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. The taxman at HMRC has updated the guidance to taxpayers on how to spot so-called ‘phishing’ scam emails. Phishing is the fraudulent act of emailing a person in order to obtain their personal/financial information such as passwords and credit card or bank account details. These emails often include a link to a bogus website designed to encourage the unwary to enter their personal details. The HMRC guidance is designed to help taxpayers to recognise genuine contact from HMRC, and how to tell when an email/text message is phishing and/or bogus. You can find the advice on the following weblink – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/genuine-hmrc-contact-and-recognising-phishing-emails/genuine-hmrc-contact-and-recognising-phishing-emails The advice includes tips on how to tell if an email is fra...

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 ------------------------------------------ It’s Not A Fair Cop Guv A recent TV documentary focused on people who’d ‘had a go’ - from stopping an armed robbery to helping someone who’d fallen ill. Some were glad they’d intervened, some regretted being Good Samaritans. Was there ever a Bad Samaritan? The consensus was . . . leave it to the police. However, emergencies often require a split-second reaction. If you saw someone’s life was in danger, would you wait for the Police or step in? I don’t think any of us know until it happens. Should you ever need the assistance of the police, would you particularly care what language they spoke? It’s a question worth asking because Dyfed-Powys Police are actively recruiting Welsh-speaking officers. I’m a Welsh speaker, but if I was caught in the middle of a crisis t...

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star and the Carmarthen Journal - It was something of a personal treat this week to be able to compere a concert featuring Burry Port Town Band and the growing Carmarthen ladies choir A Choired Taste. The guys and gals at Burry Port Town Band are old friends – as is the musical director of A Choired Taste, Sarah Kirby, who is, perhaps, better known in Llanelli as Sarah Thomas, former accompanist to Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir. It’s been quite a month for Sarah as she was recently featured on the BBC as one of the BBC Music Day’s Unsung Hero Award winners. Sarah is Assistant Head of Music at QE High School in Carmarthen. She studied music at Cardiff University gaining a BMus, focusing on performance and composition. Sarah has accompanied regularly for a number of groups throughout the county, including Côr Meibion Llanelli, Carmarthen and District Youth Opera, SA15 and many so...

A Pembrokeshire mother-of-three has shared her experience of giving birth in Withybush Hospital in the hope that her story will reassure mums-to-be that they are in safe hands in the Haverfordwest hospital. 27 year old Francesca Davies of Johnston, Pembrokeshire, gave birth to her five-week-old daughter, McKenzie, at the Midwife-Led Unit in Withybush with her husband, Leigh, and sister, Danielle, at her side. Francesca has told how she felt at ease while giving birth at the unit, explaining: “It was about 1:30am when I felt my contractions getting very strong and painful, so I called to speak to my midwife, Dawn. She was very calm and talked me through the whole thing, giving me the choice to either wait or come to the hospital straight away. “I decided to wait but after around an hour and I couldn’t wait any more and headed straight in. Dawn had already filled the birthing pool for me. It was so relaxing. Well... between contractions anyway! “McKenzie was born just after 5am weighin...

Cefn Sidan Beach in Pembrey has won the coveted Blue Flag again this year. The Pembrey beach was among dozens of Welsh beaches to be named among the best in the UK and the world. This year 47 beaches across Wales have been awarded the Blue Flag, 26 beaches won the Green Coast Award and 92, including Cefn Sidan and Pendine, won the Seaside award, after being judged in the Keep Wales Tidy’s Coastal Awards. The prestigious award is only awarded to beaches, marinas and boats that have the highest quality of water, environmental education and management, safety and services. It acts as a guarantee to the public that a beach is among the finest not only in the country, but around the world. Executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: "The Blue Flag is nationally, and internationally, recognised as a symbol of excellence. “It’s wonderful for Pembrey Country Park and Carmarthenshire that Cefn Sidan continues to gain such a well respected accolade.” The B...

Carmarthenshire Libraries will be holding drop in sessions to help people with sight loss go online. From June to December the RNIB will deliver the sessions in order to support people with sensory loss.  The project ‘Online Today’, offers advice and guidance on technology, and helping people to develop skills and confidence in using technology. To make the best use of these drop in sessions and to support the RNIB’s campaign of MANIL (Making Noise in Libraries) 2016, Carmarthenshire Libraries will be demonstrating the numerous free audio visual services provided. Why don’t you pop along to your nearest regional library to find out further dates or information and contact either Ammanford Library on 01269 598360, Carmarthen Library 01267 224824, Llanelli 01554 744327 or access facebook.com/carmslibraries

Latest news from Sosban restaurant in Llanelli - Tamaya Dinner Thursday 21st July @ 7pm £40 per person Fine wine is such a convivial and socialising entity, and we love seeing our guests enjoy fine food and excellent wines, which is why we’d love you to join us for an exquisite Tamaya Dinner! We have paired up with Fine Wines Direct UK to bring you an unforgettable 3 course dinner, matched with this superb Chilean wine. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the history of this unique wine. Arrival drink, three course dinner and five wine pairings. The name Tamaya means “High Scenic Viewpoint”, a word that comes from the dialect of the Diaguita indigenous culture that inhabited the Limarí Valley between the 8th and the 6th centuries BC, in the same place where Viña Tamaya is currently located. Tamaya is also the name given to the highest hill in the area, from where it is possible to view the entire valley. Book Now 01554 270020 / reservations@so...