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

Former agricultural students of Gelli Aur College, the Class of 1981-82, gathered together for a 30-year reunion. They were very pleased to be joined by Mr Gerald Curtis, one of the former lecturers. The day kicked off with coffee at the Coleg Sir Gar campus at Gelli Aur. There was an update on changes and improvements which have taken place at the college farm. Aerial photographs were shown, comparing how the original farm layout had been replaced by modern structures. A buffet lunch was enjoyed beneath glorious sunshine to the sound of much chattering before departing to Cwrtmalle farm, Llangynog, Carmarthen. At Cwrtmalle, the former students saw the 2,000 cow super-dairy owned and managed by Mr Howell Richards, who was also a student at Gelli Aur during 1981-82. Howell gave an interesting tour explaining how he was following an American model where the focus for the owner is on management principles rather than just getting hands dirty. The dairy has a team of 22 s...

Gelli Aur (Golden Grove) Country Park owners are planning for a golden new future. This involves the provision of a high class art gallery along with extensive renovation of the park’s built environment. To enable these works half of the park’s 37-acres is closing to the public to allow for a start on the new developments. Twenty acres will remain open and the park expected to attract its usual large numbers of visitors over the Easter holiday weekend. Carmarthenshire County Council have been managing the estate under lease terms and have continued to do so in partnership with Golden Grove Trust which acquired the estate, buildings and Country Park in September, 2011. The Trust have long-term restoration, renovation and conservation plans which are under way. These will include: Restoration of the built environment; public access to art gallery and renovation of the historic landscape. Because of health and safety issues and security and insurance measures faced by the Trust while this...

  Llandeilo businessman and brewery owner Simon Buckley says traders in Llandeilo will be sorry to see the Welsh Game Fair leave its traditional home at Gelli Aur in the Tywi Valley. But he remains buoyant that the move of the game fair to the Nantyci showground site just outside Carmarthen will not damage Llandeilo's economy. Mr Buckley, chief executive of the Evan-Evans brewery, said: "The Llandeilo stretch of the Tywi Valley has a long association with the game fair event. "In the past, the game fair has been an important part of the list of annual summer events. "In more recent times, due to bad weather, and the ever-increasing entry cost, the numbers of people associated with the game fair visiting Llandeilo seems to have dropped away. "The show had become rather tired, with no new innovations. "We are sorry to see it go, but there are new events planned for Llandeilo that will more than adequately replace it. "We wish them well for their...

Game fair coup for showground as event switches from Gelli Aur | This is South Wales Carmarthen's Nantyci showground will host the Welsh Game Fair this summer. In what has been described as a major coup for the town, it will see the event move from Llandeilo’s Gelli Aur for the first time in its history since it started in 1986.

The Scandinavian Redwing has found a snow-locked undisturbed home from home at Gelli Aur Country Park. The 60-acre 600-year-old parkland managed by Carmarthenshire County Council has become a snow-bound winter wonderland for more than a week only accessible by 4x4 park rangers because of more than a foot of snow that is blocking entrance roads and park trails. The redwings, just a little smaller than the song thrush, have been arriving in flocks to escape their Scandinavian homeland winter but have found the conditions at the Llandeilo park not much better. Senior park ranger Mike Smith, one of only three rangers who have been able to access the park in their 4x4’s, said it had been quite amazing to see how the wildlife, birds and animals had adapted to the weather conditions where humans had failed. He said: “The woodlands are a maze of animal tracks including fox, rabbit and deer and bird prints with on the odd ranger boot treads in contrast. It is a privilege to look after this 600-...

Gelli Aur Country Park is flying the Green Flag for its high standards and stunning views. The Green Flag Awards, organized by Keep Britain Tidy, GreenSpace and BTCV, recognise and reward the best parks in the country. The council-managed Gelli Aur Country Park impressed judges with its well managed green space, signage and amenities. The award was presented to grounds maintenance manager Paul Murray and assistant manager Gerwyn Thomas who work for the council’s Street Scene division and park senior ranger Mike Smith by TV presenter Michaela Strachan at a special ceremony at the Pavilion Theatre in Bournemouth. Now the flag is flying at Gelli Aur’s visitor centre for all to see. Council chairman Councillor Tyssul Evans who attended the special flag-raising ceremony said: “Gelli Aur is set in 60 acres of wooded parkland surrounding a magnificent country mansion house with commanding views across the beautiful Tywi Valley. “There is lots to see and do including fabulous nature trails, a ...