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

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star - Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir will be doing their bit for a popular local cause on Friday, April 22. The choristers will be starring at a special evening to raise funds for the Parc Howard Association, the group working tirelessly to improve the park and house and keep it open for the public. ‘Music for The Parc’ will be staged at The Diplomat Hotel, Llanelli, and will be hosted by Carmarthenshire’s popular pantomime entertainer ‘Denny Twp’. The evening starts at 7pm and will also feature The Phil Harmonics, the rock and pop ladies choir from Llanelli. There will also be performances from Côr Ysgol Ffwrnes, singer Megan Thomas, a past winner of the Gethin Hughes Memorial Bursary prize, and classicial guitarist Cai Charles, a past winner of the Llanelli Rotary Young Musician of the Year competition. Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Mr D Eifion Thomas said: “Of course...

Carmarthenshire Council leisure chiefs have reinforced their commitment to keeping Llanelli’s Parc Howard open. They have also vowed to continue seeking grants to secure its future and are asking for the public’s support in this. The move follows concern that the popular facility is at risk after a multi-million-pound grant bid was turned down. Carmarthenshire County Council put the bid together to help secure the park’s future through major investment and development of new facilities. However, the Heritage Lottery fund did not approve it, a decision described as a ‘devastating blow’ to the park. It costs around £106,000 a year to maintain the park and mansion house, a sum which the authority has to reduce given the severe financial pressure it is under. The council needs to save over £30million over the next three years, and cuts are being made across the board. However, officers were keen to stress that the commitment for the future of the park was as strong as ever. Head of Leisu...

The Heritage Lottery Fund has turned down a bid for £5million to secure Llanelli's Parc Howard mansion and grounds for the future. Carmarthenshire County Council has expressed disappointment that the bid was unsuccessful. Officers are now arranging a feedback meeting with HLF to clarify reasoning for the rejection. The bid, submitted in August, was delayed for six months to allow for more consultation as there was not 100 per cent support for the bid, and this was jeopardising the park’s future. Executive Board Member for Regeneration, Cllr Meryl Gravell, said: “This is hugely disappointing news. It just underlines how important it is that we are all united in our campaign to secure Parc Howard’s future with an economic plan that stands scrutiny. “If we cannot change the way the park operates we could be forced to close it. “With the authority’s diminishing resources and the fact that Parc Howard, along with all council leisure services, is a not statutory responsibility, we...

The Parc Howard Association and the Friends of Llanelli Museum will be marking the 'centenary day' of the park with a reception and an auction at the Mansion House at 7pm on Friday, September 21. Tickets, to include a glass of wine, are available from Barbara Willis, of 7 Tyrfran Avenue, Llanelli, SA15 3LW, telephone 01554 758644,email bmwillis7@aol.com The proceeds of the evening will go towards the Parc Howard Association's programme of repair and development work at the park. Weblink -  www.parchoward.org.uk