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

Latest news from Aberglasney House and Gardens in the Tywi Valley -  Image by Nigel McCall Head Gardener's Update The winter collections at Aberglasney are just coming to their best. Snowdrops are appearing throughout the Gardens as one would expect. There are also excellent displays of early flowering Narcissus such as the renowned ‘Cedric Morris’ and the even earlier 'Rijnveld's Early Sensation' which is mass planted in a two thousand strong drift. One of the best partners for these bulbs is the Hellebore of which we have many types throughout the Gardens. There are mass planted drifts of the famous ‘Helen Ballard Strain’ and more recently a collection of the exciting ‘Harvington’ strains which have very clear colours from white to black or even spotted which are a favourite of visitors. Over the last two years we have tried many new Helleborus such as ‘Anna’s Red’ which are created with an exciting new method of propagation called micropropagation or Tissu...

Aberystwyth University’s support for Welsh music and culture continues this month with sponsorship of the annual Welsh rock and pop awards Gwobrau’r Selar which take place at the University’s Students’ Union on Saturday 18 February 2017. On the eve of the awards (Friday 17 February), the University’s Neuadd Pantycelyn will host an evening to celebrate a lifetime’s contribution by singer and poet Geraint Jarman. The University also has four tickets to give away for Gwobrau’r Selar. For a chance of winning, entrants just need to share the Gwobrau’r Selar message on the University’s @prifaber_ir twitter account, or like, share and comment on the Gwobrau’r Selar entry on the University’s Facebook pages @prif.aberystwyth The competition closing date is Friday 10 February at 3pm. In addition to being a major sponsor, Aberystwyth University is also sponsoring the event’s top award for Best Band. Shortlisted for the award this year are the 2015 winners Sŵnami, 2014 winners Candelas and Y Ban...

The ambitious Llanelli Goods Shed project has taken another giant step forward. Planning permission and Listed Building Consent has been granted for the Grade II historic building. “It’s another significant move along the tracks for the project,” said the chairman of the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust, Llanelli MP Nia Griffith. “Over the course of the last two years we have been rewarded with more than £100,000 of development cash from different grant funders. “That money has been put to good use and has enabled us to carry out a whole range of site surveys and progress our planning application. “Our architects, Davies Sutton, of Cardiff, are recognised as one of the finest in the UK in the field of renovating historical buildings. “The Goods Shed building in Marsh Street is currently derelict, but Davies Sutton have developed innovative and creative plans to transform a building which was built in 1875 and is a classic example of the Brunel style of architecture.” The Goods Sh...

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. Those of you who have just completed your self-assessment returns will appreciate how important it is to keep a calendar of key tax events. At Clay Shaw Butler, we have produced a helpful calendar of tax events from now through to 2018. Here are a few notable dates – February 2017 Sunday 19 PAYE, Student loan and CIS deductions are due for the month to 5th February 2017. This deadline is relevant to employers who have made PAYE deductions from their employees' salaries and to contractors who have paid subcontractors under the CIS. Employers are required to make payment to HMRC of the income tax, national insurance and student loan deductions. Contractors are required to make payment to HMRC of the tax deductions made from subcontractors under the CIS. Where the payment is made electronically ...

Watch your step James Martin and Jamie Oliver; there’s some competition for you on the horizon from the talented schoolchildren of Llanelli. Llanelli Rotary Club staged their fifth annual Young Chef competition at Brynwgyn School. “It was a wonderful occasion and a great showpiece for the culinary skills of young Llanelli and Burry Port people,” said Llanelli Rotary President Mark Evans. The title of Llanelli Rotary Club Young Chef 2017 went to Neo Robinson, a Year 9 pupil at St John Lloyd School. The winning three-course meal for two consisted of – Starter: Melon and Parma Ham and Melon Crostini. Main course: Marinated Portk Loin with Horse Radish Mashed Potatoes and Fried Asparagus. Dessert: Tiramisu with Orange Coulis “It was a well planned menu, cooked with a sense of style and well presented,” said the chair of the judging panel Stewart Williams, the development chef at Castell Howell foods. His judging colleague Caryl Davies, of Llanelly House, was equally impressed. She ...

Thursday walk at Llanelli's Millennium Coastal Park

Why we should become vegans, should there be better scrutiny of charities, are we doing enough to help refugees and has the face of global politics changed forever . . .  These were among the topics debated in the annual Llanelli Rotary Club Youth Speaks competition held at Llanelli Town Hall. “The quality of the arguments presented was outstanding and the children taking part reflected great credit on their schools and families,” said the chairman of the judging panel Lt Colonel David Mathias. The competition saw Bryngwyn School win the senior category and St John Lloyd take the junior intermediate section. The winning teams now go forward to the Rotary Area final being staged at St John Lloyd School this Thursday, February 9. The competition attracted entries from St John Lloyd, Coedcae and Brynwgyn schools. Lt Col Mathias said: “The standard in the competition was exceptionally high – as it is every year - and the competitors made the judging task a very difficult one.” Llane...