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

A sound like thunder . . . and then a 30-ft wide sinkhole opens up near a Towy Valley home! Surprising? Perhaps not to anyone familiar with the area around Towy View Park, off Capel Dewi Road, just outside Carmarthen. After all, didn’t our parents and teachers in Llangunnor always warn us when we were children – ‘Don’t go near the lead mines’ . I am sure there are a whole host of us Llangunnor ‘50-somethings’ who heard the stern warning – and heeded it, fearing being swallowed up by old mine workings. The only surprises to most of us down the years have been – Why would anyone want to build on the site? And . . . Why did the homes get planning permission? The ‘folklore’ story we were given as youngsters revolved around the mines dating back to Roman times. Historians will, I am sure, tell it different. By all accounts, the lead mines just off the B4300 Capel Dewi Road were worked in the 18th century. In 1852 Thomas Field formed the Vale of Towy Silver-Lead Mining Company...

Protect yourself from burglars | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys A number of burglaries at sheds and garages across the Amman Towy area have led officers to issue guidance and advice to prevent others becoming victims of crime.

A farming community in the Tywi Valley has been given a new lease of life - thanks to a new bridge. When a three tonne weight limit had to be imposed on Glandwr Farm Bridge, Cynghordy, residents feared the impact it would have on their daily lives. Carmarthenshire County Council acted swiftly as a major bridge strengthening scheme needed to be carried out due to the severe affect on the community. A scheme was developed to replace the existing two span bridge with a new structure comprising of an in-situ reinforced concrete deck, abutments and central pier. As well as the design of the new structure, land drainage consent had to be approved by the Environment Agency, together with the acquisition of privately owned land from adjoining landowners prior to construction works commencing. The works cost almost £200,000 to carry out and the overall scheme took 13 months to complete, from inception to completion of construction. Gill Wright of Ty Glandwr said: “There are four farms and a bed...

Pupils from across the Amman and Towy valleys had a ball at Dyfed-Powys Police’s annual schools football tournament. The tournament was held at Ammanford Recreation Ground and is now in its seventh year. Schools taking part included Bro Banw, Betws, Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman, Gorslas, Ffairfach, Llandeilo, Ysgol Y Bedol, Brynamman, Llangadog, Tycroes, Saron, Parcyrhun and Blaenau. The final for the shield was held between Parcyrhun and Tycroes with Parcyrhun finally winning. Ysgol Bro Banw and Brynamman were in the final for the cup with Bro Banw victorious for the second year running. Ten-year-old Iestyn Evans from Brynamman was named player of the tournament. The aim of the tournament is to forge greater links in the community between police and young people. Community safety officer Pc Rob Chapman said: “The tournament is now in its seventh year and is a great way of engaging with young people in our area by providing them with a healthy and fun activity. “Events like this are importan...