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

Llanelli is getting ready for its biggest night of the year – and it promises to be a real cracker! The Christmas carnival and lights switch-on will take place on Friday, November 18 with festive fun for all the family with its traditional floats, spectacular fireworks display, funfair, live music and a host of entertainment. Around 20,000 people are expected to line the streets to watch the largest carnival procession in Wales; and Heart FM is back for the second year running to broadcast the event across the nation with DJ Jason Harrold. The carnival is organised by Carmarthenshire County Council, Llanelli Rural Council, Llanelli Town Council and Llanelli Round Table; and this year it is being supported by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. Carmarthenshire County Council Chairman Cllr Eryl Morgan said: “Llanelli Christmas carnival has a reputation for being one of the best in Wales; attracting people from across Carmarthenshire and beyond. “I am sure that this year’s event will once again be a...

Free wi-fi has been introduced in Llanelli Town Centre thanks to a partnership between Carmarthenshire County Council and Llanelli Town Council. An external wi-fi access point outside the Hub covering Stepney Square is now up-and-running. The Town Council has paid for the installation of boosters which enable access to the County Council system on Stepney Square. Town Mayor, Cllr Bill Thomas said: “I'm delighted that we have been able to introduce free wi-fi in the town centre. My colleague Winston Lemon suggested this idea some time ago and after considering a number of options we have finally been able to deliver. I'm sure it will be appreciated by residents and visitors alike.” Carmarthenshire County Council Leader Cllr Emlyn Dole said: “This is exactly the kind of initiative I want to see provided through the Regeneration Task Force. "The County Council already provides wi-fi in the Hub and so it seemed a sensible idea to install the boosters so that people ca...

Children across Carmarthenshire will start their summer holidays with a splash! Carmarthenshire County Council’s grounds maintenance team are preparing to fill the paddling pools at Crown Park and Parc Howard in Llanelli, which Llanelli Town Council has agreed to fund. The paddling pools will open from Saturday, July 18, and will be open with an attendant from 10am to 6pm seven days a week during the school summer holidays. As well as the paddling pools, splash pads managed by community volunteers at Havelock Park and Penyfan Park in Llanelli are already in operation, as is the popular splash pad at Ammanford Park, which is managed by Ammanford Town Council . The splash pads work on an automatic timer system from 10am to 7pm seven days a week. Llanelli Town Council Leader Carl Lucas said: “I am delighted that the town council has reaffirmed its decision to support local facilities, particularly when this involves provision of recreational services for children in our community that w...

Llanelli Town Council has arranged a series of lectures to commemorate Llanelli’s involvement in the First World War. The first, focussing on Wales' and Llanelli's role and contribution and the impact on its society during 1914, will be held in the Lliedi Suite, Selwyn Samuel Centre on Thursday 6th November at 7.00 pm. The lecture will be presented by the Deputy Lieutenant and local military historian, Lt Col David Mathias, pictured above. Tickets to the lecture, which are free, are available from The Old Vicarage, Town Hall Square or Selwyn Samuel Centre reception or by phoning 01554 779990

The new look Selwyn Samuel bowls hall, exhibition and events venue in Llanelli reopens its doors tomorrow (Weds). The centre, just behind Llanelli Leisure Centre and owned by Llanelli Town Council, has had a makeover. It is now being run by the Anyone Waiting group, led by Paul Francis, who also runs Llanelli’s Halfway Hotel and his own hospitality agency. “The doors will be open from 9am on Wednesday as we begin preparations for the first major concert to be staged at the new-look Selwyn Samuel Centre. “Cor Meibion Llanelli will be celebrating their 50th anniversary at the concert on Saturday, September 20. And they have a very special guest star in local hero John Owen-Jones, so it promises to be a major event for Llanelli. “Tickets are available from the centre now.” Mr Francis is putting out the welcome mat for people who want to have a look around the new centre. “Call in for a free coffee and free cake on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You can also have a gui...

Llanelli’s Christmas carnival – the biggest in Wales – could have 30 floats and a secret surprise package this year, pulling in anticipated crowds of 24,000. The town’s Christmas carnival capers and fireworks spectacular explodes on Friday, November 22, sparking a three-day festive party with a craft fayre in St Elli Shopping centre on the Saturday and the famous reindeer parade at noon on the Sunday (Nov 24). The spectacular event has been attracting national interest that could lead to a surprise additional attraction this year but ‘Mum’s the word’ on the Secret Santa surprise for the time-being. The carnival is organised by Carmarthenshire county and Llanelli town and rural councils with massive support from Llanelli Round Table. This year Llanelli Town Council hosts the event. Round Tabler Roger Bowen said: “There has been phenomenal interest this year with schools, businesses, charity groups, streets, marching bands and baton twirlers keeping up the momentum to help make this year...

Members of Llanelli Rotary Club enjoyed a civic reception with the Mayor of Llanelli Town, Councillor Winston Lemon, at the Mayor's Parlour at the authority's Old Vicarage offices in Llanelli. Rotary Club president Alan Owen is pictured with Councillor Lemon, Deputy Mayor Councillor Roger Price and his consort Councillor Ruth Price. Councillor Lemon praised the Rotary members for their charitable and voluntary work. Mr Owen thanked Councillor Lemon for the town council's support for many Rotary causes throughout his year of office. It was the second civic reception this year for members of Llanelli Rotary Club as they had earlier attended a similar event at Llanelli Rural Council. The Rotary Club was represented at the town council reception by members of the club's 'Council' committee and their partners. Weblinks - http://www.llanellitowncouncil.gov.uk/ http://llanellirotary.com/

Vote aims to pitch Llanelli versus Carmarthenshire County Council - Wales News - News - WalesOnline Town councillors in former industrial heavyweight Llanelli want to break away from Carmarthenshire County Council – accusing it of “systematically running down” the historic town. A vote in favour of the move “in principle” was set to take place last night in a move unlikely to find favour with the Welsh Government.

The award-winning South Wales architects the Lewis Partnership Ltd have been reappointed consultant architects to Llanelli Town Council. The Llanelli-based firm has accepted a five-year role with the local authority. “We are delighted to be chosen by Llanelli Town Council for the role,” said managing director Philip Lewis. “The Lewis Partnership is a firm with a strong commitment to the community in Llanelli. “We have a strong track record of working with the town council (and with other local authorities in South Wales) and we look forward to a successful relationship with the Llanelli authority. “As consultant architects, we will be responsible for the design of future town council projects. We will work closely with the council to ensure that the authority gets the best possible value for money in any new work.” Mr Lewis added: “We are a strong team at the Lewis Partnership using the very latest high-tech Autocad computer-aided design to complete projects. “We believe passionatel...

Phil Bennett named first honorary freeman of Llanelli | This is South Wales It is a day that only comes around every four years — but for rugby great Phil Bennett, February 29 will always be extra special. The Scarlets legend says he was overwhelmed to be chosen as the first honorary freeman of his home town.

Council's food bill tops £20,000 | This is South Wales Llanelli Town Council has spent four times more on refreshments than its rural counterpart. Figures obtained through the Freedom of Information Act show Llanelli Town Council spent a total of £20,250.87 on food and drink during the past three years — compared with Llanelli Rural Council, which spent £5,367.36. The town council spent the cash holding functions for councillors and the public, and shelled out £1,674.05 on tea and coffee alone. The authority also spent £400 on holding a retirement dinner for former clerk Lynn Davies.

Members of Llanelli Rotary Club's Council (and their partners) were guests of Llanelli Town Mayor Councillor Mrs Linda Stedman at a reception at the Llanelli Town Council chamber at The Old Vicarage, Llanelli. The Mayor is flanked by, left, Llanelli Rotary Club President Graham Williams, and, right, Deputy Town Mayor Councillor Hubert Hitchman.

Smashing evening last night - reception for Llanelli Rotary Club Council members at the Llanelli Town Mayor's Parlour.

Llanelli councillors: 'We will fight for Prince Philip Hospital' | This is South Wales Llanelli councillors have vowed to fight for Prince Philip Hospital after describing the health board’s consultation document as a “scam”. And a health campaigner has now called on GPs and other health workers to speak out.

Llanelli bus station is altered just months after it opened | This is South Wales Llanelli bus station is being altered just months after it opened. The changes have led to town councillors criticising the county council for not spending taxpayers' money wisely enough. The bus station opened last summer, but after fierce criticism from the public it is now being extended, having work done to make it weather-proof and being fitted with new seats.