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

Investment in coastal defences along Carmarthenshire’s coastline in recent years prevented significant damage in the early January storms. That was the view expressed to Mid and West Wales Labour AM Joyce Watson when she discussed the effects of the recent storms at a meeting with senior council officers and coastal defence experts at Llanelli’s Discovery Centre. Mrs Watson had visited other storm damaged areas and was particularly concerned at the effect on rail passengers and Milford Haven oil freight deliveries with line closures caused by storm damage to main railway lines at Pwll and Ferryside. Carmarthenshire’s consultant coastal protection engineer, Howard Blackwell, explained that the threats to Llanelli’s coast - by rising tides and combinations of storm-driven Spring tides - has been the subject of a detailed survey that has been ongoing for 10 years. Mrs Watson said:“I am very grateful to Mr Blackwell and councillor Peter Cooper for taking the time to show me around some...

A member of the Welsh Assembly has teamed up with the Stroke Association and Carmarthenshire Council to raise council cleansing staff awareness of the risk of stroke. Stroke campaigner Joyce Watson AM and the Stroke Association visited the Cillefwr Depot, Johnstown, Carmarthen, to test the blood pressure of refuse workers and depot staff. Having high blood pressure makes people 40% more likely to have a stroke. The results were startling – of the 47 people tested, 60% were either borderline or in the high blood pressure category, increasing their risk of stroke. It was suggested to many that a reduction in their blood pressure reading would significantly improve their health and reduce their risk of stroke. Of 47 blood pressures taken 19 were normal, 20 were borderline and eight were high, therefore 60% of the readings were borderline to high. Joyce Watson AM said: “These results are a real wake-up call, but the great news is that everyone we tested can do something about it. ...