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

Thefts from cars – some simple steps to protect yourself. | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys The theft of motor vehicles within Llanelli is down the year on year, but officers have expressed concern that there are still too many incidents of thefts from unattended vehicles. “Unfortunately, despite numerous warnings, there are a core of motorists that still don’t realise the dangers of leaving their valuables on show in their car,” said PC Anthony George of the community safety department. “And some still forget to lock their cars. “So our message is clear. If anything of value has to be left with the vehicle it should be locked away in the boot and kept out of sight."

ASB driving Op yields results | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Dyfed-Powys Police is helping to ensure that the County’s roads are safer following a second vehicle seizure for anti-social driving in Haverfordwest in the past month.

Aberystwyth University has appointed Professor John Grattan to the post of Pro Vice-Chancellor for Learning, Teaching and Employability. Professor Grattan joined Aberystwyth University in 1995 when he was appointed as Lecturer within the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences. An expert in geohazards and volcanoes, he is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, an expert member of the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Archaeological Science. Professor Grattan was appointed as the Dean of Science in 2010 and has been increasingly involved in the strategic management of the University. Speaking on the appointment to the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor April McMahon, Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University said: “I’m delighted that John will be taking up post in January as the new Pro Vice-Chancellor for Learning, Teaching and Employability. This is an important new role within the senior team, created to support the developm...

On Saturday 4th February next year, at the Memorial Hall, Burry Port, the Burry Port Town Band will hold their inaugural Solo & Ensemble Day. With Solo, Duet, Trio and Ensemble Classes for young players and more experienced players the band hope that the event will be well supported by brass players from schools, ensembles and bands from the South Wales area. Burry Port Town Band’s Musical Director, Michael Thorne, said: “Burry Port Town Band is to be applauded for giving youngsters a new and exciting platform to perform. The musical benefits for each individual are obvious and the experience will also enhance them educationally and socially. I look forward to a truly memorable and musically rewarding day.” Geraint Thomas, the Band's co-ordinator of this exciting event said: "Entry forms are now available from the band's website at www.burryporttownband.co.uk and in the next weeks the band will be announcing the adjudicators that we've engaged to support this exci...

Fingers crossed, Simon Buckley of Evan Evans brewers, should be on The ITV Wales news this evening.

Mad whirl the last two days. Yesterday was Cardigan and Aberglasney. Today, quick chat with the Healing The Wounds charity crew and now on to The Cricketers in Cardiff for a beer launch.

Off to business breakfast with the Business Network International (BNI) group in The Diplomat Hotel, Llanelli.

‘The Business Brief’ is the new column from Red Kite Law in the Carmarthen Journal. By Dymphna Powell, solicitor, Red Kite Law Here’s a big question for you to consider today: Inheritance claims - can you avoid them? Courts are increasingly required to deal with disputes arising from a lack of financial provision made by a deceased person for their unmarried partners. English Law does not provide an automatic right for a spouse or cohabitee (unmarried partner) to benefit from a deceased’s will. However, the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 allows the court to make orders to give financial provision to a spouse or cohabitee, in estates distributed by either a will or intestacy (an estate administered without a will). Intestacy is a common cause of court proceedings for financial relief by a spouse or cohabitee (the intestacy rules makes only limited statutory provision for a spouse). A cohabitee wishing to make a claim against a deceased partner’s estate must ...

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column from the Carmarthen Journal - Carmarthen Town chairman Gareth Jones has been singing the praises of Academy goalkeeping coach Shane Earp. Shane played a key role in the ‘Show Racism The Red Card’ (SRTRC) event staged at Richmond Park recently. The event was attended by more than 60 pupils from Laugharne VCP and Burry Port Community Junior School. Mr Jones said: “Undoubtedly, one of the highlights of the event came towards the end of the day when there was a Q & A session. Carmarthen Town Football Club was represented by Academy goalkeeping coach Shane Earp. “With his experience of having coached in the USA he was able to bring a different perspective to the occasion. He also showed great maturity in answering the perceptive questions of the pupils from both schools.” Mr Jones added that the SRTRC team from the Football Association of Wales would continue to work with the club to highlight anti racism messages o...

An event in Llandeilo promises local musicians, local products and lots of fun this Christmas. A young man from Llandeilo named Gareth Morris has spent the past few weeks booking bands, ordering goods and securing an event license for a charity music event taking place at the Civic Hall in Llandeilo on Saturday 17th December 2011 from 18:30 - 00:00. Millenstock, which donates all its proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Support, began last August with an event that featured a handful of local bands and a raffle full of prizes kindly donated from local companies in and around Carmarthenshire. The event was well received by those in attendance and raised £125. This Christmas, Millenstock is set to return and it promises to be bigger and better than its first event earlier this year. Gareth Morris and has already secured the support of bigger bands and better raffle prizes and is gearing up for a great night’s entertainment. Gareth Morris said “We’ve received great support from local businesses ...

A Trimsaran man has been prosecuted after being filmed throwing litter out of his car and into a river. Mark Bevan was caught on CCTV throwing a bag of rubbish out of his car window on the C2202 at Bethesda Road, Cwmmawr. Ammanford Magistrates Court was told that Carmarthenshire County Council environmental officers set up CCTV cameras after receiving complaints from local residents of fly tipping along various sections of Bethesda Road, in particular of carrier bags containing empty beer bottles and cans. These incidents were first recorded in September 2010. A CCTV Camera was deployed at a specific location on the C2202 Bethesda Road, Cwmmawr on May 17 this year. When the footage was reviewed, it was revealed that two offences had occurred at 9:09am on July 19. The recording showed the driver of a green Rover 200 throwing controlled waste, a white carrier bag, from the vehicle over the bridge wall into the river. CCTV evidence also showed the driver throwing litter from his vehicle. ...

Christmas is being celebrated in style at Carmarthenshire County Museum in Abergwili. A display featuring the museum’s Treasures from the Archives with images of ancient kings and heroes, plus the odd criminal, is running until December 23. It offers a rare chance to view items which are seldom on public display and are an amazing snapshot of Carmarthenshire’s history across 700 years. Exhibits include a medieval fishing licence from Kidwelly, the Laugharne Town Charter of 1300, a document by the outlaw Twm Sion Cati, the exquisitely illustrated Dwnn Pedigree of 1641, a 17th century recipe book, old maps of Carmarthen and Trimsaran, a letter from a Rebecca rioter letter and the Victorian felon’s register from Carmarthen Gaol, complete with mugshots. The Friends of the Museum are holding their Christmas Cracker Concerts at the museum on Wednesday, 7 and Thursday 8 December. The Myrddin Chorale will lead the singing. First night’s guest of honour will be the Reverend Leigh Richardson, an...

Carmarthenshire’s record office is to close temporarily for stocktaking. The archive at Carmarthen’s Parc Myrddin will shut its doors on Friday, December 2nd, for the essential work to be carried out. Researchers will be able to use the county council facility up until 4.30pm on Friday. It will then close and re-open at 9.30am on Tuesday, December 20. Staff have apologised for any inconvenience caused by the closure. Thousands of documents about the history, geography and life of Carmarthenshire are contained in the archives. Records date back from the 13th century to the present day. Visitors came from near and far to trace their family history, look at the history of their property, street, or town, learn about famous Carmarthenshire people, landmarks or events and research work. Senior archivist David Cooke said: “The role of the archives service is to collect and preserve archives relating to all aspects of the history of Carmarthenshire and make them available. “It is essential th...

A Llanybydder man has been prosecuted for failing to fill in the appropriate documentation for the waste he was carrying. Richard Walter Hopson, aged 58, of Arlyn, Llanllwni, Llanybydder; 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 Hopson was stopped by police and the council’s environmental enforcement officers in a Blue Ford Transit in Cross Hands as part of a joint operation targeting scrap metal dealers in Carmarthenshire. The vehicle was carrying a substantial amount of scrap metal including three wheel barrows, vehicle body parts, computers, fencing and heating boilers. The officers asked Hopson if he was registered with the Environment Agency as a waste carrier. He said he was and provided his waste carriers licence. He was then asked if he had any waste transfer notes for the waste he was carrying as required by law. The ...

Don’t forget that this week is Equipment Amnesty week! People all over Carmarthenshire are being encouraged to look in their spare rooms, attics and sheds for unused equipment which has been previously loaned to them by health and social care services. Carmarthenshire’s Integrated Community Equipment Service has teamed up with Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS) to hold an amnesty in a bid to retrieve equipment including crutches, walking frames and wheelchairs. Throughout this week, designated drop-off points have been set up in the Llanelli area. They are at the Bigyn Communities First office in John Street, Llanelli; Communities First Llwynhendy in Pemberton Road; Felinfoel Communities First at the Community Resource Centre off Ynyswen Road; and Glanymor and Tyisha Communities First in Inkerman Street. People are also welcome to drop items off directly at the CICES base on the Dafen Industrial Estate, or call to arrange having items collected if they live furthe...

Carmarthenshire County Council works closely with organisations in the private sector to ensure staff working in the caring profession have equal access to appropriate and up-to-date training and development. One such example of this cross-sector partnership is how the council works with the owners of Towy Castle Care Home, an independent home nestled on the hillside between Carmarthen and Kidwelly. With sweeping views across the Towy, residents are treated to surroundings worthy of a five star hotel, but it’s also the efforts of owners Robert and Sharon Davies that really make a difference. Like many others in the independent sector, Towy Castle must retain excellent care standards – firstly to ensure its residents are comfortable and properly looked after, but secondly to maintain a demanding business. Robert, who runs the 37-bed home with his wife, is Vice Chair of the Carmarthenshire Social Care Workforce Development Partnership – Chair of which is the county council’s Director of ...

A new lease of life has been breathed in to an eyesore property which has lain in a state of disrepair for the past 15 years. Carmarthenshire County Council has completely renovated No.2 Station Road, Llangennech, after making use of a rare legal order to manage the property and bring it back in to use. The keys have been handed to the new tenants who are happy to be moving in to the three-bedroom family home. The property recently became the subject of the authority’s first Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO), which - in the absence of the owner’s cooperation - led to the service of a rarely used Final Empty Dwelling Management Order (FEDMO). Only three EDMOs have been granted in Wales, with only 50 in the UK as a whole. An FEDMO is the final stage in the process and has been rarely used in the UK. The order enables local authorities to take over management of empty properties for up to seven years. Before the order, and subsequent renovation, the property had attracted vandalism, ...

Carmarthenshire is celebrating after receiving another £86 million for investment in schools. The funding was announced by Welsh Government Education Minister Leighton Andrews through the 21st Century schools programme. The programme starts in 2013, and it means Carmarthenshire can fully fund its Modernising Education Programme up until 2020. Further new schools will be built and major refurbishments carried out at a number of locations across the county including Carreg Hirfaen, Seaside, Burry Port, Ammanford, Dyffryn Cothi, Trimsaran and Llandeilo. A number of secondary schools are also in line for improvements. The news was welcomed by leading councillors and officers. Leader Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “This is fantastic news for Carmarthenshire and for our schools. It is due to the hard work and efforts of our Chief Executive and officers that we are in this strong position to be able to deliver our schools programme. We are absolutely delighted with this funding which means we will ...

Defrosting the car – a safety message | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys With the onset of the colder winter weather, motorists are being advised not to leave their cars running unattended in the mornings in order to defrost windscreens.

Gas canisters stolen from Carmarthen Industrial estate | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Gas canisters were taken from Ready Tool Hire some time between 12.30pm on Saturday 5th November and 7am on Monday 7th November.

Waat4 Challenge helps various Charities | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys This year’s WAAT4 challenge has raised over £20,000 for charities across Wales, including Wales Air Ambulance and Brecon Mountain Rescue. Now in its third year, WAAT 4, which stands for Wales Air Ambulance Team of 4, is a walking event held in the Brecon Beacons. Teams of four people start and finish at Brecon rugby club and walk either 30 or 40km around the Beacons, including Pen-Y-Fan.

STP clinch White Ribbon Day Football thriller! | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Sir Thomas Picton School triumphed at the inaugural Safer Pembrokeshire White Ribbon Football match, which was held on 25 November 2011. The White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) is the UK branch of the global campaign to ensure men take more responsibility for reducing the level of violence against women. The event organised by PSCOs Liam Woodford and Mark John from Haverfordwest Neighbourhood policing team was held as part of Safer Pembrokeshire’s commitment to the White Ribbon Campaign (WRC).

Red Kite Law featured in survey of top law firms in the Western Mail's Business in Wales magazine. Splendid full page feature on 'real' Christmas trees in the South Wales Evening Post today. The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column is in the Carmarthen Journal today. Smashing picture spotlight in the Carmarthen Journal today on the Winter Fair at Aberglasney House and Gardens in the Tywi Valley. The Carmarthen Journal has the new 'Business Brief' column from Red Kite Law (this month it's Dymphna Powell on inheritance claims). Magnificent double-page spread in the Carmarthen Journal today on Aberglasney House and Gardens in the Tywi Valley. Splendid story in the Carmarthen Journal today about Simon Buckley and the Evan-Evans brewery celebrating 245 years of brewing heritage. Nice story in the Carmarthen Journal today about the new trainees who have started work at Aberglasney Gardens in the Tywi Valley. Splendid tribute feature in t...

It's very simple: BBC sports personality of the year - vote Dai Greene! http://ning.it/sbW2hR

Lecturers and students at Aberystwyth University’s Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies will this week be presenting the first performances of Howard Barker’s compendium of plays, The Forty. The production, which will be performed at the Theatr y Castell from 7th-10th December, is one of seven projects led by lecturers and practitioners in the Department and works with mentoring final-year Drama and Theatre students. Playwright Howard Baker will attend Thursday’s performance and he, together with the play’s director, Professor David Ian Rabey, will engage in a question and answer session in the theatre following the performance. Professor Rabey, Professor of Drama and Theatre Studies at Aberystwyth University explains: “This production of The Forty brings together both staff and students at the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies to perform one of our Honorary Professors. Barker's explorations of both the singular moment and the limits of language achie...

Burry Post businessman Gareth Isaac is a prime example of how hard work can help you beat the recession. Mr Isaac set up his GI Carpets and Rugs business exactly three years ago – just as the economy started to nosedive. “People looked at me as if I was daft trying to set up a new business,” said Mr Isaac. “But I’m now celebrating the third birthday of the business. I’m still here and proof that you can make a go of things in even the toughest economic climate. “You just have to make sure that you are providing a quality service and giving the customer what they want.” Mr Isaac, 43, had been working for another carpet retailer before deciding to go it alone. “I spotted something of a gap in the market. There wasn’t a carpet shop in Burry Port and I recognised the fact that it is one of the biggest towns in Carmarthenshire,” he said. “We run a very different operation to the big ‘supermarket-style’ carpet warehouses. “I have a great small team of three part-time carpet fitters and we pr...

Aberystwyth University glaciologist, Dr Alun Hubbard, is set to appear on the final edition of the BBC’s highly acclaimed series Frozen Planet which will be broadcast on BBC One on Wednesday 7 December at 9pm. The final edition sees series presenter David Attenborough meet up with Dr Hubbard on the Greenland ice-shelf as he journeys to both Poles to investigate what rising temperatures will mean for the people and wildlife that live there and for the rest of the planet. Dr Hubbard, a researcher at the University’s Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, worked closely with the Frozen Planet production team on all aspects of the Greenland shoots. During peak filming in July and August last year, Dr Hubbard and his research team from Aberystwyth and Swansea Universities hosted seven of the BBC Natural History crew for two weeks, as well as numerous journalists from Sky News, the New York Times and the Daily Mail at his Melt Lake Camp in the interior of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Dr Hu...

On Monday, Carmarthen Town AFC announced that Neil Smothers will be joining the management and coaching team at Richmond Park. Tomi Morgan was removed from his position as manager on Friday evening after the Welsh Cup tie versus Bridgend Town. On behalf of the Executive Committee of the club, Chairman Gareth Jones stated that the disappointing results over the opening period, which has seen the Old Gold win only three of their 18 league games, led to the difficult decision to replace Morgan. “We are deeply grateful to Tomi for his contribution to the club over the past 18 months. It was his experience and skills that kept us in the league last season when we faced a difficult period after the resignation of Deryn Brace. He was the unanimous choice of the Executive Committee at that time. "Unfortunately, this season has not seen the club move forward on the field and it was decided that a fresh face needed to be brought in to improve performances.” Former player Neil Smothers retur...

Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities will announce a new Strategic Alliance today (Wednesday 7th December) that signals a new phase in the partnership between the two institutions. The new alliance will build on the successful HEFCW funded £10.9m Research and Enterprise Partnership which was established by the two universities in 2006. Set a target of generating £11m of additional research funding over a period of 5 years, the Research and Enterprise Partnership will report on Wednesday that it has in fact generated £53m of additional research funding. This represents 481% of target and has been achieved in the form of new joint research projects, funding brought in by new appointments or as a result of workshops and meetings, which have brought together existing academics from both universities. The new Strategic Alliance is already beginning to broaden and deepen the partnership between the two universities into areas such as joint strategies in Teaching and Learning, Innovation and E...

Carmarthen Town AFC website updated with the latest changes to the managerial team at the Welsh Premier side - http://ning.it/s71120

The Cymru Christmas Trees website is now up and running - http://www.cymru-christmas-trees.co.uk/

Only 18 days to go until Christmas, according to the Welsh Christmas Trees Cooperative website - http://ning.it/vmFQz9

The new Carmarthen Town AFC website has reached 5000 hits - http://www.carmarthentownafc.com/index.html

Off to Carmarthen for a public meeting to discuss changes to the structure at Welsh Premier League side Carmarthen Town AFC.

Côr Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Choir) are off on their travels again this weekend. The destination is Winslow in Buckinghamshire for the town’s annual Christmas concert. “We have performed at the church in Winslow before and it is a very atmospheric Christmas concert,” said choir chairman Mel Harries. “The choristers are looking forward immensely to the weekend and we hope to give the people of Winslow a taste of the very best of Welsh choral singing.” It’s been a busy few weeks for the choir. After returning from their trip to s’Hertogenbosch in The Netherlands, they performed at the Remembrance Service at Llanelli Town Hall and at the Festival of Light at the St Elli Shopping Centre. On Saturday, the choristers were part of the ‘1,000 Voices’ at the Wales v Australia match at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. On Sunday, Cor Meibion Llanelli performed at the annual NSPPC function at Parc Howard. Other Cor Meibion dates this year include - Tuesday 13th December Coleg Sir Gar Chri...

The Carmarthen Town AFC website has been updated ahead of tonight's important public meeting - http://ning.it/pwhWGU

Biker heads up Blood Bikes Wales medical charity - Real Life - Lifestyle - WalesOnline A biker who survived three road accidents has vowed to help the NHS that saved him – by fronting a radical new medical supplies charity. Chris Thomas, 47, is the chair of Blood Bikes Wales, which aims to take the pressure off South Wales’ health service by biking the blood needed for out-of-hours transfusions to hospitals. The dad of two, from Llanelli, became involved in the voluntary organisation after a series of smashes.

Rhod Gilbert on why his new tour could be his last - Showbiz - Lifestyle - WalesOnline Top comic Rhod Gilbert has announced that his next stand-up tour could be his last. The venue-packing Carmarthen funnyman, who’ll start taking his The Man With The Flaming Battenburg Tattoo show around the UK next April, has revealed he wants to leave fans wanting more and exit while he’s still on a high.

Goals in each half by Steffan Williams and Nick Harrhy ensured that Carmarthen Town would enter the 4th round draw of the Welsh Cup. This win also saw the end of Tomi Morgan’s reign as first team manager. The tie was seen as a potential banana skin for Town as their opponents are one of the sides with ambitions of gaining a place in the Welsh Premier league and they also included several former Old Gold players. In addition, the EH Factors and Clothing sponsored Carmarthen Town side were without several players through suspension and injuries. In very wet conditions the home side started the game on the front foot and were soon putting pressure on the visiting defence. The opening goal came after 12 minutes when a fine move down the right hand side saw Williams burst clear and shot confidently past Tony Bird in the Bridgend goal. The next major incident of the game was an injury to Michael Lewis the home keeper. The visitors capitalised on this as Craig Lima, a former Town player, rose...

The neighbourhood policing team in Ystradgynlais have got together with local traders to set up a scheme call Steal and Be Banned. SABB (Steal and Be Banned) aims to target shoplifters in the locality and anyone found and prosecuted for the offence will not only be banned from the shop that the offence took place in but also all the other shops in Ystradgnylais that have joined the scheme. “We have 16 businesses that have signed up to the scheme so far,” said PCSO Dan Garnell. “Local businesses have welcomed the fact that something is being done and traders appreciate the scheme in being set up. “Now we hope other businesses will come on board, too.” If anyone would like more information on how to join the scheme, PCSO Garnell can be contacted at Ystradgynlais police station on 101.

Just 19 days left to Christmas, according to the Welsh Christmas Trees Cooperative website - http://ning.it/vmFQz9

Geraint Jones,of Aberdulais Water Wheel Singers and Neath Writers' Group reads his poem 'Lost in time' at the Aberglasney Gardens Winter Fair, December 2011

Two new faces join TV board - Business News - Business - WalesOnline BBC Wales has announced two new appointments to its executive board. Its head of factual and music programmes Adrian Davies will take up the role of head of programmes and services (English language), while managing director of Cardiff & Co Richard Thomas will join as head of marketing and Communications. Mr Davies, originally from Llanelli, will oversee the commissioning of all local television output across in-house production and the independent sector as well as BBC Radio Wales.

Mountain biking in Wales | Travel | The Guardian It was while reading about "the aftermath of a burst testicle" in Mountain Bike Rider magazine that I realised our mountain biking holiday in Wales in November might not be quite as similar to a posh ski chalet retreat in Chamonix as I had been led to believe. Splendid piece about a visit to Llanllwni and mountain biking in Carmarthenshire.

Bomb hoax in Brecon – voice recording holds the key | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys A bomb hoax at a hotel in Brecon has led to police releasing a recording of the person who placed the call warning officers they had five minutes to get everyone out of the building. The call was placed from a telephone kiosk in the town shortly before 8.40pm on Thursday 24th November. In it the caller states: “I've planted a bomb in the George Hotel. You've got 5 minutes to get everyone out or they're all … dead." Now police are hoping someone will recognise the voice and get in touch. “The caller hung up straight away, so we only have a short recording, but the voice is clear and we’re hoping someone will recognise it and get in touch,” said Detective Inspector Iwan Jones. “This was obviously very disruptive for the George Hotel, not to mention distressing for the guests who had to be evacuated and we want to catch the person responsible. “Anyone with information is asked to...