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

The latest Clay Shaw Butler Money Matters column from the Carmarthenshire Herald. By Mark Jones, director of Carmarthen-based Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants. The importance of pensions is such that it is worth giving the issue plenty of prominence in this regular Herald Money Matters column. Over the last couple of weeks, we have discussed auto enrolment for employers and given some advice on watching out for pension scammers. This week, it is time to focus on what you can do with your pension pot. You can usually take 25% of your defined contribution pension pot tax free and then choose from a range of options. If you take 25% tax free, you must make a decision on the remaining 75% within six months - you can’t then leave it untouched. You have six options - Leave your whole pot untouched You don’t have to start taking money from your pension pot when you reach your ‘selected retirement age’. You can leave your money invested in your pot until you ne...

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 -------------------- Modern medicine and a pill for everything: Many years ago, someone older and wiser than yours truly, said to me,“One day, Phil, boy, you’ll be able to walk into a chemist’s shop and they’ll be able to sell you a pill to cure just about everything, you mark my words!” There are two reasons why I remember those words. Firstly - because it was obvious that the person speaking them possessed tremendous foresight, years of acquired wisdom...and probably the worst case of raging halitosis I have ever had the misfortune to come across. His rancid breath could scour six inches of congealed grease from the inside of two-dozen frying pans. Secondly – it was a totally random, incongruous gobbet of information to come from a member of the lifeboat team sent out to rescue me after my dinghy capsiz...

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star newspaper - Fans of Verdi are in for a treat on Saturday, October 10. Côr Baroc Llanelli will be presenting Nabucco at Tabernacle Chapel, Llanelli, under the direction of Eifion Thomas. The choir will be joined by Côr Dyffryn Conwy and Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir for what promises to be a spectacular evening. Musical director Mr Thomas said: “It’s no secret that I am a massive fan of Verdi and I am looking forward immensely to what should be an emotional and top class performance of the wonderful Nabcco.” The choirs will be joined by the City of Swansea Orchestra and soloists Gary Griffiths (baritone), Adele O’Neill (soprano), Anita Appleton (soprano), Richard Allen (tenor) and Trystan Lewis (bass). The Nabucco performance starts at 7pm on October 10 and tickets are £10 from 01554 756438. Llanelli concert promoter Cerith Owens has a busy October coming up. The Royal Brit...

Researchers at the Department of Law and Criminology at Aberystwyth University are calling on people who work with, or support elderly people in Carmarthenshire to contribute to a major study into abuse against older people. As part of the £1.3m Big Lottery funded study, the team is hosting a free one day conference on Thursday 22nd October at the Halliwell Centre, Carmarthen, entitled Building Justice Options with Older People in Wales. Anyone interested in issues related to abuse against older people in Carmarthenshire is invited to attend the conference, which will feature keynote speakers Sarah Rochira, Older People’s Commissioner of Wales, and Eleri Butler, CEO of Welsh Women’s Aid. The study, entitled Choice, is being undertaken by the Centre for the Study of Ageing, Abuse and Neglect at Aberystwyth University’s Department of Law and Criminology. Choice has been developed to raise awareness about the abuse of older people in their own homes and design and test an entirely new app...

Drop-in sessions are being held at schools and colleges in Carmarthenshire as part of an extensive consultation exercise on post 16 transport. The council currently provides free school/college transport to approximately 3,000 young people aged between 16 and 19 in the county. However, with a potential reduction in budget of almost £40 million over the next three years the council has no choice but to reduce spending on discretionary services (the things it is not required to do by law) such as post 16 transport. Pupils, teachers and parents from all county secondary schools and staff and students from the five main college campuses are being asked for their views. Please complete the survey online or go along to a number of our drop-in sessions to speak to officers directly. If you cannot make the session at your school/college you are welcome to attend one of the sessions at another location. Executive Board Member for Transport Cllr Hazel Evans said: “Unfortunately post 16 transpo...