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

The latest 'Shop Elli' column about the St Elli Shopping Centre (edited version appears in Llanelli Star today) -  The team at the St Elli Shopping Centre is gearing-up for Christmas. “There are many different events planned, but a particular favourite is the annual Reindeer Parade on Sunday, November 24,” said centre manager Andrew Stephens. “We are looking for groups, clubs and organisations who may want to take part in the walking parade. “Each year, we have the Army Cadets, the Academy and Friendship theatre groups, Llanelli Gymnastics Club, the Sea Cadets and the St John Ambulance. There may be other groups out there who want to promote their Christmas activities. In which case, get in touch to join the parade. “The parade takes in Market Street, Gelli Onn and Vaughn Street before arriving back at the St Elli Centre.” Anyone interested should email Andrew Stephens on andrew.stephens@stelli.co.uk or call 01554 746603 ------------------------------------------- Events NOVE...

The latest 'On Song' column about the choral scene in Llanelli (sadly, not used by the Llanelli Star today) -  All eyes will be on the ‘Night With The Stars’ event at Ffwrnes theatre, Llanelli, on Saturday, November 16. The concert will be in aid of Wales’s pancreatic cancer charity Amser Justin Time and is a sell-out. Shan Cothi, who set up the charity in memory of her late husband, will be headlining the evening. Shan will be joined by the very popular baritone Mark Llewelyn Evans. Mark will be performing some songs from his new album ‘This Guy’s in Love’. The two stars will be supported by Côr Meibion Llanelli, making a welcome return to the theatre after their popular ‘annual concert’. Also performing will be the young up-and-coming musical theatre star Samuel Morris. Meanwhile, the ladies of Côr Curiad are off on tour! Choir spokesman Andrea Matthews said: “We are off to Tamworth to sing at Tamworth Male Voice Choir’s Annual Concert on Saturday at the Assembly Rooms in Tam...

Carmarthen Harriers has been successful in its bid to host the 2014 Welsh cross-country championships in the beautiful setting of Dinefwr Park, Llandeilo, in February 2014. This event follows on from the very successful Schools and Home Countries senior international cross-country match held at Dinefwr Park in March. The last time these Welsh championships were held in Carmarthenshire was in 1999 when they were held on the United Counties Showground in Carmarthen. The current Welsh senior cross country champion is Dewi Griffiths from Llanfynydd who went to Ysgol Tregib secondary school in Llandeilo. Primary schools races are planned in the morning before the Welsh championships events.

More than 90,000 school meals were served up in Carmarthenshire during National School Meals Week celebrations. Dylan the Dragon, the Carmarthenshire Catering Service’s school meals mascot, visited some schools to encourage children to enjoy healthy school meals. Three Ambassador Lunches were also held, at Llanelli’s Old Road, Tycroes and Nantgaredig schools, where local councillors, MPs, and food suppliers were invited in for a school meal. The highlight of the week though was a special themed menu featuring a traditional roast dinner – a meal which continues to be a firm favourite in Carmarthenshire schools. As well as being a special treat for children who normally enjoy school meals, it is hoped that the event has encouraged more children to enjoy a healthy balanced meal during the school day. Carmarthenshire County Council’s catering department organises themed days across the whole year as well as competitions to encourage pupils to socialise and try new dishes that they mig...

Andy Kershaw’s journey has been described as one man's improbable rise through British media, from badly dressed political student to presenting Live Aid in front of a TV audience of billions; from being Radio 1's most belligerent maverick DJ, to being a war correspondent for the likes of Radio 4. This Friday, Andy comes to the Queens Hall, Narberth, presented by Span Arts to share his tales of back‐to‐back adventures of a full‐throttle life in an intimate ‘evening with’, complete with photos, as part of his new book tour. The pioneering DJ and unstoppable foreign correspondent is a passionate music enthusiast, and a man with an obsessive curiosity about the world. In his brand-new autobiography ‘No Off Switch’, Andy's words propel you through a life lived at dizzying speed with a moment‐by‐moment sense of vibrancy, outrage, wit, exuberance and searing honesty. As the title attests, Andy truly has ‘no off switch’. The maverick broadcaster’s CV is bursting at the seams. ...

WEEK COMMENCING 11/11/13 3 MEDIUM CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.60 2 SPICY CHICKEN PASTIES £2.20 2 LARGE CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.90 3 STRAWBERRY SCONES £1.00 2 FRESH CREAM ECLAIRS £1.70 SANDWICH OF THE WEEK – TUNA & CUCUMBER £2.00 BAGUETTE OF THE WEEK – CHICKEN TIKKA WITH YOGHURT & MINT £2.35 ROLLS OF THE WEEK – WHITE BAPS - PACK OF 4 £1.00 2 TEACAKES 90p LOAF OF THE WEEK – SMALL WHITE BATCH £1.05 SPECIALITY LOAF - ANCIENT CEREALS BREAD (available Thur, Fri, Sat) £1.20 Website - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/

There was a big class reunion held in Burry Port at the weekend. Members of the Class of 1980 from Porth Tywyn (Burry Port junior) School got together at The Coasting Pilot pub. The reunion was organised by Christine Rees and same 22 members of the original class of 28 turn up to discuss their old schooldays. One ‘Class of 1980’ member was Burry Port businessman Owain Davies. He said: “We all have very happy memories of our time in school. We had a fantastic teacher in Mr Heddwyn Jones, who now lives in Four Roads. “We were very fortunate to have the same teacher for three years and we were a very happy class. Mr Jones was an inspiring teacher and we all got on every well and we are all still good friends. “Heather Thomas (now Heather Osmond) made it from Surrey, but she was trumped by Gail Morris, who flew in from Ohio in the United States for the reunion. “It was a fantastic evening at the Coasting Pilot with good food, good wine and good company. We even recreated the class...