REVIEW: ‘An Evening Of Song’ – Llanelli Rotary Club Centenary Concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, featuring Shân Cothi, Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir, Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers, The Lewis Meredith Sisters, Ffion Bates, Lauren Fisher, Harmoni and Côr Ysgol Heol Goffa School Choir.

It had to be special – after all, it’s not every day you get to celebrate a centenary.

Llanelli Rotary Club marked 100 years with some style.

‘An Evening Of Song’ was a concert with something for everyone – first class singing and musicianship, dramatic highlights and plenty of humour.

Top of the bill was the ‘force of nature’ we all know as Shân Cothi.

Always a class act, she took the audience on a wonderful musical journey – from the My Fair Lady classic I Could Have Danced All Night and the Welsh classic Mai, to Chemins de l’amour and Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera.

Her set also included Mae Hiraeth yn y Morand the Laughing Song from Die Fledermaus, during which she enlisted the help of John Morris (aka John Bach) from Côr Meibion Llanelli. You had to be there. It was a hoot!

Shân also teamed up with Côr Meibion Llanelli for a soaring and emotional rendition of Verdi’s classic La Vergine Degli Angeli.

Côr Meibion Llanelli weighed in with Dashenka, Anthem from the musical Chess and Y Tangnefeddwyr, Wade in the Water, American Trilogy, and the spiritual A-men – yet again demonstrating that Llanelli possesses one of the finest male voice choirs in the land.

For much of the evening, the Côr Meibion Llanelli choristers were happy to give over the limelight to the youth of Llanelli.

The Lewis Meredith Sisters – Calley, Sarah and Steffi – dazzled with their Abba medley and Waterfalls by TLC.

And the concert also featured two 15-year-old ‘stars of the future’ with links to Llanelli Rotary Club.

Ffion Bates was the instrumental winner of the Rotary Club’s Young Musician of the Year competition, while Lauren Fisher was the vocalist and overall winner of the competition.

Ffion performed Beethoven’s Rondo – a performance which had the full house at Ffwrnes Theatre spellbound.

Lauren Fisher performed the Caro Emerald song That Man – a performance which demonstrated she has all the dramatic stage presence needed to succeed as a rising star.

Llanelli’s junior ambassadors of song, the Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers, provided a dramatic end to the first half of the show with a selection of “Cherished Classics” – O Fortuna from Carmina Burana, the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah and Nessun Dorma from Puccini’s Turandot.

The Hywel choirs also provided one of the dramatic highlights of the second-half, with ‘Magical Music from Les Misérables. At The End of the Day, I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own and the much loved finale of Do You Hear the People Sing were all featured, much to the delight of the packed house at Ffwrnes.

Also featured during the evening were Harmoni, a group of ladies from Lleisiau’r Cwm Ladies Choir and ex-pupils of Ysgol Y Strade – a choir formed especially for the centenary concert.

They served up two Welsh classics Ty ar y Mynydd and Adre’n ôl.

They coped admirably with having to follow the ‘scene-stealing’ act of the night – Côr Ysgol Heol Goffa School Choir.

Under the direction of Bridget Radford, they peformed Perfect by Ed Sheeran and This is Me, the big hit from the blockbusting musical film The Greatest Showman.

Their standing ovation was richly deserved.

The grand finale was provided by Shân Cothi, the Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers and Côr Meibion Llanelli with a powerful and emotional rendition of the famous Easter Hymn from Cavalleria Rusticana.

Musical directors John Hywel Williams (the Hywel choirs) and D Eifion Thomas (Côr Meibion Llanelli) held the evening together in true professional style, proudly wearing the Paul Harris Fellowship medals they were awarded by Llanelli Rotary Club for their community and charity work.

The accompanists for the evening were Rhiannon Pritchard, Jane Jewell, Catrin Hughes and Aled Maddock.

Mr John (JC) Williams used the interval to give the audience an address on the history of the Rotary service organisation in Llanelli and some of the club’s greatest achievements in a proud 100-year history.

The production was managed by Mr Cerith Owens, a member of Llanelli Rotary Club and the director of Loud Applause Productions.

The compere for the evening was Robert Lloyd, a past president and member of Llanelli Rotary Club.

The evening raised funds for the Green Light Postrate Cancer Machine at Prince Philip Hospital.

Parc y Scarlets hosted the region’s End of Season Awards ceremony on Saturday 19^th May, after securing their place in the Guinness PRO14 final at Glasgow’s Scotstoun Stadium on Friday evening.

The evening was an opportunity for players, coaches, staff, sponsors and partners alike to celebrate what has been a successful season for the region, with the Guinness Pro14 final still to come on Saturday evening.

The evening’s compare Rhys ap William welcomed everyone to the Parc for a glitzy awards ceremony.

Ahead of the awards ceremony captain Ken Owens gave an emotional send-off to the individuals leaving at the region.

Players moving on at the end of the season are Tom Varndell, Tom Williams, Billy McBryde, Tom Grabham, Rhys Jones, Jack Condy, Jack Maynard, Emyr Phillips, Aled Davies, Tadhg Beirne, John Barclay and Scott Williams.

2017-18 nominees and winners –  

Management Player sponsored by Enzo’s Homes
Tadhg Beirne
Ken Owens
Aaron Shingler
Winner: Ken Owens

Fans Player sponsored by CK Supermarkets
Rob Evans
Ken Owens
Tadhg Beirne
Rhys Patchell
Hadleigh Parkes
Steff Evans
Aaron Shingler
Winner: Tadhg Beirne

Clubman sponsored by Dyfed Steels
Mark Taylor

Try of the Season sponsored by Rees Sound
Paul Asquith v Benetton Rugby
Josh Macleod v Ospreys
Tom Prydie v Toulon
Tadhg Beirne v Bath
Steff Evans v Cheetahs
Winner: Tadhg Beirne v Bath

Players Player sponsored by City & Trust and Watches of Wales
Tadhg Beirne
Aaron Shingler
James Davies
Gareth Davies
Rhys Patchell
Winner: Tadhg Beirne

By Mark Jones, director of Carmarthen-based Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants.

Over the coming years, the government plans to phase in its landmark Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative, which will see taxpayers move to a fully digital tax system.

However, HMRC has shared a statement about how they are prioritising change in the department and as a result some parts of MTD will be delayed.

HMRC has acknowledged the challenges in:

• exiting the EU and
• the ambition to become the world’s most digitally advanced tax authority.

While some of the finer details are still being decided, HMRC have announced that, to achieve the above, some aspects of MTD are to be delayed.

HMRC still plan to go ahead with MTD for VAT from April 2019.

Information on some of the delayed projects is set out below:

Plans to introduce further digital services for individuals

There will be ‘halted progress’ on simple assessment and real-time tax code changes. Additional services in this area will only be added where they reduce phone or post contact or otherwise deliver ‘significant savings’.

Other digitalisation of services affecting fewer individuals

This includes Inheritance Tax payments, Tax Advantaged Venture Capital Schemes applications and PAYE Settlement Agreements

Creation of the single digital account for all businesses

HMRC has confirmed this will now happen at a ‘slower pace’. HMRC has confirmed the single digital account remains an aim of the department and they stress it will not impact the delivery of Making Tax Digital.

Voluntary Making Tax Digital for Business service for income tax

HMRC has confirmed this will continue to be available for any sole trader wishing to make quarterly updates to HMRC.

Mandatory Making Tax Digital for VAT – still ‘on track’

HMRC stated that MTD for VAT is still on track. VAT registered businesses with a turnover in excess of the £85,000 VAT registration threshold, will be required to comply with the requirements of MTD for VAT for all VAT periods commencing on or after 1 April 2019.

In addition, the government has confirmed that, it will not mandate any further MTD for Business changes before 2020, at the earliest.

Internet link: ICAEW (The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) blog – https://ion.icaew.com/taxfaculty/b/weblog/posts/hmrc-s-work-programme-to-implement-brexit-and-making-tax-digital-slowed-but-continuing

Meanwhile, with only a couple of weeks until the introduction of the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is warning small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that time is running out for them to prepare.

The business group stated that small businesses face an ‘uphill challenge’ in ensuring that they are compliant by the date when GDPR takes effect of 25 May 2018.

Under the new rules, organisations which collect, store and process individuals’ personal data will be subject to new obligations, with an increased emphasis on accountability and transparency.

The financial penalties for failing to comply are severe, with fines costing up to €20 million or up to 4% of total annual worldwide revenue, whichever is the greater.

Mike Cherry, National Chairman of the FSB said:

“As the GDPR deadline swiftly approaches, there is a real danger that many small businesses are yet to have adequately prepared for the changes. Fortunately for these businesses, there is still time on the clock to start, or finish, their preparations.

“The GDPR is the largest shake-up of data protection laws for years, and whether you are a personal trainer or a consultant, most businesses will have to implement changes to their current practices to make sure they are complying with the new rules.”

Further information on the GDPR can be found on the ICO website.

Internet link: FSB press release – https://www.fsb.org.uk/media-centre/press-releases/time-ticking-for-small-businesses-ahead-of-gdpr-deadline

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.

The Ospreys team to play Ulster at Kingspan Stadium on Sunday 20th May 2018, 3.05pm KO is as follows:

15 Sam Davies

14 Jeff Hassler

13 Ashley Beck

12 Owen Watkin

11 Hanno Dirksen

10 Dan Biggar

9 Tom Habberfield

1 Nicky Smith

2 Scott Otten

3 Dmitri Arhip

4 Bradley Davies

5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)

6 Dan Lydiate

7 Justin Tipuric

8 James King

REPLACEMENTS

16 Ifan Phillips

17 Rhodri Jones

18 Ma’afu Fia

19 Adam Beard

20 Sam Cross

21 Matthew Aubrey

22 Cory Allen

23 James Hook

The following players are unavailable for selection due to injury

Scott Baldwin – Foot

Dan Baker – Knee

Josh Cole – Knee

Olly Cracknell – Shoulder

Dan Evans – Foot

Kieron Fonotia – Hamstring

Keelan Giles – Knee

Hugh Gustafson – Achilles

Dafydd Howells – Shoulder

Paul James – Shoulder

Ben John – HIA

Will Jones – Ankle

Rob McCusker – Calf

Brian Mujati – Shoulder

Sam Parry – Chest

Rory Thornton – Shoulder

Rhys Webb – Knee

Head Coach, Allen Clarke, said:

“It’s a big game, no doubt, and there is a prize for both sides at the end of it.

“Both teams want to be playing in the Champions Cup next season. You earn the right to play in the elite competition and, for ourselves and Ulster, it all comes down to this one game.

“As a collective, we’ve had to work hard to put ourselves into a position where we are one win away from qualification. We’ve come from somewhere where absolutely nobody would have backed us to get through, after we lost in Connacht in February, and we did that by digging in, staying tight as a team and working hard together to put together a run of results that has put us where we are. 

“Ulster are a very good team and they will have home advantage but our preparation, our focus, has been all about us and that will be the case again for 80 minutes on Sunday.”

While Wales have broken records for their FIFA rankings since Euro 2016, Welsh football has set equally high standards at grassroots level.

UEFA have recognised Wales among seven nations, alongside the likes of England, Germany and the Netherlands, to be awarded its Grassroots Charter Gold Standard.

National team manager Ryan Giggs paid tribute to the volunteers and innovative programmes that impressed UEFA so much, saying:

“This is recognition of the great work that’s been done over the years. To be a part of that special group of countries and to be recognised alongside them is massive.

“It can only inspire the coaches of tomorrow, knowing that Welsh football is at the pinnacle of European football, in the standards that we’ve set. Now we have to keep to those standards and build on it.”

In awarding the Grassroots Charter Gold Standard UEFA have recognised the work being done to grow the game and transform communities in the FAW Trust’s innovative social programmes like Beatball, Cics Cymru, McDonald’s Fun Football and Lidl Play More Football.

FAW Trust Chief Executive Neil Ward believes the award should be celebrated together with partners, clubs as well as the huge army of volunteers and insists there is still more work to be done.

He said: “While we are thrilled to receive the gold standard, we do realise there is still more work to do. We are committed to achieving 50% of children in Wales playing football once a week by 2024.

“To do that, of course, there are certain challenges we need to overcome. Women and girls is a huge priority and will remain a key focus. We have to keep our eye on the ball in terms of our coaches and volunteers; encouraging new people to support the game and to develop their skills. Access to quality facilities is also a huge issue for football and we will continue to work with local partners to ensure that the people of Wales have places to play.”

The FAW Trust appreciate that Grassroots forms the lifeblood of football.

To learn more about how the FAWT strive to provide football for everybody, everywhere in Wales read here: http://www.fawtrust.cymru/grassroots/.

Video below:

Video of Wales National team manager Ryan Giggs paying tribute to the volunteers and innovative programmes.

An Aberystwyth University graduate has been awarded a prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
Melisa Basol graduated with a BSc in Psychology from Aberystwyth University in July 2017 before going to Cambridge University to study for an MPhil.
She will start her PhD in Psychology at Pembroke College, Cambridge, in autumn 2018.
Melisa is one of 92 students who will take up their scholarships later this year after being selected from a total pool of 5,798 applicants.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarships are award to the most academically exceptional and socially committed people from across the globe and is recognised as the University of Cambridge’s most prestigious international postgraduate scholarship.
Melisa said: “I feel very honoured to be entering a community of like-minded and ambitious individuals who are determined to make an impact. And whilst this fund is incredibly prestigious and generous, I am aware that this would have not been possible without the trust and unconditional support of my department at Aber. My accomplishments are a mere reflection of the guidance and encouragement I have received throughout my undergraduate degree and beyond.”
The Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University, Professor Elizabeth Treasure, said: “On behalf of Aberystwyth University, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to our alumna Melisa and wish her every success in her new scholarship. I am aware that competition for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship is intense, and only those who demonstrate exceptional intellectual ability, a commitment to improving the lives of others and real leadership potential are successful so this is a highly impressive achievement.”
Professor Nigel Holt, Head of the Department of Psychology at Aberystwyth University, said: “The Psychology team here at Aberystwyth work very hard to help students be the very best that they can. It was clear to us very early on that she was an exceptional student and we are extremely proud of her achievements. We all have students we will remember for ever, and who make our decision to work in universities even more worthwhile and Melisa is certainly one of those.”
Funded through a $210 million donation by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000, around 90 Cambridge scholars are selected each year from a pool of the most academically outstanding applicants to the University.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship aims to identify and select applicants who are academically outstanding and are likely to be transformative leaders across all fields of endeavour.
The Scholarship also places an emphasis on selecting those with a proven interest in improving the lives of others by helping address the numerous challenges we face locally, regionally and globally.
Professor Barry Everitt, Provost of the Gates Cambridge Trust, said: “We are delighted with the exceptional quality of applications for the Gates Cambridge programme for 2018 entry. The Trust has selected 92 excellent Scholars from a wide range of backgrounds to pursue their graduate studies at Cambridge and we very much look forward to welcoming them to Cambridge and the Gates Cambridge community in October.”

Photo: Melisa Basol studying Psychology at Aberystwyth University

Links:
Department of Psychology
www.aber.ac.uk/en/psychology
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
www.gatesscholar.org