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

Cor Merched Tybie singing at Aberglasney Winter Fair today.

Busy day today. Pre-Christmas rush will take in the Winter Fair at wonderful Aberglasney Gardens in the Tywi Valley.

A Llanelli school is the first ‘community project’ to feel the benefit of a powerful new alliance of six construction companies in South West Wales. St John Lloyd Catholic Comprehensive School in Havard Road, Llanelli, now has safer access routes for pupils and staff – all thanks to the ‘working together’ group of construction companies. The improvement works were carried out under the direction of TAD Builders, of Llanelli, as part of new pilot project in the construction industry. The works didn’t cost the school a penny as the group donated the time and materials needed to improve two key access routes into the school. “It’s all part of a new initiative where a group of six local construction companies pool our knowledge and resources to help our local communities,” said TAD Builders director Anthony Jones. The ‘working together’ group of builders are helping to spread the gospel about sustainability issues in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire as part of a wider project sponsored by...

It was, perhaps, symbolic that a power cut hit Felinfoel right at the start of the funeral service for retired Llanelli businessman Ernie Lawson. It summed up the feeling that a bright shining light had gone out in Llanelli. Ernest Lawson, better known to all as Ernie, was a local hero in Llanelli for many of his 85 years. Family man, businessman and entrepreneur, he led a rich and full life, contributing widely to various charitable causes. Indeed, it was for his charitable work that he received the MBE in 1998. In recent years, Mr Lawson had devoted himself to the care of his beloved wife Marion. A retired JP, Mr Lawson was instrumental in helping to set up the Llanelli Sea Cadets. The cadets formed a guard of honour at Holy Trinity Church in Felinfoel for the funeral service. The bearers at the service reflected three of Ernie’s great interests. The six bearers were made up of Sea Cadets officers, Llanelli Freemasons and members of Llanelli Rotary Club. Mr Lawson was a past presiden...

The countdown is well and truly on, with just over 150 days to go to the start of the first Carmarthen Bay Film Festival. The team behind the festival – the first of its kind to be held in Llanelli – is busy putting together a varied programme of events. “The aim is simple,” said festival chief executive Kelvin Guy. “We want to showcase Welsh and Wales-based film-makers. “In doing so, we also want to create as much community involvement as possible and really help to put Llanelli on the map for film.” Mr Guy is well known for his work as the biographer of the very first Welsh star in Hollywood, Gareth Hughes. “Llanelli’s links with the world of film and cinema go back to the very start of the industry and we will be working hard to explore the many links between Llanelli and Wales and the world of the movies,” said Mr Guy. “But this won’t be an event just looking back at the past. We want to celebrate and recognise the very best new talent we have in Wales and, hopefully, help to put b...

Carmarthenshire County Council is consulting on whether it should adopt a stricter policy towards lap dancing clubs and similar venues. The local authority’s public protection division is carrying out consultation on sexual entertainment venues. Following concerns that existing legislation did not give communities sufficient powers to control Lap dancing clubs and similar premises, the Government introduced section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009, which reclassifies lap dancing clubs as sexual entertainment venues and gives local authorities in England and Wales the power to regulate such venues as sex establishments. These new powers only apply where they have been adopted by the local authority. Adopting these new provisions would ensure that the authority is able to consider a much wider range of factors should an application for this type of licence be submitted. Currently there are no premises offering this type of entertainment within the county. The council is required to ...

An ambitious new £1.5 million RDP Sir Gâr grant scheme to help farmers to diversify and keep young people in the farming industry has been launched in rural Carmarthenshire RDP Sir Gâr’s Supporting Farmers to Diversify grant aims to maintain and increase the income of farm households in rural Carmarthenshire, by providing the capital needed to enable farming families to diversify into non agricultural activity. Retaining young people in farming by helping them to develop alternative sources of income and alternative employment opportunities is also a key issue. 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. Meinir Bartlett of the Farmers’ Union of Wales says: ‘Any funding available in safeguarding the future of farming families and helping young people stay in the farming industry and the rural community is welcomed.’ Funding of up to £50,000 is avai...

Six people have each been fined £75 for dropping litter in Llanelli. The council’s environmental enforcement officers issued the fixed penalty notices as part of a litter clampdown in the town centre and Parc Trostre Five of the tickets issued were for dropping cigarette ends and one was for dropping a cigarette packet wrapper. Research shows that smoking-related litter makes up the largest proportion of litter in Carmarthenshire at 83 per cent of litter. Failure to pay could result in prosecution in the magistrates court and a maximum fine of up to £2,500. Carmarthenshire County Council has a launched a campaign to highlight the problem of smoking-related litter and encourage people to put their cigarette butts in the bin. Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Philip Hughes said: “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 ...

Rubbish collections across Carmarthenshire were disrupted this week as many council staff took part in a one-day strike over pensions. Residents who usually had their rubbish collected on Wednesdays were advised not to put them out on Wednesday. However, some householders have put their rubbish out as usual. They are now being advised to take their blue/black bags back in until their next blue/black bag collection week. The four black bag limit will be temporarily suspended for those residents affected and they will be able to put out a maximum of eight black bags on Wednesday, December 14. Green food bins can be put the following week as normal. Residents can dispose of/recycle their waste at one of the county’s five household waste recycling centres at Trostre ( Llanelli); Wernddu, (Ammanford); Nantycaws, (Carmarthen); Whitland and Llangadog. There are also more than 150 recycling banks sites throughout the county. To find your nearest or for further information visit www.carmarthens...

Two Llanelli families have taken up a council waste challenge to try and slim their bins. Michelle Williams from Nantwern in Llwynhendy and Alam Choudry from Brynelli in Dafen have agreed to keep track of all the rubbish they throw away and how much they recycle. In Carmarthenshire, we send an average of 26,000 tonnes of rubbish to landfill every year - that’s the equivalent weight of 6,500 adult elephants!* Although we are getting better and the county is now recycling 48% of its waste, we still have a long way to go. Carmarthenshire County Council, like all local authorities in Wales, has strict recycling and landfill targets to meet. The Welsh Government’s ‘Towards Zero Waste’ strategy outlines the actions we must all take if we are to reach a 70% recycling rate by 2025 and become a zero waste nation by 2050 and we all have a part to play if we are to avoid fines potentially running into millions of pounds. Michelle, aged 39, is a council housing tenant and lives with her partner an...

Rugby ace gets 3-year driving ban (From South Wales Guardian) The Llandeilo man who scored the winning points in Llanelli’s 1985 Schweppes Cup Final triumph over Cardiff crashed into two parked cars while driving 300 yards from his local pub to home, magistrates have been told. Ian Wynn Jones, of 6 Carmarthen Road, enjoyed a glittering rugby career throughout the 1980s and 90s which included Wales B caps as well as spells with Llanelli, Cardiff Blues, Bristol and Neath.

BBC Sport - Newtown unhappy over Welsh Premier League points loss Newtown have had three points deducted by the Welsh Premier League after fielding ineligible players. The Robins have been found guilty of fielding players who had not received international clearance for games at Carmarthen and Aberystwyth in August.

The latest Iechyd Da beer column written by Llandeilo brewer Simon Buckley in the Carmarthen Journal - Christmas is coming . . . .a long holiday and a time to enjoy strong beers! The festive season is traditionally when we drink stronger beers that are brewed to offset the cold of winter, beers that are more fulsome, and warming. Increasingly, we brewers are trying to marry food to beer and to get people to try beer as a natural accompaniment to the rich food of Christmas. (More on this in the new year) So, what am I drinking this Christmas? Probably too much! But, seriously, I am looking for stronger ales, that are rich full bodied, with a nice spicy bitterness; Winter porters and dark beers and, if possible, a nice stout to down with my favourite pork pie. I am often asked what is the difference between Porter and Stout. If you want a detailed answer, Wikipedia is the place to go, but in simple terms a Stout is marginally more bitter and uses malts that give a more astringent taste. ...

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column from the Carmarthen Journal - More than 60 young people attended a ‘Show Racism The Red Card’ event staged at Richmond Park. The pupils came from Laugharne VCP and Burry Port Community Junior School. The event started with an anti-racism workshop delivered by ex-professional footballer Christian Roberts and Welsh education coordinator Simon Richards. The young people learned about what forms of racism exist and took part in interactive games exploring key messages. The main event consisted of the young people watching the campaign DVD while continuing to think of questions to ask the panel of guests for the Q and A session. Carmarthen player Geraint Passmore said: “As a teacher I'm well aware of the importance of educating young people on racism and its effects. Using football enables those pupils who attend the workshops to identify the realities and therefore fully understand the issues.” Prize winners for th...

FleetStreetBlues: Page 3 fuck : 'via Blog this' Health warning: If you click on the link you may be exposed to some offensive language! American newspaper makes a bit of a blunder. Glad nothing like this happened in my day!

A Whitland man has been prosecuted by the courts for a waste offence. Silas James Lee, aged 35, of Westover Caravan Site, pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Ammanford Magistrates Court. The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council. The court heard that Lee had failed to ensure he had a written description of the waste he was carrying and had failed to produce waste transfer notes as required by law to the council’s environmental enforcement officers. He had also provided transfer notes with false or incomplete information. In mitigation, the court was told that Lee could not read or write and this was part of the reason why he had failed to comply with the law, and why he had given misleading information to the officers. The magistrates were also told Lee was not now working and was in receipt of incapacity benefit. As a result he was fined £200 and ordered to pay £250 towards prosecution costs. The council hopes t...

Smashing picture story in the 'Going Out' section of the South Wales Evening Post today about this weekend's winter fair at Aberglasney Gardens.

Off to the weekly meeting of the Business Network International (BNI) Llanelli group at The Diplomat Hotel, Llanelli.

Tenants at Carmarthen’s Yr Aelwyd Sheltered Scheme have been surfing the web for bargains thanks to a £5,000 Lottery grant. The Awards for All grant has allowed the scheme, in Tregunnor, to invest in a computer and printer for tenants to use, and Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS) have stepped in to offer free lessons. Sheltered Scheme Officer Amanda Jones said: “The tenants decided they would like a computer to keep up with changing technology, and they were particularly interested in Internet shopping. Most of the tenants have never looked, or been interested, in a computer before, but they are doing really well. “Now they are able to do some online shopping, socialise via email and Facebook and reminisce on old times by browsing through local history websites.”

Fresh from winning the UK’s Young Builder of the Year Award, former carpentry apprentice Shane Evans has just landed a new job as a Building Cadet. Shane, originally from Llanelli but now living in Ammanford, picked up the national award at the House of Commons just a few weeks ago, after impressing judges with his determination to succeed despite suffering with the debilitating condition Cystic Fibrosis. He has been employed as an apprentice carpenter on a Shared Apprenticeship Scheme with Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd for the last three years – including a stint with Carmarthenshire County Council, where he came to the attention of managers who were looking for a new Building Cadet. The Building Cadetship scheme offers degree-level learning for qualified tradesmen who want to make the move in to management. Shane will now work towards a foundation phase degree whilst undertaking work-based industry placements. It is believed that Carmarthenshire was the first ...

Lovely picture story in the South Wales Evening Post today about this weekend's Winter Fair at Aberglasney House and Gardens in Tywi Valley. Smashing spotlight on this weekend's Winter Fair at Aberglasney House and Gardens in the Carmarthen Journal today. Another splendid 'Support Carmarthen Town AFC' campaign feature in the Carmarthen Journal this week. The 'Shipwrecked' (desert island music choice) feature in the Llanelli Star this week features Cor Meibion musical director Eifion Thomas. Nice story about the West Wales 'Working Together' sustainability construction firms project in the Llanelli Star this week. The latest Clay Shaw Butler 'Looking After Business' column is in the Carmarthen Journal this week. The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column is in the Carmarthen Journal today. The latest 'Iechyd Da' beer column from Llandeilo brewer Simon Buckley is in the Carmarthen Journal today. Aberglasney Gard...

Students at the Department of Law and Criminology at Aberystwyth University will today, Wednesday 30th November 2011, be going head to head with students from Dundee University in the first round of the Oxford University Press Mooting Competition. This annual national competition brings together students from all over the UK and aims to prepare Law students for their future career and advocacy. The competition held in the Old Hall of the Old College, will see two teams of students’ present the various points of law in a legal argument as if they were at the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court. The teams were presented with a fictitious legal case in October and today’s competition will see the students argue their case following months of research and deliberation. Representing Aberystwyth will be Charlotte Garbett and Robert Donaldson, both second year students at the University. “This competition provides our students with valuable skills and an excellent opportunity to argue their ca...

Splendid send-off to Ernie Lawson MBE and JP, one of Llanelli's nicest guys, at Holy Trinity Church in Felinfoel this afternoon.

A total of 14 trainees have embarked on a course to learn how to restore old buildings. They are taking part in the Foundations in Heritage Bursary Scheme at the Tywi Centre in Llandeilo. Foundations in Heritage is led by Carmarthenshire County Council and receives funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. The scheme covers Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire and is based at The Tywi Centre, Llandeilo. Becoming a builder equipped with the skills and understanding to conserve and restore old buildings is the dream of 14 trainees who have just embarked on the Foundations in Heritage Bursary Scheme. The scheme will provide them with the foundations upon which they can build a solid future for themselves and our built heritage in Wales. Staff at the Tywi Centre we were thrilled by the number and quality of applications that were received f...

Aberglasney Gardens website updated with the sad news about the death of Frank Cabot - http://ning.it/uxARnK

Tributes have been paid to the biggest supporter of Aberglasney House and Gardens in the Tywi Valley. North American financier and horticulturalist Francis H (Frank) Cabot has died at the age of 86. He was Aberglasney’s most generous supporter. His contribution was not just financial. As a renowned self-taught horticulturalist, he was an important influence in the design and layout of the gardens. Frank Cabot’s contribution to Aberglasney’s success was initially only recognised within the historic boundaries of Aberglasney. But, five years ago, his contribution to Aberglasney and to Carmarthenshire life was recognised by a Fellowship award by Trinity College in Carmarthen. Gethin Lewis, the chairman of the Aberglasney Restoration Trust said: “All at Aberglasney were immensely saddened to learn of the death of our most generous benefactor and great friend, Frank Cabot. “He had been fighting pulmonary fibrosis, a relentlessly progressive lung disease, for several years, and passed away p...

Children at Carmarthen’s Peniel Primary School have spiced up their lunchtime with the spirit of India to mark a very important event in the Hindu and Sikh calendar. Diwali is a five-day festival marked with lights and the giving and receiving of gifts. Pupils have been learning all about Diwali, and other cultures and traditions of India, as part of their studies, and asked Carmarthenshire’s Catering Service to lay on a special meal as part of the celebration. Kitchen staff were pleased to cook a delicious homemade Chicken Korma with rice, peas and sweetcorn and Naan bread, followed by fruit yoghurt and raisins. Catering Services Manager Sandra Weigel, said: “The school has been studying Indian culture through the curriculum and wanted to celebrate the event during their lunchtime. “We were more than happy to oblige, and are pleased that the event was such a success.”

A number of Carmarthenshire women are making a better future for themselves with the support of Genesis Sir Gar. Genesis is a European Social Funded project which aims to improve life for local families. The team works with parents who are unemployed and economically inactive, with particular focus on lone parent families. Recently, they have supported a number of participants to fulfil their dreams of training in the hair and beauty industry. Several women, some of them lone parents, have enrolled on courses at Coleg Sir Gar’s Graig and Pibwrlwyd campuses, and having completed their first term are well on their way to creating a better future for themselves and their families. Financial funding has also been provided in partnership with Coleg Sir Gar Financial Contingency Funds within its Student Resources Department. Elonwy Williams, Genesis Advisor, said: “The ladies are doing extremely well – we are so pleased with the way they are focusing on their studies. “Genesis is supporting ...

Three people have each been fined £75 for dropping cigarette ends in Carmarthenshire. The council’s environmental enforcement officers issued the fixed penalty notices to a woman in Stepney Street, Llanelli on Saturday; a man in McDonald’s car park and a man in St Catherine’s Walk in Carmarthen on Sunday. Failure to pay could result in prosecution in the magistrates court and a maximum fine of up to £2,500. Research shows that discarded cigarette ends make up the largest proportion of litter in Carmarthenshire with 83 per cent of litter found on the county’s streets smoking-related. As a result, Carmarthenshire County Council has a launched a campaign to highlight the problem of smoking-related litter and encourage people to put their cigarette butts in the bin. Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Philip Hughes said: “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 - t...

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 over the Christmas period. The county council’s Trading Standards Service is concerned that unscrupulous traders are taking advantage of people doing their Christmas shopping on a tight budget during the recession to come into the area for one day sales that risk leaving people with substandard or miss-sold goods and no redress. The Llandovery and Cwmann areas are particularly affected but the sales are taking place all over the county. Members of the public are encouraged to contact Trading Standards if they see roadside literature advertising bargains. 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 produ...

A new stand against fly-posting has been launched in Carmarthenshire. Council officers will remove any unauthorised signs and anyone caught could get an on-the-spot fine of £75 or a fine of up to £2,500 if prosecuted in court. The policy has been introduced to help clean up the county, stop unfair advertising and because it could potentially be a hazard to motorists. There will be some exemptions, however, for public bodies, community groups and registered charities, although these will be subject to a number of conditions, for example, in relation to safety issues. Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Philip Hughes said: “Fly-posting is displaying adverts and other promotional materials without permission, for example, on buildings, lampposts, railings, litter bins and elsewhere in public, mainly by business that want free advertising. “They make an area look messy and untidy and if not removed the posters slowly rot, becoming even more unsightly and causing litter. They al...

Carmarthenshire residents are being warned to expect disruption to a range of public sector services as a result of strike action on Wednesday, November 30. Whilst critical council services will be maintained, including domiciliary and residential care, it is anticipated that a number of other services may be affected. Carmarthenshire County Council has been notified that many schools will be closed, as will all council offices, community centres, and other council buildings. The following libraries will be open as normal: Llandovery, Llandeilo, Brynaman, Pontyberem, Trimsaran, Llangennech, Newcastle Emlyn, Ysgol y Bedol library, Kidwelly and Cross Hands. Leisure venues will also face disruption, with the exception of Burry Port Harbour and the Millennium Coastal Park. Visitors are being encouraged to check with their local venue before making any special journeys. There will be no refuse or recycling collections on Wednesday. Residents who would usually have their waste and recycling...

See Inside Manufacturing open day at Schaeffler UK gives pupils a taste of a career in manufacturing : News from Schaeffler (UK) Ltd - INA FAG More than 60 pupils from local secondary schools took part in a 'See Inside Manufacturing' open day event at Schaeffler UK’s automotive engine component manufacturing plant in Llanelli. The event was part of the UK Government’s See Inside Manufacturing Initiative, a nationwide ‘open days’ programme to help improve the image of UK manufacturing to young people, with the objective of attracting the brightest and best talent into a career in manufacturing and engineering. The event at Schaeffler UK was arranged in conjunction with the local college, Coleg Sir Gar, and was facilitated by Schaeffler’s own apprentices and toolmakers.

Survey: Llanelli’s shops on top | This is South Wales Llanelli has proved itself to be top of the shops. The town centre has come up trumps during an evaluation of its independent shops and stalls. A team of mystery shoppers gave the town the thumbs up in a September survey aimed at evaluating its shopping experience.

Llanelli paedophile is jailed after rape of girl | This is South Wales A Llanelli paedophile who raped a young girl has been jailed for 14 years. Jonathan Paul Thomas, aged 56, of Maesyrhaf, was sentenced yesterday at Swansea Crown Court.

Carmarthenshire County Council is carrying out a review into whether it needs a policy on the impact of the large number of licensed premises in Llanelli’s Station Road. The Licensing Policy Review into a Cumulative Impact Policy for Station Road runs until December 31. When the council’s policy on the cumulative impact of licensed premises was adopted in January 2010, it was resolved that a further consultation would be undertaken regarding the adoption of a cumulative impact policy in respect of the Station Road area of Llanelli. The current consultation is an opportunity for local residents, businesses, existing licence holders and their representatives to formally comment on the proposal and provide feedback to the authority. The proposed cumulative impact area extends from the railway crossing adjacent to the Llanelli Railway Station along the whole length of Station Road to its junction with John Street. It would include any premises which share a boundary with Station Road. Cumu...

Aberystwyth University has welcomed the Welsh Ministerial statement on reconfiguration in Higher Education. Responding to the statement by the Minister for Education and Skills, Professor April McMahon, Vice Chancellor at Aberystwyth University said: “We look forward to serving the interests of Wales as a successful independent institution but in closer collaboration with our friends and neighbours at Bangor.” BBC story on Minister's statement - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-15952058

Children from Carmarthen’s Richmond Park School have turned their hands to landscape design in a bid to create a welcoming woodland area for their community. They were asked to come up with ideas for an area of woodland between Park Hall and Priory Street, which has been overgrown and unused for many years. The project is being led by members of Tenants and Residents of East Carmarthen (TREC), who have successfully bid for a Local Environmental Quality grant. The Environmental Works Project, which delivers environmental improvements as part of the Carmarthenshire County Council’s £203million Carmarthenshire Homes Standard, has been assisting TREC and the community in developing the project and is contributing towards the funding. They wanted to involve the school’s eco committee to allow the children to share their visions for the area, and have also brought the local family centre, Father’s Club and youth services on board. Maria Louise Evans, Community Engagement Officer, said: “This...

Busy morning - the BBC Breakfast team and Business reporter Steph McGovern were broadcasting live from the Jenkins Bakery in Llanelli.

Tune in to BBC Breakfast tomorrow morning. One of my clients is being interviewed by the finance reporter Steph McGovern. Set your alarm!

As Christmas approaches, Carmarthenshire residents are being warned to avoid using illegal money lenders and look to other options for short term loans. Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for business, public protection and youth services Cllr Pam Palmer and executive board member for corporate property, customer focus and community wellbeing Cllr Kevin Madge said: “The current economic climate is placing pressure on families and making it harder to make ends meet. People who may have lost their jobs, have outstanding debts or are struggling to raise credit through the usual means can become desperate and turn to loan sharks. “It’s important that we get this message out to residents that loan sharks should be avoided because they will make a difficult financial situation much worse.” Loan sharks operate illegally and ignore regulations from the financial industry, which means borrowers are not protected. Loan sharks often charge extortionate amounts of interest and h...

Aberystwyth University and the Hywel Dda Health Board have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will pave the way for greater collaboration in areas of research, continuing professional development and provision of shared services. The University and the Health Board are also working towards establishing a Professorial Chair in areas of mutual interest such as how people in rural areas access health services and support, and general health and well-being. The new agreement builds on existing collaboration between the University and the Hywel Dda Health Board in areas of research. One such project has been looking at strategies to prevent falls amongst the frail and elderly and has involved staff at the University’s Department of Sports and Exercise Science, Bronglais General Hospital and Age Concern Ceredigion. In a new area of research, psychologists at the University are working with Aberystwyth based charity The Beacon of Hope on evaluating the effectiveness of home based tele-...

Carmarthen's 'Shop Mobility' scheme is growing in popularity, but more volunteers are needed to run it. The venture launched in May at the St Catherine's Walk retail development. Town councillor June Williams — who has been involved in the scheme's development — said: "People are coming every day to the 'Shop Mobility' centre. "We are extending the opening times until 6pm on Fridays in December, when shops will be open later for shoppers." The service operates from Unit 14 in St Catherine’s Walk. Carmarthenshire County Council has supported the scheme and contributed towards the cost. Transport executive board member Cllr Philip Hughes said: “Shopmobility is an excellent scheme which will provide a very valuable service for shoppers with limited mobility. “The county council is pleased to have been able to support this.” The 'Shop Mobility' service provides access to wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Councillor Williams added: "W...

Two members of staff at Carmarthen-based accountants Clay Shaw Butler are celebrating new qualifications. Eirian Davies and Rhian Prescott have both qualified as Accounting Technicians. Both are now Members of the Association of Accounting Technicians, MAAT. Eirian achieved this with a young family and home study while running the Clay Shaw Butler Payroll Bureau. Rhian attended day release at Coleg Sir Gar and has now started studying as a Chartered Certified Accountant.

Carmarthenshire Council staff are being invited to take part in a round of health screenings to assess their risks of developing osteoporosis, prostate cancer and heart problems. The health screenings are being organised by the council’s Occupational Health Unit as part of its commitment to keeping the workforce healthy. The assessments include an ultrasound bone density heel scan - particularly useful in women, who are more prone to developing osteoporosis. The simple three-minute scan measures bone density profile and provide a good indication of the risk of suffering hip fractures later in life. Male staff aged 45 and over, are being offered a finger-prick blood test which measures the presence and concentration of prostate specific antigen in their circulation. There will also be cardiovascular assessments which give an estimate of the degree of artery wall damage in the coronary vessels of the heart using a standard blood pressure device. Any real health issues that come to light ...

The website for the Welsh Cooperative of Christmas Tree Growers is back in action - http://welshchristmastrees.co.uk/index.html The Jenkins Bakery website has been updated with news of the latest special offers (inc 2 Chelsea Buns £1.10) - jenkinsbakery.co.uk The Carmarthen Town AFC website has been updated with details of 7.45 KO for Friday game and latest report - ning.it/s09FlB