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

Llanelli Leisure Centre’s coffee shop is proving popular with customers following its recent much needed refresh. Investment of £40,000 has been made in a bid to attract more custom and increase income at the centre. Caffi Splash has been designed to accommodate more customers with extra seating including low bucket chairs, high stools and sofas. The chocolate coloured coffee and poser tables complement the seating and a new childrens’ section boasts soft monkey character furnishings. A hot and cold server will help reduce waiting times for customers ordering food and the old self service hot drinks machine has been replaced with a coffee espresso offering more choice. The new equipment will provide a more efficient service with a new menu offering a wide range of healthy eating options for all ages. The council’s executive board member, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer a better service to our customers and to enable the people of Llanelli, and its visito...

Hundreds of people marked a new chapter in the life of Carmarthen Library when they joined the celebrations of its re-opening. Visitors flocked to the new-look library to see its refurbishment and take part in activities which included celebratory toasts, appearances by local authors, bagpipe playing and giveaways. Pupils from St Mary's Catholic school in Carmarthen were also entertained by a storytelling and puppet making session by The Crowman. Children’s Librarian Kevin Bowen said:" It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the week’s activities which have proven to be very popular.” Carmarthenshire’s libraries are already successfully involved with local communities offering more than just books, including homework clubs, free internet access, iPad training and new online resources including the first theory test pro and GoCitizen.co.uk. Carmarthenshire’s Executive Board Member for libraries, Cllr Meryl Gravell, said:”It is pleasing to see the refurbishment complet...

Patients are being advised that a programme of refurbishment and preparation work for the construction of Withybush Hospital’s new renal unit is due to start on site within the next few weeks. Award-winning construction company Interserve has been appointed to carry out the programme of enabling works and patients will see the hoardings put up at the front of the hospital shortly. As part of the refurbishment work plans are being put in place to create a dedicated stroke and rehabilitation unit. Interim County Director for Pembrokeshire Mark Brandreth said: “This is the start of a very exciting time for the development of services in Pembrokeshire. Establishing a permanent renal service, as well as dedicated facilities for stroke patients, at Withybush Hospital has always been a long-term ambition for the Health Board and it is a project that will greatly improve the quality of service to all these patients.  “We are very pleased to see the start of this work, as well as the genera...

Work is starting on a £4.3million makeover of Llanelli’s town centre. The environment enhancement scheme will knit together elements of more than £65million of investment incorporating, East Gate, Llanelli Library, Llanelly House and Y Ffwrnes. The public realm improvements along Stepney and Vaughan Street, the Central Square and east and west Cowell Street will include upgrading the key gateways, providing new canopies, improving pedestrian and cycle linkages and a Showcase to provide information about the transformation taking place. The works will be carried out (starting today) by civil engineers Alun Griffiths Construction over 56 weeks aiming for completion in April 2013. The £4.3 has been found from the European Regional Development Fund, Targeted Match Funding and Carmarthenshire County Council There are five overlapping phases of work to help minimise disruption. The programme of works will be scaled down in November and December to assist retailers and consumers over the busy...

A free children’s magic show with Prince Nadin is taking place at Llanelli Children’s Library this Saturday at 11am. The event is open to all youngsters and is part of the library’s official reopening week after its £3.8million refurbishment. Library manager Mark Jewell said: “Come and be dazzled by the tricks and the new library!”

BBC News - Llanelli library reopens after £3.8m refit Events are taking place throughout the week to mark the reopening of Llanelli Library following a £3.8m make-over. As well as work to preserve the older part of the Grade Two listed building, a new IT suite with 27 public access computers has been added. There is also a new reference library, children's library, arts exhibition area and video conferencing room.

Dozens of events are taking place at Llanelli Library to celebrate its grand reopening week following its £3.8million refurbishment. The programme starts with the reopening of the building on Monday, March 5 and runs until Friday, March 9. Every day, visitors can enter the library quiz with a chance to win an e-reader, take a tour of the building, meet the staff, see Superbook, or enjoy tea, coffee and bara brith. On March 5, there will be visits by Fireman Sam character Naughty Norman, poetry and prose from the Phoenix Theatre Group, artist Nina Morgan will host a display from Ysgol Dewi Sant pupils, Phil Cullen will talk about the map and plan collection, Pentip School Choir will entertain, there will be a chance to talk to local historians, author Catrin Collier will visit, and a ballroom and latin dance demonstration will take place. For children, there will be an under fives storytime, along with a knights and princesses story and craft session. On March 6, Pentip schoolchildren ...

Bobby's Girl author Catrin Collier will be visiting Llanelli Library at its grand re-opening on March 5. The celebrated author, who has published almost 40 novels along with numerous articles and short stories, will be talking about her books and answering any questions at the event. Three of Catrin’s stage plays have been performed professionally, and her first novel, Hearts of Gold, was filmed as a mini-series by BBC Worldwide. She was a writer in residence at Killay playgroup for children with special needs, has taught creative writing at prisons, arts clubs and Swansea University, participated in radio and TV arts programmes, and worked as a radio presenter, researcher and broadcaster. Catrin’s visit at 2pm is one of many events being put on during the week from Monday, March 5, when the library reopens its doors after a £3.8million refurbishment, to Friday, March 9. The restoration work included protecting and preserving the older part of the building – the Grade 2 listed Athe...

Tenants living in parts of a Llwynhendy council estate are being asked to vacate their homes for a few days to allow contractors to prepare their home for internal refurbishment. Almost 70 households living in council properties in Browen, Ynyslas, Pant Y Celyn and Morawel are being supported to find suitable temporary accommodation for around three days whilst the work is carried out. They are also being offered a compensation package for their inconvenience. Standard surveys undertaken in preparation for Carmarthenshire Homes Standard internal works have identified asbestos paper insulation around flue pipes, and some mixed with other materials in a small amount of rubble. Information has been provided to tenants which reassures them that asbestos is safe, providing it is not disturbed. With work being planned at their properties, it has been decided to remove the material to make the area safe for contractors, and to prevent the disturbance of any material as a result of their activ...