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

Aberystwyth University law professor Ryszard Piotrowicz is the main author of a study which is the basis for a major initiative of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) aimed at promoting the protection of the rights of victims of trafficking in human beings (THB). The OSCE is one of the major human rights bodies in Europe. Every European country, along with the USA and Canada, is a member. On Thursday 25 April, in Vienna the OSCE’s Special Representative for Combating THB, Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, launched the study, which sets out and clarifies the obligation of law enforcement authorities to recognise that trafficked people are victims who should not be criminalised or punished for offences they are forced to commit by their traffickers. Such offences can include illegal sex work and cannabis production. The initiative, entitled ‘Policy and legislative recommendations towards the effective implementation of the non-punishment provision with regard to vict...

The popular Jenkins Bakery has scooped two prizes in national competitions. The Llanelli-based bakery was successful in the The National Association of Master Bakers' bakery competitions at the Bakers' and Butchers' Spring Fair at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern. "It's a double delight for us as a business," said operations director Russell Jenkins. "What is particularly pleasing is that the wins went to two of our youngest members of staff. "We believe in nurturing young talent here at the Jenkins Bakery and the two winners created top quality showpiece products to beat off stiff competition from the rest of the UK." Natasha Fuge's winning design at the Spring Fair was in the Celebration Cake category and was inspired by impending birth of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s baby. Trainee Alex Cowell won first for her cupcakes. And Alex also won a special prize of a training day with television's Fabulous Baker Broth...

Researchers at Aberystwyth University have established that the wild ponies grazing the Carneddau Mountains, North Wales are a genetically unique population, which should be conserved to safeguard their existence.  Preserving the genetic resource provided by the Carneddau ponies is particularly crucial since recent snow storms led to the death of many of these animals, dramatically reducing their numbers. The study, the first into the genetic characteristics of the wild ponies, whose habitat in northern Snowdonia reaches heights of over 600 metres, was undertaken by scientists at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) at Aberystwyth University using samples collected at the annual round-up of ponies above the village of Llanfairfechan. The aim was to establish to what extent the Carneddau ponies are genetically related to other UK native breeds and particularly whether they relatively recently separated from the existing Welsh Section A pony....

Two young Welsh brewers have brought home the top brewing honours at the International Brewing awards, otherwise known as the brewing industry ‘Oscars’. Voted top organic brewers in the world, for their Evan-Evans Organic Gold, James Buckley and Sajan Muthanna were identified as two of the top brewers at the International Brewing Awards 2013. Bill Taylor, Head of the International Judging panel, said: “There were almost 1,000 beers in the competition from all over the world and to win a medal is to be recognised as being at the pinnacle of brewing excellence. “This is a competition judged by brewers from all over the world and provides a platform for top brewers to showcase their brewing excellence and skills.” James Buckley, 24, and Sajan Muthanna, 26, are brewers at Evan-Evans Brewery, in Llandeilo, South Wales. James is the seventh generation of Wales’s oldest brewing family, the Buckley family, who have brewed in Wales since 1767. Sajan Muthanna, a native of Bangalore, joined ...

An art exhibition which has been inspired by patients’ experiences of penile cancer will be on show at Aberystwyth University tomorrow Tuesday 23rd, and Wednesday 24th April. Aberystwyth will also welcome Dr Peter Branney, a Senior Lecturer in Social Psychology at Leeds Metropolitan University, to talk about the research that is being done which investigates the experiences of men following surgery for penile cancer. The exhibition held in the foyer at Penbryn 5, home of the Psychology Department at Aberystwyth University, with Dr Branney’s talk being held at 10am on Tuesday 23 April in room A6 in the Llandinam Building. Dr Branney leads the Patients’ Experiences of Penile Cancer (PEPC) research group, which includes Professor Kate Bullen Director of the Institute of Human Sciences at Aberystwyth. The group look into the psychological effects of penile cancer on masculinity and has been used in the development of a new website called www.healthtalkonline.org . The award-winning websit...

A new, easy read, patient information leaflet on the Mental Capacity Act is available to Hywel Dda Health Board patients. The leaflet explains that mental capacity is about being able to make your own decision or choice about something, for example, where you live, what you do with your money. It has been produced to explain to patients how the Mental Capacity Act can help and support you to make your own decisions and choices if this is possible and how to plan for the future when you might not be able to make your own decisions and choices e.g. if you are too ill to decide. If you can’t make some decisions for yourself the Mental Capacity Act still makes sure that your views are listened to. Chris Sayer, the Health Board’s Mental Capacity Act Lead Officer said: “This new leaflet, which is suitable for use with people with a learning disability, explains simply and clearly to our patients what this means for them and how it can help to support them in making decisions and choices...

David Roberts is the greatest male Paralympian the UK has ever produced. Motivating and inspiring, David will share his story with visitors to the Business Network B2B show at Parc y Scarlets on Thursday, May 2. David was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 11 and was encouraged to participate in swimming activities as a form of physical therapy. David took part in the 2000 Sydney Paralympics and then went to the 2004 Athens Games.   He won four gold medals at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and was part of the gold medal winning Great Britain 4×100 m freestyle relay team that broke the world record by seven seconds. Other members of the team were Graham Edmunds, Robert Welbourn and Matthew Walker. After winning four golds in the Beijing 2008 Paralympics, David was selected to carry out the British flag at the closing ceremony. Already a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Dave was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire(CBE) in the 2009 Ne...

The World Health Organisation’s SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands day on 5 May, 2013 is part of a major global effort to support healthcare workers to improve hand hygiene in healthcare. Sharon Evans, Lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse for Hywel Dda Health Board, “The most common way germs are spread is by people's hands and these germs can cause illnesses such as colds, flu and stomach bugs. “Most healthcare associated infections are preventable through good hand hygiene – cleaning hands at the right times and in the right way. “Proper hand washing with soap and warm water is the single most important thing you can do to help reduce the spread of infections and help protect you, your family and those around you. “Hand hygiene is not only important for healthcare staff but also for patients and visitors. “When visiting a friend or relative in hospital or any environment where healthcare is provided, it is important to ensure that you clean your hands by cleaning them with bot...

At a well-attended meeting on April 8, the Mayor of Carmarthen Charity Appeal Committee discussed the forthcoming barbecue at the Mayor’s home to take place on the 11 May at 7pm. Also under discussion were arrangements for the Vintage Tea Party to be held at St Peter’s Civic Hall on June 8 at 3pm. Tickets for both events at £5 will be available from Committee members and from the Town Council at St Peter’s Civic Hall. The Treasurer asked Committee members to nominate local charities to receive donations from funds raised. A number of fundraising ideas were put forward and would be discussed at future meetings. The next meeting is to be held on May 7. All proceeds raised by the Appeal Committee are directed to local charities. For further details of any of the events please contact Debby on 01267 222326 or the Town Council at St Peter’s Civic Hall.

The public speaking team from St John Lloyd School in Llanelli has won its way through to a prestigious national competition final. The team has been taking part in the Rotary Youth Speaks competition since January. The St John Lloyd trio of speakers won the Llanelli Rotary Club competition staged at Llanelli Town Hall and then went on to win the Intermediate team section at area, district and regional Rotary finals. They will now compete against teams from across Britain and Ireland in the final of the Rotary International Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI) Youth Speaks final at Hull University on Sunday (April 28). The team is made up of - Chair Blaze Roper, Speaker James McMillan and Proposer of Vote of Thanks Greg David. Their chosen topic has been - The Olympic Legacy. This generation is inspired, so what’s next? In the regional final staged at Sully, Cardiff, the St John Lloyd pupils added to the Intermediate team awards with individual prizes for Best Chair and Bes...

The next meeting of Llanelli Rotary Club will be at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, on Wednesday, April 24, 7.30pm. It will be a Job Talk by Rotarian Dr Kevin Jones. The meeting on Friday, May 3, 1pm will be a business meeting. Members are reminded that the Rotary District Assembly is on Sunday, May 12.

A new contemporary singing group has been set up in Llanelli. Called Jambori, the group has been set up by Sarah Mair Richards and Geraint Williams. Pauline Yudowitz is the spokesman for Jambori - Do you love singing? Come along and join Jambori - a brand new contemporary singing group for guys and gals aged 18-80. The aim is to enjoy and raise money for local charities and good causes. We will be singing all types of songs, from Lady Gaga through to Welsh hymns! Meetings are at The Halfway in Pemberton, Llanelli. They have been so helpful and supportive of the whole idea, allowing sole use of the room upstairs. Sarah can be contacted sarah@sglein.co.uk or contact myself direct pauline.yudowitz@aol.com  

Latest special offers from the Jenkins Bakery - WEEK COMMENCING 22/04/13 3 MEDIUM CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.60 4 CHICKEN & STUFFING PARCELS £1.70 2 LARGE CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.90 2 EGG CUSTARD TARTS £1.10 2 STRAWBERRY MANCHESTER TARTS £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/

Llanelli Rotary Club held a very successful Stroke Awareness Day at the St Elli Shopping Centre, Llanelli. The event was part of a national campaign by the Rotary organisation and the Stroke Association to help save lives. Llanelli Rotary Club President Alan Owen said: "Checking your blood pressure on a regular basis is a very important first step to staying healthy. "Llanelli Rotary Club members were delighted to be joined by trained professional doctors and nurses to give members of the public the chance to have their blood pressure checked during a break from shopping at the St Elli Centre. "It was all part of a bid to raise awareness of the link between high blood pressure and strokes. In total, more than 200 people had their blood pressure checked. Obviously, anyone with high blood pressure was given the appropriate medical advice on the spot and told what steps to take next to combat the problem." More than 400 'Know Your Blood pressure'...