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

A dental practice in the north of Carmarthenshire is moving to new premises and creating jobs with support from a grant scheme administered by the county council. Deintyddfa Emlyn in Newcastle Emlyn has been awarded a £128,000 Carmarthenshire Rural Enterprise Fund grant to move from the doctors’ surgery in Lloyds Terrace, Adpar, Newcastle Emlyn to the old day centre in the town’s Church Lane. Dentists Arwel Jones and Neil Jones, who are both from Carmarthenshire, took over the practice in 2011. They now want to expand and are revamping the old day centre to create a state-of-the-art dental practice. The grant will bring the derelict former day centre building back into use and the move will create eight full-time and one part-time job. Deintyddfa Emlyn is the second business to benefit from the £4.4m Carmarthenshire Rural Enterprise Fund. The partners in Deintyddfa Emlyn, Arwel Jones and Neil Jones, said: “We are very pleased to be given the opportunity to relocate and expand Deintyd...

Students and members of the public in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion are being invited to a careers event in Newcastle Emlyn next week to find out more about the range of careers within Hywel Dda University Health Board – as well as what it’s like to work in the NHS. Approximately 30 health board departments - together with representatives from the University of South Wales and Swansea University - will be represented at the careers fair, which will be held at Newcastle Emlyn Leisure Centre between 9am and 5pm on Thursday 3 November. Staff from the health board’s resourcing department will also be attending and will be available to answer any questions about applying for jobs, while the health board will also be running separate morning and afternoon sessions on how to complete applications forms, interview techniques, and a workshop on what it’s like to be a nurse in the NHS. Lesley Oldale, Future Workforce Officer at Hywel Dda, said: “Hywel Dda wants to highlight the huge range of ca...

Residents in Newcastle Emlyn are being urged to have a New Year clear out A waste and tyre amnesty is being held in the mart car park on Tuesday, January 19 between 8am and 1pm. Most household waste can be taken along including unwanted furniture, carpets and mattresses, electrical items such as fridge-freezers and televisions, as well as black and blue bags. A maximum of four tyres can also be disposed of; however, tractor or lorry tyres will not be accepted. Hazardous waste such as paint, fluorescent tubes, batteries, chemicals, gas bottles and asbestos will not be accepted along with glass, garden waste, trade waste, construction waste and agricultural waste. Residents can pick up a free bag of Merlin’s Magic Compost (while stocks last) courtesy of CWM Environmental Ltd. Half-price compost bins will also be on sale for just £6 instead of the usual £12. Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “I hope residents take advantage of this opportunity to have a c...

Anyone caught fly-tipping at the recycling site in Newcastle Emlyn will be fined. Council environmental enforcement officers are carrying out regular patrols and using CCTV to monitor the area following complaints of fly-tipping next to the recycling banks in the mart car park. People are using the area as a dumping ground for all types of household waste. Some people are also too lazy to put their recyclables into the banks and instead leave them in plastic bags next to the banks. Enforcement officers will issue fixed penalty notices for £75 to anyone caught misusing the site. Local Member Cllr Hazel Evans said: “Some people are quite messy or can’t be bothered. With the playing fields next door I do not want anyone injured by broken glass.” People are being reminded that black bags should be put out for collection at the kerbside or taken to a main household waste centre. Glass bottles and other recyclable waste must be placed into the banks and not left on the ground. If they ar...

Residents in Newcastle Emlyn are being urged to have a spring clean and take advantage of a waste and tyre amnesty being held in the town. The council in partnership with Tidy Towns is holding the event in the main car park on Wednesday, March 4 between 8am and 1pm. Most household waste can be taken along including unwanted furniture, carpets and mattresses, electrical items such as fridge-freezers and televisions, garden waste and tyres (maximum 10 tyres per household/no tractor or lorry tyres.) However, paint, garden chemicals, car batteries, gas bottles, asbestos, construction and trade waste will not be accepted. Residents that dispose of any waste items will also get a free bag of Merlin’s Magic Compost (while stocks last) courtesy of CWM Environmental Ltd. Executive Board Member for Technical Services Cllr Colin Evans said: “I hope residents take advantage of this one-off opportunity to get rid of their household waste. As much as possible is recycled, helping to increase the c...

A further opportunity to find out about the new Cardigan Integrated Care Resource Centre has been planned for 14 October in Newcastle Emlyn  If you have not been able to attend any of the previous events over recent months, then this drop-in event gives local people another chance to learn about latest progress with the development and the new model of care in Ceredigion. The session will be open between 2.00pm and 6.00pm on Tuesday 14 October in the Holy Trinity Church Community Hall, Newcastle Emlyn. It is being run by the Hywel Dda University Health Board. For more information about the development and to keep updated with future events being planned, go to www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/cardigan  

Locals and holidaymakers can enjoy stunning views of the Teifi Valley with the opening of a new trail. More than 600m of rough path next to the Teifi River in Newcastle Emlyn is being transformed by the council thanks to a £65,800 grant from the Rights of Way Improvement Plan Funding Programme. The new all weather surfaced path will give greater accessibility for all. The beginning of the trail includes a walled entrance; there will be interpretation panels along the path and new seating so that walkers can enjoy the spectacular views of the Teifi Valley. New leaflets are being produced and the Castle Street Picnic area will also benefit with improved access and new benches. The scheme is being delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council and managed by Natural Resources Wales. County executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “We are delighted that we have been able to secure funding to carry out this project which will improve accessibility to the p...

Age Cymru Sir Gâr are hosting 'Scams Awareness' events in the Teifi Valley centre in the grounds of Maes Llewellyn residential home, Church Lane, Newcastle Emlyn, lasting from 10.30am - 12noon on the following dates - Tuesday 25 February 2014 Tuesday 24 June 2014 Tuesday 30 September 2014 This event is open to people from Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire and is supported by the Newcastle Emlyn police force and is funded by the PCC. Our website link http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/sirgar/activities-and-events/ The contact e-mail address for the person organising the event is b.davies@agecymrusirgar.org.uk Our telephone number is 01554 784080 Refreshments are available. We are all susceptible to falling for a scam or from being the victim of a theft. Learn what kinds of scams operate in your area and how to avoid them. The scams awareness session will give good practical advice on how to avoid scams and thefts of oil. Promotion of this event will help u...

Newcastle Emlyn’s Heritage Centre is closer to completion with help from RDP Sir Gâr and grant support. The Town Council received an Innovative Communities grant for improvements to the Cawdor Hall and Rural Community Inclusion funding to employ an officer. A new audio trail in and around the town, funded by RDP Sir Gâr’s Landscape and Heritage grant, will also be linked to the Heritage Centre. RDP Sir Gâr is funded by the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007 -2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. For details on RDP Sir Gâr grants available call 01267 242366 or visit www.wwec.org.uk

There’s a chance to try and become part of the fast growing craze of Futsal (hall football) at Newcastle Emlyn Leisure Centre on Sunday (Jan 26th 2-4pm). Carmarthenshire Council’s sports development teams have organised an exhibition match between Wrexham, and Ammanford during the event. Wrexham, the current FAW Futsal Cup Champions defeated Ammanford Futsal in the semi-final of the 2013 Welsh Cup competition so this exhibition match kicking off at 2.15pm will be an opportunity to atone. Clubs and individuals in Carmarthenshire and surrounding areas are being invited to attend to watch the match which will be followed by an opportunity to take part in some Futsal exercises as well as some friendly games. This is all part of a launch of the brand new Futsal Emlyn league which kicks off during February on Friday evenings at Emlyn Leisure Centre, Newcastle Emlyn. Anyone wishing to attend the 'Try Futsal' event, as a player or spectator, should contact Emlyn Leisure Centre on 012...

There’s a chance to try and become part of the fast growing craze of Futsal (hall football) at Newcastle Emlyn Leisure Centre on Sunday (Jan 26th 2-4pm). Carmarthenshire Council’s sports development teams have organised an exhibition match between Wrexham, and Ammanford during the event. Wrexham, the current FAW Futsal Cup Champions defeated Ammanford Futsal in the semi-final of the 2013 Welsh Cup competition so this exhibition match kicking off at 2.15pm will be an opportunity to atone. Clubs and individuals in Carmarthenshire and surrounding areas are being invited to attend to watch the match which will be followed by an opportunity to take part in some Futsal exercises as well as some friendly games. This is all part of a launch of the brand new Futsal Emlyn league which kicks off during February on Friday evenings at Emlyn Leisure Centre, Newcastle Emlyn. Anyone wishing to attend the 'Try Futsal' event, as a player or spectator, should contact Emlyn Leisure Centre on 01267...

Are you worried about oil thefts or becoming the victim of a rogue trader or a scam? Do you live in or around Newcastle Emlyn either in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion or Pembrokeshire. Then come to the Age Cymru Sir Gâr Scams awareness event, where you can find out information on how to avoid falling for these scams and preventing oil thefts. You’ll be able to talk to various community organisations and pick up literature which will help you prevent falling victim to scams or oil thefts. The event is being held between 10.00am and 12noon at the Teifi Valley Centre, 38 Church Lane, Newcastle Emlyn (in the grounds of Maes Llewellyn residential home) on Tuesday 5 November. There is also an opportunity to join the lunch club afterwards for those that want to stay for lunch. However, please notify us before 10.30am if you intend to stay for lunch. While at the centre, you can also find out about the friendship groups and other activities we host. If you wish to attend but have problems...

A new exercise class in Newcastle Emlyn will get the kettle out to get more women and girls moving. Carmarthenshire Council is offering a new session at Newcastle Emlyn Leisure Centre in a bid to get more females into regular exercise. The class will focus on gym circuits, kettle bells and weight training for women – particularly those who have not been in the fitness habit or starting out for the first time. A mixture of the training methods will be used educate women on the importance of strength training for women and the overall benefits, and to show that it doesn’t have to boring or dominated by males. The female-only session will be held at the centre on Tuesdays between 4pm and 5pm. Newcastle Emlyn Fusion Gym fitness instructor Chrissie Appleby said: “It can be very daunting going into a gym or fitness class for the first time without the knowledge of how to use weights or what aspects will help the individual the most. “Everyone is different and it’s often about gett...

Older people in Newcastle Emlyn have been given some hints and tips on how they can save money on their food bills. Waste and recycling officers from Carmarthenshire County Council took their ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ message to a Keep Well this Winter event at Maesllewellyn Day Care Centre. The event was organised by Age Cymru Sir Gâr to help older people stay healthy and save money over the colder months. The council is encouraging residents to reduce the amount of food they throw away and save money at the same time. As well as giving lots of advice and information, there was a cookery demonstration from Lisa Fearn of The Pumpkin Patch on how to make the most of your Christmas leftovers. She made a turkey and leek pie with a mashed potato topping and some pancakes with cranberry sauce. Sustainability and Waste Awareness Officer Tina Brice said: “It is estimated that £12 billion worth of perfectly good food and drink is thrown away in the UK every year and not only is it bad for th...

Research is to be carried out to discover if it is feasible to provide an Astroturf pitch at Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn in Newcastle Emlyn. Innovative Communities, part of RDP Sir Gâr’s Innovative Hubs project, has awarded a grant to Emlyn Astro Turf Pitch to conduct a feasibility study into the option of an all-weather artificial turf pitch at the school. Innovative Communities has been funded through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Innovative Communities supports the trialling of new ideas that could benefit community life and has locally-based Development Officers on hand to support community groups to develop new solutions to tackle the everyday issues they face. Up to 100 per cent funding is available to help community groups get their ideas off the ground. These could include: implementing pilot schemes, transport and rural health initiatives, innovative childcare, time banki...

Residents in Newcastle Emlyn are being urged to have a good clear out and recycle any rubbish they have lying around the home. A waste amnesty is being held on Saturday (September 22) in the mart car park between 8am and 10.30am. Householders can take advantage of this one-off chance to dispose of any large items of rubbish for free. Most household waste can be taken along including bulky waste items such as furniture and electrical goods. However, asbestos, tyres, paint, garden chemicals, batteries, gas bottles, construction waste and trade waste will not be accepted. As much as possible will be recycled. The event has been organised by Carmarthenshire County Council and the aim is to encourage residents to dispose of waste that may otherwise be fly-tipped as well as encourage them to recycle and/or reuse as much of their rubbish as possible. Executive Board Member for Street Scene Cllr Colin Evans said: “Bulky waste such as furniture, wood and cardboard left lying in and around homes...

Pupils in Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn have been learning about recycling batteries and small electrical items during Recycle Week. Although most people know about recycling their old newspapers and tin cans – they don’t realise batteries and old, broken electricals such as kettles and hairdryers can be recycled too. The council’s waste awareness team went along to Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn in Newcastle Emlyn during Recycle Week to talk to the pupils. Officers gave a short presentation on the importance of battery recycling and also showed a DVD on waste electrical items. An interactive workshop was also held with pupils from years 8 and 9 looking at the life of a mobile phone - from making the phone, through to purchasing, then recycling it, and what to do with the packaging of a new phone. Council sustainability officer Tina Brice said: “The feedback we had from both teachers and children is that it has made them think twice about putting batteries and broken electrical items in black bags. They ...

Police investigate burglary attempt at CKs in Newcastle Emlyn | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police are investigating after a JCB was used in a burglary attempt at the CK supermarket in Newcastle Emlyn. Police were alerted at just after 3am. “We are investigating a “ Ram Raid” style burglary at a premises in Newcastle Emlyn where a JCB was used to try to gain entry,” said Detective Inspector Mark James.

Adam Cousins, aged 16 from Newcastle Emlyn has won the Carmarthenshire High Sheriff's Award. Adam, who is currently studying for his GCSE’s at Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn, was nominated for the award by youth volunteering officer, Fflur Hughes of CAVS. Adam is an instrumental member of the CAVS Youth Grant Panel and is also the vice chair of Carmarthenshire Youth Council, a Carmarthenshire Funky Dragon representative and a member of the Teifi Youth Forum. When Adam was 15 years old he completed all levels of the CAVS Youth Volunteering Scheme, reaching 20,30,50 and 100 hours in a small space of time. Since turning 16 a few months ago, he has joined the Millennium Volunteers Scheme and has already received his 50 hours certificate within 2 months of registering. Adam is a passionate, dedicated and much valued volunteer with all the organisations his involved with. Through his volunteering, he has been able to have the opportunity to work towards recognised OCN qualifications in; Volunt...

A total of 219 tyres were collected to be recycled in an amnesty held in Newcastle Emlyn. Residents were able to take along unwanted tyres to the mart car park to dispose of free of charge. It was organised by Tidy Towns to encourage people to dispose of their waste responsibly and help combat fly-tipping. Tyre companies attach a charge to any tyres that are disposed of at their business so illegally dumped tyres is a big problem not just in Carmarthenshire but across the UK. Fly-tipping is not only a blight on the landscape, but costs local authorities millions of pounds a year to clean up and causes harm to wildlife and the environment. Tidy Towns project officer Simon Troake said: “Around 450,000 tonnes of used tyres are produced in the UK every year that have to be reused or disposed of somehow and it is estimated that local authorities, landowners, industry and the emergency services pay out over £2.3 million every year in investigating and clearing illegally dumped tyres. “Hopefu...