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

This Healthy Wednesday people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire are being reminded to Choose Well over Easter. As well as getting the eggs and food for the holiday period also remember to ensure you have a first aid kit and some general medicines in the house. Evidence shows a significant number of people still go to hospital emergency departments or dial 999 when there are other services more convenient and suitable for them. The Choose Well campaign uses a colour coded thermometer to help people to link their symptoms with a NHS service. A bilingual Choose Well app is available for mobile phones that use Android or iPhone and iPad visit www.choosewellwales.org.uk The app includes contact information, opening hours, GPS location and digitally mapped directions to the following: Pharmacies  GPs  Optometrists  Dentists  Minor Injury Services  Emergency Departments  Clinical lead for unscheduled care, Consultant Jeremy Williams said: “...

Scientists from Aberystwyth University are part of a project which will measure how the expedition team of ‘The Coldest Journey’, the world’s first ever attempt to cross the Antarctic in winter, respond to months of complete darkness in temperatures reaching minus 70 degrees C.  Dr Arwyn Edwards, Dr Luis Mur and PhD student Simon Cameron from the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) join an international consortium of 20 institutions in the White Mars Project. The project is led by King’s College London and coordinated by the European Space Agency’s Dr Alex Kumar. The White Mars project will use the similarities that exist between the conditions humans encounter on a winter Antarctic expedition and those found in space. The expedition team will be isolated for a year, with long periods of complete darkness, extreme cold and altitude stress. Sir Ranulph Fiennes’s recent evacuation from the expedition illustrates the unforgiving nature of thi...

A summer season of beer tastings kicks off at the White Horse at Parsons Green (London SW6 4UL) in April. Each of these monthly 90 minute sessions is hosted by a Beer Academy Sommelier who will explore a different aspect of the fascinating world of beer. 23rd April St George’s Day Beers Peter Haydon 21st May Beer and Cheese Nigel Sadler with Nigel White from the British Cheese Board. 11th June Love London Beers Debbie Parker 6th August Hallelujah to Hops Debbie Parker 8th October Old World vs. New World Beers Steve Livens Beer Academy Director Simon Jackson said “The Beer Academy’s role is to enlighten, educate and enthuse people about beer. These short courses are all about the enthusing part. There is no exam; just a fun evening discovering more about one aspect of beer with a leading expert. And the chance to sample a range of magnificent beers. For most people it will just be a great night out. But for others, it can be the first step to more advanced courses and formal recog...

Paralympic swimming legend David Roberts CBE is embarking on a new mission to help charity. He's planning a special fund-raising evening called the Noah’s Ark Night of Champions at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cardiff, on 1st May at 7pm. The Noah’s Ark Night of Champions is the official launch of Paralymic Gold Medalist David's ‘Extreme Triathlon’ in aid of the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity. Guests of David's include: Aled Davies MBE, Mark Colbourne MBE, John Harris and social entrepreneur and Secret Millionaire Kevin Green. The event includes a drinks reception, three-course meal, a speech by Kevin Green, auction and Question and Answer session with the Paralympians. Prices: · 7 tables: £45 per head or £420 per 10 people · 5 tables: VIP tables at £650 per table If you are interested in tickets, email David - david.roberts@conceptsportsmanagement.com Weblink - http://www.noahs-ark-appeal.org/

Experienced bar person Applicants must be 21+ & able to serve alcohol unsupervised. Previous experience of bar management/cellar work is essential. Must have plenty of experience, be confident and have good customer service skills. Duties include cash handling, serving drinks to bar and restaurant customers, restocking shelves, stock control, making sure all customers are happy, answering the phone, taking restaurant bookings and meeting and greeting customers. The position will mean the successful candidate will work a minimum 40-hour week inc weekends. Pay rate negotiable dependent on experience. Applications by Friday 5th April 2013. Huw Morgan, Golf club manager, Cliffe Terrace, Burry Port, SA16 0HN 01554832269 admin@ashgolf.co.uk Website - http://www.ashburnhamgolfclub.co.uk/

Latest news from the 'Jazz in the Bar' team - April's jazz club features Ruth Bowen's Gardenia Swing and her wonderful jazz vocals and trio, this time with special guest on sax, Heinz Hunt. Don't forget to book up 'the incredible jazz clubs programme' at Guildhall at Brecon Jazz Festival 2013, Sunday 11 August, and lots and lots of other gigs, too. There is a link on our Jazz Club website below. JAZZ CLUB : JAZZ IN THE BAR @ THEATR BRYCHEINIOG, BRECON TUESDAY 16 APRIL 2013 8pm start, £6 on the door Ruth Bowen's Gardenia Swing featuring Heinz Hunt Top Jazz vocals, guitar, bass, drums, with special guest Heinz Hunt on sax & flute. Lineup:- Ruth Bowen, double bass/vocals Andrew Jones, guitar Richard Bowen, drums Featuring Heinz Hunt, sax and flute Ruth Bowen's Gardenia Swing will play a wide variety of jazz and swing numbers mainly from the thirties, forties and fifties - tunes made popular by artists such Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Duke Ellin...

It was nice to have the company of human resources and business consultant Simon Goldsworthy at the St David's Day breakfast at The Vale resort hotel earlier this month. Simon has now brought me up to speed with the work of the Garnwen Trust in Maesteg. He's a trustee of the charity. Here's his description of what the charity does - The Garnwen Trust is a local charity set up by the parents, family and friends of Alex Collins and Bethan Jones, a young boyfriend and girlfriend, who were killed in the 2007 Thai aircrash. Their parents’ lost their only children instantly at age 22. Since their loss the family, friends and the wider community in Maesteg and the Llynfi Valley have set about creating a fitting and lasting legacy for Alex and Bethan. The initial target was to build and operate a facility in the picturesque Afan Agroed Forestry area, an area renowned for walking, cycling and other outdoor activities near the town of Maesteg. The facility will be for the us...

The founder of an online social community for language learners is the first winner of the £20,000 Aberystwyth University InvEnterPrize student competition. Jake Stainer is a second year student studying Marketing and Spanish at Aberystwyth and founder and Managing Director of language website Papora, www.papora.com . Papora was inspired by an exchange visit to the Spanish city of Gijon in 2007 and Jake’s desire to keep in touch with friends and improve his Spanish. Free to use and designed to bring native speakers and learners together to exchange languages, Papora now boasts around 11,000 users from 135 countries learning more than 100 languages. Jake plans to use his £20,000 prize to develop the site, add new features, increase its online presence and develop mobile applications. He said: “I am very pleased to be the first winner of the University’s InvEnterPrize. I have been developing the idea behind Papora since I was 16 and this competition has given me the opportunity to test...

The National Trust is planning an action-packed Easter at locations nationwide. And there's a chance here for you to win a family pass to a National Trust site in Wales. Just check out the competition question at the foot of this post. A spokesman for the National Trust said: "Quality time with family, playing outdoors and smiling faces are just a few of our favourite things about Easter! "This Easter Weekend, we invite you and your family to share our passion and excitement for the Easter holidays at our annual fun-filled Easter Egg Trails!  "For the sixth year running Cadbury are supporting the National Trust and the National Trust for Scotland in bringing the magic back to Easter with traditional fun, games and Easter Egg Trails for everyone.  "There are more than 250 locations nationwide so we've created a handy map to help you find the right Trail for your family this Easter. "We hope you and your family can join us this Easter and...

The Jenkins Bakery is once again celebrating its Investors in People status. The bakery has had its IoP status reaffirmed for a further three years. "The IoP benchmark isn't given out as a matter of right; you have to work for it," said the Jenkins Bakery’s company secretary and director David Jenkins. "We were delighted to first achieve 'Investors' status several years ago and getting the award reaffirmed says a lot for the fact that we are continuing to do the right things. "The award reflects great credit on our staff and I congratulate them for all the hard work that has gone into achieving a benchmark which receives universal recognition in the world of business and industry." The Jenkins Bakery, which was founded 92 years ago, currently operates 26 outlets from Carmarthen to Bridgend and is run by the third generation of the Jenkins family. The bakery currently employs 280 people across its outlets. The bakery's newest coffee shop is a...

Hywel Dda Health Board is supporting Public Health Wales’ plea for parents to ensure children are given two doses of the three-in-one measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine as cases across West Wales continue to rise. So far in 2013, there have been 23 cases across Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion compared to five during the same period in 2012. Letters are currently being sent to families in Llanelli, where cases of Measles are up 300% compared to the same period in 2012. Parents in the locality are being urged to ensure their children are fully protected from this preventable but life-threatening disease. Immediate arrangements should be made with their GP for their children to receive the MMR vaccine if they are not fully protected. However, this vital message applies to all parents and guardians if the spread of this disease is to be halted. Teresa Owen, Director of Public Health for Hywel Dda Health Board repeated the plea: “There is an ongoing outbreak of measles...

Latest special offers from the Jenkins Bakery WEEK COMMENCING 25/03/13 – EASTER WEEK 3 MEDIUM CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.60 2 STEAK & FELINFOEL ALE PIES £2.50 2 LARGE CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.90 2 EGG CUSTARD TARTS £1.10 2 FRESH CREAM DOUGHNUTS £1.70 SANDWICH OF THE WEEK – CHICKEN & STUFFING £2.20 BAGUETTE OF THE WEEK – CHICKEN TIKKA £2.30 ROLLS OF THE WEEK – BROWN BAPS - PACK of 4 £1.00 LOAF OF THE WEEK – SMALL WHITE TIN £1.05 WEbsite - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/

It's been a busy few weeks for the Burry Port Town Band, having recently held the successful Youth Solo and Ensemble Day with more than 140 young brass players taking part in the festival held in the Memorial Hall, Burry Port. There wasn't much time to catch a breath before the band started its preparations for the Welsh Regional Championships in Swansea. The set test piece was certainly a test! It was Philip Sparke's Harmony Music - and what a test it transpired to be for all the bands. It was Burry Port's first return to the Championship section since 2010 and the band was in determined mood to deliver a prize-winning performance. Burry Port picked up a fourth prize and in the process beat the world's No1 band, Cory (as according to the 4barsrest.com  world rankings). There's a report of the event here - http://4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?id=16691#.UU7iCxzQDYQ The Band's Chairman, Graham Howe commented: "Our Musical Director should be c...

Latest news from the Span Arts team in Narberth - Thursday 11 April COMEDY CLUB: CHRISTIAN REILLY + PHIL ELLIS‘At the age of 15, Christian Reilly joined a band to get girls. The Salvation Army had different ideas…’ Surely among the most rock-and-roll acts on the circuit, Christian cut his teeth on tour with internationally celebrated comic Rich Hall, and has appeared on the groundbreaking comedy podcast ‘As It Occurs To Me’. “If you’re a fan of Bill Bailey or Rich Hall, you’re probably a Christian Reilly fan already,” says The Guardian. The Queens Hall, Narberth Doors: 7.15pm Tickets: £10/£8 (members/concs) Wednesday 24 April SPANJAZZ: THE FREEWHEELERS"Anyone out there who digs soulful music played with glee… check out the Freewheelers” - Western Telegraph A diverse and ever-changing collection of musicians here, featuring the great Paul Munnery, one of Britain’s finest trombonists. Formed in 1999 by the widely-praised Bay Area cornet player Dick Williams, over the years The...