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

The latest Clay Shaw Butler Money Matters column from the Carmarthenshire Herald. By Mark Jones, director of Carmarthen-based Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants. A heavy meal takes some digesting. Sometimes, the digestion is eased with a little water or wine. Sometimes, you have to reach for the indigestion tablets! Whether the latest Budget feast is sitting comfortably with you will be all down to your personal and business circumstances. The first Conservative-only Budget in nearly 20 years from Chancellor George Osborne certainly left us all with plenty to chew over. Last week, I reflected on some of the key bullet points. Now it’s the chance to take a look at more of the detail. The Chancellor said it was a ‘big Budget for a country with big ambitions’. Acknowledging the ongoing risks posed by the global economy, the Chancellor reported that the Office for Budget Responsibility had revised down its economic growth forecast to 2.4% for 2015 and announ

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. www.philevans.co.uk -------------------- Another year older. The bucket list. You may not know this, but we’ve got a lot to thank Patty Hill and her sister Mildred for - and Preston Ware Orem and Mrs. R.R. Forman, too. If they hadn’t been born, just imagine this scenario . . . It’s your birthday, you have a houseful of friends and relations knocking back the Prosecco and scoffing party goodies like mini-pasties, sandwiches, crisps and vol-au-vents – which is French for vomit-filled tarts. You even have those little things on sticks. What are they called? Pensioners! Calm down. It’s an old joke. Move on . . . Someone dims the lights, a cake complete with lit candles is produced, the cake is cut into slices . . . and then everyone goes home. The more astute among you will have noticed something important was missing from that

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star - Rock and pop choir The Phil Harmonics have made their entrance onto the Llanelli music scene. The group has been set up by Sarah Mair Richards, Phil Thomas and Pauline Yudowitz. Recently, they announced their arrival with a Charity Evening which helped raise more than £1,600 for Prince Philip Hospital Breast Care Unit in Llanelli and a maternity hospital in Uganda. Choir rehearsals are at The Stradey Park Hotel and the choir members are grateful for the hotel’s continuing support. The Choir is for 18 - 80 year olds who want to be part of a very exciting group who are very different from your usual choirs, very up-beat and fun. They sing some of the classics and modern pop/rock. They have their own instrumental band who accompany them at concerts. Anyone interested in attending the choirs rehearsals or joining can contact - Pauline Yudowitz 07706796677 email philharmonics

Summer Soiree staged by Loud Applause Productions at Stradey Castle, featuring guests Parti Llwchwr ladies choir and Loud Applause Rising Stars Stephen Davies, Johnny Mansel Lewis, Cai Charles, Nia Rees and Ffion Elin Williams. Designed as a showcase for the musical stars of the future in Llanelli and billed as a ‘summer soiree’, this was an evening with a touch of class. As an intimate and dramatic venue, a packed Great Hall at Stradey Castle takes some beating. Add into the mix one of the finest ladies choirs in Wales, in the shape of Parti Llwchwr, and you have an event which doubled as a musical treat and one of the social events of the year in the Llanelli calendar. Who needs Glyndbourne when you can enjoy canapés, wine and refreshments on the terrace lawn of Stradey Castle? The sense of ‘occasion’ was provided from the outset as guests at this Loud Applause Rising Stars event were greeted by a glorious solo performance from harpist Ffion Elin Williams. At just 16, Ffion display

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