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

Parents in Carmarthenshire are being urged to put their children through the Learn to Swim scheme. Sadly, drowning is the third most common form of accidental death in children, so being able to swim is an essential life skill. The programme is delivered by the council’s qualified sports and leisure team, through Actif Aqua activities. It is fun, progressive and designed to be a continuous journey through aquatics. Children of any age, size or ability can take part at in Llanelli, Carmarthen, and Amman Valley leisure Centres, and Llandovery Swimming Pool. Sessions are held in Llanelli on Tuesday to Friday, 4-6.30pm and Saturday morning 9.30am-1pm. The idea is to teach every child to swim and achieve stage 6 of the national teaching plan by the age of 11 using the latest digital technology. As children move from stage to stage and become more confident, the skills become more challenging and they are introduced to new skills as they become better. The council’s executive board...

Llewellyn Davies Accountants have opened a new business consultancy centre in Whitland, with the help of an RDP Sir Gâr Redundant Rural Buildings Grant. They have converted a barn to the rear of Yelverton House that has been unused for decades into offices for the consultancy service. The company already have branches of their accountancy business in Whitland, Narberth, Tenby and Pembroke Dock and this new venture will service the needs of businesses throughout West Wales with regard to production of management information, business systems consultancy and assistance with grant and funding applications. Five new full time jobs and three part time jobs will be created as a result. Director Colin John said: “The invaluable support provided by RDP Sir Gâr has enabled us to bring a redundant building, situated in the centre of Whitland, back to life. “The property’s location, with its excellent transport links and a large car park, makes it an easily accessible and convenient destin...

Latest news from the 'Jazz in the Bar' team at Brecon - What a fantastic start to the jazz year in town earlier this month, with such a great turnout and and trio of musicians! We were well over 50 people, and nearly half the group eating and chatting together at Lansdowne just before the gig. So let's celebrate into February - though please note the date - Tues 18 Feb - as this is an early notice. Details are below, and as usual, if you are joining the supper crowd, it's helpful to book ahead (reply this email). We have one large table (takes 12 or so) as well as individual ones, so everyone is seated in company. If anyone is able to offer a lift from Merthyr Cynog or Libanus, please get in touch. BRECON JAZZ CLUB - MIKE CHAPPELL QUARTET Tuesday 18 February 2014 Some of the founder members of the contemporary jazz scene in our region, playing a mix of favourite standards with some fine solo work: Mike Chappell - piano Bob Moeller - trumpet and flugelhorn Erika Lyon...

A Carmarthen man has been fined by magistrates after a blue bag was found dumped in the street. George Richards, aged 31, of Belvedere Avenue, pleaded guilty by post to an offence contrary to Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Carmarthen Magistrates Court heard that on April 23 last year council environmental enforcement officers were on routine patrol in Priory Street when they came across a blue bag that had been left on the road next to the path leading to Park Hall. They found evidence linking the bag to Richards. In correspondence, he told officers he had no idea how the bag had ended up there; but he would accept a fixed penalty notice for the offence. However, no payment was made despite a reminder letter being sent. He was fined £100 by magistrates and ordered to pay £154 prosecution costs plus a £20 victim surcharge. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “We are determined to clean up Carmarthenshire and th...

A Swansea man has been fined by Carmarthen magistrates after he was caught dropping a cigarette end in Llanelli town centre. Andrew Pardoe, aged 38, of Heaseland Place, Swansea, pleaded guilty by post to an offence contrary to Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The court heard that on June 7 last year he was seen by council environmental enforcement officers dropping his cigarette on to the ground outside Crown Buildings in Town Hall Square. He was issued with a fixed penalty notice for the offence, but he never paid it and has been prosecuted in court as a result. He was fined £100 by magistrates and ordered to pay £222.32 prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge. Figures show that around 83% of all litter found on the county’s streets is smoking-related. Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Dropping litter is against the law and dropping a cigarette end is no different from throwing away any other sort of litter. “...

Carmarthenshire Trading Standards Officers are warning residents to be on their guard against distraction burglars and opportunist rogue traders especially in the aftermath of the recent stormy weather. Residents may have suffered damage to their property during the bad weather. The Trading Standards Service is now urging residents to be extra vigilant to doorstep callers and sellers who may not be offering bona fide work. People looking for trades people to carry out repairs are urged to be very careful who they employ and to be extra vigilant to doorstep sellers. Any bona -fide caller will be willing to call back, giving you the opportunity to check that they come from the relevant business. If you are agreeing to work in your home (over £35), then you should also be given written cancellation rights. Roger Edmunds, Trading Standards Services Manager said: “Residents of Carmarthenshire may need urgent work carried on their properties and it is very tempting to accept the first offer ...

The Red Kite name will once again be flying high in Welsh legal circles “Quality is still the watchword here at Red Kite,” said partner David Sangster,“as our recent Lexcel reaccreditation shows. “And from February 6, we will be trading again as Red Kite Law - a strong, local, Welsh brand and one that resonates in the communities we live and work in. Our research shows that our clients value great service from a local firm rather than a national brand.” "We have a fantastic team of solicitors and long-lasting relationships with our clients who like us because we are local, we are good lawyers and we do a great job for them.” Mr Sangster added: “So far the feedback from clients has been very positive. But the name of the firm just isn’t the most important thing for them. It’s what we do for our clients here in Wales that matters. “Our plans for this year will build on what we already have: a forward-thinking Welsh firm that delivers good quality legal advice to local people ...