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

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service As experts predict more heavy rain and strong winds will sweep across Wales, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service are urging people in affected areas to be vigilant to the danger of flooding. Last weekend, around 150 firefighters battled extreme conditions to help residents throughout Ceredigion and Powys affected by the floods. Carl Sargeant, Minister for Local Government, has praised Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, and the emergency and responder services, for their brave and swift coordinated response to the floods.

Carmarthen Town's fete programme sellers were out in force in Carmarthen today. They sellers were outside Carmarthen Market and in St Catherine's Walk. They were selling programmes for the annual Carmarthen Town AFC Fete and Primary School Football Festival which will be held at Richmond Park, Carmarthen, on Saturday, July 7. Pictured are Gareth Davies and Terry Lillington, who joined vice-chairman Robert Lloyd, for the sales campaign!

Mark Aizlewood the manager of Carmarthen has expressed his delight at the signing of three more players to add to his squad for next season. “I am delighted to have secured the services of Matthew Rees who is one of the most experienced and talented centre backs in the league, we have fought off competition from other clubs for Mathew’s signature and he will undoubtedly be a major influence for us on and off the field of play next year. "I am also thrilled to announce the signing of Ian Hillier who is a versatile and vastly experienced player. I am usually reluctant to sign ex-pros but in Ian Hillier we have signed a player who conducts himself to the highest standards and will be a fine example for our young players. "The third of a trio of signings from Neath is Craig Hughes who I have worked with before and is a man who guarantees any team he plays for goals. Craig is a model player to have around your club and leads by example on and off the field of play. "I am ...

The Llanelli Reds have started training ahead of their UEFA Europa League exploits at the beginning of July. At their Saturday morning session at the Llandarcy Academy of Sport, Reds manager, Andy Legg, confirmed that Jason Bowen, Lloyd Grist, Lee Sunman, Chris Thomas, Ashley Evans and Chris Venables had all resigned for the forthcoming season. He also welcomed new additions to the squad in the shape of Luke Bowen, Geoff Kellaway, and Martin Rose and former Cardiff City Academy product Mamadou Diallu. Legg was also expecting Antonio Corbisiero, Ashley Morris, Ryan Batley, Martyn Giles, Craig Moses and Craig Williams to agree to terms this week. In addition, former keeper Craig Morris is also expected to return to the Welsh Premier League club. One omission to the squad is young goalkeeper, Craig Richards, who has joined Port Talbot Town. Legg is extremely disappointed at this move saying, “Craig was the No1 choice for the last 10 games of last season and was in pole position f...

Six months ago Chris Thomas, 25, had the idea of setting up a 24 hour domiciliary care agency in Llandeilo. Today, Cadog Home Care have received their CSSIW accreditation and are now serving Llangadog, Llandeilo, Llandovery and the surrounding areas. They have already created three jobs and hope to create 10 by the end of their first year of business. Chris graduated with honours with a Health & Social Care degree at Swansea Metropolitan University and, whilst employed as a support worker and team leader, spotted a gap in the market for a home care service in his area. He and his sister Clare Hatfield then decided to set up Cadog Home Care to fill that gap. To help realise their business dream, Chris went to Mentro’s Tomas Marks and Glyn Jones for advice. Mentro is run by Menter Bro Dinefwr and is part of the RDP Sir Gâr Rural Entrepreneurship project*, providing free business support to young people aged between 16 and 30. Cadog Home Care were given ideas for advertising, fin...

The award-winning South Wales architects the Lewis Partnership Ltd have announced the promotion of Rachel Thomas to finance director. Rachel has been working for the Lewis Partnership since September 2005 and is an experienced Sage accountant. “Rachel was already playing a key role in the development of the Lewis Partnership,” said managing director Philip Lewis. “She is a key member of our team and all her colleagues are delighted she has now been elevated to the position of finance director.” Born and brought up in Llanelli, Rachel’s family home is now in Penllergaer, Swansea. Married with two daughters, aged nine and seven, she was educated at St Michael’s School, Bryn, and Graig Comprehensive School in Llanelli. She started her financial career with Lloyds TSB Bank. She worked as a student officer, account manager and assistant to the manager of the Pontarddulais Branch before moving to join the Lewis Partnership. Rachel said: “It is wonderful to work for such a well-respected fi...

Carmarthenshire is joining countries from all over Europe to celebrate European Sustainable Energy Week next week. From Monday to Friday (June 18-22) has a programme of activities highlighting initiatives and projects under way aimed at reducing the county’s carbon footprint and energy consumption. The West Wales European Centre, part of the Europe Direct EU information network, is working in partnership with Carmarthenshire County Council Sustainable Development Team to raise awareness of the county’s ongoing sustainable drive. The council’s Sustainability Adviser Eurgain Powell said: “We are doing a huge amount of work to reduce our energy consumption. The measures we are putting in place will lead to financial savings, as well as reducing the authority’s energy use and carbon emissions. “From energy monitors being installed in Carmarthenshire schools, energy-efficient lighting being fitted in all county council’s buildings, to leisure centres looking at re-using waste water, the cou...

Major maintenance works to Pont Abraham Roundabout are programmed to commence on Tuesday 19th June 2012. The works are being carried out on behalf of the South Wales Trunk Road Agent acting for the Welsh Government. The main contractor will be Tarmac Limited with Atkins, as the Consulting Engineer, supervising the works. These essential maintenance works include the waterproofing of two bridge decks that will be carried out, subject to weather conditions, over two weekends. Lane closures will be in place between 20:00hrs on the Friday and 06:00hrs on the following Monday. As soon as the waterproofing work is complete the re-surfacing work will follow and be undertaken during nighttime only. This will require road closures on the M4 between junctions 48 and 49 and on the A48 between Pont Abraham and Cross Hands. Signed diversion routes will be in place for when the westbound diversion is in place and similarly for when the eastbound diversion is in place. When the westbound diver...

Bwcabus is quite clearly the heart of the rural community - like a community hall on wheels. These are the potent words of praise from Older Peoples’ Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, after she took a trip with passengers in deepest Ceredigion discovering for some that Bwcabus was “the most important public service in their lives.” The Commissioner wanted to chat with passengers and council officers about the Bwcabus services continuing success helping people travel around Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire’s remoter parts. One of these passenegers riding Bwcabus with the Commissioner was Margaret from Rhydlewis who said: “If it wasn’t for Bwcabus I would have to move. It is a lifeline for me.” Another passenger, Mary, said: “Without Bwcabus most of us would not go out. And passenger Mrs Cross told the Commissioner: “I could not go to my GP if the bus did not pick me up.” In her blog Mrs Rochira wrote: “The bus is so clearly more than transport. It’s a place where people meet, catch...

  A special concert is planned to give a boost to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal in South West Wales. The Royal British Legion Charity Gala Concert will be staged at The Lyric theatre in Carmarthen on Saturday, October 27. It will feature Côr Godre’r Aran, the celebrated male voice choir from North Wales, and the renowned Richard Williams Singers from Tonyrefail (both pictured above). The man behind the concert is Cerith Owens (pictured top), director of Loud Applause Productions, a firm which devotes a lot of energy to charitable causes. “October is the time when our thoughts turn towards Remembrance Day and this concert will be a moving and stirring tribute to the fallen,” said Mr Owens. “The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is a cause very dear to all our hearts and I hope the people of Carmarthenshire lend their support to such a worthy charity. “Hopefully, the concert will also attract visitors from outside Carmarthenshire as we have a very attracti...

The team at the CBSA, Carmarthenshire Business and Social Action, in Stebonheath, Llanelli, have announced that a new Health and Safety service is available. The CBSA poses the following question: Why do I need to worry about Health & Safety? It is the law, as stated in the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, if you want to stay legal you must comply. What can happen if I don’t comply with the Health & Safety at Work? The Health and Safety Executive has the power to serve an: Improvement Notice - giving you a set period of time to improve.  A prohibition notice - preventing any further work until improvements are made. Both will effect on your business and cost you serious money.  Additionally, you could face court action where unlimited fines and jail sentences are possible. In May 2012 the HSE has published the details of 46 prosecutions in the UK, resulting in £1,423,018.20 in fines, one Jail Sentence, one Suspended Sentence, 600hrs of Community Services,...

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service Senior Managers at Mid and West Fire and Rescue Service have referred the ongoing disagreement with the Fire Brigades Union over crewing changes at Llanelli Fire Station to the National Joint Council Technical Advisory Panel. In October 2011, elected members on the Mid and West Wales Fire Authority agreed to change the current crewing arrangements at Llanelli Fire Station in order to improve services to the communities of Llanelli. However, despite ongoing consultation with firefighters at Llanelli Fire Station, the service has failed to reach an agreement with the Fire Brigades Union in relation to how these changes should be implemented. In an attempt to move forward the Service has referred the matter to a panel of independent experts at the National Joint Council for Fire Services.

On Saturday, July 21 (11-4pm), Carmarthenshire’s County Museum will be the venue for a great Roman Treasure Hunt. The search for a ‘hoard of Roman coins’ is part of a full day of activities based on the Roman period and Carmarthen’s Roman past. The day is organised by the museum for people of all ages, especially children and their families and there is no charge to attend. During the day, there will be live exhibitions of activities which would have been common in Roman times, for example, pottery making and iron working. Youngsters will enjoy roaming the museum and its grounds, following clues to find the Roman hoard. There will be a photographer present to record them should they want to dress up as Romans. For more mature visitors, there will be a series of interesting talks on Carmarthenshire’s Roman past and a chance to ‘ask the experts’ about life in Roman times. The day is being co-ordinated by the County Museum’s curator, Gavin Evans and is supported by the Frie...

Cold calling and internet fraud – if in doubt, keep them out! | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Dyfed Powys Police are working in partnership with other agencies and our community safety partnerships to tackle the rising problem of cold calling and internet fraud. A police spokesman said: "We have seen an increase of more than 100% in the reported number of these types of offences throughout the force area in 2011-12, and it is estimated that approximately 40% of victims will have lost money."

Cannabis cultivation: Warning to landlords and public | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Dyfed-Powys Police are urging landlords and members of the public to be on the look out for people using premises for illegal activity. This call is part of a response to the three males – not local to the area – arrested and charged with offences of cultivation/production in Pembrokeshire last week.

The next series of meetings for Llanelli Rotary Club will be as follows - Club Assembly, June 13, tonight, 7.30pm at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli. Club AGM, Friday, June 22, 1pm at the Stradey Park Hotel. Club Handover Dinner, Wednesday, June 27, 7.30pm at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli.

South Wales entrepreneur Kevin Green was the guest speaker at the Carmarthenshire Adult Learning Group’s annual awards ceremony, but he’d be the first to admit that he wasn’t the star attraction. “The true stars of the evening were the adult learners themselves and it was great to see them receiving recognition for all their hard work. “I was something of a ‘late-starter’ in life, so I think many of the adult learners were interested to learn how I’d managed to build my career. “Hopefully, I was able to give them some entertaining and informative messages to help them go on to bigger and better things in life. “Some of the stories the adult learners themselves had to tell were truly inspirational and the experience of attending the awards ceremony was a very humbling one. “It was great to meet so many lovely and interesting people and to find so many people working hard to better their lives and striving hard to help others take the next step up the ladder.” The other guest speaker ...

There's plenty happening at Aberglasney House and Gardens in the Tywi Valley over the next few weeks - 8th – 21st June –Currently exhibiting in the Mansion is Mark Cox, with paintings of steam trains, vintage cars and aeroplanes and also landscapes and seascapes inspired by the beauty of Wales. Lots of choice for a perfect present for Father’s Day! 16th and 17th June - Calling all Dads! To celebrate Father’s Day there will be free entry into the Gardens for all Fathers this weekend. The Gardens are looking especially lovely at this time of the year, with Iris, Peonies and Candelabra Primula all in bloom. The Gardener’s Cafe are treating Fathers too, with a free cup of coffee or tea. 19th June – Chapterhouse Theatre Company return to Aberglasney with ‘Romeo & Juliet’ by William Shakespeare. Starts at 7:30pm (gates open at 6:30pm for picnics) Adult - £13.50 Students and Children (between ages of 5 and 16) - £9 Families (2 adults and 2 children) - £40 ...

Cockle gatherers are being warned not to take vehicles onto Cefn Sidan Beach in Pembrey when the local cockle fishery reopens. Carmarthenshire County Council head of public protection Philip Davies said: “We are aware that part of the Three Rivers cockle fishery is being reopened in the next few weeks. “We need to point out to anyone involved in cockle gathering along the Gwendraeth Estuary that no permission has been given for vehicle access along Cefn Sidan Beach. “Any cockle gatherer using a vehicle off road in this area will face prosecution under Section 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.”

The chair of Carmarthenshire County Council has visited a St Clears resident on her 100th birthday. Esther Anne Davies celebrated her birthday at Dol y Felin care home with members of her family. Council Chair Cllr Sian Thomas called at Dol y Felin to congratulate Mrs Davies and to present her with a bouquet of flowers. Mrs Davies is from Llanboidy and lived there until three years ago when she moved to Dol y Felin. Her late husband Jim worked servicing farm machinery and Mrs Davies worked from home as a dressmaker. She is a member of Capel Rhyd y Ceisiad. She has a son Len, two grandsons and a granddaughter and five great grandchildren. Mrs Davies said: “I am really enjoying my birthday and having my family visit to celebrate.”

The Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council has attended Gwili Railway’s launch of the new gates at the level crossing at Bronwydd Arms. The event started with a welcoming address by Gwili Railway Company chair Peter Nicholas before Council Chair Cllr Siân Thomas and Robin Leleux of the National Railway Heritage Awards (pictured) unveiled the commemorative plaque. The guests then went on a train ride and took afternoon tea before returning to Bronwydd Arms Station.

Stallholders are being invited to book their place at Amman Valley Big Day Out and Mardi Gras Carnival. The streets will be running with riotous colour on Saturday July 14 when the mass parade takes to the streets wending its way to the Recreation Ground through anticipated crowds of 3-4,000 people. There is no particular theme for the parade so groups and individuals are invited to dress up however they like and join in the fun. There will be cash prizes for the best dressed groups and individuals. The attractions will include face painting, go karts, a football and rugby tournament, comedy act, climbing wall, and classic cars. Food, gifts, arts and crafts, and other businesses are being invited to book stalls on Ammanford Recreation Ground. County executive board member for leisure services Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “This is one of the most popular carnivals in the county and I would encourage local businesses to take the chance to set out their stall.” Anyone wanting to book a s...

Open air performance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet planned for Aberglasney House and Gardens on June 19 - http://www.aberglasney.org/index.php?page=events Prepare for carnage in the Lloyd household. Pals of my son James about to descend as part of their Beach Break Live tour to Pembrey! Among the special offers at Jenkins Bakery shops this week - 2 custard slices £1.50. More offers - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/ The news page of website for Clay Shaw Butler (chartered accountants and business consultants) has just been updated - http://www.clayshawbutler.com/news.htm Another excellent half page advert in the Carmarthen Journal today about the services offered by QualitySolicitors Redkite @QSRedkite The Ashburnham Golf Club website has just been updated with latest news - http://www.ashburnhamgolfclub.co.uk/index.html Latest 'Looking After Business' column from Clay Shaw Butler's Nigel Roberts (Carmarthen accountants) is in the Carmarthen Journal today. Good to see th...

South Wales entrepreneur Kevin Green has launched a mobile phone ‘app’ for top wealth tips. The app has been launched for both iPhone and Android mobile phones – and is free. “It’s no secret that I love modern technology and am a fan of all sorts of gadgets,” said Green. “What fascinates me so much is how we can use and develop technology to help generate opportunities to create wealth. “If you want to learn the secrets of wealth from a multi-millionaire, then this app is an essential way to get started.” The app features a property offer price calculator designed especially for property investors. “This is something which will be particularly interesting and useful for people interested in following my footsteps in building a property portfolio,” said Green. The app also features training videos by Green, who was featured on Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire programme.  The app also contains: • Videos of Kevin sharing wealth tips • Inspiration from some of Kevin’s coaching clie...

A coffee morning is being held in Llanelli on Saturday (June 16) in aid of the Fire Fighters Benevolent Fund. The coffee morning will be between 10am and 3pm at Llanerch Hall. There will  also be a tabletop sale. Admission is £2 per person. If you would like to rent a table space, it is £3 per table (a golden opportunity to get rid of old clothes, shoes, bric a brac). There will be a raffle and local dignitaries have been invited, together with  representatives from Llanelli Fire Station. The event has been organised by Lilian Rees of the Labour Party's Elli /Lliedi Ward. You can phone Lilian on 07973219597 for further details.

There will be a meeting of the General Committee meeting of Carmarthen Town AFC on Tuesday evening 19th June 2012 at the clubhouse at Richmond Park, 6:30pm.

  The Jubilee event at Carmarthen Market went down a treat with visitors to the town. The traders put on a range of activities to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and all who attended had a great time. Activities included a chocolate coin hunt, live entertainment by Just Keith and The Only Clown in the Village, arts and craft stalls and tombola. A total of £457.07 was raised and proceeds will go to the Help for Heroes charity. Market trader, Joan Willson said:“I’m so glad we were able to put on such a great event to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee; children and families really enjoyed and to top it all we are able to help a very worthy charity. Thank you to everyone who attended and to all who helped support the charity.” Dena Lloyd , Help for Heroes County Coordinator added: “It was an honour to be at the event. The charity will be delighted by the donation and I’m so glad the day was such a success. Well done to the traders at Carmarthen market for putting o...

Llandeilo bookworms are being advised of a slight change to library opening times from this week. The library, on Crescent Road, will now be open for an hour longer on Saturdays, from 10am until 1pm. On Tuesdays and Fridays, the library will now be open from 10am-1pm, and again from 2pm to 6pm. The Wednesday opening times remain the same, open from 1.30pm to 5.30pm. Changes take effect from Tuesday, June 12. For further information visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call the Library on 01558 823659.

Celebrate Carmarthenshire’s wildlife at events taking place in the next few days during Wales Biodiversity Week. Wherever people are in the county, if they stop, look and listen there is wildlife all around. From lichens to larches and bees to buzzards take the time to look and always see or hear some of the amazing range of wildlife that occurs in Carmarthenshire. Whether it is looking out of a classroom or office window, in a back garden, in the park, on the beach or on a country walk, people are asked to stop for five minutes during Wales Biodiversity Week (9–17 June), and take the time to look and listen for any wildlife. It could be a plant coming into flower, a moss or lichen growing on a wall or tree, or a bird flying or foraging. The county council is gathering information on wildlife week and are asking people to fill in the form on the biodiversity pages of the website at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk Records are needed from across the county – whether common or rare -so a compl...

Innovative Communities, part of RDP Sir Gar’s Innovative Hubs scheme, has awarded £25k for CYCA (Carmarthenshire Youth and Children’s Association) to research and develop a localised Virtual Support Interactive Gateway. “Thanks to the funding we have received through the RDP Innovative Communities fund, we are able to provide an alternative support service to families suffering from emotional distress throughout rural Carmarthenshire.” Says CYCA’s Barry Johnson. It’s hoped the new service will allow for long term engagement between staff and clients as the ‘virtual’ service would require less resources and will give more control to clients in terms of the rate at which they progress as support will not be restricted to a set time or day. Consultations were held with Counsellors and Mentors and the findings were that the inflexibility of the face to face only approach caused a variety of problems. The Virtual Support Interactive Gateway would help alleviate many of the barriers identif...

Looking after business, the new business page column from the Carmarthen Journal By Nigel Roberts, finance and banking specialist with Carmarthen-based accountants Clay Shaw Butler Like me, you may rely on the children to provide ‘education’ on the latest developments on social media. And you probably ask yourself the question: What’s it all about? Are Facebook and Twitter and all other bits of social media relevant to how we do business? Digital marketing specialists Add People ( www.addpeople.co.uk ) have been busy studying 3,000 UK businesses to find out how they use Twitter to help drive their businesses. Here are the Top 20 tactics they discovered for using Twitter for business - 1 Help others with problems by using the hashtag # for your industry term. 2 Share tips related to your business and work-life balance. 3 Share photos of conferences, travel, products and other finds. 4 Provide selected highlights from a conference or event. 5 Report industry, company, wor...

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column from the Carmarthen Journal newspaper - Carmarthen Town AFC has released details of season ticket prices for next season. They are – Gold Vice President £1,000 Vice president - £110 Season Ticket (covers admission to all home Welsh Premier League matches). Adult, £80 (£70 if received prior to 31/07/12) Senior Citizen/Student, £60 (£50 if received prior to 31/07/12) Age 12 – 17, £40 (£35 if received prior to 31/07/12) Age 11 and under, £20 (£15 if received prior to 31/07/12) Please make cheques payable to Carmarthen Town AFC Ltd. and send to: Clive Thomas, 59 Nantyrarian, Carmarthen, SA31 3 JQ. Email: clivetalog@aol.com ------------------------------------- The annual Carmarthen Town AFC Fete will be held at Richmond Park on Saturday, July 7. ------------------------------------- Date for your diary: Friendly match at Richmond Park, Carmarthen, Carmarthen Town AFC v Swansea City XI, Saturday, Jul...

A new local produce market is set to start this Saturday (June 16) at Pontyates Village Hall. Working with food producers within the area, the aim is to provide local food for local people. It is hoped that the market will become a food hub which will serve the rural communities on the lower Gwendraeth on a long term basis. The initiative is being piloted for the next six months with the market being held every third Saturday of the month between 10am and 2pm. Zero Carbon Future officer Paul Thomas said: “We are working with local food producers to provide fresh seasonal produce and locally produced meat, fish, cheese and other food stuffs. “By buying locally families can reduce their food miles to a minimum and also help to keep money with the community.” For further information please contact Mr Paul Thomas, Menter Cwm Gwendraeth’s Zero Carbon Future Officer on 01269 871600. Zero Carbon Future is part of the RDP Sir Gar Innovative Hubs Scheme. The project is funded through the Rur...

Researchers at Aberystwyth University are studying the possibility that the recent floods may have caused heavy metals from old mine workings in the region to be carried down-stream, causing land to be polluted. The work is being led by Professor Mark Macklin, an expert on river systems and Director of the Centre of Catchment and Coastal Research at the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences. The team will be collecting samples over the coming days and weeks to check for traces of lead, zinc, cadmium and copper that may have been carried by the floods. According to Professor Macklin the extreme rainfall experienced in Ceredigion was caused by a frontal storm amplified by the terrain of the Cambrian Mountains, and the flooding in the lower Rheidol and Ystwyth valleys was made worse by a high tide, south-westerly winds and low pressure. The steep terrain, thin soils and the rocky nature of the upper reaches of the valleys meant that rain flowed off the hills very quickly causi...

Ammanford singer-songwriter Padraig Lalor's debut album has been timed to coincide with the centenary of the Titanic disaster. Called Ismay's Dream, the album focusses on different characters in Lalor's home city of Belfast. Lalor takes a keen interest in the history of  Belfast. He provides vocals on all but one track and is accompanied by various combinations of acoustic and bass guitar, piano, drums, percussion, violins, viola, whistles and accordion. The songs on the album focus on different characters who were associated with the Titanic in various ways - those who built her, those who sailed on her, and those left behind. The songs are all original, but they have a quintessentially Irish feel to them. Padraig was born in Belfast. He lived his formative years in the 1970s against the backdrop of the troubles in Northern Ireland. He worked as a freelance journalist in the 1980s; becoming Northern Irish correspondent for the Irish Post, before gaining a...

The big Euro 2012 match between England and Sweden will be on the big screen at the Vista Lounge, Llanelli. MONDAY 11th JUNE K.O. 5pm PITCHERS BEER £10 BOTTLE WINE £9.99 STELLA BOTTLES 3 FOR £6 FOOD AVAILABLE TEL 01554 773711 www.vista-lounge.co.uk

MP's 'complete shock' over school conditions | This is South Wales Llanelli MP Nia Griffith has joined the campaign demanding a new larger Welsh school for Burry Port, declaring it was a "complete shock" to see the conditions children were being taught in. The campaign, which has gained more than 600 supporters, is hoping to win county council backing to tackle overcrowding at Parc y Tywyn.

Call for views on plan | This is South Wales Llanelli residents are being urged to give their views on the future of a "unique" building in the town. A consultation is set to be held to shape the future of the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed, which has been left to lay in a state of disrepair for decades.

Father's Day special weekend offer at Aberglasney House and Gardens - http://www.aberglasney.org/index.php?page=view_event&event_id=302 AGM of Carmarthen Town AFC being held tonight (June 12) at 7:30pm at the clubhouse and community centre in Richmond Park, Carmarthen. The latest Newsletter for Aberglasney House and Gardens is now out - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/latest-aberglasney-newsletter-is-now.html Sandwich of the Week at Jenkins Bakery shops is Chicken and Stuffing, £2.10. For more special offers - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/ Sad to hear of the death of Nigel Harrison-Rees, pictured above, (Sports Aid Wales and dad of former Carmarthen Journal Ed Cathryn Ings). Funeral on Friday. Death notice from Western Mail below - Peacefully on Sunday, June 10, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Nantgaredig, most beloved husband of Ann, much loved father of Cathryn, Fiona and Helena, dearly loved brother of Gail and a dear taid of Tomos, Ioan, Evan, I...

Burry Port firm Celtic Couriers is one of the number of businesses making sure a fund-raising party for the Teenage Cancer Trust goes with a swing. The courier and delivery business has donated a special prize for the raffle and auction at the Grand Ball being staged at The Diplomat Hotel, Llanelli, on Friday, June 29 (7pm). "We are very grateful to Celtic Couriers and all the other individuals and businesses who are helping to support this wonderful event," said one of the Ball organisers, Llangennech Councillor Gwyneth Thomas. "It's a very worthwhile cause and we are hoping for a full house on the night. "The prize from Celtic Couriers is for a four-ball round at The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club in Pembrey. "The prize has been generously donated by Mr Ivor Skinner and the team at Celtic Couriers and the winner is bound to enjoy the day as The Ashburnham is known as one of our premier golfing venues." Councillor Thomas add...

Aberystwyth University has performed exceptionally well in the latest YouthSight Higher Expectations Report 2012.  The University was found to be the best in the UK for the interest taken in students during the course of their application and performed exceptionally well in several other areas.  The findings are based on the latest version of Higher Expectations, a study into the undergraduate student decision making process published by YouthSight (previously OpinionPanel Research).  Now in its eighth year, Higher Expectations interviews more than 12,000 new first-year students from over 150 institutions every year and has access to 72,000 interviews from higher education institutions all around the UK. Professor Martin Jones, Pro Vice Chancellor with responsibility for recruitment said: “Aberystwyth University is renowned for the friendliness of staff and students and the influential YouthSight Report is confirmation of this first.” “Aberystwyth University also ap...

For the first time Aberystwyth University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) will be exhibiting at Cereals, the leading technical event for the UK arable industry, which takes place from 13-14 June in Lincolnshire. IBERS will be showcasing research work with a focus on oats and miscanthus, also known as Asian elephant grass; along with the courses and study facilities available at Aberystwyth, which include state-of-the-art buildings, research facilities and laboratories. Dr Iwan Owen, the course manager of the Agriculture degree schemes in IBERS, explains “There has never been a more exciting time to get involved in agriculture. There is a whole raft of changes taking place and exciting new opportunities which are appearing not only nationally, but on a global scale. ”The industry as a whole is enjoying great success at present and the future bodes well for those individuals thinking of a career in the agricultural industry. Careers include farm ...

The ladies of Ashburnham Golf Club in Pembrey raised more than £400 through charity events last year. A cheque was presented to Heol Goffa School in Llanelli. In the picture are some of the children from the school, with the headmistress Nikki Symmons and the Ashburnham lady captain of 2011, Ann Francis.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service Firefighters at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were honoured to receive the Queen´s Diamond Jubilee Medal at a ceremony held at Fire Service Headquarters on 8 June. The medals were awarded as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. They are awarded to emergency services personnel who have been in paid service, and who had completed five full calendar years of service on 6 February 2012. More than 900 officers at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service have been awarded the medal, and the special ceremony was held to give representatives from across the Service an opportunity to receive their medal in a formal setting.

Special week for volunteers | The National Botanic Garden of Wales The hard work done by volunteers at National Botanic Garden of Wales volunteers is being recognised with a special week. From Monday June 11 until Sunday June 17, all the Garden’s volunteers are invited to ‘Bring A Friend Free of Charge’ so they can show their friends and family the fruits of their labour. The garden is at Llanarthne, near Carmarthen.

Minister to the rescue...again (From South Wales Guardian) In June 1972 Carmarthenshire County Council opened Tegfan Nursing Home in Tirydail, a state-of-the-art facility for its day. It was built on what those of us from Tirydail knew as ‘Jones Tomatoes’, as it had previously been the site of a nursery and market garden business owned by one John Jones. The man it was named after – the Rev David Tegfan Davies, long-serving minister of Ammanford’s Christian Temple – was Ammanford’s best-known chapel minister for 50 years. Lovely report from the South Wales Guardian on Tegfan's life. Follow the link.

Don’t miss the social occasion of the season as the ‘sport of kings’ returns to The Celtic Manor Resort on Saturday 7th July 2012. Last year’s sell-out event saw players and ponies from elite clubs compete on a specially created polo field with Strictly Come Dancing’s Brendan Cole among the celebrities enjoying the sun-drenched action. Enjoy the perfect day out with friends and family this summer with a day of thrilling top-class polo. Make it a truly stylish affair with hospitality in the pavilion or private pods, plus guests can once again enjoy a visit to the polo village, the delights of a champagne bar, a pampering treat on the Elemis SpaBus and fabulous live entertainment throughout the day. Hospitality Packages available from only £95 plus VAT per person General Admission (Advance Ticket Prices) Adults - £17 Seniors (60+) - £12 Children (under 16) - £7 Infants (under 2) - Free Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) - £40 Website - http://www.poloatthemanor.c...

The AGM of Carmarthen Town AFC football club is being held tonight (June 12) at 7:30pm at the clubhouse and community centre in Richmond Park, Carmarthen. A warm welcome is extended to all club members. Proposals for a new club executive structure will be discussed.

Check out the latest issue of the Newsletter for Aberglasney House and Gardens - <p>We're sorry, your browser doesn't support IFrames. You can still <a href="http://free.yudu.com/item/details/535160/Aberglasney-Newsletter-Summer-2012?refid=99059">visit this item.</a>, however.</p> Enlarge this document in a new window Publishing Software from YUDU

Boost to Chepstow train services (From South Wales Argus) A new direct train service will link Monmouthshire with destinations in west Wales. Arriva Trains Wales announced the new route which will see trains travelling from Chepstow, Caldicot and Severn Tunnel Junction to and from Llanelli, Carmarthen and Fishguard. The direct route will run every day, with one train in each direction.

Dyfed-Powys police make it into Private Eye (first week of June issue) - • As forces "adapt" services to meet the funding cuts, Dyfed Powys has decided to close seven police stations to reach its £13m target. One of them is the £2.5m Ammanford station in Carmarthenshire, built under a PFI scheme in 2001, complete with its state-of-the-art custody suite with see-through toilets to retrieve, for example, drugs. Unfortunately, according to insiders, the custody suite has been woefully underused since a death in custody not long after it opened. A half-used building was perhaps an obvious target for closure; but it leaves people in swathes of north Carmarthenshire without access to a police station - while still facing the staggering £15m bill for the white elephant before the PFI deal ends in 2030. Brilliant!

Hard questions on badger cull at FUW meet | News | Farmers Guardian The Welsh Government’s decision to vaccinate rather than cull badgers led to a lively debate at the annual meeting of the Farmers Union of Wales Carmarthenshire county branch. A panel of speakers which included Llanelli’s Labour AM, Keith Davies, was asked if the Badger Protection Act was being used more as a “Politician Protection Act”. “The question certainly created a heated debate with Mr Davies given a rough time,” said county executive officer, Meinir Bartlett.

Party for our Beti Williams, held at Gower Golf Club, after Beti collected her MBE from Buckingham Palace. See earlier post for more information.

Our Kathryn off to a wedding on Saturday - More photos - https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/114054103325052180233/albums/5752371185547761985

Burry Port firm Amcanu has joined the social media networks of Facebook and Twitter. You can find them on Facebook by looking for Amcanu Ltd. You can find them on Twitter by searching for @AmcanuLtd Check them out – don’t forget to ‘Like’ the Facebook page and ‘Follow’ the Twitter feed. About Amcanu - Amcanu is a design and manufacturing business. We provide tailored sheet metal solutions, with the emphasis on quality, attention to detail and precision. We have more than 30 years of experience in the industry. Based in West Wales, we produce tailored sheet metal solutions which are used around the world. Website - http://amcanu.co.uk/

Clay Shaw Butler's Donna Jones is celebrating gaining the AAT qualification with the professional body for accounting technicians. The AAT is the UK’s leading qualification and membership body for accounting staff. Donna is 28 and from Lampeter. She is a former pupil of Lampeter Comprehensive School. She gained a Business Management Degree from Aberystwyth University. Donna is keen to add to her list of accountancy qualifications and is planning to start her ACCA qualifications in September. ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants. ACCA aims to offer business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. The association currently supports 140,000 members and 404,000 students throughout their careers, providing services through a network of 83 offices and active centres. You can contact Donna...