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

Carmarthen Town AFC manager Tomi Morgan is expecting a tough game against Alliance leaders Gap Connah's Quay in the Welsh Cup today. Kick-off at Richmond Park is earlier than usual at 2pm. See Carmarthen Town website - http://www.carmarthentownafc.net/

The Carmarthen Town AFC 2011 sponsorship pack is now available on the web in pdf form - http://tiny.cc/zuf8a

New Farmers' Union of Wales premises at Dolgellau livestock market have been officially opened by the union's president Gareth Vaughan following months of renovating and redecorating. The work also involved obtaining an electricity connection for light and a telephone connection with internet broadband facility so that the union's local area officers can access various insurance companies. "Establishing a secure unit for the FUW at the market is a great new development for the union's Meirionnydd branch," said Mr Vaughan. "It is easily accessible and no doubt will be extremely useful for FUW members and insurance policy holders who visit the market, especially as it has use of broadband internet." FUW director of business development Emyr James said: "The union is continuously striving to improve its services to members and an office at Dolgellau mart demonstrates this commitment. "We are extremely grateful to Dyfrig Siencyn and staff at au...

People who experience any problems on a bus service in the Ammanford area are being urged to contact the Traffic Commissioner. A number of complaints have been received regarding Veolia Transport which operates the 126, 127, 130, 145, 146 and 164 routes. The company no longer has a contract with Carmarthenshire County Council, but has continued operating without subsidy. This means that the council cannot take any action against the company if the service is not provided. Deputy Leader Cllr Kevin Madge has complained to the Traffic Commissioner after the matter was brought to his attention. Cllr Madge said: “These services are vital for people living in the Ammanford area, many older people rely on them to get out and about. “I have complained to the Traffic Commissioner, which is the regulatory body responsible for commercial bus services, after it was brought to my attention that a number of problems had been experienced with this operator. “I would urge anyone who has experienced an...

A Llandysul woman has been fined after being caught throwing a cigarette end in Carmarthen town centre. Louise Edith Davies, aged 37, of The Beeches in Llandysul, pleaded guilty to an offence contrary to Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Ammanford Magistrates Court. The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council. The court heard that the council’s environmental enforcement officers were on patrol in Merlin’s Walk in Carmarthen town centre when they saw a woman throw a cigarette end onto the pavement. The officers approached the woman and explained what they had seen and that it was an offence to throw litter. She was issued with a with a fixed penalty notice of £75, however she failed to pay it and as a result was prosecuted through the magistrates court. Due to her limited means, Davies was fined £80 by magistrates and ordered to pay £50 towards prosecution costs. The council hopes this case will now act as a warning to others that those caught brea...

Water quality in the Burry Estuary is probably better than any time in living memory making it more attractive to aquatic and bird life, claim scientific experts. The irony is that misinformed protestors have been blaming water quality for cockle deaths when in fact it is parasites that specifically target cockles only that have been responsible. Scientists have been investigating the death of thousands of tonnes of cockles in the Burry Inlet since 2002 in an exercise that has cost more than £12million. They have found two parasites alien to the British coast are the likely cause. They are certain the cockle mortality has no link with water quality. The scientists are now focusing attention on the parasites which may be causing the shellfish to die prematurely. A final report into the deaths, which have hit the cockle industry off Gower and Llanelli, is expected in April. Giving evidence to Carmarthenshire County Council, Environment Agency Wales, Welsh Water and the Countryside Counci...

A Carmarthen man has been fined by the courts for dropping a cigarette end in the town centre. Anthony Mark Davies, aged 34, of Parc Bagnell, was convicted in his absence of an offence contrary to Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Ammanford Magistrates Court. The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council. The court heard that the council’s environmental enforcement officers were on patrol in Carmarthen town centre when they saw a man throw down a cigarette end onto the ground near Debenhams in St Catherine’s Walk. The officers approached the man and explained what they had seen and that it was an offence to throw litter. Davies said that there were no bins in the area, however, there were two bins nearby which the officers pointed out. He was issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75, however he failed to pay it and as a result was prosecuted through the magistrates court. Davies was fined £175 and ordered to pay £100 towards prosecution costs. The ...