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

Step right up, ladies and gentlemen . . . maroon blazers, more than 60 very careful users – and they’re all going for a song! Cor Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Voice Choir) members are making a massive wardrobe change. And they are looking for a home for their old blazers. “We are making changes to our ‘uniform’,” choir secretary Fred Elias said. “The maroon blazers have served us well over the years, but it is time for a change. So they are on their way out of our wardrobe. “The blazers, which bear the choir crest, are still in good condition, however, and it seems a shame to see them going to the bin or recycling centre “So we wondered whether there were any other groups or organisations out there who might be able to make good use of them? “In total, we have more than 60 blazers and they still have plenty of years use left in them. “They do, of course, come in varying sizes – from the smallest first tenor to the biggest second bass! “We are quite happy to give them free of charge ...

THE close knit village of Cefneithin is trying to come to terms with the loss of one of its favourite sons. Former champion boxer Robert Dickie, who won Scottish and British featherweight titles and went on to become a World Super Featherweight champion, suffered a suspected heart attack at his home in Llanelli last week. He was just 46 years old. The funeral takes place on Monday Story from Llanelli Star - http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Sad-passing-true-character/article-2827277-detail/article.html Here is the tribute I gave to the Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star - Former Carmarthen Journal andLlanelli Star editor Robert Lloyd said: “I was lucky enough to be the boxing correspondent of the South Wales Evening Post during the latter part of Robert Dickie’s career. “He was, without a doubt, one of the most talented boxers Wales has produced. “In the Top 10 in the world at his peak, he was a class act in the ring. If he had a flaw, it was that he lacked the ruthless ambition...

The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column from the Carmarthen Journal - It’s been quite a year for Carmarthen Town AFC, with plenty of changes in the backroom to go with a new-look team on the pitch. The most notable of those changes has seen club stalwart Jeff Thomas retire from his stint as chairman. Jeff has now also moved off the executive committee, but has pledged to continue some of the fund-raising work which proved so crucial during his 14 years as chairman. His achievements in the ‘chair’ are notable – • Welsh Cup: three Welsh Cup Finals, winning once • League Cup Final – twice – winning once • Consistently finishing in top six of League • 10 European Cup appearances. • Ground brought up to UEFA European standard with European games held at Richmond Park. Capacity of 2,500 including 1056 seats in their Grandstand • State of the art Community Centre, completed at a cost of £400K incorporating Social Club, Match Hospitality Suites with conference f...

The radio star who runs the biggest ‘Garden’ in Wales will be centre stage at Cor Meibion Llanelli’s annual Christmas concert. Chris Needs is to compere the evening at Theatr Elli, Llanelli, on Saturday, December 18. “It’s a major coup for Cor Meibion Llanelli,” said choir secretary Fred Elias. “Chris Needs is in great demand as a performer, particularly over the Christmas period. “But he was delighted to seize the opportunity of sharing a stage with Cor Meibion Llanelli. “And I am sure the army of people who follow his radio show will be equally delighted to seize the chance of seeing a real hero of Radio Wales here in Llanelli.” The weeknight Chris Needs show goes out in Radio Wales between 10pm and 1am. One of the key features of the show is the ‘Garden’, an on-air club of listeners. Chris was born in Cwmafan near Port Talbot in 1954. Before joining Radio Wales, he was a star presenter for six years for independent Welsh radio. He built up a large and loyal following with his cheerf...

The countdown has started for the 30th annual Carmarthen Mayor’s Fun Run. And the landmark event will see one of the biggest changes in the race’s long history. It is being moved from the Easter weekend to the May Day Bank Holiday on Monday, May 2. “The race is one of the highlights of the year in Carmarthen,” Town Mayor Councillor Alan Speake said this week. “I would urge everyone, young and old, to consider taking part and making the event a great fun occasion for Carmarthen town.” Race organiser Noelwyn Daniel urged fun run competitors to make a note of the new race date in their diary. “It is a departure from the past, but we felt that moving the event would give more people a chance to take part in the event – and we might even be guaranteed better weather in May!” Mr Daniel said: “The event is recognised as a great occasion in Carmarthen. So, if you want to get into shape over the winter months ready for the big race day, then now is the time to start. “The next fun run will be t...

Thanks to you, dear readers and visitors, this blog is continuing to pick up more hits. It's now hit the 16,000 page views mark. That's a 1,000 views since October 18. Keep the hits coming, folks! Many thanks. See earlier blog - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/15000-visits-chalked-up.html Meanwhile, the blog has chalked up its first visitor from Barbados. The full country by country list (figures from January 6) is as follows - United Kingdom (GB) 4,093; United States (US) 449; India (IN) 47; Germany (DE) 37; Australia (AU) 35; Europe (EU) 34; Qatar (QA) 29; Canada (CA) 28; Ireland (IE) 24; Japan (JP) 22; France (FR) 18; Italy (IT) 17; Malaysia (MY) 15; Netherlands (NL) 12; New Zealand (NZ) 11; Belgium (BE) 11; United Arab Emirates (AE) 10; Singapore (SG) 9; Russian Federation (RU) 9; Philippines (PH) 9; Spain (ES) 8; Sweden (SE) 7; Denmark (DK) 7; Austria (AT) 5; Greece (GR) 5; Bahrain (BH) 5; South Africa (ZA) 5; Norway (NO) 5; Pakistan (PK) 5; Romania (RO) 4; Bulgaria...

The organisers of the Healing the Wounds Golden Grove Mansion Appeal have been bowled over by the response to a HTV Wales programme featuring their campaign. “It has made a huge difference to public awareness,” said Kevin Richards, Director of Healing the Wounds, the appeal fund which aims to turn the famous Golden Grove Mansion in the Tywi Valley into a convalescent home for the Armed Forces. “The appeal is already being talked about within the local community, but the HTV Wales Sharp End programme took us to a whole new, national level,” said Mr Richards. “The feedback to the programme has been tremendous. A lot of people out there are unaware of the difficulties our servicemen and servicewomen face when they return from the battlefields and when they try to rebuild their lives in the civilian community.” The programme presented the shock statistic (reported by the Howard League for Penal Reform) that as many as one in 10 of British soldiers who have fought overseas end up in jail af...