THE countdown is well and truly on for St David’s Day on March 1 and a long weekend of annual celebration concerts.

This time around, we are going to face plenty of choices as there are three west Wales concerts on the schedule at Carmarthenshire Theatres, Theatrau Sir Gar.

A spokesman for Theatrau Sir Gar said: “We’re thrilled to be hosting a St David’s Celebration Concert in each of our three venues in 2024.

“These special events are presented in partnership with Loud Applause Productions and will feature a hand-picked selection of talented Welsh performers.”

First up on the calendar will be the St David’s Celebration Concert at ‘Glowyr’ (The Miners’ Theatre) in Ammanford.

At The Miners’, the evening will brim with musical talent. You’ll be able to enjoy performances from Steffan Hughes, renowned singer and manager of the ‘Welsh from the West End’ collective and Eifion Thomas’s male voice choir from Llanelli, Meibion Elli.

The evening will also feature popular local choir Parti Merched Ysgol Dyffryn Amman.

The evening will be hosted bilingually by the very talented Heddyr Gregory.

The concert is on February 29 (7pm) and tickets are available at £14.50 and £12.50.

Steffan Hughes is a singer and presenter from north Wales. He has performed for the likes of HRH Prince William, Shirley Bassey and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and shared the stage with performers including Paloma Faith, Katherine Jenkins and Russell Watson in iconic venues such as the Wales Millennium Centre, Bridgwater Hall, Cadogan Hall and Sage Gateshead.

He is a member of the Classical Brit Award-winning group Only Men Aloud and has enjoyed performing on several UK Tours, half-time performances at the Principality Stadium during the Six Nations as well as TV performances on This Morning and BBC’s Children in Need.

In 2018, he released his second solo album titled ‘Steffan’ which was featured as album-of-the-week on BBC Radio Wales. He performs regularly on the Welsh language channel S4C and presents his own radio show titled Sioeau Cerdd Steffan (Steffan’s Musicals) on BBC Radio Cymru.

Steffan is the creator of ‘Welsh of the West End’, which became an online viral sensation during lockdown, gaining more than 18 million views and 250,000 likes, entertaining audiences with their show-stopping versions of musical theatre classics.

‘Welsh of the West End’ have performed at iconic venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and the London Palladium, and wowed audiences internationally by reaching the live semi-finals of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent.

March 1, St David’s Day, will see the patron saint celebrations switch to The Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen.

The stage will be dominated by the multi-award-winning Côr Meibion Pontarddulais Male Choir, under the baton of Clive Phillips.

The evening will be hosted bilingually by broadcaster and journalist Garry Owen and will also feature performances from international harpist Dylan Cernyw and a local young choir, soon to be announced.

The March 1 concert kicks off at 7pm and tickets are £18.50 and £16.50. There is a discount price of £15.50 for a Group of 10-plus.

The following day, March 2, the focus switches to Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli.

Top of the bill at Ffwrnes will be popular Welsh tenor Trystan Llŷr Griffiths.

He will be joined on stage by Morriston RFC Male Choir (Côr Rygbi Treforus) and Côr Lleisiau’r Cwm.

The evening will also feature the talented pupils of Ysgol Yr Hendy and will be hosted bilingually by Garry Owen.

The concert starts at 7pm and the ticket prices are the same as for The Lyric concert.

Tickets for the St David’s Day concerts are available from Carmarthenshire Theatres, Theatrau Sir Gar, or from the website at – https://www.theatrausirgar.co.uk/

Meanwhile, Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli has been picked as a venue for a touring production of Verdi’s Macbeth.

One of Shakespeare’s greatest plays is also one of Verdi’s greatest operas.

Mid Wales Opera is staging its first-ever production of Macbeth as the culmination of its Shakespeare Season.

You will be able to experience a gripping tale of power, manipulation and tragic descent as Macbeth, a valiant general, succumbs to his wife’s persuasion, leading to a ruthless quest for the Scottish throne.

Verdi’s magnificent score, with its sweeping melodies and intricate harmonies, propels the psychologically thrilling narrative, while Act 4 introduces a modern twist with the haunting chorus of refugees.

The opera will be sung in English. The Mid Wales Opera company will be accompanied by Ensemble Cymru and a large cast will be supplemented by community choruses.

The opera will be staged at Ffwrnes on March 19. Tickets are £20 and £18.

Macbeth will feature Welsh Soprano Mari Wyn Williams and Canadian-born Jean-Kristof Bouton.

In other news, a Llanelli-based company called Scarlet Musical Theatre Productions will be making a much-anticipated debut this week.

The classic coming-of-age rock musical Spring Awakening will be the first full-scale production for Scarlet Musical Theatre.

The show is being staged at Stiwdio Stepni at Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli on February 22 and 23.

With music by Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by Steven Sater, Spring Awakening is based on the controversial 1891 German play by Frank Wedekind.

Spring Awakening contains partial nudity and sexual content, as well as explicit language. It is recommended for an audience of 16 and over.

Tickets for the February performances in the intimate Stidwio Stepney space are £12.

In March, a brand new musical, produced by National Theatre Wales, is coming to Llanelli.

Feral Monster is described as a ‘banging new musical about an unremarkable teenager’.

It will be staged at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, on Wednesday, March 13 (7pm).

Feral Monster is written by Bethan Marlow and directed by Izzy Rabey, with music by Nicola T Chang.

The cast features Lily Beau, Carys Eleri, Geraint Rhys Edwards, Rebecca Hayes, Nathaniel Leacock and Leila Navabi.

Tickets are available from Carmarthenshire Theatres, Theatrau Sir Gar.

TRIBUTES have been paid this week to Jenkins Bakery director and company secretary David Jenkins, who died suddenly at the age of 66.

David was a key pillar in the widely-admired family firm – a business established by his grandparents, David and Elizabeth, in 1921.

His brother Russell, operations director at the business, led the tributes and said: “David was immensely proud of what Jenkins Bakery has achieved as a family business.

“He was very passionate about the business and always focussed on our mission of producing quality products and providing excellent customer service.

“As a family, we are, of course, in mourning for David. Staff members are obviously very upset at the news, but they had great respect for David and know that his wishes would be very much for carrying on with business as usual.

“David was educated at Old Road Primary School and Llanelli Grammar School, before attending Southampton Technical College (now Southampton University) and later studying in Hull.

“He qualified as a company secretary and worked for big names such as Grand Metropolitan and Slough Estates.

“He joined the business in 1990, at a time when the business had five shops based in Llanelli.

“Today, the business has 300 full and part-time employees and has 28 shops spanning south Wales.

“He had been involved some years ago with the BAKO UK wholesale cooperative and was also a Director of the National Association of Craft Bakers.

“David’s passion for making Jenkins Bakery the success story it is today shone through in all his work and he leaves a great legacy in the shape of the family business today.”

Mr Jenkins was a member and president of Cor Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir. He enjoyed walking, travelling, spending time with the family and socialising.

The Jenkins Bakery staff will be respecting a two-minute silence in all shops in David’s memory at 1.30pm on the day of the funeral, Tuesday, February 27.

Llanelli MP Dame Nia Griffith said: “It was with deep sorrow that I heard the very sad news of the sudden death of David Jenkins, and my very sincere condolences go to his family.”

“As Company Secretary of the iconic family business Jenkins Bakery, he was a real pillar of our community, supporting our town centre and providing employment for some 300 employees in the factory in Trostre and in the 28 shops across south Wales.”

“In the best tradition of a very successful family business, Jenkins Bakery commands a very loyal workforce and has moved with the times, opening new stores and delighting customers with a whole range of high-quality products from the traditional to innovative, and this is due in no small part to David Jenkins and his immense dedication and hard work.”

“I remember his tremendous enthusiasm as he talked about plans for the 100th anniversary of the firm which was founded in 1921, but I was also very touched by his personal concern and care for others. He will be very sorely missed.”

Llanelli Senedd Member Lee Waters said: “The Jenkins brand is inseparable from the identity of modern Llanelli, but it didn’t win its place in our affections by accident.”

“David Jenkins played a central role building this much-loved local family business into what it is today. He was rightly proud at what he and his family had created and the service it provided to its customers, its workers and to the wider area.”

Llanelli Town Mayor Concillor Nick Pearce said: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the sudden and untimely passing of David Jenkins. As company secretary of Jenkins Bakery, he played a central role in an institution that is woven into the very fabric of Llanelli life. It is a tremendous loss to his family and the wider Jenkins team. My heartfelt condolences go to his loved ones at this difficult time.”

Wynford Harries, the last chairman of Cor Meibion Llanelli, said: “David was a great fan and supporter of Cor Meibion Llanelli and we are all shocked at his sudden passing. He enjoyed singing with us at rehearsals and at some of our events. Our condolences go to David’s family and all at Jenkins Bakery.”

• David Kevin Jenkins (Director of Jenkins Bakery, Llanelli), passed away suddenly on Monday, February 5, at Prince Philip Hospital. Beloved husband of Jennifer, cherished father of Clare and Sarah, dearly loved brother of Philip, Lindsay, Russell and Stephen and a dear brother-in-law of Susan, Caroline and Margaret. Funeral Tuesday, February 27, service to be held at Llanelli Crematorium 1pm. Donations, if so desired, can be made to ‘RNLI’, c/o Silcox Family Funerals, 83 New Road, Llanelli SA15 3DS. Tel. 01554 773120

MY grandfather must have had the gift of looking into the future when he left me a treasured World War Two metal helmet.

He knew the steel ‘Mark II No 2’ Home Guard headwear would come in handy for a journalist willing to suggest radical ideas.

The helmet will be close at hand as I retreat to my bunker after completing this week’s column, which revolves around a story I originally thought was an early April Fool’s Day joke.

Apparently, the 2024 Six Nations clash between Ireland and Wales next week will be the final time the two nations face off in their traditional kit colours.

The green of Ireland and the red of Wales is a massive clash for colour-blind supporters. So, changes are needed.

It’s at this point that I reach for the steel helmet and fail to resist the opportunity to recite the famous quote by snooker commentator Ted Lowe, who remarked, “and for those of you who are watching in black and white, the pink is next to the green.”

The temptation to suggest Wales and Ireland retain their patriotic colours is one to be resisted, of course, as the issue of colour blindness is very serious (and, naturally, I sympathise with any sufferers).

Colour blindness (colour vision deficiency, or CVD) affects approximately one in 12 men (8%) and one in 200 women.

In the UK, there are approximately three million colour blind people (about 4.5% of the entire population), most of whom are male.

For most colour blind people, the condition is genetic and is usually inherited from their mother. Experts reckon that some people become colour blind as a result of other diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Ageing, drugs and medications may be other factors.

According to the Colour Blind Awareness website, being ‘red/green colour blind’ means people can easily confuse any colours which have some red or green as part of the whole colour.

So, someone with red/green colour blindness is likely to confuse blue and purple because they can’t ‘see’ the red element of the colour purple.

Problems can arise across the entire colour spectrum, potentially affecting perception of all reds, greens, oranges, browns, purples, pinks and greys. Even black can be confused as dark red, dark green or dark blue/purple.

The red-green combination should no longer be a problem after next week’s Dublin clash between the countries.

World Rugby regulations will come into force in January next year, and they aim to assist those with CVD.

The Six Nations tournament will adopt the new regulations, with all teams mandated to avoid kit clashes that could negatively impact spectators and television viewers suffering from CVD.

“Kit colour clashes do change the way you watch a game, and I have absolute empathy with those whose enjoyment is affected as a result,” Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney said this week.

“Our current alternate kit is black, and we have used green in the recent past. Neither of these examples particularly help with this issue, and additionally, the colour red in Wales is not just traditional, but a part of our culture.

“But there are other ways to work around the issues, and kits with significantly different designs can help avoid the problem, too.

“We need to think laterally about how we can overcome the issue ahead of next year, perhaps not just with more inventive use of colours, but in our kit designs, too.

“If one team is in checks and the other is in stipes, for example, then colours become pretty irrelevant, but we are thinking hard about a solution that works for everyone.

“We recognise that this is a serious issue for many fans, and we are taking it very seriously ourselves.”

Ms Tierney has summed up the problem very well, recognising the important of the colour red in our Welsh culture and national identity.

So, to help the Welsh Rugby Union find a solution which appeases both CVD sufferers and passionate Welsh rugby supporters, I have the answer.

Reaching again for my steel helmet for safety reasons, can I suggest we look to history for the solution.

Owain Glyndŵr is the most famous Welshman from the late Middle Ages – a leader, lawyer, soldier and military commander who was the last native-born Welshman to claim the title Prince of Wales.

He had a banner and coat of arms which is easily adapted into a flag – and can just as easily be adapted into a quartered rugby jersey.

The shirt can retain the red elements to ease the pain for rugby fans who like the traditional colour.

The quarters and the pattern allow for enough of a design change to make it easy for CVD sufferers to recognise who’s who on the rugby pitch.

And there’s the added bonus of dragons – and we Welsh do love dragons.

There are unlikely to be any copyright issues preventing Wales using the warrior’s banner.

And the history lesson of Owain Glyndŵr should be just what we need to stir rugby passions and enable us to go unbeaten in 2025’s Six Nations campaign.

Naturally, I will forfeit any intellectual property rights for giving the WRU a cracking idea.

They can donate my jersey consultancy fees to charity.

It’s win, win all around, I reckon.

Or will I have to reach for Tadcu’s metal helmet and take cover while the rest of you say the idea has left you seeing red?

THE BANK TILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC!

I was queuing in my bank, waiting to deposit my winnings from the one-armed bandit in my local pub.

For those of you who don’t know, he’s a Brazilian named Pedro Gonzales and (as he’s minus one arm) you wonder why he didn’t follow a less demanding career than banditry . . . and also why he plays pub dominos for money with me, the man crowned West Wales Domino Champion three years running.

And, believe me, playing dominos while you’re running takes some doing.

As I queued, I was forced to listen to a cacophony of songs playing from the speakers around me. Mainly ear-piercing, back-to-back, soulful (i.e. depressing) ballads sung by Adele squawk-a-likes.

It seemed totally inappropriate for what is, after all, a business environment where customers carry out private or commercial financial matters, without having their ears assaulted by someone wringing every last syllable out of a simple line like “You don’t love me anymore” for 10 minutes,

That evening, the TV news announced more branches of a well-known bank are closing because the majority of their customers bank online.

A spokesperson said only eight per cent actually use their local branch, mainly people over the age of 60 – stopping short of referring to them as dinosaurs or nuisances. But only just!

I question that low percentage. But, assuming it’s true, I have a couple of questions . . .

Why do banks have songs playing in the background, anyway?

People managed quite well without it for decades and not one customer commented, as they cashed their wages cheque, “You know, what this place needs is some Sinatra blasting out!”

If most customers who use banks in 2024 are over 60, why are the songs they have to listen to more likely to appeal to the under 30s, who, we’re assured, all bank online?

Banks can’t have it both ways.

Could it be a sinister ploy by banks to make the experience so excruciating for loyal customers who’ve been with them for years, they decide to throw in the towel and bank online?

If so, eventually only the staff will be left to hum along to the songs . . just before the branch closes and they’re out of work.

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We can all help our towns.

Listen up, folks! We need to talk about supporting our local businesses because it’s getting real out there. I mean, have you seen the struggle? It’s like watching a marathon runner with a broken leg trying to compete against Usain Bolt. It’s not pretty.

These local small businesses, some of them passed down through generations, have been the backbone of our culture for as long as we can remember.

But guess what? They’re disappearing faster than a slice of pizza at a party. It’s a sad sight to see.

But fear not, my friends, because we can make a difference. It’s time to rally together and show some love to our local communities. And who should step up to the plate? Our local councils, that’s who!

They need to make our towns more accessible with cheaper (or dare I say, free) parking. That way, our local traders can actually have a fighting chance against the retail giants.

Let’s face it, when a local business shuts down, it’s not like it magically reappears like a phoenix.

Nope, it’s gone for good, leaving a void in our towns and villages.

And trust me, you can see the effects. The character and community spirit are slowly eroding, and we’re just standing by, watching it happen like it’s no big deal.

But guess what? It is a big deal!

It’s time to wake up and smell the local coffee shop’s freshly brewed java.

We need to up our game, people!

We need to make a conscious effort to buy locally and show our commitment to keeping the heart of our culture and communities alive.

So the next time you’re tempted to click that “Add to Cart” button on a faceless online store, think twice.

Take a stroll down your local high street, support that quirky little bookstore, indulge in some handmade crafts, and grab a bite at that family-run restaurant.

Because, when we buy local, we’re not just making a purchase, we’re making a statement. We’re saying, “Hey, we care about our community, and we’re here to keep the spirit alive!”

Let’s show those retail giants that the little guys can pack a punch.

Who’s with me? Let’s make our towns vibrant, unique, and full of life again!

INTERESTED in pop, rock and opera? Then, the popular musical duo called Zirenz have something which is just up your street.

Zirenz are Bex Hazard and Cat Llewelyn, two singers and musicians based in the heart of the Gwendraeth Valley.

They are already making an impression on the local scene with their unique blend of opera and trance music.

Now they are launching special workshops in Kidwelly.

The POP 2 OPERA vocal workshops are open to all levels, beginners to advanced, for teenagers 13–17 and Adults 18-plus.

The workshops consist of a three-hour group session.

All participants will work together as a group and, during the three-hour session, they will learn a collection of vocal warm-up exercises to develop a strong grounding in vocal technique followed with group song coaching of pop, rock and opera styles.

Lyrics and music will be provided for each student to pre-download as well as a sample of the POP 2 OPERA vocal workout for vocal exercising so that participants can develop vocal technique and begin to discover the potential in their voices.

The POP 2 OPERA vocal workshop is on Saturday, February 17, 6-9pm at St Mary’s Church, Kidwelly.

As Zirenz, Bex Hazard and Cat Llewelyn kicked off their career together by winning an Honourable Mention Award from the world-renowned John Lennon songwriting competition USA in 2003.

Their music has been influenced by a plethora of composers from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Giacomo Puccini , Gustav Holst, Ennio Morricone , John Williams, Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman, along with the dance influences of Armin Van Buuren and electronic pop Max Martin, Pet Shop Boys, Kraftwerk, Jean-Michel Jarre and the legendary Vangelis.

In 2021, their track “Edge of Space” was part of Trance music history when included in A State Of Trance All Time TOP #1000 list by the five-time Ranked World No1 DJ Armin van Buuren.

As Radio DJ’s Zirenz for several years hosted the Afterworld Sessions Radio show focussing on the best of Trance music which broadcast weekly on Romanian Radio Cluj Public broadcasting station, covering several counties in Transylvania, on 909, 1404 and 1593 (AM). In Cluj-Napoca 95,6 FM, Sibiu 95,4 FM & Satu-Mare 87.9 FM. and syndicated to several award winning online digital radio stations broadcasting from UK, USA, France, Holland, Greece, Ireland and Mexico to thousands of listeners each week.

Cat Llewleyn of Zirenz was a member of the Youth choir of Wales and Youth Orchestra of Wales, performing on Welsh TV and Radio. Cat gained a Masters degree in Computer Science at Swansea University. As a vocalist she went on to study privately in London with Bex Hazard and the theatrical and pop vocal coach Mary Hammond.

Bex Hazard started her music journey at the age of 10, composing her first choral piece for her school choir for a BBC carol competition. Bex continued song writing playing guitar and piano and went on to winning an opportunity to record and perform at BBC Pebble Mill Studios Birmingham.

Her vocal training began when she joined the Award Winning Cantamus Girls Choir under the direction of Pamela Cook MBE, she then gained an entrance scholarship to study at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music London for several years graduating with Hons in Voice and OPERA Performance.

While at the RAM Bex studied with world class Opera singers Yvonne Minton CBE , ENO Voice Consultant Josephine Veasey CBE and the Italian Soprano and Opera producer Graziella Sciutti.

Zirenz are working extensively in the Studio and Stage on their “pOpera project” a project that brings together all of Zirenz music diversity and knowledge which they have acquired and developed over the last 25 years.

You can find the latest details about all Zirenz releases and performances on the official zirenz website –https://zirenz.com

You can also find out more about the planned workshops.

This week, the Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen welcomes back Carmarthen Youth Opera.

This year, the spotlight shines on the award-winning musical Our House, featuring iconic hits from the legendary band Madness.

Our House is a romantic comedy based on music by Madness and a compelling book by playwright Tim Firth.

Set against the backdrop of ‘80s ska beats, the musical delves into themes of love, family values, responsibility, and the journey of growing up, all through the lens of Madness’s timeless songs, including chart-toppers like Our House, Baggy Trousers, and House of Fun.

The narrative unfolds on a summer’s evening in London, following the adventures of Camden lad Joe Casey. As Joe navigates love, friendship, and pivotal life decisions, the audience is taken on a rollercoaster of emotions with a dual narrative guided by the ghost of Joe’s deceased criminal father.

Director Dan Williams ensures a high-octane performance, promising audiences an unforgettable experience.

The immensely talented ensemble is backed by a West End standard orchestra, delivering a musical feast that captures the energy and spirit of Madness’s greatest hits.

The choreography, staging, make-up, and lighting are meticulously crafted, rivalling any professional theatre production.

Performances are scheduled from Wednesday, February 14 to Saturday, February 17, with evening shows at 7.30 pm and a special matinee on Saturday at 2.30 pm.

Tickets are available at the Lyric Theatre box office or online at www.theatrausirgar.co.uk.

Meanwhile, a Llanelli-based company called Scarlet Musical Theatre Productions will be making a much-anticipated debut this month.

The classic coming-of-age rock musical Spring Awakening will be the first full-scale production for Scarlet Musical Theatre.

The show is being staged at Stiwdio Stepni at Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli on February 22 and 23.

With music by Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by Steven Sater, Spring Awakening is based on the controversial 1891 German play by Frank Wedekind.

Spring Awakening contains partial nudity and sexual content, as well as explicit language. It is recommended for an audience of 16 and over.

Tickets for the February performances in the intimate Stidwio Stepney space are £12.

There will be hotly-contested elections for the seats vacated by retiring councillor John Jenkins in the Elli Ward in Llanelli.

The elections will be for a single seat in the Town Council ward and a single seat in the ward for Carmarthenshire County Council.

The candidates for the town council seat are below –

The candidates for the county council seat are below –