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

Cwmcerrig Farmshop has won two prestigious Gold Taste of Wales awards. The awards are regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the food and drink industry in Wales. Cwmcerrig took the Gold award in two categories at a glittering awards night at the Royal Welsh showground on Thursday night. The shop won the ‘local sourcing’ section and the firm’s sirloin steak took Gold in the beef section. The popular Farmshop and Grill in Gorslas, Carmarthenshire, has its own herd of Hereford beef, which are reared at Cwmcerrig to high standards of animal welfare One of the partners in the Watkins family business, Roland Watkins (pictured above), said: “We are delighted win two Taste of Wales awards. “We have built up a great reputation for our meat here at Cwmcerrig and we take pride in producing quality, value-for-money products which are appreciated by our customers. “We also take great pride in making sure that the accent in our farmshop is on sourcing products locally. “We take great pride here in ...

The opening and preview night for Carmarthen Sketch Club and Art Society's annual art exhibition will be held at Carmarthen Library Gallery at 7 pm on Monday, 5th November. The exhibition will be officially opened by Councillor Douglas Rose, Deputy Mayor of Carmarthen. The exhibition will remain open until 5pm Friday, 16th November.

The 2014 National Eisteddfod will be held in Carmarthenshire, and local preparatory work for the Festival begins with a public meeting on Thursday, 8 November, to encourage local people to be part of the preparations for Wales’ leading festival, held on Festival Fields, Millennium Coastal Park, Llanelli from 2-9 August 2014. National Eisteddfod Organiser, Hywel Wyn Edwards, said, “The Eisteddfod has visited Carmarthenshire many times over the years, and we’ve always enjoyed a warm welcome in the county, so we’re very much looking forward to returning in 2014. The Eisteddfod was last held locally in 2000, on the Millennium Coastal Park, and this will be our home again in 2014. The site is an accessible and pleasant location for visitors from all directions. “Since announcing our intention to return to Carmarthenshire, we’ve had enquiries from people across the whole area, keen to get involved in the preparations, and we hope that this enthusiasm and eagerness will continue for the nex...

A dog owner has been given a fixed penalty notice for £75 after he failed to clear up his dog’s faeces when it fouled in Ammanford. The 52-year-old man was issued with the notice at 10am on Saturday October 20 in Penygarn Road, Tycroes, Ammanford. Two Carmarthenshire County Council environmental enforcement officers saw the man walking a terrier along the pavement. The animal was seen to defecate on the highway and the man failed to remove the excrement. He continued to walk along the road and was stopped and questioned by the enforcement officers involved. He admitted the offence and accepted a fixed penalty. If the fixed penalty is paid within 14 days, he will not be prosecuted. If however the fixed penalty is not paid, consideration will be given to prosecuting the man and if convicted by Magistrates, a fine of up to £1,000 may be imposed. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Our enforcement officers carry out patrols across Carmarthen...

Bright sparks at Richmond Park School in Carmarthen are looking at ways to reduce electricity. The Year 6 pupils have been put in charge of the school’s energy bills in a bid to cut down on use and save money. It comes after 18 solar panels were recently installed by Carmarthenshire County Council in the Priory Street school. The move is expected to slash increasing bills with laptops and white boards feeding off the natural resource. It’s Energy Saving Week from 22-27 October, and this will help pupils to find other ways to save. The project is supported by the Carmarthenshire Energy Trust (CET) and Carmarthenshire Community Challenge campaign. CET chairman Neil Lewis said: “The large photo voltaic array on the school produces energy that can be monitored by the children. “They can compare this electricity produced with energy used. They can learn energy efficiency ideas that can also be crucial skills going forward. Like other schools in Carmarthenshire it’s challenged by ever increa...

The Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council is organising a Twmpath Tachwedd Halloween Hoedown in aid of Macmillan Cancer. Cllr Siân Thomas is organising the event for the Macmillan ward in Glanaman Hospital where some new hoist equipment is desperately needed. The Twmpath will take place in the Amman Centre in Ammanford, at 7.30pm on Friday November 2. The cost is £12, but all profits will go towards purchasing this equipment. Cllr Thomas said: “There will be a live band and a ‘caller’ to make sure everyone knows the steps, as well as a warming ‘cawl’ and plenty of cakes. So if you fancy a twirl around the floor, or a lesson in how to do a ‘dozey doo’ with friends old and new, do support this cause.” Anyone who wants to come should contact Siân Thomas on 01269 842151 to let her know and can then collect their tickets at the door. She added: “Penygroes people are nothing if not determined to be known as good fund raisers for their favourite charities. Recently the Macmillan Coffee Mor...

Burry Port firm Amcanu has lent its support to the Burry Port railway crossing shelter project. The firm’s HQ is just down the road from the railway level crossing in Burry Port. The crossing has been home to a shelter for a number of years. The shelter doubles as a bus shelter and a place to seek refuge from the elements when the crossing barriers come down to halt movement over the level crossing. In recent years, the shelter has suffered at the hands of vandals. The Burry Port Crossing Shelter Project was set up by the local community to breathe new life into the shelter. Amcanu came up trumps by buying all the paint for the project and providing the labour to get the job done. Amcanu managing director Owain Davies said: ““We are a Burry Port business, based in the town and we want to do our bit to help the community. We take our corporate responsibility seriously and try and support many community organisations as we can.” http://amcanu.co.uk/about/

Research is to be carried out to discover if it is feasible to provide an Astroturf pitch at Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn in Newcastle Emlyn. Innovative Communities, part of RDP Sir Gâr’s Innovative Hubs project, has awarded a grant to Emlyn Astro Turf Pitch to conduct a feasibility study into the option of an all-weather artificial turf pitch at the school. Innovative Communities has been funded through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Innovative Communities supports the trialling of new ideas that could benefit community life and has locally-based Development Officers on hand to support community groups to develop new solutions to tackle the everyday issues they face. Up to 100 per cent funding is available to help community groups get their ideas off the ground. These could include: implementing pilot schemes, transport and rural health initiatives, innovative childcare, time banki...

An alien invader is attacking pond life in Llanelli. The Environment Agency Wales is taking drastic action to eradicate the highly invasive non-native fish - the top-mouth gudgeon - which is threatening the native population in a number of lakes in Llanelli. Over the next couple of weeks, the Agency will apply a chemical to two lakes at the Millennium Coastal Park in Llanelli, to kill the fish, before removing them from the site. Lakes will be partially drained the Agency assisted by park rangers will be conducting fish rescues to remove and protect the native fish such as carp, tench, roach and rudd. Whilst the chemical is toxic, it will not impact on people, birds or mammals. County executive board member of leisure services Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “Whilst the nature of this clean up operation is inconvenient it is necessary and we welcome the support and help of the Agency. “There are many advantages with the carrying out of this operation. “The lakes as well as being de...

Following a complaint by Friends of the Earth Cymru, the European Commission has launched formal infringement proceedings [1] against the UK Government’s approval of a controversial new power station which opened in Pembroke last month. The power station’s cooling system will waste energy by dumping heat into the highly protected Milford Haven waterway, allegedly killing millions of fish and other marine species every year. The energy wasted is equivalent to 40 per cent of Wales' electricity demand. Friends of the Earth Cymru submitted a complaint to the European Commission over the handling of the case by the UK Government and the Environment Agency [2] in June 2010. The environmental organisation has welcomed the start of legal action, which means the UK Government is one step nearer being referred to the European Court of Justice [3]. Gareth Clubb, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said: “Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth warned from the outset that the new power station...

Burry Port firm Amcanu is backing junior rugby in the town. The tailored sheet metal specialists business has teamed up with two other businesses to help Burry Port RFC's under-14s team with new kit. "We are delighted to be able to lend our support to junior rugby in the town," said Amcanu managing director Owain Davies. "We are a Burry Port business, based in the town and we want to do our bit to help the community. We take our corporate responsibility seriously and try and support many community organisations as well as the younger generation. Sport is a great avenue for youngsters and were more than happy to put our name on the new strip for the under-14s team at Burry Port RFC." The team has also received support from Leighton Jenkins at DL Jenkins solid wood flooring and Peter Harper of PW Harper Roofing and Son. Mr Davies added: "Partnerships are all important in this day and age and we were happy to team up with other interested businesses to make...

The Iechyd Da beer column from the Carmarthen Journal by Simon Buckley, chief executive of the Evan-Evans Brewery in Llandeilo. Oh boy, it must be autumn . . . Party conferences, doom and gloom, and commentators telling us that life as we know it is about to change for the worse. Enough! I for one am not going to be terrorised by hearsay and I believe life is what you make it. You have to think ahead to what we can do to change things and move with the times. I have predicted that there are going to be major changes in the brewing industry – there are too many brewers and too much tax. Efficiency is the buzz word for 2013. We have spent the last year investing to improve output and to create a series of new beers and brands to drive our sales. We have set our sights on being a major drinks brand owner, operating across several distinct market segments and with our organic and American brands we have one of the best portfolios of beers to offer in the UK market. So far, it seems to b...

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column from the Carmarthen Journal newspaper - A last minute winner by Carmarthen Town full back Gavin Rees gave his team a 3-2 victory over Afan Lido in the second round of the Football Association of Wales Youth Cup last Sunday. The match at Richmond Park was a full bloodied affair with the Old Gold having Ross Jones red-carded on the hour mark for a foul and also picking up six other yellow cards. Carmarthen took the lead after 18 minutes when a spectacular 30-yard free-kick from Iestyn Evans found the bottom of the visitor's net. Afan Lido equalised with a similar effort 15 minutes later and then took the lead early in the second period. Manager Peter Fearn changed his team's formation 10 minutes from time, the move paying off when Callum Jackson equalised also immediately. The Youth side then piled on the pressure and the winner, when it came, was well deserved. ------------------------------------- Fund-...

If you dream of singing on stage, in theatres, concert halls or even television, then a prestigious regional Performance Singing Scholarships may be music to your ears! Performance Singing Scholarships for 2013 are now open to all children age 8 to 14 years from the South Wales region. The goals of the Scholarships are to provide expert individual tuition and performance experience to girls and boys who have a strong interest and enthusiasm for singing and performance to help build their skills and confidence and develop their talent and true potential. Performance Singing Scholarships awards exist for young people age 8 to 11 years and for children age 12 to 14 years. The Scholarships are sponsored by the Hywel Girls’ Choir & Hywel Boy Singers and Hywel Williams Foundation. The winner of each Scholarship will be awarded a six -month course of weekly individual singing tutorials by a professional singing performance expert, group singing and concert experience, potential oppor...

The Burry Port Town Band has announced the appointment of Nigel Seaman as its new Musical Director. Current Musical Director Michael Thorne has had to relinquish his role due to increased work commitments. He will now be engaged as the Band's Principal Guest Conductor and is looking forward to help out in concerts and contests in the his new role. Nigel said: "I've enjoyed working with the band recently and so I was delighted to have been able to accept the band's offer of the post of Musical Director, and I have set several new aims for the band in the next few years and I'm looking forward to working with this group of musicians, building on the fantastic work that Mike has already done." Chairman Graham Howe added: "We were all saddened by the news that Mike's workload has meant we had to make some changes. A huge thank-you to Michael, who has worked tirelessly for the band, and we're all over the moon that his involvement will continue as P...

Nice story in the Llanelli Star about Llanelly House director Craig Hatto being the guest speaker at Llanelli Rotary Club's meeting tonight. Nice piece in the South Wales Evening Post about Cor Meibion Llanelli's fund-raising efforts for the Royal Marsden Hospital Cancer Charity. Smashing picture story in Llanelli Star about Cor Meibion Llanelli's recent concert in Surrey to raise cash for the Royal Marsden charity. Llanelli Star has a nice story about the revamped Burry Port railway crossing shelter (helped by donation from the team at Celtic Couriers). The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column is in the Carmarthen Journal today. The latest Iechyd Da beer column from Llandeilo brewer Simon Buckley is in the Carmarthen Journal today. Good to see the latest gardening column from Aberglasney's Joseph Atkin in the Carmarthen Journal today. Nice story in the Carmarthen Journal about the new Heritage gardening trainee scheme at Aberglasney Gard...

Clay Shaw Butler accountant Amanda Russell completed the Cardiff half marathon. She joined a team of six other runners raising money for a small country in west Africa called Burkina Faso. Amanda said: "I finished in 1 hour 57 minutes and so far we have raised more than £3000 for the Burkina Faso project, although we are still pushing to reach our group target of £5000 and there’s still time to give at  http://www.justgiving.com/teams/BurkinaFaso "You can also donate by texting FASO50 £5 to 70070. You can change the amount to any sum you want to give. "There was an amazing atmosphere in Cardiff on what turned out to be a dry and fresh morning. There was plenty of hustle and bustle before we started and I bumped into numerous well-known faces on the journey up to the start line. "The crowd of runners was daunting and the water stations were eventful, ducking, diving and jumping over bottles! Everyone was in high spirits around the course and the spectator...

Ammanford-based comedian Phil Evans takes a look at mental illness and asks, is it a laughing matter? (This article was written for the South Wales Evening Post and published in the paper today). Mental illness is no laughing matter, despite the fact that all of us working in comedy seem to treat everything as a target. But, hey, hang on a minute, is that correct? Mental illness has been a laughing matter for centuries - to varying degrees. In the 18th century, people would pay a penny each to be allowed into Bethlem Royal Hospital in Moorfields, London, to laugh and cruelly poke fun at the hundreds of unfortunate slack-jawed, dead-eyed, mentally ill patients weeping and wailing as they repeatedly banged their injured heads against the crude stone walls of their fetid cells. In 1841 alone, 96,000 people visited the hospital to stare and giggle at the inmates. The first Tuesday of the month saw them queuing around the block to get in. Entry was free on those days. You’l...

Carmarthenshire Council environmental enforcement officers are investigating a serious fly-tipping incident in the Llandysul area. Numerous paint tins and a gas canister were dumped in a stream near Brwyn Duon Farm, Bancyffordd. The incident is very serious as it had the potential to cause pollution to the water in the area. Officers are appealing to the public for any information which may help them to catch those responsible. Amongst the items found at the scene was a paint tin with the name ‘Phil Evans’ on it. A white Transit type van with Phil Evans Electricians on the side was also seen near the scene of the incident. Anyone with any information on an electrician named Phil Evans, possibly from the Llandysul area, is asked to get in touch so that he can help with the investigation. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “The council is committed to tackling fly-tipping and is working hard to improve the quality of the environment ...

Côr Meibion Llanelli helped raise more than £3000 for the Royal Marsden Hospital Cancer Charity at a special concert in Surrey. The concert was organised by Mary Novell, the sister of the late Alan Nurton, a former chairman of the choir. It was held in the attractive surroundings of St Peter's Church in Hersham. The 350-seat venue was a sell-out. "In fact we could have sold a hundred more tickets, such was the draw of Côr Meibion Llanelli," said Mary. She added that the evening was very emotional. "Nearly all of us will no doubt have been touched by cancer. I have been attending the Royal Marsden for six years now and my eldest brother Alan was sadly taken from us in 1996 by the disease." Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas said that the Llanelli choristers were glad to lend their support to the charity. The evening featured a varied repertoire from Côr Meibion Llanelli, mixed in with Welsh poetry and prose readings. The choir performed - S...

Scores of Carmarthenshire secondary pupils have been inspired by severely injured Iraq war veteran Phil Packer. The founder of the British Inspirational Trust (BRIT), which aims to support young people facing adversity, 40-year-old Packer was once told he would never walk again, something he was never prepared top accept. More than 100 Queen Elizabeth High School pupils listened to his inspirational talk before going on a walkabout with him as part of his UK-wide campaign – BRIT 2012. Mr Packer, MBE, is a former British Provost Officer who suffered severe spinal cord injuries whilst on active service in Iraq in February 2008. Despite being told at the time that he would never walk again, he has since undertaken a number of physical challenges for charity, including walking the London Marathon in 2009 over 14 days. His fundraising efforts have raised well over a million pounds, gaining national media attention and several national awards. Packer has since founded the British Inspirat...

The Tywi Centre’s Helena Burke was in Brussels last week representing RDP Sir Gâr’s Tywi Afon yr Oesoedd (TAYO)  project at an exhibition in the European Parliament hosted by MEP Jill Evans. The theme was "How EU Rural Development Funds are used in order to promote a sustainable economy in rural Wales" and TAYO, based at the Tywi Centre in Llandeilo, had been selected to be part of the exhibition as it focused on celebrating the heritage of Carmarthenshire’s Tywi Valley and promoting the social, economic and environmental benefits gained by protecting and promoting this heritage. During the summer the Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and European Programmes, Alun Davies, had paid a visit to the Tywi Centre to see how TAYO project had strengthened links between the community and the landscape and helped people develop the skills needed to look after the landscape. The project had restored and expanded natural habitats, provided opportunities for people to...

Carmarthenshire tourism officers have invited a critical holiday reviewer back to the county to show him it’s really much better than he claimed. The tourism team at the county council decided to give reviewer Wilfred De’Ath some food for thought after he wrote a critical spread in the Oldie magazine. Mr De’Ath was particularly perturbed that Welsh people seemed reluctant to share more than a bare minimum of their butter with visitors. His review described how many years ago he was refused a second pat of butter at a Carmarthenshire hotel and that the landlady at the guesthouse on his recent visit was aghast at his request for more toast and butter. “What is it about the Welsh and butter?” he added. Marketing and tourism officer Sarah Owen jumped in to defend the county’s honour and sent Mr De’Ath some Calon Wen butter and Carmarthenshire cheese as well as to stay in accommodation at Llandeilo, Ty Menyn, a former Butter House. “We also suggested he travelled on the Heart of Wales...

Revellers are being urged to be one of the good guys this Halloween and Bonfire Night. Scarlets players have joined police, fire and council officers to urge people to enjoy themselves without spoiling things for others. They are supporting Carmarthenshire’s Community Safety Partnership’s efforts as part of the all-Wales Operation Bang to encourage people to stay safe and not let celebrations get out of hand. Shops are being asked to not to sell eggs and flour to young people out to cause mischief, whilst pupils are being advised to act responsibly and are being given advice on the dangers of bonfires and fireworks, as the police and fire service visit local schools. Posters have also been produced for householders to display in their windows to say whether they welcome trick or treaters. They are being distributed amongst the community and are available at the council’s customer service centres and police stations. They can also be downloaded from the council’s website www.carmarthens...

Cwmcerrig Farmshop is on the shortlist for two prestigious Taste of Wales awards. The awards are regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the food and drink industry in Wales. Cwmcerrig features in two categories – the shop is in the ‘local sourcing’ section and the firm’s sirloin steak is in the beef section. The popular Farmshop and Grill in Gorslas, Carmarthenshire, has its own herd of Hereford beef, which are reared at Cwmcerrig to high standards of animal welfare One of the partners in the Watkins family business, Roland Watkins, said: “We are delighted to be nominated for the Taste of Wales awards. “We have built up a great reputation for our meat here at Cwmcerrig and we take pride in producing quality, value-for-money products which are appreciated by our customers. “We also take great pride in making sure that the accent in our farmshop is on sourcing products locally.” The news of the Taste of Wales awards follows hot on the heels of Cwmcerrig being nominated for two prestigious U...

The Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council has visited retired Gorslas publican Gomer Jones on his 100th Birthday. Cllr Siân Thomas visited Mr Jones at his flat in Gors Court, St Catherine Street, Carmarthen, on Friday October 12. Mr Jones, known to his friends as ‘Boyo, was brought up in Gorslas at the Union Tavern public house which was demolished a number of years ago. After they got married in 1946, he and his wife took on the tenancy of the Farmers Arms, Cross Hands, where the family lived for 17 years. In 1964 they moved to Carmarthen where Mr Jones took over the tenancy of the Weaver’s Arms public house in Water Street, Carmarthen. He retired as a publican at 65 years of age shortly after his wife passed away. He later re-married but sadly his second wife passed away a few years later. His son Percy Jones, Senior Principal Officer (Elderly) with the Social Care and Housing Department until his retirement 10 years ago, thanked Cllr Thomas for visiting. He said: “Dad loves ...

Shaheen Jafargholi, of Britain's Got Talent fame, is set to play at the Llandeilo Festival of Senses on Saturday November 24. Shaheen shot to fame during the 2009 Britain's Got Talent and later played his own tribute at Michael Jackson’s memorial service in Los Angeles. He will be performing on the main stage in Llandeilo's King Street after the Llandeilo's got Talent winners perform at 4.30pm. The evening will close with a magnificent fire work display, by Geraint Price of Nice Price News. For full Entertaiment listings go to: www.llandeilochristmasfestivalofsenses.co.uk

A £40,000 traffic management scheme designed by Carmarthenshire Council transport team for Nantycaws has been unanimously approved by Llangunnor Community Council. County traffic manager John McEvoy presented feedback from a public exhibition on proposed traffic management measures for Nantycaws. He told members following the exhibition the proposals were changed to include a 30mph speed limit through the village and a 40mph buffer speed limit on the east bound approach to the village. The Community Council did not support the placement of a vertical plateau in the centre of the village one of the outcomes demanded by residents at an exhibition held on September 12. Because the community council voted against this, the platform will not be part of the scheme. The proposed closure to through traffic of the overtaking lane, the provision of street lighting in the middle of the village, and the creation of two right turn refuge lanes were given full endorsement from the Community Council....

Council environmental enforcement officers are using two wheels instead of four to catch people who are dropping litter and not cleaning up after their dogs. The officers carry out patrols across the county in sometimes quite difficult to reach areas by car, and often quite large areas by foot. That’s why they are getting on their bikes to get around quickly and easily. They are particularly useful for getting around the Millennium Coastal Park which runs all the way from Loughor to Burry Port and for travelling about the town centres. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Our enforcement officers patrol the whole of Carmarthenshire and it is very difficult to catch people in the act. They can get to certain areas quicker and easier on bikes and hopefully fine those irresponsible people who are messing up our county.” Anyone caught failing to clean up after their dog or dropping litter can be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75 ...

Like most people, you probably put out your blue bags for recycling, but what about your old electricals? Did you know a typical toaster contains enough plastic to make 76 yoghurt pots and enough steel to make 25 food cans? So don’t leave your old electrical appliances to gather dust in the cupboard or throw them in the bin where they will just end up in landfill. Recycle them instead at any of the county’s waste recycling centres at Trostre (Llanelli); Wernddu (Ammanford); Nantycaws (Carmarthen); Llangadog and Whitland. Small electrical items can also be taken along to any of the 10 WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) banks across Carmarthenshire. To find your nearest; visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/recycling or call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567.

Burry Port Opera's production this year will be Bellini's Norma. Performances are Wednesday 31st October, Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd November. All performances start at 7pm at Burry Port Memorial Hall. Norma was first performed in 1831; it is an opera in two acts. The production at Burry Port will be the second time the society has performed Norma; the previous production was in 1979. Story: A secret love unites Norma, a Druid priestess with Pollione the Roman Proconsul, father of her two children. Pollione has grown tired of the aging Druid and has fallen in love with Adalgisa a young temple virgin. Despite Adalgisa 's piety and virtue she agrees to flee to Rome with Pollione. Adalgisa in her innocence tells Norma of her love. Norma curses Pollione for his deceit and treachery. In her trauma Norma contemplates killing her two children in preference to abandoning them to Adalgisa, but in her love for them she finally consigns them to the...

Looking for advice to help you through the tough times? Carmarthenshire libraries are staging Health & Well-being days at their three main libraries – Carmarthen October 25, Ammanford October 30 and Llanelli November 9th as part of the national Autumn Libraries Campaign. County executive board member for leisure services Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “There is a wide range of advice available on health matters, saving money, cutting energy costs and healthy eating. “It is a tremendous opportunity for anyone needing help to get a sympathetic and helful ear and support.” Local organisations including the cancer charity CISS, EPP, Merched y Wawr, the Money Advice Service and the WI will provide information on their work. Taster sessions will include reflexology, Wii, Short Mat Bowls, St John’s Ambulance, Tai Chi, the Alexander Technique, Hypnotherapy and many others. Information will also be available on the Bibliotherapy scheme which gives library members access to a host of self-help bo...

The Jenkins Bakery is doing its bit to cheer on Swansea City in the Premiership. The South Wales bakery has produced special biscuits in home and away colours to support the Swans. Russell Jenkins, operations director for the Jenkins Bakery, said: "We are very big on sport at the Jenkins Bakery and like to get behind our local teams. "The Swans are currently doing well in the Premiership and sitting nicely in mid-table. "Our Swans biscuits are on sale at all our outlets, but are particularly popular at our Swansea shops at Whitewalls, Sketty Park and Uplands." The biscuits are hand-made using the family firm's top quality shortbread recipe and skilfully decorated with coloured sugar-paste and icing. The biscuits sell for 75p. The Jenkins bakery employs 300 people, full and part-time, across 25 different stores in South Wales. The company has the Gold Standard Welsh Food Hygiene Award and the Investors in People award. The business employs 70 people...

This week's special offers at Jenkins Bakery shops - WEEK COMMENCING 22/10/12 3 MEDIUM CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.60 2 SPICY CHICKEN PASTIES £2.00 2 LARGE CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.85 2 TEACAKES 0.90p 2 FRESH CREAM DOUGHNUTS £1.60 SANDWICH OF THE WEEK – SALMON & CUCUMBER £2.10 BAGUETTE OF THE WEEK – CHICKEN TIKKA £2.30 CAJUN CHICKEN CIABATTA £2.25 ROLLS OF THE WEEK – FLOURED BAPS PACK OF 4 0.90p LOAF OF THE WEEK - SMALL MULTISEED £1.35 Website -  http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/