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

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in West Wales) from the Carmarthen Journal and the Llanelli Star - Following two sell out performances in the Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen, Cwmni Myrddin perform at the Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli this evening (Wednesday, September 14). They will be performing Esther, their new musical drama. The story, from the Old Testament, is set in Persia where racism and desire for revenge bring their own inevitable consequences. It’s a story which is relevant to our age and leads us to question whether Esther deserves to be celebrated as a heroine. Meanwhile, the ‘boys’ of Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir are getting ready for their annual concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli. The celebrated Pontarddulais soprano Adele O’Neill will be joining the choir for their much-awaited ‘annual’ concert at 7pm on Saturday, September 24. The other special guests joining Côr Meibion Llanelli will be Penrhyn Male Choir from North Wales. The two ch...

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star - There’s very little sign of our choirs taking a summer break, as the concert programme for July promises to be exceptionally busy. Cerith Owens and his Loud Applause Productions team have a particularly busy spell in July. Events include - Loud Applause Summer Soiree: A black tie event with wine and canapés at Stradey Castle, Llanelli, 18th July - Parti Llwchwr, fresh from their win in the People’s Vote in Cor Cymru; The Loud Applause Rising Stars: Vocalists: Nia Rees, Stephen Davies and Johnny Mansel Lewis. Instrumentalists: Cai Charles (guitar), Rhodri Thomas (trombone), Ffion Elin Williams (Harp). Andrew Pike (accompanist). Robert Lloyd (Host). Tickets on sale at Llanelli’s Cadno Music Shop 01554 771772.  Midsummer Music Concert at St Elli Parish Church, 11th July -Swansea Bach Choir, The Singhs, Guillaume Mathias. Loud Applause has linked up with the historic Llanelly Hous...

The latest Phil Evans column from the South Wales Evening Post. Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy. ----------------------- In a newspaper I was reading at the barber’s shop recently (I didn’t need a haircut – it was a cold day, his salon is warm and I’m too mean to buy a paper), I read that in 100 years’ time, due to a variety of reasons, including the slow eradication of local dialects, an ageing population, immigration and emigration, 90% of the words we use in 2015 will have become obsolete. It made worrying reading. Until I realised I probably won’t be around in 100 years. And then another realisation hit me. And it was a big one, so it left me with a nasty bruise. Word obsolescence has already started. You may not be aware of it because it’s happened so gradually, but words, sentences, phrases and questions once in common use, have begun to fall by the wayside and there’s little likelihood that the next generation will...