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

The third annual Young Musician competition organised by Llanelli Rotary Club saw performances of the highest standard. “The competitors were a credit to their parents and their teachers and helped showcase what a wonderful range of youth talent we have in and around Llanelli,” said the chairman of the judging panel, Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir musical director D Eifion Thomas. The final of the Llanelli Rotary Club competition also doubled up as the Rotary Area Final, with the winners going through to the third round, a District Final in Cardiff on March 4. The Young Musician event is a national competition. The target is to get through to the Rotary International Britain and Ireland final, which is being held in Wales this year – at the Welsh College of Music, Castle Grounds, Cathays Park, Cardiff, on Saturday May 6. The winner of the Llanelli Rotary Club Final and Area Final was 12-year-old Thomas Park, of Coedcae School, Llanelli, who performed Variations Brillantes by...

Schoolchildren in Carmarthenshire are being asked for their views on sporting activities. Through a national school sports survey, commissioned by Sport Wales , children can request what sports they would like to do more of in their school or college. The survey is open to primary and secondary schools as well as first year college students. Its aim is to encourage more people to become more active and adopt healthy lifestyles. Each school is given a link to access the survey which is available until the end of the summer term. To qualify for a feedback report a minimum number of completed surveys – set by Sport Wales - from each school is required. The survey, recognised by Estyn and supported by the council’s sport and leisure team, also asks what type of sport the person plays, how many times a week they play and whether they take part in community or club activities. The council’s senior sport and leisure manager, Carl Daniels said: “I would urge all schools to complete this sur...

Llanelli schools will come together in a themed touch rugby competition to honour Wales and the town's presence in the Touch World Cup . Pupils will dress up in the national colours of one of the Touch World Cup teams and battle it out against pupils from another school a series of three tournaments to be held at Ysgol y Strade. Rachel Wasserman, Mollie North, Sophie Rainton and Daniel Rees are due to travel to Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, to represent Wales in the minimal contact version of rugby. The tournament organised in conjunction with WRU School Rugby officers and the council’s sport and leisure officers is a chance for boys and girls in years 9 and 10 to play Sport and leisure officer Matt Adams said: “Each Llanelli secondary school has been invited to attend a series of three tournaments that take place throughout the summer term. Touch is a fantastic game for both male and female players – it’s fast, dynamic and great fun, which focuses on skill rather than physical...

Work has been completed on an extension at Ysgol Strade as part of an £8.25million scheme. The extension will house a new science, technology, design and art block providing pupils with state of the art accommodation. It formed phase one of the scheme which is being delivered through Carmarthenshire County Council’s Modernising Education Programme. Phase two involves refurbishment of the existing art, science, technology and design classrooms. They will be converted into normal classrooms which will be used instead of the mobile accommodation currently provided. Education executive board member Cllr Keith Davies said: “This is yet another investment in education in the Llanelli area. “It reflects the growing demand for Welsh medium education in the town, and the need for more secondary school places. “It follows the opening of the new Ysgol Gymraeg Ffwrnes which will help satisfy demand in the primary sector. “This scheme will help provide modern, high quality accommodation for Strad...

Positive test results for tuberculosis (TB) at a Llanelli school has prompted the offer of a screening of all pupils and staff. In October and December, 339 pupils and 100 members of staff at Ysgol y Strade were screened for TB, as part of investigations by Public Health Wales and the Hywel Dda Health Board. This occurred after a staff member was diagnosed with the infection. Following theses screening sessions, six pupils and three members of staff gave positive blood test results. For more on this story, click on the link in the headline for the Llanelli Star.

There's a night of celebration at the Amman Centre in Ammanford on Friday night. Lleisiau'r Cwm are celebrating 15 years this year and Cantata are celebrating the S4C title of Female Choir of Wales. Catrin Hughes, from Ysgol y Strade, conducts both choirs so the event promises to be an evening to remember. Concert details: Amman Centre Ammanford, Friday, July 15th, 7.30 till late. Artists in the first half- Cantata, Lleisiau'r Cwm. Presenter - Heledd Cynwal S4C. Auctioneer - Glynog Davies. Star guests in the second half - Fat Barry's Soul Band. Raffle and auction on the evening - proceeds towards Bobath Cymru (celebral palsy unit). Tickets - £10 (including buffet) available from Catrin Hughes (Ysgol y Strade) and members of both choirs.