For best viewing experience of this website Please enter a place name in the search bar After provisionally the warmest May Day on record in the UK higher than average temperatures will subside over the weekend High pressure brings further fine and settled weather this week Patchy cloud clears this evening leaving a settled evening with some late sunshine Rather chilly beneath clear skies overnight with a frost developing in places and with light winds With light winds and plenty of strong sunshine it will begin to feel quite warm The remainder of the week will see high pressure dominating Dry across the vast majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells but also some patchy cloud Cloud will likely thicken across the far north and northwest during the weekend with some outbreaks of rain for a time There is also a small risk of some heavy showers in the far south or southwest high pressure will be dominant across the UK This will bring predominantly fine and dry weather for the majority of places Temperatures are likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year although there is a chance of some cold nights Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average A new session aiming to bring riders together from a cluster of clubs in the West Wales area These sessions are on fixed wheel aimed at developing race fitness and skills for all disciplines as well as track racing Please arrive in time to sign on and be ready for a briefing before the warm-up at 6pm Youth B & Juniors subject to track capacity Entry closes on the morning of the session at 10am Organizer will select or reject entries on Monday morning ahead of the evening session It is unlikely that the session will be overbooked priority will be given to Welsh eligible athletes as per Commonwealth Games criteria; All participants need to be confident and competent riding an indoor Velodrome and able to ride rollers independently Participants will need to bring their own rollers for every session and have access to pursuit bars A consent form needs to be completed in advance of the first session Please complete and either send in advance to perks9270@aol.co.uk or bring to the session https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/zuvvi/media/Rider_Information_and_Coaching_Consent_Form_2017.doc I understand and agree to adhere to the following code of conduct I acknowledge that I am representing both myself and the program and I commit to upholding the values and standards outlined herein I will refrain from engaging in any form of discrimination adhering to the rules and regulations of the sport I will accept both victory and defeat graciously showing respect for opponents and officials I will attend training sessions regularly and punctually notifying coaches in advance of any absences or lateness I will give my full effort and focus during training striving to improve and develop my skills and fitness I will prioritize my safety and the safety of others following all safety guidelines and instructions provided by coaches I will ensure that my equipment is well-maintained and in good condition for training and competition I will ensure I have the correct equipment for the activity I will approach training and competition with a positive attitude fostering a positive and inclusive team environment I will communicate openly and respectfully with coaches expressing any concerns or questions in a constructive manner I will conduct myself in a manner that reflects positively on myself I will refrain from engaging in any activities or behaviours that may bring discredit to the program or compromise its values I understand that violations of program policies may result in disciplinary action I have read and understand the above code of conduct and I agree to abide by its principles and standards I understand that failure to adhere to these expectations may result in consequences including suspension or dismissal from the session Welsh Cycling Union LtdCompany Number: 04354971Registered office address: Geraint Thomas Velodrome The county will come together to mark the anniversary in early May By Ian Lewis · 29 April 2025 Carmarthenshire will commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with a number of special events and tributes taking place across the county the Union Jack flag will be flown outside County Hall in Carmarthen County Hall will be illuminated on the evening of Thursday Residents and visitors are invited to take part in the wide range of events happening across Carmarthenshire to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day The celebrations include a variety of activities such as coffee mornings Pembrey Country Park will mark the occasion on May 4 and 5 with a Second World War Weekend and a 1940s Home Guard display In Carmarthen, the public are invited to gather at the bandstand at the town park in Morfa Lane Carmarthen Symphonic Wind Band and vocalist Llinos Watkins will perform a selection of well-loved wartime favourites at the park's bandstand - perfect for a singalong or simply soaking up the atmosphere It will be followed by the lighting of a beacon Llanelli's Royal British Legion branch will hold a special service at St Elli Parish Church followed by the lighting of a beacon The evening will start at 6.30pm with bell ringing and a service at 7pm with a beacon being lit at 9pm in the church grounds Another key event will take place between May 3 and 9 at Parc y Bocs Farm Shop and Cafe in Kidwelly where a free mobile Second World War Museum will open its doors to the public over the week The father and son-led mobile museum filled with memorabilia from the Second World War and top Hollywood productions about the conflict Seimon Pugh-Jones and his disabled dad Stephen from Meinciau started working on an innovative project to help them with mental health issues What blossomed is a fascinating mobile tin shed museum which has two large doors on one side which reveal a stage filled with American military items from uniforms to other wartime paraphernalia The other side has been made to look like a bakery which Seimon's great grandmother worked at in Pontyates in 1914 - which was also a tin shed Seimon said that since launching in the spring last year The seeds of it also stretch back to Seimon's time working in the wardrobe department on the 1998 Steven Spielberg blockbuster film Saving Private Ryan and his 2001 mini-series Band of Brothers - on which Seimon did some camera work using an old old 16mm camera - which impressed both Spielberg and Tom Hanks so much that they thought it was actual wartime footage At the start of the year, Hanks sent a letter to Seimon - typed on an old fashioned typewriter which he is known to have a fondness of - wishing him all the best with the mobile museum All of these events will bring communities together to reflect Carmarthenshire Council’s Armed Forces Champion Cllr Phillip Hughes said: "VE Day is a time for us to come together as communities to remember the bravery and sacrifice of those who served during the Second World War This 80th anniversary is especially poignant as we continue to honour a generation whose legacy shaped the world we live in today I encourage everyone to take part in the events across the county and ensure these stories live on." LoadingDaily Email Updates {{contentTitle}} A grassroots music venue in the heart of Carmarthen has unveiled a stunning mural which celebrates the town’s rich cultural heritage The mural on the side of the CWRW music venue and pub creatives and comedians who have put the town on the map – including Rhod Gilbert the striking artwork designed by Swcidelic (Mared Lenny) and painted by Philip Cheater over the course of three months was revealed on the weekend Unveiling a gallery of pictures on their Facebook page the venue also posted the following message: CWRW embarked on an journey to create a vibrant mural aiming to uplift our beautiful town and its incredible community as we navigated the challenges of the pandemic Our vision as a creative hub in Carmarthen was to capture a piece of art that showcases Carmarthens rich creative heritage and creative spirit bringing joy and inspiration to residents and visitors alike We’re filled with optimism as we anticipate the new Oriel Myrddin Gallery opening envisioning King Street flourishing as a cultural hub that celebrates the arts and heritage that make Carmarthen truly unique We are getting ready to welcome our summer tourists from all over the country as we shine a spotlight on our beloved town Public art has the incredible power to transform communities and we invite everyone to celebrate Carmarthen successes with us This mural is a beautiful gift to our local community and tourists—a treasure to be cherished for years to come CWRW committed £4,000 to repair and repainting the building in preparation for this artistic endeavour we worked hand in hand with the council’s planning and heritage teams Thanks to approved funding in 2023 of £6000 The funding was able to fund the making of the artwork over the large area of the building we’re thrilled that the project finally come to a close Local businesses have played a vital role in funding this artwork helping to create a positive and forward-thinking image of Carmarthen for everyone to admire We would like to thank all those who have stopped chatted an contributed to the positivity of moving Carmarthen forward into a brighter/happier place to live Furthermore a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making this project a reality Let’s keep uplifting and celebrating our vibrant community together Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Connect with Nation.Cymru on Facebook and Twitter If you would like to donate to help keep Nation.Cymru running then you just need to click on the box below it will open a pop up window that will allow you to pay using your credit / debit card or paypal Enter your email address to receive instant notifications of new articles All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018 In 2017 Nation.Cymru was launched after raising £5000 from a crowdfunding campaign Today it is one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK attracting over 1.5 million visitors a month We are not backed by billionaire owners or hidden behind a paywall but we depend on our readers' support to continue our work If everyone who visited the site over the course of a month donated at least £1 we would have enough funding for the next eight years To guarantee our future please consider making a donation today. Musicians and comedy stars are featured on the new mural on the side of Cwrw bar By Ian Lewis · 28 April 2025 A large mural in Carmarthen to celebrate figures from the town who have had a cultural impact in the worlds of entertainment and music has been unveiled Bosses at the Cwrw bar in King Street were granted listed building consent by Carmarthenshire Council in September last year for the the mural to be created on the outside wall of the venue on the corner of Little Water Street The project has been three years in the making features striking artwork by town-based artist Swci Delic along with the names of top names in entertainment and music on the wall Pulling it all together was Philip Cheater of Swansea-based Fresh Creative Co It features talents who have left their mark and performed at the venue over the years. They include rising Welsh language band Adwaith, who are about to support The Manic Street Preachers for two nights at Swansea's Building Society Arena on May 9 and 10 along with 1990s band Gorky's Zygotic Mynci and the name of the late David R Edwards – considered by many to be the father of Welsh Language modern music - who was in the band Datblygu Carmarthen's own Rhod Gilbert and Elis James are featured Gilbert is one of the best loved comedians in the UK and was involved in the Save the Parrot campaign to rescue the venue 13 years ago podcaster and presenter James performed in the building and calls in for a pint now and again when he is visiting or performing locally bosses at Cwrw said: "Public art has the incredible power to transform communities and tourists - a treasure to be cherished for years to come Cwrw committed £4,000 to repair and repainting the building in preparation for this artistic endeavour "Thanks to approved funding in 2023 of £6,000 we’re thrilled that the project has finally come to a close." They added: "Local businesses have played a vital role in funding this artwork chatted an contributed to the positivity of moving Carmarthen forward into a brighter and happier place to live Furthermore a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making this project a reality." The Cwrw building itself at 32 King Street has a long history - having been a public house since the mid 18th century It then reopened as The Parrot - with its sister record store Tangled Parrot still located on the first floor Since 2011 the building has served as a gathering place for creative minds and live music The Grade II listed building has welcomed a diverse range of talented performers over the years including legends like Eartha Kitt who graced the stage with an impromptu performance in 1957 Street Food Circus has launched a new festive event which will transform the Carmarthen Showground Hall into a Festive Feastival, complete with a vintage roller disco rink, Santa’s grotto, Christmas circus and dancing reindeers. A total of 12 street food traders will be offering seasonal specialities – including this year’s British Street Food Award Winner Pasta a Mano, Hills Brecon and Holy Chesus. Alongside the food, there will also be the SFC cocktail bar, mulled wine and mince pies. Festive Feastival launches on the weekend of 13-15 December then returns from Friday 20th December through to Christmas Eve. A morning (11am-3pm) and afternoon (3pm-7pm) session will run on Saturdays, Sundays and Monday 23rd, with a morning session on Tuesday 24th. Four special Christmas Party evening (6pm-10pm) sessions will run on Fridays (13th, 20th) and Saturdays (14th, 21st) with festive DJs, sing-a-long classics and even the occasional choir and brass band. Putting a circus twist on the traditional festive ice rink, Festive Feastival will feature the Artful Dodgems vintage roller rink. A favourite of the summer festival circuit, the all-weather roller rink will be bringing the Christmas disco party under a huge mirror ball. Star of Street Food Circus festivals, high wire artist Chris Bullzini will be performing his one man show and the Kitsch & Sync theatre team will be entertaining with their dancing reindeers. Santa and his elves will be making an appearance in a unique North Pole-inspired grotto yurt. Families can book to meet the bilingual Santa, create a special keepsake from the event and receive a gift. Street Food Circus founder and ‘ringmaster’ Matt The Hat said: “After a busy summer bringing the best of street food to events across Wales, let’s raise the roof at our brand new Festive Feastival. We’ll have all the energy and entertainment of our regular Street Food Circus events, but sprinkled with a touch of Christmas magic – and all in an indoor, weatherproof venue. “We’re excited to bring this event to Carmarthen and look forward to welcoming people to our unique mix of vintage roller rink, festive tipples and the best street food Wales has to offer – whether that’s a day-time visit with the family or an evening Christmas Party session with friends of colleagues,” he said. Tickets are on sale now from streetfoodcircus.co.uk at £8 for adults (plus booking fee), with free tickets for kids. Roller disco sessions are free, subject to capacity and there is an additional charge for Stanta’s Grotto which can be booked online in advance. The full trader line-up, including some festive specials: and highly targeted distribution networks offers our clients a proven strategically connected one-stop-shop solution for all regions and business sectors in Wales and beyond There will be music and time for reflection to mark VE Day at the park next month By Ian Lewis · 17 April 2025 Carmarthen is holding a commemorative event on Thursday the public are invited to gather at the bandstand at the town park in Morfa Lane Victory in Europe Day is the day celebrating the formal acceptance by the Allies of the Second World War of Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces on May 8 1945; it marked the official surrender of all German military operations 1945 the Battle of Odžak ended in a Yugoslav Partisan victory marking the end of the war in Europe the Carmarthen Symphonic Wind Band and vocalist Llinos Watkins will perform a selection of well-loved wartime favourites at the park's bandstand - perfect for a singalong or simply soaking up the atmosphere Emma Smith said: "As part of this special occasion the VE Day Beacon will be lit just before 9pm in a symbolic act of remembrance and unity echoing similar ceremonies taking place across the country This is a free event for the whole community and everyone is encouraged to bring picnic chairs and refreshments to enjoy a relaxed and memorable evening in the park Let’s come together to honour those who served and celebrate the peace that was hard-won 80 years ago." Across Carmarthenshire many will wish to take this opportunity to remember the millions of brave men and women who sacrificed their lives in our armed services as well as those who served on the home front Over the Bank Holiday weekend of Monday May 5 ahead of the Carmarthen event later that week communities are expected to come together and celebrate like people did 80 years ago community events and informal gatherings.  This initiative is being supported across the UK, including Wales by the Together Coalition, while a dedicated website, VE and VJ Day 80  has also been set up to promote and support commemorative events.  Advice on holding street parties or larger events around VE Day, is available on Carmarthenshire Council's website here The Black & Ambers head west knowing that they cannot finish lower than fourth but hoping that third place or even second place is possible RGC and Ebbw Vale have put them in position to challenge for a high seeding in the play-offs Last Sunday’s game was particularly memorable for the emotional tribute to club legend Carmarthen are in seventh position but can still achieve sixth place and an automatic place in the quarterfinals The Newport coaching team make changes to the starting line-up with injuries and unavailability playing a part in selection   Designed by  Council chiefs in Carmarthenshire have backed the principle of a new five-year term for a business improvement scheme whose directors are resigning. Carmarthen BID (business improvement district) was set up five years ago and involves eligible businesses in the town paying a small percentage of their rateable value on top of business rates on an annual basis. The money raised is spent by the BID company with the aim of improving the town centre and encouraging more footfall. A similar BID scheme was set up in Aberystwyth in 2016, called Advancing Aberystwyth, but was abandoned in 2021 after businesses in the town decided not to renew it. The Carmarthen group’s board of directors announced last month they were resigning, effective from 31 March, citing what they claimed was “unwarranted harassment and abuse” from a minority of people. Their statement added that “in the spirit of democracy” a new ballot was under way for a new five-year term. The BID manager has also resigned. Some traders have claimed their input wasn’t sought and have called for more transparency about BID’s expenditure. The BID board said it felt significant strides has been made over the previous 18 months transforming its and the town’s perception. A spokesman for Carmarthen BID said its accounts were made available via Companies House and that it had engaged with businesses. BID ballots are managed by Carmarthenshire Council, which also collects the levy. Cabinet members have agreed to manage and oversee the new ballot while also supporting the BID principle. But they decided not to consider the appointment of a member representative to serve on the BID board. Speaking at the cabinet meeting, Cllr Hazel Evans, who has the regeneration portfolio, said a BID scheme in Llanelli and other parts of Wales worked well. She added the council didn’t have a board representative on the Llanelli BID group, called Ymlaen Llanelli. Cllr Alun Lenny, cabinet member for resources and ward member for Carmarthen Town North and South, said the history of the town’s BID scheme had been “very stormy at times” over the past five years. But he added that significant funding had been raised to improve the town’s appearance and hold activities. Council leader Darren Price stressed cabinet was only considering the principle of the BID and that further discussions and decisions would need to made by the BID group. If it were to go ahead for a further five years, with approval from full council, it’s expected that just over £719,000 would be raised via the levy. The ballot closes on February 27. Cllr Gareth John, who used to be cabinet member for regeneration and also represents Carmarthen Town North and South, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he had been very aware of “strong views” from the outset of the BID scheme. “As a concept, if it’s run by the right people and businesses work together, it has the potential to be very successful,” he said. “The principle is sound.” Cllr John said former council leader Emlyn Dole had served as the authority’s representative on Carmarthen BID but he lost his seat in the 2022 council elections. Cllr John said he had not wished to serve on the BID board as it was a private company. He said he and the council had attended BID’s annual general meetings. Cllr John said he felt Carmarthen BID ought to have done better although the Covid pandemic was far from helpful. Transparency, he said, was very important. He added: “There’s been a breakdown of relationships, of trust, and there has been some awful abuse flying around.” Comments Tel: 01970 615000[email protected]Follow us Further Links Owned or licensed to Tindle Newspapers Ltd | Independent Family-Owned Newspapers | Copyright & Trade Mark Notice & 2013 - 2025 For a team that have been rising through the ranks over the past few seasons Sunday marks a landmark day in the history of Carmarthen Town we’ve been lucky enough to bring in players with vast experience while also bringing in young players who have bright futures and we’ve managed to come up the leagues playing a good brand of football and that showed in the last round of the cup.” After defeating Trefelin in the qualifying round of this season’s Bute Energy Welsh Cup Old Gold were drawn to face Swansea University you wouldn’t know that looking at the game a result that shocked many even within the squad “We were all confident before the game that we could go out and provide a shock and win especially if we played the way we have been but I don’t think anyone would have predicted that scoreline and now we’ve got a big challenge ahead of us.” It’s another Swansea team next for the West Wales side this will be the toughest test that the side have faced in their brief history but Ashman believes the game will serve as a good indicator to see how far they’ve come “We want to go as far as we can in cup competitions and we were wondering whether we could play another team that is in and around us You’ve got to beat the best in order to win and we’re all really excited about playing a team like Swansea City but we’d love to prove that we are an up-and-coming side who are ready to take on some Adran Premier sides.” The game has an added importance for Ashman The keeper achieved a lot during her time with the Swans and she knows full well how dangerous their forwards are “I grew up playing with Stacey John-Davis from childhood We went off to our own different clubs and then we came back together at Swansea I’ve been lucky enough to play for the Swans alongside players like Stacey and Katy Hosford and I suppose it does provide me with an advantage that I know what kind of forwards they are It will definitely be nice to see them again.” As well as having the inside information on their strikers Carmarthen also have the advantage of playing the match at home There’s a lot of people planning on coming up to support and it’ll be nice to welcome them to our place and we can give them a good game.” No matter what happens come Sunday evening it will be a moment to cherish for everyone involved with Carmarthen Town Ashman is hoping days like these will come around sooner rather than later and encouraged her teammates to enjoy every minute It’s important that we take it all in and show what we’re capable of The New Saints come from behind to take Nomads crown in JD Welsh Cup final Project Chwarae: FAW to undertake a review of weather-related postponements in grassroots football Cardiff City defeat Wrexham to lift Bute Energy Welsh Cup Close ModalLearn more from FA WalesSign up to receive all things FAW We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data – view our privacy policy by clicking here © 2025 The Football Association of Wales * We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data – view our privacy policy by clicking here Essential work to upgrade the gas pipes in the King Street area of Carmarthen has finished on time, and to plan. The work, which was essential to ensure the gas is kept flowing safely to heat and power local homes and businesses, keeping people safe and warm for generations to come, started at the beginning of January. Wales & West Utilities liaised with Carmarthenshire County Council to plan the work and traffic management was used throughout. Wales & West Utilities Adam Smith managed the work and said: “We’d like to thank the local community for bearing with us whilst we completed this essential work. “While most of the gas network is underground and out of sight, it plays a central role in the daily lives of people across the area. Whether it’s heating your home, making the family dinner or having a hot bath, we understand how important it is for your gas supply to be safe and reliable and there when you need it. “This work was essential to keep the gas flowing to local homes and businesses today, and to make sure the gas network is ready to transport hydrogen and biomethane, so we can all play our part in a green future.” Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, brings energy to 7.5m people across the south west of England and Wales. If you smell gas, or suspect the presence of carbon monoxide, call them on 0800 111 999 straight away, and their engineers will be there to help any time of day or night. Tel: 01834 843262[email protected]Follow us Further Links It means visitors can travel further on the popular ferry from this spring By Ian Lewis · 24 March 2025 Two new routes are being added to the roster at Carmarthen Bay Ferries for this year The ferryboat was launched in 2018 for trips between the villages of Llansteffan and Ferryside across the River Towy estuary It means crossing between the two villages now takes a matter of minutes something which had not been possible since the 1950s Travelling by ferry between the villages dates back to the Middle Ages when the Normans had control of parts of Carmarthen the ferry crossing was said to be extremely popular in the 1920s and 1930s especially during a two-week period in the summer known as ‘miner’s fortnight’ - the main holiday period for colliers from around Wales Due to improvements in public roads and the introduction of buses as a means of public transport the service fell into decline and completed its final voyage in 1958 Following resurrecting a ferry service seven years ago amphibious ferryboat was named by pupils at Llansteffan and Ferryside primary schools and dubbed Glansteffan The vessel has an aluminium-hulled boat and can drive out of the water onto land directors are excited to announce an expansion to the service with regular trips to Laugharne and Kidwelly starting from Friday there are new directors onboard too - Roseanne Blackwell McPhail and Neil Walker who both bring extensive expertise and a shared passion for enhancing community-driven initiatives Carmarthen Bay Ferries said their vision and leadership promise to elevate the company’s commitment to delivering outstanding service the ferry service is seen as another route for commuters locally as it allows easy access to the train station at Ferryside Speaking about the Laugharne and Kidwelly routes director Andrew Kirkpatrick said: "These picturesque locations are steeped in Welsh history and offer unique experiences for both locals and visitors The addition of Laugharne and Kidwelly marks a significant milestone in Carmarthen Bay Ferries’ mission to connect communities and celebrate the beauty of West Wales "We are incredibly excited about what’s ahead for Carmarthen Bay Ferries our new directors bring unparalleled expertise and the addition of Laugharne and Kidwelly opens up new opportunities to explore the region’s rich culture and heritage We look forward to welcoming passengers aboard for an unforgettable year.” In 2022, The Independent newspaper named the service one of ‘the world’s most spectacular ferry crossings’ with the Llansteffan to Ferryside service the only one entirely based in the UK The other services lauded as the best in the world include one that crosses the Daintree River and takes in the Daintree Rainforest in Australia and a 36-hour crossing from London to Rotterdam in Holland Others highlighted include a trip from Icelandinc capital Reykjavik to the island of Heimaey one that travels under 12 ancient bridges in the Swedish capital of Stockholm and a service which offers passengers impressive Canadian landscapes as a backdrop Carmarthen Bay Ferries is offering half-price crossings on the opening day The ferry operates between April and the end of September sailing daily during the Carmarthenshire school holidays and at weekends (Friday to Sunday) outside these times The timetable is variable because the ferry operates for two-and-a-half hours either side of high tide Exact times of the new Laugharne and Kidwelly journeys will be available nearer to the restart of the service next month For further details visit the website here Organisers are hoping for a bumper turnout once again for the popular event By Ian Lewis · 31 March 2025 It is time to get the running shoes back on for the Carmarthen Mayor’s Fun Run Races on May Day Bank Holiday Online entries are now open and the whole family can get involved in the event on The races have been held in Carmarthen every year since 1982 apart from 2020 and 2021 when they were cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic said: “This will be the 42nd running of the races and we are immensely proud that they remain a regular feature in the sporting and leisure calendar for Carmarthen "We are hoping for a bumper turnout in both the 5k and the fun run races The 5k and fun run races for the juniors provide something for everyone from the athletes looking to record personal bests to the fun runners who enjoy dressing up in fancy dress and raising money for charity "We are keen to inject as much fun as possible into the event encouraging people to take part in fancy dress and asking local sporting teams pubs and clubs to consider entering teams." Mr Daniel added: "The beauty of the races is that they take place in the heart of the town centre in Carmarthen affording great opportunities for spectators to cheer on the runners We are encouraging businesses to dress up in the corporate colours and logos and earn themselves some free publicity by taking part It’s a great team-building event for any business.” The event has raised thousands of pounds for charity over the years with many local groups and organisations benefiting there will be electronic chip timing in operation for the 5k fun run will be on hand to start all the races and present medals and trophies to all runners followed by staggered start times from 11,15am for the children’s races Volunteers will also be needed to marshal on the day and marshals are all asked to meet in St Peter’s Hall Civic Hall in Nott Square Registration on the day will also be at the hall The race routes are the same as those used last year 10.45am - Presentation of trophies for adults fun run 11.15am - Primary school girls (years 1 and 2) 11.25am - Primary school boys (years 1 and 2) 11:35am - Primary school girls (years 3 and 4) 11.45am -Primary school boys (years 3 and 4) 11.55am - Primary school girls (years 5 and 6) Noon - Primary school boys (years 5 and 6) 12.35pm - Secondary school girls and boys (years 7 and 8) 12.45pm - Mini Fun Run – 6 years and under (may be accompanied by an adult) 1.10pm - Presentation for junior races and medals will be presented to all finishers For more details, see the race website page here Subscribe to Key Modern Railways now to access the wealth of information on offer completely ad free Subscribe now Key Publishing Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales with Company Number 2713662 Through the club Peter Hughes Griffiths launched youth football for the region By Ian Lewis · 15 April 2025 A longstanding figure at Carmarthen Town Football Club has been recognised for more than 50 years of work championing budding young talent in the sport Peter Hughes Griffiths has been involved at the club for more than 50 years As a young man he played for Drefach Felindre's Bargoed Rangers and for Trinity College in Carmarthen He was then signed to play for Ammanford in the Welsh League before moving to Aberystywth where he also had a stint with the town's club as a boy his father would bring him to Carmarthen to watch Carmarthen Town AFC play and it was the start of a lifelong association with the club His passion for football has been juggled alongside a career in politics - he is still a county councillor in the town at the age of 85 - a former mayor and worked for years alongside Plaid's first MP Gwynfor Evans - as well as working in entertainment At a recent home game again Trefelin at the Richmond Park ground - known as the LHP Stadium - Peter was presented with a lifetime membership award from Carmarthen Town AFC president and his life-long friend Einsley Harries his behind-the-scenes work and can-do attitude has forged a path for many youngsters getting into football and onto great achievements Peter said: "Carmarthen Town was always 'my team' as a kid because I remember coming down from Drefach Felindre with my dad to watch games When I moved to Carmarthen in 1972 there was no youth football but I had been involved with the Mini Minor League in Aberystwyth various teams playing on a Saturday morning." Peter added: "When I came to Carmarthen there was nothing here like youth football So what I did in the late 1970s and into the 1980s I formed the Carmarthen and District Schools Football Association for under-15s and under-18s After that I was secretary and organiser of the Dyfed Schools Football Association again with teams playing against schools from elsewhere like Swansea and Cardiff." This opened the door for boys from Carmarthen and the wider area to winning national caps for Wales in football - a first at that time One notable talent Peter said was Matthew Jones who joined Leeds United's youth academy in 1994 at the age of 14 before making his first-team bow and then transferring to Leicester City in 2000 he also played for Wales between 1999 and 2oo3 Peter said: "I feel quite proud that we started all of this off in Carmarthen in the 1980s and into the 1990s I was so involved with Welsh schools football that I was elected as president of the Welsh Schools Football Association between 1994 and 1996 so I was very much involved on a national level too." His links with Carmarthen Town have been engrained in his life over the decades as he explained with a laugh: "What you must remember when I look out through my bathroom window I look out over the Richmond Park ground - or LHP Stadium as its called now - so I've never been able to get away from it!" He has been an announcer at matches since before the club was promoted to the Welsh League in 1992 Other weekly efforts would see Peter marking out the pitch before games too Peter has always seen his work with Carmarthen Town as a rewarding hobby adding: "It has given me great pleasure to see youngsters go on to play on a national level something they never had the chance to do before." Peter said he was also been proud to have supported the club's director over the years with developments at Richmond Park He said: "I was with Jeff all the way on those projects no doubt he was the lead but I was there helping to look for grants and so forth is that not a day or evening goes by without the club being crowded with footballers of all ages "Every Saturday morning is busy with under-8 and under-11 teams too from around Carmarthen and its surrounding villages it's great to see and the club is a great asset to the town." GOV.WALES uses cookies which are essential for the site to work Non-essential cookies are also used to tailor and improve services The Welsh Government and Carmarthenshire County Council have invested in the delivery of a £12 million sustainable commercial development as part of a commitment to green economic growth Parc Gelli Werdd features 26 state-of-the-art workshops and offices at the Cross Hands East Strategic Employment Site demonstrating strong market demand for sustainable business premises which is part of the Welsh Government’s Property Delivery Plan comprises high performance insulation and roof mounted solar panels that will deliver reduced building running costs and benefit the environment Designed to achieve 'Net Zero carbon in-operation target' the development includes an innovative building management system that incorporates a bespoke metering and monitoring platform to enable billing and detailed performance monitoring This will allow tenants to manage electricity consumption to achieve cost efficiencies Speaking at the site following a regional business event in Carmarthen We are determined to stimulate green economic growth creating sustainable employment opportunities and supporting Wales' transition to a low-carbon economy I’ve spoken to so many businesses both here in Carmarthenshire and elsewhere who have been clear that creating localised high-quality business spaces with sustainability at their core is a priority for expansion and job creation The Parc Gelli Werdd development has been built to exceptional environmental standards and will reduce operational costs for occupying businesses whilst minimising environmental impact in accordance with the Net Zero Strategic Plan Among the first companies to occupy units at the site is Conquer Teamwear Moving into units 3 & 4 at Parc Gelli Werdd has been a great boost for our business and will help with the continued growth of Conquer Teamwear The units are of a really high specification and the location is perfect for our staff and customers being just a few minutes off the dual carriageway and Cross Hands roundabout The leader of Carmarthenshire County Council The Parc Gelli Werdd development is an important example of how the local authority and Welsh Government can collaborate to deliver high quality business space with sustainability at its core The County Council is committed to tackling the climate emergency and business space like this prove that this ambition is possible “It is encouraging to see a number of Carmarthenshire businesses already utilising this space allowing them to grow their business create local jobs and pursue their own sustainability goals moving forward Carmarthen swimming pool is set to close for three months for repair work to be carried out. The county council said the decision had been made due to escalating safety concerns, with an increasing number of surface tiles becoming loose at the main pool and learner pool at Carmarthen leisure centre. Carmarthenshire County Council has taken the necessary decision to close both pools from 14 April to allow for essential repairs to be carried out. The repair work is expected to take approximately three months to complete. The council added: "Unfortunately, there is never a good time to undertake such works, however, the escalating risk has meant these planned works have had to be brought forward to be completed as soon as possible. "Carmarthenshire County Council understands this will be disappointing news, however this difficult decision has been made to ensure the long-term safety and quality of our facilities for all users. "Whilst the county council has implemented measures to maintain safety by repairing tiles and installing pool mats over recent months, it is now necessary to carry out a full relining of both pools. "We will also be making additional improvements to enhance our customers swim visit experience during this closure period." Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism - Cllr Hazel Evans added: "We understand that many customers will have questions about how this will impact their visits to the health suite, swimming lessons, access to swimming clubs, and their swim sessions as part of their membership. I would to thank them for their patience and understanding during this period. "Please be assured that the council has already started to contact various stakeholders and users with more specific information, and will continue to do so in the coming days, with an aim to minimise disruption and offer alternative options where possible for users and members." Tel: 01834 843262[email protected]Follow us PCarmarthenshire The builders behind the Parc y Fron development in Carmarthen have lent a helping hand to a school in the town to improve facilities for its pupils with additional learning needs. Persimmon Homes West Wales has donated £3,000 to Queen Elizabeth High School after its successful application to the developer’s Community Champions scheme. The funds will go towards the school’s specialist unit, Canolfan Elfed, so they can upgrade their outdoor sensory learning area for its 93 pupils to use. The project has been guided by the pupils, who actively engaged in the design process and collaborated with playground design experts to create their vision. The school’s fundraising efforts to date – including events, sponsorships, and partnerships with Rotary Clubs – have raised approximately £20,000 already. Money has also been raised through staff running the London Marathan and participating in the local raft race. Persimmon Homes West Wales currently has two, three, and four-bed homes for sale at Parc y Fron in Carmarthen, available from £190,000. A total of 250 homes will be built as part of the scheme in the west of the town with more than £2.3 million going towards local infrastructure as a result. The five-star housebuilder donates £48,000 to good causes and much-valued organisations across Wales every year as part of its Community Champions scheme, with Wales Air Ambulance, Carmarthen & Cross Hands Autistic Mams Association, Carmarthen Family Centres, and Scarlets Women’s Rugby included amongst recent local recipients. Sharon Bouhali, Persimmon Homes West Wales Sales Director, said: “When we heard about Canolfan Elfed, we at Persimmon just knew that we had to get involved and help Queen Elizabeth High School with this excellent project. “We’re delighted that our donation will help build a space that will enrich current therapies and interventions, providing pupils with meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities and fostering their development into confident, lifelong learners, and valued community members. “Persimmon looks forward to seeing the completed vision at Canolfan Elfed soon.” Nigel Cooke, School Business Manager for Queen Elizabeth High School, added: “The previous outdoor space was unsafe and unsuitable, and we want to replace it with a versatile, inclusive, and student-designed space that meets the unique needs of our pupils. “That’s why we are grateful to Persimmon for their generous donation, especially considering it has triggered match-funding arrangements we have with other organisations. “This will allow us to provide pupils with the facilities they need and deserve at the school and we can’t wait to take this project through to completion.” Cllr Emlyn Schiavone, Mayor of Carmarthen and local county councillor, said: “Canolfan Elfed does fantastic work with children from Carmarthen and the surrounding areas, as well as occasionally pupils from neighbouring counties. It is really encouraging to hear about their ambitions to improve facilities for children and young persons with additional and complex learning needs. “I am really grateful to Persimmon for their valuable donation and willingness to support important initiatives like this in Carmarthen. I know the school will welcome any help other organisations may be able to contribute as well.” This year's festival will start earlier than usual organisers have confirmed By Ian Lewis · 14 March 2025 This year's Carmarthen River Festival will take place on Saturday The fun-filled day at the town’s Quayside will start earlier than previous years at 11am in an effort to catch that day's high tide on the River Towy The festival has been staple of the town's summer calendar for many years and organisers are hoping for bumper crowds yet again chairman of the Carmarthen Riverside Association said: "All the usual fun activities will be available on the river and on the riverside including river trips demonstrations from the Carmarthen Coracle and Netsmen Association Carmarthen fire station demonstrations and a race by Carmarthen Rowing Club "The river festival has been a popular event and we hope this year's will to continue to provide a fun afternoon by the river for young and old It represents a real celebration of the river and its importance to the town over the years We hope to see many people at the festival once again this year "Now is the time for local organisations to start thinking about building their rafts for the popular raft race The afternoon will round off with the Tywi Rotary Club Duck Race for which ducks will be on sale locally from the rotary club as well as being on sale throughout the festival." Local groups and organisations who would like to demonstrate or market their items on the Quayside on the day are asked to contact Jenny Fox at Carmarthen the Town Council on 01267 235199 Newport face Carmarthen Quins in the third round of the SRC Cup Competition on Saturday Our visitors have lost their first two games in this competition but had a close game against Pontypool and took two points out of the match The Black & Ambers got off to a flying start with a high-scoring victory over Swansea earning six points With two tough games to come in this competition we need a win to stay on track for a place in the final The format of the SRC Cup is: two pools of five teams with each playing the teams in their group once The winners of each pool will play in the final with the team having the most points getting the home advantage Final will be played on Thursday 20th March and will be on live TV The public are being assured there will be no cause for concern during the exercise By Ian Lewis · 29 January 2025 Emergency services in Carmarthenshire are joining forces to test their joint response to a major incident Dyfed-Powys Police along with partner agencies, will be carrying out a multi-agency exercise to check and test emergency response plans protocols and procedures in the event of a major incident at the Gwili Steam Railway site on the edge of Carmarthen at Abergwili Junction A large number of partner agencies representatives will be in attendance and participating in the exercise Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust This means increased levels of activity may be seen in the area and around Glangwili Hospital on this day between the hours of 8am and 6pm, but the public are being assured there is nothing to be alarmed about Arrangements for the exercise will start on Monday and the public are asked to please avoid the area on the Monday through to the Friday as there will be no public access to the site during this time.   Dyfed-Powys Police said: "We would like to reassure everyone in the area that all the increased activity seen in the area at this time will be part of a pre-planned Anyone with queries about the exercise can contact Chief Inspector Tim Davies, online here, or email 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk Almost 80% of businesses within the Bid area voted to end the scheme after five years By Ian Lewis · 3 March 2025 Traders have voted to end Carmarthen's Bid (business improvement district) scheme A ballot to decide whether the Bid would continue for another five-year term up to 2030 has been held for all eligible businesses and shops within the Bid area of the town centre Turn-out for the ballot vote - which ended on February 27 - was 51.37% and results saw 79.12% voted against carrying on with the Bid with only 20.87% in favour of the scheme continuing it means 163 voted against the Bid and 43 in favour The Carmarthen Bid was set up five years ago and involved eligible businesses in the town paying a small percentage of their rateable value on top of business rates on an annual basis The money raised was spent by the Bid company with the aim of improving the town centre and encouraging more footfall However, it was dogged by controversy from the start and in January, the group's board of directors announced that they were resigning citing what they claimed was "unwarranted harassment and abuse" from a minority of people Some traders claimed their input wasn't sought and called for more transparency about Bid's expenditure The Bid board said it felt significant strides has been made over the previous 18 months transforming its and the town's perception The board's statement issued in January added that "in the spirit of democracy" a new ballot was under way for a new five-year term The voting process over another Bid term was overseen by Carmarthenshire Council which also collected the levy from businesses At a cabinet meeting of Carmarthenshire Council last month the council said it supported the principle of a Bid but would not appointment a member to to serve on the Bid board - subject to a new five year-term being voted in by traders said a Bid scheme in Llanelli and other parts of Wales worked well who used to be cabinet member for regeneration and also represents Carmarthen Town North and South told us that he had been very aware of "strong views" from the outset of the Bid scheme if it's run by the right people and businesses work together it has the potential to be very successful," he said Cllr John said he felt Carmarthen Bid ought to have done better although the Covid-19 pandemic was far from helpful which struck just as the Bid was getting started was very important and added: "There's been a breakdown of relationships and there has been some awful abuse flying around." Had the Bid been voted for another five years it was forecasted to bring in £719,000 to be spent in the town the Bid board had published its proposals for the next five years of the Bid The proposal said that the last five years had seen the Bid going "through a learning curve The board felt that it now had a "good plan going forward for the next five years." However the proposals also conceded that if another five-year Bid term was rejected that: "If we lose the Bid the funding will be lost and Carmarthen will no longer have someone to speak for them We risk visitors going to other surrounding towns who can offer more of an experience." The Nelson Trust has officially opened a new Women's Centre in Carmarthen designed to offer vital services and a safe space for women in the community facing challenging circumstances partially funded by Police and Crime Commissioner PCC Dafydd Llywelyn forms part of a broader effort to provide gender-specific support in the Dyfed-Powys area.The Carmarthen Women’s Centre will serve as a dedicated resource for women experiencing issues such as domestic violence By offering essential services in a safe and supportive environment the Nelson Trust aims to help these women rebuild their lives and regain independence.Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn attended the opening ceremony and praised the work of the Nelson Trust "We are proud to provide funding support for this vital initiative ensuring that women in our area have access to the services they need is a key priority This new centre will make a real difference in the lives of many women in our community."The Nelson Trust a leading charity specialising in supporting vulnerable women offering a range of services such as counselling The charity has a long-standing commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by women and the opening of the Carmarthen Centre marks another important step in its mission."We are committed to providing a safe space where women can access the support they need to thrive," said a spokesperson for the Nelson Trust "This new centre is a reflection of our ongoing dedication to helping women overcome difficult circumstances and build a brighter future."The funding provided by the PCC is part of a pilot scheme aimed at strengthening community support services in the Dyfed-Powys region While the Nelson Trust leads the initiative the PCC's contribution ensures that the centre in Carmarthen has the necessary resources to offer tailored support for the women who need it most.For more information about the Carmarthen Women’s Centre and the services available https://www.nelsontrust.com OPCC.Communication@dyfed-powys.police.uk Dyfed-Powys Police safeguard people living working and visiting the Counties of Carmarthenshire that is significantly boosted with tourists each year and covers a land mass of over half of Wales Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime CommissionerOPCCPO Box 99LlangunnorCarmarthenCarmarthenshireSA31 2PF