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.
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.
“It’s important we do what we can to protect children against infections and illnesses like flu, because as we all know, children are very good at spreading germs.”
Those are the words of Meilyr Sion, author of Welsh children’s books and actor in Holby City, Pobl y Cwm and The Lion King stage show, and father to Daniel, aged 9, and Daisy, aged 6.
Meilyr is lending his support to Beat Flu this year as he wants to do everything he can to protect his children from catching or spreading flu, and he also wants to encourage other parents to do the same.
Public Health Wales says it is especially important for children to have the flu vaccine as they are particularly good at passing germs and viruses between themselves and the adults they have contact with due to close proximity and generally poorer hygiene (such as hand washing and sneezing).
Ros Jervis, Director of Public Health for Hywel Dda University Health Board said“Influenza spreads very easily. Extending the programme to more children this year will help protect them from catching flu, and will also prevent them spreading it to others in the community who may be very vulnerable. I particularly call on the parents of 2-3 year old children to get their children vaccinated with the simple nasal spray this year as the statistics show as few as six 2-3 year old children vaccinated prevents one case of flu – this age group has the best opportunity over all others to help stop the spread of flu – they are our ultimate “superprotectors”.
In an extension to the routine flu immunisation programme this year, all primary school aged children in Wales are now being offered the flu vaccine as well as two and three year olds.
The flu vaccine – which is delivered to children as a nasal spray is available to all children who were aged between two and ten on 31 August 2018.
The flu vaccine is the single best way to protect children from flu and also helps stop the virus spreading further.
6 children vaccinated prevents 1 case of flu.
Meilyr continues: “The flu vaccine for children is a simple spray up the nose, so there is no needle – Daniel and Daisy have had it for a few years now and they see it as a normal event each autumn along with their classmates. It’s easy for us as parents too, as all we need to do is complete the consent form and return it to school.”
Flu can affect children severely. Each year in Wales, children and adults are admitted to hospital and intensive care units with flu.
Consultant Paediatrician Dr Sian Owen at the Children’s Centre, Dolgellau, said: “This vaccination is really important. Young children are particularly at risk of serious complications of flu because their immune systems are not yet fully developed so they can’t fight off infections as well as older children and adults can.
“Flu is easily spread within families and in places like nurseries, playgroups and schools, toddlers and children are often in very close proximity to each other where they are especially susceptible to any circulating germs.
“Vaccination can help protect individual children from flu and also help stop it spreading to the wider community.”
For two and three year old children the vaccine will generally be given at their local GP surgery, and for children in reception class and school years one to six, it will be given at their school. Parents/guardians are required to give consent before their child can receive their flu vaccine.
For most healthy children, if they catch flu it means several miserable days at home feeling poorly. However, parents should be aware that flu can sometimes result in serious complications, especially for very young children and those with long term health problems, such as moderate or severe asthma, for whom it can even be life threatening.
Jane Dyson, Immunisation Specialist Nurse at Public Health Wales, is encouraging parents to make sure their child is vaccinated: “As a mum myself, I’m really pleased that the nasal spray flu vaccine for children is being made available to all primary school aged children this year. It represents a big step forward in protecting the most vulnerable in our society.
“Parents – please do not waste this opportunity; give consent for your child to get the vaccine at school. It will help to protect not only their health, but the health of those around them, which often includes people susceptible to the very harmful effects of flu – including grandparents and younger siblings.”
The Ospreys team to play Worcester Warriors at Sixways Stadium on Saturday 20th October 2018, KO 3.00pm, is as follows:
15 Cai Evans 14 Hanno Dirksen 13 Cory Allen 12 Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler 11 Keelan Giles 10 James Hook 9 Matthew Aubrey 1 Rhodri Jones 2 Scott Baldwin 3 Tom Botha 4 James Ratti 5 Adam Beard 6 Olly Cracknell (Capt) 7 Ifan Phillips 8 Rob McCusker
REPLACEMENTS – 16 Sam Parry 17 Gareth Thomas 18 Ma’afu Fia 19 Guido Volpi 20 Morgan Morris 21 Harri Morgan 22 Tom Williams 23 Luke Morgan
Rhodri Jones makes his 50th Ospreys appearance
Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler makes his first Ospreys start
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Lloyd Ashley – Shoulder; Dan Baker – Knee; Sam Cross – Shoulder; Sam Davies – Side strain; Dan Evans – Hamstring; Gheorghe Gajion – Hamstring; Tom Habberfield – Throat; Paul James – Shoulder; Will Jones – Shoulder; Lesley Klim – Hamstring; Dan Lydiate – Stinger; Giorgi Nemsadze – Neck; Luke Price- Fractured tibia; Gareth Thomas – Shoulder; Kieran Williams – Groin
Ospreys Head Coach, Allen Clarke, said:“Saturday is a wonderful opportunity for boys who are ‘chomping at the bit’ to showcase their talent and make a statement to be selected on a more regular basis.“Worcester have a strong squad, arewell coached and areplaying good rugby. Our challenge is to focus on what we do welland ultimatelydeliver an individual and team performance to be proud of.”Forthcoming Fixtures
Fri 26 Oct – 8.05pm – Ospreys v Connacht – Morganstone Brewery Field
Fri 2 Nov – 8.05pm – Ospreys v Glasgow – Liberty Stadium
Fri 23 Nov – 7.35pm – Leinster v Ospreys – RDS
Fri 30 Nov – 7.35pm – Ospreys v Zebre – Liberty Stadium
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Scarlets A will take on Leinster A in the final of the Celtic Cup, at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday 20th October, kick-off 16:00, after six thrilling pool games.
Last week we saw the Scarlets A, sponsored by Juno Moneta Group, bring home a huge dominating win against the Dragons A with an eight try triumph, which secured them their place in the final this weekend.
We see only a few minor changes in this week’s first XV with Josh Helps taking the captaincy, Tomi Lewis takes his place in the right wing and Jac Wilson keep his role in fly half after an almost perfect kicking record in last weeks game.
Speaking ahead of the final this Saturday here’s what head coach Richard Kelly had to say; “Everyone’s excited for the final clash in the cup all rearing to go. We’ve recovered well after last weeks triumph game and the boys seem comfortable and have had enough time together in terms of prep.”
Looking back at when the Scarlets first came up against Leinster A in the third round of the cup Kelly went on to explain; “I believe that discipline was the main factor that let us down last time, we definitely gave away too many penalties under challenging conditions that led them [Leinster] to gain territory. This was a massive focus for us after the first time we played them this season and I believe it’s all in our control and we need to manage it better in order to get the results were after, which hopefully will be a home win.”
Join us here at Parc y Scarlets for a promising entertaining game between both Irish and Welsh top playing regions. Tickets can be purchased on the day; £5 for the region’s Season Ticket holders and £10 to non Season Ticket holders. Access will be via main reception and Quinnell Lounge.
Scarlets A side to take on Leinster A, Parc y Scarlets, Saturday 20th of October, KO 16:00;
The annual Festival of the Senses is helping Llandeilo go all hi-tech.
The festival organisers have helped establish a town centre wi-fi service.
And they are getting ready to launch a special App for the Festival of the Senses, which runs from November 16-18
“We want Llandeilo to be in the vanguard of the technological revolution,’ said organising committee member Christoph Fischer.
“Gone are the days when people might think of Llandeilo as being a sleepy rural backwater with no access to the worldwide web.
“We are striving to make sure we have up-to-date 21stcentury facilities in a beautiful Georgian and Victorian landscape.”
The wi-fi service is already up and running, with booster boxes having been fitted to many town centre shop-fronts.
You can access it at Llandeilo WiFi on your mobile phone, tablet and laptop.
The wi-fi has been set up by Newcastle Emlyn-based Telemat IT.
Up to 80 per cent of the costs are covered by the Government and Carmarthenshire Council.
Up to 20 per cent of the costs are put up by the Festival of the Senses.
Mr Fischer said: “The festival has made a profit over the years and we have been able to invest in valuable infrastructure. We think this is a great boost for Llandeilo and helps make it an even more attractive place to visit. At the end of a two-year period, we are hoping that Llandeilo Town Council and local businesses band together to keep it running.”
Meanwhile, the festival organisers have been working with Cardiff-based App Monkeys to develop an App for the event in November.
Mr Fischer added: “It is still in development, but it will be ready in time for the festival. It will be menu driven and will provide festival updates and information on events and ‘stop press’ details, such as the latest situation with park and ride services.
“Businesses featured on the app will have a ‘click to call or locate’ service.
“Our hope is that it develops further from an App for the festival to one which provides information for the whole town, throughout the year.”
The three-day Festival of the Senses is a weekend of food, fun, entertainment and shopping opportunities – an event which signals the start of the build-up to Christmas in West Wales.
The festival has been running since 2008 and picked up a Carmarthenshire Tourism Association award in 2017.
The festival is the largest event of its kind in Carmarthenshire.
Last year, thousands of visitors and locals flocked to Llandeilo to enjoy the gastronomic delicacies of local and far-away produce.
Visitors danced to the music performed on the stage, gazed in awe at the colourful firework display and were delighted to see Santa and start their Christmas shopping experience.
This year will see a Farmer’s Market in the town centre, behind the Surgery, White Horse pub and NFU offices. There will be fresh and local produce from the Llandeilo Country Market, Black Mountain Food Hub and others.
The Festival of the Senses is a big draw for the way it fits snugly inside Llandeilo town centre.
The festival encompasses the town’s shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants, as well as offering craft and fashion stalls, food stalls, buskers, entertainment and much more.
Festival opening times are:
16th – 11am – 9.30pm
17th – 10am – 6pm
18th – 10am – 4pm
Links –
You can keep in touch with the Festival of the Senses via the social media Hashtag #FoS2018
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