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

Campaigners in the battle to keep Sainsbury's superstore out of Llandeilo have won a stunning victory. The supermarket giant withdrew its controvserial plan for a Llandeilo store this afternoon. Simon Buckley, chief executive of the Evan-Evans Brewery and owner of the White Horse Inn, said - "I am glad that common-sense has prevailed. "The people of Llandeilo have had to work very hard to lobby against Sainsbury's plans. "I welcome the news that our great town of Llandeilo is not going to be blighted by this oversized development. "The campaigners against the development can feel a great sense of pride in that all their hard work has paid off. Plainly, Sainsbury's recognised that they would not win the argument. "But the Sainsbury's issues must now be consigned to the past. "We now must focus on developing new job opportunities and working with the various agencies to help people find alternative work opportunities in this ...

There will be a Heritage Horticulture Skills Scheme open day this month at Aberglasney Gardens in the Tywi Valley. The Heritage Lottery funded scheme provides training to improve the skill base of gardeners in heritage horticulture in Wales. The event takes place on November 23 from 10.30 am until 3pm. The day will include numerous horticultural demonstrations by the current students, guided tours of the gardens and the chance for to meet all the partner gardens involved. There will also be short presentations about the scheme and the partner gardens.

Carmarthenshire Councillors have decided that they are minded to approve an application to give developers three more years to submit detailed plans for housing at Stradey Park, Llanelli. But the Welsh Government has issued a Stopper Notice preventing the release of the decision until it has had time to consider whether or not to call in the application to make the final decision itself. A spokesman for the developers said work would start on site in three weeks time and the application was to provide them with the option to make changes to house types at a later stage. Last week's meeting of the planning committee considered an application by the developers for variation of one of the conditions of the outline planning permission to extend the outline planning time limit by a further three years for up to 450 residential units of two, three and four-bedroom detached houses, terraced houses, terraced town houses and apartments. The council’s head of planning Eifion Bowen told memb...

The Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council, Councillor Sian Thomas, is pictured with crew members at Pontyates Fire Station, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Ammanford’s Christmas Lights Switch-on will take place on Saturday November 17 in the town’s Quay Street. Not only is Father Christmas coming to town but Ammanford is hoping to gather the largest ever gathering of Santa’s Elves. The Switch-on event has been organised collaboratively by Carmarthenshire County Council, Ammanford Town Council and Gail Jones, liaison officer for Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd, the main contractor for the regeneration works on Quay Street. The event is based around the annual Christmas lights switch-on event, however, this year the event has been brought forward by three weeks and the day changed to a Saturday to encourage more participation by children. The decorative Christmas lights have been supplied and erected by Alun Griffiths as part of their commitment to the community. Carmarthenshire Radio advertising is currently on air. Radio Carmarthenshire will control the stage events and is providing some of the entertainment. Stage entertainment will be ...

Ammanford-based Log Pod Ltd are holding an Open Day to launch their Gothic Pod on Saturday November 24, 10.00am–3.00pm. The Log Pod Ltd has recently unveiled its new 2012/2013 Gothic Pod, which is already proving popular both with sites and guests alike. Although it has the new shape, it is the same size and quality as the original Log Pod, making it beautifully warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Trevor Richardson, of Log Pod Ltd, said - "The main reason that any new / existing customer will add Log Pods to their site or business is first and foremost to make money! However, there are a number of other major benefits which may be less obvious. Whether you have a: Campsite, Fishery, Outdoor Activity Centre etc you will undoubtedly be competing in a large market sector where raising your sites profile may be extremely difficult and costly. "As a campsite - for example - your website will be competing with several thousand other campsites for the attention of the ...

Stewart Ayers has joined Carmarthenshire-based construction firm Morganstone as senior quantity surveyor. Stewart, 51, has moved from WRW Construction. Educated at Dynevor School, Swansea, and with a BSc honours in quantity surveying from the University of Glamorgan, Stewart has also worked for Sharpe and Ayers and Jistcourt builders. Stewart said: "I am looking forward to playing my part in the Morganstone team and helping to make sure the firm is in the vanguard when it comes to delivering quality construction projects." Morganstone managing director Ian Morgan said: "We are delighted to see Stewart joining us here at Morganstone. I am sure he will make a significant contribution to the success of the business." You can contact Stewart at Morganstone at  stewart.ayers@morganstone.co.uk The company address is: Morganstone House, Llys Aur, Llanelli Gate, Llanelli, SA14 8LQ. Tel No: 01554 779126. Email: mail@morganstone.co.uk Website - http://morganstone.co.uk/ ...

The Jenkins Bakery has raised £1600 for Cancer Research UK through as special campaign selling pink cakes at the firm's shops. A cheque for £1,600.09 was handed over by staff at bakery's Trostre, Llanelli, HQ, to Carrie Barlow, Cancer Research UK area volunteer manager. Operations director Russell Jenkins said: "Throughout the year, we try and support as much charitable activity as we can. The ladies in our shops wore pink T-shirts for the duration of the Cancer Research fund-raising and the pink cakes were a big hit with customers. "Our customers are very important to us as it is their support which helps us make significant charitable donations throughout the year." The Jenkins bakery has 25 shops across South Wales and employs 300 people, full and part-time, with headquarters in Trostre, Llanelli. Weblink - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/ Pictured top with Carrie Barlow, centre, Cancer Research UK area volunteer manager, are Jenkins Bakery staff, left to right...

Aberystwyth University is holding its first Postgraduate Open Day on Wednesday, 14th November to celebrate its recognition by the highly influential igraduate survey (2012) as one of the top five Graduate Schools in the world. The University will showcase the excellent opportunities available to students at this well regarded community. The Open Day will also announce the establishment of a number of new Masters Courses in 2013, including a new Masters in Criminology and Criminal Justice, a suite of new Law programmes, and a Masters in Childhood Studies and Professional Practice, many of which are available through Distance Learning. Professor Martin Jones, Pro Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for postgraduate studies and research explained: “The igraduate survey provides valuable external information of the high postgraduate standards which have always existed at Aberystwyth. It is acknowledged that competition for employment is particularly intense at present. In this environme...

South Wales millionaire and entrepreneur Kevin Green is to share the stage with Bill Clinton at a major UK business conference on Friday. Entrepreneurs 2012 is a four-day intensive business conference set to attract an audience of more than 10,000 at London's ExCel arena. "It's a massive event," said Mr Green. "And Bill Clinton has top billing as the main speaker in a star-studded line-up which also includes Ruby Wax, Bear Grylls, Kevin Spacey, Levi Roots, Carol Vorderman, Bruce Dickinson and Benedict Cumberbatch. "I'm very proud of the fact that I've been invited to speak on Friday, the big day when former United States President Bill Clinton will be speaking. "Without a doubt, he is the biggest draw in the world at the moment in terms of public speaking. It promises to be a great occasion and I'm looking forward to sharing the platform with Bill Clinton." About Kevin Green Kevin Green is a self-made multi-millionaire an...

The Jenkins Bakery is doing its bit to help the annual BBC Children in Need appeal. The bakery has produced special fund-raising Pudsey Bear biscuits, which are now on sale in 25 shops across South Wales. Operations director Russell Jenkins said: "It is Children in Need night on Friday and we like to do our bit to support many charitable causes. The Pudsey Bear biscuits have been favourites with our customers over the last few years and will help us make a contribution to the appeal fund." Picture: Lorraine Charles, Fiona Snook and Natasha Fuge show off the Pudsey Bear biscuits now being sold in Jenkins Bakery shops to raise money for the BBC's Children in In Need appeal. The Jenkins bakery employs 300 people, full and part-time, with headquarters in Trostre, Llanelli. Weblink - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008dk4b

The Institute of Welsh Politics is delighted to welcome Leanne Wood AM, Leader of Plaid Cymru, to deliver its 13th Annual Lecture today, Monday 12th November 2012. The lecture is entitled ‘Cymru ar ei Hennill / A Winning Wales’ and takes place at 7.00 pm in the Main Hall of the Department of International Politics on the Penglais Campus of Aberystwyth University. Leanne Wood was born in the Rhondda where she continues to live today. She was educated at Tonypandy Comprehensive School, the University of Glamorgan and Cardiff University. Before her election to the National Assembly in 2003, Leanne worked as a professional tutor and lectured in social policy at Cardiff University. She also worked as a probation officer and a support worker for Cwm Cynon Women's Aid during 2001 and 2002. She remains involved with Cwm Cynon Women’s Aid through her role as chair of their Board of Trustees. She has been heavily involved in the trade union movement and was, until recently, the chair of t...

The Institute of Brewing & Distilling (IBD) and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) have launched a new brewing qualification aimed at smaller independent brewers. Known as the “Brewer’s Diary”, it will allow brewery staff to learn in the workplace and give successful students formal certification from the IBD, the international professional organisation for people working in brewing and distilling. Simon Jackson, the Chief Executive of the IBD said “The last 10 years have seen a surge of new microbreweries; both in the UK and internationally. Technical knowledge is a vital element needed for their long term success. Beer drinkers may try a new beer once but they will only return if the quality is up to scratch. This new training equips microbrewers with all the skills needed to brew consistent quality beers.” SIBA Chief Executive Julian Grocock said “The vast majority of SIBA members are smaller companies that cannot release staff for long periods of off-site traini...

Magpies gift shop in Carmarthen is offering 10 per cent off gifts donated to the Christmas Toybox Appeal. A letter was sent to all local business asking if they were able to help support Carmarthenshire County Council’s Toybox Appeal. Generous business owner Andy James of Magpies gift shop, Carmarthen wanted to show his support by offering 10 per cent off to customers who bought a gift in the shop for the Christmas Toybox Appeal. Founded last year, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Christmas Toybox Appeal is a local initiative which provides Christmas gifts for families in need. Last year, the Christmas Toybox Appeal collected and distributed over 700 gifts, benefitting disadvantaged families across Carmarthenshire. Deputy council leader Cllr Pam Palmer said: “We want to do all we can to help families who cannot afford new toys for their children at Christmas. The intention is to help them avoid going into debt or going to loan sharks to bankroll presents. “The more toys people donate t...

Carmarthenshire County Council housing tenants will shortly be launching a new tenants magazine - written by tenants, for tenants. You can get involved - submit articles, photographs, family announcements, children's pictures, letters, opinions and more. Be in with a chance of winning a prize for the best photo, children's drawing, letter, or top tip for saving money. A new editorial group is just getting started, but the council needs your help to make it happen. If you are a council tenant, get in touch on Facebook, through Twitter @CarmsCCPress, call 01554 742365, text 07892345678 or email  HMcintosh@carmarthenshire.gov.uk  The editorial group's first meeting is on Monday.

Llanelli artist and photographer Russ Myners has sent through another update on his work this morning. Russ Myners is a local part-time artist and photographer, outside his 'day job' as a busy Practice Manager. He is also a weekend volunteer working in the grounds at the National Wetland Centre Wales, Penclacwydd, Llanelli. Russ started painting in watercolours around 2005 and has exhibited work at wetland centres both in Llanelli and at Slimbridge. His art and photographic work has attracted interest from the USA, Sweden and India. Aside from painting, Russ also carries out some Life drawing in charcoal and pencil. When time permits, Russ loves to be outdoors with his camera capturing nature as it is. His photography has been appreciated by many people across the UK, and has been commissioned for work on websites, canvass wraps and even digital wallpaper! You can find out more at Russ's website - http://www.russartworx.net Here's his latest news - Just a very quick ...

On December 6 at 7.30pm Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre, based at Singleton Hospital, are hosting their first year celebration dinner at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea – in association with the South Wales Evening Post. The black tie dinner, with a guest list that includes local, national, and international VIPs, plus top industry entertainment, are all expected on what promises to be a fantastic celebration for this hugely deserving charity. The evening will include - · Entertainment from “Like a Lion” (previously “Fat Barry’s Soul Band”) · Canapés and mulled wine on reception · Live music from Jimi Webb · Three course dinner · Charity auction with special guest auctioneer Kev Johns Tickets can be purchased for only £50 or a table of 10 for the reduced price of only £450. To secure your tickets please contact Amber at the South Wales Evening Post on 01792 514217 or email: amber.demirhisar@swwmedia.co.uk Please be aware that tickets are strictly l...

This week's special offers - WEEK COMMENCING 12/11/12 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 ECLAIRS £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 ROLLS OF THE WEEK – RUSTIC BROWN BAPS PACK of 4 £1.00 Weblink - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/