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

Carmarthen Leisure Centre In a nutshell: There is still a ‘shiny new’ feel to Carmarthen Leisure Centre. The centre boasts an eight-lane 25 metre main pool, a small pool, squash and badminton courts, a health suite, Fusion Health and Fitness Club, Dance Studio and much, much more. There is also an indoor adventure play area. www.actifsirgar.co.uk Carmarthen SA31 3NQ 01267 224700 For more ideas of what to see in Carmarthenshire, search this blog for 'What to see in Carmarthenshire' and then tell the search to sort by date. Previous post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/what-to-see-in-carmarthenshire-013.html

A LlanellI mum is made up after qualifying as a beauty therapist – thanks to the help and support of Genesis. Debbie Williams was pregnant with her third child when she completed the last modules of her beauty therapy course at Coleg Sir Gar and is now setting her sights on launching her first business venture. She says she couldn’t have achieved her qualifications without the support of Genesis - a European Social Funded project which aims to improve life for families, either because they are unemployed or on a low income. The team helped Debbie in various ways, including contributing towards childcare costs and part-funding her uniform. Genesis advisor Carole Walters, said: “This is an inspirational story for those considering a new career pathway and feel that there are too many barriers in front of them which could prevent them from succeeding. Debbie’s determination to succeed with the right support has enabled her to succeed and achieve her dream.” Debbie has now linke...

The 'care and repair' team linked to Carmarthenshire Council has helped 5,000 older people in the county in the last 10 years through its Response Adaptation Programme. The agency is part of a national charitable body which works to ensure that older people have homes that are safe, secure and appropriate to their needs. Nationally, the organisation is celebrating the 10th year of the Rapid Response Adaptation Programme, which is funded by the Welsh Government. Since 2002, almost 5,000 older people in Carmarthenshire have received assistance from 'care and repair' through this programme. And working in partnership with Carmarthenshire County Council, the agency estimates that this work has saved local authority and NHS health and social care budgets somewhere in the region of £5.5 million. Works have included small scale – but vital – adaptations in older people’s homes, including grab rails, stair rails and external lighting, with the aim of preventing potentia...

The annual Llanelli Boys Grammar School reunion dinner is being held on Friday, January 25, at the Stradey Park Hotel. Dress code: formal. £25 a ticket, available from old boys. Guest speaker: former Swansea City football star Wyndham Evans.

Forget about surfing the web – how about walking the web? Walking Well Carmarthenshire has just launched its brand new bilingual website, aimed at encouraging people to take part in group walks. The website provides a source of information for people interested in group walking, as well as providing details of forthcoming events. The Walking Well Carmarthenshire initiative began as a collaboration between Carmarthenshire County Council 50+ Forum and Public Health Wales. Andy Kurzfeld, Walking Well Volunteer Co-ordinator, said: “Walking in groups has been shown to have significant benefits to social, physical and mental health and wellbeing. It encourages increased activity levels, helps people stay active, and it is great for socialising. “The website aims to make it easier for people in Carmarthenshire to find a local Walking Well group and get involved. “It provides information on the health benefits of walking, details of Walking Well groups in Carmarthen, Llanelli and St C...

Ty Hapus family centre in Carmarthen are celebrating after receiving funding from RDP Sir Gâr’s Rural Community Inclusion project to safeguard the role of Family Centre Co-Ordinator. Located within one of Welsh Government’s Flying Start areas, Ty Hapus was set up in 2004 and is strongly supported by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Department for Education and Childcare along with organisations such as Homestart and Genesis. The Centre provides two and a half hours per day free childcare for five days a week as well as massage, parenting and basic skills programmes. They also host an after-school club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Sue Price, Ty Hapus Family Centre Co-ordinator said: "This funding has come at a really critical time as the previous funding the centre had received came to an end in January 2012. "The role of the Co-ordinator is essential in the day to day running of the Family Centre as it is their job to liaise not only with the families that attend the ...

Carmarthen schoolchildren have swopped their pens and pencils for shovels to help better their environment. Abergwili School pupils took time out of the classroom to plant fruit trees in the village during National Tree Week. Around 30 children from years five and six spent the morning preparing the soil and planting at the former Gwili Villas Farm site. The fruit will be used locally. The project was spearheaded by Abergwili Community Council having raised money through Cwm Environmental to encourage food growing in their area. The school is also supported by Carmarthenshire Community Challenge - a campaign to reduce the carbon footprint. Chairman of Abergwili Community Council Neil Lewis said: “The children at the village school are helping and learning to grow their own fruit. They are learning these crucial skills through the many volunteers from the village. “We are hoping to plant 20 fruit trees and soft fruit hedging to encourage bees and birds.” The local youth club led wi...

You’ll be able to feel the love at a special comedy showcase being planned for the Welsh Valentine’s Night. And comedy fans looking to get romantic on Dydd Santes Dwynwen St Dwynwen's Day could end up playing a starring role. “We’re looking for people who might be planning something romantic on the evening – an engagement proposal or a declaration of love,” said the star comedian Phil Evans. “The evening is billed as Comedy and Cwtshes, so what could be better than something romantic on the evening itself?” Comedy and Cwtshes is being staged at The Dylan Thomas Theatre, Swansea, on Friday, January 25. Evans promises the evening will be a Welsh comedy showcase featuring the very best comedy performers on the circuit today, together with a few extra surprises. “It’s a bit like that unopened box of Quality Street you’ve still got leftover from Christmas. We’ll have the finest treats all neatly wrapped up, with something for everyone’s taste. “Anyone planning to attend and make a ...

Two young graduates have joined leading Carmarthen accountants and business consultants Clay Shaw Butler as part of Welsh Government initiative. Rhodri Morgan and Gwenallt Jones have joined the Lammas Street business as part of a six-month-long Go Wales Jobs Growth Wales project. The project is designed to help graduates into the jobs market. “Jobs Growth Wales is an innovative scheme and aims to give graduates that all important first step on the jobs ladder,” said Clay Shaw Butler director David Butler. “We are delighted to have Rhodri and Gwenallt on board at Clay Shaw Butler and wish them all the best in the careers.” Rhodri Morgan is from Llangunnor, Carmarthen, and is a BSc honours graduate from Swansea University, where he studied accounting and finance. He is a keen footballer and plays for Johnstown United. Gwenallt Jones is from Johnstown in Carmarthen and graduated with a first class BSc degree in mathematics from Swansea University. He is a keen golfer. About the Go Wales...

The business plan behind Wales’ first ‘Centre of Economic Inclusion’, in Llanelli, has been boosted by a collaboration between Carmarthenshire County Council and Social Firms Wales (SFW). SFW, the National Support Agency for Social Firm Development - which is committed to the creation of employment opportunities for disadvantaged people, through the development and support of Social Firms in Wales - has been working closely with Carmarthenshire council managers to help move the business plan to its current position and to offer advice during the setting up of the new Coleshill Centre. Recently reopened after a £2million redevelopment, the ground-breaking centre aims to improve the lives and outcomes of disabled and disengaged people by building an enterprise-based community, promoting economic and social inclusion, providing support, training, employment, development and community opportunities for disabled, vulnerable, disengaged and long-term unemployed people. Coleshill also enc...

A new service for orthodontic care has been launched in Pembrokeshire. Hywel Dda Health Board carried out the first Assessment Clinics for routine orthodontic care in Haverfordwest last month. Elaine Lorton, Head of Primary Care & Dental, said: “The Health Board has been very aware that patients from Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion have had to travel to Carmarthenshire for assessment and treatment. “Therefore, as part of our pledge to provide care closer to home, when tendering for a new orthodontic service we ensured it included the provision of satellite clinics. “The clinics have already proved very popular have seen over 50 patients.” The clinic is operated by Q Dental, as a satellite clinic from their base in Carmarthen. A further assessment clinic is being planned in Aberystwyth and is scheduled to open in April 2013.

The Burry Port Town Band are gearing up for their second Solo and Ensemble Day on Saturday 2nd February in the Memorial Hall, Burry Port, starting at around 10am. This is an important event for the band and the town as it offers an opportunity for budding brass players (of all ages!) from South Wales the chance to perform. There is some excitement about the event already building in bandrooms across South Wales, with youth bands from Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Swansea and the Valleys regions wanting to attend and already busy rehearsing for their performances. The band are looking forward to entries in a variety of classes for solos, duets, trios, small and large ensembles and, finally, full youth bands and are very excited that they’ve engaged some talented, local adjudicators for this event. It will be an ideal opportunity for youth bands, players and ensembles the chance to show their talents to a wider audience. It's not too late to enter! Entries should...

A Severn barrage could become one of the most expensive renewable energy schemes in history, the Welsh Affairs Committee will be told tomorrow (Wednesday 9 January). Gareth Clubb, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, will be presenting evidence to the committee in Westminster. He said: “Building a huge barrage across an important habitat makes no sense for jobs, for energy, or for the environment. “The future for electricity generation is in decentralised renewable electricity networks. The costs of solar and onshore wind are falling steadily, and will soon leave the business case for a barrage dead in the water. “A barrage won’t be powering a single light bulb until at least 2025. By then it could be one of the most expensive renewable energy schemes in history. “If we’re going to attract billions of pounds in private finance, let’s invest in major refurbishment for our dilapidated housing stock. That could make 10 times the carbon savings of a barrage, and provide a jobs and busi...

A small, volunteer run museum in Laugharne is launching an appeal to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the arrival of a very special group of American soldiers to Wales in 1943. Tin Shed Experience 1940s museum is appealing for information on the 28th Infantry Division known as the ‘Keystones.’ Seimon Pugh-Jones of the Tin Shed has been interested in this particular division for quite some time, he even produced a self-funded documentary on the Americans in Wales during WWII entitled ‘Operation Bolero.’ He says, "I have always taken an interest in the 28th It is the oldest division in the armed forces of the United States but the most interesting thing to me about these troops is that they hail from Pennsylvania and of course that area of America has a large Welsh community that dates back to the late 17th century where a large emigration of Welsh Quakers occurred and then later in the 19th century where Welsh coal miners emigrated to the anthracite and bituminous mines. "...

The curtain has risen on one of the most anticipated developments in Llanelli’s new-look town centre. Located alongside the new East Gate development, Ffwrnes – a state-of-the-art £15.2million new theatre and arts venue – launched with a special showing of Aladdin, a pantomime being performed by local company the Friendship Theatre Group. Occupying a prominent position in the heart of the town’s regenerated cultural quarter, the theatre fuses old and new. A stunning auditorium, seating up to 500 people, is housed in a newly-built and contemporary building, designed to adapt for a range of performances, events and conferences, with additional studio space, a modern Box Office, café and bar. This is linked to Stiwdio Stepni, a more intimate theatre space seating up to 100, accommodated in the grade II listed former Zion Chapel and Old Sunday School buildings which have been restored to complement the modern exterior of the Ffwrnes. Cllr Meryl Gravell, Executive Board Member for Regenerat...

Older people in Newcastle Emlyn have been given some hints and tips on how they can save money on their food bills. Waste and recycling officers from Carmarthenshire County Council took their ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ message to a Keep Well this Winter event at Maesllewellyn Day Care Centre. The event was organised by Age Cymru Sir Gâr to help older people stay healthy and save money over the colder months. The council is encouraging residents to reduce the amount of food they throw away and save money at the same time. As well as giving lots of advice and information, there was a cookery demonstration from Lisa Fearn of The Pumpkin Patch on how to make the most of your Christmas leftovers. She made a turkey and leek pie with a mashed potato topping and some pancakes with cranberry sauce. Sustainability and Waste Awareness Officer Tina Brice said: “It is estimated that £12 billion worth of perfectly good food and drink is thrown away in the UK every year and not only is it bad for th...

Boxing Day Walrus Dippers charged into the sea at Cefn Sidan, Pembrey, in mankinis and bikinis, chased by scores of Santas, cowgirls, Old Father Time, King Canute and Batman and Robin. Blustery winds and squalls could not deter the hardy 600 souls,  aged from 84 to six, who took to the frothing seas watched by 700 supports and towel bearers. The popular event which has only failed to run twice since conceived in 1984 (once because of icy seas and another time because of a tanker oil spill) is growing in popularity with innovative dippers. Carmarthenshire Council Chair Cllr Sian Thomas has been a Walrus Dipper for 16 successive years, starting before she became a county councillor in 1999. This year she had the honour, as council Chair, of kick-starting the event flanked by Santas Sue Davies and Angela Lewis as the hooter signalled the mad dash to the waves. Cllr Thomas thanked the Council Pembrey Country Park staff for organising the event and made special mention of...

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column from the Carmarthen Journal - Special supporters buses will be running on Saturday for the WORD League Cup Final between Carmarthen Town and The New Saints. The match is being played at a neutral venue at Latham Park, Newtown, KO 3pm. Two buses will be leaving Priory Street, Carmarthen, at 10am. If you have not yet booked, please contact - Anthony Parnell on 07989 44 86 29 or Paul Ashley-Jones on 07775 82 08 64. Prices: Adults : £10, U16: £5.00. ------------------------------------- Fixtures (home matches in capitals) – January 12 Sat 3pm The New Saints @ Latham Park Word Cup Final 19 Sat 2:30pm NEWTOWN AFC WPL 26 Sat 2:30pm BALA TOWN WC4 ------------------------------------- Tote: November 13 draw, winning numbers 5 and 19. Winners of the £300 prize, Julie Sill, Angela Evans and Wally Gray. November 20, winning numbers 17 and 30, winners Wendy Brown, Buddy Evans and Roger Hunt. December 4 draw, winning numbers...

Cor Meibion Llanelli members are on song and ready for a busy 2013. Weekly rehearsals started back on Monday after the choir staged a hugely successful Christmas concert at Tabernacle Chapel, Llanelli. Billed as 'Sing Christmas', the evening saw three of Llanelli's major choirs take the stage. Cor Meibion Llanelli were joined by Cor Curiad and Cor Baroc. "It was a wonderful evening, full of passionate singing and with a very traditional theme," said Cor Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas. "The large congregation at Tabernacle enjoyed singing 10 traditional carols in Welsh and English. "There was a wonderful festive spirit in the air. It was a change to our usual Christmas concert, but it was greatly appreciated by one and all." Cor Meibion Llanelli and Cor Baroc were conducted by Mr Thomas with Sarah Thomas as accompanist. Cor Curiad were conducted by Alex Esney and accompanied by Jayne Jewell. The guest organist ...

Penygroes Rugby Club has raised more than £2,000 for the Cilgerran children’s ward at Glangwili Hospital by holding a special charity night. Carmarthenshire County Council Chair Cllr Siân as is pictured at the event at Penygroes Rugby Club.

Fire crews evacuate Llanelli hotel | This is South Wales A total of 25 people were evacuated from Llanelli's Diplomat Hotel yesterday afternoon when a fire broke out in the laundry room. Smoke filled part of the hotel as two fire crews from Llanelli raced to the scene of the blaze, which was reported at 3pm.

Latest news from the Introbiz business networking team . . . 2012 was an amazing year for Introbiz signing more than 100 new companies in the network, making lots of new contacts, referral partners ,new associates and supporting and building relationships with our members and helping them grow. JANUARY MEETINGS Thursday 10th at The Chapel, Churchill Way in Cardiff, the fabulous £2million restaurant that opened in November. 4pm - 6pm members ONLY £10 visitors ONLY £15 Thursday 17th Pier 64 Penarth Marina, 4pm - 6pm members ONLY £10 visitors ONLY £15 Saturday 19th St Mary s Church, Burry Port, West Wales. 9am - 5pm, £20 per person Kevin Green's VIP Networking Day. Come and meet Kevin Green, Channel 4 s "Secret Millionaire" one of the UK s top entrepreneur s and network with more than 100 aspirational business owners and entrepreneurs around the UK at this prestigious event hosted by Introbiz. If you want to attend this ONE OFF ONLY VIP event, please contact us asap as...

A pupil at Carmarthen’s leading theatre arts school has scooped a prestigious national award. Aaron Pryce-Lewis (pictured centre above), aged 17, from Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, was awarded Gold for Excellence in this year’s Stagecoach Inspiration Awards. The Stagecoach theatre arts school Inspiration Awards were created to celebrate inspirational young people and were launched in 2009 at the House of Commons. The awards recognise, acknowledge and reward young people from all walks of life who have faced adversity, demonstrated bravery, shown courage, cared for others and are good role models for young people. Aaron received his award at a special presentation ceremony at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London, the home of Billy Elliot the Musical. Liane Davies, the principal of Stagecoach theatre arts school in Carmarthen, said: ‘‘Aaron has been with us at Stagecoach Carmarthen for just over three years and his dedication and passion for musical theatre is second to none. "A...

A total of eight teams have entered this year's Llanelli Rotary Club Youth Speaks competition. The popular public speaking competition is one of the highlights of the school calendar in Llanelli. Llanelli Rotary Club member and schools coordinator Mark Evans said: "Rotary encourages speaking and presentation skills in young people and we are pleased that schools seem to agree with our philosophy. "The Rotary Youth Speaks competition, as a result, continues to go from strength to strength each year, producing some superb quality speakers in our young people aged from 11 to 18. "The Llanelli event is a local heat and it is possible for the winners to go all the way to a national UK final." The Youth Speaks competition is being held at 5.45pm on Tuesday, January 29, in the prestigious surroundings of the council chamber at Llanelli Town Hall. Parents and members of the public are welcome to attend. The entry list for senior and intermediate age gro...

The Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council has supported Llanelli and District Guide Dogs for the Blind at the St Elli Centre, Llanelli The Chair Cllr Siân Thomas is pictured with Betty Harmer and her guide dog Cathy who were taking part in the branch’s efforts to raise funds and raise awareness of the charity during Guide Dog Week. Cllr Thomas said: “The Branch was very grateful for Carmarthenshire County Council’s support in this special week. They were also supported on the day by Llanelli Rural Council and Nia Griffith MP along with many regular and new supporters.” Llanelli and District Branch fundraise all year round and if you would like to help them or your local branch please contact Mari on 01554 755467 or Sandra on  sandrajfrancis@btinternet.com.

Latest news from the Jazz in the Bar team at Brecon - 'AFTERNOON IN PARIS' JAZZ GROUP, GYPSY SWING AND LATIN Tuesday 15 January 2013 : Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, LD3 7EW 8pm event £6 on the door, all welcome, info below. Tel box office 01874 611622 6pm onwards, £10 pre gig supper at the Lansdowne Hotel restaurant (5 mins from theatre car park) Tues 15 Jan (Jazz) Lovely food, main meal/options see below. MUST book - Carol at the hotel direct : mention Jazz and choice, to : lansdownehotel@btinternet.com 01874 623321 Baked chicken breast in a bacon, thyme and white wine sauce Salmon and watercress fishcakes Potato pancakes with spinach, mushrooms and parmesan (V) All served with new potatoes and a selection of fresh vegetables Basket of bread on table Optional : coffee and cake £3.50 Coffee and walnut sponge or Crunchy top lemon cake Afternoon in Paris line-up - Guitar - Jeremy Young Rhythm guitar - Andy King Clarinet/bass clarinet/vocals - Susanna Warren D...