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. This week’s Money Matters column looks at the recent Budget and its implications for businesses. Corporation tax rates: The main rate of corporation tax is currently 20% and this rate will continue for the financial year beginning on 1 April 2016. The main rate of corporation tax will then be reduced as follows: 19% for the Financial Years beginning on 1 April 2017, 1 April 2018 and 1 April 2019  17% for the Financial Year beginning on 1 April 2020.  Corporate tax loss relief: The government will introduce two reforms to corporate tax losses from April 2017. First, losses arising on or after 1 April 2017 will be useable, when carried forward, against profits from other income streams or other companies within a group. Second, from 1 April 2017, companies will only be able to use loss...

On Wednesday 20 April 2016 sports scientists at Aberystwyth University and AGE Cymru Ceredigion will host a free ‘functional fitness workshop’ aimed at the over 60s in the county to assess their ability to perform daily tasks. This is the third time this annual event has been offered, and will take place between 10am-4pm in the Carwyn James Building on the Penglais campus of the University. Dr Marco Arkesteijn, a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Biomechanics at IBERS said: “Supervised by staff, our students run the activities on the day, focusing on a series of tests to assess the current fitness status of individuals. There is no obligation to commit to anything following the assessment but those taking part will be fully informed about their current level of fitness, and can address any issues that may arise in their own time, at their own pace.” The workshop aims to assess an individual’s fitness and ability to perform various daily tasks, referred to as ‘functional assessments’. At...

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 ................................. Even the bad news can be funny! If you see me in the street, please say “Hello!”, “How are you?” or even “You’ve got a great face for radio!” But please don’t ask “What’s occurring?” as I won’t know. I’m badly informed about current affairs because the papers are so full of sad stories, political shenanigans, appalling revelations, C-list celebrity puff-pieces and photos of the permanently-grinning Myleene Klass (does anyone know what that woman actually does for a living?). I just skim through them. I’ve been known to turn the pages of my newspaper at such high speed the friction created by my fingers causes the paper to catch fire. So, it’s probably best not to sit next to me on an aeroplane. Some days I get through my paper so quickly that in less than a minute I’ve rea...

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star - Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir will be doing their bit for a popular local cause on Friday, April 22. The choristers will be starring at a special evening to raise funds for the Parc Howard Association, the group working tirelessly to improve the park and house and keep it open for the public. ‘Music for The Parc’ will be staged at The Diplomat Hotel, Llanelli, and will be hosted by Carmarthenshire’s popular pantomime entertainer ‘Denny Twp’. The evening starts at 7pm and will also feature The Phil Harmonics, the rock and pop ladies choir from Llanelli. There will also be performances from Côr Ysgol Ffwrnes, singer Megan Thomas, a past winner of the Gethin Hughes Memorial Bursary prize, and classicial guitarist Cai Charles, a past winner of the Llanelli Rotary Young Musician of the Year competition. Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Mr D Eifion Thomas said: “Of course...

People are being urged to support a grand concert being held in Carmarthen’s Lyric Theatre to raise funds for the Canofan Elfed special unit at QE High School. The Show Must Go On is taking place at the county council theatre in King Street on Sunday, April 17, at 2.30pm. Amateur music and theatre groups of Carmarthen are coming together to put on the show which will include West End musical hits. Funds raised will go towards a Tobi eye gaze, which costs around £7,000, and is specialist equipment which allows severely disabled children to communicate. The show is being organised by Andrew Bassett and friends, who have already raised thousands of pounds for the unit. Carmarthenshire’s education executive board member Cllr Gareth Jones said: “This promises to be a wonderful event and all money raised will go to a fantastic cause. “I hope people will support it, and also enjoy seeing the multi-talented people we have in our amateur groups here in the Carmarthen area.” Tickets are availa...

Ysgol Bro Dinefwr in Llandeilo has opened its doors to its first pupils with the remainder moving in by September. The new £30 million school is sited at Ffairfach and will cater for 1,200 pupils in the area, including a 200 pupil sixth form and 30 place specialist provision for children with additional learning needs. Staff and pupils are occupying on a phased basis and it currently houses 140 children plus another 25 in Canolfan Cothi, which is the autistic unit. The category 2B bilingual school was delivered in partnership with the Welsh Government through its 21st Century Schools programme. It provides first class accommodation and facilities, plus high quality vocational courses with other Dinefwr schools and Coleg Sir Gar. Senior councillors and officers said they were very impressed during a recent visit to the school. Leader Cllr Emlyn Dole said: “This is a fantastic facility which will give pupils the perfect environment to learn and grow. “I was impressed by the enthusias...

Carmarthen Town Park is to play host to a junior park run. The event, which is part of the hugely popular park run running movement, has been set up by the council’s sport and leisure team after securing £3k match funding from Sport Wales. Due to start in May, a series of timed 2k runs aimed at ages 4-14 year olds will be held every Sunday from 9am. To take part children need to register on parkrun website where they will be issued with a bar code to scan at the start and end of each event. They’ll also be able to check their progress and timings on the website’s results page. Park run is a non-profit running, movement which organises free weekly events around the world and are open to everyone, are free and safe and easy to take part in. The council’s area sport and leisure manager, Gary Price said: “We’re thrilled to be able to bring this event to Carmarthen especially as the nearest one west is Aberystwyth and south Bridgend. These events are extremely popular and we would e...

Latest news from Lynne Gornall and the team at Brecon Jazz Club -  Our April jazz event is a week Tuesday (don't turn up this week!), see details below. Also, we are booking for the Tipple & Tiffin bistro supper, menu as below. TUESDAY 19 APRIL, 8pm, Brecon Dave Jones (piano) Trio - Ashley-john Long (double bass), Kevin Lawlor (drums) and special guest Remi Harris (guitar) Brecon Jazz Club, 'Brecon Jazz' First Floor Bar, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon LD3 7EW “This new trio 'Brilliant Corners', named after one of the many great tunes by Thelonious Monk, was recently formed for a series of gigs in Wales and Ireland. Pianist/Composer Dave Jones, after many years of 'quoting' musically from Thelonious Monk, thought it was high time he played some of them in their entirety! He is joined by virtuoso bassist and composer Ashley-john Long, and (on a first visit to Brecon jazz club), leading Irish drummer/composer Kevin Lawlor, in a celebration of Monk’s music. Th...

Carmarthenshire Council’s new apprentices have been shadowing councillors as part of a number of activities to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week. The apprentices were invited to find out more about how the council works by shadowing councillors as they went about their daily business. And at the end of the week the apprentices were invited to a special reception with members of the Executive Board to celebrate their achievements and discuss what they had learnt. Cameron Bryant is studying for a HND in Construction Management whilst learning on the job as a building cadet in Property Services and is enjoying the experience after deciding university wasn’t for him. “I am loving it,” he said. “Every day is different, you can be out on site then back in the office, I’m learning a lot.” Laura Tilley, who is working towards a qualification in Business Administration with the Learning and Development Team, said: “I am having lots of new experiences and I feel like I am getting more ind...

A Noson Lawen has been organised later this month in aid of the chosen charities of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Chairman. The event will be held at St Peter's Civic Hall on Saturday April 23 at 7.30pm. Council Chair Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths said: “There will be a Noson Lawen for Ifan JCB to thank him for his tireless contribution. “The proceeds will go to my chosen charities, Wales Talking Books Project and TENOVUS West Wales Cancer Care.” There will be entertainment in the company of Bois y Castell, Ifan Gruffydd Tregaron, Dawnswyr Talog, Tri Bariton, Helen Gibbon, Dwy a Dime and Penybont YFC. The accompanist is Meinir Jones Parry and Cllr Hughes Griffiths is the compere for the evening. Tickets are £8 from Siop y Pentan, Carmarthen.

There's just over two weeks to go to the annual Carmarthen Town Mayor's Fun Run races. Runners of all ages, shapes and sizes are being encouraged to take part in the Fun Run races on May Bank Holiday Monday, May 2. The event has been held in the town over the past 34 years. "This is the 35th running of the races and we are hoping for a bumper turnout," said race organiser Noelwyn Daniel. “There were 657 runners in 2015 and we are hoping for many more this year! "In particular, we are keen to inject as much fun as possible into the event - encouraging people to take part in fancy dress and asking local sporting teams, organisations, pubs and clubs to consider entering teams. Mr Daniel added: "The beauty of the Carmarthen Mayor's Fun Run races is that they take place in the heart of the town centre, affording great opportunities for spectators to cheer on the runners. "We are also encouraging local businesses to enter teams. Businesses can dress...

Carmarthen Town Football Club officials are celebrating their success in achieving two Football Association of Wales licensing awards. The club has been granted both Domestic and UEFA (European) Licences for next season, 2016/17. “Achieving the two licences is no mere tick-box exercise; a huge amount of hard work has to go into preparing the applications,” said club Chairman Jeff Thomas. “Our club general manager/secretary Gareth Jones, club licensing officer John Collyer, groundsman Jonathan Lewis and treasurer Anthony Parnell can be singled out for special praise for their significant roles within the process.” Chairman designate Chris Edwards said: “All officials, volunteers, supporters and helpers can take pride in the fact we have been granted these two licenses. “The Domestic one is key to our participation in the Welsh Premier League and the UEFA license means that we can stage European games. This has paid dividends for us in the past as we fly the flag for South andWest Wale...

Latest special offers from the Jenkins Bakery - WEEK COMMENCING April 11, 2016 3 Medium Corned Beef Pasties, £1.70 2 Large Corned Beef Pasties, £2.00 4 Medium Sausage Rolls, £1.85 2 Custard Slices, £1.80 Sandwich of the Week, Salmon and Cucumber, £2.20 Rustic Baguette of the Week, Chicken and Bacon, £2.50 Filled Softie of the Week, Turkey and Stuffing, £2.35 Website - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/