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

Brass Bands from Ystradgynlais and Cwmtawe will be among the first competitors to take the stage when competitions begin in earnest at the Carmarthenshire National Eisteddfod's pink Pavilion tomorrow morning (Saturday). The Brass Bands Section 4 competition will be first up on the main stage. They will be competing for cash prizes and the Ivor Jarvis Cup. Competitors: Band Pres Cwmbrân; Seindorf Arian yr Oakeley; Band Ieuenctid Abertyleri a’r Cylch; Band Ieuenctid Cwmtawe; Band Bro Morgannwg; Band Arian Oakdale; Band Cyhoeddus Ystradgynlais. The result of the competition, sponsored by Llanelli's TAD Builders Ltd, will be announced at 15.20. -------------- The Official Opening of the Eisteddfod takes place at 11am at the Literary Pavilion. There will be a short speech by Meirion Evans to welcome everyone to the 2014 Eisteddfod and to the Literary Pavilion. --------------- The Carmarthenshire Eisteddfod Clog Dancing Demonstration which takes place at 11am at the Dance stage has b...

Carmarthenshire Council is looking for four families who are up for taking part in some fun and games at the National Eisteddfod 'Maes' on Tuesday, August 5. Council staff are being joined by S4C’s Stwnsh Sadwrn presenter Tudur Phillips to put on a fun-packed family game show on the council stage with plenty of fantastic prizes up for grabs. The search is on for four family teams to take part in Sialens Cynnal y Cartref (Home Maintenance Challenge) – a competition which will see families compete in a series of challenges designed to test their team work. It’ll involve blindfolds, mental challenges, and possibly a bit of water.... Tudur said: “This is going to be a right laugh – I can’t wait to meet the families who will be taking part. We’ll have loads of fun, and with plenty of fantastic prizes up for grabs there’s going to be some very happy faces at the end of it.” The game show will run twice during the Cartrefi a Cymynedau (Homes and Communities) themed day on Tu...

The 2014 Carmarthenshire National Eisteddfod is getting close. Work is under way preparing the site at Festival Fields, Llanelli, for the Festival taking place from August 1-9. The Eisteddfod is returning to the county and the site for the first time since 2000. Carmarthenshire County Council is looking forward to welcoming around 150,000 visitors to the county for a week to remember and to celebrate the Welsh language and culture. The council’s executive board member with responsibility for the Eisteddfod Councillor Keith Davies said: “I'm looking forward to the Carmarthenshire National Eisteddfod, and to see this spectacular event returning to the county. It is an honour for us in Carmarthenshire to be hosting the Eisteddfod." You can visit the Eisteddfod’s website, www.eisteddfod.org.uk if you would like more information about the festival and the week’s events. The main Eisteddfod Maes will be on the Millennium Festival Fields off Sandy Road as it was in 2000. This is w...

Communities in Carmarthenshire are being given an opportunity to show that they live in the loveliest area in the county. Carmarthenshire’s Loveliest Locality Competition aims to encourage communities throughout the county to dress their area up in readiness for the arrival of this year’s National Eisteddfod. The council’s executive board member with responsibility for the Eisteddfod Cllr Keith Davies said: “It has been such an achievement for the majority of appeal committees to have reached and exceeded their targets. This is our opportunity to celebrate their hard work and enthusiasm. “The aim of this competition is to ensure that Carmarthenshire gives the National Eisteddfod a true Welsh welcome. All those visiting the area can be confident that, from whatever direction they come, they will see flowers, pretty shop windows, plenty of colour and of course bunting.” The competition will be judged on Monday July 28 when the Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council Cllr Daff Davies wi...

Are you a soloist or group based in Carmarthenshire and competing or performing in this year’s National Eisteddfod? Would you like to perform on stage to thousands of visitors to the Maes in Llanelli? If so, Carmarthenshire County Council has a stage which will be showing off the talent that we have in the county and we would like to hear from you. If you would like more information please contact Rhiannon Evans, 01267 224 456