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

CCTV cameras worn by council environmental enforcement officers have helped to catch a litter lout who gave them false details. Enforcement officers issued a fixed penalty notice for £75 to a man who dropped a beer can in Station Road in Llanelli. However, when they got back to the office to process the penalty notice they discovered he had given them a false name and address. Luckily, they had video footage of the culprit and through inquiries were able to find out his true identity. He will now be prosecuted in the magistrates court for two offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 – one for dropping litter and the other for providing false details to an authorised officer The maximum fine that can be imposed for littering is £2,500. Director of Environment Christina Harrhy said: “Anyone caught dropping litter will be fined; and if people think they can get away with it by providing false details, then they are wrong. We will catch up with them and we will prosecute them...

Shakespeare’s birthday (23rd April) is being celebrated with the launch of a multi-lingual performance of ‘Sonnet 30’, Two members of staff at Aberystwyth University, Dewi Huw Owen, Research Officer at the Mercator Institute, and Adam Wilson, New Media Developer at the University’s Marketing Department, have been working hard during the past few weeks preparing a short film to celebrate William Shakespeare’s birthday, which falls on the 23rd of April. In the film, ‘Sonnet 30’, one of Shakespeare’s most famous poems, is performed by a multi-lingual cast. The performance begins and ends with a reading of lines from the Welsh translation of the poem, by Hynek Janoušek, a native of Prague who is currently an MA student at the Department of Welsh, Aberystwyth University. This translation is also to be seen in full along with the original English text in the fideo’s subtitles. The other lines of the poem are read by speakers from all over the world in many different languages, from Spanish t...

Carmarthenshire Council has distributed nearly £17,000 to sport clubs across the county. Some 14 clubs have benefited from Community Chest grant funding after applying through the sport and leisure team. Whitland Ladies RFC, Llanelli Olympic Wrestling Club, Mini Merlins Netball Club, Welsh Racing Drivers Association, Llanelli Cricket Club, Dinefwr Archers, Kidwelly Bowls Club, Ammanford Netball Club, Calsonic Kansei Swiss Valley AFC, Towy Riders Cycling Club, Ammanford Cricket Club girls and boys section, Llanelli Steelers Basketball, Sauterelle Trampoline Club and Llangennech Cricket Club all secured cash. The bulk of the money will be spent on developing junior and youth sections, improving and increasing the level of coaches, as well as training courses including first aid, umpiring and refereeing. Equipment such as cricket gloves, netballs, batting pads and mitts, wickets, coaching mats, windballs, bowls, netball whistles and first aid is planned. Community Chest is funded by Spo...

Has your dog got what it takes to become Miss World or Mr Universe? Or maybe your pooch has the kindest eyes, is the best working dog or just loves to dress up? If it sounds like your dog, then head down to Pembrey Country Park. On Sunday, May 3, the park plays host to the annual Companion Dog Show and all in the name of charity. Last year over 350 dogs came from far and wide to showcase their talents in aid of the Great Dane Care charity . Some 27 titles are up for grabs including Best Rescue; Best Hound/Gundog; Veteran or Bitch; Sporting Dog, Toy/Utility/Terrier; Fancy Dress as well as Best in Show, Best Novelty amongst them. Three rings will host three classes – Pedigree, Novelty and Handlers Classes and each dog can enter as many ones as they like. The turn up take part family event starts at 10am and is open to well behaved dogs aged six months plus. Entry is £1 to each category and there are no restrictions on the number of classes entered. CC, Reserve CC or Junior warrant...

The ‘Parti Llwchwr’ ladies choir from Loughor have expressed a very big 'diolch' thank-you to members of the public who supported their campaign in the prestigious televised Côr Cymru (Choir of Wales) competition. The grand final of the competition took place at Aberystwyth Arts Centre. It was screened live on S4C, the Welsh fourth channel, with a public vote for the best choir running side by side with a verdict from the competition judges. “It was a very exciting time for us and a very proud moment for all the choristers,” said choir member Mari Moscrop. “We are only a small choir, but we won our way through the final. "We didn't get the nod from the judges on the night, but we were delighted to be the 'People's Choice' and win the telephone vote on the night. "That success is down to the huge amount of support we had from West Wales and all over the rest of Wales." There was a further feather in the choir's cap as musical directo...

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. www.philevans.co.uk --------------------- WE MIGHT MAKE OUR OWN LUCK – BUT THE ITALIANS MAKE THE BEST PASTA George, who runs my local chippie, once said to me, “Good luck occurs when opportunity meets experience!” Wise words, indeed. But I didn’t take much notice of them at the time because I was paying him for a large cod and chips and anxious to get home before they got cold. Next morning as I was shaving, I looked in the bathroom mirror and thought, on reflection, he was right. Bad luck, however, tends to arrive unannounced. Take last Thursday... I was walking through Swansea city centre, minding my own business (I’d be foolish to waste my time minding someone else’s business when we’re still not out of the recession) and I came upon two of those blokes in red jackets who hang around town, asking people “Have you h...

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star - The choristers of Cor Meibion Dyffryn Tywi will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the choir this summer. A special anniversary concert has been arranged for Saturday, July 18, at the Princess Gwenllian Centre, Kidwelly (7pm). The choir’s guests include celebrated Welsh tenor Rhys Meirion, mezzo-soprano Eirlys Myfanwy Davies and a folk group from Karelia. The evening will be hosted by the popular BBC Cymru and Radio Cymru presenter Garry Owen. The evening is sponsored by Kidwelly's Gravells garage. Tickets are £10 and available by ringing -01269 860996 or 01554 890956. Website - http://www.cormeibiondyffryntywi.co.uk/ Lleisiau Hardd choir from Llanelli will be celebrating 10 years as a choir with a special concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, on Saturday, July 18. Over the course of 10 years, the choir has grown in stature, reputation, and gained recognition on...

The programme has been released for the annual Carmarthen Bay Film Festival in Llanelli - Screenings at Stradey Park Hotel Tuesday - 12th.May Screen 1 11:00am-Short Films Made In Wales Turn On 15mins Managed 20mins Dancing In Circles 25mins 11.30am- Foreign Shorts Screen 2(Bryn-y Mor) Pour l’amour de Sarah 23mins In der Stille der Nacht (In the Still of the Night) 14mins Une Bonne Affaire 20mins Black Hole 15mins 12.00pm Asian Short Films An American Piano 20mins PAN RUO YUN NI (CLOUD&MUD) 15mins 12:30pm Break 1:15pm-RTS (Cymru) Session Screen 1 My Grandfather Dylan 28mins Q & A with programme maker Phil George Chaired by Robert Lloyd 2:15PM Short Break 2:30pm- In Partnership with S4C Dan y Wenallt (Under Milk Wood) 4.00pm Short Break 4:15pm- Gwobr John Hefin Welsh Language Shorts Dad 15mins Mam a fi 6mins Slap, Clap Ar LLo 32mins Maer Glanio 3mins Eisteddfod 9mins 5:15-End of Screenings 6.00pm Film Makers' Reception Wednesday- 13th May 11am- Feature Film Real Buddy 5...

Latest news from Swansea Bay Business Club -  May Lunch with Professor Iwan Davies Join us for lunch on Friday 15th May, where we will be joined by Professor Iwan Davies from Swansea University. Professor Davies is the Pro-Vice Chancellor leading on the University's Internationalisation Strategy and also on the development and delivery of Swansea University's new £450m Science and Innovation Campus. His in-depth knowledge and vision for the future of Swansea will make for a very interesting lunch for the business community of Swansea Bay. Taking place at Liberty Stadium, Swansea the event includes a two-course lunch followed by tea and coffee. The event will start at 12.15. Tickets cost £25 per member (£27.50 per non-member). On-site parking is free of charge. For more information or to book, click here . Upcoming Events June Lunch with Ann Widdecombe. 26th June 2015. Click here for more information or to book. July Lunch with Colin Owens, Oil4Wales 17th...

There is less than a week to get your application in to vote by proxy for the 2015 UK general election. You can apply to vote by proxy for various reasons including if you are suddenly taken ill up until polling day. Once you’ve applied, your proxy will be sent a proxy polling card, telling them where and when to vote and must go to your local polling place to vote. You must let your proxy know how you want them to vote on your behalf, for example, for which candidate or party. If you are able to go to the polling station on election day, you can still vote in person as long as your proxy has not already done so. In addition, you can also apply for an emergency proxy up until 5pm on polling day if your occupation, service or employment means that you cannot go to the polling station in person, and you only become aware of that fact after 5pm, six working days before polling day. Applications for a proxy vote must be submitted to Carmarthenshire County Council by 5pm on Tuesday,...

Pupils at four Llanelli schools have had the opportunity to learn how to become better eco-ambassadors for their school and their community. The Eco-Committees of Ysgol Gymraeg Dewi Sant , Ysgol Penygaer , Ysgol Stebonheath and Ysgol Y Felin all came together to swap skills and ideas. Through the benefit of the skills and knowledge on local eco-volunteering opportunities, the children now have a better understanding of the impact of becoming more eco-friendly and improving the environment. The emphasis was to promote their futures which hope to be free of poverty by motivating the children to aspire and change the society we live in. From the event the schools will now support the communities to continue successful work which will include community litter-picks and various eco-friendly projects. Communities First Family Learning Worker Emma Wood said, “Not only was the day enjoyable but was a great opportunity for local primary schools to link up and share best practice, from the e...

Bus operators have been commended for their high quality service with 100% punctuality at Carmarthen Bus Station. A bus compliance check was recently carried out at the Blue Street station by Bus Users UK Cymru. The exercise involved monitoring 51 bus movements at Carmarthen bus station over a two-and-a-half hour period. The bus compliance officer recorded an “amazing” 100% punctuality for bus services which are no more than one minute early and not more than five minutes late. He added: “This really is an excellent reflection of the many operators using the bus station.” The operators involved included Bysiau Cwm Taf , Ffoshelig Coaches , First Cymru , Morris Travel , Richards Brothers and Silcox Coaches . The council’s Head of Transport Stephen Pilliner said: “I would like to congratulate the bus operators in Carmarthen on the results of the monitoring exercise carried out by Bus Users UK Cymru. The bus operators continually offer the highest standard of service and punctuality.” B...

There is an open invitation to find out about the magnificent new £10-million Extra Care Housing development being created in Ammanford. An information day on Friday, April 24, is being staged by Family Housing Association Wales at the Pensioner’s Hall, Quay Street, Ammanford 2-6pm. The development being delivered by Betws company TRJ Ltd is at Gwynfryn, opposite Coleg Sir Gar on Station Road. It is planned to open early in 2016 providing 50 apartments for people over 55. There will be 37 one-bedroom flats – one double bedroom; 13 flats with two bedroom- a double bedroom plus a single bedroom The information day will be attended by advisers to offer advice on eligibility and the broad range of facilities provided by modern extra care housing. The Extra Care complex will have community facilities including a cafe and restaurant, community lounge, craft and therapy rooms. Residents will have individual apartments with privacy and security. Their accommodation will allow for a range of ...

Members of Llanelli Rotary Club will be learning more about the Basque Country region of Spain at their weekly meeting at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, on Wednesday night (April 22), The guest speaker will be Dr Claire H. Firth, from the Centre for Migration Policy Research (CMPR) at Swansea University. Dr Claire Firth was a Senior lecturer in English, American and Canadian Literature at the University of Deusto, Bilbao, in the Basque Country. She was also a Visiting Scholar at the Pembroke Center for Teaching and Research on Women at Brown University in Rhode Island for six years. She retired from teaching in 2011, but is currently an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Swansea where she is continuing to do research in literature, migration and exile. She is currently working on a book, Landscapes of exile, dislocation and loss, which reflects her interest in the way dislocated people often lose touch with the landscape. Many migrants or people in exil...

He’s known as the ‘Guitarist to the Stars’. Andy Fairweather Low is one of the UK’s best-known guitarists – and he’s coming to Jazz@Llandeilo 2015. Fairweather Low is the first big name on the bill for the fourth annual jazz festival in Llandeilo (July3-5). The festival, centred around the Evan-Evans brewery ‘tap’ pub, The White Horse Inn, continues to grow every year. “It is now a fixture on the jazz music festival calendar for the UK and is hugely popular with festival-goers and musicians,” said James Buckley, of the Evan-Evans brewery. Fairweather Low has established a reputation as a peerless musician both at home and abroad, having worked with some of legendary figures in the music industry, including The Who and Eric Clapton. He has a truly unique voice and a reputation as a master-craftsman on guitar. Born in Ystrad Mynach, he originally came to fame as vocalist and leader of the pop group Amen Corner. They had four successive Top 10 hits in the Uk singles chart, inc...

The Carmarthenshire Welsh Church Fund is available to churches, chapels, charitable organisations and individuals for grant support for the following purposes: the advancement of education; libraries, museums, art galleries, etc; relief of poverty; advancement of religion, and other purposes beneficial to the communities. Applications can be made at any time. For chapels and churches the grant rate is 20 per cent of project costs up to £10,000. Capital projects in excess of £100,000 may be eligible for grant award of £10,000 on condition that all other funding for the project is in place. Confirmation in writing will be required. For village halls the grant rate is 12.5 per cent up to a maximum of £3,000, and for individuals the grant support will be between £50- £150 subject to the content of the application. April 2013/14 - 34 projects were successfully awarded to the value of £85,621 and from April 2014, another 77 grants have been awarded to the value of £60,209.00 For mo...

A motion calling for a free parking trial in Llanelli is to be discussed by Carmarthenshire’s Executive Board next month. The motion, by Cllr John Jenkins, stated: “This Council acknowledges the current challenges facing Llanelli Town Centre and to show its support for local businesses and traders, to generate footfall within the Town Centre and compete with out-of-town retail parks, will request the Executive Board to implement a six month trial of two hour free parking in Council car parks in Llanelli Town Centre.” The motion was carried by a large majority and will now go before the Executive Board when it meets on May 11.

Latest special offers from the Jenkins Bakery - WEEK COMMENCING April 20, 2015 3 Medium Corned Beef £1.65 2 Large Corned Beef Pasties £1.95 2 Strawberry Manchester Tarts £1.70 Sandwich Of The Week, Salmon and Cucumber £2.15 Rustic Baguette Of The Week, Ham and Cheese £2.45 Filled Softie Of The Week, Chicken Tikka £2.35 Website - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/