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

The Friends of the Carmarthenshire County Museum have held a talk on the famous Bishop Laud, Bishop of St David’s from 1621-27. This month’s Gallery Talk was by Brenig Davies on Bishop Laud’s Chapel as part of a series of talks on the first Saturday of the month. The interesting facts revealed by Brenig Davies included that Bishop Laud only visited Abergwili, the home of the Bishop's Palace, on two occasions, too embroiled as he was in London with personal advancement as well as affairs of state. The museum in Abergwili was the Bishop's Palace for many years and as such had its own chapel which is named after Bishop Laud. Brenig Davies' talk was given in the chapel. He contended that, as the chapel was reconsecrated for Christian services in 2007, it was paving the way forward in church unity by welcoming people from all denominations in stark contrast to the divisive policies pursued by the authoritarian Bishop Laud. "With its oak carvings and peaceful atmosphere, ...

Welsh Premiership rugby side Carmarthen Quins have said a big thank-you to one of their principal sponsors, Redkite Solicitors. The law firm was presented with a special signed Quins shirt, autographed by the first team. The shirt was handed over to David Williams, Solicitor and Partner at Redkite, and Catrina Thomas, legal advisor in the Redkite Commercial and Agricultural Property Team. Mr Williams said: “It was a lovely gesture by the Quins and we will now get the shirt framed and put in a place of honour in our Carmarthen office in Spilman Street. As a local firm we take a keen interest in our community and are delighted to be encouraging sporting activities in Carmarthen. It is great to be able to support a local team and help youngsters make strides on the field of play.” The Redkite name is featured on the Carmarthen Quins Under-10s side jerseys and on the arm of the first team shirts. The presentation took place at the Carmarthen Quins training and junior teams centre in Ab...

Mrs Annie Davies of Abergwili is still Chair of the local pensioners club at the tender age of 100! Mrs Davies celebrated her centenary last week when she received a telegram from the Queen, visit from the Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council Cllr Daff Davies and a surprise visit from Abergwili School pupils. Next door neighbour Mrs Mary Davies said: “She is still Chair of the Evergreen local old age pensioners group at 100. She will be finishing in July.”

Two flood warnings have been issued for Carmarthen and Abergwili on Thursday after persistent downpours across Wales. Flood alerts have been issued for much of Wales including Swansea, with the ground saturated and river levels high there remains a continued risk of river and surface water flooding." Click on headline link for full South Wales Evening Post story.

A man has been fined £75 for not cleaning up after his dog at the County Museum in Abergwili, Carmarthen. The 65-year-old was issued with a fixed penalty notice by council environmental enforcement officers. If he fails to pay it, he could be taken to court where the maximum fine is £1,000. The council now hopes this fine will act as a warning to others. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said anyone caught failing to clean up after their pet would be fined. “Dog mess left anywhere is a serious health risk and our enforcement officers carry out regular patrols across the county. “Most dog owners are responsible and pick up after their pets; however, there is a small minority who do not and we will not hesitate to fine them,” he said. A major campaign is underway to clean up Carmarthenshire and residents are being urged to play their part and help the council catch those responsible for dog fouling. Cllr Jones added: “One of the main reasons pe...

Stories, mini-digs and treasure hunts will be the order of the day on Saturday, July 21 (10-4pm) at Carmarthenshire’s County Museum in Abergwili. Youngsters and their families will be able to search for a ‘hoard of Roman coins’ as well as getting their hands dirty taking part in a mini archaeological dig. All this and more makes up a full day of activities based on the Roman period and Carmarthen’s Roman past. The day is organised by the museum for people of all ages, so children and families are welcome especially as there is no charge to attend. Opening the event is well known TV doctor, Dr Ann, who is the highly regarded medic on S4C’s popular afternoon programmes Prynhawn Da and Wedi 3. Famous throughout Wales, Dr Ann Rhys has Carmarthenshire links which run deep as she is a member of the governing body of Carmarthen’s University of Wales Trinity St David and a former High Sheriff of Dyfed. She said “It is on such days that children build up happy memories of their chi...

Fuel thefts in Carmarthenshire – homeowners warned to protect their supplies | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Two separate thefts of fuel from homes in the village of Abergwili is once again leading police to advise homeowners of the importance of securing their supplies of heating oil.

Shootings, riots and gang warfare - Carmarthen’s colourful history goes on show - Wales News - News - WalesOnline With tales of shootings, riots and bitter gang warfare, a new exhibition has prompted comparisons between an 18th century Welsh town and Chicago’s Mafia-plagued 1920s. Threats were even made to tear out the hearts of councillors in Carmarthen, documents on show at the County Museum in nearby Abergwili today show. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/12/23/shootings-riots-and-gang-warfare-carmarthen-s-colourful-history-goes-on-show-91466-30000312/

Christmas is being celebrated in style at Carmarthenshire County Museum in Abergwili. A display featuring the museum’s Treasures from the Archives with images of ancient kings and heroes, plus the odd criminal, is running until December 23. It offers a rare chance to view items which are seldom on public display and are an amazing snapshot of Carmarthenshire’s history across 700 years. Exhibits include a medieval fishing licence from Kidwelly, the Laugharne Town Charter of 1300, a document by the outlaw Twm Sion Cati, the exquisitely illustrated Dwnn Pedigree of 1641, a 17th century recipe book, old maps of Carmarthen and Trimsaran, a letter from a Rebecca rioter letter and the Victorian felon’s register from Carmarthen Gaol, complete with mugshots. The Friends of the Museum are holding their Christmas Cracker Concerts at the museum on Wednesday, 7 and Thursday 8 December. The Myrddin Chorale will lead the singing. First night’s guest of honour will be the Reverend Leigh Richardson, an...

Historical treasures dating back centuries are on show at Carmarthenshire’s County Museum. They include mugshots of prisoners from the old Carmarthen gaol; Sir Robert Mansel fighting pirates; the first edition of the Carmarthen Journal, the Laugharne Charter giving them township status; a fishing grant given to Kidwelly in 1313, a recipe book from 1685 and a letter from Nelson. They are among the Carmarthenshire archives accumulated since the 16th Century which now cover nearly two miles of shelves in three strong rooms, holding documents which cover such diverse areas as landed estates, industries, businesses, church, chapel, education, roads, railways, canals, local societies and much more. The exhibition, which will be held at the Museum in Abergwili, from this month until January, will show some of the records held dating from the 13th to the 20th Century. There has been a record office in Carmarthen since at least the 16th century, when the Quarter Sessions was set up after the A...

Medwyn the Mole Detective is launching his new museum website for schools in Carmarthenshire later this month. The launch will take place at the County Museum in Abergwili on Tuesday, October 18, from 4.30pm to 6pm. The event will provide teachers with an opportunity to learn about the museum’s new service for schools. It includes an innovative bilingual teacher-led visit to the Museum which not only provides an opportunity for children to see historical artefacts but also to handle artefacts from periods covering Roman Times to World War II. By solving Medwyn the Mole’s historical detective puzzles, children develop thinking skills and learn to interpret the information they gather in a fun way. Children also have the chance to investigate local history in order to help learn and understand the factors that have shaped Wales today. Meidrim Community Primary School, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llangadog and Dafen Primary School in Llanelli were invited to pilot the new teacher-led visit. The...

Pupils from Abergwili School have visited County Hall as guests of the chair of Carmarthenshire County Council. The children are pictured in the Council Chamber with chair Cllr Tegwen Devichand and local member Cllr Pam Palmer. Pic Jeff Connell

Anyone who has ever wondered how the first suspension bridges were built can find out at Carmarthenshire County Museum. An exhibition - Web of Iron - Nature, Art and Engineering – is on show at the museum in Abergwili from now until the end of November. It was inspired by pioneering engineers such as Thomas Telford and Captain Samuel Brown, and tells the story of the suspension bridge and the influence of both nature and art on its development. This exhibition looks at the development of the suspension bridge - in particular the chainbridge and the establishment of that form in Great Britain. Thomas Telford, more than any other engineer, is credited for the mainstreaming of its use in Britain and is the reason for presenting the exhibition in the 250th year of his birth. Education executive board member Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge said: “Of all the structural shapes that have appeared in the landscape, the suspension bridge is immediately recognised as one of the most graceful yet economica...

Carmarthenshire residents can enjoy a blast from the past at a special event being held at the County Museum next week. The museum, which is owned by Carmarthenshire County Council, is gearing up to celebrate National Archaeology Day with a series of events on Saturday, July 17. The day is free and takes place between 11am ands 4pm. As part of a festival of events across the UK, the County Museum will be hosting story telling and celebrations on the life of Owain Glyndwr. Curator Gavin Evans is encouraging people to come along, and for children to get dressed up for the occasion. “We are delighted that Archaeology Day is here again. It is always popular - children get their hands dirty and learn about our great history in a fun way,” he said. Carmarthenshire’s County Museum is based at a former palace of the Bishops of St David’s in Abergwili, Carmarthen. It houses a huge collection of artefacts amassed over more than 100 years, including mammoth bones, Roman items from the county’s Ro...

Young people have impressed Carmarthen shoppers with a range of products they have hand-crafted as part of a youth business market. Pupils from Ysgol Abergwili, who sold occasion cards, and young people from Carmarthen’s Dr Mz project, who sold jewellery, were among the groups to present their business ideas to shoppers at the town’s Greyfriars shopping centre. They were taking part in a business development scheme being run jointly by Carmarthenshire County Council and Careers Wales. Officers visit schools and youth organisations throughout the county to encourage young people to venture in to the business world and to explore ways of gaining support and employment opportunities locally. The aim is to create a pool of skilled and talented young people who don’t feel the need to move away from Carmarthenshire to get the expertise needed to support their business growth. It is hoped this will help create a strong and prosperous economy for Carmarthenshire’s future. Angharad Harding, bus...