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

A host of activities are planned at Carmarthenshire markets to celebrate Welsh Week. To mark the event, which starts on Saturday, February 25, the markets will be decked out in Welsh flags. There will be free local produce tasting, arts and crafts making for children and Welsh music playing to entertain the crowds. On St David’s Day, Wednesday, March 1, shoppers will be treated to free Cawl tasting during the morning in Carmarthen and Llanelli. Scarlets players will also make appearances in Llanelli and visitors will be entertained by Cor Curiad singing outside The Teapot Café. Various activities are taking place across Carmarthen town with the annual Gwyl Dewi Parade starting from Carmarthen Park at 10am on Saturday. The indoor market has everything you need to celebrate St David’s Day – from traditional Welsh outfits for school children to other Welsh-themed accessories. And by supporting your local traders you can also pick up good quality, local ingredients at affordable price...

Three couples in Llanelli Market have clocked up more than 87 years of marriage between them. Whilst most us get a break from each other during the working week Audrey and Will Seward, Peter and Bronwen Beale and Sharon and Deane Bowler have never been apart, running a home and successful business together. The trio have accumulated more than 31,500 days of working and living together since they said exchanged their wedding vows with compromise being the main factor. Will Seward, of Seward’s Fruit and Veg and Florists, has been married for 47 years and says never go to bed on an argument: “Everyone has their ups and downs but you learn to work through them and never go to bed on an argument. You have to have an understanding that there is no boss, it’s an equal partnership. It’s a way of life for us, we love what we do and it’s brought us closer together as a couple. We’d do it all over again in a minute.” Impress your partner with a choice of gifts and flowers from Carmarthenshire M...

Impress your partner with a choice of gifts and flowers from Carmarthenshire Markets and be in with a chance of winning a romantic break at Llanelli’s Stradey Park Hotel on St Valentine’s Day. Visitors to Llanelli and Carmarthen markets who buy items associated with the patron saint of love will be entered into a draw with one lucky couple being treated to dinner and an overnight stay at the four-star hotel on Tuesday, February 14. From cards and flowers to perfume, paintings, clothing and jewellery there’s lots of different love tokens to be found in both markets. If you’re preparing your loved one a delicious meal, visit the market where you can buy a choice of great local produce from steaks to cheeses, speciality fish and seafood to delicious desserts. Carmarthenshire County Council’s executive board member responsible for the markets, Cllr David Jenkins said: “There are some great products available to buy in the market to celebrate Valentine’s Day. By doing so you’ll be support...

Show your love and celebrate St Dwynwen’s Day with the help of Carmarthenshire markets. The markets have all you need for a romantic night in to mark the patron saint of Welsh lovers day on Wednesday, January 25. Impress your partner with a choice of gifts, cards and flowers which are all available at Carmarthen and Llanelli indoor markets. From perfume to paintings to love themed signs or clothing and jewellery there’s lots of different gifts and ideas to be found at both markets. If you’re preparing your loved one a delicious meal, why not visit the market where you can buy a choice of great local produce; from steaks to cheeses, speciality fish and seafood to Gin and other spirits and delicious desserts. Why not surprise your loved one with a romantic trip and call into Eden Tours. Don’t forget your pets need pampering too, so pop into Burns Pet store or The Pet Pantry to find that perfect treat. In addition, one lucky couple will win a romantic dinner and an overnight stay for t...

One of Llanelli’s most famous panto star’s, Denny Twp, joined in the festive cheer with Ysgol Brynsierfel at Llanelli Indoor Market. Denys, who has spent over 40 years as a voluntary and charity worker, met and sang carols with the children who were entertaining the crowds as part of the markets Christmas celebrations. Throughout December primary schools from across the town have been singing their hearts whilst visitors have been doing their Christmas shopping. Denny, who stars in this year’s Robinson Crusoe pantomime with The Friendship Theatre at the Ffrwrnes in January, will be meeting and greeting shoppers to Llanelli Market again on Monday, December 19. Hendy, Bigyn and Stebonheath schools will be playing this week so people are being urged to come out and support them. Llanelli Market and Carmarthen Market are also open this Sunday from 10-4pm.

Schoolchildren in the town will be the raising the roof at Llanelli Market in the run up to Christmas. Primary pupils will be showing off and entertaining the crowds with carol singing and Christmas themed songs throughout December. Brynsierfel, Yr Hendy, Bigyn, Halfway, Ysgol Y Castell, Stebonheath and Old Road are among the school choirs taking part outside The Teapot Café. Parents are being urged to come and support their schools and spread the Christmas cheer. County Markets Manager, Amanda Davies said: “We are all very excited here and look forward to welcoming the children. Market traders are already getting into the festive spirit and have started decking out their stalls with Christmas bling. The council’s executive board member for resources, Cllr David Jenkins said: “What a treat for those visiting Llanelli Market this year. There’s always something special about a children’s choir singing and we hope that as many people as possible will come out to show their support.” Dat...

If it’s a taste of Thai you like, or you have a passion for handbags or handmade gifts then come on down to Llanelli Market. My Kitchen Table, A Taste of Thailand and Retro Bags are three of the latest new stalls to move into the Llanelli town centre hub. A selection of unique crafts from Christmas decorations to hanging wall frames can be found at My Kitchen Table. You can also book a craft party to host in your own home. A Taste of Thailand, located to the far right of the Cowell Street entrance, offers authentic healthy Thai food to eat in or take away. All produce is sourced within the market and come in microwavable containers making cooking easier for those with busy lifestyles. You can also try before you buy. Retro Bags has an abundance of colourful handbags and purses for all occasions. Assistant Market Manager, Mark Curtis said: “The stalls are already proving popular with our visitors and I’d like to wish them all the very best.” Llanelli Indoor Market has a host of Christ...

Hundreds of pumpkins blanketing a hill overlooking Llanelli have been ripening in time for Halloween And they have been rolling on down to the Market Garden stall of Miriam and Stephen Phillips at Llanelli Market ready for Halloween enthusiasts to carve their own masterpieces or make pumpkin pie or soup. From football size to giant pear shaped monster pumpkins more than two feet across, they adorn the stall almost begging to be carved to smile, grimace, happily gaze and even scare with twinkling lights on All Hollows Eve. Whilst quite an attraction at the Cowell Street entrance to Llanelli Market, the pumpkins always draw wide-eyed children in awe at the size of Jack-o-Lanterns on the Phillips family stall. They also attract the Mary Berry serious cook and, capitalising on this, the Phillips market stallholders give away helpful recipe sheets for making pumpkin pies and soup. The stall also supplies hotels and schools about Llanelli with the produce of their bountiful autumnal harves...

Work has started on investment of almost £1million in Llanelli Market and its precincts. The next phase of the work includes improvements to the fire alarm, ventilation system and mains electrics and public wifi within the market hall and Stepney and Cowell precincts. The market and precincts remain open and business continues as usual as the improvement work is done out of hours by local contractors Lloyd and Gravell. Work involving scaffolding in both market precincts is expected to take three weeks. Llanelli Market and precincts are owned and managed by Carmarthenshire County Council. Executive board member for resources, Cllr David Jenkins, said: “Shoppers can be reassured that the market is open and businesses are trading as usual during this time. “Understandably there will be some disruption to shoppers and traders, but this will be kept to a minimum as contractors undertake the work outside of opening hours.” This investment will secure the long term future for the market, w...

Two new businesses have opened in Llanelli Market. Maureen’s Floral Designs provides fresh and artificial arrangements for all occasions, from wedding button holes to grave pots, funeral tributes and wreaths. There is also a selection of homemade baby and children’s clothing. Owned by Maureen Harries from Llanelli, the stall is already attracting customers from as far afield as Abergavenny, Aberystwyth and Neath. Maureen, who has been running the business on a more casual basis, including at the outdoor market and in the Elli Centre for the last eight years, said: “Having a stall in the indoor market is a big commitment but it’s going very well. “Due to having a small workspace here, in most cases customer orders can be completed by the following day.” Verve Cafe on Cowell Street, is a mother and daughter business partnership. Kathryn Williams said it was her 18-year-old daughter Angharad Davies’ idea. She added: “Angharad wanted to open up a milkshake bar so we’ve combined the spe...

Shoppers at Llanelli market are going ‘bananas’ for Minion-shaped pumpkins. The Minion mayhem has been fuelled by pumpkins grown by Miriam Phillips and her husband Steve of Mr and Mrs H Phillips Fruit and Vegetables. Miriam said: “We’ve grown nearly 400 pumpkins on our farm this year. It’s been a great year for them. We noticed that a few of them were shaped like minions, so we thought it would be great to turn them into the characters because you see them everywhere in the shops.” The minions have caught the attention of a number of shoppers already, with many stopping to take selfies with them. “They’re very popular, and we’re now looking at different characters. I’d like to do an Olaf one from Frozen next,” said Miriam. Last year, H Phillips Fruit and Vegetables sold out of their giant pumpkins before Halloween. “I thought people would find them too big, but they were really popular as people want them bigger now to carve larger designs,” said Miriam. “It’s never too soon to buy y...

The Lift Programme in Carmarthenshire is launching an innovative new initiative to give its clients key employability skills and a boost their chances of finding paid work. The employment and training programme, which is funded by the Welsh Government and works with individuals from workless households within Communities First areas, will be opening its new Market stall within Llanelli Indoor Market. The stall will operate every Thursday and will be providing supported work placements to two Lift clients every week. During this time they will undergo a structured four-week programme where they will learn key retail skills. Senior Lift Mentor Alex Morgan said: “We work with clients who are the furthest from the labour market and who need a supported work placement to give them the confidence in their own ability and an understanding of working in retail. “Through providing this support we will move clients closer to the labour market.” The Market stall will be selling products that...

Pupils from a Llanelli primary school are hoping to reap what they sow. Swiss Valley primary school will be at Llanelli Indoor market on Thursday, March 26 until 12.30pm, selling seeds and seedlings from their school garden. Representatives from the school’s eco council will be selling vegetable seeds including peas, broad beans, runner beans, onions and seed potatoes on their stand in Stepney Precinct. They will also have seedlings of broad beans, lettuce, cabbage and tomatoes. The garden was created in 2012 and currently has 15 raised beds, four glasshouses and two areas where children plant directly into the soil. Teacher and garden leader Neil Lane said: “The aim of the garden is to provide an opportunity for children to learn skills across the curriculum by providing them with opportunities to grow their own vegetables, buy and sell seeds, seedlings and vegetables as well as learning about the benefits of a healthy diet. “The project is also run as a business to introduce pupils...

Come and celebrate St David’s Day at Carmarthenshire’s markets. From cawl tasters to face painting, there’s lots going on in Llanelli and Carmarthen indoor markets to celebrate the weekend long. On Friday, February 27 between 11am-1pm at Carmarthen Indoor Market there will be cawl tasters and recipe cards detailing where you can purchase the ingredients directly from the market; free facepainting and traditional music. On Saturday, February 28 at Llanelli Indoor Market you can find free facepainting between 11am-1pm as well as a free St David’s Day picture at our green screen area in front of the Teapot cafe all day. Celebrations continue in Llanelli Indoor Market on Monday, March 2 with cawl tasters, recipe cards and traditional music. Radio Carmarthenshire will be broadcasting from Carmarthen and Llanelli markets on the Friday and Monday between 11am-1pm. We will also be announcing the winner of our ‘create a radio advert’ competition for primary schools. Ysgol Dewi Sant, Ysgol Lla...

Everyone is going pumpkin crazy in Llanelli. Llanelli market stallholders Miriam and Steve Phillips cannot get their monster pumpkins on the stall fast enough. They are flying out without broomsticks - and there is still three weeks to go to Halloween. Steve said it has been a fabulous pumpkin growing year on their farm above Pwll. “They are bigger and wider ribbed than ever and are causing quite a stir when they go out on the stall.” He said: “We have already harvested 160 and most of those are spoken for. They are flying out because they are so big and beautiful.” Carmarthenshire theatres manager Carwyn Matera Rogers was walking through the market and was gobsmacked by the display of giant pumpkins, ordering 20 immediately for his Ffwrnes Theatre Halloween display. Miriam said orders for scores of giant pumpkins had been coming from Llanelly House, Stradey Park Hotel and the North Dock Sosban Restaurant. She said: “Llanelly House has decorated fireplaces and been producing pumpkin ...

Visiting the Eisteddfod? Don’t forget to take advantage of the free shuttle buses and head into Llanelli town as well. The town boasts a range of independent and high street stores or if you fancy a bite to eat there’s a number of cafes, restaurants and pubs to choose from. Whilst in the town pay a visit to the indoor market – boasting a host of independent traders all under the one roof, selling everything from fresh, local produce including meats, fish, fruit and vegetables to newspapers, cards, clothing, hairdressers, cafes and much more. The market is open from 8am-5pm each day and Llanelli outdoor market is held every Thursday. Don’t forget to check for any deals in the free ‘Discover Carmarthenshire through Discounts’ booklet which offers some exclusive deals that you can enjoy whilst you explore Carmarthenshire. The booklet is available in copies of Carmarthenshire News, Llanelli Star and Carmarthen Journal, in the Eisteddfod Caravan pack and in outlets around the county and o...

A special 'Blindfold Walk' is being organised by the Llanelli and District Branch of the Guide Dogs for the Blind. Volunteers will gain first-hand experience of how difficult it is to navigate without sight. Experienced mobility instructors will be on hand to help volunteers navigate a short walk through the streets of Llanelli. Anyone wishing to take part can meet at The Teapot Cafe in Llanelli Market at 11am on Friday, April 11. The event is being organised by andrea.gordon@guidedogs.org.uk The Llanelli and District Branch of the Guide Dogs for the Blind is celebrating 30 years of fund-raising in and around Llanelli.

A Llanelli market hamper is up for grabs for one lucky customer on Thursday, August 2. Customers who make a purchase on any of the stalls during Wednesday, August 1, up until 12pm on Thursday August 2, will receive a competition slip that will enter them into the draw; prize draw will take place down the market at 12:30pm. Traders at the market have donated a range of items for a jam-packed hamper consisting of local produce and arts and crafts. To coincide with the prize draw, local chef and Stwnsh Sadwrn presenter, Anthony Evans, will be hosting a cooking demonstration from 11am-3pm at the market. Councillor Jeff Edmunds, Carmarthenshire Council’s Executive Board Member for Corporate Property, said: “This is a fantastic way for Llanelli Market to showcase its high quality local produce, and to thank customers for shopping at the market. During the cooking demonstrations, customers will also get a chance to sample some of the fine produce themarket has to offer.”

Love is in the air at Carmarthenshire markets for St Dwynwen’s Day on January 25. In Carmarthen Market, S4C chef Hazel Thomas will be showing shoppers how to make romantic home-cooked meals, using produce from the market. People will be encouraged to buy market goods themselves to cook meals for their loved ones on the special day. At Carmarthen and Llanelli, a wide range of romantic gifts and local produce are on sale for people to give their loved ones. The most traditional gift to give on St Dwynwen’s Day is a Welsh love spoon, a custom that originated hundreds of years ago. St Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of love and friendship, who lived during the 5th Century and was one of the King of Wales Brychan Brycheiniog’s 24 daughters. She is said to have been deeply religious and enchantingly beautiful, and was broken hearted when she fell in love with a prince called Maelon but her father refused to let her marry him. It is said that after praying, Dwynwen was visited by an ange...