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

An exhibition featuring the ground-breaking work of a remarkable Welshman who discovered the process of evolution by natural selection alongside Charles Darwin will be opened by leading Welsh naturalist Iolo Williams at Aberystwyth University’s Old College on Thursday 8 February 2018. Wallace: The Forgotten Evolutionist? tells the story of Alfred Russel Wallace, one of the most prominent evolutionary figures of the 1800s. On loan from Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales, the exhibition will showcase a striking selection of the natural history specimens collected by Wallace as part of his research, including bugs, butterflies and birds. During his lifetime, Wallace collected more than 125,000 animal specimens, published more than 800 articles and wrote 22 books. Most famously, he had the revolutionary idea of evolution by natural selection entirely independently of Charles Darwin. In officially opening the exhibition to the public on Thursday 8 February, Iolo Williams will speak ab...

Aberystwyth University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dafydd Rhys as Director of Aberystwyth Arts Centre. He will take up his new post at the helm of Wales’s largest arts centre on Monday 5 February 2018. A Council member of the Arts Council of Wales, Dafydd Rhys was Director of Content at S4C from 2012-2016. During this time, he was responsible for leading a team that commissioned a diverse range of programming including the Hinterland detective drama series, which was filmed in Ceredigion and which has been sold across the globe. The Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University, Professor Elizabeth Treasure, said: “Dafydd Rhys has extensive experience in the creative industries in Wales and I am delighted that he will be joining the University as Director of our award-winning Aberystwyth Arts Centre. He brings with him an inspirational vision for the future of the Arts Centre, which plays such a pivotal role in the cultural life of our campus, our community and our nation.”...

If you are 50-plus and want to go and see the wonderful Carmarthen Youth Opera performing the fabulous Guys and Dolls at the Lyric theatre, Carmarthen, contact Age Cymru Sir Gar - 01554 784080. The charity has, courtesy of Western Power Distribution and Carmarthen Youth Opera, been given 20 free tickets for older people to attend. The matinee performance will be held on Saturday, February 24, and Western Power Distribution will also be putting on a reception with light refreshments for those lucky winners of the free tickets. Also if someone aged 50+ wants to go but needs help to attend from a family member or carer who is under 50, a ticket can be supplied. Ring the charity on 01554 784080 or email info@agecymrusirgar.org.uk for further details. Website - https://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/sirgar/aboutus/

Apologies for the lack of news lately. I have been busy in 'another place'. But that little adventure is now over. So, normal (sort of) service about to resume.

The Prince of Wales, a new play by Jon Tregenna, performed by Llanelli Stage Company and Llanelli Youth Theatre, Stiwdio Stepni at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli. (running through to Saturday night, November 18). It’s got history, humour and high jinks. And the end result is slightly hysterical in a highly amusing way. The new play from Buggerall author Jon Tregenna is a fast-moving, cleverly-staged development of a radical idea. What if there is a descendant of the last great Welsh king, Llywelyn Ap Gruffudd? Will it be the end of the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles? Will it spark a constitutional crisis? There’s razor-sharp humour in sackloads played across a backdrop of serious themes about Welsh nationhood, friendship, mistaken identity, love, passion and the consumer culture. Throw in a few swipes about a pretentious arts and media culture and you have a bubbling Welsh cocktail which fizzes and delights through one long act with multiple scene changes. The Welsh love their h...

The latest 'On Song' column from the Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star - Carmarthen Male Voice Choir Côr Meibion Caerfyrddin will be holding their annual concert this weekend, 7.30pm on Saturday, November 18. Priody Chapel in Priory Street, Carmarthen, is the venue. The choir’s special guests include tenor Osian Wyn Bowen, Côr Merched Hyn Ysgol Bro Myrddin and organist Meirion Wynn Jones. On Sunday, November 19, there’s the annual Grand Concert at Myddfai Community Hall (7pm start). The concert will feature three combined choirs – Cwmann, Dinefwr and Llandovery. Soloists will be Tristan Lewis Deganwy (Llandudno), Ioan Wyn Parry (Dolgellau) and Mariwyn and Cadi Fflur. Proceeds from the event (tickets £10) go towards Llandovery Hospital League of Friends and Myddfai Community Hall. Côr Merched Curiad y Cwm ladies choir will be celebrating their 30th anniversary with a special concert at Tumble Hall at 7pm on Friday, November 24. The choir’s special guests will be the Tywi Vall...

Press release: November 7, 2017. For immediate publication. New appointment at Bay TV Swansea Freelance journalist and media consultant Robert Lloyd has been appointed as station manager and head of news and sport at Bay TV Swansea. Lloyd, 58, has more than 40 years of experience in the media world. He is a former editor of the Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star and a former deputy editor of the South Wales Evening Post. Peter Townsend, chairman of Bay TV (Swansea) Ltd, said: “We are delighted to welcome Robert Lloyd to the team at Bay TV Swansea. “He is a well-known figure throughout the community and brings a wealth of experience to the team.” Robert Lloyd said: “Bay TV Swansea has built some very solid foundations as a local TV station since its launch in July, 2016. “I look forward to working with energetic, enthusiastic and very professional colleagues at Bay TV Swansea. “I will be working hard to build further partnerships in the community and extending Bay TV Swansea’s reac...