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Showing posts from January 3, 2016

Latest news from Oriel Myrddin Gallery - The Dark Side of Victorian Carmarthen

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Latest news from Oriel Myrddin Gallery - The Dark Side of Victorian Carmarthen - Anthony Rhys Drwg-enwog: Ochr Dywyll Caerfyrddin yn Oes Fictoria Notorious: The Dark Side of Victorian Carmarthen 9 Ionawr // January - 12 Mawrth // March 2016 AGORIAD YR ARDDANGOSFA NOS SADWRN 9 IONAWR 6–8PM Agorir gan Jane Davies, Uwch Reolwr Gwasanaethau Diwylliannol, Cyngor Sir Gâr. Wedyn crwydro tafarnau ‘Drwg-enwog’ Caerfyrddin, dan arweiniad yr artist Anthony Rhys. EXHIBITION OPENING ON SATURDAY 9 JANUARY 6–8PM To be opened by Jane Davies, Senior Cultural Services Manager, Carmarthenshire County Council. Followed by a ‘Notorious’ Carmarthen pub crawl, led by artist Anthony Rhys. Cyfres Y Rhes Gefn // Back Wall Series: Hywel Edwards 9 Ionawr // January - 12 Mawrth // March 2016 Artist o Gaerfyrddin, Hywel Edwards yw’r diweddaraf i fod yn rhan o Cyfres Y Rhes Gefn yn Oriel Myrddin sy’n rhoi sylw i artistiaid Cymreig. Bydd y gwaith ar werth. Drwy brynu gwaith celf, rydych yn cefnogi ar

Aberthaw awarded millions more in public subsidy

Aberthaw power station has recently been awarded £27 million from people’s electricity bills to ensure its continued operation [1]. It will receive the cash as its share of £80 million that has been awarded to three coal-fired power stations to generate electricity in 2019 [2]. Aberthaw has been pumping out more than double the legal amount of polluting nitrogen oxides for eight years [4], and it is the third-biggest point source of this pollutant in Europe [5]. Nitrogen oxides are hazardous pollutants that can cause serious problems for people with respiratory illness [6]. The European Commission announced in March last year [3] that it is taking the UK Government to court because of the excessive pollution from Aberthaw, the societal cost of which is estimated to be £438 million each year [7]. The Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, Gareth Clubb, said: “It’s astonishing that Aberthaw, which has been hauled before the European Court of Justice because it is so polluting, is b

Professor Bryn Hubbard awarded the prestigious Polar Medal

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The Director of the Centre for Glaciology at Aberystwyth University , Professor Bryn Hubbard has been awarded the prestigious Polar Medal . The award, announced today Friday 8 January 2016, is made in recognition of Professor Hubbard’s work as a “Polar scholar in glaciology, glacial geology and the structure and motion of ice masses”. Professor Hubbard joins an illustrious list of recipients that includes Captain Robert F Scott, Sir Ernest Shackleton, who accompanied Scott during the 1902-4 expedition, and Sir Edmund Hillary and Sir Vivian Fuchs who led the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1957-8. Instituted in September 1904 to reward the participants in Captain Robert F Scott’s successful first expedition to the Antarctic region, in recent decades most awards of the Polar Medal have been made to scientists who over prolonged periods of time and in harsh conditions have worked to advance knowledge of the polar regions. Professor Hubbard is one of three glaciologists with

Bronglais Hospital 'Front of House' refurbishments lead to temporary move for outpatients

Bronglais Hospital’s outpatients department in Aberystwyth is being temporarily moved to another facility next door as improvement works to the flooring and general environment are carried out. From Monday 11 January outpatients will be moved to the antenatal department - which is adjacent to the existing outpatients area – as the latest phase of refurbishments under the Front of House project is carried out. And from Monday 18 January the “outpatients corridor” on Level 2 will also be closed to allow building work to begin. When the corridor closes, patients will no longer be able to access outpatients directly from the main Caradog road entrance, and will need to take the lift or stairs in the blue (medical block) or red (A&E/Day Surgery) zones to Level 2 in order access the department. Signage is being changed and staff will be on hand to help people find their way. Anyone who needs to move from one end of the hospital to the other is asked to use the corridor on Level 1. As par

The latest Clay Shaw Butler Money Matters column from the Carmarthenshire Herald

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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. There’s a line in the Godfather films that says something like, ‘This isn’t personal; this is business.’ So it is this week, as we turn the spotlight from personal taxation issues to business. In the weeks before the Christmas holidays, the Money Matters column focussed on the main personal tax matters in the Government’s Autumn Statement. The Chancellor George Osborne combined the Autumn Statement and with what is called a Spending Review when he presented his key points to Parliament. Here is out summary of just some of the key business tax issues – Corporation tax rates: The main rate of corporation tax is currently 20% and this rate will continue for the Financial Year beginning on 1 April 2016. The main rate of corporation tax will then be reduced as follows: 19% for the Financial Years begi

Cross duathlon comes to Pembrey Country Park

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Pembrey Country Park will play host to a cross duathlon next month. The unique off road event will be held on Sunday, February 28 and is the only one of its type overseen by Welsh Triathlon. The courses will suit all abilities with a fun, fast mountain bike course and an undulating run including a short section on the beach (tide and weather). It’s open to over 14s with a choice of full route – 10km off road run, 22km off road bike, 5km off road run - or sprint/youth distances - 5km off road run, 11km off road bike, 2.5km off road run. Cyclocross bikes will be allowed, but the course will be designed primarily for mountain bikes. The superb fast and flowing single track event starts at 10am and Entries are available online through British Triathlon . Usual car parking charges apply at £2. The council’s executive board member for leisure, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “The terrain at the park is perfect and continues to show its diversity for hosting all kinds of events throughout the year

Magazine for Carmarthenshire tenants hits the doormats

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The first Tenant 2 Tenant of 2016 will be hitting doormats across the county this month. The Spring edition is jam packed with news and handy information for Carmarthenshire County Council tenants, including the exclusive launch of the new Tenant 2 Tenant Awards, which will take place later this year. The bilingual magazine is produced and written by council tenant volunteers, supported by the Housing Services community engagement team, time banking organisation Spice and staff from Communities First. And now for the first time, it will even be delivered by volunteers adding an extra personal touch to the publication. In return, volunteers will earn Time Credits for their efforts and will also have a healthy activity to kick-start the New Year. Tenants can look forward to reading a variety of stories, from how Ken Warnes, a tenant from Llanelli, paid for his honeymoon using Time Credits, to how Lucy Parker, of Five Roads, has hit the road as a volunteer minibus driver. There’s a fe

Damage to Trimsaran changing rooms estimated at £50,000

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Damage caused to the changing rooms at Trimsaran could cost around £50,000 to repair. Vandals have repeatedly targeted the building, the last time during December which led to the closure of the facility for health and safety reasons. Bricks and stones were thrown on to the roof causing extensive external damage and leading to the ceiling inside to collapse. Costs have now been drawn up for repairs with an estimated £50,000 bill for the work. Trimsaran Rugby Football Club , which uses the changing rooms, were advised to use the facilities at the nearby leisure centre in the interim. The rugby club has stated its interest in taking over the building through the asset transfer programme and County Council officers are working with the Club to arrange this. Executive board member for Property Services Cllr Hazel Evans said: “It is really disappointing that a community facility has been so badly damaged by people who are almost certainly part of that community. “Unfortunately the damage

Carmarthenshire residents urged to Love Your Liver

Residents of Carmarthenshire are being urged to find out how to love their liver during the Love Your Liver campaign, this January. To spread awareness and educate people about liver health, professionals will be visiting a series of locations across the Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) area, in the coming weeks. Nicola Reeve, Blood-borne Virus Clinical Nurse Specialist, Hywel Dda University Health Board explained: “You may not hear much about it but your liver is your largest organ and is amazing as it has over 500 different roles in the body! “If you do think about your liver you may think about alcohol – a major risk factor which can affect the health of your liver. Breaking down poisons and toxins such as alcohol is just one of your liver’s jobs. “Two other major risk factors which can affect the health of your liver are hepatitis and obesity. Across Wales the number of people with Hepatitis C has increased; every day people are newly infected with entirely preventable v

Health Minister to visit Prince Philip Hospital’s 'Front of House' project

Welsh Government Health Minister Mark Drakeford was due to visit Prince Philip Hospital on Thursday 7 January at 12.30pm to view construction work on the Front of House project. The Minister will be met at the main entrance by the health board’s Vice-Chair, Sian-Marie James, Chief Executive Steve Moore, County Director Linda Williams and PPH Clinical Lead, Dr Robin Ghosal, and will be given a tour of the new facilities.

Latest news from the Oriel Myrddin Gallery in Carmarthen

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Latest news from the Oriel Myrddin Gallery in Carmarthen -  Clwb Artistiaid Ifanc - Oriel Myrddin Gallery - Young Artists Club 2016 Mae clwb celf creadigol ar gyfer plant 8-11 oed yn cychwyn ar ddydd Sadwrn 16 Ionawr 2016 odan arweiniad yr artist Julie Ann Sheridan. Mae croeso i gyw artistiaid ifanc ymgofrestru ar gyfer tymor bywiog newydd o weithgareddau celf rhwng 11am a 1pm (bob pythefnos) yn stiwdio’r oriel. Dyddiadau tymor y Gwanwyn 2016 : 16 & 30 Ionawr 2016 13 & 27 Chwefror 2016 12 Mis Mawrth 2016 £20 y tymor (rhaid archebu lle ymlaen llaw - dim ond hyn a hyn o leoedd sydd ar gael) I gofrestru ar gyfer Clwb artistiaid Ifance cysylltwch â’r oriel A hands-on, creative art club for children aged 8-11 begins on Saturday 16 January 2016 taught by artist Julie Ann Sheridan. Budding young artists can sign up for a lively term of (fortnightly) Saturday art activities in the gallery’s studio space from 11am–1pm. Spring 2016 term dates: 16 & 30 January 2016 13 & 2

Residents in Drefach Felindre urged to help council catch dog mess offenders

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Residents in Drefach Felindre are being urged to help the council catch dog owners who are failing to clean up after their pets. Environmental enforcement officers are also stepping up patrols following concerns raised by villagers about the amount of dog mess on the streets. Anyone caught failing to pick up after their dog can be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75 or face prosecution in court where the maximum fine is £1,000. Leaflets have been distributed in the village to help educate dog owners and encourage them to be responsible. Enforcement officers have also met with the local member and concerned residents and the problem has been raised at local PACT meetings. It is believed the problem is being caused by a minority of irresponsible dog owners that live locally. Although officers will be carrying out patrols, they are appealing to residents with any information which may help to catch offenders to come forward under the ‘Dog Watch’ scheme. Local people often know who

The latest 'On Song' column from the Llanelli Star

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral and concert scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star - West Wales concert fans will have a double treat to celebrate St David’s Day this year. Llanelli concert promoter Cerith Owens and Loud Applause Productions are planning two concerts to celebrate our Patron Saint’s Day. The first will be on February 27– 7.00pm, Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli. The second will be on March 5 - 7.00pm, Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. “We’ve managed to create two great ‘bookend’ events around St David’s Day celebrations,” said Mr Owens. “It means that this year we give people the chance to see two great West Wales events celebrating St David’s Day! The Llanelli gala concert on February 27 will feature Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Choir and Dunvant Male Choir with Côr Ysgol Iau Llangennech, soprano Eirlys Myfanwy Davies, plus the young up and coming singer Jordan Williams. The evening will be hosted by the ever popular BBC TV and radio personality Garr

Delays are expected this Friday at Pontargothi Bridge

Delays are expected this Friday at Pontargothi Bridge between Carmarthen and Llandeilo due to essential works being carried out. Drivers are being urged to use an alternative route if possible. Large trees, which have collected in the arches, are being removed from the river using large machinery. The works will start after the morning rush hour at around 9.30am and will be completed by approximately 2pm. Men will be situated at Nantgaredig crossroads and Dryslwyn to warn drivers of the delay and to advise on an alternative route. Dyfed-Powys Police will also be on site to assist.

New yoga sessions for the 50-plus in Carmarthenshire

Communities First in Carmarthenshire is organising new 50+ Yoga sessions following the success of last year’s course. The new sessions at Felinfoel Community Resource Centre will be announced soon. The course that finished before Christmas was full with both previous participants and new members. The group is growing over time and offers low level exercise and a great opportunity to have a social gathering on a weekly basis. The programme is tailored to each individual’s ability and needs.

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. www.philevans.co.uk ------------------------------------------ RESOLUTION REVOLUTION: Forget New Year Resolutions. I’ve started 2016 as I start every year - with a clean slate. More about this later . . . First, let me ask how long it took you to break your first New Year’s Resolution? One day? Two days? Three minutes? I have never once broken a New Year’s Resolution. Because every December 31st I make the same New Year’s Resolution - which is . . . not to make any New Year Resolutions. Oh, I’ve come close to breaking my annual resolution on many occasions. Over the years I’ve almost given up chocolate, alcohol and popping bubble-wrap during performances of the Welsh National Opera. But thanks to my amazing willpower and strength of character, I’ve never weakened. Readers, to refrain from making resolutions, you have to rigor

Shared system strengthens partnership between health care and policing

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Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) and Dyfed-Powys Police have developed a computer system which will improve efficiency in the event of a major incident. Hywel Dda UHB and Dyfed-Powys Police have been working in partnership to develop the system which will allow Dyfed-Powys Police officers to access their police computer systems over a secure Internet connection, from Hywel Dda UHB computers. Officers will have a dedicated room in Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, where they can access the system and, last month, representatives of both Hywel Dda UHB and Dyfed-Powys Police met at Withybush Hospital’s Emergency Department to mark its launch. During an emergency or a major incident (such as a fire or flood) the system will enable the transfer of generic patient information from Withybush, Glangwili or Bronglais Hospitals to a specialist Police Documentation Team at Police Headquarters (HQ), Carmarthen. The information transfer system enables Dyfed-Powys Police and Hywel Dda UHB

Hello, the rain seems to have stopped . . .

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For the first time in yonks, blue skies (well, blueish) & can see Gower again from attic office window.

Latest news from the Introbiz business networking team in East Wales

Latest news from the Introbiz business networking team in East Wales -  Get your year off to the best start by getting yourselves booked on to the first event of January. Come and see what we are all about, with even more 4*/5* venues being announced and more new members on board then ever before! Our Next Event... Introbiz Networking Event at the Radisson Blu, Cardiff We're welcoming all our members and visitors to join us for our first networking event of 2016 where we'll be at the Radisson Blu hotel, Cardiff for an afternoon of networking and mingling with businesses from all sorts of industries and sectors. This event will take place on Thursday, January 7th from 4-6pm. This is a power group table event. During the first hour, all guests will network informally while the second hour will be spent at your designated table. For further information please contact the Introbiz office: 02920291002 or call Paul Smolinski on 07920772707 or email Tracey info@introbiz.co.uk Speci

News from RNIB Cymru - free tech help

News from RNIB Cymru - free tech help. Chris Hoyle, Digital Inclusion Manager, Online Today, RNIB Cymru, tells me - RNIB Cymru are celebrating the arrival of 2016 by offering free help to people with sight and hearing loss to get the best out of their smart phones, tablets, laptops and e-readers. You may have had a brand new Smart Phone or I-pad for Christmas, or treated yourself to one in the January sales and are now looking at how you can get the best from your new equipment. RNIB Cymru has been funded by the Big Lottery Fund to show how people with sight loss can use the internet, how to use in built accessibility features and specialised software. We know that more than 80 per cent of blind and partially sighted people say that their sight loss is the reason they are not using digital technology or being online at all - but it doesn’t need to be that way. We will be at nine different libraries across West Wales between January 26 and February 5. We are also at key locations

Latest news from the team at Brecon Jazz Club

Latest news from the team at Brecon Jazz Club -  Tuesday 12 January - American Swing with Donnie Joe Sweeney (Quintet) Infectious Rhythms, Swinging Jazz, Witty Tunes, and Poignant Songs … for the best in Swing and 'big band' arrangements from the 1930s, 40s, 50s, & 60s for a small band! 6.30 pre-gig supper -£8 for two courses at the Tipple & Tiffin - please reply this email to book and name your choices per person please! 8pm music starts (first floor 'Brecon Jazz' Bar) £7 on the door incl raffle - see you there FOOD CHOICES CHICKEN - Moroccan Spiced Chicken with Herby Taboulleh BEEF (gluten free) - The cottage pie is made from beef mince, has a creamy potato topping VEGGIE - Chestnut,Spinach & Blue Cheese wrapped in pastry served with a creamy leek sauceIf you are vegan or have other request, please ask plus either of - POSSETT - Lemon Posset CRUMBLE - Mixed Fruit Crumble MUSICAL MENU! Heulwen Thomas - Jazz violin Gareth Hall - Piano As

Llanelli nightclub owner prosecuted for waste disposal

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A Llanelli nightclub owner has been prosecuted in court for failing to have the proper arrangements in place for the disposal of his waste. Matthew Alexander Williams, aged 25, of Pant Bryn lsaf, Llwynhendy, appeared before Carmarthen Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to two offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The court heard that the council’s environmental enforcement section received a complaint of rubbish escaping from bins to the rear of Mayhem Nightclub in Stepney Street and causing a litter problem. On January 9 this year officers attended the scene and saw that the waste bin had been overfilled, the lid was left open and rubbish bags had been left on the ground next to the bin. There were also glass bottles and empty beer cans loose on the ground. Enquiries revealed that the landlord of the property had leased the premise to Williams who was trading under the name of Mayhem Nightclub. The officers arranged to meet Williams at the nightclub and he confirme

New nursery planned for Pembrey Primary School

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Plans are in hand to introduce a new early years class at Pembrey Primary School. Children will be able to attend from the age of three if the proposal is approved. The current age range is four to 11, and there is Flying Start provision for children aged from two to three. However, between the ages of three and four there is no mainstream school education provision for pupils. Carmarthenshire County Council is now planning to introduce early years provision which will bridge the gap, so that children can progress from Flying Start to mainstream education. Flying Start is a Welsh Government funded programme which is available in targeted areas to provide intensive support services for young children and their families. Education executive board member Cllr Gareth Jones said one of the advantages of Flying Start being offered on the same site as the school was that it would provide seamless transition for children. “There is currently a gap in the provision of education at Pembrey bet

Sporting heroes shortlisted for Carmarthenshire awards

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Some 36 sporting heroes from across the county have been shortlisted for Carmarthenshire Sports Personality Awards 2015. Judges selected three finalists in each of the 12 categories and the winners will be announced in a glittering ceremony at Ffwrnes Theatre in February. The awards in its 18th year recognise and celebrate the achievements of Carmarthenshire’s sportspeople. Media partners for the event on Friday, February 12 are Carmarthen Journal, Llanelli Star and Radio Carmarthenshire. Owens Logistics are the main sponsor and the nominated charity is The Ray Gravell and Friends Charitable Trust. Other sponsors include WRW, TAD, Jenkins Bakery, Arriva Trains, Sport Wales and Manhatten Marketing. This year’s X Factor star Sherilyn Hamilton-Shaw will be performing on the evening. As well as the sports personality award, the categories include young sportsman and sportswoman, disabled sportsman and sportswoman, sports coach, sports volunteer, young volunteer, team of the year, young t

Families attending after-school club enjoy healthy meals

Families attending an after-school club in Llwynhendy are enjoying healthy meals. The Llwynhendy Integrated Children Centre tea time club wanted to incorporate a healthy eating element to the group. Communities First provided healthy cooking alternatives at the club for the children and their parents who attend the centre straight from school. It was very successful with positive feedback and overall everyone involved stated that they had improved in their ability to produce healthy meals for the family at snack time and have repeated what they did in the sessions at home together. The sessions ran throughout November and early December with 30 people participating in the group over the five sessions. One client said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the sessions, I feel what we have prepared and cooked at the centre has helped with the snack time at home and have repeated a few of them at home with the children who also help me to cook now from what they have learned in the group.” Executive boa

Yes, it's still raining!

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Well, at least the palm trees are enjoying the wet weather in Llanelli. This is West End, Llanelli. Could be Spain . . . :)

Busy time for Cais educational recruitment company

Good to catch up with Helen Davies @caisaddysg this evening. Helen's new business is an educational recruitment company. Website - http://www.caisaddysg.co.uk/ It's going to be a busy month for Helen Davies @caisaddysg  They are one of sponsors of W Wales Business Awards @Carmjournal @LlanelliStar

Doubts cast over M4 safety claims

A freedom of information request has cast doubt on the Welsh Government’s claims about the safety of the M4 around Newport. A local resident in Newport queried the Welsh Government’s use of safety statistics at its M4 promotional exhibitions in September. The exhibitions told the Welsh public that “the current accident rates on the M4 between Magor and Castleton are higher than average for UK motorways” [1]. However the Welsh Government has revealed that the higher accident rates only applied to three of the six junctions, and for the years 2006-2008 [2]. Gareth Clubb, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said: “This is an extraordinary revelation. The Welsh Government claims that accident rates on the M4 are higher than the national average. But the data it used – described as “current” – was nearly a decade old. And even that data shows that for much of the stretch of motorway around Newport, accident rates are lower than the national average, and safety across that board has i

Finalists announced in Bilingual Healthcare category for this year’s Best of Health awards

Hywel Dda University Health Board has announced the three finalists in the Providing Bilingual Healthcare category at this year’s Best of Health awards. The Best of Health awards are an annual event organised by the University Health Board to recognise and reward the extraordinary achievements of its staff and volunteers, many of whom often go beyond the call of duty in their work for the benefit of patients and service users. This year, 110 entries were received from across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. The winners will be announced at an official ceremony in January 2016 when the Chief Executive will also announce the winner for overall best entry. Lisa Gostling, Director of Workforce & Organisational Development said: “We are delighted with the number of entries received this year. Once again, people have found time to send in their nominations so that just some of the many achievements and inspiring work that is taking place across Hywel Dda University Health

CSI Medieval: researchers uncover forensic secrets of historic wax seals

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Modern forensic analysis will be paired with detailed historical research to reveal new insights into medieval British society hidden within the wax seals of thousands of historic documents. The unique research project, called Imprint, will examine fingerprints and palm prints left behind on the wax seals of documents dating from the 12th to the 14th centuries. These seals, attached to documents such as land transactions, business contracts, and financial exchanges were the medieval equivalents of modern-day signatures and credit cards. The three-year study is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and led by Dr Elizabeth New from Aberystwyth University and co-investigator Professor Philippa Hoskin from the University of Lincoln. They will work with historical materials in the cathedrals of Exeter, Hereford and Lincoln, the National Library of Wales and Westminster Abbey. The aim is to reveal more about medieval social structures, networks of authority, and the bur

Retired Carmarthenshire social care director made an OBE

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Retired Director of Social Care, Health and Housing Bruce McLernon was made an OBE in the New Year Honours list. He was recognised for services to social care and local government, particularly in Carmarthenshire. Mr McLernon described the honour as “humbling”. He said: “It’s the fact that people think you're worthy of it. It's not just about me, it's about the people I worked with — the officers, councillors, members of the public I engaged with and the various partner agencies we worked with. "I am told it is a very pleasant experience at the palace, and myself and my wife will make the most of it because it certainly is a privilege." Council leader Emlyn Dole passed on his congratulations, and said it was “very well deserved for all his hard work.” Cllr Dole added: “As the chair of the health and social care scrutiny committee for two years, I had the pleasure of working with Bruce when he was the director. He was very easy to work with, and was always willin

Support for homeless and needy at busy time of year

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In January, many Carmarthenshire people may find themselves threatened with homelessness, debt or relationship breakdown. At one of its busiest times of year, Carmarthenshire County Council’s housing department is teaming up with Shelter Cymru to provide additional support for people in need. Whilst continuing to provide housing options and advice over the phone, officers will also be available at The Hub in Llanelli Town Centre every Tuesday throughout the month, working together with Shelter Cymru staff to try and resolve any housing issues where people may be homeless or threatened with homelessness. Cllr Linda Evans, Executive Board Member for Housing, said: “Unfortunately, our teams deal with more homelessness cases during January than in any other month of the year, and we want to ensure we have dedicated support in place - ready to help people when they need it most. We’re pleased to be working with our partners Shelter Cymru to put on a weekly session in Llanelli Town Cent

Carmarthenshire council staff busy with flooding incidents

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Council staff have been hard at work over the Christmas and New Year period with weather-related incidents. Between Wednesday, December 30 and Monday, January 4 Street Scene crews received 165 call-outs for blocked gullies, flooding on the highway /properties and sandbag requests. Extreme heavy rainfall combined with already saturated ground conditions and swollen rivers resulted in a number of flooding incidents on the highway and to some homes. There were problems in Burry Port, Pontyates, Carway, Trimsaran, Kidwelly and the Llansteffan areas; with highways crews continuing to undertake clearance works today. Property Services teams have also been kept busy over Christmas and the New Year with a total of 240 emergency weather-related incidents at council housing properties and a further 280 attended by partner contractors for heating/alarm/lift problems. They also dealt with a further 22 non-housing emergency incidents. Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans sa

Latest special offers from the Jenkins Bakery

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Latest special offers from the Jenkins Bakery - WEEK COMMENCING January 4, 2016 3 Medium Corned Beef Pasties, £1.70 2 Large Corned Beef Pasties, £2.00 2 Minced Beef and Onion Pies, £2.20 2 Teacakes, £1 Sandwich of the Week, Tuna and Cucumber, £2.05 Rustic Baguette of the Week, Chicken Tikka, £2.45 Filled Softie of the Week, Ham Salad, £2.25 Website - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/

Latest news from the team at Clay Shaw Butler accountants in Carmarthen

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Latest news from the team at Clay Shaw Butler accountants in Carmarthen - The following Tax Events are due January 2016: Business Tax Events PAYE quarterly payments are due for small employers for the pay periods 6th October 2015 to 5th January 2016 What this means for you? This deadline is relevant to small employers and contractors only. As a small employer with income tax, national insurance and student loan deductions of less than £1,500 a month you are required to make payment to HMRC of the income tax, national insurance and student loan deductions on a quarterly basis. Where the payment is made electronically the deadline for receipt of cleared payment is 22nd January 2016. In year interest will be charged if payment is made late. Penalties also apply. PAYE, Student loan and CIS deductions are due for the month to 5th January 2016 What this means for you? This deadline is relevant to employers who have made PAYE deductions from their employees' salaries and to cont