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

Photos from visit to Tredegar House (National Trust, Newport). See album link below. https://goo.gl/photos/7rf4oryFdAmPnRb36

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. You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘pensions auto enrolment’ but not really grasped what it is all about. So, over the next couple of weeks, this column will attempt to explain what is going on. The Government is placing greater responsibility and sometimes higher costs on employers. Employers are/will be required to provide access to pension provision for their employees. If you are an employer in West Wales we, at Clay Shaw Butler, can provide help and advice regarding your auto-enrolment responsibilities. These are some of the topic areas to keep in mind . . . The role of the employer: To encourage more people to save in pension schemes, the Government has placed greater responsibility on employers to provide access to pension provision. Up until 1 October 2012 there was no requirement for an em...

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in West Wales) from the Carmarthen Journal and the Llanelli Star - It’s regarded as one of the highlights of the musical year in Burry Port – the annual production by Burry Port Opera. This year, the featured opera is Samson and Delilah by Camille Saint-Saens. It will be performed at Burry Port Memorial Hall on Wednesday, October 19, Friday October 21 and Saturday October 22. The characters and cast include – Delilah, Lauren Easton; Samson, Philip O'Brien; High Priest, Michael Dewis; Abimelech, Gareth Long; Hebrew Elder, Paul Morgan. The opera will, of course, feature the Burry Port Opera Chorus and Orchestra, Leader Mansel Hughes. The producer is Keith J Clarke and the conductor is Ryan Lee. The opera centres on the Biblical story of the Israeli hero Samson and the sensationally beautiful Delilah. Samson aims to free his Hebrew nation from Philistine captivity. Delilah, a Philistine maiden, has other ideas. Through her c...

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 ------------------------------------------ “THINGS I’VE LEARNT” People often say to me,“Phil! You’re no spring chicken. What valuable lessons has your long life taught you?” To which, I reply, “Don’t be so cheeky!” and, “I thought I’d locked that bathroom door!” So here’s the Top 10 things I’ve learned... 1. Always wear sunglasses in meetings. Everyone will think you are cool . . . and you can have a quick snooze without anyone knowing. But don’t snore in case you wake up everyone else. 2. If your restaurant meal was disgusting and expensive, your waiter should still be tipped. Over on his backside. 3. Never sit at the back of the bus. Or the front. Or the middle. Just don’t take the bus, ever. Because people travel on them. And people chew noisy sweets. And eat crisps. And shout into their phones such ...

An official ceremony is being held to celebrate the opening of Ysgol Bro Dinefwr at Ffairfach, Llandeilo. It will take place on the morning of Tuesday, October 4, with a programme of events including the unveiling of a plaque. Pupils will welcome guests to the ceremony and perform musical items; dignitaries including county council Leader Cllr Emlyn Dole, education Executive Board Member Cllr Gareth Jones and Chair of Governors David Dyer will give addresses. Cllr Dole will also unveil a slate plaque to commemorate the occasion, and Rev Ian Aveson, Vicar of Llandovery, and Rev Michael Sadler, Vicar of Llandeilo, will give blessings. The opening of the new £30million school, which is being sponsored by contractors Bouygues UK, includes the presentation of a ceremonial key and a Secure by Design certificate. Headteacher Julie Griffiths will compere the proceedings and give a speech, plus a short tour of the new school. Bro Dinefwr caters for 1,200 pupils in the area, including a 200 pu...

All eyes were on Llanelli’s Ffwrnes Theatre when goodwill and community spirit was celebrated in the first ever Tenant 2 Tenant Awards. The awards were organised by Carmarthenshire County Council in association with Spice, and rewarded those who go the extra mile to look after their homes and communities. There were 14 awards up for grabs – many of them went to volunteers who give their own time to help others. Categories included Young Tenant of the Year, Community Project of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award. There were also categories for best kept garden and grand designs, amongst others. The awards were hosted by Cllr Linda Evans, Executive Board Member for Housing. “Can I be the first to congratulate all winners, and all runners-up – all would have been worthy winners,” she said. “We hope that these awards will become an annual event – a great opportunity to reflect on the great work going on every day in our communities, and of course to thank...

The road at the junction of the A4138 at Halfway, Llanelli, is to be resurfaced by contractors working on behalf of Carmarthenshire County Council. Work will take place overnight to minimise disruption to traffic. A road closure will be in place from 7pm to 3am affecting Glyncoed Terrace and Pemberton Road for the duration of the works, with diversions signposted. Work is expected to take 10 nights, weather permitting. Cllr Hazel Evans, Executive Board Member for Transport, said: “These are essential works on a very busy junction. Whilst we are carrying out the works after peak hours to minimise disruption, we appreciate this will still inconvenience road users and residents. We would like to apologise for this inconvenience, and thank members of the public in advance for their cooperation.”

Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir, Côr y Penrhyn, Adele O’Neill at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli. There was a splendid competitive edge to this Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir annual concert staged at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli. The Llanelli choir had invited Côr y Penrhyn, from North Wales, to perform – and that meant that we had two of Wales’s finest male voice choirs for the price of one. There was a healthy bit of one-upmanship throughout the concert as both male voice choirs tried to out-perform each other. Playing a diplomatic role between the two choirs was Pontarddulais soprano Adele O’Neill, who sparkled like a diamond all evening long. There’s a health rivalry between Côr Meibion Llanelli and Côr y Penrhyn which extends back to a visit the West Wales choir made to help launch the Pontio Arts Centre in Bangor. Côr Meibion Llanelli’s round one included the stirring Rejoice, Then! and two items which featured Adele O’Neill as soloist, Ave Maria and Libiamo, Limbi...

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