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

Just back from the splendid surroundings of the Lamphey Court Hotel and Spa. Work is progressing well on the new £2m spa leisure centre.

Off to the Lamphey Court Hotel and Spa in Pembrokeshire for a business meeting - http://ning.it/puKzEc

A total of 13 students and two members of staff from the Beijing Institute of Technology are at Aberystwyth University’s School of Management and Business this week as part of a pilot project to offer a greater international dimension to Masters in Business Administration (MBA) programmes at both institutions. Ian Thomas, Director of Postgraduate Programmes and International Development at the Aberystwyth School of Management and Business, has been working on the project with Mr Meng Fanchen, Assistant Dean at the Beijing Institute of Technology. “The idea originated from a chance meeting at a conference in China,” said Ian. “During discussions, it quickly became apparent that there was a shared desire to further internationalise both the MBA student experience and the programme content at both institutions and that we should stay in contact to try to identify suitable methods of collaboration to allow this to happen.” In April 2011 Ian visited the Beijing Institute of Technology to me...

Aberystwyth University and Bangor University are to launch an ambitious programme to develop an innovation fund to support small businesses in mid and north Wales. For many years, both universities have worked with businesses in their region to share knowledge and expertise. Many spin out companies have been formed as a result of the practical application of research undertaken at Aberystwyth and Bangor. Now, the two institutions are looking to take things to the next level by providing access to venture capital funding to ambitious local businesses, who will benefit from appropriate investment. The fund will be operated independently of the Universities and will allow for the commercialisation of research, developed within the institutions and also from outside the universities, in the mid and north Wales region. The venture capital fund of some £2m initially, will be financed from a variety of sources including private equity, and provides an emphatic underlining of the key relations...

Regular readers of this blog will remember I have mentioned Krav Maga self defence classes before. Krav Maga self defence seminars have been running across Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire over the past few months. They have managed to establish a strong interest in Carmarthen and are now setting up regular training classes. Classes will be held at the Carmarthen Leisure Centre in Johnstown, starting on Thursday 28th July. Kids Krav (ages 8-15 years old) will run 7.15 – 8.15pm and adult beginners will run 8.15 to 9.30pm. Krav Maga is an altogether different system of defense which can be taught to anyone, of any age, sex, physical fitness or agility with a fearsome reputation for its powerful effectiveness in personal defense and fitness. It's savagely simplistic (to coin a phrase) and designed especially to combat a whole range of physical attacks and threats more common in today’s society. Not only are you equipped with the best system of physical self defence around, you will d...

Young people went ‘wild in the country’ under a Community Safety Partnership initiative which also taught them the consequences of crime. A ‘wildcamp’ was held at Glanamman Resource Centre for 15 youngsters aged between 13 and 15 from across Carmarthenshire. The five-day residential programme included physical activities such as coasteering, boxing/fishing and mountain biking during the day and workshops on anti-social behaviour, substance misuse, dangerous driving and fire/arson in the evening. The youngsters also made a video diary and a special presentation evening was held on the final day. Agencies taking part included the council’s youth service, police and fire and rescue service. The council’s Executive Board Member for Community Safety Cllr Pam Palmer said: “The activities held during the week helped to educate and challenge the young people and widen their experience. “It also aimed to help the young people become more aware of how their behaviour affects others and to deter ...

Residents can now pick up blue bags at more locations across Carmarthenshire – and even neighbouring Ceredigion! The council is increasing the number of blue bag outlets to make it easier for householders to recycle their waste. The bags are now available at Whitland, Carmarthen, Newcastle Emlyn and Kidwelly libraries, the tourist information centres in Lammas Street, Carmarthen, and the Discovery Centre in Llanelli as well as Ceredigion County Council customer service centres in Llandysul, Lampeter and Newcastle Emlyn for residents living near the border. Residents can also pick up more blue bags when visiting the county’s five Household Waste Recycling Centres. Executive Board Member for the Environment Councillor Philip Hughes said: “We want to make sure that the blue bags are as accessible as possible for residents. They have always been available from the council’s customer service centres and a number of independent community outlets, but we have now put them into libraries and t...

Residents in Carmarthenshire are being warned to make sure their summer holidays are not ruined by thieves. If you are going away, then make sure your home is secure to avoid becoming a victim of crime. Police say there have also been some incidents of thefts from empty properties including those with ‘for sale’ signs outside. Community safety officer Constable Anthony George said: “Thieves are targeting copper boilers, pipes and central heating systems because the price of scrap metal is currently at a record high. “We are advising owners to make sure their properties are secure and if possible, have a neighbour keep an eye on it for you. Think about fitting a battery operated alarm to the entrance area, or even a security light. Also make sure the water is turned off at the mains; some properties have suffered serious flooding damage after thieves removed the water pipes leaving water running out, sometimes for days.” Police say approximately half of all burglaries in the county are ...

Some 227 dirty dog owners and litter louts were fined in Carmarthenshire last year. Figures show that 194 people were fined for throwing litter between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011. Another 26 people were fined for failing to clean up after their pets and seven people were fined for fly-posting. The fixed penalty notices for £75 (reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days) were issued by the council’s environmental enforcement officers. The council took 20 of these people to court for non-payment and a further 23 people are awaiting court action. Director of Technical Services Richard Workman said: “Litter and dog fouling are important concerns for communities and the council shares these concerns. “We are determined to keep the county safe and clean for both residents and visitors and if we have to fine people, we will.” Environmental enforcement officers regularly carry out patrols across the county. They deal with all types of environmental crime from unlicensed waste carriers to aba...

Menter Cwm Gwendraeth has been given the go ahead to work with economically inactive people in Carmarthenshire. The Engagement Gateway has been developed as a collaborative venture by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO), Welsh Government and Wales Council for Voluntary Action. Health Link Co-ordinator David Saywell said: “Many individuals have multiple barriers which need to be overcome before they are ready for work. The aim will be to prepare people for employment through the use of a range of activities that build the confidence and skills needed to begin the process of starting or returning to work. “This will not only benefit the people who take part but will also help to bring together and develop the most disadvantaged communities in Carmarthenshire. I aim to work with people who are under-represented in the working population, such as older people, women and people with work-limiting health conditions, and also to ensure that people who live in the most deprived communitie...

Menter Cwm Gwendraeth has organised an open day at the Gwendraeth Resource Centre in Pontyberem next week. The event at the centre in Coalbrook Road on Tuesday July 26 from 10am-6pm is to let people know about the courses available in 2011-2012. The Resource Centre has a range of IT courses - keyboard skills, IT for beginners, Word and file management and E-mail and Internet; Multi Media courses – digital camera, digital imaging, Photoshop 1 and 2, Foundation in Multi Media and Level 1 in Further Technology; Welsh, and Spanish. The courses range from four to 30 weeks in length with a mix of daytime and evening courses. For more information and to register contact Julie Nicholas on 01269 871600.

Menter Cwm Gwendraeth is appealing to individuals and local organisations who want help to develop local projects to get in touch with their newly-appointed Community Liaison Officer David Saywell. David will be working for the Cryfhau Cymunedau (Strengthening Communities) scheme which forms part of Carmarthenshire’s Innovative Communities Project. This is an integral part of the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013. David said “You may be looking for volunteers or wanting to volunteer in places in rural Carmarthenshire to help strengthen and develop your local communities. I am keen to work with community and voluntary groups, charities, and Town and Community Councils and will aim to support and develop Community Mentors. These mentors will work in their own areas and look at ways to bring local communities together socially, culturally and economically. I will be there to support them in any way I can. “Community involvement is crucial and I want to work with disenfranchised,...

Latest results from ‘The Ash’ – Ladies Jubilee Trophy 1, Maria Davies, 89 - 20 = 69; 2, Elizabeth Mary Ervine, 108 - 31 = 77; 3, Lynette Eileen Mortimer, 106 - 29 = 77 Veterans Open Day 1, G Davies (Carm), 43 pts; 2 Anthony Washer, 41 pts; 3, A Bebb (Visitor), 40 pts. Evan Williams Cup 1, Eleanor Roberts, 95 - 22 = 73; 2, Leena Lodha, 98 - 21 = 77; 3, Gillian Hart 93 - 15 = 78.

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC football club column from the Carmarthen Journal - Supporters of Welsh Premier League side Carmarthen Town AFC are being reminded they can save cash by renewing their season tickets early. Season Tickets give admission to all home Premier League matches and are priced as follows – Adult £80 (£70 if received prior to 31/07/11) Senior Citizen/Student £60 (£50 if received prior to 31/07/11) Age 12 – 17 £40 (£35 if received prior to 31/07/11) Age 11 and under £20 (£15 if received prior to 31/07/11) Family tickets are available. Contact: Clive Thomas 01267 232665. There are also packages for Vice Presidents and Gold Vice Presidents. Contact Clive on the number above. ------------------------------------- Dates for your diary: An additional friendly has been organised away to West End on Tuesday, July 26. Carmarthen Town will then play Caersws away on July 30. The Old Gold will play Welsh League Champions Bryntirion Athletic o...

An ambitious new £1.5 million grant scheme to help farmers to diversify and to retain young people within rural Carmarthenshire is due to be launched this summer. Carmarthenshire County Council has attracted grant funding to offer support to farmers who want to develop other ventures to supplement their income. The aim of the Supporting Farmers to Diversify grant scheme is to maintain and increase the income of farm households in rural Carmarthenshire by helping them to develop alternative sources of income and alternative employment opportunities through providing the capital needed to enable farming families to diversify into non agricultural activity. The scheme has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. The fund will provide financial support for farming households seeking to diversify into non agricultural activity. Capital grants at 50% of total proje...

A forthcoming £1.59million capital grant scheme to help small tourism businesses across rural Carmarthenshire to upgrade and improve is about to be launched by Carmarthenshire County Council. The Strengthening the Tourism Appeal of Rural Carmarthenshire Grant Scheme has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. The grant scheme aims to strengthen Carmarthenshire’s position as a year round premier tourist destination by helping businesses to develop and promote themselves. The project comprises of two grant pots which offer 80 per cent funding against total project costs. The first grant is open to all micro-enterprises involved in the tourism industry across rural Carmarthenshire and aims to improve the quality of the tourism product in rural Carmarthenshire by financially supporting the improvement or upgrade of accommodation and tourism facilities. There wil...

A leading Carmarthenshire business is helping to pave the way in building links with education. Chartered accountants and business consultants Clay Shaw Butler have signed up for the innovative GO Wales project, which makes it possible for students and graduates to develop their careers through quality work experience and training opportunities. “GO Wales is an exciting project and one which should interest any business keen to develop young talent,” said Clay Shaw Butler director David Butler. This summer, the team at Clay Shaw Butler has been joined by 19-year-old Gareth Thomas (pictured above), who lives in Carmarthen and studied at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin. The 12-week placement is a big stepping stone for Gareth to going to Cardiff University to study Business Management and Finance. “I am interested in a career in business and finance, so the GO Wales placement with Clay Shaw Butler has been ideal. It has given me a taste of the ‘real world’ work environment and the encour...

A plan has been unveiled outlining a vision for the future of Carmarthenshire. The Deposit Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan, which is now available for public consultation, sets out a strategy and policies which will shape the manner in which the county changes and develops in the period to 2021. It allocates land for housing and employment purposes, and indicates where these and other uses will be permitted, in addition to identifying areas where policies designed to protect the environment from inappropriate developments apply. On adoption in 2013, the LDP will replace the current Unitary Development Plan, and it will provide the basis for the consideration and assessment of all proposals and planning applications in Carmarthenshire. Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “Many of Carmarthenshire’s residents have already provided the authority with valuable assistance in terms of evidence gathering and cons...

A property company has been fined £4,000 for failing to put right unauthorised changes to Llanelli’s listed Park Congregational Chapel. Ammanford Magistrates Court was told that the chapel on the corner of Murray Street and Inkerman Street was listed as a building of special architectural and historic interest (Grade II) in 1992. It was built in Gothic style in 1864-5. Following the removal of an internal ornate timber door surround without listed building consent, the county council served an Enforcement Notice on the owners in 2008 to reinstate the surround. The owners were prosecuted for failing to comply with the Enforcement Notice, and having been found guilty were fined £2,000 plus £1,075 costs by Carmarthen Magistrates in October 2009. The council then extended the time limit for compliance with the Enforcement Notice but once again the owners failed to comply. There was a second prosecution and last week the owners Topaz Property Co. Ltd. were found guilty again and fined £4,00...

Good to see that West Wales author Gillian Morgan now has a blog. You can find out more about her novel, Salt Blue. See - http://gillianmorganbooks.blogspot.com See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/gill-hopes-to-make-mark-with-debut.html

A pub in Llanelli is looking for local artists to give it a lick of paint. The Masons Arms in Thomas Street is inviting graffiti artists to share examples of their work as part of its Paint the Pub competition. This is South Wales | Put a mark on pub walls

A life-saving unit at Llanelli's Prince Philip Hospital has been described as "not fit for purpose". The damning assessment of the endoscopy unit — where, among other vital uses, lifesaving cancer diagnoses are made — came in notes from a Hywel Dda health board meeting last month. This is South Wales | Prince Philip Hospital unit comes under fire in report

Nice story in the South Wales Evening Post about Carmarthen Town manager Tomi Morgan's new recruits for the Welsh Premier League campaign. Splendid review in the Llanelli Star today of the Cor Meibion Llanelli 'annual' concert at the Selwyn Samuel Centre. Wonder who wrote it? Llanelli Star puts the spotlight on Llanelli Rotary Club's Friday meeting, which will feature a visit from District Governor Mike Parry. Carmarthen Journal's Out and About pages puts the spotlight on the Stagecoach Carmarthen theatre arts group and their LAMDA awards success. Spotight on Stagecoach Carmarthen theatre arts group and their scholarship winners in the Carmarthen Journal today. Latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC football club column is in the Carmarthen Journal today. Carmarthen Journal sports pages put the spotlight on Welsh Premier League side Carmarthen Town AFC's first friendly of the new season.

True crime writer Ian Hitchings has spent the last two years of his life researching and writing his new book - Robert Stewart – Portrait of a Prison Killer. Rhymney-born Hitchings has just been added to the Welsh Academy of writers – the only true crime author to feature in their Literature Wales database. His new book is due to be released on August 1, published by Oktober Books, Bristol. It will expose the dark and chilling world of 29-year-old Manchester-born Robert Stewart, Britain’s most dangerous psychopathic prison killer. Stewart committed heinous acts with a horrendous and gruesome disregard for human life. “It’s not an easy or comfortable story to tell and it has taken two years of my life conducting meticulous research to reach the point where I am ready for publication,” said Hitchings. “I am delighted that the book will soon be available. I am also delighted that the Welsh Academy has recognised my work. It can be a lonely existence as a writer and recognition when it com...

The Welsh Government will today announce that an additional £6m will be allocated to developing sustainable transport across the country over the next year. The funding will go towards creating “sustainable travel centres” in Mon a Menai, Aberystwyth, Haverfordwest and Carmarthen, and further investment in a Cardiff pilot scheme. Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/07/18/welsh-government-hands-out-6m-for-green-transport-in-bid-to-put-brake-on-car-journeys-91466-29071407/#ixzz1SYcsySR4 Welsh Government hands out £6m for green transport in bid to put brake on car journeys - Wales News - News - WalesOnline

Aberystwyth University welcomes the publication of the report Future Structure of Universities in Wales by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and looks forward to contributing to the consultation process which will now ensue. In a statement, the university also said - We also welcome the statement issued by Higher Education Wales. These proposals include further strengthening of the relationships between Aberystwyth, Bangor and Glyndŵr Universities. These will now be considered carefully over the coming weeks. Aberystwyth University has established a very successful collaboration with Bangor University, initially the Aberystwyth/Bangor Research and Enterprise Partnership, which we are pleased to see recognised by the Welsh Government. Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities have already embarked upon a process to strengthen the partnership, whilst retaining their separate identities. The Council of Aberystwyth University has set a clear ambition for the University – we will con...

The Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Pill, a key figure in the UK legal sector has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship of Aberystwyth University. Sir Malcolm Thomas Pill has had a distinguished career in the practice of the law as Counsel and Queen’s Counsel and in the administration of justice as Recorder, Judge of the Queen’s Bench Division and as a Lord Justice of Appeal. He is the longest-serving Lord Justice of Appeal, and the most senior member of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales. His very distinguished career as counsel and judge was centered on Wales and more particularly Cardiff where he practised as counsel and sat as Recorder and judge until his elevation to the Court of Appeal in 1995. He also became 3rd Secretary at the Foreign Office and spent a period in Geneva at the United Nations Human Rights Commission. He was chairman of the Welsh Centre of the United Nations Association Trust and later became chairman of the Welsh Centre for International Affairs and for a period of s...

Lieutenant-General Jonathon Riley, an accomplished military leader, author and academic has been awarded with an Honorary Fellowship of Aberystwyth University. Jonathon Riley joined the Army in 1973 and has dedicated his life to a career in the military, retiring from active service in 2009 when he took up the appointment of Director General and Master of the Royal Armouries. In recognition of his role within the Army, Lieutenant-General Riley was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for bravery and distinguished conduct in the Balkans in 1995. He was made an Officer of the Legion of Merit of the United States of America in 2004 and was made a Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath in the New Year’s Honours, 2008. In December 2009 he received the NATO Meritorious Service Medal from the Secretary-General. An accomplished author, Lieutenant-General Riley has fourteen published works which include several military histories. Lieutenant-General Riley is married to the Welsh ...

Professor Christianne Glossop, Chief Veterinary Officer to the Welsh Government, has been presented as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University. Appointed to the role of Chief Veterinary Officer for the Welsh Government in 2005, Professor Glossop is responsible for developing and implementing the animal health and welfare policy and strategy for Wales. Professor Glossop was appointed Honorary Professor at the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2007. Since her appointment as Chief Veterinary Office to the Welsh Government, the focus has inevitably shifted to teaching animal health and welfare policy development. She has developed and implemented a number of policies that have put animal welfare within Wales ahead of the position in other regions of the UK, including the publication of dog, cat and rabbit welfare codes, the 2010 ban on the use of electronic (“shock”) collars in dogs and cats and on-going work revising puppy breeding legislation. Her role in supporting the livestock industry ...

Dog owners in Carmarthenshire are being urged to pick up after their pets. Carmarthenshire County Council is supporting National Poop Scoop Week 2011 which is being held from July 25-31. Run by the Dogs Trust, the aim is to remind dog owners to pick up after their dog and help clean up our public spaces. While the majority of dog owners are responsible and pick up after their dog, a careless few are still giving dogs a bad name. If you don’t pick-up after your pet you could get a fixed penalty notice of £75 or face prosecution in court and a maximum fine of £1,000. The council’s ‘Poop Scoop’ team will be out and about next week to raise awareness of dog fouling and its consequences. They will be at the Millennium Coastal Park, North Dock, Llanelli, on Tuesday, July 26; Pendine beach car park on Thursday, July 28; and Llansteffan car park on Friday, July 29 between 11am and 2pm with information and advice and free poop bags. Executive Board Member for the Environment Councillor Philip H...

It's the big debate in Llandeilo - Sainsbury's : Yes or No? Now there's a public meeting on the horizon as the arguments for and against Sainsbury's building a supermarket in Llandeilo gather momentum. I am grateful to Gerry Gold, of Transition Town Llandeilo, for the following information on a public meeting which is being billed as - The first assembly of the people of Llandeilo and the Towy Valley. It is being held at 7:30 pm on Thursday July 21 upstairs at The Angel, Rhosmaen Street, Llandeilo. Sainsbury's planning application for its proposed new supermarket on the A40 just outside Llandeilo was submitted on July 4. The deadline for comments is July 25. Sainsbury’s say that 600 of the 800 people who visited their brief exhibition in Rhosmaen Street are in favour of their plans for a new supermarket, but the exhibition and associated publicity didn’t address many of the questions people have been asking. JBP, Sainsbury’s PR company, say ‘public meetings are neve...

Dr Clive James, an agricultural scientist and founder of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), has been made an Honorary Fellow of Aberystwyth University. Dr James was born in Llansaint near Kidwelly and graduated from Aberystwyth University in 1961 with a first degree in Agricultural Botany, followed by a PhD from Cambridge University. He founded the ISAAA in 1990 in order to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and the acquisition and transfer of crop biotechnology applications from the industrial countries, for the benefit of resource-poor farmers in the developing world. The ISAAA is a not-for-profit charitable organisation and its mission is to alleviate hunger and poverty in the developing countries. He emigrated to Canada in 1968, where he worked for Federal Departments of Canada Agriculture and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Prior to his association with ISAAA he was Deputy Director General at the International...

The Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies at Aberystwyth University has appointed acclaimed film maker and artist, Gideon Koppel, as Professor of Film. Koppel, who is also an Associate Fellow of Green Templeton College, University of Oxford will be taking up his post within the Department in September 2011. Professor Koppel’s research interests lie between the blurred boundaries of documentary film and fine art. His focus within the Department will be the further development of creative media practice, in particular documentary film making at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Dr Jamie Medhurst, Acting Head of Department at the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies said: “Gideon brings with him a wealth of experience and amazing insight to the film industry and the film making process specifically. In our department, we pride ourselves in placing great emphasis on innovation and I’m confident Gideon’s appointment will prove invaluable to our students and t...

Aberglasney House and Gardens Newsletter is now out - http://ning.it/n8ODFj

Thank you very much, folks. Thanks to you, dear readers and visitors, this blog is continuing to pick up more hits. It's now hit the 40,000 page views mark. That's 1,000 more views since July 12. Keep the hits coming, folks! Much appreciated. Many thanks. See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/39000-visits-chalked-up.html Meanwhile, the blog has chalked up its first visitor from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The full country by country list (figures from January 6, 2010) is as follows - United Kingdom (GB) 12,930; United States (US) 1,523; India (IN) 110; Belgium (BE) 103; Canada (CA) 87; Australia (AU) 80; Germany (DE) 79; France (FR) 75; Ireland (IE) 62; Taiwan (TW) 60; Europe (EU) 52; Netherlands (NL) 34; Italy (IT) 33; Spain (ES) 30; Philippines (PH) 29; Qatar (QA) 29; New Zealand (NZ) 25; Pakistan (PK) 22; United Arab Emirates (AE) 20; Poland (PL) 20; Malaysia (MY) 20; Russian Federation (RU) 19; Japan (JP) 17; Singapore (SG) 15; Brazil (BR) 14; Sout...

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC from last Wednesday's Carmarthen Journal - The countdown to the new football season has well and truly started at Richmond Park, Carmarthen. The first team has been back in training for a number of weeks under the direction of manager Tomi Morgan. The Youth side returned to training last night (Tuesday), while the Reserves are back on the field tonight (Wednesday) at 6.30pm. The Youth and the Reserves are both training at the Carmarthen Athletic Barn. Season tickets holders for the Welsh Premier League campaign at Richmond Park are reminded that subscriptions are now due. Dates for your diary: Town’s first friendly of the season will be against one of manager Tomi Morgan’s old clubs, Tregaron Turfs on Saturday, July 16. An additional friendly has been organised away to West End on Tuesday, July 26. Carmarthen Town will then play Caersws away on July 30. The Old Gold will play Welsh League Champions Bryntirion Athletic...

Carmarthen Town returned to action last Saturday with their first friendly match prior to the 2011/12 Welsh Premier League campaign. Tomi Morgan took a squad made up mainly of trialists with a few of last season’s squad and new signings to Tregaron, to play the Spar Mid Wales League side. Although the game ended in a a 1-1 draw with the Old Gold only equalising in the last few minutes of the game Morgan was pleased with the application of his squad. ”All players were asked to report for training in Tregaron at 11am. Despite holiday and work commitments we had 20 players out there trying to prove that they deserved a place in the squad for the coming season. We had an excellent training session for an hour and a half before having a break prior to the 3pm kick off.” Morgan started with an experimental line up containing only four of last season’s squad with Tim Hicks playing in the back four, Geraint Passmore and Kieran Howard anchoring the midfield and Oli Ardolino playing up front. To...

Côr Meibion Llanelli’s ‘Annual Concert’ at the Selwyn Samuel Centre, Llanelli, with soprano Adele O’Neill and the Tredegar Town Band. You know you’ve witnessed something special when you’ve heard two standing ovations. The first came when Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas paid tribute to the choir’s former accompanist, Gethin Hughes, who died just short of his 76th birthday. Mr Thomas paid tribute to Gethin’s contribution to the musical life of Llanelli and Wales and invited the audience to pay tribute in the ‘way Gethin always appreciated’. Cue: a minute-long standing ovation. Predictably, the second standing ovation of the evening was reserved for the climax of the evening, a collaboration between the choir and their guests, soprano Adele O’Neill and the Tredegar Town Band. It took the shape of a stirring Climb Ev’ry Mountain from the Sound of Music and had followed a splendid duet between the soprano and Côr Meibion Llanelli’s musical director of the Andrea Bocelli...

Clwb Iechyd Da, a health and wellbeing club for older people based at Pontyberem’s Nant Y Glo Sheltered Scheme, has been recognised at a prestigious national award ceremony. The club was shortlisted for a Bloom Award, a scheme run by UK-wide organisation Lemos and Crane to acknowledge excellence in improving the quality of life, dignity and well-being of older people. Although the club missed out on taking the top award, it was listed amongst 16 shortlisted entries chosen out of over 150. Clwb Iechyd Da (Good Health club) provides activities for sheltered scheme residents and older members of the local community. Amongst others, it offers a day club, luncheon club and gardening club. It also hosts a wellbeing clinic in conjunction with the Local Health Board to offer advice on avoiding falls, various forms of exercise, and blood pressure testing, as well as providing reflexology, holistic therapies and foot care. Police and community support officers and charities such as Age Concern a...

Rupert Murdoch's daughter Elisabeth and her PR tycoon husband Matthew Freud threw a party of decadent opulence and excess that saw the political and media elite flock to their 22-bedroom Cotswolds mansion Burford Priory yet again. Just 24 hours later, the news broke that murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler's mobile had been hacked by Rupert Murdoch's News of the World newspaper and his global empire was plunged into disarray. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2015563/Mandelson-giddy-Steve-Hilton-course-Robert-Peston--How-Elizabeth-Murdoch-Matthew-Freud-hosted-decadent-hurrah-Chipping-Norton-set.html#ixzz1SMGtm2ue Mandelson, a 'giddy' Steve Hilton and, of course, Robert Peston... How Elizabeth Murdoch and Matthew Freud hosted the decadent last hurrah of the Chipping Norton set | Mail Online

Advice and Support Carmarthenshire – a network of organisations that advise people on debt, consumer issues and benefits – has supported a charity which provides emergency food supplies for people in crisis. A Food Bank collection point has been installed at the council’s main administrative building in County Hall, Carmarthen. Members of council staff have been encouraged to support the initiative and to donate non-perishable food items to be distributed by the Trussell Trust. A suggested shopping list of items that the food bank supply to those in crisis includes breakfast cereal and dried pasta; sugar, tea bags and cartons of orange juice; and various tinned foods such as soups, beans, fruit, meat and tuna. Cllr Kevin Madge, chair of the ASC network and the county’s Anti Poverty Champion, said: “This scheme very much supports residents in Carmarthenshire in a similar way which Advice and Support Carmarthenshire does. “We engage with people of all ages with a variety of circumstances...

Hundreds of people working in the fields of social care, health, housing and children’s services in Carmarthenshire have received recognition for long service and special achievement. An award ceremony was hosted by Carmarthenshire County Council to honour its own employees, and also those working for independent providers. In all, 112 people received awards for achieving 20, 25 and 30 years long service with the council. A further 200 people were recognised for new qualifications they have gained in the last year, ranging from line management qualifications to NVQs, Diplomas and Degrees. The ceremony, held at Kidwelly’s Princess Gwenllian Centre, also celebrated the achievements of Carmarthenshire’s Social Care Workforce Development Partnership, which provides learning and development opportunities for the county’s social care workforce. Over 160 organisations and groups are members of the partnership which join together to create a supported framework for more than 5,000 employees. I...