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

Today, saw the official launch of ‘Rescue 365’, a community interest company that specialises in providing Health and Safety Training and Advice. Based in Carmarthen in West Wales, Rescue 365 provides training and consultancy in many areas including health and safety, first aid, fire safety, working at height and water rescue, as well as bespoke solutions depending on the client’s needs.  Rescue 365 is a Community Interest Company run by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. As a community interest company, profits are reinvested back into Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) community safety initiatives, or the wider community. In just its first few months, Rescue 365 has seen rapid growth with clients ranging from global companies such as TATA Steel and RWE in the private sector, as well as local authorities and education providers right across Wales and England. At Rescue 365’s official launch at the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea, MAWWFRS Chief Fire ...

The international award-winning brewer Evan-Evans has launched a new range of beers at the start of a new summer sales campaign. Evan-Evans is widely recognised as being one of the leading brewers in Wales and the UK. The brewery is launching 10 beers to celebrate the very best of Welsh summer. Some of the beers are old favourites; others are new beers which have never been tasted before. Brewer James Buckley said: “Summer is an important time of year for us at Evan-Evans and this year we are launching a series of new beers to celebrate Welsh Summertime. “These include delicious new ‘golden’ beers, using continental hops. “Generally, our summer beers are designed to be drunk slightly cooler and are golden in colour, but this year we are producing some new light amber-coloured beers, which are more hoppy and have a distinct summer feel to them.” Beer lovers can look forward to trying ales from the Evan-Evans family of beers, which includes the Artisan range and the Porter Street Londo...

Andy Fairweather Low, one of the UK’s best-known guitarists, will be headlining Jazz@Llandeilo 2015. Fairweather Low will arrive at the fourth annual jazz festival in Llandeilo (July3-5) hot on the heels of landmark concerts with Eric Clapton at the Royal Albert Hall, London. The festival, centred around the Evan-Evans brewery ‘tap’ pub, The White Horse Inn, continues to grow every year. This year, the festival will boast three different stages and more than 30 different acts. “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. “It is a wonderful showpiece occasion to put Llandeilo on the map. Andy Fairweather Low is regarded as music royalty – an international artist with a wonderful reputation. He is the headline act, but there will also be a lot more quality entertainment during an action-packed weekend.” Fairweather Low has established a reputation as a peerless...

Tywi Valley fencing contractor Gary Davies doesn’t sit on any fences; he takes pride in making quality fences of all descriptions. And with some awards already under his belt, he is now planning an assault on the seventh Annual UK Fencing Championships. Gary’s popular business, Dyfed Fencing, based in Capel Isaac near Llandeilo, has been asked to compete at this year’s Driffield Show in East Yorkshire. The Driffield Show is the regular venue for the UK Fencing Championships, which will be held on July 22 this year. “It’s the place where the best of the best in the world of quality fencing in the UK go to compete,” said Gary. “It’s something of an honour to be asked to compete and there is a lot at stake - a £1000 cash prize and the prestige that goes with being judged the best fencing operator in the land.” Gary has been a fencing contractor for more than 25 years and has previously visited the Driffield Show to observe the competition. He said: We are under no illusions about the te...

Ambitious plans to redevelop Burry Port have moved a step closer today as the Welsh Government has lifted a stopper notice preventing approval of a major element of the proposals. Yesterday’s meeting of the county council’s planning committee unanimously voted that it was minded to approve six planning applications - for up to 230 homes at the former Grillo site, for infrastructure for that site, for a 134 unit housing development alongside the former Grillo site, for construction of a 330-place Welsh Medium Primary School off Burrows Terrace, for a commercial leisure development at Burry Port Harbour East, for employment space alongside Silver Terrace. The council could not make a decision to actually grant permission following a Welsh Government intervention before the previous planning committee giving formal notice under Article 18 that it was not in a position to approve any of the six applications including the school. But today the Welsh Government removed the notice covering...

Contingency plans have been put in place to prevent further damage from rainwater which flooded parts of Llanelli Town Hall last week. Heavy rain in the early hours of Friday morning breached the temporary roof covering being used whilst the building is undergoing renovations, resulting in water leaking in to first floor offices and meeting rooms. Contractors John Weaver Ltd, who are undertaking the renovation works on behalf of the council, are clearing water and working to prevent further damage. Cllr Hazel Evans, Executive Board Member with responsibility for Property Services, said: “Contractors have been on site for some time undertaking essential renovation work to remodel the roof because of ongoing problems with rainwater leaks due to its age and design. “However, the temporary roof covering did not withstand the sheer volume of rain that fell in the early hours of Friday morning, and unfortunately water did leak in to some of the first floor rooms. “We are working with 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. www.philevans.co.uk -------------------- “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” Is it? It certainly wasn’t in the days when “Spitting Image” attracted huge audiences on Sunday nights, eager to see which politicians, pop stars and actors would be lampooned. The puppet creators Peter Fluck and Roger Law would study an individual’s facial characteristics and then comically exaggerate their more noticeable features, such as Mrs. Thatcher’s sharp nose, Prince Charles’ ears and John Major’s enormous philtrum. Before you start wondering if that’s what made him so attractive to Edwina Currie, the philtrum is the ‘dent’ between your nose and your mouth. And the then-Prime Minister’s was - and still is - larger than most. The more grotesque the rubber caricatures became, the more we laughed. Not just at the puppets but at bril...

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star - Lleisiau Hardd choir from Llanelli will be celebrating 10 years as a choir with their 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 many fronts. Over the past years, concerts have attracted sell out audiences, with some star guest appearances. The choir is under the musical direction of Bridget Radford. Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi will be celebrating their 40th anniversary with a concert on Saturday, July 18, at the Princess Gwenllian Centre, Kidwelly (7pm). The choristers of Cor Meibion Dyffryn Tywi have an excellent line-up for the evening. 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...

A number of events are taking place across Carmarthenshire to celebrate wildlife during Wales Biodiversity Week . People are invited to go along and find out more about the county’s rich wildlife during the national week of celebrations taking place from June 6-14. A Farm Open Day is being held at Penlan Farm in Kidwelly on June 7 from 11am to 3.30pm, which will include a guided bird walk or a pollinator survey. Discover the world of bats and how they use coastal dunes at Pembrey Burrows on June 11 at 8.30pm, or go on a walk through flower-rich meadows at Cwmdu near Llandeilo on June 12 at 11am. Join the Llanelli Naturalists on a visit to a garden on June 14 at 2pm for a chance to see Herb Paris, otherwise known as True Lover’s Knot, in woodland. During the whole week, activities will take place at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Penclacwydd, including pond dipping, mini-beast hunting and insect-themed crafts. People are asked to stop, look and listen for wildlife during the wee...

There’s just over a fortnight left for people to secure their chance of winning a construction apprenticeship. The clock is ticking towards the June 19th deadline for entries to this year’s Next Steps – the annual competition where anyone living in Carmarthenshire, aged 16+, has the chance of securing an apprenticeship with local building firms Lloyd & Gravell Ltd and TRJ Ltd . It is open to men and women, there is no upper age limit, and it does not matter what previous experience entrants have. Next Steps is run by Constructing Carmarthenshire Together - a partnership of Carmarthenshire County Council, Coleg Sir Gâr , and Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd . Now in its fifth year, the competition has already changed the lives of countless local people – including people who have gone on to set up their own business and win national skills competitions, as well as children and adults with severe disabilities who have benefitted from community projects built...

A Pontyates woman has been prosecuted for claiming Housing Benefit as a lone parent after failing to declare her partner had returned to live with her. Grace Keel pleaded guilty at Carmarthen Magistrates Court last Friday to an offence under section112 of the Social Security & Administration Act. The court was told that Grace Webster, as she then was, claimed Housing Benefit from Heol y Meinciau, Pontyates from January 2012, also claiming Income Support and stating that she was a lone parent after separating from her partner, Darren Keel. In November 2013 an allegation was received that Mr Keel had returned to live at the claim address and that he and Miss Webster were living together as husband and wife. Carmarthenshire County Council undertook a joint investigation with the Department for Work & Pensions. Evidence was obtained in support of the suspicion and Miss Webster was interviewed under caution. The court heard that Grace Webster and Darren Keel were found to have bee...

Councillors will meet next week to consider proposals on dog orders for Carmarthenshire following a public consultation exercise. A survey was carried out between April and May to ask the public for their views on orders for controlling dogs in public places. A total of 620 responses were received and officers have used the information to draw up proposals to tackle the problem of irresponsible dog ownership. The vast majority of respondents (98%) agreed that dog owners should clean up after their dogs on all public land; 69% also agreed that dogs should be excluded from children’s play areas. However, 70% of respondents did not want dogs to be excluded from beaches and a majority disagreed to dogs being on a lead in public places. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “I would like to thank all those that responded to our survey as it has helped us to draw up proposals which we think reflects both the needs of the general public in terms...

The Welsh Game Fair is returning to Pembrey Country Park on June 20 and 21. Following the resounding success of last year’s event the game fair now looks destined to settle at Pembrey for the foreseeable future. A fantastic line up for this year’s main ring attractions include world famous Jason Smythe Adrenalin Tour which comprises quad and motorcycle stunt riders, The Dingle Fingle Comedy Act and Yee Olde Redtail Falconry Display as well as many others. Hundreds of trade stands, a huge craft marquee, food hall and an array of displays, exhibitions and competitions will delight adults and children alike. Last year more than 22,000 visitors from as far afield as Scotland and Czechoslovakia flooded into the park in 5,000-plus cars over the weekend. A record attendance is forecast with enquiries for accommodation flooding in. The council’s executive board member for leisure services, Cllr Meryll Gravell said: “Pembrey Country Park continues to attract major events like this and it’s a...

People are being warned about a telephone scam where the caller claims to be from Carmarthenshire County Council, encouraging people to claim money for a personal injury claim. The council has received reports from several concerned people over the weekend, saying they have received a call from someone claiming to be from Carmarthenshire County Council, calling on behalf of National Health Services saying they were entitled to receive compensation relating to a car accident. The caller provides County Hall as their address, and provides a phone number which is similar to the council’s Contact Centre number. People are being advised that this is a scam. Anyone who receives a similar call should hang up. Do not provide any personal or financial information to the caller. If you have provided information, and believe you have been scammed, please contact our Trading Standards department. Cllr Jim Jones, Executive Board Member for Public Protection, said: “This appears to be an attempt ...

It’s being billed as Midsummer Music – and tickets are going fast. The evening promises to be one of ‘must attend’concerts of the summer in Llanelli. The date is Saturday, July 11, and the occasion sees the visit of the acclaimed Swansea Bach Choir to Llanelli. The concert is being organised by Llanelli-based promoter Cerith Owens, of Loud Applause Productions and sees the Swansea Bach Choir performing at Llanelli’s Parish Church. The choir will be joined by The Singhs, three outstanding violinists from the famous Singh family in West Wales, and pianist Guillaume Mathias. “It is a very atmospheric setting for a classical concert and we hope to give the Swansea Bach Choir and The Singhs a very special welcome to Llanelli,” said Mr Owens. The programme is varied and is designed to showcase the very best of the Swansea Bach Choir, The Singhs and pianist Guillaume Mathias. "These are musicians and singers of the highest calibre and the setting of St Elli Parish Church w...

Staff and pupils at Johnston CP School have recently been awarded their gold badge for three years commitment to the Designed to Smile Oral Health Improvement programme. Tara Gover, Designed to Smile Coordinator, said: “It is a pleasure to award Johnston CP School with this award. Staff, pupils and their parents have fully engaged with us to ensure tooth brushing takes place here every day.” Current evidence shows that daily tooth brushing with a fluoride tooth paste reduces the risk of developing caries by up to 30%. Tooth brushing in targeted schools is encouraged to be done in addition to twice daily brushing at home. The school also benefits from Oral Health Education to year 4 pupils and dental home packs twice a year for each pupil. Liz Western, All Wales Healthy and Sustainable School Scheme, said: “Healthy Schools aim to help children and young people develop life skills, knowledge, understanding, attitudes and values. This includes equipping children with the knowledge an...

Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) is hosting the second Sgwrs Iach – Let’s Talk Health for Amman Gwendraeth at Aelwyd yr Urdd, Brynamman on Tuesday 9 June. Those interested in their health service, who want to find out more about local developments and services or who want to share their views and experiences with their local NHS provider are invited to attend between 10am and 12pm. The first Sgwrs Iach – Let’s Talk Health event in Amman Gwendraeth was held in Llandybie in February with around 50 people in attendance. Hot topics raised covered waiting times; transport and parking at Glangwili; access to GPs and finances and resources, plus many more. Representatives from the Executive Board and Carmarthenshire County Management Team will be available to speak to at Aelwyd yr Urdd. Chair of Hywel Dda UHB, Bernardine Rees, said: "Our first round of Sgwrs Iach – Let’s Talk Health events proved a great start to having more meaningful engagement with the public, patients and our ...

Anyone caught fly-tipping at the recycling site in Newcastle Emlyn will be fined. Council environmental enforcement officers are carrying out regular patrols and using CCTV to monitor the area following complaints of fly-tipping next to the recycling banks in the mart car park. People are using the area as a dumping ground for all types of household waste. Some people are also too lazy to put their recyclables into the banks and instead leave them in plastic bags next to the banks. Enforcement officers will issue fixed penalty notices for £75 to anyone caught misusing the site. Local Member Cllr Hazel Evans said: “Some people are quite messy or can’t be bothered. With the playing fields next door I do not want anyone injured by broken glass.” People are being reminded that black bags should be put out for collection at the kerbside or taken to a main household waste centre. Glass bottles and other recyclable waste must be placed into the banks and not left on the ground. If they ar...

Aberystwyth University has been shortlisted for the Technology, Innovation and Application award in this year’s Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA) Awards. Celebrating innovation and success in research management and administration, the ARMA awards are open to all UK higher education institutions and celebrate the best examples and successes in seven categories, including; technology & innovation, impact and collaboration within Universities. Recognition for this award came as a result of the recently launched Online Research Ethics Assessment and Application Smart Form; ensuring research activities across the University achieve the highest standards of ethics and integrity, whilst reducing the administrative burden on our research colleagues. It has also been a useful tool developing the research skills of our staff and students alike. Commenting on the shortlisting, Gary Reed, Director of Research, Business and Innovation at Aberystwyth University sai...

Members of the G.I. Joe Personal Training ‘fitness-family’ from Llanelli are taking on the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge this weekend (June 6). And they are doing it all for charity – to raise cash for the Llanelli-based autism campaign Week On The Street. “Last year we raised more than £1,500 for Week On The Street with our log run from Sandy Water Park to Burry Port harbour - and back,” said Joe Williams, head instructor at G.I. Joe Personal Training. “That was no mean feat as we were carrying logs – and each log weighed in excess of 50kg. “This year our aim is to raise even more money for Week On The Street by doing something a bit more challenging!” The Welsh Three Peaks Challenge will involve walking up (and back down!) Cadair Idris, Snowdon and Pen y Fan in 12 hours or less. The cumulative totals of distances for the challenge are mind-boggling - 2864m (9397 ft.) of ascent and descent and about 35km (20miles) of walking plus 180 miles of driving . . . all in some of the mo...

Aberystwyth University has launched a new postgraduate-level training course in Facilitation Skills in partnership with Menter a Busnes. This new course welcomed the first cohort of 12 members of Menter a Busnes staff at Aberystwyth last month. This module, Facilitation for Organisational Leadership, accredited at level 7, is an interactive practically based course in facilitation skills and techniques. Successful completion of the course will entitle participants to 20 credits at level 7. All 12 participants enrolled on the course have become Postgraduate Students of the School of Management and Business at Aberystwyth University. All credits are transferable and give the students an opportunity to pursue further postgraduate programmes at Aberystwyth University in the future. Professor Andy Henley, Director of the Institute of Management, Law and Information Science at the University explains; “We are delighted to be partnering with Menter a Busnes on this venture to support it...

Leading councillors in Carmarthenshire have welcomed a proposed ban on legal highs. The move was unveiled in the Queen’s Speech this week as part of a 26-bill package put forward by the Government at Westminster. Carmarthenshire’s trading standards team has carried out a recent crackdown on so-called ‘legal highs’. An illegal product was seized from two Carmarthenshire businesses, and another business voluntarily surrendered it, as part of the initiative. The team has been working with the Home Office to bring about changes in the law which will allow them greater powers. Executive Board Member for Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “This proposed change in the law is good news, which we welcome. “In many cases our hands are tied behind our backs, as the current law does not allow us to take the kind of action we would like to get these products off the shelves.” Officers are continuing to seize illegal products from businesses, and to advise businesses about the sale of so-calle...

Cefn Sidan Beach, Pembrey, has won the coveted Blue Flag 26 times - a record for any UK beach The Pembrey beach was among 65 Welsh beaches to be named among the best in the UK and the world This year 34 beaches across Wales have been awarded the Blue Flag and 31 beaches won the Green Coast Award after being judged in the Keep Wales Tidy’s Coastal Awards. With water quality standards higher than ever, bosses say being awarded a Blue Flag is a great achievement, recognising the best beaches in Wales for their environmentally sustainable management, safety measures, cleanliness, their top notch facilities and high standard of water quality. Other beaches and attractions recommended for their water quality include Ferryside, Llanstephan and Pendine. County executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: Carmarthenshire is blessed with seemingly endless golden beaches with Cefn Sidan and Pendine and everything in between. “We are delighted to be working in p...

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Llanelli customer service centre and cash desk will be temporarily relocated while essential maintenance work at Ty Elwyn gets underway. From Thursday, June 4, the customer service centre will relocate to The Hub , in the town centre, and the cash desk will be located at 4 Coleshill Terrace, next to the Registrars’ Office. The temporary arrangements will be in place for around three months. Many council services can be accessed online 24 hours a day at www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales , where people can get information, report problems, pay bills and request services. Customer service advisors can also be reached during office hours on 01267 234567. Information about services, and news updates, are made available on the council’s Newsroom and social media accounts – on Twitter @CarmsCouncil and Facebook, CarmarthenshireCC . Cllr Pam Palmer, Executive Board Member for Customer Focus and Policy, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience our temporary arr...

Latest news from the team at Brecon Jazz Club - If you would like to see a review of the May gig, here is the link: http://www.thejazzmann.com/reviews/review/emily-saunders-w.-the-dave-cottle-trio-at-brecon-jazz-club-bar-theatr-brych/ Below, please see info about Brecon Jazz Club's June event*. For our pre-gig dining, this month we will be at the Theatr's Tipple & Tiffin bistro from 6.30pm and at £8 per person. Bookings by reply email. Menu details in next mailout. Brecon Jazz Club Tuesday 16 June, 8pm Entry £7 on the door (includes raffle) Gareth Roberts with the Dave Jones Trio Swing style, engaging, inventive and great fun, Gareth and Dave are two of the leading musicians on the Welsh scene today - gifted, accessible, musical communicators. Line-up - Gareth Roberts - trombone Dave Jones - piano Donnie Sweeney - double bass Greg Evans - drums Venue: First floor 'Brecon Jazz Bar' Theatr Brycheiniog Brecon LD3 7EW Tel 01874 611622

Latest special offers from the Jenkins Bakery - WEEK COMMENCING June 1, 2015 3 Medium Corned Beef Pasties, £1.70 2 Large Corned Beef Pasties, £2.00 4 Minced Beef and Onion Pies, £2.20 2 Fresh Cream Doughnuts, £1.70 Sandwich Of The Week, BLT, £2.45 Rustic Baguette Of The Week, Chicken Tikka, £2.45 Filled Softie Of The Week, Ham Salad, £2.25 Website - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/

Pembrey Country Park has been shortlisted for a leisure and tourism award. The 550-acre woodland area is one of three finalists, along with Margam Park and Swansea Grand Theatre, in the Swansea Life Awards 2015. One of Wales’s top visitor attractions, the park provides a unique blend of coast and countryside. It has eight miles of golden sands set against the spectacular backdrop of the Gower Peninsula and overlooking the coastal scenery of Carmarthen Bay. The site has got everything from caravan and camping (with electric) and a 130m long dry ski slope to the longest toboggan run in Wales - all providing a perfect family day out or a relaxing holiday in idyllic surroundings. Rory Dickinson, the council’s countryside and coast manager, said: “We’re delighted to have made it into the final, and our thanks go to our visitors who have voted for us.” The park attracted nearly a half a million visitors last year, 100,000 more than the previous year. The winner will be announced in a gala ...