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

Carmarthen's legendary Merlin Festival is planned for a relaunch this year. The event aims to celebrate the “Year of the Legend” in Carmarthenshire, one of a series of themed years being spearheaded by Visit Wales to promote what the country has to offer to tourists. In 2018 it will be the ‘Year of the Sea’. A range of activities are being planned by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Marketing & Media team to mark the year locally, one of the highlights of which will be the Merlin Festival, centred in Carmarthen. The event is scheduled to take place on March 24 and 25, and aims to celebrate the legend of Merlin and other Arthurian characters said to have lived in the town and given it its name. Originally called Caerfyrddin, which means Merlin’s Fort; the town also has Merlin’s Oak and Merlin’s Hill, plus many tales of the wizard associated with the area. The festival aims to feature street entertainment, magic, a local produce market, plus a community/ schools sculpture trail...

Thousands of families turned out to enjoy the biggest ever Llanelli Christmas Carnival on Friday. The spectacular parade wowed the crowds who lined the route from Sandy, right through to West End and Town Hall Square where there was also a huge funfair and live music on stage from Heart FM DJ Jason Harrold and a host of singing stars. Street traders and local businesses have reported booming trade as people stopped to pick up refreshments and early Christmas gifts. The event was topped off with a dazzling firework display over Llanelli Town Hall and the switch-on of the Christmas lights. Organisers, Carmarthenshire County Council, Llanelli Rural Council, Llanelli Town Council and Llanelli Round Table, reported a successful event with everything running according to plan. Llanelli Christmas Carnival is famous as being the largest carnival procession in Wales, with visitors descending on the town centre from far and wide to enjoy the festivities. The Leader of Carmarthenshire County Co...

Carmarthen's legendary Merlin Festival is planned for a relaunch in 2017. The event aims to celebrate the “Year of the Legend” in Carmarthenshire, one of a series of themed years being spearheaded by Visit Wales to promote what the country has to offer to tourists. The current 2016 ‘Year of Adventure’ is aimed at the growing action holiday market and promotes activities such as orienteering and walking. In 2018 it will be the ‘Year of the Sea’. A range of activities are being planned by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Marketing and Media team to mark the year locally, one of the highlights of which will be the Merlin Festival, centred in Carmarthen. The event is scheduled to take place on March 24 and 25, and aims to celebrate the legend of Merlin and other Arthurian characters said to have lived in the town and given it its name. Carmarthen is translated into Caerfyrddin in Welsh, which means Merlin’s Fort; the town also has Merlin’s Oak and Merlin’s Hill, plus many tales of t...

With just a few hours remaining before the deadline for tickets, the Jazz at Llandeilo festival is on course to be a complete sell-out. “Demand for tickets has been massive,” said Festival Organiser Simon Buckley. “What’s been amazing is the demand for tickets from all over the UK – and we’ve also had ticket applications from abroad. “This is the fourth year for Jazz at Llandeilo and the event is now a firm fixture on the musical calendar. “2015 is set to be bigger and, better and with more than 30 bands on three stages, there will be music for everyone. “Based on a line up of Jazz, Blues, and local bands, Jazz at Llandeilo is now fast becoming one of the top West Wales summer music festivals. “The world famous Andy Fairweather Low and The Low Riders (pictured above) are the headline act this year. Andy has only just returned back home to Wales after concerts with Eric Clapton at Madison Square Garden in New York and the Royal Albert Hall in London. “Last weekend, he did an acous...

One of the busiest men during the Jazz@Llandeilo festival will be the event’s musical director David Brockwell. “It’s always a wonderful challenge putting together an event like this and I am sure that fans of great music will have a ball,” said David. “I’ve been working alongside the team at Evan Evans Brewery on Jazz@Llandeilo since the event started. “This is Year No 4 and we have made great strides since the first festival. “The aim is always to provide something for everyone – something to suit different musical tastes, something for young and old. “This year, we have a magical line-up led by the wonderful Andy Fairweather Low and the Low Riders. “They are one of the busiest touring bands in the country, performing up and down the land, week in, week out. They are also in huge demand internationally and we are very lucky to secure their slot for Sunday night.” David added: “As always we try to showcase new and up and coming talent during the festival and we will be doing our ve...

The organisers of Jazz@Llandeilo 2015 will be hoping everyone is singing from the same ‘Buy Local’ hymn sheet. “As a business which prides itself on being deeply involved in the local community, we always advocate ‘Buy Local’ where possible,” said festival organiser James Buckley. “We are very proud of the fact that the festival is playing its part and bringing extra business into the picturesque town of Llandeilo. “We will also be doing our best at this year’s festival to showcase the fact the West is Best when it comes to food and drink. “We’ll be flying the flag with our award-winning Evan Evans group aleas. “And we will also be giving a platform to local businesses to showcase their food products.” Among the food vendors at this year’s festival will be Rhosyn Farm. Rhosyn Farm is situated in rural Carmarthenshire and owned and run by Neil and Emma Rose. They have been lucky enough to be living their dream since moving to Wales in 2006. Neil Rose said: “We take pride in breedi...

Andy Fairweather Low, one of the UK’s best-known guitarists, will be headlining Jazz@Llandeilo 2015. Fairweather Low will arrive at the fourth annual jazz festival in Llandeilo (July3-5) hot on the heels of landmark concerts with Eric Clapton at the Royal Albert Hall, London. The festival, centred around the Evan-Evans brewery ‘tap’ pub, The White Horse Inn, continues to grow every year. This year, the festival will boast three different stages and more than 30 different acts. “It is now a fixture on the jazz music festival calendar for the UK and is hugely popular with festival-goers and musicians,” said James Buckley of the Evan-Evans brewery. “It is a wonderful showpiece occasion to put Llandeilo on the map. Andy Fairweather Low is regarded as music royalty – an international artist with a wonderful reputation. He is the headline act, but there will also be a lot more quality entertainment during an action-packed weekend.” Fairweather Low has established a reputation as a peerless...

The programme has been released for the annual Carmarthen Bay Film Festival in Llanelli - Screenings at Stradey Park Hotel Tuesday - 12th.May Screen 1 11:00am-Short Films Made In Wales Turn On 15mins Managed 20mins Dancing In Circles 25mins 11.30am- Foreign Shorts Screen 2(Bryn-y Mor) Pour l’amour de Sarah 23mins In der Stille der Nacht (In the Still of the Night) 14mins Une Bonne Affaire 20mins Black Hole 15mins 12.00pm Asian Short Films An American Piano 20mins PAN RUO YUN NI (CLOUD&MUD) 15mins 12:30pm Break 1:15pm-RTS (Cymru) Session Screen 1 My Grandfather Dylan 28mins Q & A with programme maker Phil George Chaired by Robert Lloyd 2:15PM Short Break 2:30pm- In Partnership with S4C Dan y Wenallt (Under Milk Wood) 4.00pm Short Break 4:15pm- Gwobr John Hefin Welsh Language Shorts Dad 15mins Mam a fi 6mins Slap, Clap Ar LLo 32mins Maer Glanio 3mins Eisteddfod 9mins 5:15-End of Screenings 6.00pm Film Makers' Reception Wednesday- 13th May 11am- Feature Film Real Buddy 5...

He’s known as the ‘Guitarist to the Stars’. Andy Fairweather Low is one of the UK’s best-known guitarists – and he’s coming to Jazz@Llandeilo 2015. Fairweather Low is the first big name on the bill for the fourth annual jazz festival in Llandeilo (July3-5). The festival, centred around the Evan-Evans brewery ‘tap’ pub, The White Horse Inn, continues to grow every year. “It is now a fixture on the jazz music festival calendar for the UK and is hugely popular with festival-goers and musicians,” said James Buckley, of the Evan-Evans brewery. Fairweather Low has established a reputation as a peerless musician both at home and abroad, having worked with some of legendary figures in the music industry, including The Who and Eric Clapton. He has a truly unique voice and a reputation as a master-craftsman on guitar. Born in Ystrad Mynach, he originally came to fame as vocalist and leader of the pop group Amen Corner. They had four successive Top 10 hits in the Uk singles chart, inc...

The Brecon Jazz 2015 programme (August 7-9) boasts the most international line-up in the event’s 31-year history, with tickets on sale now through www.breconjazz.com Big name American headliners, exclusive performances, intriguing crossovers and global artists from Scandinavia through Romania, Brittany and Catalonia to Brazil that reflect jazz music’s global reach, are all prominent features of this summer’s event in the beauty of the Brecon Beacons. New for 2015 is an additional venue, Brecon Elim Church, with a 200 capacity and a pedigree in staging concerts of its own, where the Western Power Kid Zone will engage local children in making music. Plus there will be a Brecon Jam late night opportunity for musicians to unwind and show off their improv skills. Headline Acts The Market Hall is the venue on Saturday August 8 for the iconic Dr. John, who brings to Wales his critically acclaimed Ske-Dat-De-Dat: The Spirit of Satch show - a tribute to New Orleans music legend Louis Armstro...

The deadline for entries for the prestigious Carmarthen Bay Film Festival is this weekend (Saturday, January 31). The festival is now in its fourth year and more than 150 entries have already been received for the event, which is being held at Llanelli’s Stradey Park Hotel, from May 12-15. “It is astonishing how the festival has grown in popularity from very small beginnings,” said Festival CEO and organiser Kelvin Guy. “They say great things grow from little acorns and that is very true of the film festival.” There is added glitz and status to this year’s festival as the event is now on the approved list for BAFTA Cymru Wales. Mr Guy added: “The BAFTA abbreviation is pretty special in the world of film. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is recognised as a hugely prestigious organisation worldwide. To get this recognition from BAFTA Cymru Wales is a huge honour and is a great achievement when you consider what the festival has achieved since it launched in 2011...

All roads lead to good old Sospan Fach for Llanelli Retrofest on September 26-27. There will be steam engines, vintage cars and open top buses with free parking in all county council car parks in Llanelli on the Saturday and Sunday too. Llanelli’s Chamber of Trade and Commerce and Carmarthenshire County Council’s transport management team can put on up to five days of free parking each year, and are pleased to announce two of the days have been secured to attract more people in to town for the Llanelli Retrofest. Chamber president Andrew Stephens said: “This is a big bonus for the festival, which we are confident will become a major event in the town’s calendar of fun activities. “It is a fun couple of days designed to bring life to Llanelli’s streets and the fact there is free parking will be a big attraction.” The free parking will run from 9.30am each and all day in all the county council’s car parks in Llanelli.

Carmarthenshire County Council has agreed free parking for the duration of Ammanford’s Twrch Trwyth festival later this month. There will be no parking charges at any of the council’s car parks in the town during the festival which runs from September 25-27. The parking machines will be shut down across the town for those three dates. The move has been agreed by the local authority’s Transport and Engineering section as the festival is for the benefit of the whole town. It is part of a council policy which allows five days free parking a year. The owner of the Indoor Market will also give free parking for the three days. Ammanford Chamber of Trade Chair Gerald Thomas of Arcade Newsagents said: “The free parking is a very good initiative and we thank the council for doing it. Sometimes people are willing to pay for an hour but when there is free parking they will spend longer in town which benefits everyone.”

Llanelli Retrofest on September 26 and 27 is hoped to become a spectacular and long-living annual in event the town’s calendar. The busker idea has really taken hold and buskers are being invited from all over to turn up and show their talents. Musicians and magicians have been booking their spots but organisers said they will even find space for those who turn up on the day. There is a large university and college contingent of buskers with a wide spread of musical talents who are expected to be involved too with a £500 prize up for grabs. One of the more unusual buskers to show an interest is a cross between a street magic show and a fun science lesson. David Price, from Science Made Simple, will amaze, confuse and delight audiences with his unique, interactive busking act. With his tricks and illusions David will spread the joy and wonder of scientific phenomena. Retrofest visitors will have the chance to witness the largest whoopie cushion on earth and find out how it works, and ...

We are even sewing back in time for Llanelli Retrofest. Enthusiasm for the step back in time festival is gathering pace. Even sewing machines have been humming along at Llanelly House with a volunteer band of seamstresses turning out bonnets for the event with expert tuition and support of Llanelli theatrical costume suppliers and manufacturers Costumes to Go. The plan is to bring Llanelli alive recalling the good old days when costermongers competed for custom in the main streets of Llanelli. On Friday and Saturday September 26 and 27, Vaughan Streetand Stepney Street will be filled with olde worlde buskers and traders with trestle tables in the street. Steam engines will roll up and down the streets and there will be a selection of vintage cars on display. Llanelly House is playing its part with staff dressing up in period costumes to cast us back in time. Jesters will be taking to the streets telling stories of the town and Town Criers will be calling all to attention to make sure...

Oyez, oyez, oyez! An exciting new annual festival is being planned for Llanelli on September 26-27th. Llanelli Retrofest will take us on a trip down dusty corridors of time and reinvigorate Llanelli. There will be buskers, traders and market stall holders taking to the streets. Town criers and storytelling jesters will tour about the town. There will be open top bus tours, vintage cars on display; tasty treats from ages past to sample and a lot more besides. Anything goes from 10 years to 300 in the history of glorious Llanelli in the festival that is being jig-sawed together as part of the national High Streets campaign. Town traders are being encouraged to take to the streets costermonger style with an offering of their goods on trestle tables or carts to show what they have to offer and getting everyone in the mood by dressing up in costumes or hats from yesteryear. Bands could bookend the festival at the Eastgate end of Stepney Street and at the Cowell Street junction and betw...

The Kidwelly Beer Festival is being held on Friday and Saturday, September 5 and 6, at the Princess Gwenllian Centre in Kidwelly. One of the organisers, Harvey Jones, has kindly sent me some information from the 'match programme' about the Cydweli 900 celebrations and beer in Kidwelly -  This section of the programme is to advertise Cydweli 900 and to give you some interesting facts about beer and in particular the history of beer in Cydweli. Cydweli 900 is about celebrating 900 years of our history, give or take a few years. There is disagreement about dates, but this may be due to drinking an excess of beer and can probably be best resolved over a beer! In any case in 2015 we will be celebrating. Watch out for events from concerts to a Farm Fun Day, sporting events, and surprise, surprise a BEER FESTIVAL, and we have our own celebration ale:- Cwrw Cydweli You will probably be enjoying Cwrw Cydweli as you are reading this. If not, stop reading. Go to the...

Carmarthenshire Youth have teamed up with Together Festival to offer young people the chance to attend this years only Welsh Dance Music Festival in return for an article for the  Carmarthenshire Youth website (www.carmarthenshireyouth.co.uk). The event is to take place at the United Counties Showground, Carmarthen, SA33 5DR on May 31, 2014. Those chosen must be able to attend a briefing (date to be confirmed). Those with press passes to the event will cover the music and interview some of the artists who will be performing. Over 100 acts will be performing to include Judge Jules, KUTSKI, Cally and Juice, Christina Novelli and many more. Age suitability 18+ only unless accompanied by an adult. For further information contact the Carmarthenshire Youth Editor, Emma Jones, on 01267 224007 or email editor@carmarthenshireyouth.co.uk

Venture into Llandysilio on Saturday or Sunday, September 21 and 22 and you will come across festival go-ers finding their way to a range of celebratory events. The culture and heritage festival boasts five separate events over the two days and it aims to highlight local successes and achievements and attract attention to the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the area. The locality is well known for its poets such as Waldo Williams and Llwyd Williams and the contribution of both to literature and to Pembrokeshire will be explored over the weekend. In addition, the festival will see the launch of two inspiring projects to celebrate the success of the James Brothers who, in 1913, were the first people to build and fly an aeroplane over Pembrokeshire. Brothers Henry Howard James and John Herber James will be remembered as an announcement is made that a world renowned author is to publish a book to mark their achievement and some exciting news concerning a proposed sculpture in ...

The Carmarthen Bay Film Festival is continuing today at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli. Diary of events for today -  More information on the website - http://www.carmarthenbayfilmfestival.co.uk