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. Regular readers of Money Matters will recall that last week we started to turn the spotlight on money laundering. We explained how some businesses and organisations were part of what is called ‘The regulated sector’. Money laundering legislation relates to anyone in what is termed as the ‘regulated sector’, which includes but is not limited to: accountants and auditors  tax advisers  financial institutions  credit institutions  dealers in high value goods (including auctioneers dealing in goods) whenever a transaction involves accepting a total cash payment equivalent to 15,000 Euros or more, whether in a single operation or in several operations that are linked  casinos  estate agents  some management consultancy services  company formation agents...

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 -------------------- DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER! If you’ve been a regular reader of my random thoughts for the past couple of years, I’ve got two things to say to you. Firstly . . . thank you! It’s gratifying that at least one person doesn’t immediately turn to the next page when they see my name at the top of this one and enjoys reading what I’ve written – even if you don’t agree with everything I say! Secondly . . . you’re obviously highly intelligent, with a discerning taste in journalistic content. That being the case, presumably you’ve read about the new London restaurant that caters for naked diners? That’s right - a place where you have to be nude to eat the food! When I first read about it, I had the same horrific mental picture as you just did, of a crowd of exhibitionists in their saggy, baggy birthd...

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star and the Carmarthen Journal - Tickets have just gone on sale for one of the highlights in Llanelli’s musical calendar - Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir’s annual concert. The choristers, under the baton of musical director Mr D Eifion Thomas, have a glowing reputation both in Wales and internationally. Over the years, they have won awards galore. The ‘annual’ is the choir’s yearly opportunity to showcase their latest repertoire before their ‘home town’ supporters. Côr Meibion Llanelli will be staging their annual concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, at 7pm on Saturday, September 24. Tickets can be obtained through the Ffwrnes Theatre box office or through the Theatrau Sir Gar website. The choir’s special guests will be Penrhyn Male Choir (Penrhyn Male Choir) from North Wales. The two choirs are ‘old friends’. Côr Meibion Llanelli performed with Côr Penrhyn at one of the firs...

This week's special offers at Jenkins Bakery shops - WEEK COMMENCING July 18, 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/

Welsh multi-millionaire, social entrepreneur and wealth-coach, Kevin Green inspired an audience of farming and landowning entrepreneurs at the CLA Cymru pavilion at the Royal Welsh Show tonight. “How’s it done? – Is the question I get asked all the time,” Kevin told his audience. “I’m never going to say it’s easy, but I’ve got some insights into how dynamic people can get the best out of themselves and their business partners - and get the best from their precious resources. “Farmers and landowners are already like the invaluable ‘multi-tool’ on the work-bench. “Multi-skilled, they are committed, determined and self-motivated. They are self-sufficient, but often draw upon a highly supportive network who are not just supporters but are believers in their work. “As a group they are doggedly determined – their blood is in the land and the land is in their blood.” Kevin Green has been a successful dairy-farmer and is now a highly successful businessman, juggling one of the UK’s bigges...

A Carmarthenshire primary school is racing ahead in an engineering design competition. Ysgol Tycroes has been crowned UK National Champions in the F1 in Schools Challenge. It is the third time that the school has claimed the title in the last four years. Executive board member for education Cllr Gareth Jones said: “Congratulations to Ysgol Tycroes pupils and staff for this excellent achievement. “There is fierce and strong competition in this challenge from schools across the UK, so to win it three times in four years is a remarkable achievement. Well done to all, and keep up the good work!” The F1 in Schools Challenge is an exciting learning opportunity, which develops a number of skills such as science, technology, engineering, design, maths, conducting formal presentations and teamwork. The project involves designing, manufacturing and racing the fastest car possible in 2D and 3D format, emulating the design and engineering processes employed by real engineering companies. The sch...

Carmarthen town centre businesses are being urged to sign-up to a Student Lock-In – an innovative nationwide retail event targeted specifically at the student market. Carmarthenshire County Council’s economic development team is working with the University of Wales Trinity St David (UWTSD) to bring the event to Carmarthen for the first time. The Student Lock-In has become a highly popular event, with students often attending multiple events across regions to get their hands on the best bargains. Carmarthen town centre businesses are being encouraged to offer exclusive discounts, giveaways and competitions to attract students to spend in town between 6pm and 9pm on Tuesday, September 27. All retail businesses can get involved, including outlets offering food and drink. The Lock-In will be promoted locally to students from UWTSD’s Carmarthen and Lampeter campuses, Coleg Sir Gâr campuses, and sixth form students from Carmarthen schools, with the potential for students to visit from othe...

Carmarthenshire County Council has bought seven properties in Llanelli Town Centre as part of its ‘Opportunity Street’ project. More than half of the properties in the town centre’s main shopping streets, including Stepney Street and Vaughan Street, are owned by private landlords who lease out the buildings and set their own rents. Buying some of these properties from the private owners was identified as one of the key priorities of the Llanelli Town Centre Taskforce, chaired by Leader of the Council, Cllr Emlyn Dole. It means that the council now has more control over the buildings, and the aim is to bring them back into use with a mixed retail and residential offer. It also means that the council is able to set the rent at an affordable level. The council secured money through the Welsh Government’s Vibrant and Viable Places fund to bolster the council’s own funds in order to purchase the buildings. Cllr Dole said: “Opportunity Street is all about bringing more town centre properti...