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

A Llanelli community has come together to regenerate an area blighted by vandalism and flytipping. Working with Communities First Glanymor and Tyisha, residents of Penymorfa are creating a community garden, play and events area suitable for people of all ages. To make their vision a reality, Communities First officers secured £50,000 of funding from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Local Environmental Quality Fund, and a further £8,110 from its Tidy Towns initiative. Work is now well underway, and locals have been keen to get their hands dirty to help out. Faye Davies, Communities First development officer, said: “Work is now underway on-site with Sylvan Landscapes, the New Deal Environmental Task Force and local young people all involved. “Children from the nearby Jelli Totz Nursery are also involved by growing flowers from seeds to plant in the community garden. “Foothold Green Network has been appointed to project manage the planning and landscape elements, and we hope to be ready by...

Wendy Xerri, has been appointed Director of Knowledge and Information at Trinity University College. Mrs Xerri, who joins the Senior Management Team, will be responsible for directing strategic and operational leadership in relation to information services and associated technical support functions essential to the effective management of data and the development and dissemination of knowledge and scholarship at Trinity and the University of Wales Lampeter, as both universities prepare to become the University of Wales Trinity Saint David later this year. She joins Trinity from the International Baccalaureate’s offices in Cardiff where she was the Global Chief Information Officer and IT Director for 5 years having previously been the IT Manager for S4C for 15 years. A graduate of the University of Glamorgan, Wendy is married with three children, Eirian, Tomos and Joshua. Wendy says “Joining Trinity has felt like coming home. Being a part of a community and joining a sector that has dev...

In the last 20 days this site has hits from countries around the world. The league table is - United Kingdom (GB) 198 United States (US) 15 France (FR) 2 United Arab Emirates (AE) 2 Croatia (HR) 1 Germany (DE) 1 Denmark (DK) 1 Hungary (HU) 1 Israel (IL) 1 Singapore (SG) 1 India (IN) 1 Pakistan (PK) 1 Egypt (EG) 1 New Zealand (NZ) 1

There should be a spotlight on the Carmarthen Journal's 200th anniversary on Wedi7 on S4C this evening. See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/carmarthen-journals-200th-birthday.html

Trainers with Welsh connections in action today - Peter Bowen 16:20 Huntingdon Dunbrody House S E Durack Rebecca Curtis 18:10 Kempton Happy Fleet Dane O'Neill 18:40 Kempton Stellar Cause (USA) Dane O'Neill David Evans 14:30 Lingfield Clear Sailing P Doe 15:00 Lingfield Rapid City P Doe 16:00 Lingfield Goodbye Cash (IRE) P Doe 16:30 Lingfield Straight Face (IRE) Kevin Lundie 18:40 Kempton Jordan's Light (USA) P Doe 19:10 Kempton Transfixed (IRE) Richard Evans Evan Williams 13:40 Musselburgh Timoca (IRE) Paul Moloney 15:10 Musselburgh The Snail Paul Moloney

The Llanelli Reds Under 19s produced another fine performance at Stebonheath last night when they beat Haverfordwest Count by 4 goals to 0. The Reds goalscorers were Rikki Evans (2) and Kieran Hayes (2). The Under 19s next game is on Sunday when they play Afan Lido at Stebo in the 3rd Round of the FAW Youth Cup. (KO 2pm)

Five records were broken at the recent Pembrokeshire County Swimming Long Distance Championships at Pembroke Leisure Centre. A total of 45 swimmers took part in the Championships, from Haverfordwest Seals, Milford Haven Tigers, Pembroke & District, Tenby Dolphins, and the Fishguard Flyers. They swam long-distance events of 800m and 1500m, with some very good times produced by those swimmers who had never competed in the events before. Swimming development coach Paul Dowey thanked the organiser Ann Adams and everyone who helped out at the Championships. "Although a lot of swimmers were affected by colds and illness, we were very pleased with the results with five records broken and two standard times set," he said.

Have scribbled some words for the Carmarthen Journal. The newspaper celebrates its 200th birthday this spring. Robert Lloyd was editor of the Carmarthen Journal from April 2006 to October 2008. During his stint in the editor’s chair, he was also the editor of the Llanelli Star. He started his career in journalism as a cub reporter on the Journal in 1977. Lloyd, 51, now runs his own media consultancy business, a web site at www.rlloydpr.co.uk and a blog at http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com “If I were a father and had a daughter who was seduced, I should not despair over her; I would hope for her salvation. But if I had a son who became a journalist, and continued to be one for five years, I would give him up.” The quote is from the 19th century Danish philosopher, theologian, and psychologist Søren Kierkegaard. I thank my lucky stars that my dad was no great fan of minor Danish philosophers. His ‘philosophical’ approach to careers was -“Find a job you like and go out there and get it.” For...

"The nation is in the grip of the most widespread and inexplicable dancing mania in at least 400 years. Let's demote dancing from the position it's managed to occupy, back to the 'very occasionally and only when drunk' box where it belongs" - Mark Watson, stand-up comedian and novelist.

Kids TV hosts Anna Williamson and Jamie Rickers said they were questioned by police under anti-terrorism powers - for carrying glittery hairdryers. The pair, who front ITV1's hit show Toonattik, were filming a skit for the programme on London's South Bank, wearing combat gear and armed with children's walkie-talkies and hairdryers. Their fake fatigues aroused the suspicions of patrolling police, who stopped them and took down their particulars.

Croft to lead Pontarddulais challenge Nice to see Crofty back on the local scene.

Carmarthenshire's Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) are no longer accepting blue bags. Temporary arrangements were made for blue bags to be taken at the HWRCs following the disruption to refuse/recycling collections during the bad weather. However, collections have now returned to normal and there is no longer the need for the ‘blue bag’ skips. For further information or to find out if it is a blue or black bag collection week in your area visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 224913.

BBC News - Farmers welcome move on sheep meat 'smokies' Good news on smokies.

Llanelli team lost to Gower and Llwchwr in semi-final of Rotary District quiz. Well beaten, but what nasty questions! See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/rotary-quiz-night-tonight.html

Ebbw Vale v Llanelli on... at Tredegar (From South Wales Argus)

It's round two of the Rotary District quiz this evening. The Llanelli team includes yours truly, so wish me luck. The battle venue is Gower Golf Club.

Trinity University College’s School of Sport, Health and Outdoor Education continues to develop its reputation as one of the leading and most innovative and specialist academic schools within its field in Wales. The School has been successful in winning a Teaching Fellowship through the Centre for Welsh Medium Higher Education for Outdoor Education. The Carmarthen University has identified Outdoor Education as a priority area for development, and over the past few years, it has seen an increase in the numbers of Welsh medium students enrolling onto degree programmes within the School of Sport, Health and Outdoor Education. In response to the increase, the School has been developing its provision through the medium of Welsh. “Already, there is an opportunity for students to study bilingual modules” said the Head of the School. "And when we appoint the Fellow later this year we will be in a position to develop Welsh medium modules as part of the BA in Outdoor Education by September ...

Welsh interest at the races today. The following trainers with Welsh connections have runners - Peter Bowen 16:00 Sedgefield Saintly Lady (IRE) S E Durack Rebecca Curtis 14:10 Leicester Rince Donn (IRE) Danny Burton 15:50 Southwell Apache Moon A Culhane David Evans 14:20 Southwell Bestowed A Heffernan 14:50 Southwell Aeroplane Richard Evans 15:20 Southwell I'm In The Pink (FR) P Hanagan Tim Vaughan 13:40 Leicester Holoko Heights R Johnson 14:40 Leicester Our Guardian Angel (IRE) R Johnson 16:10 Leicester Guitar Rory (IRE) Dean Coleman 16:10 Leicester Stoneriggs Merc (IRE) R Johnson

The Reds produced a dramatic second half comeback as they beat Bangor City by 3 goals to 2 at Stebonheath Park at the weekend. The Reds trailed at half time as Bangor were the better side in the first half and scored with goals from Mark Smyth (15) and a Chris Sharp penalty (27). It was a different Reds side in the second period and an early Chris Venables goal (48) set the scene for an incredible second half. Rhys Griffiths equalised (69) and then scored the winner in stoppage time (90+3).

The Llanelli Reds Under 18s produced a master class of football at Stebonheath Park on Sunday as they thrashed Bridgend Town Under 18s by 7 goals to 1 in a South Wales FA Youth League fixture. The Reds scorers were Gethin Davies (3), Kris Corbisiero (2) Liam Samuel and Nathan Jones. This was an excellent display from the Under 18s who hadn't played since their 5-0 win in the League Cup against the same oppostion on December 6.

‘Supplier to Buyer' - a crucial event for anyone involved in the tourism industry, leisure and hospitality in South-West Wales - is being held at Haverfordwest on February 3. The regional tourism trade event aims to provide an exciting chance to discover new products and marketing opportunities, and be inspired by innovative ideas. Alison Belton, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Tourism, said the visitor economy is worth over £500m to Pembrokeshire alone, and much more to the region of South West Wales. "From food producers, web designers, interior decorators, retailers and others, they all benefit from a vibrant tourism industry," she said. "The event will bring all involved in tourism, hospitality and leisure under one roof - an opportunity for Suppliers to get to know their Buyers - the trade." She added: "We are delighted to join with Pembrokeshire County Council's Food Team in bringing together this spectacular regional trade event. I would say ...

Young football fans can take to the pitch in Pembrokeshire this winter. Sport Pembrokeshire - Pembrokeshire County Council's sports development arm - is hosting a series of fun football sessions in Haverfordwest. The Saturday morning sessions aim to encourage youngsters of whatever ability to take to the pitch and start kicking! Open to boys and girls between five and 11, the sessions will be run by qualified coaches and held on the astro turf pitch at Sir Thomas Picton Sports Centre. Councillor Rob Lewis, Cabinet Member for Sport and Leisure, said the sessions were part of Sport Pembrokeshire's Fun Football Scheme, which aimed to encourage youngsters to play and enjoy football - particularly those who don't already play for a team. "Winning youngsters over to sport and club-based activity encourages healthy exercise and good habits from an early age," he said. The Fun Football scheme is sponsored by Chevron with additional funding from the Sports Council for Wale...

The plight of the honey bee has been highlighted by Pembrokeshire County Council. Honey bee populations in Britain have declined at an alarming rate over the past decade with a 39% decline in Welsh bee colonies in 2009. This week the Council's Environment and Overview scrutiny committee heard presentations about the situation from two leading bee experts. John Verran, Regional Bee Inspector for Wales and John Dudman, Secretary of the Pembrokeshire Beekeepers Association told members about the drastic decline in honey bee colonies, the causes and what authorities and bee keepers were trying to do about it. The meeting was attended by many local members of the Women's Institute, which has made the plight of the honey bee one of its national causes. Chairman of the Committee, Councillor Peter Stock said he was very concerned to hear about the decline. "This is a very important issue and something which I believe as a Council we should take up," he said. "The Enviro...

"I'm 52, but I look 35, don't I?" - Tony Blair's former communications chief Alastair Campbell, in conversation with an interviewer. Yet again, who is Campbell kidding?

President Barack Obama declined to do jury duty after being summoned in Illinois. Mr Obama was listed to serve at the Bridgeview courthouse in suburban Chicago starting. With his first State of the Union speech set for tomorrow, he has a busy week ahead!

Local TV news consortiums will never make money, says Tinopolis owner | Media | guardian.co.uk Ron Jones on local TV.

BBC News - New venue and date for Lostprophets gig

NFU Cymru elects new president - 25/01/2010 - Farmers Weekly

Late flurry sees Quins edge tough derby clash

Three deaths in three months on railway line near Carmarthen

Carmarthenshire councillors have said they are minded to approve the details of plans for 205 apartments and houses at Machynys West in Llanelli. But permission for the development by Charles Church Wales cannot be released until the Welsh Assembly Government lifts a stop notice. A meeting of the planning committee discussed the application in the heart of Llanelli Waterside on the southern edge of Llanelli to the south east of the town centre. The reserved matters application sought permission for the construction of 205 residential apartments and dwellings with associated access and landscaping. The plans involve a mixture of 124 two, three and four bedroom houses, including 21 affordable units, together with a further 81 apartments. An environmental impact assessment has been carried out and an environmental statement prepared. The key issues include water quality in the Loughor Estuary, and foul and surface water disposal. The data analysis indicates that the water quality in the E...

Councillors in Carmarthenshire have carried out a thorough investigation into poverty in the county. The move by the county council’s social justice scrutiny committee was sparked by the credit crunch and global recession. Council officers and councillors have worked closely with the voluntary sector and faith groups and the National Energy Association Cymru on issues such as fuel poverty. The scrutiny committee will meet to discuss its task and finish group’s Review of Poverty in Carmarthenshire. Research shows that areas in Llanelli such as Glanymor, Bigyn, Tyisha, Llwynhendy and Lliedi are some of the most deprived in the whole of Wales. These communities have been identified as Communities First areas, which are specifically targeted with funding from the Welsh Assembly Government, but there is poverty and social exclusion in more prosperous areas and in rural areas. Parts of Carmarthen Town are also amongst the most deprived in the county. A Helping Hand information fair was held ...

Carmarthenshire’s planning committee has decided to take a look at the site of plans for 28 houses in Glanamman. A meeting of the committee voted to have a site visit at Cwmamman Road where Helen Cresci has submitted an outline planning application to build homes. The scheme would be subject to Section 106 agreements to provide community benefits and affordable housing.

Plans for a children’s adventure play area in Ammanford have been given the go ahead. Go and Play applied to the county council for planning permission for a change of use of land behind the Alan Payne factory off Pantyffynnon Road from agriculture to community use including 44 allotments and the play area. An officers’ report to a meeting of the planning committee said that Communities First would be responsible for the site. It had been allocated for employment use but as the Alan Payne land had been freed for such use after the demolition of the factory it was acceptable for the other land to be put to community use. “A key theme running through the relevant policies for such an application is that the site should be sustainable and be easily accessible by walking, cycling or public transport. The proposed application does this, whilst not promoting car use at all. “It utilises a space that is to be used for the benefit of the community in a sustainable manner, extending the facilit...

Plans for improvements to Tycroes Village Hall have been approved by Carmarthenshire councillors. The scheme involves demolishing the rear kitchen and steps and building a two storey rear extension to provide a new kitchen, disabled toilet, baby changing facilities and multi-use rooms at the hall in Ammanford Road. Local member Cllr Dewi Enoch submitted the application on behalf of the Tycroes Village Hall Committee and has indicated that the proposal will provide extra facilities for the numerous groups in the community who use the hall. Llanedi Rural Council said it supported the application. An officers’ report to Tuesday’s meeting of the county council’s planning committee said: “Although the village hall provides a much needed community facility for residents and a number of local organisations, its present state means that the facilities on offer are of a somewhat sub-standard nature. “The current proposal seeks to improve the general quality and level of facilities available wit...

Affordable housing will be part of a housing development approved in St Clears. Carmarthenshire County Council’s planning committee approved changes to a plans for housing at Ostrey Hill, Llangynin, to allow 34 detached and semi detached houses instead of 24 detached houses on the central part of the site. There was already planning permission for 50 houses over the whole site. The development will not be allowed to start until Section 106 agreements or Unilateral Undertakings have been signed to provide contributions towards public open space and education, and to provide three affordable houses. The houses cannot be occupied until Welsh Water has carried out upgrading of public sewerage system and the waste water treatment works.

An Ammanford landlord has been fined £2,000 for failing to carry out improvements ordered to a house of multiple occupation. Carmarthenshire County Council brought a prosecution against Balasubramanian Pulendrathasan and he was convicted at Llanelli Magistrates Court in his absence of an offence contrary to Section 30 of the Housing Act 2004. The court was told that in March 2009 following complaints from the tenants, a council environmental health practitioner visited a house in Dyffryn Road, Ammanford, owned and managed by Pulendrathasan to carry out a full inspection. He was asked to attend but did not. A full assessment was undertaken under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and several defects and hazards were identified that would pose a significant risk to the health, safety or well being of the tenants. Pulendrathasan was served with an improvement notice under Section 11 of The Housing Act and was given specific time scales to comply with works outlined on the...

A Hendy man has been fined for selling counterfeit clothing from an internet auction site on eBay. Dale Alan Davies appeared before Llanelli Magistrates Court last week when he pleaded guilty to two offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994. Robert Edgecombe, prosecuting for Carmarthenshire County Council, said the matter had come to light as a result of eBay monitoring and test purchases made from Davies. The clothes were subsequently examined and proved to be counterfeit copies of the genuine articles. Alan Jenkins, for 43-year-old Davies, said that he honestly believed that the goods he was buying and selling on e-bay were genuine products but he accepted in hindsight that was not a reasonable belief given the information in his possession. He accepted that he should have made further enquiries. Davies, of Llwyn Bedw Road, Hendy, was fined £320 and ordered to pay costs of £750 to the authority. All offending items of counterfeit clothing were made the subject of a confiscation order....

BBC News - AMs call for urgent upgrade of Welsh rail network As a regular user, upgrades can't come too soon.

BBC News - Final farewell for rugby legend Bill McLaren How sad. He was a legend.

Not much happening with Welsh interest at the races today. The following trainers with Welsh connections have runners - Ian Williams 17:10 Wolverhampton Hannicean S Donohoe Evan Williams 13:35 Fontwell Son of Flicka Paul Moloney 16:30 Fontwell Lucaindubai (IRE) Paul Moloney David Evans 14:55 Wolverhampton Climate (IRE) P Doe

Am enjoying checking out my visitor cluster map on the right hand side of this blog. Check it out on - http://www3.clustrmaps.com/counter/maps.php?url=http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com

"To draw wider conclusions from one heinous and hideous crime is dangerous, irresponsible and dishonest" - Ed Balls, Children's Secretary, criticises David Cameron for linking the Edlington torture case to "broken" Britain.

Research to see if sat navs can cause car crashes is to be carried out by university academics. The study will include drivers carrying out computer-based tasks that mimic the demands imposed by a typical in-car navigation system. A team from Lancaster University and psychologists from Royal Holloway, University of London, will be involved in the project.

A new residential development in St Clears will include affordable housing. Carmarthenshire County Council’s planning committee has approved outline plans for housing on land behind Britannia Terrace, Tenby Road, St Clears. An officers’ report to the committee said that the approval of the scheme was subject to agreements that a quarter of the houses built should be affordable housing, and that public open space is provided on the site.

Carmarthenshire councillors have agreed to changes that will make it easier for affordable homes built under planning agreements to be sold to Registered Social Landlords for renting. A meeting of the county council’s planning committee agreed to revise the system of Section 106 planning agreements signed with developers. The standard 106 Agreement dealing with the provision of affordable housing will be amended so as to permit greater flexibility with regard to the sale of land or affordable homes to Registered Social Landlords in appropriate circumstances. The aim is to increase the provision of affordable housing and to safeguard existing and future developments of a mix of open market and affordable housing. In July 2007 the Executive Board gave approval for 106 Agreements to be imposed on all suitable developments to secure an appropriate level of affordable housing, together with other contributions for education and open space provision. The agreement is designed to ensure that ...

Three Carmarthenshire Twinning Associations are among the top 10 projects in the UK to receive funding from the Europe for Citizens programme. Ammanford, Llandybie and St Clears Twinning Associations are three out of only 10 projects that have been supported in the UK. The funding has been awarded from the EU funding programme “Europe for Citizens” - a very competitive programme with 135 projects funded across the EU – and will be used to host the visit of their twinned towns during 2010. Ammanford, Llandybie and St Clears are twinned with the French towns of Breuillet, Ploneour and Peillac respectively, and each Association has prepared a full programme of activities for the visit of their twinned towns. The three associations are members of the Carmarthenshire Twinning Forum, which was established to provide support to the County’s Twinning Associations. Lorena Prist, European Networking Officer at the West Wales European Centre, said: “For Carmarthenshire to be granted funding for ...

Fans of Amman United may soon be able to watch their beloved rugby team in more comfortable surroundings, thanks in part to the County Collaboration Fund. The Club has been granted £25,000 from the fund - a pool of money provided by Carmarthenshire County Council, Waste Recycling Environmental (WREN), CWM Environmental and the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. The county council’s leisure department has provided a further £20,000 to the club, which has ambitious plans to transform the club. The club has also received match-funding from the WRU and Cwmamman Town Council. Lyn Roberts, Honorary Secretary of Amman United RFC, said: “This funding will enable us to start phase one of our very ambitious project which will be a great asset to our community. “The overall project will transform the park in to a centre, providing the very best training and playing facilities for rugby, with internal facilities available to other sports and community organisations. “We hope to include a shop, cafe, g...

Carmarthenshire Youth Service in partnership with the 3Ts Youth Forum is holding a Carms Stars 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. The competition is open to soloists, bands and choirs as well as any unique talents! A £200 prize is up for grabs for the winner. 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 it’s going to be a fantastic experience for everyone involved. We have a lot of talented young people in the Carmarthenshire and we’d like to encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity.” Prelim Dates: February 24 - Pantycelyn School March 3 – Glanalla Hall Llanelli March 15 – Amman Valley School March 10 – Emlyn School March 19 – QE High Finals: March 26 – St. Peter’s Hall Carmarthen For further information, please call 01267 228208 or e-mail FBeale@carmarthen...

Back at my desk after birthday celebration(s)! Phone, email and blog now active again.