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

Llanelli Rotary Club will hold a Fellowship meeting at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, at 1pm on Friday, May 20. The club's annual Assembly will be held at the hotel at 7.30pm on Wednesday, May 25.

Llanelli Rotary Club had two guest speakers for their weekly meeting staged at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli. Inspector Eric Evans and Sergeant Justin Evans gave a talk on policing in Llanelli. The vote of thanks was given by the Llanelli club's newest Rotarian, Alison Evans. Pictured are - Sgt Justin Evans, Dyfed-Powys Police Force's communications officer Catherine Evan-Williams, Rotary Club President Melanie Carroll-Cliffe and Inspector Eric Evans.

There's a musical treat at The Cricketers pub in Cathedral Road, Cardiff on Sunday, May 22. Top Welsh acoustic duo Andy and Gos will be the featured Sunday evening band for a gig starting at 5pm. Admission is free. The next weekend music event at The Cricketers is the Evan-Evans Summer Music Weekend on Saturday and Sunday June 25 and 26, featuring top Steely Dan Tribute band Steely Scam. Other great acts will be appearing in August at the sister pub of The Cricketers, The George Hotel in Brecon. More information to follow.

A bench handcrafted by people taking part in a construction taster course has been placed in the heart of a Felinfoel community in memory of one of their closest friends. A group of people from the Llundain Fach and Danybanc areas of Felinfoel were among those taking part in a Building Your Own Future in Sir Gar course, which offers people six weeks of tasters in the building trade. Each course offers participants the chance to hand make a picnic table and bench set as part of the carpentry session, but a course recently hosted by Felinfoel Communities First saw the group making an extra special effort when they began making the bench in memory of their friend Gavin Evans, who died last year at the age of 24. The bench set has now been placed in a park in the Llundain Fach estate in a fitting tribute to Gavin, who loved to socialize with friends and neighbours in the area. His parents Nigel and Tania Evans, and his sister Ashleeann, were amongst friends and family when the bench was u...

A homeless teenager from Llanelli has defeated the odds – and plenty of opponents – to rise up through the ranks of kickboxing. Purple belt Liam Thorley is in training to represent Wales at the British and World Championships later this year. The 17-year-old is being supported by The Wallich, a charity which works with homeless and vulnerable people to find solutions and prevent its occurrence, and Supporting People, a service run by Carmarthenshire County Council which supports vulnerable people to live independently in the community through supported housing projects. Liam is currently staying at The Wallich’s Llanelli base in Clos Sant Paul, and has impressed staff with his willingness to succeed, despite the personal troubles he has had to deal with over recent months. As well as training to represent his country in kickboxing, Liam is also a full-time student studying IT at Gorseinon College, and has plans to go to university in September to study computer games design. “I’ve been...

A small Carmarthenshire community has shown what it’s made of by creating a new group to take over the provision of day club services for older people. Over 90 residents from Ystradowen got involved when they heard that the county council was planning to withdraw day club services from the area as part of a wider review on day services. They met with staff from the council’s social care, regeneration and corporate property departments to come up with a supported plan which meant they could take control of the service. Since the meeting, the community has formed a 10-strong committee, brought together a group of volunteers and persuaded Quarter Bach Community Council to become the key holders of the building. They are now looking at bringing the centre entirely in to the ownership of the local community. It means that the service will continue as before, and now has the opportunity to expand and become more tailored in line with local need. Carmarthenshire County Council has supported t...

As Lord Alan Sugar launches his popular TV show The Apprentice, people living in Carmarthenshire are being reminded of our very own search to find a new apprentice. The deadline is looming for those who want to be in the running to land a two-year minimum paid construction apprenticeship with Llanelli-based building company Lloyd and Gravell Ltd. Next Steps is being run in partnership by Lloyd and Gravell, the council’s Property Services division, Coleg Sir Gar and Carmarthenshire Construction and Training Association Ltd (CCTAL). The competition is open to men and women, aged 16 or over and living in Carmarthenshire. Candidates will be put through six weeks of on-site construction training and will be set challenges with rewards and forfeits to test their ability to learn new skills. A winner will be announced at a prestigious ceremony at Parc Y Scarlets in August, and they will start their first day ‘on the job’ just days later. The apprenticeship is full-time and paid for a minimum ...