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

A number of bridge strengthening schemes have been undertaken across Carmarthenshire this year. Works have been carried out to Felindre Bridge, near Dryslwyn; Rhydygaer Bridge, Llanpumsaint; and Glandwr Farm Bridge, Cynghordy in order to bring them up to standard. The council has a rigorous assessment programme to determine whether or not the county’s bridges are able to carry 40 tonne traffic loads as dictated by European legislation. A £148,000 scheme is being carried out at Felindre Bridge after a weight restriction of three tonnes was imposed. The existing two span bridge deck was strengthened by precast pre-stressed concrete bridge beams supported on the existing abutments and central pier. Work commenced in August and is almost complete. A three tonne weight restriction was also imposed on Rhydygaer Bridge following a structural assessment which found it to be sub-standard. A scheme was developed to replace the existing brick arch bridge by utilising precast concrete box culvert ...

Schoolchildren in Burry Port have won £100 worth of WHSmith vouchers in a community safety competition to raise awareness of shed burglaries. A campaign was launched by Carmarthenshire’s Community Safety Partnership to encourage residents to make sure their outbuildings such as sheds and garages were secure. Seed packets with crime prevention advice were sent to primary schools across the county asking all year 1 and 2 pupils to take them home to their parents. A competition was also held with the schools to grow the best flowers from the seeds provided. The partnership’s Burglary Action Group chose Ysgol Parc Y Tywyn in Burry Port as the winners with their blooming display. Community Safety Inspector Tony Ward said: “Garden sheds and garages can be a treasure trove for thieves with bikes, lawnmowers, tools and garden equipment running into thousands of pounds. “But reducing the risk of becoming a victim of this kind of crime is not difficult; there are a number of simple measures that...

Drilling ground works are taking place in Stepney Street in Llanelli town centre for the next three days. The works are being carried out outside the Oxfam shop by a private contractor. The council has been informed that the works will be fenced off from the public and pedestrians will have to use the opposite walkway. Any disruption to the public will be kept to a minimum as much as possible.

Morfa Youth Forum and Carmarthenshire Youth Service have received support from Communities First and The Prince’s Trust to set up a motor biking scrambling project. The project will educate young people on motorcycle maintenance and encourage safe, responsible off-road riding skills. Pupils from Strade and Coedcae schools are currently using the motorbike project at Pembrey Race Circuit as part of their Youth Achievement Awards and OCNs. Young people meet with Youth Service officer at Pembrey Race Circuit to practice safe riding. Carmarthenshire Youth Service is delighted with the support given by Pembrey Race Circuit and Circuit Director, Phil Davies, hopes to create a motor cross track of international standard to meet the need for an off road facility in South Wales. Dyfed Powys Police are very supportive of the initiative and hope young people will take advantage of the facility in Pembrey Race Circuit. A Dyfed Powys Police spokesman said:“This initiative is a good example of the p...

Carmarthenshire residents will have a chance to earn how to cut their fuel bills on Wednesday. The county council’s Home Improvement Team will be holding a joint energy awareness day with the Energy Savings Trust in Guildhall Square, Carmarthen, from 9.30am to 4pm both days. Free advice & energy saving devices will be on offer to help residents cut their fuel bills and make their homes more energy efficient. Mascot CHES the bear will be on hand to promote the service and to hand out free reusable shopping bags and energy saving bulbs.

Carmarthen Town have once again set the date for their Annual Celebrity Dinner to be held at the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, Carmarthen - Friday, May 14. The principal guest speaker for this year’s event will be Norman Whiteside the former Manchester United, Everton and Northern Ireland player who became the youngest player to score in the World Cup and in an FA Cup Final. The popularity of the event means that early reservation of tickets is advisable. The tickets priced at £26.50 can be purchased individually, in small numbers or by arranging a table of guests. Jeff Thomas emphasises that attendees will be helping a worthy cause while enjoying a splendid evening in the process. Tickets can be reserved by contacting Jeff Thomas, 55 Bronwydd Rd, Carmarthen SA31 2AP or by telephone (01267 236227) or E Mail jeffthomas@jeffthomas.plus.com

"When I was there it was a very dreary building, it reminded me of a Soviet psychiatric hospital with its bright red linoleum floors, very wide corridors and swing doors" - Norman Lamont, former Tory Chancellor, on the Treasury.

Cuba's government says it is facing a major mule deficit and has commissioned a census of the animals to determine how bad the problem is. Their numbers are unknown - hence the need for the census. But authorities said it may be facing a deficit of 8,000 in highlands areas alone. They praised the animals as "very important for the transportation of food in mountainous areas".

Carmarthenshire Youth Service will be well represented at the prestigious Youth Work in Wales Excellence Awards 2010 at the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff on March 18. The Awards Ceremony recognises and rewards the hard work, innovation, dedication and best practice shown by youth workers and projects that are making a real difference in the local community. Alison Owen-Yeates, Carmarthenshire Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Development Officer, Cerys Thomas, Outreach Youth Worker and officers from the SMART Projects have all been recognised for their outstanding contributions. Since Alison took up her role as the Carmarthenshire Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award Officer in June 2006, the Award has gone from strength to strength in the County. In 2008, more young people (504) achieved the DofE Award in Carmarthenshire than in any other Unitary Authority area in Wales and 10.4% of all Welsh DofE Awards were achieved in the County. Outreach Youth Worker Cerys Thomas, has been shortlisted for her work ...

Students from the Ammanford SMART project have successfully completed the Phoenix Fire Project with the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. The project gives offers a week of work experience with uniformed fire fighters, during which young people receive training identical to that of a newly recruited fire fighter. Students were acknowledged for their efforts during a passing out ceremony at Llanelli Fire Station on Friday February 12. The Mayor of Llanelli, John Jenkins was present along with Ammanford Police Officers and parents and relatives of the SMART students. Activities undertaken at the Phoenix Fire Project includes classroom based learning, health and safety, team building tasks, work experience, problem solving and equipment and skill-based work. Gareth Bennett, Ammanford SMART said:“The Phoenix Fire Project’s core objectives are to enable young people to experience being part of a team, to increase awareness of impacts of offending and anti-social behavior, to enhan...

A road closure is currently in place in the centre of Tenby. The closure affects Church Street and is part of the Tudor Square enhancement programme. The Pembrokeshire County Council scheme involves the construction - using high quality materials - of a new layout of the carriageway and footway within the Square. It has been necessary to close Church Street until next Friday (26th February) to carry out Welsh Water diversion works. It will also be closed from Tuesday, 2nd March to Tuesday, 16th March, to start on the enhancement works themselves. The road closures are necessary because the road in the region of the junction between Church Street and Tudor Square is too narrow to excavate half the carriageway and still maintain singleway traffic. Vehicles are being diverted clockwise via St. George's Street, Upper Frog Street, White Lion Street, High Street and Tudor Square. Vehicles are also being diverted anti-clockwise via Tudor Square, High Street, White Lion Street, South Parad...

The Grapes Hotel in the picturesque village of Maentwrog, in the Vale of Ffestiniog, is celebrating a four-star success story. The 17th century Grade II listed inn - a major destination for food lovers from Mid and North Wales and further afield – has had its four-star rating by Visit Wales confirmed once again. And it has three other landmark achievements – • It has been given a place in the Good Beer Guide for 2010. • It has been awarded an entry in the Good Pub Guide 2010. • And, earlier this month, The Grapes was featured on the popular Radio Cymru food and drink show, Blas (Taste). “It’s been a brilliant start to the year,” general manager Andrew Roberts Evans said. “The Good Beer Guide and the Good Pub Guide are very prestigious guides and we are delighted to be featured in the publications. “We were also delighted to have Nia Mair from the Blas programme here. They were most interested in what we call our signature dish, our spare ribs. I think it’s fair to say we are famous for...

Barack Obama, Colleen Nolan and Paul O’Grady are among dozens of famous faces bringing people through the doors of Carmarthenshire libraries. Celebrity autobiographies are always in demand and this year’s crop is already attracting dozens of readers. Most popular is the American president, along with Colleen of Loose Women fame and popular entertainer O’Grady. Books on the late great Ray Gravelle remain popular, as do the winners of last year’s Llanelli Community Reads campaign Roy Davies and Ray Evans. Ant and Dec, Dawn French, Roger Moore, Peter Kay and Michael Palin are all in demand, along with sports stars such as Nigel Owen and Shane Williams, songstress Katherine Jenkins and radio DJ Chris Needs. Hundreds of thousands of visits are made to Carmarthenshire libraries, run by the county council, every year. Education executive board member Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge said: “We have a wide range of stock in our libraries with the latest books available, including the celebrity autobiogra...

Beaches in Carmarthenshire were used for D-Day landing rehearsals during the Second World War, historians have discovered. The county was host to thousands of British and American troops as they prepared for D-Day. The remains of ‘dragon’s teeth’ and other defences can still be seen at Morfa Bychan beach, used for practising for the landing. It was part of the county’s role in World War II which is now being marked by a special trail. Sites of importance are marked by plaques, and a leaflet and booklet give more information about Carmarthenshire’s role during the war. Research for the trail was carried out on behalf of the County Council’s Museum Service by Paul Sambrook and Jenny Hall of Trysor. They discovered a wealth of information about Carmarthenshire at war and the experiences of its people, with a picture emerging that showed how the whole county played a vital part in the war effort. Newton House (Dinefwr Park) was a British Hospital and later a prisoner of war camp. German an...

Dozens of youngsters at Tregib school in Carmarthenshire have taken up hockey through a new after school club. 'Clwb Hoci Teigrod Tywi' was made official in September through the support of parents and the county council’s Sports Development team. Players of the school’s 5X60 club, a Welsh Assembly Government initiative which encourages children to play sport for five hours per week, wanted to progress into playing in a competitive league environment. The after school club was set up to help them train, and since being established has seen a tremendous growth in membership. There are now over 50 members in the under-15, under-13 and under-11 age groups. New members are being sought for the under-11 category, and for boys at under-13. Training costs £2 per session and takes place on Thursdays from 5pm – 6pm for boys; and from 6pm – 7pm for girls. The first practice back after the Christmas break will be Thursday January 7. Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member fo...

"My digestive system doesn't tolerate alcohol as much, so I have more dry days than wet days now. Bette Davis said old age is for cissies, and I have to agree" - Victor Meldrew actor Richard Wilson on ageing.

For the mono-lingual English tourist who has mistakenly ordered a steaming bowl of sour cow lung in a German restaurant, Google has the answer. The search giant has unveiled its latest piece of technology, an application which lets a diner snap a foreign menu on their smartphone for an instant translation into English. Currently Google's early prototype can only translate German to English; so where it will save the unsuspecting tourist in Bavaria from a slice of gefullter Saumagen (stuffed sow's stomach), the green-faced vegetarian in Paris will be left prodding his plate of pieds de cochon (pig's trotters).

Work has started on a £3.5million scheme for Halfway School in Llanelli. It will be delivered in three phases and is due for completion in December, 2010. Phase 1 involves developing a temporary staff car park, mobile classrooms and office facilities. The existing 1910 building will be remodelled in phase 2, along with the building of a new extension which will house a school hall and kitchen facilities. New improved vehicular access, car parking facilities and a key stage two playground area will also be carried out. Phase three will involve the removal of temporary mobiles, the demolition of the canteen and the construction of new key stage one and early years playground areas. The investment is part of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Modernising Education Provision programme. To date, almost £70million has been spent on new buildings and schools improvements throughout the county. In the Llanelli area, new schools have opened at Bryn and Bryn Teg; Swiss Valley and Llannon have had ...

Tregib and Pantycelyn schools in Carmarthenshire are working more closely together through new governance arrangements. Tregib headteacher Julie Griffiths has recently taken over as acting headteacher for Pantycelyn, and the two governing bodies are working in partnership. The move is expected to deliver benefits to students at both schools. Ken Griffiths, Chair of Tre-Gib governors, said: “The closer collaboration between the two schools which this change will facilitate is a positive step towards delivery of the broad based curriculum which our young people deserve and Welsh Assembly Government policy expects.” Pantycelyn Chair of Governors David Dyer said: “The road has been long and winding but I'm pleased to say that the whole community now see the necessity of developing the educational opportunities available to our children."

County council executive board members in Carmarthenshire have spoken of their concerns about internet gambling. Councillors said they had heard horror stories about people finding themselves thousands of pounds in debt after signing on to a gambling website. Council Leader Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “These sites tempt people to join with the promise of free bets or matching their initial stake. “But before they know it, their money is lost and they have to keep putting more and more in to keep betting and try to win their money back.” Cllr Haydn Jones said: “Internet and television are big parts of the gambling scene, people should be advised about the dangers of this.” The executive board discussed the issue as part of a debate on the county council’s gambling policy which went before them this week. Consultation has been taking place as part of a review on the policy, which has to be carried out every three years. Members were told that online gambling was not part of the council’s po...

Soldier lands race for Scarlets ace Regan King's horse wins. Bet he had a pound on!

Former Llanelli Reds Manager Peter Nicholas has joined the coaching staff at Neath Athletic. Peter will assist current manager Andy Dyer in the quest to halt a recent run of poor results. Meanwhile, Reds striker Craig Moses has been selected for the Wales Semi Professional Squad to play in Portugal next month. Reds players,Craig Jones, Jordan Follows and Ryan Batley are on standby. Manager Terry Boyle has named two new faces in his International Challenge Trophy squad for the away game in Portugal. TNS striker Alex Darlington is rewarded for a fine run of form in the Principality Welsh Premier and former TNS academy product Rob Williams also links up with the squad, having impressed with Conference club Altrincham this year. The 6'5" defender was released by the Saints at the end of last season, after limited opportunities at Park Hall, which included two loan spells at Caersws and Newtown. Lee Surman returns to the squad after injury kept him out of November's internation...

An innovative project piloted in Ferryside to tackle climate change has been hailed a success. Byw Sir Gâr/Living Carmarthenshire was an intensive campaign carried out over a month, and involved around 300 residents. A local steering group was set up to drive the project forward in partnership with the county council and Local Service Board. The aim was to raise awareness of climate change and help residents take steps to reduce their carbon footprint. Activities involved an ecological footprint survey, events, schools activities, the Age of Stupid film screening and a household challenge. Community-wide activities included a high-profile launch, an exhibition, renewable energy workshops, fuel poverty event, biodiversity walk, travel training, waste amnesty, local produce market, and coffee mornings. The school was also involved and gave a presentation at the launch, held a walk to school activity during transport week week, took part in an eco footprint workshop and had a visit from ...

WalesOnline - Lifestyle - Arts - BBC commissions new Grav sculpture Another great tribute to the late great Ray Gravell.

First visitor from Romania on this blog today. Latest visitors, by country, include the following - United Kingdom (GB) 572 United States (US) 108 Europe (EU) 11 India (IN) 5 Germany (DE) 4 United Arab Emirates (AE) 4 France (FR) 4 Australia (AU) 4 Croatia (HR) 2 Belgium (BE) 2 New Zealand (NZ) 2 Bulgaria (BG) 2 Netherlands (NL) 2 Malaysia (MY) 2 Philippines (PH) 2 Hungary (HU) 1 Norway (NO) 1 Sweden (SE) 1 Czech Republic (CZ) 1 Ireland (IE) 1 Denmark (DK) 1 Austria (AT) 1 Portugal (PT) 1 Egypt (EG) 1 Qatar (QA) 1 Pakistan (PK) 1 Singapore (SG) 1 Bahrain (BH) 1 Israel (IL) 1 Canada (CA) 1 Spain (ES) 1 Italy (IT) 1 Tunisia (TN) 1 Romania (RO) 1

This blog is continuing to pick up a momentum. It's now hit the 5000 page views mark. That's a 1000 views since February 4. Keep the hits coming, folks! Many thanks. See earlier blog - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/4000-chalked-up-for-this-blog.html

When a vicious murderer strikes several times in Tiger Bay in 1910, the local community is up in arms. As the frantic hunt for the murderer intensifies, so also does the pressure by local residents on the authorities to find the culprit at once – whatever the cost. Following the much acclaimed production of the musical Clymau which was on tour in 2009, the School of Theatr, Cerdd a’r Cyfryngau at Trinity University College are proud to present the latest artistic collaboration between Ceri Elen and Eilir Owen Griffiths (who is also one of the School’s music tutors). Whilst Clymau was based on the play Siwan by Saunders Lewis, Heb ei Fai... is based on an original story, even though the themes of love, responsibility and the pressure of social expectations permeate both works. “The show’s themes are bang up to date”, claims director Iestyn Llwyd (Head of the School of Theatr, Cerdd a’r Cyfryngau), “the way the power of the Press and the Media can stir up social hysteria through their us...

A great-great-grandmother from Clynderwen celebrated her 106th birthday in style. Bessie Phillips spent her day receiving visits from friends and family as well as an official birthday card - her 3rd - from the Queen. She received a visit from the Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Anne Hughes, who presented her with a floral arrangement. Mrs Phillips also enjoyed a display of 106 lanterns after dusk fell by local well-wishers, who each paid £5 and gave the money to Mrs Phillips. It is understood Mrs Phillips wishes to donate the money to Cancer Research. A former tailoress, Mrs Phillips was born and brought up in Clynderwen and was married to the late Fred Phillips. The couple had two children, the late Ken Phillips, and Sadie, who also lives in Clynderwen. Mrs Phillips also has three grandsons and three great-grandchildren.

Organisers of a three-day national festival for students are to apply for a licence to hold the event at Pembrey Country Park. It follows a meeting of Carmarthenshire’s executive board when members agreed in principle to allow the application to proceed. The Beach Break Live event targets university students who have recently completed end of year exams, and offers a range of activities including sports, games, dance, arts and theatre alongside music, bars and food. It could attract up to 25,000 young people to the area and generate a substantial income for the Country Park. However, there are opposing views amongst the public with a number of concerns expressed by Burry Port and Pembrey Town Council, against an online petition of support signed by thousands of young people. The executive board determined that more information and facts were needed before a final decision could be taken, and that could best be done through the licensing process. Full consultation would also be carried ...

Carmarthenshire County Council has been given a clean bill of health by the Wales Audit Office. The external regulator has presented its Annual Report for 2008/09 on the way which the council discharges its responsibilities and manages public funds. The Relationship Managers Annual Audit Letter is an important external regulatory assessment of the council’s corporate management, improvement, performance management framework and financial arrangements. It also incorporates the Improvement Plan audit. Auditors found that: • The 2008-09 Statement of Accounts were prepared in accordance with statutory requirements and presented fairly the financial position and transactions. • The Improvement Plan for 2009-10 meets statutory requirements and provides a balanced view of its performance in 2008-09 which again shows general improvement. • The council has a robust performance management framework including risk assessment arrangements. • The assessment of the improvement agreements show that ...

Age Concern Sir Gar is training volunteers to help people claim the benefits they are entitled to. The scheme involves recruiting and training volunteer advisors to carry out home visits as part of a planned welfare rights and information outreach project. There will be an emphasis on attendance allowance but the project will also actively promote and aid applications for other welfare benefits including council tax benefit, as well as providing advice on other council tax discounts and exemptions. The project is being helped through a £20,000 grant from Carmarthenshire County Council, given from a Welsh Assembly Government funded scheme aimed at providing help for pensioners. Training on Council Tax and Housing Benefit has already been provided to the first intake of volunteers by staff from the council’s Revenue Services Unit. It is planned to provide regular outreach bases in Whitland and Newcastle Emlyn with smaller and more frequent surgeries being held in other areas. However, ...

Free offers are available to people who join Carmarthenshire libraries in March, April and May. They include ski sessions at Pembrey Ski Slope, either taster lessons for beginners or a free session for those who already ski; a free induction at Carmarthenshire Leisure Centre gyms for those who join and pay direct debit membership and free DVD hire. Free theatre vouchers of £25, £15, and £10 will be available in a monthly draw, all new members for the month will be entered into it and three lucky winners will receive the vouchers to be used at Carmarthenshire theatres. A free private ski lesson at Pembrey for a family of up to five people will also be offered in a monthly draw. The offers are part of a county council libraries campaign to encourage more people to sign up. Some 60,000 people are on the membership database already, and almost a million visits are made each year. Education executive board member Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge said: “These free offers will be available for three mo...

Almost £60million could be invested in schools in the Dinefwr area to improve accommodation and facilities for thousands of pupils. Progress is being made on the transformation of 14-19 education in the Amman, Gwendraeth and Tywi Valleys. The Welsh Assembly Government funded consultants to carry out detailed feasibility studies in the area. They looked at a number of sites and options before presenting their findings on recommended options. All current school sites, conditions of buildings and infrastructure were studied as part of the work, along with sites at a number of other locations. School governors and local county councillors have been informed of the findings of the feasibility study and the preferred sites for the schools in the Dinefwr area, which will reduce from five to three. One bilingual category 2B school will be established at Amman Valley with refurbishment of the existing school; a bilingual category 2B school will be built at a new location for Tregib and Pantycel...

Lovely break down in Cornwall. Stayed at Penzance, with old pals Dave and Sandra, who run the Woodstock Guest House. Central to town and close to the promenade. Enough breakfast fuel to last until 5pm! Visited Land's End, Mousehole, St Ives (spotted John le Carre in a cafe!), The Lizard, Falmouth and then the Eden project. Very impressive!

"What a knobhead" - Brits host Peter Kay on former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher who accepted an award in typically abrasive style.

The presence of too many fellow British tourists is turning travellers off visits to Spain as the country is "not foreign enough", it has been revealed. The number of English-themed bars in Spain is also a deterrent, a survey by online travel agent www.sunshine.co.uk found. Spain and its Canary Islands were among the five destinations which have seen the least growth in bookings of late.

BBC Sport - Rugby Union - Scarlets hooker Ken Owens ready to seize Wales chance Good news for local hero Ken Owens.

Just back from a fab three nights in Cornwall.Blog service will resume shortly!

Carmarthenshire's Community Safety Partnership (CSP) has agreed to investigate new ways of providing the county’s needle exchange scheme. A raft of improvements have recently been made to the scheme, which is a service required by each CSP in Wales, to improve return rates of used needles and the safety of both individuals and the community. These include the introduction of smaller packs (three needles instead of 10) to encourage clients to take only the equipment they require for their day’s use; targeted outreach work by drug agencies to hotspot areas; and a new ‘Don’t Touch – Tel’ campaign to encourage the safe removal of any discarded needles. At the same time, figures also show the number of needles being returned is improving – the return rate for the first quarter of this year (April-June) was 43 per cent compared with 30 per cent for the same period last year. Carmarthenshire’s return rate of 40 per cent for 2008/09 also compares favourably with neighbouring counties – Cer...

A Llanelli man has been fined for throwing litter out of the window of a minibus. Luke Llewellyn Flegg pleaded guilty to the offence contrary to Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Llanelli Magistrates Court. The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council. The court heard that on June 23 last year council enforcement officers were travelling along the Machynys link road in Llanelli when they saw a minibus which was towing a trailer full of garden waste. As they approached the vehicle they saw a male stand up and throw a takeaway food bag out of the window. The officers identified themselves and explained what they had seen and issued a fixed penalty notice for £75. However, Flegg, aged 20, of Dolau Road, Llanelli, failed to pay the fixed penalty notice within the specified time. As a result he was fined £100 by magistrates and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £200. Carmarthenshire County Council is determined to clean up the county and prosecute tho...

Youngsters from across the Amman Valley are being urged to pull on their football boots for a kick around this half-term. A five-a-side football tournament is being held at Amman Valley Leisure Centre on Thursday, February 18. Funded by Carmarthenshire’s Community Safety Partnership and organised by the council’s sports development section, police and Communities First in the area, the tournament is open to pupils from Year 7 to Year 10. The event is being advertised in local schools and youth clubs and if it is a success it could be repeated during other school holidays with a range of sports. The aim is to give youngsters something to do during the holidays; to attend an organised event and encourage them to keep active – with at least 60 minutes of physical activity five times a week. Community safety manager Kate Thomas said: “The partnership is delighted to fund this initiative. It is important to provide a range of organised activities for young people, particularly during the sc...

“I knew they wouldn’t leave me down” – words of Haulwen Wild, who has paid tribute to the Carmarthenshire County Council carers who battled their way through a foot of snow to care for her 93-year-old mother. “They were like snow angels, trudging miles through the snow to get to us,” she said. “I could hardly see my car out of the window, but I knew that they would get here. “Not once in 10 years have they let me down.” Mrs Wild’s mother Brenda Rees, of Brynamman, receives four visits a day from the authority’s domiciliary carers, who work in pairs to ensure she is comfortable and well. And even when they were knee-deep in snow, they made sure they made their calls to Mrs Rees - enlisting the help of husbands and family to drive them as far as possible, before continuing on foot. Mrs Wild added: “I could never cope without the carers that come every day to see to my mother. She thinks the world of them, and classes them as her family. It is wonderful to know that they will always be th...

"Airbrushing happens with everything now. People even airbrush their photos before they put them up on Facebook nowadays. It just happens. I feel the pressure like anybody else. All women do. As long as it isn't too dramatic, then that is part of the job now" - Singer Katherine Jenkins.

Airport security workers will play Cupid to passengers in the run-up to Valentine's Day with a code system to avoid uncovering engagement rings. Manchester Airport says romantic getaways were almost ruined in the past few years as security staff revealed the rings during routine searches. Travellers can whisper the secret phase "be my Valentine" so they can be taken away for a private search behind a screen.

BBC Sport - Rugby Union - Wales 31-24 Scotland Jaw-dropping stuff!