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. The taxman at HMRC has updated the guidance to taxpayers on how to spot so-called ‘phishing’ scam emails. Phishing is the fraudulent act of emailing a person in order to obtain their personal/financial information such as passwords and credit card or bank account details. These emails often include a link to a bogus website designed to encourage the unwary to enter their personal details. The HMRC guidance is designed to help taxpayers to recognise genuine contact from HMRC, and how to tell when an email/text message is phishing and/or bogus. You can find the advice on the following weblink – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/genuine-hmrc-contact-and-recognising-phishing-emails/genuine-hmrc-contact-and-recognising-phishing-emails The advice includes tips on how to tell if an email is fra...

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 ------------------------------------------ It’s Not A Fair Cop Guv A recent TV documentary focused on people who’d ‘had a go’ - from stopping an armed robbery to helping someone who’d fallen ill. Some were glad they’d intervened, some regretted being Good Samaritans. Was there ever a Bad Samaritan? The consensus was . . . leave it to the police. However, emergencies often require a split-second reaction. If you saw someone’s life was in danger, would you wait for the Police or step in? I don’t think any of us know until it happens. Should you ever need the assistance of the police, would you particularly care what language they spoke? It’s a question worth asking because Dyfed-Powys Police are actively recruiting Welsh-speaking officers. I’m a Welsh speaker, but if I was caught in the middle of a crisis t...

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star and the Carmarthen Journal - It was something of a personal treat this week to be able to compere a concert featuring Burry Port Town Band and the growing Carmarthen ladies choir A Choired Taste. The guys and gals at Burry Port Town Band are old friends – as is the musical director of A Choired Taste, Sarah Kirby, who is, perhaps, better known in Llanelli as Sarah Thomas, former accompanist to Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir. It’s been quite a month for Sarah as she was recently featured on the BBC as one of the BBC Music Day’s Unsung Hero Award winners. Sarah is Assistant Head of Music at QE High School in Carmarthen. She studied music at Cardiff University gaining a BMus, focusing on performance and composition. Sarah has accompanied regularly for a number of groups throughout the county, including Côr Meibion Llanelli, Carmarthen and District Youth Opera, SA15 and many so...

A Pembrokeshire mother-of-three has shared her experience of giving birth in Withybush Hospital in the hope that her story will reassure mums-to-be that they are in safe hands in the Haverfordwest hospital. 27 year old Francesca Davies of Johnston, Pembrokeshire, gave birth to her five-week-old daughter, McKenzie, at the Midwife-Led Unit in Withybush with her husband, Leigh, and sister, Danielle, at her side. Francesca has told how she felt at ease while giving birth at the unit, explaining: “It was about 1:30am when I felt my contractions getting very strong and painful, so I called to speak to my midwife, Dawn. She was very calm and talked me through the whole thing, giving me the choice to either wait or come to the hospital straight away. “I decided to wait but after around an hour and I couldn’t wait any more and headed straight in. Dawn had already filled the birthing pool for me. It was so relaxing. Well... between contractions anyway! “McKenzie was born just after 5am weighin...

Cefn Sidan Beach in Pembrey has won the coveted Blue Flag again this year. The Pembrey beach was among dozens of Welsh beaches to be named among the best in the UK and the world. This year 47 beaches across Wales have been awarded the Blue Flag, 26 beaches won the Green Coast Award and 92, including Cefn Sidan and Pendine, won the Seaside award, after being judged in the Keep Wales Tidy’s Coastal Awards. The prestigious award is only awarded to beaches, marinas and boats that have the highest quality of water, environmental education and management, safety and services. It acts as a guarantee to the public that a beach is among the finest not only in the country, but around the world. Executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: "The Blue Flag is nationally, and internationally, recognised as a symbol of excellence. “It’s wonderful for Pembrey Country Park and Carmarthenshire that Cefn Sidan continues to gain such a well respected accolade.” The B...

Carmarthenshire Libraries will be holding drop in sessions to help people with sight loss go online. From June to December the RNIB will deliver the sessions in order to support people with sensory loss.  The project ‘Online Today’, offers advice and guidance on technology, and helping people to develop skills and confidence in using technology. To make the best use of these drop in sessions and to support the RNIB’s campaign of MANIL (Making Noise in Libraries) 2016, Carmarthenshire Libraries will be demonstrating the numerous free audio visual services provided. Why don’t you pop along to your nearest regional library to find out further dates or information and contact either Ammanford Library on 01269 598360, Carmarthen Library 01267 224824, Llanelli 01554 744327 or access facebook.com/carmslibraries

Latest news from Sosban restaurant in Llanelli - Tamaya Dinner Thursday 21st July @ 7pm £40 per person Fine wine is such a convivial and socialising entity, and we love seeing our guests enjoy fine food and excellent wines, which is why we’d love you to join us for an exquisite Tamaya Dinner! We have paired up with Fine Wines Direct UK to bring you an unforgettable 3 course dinner, matched with this superb Chilean wine. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the history of this unique wine. Arrival drink, three course dinner and five wine pairings. The name Tamaya means “High Scenic Viewpoint”, a word that comes from the dialect of the Diaguita indigenous culture that inhabited the Limarí Valley between the 8th and the 6th centuries BC, in the same place where Viña Tamaya is currently located. Tamaya is also the name given to the highest hill in the area, from where it is possible to view the entire valley. Book Now 01554 270020 / reservations@so...

Dr Rhian Hayward, the Business Development Manager at the Department of Research, Business and Innovation, Aberystwyth University, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Responsible for knowledge exchange with the business community and technology transfer at the university, Dr Hayward has been given the MBE for services to Entrepreneurship in Wales, with the award being bestowed by a member of the royal family at an investiture during 2016. Dr Hayward’s contributions to entrepreneurship in Wales in particular are a combination of her work at Aberystwyth University in addition to her public appointment roles. These include being a member of the Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board (WIDAB) - which advises Ministers and Senior Welsh Government officials on a range of issues relating to the Welsh economy - and a member of the Life Science’s Bridging Fund Scientific Advisory Board. In her role in Business Development at Aberystwyth University, Dr Hayward dev...

Plans to set up a dedicated veterinary training programme involving Aberystwyth University are a step closer today following an announcement by Lesley Griffiths, the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs. Aberystwyth University and the Royal Veterinary College are joining forces to develop a joint veterinary medicine programme tailored to the needs of animal health and welfare in Wales. At the University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) on Monday 13 June 2016, the Cabinet Secretary announced that Aberystwyth University and the Royal Veterinary College (University of London) had signed a memorandum of understanding to explore developing a joint venture in veterinary medical training and research in Wales, focusing on farming and livestock science. Wales does not currently have veterinary education provision. Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths said: “Veterinary education for Wales...

Review: Burry Port Town Band, A Choired Taste, Sophie McLaughlin in an ‘Audience with Burry Port Town Band’ at QE High School, Carmarthen. It was the night ‘Girl Power’ met the ‘Best of Brass’ at QE High School, Carmarthen. Burry Port Town Band’s status as one of the best brass bands in the UK is well known – and they lived up to top billing in stirring concert which deserved a bigger audience. They shared the stage with the 70 ladies of A Choired Taste, the Carmarthen choir led by one of the winners of the BBC’s Unsung Hero Award for Music, Sarah Kirby. They provided the ‘razzle’ to the band’s ‘dazzle’ – or was it the other way around? Whatever it was, it worked a treat and the razzle-dazzle went down a storm. Band Burry Port Town Band opened up with Men of Harlech, All Through The Night, Myfanwy and a storming Delilah, which was something of a tribute to the winning Welsh football team! A Choired Taste started their set with a Happy Mash-Up (Sarah Kirby loves her Mash-Up medl...

David Williams, of Melin y Coed, Bancyfelin, near Carmarthen, has been awarded France’s highest honour. President Hollande has appointed him a Chevalier in the L’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur. He has received the insignia of the Order and a prestigious medal. The accompanying letter emphasised that the honour was ‘in recognition of your acknowledged military engagement and your steadfast involvement in the Liberation of France’. It added that ‘We owe our security and freedom to your dedication because you were ready to risk your own life’. Mr Williams who is 97, was one of the brave soldiers who helped defend and liberate France during World War Two. As a soldier in the ‘British Expeditionary Force’ supporting France’s fight for freedom in May 1940, David Williams was evacuated with the British and French troops from Dunkerque. Following action with the 8th Army in North Africa and Italy, he took part in the liberation of France, landing in Normandy in 1944. Onc...

Carmarthenshire planning committee has deferred consideration of proposals for a retail park at Cross Hands following a late intervention by representatives of the Co-op. The committee was due to discuss an application by Conygar Cross Hands Ltd for a retail park on land at Cross Hands West where Sainsbury’s had previously planned to build a supermarket. Permission for a supermarket and petrol station already exists. The meeting was briefly adjourned for councillors to read correspondence sent by consultants for the Co-op. Head of planning Llinos Quelch told the committee that since the report on the application had been prepared an application had come in for further development of the Co-op store in Cross Hands. That application was in the system but had not yet been registered. The council received a letter from consultants on behalf of the Co-op saying they had objections that the retail park plan should not be considered without all the information being presented to the committ...

A Carmarthenshire reuse project is offering free collection of washing machines, electric cookers, tumble dryers and dishwashers for a limited time only. Gwyn i Wyrdd (white to green) usually charges £10 to collect up to three appliances – but from June 1 to July 29 they will collect for free. The unwanted electrical appliances are taken to the workshop in Cross Hands where they are repaired and cleaned and then sold on. As well as promoting repair, reuse and recycling, the scheme provides opportunities for training for adults with disabilities and individuals seeking work experience and training. Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “It is such a waste to buy something new when it can easily be repaired. This is an excellent project which is providing a free collection of white goods that people no longer want, jobs and training for those that need it, and quality electrical appliances at reasonable prices.” All appliances are repaired and tested to Bri...

Parents with children starting secondary school in September who think they may be entitled to free transport are being urged to apply as a matter of urgency. The number of applications received is lower than expected, particularly for those going to school outside of Carmarthenshire. Anyone who has changed their address or school, or will be changing address before the start of the new school year, must update their details if they have not already done so. Current year 11 and sixth form pupils must also contact the council’s passenger transport unit to let them know whether or not they want school transport from September. Parents with children living in Carmarthenshire but moving to out of county secondary schools must also apply in the same way. Anyone who leaves it too late could find that the bus nearest their home is already full and they will have to make their own way to a bus further away from their address or perhaps even wait whilst extra capacity is arranged, which can t...

This week's special offers at Jenkins Bakery shops - WEEK COMMENCING June 13, 2016 3 Medium Corned Beef Pasties, £1.70 2 Large Corned Beef Pasties, £2.00 4 Medium Sausage Rolls, £1.85 2 Fresh Cream Eclairs, £1.85 Sandwich of the Week, BLT, £2.50 Rustic Baguette of the Week, Ham and Cheese, £2.50 Filled Softie of the Week, Chicken Tikka, £2.45 Website - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/