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Showing posts from September 7, 2014

Trip to Dinefwr House and Park in Llandeilo today

Splendid day out at Dinefwr House and Park in Llandeilo today. Photo slideshow -

New classes launched at St Clears Leisure Centre

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A 0-5k running class has just been launched at St Clears Leisure Centre. The women only class is a first for our centres and is aimed at beginners who are put through a 12-week programme. Week one starts with a light run, progressing through the weeks until they reach week 12 and are able to run five kilometres comfortably. This is the latest in a line of classes delivered from the centre since it benefited from a new gym in June. A junior programme providing squash, badminton, tiny tots netball, multi-skills and tennis has also been launched, as well as an adult yoga class. The council’s area manager Gary Price said: “Since the new gym opened we have seen an increase in customers coming through our doors and using our facilities. This has enabled us to us put on new classes which will benefit all our users and attract more people into the centre. The health and wellbeing of our customers and the wider community is so important to us so it’s great to be in a position to offer them a

'Tide to Tide' cyclists battle against Cefn Sidan

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Cefn Sidan is hosting a ground breaking cycling event that will be a team relay race against the sea. The event promoted by Howies and A Cycling is a brand new coastal cycling event in Wales and will be extremely challenging for riders because of the vast expanses of beach and fast rushing tide. Matthew Page of A Cycling, who triumphantly staged Battle of the Beach at Pembrey last year, said the event would be a six-hour team relay, racing from high to low tide (3pm to 9pm) on a spectacular 7km course through Pembrey Country Park on Saturday October 4. He said: “It is open to pairs and teams.The race will take a snaking route through woodland with masses of fast, flowing single track with a short section on the beach. “We’ve designed it for off-roaders like cyclo-cross, mountain bike or fat bikes. The coastal location means the terrain drains very quickly, making it perfect regardless of the weather.” Surly Bikes will be on site all day providing demo rides on the full range of bi

Entrepreneur Kevin Green gives Swiss Valley pupils a lesson in business

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Multi-millionaire and social entrepreneur Kevin Green took time out from his busy schedule to give a special talk to the children of Swiss Valley Primary School in Llanelli. Mr Green delighted the children by turning up for the talk in his Aston Martin car. He gave the children a 20-minute talk on how he's managed to turn his life around from being homeless in 1988 to running a property portfolio which makes him the UK's biggest private sector landlord. Mr Green stressed the importance of hard work in striving to achieve your dreams. He also gave the children some handy business tips. "There's a budding entrepreneur in everyone," Green said. "The children of Swiss Valley School have been working hard on a gardening project in the school and are now working on selling their produce and their seeds. "It's great to see first hand such enthusiasm and it's also great to see teachers like Neil Lane working so hard to develop children's

Countdown on to find Carmarthenshire’s sporting stars of 2014

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The countdown is on to find Carmarthenshire’s sporting stars of 2014. Nominations are now being invited for 12 categories of awards at the 2014 Sports Personality ceremony in January. In its 17th year, the event hosted at Ffwrnes , is going to be even bigger and better with more guests being accommodated for. The awards are organised by Carmarthenshire Council's sports development unit, in partnership with the Carmarthenshire Local Sports Council, and recognise the sporting achievements of athletes, coaches and volunteers across Carmarthenshire. Executive board member for regeneration and leisure, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “Carmarthenshire has an excellent reputation in Welsh sporting circles. The awards provide an opportunity to congratulate and honour the county’s accomplished sports stars and unsung heroes who keep their clubs on the go.” Main sponsor is Owens Logistics and media partners are SWWMedia Ltd. All nominations will be assessed by a panel and the winners announced du

Go wild and join the hunt for fungi in Carmarthenshire

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Residents are being asked to join in the hunt to find parrots, ballerinas, corals and earth tongues! As part of a grassland fungi survey, Carmarthenshire Biodiversity Partnership is looking for volunteers to help identify the brightly coloured mushrooms and record their findings. The wild species appear in different shapes, sizes and colours and can be found in cemeteries, well established lawns or old unfertilised grasslands. The survey is supported by Carmarthenshire Environment Partnership and anyone can take part. A photograph, record of its location and a date is needed once identified. Carmarthenshire’s Biodiversity officer, Isabel Macho said: “I would encourage people to go out and have a look for these amazing fungi – you may be surprised at the range of shapes and colours you can find. Wales has some of the best sites in Europe for grassland fungi.” The green Parrot, pink Ballerina, red Splendid, orange Honey and white Snowy waxcaps; yellow, white and violet coral fungi, oli

Dylan's writing shed is off to Ireland

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Passengers boarding the Stena Europe ferry in Fishguard today should expect to make way for an unusual passenger. A replica of Dylan Thomas’ famous writing shed will be sailing across the Irish Sea to take part in the Mountains to Sea dlr Book Festival in Dún Laoghaire from September 11-14. The shed - complete with curled pictures on the walls, boiled sweets on the desk and the poet’s jacket still hanging on the back of his chair – is on tour as part of Dylan Thomas 100, the year-long festival commemorating the centenary of the Welsh writer’s birth. The original sits above the Boathouse in the seaside town of Laugharne, where Thomas lived with his wife Caitlin (whose family hailed from County Clare),and where he penned some of his most famous works including Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night and his play for voices Under Milk Wood. Hannah Ellis, Dylan Thomas’ granddaughter, said: “Given my grandparents’ connection with the country, I am really pleased to see the Dylan Thomas cen

Aberystwyth University recognised for its commitment to gender equality

Aberystwyth University has been recognised for its progress in advancing gender equality in arts, humanities and social science careers in higher education. The University has achieved Bronze level in the Equality Challenge Unit’s (ECU) trial gender equality charter mark (GEM) – the first award scheme of its kind for these disciplines. Based on the principles of ECU’s highly successful Athena SWAN Charter for women in science, the gender equality charter mark aims to address chronic gender imbalance and underrepresentation in the arts, humanities and social sciences. Professor April McMahon, Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University said, “I am very grateful to our new Director of Ethics and Equality, Professor Kate Bullen, for leading on this important work. “We are delighted to have received this Bronze Award. Aberystwyth is committed to supporting equality of opportunity for all and this recognition is an excellent validation of our dedication to equality.” The Bronze level, the hig

First meeting for Mothers' Union diocesan members

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At the first meeting for diocesan members of the St David's Mothers' Union held in Aberaeron, President Brenda Evans (second from right) welcomes all who attended. In the group are Ann Gill, President of the Mothers' Union across Wales (right) and officers of the Mothers' Union in the St David's diocese. As diocesan members are not attached to individual branches, Brenda Evans felt that it was important for them to have an opportunity to meet other Mothers' Union members.

World War One concert a fitting commemoration to the anniversary of the Great War

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The programme for this World War One centenary concert staged by Llanelli Rotary Club carried the bold letters, 'Lest we forget'. The words were foremost in everyone's minds (musicians, singers, narrators and audience members) as a supremely fitting commemoration was staged at Greenfield Chapel, Llanelli. It was an evening which tugged at the heart strings and brought a tear to many eyes. It was a concert which told the story of World War One, with sensitive narration of poetry and prose linking the choral contributions. The concert was in aid of the British Legion's Poppy Appeal in South West Wales. The President of Llanelli Rotary Club Hywel Bassett opened the proceedings and explained: "As a Rotary Club, we will soon be approaching our own 100th anniversary in Llanelli and we wanted to pay our own unique tribute to those who died during the war, those who were injured and those who took part, both at home and abroad. "The World War On

Llanelli Library praised for opening up new world to elderly

Llanelli Library praised for opening up new world to elderly | Llanelli Star Llanelli Library has been praised for opening up a new world for many older people by helping them to get online. The Older People’s Commissioner paid a visit to the Carmarthenshire library, where the commissioner’s team joined 10 older people using the internet for the first time through the Digital 2.0 Project’s First Click Group. See full story on Llanelli Star link.

Three Counties Sportive event launched by Hywel Dda Health Charities and Merlin Cycle Sports

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Hywel Dda Health Charities has launched a new sportive (mass cycling event) in conjunction with Merlin Cycle Sports and supported by an up-and-coming young cyclist. The Three Counties Sportive is being held on Sunday 12 October 2014 and is supported by Carmarthen’s Scott Davies (pictured), who was a member of the men’s road team at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Hywel Dda Health Charities is a registered charity established to support the work of Hywel Dda University Health Board. The charity uses donations received from patients, their families and local communities to improve services for the benefit of the thousands of people cared for each year in our local communities. The Three Counties Sportive will start at Glangwili Hospital at 9.00am on Sunday 12 October. There will be a choice of three routes for cyclists covering distances of 84 miles, 62 miles and 42 miles. The 62 mile route will enter Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, the three counties served by

Tender process for West Wales dialysis services has been completed

NHS Wales has confirmed that the tender for the provision of unit haemodialysis (renal dialysis services) in West Wales has been completed. Following evaluation of the submitted bids by patients and clinical staff, the Minister of Health and Social Services has approved the recommendation to award the contract to Fresenius Medical Care Renal Services Ltd. Fresenius has a long history of providing dialysis in West Wales, as well as other parts of Wales and the UK, and is the current provider of dialysis services in the region. This contract with Fresenius is held by Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board which provides renal services for the population of West Wales via the regional renal centre at Morriston hospital. The contract will start in September 2014 and run for a minimum of seven years. It will include: Providing a haemodialysis service at the 30 station permanent dialysis unit at Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen  Providing a haemodialysis service at the new 21 stati

Eagles tribute band to star at Llanelli's Diplomat Hotel

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The Eagles tribute band will star at Llanelli's Diplomat Hotel on Friday, September 19. Full details below - "TOP CABARET TRIBUTE SHOW" BEST WESTERN Diplomat Hotel & Spa Presents A fantastic fully Packed Tribute Show. "EAGLES" Tribute Night "The Long Road" FRIDAY 19th September 2 Course Carvery Dinner, Dance & Cabaret. Tickets Just £24.95 person, "Why Not Stay Over" & Extend your Evening and Book the Overnight Stay at £35.00 per person, Full Welsh Breakfast, Full use of Leisure Club "Eden Spa" BOOK NOW TEL: 01554 756156 BEST WESTERN Diplomat Hotel & Spa Felinfoel Road Llanelli SA153PJ

Learn First Aid for free in South Wales training sessions

As part of a commitment to putting a first aider onto every street in Wales,St John Cymru Wales have launched the ‘Save a Life September’ campaign. The St John team want to raise awareness of the importance of first aid in communities across Wales by organising free first aid sessions. These sessions, run at local centres and by the local St John divisions throughout Wales, will aim to give people the basic first aid skills they might need in order to save a life. Sessions in South Wales include - Saturday 13th September, 10am-12pm, Swansea Training Centre, Llansamlet  Monday 15th September, 7pm-9pm, Swansea Training Centre, Llansamlet  Saturday 20th September, 10am-12pm, Swansea Training Centre, Llansamlet  Monday 22nd September, 7pm-9pm, Swansea Training Centre, Llansamlet  Monday 29th September, 7pm-9pm, Swansea Training Centre, Llansamlet  Full details including how to book places can be found at: http://www.stjohnwales.co.uk/support-us/save-a-life-september/

Annual general meeting date set for Menter Gorllewin Sir Gar

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The annual general meeting of Menter Gorllewin Sir Gar is being held on Monday, September 29, at 7pm, at the Hywel Dda Centre, Whitland. The guest speaker is Gwilym Dyfri Jones, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of Wales Trinity St David. About Menter Gorllewin Sir Gar -  We encourage and support community, linguistic and economic development for public benefit and create sustainable communities that are naturally bilingual and prosperous. We operate in an area that extends from Llanybydder to Newcastle Emlyn, to Carmarthen, St Clears and Whitland. The Menter has been operational in the current format since 2007 when Menter Taf Myrddin and Menter Bro Teifi were amalgamated to form one entity across the area. Whilst the head office is located in Newcastle Emlyn, the Menter has a second office in Carmarthen and we operate as part of a network of Mentrau Iaith (Language Initiatives) across Wales. We hold linguistic activities and events to: Encourage more families to use the

The latest 'On Song' column from the Llanelli Star

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star -  It promises to be the concert event of the year in Llanelli. Côr Meibion Llanelli celebrate their 50 anniversary with a special concert at the newly-refurbished Selwyn Samuel Centre in Llanelli. Saturday, September 20, 7pm is the date and time and the guest star is West End and Broadway star John Owen-Jones. John, a true ‘local hero’, is an award winning and record-breaking West End and Broadway performer. He is best known for his performances as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables and as The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera. After training at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama, John, at the age of 26, became the youngest actor ever to play the role of Jean Valjean in the West End production of Les Miserables. He is one of a handful of actors to have played the role of Valjean both in the West End and on Broadway and is in fact the only British actor to do so. In an onl

Red Kite Law sponsors Under-18 Pembrokeshire Schools Academy rugby team

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Rugby players in the Under-18 Pembrokeshire Schools Academy will have wings on their back this season thanks to Red Kite Law. The legal firm has taken the wraps off its sponsorship of the Under-18 Pembrokeshire Schools Academy. “Supporting local people and helping youngsters in the community is a passion at Red Kite Law,” said James Subbiani, a partner at the firm. Mr Subbiani attended the Under-18 Pembrokeshire Schools Academy pre-season friendly game against Cowbridge at Whitland RFC to make the presentation of the first team kit. “We are delighted to see the Red Kite Law logo on the back of the shirts,” said Mr Subbiani. “Here’s hoping the new kit gives the team that little bit of extra lift to take them to success in the new season.” Jonny Llewhellin, WRU development officer for Pembrokeshire, thanked Red Kite Law for their sponsorship. He added: “Getting backing from local businesses such as Red Kite Law is very important to us and we are grateful for the firm’s help. I kn

Red Kite Law partner Donna Purchase shortlisted for Professional Woman of the Year Award

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Red Kite Law partner Donna Purchase has been shortlisted in the category of ‘Professional Woman of the Year’ in the Swansea Bay Business Life and South Wales Evening Post Women in Business Awards 2014. Donna heads up “the strongest employment team in West Wales” (The Legal 500 UK 2013) and has been described by clients as being “extremely approachable and pragmatic”. She advises on all aspect of employment law for both employers and employees from complex restructures, contracts and policies to unfair dismissal claims and redundancy matters. Donna's colleagues at Red Kite Law are thrilled that her work has been recognised and that she has been shortlisted down to one of just three for the award. The team at Red Kite Law would like to wish her all the best for the upcoming awards. The awards are being held at the Marriott Hotel, Swansea, on Friday 3rd October. Weblinks - http://www.digital-southwales.co.uk/vivid_events/index.php/women-in-business-2014 http://www.r

The latest Phil Evans column from the South Wales Evening Post

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The latest Phil Evans column from the South Wales Evening Post - Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy. Imagine the scene at NATO HQ in Brussels last year. Around the table sit the great and the good (plus one or two rogues) with their laptops open in front of them, looking at maps of various NATO countries as they decide where the 2014 NATO Conference should be held. London? In September? Could be raining and still full of late-summer tourists. Paris? Too many French people and not far enough away from HQ to claim those lovely travel expenses. Rome? Wa-hey! All that pasta, wine and La Dolce Vita? Nope. Nowhere secure enough, since The Pope refuses to move out of the Vatican into a B & B for the duration. Then! A Eureka moment! Many of the assembled group are golf fans and remember the 2010 Ryder Cup was held in a luxury hotel somewhere in Wales. What was it called?“The Kilted Manhole”? Look it up. The building was su

Random photos from a trip to Laugharne and The Corran

Random photo slideshow from a trip to Laugharne and The Corran -

Llandovery family scales great heights to say thank you

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A fantastic £1800 has been raised by a Llandovery family to say thank you for the care and support provided by the children’s diabetic service at Glangwili Hospital. Earlier this year, 20 friends and family joined Isobelle Davies on a climb of the highest peak in south Wales, Penyfan in the Brecon Beacons with the help of Andrew, an experienced and keen walker. This week, Isobelle and daughter Ruth visited the team at Glangwili Children’s Centre and presented a cheque for £1806.83. Isobelle said: “We are so pleased to hand over this cheque today. Everyone is so good in the diabetic clinic and it is fantastic to have them. We wanted to say thank you for all the care and support provided to our family. We would also like to thank everyone who joined us on the walk and those who sponsored us to raise such a fantastic amount of money.” Sister Yvonne Davies, Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse at Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “On behalf of the team it was my pleasure to acce

Join the new Lego Club at Llanelli Library

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Did you spend hours of your childhood building all kinds of marvellous creations? Well, now it’s the turn of today’s younger generation. Lego enthusiasts aged between six and 12 who are creative, imaginative or who just like to build things, are invited to join a new Lego Club at Llanelli Library. Youngsters were invited to build Lego castles as part of the Library Service’s ‘Mythical Maze’ summer reading challenge activities. Don’t worry if you missed it, as there will be another chance for you to join in the fun on September 13, 2-3pm. With funding from Museums Archives and Libraries Wales (CyMAL), Carmarthenshire Libraries have invested in brand new Lego kits, including building blocks and characters, as well as two Lego alligators. Each Lego session will offer a unique theme from castles to beaches. There will also be a free-for-all session where children can build anything that they dream up. Systems Team Manager, Daniel Alliston, said: “Libraries are not only about books, but

Decorated war hero from Laugharne to be remembered

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A ceremony is taking place on Sunday to honour a war hero from Laugharne. William Charles Fuller is the first Welsh man, and the only one this year, to have a paving stone laid in his honour as part of this year’s World War One commemorations. Mr Fuller was awarded the Victoria Cross in September 1914, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be given. Now, as part of the WW1 100th anniversary commemorations, all VC recipients will receive a paving stone in their honour to be laid in their home county. As the stones are being laid 100 years to the date that the VC was awarded and the ceremony is taking place in his birth town of Laugharne, on September 14. Dozens of members of Mr Fuller’s family are coming from across the UK to be at the event being organised by Carmarthenshire County Council and Laugharne Town Council. Armed Forces Champion Cllr Kevin Madge will be in attendance. He said: “This is a very prestigious honour to have a ston

New milestone unveiled at historic site in Bancyfelin

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Bancyfelin’s new milestone has been unveiled. Local historian Bruce Wallace is pictured being helped by Cllr Graham Edwards, mayor of St Clears, as he unveils the new milestone installed in Bancyfelin by the Bancyfelin Education Community Trust. It was the Romans who were the first great road builders in Britain and the first to measure road distances. When they left, the roads developed in response to community needs and by the 1800s, there were around 20,000 milestones of varying designs in Britain and some of these were on the A40 road from Carmarthen to Hobbs Point in Pembrokeshire. Their purposes were to inform travellers of direction and distances, help coaches keep to journey times, help calculate fees for changes of horses at the coaching inns and before 1840, calculate postal charges. Bancyfelin village was on the main highway to Hobbs Point where travellers embarked for Ireland and it had its own milestone in the form of two metal plaques placed in a V-shape projecting o

New Men's Shed Association opening in Ferryside this weekend

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A new Men's Shed Association is officially opening in Ferryside later this month. Carmarthenshire County Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge has been invited to preside over the event in recognition of his support for the organisation. The Men’s Shed movement, which began in Australia over seven years ago, opened its first Welsh group in Carmarthen 18 months ago. Since then, other groups have formed in Wales, including one in Llanelli, and now a new shed is opening in Ferryside. The initiative aims to provide men with a space to meet, share skills and enjoy different activities. Cllr Madge is a keen supporter of the Men’s Shed Association and has supported the local groups. He said: “I am honoured to be asked to the official opening of a new Men’s Shed in Ferryside, it is an excellent initiative which is growing in popularity across Wales.” The launch is taking place at Ferryside Education Centre on Saturday, September 13. Local county councillor for Ferryside Cllr Mair Stephens add

Retrofest comes to Llanelli as a new annual festival

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Oyez, oyez, oyez! An exciting new annual festival is being planned for Llanelli on September 26-27th. Llanelli Retrofest will take us on a trip down dusty corridors of time and reinvigorate Llanelli. There will be buskers, traders and market stall holders taking to the streets. Town criers and storytelling jesters will tour about the town. There will be open top bus tours, vintage cars on display; tasty treats from ages past to sample and a lot more besides. Anything goes from 10 years to 300 in the history of glorious Llanelli in the festival that is being jig-sawed together as part of the national High Streets campaign. Town traders are being encouraged to take to the streets costermonger style with an offering of their goods on trestle tables or carts to show what they have to offer and getting everyone in the mood by dressing up in costumes or hats from yesteryear. Bands could bookend the festival at the Eastgate end of Stepney Street and at the Cowell Street junction and betw

Computing Autumn School dates set by HPC Wales for Swansea

HPC Wales, the high performance computer team, will be holding an Autumn School in Swansea next week. It consists of three separate workshops geared towards students, academics and business professionals looking to enhance their skills in parallel computing. Places are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment. Autumn School Workshops · Introduction to HPC and Linux - 16th September 2014 · Parallel programming using MPI - 17th & 18th September 2014 · Debugging and Profiling - 19th September 2014 Location Digital Technium Lab 002, Singleton Park, University of Swansea Further information on these courses can be found via the links above and on the Events section of the HPC website. To reserve a place please contact info@hpcwales.co.uk .

Carmarthenshire councillor thanks sporting community for their views

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Members of Carmarthenshire’s sporting community are being thanked for responding to a consultation about the future of sports pitches and charges. Over seven weeks, hundreds of people completed an online consultation form, attended an information exchange day or made their views known to the council in writing or via social media. All responses are now being collated and analysed to form a report that will be presented in the Autumn. Cllr Colin Evans, Executive Board Member for Technical Services, said: “We know this has been an emotive subject with a lot of strong feelings, but overall we are pleased that we have received a positive response to the consultation and had lots of two-way conversations. “Through the information exchange days, and other meetings we have held with representatives of sporting clubs and organisations, we are more aware of the needs of the community, and likewise they are more informed of our budget limitations and proposals. “We’d like to thank everyone for

'Drop in' event about Cardigan's health and social care investment

A further opportunity to find out about the new Cardigan Integrated Care Resource Centre has been planned for 18 September in Cardigan. Following two successful information events held in July, this information session has been arranged so that people who may have missed previous events have another chance to learn about latest progress with the development and the new model of care in Ceredigion. The session will be held on Thursday 18 September from 4.00 pm – 5.00 pm in St Mary’s Hall, Cardigan. Further information and event details will be provided on a regular basis through local media and our website www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/cardigan

New look for Llanelli's Selwyn Samuel Centre as it gears up for major John Owen-Jones concert

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The new look Selwyn Samuel bowls hall, exhibition and events venue in Llanelli reopens its doors tomorrow (Weds). The centre, just behind Llanelli Leisure Centre and owned by Llanelli Town Council, has had a makeover. It is now being run by the Anyone Waiting group, led by Paul Francis, who also runs Llanelli’s Halfway Hotel and his own hospitality agency. “The doors will be open from 9am on Wednesday as we begin preparations for the first major concert to be staged at the new-look Selwyn Samuel Centre. “Cor Meibion Llanelli will be celebrating their 50th anniversary at the concert on Saturday, September 20. And they have a very special guest star in local hero John Owen-Jones, so it promises to be a major event for Llanelli. “Tickets are available from the centre now.” Mr Francis is putting out the welcome mat for people who want to have a look around the new centre. “Call in for a free coffee and free cake on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You can also have a gui

West Wales charity donates three iPads to Learning Disabilities Service

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Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Learning Disabilities Service has benefited from the generosity of local charity The Megan and Trevor Griffiths Trust. Mr Gerald Cheetham, Honorary Treasurer and Mrs Paula Carpenter MBE, Trustee from the charity visited the team recently to present three iPads at a cost of £1790. Nigel Miller, Therapies Lead for the Learning Disabilities Service was on hand to accept the kind donation: “We are extremely thankful for the generous donation made by the Trust to support our services across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. Communication is vital in maintaining an individual’s independence and these iPads will allow the service to assess people’s ability to use electronic communication equipment and help people to become independent more quickly.” The Megan and Trevor Griffiths Trust aims to help disabled people improve their quality of life and achieve greater independence. It was founded in 1990 by Trevor Griffiths to continue his late wi

Medieval fun, games and laughter in Ammanford

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The town of Ammanford is set to come alive with medieval fun, games and laughter from September 25-27. Partners including traders, the Chamber of Trade, Carmarthenshire County Council , and Ammanford Town Council have joined together to organise the three day Gwyl y Twrch Trwyth Festival. The town will step back in time for three days to help strengthen its future. Traders in costume from the Middle Ages will sell boar-themed produce while street entertainment will include historical re-enactments and a traditional craft market. The town will draw inspiration from the mediaeval Twrch Trwyth legend of Culhwch and Olwen that is linked to the Ammanford area. It is a mystical tale from the Mabinogion. Prince Tared (or Taredd Wledig), is cursed into the form of a wild creature; he has poisonous bristles, and carries a pair of scissors, a comb and a razor on his head, between his ears. King Arthur and his knights chase this Enchanted Boar from St Davids to Ammanford. The Enchanted Boar w

New textile banks make recycling easier in Carmarthenshire

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It’s now even easier to recycle old and unwanted items of clothing at the new textile banks located around the county. A further 12 new banks are expected to be in place in the county by the end of September bringing the total to 52. All textiles, clothing, household linens, shoes and accessories can be reused or recycled. Even worn or old items can be recycled as long as they are clean. They cannot be recycled in the blue bags but you can put all items in textile recycling banks around the county or give them to a charity shop or jumble sale. An estimated £140 million worth of used clothing is sent to landfill each year – 350,000 tonnes. The new banks have a split opening as a health and safety requirement to prevent people getting into the containers or from reaching in to pull the contents out. Previously the advice was to bag clothing and not place loose materials into the banks, but with the new banks people are being advised to rip the bags and push the clothing loose inside if

Llanelli man fined for throwing asbestos sheets in river

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A Llanelli man has been ordered to pay over £350 after pleading guilty to throwing asbestos sheets into a river. Witnesses reported seeing the passenger of a 4x4 throwing asbestos sheets into the River Morlais from a lay-by alongside the stone bridge near Blaenhiraeth Farm in Llangennech on November 7, 2013. A note was taken of the registration number and enquiries revealed that Matthew Davies who lives at a property at Dwyfor, Llanelli, was the passenger of the vehicle. Davies, aged 26, entered a guilty plea to an offence contrary to Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 – depositing asbestos into the River Morlais. He was fined £250 and ordered to pay contribution towards prosecution costs of £100 and £20 victim surcharge at Carmarthen Magistrates Court. Residents are being reminded that asbestos from their property can be taken to recycling centres in the county. Executive board member for Environmental and Public Protection, Cllr Jim Jones added: “There is no excuse

Latest special offers from the Jenkins Bakery

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Latest special offers from the Jenkins Bakery - This week's special offers - WEEK COMMENCING 8/09/14 3 MEDIUM CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.65 2 LARGE CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.95 2 CHICKEN & MUSHROOM PASTIES £2.30 2 TEACAKES 90p SANDWICH OF THE WEEK – HAM & AUTUMN FRUIT CHUTNEY £2.30 RUSTIC BAGUETTE OF THE WEEK – CHICKEN TIKKA £2.40 FILLED SOFTIE ROLL OF THE WEEK – TUNA / MAYO £2.25 Website - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/

Latest news from the Oriel Myrddin art gallery in Carmarthen

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Latest news from the Oriel Myrddin art gallery in Carmarthen -  Clwb Llyfrau Oriel Myrddin Book Club The Life of Rebecca Jones Angharad Price 10 Medi // September 2014 6:00 - 7:30 with // gyda Ciara Healy Oriel Myrddin are hosting an occasional book-club that loosely relates to the exhibition showing in the gallery. The group is friendly and informal and all are welcome to join this discussion group in the gallery setting. Bydd Oriel Myrddin yn cynnal clwb llyfrau achlysurol; Bydd y llyfr yn cysylltu'n anffurfiol gyda’r arddangosfa. Mae croeso i chi ymuno â'r grŵp trafod anffurfiol a fydd yn cymryd lle yn yr oriel. Free // mynediad am ddim  For young people aged 12-15 I bobl ifanc 12-15 oed Join artist Daniel Trivedy; learn new techniques and push the boundaries of art-making. ArtLab will encourage thinking and talking about art, as well as offering practical sessions in the studio Fortnightly, 2-4pm starting Saturday 20 September 2014 Sign up for ArtLab, contact the

Waste amnesty events prove popular in Carmarthenshire

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A total of 1,187 tyres have been collected to date from four recent waste amnesty events around Carmarthenshire. The events have been held in Newcastle Emlyn, Pencader, Llanybydder and Burry Port. Other unwanted items taken along by residents included 4.56 tonnes of large white electrical goods eg washing machines, fridges, freezers, cleaners etc. Of these events Newcastle Emlyn reached the highest overall recycling rate of 69%. The aim of the amnesties is to encourage people who may not live close to a recycling centre to dispose of their waste responsibly, reduce fly-tipping and increase recycling. Executive Board Member for Technical Services Cllr Colin Evans said: “The majority of the waste collected will be recycled which means it won’t end up in landfill causing pollution. “We hope the amnesties encourage people to do the right thing and dispose of their waste in a responsible manner and raise awareness of why it is so important that we recycle as much possible.” The waste and