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

A fundraising Curry Night for the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed project raised more than £1000. The evening at the Ali Raj restaurant in Trinity Road, Llanelli, saw a fundraising auction which included artwork focussed on the Llanelli coastline and souvenirs from the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. “It was a very successful evening and the total raised hit £1074,” said Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust project officer Robert Lloyd. “Everyone enjoyed the occasion and our trustee the Rev Eldon Phillips dressed up as Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the occasion. “It was very appropriate to have the event at the Ali Raj, which is just the other side of the tracks to the Goods Shed site in Marsh Street.” The Goods Shed project aims to save and restore the derelict Grade II Listed railway station building (built in the Brunel style in 1875) and bring it back into life as a dynamic multi-purpose hub for the community. “The project is moving on at some pace now as we have completed a ...

Carmarthenshire County Council social workers joined volunteers from Ty Golau on their fourth annual fundraising walk at Llanelli's Millennium Coastal Park. Ty Golau founder Janet Lewis praised all those who took part for helping to raise much needed support. Ty Golau runs weekly health and wellbeing sessions for people aged 50+ in homes across Llanelli, Pembrey, Burry Port and Kidwelly. The weekly programme includes memory jogging quizzes and music, resulting in many service users singing for the first time in years. Mrs Lewis said: “We aim, in the not too distant future, to set up another workshop in Llanelli as demand is steadily growing. The service is becoming more recognised and talked about.” The council's executive board member for social care and health, Cllr Jane Tremlett, said: “Janet and her team perform sterling work in Llanelli. It would be wonderful to see them expand their service further across the county.”

It's not quite climbing every mountain – but Carmarthenshire’s Leader is taking on the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for local charities. Cllr Emlyn Dole is also welcoming people to join him – or set themselves their own challenges. He was spurred into action after attending an awards ceremony for participants in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, now in its 60th year. To mark the anniversary, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Diamond Challenge has been set up, which is open to all ages. People are asked to take on their own adventure, personal, or skill challenge, which can be anything from learning to knit to kayaking the Zambesi. Cllr Dole has chosen to take on the Three Peaks Challenge – Snowdon in North Wales, Cadair Idris in Mid Wales and Pen y Fan in South Wales. He will start with Snowdon on May 29, at 1085metres the highest mountain in Wales, a walk of around 10km. On June 1, Cllr Dole will climb Cadair Idris, a four to five kilometre walk, and a height of 893m. The last peak ...

Llanelli Rotary Club has donated £4200 to the Marie Curie Cancer charity. The cash was raised through the annual Llanelli Rotary Ball. The event, held at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, featured famous Phantom of the Opera singer Peter Karrie. Llanelli Rotary President Susan Roberts said: "The Peter Karrie evening and ball was a great night and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. "We had a fund-raising auction and raffle and donations from Rotarians and guests helped us to reach a magnificent total of more than £4000. "We were delighted to invite representatives of the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity to our most recent meeting to hand over the money." Photo: left to right, Mark Evans, vice president Llanelli Rotary Club, Alison Harding, Clinical Nurse Specialist, John Prosser, Chair of the Llanelli Fundraising Group for Marie Curie, Sara Bass, Fundraising Chair for Marie Curie, Llanelli Rotary President Susan Roberts and Rotary junior vice president John...

A fundraising Curry Night for the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust project raised £1400. The event was held at the Ali Raj restaurant in Trinity Road, Llanelli, and was hosted by Llanelli MP Nia Griffith, chairman of the Trust, and the Rev Eldon Phillips, one of the trustees. "The response from the public and supporters of the trust was magnificent," said Trust secretary Richard Roper. "We are very grateful to the Ali Raj restaurant and prize and raffle donors for making it such a successful night." Rev Eldon Phillips  dressed up as Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the occasion. The event was also attended by civic dignitaries, including the Mayor of Llanelli Shahana Najmi. Auction items included a stunning painting of Carningli by award-winning artist Vicki Cooke and a very unusual 'photograph through a bottle', taken by Llanelli Photographic Society member Alun Lewis. "It was a fun night," said Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust project ...

The Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust is planning another fundraising evening for the project. A Curry Night is being held on Monday, October 5 (7pm) at the Ali Raj restaurant in Trinity Road, Llanelli. The evening comes as the project continues to gain momentum. The Welsh Government's Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates AM, is due to visit the shed in Marsh Street, Llanelli, later this month. Meanwhile, the trust members are waiting to hear the results of latest grant applications to the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund. "The Goods Shed project continues to gather momentum thanks to the support of the people of Llanelli and Wales," said project officer Robert Lloyd. "We all have our fingers crossed that we can gain some more grant support money for what is a dynamic and ground-breaking project for Llanelli. Proposals for the Grade II Listed building near Llanelli Railway Station involve establishing a multi-purpo...

Former Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer MP (pictured above) is to speak at a Labour Party constituency fundraiser in Llanelli. The dinner will also act as a 'Welcome Campaign Dinner' for Labour's new candidate for the Welsh Assembly elections. The constituency party is currently going through the selection process and will be announcing the new AM candidate before the Keir Starmer dinner. The night will consist of dinner followed by Keir's speech and a question & answer session. The date is Thursday 1st October at 7pm and the venue is the Ashburnham Hotel, Pembrey, SA16 0TH. Tickets - £18 per person payable at time of booking by cash or cheque £14 for students/children. Dress code - smart but not black tie Contact Suzy Curry for further details or to book 0756 1566 456 or 01554 757511 or email  suzycurry@btconnect.com If you have already booked can you please send a cheque for the correct amount made out to Llanelli Labour Party to: C/O Suzy Cur...

Red Kite Law chief executive Andrew Manning is planning a marathon charity mission to mark his 50th birthday. Mr Manning will be getting on his bike for a number of charities during the course of his birthday year, with the aim of raising £50 for every one of his birthday years. One of the charities to benefit will be the Enfys Foundation, the charitable wing of Red Kite Law. Mr Manning explained -  "I have a big birthday coming up at the end of this year- and, yes, I know I look younger/older than that (take your pick!). "I have been asked how I am going to celebrate this milestone, and want I want for it. "Well, I am going to celebrate it by trying to ride my bike further and faster than I have done before. "I am seeking to do this by riding my bike across the width of England ("coast to coast" ), in April (135 miles in 2.5 days) , the length of the UK (Lands End to John O Groats) in May/June (950 miles in 10 days) ,and London to Paris in ea...

Members of Llandovery Rotary Club are holding a fund-raising auction and dinner dance in the splendid setting of Llandovery College's Great Hall. It is on January 24. For more information and tickets please contact Rotarian David Thomas on 01550 721365 or email daithomas400@yahoo.co.uk

Staff at Jenkins Bakery shops in Llanelli and the rest of South West Wales have collected a magnificent £3,100 for Cancer Research UK. The money was raised during a special fundraising fortnight when pink cup cakes were on sale at Jenkins Bakery shops. The company made a charity donation for every cake sold and customers added to the sum by making their own contributions. “The Pink campaign in our shops was a huge success,” said Jenkins Bakery area manager Fiona Snook. “Last year, more than £2500 was raised for the charity. "That was more than double what we raised the year before. "We are delighted that we have set a new record for fundraising for Cancer Research. "What's more, all the Jenkins staff had great fun doing it all. "Many members of staff dressed up in a pink theme and the shops were decorated to add to the party spirit. “Our loyal customers were, of course, fantastic and hugely supportive of the campaign with generous donations to Cancer Resear...

Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust is inviting supporters to a fund-raising Curry Night. The evening will be hosted by Nia Griffith MP, Roger Price, Mayor of Llanelli, and Reverend Eldon Phillips on Monday, 29th September. The venue is the Ali Raj restaurant in Trinity Road, Llanelli. The evening starts at 7pm and will feature a raffle. Tickets, price £12, are available from Robert Lloyd, email rlloydpr@btinternet.com or telephone 07777 683637.

Last year’s Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council has raised £14,000 for his two chosen charities. Cllr Terry Davies has shared the money raised between the Teenage Cancer Trust and the British Heart Foundation. The sum comes from a range of events including the proceeds from the Chair’s Charity Evening held at the Ashburnham, Pembrey, last November, which raised £2,830, and taking part in the Walrus Dip on Boxing Day in Pembrey, which raised £1,112. Cllr Terry Davies said: “There are so many worthwhile charities out there and I picked the British Heart Foundation because I had a quadruple heart bypass several years ago in Morriston, and the Teenage Cancer Trust because I have worked with youth clubs for the last 35 years. “When I started my year as Chair, taking the recession into account I would have been happy to raise £5-6,000, but the money has flooded in and I’m delighted to be able to share such a substantial sum between the two charities.”

Volunteers who help patients and staff at hospitals in Ceredigion have been thanked. As part of the 30th Anniversary celebrations of National Volunteers Week, volunteers from the university health board’s Volunteering for Health project and from League of Friends attended a special event hosted by Vice-Chair Sian-Marie James. The League of Friends of Bronglais Hospital and Community and the League of Friends of Tregaron Hospital received a Chairman’s certificate of commendation for the invaluable support of their fundraising activities over a number of years which has helped to improve patient services and experiences. Cardigan Hospital and Community League of Friends will also receive the Certificate of Commendation but were unable to attend the presentation. The Chairman of Hywel Dda University Health Board, usually awards commendations to staff who work above and beyond their call of duty to help to improve services. This is the first time that anyone other than a staff memb...