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

A number of exciting events are in the pipeline for Carmarthenshire following the launch of the County’s Event Organisers Circle. Event organisers from across Carmarthenshire gathered to discuss plans for the newly formed initiative. The inaugural meeting of the network, which was attended by over 60 of the county’s event organisers and organised in partnership with the Carmarthenshire Tourist Association, marked the beginning of a series of events and activities planned to give support to event organisers. Participants were given the opportunity to shape the future of the project through discussion workshops highlighting where their upskilling needs lay. The circle, which has more than 100 members, aims to establish a network of people responsible for running all types of events in the county, encouraging them to connect and collaborate and to facilitate upskilling. Activities such as seminars, training workshops and one to one surgeries will be on offer to all who sign up to the s...

Property owners in Ammanford are being urged to apply for grants to develop their business premises. Applications are being invited for the Ammanford Regeneration Development Fund which will assist owner occupiers, businesses and commercial property developers to help create high quality commercial and business premises and new job opportunities in the town. The incentive on offer is aimed to stimulate the supply of high quality commercial premises and encourage re-use of current vacant properties in the town. Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “The main aim of the Ammanford Regeneration Development Fund is to make more high quality commercial premises available in Ammanford to create jobs and attract more people into the town.” Council leader Cllr Emlyn Dole said: “This is a scheme that has evolved from the Ammanford Task Force. I hope it will encourage the private sector to invest in Ammanford.” Ammanford Town W...

A scheme to support event organisers in Carmarthenshire has been launched this week by Carmarthenshire County Council. The Carmarthenshire Event Organisers Circle aims to establish a network of people responsible for running all types of events in the county, from cultural to sporting; community to commercial, with the aim of helping them to connect and collaborate. Activities such as seminars, training workshops and one to one surgeries will be on offer to all who sign up to the scheme, as well a designated web portal offering information and guidance. A second element to the initiative will also look to establish a forum in three pilot towns, made up of local businesses and community groups to encourage greater communal involvement. Cllr. Meryl Gravell, Executive Board Member for Regeneration, said “With an estimated £48 billion value to the UK by 2020, events are hugely significant. Last year in Carmarthenshire, event visitors brought an estimated £1.5 million to the local economy...

A fund to encourage rural businesses in Carmarthenshire to develop new and existing business premises, where new jobs are created has made its first award. The £4.4m Carmarthenshire Rural Enterprise Fund has awarded £60,000 to Sauro Architectural Design based in Carmarthen, the funding will create three jobs, bring a derelict building back into use, and allow a new two storey extension to be constructed. Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “I’m delighted that the CREF Scheme has been able to support Sauro Architectural Design to upgrade the business premises and bring three new jobs with it. “I would encourage other rural enterprises to make grant applications as soon as possible to reap similar benefits.” Council Leader Cllr Emlyn Dole said: “The purpose of the Carmarthenshire Rural Enterprise Fund is to create employment opportunities in the rural area of the county and it does this by offering grants so that...

The search is on to find Carmarthenshire’s sporting stars of 2016. Nominations are now open for 13 categories at the annual Sports Personality ceremony to be held in February. Categories include Sports Personality, Young Sportsman and sportswoman, Disabled Sportsman and sportswoman, Sports Coach, Sports Volunteer, Young Volunteer, Team of the year, Young Team of the year, Community Sport Coach and High Performance Coach, Outstanding Services to Sport and Sporting Hall of Fame. The awards in its 19th year are organised by Carmarthenshire Council's sports and leisure team and recognise the sporting achievements of athletes, coaches and volunteers across Carmarthenshire. Winners will be announced in a glittering event at Y Ffwrnes on Friday, February 3. Executive board member for regeneration and leisure, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “Carmarthenshire has an excellent reputation in Welsh sporting circles. The awards provide an opportunity to congratulate and honour the county’s accomplis...

Up to £750,000 is being made available to help bring vacant, derelict or underutilised properties in Llanelli town centre back into economic use. Carmarthenshire County Council has secured funding via the Welsh Government Town Centre Loans Fund, and will be making loans available to eligible applicants who wish to regenerate properties and redundant development sites within the Llanelli Town Centre boundary. Interest free loans of £25,000 and over will be offered on the basis of 75 per cent Loan to Value, repayable over five years. It is hoped that the loan will support private sector led initiatives and improve the vibrancy of Llanelli town centre. Cllr Emlyn Dole, Leader of the council and Chair of the Llanelli Town Centre Taskforce, said it is a good opportunity for businesses, landlords and developers to kick-start regeneration projects for the benefit of the town. “We would ideally like to see the regeneration schemes funded by this loan scheme enable the creation of town centre...

Llanelli Library has hit the headlines after being declared the busiest centre in Wales. Over half a million books borrowed in 2014 makes it the fourth busiest centre in the UK and the busiest in Wales. According to Womens Weekly research 601,182 books were issued at the refurbished Vaughan Street library in 2014. Elsewhere in Wales, Cardiff Central Library made 581, 779 loans in 2014. Significant investment in IT has enabled library services to become more accessible to the public with new, high speed PC’s, Wi-Fi including access to social networking (Twitter and Face book), downloadable books, Net Library – e audio books, News Bank- e access to over 20 Welsh and over 350 UK daily newspapers, Oxford Grove Art and Music being available from the libraries web site to name just a few. Self service points are also being looked at with terminals planned for all centres in the New Year. The council’s executive board member for leisure, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “The ...

A Carmarthenshire schoolboy has been chosen to represent the Young Ambassador Programme at the highest level. Gold Young Ambassador Theo Davies, is one of 16 youngsters to achieve Platinum status after being selected by Sport Wales to represent Carmarthenshire on the National Steering Group and Leadership Academy. Until now the 17-year-old has been working alongside sport and leisure officers training Bronze and Silver ambassadors across the county. Now the St Michael’s School student will have a voice on sporting matters across Wales. Theo said: “It's an honour to represent the Young Ambassador Scheme at the highest level and develop myself as a person in doing so. I’d like to thank the sport and leisure team, the Gold YAs and my school for their support and confidence as I wouldn't be here without them.” Ambassadors are trained by the council’s sport and leisure team and part of their role is to encourage and inspire other children in their school to take part in sport an...

A leading Carmarthenshire councillor has visited a mansion that has been turned into a Five Star B and B. Cllr Meryl Gravell called at Glangwili Mansion in Llanllawddog which has been refurbished to a very high standard by George and Linda Reid over the last three years and is now a Five Star Gold Award tourism property. The Reids applied to Carmarthenshire County Council for a Strengthening the Tourism Appeal of Rural Carmarthenshire (STARC) grant to erect a barbecue hut and lighting. They wanted to add to the facilities provided based on customer feedback. The guests were offered breakfast but they had to leave the premises for evening meals. The council approved a grant of just over £10,000 towards the cost of an all-weather BBQ hut for a minimum of 12 guests to have a facility where they can stay at the mansion and have a social gathering over food. The mansion is often booked out to large groups or families. Packs of locally supplied meat and produce are provided by the mansion...

A leading Carmarthenshire councillor has visited an old coaching inn now catering for the cycling community. Cllr Meryl Gravell visited the Black Lion inn in Abergorlech to see landscaping work carried out in the grounds and improved facilities for cyclists. The Black Lion is an old coaching inn servicing the local community and tourist trade. The inn is in the centre of the popular Brechfa mountain bike trail and is visited by cyclists all year round. Landlord George Rashbrook successfully applied to Carmarthenshire County Council for a  Strengthening the Tourism Appeal of Rural Carmarthenshire (STARC) and was awarded more than £16,500. The project was for the enhancement of the beer garden, bike facilities and covered barbecue area. The work includes creating additional seating space and landscaping in the beer garden by creating two new levels from the currently unusable section of the garden, enhancing the aspect of the beer garden and maximise the view of the Roman stone br...

'Water' great bit of news – the splash pad at Llanelli’s Penyfan Park is back up and running! The popular children’s attraction had been out of action for a few weeks owing to a problem with the computer software that programmes the spray and play facility. But engineers have now rectified the problem, and the council’s grounds maintenance team has been able to reopen the splash pad so children have chance to enjoy the last few weeks of summer at the park. The news has been welcomed by the council’s executive board member for leisure services Cllr Meryl Gravell. “Let’s see as many as possible taking advantage of this wonderful facility for the remainder of the holidays,” she said. “It’s a great summer for outdoor activities all over the county.” Want to find out what else you can do in the summer holidays? Take a look at our What’s On guide

Unearthing the past and digging up the family secrets is rapidly becoming one of the nation’s favourite pastimes. People who are itching to find out what their ancestors were like and where they came from can get help at Carmarthenshire County Archives. The archive service can help bring family stories to life, and with advances in online technology the process has become much easier. A variety of original historical records are now available electronically including the census, parish registers, probate and wills records, electoral registers and their predecessors poll books, and some estate records, such as rentals. Executive board member for archives Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “Looking into their family history has become a really popular pastime for many people. “A number of TV shows have encouraged this interest and there have been some fascinating stories told. “Our archive service is available to help Carmarthenshire people find out more about their family history and see what a...

Carmarthenshire County Council is ready to make a start on the Cross Hands East Strategic Employment Site this spring. The local authority has now secured the necessary land to enable the implementation of the first phase of the development which will be able to accommodate 1,244 jobs. Having pursued a Compulsory Purchase Order it has been confirmed that the council now has the necessary right to enter and develop the site. It is now intended to commence with construction works in the spring with the construction process to progress for the duration of 2014 and reach a conclusion early 2015. The employment site will cover 19 hectares with potential building floor space of 40,000sqm. The current project aims to build the first phase of the entire site which includes: a new access road from the A48 to Black Lion Road and the preparation of five development plots. The funding for the scheme is made up of £9m from the Welsh Government, including the Western Valleys Regeneration Ar...

A huge response from nearly 7,000 Carmarthenshire pupils to a schools sports survey shows they are right on track to being more active more often. Although county pupils have a greater variety, and spend more time on sports than most other areas of Wales, the detailed report will help develop even better future results. The county’s leisure and education departments have worked closely with Sport Wales and the county’s primary and secondary schools to ensure maximum participation in the survey. Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board Member for leisure services, Cllr Meryl Gravell, said: “There has been a fantastic response from schools. It has led to 2463 primary and 4584 secondary school pupils participating. “It means that all secondary schools and 43 primary schools will now receive a school-specific report with a raft of information and data about pupil wellbeing and participation in physical activity. “We will listen to the information that young people have given us, an...

If you have a Concessionary Travel Pass issued by Carmarthenshire County Council you are able to travel on the Heart of Wales Line rail services free of charge until March 31, 2014. Simply show the pass when you book. Journeys must start or finish at a Welsh station. County executive board member for transport services Cllr Colin Evans said: “Here is a glorious chance for those with concessionary travel passes to have a great day out and visit the wonderful towns and villages of mid and west Wales.” County leisure services executive board member Cllr Meryl Gravell said she had heard there were groups of men and women from Llanelli and further west enjoying “last Days of Summer Wine” excursions and regaling humorous tales of their many entertaining day-long free travel experiences. Concessionary Travel Passes are available to elderly and disabled residents of the county. Application forms are available at local post offices.

Two of Carmarthenshire’s senior councillors have visited Capel Iwan to see how a rural community hall is about to benefit from a Rural Grant to improve their facilities. The new executive board member for rural affairs Cllr Jim Jones and the executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell called at Y Ganolfan, Capel Iwan, called in to see the plans that have been drawn up for the improvements. It is hoped that new facilities including a baby changing unit and disabled toilet will broaden the appeal for more community groups to use the hall. Y Ganolfan is run by an active voluntary committee formed in 1987 that oversee the daily running of the hall as well as organising various events throughout the year. Since the recent closure of the local primary school, Y Ganolfan is now the only community venue available for hosting community activities and events so the need for better facilities that can cater for all types of occasions is even more of a necessity. A ...

Un Sir Gar has already helped a number of people get back into work or training since being launched last year. Since the service started, more than 9,000 people have visited the website and almost 500 have called. Many customers are now in employment, training, volunteering or have been signposted to other projects. Of all clients, 97 per cent said they were either very satisfied or satisfied with the service received, and the same number said they would use Un Sir Gar again. Analysis shows that 40 per cent of the clients who contacted Un Sir Gar were aged between 16 and 25, of these 54 per cent were female and 46 per cent male. Follow up calls are made to clients and out of 80 made, 54 per cent had been successful, they ranged between gaining jobs, commencing training or education, or signposting to other employment services such as Workways, to providing support for businesses and community engagement. Un Sir Gar (One Carmarthenshire) brings together all advice, information, educati...

Looking for advice to help you through the tough times? Carmarthenshire libraries are staging Health & Well-being days at their three main libraries – Carmarthen October 25, Ammanford October 30 and Llanelli November 9th as part of the national Autumn Libraries Campaign. County executive board member for leisure services Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “There is a wide range of advice available on health matters, saving money, cutting energy costs and healthy eating. “It is a tremendous opportunity for anyone needing help to get a sympathetic and helful ear and support.” Local organisations including the cancer charity CISS, EPP, Merched y Wawr, the Money Advice Service and the WI will provide information on their work. Taster sessions will include reflexology, Wii, Short Mat Bowls, St John’s Ambulance, Tai Chi, the Alexander Technique, Hypnotherapy and many others. Information will also be available on the Bibliotherapy scheme which gives library members access to a host of self-help bo...

Carmarthenshire is punching well above its weight – attracting one and a half times the national average of Lottery funding to the county. Thanks to the efforts of Carmarthenshire County Council from 1995 to 2011 a total of £30m over the odds has been attracted to the area – 144 per cent of the national average. This is equivalent to a £171 gain per resident over the national average. The area has been highlighted by the Industrial Communities Alliance as being the third highest performing county in Britain in its list of Lottery winners and losers. The all-party association campaigning on behalf of local authorities in the industrial areas of England, Scotland and Wales shows that only Gateshead and the city of Glasgow have done better than Carmarthenshire. News of the Lottery success comes after it was revealed that Carmarthenshire County Council has gained £15 of outside investment in community programmes for every £1 the council has put in itself. The council’s community regen...

Pontyberem Library is opening longer hours from this week onwards. The library will be open from 10am to 12noon on Mondays, in addition to the previous opening hours of Wednesdays between 10am and 1pm, and 4pm to 7pm. The extended opening will be for an initial period of three months until December when it will be reviewed. The additional opening hours have been agreed between Carmarthenshire County Council’s Library Service and Pontyberem Community Council following the increase in use of the existing library and strong support from the community. Pontyberem Community Council provides funding for staffing with the county council providing books, talking books, PCs and professional support. Regeneration and leisure executive board member Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “This is an excellent example of partnership working between Carmarthenshire and Pontyberem Councils with strong local community support.”