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

The majority of Carmarthenshire residents have voted in favour of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union. The total number of votes cast in Carmarthenshire in favour of LEAVE was 55,381 The total number of votes cast in Carmarthenshire in favour of REMAIN was 47,654 Turnout was 74% (103,126). There were 91 rejected ballot papers. Counting took place at the Selwyn Samuel Centre, Llanelli. The result was announced by Counting Officer Mark James.

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 taxman at HMRC is urging people to renew their tax credits claim well before the July 31 deadline. HMRC have made improvements to the online renewal service and recommend claimants renew their claim online once they receive their renewal pack which is issued between April and June. The online service can now accommodate all changes in circumstances (working hours, childcare costs or income) which affect the amount of someone's entitlement. Nick Lodge, HMRC’s Director General, Benefits and Credits, said: “Our online service means that you can renew at any time of the day or night, and on any device, without having to call us. Online help can also answer most queries you may have and a web chat facility will be available to support people renewing online. We urge everyone who can to go onli...

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 taxman at HMRC is urging people to renew their tax credits claim well before the July 31 deadline. HMRC have made improvements to the online renewal service and recommend claimants renew their claim online once they receive their renewal pack which is issued between April and June. The online service can now accommodate all changes in circumstances (working hours, childcare costs or income) which affect the amount of someone's entitlement. Nick Lodge, HMRC’s Director General, Benefits and Credits, said: “Our online service means that you can renew at any time of the day or night, and on any device, without having to call us. Online help can also answer most queries you may have and a web chat facility will be available to support people renewing online. We urge everyone who can to go onli...

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 ------------------------------------------ Summertime: Mister Summer’s arrived at our front doors for his annual visit, carrying a suitcase full of sunshine. He usually hangs around for a couple of months and although his warm personality is always welcome, he can be a notoriously contrary visitor. He has a tendency to unexpectedly pop-off on holiday at the drop of a Panama hat for a couple of days, allowing his greyer, rather more miserable brother Mister Rain to move in temporarily and dampen everyone’s spirits. He certainly dampened my spirits the afternoon I left half a glass of vodka outside on the patio table during a thunderstorm and returned to find it diluted and undrinkable. One thing I don’t like about summertime is the proliferation of ‘mini-beasts’ it brings out. If I decide to relax in my gar...

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star and the Carmarthen Journal - The lovely ladies of Côr Lleisiau’r Cwm will be hosting a special anniversary concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, on Saturday, July 2. Earlier this year, the choir celebrated with a special anniversary dinner at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli. Côr Lleisiau’r Cwm have an enviable reputation for charity work and the proceeds of their dinner were donated to the Kidney Organisation Wales. The July 2 concert will feature Welsh singing star Sophie Evans. Sophie is well known for her role as Dorothy in the West End Production of The Wizard of Oz. She has gone on to broaden her career with regular TV and radio appearances. Côr Lleisiau’r Cwm will, of course, be under the baton of dynamic musical director Catrin Hughes. Also starring in the concert will be Cadi Lois, Gruff Sion Rees, A Cappella, Gildas, Sara Mair and Carys Haf and Samuel Morris. Co-presente...