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Thursday, January 26th 2012

7:51 PM

Facts about Hendy School

 

 

Earlier this month the Hendy Plaid Cymru candidate distributed a news letter around the ward stating that recently the county council had stated that it had no itention on modernising Hendy School, this statement was factually incorrect

 

And reading his news letter it seems that he wants the school to be knocked down and rebuilt, as he is leading a campaign to see a new school to be built on the current site.

 

 

 

gareths election address (2)

 

 

The county council had adopted a 21st century business plan to modernise schools and Hendy is on the Plan to be retained and modernised/extended

 

The factual evidence to prove this statement can be found on the county council web site, I couldn't find any evidence where the county has changed its stance by taking Hendy School out of the plan?

http://online.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/agendas/eng/COCO20101208/index.asp (see item five)

http://online.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/agendas/eng/EXEB20101129/REP05_03.HTM appendix two

 

The same person also sent a letter to the Llanelli Star which also stated more or less the same comments that the county has no plans to deal with substandard schools like Hendy

 

 

School is in need of aid

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Llanelli Star

THE Welsh Assembly Government's provision of additional funds for the school modernisation programme is good news for Carmarthenshire.

However, I feel a deep sense of disappointment that the council has no plans to deal with the many old, substandard buildings such as Hendy Primary School, which are still in use today. These are no longer fit for purpose and provide poor environments for learning. It seems that the division between the 'haves' and 'have nots' is set to continue for many years to come.

Hendy Primary School will be 100 years old in a few weeks time. I attended the school and so did my children. The prospect of my grandchildren (yet to be born) being educated in this building in years to come is becoming an increasingly bleak probability.

County councillor and executive member for education, Gwynne Wooldridge commented after the award of WAG funds: "This funding means that thousands more will have access to first class facilities, offering fantastic opportunities to our young pupils which will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives."

These words have a hollow ring to them when our children face a future being taught in out-of-date, rundown and substandard buildings.

I am mystified as to how the county council decides on its priorities for school building improvements. Why, in a falling rolls situation, are relatively modern secondary school buildings at Strade, Coedcae and St John Lloyd (a recently built school) being upgraded? Why were two perfectly adequate secondary schools in Carmarthen town — built in the 1950s and 1960s — demolished and a new £28 million school built to replace them at a time when so many of our primary schools were in such a parlous state? Would it not be more sensible to replace and improve substandard primary buildings before proceeding with the expensive and unpopular reorganisation of secondary education in the Gwendraeth Valley?

As a governor and former pupil of Hendy school and a lifelong resident in the village, I feel that it is vital that the voices of local people are listened to and that action is taken as a matter of urgency to give our children a decent environment for their education.

Gareth Beynon Thomas

Hendy

 

 

 

After reading this letter I responded with a response to put the record straight which was printed in this weeks Star

 

 

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Schools-improved/story-15028233-detail/story.html

Schools will be improved

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Llanelli Star

AS the elected county councillor for Hendy I feel compelled to respond to the letter written by Gareth Beynon Thomas, published in the Llanelli Star on January 4.

When he states that "the council has no plans to deal with the many old substandard (school) buildings, such as Hendy Primary School", he is factually wrong. In December 2010, the county council adopted its new 21st-Century Schools Programme as its updated strategy to transform and modernise the entire schools estate across Carmarthenshire.

This programme clearly includes a project to extend and modernise the premises of Ysgol Yr Hendy, as it does for every other school in the county that is to be retained for the long-term. The timing of the improvements will depend upon the availability of grant funding from UK Government via the Welsh Assembly, but the county council is already committed to undertaking improvement works at Ysgol Yr Hendy as soon as funding is made available.

Mr Beynon Thomas declares that he is "mystified" that the county council is planning to invest in the upgrading of the facilities at Ysgol y Strade and other secondary schools in Llanelli, which he describes as being "in a falling rolls situation".

I am given to understand that Councillor Beynon Thomas is a governor at Ysgol y Strade and so I would expect him to know that the pupil population at this school is actually increasing and not decreasing. I wonder how the governing body, staff, parents and pupils of Ysgol y Strade feel to see one of their own governors publicly opposing the development of their school.

For my own part I am proud of the part that I have played in securing a commitment to improve facilities for Ysgol Yr Hendy and I fully support the county council's plans to invest in extending and improving facilities at Ysgol y Strade to meet increasing demand for Welsh-medium secondary education, including for the children of Hendy who currently attend this school or wish to do so in the future.

Stephen Lloyd-Janes

County councillor for Hendy

 

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Wednesday, January 25th 2012

6:39 PM

Hendy News

 

 

Pedestrian Safety
 
Some good news BT have finally responded to requests from Western Power, the County Council, the Community Council, Nia Griffith MP and the local county councillor member to look at a post on the Fforest Road which has been causing an issue.
 
Western Power and BT were sharing one pole on the Fforest just above the new raised plateau point, in 2010 Western Power agreed to requests to remove a post so that the plateau could be installed, because the old shared pole was situated in the middle of a pavement,
 
Western Power reacted quickly and errected a new pole in the spring of 2011, but we have been waiting for BT to move their cables over onto the new pole for almost ten months, this has hindered the removal of the old post.
 
BT finally sent engineers out last week to inspect the pole and have indicated that the work will now commence, once this work is completed it will make it safer for parents with push chairs and wheel chairs to use the pavement without stepping onto the road to pass the two posts on the pavement.
 
John Mcenvoy of the road safety department has also confirmed in an email to Steve Lloyd-janes that a review and monitoring of the new raised plateu is taking place, to look at ways to address issues that have been identified by residents living near the raised plateau.
 
The intended course of action to be commissioned by the traffic management section is to, place traffic noise monitoring equipment in the vicinity of the raised plateau and inside two private properties adjoining the raised plateau to access noise pollution from vehicles tarvelling over the plateau.
 
To possibly provide additional traffic calming measures upstream (eastward) of the plateau to calm the speeds of traffic in advance of the plateau.
 
To consider whether to re-profile the plateau and upgrade it with pedestrian crossing facilities (i.e. zebra crossings markings, flashing led beacon), reprofiling the plateau will also help address water ponding issues that causes during excessive rain,
 
To then continue monitoring the levels of traffic noise to determine the degree of noise abatement achieved by the above mentioned measures.
 
Work to address lighting issues has already undertaken
 
 
Youth Award
 
The closing date of the Llanedi Community Councils Youth award to recognise and celebrate the achievements of young people under the age of 25 from the Communities it represents is fastly approaching, the nominees are considered by the Community Council and the winner is invited to the Annual Chairmans Dinner,
 
Nominees need to live or have originated and have family connections to residents living in the Llanedi Community area which are the villages of Tycroes, Llanedi, Fforest and Hendy.
 
A cash prize and a personal plaque is awarded annually at the dinner for outstanding achievements in one or more of a wide range of activities in a wide range of disciplines such as education, training or occupation, the creative and performing arts, sport, overcoming personal difficulties, helping other people and improving the environment.
 
This will be the second year that the award will be on offer details of how to apply can be found on the Llanedi Community Council Web Site, last years winner was Jac Jones from Clos Glyn Dwr Hendy Last years nominees who were runners up may still qualify, if they are still under 26 and can be rentered again by giving a short update of any new achievements they may have achieved in the last year,
 
If you know of anyone who deserves the award, please contact the Clerk to the Community Council at 01554 751059 for further details of how to make a nomination.
 
 
Pontarddulais and Hendy Carnival Committee
 
The next meeting of the carnival committee will be the the first of the year and will commence at 7pm in Pontarddulais Rugby Club Tuesday 31st January any new volunteers would be welcomed
 
Plaid Cymru chooses council candidate
 
Gareth Beynon Thomas was the unanimous and popular choice of Hendy Plaid Cymru members when they selected their candidate for the County Council elections to be held in May. Gareth has deep roots in the village and has been involved in the life of the community over many years. He is a long-serving governor of Hendy school and is an active member of the Community Council, having been its Chair in 2010.
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Saturday, January 21st 2012

5:14 PM

Sad moment

 

My appologies in advance for the quite period in my blog entries this week and for the period to come

 

Last week I spent two days away with my company on our SD group forum, which happens once a quarterm, where we talk about out of store issues, health and safety, policy changes and wage briefings etc

And then my gran on my father's side passed away at a grand old age of 96

 

She hadn't been 100% over the last two or three years, where she was suffering with epileptic  fits and siezures.

The lose of a member of family comes as a shock no matter what age or circumstances and I won't be blogging for a while

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Monday, January 16th 2012

5:41 AM

Hendy News

 
 
Hendy Parks Committee
 
Llanedi Community Council who are working in partnership with the County Council had made a grant application worth £50,000 towards the second phase of a general master plan of the park regeneration,
 
the first phase has seen £35,000 secured for new footways gates and seating areas,
 
the second phase would see the construction of a multi use games area, this has recieved the necessary planning application last summer and the £50,000 was secured from Wren a landfill tax community fund http://www.wren.org.uk/,
 
after the grant was awarded the community council asked Councillors Buddug Thomas and Steve Lloyd-janes the former vice chair and secretary of the Hendy Pool Committee to re organise this committee under a new name,
 
Last year a public meeting was organised by the two councillors and it was agreed at that meeting to create a new volunteer Hendy Parks Committee, because this was part of the terms of offer of the grant, if a committee was not created the grant would have been lost,
 
A meeting of the new committee was held last week and there were twelve people present, Buddug welcomed everybody wishing them a happy new year and introduced three new members to their very first meeting, to those that had not met them
previously.
 
Buddug then handed over the chair to Councillor Steve Lloyd-janes who read through the previous minutes which were agreed as a true record, Steve then went through the business plan which had been draffted to secure other funding as the Wren grant was only part of the total cost of the whole project,
 
After the new members were happy with the content of the buisness plan the agenda was worked through Steve explained the purpose of the meeting was to work through the draft constitution and mission statement of the new volunteer committee, which had been drafted by the clerk of the community council,
 
The group with the help of the community council surveyor David Davies went through the points covered in the draft, and it was agreed that the meetings would be held on on a bi monthly basis and the membership would consist of fifteen members, of which seven will be made up of the Local County Councillor, four Llanedi Community Councillors and two members of the local Llanedi Sports Association,
 
The sports association is also a reletavely new committee and consists of members of the local sports clubs from withing the catchment area of the community council.
 
After some minor changes were suggested to the draft constitution the committe were given an update on the progress with the Service Level Agreement which was currently been drawn up between the 'County Counci'l the park owners and the Community Council and the Parks Committee,
 
The surveyor to the council adviced the group that Steve Lloyd-janes, Owen Jones and himself had attended three meetings with the Director and various County Council Officers in Carmarthen, and
Two in Llanelli, to draw up the Service Level Agreement and there were still some points to clarify around health and safety responsibilities and insurance policies for the games area,
 
Steve advised that the three them would be working on coming to an agreement with the county council officers and that once the terms were finalised the agreement would have to go to the community council to study, the parks committee would then see the document and eventually all three parties would have to sign the document as it was a requirement by Wren before the funding would be released.
 
Members asked would this docment be in place before March and they were advised that the community council would be working to try and achieve this.
 
Steve then brought some evidence to the group of what the Life Style Stations looked like as members in a previous meeting had not seen them.
 
There was a photo in a local paper of a new park created out of these life style stations Wren had also funded this project in partnership with a second fund manager.
 
The meeting finished with no fixed date for the next meeting as they would need to see the Service Level Agreement in the next meeting.
 
 
 
 
Pontarddulais and Hendy Carnival Committee
 
 
The next meeting of the carnival committee will be the the first of the year and will commence at 7pm in Pontarddulais Rugby Club Tuesday 31st January
 
 
 
Road Safety at the Fforest
 
 
County Council Officers have revisited the design of the plateau because of issues raised by residents living near the area after a site visit had been held with residents and the community council,
 
they have now agreed to place noise monitoring equipment in the area and once the results are studied they will be consulting with the residents and the community council, they have also stated that once recieved they will consider whether to re-profile the plateau and upgrade it with pedestrian crossing facilities (i.e. zebra crossings markings, flashing led beacon),
 
this is good news but only if BT co-operate, as Western Power have been waiting since last April May for BT to transfer their cables to a new post that they installed,
 
the old BT post is in the middle of the pavement which blocks access for wheel chairs and parents with push chairs, Nia Griffith MP has taken up the issue with BT, once the cables are moved the offending lampost can be removed.
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Sunday, January 15th 2012

9:43 PM

Youth Award

 

Council set to reward youngsters' actions This is South Wales

Council set to reward youngsters' actions

 

 

Carmarthen Journal

AN Amman Valley community council has decided to recognise and celebrate the achievements of young people under the age of 25 in Tycroes.

Llanedi Community Council has created a youth award named after the iconic sportsman, Terry Price, who lived from 1945 to 1993.

Hendy county councillor Steve Lloyd-Janes said: "A cash prize and a personal plaque will be awarded annually for outstanding achievements in one or more of a wide range of activities.

"These include their education, training, or occupation, the creative and performing arts, sport, overcoming personal difficulties, helping other people and improving the environment.

"Last year was a success with applicants from across the ward.

"The eventual winner was Jac Jones, from Clos Glyndwr, in Hendy."

Mr Janes added: "If you know of anyone who deserves the award for this coming year then please contact the clerk to the community council.

"He can be contacted on 01554 751059 and will provide further details on how to make a nomination."

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Friday, January 13th 2012

1:54 AM

press release about budgets

 

County Council Budgets get tough

 

With the economic down turn and funding from central government and the Assembly being cut things have started to get tough

Officers produced a report to the Executive Board of what they as officers felt woukd be the way to find the neccessary efficiency savings

 

This report had lots of items across every department and with the cuts the forcasted rate rise for this year was going to be 4%, the executive board made up of 6 Independents and 3 Labour weren't comfortable with the report and suggested they would prefer to see a target closer to 2% and they forwarded the budget report to the scrutiny committees for their comments to be considered and asking what would the back benchers be happy with cutting to achieve this lower percentage

 

I've attended two of these scrutinees and several of the suggestions were not acceptable to the scrutiny committees and as a result the local press have also run some stories on some of the suggested cuts starting some public campaigns to keep some of the suggeted items

 

The small labour group which only consists of 10 met towards the end of December, and we disussed some of the budget suggestions and feed back from the various scrutinees and we had a list of items that we wanted further clarification on

 

A second meeting was reconviened in Early January where some of our questions were answered and clarified, we thanked the various officers for their clarifications and then discussed what we thought the group should or should not be supporting

 

We then asked the group chairman to contact the Independent group to clarify what we would not be supporting if left in the final budget report and a joint statement was released

 

Start Quote

 

The Leaders of the Administration have confirmed a number of matters regarding the Council’s budget process to stop people worrying unnecessarily and to stop idle speculation and unhelpful comments to the press.

 

Leader of the Council, Cllr Meryl Gravell stated that having reviewed carefully the list of savings put forward by officers, there were very clearly some areas that it would not be appropriate to cut.  The first of these was the Council’s two Children’s respite homes in Llwynhendy and Blaenau.  These performed an essential respite service for parents of children with profound and complex needs.  It was important that the families and the staff at the centres knew now that they would not be cut.  They will be removed from the list of possible savings.

 

Cllr Gravell also confirmed that the proposal to charge blue badge holders to park would also be removed for now, given the on-going national review of the entire blue badge system.

 

Chairman of the Labour Group in the Administration Cllr Terry Davies confirmed that the suggested increase in the charge for school meals, above inflation would not be proceeding.  Officers had been told to withdraw the proposal for meals to increase from £2 to £2.15.  Cllr Davies added that families are struggling to make ends meet and it is essential that children continue to have a proper meal.  The Schools Meals Service in the County is regarded widely as the best in Wales for offering fresh, locally produced quality food.  It also has one of the highest pupil uptake rates in Wales.  It is important that this continues.  School meals will therefore remain at £2 for the next financial year.

 

Cllr Pam Palmer, Leader of the Independent Group, commented that there had been lots of reaction to the proposal put forward by officers for consideration to close some of our museums.  Cllr Palmer confirmed that the decision on the museums at Parc Howard and Abergwili was to be deferred to allow for discussions with the “Friends of” Associations in Carmarthen and Llanelli and the Town and Community Councils in those areas.  She hoped that by working together an alternative solution might be found to reduce the costs of these museums or to raise more income to make them self-sustaining to avoid them closing altogether.

 

With regard the Mentrau Iaith, Cllr Gravell confirmed that whilst the Council could not continue to provide the same level of funding, the proposed cut would be limited to 10% this year, which conforms with cuts made to other third sector organisations.

 

Cllr Gravell made it clear that the Executive Board had asked officers to look again at the budget to see how they could reduce the draft proposal for a 4% Council Tax increase down to nearer 2%.  Taking the above service reductions out of the proposed savings would add more pressure in this respect and make it more difficult to get down to 2%, whilst also having to make the required budget savings of £8m.

 

Cllr Davies added that it was all well and good for Opposition Members to make statements to the press, but it was disappointing that they had not participated in Scrutiny Committees when the budget was under discussion.  The Plaid Cymru Group had simply abstained from voting at every Committee.

 

Cllr Palmer agreed that it would be too late on the budget day at Council to make political sound bites, not real suggestions that could be properly considered in a timely manner.          

 

END QUOTE

 

This release appeared in lots of local papers on Tuesday Wednesday of this week

 

One article missquoted the story by giving the impress the administration had met jointly and Plaid complained that they felt we were taking the law into our own hands because the final budget is decided by full council not by two groups

 

The debate was a home goal for them because one councillor tried to explain why the Plaid Group had abstained from voting at the various budget scrutinies

 

Following the heated council meeting about the budget talks and the joint press release, the group again met to discuss the budgets and i was asked to put out another press release to clarify we had met as an individual group and the issues in the statement were items we would definately not support if left in the final report

 

BELOW IS THE SECOND PRESS RELEASE FROM THE GROUP

 

QUOTE

 

Carmarthenshire Labour Group                                                            Press Release

Grŵp Llafur Sir Gâr                                                                        Datganiad i’r Wasg

                                                                                                              For immediate release      

 

Labour group draws clear red lines

 

The Labour Group has made public two key issues they will not budge on in the upcoming council budget. Labour has said the budget will not go through if there is any rise in the cost of school meals or any closure of museums.

 

Chairman of the Labour Group Cllr Terry Davies confirmed that the suggested increase in the charge for school meals would not be proceeding under any circumstances.  Officers had been told in no uncertain terms to withdraw the proposal for meals to increase from £2 to £2.15.

 

Cllr Davies added that ‘’families are struggling to make ends meet and it is essential that children continue to have a proper meal.  The Schools Meals Service in the County is regarded widely as the best in Wales for offering fresh, locally produced quality food.  It also has one of the highest pupil uptake rates in Wales.  It is vitally important that this continues.  School meals will therefore remain at £2 for the next financial year’’.

 

The Labour Group, with great support from the public, has put pressure on Cllr Pam Palmer, Leader of the Independent Group, with Cllr Davies confirming they ‘’will not be supporting any plans to close the museums at Parc Howard or Abergwili, and I am particularly concerned that any such talk could frighten off potential sponsors and put in jeopardy funding applications that are being made to improve and sustain these facilities’’.

Labour has also challenged Plaid Cymru to say what it would cut from the council’s budget to make ends meet. Cllr Kevin Madge said: “They’re running away from every decision rather than trying to help, by abstaining at scrutiny meetings when the draft budget was looked at, by not letting their views known they are leaving the electorate down. They should come up with an alternative budget if they are not happy with the figures suggested by officers to the executive board.” Cllr Davies backed up the claim ‘’The Plaid Cymru Group has simply run away from voting at every committee meeting discussing the budget.”

Ends

Any enquiries to Cllr Steve Lloyd-Janes, details below

 

END QUOTE

 

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Sunday, January 8th 2012

10:43 AM

Hendy News

 

 

Terry Price Memorial Committee
 
Nine members of the Terry Price Memorial Committee met at hendy rugby club, to discuss taking forward the campaign to build a new memorial, at the meeting Nigel Howells was appointed as the Chair, Owen Jones clerk to the Llanedi Council was appointed secretary and treasurer and Steve Williams was appointed the new vice chair.
 
The members went through the constitution that Owen Jones had drafted and this was accepted and signed and adopted as the committees policy, Three of the members also signed the necessary forms for the new bank account to be set up, The group then discussed the various locations that had been previously suggested and it was decided after a full debate on the pro's and con's for each site, that subject to the necessary consent from the county, the prefered option of the committee would be the centre of Hendy on the village green,
 
There was a verbal report and update from discussions with the college around the design of the project, as the students of College Sir Gar had offered to help design the memorial,
 
Following last months meeting where the group had decided to hold a lfund raising dinner, Steve Williams gave a report form Parc Y Scarlets, he had made enquiries about using this venue for the official launch dinner of the fund raising campaign, there were several dates shared and the group decided on a date in May, planning of this event was discussed and the arrangements were agreed in principle.
 
Owen Jones and Nigel Howells then gave updates on some high profile celebs who had already stated and indicated they would support and help the campaign and there was a discussion around inviting some of these as guest speakers for the official launch dinner, other fund raising ideas were also discussed which might be organised after the Scarlets Dinner, the next meeting was set for early February
 
 
Youth Award
 
Llanedi Community Council created a Youth award to recognise and celebrate the achievements of young people under the age of 25 from the Communities it represents which is Tycroes, Llanedi, Fforest and Hendy, The Council named this award after the iconic sportsman, Terry Price (1945-1993). A cash prize and a personal plaque will be awarded annually for outstanding achievements in one or more of a wide range of activities in a wide range of disciplines such as education, training or occupation, the creative and performing arts, sport, overcoming personal difficulties, helping other people and improving the environment.
 
This will be the second year that the award will be on offer details of how to apply can be found on the Llanedi Community Council Web Site, last years winner was Jac Jones from Clos Glyn Dwr Hendy , The successful applicant will be invited to the Councils Annual Dinner where they would be awarded the award, If you know of anyone who deserves the award, please contact the Clerk to the Community Council at 01554 751059 for further details of how to make a nomination.
 
 
Traffic issues
 
Following requests about parking issues on Iscoed Road from residents, during the school run periods outside the school, John Mcenvoy of the highways department has contacted the local PCSO to arrange a meeting to discuss the concerns that had been raised about parking.
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Wednesday, January 4th 2012

11:21 PM

FUNERALS

 

2012 seems to have started badly, because i've attended or will have attended by the end of the week three funerals, I expect tommorrows will be as big if not bigger than Cllr Dewi Enoch's

 

Having said that nobody likes receiving bad news so lets hope this week is not going to be a trend of things to come, and on reading todays Star the paper has given him a very good tribute

 

 

star after dewis funeral 2012
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Sunday, January 1st 2012

7:09 PM

Hendy News

 

 

Library Service
 

On 29th of September at the Education and Children's Service Scrutiny Meeting, there was a report put to  the committee about library services within the county. During the meeting concerns were expressed that the Mobile Library service had not been reviewed for almost twenty years, it was resolved that a Focus group consisting of five members, based on a political balance, should be established to discuss and investigate options for the re-provision of the mobile services across the county.
 
During the first meeting of the working group, County Councillors on the focus group were given a report of the provision of the mobile library service as it stands today. They were told there are 77 different mobile routes incorporating 1,900 stops and many of these routes have not changed over the years, as a result there was a pattern of book issues gradually dropping over time which has seen a trend of cost per book issue rise. however Hendy was reviewed with consultation of the local Community Council, which saw some stops changed, moved or added. 
 
As a result the number of users using the Hendy service has bucked the downward trend and has risen with the number of books loaned also rising.
There were lots of ideas shared during the first meeting of the focus group, to possibly improve the Library service across the county with lots of questions and further information  requested ready for the second meeting to be held in January. There will be a number of further meetings scheduled before a report is drafted by the focus group to be presented back to the scrutiny committee.
 
The Library route of the Hendy service is:
Stop.1 Hendy Square, near Spar Hendy from 9:30am till 10:00am. Stop 2 includes several locations in the Heol Llwynbedw, Maesderi and Clos Ty Gwyn areas between 10am and 11am. Stop 3 is on Iscoed Road, opposite Post Office between 11:00am and 11:45am. Stop 4 is then around the Fforest area with stops on the Bronallt Road, near Coed y Bronallt and on Llanedi Road between11:45am and 12:15pm.After lunch the mobile library stops in Tycroes Road near Fforestfach and Teglan Park off Penygarn between 1pm and 2pm. From Tycroes the final stop is back on Iscoed Road, outside Hendy Post Office between 2:15pm and 3:15pm.
 
The Mobile library was due to be in Hendy on Monday 2nd January 2012, but as this falls on a Bank Holiday there will be no service. The next visit will be on Monday 16th January 2012 and then every fortnight thereafter.
 
 
 
Councillors Local Surgery
 
 
After a change of dates the next surgery that Councillor Steve Lloyd-janes will be holding, will be on Saturday the 7th January between 9.30am and 10.30am in Arlan Gwili Complex
 
 
 
Youth Award
 
 
Llanedi Community Council created a Youth award to recognise and celebrate the achievements of young people under the age of 25 from the Communities it represents which is Tycroes, Llanedi, Fforest and Hendy, The Council named this award after the iconic sportsman, Terry Price (1945-1993). A cash prize and a personal plaque will be awarded annually for outstanding achievements in one or more of a wide range of activities in a wide range of disciplines such as education, training or occupation, the creative and performing arts, sport, overcoming personal difficulties, helping other people and improving the environment.
 
This will be the second year that the award will be on offer details of how to apply can be found on the Llanedi Community Council Web Site, last years winner was Jac Jones from Clos Glyn Dwr Hendy , The successful applicant will be invited to the Councils Annual Dinner where they would be awarded the award, If you know of anyone who deserves the award, please contact the Clerk to the Community Council at 01554 751059 for further details of how to make a nomination.




Llanedi Community Council

 

The next meeting of the Llanedi Community Council will be held at Arlan Gwili on Wednesday 4th January at 6.30pm

 

 


 

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Friday, December 30th 2011

8:26 PM

Hundreds Turned Out

 

Today I attended the large funeral of Councillor Dewi Enoch, I would guess there must have been close on three hundred people present

 

The Funeral was commencing at 9.30am and at 9.05am the funeral car park was already full with more than 100 people already waiting

 

The Cremetorium was full with many people standing outside.

 

Following the funeral looking at a packed room and a full car park, i would guess that approx 150 went back for a second service at the Mountain Gate Tycroes

 

At the Mountain Gate the Rev Glan Roberts gave a tribute reading out a peom that had been written for a family story album, which had been produced for Dewi's 70th birthday each verse had photos telling his life story

 

Following Glan's tribute the photo album along with another photo album of Dewi's year as County Council Chairman were available for guests to read

 

Glan Roberts then introduced four guest speakers to pay their personal tributes to Dewi

 

These were the Current Chair of Carmarthen Councillor Ivor Jackson,

 

Then Nia Griffith mp paid her tributes

 

Followed by Keith Davies AM

and then the last speaker was the current Chair of Llanedi Community Council, Councillor Merion Evans

 

The Rev Glan Roberts then finished off saying "It is obvious, many many of you will have fond memories and may wish to say a few words, but time will not prevail or allow us, so thefore I will finish with a prayer before refeshments are served."

 

Several tributes had already been recorded in several local papers this week below is a copy of the journal

 

 

 

 

img028

 

And the Evening Post has covered the story over two days

 

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Tributes-continue-irreplaceable-Dewi/story-14228316-detail/story.html

 

Tributes continue to 'irreplaceable' Dewi

 
Saturday, December 24, 2011

South Wales Evening Post

MORE tributes have been paid to former chair of Carmarthenshire Council Dewi Enoch, who died in the early hours of Wednesday.

Mr Enoch died at the Amman Valley Hospital after a long illness.

Council deputy leader and Labour group leader Kevin Madge said Mr Enoch was a respected member of the party.

He said: "Dewi was a dedicated and committed councillor who worked hard for the people of Tycroes.

"He was respected by his colleagues in the Labour party as well as by colleagues of all political persuasions.

"He did good work in the community and you really cannot replace someone like Dewi."

Fellow county councillor Steven Lloyd-Janes, said his passing was a loss to local politics and the community he served.

He said: "Dewi will be sadly missed by a lot of people and my thoughts go to his family.

"As a relatively new kid on the block as a councillor myself, Dewi was very supportive in giving me guidance and words of wisdom, especially in my earlier days as a councillor."

Mr Enoch was elected to the county council in 1999 and served as chair during the 2007-08 political year.

He lived in Tycroes Road, Tycroes, Ammanford.

He served as chair of governors at Tycroes CP School and as a member of Llanedi Community Council and on the advisory panel of the department of constitutional affairs and was treasurer of the Polish Welsh Society.

He gave many years of commitment to the Labour Party.

His other interests included credit unions, the Co-operative movement and all types of sport.

His public funeral will take place at Morriston crematorium on Friday, December 30, at 9.30am.

ian.lewis@swwmedia.co.uk

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Wednesday, December 28th 2011

7:38 PM

letters printed in the Ammanford Guardian

 

 

Following a recent political row about how I had promoted the Hendy Christmas Light Parade, there was an article in the Local Star ......Parade waits for no one not even Santa

 

Calum Higgins of Tycroes contacted me to say he was suprised at the story and that councillors should be more constructive in debates he also complained about the minutes being out of date

 

As a result of me explaining about the issue a letter has been published in this weeks Ammanford Guardian written by Mr Higgins

 

 

 

 

 

img027

 

The news letter which states Santas switches the lights on can be read online

http://cyngorllanedicouncil.org/PDF%20Newsletter/English/Llais%20Llanedi%20English%20November%202010.pdf

 

 

006 news letter

 

I've covered the story as printed in the Star along with evidence of concerns about how I write and publish my weekly column in an earlier blog entry

http://grasscarper.bravejournal.com/archive/12/16/2011

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Saturday, December 24th 2011

10:00 AM

Tributes to former chair

 

 

xmasadvert

 

Following last Wednesday's 21st December editions of the Llanelli Star, Carmarthen Journal and Ammanford Guardian where the annual Christmas Advert from the Labour Group appeared wishing all the readers a merry Christmas,

I recieved some very sad news at about 9am this news was that at 3.30am wednesday morning Cllr Dewi Enoch passed away after a long battle against cancer

 

Dewi will be sadly missed by a lot of people and my thoughts go to his family he always had time to give some words of advice on how to solve many difficult issues that often cropped up

 

 

Tributes paid to council ex-chair

 
Friday, December 23, 2011

South Wales Evening Post

TRIBUTES have been paid to former chair of Carmarthenshire Council Dewi Enoch.

He died at Amman Valley Hospital on Wednesday after a long illness.

Mr Enoch, who lived in Tycroes Road, Tycroes, Ammanford, and was originally from Capel Dewi, Ceredigion, served as chair of Governors at Tycroes CP School and as a member of Llanedi Community Council and the advisory panel of the Department of Constitutional Affairs. He was also treasurer of the Polish Welsh Society.

Gentleman

He was elected to the county council in 1999 and served as chairman for the year 2007/08. His other interests included credit unions, the Co-operative Movement and all types of sport.

Council leader Meryl Gravell said: "He was a real gentleman and very highly regarded throughout the council. He will be greatly missed in the council chamber."

The public funeral will take place at Morriston Crematorium on Friday, December 30, at 9.30am.

No flowers by request, but donations can be made if desired to the Amman Valley Hospital League of Friends through funeral director Hywel Griffiths & Sons, Bwtrimawr, 39 Heol y Betws, Ammanford, SA18 2HE.

There will be a further opportunity to remember Dewi's life and work at the Mountain Gate Hotel, Tycroes at 11am.

 

 

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Saturday, December 24th 2011

9:27 AM

Hendy News

 

 

Well I'm all done and dusted for 2011, just finished my last shift in work before Christmas and if I am correct  (I need to get my diary out to verify) my first meeting as a councillor will be 4th January

 

Here's wishing all my readers a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year

regards

Steve

 

 

Hendy News

 

Christmas Disco

On Wednesday 14th December, the Friends of Hendy School held a Christmas Disco at the school which included a special visit from Father Christmas. The school hall was filled with excited children dancing along to the disco organised by DJ James Bryce. At 7pm Santa arrived and took up position in his beautiful grotto next to a roaring fire.

For no fee the children were able to meet Santa and were each given a selection box by helpful elf, Thomas Llewellyn. Many children had their photo taken with Santa to capture this memorable moment by Friends of Hendy School photographer, Ruth Davies. Catherine Lewis had produced 3 beautiful hampers from donations given by the parents of the children who attend the school. The 3 lucky winning raffle tickets were drawn on the night with Jodi Smith claiming the first prize.

The School would like to thank everyone who helped make the night a brilliant success, making almost £400 profit, which will be put towards renovating the school’s library area in the New Year.

 

 

Issues on Iscoed Road

 

The local pcso Steve Lloyd at the request of the local county councillor, is addressing concerns from some residents living near Hendy School, about how a small minority of parents park in front of their driveways.

Despite have white H bar markings across the driveways parents often park blocking and hindering the residents who wish to leave or access their homes during the school run times.

The school has been asked to send a polite letter to parents to ask them to be a little more mindful of the residents requests, by not blocking theirdriveways up, Steve Lloyd is also waiting for a response from the county council highways and road safety officer to look at ways of helping to address residents concerns.

 

 

Hendy and Fforest Age concern

 

Christmas came early for local pensioners after they were awarded a winter celebration grant from Age Cymru and Wilkinson ,as part of the Charity of the year initiative. As a result the older people in Hendy and Fforest Age Concern enjoyed a Xmas dinner with help from this fund.

 

Winter celebration grants allow Age Cymru to deliver fun, through social events where older people can come together and celebrate Christmas ,the new year or any aspect of winter.

 

Age Concern Hendy wish all their members and supporters a happy new year. Blwyddyn newydd dda. They are a very active group in the community and are always happy to hear from new members or anyone who would like to help with volunteering work. Croeso i bawb i ddod atom, cewch groeso cynnes.

 

READING ROOM RESCUED!

Following Carmarthenshire County Council’s closure of the Branch Library located at the Reading Room, Hendy, it was feared that the 19th century building would be lost to the community when it was placed on the open market.

The property has, in one way or another, been used for local community purposes throughout its lifetime. Llanedi Community Council has now stepped in to save the building for the residents of Hendy and district by negotiating a short-term lease with a view to purchasing the freehold within 2½ years.

It is intended to utilise the premises in the following ways: As a ‘drop-in’ centre in the mornings where local residents may call in to read the daily papers over a cup of tea or coffee and to meet friends and neighbours; As a meeting room for use by the Council and for hire to local groups for meetings or small functions; To house a ‘mini-museum’ displaying photographs and other articles of local historical interest; To house computers for public use.

 

 

Hendy and Fforest Senior Citizens

In the absence of the chairman Mr Preece opened the meeting by welcoming members and then the Lord’s Prayer was recited in welsh, the minutes of the previous meeting were placed before the group and agreed as a true record, travel arrangements for the Christmas dinner were discussed, catering arrangements for the forthcoming concert to be held by the children of the local school were referred to and discussed,

Mr Preece then welcomed the guests a visiting musical trio, who delivered a very professional and entertaining afternoon, all members thanked them at the end of their performance before refreshments were served. The first meeting of 2012 will be on the 18th January and any new members or visitors will be welcomed

 

 

Surgeries

It has been agreed to postpone the January community policing surgery until February, Councillor Steve Lloyd-janes due to work commitments has changed the dates of his regular end of monthly meetings, he would like to thank everyone who has attended these over the year, the next surgery that he will be holding will be on Saturday the 7th January between 9.30am and 10.30am in Arlan Gwili Complex, Steve would also like to wish all the readers a happy new year. Blwyddyn newydd dda.

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Monday, December 19th 2011

5:10 PM

Hendy News

 

 

St David’s Church

Nancy Walker and Pat Davies two Hendy Church Wardens would like to thank every one who attended and supported the Christmas Carol Concert which raised £325 towards the St David’s Church Funds

They would also like to Keith Davies Am and Cllr Steve Lloyd-janes for accepting the invites to actually take part by giving readings during the service and the church organist Anthony Charles, but the biggest thanks goes to LLangennech School who entertained the whole congregation during the two hour service,

Nancy and Pat have said everyone who has spoken to them have commented how superb and good the school children were and it was easy to understand how the choir has won so many awards.

The school choir has more than eighty students and there where were fifty five at service.

A big THANK YOU goes to Conductor Lewis Richards, Accompanist Allan Fewster and Judith Bowen and Lowri Thomas who supported with the playing of the Bongos and the Headmaster who was compare for the evening Gary Anderson.

The Reverend Gary Powell Area Dean Opened the service welcoming everybody and closed the service thanking the school and all those who were involved in an outstanding service and he reminded the congregation to watch out for the Wedi3 Christmas Programme when the choir would be singing live on the TV Show.

During the show Gary Anderson explained that this was the second time this year that the choir had been invited to Hendy Church the choir is open to any of the pupils and they rehearse in their own time every Wednesday after School, and that the choir has launched new CD this year called Cydiwn Ddwylo.

 A launch was held in October at the school. Sales are going extremely well. CD available from the school £10 and the proceeds from this was helping this choir and the school. Gary also highlighted that Unison Parti had won second prize and Ensemble third prize at the Urdd National Eisteddfod at Swansea this year.

The Choir has performed this term at Tŷ Gwyn Church Llanelli, Crossways Luncheon Club Llangennech, and Salem Chapel to name a few. And he was very proud that the Choir has been recently invited to perform on the Wedi 3 Christmas programme on Friday 23rd of December and parents and relatives will be able to watch their pupils perform live on the Telly.

 

Carnival Committee

The Carnival Committee organised for the first year a Duck Race, it will hopefully become an annual event, they would like to thank everyone who bought a duck the first three Winners were all sold by Hendy committee members although the prize for eventual winner went to a Pontarddulais resident the winning ducks were bought by Mrs Lynne Vonk who won £75 she purchased from Steve Lloyd-janes, George Vennables won £50 he purchased his duck from Vernon Hicks, and Sion from Hendy Spar won £25 he purchased his duck from Anthony Richards

 

Hendy Lights

The weather was not kind on the Christmas Parade Switch on but there was still a large crowd who braved the weather, the lights were switched on by Vice Chairman of Llanedi Community Council Councillor R. C. Roberts.

After the ceremony when Santa departed to go to Ponntarddulais. The Llanedi Councillors went to the Fforest and then Llanedi, where Cllr R C Roberts switched the Councils other tree lights on.

 
Youth Award
 
Llanedi Community Council created a Youth award to recognise and celebrate the achievements of young people under the age of 25 from the Communities it represents which is Tycroes, Llanedi, Fforest and Hendy, The Council named this award after the iconic sportsman, Terry Price (1945-1993).
 
A cash prize and a personal plaque will be awarded annually for outstanding achievements in one or more of a wide range of activities in a wide range of disciplines such as education, training or occupation, the creative and performing arts, sport, overcoming personal difficulties, helping other people and improving the environment. This will be the second year that the award will be on offer details of how to apply can be found on the Llanedi Community Council Web Site, last years winner was Jac Jones from Clos Glyn Dwr Hendy
 
The successfull applicant will be invited to the Councils Annual Dinner where they would be awarded the award, If you know of anyone who deserves the award, please contact the Clerk to the Community Council at 01554 751059 for further details of how to make a nomination.




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Saturday, December 17th 2011

9:02 AM

DUCK RACE

 
The Story that appeared in the evening post also appeared in this weeks Llanelli Star and can now be found on line
 
 
http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Duck-race-success/story-14132611-detail/story.html

Duck race success

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Llanelli Star

VILLAGERS in Hendy have been going quackers for good causes.

Around 900 plastic ducks were released down the river in Hendy at the annual fundraising event on Saturday.

 

 

The ducks are sold at the village carnival in June and whoever's duck crosses the line first wins a prize.

Chairman of the village festival committee Lyn Anthony said: "It's a bit like a raffle, all the ducks are numbered and the first one past the post wins."

Hendy councillor Steve Lloyd-Janes congratulated this year's winner, Lynne Vonk.

He said: "Mrs Vonk was over the moon."

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Friday, December 16th 2011

2:45 PM

Parade waits for no one not even Santa

 

Following a stormy meeting of the Community Council there was a story reported in the local Star, there were three local people and the local Star reporter sitting in the room listening to the debate

 

Local Councillor's need to put new matters that they wish to raise onto the agenda through the clerk, and one of the councillors raised concerns about the publicity the community council receives, when they debated this issue they had a pop at my style of writing claiming it was full of missleading facts and they highlighted and complained at how i had written and advertised the Christmas light switch on.

 

 

006

 

 

I had had an early warning from our clerk...... as he sent me an email before the parade last week stating there had been a complaint about how the ceremony had been advertised.

 

On the night of the ceremony after recieving the email highlighting that councillors felt my promotion of the Christmas light parade had been missleading and having received the notification about the issue to be discussed the following week........ you can image the shock that members of the carnival committee had when the Vice Chair switched the lights on before Santa had arrived on the square

 

Several parents with young children standing on Bryngwili Road waving to Santa, commented the lights have been turned on before Santa helps the children count the ceremony down?

 

Its always been tradition that Santa arrives on the square and the local children count the lights down for the council chair to switch the lights on

 

I raised concerns that an error had happened and tradition had been broken and in all fairness one councillor supported my comments by highlighting it has always been tradition that the chairman waits for Santa

 

There was a big row over this issue which the Star reported on in this weeks Star

 

santa sleeps late and misses parade

 

Ceremony waits for no man — not even Santa

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Llanelli Star

A POLITICAL bust-up has erupted between Labour and Plaid Cymru councillors after Hendy's village Christmas lights were switched on before Santa arrived.

Labour's Steve Lloyd-Janes said he had received complaints from several parents who missed the switch-on ceremony in Hendy last week.

And he blamed Plaid members of Llanedi Community Council for what happened, saying he was "amazed" vice-chairman Bob Roberts, who flipped the switch, had apparently forgotten the correct procedure.

Mr Lloyd-Janes also alleged it may have been linked to a newsletter he had circulated under the Labour banner which promoted the festive occasion.

He said: "I was just amazed at how Bob Roberts, a councillor who represents the Hendy ward and has done for some eight years, had got the event wrong by switching the lights on before Father Christmas arrived."

But Mr Roberts said there was no political motivation in the move whatsoever.

He said: "The unfortunate thing as far as all this is concerned is that Steve makes all these things a political issue. We are here for one purpose only — to serve the community to the best of our ability.

"I happen to be Plaid Cymru and Steve is Labour, I have no problem with that. He has his views and I have mine.

"Nobody has said a word about it at all. Nobody's complained to me, nobody's complained to the clerk and nobody complained on the night."

Stormy

The comments followed a stormy political row at the latest Llanedi Community Council meeting, where councillors argued about the issue for more than 20 minutes.

At the meeting, Mr Lloyd-Janes said: "It's always been the tradition that Father Christmas says a few words and then the lights are switched on.

"Lots of people complained to myself because they were standing by Spar waiting for Father Christmas.

"I was waiting. The lights were on before it got to the park. People said 'we missed it'."

But councillor Allan Evans refuted the claims, saying the lights were switched on because the parade was running late.

He said: "It was an awful night, it was pouring with rain.

"They were switched on at 6.30pm. There was no sign of anybody else there at the time when the lights were being switched on.

"As far as I was concerned, 6.30pm was 6.30pm and they were turned on at 6.30pm."

Plaid councillor Buddug Thomas admitted it had broken with tradition, saying: "Santa was there with the carnival committee so he came down with the parade.

"According to tradition we have always waited for Santa Claus, we wait for him to arrive and then the lights are switched on. I'm not saying it was malicious but that's what the tradition is."

But councillor Jenni Downes slammed all sides for trying to turn the festive event into an opportunity for political point-scoring.

She said: "I do object to the politicisation of Christmas. It says here on the flier, 'Christmas is brought to you by Nia and Keith'.

"I think Father Christmas is an independent.

"He belongs to the peace and goodwill to all people party."

Santa was contacted by the Star but declined to comment.

 

 

Ironically the issue all started because I had written that Santa was switching the lights on and members of the council tried to claim it was the chair of the council not santa

Also the claims made that my news letter stated

'Christmas is brought to you by Nia and Keith' was not correct

001 hendy news

 

but yet in the community councils own web site, their very own news letter states Santa will be switching the lights on

 

http://cyngorllanedicouncil.org/newsthird.html

 

006 news letter
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Wednesday, December 14th 2011

11:51 PM

union talks take place with mid and west wales fire authority

 

 

There was a negative approach at the talks about proposed changes, at the time of commenting to the Star, I thought it had been a positive meeting as the DCFO had stated

There are 19 different combinations of shift patterns for running a 24 station and the authority officers would be putting a number of these patterns forward for the union to discuss and consider

 

 

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/cuts-talk-total-time-waster/story-14132519-detail/story.html
 

Fire cuts talk 'total time waster'

 
Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Llanelli Star

FIREFIGHTER union bosses have blasted initial talks over shaking up Llanelli fire station as a "total waste of time".

Union official Carwyn Thomas derided the first meeting to discuss potential cutbacks at the station, accusing fire chiefs of "clutching at straws" in their bid to make savings there.

The talks were held after the fire chiefs' original cuts plan for the station was stalled by a hard-fought campaign led by the Llanelli Star, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and local politicians, and backed by some 5,500 petitioners.

Mid and West Fire Authority Fire members told service chiefs they must "consult intensively" with the unions over any changes — under the watchful eye of up to five fire authority members.

Speaking of the first such meeting, FBU official Mr Thomas said: "It was a total waste of time from our point of view.

"It was only what we expected — like we said all along, they have got nothing. They are clutching at straws.

"Basically, they want us to self-roster ourselves like Pontardawe. They want us to do the work for them.

"Like we said all the way through the campaign, we are not accepting that Llanelli needs to change at all — except possibly we need to recruit more firefighters."

Mr Thomas said the next meeting had been scheduled for Monday.

"They said they were hoping to be able to bring something to the table by then for us to look at and reconvene in the new year to get our heads together to come up with something," he said.

The FBU has maintained the same stance throughout the campaign to stop cuts at the town's fire station.

"We are saying the best thing for Llanelli is what we've got at the moment," said Mr Thomas.

Previously FBU officials have warned that the original plans to slash the number of firefighters from 28 to 13, with only five on duty at any one time, "could cost lives".

Mr Thomas added: "The only way they can save money is by getting rid of men."

But one of the fire authority members present, Hendy councillor Steve Lloyd-Janes, said he felt the first meeting had been "rather positive", with fire chiefs pledging to put forward a number of options to the union.

He said: "There will be a large number of options and schemes put forward and it will be up to the unions and the officers to discuss the best option and the way forward."

When asked for comment, a Mid and West Wales Fire Service spokesman would only say: "Talks with staff and their representative bodies are continuing."

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Wednesday, December 14th 2011

11:51 PM

union talks take place with mid and west wales fire authority

 

 

There was a negative approach at the talks about proposed changes, at the time of commenting to the Star, I thought it had been a positive meeting as the DCFO had stated

There are 19 different combinations of shift patterns for running a 24 station and the authority officers would be putting a number of these patterns forward for the union to discuss and consider

 

 

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/cuts-talk-total-time-waster/story-14132519-detail/story.html
 

Fire cuts talk 'total time waster'

 
Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Llanelli Star

FIREFIGHTER union bosses have blasted initial talks over shaking up Llanelli fire station as a "total waste of time".

Union official Carwyn Thomas derided the first meeting to discuss potential cutbacks at the station, accusing fire chiefs of "clutching at straws" in their bid to make savings there.

The talks were held after the fire chiefs' original cuts plan for the station was stalled by a hard-fought campaign led by the Llanelli Star, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and local politicians, and backed by some 5,500 petitioners.

Mid and West Fire Authority Fire members told service chiefs they must "consult intensively" with the unions over any changes — under the watchful eye of up to five fire authority members.

Speaking of the first such meeting, FBU official Mr Thomas said: "It was a total waste of time from our point of view.

"It was only what we expected — like we said all along, they have got nothing. They are clutching at straws.

"Basically, they want us to self-roster ourselves like Pontardawe. They want us to do the work for them.

"Like we said all the way through the campaign, we are not accepting that Llanelli needs to change at all — except possibly we need to recruit more firefighters."

Mr Thomas said the next meeting had been scheduled for Monday.

"They said they were hoping to be able to bring something to the table by then for us to look at and reconvene in the new year to get our heads together to come up with something," he said.

The FBU has maintained the same stance throughout the campaign to stop cuts at the town's fire station.

"We are saying the best thing for Llanelli is what we've got at the moment," said Mr Thomas.

Previously FBU officials have warned that the original plans to slash the number of firefighters from 28 to 13, with only five on duty at any one time, "could cost lives".

Mr Thomas added: "The only way they can save money is by getting rid of men."

But one of the fire authority members present, Hendy councillor Steve Lloyd-Janes, said he felt the first meeting had been "rather positive", with fire chiefs pledging to put forward a number of options to the union.

He said: "There will be a large number of options and schemes put forward and it will be up to the unions and the officers to discuss the best option and the way forward."

When asked for comment, a Mid and West Wales Fire Service spokesman would only say: "Talks with staff and their representative bodies are continuing."

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Tuesday, December 13th 2011

7:58 PM

Duck Race

 

 

Thanks for the messages and enquiries asking about the winners, many of you have emailed us after seeing the photo in todays evening post

once we know i will let you all know in good time, two of the committee members had not returned the forms we definately know who were first and second as these forms were handed in and verified and the winners verified on the day of the race,

the third duck was on a sheet that hadn't been returned, so until the treasurer reports that he recieved the form back we can't confirm the actual order of the top three ducks

the race was the first time the carnival committee has organised it and hopefully it will be an annual event

thanks for all the support as it has raised some much needed funds for the local carnival committee

 

 

 

duck race 2011
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Saturday, December 10th 2011

8:29 AM

Hendy News

 

Many of you had spoken to me or sent me an email asking why was my weekly column missing from the local Llanelli Star

 

I was also suprised that last weeks entry got lost in cyber space,

however on investigations the findings were that the email actually got lost in cyber space,

i've been having some problems with my broadband supplier, it keeps throwing me off line and my computer keeps freezing and sometimes when i check my inboxes and sent boxes they appear empty when i log on

The star did actually recieved my report but ......... it arrived in their office a day after I had sent it,

it must have gone at a snails pace,

 

checking my sent box the delivery report did actually confirm that it had been sent at the time that the Star reported that it had recieved it despite being sent more than eighteen hours previously,

therefore my column missed the deadline

 

so here's next weeks its almost identical to the previous one which wasn't actually printed in the Star due to a technical hitch

 

 

Hendy News 

 

New Park Committee
 
Eleven people attended the Urdd Hall last week to talk about the regeneration of the park and grants that the Community Council has been applying for, phase two of the master plan has applied for grants for a multi use games area, the Council has recently been awarded £50,000 towards the cost of the project from the grant fund manager WREN http://www.wren.org.uk/, The offer letter has stated that Wren would like a volunteer committee made up of people from within the community, which was why there was a meeting to create a new volunteer parks committee, Wren have also given a deadline of August 2012 to secure the remaining shortfall of the project cost, Other grant funds have been approached and applied for and the Community Council are waiting for responses to these applications, The new committee were advised that the Community Council would be discussing a new Service Level Agreement at its next meeting, This SLA was also required as part of the Wren Offer and this agreement would be between the County Council (the Park Owners), the Community Council, and the new Parks Committee who would also have to sign up to this agreement, after being briefed about the the terms of the proposed SLA and the draft business plan for the Multi Use Games Area, which has been used for grant applications, the new committee agreed to hold their next meeting on Tuesday 10 th January, if anybody is interested in joining this new committee then please contact Councillor Steve Lloyd-janes or Councillor Buddug Thomas
 
Christmas Disco
 
The Friends of Hendy School are organising a fund raising event for the school on Wednesday 14th December 6pm till 8pm.There will be a £2.00 entry to the disco to include a visit to Santa’s grotto the visit will include some chocolates for each child. Photos of the children with Santa will be available at an extra £1.50, Santa’s Grotto will be decorated by the Friends of Hendy School on day of the disco refreshments on the night of the disco will include: hot dogs, crisps, bagged sweets, cup drinks and bottled water, and cakes.
 
Youth Award
 
 
Llanedi Community Council created a Youth award to recognise and celebrate the achievements of young people under the age of 25 from the Communities it represents which is Tycroes, Llanedi, Fforest and Hendy, The Council named this award after the iconic sportsman, Terry Price (1945-1993). A cash prize and a personal plaque will be awarded annually for outstanding achievements in one or more of a wide range of activities in a wide range of disciplines such as education, training or occupation, the creative and performing arts, sport, overcoming personal difficulties, helping other people and improving the environment. This will be the second year that the award will be on offer, The successful applicant will be invited to the Councils Annual Dinner where they would be awarded the award, If you know of anyone who deserves the award, please contact the Clerk to the Community Council at 01554 751059 for further details of how to make a nomination.
 
Hendy and Fforest Senior Citizens
 
In the absence of the Chairman Mr Preece opened the meeting by welcoming all members. The Lord's Prayer was recited in English and apologies were accepted from Roy. Elsie, Luther and Janine were welcomed back after periods of illness. Members were reminded that the Christmas Dinner will be held at the Mountain Gate Tycroes, on December 13th 2011 at 12.30pm for 1pm, Transport arrangements was finalised and members were advised an extra meeting was arranged to be held on December 14th because Hendy Children will be entertaining parents and grandparents and everyone who has a child involved would be welcomed to attend the meeting. A popular speaker namely Rev Alan Wilcox was then introduced his subject was Christmas and its History he spoke of many traditions and how they came into being, most of his tales related back to Pagan Times and many also relate back to the birth and death of Jesus, the use of holly for decoration at Christmas represents the crown of thorns and Christmas Gifts and presents remind us of when the gifts were given from the shepherds and wise men when Jesus was born, Mr Wilcox gave us lots of interesting information namely Prince Albert was responsible for bringing the Christmas Tree to Britain from Germany and St Steven's Day December 20th was a day when Church Collection boxes were opened to provide help for the poor of the area which eventually gave rise to Boxing Day. Luther gave a warm vote of thanks for a very informative and enjoyable talk. Raffle prizes were won by Mary Walters Glenys and Elsie. All new members would be welcomed to the next meeting at the Urdd Hall.
 
Community Police Meeting
 
The last meeting was very poorly attended these meetings are you chance to meet the local police team to highlight any concerns or policing priorities, The next meeting will be in January in Hendy
 
 
Now that I've sorted that issue out its off to meet the carnival committee in Hendy Park, we will be holding a duck race to raise money for the committee to those that supported us good luck
 
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Thursday, December 8th 2011

6:09 AM

The Ypres Story

 

 

Back in November I attended the Menin Gate Memorial Service and I've already blogged about some of the events out there in this blog

 

The Star have finally carried the story based on the press release about one of the cemetaries that we visited.

 

We visited the grave of the famous welsh poet Hedd Wyn (see earlier blog entries about subject)

 

He was killed in July 1917 and was a winner of the coverted Eisteddford Chair which was awarded in September 1917

 

 
 
 

003

 

 

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/service-Ypres-salute-fallen-soldiers/story-14067418-detail/story.html

Fire service in Ypres salute to fallen soldiers

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Llanelli Star

FIRE service representatives from Llanelli have been paying tribute to First World War soldiers in a visit to Ypres.

Councillors Dyfrig Thomas and Steve Lloyd-Janes were joined by Mid and West Wales fire service's general manager Roger Thomas and station manager Gary Williams at a Remembrance Day service in Ypres, the scene of one of history's bloodiest battles.

They attended a church service in the morning before laying poppy wreaths on behalf of the fire authority.

Mr Thomas said: "What struck one immediately on visiting Ypres was the amount of cemeteries and graves concentrated within such a small area.

"Knowing the numbers does not somehow bring the true reality of the carnage — to be there brings the reality of what happened almost 100 years ago, literally in front of our eyes.

"It's a history lesson that we have been slow to learn, but it's a lesson we must learn."

And Mr Lloyd-Janes said: "As a former serviceman in the Navy, I think it's very important to remember our colleagues who gave their lives for us.

"The Last Post service at Menin Gate brought back some memories from when I took part in colour party parades myself.

"I was proud and honoured to walk in the parades and lay the wreath on behalf of the fire authority."

Mr Williams described the visit as "a very emotional experience".

"We visited Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world with nearly 12,000 graves," he said.

"We also attended the memorial ceremony at Menin Gate, which is a monument commemorating the nearly 54,500 soldiers who died in the area but do not have a grave."

The group also visited the grave of Welsh-language poet Hedd Wyn, who submitted a winning poem to the 1917 National Eisteddfod before being killed during the battle of Passchendaele.

Mr Thomas said: "Hedd Wyn wrote the winning poem which he submitted on July 15 that year.

"The Archdruid announced that the winner had been killed in action, and the empty chair was draped in black."

He added: "The 1917 Eisteddfod has been known since as the Eisteddfod of the Black Chair."

 

photo below taken at the actual location that Hedd Wyn was fatally injured

 

d-Janes,andSMGaryWilliamsatthesiteofHeddWyn'sfatalinjury
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Wednesday, December 7th 2011

5:28 AM

Lost Wallet

 

 

I had decided to write a letter to the Star, after I had written it with the thanks of several locals I found the person that had handed my wallet in and I called personally to thank them

I notified the Star but the paper had already gone to print

 

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Thank-honesty/story-14067807-detail/story.html

Thank you for honesty

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Llanelli Star

AFTER attending Carmarthen Council on Friday I arrived home with about an hour to spare. I changed and got ready to attend a busy surgery with the MP Nia Griffith and AM Keith Davies, this was scheduled from 5pm to 6pm.

I left this building to arrive at the Hendy Industrial estate with about five minutes to spare, the parade travelled onto Hendy Green, where I walked alongside the sleigh and around the green, giving out chocolate sweets to the families with all the other carnival committee members.

From Hendy Green I attended the Fforest Christmas tree lights switch-on for 6.20pm, then it was straight up to Llanedi to witness the local school children sing some carols before switching the lights on at 6.45pm.

As the weather was unkind I popped home to jump in the shower and change as I was attending a function in the Samuel Selwyn Centre at 7.30pm, then as I was getting to leave panic set in. I knew I was going to need some spending money for the evening ahead, and as I was searching for my wallet I realised I couldn't find my mobile phone either.

I tried ringing it and suddenly remembered I had switched it onto vibrate when I had gone into the council meeting earlier that day, so I was dashing around my bathroom, kitchen and car listening for the hum of a vibrating phone trying to remember when had I seen them both last. After about the seventh attempt to ring my phone, someone answered. It was a member of staff at Hendy Spar.

Someone had picked my wallet up near the green and had handed them both in, my phone has a pin lock so whoever found it would not have had access to look at the contact list. There was only a five pound note and my bank cards in my wallet, but it would have been the inconvenience of no phone and easy access to the hole in the wall over the weekend. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the honest individual who picked them up and handed my wallet and phone in. I was able to go to the bank to withdraw some money for the evening event ahead and I made it just in time for the start of a really good evening

Steve Lloyd-Janes

Hendy county councillor

 

 

The Star as well as printing my letter also wrote an article highlighting how gratefull I was of the residents honesty

 

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Councillor-grateful/story-14067916-detail/story.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

wallet story
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Sunday, December 4th 2011

6:57 AM

Hendy News

 
 
 
New Park Committee
 
Eleven people attended the Urdd Hall last week to talk about the regeneration of the park and grants that the Community Council has been applying for, phase two of the master plan has applied for grants for a multi use games area, the Council has recently been awarded £50,000 towards the cost of the project from the grant fund manager WREN http://www.wren.org.uk/, The offer letter has stated that Wren would like a volunteer committee made up of people from within the community, which was why there was a meeting to create a new volunteer parks committee, Wren have also given a deadline of August 2012 to secure the remaining shortfall of the project cost, Other grant funds have been approached and applied for and the Community Council are waiting for responses to these applications, The new committee were advised that the Community Council would be discussing a new Service Level Agreement at its next meeting, This SLA was also required as part of the Wren Offer and this agreement would be between the County Council (the Park Owners), the Community Council, and the new Parks Committee who would also have to sign up to this agreement, after being briefed about the the terms of the proposed SLA and the draft business plan for the Multi Use Games Area, which has been used for grant applications, the new committee agreed to hold their next meeting on Tuesday 10 th January, if anybody is interested in joining this new committee then please contact Councillor Steve Lloyd-janes or Councillor Buddug Thomas
 
Christmas Disco
 
The Friends of Hendy School are organising a fund raising event for the school on Wednesday 14th December 6pm till 8pm.There will be a £2.00 entry to the disco to include a visit to Santa’s grotto the visit will include some chocolates for each child. Photos of the children with Santa will be available at an extra £1.50, Santa’s Grotto will be decorated by the Friends of Hendy School on day of the disco refreshments on the night of the disco will include: hot dogs, crisps, bagged sweets, cup drinks and bottled water, and cakes.
 
Hendy Church
 
St Davids Church Hendy is holding its Annual Christmas Carol Concert on Friday December 9th at 6.30pm the main performers with be Llangennech Junior school Choir who have just released a new CD, there will be other guest performers in support, tickets are available by ringing 01792 882623 or 884653
 
 
Community Council
 
 
The next Llanedi Community Council meeting will commence at 6.30pm at Arlan Gwili on Wednesday 7th December
 
 
Youth Award
 
 
Llanedi Community Council created a Youth award to recognise and celebrate the achievements of young people under the age of 25 from the Communities it represents which is Tycroes, Llanedi, Fforest and Hendy, The Council named this award after the iconic sportsman, Terry Price (1945-1993). A cash prize and a personal plaque will be awarded annually for outstanding achievements in one or more of a wide range of activities in a wide range of disciplines such as education, training or occupation, the creative and performing arts, sport, overcoming personal difficulties, helping other people and improving the environment. This will be the second year that the award will be on offer, The successfull applicant will be invited to the Councils Annual Dinner where they would be awarded the award, If you know of anyone who deserves the award, please contact the Clerk to the Community Council at 01554 751059 for further details of how to make a nomination
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Friday, December 2nd 2011

11:10 PM

Honest People

 

 

I had a busy day and during the day I lost my wallet and phone on the Hendy Green area during the light switch on Luckily some honest person picked them up and handed them into the local Spar

 

When I was ringing my phone listening for it to ring somewhere in my house, the Spar staff answered it to say it had been found and handed in

 

 

 

 

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Wednesday, November 30th 2011

12:04 PM

Hendy's New Parks Committee

 

 

Its good to see that the Star has helped promote the call for a public meeting to set up a new parks committee in Hendy

 

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Join-calls-arena-bid/story-13995916-detail/story.html

Join up calls for arena bid

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Llanelli Star

VOLUNTEERS are being called upon to join a new committee to help bring a multi-use games arena (muga) to Hendy.

A public meeting is being held tomorrow to help assemble a committed band to replace the now defunct Hendy Pool Committee.

The former pool committee fought for 10 years to save the lido, raising £18,000, which has now been put towards getting a muga built in Hendy.

And with the approval of a £50,000 grant from Waste Recycling Environmental (Wren), the £140,000 target is in sight.

But Wren has said a committee must be formed before the money can be handed over.

Ward councillor Steve Lloyd-Janes said: "Wren set out some conditions and one of these was that they would only award the grant providing there was a volunteer park committee in place.

"The former pool committee had disbanded and had transferred the £18,000 collected during their battle to save the pool to the community council to be used to attract grants to achieve the overall masterplan. We therefore need to reconstruct a new pool committee but under a new name."

Mr Lloyd-Janes and community councillor Buddug Thomas, who were both previously on the pool committee, have organised the meeting on behalf of Llanedi Community Council.

Mr Lloyd-Janes said: "We need volunteers to help join the committee so that we can deliver the second phase of the masterplan and to assist with other parts of the general plan as part of further phases."

The meeting starts at 7pm in Urdd Hall, Clayton Road, Hendy.

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