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

A Dinefwr Park family walk, in aid of Carmarthenshire Colorectal Nursing Services, has raised £833 for patients. A group of 30 staff members, patients, family and friends attended the walk, led by Sarah Jones, Engagement Ranger. The service plan to purchase pressure relief cushions which help ease the pain that patients experience after surgery and advance the recovery period.

Some 40 dogs and their owners were barking mad for the launch of Carmarthenshire Therapy Dogs . They ranged from sit-in-a-tea-cup 7-month-old Chihuahua called Lola weighing a few ounces to a nine-stone Bernese Mountain Dog called Layla. Carmarthenshire council third sector broker Sue Smith said the enthusiasm of the volunteers and health professionals attending the event at Newton House, Dinefwr Park, Llandeilo, had been really inspiring. She said: “The dogs worked their magic on all who attended the launch with many smiles and hugs. “I am looking forward to seeing these wonderful dogs and their owners starting visiting the socially isolated and lonely in our communities. They can make such a difference to people lives.” Ten owners with their dogs showed an interest in signing up or leaning more about becoming part of the county’s therapy dog’s team. They watched videos and clips of therapy dogs in action and heard from people who had been sharing the love of their pets and suppo...

Splendid day out at Dinefwr House and Park in Llandeilo today. Photo slideshow -

Carmarthen Harriers has been successful in its bid to host the 2014 Welsh cross-country championships in the beautiful setting of Dinefwr Park, Llandeilo, in February 2014. This event follows on from the very successful Schools and Home Countries senior international cross-country match held at Dinefwr Park in March. The last time these Welsh championships were held in Carmarthenshire was in 1999 when they were held on the United Counties Showground in Carmarthen. The current Welsh senior cross country champion is Dewi Griffiths from Llanfynydd who went to Ysgol Tregib secondary school in Llandeilo. Primary schools races are planned in the morning before the Welsh championships events.

The National Trust is planning an action-packed Easter at locations nationwide. And there's a chance here for you to win a family pass to a National Trust site in Wales. Just check out the competition question at the foot of this post. A spokesman for the National Trust said: "Quality time with family, playing outdoors and smiling faces are just a few of our favourite things about Easter! "This Easter Weekend, we invite you and your family to share our passion and excitement for the Easter holidays at our annual fun-filled Easter Egg Trails!  "For the sixth year running Cadbury are supporting the National Trust and the National Trust for Scotland in bringing the magic back to Easter with traditional fun, games and Easter Egg Trails for everyone.  "There are more than 250 locations nationwide so we've created a handy map to help you find the right Trail for your family this Easter. "We hope you and your family can join us this Easter and...

Cwmcerrig Farmshop has scooped two National Trust Fine Farm Produce awards. The business has been rewarded for its Dinefwr Venison and Dinefwr Venison Red Wine and Onion Sausages. The popular Farmshop and Grill in Gorslas, Carmarthenshire, has developed the products in partnership with the National Trust’s Dinefwr Estate near Llandeilo. One of the partners in the Watkins family business, Roland Watkins, said: “It’s the first time for us to be entered into the awards and we are delighted to receive the prizes. “The judging process for the awards is very strict and that makes it all the more rewarding to be recognised by the National Trust. “We have built up a great reputation for our meat here at Cwmcerrig and we take pride in producing quality, value-for-money products which are appreciated by our customers.” The news of the National Trust Fine Farm Produce awards follows hot on the heels of Cwmcerrig being nominated for two prestigious UK Farm Retail Awards run by the National Fa...

West Wales to host a major new literature festival | Wales | Creative Boom Magazine Literature Wales is pleased to announce that a lively new festival celebrating the very best of literature will be held at Dinefwr Park and Castle in west Wales in 2012. The Dinefwr Literature Festival is a collaboration between Literature Wales, the National Trust, and the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David (as lead partner in the Coracle programme).

Dinefwr is hosting a fabulous Edwardian Christmas Fayre - and the National Trust estate is being transformed into a winter wonderland complete with ice-skating rink, real reindeer and Santa’s Grotto for the occasion. On November 26 and 27, a children’s choir will sing carols, mulled wine will be served and unique food gifts bought and sold in the Inner Courtyard as up to 35 skaters at a time glide around the rink in front of historic Newton House. Meanwhile down in the old kitchen and laundry room, young visitors will be getting creative as they turn their hands to making traditional decorations. These decorations can be taken home or added to Newton House’s own, magnificent Christmas tree which will be decorated with paper chains, sugar canes and sweet-filled cones, as was the Edwardian way. A century ago, Christmases were not dominated by the television schedule or Internet shopping and Dinefwr’s Edwardian Christmas Fayre aims to bring back the spirit of simple celebration, said Eve...

The first “Blas Tywi” Food Festival held in Dinefwr Farm attracted an estimated 3,000 visitors over the event’s two days. It featured celebrity chefs Bryn Williams, Anthony Evans, Hazel Thomas, Daniel Williams and Lisa Fearn who demonstrated their culinary skills to an enthusiastic audience. The event also saw Llandeilo Young Farmers win the “Ar Y Fwydlen” cookery competition by beating Llandeilo RFC into second place. The festival hosted more than 30 different food, drink and herbal stalls ranging from local meats and fish to speciality beers, cakes and cheeses. Entertainment included lantern-making sessions, cookery workshops, clay-making demonstrations, apple pressing and storytelling. The crowds also enjoyed a variety of musical items with the Nantgaredig Community Orchestra, the Nantgaredig School Choir and St Teilo Choir providing the entertainment. Further entertainment was provided by students of Coleg Sir Gar, and the Jac-y- Do folk group getting everyone involved in their Twm...

A Taste of Tywi community food festival is being held this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, the Community Food Festival and Open Day is being held at the Tywi Centre, Dinefwr Farm, Llandeilo. The event is being organised by Tywi Afon yr Oesoedd and its partner organisations. The event will celebrate the wonderful produce and people of the Tywi Valley. There is a competition with the following categories - Open cookery Bara Brith 6 Welsh Cakes Chocolate sponge Pot of Jam Pot of Chutney Children’s Section Decorated cup cakes (under 7 yrs) Savory Pasties (8-11yrs) Fruits of the Valley (12-16yrs) Please register your entries in the Music and Arts Marquee by 11am on Saturday 11th September. Inspiration and ideas will be flowing as guest chefs will be demonstrating how to prepare delicious dishes. Each chef will take their inspiration from ingredients available locally. Members of the audience will have the opportunity to sample the final dishes. Chefs include - Bryn Williams One of Bryn’s m...

Trinity University College and the National Trust’s Newton House at Dinefwr Park and Castle have developed a range of opportunities for students to showcase and exhibit their work within the creative and performing arts. As part of the University's Arts Festival, Vice Chancellor, Dr Medwin Hughes and Selina Carpenter, Visitor Operations Manager signed a Memorandum of Understanding which secures and develops the working relationship between the National Trust property and the University. Dr Hughes said: “The University acknowledges the significant commitment by staff at Newton House to encourage, develop and support a range of events. We are grateful for their support and for the opportunities and experiences this kind of activity offers our students and staff.” Work to date has included theatre performances, utilising Newton House as both a stimulus and setting for productions; musical recitals; theatre design exhibitions; projects for Teacher Training students; and work placement ...