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

A new fleet of refuse collection vehicles will soon be hitting the streets of Carmarthenshire. The council has taken delivery of 28 new lorries; costing around £4million, including 18 26 tonne Mercedes-Benz and 10 15 tonne DAF trucks with NTM bodies. The vehicles will provide a more efficient service to residents and help to increase the county’s recycling rate. They have a separate compartment to keep food waste separate from blue / black bags. The vehicles were officially handed over at Llanelli’s Festival Fields with a very special guest, Welsh rugby legend Sir Gareth Edwards CBE. Sir Gareth, a director with Euro Commercials (South Wales) Ltd, said: “Having come from West Wales it’s great to see such investment in the serious logistics of waste. The council is really demonstrating the ability to deliver a first class waste management programme, with some of the latest cutting-edge technology and innovation from Mercedes Benz trucks.” Euro Commercials truck sales manager Nathan Bla...

With the Hengoed Ward of Carmarthenshire Council hosting Carmarthenshire’s National Eisteddfod on its doorstep there has been huge excitement in the village and a general feeling of “how are we ever going to top that.” Minor parking issues have only underlined the phenomenal success of the event, said Pwll Councillor George Edwards. “I have had visitors from Scotland and Birmingham who have come specifically for the National Eisteddfod and they have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. “It has been a roaring success. “I have never seen to many people walking and cycling the coastal path to Burry Port. Eisteddfod visitors have been exploring and finding out more about this stunning corner location of our glorious county. “Many have told me they will be coming back to visit again. They have been blown away by the scenery and what we have to offer within and both ends of the Millennium Coastal Park. “Local businesses from the Colliers to the Bryngwyn Newydd have been bursting at the seams and...

The University of Wales Trinity St David will be playing a prominent part in the Carmarthenshire Eisteddfod staged at Festival Fields in Llanelli. The university team will be manning a stall on The Maes in Llanelli. You’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the University’s plans for the future and to discover the wealth of courses and provision on offer. Events include - Monday August 4 · From the West to the West End - Deiniol Wyn Rees and Llinos Thomas, former BA Theatr, Music and Media students – 11.00am & 2.00pm · ‘Cofio Roy Davies’ / ‘Remembering Roy Davies’ in the company of Carmarthen Poetry School – 3.00pm · Launch of Professor Densil Morgan’s book on Thomas Charles from Bala - 4.00pm · Course Finder Collector (Treasure hunt) – throughout the day Tuesday August 5 · Sioned Bessent, Cara Betty, Elin Hughes & Llio Wyn Jones, former BA Performance student – 10.00am & 4.00pm · Iwan Bala presents 'Creuriau o Eir...

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...

Visitors from near and far to this year’s National Eisteddfod are being urged to remember to recycle as much of their waste as possible. The cultural event, which is being held in Festival Fields on the Millennium Coastal Park in Llanelli, is expected to draw thousands of people to the county from August 1-9. Whether a day visitor or spending a whole week at the event, people are being reminded that there is no excuse not to recycle your waste in Carmarthenshire. Whilst visiting the towns and villages in the county it is now easier to recycle on the go with our street litter recycling bins. The bins have two separate sections – one for general litter (that cannot be recycled) and the other for paper, cans and plastic bottles making it easier for recycling. So not only are you helping to keep the county clean by putting your litter in the bin but you are also doing your bit for the environment too. Recycling rates in Carmarthenshire are continuing to soar, from just 9.4% in 2003 to a...

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...

The 2014 National Eisteddfod will be held in Carmarthenshire, and local preparatory work for the Festival begins with a public meeting on Thursday, 8 November, to encourage local people to be part of the preparations for Wales’ leading festival, held on Festival Fields, Millennium Coastal Park, Llanelli from 2-9 August 2014. National Eisteddfod Organiser, Hywel Wyn Edwards, said, “The Eisteddfod has visited Carmarthenshire many times over the years, and we’ve always enjoyed a warm welcome in the county, so we’re very much looking forward to returning in 2014. The Eisteddfod was last held locally in 2000, on the Millennium Coastal Park, and this will be our home again in 2014. The site is an accessible and pleasant location for visitors from all directions. “Since announcing our intention to return to Carmarthenshire, we’ve had enquiries from people across the whole area, keen to get involved in the preparations, and we hope that this enthusiasm and eagerness will continue for the nex...

Llanelli will play host to the National Eisteddfod when it visits Carmarthenshire in August 2014. The announcement came after months of discussions between the Eisteddfod and the local council. This is the first time for the festival to be held in the county for 14 years. Councillor Kevin Madge, Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, said, “We are delighted to announce that Carmarthenshire will be welcoming the Eisteddfod in two years’ time. The Eisteddfod’s visit will be a great boost for the whole county, not only during the week itself but during the period leading up to festival week in August 2014. These are exciting times for Llanelli, with Theatr y Ffwrnes and the Eastgate development opening soon. The Eisteddfod visit will be the icing on the cake. “The 2000 Eisteddfod in Llanelli was a week to remember, and I hope that the 2014 festival will be warmly welcomed by all our residents across the county. We are looking forward to working closely with Eisteddfod officers an...

The Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council recently opened Pontarddulais Classic Motor Club’s Classic Car and Vehicle Show. Chair Cllr Siân Thomas also helped judge the competition at Festival Fields, Pwll, Llanelli. There were more than 400 entries and three joint winners all of whose owners live in Carmarthenshire. Cllr Thomas said: “I was overwhelmed by the turnout and the time and love lavished upon these delightful cars.”