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

Only seven days to go until Christmas, according to the Welsh Christmas Trees website. Beat the rush and buy 2day - http://ning.it/dzqXFI

Just finished recording another edition of the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind. Our new digital kit is working a treat!

Good meeting with my friends at The Ashburnham Golf Club in Pembrey this morning. Glorious day for golf. Sadly, no time for a round!

Only eight days to go until Christmas, according to the Welsh Christmas Trees website. Get 'real' this Christmas - http://ning.it/dzqXFI

It promises to be just what you need to get into the Christmas spirit.  Cor Meibion Llanelli’s annual Christmas Concert is being staged at Theatr Elli, Llanelli, on Saturday, December 17. The show is being compered by the radio star who runs the biggest ‘Garden’ in Wales, Chris Needs, pictured above. It will also feature soprano soloist Joy Cornock, pictured below. “We can promises a feast of Christmas music – and one or two surprises along the way,” said Cor Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas. “For example, we have a big surprise for one of our special guests as we have been rehearsing their favourite song. “The Christmas Concert is always one of the highlights of the year for Cor Meibion Llanelli and there will be solos from a number of choir members, plenty of festive favourites and the audience gets a chance to get involved with some carol singing.” Soprano Joy Cornock is a regular soloist in recitals and concerts around the UK, Spain, Germany and Ireland. ...

The award-winning South Wales architects the Lewis Partnership Ltd have this week launched their new website. “The new website reflects our determination to keep up to speed with all the latest technology,” said managing director Philip Lewis. “In our day-to-day business, we use high-tech Autocad computer-aided design, so it was appropriate that we looked at the tools we use to promote ourselves in the high-speed internet age. “In addition to launching a new website ( http://www.lewispartnership.co.uk ), we have also put ourselves on Facebook and Twitter to engage with our clients and customers. “The new website and the social media will help us promote the business throughout South Wales and beyond.” Mr Lewis, pictured above, added: “Although we are based in Llanelli (at Park Crescent), our work takes us all over South Wales, from Bridgend to Pembroke Dock and northwards to Lampeter.  “These are exciting times for us, with a number of design jobs throughout the area and we...

Just back from business breakfast with the guys and gals of the Business Network International (BNI) Llanelli group at The Diplomat.

Splendid 'Christmas panto' rehearsal at last night's meeting of Llanelli Rotary Club. Next week's performance a 'one-night-only' show!

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

The hooter in the attic office has just sounded. Cover on keyboard. Off to Llanelli Rotary Club's weekly meeting at the Stradey Park Hotel.

Man charged with causing death by dangerous driving | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys A 34 year old man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving following the death of five year old in a car accident at Moors Length, Welshpool.

Donna Purchase, partner and employment law and Human Resources specialist with Red Kite Law, the newest and biggest law firm in West Wales, gives her views on 2012 – In 2012, the Government will continue with its review of employment law red tape. This review forms part of the Government’s stated aims to deliver economic growth by breaking down barriers and creating the right conditions for businesses to start up and thrive. It has confirmed that it will deliver a number of changes in 2012, the most important of which is the change in the qualifying period for unfair dismissal from one year to two years. As a result, employees will need to have worked with the employer for a continuous period of two years rather than the current one year period before they are entitled to bring a claim of unfair dismissal. This change is set to take place in April, 2012. There are many more changes that are yet to be confirmed, such as changes to the Employment Tribunal procedure. As always, ...

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column from the Carmarthen Journal - The Carmarthen Town AFC club shop is now doing business around the globe. “The shop is run by Ron and Celia Kirkby, two of the club’s unsung heroes,” said Paul Ashley-Jones, a member of Town’s executive committee. “The shop is open every matchday but Carmarthen Town fans around the world can do business with us via the internet. “Recently, we have had customers from Poland, Australia, Italy, Spain, France, Hungary and the United States of America. “So the popularity of Carmarthen Town AFC is spreading far and wide.” Mr Ashley-Jones added: “Of course, Ron and Celia have been busy putting some special packages together for Christmas. They really do stock something for everyone.” The club’s shop is on the following website - https://sites.google.com/site/hysbysfwrddydretownnoticeboard/ You can also get Carmarthen Town AFC goods on the Spend and Raise website - http://www.spendandraise....

Philip Lewis, managing director of the award-winning architectural firm the Lewis Partnership, of South Wales, gives his views on what 2012 holds – These are uncertain times, but architecture is about building for the future. As one of the leading firms in South Wales, we have to be optimistic about 2012. It may seem like a simple wish, but it is surely not beyond our own Welsh Government to look at providing greater investment opportunities in the building industry. A much-needed stimulus for the building industry will help create employment – and everyone in Wales can feel the mutual benefit from more jobs. As architects, we are keenly aware of the need to produce eco-friendly, sustainable and environmentally-friendly buildings. The focus on energy savings will become ever more important during 2012 and those businesses who use cutting-edge technology and techniques to keep at the forefront of environmental issues will be the ones that succeed. Partnerships will be prized and valu...

An Aberystwyth University glaciologist, Professor Michael Hambrey, is to receive a second clasp to his Polar Medal from the Queen for his research on glaciers in Antarctica.  Professor Hambrey, a member of the Centre for Glaciology at the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, was first awarded the Medal in 1989 for research in both Polar Regions, and now joins an elite list of recipients who have earned the award a second time. He has taught geology and physical geography at Aberystwyth since 1998. He was instrumental in establishing the Climate Change Consortium of Wales in 2009, becoming its first Director.  He has undertaken extensive field research on the response of glaciers and ice sheets to climate change, not only in the Antarctic and Arctic, but also the Alps, the Himalaya and the Andes. In total he has spent 10 field seasons in Antarctica and around 20 in the Arctic, and has a further trip to Antarctica planned in February. The citation from the UK Hyd...

Tune in to the Radio Wales Roy Noble Show at about 3pm today - Aberglasney's Joseph Atkin and Rhys Griffiths will be on air.

The S4C (Welsh 4th channel) Wedi3 magazine programme was filming at Aberglasney House and Gardens this morning. Watch this space!

Excellent pow-wow and photo-call with the Lewis Partnership Ltd, the premier architectural firm in the area - http://ning.it/s95EoN

Busy morning! Good to sit down for a coffee and a chat with Llanelli Assembly member Keith Davies.

Smashing picture in the Llanell Star today of Cor Meibion Llanelli making a special presentation to Lt Col David Mathias. Lovely spotlight on Cor Meibion Llanelli's Christmas Concert at Theatr Elli (this Saturday) in the Llanelli Star today. Nice story in the South Wales Evening Post today about Llandeilo brewery Evan Evans searching for new beer tasters. The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column is in the Carmarthen Journal today. Nice picture feature in the Carmarthen Journal about Aberglasney Gardens taking part in an innovative careers convention. Carmarthen Journal puts the spotlight on the new heritage gardening trainee gardener scheme at Aberglasney House and Gardens. Lovely story in the Carmarthen Journal today about the Evan Evans Brewery and their search for beer tasters! Smashing spotlight in the Carmarthen Journal on 'real' Christmas Trees and the Welsh Christmas Trees Cooperative. Nice story in the Carmarthen Journal about Carmarth...

Police and Emergency Services continue to search for Missing person | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Dyfed-Powys Police and emergency services colleagues are continuing to search for David John Williams, 63, who has been missing since Saturday 10 December 2011. Mr David John Williams was reported as a missing person by a family member at 22:00 that evening when he didn’t return home from Newcastle Emlyn Rugby club.

Behave during the holiday season! | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Festive revellers who misbehave in pubs and clubs across Aberystwyth are being given a severe warning — behave or be banned (BoBB). Dyfed-Powys Police and the local Community Safety Partnership have joined forces to help ensure the streets are safe for people who want to enjoy the festive spirit, and that alcohol-fuelled violence will not be tolerated.

Station Opening times during Festive period | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys The opening hours for Pembrokeshire and Mid Wales Police Stations over the Christmas period.

Honda motorbike stolen from Carmarthen garden | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys A Honda motorbike has been stolen from a back garden in Carmarthen.

The international award-winning brewer Evan Evans is offering the best job opportunity ever - Official Beer Taster! This week, the company launched five new beers to kick off its celebrations of 245 years of family brewing in Wales. The company is starting a recruiting campaign to find 30 beer tasters who will be responsible for helping shape the company’s new beer brands in 2012. Evan Evans, which this year sees the Buckley family celebrate 245 years of family brewing has now become the leading specialist cask ale brewer in Wales. The company, which launched its new website this week, has set out an ambitious plan to double in size in 2012 with the launching of the new Archers brands and the development of a new organic bottled beer range. Chief executive Simon Buckley said: ‘This year, Evan Evans has had great success with its cask ale range and hopes to double its brewing volumes in 2012. “At the end of September, we had sold more than one million pints of cask ale. We look cert...

Youngsters who have visited NASA were among pupils from Tregib Comprehensive, Llandeilo, to visit County Hall as guests of Carmarthenshire County Council Chairman Cllr Ivor Jackson. A party of pupils was entertained in the Chairman’s Room by Cllr Jackson and Chairman’s Consort Mrs Mary Jackson. The visit involved three groups of pupils, those who spent time at NASA and others who spent time in New York. The pupils who went to the United Space School Programme in Houston, Texas, were Christopher Grylls and Sam Adam-Day, both from Llandybie. Christopher was one of four pupils out of 37 on the NASA scheme to win an award for hard work and leadership and was presented with the American flag that flew from the Capitol Building on July 21, 2011, to mark the 42nd anniversary of the first man on the Moon and the flight of the USS Atlantis, the final launch of the US Shuttle Programme. Christopher said: “We stayed with host families while we were out there so we were thrown in at the deep end w...

Carmarthenshire County Council transport officers are looking at imposing a new speed restriction on the B 4300 Capel Dewi Road to include the entrance to Tywi Park, and the extent of a 40mph speed restriction on Llangunnor Road to include Login Road Junction and the new access to Police HQ. Llangunnor Community Council will be updated on the proposals at their next meeting.

A start could soon be made on four major transport projects in Carmarthenshire. The Welsh Government has published its revised National Transport Plan which could allow a start to be made on the schemes. The Llandeilo By-Pass is referred to under a 2011-12 heading as a scheme to begin early contractor engagement with construction possibly beginning after 2014. County Executive board member for transport service Cllr Phillip Hughes said : “This is really welcome news. Director of Technical Services Richard Workmen and I have recently met with Assembly officials and provided them with updated information on education and other developments in the locality that would benefit from the proposals. “It is important the community in and around Llandeilo supports the initiative because there are other contenders vying for the available cash. It would be a tragedy if it was lost because of procrastination.” A477 St Clears to Red Roses This is listed as a scheme to start in 2012-13. Councillor...

Three Carmarthenshire County Council officers have been recognised for their innovative approach to partnership working in the health and social care sector. Sheila Porter, Head of Primary, Community and Social Care; Dylan Owen, Locality Manager; and Gwyneth Ayers, Partnership Officer, have each been presented with Recognising Achievement awards by the First Minister, Carwyn Jones. The awards acknowledged their work towards the creation of integrated health and social care services in Carmarthenshire. Sheila Porter holds a post which is funded jointly by Carmarthenshire County Council and Hywel Dda Health Board. Working jointly and equally between both organisations gives her an unrivalled platform from which to develop integrated services. Since her post was established in 2008, there has been a huge shift in the way services are delivered. Most recently, this has involved the creation of Community Resource Teams, which provide a single point of contact for health and social care prof...

The police have teamed up with the fire service to carry out free home safety checks for older people in Carmarthenshire this winter. The Dyfed-Powys Police ‘Bobby Van’ will visit homes where a qualified carpenter will look at security and fit locks, alarms and door chains if needed as well as offer advice to reduce the chances of becoming a victim of crime. Thanks to funding from the Electrical Safety Council, he will be joined by staff from Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service who will supply and install a smoke alarm and give practical information on identifying fire hazards in the home. The aim of the project is to help people feel safer in their homes by reducing the opportunity for crime and the risk of fire. Jan Morgan, aged 68, said she was very grateful for the safety check carried out at her home in Robinson Street, Llanelli. “The police came to talk to us at the Tuesday Club in the Catholic Hall to tell us about the Bobby Van and the fire safety checks so I signed ...

BBC Breakfast TV’s resident business expert Stephanie McGovern was on hand to provide the icing on the cake for two members of staff at Jenkins the Bakers in Llanelli. Stephanie, who was visiting the bakery for a live outside broadcast, took time out from her busy schedule to present a prestigious Richemont Club certificate to Sarah Williams and Natasha Fuge. The specialist cake decorators won the certificate for taking part in a live challenge in the Bakers’ Fair in Bolton as part of the Richemont Club of Great Britain’s President’s Challenge Cup. “Competing in the Bakers’ Fair was a great experience,” said the Operations Director of the Jenkins Bakery, Russell Jenkins. “Our girls were really up against the crème de la crème of British talent. “The best way of explaining the Richemont Club competition to people outside the bakery industry is that it is an event which has status in the baking and confectionery business equal to that of football’s Premier League. “The Richemont Clu...

Market Hall in Brecon – thefts under police investigation | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Two thefts which happened between 5pm on Wednesday 7th and 5.45am on Thursday 8th December are under investigation within the Market Hall in Brecon.

Carmarthenshire police station Christmas opening times. | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Opening hours for Carmarthenshire Stations over the Christmas period.

Birds that sing their songs at a higher pitch help them travel further in built-up areas. Previously it was thought that great tits and other common birds sung at a higher pitch in noisy areas to avoid the low pitch noise from traffic and industry. Now, scientists from Aberystwyth University and the University of Copenhagen have found that it is the buildings that are changing the way that birds sing in cities. Their new study, published in the journal PLoS One, suggests that urban architecture may be just as important as background noise in shaping how our birds sing. “Our cities are packed with reflective surfaces, open spaces and narrow channels, which you just don’t get in woodland. Because sounds bounce and travel in different ways, birds have to use songs that can cope with this”, says researcher Emily Mockford. “The higher notes mean the echoes disappear faster and the next note is clearer”. A surprise result also showed that urban songs transmitted more clearly in woodland...

Trading Standards officers in Carmarthenshire are warning residents about a scam that has affected a number of residents recently. The scam involves the victim receiving an unsolicited telephone call from someone claiming to be from the BT Technical Department. They are advised that there was a problem with internet access, are requested to give remote access to their computer, and then advised that there is a virus on their computer, with the offer to remove it for £99. County council Trading Standards Service manager Roger Edmunds said: “We are advising residents to be on their guard for such calls and not to divulge their bank details to anyone.” The council’s executive board member for public protection Cllr Pam Palmer said: “People should not give out their bank details or hand over control of their computers to someone who phones them.”

A new service offering free advice and assistance on money matters to the residents of rural Carmarthenshire is now available through RDP Sir Gâr. If you have problems with debt and don’t know where to start, you can call Fflur Thomas (Debt and Benefit Officer) and her team and they will help you access a range of financial services in your area, with specialist support where needed. Fflur has years of experience with the Citizens Advice Bureau and is part of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Community Regeneration section. Besides offering financial management assistance, she hopes to ensure rural Carmarthenshire residents are getting what they are entitled to as many could claim benefits or tax credits that they don’t know about. Her project staff can undertake a check on your behalf and can also help with claims and appeals. They are also looking for volunteers to work with her on this exciting new scheme. Training to enable you to provide basic debt and benefit advice will be p...

The Chairman of Carmarthenshire County Council has raised around £6,000 for his chosen charities so far. Cllr Ivor Jackson picked Macmillan Cancer Support, the Alzheimer’s Society and Plant Dewi, which works with children and their families in the Diocese of St David’s, as his charities for his year in office.  To date, the Chairman has raised over £5,900 from a number of events. There will be a charity ball before the end of Cllr Jackson’s year in office. Cllr Jackson said: “I am hoping to do the Walrus Dip at Cefn Sidan during the Christmas hoidays and am looking for sponsors."

A warning has been sounded about rogue taxi drivers as the Christmas party season approaches. Licensing chiefs at the local authority are urging people across Carmarthenshire to stay safe when they use a cab. They fear unlicensed drivers will be cashing in as growing numbers of people need taxis over the busy festive period. The Cab Safe scheme run by the Council will ensure people get a safe ride home over the coming weeks. All people have to do is to text the word Cab to 83222 to get the numbers of the three nearest licensed taxi firms in their location anywhere in the county. It is thought initiatives of this nature will help, as cabbies will be in high demand over the coming weeks as partygoers decide to drink and not drive. More people are also out shopping and the cold weather means less will be inclined to walk home or wait at bus stops. Licensing officers at Carmarthenshire Council have joined forces with the police to raise awareness of the problem and to carry out j...

Licensing officers and police are gearing up for the festive period by undertaking enforcement visits to licensed premises. Officers are reminding licensees and their staff of their responsibilities with regards to the sale of alcohol and its effects on customers.  Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board’s Business Manager and Member for Public Protection and Youth Services Cllr Pam Palmer said: “We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to join the fun without celebrations getting out of hand.” With the introduction of the new mandatory conditions, we are moving towards a safer drinking attitude, with the removal of irresponsible drinks specials and promotional offers that encourage people to drink more, faster or within restricted times. Free tap water should now be available at licensed premises, and with smaller alcohol measures also being available, licensees can do their bit to ensure that the public have an enjoyable, but memorable night out. Licen...

An eco-friendly Carmarthen community is behind a huge tree planting operation, as part of an ambitious drive to offset its carbon footprint. Two thousand trees have been planted in Llangunnor under new moves to help the environment and safeguard it for future generations. The Community Council is behind the scheme which it hopes will help it achieve the status of a zero carbon authority. The project has been widely praised by county sustainability chiefs who are working to educate residents about how they can reduce carbon emissions and help the planet. Research in Llangunnor showed that 2,000 trees needed to be planted to absorb the carbon emissions caused by the street lights the authority is responsible for. The council secured funding under the Tidy Towns scheme, and residents and Coed Cymru got to work planting eight different species in four locations in the community. Trees including wild cherry, silver birch, rowan, oak, field apple and crab apple can now be seen taking root ...

A Carmarthenshire County Council driver has been praised for his quick-thinking actions after coming to the rescue of a man who had fallen at his home. Greg Arthur, of Llanelli, was on his daily travels collecting and transporting people to Tumble Luncheon Club when he realised something wasn’t right after calling at the home of one of his regular passengers in the Gwendraeth Valley. With several passengers already on his bus, the 34-year-old used his initiative to check the property and saw, through a rear window, that the gentleman was lying on the floor and was in a lot of pain. He immediately called for the emergency services and spoke to the gentleman through the window to give him reassurance until help arrived. In the meantime, he told his passengers that they’d have a short wait until he got help for this friend, and closed the bus doors to keep them warm. It later transpired that the man had fallen the previous evening, and had suffered a broken leg and dislocated knee. Now,...

Pupils from Ysgol Rhys Pritchard in Llandovery have visited County Hall as guests of the chairman of Carmarthenshire County Council. The children met the chairman Cllr Ivor Jackson in the Chairman’s Room. The children and teachers are pictured with Cllr Jackson and the Chairman’s Consort Mrs Mary Jackson.

The newest and biggest law firm in West Wales, Red Kite Law, has moved one wing of its business into the new high-tech Bridge Innovation Centre (BIC) in Pembroke Dock. The building, originally set up as a Technium and now rebranded as BIC, now houses the Pembrokeshire Commercial department team of Red Kite Law. “It’s another bold move by Red Kite Law,” said managing partner Luke Smith. “The Pembrokeshire commercial team is now in a state-of-the-art 21st century building delivering 21st century quality services to our clients. “The move is part of our commitment to provide excellent client service. The BIC, near Cleddau Bridge, is a modern, purpose-built complex with state-of-the-art IT infrastructure, on-site parking and all the modern facilities you would expect from a progressive and forward thinking law firm. “The new office facilities will help us in delivering the first class legal services that our clients expect from us and in the months to come we will be holding a number of s...

Don’t be a victim of house burglars | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys A number of burglaries at homes in the Newtown, Welshpool and outlying areas have led officers to issue guidance and advice to prevent others becoming victims of crime.

Just 11 days to go to Christmas, according to the Welsh Christmas Trees Cooperative website -  http://welshchristmastrees.co.uk/index.html

Police investigate criminal damage at Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police in Llandrindod Wells are investigating criminal damage at the Metropole Hotel where panes of glass in two wall mounted display units were smashed.

Simon Buckley, chief executive of the award-winning Evan Evans brewery, based in Llandeilo, gives his views on what 2012 holds - Next year is going to be a year of uncertainty - and not a year for taking undue risks. The brewing industry is under attack from central and local government, with increased beer duty, fuel cost, rates, and red tape. 2012 will be a year for increased efficiencies and investment in process control to make the brewing of beer more efficient and to reduce costs. We are also looking to increase distribution outside Wales and to look for new opportunities with new brands. We will be launching our Archers brands and a new organic beer brand. Despite the caution, our customer base continues to increase and our forward sales for 2012 are significantly up on the same period last year. Whether volumes will deliver on those contracts will remain to be seen. We are investing in a new packaging and bespoke bottling plant to allow us to enter new markets and to direc...

Pub burglary in Llanrhaedr Ym Mochnant under investigation | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police are appealing for information following a burglary at the Hand Inn at Llanrhaedr Ym Mochnant which happened between 3.30-4.00am on Monday 5th December 2011.

Just finished my Mission Impossible for this morning - booking a doctor's appointment. A total 115 keystrokes and one sore thumb later, I got one - all in under 20 minutes! I win today's prize - a new redial key for my handset!

Just back from the Healing The Wounds charity HQ in Tondu. Completed a spot of filming for a future edition of Wedi3 on S4C.

'ITN tramp Ed Mitchell was once a TV golden boy, but drink and easy credit destroyed him,' says ex-wife | Mail Online ITN tramp Ed Mitchell was once a TV golden boy, but drink and easy credit destroyed him,' says ex-wife". What a sad story . . .

This week's special offers at the Jenkins Bakery (inc 2 egg custard tarts £1) now on the website - http://ning.it/iaLleW