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

If you are 50-plus and want to go and see the wonderful Carmarthen Youth Opera performing the fabulous Guys and Dolls at the Lyric theatre, Carmarthen, contact Age Cymru Sir Gar - 01554 784080. The charity has, courtesy of Western Power Distribution and Carmarthen Youth Opera, been given 20 free tickets for older people to attend. The matinee performance will be held on Saturday, February 24, and Western Power Distribution will also be putting on a reception with light refreshments for those lucky winners of the free tickets. Also if someone aged 50+ wants to go but needs help to attend from a family member or carer who is under 50, a ticket can be supplied. Ring the charity on 01554 784080 or email info@agecymrusirgar.org.uk for further details. Website - https://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/sirgar/aboutus/

Carmarthenshire residents can have their Will written for free and make a donation to charity at the same time during April. Local law firm Mary Evans & Co is running a ‘make a free Will month’ during April and offering customers the chance to donate to Age Cymru and Age Cymru Sir Gar. The company’s Mary Evans says: “We are pleased to be supporting the Age Cymru Free Wills month and confirm that all Wills made by us under this initiative will be provided by us completely free of charge. “However, it is also hoped that some people will wish to make a donation to Age Cymru towards the cost of the important work they do, namely to lift as many older people as possible out of poverty and to combat loneliness and isolation amongst Welsh pensioners through their activities. “The suggested donations are £95.00 for a single Will and £135.00 for a mirror Will which also involves a saving on our usual charges for wills in addition to the obvious VAT saving. “Some people might well al...

Terry Griffiths OBE, snooker ace, West Wales legend and winner of the World Snooker Championship, the Snooker Masters and the UK Snooker Championship. will officially open the new offices and the new Advocacy project of Age Cymru Sir Gâr. Age Cymru Sir Gâr, the older persons charity serving the over 50s of Carmarthenshire will be launching two of their latest developments on Friday, January 30: the Help to be heard advocacy project funded by the Big Lottery Fund. and their new offices in Trostre  The Advocacy project is to help older residents in Carmarthenshire to secure their rights, understand situations they are, in as well as ensure that their voices are heard and respected. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to promote advocacy for older people and explain how the already popular service can benefit more people across the whole of Carmarthenshire. Age Cymru Sir Gâr will be hosting a day of events from 10.30am to 3pm, including opportunities to learn new crafts, pu...

Music and Mince pies is a FREE music concert for older people on Monday 15th December at 2.30pm in the Ffrwnes Theatre in Llanelli. The concert is sponsored by Western Power Distribution and Arts and Business Culture Step and features soprano Jessica Robinson and pianist Rhiannon Pritchard. Mince pies and hot drinks will be served and this is your chance to attend a joyful festive event to help celebrate getting together and socialising over the festive period. While the event is free, people do need to reserve a ticket via the Ffwrnes by phone or website, please ring 0845 2263510 or e-mail theatres@sirgar.gov.uk . Although there may be space on the day for people to just turn up, it is better if you confirm your ticket in advance to ensure you have a seat.  Jessica Robinson (soprano) Jessica Robinson is a postgraduate student at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama where her studies are supported by the Arts Council of Wales and the Elizabeth Evans Trust. Jessica holds ...

Age Cymru Sir Gâr is running a laptop loan scheme for housebound older people to help them shop for groceries, stay in touch and generally benefit from surfing the net. The charity need more volunteers to help meet the demand for this service. You don’t have to be an expert, but if you can surf the net, know how to shop online and use e-mail you could support another person to do the same. If you are interested in volunteering for this service – travel expenses are paid and guidance and support to help our clients is provided. For more information about volunteering for this service or any of our other services, please contact Peter McIlroy at Age Cymru Sir Gâr on 01554 784080 or e-mail him at p.mcilroy@agecymrusirgar.org.uk or visit our website www.agecymru.org.uk/sirgar for more information on volunteering with Age Cymru Sir Gâr.

One of the Age Cymru Sir Gar befriending links groups is in the running for an 'Epic Award' (Voluntary Arts Wales). The public can help the Llanelli group win the award by voting for them online. The group shortlisted for the award is the popular Llangennech Knit, Craft and Chat Group craft group which offers isolated over-50s friendship and a chance to develop skills. To vote for thegroup, click on this link, http://blog.epicawards.co.uk/category/epic-awards-2014/shortlisted-2014/ You may need to register (if you haven’t already) and scroll down to look for the Llangennech group then click on the little green icon to vote. Help this wonderful group of over 50s win this award. The nomination on the Epic Awards website reads - Popular craft group which offers isolated over-50s friendship and a chance to develop skills. Established in 2012, Llangennech Knit, Craft and Chat Group was set up as part of a taster week in which basic knitting and card making skills were demonstrate...

Age Cymru is wishing trick-or-treaters a happy Halloween for Thursday night (October 31). We want everyone to have a fun and trouble-free night as our Safeguarding Manager, Louise Hughes, says: “We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable Halloween on Thursday. “But we also need to remember that not everyone wants to be involved in the celebrations. “This is why we’ve put a list of tips together which will allow everyone to have a happy Halloween.” Here are Age Cymru’s Top Halloween tips: Parents or guardians should accompany children who are trick-or-treating; Parents or guardians should call in on neighbours in advance to make sure that it will be okay to trick-or-treat them on Halloween; Older people who may not want trick-or-treaters calling in on them on Halloween can put a note in their window to ask people to stay away; If you are a trick-or-treater, please stay away from any houses that have got a note in the window asking you not to knock on their door; Be com...

Are you worried about oil thefts or becoming the victim of a rogue trader or a scam? Do you live in or around Newcastle Emlyn either in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion or Pembrokeshire. Then come to the Age Cymru Sir Gâr Scams awareness event, where you can find out information on how to avoid falling for these scams and preventing oil thefts. You’ll be able to talk to various community organisations and pick up literature which will help you prevent falling victim to scams or oil thefts. The event is being held between 10.00am and 12noon at the Teifi Valley Centre, 38 Church Lane, Newcastle Emlyn (in the grounds of Maes Llewellyn residential home) on Tuesday 5 November. There is also an opportunity to join the lunch club afterwards for those that want to stay for lunch. However, please notify us before 10.30am if you intend to stay for lunch. While at the centre, you can also find out about the friendship groups and other activities we host. If you wish to attend but have problems...

Age Cymru Sir Gâr will be celebrating Older People’s Day in Carmarthen tomorrow (October 1). Staff and volunteers will be on hand from 9.30am to 12 noon at a stand under the clocktower in the middle of Carmarthen by the new Carmarthen market to answer any queries about what support is available in Carmarthenshire for people aged 50+ . They will also be distributing information goodie bags. The rate of winter deaths among older people in Carmarthenshire was one of the highest in Wales last winter and Age Cymru Sir Gâr wants to help older people face the challenges of winter by informing them of the support available. Age Cymru Sir Gâr will be telling people about their new friendship groups as well as distributing information on staying warm, well and active. Also available will be hints and tips on reducing fuel bills and maximising income via benefits. Website - http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/sirgar/

The Big Knit is 10 years young! For a decade, budding milliners up and down the country have been supporting Age Cymru and innocent’s Big Knit by knitting funky little hats as part of the charity’s Spread the Warmth campaign. This year Age Cymru Sir Gâr is calling on nimble-fingered knitters in Carmarthenshire to whip out their wool and needles and help create little woolly hats. Knitters are being asked to flex their creative muscles and knit little woolly hats which will adorn innocent smoothie bottles in stores nationwide from November. For each be-hatted smoothie sold, innocent will give a donation to the Spread the Warmth campaign, helping to fund national and local winter projects. Age Cymru Sir Gâr has been tasked with knitting 400 hats by end September 2013 and needs knitters of all ages to help make this a reality. Ann Dymock Chief Officer at Age Cymru Sir Gâr said: “People in Carmarthenshire have been supporting The Big Knit for a number of years now showing they c...

‘IMP’ is coming to your area now! Age Cymru Sir Gar has been funded by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust for its IMP (Income Maximisation Project) to help people aged 50+, living in the wards of Ammanford, Betws, Brynamman, Cwmamman, Garnant, Glanamman, Myddynfych, Penygroes, Pontamman, Pantyffynnon, Saron, Tycroes and Quarter Bach, maximise their income. Everyone in these areas aged 50+ either already on benefits or eligible for benefits or on low incomes can access the organisation’s services. However, in order to help older people in these areas, the organisation needs volunteers. These volunteers will go to the homes of people who are unable to access the benefits or information services any other way and help them complete various forms and give them general information on services available to them. Information on attendance allowance, employment support allowance, pension credit and other benefits will be given and volunteers will receive training, guidance, suppo...

Cardiff Bay will be grooving to the reggae beats of the Bristol Reggae Orchestra this Saturday (25 May). The 30-strong group is playing a set of Bob Marley and Lord Tanamo covers and original songs at the Wales Millennium Centre at 1.30pm. It is part of the Gwanwyn festival – a month of art events for over 50s organised by the charity Age Cymru. Says Phil Thomas, Gwanwyn’s coordinator: “Bristol Reggae Orchestra is one of the UK’s most unique and uplifting community projects and it is made up of people of all ages. “We’re very proud to have them headlining this free concert we’re holding on Saturday 25 May on the Glanfa stage of the Wales Millennium Centre. “If your experience of reggae is all from record, come along on Saturday - it promises to be a toe-tapping show of crowd pleasers, world music and an infectious reggae beat. “Our show will also feature the world premiere of piece of music commissioned by Gwanwyn featuring Dylan Fowler on guitar and Adam Doughty on an African harp...