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

Historic Plas Llanelly House, one of the jewels in Llanelli’s crown, has a new ‘head of the household’. Paul Carter has taken on the new role of Commercial and Events Manager at Llanelli town centre’s premier tourist attraction. He aims to make Llanelly House a major ‘destination venue’ for first class events and exhibitions and raise the profile of the historic property for weddings, top quality entertainment and great value quality food and drink. Mr Carter, 50, said: “Llanelly House is very familiar to many in and around Llanelli, but for some it is still something of a hidden treasure. “We’ll be creating a range of exciting new activities in Llanelly House to reach out to those who have yet to experience the delights of the house. We’ll be putting Llanelly House firmly on the map as a ‘go to’ venue attractive to one and all. “Our historic doors are open with a welcome to all in West Wales (and beyond) and we look forward to working with the local community in developing ne...

A new pop-up gallery has opened in Llanelli at historic Plas Llanelly House. The new gallery features exhibits by awarding-winning artist Denise Di Battista (John Street Gallery) and Llanelli Photographic Society member Arthur Mallett. “This is a first for Plas Llanelly House,” said trustee Alison Evans. “We’ve got some great rooms to show off her at Plas Llanelly House and it’s great to be able to create a buzz in the house with the installation of a pop-up gallery. “Denise Di Battista is a very well known local artist who already runs a successful gallery in John Street. “Arthur Mallett is a wonderful photographer and his prints will also attract a great deal of local interest." The pop-up gallery is on the ground floor and everyone is welcome to come in and have a browse. Arthur Mallett is a member of Llanelli Photographic Society and gained his AWPF (Associate of the Welsh Photographic Federation) in 2010. He said: “I have taken photos for most of my life but only took it...

Special roast Sunday lunches are back on the menu at the popular Llanelly House in Llanelli town centre. The kitchen at the historic Georgian house is back in business for Sunday lunches, starting this weekend, April 30. “We’ve had requests galore from our loyal customers, asking every day of the week when we will be opening again for Sunday lunches,” said Llanelly House trustee Alison Evans. “This Sunday, we are delighted to be opening our doors again for special roast lunches. As we have a brilliant location, slap bang in the middle of Llanelli town centre, we are looking forward to welcoming customers old and new this Sunday. “Our resident chef Anna Brown is known throughout the land for her appearances on TV and radio, so you can trust that she will have plenty of culinary treats for everyone to enjoy, starting this Sunday. “Booking is advised and you can save yourself a table by ringing 01554 772857.” The café and restaurant opens at 10am and the Llanelly House team wil...

The team at Llanelly House are preparing for a '70s evening at the historic town centre venue. This Friday, sees the House stage another popular Tapas evening. "Our themed Tapas evenings have been a big hit in recent months," said Llanelly House trustee Alison Evans. "The '70s theme is sure to be popular. Dressing in 'period' costume (something from the 1970s era and not Georgian dress!) is being encouraged. "So come along in your flares, jazzy prints and denim. Who knows, we might see the return of some hippies or some not-so-young rockers? Whatever the case, it promises to be a fun night. "The mastermind in the kitchen will be our resident chef Anna Brown, so you are assured of good food, all done in the best Tapas style." Booking is essential on 01554 772857. There will be music from the '70s and the fun starts at 7pm on Friday, April 21. Weblink - http://www.llanelly-house.org.uk Twitter - @LlanellyHouse

A special family fun day event is being held in Llanelly House this half-term to promote fostering opportunities in Carmarthenshire. The informal information event, run by Carmarthenshire County Council’s fostering service, in conjunction with Llanelly House and supported by Llanelli Library, is being held at the town centre-based Victorian house on Thursday, February 23, between 10.30am-2.30pm. During the event you will have a chance to meet some members of the council’s dedicated fostering team to find out more details about the various fostering opportunities available within Carmarthenshire, including what support is available should you wish to find out more. You can chat with current foster carers who will be happy to share their experiences of fostering locally with you and how they have helped transform children’s lives for the better. The new fostering website will be on show as well as the chance to view three, minute-long video case studies, featuring child actors but base...

Social enterprises in Carmarthenshire are urging members of the public to visit them this ‘Social Saturday’ – October 15. The aim of Social Saturday is to raise awareness and celebrate just how easy it is to support businesses that buy and sell with a social conscience. Social enterprises are businesses that trade to tackle social problems, improve communities, people’s life chances or the environment. Within Carmarthenshire there are more than 40 social enterprises from coffee shops, to a cinema and a bowling alley each of these reinvest their profits back into the business or local community. Why not have a family fun day at Gwili Railway, Carmarthen, visit Ramps Skate Park a 12,000 sq ft indoor/outdoor skate park in Llanelli or take a trip to Aberglasney Gardens in the Tywi Valley and enjoy one of Wales’ finest gardens? You’ll be able to engage with these organisations and hear first-hand about how your support and purchase can make a real difference. Please follow @CarmsCounci...

Loud Applause Rising Stars (LARS) charity ‘Friends Thank You Soirée’ at Llanelly House, featuring Daniella Difede, Benjamin Anthony, Dylan Morgan, Piet Zorn and Ffion Elin Williams. If you wanted to bottle the essence of the Loud Applause Rising Stars (LARS) charity, then this soirée at Llanelly House was the place to do it. The impressive oak-panelled Great Hall at Llanelli’s Georgian showpiece (with the backdrop of the Stepney Armorial Dinner Service) always provides an aromatic and atmospheric backdrop to showcase events. And this was a showcase which lived up to its impressive surroundings, putting the accent on new singing and musical talent. The Loud Applause Rising Stars (LARS) charity was formed in January, with chairman Cerith Owens determined to use it as a vehicle to mentor and develop young talent. Harpist Ffion Elin Williams set the tone for the evening by providing the music for the welcome and the interval for an event billed as a ‘Thank You’ for the Friends of the chari...

Anna Brown of Llanelly House was the featured chef on the Wynne Evans Grub Club on Radio Wales today. Catch it here -

Friends of Loud Applause Rising Stars launch night at Llanelly House There must have been many nights like this is in the rich Georgian history of Llanelly House. But few would have featured such a dazzling array of young talent. Cerith Owens already has a fine reputation in Llanelli and the rest of South Wales for promoting major concerts and charitable events through his Loud Applause Productions team. Now, Mr Owens has branched out by launching the Loud Applause Rising Stars charity and the Friends of Loud Applause Rising Stars. The Rising Stars brand aims to mentor and encourage young talent in South Wales and provide performance opportunities for singers and musicians. “It’s all about spotting young talent and then encouraging youngsters to fulfil their potential,” said Mr Owens. His launch night for the Friends of Loud Applause Rising Stars saw established young singers and new faces take the ‘stage’ at Llanelly House. Keely Morgan and Jordan Williams are two perform...

Members of Llanelli Rotary Club will be in the St Elli Centre, Llanelli, on Saturday, September 12 as part of the club's annual Back Pack Appeal for schoolchildren in Africa. Members of the public are being asked to donate old back packs or satchels (together with any other school kit) to the appeal. Llanelly House and the Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli will be acting as collection points for the appeal from September 11-19. Llanelli Rotary President Sue Roberts said:" Very often the children we support don’t have even basic things like pens and notepads to allow them to make the most of their education. You can help solve this problem by filling an old school bag or backpack with some everyday educational items. "All help for the appeal is gratefully received." Last year, Llanelli Rotary Club joined the Mary's Meals backpack appeal for the first time. The club members and friends collected 59 backpacks to send to needy children in Africa. Project coordinator...

Members of Llanelli Rotary Club will be in the St Elli Centre, Llanelli, on Saturday, September 12 as part of the club's annual Back Pack Appeal for schoolchildren in Africa. Members of the public are being asked to donate old back packs or satchels (together with any other school kit) to the appeal. Llanelly House and the Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli will be acting as collection points for the appeal from September 11-19. Llanelli Rotary President Sue Roberts said:" Very often the children we support don’t have even basic things like pens and notepads to allow them to make the most of their education. You can help solve this problem by filling an old school bag or backpack with some everyday educational items. "All help for the appeal is gratefully received."

There was a memorable musical summer soiree staged at Llanelly House - possibly the biggest social occasion held at the historic mansion for more than 150 years. The event was staged by Sue Roberts, one of the trustees of Llanelly House, and her husband Peter. It marked something of a first for Llanelly House, with characters from the building's history 'coming to life' for the occasion. It was also an opportunity for guests at the soiree to tour the house and view the new interactive digital features which have been installed in Llanelly House. The music for the occasion was organised by Cerith Owens, the director of Llanelli-based Loud Applause Productions. The soloists for the evening were Jordan Williams, Keely Morgan, violinist Simmy Singh and harpist Ffion Elin Williams. With the staircase of the Great Hallway at Llanelly House as their stage, the musical entertainment provided an elegant accompaniment to a unique social occasion, which also feature...

Keely Morgan sings Summertime at the musical summer soiree staged at Llanelly House last night.

Jordan Williams singing Stars from Les Miserables at the musical summer soiree held at Llanelly House, Saturday, August 23, 2014

Llanelly House has gone back into its own past to attract visitors from the Eisteddfod - by resurrecting the 7th Baronet Sir Thomas Stepney! Pentre Cyngor Sir Gâr had a surprise visit on Friday from Sir Thomas aka the Rev Eldon Phillips to chat about his life history and recommend a visit to Llanelly House.

A total of 36 of Wales’s most impressive property schemes battled it out at The Swalec Stadium in Cardiff for top honours at the RICS Wales Awards 2014, with the restored Llanelly House, Llanelli, crowned ‘Project of the Year.’ The prestigious annual contest celebrates inspirational initiatives in the land, property and construction sectors. The event was hosted by Kevin Green, South Wales entrepreneur and millionaire who proved a huge hit with the audience of over 180 property professionals. The winners of the six individual categories are: Building Conservation: Llanelly House, Llanelli  Community Benefit: Penarth Pier, Penarth  Design Through Innovation: The Crescent, Cardiff  Regeneration: Harbourside, Port Talbot  Residential Property: The Crescent, Cardiff  Tourism & Leisure: Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli  The title of Project of the Year is presented to the scheme felt by the judges to represent the most outstanding example of the regio...

Communities First helps people become valuable volunteers. People living in Carmarthenshire are being invited to a volunteer recruitment event. On Thursday, February 27, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Communities First team are holding a volunteer recruitment day at Llanelly House from 10am – 4.30pm. The aim is of the event is to encourage more people to lend support through volunteering, by engaging with residents to promote up-skilling. Volunteering is also an ideal opportunity for students looking for placement hours to aid in their college course, as – whilst helping others – they can gain all-important work experience and employability skills. Communities First Volunteer Support Worker Amber Williams said: ”I’m urging everybody to come along to the event; this is a great place to start looking at becoming a volunteer. “If you're unsure about what type of volunteering you would like to do or just want to explore the world of volunteering there are a range of opportunities w...

Llanelly House is due to open this Autumn after undergoing a £6.5 million restoration of the early 18th century Georgian house. It will feature Welsh national treasures such as the Stepney Armorial Dinner Service, a painting of Sir John Stepney by Sir Joshua Reynolds and rare grisaille artwork interior. There will be a projection of the time lapse footage of the restoration and refurbished historic interiors, and guided tours to the upper floors will enable the visitor to step back in time and come face-to-face with past residents -maybe even experience Mira Turner's ghostly presence. Llanelly House Cafe will offer visitors a taste of the past with a modern twist. The driving force behind the project is Carmarthenshire Heritage Regeneration Trust. The Trust has worked closely with Carmarthenshire County Council and with their support has achieved great success in the renovation of Llanelly House. The Grade One listed Georgian town house is the last of the Big 5 pro...

Carmarthenshire Heritage Regeneration Trust has received a grant of £81,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund  HLF to acquire a portrait of Sir John Stepney 8th Baronet (1741-1811) by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Thought to have been painted by the renowned portrait artist, Sir Joshua Reynolds around 1760, the painting is to be hung in the Great Hall ready for the opening of Llanelly House , next year. The piece is recorded in the portrait inventory of Lady Margaret Cowell-Stepney, at the Dell in Llanelli around 1900. The portrait was originally housed at Badminton, home of Sir John’s close friend and early patron the Duke of Beaufort. It is thought that the Cowell-Stepney’s acquired the portrait sometime later. The portrait was sold by Mark Murray Threipland in 1992 – and was then catalogued as ‘circle of Reynolds’ - from its then home at Fingask Castle and has since remained in private hands. The portrait has since been attributed to Reynolds and considered to be an important additio...

If only walls could talk? Well, they can! Join the Llanelly House Team for a 'Walk and Talk' around the centre of Llanelli to discover what tales the walls have to tell about our past. Why not meet the Community Team of Llanelly House for a walk and a talk around Llanelli Town Centre on Wednesday 30th May at 11am? Did you realise that the street layout of the town was literally developed within and around the grounds of Llanelly House? To listen to more fascinating stories and have a gentle walk around the town centre please reserve your space by contacting the team*. *Cost is Free but spaces are limited, please contact Estelle Evans on 01554 772857 or email estelle.evans@chrt.org.uk Lisa Bancroft : lisa.bancroft@chrt.org.uk Llanelly House · Llanelly House is a Grade1 listed Georgian building in the process of being developed as a sustainable community heritage centre offering an exciting interpretation of the restored House and its history as wel...