Blogs

Interview with John Wynne Hopkins, chairman of Llanelli Community Heritage, recorded for the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind -

The teams from Llanelli's St John Lloyd school emerged victorious from the Llanelli-Swansea area final of the Rotary Youth Speaks public speaking competition.
The Llanelli school beat off strong competition from Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe in Swansea to win both the junior and senior events in the competition staged at Llanelli Town Hall.
The St John Lloyd junior team debated 'Once a cheat, always a cheat', with Chairman Sophie Ayres and Vote of Thanks Proposer Charlotte Rees also winning individual awards.
The best individual junior Speaker award went to Branwen Cleaver, of Bryn Tawe, who took as her subject, 'Fatima Whitbread, unsung sporting hero'.
In the senior category, there was a clean sweep for St John Lloyd, with Yasmin Rai judged the best Chairman, Lloyd Haines winning the Speaker prize and Connor Charles picking up the Vote of Thanks Proposer prize. The team debated 'Sport is a unifier'.
The teams from St John Lloyd won their way through to the area final by winning the Llanelli Rotary Club Youth Speaks event at Llanelli Town Hall.
The teams will now compete in a Rotary District Final to be held at Crickhowell on March 5.
The winners were presented with certificates and gift tokens by Assistant District Governor Rotarian Clive Edwards.
Pictured left to right with Mr Edwards are -
Branwen Cleaver, Connor Charles, Lloyd Haines, Yasmin Rai, Sophie Ayres, Charlotte Rees and Sion Davies.
The judges were the Rev Eldon Phillips, Ann Brace and Catherine Evans-Williams.
The 'Questioner' role in the debates was taken by Llanelli Rotarian Alison Evans.
The MC for the evening was Llanelli past president Robert Lloyd.
Llanelli Rotary Club president Graham Williams explained that the Youth Speaks event offered an opportunity for Llanelli pupils to gain experience of speaking on a public platform.
He said: It allows young people to form ideas on significant subjects and learn high standards of expression, presentation and appearance. It also gives pupils the experience of accepting impartial assessments and constructive criticism.
Mr Williams added: "The standard was exceptionally high in the area final and, as the chairman of the judges, the Rev Eldon Phillips, remarked on the night, there were no real losers. Finding winners in both categories was an extremely difficult task for the judges."

Cr Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Choir) are geared-up for one of their busiest weeks of the year.
On St Davids Day, Thursday, March 1, the choristers will be heading up the M4 for their very own big match near Twickenham.
The choir will be performing at Duke Street Baptist Church, Richmond, in aid of the Mayor of the London Borough of Richmonds chosen charity, the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Leanne Corneille, Mayors support officer in Richmond, said there was a huge amount of interest in the concert.
Tickets have been selling like hot-cakes, she said. Having the choir perform here in Richmond on St Davids Day makes the event extra special and we will have plenty of London Welsh exiles in the audience.
Cr Meibion Llanelli musical director D Eifion Thomas said the choristers were looking forward to the London trip.
Like the Wales rugby team getting revved-up for a big match at Twickenham, the choristers revel in the occasion of taking to the stage for a special event on St Davids Day.
On Saturday, March 3, the choir will be holding its annual St Davids Day concert at Theatr Elli, Llanelli.
The commitment to perform in London means that we have had to delay our own St Davids Day concert by a couple of days, said Mr Thomas.
But, you can rest assured that it will be well worth the wait. We care very passionately about celebrating all things Welsh and the life of our patron saint and the evening at Theatr Elli will reflect that passion and pride.
The choir rehearses twice weekly on Monday and Thursday evenings at Furnace Community Hall, 7pm start. Visitors and new members are welcome.
Future Cr Meibion Llanelli events
Thursday, March 1 St Davids Day concert in Twickenham for the Mayor of Richmonds charity, 7pm start.
Saturday, March 3 Concert to mark St Davids Day at Theatr Elli, Llanelli, 7pm start.
Friday, March 9 Wedding at the Stradey Park Hotel for choir founder member Byron Thomass daughter. 4pm.
Friday,March 16 Gala concert at Parc y Scarlets, 7pm start, featuring tenor Wynne Evans and Only Men Aloud.

'Women Shaping the Future of Wales' is the title of anITWales event to celebrate International Women's Day 2012.
The annual event provides an insight into the diverse range of business and career opportunities for women in the 21st Century and offers a platform for sharing experiences, knowledge and best practice for women working with science and technology.
VENUE: Village Hotel, SA1, Swansea, SA1 8QY
DATE: Wednesday 7th March, 2012
TIME: 18:15 - 23:00,
Hosted by broadcaster Mai Davies.

Who cares what the 'correct' Welsh flag is? Custom has rendered the familiar one legitimate. It is distinctive - you cannot mistake it for any other flag. Not like those tricolor flags that all look the same. I make this point in my book Dewi the Dragon published by Y Lolfa.

Henry VII became king because of a claim through his English ancestors. He did not fight against the English. but merely had an army with a large number of Welsh soldiers. In the Wars of the Roses the Welsh fought on both sides. If Owain Glyndwr had won, his kingdom would have included a large slice of England with English inhabitants. He married his daughters into the English aristocracy and gentry. He had English ambitions. When he lost he hid and died in England.

The main acheivement of the Welsh soldiers after Bosworth was to slaughter the Celtic-speaking Cornish rebels who had marched towards London. The Welsh are England's original Gurkhas.

Who cares what the 'correct' Welsh flag is? Custom has rendered the familiar one legitimate. It is distinctive - you cannot mistake it for any other flag. Not like those tricolor flags that all look the same. I make this point in my book Dewi the Dragon published by Y Lolfa.

Henry VII became king because of a claim through his English ancestors. He did not fight against the English. but merely had an army with a large number of Welsh soldiers. In the Wars of the Roses the Welsh fought on both sides. If Owain Glyndwr had won, his kingdom would have included a large slice of England with English inhabitants. He married his daughters into the English aristocracy and gentry. He had English ambitions. When he lost he hid and died in England.

The main acheivement of the Welsh soldiers after Bosworth was to slaughter the Celtic-speaking Cornish rebels who had marched towards London. The Welsh are England's original Gurkhas.

More than 30 young golfers took part in a half-term junior competition at Ashburnham Golf Club in Pembrey.
There were a number of excellent individual performances, including a stunning stableford score of 57 points from young Kynan Jones, who made his debut off the yellow tees.
Kynan is also a striker for Burry Port Under-12s football team.
Shona Nelson won the equivalent girls' category.
Kynan and Shona are pictured above.
Results -
Black tee, girls: 1st Shona Nelson (40 shots); 2nd Becca Morgan/Aimee Owen (46); 3rd Layla Francis (47); 4th Katie Birt (48).
Black tee, boys: 1st Morgan Davies (29 shots); 2nd Elliot Brice (32); 3rd Ethan Birt (37).
Red tees: 1st Owain Williams 47pts; 2nd Ryan Owens 46pts; 3rd Griff Sayer 34pts; 4th Ellis Thomas 32pts.
Yellow tees (non-Congu): 1st Kynan Jones 57pts; 2nd Kris Jones 44pts; 3rd James Forey 43pts; 4th Morgan Hand 37pts; 5th Rhydian Bowen 32pts; 6th Kayne Protheroe 30pts; 7th Joe Francis 29pts.
Yellow tees (Congu): 1st Rhys Morgan 42pts; 2nd Aled Greville 39pts; 3rd Osian Bowen 38pts; 4th Ben Thomas 35pts; 5th Tomos Davies 34pts; 6th Edward Spencer 33pts.

There will be a St David's Day theme to a special dining evening at The Ashburnham Golf Club in Pembrey on Friday, March 2.
Ashburnham chef Martin Bartley has conjured up a varied menu.
For starters, there's a choice between pan fried cockles with Welsh smoked bacon on fried bread and leek and potato soup with a crusty roll and butter.
Main course choices are - braised lamb shank on mustard mash; chicken breast stuffed with per glas wrapped in Welsh smoked bacon; baked salmon poached in leek and white wine sauce; vegetarian quiche. Side dishes are - cauliflower and broccoli, carrots and peas, baby roast potatoes.
Desserts - Merlin's magical trio of chocolate; baked Penderyn whisky and white chocolate tart with Hefyn Mel. You can reserve a table by booking and paying at the clubhouse bar. Cost: 12 per person.

Welcome to our new monthly Welsh language crossword feature. Scribo Crossmots have generously offered to host a selection of their

Welsh-English crosswords on the AmeriCymru Welsh Directory. We'll leave it to Keith Lucas to explain what they are all about, and please dont forget to visit the Scribo Crossmots website. We will publish the answers and a new crossword next month on the 22nd. Enjoy

GO HERE TO TAKE THE CHALLENGE