Blogs
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Follow the whole nine yards here (a 95 part series) :- Half Marathon Blog
Why I am running:- West Coast Eisteddfod Bryn Seion Church
For details of how to sponsor see this post
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I was browsing through the half marathon section on Google news today and a number of items caught my eye. It occurred to me that the place and time of my ordeal were expertly chosen. I will be avoiding two of the most taxing trials for long distance runners:-
1. Elevation
I happened across this item about the 2012 Bald Peak Half Marathon . Apparently:-
There will be 800 feet of elevation gain in the first two miles, followed by 10 or so more miles of rolling hillsand many smaller (yet still challenging)climbs. The sweeping views of the Willamette Valley are sure to be pleasing, but runners better not get too comfortable as a 300 foot gain over the last half mile may leave some of us crawling over the finish line.
Thankfully the course I will be running on is flat....totally flat all the way.
2. Adverse Weather Conditions
4,000 runners turned out in the rain despite threatened severe weather conditions in Dallas Texas yesterday for the "Big D Texas Marathon":- Runners Brave The Storm for Marathon
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I really don think that, even in Oregon, we will experience adverse weather conditions on July 4th. Here is an average weather report for Portland from weatherspark.com:- Average Weather For Portland, Oregon, United States For July 4
By comparison with either of the above mentioned events I should have quite an easy time of it. All I have to do is to persuade my weary old bones to reach the end of a flat circuit in more or less ideal weather conditions. More on that yfory
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The first keystone in that investment is the 185m to be spent on rebuilding the No 4 blast furnace at Tata Steels huge Port Talbot plant.
And the small specialist Amcanu firm in Burry Port will gain spin-off business from that development.
We are delighted to say we are already involved in the No4 blast furnace project, said Owain Davies, managing director at the specialist tailored sheet metal solutions firm.
We are quite a small fish in this particular pond, but it just goes to show that the ripples from massive investment projects like the one planned by Tata Steel can reach a long way.
As a South Wales business we are delighted to see Tata Steel making such a huge commitment to the future of their industry in Wales.
It can only be good news for other businesses as they feel the ripple effect of such welcome investment.
Mr Davies said the team at Amcanu were very excited to play their part in the rebuild of No4 blast furnace.
In total, we will be supplying 13 pumping units, worth an estimated 200,000 to us as a business.
Obviously, when you scale things down, the sums of money dont seem so massive when you reach firms of our scale and size.
But a project like this does represent great news for Amcanu, a firm which employs 26 people in Burry Port.
We have come a long way from our early history as a general engineering contractor.
The Amcanu business today is all about specialising in a particular niche in tailored sheet metal solutions.
Sound-insulation is the name of the game when it comes to providing pumping equipment and our specialist solutions are put to work in quarries, mines, sewerage works and, of course, steelworks.
Adaptability is the key to our business and we spend a lot of time on research and development. We are thinking about the solutions to problems even before we get firms coming to us with their queries. Its our in front of the market approach.
Having a speciality means that we have a great market opportunity here in Burry Port and we have geared up for that with investment in people and technology to make sure that we can deliver specialist sheet metal solutions as and when they are required.
The products for Port Talbot will be put to use as back-up pumps for the cooling system for the blast furnace. But we wont be resting on our laurels here at Amcanu as we will be busy thinking about news and innovative products and engineering solutions for our clients.
We relish a challenge and as a business with a great deal of heritage we care passionately about what we do, investing heavily in quality control, research and development.
Weblinks:
http://amcanu.co.uk/
About Amcanu . . .
Amcanu is a design and manufacturing business. We provide tailored sheet metal solutions, with the emphasis on quality, attention to detail and precision. Based in West Wales, we produce tailored sheet metal solutions which are used around the world.
Amcanu is the company name and it reflects our Welsh roots and our passion for our work. Amcanu is a Welsh word (you can pronounce it Ahm-KAHN-ee). The word means to design . . . to have a purpose. Amcanu reflects our Welsh identity and our manufacturing values.
We specialise in acoustic insulated enclosures for use in an industrial environment. For example, we can provide cases for water pumps or other types of noisy equipment.
Amcanus association with Burry Port goes back more than 30 years. The business became a part of the economic fabric of the community in 1975 when it started as Spencer Davies Engineering. Spencer Davies is group chairman of Amcanu and the father of Amcanu managing director Owain Davies. Over the years, the business has evolved to its current operation as Amcanu, a company engaged in clever and innovative engineering production.
The family work ethic still forms an important part of 40-year-old Owains stewardship of the company, with the business having many experienced long-term employees working alongside highly-skilled technology wizards who know how to get the best out of todays cutting edge computer equipment.
We hold Investors in people status. We also hold the ISO 9001 benchmark. We have received a Certificate of Merit from Sony.
Tailored sheet metal solutions are the name of the game here at Amcanu. Good tailors are always at a premium and we like to think of ourselves as the Savile Row of sheet metal solutions.
The Carmarthen Town AFC charity cyclists received a cash boost from Town's players on Saturday.
Phil Williams, Anthony Parnell, Paul Evans, Emlyn Schiavone, Ultann George, Ceri Rees and Paul James completed a marathon four-day cycle ride in aid of Ty Cymorth (the club's nominated charity for this year) and the Carmarthen Town AFC Community Programme.
It was a circular ride of 240 miles beginning and finishing at Carmarthen Town AFC, taking in visits to Aberystwyth Town AFC, Newtown AFC, Port Talbot AFC, Afan Lido AFC, Neath AFC and Llanelli AFC football grounds.
The Carmarthen Town AFC members were carrying on a tradition started by former treasurer Nigel Williams, who sadly passed away recently. Nigel was instrumental in organising charity cycle events during his long relationship with the club.
If you want to contribute to the fund-raising, then you can do so through the Carmarthen Town website - http://www.carmarthentownafc.com
Joshua Morris took the honours in the Junior Open Medal competition at The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club near Pembrey.
Joshua held off a strong challenge from Jack Holland and Oliver Rumble.
In the Junior Open Stableford competition (21-28), visitor Abe Forsyth was the winner, beating Lewis Rhys Morgan and Ben Jones.
Latest results from The Ash
Welsh Individual Handicap Qualifier
1, Kieran Stephens, 80 - 13 = 67; 2, Steven Jones, 74 - 07 = 67; 3, Ben Thomas, 80 - 13 = 67.
Junior Open Medal Boys
1, Joshua Morris, 82 - 16 = 66; 2, Jack Holland, 77 - 09 = 68; 3, Oliver Rumble, 77 - 09 = 68
Junior Open Boys 21-18
1, Abe Forsyth, 43 pts (27); 2, Lewis Rhys Morgan, 43 pts (25); 3, Ben Jones, 41 pts (28).
C&P County Championships & Joan Gale Cup (Ladies)
1, Shan Lewis, 79 - 08 = 71; 2, Becky Harries, 74 + 01 = 75; 3, Sophie Anderson, 81 - 06 = 75.
Hall of Fame Mens Qualifier
1, Anthony Noel Rees, 42 pts (18); 2, Richard Brice, 41 pts (03); 3, Scott Johnston, 40 pts (09).
GUW Magners Team Handicap Championship
1, Robert Stevens, 40 pts (11); 2, Steven Fouracre, 40 pts (14); 3, Neil Roberts, 39 pts (16).
You can check the latest results on the Ashburnham website Master Scoreboard - http://www.masterscoreboard.co.uk/ClubIndex.php?CWID=5008
For further information about The Ashburnham Golf Club, contact - The Clubhouse, Cliffe Terrace, Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, SA16 0HN Tel:01554 832269 Fax:01554 836974 Email:admin@ashgolf.co.uk
Website - http://www.ashburnhamgolfclub.co.uk
Rhydian Roberts, of TV's X Factor, will be taking the stage with two of Llanelli's leading choirs this weekend.
The concert has been arranged byCr Curiadas a fund-raiser for the Teenage Cancer Trust Cardiff Unit.
It takes place atthe Selwyn Samuel Centre, Llanelli, on Saturday, April 21.
Tickets are available at Llanelli Library and from George Lewis, Market Precinct Llanelli.
Since its beginings in 1995, the choir has raised tens of thousands of pounds for local and national charities.
The choir has performed inBath, St. David's and Wells Cathedrals, the Millennium Theatre in Cardiff and the new Welsh Assembly Government Building in Cardiff Bay.
http://corcuriad.co.uk/cor-curiad-events-fundraising-for-teenage-cancer-trust-cardiff-unit/
Runners of all ages, shapes and sizes are being encouraged to take part in the Carmarthen Mayor's Fun Run races next month.
The event, which has been held in the town over the past 30 years, will take place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 7.
The event has raised thousands of pounds for charity over the years with many local groups and organisations benefiting.
Schools are being contacted and visited by race organisers to encourage the pupils to sign up for the event.
There is the main 5k fun run and a series of junior races.
The junior races cater for school years two to 10.
The senior fun run has categories for males and females aged under 40 and 35, and veterans groups for older age groups.
Everyone who completes the course gets a medal.
Timetable -
10:00 Primary School Girls Years 1& 2
10:15 Primary School Boys Years 1 & 2
10:30 Primary School Girls Years 3 & 4
10:40 Primary School Boys Years 3 & 4
10:50 Primary School Girls Years 5 & 6
11:00 Primary School Boys Years 5 & 6
11:10 Secondary School Girls Years 7 & 8
11:20 Secondary School Boys Years 7 & 8
11:30 Secondary School Girls & Boys Years 9,10 & 11
11:40 MINI FUN RUN 6 years & Under (may be accompanied by an adult)
11:50 Wheelchair Athletes & Hand cyclists
12:00 Presentation of Trophies to all 1st, 2nd & 3rd in all categories. Medals to all who complete the course.
12:15 5km FUN RUN
Race website -
http://www.rasusymaer.org.uk/
The Final of this year's Mond Cup football competition will be played between Llanstephan FC and Pencader FC at Richmond Park, Carmarthen, on Tuesday, April 24 (kick-off 7pm).
The Mond Cup is now in its 89th year of competition, one of oldest football tournaments in Wales.
Carmarthen Town AFC stalwart member and former club secretary Alan Latham said that thehistory of the competition was a bit sketchy, with few records available from the early days.
Mr Latham added: "The Mond Cup, which is still with us today, was presented in 1923 by Sir Alfred Mond, MP for Carmarthen. He was also the Governments Minister for Health at the time.
"He was also very much associated with the famous Mond Nickel Works at Clydach in the Swansea Valley.
"Teams within the Carmarthen constituency would play for the Cup and any profit would be diverted to the former Priory Street Hospital.
"At present, guest teams from outside the constituency are also invited to compete.
"It is worth reflecting on the work of two stalwarts in the post-war years of the competition, Carmarthens Jack Harding (the winner of the final Man of the Match will receive a trophy in his memory) and Porthyrhyds Idris Jones.
"The competitions President is Eifion Roberts of Bancffosfelen and the Chairman is Donald Williams, Ponthenri."
Smashing feature in the Western Mail's Weekend magazine on the Tywi Valley's great trio of gardens (Botanic, Dinefwr and Aberglasney).
Splendid story about the Evan-Evans Brewery and the plans for a Llandeilo Jazz Festival in the Western Mail 'Box Office' section today.
Nice piece about the programme of art events at Aberglasney House and Gardens in the Western Mail 'Box Office' section today.
Splendid story about the new film festival in Llanelli in the Evening Post tonight - http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Countdown-film-festival/story-15828536-detail/story.html
Just 25 days to the start of the South & West Wales Caravan & Motorhome Show (May 11-13). Check out the website - http://daffodilevents.co.uk/caravan-motorhome-show/
Countdown to the opening of the new woodland at Aberglasney (April 28) - http://www.aberglasney.org/index.php?page=view_event&event_id=278
The Ashburnham Golf Club website has been updated with news of a new link with a top English club - http://www.ashburnhamgolfclub.co.uk/news150412.htm
The countdown is well and truly on to one of the biggest events of the year at Carmarthens United Counties Showground.
In just over three weeks time, the showground at Nantyci on the A40 will host the South and West Wales Caravan and Motorhome Show 2012.
The show is celebrating its sixth year and will take place over three days from May 11 to 13.
In terms of scale, its the biggest annual event at the showground and one which has appeal for all the family, said organiser and promoter Lois Gibbon, of Daffodil Events.
Visitors will get to see the latest in the caravan and motorhome industry, but there will plenty of other attractions, including a display of classic vehicles by the Towy Valley Vintage Club.
A major first this year will be the appearance of The Fly Heli Wales team, who will be offering breath-taking helicopter rides from the showground.
Carmarthen-born Lois took over the running of the annual caravan and motorhome show from Towy Events.
This will be my second year in the hot-seat running the show, so its going to be a very memorable and exciting show for me.
This year, in addition to our regular trade stands, there will be stands selling static holiday caravans, trailer tents and specialist camping tents.
The best way to enjoy the event will be to book yourself in and stay on site, but there will be plenty on the showfield to also interest day visitors.
There will be local caravan and motorhome firms at the show, along with some from further afield - Swansea, Bridgend and even Devon!
There will be a great choice of makes, models and budgets in caravans and motorhomes. There will be models to suit everybodys pocket.
The event aims to link with Carmarthen town centre and those attending are being encouraged to use the park and ride service from Nantyci into the town centre to take advantage of the shops and attractions.
The South and West Wales Caravan and Motorhome Show 2012 runs between 10am and 5pm on May 11-13. Admission is 5 (concessions 4) with free parking. Four-night camping is also available priced at 30. For details contact Daffodil Events on 01570 470783.
Weblinks:
http://daffodilevents.co.uk/
http://daffodilevents.co.uk/caravan-motorhome-show/
Twitter: @daffodilevents
Facebook: Digwyddiadau Daffodil Events
Photo above ofLois Gibbon alongside a poster for the event at the United Counties Showground at Nantyci, Carmarthen.
The countdown is well and truly on, with just over two weeks to go to the start of the first Carmarthen Bay Film Festival.
The team behind the festival the first of its kind to be held in Llanelli is busy putting together a varied programme of events.
It all kicks-off with a special charity screening of the classic comedy film Grand Slam.
Macmillan Cancer Support will benefit from the event, which will be held at Parc y Scarlets on Tuesday May 1.
Special guests will include Glyn Lloyd Evans, Maldwyn Novello Pugh and Josephine also known as Dewi Pws Morris, Sion Probert and Elizabeth Morgan.
The evening will feature a question and answer session with the stars and will be held in The Quinnell Lounge, Parc y Scarlets.
Tickets are on sale, priced at 10, from Parc y Scarlets ticket office - call 0871 871 8088.
In doing so, we also want to create as much community involvement as possible and really help to put Llanelli on the map for film.
Llanellis links with the world of film and cinema go back to the very start of the industry and we will be working hard to explore the many links between Llanelli and Wales and the world of the movies, said Mr Guy.
But this wont be an event just looking back at the past. We want to celebrate and recognise the very best new talent we have in Wales and, hopefully, help to put budding film-makers and film stars on the road to success.
The highlight of the festival will be an awards ceremony and gala dinner of Sunday, May 13.
Mr Guy added: An exciting programme is taking shape and we will be releasing details of film entries next week.
Weblinks
http://www.carmarthenbayfilmfestival.co.uk
Facebook - Gyl Ffilm Bae Caerfyrddin-Carmarthen Bay Film Festival Community Group
Twitter - @kelvinpguy
