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

Carmarthenshire residents are being reminded that there are changes to bin collections over the Easter holidays. From Friday, March 25 until Friday, April 1, collections will take place one day later than usual. So for example, if your collection is due on Friday it won’t be picked up until Saturday and so on. Remember to recycle using your blue bags - it is estimated that 90 million chocolate Easter eggs are bought in the UK every year, that’s a lot of cardboard and plastic packaging! And if you are making a big Easter lunch for all the family, make sure you either compost your vegetable peelings or they go into your food bin along with any leftovers. The recycling centres in Trostre (Llanelli), Wernddu (Ammanford), Nantycaws (Carmarthen) and Whitland are open as usual over the Easter period except Llangadog which is closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Did you know that you can now sign up for text or email alerts on a range of council services including recycling ...

An Aberystwyth media historian has been awarded a Research Project Grant by the Leverhulme Trust to study the relationship between television and society in Wales during the 1970s. Dr Jamie Medhurst, Senior Lecturer in Media and Communication and co-director of the University’s Centre for Media History, was awarded £114,000 for the three-year project which includes a PhD studentship to focus on a particular aspect of the study. Dr Medhurst said: ‘This project will create a unique and original history of television and society in Wales during the 1970s, paying particular attention to the ways in which television mediated the changing nature of society and how television itself, rather than merely reflecting what was happening, was subject to, and part of, the same changes. ‘Through systematic examination of primary source material, I want to explore the complex relationship between politics and policy, national identity, language, everyday life and television during the decade and hop...

People who dispose of waste oil by burning it are being advised of new government guidance. Welsh Government has reviewed its guidance on the incineration of waste and, in an effort to reduce air pollution, has determined that waste oil burners are now considered as incineration plant. As such, people who use a waste oil burner - including those that have a permit for their use - are being advised that they either need to apply for a variation of their permit so it would cover a small waste incineration plant; commit to burn only non-waste fuels such as fuel oil or gas; or stop using it completely. Welsh Local Authorities are contacting permit holders to let them know of the new requirements and to ask what action they are planning to take, however officers are also keen to spread the message to anyone who burns waste oil without a permit. Those who wish to surrender their permit should do so by March 31 2016, and any Applications for a Variation of a permit to a small waste incinera...

A new fleet of refuse collection vehicles will be delivered in the autumn. Costing approximately £4million, the fleet of 28 vehicles will provide a more efficient service to the public and help the council to achieve its recycling targets. The majority of the vehicles will have a separate pod at the front to keep food waste separate from blue/black bags. The delivery of the new vehicles will result in some changes to the refuse collection routes across the county. However, households affected by any changes will be notified directly nearer the time. Director of Environment Ruth Mullen said: “The new vehicles, together with the introduction of new collection routes, will result in a much more efficient service. As we introduce these changes we will do our best to keep disruption to residents to a minimum, leading to an improved service moving forward. “We are currently recycling around 60% of our rubbish and the new vehicles will help us to achieve the national recycling target of 70%...

Residents of Pantyffynnon and the surrounding area have had the chance to learn more about healthy cooking and eating. Communities First has recently run a Healthy Cooking Programme at Pantyffynnon Partnership with Little Cooks R Us. The programme was a short course that provided the residents in and surrounding Pantyffynnon with the opportunity to develop their cooking skills and was based on healthy food that was easy to make and on a budget. Emma Leah from Little Cooks R Us provided the sessions and allowed each individual the opportunity to learn, discuss and plan their healthy meals at the centre. Many of the participants involved stated that they could follow the meals cooked in the sessions at home and were happy with their new skills. Nadia Seale said: “This course has shown me how easy it is to make easy delicious food and has increased my ability to prepare food safely.” Amy Seale said: “I have learnt many different skills while doing this course which will help in future c...

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. All the talk in the finance world surrounds Wednesday’s Budget remarks by the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne. But, because this column was written ahead of the Budget, you’ll have to wait until next week’s Money Matters column for the full verdict on Mr Osborne’s plans. Meanwhile, in other finance news . . . New company car advisory fuel rates have been published which took effect from 1 March 2016. The guidance states:You can use the previous rates for up to one month from the date the new rates apply. The rates only apply to employees using a company car. The advisory fuel rates for journeys undertaken on or after 1 March 2016 are: Engine size                              Petrol 1400cc or less     ...

Art Exhibition: Paintings by Paul Newland NEAC, RWS and works from the Royal Watercolour Society diploma collection Aberystwyth University School of Art Gallery : 21 March to 6 May 2016 An exhibition of works by Paul Newland NEAC RWS opens at Aberystwyth University School of Art Gallery on Monday, 21 March. Born and educated in London’s north-western suburbs, Paul Newland studied at the Slade School of Fine Art, London. He has a long association with Aberystwyth. This exhibition of works in oil and watercolour reveals the artist’s preoccupation with a spirit of place that he finds in the cityscape of South London and the landscape of Ceredigion. An elected member of the New English Art Club (NEAC), Paul Newland has also served as Vice President of the Royal Watercolour Society (RWS) and continues to serve as its Honorary Curator. His work will be shown alongside a selection of watercolours from the Royal Watercolour Society’s prestigious diploma collection, dating back to the societ...

The Nia Griffith MP column in this week's Llanelli Star - Real buzz about the Railway Goods Shed  Sometimes, a meeting goes well and you get a real buzz: that's how it was last Friday when representatives of local organisations came together to pool ideas on their vision of how the former Llanelli Railway Goods Shed could be transformed into a vibrant community hub, offering a whole range of activities and appealing to a wide cross section of the population. Many of you will have passed by the building in question, which is situated to the east of Llanelli railway station behind grey Network Rail railings extending along Marsh Street. It is a Grade II Listed building, but sadly, in recent years, it has fallen into disrepair. Now, however, after hard work by our Trustees and our project officer, who is funded by the Architectural Heritage Trust and Carmarthenshire County Council, we have received development grants both from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery CAT2 ...

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star - There’s a rare treat in store at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, on Sunday, March 20 when the Academic Male Choir of Tallinn University of Technology in Estonia roll into town. This is an opportunity to experience one of Europe’s most accomplished male choirs. The chorus, with its highly professional musical standards and busy touring traditions, performs a diverse repertoire, ranging from classical masterpieces to the classics of easy listening, marching, college songs and Estonian music. Before that, on March 17, British pianist Robin Covill presents ‘Bach to Gershwin at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli. This is a welcome return visit from the highly acclaimed British pianist, whose concert programme features a collection of famous piano works by major composers including Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, Sibelius and Gershwin. Robin is both a virtuoso pianist and an accomp...

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 ------------------------------------------ Hoodie you think you are? Every day as we walk, bus, cycle or drive around, we barely notice the million and one things we pass by because they’re so familiar – especially our own face in a shop window. Which is no reflection on us . . . Some people drive the same route to and from work day after day and frequently arrive at their destination unable to remember how they got there. It’s as if they’re on automatic pilot throughout the commute. I can’t do that because a comedian must observe the world and the weird, wonderful and sometimes worrying things that go on within it. Every day I look for ideas that might generate a routine or form the basis of this column. Which brings me to last week - and the lady in her mid-20s I saw wearing a dark blue ‘hoodie’ on the ba...

The public are being asked to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour directed at swans in Sandy Water Park. It comes after reports of the lakeside birds being handled. Rangers have stepped up their patrols but the public will have an important role to play in being watchful when in the area. As native wild birds, swans enjoy statutory protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is an offence to intentionally injure, take or kill a wild swan. The council’s executive board member for leisure, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “These beautiful swans enhance the area at Sandy Water Park and are for the benefit of everyone visiting the area. It’s so sad and very unfortunate that swans and their nests are sometimes a target for vandals but if anyone is spotted carrying out any wrongdoing to them then they will be reported to the police.” The Act similarly protects the eggs and nests of swans. It is an offence to take or possess the egg of a wild mute swan, or to damage o...

A Llanelli landlord has been fined a total of £360 by Carmarthen magistrates for failing to produce the relevant paperwork for the disposal of his business waste. Ian Witty, landlord of both the Railway Tavern and Apple Tree Inn in Station Road, pleaded guilty to two offences contrary to Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act. He was fined £180 for each offence and ordered to pay £318.84 prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge by Carmarthen magistrates. The court heard that Witty had failed to produce waste transfer notes showing where the business waste from both premises was being disposed of. In June last year, council environmental enforcement officers had found waste strewn across the back lane to the rear of the Railway Tavern where a large volume of cans and other waste was being stored. The officers visited the Apple Tree Inn to speak to Witty and there they found a large quantity of blue recycling bags containing empty cans in the beer garden. Witty was issued w...

This week is National Apprenticeship Week – and Next Steps is back! This year it is bigger and better than ever with not just two, but FOUR apprenticeships up for grabs from TRJ Ltd and Lloyd and Gravell Ltd. The two local building firms have teamed up with Constructing Carmarthenshire Together - a partnership between Carmarthenshire County Council’s Property Services section, Coleg Sir Gâr, and Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd – to run the annual competition. It is open to men and women living in Carmarthenshire aged 16 and over, and it doesn’t matter about previous experience. Candidates will spend a week at Coleg Sir Gâr’s Ammanford campus to undertake basic health and safety training for working on a building site; with a further five weeks of on-site work experience, where they will mentored by qualified tradesmen on a community benefit project to learn skills including carpentry, bricklaying, plastering and ground works. Executive board Member for the Envir...

The team behind the ambitious Llanelli Railway Goods Shed project has embarked on a new wave of public consultation events. The programme kicked off with a meeting of community groups interested in using the building. Over coming weeks, there will be leaflet drops for residents living close to the Marsh Street Goods Shed building, community surveys, a public display in Llanelli town centre and further group meetings for interested individuals, community organisations, social enterprises and businesses.. “The dialogue with the public is being cranked up to a whole new level,” said Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust project officer Robert Lloyd. “We are slap bang in the middle of what we call our development phase, conducting the site surveys and other preparatory work needed before we can complete further applications for capital funding. “The key message we want to get across is that this is a project designed to breathe new life into what is an historic building. Getting the suppo...

Residents are being reminded that there are changes to bin collections over the Easter holidays. From Friday, March 25 until Friday, April 1, collections will take place one day later than usual. So, for example, if your collection is due on Friday it won’t be picked up until Saturday and so on. Remember to recycle using your blue bags - it is estimated that 90 million chocolate Easter eggs are bought in the UK every year, that’s a lot of cardboard and plastic packaging! And if you are making a big Easter lunch for all the family, make sure you either compost your vegetable peelings or they go into your food bin along with any leftovers. The recycling centres in Trostre (Llanelli), Wernddu (Ammanford), Nantycaws (Carmarthen) and Whitland are open as usual over the Easter period except Llangadog which is closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Did you know that you can now sign up for text or email alerts on a range of council services including recycling on our i-Local ...

The 25th British Academy Cymru Awards are now open for entry with new eligibility criteria. Today, BAFTA Cymru launches call for entries for the anniversary year of Cymru Awards. Broader criteria ensures all Welsh talent working on UK productions now eligible. The 25th ceremony, which will celebrate Welsh talent across film and television production and craft and performance roles will take place on 2 October at St David’s Hall. Individuals and companies are invited to enter productions that have had their first broadcast transmission or screened at an approved film festival between 1 April, 2015 and 31 March 2016 by the entry deadline of 26 April. Having reviewed the eligibility criteria for last year’s Awards, BAFTA Cymru is now encouraging Welsh individuals who have worked on Welsh or UK productions – rather than solely Welsh productions – to enter into any one of the 16 craft and performance categories. This change will ensure that BAFTA in Wales can recognise the work ...

Carmarthenshire's Leader has shown his support for the Syrian refugees crisis. Cllr Emlyn Dole is taking part in the #withSyria national campaign being led by Oxfam. Today marks the fifth anniversary of the start of the conflict which has seen four million people flee Syria, and another 6.8million currently displaced within the country. Carmarthenshire is preparing to welcome a small number of families that have sought refuge from Syria. A multi-agency partnership has been formed locally to ensure a full range of support is in place to help families coming to the county as part of the Home Office’s Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement (VPR) Scheme. Cllr Dole said: “As a council, we have already publicly pledged our support for Syrian refugees. “This is a huge humanitarian crisis, there is a human and moral requirement upon us to support in a welcoming and positive way this crisis and these refugees. “We voted as one to play our part and offer a home and security to people who ha...

Carmarthenshire County Council’s noise complaints team is investigating reports of off-road scramble biking on council land at Bynea. They have acted on complaints from local residents who have contacted their local councillor complaining of the noise the bikers are causing. Dyfed Powys Police are also involved. Bikers are being warned that they do not have permission to ride on the council-owned land, near Heol y Bwlch. The council is now looking at ways to prevent access to the land and will be erecting signage to warn people that biking is prohibited. Cllr Jim Jones, Executive Board Member for Public Protection, said: “Our environmental health team has visited the site with the police and Cllr Deryk Cundy, the local councillor, to assess the problem and advise anyone they find using the land for scramble biking. “A number of people believed they were allowed to use the land, but this is not the case. “Scrambling in this area is not allowed – we have not given permission for people...

Work has started on investment of almost £1million in Llanelli Market and its precincts. The next phase of the work includes improvements to the fire alarm, ventilation system and mains electrics and public wifi within the market hall and Stepney and Cowell precincts. The market and precincts remain open and business continues as usual as the improvement work is done out of hours by local contractors Lloyd and Gravell. Work involving scaffolding in both market precincts is expected to take three weeks. Llanelli Market and precincts are owned and managed by Carmarthenshire County Council. Executive board member for resources, Cllr David Jenkins, said: “Shoppers can be reassured that the market is open and businesses are trading as usual during this time. “Understandably there will be some disruption to shoppers and traders, but this will be kept to a minimum as contractors undertake the work outside of opening hours.” This investment will secure the long term future for the market, w...

A run on the beach with your four legged furry friend is no walk in the park but it’s full of fun and keeps you fit and healthy. The two-mile CaniX beach race for dogs and their best friends is taking place at Pembrey Country Park on Easter Sunday. More than 100 dogs of different breeds are expected to turn out in their running shoes for the 8th annual event. The Cefn Sidan race on March 27 is open to ages seven upwards, split into ten age categories. There is also classes for running with two dogs. Forest races covering a distance of 2km and 5km will also take place on Friday and Saturday, March 26/ 27 and camping is available for three nights. The council’s countryside and coast manager, Rory Dickinson said: “This event is open to the whole family – children, parents, grandparents and their dogs. Running is fun and keeps you and your dog fit and healthy with an added bonus of it taking place on our beautiful coast and in the heart of our glorious woodlands.” To enter register onlin...

Another two people have been fined for dog fouling offences in Carmarthenshire. The first was to a woman in Golwg yr Amman Park in Glanamman who used a plastic scoop to pick up her dog’s mess, but then threw it into a hedge. She was issued with a fixed penalty notice for £75 by council environmental enforcement officers who were on patrol in the area at the time. The second fine was issued to the owner of a dog in Llandovery. The dog fouled on the footpath which runs along the river by Swan Bridge. The dog was allowed to freely enter and exit a property on the estate. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “It is unacceptable to throw dog mess into the hedge; council operatives use strimmers and other equipment. Please use a public litter bin or take it home to dispose of if there are no bins nearby. “In the second incident, the dog was allowed to roam freely and the owner had no intention of cleaning up after it. If residents know of simi...

The proposed Cardigan Integrated Care Centre development continues to make steady progress, with the full business case due to be submitted to Welsh Government for approval in the coming weeks. Local stakeholders met with Hywel Dda University Health Board at a meeting last week to discuss progress on the new development, as well as hearing about how community services are continuing to developing well across Ceredigion. Updates included: South Ceredigion Community Resource Nursing Service – the team of nurses provide care and support for people with need in our community. They continue to see an increase in referrals and the service is delivering good outcomes for patients and their carers, who have provided positive feedback. Over the last quarter (January to March 2016) 80% of patients referred into the service received continued care and support enabling them to remain in their own homes. Transport – work is ongoing to develop a travel plan and to establish a Transport and Access...

Scientists at Aberystwyth University’s IBERS are well known for their research into agricultural animals and plants, but now a team of young researchers at the Institute are embarking on a new project to evaluate how a parasite which can affect giant pandas responds to anti-parasitic drugs. Dr Russ Morphew and PhD student Cat Pye are working with Iain Valentine of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), the conservation charity that owns and manages RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, with links to Chinese research centres, on a three year project to identify how the parasite responds to anti–parasitic drugs and, more specifically, whether drug resistance is the cause of repeat infections in captive giant panda populations. Dr Morphew said: “We hope that our findings will not only help to inform conservation strategies in captivity and across China’s giant panda reserves, but also that they could lead to improved control strategies to deal with infection in the future.” The project has been...

Pembs RVS Thank You Tea Bernadine Rees and RVS - Hafan Derwen Hywel Dda University Health Board is committed to continuing the close relationship with the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) by finding new roles for its volunteers, so that they can continue supporting patients at hospitals across mid and west Wales as they have done for many years. The Chair of the Health Board, Bernadine Rees, has been meeting with volunteers to discuss opportunities that are being created to enhance the service provided to patients at Bronglais, Withybush, Glangwili and Prince Philip hospitals. The health board has committed to retaining the services of the RVS following the introduction of new cafe and retail services on all four acute sites, which the RVS had previously provided. At a meeting with RVS volunteers in Withybush Hospital last week, Bernadine said: “It’s with some sadness that we are here for afternoon tea. You have shown such support for patients and families, and we have to recognise th...

A missing marble bust by eminent Welsh sculptor Joseph Edwards (1814-1882) has been rediscovered overlooked in an under-stairs cupboard in the Old College at Aberystwyth University. The bust, of prolific nineteenth century scholar and historian Thomas Stephens of Merthyr Tydfil (1821-1875), is believed to have reached Aberystwyth along with Stephen’s papers which were donated by his family to the National Library of Wales. At the time, the National Library of Wales was housed in the Old College. The bust may have been overlooked when the papers were transferred to the new National Library of Wales building in the late 1930s. Neil Holland from the School of Art explains: “A great deal of work has taken place since the 1960s to re-catalogue and re-assemble artefacts and collections donated to the University since 1872, and as far as we can recall we have never come across any accession record for the bust of Thomas Stephens in all that time. So it has been hidden away for at least 40 y...

'Llanelli-on-sea' looking good in the sunshine today. Panorama of the beach at Llanelli Millennium Coastal Park. Mr Swan at Sandy Water Park.

Chris Cole, founder of Drone Wars UK ( www.dronewars.net ), will be discussing the use of armed drones at a lecture to the David Davies Memorial Institute at Aberystwyth University on Tuesday 15 March. His lecture, entitled 'Predator or Protector? Framing the debate on drones', takes place at the Main Hall of the Department of International Politics at 5pm and is open to all. The use of armed drones is rapidly becoming normalised as more and more countries join the drone users club. Yet remote, so-called ‘risk-free’ warfare raises serious legal and ethical concerns about the nature of modern warfare and indeed what we used to call ‘peace time’. In this presentation Chris Cole will look at the ethical and legal issues that surround the growing use of armed drones, recent developments, and the battle to frame the debate on drones. Drone Wars UK is a small British NGO to undertake research, education and campaigning on the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and the wider issue...

Professor Ruairí Ó hUiginn of Maynooth University will deliver the annual public lecture of the Institute of Literature, Languages and Creative Arts (ILLCA) at Aberystwyth University on Tuesday 15 March 2016 at 6pm. The lecture entitled, ‘Strange people, strange places: aspects of the supernatural in medieval Irish and Welsh tradition’ will draw on Professor Ó hUiginn’s extensive expertise in medieval Irish and Welsh literature. Professor Ó hUiginn is a graduate of University College Dublin where he studied Welsh alongside Modern and Medieval Irish, and Queens University Belfast where he obtained his doctorate. No stranger to Aberystwyth, Ó hUiginn previously served the university as external examiner in Welsh and Celtic Studies. He is the current Chair of Modern Irish at Maynooth University, where he is also Head of the School of Celtic Studies, and a member of the Royal Irish Academy. He is Chair of the Royal Irish Academy’s Foclóir Stairiúil na Nua-Ghaeilge (Historical Dictionary o...

The Welsh Government is “deceiving the people of Wales” on the new M4 Relief Road bypass cost, according to Friends of the Earth Cymru. The Welsh Government’s latest consultation on the M4 Newport bypass puts the cost of the project at £1.1 billion [1]. However this cost does not include VAT, inflation or maintenance and repair, which environmental campaigners say doubles the cost of the project. Last May the First Minister said that the actual cost of the project would be “a long, long way under £1 billion” [2], and then in November he stated the cost would be “way below” £1 billion [3]. Gareth Clubb, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said: “If any of us want to make an extension on our house we need to know how much it’s going to cost. We can’t possibly exclude things like VAT and maintenance. But the Welsh Government is sweeping these massive costs for the M4 under the carpet and hoping we’ll all forget about it. “We’ve calculated that the scheme will cost more tha...

Carmarthenshire’s Trading Standards team is warning people to be on their guard against scammers, and asking people to look out for the welfare of elderly relatives, neighbours and friends. Their warning came on National Safeguarding Day, when Trading Standards teams across the country joined forces to raise awareness of scams. Here in Carmarthenshire, the team has dealt with thousands of pounds worth of fraud in the last 12 months alone – mostly concerning older people and those vulnerable through ill health. They include a Burry Port man conned out of £50,000 in bogus lotteries; a St Clear’s woman who lost £4,500 in a series of scam prize draws; an Ammanford man who lost more than £40,000 by buying overpriced vitamin supplements; and a Llanelli man conned out of his life savings worth £75,000 in scams involving diamonds, fine wine and art. The scams came to light through the national Scams Hub, and also through the Financial Exploitation Safeguarding Scheme (FESS) – a multi-agenc...

Dog owners in the Llangunnor area of Carmarthen are being warned to clean up after their pets - or pay up. The council’s environmental enforcement officers are stepping up patrols, particularly in the park, following complaints of dog fouling from the community council. Anyone caught can be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75 or prosecuted through the magistrates’ courts where the maximum fine is £1,000. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Although the majority of residents take their responsibilities seriously, there is still a small minority who do not listen. “Dog mess can lead to the spread of diseases such as toxocariasis, which in extreme cases can cause blindness in children. “This type of anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and those caught breaking the law will be prosecuted.” Owners are being encouraged to always keep a supply of bags near their dog's lead so they don't forget when they go out for a walk...

Young people in Carmarthenshire are being urged to complete an online survey on a discounted bus travel scheme. Funded by Welsh Government, mytravelpass gives 16-18 year-olds a third discount off their bus travel in Wales. To date over 5,000 people have signed up to the scheme, which is managed by Traveline Cymru. Anyone who completes the survey will be entered into a free prize draw to win a £50 shopping voucher. Link - mytravelpass survey

Latest special offers from the Jenkins Bakery - WEEK COMMENCING March 14, 2016 3 Medium Corned Beef Pasties, £1.70 2 Large Corned Beef Pasties, £2.00 4 Medium Sausage Rolls, £1.85 2 Fresh Cream Doughnuts, £1.70 Sandwich of the Week, Tuna Crunch, £2.10 Rustic Baguette of the Week, Ham and Cheese, £2.50 Filled Softie of the Week, Chicken Tikka, £2.40 Website - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/

A special information afternoon is being organised by Llanelli Multicultural Network. It is being held at the St Paul's Family Centre on Friday, March 18. It's called A Bright Future! You can find out about - · Apprenticeships, · Job opportunities, · Training · Further Learning For more details, see poster.

Charities and community organisations are being urged to ask for help from the Mynydd y Betws Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund. Carmarthenshire County Council’s Community Bureau is inviting applications from community, voluntary and third sector organisations as well as registered charities and town and community councils for the 2016/17 round of the Fund. They can apply for funding for new and innovative community projects which address local need under the following themes: Recreation, Education, Health, Environment, Energy Efficiency/Sustainability and Culture. Funded by wind farm developer ESB (Electricity Supply Board), money is available for projects being delivered in the following wards: Ammanford, Betws, Garnant, Glanamman, Llandybie, Pontamman, Penygroes, Saron, Tycroes and Quarter Bach. Over the last three years the Grant Panel has awarded approximately £850,000 to over 50 community regeneration projects in the Amman area, the total investment is an impressive £2.4 million...

Llanelli Beach and the Millennium Coastal Park was showcased across Wales as it hit primetime television. ITV Wales featured the beauty spot on the 6pm news after doggy dessert went on sale at Llanelli’s North Dock ice cream kiosk. Dogs went crazy for it and the kiosk sold out within six hours of opening after it went viral on social media site Facebook. Rich in essential vitamins and lickable straight from the tub, Frozzys is the perfect treat for your furry pooch. Ice cream kiosk owner, Mark Edwards: “Dogs couldn’t get enough of it and the pots were gone in no time. We sold all our stock after just six hours and had to get one of the sales drivers to drive to Cardiff to get extra supplies ready for the weekend.” The frozen, low calorie and lactose free yoghurt is available in four different flavours and is a healthy and refreshing treat after walks or training. It’s kind on the digestive system, is a great tasting teething aid and suitable for all dogs and puppies. The council’s ex...