Interview conducted by Robert Lloyd with Tara Fisher of Fairtrade Llanelli.

Recorded for the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind.

Hywel Dda University Health Board is reminding people take care in the sun as forecasters predict very hot weather for the next few days.

Hot weather can cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke, which is more serious, as well as the risk of sunburn.

Ros Jervis, Director of Public Health, said:

We know that the weather is forecast to be very hot over the next few days, and we want people to be careful that they don’t ruin their enjoyment of the sun by becoming unwell as a result of the outside temperatures. By taking some simple steps to protect themselves and others, everyone can enjoy the sunshine while staying safe and well.”

People planning to be outside while the weather is hot are advised to:
•         Use sunscreen or sun block to reduce the risk of sunburn
•         Cover up with loose fitting clothes
•         Wear a hat to protect the head and sunglasses to protect the eyes
•         Drink plenty of water
•         Avoid direct sunlight between 12pm and 3pm (the hottest part of the day)

It is a good idea to check on elderly relatives, friends or neighbours who may be more vulnerable to the effects of the heat.  It’s also important to take care with children – you should always make sure they are wearing a high factor suncream and stay in the shade as much as possible.

The usual symptoms of heat exhaustion – which can become heat stroke if left untreated – include a headache, high temperature, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and muscle cramps.

If you are concerned that you or someone else has these symptoms, you should contact your GP or NHS Direct Wales.

I would also urge people to visit the following Public Health Wales website page where they are able to access further information and guidance: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/43924 

The latest podcast from Phil Evans and Robert Lloyd.

The Big Cwtsh (Episode 21) is now on Soundcloud.

Bradley Davies has shrugged off weekend reports linking him to the Cardiff Blues, reaffirming his commitment to the Ospreys ahead of the new season.

Currently enjoying his belated break after Wales’s games against South Africa and Argentina last month, the second row will report back for pre-season duty later this summer to prepare for his third season with the region and, following speculation over the last 48 hours, Davies said:

“I’m not sure where this has come from.  I’ve no intention of leaving the Ospreys, it’s not something that’s even entered my mind.”

Davies has featured regularly for both the Ospreys and Wales over the last year, starting 21 times in the Guinness PRO14 and Champions Cup, as well as playing in every Six Nations game this spring before playing twice on tour last month, his physicality and durability making him one of the first names on the team sheet for region and country in 2017/18.

His fine form was recognised in May when he picked up the Coaches’ Player of the Year at the Ospreys end of season dinner.

“I think it’s been said I’m too old,” laughed Davies.

“Obviously I’ve had strong ties with the Blues as I spent the biggest chunk of my career there and have a lot of lifetime friends at the club, but I’m just focused on, and excited about, what we are trying to build here at the Ospreys, working with a great coach in Allen Clarke.

“Hopefully he can keep this old man going for years to come.”

Allen Clarke added:

“Bradley has been fantastic since I joined the Ospreys so it’s great to hear him talking about his commitment to the region. He is a leader who offers a lot to the environment on and off the field, he’s an important figure for us and I’m looking forward to seeing him help drive us forward this season.”

(Pictured: [l-r] Kevin George, Scarlets Academy Manager, Luke Davies, Carwyn Tuipulotu, Callum Williams, Jon Daniels, Scarlets General Manager)

With preparations for the new season underway Scarlets Academy has welcome a new wave of talented youngsters looking to forge a successful path in to the region’s senior side in years to come.

The first intake of new recruits welcomed in to the Junior Academy are scrum half Luke Davies, wing Callum Williams and number 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu following in the footsteps of the likes of current Scarlets and internationals Gareth Davies, Steff Evans and Ryan Elias.

Luke, from Tumble, and Callum, from Cardigan both showed great promise in the region’s Under 16s East and West programmes respectively last season. Carwyn is a product of the Welsh Exiles programme and was selected for Wales Under 18s trials against Scotland earlier this year, at only 16.

The under 16s programme is an important part of region’s development pathway with players introduced to a professional training regime, the use of performance analysis and gain experience of being involved in a professional rugby environment.

The WRU Exiles programme sets out to identify, monitor and develop a network of young, Welsh-qualified boys and girls based outside Wales.

All three Academy newcomers will continue with full time education whilst also training with Scarlets Academy and receiving expert coaching and guidance from the region’s Academy and development staff.

Scarlets General Manager of Rugby Jon Daniels said; “Players like Callum, Luke and Carwyn are the lifeblood and future of the region and we’re delighted to be welcoming the three in as the first new intake in to the Academy for the forthcoming season.

“We have a very experienced team of staff running our Academy and age grade programmes doing excellent work unearthing and nurturing the region’s next generation of talent. We have seen a number of players from within the Scarlets wider community go on to become senior Scarlets as well as internationals.

“We’re also working closely with the WRU and their Exiles programme to identify Welsh qualified players who are currently residing and are educated outside of Wales.”

Scarlets Academy Manager Kevin George added; “We’re now a few weeks in to the first phase of the Academy programme for the forthcoming season. It can be difficult for young players to adjust to the training schedules and working in and around a professional environment but all three young recruits have done exceptionally well.

“Callum, Luke and Carwyn are all settling in well and have impressed with their diligence and approach to the new challenge ahead of them.”

Review: Côr Meibion Llanelli Gethin Hughes Annual Memorial Bursary Award at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli.

Gethin Hughes would have loved every minute of it!

An evening which put the spotlight on young up-and-coming singers fitted perfectly with Gethin’s musical philosophy.

The much-missed pianist and organist, who was known as Llanelli’s ‘Mr Music’, would have been overjoyed to see such a wealth of talent on show.

As the evening came to a climax with the classic Superstar medley from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar, the audience was able to reflect on the fact they had seen six ‘stars’ of the future.

The winner of the £750 Gethin Hughes Memorial Bursary prize was 15-year-old Ysgol y Strade pupil Lauren Fisher.

She was the final contestant to take the stage at Ffwrnes (the running order having been picked independently to give the singers a level playing field).

And Lauren took full advantage of her prime position to show her dazzling vocal range on Maybe I Like it This Way from Andrew Lippa’s musical The Wild Party.

That had the crowd whooping and hollering, but there was more, much more to come.

Her second song was a true show-stopper, the classic And I’m Telling You – the belter made famous by Jennifer Hudson in the musical film Dreamgirls.

It was, literally, breathless stuff.

Lauren, who won the Llanelli Rotary Club Young Musician of the Year competition earlier this year, was delighted at the win as she received her cash prize and certificate from Côr Meibion Llanelli’s musical director Mr D Eifion Thomas.

The competition was of the highest standard, giving the three judges – Meinir Richards, D Huw Rees and Allan Fewster MBE – a very difficult task.

The other five competitors and their chosen songs were –

Osian Clarke, who sang O Del Mio Dolce Ardor and Stars, from Les Miserables.

Neve Summers, Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man and Handel’s Lascia ch’io Pianga.

Daisy Owens, I’m a Star and Morricone’s Nella Fantasia.

Jack Owens, Run Away With Me and Sychwn Ddagrau.

Joseph Cavalli-Price, Handel’s Total Eclipe and Schumann’s The Lotus Flower.

All six contestants were members of Loud Applause Rising Stars, the charitable group which works hard to nurture young musical talent in South Wales.

Côr Meibion Llanelli kept the evening moving along in their own supremely entertaining style, filling in the programme around the main Gethin Hughes Bursary competition and during the judging process.

They opened the first half with Cri Yn Y Nos, Y Fedwen Arian and the very technical Baba Yetu.

Côr Meibion Llanelli closed the first half with an Elvis Presley tribute – Return to Sender, Peace In The Valley (featuring soloist David Williams) and American Trilogy.

Half-time saw the choir recognise two of its longest-serving choristers, John Davies and Denzil James, who were presented with commemorative badges to mark, respectively, 25 and 50 years with Côr Meibion Llanelli.

The choir resumed the second half with Nikosi Sikele Le’I Africa before the competition returned for its conclusion.

As the judges left the auditorium to deliberate, the choir continued to entertain with The Fields of Athenry (featuring debut soloist Aan Owen), Oh Danny Boy, Wade In The Water and A-men.

The grand finale of Lloyd Webber’s Superstar was entirely appropriate.

The choir’s accompanist throughout was Aled Maddock, while all six of the Gethin Hughes bursary competitors were accompanied on the piano by Jeffrey Howard.

Special mention goes to Catrin Hughes and Cerith Owens of Loud Applause for their help in preparing the contestants and their work back-stage.

The joint comperes for the evening were Richard Christopher (Gethin’s second cousin) and Robert Lloyd.

Photos:

Lauren Fisher.

Lauren Fisher with D Eifion Thomas and Richard Christopher of the Gethin Hughes Memorial Bursary Fund.