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

To maximise the successful translation of Aberystwyth University research and expertise into mobile applications and services, the University is pleased to announce its strategic investment in Welshpool based company Codiki Ltd through the Aberystwyth Challenge Fund. In 2012 the University successfully launched two apps, farmGRAZE for the farming sector and horseRATION aimed at the equine sector, in collaboration with Arkuris Ltd and CEMAS (Glamorgan). In 2013, in order to further develop and expand the University’s commercial app portfolio, the institution has enlisted Codiki to help in the selection, development, and marketing of its apps. Codiki Ltd is led by Andy Hughes, a businessman and engineering professional who is the Director of Greeve Ltd which specialises in data acquisition, condition monitoring and control systems. Andy is also a senior partner at Stratra Ltd which provides support for small business for strategic planning and technology development and is involved wit...

  A Carmarthen woman is following in her dad’s footsteps by carving out a career in accountancy. Kim Butler, 25, has just qualified as a Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians, MAAT. And she’s very proud to be part of the 23-strong team at leading Carmarthen accountants and business consultants Clay Shaw Butler. “I’m a very proud dad having Kim on board as part of the team here at Clay Shaw Butler,” said Clay Shaw Butler director David Butler. “We take great pride in Clay Shaw Butler in making sure our staff take part in a wide range of training activities and Kim deserves congratulations on getting her MAAT qualification.” Kim was educated at Queen Elizabeth Cambria School and has been part of the team since leaving full-time education. The Association of Accounting Technicians, AAT, is the UK’s leading qualification and professional body for accounting and finance staff. Clay Shaw Butler has a team of team of 23 professional staff with a combined experienc...

Aberystwyth Technocamps is set to run another calendar of fascinating two-day bootcamps during 2013 to inspire young people to use Rasberry Pi, Minecraft and LEGO Mindstorm. The first bootcamp Rasberry Pi – Networked Adventure’ will be held during February half-term (11-12 February) at Aberystwyth Arts Centre and will offer young people the chance to explore the potential of the credit card sized computer. The sessions will be run by one of the Technocamps’ team at Aberystwyth University. Dr Mark Neal, one of the academics involved is aware of the huge interest in the small and accessible Raspberry Pi now being manufactured in Sony’s UK factory in Pencoed, South Wales. He said, “The Raspberry Pi Foundation, based in Cambridge, is keen to drive down the unit cost of manufacturing the robust Pi and UK-based production costs are fortunately competitive. The founders of the Pi want to ensure that computing is accessible to so that young people can develop their skills in programming and el...

Letter submitted to the editors of the Llanelli Star and Carmarthen Journal today -  The Llanelli Star must be praised for fighting the good fight in the bid to preserve services at Llanelli’s Prince Philip Hospital. The coverage of the debate has been comprehensive and fair. The editor will forgive me for making an observation (rather than a complaint): perhaps more focus could be placed on the members of the Hywel Dda Health Board – photos, pen pictures and perhaps home phone numbers might be useful. The membership of the ‘independent’ part of the health board contains a fairly predictable mix of ‘time-served’ civil and public servants who (one suspects) receive compensation for duties which more than covers out-of-pocket expenses. Only one of the ‘independents’ has any sort of real affinity with Llanelli, the vice-chair Sian Marie James. It is a pity that in much of the debate we don’t seem to have heard many public statements from the vice-chair on the debate. A read through th...

Recognising the vital role the wider community plays in university life, Aberystwyth University has created two new leading roles which will encourage dialogue with members of the public. Following a high level appointment process, the University has appointed Professor Nigel Scollan as Professor of Public Engagement with Science and Professor Richard Marggraf Turley as Professor of Engagement with the Public Imagination. Both roles will focus on encouraging public participation in all aspects of University activities – from leading research to policy development, discussion on how the University works and active participation in knowledge exchange. The Professors will lead the University’s drive to encourage greater involvement in University events and assist in developing an Open Day for people in Ceredigion. Professor Nigel Scollan joined the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research in 1993 and subsequently Aberystwyth University in 2008. He holds the Waitrose Chair of Fo...

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Claire and Clive Rumble are organising a Golf Day at the Ashburnham Golf Club on Friday, February 22, for National Heart Month. £120 for a team of 4, men and ladies. Price includes coffee on arrival and two-course carvery. To book tee times, contact Ashburnham on 01554 832269

A 'Noson Joio' fun night is being held at Carmarthen Town AFC's clubhouse next month. The poems and pints and live music night will be held at Richmond Park at 7.30pm on Friday, February 15. The evening will feature three celebrated Welsh actors - Dafydd Hywel, Sue Roderick and Dewi 'Pws' Morris. Proceeds will go towards Speaking Books Wales and the Football Community Programme at Carmarthen Town. Tickets available from - Gareth O Jones 0781 426 2656 Jeff Thomas 0781 369 7774 Weblink - http://www.carmarthentownafc.com/news_nosonjoio_chwef2013.html

The go-ahead firm of QualitySolicitors Redkite has recruited two new members of staff to the firm’s Carmarthen office. Simon Goddard and Natalie Morgans have joined QS Redkite from Andrew Markham solicitors. QS Redkite Managing Partner Luke Smith said: “Both Simon and Natalie have extensive experience in family work in the legal sector and we welcome them on board.” Simon Goddard, 56, is originally from Sussex but now lives in Llanwrda in the Tywi Valley. Married with two children, Simon studied at The College of Law in London and qualified as a solicitor in 1998. Simon is on the Law Society’s Children Panel and specialises in acting for parents and guardians in care proceedings. He is also an Accredited Specialist of Resolution and an Advanced Member of the Law Society Family Law Panel. Natalie Morgans has joined QS Redkite as a legal assistant. Originally from London, she moved to Brynamman as a child. She is married and continues to live in Brynamman. Natalie, 35, was educated ...

Bosses at the award-winning Cwmcerrig Farmshop have a simple message to consumers in the wake of the horsemeat beefburgers scandal. “It pays to shop at places where you can genuinely trust the standard, the quality and the origin of your meat products,” Cwmcerrig partner Roland Watkins said. “The consumer has some clear choices. Yes, the big supermarket chains are popular, but we are increasingly finding that people are starting to care much more about the origin of their meats and what goes into different meat products. “This is where shops like Cwmcerrig win hands down. We cut down on the food miles and where possible we use our homebred Hereford cattle and farm-raised Texel sheep and lambs. “We have the finest venison sourced from the prestigious National Trust farm at Dinefwr Park. “All our other meat products are from local suppliers. We care passionately about the environment and cutting down on food miles is very important to us. “The fewer miles between the animal and the pla...