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

Latest news from Aberglasney House and Gardens in the Tywi Valley -  Image by Nigel McCall Head Gardener's Update The winter collections at Aberglasney are just coming to their best. Snowdrops are appearing throughout the Gardens as one would expect. There are also excellent displays of early flowering Narcissus such as the renowned ‘Cedric Morris’ and the even earlier 'Rijnveld's Early Sensation' which is mass planted in a two thousand strong drift. One of the best partners for these bulbs is the Hellebore of which we have many types throughout the Gardens. There are mass planted drifts of the famous ‘Helen Ballard Strain’ and more recently a collection of the exciting ‘Harvington’ strains which have very clear colours from white to black or even spotted which are a favourite of visitors. Over the last two years we have tried many new Helleborus such as ‘Anna’s Red’ which are created with an exciting new method of propagation called micropropagation or Tissu

Aberystwyth University’s support for Welsh music and culture continues this month with sponsorship of the annual Welsh rock and pop awards Gwobrau’r Selar which take place at the University’s Students’ Union on Saturday 18 February 2017. On the eve of the awards (Friday 17 February), the University’s Neuadd Pantycelyn will host an evening to celebrate a lifetime’s contribution by singer and poet Geraint Jarman. The University also has four tickets to give away for Gwobrau’r Selar. For a chance of winning, entrants just need to share the Gwobrau’r Selar message on the University’s @prifaber_ir twitter account, or like, share and comment on the Gwobrau’r Selar entry on the University’s Facebook pages @prif.aberystwyth The competition closing date is Friday 10 February at 3pm. In addition to being a major sponsor, Aberystwyth University is also sponsoring the event’s top award for Best Band. Shortlisted for the award this year are the 2015 winners Sŵnami, 2014 winners Candelas and Y Ban

The ambitious Llanelli Goods Shed project has taken another giant step forward. Planning permission and Listed Building Consent has been granted for the Grade II historic building. “It’s another significant move along the tracks for the project,” said the chairman of the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust, Llanelli MP Nia Griffith. “Over the course of the last two years we have been rewarded with more than £100,000 of development cash from different grant funders. “That money has been put to good use and has enabled us to carry out a whole range of site surveys and progress our planning application. “Our architects, Davies Sutton, of Cardiff, are recognised as one of the finest in the UK in the field of renovating historical buildings. “The Goods Shed building in Marsh Street is currently derelict, but Davies Sutton have developed innovative and creative plans to transform a building which was built in 1875 and is a classic example of the Brunel style of architecture.” The Goods Sh

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. Those of you who have just completed your self-assessment returns will appreciate how important it is to keep a calendar of key tax events. At Clay Shaw Butler, we have produced a helpful calendar of tax events from now through to 2018. Here are a few notable dates – February 2017 Sunday 19 PAYE, Student loan and CIS deductions are due for the month to 5th February 2017. This deadline is relevant to employers who have made PAYE deductions from their employees' salaries and to contractors who have paid subcontractors under the CIS. Employers are required to make payment to HMRC of the income tax, national insurance and student loan deductions. Contractors are required to make payment to HMRC of the tax deductions made from subcontractors under the CIS. Where the payment is made electronically

Watch your step James Martin and Jamie Oliver; there’s some competition for you on the horizon from the talented schoolchildren of Llanelli. Llanelli Rotary Club staged their fifth annual Young Chef competition at Brynwgyn School. “It was a wonderful occasion and a great showpiece for the culinary skills of young Llanelli and Burry Port people,” said Llanelli Rotary President Mark Evans. The title of Llanelli Rotary Club Young Chef 2017 went to Neo Robinson, a Year 9 pupil at St John Lloyd School. The winning three-course meal for two consisted of – Starter: Melon and Parma Ham and Melon Crostini. Main course: Marinated Portk Loin with Horse Radish Mashed Potatoes and Fried Asparagus. Dessert: Tiramisu with Orange Coulis “It was a well planned menu, cooked with a sense of style and well presented,” said the chair of the judging panel Stewart Williams, the development chef at Castell Howell foods. His judging colleague Caryl Davies, of Llanelly House, was equally impressed. She

Thursday walk at Llanelli's Millennium Coastal Park

Why we should become vegans, should there be better scrutiny of charities, are we doing enough to help refugees and has the face of global politics changed forever . . .  These were among the topics debated in the annual Llanelli Rotary Club Youth Speaks competition held at Llanelli Town Hall. “The quality of the arguments presented was outstanding and the children taking part reflected great credit on their schools and families,” said the chairman of the judging panel Lt Colonel David Mathias. The competition saw Bryngwyn School win the senior category and St John Lloyd take the junior intermediate section. The winning teams now go forward to the Rotary Area final being staged at St John Lloyd School this Thursday, February 9. The competition attracted entries from St John Lloyd, Coedcae and Brynwgyn schools. Lt Col Mathias said: “The standard in the competition was exceptionally high – as it is every year - and the competitors made the judging task a very difficult one.” Llanelli

Leading Welsh diplomat and Chancellor of Aberystwyth University Sir Emyr Jones Parry will deliver a keynote address on the likely impact of Brexit on the UK’s relationship with the world today, Thursday 2 February. The lecture, entitled ‘The Challenge of Implementing Brexit and the Implications for British Foreign Policy’, takes place at 4pm in the Main Hall of the Department of International Politics, Penglais Campus. As the UK’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations and a member of the Welsh Government’s advisory group on Brexit, Sir Emyr will deliver his lecture against a backdrop of intense foreign policy activity as government ministers battle to maintain influence and secure global trade deals in what is anticipated to be a turbulent period for British foreign relations. Milja Kurki, Director of Research at the Department of International Politics, is urging students, staff and residents alike to attend what is certain to be an informative presentation. Professor

Former Iraq Inquiry member and one of the world’s most renowned experts on war and strategic studies, Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman will deliver the 2017 David Davies Memorial Institute of International Studies (DDMI) Annual Lecture at Aberystwyth University. In his lecture ‘The Future of Discretionary Warfare: Criteria for the use of Force’, Professor Freedman will address the criteria likely to shape the future use of force in international politics. The lecture takes place at the Main Hall at the Department of International Politics at 6.30pm on Tuesday 7 February 2017. Professor Freedman is Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London. A member of the department since 1982, his research focuses on the history of strategy and contemporary defence and foreign policy issues. In 2009 he was appointed to the Iraq Inquiry (better known as the Chilcot Inquiry) which examined Britain’s role in the 2003 Iraq War. Professor Freedman has written extensively on nuclear st

Wednesday walk, taking in Llanelli Beach and North Dock and the cycle path running to Furnace, Llanelli. Llanelli Beach Llanelli Beach Llanelli Beach North Dock Railway lines on the cycle path Railway lines on the cycle path North Dock North Dock

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in Carmarthenshire) from the Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star - There’s just a handful of tickets remaining for a special charity concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, this Saturday. The Valli Boys will be bringing a touch of West End glamour to the evening, which has been organised by the Chairman of Carmarthenshire County Council, Councillor Eryl Morgan, to support his chosen charities for his year of office. Councillor Morgan is raising cash for the Ty Bryngwyn Hospice in Llanelli and for a new MRI scanner for Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli. “They are two very worthy causes and close to our hearts locally,” said Councillor Morgan. “It is great to see people turning out to support a great charity evening and we will be holding a special raffle on the evening to help boost our fundraising efforts. “We have managed to secure some great entertainment for the evening and it promises to be a concert to remember.” Top of the

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 ................................ What age is it? This world has struggled through many different Ages. Millions of years ago we had the Ice Age, followed by (wearing a bearskin and thermal boxer shorts) the Stone Age, which was replaced by the Iron Age. The 18th Century was referred to as The Age Of Enlightenment because of advances in politics, philosophy, science and communications across Europe. That seems a very long time ago. Today, as I look at what’s happening everywhere from the White House to Downing Street to my street, I get the feeling that The Age Of Enlightenment has been replaced by The Age Of Stupid. Where to begin? Some time ago I wrote about the idiotic trend for grown men to wear shorts all year round, even when the temperature’s below freezing. What gets into them? Apart from hypo-therm

Impress your partner with a choice of gifts and flowers from Carmarthenshire Markets and be in with a chance of winning a romantic break at Llanelli’s Stradey Park Hotel on St Valentine’s Day. Visitors to Llanelli and Carmarthen markets who buy items associated with the patron saint of love will be entered into a draw with one lucky couple being treated to dinner and an overnight stay at the four-star hotel on Tuesday, February 14. From cards and flowers to perfume, paintings, clothing and jewellery there’s lots of different love tokens to be found in both markets. If you’re preparing your loved one a delicious meal, visit the market where you can buy a choice of great local produce from steaks to cheeses, speciality fish and seafood to delicious desserts. Carmarthenshire County Council’s executive board member responsible for the markets, Cllr David Jenkins said: “There are some great products available to buy in the market to celebrate Valentine’s Day. By doing so you’ll be support

The team at Redkite Solicitors has expanded its operation in Carmarthen with the acquisition of two long-established law firms based in the town. On the 1st February Redkite acquired local firm Trant and Richards, which has been serving the people of Carmarthen and surrounding areas for over 150 years, and Steel and Hitchcock, who have been delivering legal support to the same area since 1923. “This is another great step for Redkite as we continue to expand our business in West Wales,” said Neil Walker, Chief Executive of Redkite. “Trant and Richards and Steel and Hitchcock are highly-respected names within the legal world of West Wales and we look forward to working with their many clients and the staff who are also joining us as part of this merger. Staff members Howard Williams and Shirley Jones from Trant and Richards will transfer from their current office in St. Mary’s Street, to Redkite’s recently renovated offices in Spilman Street. Mr Walker said: “We are working ha