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

A family sports day in the Amman Valley has been hailed a big success. People from across the area attended the event at Parcyrhun playing fields. Professional coaches were on hand to teach hockey and football skills to young people. S4C’s Anthony Evans staged a ‘healthy cooking on a budget’ demonstration and children took part in a ready steady cook style challenge. Sports taster sessions were also held with certificates awarded to everyone who took part. There was a nine hole mini golf course and challenges were run by staff from Amman Valley leisure centre. The event was organised by Communities First Pantyffynnon and Parcyrhun Community Association, and was part funded by Communities First and Change 4 Life. Communities First Development Worker Emma Martin-Jewell said: “The event was very well attended and all the children enjoyed the activities on offer. “The event linked in with our health and wellbeing theme and we were able to promote other forthcoming activities and events.” T...

Major regeneration plans are afoot for Kidwelly’s historic quay. A £180,000 scheme to revamp the estuary area and attract more visitors is underway. Regeneration chiefs want to build on its ‘hidden gem’ status and enhance its mix of open space, superb estuary views, unique industrial heritage and wildlife habitats A vision is being drawn up with exciting plans to create new paths and walkways, improve the car park and develop better signs. Carmarthenshire County Council has joined forces with Kidwelly Town Council, Kidwelly Town Forum, and RSPB for the scheme, with funding from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Western Valleys Strategic Regeneration Area Programme, and the Valleys Regional Park. The quay, and its connected lands along Kymer’s Canal, are seen as a little known treasure spot for visitors. The aim is to regenerate the area and make the land around the estuary and along the canal more accessible. Reports are being prepared and there are hopes that some information will be re...

Cwmaman Carnival is back with a bang after a break of 15 years. Apathy and cash difficulties forced Cwmaman’s annual big day off the events calendar but it has come back fizzing with ideas and financial backing A hard-working community team have restored the carnival winning a £20,000 grant from the Western Valleys programme to help run the event for two years. The Valleys – Heart and Soul of Wales is a three-year campaign led by partnership organisations from the Western Valleys, Heads of the Valleys and The Valleys Partnership. The aim is to change perceptions of The Valleys, attract more tourists and bring long-term economic benefits to the area. Carmarthenshire County Council and Cwmaman Town Council are also heavily sponsoring the event to make sure the community has a fun weekend of celebration based on Cwmaman Park. It starts on Friday July 2nd with band musical entertainment on at the park and then explodes into calypso carnival colour. There’s five-s-side soccer, fun fairs and...

Cricket is bowling maidens over in Carmarthenshire. The county will be holding its first girls cricket coaching camp this summer - with the help of a world champion cricketer. The one-day camp for girls aged eight to 13 is being held in August with the aim of improving skills and techniques, and to help develop girls and ladies cricket in the borough. Supported by the English Cricket Board (ECB), there will be a masterclass from England all-rounder Jenny Gunn. The event is linked to the girls under 13s county team that has been set up as a result of the Lady Taveners competition involving 5x60 school clubs across the area. Carmarthenshire 5x60 Officer Lyn Brodrick said: “It’s the first time we’ve held a camp like this in Carmarthenshire and I think only two other similar events have been supported by the English Cricket Board (ECB) in Wales this year. To have Jenny Gunn coming along to help out is fantastic. “We are hoping the event will show local clubs that there are many girls out ...

A Llanelli eyesore which has been transformed into a community garden and play area has been unveiled in a wave of celebrations. The Penymorfa garden has been totally transformed on wasteland behind Dolau Fawr in New Dock. Residents have joined forces with Communities First Glanymor and Tyisha to clean up the land which had been blighted by vandalism and flytipping. Scores of people attended the official opening at the weekend, and enjoyed a BBQ, sports games for children, and workshops on street art and healthy eating. Project leaders say they are delighted by the success of the project and the response from the community. Communities First officers secured £50,000 of funding from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Local Environmental Quality Fund, and a further £18,110 from its Tidy Towns initiative for the scheme. Development Worker Faye Davies said: “This project was embraced by residents from the very start and it has been so encouraging to receive the support from the community. “Th...

Businesses in Carmarthenshire are celebrating a £476,637 cash windfall to help them develop and grow. More than 130 firms across the county have received grants from the South West Wales Local Investment Fund in the past year. The support has helped to pull a further £639,956 in private sector investment into the region. Business leaders say they are delighted to be supporting local companies and helping to regenerate the economy. Under the scheme grants of up to £5,000 are being offered to small and medium sized companies. Equipment, premises improvement, one-off marketing costs, website development and specialist software all eligible. Over a six year period, 1,000 jobs are expected to be created, 1,400 companies supported and 400 new enterprises set up. The LIF grant scheme is being led by Carmarthenshire County Council in partnership with neighbouring authorities in Swansea, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Neath Port Talbot Wales, and the West Wales Chamber of Commerce. Carmarthenshi...

Amman Valley youngsters have been learning all about bike safety. A special workshop has been held for young people in Pantyffynnon. Demonstrations were given on checking bikes for safety, repairing tyres, and making height adjustments. Police were on hand to give advice on staying safe on the road and tagging bikes in case of theft. The event was organised by Communities First Pantyffynnon, as part of an ongoing programme of educational activities. Development Worker Emma Martin-Jewell said: “This was a very successful workshop and we were pleased by the response from young people in the community. “As well as learning about bike maintenance and safety, young people were also able to have their bikes tagged by the police.” Carmarthenshire County Council runs the Communities First programme. The aim is to improve the living conditions and prospects for people in deprived wards of the county and ensure that funding is targeted at the poorest areas. A host of events and educational activ...

Voluntary groups across South West Wales are to benefit from a new partnership of dedicated support aimed at helping the flourishing voluntary sector turn groups into sustainable enterprises. The Collaborative Communities project will give support to hundreds of organisations to help them develop, meet market opportunities and generate income. £5 million has been secured from the EU’s Convergence European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Assembly Government, by a unique regional partnership. The partnership behind the project is made up of the County Councils and County Voluntary Councils in Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Swansea. The dedicated team have a wealth of experience between them and are committed to working with organisations and providing them with all the support they need to move away from grant dependency. Regeneration chiefs say they are delighted with the funding, which will breathe new life into the voluntary sector and act as a catal...

A sheltered housing complex in the Gwendraeth Valley is pioneering a new club to provide activities for residents and the local community. Clwb Iechyd Da at the Nantyglo Sheltered Housing Complex in Pontyberem offers lunches, reflexology and foot care, along with other events, for residents and other older members of the community. Wellbeing Clinics are being held in conjunction with the Local Health Board offering a falls clinic, exercise, and blood pressure clinics. Over the last few weeks they have been enjoying lunches cooked by Sharon Cooper of the New Inn, Pontyberem. She said: “I have started doing lunches at Nantyglo on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I do home-cooked meals and every Wednesday I cook a traditional dinner. “It is nice to give a bit back to the community that has supported me since I moved to the New Inn.” Resident Malcolm Hammond, who worked as a chef for 30 years, was very impressed with the meals being served by Clwb Iechyd Da. He said: “It is excellent - the...

Healthy meals, cooked on the premises, are on the menu at Llanelli’s Old Road School. Officially opened last week, the school now boasts its own production kitchen, so that children are now able to enjoy their meals fresh from the hotplate. Previously, school meals were cooked off the premises and transported in hot-food containers. Whilst food remained hot and fresh, it was felt an investment at the school canteen would provide the best alternative. Carmarthenshire County Council’s Catering Service invested in this school with some funding from the Welsh Assembly government to provide a fully-functional production kitchen employing four staff. The dining hall also underwent a revamp, with new flooring and re-painted walls to make it a bright and inviting place for children to eat. Sandra Weigel, Catering Service manager, said: “Prior to our investment at Old Road, we had school meals delivered every day from another production kitchen. Whilst we could ensure the food was hot and fresh...

Carmarthenshire County Council staff have gone the extra mile to encourage colleagues to lead healthier lives. Groups of staff took part in a bike ride challenge as part of a health fayre organised by the authority’s occupational health team. Raising £100 for Marie Curie Cancer Care, the six staff teams of four were each given five minutes to clock up as many miles on an exercise bike as possible. It was Alison Sigery, of the council’s Fusion health and fitness team, that managed the longest distance with 3.6 miles on the clock. Council staff were joined for the challenge by staff from Hywel Dda Health Board’s Condition Management Programme Team, who work closely with occupational health colleagues to encourage health and wellbeing. Fran Wynne, occupational health co-ordinator, said: “The day was well supported, and it was a fun way of getting across some important health and wellbeing messages. “We hope that it proved beneficial, and that our staff feel better informed about healthy l...

Staff from Carmarthenshire Children’s Partnership used National Family Week as an opportunity to engage with families in the Llanelli area. The partnership, made up of key statutory and voluntary organisations including Carmarthenshire County council, hosted an information stall at the St Elli Shopping Centre. Staff had the opportunity to inform parents and families about the range of family support services on offer within the county, such as Sure Start, Flying Start and Genesis. Information bags and freebies were given out, and a range of activities, including face painting and hand painting, were laid on. Janine Patrick, Sure Start development officer, said: “It was a great opportunity to get out and meet families during a half term week. We spoke to many families, some of who were not fully aware of the many support services we offer. “Hopefully this will lead to further engagement, and will provide us with an opportunity to support more families towards a better future.” For furth...

A Carmarthenshire town is to be showcased to scores of French visitors. Kidwelly is preparing to welcome a delegation from its twin town of St Jacut de la Mer in Brittany. The ancient town has been successful in its bid to the EU programme ‘Europe for Citizens’ to host the visit. Plans are now being finalised for the trip which runs from July 3-7. A detailed programme of events and activities has been drawn up to entertain the 62 visitors. Organisers say it is an opportunity to promote the region and encourage future visits from overseas. The visit has been supported by Carmarthenshire County Council. European Networking Officer Lorena Prise co-ordinates all of Carmarthenshire’s twinning arrangements through the Twinning Forum. She is driving forward pioneering work to forge links with the continent and works closely with twinning associations to develop student exchanges, work experience placements and schools programmes. Lorena said: “We are delighted to be hosting a visit from St Ja...

Amman Valley residents are turning to the ancient art of Tai Chi as part of a healthy living project. The Chinese martial art is being trialled in the community. Organisers say the classes have proved a big hit, with people from across the area attending and enjoying the benefits. It is the latest in a series of initiatives being spearheaded to encourage more people to take up exercise and improve their health and wellbeing. It is aimed at people who do not have any exercise and those who are looking for company to keep fit. The Communities First team in Pantyffynnon has teamed up with the Plodders for the scheme. The group also take part in line dancing, gentle exercise and walking, in a bid to improve their health and wellbeing. Regular classes are held and the next session will be at Ammanford Evangelical Church on July 6 from 2-3pm. Communities First Development Worker Emma Martin-Jewell said: “We work very closely with the Plodders to develop new ideas or encourage volunteers to p...

A Pendine man has been prosecuted for littering in McDonalds Carmarthen car park. Stephen Jones was convicted at Ammanford Magistrates Court in his absence of an offence under the Environmental Protection Act. The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council. The court was told that at 2.25pm on Wednesday October 28 last year, local authority environmental enforcement officers were sitting in an unmarked vehicle parked in the McDonalds overflow car park in Carmarthen. Officers witnessed the male passenger of a silver Vauxhall car lean out of the window of the vehicle and place a McDonald’s fast food bag on the floor. The environmental enforcement officers approached the man, Stephen Jones, and pointed out the offence they had just witnessed. When Mr Jones was asked why he hadn’t put the rubbish in the bin. He replied "the bin was full; I didn’t want it to go on the floor". When asked why he hadn’t used another bin or simply pushed the rubbish down with his rubbis...

Carmarthenshire councillors have agreed to allow 18 extra caravan pitches at Pembrey. The county council planning committee last week approved an application for the additional hardstanding pitches at the Pembrey Country Park Caravan Club site. The local authority is the landowner. The site is on land outside the entrance into Pembrey Country Park in Pembrey and the application was to replace grass pitches for touring caravans with hardstanding that can be used in all weather conditions. They will offer better access for people with mobility issues.

Planning permission has been granted for restoration works at Llanelli Library. Libraries and Heritage Manager Dewi Thomas applied to the county council for consent for repair and restoration work, partial enclosure to the internal courtyard and minor internal alterations at the library in Vaughan Street, Llanelli. The proposed works are also subject to a separate Listed Building Consent application which has been recommended for approval by the authority’s conservation manager, and has been sent to the Welsh Assembly Government for consideration due to the interest that Carmarthenshire County Council has in the application. An officers’ report to last week’s meeting of the planning committee said: “Although the structural works are fairly substantial they should ensure a much longer life for the building. The other works will help transform the library into a facility more in keeping with current and future public needs, and enable a better flow of movement throughout the building but...

Carmarthenshire planners will go on a site visit to look at the proposed home for a 512-seat theatre in Llanelli. The county council has applied for full planning permission for a theatre and community based development at the former Stepney Hotel site and Zion Chapel and Sunday School in Upper Park Street, Llanelli, as part of the Eastgate Development. The scheme is to provide a theatre, a 100-seat performance rehearsal space, social enterprise facilities, teaching space, bar/cafe and associated administration rooms. An officers’ report to a meeting of the planning committee said: “The proposed development seeks full planning permission to redevelop the former Stepney Hotel site, together with the change of use of the Zion Chapel and Sunday School Buildings. The most obvious and striking element of the proposal would be the construction of the new theatre building.” The committee voted to go on a site visit.

Carmarthenshire councillors have decided that they want to look at the site of plans for 137 houses in Llanelli. A meeting of the county planning committee agreed to visit the site at Heol y Mynydd, Bryn, where Barratt Homes South Wales has applied for full planning permission for residential development. The application site on the eastern flank of Heol y Mynydd is in a primarily residential area. It consists of a playing field together with agricultural land to the south and east. The applicants have agreed to enter into a Section 106 Agreement whereby a total of 18 of the 137 units proposed are to be affordable; and that a commuted payment of £514, 473 should be made towards the improvement of open space/play facilities, educational facilities and the highway network in the local area. In addition, the development incorporates an area of on site open space and a Local Area of Play.

Older Carmarthenshire residents are being introduced to the digital revolution, thanks to a cash windfall. A £20,580 project is underway to bring the latest technology to rural communities in the Teifi Valley. Wireless computers are being connected at village hubs to help people who have never used the internet, web-cam or e-mail. The aim is to ensure residents, particularly older people can access up-to-date communication tools and break down the barriers to modern technology. Menter Gorllewin Sir Gar has just received grant funding through the County Council’s ‘Access to services’ grant which is part funded from the Rural Development Plan for Wales. The bid was supported by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Local Action Group, and is part of a multi-million pound package of schemes in the area to have received cash aid. Under the scheme computers have been installed at Llanllwni Community Church Hall and Newcastle Emlyn Trinity Church Hall, providing an I.T. base for residents in the ...

A one-stop funding fair for groups and charities has been hailed a huge success. More than 1,300 people attended the South West Wales Regional Funding Fair in a bid to secure coveted grant aid. Scores of groups, charities and organisations all converged on Ffos Las to meet with high profile funders like the BIG Lottery Fund, Sports Council for Wales and the Heritage Fund. They were able to access top level advice on grant support and funding streams. The event was jointly organised and funded by Carmarthenshire County Council, Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Services, Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services, the City and County of Swansea and Swansea Council for Voluntary Services, with support from the WLGA Regional Partnership Forum for South West Wales. Organisers say they were delighted with the response to the event. Help was given on developi...