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

Carmarthen Leisure Centre In a nutshell: There is still a ‘shiny new’ feel to Carmarthen Leisure Centre. The centre boasts an eight-lane 25 metre main pool, a small pool, squash and badminton courts, a health suite, Fusion Health and Fitness Club, Dance Studio and much, much more. There is also an indoor adventure play area. www.actifsirgar.co.uk Carmarthen SA31 3NQ 01267 224700 For more ideas of what to see in Carmarthenshire, search this blog for 'What to see in Carmarthenshire' and then tell the search to sort by date. Previous post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/what-to-see-in-carmarthenshire-013.html

A LlanellI mum is made up after qualifying as a beauty therapist – thanks to the help and support of Genesis. Debbie Williams was pregnant with her third child when she completed the last modules of her beauty therapy course at Coleg Sir Gar and is now setting her sights on launching her first business venture. She says she couldn’t have achieved her qualifications without the support of Genesis - a European Social Funded project which aims to improve life for families, either because they are unemployed or on a low income. The team helped Debbie in various ways, including contributing towards childcare costs and part-funding her uniform. Genesis advisor Carole Walters, said: “This is an inspirational story for those considering a new career pathway and feel that there are too many barriers in front of them which could prevent them from succeeding. Debbie’s determination to succeed with the right support has enabled her to succeed and achieve her dream.” Debbie has now linke...

The 'care and repair' team linked to Carmarthenshire Council has helped 5,000 older people in the county in the last 10 years through its Response Adaptation Programme. The agency is part of a national charitable body which works to ensure that older people have homes that are safe, secure and appropriate to their needs. Nationally, the organisation is celebrating the 10th year of the Rapid Response Adaptation Programme, which is funded by the Welsh Government. Since 2002, almost 5,000 older people in Carmarthenshire have received assistance from 'care and repair' through this programme. And working in partnership with Carmarthenshire County Council, the agency estimates that this work has saved local authority and NHS health and social care budgets somewhere in the region of £5.5 million. Works have included small scale – but vital – adaptations in older people’s homes, including grab rails, stair rails and external lighting, with the aim of preventing potentia...

The annual Llanelli Boys Grammar School reunion dinner is being held on Friday, January 25, at the Stradey Park Hotel. Dress code: formal. £25 a ticket, available from old boys. Guest speaker: former Swansea City football star Wyndham Evans.

Forget about surfing the web – how about walking the web? Walking Well Carmarthenshire has just launched its brand new bilingual website, aimed at encouraging people to take part in group walks. The website provides a source of information for people interested in group walking, as well as providing details of forthcoming events. The Walking Well Carmarthenshire initiative began as a collaboration between Carmarthenshire County Council 50+ Forum and Public Health Wales. Andy Kurzfeld, Walking Well Volunteer Co-ordinator, said: “Walking in groups has been shown to have significant benefits to social, physical and mental health and wellbeing. It encourages increased activity levels, helps people stay active, and it is great for socialising. “The website aims to make it easier for people in Carmarthenshire to find a local Walking Well group and get involved. “It provides information on the health benefits of walking, details of Walking Well groups in Carmarthen, Llanelli and St C...

Ty Hapus family centre in Carmarthen are celebrating after receiving funding from RDP Sir Gâr’s Rural Community Inclusion project to safeguard the role of Family Centre Co-Ordinator. Located within one of Welsh Government’s Flying Start areas, Ty Hapus was set up in 2004 and is strongly supported by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Department for Education and Childcare along with organisations such as Homestart and Genesis. The Centre provides two and a half hours per day free childcare for five days a week as well as massage, parenting and basic skills programmes. They also host an after-school club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Sue Price, Ty Hapus Family Centre Co-ordinator said: "This funding has come at a really critical time as the previous funding the centre had received came to an end in January 2012. "The role of the Co-ordinator is essential in the day to day running of the Family Centre as it is their job to liaise not only with the families that attend the ...

Carmarthen schoolchildren have swopped their pens and pencils for shovels to help better their environment. Abergwili School pupils took time out of the classroom to plant fruit trees in the village during National Tree Week. Around 30 children from years five and six spent the morning preparing the soil and planting at the former Gwili Villas Farm site. The fruit will be used locally. The project was spearheaded by Abergwili Community Council having raised money through Cwm Environmental to encourage food growing in their area. The school is also supported by Carmarthenshire Community Challenge - a campaign to reduce the carbon footprint. Chairman of Abergwili Community Council Neil Lewis said: “The children at the village school are helping and learning to grow their own fruit. They are learning these crucial skills through the many volunteers from the village. “We are hoping to plant 20 fruit trees and soft fruit hedging to encourage bees and birds.” The local youth club led wi...