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

Residents in Carmarthenshire are being urged to put their green recycling bins out every week. Concerns have been raised that some householders may be putting food waste in their black bags instead. The council’s Environment Scrutiny Committee heard that a participation and monitoring survey carried out in the Llanelli area in April found that just under 55 per cent of householders put out their green bin at least once over a three week period and only 28 per cent put it out every week. Council sustainability officer Diane Thomas said: “We must remember that this is just a snapshot in time, it was only carried out over a three week period and only covered 1,000 properties in the Swiss Valley area. But what it told us was that more food waste was collected during blue bag weeks than black bag weeks which suggests that food is going in black bags. “There could be a number of reasons for this, maybe they don’t want to dirty their green bin and it is easier to put it in their black bag or

Residents in Carmarthenshire are being reminded not to use salt from the council’s grit bins for their own driveways. There are around 1100 grit bins in strategic locations across the county to treat local roads and pavements during bad weather. However, last winter saw some people stealing the salt for their own use and there were even instances of it being sold on. Now residents are being warned that this will not be tolerated and anyone caught could even be prosecuted. Director of Technical Services Richard Workman said: “We are urging the public to use the grit bins responsibly. The salt should only be used to make roads and pavements safe and not for people to take and use on their own driveways.” The council’s Environment Scrutiny Committee heard that the authority has increased its salt stock following last year’s national salt shortage which saw many local authorities having to ration supplies and stop using salt on minor roads. Mr Workman told members that it was recommended t

A Llanelli site that was once an illegal gypsy encampment and burning ground for stolen cars has been transformed to a stunning housing estate acclaimed the best in Britain. Pentre Nicholas Village, phases 4a and 5, Machynys, Llanelli, not only represented Wales and won the 2010 LABC (England and Wales) Building Excellence Awards in the best large housing category last week, but also won the supreme award as being best of the best development anywhere in the UK. Competition for the supreme award involved eleven categories including Wimbledon and its sliding roof and other prestigious building developments across Britain at the National Building Excellence Awards hosted at the Brewery in the City of London. The awards celebrate the excellence of building quality of a variety of projects across the UK from large commercial developments, education and housing projects to domestic refurbishment together with awards for technical innovation, best partnership and sustainability. Machynys own

Carmarthen-based accountants Clay Shaw Butler have recruited an expert to help local business owners fight the recession. Nigel Roberts, the former head of HSBC’s commercial banking arm in West Wales, has joined Clay Shaw Butler in the role of finance and banking specialist. Mr Roberts, who has more than 34 years of banking and funding experience, will be based at Clay Shaw Butler’s offices in Carmarthen. His role will see him providing banking and commercial advice to local businesses. He can act as a business adviser for those that would like their own ‘Dragon’s Den’ type mentor. Mr Roberts will be able to help local businesses source and get access to funding to help them grow. In addition to the consultancy service, Mr Roberts will be working with Clay Shaw Butler’s dynamic and energetic team of qualified accountants to provide business plans, cashflow forecasts and management accounts. David Butler, Managing Director at Clay Shaw Butler, said: “Nigel will help the practice to cont

The work of Mike Brookes and Simon Banham from Aberystwyth University's Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies on the National Theatre Wales’ production of The Persians has been acknowledged with the award for Best Design by the Theatrical Management Association (TMA). The TMA is the UK’s major business association for organisations and companies involved professionally in the production and presentation of the performing arts. The award was announced at the TMA Annual Awards 2010 which were held at the Lyric Hammersmith. Simon Banham, Mike Brookes and Professor Mike Pearson, also a member of staff at the Department, played pivotal roles in the production of which was staged at the military training village on Mynydd Epynt in the Brecon Beacons in August 2010. The flagship show in National Theatre Wales’ (NTW) inaugural season of new work, The Persians received critical aclaim in the press with the Guardian describing it as a “superb production” and Telegraph as “extrao

Tomorrow (Saturday), 90 current and former students from Aberystwyth University’s Elizabethan Madrigal Singers will be in Cardiff to sing on the pitch at the Millennium Stadium for the Wales v South Africa game. This occasion is part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the choir, which is one of the oldest societies in the university. Since October 1950 over 500 students have sung with the Elizabethan Madrigal Singers, or Mads as it is known. During this time Mads has enriched the cultural life of Aberystwyth and Wales in general. Indeed, Mads has made an impact internationally; the choir has toured across the world, including Russia, Iceland, the USA, the Seychelles and most of Europe. Mads has given recitals on TV and radio, competed at the International Eisteddfod and other festivals, worked with composers such as Michael Tippett and has had pieces of music specially commissioned for it. The 60th anniversary celebrations have included the publication of a book and digital archiv

Staff, patients and visitors at BMI Werndale Hospital in Carmarthen sponsored Breast Cancer Care’s ‘Pink Friday’ campaign during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to raise vital funds for the charity by having a Pink Day where staff worn an item of pink clothing and sold pink cakes to raise money. Consultant Breast Surgeon Mr Simon Holt, who works at BMI Werndale Hospital, commented: “Almost 46,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK. That’s one person every 11 minutes. "Every day I see women and their families affected by breast cancer. I urge women to perform regular self examinations and to go to their GP if they find any unexpected changes such as a new lump, change in shape of the breast or blood stained nipple discharge. With early diagnosis and treatment a woman can take the first positive steps to increase their chances of successful treatment.” Executive Director at BMI Werndale Hospital, Caroline Daymond said: “Supporting Breast Cancer Care is so impo

Carmarthen’s new St Catherine's Walk Shopping Centre will be the major sponsor for the 30th annual Mayor’s Fun Run. The centre signed up to back the race series this week. Mike Pugh, the manager of the St Catherine's Walk Shopping Centre, said he was delighted to team up with the organisers of the Carmarthen Mayor’s Fun Run and races. “It is always our aim here at the St Catherine's Walk Shopping Centre to play as active a role as possible in the community and commercial life of Carmarthen,” said Mr Pugh. “The Mayor’s fun run races have a great reputation and our cash injection as major sponsors should ensure that the 30th annual races are very memorable.” The race date is being moved next year from the traditional Easter weekend to the May Day Bank Holiday on Monday, May 2. Mr Pugh added: “It is in the interests of all traders and businesses in the town, not just St Catherine’s Walk, that we see as many people as possible visit Carmarthen on race day. “We want people to ap

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' column from the Carmarthen Journal - The focus on involving youngsters in football at Richmond Park, Carmarthen, continues to gather pace. This Friday sees the latest half-time mini-football match at Richmond Park – between Johnstown Primary and Ysgol y Dderwen. Meanwhile, an appeal has gone out for ball boys and ball girls at the ground. “Being a ball boy and ball girl at the ground is a very rewarding experience and a great way of getting involved with the club,” said Carmarthen Town Executive committee vice-chairman Robert Lloyd. “Of course, you get free admission to the ground and the chance to meet and chat to the players. “You also get a free burger or hotdog at half-time!” Anyone interested in becoming a ball boy or ball girl can contact Club Chairman and Secretary Gareth (GO) Jones on 07814262656. The mini-football match between Johnstown Primary and Ysgol y Dderwen is part of the EMC Electrical Services Community Programme and takes

Two people have been fined for dropping litter in Carmarthenshire. Council environmental enforcement officers issued the fixed penalty notices for £75 to an 18-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man in the Leekes car park in Cross Hands Business Park. Failure to pay could result in prosecution in the magistrates court and a maximum fine of £2,500. The council’s executive board member for the environment Councillor Philip Hughes said: “There is no excuse for littering our streets, if there are no bins nearby, then take your rubbish home with you to dispose of. Saying it keeps someone in a job is just an excuse for those who are too lazy or just don’t care about where they live. “The council’s environmental enforcement officers regularly patrol the county and anyone caught dropping litter is fined. We determined to make Carmarthenshire a cleaner, greener and safer place to live for everyone.” It is hoped these fines will act as a warning to would-be litterbugs that this type of anti-social

Ammanford will be lit up with a glittering array of lanterns at the start of the town’s Christmas festivities. Local children are being encouraged to join in lantern-making workshops ahead of the town’s Christmas Carnival on Friday, December3. The lanterns will be released in to the night skies before the carnival parade to provide a magical backdrop to the evening’s activities, which include a walking parade and a grand fireworks display. Father Christmas will also be brought in to town on a sleigh before he opens his Grotto in the Pensioner’s Hall. Radio Carmarthenshire and Ammanford Town Band will provide a host of musical entertainment on the night, and a funfair and street entertainers, including balloon modelling and magic and Uncle Sam stilt walker, will provide plenty of fun and games for all the family. The event is being organised as a partnership between Carmarthenshire County Council and Ammanford Town Council, and is sponsored this year by national housebuilder Taylor Wimp

Two council officers got on their bikes as part of a 500 mile cycle relay to celebrate 500 Fairtrade towns in the UK. Ian Jones and Phil Snaith cycled from Ammanford - Wales’s first Fairtrade town – to Swansea where they handed over the baton for the final leg of the journey to Cardiff – the first city to gain Fairtrade status. The cyclists had set off from the first Fairtrade town, Aberfeldy in Scotland, passing other Fairtrade towns en route. Ian Jones is the council’s head of leisure and Phil Snaith works as a strategic development officer in regeneration. Ian said: “What better way to acknowledge Ammanford’s Fairtrade status than to join this leg of the celebratory cycle event, whilst keeping fit and healthy at the same time.” Phil added: “Ammanford was Wales’s first Fairtrade town and Carmarthenshire one of the first counties to embrace the new millennium’s increasing interest in cycling by building some of the best bits of the national cycle network. To celebrate the Fairtrade mo

Pupils at Peniel School have designed their own posters to encourage people to pick up their litter. It follows a visit at the end of last term from Eco Eli, the council’s eco-friendly mascot, along with local member Councillor Pam Palmer. The school’s Eco Committee had written to Councillor Palmer because they were concerned about the amount of litter in the village, in particular cigarette ends and dog mess. Councillor Palmer and council education and awareness and environmental enforcement officers went along to the Green Flag school to talk to the pupils and it was decided to hold a poster competition. There were four winners overall - Manon James, Jack Green, Lowri Joyner and Taryn Williams - and Councillor Palmer provided the prizes. Their posters will also be on display on litter bins throughout the village. Councillor Palmer said: “The standard of entries was very high and I would like to congratulate all the pupils for their hard work. “They really are an example to us all and

Carmarthen Town AFC's Tomi Morgan is Welsh Premier manager of the month for October after the Old Gold's climb up the table culminated in a 4-2 away win at Airbus. Tomi is in charge at Richmond Park for the second time, having previously managed the club for six seasons which included a Welsh Cup final and Town's first foray into Europe. Following time at Barry Town and Penrhyncoch Tomi managed Welshpool Town before joining CPD Porthmadog in February 2009. A very well qualified and experienced manager Tomi rejoined Town in June 2010. http://www.welsh-premier.com/index.php/headline-news/2767-tomi-is-october-manager-of-the-month

Llanelli's becoming a hair-raising town. There has been a lot of scratching of chins and men who have never fuzzed up before are joining in the spirit of the Grow a Grav beard campaign. Latest to fall foul of the stubble and ban the razors are Llanelli Town centre manager Andrew Shufflebotham, President of Llanelli Chamber of Trade and manager of Llanelli’s St Elli Shopping Centre Andrew Stephens and the centre’s regional manager Gilmore Jones. Gilmore wore a stubble patch in his younger days and has challenged colleague Andrew Stephens to see who can grow the best full set to help benefit the Ray Gravell and Friends Charitable Trust. Gilmore has even cheekily suggested his colleague might have to resort to knitting his beard to stand any competitive chance. Andrew, however, says his beard will be more realistic because he is red haired like Grav. In a biting comment he suggested Gilmore will only need a red suit when he has grown his beard to resemble the famous man who tumbles do

A range of festive entertainment has been organised to celebrate the switching on of the Christmas lights in Carmarthen on Friday November 26. Tenor Wynne Evans, Carmarthenshire Youth Band and singers Gwenda and Geinor are among the attractions at the event in Guildhall Square. The timetable of activities is: all day: Farmers Market on Red Street; 6pm: Welcome – Cllr. Peter Hughes Griffiths (Guildhall Square); 6-6:15pm: Carmarthen Symphonic Wind Band; 6:15-6:25pm: Carmarthen Twirlers; 6:25-6:35pm: Steps Dance School; 6:35-6:45pm; Carmarthenshire Youth Band; 6:45pm: Dr Mz Lantern Parade; 6:45-6:55pm: Côr Seingar; 6:55-7:10pm: Gwenda and Geinor-Part One; 7:10-7:20pm: Wynne Evans – Tenor; 7:20pm: Prayers and Mayor’s Speech; 7:30pm: Lights ‘Switch On’ - count down; 7:31pm: Carol Singing - Performers and Band on stage, public - (Tawel Nos and O Come all ye faithful); 7:35pm Cllr. Peter Hughes Griffiths to introduce Gwenda and Geinor; 7:35-7:45pm; Gwenda and Geinor - Part Two; 7:45-8pm: Carm

Wedi7, the S4c magazine show were at Cor Meibion Llanelli rehearsals at Furnace Community Hall tonight. The item should appear on tomorrow night's programme. For more pictures, see http://picasaweb.google.com/robertapvincent/CorMeibionLlanelli2010#

Welsh Assembly member Rhodri Glyn Thomas showed his support for British Pub Week by popping into a local pub in his constituency for a swift half. Mr Thomas, AM for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, joined Llandeilo brewer Simon Buckley at the White Horse Inn, Llandeilo, to toast British Pub Week. Mr Thomas said he was delighted to support the initiative. “The pub is very often the hub of the local community and it is a cherished part of our way of life. “In times of recession when many rural pubs are under threat it is good to have an initiative such as British Pub Week to put the spotlight on our local hostelries.” Mr Buckley added: “Who doesn't love pubs? They are without doubt the finest and most unique of our great British institutions. No other can match the pub for its historical, cultural and social importance. “We must protect our pubs, celebrate them and ensure they can continue to thrive. This is the sole aim of British Pub Week and I would urge everyone to get behind the ini

Interesting story in last week's issue of the Carmarthen Journal - Restaurant owner's anger with council 'hypocrisy' It read - A restaurant owner who was denied permission to put banners outside his premises has accused the council of hypocrisy. Andrew Daly said the county council's decision not to allow the banners could cost him his business and put his five staff out of work. The restaurateur, who runs Daly's Restaurant in Manordeilo claimed that three nearby out-of-use roadworks signs cause more of a visual obstruction than his refused billboards. "We rely a lot on passing trade," said Mr Daly, 33, "but people don't see us now, the ones who know about us think we have shut. "My signs were up for months and never caused any obstruction, the only ones which are the problem are the three council highways signs which are still here for some reason. "The council's signs are for "roadworks", "no road markings",

On Friday, 19 November 2010, Llanfihangel Abercywyn Church is holding the first Date Auction in Wales at its Dinner Dance in Trinity St David University, Carmarthen. On the list of gallant supporters, who have arranged once in a life-time date opportunities for the lucky bidders, are the Bishop of St David's, the Wales Rugby Team, Simon Hart MP, Nerys Evans AM, Huw ‘Fash’ Rees and the Mayor of St Clears. Penderyn Whisky also features innovatively on the date list. The guest auctioneer is Terry Thomas of Terry Thomas & Co, the auctioneers and estate agents in Carmarthen. He has arranged to accept telephone bids. The exciting prospects for winning bidders will include a sea fishing trip in the springtime, a chance to get up close and personal with the Wales Rugby Squad on the Captain’s Run Day before they play New Zealand and a make-over on S4C's Wedi 3 programme and much, much more. Llanfihangel Abercywyn Church is charting new waters in its fundraising work to support its

Carmarthenshire's award-winning housing programme has been showcased to teams across Wales. Housing professionals have been learning about the successful work being carried out in the county. The £200 million Homes Standard programme, work to provide affordable homes and the health benefits created by housing improvements have been flagged up as beacons of excellence for others to follow. The initiatives helped the County Council secure the prestigious Excellence Wales award last month. The housing team beat off competition from across the country to clinch the industry Oscar for delivering good quality, affordable housing. Now officers have joined up with the three other finalist authorities to share ideas and expertise. They met at a special Welsh Local Government Association seminar in Swansea, aimed at highlighting the work that is being done in the housing sector. Presentations on the work being carried out in Carmarthenshire, Cardiff, Conwy and Rhondda Cynon Taf were given du

Llanelli Rotary Club President Melanie Carroll-Cliffe helped hand out the awards at the charity boxing dinner staged at the Diplomat Hotel, Llanelli. The evening was organised by Trostre Amateur Boxing Club and helped raise £3,000 for Llanelli Rotary's HARK appeal for a mobile audiology unit for Accra in Ghana. For more pictures, see - http://picasaweb.google.com/robertapvincent/TrostreBoxingClubTournament#

The legendary Garnant Grappler, Alan Morris, celebrated his 50th birthday with a bash at his old haunt, The No Sign Wine Bar in Wind Street, Swansea. You can see more pictures at - http://picasaweb.google.com/robertapvincent/AlanMorris50thBirthday#

During National Adoption week 2010, the West Wales Adoption Service - which is responsible for recruiting, training and assessing adoptive families - says the need for permanent families for children in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire is as great as ever. The West Wales Adoption Service is looking for all types of prospective parents who could provide a permanent home for children of all ages. Some may need to stay with their brothers and sisters, others may have a disability. For some children it is important that they continue to have face-to-face contact with their birth families. Norry Hutchison, manager of the West Wales Adoption Service, said: “There are many myths around who is able to adopt, so please don’t think we’ll turn anyone down because they are over 40, single, or don’t own your own home. “What we really need are people who can offer a child or sibling group a loving and supportive family for life. People who can help a child recover from the reasons why

A group has been set up to see how the Carmarthenshire council and the police can tackle alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour in the county. The council’s Social Justice, Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee has set up a Task and Finish Group to look at the range of powers available to reduce alcohol-related crime and disorder. It could include measures such as Drinking Banning Orders which allows police and local authorities to stop a person entering certain premises if they have been involved in criminal or disorderly conduct under the influence of alcohol; and Designated Public Place Orders which gives police the power to confiscate alcohol and order individuals in that area to stop drinking. The group will be consulting with residents to find out their views on alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in the county and it has also been looking at what other counties throughout Wales and the UK are doing to tackle this issue. Members are being advised and supported by police and coun

A Llandysul man has been prosecuted for failing to fill in the appropriate documentation for the waste he was carrying. William Edward John Williams, aged 46, of Penfoel, Rhydlewis, Llandysul, pleaded guilty by post to an offence under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Ammanford Magistrates Court. The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council. The court heard that Williams was stopped by police and council environmental enforcement officers in Cefneithin Road in Gorslas in June this year as part of a joint operation targeting scrap metal dealers in Carmarthenshire. Williams was driving a 4x4 and was towing a trailer carrying a large amount of scrap metal. When asked if he was a licensed waste carrier, he said that he was but he did not have his licence with him. Subsequent inquiries revealed that Williams was registered with the Environment Agency as having a waste carriers licence, however, Williams admitted to officers that he did not have the req

A woman has have been fined £75 for throwing a cigarette end out of a car window at McDonalds in Cross Hands. The fixed penalty notice was issued by the council’s environmental enforcement officers who were on patrol in the area. Failure to pay could result in prosecution in the magistrates court and a maximum fine of up to £2,500. It follows the launch of a council campaign to raise awareness of smoking-related litter and encourage people to put their cigarette butts in the bin. Executive board member for the environment Councillor Philip Hughes said: “There is no excuse for littering our streets. We want to raise awareness of smoking-related litter and encourage people to behave responsibly. “Many people do not think of cigarette ends as litter, but it is. It makes an area look unsightly and it is difficult and very expensive to clean up as the ends fall into grates and cracks in the pavement.” Research shows that discarded cigarette ends make up the largest proportion of litter in C