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

Carmarthen chartered accountant Mark Jones has been appointed a director at Clay Shaw Butler. Mark, 32, was previously a Relationship Accountant with the Carmarthen-based chartered accountants and business consultants. Clay Shaw Butler senior director David Butler said: “We are delighted to have Mark on board as part of the senior management team. We are a progressive firm and we believe passionately in giving our staff all the tools they need to fulfil their potential. “Mark is a great asset to the firm and I am sure all his colleagues and all his clients wish him well in his new role.” Mark, a BSc (Econ) ACA, said he was delighted to be stepping up the ladder at Clay Shaw Butler. “We are a great team here at Clay Shaw Butler, with very experienced staff members who believe in providing a professional and quality service for our clients. I am looking forward to the challenges that come with my new director status in the firm.” Mark attended Cardiff University, obtaining a degree in ...

Work is progressing well on two social care schemes in the county, together worth around £24million. Carmarthenshire County Council and the Family Housing Association are building two state-of-the-art Extra Care Schemes in Carmarthen and Ammanford, signalling a huge investment in care facilities for older people, and those with dementia. The council’s executive board member for health and social care, Cllr Jane Tremlett, was joined by council leader Cllr Kevin Madge and local member Cllr Alun Lenny, on a site inspection at the new scheme in Johnstown, Carmarthen, which is on course for completion in Spring 2015. They will also visit the site of Gwynfryn, off Dyffryn Road, Ammanford, to view plans for a second Extra Care Scheme, the funding for which was approved at last week’s Executive Board. “We are committed to providing new, modern, care facilities for older people in Carmarthenshire, which will benefit residents and care staff,” said Cllr Tremlett. “It is pleasing to see the pro...

The latest Llanelli Star 'On Song' column about the choral scene in and around Llanelli -  Fans of male voice choirs are looking forward to the first visit of the famous Pendyrus Male Choir to Llanelli. The charity concert is being staged at Greenfield Chapel, Llanelli, on Saturday, May 3, 7pm. Proceeds from the evening, which is being staged by Cerith Owens and Loud Applause Productions, will be in aid of the Llanelli and District League of Hospital Friends appeal for a new ultrasound machine to diagnose prostate cancer at Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli. The Pendyrus Male Choir will be joined on stage by Lleisiau’r Cwm, under the baton of Catrin Hughes, and up-and-coming young tenor Samuel Morris. The Minister of Greenfield Chapel, Rev David Jones, will be the compere for the evening. The evening will also feature organ solos by Llanelli-based accompanist Andrew Pike. The Pendyrus Male Choir is celebrating its 90th anniversary and is one of the oldest choirs in Wales. Th...

One of the most historic Welsh steam locomotives is to pay a visit to Cardiff before going on temporary display at the Gwili Railway in Carmarthen. James Buckley, of the Gwili Railway-based Gwili Vintage Carriage Group (GVCG), said it was very appropriate that the engine would be returning 'home' to Cardiff for a brief stop on its latest journey. Mr Buckley said: "The engine will be picked up from Llangollen Railway on the morning of Thursday 10th April. It will be loaded on a lorry and will then head down to Cardiff for storage in a secure location overnight. "The idea, then, is to make the engine is then available for three to four hours on Friday, April 11, for some publicity shots in and around Cardiff. The main desire is to get it down to the old Coal Exchange in Cardiff Bay to hopefully draw attention to Cardiff Civic Trust plans for the exchange. "Failing that, the old TVR headquarters and Cardiff Central railway station are possible other photo...

Social entrepreneur and multi-millionaire Kevin Green doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty with some manual labour when it comes to making money. But he’s also been learning how to keep his hands clean – by taking time out from his busy schedule to study for a food hygiene certificate. The 50-year-old property landlord and multi-business owner has been swotting up on food hygiene for a new venture which is very much a family affair. Son Carwyn, already a budding entrepreneur at just 18, has a couple of new business ventures, including one as an ice-cream salesman. Carwyn has applied for all the licences to take his mobile ice-cream stall on the road when the weather gets warmer this spring. A food hygiene certificate was one of the ‘must-haves’ on Carwyn’s list – and dad Kevin agreed to go along for the ride when he attended a Level 2 food safety and handling certificate course at Cardiff-based health and safety provider Ajuda. Kevin explained: “I actually helped open the new Ajud...

Latest news from the Introbiz business networking team - Introbiz Business Networking Events for April & May 2014 Great networking event last week at Football Association of Wales Business Club in Newport. Thanks to Rachel for hospitality. Another busy month ahead of us, lots of new companies we have signed up to the Introbiz network. Welcome on board everyone, we look forward to introducing and connecting you with our members this week at the Vale Resort Hotel on Thursday 10th April. Date for your diary - Tuesday 13th May 2014 - 7pm to 10pm Gentlemen's Evening Business Event We have hired David Morgan Arcade in Cardiff City Centre for a business networking event with champagne, cocktails and canapes plus a shopping experience with luxury products. Some of the brands and products that will be there.. · Porshe Cars · Rolex and Cartier watches · Moet and Chandon · Bang and Olufsen · The Brogue Trader · Hawkes Menswear · ...

The Welsh Government has confirmed [1] that new homes in Wales won’t be required to be ‘zero carbon’ until 2021, five years after the highest energy efficiency standard should have been reached in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland [2]. The government’s plans for energy efficiency improvements for new buildings had already fallen from 40% in 2012, to just 8% in 2013. Environment charity Friends of the Earth Cymru has condemned this further downgrading of the Welsh Government’s once ambitious energy efficiency policy [4], saying it will be bad for Welsh business, as well as for the environment. “Even as our fuel bills constantly rise, and concerns about the impact of climate change are increasing worldwide, the Welsh Government is busily doing everything it can to delay action on energy efficiency for new housing,” said Gareth Clubb, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru. “But this isn’t just Wales failing to make sufficient headway in tackling climate change. This u-turn on energy...

There's been a massive increase in entries for the Carmarthen Bay Film Festival. Entries have flooded in from all four corners of the globe to hit a magnificent total of 135 submissions. There's just four weeks to go to the start of the third annual festival on Tuesday, May 6. "Excitement is building and the foundation blocks laid by the first two festivals are paying great dividends, " said festival founder and chief executive Kelvin Guy. "In our first year, we received 35 entries from film-makers. Last year, the total was 65. This year, we've hit the figure out of the park with a massive 135 film entries. "Obviously, we won't have time to screen them all during the festival, but the schedule will see 130 films screened to the public - and it's all free!" Mr Guy said entries had been submitted from Iran, Chile, South Korea, Cyrus, Japan, Hong Kong, Argentina, Brazil, Finland, Serbia and Kosovo. "I've had my world atlas o...

There's less than four weeks to go to the annual Carmarthen Town Mayor's Fun Run. Runners of all ages, shapes and sizes are being encouraged to take part in the Fun Run races on May Bank Holiday Monday. The event, which has been held in the town over the past 32 years, will take place on the morning of Bank Holiday Monday, May 5. "This is the 33rd running of the races and we are hoping for a bumper turnout," said race organiser Noelwyn Daniel. "In particular, we are keen to inject as much fun as possible into the event - encouraging people to take part in fancy dress and asking local sporting teams, organisations, pubs and clubs to consider entering teams. Mr Daniel added: "The beauty of the Carmarthen Mayor's Fun Run races is that they take place in the heart of the town centre, affording great opportunities for spectators to cheer on the runners. "We are also encouraging local businesses to enter teams. Businesses can dress up in the corporate c...

Hundreds of people marked a new chapter in the life of Carmarthen Library when they joined the celebrations of its re-opening. Visitors flocked to the new-look library to see its refurbishment and take part in activities which included celebratory toasts, appearances by local authors, bagpipe playing and giveaways. Pupils from St Mary's Catholic school in Carmarthen were also entertained by a storytelling and puppet making session by The Crowman. Children’s Librarian Kevin Bowen said:" It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the week’s activities which have proven to be very popular.” Carmarthenshire’s libraries are already successfully involved with local communities offering more than just books, including homework clubs, free internet access, iPad training and new online resources including the first theory test pro and GoCitizen.co.uk. Carmarthenshire’s Executive Board Member for libraries, Cllr Meryl Gravell, said:”It is pleasing to see the refurbishment complet...

A woman has been fined £75 after she left a cardboard box on the ground at the recycling banks in Llanpumsaint. Unfortunately, the recycling site in the memorial hall car park is a hotspot for fly-tipping. Keep Wales Tidy had been carrying out a litter-pick with residents in the village and discovered a mess around the recycling banks. It was reported it to the council’s environmental enforcement section and evidence was found so that a fixed penalty notice could be issued. Failure to pay could result in court prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500. It is hoped this fine will act as a warning to others and encourage people to be more responsible. Unfortunately, fly-tipping is becoming an increasing problem at recycling sites across the county. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “These sites are important facilities for communities; only glass, paper, cans and textiles should be taken to the sites for recycling, but people are dumping a...

The Household Waste Recycling Centre at Llangadog is to remain open. The council’s waste and recycling section has met with AWS Ltd, which runs the site on its behalf, and has agreed that it shall remain open for the next 12 months. The contract for the recycling centre at Llangadog was due to come to an end on March 31 and as a result the authority took the opportunity to look at the provision of household waste recycling centres in Carmarthenshire as part of a review of its overall waste strategy. Director of Technical Services Richard Workman said: “We are delighted that following discussions with AWS we have been able to reach a decision to keep the household waste recycling centre at Llangadog open. “I hope householders will continue to use the recycling centre and help us to reach future recycling targets set by Welsh Government.” Last year, the county achieved a 54% recycling rate, exceeding Wales’s first statutory recycling target of 52%. The next target is 58% by 2015/16. Mr...

Dr Madeline Carr from the Department of International Politics and Dr Victoria Wright from the Department of Psychology are the joint winners of the Aberystwyth University Exemplary Course Award 2014. Established by University’s E-learning Team, which supports technology-enhanced learning and teaching, the annual Aberystwyth University Exemplary Course Awards honour modules which demonstrate exemplary practice in four areas: course design, interaction and collaboration, assessment and learner support. The criteria for the awards were based on the international Blackboard Exemplary Course Programme (ECP). Mary Jacob, who initiated the project, said; “We decided to use the ECP because it embeds the same principles of good practice that are recognised in the higher education sector in the UK. I’m pleased that we can share excellent practice at Aberystwyth with the wider community.” As part of the Aberystwyth University Exemplary Course Award, the University’s E-Learning Team provided tr...

Easter Sunday (April 20) will see the launch of the Bank Holiday Sunday Comedy Club at the Vista Lounge in Llanelli. Live on stage @ 6pm is top international comedian Steve Saint. Free entry and food available all day! http://www.vista-lounge.co.uk 01554773711

The Mayor and Mayoress of Carmarthen Councillor Doug Rose and Mrs Rose along with members of the Mayor’s Charity Appeals Committee received a warm welcome at the RAFA Club Carmarthen. The RAFA Club kindly allowed the Committee to organise a charity bingo game and raffle. As a result of everyone’s generosity in excess of £400 was raised. Proceeds raised by the Appeals Committee are directed at local worthy causes. Future events throughout the year are currently being planned by the Committee, for further details contact Debby on 01267 222326.

Latest special offers from the Jenkins Bakery - WEEK COMMENCING 07/04/14 3 MEDIUM CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.65 2 LARGE CORNED BEEF PASTIES £1.95 SANDWICH OF THE WEEK – PRAWN COCKTAIL £2.15 RUSTIC BAGUETTE OF THE WEEK – CHICKEN & BACON £2.40 FILLED SOFTIE ROLL OF THE WEEK – CHICKEN TIKKA £2.30 Website - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/

A special 'Blindfold Walk' is being organised by the Llanelli and District Branch of the Guide Dogs for the Blind. Volunteers will gain first-hand experience of how difficult it is to navigate without sight. Experienced mobility instructors will be on hand to help volunteers navigate a short walk through the streets of Llanelli. Anyone wishing to take part can meet at The Teapot Cafe in Llanelli Market at 11am on Friday, April 11. The event is being organised by andrea.gordon@guidedogs.org.uk The Llanelli and District Branch of the Guide Dogs for the Blind is celebrating 30 years of fund-raising in and around Llanelli.

                                                                                                              Donations of football boots and shirts are being called for to help Gambia's youngsters realise their sporting dreams. Burry Port couple Isabel and Craig Goodman are urging people to donate replica football shirts and old boots to help a football academy in the African nation. It comes after the couple returned from the Gambia, where they gave players from the Afia Banjul Football Academy Foundation a big surprise. Isabel, who works for the Llanelli Star and South Wales Evening Post, said: "We took bibs and T-shirts out for them...