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

Wednesday walk, taking in Llanelli Beach and North Dock and the cycle path running to Furnace, Llanelli. Llanelli Beach Llanelli Beach Llanelli Beach North Dock Railway lines on the cycle path Railway lines on the cycle path North Dock North Dock

This morning's 10,000 steps were taken before dawn . . . around North Dock and Llanelli's Millennium Coastal Park. Photos:

Latest news from Sosban restaurant in Llanelli - Tamaya Dinner Thursday 21st July @ 7pm £40 per person Fine wine is such a convivial and socialising entity, and we love seeing our guests enjoy fine food and excellent wines, which is why we’d love you to join us for an exquisite Tamaya Dinner! We have paired up with Fine Wines Direct UK to bring you an unforgettable 3 course dinner, matched with this superb Chilean wine. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the history of this unique wine. Arrival drink, three course dinner and five wine pairings. The name Tamaya means “High Scenic Viewpoint”, a word that comes from the dialect of the Diaguita indigenous culture that inhabited the Limarí Valley between the 8th and the 6th centuries BC, in the same place where Viña Tamaya is currently located. Tamaya is also the name given to the highest hill in the area, from where it is possible to view the entire valley. Book Now 01554 270020 / reservations@so...

Llanelli Beach and the Millennium Coastal Park was showcased across Wales as it hit primetime television. ITV Wales featured the beauty spot on the 6pm news after doggy dessert went on sale at Llanelli’s North Dock ice cream kiosk. Dogs went crazy for it and the kiosk sold out within six hours of opening after it went viral on social media site Facebook. Rich in essential vitamins and lickable straight from the tub, Frozzys is the perfect treat for your furry pooch. Ice cream kiosk owner, Mark Edwards: “Dogs couldn’t get enough of it and the pots were gone in no time. We sold all our stock after just six hours and had to get one of the sales drivers to drive to Cardiff to get extra supplies ready for the weekend.” The frozen, low calorie and lactose free yoghurt is available in four different flavours and is a healthy and refreshing treat after walks or training. It’s kind on the digestive system, is a great tasting teething aid and suitable for all dogs and puppies. The council’s ex...

Visitor numbers to Llanellli’s North Dock have hit an all time high. Bumper figures show that the Millennium Coastal Park site has attracted an extra 1,000 visitors every week in the last six months. More than 52,000 parking tickets have been sold at North Dock from April to November this year compared to 42,000 during the same period last year. Based on three people per car this equates to 30,000 more visitors - an increase of 23 per cent. Ice cream sales have also increased with Joe’s vanilla flavour being the most popular. The huge rise comes just months after a new nautical themed playground opened in April. The grassed facility located in front of the main car park has proved hugely popular with locals and visitors alike. One Swansea family said: “We love it here and travel down regularly from Bishopston with our children. We bring our bikes with us too as it’s so safe for the children to ride on the cycle path and they absolutely love it. The ice cream is delicious too!” Seaso...

The sun came out in force for BBC weatherman Derek Brockway during his visit to Llanelli’s North Dock. The friendly forecaster was filming on Llanelli beach and the Millennium Coastal Path as part of the new TV series, Weatherman Walking. The Carmarthenshire beauty spot was chosen for the opening sequence of the BBC programme and will be showcased throughout the series. A drone camera was used to film Derek walking along the beach in the morning sunshine whilst capturing breathtaking views of the estuary and Whitford Lighthouse. The six episode walking programme is due to be aired in January. North Dock with its spectacular views has become popular with media organisations and recently The Great British Bake Off reality show filmed one of its contestants strolling along the beach front. The council’s executive board member for leisure, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “The beautiful coast here in Carmarthenshire is attracting more and more visitors each year and quite frankly I’m not surpris...

Llanelli’s North Dock played host to dozens of eclipse enthusiasts all wanting to catch a glimpse of the rare phenomenon. One of those was Welsh Office Minister Baroness Randerson who managed to capture the moment whilst visiting the Discovery Centre and Millennium Coastal Park as part of National Tourism Week March 14-22, also Carmarthenshire tourism month. The Baroness was given a tour of the centre before heading down the coastal path to experience first hand the breathtaking views and attractions the park has to offer. Thousands of visitors a year are now making their way to the breathtaking Millennium Coastal Park. Everyone who comes to the award-winning park leaves with a lasting memory of its scale and beauty. The council’s countryside and parks manager, Rory Dickinson said: “The baroness seemed very impressed with what the Discovery Centre and Millennium Coastal Park has to offer. She even mentioned bringing her family here for a day out.” In just over 10 years, the 22 kilo...

A spaghetti tangle of ‘Pieces of Eight’ red coloured metalwork rising at Llanelli’s North Dock is arresting a good deal of attention. The 18ft high pirates’ crew cabin and crows’ nest climbing frame and other maritime themed play things are being assembled in a magnificent and long awaited £106,000 playing area at the entrance to the Millennium Coastal Park. The cash for the play area has been provided through Section 106 monies provided by the adjacent Millennium Quays North Dock development. The park will be open in early March well in time for the Easter rush and is being welcomed by North Dock businesses to help boost visitor numbers. Around the spectacular climbing frame there will be spring loaded playing items including sharks, an octopus and dolphins and other nautically themed items all in a secure fenced off area alongside the main public car park. Manager of the North Dock ice cream kiosk Angela Edwards said: “There has been a huge demand for this facility for years. It is...

Llanelli's North Dock has been closed to swimmers because of blue green algae detected in the water. Carmarthenshire County Council’s public protection department has been informed of the presence of the algae by National Resources Wales. Executive board member for environment and public protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Visitors, and people that normally use the area for recreation, are asked to look out for the warning signs and not to come into contact with water where the algae might be present. “It is important to note that people and animals can become ill after coming into contact with the algae.” Natural Resources Wales said they would continue to monitor conditions at the dock closely and will be taking regular samples to test for levels of the algae in the water.” Tests are taken on a weekly basis. There must be seven clear days of testing until the dock can be reopened for swimming. Blue Algae is a natural process occurring on retained water sources caused by excessive...

Safety fears over Llanelli beach path at night | This is South Wales North Dock residents fear lives are being put at risk along the beach in Llanelli, where the footpath is "completely black" at night. Complaints have been made about the lack of lighting along the beachfront, where walkers, runners and cyclists are left in darkness when the sun sets. Members of the North Dock Residents' Association have written to Carmarthenshire Council voicing their concerns for the safety of people who use the path, but are becoming frustrated that nothing has been done.

Llanelli Waterfront is becoming a jewel studded crown of attractions on the edge of town. Yet another jaw droppingly beautiful jigsaw piece has been dropped into place in the continuing development of Llanelli’s North Dock. A Public plaza has been created that will be the focus for musicians, open air theatre and a variety of public performances knitting together the leisure and office development already created. The public realm scheme has been created by using a variety of varying colours of marble, in an assortment of sweeps and curves in a sensitively planted garden area. County executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “This run down area of Llanelli has been completely transformed by the Joint Venture group. This magnificent addition to an evolving Waterside enhancement programme will help encourage investment and development in the Llanelli” The scheme has been funded by the Llanelli Waterside Joint Venture, which has already invested signi...

Wales rugby stars Dwayne Peel and Stephen Jones have joined a team of developers transforming an historic waterside Llanelli landmark building into a top restaurant. Work has started on restoring the iconic and church-like structured Pumphouse (pictured above) that once operated massive gates on Llanelli’s North Dock. The Scarlets and Sale, Wales and British Lions pair have formed a new company along with award-winning restaurateur Simon Wright and local entrepreneur Robert Williams. The private company, Bendigo 9-10, was selected by the Llanelli Waterside joint venture partnership as the preferred developer to renovate and run The Pumphouse, which overlooks Llanelli’s North Dock. Work on the project is now underway following planning and listed building consent and the scheme has benefited from a tourism investment grant and CADW funding. It is part of the £250m redevelopment of the town’s waterside, which is being driven forward by a partnership between the Welsh Assembly Government ...