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

A Carmarthen man has been fined £100 by magistrates after dropping a cigarette end outside the Red Cross shop in Lammas Street. Richard Jones, aged 31, of Parc Y Ffordd in Johnstown, was also ordered to pay £116.80 prosecution costs plus a £20 victim surcharge. He was convicted in absence to an offence contrary to Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Carmarthen Magistrates Court. The court heard that council environmental enforcement officers were on routine patrol in Carmarthen town centre on August 3 this year when they saw the defendant smoking a cigarette outside the Red Cross shop in Lammas Street. He finished the cigarette and then dropped the butt onto the ground. He was issued with a fixed penalty notice by the officers; however he failed to pay it, despite a reminder letter being sent. 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 different from throwi...

There's a job vacancy for the new position of Assistant General Manager at Celtic Couriers in Burry Port. This is an excellent opportunity with Celtic Couriers Limited, a successful and expanding company based in Burry Port, for someone seeking a career. Main purpose of job Assist in the general management of a busy parcel and pallet distribution company, ensuring maximum profitability while maintaining the best possible standards of service and efficiency. Main responsibilities Assist in the direction and control of all depot operations to ensure that profitability targets are achieved and that full utilization is made of both vehicles and staff while maintaining the highest standards of safety and efficiency. Maintain a close liaison with existing and potential customers to ensure that they are completely satisfied with the service provided. Develop any necessary procedures to ensure that vehicle maintenance, health and safety standards are strictly implemented and adhered to...

The biggest celebration of country life in Wales is making its home at Pembrey Country Park. Carmarthenshire Council executive board member for leisure services Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “This is a great coup for the park. The Game Fair has traditionally been the county’s best family day out of the year filled with breathtaking entertainment.” The Wales Game Fair will celebrate its 27th anniversary over the weekend of June 14-15, 2014. After visiting the 500-acres of parkland in recent weeks the Game Fair organisers have been “blown away” by the venue. More than 20,000 visitors are expected including a large contingent from Ireland and Europe to what is consider to be the pinnacle of the sporting calendar in Wales. The Pembrey venue and infrastructure proved capable of hosting such a large scale event over three years from 2010 with the student musical festival Beach Break Live. The action packed game fair traditionally attracts more than 250 trade stands, craft marquees, food hall...

An estimated record breaking 3,000 people turned out for Cefn Sidan beach’s 27th annual Walrus Dip - with more than 700 of them dashing into the freezing frothy sea. The oldest dipper was 83-year-old Robert Edwards dressed as Santa and the youngest was Sadie Matthews, aged five, carried by her mum Hannah into the waves, both dressed as Santa’s elves. They were joined by a colourful posse of festive revellers dressed in various guises ranging from Jack Sparrow to the Happy Feet penguins all the way from Merthyr Tydfil. There were a number of brave bikini clad women and several even more daring mankini clad males. The Chairman of Carmarthenshire County Council Cllr Terry Davies counted down the charge to the sea and joined in the fun and frolics raising more than £2,000 for his nominated charities, the Teenage Cancer Trust and the British Heart Foundation as a thank you his successful triple heart by-pass operation six years ago. Hundreds crashed into the waves to claim their “I D...

Carmarthenshire Council press release -  Dozens of Carmarthenshire County Council workers have worked through the night helping out at flooding incidents across the county. Crews have been on standy 24-hours-a-day and have been deployed at various locations to assist with a number of incidents. Other staff are now being called in from annual leave to help if and when needed as the bad weather is forecast to continue over the weekend. They are being thanked for their efforts by Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge who said: “We really appreciate the work of all these members of staff who have been helping throughout the bad weather over the Christmas and New Year period, across all four corners of Carmarthenshire. “They have been on call 24 hours a day and worked throughout the night last night as the bad weather hit the county. “I know they have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their efforts to support individuals and communities who need it. “They have deployed hundreds of sa...

Press release from the Hywel Dda Health Board -  Hywel Dda recognises those who have made a difference though a better use of resources in the Best of Health Staff Awards this year. Staff and departments who have implemented ther ideas to improve quality, effiency and value for money, which makes a difference to patients, staff or a place of work are acknowledged at a health board ceremony this year. The three shortlisted entries are: Primary Care General Medical Services (GMS) Team The Primary Care General Medical Services (GMS) Team has successfully introduced a primary care section on the Intranet and a monthly online GMS newsletter as a means of communicating up to date information to GP practices. Both the monthly GMS letter and the Intranet, which contain topical information for GPs, guidelines, training days and the latest health board news, have made a significant difference to users particularly in terms of improving efficiency. Positive feedback has been received since se...

Dyfed Powys Police Force press release -  It is a priority for the Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner to ensure that the public know how, where and when they can contact their local police, and both are committed to promoting and improving our accessibility to communities. Posters in communities will have the local information for nearest stations and mobile stations available. The public can access the police in their local community and there are several ways of contacting the police, in person at local meetings/briefings or by visiting a station, or by dialling 101 and asking to speak to the local neighbourhood team. You can also find your nearest police station on the force smartphone app. Each station and mobile station is plotted on a map of the force area. Residents can keep up to date with what is going on locally online by putting in their post code or choosing their local area. You can find out who is in your local team, what...

Two flood warnings have been issued for Carmarthen and Abergwili on Thursday after persistent downpours across Wales. Flood alerts have been issued for much of Wales including Swansea, with the ground saturated and river levels high there remains a continued risk of river and surface water flooding." Click on headline link for full South Wales Evening Post story.

Dyfed-Powys Police Force press release -  A total of 18 officers and staff from Ceredigion have recently completed the ‘Intensive Entry and Foundation Level Course’ delivered by the Mid-Wales Centre for Welsh for Adults. The course, aimed at new learners of the language, was held at Cardigan police station for two days each month over six months, and has provided a strong basis of Welsh language ability to build upon in the future. It is a priority for us to be able to provide a service to our customers in their choice of language, therefore this is an important step towards achieving that in Ceredigion. A particular highlight for the students was the opportunity to meet with Welsh speakers from the local community and to practise their conversational skills, which demonstrated how much had been achieved over the past six months. Course tutor, Mr Richard Vale said: “Over the past six months, the team has worked really hard, and they can now all hold a good basic conversati...

Children from Llanelli’s Heol Goffa and Stebonheath schools had a surprise visit from Father Christmas at a special story-telling event. The event was laid on at the Llys Caradog respite centre in Llwynhendy, with support from Carmarthenshire County Council’s Community Engagement Team, part of the Housing department. Children’s librarian Catrin Simons excited the children with a sensory story before the big man himself made a surprise guest appearance. Each child was given a box of chocolates, kindly donated by Asda’s Community Life champion, Simon Evans.

A Llanelli woman has been fined £100 for dropping a cigarette end. Kirsty Knight, aged 19, of Heol Tregoning in Morfa, was also ordered to pay £310.25 prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge by Carmarthen magistrates. She was convicted in absence for an offence contrary to Section 87 of The Environmental Protection Act 1990. The court heard that on July 18 this year council environmental enforcement officers were on duty in the Morfa area when they saw the defendant throw a cigarette end onto the ground before entering a corner shop. They waited for her to come out and then explained that she had committed a criminal offence by throwing litter and issued her with a fixed penalty notice for £75. However, no payment was received and she was prosecuted in court as a result. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Cigarette ends are not only unsightly but they get trapped in cracks in the pavement which makes them very difficult and costly ...

One of the most well -established and best-known businesses in South Wales has opened a new shop in the popular seaside resort of Porthcawl in the County Borough of Bridgend. The new Jenkins Bakery shop in John Street is the 28th in a chain of retail outlets covering a sizeable area in South Wales, from Bridgend in the east to Carmarthen in the west and north to Ystradgynlais in Powys. “This is the third new shop we have opened in the last 12 months,” Jenkins Bakery Operations Director Russell Jenkins proudly declared today. “We are well known for having our roots as a family firm in Llanelli, but we will continue to expand our range of shops as and when we see fit. “The John Street shop in Porthcawl is managed by Zoe Rees and is in a prime town centre location in the semi-pedestrianised precinct with plenty of car parking available nearby. “It’s an exciting new location for all of us at Jenkins Bakery and we are looking forward to making friends with all our new customers in Port...

A Llanelli woman has been fined by magistrates after she was seen throwing a cigarette out of a car window. Kirsty Lee Harries, aged 27, of Trinity Road, was convicted in absence to a littering offence at Carmarthen Magistrates Court. The court heard that council environmental enforcement officers were parked in a council vehicle in Murray Street when a car pulled up and parked ahead of them. The female driver was seen throwing her cigarette out of the window before driving off. The officers followed the vehicle until it stopped in nearby Stepney Street and then spoke to the driver, explaining what they had seen. She was issued with a fixed penalty notice; however no payment was received despite a reminder letter being sent. Harries was fined £100 and ordered to pay £310.25prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge. Figures show that around 83% of all litter found on the county’s streets is smoking-related. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones...

Llandeilo businessman Simon Buckley has published innovative plans to renovate Llandeilo's historic Market Hall. The chief executive of the Evan-Evans brewery has sent his draft document to Carmarthenshire Council. Here is what the document says -  Llandeilo Land The Old Market Hall Expression of Interest Introduction The Old Market hall is an important historic building in the centre of Llandeilo. The building is run down and dilapidated, and represents a major challenge for the development of a commercial hub that will serve as the launchpad for the creation of jobs, and the development of ancillary internet-based businesses. This plan sets out the proposal for a novel and dynamic approach to bringing this building back to life and creating the necessary portal for jobs and wealth creation. This is a business opportunity not for private developers but for a community-based project, that will be self-financing once built and will offer a template for other communities ac...

Press release from the Hywel Dda Health Board - Hywel Dda Health Board is committed to working together with the third sector and our partner organisations to improve services for our patients. The Health Board has been able to better integrate its approach to the design and improvement of patient services through the collaborative efforts of the following initiatives shortlisted in the Joint Working with the Third Sector and Partner Organisations category of the Best of Health staff awards. These awards recognise and reward staff who go above and beyond their duty in their day-to-day work, as well as demonstrating innovation in improving practice. The finalists for the 2013 award are: Communicare – Improving Communication for People with Sensory Loss This community based group has been set up to implement the All Wales Standards for Accessible Information and Communication for people with sensory loss. Representatives from Hywel Dda Health Board, the third sector, patients and sign la...

Press release from the Hywel Dda Health Board -  Hywel Dda Health Board is committed to improving life expectancy and quality of life for our population. Projects which have helped the Health Board with its pledge to increase life expectancy by three years in the areas with the lowest life expectancy have been short listed for in the Improving Health and Wellbeing in the Best of Health Staff Awards. These awards recognise and reward staff who go above and beyond the call of duty in their day-to-day work, as well as demonstrating a significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of others and addressing inequalities. The three finalists are: Hywel Dda Public Health Wales Team and Hywel Dda Health Board Communication Team Both these teams have carried out a number of initiatives to support individuals to promote healthy living. Working together in 2013, they launched a new bilingual online healthy living resource centre ‘Hywel’s House/Ty Hywel ( www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/hea...

Ammanford's Alexandra Roach and Swansea’s Cerys Matthews (educated in Llanelli) and will be among the stars taking part in S4C's New Year's Eve show. Matthew Rhys and Bryn Terfel will also feature in the show which looks back at 2013. The Heno and Prynhawn Da presentation team, led by Angharad Mair, will look back at the major events of the year, chronicling both the successes and heartbreaks of a memorable year. See link for Carmarthen Journal story.

Ammanford residents have been left shocked after the town’s 10ft Santa figure was vandalised. The festive statue, which stands in Quay Street, had to be repaired by the Ammanford Town Council after being badly damaged by vandals over Christmas. See link to Carmarthen Journal story.

Leading Welsh brewer Evan-Evans has roundly condemned the national brewers for the new price increases that are planned for January 2014. With price increases across the board of over 6p per pint, which translates to 20p at the bar, this is a price increase too far. Simon Buckley, Chief Executive of Evan-Evans said: "This year the government gave way and supported the industry with the removal of the duty escalator and a duty reduction - the first time for 57 years. "Now the national brewers, Coors and the other top four, are pushing their prices up in the trade, and as a result are sending our on trade customers to the supermarkets. "When are they going to get the message that the consumer cannot and will not pay an additional 20p per pint? "The consumer is already spending more and more in the supermarkets. Despite the best efforts by companies like mine to drive the pub marketplace and to create customer value, the big brewers have lost touch and have forg...

Latest special offers from the Jenkins Bakery - WEEK COMMENCING 30/12/13 3 MEDIUM CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.60 2 MINCED BEEF & ONION PIES £2.10 2 LARGE CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.90 2 CUSTARD SLICES £1.60 SANDWICH OF THE WEEK – SALMON & CUCUMBER £2.10 RUSTIC BAGUETTE OF THE WEEK – CHICKEN TIKKA £2.35 ROLLS OF THE WEEK – WHITE BAPS – PACK OF 4 £1.00 Website - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/