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

The landmark St Elli Shopping Centre in Llanelli has been sold to a new retail firm. London-based NewRiver Retail Limited, the UK’s fourth largest owner/manager of shopping centres, has bought the centre from insurance group Axa on a freehold basis for £29.2m. “It’s all good news as far as the shopping centre is concerned,” said St Elli Centre manager Andrew Stephens. “This is a thriving and vibrant shopping centre which will always be attractive to investors,” said Mr Stephens. “The sale has been on the table for a number of months, but contracts have now been exchanged and we are able to talk openly about the move. “In terms of what happens on a day-to-day basis at the shopping centre, nothing really changes. We have new owners, but it is business as usual and we view the sale as a real vote of confidence in the centre and the town of Llanelli. “Everyone who works here is very proud of the centre and we think the people of Llanelli and West Wales should be very proud of the centre ...

The latest 'On Song' column about the choral scene in and around Llanelli from the Llanelli Star -  After the success of his ‘Night With The Stars’ concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli-based concert promoter Cerith Owens is busy planning his 2014 events. Mr Owens, who runs Loud Applause Productions, is keen to work closely with Theatrau Sir Gar on bringing popular musical and choral entertainment to the three Carmarthenshire theatres in Ammanford, Carmarthen and Llanelli. For Llanelli, he has two big events already planned for next year. The singing trio Blake will be at Ffwrnes on Saturday, February 1. Combining the vocal grandeur of The Three Tenors with the infectious harmonies of The Bee Gees and the comedy of the Rat Pack, Blake will be appearing after major tours in Asia, America and Europe. They will be performing numbers from their new album ‘Start Over’. Joining Blake will be classical soprano Natalie Coyle and the Llanelli-based Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singer...

Multi-millionaire businessman Kevin Green today joined the growing clamour for action against banks who put the squeeze on small businesses. “I am appalled and disgusted by the actions of RBS,” said Green, who runs a massive private property portfolio and other enterprises in a number of business sectors. “Conversations with other businesses throughout Wales suggest that RBS isn’t the only culprit here. “But they are, of course, the ones currently in the spotlight and receiving all the media attention. “The treatment of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) by RBS is nothing short of scandalous. “Stories of the bank exploiting the small print in loan deals abound today. For example, one business I know missed a loan repayment one month and quickly found themselves heading down the road of default. “The pressure put on customers by RBS is neither fair nor morally acceptable. The old joke about banks pulling away the umbrella the minute it starts to rain appears to be very true in to...

Carmarthen youth club Dr Mz has got through to the Big Lottery People's Millions vote. This could win them £40K for a Growing Green Teens Project - the project will support young people aged 12-25 to grow and cook, plus the bits in between! Dr Mz is an amazing youth club in the centre of Carmarthen, used by many young people from the surrounding area. It has a very dedicated and committed staff and team of young people. Lines are now open to vote. Call 0871 62 68 168. It costs 11p per call and you can call up to 10 times. Take one minute today (or 10 if you call 10x) and make a difference to young people in Carmarthenshire by making that call. Dr.M’z is a youth drop in centre run by Carmarthen Youth Project for young people aged 11-25. The club provides a comfortable, safe, informative and stimulating place for young people to meet. The History of Dr Mz by youth worker Gayle Harris - Once upon a time in 1994-5 there was nothing for young people to do in Carmarthen unless y...

Welsh Government Education Minister Huw Lewis has officially marked the start of the new £30million Ysgol Bro Dinefwr. The Minister, along with Carmarthenshire County Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge, cut the first sod at the site at Ffairfach. Mr Lewis said: “Education and Skills Minister Huw Lewis said: “The Ysgol Bro Dinefwr project is an excellent example of how the 21st century schools programme is delivering fantastic learning environments for our young people. I’m pleased that we’ve been able to work in partnership with the local authority to make this new development a reality.” An archaeological survey is to be carried out over the next couple of months, and building work is due to start shortly afterwards. Contractors Leadbitter, a Bouygues UK company, aim to be on site early in the new year with a completion target of January 2016. Ysgol Bro Dinefwr, which has replaced Pantycelyn and Tregib, will cater for 1,200 pupils. The category 2B bilingual school will provide first...

More than £1million is being invested in youth facilities at Glanymor Secondary School in Burry Port. The development is being made by Carmarthenshire County Council and will include the provision of youth and leisure amenities, and the removal of mobile accommodation. A new single storey activity room and glazed conservatory is being built, and the existing areas will be adapted to provide a youth centre. The centre will have a new entrance and reception area, and there will be refurbishment of the existing changing rooms. Technical works include the replacement of the boiler and sports hall heating system, hard and soft landscaping, drainage and other external works. The project has been approved by Dyfed Powys Police through the Secure by Design initiative, and the work is being carried out by TAD builders. Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge said: “Burry Port Youth Club is the most well attended of all youth clubs in Carmarthenshire so this development is well deserved and will be...

Hywel Dda Health Board’s Cardigan Stakeholder meeting was well attended by representatives from the health board, county council, social services, the League of Friends and many more from the local and wider community who were updated by the health board on its vision for community hospitals in the future. The health board’s Cardigan development was again described as its flagship development and it was made clear that the design of this service has the potential to be the model for future community services. Assurances were also provided that the health board is committed to providing beds and informed the group that prior to the development of a full outline business case for Welsh Government consideration, an option appraisal process will take place to determine the best use of beds, how many and where these should be allocated for the benefit of the whole community. It was also acknowledged by the health board that the project’s progress was slower than initially planned. The Outli...

The team at the Jenkins Bakery has launched a new three-tier Christmas Tree Cake in the run-up to the festive season. "We always like to do something extra for very special occasions," said Jenkins Bakery operations director Russell Jenkins. "This year, our staff have developed a three-tier Christmas Cake, which really does look something special." The cake is made up of 6”, 8” and 10” tiers It is made of vanilla sponge with green sugar paste, royal piping and coloured smarties decoration. A fairy and star feature on the top and it has edible parcels and edible glitter flakes. Price £90. Meanwhile, the bakery has an 'Early Bird' offer on Christmas Cakes (8in & 6.5in) and square iced Christmas puddings (small, medium, large) - 10% off. Limited period only. Website - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/

The famous Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers are opening their studio doors to give new choristers and families a unique opportunity to see behind the scenes with the acclaimed choristers. The choir are currently busy preparing for a busy few weeks which will include a major orchestral and choral performance with the nationally acclaimed British Sinfonietta at the forthcoming and sell-out Christmas Fantasia, television feature filming for ITV, a radio broadcast for a Christmas Eve, a concert appearance at St. David’s Hall, Cardiff and preparing for a performance with singing sensation Blake. “We’ve had many requests from interested parents and children to get an insight into the training and rehearsals provided for the Hywel Choristers which lead to their performance magic on stage and in front of the cameras”, explains the choir’s Director of Development, Jeremy Hywel Williams. “It is also a great opportunity for new choristers not only to make friends but to learn abou...

An Ammanford man has been fined by magistrates for fly-tipping furniture outside a charity shop in the town. Ronnie James Carroll dumped a load of furniture including an old wardrobe, TVs, a bed and mattress outside Barnardos in Carregamman Road after the shop was closed. He was spotted by an eye witness and the information was passed on to the council’s environmental enforcement officers who carried out an investigation. Carroll, aged 47, of Swn-Y-Nant, Nantyglyn Road, Glanaman, pleaded guilty to four offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Carmarthen Magistrates Court. He was fined a total of £420 (£105 for each offence) as well as prosecution costs of £567.23, £60 in compensation to Barnardos and a £20 victim surcharge. The offences occurred in September and October of last year. So much furniture was left on the second occasion that staff couldn’t get into the shop to open it up. The furniture was also ruined by the rain which meant it could not be sold and t...

The wraps have come off the Christmas range at Jenkins Bakery shops. Here are the products to get you in the festive mood -  Yule Log Ends 95p Our chocolate swiss roll with white vanilla filling cream enrobed with milk chocolate and decorated with chocolate flavoured filling cream and edible sugar plaque. Our Christmas best seller. Marzipan Dainties £1.30 A luxury cake we’ve been making since the beginning of time and exclusive to ourselves. Plain sponge wrapped with almond marzipan topped with raspberry piping jelling and vanilla filling cream. Truffle Log 95p Our chocolate truffle recipe wrapped with almond marzipan and a thin coat of milk chocolate. Truffle Puds 95p Our chocolate truffle recipe enrobed with milk chocolate and decorated with fondant icing.  Mince Pies Viennese and Mincemeat Tartlet 80p Our luxury brandy mincemeat topped with a whirl of traditional Viennese shortbread. Mince Pies Short Pastry 50p each or 6 for £2.40 Mince Pies Puff Pastry...

A Carmarthen man has been fined after bags of rubbish belonging to him were found fly-tipped. Carwyn Evans, aged 39, of Heol Glasfryn, Peniel, was fined £400 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £498.37 (including clean up costs of £396.65) and a £40 victim surcharge. He pleaded guilty to an offence contrary to Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Carmarthen Magistrates Court. The court heard that on Thursday, June 13 officers from Natural Resources Wales were working at forestry near Llanllawddog when they found 15 black bags of rubbish. They contacted the environmental enforcement section and an investigation was carried out. Evidence was found linking the rubbish to Evans who lived just over four miles from the location of the fly-tipping. He told officers that he had given the rubbish to a man in a white van to dispose of and admitted that he had not checked whether he was a registered waste carrier. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protectio...

Road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists is offering weekly motoring tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. This week he is advising motorists on how to get going in the bleak midwinter. IAM chief examiner Mr Rodger said: “It can take a bit longer to get yourself going on a cold, dark winter morning, and getting the car going is no different. Give yourself the time to deal with the extra things involved in getting on the road.” He offers six tips to avoid seasonal car problems: * A modern car does not need to warm the engine up before being driven, so avoid wasting fuel by not switching on the engine until you are ready to go. But do run it if you need to use the heater/demister before you move off, so you can start with a nice clear screen. * Clean any snow off the car’s roof and bonnet as well as windows – it seems obvious when you see it all blow off someone else’s roof, but in the early morning rush it’s easy to think it won’t matter, when it does. ...

The team at the Jenkins Bakery had great fun helping to raise money for the BBC's Children In Need appeal. The bakery made special Pudsey biscuits to mark the occasion. A total of 1,633 'Pudseys' were sold, with the biscuits helping the bakery make a total donation of £1,400 to the appeal fund. Jenkins Bakery operations director Russell Jenkins said: "As always, we are very grateful to our customers for their support. They bought the biscuits and also put donations into the tin. "Five of our shops excelled in their efforts - Llanelli's Thomas Street shop, Bridgend, Ystradgynlais, Skewen and Neath." At the Thomas Street shop, staff wore onesies as part of the charity effort. Pictured above are Thomas Street staff Janice Page, Caroline Davies, Kirsty Howells.

Latest news from Brecon Jazz Club -  The next jazz club date is Tues 17 December 2013, info below. BRECON JAZZ CLUB : in the BRECON JAZZ BAR, THEATR BRYCHEINIOG, CANALSIDE, BRECON, POWYS LD3 7EW Tues 17 December 2013, starts 8pm, £6 on the door Li Harding (vocals), the Gary ('Amigos') Phillips Trio and Paul Munnery (trombone) star in a 'Spirit of Melly' special Jazz and Blues celebration. with kind support from the George Melly Sculpture appeal. Join us for pre-concert buffet supper, Lansdowne Hotel, £5 per person (rsvp to reserve place) Friendly atmosphere, raffle, all welcome CONTACTS/LINKS THEATR 01874 611622 info@jazzinthebar.com www.breconjazzclub.org facebook: JazzinBrecon

The Oriel Myrddin Gallery featured maker for November and December is blacksmith and sculptor, Mike Davies. Mike is a third generation blacksmith working in Pembrokeshire and has more recently studied Fine Art Sculpture (BA Hons) at West Wales School of the Arts in Carmarthen. He still has an incessant passion for working with wrought iron and steel. He says: “These materials are strong and heavy with uses extensively in Industry, essentially cold and lifeless. However, light delicate flowing forms can be achieved with the forging technique. This breathes life and energy into the material, transforming it into inherently tactile objects.” It is this transformation that interests and inspires Mike to experiment using an amalgamation of traditional and contemporary techniques, “Handling the ironwork, feeling the different textures, enables you to experience the power and vitality within the work.” Mike has created a contemporary fire basket and a set of exquisitely designed fi...

Carmarthenshire council is more than prepared for icy weather. Around £1 million is set aside every year as part of the winter maintenance programme with staff on standby 24 hours a day, seven days a week – even during Christmas and New Year. There are around 3,526 kilometres of road in Carmarthenshire and around a third is salted when weather conditions demand it. Once the decision to salt the roads is taken, approximately 1023 kilometres are treated usually within three hours of a bad weather warning. If snow should fall, snow clearing work comes into operation across the county. Executive Board Member for Technical Services Cllr Colin Evans said: “We do everything we can to keep our roads safe for both motorists and pedestrians during the winter months. “We have 16,500 tonnes of salt in storage ready to grit the roads when temperatures drop, that’s double the amount we had four years ago. We also have 1,100 grit bins across the county to treat local roads and pavements.” Roads are g...

Latest special offers from the Jenkins Bakery - 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/