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

Trimsaran Community Primary School is the latest school to be delivered through Carmarthenshire County Council’s Modernising Education Programme. The £6.8 million new building opened its doors September 2017 and caters for children aged between 3 to 11, with 30 nursery places and a Flying Start facility. It has state of the art facilities and first class accommodation designed for both school and community use. The building was jointly funded between the County Council and Welsh Government through the 21 st Century Schools initiative. Already, the new school has achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating and is a Passivhaus accredited building. Trimsaran headteacher, Sharon Owen said: “The building has been a dream for a number of years and, with much pride, we realize that dream. The education provided at the school has always been a strength and today, with new resources and facilities, we see our pupils thrive with renewed eagerness and enthusiasm so that they achieve their potential...

Children are being urged to take part in this year’s free Summer Reading Challenge. This year’s challenge, which launched on Saturday, July 14, is Mischief Makers, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Beano comic. To take part, all children need to do is to head to their local library where they will be given a colourful collector’s map of Beanotown to keep a record of their reading journey. Visit Ammanford, Carmarthen or Llanelli town libraries along with any of the 15 local community libraries and the three mobile library vans in Carmarthenshire, to be able to enter a competition for the most read books over the summer to win a family ticket to a Pantomime near you. As children read at least six library books over the summer, they will collect stickers which will help them crack the clues and help Dennis, Gnasher and friends find the buried treasure! The Summer Reading Challenge, a unique partnership between The Reading Agency and public libraries across the UK, last year g...

County Walks across Carmarthenshire have benefitted from an upgrade thanks to the Rights of Way Improvement Plan Funding Programme from the Welsh Government. The programme is managed by Natural Resources Wales and implemented by Carmarthenshire County Council. Nearly 43km of 44 routes across the county, covering 23 town and community council areas have been improved, and 146 items of furniture installed, 97 per cent of which were new gates to help improve access to the countryside. County recreation and access manager Alan Warner said: “An example of the improvements carried out under ROWIP is in Brechfa, where 10 stiles have been replaced with self-closing pedestrian gates, new steps and signage installed to improve routes for local residents and visitors to the area. “This formed part of the larger programme of rights of way improvements on footpaths and bridleways around the county including works on the Ferryside, Cenarth and Llandysul County Walks as well as routes in Cwmifor,...

Pembrey Country Park will step back in time over the spring bank holiday. Visitors to the park will be given an insight into what it was like living during the First World War in a two-day event. Infantry, cavalry, medical services, munitionettes and civilians from that era will interact with each other with period police officers doing the rounds. A WWI field hospital, complete with medical equipment, will be set up within the park, near the visitor centre, from 10am to 5pm. Representatives from The Welsh Great War Society, Northamptonshire Regiment and the Norfolk Regiment will also make an appearance along with a group portraying the French/Belgian resistance. A treasure hunt, organised by Dyfed Archaeological Trust, will lead people through the tunnels and munitions factory base. Entry to the event on Sunday and Monday, April 30 and May 1 is free. Usual car parking charges apply. Carmarthenshire County Council’s head of leisure, Ian Jones said: “Pembrey Country Park wasn’t always...

Llanelli Library has come runner up in a national competition encouraging readers to discover the world of fictional forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway, a character created by author Elly Griffiths. Quercus Books invited libraries across the UK to partake in a three month Elly Griffiths Reader Challenge from January to March this year. Libraries have been creating wonderful displays and Elly has chosen Llanelli Library as the “brilliant runner up”.

A Digilab initiative is being launched in Carmarthen next week aimed at helping local businesses. Carmarthenshire County Council is running the event which demonstrates new digital resources for businesses, in line with the Digital High Street 2020 Report ’s findings. It will be held at Yr Atom at 16-18 King St on April 27 from 8am-10am. Breakfast will be provided The Digilab will feature: Free digital and business development resources for business and the “Digital Health Check”. Demonstration and hands on activity with new digital equipment and software. Links to business support resources and networking opportunities. The launch event will be facilitated by Carmarthenshire’s Digital Coordinator and Superfast Broadband Wales. A series of Digilab events is being planned across Carmarthenshire over the next 12 months. Book here Link - Digilab

The county council has agreed to adopt a Welsh Government business rate relief scheme, worth an estimated £488,000 for qualifying ratepayers in Carmarthenshire. Shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes in town centres could be amongst those eligible to apply for reduced business rates under the scheme, established to support those that have seen their rates increase as a result of the 2017 revaluation undertaken by the Valuation Office Agency. The council’s Executive Board agreed to adopt the scheme at its meeting this week. Councils do not have to grant the relief, but can choose to do so if it supports wider objectives for the local area. The council will now be able to offer two tiers of relief for existing businesses – the first tier for those that have a rateable value of between £6,001 and £12,000 for the financial year 2017-18 and who already receive Small Business Rates Relief or Transitional Relief. The second tier applies to retailers whose property has a rateable value between £...

LBS Builders Merchants are helping a local British Trust for Ornithology volunteer to provide vital nesting boxes for one of the county’s rarest breeding birds. The tree sparrow may be mistaken for its more common cousin the house sparrow (tree sparrows have a distinctive brown cap and black spot on their cheeks) but the Tywi Valley now appears to host the largest population in Wales of this ‘red-listed’ species. The tree sparrows do not wander far from the valley floodplain. Here, around the still or slow-flowing water found on the floodplain, they can find the preferred insects that adults feed to the young during the summer. Nest boxes at key sites will benefit the tree sparrows, helping to supplement their preferred nesting sites in tree cavities, and provide a good opportunity to ring and monitor the birds. The project is being run by Charlie Sargent, who is a member of the Teifi Ringing group and a BTO licensed bird ringer. Outside the breeding season, tree sparrows are depende...

Funding of almost half a million pounds has been secured for road safety projects in Llanelli and the Amman / Gwendraeth area. The council has received a total of £445,500 from the Welsh Government’s Road Safety Capital Grant which supports road casualty reduction schemes across Wales. It includes £225,000 for a route treatment scheme in Llanelli on the B4297 between the Halfway lights and Talyclun in Llangennech and a grant of £220,500 for a similar scheme on the B4297 between Tycroes and Gorslas. Both schemes will provide reduced speed limits, enhanced warning signs, driver feedback signs, traffic calming, traffic islands, junction visibility improvements, improved crossing points and upgraded red light cameras. Head of Highways and Transport Steve Pilliner said: “I am delighted that the council has secured this funding so that both these schemes can be carried out this financial year. “These schemes will significantly improve safety for both road users and pedestrians along these ...

Funding has been awarded to create a safer walking and cycling environment for schoolchildren and the wider communities in Carmarthen and Pontyberem. The council has received funding of £542,759 from Welsh Government to carry out walking, cycling and road safety improvements as part of the Safe Routes in Communities programme. A grant of £292,759 was awarded to fund a scheme in Carmarthen town and £250,000 towards a range of measures which includes improving access to Pontyberem Primary School. The scheme in Carmarthen will improve access to Ysgol y Dderwen via Llys Fynnon and improve walking links to Richmond Park School. It includes safer crossing points and traffic calming measures along Lime Grove Avenue and a raised plateau and improved lighting around Pondside, Johnstown. The grant will also go towards a proposed zebra crossing and parent waiting shelter at Model School. In Pontyberem, the proposals include a new path linking Brandyway with the school; a potential new footpath ...

Residents are being reminded that there are changes to bin collections over the Easter holidays. From Friday, April 14 until Friday, April 21, collections will take place one day later than usual. So for example, if your collection is due on Friday it won’t be picked up until Saturday and so on. These changes also affect garden waste and trade waste customers. Please remember to recycle using your blue bags - it is estimated that 90 million chocolate Easter eggs are bought in the UK every year, that’s a lot of cardboard and plastic packaging! And if you are making a big Easter lunch for all the family, make sure you either compost your vegetable peelings or they go into your food bin, which is collected weekly, along with any leftovers. The recycling centres in Trostre (Llanelli), Wernddu (Ammanford), Nantycaws (Carmarthen) and Whitland are all open as usual over the Easter period. To find out when your bins are being collected or for more information on recycling please visit www.ca...

Carmarthenshire County Council’s dog wardens are calling for information about a dog left abandoned in Llanelli. The council’s dog warden service was called in to action following reports of a male Rottweiler being left tied to a fence near Andrew Street. It is thought the he may have been there for a few days, and was in need of urgent veterinary care. He is recovering well, and now the wardens want people to help them and RSPCA colleagues find the owner and take appropriate action. Dog warden Brendan Davies said: “We don’t know how long he had been there, but it may have been a few days. He was severely underweight and had lost hair on his back due to flea infestation. “He has responded well to treatment and TLC, his fleas have gone and his coat is starting to re-grow already. “This could have been avoided with such little cost - the PDSA was only a short walk away from where he was left tied up without food, water and shelter. His owner could have taken him there for treatment and...

Funding of almost half a million pounds has been secured for road safety projects in Llanelli and the Amman / Gwendraeth area. The council has received a total of £445,500 from the Welsh Government’s Road Safety Capital Grant which supports road casualty reduction schemes across Wales. It includes £225,000 for a route treatment scheme in Llanelli on the B4297 between the Halfway lights and Talyclun in Llangennech and a grant of £220,500 for a similar scheme on the B4297 between Tycroes and Gorslas. Both schemes will provide reduced speed limits, enhanced warning signs, driver feedback signs, traffic calming, traffic islands, junction visibility improvements, improved crossing points and upgraded red light cameras. Head of Highways and Transport Steve Pilliner said: “I am delighted that the council has secured this funding so that both these schemes can be carried out this financial year. “These schemes will significantly improve safety for both road users and pedestrians along these ...

A new monthly club for learners and Welsh speakers in Carmarthen to have the chance for a chat and to relax is being launched next week. Clwb Clecs Caerfyrddin is being jointly organised by Menter Iaith Gorllewin Sir Gâr, Dysgu Cymraeg Sir Gâr, and the county council. It will be held in Yr Atom, King Street, Carmarthen, on the last Wednesday of the month from 12.30-1.30pm. The dates for the club are March 29, April 26, May 31 and June 28. All welcome. Contact Gwawr or Siân on 01269 712934 or 01267 246861 for more information.

A new garden waste collection service for householders in Carmarthenshire is being launched this spring. Residents who sign up to the scheme will be provided with a 240 litre wheeled bin which will be emptied fortnightly between April and November. Householders who pay in full when they apply will receive a 15% discount so it will cost £40.80 for the season. They can also choose to pay by direct debit with payments made in instalments, this will cost a total of £48. Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “The collection of garden waste is a chargeable service; the charge covers the hire of the bin and the costs of making the fortnightly collections. It is also fairer for residents who do not have a garden, who choose to compost at home, or who do not want to use the service. “There are also other options available to residents. One of the most environmentally-friendly and cost-effective ways of dealing with garden waste is to home compost; or you can take ...

With under two months to go to the local elections people in Carmarthenshire are being urged to ensure they are registered to vote. On May 4, electors will have the chance to vote for who they want to represent them. Elected councillors will stay in local government for five years. Carmarthenshire County Council’s electoral services division works to support elections and referendums. People who are not registered or have moved recently need to register before Thursday, April 13 in order to vote - it can be done online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote . Alternatively, contact Electoral Services on 01267 228889. Electors can vote in person at a polling station between 7am and 10pm. You will be sent a poll card around the 24 March telling you where your polling station is. If you lose or don’t receive a polling card contact the electoral services office before the 13 April. Those who require a postal vote for this election, must complete and send an application to the Electoral...

The search is on to find Carmarthenshire’s next Richard Branson or Alan Sugar. Budding entrepreneurs are being urged to enter this year’s Beacon Bursary competition, launched at the Graig Campus of Coleg Sir Gar. Open to further and higher education students studying or living in Carmarthenshire, winners of the competition are offered free office space within the Beacon Centre for Enterprise in Dafen, Llanelli, along with a cash prize of up to £3000 and mentoring support, so that they can develop their businesses. The annual competition is delivered through Carmarthenshire County Council in conjunction with Coleg Sir Gâr and University of Wales Trinity Saint David and forms part of the council’s commitment to developing entrepreneurship within the county. It provides people with an opportunity to access finance, office space and a wealth of support and experience which will provide the best opportunity for their businesses to flourish. Last year’s winner was Martin Goddard of 360 Ent...

A Carmarthen butchers has accepted a plaque advertising the protected status of its traditional family recipe ham. Carmarthen Indoor Market’s Albert Rees Butchers was given the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) for its Carmarthen ham recently by the European Union. Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs Leslie Griffiths visited Carmarthen Market on Friday in the company of Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member responsible for markets Cllr David Jenkins to present the plaque. PGI is one of three European designations created to protect regional foods that have a specific quality, reputation or other characteristics attributable to that area. It acts like a Trade Mark and stops manufacturers from outside a region copying a regional product and selling it as that regional product. Albert Rees was set up in 1962 by Albert and Brenda Rees. In 1989, Chris and Ann Rees took over the business on the retirement of Chris's parents in Carmarthen and Pembro...

Hundreds of businesses in the construction industry attended an event at Llanelli’s Parc Y Scarlets to find out about the major opportunities available to them. More than 300 delegates from across the region went along to find out more about various forthcoming projects that they could be a part of. More than £132 million worth of projects have been awarded amongst the 23 contractors on the Framework since February 2016, with a further £188 million worth of projects in the pipeline. The Contractors Framework is used for the delivery of construction and associated services across the Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot council areas. Carmarthenshire County Council leads the Framework on behalf of the partner authorities. The event brought the Framework contractors, potential sub-contractors and supporting organisations together, allowing them to network and discuss future business opportunities. The morning session showcased a variety of trade exh...

An extremely cold and windy day did not put off Rachael Garside from the BBC Radio Wales Country Focus programme from joining members of the Carmarthenshire Bogs Project out in the field. Rachel and her producer Pauline Smith came to Pyllau Cochion common near Brechfa to look at the work that the project has been undertaking. They found out more about the importance of lowland bog habitats and the interesting discoveries the project has made over the last 18 months. A whole programme will be dedicated to the project on Sunday February 26 at 7am on BBC Radio Wales and it will then be available on the BBC radio i-Player for a month after. Formed over thousands of years, lowland bogs are increasingly rare examples of an important peatland habitat supporting specialised but threatened wildlife. Bogs lock-up carbon in the peat, and when in good condition capture more from the atmosphere, helping to address climate change. They filter water for slow release into streams and are valuab...