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

A Carmarthen bowls committee has taken over the day to day running of its club. Bro Myrddin Bowls Club is now being managed by a board of trustees as part of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Community Asset Transfer scheme. The board, made up of seven bowls members, secured the 25-year lease following a handover this week. Community Asset Transfer (CAT) is the transfer of land or buildings from the Council to the management of a local organisation. This transfer is typically arranged via a long lease with the organisation responsible for the running and management of the asset and all associated costs. Trustees’ chairman, Arthur Collinge said: "This is a wonderful occasion, something we have been working towards for two years and it’s a win-win situation for both the council and the Indoor Bowls Committee. Already we’re taking steps for greater use of the facility and have introduced a bingo club which is proving successful. We want as many people as possible to use this magnifi...

Responses to consultation on proposed charges for Carmarthenshire County Council sporting facilities are still being welcomed. People are urged to make their views known as part of the wide ranging exercise, and responses will continue to be accepted until August 25. This can be done online at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk via Twitter or Facebook , by post or phone . There are also a number of information exchange days being held across the county throughout August. The drop-in sessions will run from 3pm-7pm on each day, people can either fill in a form and/or speak to staff. There will be officers present to provide support and guidance around options such as asset transfer, grant funding, grounds maintenance and any other issues. The extensive consultation follows a decision made by the council earlier this year to freeze proposed increases until March 2015. The council maintains 59 sporting facilities, but there are approximately 70 other sporting clubs in the county – mainly in ...

A huge response from nearly 7,000 Carmarthenshire pupils to a schools sports survey shows they are right on track to being more active more often. Although county pupils have a greater variety, and spend more time on sports than most other areas of Wales, the detailed report will help develop even better future results. The county’s leisure and education departments have worked closely with Sport Wales and the county’s primary and secondary schools to ensure maximum participation in the survey. Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board Member for leisure services, Cllr Meryl Gravell, said: “There has been a fantastic response from schools. It has led to 2463 primary and 4584 secondary school pupils participating. “It means that all secondary schools and 43 primary schools will now receive a school-specific report with a raft of information and data about pupil wellbeing and participation in physical activity. “We will listen to the information that young people have given us, an...

Nominations are now open for the annual Brin Isaac sports awards. The event, which has six categories, looks to reward local talent for excelling in sporting activities. Categories include the Brin Isaac Trophy — sportsperson of the year; Walter Hughes Cup — senior runner-up; Star Cup — junior sportsperson of the year; Stradey Centenary Cup — junior runner-up; Kelly Evans Shield — services to sport; W Jack Hughes Cup — coach of the year. The Brin Isaac Memorial Fund remembers the late Brin Isaac, who gave such splendid service to young men through the YMCA, boxing, scouting and many other activities and endeavours. The winner of last year's main award was Manchester City footballer Emyr Huws. The 19-year-old midfielder, dubbed by some as the next Aaron Ramsey, followed the likes of Phil Bennett, Robert Croft, Derek Quinnell, Stephen Jones and the winner for the previous two years, Olympian Dai Greene, on the Brin Isaac roll of honour. The runner-up in the senior category w...

Sports development teams across Carmarthenshire are getting into gear building up to a year of sport to get even more people sports active running up to Glasgow’s 2014 Commonwealth Games. Carmarthenshire will be on the route for the prestigious Queen’s baton relay as part of its visit to Wales, and it is hoped that it will prove as popular as the Olympic torch relay of 2012. A number of sporting events are planned and all secondary school headteachers are being approached to involve pupils. Sports development unit manager Allison Rees said: “We are keen to use the Commonwealth Games to attract even more people into physical activity and promote opportunities in Carmarthenshire. We are keen to promote 17 sports that will feature in the games focussing on a couple of sports each month in the countdown to the start in September.” Programme is this year:  October -Shooting and weightlifting, November - Hockey December - judo, boxing and wrestling. Next year: January -Table ten...

A total of 13 awards will be made at the 2013 Carmarthenshire Council Sports Personality Awards ceremony in January. They recognise sporting achievements of athletes, coaches and volunteers in Carmarthenshire, and provide an opportunity to congratulate and honour the county’s accomplished sports stars. Nominations, closing on November 15, by phone to 01554 744350 or email Leisure@carmarthenshire.gov.uk