Carmarthenshire County Council’s highways team have made a Carmarthen teenager’s wish come true, giving her a chance to ride in one of its gritting lorries.

Fifteen-year-old Ashleigh Harrison, of Johnstown, loves to see the gritting crews pass her front room window when they are dispatched from the nearby depot to treat county highways ahead of freezing weather conditions.

Ashleigh, a pupil of QE High School’s Canolfan Elfed inclusion centre for children with additional needs, keeps an eye on weather forecasts and waits to see the crews pass by with their flashing orange lights.

Her older brother Elliott wrote to the council to ask if he could arrange for his sister to visit, saying the experience would be a dream come true.

During her visit to the Cillefwr Depot, Ashleigh had the chance to sit in the cab and ride around the yard, saw the huge mound of salt and grit in the barn, see the equipment used to load the gritters and saw all the lorries parked in the yard ready for action.

She was also presented with giant soft toy bunny, complete with high-visibility jacket, as a memento of her visit.

Ashleigh’s mother Helen said her daughter was ‘over the moon’ and thanked the council for making it happen.

“She was a big gritter fan before – now she is a huge gritter fan,” she said.

“To say she was over the moon is an understatement, she loved every minute of it and loves her rabbit who she has called Gary.”

Her brother Elliott added: “I sent the email but didn’t think it would get anywhere, and we were chuffed when the manager got in touch to say they could arrange a visit.

“She loves seeing the gritters pass our house. This is all she’s going to talk about for months and she’ll tell everyone at school about it.”

Carmarthenshire County Council has a fleet of 21 winter maintenance lorries that treat around a third of the county’s 3,526 kilometres of highway within three hours of a bad weather warning.

Around 14,000 tonnes of salt is kept in stock, used when forecasts show road surface temperatures could drop to freezing point.

Cllr Hazel Evans, Executive Board Member for Environment, said: “We were so pleased to be able to make Ashleigh’s dream come true. Our staff were delighted to meet Ashleigh and her family and had great pleasure showing her around the depot and the gritting lorries. I’d like to thank everyone who helped make this happen.”

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The next meeting of the Llanelli Rugby Business Network takes place on Tuesday, January 8, 6pm to 8pm at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli.

Details are as follows –

You are invited to attend our first event of 2019 and look forward to you joining us on Tuesday 8th January 2019.

Our guest speaker will be Gill Mason of Acas.

Gill is no stranger to those that have attended our meetings in the past, as she has presented to us on two previous occasions. During her talk, Gill will provide us with an update on recent employment law developments, what we can expect to come our way in the not to distant future and will also enlighten us on the services Acas can provide to business. 

You can register your interest in attending via the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/llanelli-rugby-business-network-1000-payable-on-the-night-tickets-54237147769

There will be a small charge of £10 for attending (which includes the cost of light refreshments), which is payable on the night. It is important that you register your interest prior to the event so that adequate refreshments can be provided. Members of other networking groups are welcome to join us at our events for which there are no annual membership fees involved. 

There will be ample time at the event for open networking including the opportunity of explaining your offering to attendees via brief introductions about your business and what you have to offer in terms of the products or services you provide. 

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 8th January. Registration is between 5.30 – 6.00 (6.00 p.m. start), for what again will hopefully prove to be a productive evening of networking. 

Follow us on Twitter via: http://twitter.com/LlanelliRBN 

Leighton on behalf of the RBN team. 

Event location: Heart and Soul Café , Parc y Scarlets, Parc Pemberton, Llanelli, SA14 9UZ

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The venue for the prestigious Superprix of Wales has been named the Welsh Sports Venue of the Year for 2018.

Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli beat off hot competition to take the landmark title at the Welsh Hospitality Awards at the Exchange Hotel in Cardiff.

Superprix of Wales promoter Tim Matthews said the award illustrated the high standards now being applied to staging first class events at Parc y Scarlets.

“The stadium and the surrounding facilities represent a first class resource for the business community and the people of South Wales,” Mr Matthews said. “The team at Parc y Scarlets is building a quality reputation for staging premier events, which is one of the reasons we are so proud to be bringing the Superprix of Wales to the stadium.”

A weekend of wonders is promised when the high-octane Superprix of Wales motorsport extravaganza comes to Llanelli on the weekend of June 7-9 next year.

Mr Matthews, a retired international racing driver, said at his Llanelli HQ this week: “There’s just 27 weeks to go before what will be a world first – a unique blend of Rugby Union and international motorsport at Parc y Scarlets. This will be a truly unique event and we are hoping for sell-out crowds throughout the weekend.”

Tickets for the Superprix of Wales for the 7th, 8th, 9th June 2019 are also on sale through the Parc y Scarlets ticket office on 01554 292939.

Mr Matthews added that he had been planning the Superprix of Wales for a year.

“Our main point of contact has been Dave Healey, the manager of the stadium, and we have been thoroughly impressed by the professionalism of the team at Parc y Scarlets.

“We know they will be working hard over the coming months to help us make the Superprix of Wales an outstanding success.

“Hopefully, the Superprix of Wales will be another feather in the cap for the team at Parc y Scarlets and will ensure they win even more awards in 2019. Our congratulations go to one and all at Parc y Scarlets for their achievement. We are very proud of them and proud to be associated with such a first class venue.”

Parc y Scarlets is one of the premier conference and events venues in West Wales. As well as being home to Scarlets Rugby, the stadium also offers first class facilities for non-match day events including dinners, concerts and exhibitions. 

Hosting more than 500 events every year, with an average rugby attendance of over 10,000 in 2017-18 season and crossing the threshold of 1 million rugby tickets sold, Parc y Scarlets was up against prestigious venues such as Principality Stadium and Chepstow Racecourse for the Sports Venue of the Year 2018 title.

Parc y Scarlets General Manager Carrie Gillam said: “It was a huge honour to be nominated in this category and to be up against such iconic venues as the Principality Stadium.

“Parc y Scarlets is synonymous with rugby but we have a huge array of events in our back catalogue, from international football to live music events that showcase the stadium as the premier conference and events venue in West Wales. 

“Winning such a prestigious award is a privilege but is also fantastic recognition of the hard work done by our small team of dedicated staff.”

A spokesman for the Welsh Hospitality Awards 2018 said: “The Welsh hospitality industry has grown significantly over the years and this has introduced new challenges to the professionals who work within this sector.  The customer expectations have been increased but these winners are the experts in meeting their customers’ needs and demands.

“The winners, chosen by members of the public, are a true reflection of the commitment, quality and impeccable customer service that flow in the hospitality industry. The awards also showcased those individuals that work tirelessly to achieve industry leading success, client satisfaction and all these while promoting excellence in the hospitality sector.

“We would like to congratulate all winners and finalists for their amazing achievements.”

You can find out more about the Superprix of Wales on the following website –

Home

Twitter:

@SuperprixW 

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/superprix.wales/

Instagram:

superprixwales

Photos:

Parc y Scarlets and Tim Matthews and Lotus at stadium.

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By Mark Jones, director of Carmarthen-based Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants. The Money Matters column appears in the Pembrokeshire Herald, the Carmarthenshire Herald and the Llanelli Herald newspapers.By Mark Jones, director of Carmarthen-based Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants.

New company car advisory fuel rates have been published. They took effect from 1 December 2018.

The guidance states: ‘You can use the previous rates for up to one month from the date the new rates apply’.

The rates only apply to employees using a company car.

The advisory fuel rates for journeys undertaken on or after 1 December 2018 are:

Engine size                             Petrol

1400cc or less                         12p

1401cc – 2000cc                      15p

Over 2000cc                           22p

LPG

1400cc or less                        8p

1401cc – 2000cc                      10p

Over 2000cc                           15p

Diesel

1600cc or less                        10p

1601cc – 2000cc                      12p

Over 2000cc                           14p

HMRC guidance states that the rates only apply when you either:

• reimburse employees for business travel in their company cars
• require employees to repay the cost of fuel used for private travel

You must not use these rates in any other circumstances.

If you would like to discuss your company car policy, please contact the team at West Wales chartered accountants Clay Shaw Butler.

In other news, university students are being targeted by scammers with fake tax refunds in an effort to steal money and personal details, warns HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The scammers are using seemingly legitimate university email addresses (for example ‘@uc.ac.uk’) in order to avoid detection.

The tax authority has received thousands of fraud reports in just a few weeks from students at colleges across the UK.

This is the first time HMRC has seen a tax scam attack directly targeting university students in such high volumes.

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Mel Stride MP, said:

“HMRC will never inform you about tax refunds by email, text or voicemail. If you receive one of these messages it is a scam. Do not click on any links in these messages, and forward them to HMRC’s phishing email address.

“Although HMRC is cracking down hard on internet scams, criminals will stop at nothing to steal personal information. I’d encourage all students to become phishing aware – it could save you a lot of money.”

The Director of Action Fraud, Pauline Smith, said:

“Devious fraudsters will try every trick in the book to convince victims to hand over their personal information, often with devastating consequences. It is vital that students spot the signs of fraudulent emails to avoid falling victim by following HMRC’s advice.

“Together with HMRC, we work tirelessly to stop fraudsters in their tracks and to prevent unsuspecting members of the public from falling victim to fraud.”

HMRC is encouraging all universities to raise awareness of scams and many have already begun taking action to warn their students of the risks.

Often HMRC related email scams spoof the branding of GOV.UK and well known credit cards in attempt to look authentic. The recipient’s name and email address may be included several times within the email itself.

Fraudulent emails and texts will regularly include links which take students to websites where their information can be stolen. Between April and September this year, HMRC requested that 7,500 of these phishing sites be deactivated. This compares to around 5,200 requests during the same period in 2017.

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.

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Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy. This column appears in the South Wales Evening Post, Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star. Website – www.philevans.co.uk

…………………………

Ah, Boxing Day! When much of the country’s workforce will snooze through Christmas TV ‘specials’ that usually turn out to be nothing special and films that haven’t been on for at least six weeks . . . 

Christmas Day has been unwrapped, played with and put back in its shiny box for another year.

Don’t be sad, because on the bright side it’ll be months until you walk into a supermarket and again hear Noddy Holder screaming, “It’s Christmaaassss!”

Noddy co-wrote “Merry Christmas Everybody!” with fellow Slade member Jim Lea in 1973 and apparently, each year, it earns them around £500,000 each.

They can afford to hire people to do their Christmas shopping and so avoid hearing their song playing in every department store from September onwards. 

Another plus for saying “Tarra!” to December 25^this there won’t be any more – until next year – of those misleading adverts for “Magical Christmas Wonderlands” that often disappoint children and anger their parents when they discover how tawdry the ‘attraction’ really is  . . . after they’ve paid their money and gone in through the gates.

I’m not referring to the big scale, professionally run “Winter Wonderlands” in places like Swansea and Cardiff.

I mean the ones that offer ‘An enchanting Christmas experience at a stunning location’ that turns out to be in field 30 miles from the nearest beaten track.

Just a few weeks ago, at one of these ‘attractions’, the advertised ‘Stunning location’ was, according to one irate parent ‘A sea of mud’; their ‘Magical woodland walk’ was a dangerously steep, hard-core path; and ‘Santa’s Amazing Grotto’ was a cold dark room in which the only decoration was a Christmas tree.

And . . . when Santa appeared his beard kept falling off in front of the children!

It would take a heart of stone not to laugh – if it weren’t for the fact so many people fall for these ads.

I’m sure you won’t.

I’m off to write next year’s Christmas Number One.

Anyone know Mister Holder’s phone number?

…………………. 

I think I’m turning into a bit of a softie. 

Now, some people may find this a bit strange, but, here goes . . .

Our Cocker Spaniel’s name was actually written on my Christmas present list. 

I know, I’m not alone, as millions of people include their pets in the Christmas festivities.

Pets have now been elevated to family member status.

Now when did this all happen?

To be honest with you, I’m convinced that the reason for this is that they are more appreciative, less argumentative, more loyal, less moody, love unconditionally and don’t pout for weeks on end like their human counterparts. 

If I accidentally locked my partner and my Spaniel in the boot of the car, there would only be one who would genuinely pleased to see me when I opened it.

Pet lovers are all around us and the sale of pet toys and goodies have rocketed in the past five years.

Pet clothes?

Diamante collars?

I’m not too sure, but yes, people are buying these, too.

My spaniel, however, prefers a onesie.

Who’d have thought?

—————-

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

Please again include www.philevans.co.uk

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As 2018 closes, it’s time to answer the question, ‘What were the highlights of the year?’

As always, this is a very personal response to the question; everyone will have their favourite memories of the year. 

This shortlist comes with the usual humble apologies to the choirs and singers who have been (unintentionally) omitted.

The year started with a treat – the annual Llanelli Rotary Club Young Musician of the Year competition.

The contest was won by Ysgol Gyfun y Strade pupil Lauren Fisher. Make a note of the name as she is destined for great things.

Lauren was the overall winner of the Llanelli Rotary Club competition, won the Rotary Area Competition and was a finalist in the Southern Wales District final held in Blackwood.

Lauren was then invited to be a guest singer at the Centenary Gala Concert of The Rotary Club of Llanelli.

Lauren also won the 2018 Gethin Hughes Bursary Prize in a very tough competition which was hosted at the annual concert of Côr Meibion Llanelli at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli.

As a member of LARS (Loud Applause Rising Stars), Lauren has performed at many prestigious events, such as soirees at Stradey Castle and Llanelly House, at the City and County of Swansea’s Armed Forces Day and Remembrance Commemoration events, at musical evenings at Machynys Golf Club and at the Loud Applaus Night with the Stars Gala Concert in Ffwrnes Theatre.

Lauren won a scholarship at 10 years old with the Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers and performed at many concerts with them. Recently Lauren has gained a distinction in Grade 8 in Popular Music Vocals Examinations London College of Music. Lauren lives in Llanelli.

May saw Llanelli Rotary Club marking its landmark Centenary Year with a major concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli.

Shan Cothi, one of the country’s most popular sopranos, shared the stage with Côr Meibion Llanelli, under the baton of conductor D Eifion Thomas, and the Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers, under the direction of John Hywel Williams.

Stealing the limelight on the night were the members of Côr Ysgol Goffa.

The evening also heard an ensemble from Ysgol Y Strade, under the baton of Catrin Hughes, and the Lewis- Meredith Sisters – Calley, Sarah and Steffi.

August saw further proof of the saying that ‘West is Best’.

Côr Meibion Pontarddulais Male Voice Choir proved that with a record-breaking win at the Royal National Eisteddfod of Wales at Cardiff.

The ‘Bont’ choir took the Blue Riband prize for large male voice choirs for the 17^thtime.

It is worth reflecting on the choir’s proud history and their achievements.

Their Royal National Eisteddfod wins came in the following years –

1963 Llandudno, 1965 Newtown, 1968 Barry, 1970 Ammanford, 1972 Haverfordwest, 1974 Carmarthen, 1976 Cardigan, 1978 Cardiff, 1981 Machynlleth, 1982 Swansea, 1994 Neath, 2003 Welshpool, 2004 Newport  (also awarded Côr yr Wŷl (Choir of the Festival)), 2006 Swansea (also awarded Côr yr Wŷl), 2008 Cardiff and 2014 Llanelli.

Da iawn (well done) to musical director Mr Clive Phillips and his team at Bont.

October saw a return visit to West Wales by the Voskresenije Choir of St Petersburg.

This Russian a cappella ensemble of eight singers (two sopranos, two altos, countertenor, tenor, bass and basso profondo) with their conductor, Jurij Maruk, performed at St Mary’s Church in Kidwelly.

The vocal ensemble Resurrection -Voskresenije in Russian – was founded by Jurij Maruk in 1993.

The repertoire of the ensemble included Russian Sacred Music as well as folk music.

Let’s hope they pay a return visit to West Wales in 2019.

October also saw the ‘return home’ of John Owen-Jones, the Burry Port boy who has gone on to be an award-winning West End and Broadway star.

John performed at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, and the Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen.

He’s a class act and an inspiration to a future generation of singers. Here’s hoping 2019 brings him further success – but also allows time for another ‘home’ concert.

December’s highlights included the Gower College Carol Service held at S Catherine’s Church, Gorseinon.

It featured the college’s orchestra and jazz band and the student and staff choir.

There were also notable solo performances. For example, a soprano solo by Beth Evans, a flute solo by Nia Thomas and a cello solo by Alasdair Gunneburg of Carol of the Bells.

Festive highlights included exceptional concerts by Côr Meibion Llanelli and the Hywel Girls Choir, Hywel Boy Singers and Angelicus Celtis. 

The talented Samuel Wyn-Morris was the star of Côr Meibion Llanelli’s Christmas concert.

Again, make a note of the name (if you haven’t already) as this boy is going to go far.

A member of LARS (Loud Applause Rising Stars), Samuel is 22 and a former head boy of Ysgol Y Strade

In 2017 Sam graduated from the prestigious Guildford School of Acting with a first class honours degree in musical theatre. Since then Sam has continued to perform and made his professional debut at The Old Vic at the beginning of 2018. 

Sam, the first and founding member of LARS, hopes to continue working professionally in 2019 with the aim of making his West End debut.

In October, 2018, Sam, along with other members of LARS, was a representative of Wales at the Liberation Celebratory weekend in S’Hertogenbosch, Holland where he performed at the prestigious Liberation Concert, to great acclaim, and at the 53rd Welsh Division Memorial Service.

Apologies to all who didn’t make the random shortlist of 2018 highlights above; the reality is that we are blessed with exceptionally talented singers, choirs and musicians in West Wales and, if space allowed, I would mention everyone.

It’s timely to insert a reminder here to all concert organisers – please send news of your concert dates to the following email address – rlloydpr@btinternet.com

Advance notice of concerts helps other concert organisers avoid embarrassing clashes and helps readers to plan their concert-going calendars.

Looking forward to 2019, here are two key events – 

• Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli always stages a hugely-popular St David’s Day concert. This year it will be held on Saturday, March 2. The concert will feature the world-famous Morriston Orpheus Choir, conducted by Joy Amman Davies, and Côr Lleisiau’r Cwm, under the baton of Llanelli’s Catrin Hughes. Sharing the spotlight will be two highly-talented young singers from the Loud Applause Rising Stars stable – mezzo soprano Nikkila Thomas, from Llanelli, and tenor Osian Clarke, from Tycroes. 
• There’s early notification of performances of The Passion Of The Christ, to be performed on Good Friday, April 19, and Easter Saturday, April 20. The acclaimed voices of the Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers, Angelicus Celtis and friends will present The Passion of The Christ, a blend of varied choral and vocal works, blended with narration and theatre to be held in South Wales over Easter weekend 2019. This unique performance will present a dramatic retelling of the story of the life and crucifixion of Christ bringing together associated choir and vocal ensembles blending music and poetry from Bach, Barber, Jenkins, Mozart, Webber, Telemann, Dylan Thomas, Elizabeth Browning, Emily Dickson, Langston Hughes and Mary Oliver to name but a few. The passion will include opportunities for solo singers, duet, trios, small group chorale and main choir and different roles associated with the life and crucifixion of Christ. Auditions for these singing opportunities will be held in in the Llanelli area during the weekend of January 19. Singing auditions for will be open to the general public, both young and adult voices (soprano, alto tenor, bass) and open to both choristers of the Hywel choir and singers beyond. If you are interested in learning more about the auditions for The Passion of the Christ, please register your interest by contacting Jeremy Williams at jeremywilliams@me.com

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

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