ONCE upon a time, former USA President George W Bush said, “The trouble with the French is that they have no word for entrepreneur”.

But . . . hang on a minute, did he actually say it?

The answer, as you probably guessed, is, No, he didn’t.

The quote floats around the internet as ‘truth’, but I often use it as an example to explain to youngsters about checking facts.

Apparently, the Bush story can be traced back to a joke by Baroness Shirley Williams, founder of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Since then, it has taken on a life of its own in the great cloud of misinformation that exists on the internet.

The French do, of course, have a word for entrepreneur. And no prizes for guessing that it is ‘entrepreneur’.

According to the Oxford Review, the word entrepreneur originates from the 13th century French word ‘entreprendre’, which means to do something. By the 16th century this had become the noun entrepreneur, meaning someone who undertakes a business project or speculation.

History lesson over, I can now explain why the good folk of Llanelli are going to be hearing a lot more about the word entrepreneur over the next few months.

There have been plenty of stories over recent years branding Llanelli down-at-heel, with areas of deprivation and empty shops in the town centre.

But recent months have seen the growth of a new movement suggesting many of the town’s problems can be solved from within – by the local community and, in particular, by the younger generation.

Projects like Community Science, led by Dr Scott Griffiths, and the Llanelli Township Community Benefit Society are part of new ‘let’s help ourselves’ thinking.

And, in local education, Dr Felicity Healey-Benson, an entrepreneurial learning champion at the University of Wales Trinity St David, is helping teachers and pupils adopt new ways of learning and thinking.

Dr Healey-Benson explained some of her mission to develop new entrepreneurial thinking in schools to members of Llanelli Rotary Club this week.

She said: “They (pupils) have a community in their local area which is failing and is undernourished. There are changes happening around them which are causing depression.

“The town is dilapidated; people are feeling frustrated. They don’t feel that there’s a future for them.

“Now, it’s very easy to sit back and allow that pipeline of youth and intelligence to drift and move out of the town.

“We are working with schools to look at the curriculum and ways we can inspire our students to take advantage of a ‘living curriculum’ and go out and identify the problems in their local area and actually take those issues and use them as part of their projects.

“They can look for creative ways and be inspired to find their own solutions.

“They can work with mobilising resources to make use of what’s around them.

“It’s actually connecting the curriculum to what is happening about them, so they have the skill sets to be agents of change in their own environment.”

Dr Healey-Benson has already piloted ideas from the European Commission EntreComp project in Dafen school. Now she is rolling out her entrepreneurship ideas to other primary and secondary schools in the area.

They are big bold ideas which will, hopefully, give the youngsters of Llanelli ownership of the task of regenerating the town and help create a more resilient and sustainable community.

You can expect to hear more about Dr Healey-Benson’s work when Global Entrepreneurship Week comes around in November.

Watch this space!

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ACCORDING to the Head of the Household (aka the good lady wife, Mrs Lloyd), I’m only really happy these days when I’ve got something to moan about.

In which case (if only my dodgy knees would only allow it), I should be skipping around and singing a merry tune today – even if it is the dreaded Friday the 13^th!

Regular readers will recall that, back in June, I was having a whinge about people who park on pavements.

On several occasions, tradesmen managed the difficult technical feat of putting all four wheels of their vans on the pavement outside my house.

I decided to report the matter to the police, assuming that our local Bobbies would be interested in a nice little open-and shut case of obstruction.

The answer came back from the local constabulary – ‘This incident would need to be reported to your local council, as the duty now lies with them to manage the road network.’

I didn’t have the energy or enthusiasm for spending a further three hours on the phone trying to find the correct council department to file a complaint. I reasoned that, by the time the council moved into gear, the vans would be long gone.

Last week, I noticed the newly-erected, very smart (and probably very expensive) digital bus stop sign at West End in Llanelli was out of order.

When it works, it should flash up the arrival time of the next bus to, say, Kidwelly or Carmarthen.

I reasoned that it would be best to complain to the First Cymru bus company and used the old Twitter platform they now call X. The response arrived quicker than the bus –

‘Thank you for reaching out! I am afraid stops/stations are under the local authority and not First Bus. Please reach out to your local authority to report this and they will be able to assist you.’

I did use the X platform to ‘reach out’ (the buzz phrase of the year, I suspect) to Carmarthenshire Council, but found that my X social media account must be ‘verified’ to communicate with the local authority.

Mrs L is delighted. She knows there could be hours of fun left in this latest moan!

Twitter: @rlloydpr

Email: robertlloydpr@rlloydpr.co.uk

Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (A Musical Thriller) staged by Llanelli Youth Theatre at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli.

IT’S big, it’s bold and (in so many different ways) it is bloody good.

Llanelli Youth Theatre’s Sweeney Todd is a theatrical ‘event’ for west Wales.

Youth Theatre artistic director Christopher J Rees has never shied away from a challenge.

Stephen Sondheim’s musical masterpiece is as meaty a challenge as you could wish for in the theatre.

Fortunately, the LYT cast and crew have the appetite for the occasion and have approached the task with admirable enthusiasm and energy.

Audience members are offered two views – a lofty seat in the Circle to get a bird’s eye view of the action, or a chance to go ‘immersive’ and join the cast and crew on the enlarged stage deck at Ffwrnes Theatre.

The second choice allows you the chance to stand and stroll through the sets of 19^th century London, while the action unfolds before you. Trust me, it’s up close and personal and an experience not to be missed.

If you choose the immersive option, then you’d best pay close attention and adopt your best Phil Bennett side-steps as the action unfolds around you with the speed of a rugby international. And be prepared to be that close to the singing that you can feel the breath on your face.

Simon Nehan, as we might expect for an actor of his stature, is outstanding in the title role. He demands your attention throughout and there’s enough menace in his eyes to leave you having bad dreams.

Pat Stevens, meanwhile, is revelling in the role of Mrs Lovett. It’s obvious she’s having the time of her life in a role she loves.

There’s strong support from other cast members – Benn-Llewellyn Williams (Anthony Hope), Amelia Cliffe (Johanna), Adrian Wyn Rowlands (Judge Turpin), Danny Messaggiero (The Beadle), Sarah Arthur (Beggar Woman), Greg Arthur (Adolfo Pirelli/Jonas Fogg) and Harrison Arthur (Tobias Ragg).

Make a note of the last name. Young Harrison Arthur is following a great family tradition in Llanelli Youth Theatre and he’s a name to watch in the future.

The Storytellers include Louise Cliffe, Megan Coombs, Mollie Dunning, Ashley Eynon-Davies, Cai Francis, Clare Holland, Raya McDowall and Roy Tillman.

The show may have ‘the worst pies in London’, but it’s musical magic which will live long in the memory as another massive success for Llanelli Youth Theatre, a group now celebrating 40 years of artistic excellence and youthful endeavour in west Wales.

Photos: Llanelli Youth Theatre

• Tickets for Sweeney Todd are £20 and performance dates are – 13 Sept, 19:30; 14 Sept, 14:30; 14 Sept, 19:30; 15 Sept, 14:30. Tickets are available from the Ffwrnes Theatre box office and the Carmarthenshire Theatres – Theatrau Sir Gar website at – https://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk/en/shows/sweeney-todd-the-demon-barber-of-fleet-street
• Earlier story – http://rlloydpr.co.uk/2024/09/04/latest-on-song-column-september-04/

THE search is on to find Llanelli’s Sportsperson of the Year and other potential winners of the prestigious Brin Isaac Memorial Awards.

Track cyclist Emma Finucane was the main prize winner at the 72nd Brin Isaac Memorial Fund (BIMF) awards held at the Diplomat Hotel last December.

This week, the countdown to the 73rd awards started in earnest with the launch of the appeal for nominations for prizes.

Awards secretary Brian Hughes said: “The Brin Isaac Memorial Fund remembers the late Brin Isaac, who gave such splendid service to young men through the YMCA, boxing, Scouting and many other activities and endeavours to further his work.

“Each year, nominations are invited for the best sporting performances (male and female) in the 14-19 years group and 19 and upward. These are judged by an independent panel of judges.”

The roll call of winners at the Brin Isaac Awards last year was:

■ Sportsperson of the Year – Emma Finucane, World Track Cycling.

■ Walter Hughes Cup (Sportsperson runner-up) – Amy Cole, Track Cycling.

■ Star Cup (Junior Cup) – Madison Davies, Gymnastics (Trampolining).

■ Stradey Centenary Cup (Junior Runner-up) – Rhisian Thomas – Gymnastics (Tumbling).

■ Kelly Evans Shield (Services to sport) – Vaughan Thomas – Llanelli Cricket.

■ W Jack Hughes Cup (Coach of the Year) – Leigh Randall – Kickboxing.

Nominations secretary Dyfrig Roberts said: “The Brin Isaac Awards in Llanelli are always regarded as one of the most prestigious events in the sporting calendar in West Wales.”

Previous sports personality winners have included RH Williams, Terry Davies, Derek Quinnell, Phil Bennett, Terry Griffiths, Jonathan Davies, David Kingdon, Dai Greene, Stephen Jones, Simon Jones, Robert Croft and Rupert Moon.

Since the first dinner was held in 1951, the charity has supported 20 independent charities, including the Ty Bryngwyn Llanelli Hospice, Save the Children, Marie Curie, the NSPCC and the Wales Air Ambulance.

The present chairman of the Brin Isaac Memorial Fund is former world-ranked squash champion Adrian Davies.

See the website for an online nomination form – https://www.brinisaac.com

You can also nominate by writing to the BIMF nomination secretary, Dyfrig Roberts, at 34 Goring Road, Llanelli, SA15 3HN.

This year’s presentation dinner is at the Diplomat Hotel, Llanelli, on Tuesday, December 3 (6.45pm).

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THE Brin Isaac Awards website has this citation to the Brin Isaac Story (1901-1948):

“Brin Isaac had but a short life of 47 years. The number of those fortunate to have been privileged by personal con­tact with him grows smaller as his death occurred after the Second World War. For all that, his name and achievements are in these days more widely known and honoured than during the lifetime he devoted to the unstinted service of youth and sport.

“This in itself is sufficient reward for those who in 1950 inaugurated the Brin Isaac Memorial Fund to perpetuate the memory and spirit of one who in amateur boxing, gymnastics and scouting, and in other ways too numerous to identify, did so much for the generations of Llanelli youth who approached maturity during the difficult inter-war years and the periods that followed.

“Originating at the Llanelli YMCA, the home of his boxing club, a celebrated nursery for cadet, schoolboy and Welsh ABC champions, the Brin Isaac Memorial Fund has over the years fostered virtually all forms of sporting endeavour through the medium of the annual awards to those who distinguished themselves by outstanding performance or, in the true Brin Isaac tradition, in long and selfless service to a chosen pursuit.

“By such means – although the man has long left us – his spirit and example are preserved.”

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The Brin Isaac Memorial Fund offers a Sporting Talent Bursary Programme.

The bursary programme is intended to help with the ever-increasing costs associated with training and competing and is for all athletes up to 20 years of age.

Athletes are entitled to apply for up to £250 bursary, with the closing date December 31 each year.

Applications will be reviewed during the month of January each year and successful applicants contacted before St.David’s Day.

Youngsters can apply by completing the bursary application form on the website at – https://www.brinisaac.com

A new replica veterinary clinic is set to open at Aberystwyth University as Wales’s only School of Veterinary Science expands.

The investment, worth around £150,000, in the Veterinary Education Centre will pay for new facilities such as waiting, examination and treatment areas along with key equipment used for small animal care.

Most of the new work to expand the Centre’s site at the University’s Penglais campus was funded by a bequest from the estate of the late Gordon Burrows.

 The new investment is in addition to over £2 million that was spent to establish Aberystwyth Veterinary School, which was officially opened in 2021 by King Charles III.

The new clinic facilities will be used to train undergraduates on the University’s BVSc Veterinary Science course, run in collaboration with the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). They will also be used by the first ever students on Aberystwyth University’s new Veterinary Nursing degree who begin their studies later this month.

Professor Darrell Abernethy, Head of Aberystwyth University’s School of Veterinary Science, said: “As part of their learning process, it is important that our students gain experience in veterinary clinical training and an understanding of the key equipment and processes undertaken at veterinary clinics. We are deeply grateful for this generous bequest which allows us to take a step forward with our plans to expand our facilities and further enhance the teaching we offer at Aberystwyth.”

“Wales now has its own School of Veterinary Science that is tuned to, and meets, the needs of its own veterinary community – from providing graduates who can speak Welsh, who come from Wales and are thus more likely to stay in Wales, to supporting the profession with post-graduate training and undertaking research that is both excellent and locally relevant.

 “By enhancing the profession, we support not only the farming community but pet owners, equestrian interests, national government and, in turn, Welsh society. That is also why Aberystwyth University has invested so heavily in creating a centre of excellence in animal health to add to its existing platforms – from state-of-the-art laboratories to world-class expertise in bovine TB research.”

Photo: Aberystwyth School of Veterinary Science students

Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy. Website – www.philevans.co.uk

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GRIM GRAMMAR GRUMBLES

As a quick follow-up to last week’s article about ‘Trigger Warnings,’ I understand that the people at Disney have decided that from today, before every TV showing of their classic Winnie The Pooh featurettes, there’ll be a ‘Tigger Warning’.

I suppose I should have included that little joke last week, but there’s a good reason why I didn’t.

I only thought of it last night.

I hope you appreciate I used the correct term ‘should have’ and not, as I increasingly hear and even see in print and online – ‘should of’, which is the sort of lazy use of language that sets my teeth on edge.

Not as much as they were last week when I overheard someone in the supermarket remark, “I says to him, I says, ‘Who does you think you is’?”

Why do so many people now say ‘should of’ when they wouldn’t have been taught that at school?

And they wouldn’t be saying it if they’d seen the term written in a book, magazine or newspaper, correctly spelt by someone with a knowledge of English grammar.

Well, you and I both know the answer to that.

There’s now a generation, maybe more than one, that get their views, news and opinions from social media, generated by people like them who are averse to picking up a book or newspaper.

So, it only takes one person to write, for example, “My boyfriend should of met me at six o’clock, but he was an hour late”, and their followers, and their followers’ followers will perpetuate the error.

Ah! I hear one or two of you ask, “In the grand scheme of things, is correct grammar important these days?”

I can best answer that by ending with a paragraph I’ve deliberately peppered with ‘bad grammar’.

Last week I artended a confrense of lokal bizziness peepill to disgust a bran knew skeem that ayms to cre-eight a fab’less leizure complecks that will evenchewally h’attract thousands of two wrists and boots the arias ekonomee.

If I wrote my articles that way every week, you’d all be running to the dentist with painful teeth!

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The Absurd Art of Collecting Creative Chaos: A Laughing Matter!

Let’s face it, my friends, creativity is a wild ride, a rollercoaster of ideas that often feels more like a clown car spilling out one-liners than a disciplined writing process.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been hauling around my trusty little black book.

No, it’s not a secret agent’s diary, though that would be cool.

Instead, it’s my personal vault for every fleeting thought and ridiculous observation that flits through my mind, like a butterfly on a sugar high.

You see, if I don’t jot down every spark of brilliance, those gems disappear faster than a magician’s rabbit. Poof! Gone! And trust me, I’ve had enough “oops, that was a great idea” moments to know that my little black book is a treasure chest of lost genius.

I’ve become a collector of these books, with a staggering 60 scattered throughout my house. I even keep one by my bed because, let’s be honest, the best ideas usually strike just as I’m about to fall into a drooling sleep.

But, here’s the twist, my writing speed is so fast that my notes sometimes resemble ancient hieroglyphics.

I could probably start my own archaeological dig to decipher my own thoughts!

It’s a thrilling adventure, akin to solving a mystery novel, but instead of a detective, I’m just a frazzled writer trying to remember what “chocolate unicorn” was really supposed to mean.

Yet, despite the chaos, this quirky obsession brings me immense joy.

One day, I’ll crack open these whimsical time capsules and embark on a journey through a hilarious history of my mind.

Sure, nostalgia is like that one friend who always shows up late to the party, but still knows how to make an entrance.

So, here’s to the wonderfully zany world of creativity, where every laugh, scribble, and chaotic thought is part of the show.

Keep your little black book close, embrace the madness, and prepare for a comedy of memories that will leave you chuckling (or scratching your head) for years to come!

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You can follow Phil Evans on Twitter @philevanswales and  www.philevans.co.uk

YOU’VE got to take your hat off to the Llanelli Chamber Choir; they like taking on big and bold projects.

This month they will be staging Joseph Haydn’s The Creation at St Elli Parish Church, Llanelli.

The concert will be under the musical direction of Piet Zorn and will take place at 7pm on Saturday, September 28.

The choir will be supported by a 10-strong musical ensemble.

The soloists will be Kieran Rayner, baritone, Osian Wyn Bowen, tenor, Morgan Summers, soprano, and Jade Fouracre-Reynolds, alto.

Llanelli Chamber Choir was founded by Piet Zorn in October, 2021.

The aim of the choir is to bring a variety of classical and traditional music to Llanelli and add to the rich musical culture in south Wales.

The Llanelli Chamber Choir is about much more than just performance.

Piet hopes that by providing a space, where people are welcome to sing regularly, this will improve wellbeing and the mental health within our community.

He has ensured that joining the choir is accessible to everyone who has the desire to learn and sing, bringing joy to both the participants and the audience members.

Piet is a professional opera singer, vocal teacher, pianist, and composer.

He currently teaches music at a comprehensive school and has many of his private students go on to study singing, theatre and some who have become professional singers themselves.

He graduated with a master’s degree in music education from the Hamburg College of Music and Drama and went on to teach music teachers in Germany before moving to Wales eight years ago.

He has performed in many operas and oratorios both in Germany and Wales. Regular recitals and choral concerts round up his professional career.

Piet’s desire to start a chamber choir in Llanelli filled a gap within the community for this style of music.

You can find out more about the Llanelli Chamber Choir on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090227216918

The Creation is an oratorio written in 1797 and 1798 by Joseph Haydn. It is considered by many to be one of his masterpieces. The oratorio celebrates the creation of the world as narrated in the Book of Genesis in The Bible.

The libretto was written by Gottfried van Swieten. The work is structured in three parts and scored for soprano, tenor and bass soloists, chorus and a symphonic orchestra.

In parts I and II, depicting the creation, the soloists represent the archangels Raphael (bass), Uriel (tenor) and Gabriel (soprano). In part III, the bass and soprano represent Adam and Eve.

The first public performance was held in Vienna at the old Burgtheater on March 19, 1799.

The featured ensemble members for the performance are – David Wheeler, Cellan Morgan, Gareth Hamlin, Imogen Holborn, Louise Baylis, Rachel Thomas, James McBeth, Mihai Stoican, Sian Davies and Aden Yip.

Tickets are £15 and are available from the email address chamberchoirllanelli@gmail.com or by phoning 07535 166956.

In other news, Côr Dyfed Choir is offering an exciting opportunity through its Youth Choral Scholarship Scheme to young people who want singing to be an important part of their lives, either as an amateur or professional.

The aims of the scheme are to encourage and mentor talented young singers and to provide opportunities for them to perform a wide range of musical works with the choir, often in concerts with professional orchestra and soloists. It enables young singers to help fulfil the choir’s core aim which is to foster and promote interest and appreciation of choral music among the general public.

The scheme offers regular free one-to-one tuition with qualified singing teachers and, at the end of the year, a certificate to add to scholars’ portfolios or CVs.

It also offers free annual membership of a high-quality choir, worth over £100, and the experience of rehearsing and performing a wide choral repertoire under the baton of professional music directors.

Any singer aged between 16 and 25 living in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire or Ceredigion is eligible to apply for a choral scholarship. Applicants need to complete an application form and then attend an interview and audition with the choir’s Music Director. Auditions and interviews take place throughout the year. Scholars must attend regularly the rehearsals held every Tuesday evening during term-time at the Bloomfield Centre in Narberth. They will also sing in Côr Dyfed Choir concerts three or four times a year, often in St Davids Cathedral.

Any young person who is interested in these scholarships can find details on the choir’s website at www.dyfedchoir.co.uk/join and contact the secretary Hannah Jones for an application form.

Members of Llanelli Youth Theatre will be continuing their 40^th anniversary celebrations this week.

They will be staging Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli.

Cast members included members of the youth theatre from the past 40 years.

The role of Sweeney Todd will be played by Llanelli’s Simon Nehan.

Tickets for Sweeney Todd are £20 and performance dates are – 12 Sept, 19:30; 13 Sept, 19:30; 14 Sept, 14:30; 14 Sept, 19:30; 15 Sept, 14:30.

Tickets are available from the Ffwrnes Theatre box office and the Carmarthenshire Theatres – Theatrau Sir Gar website at – https://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk/en/shows/sweeney-todd-the-demon-barber-of-fleet-street

Meanwhile, the Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen will see the arrival of the popular touring show called Celine – My Heart Will Go On.

After a sold-out tour across the UK and Europe in 2023, Celine – My Heart Will Go On is back for 2024, bigger and better than ever!

The September 12 concert in Carmarthen promises to be a stunning celebration of the music and one of one of the greatest singers of our time, Celine Dion.

Starring Alexandra Darby, as seen on ITV’s This Morning, and an outstanding live band, the audience are taken on a magical ride through four decades of hits that include: The Power Of Love, It’s All Coming Back To Me Now, I’m Alive, All By Myself, Because You Loved Me, My Heart Will Go On and many more.

Tickets are £25.50.