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

Today saw the Parliamentary debate to review the beer duty escalator, an important debate to save rural pubs and the brewing industry as a whole. With more than 104,000 signatures, a campaign by real ale group Camra set out to urge the Treasury to review the beer duty escalator and scrap it. The chief Executive of the West Wales brewer and pub operator, the Evan-Evans group, Simon Buckley said: "The brewing industry in Wales was poorly served by its MPs in this vital and important debate. "Only three MPs from Wales stepped forward to support the brewing and pub industry - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr Plaid Cymru MP Jonathon Edwards, the Tory MP for Conwy, and Albert Owen, Plaid, Ynys Mon. "Where were the rest of the Labour and Tory MPs? They were noticeably absent. "How can we ever get the support our industry so desperately deserves and needs if our elected representatives cannot support such an important debate and show moral support to us one of the major employer...

A host of energy efficient programmes have been rolled out in a bid to drive down energy costs at Carmarthen's County Hall. Windows have been draft proofed, pipework serving the building’s radiators insulated and heating controls added to help make the build more energy efficient. IT equipment has also been updated to time out and an energy efficient lighting system installed throughout the building. Insulation works have just been completed in the boiler room. Carmarthenshire County Council has already made its mark by being the leading authority in Wales for the greatest financial and carbon savings. According to funding company Salix, the council’s invested returns show an annual saving of over £217,000 and a lifetime saving of over £4million. The council’s executive board member for sustainability Cllr Jim Jones said: “We have a whole range of works underway at County Hall and our other buildings which already has seen benefits on our energy investments. “We are thrilled to ...

Leading Welsh brewer Simon Buckley has welcomed the Parliamentary debate calling on the Government to review its 'damaging' policy of the ‘beer duty escalator’. The debate will be on Thursday, November 1, and has been called by the Backbench Business Committee in response to the ‘Stop the Beer Duty Escalator’ e-petition ( www.camra.org.uk/saveyourpint ) which currently stands at more than 104,000 signatures. The escalator increases beer duty by 2% above inflation automatically every year and is making pub-going unaffordable. As a result, the pub industry is struggling and pubs are closing at an alarming rate of 12 every week in the UK. Mr Buckley, chief executive of the Llandeilo-based Evan-Evans brewery, said: “Enough is enough. The pub is widely recognised as one of the hubs of local community life. The Government must do more to support the pub industry. The beer escalator is damaging the pub and beer business." Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathon Edwards plans to ...

Lord Heseltine, the former Conservative party deputy prime minister, has said in a new report that a Severn barrage offers the possibility of a source of energy and economic regeneration. But a massive barrage across the Severn is the wrong option for the economy, for clean energy, and for the environment, says Friends of the Earth Cymru. Gareth Clubb, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said: “The UK Government needs to take strong action to support our already thriving green economy. “But after decades of trying, there has yet to be a realistic proposal for a barrage across the Severn that doesn’t come with a massive price tag and have devastating environmental impact. “If just a fraction of the investment needed to build a concrete barrage was spent on energy efficiency, thousands more jobs would be created. And there are better solutions for capturing the tidal power of the Severn that would have much less damaging consequences, and could give us green energy far sooner than th...

The Rt Hon The Lord Judge will give the Centre for Welsh Legal Affairs Annual Lecture at Aberystwyth University on Thursday 1st November. Lord Judge’s lecture will be on “Advocacy Today” and will take place in lecture theatre C22 in the University’s Hugh Owen Building and starts at 7 pm. This will be the 12th annual lecture of the Centre for Welsh Legal Affairs, which was set up in 1999 to address Wales’s role in the post-devolution legal system. The Rt Hon The Lord Judge is the Head of the judiciary and President of the Courts of England and Wales and a Fellow of Aberystwyth University. Born in Malta on 19 May 1941, Lord Judge is a graduate of Magdalene College, Cambridge where he studied History and Law. During his studies at Cambridge he entered the Hon Society of Middle Temple and was subsequently called to the Bar in 1963. Appointed a Recorder of the Crown Court in 1976, Lord Judge was appointed Queen’s Counsel (QC) in 1979. He was a member of the Senate of the Inns of Court and ...

Now’s the perfect time to get gardening and ensure you get the most out of your patch next year - and the team at Aberglasney House and Gardens would like to help you! Aberglasney Gardens in the Tywi Valley in Carmarthenshire is currently selling a huge range of rare and unusual plants at greatly discounted prices. Many are surplus plants from the gardens themselves while others come from some of Wales’ top nurseries. What’s more. the garden's team of expert gardeners are on hand with help and advice on the plants on sale, as well as to answer your general gardening queries. Head gardener Joseph Atkin said: “The team at Aberglasney not only enjoy being able to inspire the tens of thousands of visitors who come here every year, but we like to be able to help them get the most of their gardens at home.” He added: “Our plant sales area is open all year and entry is free. Why not come along and see for yourselves the great range of plants that we have and let us help and advise you ...

A campaign that supported local hero Dai Greene has been given a prestigious national award. Good Luck Dai Greene was launched earlier this year as part of a drive to support the Llanelli athlete in his Olympic bid. Although Dai did not get gold, he was praised by hundreds of people for his efforts and for being an excellent ambassador for sport, for Llanelli, Carmarthenshire and Wales. The campaign was supported by many residents in Dai’s home town and an event which took place in the St Elli Centre was hugely popular. A lifesized cardboard cut out of Dai travelled around the town centre for a competition which also rose awareness of the campaign. Good Luck Dai Greene wristbands were worn by hundreds of people, many of whom also signed good luck pledges. The initiative, run by Carmarthenshire County Council’s SirGarPR team, won the gold Chartered Institute of Public Relations award for Best Sporting Campaign, beating off competition from across Wales. The judges said: “Carma...

Recycle for Carmarthenshire – the council’s interactive website to help people reduce and recycle their rubbish – has won gold at the CIPR Wales PRide Awards 2012. The website www.recycleforcarmarthenshire.com won Best Digital Campaign at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations awards, which recognises excellence in public relations and communications. A panel of judges, made up of PR industry experts, said the website was a useful tool for residents with smart features and strong outcomes. The website was launched earlier this year to help residents to recycle and reduce their rubbish. It is packed full of information, news and advice as well as quick links to order more blue bags; request a replacement green bin or find your nearest recycling centre. There is information on all of the council’s waste services as well as advice on real nappies, home composting and reducing your food waste. The Greenies and Meanies – the 3D characters made out of everyday rubbish such as pap...

Japanese company Hitachi today confirmed purchase of the Anglesey nuclear project. Friends of the Earth Cymru have raised serious concerns about a new nuclear power station on Anglesey and Hitachi’s nuclear competence. Gareth Clubb, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said: “We could see a company of questionable competence building a power station we don’t need. Hitachi – the company that brought you Fukushima – are hoping to build a nuclear power plant on Anglesey using a design that hasn’t even been approved for use in the UK. “This is turning back the clock for Wales. Nuclear power is an expensive technology from the past that generates highly toxic nuclear waste that will be sitting around in Anglesey for the next 150 years. “The only viable future is one that’s powered by renewables. Investment in the nuclear red herring diverts scarce resources from the renewable revolution that is already providing tens of thousands of jobs right across Wales.”

People in the Hywel Dda Health Board area have been thanked for getting involved in the consultation over the future of healthcare services in the area. Submissions for Your Health Your Future – Consulting Our Communities will now be collected and independently analysed before being presented to and discussed by the health board. Chief Executive Trevor Purt said: “This is the largest ever healthcare consultation to take place in this area and we’ve been encouraged by the passion for the NHS shown by both staff and the general public. We are pleased and grateful that people have taken up the opportunity to get involved in shaping healthcare services through the various feedback events and mechanisms we put in place. We will use these submissions and clinical evidence to shape our services so they are safe and of the highest quality.” Hundreds of local people and organisations from across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and neighbouring counties have attended consultation even...

A one-time-only spectacular light and sound show is being staged in Llanelli town centre early next year. The event is one of the public art projects being delivered through the ADREF environmental improvement programme, funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government and Carmarthenshire County Council. It will include photographs, memories, music and memorabilia from local people and groups which will all be put together for the show. The event will take around three hours, people will be able to stay for the whole show or just see small sections of it. People can upload material onto the website to be part of the ‘LightingUpTime’ project, a ‘Son et Lumiere’ show, which is being created by externalGalleries artists’ Andy McKeown and Peter Walker, and musician David Harper. Drop-in sessions are also taking place at the Showcase in Stepney Street on Monday, October 29, and Tuesday, October 30, between 11am and 3pm. People can call in for more information,...

Carmarthen pupils on a trip to the US are safe and well, they reported today. Pupils and staff of Bro Myrddin arrived at New York earlier today following visits to Washington and Philadelphia. They are reassuring parents, relatives and friends that the group are safe and secure, the school is in regular contact with them and there is no cause for concern from Hurricane Sandy. Assistant Headteacher Euryn Madoc-Jones said: “We, the staff and pupils of Bro Myrddin are all enjoying our American trip. “At present it is cloudy but the forecasted terrible weather has not yet arrived. We will adjust our plans in response to the strength of the hurricane/storm. “The safety of the children will have the highest priority over the next four days. We communicate regularly with the school and are keen for all parents and guardians to have confidence in us as we provide care of the highest order to their sons and daughters over the next few days.”

With less than three weeks to go before the Police and Crime Commissioner elections, voters in the Dyfed Powys Police area are reminded that they will have a straight choice between two candidates. Dyfed Powys is one of the few areas in the country where only two candidates are standing for election on November 15. Elsewhere where there are two or more candidates, a Supplementary Vote system will operate whereby each voter will have the opportunity to vote for the first and second choice candidates. Police Area Returning Officer Bryn Parry-Jones said: “This will not be the case in Dyfed Powys. As there are only two candidates standing, voters have a straightforward choice and will be asked to make their selection using only one cross as in a General Election.” To take part in the election, householders must be registered to vote. The deadline for this is Wednesday, October 31 – the same day as the deadline for postal vote application forms. The two candidates in the Dyfed Powys Police ...

There's a fireworks night planned at Dunvant RFC in Swansea on Friday, November 2. Gates are open at 6pm and the display starts at 7.15pm. Tickets £3, four for £10. Hot food and drinks will be available. Dunvant's Martin Newbury said: "The display looks to build on last year’s spectacular event that gave an hour of entertainment that proved excellent value for money. This year, we have a larger and more spectacular event planned, all money raised going towards junior rugby." Tickets are available from the clubhouse - Monday – Friday after 7pm. Saturdays and Sundays after 12pm. Or on the gate or the various junior section team players and coaches. Weblink - http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dunvant/events/fireworks-display-92189.html

Leading historian Professor Norman Davies to deliver the David Davies Memorial Institute Annual Lecture on Thursday 1 November. The David Davies Memorial Institute (DDMI), which forms part of the Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth University, is delighted to announce that the internationally esteemed historian Professor Norman Davies will give the 2012 Annual Lecture. Professor Davies will be the latest in a long line of distinguished lecturers since the series began in 1954. Professor Davies retired in 1996 from the School of Slavonic Studies, University of London, but remains extremely active in writing and public debate. At present, he is Professor at the Jagiellonian University, Cracow, an Honorary Fellow of St Antony's College, University of Oxford, and a life member of Clare Hall and Peterhouse at the University of Cambridge. He is a Fellow of the British Academy. In his early career, Professor Davies specialized on the history of Poland, but subsequentl...

The moment of birth of an iceberg has been analysed in detail for the first time. Dr Alun Hubbard from Aberystwyth University’s Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences and researchers from the University of St Andrews have completed a detailed and thorough survey of the interface between a large marine-terminating glacier and the ocean. Using a technique called side-scanning-sonar operated from their research vessel Gambo during July 2012, Dr Hubbard and his team from Aberystwyth University mapped changes in the ice-front of Store Glacier on the West Coast of Greenland. This glacier is an outlet for the Greenland ice sheet. Working with Alun Hubbard was Dr Richard Bates from the University of St Andrews who had developed new techniques of data processing that allowed him to compare the ice front before and after a massive iceberg calving event. This enabled him to visualise those changes in detail and make estimates of ice loss from the glacier front over a two-week period. This in...

Llanelli AirRaise has donated a laptop to Hywel Dda Health Board’s Research and Development department. The laptop will be used by the department and some post-doctorate researchers who are attending the Clinical Research Centre, at Prince Philip Hospital in late November. Dr Keir Lewis said: “We are grateful for this kind donation which will be used for research analysis and particularly team presentations so it is a great asset.”