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

Cwmamman youngsters are looking for volunteers to help build nesting boxes. Cwmamman Youth Club, along with Carmarthenshire County Council rangers, plan to erect the 30 bird houses after securinga grant of over £900 from Carmarthenshire’s Youth Grant Panel. To coincide with National Nest Box Week , it is hoped volunteers will share their skills and attend the workshop at Cwmmamman Community Centre on Tuesday, February 18 between 7-9pm Once built, the wooden boxes will be housed in trees in a bid to attract birds at Gellu Werdd Tip in Glanamman, as part of the Gelli Werdd Management Plan. Youth club member, 16-year-old Brittany Bingham said: “We want to give birds a new home and a helping hand. It would be really good if many people got involved and helped us make a difference to the birds in the area.” The project will not only benefit local birdlife but also encourage intergenerational relationships within the community. The nesting boxes will be monitored and maintained on a regula...

Cwmaman Carnival will take place next month with an exciting programme of events. The carnival came back with a bang last year after a gap of 15 years. A hard-working community team restored the carnival, winning a £20,000 grant from the Western Valleys programme to help run the event for two years. The Valleys – Heart and Soul of Wales is a three-year campaign led by partnership organisations from the Western Valleys, Heads of the Valleys and The Valleys Partnership. The aim is to change perceptions of The Valleys, attract more tourists and bring long-term economic benefits to the area. The fun starts on Friday June 24 when there will be evening entertainment in the marquee from 6pm to midnight. There will be an Irish theme to the event, with pop acts provided by Turtle Promotions. The main Carnival will be held in Cwmaman Park from 10am until midnight on Saturday June 24. Acts include Meirion Owen's Quack Pack, Tawe Samba, a climbing wall, inflatable Gladiator Challenge and Rugby...

Cwmaman Carnival is back with a bang after a break of 15 years. Apathy and cash difficulties forced Cwmaman’s annual big day off the events calendar but it has come back fizzing with ideas and financial backing A hard-working community team have restored the carnival winning a £20,000 grant from the Western Valleys programme to help run the event for two years. The Valleys – Heart and Soul of Wales is a three-year campaign led by partnership organisations from the Western Valleys, Heads of the Valleys and The Valleys Partnership. The aim is to change perceptions of The Valleys, attract more tourists and bring long-term economic benefits to the area. Carmarthenshire County Council and Cwmaman Town Council are also heavily sponsoring the event to make sure the community has a fun weekend of celebration based on Cwmaman Park. It starts on Friday July 2nd with band musical entertainment on at the park and then explodes into calypso carnival colour. There’s five-s-side soccer, fun fairs and...

Youngsters are getting in to the Christmas spirit by decorating trees for the Cwmmaman Illuminations Project. Pupils from Ysgol y Gwendraeth and Ysgol Maes-Yr-Yrfa have given up their free time to participate in the project as part of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The Award, delivered by youth workers from the Amman and Gwendraeth Youth Team, encourages young people to discover and develop personal interests and social and practical lifelong skills. Youth Worker, Christopher Cray, said:“The young people have had a great time decorating the trees and are looking forward to seeing them on display in Cwmamman. “By involving young people in community activities, it encourages them to develop ownership and respect for their areas. “This is an opportunity to unite the community and provide the setting for the festive spirit in the run up to Christmas.” The Cwmmaman Illuminations Project is run in partnership between Cwmamman Town Council, Carmarthenshire’s Youth service and Cwmamman Youth...

Members of Cwmamman youth club spent time in France as part of a twinning project. Twelve young people and youth workers form the Amman and Gwendraeth team stayed in Brittany and learnt about the French culture and how the Brittany Council functioned for young people. The Twinning Project aims to establish close insights into how young people in their countries live, helping to increase an understanding of their European neighbours. This summer, French youths got the opportunity to visit Carmarthenshire and got a true taste of the Welsh culture. Sarann Richards, Detached Youth Worker, said:“Thanks to funds from the British Council and the Lefever Trust a number of young people are being given fantastic opportunities to visit different countries. “The young people have gained an appreciation for their country and heritage and have developed respect for other cultures. “Good relationships have been built and we’re looking forward to developing twinning projects between the two countries ...

With its burst of vibrant colours, Cwmaman has drawn much attention to the beautiful floral displays around the village. The Cwmamman in Bloom Project, developed in partnership by Carmarthenshire Youth Service, Cwmamman Town Council and the Youth Council, encouraged young people to take pride in the area by planting over sixty flower baskets which have been placed on lamp posts and local businesses. Rhys Jones, Senior Youth Worker for the Amman and Gwendraeth areas said: “The young people have worked really hard to create the floral displays and have helped spruce up the area for the summer. “It was great to see everyone working together on the project; the Cwmamman in Bloom initiative has definitely brought a sense of community spirit to the area. “Special thanks to Ysgol y Bedol and Wrenvale Nurseries for all their help and support. "We hope that next year will be as successful.” Caption: Young people with Youth Service officers celebrating the project’s success