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

Golfers at The Ashburnham Championship Links in Pembrey, Burry Port, will be cheering on US Masters winner Adam Scott as he bids for another Major title in the British Open at Muirfield, Scotland, this weekend. Club officials have known about their links with the 33-year-old Australian for a number of years, but have kept it all very low key up to now. “We’ve known about the links with Adam Scott for some time now, but we have been a bit shy in bragging about it,” said Ashburnham Golf Club manager Huw Morgan. “The link spins back a couple of generations, but it is there. We are very proud of it – and this week Adam himself has gone on the record to talk about his links with The Ashburnham.” Scott explained: “My late grandmother Gillian Gravelle is from Burry Port and her brother Emrys was the secretary at Ashburnham Golf Club. “I still have family living down in the area and I’m sure the Ashburnham members will be rooting for me, if a Welshman doesn’t win it (the Open).” Ashb...

Free summer activities for children are taking place in Ammanford Library during the school holidays. They start with the launch of the Creepy House Summer Reading Challenge on July 24 at 11am. Children aged from four to 10 can listen to stories and decorate their very own creepy house in the library. Thousands of families across the country take part in the UK’s biggest reading event for children in libraries, the Summer Reading Challenge, run by the charity The Reading Agency. Each year there is a different theme and the aim of the challenge is to get children to read six books from their library during the summer holidays. On July 31, a free film show will take place with “Wreck-it Ralph” being screened, the recommended viewing age is eight and over. Stories and crafts about the seaside take place on a beach inside the library on August 13, from 11am. Seaside Storytime is aimed at children aged between four and 10. Carmarthenshire’s executive board member for libraries Cllr Meryl ...

A problem with the sprinkler system installed at Llanelli’s Coleshill Centre caused a drop in water pressure at nearby homes. Carmarthenshire Council has apologised for the problem. The system was installed during the refurbishment of the building, which is now a regional Centre for Economic Inclusion, but has suffered problems in recent weeks. Staff were alerted over the weekend with water being pumped away from the building. Tests by contractors have confirmed a faulty pump, and work is underway to resolve the issue. Manager Allison Williams said: “We are aware that the problems have caused some inconvenience to our neighbours, and for that we want to apologise. We are working hard to rectify the problem, and hope that it will all be sorted in the next few days.” In a separate incident last month, the sprinkler system was activated by an over-heated kiln.

Eco-friendly Girl Guides are helping to clean up Carmarthen. The Nantgaredig Guides organised a litter pick along the cycle path between Abergwili and Carmarthen town – filling 17 bags with rubbish. The Guides separated the litter into blue bags as they went along – with a total of four bags recycled. The council provided clean-up kits which included bags, litter pickers and gloves and organised for the litter to be disposed of and recycled. The Guides carry out the litter pick annually as part of the Clean Up Carmarthenshire campaign. It also counts towards their community service work. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “I would like to thank the Guides for giving up their free time to improve the environment in which they live. Hopefully by taking positive action like this, people will think twice before throwing litter. “We want to encourage people to take pride in where they live by keeping their communities clean and help ma...

Renal patients have been given a tour of their new unit at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. The new £7.5million 21 bay state of the art Renal Dialysis Unit is set to open in February 2014. Two groups of patients and their families were able have a first viewing inside the building and the progress made. Alex Cottrell, visitor to the new renal unit said: “The new Renal Unit looked excellent when we visited it. “It really benefits other patients. I attended the meetings beforehand and we were really listened to and involved. They have listened to the patients and how they feel in the environment they are treated in. “The design and presentation have all been taken into account and things like having the nurses station in the middle makes a difference. “Even down to the colours and the beach theme which all makes a difference when you are there for up to five hours being treated.” Project lead, Martin Thomas, said: “The building work on the unit is progressing well, it ...

The latest 'On Song' column from the Llanelli Star - The countdown is well and truly on to the Côr Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Voice Choir) ‘annual concert’ on Saturday, August 3. It’s the first time for the choir to take ‘the annual’ to Y Ffwrnes theatre, although the choir members made their debut at Llanelli’s new theatre for the televised Owen Money Show for St David’s Day and followed it up with an impressive appearance in S4C’s Noson Lawen show. “We were hugely impressed with the facilities at the theatre on the two occasions we performed there earlier this year,” said musical director Eifion Thomas. “Our ‘annual’ is always one of the highlights of our singing year and we are hoping for a gold standard show for our many fans.” The evening is being billed as ‘Golden Voices, Golden Harp’, with the choir being joined on stage by leading Welsh soprano Gwawr Edwards. The second special guest for the evening will be Hannah Stone, official harpist to HRH Prince Charles, the ...

The All Party Parliamentary Beer Group presented its award for the "Beer Sommelier of the Year" to Sophie Atherton at the Annual Beer Awards dinner held in Westminster. Commenting on the Award, Andrew Griffiths MP, Chairman of the Group, said "The Beer Academy launched its Sommelier qualification less than two years ago and already forty aficionados have achieved this ultimate beer qualification. They are doing a great job bringing beer to life to people who may have forgotten just how diverse and versatile our national drink can be. "I am delighted that the Beer Group's Beer Sommelier of the Year award is awarded to Sophie Atherton, who has been tireless in her mission to bring the beer message to the widest possible audience; whether it be in her articles for the Guardian, via her beer blog a "FemAle View" or being interviewed for Radio 4. Sophie says that her ambition is to encourage others to love the best drink in the world as much as she does h...

Thousands of women with breast cancer could be spared having to undergo chemotherapy thanks to pioneering work in Hywel Dda Health Board. Many women with early breast cancer currently have to decide whether they should go through chemotherapy following surgery. However, a new test is set to give them a much clearer idea of the risk and the benefit of chemotherapy. It has been developed at the Breast Unit at Prince Philip Hospital with the help of Singleton Oncology and the University of Swansea. The test looks at the pattern of gene expression in the breast cancer itself. During recent trials at Prince Philip Hospital nearly half of patients initially recommended both chemotherapy and endocrine therapy had their treatment recommendation changed to endocrine therapy alone. These women were not only spared the considerable inconvenience, risk and personal economic impact of chemotherapy but also the unknown long-term effects. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) have p...

Hywel Dda Health Board’s catering departments in Ceredigion have won an award for their hard work and dedication to eating healthily. The two year ‘Curiad Calon Award’ is given to organisations who endorse the benefits of a positive approach to healthy eating, food hygiene management and customer care. Mandy Phillips, Catering Project Lead for Bronglais, Cardigan and Tregaron hospital catering departments said: “We are extremely proud of all the catering teams in Ceredigion for winning this award and the commitment they have shown in taking on a healthy eating approach as well as maintaining high standards of cleanliness at all times. They work closely with dieticians on all three sites to create a high standard of catering for patients, staff and visitors.’ The awards ceremony was held at the Council Chambers, Pen Morfa, Aberaeron.

The latest 'Shop Elli' column from the Llanelli Star -  The first motor show of the year at the St Elli Shopping Centre was a big hit with shoppers. The event was organised in conjunction with Radio Carmarthenshire and Scarlet FM radio stations. Radio presenter Jay Curtis said: “It was great to see so many different vehicles from a wide range of local dealerships. The St Elli Shopping Centre is a busy area with lots of footfall and we were all impressed with the interest shown in the cars.” St Elli Shopping Centre manager Andrew Stephens said: “We are very lucky in having plenty of room under the pyramid to stage a motor show like this. Interestingly, cars are always of interest to shoppers at the centre as we also have the VW Sinclair dealership mini-showroom, which is always very popular." ------------------------------------------- July events Thursday 18th, NHS Wales, Cone area Market Hall entrance Thu 18th Fri 19th Sat 20th, Gilded Lili Craft Fair, Pyramid are...

The Welsh Blood Service is making an urgent appeal for blood donors particularly with type O & A negative blood to come forward and make a lifesaving donation. The recent hot weather has affected the number of donors coming forward, seriously reducing blood stocks. Giving blood is vital to ensure that patients undergoing surgery and receiving treatment for cancer and blood diseases, such as leukaemia, continue to receive the transfusions they need. The Welsh Blood Service cannot meet the needs of hospitals without the support of the people in Wales. At this difficult time, they need support more than ever. Dr Geoff Poole at the Welsh Blood Service added “Our blood stocks are at a seriously low level and we are making an urgent appeal for fit and healthy donors and those donors who have not donated for a while to come forward and help, particularly those with O & A negative blood groups. "O negative blood is vital in an emergency situation when there may not be time for ...

Aberystwyth University’s Professor of Engagement with the Public Imagination, Professor Richard Marggraf Turley, is one of three English panel judges at this year’s Wales Book of the Year Award. On Thursday 18 July at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, the 2013 Wales Book of the Year Award will be presented to the best works in three categories: Poetry, Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction. Richard is a professor of Romanticism and poet who won the 2007 "Keats-Shelley Prize" for poetry, and the 2010 Wales Book of the Year "People's Choice" for his third collection, Wan Hu's Flying Chair (Salt, 2009). He said, “It’s been a privilege to be involved in judging Wales’s most prestigious literary prize. The writing has been sensational – provocative, confident and happy to take risks. The Welsh literary scene has never felt more exciting.” One of the authors on the English language fiction short list includes Dr Matthew Francis from the Departmen...

The RDP Sir Gar Mentro Project has organised a 24-hour business challenge for rural Carmarthenshire's young entrepreneurs. The session will culminate in ideas being pitched to a Dragon's Den-style line-up. The best presentation will win £2500 to invest in their business. The competition is open to individuals or teams aged 16-30 and based in rural Carmarthenshire. Speakers including S4C’s presenter Heledd Cynwal, Tregroes Waffles’s Kees Huysman and Best of Carmarthenshire’s Diana Vickers. They will be at Llanarthne Hall in the Tywi Valley giving tips on everything from networking and social media to presentation skills and web presence during the challenge. The Rural Development Plan (RDP) is designed to support the regeneration of rural areas and has been funded by the Welsh Government and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. The RDP Programme is overseen by Grŵp Cefn Gwlad in conjunction with Carmarthenshire County Council as lead body. Tomas Marks, RDP ...

Staff from Burry Port distribution and courier firm Celtic Couriers were on the ball at the weekend when they entered a football tournament in Carway. Team members are pictured - from left to right, back, Kevin Jones, Colin Foreman, Paul Luccitt, Chris Stockwell and Ceri Evans; front, Brendan Rudge, Darren Bennett and Daniel Kelly. Steffan Jones is not pictured - he was in the shower! The tournament record was -  W0 D1 L2 GD -6 Website - http://www.celticcouriers.co.uk/

The Inner Wheel Club of Llanelli has disbanded in its 75th anniversary year. The club was set up in 1938 as the ladies wing of Llanelli Rotary Club. Club President Jeanne Williams said: "It is a sad occasion as we should be rejoicing in the 75th anniversary of the Inner Wheel club this summer. "Instead, we are having to call it a day - but only after 75 years service to the community in and around Llanelli. "During that time, the Inner Wheel Club has supported Llanelli Rotary Club and also raised charitable funds in its own right. In fact, the last series of charitable donations are being made this summer. "Falling membership has taken its toll and none of us are as young as we used to be. So, regrettably, we have decided to call it a day. "We hope that the museum at Parc Howard - or perhaps another museum - will be able to take the club regalia and chains of office to put on permanent display, so that the service the club has offered in the ar...

A West Wales choir is collecting gifts for orphans as choir officials embark on a 7,000 mile journey around European orphanages. Llanelli’s Hywel Girls’ Choir & Hywel Boy Singers will be undertaking their Transcontinental Teddy Tour Challenge in August which will see the choir officials drive across 27 countries and 7,000 miles to deliver 25 giant teddy bears. A local drop-off point has been set up for donations and gifts. “The needs of some of the orphanages are very basic”, explains Jeremy Hywel Williams, Director of Development of the Hywel Choir – who will be going on the Teddy Tour Challenge. “Some have even requested underwear for their children – which reflects on how basic and desperate their needs are.” The donations and gifts collected will benefit desperate children and young people of all ages, from infants to teenagers with orphanages mainly in Eastern and South Eastern Europe. “The ideal gifts are new, not second hand and could be toiletries, soap, shampoo, show...

Latest news from the Introbiz business networking team -  Networking events for July Thursday 18 July 2013 - Park Inn Cardiff City Centre opposite CIA 4pm - 6pm New Venue Come and network and have food and drink with many Introbiz members and all the new visitors that attend on a weekly basis £10 members £15 visitors, 4pm - 6pm. This event is sponsored by Head Office, Cardiff www.askheadoffice.co.uk Thursday 25 July 2013 - Radisson Blu Hotel, Cardiff 4pm - 6pm Come and network and have food and drink with many Introbiz members and all the new visitors that attend on a weekly basis £10 members £15 visitors. To book your place and try the Introbiz experience in our fabulous 4 and 5 star locations with fabulous food drinks and atmosphere email info@introbiz.co.uk Introbiz Keynote Speakers for the Business Show September 26   Hilary Devey CBE from Dragon s Den and The Intern on Channel 4 is an award winning entrepreneur and inspirational founder Chief Executive of the Pal...

Health organisations across Wales are asking for your help to improve online health services. A short survey has been produced to find out what you think of the current online services available. Chris Wright, Director of Corporate Services, said: “Online resources are playing a growing role in the lives of people across Wales. More and more people are banking online, booking holidays, staying in touch with family and friends and accessing important information on keeping fit and well. “We have developed this survey as we want to make sure that the public leads the way in shaping any changes to our online health services. There is also an opportunity if anyone wants to expand further on their thoughts or ideas on improving online services to email or write to us. “We would love to hear your views and would appreciate as many people as possible to fill out the survey and help us to develop our online resources now and in the future.” The survey can be accessed at bit.ly/nhsweb To give m...

Burry Port social entrepreneur Kevin Green was among a team of sporting, business and showbiz personalities who lent their support to the 'Cerdded Ymlaen' (Walk On) charity trek for the Wales Air Ambulance. Green completed the first 22-mile leg of the trek from Swansea to Llanelli with the 'Cerdded' team. The first leg was sponsored by TV, film and multi-platform production company Tanabi. Euros Jones-Evans represented Tanabi on the walk. Green said afterwards: "It was a glorious, scorching hot day and the walk took us from Swansea city centre to Mumbles and then over to Llanelli. I have the blisters to prove it, but it was well worth it as the team were raising money for the Wales Air Ambulance, which is a great cause." Burry Port social entrepreneur and millionaire with Lord Mayor of Swansea June Stanton and consort and First Minister for Wales Carwyn Jones and TV producer Euros Jones-Evans, of Tanabi TV producer Euros Jones-Evans, of Tanabi, Kevin ...

Hywel Dda Health Board has won the most awards of any health board in the Welsh Language in Healthcare Awards 2013. The awards and one-day conference help to share best practice and ensure Welsh language provision is an important element of the care process across the country. The event also promotes the responsibility of health and care providers to actively offer a Welsh language service. The health board won four awards for its excellence in promoting Welsh language and giving patients a language choice. Hywel Dda Health Board had joint winners in the first category of the day – Work done with priority groups – Older People. Michelle Gerard Wilson and the orthopaedic elective team in Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli provides a pre and post operative bilingual patient centred care programme for hip and knee replacement patients. They won for recognising that they must deliver a bilingual patient centred care programme, which includes speaking to patients in their preferred language, ...

Freemasons in West Wales have donated £5900 towards the 2014 'Sir Gar' National Eisteddfod, which is being held in Llanelli. The Masonic Province of West Wales is sponsoring the dance competition at the Eisteddfod. At a special meeting at the Masonic Hall in Harries Avenue, Llanelli, Ion Murphy, Provincial Charity Steward, accompanied by Lawrence Murphy and Tom Evans presented a cheque for £5000 to Mr Elfed Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of the Eisteddfod. In addition to the dance sponsorship, the Llanelli Freemasons Lodges of St Elli, St Teilo and Trevor Kelway are also providing cash support. The three lodges were represented by Roger Robinson, Dilwyn Littlejohns, Andrew Davies, Philip Rogers, Tom Powell and Philip Hall. Cheques for £300 from each Lodge were presented to Mr Roberts to go towards the Eisteddfod's 2014 General Fund. Photos: Top - Freemasons meet Elfed Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of the Eisteddfod. Worshipful Brother Ion Murphy...

The kind-hearted lady golfers of the Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club in Pembrey have raised £450 for a Llanelli children's home. The money was handed over Llys Caradog manager Marilyn Parry (left) by Iris Jacob, 2012 Ladies Captain at the Ashburnham. Iris said: "The lady golfers at the Ashburnham work very hard throughout the year to raise money for different charities. We were delighted to be able to lend our support to Llys Caradog and know that the money will be put to good use."

This week's special offers from the Jenkins Bakery - WEEK COMMENCING 15/07/13 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 & BACON £2.40 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 SPECIALITY LOAF *weekend only* – CALIFORNIAN RAISIN BREAD £1.45 LOAF CAKE OF THE WEEK – LEMON MADEIRA *special price* £1.20* Website - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/

Carmarthenshire Council is to start a national campaign against overground cables and pylons being placed as part of a national power grid. Leader Cllr Kevin Madge will launch a Wales-wide petition against the proposals by Western Power Distribution, with the intention of getting the issue debated at the House of Commons. The suggestion was made by Deputy Leader Cllr Pam Palmer during a debate on a Notice of Motion brought by Opposition Leader Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths. The motion stated: “That Carmarthenshire County Council finds it totally unacceptable that the proposed Brechfa Forest wind farm(s) National Grid connection should be made via an overhead line supported by wooden pylons. As the Council itself has no statutory power in this matter, we ask the UK Energy Secretary to ensure that the connection cable is laid underground for its entire length.” Councillors agreed unanimously to support the motion and the national campaign against the overhead pylons. They argued that they ...

Latest golf news -  GLYNHIR GOLF CLUB LADIES TEAM OPEN THURSDAY 25TH JULY 2013 Three ladies to a team. Best of 2 stableford scores on each hole to count. Longest drive and nearest the pin prizes. £30 entry fee per team. To include halfway house. Full handicap allowance – certificates required Raffle and catering available For entries and starting times please contact: Elaine Rees Tel: 01269 593946 / 07835102524 Email : jelaine27@aol.com

Staff at Jenkins Bakery shops in Llanelli and the rest of South West Wales are in the pink for their latest charity campaign. The summer fund-raiser for Cancer Research UK was launched today (Monday, July 15) at the company's Sosban shop in Stepney Street. For the next fortnight, the spotlight will be on pink cup cakes at the Jenkins Bakery shops as the company makes a charity donation for every cake sold. Last year, more than £1000 was raised for the charity. "This year, we have extended the campaign to run for two weeks, so we are hoping to raise a lot more for a very worthwhile charity," said area manager Fiona Snook. Jenkins Bakery Operations director Russell Jenkins said: "Throughout the year, we try and support as much charitable activity as we can. For the next fortnight, the ladies in our shops will be bearing pink T-shirts and other fun items to help Cancer Research UK. "The pink cakes are a big hit with our customers every year. Our customers are ...