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

The consultation on Carmarthenshire County Council’s proposed Focused Changes to the Local Development Plan is being extended - to give residents more time to make their views known. The consultation period was originally due to run from July 31 to September 13 but the council has made a cross-party decision to extend the deadline by four weeks to Friday October 11. This gives more time for residents who may be going away on holiday in August, or town and community councils that do not have a meeting this month, and provides a clear six weeks beyond the August holiday period and the council recess .to discuss the issues and prepare a response. Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge said: “The original consultation period was set in accordance with statutory guidelines and the Delivery Agreement as approved by council and subsequently by the Welsh Government. “However since it falls within a holiday period all parties have agreed that the deadline should be extended to give everyone a better o...

Do you like talking to people? If the answer is yes and you have a just a few hours a week to spare then you could be just the person Cardigan Hospital is looking for. Hywel Dda Health Board’s Volunteering for Health Service is recruiting activity and befriending volunteers for the hospital and has a recruitment information day arranged for you to find out more. As an activity assistant you will encourage patients to participate in a variety of stimulating and ‘therapeutic’ activities and work with staff to produce innovative and stimulating activities aimed at the rehabilitation of patients prior to discharging them home. Befrienders help patients to read and enjoy such things as crossword puzzles and jigsaws. Volunteers will also assist in distributing meals and encouraging patients to eat and drink regularly helping to maintain their nutrition and hydration needs whilst with us, as well as providing an opportunity for the patient to chat. Lesley Oldale, of Volunteering for Healt...

A community netball club started on the school yard has received a glowing endorsement from the sport’s governing body. The Llanelli Blues Netball Club has come runner-up in the Community Club of the Year category at the recent Welsh Netball awards night in Cardiff. It has been an amazing rise for the club, which only started when a group of pupils formed a netball section in their 5x60 sport sessions at St John Lloyd Catholic Comprehensive School. Linking with Carmarthenshire Sports Development’s 5x60 scheme, the club began taster sessions on the outdoor court at Parc Y Scarlets to give the community element a try. In September 2012, with Sport Wales national lottery community chest funding, the club started up under 13 and under 15 sections. But with mentoring from Carmarthenshire's Welsh Netball community coach, demand quickly grew to such an extent that they added a under 11 age group section. Gracielle Fontarum, Year 9 pupil at St John Lloyd’s said: “We decided to take o...

Motorists and farmers are being reminded to make sure their vehicles, caravans and trailers are roadworthy before they take to the road. Carmarthenshire council road safety manager Keith Griffiths said trailers not in use all the year round can fail with disastrous consequences when taken out on to the road after a long lay up. He urges motorists and farmers to ensure their vehicles and trailers are road worthy before they hit the road. The warning comes as figures from the Highways Agency show that between April and June 2013 alone, there have been 1,408 towing incidents on the UK’s roads, 246 in the south west with 43 in Carmarthenshire. The Carmarthenshire Road Safety Action Group have encouraged random roadside checks following an increase of incidents with towed vehicles being involved in accidents many of which have been caravans being towed to holiday campsites through or into the county from elsewhere. The Highways Agency has warned that towing incidents are often caused by ove...

An empty house in Burry Port has become the first in Carmarthenshire to be renovated and offered as social housing. The property was derelict and dilapidated for some time, however under the Welsh Government’s new Houses into Homes empty property initiative, it is now undergoing a major investment. Upon completion, it will be offered as an affordable rented home with the county council’s in-house social lettings team managing it on behalf of the private owner. The scheme involves offering interest free loans to owners of properties which have been empty for six months or longer, with the intention of bringing them back into use. Carmarthenshire’s housing executive board member Cllr Tegwen Devichand said: “We have a lot of empty properties in the county which are a wasted resource, considering the high housing demand. “The Welsh Government launched the Houses into Homes scheme last year, and has now invested £20 million throughout Wales. “Carmarthenshire has approved its first loan...

Visitors to a Carmarthenshire bunkhouse and bistro are being offered the chance to get behind the wheel of eco-friendly vehicles. Throughout August, The Level Crossing in Llandovery will be home to a Twizy electric car and two eBicycles. Both the part car/part scooter, which is powered using solar, hydro and wind energy, and bicycles are available to hire. The idea is to promote sustainable travel and reduce carbon footprint. The venture is primarily aimed at walkers and cyclists with secure storage and washing facilities for mountain bikes available. Open since May and located near to Llandovery Station, The Level Crossing bunkhouse is a community interest company that offers modern accommodation, food and a friendly bar. On the doorstep of the western Brecon Beacons and the Cambrian Mountains, there is something for everyone to enjoy here - mountains, lakes, castles, gardens and market towns. The area can satisfy the most energetic mountain biker to the more relaxed walker or keen ...

Supermarkets in Carmarthenshire have been charged a total of £8,200 for the recovery, storage and return of abandoned shopping trolleys since February 2011. The council introduced a policy to charge shops and supermarkets to try and reduce the problem of abandoned shopping trolleys, which have a negative impact on the environment, can cause injury to people and damage to property and vehicles. Shops are charged £10 per trolley for recovery, £10 per trolley per week for storage and £10 per trolley for return plus a £20 admin fee per batch released. In total 206 trolleys have been collected since the policy was launched – 145 have been returned, 40 have been scrapped (because they were unclaimed or untraceable) with the remainder currently in storage. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “The aim of the policy was to encourage supermarkets to have better control and management of their trolleys. “When abandoned, these trolleys have a negativ...

Taking to water like a duck at mother and toddler classes, Iestyn Cole was soon swimming like a dolphin and has struck gold at butterfly aged just 13. Iestyn learned to swim at Llanelli Leisure Centre and has splashed on to become the fastest 13-year-old 100m butterfly swimmer in the UK. The remarkable young swimmer was recommended from the coaching teams at Llanelli Swimming Club when they recognised his promise to the Nofio Sir Gar Performance group swimmers based in Carmarthen Leisure Centre. He has rewarded the faith and dedication of his coaching team winning a gold medal in the British Age Group Swimming Championships in Sheffield. Carmarthenshire executive board member for leisure services Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “This is a tremendous achievement by Iestyn; a tribute to our Llanelli Swimming Club and their team of coaches especially the Nofio Sir Gar coach and double Commonwealth Silver Medallist Austyn Shortman. She said the leisure facilities team that created the Nofi...

A Llanelli man has been ordered to pay a total of £2,200 after a load of rubbish was found dumped in the old sewage works in Carway. Jamie Lee Curran, aged 25, of Maengwynne, pleaded guilty at Llanelli Magistrates Court to an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for having aided, assisted or participated in the illegal deposit of controlled waste and an offence under the Environmental Act 1995 for intentionally obstructing an authorised officer in the exercise or performance of his powers or duties. The court heard that in May last year council environmental enforcement officers received a report of a large amount of household rubbish had been dumped in the old sewage works in Carway. The officers found evidence linking the rubbish to a house in Llanelli and made contact with the home owners who admitted that the waste was theirs. They said that they had paid Curran and another person, who was the driver of the vehicle, to take the waste away for them at a cost of £50 pe...

A Carmarthen man must pay a total of £245 after dropping a cigarette end outside Coleg Sir Gar in Ammanford. Jake Rhys Thomas, aged 22, of Russell Terrace, Carmarthen, pleaded guilty to an offence contrary to Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act at Carmarthen Magistrates Court. The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council. The court heard that council environmental enforcement officers were on patrol in Station Road in Ammanford when they saw the male front seat passenger of a vehicle parked at the entrance of the college throw a cigarette end out of the window. He was issued with a fixed penalty notice for littering by the officers, however he failed to pay it within the specified time. Thomas was fined £75 by magistrates and ordered to pay £150 towards prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Dropping litter is against the law and dropping a cigarette end is no differ...

This September, environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy will put the people of Wales to the test by calling on them to take part in a week-long, nationwide, clean-up of littered black spots in towns, villages and the countryside. Tidy Wales Week will take place from 16 to 22 September and Keep Wales Tidy are hoping that people living in every corner of the country will show how much they care for their local area by getting involved in hands-on, problem-solving action. Everyone who registers an event online at www.keepwalestidy.org will be put into a prize draw to win a £100 National Garden gift voucher! To assist groups taking part, Keep Wales Tidy will send information explaining how to organise a safe, busy and fun event. Last year over 10,000 people of all ages did their bit to clean up their neighbourhoods and as a result many long standing litter blots on the landscape were removed. The week of action resulted in thousands of bags of litter being recovered by volunteers....

Clinical Chairs have been appointed by the Hywel Dda Health Board to lead the new Population Health Groups. These health groups form the clinical heart of the Population Health Programme established by Hywel Dda Health Board to help re-design health services and ensure better outcomes for patients and the general population. The programme is designed to improve both the health and wellbeing of our community. It is expected the groups will form in early September and will offer opportunities for staff, partners and the public to be part of improving the health of the population in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and borders. The Clinical Lead Chair appointments are as follows: Mental Health - Dr Graham O’Connor Consultant Psychiatrist, based at Glangwili Hospital Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health - Dr Adrian Raybould Consultant Cardiologist, based at Glangwili Hospital Musculoskeletal Health - Dr Duncan Williams, Amman Valley Medical Practice Elderly & Neurological ...

Carmarthenshire’s part in the Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay has been welcomed. It was announced that the county will be on the route of the prestigious relay as part of its visit to Wales. The baton will leave Buckingham Palace on October 9 and travel across 71 nations and territories before arriving in Scotland for the 2014 Games, taking place from July 23 to August 3. It will arrive in Cardiff Airport on May 24 next year, and travel through seven counties including Carmarthenshire. County Council executive board member for leisure and tourism Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “This promises to be a huge event which I hope will be just as well supported as when the Olympic Torch was carried through last year. “We very much welcome the Queen’s Baton coming to Carmarthenshire, and I’m sure crowds of people will support the relay.”

A Carmarthenshire landowner has been prosecuted for failing to take down stable blocks built without planning permission at Golden Grove in the Tywi Valley. Richard Booth, of Pantyfedwen, Cwmgors, pleaded guilty at Carmarthen Magistrates Court to an offence contrary to Section 179 of the Town and Country Planning Act. The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council. The court was told that Mr Booth was served with a planning enforcement notice in August 2011 to remove a number of unauthorised stable blocks he had erected without planning permission on land he owns at Penrhiw, Golden Grove. He was also required to revert the land usage back to an agricultural use from its unauthorised equine use. As he did not adhere to this request he was fined £1000 and £741.60 costs in May 2012. Mr Booth was then requested to adhere to the enforcement notice requirements again, but he did not. This month he was again fined £650 for not complying with the enforcement notice and was or...

Carmarthenshire residents are being urged to help rid our roads of rubbish by reporting people who throw litter from their cars. Litter from vehicles is a major problem throughout the UK with cigarette ends, crisp packets, drinks cans and fast food littering our verges. Research by Keep Britain Tidy shows that 23% of people are likely to throw litter from their car; and it is getting worse. Residents are now being urged to report anyone they see dropping litter from a vehicle. Note the registration number along with the car make, model and colour if possible as well as the date and time of the offence. Council environmental enforcement officers can then make inquiries to identify the offender and issue a fixed penalty notice of £75. If prosecuted in court the maximum fine is £2,500. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “This is a filthy habit which makes our local environment unsightly and unwelcoming and can lead to more serious criminal...

Balfour Beatty, the company responsible for the design and construction of the new £45m student residences at Aberystwyth University, has announced that the project has received the full backing of investors. In a statement to the London Stock Exchange, Balfour Beatty announced that it had reached financial close on two major UK developments; the £45m Aberystwyth University Penglais Farm New Student Residences and the University of Edinburgh’s £63 million Holyrood Postgraduate Student Accommodation and Outreach Centre. In February, Balfour Beatty was unveiled as Aberystwyth University’s preferred bidder for the development following a competitive dialogue process that saw it beat off competition from several other leading construction companies. The announcement confirms Balfour Beatty as Aberystwyth University’s Residential Development Partner. The Penglais Farm Student Residences will offer the very latest in purpose built student accommodation for 1000 students. Indiv...

The measles outbreak may be officially over, but Hywel Dda Health Board is reminding its communities that there is always a risk of catching measles, mumps or rubella if you have not received two doses of the MMR vaccine. Over the last six months, following the rise in the number of cases in the Swansea area, the response to calls to catch up on missed doses has resulted in more than 7,500 doses given across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. These non-routine MMR doses have been administered in a variety of ways, for example in GP surgeries, school vaccination sessions, MMR drop-in clinics and occupational health departments. Teresa Owen, Director of Public Health at Hywel Dda Health Board said: “We’d like to thank every person who has taken the time to make sure they or their loved ones are protected by the MMR vaccine. I’d also like to thank every member of staff and our community colleagues for their hard work and effort over the last few months. “The challenge now is t...

A new street market event coming to Carmarthen this month is hoped to be become an annual event in the town. The Vegan Street Market, organised by Absolute Treats, the vegetarian boutique bakery and coffee shop located inside the iconic Clock Tower, will be held in the Clock Tower square in Carmarthen Market on Saturday, August 31. There will be a wide range of trade stands on the day selling sumptuous vegan products, including: cakes and bakes by Absolute Treats; savouries by Fruits De la Terre; ice creams by Razzle Dazzle; handbags by Ami; bodycare by Heavenly Organics; cosmetics by Lush Carmarthen; chocolatier Cocoa Vanilla; jams and chutneys by Sarah Cooks; footwear by Wills-Vegan-Shoes; unique teas by Chantler Teas; a smoothie bar by Ramyows and raw chocolates by Trishul. Other features throughout the day will include a taster table, facepainting and musical entertainment. Virginia Buls, owner of Absolute Treats, said: “We have already received a lot of interest in the event, not...

Details have just been released about the annual reunion dinner for the Old Maridunians Association, the 'Old Boys' of the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Carmarthen. This year's dinner will be held at the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel on Saturday, October 5, 5pm for 5.30pm. The guest speaker will be Dr Rory McGill, one of the few 'Old Boys' who still manages to play the occasional game of rugby! Any former pupils or staff members interested in attending should email Ian Stone (stoneian@btinternet.com) or James Ward (ward_james@sky.com), who will explain how to pay the £20 ticket price! 'Old Boys' “E” ties will be available to purchase on the night. Dr Rory McGill pen picture - Born Priory Street 1959 - lived for first two years in St David's Mental Hospital! Moved to Trawsmawr and attended St Mary's Catholic Primary School. Attended QEGS from 1970-1976, represented Carmarthen Quins at Youth, F Troop and First XV, then Cardiff Med School 1976...

Special jazz concert and cabaret evening planned in Llanelli to support charity Carmarthenshire Youth and Children's Association | This is South Wales A special jazz concert and cabaret evening will see bands from across Llanelli unite to raise funds for the Llanelli Star's charity of the year next week. Carmarthenshire Youth and Children's Association (CYCA) are to benefit from the Diplomat Hotel's annual Music and Jazz festival this year — an event which has been a hit since it was set up by saxophonist Alan Williams in 1977. The free concert, which takes place on August 25, will feature a variety of musical styles from acts including Memphis 7, Tommy Harries Quartet, Afternoon in Paris, Dawn Sandell and The Numbers Racket during the day, and a lounge appearance from regular Diplomat musicians Aled and Friends. Story link to Thisissouthwales website.

Llanelli's Boom Productions sketch night success for Youth Mission Project Africa | This is South Wales : Llanelli's Boom Productions sketch night was a big success for Youth Mission Project Africa. Compere and organiser Wynne Seaborne introduced a show covering comedy classics like Monty Python's dead parrot sketch and The Two Ronnies' four candles sketch. Link to Thisissouthwales story.

Tributes to devoted bishop | This is South Wales Tributes have been paid to a retired Welsh bishop from Carmarthen who has died. Bishop Roy Thomas Davies, former Bishop of Llandaff, passed away following a short illness. He was 79 and from Llangunnor. Story link to Thisissouthwales website.

'Bin issue tarnishes our area' | This is South Wales The owner of a newly-opened business in Jacksons Lane Carmarthen has backed calls to clean up the eyesore of waste bins in the area. Michael Leefe has opened sandwich and cake shop Y Pantri where Pac-a-snac was formerly based. He said the area could be a prime gateway from John Street linking shoppers with King Street but said the number of trade waste bins clogging up the pedestrian square was letting down the image of the area. Story link to Thisissouthwales website.

Town look impressive as they bounce back to winning ways | This is South Wales Carmarthen Town bounced back from two defeats to cruise to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Welsh League side Ton Pentre. Link to South Wales Evening Post story.

Latest results from The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club – C&P County & Open Girls’ Championship Singles Stableford 1, Kasumi Tran, 47 pts (27), Visitor; 2, Carys Worby, 39 pts (26), Visitor; 3, Caitlin Freeman, 38 pts (36), Visitor. C&P Girls’ County and Open Championship singles strokeplay 1, Ffion Evans, 91 - 20 = 71, Visitor; 2, Sophie Lovatt, 82 - 11 = 71, Lowest Gross Score, Visitor; 3, Ffion Tynan, 94 - 20 = 74, Visitor. Medal 12 1, Gillian Hart, 89 - 15 = 74, Lowest Gross Score, 15.3; 2, Barbara Buckland, 105 - 27 = 78, 27.2; 3, Marie Hale, 106 - 24 = 82, 24.3. Harry Cass Cup 1, Nigel Davies and Margaret Richards, 49 pts (16); 2, Dennis Hughes and Andrea Martin, 44 pts (19); 3, Jordan William Davies and Iris Jacob, 42 pts (21). Cancer Trophy 1 Jayne Evans, 45 pts (26), 23.0; 2, Mary Mcgregor, 39 pts (26), 25.4; 3, Margaret Richards, 38 pts (25), 24.7. Huw Richards Cup 1, Lewis Rhys Morgan, 83 - 15 = 68, 13.0, 2, Ian Thomas, 76 - 07 = 69, 6.1; 3, Wyn Jenkins...

Have you recently injured your leg and been given crutches by the hospital or Minor Injury Units? Did you know you need to return these once recovered so other people can use them? Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, currently has a shortage of crutches and anyone who has been issued them by the hospital can return them to the Emergency Department, at Withybush General Hospital 24 hours a day or to South Pembrokeshire Hospital and Tenby Cottage Hospital Minor Injury Units. David Hawkings, Senior Nurse Manager, Emergency Care, said: “We know that people may have crutches they no longer need hanging around the house which they have just not got around to returning to us. “Each pair of crutches costs the NHS but they can easily be reused so we are asking people to please return them to us.”

A weekend summer service pilot run by the British Red Cross is continuing at Tenby Hospital. The pilot summer service provides people with treatment for injuries such as strains, sprains and insect bites, or illnesses such as minor allergic reactions. The Red Cross are also able to offer advice and triage services for other injuries and illnesses. For the first few weeks, the Red Cross service ran alongside the Minor Injury Unit with emergency nurse practitioners on site. This trial period has now ended and the Red Cross service has been evaluated as being safe and appropriate. During the evaluation period the Red Cross service only referred a small number of people to the MIU service. Hospital Director and Associate Medical Director for Quality and Safety at Hywel Dda Health Board, Dr Iain Robertson-Steel said: “We have looked carefully at the clinical need of the patients who have attended Tenby Hospital during the pilot period and it has been deemed that the Red Cross service is ...

An award winning rural bus service tailored to meet the needs of its passengers is going from strength to strength. Since taking to the road four years ago, Bwcabus has carried nearly 65,000 passenger journeys, covered over 458,000 miles and has over 2,000 registered users. It operates in response to pre-booked journey requests from 7am – 7pm, Monday to Saturday. The service enables people to travel between local towns and villages within north Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. Passenger Alison Pimbblet of Cribyn said: “Bwcabus has become an essential service to me and my family. Its flexibility has allowed me to work and its affordability has aided my teenage daughter to attend college and meet up with friends.” Whether you need to access healthcare, local services, employment, and training or to visit family and friends Bwcabus can assist. The scheme is supported by Carmarthenshire Community Challenge. Executive board member for sustainability, Cllr Pam Palmer said: “Bwcabus not...

Students in Carmarthenshire are being urged to not to get carried away celebrating success at their A-level. The Community Safety Partnership wants to ensure students enjoy a safe and trouble-free enjoyment and don’t get carried away to A&E or the cells! The 18-year-olds are being urged to ‘Think Safe, Drink Safe’ next Thursday after picking up their A-level results – and those still under 18 are being reminded to have an alcohol-free celebration. They are also being urged to stay out of rivers and lakes, and not to go into the sea if they have been drinking. The Community Safety Partnership wants to ensure students enjoy a safe and trouble-free post-results celebration. Young adults are being reminded of the harmful effects of drink including alcoholic poisoning, hangovers, and reckless or anti-social behaviour. Top Tips: If you’re planning on drinking, think ahead: • Most importantly – remember you don’t have to be drunk to have a good time. Set yourself a sensible limit and sti...

A new Training and Mediation centre has been built at a Carmarthenshire farm to serve the agricultural community. Two derelict barns at Henllan Farm, Pumsaint, have been transformed by Agri Advisor solicitors into office accommodation, conferencing and mediation facilities, with an RDP Sir Gâr Redundant Rural Buildings Grant. The total project costs were around £250,000 and the Agri Advisors received a grant of £123,133.25 towards the eligible costs through the Redundant Rural Buildings Grant scheme. These facilities will also be available for hire by other organisations and individuals. The architect is Martin Watts and the main contractors are Randell and Janes. Agri Advisor Solicitors is a legal practice set up by Dr Nerys Llewelyn Jones in October 2011 offering specialist legal advice to farmers and landowners, covering regulation, tenancies, land disputes, adverse possession, judicial review, CAP, nuisance and pollution issues and environmental matters. They also have a med...

Warming oceans are causing marine species to change breeding times and shift homes with expected substantial consequences for the broader marine landscape according to a new global study. The three-year research project, funded by the National Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis in California, has shown widespread systemic shifts in measures such as distribution of species and phenology – the timing of nature’s calendar – on a scale comparable to or greater than those observed on land. The report, Global imprint of climate change on marine life, will form part of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change Assessment Report due for publication in 2014 and is published in this month’s Nature Climate Change. It was undertaken by eminent scientists at 17 institutions across the world, including the University of Queensland, Plymouth University, Aberystwyth University, and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS). One of the lead authors of the report, Professor Ca...

A Pembrey 'war zone' has inspired an artist to create his latest works. Osi Rhys Osmond paints the wonders of life redeeming "man's madness" in the practice war zone on the end of Cefn Sidan Beach. His artistic interpretation contrasting military might versus nature’s beauty is captured in the latest ‘Back Wall’ series of Welsh artists at Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen, a show running until August 17. Carmarthenshire coastal landscape artist Mr Osmond watches the skilled aerobatics of Top Gun pilots practising their warfare alongside the fastest feathered winged predator in the bird world – the peregrine falcon, seeking out its next meal. He has captured the scenes on location overlooking RAF Pembrey’s bombing ranges and the proofing and testing Ministry of Defence establishment at Pendine. His sets up his easel on the Llansteffan coastal peninsular looking seaward east towards Cefn Sidan, Pembrey, and across to Gower; then south over Pendine to Lundy and Caldy ...

Licensed premises and members clubs across Carmarthenshire are being warned about selling alcohol to under-18s ahead of the A-level and GCSE exam results. Council licensing officers have been speaking to licensees and club representatives in the county to remind them of their responsibilities. In particular, if taking bookings for functions they need to establish whether the event is aimed at young persons so that they can decide whether to accept the booking and have adequate measures in place to prevent the sale to or consumption of alcohol by under-18s. Tackling underage drinking is a key priority for the Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership , which includes the council and the police. A lot of work is underway to educate staff at licensed premises in relation to fake IDs. Test purchasing exercises using child volunteers are also carried out throughout the year. Councillor Tom Theophilus, chairman of the council’s licensing committee, said “The majority of licensees are resp...

Everyone in Wales is being asked to support Carmarthenshire in their opposition to overground cables and pylons planned as part of Brechfa Wind Farm. County Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge has launched an e-petition on the UK Government website as part of a national campaign against the plans by Western Power Distribution. He is now urging everyone to show their support, and is also asking the Welsh Local Government Association, MPs, AMs and all 21 other Welsh local authorities to sign the petition. The aim is to gather a minimum of 100,000 signatures which could see the issue debated in the House of Commons. The petition states: “We the undersigned find it totally unacceptable that the proposed Brechfa Forest, Carmarthenshire, Wales, wind farm (s) National Grid connection should be made via an overhead line supported by wooden pylons. “The environment of these, and other communities, should not be blighted by the visual impact of overhead cables. We ask the Energy Secretary to ensur...

People in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire are being reminded that they can help the local NHS to save lives by considering carefully where to access services when they become ill or injured. Hywel Dda Health Board supports the national Choose Well campaign, and will be launching a local version this autumn, to help people better understand health, social care and community services available to them locally. The campaign uses a colour-coded thermometer to help people link symptoms to the services and support that is right for their need. This ensures people get the right treatment in the right place, busy emergency services can help those who need them most, and essential treatment is given in the shortest possible time. Hywel Dda Health Board’s clinical lead for unscheduled care consultant Jeremy Williams (pictured above) said: “The aim of Choose Well is to raise awareness of the full range of services available so that people are well-informed about where and when t...

Green fingered Bancffosfelen villagers are offering a helping hand to residents who are unable to grow their own fruit and vegetables. Not-for-profit Banc Organics do the growing and distribute them in the Gwendraeth Valley. The community supported food growing scheme offers a wide range of seasonal fruit and vegetables, which is grown by volunteers at two sites, and then sold as weekly boxes. Members can chose what they want grown, with some households being eligible for vouchers towards the cost of the produce. The scheme, supported by Carmarthenshire Community Challenge, runs from January to June and boxes are delivered to pick up points near the customer’s home. The council’s executive board member for sustainability, Cllr Pam Palmer said: “This is a great opportunity for families to buy home grown produce if they’re not in a position to be able to grow them. “Growing your own vegetables and fruit is cheaper than buying and much more satisfying. Also, home grown has a much bet...

Venture into Llandysilio on Saturday or Sunday, September 21 and 22 and you will come across festival go-ers finding their way to a range of celebratory events. The culture and heritage festival boasts five separate events over the two days and it aims to highlight local successes and achievements and attract attention to the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the area. The locality is well known for its poets such as Waldo Williams and Llwyd Williams and the contribution of both to literature and to Pembrokeshire will be explored over the weekend. In addition, the festival will see the launch of two inspiring projects to celebrate the success of the James Brothers who, in 1913, were the first people to build and fly an aeroplane over Pembrokeshire. Brothers Henry Howard James and John Herber James will be remembered as an announcement is made that a world renowned author is to publish a book to mark their achievement and some exciting news concerning a proposed sculpture in ...

Llanelli Rotary Club welcomed in its new president at a special dinner. The 'handover dinner' was held at the Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli. Ken Abban, a retired audiologist, was installed as the club's new president. Mr Abban succeeded Alan Owen. Mr Abban (wearing the chain of office) and Mr Owen are pictured with other members of Llanelli Rotary Club and the president of the Cefn Sidan Rotary Club, Les Williams. Website - http://llanellirotary.com/

Hywel Dda Health Board needs your views to help us develop and deliver high quality health services to meet the needs of the patients and local people we serve.  “Siarad Iechyd / Talking Health” is the Health Board’s involvement and engagement scheme and provides local people with opportunities to have a say in how local health services are planned, developed and delivered. Nicola O’Sullivan, Head of Public and Patient Engagement, said: “It is important that we listen to and take action on your views as the opinions and ideas of our communities are essential in helping us to improve what we do. ”Members receive up-to-date information on health board matters and what is happening in their local county, as well as tips on healthy living. They have also been involved in helping the health board develop new initiatives and were key to the NHS Wales award winning team for the new hospital signage system.” One Siarad Iechyd / Talking Health member who helped develop the signs is Da...

The latest 'On Song' column from the Llanelli Star -  The ladies of Côr Curiad are looking forward to their ‘winter tour’ to Tamworth in Staffordshire. The choristers will be the guests of Tamworth Male Voice Choir on the weekend of November 15-17. Choir spokesman Andrea Matthews said: “The choristers of Côr Curiad and Tamworth Male Voice are old friends and this will be our third visit to Staffordshire. “We always get a great welcome in Tamworth and the ladies and really looking forward to the trip.” Côr Curiad, formed in 1995, is led Alex Esney-Davies, supported by accompanist Jane Jewell. The aim of the choir is to enjoy singing together, give pleasure to audiences and raise money for charity. The choir’s biggest achievement to date was in 2012, when, with the support of Rhydian Roberts (TV’s X Factor), a sell-out concert raised £16,500 for the Teenage Cancer Trust. There are currently around 30 members, with an age range from 14 – 80-plus. There are several sets of mothers ...

The latest 'Shop Elli' column from the Llanelli Star -  Christmas is coming early to one Llanelli shop. There may be 'only' 132 days to Christmas (as at date Weds), but the Card Factory in the St Elli Shopping Centre in Llanelli is getting ready for the festive season. The Card Factory is the first high street store to launch Christmas and shoppers are getting into the spirit by flocking to buy their festive cards. A spokesman for the Llanelli Card Factory shop said: “Lots of our customers like to spread the cost of Christmas, so we make sure we launch our Christmas ranges in plenty of time. “They seem to be going down very well with customers - and the staff are enjoying getting into the Christmas mood.” The Card Factory, a business based in Wakefield, is the UK’s fastest growing specialist greetings card retailer, with more than 650 stores nationwide and new stores opening all the time. ------------------------------------------- Events August All month, Gilded Lili C...