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

Members of Llanelli Rotary Club have enjoyed taking part in the Mary's Meals backpack appeal. The club members and friends collected 59 backpacks to send to needy children in Africa. Project coordinator Alison Evans said she was delighted with the response. "We have had great fun building bridges with local schools to get response for the backpack appeal. "This is the first time we (as a club) have attempted anything like this and we are very grateful to the public for their response. "We know the backpacks are going to be put to good use in Africa, "Having seen some of the feedback videos from the delivery of the backpacks, I can say it is a wonderful donation. The joy on the faces of the children is incredible!" Llanelli Rotary Club President Hywel Bassett said: "We are a very active group of Rotarians who believe firmly in the Rotary motto of 'service above self'. "We have a number of community projects which are base...

Father Christmas has helped Llanelli Rotary Club raise more than £1700 for charity. 'Santa' was kind enough to come down from the North Pole to sit in the special Rotary Grotto at the BHS store in Trostre, Llanelli, on five days in the run-up to Christmas. He was accompanied by some specially-dressed Rotary 'elves'. It was a big 'first' for Llanelli Rotary - the first time the club has managed to secure the services of Santa in the run-up to Christmas. "It was very much a team effort between Santa and his North Pole team and members of Llanelli Rotary Club," said Rotarian Alison Evans, who was one of the organisers. "Santa was full of the joy of Christmas and most of the young visitors who called in to see him at the grotto were delighted with the experience. "Fingers crossed, we will be able to secure Santa's services again next year and repeat the whole exercise. "Members of Llanelli Rotary Club thoroughly enjoyed...

Llanelli Rotary Club members have launched a new 'Backpack Appeal' to make a difference to a child in Africa - Give your OLD backpack a NEW life. With the new school year upon us, we're asking for your help to make a difference to a child in Africa. The Backpack Project is being organised by the Mary's Meals charity. It appeals to schools, clubs, businesses, churches and individuals to fill backpacks with basic educational materials to send to children receiving Mary’s Meals. Most of the children who benefit from Mary’s Meals and the Backpack Project have suffered war, poverty, famine, or natural disaster. Very often families cannot afford to buy basic things like pencils and copy books, or even suitable clothes for their children to wear to school. And so their children miss out on school and an education. A simple backpack with educational materials can be a lifeline to these children as studies show that an education is the best way a chronically poor child can esc...

Brynwgyn Comprehensive School pupil Tegan Andrews had her chef's hat on again to help cook a special dinner for members of Llanelli Rotary Club and their guests at the Stradey Park Hotel.  Tegan, 14, was the winner of the 2014 Young Chef competition staged by Llanelli Rotary Club. She also won the inaugural competition last year. Since that first victory, Tegan has been gaining experience helping in the kitchen of the Stradey Park Hotel and other restaurants in Llanelli. This year, she also won her way through to the regional final of the national Rotary Young Chef competition staged in Stoke. "Tegan has been a wonderful ambassador for Llanelli Rotary Club," said club president Ken Abban. "She was a worthy winner of our Llanelli Rotary Young Chef competition and performed with distinction in subsequent competitions." Tegan's culinary skills came to the fore again when she cooked dinner for more than 50 Rotarians and their guests at the club...

The newest member of Llanelli Rotary Club was officially inducted into membership at a meeting of the club at the Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli. Alison Evans was officially welcomed by club president Melanie Carroll-Cliffe, left. Midlands-born Alison has lived in Llanelli since 1977. She first came to the area while working for Ammanford-based Delanair. She progressed from graduate trainee to finance director with Delanair. Following the takeover by Valeo in 1989, she joined TRW Cam Gears in Resolven. Alison worked for TRW for 18 years, for much of that time in Birmingham. Most recently, she was chief finance officer for the Continental Europe region of the United Technologies Fire and Security business. She met husband Paul in Llanelli’s famous Glen Ballroom. The couple have one daughter, Sarah. Paul worked for Ina Bearings for 43 years. Sarah is employed by DW Training in Trostre. Alison said: “I hope to bring my experience, energy and enthusiasm to supporting Llanelli Rotary Club i...