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. According to figures from the taxman at HMRC, more than 230,000 people have used the new pension freedoms introduced one year ago and accessed over £4.3 billion in pensions savings. In April 2015, the government introduced significant pension reforms giving people the ability to access their pensions savings how and when they want. The statistics show that in the first year of these new rules being available, more than 232,000 people have accessed £4.3 billion flexibly from their pension pots. The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Harriett Baldwin said: “It's only right that people should have a choice over what they do with their money and in their first year our successful pension freedoms have already given thousands of people access and responsibility over their hard-earned savings. “We...

The Mayor of Carmarthen's Charity Appeals Committee is holding a 'Table Top Sale' on the 11 June between 10am and 2pm at St Peter's Civic Hall Carmarthen. There are a small number of tables available at £5 (plus a raffle prize donation). Come along and sell unwanted items or organise a table for a worthy cause. Or pop along and grab a bargain, free admission, refreshments will be available. For further information contact 07910 744993 or 07496 314360.

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 ------------------------------------------ ‘Hole New Thing in Swansea!’ Readers, I started this week off by being very, very, confused. I had just sat down to catch-up on some television when a friend telephoned me. He asked if I would like to join him for a game of Footgolf! Now, I have played football and I have played golf; both, very badly I may add. But, I had never, ever heard of, or played, this new sport called 'Footgolf'. So, my friend explained to me the rules of the game. 'If you can kick a football, you can play footgolf', he told me. And, once I had visited the new FootGolf course on Swansea's Mumbles Road, I quickly realised that I could play. And, in doing so, I had a ball! Footgolf is as easy as it sounds. It's basically playing a game of golf using a football. Yes, t...

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star and the Carmarthen Journal - Friday night is a big night for music fans in Llanelli. Guests at the Llanelli Star Community Awards at the Stradey Park Hotel will be able to listen to Côr Curiad perform under the baton of Alex Esney. They will also find out the winner of the prestigious Ambassador Award, with three popular figures from the local entertainment scene competing for the prize. The three are Carwyn Matera Rogers, the manager of Theatrau Sir Gar, Carmarthenshire’s theatres at Carmarthen, Llanelli, and Ammanford; celebrated organist Allan Fewster MBE and Burry Port choir musical director Ryan Lee. For the best part of five decades, Mr Fewster has played a central role in some of the highest profile musical events in Wales. He is highly-accomplished pianist, organists, conductor and teacher whose services are consistently sought in Eisteddfodau, Cymanfaoedd Canu and ...