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

Last year’s Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council has helped to buy new equipment for local doctors’ surgeries. Cllr. Siân Thomas’s Chair’s Charities for her year in office were specialist equipment for Glanaman Hospital, the dedicated home for sufferers of dementia based in the Amman Valley, and the Gwendraeth Valley Diabetic Association. Cllr Thomas, with the help of the Diabetic Association, has sponsored new equipment for the local surgeries. Pictured from left are Dorian Richards of the Diabetic Association, Cllr Siân Thomas, Diabetic Association secretary Mair Griffiths, Practice Nurse Karen Marshall demonstrating some of the equipment purchased, and the Practice Manager of Penygroes Surgery Sharon Davies. The new equipment will be used to diagnose and monitor illnessess more efficiently and thus hopefully improve the health of patients in the community. Cllr. Thomas, who works for the Diabetes Society as a campaigner and lecturer, said: “As a sufferer I wanted to help the...

Penygroes Rugby Club has raised more than £2,000 for the Cilgerran children’s ward at Glangwili Hospital by holding a special charity night. Carmarthenshire County Council Chair Cllr Siân as is pictured at the event at Penygroes Rugby Club.

The Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council has supported Llanelli and District Guide Dogs for the Blind at the St Elli Centre, Llanelli The Chair Cllr Siân Thomas is pictured with Betty Harmer and her guide dog Cathy who were taking part in the branch’s efforts to raise funds and raise awareness of the charity during Guide Dog Week. Cllr Thomas said: “The Branch was very grateful for Carmarthenshire County Council’s support in this special week. They were also supported on the day by Llanelli Rural Council and Nia Griffith MP along with many regular and new supporters.” Llanelli and District Branch fundraise all year round and if you would like to help them or your local branch please contact Mari on 01554 755467 or Sandra on  sandrajfrancis@btinternet.com.

The Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council, Councillor Sian Thomas, is pictured with crew members at Pontyates Fire Station, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council is organising a Twmpath Tachwedd Halloween Hoedown in aid of Macmillan Cancer. Cllr Siân Thomas is organising the event for the Macmillan ward in Glanaman Hospital where some new hoist equipment is desperately needed. The Twmpath will take place in the Amman Centre in Ammanford, at 7.30pm on Friday November 2. The cost is £12, but all profits will go towards purchasing this equipment. Cllr Thomas said: “There will be a live band and a ‘caller’ to make sure everyone knows the steps, as well as a warming ‘cawl’ and plenty of cakes. So if you fancy a twirl around the floor, or a lesson in how to do a ‘dozey doo’ with friends old and new, do support this cause.” Anyone who wants to come should contact Siân Thomas on 01269 842151 to let her know and can then collect their tickets at the door. She added: “Penygroes people are nothing if not determined to be known as good fund raisers for their favourite charities. Recently the Macmillan Coffee Mor...

The Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council has visited retired Gorslas publican Gomer Jones on his 100th Birthday. Cllr Siân Thomas visited Mr Jones at his flat in Gors Court, St Catherine Street, Carmarthen, on Friday October 12. Mr Jones, known to his friends as ‘Boyo, was brought up in Gorslas at the Union Tavern public house which was demolished a number of years ago. After they got married in 1946, he and his wife took on the tenancy of the Farmers Arms, Cross Hands, where the family lived for 17 years. In 1964 they moved to Carmarthen where Mr Jones took over the tenancy of the Weaver’s Arms public house in Water Street, Carmarthen. He retired as a publican at 65 years of age shortly after his wife passed away. He later re-married but sadly his second wife passed away a few years later. His son Percy Jones, Senior Principal Officer (Elderly) with the Social Care and Housing Department until his retirement 10 years ago, thanked Cllr Thomas for visiting. He said: “Dad loves ...

The Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council visited the County Museum in Abergwili for a National Archaeology Day exhibition. The focus of the event was the Romans in Carmarthen and their contribution to the county. There was a variety of events for children and adults. Pictured at the event, from left to right: former High Sheriff Thomas Lloyd; former High Sheriff Dr Ann Rhys, who opened the event; Carmarthenshire County Council Chair Cllr Siân Thomas; Dr Rees’s husband Glyn Rees and the Chairman of the Friends of the Museum David Grindrod.

The Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council recently opened Pontarddulais Classic Motor Club’s Classic Car and Vehicle Show. Chair Cllr Siân Thomas also helped judge the competition at Festival Fields, Pwll, Llanelli. There were more than 400 entries and three joint winners all of whose owners live in Carmarthenshire. Cllr Thomas said: “I was overwhelmed by the turnout and the time and love lavished upon these delightful cars.”

The Welsh Women’s Bowling Association invited the Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council to the Under 25s International and British Isles Championships in Llanelli. Chair Cllr Siân Thomas was invited to bowl the first bowl at the event at Parc Howard. The competition featured representatives from Wales, England, Ireland and Scotland. It was the first time for the event to be held in Llanelli.

The Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council Cllr Sian Thomas pictured at Drefach Carnival in Felindre with Carnival Queen Cerian Rees and MP Jonathan Edwards.

The Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council Cllr Siân Thomas presents a cheque for £25 to Helene Lovell on the occasion of the official opening of Cylch ‘Ti a Fi’ Gorslas, with Gorslas Community Council Chair Cllr Terry Davies. Cllr Terry Davies presented a cheque for £50 on behalf of the community. Cylch Ti a Fi Gorslas is held during the holidays on Monday mornings from 9.30-11am in Neuadd Lleian.

When Mrs Dorothy Davidson of Pontargothi celebrated her 100th birthday she had guests there from three continents. And she spoke on Skype to those who couldn’t make the long journey. Mrs Davidson celebrated her birthday at Pontargothi Memorial Hall with son and daughter-in-law Terry and Sally, grandson Jonathan, his wife Tracy and their children Tyler, aged eight, and Liam, aged five, as well as about 110 other guest including seven from America and four from Australia. She spoke on Skype to old friends in Japan. Mrs Davidson was presented with a bouquet of flowers by the Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council Cllr Siân Thomas. Daughter-in-law Sally said: “It was great from mother’s point of view to see so many old friends. She is very up to date and has an iPad and emails everyone. It was a fantastic day. Originally from Llanfihangel-ar-Arth, Mrs Davidson worked in forestry with the Land Army during the Second World War and later worked as a housekeeper at a number of public sc...

The Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council is backing a charity to help soldiers who have served in Afghanistan and their families. Cllr Siân Thomas has pledged her support for the Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal which is promoting a charity single by baritone Mark Llewelyn Evans, Men of Harlech/Tell My Father, sung with the Band of the Welsh Guards. Cllr. Thomas said: “We do not do enough after care for our brave armed forces. I have a relative married to an Afghan war hero who came home in pieces, not physically but mentally, and because there were no outward signs of injury, not many people understood the inner trauma he faced. “We need to do more for our brave. This year as Chair I have openly showed my support for Armed Forces Week, joining the flag raising event in Llanelli, and am also giving my support to the Help for Heroes fund.” Further information on the single Men of Harlech/Tell My Father can be found on Mark’s website www.markllewelynevans.co.uk

A Strawberry Tea was held in Penygroes Chapel to raise money for one of the this year’s Carmarthenshire County Council Chair’s Charities, Cartref Hafan for people suffering from dementia. The Chair, Cllr Siân Thomas, said: “The sum of £815 was raised on the day and Barclays Bank has agreed to sponsor it for a further £700.” In the picture, from left: Mrs Olive Davies, event organiser; Mrs Marjorie Rogers, Guest; Cllr Siân Thomas, Council Chair, and Mrs Dorothy McDonald, Hafan home manager.

Llannon’s community allotments have been officially opened by the Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council – and there is already a waiting list for the second phase. New council Chair Cllr Siân Thomas cut the ribbon to open the allotments site close to Llannon Primary School. Gardeners have already signed up for all 22 allotments in the current phase of the project run by Dan Snaith, a local resident and Carmarthenshire project officer for Keep Wales Tidy. The committee set up to organise the allotments applied for a lease from Carmarthenshire Council, for 21 years, and were also successful in their application for a £5,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund. Llannon Community Council also donated £500 toward the project, to cover legal costs. Dan’s father Phil Snaith, who is allotments secretary, said: “From the idea to actual digging on site took 13 months thanks to support and assistance from the council’s Asset Management section in particular. “At a key stage the Community Council...

The chair of Carmarthenshire County Council has visited a St Clears resident on her 100th birthday. Esther Anne Davies celebrated her birthday at Dol y Felin care home with members of her family. Council Chair Cllr Sian Thomas called at Dol y Felin to congratulate Mrs Davies and to present her with a bouquet of flowers. Mrs Davies is from Llanboidy and lived there until three years ago when she moved to Dol y Felin. Her late husband Jim worked servicing farm machinery and Mrs Davies worked from home as a dressmaker. She is a member of Capel Rhyd y Ceisiad. She has a son Len, two grandsons and a granddaughter and five great grandchildren. Mrs Davies said: “I am really enjoying my birthday and having my family visit to celebrate.”

The Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council has attended Gwili Railway’s launch of the new gates at the level crossing at Bronwydd Arms. The event started with a welcoming address by Gwili Railway Company chair Peter Nicholas before Council Chair Cllr Siân Thomas and Robin Leleux of the National Railway Heritage Awards (pictured) unveiled the commemorative plaque. The guests then went on a train ride and took afternoon tea before returning to Bronwydd Arms Station.