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

Discounted Self-catering Holidays at Aberglasney this November - Exclusively for Aberglasney Members Book a one week stay in Coachman’s Cottage for just £300. (Please quote your 'Membership number' when making your reservation) Set on the perimeter of the Gardens, Coachman’s Cottage offers holiday-makers a unique opportunity to enjoy this beautiful location in a high quality, characterful and comfortable property. Throughout their stay guests may roam freely around the house and Gardens. A stay at Coachman’s Cottage also of course means that Aberglasney’s Gardening team are on your doorstep to ensure you make the most of any tour of the Gardens. Head gardener Joseph Atkin may even bring you fruit and vegetables from the Kitchen Garden. The charming Coachman’s Cottage opens from the paved patio area into the open-plan kitchen/ dining area with modern amenities as well as hand-made cupboards with oak work tops and a large refectory dining table. The country house ...

The latest Phil Evans column from the South Wales Evening Post Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy. ---------------- “The falling leaves drift by my window. The autumn leaves of red and gold”.  ‘Autumn Leaves’. A beautiful song. Music by Joseph Koma. Words by Johnny Mercer.  But it’s always concerned me that as Johnny gazed out of his window, creating those sublime lyrics, he ignored the potential havoc the falling leaves were capable of wreaking in his backyard. If they’d clogged his drains, they’d have created a flood hazard which he’d only become aware of when water started seeping over his front doorstep during the next heavy downpour. You can tell Autumn’s a worrying season for me... It makes other people anxious too, as it heralds the arrival of overcast skies, high winds, rain, shorter days and longer nights, creating a ’Sorrowful season of dark, dismal, dread. It’s ochre smudged, mud-trudged lands...

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star -  Loud Applause Productions has some big events coming up before the end of the year. Saturday, October 18, sees the World War 1 Centenary Gala Concert, supporting the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli. The concert will feature Rebecca Evans, Rhys Meirion, the combined choirs of Burry Port Male Choir, Dyffryn Tywi Male Choir and Mynydd Mawr Male Choir, 215 City of Swansea Squadron Royal Air Force Corps of Drums, Samuel Morris and Angharad Rees. Brian Sullivan will be the compere. On Saturday, November 1, Ffwrnes will stage A Night with the Stars. Connie Fisher will host the evening and will be joined by Llangennech Primary School Choir (finalists in Songs of Praise School Choir Competition) and other guests. Taking centre stage will be members of the Loud Applause Rising Stars stable - Samuel Morris, Daniella Difede, Keely Morgan, Angharad Elise Thoma...

The latest Phil Evans column from the South Wales Evening Post Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy. ----------------------- Six months ago I loaned a friend £5,000 to have plastic surgery and I’ve been unable to get my money back. The operation was so successful, I have no idea what he looks like. Many glamour models fade from view as they get older, but former model and weightlifter Jodie Marsh is the host of a new American TV series that features people who’ve had disastrous plastic surgery. That’s quite an achievement, so I take my hat off to Jodie. After all, she’s taken much more off for me in the past. The first recorded case of reconstructive surgery dates back to Ancient Egypt, which is surprising when you consider that The Sphinx has badly needed a nose job for centuries. The first plastic surgery as we know it, was carried out by an American surgeon in 1927 to cure a cleft palate. Since then it’s saved the...

Swansea City pitch announcer, Kevin Johns MBE, is the star of a new Barclays short film profiling individuals who represent the true spirit of the game. The film introduces the charismatic Kevin and follows him during the first game of the Barclays Premier League season as Swansea take on Burnley at the Liberty Stadium. It showcases his role in lifting the crowd, who he describes as the 12th man, before every home game and the passion he puts into his performances. The film is the second in the ‘Spirit of the Game Heroes’ campaign, which chronicles those who make the Barclays Premier League what it is. Barclays asked every Premier League club in the country to nominate one person who best represented the passion behind their club. Swansea City nominated Kevin because of the passion he brings to the match day experience and his place in Swansea City folk law. Kevin, who is a renowned actor, MC and radio DJ in the local area, spoke about his adoration for the Swans. From falling in lov...

He may have been born 100-years ago but Welsh poet and writer Dylan Thomas is still one of Carmarthenshire’s most powerful tourism assets. He composed most of his greatest works in his Laugharne shed, which continues to attract great numbers from far afield whenever events are staged in his adopted home of Laugharne. Carmarthenshire County Council commissioned Strategic Marketing to conduct a survey of visitors to Laugharne during this summer’s Dylan Thomas centenary celebrations. County marketing and tourism development officer Sarah Owen said: “The objective was to understand in more detail the profile of visitors and their overall experience and perception of Carmarthenshire as a place to visit. “There were quite a few surprises. A significant proportion of visitors travelled to the events from England with many making journeys of several hours. One in six travelled from South East England. Twenty per cent of Dylan’s events visitors had never been to Carmarthenshire before. These ...

Llanelli is set to explode in to life with its famous Christmas carnival, throwing the biggest party in the town’s history. The 20,000-plus pulling power of the biggest carnival in Wales has already seen 18 floats booked - more than any year ever before with six weeks still to go. Executive board member for leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “Llanelli certainly knows how to party. This carnival is going from strength to strength. “It is wonderful to see the enthusiasm from the organisers and all those who attend the carnival let their hair down and welcome Christmas in style and with a panache that only Llanelli can muster.” Carnival organiser and Round Tabler Roger Bowen said: “We have many of the regular entries and a number of enquiries from newcomers for this year’s event. “The battle this year will be having enough lorries to go round. Owens Road Services and Greens Transport have pledged their support again but the entries are rolling in fast. We could easily top 30 floats this ...