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

Off to see tenor Alfie Boe in concert with the Llanelli Choral Society and Hywel Girls Choir and Boy Singers.

What a challenge! A flower festival at the back end of the year! But that is what the creative members of St Michael’s Church in Llanfihangel Abercywyn have taken on. The theme of the flower festival is Harvest Home and it will feature some of the most enchanting aspects of a country autumn celebration. The festival opens on Thursday, September 29 and continues until Sunday, October 2. At the opening Harvest Festival service on Thursday evening (7pm), the guest preacher will be the Venerable Dr William Strange, Archdeacon of Cardigan. The service will be followed by a harvest supper at The Forge Restaurant on the A40 near St Michael’s Church. The church will be open for people to come and visit on Friday, Saturday (10am - 5pm) and Sunday (12am - 5pm) to see the floral displays and enjoy seasonal refreshments at the Church Room. The President of the festival is John Williams (O J Williams) from St Clears and his partner, Valerie Pittman, will be opening the festival on the Thursday even...

Busy morning - recording another edition of the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind, followed by the Nana shopping run to Carmarthen!

Carmarthenshire councillors will again write to Transport Minister Carl Sargeant asking that he meets with them over the need for a bypass for Llandeilo. A report on the increasing levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in Llandeilo town went before the Environment Scrutiny Committee. Following a detailed assessment carried out by the council at the beginning of 2010, it has now been necessary to designate an Air Quality Management Area within the town. The committee was told that the next step was to set up a Steering Group of all relevant stakeholders and develop an Action Plan with the aim of reducing nitrogen dioxide levels within the Air Quality Management Area and improving air quality in Llandeilo. However, councillors agreed that a bypass for the town was now a matter of urgency as it is the only possible solution to the problem. They will now write to the Transport Minister Carl Sargeant again asking that he meets with the council to discuss when Llandeilo will get its long-awaited ...

There's only month until registration closes (Friday 14th October 2011) for the strangely-named Colloquium for Equine Reproduction to be held on Saturday 29th October. The event is sponsored by EGG Tech and ERS – Equine Reproduction Supplies Ltd. Following the unprecedented success of the first Colloquium for Equine Reproduction in 2010, Aberystwyth University’s IBERS (Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences) will hold a second on 29th October 2011. Space is strictly limited so book your place as soon as possible. Prestigious speakers have been confirmed including the renowned equine reproduction scientist, Dr Jenny Ousey (Beaufort Cottage Laboratories, Newmarket), Dr Julia Kydd (School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham), Mr John Spencer (Fyrnwy Equine Clinic), Ms Emma Tomlinson (Beaufort Embryo Transfer). Jos Mottershead is also a confirmed speaker, travelling from Oklahoma USA. Jos runs Equine-Reproduction.com, an internationally renow...

Splendid lunch and productive meetings at The Cricketers in Cardiff. Back at base camp and back on the diet!

Finals Day results from The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club – Scratch Cup - Tim Priestland bt Bobby Phillips 10&9. Ashburnham Cup - Carl Stimson bt Greg Round 2&1. Seniors’ Cup - Simon Gravelle bt Huw Dixon 2&1. DB Rees Cup - Mark O’Sullivan and Mari Jones bt Alan McGregor and Jayne Evans 2&1. Junior Bowl - Phil Rudall bt Andrew Joinson 2up. DR Lewis Cup - Alex Gear and Peter Williams w/o Bryan williams and Glyn John. Junior Matchplay - Jordan Davies bt Daniel Brice 2&1. Judy Ray Championship - Olwen Davies bt Sophie Anderson 5&4. Roger Williams Cup - Fiona Halpin bt Ellie Roberts 4&2. Allie David Cup - Olivia Martin bt Ellie Roberts 2up. Ladies Senior Matchplay - Gill Hart bt Leena Lohda 2up. WH Jory Foursomes - Olwen Davies and Wyn Parsons bt Lynette Bassett & Fiona Halpin 2up.

If you have ever thought you could be a coach in white water kayaking, dodgeball or similar skills, then Carmarthenshire Council’s Sports Development Unit might have a course for you. Over the half-term period at Drefach, Ammanford, Llanyssul, Llandeilo, Carmarthen, Llanelli and Burry Port there are nine different sports or disciplines being handled in coach tuition. See accompanying programme for details. The Sports Development Unit has again teamed up with a variety of National Governing Bodies to provide entry-level coaching courses for those that wish to volunteer in the 5x60 and Dragon Sport programmes or within the community. County executive board member for leisure services Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “For many candidates this will be the first step on the coaching pathway and it’s hoped that they will become inspired to get involved in coaching in schools and in the community. “Volunteers are an integral part of sport in Wales and could become an inspirational coach responsibl...

Jenkins the Bakers will be taking centre stage at a prestigious national Bakers’ Fair next month (October). The South Wales bakers, based in Llanelli and with shops across the area, will be up against the crème de la crème of British talent at The Autumn Bakers’ Fair in the Bolton Arena in Lancashire. The Jenkins team will be taking part in the Richemont Club competition, an event which has status in the baking and confectionery business equal to that of football’s Premier League. “It’s difficult to explain to people not in the industry how important the Richemont Club competition is to us bakers,” said the Jenkins Bakery’s Operations Director Russell Jenkins. “It’s right up there as our Premier League and just taking part in the Richemont Club is an honour for any business. “The Richemont Club has an international reputation, with clubs across the globe, so it really is something which is on everyone’s aims and aspirations within the baking and confectionery industry.” Mr Jenkins adde...

Carmarthenshire Young Ambassadors and Welsh sporting stars are at the Halliwell Theatre at the University of Wales Trinity St David today. Welsh sporting figures who have won medals at the top level of sport are helping inspire the next generation at a special event to mark the build up to London 2012. Olympic swimming medallist David Davies, Commonwealth swimming medallists Jazz Carlin and Georgia Davies, boxing star Kevin Evans, Welsh netballer Stephanie Williams and multi-sport icon Non Evans are speaking with more than 100 Carmarthenshire school pupils who have been selected for a unique role to promote sport. Pupils from schools across the county have been chosen as official London 2012 Young Ambassadors. Platinum and Gold ambassadors will represent the county, silver ambassadors will represent secondary schools and bronze ambassadors will represent primary schools. Carmarthenshire will be the first local authority area in Wales to incorporate all levels of Young Ambassadors on a ...

The countdown to Christmas is well and truly on at picturesque Aberglasney House and Gardens in the Tywi Valley. The staff at Aberglasney are gearing up for one of the highlights of the year at the gardens – the Traditional Winter Fair. The fair is billed as ‘the best traditional winter fair in South West Wales’, offering something for everyone in the run-up to Christmas. Last year’s fair fell victim to the heavy snow, but the promise is that the event will be back, bigger and better than before. Fair organiser and Aberglasney administrative manager Patricia Turner said: “There’s a huge buzz about the fair this year, especially after the snow and ice put paid to all the hard work last December. “The idyllic setting of Aberglasney House and Gardens in the Tywi Valley is ideal for a winter fair and we’ll have plenty on offer this year, from Christmas gifts, crafts, decorations, Welsh food and drink. “There will be entertainment from Welsh and choirs, bell-ringers and bands – and there’s ...

The town of Burry Port and the Burry Port Town Band will be hosting the West Wales Brass Band Association Contest on October 8. The event takes place in the Memorial Hall, Burry Port. The bi-annual contest has more than 38 competing Senior Bands and new Junior Ensemble and Youth Band sections, with three bands in each of these sections. Graham Howe, Chairman of the Burry Port Town Band, said: "The event will see the town and local area welcome more than 1,000 people on competition day, with a full schedule starting at 10:30am and continuing until early evening when the Championship section, featuring seven bands, including Burry Port Town will be on stage playing their own selected music. "We are particularly excited about the addition of the Youth Band and Junior Ensemble sections, and would welcome everyone to come along and support some of the best young brass players in South Wales competing in Burry Port at this contest for the very first time. "The entry ticket for...

Aberglasney’s Head Gardener Joseph Atkin continues his weekly column in the South Wales Evening Post - As summer wanes and the crisp air signifies the beginning of autumn you hear the odd thud or crack in the distance. Having worked in orchards, you instantly know this is the sound of apples falling from trees or laden branches snapping. September is often a highlight in the fruiting season. At Aberglasney, the Belgian fence is crammed with fruit and the old apple tree kitchen garden carpets the floor with apples. Apples offer far more than just fruit or crab apple jam or any of the eating and drinking products we are so familiar with. There are some fantastic ornamental trees which are grown only for their ornamental value. Like many of you I would agree that edible fruit trees and their blossom are quite beautiful in themselves. Fruit aside the early blossom and autumn colour of fruit trees is a welcome addition to the garden. However, what the ornamental trees can give you is a very...

All parents should take responsibility for their children’s anti-social behaviour, Carmarthenshire’s social justice committee believes. The committee heard that a total of 253 warning letters were sent out for anti-social behaviour in 2010/11 and of these the highest number – 228 – were aged under 18. Incidents recorded ranged from smashing glass, verbal abuse, letting off fireworks in a public place, throwing mud at a car and throwing eggs at people. In some cases, the parents had not been aware of any problems until receiving the letter, and the vast majority responded positively in trying to manage their children’s behaviour. Community Safety Manager Kate Thomas said: “We do get a number of calls from parents who are concerned about their child’s behaviour, and often the letter is the first they know of it, which is of some concern. We have discussions with them about what we can do to help the parents or the child. Parents do generally respond well and try to manage their child’s b...

Good news today in the bid to breathe new life into King Street in Carmarthen. It comes from Origin Dyfed, a cooperative of artists and craftmakers who have been established for 21 years. They previously had a gallery in Blue Street, Carmarthen. They have now rented the old Siop y Seld at No23 King Street and are opening to the public on Saturday (September 24). The shop itself was rebuilt following a fire in 1932 in Art Deco style and many of the original features remain. There is a private 'invitation only' view on Friday night, 5pm to 8pm. One of the members of the cooperative is Mark Cox, who is well known to visitors to Aberglasney House and Gardens as he exhibits there on a regular basis. The cooperative includes traditional artists, a blacksmith, jewellers, other artists, wood turners, card makers, and glass makers. For more on Mark Cox, see - http://carmarthenartist.blogspot.com/ www.markcoxpaintings.co.uk

Flower power paid dividends for Healing The Wounds, the Welsh charity which helps treat sufferers of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Members of the Llanmadog and Cheriton Gardeners Association on the Gower peninsular open their gardens every summer to raise money for different charities. The Healing The Wounds charity benefitted from the gesture for the second year running. Mr Mike Bristow hosted a presentation evening at the community hall in Llanmadog and a cheque for £1,875 was handed to Kevin and Carol Richards, representing Healing The Wounds. A total of 14 gardens were opened for public viewing in the summer. “The gardeners all work extremely hard to make every summer viewing a success and raise as many funds as possible for their chosen charities and we were once again overwhelmed with the gardeners’ generosity,” said Kevin Richards, founder of Healing The Wounds. Carol Richards, secretary for Healing The Wounds, added: “The funds raised by the gardeners will be used to p...

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column from the Carmarthen Journal - Carmarthen Town AFC proudly operates with the philosophy of “More than just a Football Club”. With this in mind, club members have for many years raised money for charitable causes. This year’s nominated charity is Ty Cymorth, a day hospice-providing palliative care and support for people with a life limiting condition. It is open on two days a week only at present and their appeal is now raising money to improve facilities and access for a growing demand for the service for people in Carmarthen and district. There is a fund-raising charity evening planned for Friday 14th October at the Carmarthen Town AFC Community Centre in Richmond Park. The event will be an informal affair with tickets priced at £12.50 each and groups of people can be seated together for a cold meat knife and fork buffet. Pupils of Bro Myrddin School, with a range of musical recitals, and Gurnos Rees, an accomplish...

Residents are being urged to give their views on the council’s recycling service. A survey is being carried out to find out what people think about the green bin/blue bag scheme and the recycling centres. The survey has been inserted into the September/October edition of Carmarthenshire News and can also be completed online via the council’s website. The information will be used to improve the service where possible. Like all local authorities in Wales, Carmarthenshire must reduce the amount of waste it sends to landfill and increase its recycling rate. Last year the county recycled/composted 43% of its waste, but must achieve a figure of 52% by 2012/13, rising to 70% by 2024/25. Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Philip Hughes said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for householders to recycle and that’s why this survey is so important. Our recycling rate is very encouraging, but we have a lot of work to do if we are to reach 52% by 2012/13. It is also vital we redu...

Send your senses reeling in the run-up to Christmas at a festival in Llandeilo, November 18-21st It is a flash-bang-wallop, suck it and see four-day festival with more than 100 events spread through the town. Experience a magical mix of food and drink and Heavenly chocolate treats, music and carols, Santa and fireworks with a chance of huge festive shopping savings. In its fifth year the Llandeilo Festival of Senses was set up by Llandeilo Chamber of Trade to broadcast the rich diversity and delights of this fabulous community and helping to raise its profile. The festival focuses on the unique shopping experience that is Llandeilo, its remarkable produce and show casing the wide range talent in the community. Most of the events are indoor ensuing weather is no issue. The Food hall in Horeb Chapel is showcasing food and beverages with tastings. There is a wine bar and space to sit and eat some of the foods on offer. There is a chance of resourcing a wide and exclusive range of Christma...

Carmarthenshire's Youth Service has helped the Llanelli Centre project secure almost £35,000 funding. Staff from the council’s Youth Service Engage team have been working with Centre project staff to submit an application for Engage funding from the Welsh European Funding Office. They have now learned they have been successful in securing a grant of £34,632 for the project, which has been running for 12 years. Executive board member for youth services Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge paid tribute to the efforts of staff. He said: “Our youth service fully supports the Centre project which is doing a great job for young people in Llanelli. I would like to thank them for their successful efforts in helping secure this funding which will make a great difference to the project.”

Llanelli's 41-year-old multi-storey car park in Murray Street is having a £1.7million facelift. The reclading of the six-storey car parking space for 525 cars right at the heart of Llanelli together with new lighting will ensure the car park fits in with the major renovations going on all about Llanelli’s Town centre. The refurbishment is costing more than 20 times what the original car park cost to build. A planning application has recently been submitted for the first phase of the scheme which involves the removal of the existing concrete parapets and their replacement with anodised expanded aluminium mesh cladding emulating the effect at the multi storey car park at St David’s Shopping centre, Cardiff. Phase 1 is planned to be complete in mid 2012 in time for the exciting £25-million East Gate opening which will be following on before Christmas next year. The second phase will start later in 2012 and will involve repairing the damaged concrete, waterproofing, repainting the bays...

A total of 80 girls from eight comprehensive schools across Carmarthenshire have taken part in a spectacular dance show. In the ‘You think you can dance’ show at Queen Elizabeth High School pupils from 5x60 clubs across the county demonstrated the dance routines they had been working on. The show was produced in partnership of 5x60 which is supported by Arts Wales and Arts Care Gofal Cymru who also judged the performances. County executive board member for leisure services Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “The numbers of youngsters involved demonstrates the not only the success of 5x60 in Carmarthenshire but also the value of the scheme. “It allows youngsters not only an opportunity to get active but also partake in leisure sports and opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to them.”

Llanelli's Christmas Carnival, is the biggest in Wales, attracting crowds of 20,000. This year the town’s Christmas carnival capers are launched on Friday, 18th November. There is a Christmas craft fayre in Stepney Street sponsored by St Elli Shopping Centre on the Saturday and the famous St Elli Centre reindeer parade through the streets of the town to shopping centre follows on Sunday. A profusion of colourful floats, high class street entertainment including a fairground, staged music and a fantastic fireworks display explodes into the sky above the town on carnival night. This is the manner Llanelli has heralded the countdown to Christmas and its festive lights switch-on for more than 30 years. Last year, a record 12 floats entered the carnival thanks to the hard work of the Llanelli Round Table. This year Round Tabler’s are hopeful that schools, businesses, charity groups and streets entries will keep up the momentum making this year’s Llanelli Carnival the best yet. Anyone in...

Parents of those attempting underage drinking in Llanelli could be hit with £50 or £75 fixed penalties. Llanelli’s Behave or Be Banned (BOBB) team have been exasperated at the numbers of underage drinkers attempting to get into pubs and clubs about the town. Doormen at Baileys in Station Road recently turned away on one Friday night a total of 42 teenage boys and girls trying to by-pass doormen. Many of them had produced fake ID including driving licences and passports of older brothers and sisters. The BOBB scheme aims to stop people causing bother in just not one pub but in all those licensed premises signed up to ban problem customers. Underage drinkers are a separate problem because they should not be on the premises or be attempting to get in so a ban is not deterrent. Chairman of the Llanelli group and Llanelli’s most experienced night club manager, Clive Brookfield, of Tom Peppers and the Moonraker, said underage drinkers were a continuous conveyor belt of problems for landlord’...

The river crossing footbridge in Llanelli’s Penygaer Fields is to be replaced and improved to allow shared use with cyclists. It is an important element of the linkages element of the ADREF (town centre improvement) project. More than £725,000 is being invested to upgrade footpaths between the town centre and the surrounding communities into shared pedestrian/cycle path facilities, allowing safer, improved access to the town centre and Millennium Coastal Park. The existing bridge, with a width of 900mm, is insufficient for shared use. The new, galvanised steel bridge, with 1.4m high parapets and high grip surface, will facilitate all non-motorised users. County executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “There is so much going on in and around Llanelli town centre it is hard to keep pace with all the improvements and developments. “This new bridge is an important element ensuring there are better links in the area for pedestrians and cyclists. Getti...

Traffic wardens have been booking motorists ignoring parking regulations in Burry Port and Kidwelly on a Sunday. Six offenders in Elkington, Road Burry Port, were booked at the weekend and in Kidwelly driver’s rushed to move their vehicles to avoid a ticket as the wardens made spot checks. The Sunday checks were made at the request of police following complaints from residents that Sunday drivers were ignoring and flouting parking regulations causing inconvenience and danger to road users. County executive board member for transport services Cllr Philip Hughes said: “People are under the misapprehension that wardens work 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday when in fact our transport department can assign them to areas where there are safety or congestion issues to help resolve them. “The message is if motorists flout the parking regulations they run the risk of receiving a parking ticket at any time.”

ADREF is an exciting new project funded jointly between Carmarthenshire County Council, the European Regional Development Fund and TMF through the Welsh Government. The project will connect and strengthen links between the exciting new developments within Llanelli Town Centre and the sustainable, wider regeneration of the town and its surrounding communities. A planning application has been submitted for the core £4.5million element of the scheme at Llanelli town centre involving improvements in Vaughan Street and Stepney Street including creating a new central square at the entrance ADREF aims to create an environment which will encourage inward investment, economic growth and the provision of quality jobs. The project consists of three elements aimed at improving the town centre: Environmental Enhancements; to improve the public realm in and around the town centre including new canopies and furnishings. Upgrade key gateways into the town centre. Improve pedestrian/cycle linkages betw...

Residents in Trimsaran 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 – formerly known as a waste amnesty - is being held on Saturday (September 24) in the leisure centre 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: “I hope residents ta...

Spotlight on latest results from The Ashburnham Golf Club in the Carmarthen Journal today. Only Boys Aloud 'Healing The Wounds' charity concert date in Cefneithin featured in the Carmarthen Journal today. Splendid feature on the Carmarthenshire Photographic Archive (Deheubarth website) in the Carmarthen Journal today - ning.it/pEJSB6 Nice piece in the Llanelli Star this week on Only Boys Aloud and their planned Healing The Wounds charity concert in Cefneithin. Splendid spotlight in Llanelli Star on Cor Meibion Llanelli's planned concert date to mark the anniversary of the Llanelli Railway Riots. Nice picture spotlight on Llanelli Rotary Club members meeting Dr Who (Matt Smith) in the Llanelli Star this week. Latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column is in the Carmarthen Journal today.

Complaints about Carmarthenshire Council’s housing services have almost halved in the last year. The number of complaints received has fallen from 102 in 2009/10, to 65 the following year, showing improvement in areas including estate management, adaptations and home improvements. In addition, more than 40 compliments were received; with the highest praise being made for the council’s housing staff. Tenants said that services were delivered within an agreed timescale, and met expectations, whilst staff were polite, helpful and professional. Carmarthenshire County Council owns and manages 9,200 homes, in a mixture of rural and urban environments. It closely monitors complaints and compliments to ensure proper procedures are being followed for the benefit of tenants, and to highlight areas for improvement. Analysis of the complaints and compliments received during 2010/11 was presented to the Housing Scrutiny Committee last week. Recommendations were also made for improvement. They inclu...

Age UK’s 'Itea and biscuits week' is being held at Llanelli Library this week. The event is aimed at people in later life who are interested in learning about technology such as the internet, digital cameras, mobile phones and other technology. It will take place in the lending department on Wednesday, between 2pm and 4.30pm, and will include tea and biscuits. Itea and biscuits week is an annual campaign run by Age UK which aims to introduce technology to people in later life. A spokesman said: “Technology is increasingly important and can offer older people numerous benefits, from using mobile phones and the internet to keep in contact with loved ones more easily, to using digital cameras to capture those important moments in life.” At the event there will be experts on hand from Llanelli Library to teach people about technology. Regional Library Manager Mark Jewell said: “Itea and biscuits week is a great way for people in later life with little or no experience of technology...

Garnant Family Centre has been given permission to turn redundant land into a community garden. A meeting of Carmarthenshire County Council’s planning committee approved the Family Centre’s application for a change of use of the land alongside Maesybedol Play Area in Maesybedol, Garnant. Currently the land isn’t being used for any specific purpose. The community garden will include an eco lodge (with solar panels on the roof), a glasshouse, a polytunnel, a greenhouse, a storage container and a pet area. A number of vegetable plots and raised beds are also proposed. A planning officers’ report said: “The use of the land as a community garden is a positive development that makes use of currently vacant land for the benefit of the community.” The funding for this project comes from a number of sources, the Carmarthenshire County Council County Collaboration Fund, £25,000; WREN, £50,000 and Carmarthenshire County Council Environmental Works Project, £56,000. Local member Cllr Kevin Madge, ...

A new hall of residence has been officially opened by Aberystwyth University in preparation for the start of the new academic year. Rosser-G Block was opened by Professor April McMahon, Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University, today, Tuesday 20 September. This exciting development represents an investment of £3m and provides en-suite accommodation for sixty postgraduate students along with six well-equipped kitchen/diner/TV lounge areas and an integral laundry room. Located on the Penglais Campus close to many of the University’s central facilities, this new building provides spacious modern accommodation designed to meet the expectations of postgraduate students from all over the world. The new building has been rated “Very Good” for the sustainability of its design, construction and operation under BREEAM scheme – Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. Professor April McMahon said: ‘I am delighted to be opening this new development. It marks the University...

Just playing around with some video from last night. This is just a test, not meant to be treated as a 'concert performance' by Cor Meibion Llanelli.

A total of 27 young people from across Carmarthenshire were awarded with Duke of Edinburgh gold awards at a special presentation evening organised by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Youth Service at Parc y Scarlets stadium. The young people from Carmarthenshire Explorer Scouts, Llanelli/Carmarthenshire Open Award Centre, Queen Elizabeth High School, Ysgol Bro Myrddin and Ysgol Dyffryn Taf had to complete 12 months of voluntary service, physical and skills based exercises and an expedition, across four days and three nights, to satisfy the gold award criteria. The evening saw speeches from Matt Morden, Strategic Manager for the Duke of Edinburgh awards at Carmarthenshire County Council, Head Teachers and Scout Leaders. Councillor Gwynne Wooldridge, Young People’s Champion and Executive Board Member for Children and Education Services, was also present to hand out awards and congratulate recipients. Councillor Wooldridge said “It’s inspiring to see the efforts of these adventurous youn...

A Tumble man has been prosecuted after failing to pay a fixed penalty for littering. Marcus Thomas was convicted at Ammanford Magistrates Court in his absence of an offence contrary to Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The court was told that on Sunday February 6 this year environmental enforcement officers at the B&Q car park in Trostre, Llanelli, saw 30-year-old Thomas discard fast food packaging onto the floor from a parked vehicle. He was issued with a £75 fixed penalty notice which he failed to pay. Thomas, of Clos Gwyn, Tumble, was fined £175 and ordered to pay £156 contribution towards prosecution costs. Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Philip Hughes said: “Hopefully this fine will help to raise awareness of this type of litter. The council is determined to improve the quality of the environment in Carmarthenshire for both residents and visitors.”

Plans for a supermarket close to Newcastle Emlyn town centre have been approved. Carmarthenshire County Council’s planning committee considered plans by Eiddo Davies Properties Ltd for a retail convenience store on land off Tanyard Lane. Most of the site is used by Cawdor Cars while the north eastern part of the site is currently a public car park with 65 spaces owned by Carmarthenshire County Council. The proposal is to demolish the Cawdor Cars showroom and other buildings to make way for the development which will include additional car parking. The store will have 1066sqm of retail floor space. Development Control Officer Stuart Willis said a retail impact assessment had concluded that the development would benefit the town centre by preventing trade from leaking to Cardigan and Carmarthen in particular. The committee heard from objectors who claimed that the development would adversely affect the character of Newcastle Emlyn, rejected the idea that it would bring back trade into th...

Aberystwyth magistrate and Aberystwyth University School of Art student Marie Fox is co-curator of an exhibition of Prisoner Art which opens this week at London's Royal Festival Hall. Fascinating in theme and remarkable in artistic quality, the Koestler Awards Exhibition is the UK’s annual showcase of visual arts, film, music and writing by prisoners and others in secure settings. This year’s exhibition opens on Wednesday 21 September at London's Southbank Centre and runs from Thursday 22 September until Sunday 20 November. It is curated by a group of magistrates, and is a ground-breaking exploration of judgement, art and crime. It is a partnership between the Koestler Trust, Southbank Centre and the Magistrates’ Association. The Koestler Trust is a long-established charity that encourages positive achievement by offenders by awarding, exhibiting and selling their artworks. Selected by the Magistrate's Association, Marie has been given three-weeks training in how to curate ...

Volunteers are wanted for a community garden scheme in the Gwendraeth Valley – with the rewards of friendship, fresh air and fresh vegetables. Banc Organics in Bancffosfelen wants to recruit volunteers to help it build up its service growing a wide range of organic vegetables which are sold as weekly boxes. The volunteers can put in as much or as little time as they are able to offer meaning that those with busy lives can still join in. Banc Organics has joined forces with Menter Cwm Gwendraeth to recruit new volunteers to the scheme. David Saywell of Menter Cwm Gwendraeth said: “The volunteering opportunities at Banc Organics provide a great chance to socialise, to support the production of organic food, and to produce food locally for consumption locally. It’s also a great way to keep fit and healthy! “This is an inspiring scheme to produce and distribute fresh vegetables locally and we are delighted to be able to work with Banc Organics to help the project develop.” The scheme is i...

Carmarthenshire Trading Standards officers are warning the public to be cautious about buying at one day sales being held in hotels and halls around the county. The county council’s Trading Standards Service is concerned that unscrupulous traders are taking advantage of the recession to come into the area for one day sales that risk leaving people with substandard or miss-sold goods and no redress. There have been recent sales in the Llandovery area of rugs, carpets and household goods which may not be the bargain they first appear to be. Members of the public are encouraged to contact Trading Standards if they see roadside literature advertising 'bargains' of this nature. Head of public protection Philip Davies said: “We are concerned that these one day sales are popping up around the county and we want people to be aware of the risk of buying goods at these events. Often consumers are left with no recourse if they are dissatisfied with the products. “Due primarily to the rece...

Carmarthen Town AFC proudly operates with the philosophy of “More than just a Football Club”. With this in mind, club members have for many years raised money for charitable causes. This year’s nominated charity is Ty Cymorth, a day hospice-providing palliative care and support for people with a life limiting condition. It is open on two days a week only at present and their appeal is now raising money to improve facilities and access for a growing demand for the service for people in Carmarthen and district. There is a fund-raising charity evening planned for Friday 14th October at the Carmarthen Town AFC Community Centre in Richmond Park. The event will be an informal affair with tickets priced at £12.50 each and groups of people can be seated together for a cold meat knife and fork buffet. Pupils of Bro Myrddin School, with a range of musical recitals, and Gurnos Rees, an accomplished soprano cornet player will provide the entertainment. Gurnos has won the soloist prize at the Natio...

Dr Heike Roms from Aberystwyth University has been awarded the inaugural David Bradby TaPRA Award for Research in International Theatre and Performance, for outstanding research in any area of Theatre and Performance Studies. The award is sponsored by the UK’s TaPRA Theatre and Performance Research Association and named in honour of the late Professor David Bradby, one of the leading voices in theatre research in the UK. Dr Roms was presented with the award at TaPRA’s annual conference, held this year at the University of Kingston. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the research team from the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies at Aberystwyth University, which includes research assistant Dr Rebecca Edwards, produced an online resource which locates the early history of performance art in Wales between 1965 and 1979. The website, “It was forty years ago today” – Locating the early history of performance art in Wales 1965-1979, features events such ...

Sorry, folks, bit late posting this one up this week . . . The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column from the Carmarthen Journal - The ‘View from Richmond Park’ column continues its look at some of Carmarthen Town’s key players – Kieran Howard (Midfield). Born, 17.01.91. Morriston-based Kieran progressed through Swansea City 's youth set-up to captain the Swans reserves side. A member of the Wales Under-19 squad he signed professional in 2009. Kieran joined Neath on a season’s loan at the end of August 2009. Signed for Carmarthen Town in the summer of 2010 and was an instant success and begins his second season with the club. Geraint Passmore (Midfield). Born, 18.02.86. Passmore spent two seasons at Park Avenue after signing from University Wales Aberystwyth, where he captained the University side. Moving back to South Wales he joined Neath FC in July 2008, but made only limited appearances at the Gnoll before moving to Welsh Leaguers ENTO Aberaman but...

There’s a chance to catch up on the latest developments in the world of business at a special seminar being staged in Carmarthen later this month. It’s being organised by Clay Shaw Butler, chartered accountants and business consultants of Carmarthen and Porthcawl. “It’s an afternoon seminar with something of interest for everyone – and you get a great chance to do some useful networking,” said Clay Shaw Butler consultant Ann Thomas. The seminar is on Wednesday, September 28, and runs from 2pm to 4.30pm at the Cothi Suite at the Halliwell Centre at the University of Wales Trinity St David in Carmarthen. There are a limited number of places available at the seminar – but, if you are interested, you can contact Clay Shaw Butler at – email, info@clayshawbutler.com, telephone, 01267 228500; address, 24 Lammas Street, Carmarthen SA31 3AL. Ann Thomas, pictured, and Clay Shaw Butler relationship accountant Sarah Wynne will be staging a demonstration of the Sage accounting software package and ...

A new day club which launched in the Teifi Valley just a few weeks ago is already thriving. The Newcastle Emlyn club is one of many newly established in Carmarthenshire since the local authority gave independent and voluntary groups the chance to run their own services. Situated near to the Maes Llewellyn Care Home, Church Lane, the club is run by Age Concerns Ceredigion and Sir Gâr, and replaces a club previously run by the council. Members meet every Tuesday and Thursday and have the opportunity to enjoy a hot meal, entertainment and new experiences, including Nordic walking and computer taster sessions. A nail cutting clinic has just been introduced, and volunteers are also applying for funding for three laptops to create a computer café, where one-to-one training will be offered. After just a few sessions, the membership has increased to 21. Gwyneth Jones, of Age Concern Ceredigion, said: “The club operates in partnership with Age Concern Sir Gâr and offers volunteer opportunities,...

Because of the demand for primary school swimming sessions in Llanelli doubling in the last year, public access to Llanelli leisure Centre swimming pool changing rooms has been restricted at school sessions times. School swimming sessions at Ammanford, Carmarthen and Llandovery swimming pools are between 9.15am and 12.15pm. Because of large numbers of school children attending the swimming sessions at Llanelli – increasing from 1,400 last year to 3,000 this year, it has been necessary to extend the programme into the afternoon from 1.30pm to 2.15pm. Ammanford and Llandovery pools are shut to the public for school swimming sessions because they are smaller but Carmarthen and Llanelli have a minimum of two lanes available for public use while school swimming sessions are in progress. The public restriction for use of changing rooms at school swimming times only applies to Llanelli Leisure Centre. County executive board member for leisure services Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “There have b...

People with an interest in council houses are being asked if they want to contribute to a Welsh Government consultation about plans to amend, or suspend, the Right to Buy scheme. In order to maintain the availability of social housing in times of extraordinary pressure, the Welsh Government is considering giving individual local authorities the permission to suspend the Right to Buy in their areas for up to five years. Any suspension can be restricted to certain areas or property types, depending on local housing need. The Right to Acquire for secure tenants of housing associations may also be affected. Carmarthenshire County Council’s housing department wants tenants, residents, and the wider public, to air their views before the Welsh Government makes its decision. Housing officers are helping to publicise the consultation and are urging people to make their responses by the end of October. Head of Housing, Robin Staines, said: “Suspending the Right to Buy scheme in certain areas wo...

A new children’s nursery has been set up in Carmarthenshire, thanks to the support of the Carmarthenshire Children’s Partnership. Dechrau Disglair Cyf, based in the former Glasfryn School building in St Clears, Carmarthen, opened in August to provide a Welsh-medium service for local children and families. It was supported by the Children’s Partnership, which offers practical advice, guidance and even financial support to businesses looking to establish childcare facilities. The partnership has undertaken a detailed assessment of childcare facilities in Carmarthenshire. With that knowledge, it can now help businesses identify gaps in the market and support the business start and grow. Children’s Partnership Information Officer Amanda Toutt said: “The most recent business we have supported is Dechrau Disglair Cyf. This is a fantastic facility which is now providing a valuable service to local families. “At the Carmarthenshire Children’s Partnership we understand that setting up a childca...