The Clinical Research Centre at Hywel Dda University Health Board are delighted to have recently been presented with two beautifully framed pieces of calligraphy artwork by patient Mike James.

Mike, who has had a lifelong interest in artwork and history, recently took up calligraphy to challenge himself to learn a new skill.

The artwork he created for the Centre uses a medieval script system called half insular majuscule that was used to scribe important documents and sacred texts, the most famous one being the Book of Kells which is widely regarded as Ireland’s finest national treasure.

He regularly attends a Lifelong Learning Service calligraphy class run by tutor, Judith Porch, Community Education Development Officer for the City and County of Swansea.

Commenting on Mike’s works, Judith went on to say, “Mike joined the group just last September and I am incredibly proud of what he has achieved. Calligraphy is not an easy skill to master and Mike has produced outstanding pieces which incorporate not just calligraphy but design and gilding with pure gold leaf. I am thrilled that his work will grace the walls of the new Research Centre and hopefully will inspire future patients.”

Professor Kier Lewis, who heads up the Clinical Research team at Hywel Dda, said: “I am delighted Mike has shown such interest in our Centre and created these pieces specifically for us to remind everyone that the human-being is always central to clinical care and all research endeavours. The pieces now take pride of place in our Centre’s foyer in Prince Philip Hospital (Llanelli).”

Scarlets have today launched the alternative strip for the 2018-19 season at a fun-filled family day out on Aberystwyth’s promenade.

The vibrant blue, white and gold kit was launched in Aberystwyth as the region looks to strengthen brand awareness within the county of Ceredigion by encouraging participation not only in rugby but also across all sports and community based activities.

This summer has seen the Scarlets launch its Three Counties, Three Years strategy, concentrating on strengthening partnerships right across the region, county by county.

Year One’s focus will be Ceredigion with commercial and community projects being delivered across the county. Year Two will focus on Pembrokeshire whilst Year Three will return to Carmarthenshire.

2018-19’s away kit colour scheme is based on Ceredigion’s coat of arms, sandy beaches and vivid blue seas.

Clearly displayed on the left side panel of the jersey are the crests of Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire. The front of the shirt has an unusual pattern consisting of elements of each of the county crests whilst the back carries a strong wave, showing the county and the region’s link to the sea and coastline.

Pattern elements;

CEREDIGION
Golden Lion: Arms of Gwaithfoed, a medieval prince of Ceredigion
Herring: Fishing industry
Wheatsheaf: Agricultural industry
Rose: Patron Saint of Wales, who had very close associations with the county

PEMBROKESHIRE
Eagle: Wildlife, castles and rugged coastline
Dragon: The county’s dual heritage

CARMARTHENSHIRE
Harp: Welsh musical traditions and poetry
Seahorse: The sea, protection and stability

The kit is available for pre-order today.

The Miss Europe Continental United Kingdom pageant is coming to Llanelli – with the aim of promoting Welsh Beauty and Business into Europe.

The event features a special casting event on Thursday (August 16, between 1pm and 5.30pm) at the Best Western Diplomat Hotel and Spa in Felinfoel Road, Llanelli.

Miss Europe Continental United Kingdom is managed and organised by the UK Director of Visions PR, Marketing and Events Consultant Vivienne Sharman-Lewis.

It is the new UK arm of Miss Europe Continental, a European pageant with representation in more than 40 countries.

As a previous national pageant director in Wales, Vivienne had already helped her finalists win three national UK finals, to represent the UK on world stages, won a national award as the most charitable pageant for funds raised, created titles that helped contestants gain business or employment opportunities, and become the “Face of” various brands, while also creating a Finishing School that will trainthe girls in all aspects of business, networking and personal and social skills, as well as in beauty and health-related topics.

Vivienne also aims to develop and grow her TV project “Looking Good, Feeling Fabulous!” that won her an Honouree Award at the Cardiff International Film Festival, into a vehicle for contestants to appear in and for sponsors to promote their products and services.   

They are currently casting throughout the UK, to audition 17-28 year old girls, of the minimum height of 1.70 metres (5’ 7”), who are interested in a career in modelling, movies, entertainment, fashion, beauty or business!

Their first Welsh casting is at the Best Western Diplomat Hotel and Spa,Felinfoel Rd, Llanelli SA15 3PJ, this Thursday, August 16th 2018 from 1-5.30pm

So don’t delay, FREE entry is on https://t.co/xiChD3e4vQ

Or email info@visionspr.co.uk, or  if you qualify for the criteria, do come along.   

So what will the lucky winner achieve?

As well as the numerous gifts from our prestigious international sponsors, such as Ray-Ban, Audi, Samsung and Red Bull, Miss Europe Continental receives a year of employment contracts with the Miss Europe Continental organisation and sponsors, to work as a brand and catwalk model, an actressin TV and to be the guest of honour at all the national finals of every European country.

Miss Europe Continental will also be interviewed on TV and radio, attend photo-shoots, appear on reality TV shows, at international fashion and film festivals, in advertising campaigns for our international sponsors, and be publicised 365 days a year on all the social media platforms.

She becomes not only a brand ambassador, but also her country’s ambassador, to promote the very best her country has to offer in tourism and business.         

The competition hopes to attract a strong representation of applicants from Wales.

The Best Western Diplomat Hotel and Spa was chosen as this week’s casting venue for its excellent conference facilities, lounge, bar and spa – and for its strategic location to reach out to girls from West Wales, Carmarthenshire,  Port Talbot, Neath, Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan.

“I feel confident that the Welsh girls will do us proud in Europe and will serve to represent the very best of Welsh Beauty and Business in over 40 European countries!” said Vivienne     

The first Casting and Press Launch was held in London at the Double Tree by Hilton, Marble Arch, one of the four hotels in the Aristel Hotel Group, now the “Official Miss Europe Continental United Kingdom London Hotel Group”.   

“As the pageant seeks contestants who are not only beautiful, but can demonstrate that they have the personality, confidence and talent, plus a strong work ethic and drive to succeed in careers in modelling, movies, TV or business, we invited contributors and sponsors from the very businesses in which we offer opportunities to our contestants, namely modelling, acting, singing, entertaining, or even movie production.

“So we have been fortunate, in our first year to have attracted judges from those very industries who are well placed to offer them an additional mentoring service,” enthused Vivienne.

Judges – model Gariella Melrose, singer/presenter Cai Williams and actor Malcolme Modele with Vivienne Sharman-Lewis.

Cai Williams, recording artiste, entertainer and presenter, who appeared on The Voice, to be chosen by Tom Jones. As an international Recording Artiste and Model with his own successful solo Show called The Power Within and also 3 Studio albums. Cai has worked with some of the best singers/producers in the business and has an original solo album which he co-wrote and produced.

https://youtu.be/RoldYDGY7Is-  / https://www.caiwilliams.com

Malcolm Modele, a 30-year-old actor, model, writer and director from Gloucester, now based in London, is known for his breakthrough lead role in feature film “Shakespeare’s Diaries”, which has just received global release on Amazon Prime; a guest star on “Holby City” as Ewan, one of the first male strippers on “Eastenders” as Luke, Malcolm is seen as a new star rising on the horizon. https://youtu.be/esq6s47HDXw

Gabriella Melrose, commercial model, actress, singer and National Fitness winner,

Sky Andrews, ex-Olympic athlete and promoter, creator of the Inspiration Awards, now launching into New York, that has honoured Helen Mirren, Victoria Beckham and presenter, Jessica Ennis of East Enders fame.        

The Welsh panel of judges for the casting will again include both Cai Williams and Malcolm Modele.

“Cai and Malcolm so enjoyed their experience as judges and presenters at our first casting and press conference in London that they both expressed an interest in coming on board with our team,” continued Vivienne.  

To add to the Welsh flavour, they will be joined by Lisa Lee, a professional singer, DJ and compère of some 11 years standing, who has also been an academy vocal coach, Welsh Factor judge, sound technician and radio presenter for 4 years. She recently worked at Bay TV as a presenter and assistant producer. 

They are also proud to introduce a representative of the film industry with Gloucester-based producer/director Matthew John.

Matthew is one of the best young and upcoming producers in the business today with his first film, HeddaGabler, a remake of the Victorian period drama written by Henrik Ibsen, a classic of realism and of 19th Century play writing, and is thought to be one of the world’s greatest dramas. Matt has also worked in fashion and film, at Cannes and with models and actors, so knows what it takes to reach success in both. www.hedda-movie.com/www.consortpr.com 

For the London launch we had videographer, Danielle Metcalf filming and photography by Jo Reamer of JR Photography. 

For the Welsh casting, we have local Welsh-based, award-winning Photography First,  www.photographyfirst.co.uk and the film company Hurford Media davehurford@talktalk.net on board to cover the photography and filming on the day.

Vivienne added:

‘We are now keen to build a solid team of talented individuals  to help us grow the pageant throughout the UK, in order to take on, train and support National and Regional Pageant Directors.

“To this end we have lawyer, Robert Hillary Wade LL.B Cert H.E. (Theology), charge of all legal and finanicial aspects.

‘The UK Grand Final will be held at Frensham Pond Hotel, Farnham Surrey,on October 25th, another of the four unique character hotels in the Aristel Hotel Group, where the winner will have the chance to go forward to the Miss Europe Continental Grand Final in Naples Italy on November 24th, where we will all be there to see the winner crowned at a glittering TV-covered final, with representation from over 40 European countries.

“To seize such an amazing opportunity, and to take full advantage of the care, skill and investment that will be lavished on her, the lady who wins Miss Europe Continental United Kingdom will need to demonstrate that, beyond beauty, she has a strong personality, with the confidence, drive and ambition to succeed and the ability to face a television audience!” 

“If a girl has a talent, we can help her realise it in the career opportunities she will have,  but even if a girl cannot sing or dance, she must still be able to create an original presentation that will amaze a jury or audience!” said the Italian-based Patron of the Pageant brand, Alberto Cerqua.

“Our current winner, Natalia Varchenko, Miss Europe Continental 2017, is beautiful, but also very talented, so, during the show the jury was enraptured by her performance on stage, which demonstrated that she could master that, and any situation well!”

For this reason, they will prepare their contestants well to overcome shyness and any fears they have of performing in public, because, to win such an important title, it is not enough to be beautiful, the contestants must be strong all-rounders, and know how to bring all of their winning cards into play! 

Vivienne added:

“The pageant also offers a unique opportunity for our UK sponsors to use our high-profile marketing machine and pageant business model, to promote their products and services into a captive targeted market-place of young image-, health-, fitness- and beauty-conscious young people.

“We offer added-value sponsorship benefits packages for National, Country and Regional sponsors on all levels, plus the added benefit of a free exhibition space at both the National UK Grand Final at Frensham Pond Hotel near Farnham, Surrey www.aristelhotels.co.uk near London, on October 25th, 2018, and next year, during the internationalGrand Final at our  “Best of British into Europe Exhibition”which is exclusive for our UK sponsors only, at the Golden Tulip Hotel Naples,Italy on November 22nd. In honour of the Exhibition, a new title has been created, “Miss Best of British into Europe Exhibition” to be judged by sponsors and UK judges, to choose the Ambassador of the Exhibition to host it the subsequent year.

“In a Post-Brexit Britain this offers our sponsors the unique opportunity of promoting their products and services into Europe, and our tourist agencies, our culture and tourist attractions. They will be seen by all the delegates and sponsors from over 40 European countries, as well as the contestants’ supporters and the audience, and be filmed by Fox TV from USA, and Italian TV.

“We have a great 4 night inclusive hotel package available at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Naples. Staying on to enjoy Naples and the pageant events presents a fantastic networking and brand-reinforcement opportunity, to maximise on your time investment, as it will allow you to network, socialise and of course enjoy all the excitement over the five days including the televised European Grand Final. 

“As a well-established tourism event in Naples, the four days of the Miss Europe Continental Grand Final includes guided tours, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Naples, who escorts the international contestants to all the historic sites and buildings in Naples for photo-shoots by press, TV and the public.  As it is set in a fabulous and historic part of the world, with Vesuvius and Pompeii encircling the Bay of Naples and stretching out into the horizon, and the famed island of Capri off-shore, it attracts visitors from all over the world, so it would make a fabulous, glamorous, as well as cultural, historical and archaeological experience for any contacts or friends who would like to take this opportunity.

For further information, on entry or sponsoring, please email info@visionspr.co.ukor

Enter FREE on https://t.co/xiChD3e4vQ
https://www.facebook.com/Miss-Europe-Continental-United-Kingdom-2030773510519783/
To see the Miss European Continental 2017 final in Dubai

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag9k1ETifmc

Email:
info@visionspr.co.uk

www.misseuropeancontinental.com

https://www.facebook.com/Miss-Europe-Continental-United-Kingdom-2030773510519783/

Press release from:

Vivienne Sharman-Lewis
07881 756748
Director: Visions PR – www.visionsprwales.wordpress.com

Match Report – Bala v Carmarthen Town (10 August 2018)

Bala (2) Carmarthen Town (1)

 Carmarthen began the new Welsh Premier League season with a very tough encounter against Bala who only a few weeks ago were playing in the Europa League, having finished fourth in the WPL last season – and, in addition, over the summer they have strengthened their squad by signing several experienced players.

From the outset the match soon developed into a fast-paced, end-to-end affair although, with both defences looking quite secure, no serious early scoring chances arose.

Bala were clearly enjoying the greater share of possession and territorial advantage but the Old Gold were quick to launch a series of counter-attacks, exploiting the pace and mobility of strikers Luke Bowen and Liam Thomas.

And it was the visitors, on 12 minutes, who first went close when Aidan O’Kelly played the ball across to Thomas who sent an inviting cross towards the far side of the goalmouth where Jordan Vickers, from a difficult angle, volleyed into the side-netting.

However the hosts straightaway responded with a spell of sustained pressure and after 19 minutes Henry Jones fired a long free-kick into the crowded penalty area only to see Anthony Miley, from a good position, direct his close-range header over the bar.

But in open play Carmarthen’s defence, and in particular the central pairing of Lee Surman and Greg Walters, presented stern resistance and ensured that ‘keeper Lee Idzi was never seriously tested during this spell.

And once again, they were near to opening the scoring when on 25 minutes, from a swift counter-attack led by Luke Cummings, they won a free-kick by the right touchline – Tyrrell Webbe’s searching delivery reached Thomas, rising high above defenders, but from close-range he sent his glancing header just wide of the post.

The earlier pattern of play continued with Bala, despite their possession and attacking flair, looking unlikely to score – meanwhile Town, with a series of counter-attacks, were sadly not sufficiently clinical when opportunities arose.

It seemed that the game needed a moment of something special to break the deadlock and bring it to life – and in the 36^thminute Henry Jones provided just that.  He raced into the penalty area, slipped effortlessly past O’Kelly then from close to the by-line produced a remarkable piece of footwork to cross the ball to the far post where Steven Tames arrived, completely unmarked, to send his close-range header into the roof of the net.

The only other notable scoring chance in the first-half arose on 44 minutes when Jones struck a fierce long-range free-kick that Idzi carefully watched slide just outside the post.

After the interval Bala began confidently – but despite enjoying spells of possession, they achieved very little due to the continuing determined resistance of the Old Gold defence.

Town, meanwhile, once more relied on swift, incisive counter-attacking and they went close to snatching an equaliser in the 66^thminute when Vickers broke away from the midfield before sending a fine pass through to Bowen who took the ball into the penalty area then struck a rasping angled drive that flew narrowly wide of the post.

Shortly afterwards, the visitors again threatened the Lakesiders’ goal.  From the centre-circle Thomas began a delightful, sweeping move when he sent the ball across to Ceri Morgan who in turn slid it out to Webbe as he surged along the left-wing – he then fired a dangerous cross into the goalmouth where Bowen planted his close-range header just beyond the far post.

However that brief spell of Carmarthen pressure was abruptly terminated on 67 minutes when Tames won possession of the ball well outside the penalty area then raced forward and released a smart 20 yard shot that went beyond Idzi’s reach and into the corner of the net.

Stung by that further setback the Old Gold straightaway pressed forward with greater frequency and intensity with influential midfielder Morgan, at his competitive best, always at the heart of the action.

After 69 minutes Bowen surged forward, shrugging off his marker, to reach the penalty area then struck a stunning drive that ‘keeper Ashley Morris resisted with a sharp, reflex save.

Yet with the visitors now pouring upfield more often, their defence began to look more vulnerable – a situation that Bala sought to exploit with occasional counter-attacks.  And on 80 minutes they should have gone further ahead. Kieran Smith took possession off Walters near to the by-line then slid the ball invitingly across the face of the goal where Tames, just two yards out and completely alone, contrived to stab it wide.

That seemed to spur the Old Gold into even greater efforts in their search for a goal – and in the 84^thminute their persistence was rewarded.  Bowen played a wonderful pass through to Thomas who raced forward into the penalty area – then as Morris came out of his goal to challenge him, Town’s top scorer neatly threaded the ball across to Sean Hanbury who had the simple task of tapping it into the back of the empty net.

Now, for the first time in the match, Bala were pinned back on defence in a desperate effort to protect their slender lead as Carmarthen swept forward relentlessly.  And on 87 minutes they were close to conceding a second goal.  Webbe raced along the left flank then sent the ball forward to Bowen who fired a dangerous cross deep into the packed goalmouth, eventually reaching Thomas who, sadly, saw his close-range effort cleared off the goal-line by a defender.

But that was the final thrilling moment of an entertaining match – and despite this defeat the Old Gold can be satisfied with their overall performance against a strong, experienced side that will surely be again challenging for honours this season, just as they have done over recent seasons.

Town’s next match is at Richmond Park on Saturday 18^thAugust (k/o 2.30pm) when Llandudno make the long journey south for a WPL fixture.

Team:

Lee Idzi;  Luke Cummings;  Greg Walters; Lee Surman;  Tyrrell Webbe;  Jordan Vickers (sub Sean Hanbury 73);  Declan Carroll;  Ceri Morgan; Aidan O’Kelly;  Luke Bowen;  Liam Thomas;

Unused subs:  Dave Vincent; Craig Hanford;  Jay Woodford;

Cards:  (Y) Greg Walters (7);

Goal:  Sean Hanbury (84).