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

Work has started on a £25k upgrading of a Zebra Crossing to a controlled Puffin Crossing at the Half Moon, Garnant. Costs of the scheme have been shared between the Carmarthenshire County council’s traffic management revenue budget and Cwmamman Town Council. The scheme would not have been possible so soon without the match funding contribution from the town council. The work involves new traffic signals and traffic and pedestrian detectors and will be completed before the end of March. County executive board member for engineering and transport Cllr Colin Evans said: “ Cwmamman Town Council has been extremely supportive of this scheme which the county would have found difficult to provide from its own budget for several years. “The speed at which this scheme is being delivered shows the benefit of collaborative working between the councils and officers and members on both sides are to be commended for their efforts providing this vitally needed traffic management safety upgrade.”

The link road into Llanelli from Trostre Roundabout to Farm Foods will be closed for five days in March for tree felling work. Commuters are advised to plan an alternative route in advance for the week beginning Monday, March 16. The closure involves about three-quarters of a mile of tree-lined carriageway. Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for engineering and transport services , Cllr Colin Evans, said: “There were issues last year when high winds felled trees on this avenue causing major disruption to traffic while emergency removal work was carried out. “To prevent similar disruptions there is a need to thin and remove older trees with preventive maintenance to make sure that future storms do not cause further disruptions.” The alternative route for north-west bound traffic will be to travel in a northerly direction along the A4138 to its junction with Glyncoed Terrace. At the junction, turn left and continue in a north-westerly direction along Glyncoed Terrac

Carmarthen pupils have been reaching for the stars in their latest art project. Pupils from QE High School’s year seven were set the challenge of recreating Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’. They could choose any materials or way of producing the artwork for the project. The finished result has now been put together as a video compilation which can be viewed on YouTube. Headteacher Pete Spencer said: “This is a film not to be missed. It is an outstanding piece of work from our youngest pupils that will lift your spirits. “Congratulations to all of Year Seven. The efforts, dedication and commitment of the pupils are fantastic and the quality of the work is both exceptional and inspirational.” Carmarthenshire’s education executive board member Cllr Keith Davies said: “This is an inspiring piece of work, well done to all pupils and staff involved in this excellent project.” To view the video go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nPCCmuZieY

People are to be asked their views on new orders for controlling dogs in public places in Carmarthenshire. A report is going before the council’s Environmental and Public Protection Scrutiny Committee outlining the new powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. An extensive public consultation exercise is to be carried out to get residents views on the Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs). These PSPOs replace former Dog Control Orders which were previously being considered under the Clean Neighbourhoods Act. The council will be consulting on: A county-wide order requiring owners to clean up after their dogs on public land An order excluding dogs from children’s play areas An order excluding dogs from all marked sports pitches An order excluding dogs from specific areas of county beaches (this would be seasonal only from May 1 to September 30) A generic order requiring dogs to be kept on leads at all times on public highways (or placed on a lead at th

Daniel Benham, formerly Chief Financial Officer for the International Baccalaureate Organisation, has been appointed Director of Finance for Aberystwyth University. A graduate of Imperial College London where he studied Microbiology, Daniel Benham joined the International Baccalaureate Organisation in 2006. Prior to this Daniel had a 15 year progressive post qualification career in business with Schick Wilkinson Sword (Energizer, Pfizer and Warner lambert) and Oral B (Gillette). During this period he held a number of director roles such as Global Finance Director (Strategic Planning) for Schick Wilkinson Sword, UK Finance Director for Wilkinson Sword and UK Finance Controller for Oral B. He trained and worked as an audit senior with Grant Thornton from 1987 to 1990. Professor April McMahon, Vice-Chancellor for Aberystwyth University has welcomed the appointment: “I’m delighted to be able to announce the appointment of Daniel Benham as Director of Finance for Aberystwyth University. Dan

Llanelli town centre to get share of £5m Welsh Government funding boost | Llanelli Star Llanelli will benefit from a share of a £5m funding boost for town centres across Wales. Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister, Lesley Griffiths, has today announced the capital funding injection which will be loaned to seven Local Authorities for up to 15 years to be spent on town centres in Tredegar, Rhymney, Grangetown, Llanelli, Rhyl, Caernarfon and Barry. During this time, the council can recycle and re-invest the funding in different projects which aim to improve their town centres and bring empty buildings back into use. Such improvements will help create jobs and encourage economic growth, increase the number of homes available within town centres and make them a more diverse, vibrant and attractive place to visit, the Welsh Government state. Story from the Llanelli Star

Come and celebrate St David’s Day at Carmarthenshire’s markets. From cawl tasters to face painting, there’s lots going on in Llanelli and Carmarthen indoor markets to celebrate the weekend long. On Friday, February 27 between 11am-1pm at Carmarthen Indoor Market there will be cawl tasters and recipe cards detailing where you can purchase the ingredients directly from the market; free facepainting and traditional music. On Saturday, February 28 at Llanelli Indoor Market you can find free facepainting between 11am-1pm as well as a free St David’s Day picture at our green screen area in front of the Teapot cafe all day. Celebrations continue in Llanelli Indoor Market on Monday, March 2 with cawl tasters, recipe cards and traditional music. Radio Carmarthenshire will be broadcasting from Carmarthen and Llanelli markets on the Friday and Monday between 11am-1pm. We will also be announcing the winner of our ‘create a radio advert’ competition for primary schools. Ysgol Dewi Sant, Ysgol Lla

Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway is progressing with plans for a heritage centre plus demonstration steam and diesel railway. The long term aim of the company, based in Cynheidre, is to provide a successful tourist attraction, which will benefit the whole area. President Cllr Tegwen Devichand and Carmarthenshire County Council regeneration director Dave Gilbert paid a recent visit to the site. Cllr Devichand said: “I invited Mr Gilbert to come and see our plans, and the good progress we are making. “We welcomed his views and advice, and look forward to inviting him back at some point in the future. “Making this a successful attraction would not only benefit local people and preserve an historic service, but would attract visitors to the county, bringing with them economic benefits for the whole area.” Formed in 1999, LMMR consists of volunteers who give their time freely to help the project. To date, they have placed a loco shed and stock shed on site, Cynheidre Station platform is

Penny Edwards has been elected the new Carmarthenshire County Councillor for the Hengoed ward in Llanelli. A by-election was held yesterday following the death of former councillor George Edwards. The turnout was 54% Welsh Labour candidate Mrs Edwards took the county seat for Hengoed with a narrow victory in the by-election. As the count reached an end, the number of votes between Mrs Edwards and Plaid Cymru candidate Martin Davies were so tight, a second check was conducted before results were announced. Mrs Edwards received 335 votes, pipping Mr Davies's total of 313 votes. Ukip candidate Bramwell Gordon Richards finished in third place, receiving 152 votes. Wynford Samuel of People First received 80 votes, Independent Edward Skinner received 76 votes, and Conservative Stephen Davies received 54 votes. On her election to the county council seat, Mrs Edwards said: "All I can say is thank you, all of you, you have been wonderful - I just can't say thank you enough. "I

Burry Port pupils have been checking out progress on their new £3.8million school. Youngsters visited the site of the school which will provide a sustainable new home for 210 pupils plus a 30-place nursery. Burry Port Community Primary is set to be the first Passivhaus school in Wales. Passivhaus is a rigorous, voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building , reducing its ecological footprint . The building, designed by architects Architype UK and being built by local contractors WRW , will create classrooms full of fresh air and natural daylight. The infants’ section will take the form of two wings, each with central zones connecting two classrooms to the first floor, while the junior block will accommodate the children and teaching staff in Key Stage 2. Classrooms will also be provided for Years 3 to 6, with additional design and technology and 'mess' spaces on the first floor. The new junior block will be clad in vertical timber and the pitched roof to the new ju

The Carmarthen Journal Iechyd Da beer column by Llandeilo brewer Simon Buckley, of the award-winning Evan-Evans Brewery. Snow on the hills, and freezing winds, for many time to snuggle up with a large mug of tea, and not to venture out. Humbug! With the nights beginning to draw out and the rain having stopped, now is the time to get out and brush off the cobwebs with some brisk country walks and visits to those rural pubs that are a vital part of our rural economy. This month we were told, as though we did not know it, that wine has over taken beer for the first time as the nation's favorite tipple. The whole concept of drinking at home and the convenience of slipping to the fridge for your evening sharpener is something that has become so ingrained in our lives that there can only be one loser, and that is the great British pub. There are many fine pubs in very special locations, places that are unique, architecturally unchanged, and frankly are the hidden gems of Wales.

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. --------------------- “Avoid loud and aggressive persons. They are vexations to the spirit.” That’s from the poem “Desiderata” by Max Erhmann, which became popular all over the world. And many other places, too. Bizarrely, the poem became a Top 20 hit in 1971 for Les Crane, who narrated it to a musical accompaniment. Though his version was so sugary, many would have preferred that, rather than being set to music, it had been set on fire. Bearing in mind that I’m a comedian, you may find it odd that I empathise with Max’s advice. But most comedians are quiet introverts off stage. Professionally, there are nights when, faced with a persistently rowdy element in an audience, with the help of the comedian’s best friend – a reliable microphone – I adopt a firm tone and make sure they know that their boorish behaviour is spoiling

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star -  Côr Meibion Llanelli will be performing in front of the television cameras again later this month. The choir will be at St Mary's Church in Kidwelly for a recording of the popular S4C Welsh language religious programme Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol. It takes place at 6pm on Friday, February 27, with the recording due to be screened on the Welsh fourth channel later in the year. Choir musical director Eifion Thomas said: “It is great to be involved with the ‘Dechrau Canu’ team once again as Côr Meibion Llanelli has supported the programme on several occasions in the past. “We’ve just recruited five new members since the new year and we’re always looking for more. There’s great spirit and fellowship in a male voice choir. You can’t beat the sound of a male voice choir in full voice.” The choir usually rehearses on Mondays and Thursdays at 7pm at Furnace Community Hall. This Th

Action is to be taken to prevent bad parking blocking fire appliances getting to emergency calls in Llanelli. Firemen were forced to abandon their appliance and run down a blocked Bryn Road in their breathing apparatus to attend a 999 call. There have been two emergency calls to Bryn Road Llanelli last year (2014) with the fire engine unable to get to the threatened houses because of the badly parked cars. The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service are calling for enforceable double yellow line parking restrictions to prevent delays in any future incidents with bad double banked parking causing delays and potential fatalities. The fire services station response manager, Justin Lewis, has advised the Carmarthenshire Council engineering and transport teams of the two incidents on Bryn Road in 2014 where a fire appliance was blocked from continuing along the street because of double parking on the western end of the road. During one of the incidents, fire officers had no choice othe

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