Schoolchildren are being asked to design a cycling jersey as part of Carmarthenshire’s OVO Energy Tour of Britain celebrations.

Anyone under 16 can enter and the winning design will be created into a jersey and presented to all Welsh riders as they kick off the first leg of Britain’s biggest professional cycle race at Pembrey Country Park on September 2.

The drawing must be on A4 paper and be in landscape orientation.

The winner will also meet the Welsh riders before they make their grand depart on the Sunday.

Closing date for entries is Friday, August 3 and drawing is by post only to: Design a Jersey competition, Carmarthen Leisure Centre, Llansteffan Road, Johnstown, Carmarthen, SA31 3NQ.

It will be the first time that Britain’s biggest professional cycle race has visited the county.

The race sees 120 riders from some of the world’s best teams compete, including Olympic and World Champions and Tour de France stage winners.

Riders will leave Pembrey Country Park and then continue throughout the county passing through Kidwelly, Carmarthen, Ffairfach and Llandovery as it continues into the Brecon Beacons through to its stage finish in Newport city centre.

The media spotlight will shine on the event with daily live coverage screened on ITV4 and Eurosport in the UK, and around the world.

Councillor Peter Hughes Griffiths, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: “This is a great chance for children to get creative and at the same time be involved in the celebrations. The lucky winner will have the chance to meet and greet the Welsh riders ahead of the race on the day which is a fantastic opportunity.”

For all information and up-to-date news in Carmarthenshire on the OVO Energy Tour of Britain visit Discover Carmarthenshire

Carmarthenshire County Council is to undertake a £100,000 culvert replacement under the B4297 in Llangennech to address a problem which has caused flooding to properties and to the highway in the past.

The works will start on Monday, July 23, and will involve the removal of an old culvert which is being replaced with a new box culvert to improve the capacity and flow of the Nant Mwrwg Brook as it passes under the B4297 by the Old Bridge Inn.

The work has been planned to take place during the school holidays to minimise disruption and at a time of the year when the flows in the watercourse tends to be lower.

The works will require the closure of the B4297 at Llangennech for approximately four weeks and a signed diversion for traffic will be in place along the A4138.

Businesses in the area will be open as usual.

Cllr Hazel Evans, Executive Board Member for Environment, said: “These culvert works are a key investment in preventing future flooding in the area and we thank local residents in advance for their patience while we undertake these important works.”

The latest podcast from Phil Evans and Robert Lloyd.

The Big Cwtsh (Episode 23) is now on Soundcloud.

The redevelopment of an iconic building in Ammanford has been completed.

The former courthouse has been brought back into use after undergoing a major refurbishment for office accommodation.

Carmarthenshire County Council purchased the derelict courthouse after it closed in 2011 as part of the Ministry of Justice reforms.

The project was delivered by Aspect Developments and part funded through the council’s Carmarthenshire Transformational Commercial Property Development Fund.

The building, which was officially opened last week, provides 3560sqft of commercial space and will accommodate 17 new jobs.

New businesses are set to move into the offices shortly.

Carmarthenshire Council leader, Cllr Emlyn Dole said: “I’m delighted that this building has now been completed. It’s a key gateway site to Ammanford and complements our aspirations to regenerate the town. We we were thrilled to be able to support Aspect Development and strengthening our local economy is a key aim of the executive board’s Moving Forward in Carmarthenshire plan. As part of our ongoing commitment to economic development and supporting businesses, we offer a number of funding support schemes to businesses of all scales and at all stages in their development.  These opportunities, I hope, will energise the county and help us build a more prosperous future.”

Former Wales Sevens Captain, Barbarian and Wales U21s star Chris Davies has been named as the new U18s head coach for the upcoming season.

Davies first joined the Ospreys U18s last season as forwards coach after spending the previous two years with the U16s sides. The flanker hung up his playing boots at the end of the 2016/17 season after spending the last ten years at Aberavon RFC, where he notched up 228 appearances and 43 tries for the club as well as captaining the side.  

Speaking after being appointed new coach, Davies said: “Having the opportunity to head up the U18s team this season is a fantastic opportunity and I cannot wait to get training started and begin the campaign. I feel privileged to be able to help develop the next generation of potential Osprey players. Working with elite athletes is a passion of mine and if I can offer any of my experience and knowledge to these players on and off the field then I hope that will help them in their future.”

The Aberavon legend takes over the head coach role from Kevin James, who steered the age-grade side to two RAG championship victories in his time as a coach.

Davies praised his predecessor, saying: “In terms of taking over from Kevin, he has left us in a good place. I have played with him and against him as a player and it was great to work with him as a coach. Kevin gave a lot of time to the Ospreys Regional Age Grade teams and I want to apply the same work ethic.”

Looking ahead to the new season, the new coach has a clear focus and spoke of his goals going forward: “The main aim this season is to develop the players within the squad. Development in the sense of increasing their tactical knowledge of the game and increasing their technical ability. Ultimately assisting in creating better players for the next stage of their rugby careers. However, winning is important. We need to create winners in rugby. Not just winning in the vision of results, but winning everything in that 70 minutes of rugby, that tackle contest, that kick compete, that bouncing loose ball. Winning everything.”

He added: “The imaginary line called the ‘gain line’ is everything in rugby and how can we compete to win there. So, dealing with the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation of winning is vital. Wanting to win as a team is important, so I hope, along with the other coaches, that we can create a positive and confident team culture. Whatever we face, we will grow as a team. Together.”

Joining Davies on the coaching front and taking over as forwards coach, is fellow Aberavon player and former Osprey youngster Sam Williams.

“Sam Williams will look after the forwards and he is the right man for that role. His experience and knowledge at the set piece, especially the lineout, is invaluable. The forwards in the squad will thrive off his knowledge and technical ability which can only benefit the players and the team. Sam is still playing making him very current.”

Former Osprey youngster, Nathan Edwards completes the coaching setup as backs coach, Davies added:

“Likewise, with the backs, Nathan will head that up and he is also currently playing. I am looking forward to working with Nathan as he shares the same ideas and philosophies as I do. That should form a great partnership. His attention to detail and delivery will surely benefit these elite players.”

With the initial training squad already announced, the new coach is looking forward to the new season ahead with the young squad: “The squad has a very good look and feel to it, with a decent blend of first year U18s and second year U18s players. We have some experience in the squad in the shape of players like Morgan Strong, Travis Huntley and Bradley Roderick. I will be looking to those players to help develop the younger players in the squad. I have known the older U18 boys having worked with them for two seasons and have strong expectations of them and for them. I watched all of the U16 games from last season and there is some serious talent coming through. As a coaching group we just need to channel their skill set, blend as a team and hopefully watch them all grow into mature players.”

The Ospreys U18s will begin their season with a friendly against the Scarlets U18s on Wednesday 15th August, K.O venue and time TBC.

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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Lieutenant Chard! Look! Killjoys! Over A Dozen Of ’Em!

Some of us are lucky enough to be able to express our opinion and thoughts in print, or as part of a stand-up routine.

But, although there are things in this world that I disagree with or just ‘can’t get my head around’, I’d never prevent anyone from raising money for good causes because I don’t agree with the method by which they’re doing it.

Members of Folkestone’s Silver Screen Cinema Club run events at their local cinema where ‘mature cinemagoers’ can have tea and biscuits before watching classics like “Casablanca” or “Police Academy 48”.

Recently, they wanted to raise money for Armed Forces charities by screening “Zulu”, a film described by Sheldon Hall, author of “Zulu – With Some Guts Behind It” (the story of the the making of the 1964 classic) as . . .

“One of the best-loved and enduringly popular British films ever made. The extraordinary story of the 1879 Battle Of Rorke’s Drift in which barely 150 soldiers of the British Army fought against an attack by 4000 highly-disciplined Zulu warriors.”

No sooner had the charity event been announced than a bunch of local killjoys wanted it stopped because the film has ‘racist overtones’.

Poppycock!

Yes, the film depicts Zulus being killed.

But it also shows British soldiers being killed.

Because (Doh!) that’s what happened at Rorke’s Drift.

Would the same killjoys complain if the film chosen had been 1979’s “Zulu Dawn”, a belated prequel, which depicts the massacre of 1300 British soldiers by 20,000 Zulus?

Don’t just take my word that “Zulu” isn’t racist.

The following was written by someone who appeared in the film.

“It was an experience I will always cherish. And it must be remembered that 11 British soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross in that battle – an all-time record.”

Prince Mangosuthu G. Buthelezi M.P. Province Of kwaZulu-Natal.

Killjoys of Folkestone – take that!

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It’s safe to say that I’m not a big fan of call centres, or cold callers, despite the fact that everyone has to make a living.

But I draw the line when unsolicited calls from such establishments come through on my mobile phone.

My mobile number is only known to close friends and family.

So how did that happen?

Our privacy is slowly but surely being eroded.

Have you ever been browsing the internet for something and then, all of a sudden, your social media is flooded with what you’ve been looking for?

Yes. That.

My cold caller said the information he had was accurate and had been provided by a regulated and reliable source and I just needed to answer a few personal questions.

I played along, knowing there was no way he was getting any more information off me.

Unfortunately, some people get befuddled at this point and end up providing personal information.

The cold caller then wanted to know my address.

Then my previous mortgage companies.

It was then that I reminded him that it would be rather foolish of me to provide personal and sensitive information to a stranger over the phone.

This challenge obviously irritated him and he hung up.

I know I have never been mis-sold any financial products in the past, so the gentleman was clearly lying and not even very good at it.

Now, of course, I have even less tolerance of call centres.

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

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