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

Computers from Aberystwyth University have found a new lease of life in Africa. Staff at the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology in the Nigerian city of Jos, were facing the prospect of expanding their recently launched computer degree without enough computers for their students. Their plight was brought to the attention of the Department of Computer Science at Aberystwyth by PhD student Edore Akpokodje. Edore was head of the Nigerian college’s Computing department before coming to study in Wales. As a result, 60 reconditioned computers powerful enough to run the software needed on the course have been shipped to Nigeria's commercial capital Lagos. They are due to arrive there on Saturday 3 December 2016. From Lagos they will be taken to Jos and installed in a new computer laboratory at the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology. After being reconditioned, the computers were taken from Aberystwyth’s Computer Science Department to Cambria...

Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Learning Disabilities Service has benefited from the generosity of local charity The Megan and Trevor Griffiths Trust. Mr Gerald Cheetham, Honorary Treasurer and Mrs Paula Carpenter MBE, Trustee from the charity visited the team recently to present three iPads at a cost of £1790. Nigel Miller, Therapies Lead for the Learning Disabilities Service was on hand to accept the kind donation: “We are extremely thankful for the generous donation made by the Trust to support our services across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. Communication is vital in maintaining an individual’s independence and these iPads will allow the service to assess people’s ability to use electronic communication equipment and help people to become independent more quickly.” The Megan and Trevor Griffiths Trust aims to help disabled people improve their quality of life and achieve greater independence. It was founded in 1990 by Trevor Griffiths to continue his late wi...

Young people from the YFC (Young Farmers Club) from Dihewyd donated £230 from carol singing to the Day Chemo Unit at Glangwilli Hospital, Carmarthen. They also raised the same amount for RNLI Newquay lifeboat. Hywel Dda Charitable Funds is a registered charity which provides vital support beyond what the NHS currently provides. The funds are invested in the health and well-being of the local population by helping to keep Hywel Dda’s services at the highest standards. Grants are provided to a variety of areas such as purchasing state of the art equipment, improving hospital environments, community care and supporting research. The generosity of supporters makes a real difference to our patients, their families and visitors on a daily basis. For more information contact the Fundraising Team on 01269 239815 or fundraising.hyweldda@wales.nhs.uk or download a fundraising pack from www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/supportforlife  

Glangwili Hospital’s urology department has been the recipient of a golden donation thanks to the generosity of Newcastle Emlyn couple, Mr Elgan and Mrs Margaret Jones. To celebrate their 50 years of marriage, Mr and Mrs Jones asked friends and family to forgo presents and asked for a donation instead to thank the team who had cared for Mr Jones. A fantastic £800 was raised and Mr and Mrs Jones recently returned to Glangwili in Carmarthen to present their cheque to the team. Mr Jones said: “We wanted to thank the wonderful team here, Wendy, Julie, Linda, Mike and all the staff. We had a lovely meal with our family and friends and we’d like to thank everyone for their generosity.” Mr Moosa, Urologist, Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “I wish to convey my sincere thanks to Mr and Mrs Jones for choosing to mark such an occassion as special as their golden wedding anniversary to support our service and to their friends and family for their wonderful generosity.” Every day patie...

A breast cancer survivor who has raised £1,000s for Prince Philip Hospital has made her most recent donation. Sue Ladd was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and has since made a full recovery. She received such fantastic care and support from staff at Prince Philip and Singleton Hospitals that she set up a registered charity, Sue Ladd and Friends, to raise funds for the units as a way of saying thanks. Since 2005 Sue Ladd & Friends have raised over £145,000 by organising a wide range of fun fundraising activities – from an annual charity ribbon race to a grand auction evening. The Breast Care Unit at Prince Philip Hospital has been the main beneficiary of financial support but they also support other local causes. They recently presented Mr Yeung Ng, Consultant Urological Surgeon, Hywel Dda University Health Board, with a cheque for £500 which will go towards the purchase of a state of the art ultrasound machine to help fight prostate cancer. The prostate ultrasound biopsy m...

Former miner and history teacher Rhys Lewis, who died at the age of 108 in July 2012, has bequeathed £10,000 to the library of his former university. Mr Lewis graduated from Aberystwyth University in 1931 having studied History and Economic History, and gained his teacher’s certificate, also at Aberystwyth, the following year. The bequest will be used to add to the already extensive collection of books in the University’s history section, and will be acknowledged by a bookplate in each acquired volume. It is a gesture that will benefit students in as direct a fashion as academics thanks to a pioneering initiative to allow students to order books relevant to their courses, bolstering and complementing the purchases made by tutors. Mr Lewis’ bequest was presented to the University by his son, John, who is also an Aberystwyth graduate (BA Economics and Geography 1963), and his partner Ms Brenda Dobney. Speaking at a reception in the University’s Hugh Owen Library, John Lewis said; “Aber...

The leading legal firm in West Wales has lent its support to junior rugby in Laugharne in Carmarthenshire. QualitySolicitors Redkite has donated £100 to Laugharne Mini Rugby. Pictured above is QS Redkite legal assistant Melissa Halpin with civic officials, representatives of Laugharne rugby and mini rugby players. QS Redkite Managing Partner Luke Smith said the firm was delighted to be able to lend its support to the junior rugby players. "We care very much about our local community and we try and help a variety of sporting organisations where and when we can. Hopefully, our donation will help encourage youngsters in and around Laugharne to take part in sport." The Redkite team was delighted last year to be chosen as the only law firm in Camarthenshire and Pembrokeshire to join QualitySolicitors. Redkite was established in 2011 through the merger of two long-established law firms in South West Wales – Lowless & Lowless and Morris Roberts. The team at QualitySo...