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

It's always great to hear from new West Wales authors. So, I was delighted this week to get a call from Gill Morgan, who is based in Haverfordwest and is yet another successful pupil from the MA creative writing course at Trinity College, Carmarthen (now University of Wales Trinity St David). Gill brought me up to speed with her latest work - 'My 'debut' novel, Salt Blue, came out a few months ago. One reviewer remarked: 'This was obviously written by a young girl'. Another commented: 'This is obviously an autobiography'. Such confidence! 'It's a shame they both got it wrong! 'I am 67 years old and, whilst I will allow I have written about a young girl who is a dreamer, like myself, Stella, the heroine, is not me. 'The book is set in a small Welsh seaside town and the year is 1959. 'In 1959 I left Gowerton Grammar school and got married. (Perhaps I should have done things the other way round: written the book when I was 16, got ma...

At the Privy Council meeting held at Buckingham Palace this week, Her Majesty The Queen, on the recommendation of the Privy Council, approved an Order granting a Supplemental Charter to the University of Wales Lampeter, and directed the Lord Chancellor to apply the Great Seal to the Charter. This Charter will lead to the establishment of a new University to serve the needs of Wales and the higher education sector in the UK. The University of Wales Trinity Saint David brings together the strengths of University of Wales Lampeter and Trinity University College Carmarthen. This is an historical event which brings together the two oldest academic institutions in Wales to create a radical new model of post-16 education in the region. Dr Medwin Hughes, Vice-Chancellor, said: “This is history in the making. We bring together the two oldest University institutions in Wales, Lampeter established in 1822 and Trinity in 1848. "Our new University will be entrusted with the oldest Royal Chart...

International tenor Dennis O’Neill and rugby legend Gerald Davies were among those conferred honorary fellows at the last congregations for Trinity University College, as it prepares to create the University of Wales Trinity Saint David with the University of Wales Lampeter. During the historic graduation ceremonies the University also honoured Dr Meredydd Evans and Phyllis Kinney, the husband and wife team renowned for their contribution to traditional Welsh song, and local businessman Brian Jones, founder of Castell Howell Foods. The honorary fellowships were made in recognition of the recipients’ contribution to their field of expertise. Gerald Davies, former Welsh rugby and Lions player was presented to the congregation by Ceredig Emanuel, Head of Sport, Health and Outdoor Education, Dr Meredydd Evans and Phyllis Kinney was presented by Dr Mererid Hopwood, Senior Lecturer and Mr Brian Jones founder of Castell Howell Foods was presented by Meri Huws, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Innovati...

Trinity University College, soon to merge with the University of Wales Lampeter to create the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, is the first university in Wales to secure funding from the £34 million EU Convergence Fund. Its successful million pound bid was for two projects aimed at assisting work-based learners to gain accreditation of prior learning and credit for mentoring colleagues. The LATERAL project aims to support those in work to identify and gain credit for their own experiential learning through the accreditation of prior learning (APEL). Dr Elsie Reynolds, LATERAL Project Manager and Senior Lecturer, said: “Few employers and employees currently seek accreditation for the learning that they do in their workplace even though they often undertake higher level staff development activities. "We can add value to this learning by relating it to the requirements of traditional courses in subject specific areas which will benefit learners and their employers and will al...

A new acting company, formed by students of Trinity University in Carmarthen, is getting ready to make its debut at the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The TwoBee Theatre Company is the brainchild of Will Bourdillon and Bethan Lewis. The Edinburgh date is a massive coup for TwoBee and will see them performing Will Bourdillon’s play The Metronome. “It’s a massive chance for us, as a theatre group, as everyone recognises the quality of the Edinburgh Fringe festival. “Having said that, it is not without its challenges as we have had to raise a substantial amount of cash to support rehearsals and our trip to Edinburgh. “We have already received tremendous support from the people of Carmarthenshire and any arts lovers or businesses who can offer us more support will be more than welcome.” Will said that the chance to perform at Edinburgh (at a venue called ‘theSpaces @ Surgeons Hall’) came because another theatre company went into liquidation. “That’s an illustration of how difficul...

An event held at Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales - in Cardiff marked the launch of a new book and DVD, Biblical Art from Wales. Biblical Art from Wales is a lavishly illustrated volume, DVD and online database showcasing the wide variety and range of biblical art found in Wales, much of it little known and previously unpublished. Launch events have already been held at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts at the University of Birmingham and in the newly refurbished Founders’ Library at the University of Wales Lampeter. The final event was at Amgueddfa Cymru - a particularly suitable venue since images from its special collections are included in the book and DVD. Throughout Wales, the Bible has been interpreted and illustrated in a surprising range of media: in paint and sculpture, needlework and ceramic, woodcarving and engraving. The illustrations are drawn from across Wales and from a wide variety of places of worship: from small Nonconformist chapels and synagogues, to a colou...

Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York State are one of Trinity University College's key partners in the USA. For the past three years Trinity University in Carmarthen has had the pleasure to annually welcome 30 'Study Abroad' students from the colleges to study here in Wales. The programme is unique as the students follow academic courses and undertake a Service Learning Placement during their semester at Trinity. Hobart & William Smith Colleges have now been awarded the prestigious 2010 Senator Paul Simon award for Comprehensive Internationalization - one of only five institutions to gain such an award. A Trinity spokesman said:"We look forward to developing further our working relationship with the Colleges as the new University Trinity Saint David is created and additional subjects become available for future Study Abroad. Congratulations to our colleagues and students in Hobart & William Smith Colleges!"

Trinity University College’s Ffrinj Festival saw record audience numbers across a range of creative events organised and performed by the University’s students. The Student Ffrinj Committee worked all year to prepare an exciting and vibrant programme of artistic events and were richly rewarded for their efforts. Kevin Matherick, Head of the Faculty of Arts and Social Studies said: “This year has seen the students worked alongside Liane Davies from the iCreu project and Dominic Williams of Parthian Books which gave them the opportunity to work within a more professional context, creating a ffrinj website and developing their entrepreneurial skills.” The events ranged from readings from the MA Creative Writing anthology Shadow Plays at Dylan Thomas' Boathouse, Laugharne to performances of Edward Bond's play Derek ; from the launch of Sunflowers in Your Eyes, an anthology of Zimbabwean women poets, a closing Evening of Music and Dance involving Trinity’s Theatre & Performance ...

A second year student at Trinity University College is looking forward to studying in America after winning a scholarship of £1,000 from the Welsh Livery Guild. Glesni Price-Jones, who is studying the BA in Theatre Design and Production, was chosen to receive the scholarship as she proved in her interview, according to adjudicators Dr John Walters and Bryan March of the Guild, her commitment to the arts in Wales. Glesni, a former pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllywin Pontypool, will be using the money towards the cost of studying at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, the most recent university to join Trinity’s study abroad programme which facilitates student exchange between Wales and the USA. The Scholarship was presented to a student of the University by the Welsh Livery Guild, an organisation establishedfor the purpose of promoting education, science and the fine arts, and in particular the promotion of skills and associated professional activities in Wales. On receiving the sc...

Lynwen Haf Roberts, 21, from Llangadfan, Welshpool, has won the first prize in the Musical Theatre Competition held during the Trinity Arts Festival. Lynwen, a recent graduate of performing arts at Trinity University College Carmarthen, won the competition for her performance of Everybody Loves Louis, from the musical Sunday in the Park with George, Still Hurting from The Last Five Years and Astonishing from Little Women. She received a cheque for £300 from competition adjudicator West End star Peter Karrie. “I’m delighted to have won this prize and I must say it was a bit of a shock. It’s the pinnacle of a fantastic time at Trinity as I’ve had the opportunity to study in America, perform in New York experienced success in the Urdd National Eisteddfod and have been a part of a touring production of musical Heb Ei Fai by Eilir Owen Griffith and Ceri Elen. I’m really grateful for all the help I’ve received during my three years at Trinity.” The other finalist in the competition were Am...

Trinity University College and the National Trust’s Newton House at Dinefwr Park and Castle have developed a range of opportunities for students to showcase and exhibit their work within the creative and performing arts. As part of the University's Arts Festival, Vice Chancellor, Dr Medwin Hughes and Selina Carpenter, Visitor Operations Manager signed a Memorandum of Understanding which secures and develops the working relationship between the National Trust property and the University. Dr Hughes said: “The University acknowledges the significant commitment by staff at Newton House to encourage, develop and support a range of events. We are grateful for their support and for the opportunities and experiences this kind of activity offers our students and staff.” Work to date has included theatre performances, utilising Newton House as both a stimulus and setting for productions; musical recitals; theatre design exhibitions; projects for Teacher Training students; and work placement ...

Trinity University College and Wales Dyslexia have signed a Memorandum of Agreement which will see both organisations utilising each other’s expertise and working collaboratively on a number of areas relating to dyslexia. The agreement will involve collaboration on research and other projects linked to dyslexia; making joint funding applications in relation to developing relevant learning resources and in particular Welsh language and bilingual resources to support dyslexia in Wales. It will also enable students at Trinity University College studying education and social inclusion programmes to gain a greater understanding of the needs of those who are dyslexic and for dyslexic students to benefit from enhanced learning opportunities. Mr Gwilym Dyfri Jones, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Training said: “We are very pleased to work in partnership with Wales Dyslexia. "As we move forward to create the University of Wales Trinity Saint David alongside colleagues at Lampeter, we...

The Trinity Arts Festival (Gwyl y Drindod) is building up to a truly international climax this weekend. The grand finale sees the Stuart Burrows International Voice Award final at Trinity on Sunday. “Always a hugely popular and very competitive event, the Stuart Burrows award is always a highlight for the festival,” artistic director Eilir Owen Griffiths said this week. “And this year’s event promises to have added star appeal as Stuart Burrows himself has kindly agreed to be one of the judges. “His fans will know that he has not been well recently, but he has pronounced himself fighting fit to act as a judge for the award. “It will be no easy task for the judges, as this year we have competitors from as far afield as Korea, Australia and Ireland. “The reputation of the Stuart Burrows award builds year by year. Every winner goes on to bigger and better things and we have found that award winners use it as a featured and highly-valued prize in their international CVs.” Mr Griffiths said...

A huge operation to clear a Carmarthenshire riverbank of invasive plants has been hailed a success. Volunteers spent a day cleaning up the banks of the River Dulas in Cwrt Henri. The aim was to clear rubbish and the highly invasive Himalayan Balsam from the site. Staff from the county council led Tywi Afon y Oesoedd project were joined by volunteers from Trinity University College’s outdoor pursuits course, and Tidy Towns officers. Hilary Foster from the Environment Agency and Gethin Thomas from the Rivers Trust also attended. The students learnt that Himalayan Balsam is a highly invasive non native species. Its rapid growth allows it to out-compete all other plant species that grow on the river bank. By removing the plants before they set seed the students helped to ensure a more diverse collection of native species will grow and thrive. Tywi Afon Yr Oesoedd Volunteer Officer Helena Burke said: “We are grateful to the landowners in Cwrt Henri who gave us permission to access the river...

Coming up at the Trinity Festival this week is the following - 9 - 11 June, 7.30pm Miss Julie Living Pictures Productions in association with Trinity University College, Cegin Productions and Sherman Cymru will be performing a new translation of Strindberg’s Miss Julie. Set at the turn of the 19th Century, this classic tale deals with the struggles of class, love and lust. Set on midsummer night on the estate of a Count in Wales, Miss Julie is attempting to escape an existence cramped by the social mores of the time. Directed by Robert Bowman (Bristol Old Vic, Bath Theatre Royal and RSC); Stars Ragna Weisteen (Joint Artistic Director Bastionen Theatre, Sweden), Rhydian Jones (S4C) and Sian Summers (Sherman Cymru). Venue: Halliwell Theatre,Trinity University College Tickets: £7.50 / £5 (concessions) Box Office: 01267 676685 For more information about the festival, see my earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/trinity-festival-promises-to-be-treat.html

As part of the Trinity festival, the following is now on - 7 - 18 June (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm) BA Fine Art Degree Exhibition Venue: Parry Building,Trinity University College Free admission See previous posts for more news about the festival.

A free event to inspire businesses and organisations to use more environmentally sound methods in the workplace to increase profits has been arranged by the Dragon Innovation Partnership for next week. The Decrease Waste and Increase Profit event will be held at Technium Performance Engineering in Dafen, Llanelli on June 10th, and aims to help businesses beat the credit crunch, increase their profits and save the environment. Following a successful first event at Baglan last November and a few tweaks to the agenda, June’s event has already attracted a host of experienced speakers and supporting businesses including Jeremy Thorne from Pitstop Automotive, an award winning sustainable car wash, and Jenny Fox from Trysordy Treasure House, a social enterprise finding ways to make business waste profitable. Jan Morgan from Swansea University’s School of Environment and Society will run a workshop on Professional Practice for Sustainable Development, and Mark Blackmore, a sustainability exper...

A pioneering live webcast is being broadcast from the Urdd Eistedffod each day this week. “Soffia Siarad” provides an alternative perspective on the events, people, and activities on the Maes at Llanerchaeron during Europe’ largest youth festival. The news programme, a first for the Urdd, is created by students from Trinity University College and pupils from Cardigan and Dyffryn Teifi Secondary Schools in association with the University of Wales Lampeter’s Outside Broadcast Unit. Lord Dafydd Ellis Thomas (Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales) and Alun Ffred (Minister for Heritage) have been amongst the guests interviewed on Soffa Siarad this week, accompanied by footage of other events and comments from around the Maes. A daily news slot is provided by Golwg360. The training provided to the school pupils provides both cutting- edge technological skills, as well as transferable skills such as teamwork, working to deadlines, and active listening that are useful in the wor...

A new vision for post-16 education in South West Wales has been unveiled at the National Urdd Eisteddfod, Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion. The vision is to establish a regional educational group comprising two universities and three FE colleges in South West Wales to create a dual sector group structure providing meaningful educational pathways, enhancing student choice and developing joint educational provision which responds to the needs of employers. A declaration of intent was announced today between the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (created by 1 September by the merger of Trinity University College and the University of Wales Lampeter), Swansea Metropolitan University, Pembrokeshire College, Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion. Dr Medwin Hughes, Vice-Chancellor Designate of UW Trinity Saint David, said “In addressing the various policy directives identified by the Welsh Assembly Government, the higher education sector in Wales faces major strategic challenges. "The For O...

The Trinity University Festival fringe is featured in the centre pages of the Carmarthen Journal this week. See previous post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/excitement-building-for-trinity.html