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

The Gwili Railway in Bronwydd has received a Developing Identity and Distinctiveness grant of £12,000 from the Rural Development Plan (RDP) for new crossing gates. The funding was to erect timber lockable gates at the station in order to extend the passenger service for future development. The Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and you can find out what grants may be available for you by visiting the West Wales European Centre’s website www.wwec.org.uk

Four people have been fined £75 for dropping cigarette ends on the street in Cross Hands. The women, aged 19, 24, 27 and 40, were caught throwing the litter in Woodlands Terrace and Pontardulais Road. The council’s environmental enforcement officers were on patrol in the area following complaints about the amount of cigarette ends being thrown on to the streets. Failure to pay the fixed penalty notices could result in prosecution in the magistrates court and a maximum fine of up to £2,500. It follows a council campaign to highlight the problem of smoking-related litter and encourage people to put their cigarette butts in the bin. Director of Technical Services Richard Workman said: “We do not want to fine people, but we will not hesitate to do so if they continue to litter in this way. Many people do not think of cigarette ends as litter, but they are. They make an area look unsightly and they are difficult and very expensive to clean up - the ends fall into grates and cracks in t...

Ammanford has been given the all-clear after an investigation into claims that rats were running around the town centre at night. Public Protection officers have carried out a thorough investigation – and found no evidence of rats. Carmarthenshire County Council’s head of public protection Philip Davies ordered the investigation after complaints of a rodent problem. Mr Davies said: “There have been uncorroborated reports of rodents seen running down town centre roads in Ammanford late at night. Officers have walked each alleyway, side street and main thoroughfare in Ammanford town centre until the early hours of the morning and no rodent activity has been witnessed. “They didn’t find any piles of refuse, or anything else that would attract or harbour rats. Ammanford is looking quite tidy.” He said that since April 1 this year only one report of a rodent infestation had been received from Ammanford and that was in a residential area and not in the town centre. Mr Davies added: “Th...

Residents in Kidwelly are being urged to have a good clear out and recycle any rubbish they have lying around the home. A ‘Recycling on the go’ event is being held on Saturday, August 20 in the Co-op car park between 8am and 10.30am. Householders can take advantage of this one-off chance to dispose of any large items of rubbish for free. 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. As much as possible will be recycled. The event has been organised by Carmarthenshire County Council and the aim is to encourage residents to dispose of waste that may otherwise be fly-tipped as well as encourage them to recycle and/or reuse as much of their rubbish as possible. Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Philip Hughes said: “Bulky waste such as furniture, wood and cardboard left lying in a...

More than £600,000 was spent upgrading 75 Carmarthenshire Council kitchens in 2010/11, with improvements including the re-painting of kitchen walls and ceilings, replacing shelves and counters and re-tiling. Floors have also been laid and new windows installed in a small number of schools, along with new dishwashers and ovens. Sandra Weigel, catering services manager, said: “We are constantly monitoring all of our school kitchens to ensure they are up to standard and fit for our staff to prepare school meals. “We hold regular inspections, and in those kitchens where we identified the need for improvement, we have acted quickly to ensure that any minor issues did not become a problem. “It is very satisfying to see the investment we have put in to school kitchens reflected so well in the gradings awarded by Environmental Health inpectors.” Inspections are carried out unannounced by the Environmental Health Agency. It awards five stars when the kitchen demonstrates a very high stand...

Participants at a Carmarthen training project for adults with learning disabilities have no problem getting their five-a-day quota of fruit and veg. Participants of STEPS II, based at Cam Cyntaf, Johnstown, are reaping the rewards from another bountiful crop of fruit and vegetables from their allotment. This year they have managed to grow more than ever, with fantastic crops of pumpkins, squash, beetroot and courgettes; tomatoes, lettuces, onions, carrots and chillies. Everything is grown from seed and nurtured daily by members, supported by staff at the COASTAL-funded STEPS project. Most of the crops taken from the allotment are used by another COASTAL-funded project, the SA31 Café, County Hall, which provides training in customer services, health and safety and catering skills. The COASTAL project is a Regional Strategic Project covering six local authority areas, part-funded from European Social Fund (ESF) as part of the 2007-13 West Wales and the Valleys Convergence Programm...

The buzz about Llanelli’s rapid £60-million transformation has stung town centre managers from across Wales to come and have a look for themselves. While most town centres are muffling against the cold bite of recession Llanelli is striding forth with great hopes and aspirations for the future. Now like bees to a honeypot, 14 Welsh town centre managers, and possibly the chief executive of the Association of Town Centre Managers, Martin Blackwell, will be in Llanelli on September 14 to see for themselves just what is happening. Llanelli town centre manager Andrew Shufflebotham said: “It is greatly encouraging the town managers want to experience the exciting things happening in Llanelli. “I can’t wait to parade them round the showcase five developments that are attracting so much interest. “We have waited a long time in Llanelli to realise our ambitions and now everything is slotting into place with everything coming to fruition over the next 12 months or so.” The five major proje...

Projects in Carmarthenshire have attracted more than £40,000 into the county through the Big Lottery Fund Awards for All. A total of 74 community-based projects across Wales share in the £275,429 awarded under the latest round of the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All small grants programme. Eight projects in Carmarthenshire have benefited to the tune of £40,636. The successful schemes are Trallwm Area Forum, which received £5,000; Carmel and District Welfare Club, which received £5,000; Sbri-Ni holiday club, which had £4,980; Carmarthen Women's Aid Limited, which was awarded £4,994; Llandovery University of The Third Age, which received £2,350; Cylch Meithrin Llanddarog, which had a grant of £4,772; Meidrim Senior Citizens, who received £3,540; and Ferryside OAP Association, which was awarded £5,000. The money is helping to establish groups, societies and clubs, promoting learning, increasing volunteering opportunities and helping to build stronger communities. Carmarthenshir...

Llanelli-born Ceri Sherlock has just been appointed to a leading role with the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts. Professor Sherlock, renowned as an international director and producer of theatre, music theatre, opera, film and television, has been elevated to Dean of Drama at the HKAPA. He is the first non-Oriental Dean of Drama in 27 years at the HKAPA. “It’s a wonderful achievement and all of his family in Llanelli are very proud of him and overjoyed at his success,” his mum Velda said from her home in New Road, Llanelli. Professor Sherlock, 53, is an honorary Professor of Drama at Kingston University, London, and a Visiting Professor in Media and Performance at the University of Glamorgan. He was educated at Ysgol Dewi Sant, Llanelli, and Llandovery College. He studied philosophy and theology at King’s College and at the Institute of Education, University of London. He was a Fulbright Scholar in directing and screenwriting at the School of Theatre, Film and Television a...

Tourism is worth more than £300m to Carmarthenshire’s economy according to new research. The good news comes on the heels of an article in trendy fashion magazine Red which listed Carmarthenshire as second in its list of coolest places to visit in 2011 - in front of global locations such as Mozambique, Laos and Miami. Visitors are voting with their feet, according to the UK-wide Steam (Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor) model, which reports that visitor numbers rose by over 38,000 to 2.97million in 2010. This helped boost total spending in the county in 2010 by five per cent to £332million. The research also shows that more than 6,269 full time equivalent jobs are supported by the county’s tourism industry, an increase of four per cent since 2009. Carmarthenshire County Council has welcomed the report which it says shows how much the county has to offer and demonstrates that it is being effectively marketed. The county has an ongoing strategy of regeneration has incre...

A Sony Reader and case plus lots of promotional goods are being given for free at the launch of the Heritage 6 project at the Llanelli Festival next week. People are being asked to complete questionnaires on the new initiative which involves Freeing the Heritage 6 through collating information about Llanelli’s past in six key areas – people; buildings; events; incidents; industry; and places. All completed questionnaires will be put into a draw and one winner will receive the Sony Reader and case. Heritage 6 suggestions to date include Lord Elwyn Jones, Stradey Castle; a 1922 murder; Buckley’s Brewery; Loughor Bridge and Burry Port Harbour. Suggestions can date back as far as possible or can be as recent as this year – more modern items received are Huw Edwards; St Elli Centre; and the Millennium Coastal Park. Information on all suggestions made will be gathered and put on a new Heritage 6 website building on collections and materials that already exist within libraries, archives...

Question: How do you turn £1million into £14million? Answer: Invest it in community projects in Carmarthenshire. The council’s community regeneration division has attracted £12.8million in external funding for 371 different projects with council match funding of £1.3million. The division has created or assisted 80 enterprises, created or safeguarded 72 jobs, helped or advised 864 community groups, and improved 107 community facilities. It also helped 299 people with debt and benefit issues and addressed household debt of more than £1million. Projects range from setting up community shops, improving access to IT and broadband, a food co-op delivery service, providing community facilities and helping people back into work. The funding has come from a number of various sources such as the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-13, which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development; the Welsh Government’s Communities First programme and Tidy...

Carmarthenshire's council leader has written to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions expressing deep concerns on proposed changes to the welfare benefits system. Cllr Meryl Gravell has acted on behalf of the council following the Government’s plans, particularly those relating to the Housing Benefits scheme. In the letter to Iain Duncan Smith, Cllr Gravell said: “Naturally, to a Unitary Authority like Carmarthenshire which has an ageing population as well as pockets of high deprivation and unemployment, it is the changes relating to the Housing Benefits scheme that are of immediate concern. “Council is hardly reassured by the DWP’s own assessment which concluded that these changes are likely to result in an increase in households with rent arrears, evictions and homelessness. “There is no question that the current benefits scheme is extremely complex and costly, and many will agree that it requires a full and comprehensive review. However it is the range and depth of ...

Grant aid is now available to businesses in Cross Hands to improve shop fronts and help attract further investment in the area. Carmarthenshire County Council is working in partnership with the Welsh Government to deliver the scheme as part of the Western Valleys Regeneration Area initiative. Businesses based in the commercial core of Cross Hands are now invited to apply for a Town Improvement Grant (TIG) to improve their premises. The aim is that the improvements will enhance the visual appearance of the buildings, increase local confidence and encourage private sector investment in the area. Funding of up to 50 per cent of eligible costs will be available per property up to a maximum grant of £16,666. Eligible organisations that can apply for a grant include small, medium and micro enterprises (SME’s) and community enterprises. Regeneration executive board member Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “The aim of the project is to assist the physical and economic regeneration of the Cr...

Surveys are underway at several of Carmarthenshire council’s Sheltered Housing Schemes to look at ways of improving energy efficiency. Carmarthenshire County Council’s housing officers have teamed up with the Energy Savings Trust to look at Llys Glanymor, Clos Llanfiangel, and Llwyn yr Ynys Sheltered Schemes. The aim is to identify ways of making the buildings more efficient to run, reducing their carbon footprint and also helping to reduce fuel bills for residents and the council. Officers have already identified smaller scale improvements, such as upgrading internal and external lighting to LED or movement activated lighting in communal areas, which will switch off when the area is not in use. They will also look to ensure all radiators have valve controls so that those in stairways and corridors can be turned down, and also at loft insulation for communal areas to improve their thermal rating. Larger scale improvements could include looking at boiler systems and installing sola...

A recruitment campaign over recent months has resulted in almost 20 new Adult Placement carer approvals this year. The West Wales Adult Placement Service, which provides long and short-term supported living arrangements and respite provision for vulnerable adults in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembroke, has used a number of media channels to raise its profile and encourage new carer applications. Along with targeted media campaigns, including newspaper and magazine features, radio advertising and information events, it has supported carers to establish their own newsletter and website. As a result there are now almost 100 approved Adult Placement households across west Wales – 60 of these in Carmarthenshire - and more than 160 approved Adult Placement carers. Richard Springett, manager of WWAPS, said: “It has been quite astounding how the people of Carmarthenshire have really taken Adult Placement to their hearts. We get so much positive feedback from the public generally and c...

Carmarthenshire County Council housing tenants who have solid fuel fires are being reminded of their responsibility to keep the fires maintained. Solid fuel fires, often referred to as stoves or log-burners, use seasoned wood or coal to provide heating. Around 200 council properties currently have solid fuel fires, which are regularly serviced and maintained by the council’s Property Services department. Although council staff and operatives sweep chimneys and service the fires and flues to ensure they are in good working order, they are also reiterating their general maintenance advice to tenants. A bilingual information leaflet is available to all tenants with solid fuel fires. As well as maintenance advice, it warns about the seriousness of carbon monoxide and tells the tenant what to do if they smell fumes or fell unusually faint or suffering headaches. Maintenance advice includes asking tenants to ensure that the fire’s throat plate and boiler flue is cleaned every 14 days a...

A Laugharne woman has been convicted of benefit fraud after a trial. Mary Elizabeth Susan Halstead stood trial at Carmarthen Magistrates Court after pleading not guilty to an offence of failing to promptly notify Carmarthenshire County Council of a change in her circumstances, namely that her Jobseekers Allowance had ceased, contrary to Section 112 Social Security Administration Act 1992. The court was told that 55-year-old Halstead had been awarded housing and council tax benefit at a council tenancy in Orchard Park, Laugharne, as a single person on the basis that she was unemployed and in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance. A data matching exercise identified that she had stopped receiving Jobseekers Allowance February 22, 2010. As a result, she had been overpaid £715.26 rent rebate (from March 1, 2010, to June 6, 2010) and £215.55 council tax benefit (March 1, 2010, to July 25, 2010). She failed to attend for interview and the case was sent to court. Halstead pleaded not guilty to ...

A new residential school for autistic children in Carmarthenshire will open for the first time in September. The facility will provide a service for up to five children, and will be based in the Cross Hands area of the Gwendraeth Valley. It has been funded from Carmarthenshire County Council’s capital resources, with health, education and social care each contributing towards the £350,000 development. The school will ensure that young people who require residential support will now remain in county. At least two children who are currently placed outside Carmarthenshire have been offered places at the school, which means they will now be nearer to family and friends. Head of Children’s Services, Jake Morgan, said: “This will be a small residential facility to meet the needs of autistic children in the county, which offers an alternative to providing out of county services which can often be more expensive. “This is a proactive approach, as unfortunately there is a growing number o...

A Llangennech man has been sentenced to a community order for falsely claiming more than £4,500 in rent rebate and council tax benefit. Stephen Hodge appeared at Llanelli Magistrates Court for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty at Ammanford Magistrates Court to one charge of dishonestly failing to declare a change in circumstances and one of dishonestly making a false statement, contrary to S111 Social Security Administration Act 1992. Hodge, aged 46, had been awarded housing and council tax benefit at his council tenancy at Nantygro, Llangennech, on the basis he was a single man. An investigation was commenced in November 2010 when it was suspected that he had been working. He attended the council offices and made a full admission that he had failed to declare he had returned to work for Millbrook Recovery in March 2009 and that he’d subsequently been working for A & A Car Service Centre, Llanelli from August 2009 to June 2010. As a result, Hodge had been overpaid £...

Residents in Nantgaredig are being urged to have a good clear out and recycle any rubbish they have lying around the home. A ‘Recycling on the go’ event is being held on Saturday, August 13 in the primary school between 8am and 10.30am. Householders can take advantage of this one-off chance to dispose of any large items of rubbish for free. 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. As much as possible will be recycled. The event has been organised by Carmarthenshire County Council and the aim is to encourage residents to dispose of waste that may otherwise be fly-tipped as well as encourage them to recycle and/or reuse as much of their rubbish as possible. It is one of a number of activities being held in Carmarthenshire as part of Total Focus Week - a new multi-agency Fly-tipping Act...

The growing Thursday morning business breakfast club at Llanelli’s Diplomat Hotel had a VIP visitor at a recent meeting. Peter Sylvester, Business Network International (BNI) executive director for South Wales, was in town to spread the word about the power of networking. The former Harley Davidson motorcycle executive shared his thoughts on the power of the BNI network. “There is a wonderful breakfast club here in Llanelli and it is plain that you work very hard to help each and make sure that you all survive and thrive in business,” he said. The Business Network International (BNI) Chapter in Llanelli has expanded in recent weeks, but is still looking for new members. The busy Thursday morning club meets at The Diplomat at 7am. “Meeting first thing in the morning is great,” said Llanelli chapter (local branch) director Graeme Fox. “We all have busy days and meeting first thing in the morning means that it doesn’t intrude onto the rest of the working day. “It also means that w...

Free film screening for children at Llanelli Library - Rango (PG) on Thursday 25th August 2011, at 2:00pm. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult during the screening. Tickets must be booked in advance. Please ask a member of staff in the library for more information.

The clock is ticking on the ‘chance of a lifetime’ to secure a special horticultural traineeship at the showpiece Aberglasney House and Gardens in the Tywi Valley. Up for grabs is an 18-month placement at the stunning gardens, one of the finest heritage horticultural sites in the country. “It really is a chance in a lifetime for a young gardeners; the chance to live and work here in the glorious surroundings of Aberglasney,” said head gardener Joseph Atkin. “But anyone interested will have to get their skates on as the deadline for applications is next Monday (August 15). “The timescale is very tight as it is a chance for us to use grant money provided through the Heritage Horticulture Skills Scheme (HHSS). We’ve had applications from all over the country, but we are putting the message out there once again as we don’t want people who may have been away on holiday recently to miss the opportunity of applying.” The money for the traineeship has been accessed through the Heritage ...

Three Carmarthenshire youth clubs have combined forces to give a community garden a much needed face-lift. Young people from Carmarthenshire, Llansteffan and Abergwilli youth clubs have transformed an overgrown community garden at the rear of the Memorial Hall, Llansteffan into a safe and useable space. The project was made possible through funding from the GwirVol Youth Volunteering Awards, which allowed the groups to purchase the talents of three artists from Arts Care Gofal to help with landscape design, willow work, ceramics and mural art. Carmarthenshire County Council’s Youth Service and the MOBI Project have been working in the area since September 2009 giving young people the chance to participate in fun and informal educational activities. Cath Wilson, Youth Project Worker, said: “The young people worked extremely hard, giving up their time during the summer holidays to complete the garden.” “Despite poor weather conditions the young people showed enthusiasm and commitmen...

A new multi-agency drive to tackle fly-tipping is being launched in Carmarthenshire. The week-long ‘Total Focus’ campaign will include clean-ups, community skip days, waste carrier stop-checks and duty of care advice to residents and businesses in fly-tipping hotspots throughout the county. Part of the Fly-tipping Action Wales initiative, partners include Carmarthenshire County Council, Keep Wales Tidy, Dyfed-Powys Police, Environment Agency Wales, Tidy Towns, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Llwynhendy Communities First and Wales Probation Trust. People are being warned to think twice before getting rid of any waste from their homes and businesses because if it is found fly-tipped they could be facing a large fine. A number of awareness-raising activities will be held until Saturday, August 13 in a bid to help keep the county clean. ‘Bring and Take’ community skip days will be held throughout the week where householders can take along any unwanted items such as toys, b...

Llanelli interior decorator Kathy Bowen will have to get busy and find some extra wall space in her own office after picking up an award from the town’s branch of Business Network International (BNI). Kathy, who runs Komplete Interiors Llanelli at Tir Yr Yspitty in Bynea, received a Notable Networker Award at a meeting of the growing BNI breakfast club at The Diplomat Hotel, Llanelli. The award was in recognition of Kathy’s efforts in delivering new business for other members. She received the award from Peter Sylvester, executive director for South Wales for the BNI network. Mr Sylvester said Kathy was a shining example of a go-ahead businesswoman who recognises that networking can pay dividends. “Kathy appreciates that being part of a network such as the BNI means that everyone gets a chance to help each other build business in these difficult economic times,” he added. The Business Network International (BNI) Chapter in Llanelli is looking for new members. The busy Thursday m...

This year has been an exceptional year for applications at Aberystwyth University. Such is the demand that Aberystwyth University has experienced a 16.6% increase in applications and successful applicants are accepting Aberystwyth as their first choice in greater numbers than ever before. It is clear even at this early stage and before A level results are announced that Aberystwyth will have no need to enter Clearing. The particular experience of Aberystwyth is in marked contrast to the general experience of Wales where the increase is only 1.4% and the UK, where growth in numbers is only 0.8%. The Director of Admissions has written to all students holding an offer to say that the University can only guarantee acceptance this year if the terms of the offer (the grades achieved) are met squarely. Professor Aled Jones, Pro Vice-Chancellor, said: “This has been a remarkable year. 2010 broke all records, but, so far, 2011 has surpassed all previous landmarks in student applications....

Scientists from Aberystwyth University have made a significant discovery that could pave the way for the development of a new drug treatment for one of the world’s deadliest diseases. In a paper entitled Cytosine methylation regulates oviposition in the pathogenic blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni which is published in Nature Communications on Tuesday 9 August 2011, Professor Karl Hoffmann from the University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences outlines how they have identified a specific DNA modification of the parasitic flatworm Schistosoma mansoni that gives rise to the disease schistosomiasis. A chronic and debilitating disease caused by blood flukes, schistosomiasis kills 300,000 people each year, a death toll second only to malaria among parasitic diseases, and leaves more than 200 million people chronically ill. Professor Hoffmann and colleagues show for the first time that genomic DNA of the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni is methylated and go on to id...

A Professor at the IBERS centre in Aberystwyth University has revealed some “sneaky” squid mating strategies through a global research project. Paul Shaw, Professor of Population Genetics & Genomics at IBERS has published research findings into the evolution of mating strategies in squid. In 2008, while at Royal Holloway University of London, he set up a research collaboration with scientists in Japan as part of a larger global network involving groups in the UK, South Africa, Japan, California and Australia, to investigate squid (and other cephalopod) reproduction across the world. Alongside the researchers in Japan, he looked at the sperm produced by small sneaker males and large consort males and discovered that the sperm produced by the sneaker males was significantly larger than that of the consorts, the first time that such a difference in sperm size has been observed in any animal. Dr Yoko Iwata from University of Tokyo said, “Sperm size is likely to be an adaptation...

Business Breakfast with the BNI Llanelli Chapter in The Diplomat this morning.

Spotlight on Llanelli Rotary Club's meeting (tonight) at the Stradey Park Hotel in the Llanelli Star today. Good back page spotlight in the Carmarthen Journal today on goalkeeper Mike Lewis signing up for Carmarthen Town AFC for the Welsh Premier. Latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC football column is in the Carmarthen Journal today. Spotlight on James Buckley joining the family brewing team at Evan-Evans in Llandeilo in the Carmarthen Journal today. Spotlight on Cranford open-air performance at Aberglasney House and Gardens in the Carmarthen Journal today. Aberglasney House and Gardens featured in Carmarthenshire tourism round-up in the Carmarthen Journal today. Brewer blasts Sainsbury's plan for Llandeilo in the Carmarthen Journal today - http://ning.it/nWbimh

Off to Aberglasney House and Gardens in the Tywi Valley.

Back at base camp . . . facing a mountain of work, with a smile!

A fund-raising charity golf day is being held at The Ashburnham Championship Links golf course on Friday. It is being organised by the Burry Port Charity Fund, which was initially started in 2008 after the Christian Ford Memorial Fund raising Committee was closed. Over the last four years, the fund has been able to run a Charity Golf Day in the name of the Christian Ford Memorial Golf Day using the trophy kindly donated by Christian’s family. This has been achieved by the generous support shown by the Ashburnham Golf Club in allowing the fund to use the course and support from Burry Port RFC. The intention of the fund is raise money to support local people/causes, where applicable, to continue/maintain local non-profit-making long standing traditional organisations within the local community. Over this time, the fund has been able to raise and distribute around £12,000 to local causes entirely due to the support received from golf teams, sponsors and friends of the now closed Chr...

Carmarthenshire's ‘poop scoop’ team have been reminding dog owners at Llanelli’s Millennium Coastal Park to pick up after their pets. The team were out and about with information and advice and free poop bags as part of National Poop Scoop Week 2011. Run by the Dogs Trust and supported by Carmarthenshire County Council and Tidy Towns, the aim was to encourage dog owners to help clean up our public spaces. While the majority of dog owners are responsible and pick up after their pet, a careless few are still giving dogs a bad name. The team were at North Dock as well as Burry Port harbour to spread the word on dog fouling and its consequences. Executive Board Member for the Environment Councillor Philip Hughes said: “The council is determined to stop the problem of dog fouling and improve the environment for both residents and visitors to Carmarthenshire. “By taking part in National Poop Scoop Week we are reminding dog owners of their responsibilities and the consequences of no...

Off to Carmarthen to see the team at Clay Shaw Butler, chartered accountants and business consultants.

Off to see Llanelli Reds play Manchester United Reserves at Parc y Scarlets.

Latest special offers from the Jenkins Bakery (inc 4 fruit scones £1.50) now on the website - http://ning.it/dZZV8w

Carmarthen Town begin their Welsh premier League campaign for the 2011-12 season next Saturday with a home game versus mid Wales side Newtown FC (Kick off at 2.30pm). First team manager Tomi Morgan has been busy during the pre-season in adding to his squad from last season but he was especially pleased last Saturday when goalkeeper and Player of the Season for 2010-11 Mike Lewis decided to return to Richmond Park for the coming campaign. Lewis is picture above signing for Carmarthen Town with club chairman Gareth Jones. Lewis had been training with Newport County during the summer but decided to commit himself to the Old Gold prior to the last pre-season friendly against Welsh League Champions, Bryntirion Athletic. A late goal by Steffan Williams was the difference between the two sides in what was a pleasing encounter. Williams was netting his third goal of pre-season series of games. The game also saw the first appearance in the Old Gold shirt for Jack Christopher and he was denied a...

Round two of the Kay and Kurt wedding anniversary weekend is about to kick off with coffee and kuchen! Last night, the Lloyd household was turned into something of a Come Dine With Me spectacular.

Simon Thompson, Presenter/Producer of Inside Hollywood (5USA/Channel 5), has agreed to take up the post of president of the Carmarthen Bay Film Festival. Simon has 17 years experience in radio and online combined working for some of the biggest brands in the industry including Heart, Capital, Sky, XFM and The Sun. Responsible for Showbiz content on-air and online across Global Radio's Heart network, he was thee editorial driving force behind the largest commercial radio brand in the UK reaching over 7.2 million listeners. Simon was also regularly heard on 30 of the 33 Heart radio stations across the UK securing exclusive interviews with such A-list stars as Hugh Jackman, Will Smith, Kate Winslet and Russell Crowe. In many cases Simon helped those stations achieve record listening figures in reach and share - in some cases by as much as 25 per cent in just three months. As a respected journalist and critic his quotes have featured on national ad campaigns for some of the biggest and...