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

Award-winning West Wales brewer Evan-Evans can once again claim to have the best bitter in Wales. For the second year in a row the Cwrw brand has landed an award at the world-renowned Great British Beer Festival in London. The Llandeilo-based company was awarded a third (bronze) medal for its flagship brand Cwrw in the Best Bitter category. Cwrw also took a bronze award last year and once again finished ahead of all other Welsh beers in the category. Last year, Cwrw scooped the Gold True Taste of Wales award. “So we are delighted to be able to say to our customers that they are drinking the finest bitter in Wales,” said Simon Buckley, Chief Executive of Evan-Evans. Mr Buckley said: “This latest award, at the premier UK beer festival, is yet another feather in our cap and a testament to the quality of the Cwrw brand, which now stands up there as the national drink of Wales. “To be voted one of the top brewers of Best Bitter in the UK, out of a total of nearly 700 brewers, is a great ach...

Carmarthenshire's Anti Poverty Champion has welcomed Government plans to knock up to £20 million off fuel bills for poor pensioners. Around 250,000 pensioners across the UK are receiving a one-off £80 rebate, thanks to a deal by the Government and the leading energy suppliers announced earlier this year. Up to £20 million is being paid out by the largest energy companies in a one-off rebate to some of the pensioners who need the most help with their fuel costs. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is writing to all those who are eligible to let them know either that their rebate will be paid automatically, or asking people to call the DWP Helpline and confirm their entitlement. The DWP shared some of its customer data securely with the energy companies so they could identify the poorest pensioners. Carmarthenshire’s executive board member for wellbeing and Anti Poverty Champion Cllr Kevin Madge said: “I welcome this help for the poorest pensioners. It will be of real help to ...

After the Newport song (see earlier post) you . . . Ain't Seen Ruthin Yet! See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/if-you-havent-see-it-yet-please-do-and.html

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' column from the Carmarthen Journal . . . With just over a week to go before the start of the new Welsh Premier League season, it’s time to put the spotlight on the man who will be leading the Carmarthen Town AFC campaign. Town’s new manager is Tomi Morgan, who is enjoying his second spell at Richmond Park. Diehard Carmarthen fans will already be familiar with Morgan, but many Journal readers may appreciate a quick Tomi Morgan history lesson. Morgan was appointed Carmarthen manager for the second time in June, 2010, after player-boss Deryn Brace decided to step down. Morgan was recruited from Porthmadog, where he had been manager since February 2009, after the club's relegation to the Cymru Alliance. A fearsome striker in the League of Wales who then became a successful manager, Morgan played for Telford United before becoming player/manager of Aberystwyth Town in the first season of the domestic Welsh league, scoring 21 league goals in 4...

A state-of-the art centre is educating people about the ancient laws of Hywel Dda and his links with Carmarthenshire. Residents, schoolchildren and visitors are learning about the native Welsh ruler and the development of his Welsh laws. Canolfan Hywel Dda in Whitland has been transformed into a hi-tech attraction, in a bid to encourage more visitors. The site was set up by volunteers 25 years ago but has struggled to reach a large audience because of a lack of facilities. Now with grant funding and the support of Carmarthenshire County Council it has seen a steady rise in visitor numbers, and strong links have been forged with other attractions in the area. The centre has secured grants of £15,370 from the Sustainable Communities Developing Identity and Distinctiveness Project, as part of the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Regeneration chiefs have visited the site to...

A major scheme to promote healthy eating to Carmarthenshire families is going from strength to strength. Fresh fruit and vegetables are being delivered every week to families all over the Pencader area. Residents of all ages are ordering produce, which is having a direct impact on eating habits in the village. The Pencader Family Centre food co-op delivery service has been such a success that a larger van has been leased to cope with the demand. Organisers say they are delighted by the response from the community and they hope to expand in the future. The service was first launched in a bid to address obesity and improve the diets of people in Pencader. It is a large rural village, and many residents, including the elderly, were finding it difficult to access transport and shops. Centre co-ordinator Trevor Winn sourced a local supplier of fruit and vegetables and began to collect the produce in his car every week. There was a huge response from the community and orders increased week o...

Come to the Start Wales Festival, Inspired by The Prince of Wales, at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Start is a new initiative to help people across the UK lead more sustainable lives and to show what a more energy efficient, cleaner and healthier future could look like. The Start Festival will feature presentations and exhibits on the simple steps we can all take to make better use of our natural resources - energy, food, transport, buildings, waste - at home and in our workplaces. Start wants to make sustainability simple, positive and inspirational. 7th-8th SEPTEMBER For further information contact: 01834 814955 wales@princescharities.org.uk http://www.startuk.org/about-start.aspx

Public sector organisations and private businesses in Carmarthenshire are being urged to follow in the council’s footsteps and switch off any unnecessary lighting. Work is underway to switch off a third of the county’s street lights between 12.30am and 5.30am. One in three lights is being switched off in residential areas and up to two in three on highway routes. A progress report went before the council’s Environment Scrutiny Committee explaining that work had already begun in the southern part of the county. So far a total of 1,162 lighting columns (out of a proposed 6,000) have been switched off in the Burry Port, Kidwelly and Pontyberem areas. Llanelli town is to be completed by August. Councillors were pleased to hear that although there have been quite a few queries on the scheme, there had been no major complaints from the public. The aim of the part-night lighting scheme is to reduce the council’s carbon footprint and save on energy costs. Once it is rolled out across the count...

A village action group which launched its own shop and Post Office has been applauded for breathing new life into the community. Two years ago residents in Dryslwyn joined forces to save the closure threatened Post Office. When the service was withdrawn, they refused to give up and decided to take on the premises themselves and run it with volunteers. Now just 12 months later, the Dryslwyn Community Shop has generated a turnover of £99,197 with £1,000 distributed back into the community. Residents have further plans to expand with a delivery service for older people in the surrounding area and a produce market. Regeneration chiefs have hailed the project as a flourishing success, and congratulated the group on its tireless work to build a sustainable enterprise. Officers from Carmarthenshire County Council have visited volunteers to see for themselves the thriving business that has been created. Chief Executive Mark James said: "The council is committed to empowering people in the...

The world's most prestigious golf tournament is coming to Wales this year, and you could be there thanks to the new Carmarthenshire digital TV and phone service that makes it easier to access public services. Looking Local lets you use your digital TV, internet phone and the Nintendo Wii to find out about council services, report issues and access key information, news and job vacancies - all without leaving home. Each of the 22 councils in Wales now offer this service and to celebrate, and mark the first 'Looking Local Week', you can win tickets to The 2010 Ryder Cup, which takes place at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport from 28 September - 3 October 2010. There are pairs of tickets to be won for the opening ceremony / practice day (30th September) where you can watch some of the world's greatest golfers from the USA and Europe preparing for the tournament on the Celtic Manor's stunning Twenty Ten Course, and an exclusive pair of tickets for the crucial Saturday...

Digital technology is an important part of today’s world. Mobile phones, computers, digital television and the internet make information more accessible, communication faster and life more efficient. That’s why Carmarthenshire Council wants to help communities in the county benefit from digital technology. Communities 2.0 is a Welsh Assembly Government project which helps community groups, voluntary organisations and social enterprises in Wales to benefit from technology. The council wants to break down the barriers to using technology, inspire people, build confidence and create opportunities. There are still many people in Wales who lack confidence when it comes to computers, new mobile phone services and technology because they don’t know how to use them or they don’t know where to find equipment or support. Perhaps they just don’t know what the benefits are? The council wants to change that. For example, digital technology can be used for shopping, searching for the best banking o...

Volunteers are needed to cope with the success of a project to help people back to work in the Amman Valley. The Debt and Benefit Back to Work scheme has been such a hit, that organisers are appealing for more helpers to come forward. Under the project residents are being given help and support on employment and training needs, preparing CVs and apprenticeships. Communities First Pantyffynnon is behind the project, and officers are providing advice on job searches, childcare, debts and benefits. Outreach services are being held in a bid to engage with more people from across the area, and make the team more accessible. Drop-in centres have been set up in Pantyffynnon, Glanaman and Brynaman. An appeal has now been made for more volunteers to help with the service. Organisers say that volunteering can help to build confidence, introduce you to new friends, boost career options and improve well being. Communities First Development Worker Kathryn Newman said: "We would like to thank a...