales as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy. “Beth worked tirelessly as a community midwife serving Porthcawl, Bridgend and the surrounding communities. Along the way, we reckon she has delivered 2000

A gardening project, set up for young people in Carmarthen, has been given a helping hand to become greener. Growing Green Teens is a Dr M’z gardening project which teaches young people how to grow their own fruit and vegetables in a plot at Five Fields Allotment. The project has received two compost bins from Carmarthenshire County Council’s recycling team. After winning the People’s Millions award last November, Dr M’z were able to employ youth worker Debbie Cox to develop the Growing Green Teens project. Gayle Harris, project manager at Dr M’z said: “The project aims to encourage young people to grow their own vegetables, which in turn, will help them to develop their skills. We’re hoping to have a bumper crop this year which the young people will then be able to cook and make meals with. “We’ve been able to compost most of what has been cleared from the plot but not only are we composting what’s on the allotment but also vegetable peelings from the Dr M’z cafe.” The project teach

Users of Llandeilo Community Education Centre are being assured that there are no current plans to close the facility. Officers have moved to reassure people following recent media reports suggesting that the centre is to close. Matt Morden, Lifelong Learning Networks Manager, explained that while four of the staff based at the centre are relocating to other sites, the centre will remain open for the forthcoming academic year. There are no plans to stop community education courses provided there, so long as there are sufficient learners enrolled for the classes on offer. The changes follow similar arrangements at other education centres, including Glanamman and Pembrey. Mr Morden said: “We are aware of some rumours circulating about the closure of Llandeilo Community Education Centre, and it is unfortunate that these were compounded by media reports. We would like to reassure learners that we have no current plans to close the centre providing there is still demand for a service the

Carmarthenshire Youth have teamed up with Together Festival to offer young people the chance to attend this years only Welsh Dance Music Festival in return for an article for the  Carmarthenshire Youth website (www.carmarthenshireyouth.co.uk). The event is to take place at the United Counties Showground, Carmarthen, SA33 5DR on May 31, 2014. Those chosen must be able to attend a briefing (date to be confirmed). Those with press passes to the event will cover the music and interview some of the artists who will be performing. Over 100 acts will be performing to include Judge Jules, KUTSKI, Cally and Juice, Christina Novelli and many more. Age suitability 18+ only unless accompanied by an adult. For further information contact the Carmarthenshire Youth Editor, Emma Jones, on 01267 224007 or email editor@carmarthenshireyouth.co.uk

St Clears Leisure Centre is to benefit from a new gym. From June users will be able to enjoy working out with top of the range facilities including new cardio vascular equipment and free weights. Work is expected to last one week and is due to start on June 6. During this period the gym will be closed. Carmarthenshire County Council secured Section 106 money through planning conditions on a local development to fund the leisure refit. New equipment will include treadmills, bikes, cross trainer, rowers, squat rack, chest press, shoulder press, leg press and a dual adjustable pulley weight stack. Dumbbells, bars and Swiss balls are also on the shopping list. The gym will also have a bright new look with decorating works and visuals displaying the new Actif branding. A new Bash Dash inflatable is also being purchased to entertain children at birthday parties held at the centre. The council’s area manager Gary Price said: “We are delighted to have secured Section 106 for the community as

International award-winning brewer Evan-Evans is brewing to capacity in preparation for the ‘W-Ales’ Beer Festival to be held at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, from June 5-7. Simon Buckley, chief executive of Evan-Evans, said: “The ‘W-Ales’ Beer Festival is a new event being held at the Millennium Stadium, which will showcase a selection of beers from across Wales. “At the moment we have never seen such a demand for our beers - from within our own pub estate and also from the wider cask ale market across the UK. “At the ‘W-Ales’ Beer Festival we will be launching a series of new beers from our Artisan beer range, as well as launching the beers brewed by our new London Brewery, the Porter Street Brewery. “This event is a major opportunity for us as the leading Welsh specialist cask ale brewer to showcase all our beers and to show, for the first time, these unique additions to our brand portfolio. “These are fantastic new beers that have been formulated to satisfy the demand from

The people of Cardiganshire, North Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire are being given a chance to air their views on crime and police matters. In a first for the Dyfed-Powys police force area, Red Kite Law is sponsoring a Crime and Policing Hotline event organised by the Cardigan-based Tivyside Advertiser newspaper. Tivyside Editor Sue Lewis has invited Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon to her office to take public questions by letter, phone, email, text, Twitter or Facebook. The Crime Commissioner and Editor will be joined by Jamie Subbiani, of Red Kite Law. Mrs Lewis said: “Crime and community safety is always a hot topic with Tivyside readers, so I do hope they take this chance to quiz the Commissioner and Jamie. “I’m eager that readers’ views are heard; this is a great opportunity to ask questions about concerns such as anti-social behaviour, road safety, thefts and going out after dark.” Mr Salmon said: “This is an innovative idea by the Tivyside. I’m delighted

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