After seeing his Ospreys team drawn in Challenge Cup Pool 2 alongside Pau, Worcester Warriors and Stade Francais, Head Coach Allen Clarke said that everyone at the Region should be excited about what lies in store in Europe in the coming season.

While Stade are familiar foes having gone toe-to-toe with Ospreys a little over a year ago in the last eight of this competition, there is a first ever clash with their compatriots Pau to look forward to as well as a ‘derby’ against Worcester Warriors to look forward to.

“It’s a really exciting draw” said Clarke, who will lead the Ospreys into European action for the first time.

“We are pooled with three teams that have real quality right the way through and will provide different challenges to what we are used to week in, week out, in the Guinness PRO14.

“When you look at out Pool, and the list of teams in the competition this year, it’s an indication of how the game is growing in Europe and the challenge that teams face across their domestic leagues to qualify for the Champions Cup.

“We are looking forward to playing different teams, going to different venues, and I think players, coaches and supporters will all share that excitement.”

Looking at the Challenge Cup opposition team by team, Clarke acknowledged that the Ospreys will be up against some clubs who will be looking to make a statement of intent this season:

“Pau showed their quality in this competition last season, winning their pool unbeaten, defeating Gloucester away, and going through to the semi-finals where they pushed the Blues all the way in Cardiff.

“Stade are one of the traditional giants of French rugby and are approaching next season with a renewed vigour so will be a really dangerous outfit with real quality. Worcester are a club that have invested and recruited, so will have increased expectations for the coming season. I know some of the coaching staff and we’ll see Ashley Beck coming back to the Liberty which will give it an added dimension.

“It’s an old cliche, about there being no easy games, but that is the reality, Each round will offer unique challenges and hurdles for us to deal with but when you see the names on the board like that it brings the new season that little bit closer.”

The Scarlets have been drawn in to Pool 4 of next season’s Heineken Champions Cup alongside Racing 92, Leicester Tigers and Ulster Rugby.

With a semi final finish in the 2017-18 competition Scarlets were drawn in to Tier 1 for the draw alongside Leinster, Saracens, Castres and Montpellier.

The 2018-19 pool has a familiar feel for the Scarlets with all three teams regular opponents for the West Wales region in recent years.

Scarlets have gone head-to-head against Racing 92 in recent seasons, losing both home and away clashes in season 2015-16 whilst securing a draw at Parc y Scarlets and a win away from home in 2013-14.

Leicester Tigers were a Champions Cup opponent in 2014-15 with results favouring the home side on both occasions but Scarlets’ European history is peppered with clashes against the East Midlands side, most notable the side’s semi final loss in 2007.

Scarlets last faced Ulster Rugby, a familiar opponent from Guinness PRO14 action, in European competition in 2014-15 with results also favouring the home teams on both occasions.

Commenting on the draw Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac said: “A semi final in last season’s competition is something that we’re all immensely proud of but equally just as disappointed that we didn’t play to the best of our abilities on that afternoon in Dublin.

“Getting a good start in these competitions is vital and that’s something we failed to do last season. We will be looking to improve our performances in the opening rounds, look to build on last season’s success and ensure that we remain competitive in both domestic and European competitions.”

The fixtures for the new season will be announced around two weeks after the announcement of the last fixture list from the European professional domestic leagues.

Make sure you’re #inthepack with the Scarlets.

Season Tickets are available now from as little as £150 for families! Click here for more information or buy now, here

2018/19 Heineken Champions Cup pools 



Pool 1: Leinster Rugby, Wasps, Toulouse, Bath Rugby


Pool 2: Castres Olympique, Exeter Chiefs, Munster Rugby, Gloucester Rugby


Pool 3: Saracens, Glasgow Warriors, Lyon, Cardiff Blues

Pool 4: Scarlets, Racing 92, Leicester Tigers, Ulster Rugby


Pool 5: Montpellier, Newcastle Falcons, Edinburgh Rugby, RC Toulon

EPCR weekends – 2018/19 season
Round 1: 12/13/14 October
Round 2: 19/20/21 October
Round 3: 7/8/9 December
Round 4: 14/15/16 December
Round 5: 11/12/13 January 2019
Round 6: 18/19/20 January 2019
Quarter-finals: 29/30/31 March 2019
Semi-finals: 19/20/21 April 2019

2019 Newcastle Finals
 Challenge Cup final: Friday 10 May, St James’ Park
Heineken Champions Cup final: Saturday 11 May, St James’ Park

The talented youngsters from Llanelli Youth Theatre and the Llanelli Stage Company are putting on a special musical cabaret show on Saturday night.

Forever Young is being staged at Glenalla Hall, Llanelli, at 7.30pm on Saturday, June 23.

The show follows the success of last year’s cabaret evening entitled ‘That’s Life’.

Forever Young promises to be an evening of music and song from the stage and screen.

Tickets are £8 and are available from members of Llanelli Youth Theatre and the Llanelli Stage Company, or Jill Stevens on 07870385513.

Meanwhile, the focus on young talent continues with news of a brand new musical which will premiere in Llanelli in August.

Age of the Geek is being staged at Llanelli’s Selwyn Samuel Centre from Thursday, August 9, to Saturday, August 11.

Age of the Geek is based on the book and lyrics by Elliot Alldridge, with music by Ryan Mellish.

The story goes like this –

Zack is an unpopular schoolboy, with braces, spots and asthma . . . but he’s also very dead!

Zack’s body was found in the park next to a suicide note, but things don’t add up.

Eli, an enthusiastic young journalist gets hold of the story and won’t let go until she finds the truth.

She goes undercover at the school where she meets Zack’s best friend Leo, a geek who lives at the bottom of the social food chain and someone who is struggling to survive without Zack.

Everyone is a suspect as Eli and Leo fight to find Zack’s murderer in Age of the Geek, a musical filled with laughter, emotion and mystery.

The tale follows the two heroes as they unravel the story of the untimely death of a teenage boy and find out which is more dangerous – hunting a killer or being a geek in school.

Tickets are £10 and are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk

Still shining the spotlight on young talent, we have the Gethin Hughes Memorial Bursary competition to look forward to at the end of this month.

The event – designed to provide a cash bursary to help with musical education – is part of Côr Meibion Llanelli’s annual concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, on Saturday, June 30.

The six contestants bidding for the prize are all members of Loud Applause Rising Stars, the group set up by Llanelli concert promoter Cerith Owens to help mentor and encourage young talent in Wales.

The talented six are Joseph Cavalli-Price, Osian Clarke, Lauren Fisher, Daisy Owens, Jack Owens and Neve Summers.

Loud Applause Rising Stars (a body directed by Llanelli concert promoter Cerith Owens) is an exciting group of talented young singers and instrumentalists who are ambitious and eager to fulfil their true potential.

Currently, LARS is made up of 14 young people who are under the guidance of established professionals.

The youngsters have an opportunity to take the stage at a number of prestigious events and concerts throughout the year.

The list of venues where they have performed in the name of LARS is impressive: Stradey Castle, Llanelly House and Theatr Ffwrnes, Llanelli; Margam Orangery; The Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, to name but a few.

A small group of members have also been to The Netherlands, to take part in the Official Commemoration of the World War Two Liberation of s’Hertogenbosh.

The organisers were so impressed with their performances that they invited LARS back to perform in the Commemorations again later this year.

Invitations for LARS singers to perform are numerous, from TV appearances, concerts and bespoke musical events to singing at a wedding in Venice.

The opportunity to perform for knowledgeable, paying guests in established venues is very difficult for younger performers to access. LARS further encourages the development of its members by staging its own concerts and also by providing opportunities for the young people to sing at other significant events, with the British Legion, the RAF and Machnys Golf Club, for example.

LARS is not an agency or a training school and any prospective LARS member has to go through a strict auditioning process to meet the selection criteria.

LARS provides the opportunity for them to take their natural talent to a broader audience, extending their aspirations and widening their experience and in so doing their confidence and artistry.

The young singers are supported by LARS charity, which is run by a dedicated group of individuals and financially supported by the Friends of LARS.

It provides mentoring in a safe, trusted and honest and nurturing partnership.

An important part of LARS is providing bursaries to its members, a much-needed income to help further their musical studies in what are difficult financial times.

You can find out more about LARS on the website at –

www.loudapplauserisingstars.co.uk

The June 30 Gethin Hughes Memorial Bursary competition will honour Côr Meibion Llanelli’s former accompanist.

Gethin Hughes was affectionately known as Llanelli’s ‘Mr Music’ prior to his death in 2011.

Following his death, the Gethin Hughes Memorial Bursary Scholarship was established.

The first winner of the cash bursary was Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama student Megan Thomas, from Trimsaran.

The competition will form the centrepiece of the concert by Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir, with the choir performing a wide-ranging repertoire dovetailing the competition.

In other news, Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi have put together an exciting line-up for their annual concert on Saturday, July 21, at the Princess Gwenllian Centre in Kidwelly.

The evening will feature the popular North Wales act Piantel.

Piantel are pianist Annette Bryn Parry and harpist Dylan Cernyw. They are described as ‘a magical musical experience not to be missed!’

The concert will also feature the much-acclaimed Tywi Valley musical duo, the husband and wife team of Aled Edwards and Eleri Owen Edwards.

The compere for the Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi concert will be Ioan Hefin

On the same night (July 21), Burry Port Town Band are scheduled to stage their annual summer concert.

The band’s special guests will be Tenovus Cancer Care Swansea Sing With Us Choir and Burry Port Junior Band.

Curtain up is at 7pm on July 21, with tickets £10, under 16s free.

The Burry Port Town Band will be looking to perform an entertaining programme featuring popular classics and music from the stage and screen.

They will also feature their Eisteddfod programme ahead of the Royal National Eisteddfod at the Wales Millennium Centre on Saturday, August 4.

It has been a successful year for Burry Port Town Band, reaching the semi-finals of S4C Band Cymru and again qualifying to represent Wales at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain taking place on September.

The compere for the Burry Port concert will be Robert Lloyd.

Looking to the autumn, Côr Meibion Caerfyrddin Carmarthen Male Choir’s 60th anniversary concert will be held at the Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen, on Saturday, October 13.

The choir will be joined on stage by four other choirs – Mynydd Mawr, Burry Port, Dyffryn Tywi and Dyffryn Aman.

This will create a combined choir of around 150 voices under the baton of Wyn Maskell, musical director of Côr Meibion Caerfyrddin.

Also taking part will be well known soloists: Jessica Robinson, soprano, and Trystan Llŷr Griffiths, tenor.

The MC for the evening will be television and radio personality Garry Owen.

Finally, here’s another date for your diary for later in the year. The Annual Royal British Legion Charity Gala Concert will be held at the Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen, on October 27 (7pm).

This year, 2018, marks a significant year for our Armed Forces. It is the centenary of the end of The Great War (First World War) and also commemorates 100 years of the Royal Air Force.

The prestigious annual Royal British Legion Concert has become one of the landmark events in the calendar of South West Wales, providing a platform for the Royal British Legion to pay tribute to the fallen of current and past conflicts.

It also helps the British Legion launch the Poppy Appeal in South West Wales.

The concert features leading soprano and TV and radio personality Shân Cothi, one of Wales’s premier choirs in the form of Dunvant Male Choir, the highly popular Carmarthen-based mixed youth choir Côr Seingar, Swansea-based Dancerama performing arts group youth choir, the stirring sounds of the City of Swansea Pipe Band and the unforgettable Corps of Drums of the 215 City of Swansea Squadron.

The compére will be Brian Sullivan and the guest accompanist Jeffrey Howard.

The evening ends with the poignant Tribute to the Fallen and a Service of Remembrance.

The Royal British Legion is being supported with this event by Loud Applause Productions, the production company run by Llanelli’s Cerith Owens.

Robert Lloyd works as a media consultant – www.rlloydpr.co.uk

If you have any news about the choral scene in Llanelli, the please contact him on 07777 683637 or email rlloydpr@btinternet.com

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

………………………….

Any Old Irony?

It’s been said many times – but not by me – that Americans don’t appreciate irony in comedy.

Some people’s opinion of American humour is affected by crude Hollywood comedy films which rely on four-letter words and exaggerated and disgusting out-of-control bodily functions to get laughs.

I suppose that’s because very few Fridays go by without the opening of a new crude Hollywood comedy film that relies on four-letter words and exaggerated and disgusting out-of-control bodily functions for laughs.

But in truth, Americans, especially on the East and West Coasts (the people who mostly didn’t vote for the big orange-faced, comb-over clown who sits in the Oval Office tweeting about his busy schedule all day) appreciate irony as much as us we do this side of ‘The Pond’.

The USA has produced many humorists who’ve dipped their pens in the ‘inkwell of irony’ and written wonderfully subtle comedy that makes the reader think as well as chuckle.

For example: James Thurber, David Sedaris, Garrison Keillor and SJ Perelman – who our own Frank Muir, a man who knew a thing or two about humour, described as “the best American comedy writer of all time!”

Then, there was the great wit Dorothy Parker, who when challenged to make a joke containing the word ‘horticulture’ immediately responded . . .

“You can lead a ‘horticulture’, but you can’t make her think”. (Say it out loud if you don’t get it first time)

That’s one wickedly inventive comedy brain in action!

Irony is uppermost in my mind at the moment because the town of Chepstow in Monmouthshire was recently honoured by the environmental group “Surfers Against Sewage” (which sounds like a very unhealthy past-time to me) as a “Plastic Free” town.

This was such a big deal, local councillors hung a huge banner declaring Chepstow “Plastic Free” above the 13^thCentury archway entrance to the old town.

Very commendable.

Oh, sorry. I forgot to mention . . .

The giant banner was made of plastic!

——————

Fun to come:

Having just read ‘What’s On in Swansea’, I’m extremely impressed with what’s coming up in and around our area over the next six weeks.

There are indoor and outdoor activities that won’t break the bank and events that include the whole family.

I think the ultimate up-and-coming event for me has to be the Swansea Air Show weekend.

The thrill and excitement of seeing the Red Arrows flying over Swansea seafront makes the hairs on the back of my neck tingle.

How do they pull off those manoeuvres?

It’s down to practise, commitment and dedication, enabling them to think as a team with each pilot knowing how the other thinks.

It’s discipline at the highest level.

Now then – what do I need to do to get a ride in one of those planes?

——————-

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

Carmarthen is getting ready for one of its biggest summer events.

The Carmarthen River Festival takes place on Saturday, June 23.

The major sponsor for the event will be chartered accountants and business consultants Clay Shaw Butler.

Mark Jones, a director of Clay Shaw Butler, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the river festival for the second year running.

“Last year’s event was a great success and we are hoping for another great day out for all the family at the weekend.

“It’s an occasion to celebrate Carmarthen’s rich maritime history, to look how the world famous River Tywi can be used to create interest in the town and to see how we can all use the water safely.”

The event is being organised by the Carmarthenshire Water Safety Partnership team led by Adam Whitehouse.

He said: “We have a whole host of activities planned for the weekend and we look forward to welcoming one and all to Carmarthen Quay.

“Our grateful thanks go to all our sponsors and, in particular, our major sponsor, the team from Clay Shaw Butler in Lammas Street, Carmarthen.”

The itinerary for the day is –

1pm – 5pm – Free Fun Fair

1pm – 5pm Sea Cookery

3pm – Ferryside Lifeboat

3.30pm – Coracle Races

4pm – Raft Race

4.30pm – Welsh National Inflatable Sprint Championship

Free Kayak Taster sessions, bands and performers will be entertaining the crowds throughout the day.

There will be a ‘History of the Quay’ talk by Simon Ratty at the Quay Centre (the light blue building on the quayside) from 1pm.

From 1.30pm to 2.30pm contestants will have to check-in their rafts.

Carmarthen Round Table have organised the free funfair on Carmarthen Quayside.

The Carmarthen Round Table is a charity organisation, run by local men who give their time to raise funds for local charities. Their dedication and hard work also provide Carmarthen town with an annual firework display.

As part of the build-up to the event, eight ‘Water Safety Rocks’ have been hidden in and around Carmarthen.

Anyone finding one of these sparkly rocks can exchange it for a Water Safety goodie-bag at the Carmarthen River Festival on Saturday.

The shout has also gone out to all flamingos, unicorns, pizza slices and paddling pools.

The Carmarthen River Festival will feature the Welsh Inflatable Championships!

With a £1 entry fee, you’ve every chance of being crowned the Welsh National Inflatable Sprint Champion 2018 . . . if you can cross the finish line first!

This race is for the young, old and young at heart.

Water safety at the Carmarthen River Festival is a priority.

* All entrants must have a suitable life jacket / buoyancy aid according to their age/weight. Life jackets will be available on the day, but as this will be a popular event and to avoid disappointment, it would be advisable to come prepared.

* All entrants must wear suitable footwear as it will be muddy entering and exiting the water.

* Children are permitted to enter this event but MUST be accompanied by an adult – the child must wear a suitable life jacket / buoyancy aid for their age/weight.

* Safety on the river is paramount. Safety officers will make the decision for you to enter the river. If for any reason they feel a person does not meet with the safety guidelines, the safety officers have the right to refuse entry. The safety officers’ decision is final.

* Don’t forget a change of clothes and a towel . . . and don’t wear your best trainers as they may not turn up in Ferryside on the next tide!

Carmarthen River Festival social media links –

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carmrivfestival/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/carmRIVERFEST

About major sponsors Clay Shaw Butler:

You can find out more about money matters on the Clay Shaw Butler website (under our news for business section) –

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

We have a strong and experienced team with great local knowledge all geared-up to helping you get the very best from your finances – whether that is as an individual or as a business.

We stay ahead of the game by putting great store by continual professional development for our staff.

With Investors In People status at Clay Shaw Butler, we care passionately about making sure our staff have all the tools they need to serve you, our customers.

Weblink – http://www.clayshawbutler.com

The team at Clay Shaw Butler can be contacted on 01267 228500.

The team at Clay Shaw Butler are on Twitter. Look for @clayshawbutler.

Mark Jones writes a regular column called Money Matters for the Carmarthen Herald, Llanelli Herald and Pembrokeshire Herald.

Scenes from last year’s festival and posters –

The life-long contribution of a leading expert in strategic studies, international relations theory, and global security, has been recognised by the British International Studies Association (BISA).

Professor Ken Booth from the Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth University was presented with the BISA Distinguished Contribution Prize at the Association’s 43^rdannual conference which was held in Bath on 13-15 June.

The Distinguished Contribution Prize recognises an individual’s contribution to the promotion of excellence in the discipline of International Studies over a substantial period of time.

BISA describes recipients as an individual who has made a contribution of demonstrable distinction to the intellectual development and the leadership of the discipline, with a record of achievement that is recognised as having added considerable prestige to International Studies in the UK and beyond.

Professor Elizabeth Treasure, Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University said: “I extend my warmest congratulations to Professor Booth on this award, which represents a richly deserved recognition of lifetime’s contribution to the world of International Relations. The Department of International Politics has played a pioneering role in the development of the discipline of International Relations, born out of the ravages and bloodshed of the First World War. As it nears its centenary, in 2019, it is only fitting therefore, that one of the Department’s most distinguished members is recognised in this way.”

Professor Book originally came to Aberystwyth as a student and has spent his whole academic career in the Department of International Politics.

During this time he has also held visiting positions at the US Naval War College, Dalhousie University (Canada), Cambridge University, the University of Southern California, Antwerp University, and the National University of Malaysia.

He was Head of the Department (1999-2005) and the first EH Carr Professor.

He is currently President of the David Davies Memorial Institute of International Studies, editor of the journal International Relations, and he was recently made Distinguished Research Professor at Aberystwyth University.

BISA was set up as a Learned Society in 1975 to promote the study of International Studies, and Professor Booth is a former Chair and was its first President. He twice served on the Higher Education Funding Council Research Assessment Exercise panel for Politics and International Studies.

Professor Booth has authored or edited 29 books, singly or sometimes with colleagues, and his research has been translated into a dozen languages, including Chinese, Russian, and Arabic. He has delivered papers and addresses in nearly 30 countries.

He is the only individual in his discipline to be elected a Fellow of the British Academy, receive the (US) International Studies Association Susan Strange Award (for his contribution to challenging conventional wisdom and professional complacency), and now be awarded the BISA Distinguished Contribution Prize.

Photo: Professor Ken Booth, winner of the 2018 British International Studies AssociationDistinguished Contribution Prize

Links:
British International Studies Association BISA
https://www.bisa.ac.uk/index.php

Department of International Politics
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/interpol/

Professor Ken Booth
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/interpol/staff-profiles/listing/profile/kob/