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

Work has started on new state-of-the-art facilities for Llanelli’s St John Lloyd Catholic School. Carmarthenshire County Council joined school representatives to cut the first sod at the site earlier this week. Phase one, due for completion by September 2017, will include a new science block, PE changing rooms and extended music facilities. Phase two will provide brand new classrooms for design technology, maths and art, plus a new outdoor multi-use games area. It will also include a specialist catering training facility - the latest phase of Llanelli’s new Vocational Village – which will boast high-class food preparation facilities and a small training restaurant. The new block has been designed by apprentice draughtsman Corey Borthwick, an 18-year-old ex-pupil of the school currently employed by Cross Hands firm Shufflebottom Ltd, which is working on the design on behalf of the contractor, TAD Builders of Llanelli. The development is being delivered through the Carmarthenshire Coun...

The hot sunshine of an African summer is beckoning for one of Carmarthenshire County Council’s building cadets who’s preparing for a charity mission over 5,000 miles away in Uganda. Layton Davies, 23, will join other local tradesmen from TAD Builders Ltd and TRJ Ltd to oversee the construction of a new maternity unit for poverty-stricken families in Kachumbala. The project is being run by Engineers for Overseas Development (EFOD) Carmarthenshire , established by the local construction industry in 2012 to benefit communities in impoverished countries. Far from the cosy life he shares with his girlfriend Chynna in Llandybie, Layton is preparing to work long shifts on the building site in the scorching sunshine of Kachumbala. Staying in a ‘simple’ complex nearby, where electricity is intermittent, the former TRJ bricklayer and Ysgol Tregib pupil will spend two weeks on the project, where he will work with locals to pass on his trade skills and get hands-on with the build. This will be...

Carmarthenshire County Council has invested £212,000 in the last two years to renovate Parc Howard’s Grade II listed mansion house. At the end of 2010 a full programme of works were undertaken including disability access improvements. £129,000 was spent installing ramps to the café area, first floor raised levels and the platform lift at the main entrance. Internal doors were mechanised and new fire exits were also created to improve safety at the building. A further £83,000 was invested in Spring 2011 to install new lead on the mansion’s roof, and all windows were renovated and redecorated with a 10-year paint system and extra security locks. Work also included the rebuilding of the portico to the main entrance, as well as external and internal redecoration. The works were carried out by TAD Builders Ltd on the council’s behalf. Phil Lumley, Head of Property Services at Carmarthenshire County Council, said: “This has been a significant investment to improve the mansion house for the b...

A new vocational learning centre is open in Llanelli to benefit secondary schools and adults wanting to learn skills in DIY and construction. The centre is part of TAD Builders Temple Works site in Furnace and has been developed through a partnership between Coleg Sir Gâr, Llanelli secondary schools, Carmarthenshire County Council’s adult community learning and TAD. It will give pupils in the Llanelli area access to construction related courses through their school curriculum, and provide adult learners with part-time evening courses in construction, plus short courses in home maintenance. Paul White, headteacher at St John Lloyd School and chair of the Llanelli 14-19 Network Cluster said: “Currently, we are only able to send Llanelli schoolchildren to the college’s Ammanford campus, but transport costs and travelling time are prohibitive so having a centre in town is great news.” TAD Builders Managing Director Anthony Jones said:”The children will benefit from being around a working ...

Just back from a photo shoot with TAD Builders, of Llanelli, re a sustainable business project at St John Lloyd School in the town.

Residents at Felinfoel’s Tirynys Sheltered Scheme have welcomed a donation which will allow them to purchase artwork for communal areas. A cheque was handed over to residents and staff by TAD Builders Ltd, which has been carrying out renovation work commissioned by the council. Residents were grateful to receive the cheque, which was presented to them at a special tea party to celebrate the completion of the work. Residents are pictured with the council’s housing executive board member Cllr Hugh Evans; site manager Mel Matthews; Felinfoel councillor Huw Richards; project liaison officer Laura John; tenant participation officer Pat Evans; TAD director Delwyn Jones; and housing officer Mary Morgan. Pic Jeff Connell

Work has started on a brand new community sports centre in Felinfoel. A £937,670 project is underway to redevelop the village recreation ground. A sports hub with changing facilities for cricket, rugby and football teams is being developed at the site. The building will also house training rooms and space for health and fitness activities, along with conferencing and function facilities. The centre will act as a venue for learning and development, with health and education benefits for the community. The ambitious project is a partnership between Felinfoel Communities First and Llanelli Rural Council, which is investing £511,670. Other funding includes £300,000 from the Communities Facilities and Activities Programme, £50,000 from Cwm Environmental, £25,000 from the County Collaboration Fund, £15,000 from the Community Fund and support from Carmarthenshire County Council. The community is also actively fundraising for the project. Contractors TAD have started work and the centre is exp...