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

Latest news from Aberglasney Mansion and Gardens in the Tywi Valley -  Ainsley Hillard Exhibition - Oral Recordings Date Tuesday 12th August between 11am to 2pm Ainsley Hillard will be exhibiting at Aberglasney from 10th October 2014, and is interested in bringing together the past and the present, and her arts practice is site-referential, being informed by specific places and the memories they hold. Over the past year, Ainsley has been collaborating with acoustic engineer Rhys James to create a site-specific audio-textile exhibition, that will be installed in the interiors of Aberglasney House as well as the Cloister Gardens. Born and living in Carmarthenshire she is interested in the social-history of Aberglasney which has acted as a catalyst, inspiring her to develop and create a new body of work informed by the original archival materials and records both past and present. Ainsley has also been inspired by the poetry of John Dyer, ‘Grongar Hill’ and ‘A Country Walk’ to ...

News from the Hywel Dda University Health Board - Withybush Midwife Led Unit welcomes first baby We are delighted to announce that Withybush’s Midwife Led Unit has welcomed its first baby. Baby Tia was born on Wednesday 6 August to proud parents Lorie and Michael from Pembroke. All are doing well. Midwife Led Units are designed for women who want to deliver in a homely and relaxed atmosphere whilst being cared for by midwives who are experts in normal births. Chief Executive (Interim) of Hywel Dda University Health Board Karen Howell was on hand to congratulate mum Lorie on the birth of her second child: “On behalf of Hywel Dda University Health Board I’d like to extend our congratulations to the Waters family. We have over 20 mums-to-be booked in to deliver this month at Withybush’s Midwife Led Unit and we truly believe that as confidence grows in the service midwives provide that more women receiving midwifery led care will choose to have their baby born in Pembrokeshire.” Cons...

Youngsters have been enjoying the start of their summer holidays by keeping active. Actif leisure centres are playing host to the ever popular playschemes across the county throughout the holiday break. Come rain or shine children are taking part in a range of exciting sporting activities including table tennis, archery, trampolining, football, squash and karate. The fun all day schemes at Carmarthen, Llanelli, Ammanford and St Clears provide eight to 12-year-olds the opportunity to experience a wide range of activities such as multi skills, circuit sessions, swimming, snorkelling, netball, canoeing and hockey. The active camps run mid week until August 29 (except Bank Holiday) and are delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council’s sports and leisure team. Executive board member for regeneration and leisure, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “These activity programmes provide an ideal opportunity for children to keep themselves fit and healthy over the summer holidays and also to experience a...

Eisteddfod visitor Valmai Evans (left), who is originally from Carmarthenshire, recycles waste with a little help from council waste awareness officer Tina Brice, Cwm Environmental admin officer Sarah Brooks and Cwm admin manager Tina Conyard, who are responsible for collecting waste from the Maes. Tina Conyard said: "We've increased recycling on site over the last three days to 69 per cent. Everywhere you look there is a bin. Look around, there's no litter on the Maes. "We've checked the traders and they are adhering to the recycling policy and separating waste. We would like to thank them for their co-operation." Mrs Evans, who is visiting the Eisteddfod from her home in Cardiff, said: "I support recycling and do everything I can. The recycling figures are great. As one who comes from Drefach, Cross Hands, in Carmarthenshire, originally I want to say hurray for Carmarthenshire!" Other regular Eisteddfod visitors from across Wales have said Carma...

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star -  Côr Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Choir) will be flying the flag for the town when the big choral championship battle starts at the Carmarthenshire National Eisteddfod on Saturday night. The choir will be bidding for a sixth National Eisteddfod first prize, but will face stern competition from Côr Meibion Pontarddulais and Côr Meibion Taf. “The National Eisteddfod is always a huge test for any choir and there are months of preparation and rehearsals that go into making that appearance on the big stage,” said Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas. “As with all competitions, you have to be in it to win it and many choirs will shy away from the Eisteddfod platform. Côr Meibion Llanelli members are always up for the challenge, however, and as the Carmarthenshire National Eisteddfod is being held in Llanelli, our home town, we are delighted to be taking part in the c...

The latest Phil Evans column from the South Wales Evening Post - Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy. We all use expressions like “It drives me nuts!”; “He/She make me crazy!”; “If I don’t take a holiday soon I think I’ll go mad!” without really meaning we need psychiatric treatment. Why do we cavalierly use such expressions connected with mental illness? We never say “Those noisy neighbours are going to give me a nasty chest infection!” Or “That annoying man gives me arthritis !” It’s not as if we’re unaware of the many faces of mental illness in 2014. There are countless documentaries on TV; regular newspaper articles and TV news items that discuss breakthroughs in treatment or conversely, the rising number of young suicides caused by depression; and, as one in four of us will suffer from mental illness at some time in our lives, we’ll more than likely have personal experience. Anyone who’s had a family member or fr...

Llanelly House has gone back into its own past to attract visitors from the Eisteddfod - by resurrecting the 7th Baronet Sir Thomas Stepney! Pentre Cyngor Sir Gâr had a surprise visit on Friday from Sir Thomas aka the Rev Eldon Phillips to chat about his life history and recommend a visit to Llanelly House.

Latest 'Healthy Wednesday' advice from the Hywel Dda University Health Board - This Healthy Wednesday – have you thought about the cost of smoking? This Healthy Wednesday we are asking smokers to think about the cost of smoking – not just to their health but also to their pocket! If you smoke just five cigarettes a day quitting for a year could save you over £600 and if you smoke 20 a day that figure rises to over £2,500! You can find out much you can save by using the special calculator at www.stopsmokingwales.com/smoking-calculator There are many reasons to quit and giving up smoking is the biggest single thing you can do to improve your health and you don’t need to do it alone! There is a lot of help and support out there and you are four times more likely to succeed using an NHS stop smoking service than if you try to quit alone. You can speak to a Health Information Adviser at NHS Direct Walesby calling 0845 46 47 or make an appointment with Stop Smoking Wales in your loc...

Latest news from the Best Western Diplomat Hotel & Spa, Llanelli -  "TOP CABARET TRIBUTE SHOW" Diplomat Hotel & Spa Presents A fantastic fully Packed Tribute Show. "JERSEY BOYS" Tribute Night FRIDAY 29th August 3 Course Carvery Dinner, Dance & Cabaret. Tickets Just £29.55 person, "Why Not Stay Over" & Extend your Evening and Book the Overnight Package at £35.00 per person, Full Welsh Breakfast, Full use of Leisure Club "Eden Spa" BOOK NOW TEL: 01554 756156 BEST WESTERN Diplomat Hotel & Spa Felinfoel Road Llanelli Carmarthenshire, Wales SA153PJ

Latest news from the Brecon Jazz Club team -  Hello everyone - some Brecon Jazz Festival (BJF) concert updates - THAT HAMMOND (ORGAN) SOUND! If like us you love the sound of the Hammond organ in a jazz set, then our 'ORGANIC' concert is for you. Actually, there isn't anyone who doesn't like the Hammond organ, is there? The only Hammond in the festival this year, we've booked leading artist Jean-paul Gard and he will be fronting with a festival favourite, the wonderful Saxophonist, Dominic Norcross. Yes, you will have heard Dominic play at our jazz club, and perhaps on Festival strollers & fringe gigs too in the past. You won't have heard him team up his Welsh sax virtuosity with the Hammond organ! This is a special, and they are here with a fantastic team of John Davies on guitar and Eddie John on drums. For only £12 per person, and having your lunch a little later, you can either fit this in or make it the highlight of the day/weekend. Please join us to ...