Scarlets take on Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday evening looking to build on last week’s impressive performance over Ulster Rugby to further cement their second place position in the Guinness PRO14’s Conference B.
Head Coach Wayne Pivac can call on a number of his returning internationals for the clash against Conference A leaders at their Glasgow base.
Wales and British & Irish Lion centre Jonathan Davies returns to captain the side with club captain Ken Owens rested following the recent international campaign.
Davies, making his 148thappearance for the region on Saturday, will lead a strong side to the field at Scotstoun with the Scarlets keen to keep the winning momentum following on from last weekend’s bonus point victory over Ulster at Parc y Scarlets.
Scrum half Kieran Hardy retains his starting position with Rhys Patchell returning to outside half following the autumn series. Steff Evans returns to join Tom Prydie and Johnny McNicholl in the back three whilst New Zealander Kieron Fonotia partners captain Davies in midfield.
An all-international front row in Rob Evans, Ryan Elias and Werner Kruger gives the pack a solid footing wit Jake Ball joining Steve Cummins in the second row. Will Boyde moves across to the blindside in the backrow, Uzair Cassiem remains at number 8 with young Dan Davis coming in to the openside.
Looking ahead to the clash head coach Wayne Pivac said; “Glasgow have a really impressive record at home. They play an expansive game, they’ve got quality coaching and a lot of Scottish players.
“It all stacks up for an entertaining game. We’ve got a healthy respect for them and they’re flying in their conference. We’ve got a massive challenge ahead of us.”
Scarlets team to take on Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium, Saturday 1stDecember, kick-off 17:15;
Replacements; 16 Dafydd Hughes, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Simon Gardiner, 19 Lewis Rawlins, 20 Tom Phillips, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Paul Asquith, 23 Clayton Blommetjies
The popular soloist Samuel Wyn-Morris will be the featured guest at one of the highlights of the West Wales concert calendar – Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir’s annual festive special.
‘Christmas With The Choir’ will be held at 7pm on Saturday, December 1, at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli.
Samuel is a 22-year-old Llanelli Boy who is a former head boy of Ysgol Y Strade.
In 2017, Samuel graduated from the prestigious Guildford School of Acting with a first class honours degree in musical theatre.
Since then, Samuel has continued to perform and made his professional debut at The Old Vic at the beginning of 2018.
Samuel is a founder member of Loud Applause Rising Stars, the group set up to mentor and develop young talent in Wales.
Samuel now hopes to continue working professionally in 2019 with the aim of making his West End debut.
In October 2018, Samuel, along with other members of Loud Applause Rising Stars (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 53rdWelsh Division Memorial Service.
Samuel’s accompanist for the concert will be Andrew Pike.
The other special guests at the Côr Meibion Llanelli concert will be the award-winning Burry Port Town Band.
“It promises to be a very special evening,’ said Côr Meibion Llanelli chairman Tony Crossman.
“It’s been another busy year for the choir and the Christmas concert is regarded as our grand finale for 2018.
“The choristers are in fine voice and we are looking forward to being joined on stage by our guests.”
Côr Meibion Llanelli probably need no introduction for followers of the concert scene in West Wales.
It would take a fairly hefty book to summarise the achievements of the choir over a history spanning 54 years.
But there are some keynote events . . .
Côr Meibion Llanelli was formed in the village of Bynea under the baton of the late Denver Phillips BA. in 1964.
The choir’s longest-serving music director is the present holder of the baton, D Eifion Thomas, who has helped the choir grow in stature and strength to become one of the leading male choirs in Britain.
They have been successful at all the major choral competitions that Wales has to offer. The honours list includes five National Eisteddfod first prizes – at Lampeter in 1984, Fishguard in 1986, Llandeilo in 1996, Bridgend in 1998 and Llanelli in 2000.
The roll-call of wins also records seven firsts at the Miners Eisteddfod at Porthcawl, six firsts at Cardigan and three Pontrhydfendigaid Eisteddfodau. The choir was successful in winning the Corwen Choral Competition at its first attempt in 1987.
The Llanelli Male Choir has graced many leading auditoriums and concert halls in the land – London’s Royal Albert Hall and Festival Hall, Birmingham’s Town and Symphony Halls, Oxford Town Hall, Plymouth’s Guild Hall, The MacRoberts Centre at Stirling, as well as Cardiff’s St David’s Hall and Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall.
Cathedrals have also featured high on the choir’s touring list – Coventry, Bury St Edmunds, Wells, Brecon, Gloucester, St David’s and Llandaff cathedrals have been concert venues, as well as Westminster Abbey.
The choir has travelled extensively throughout the world – Germany, Canada, USA. France, Ireland, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand. The choristers have raised thousands of pounds for charities such as Cancer and Leukaemia Research, The Red Cross, Heart Foundation and Tenovus as well as local charities and school groups. The choir’s future is secure and their motto of “Ymlaen Llanelli” will surely hold the choristers in good stead for another 50 years! The choir rehearses twice weekly on Monday and Thursday evenings at Furnace Community Hall, 7pm start. Visitors and new members are welcome.
This year, the choir’s musical director, D Eifion Thomas, has celebrated 43 years as Music Director of Côr Meibion Llanelli, having initially served as Accompanist to the Choir from 1965 until 1974 under the direction of founder-conductor Denver Phillips.
Mr Thomas has had the honour also of conducting the North American Welsh Societies National Gymanfa Ganu on five occasions – Vancouver (1980), Victoria, Canada (1990), Seattle (1994), and San Jose (2001).
His expertise in the field of choral performance has been recognised by the National Eisteddfod of Wales by inviting him to be one of three music adjudicators at the 2003 Eisteddfod in Meifod, and the 2011 Eisteddfod in Wrexham.
As a result of his work in the sphere of music in the community, Mr Thomas has been awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary International and been inducted into the highest level of Wales’s Bardic Circle in 2007.
In 1998, Mr Thomas was the guest conductor at the London Welsh Festival of 1000 Male Voices, and was guest soloist at the Festival in 1994, 1996, 2000, and 2002.
In 2000, Mr Thomas was the conductor of the National Eisteddfod Choir when that Festival was held in Llanelli, and the Eisteddfod Choir’s singing under his direction at the Gymanfa Ganu of the anthem “Dyn A Aned O Wraig” still remains as one of the most memorable occasions in the Eisteddfod’s history.
Mr Thomas is a fine tenor soloist in his own right, and has appeared as soloist in performances of Handel’s “Messiah”, Haydn’s “Creation”, and “Mass in Time of War”, Stainer’s “Crucifiction”, Maunder’s “Olivet to Calvary”, Coleridge-Taylor’s “Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast”, and Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” and “Lobegesang”.
The choir will be accompanied on stage by pianist Aled Maddock.
Mr Maddock attended Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera before graduating in Music at Bangor University. He is a former pupil of Madame Eileen Gethin-Jones and the Czech pianist Jana Frenklova.
After graduating in 1990, Mr Maddock was appointed as Musical Director of Craig y Nos Castle where he was responsible for arranging numerous musical events held at the famous Patti Theatre. During this time, he also began his association as accompanist with Neath and District Ladies Choir, Côr Meibion Onllwyn who performed with Côr Meibion Llanelli at the Brit Awards at Alexandra Palace and Bryncoch Male Voice Choir.
He was appointed Musical Director of Tonna Male Voice Choir in 1998 a post he held until 2002 forming his own mixed choir “Côr Al” in the Swansea Valley.
He has conducted the popular S4C religious programme “Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol” on several occasions from Ystradgynlais, Resolven, Ystalyfera and the Christmas service broadcast from St David’s Church Neath in 2015.
After obtaining his PGCE in 1994, Mr Maddock was appointed to his current post as Head of Music at his former school Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera. He is particularly proud of the musical achievements of many past pupils, some of which grace our TV screens and concert halls throughout the world. He has toured extensively with the performing arts faculty visiting Canada, South Africa, Malaysia and Singapore and has been Musical Director for two Urdd National Youth Productions, the most memorable being the revival of the Rock Opera “Jiwdas” which was performed in the open air in the ruins of the former Gnoll estate in Neath.
Tickets for Saturday’s Côr Meibion Llanelli concert are available from the Ffwrnes Theatre box office or from the Theatrau Sir Gar website.
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.
If you’re in business, then it pays to keep up-to-date with the latest tax changes.
In Money Matters, we’ve been putting the spotlight on the latest Budget from the Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond . . .
At Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants, we have produced a summary on the tax measures which may affect your business.
Here are some key points on business tax changes and updates–
Capital allowances:
Annual Investment Allowance:
The government has announced an increase in the Annual Investment Allowance for two years to £1 million in relation to qualifying expenditure incurred from 1 January 2019. Complex calculations may apply to accounting periods which straddle this date.
A number of changes are made to other rules relating to capital allowances –
a reduction in the rate of writing down allowance on the special rate pool of plant and machinery, including long-life assets, thermal insulation, integral features and expenditure on cars with CO2 emissions of more than 110g/km, from 8% to 6% from April 2019. Complex calculations may apply to accounting periods which straddle this date
clarification as to precisely which costs of altering land for the purposes of installing qualifying plant or machinery qualify for capital allowances, for claims on or after 29 October 2018
the end of the 100% first year allowance and first year tax credits for products on the Energy Technology List and Water Technology List from April 2020
an extension of the current 100% first year allowance for expenditure incurred on electric charge-point equipment until 2023.
In addition, a new capital allowances regime will be introduced for structures and buildings. It will be known as the Structures and Buildings Allowance and will apply to new non-residential structures and buildings. Relief will be provided on eligible construction costs incurred on or after 29 October 2018, at an annual rate of 2% on a straight-line basis.
Change to the definition of permanent establishment:
A non-resident company is liable to corporation tax only if it has a permanent establishment in the UK. Certain preparatory or auxiliary activities, such as storing the company’s own products, purchasing goods or collecting information for the non-resident company, are classed as not creating a permanent establishment.
From 1 January 2019, the exemption will be denied to these activities if they are part of a ‘fragmented business operation’.
Preventing abuse of the Research and Development tax relief for SMEs:
To help prevent abuse of the Research and Development (R and D) SME tax relief by artificial corporate structures, the amount that a loss-making company can receive in R&D tax credits will be capped at three times its total PAYE and NICs liability from April 2020.
HMRC has identified and prevented £300 million of fraud linked to this relief and this change will help to address similar abuses in future. Almost 95% of companies currently claiming the payable credit will be unaffected.
Protecting taxes in insolvency:
From April 2020, HMRC will have greater priority to recover taxes paid by employees and customers.
The changes appear to be mainly targeted at the distribution of funds to financial institutions as creditors. The rules will remain unchanged for taxes owed by the business and HMRC will remain below other preferential creditors such as the Redundancy Payment Service.
This will ensure that an extra £185 million in taxes already paid each year reaches the government.
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.
The Ospreys have paid tribute to Alun Wyn Jones as he prepares for his 233rd appearance for his home region, that will take him clear at the top of the all-time list.
The big second row has firmly established himself as one of the all-time greats of the world game, and his commitment to the Ospreys shines as bright as ever with the former Bonymaen and Swansea player coming straight back into regional action after a busy November on the international scene.
Featuring three times for Wales during the autumn series, last weekend he played his 120th game for his country in the win against Australia. This weekend, he will feature for the Ospreys against Zebre in the Guinness PRO14 at the Liberty Stadium on Friday night.
On the eve of his record breaking appearance, Jones has been hailed as a “one-off” and a “true Ospreys legend”, by Managing Director, Andrew Millward, who packed down alongside Alun Wyn on 17 occasions, including his debut against Leinster at the Liberty in September 2005.
“What is there to say about Alun Wyn Jones, that hasn’t already been said?” said Millward.
“He is a wonderful ambassador for his home region, and for Wales, a true one-off. After 232 games for the Ospreys and 129 international appearances, he is arguably playing better than ever. He is a one-off in that respect.
“When he first came through the Academy ranks it was clear that he was destined for great things and his list of achievements, for the Ospreys, Wales and the Lions, is as impressive as it is long.
“His determination, loyalty and sheer will-to-win are trademarks that have served him well throughout his career and continue to. His modesty is another trademark and he will hate being centre of attention but it is only right that we pay tribute to him as he sets a new appearance record.
“He is a true Ospreys legend and I’m sure supporters will join me in saluting him on Friday night.”
Alun Wyn Jones – Record Breaker
Alun Wyn’s 233rd appearance comes just over 15 years after his debut and less than a week after his 120th Wales cap.
A legend of the world game, he has been a mainstay of both the Ospreys and Wales packs for over a decade since becoming one of the first youngsters to come through the regional development pathway.
Having featured in the first game at the Liberty Stadium, a pre-season fixture against Wasps at the end of August 2005, his senior Ospreys debut came the following weekend as a second half replacement in the Region’s first competitive game at their new home, a Magners League win against Leinster.
Since then he has so far managed to clock up an impressive 232 Ospreys appearances to date, level with Paul James, and is one of only five players to have worn the shirt more than 200 times. His tally of 25 tries is the second highest by a forward.
He was appointed captain of his home region in August 2010 and led the team on 115 occasions, more than double any other player, prior to standing down from the role this summer.
Having represented Wales at age-grade level, the former Bonymaen RFC and Swansea RFC youngster made his full international debut on the 2006 tour of Argentina.
In total, he has 120 Wales caps and was part of three Six Nations winning sides including the Grand Slams of 2008 and 2012. He captained Wales for the first time in 2009, against Italy, taking the armband three more times in 2014, before being formally appointed national skipper in 2017.
Selected for three British & Irish Lions tours, to South Africa (2009), Australia (2013) and New Zealand (2017), he played in all nine tests and captained the team in the decisive series winning third test in Australia.
Only seven players have represented the Lions on more occasions, while his international total of 129 appearances (Wales and Lions) puts him eighth in the all-time world list.
Thirty three of the county’s top sporting champions have made it to the final of this year’s Actif Carmarthenshire Sports Awards.
Winners of the twelve categories including Young Sportsman and Sportswoman will be announced in a glitzy ceremony at the Ffwrnes Theatre in Llanelli on Friday February 8.
The awards in its 20th year are organised by Carmarthenshire Council’s Actif sports and leisure team and recognise the sporting success of athletes, coaches and volunteers across Carmarthenshire.
Other categories include Disabled Sportsperson, Sports Coach, Sports Volunteer, Young Volunteer, Team of the year, Young Team of the year, Community Sport Coach and, Club of the Year and High Performance Coach.
Outstanding Services to Sport and Sporting Hall of Fame categories will be announced on the night which starts at 7pm.
Tickets are now on sale for this popular event and it is advised to book early to avoid disappointment.
The council’s executive board member for leisure, Cllr Peter Hughes-Griffiths said: Carmarthenshire continues to produce some of the best sporting stars in Wales and we are extremely proud of the reputation the county holds in the Welsh sporting circles. These awards provide us with the opportunity to congratulate and honor them, especially those who keep their clubs thriving.”
To see who has made it onto the shortlist and for tickets visit our website
CATEGORIES INCLUDE –
SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY MCDONALD’S
Open to any male or female sports person. We are looking for individuals who have achieved success at an international level, representing Wales and/or Great Britain within their sport.
Emma Wheeler
Dewi Griffiths
Scott Davies
YOUNG SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY GD HARRIES
Nominees must be in the Junior Category of their Sport and U21. We are looking for an individual who has achieved success at an international level, representing Wales and/or Great Britain within their sport. If under 21 and have competed in a senior event, they can also be nominated for the Sports Personality of the Year Award.
Ben Thomas
Jamie Dean
Daniel Griffiths
YOUNG SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Nominees must be in the Junior Category of their Sport and U21. We are looking for an individual who has achieved success at an international level, representing Wales and/or Great Britain within their sport. If under 21 and have competed in a senior event, they can also be nominated for the Sports Personality of the Year Award.
Lucy Packer
Jessica Roberts
Emily Shawyer
DISABLED SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY MAGSTIM
To be awarded regardless of age. We are looking for male and female sports people who are involved within their sport at a community, regional, national and/or international level.
Luke Jones
Madison Davies
Oliver Griffith-Salter
HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORTS COACH OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY ALLIANCE & LEISURE
Nominees must be a qualified coach within their sporting field. We are looking for individuals who have achieved success in coaching athletes/teams performing at Regional, National and/or International level. The winner of this award will automatically be entered for the Sport Wales Coach of the Year.
Richard Stepney
Shelley Pace
Carol Sargeant
COMMUNITY SPORTS COACH OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY RADIO CARMARTHENSHIRE
Nominees must be a qualified coach within their sporting field. We are looking for individuals who have devoted their time in getting more people active in sport and retaining their participation in a local community setting.
Mat Dorn
Aled Jones-Davies
Mair Phillips
SPORTS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY SPORT WALES
Open to any male or female over 21, who has given up their time and energy to lead and inspire within an organisation, e.g. school, sports club, youth group. Roles undertaken could involve leading sessions, running events, officiating and administration. Voluntary work is unpaid, and predominantly within Carmarthenshire. Nominations are welcome from teachers.
Nick and Rod
Nathan Jones
Gillian Handscombe
YOUNG SPORTS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY CASTELL HOWELL
Nominees, male or female, must be aged 21 and under. We are looking for individuals who give up their time to lead, inspire and support people to become more active within an organisation, e.g. school, sports club, youth group. Roles undertaken could involve leading sessions, running events, officiating and administration. Voluntary work is unpaid, predominantly within Carmarthenshire and is not part of a formal educational course.
Jacob Williams
Laura Massocchi
Lili Jones
TEAM OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY COLEG SIR GAR
Male or female team who have achieved success at a high level within their sport.
Sosban Road Runners
Llanelli Indoor Bowls
Ammanford Cricket 1st XI
YOUNG TEAM OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY T.A.D. BUILDERS LTD
Male or female Junior team competing within the junior category of the sport who have achieved success at a high level within their sport.
Johnstown Jewels U14’s
Burry Port Youth
Carmarthen Wanderers Cricket Club
SPORTS CLUB OF THE YEAR
Awarded to a club that is affiliated to the National Governing Body. We are looking for clubs that proactively offers all members within the club (players, coaches, volunteers, officials) an opportunity to develop. Clubs that have made a significant impact on developing their sport through community engagement, promotion and fundraising.
CAHC
Merlins Netball
Teigrod Tywi
THE RYAN JONES MEMORIAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICES TO SPORT
Life Time Achievement Award. Male or female of any age, must be a serving member of a club in the Carmarthenshire area. This category is restricted to volunteers only. We are looking for an individual who has dedicated over 20 years to improving sport within their community/organisation, from coaching, officiating, administrative roles to washing the kit, preparing refreshments or general maintenance of the club.
SPORTING HALL OF FAME (CLOSED ENTRY)
Athletes, coaches and volunteers can be nominated for more than one award.
International stunt driver Terry Grant will be bringing his spectacular show to the brand new Superprix of Wales at the Parc y Scarlets rugby stadium in Llanelli.
The high-octane Superprix of Wales motorsport extravaganza comes to Llanelli on the weekend of June 7-9 next year.
Terry is one of a number of big name attractions being announced over the coming weeks.
Stars of the world of Formula 1 racing will be announced as the line-up is assembled for an action-packed weekend of wonders at Parc y Scarlets.
Stunt driver Terry is the holder of numerous Guinness World Records.
This year, he smashed his own world speed record for driving a car on two wheels over a measured mile – in a time of just 2 minutes 24.5 seconds!
The Terry Grant life story is full of daredevil stunts.
With both parents representing the UK in various motorsports, it was little wonder that Terry Grant found himself behind the bars of his first motorbike at a mere five years old.
In 1995 Terry dipped his toes in the pool of stunt performing by promising the producer of BBC’s “Children in Need” that he could perform a TV friendly spectacle with F1 ace Johnny Herbert.
The hook was the part where Terry promised to leap from the moving car, and get back in. Something no-one had ever attempted before . . . and certainly not on live TV!
With an incredible 23 world records later under his belt, Terry is widely regarded as one of the greatest performers in the business.
He constantly changes both his act and cars to keep audiences flocking back for more.
Terry has performed at some of the most prestigious events on the global motorsport calendar – from the Race Of Champions in Paris, World Rallycross in places as far flung as Argentina, to the London Motorshow and the TV studio of Guiness World Records in Madrid.
Terry has worked for the cream of manufacturers, including General Motors, Saab, Vauxhall, Nissan and TVR.
Earlier this year, Grant told the BBC’s Top Gear –
“My very first driving experience was when I was eight years old. I was on the road, and my dad was sitting next to me. It was in a big, old Rover – not sure of the model – and I couldn’t sit on the seat because I wasn’t big enough.
“So, I used to do the steering, and when I changed gear I lifted myself up using the steering wheel, put my foot on the clutch and changed gear, so I was standing all the time. We got stopped by the police, and the policeman couldn’t believe it at first. He told my dad off a lot more than me!
“I was in my early 20s when I started racing cars. I used to mess about while I was doing it – do a few donuts, a bit of drifting. And those were the days before drifting was even called drifting. I kind of got a bit of a name for myself. So one thing led to another, and I was asked to do a display. And it just went on from there. In the end I just gave up racing, because I was too busy, and now I’ve been doing this for many, many, many years.”
The organisers of the brand new Superprix of Wales have given the ‘Green for Go’ to start online ticket sales for next summer’s big event at the Parc y Scarlets rugby stadium.
Event promoter Tim Matthews said at his Llanelli HQ this week that Terry Grant would be just one of a number of star attractions at the high-octane Superprix of Wales motorsport extravaganza.
He added: “Ticket sales are live online via our website and Ticketmaster. There’s just 28 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.
You can find out more about the Superprix of Wales on the following website –
