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

Carmarthenshire residents are being urged to have their electric blankets tested for free before the winter arrives. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is holding free testing events across Carmarthenshire during September and October. Community fire safety officers will be checking electric blankets as well as providing free home safety advice and encouraging residents to sign up to a free home fire safety check. Any defective blankets will be replaced with new. The events are being held in partnership with Age Concern Sir Gâr, who will also be attending and offering information and advice on a range of issues. Community fire safety officer Steve Winstone said: “It is extremely important that you have your electric blanket tested - especially if you have had it for a number of years. “Electric blankets can have potentially life threatening faults such as defective overheat protection and exposed wires - and although figures show that faults are more common in older blankets, p...

Older people living in Carmarthenshire are amongst the first to benefit from a new network established to help people manage debt, benefits and finances. Advice and Support Carmarthenshire (ASC) brings together organisations that offer advice on matters relating to money, savings, housing, benefits or specialist services, such as help for people who are blind or receiving cancer treatment. Around 50 institutions are part of the network, which is chaired by Cllr Kevin Madge, the council’s Anti Poverty Champion. In the first of a series of campaigns undertaken by the network, the council has linked up with Age Concern Sir Gar and CATCH UP to encourage more people to apply for Attendance Allowance. The benefit is available to people over 65 who need assistance to live their daily lives, whether they need help with shopping, dressing or bathing. It is not means-tested, which means people do not need to submit any financial evidence. Cllr Madge said: “Applying for Attendance Allowance could...

Cwmdu Village Association has raised more than £100 for Age Concern Sir Gar. The Association chose Age Concern as one of the charities to support when it held its annual carnival – because an increasing number of village residents are growing older. Arriva Trains Cymru were approached by committee member Hywel Jones and agreed to donate a prize of free travel passes for four people on the Arriva rail network which covers not only Wales put part of England. The raffle raised £101 for Age Concern Sir Gar and the winner was Nia Harris from Brecon. Carmarthenshire 50+ Champion Cllr Kevin Madge said: “I am delighted that Cwmdu Village Association has supported the good work being done by Age Concern Sir Gar by raising this money.” Hywel Jones and Cllr Kevin Madge are pictured with the cheque for £101.