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

Enjoying the delights of Italy, Germany and Belgium. Normal service will be resumed on return home!

Award-winning West Wales brewer Evan-Evans can once again claim to have the best bitter in Wales. For the second year in a row the Cwrw brand has landed an award at the world-renowned Great British Beer Festival in London. The Llandeilo-based company was awarded a third (bronze) medal for its flagship brand Cwrw in the Best Bitter category. Cwrw also took a bronze award last year and once again finished ahead of all other Welsh beers in the category. Last year, Cwrw scooped the Gold True Taste of Wales award. “So we are delighted to be able to say to our customers that they are drinking the finest bitter in Wales,” said Simon Buckley, Chief Executive of Evan-Evans. Mr Buckley said: “This latest award, at the premier UK beer festival, is yet another feather in our cap and a testament to the quality of the Cwrw brand, which now stands up there as the national drink of Wales. “To be voted one of the top brewers of Best Bitter in the UK, out of a total of nearly 700 brewers, is a great ach...

Carmarthenshire's Anti Poverty Champion has welcomed Government plans to knock up to £20 million off fuel bills for poor pensioners. Around 250,000 pensioners across the UK are receiving a one-off £80 rebate, thanks to a deal by the Government and the leading energy suppliers announced earlier this year. Up to £20 million is being paid out by the largest energy companies in a one-off rebate to some of the pensioners who need the most help with their fuel costs. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is writing to all those who are eligible to let them know either that their rebate will be paid automatically, or asking people to call the DWP Helpline and confirm their entitlement. The DWP shared some of its customer data securely with the energy companies so they could identify the poorest pensioners. Carmarthenshire’s executive board member for wellbeing and Anti Poverty Champion Cllr Kevin Madge said: “I welcome this help for the poorest pensioners. It will be of real help to ...

After the Newport song (see earlier post) you . . . Ain't Seen Ruthin Yet! See earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/if-you-havent-see-it-yet-please-do-and.html

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' column from the Carmarthen Journal . . . With just over a week to go before the start of the new Welsh Premier League season, it’s time to put the spotlight on the man who will be leading the Carmarthen Town AFC campaign. Town’s new manager is Tomi Morgan, who is enjoying his second spell at Richmond Park. Diehard Carmarthen fans will already be familiar with Morgan, but many Journal readers may appreciate a quick Tomi Morgan history lesson. Morgan was appointed Carmarthen manager for the second time in June, 2010, after player-boss Deryn Brace decided to step down. Morgan was recruited from Porthmadog, where he had been manager since February 2009, after the club's relegation to the Cymru Alliance. A fearsome striker in the League of Wales who then became a successful manager, Morgan played for Telford United before becoming player/manager of Aberystwyth Town in the first season of the domestic Welsh league, scoring 21 league goals in 4...

A state-of-the art centre is educating people about the ancient laws of Hywel Dda and his links with Carmarthenshire. Residents, schoolchildren and visitors are learning about the native Welsh ruler and the development of his Welsh laws. Canolfan Hywel Dda in Whitland has been transformed into a hi-tech attraction, in a bid to encourage more visitors. The site was set up by volunteers 25 years ago but has struggled to reach a large audience because of a lack of facilities. Now with grant funding and the support of Carmarthenshire County Council it has seen a steady rise in visitor numbers, and strong links have been forged with other attractions in the area. The centre has secured grants of £15,370 from the Sustainable Communities Developing Identity and Distinctiveness Project, as part of the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Regeneration chiefs have visited the site to...

A major scheme to promote healthy eating to Carmarthenshire families is going from strength to strength. Fresh fruit and vegetables are being delivered every week to families all over the Pencader area. Residents of all ages are ordering produce, which is having a direct impact on eating habits in the village. The Pencader Family Centre food co-op delivery service has been such a success that a larger van has been leased to cope with the demand. Organisers say they are delighted by the response from the community and they hope to expand in the future. The service was first launched in a bid to address obesity and improve the diets of people in Pencader. It is a large rural village, and many residents, including the elderly, were finding it difficult to access transport and shops. Centre co-ordinator Trevor Winn sourced a local supplier of fruit and vegetables and began to collect the produce in his car every week. There was a huge response from the community and orders increased week o...