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

"I'm kind of comfortable with getting older because it's better than the other option, which is being dead" - Hollywood star George Clooney.

Police arrested a drug user after they spotted him wandering around with a small plastic bag of marijuana stuck to his forehead. Cesar Lopez was looking inside his baseball cap for the drug at a convenience store in Pennsylvania unaware of where it had ended up. The officer peeled the bag off Lopez's forehead and placed him under arrest. What a plonker!

Back in Llanelli after a couple of days in North Wales - following coach and horses at The Grapes in Maentwrog and a business pow-wow at tranquil Tynycornel on Talyllyn. What a fab setting!

Plans for a Lidl neighbourhood foodstore in Ammanford have been given the go ahead. Carmarthenshire County Council planners last week granted the application on condition that the company makes a contribution of £10,000 towards the future of the town centre. The site of the planned Lidl store is the former coal yard and council storage yard at Foundry Road. An officers’ report to the planning committee recommended approving the scheme because its impact on the highway network would be acceptable and it would be accessible to alternative transport to cars. The planning permission is subject to the condition that Lidl should make a contribution of £10,000 to ensure that the vitality and viability of the town centre is maintained. The money is to be used within the Ammanford Town Council area within 10 years of the contribution being received.

Carmarthenshire Youth Service, in partnership with the 3Ts Youth Forum, is holding a Carmarthenshire’s Got Talent Event for all young people between the ages of 11-25. This is an opportunity for young people to get exposure and to show off their talents to members of the public. The competition is open to soloists, bands and choirs as well as any quirky talents young people may want to present. A £200 prize is up for grabs for the winner and prizes for runner-ups. Sioned Evans, 3Ts Youth forum member said: “This is the first time for us to hold an event like this for young people in the County and we’re confident that it’s going to be a fantastic experience for everyone involved. “We are looking forward to seeing what young people have to offer but above all we’re looking forward to having a good time and giving young people the opportunity to shine. “I know we have a lot of talented young people in the County and we’d like to encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity.” Prel...

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Mi welais Jac y Do are the most popular nursery rhymes in Carmarthenshire. Young children across the county picked their favourite rhymes through a Bookstart competition organised by Carmarthenshire County Council’s libraries. Eight young winners have now been presented with their prizes of £25 book vouchers each at the libraries in Carmarthen, Llanelli and Ammanford. The competition was run by Carmarthenshire’s Library Service to celebrate the 10 years of Bookstart. Entrants had to choose their favourite nursery rhyme – either traditional or new and either Welsh or English. Top of the English nursery rhymes were Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, followed by Wheels on the Bus then Humpty Dumpty. Mi welais Jac y Do topped the Welsh poll, with Mynd ar y Ceffyl, Heno Heno and Gee Ceffyl Bach all tying for second place. A total of 25 nursery rhymes were voted for in English, and 11 in Welsh. Education executive board member Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge said: “We rece...

Italian golfers will be inspired to swap the Riviera for the Carmarthenshire coastline as they seek exciting new golf holiday destinations. Carmarthenshire is set to feature in the Spring edition of the popular Golf e Turismo (Golf and Tourism) magazine, as a leading UK destination for golfers looking for challenging links courses to try out their game. A features writer for the Milan-based magazine, Andrea Vercelli, has been shown around the county by tourism officers, and was impressed by the fantastic golfing facilities Carmarthenshire has to offer. His trip included a guided tour of Jack Nicklaus designed Machynys Peninsula Golf and Country Club at south Llanelli. The £3.5million links championship course offers golfers of all handicaps a challenge, with up to five tees at each hole and 25 acres of salt and fresh water lakes. Mr Vercelli was also shown around the Ashburnham Golf Club at Pembrey, a demanding seaside course which has long been regarded as one of the best links course...

A Carmarthen youngster has been shortlisted for the Princes Trust Education Achiever Award. 16 year old Tom Davies was nominated by Youth Workers from the Carmarthen SMART project for his outstanding work, dedication and commitment on the Project. Tom was one of five young people across Wales to reach the short list of this prestigious Award. Carmarthen SMART Coordinator, Emily Evans said:“Tom is a true inspiration and he has really turned his life around. “Since being on the Project, Tom has overcome his barriers and has worked very hard to get to where he is today. Tom has been a pleasure to work with and I’m confident that he will reach all his goals in life.” Tom has now started his entry level course at Coleg Sir Gâr. The Carmarthen SMART project is delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Youth Service, under its Youth Access Programme. Its aim is to help young people between the ages of 14-16 to achieve success in a new learning environment as well as providing the opportun...

"If it were not for my cardiologist, urologist, ophthalmologist and chiropodist, I'd have no social life at all" - Comment by octogenarian overheard in 42nd Street, New York. At age 50, I am starting to appreciate where this comment comes from!

Newcastle Brown Ale will no longer be brewed on Tyneside, its makers said. Manufacture of the famous Geordie brand will switch to Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, Scottish & Newcastle (S&N) said. It wants to close the Federation Brewery, Dunston, Gateshead, with the loss of 63 jobs by the middle of next year, because of falling beer sales in the UK. The famous bottled beer, with its blue star label, first went on sale in 1927 and was brewed next to St James's Park football ground in Newcastle until 2005. Whatever next?

Needed my rest at the start of the week - after the big concert on Saturday night and Ffos Las racing on Sunday. Normal service about to resume . . .