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

The online registration for Wales’s biggest energy switch closes a month from today. Carmarthenshire County Council’s housing department is backing the nationwide Cyd Cymru energy switch, urging as many people as possible to sign up and save money on their energy bills. The scheme works on the concept of ‘people power’ - the more people who sign up to the scheme, the better deal Cyd Cymru could strike with national energy providers to drive down their gas and electricity bills. Those who sign up could save between £60 and £250 per household annually. The council’s Deputy Leader and Anti-Poverty Champion, Cllr Pam Palmer, said: “We could all do with saving money, and at this time of year especially when energy bills are at their highest. “We are supporting the Cyd Cymru scheme because this is a great opportunity for people to drive down their bills. The more people who sign up, the greater chance there is of bigger savings. “All people have to do is register and enter a few details ab...

Latest special offers from the Jenkins Bakery - WEEK COMMENCING February 2, 2015 3 Medium Corned Beef £1.65 2 Large Corned Beef Pasties £1.95 2 Minced Beef and Onion Pies £2.20 2 Fresh Cream Eclairs £1.70 Sandwich Of The Week, BLT £2.40 Rustic Baguette Of The Week, Chicken Tikka £2.40 Filled Softie Of The Week, Ham Salad £2.20 Website - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Nikara Jenkins was among the winners at the Carmarthenshire Sports Personality Awards last night. At a glittering ceremony at Ffwrnes Theatre 12 sporting heroes from across the county were honoured at the 17th annual event in January. Rugby legends the late Ray Gravell and Stuart Gallacher were also invited into the Hall of Fame. Rhythmic gymnast Nikara was named Sports Personality of the Year for her outstanding achievements during 2014 which included a silver team medal at the games in Glasgow and securing two first and second places at the British Apparatus Championships. Eleven other sporting talents were recognised including - Young Sportswoman of the Year, Manon Lloyd, cycling Young Sportsman of the Year, Joe Holt for cycling Sports Volunteer of the Year, Kate Williams, hockey Young Volunteer of the Year, Zoe Swift, hockey Community Sport Coach of the Year, Dai Davies, archery High Performance Coach of the Year, Nia Evans, rhyt...

Carmarthenshire will be setting out its stall at this year’s Caravan and Camping Show in Birmingham. Council tourism officers will have a stand at the Caravan Camping & Motorhome Show at the Birmingham NEC from February 17-22. Representatives of Carmarthenshire caravan parks and attractions will be helping to man the stand. Now over 70,000m² (the equivalent of 1,750 average size campsite pitches) the show is the UK’s biggest start of season showcase, of caravans, motorhomes, tents and holiday homes all under one roof, last year attracting over 83,000 visitors. All the major UK manufacturers will be showcasing their latest models plus ‘Special Edition’ models from major dealers. Carmarthenshire’s objectives at the show are to promote Carmarthenshire as a holiday destination to the 83,000 plus people that attend the event, aim to attract potential caravanners/campers to visit and stay in the area and at the attractions within the county, distribute Carmarthenshire literature and p...

Work has been completed on an extension at Ysgol Strade as part of an £8.25million scheme. The extension will house a new science, technology, design and art block providing pupils with state of the art accommodation. It formed phase one of the scheme which is being delivered through Carmarthenshire County Council’s Modernising Education Programme. Phase two involves refurbishment of the existing art, science, technology and design classrooms. They will be converted into normal classrooms which will be used instead of the mobile accommodation currently provided. Education executive board member Cllr Keith Davies said: “This is yet another investment in education in the Llanelli area. “It reflects the growing demand for Welsh medium education in the town, and the need for more secondary school places. “It follows the opening of the new Ysgol Gymraeg Ffwrnes which will help satisfy demand in the primary sector. “This scheme will help provide modern, high quality accommodation for Strad...

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star - Hats off to Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir; they can turn their vocals talents to fit any occasion. On Saturday night, the ‘boys’ of Côr Meibion Llanelli were at Parc y Scarlets to cheer on the home Llanelli region against the mighty Toulon in the European Champions Cup. The choristers are regular attractions for big matches at Parc y Scarlets, adding their expert harmonies to the community singing to rally support for the home team. “Our presence is greatly appreciated by the crowd and the players, particularly when there is so much at stake in a major European match,” said choir secretary Fred Elias. “We also like to make sure the opposition fans feel at home. “We’d heard how the Scarlets fans got a great welcome when Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (the Welsh national anthem) was played before the game in Toulon in the south of France. “So, before Saturday night’s match, we returne...

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. ----------------------- In a newspaper I was reading at the barber’s shop recently (I didn’t need a haircut – it was a cold day, his salon is warm and I’m too mean to buy a paper), I read that in 100 years’ time, due to a variety of reasons, including the slow eradication of local dialects, an ageing population, immigration and emigration, 90% of the words we use in 2015 will have become obsolete. It made worrying reading. Until I realised I probably won’t be around in 100 years. And then another realisation hit me. And it was a big one, so it left me with a nasty bruise. Word obsolescence has already started. You may not be aware of it because it’s happened so gradually, but words, sentences, phrases and questions once in common use, have begun to fall by the wayside and there’s little likelihood that the next generation will...