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

The latest Clay Shaw Butler Money Matters column from the Carmarthenshire Herald. By Mark Jones, director of Carmarthen-based Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants. They’ve been talked about for a long time – and now they are finally heading our way. The changes to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) are on the horizon for employers and employees. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is a minimum amount per hour that most workers in the UK are entitled to be paid. NMW rates increases come into effect on 1 October 2015. From 1 October 2015: the adult rate will increase by 20 pence to £6.70 per hour  the rate for 18 to 20 year olds will increase by 17 pence to £5.30 per hour  the rate for 16 to 17 year olds will increase by 8 pence to £3.87 per hour  the apprentice rate will increase by 57 pence to £3.30 per hour.  Employers also need to be aware that from April 2016, the government will introduce a new mandatory National Living Wage (NLW) fo...

Pembrey Country Park has been selected as the venue to host the first round of the 2016 British Mountain Bike Cross Country Series. It is the first time that the series will have been hosted in Carmarthenshire with up to 1,000 riders from across the world expected. The successful bid by A Cycling is supported by Carmarthenshire County Council and Welsh Cycling. It follows a successful series of events this year, run by A Cycling and the incredibly popular “Battle on the Beach” which has become a must-do event at the park. The council’s executive board member for leisure, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “This is fantastic news, not only for the park but for Carmarthen shire. To be selected as host for such an elite event is testament to the park diverse natural landscape and attractions.” With the international governing body awarding UCI Category 2 status, the highest possible for a new venue, it is expected that between 700 and 1000 participants will take part across a number of different ...

Pet pooches are inviting their families to a fun day out in Pembrey Country Park on Sunday. Many different breeds are expected to strut their stuff in a fun Burns Dogs Day Out show competing for the Golden Oldies, Shining Examples, Canine Singer of the World, Only Men Allowed, She’s a Lady, A Bit of Ruff and Happiness titles. Have-a-go-activities including Fastest Recall, Fundog Scurry, Sausage Catching Competition and Dogstable Challenge will run all day. The main arena will host a variety of great displays, beginning with the amazing K9 Drug Awareness at 10.45am and the Dalmatians and horses from the British Carriage Dog Society. Parades from the breed and rescue and support dogs are guaranteed to keep you entertained. Welshspell Agility is also running an agility show – please note that entries are in advance only for this event. The Dogs Trust are offering free microchipping during the 10am to 4pm event. The council’s executive board member for leisure, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “...

Councillors in Carmarthenshire voted as one today to welcome Syrian refugees to the county. In a special item allowed by Chair Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths at the end of Full Council today, the Leader Cllr Emlyn Dole called on all members to support his plea to help. He revealed that the Chief Executive and senior officers were already looking into how Carmarthenshire could play its part. Cllr Dole said: “This is a huge humanitarian crisis, there is a human and moral requirement upon us to support in a welcoming and positive way this crisis and these refugees. “I celebrate the extraordinary courage of the refugees, and I call on the Welsh Government and the UK Government for an immediate response, and for us to declare we will play our part fully in welcoming with open arms people, not only to consider their plight, but to do something about it.” The Leader quoted lines from the poem by John Donne ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ which starts with the famous line ‘No man is an island’ and en...

The Latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star - Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi (Vale of Towy Male Voice Choir) will be performing at Pontyberem Workingmen’s Club on Saturday, September 12. It’s a busy time for the Llandyfaelog-based choir as they are recording a new CD during their busy autumn schedule. The choristers are led by Musical Director Mrs Davinia Harries Davies, with accompanist Maureen Chapman on keyboards. Current concert engagements include – Sat 12th September, Pontyberem Workingmen’s Club. Sat Oct 3rd, Concert with Bois Bara Brith ( Sir Fôn, Anglesey) and Catrin Jones, Llandyfaelog. Tickets £6 from 01269 860996. Sat Oct 10th, CD Recording, Llandyfaelog. Sat Oct 17th, Eisteddfod Bancffosfelen. Wed 21st Oct – Sun 25th Oct, Irish Tour. Thurs 29th Oct, Ferryside Hall. Sat 7th Nov, Princess Gwenllian Centre, Kidwelly. Sat 14th Nov 40th, Celebration Dinner, Baltic Ponthenri. Tues 8th Dec, Red Lion, Llandyfaelog. Anyone in...

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. www.philevans.co.uk -------------------- TIPPLE THREAT? Do you always wake up feeling bright-eyed & bushy-tailed? Do you have perfect teeth, excellent hearing and 20/20 vision? Was your last visit to the doctors so long ago, your mother accompanied you and the cure for your ailment was a bottle of castor oil? If you’ve answered ‘Yes’ to all of the above, then long may you stay in such rude health. Meanwhile, here’s some medical advice to everyone else - never read the Health Section of your newspaper! Otherwise, you’ll convince yourself you’ve developed the symptoms of every medical condition they mention and you’ll take their advice to do more exercise, live on brown rice and prune juice and cut down on alcohol. My doctor once memorably declared, “Everything in moderation!” . . . just before he passed out from downing 1...

The Russians are coming! They are heading for Kidwelly for what promises to be a musical treat. An Evening of Sacred and Folk Music is being presented by the Russian Choir Voskresenije (Resurrection) at St Mary’s Church, Kidwelly, on Wednesday October 7 at 7pm Admission is £5 and tickets can be obtained from Mrs Peggy Davies, 6 Maes y Parc, Kidwelly. Telephone 01554 890147. Tickets will also be available on the door. Mrs Davies said: "This promises to be a very special evening. Voskresenije are a small group of singers, but they have an outstanding reputation and we hope that the people of Kidwelly give them a very warm welcome." The vocal ensemble Resurrection -Voskresenije in Russian - was founded by Jurij Maruk in 1993. It consists of seven to 10 professional female and male vocalists. The repertoire of the ensemble includes Russian Sacred Music as well as folk music. Guest performances in Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Austria, th...