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

A free event to inspire businesses and organisations to use more environmentally sound methods in the workplace to increase profits has been arranged by the Dragon Innovation Partnership for next week. The Decrease Waste and Increase Profit event will be held at Technium Performance Engineering in Dafen, Llanelli on June 10th, and aims to help businesses beat the credit crunch, increase their profits and save the environment. Following a successful first event at Baglan last November and a few tweaks to the agenda, June’s event has already attracted a host of experienced speakers and supporting businesses including Jeremy Thorne from Pitstop Automotive, an award winning sustainable car wash, and Jenny Fox from Trysordy Treasure House, a social enterprise finding ways to make business waste profitable. Jan Morgan from Swansea University’s School of Environment and Society will run a workshop on Professional Practice for Sustainable Development, and Mark Blackmore, a sustainability exper...

A pioneering live webcast is being broadcast from the Urdd Eistedffod each day this week. “Soffia Siarad” provides an alternative perspective on the events, people, and activities on the Maes at Llanerchaeron during Europe’ largest youth festival. The news programme, a first for the Urdd, is created by students from Trinity University College and pupils from Cardigan and Dyffryn Teifi Secondary Schools in association with the University of Wales Lampeter’s Outside Broadcast Unit. Lord Dafydd Ellis Thomas (Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales) and Alun Ffred (Minister for Heritage) have been amongst the guests interviewed on Soffa Siarad this week, accompanied by footage of other events and comments from around the Maes. A daily news slot is provided by Golwg360. The training provided to the school pupils provides both cutting- edge technological skills, as well as transferable skills such as teamwork, working to deadlines, and active listening that are useful in the wor...

If Star readers are anything like me, then they love amazing facts. Recently, I have been researching the history of Jenkins the Bakers in Llanelli (they were featured in the Star last week, June 2, following their double award success). While learning more about a business which is due to celebrate its 90th anniversary, I came across the following snippets about the family firm – The business employs 70 people at its Trostre HQ, while the Jenkins shop network stretches from Carmarthen to Bridgend. There are 13 shops in Carmarthenshire and even one as far afield as Powys. The company employs 300 people, full and part-time, across 25 different stores in South Wales Jenkins the Bakers produce 50,000 corned beef pasties a week. The company serves 60,000 customers per week 7,500 custard slices are produced in a week. The business uses 15 tons of flour a week The flour silo at the Trostre HQ sees an 18-ton delivery every 10 days. Before anyone asks . . . Yes, I am a fan of their corned beef...

Having attended a meeting of the South Wales clubs (including Aberystwyth Town) who have qualified for the newly revamped Welsh Premier League, Carmarthen Town have reacted positively to the new proposal put forward on the evening. Town had initially hoped that the revival of the Premier Cup would be the ideal solution to the fixture conundrum but with that scenario not coming to fruition welcomed the new proposal. This involves the league being split into a top and bottom six after the initial 22 games but rather than the bottom six only battling to avoid relegation, the seventh placed team, after the final raft of games, would enter a play off situation with an European place at stake. * QUARTER-FINAL Sixth-placed club v Seventh-placed club (Match A) * SEMI-FINALS Third-placed club v Winner of Match A Fourth-placed club v Fifth-placed club * FINAL Winner of Semi-Final 1 v Winner of Semi Final 2 Home advantage in all ties goes to the team with...

The Llanelli Reds have launched a 250 Club which gives you the chance to win £500 a month and support the Reds and the club's Academy. The Club is available from just £10 a month (payable monthly or quarterly). For further details contact: Vic Gomersall on 07979 398432. Or call the Reds office on 01554 758018. You will be entered into the Reds’ monthly draw to win £500 or one of two runner-up prizes of £50. There is a special Christmas Draw with a bonus prize of £1000, also two runner up prizes of £100. The first draw takes place in August.

The Llanelli Reds have announced that they have been able to arrange a Pre-European Tournament which will take place at the Parc y Scarlets training pitch. The tournament wiil include The New Saints,Port Talbot Town, Llanelli and a Reds Under 21 side, which will include players from last season's treble winning Youth side alongside this season's team. It was hoped to include Bangor City as the fourth team but they declined the invitation as it was too early for them as their Europa League campaign doesn't begin until 15th July. TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE SATURDAY 19TH JUNE 1pm PORT TALBOT TOWN v LLANELLI U21s 3pm LLANELLI v THE NEW SAINTS TUESDAY 22nd JUNE 7pm LLANELLI v Winners/Losers Sat Game 1 WEDNESDAY 23rd JUNE 7pm THE NEW SAINTS v Winners/Losers Sat Game 1 Admission Prices will be ADULTS £4 CHILDREN U16 £2 OAP £2

A Burry Port man has been ordered to pay more than £500 by the courts for illegally carrying scrap metal. James Squires, aged 28, of Tan y Coed, was convicted in absence of an offence under the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 at Ammanford Magistrates Court. The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council. The court heard that Squires was stopped by police in Black Lion Road, Gorslas, on November 11 last year as part of a multi-agency operation targeting illicit rubbish dumpers across South West Wales. The council’s environmental enforcement officers were asked to attend the scene. Squires told officers he had already been stopped by the Environment Agency earlier that morning in Landore, Swansea. He admitted he did not have the relevant licence for transporting waste and that despite being told by the Environment Agency that he needed a waste carriers licence, he had continued to carry scrap metal. Officers sent two letters to Squires requesting that he attend a...

A new vision for post-16 education in South West Wales has been unveiled at the National Urdd Eisteddfod, Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion. The vision is to establish a regional educational group comprising two universities and three FE colleges in South West Wales to create a dual sector group structure providing meaningful educational pathways, enhancing student choice and developing joint educational provision which responds to the needs of employers. A declaration of intent was announced today between the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (created by 1 September by the merger of Trinity University College and the University of Wales Lampeter), Swansea Metropolitan University, Pembrokeshire College, Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion. Dr Medwin Hughes, Vice-Chancellor Designate of UW Trinity Saint David, said “In addressing the various policy directives identified by the Welsh Assembly Government, the higher education sector in Wales faces major strategic challenges. "The For O...

The Trinity University Festival fringe is featured in the centre pages of the Carmarthen Journal this week. See previous post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/excitement-building-for-trinity.html

Mrs Lloyd's great uncle, Cyril Jenkins (now sadly departed), is featured on page 31 of the Llanelli Star this week. See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/memories-of-1926-scarlets-v-maoris.html

Nice piece about Jenkins the bakers of Llanelli on page 9 of the Llanelli Star today. See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/south-wales-bakery-business-celebrates.html See also Welsh Icons - http://www.welshicons.org.uk/news/food-and-drink/south-wales-bakery-business-celebrates-awards-double

Carmarthenshire County Council is hoping to build council properties in the county for the first time since the 1980s. The council has put forward proposals to build bungalows at Llanelli and Kidwelly. Welsh Assembly Government Deputy Minister for Housing Jocelyn Davies yesterday visited y Waun, Llwynhendy, Llanelli, to look at one of the sites proposed. She was accompanied by the council’s executive board member for housing and public protection Cllr Hugh Evans and council head of housing Robin Staines. Cllr Evans has now formally handed over the application to the Deputy Housing Minister asking for permission to go ahead with the project to build 39 bungalows. They would be built on three sites - Y Waun, Llanelli, with a proposal for 26 bungalows; Morfa Maen, Kidwelly, with a proposal for eight bungalows, and Llysnewydd, Llanelli, with a proposal for five bungalows. The development cost of the 39 new bungalows is estimated to be £3.6 million. The revenue generated from the bungalow r...

Maddy Hatcher is a rare bird. She has ruffled the feathers Carmarthenshire County Council by going into labour at one of their day centres. Staff and visitors to Llanelli Heol Goffa Day Centre thought they had gone quackers when Maddy the mallard appeared and laid six eggs in a land-locked quadrangle. Manager Terry Howells said: "We thought it was quite strange when Maddy first appeared with two male suitors who were chasing her about the garden. "We have never seen a duck in there before because. There is no water or pond feature. Then, within days she was sitting on a nest with six eggs" The day centre is used by 38 users aged 18 to 60 with learning difficulties. They named their surprised guest Maddy. Mr Howells said they decided to call her Maddy - short for Madeline Hatcher - because it seem such a silly place to raise a brood with no water or means of escape. "But there again Maddy is not such a daft duck because she is getting all the food she requires and...

BBC Sport - Rugby Union - James Hook shock for Wales as Shane Williams ruled out What about Ken Owens, Mr Gatland?

The Llanelli Reds Under 19 side finished their long season on a high note when they won a penalty shoot out against Taffs Well in the final of the MacWhirter Youth Cup at Bryntirion Athletics’ ground in Bridgend. Reds keeper Craig Richards was the hero of the hour by saving three Taffs Wells penalty kicks in the shoot out. Declan John, Joe Clarke and Antonio Facciuto all scored their spot kicks to ensure the Reds victory and winning the trophy for a second successive season! The main game was an entertaining event with both sides producing some neat football. It was Taffs Well who scored first when Clayton Green hit a scorching volley into the roof of the net after 14 minutes. Six minutes later, the Reds were level when Craig Frater scrambled the ball home from an acute angle after a mistake by the Taffs Well defence. The game was now an end to end contest and it wasn’t until four minutes before half time before the Reds eventually took the lead. Craig Frater was brought down in the pe...

Nearly all the teams who will be taking part in the 1st Qualifying Round of The UEFA Europa League in July have now been finalised. Only the losers from the Luxumbourg Cup Final and the Maltese Play Off winners have yet to be known and the line up will be complete! The Reds and Port Talbot Town will play one of the seeded teams. Bangor City will enter the competition in the 2nd Qualifying Round as Welsh Cup Winners. The Draw for both the 1st and 2nd Qualifying Rounds will take place at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, near Geneva,Switzerland on Monday 21st June.

The Llanelli Reds Under 18s finished runners-up in The South Wales FA Youth League (West Division) in their first season in the competition. Champions Cogan Coronation, from Penarth, pipped the Reds by two points as they won all three of their remaining League games. The Reds Academy Under 12,14 and 16 teams had their Annual Awards Night at the Reds Social Club in Stebonheath at the weekend. Meanwhile, the Reds will be holding a Half Term Soccer School at Llanelli Leisure Centre on Wed/Thurs/Friday of this week. The School will take place between 10am and 3pm on 2nd/3rd/4th June. For more information, please ring the Club Office on 01554 758018 or Gareth Mahoney on 07814 295600.

Carmarthenshire’s innovative approach to sexual health education has led to national recognition. InterseXion, a national magazine for sexual health and education in Wales, featured Carmarthenshire’s peer-led approach to educating young people about sexual health. Run as a partnership between Carmarthenshire County Council and Hywel Dda Health Board, the programme sees students delivering an educational programme to fellow students who are the same age, or slightly younger than themselves. A county comprehensive school has recently participated in a study to assess the impact of the programme, where year 12 pupils were trained and delivered three sex education lessons to younger pupils in year eight. The results were positive, and responses from both year eight and year 12 pupils questioned following the programme reported a significant increase in knowledge of topics including sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), contraception, and issues of sexual orientation. Lynn Edwards, Healthy ...

Residents in Carway are being urged to have a good clear out and get rid of any rubbish they have lying around the home. A waste amnesty is being held on Saturday, June 12 and householders will be able to take advantage of a one-off chance to dispose of any large items of rubbish for free. A collection point will be set up at the cricket and football club between 8.00am and 10.30am and most household waste can be taken along including bulky waste items such as furniture and electrical goods. However, asbestos, tyres, paint, garden chemicals, batteries, gas bottles, construction waste and trade waste will not be accepted. The amnesty has been organised by Carmarthenshire County Council and Tidy Towns and the aim is to encourage residents to dispose of waste that may otherwise be fly-tipped. It is also hoped the amnesty will encourage householders to recycle and/or reuse as much of their rubbish as possible. Executive member for the environment Councillor Haydn Jones said: “I hope reside...

Some residents of Sandy Water Park have been vandalising woodland on the edge of the lake to improve views from their homes. Trees and shrubs on the northern side of the Carmarthenshire Council owned Millennium Coastal Park lake and environs attraction have been cut down and thrown into the water. MCP manager Rory Dickinson said: “This has been happening for several years. One of the residents has been caught red-handed and spoken to. “These are selfish and unwarranted acts that also endangers wildlife. They are being perpetrated by a few residents who have received letters informing them that their actions will no longer be tolerated. “Twelve letters have been hand delivered to residents of homes nearest the damage. “In the clear the vandalism has been carried out in an effort to improve the views from the rear of properties. The trees were there before the homes and helped screen the building of the homes and the backs of the properties from park users. “Incredibly, as a result of th...

It may be hot, hot weather but thoughts are turning to snow already at Pembrey Country Park. The most popular ski slope in Wales has been pulling exceptionally high unseasonal numbers of users. In conjunction with Snow Sport Wales, Pembrey Ski has organised a bank holiday race ski skwl for kids aged six to 16 on Thursday and Friday, June 3rd and 4th. Ski Pembrey manager Eirian Morris said the race schools were being organised following on the west Wales ski championships earlier in the month when there were more than 100 children taking part. He said: “It was the best attended event in Wales and as a result parts have been asking if we can organise race schools in the half term. “One the two days children will be involved in free skiing, getting involved in hops, jumps, bumps, backwards and slalom skiing. “It is a great opportunity for those with some skills to really sharpen up and improve the skiing ability. “The sessions last from 11am to 4pm daily with all equipment, and professio...

Llanelli may be considered to be the cradle of Welsh rugby but it has been slow to be touched by a new league version of the game. Touch rugby is hugely popular in Cardiff with more than 100 teams playing two nights a week throughout the summer. Now it looks as if Scarlet Sospanites are catching on. More than 150 men and women attended the first round of fixtures organised by the Welsh Touch Association and Carmarthenshire County Council’s sports development teams last week at Ysgol y Strade. Nine teams are competing in the men’s league including two teams of over 35-year-olds including Once were Athletes, the Orang-utans and Gower Shower. Mixed teams include Phizz Whizz, All the Gear, Kidwelly Kats, Diversity and Carmarthenshire Crusaders. The Association administer the game in Wales and run the national teams who compete in international tournaments for men’s, women’s, mixed, over 30s, over 35, over 40s. This first year of the league in Llanelli has proved popular with a total of 14 ...

Belly dancing, hip hop, geriatric jiving and every dance step in between waltzes into Llanelli’s Millennium Coastal Park this summer. The free to public D10 Dance Festival is planned on Saturday July 17 on the Festival Fields site with a riot of dance on 24 platforms. More than 500 professional dancers and groups will sashay into the park spilling onto the promenade and be cha-cha-cha-ing all the way to the Discovery Centre. Those taking part are aged from two. The Little Stars to 92, the Mature Movers, in an extravaganza of dance. Jukebox Juniors, the Sky 1 dance finalists, India Dance Wales and a host of others including Baubo Belly Dance Company will be entertaining crowds throughout the day D10 is an open access event open from noon until 10:00pm to passers by, dance fanatics or visitors alike. Performance slots are available between 12–6pm and open to any individual, school, group, dance school or troop who practice or reside in Carmarthenshire or Pembrokeshire. Organisers Arts Ca...

Residents in Llandovery are being urged to have a good clear out and get rid of any rubbish they have lying around the home. A waste amnesty is being held on Saturday, June 5 and householders will be able to take advantage of a one-off chance to dispose of any large items of rubbish for free. A collection point will be set up in the main car park between 8.00am and 10.30am and most household waste can be taken along including bulky waste items such as furniture and electrical goods. However, asbestos, tyres, paint, garden chemicals, batteries, gas bottles, construction waste and trade waste will not be accepted. The amnesty has been organised by Carmarthenshire County Council and the aim is to encourage residents to dispose of waste that may otherwise be fly-tipped. It is also hoped the amnesty will encourage householders to recycle and/or reuse as much of their rubbish as possible. Executive member for the environment Councillor Haydn Jones said: “I hope residents take advantage of th...

Pupils from across the Amman and Towy valleys had a ball at Dyfed-Powys Police’s annual schools football tournament. The tournament was held at Ammanford Recreation Ground and is now in its seventh year. Schools taking part included Bro Banw, Betws, Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman, Gorslas, Ffairfach, Llandeilo, Ysgol Y Bedol, Brynamman, Llangadog, Tycroes, Saron, Parcyrhun and Blaenau. The final for the shield was held between Parcyrhun and Tycroes with Parcyrhun finally winning. Ysgol Bro Banw and Brynamman were in the final for the cup with Bro Banw victorious for the second year running. Ten-year-old Iestyn Evans from Brynamman was named player of the tournament. The aim of the tournament is to forge greater links in the community between police and young people. Community safety officer Pc Rob Chapman said: “The tournament is now in its seventh year and is a great way of engaging with young people in our area by providing them with a healthy and fun activity. “Events like this are importan...

Major building work is to start soon at Llanelli Library this summer as part of a £3.5million refurbishment. It includes protecting and preserving the older part of the building – the Grade 2 listed Athenaeum, one of the oldest buildings in the town centre. A reference library, children’s library, an arts/crafts exhibition area, video conferencing/training room, and a substantial atrium area will be housed in the building. The work is phase three of the refurbishment, and follows extensive repairs in the newer part of the building which has provided a new adult lending library, a CD/DVD lending area and state-of-the-art IT suite with facilities for 27 public access computers. A ‘Return to Learn Centre’, providing a basic skills service, was also incorporated into the adult lending library in 2006. Work is due to start in July and will take around 18 months to complete. The Athenaeum, together with the nearby Llanelly House and Parish Church, are the oldest buildings in town. It current...

A Pembrey man has been prosecuted for fraudulently claiming more than £1,000 in housing benefit and council tax benefit. Anthony John Watkins-Conde appeared before Ammanford Magistrates Court on Monday for sentencing after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to failing to declare a change in circumstances, contrary to S.112 Social Security Administration Act 1992. The court was told that he failed to declare that his wife had been working from August 12, 2008, to January 1, 2009. Thirty three-year-old Watkins-Conde, of Danlan Road, Pembrey, had been overpaid £902.50 housing benefit and £277.67 Council Tax Benefit. He was given a 12 month conditional discharge. He will have to repay the overpayment. Council executive board member for resources Cllr Wyn Evans said: “The Council is anxious that as many people as possible claim the housing and council tax benefit that they are rightfully entitled to. “However, we are also determined to crack down on fraudulent claims that are a drain on ...

Carmarthenshire Children’s Partnership is holding an awareness event at Llanelli’s St Elli Shopping Centre during the half-term, as part of National Family Week. The partnership, made up of key statutory and voluntary organisations including Carmarthenshire County council, is hosting an information stall at the shopping centre. Staff will be on hand to talk to parents and families about the range of family support services on offer within the county. Information bags and freebies will be given away, and a range of activities will be laid on. Janine Patrick, Sure Start development officer, said: “National Family Week provides us with an ideal opportunity to get out there and speak to local families about the services that may benefit them. “During half-term week, we expect to see lots of families with children shopping in the town centre, and we will welcome the opportunity of meeting with them.” Staff will be highlighting services such as Sure Start, Flying Start and Genesis. Sure Star...

A new convalescence service to help people recuperate following discharge from hospital will launch on June 7. Carmarthenshire County Council secured £200,000 of funding to provide 20 convalescence beds under the Welsh Assembly’s Invest 2 Save Improvement Fund. Eight convalescence, or ‘step down’ beds will come in to service at Maesllewellyn, Newcastle Emlyn, and a further 12 at Llys-y-bryn, Llanelli, to provide additional support to medically fit patients who have been discharged from hospital. Two new social workers have also been employed. Managed in partnership with Hywel Dda Health Board, the beds will allow patients a short period of recuperation in a home-based setting where they can regain confidence and independence, and ultimately return to their home. The beds will also allow social care teams more scope to assess each service user’s long-term needs. The investment will mean long-term savings and will also mean people will be able to return to their own communities, supporte...

Carmarthenshire County Council has launched a Change4Life campaign. Cllr Pat Jones, executive board member for health, said: “Change4Life is a very family-friendly campaign, and I’d love to see parents and children from all parts of Carmarthenshire getting involved. "Small changes can make a big difference, and this is all about learning to enjoy activities and eat healthier in a fun and informal way.” Timetable of local Change4Life events Tuesday, June 1 • Ty Enfys Family and Toddler Sponsored Walk, from Pwll Pavilion to North Dock, Llanelli. From 12pm to 2pm • Street/urban dance session for all ages, at Lakefield Hall, Llanelli, 10.15am-12.30pm • Bryn Chapel cemetery clean-up, Bryn Chapel, Llwynhendy, from 10am-3pm • Stick with Stars hockey event for ages 11-15, Tregib AT, Llandeilo, from 9am-4pm Wednesday, June 2 • Family sports extravaganza with Felinfoel Communities First, at Felinfoel Recreational Ground, from 10am-1pm • Street/urban dance session for all ages, at Weslyan Ha...

Plans to change a former Ammanford CAB base into a sandwich bar have been approved by Carmarthenshire councillors. A meeting of the county council planning committee considered a full planning application for a change of use of the Old Forge in School Lane, Ammanford. The local authority is the landowner. The building, opposite the Co-operative Store, is known locally as The Old Forge but more recently it has been used as a medical assessment centre for coal miners. Before that it was a Citizen’s Advice Bureau centre. The plan is for a sandwich/baguette bar with the provision of some hot food. Planning officers recommended approval of the application. See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/plan-for-old-forge-in-ammanford.html

Carmarthenshire County Council has won approval for alterations to its plans for improved access as part of a scheme to extend Halfway CP School in Llanelli. The local education authority already had detailed planning permission, granted in February 2009, for the remodelling and extension of the school buildings together with improvements to the access and parking arrangements and the creation of additional play areas. A new full planning application was granted by today’s meeting of the county planning committee. The LEA wants to relocate the vehicular access to the school from Havard Road to the side access lane that runs along the north eastern boundary of its grounds. The lane itself will be widened and improved as part of the scheme. The new application also covers the temporary siting of a double mobile classroom and two portable cabins for the Special Needs room and headteacher’s office during building work. Planning officers had recommended approving the application. The develo...

Tory's anger at party failure to give him assembly seat Talk about changing the rules as you go along. It's plain Chris Smart is too right-wing for the Tory hierarchy and that is the reason they are keeping him out.