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

Social enterprises in Carmarthenshire are urging members of the public to visit them this ‘Social Saturday’ – October 15. The aim of Social Saturday is to raise awareness and celebrate just how easy it is to support businesses that buy and sell with a social conscience. Social enterprises are businesses that trade to tackle social problems, improve communities, people’s life chances or the environment. Within Carmarthenshire there are over 40 social enterprises from coffee shops, to a cinema and a bowling alley each of these reinvest their profits back into the business or local community. Why not have a family fun day at Gwili Railway, Carmarthen, visit Ramps Skate Park a 12,000 sq ft indoor/outdoor skate park in Llanelli or take a trip to Aberglasney Gardens in the Tywi Valley and enjoy one of Wales’ finest gardens. You’ll be able to engage with these organisations and hear first-hand about how your support and purchase can make a real difference. Please follow @CarmsCouncil and @

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. Over the last two weeks in Money Matters we have put the spotlight on changes to pension schemes. We have put particular focus on ‘pensions auto enrolment’. The Government is placing greater responsibility and sometimes higher costs on employers. Employers are/will be required to provide access to pension provision for their employees. Here is the scenario for employers with less than 50 employees but are part of a larger PAYE scheme. For example, the company is part of a group of companies and the company has a shared scheme with other employers. There are special rules for such employers. An employer can find out the detailed staging date rules from www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk . Employers are required to write to all workers (except those aged under 16, or 75 and over) explaining what aut

Carmarthenshire’s Trading Standards team is urging anyone who has a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 to return it as soon as possible for a refund or exchange. Millions of mobile phones have been recalled by the firm after reports of batteries exploding and handsets catching fire. As of September 1, there have been 35 cases reported globally. Owners are being advised to check the Samsung website to find out if their phone is affected, however all customers can return their phones for a refund or an exchange for a different handset. Samsung has confirmed it has now stopped production of the Galaxy Note 7. Cllr Jim Jones, Executive Board Member for Public Protection, said: “Anyone who is concerned about the safety of their Samsung mobile should check the manufacturer’s website for further information. However, anyone who has a Galaxy Note 7 handset should return it immediately for a full refund or exchange.” For further information on returning or exchanging the Galaxy Note 7 handset, visit www.

A new superhero has landed in West Wales to help children and families who may be anxious about a forthcoming visit to hospital. Captain Get Well, or Captain G for short, features in a friendly video aimed at children attending Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth, Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen, and Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest. The video has been launched by Hywel Dda University Health Board at the end of national Play in Hospital Week, following a host of activities promoting the benefit of play in the NHS. Directorate Nurse for Children’s Services, Isobel Hall explained: “The video provides children and their families with useful information about what to expect from a hospital stay in a fun, energetic way that we hope will captivate our audience. “It features our inpatient services as well as paediatric ambulatory care units in each hospital and also the high dependency unit and theatre. “Our play workers and nurses have ensured the video includes information that we get frequen

Local fundraisers and key stakeholders came together to hear the latest progress on plans for a new Specialist Palliative Care, Haematology and Oncology Ward (formerly known as Ward 10) at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest. Hywel Dda University Health Board, in partnership with its stakeholders, is preparing the detailed plans for the multi-million pounds development. The new facilities will strengthen services and provide a better environment for patients locally, through modern, purpose-built areas which are dementia friendly, supporting those with bariatric requirements and with improved facilities for relatives. It is hoped the development will also encourage appointment to key posts within the hospital. Dr Iain Robertson-Steel, Hospital Director at Withybush said: “We are making good progress in bringing together all the necessary plans and documentation for the development and have recently shared detailed layout plans with staff, stakeholders and the public. We will shortly b

The inaugural Memorial Lecture to honour the achievements of Professor David Trotter will be held by Aberystwyth University’s Department of Modern Languages on Friday 14 October 2016. The Department of Modern Languages has established the annual memorial lecture series to acknowledge not only Professor Trotter’s major contribution to the study of medieval French language and Anglo-Norman lexicography but also his role as a lecturer in French and Head of Department for over twenty years. David Trotter was a leading international authority on French language and lexicography and was the chief editor of the Anglo-Norman Dictionary that is based at Aberystwyth, receiving honours such as the Prix Honoré Chavée. As well as receiving many acclamations during his career, he was also an inspiring leader and a loyal colleague of Aberystwyth University. David Trotter enjoyed working collaboratively and had a wide international network of academic friendships. He will always be remembered by h

Latest news from Swansea Bay Business Club - SBBC Events: Last chance to book to attend our October Lunch with Apprentice Winner Joseph Valente You're Hired .... to attend our October Lunch with Apprentice Winner Joseph Valente Thanks to sponsorship from GCS Training, the business training arm of Gower College Swansea, we are delighted to announce a slight change in our programme for the 2016 October lunch. Entrepreneur and winner of BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’, Joseph Valente, will join us as our guest speaker on Friday 21st October at the Marriott Hotel, Swansea for a three-course meal and an entertaining afternoon of networking with leading Swansea Bay businesses. Peterborough-born Valente, who is currently 26, started work as an apprentice at the age of 15 before going on to start his own plumbing, heating and electrical business, Impra Gas. He is the most recent winner of The Apprentice, receiving an investment of £250,000 from Lord Sugar following his performance on the show.

Burry Port’s eco-friendly community primary school is up for another top award! Officially the first educational building in Wales to pass the stringent Passivhaus standard owing to its super energy efficiency features, the school has already won three national architectural awards. Now, Welsh sustainability organisation Cynnal Cymru has shortlisted it for a Sustain Wales Award, in the ‘sustainable school’ category, which will be decided by a public vote. The £3.8 million school, which opened in September 2015 was built as part of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Modernising Education Programme, with part funding from the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools initiative. It is home to children aged three to 11, and also incorporates a Flying Start nursery which includes a sensory garden space for the outdoor environment which will be the first of its kind in Wales. Built by council framework contractor WRW Ltd and designed by Architype UK, the school is made of a modular timber fra

Three lucky students have been given the opportunity to work alongside Carmarthenshire Council’s legal services. Candidates studying LPC (Legal Practice Course) or BPTC (Bar Professional Training Course) will work alongside lawyers for one day a week for three months to gain first-hand experience of the duties they can expect to undertake at the start of their professional careers. The service already has a strong track record of developing its own staff, six of the solicitors having initially joined as junior paralegal trainees. The successful applicants are expected to start in October and will work in either the litigation, property or social care teams assisting staff in a wide range of legal cases. The council’s executive board member for Human Resources, Cllr Mair Stephens said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming the students and this is an ideal opportunity for them to have a real feel of what they can expect from their chosen career paths. Our legal service has a strong tra

Advice and tips on living a healthy lifestyle are being shared with young people across Carmarthenshire. An annual youth conference is taking place on Thursday, November 3, from 9.30am to 2.30pm at Ffos Las Racecourse on the Well-being of Future Generations Act. Carmarthenshire Youth Council is organising the event and inviting all young people aged between 11 and 25 to go along. Young people from schools, colleges and community projects will have the opportunity to attend workshops, share views and information on healthy and happy living. There will be a number of different organisations at the conference that will have stands on education, health services and the environment and provide information, freebies, and advice on any queries. The conference is free but limited spaces are available, for more information or to book a place visit www.youthsirgar.org.uk/youthconference/ or contact Carmarthenshire County Council youth worker Sarah Powell on 01267 246435 email info@carmart

Plans for regenerating Jackson’s Lane and King Street in Carmarthen are moving forward after asking members of the public and businesses for their views. Carmarthen Town Regeneration Forum held a public consultation at the former Myrddin Day Centre in John Street, Carmarthen, last month. The team introduced the concepts and explain the principles behind each proposal. Members of the public were able to use the displays to understand the proposals, speak to members of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Regeneration team, and provide feedback on the ideas. The proposals are part of the Carmarthen Town Regeneration Forum Master Plan and the consultation aimed to allow members of the public a first look at some of the first schemes being developed. Council executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “I’m delighted that Carmarthen residents took the opportunity to see the exciting proposals for Jackson's Lane and King Street and to tell us what they thou

A new multi-use games area and science block is planned for St John Lloyd RC School. It comes after Carmarthenshire Council executive board members agreed to transfer land over to the Diocese of Menevia. Members approved the handover as part of a £3.2 million investment in the school which is being delivered by the council under its Modernising Education Programme (MEP). Executive board member for resources, Cllr David Jenkins said: “There have been a number of historical issues relating to the lack of land for playing fields as well as for construction, and we’ve been working towards this for some time. We’re pleased to have been able to support St John Lloyd School and all its pupils.” The funding will come from Welsh Government, through its 21st Century Schools initiative, with the council gifting the land. Other works planned include an extension onto the existing sportshall and a major refurbishment of the existing classrooms within the main block. Executive board member for edu

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 ------------------------------------------ Fish have accents! Traditionally, the ‘silly season’ in the newspaper world occurs during August, when the House of Commons benches breathe a creaking sigh of relief from not having to support the weight of 650 bums. You can interpret the use of the word ‘bums’ any way you prefer. During this period, the ‘papers print lightweight stories that would never appear any other time of the year. Like the one that regularly turns up concerning a tourist who’s definitely, positively seen the Loch Ness Monster. Despite the availability of state-of-the-art cameras and lenses, the accompanying ‘photo always resembles an oil slick filmed through a mosquito net . . . in the dark! Last week, as I started reading a newspaper article, it seemed the silly season had been extended t

Friday October 14 marks another milestone for Aberystwyth University as it celebrates its illustrious past by recognising the achievements of its founders. Bringing together representatives from the University and local community in the Old College, Founders’ Day reflect the ethos behind the original celebrations held in the building 144 years ago in October 1872. Founders’ Day is an opportunity to commemorate how the University has been making its mark in the world since the 1850s, when a small group of patriotic scholars led by London Welshman Hugh Owen raised enough money through public and private subscription to establish the first college of university status in Wales. While the Old College was originally proposed as a hotel by railway contractor Thomas Savin, it was purchased by the Welsh University committee in 1867 for £10,000 - a fraction of the amount it had cost to build. The first 26 students arrived in October 1872. Professor John Grattan, Acting Vice-Chancellor, says:

The latest 'On Song' column (about the choral scene in and around Llanelli) from the Llanelli Star and the Carmarthen Journal - There’s a big night of choral singing coming up in the Gwendraeth Valley this weekend. It is all to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Côr Meibion Mynydd Mawr. Pontyberem Memorial Hall will be the venue for ‘Canu o’r Cwm’ (Singing from the Valley) on Saturday, October 15. Côr Meibion Mynydd Mawr chorister John Williams said: “It promises to be a very special night as we will be joined by our neighbouring choirs for a wonderful evening celebrating our best Welsh choral traditions.” Guest artists include star Welsh soloist and TV and radio star Shân Cothi, Côr Meibion Caerfyrddin, Côr Meibion Dyffryn Aman, Côr Meibion Dyffryn Twyi, Côr Meibion Porth Tywyn and Côr Meibion Llandybie. In its current form, Côr Meibion Mynydd Mawr dates back to 1965. But the roots of the choir go as far back as 1913 (perhaps 1908) in the Tumble area. A male choir - Mynydd Mawr

Kind-hearted McDonald’s worker Kayleigh Phillips has turned comedy showcase promoter in her latest bid to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities. Kayleigh, shift manager at McDonald’s in Cross Hands, is helping stage the Phil Evans and Friends Stand-Up Comedy Showcase at Tumble Workingmen’s Club on Saturday, October 22. “So far this year we have raised £4000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities,” said Kayleigh. “And now we hope that people can have some fun helping to raise more money at our Phil Evans Comedy Showcase. “The aim of the fundraising is to complete the first ever Ronald McDonald House in Wales. “It will provide free ‘home away from home’ accommodation for families who have children being treated at the Noah's Ark Children's Hospital and the neo-natal intensive care unit at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. “It’s a really deserving cause and we hope the people of Cross Hands, Tumble and all of West Wales get behind it.” Comedian Phil Evans –

The new £30million Ysgol Bro Dinefwr at Ffairfach has been officially opened. A ceremony was held shortly after the start of the new term, with special guests invited to witness the unveiling of a plaque and the presentation of a ceremonial key and ‘Secure by Design’ certificate by contractors Bouygues UK. Bro Dinefwr caters for 1,200 pupils, including a 200-pupil sixth form and 30-place specialist provision for children with additional learning needs. It provides first class accommodation and facilities, plus high quality vocational courses with other Dinefwr schools and Coleg Sir Gâr. The category 2B bilingual school was delivered by the Council through its Modernising Education Programme, in partnership with the Welsh Government through its 21st Century Schools programme. It is part of an overall investment of around £70million in schools in the Dinefwr area.