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

Match Report – STM Sports v Carmarthen Town (9 July 2016) By John Collyer Match reporter for Welsh Premier League side Carmarthen Town AFC STM Sports 1 Carmarthen Town 7 Carmarthen eventually overwhelmed STM Sports in this pre-season fixture but the Welsh League Division Three side played their full part in this competitive match and Town’s eventual comfortable victory was not assured until a 3 goal blitz in two minutes midway through the second-half. The opening stages of this game were played at a frantic pace on an accommodating 3G surface with Town enjoying the greater share of possession and creating most of the forward pressure, while STM were quick to respond with a series of enthusiastic counter-attacks. Yet despite their early dominance the Old Gold were initially unable to pierce the home defence and it was not until the 12th minute that their first scoring chance arose. Kyle Bassett made a strong run down the right-wing before cutting inside and playing the ball across t...

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. It’s got to be the most popular question for accountants at the moment . . . “Brexit: How will the vote affect me and my business?” Following the UK’s historic decision to leave the European Union, many of you will be wondering how the Brexit vote will affect business and personal finances. Consumer champion and Money Expert Martin Lewis has been quick to confirm that very little is likely to change until the Government chooses to invoke Article 50, the mechanism for leaving the EU. The Government then has to agree new terms for how the UK intends to deal with continental friends and neighbours in the future. According to Lewis, “Unless things take a very radical path, that’s at least two and a half years away. “If you’re going to panic, the time to panic would be in a couple of years’ t...

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 ---------------------------------------- We can’t do anything about it now! It’s the news story of the century that sent shockwaves through the UK and far beyond. Before it hit the media, millions of people wondered if it could happen, while millions more hoped that somehow The Gods of Common Sense could steer our future into a safe harbour and ensure that it just wouldn’t happen . As the magnitude of the earth-shatteringly momentous decision began to sink in, feelings of dread and panic began to ripple through every strata of British society. The great and the good and the lowest of the low were worried how it would affect them, their loved ones and their day-to-day lives. When they got wind of what was going on, even the great financial institutions had a temporary wobble. You could say that when the penn...

A reminiscence session was held at Llanelli Library recently for people living with dementia and their carers to chat about all things edible. Traditional treats, such as bara brith, Tunnock’s tea cakes and garibaldi biscuits, were on offer and the group was encouraged to ‘pop’ down Memory Lane with a taste test of traditional drinks such as dandelion & burdock, ginger beer and cloudy lemonade. Cheryl Davies of the Alzheimer’s Society said: “We had a lovely time discussing cooking, food, drink and special occasions. We also looked at adverts from old newspapers, magazines and postcards, which are part of the Library’s collection.” Comments from the participants included “Lovely atmosphere, drinks and cakes” and “I really enjoyed!”’ The next free session will take place at Llanelli Library on Wednesday July 13 from 10.30am to 12.30pm. For more information about what your library has to offer, please call 01554 744327.

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star and the Carmarthen Journal - There’s an exciting weekend coming up for Aled Lloyd Rees, the tenor/baritone from Gorslas. He’s playing Lord Llewellyn in ‘I Merlin’, the musical which will be performed at the Weston Theatre at the prestigious Wales Millennium Centre. Aled has performed in a variety of concerts and musicals in and around Wales and is well known in Carmarthenshire. Previous performances include “Joey” in Sister Act the Musical, Swansea Grand Theatre; “Dame Maude” in Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime at the Redhouse Theatre in Merthyr Tydfil; chorus member with the UK tour of Godspell and solo performer with the Welsh Musical Theatre Orchestra at the Lyric, Carmarthen. Last year, Aled was successful in gaining a position with the Welsh National Opera in Cardiff. As well as musical theatre productions, Aled also performs with Swansea-based Pirate Jenny’s Cabaret. You can...

Match Report – Penybont v Carmarthen Town (5 July 2016) By John Collyer Match reporter for Welsh Premier League side Carmarthen Town AFC Penybont 3 Carmarthen Town 1 Carmarthen opened their pre-season programme against Welsh League side Penybont whose spirited performance presented a suitably stern challenge for a Town squad that comprised most of the regulars that finished last season (Luke Cummings, Craig Hanford and Ceri Morgan were unavailable for differing reasons, while Sacha Walters and Luke Prosser were of course released several weeks ago and Kieran Lewis and James Kirkwood have also left the club); in addition there were first appearances in the Old Gold colours for new signings Lee Surman, Declan Carroll, Matthew Thomas and Aidan Miller together with trialist Connor Hughes. Town began the match quite impressively as they monopolised possession and kept the home side pinned well back in their own half for long spells. Even so, in the opening stages they were unable to breach ...

Aberystwyth University researchers to present their findings at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition. Academics from the Aberystwyth University’s Physics Department will today travel to London to present innovative research on synthetic diamonds and how they can be used in a variety of ways to support our daily activities. University scientists from across the UK have been researching the extreme properties of man-made diamond in exciting new technologies and developing diamond based solutions for engineering, electronics, sensing and biomedical industries. They will present their research at the Royal Society’s annual Summer Science Exhibition which opens to the public today (5 July 2016). Professor Andrew Evans is leading the delegation from Aberystwyth: “This research is made possible due to the special arrangement of carbon atoms in diamond which gives rise to its amazing properties.” “As well as being the hardest bulk material known to man, it allows both heat and sound t...

Latest news from Aberglasney House and Gardens in the picturesque Tywi Valley -  Selection of lovely new plants in stock at only £4.95 each The choice includes Dahlia Gallery Bellini, Fuchsia Garden News, Fuchsia Tom Thumb and Lavandula Angustifolia Imperial Gem (all pictured above). At only £4.95 each, they are excellent value. The Rose Garden looking fantastic, as photographed by Nigel McCall Gower Crafts & Artisans exhibition In the Mansion until Thursday 14th July Find out more on the Gower Crafts & Artisans website One day photography course with Glyn Evans of Ffotoimage Photography Thursday 14th July ~ 10am to 3.30pm Find out more Peter Pan Friday 22nd July ~ gates open at 6.30pm for a 7pm performance Discount available on tickets bought at least 7 days in advance Tickets are available through our website Coachman's Cottage 29th July to 5th August ~ reduced from £750 to £500 5th August to 12th August ~ reduced from £750 to £500 Gardener's Cottage ...

If you have room in your hearts to love and care a child, as well as a spare bedroom, then you could start a career as a foster carer. Fostering can keep you eternally young and be rewarding both emotionally and financially. Carmarthenshire County Council’s fostering service is holding an information evening on Wednesday, July 13, 6-9pm at Cross Hands Workingman’s Club to appeal to potential foster carers. Executive board member for children’s services Cllr Gareth Jones said the information evening was a wonderful opportunity for people to determine if fostering would suit their lifestyle. Experienced foster carers and members of the fostering service team will be on hand to talk to people interested in a fostering career offering a safe and stable home for some of the county’s most vulnerable children of all ages and teenagers. To help people find out whether fostering or adoption is right for you call 08000933699 to find out more. Link Carmarthenshire Fostering Service

Up to £750,000 is being made available to help bring vacant, derelict or underutilised properties in Llanelli town centre back into economic use. Carmarthenshire County Council has secured funding via the Welsh Government Town Centre Loans Fund, and will be making loans available to eligible applicants who wish to regenerate properties and redundant development sites within the Llanelli Town Centre boundary. Interest free loans of £25,000 and over will be offered on the basis of 75 per cent Loan to Value, repayable over five years. It is hoped that the loan will support private sector led initiatives and improve the vibrancy of Llanelli town centre. Cllr Emlyn Dole, Leader of the council and Chair of the Llanelli Town Centre Taskforce, said it is a good opportunity for businesses, landlords and developers to kick-start regeneration projects for the benefit of the town. “We would ideally like to see the regeneration schemes funded by this loan scheme enable the creation of town centre...

Reverend Griffith Jones, Llanddowror, who did so much for literacy in Wales in the 18th century, was the subject of the first Gallery Talk organised by the Friends of the Carmarthenshire County Museum. The well-attended talk was given by Laugharne-based Peter Stopp who emphasised how Griffith Jones’ importance in ensuring that the Welsh language, which was in decline, began to thrive once again. Working with Madame Bevan from Derllys Court in Bancyfelin and later Laugharne, he was able to set up a college in Llanddowror to train people to teach reading. These students then went out to work in areas throughout Wales, both teaching and training future teachers. These Circulating Schools had a huge impact on literacy in Wales and were known internationally for their effectiveness in promoting literacy. Their effect is evident in Wales today. The Gallery Talks are an initiative of the Friends of the Carmarthenshire County Museum and they are held on the morning of the first Saturd...

Loud Applause Rising Stars ‘Music of the Night’ at Machynys Golf Club, featuring host Mark Llewellyn Evans and Rising Stars Keely Morgan, Thomas Bytheway, Callum Rhys Williams, Jordan Williams and Callum Howells Tears of laughter, tears of remembrance . . . this was a night when emotional heartstrings were played in perfect harmony. The Loud Applause Rising Stars charity ‘Music of the Night’ event at Machynys didn’t necessarily set out to have the audience reaching for their hankies, but the power of the music and the singing made it so. It was an evening when the featured artistes were the members of the Loud Applause Rising Stars stable of young up-and-coming performers. But host Mark Llewellyn Evans is such a wonderful performer that he couldn’t help but steal a sizeable chunk of the show. His rendition of Tell My Father from the Civil War musical was timed as his tribute to the World War One Somme battle centenary. Mark’s version of the song has already raised an estimated £25...

Series of meetings today at the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed site in Marsh Street, Llanelli.

Llanelli Library will host the second of the RNIB’s one-to-one IT sessions on Thursday July 7. The RNIB project Online Today is a new project to support people with sensory loss to gain and develop skills that allow them to use technology and the internet with confidence. During the 45 minute information sessions a member of the team from the RNIB will be on hand to offer advice and guidance and there will also be a chance to try some new technology and investigate how it may be able to help you or someone you know with sensory loss. From iIPads to smartphones, laptops to Kindles there will be something for everyone. Booking is essential and to book your place call in to the library or contact Llanelli Library on 01554 744327. Also don’t forget to call in to the library for a Costa coffee!

People are invited to apply to become independent members of the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel. The panel, which was set up to support and scrutinise the Police and Crime Commissioner, is made up of councillors from the four local authority areas, plus two independent members. They are recruited on a fixed term basis, and applications are now being invited to join the panel from October this year until October 2020. The role of the panel is: Support the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner to exercise their functions effectively. Review the Police Commissioner’s annual draft Police and Crime Plan. Review the Police and Crime Commissioner’s annual draft budget. Review and scrutinise decisions and actions taken by the Police and Crime Commissioner. If necessary, review the proposed appointment or removal of the Chief Constable. Make reports or recommendations to the Police and Crime Commissioner as needed. The panel meets every three months at locations across the Dyf...

HRH the Prince of Wales is to give road safety initiatives the royal seal of approval at the Llandovery Motorbike Weekend. The Prince will launch the motorbike weekend by starting a parade of bikes around the town on Friday, July 8. Bikers from the emergency services and the county council’s road safety team will take part in the parade. The two-day event, taking place on July 8 and 9, will include stalls, attractions, display bikes, a motorcycle treasure hunt, fairground rides and show bikes. Road safety officers from the council, Dyfed Powys Police and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service will attend to promote initiatives such as Bikesafe, Dragon Rider Cymru, Biker Down Cymru and the CRASH card scheme. A number of other organisations will be in attendance including the Institute of Advanced Motorists; RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders, Motorcycle Action Group; Blood Bikes Wales; and GoSafe Wales Casualty Reduction Partnership. Activities available over the weekend include a ...

Students from QE High School in Carmarthen are making a ‘big bang’ in the world of science and engineering. Staff from the council’s Property Design team have been working with Year 12 pupils on their Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) projects. It is part of the Engineering Education Scheme Wales (EESW) which encourages sixth form students to study engineering courses in further or higher education. The students work with local companies and organisations and are given research and development briefs related to real industrial problems. QE High students were asked ‘to create an educational environment fit for the 21st century in Wales, where it will meet the needs of the community and provide the best learning provision for the area’. The brief was developed by the Property Design team to reflect the objectives of the 21st Century Schools and Education Programme. Officers worked closely with the students on two projects – one to investigate methods of chlorine r...

This week's special offers at Jenkins Bakery shops - WEEK COMMENCING July 4, 2016 3 Medium Corned Beef Pasties, £1.70 2 Large Corned Beef Pasties, £2.00 2 Minced Beef and Onion Pies £2.30 2 Teacakes, £1.00 Sandwich of the Week, Tuna and Cucumber, £2.10 Rustic Baguette of the Week, Chicken Tikka, £2.50 Filled Softie of the Week, Ham Salad, £2.35 Website - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/

Latest news from the Brecon Jazz Club team, supplied by Lynne Gornall -  Hi there - lots of jazz news to report ! For fans of Remi Harris - Cafe Jazz Cardiff - next Sunday (10 July) - our monthly Hot Club Swing event: Remi Harris & Caley Groves (guitars), Ashley-john Long (bass). Starts 6.30-9pm £5. Next Jazz Club - Theatr Jazz Bar Brecon, Tuesday 19 July Philip Clouts (piano) Welsh Quartet, with Tamasin Reardon (alto sax), 8pm, £7. Supper at T&T, 6.30 £10. More details below. And Brecon Jazz 2016 is live! tickets available online now /email here if you have any queries www.breconjazz.com We've been working in co-operation with other local partners, principally Theatr/FOBJ and Cathedral/Wayne Warlow and also with partner venues Guildhall, Castle Hotel & the Muse. Not all of the events, concerts or programmes are up yet, but it pretty much represents what the jazz club is doing. We gratefully acknowledge Arts Council Wales / National Lottery / Welsh Government & P...