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

A new video has been published which showcases how Carmarthenshire has benefitted from European funding. Investment of over £120million, through the Convergence Programme, has supported jobs and growth in the local economy. The West Wales European Centre has now produced a short video which demonstrates where the money has been spent. It includes key projects such as Llanelli’s Ffwrnes Theatre complex; Coleshill Centre for social and economic inclusion; Bwcabus; Cross Hands East; Castles and Princes; Llanelly House; Romans in Carmarthenshire; and Aberglasney Mansion House. Some £5.7million was invested across South West Wales through the Collaborative Communities programme, helping 456 social enterprises, creating 30 new ones, along with 139 new jobs. The South West Wales investment fund helped 269 enterprises, created another 65, which brought a total of 428 new jobs. The ADREF project invested in Llanelli town centre delivered new canopies, 15 improvement grants, and property deve...

The West Wales European Centre (WWEC) has hosted a pop-up shop at St Catherine’s Walk in Carmarthen to promote its work. The pop-up shop was used to showcase externally-funded projects and provide advice on external funding for new projects. Part of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Economic Development service, WWEC help to monitor, develop and attract external and European funding for the area. In Carmarthenshire, a total of £114m is being invested as a direct result of the Convergence programme with a further £23m from the Rural Development plan. The current Convergence programme has put emphasis on collaboration and as a result the authority has worked closely with neighbouring authorities in Pembrokeshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot in delivering joint initiatives. Collectively, this collaboration has helped secure some £156m into the West Wales economy. A busy programme of activities was organised throughout the week alongside information stalls ranging from business support,...

Carmarthenshire is joining countries from all over Europe to celebrate European Sustainable Energy Week next week. From Monday to Friday (June 18-22) has a programme of activities highlighting initiatives and projects under way aimed at reducing the county’s carbon footprint and energy consumption. The West Wales European Centre, part of the Europe Direct EU information network, is working in partnership with Carmarthenshire County Council Sustainable Development Team to raise awareness of the county’s ongoing sustainable drive. The council’s Sustainability Adviser Eurgain Powell said: “We are doing a huge amount of work to reduce our energy consumption. The measures we are putting in place will lead to financial savings, as well as reducing the authority’s energy use and carbon emissions. “From energy monitors being installed in Carmarthenshire schools, energy-efficient lighting being fitted in all county council’s buildings, to leisure centres looking at re-using waste water, the cou...

Young people are being encouraged to broaden their horizons by travelling to Europe. This was the basis for a series of secondary school visits in Carmarthenshire organised by Lorena Prist, from the West Wales European Centre, based in Carmarthen. The visits coincided with the European Day of Languages, which is celebrated each year in countries all over Europe, and for a week, students in the county learnt all about the diversity of languages and cultures in the EU. They also had information about EU grants available to improve their language skills and to experience for themselves another way of living and working. One youngster who has spent time in Europe said: “Living in a different country has given me the opportunity to face new challenges, make new friends, and learn a new language. “I feel from these experiences that I have grown as a person with more confidence, maturity and gained new skills.” This is one of the many positive comments from young people throughout the UK who ...

A very successful information session on EU funding for youth activities has been held in Carmarthen. Thirty representatives from a wide range of organisations in Carmarthenshire attended the free event organised by Lorena Prist, based in the West Wales European Centre, and who is responsible for the Europe Direct EU information service in Carmarthenshire. The organisations included Marros Riding Centre, Dr Mz Carmarthen youth project, Carmarthenshire Karate club, Youth Opera, Iechyd Da -Carmarthenshire youth health team, the YFC and the Urdd. The session was aimed at groups and organisations working with young people aged between 13-30 years old outside school and who wanted to know more about the funding and support available to organise and participate in EU exchanges and small projects in a wide range of themes, from art, theatre, culture and health to sport and outdoor activities. Andy Bevan, from ICP Partneriaeth, a Wales-wide organisation promoting EU volunteering opportunitie...

Two short information sessions on EU links for primary and secondary schools teachers in Carmarthenshire were a great success. The event organiser, Lorena Prist, European Networking Officer at the West Wales European Centre, organised the information sessions with the aim of informing teachers of the support and funding available to schools that might be interested in starting links with other schools in Europe. It is hoped it will encourage more schools in Carmarthenshire to participate in European projects. Lorena, who manages the Europe Direct service, a Europe-wide network of information centres which aims to raise awareness of the EU and its institutions, gave a brief overview of the support and resources available to teachers. There was also instructive information on how to introduce the EU into the classroom. There were several presentations from teachers and students, who already have or have had EU links, on some of the projects schools could be involved with. There were very...

Young people in Carmarthenshire are being encouraged to learn another European language to boost their career prospects. Staff at the Carmarthen-based West Wales European Centre are encouraging people to take up the challenge following the European Day of Languages (EDL). Countries all over Europe observe the occasion each year, celebrating the 200 languages spoken in the continent alone. EDL was first celebrated in 2001. Lorena Prist, European Networking Officer at the West Wales European Centre, has organised a week-long programme of secondary school visits. The theme of the information sessions is EU languages, opportunities and career prospects. She was in Bryngwyn School, Llanelli, last week. Lorena said: “The sessions aim to raise the students’ awareness of the diversity of EU languages and that learning foreign languages can lead to a variety of careers at EU and international levels. There is also a range of EU opportunities available for young people to gain experience, build...

A major project is underway to educate people about Carmarthenshire’s role in Europe. The county has again been selected as a centre of excellence to champion links with the continent. The County Council’s West Wales European Centre has received grant funding from the European Commission to provide the Europe Direct Information Service. It is one of only three centres in Wales and one of 400 others across Europe. A huge drive to educate people of all ages about the continent is now being rolled out across the area. The Council’s European Networking Officer Lorena Prist is visiting schools, groups and organisations of part of the awareness raising scheme. Seminars are being arranged for teachers, regular Town Twinning Forum meetings are held and schools are being supported to take part in the Euroscola programme, where students spend a day in the EU Parliament in Strasbourg. The aim is to let people know about the EU’s institutions, legislation, policies, programmes and funding opportun...

European culture has been celebrated on the streets of Carmarthenshire. A huge event was held in the county to mark the high profile Europe Day. Hundreds of schoolchildren performed songs and a continental street market took over Llanelli town centre. Cookery demonstrations, live music and a treasure hunt were staged in the town’s St Elli Centre as part of the two day event. It was organised by Carmarthenshire County Council’s West Wales European Centre and tourism department. The aim was to celebrate the day in 1950 when the first move was made towards the creation of what is now the European Union. Organisers wanted to bring Europe’s diverse culture to the county and celebrate the music, dance and food of the continent. Schoolchildren from Pentip, Furnace, Dewi Sant and Swiss Valley took part in singing and dancing on Friday and Saturday and cookery demonstrations were held on Saturday. A two day continental market selling authentic produce including French wines and cider, German sa...

Carmarthenshire people are being encouraged to say Bonjour, Hola or Guten Tag to learning a European language. Staff at the Carmarthen-based West Wales European Centre are encouraging people to learn a new lingo as they prepare to celebrate the European Day of Languages (EDL) on Saturday, September 26. Countries all over Europe observe the occasion each year, celebrating the 200 languages spoken in the continent alone. EDL was first celebrated in 2001 and now with 45 countries involved, it's getting bigger every year. Lorena Prist, European Networking Officer at the West Wales European Centre, said: “Each year we look forward to celebrating the European Day of Languages. “A language reflects our life and culture - it influences how we see the world, and how we interact with each other. “Learning a European language is highly rewarding, and will inspire you to visit European countries and understand more about different cultures. “So whether you choose French, Spanish, German or Ita...