A Carmarthenshire library is to feature in the World Library and Information Congress in Malaysia next month.

Ammanford Library will be the focus of a case study in the “Universal Design Principles for Public Libraries” session at the international flagship event for the library and information services sector.

The session, which looks at best practices in libraries across the world, will focus on the Stordy Creadigol at Ammanford Library – a state of the art creative store and the first of its kind in Welsh libraries.

The Stordy Creadigol allows library users to experience technologies or activities that they may have not used and gives members access to spaces, tools, technology, and social connections that may not be easily accessible otherwise.

These include 3D printers and 3D modelling; DVD, VHS, camera conversion hardware and software; audio recording and editing booths, midi keyboard, mixers, DJ equipment, microphones; video/Image recording and editing booths; PCs with recording and editing software and a green screen and more.

Working with the report author Mark Freeman from Stockton on Tees Libraries, the Carmarthenshire libraries team have been able to contribute towards a “Welsh Libraries perspective” as part of the paper for the IFLA 2018 conference.

The conference will take place during August in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

It brings together over 3,500 participants from more than 120 countries and sets the international agenda for the profession, also offering opportunities for networking and professional development to all delegates.

Executive board member responsible for leisure, Cllr Peter Hughes-Griffiths said: “What better place to showcase the innovative work we have done at Ammanford library, than on the world-wide stage at the World Library and Information Congress in Malaysia. This is an excellent opportunity to feature Ammanford and Carmarthenshire as a whole and is a proud moment as it will be the only Welsh case study to be presented to equivalents all over the world at the conference.”

These police officers and PCSOs will soon become familiar faces to shoppers and businesses in Llanelli as Dyfed-Powys Police has created a dedicated town centre team.

Responding to feedback from members of the public and traders, the force has committed a team of officers to provide a visible presence in the area, providing reassurance and reacting to incidents.

The team will patrol the area, from the Spring Gardens to Eastgate, with PC Aled Davies named as the permanent full-time town centre police officer. He will be supported by PCSO Scott Jones, PCSO Rob Kindred and PCSO Ffion Thomas.

The officers will work closely with partners, traders and licensees to provide the required response to antisocial behaviour and crime in the town centre.

It is a multi-agency approach with officers working alongside members of the Llanelli Business Improvement District (BID), Ymlaen Llanelli, and the Llanelli Town Centre Taskforce led by Carmarthenshire County Council.

Llanelli Inspector Justin Evans said: “It is important that we connect with our communities and ensure the public receives a visible and accessible service.

“The commitment of a dedicated resource to the town centre is not in response to an increase in reported incidents in the area, but is something the public and traders feel is needed, and is a resource we feel can only further enhance our relationship with the people of Llanelli.

“PC Aled Davies has been named as the permanent full-time officer for the area as he has a wealth of experience and a sound knowledge of prolific offenders within the town. He is well-suited and will be able to take a robust approach with offenders, as well as understanding the needs and concerns of local traders. He will become the key point of contact for partner agencies, local businesses and members of the public who frequent the town centre.

“By working in partnership with the local authority, we can tackle any future issues with a multi-agency approach.”

PC Davies added: “The creation of this new team is a positive move, which will encourage a close working relationship between the police and the people who work in and use the town centre.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the community better, and helping to deal with their concerns. The team has only been in place for a week, and we have already had several successes in detecting shoplifting in the area.”

Cllr Emlyn Dole, Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council and Chair of the Llanelli Town Centre Taskforce, said: “I would like to thank Dyfed-Powys Police for their proactive approach to policing the town centre.

“We promised, as a Taskforce, that we would work together to improve the town centre and it’s great to see everyone pulling together – the police, the council, traders and shoppers.

“We have just invested more than £4million purchasing and renovating empty shops with more investment on its way, and the work of Ymlaen Llanelli – the BID team – in putting on events and attracting more footfall into town is all making a big difference. This dedicated police presence will provide the extra reassure that people have asked for.”

Carmarthenshire Council has taken a number of suffering dogs from the hands of a breeder this week.

As temperatures soared across Wales, animal health officers found the dogs to be in bad state of health and living in exceptionally poor conditions.

They were locked in a house with no ventilation, water, food or a clean area to sleep. Upon rescuing the dogs, veterinarian opinion indicated that based on their physical and mental conditions, the animals had not been sufficiently exercised or socialised.

The council takes a zero tolerance approach on anyone failing to care for animals and illegal dog breeding.

Any person who owns or is responsible for an animal has a legal obligation to ensure its welfare needs are met. Anyone failing to do so can be sent to prison.

Also, anybody who is breeding three or more litters or supplying any dogs not bred by themselves must be licensed by the local authority, which are checked annually in unannounced visits.

Officers are urging anyone who is buying a puppy or dog to check the status of a breeder with the council beforehand. They should also view the puppy with its mother and ask all necessary questions with regard to vaccinations, healthcare, diet, etc.”

The council’s executive board member responsible for animal health, Cllr Philip Hughes said: “We would strongly advise anyone thinking of buying a puppy to think carefully about the commitment they are making, and whether they can afford to provide the animal with everything it needs throughout its lifetime. We would also stress the importance of doing plenty of research not only into the breed, but also into the breeder themselves.

Failure to care for animals and illegal dog breeding are very serious issues and we will not hesitate to utilise the law and the court service in dealing with any perpetrators.”

If anyone has any concerns with regards to illegal dog breeding they can report it by phoning 01267 234567 and if they have any concerns with regards to the welfare of animals they can contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 9999.

The law states:

Any person who owns or is responsible for an animal has a legal obligation to ensure its welfare needs are met. Failing to do so is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and can carry a fine of up to £20,000 and up to 51 weeks imprisonment. All animals must, as a minimum;

1. Be provided with a suitable environment in which to live
2. Be provided with a healthy diet, and fresh, clean drinking water at all times
3. Have the opportunity to behave normally
4. Have appropriate company

Carmarthenshire County Council has signed a landmark Collaboration Agreement with Swansea University and a private sector partner to develop the £200 million complex planned for Delta Lakes.

The partnership with Swansea University will bring a significant range of education provision to the site, which is expected to include training for doctors, nurses and other professionals for the life science and health sector. This includes collaboration with other education providers across the Swansea Bay City Region to focus on training opportunities for all levels of employment.

Sterling Health, the scheme’s private sector partner, which leads a prestigious consortium of global companies, will bring additional funding to the project. The Village will feature state-of-the-art health, rehabilitation, well-being, sport and leisure amenities, plus independent research and medical facilities.

The Llanelli Wellness and Life Science Village is also being actively supported by the Hywel Dda and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Boards.

Cllr Emlyn Dole, Carmarthenshire County Council Leader, said: “This innovative partnership with Swansea University and the private sector is a hugely significant milestone for the Wellness and Life Science Village.

“The Collaboration Agreement, which follows a rigorous procurement process, is a major step forward for a development that will place Llanelli at the heart of global life science and well-being innovation.

“Alongside the council, Swansea University and Sterling Health will play a major role in the development of this project, complementing the medical expertise being provided by the Hywel Dda and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Boards.

“The importance of the Wellness and Life Science Village can’t be overstated. Worth 2,000 well-paid jobs and £467 million to the Llanelli area in the next 15 years, this development will also include a wide range of education, skills and training opportunities for local people, from school leavers right through to postgraduates.”

The project will give Swansea University an exciting expansion opportunity, while helping address some areas of critical skills’ shortages.

Professor Richard Davies, Vice Chancellor of Swansea University, said: “This hugely exciting collaboration between Carmarthenshire County Council, the private sector and Swansea University is ground-breaking in integrating business development, education, healthcare, leisure, tourism, wellness support and research in life-sciences in one location.

“The collaboration will strengthen the region’s ability to commercialise research in life science, attract inward investment from bio pharmaceutical and medical technology firms, and increase the export of high value goods and services in the field of life sciences.  It is a sign of the University’s vital importance to the City Deal project and the impact we have on the region, both economic and in delivering 21st century health provision.”

The Wellness and Life Science Village is also part of the £1.3 billion Swansea Bay City Deal programme, which includes 11 major projects across Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire.  A business case to secure £40 million towards the Village is now with the UK and Welsh Governments for approval.

An outline planning application for the Village was submitted in March this year, with work on site earmarked to start towards the end of 2018.

Franz Dickmann, of Sterling Health, said: “The Village proposals have to date benefitted from impeccable local leadership from Carmarthenshire County Council and significant expertise from Swansea University, and it will now be a real pleasure to be able to help deliver this stellar example of ground-breaking healthcare and leisure innovation.

“Our mission is to put people at the centre of the healthcare system, and the mandate that we give ourselves is to strive to help them live longer, live better and live at home. The Village encapsulates that holistic approach, and we can’t wait to get started.”

The first phase of the project, due to open in early 2021, will include a Community Health Hub featuring an Institute of Life Sciences and an Institute of Innovation. A Wellness Hub including a top quality leisure centre will also be constructed.

The Wellness and Life Science Village will also include space for business incubation and development, a nursing home, a wellness hotel, an eco-park for outdoor learning, and landscaped lakeside facilities for walking, cycling and other recreational activities.

Overall project completion is scheduled for 2023.

An ambitious scheme could soon get underway to improve the western gateway to Carmarthen.

Carmarthenshire County Council is unveiling its plans to improve the wetlands area near Johnstown that will provide a rich environment for wildlife as well as enhancing the appearance with gateway signage for visitors entering Carmarthen from the A40 west.

The council’s leisure and regeneration officers will host an information day at Bro Myrddin Indoor Bowling Centre on Thursday, July 12 (3-7pm), to give residents a unique opportunity to view the project and meet the designers.

The project is part of the Carmarthen Town Regeneration Masterplan (2014-2030), a key aim of which is to improve the gateways to encourage visitors and promote the town as a tourist destination and special place to live and work.

The wetlands would cover almost 27 acres of land, planted with native trees and wildflowers, with mown pathways and marked trails, art installations made from natural materials, seating areas and interpretation boards to help people understand and appreciate their surroundings.

There will be entrance to the wetlands off Llansteffan Road and Picton Terrace where improvements will include bespoke oak features and a designated parking area off Llansteffan Road.

Cllr Emlyn Dole, executive board member for regeneration, said: “We encourage the local community to come along to the information event to see what we have planned for the area and to ask any questions before development gets underway.

“We are keen to enhance the area in a way that is both sensitive to the environment but also as an attraction for local people and visitors to enjoy.”

The team at Carmarthen-based Chartered Accountants and Chartered Tax Advisors Clay Shaw Butler are weighing-in with sponsorship for a championship-chasing tug-of-war team.

Clay Shaw Butler are sponsoring St Clears tug-of-war team as they head to the Welsh Tug of War Championship in Aberaeron this Saturday.

Mark Jones, director of Clay Shaw Butler, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the St Clears team and wish them ‘pob lwc’ (every luck) in Aberaeron this weekend.

“As a firm of Chartered Accountants, we know all about test of strength and stamina, so we hope our sponsorship brings St Clears extra help in their battle for championship glory.”

Teams of eight from across the country will battle it out when the Wales National Tug of War Championships takes place in Aberaeron.

There will be different categories for men, women, young people and mixed gender.

The competition starts at 9am on Saturday, July 14, at the Square Field and carries on throughout the day.

Teams taking part in the championships include, St Clears, Llanboidy, Hermon, Llanddewi Brefi, Glamorgan, Trecastle, Hay on Wye, Llanrwst and Llandovery, with weigh-ins taking place at the Feathers Hotel the night before.

John Lewis, the chairman of Aberaeron Town Improvement Committee which is hosting the event, said: “Tug-of-war is one of the country’s fastest-growing sports, so we are lucky to bring the Wales National Championships to Aberaeron. It is a great result for the town.

Last year’s championship was in Monmouth and was a great success.

With our location along the coast we hope that this year will be even better and will be a great family day out for everyone.”

“The Square Field is the ideal location and we hope everyone attending, whether competitors, supporters or spectators will have a great time and it will put Aberaeron on the map.”

The sport of tug-of-war is hugely popular with young farmers groups and in the rural communities of Wales.

West Wales is recorded as a hot-bed for the very best tug-of-war teams with the Llanboidy team being a past world champion.

Photo:

The St Clears tug-of-war team with Clay Shaw Butler director Mark Jones.

About Clay Shaw Butler:

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http://www.clayshawbutler.com/news/latest-news-for-business

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