Scarlets will take on Leinster in the European Rugby Champions Cup semi final, at Aviva Stadium Dublin on Saturday, the region’s first semi final in 11 years.

Captain Ken Owens, who was on the replacements bench in that semi final 11 years ago, but didn’t make it on to the field, will lead his side to the field on Saturday as he makes his 50^th European appearance.

Owens, alongside Scarlets’ Attack Coach Stephen Jones, are the only personnel remaining from that side over a decade ago but he will lead a star-studded side against former champions Leinster in Dublin on Saturday.

The Scarlets have experienced success in recent times at the Aviva Stadium, lifting the Guinness PRO12 trophy there at the end of last season, and will be looking to ensure a similar performance on Saturday afternoon.

With injuries to personnel in the backthree, including Johnny Mcnicholl and Tom Prydie, Pivac has named international stand-off Rhys Patchell at fullback with Steff Evans and Leigh Halfpenny on the wings.

The international centre partnership of Hadleigh Parkes and Scott Williams line up behind halfbacks Dan Jones and Gareth Davies.

Up front the international front row of Rob Evans, Owens and Samson Lee will lead from the front with Tadhg Beirne and David Bulbring in the second row. Adding weight to the back of the pack are Aaron Shingler, James Davies and John Barclay.

Looking ahead to the clash head coach Wayne Pivac said; “Leinster have shown right the way through this competition (that they’re the form team). Getting through the pool stage unbeaten shows the strength of their squad.

“It’s going to be one of those games, from first whistle to last, where we have to be at our best. It’s a great challenge and one where we aspire to be. We’re really looking forward to it.

“We can certainly take a lot of confidence out of the fact we went to Ireland twice last year and came away with two wins. Having said that that was twelve months ago. They’re a different side, we’re a different side. There’s some quality that was in the side last year that won’t be there this weekend. It’s going to be, I believe, a quality match. It’s going to be a massive occasion. It’ll be a difficult day, there’s no doubt about that.

“We’re in the same competitions so we face each other often. This is the first clash since that semi final last year with our top sides out. Both sides know there’s a massive prize at the end of the day. Everyone has a lot to play for.”

Scarlets team to face Leinster in the European Rugby Champions Cup semi final at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, kick-off 15:30;

15 Rhys Patchell, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Dan Jones, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Rob Evans, 2 Ken Owens ©, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 5 David Bulbring, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 James Davies, 8 John Barclay

Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Dylan Evans, 18 Werner Kruger, 19 Lewis Rawlins, 20 Steve Cummins, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Steff Hughes, 23 Will Boyde

Aberystwyth University students will take on the best in the world of cheerleading when they head to the USA next week.

Aberystwyth Tarannau Cheerleaders members Imogen Wild and Chris Welter have been selected to compete at the United States All Star Federation (USASF) Cheerleading and Dance World Championships which take place in Florida from 22 April until 2 May 2018.

Imogen and Chris are proficient gymnasts and members of the elite Telford Cheerforce Odysseyteam, who have qualified for the World Championships for the first time this year.

They will compete with Cheerforce Odysseyin the International Open Small Co-ed Team category against the best cheerleading teams in the world.

Chris is studying Film, Theatre and Television, said: “Both Imogen and I were competing in gymnastics before coming to Aberystwyth University. We already had the tumbling and stunting skills so it was a natural progression to join Tarannau and then compete on a more advanced level with Cheerforce Odyssey.”

Every three weeks the girls travel to Telford for a weekend training session. They also have a daily two hour training regime which has to be filmed as proof that they are keeping up to speed on new skills.

Imogen, who is studying Environmental Earth Sciences, said: “It’s a huge commitment but because I have to structure my day around my studies and training I feel that I get more done. It has all the benefits of any sport and is physically challenging. It’s a total stress reliever from studying and it makes me sleep better.”

Not only is cheerleading one the UK’s fastest growing sports, it is also classified as the most dangerous of contact sports.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally approved cheerleading as a sport and is providing some funds to aid the sports’ development for the next three years. At the end of that period, the IOC will decide whether to fully accept the sport into the Olympics.

Imogen, who is from the Isle of Man, and Chris from Luxembourg have been coaching Tarannau for the past 2 years.

The club includes a variety of dance teams and stunt groups that have been very successful in competitions at Wales and UK levels.

They hope that their experiences at the elite championships will benefit the team and encourage others to join up.

Imogen said: “We spend a lot of time coaching the Tarannau, it’s a way of life. It’s a good way of introducing people who don’t really like sport to keep fit. Cheerleading is varied and not repetitive like swimming or running, you have to completely trust your team-mates to be there for you. It improves health and happiness because everybody bonds and finishes the sessions with a smile.”

Chris added: “I would like to continue coaching after my competitive days. It’s been brilliant for my Film, Theatre, and Television degree as it makes you very aware of your body and really helps with the warming up exercises for dance and performance.”

Imogen and Chris’ participation in the cheerleading world championships has been made possible thanks for financial support from Aber Fund, the giving programme for alumni and friends of the University that supports projects that directly enrich student experience.

Aber Fund has already helped them reach a high level in their chosen sport through various projects and is funding their travel costs to Florida.

Hayley Goddard, Individual Giving Officer said: “We are very pleased that the Aber Fund can support Chris and Imogen to compete at such a high level. We cannot thank our alumni and supporters enough for making this possible and giving them both an unique opportunity. We wish them the very best of luck and look forward to seeing the impact that their experience and enthusiasm will have on future aspiring Aber cheerleaders.”

Imogen and Chris have also received financial support from Aberystwyth University’s Students Union.

Jessica Williams, NUS Opportunities Officer at Aberystwyth Students’ Union said: “It’s a huge opportunity for our students to compete in such a high calibre competition. Hopefully our donation will help the girls’ fulfil their ambitions.”

Photo: Chris Welter (Left) and Imogen Wild have been selected to compete at the United States All Star Federation (USASF) Cheerleading and Dance World Championships which take place in Florida.

Links:
Tarannau Cheerleaders: www.abersu.co.uk/organisation/6779/

USASF: www.usasf.net/worlds/championship/

Aber Fund: www.aber.ac.uk/development/support/aberfund/

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

The regulations to bring into force Making Tax Digital for VAT (MTDfV) are now law, and digital VAT returns will be required from 1 April 2019.

MTDfV is the first phase of HMRC’s landmark Making Tax Digital (MTD) regime, which will ultimately require taxpayers to move to a fully digital tax system.

Regulations have now been issued which set out the requirements for MTDfV.

Under the new rules, businesses with a turnover above the VAT threshold (currently £85,000) must keep digital records for VAT purposes and provide their VAT return information to HMRC using MTD functional compatible software.

The new rules have effect from 1 April 2019, where a taxpayer has a ‘prescribed accounting period’ which begins on that date, and otherwise from the first day of a taxpayer’s first prescribed accounting period beginning after 1 April 2019.

HMRC is piloting MTDfV during 2018, ahead of its introduction in April 2019.

Keeping digital records and making quarterly updates will not be mandatory for taxes other than VAT before April 2020, although businesses below the VAT threshold which have voluntarily registered for VAT can opt to join the scheme.

As with electronic VAT filing at present, there will be some exemptions from MTD for VAT.

However, the exemption categories are tightly-drawn and unlikely to be applicable to most VAT registered businesses.

Keeping digital records will not mean businesses are mandated to use digital invoices and receipts but the actual recording of supplies made and received must be digital.

It is likely that third party commercial software will be required.

Software will NOT be available from HMRC.

The use of spreadsheets will be allowed, but they will have to be combined with add-on software to meet HMRC’s requirements.

Meanwhile, from 1 April 2018, Land Transaction Tax (LTT) will replace Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).

LTT will be collected by the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA).

HMRC has published guidance on the introduction of the new tax and the way in which property transactions straddling 1 April 2018 and cross border transactions will be dealt with.

It is worth making a note of how property taxes work across the UK.

From 22 November 2017, there is an exemption for first-time buyers from SDLT on the first £300,000 when buying a home, where the total price of the property is not more than £500,000.

A total of 5% is payable on purchases between £300,000 and £500,000.

However, with devolved taxes, buying a property in Scotland and Wales can bring different tax consequences.

In Scotland, Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) applies instead of SDLT.

Therefore an LBTT relief for first-time buyers of properties up to £175,000 has been proposed in the Scottish Draft Budget 2018/19. This is subject to a government consultation before the relief launches in 2018/19.

Welsh first-time buyers benefit from first-time buyers SDLT relief until 31 March 2018.

Land Transaction Tax (LTT) replaces SDLT in Wales from 1 April 2018.

The starting rate for LTT will be £180,000, benefiting not just first-time buyers but other home buyers in Wales.

A higher rate, of 3% over standard rates for additional residential properties, applies to purchases throughout the UK whether SDLT, LBTT or LTT applies.

A new land-transaction-tax-calculator is available.

HMRC has issued guidance on the changes in Wales and the transitional rules for property transactions.

Internet link –

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tax-is-changing-in-wales

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 next Bank Holiday weekend promises to be a memorable one for Llandovery Male Voice Choir.

They will be staging their annual concert on Saturday, May 5, at Pantycelyn School (7pm start).

The guest soloists will be tenor Aled Wyn Davies and soprano Llio Evans.

Mrs Lynne Jones MBE will be the musical director and the accompanist will be Mrs Elaine Robins.

Mrs Shirley Ann James will be president for the evening and the proceeds from the event (tickets £10) will go towards Friendship Club 2018.

Llio Evans, hails from the famous village on the island of Anglesey, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, or Llanfair PG, as most of us know it!

With her sparkling vocal tone and charming stage presence, Llio particularly revels in coquettish and comic roles.

Recent highlights include Iris (Semele) for Garsington Opera, The Little One in the revival of Music Theatre Wales’ critically-acclaimed production of The Golden Dragon (Eötvös) and her English National Opera debut as Celia in Iolanthe.

Aled Wyn Davies has become a very familiar name to Welsh concertgoers over the years.

He is one of the famous Three Welsh Tenors, along with Aled Hall and Rhys Meirion.

He started his career as a folk-singer, but, after winning all the important prizes in folk-singing at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in 1999 and the National Eisteddfod of Wales in 2001, he started to broaden his horizons as a tenor soloist.

One of Aled’s greatest achievements is that he has won the national tenor solo competition three times in succession in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

He won the ultimate accolade at the Swansea National Eisteddfod of Wales in 2006 – the famous Blue Riband vocal prize (Y Rhuban Glas).

Aled has had considerable success at all of our major eisteddfodau including “International Singer of the Year” at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.

Aled has been very honoured over the last few years to sing with many outstanding performers including Gwyn Hughes Jones, Jonathan Lemalu, David Kempster and Shan Cothi and, of course, Rhys Meirion and Aled Hall.

One of the highlights must be performing the Pearl Fishers duet with Bryn Terfel at a special concert in Machynlleth in 2015.

Next week will see the much-anticipated ‘Music for the Parc’ is being staged at Llanelli’s Stradey Park Hotel on Friday, April 27 (7pm).

The concert follows a successful ‘Music in the Park’ event organised by the Parc Howard Association.

The evening will be hosted by BBC newsreader and broadcaster Huw Edwards, who is, of course, a native of Llangennech.

The concert will feature The Phil Harmonics, alongside the award-winning Parti Llwchwr, Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir, Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera, Otherside, Osian Clarke and Adele O’Neill.

Tickets are £12 and available from Mossies at Llanelli Market Precinct or via members of The Phil Harmonics.

Soloist Adele O’Neill is always a favourite with Llanelli audiences.

Adele is a native of Pontarddulais and an experienced Coloratura Soprano who graduated from The Guildhall School of Music and Drama (2003-07) under the tutelage of Professor Laura Sarti, the celebrated Italian Mezzo Soprano.

Adele has been successful in voice competitions which include the National Eisteddfod of Wales, winning several prizes in the soprano class. She was the winner of the International gold medal singing competition at Llangollen International Eisteddfod in 2008, and a semi-finalist in the International Montserrat Caballe singing competition in Zaragoza Spain in 2008.

Following her competition successes, Adele has performed in many operas with acclaim from both audience and critics.

Her operatic roles include principal roles as Adina (L’elisir d’amore) Donizetti; Leonora (Il Trovatore),  Violetta (La Traviata) Verdi; Micaela (Carmen), Bizet; Adele (Die Fledermaus) Strauss; Norma (Norma) Bellini; Elizabeth (Mary Stuarda) Donezetti.

Adele has performed as a soloist for many ensembles throughout the UK.

International engagements have included concerts in Spain, Italy, Czech Republic and Canada.

She has performed with Longborough Festival Opera, Grange Park opera, and most recently Welsh National Opera.

In addition to her operatic work she has recorded with the Pontarddulais Male Voice choir, Côr Meibion Llanelli and Morriston RFC male voice choir.

Tickets are now available for a major concert to be staged at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli on Saturday, May 19, 2018 (7pm).

An array of stars will perform a very special evening of song in celebration of Llanelli Rotary Club marking its landmark Centenary Year.

Shan Cothi, one of the country’s most popular sopranos, will be sharing the stage with two great Welsh international choral ambassadors – Côr Meibion Llanelli, under the baton of conductor D Eifion Thomas, and the Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers, under the baton of conductor John Hywel Williams.

Joining them will be the delightful sounds of Cor Ysgol Goffa, an ensemble from Ysgol Y Strade under the baton of Catrin Hughes and the Lewis-Meredith sisters – Calley, Sarah and Steffi.

The event has two aims –

To help commemorate the centenary of Llanelli Rotary Club

To raise funds for the Green Light Postrate Cancer Machine at Prince Philip Hospital.

The concert is another event co-produced by Carmarthenshire Theatres and Loud Applause.

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.

Soprano Jessica Robinson is from Pembrokeshire and graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with a first class Honours Degree.

As a student at the RWCMD, Jessica studied with Beatrice Unsworth and Jeffrey Howard, winning the Aneurin Davies memorial award, The Mansel Thomas prize, The Margaret Tann Award and the Elias Soprano award.

Throughout her studies, Jessica has been fortunate to participate in master classes with artists such as Michael Pollock, Simon Lepper, Adrian Thompson, Simon Keenleyside, Donald Maxwell and John Fisher. Jessica was also chosen to sing as part of an octet for HRH the Prince of Wales.

Her singing life started at a young age as a competitor in local eisteddfodau in her home county of Pembrokeshire.

She went on to gain success nationally in the Urdd and the National Eisteddfodau.

Jessica has represented Pembrokeshire in the Young Farmers Eisteddfod winning the under 26 solo in 2008 and again in 2012. She was awarded Vocalist of the Year in the Pembrokeshire Chevron Music Awards and Musical Student of the Year in her secondary school, Ysgol y Preseli, Crymych.

as an oratorio and concert soloist, Jessica has performed in venues such as the Wales Millennium Stadium, The National Museum of Wales, Dorking Halls and The Dora Stoutzker Hall. She regularly appears in concerts all over the UK as guest artist with many of Wales’ most renowned Male Voice Choirs such as Blaenavon, Bridgend, South Wales and the London Welsh Male Voice choir. A personal highlight for Jessica was being asked to perform to the Welsh rugby team at the Welsh Assembly during the champagne reception celebrating their success in the Six Nations Championship and also alongside Paul Potts in a Charity concert for the Philippines disaster.

Recent oratorio performances include Handel’s Messiah ( Symffonia Tywi and The Mega Messiah), Vivaldi’s Gloria, Rutter’s Mass of the Children, Karl Jenkins’ Peace Makers and Joseph Parry’s Emmanuel (Côr Bro Ogwr). Jessica performed her first operatic role as the Spirit in ‘Dido and Aeneas’ by Purcell with ‘Opera’r Ddraig’, scene credits include Despina (Cosi fan Tutti), Violetta (La Traviata) and the Countess (Le nozze di Figaro).

Jessica is an artist on the prestigious Live Music Now scheme and also performs regularly as an artist with Music in Hospitals.

Jessica performed in China in March as part of a Welsh Government Scheme; she toured around the country introducing Welsh music. Then toured with the Harry Ensemble as their soprano soloist around New York in May.

Welsh tenor Trystan Llŷr Griffiths, who hails from Clunderwen, Pembrokeshire, is a popular concert soloist throughout Wales and further afield.

One of the first recipients of a Study Award from the Bryn Terfel Foundation, he was named the Voice Of Wales by Decca Records in 2012 in an S4C TV series.

Trystan studied initially at University of Wales Trinity Saint David for a Theatre, Music and Media degree. He subsequently completed an MA degree in Vocal Studies at the Royal Academy of Music and a further postgraduate degree in Opera Performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. He has recently completed his studies as a Trainee at the National Opera Studio in London.

Prizes and awards include: Ian Stoutzker Prize 2014; Richard Van Allan Award 2014; Bruce Millar Gulliver Singing Prize 2014; RWCMD HRH Prince of Wales Scholarship 2013; Dunraven Welsh Young Singer of the Year 2013; MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year Prize 2012; Sybil Tutton Award 2012; London Welsh Young Singer of the Year Prize 2011; W. Towyn Roberts Scholarship 2011; Osborne Roberts Memorial Prize 2009.

Concert highlights include appearances at the Royal Albert Hall, Hay-on-Wye Festival with Bryn Terfel, the Brynfest at the Southbank Centre, a concert performance of Tristan und Isolde with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and recitals at St Martin-in-the- Fields and the Cardiff Music Festival.

He took the role of Carlos in a recording of Le Duc d’Albe with the Hallé Orchestra for Opera Rara and during summer 2015 received a scholarship to attend the Mozart Residency at Festival d’Aix-en- Provence.

Trystan made his first professional operatic début in the role of Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutte on tour with Scottish Opera.

Finally, here’s a 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, then 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

………………………….

ONE DAY, IT’LL ALL BE WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE

I’ve long suspected that so-called ‘inanimate objects’ are far from inanimate.

Either they’re an evil cabal conspiring against us to mess up our daily lives . . .

(Just like the Welsh Assembly!)

Or they have a wicked sense of humour . . .

(Unlike the Welsh Assembly!)

Just think about the number of times you’ve tripped over something in the house that wasn’t there the last time you looked.

How did it get there?

Conversely, how many times have you gone to pick something up that you definitely rememberleaving on a table, only to find it isn’t there – and, then, you eventually find it in a different place in a different room?

How did it get there?

If you need moreconvincing, how often have you walked past a door handle while wearing old clothes without incident.

But, the very firsttimeyou wear a brand new sweater or jacket you catch it on that same ‘innocent looking’ door handle, causing a tear in the material?

Ah! Now you’re starting to believe me!

But, the tables are turning – and not by themselves.

A number of Welsh people are plotting against one of the biggest, longest and heaviest inanimate objects in the country.

The Second Severn Crossing.

They’re so unhappy that it’s being re-named “The Prince Of Wales Bridge” they’re protesting and signing petitions.

They may march on Westminster, brandishing pitchforks and lighted torches.

It’s a day out. Bring sandwiches and a flask!

Frankly, from where I’m sitting, up here on the fence, it’s unimportant whatthis bridge is named.

It won’t answer when you speak to it or send you a Christmas card, because, being a metal structure built to convey vehicles from one side of the Severn to the other, it isn’t aware it has a name!

When all the hoo-hah has died down, we’ll still call it the Second Severn Crossing as we always have.

Mind you, “The Phil Evans Bridge” does have a nice ring to it.

How do I start a petition?

——————

True talent:

On Sunday, The new Selwyn Samuel Event Arena in Llanelli hosted the Welsh Factor National Final talent competition to a sell-out audience of more than 1000 people.

Again, we witnessed young talent from the heart of Wales who had worked their way up through the heats, beating strong competition in order to share the final stage with some of the best new talent Wales has to offer.

What an achievement – and an occasion that many who were there will remember for years to come.

We were entertained by dancers, a choir, singer-songwriters, duos, trios and a magician.

It would be fair to say that all 54 acts who made it through to this final heat were clear winners in my eyes.

Over the years, I have witnessed the popularity and growth of this event and am yet to see a rival match its commitment to the showcasing and development of performing arts here in Wales.

This is the platform for new talent to gain confidence and exposure, in a supportive and friendly environment.

Welsh Factor was founded by the extremely hard-working Miss Anna Marie Thomas from Neath, and mentored by her dad Gareth Thomas, who has been involved in the entertainment industry for more than 50 years.

This level of experience, together with a strong technical support team, enabled the talent on display to shine and entertain to the highest standard.

Support your local performers! You know it makes sense.

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