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

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star -  Llanelli concert promoter Cerith Owens, of Loud Applause Productions, has published details of his full calendar of events for 2015. “It’s going to be another busy year and I have tried very hard to give some reasonable advance notice of events as I appreciate it can be difficult for other choirs and event promoters to avoid clashes,” said Mr Owens. “Hopefully, our calendar of events will give everyone the chance to make a note in their diaries for the events they want to attend.” Loud Applause Productions events 2015 - Midsummer Music Concert St Elli Parish Church 11th July Swansea Bach Choir, The Singhs Guillaume Mathias Loud Applause has linked up with the historic Llanelly House to provide a pre concert Reception Tickets now on sale at Ffwrnes Theatre Box 0845 226 3510 Loud Applause Summer Soiree A black tie event with wine and canapes Stradey Castle 18th July Parti Llwchwr

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 -------------------- THE PHIL EVANS GUIDE TO LIFE No doubt you’re familiar with the saying “With age comes wisdom”, but that’s only the opening line of Oscar Wilde’s epigram. The second line, containing the subversive wit that Wilde is known for, is rarely quoted. As someone who appreciated irony - and not just any old irony – the fact that his epigram has been misunderstood for many years would put a great big smile on Oscar’s face. As he died in 1904, that’d look pretty darned scary... Here’s the full version... “With age comes wisdom. But sometimes age comes alone.” In other words, just because a person has managed to reach an advanced age, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re cleverer, wiser or better-informed than they were at 21. In fact, at some point through the years they may have gained an ‘A’

The Jenkins Bakery is once again be supporting National Doughnut Week and The Children’s Trust Charity. For every doughnut sold, the firm will be donating 5p to the Children’s Trust Charity. Last year, the Jenkins Bakery shops throughout South Wales raised £500.  The doughnut week runs until Saturday, May 16. Jenkins Bakery operations director Russell Jenkins said that Doughnut Week was a great opportunity to celebrate the doughnut and raise money for a very worthwhile charity. He added: "Our staff enjoy getting into the spirit of doughnut week and we are always grateful for the support of our customers, who enter into the spirit of the event and help the Children's Trust Charity." Photo: Staff at the Jenkins Bakery shop at The Avenue, Llwynhendy, Llanelli. Area manager Fiona Snook with Michelle Bowkett, manager at The Avenue, Stacey Jenkins, Assistant Manager, and Elin Page, Customer Services Assistant. Websites - http://www.nationaldoughnutweek.org/ htt

It was Llanelli’s turn to pay tribute to the 70th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. It did so with pomp, style and dignity as hundreds flocked to St. Elli Parish Church. Hosted by the Llanelli Choral Society and under the much loved musical leadership of John Hywel and Jean Hywel, members of the armed forces, veterans, dignitaries and the public gathered for the town’s commemoration of VE Day. This was no remembrance concert but an experience which stimulated the memories and the emotions as the event saw proud veterans from WW2 join in song and commemoration with a host of the town’s artists. The church was theatrically presented in tribute with smoke and lights. Candles burned throughout the historic spiritual heart of the town as the oversubscribed event saw the Church stretch to accommodate the excited audience. Artists included the Llanelli Choral Society, the Hywel Girls’ Choir & Hywel Boy Singers, soprano Gwawr Edwards, symphony percussionists Gareth Hamlin an

A leading Carmarthenshire councillor has visited a mansion that has been turned into a Five Star B and B. Cllr Meryl Gravell called at Glangwili Mansion in Llanllawddog which has been refurbished to a very high standard by George and Linda Reid over the last three years and is now a Five Star Gold Award tourism property. The Reids applied to Carmarthenshire County Council for a Strengthening the Tourism Appeal of Rural Carmarthenshire (STARC) grant to erect a barbecue hut and lighting. They wanted to add to the facilities provided based on customer feedback. The guests were offered breakfast but they had to leave the premises for evening meals. The council approved a grant of just over £10,000 towards the cost of an all-weather BBQ hut for a minimum of 12 guests to have a facility where they can stay at the mansion and have a social gathering over food. The mansion is often booked out to large groups or families. Packs of locally supplied meat and produce are provided by the mansion

Have you got what it takes to become the next Face of the Globe? Applications are now being invited from girls and ladies across the town that can represent Wales in the national beauty pageant finals in London and Paris. Llanelli’s prestigious Ffwrnes Theatre will play host to the selection event on Sunday, August 30. The competition is open to girls from age 5 upwards and is split into four age categories: Minis – aged 5-8; Junior – aged 9-13; Teen – aged 14-17; Senior – aged 18 plus. During the night 20 finalists will be selected, with five from each age category. The highest scoring girl from each division will win a trip to London and Disneyland Paris to compete in the grand finals. The council’s theatre manager, Carwyn Matera Rogers said: “We’re really excited to be hosting this event at Ffwrnes. It’s a great opportunity for the whole family including children, mums, sisters, grandmothers and aunts to take part with a chance of winning a trip to Disneyland Paris if selected.” N

A leading Carmarthenshire councillor has visited an old coaching inn now catering for the cycling community. Cllr Meryl Gravell visited the Black Lion inn in Abergorlech to see landscaping work carried out in the grounds and improved facilities for cyclists. The Black Lion is an old coaching inn servicing the local community and tourist trade. The inn is in the centre of the popular Brechfa mountain bike trail and is visited by cyclists all year round. Landlord George Rashbrook successfully applied to Carmarthenshire County Council for a  Strengthening the Tourism Appeal of Rural Carmarthenshire (STARC) and was awarded more than £16,500. The project was for the enhancement of the beer garden, bike facilities and covered barbecue area. The work includes creating additional seating space and landscaping in the beer garden by creating two new levels from the currently unusable section of the garden, enhancing the aspect of the beer garden and maximise the view of the Roman stone bridge

Latest special offers from the Jenkins Bakery - WEEK COMMENCING May 11, 2015 3 Medium Corned Beef Pasties, £1.70 2 Large Corned Beef Pasties, £2.00 2 Chicken and Mushroom Pasties, £2.40 2 Fresh Cream Eclairs, £1.70 Sandwich Of The Week, Ham and Cheese/Red Onion Marmalade, £2.30 Rustic Baguette Of The Week, Ham and Cheese, £2.45 Filled Softie Of The Week, Chicken Tikka, £2.35 Website - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/

Press statement from the family of Jean Hywel Williams. 5pm Sunday, May 10, 2015. Released by Robert Lloyd 07777 683637 rlloydpr@btinternet.com Please respect the family’s privacy at this stage. Any queries to Robert Lloyd. The family of celebrated musician Jean Hywel Williams confirmed this afternoon that the pianist died following a tragic road accident in Llanelli town centre on Saturday night. The accident happened shortly after Jean Hywel and her husband John Hywel Williams had completed a successful VE Day concert at St Elli Parish Church. “As a family, we are shocked and stunned by the tragedy,” said Jean and John’s son Jeremy. “We are still trying to understand what went wrong. “She was an inspirational teacher and an outstanding teacher. Her legacy is all around us in the singers of the Hywel Girls Choir and Hywel Boy Singers and the Llanelli Choral Society “Even at this early stage, as the news of her death is released, we have been overwhelmed with the messages of condolen