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

Cooks get rewarded with Police grant | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Llanelli Centre Project has received a windfall in the form of a cheque for £935 thanks to Dyfed Powys Police.

The award-winning West Wales brewer Evan-Evans is reporting record sales in the lead up to the Easter break. Despite the dramatic change in the weather, it seems that licensees across Wales are hoping for a busy weekend. Evan-Evans Group Chief Executive Simon Buckley said: “Easter has been a busy time for us with record demand for our beers and customers searching for our new Easter Ale. “We have just completed a rebranding exercise, with a total rebrand of our Evan-Evans products. “Over the winter months we have been trialling a host of new beers for the Welsh market, and Easter Ale is the first of the new seasonal beers. “We have six new seasonal beers for our customers to try in 2012. “We now have reputation for brewing some of the best beers in Wales and for having the widest range of seasonal ales from any one brewer in the Principality. “We will be increasing our brand range with a new organic beer range, which will be priced at the same price as traditional beers. “Des...

A month long ‘Carmarthenshire Torch Relay’ has inspired 12,000 county pupils in the values of the Olympic Games. Carmarthenshire council’s Sport Development Unit has worked with schools and colleges, and a variety of partners to provide sport and non-sport opportunities to involve the pupils in many ways. He travelled on foot and on one epic kayak trip on the RiverTowy. The relay blazed round more than 200-miles of the county between February 27 and March 27 as a precursor to the as the official Olympic Torch coming through the county on May 27 with the Olympic Games officially opening on the July 27 . Active young people co-ordinator Carl Daniels said: “Our torch event has helped Carmarthenshire’s young people grasp the growing enthusiasm for the Olympics and help them get more active as a result.” The event started in Emlyn School on February 27 and finished up at Pantycelyn on March 26 with the torch spending at least a day in each of the county’s 18 secondary and special schools. H...

Shopmobility has wheeled into Llanelli after 12 years of trying. The store with an initial eight scooters opened at 16 Cowell Street on Monday. Shopmobility is a scheme which hires manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs and powered scooters to members of the public of all ages with limited mobility to shop and to visit leisure and commercial facilities within town centres. Carmarthenshire Council have guaranteed £30,000 for each of the first three years thanks to the support of a Welsh Government transport grant. Llanelli Company, LTC, is delivering the Llanelli operation. County head of transport and engineering Stephen Piliner said: “The Council has provided financial support to enable the scheme to get off the ground. We have supported a similar scheme in Carmarthen and it has encouraged a whole new range of shoppers and visitors to the town.”

A Llanelli-based design and hire business has given a local student a start in her chosen career through an apprenticeship. Eighteen-year-old Gwenno Jones is working as an apprentice with Costumes To Go, which offers a complete costume service from dressing whole theatre companies to providing a unique one-to-one bespoke design and making service. The company has also produced the Greenies and Meanies puppets for Carmarthenshire County Council’s recycling campaigns. The company is one of a growing number in Wales able to offer new Creative Apprentice opportunities on a regular basis following the success of the initial nationwide pilot project. Carmarthenshire County Council’s regeneration department business team is encouraging other firms to follow suit and take on Creative Apprentices. Gwenno, who is from Carmarthen, approached the company after she attended a one day course at Costumes To Go which was arranged via Coleg Sir Gâr. She said: “I really enjoyed the course on the Hi...

Eight Fellows, which include the actor Michael Sheen and The One Show presenter Alex Jones, will be honoured by Aberystwyth University during the 2012 Graduation Ceremonies in July. The title of Fellow is awarded to honour distinguished people who have a close association with Aberystwyth University or who have made an outstanding contribution to professional or public life in Wales. The 2012 Aberystwyth University Honorary Fellows are (in alphabetical order): Professor Michael Clarke Professor Michael Clarke is a former graduate of the International Politics department at Aberystwyth University. He is currently the Director of the Royal United Services Institute. Until July 2007 he was the Deputy Vice-Principal and Director of Research Development at King's College London, where he remains a Visiting Professor of Defence Studies. From 1990 to 2001, he was founding Director of the Centre for Defence Studies, from 2001-2005, founding Director of the International Policy Instit...

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column from the Carmarthen Journal newspaper - Members of Carmarthen Town AFC are carrying on a tradition started by former treasurer Nigel Williams, who sadly passed away recently. Nigel was instrumental in organising charity cycle events during his long relationship with the club. These events will continue in honour of Nigel. This year, club members will be cycling to raise money for Ty Cymorth (the club's nominated charity for this year) and the Carmarthen Town AFC Community Programme. The Ty Cymorth Day Care Centre in Carmarthen provides a service for people facing a life changing illness and their families. Their aim is to enrich the person’s quality of life, promote their independence, offer opportunities to empower the person to make their own personal choices within a safe therapeutic environment and provide education, information, support and advice for both patients and families. The Carmarthen To...

Gelli Aur (Golden Grove) Country Park owners are planning for a golden new future. This involves the provision of a high class art gallery along with extensive renovation of the park’s built environment. To enable these works half of the park’s 37-acres is closing to the public to allow for a start on the new developments. Twenty acres will remain open and the park expected to attract its usual large numbers of visitors over the Easter holiday weekend. Carmarthenshire County Council have been managing the estate under lease terms and have continued to do so in partnership with Golden Grove Trust which acquired the estate, buildings and Country Park in September, 2011. The Trust have long-term restoration, renovation and conservation plans which are under way. These will include: Restoration of the built environment; public access to art gallery and renovation of the historic landscape. Because of health and safety issues and security and insurance measures faced by the Trust while this...

The Tywi Centre is opening its doors for an open day next month and inviting people to find out more about Heritage. This event on Saturday April 21, which is free to all visitors, will open between 10am and 5pm will be held at the Tywi Centre, Dinefwr Farm, Llandeilo. Heritage can mean different things to different people, which is why a diverse programme of talks, demonstrations and workshops has been organised for the day. Anyone interested in old buildings can learn about the traditional skills that are crucial for maintaining and repairing old buildings appropriately. Heritage training officer Tom Duxbury said: “there will be a host of demonstrations and workshops during the day such as thatching, carpentry, stonemasonry and lime work which will give visitors a taste of some of the courses that will be held at the Tywi Centre.” During the day visitors can enjoy a series of talks including ‘Maintenance and Repair of Old Buildings’ with CADW’s Jill Fairweather, and enjoy an update o...

Carmarthen’s leading theatre arts school, Stagecoach, is already planning its summer activities. Mums and dads planning summer holidays for their children will be delighted to learn that the Stagecoach team will be holding a week-long workshop, from August 6-10. “We all know it can be difficult planning activities for children during the long summer holidays,” said Stagecoach Carmarthen principal Liane Davies. “But we’re making it easy, at least for one week!” Stagecoach Theatre Arts Carmarthen will be staging two different workshops side by side at the Queen Elizabeth High School. “We are very lucky,” said Liane. “Julia Donaldson, the author of Gruffalo (a real children’s favourite) has given us permission to stage a workshop for four to six-year-olds. “The children will get a pretty intense week working on the Gruffalo, but we promise it will be fun all the way. “The week will lead up to a special performance of the Gruffalo on Friday, August 10. “For the older children, the ...

Here’s the new Easter ale from Llandeilo's award-winning Evan-Evans Brewery. The ale will be out in the pubs of Wales next week. Evan-Evans Easter Ale  is 4.2% ABV (Premium Bitter) It is a richly coloured beer, distinct and malty, with a fruit palate and slightly floral hop. This is a great spring beer and just right for Easter. http://www.evanevansbrewery.com/our-ales/seasonal-ales/

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column is in the Carmarthen Journal newspaper today. Smashing story about Redkite becoming part of the QualitySolicitors brand in the Carmarthen Journal today @QSRedkite Llandeilo brewer Simon Buckley (Evan-Evans brewery) quoted in Carmarthen Journal story on last ditch bid to stop Sainsbury's superstore. West Wales soldier tragedy: Spotlight on the work of Healing The Wounds charity in the Carmarthen Journal. Splendid story about the countdown to the Carmarthen Mayor's Fun Run races (May 7) in the Carmarthen Journal today. The news page of the Ashburnham Golf Club website has just been updated  -  http://www.ashburnhamgolfclub.co.uk/news.htm You can now download the fixtures guide for the Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club. See - http://ning.it/HTH6Ui Check out the Angela Kingston 'Moments in Time' painting exhibition at Aberglasney House and Gardens, from April 6 - http://ning.it/HTFBW0 Next day pa...

Burry Port Town Band have been crowned Welsh First Section Champions, after beating off the challenge of six other bands at the Welsh Regional Brass Band Championships in Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall. Having finished the 2011 season in fine style, winning the last two contests of the year, the band maintained their fine run of form in a result which earned them a qualifying place at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain in Cheltenham in September, and which also ensured that they regained their Championship Section status after just two years in the First Section. The band’s Soprano Cornet player Jayne Thomas also added to her growing collection of “Best Instrumentalist” awards, picking up where she left off at the Blaenavon contest in November. Gareth John, the band’s spokesman, said, "The band has really been building towards this performance over the last two months or so. We finished the 2011 season in good form, winning the last two contests of the year and w...

The Ashburnham Junior Open will be held at the Pembrey links course on Friday, April 13.  Entry Fee £10 inclusive of food. Closing date for entries Saturday, April 7. Boys - 0 – 20 Handicap (18 Hole Medal/White Tees); 21 – 28 Handicap (18 Hole Stableford/Yellow Tees). Girls - 0-36 Handicap (18 Hole Medal/Red Tees) Starting times will be available online on Monday, April 9. See http://www.ashburnhamgolfclub.co.uk For further info: Ashburnham Junior Organisers Richard Brice 07917 276741 or Simon Greville 07971 229267 Latest results – Ladies GUW Medal Section2 1, Susan Collard, 87 - 12 = 75; 2, Marie Hale, 100 - 23 = 77; 3, Eleanor Roberts, 101 - 22 = 79. PGA National 1, Philip Rudall, 41 pts (19); 2, Carl Stimson, 40 pts (09); 3, Steffan Jones, 39 pts (02). Ladies GUW Medal Section 1 1, Elizabeth Antoniazzi, 113 - 35 = 78; 2, Barbara Buckland, 109 - 27 = 82; 3, Iris Jacob, 118 - 36 = 82. Wales Open Qualifier 1, Mark Bathgate, 41 pts (18); 2, Derek William Connor,...

Hywel Dda Health Board | Hywel Dda Health Board Finalist in NHS Wales Awards 2012 Hywel Dda Health Board is celebrating after being selected as a finalist in the NHS Wales Awards 2012. The annual Awards showcase new and innovative work that is improving patient care across Wales and the winners will be announced in a ceremony on July 4, 2012. The health board’s development of a new clinic for patients with high risk diabetic foot problems has been shortlisted in the Promoting Better Health and Avoiding Disease category. The clinic, which is based in Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen, has improved the quality of care for patients at risk of developing complications from foot ulcers by ensuring earlier diagnosis, faster treatment and avoiding admission to hospital where possible.

Metal Theft campaign yields rewards | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Dyfed-Powys Police in Carmarthenshire have collaborated with partner agencies to take part in an enforcement and prevention initiative to combat Metal Theft. The campaign supported the National Metal Theft Week of Action and included road check operations, visits to scrap metal dealers and raising awareness with distribution of informative related literature. Metal theft is widely acknowledged as one of the fastest growing crime types in the UK and continues to be a national problem. This year it is estimated that it will cost the British economy £1 billion.

Shopmobility has wheeled into Llanelli after 12 years of trying. The store, with an initial eight scooters, opened at 16 Cowell Street on Monday, April 2. Shopmobility is a scheme which hires manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs and powered scooters to members of the public of all ages with limited mobility to shop and to visit leisure and commercial facilities within town centres. Carmarthenshire Council have guaranteed £30,000 for each of the first three years thanks to the support of a Welsh Government transport grant. Llanelli Company, LTC, is delivering the Llanelli operation. County head of transport and engineering Stephen Piliner said: “The Council has provided financial support to enable the scheme to get off the ground. We have supported a similar scheme in Carmarthen and it has encouraged a whole new range of shoppers and visitors to the town.”

Handel’s Messiah - Three Choirs Concert, Tabernacle Chapel, Llanelli. Tabernacle Chapel has played a major role in the musical life of Llanelli, so it was appropriate that it should be the venue for a ground-breaking performance of Handel’s Messiah. The audience was able to bathe in a rich wave of sound which captured the emotive nuances of one of the greatest choral masterpieces. The performance was the first in an innovative ‘Three Choirs’ concert series set to span Wales. Côr Baroc Llanelli were joined by Llandudno’s Côr Cymysg Dyffryn Conwy and Côr Glandulais from Pontarddulais. “Together, the choirs will stage a series of concerts in different venues, tackling major works and serving up a rich tapestry of sound,” said Côr Baroc musical director D Eifion Thomas, pictured above. The massed choral ranks saw more than 160 choristers join the performance at Tabernacle Chapel. The combined choirs created a sound which was reminiscent of the golden days of choral singing in chapels a...