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

Some 60 children from the Morfa area joined in a Halloween party at Carmarthenshire Council’s Morfa Integrated Children’s Centre enjoying dance sessions with numbers like Ghost Busters and Monster Mash. They were joined by Scooby Doo, and a snow machine added to the shivers for scary-faced painted children and plastic spiders abundant in the fun session. All the children received prizes for their fancy dress and party tricks. County executive board member for Carmarthenshire Council's Children Services, Cllr Gareth Jones, said :"The centre is extremely innovative putting a number of these fun events together at holiday times to engage with the children from the community."

Residents in the Carmarthenshire Communities First Cluster were given the opportunity to attend a childcare course. The Level 1 Diploma in Childcare was delivered at Morfa Integrated Children’s Centre . Fourteen people attended and successfully completed the course. A participant stated: “It was a really good course and I enjoyed it. I’m now looking for jobs in childcare.” To find out more about forthcoming events, contact the Communities First Team via email communitiesfirst@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call 01554 784847.

A Llanelli youth and community group garden project is doing blooming well thanks to a donation of two compost bins. ‘Get up and grow @ Bwlch’ is a project for years 8 and 9 pupils in Coedcae school and local community groups to develop a community garden at Bwlch youth centre in Morfa. The project has been given two compost bins by Carmarthenshire County Council as it continues to transform a previously unused area into a working garden. Youth and Community co-ordinator Kevin Duggan said: “Recycling is an important part of the growth of our community garden and we’re grateful for the compost bins as they will play an important part of helping the environment.” The aim of the garden is to encourage young people and the community to make use of the land, to grow vegetables and to supply the local Food Bank with any surplus. It is also hoped that a food co-operative will be set up. Now, Carmarthenshire residents are being encouraged to follow their lead and compost at home for themselv...

Householders in Llanelli have increased the amount of rubbish they are recycling. Recycling advisors have been knocking on doors in the Morfa, Dafen and Felinfoel areas to encourage people to recycle as much of their rubbish as possible. It followed a monitoring exercise to find out how many residents were using their food bins and putting out blue bags. As well as offering help and advice to residents, replacement food bins and more blue bags were provided if needed, as well as information booklets and collection calendars. It has led to a 12% increase in the recycling /composting rate in the Morfa, Dafen and Felinfoel areas. Recycling Advisor Geinor Lewis said: “By talking to residents we can sort out any issues they may have. From something as simple as not having a green food bin to not knowing when their collection day is or just by explaining how the scheme works and why it is important that we all take part.” As an incentive to take part in the recycling scheme, householder...

Glanymor & Tyisha Communities First has initiated a pilot health project, the Feel Good Factor. It is a 12 week health and wellbeing project running once a week on Fridays in the Wesleyan Hall in Morfa from 9.45am-2.30pm. The project takes a holistic approach to health, incorporating exercise, healthy eating, meditation, self esteem and self image. Communities First development officer Farah Aziz said: “The project is designed to encourage a healthier lifestyle amongst local families, giving adults the tools and education to make healthier choices for long term health benefits.” There are still two or three vacancies for the course and anyone interested should contact Farah on 01554 777850.

A Llanelli-based youth worker has come runner-up in a prestigious Youth Work Wales Excellence Award. Ali Price, a community youth worker based at Bwlch Rangers, Morfa was nominated for the award by a young person she worked with for four years. Kirsty Davies, 21 from Llanelli, said:“I’m so happy that Ali was recognised for her hard work and I’m delighted she came runner-up in the awards. She has helped me so much and if it wasn’t for her I don’t think I would have made it into university. The support she provides young people is amazing and I know she will turn other young people’s lives around just like she’s done with me.” Ali Price added: “I was so touched to be nominated and to come runner up was a fantastic feeling. “It’s so rewarding when you’ve worked with a young person and witnessed them developing, I just hope I can help more young people overcome their difficulties during my career with the Youth Service.”

Council properties in the Morfa area of Llanelli are among the first in the county to be externally insulated. Homes in Heol Tregoning and Westbury Street have been plastered using insulated over-render – a process which prevents heat loss through solid walls. The work has been carried out as part of the £203 million Carmarthenshire Homes Standard, which will see every one of the council’s 9,200 brought up to Welsh quality standards by 2015. As part of the programme, all homes have received cavity and loft insulation to improve energy efficiency, and to make homes more comfortable and affordable for tenants – a programme that has been completed four years ahead of schedule. There are a small minority of homes though with solid built walls, unsuitable for cavity wall insulation. The programme in Morfa, funded through a grant from the Welsh Assembly and British Gas, is seen as a pilot for similar types of properties elsewhere in Carmarthenshire. CHS manager Rachel Davies said: “Work is n...