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

A £13.5 million National Lottery funding programme for rural Wales has been welcomed by Carmarthenshire County Council. The Big Lottery Fund is inviting groups to help tackle poverty in Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Powys, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Monmouthshire. Grants of between £10,000 and £350,000are available and their work must benefit a community with a population of 10,000 or less. Although types of activities that could be funded are not being prescribed, applications would need to show how groups are doing any of the following to address poverty: improving well-being, raising aspirations, enhancing skills available in the community or helping people deal with tough circumstances. This could include themes like employment and income, transport and access to services, poor broadband and digital exclusion, housing and fuel poverty and demand for welfare and advice services. Big Lottery Fund Wales’ director John Rose said: “The beauty of rural are...

A new programme to support the regeneration of rural Carmarthenshire is to be launched in the county. The programme will be administered by Carmarthenshire County Council on behalf of the Grŵp Cefn Gwlad Local Action Group. The LEADER programme is designed to get local people, businesses and communities involved in delivering sustainable, innovative solutions to address some of the economic, social and environmental challenges facing rural Carmarthenshire. Grŵp Cefn Gwlad has responsibility for rural regeneration and has developed a strategy which will provide a framework for LEADER activity within the county. The types of projects that may be funded include pilot projects - small scale and time limited activities aimed at testing out a concept or to try an innovative technique; feasibility studies to undertake research into a specific issue or problem; and facilitation and mentoring support to organisations and groups to help develop their skills and expertise. The council’s executi...

Help for rural and farming communities has been welcomed by Carmarthenshire’s executive board member. Cllr Jim Jones, whose portfolio includes rural affairs, has given his support to an initiative which aims to help keep their properties and belongings safe. Dyfed Powys Police have developed an information pack which includes advice on how to help prevent thefts of metal hefts, heating oil, fuel and tack, plus a leaflet on rogue traders and other general information. Cllr Jones said: “This is an excellent initiative which will provide invaluable help and advice to people in rural and farming communities. “I would encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity, the information these packs contain could help avoid any thefts or damage to their property. “ To obtain an information pack e-mail michelle.evans@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk or write to PC 793 Michelle Evans at: Llanelli Police Station, Neighbourhood Development Department, Waun Lan Yr Afon, Llanelli, SA15 3AD, enclosing...

An award winning rural bus service tailored to meet the needs of its passengers is going from strength to strength. Since taking to the road four years ago, Bwcabus has carried nearly 65,000 passenger journeys, covered over 458,000 miles and has over 2,000 registered users. It operates in response to pre-booked journey requests from 7am – 7pm, Monday to Saturday. The service enables people to travel between local towns and villages within north Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. Passenger Alison Pimbblet of Cribyn said: “Bwcabus has become an essential service to me and my family. Its flexibility has allowed me to work and its affordability has aided my teenage daughter to attend college and meet up with friends.” Whether you need to access healthcare, local services, employment, and training or to visit family and friends Bwcabus can assist. The scheme is supported by Carmarthenshire Community Challenge. Executive board member for sustainability, Cllr Pam Palmer said: “Bwcabus not...