Scarlets return to Guinness PRO14 action at Parc y Scarlets on Friday night looking to secure a victory over Ulster to return to the second place in Conference B.
 
Head Coach Wayne Pivac welcomes the return of Tom Prydie to the wing having been out of action since the derby clash against Ospreys with a shoulder injury. 
 
Scarlets return to Parc y Scarlets needing a victory to keep a foothold at the top of Conference B in the Guinness PRO14. 
 
Looking ahead to the game head coach Wayne Pivac said: “Ulster don’t lose too many (to Ireland). We played them in the international window at home last year. After a slow start we played very well.
 
“Our focus now is on ourselves, it’s really about spending as much time focusing on our game and being as accurate as we can.
 
“We weren’t (accurate) against Edinburgh and we were very disappointed about that as a squad and as a management group. We know that we are better than that performance. We have to keep working really hard through this period.”
 
Scarlets return to Parc y Scarlets for the first time since mid October, Pivac went on to say; “We’ve got a proud record at home and it’s an opportunity for us to get more points to throw us back in to the second spot in our conference, which is where we want to be with the internationals back with us in a week’s time.”
 
Scarlets team to take on Ulster at Parc y Scarlets, Friday 23^rdNovember, kick-off 19:35;
 
15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Tom Prydie, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Paul Asquith, 11 Ioan Nicholas, 10 Dan Jones, 9 Kieran Hardy, 1 Phil Price, 2 Marc Jones, 3 Werner Kruger, 4 Steve Cummins, 5 David Bulbring, 6 Ed Kennedy, 7 Will Boyde ©, 8 Uzair Cassiem
 
Replacements: 16 Daf Hughes, 17 Dylan Evans, 18 Simon Gardiner, 19 Lewis Rawlins, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Clayton Blommetjies, 23 Morgan Williams

Viessmann Limited, one of the leading international manufacturers of heating systems, industrial systems and refrigeration systems, has agreed a two-year deal to support age-grade rugby.

The arrangement will see Viessman become the official heating partner of Ospreys Rugby and its logo will appear on the match shirts for the three Ospreys age-grade teams, U18s and U16s East and West.

In addition, Viessmann has become title sponsor of the Ospreys Cup, the most prestigious age-grade competition for clubs and schools across the Region. Ospreys favourites such as Owen Watkin and Keelan Giles are among the young players who have participated in the Ospreys Cup previously, representing their community clubs in the annual competition.

Viessmann will also enjoy wider exposure through the presence of ground board advertising at all Ospreys home Guinness PRO14 and European fixtures.

Future draws for the Ospreys Cup are planned to take place at Viessmann’s product training centre at Gower College Swansea.

Graham Russell, Viessmann Managing Director, said:

“Viessmann is very excited to be supporting Ospreys, especially the age-grade rugby where we can help to develop future talent to follow in the footsteps of some very well-known national and international players who have grown through the ranks of the club. 

“Being a family business, Viessmann recognises the hard work and dedication required to be the best and also the support needed for young players from close family to make this happen. We are very proud to be part of the wider Ospreys community and look forward to being part of player development and overall club success.”

Viessmann previously teamed up with the Ospreys to support the WRU’s Facilities Grant scheme, offering subsidised heating equipment to grassroots rugby clubs in south and west Wales, while NSA Afan Community Centre in Port Talbot was the recent lucky recipient of a new system thanks to the Best Seat in the House competition run by the Ospreys at last season’s European clash with Northampton Saints.

Paul Whapham, Head of Ospreys in the Community, added:

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Viessmann formally as a partner.  They are a business that cares passionately about the community and this agreement sees them front and centre in our development pathway, be that through traditional shirt sponsorship of the Ospreys age-grade teams, or their support of the Ospreys Cup, the flagship competition for schools and clubs at Under-16 and Under-16 level.

“Their support is greatly appreciated and we look forward to working closely with Viessmann in this and future seasons.”

Viessmann Limited is part of the Viessmann Group of companies, which is one of the leading international manufacturers of heating systems, industrial systems and refrigeration systems. Founded in 1917, Viessmann remains a family-owned business and has over 12,100 employees across the world.

Viessmann has 23 production divisions in 12 countries, subsidiaries and representations in 74 countries and 120 sales offices around the world. The company’s commitment to the highest standards of manufacturing has led to its systems being awarded a multitude of awards over the course of its history. 

Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said he could not agree with a suggestion that council tax be used to fund private security companies instead of the police.

A question had been put to him by a member of the public at a recent meeting of the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel, which holds him and his office to account.

The questioner said they had lost confidence in the police, particularly in reference to drug-related crime, and asked if it was ‘time for our council tax to fund the police less and use it to fund private security companies to police our community instead’.

Mr Llywelyn said he was disappointed, and didn’t feel it was an idea ‘even to be considered’.

“Confidence in (Dyfed Powys) policing is the best across England and Wales – we have the best performance,” he said.

“The force is proactively tackling drugs in our communities. We have seen a significant increase in gangs from the west, exploiting the young, adult drug users, and vulnerable persons to use their properties – known as County Lines – and the force has put in place specific operations to address this.”

The Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel is made up of representatives of the four counties in the force area, plus two independent members.

Members of the public can attend meetings and can ask the Panel to put a question to the Commissioner on their behalf.

Questions will be publicised on the agenda and will be answered by Mr Llywelyn at the next available panel meeting.

Panel Chair Cllr Alun Lloyd Jones said: “It is our role to scrutinise the Police and Crime Commissioner and we are happy to present the views of the public or any queries they may have.”

Questions can be submitted online at www.dppoliceandcrimepanel.wales, or in writing to DPPandCrimepanel@carmarthenshire.gov.uk, but must be received at least 10 days before the next meeting of the Panel.

A former primary school in Carmarthen has been transformed into a nursery, creating 20 jobs.

Welsh-speaking Cywion Bach, has moved into the former Idole village school which has undergone significant renovation work following support from Carmarthenshire County Council’s Rural Enterprise Fund.

A sensory room and new outdoor play area form part of the spacious refurbished building, which accommodates children from aged three months to 11 years. An after school and holiday club is also available for older children up to 11 years.

Outdoor spaces including an onsite forest have been developed for children to explore and experience the natural world through hands-on activities.

Carmarthenshire County Council leader, Cllr Emlyn Dole said: “The council is delighted to have provided funding support to Cywion Bach nursery to develop a vibrant new business. Providing new jobs for people in Carmarthenshire is a key priority for the executive board and I was pleased we are able to support this venture which is also providing first class childcare facilities in the Carmarthen area.”

The council’s Rural Enterprise Fund is available to enterprises and sole traders for the development of new and existing business premises, where jobs are created as a result of the scheme. 

Nursery owner Heather Thomas said: “We are extremely grateful to Carmarthenshire County Council for the financial help we have received in order to achieve our goal.  The ethos of this exciting venture is to provide quality childcare through the medium of Welsh with the focus centred on the natural environment. We believe that fresh air and physical activity is vital for wellbeing, fitness, health and development. In addition to this, we feel that a child that grows up with bilingual skills is gifted with educational, cultural, social and spiritual opportunities.”

If you wish to apply or receive further information about the Carmarthenshire Rural Enterprise Fund visit the council’s website 

The success of an Aberystwyth University alumnus at the 2018 National Eisteddfod will be celebrated at an evening of poetry and music at Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Thursday 22 November.

Gruffudd Owen, the winner of the National Eisteddfod Chair, will be a guest at Cicio’r Bar, a new series of poetry and music evenings established by Eurig Salisbury, Acting Head of the Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies, and Dr Hywel Griffiths, winner of the 2015 National Eisteddfod Chair and a lecturer at the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences.

Joining Gruffudd will be winner of the Prose Medal at this year’s National Eisteddfod, Manon Steffan Ros.

As well as poetry readings from Eurig and Hywel, Gruffudd will read a selection of his work including excerpts from his winning Eisteddfod entry. Manon will perform as part of the Blodau Gwylltion duo, with guitarist Elwyn Williams.

Eurig Salisbury said: “Across the country, great nights are being held which provide a platform for Welsh poetry and music. That is the idea behind Cicio’r Bar – it will bring all the excitement of the poetic scene to the town in the form of a series of regular evenings over the year. What better way to do that than by congratulating and celebrating the success of two of the main winners of this year’s National Eisteddfod?”

Originally from Pwllheli, Gruffudd graduated in Welsh from the Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies at Aberystwyth University in 2007 before going on to complete an MPhil degree in Aber in 2011.

Now an editor on the popular BBC Cymru soap opera Pobl y Cwm, Gruffudd had a very successful Eisteddfod in Cardiff Bay, winning both the Siwper Stomp and the main Stomp Werin prize as well as the Chair.

His winning work, on the theme of ‘Porth’ (Gateway), was described by the competition’s adjudicators as one that “took our breath away – not because it’s refined or rich, not because it’s extremely elaborate and multi-layered – but because it is so trenchant in the way it deals with experiences which are a way of life for the digital generation.”

Manon Steffan Ross is originally from the Ogwen Valley. Her prize-winning and best-selling novel Llyfr Glas Neboreceived high praise by the Prose Medal adjudicators. Sonia Edwards said: “Sometimes, in a large impressive race, a horse appears from nowhere and overtakes everyone and everything.  It sets itself apart from the others and stays there until the very end.  This creates excitement and sends shivers down the spine.”

Tickets for Cicio’r Bar are £7 and are available from the Arts Centre Box Office or online. The evening takes place in the Arts Centre’s Performance Studio on Thursday 22 November 2018 and starts at 7:45 pm.

The second in the series will be held on Friday 8 February 2019.

Links:

Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/cymraeg/

Aberystwyth Arts Centre
https://www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/

Cicio’r Bar
https://www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/talks-spoken-word/cicior-bar

Aberystwyth University is one of five UK Universities to have partnered with the British Council to offer scholarship opportunities to Malaysian students.

The ‘GREAT Scholarships 2019 – Malaysia’ scheme encourages and supports individuals to pursue higher education in the UK. 

The scheme is jointly funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign, the British Council, and participating universities in the UK. It provides funding opportunities to prospective students from a selected number of countries who will enrol into UK universities in the autumn of 2019. 

The inaugural GREAT Scholarships 2019 – Malaysia scheme offers ten taught postgraduate scholarships to qualifying Malaysian students, totalling almost £100,000.  

The UK attracts more than 17,000 Malaysian students every year, most of whom head to the UK to pursue their undergraduate studies. In recent years, trends suggest that a growing number of Malaysian students are interested in pursuing postgraduate studies in the UK. Currently, the number of postgraduate students accounts for about 15 per cent of the total number of Malaysian students in the UK. 

Professor Elizabeth Treasure, Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University, said: “Aberystwyth University has had strong academic links with Malaysia for many years and the GREAT Scholarships scheme will further strengthen the unique bond between us. With our long-standing reputation for teaching excellence and world-leading research, we are delighted to be part of this inspiring collaboration with the British Council and look forward to welcoming postgraduate students from Malaysia to join our international academic community.”

The four other UK universities which will offer opportunities under the scheme are Queen’s University Belfast, the University of Kent, the University of Stirling, and the University of Warwick. 

Sarah Deverall, Director of the British Council in Malaysia said: “Postgraduate studies in the UK are more appealing as the duration of the programmes are relatively short. Most UK postgraduate degrees take only one year to complete, making the overall cost much more affordable compared to other countries.  Malaysia is a key country for the five universities that have chosen to partner with the inaugural GREAT Scholarships 2019 – Malaysia. These universities have been welcoming Malaysian students to their campuses for years and they value the diversity and academic contribution that Malaysian students bring.” 

The GREAT Scholarships are only available for one-year postgraduate taught programmes in the UK for the 2018/19 academic year. Malaysian students intending to apply for the scholarships must have received an offer of entry from any of the five participating universities mentioned above and must satisfy all entry requirements for the chosen course as stated by the respective university. 

For more information about the GREAT Scholarships 2019 – Malaysia, please visit: www.britishcouncil.my/study-uk/scholarshipsE

Photo:Left to right: Dr Marco Odello (Aberystwyth University), Ms Andrea Fordham (Queen’s University Belfast), Mr Imran Hashim (University of Warwick), Ms Sarah Deverall (British Council) and Ms Sue Hopkinson (University of Kent) at the launch of GREAT Scholarships 2019 – Malaysia in Kuala Lumpa on 21 October 2018.Credit: British Council