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

Retired Director of Social Care, Health and Housing Bruce McLernon was made an OBE in the New Year Honours list. He was recognised for services to social care and local government, particularly in Carmarthenshire. Mr McLernon described the honour as “humbling”. He said: “It’s the fact that people think you're worthy of it. It's not just about me, it's about the people I worked with — the officers, councillors, members of the public I engaged with and the various partner agencies we worked with. "I am told it is a very pleasant experience at the palace, and myself and my wife will make the most of it because it certainly is a privilege." Council leader Emlyn Dole passed on his congratulations, and said it was “very well deserved for all his hard work.” Cllr Dole added: “As the chair of the health and social care scrutiny committee for two years, I had the pleasure of working with Bruce when he was the director. He was very easy to work with, and was always willin...

Dr Bernadette Fuge, Chair of Age Cymru, has been awarded an OBE in the 2015 New Year’s Honour list for her work at the charity.  Bernadette, born and educated in Flintshire, has been our Chair since 2009 after being a trustee of Age Concern Cymru from 2005. She is a graduate of the Welsh National School of Medicine and worked as a community paediatrician and partner in a Cardiff GP practice before joining the Welsh Office in 1990. Following devolution she held the positions of Principal Medical Officer, Head of NHS Quality and was the first Medical Director of NHS Wales in the National Assembly. Bernadette says: "I am very honoured to receive this award. “It is a privilege for me to work with and for older people and a tribute to the staff, partners and volunteers of Age Cymru for their work to improve the lives of older people in Wales.” Ian Thomas, Age Cymru’s Chief Executive says: “Many congratulations to Bernadette on being awarded an OBE. “Bernadette has contributed gre...

Carmarthenshire’s director of regeneration and leisure Dave Gilbert has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. The citation says that Mr Gilbert has received the award for ‘services to Regeneration and Skills and to the community in West Wales’. Mr Gilbert, who joined Carmarthenshire County Council as director of regeneration and leisure nine years ago, said he felt very honoured to receive the OBE which had come as a surprise. He said: “This recognises the efforts of our highly professional regeneration team. I lead the team but it’s the team that’s being recognised. “We have had lots of physical regeneration projects such as the town centre scheme in Carmarthen and the one underway in Llanelli, and leisure developments at Parc y Scarlets, Ffos Las Racecourse and Carmarthen Leisure Centre. “We have a very proactive approach to helping businesses in Carmarthenshire. It’s not just about physical regeneration projects; we also have a very strong community development tea...