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

Thanks to the support of Amman Valley Hospital’s League of Friends, an additional 16 car parking spaces will be created at the rear of the hospital site, adjacent to the main car park, to help ease parking pressures. Work will be completed by Friday 14 April. The 16 car parking spaces include two disabled bays. In addition to the new parking bays, the League of Friends are also supporting improvement works to the hospital driveway and the installation of a new security access barrier to the main hospital car park. Arwel Davies, Honorary Treasurer of the Amman Valley Hospital League of Friends said: "We are delighted to be supporting such an important development at Amman Valley Hospital to improve facilities for visitors and staff at the site. We are contributing over £100,000 to this development thanks to a legacy left to us from the late Mrs Gwenllian (Gwennie) Morgan of Tircoed Road, Glanamman." Patients and visitors to the hospital are being advised of temporary disrup...

The latest statement from the Hywel Dda University Health Board regarding the Andrews Medical Practice in Llanelli is here - Patients registered with Andrews Medical Practice in Llanelli will soon be allocated a new GP surgery following the decision of the Service provider to return its GMS contract to the Health Board. Hywel Dda University Health Board can confirm that the Practice will cease to provide GMS services from 31 May 2017, following the decision by the Rosedale Medical Group. Patients currently registered at the Practice will be automatically registered with another Practice locally. The Health Board is working closely with neighbouring GPs and the Community Health Council, and patients will receive an individual letter within the next few days. There is no need for patients to do anything at this current time, as services will continue to be provided from Andrews Medical Practice up until the 31 May 2017. Jill Paterson, Interim Director of Primary Care, said: “This proces...

Could you spare a few hours each week to help bring a little comfort to hospital patients? Volunteering for Health, Hywel Dda University Health Board’s volunteering scheme, are seeking to recruit volunteers to help maintain shop trolley services in Glangwili and Prince Phillip Hospitals. The service is looking for volunteers between the hours of 8.30am to 12.30pm from Monday to Friday. Volunteers will be required to deliver shop goods to inpatients, and also load/ unload the trolley. David Fretwell, Head of Volunteering Services said: “The much loved trolley services in our acute Carmarthenshire hospitals rely on the help of volunteers, and provides inpatients with access to home comforts such as newspapers, confectionery and toiletries. “We’re keen to hear from anyone who can spare a few hours a week to help others. “Volunteering for Health not only benefits our patients, but also the volunteers themselves, who find it rewarding and helps them to gain experience for their future care...

An Italian who has lived in Wales for 15 years and is now an undergraduate at Aberystwyth University is organising a rally of fellow students and staff as part of a worldwide day of action in support of migrants and refugees. Irene Cuogo says she has seen a rise in racist and xenophobic behaviour in many parts of the United Kingdom since the Brexit vote in June 2016. She wants to show that Aberystwyth University, the town and Ceredigion are welcoming, inclusive and global in their outlook. As part of an international campaign called One Day Without Us , Irene is calling on fellow students, staff and members of the local community to gather on the piazza outside the Arts Centre at 1pm lunchtime on Monday 20 February. “Ceredigion is a very important and dear county for the ethos it holds in regards to us immigrants, migrants and refugees, and how its people demonstrate their support and appreciation towards our group on a daily basis since Brexit,” said Irene. “More specifically, the v...

The Actif Holiday Club has a wide range of activities at local leisure centres to keep youngsters occupied during half term in Carmarthenshire. The club is aimed at children aged 8-12 years and offers a chance to take part in a wide range of fun activities including snorkelling, kayaking, netball, den building, arts and crafts plus much more. The fun packed programme, delivered by highly trained leaders takes place from next Monday to Friday (February 20–24) at Carmarthen, Llanelli, Amman Valley and Newcastle Emlyn Leisure Centres. Holiday activities at St Clears Leisure Centre takes place on Tuesday and Thursday only. For a full timetable of activities and to book visit www.actifsirgar.co.uk/children Bookings can also be made directly by contacting the local Leisure Centre. Carmarthen Leisure Centre – 01267 224700; Llanelli Leisure Centre – 01554 774757; Amman Valley Leisure Centre – 01269 594517; St Clears Leisure Centre – 01267 224; and Newcastle Emlyn – 01267 224731. Carmarthen...

Come and celebrate St David’s Day in Ammanford. A wealth of activities have been organised on the day by Menter Bro Dinefwr in conjunction with Carmarthenshire County Council’s economic development division and Communities First, as well as a window display competition which will be judged beforehand. Menter Bro Dinefwr has arranged for local schools will be performing on a stage in Quay Street throughout the day from 10am to 2pm. There will be a surprise event as well as a Twmpath on the street. Other events include a Peppa Pig theme session at Ismooth Café and reading activities in the Library. Communities First has organised a marquee with various exhibitions. Businesses have been given the opportunity of putting on a special offer for the day. A window display competition will be judged by Huw Rees (or Huw Fash as everyone knows him) on Tuesday February 28. There will be a trophy for the best window display. Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for regeneration a...

Some random photos of a walk along the old Carmarthenshire Railway route. Includes Swiss Valley Reservoir, and scenes along the route from Furnace to the reservoir. The route follows the earliest operational railway in Great Britain, as authorised by an Act of Parliament. Photo album - https://goo.gl/photos/TVbhtEQzonvxuChB9