The independent Carmarthenshire-based charity for the 50-plus, Age Cymru Sir Gâr, has achieved more than £1million in welfare benefits for people in the county.

With winter fast approaching older people will be thinking about how to pay their energy bill.

Age Cymru Sir Gâr can help those aged 50-plus check how energy efficient their home is – and install some energy reduction equipment free of charge.

The charity can also check whether you are getting any welfare benefits that you might be entitled to, including any warm home discount.

They will do a welfare benefit health check for all benefits, such as pension credit, attendance allowance, housing benefit, council tax benefit, personal independence payment and more.

The charity has helped Carmarthenshire’s older residents gain more than £1million in the last 12 months in welfare benefits.

The charity is trying to raise awareness of what welfare benefits are available to those age 50+.

Ann Dymock, chief officer of Age Cymru Sir Gâr, said:”One of the most common statements we hear from our clients is – nobody told me I could get this.  We want to tell everybody what they might be entitled to and help them get it.”

Age Cymru Sir Gâr
Units 5 – 11, LEC Workshops, 100 Trostre Road, Llanelli SA15 2EA
Tel: 01554 784080
E-mail a.dymock@agecymrusirgar.org.uk
Website: www.agecymru.org.uk/sirgar

Help your local charity!

There’s an easy fundraising webpage to raise money for Age Cymru Sir Gar when you shop online.

If you would like to raise money for Age Cymru Sir Gâr please sign up and read the following webpage – https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/agecymrusirgar/

Young people in Carmarthenshire are being urged to attend an event which will help prepare them for life after school and college.

Around 200 young people and decision makers are expected to attend this year’s Carmarthenshire Youth Conference.

Young people in Carmarthenshire voted ‘A Curriculum to Prepare Us For Life, as their top issue in Carmarthenshire. 

The conference, ‘Real learning 4 Real life’, will explore the information, knowledge and skills needed to live independently after education and to prepare them for life after school and college and to live as happy, healthy adults as well as helping them to reach their full potential.

The aim of the conference is to be a soundboard for young people’s views and opinions which can influence the local curriculum and opportunities available to young people.

The event, which is open to all 14 to 23-year-olds, will be held in Parc y Scarlets, on Tuesday, November 13.

It comes as the Youth Council celebrates its 15th birthday.

Steffan Davies, Carmarthenshire Youth Council member, said:

“It’s been really exciting being the conference lead for such an important issue affecting young people.

“We need all schools, youth projects and colleges to attend as it is essential that everyone engages in the conversation from the playground to Government.”

The conference has been organised by Carmarthenshire Youth Council and the county council’s Participation and Children’s Rights team.

There will be workshops, speeches and group discussions which will address the main themes of the conference.

Executive board member responsible for education and children’s services, Cllr Glynog Davies, said: “I look forward to attending this year’s conference and hearing the views of young people in the county. I would encourage as many young people as possible to come along and find out more about the opportunities available to them after leaving school.” 

Get involved in the conversation using #LearningSirGar and for information and to book your place visit www.youthsirgar.org.uk/conference

 Get involved…

#LearningSirGar

Dr Laura Wright from the University of Cambridge will deliver the third David Trotter Memorial Lecture at Aberystwyth University on Thursday 25 October 2018.

A Reader in English Language, Dr Wright will lecture on ‘A Christmas tradition that you will probably not wish to revive’.

Hosted by the Department of Modern Language, the lecture takes place at the Seddon Room in the Old College and starts at 6pm, with a drinks reception from 5.15pm. All are welcome to attend. 

Dr Wright is an expert on the history of the London dialect, including mixed-language code-switching texts written in Anglo-Norman, Medieval Latin and Middle English, as well as the 17^th, 18^thand 19^thcentury London English. 

Dr Guy Baron, Head of the Department of Modern Languages at Aberystwyth University, said: “Professor Trotter was an extraordinary academic whose legacy continues today in the form of the Anglo-Norman Dictionary Project that continues to generate large amounts of funding from the AHRC.

“He led the Modern Languages Department for many years and always fought hard for his staff and for the benefit of the department. He was a wise and well respected academic but always had a keen sense of humour that was never lost within the serious confines of academic life.”

Professor David Trotter was a leading international authority on French language and lexicography and head of the Department of Modern Languages at Aberystwyth University.

A former president of the Société de Linguistique Romane(2013-15) and a corresponding member of the Paris-basedAcadémie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, Professor Trotter was a recipient of the Prix Honoré Chavéeand a fellow of the Learned Society of Wales.

He was a graduate of Queen’s College Oxford and was appointed chair of French at Aberystwyth in 1993.

Photo: Professor David Trotter

Links:
Department of Modern Languages https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/modernlangs/

Anglo-Norman Dictionary http://www.anglo-norman.net/gate/

Dr Laura Wright https://www.english.cam.ac.uk/people/Laura.Wright/

The Scarlets, minus the internationals who link up with Wales, today head to South Africa in readiness for Friday night’s clash, against Southern Kings, as the focus returns to the Guinness PRO14. 
 
After what has been a disappointing opener to the Heineken Champions Cup action, with defeats to both Racing 92 and Leicester Tigers, the Scarlets focus must now return to Guinness PRO14 action and keeping hold of the second place position in Conference B. 
 
The squad travel to South Africa without twelve international players who have been called up to the Wales squad as well as the injured party, which includes James Davies, Aaron Shingler and Tom Prydie.

Centre Kieron Fonotia is also unavailable through suspension.
 
Looking ahead to Friday night clash against Southern Kings head coach Wayne Pivac said; “It’s going to be a good challenge for the boys that are with us and we wish the international boys well and now we return our focus to PRO14.
 
“We know that we’re going to have to play well and play with a little bit more possession and territory to make it easier on ourselves.”
 
The game will be shown live on Premier Sports on Friday 26^thOctober, kick-off 19:00 (UK time).

If you want to scream this Halloween then make sure you’re booked in to the ‘witching hour’ at Pembrey Country Park.

The park’s events team has put on a week of ghoulish activities to get everyone in the spirit.

From October 29 to November 2 there will be witches, zombies and ghosts galore, with something for visitors of all ages.

Not for the faint-hearted is a 2km Zombie Run, a night-time nature walk, ghost hunt, campfire storytelling and crafts.

Everyone is encouraged to dress up in their scariest outfits.

Mags Pullen, Events and Facilities Manager, said: “Halloween is one of our most favourite times of the year at the park, which after dark is the perfect spooky backdrop for fun and games.

“We’ve put on a full programme of events with something to suit everyone. We had a hugely successful Halloween last year, and this year it’s even better so we’re encouraging people to book early to avoid disappointment.”

Full safety information will be provided before the start of each event. Suitable footwear and warm clothing beneath costumes is advised.

Entry to the park is free, however the normal parking charge applies – £2 per car.

Booking is essential – call 01554 742424 or email camppembrey@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Monday October 29

• 6.30pm – Bat and Night Time Nature Walk (limited spaces remaining). Join an experienced park ranger who will be showing guests the hidden gems of Pembrey. Cost £3 per person, under 12s must be supervised by an adult. Please bring a torch.

Tuesday October 30 and Thursday November 1

• 11am – Wizards and Witches. Make fairy wands before sitting down to hear a story about the spooks of Pembrey. Return via a magical journey like no other where you might see something magical in the woods. Cost £5 per child, seven years and under and must be supervised by an adult.
• 2pm – Ghosts and Ghouls. Embark on a bug hunt to find some scary bugs. Learn to build a den in the woods to protect you from spooky creatures. Cost £5 per child. Eight years and under and must be supervised by an adult.

Wednesday October 31

• 2pm – Ghost Hunt. Join us in hunting down the Hatchet Man, the scariest ghost of Pembrey. £5 per child, eight years and over.
• 6pm – Zombie Run. Try to outrun the zombies – if you’re one of the few to survive you’ll be rewarded. Cost £6, including refreshments. Suitable for older children and adults.

Friday November 2 

• 6.30pm – Campfire and Story Telling (limited spaces remaining). Sit around the campfire listening to ghostly stories whilst toasting grub bites. Cost £3 per child, six years and under and must be supervised by an adult.

Link:

• Pembrey Country Park

Reminder to the Old Boys of Carmarthen Grammar School and members of the Old Maridunians Association –

Tony Evans wants to remind everyone of the Memorial Service being held at St Peter’s Church in Carmarthen on Wednesday, November 7 at 7pm.

This service commemorates the centenary of the end of the Great War (World War One) in 1918.

The service will be held in the Chapel of Rest and will probably be for around 30 minutes. 

If you can attend, Tony and the other committee members will appreciate this.