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

There are thrills and spills galore in Carmarthenshire as part of the Great Weekend of Adventure taking place across Wales this weekend. Adrenaline junkies should head to Pembrey Country Park on Saturday, April 2 for Round 1 of the British Mountain Bike XC Series which will see top class riders battling it out on a fast and challenging course. A more cultural adventure awaits visitors to Laugharne Weekend from Friday, April 1 to Sunday, April 3; or for fun for all the family Cenarth Adventure Centre has put together a packed programme of activities for Saturday and Sunday, April 2 and 3. The county is also welcoming two international travel vloggers who will be joining Llandysul Paddlers on their very own adventure playground swooping down the river Teifi rapids on a kayak. Wales has made 2016 the ‘Year of Adventure’ and the council has secured Welsh Government funding to help showcase what Carmarthenshire has to offer - from whirlwind weekend getaways to longer-stay roam-arounds. Wh...

This year’s Beacon Bursary has been launched in the Graig Campus of Coleg Sir Gar. The Beacon Bursary is a business start-up competition run by Carmarthenshire County Council in partnership with Coleg Sir Gar and University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Budding entrepreneurs and newly established businesses can win up to £3,000 financial support, up to a year’s free office space in The Beacon Centre for Enterprise in Dafen, Llanelli and support from business mentors. The Bursary is open to people living or studying in Carmarthenshire. At the launch, Barry Liles, Principal of Coleg Sir Gar addressed the audience, highlighting the importance new businesses and entrepreneurship to the local economy. Expressions of interest for this years’ competition must be submitted by the April 15. More information and expression of interest forms can be had from Barry Hale bhale@carmarthsnhire.gov.uk or Angharad Harding RAHarding@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

A new world land speed record has been set at Cefn Sidan for a woman pilot on a beach surface. Karen Cutbush is the fastest female kite buggier in the world after reaching a speed of 55.5mph across the sands using her 3m Brooza race kite. The 42-year-old, known also as SpecialK, smashed her 2009 world record by over 7mph at a meet of Carmarthenshire Land Sailing Club. Karen said: “The dry and windy conditions, together with the fabulous Cefn Sidan beach, was perfect for my latest attempt. I’ve always wanted to get into the ‘50mph club’ and to see the figures captured on the GPS was such a fantastic feeling.” Carmarthenshire Land Sailing Club hold regular meets throughout the year and enjoys all types of kite flying, land yachting and other land sailing activities, including one-liners, stunt, kite boarding, kite buggying and kite surfing. The council’s countryside and coast manager, Rory Dickinson said: “What a fantastic achievement to have a world record set at Cefn Sidan. It just g...

Communities First has held a successful Family Activity Day at Llanelli Leisure Centre during the Easter holidays. The event included a free swimming session, free fitness taster sessions for all ages, puppet making and a healthy cooking workshop. During the day there were also sketching tutorials, a jewellery workshop, a soft play area, Parent and Toddler Session and toddler bikes. Communities First Cluster manager Amy Hawkins said: “It was a very successful day. Both parents and children really enjoyed getting active together as a family.” For more information about Communities First activities please phone 01554 784847.

Organisations who excel in ensuring they are accessible to the one-in-six people in Wales who are deaf or hard of hearing are being encouraged to enter a prestigious awards. The Action on Hearing Loss Cymru Excellence Wales awards recognise businesses and organisations who take steps so that the 575,500 people in Wales who are deaf or have hearing loss can use their services. Action on Hearing Loss, formerly RNID, has been a charity supporting people who are deaf or have hearing loss since 1911, and launched the Excellence Wales awards last year in an effort to celebrate success and raise standards in the support organisations offer to staff and the everyday services available to people affected by the condition. The 2016 Excellence Wales awards are open to all public services, private companies and voluntary organisations providing services in Wales. Entries will be judged by a panel of people who are deaf or have hearing loss, and awards presented to the country’s three outstanding...

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. This week’s Money Matters column continues where we left off last week in discussing the changes to personal taxation in the latest Budget from Chancellor George Osborne. The issues fall under a number of headings . . . Tax on savings income: Savings income is income such as bank and building society interest. In 2015/16 some individuals qualify for a 0% starting rate of tax on savings income up to £5,000. However, the rate is not available if taxable non-savings income (broadly earnings, pensions, trading profits and property income) exceeds the starting rate limit. The starting rate limit remains at £5,000 for 2016/17. In addition, from 2016/17 the Savings Allowance (SA) will apply to savings income. Income within the SA will be taxed at a new 0% rate (the 'savings nil rate'). However, ...

A 'Vintage Clothing' Fashion Show is being staged in Kidwelly in aid of Age Cymru Sir Gar, the charity which supports the over-50s in Carmarthenshire. It takes place at the Princess Gwenllian Centre on Saturday, April 16. Tickets are £10, which includes a finger buffet. There's a bar available, although drinks are not included in price. Doors open 7.30pm. The event is being staged by Vintage Vision http://www.vintagevision.co.uk   Tickets and further information from - http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/sirgar/contact-us/ Age Cymru Sir Gâr Unit 5-11 LEC Workshops 100 Trostre Road Llanelli SA15 2EA Telephone: 01554 784080 Email: info@agecymrusirgar.org.uk About Vintage Vision We are a not for profit social enterprise, and a company limited by guarantee. We take donated vintage clothes and sell them on line, at events, and in pop up shops We run free sewing workshops and classes in the community and with partners. We develop projects around vintage fashion, soci...

Special booklets promoting the upcoming elections will be distributed to households across Carmarthenshire over the coming weeks. The booklets will inform residents about the Welsh Assembly election and Police and Crime Commissioner election, both of which take place on Thursday, May 5, 2016. You will be able to find out key information about voting, how to register to vote, why it’s important to vote and how your vote can affect your future. How you vote in the Welsh Assembly election affects your life including having your say on things such as agriculture, forestry, animals, plants and rural development, food, highways and transport, health services, fire and rescue services and the promotion of fire safety, culture, economic development and the environment. It also affects decisions regarding local government, public services, social welfare, the National Assembly for Wales, sport and recreation, tourism, town and country planning, water and flood defences, education and training...

Tregaron GP Dr Sion James welcomes Cylch Caron project that will future-proof local health and social services. The new Cylch Caron Integrated Resource Centre will be a community resource centre that will become a central hub for a fully integrated health and social care service for the town and the surrounding area. He said: “The overarching principle laying the foundation for this project is that patients should receive care as close to home as possible. In Tregaron GP Surgery we are already working together with Tregaron Community Hospital and Bryntirion care home to meet the needs of our patients who are living longer and have increasingly complex needs. “At the moment we are making do with the facilities we have but when the Centre is built we will benefit not only from having a modern, purpose-built building but from the added value that comes from working closely across professional boundaries - improved communications that result in a better service for our patients. “The l...

Aberystwyth University has launched a new Centre for Excellence in Rural Health Research. The announcement was made at the launch of the Centre for Excellence in Rural Healthcare by Welsh Government Minister for Health and Social Services, Professor Mark Drakeford AM. The new research centre will see Aberystwyth University work closely with the Mid Wales Healthcare Collaborative and Hywel Dda University Health Board to address some of the unique challenges of delivering healthcare in a rural area such as mid Wales. The Centre will also promote and support an attractive research environment for clinical staff in partner health organisations. Dr Rachel Rahman, Director of the Centre for Excellence in Rural Health Research said: “Delivery of healthcare to rural populations is challenging, not only in the UK but in developed and developing countries around the world. Attempting to address the unique challenges of rural healthcare through the simplistic extension of urban approaches is no...

Carmarthenshire County Council is to seek people’s views on a council tax premium in respect of empty or second homes. Members of the council’s Executive Board agreed to a public consultation exercise and an equality impact assessment before deciding whether or not to introduce the premiums. New powers have been afforded to local authorities to increase the level of council tax payable on long-term empty homes and second, or holiday, homes, with any additional income generated invested to help meet local housing needs. Members of the public will have an opportunity to share their views with the council before policy is set. If council does decide to introduce the premiums, they could be applied from April 1, 2017. Related link View the archived webcast of the meeting

Students in Aberystwyth are being encouraged to look after themselves and help the NHS while living away from home this Easter term. Staff leading on the Choose Well campaign for Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) met Aberystwyth University students recently to spread the message to students: “help the NHS by using health care services responsibly”. Here are some top tips to help you Choose Well when returning to campus after the Easter vacation: • Register with a local GP practice while at university • Familiarise yourself with local health care options. A handy guide for Aberystwyth students can be found online at www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/choosewell • Download the Choose Well app, which provides a GPS facility to locate the nearest services to you, as well as information leaflets with local contact numbers, from www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/choosewell Dan Evans, a previous Aberystwyth University student, said: “I hadn’t realised that community pharmacies could offer ...

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board has backed proposals to extend the age range of four Carmarthenshire primary schools. Members have approved a proposal to publish a statutory notice which, providing there are no further objections, would allow children to be accepted from the age of three at Betws, Bynea, Pembrey and Pwll primary schools. Headteachers, governors and parents at all four school catchment areas have been consulted about the move to introduce the Flying Start programme, which targets prevention services in geographic areas of deprivation in Wales. The aim is to improve outcomes for families and prepare young children for school. The age range at all four schools is currently four to 11. Related link View the archived webcast of the meeting

Carmarthenshire Trading Standards are advising people to think twice before agreeing to pay cold callers for gardening and home improvements, and instead use the council’s Registered Traders Scheme. Their advice comes as police investigate reports that rogue traders are targeting older people in the Llangunnor, Burry Port and Llangennech areas. Several people have reported that they have been charged large sums of money for work such as gardening and gutter cleaning, and that the work is not completed or carried out to a satisfactory standard. The reports also confirm that no paperwork is being provided, therefore leaving the customer without cancellation rights or contact details for the business. Trading Standards are working with police to investigate the issue, but in the meantime are advising people to be on their guard against cold callers, and to help elderly neighbours by keeping an eye out in the community. The council’s Registered Trader Scheme lists a number of local handy...

A series of special roadshows are being held across Carmarthenshire to help residents find out how they can vote in this year’s upcoming elections. Residents are encouraged to visit the informative events which are being held outside Carmarthen market on Wednesday, April 6, Llanelli town centre on Thursday, April 7 and Ammanford town centre on Friday, April 8 from 11am-2pm. The aim of the events is to promote and increase the number of votes at the upcoming Welsh Assembly Election and Police and Crime Commissioner Election, both of which take place on Thursday, May 5. To be able to take part in these elections, you must be registered to vote by Monday, April 18 at the latest. During the road shows, you will also be able to find out the various voting options available that suit your needs best, ensuring you don’t lose your vote. This includes voting at your designated polling station on May 5, by post and by proxy (where someone votes on your behalf). If you’re not sure if you are al...

Llanelli company Rapid IT Group Ltd has gone from strength to strength after winning last years’ Beacon Bursary,. The company is located in The Beacon Centre for Enterprise in Dafen as part of its award of the Bursary. This support has allowed the business to establish itself securely in the marketplace. Rapid IT offers a variety of specialist IT and Telephony services including infrastructure monitoring, network installations, IP telephony installations, licensing and managed IT Services. It has also successfully designed and built an ‘early warning’ system that detects when a system’s performance falls beneath its threshold and in the last seconds before failure its technology can intercept the fault before it occurs and reduce the business impact of a system failure. Commercial Director of Rapid IT John Hennah, who is currently finishing his final year at the University of Wales Trinity St. David, stated: “We are an ambitious and customer focused company and due to the demand for...

The future of cancer services in Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, is bright as plans to build a new Chemotherapy Day Unit and extensively refurbish Ward 10 take another step forward. While work to draw up a detailed tender specification for the new Chemotherapy Day Unit continues, a second working group has also been set up to take forward the redesign of the existing palliative care, oncology and haematology area (Ward 10). This will provide a modern, purpose-built inpatient facility for patients admitted to Withybush Hospital. The group is chaired by the Clinical Lead for Withybush Hospital, Dr Iain Robertson Steel, and reports directly into the Withybush Implementation Group. The new group is currently considering the facilities that need to be provided in the Ward 10 area including inpatient beds, isolation facilities, en-suite facilities and additional patient facilities such as a day room and space for relatives. All facilities will be dementia friendly, wi...

Latest news from Aberglasney House and Gardens in the Tywi Valley - In the Gardens... Visitors can enjoy as good a spring as ever, with new drifts of Narcissus planted by the thousand, new displays of Tulips throughought the Gardens and, of course, the first of the Magnolia and many other choice woodlanders. Photo courtesy of Nigel McCall Summer opening hours We are now open for our summer hours: 10am to 6pm with last entry at 5pm Events... Towy Valley Camera Club exhibition Until Tuesday 5 April in the Mansion Included in the exhibition will be a panel of 15 very special images by Angie Jones put together for her Royal Photographic Society Associate Award (one of which is opposite). Angie said: "As a group we're delighted to be exhibiting at Aberglasney over the Easter period and hope that visitors to the Gardens will enjoy our photographs which cover a wide range of subjects including portraiture, landscapes, architecture and wildlife". Easter explorer Until S...

This is running on the Carmarthenshire Council website - Due to a technical issue with our printers, some requests for postal voting applications have been lost. If you rang the Elections Office between 11am-12am on Wednesday, March 30, to request a postal vote application, it is likely that your request was one that was affected. To ensure that you will receive your application form, please contact the Elections Office on 01267 228889 to make a fresh request. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. Hope the returning officer is on the case . . .

Latest news from the Oriel Myrddin Gallery in Carmarthen -  Make and Do in April at the gallery Made Up: Sketchbook Walk Saturday 2 April 2016 11am – 1pm Join artist Cecile Johnson Soliz for an informal indoor sketchbook walk around her exhibition at Oriel Myrddin Gallery. Create 3D sketches in the studio space. All ages welcome - Free event Part of the Arts Council of Wales and BBC Arts Get Creative Weekend Workshops BubbleTastic Family Workshop Tuesday 5 April 2016 11am – 1pm Create bubblewrap Easter themed artworks with Julie Ann Sheridan. Suitable for all ages – £5 adults £3 children – booking required Arts Award Discover in a Day Wednesday 6 April 2016 11am – 3:30pm Join a fun all-day art workshop with artist Daniel Trivedy and gain your first Arts Award Certificate. For ages 11-14 only – £14 per person – booking essential Paper Making Thursday 7 April 2016 11am – 1pm Learn to make your own paper with Mary Sikkel. Suitable for ages 8+ – £5 per person – booking requir...

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 ------------------------------------------ Too young or too old to be safe? I almost didn’t write this week’s column, because yesterday, as I was reading my newspaper, drinking coffee and enjoying a blueberry muffin - that course I took in multi-tasking has paid off - the following item made me choke on the muffin and almost drown in coffee as it sprayed out of my nose... “The oldest person in Wales to hold a full driving licence is 104-years-old and there are more than 250,000 people aged 70 or over who have a licence, including 12 over 100 years of age.” Before my readers with grey, white or notta-lotta hair get ready to dip their pens in green ink and send me hate mail (I passed all their previous letters to The Editor because no one ever writes to him) if they read on, they’ll see I’m not being ‘agei...

It’s been described as the business breakfast club that really brings home the bacon. And, to prove it, this small and creative local business group earned more than £400,000 in additional revenue for its members last year. Now the Business Network International (BNI) Chapter in Llanelli has its sights set on bigger targets and is looking for new members. The busy Thursday morning club meets at The Diplomat Hotel in Llanelli. It’s an early 7am start – but these are men and women who are keen to make the most of their working days. “Meeting first thing in the morning is great,” said Llanelli chapter (local branch) spokesman Phil Evans. “We all have busy days and meeting first thing in the morning means that it doesn’t intrude into the rest of the working day. “It also means that we start the day energised as there’s a lot of energy and enthusiasm in our meetings. The meetings really have a buzz. “It’s a place where networking can really pay dividends and it’s a p...

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star - Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir members are looking forward to a trip to Ireland next month. The choristers are planning a short tour to Mayo and Galway in Ireland. “One of the joys of being a member of Côr Meibion Llanelli is getting the chance to tour abroad,” said choir secretary Fred Elias. “Down the years, we’ve covered the globe. We’ve been to Australia and New Zealand, the United States of America, Canada, and a whole host of countries in Europe. “Côr Meibion Llanelli members are highly regarded as being ‘ambassadors of song’. “Our former president, D H Davies, always used to say that if countries sent out choirs rather than armies, then there would be more peace in the world.” Mr Elias added: “In recent years, we have been to Austria and The Netherlands. The boys do like the odd half pint of Guinness so it seemed appropriate to go on a mission to Ireland in 2016. “...

Bus trip to the Wonderwool Festival – 23 April 2016: Age Cymru Sir Gâr are running a trip to the Wonderwool festival in Builth Wells on Saturday 23 April 2016. Ticket (which includes entry & transport) is £20. Pick up spots are St. Clears, Carmarthen, Llanelli and Ammanford. Contact Lisa on 01554 784080 for more information. The bus is available to all ages. This is a great family day out, too. Children can learn new crafts and adults can have a go to. This is not just about knitting, but they have hundreds of exhibitors that all use wool in some way in their crafts or products. Help Age Cymru Sir Gar support the charity's social groups for older persons and join us on this trip. For more information on the festival see link: http://www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk/home.html Age Cymru Sir Gar are running this trip in partnership with the Knit and Natter group that meets in its offices in Trostre, Llanelli, every Tuesday afternoon. If you enjoy knitting and other wool ba...

A cheque for £1,000 has been presented to the stroke and rehabilitation unit at Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli, by fundraisers the ‘Sospan Road Runners’. Bernadette Martin, Bethan Hopkins and Viv Jones, representing Sospan Road Runners, recently had the pleasure of presenting the generous donation to Sister Ann Robins of Ward 9 stroke and rehabilitation unit at Llanelli’s Prince Philip Hospital. Viv Jones said: “We hold a multi-terrain 10 mile race in Pembrey Country Park each November and each year the club nominates different charities who will benefit from proceeds of the race. “The race, in November 2015, was a sell-out and the club was able to make several donations to three local charities: Ward 9 - stroke and rehabilitation ward - at Prince Phillip Hospital, Llanelli Guide Dogs and Llanelli food bank, who each received £1,000.” Sister Ann Robins added: “We really appreciate the donation made by The Sospan Runners to the ward and the effort they made to fundraise on our behal...

A mother-of-three from Monkton, Pembroke, has praised the Family Support Transport Service for the invaluable support they provided during her pregnancy. Mum to 10-year-old Chloe, 4-year-old David and 3-month-old Nico, 28-year-old Bethan has Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and finds it extremely difficult to use public transport even with the support of her partner - Mark Jones - who is also Bethan’s carer. She said: “Having access to the transport service helped to ease my anxiety around public transport. I find it difficult to use public transport at the best of times, being heavily pregnant made it impossible.” Bethan’s pregnancy with baby Nico wasn’t straightforward and left her needing extra health care: “My pregnancy with Nico wasn’t easy; I was diagnosed with anaemia, gestational diabetes, a vitamin B12 deficiency and symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD). On top of that I was emotional with pregnancy hormones which made my BPD worse. I honestly don’t know how I would have m...

Carmarthenshire County Council and Dyfed Powys Police have carried out a number of taxi enforcements across the county. The unannounced checks have been aimed at ensuring licensed taxis are in suitable condition and that drivers are meeting their licensing conditions. On one recent weekend, 30 taxis were stopped in various locations for spot-checks. One vehicle was suspended and taken off the road and four vehicles were found to be in breach of licence conditions. Another two were given advice on tyres being near their limits. A similar unannounced spot-check has recently been carried out to inspect taxis during the school run in Carmarthen, when the council’s licensing officers and school transport team joined forces. A total of 14 taxis were checked – three drivers did not have their taxi badge, and one vehicle was in breach of licence conditions. The council is now dealing with the issues that came to light during these enforcements. Related link Details about taxi lice...

Five people have been fined by council environmental enforcement officers for dropping cigarette ends. Fixed penalty notices for £75 were issued by officers for the littering offences. The first was to a woman in Ropewalk Road in Llanelli. Further fines were also issued to a woman in Carmarthen’s Tesco car park and to two women in the McDonald’s car park in Pensarn. Finally, officers issued a fixed penalty notice to a woman who threw a cigarette end from a car in Station Road, Glanamman. Failure to pay could result in prosecution in the magistrates court where the maximum fine is £2,500. Research carried out by Keep Wales Tidy shows that smoking-related litter is the most common type of litter found on streets. Figures for Carmarthenshire show that it makes up approximately 80% of our litter. Director of Environment Ruth Mullen said: “Keeping Carmarthenshire clean is a major priority. We do not want to fine people, but if they continue to break the law in this way then we have little...

More than 16 million viewers * tuned in to see ITV’s hit series Saturday Night Takeaway’s sofa challenge at Llanelli Beach. The Discovery Centre was one of four locations featured on the popular Ant and Dec show where viewers had to guess the area, get to the destination with a suitcase and passport, and register for a seat on the cream sofa to be in with a chance of winning a holiday. Stormy weather conditions helped the show’s producers and Millennium Coastal Park staff to keep things under wraps until the show was aired at 6pm. Minutes after Llanelli Beach was flashed on the TV screen hundreds of onlookers and people with suitcases and passports flooded North Dock. Cars came to a standstill as contestants battled their way through the crowds. The council’s coast and parks manager, Rory Dickinson said: “What a platform this was for the Llanelli Beach and the Millennium Coastal Park. To be recognised on a popular primetime television show that attracts over 16 million viewers is pri...

A Carmarthenshire photographer affected by a stroke is urging people to put their best foot forward for a charity walk at Llanelli Beach. Stroke victim Andrew Davies hopes as many people as possible sign up to Step Out For Stroke 2016 which takes place on Sunday, June 26 at North Dock’s Millennium Coastal Park. The 47-year-old, was struck down by the third biggest killer out of the blue in 2013. Two years on the dad of one who still uses walking sticks to get about said: “It’s had a devastating effect on me and my family as I was the breadwinner and could no longer do the job I loved. I also loved to take part in running marathons and would regularly train on the coastal path but I can no longer do this either. Believe me, this disease can strike anyone at anytime and I urge as many people as possible to sign up and raise as much money as possible for The Stroke Association who are supporting me through my recovery journey.” The aim of the one mile walking event is to raise funds an...

New orders to tackle dog fouling and the control of dogs in Carmarthenshire have been given the go ahead. The orders have been introduced following a public consultation which showed strong support for the proposals. They include cleaning up after your dog on all public land in the county, putting your dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer and excluding dogs from enclosed children’s play areas. Failure to comply with the orders will result in a fixed penalty notice of £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days. The orders will come into force from July 1, however, until then officers will continue to enforce under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. The orders will be published on the council website and there will be an education and awareness campaign. Signs advising the public of the orders will be placed in public areas and in the outdoor children’s play areas. There are some exemptions to the orders, for example for assistance dogs and working dogs, and...

Decisions on the futures of five Carmarthenshire primary schools have been deferred to allow councillors more time to consult with communities, consider more detailed reports and visit the schools. Members of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board accepted the Education Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation that decisions to discontinue Llanedi, Bancffosfelen, Llanmiloe, Tremoilet and Laugharne primary schools be held until the end of June. They also accepted a recommendation to visit all schools. Parents and members of the community representing some of the schools were present at County Hall on Monday to hear the Executive Board’s decision. Members were due to consider two reports that set out the current position at the schools where pupil numbers are in decline. Numbers at Llanedi have gone down from 33 in 2010 to 18, creating surplus places of 51 per cent. The proposal is to discontinue the school, transfer pupils to Hendy Primary School, and redesignate the catchment of...

Coastal erosion defence works totalling £250,000 have been carried out at Llanelli beach. The works have re-established approximately 240-metres of the coastal defences along the southern most section of the shoreline between the large south breakwater and the smaller south bastion structure that forms one side of the entrance to the Lliedi River at Llanelli. The aim of the scheme is to prevent further erosion and significant change to this sensitive piece of land which gives protection to the Llanelli coastline beyond. The works are necessary to prevent the loss of the hinterland and the salt marsh in the short to medium term. In the long term however, protecting this section plays a significant role in the protection and prevention of erosion of the entire coastline including the B4304 south Llanelli distributor road and the Seaside area of the town’s coastline. Director of Environment Ruth Mullen said: “The works have been undertaken as a part of the council’s annual coastal erosi...

A request has been received for the temporary road closure of the B4301 at Bronwydd from its junction with the U2096, for a distance of 570 metres in a northerly direction from today, Tuesday, March 29 to Friday, April 8. The alternative route for the First Cymru 215 journey north bound will be via the B4301, A484, A4243, A485 and B4301. Vice versa for the return journey. Morris Travel will use the unclassified road running parallel with the B4301 and exiting at Bronwydd Hall.

Judith Hardisty has been appointed to the post of Independent Member for a period of two years with Hywel Dda University Health Board. Judith joins the University Health Board as a former NHS Assistant Chief Executive (Organisational Development) and an experienced HR/ Workforce Director. Judith has more than 20 years’ experience of working at Board level with various NHS bodies and over 40 years’ NHS experience across all sectors. She has an excellent record of leading organisational change and developing workforce and organisational development strategies. She also has a strong record of establishing and leading effective HR teams ensuring engagement at all levels of the organisation and developing and maintaining partnership working relationships with professionals and trade unions. Judith retired from the NHS in December 2015 and is currently an external assessor for the Corporate Health Standard and a lay reviewer for Health Inspectorate Wales. University Health Board Chair, ...

HRH The Princess Royal was presented with a cheque for £50,000 for Carers Trust at a private dinner hosted by South Wales millionaire businessman Kevin Green. The money raised will help the charity, for which The Princess Royal is president, to support unpaid carers across the UK. Gail Scott-Spicer, CEO of Carers Trust, said: “We had a great evening talking about carers, the support they need and how the money raised will support many unpaid carers who are caring tirelessly around the clock. “Carers Trust would like to say a huge thank you to Her Royal Highness, Kevin Green and everyone involved, for their kind generosity.” Mr Green, 52, hosted the VIP dinner at a private suite in Claridge’s Hotel, London. He said: “I love networking and helping others. “The opportunity of combining both interests by organising a private dinner to raise funds for the Carers Trust, such a deserving charity, had massive personal appeal. “The support of Carers Trust President, HRH The Princess Royal g...