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

A Carmarthenshire energy business has moved into a state-of-the-art new home with help from RDP (Rural Conversion Grant) Sir Gâr. The owners of Beacon Stoves, Ben and Francoise Graham, are celebrating a £96,905 grant to convert an unused building into a brand new base for the flourishing company. The business was established in 1985 and operates from a house and outbuildings at Parc Gwair, Capel Iwan. Ben and Francoise had their expansion dream realised thanks to a Rural Conversion Grant from RDP Sir Gâr. They received the grant to convert a building that was originally used to house pigs on the site into a new modern showroom, training room, store rooms and entrance lobby. Work has now been completed on the low energy building which was constructed with local timber and will be heated with renewable energy. The project will safeguard four jobs and create another three, as well as providing a workshop for training in the installation of environmentally friendly heating systems. Owner B...

Penybanc Business Services have turned a former calving shed into a Business and Training Centre following a Rural Conversion Grant of £60,548 from RDP. The Centre has recently opened in Drefelin. The Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and you can find out what grants may be available for you by visiting the West Wales European Centre’s website www.wwec.org.uk

A therapy room, offices, multi purpose IT training room, gallery and innovations workshop have been opened in Panteg by Peter and Hazel Saville. The Savilles received a grant of £154,185 through RDP’s Rural Conversion Grant to turn a Dutch barn, Cegin Fach and cowshed into the new facilities. The Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and you can find out what grants may be available for you by visiting the West Wales European Centre’s website www.wwec.org.uk

A redundant former Carmarthen Judo Club building on Old Llangunnor road has become a state-of-the-art veterinary surgery having benefitted from funding of £72,197 from the Rural Conversion Grant Fund. Towy Vets opened their doors on August 1 and several new jobs have been created in Carmarthen as a result. Owner Simon Brazier was delighted with the grant assistance and is one of two individuals to have received financial support to set up new enterprises through the fund. “The financial help offered by the Rural Conversion Grant, and the business support from the Welsh Government were very encouraging,” said Mr Brazier. “The project exemplifies how the public and private sectors working together can create jobs and improve services. “The building has been rejuvenated and improved aesthetically. I am looking forward to serving the people and pets of Carmarthen with a high quality personal service whilst giving value for money.” Carmarthenshire County Council is behind the Rural ...

A rural Carmarthenshire family business that aims to change lives has expanded the services it offers thanks to a grant from the Rural Conversion Grant Fund. Peter, Hazel, Stephen and Samantha Saville, owners of the Golden Hill Centre, are celebrating a £77,093 grant to convert three redundant buildings into a therapy room, two small offices, a multi purpose IT training room, art studio and gallery and an innovations workshop. The Golden Hill Project will create three new full-time positions, a part-time position and safeguard a part-time position. The enterprise, which was established in 2001 under the banner of Life Change Therapy, officially opened its new business premises at Panteg, Whitemill, near Carmarthen, on Friday July 1. Carmarthenshire County Council is behind the Rural Conversion Grant Fund which is aimed at creating jobs and regenerating rural parts of the area. The authority has received funding to deliver the project through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-20...

A rural Carmarthenshire business has expanded the services it offers thanks to a grant from the Rural Conversion Grant Fund. Roger and Simone Broome, the owners of Penybanc Business Services are celebrating a £30,378 grant to convert redundant calving shed and dairy buildings into meeting, event and conference facilities. The enterprise, which was set up earlier this year as a spin-off business from the adjacent Ceridwen Centre, has officially opened its new business premises at Drefelin, Drefach, Felindre. Carmarthenshire County Council is behind the Rural Conversion Grant Fund which is aimed at creating jobs and regenerating rural parts of the area. The authority has received funding to deliver the project through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. The Penybanc Business Services project will safeguard two and a half jobs and create one new full-time position. Owner Roger Bro...

A Carmarthenshire energy business is moving into a state-of-the-art new home thanks to a cash windfall. The owners of Beacon Stoves are celebrating a £96,905 grant to convert a redundant building into a brand new base for the flourishing company. The firm, which was set up in 1985, currently operates from a house and outbuildings at Parc Gwair, Capel Iwan. Owners Ben and Francoise Graham are now realising their expansion dream thanks to a Rural Conversion Grant. Work is underway on the low energy building which is being built from local timber and will be heated with renewable energy. A building that was originally used to house pigs on the site is being converted to include a new modern showroom, training room, store rooms and entrance lobby. The project will safeguard four jobs and create another three, as well as providing a workshop for training in the installation of environmentally friendly heating systems. Owner Ben Graham said he was delighted with the grant funding. “It has be...