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

Campaigning MP Zac Goldsmith was the guest of honour at the opening of the new Abaca showroom in Richmond, London. The former editor of The Ecologist magazine and MP for the Richmond constituency cut the tape on the new showroom at 12C Eton Street, Richmond. It was, the MP admitted, something of a first – “I’ve never been asked to open an organic mattress shop before,” he smiled, before adding, “This is not any old mattress shop!” Mr Goldsmith praised Abaca MD Rhiannon Rowley for the quality of her firm’s products and for taking the bold step of expanding with a London showroom. Mr Goldsmith said: “I genuinely believe there will come a time when people will look at the junk that gets put into mainstream mattresses nowadays and wonder how it was ever possible, how it was ever sanctioned by the regulator, for such things to be produced. “Thankfully, the story is very different with the mattresses produced by Abaca. There is a great provenance in the product and you can tell this is ...

The team at Abaca, the organic mattress and bed experts, has chalked up another first. The West Wales business has just completed its first export delivery to Qatar in the Middle East. “Our quality mattresses are already popular in the export market, but this is the first time we have secured business from what is the richest country in the world,” said Abaca MD Rhiannon Rowley. “The order was for two of our super king Raglan mattresses and an upholstered base. “There was a special request for one of the bespoke Raglan mattresses as it is ‘extra-extra’ deep, measuring 30cm deep. “They are luxurious mattresses and a bespoke order for the customer. “Client confidentiality means we cannot say who the buyer is, but our reputation in producing quality bespoke products to match the client’s specific needs obviously counted for a lot. “We had to hand-tuft the buttons on the mattress as our regular needle wasn't long enough! But the end result is great. The mattresses look fantastic a...

It’s the biggest celebration of all things organic – and they are supporting it at Abaca, the West Wales organic mattress business. This is ‘Organic September’ - a campaign masterminded by the Soil Association. “What’s ‘organic’ got to do with mattresses? I hear you ask” said Abaca owner Rhiannon Rowley. “You say the word ‘organic’ and an image of muddy vegetables pops into the mind for many people. “But ‘organic’ is about much, much more. “The work of the Soil Association promotes many different facets of the word ‘organic’. “Here at Abaca, we are proud to fly the flag for the Soil Association and the association’s badge is a proud part of all of our products. “We have pioneered the use of organic textiles. Each of our mattresses is expertly crafted with pure organic lambswool, cotton and other natural products – a hallmark which sets us apart from the crowd. “All of our products are unique, naturally healthy, free of chemicals and crammed with goodness. Thanks to the natur...

They are ‘wild about sleep’ at Abaca, the West Wales organic mattress business. They are also ‘wild’ about bringing energy and passion to the workplace. And now they are getting some expert and innovative help from a team led by the BBC Wales 'Business Doctor'. Dr Paul Thomas and his team, which includes Welsh Rugby Union mental toughness coach Andy McCann, are helping the Abaca journey along the road to further business success. The move is just one of a number of interesting developments following the Welsh Government-sponsored Spotlight West Wales business conference, held earlier this year at the Halliwell Centre at the University of Wales Trinity St David. “Dr Paul Thomas, from the elite leadership and performance firm DNA Definitive, was one of the keynote speakers,” Abaca owner Rhiannon Rowley said. “He was, quite simply, inspirational. There was a definite ‘Wow’ factor about what he had to say. “Paul and Andy from DNA Definitive have so much to say on empowerment i...

West Wales businesswoman Rhiannon Rowley has been appointed a patron of HRH The Prince of Wales’s Prime Cymru initiative. Ms Rowley, 59, owner of the Abaca organic mattress business in Tycroes, Ammanford, is delighted to be joining the team behind the Prince’s project to boost mature enterprise in Wales. Prime Cymru is a registered charity and is the only organisation in Wales dedicated to providing practical support for people aged 50 and over who want to become and remain economically active. “It’s a great privilege to be joining the Prime Cymru team as a patron,” said Ms Rowley. “I’ve been watching the development of the project and I know the charity is meeting a great need in Wales. “The Prince has been hugely supportive of our work at Abaca. He’s visited us here at our base in Tycroes and during conversations I have had with him he has always been full of encouragement and praise for what we are trying to do as a business. “His knowledge and passion about everything from woo...

An Amman Valley man has been fined £600 and ordered to pay £419.83 court costs for fly-tipping. Gerwyn Graham Cape, aged 35 of Teglan Park, Tycroes, was convicted in absence for an offence of unlawfully dumping waste contrary to Section 2 of the Refuse Disposal Amenity Act 1978 at Carmarthen Magistrates Court. The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council. The court heard that council environmental enforcement officers received a report of fly-tipping on a farm driveway at Tycroes. On arrival at the scene they found several black bags, blue recycling bags, a plastic water container, carpet and child’s tent. Evidence was found relating to an address in Tycroes and when officers attended the address they spoke to a female who told them she had given her waste to her partner to take to the Household Waste Recycling Centre. Cape attended a formal interview with officers and conceded that he had taken the waste in a van to the Household Waste Recycling Centre but on arrival ...

From telephones with large buttons to fall detectors and property exit sensors, a new Telecare demonstration and training facility in Carmarthenshire has got it all. Based at a Tycroes sheltered housing scheme, the facility is used to show the wide range of equipment which is available to help people live independently in their own homes. Health and social care professionals, as well as service users and relatives, can visit the facility to learn more about the equipment, and the service which links it up to the council’s 24/7 Careline+ monitoring service. Currently, there are more than 1,400 Telecare packages installed in Carmarthenshire, which – as well as helping people to manage risks in their home environment - also provides peace of mind to relatives and carers. Should any of the detectors or sensors be activated, Careline+ operatives speak to service users in real-time to offer reassurance and call for appropriate help. Telecare manager, Jeanette Munn, said: “Through p...

Elderly tenants in the Amman Valley have had their homes turned into mini palaces. Major refurbishment work has been carried out at the Pantyboblen sheltered housing complex in Tycroes. Brand new kitchens have been installed in all the flats, along with new double glazed windows and doors. Painting work has also been carried out to the delight of tenants. The work is part of a £200 million scheme to improve Carmarthenshire’s council homes. The County Council is behind the Homes Standard programme, aimed at improving its housing stock and regenerating housing estates. Tenant Myra Davies, aged 67, said she was thrilled with the works. She said: “I have just had a new kitchen installed and the room painted and it has made such a difference. “I am very happy with the work and the workmen were considerate the whole time they were here. “It is a lovely flat and the new kitchen has made it even nicer.” Under the 10 year work programme, new kitchens and bathrooms are being installed for thousa...

Children in Pantyffynnon have been busy planting flowers donated by Petals florist and garden centre in Tycroes. Communities First were behind the project which has run open access play sessions in the community over the last few years. The sessions allow the children to play freely under the supervision of trained and qualified workers in the area, and helps address their local needs. Communities First is a Welsh Assembly initiative delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council. Regeneration executive board member Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “As a result of the project Communities First has been able to build children’s skills, confidence, awareness of safety, improve team work, encourage physical activities, environmental awareness, sharing, and team skills. “This latest activity helped the children get green and learn about the living world and our environment whilst having fun.” Communities First Development Officer Emma Martin-Jewell added: “There are on average 13 to 15 childre...

Proposals for improvements to Tycroes CP School have been approved at yesterday’s meeting of Carmarthenshire County Council’s planning committee. The local education authority submitted an application for full planning permission to remodel and extend the school in Pontarddulais Road, Tycroes. The scheme includes including improvement work to roof of the existing building, site access and car parking facilities, erection of security fencing and additional playground areas. See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/tycroes-school-improvements-plan.html

Proposals for improvements to Tycroes CP School will be considered at a meeting of the county council’s planning committee. The local education authority has submitted an application for full planning permission to remodel and extend the school in Pontarddulais Road, Tycroes. The scheme includes including improvement work to roof of the existing building, site access and car parking facilities, erection of security fencing and additional playground areas. Officers are recommending approving the scheme.

Plans for improvements to Tycroes Village Hall have been approved by Carmarthenshire councillors. The scheme involves demolishing the rear kitchen and steps and building a two storey rear extension to provide a new kitchen, disabled toilet, baby changing facilities and multi-use rooms at the hall in Ammanford Road. Local member Cllr Dewi Enoch submitted the application on behalf of the Tycroes Village Hall Committee and has indicated that the proposal will provide extra facilities for the numerous groups in the community who use the hall. Llanedi Rural Council said it supported the application. An officers’ report to Tuesday’s meeting of the county council’s planning committee said: “Although the village hall provides a much needed community facility for residents and a number of local organisations, its present state means that the facilities on offer are of a somewhat sub-standard nature. “The current proposal seeks to improve the general quality and level of facilities available wit...