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

Soldiers of the 1st Batallion The Royal Welsh will proudly march through the streets of Carmarthen next week as Carmarthenshire County Council grants them the Freedom of the County. Just weeks after the parade and ceremony the soldiers will leave for a tour of duty in Afghanistan where they will be serving on the frontline. Members of the public are being encouraged to come out in force and support the Regiment as the Freedom is granted – the highest honour the council can bestow. It is the first time the county has granted the honour. It means the name of the Regiment is entered on the roll of honorary freeman of the county, giving them the right to march through the streets on ceremonial occasions. The parade and ceremony is taking place in Carmarthen on Wednesday, September 9. The Regiment, accompanied by a military band, will parade from St Peter’s Car Park from 11.30am, marching along King Street, through Notts Square and on to Guildhall Square. The parade will be followed at noon...

A Llanelli-based company is on-plan for a healthy increase in turnover thanks to a grant from the South West Wales Local Investment Fund (LIF). Vaughan Sound Installations, part of the Dafen-based PAI Group, has been successful in gaining £4,280 of funding from the new scheme, which is aimed at helping small and medium sized companies in south west Wales. Vaughan Sound Installations has been established for over 40 years, and specialises in installing, servicing and maintaining a variety of sound, audio-visual and communication systems. In light of the current economic climate, the company recognised that more of its world-wide clients would choose to service existing equipment and planned for an increased turnover in this area. The LIF grant enabled the company to purchase a service software programme to cope with demand, and it has already started to pay dividends. Chris Ash, Commercial Director for the PAI Group, said: “We have a diverse customer base from small sole traders to worl...

Llanelli's River Lliedi will be become a yellow river on Sunday with the town first ever massed rubber duck race. Llanelli Sea Cadets who have organised the event have been working flat out this week getting more than 3,000 yellow ducks, collected numbered and water proofed. The duck race has been gathering momentum through the summer inspired by the Sea Cadets to raise money for a launch boat the needed at Burry Port harbour. But demand for the £2 ducks has far outweighed expectation and the Sea Cadets have allowed other charity groups to cash in on the quacking event. Llanelli cheerleaders have also sold hundred of ducks for their funds and corporate ducks sponsored by firms at £25 a quack have been floated out too. There are cash and novelty prizes including a duck cake. Carmarthenshire County Council who are supporting the event have a Corporate Duck entered and will be joining in the carnival atmosphere being generated on Llanerch Fields. The races are centres on Llanelli’s Ll...

Carmarthen's £1.6million revamped Lyric Theatre is on course for reopening in November. And it will be a case of coming back with a bang with a Rocky movie on fireworks night. County arts development manager Phil Alder said good progress was being made and the backstage areas were taking shape. Plant for air control and heating is being installed and the orders have been placed for the new seating. Lifts, disabled friendly accesses, toilets and all mod cons are being provided throughout. Mr Alder said: “We are bang on course for opening on November 5th, and a trial running for operating the enhanced venue with an audience will be with a film showing of 'Rocky' as part of the Carmarthenshire Theatres 'Movie Vault' film series. The first 'art film' performance, will be Sound Affairs' on November 7th combining live music by Charlie Barber with a screening of the 1923 classic 'Salome'. The first live production will be on November 12 by Ysgol Berfffo...

"Whatever the perennially youthful Dame Joan Bakewell may say and do as the tsar for the elderly, her public role helps to create the impression that without help, nobody over 65 can take the top off a boiled egg" - Lord Hattersley, former deputy leader of the Labour Party. I'd forgotten Roy Hattersley was still with us. He still comes out with some good one-liners.

Epic day at Ffos Las yesterday - even if all my bets went down the pan. Big crowd, good atmosphere and the weather behaved, until the last race that is! Joined Salvo Giannini in his box - how swish - and we were lucky enough to get a visit from the great AP McCoy after his treble. If only I'd backed his winners!

"I am 5ft 6in and weigh about 11 stone - about a stone overweight, but that's because of my brain" - Magician Paul Daniels. Yes, it could only be Paul Daniels.