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. Yes, we all get them. Those dreaded nuisance calls. But, if you find them irritating, here’s some news that should prompt a wry smile . . . The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is warning companies making nuisance calls to expect more fines in 2016. The ICO has reported that they imposed more than £1,000,000 worth of penalties for nuisance calls and text messages in 2015, and anticipates they will issue a similar amount in early 2016. The fines issued in 2015 included: £295,000 of fines for companies offering call blocking or nuisance call prevention services  an £80,000 fine to a PPI claims firm that sent 1.3 million text messages  a £200,000 fine to a solar panels company that made six million nuisance calls  a £130,000 fine to a pharmacy company that was selling customer details

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 ------------------------------------------ No business like showbusiness: I did intend discussing an old show business tradition, but on reflection it’s too rude for a family newspaper, so instead I’ll discuss a different old show business tradition . . . “Always leave ’em wanting more!” Comedians, whether they’re world famous or Phil Evans, know there’s a chance an audience might become restless or even bored, if they feel that they’re being ‘talked at’ all evening. Although it’s a comedian’s job to be consistently funny all through their act to get the necessary reaction, an audience can flag a little, tired of continually laughing. Ken Dodd is now in his 80s and may no longer perform his famous five-hour marathons, but he’s still very generous with his time on stage. Even so, he doesn’t joke non-stop a

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star - There’s a big anniversary date coming up for one of our popular ladies choirs. On Saturday, February 6, Côr Lleisiau Cwm will be celebrating their 20th anniversary with a special gala night at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli. The dinner dance evening will feature Fat Barry’s Soul Band, hosts Glynog Davies and Heddyr Gregory - and a fund-raising auction. Other events this month include – February 20, “Encore” Community Recital. Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers, Angelicus Chorale, Musicians and singers from Hywel Academy of Music, Huw Tregelles Williams (organ), Jane Jewell (piano), Gareth Hamlin (percussion), John Hywel Williams (conductor), St. Elli Parish Church, Llanelli. Llanelli gala concert at Ffwrnes Theatre 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 you

Llanelli Rotary Club has donated £4200 to the Marie Curie Cancer charity. The cash was raised through the annual Llanelli Rotary Ball. The event, held at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, featured famous Phantom of the Opera singer Peter Karrie. Llanelli Rotary President Susan Roberts said: "The Peter Karrie evening and ball was a great night and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. "We had a fund-raising auction and raffle and donations from Rotarians and guests helped us to reach a magnificent total of more than £4000. "We were delighted to invite representatives of the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity to our most recent meeting to hand over the money." Photo: left to right, Mark Evans, vice president Llanelli Rotary Club, Alison Harding, Clinical Nurse Specialist, John Prosser, Chair of the Llanelli Fundraising Group for Marie Curie, Sara Bass, Fundraising Chair for Marie Curie, Llanelli Rotary President Susan Roberts and Rotary junior vice president John

Art Exhibition: Unmaking the Modern: The Work of Stanley Anderson Aberystwyth University School of Art Gallery: to 11 March 2016 A new exhibition of works by painter-printmaker Stanley Anderson RA (1884-1966), a key exponent of the revival of line engraving in Britain, has opened at Aberystwyth University School of Art Gallery. Drawing on works almost exclusively from private collections, the exhibition is curated by Dr Harry Heuser from the School of Art. In spring 2015, Heuser and the Head of the School of Art, Professor Robert Meyrick, co-authored Stanley Anderson RA. Prints: A Catalogue Raisonné and co-curated An Abiding Standard: The Prints of Stanley Anderson RA for the Royal Academy of Arts, London. The exhibition was recommended by Alastair Smart of The Telegraph in his short list of ‘the best art exhibitions from across London and the rest of the UK’. The new exhibition takes a closer look at Anderson’s worldview. “Anderson’s work appears to be unconcerned with – and even

Latest news from the Best Western Diplomat Hotel in Llanelli -  VALENTINE'S WEEKEND BONANZA!! VALENTINE'S WEEKEND Two Fantastic Evenings to choose from: Friday 12th February~Candle~Lit Dinner ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saturday 13th ~"Michael Buble" Tribute Cabaret~Dinner~Dance FEW TICKETS LEFT! BOOK NOW TEL: 01554 756156 BEST WESTERN Diplomat Hotel & Spa Felinfoel Road Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales SA153PJ

Bookings are now being taken for the half term holiday Actif clubs in February. Due to a high demand for places at Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford leisure centres, people are being urged to book online early to avoid disappointment. The club aimed at youngsters age 8-12, has a wide range of fun activities including Laser Tag, Snorkelling, Kayaking, Mini Waterpolo, Tri Golf, Splash and Slide and Mini Water Olympics as well as football, rugby, hockey and netball sessions. Our fun packed programme, delivered by trained activity leaders, starts Monday, February 15 to Friday, February 20 from 8.30am to 5pm. You can book online at www.actifsirgar.co.uk/children or call Llanelli on 01554 774757, Carmarthen 01267 224700 or Ammanford 01269 594517.

Drivers in Carmarthenshire are being urged to think ahead and reduce their speed on bends on country roads. Figures show that 60 per cent of all road fatalities occur on rural roads and in 2014 alone, 10,091 people were killed or seriously injured in the UK. The most common reason for these incidents is loss of control which is frequently associated with inappropriate speed at bends. Bends can hide unexpected hazards around the corner, such as animals or large oncoming vehicles. The THINK! country roads campaign encourages drivers to anticipate the hazards that may lie ahead and ‘brake before the bend, not on it’. Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “The number of people killed on country roads is 10 times higher than on motorways; and worryingly, a third of all fatalities on country roads happen on bends. “The message is simple; give yourself time to react to unexpected hazards and slow down on bends. Even if you’re familiar with the road, never take it

Six people have been fined for dropping cigarette ends. Council environmental enforcement officers issued the fixed penalty notices for £75 for littering offences. A Trimsaran man, a woman from Swiss Valley and a woman from Burry Port were fined in separate incidents in Llanelli town centre and a further fine was issued to a man who dropped his cigarette in Coleshill Terrace, Llanelli. A Llansteffan man was caught by officers throwing a cigarette from a vehicle in Seaview Terrace, Burry Port; and a Pencader man was also fined for throwing a cigarette from a vehicle in Myrtle Hill, Carmarthen. Failure to pay could lead to court prosecution and a maximum fine of up to £2,500. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said the council had a zero tolerance approach to littering. Approximately 80% of litter on Carmarthenshire streets is smoking-related. Cllr Jones added: “Cigarette ends fall into grates and cracks in the pavement and cannot be removed b

Hywel Dda University Health Board press release about temporary changes at Andrews Medical Practice, Llanelli - Temporary changes to the way some patients are seen at Llanelli’s Andrews Medical Practice have been put in place today, following the short-notice retirement of locum GP Dr Prabodh Devichand on Friday. Patients at the practice will still be seen by doctors and the practice nurse as usual, but clinics will be organised in a different way for a short period of time. The practice nurse will see and triage (assess) patients throughout the morning as usual, and a travelling GP from Rosedale Medical Group will be present at the practice to sign prescriptions, deal with urgent queries and run an afternoon surgery. No patients will be dispersed to other practices. Patients are asked to phone the surgery if they need an appointment, rather than turn up on the day as they would have done; many patients will be able to be treated by other healthcare professionals, but for a short perio

An Antarctic glacier has been named after Aberystwyth University glaciologist. Glasser Glacier has been named after Professor Neil Glasser, from the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth University, and Director of the University’s Institute of Geography, History, Politics and Psychology. Measuring around 1500 metres long and 500 metres wide, Glasser Glacier is located on James Ross Island and flows westward from a large ice dome on Lachman Crags. This is the second Antarctic geological feature to be named after an Aberystwyth academic. Hambrey Cliffs, also on James Ross Island, have been named after Professor Mike Hambrey, former director of the Centre of Glaciology at Aberystwyth and Polar Medal winner. The naming of the glacier has been made by the Antarctic Place-Names Committee, “in recognition of his [Professor Glasser’s] significant research on Ulu Peninsula, James Ross Island and wider contributions to Antarctic and polar science”. The new name will be a

Wales Audit Office has given Carmarthenshire a clean bill of health and praised the council for its ambitious vision. Auditors undertook a corporate assessment of the council at the end of last year which is aimed at providing a clear picture of the authority’s capacity and capability to drive continuous improvement. Their report stated: “Carmarthenshire County Council, demonstrating ambition in its vision, with collective leadership and more robust and transparent governance, is delivering improved outcomes for its citizens although some outdated approaches may limit the speed of progress.” Chief Executive Mark James said: “It is a good report for the council, giving assurance generally that the council is performing very well, and has a good vision and preparedness for the future. Officers are continuing to work hard in the face of declining budgets to ensure the council provides quality services and an exciting agenda to invest and improve further in future.” The report also recog

With just a few short months left before two elections people in Carmarthenshire are being urged to ensure they are registered to vote. On May 5, electors will have the chance to vote for their constituency Welsh Assembly Member and Regional Members who will represent them at the Welsh Government. There will also be an election to choose the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Dyfed Powys area. Welsh Assembly Members will remain in government for five years, and the PCC for four years. Carmarthenshire County Council’s electoral services division works to support elections and referendums. People need to ensure they are registered before they are able to vote, it can be done online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote Electors can vote in person at a polling station, by post or by proxy, more information about voting methods can be found at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk . Returning Office Mark James said: “This is a vote about the future of Wales, and people have the opportunity to decide who wil

Llanelli Leisure Centre’s coffee shop is proving popular with customers following its recent much needed refresh. Investment of £40,000 has been made in a bid to attract more custom and increase income at the centre. Caffi Splash has been designed to accommodate more customers with extra seating including low bucket chairs, high stools and sofas. The chocolate coloured coffee and poser tables complement the seating and a new childrens’ section boasts soft monkey character furnishings. A hot and cold server will help reduce waiting times for customers ordering food and the old self service hot drinks machine has been replaced with a coffee espresso offering more choice. The new equipment will provide a more efficient service with a new menu offering a wide range of healthy eating options for all ages. The council’s executive board member, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer a better service to our customers and to enable the people of Llanelli, and its visito

Latest special offers from the Jenkins Bakery - WEEK COMMENCING February 1, 2016 3 Medium Corned Beef Pasties, £1.70 2 Large Corned Beef Pasties, £2.00 2 Minced Beef and Onion Pies, £2.30 2 Teacakes, £1.00 Sandwich of the Week, Tuna and Cucumber, £2.10 Rustic Baguette of the Week, Chicken Tikka, £2.50 Filled Softie of the Week, Ham Salad, £2.30 Website - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/

Friends of Loud Applause Rising Stars launch night at Llanelly House There must have been many nights like this is in the rich Georgian history of Llanelly House. But few would have featured such a dazzling array of young talent. Cerith Owens already has a fine reputation in Llanelli and the rest of South Wales for promoting major concerts and charitable events through his Loud Applause Productions team. Now, Mr Owens has branched out by launching the Loud Applause Rising Stars charity and the Friends of Loud Applause Rising Stars. The Rising Stars brand aims to mentor and encourage young talent in South Wales and provide performance opportunities for singers and musicians. “It’s all about spotting young talent and then encouraging youngsters to fulfil their potential,” said Mr Owens. His launch night for the Friends of Loud Applause Rising Stars saw established young singers and new faces take the ‘stage’ at Llanelly House. Keely Morgan and Jordan Williams are two perform