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

The busy ladies of The Phil Harmonics have a special charity fundraising night coming up this summer. They will be performing at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, on Friday, June 9, in aid of the Ty Bryngwyn Hospice Fund. Tickets are £25 and include a two-course meal and other entertainment from 'Friends' of The Phil Harmonics. Tickets are available from Phil Harmonics members of through their Facebook page. Rock and pop choir the Phil Harmonics have made their entrance onto the Llanelli music scene gradually over the last two years. The group was set up by Sarah Mair Richards, Phil Thomas and Pauline Yudowitz. In 2016 they held a charity evening which helped raise more than £1,600 for Prince Philip Hospital Breast Care Unit in Llanelli and a maternity hospital in Uganda. Choir rehearsals are at The Stradey Park Hotel and the choir members are grateful for the hotel’s continuing support. The Choir is for 18 - 80 year olds who want to be part of a very exciting group who ar...

Members of Llanelli Rotary Club are getting ready for one of the highlights of Llanelli's social calendar - the annual fund-raising charity ball. "The Rotary Ball is always regarded as one of THE big events of the year in Llanelli and we are looking forward to a full house at this year's event," said Rotary Club President Mark Evans. The ball is being staged at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, on Friday, April 7, with entertainment being provided by The Phil Harmonics choir and popular entertainers Dusty Road. President Mr Evans (pictured) said: "This year, we have a specific target to use all of the funds raised from the ball to purchase defibrillators that will be placed in prominent positions around Llanelli. "The first will be at Felinfoel Community Resource Centre and will be available ‘if needed’ by the numerous people that use the facility. "As always, we appreciate the generous support of the business community in Llanelli, who support by ...

Impress your partner with a choice of gifts and flowers from Carmarthenshire Markets and be in with a chance of winning a romantic break at Llanelli’s Stradey Park Hotel on St Valentine’s Day. Visitors to Llanelli and Carmarthen markets who buy items associated with the patron saint of love will be entered into a draw with one lucky couple being treated to dinner and an overnight stay at the four-star hotel on Tuesday, February 14. From cards and flowers to perfume, paintings, clothing and jewellery there’s lots of different love tokens to be found in both markets. If you’re preparing your loved one a delicious meal, visit the market where you can buy a choice of great local produce from steaks to cheeses, speciality fish and seafood to delicious desserts. Carmarthenshire County Council’s executive board member responsible for the markets, Cllr David Jenkins said: “There are some great products available to buy in the market to celebrate Valentine’s Day. By doing so you’ll be support...

Controversial author and columnist Julian Ruck will be the guest speaker at a meeting of Llanelli Rotary Club at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, tomorrow evening (7.30pm Wednesday, November 23). Ruck is a novelist, broadcaster, columnist and political journalist/commentator. He is presently a columnist for two of Wales' biggest selling newspapers. Having studied and trained as a lawyer in London, he dedicated a portion of his life to dealing with Legal Aid contracts in the not-for-profit sector. He now lives in West Wales, where he is a regular contributor to Labour Uncut and The Daily Express. He has published six books, all with Dinefwr Press, and is currently writing another. In October 2015, Julian was involved in a hit-and-run accident that left him seriously injured, but as of 2016, he is on the road to recovery and writing again. Link - http://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=936

Day One of the prestigious Carmarthen Bay Film Festival kicked off in Llanelli with the exclusive world premiere of a move set in Llanelli. There was a spontaneous round of applause at the end of the screening of The Shadow Of The Missing at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, on Monday night. And cast and crew delighted members of the appreciative audience with an impromptu Question and Answer session on the film. Shadow Of The Missing mixes comedy with ‘found footage’ horror as it tells the story of a group of filmmakers who go to an abandoned Llanelli church one night. Filming took place in the summer of 2015, but, since then, Park Church in Murray Street has been decimated by fire. The blaze has been incorporated into the film – and plot lines were tweaked to make it add to the mystery. Jamie Lee Smith, the American film producer behind the project, said: "We have built a story for our movie around the history and mythology of this region. It made sense to hold our very fir...

Jamie Lee Smith with Kelvin Guy, chief executive of the Carmarthen Bay Film Festival. Film star Samira Mohamed Ali with Kelvin Guy, chief executive of the Carmarthen Bay Film Festival. The prestigious Carmarthen Bay Film Festival is being held in Llanelli next week. Now in its fifth year, the festival promises to be bigger and better than before. “We’re now firmly established on the international film festival calendar,” said festival chief executive Kelvin Guy. “Entry submissions increase dramatically every year and we get film-makers from every corner of the globe entering the event. “This year, we can promise more special premieres at what is a ground-breaking (free entry to the public) festival.” The festival runs from May 9 to 13 at the Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli. On Monday, May 9, the premiere event will be the first screening of Shadow Of The Missing, a spooky story directed by USA film producer Jamie Lee Smith and set in and around Llanelli. Tuesday, May 10, w...

There was a very special celebration for the Amman Valley-based Côr Lleisiau’r Cwm at the weekend. The ladies choir celebrated their 20th anniversary with a gala dinner dance at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli. Côr Lleisiau’r Cwm have an enviable reputation for charity work and the proceeds of Saturday’s event were donated to the Kidney Organisation Wales. The final total for the evening is still being counted, but an auction raised £800 for the charity. Auction items included the shoes worn by Catatonia singer Cerys Matthews in the music video of Road Rage, a signed Wales rugby shirt and a signed Swansea City jersey. The evening kicked off with a superb set by Cantata, one of three choirs under the baton of the gifted Côr Lleisiau’r Cwm musical director Catrin Hughes. Chilli Con Carne turned up the heat on the evening before Cantata closed their set with a stunning rendition of the Adele/James Bond hit Skyfall, featuring soloist Nia Rees. The evening was hosted by Heddyr Gregory...

The new President of Llanelli Rotary Club has held her first showpiece event of the year. Mrs Susan Roberts succeeded Hywel Bassett as President of Llanelli Rotary Club. She held her President's Night dinner at the Stradey Park Hotel. Honorary Rotarian Roy Noble, the celebrated BBC radio and television personality, was the guest speaker. Mrs Roberts has expressed her delight at taking over as club President and added that she was looking forward to a great year of community activities and fund-raising. Mrs Roberts was born in Llanelli and attended the old Llanelli Girls' Grammar School. After graduating in Institutional and Hotel Management, she went on to the King's Fund College for Officers (NHS) London as a management trainee. She spent three years based at the college in London and having practical work experience at a variety of hospitals throughout Wales. Mrs Roberts spent the next 27 years in the NHS in a variety of roles, finally becoming the Director of Facili...

Legendary Phantom of the Opera star Peter Karrie is to star at Llanelli Rotary Club's big annual fundraising night. The annual Rotary Ball - one of the highlights of Llanelli's social calendar - will have a special theme this year. It is being billed as 'Music of the Night'. The Ball takes place at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, on Friday, October 30 (7 for 7.30pm). The evening will be dedicated to raising funds for the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity. "It promises to be a fabulous evening," said Llanelli Rotary Club President Susan Roberts. "We've secured a big name star for a very special night and we are hoping the community of Llanelli rallies behind the event to make it a sell-out." Guests will enjoy a 'welcome drink', three course dinner with entertainment, Peter Karrie and Jimi Webb (The South Wales King of Swing). There will be dancing until late. Tickets are £35 and are available from the Stradey Park Hotel,...

Llanelli Rotary Club staged a 'Tea and Trends' fashion show at the Stradey Park Hotel to give the Wales Air Ambulance service a big lift. The event raised £1550 for the air ambulance team. "It was a fantastic event and we were delighted to be able to raise a lot of cash for the Wales Air Ambulance service, a thoroughly deserving cause," said Llanelli Rotary Club President Susan Roberts. "The air ambulance in South Wales is currently building a new headquarters in Dafen, Llanelli, and we know that the money will help boost this worthy venture. "It was a splendid afternoon for the fashion-loving ladies to come together in relaxed and convivial settings. "Everyone enjoyed a cheeky glass of Prosecco on arrival and a superb afternoon tea served up by the staff of the Stradey Park Hotel. "The fashion parade, which saw the models tour the tables, was organised by Melanie Shufflebotham of Mossies fashion shop in Llanelli. "The grateful th...

Members of Llanelli Rotary Club will be in the St Elli Centre, Llanelli, on Saturday, September 12 as part of the club's annual Back Pack Appeal for schoolchildren in Africa. Members of the public are being asked to donate old back packs or satchels (together with any other school kit) to the appeal. Llanelly House and the Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli will be acting as collection points for the appeal from September 11-19. Llanelli Rotary President Sue Roberts said:" Very often the children we support don’t have even basic things like pens and notepads to allow them to make the most of their education. You can help solve this problem by filling an old school bag or backpack with some everyday educational items. "All help for the appeal is gratefully received." Last year, Llanelli Rotary Club joined the Mary's Meals backpack appeal for the first time. The club members and friends collected 59 backpacks to send to needy children in Africa. Project coordinator...

Members of Llanelli Rotary Club will be in the St Elli Centre, Llanelli, on Saturday, September 12 as part of the club's annual Back Pack Appeal for schoolchildren in Africa. Members of the public are being asked to donate old back packs or satchels (together with any other school kit) to the appeal. Llanelly House and the Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli will be acting as collection points for the appeal from September 11-19. Llanelli Rotary President Sue Roberts said:" Very often the children we support don’t have even basic things like pens and notepads to allow them to make the most of their education. You can help solve this problem by filling an old school bag or backpack with some everyday educational items. "All help for the appeal is gratefully received."

Outgoing Llanelli Rotary Club President Hywel Bassett reflected on a year of great achievement for the club at the annual Presidential Handover dinner held at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli. “The Rotary International theme for the year was ‘Light Up Rotary’ - and the candle was well and truly lit my year as President of the second oldest Rotary Club in Wales,” said Mr Bassett. “It has been an exceptionally busy year, with very successful fund-raising activities for different charities, excellent youth and social events and some very successful community projects.” Mr Bassett was succeeded as President by Mrs Susan Roberts. In his valedictory speech, he reflected on some of the highlights of his year as President – The annual Rotary Golf Day at the Ashburnham Golf Club in Pembrey raised more than £1,500 on the day for the club’s charity account.  World War One Commemoration concert held at Greenfield Chapel, Llanelli, and featuring Cor Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir, Cor Cu...

The new President of Llanelli Rotary Club is Mrs Susan Roberts. She succeeded Hywel Bassett at the club's annual Handover dinner held at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli. Immediate Past President Hywel said it was a great pleasure to see Mrs Roberts take over the presidential duties and he wished her well during her year of office. Rotarian Jo Isaac pledged the support of members of Llanelli Rotary Club during the formal handover. Mrs Roberts expressed her delight at taking over as club President and added that she was looking forward to a great year of community activities and fund-raising. Mrs Roberts was born Llanelli and attended the old Llanelli Girls' Grammar School. After graduating in Institutional and hotel management, she went onto the King's Fund College for Officers (NHS) London as a management trainee. She spent three years based at the college in London and having practical work experience at a variety of hospitals throughout Wales. Mrs Roberts spen...

The annual Carmarthen Bay Film Festival just keeps growing and growing. This year's event attracted more than 200 entries. "There was a fantastic response from film-makers around the world," said festival CEO and founder Kelvin Guy. "It is astonishing how the festival has grown in popularity from very small beginnings. "They say great things grow from little acorns, and that is very true of the film festival." "We are now eagerly looking ahead to 'Year Five' of the festival, another event which helps puts Llanelli, Carmarthenshire and Wales on the worldwide film map." The event, based at the Stradey Park Hotel, saw new partnerships building with the film festival by Sony, Pinnacle, Final Draft, the Royal Television Society (Wales) and S4C. There was added glitz and status to the festival as the event is now on the approved list for BAFTA Cymru Wales. Mr Guy added: "The BAFTA abbreviation is pretty special in the ...

The programme has been released for the annual Carmarthen Bay Film Festival in Llanelli - Screenings at Stradey Park Hotel Tuesday - 12th.May Screen 1 11:00am-Short Films Made In Wales Turn On 15mins Managed 20mins Dancing In Circles 25mins 11.30am- Foreign Shorts Screen 2(Bryn-y Mor) Pour l’amour de Sarah 23mins In der Stille der Nacht (In the Still of the Night) 14mins Une Bonne Affaire 20mins Black Hole 15mins 12.00pm Asian Short Films An American Piano 20mins PAN RUO YUN NI (CLOUD&MUD) 15mins 12:30pm Break 1:15pm-RTS (Cymru) Session Screen 1 My Grandfather Dylan 28mins Q & A with programme maker Phil George Chaired by Robert Lloyd 2:15PM Short Break 2:30pm- In Partnership with S4C Dan y Wenallt (Under Milk Wood) 4.00pm Short Break 4:15pm- Gwobr John Hefin Welsh Language Shorts Dad 15mins Mam a fi 6mins Slap, Clap Ar LLo 32mins Maer Glanio 3mins Eisteddfod 9mins 5:15-End of Screenings 6.00pm Film Makers' Reception Wednesday- 13th May 11am- Feature Film Real Buddy 5...

Members of Llanelli Rotary Club will be learning more about the Basque Country region of Spain at their weekly meeting at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, on Wednesday night (April 22), The guest speaker will be Dr Claire H. Firth, from the Centre for Migration Policy Research (CMPR) at Swansea University. Dr Claire Firth was a Senior lecturer in English, American and Canadian Literature at the University of Deusto, Bilbao, in the Basque Country. She was also a Visiting Scholar at the Pembroke Center for Teaching and Research on Women at Brown University in Rhode Island for six years. She retired from teaching in 2011, but is currently an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Swansea where she is continuing to do research in literature, migration and exile. She is currently working on a book, Landscapes of exile, dislocation and loss, which reflects her interest in the way dislocated people often lose touch with the landscape. Many migrants or people in exil...

There's four weeks to go to the start of the prestigious Carmarthen Bay Film Festival in Llanelli. The festival is now in its fourth year and more than 200 entries have already been received for the event, which is being held at Llanelli’s Stradey Park Hotel, from May 12-15. “It is astonishing how the festival has grown in popularity from very small beginnings,” said Festival CEO and organiser Kelvin Guy. “They say great things grow from little acorns and that is very true of the film festival.” There is added glitz and status to this year’s festival as the event is now on the approved list for BAFTA Cymru Wales. Mr Guy added: “The BAFTA abbreviation is pretty special in the world of film. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is recognised as a hugely prestigious organisation worldwide. To get this recognition from BAFTA Cymru Wales is a huge honour and is a great achievement when you consider what the festival has achieved since it launched in 2011. “Being on t...