Blogs

The legal eagles at Redkite are planning two special networking events to celebrate beating off stiff competition to win the right to represent the new legal super brand called QualitySolicitors in Camarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.
Redkite has now been rebranded as QualitySolicitors Redkite, but its very much business as usual for customers old and new.
The company will be staging two celebration networking events in May
The Ivy Bush Royal Hotel in Carmarthen will be the venue on May 15.
The Bridge Innovation Centre (BIC) in Pembroke Dock hosts the event on May 23.
Both events are 4 6pm and invitations are being sent out to customers old and new.
We wanted to do something special to mark our new branding as QualitySolicitors Redkite, said Managing Partner Luke Smith.
It will be drinks and canaps and plenty of opportunity for networking. Further details of the events will be released later.
Anyone interested in attending can contact Bethan Hooper at QualitySolicitors Redkite, telephone 01646 683 222.
Mr Smith said the company had rebranded but remains your local solicitors for Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.
Our very strong identity, with staff who care passionately about the community and the people of West Wales, stays very firmly in place.
The new branding will give us benefits throughout the region by being part of the biggest new brand in the legal market in the UK.
QualitySolicitors is expanding fast to becoming a household name, with strong media and television campaigns.
The game-changing group now has 350 branches across the UK and has ambitions to be present in every major UK town and city.
Mr Smith said the Redkite team was delighted to be chosen as the only law firm in Camarthenshire and Pembrokeshire to join QualitySolicitors.

Posted in: default | 0 comments

Details of Carmarthen Bay Film Festival


By Robert Lloyd, 2012-05-02
The details for the Carmarthen Bay Film festival have just been released.
The festival launches tonight with a special screening of the classic Grand Slam at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli.
The festival proper starts next week.
Festival programme for Tuesday May 8th.

1400 Welcome to the festival
1415 Luminary/Audio visual short fantasy.
1430 The Future/short dry witted comedy.
1445 Luella and Me/comedy drama
1500 BREAK
1515 Flanagan's Wake/documentary. Q and A with Peter Bach
1645 BREAK
1715 Fit Boy Feature film over 18s ONLY
1900 END OF FIRST DAY
1930 Film makers reception
Festival programme for Wednesday May 9th.
1100 Foreign film showcase
1300 LUNCH BREAK
1400 The Dinorwic Slate Quarry/documentary
1445 Wonder/documentary
1500 Reality/Dramatised documentary
1515 A Season in the Rain/Experimental drama
1615 BREAK
1630 Bonfire/drama
1700 Life Camera Action feature film
1830 END OF SECOND DAY
Festival programme for Thursday May 10th.
1300 Life and Death/psychological thriller
1315 One about the sheep/comedy
1320 The Security Guard/thriller/drama
1335 The Audition/psychological thriller
1350 Tobys Odyssey/drama
1430 Glow/ghost story
1445 BREAK
1515 To the Last Drop/action suspense
1520 Skin Deep/drama
1530 Colour Red/drama
1600 Hawk/mythological drama Q and A with film makers
1645 Gin and Dry/comedy Q and A with film makers
1715 Girl Abducted/thriller
1745 Cluster/documentary
Festival programme for Friday May 11th.
1300 Ham and Piper /feature film
1430 Desperate Pursuit/thriller
1445 Llais yr Andes/Welsh/Spanish documentary .Q and A with film makers
1515 Spirit of the Coliseum/bilingual documentary
1600 Burrito PI/television comedy
1700 In Lust/drama
1730 Local Film makers showcase
1900 END OF LAST DAY
ALL TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Posted in: default | 0 comments

Posted in: default | 1 comments
The latest Clay Shaw Butler 'Looking after business' column from the pages of the Carmarthen Journal -
By Ann Thomas, senior consultant with Clay Shaw Butler, chartered accountants and business consultants of Carmarthen
Wednesday (today) is traditionally market day in Carmarthen the day when farmers and businesspeople arrive from all over Carmarthenshire to add an extra buzz to the town.
The conversations are usually dominated by the weather and about the state of the local economy, with many businesses still working their way out of the economic downturn.
If your business is feeling the pinch, its more important than ever to look at what you can do. Here are some ideas to get you started
1. Get paid sooner! Encourage your customers to pay more quickly, by giving small discounts or just by chasing them promptly. Send out invoices for completed work as soon as possible, and for long term projects ask for staged payments on account.
2. Promote best value products. If you have a range of products or services, look at giving more prominence to the best value items in your marketing.
3. Talk to your bank. Keep your bank informed, particularly if you are going to have a need to secure extra funding or even renew existing arrangements. If fees are being increased it may pay to shop around.
4. Take advantage of the crunch. If you are cash positive, turn the crunch to your advantage. Some businesses may be keener to make a sale, so those with cash may be able to negotiate some great bargains, particularly for early payment!
5. Staffing needs and working hours. Consider asking staff to change their working hours to part-time or flexi-time, with an appropriate drop in total pay. Or ask them to take their holidays now if business is slow. If a skilled member of staff is about to retire ask them to stay on part time, as this may be cheaper than recruiting.
6. Office rent. Ask your landlord if you can change the rent from quarterly in advance to monthly. Or with improvements in technology, perhaps now is the time to consider if you could run your business from home.
7. Dont forget the marketing. While cutting back on costs can be necessary, it may be tempting to cut the marketing budget. But, it may prove a false economy if sales suffer. While others cut back on their marketing, you may be able to use this to your advantage and keep on marketing to get a larger share of the present market.
8. Renegotiate with suppliers. Review the agreements you have with suppliers for continuing services, such as energy or cleaning. Can you renegotiate any of these contracts to get a better deal?
9. Reduce tax payments on account. Review the projected tax payments for your business. Payments on account for unincorporated businesses can be reduced and reclaimed if you are confident of the taxable profit figure. This is a good reason for getting the accounts completed quickly after the year end.
10. Carry back losses. If your business is likely to make a loss for the current year, quantify that loss as soon as possible and submit a claim to carry back to loss to get a refund from HMRC.
If you would like to meet up to discuss these and other ideas as to what your business should be doing in the credit crunch, please contact us.
For small businesses, it is also worth bearing in mind that we are full business partners for the Sage accounting software.
For further details on the software, whether it be for purchase, upgrade or training, you can give us a call at Clay Shaw Butler.
It is also worth bearing in mind that we have team members here who are specialists in Quick Books software and other accounting packages. They can help with training and hand-holding for inexperienced computer operators.
The team at Clay Shaw Butler can be contacted on 01267 228500 or through the website at www.clayshawbutler.com
Posted in: default | 0 comments

The latest 'Iechyd Da' beer column


By Robert Lloyd, 2012-05-02
The latest Iechyd Da beer column written by Simon Buckley, chief executive of the Llandeilo-based Evan-Evans brewery, for the Carmarthen Journal . . .
On your marks, ale drinkers of Wales!
Its official: Your taste buds are going to be challenged over the next few months.
Get ready for a range of new beers, new tastes and styles of beer not tasted in Wales for a very long time.
In total, there will be seven new ales for you to try - and a very special summer stout.
Each year, I review the brands we brew, look at the events of the coming year and see how we can then build a beer that will celebrate the great art of brewing and the event in question.
By the end of November, the job is done and I have my plan for the following year.
This year, we have launched our Archers Guest Ale brand and this summer will see us launch a new range of organic beers for the export market.
Its no easy task, but I believe we have come up with a range of beers that will challenge every ale drinker in Wales to get down to their local pub.
So what goes into this process of creating new brands?
The project is always long and involved, with the cross matching of beers to hops to malt to water.
Then, the trick is, to make sure that they are all distinctly different.
After hours on my iPad looking for new hop varieties (and then finding where I can get them in the UK), the job is finally done.
Then we cost them carefully and price them so that our loyal followers can enjoy the very best of Welsh Ales at a price they can afford.
So what have we come up with?
The answer is, something for everyone - a Jubilee ale, an Olympics ale and a clutch of new summer ales, as well as the tried and tested.
For example, theres Prince of Wales Ale, first brewed in 1910.
Then, to continue our celebration of 245 years of family brewing, Colonel Bills IPA, named after the famous WH Bill Buckley.
Finally, there will be a new summer stout, to be drunk colder than normal.
Each of these brands has its own place in our history and will be a memorable new beer to try.
In late June, we will be brewing our Olympics Ale called Victory.
Then, there will be four new beers for the summer - Archers Golden, Owzatt and Lazy days, followed by an exciting new Evan-Evans beer called Bombay Bitter.
So where do you find these new beers?
Well, I am pleased to report they will be found in a good real ale pub near you, and in our own pubs starting with a Jubilee Ale Fest in early June to celebrate the Art of Welsh Brewing.
So, beer drinkers of Wales, whatever the weather does, you have a summer ahead of trying some great Welsh Ales.
If you dont like the Royal connection, then fine, close your eyes and see the beer as a celebration of 245 years of a great West Wales tradition.
Then, of course, you can have a second to drink to the next 50 years of the same!
Posted in: default | 0 comments

In the news today . . .


By Robert Lloyd, 2012-05-02

Smashing picture story in the Carmarthen Journal today about the opening of the new woodland at Aberglasney House and Gardens.
Eye-catching advert in the Carmarthen Journal puts the spotlight on the renamed QualitySolicitors Redkite law firm @QSRedkite
Good to see the latest gardening column from Aberglasney's Joseph Atkin in the Carmarthen Journal today.
Nice plug for the Dyfed Order of Merit junior golf event at The Ashburnham Golf Club in the Carmarthen Journal today.
The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC column is in the Carmarthen Journal today.
The latest 'Looking After Business' column by Ann Thomas, of Clay Shaw Butler, accountants, is in the Carmarthen Journal today.
The latest 'Iechyd Da' beer column from Llandeilo brewer Simon Buckley (Evan-Evans Brewery) is in the Carmarthen Journal today.
Check out the Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star today for the new adverts offering great membership deals at The Ashburnham Golf Club.
Big picture story splash in Carmarthen Journal today about the Mayor's Fun Run races (Bank Holiday Monday, May 7). Come and join the fun!
Nice story in the Carmarthen Journal today about the forthcoming South and West Wales Caravan and Motorhome Show in Carmarthen (May 11-13).
Smashing picture story in the Carmarthen Journal today showing the donation of 5,000 to the Sports Aid Wales fund from Carmarthen members.
Nice spotlight on the latest news and results from The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club in the Llanelli Star sports pages today.
Splendid story in the Llanelli Star today about next week's Carmarthen Bay Film Festival - the first festival of its kind in Llanelli.
Smashing story in the Llanelli Star today about Melin Consultants @melinconsult moving into The Beacon business hub in Llanelli.
Jenkins the Bakers in the spotlight in this week's Llanelli Star - stories on planned East Gate shop in Llanelli and the Pasty Tax protest.
Best bit of last night's Grand Slam showing at Parc y Scarlets: 'Dewi Pws' recalling working with Oscar winner Hugh Griffith.
Just 10 days to the start of the South & West Wales Caravan & Motorhome Show (May 11-13). Check out our website - http://daffodilevents.co.uk/caravan-motorhome-show/
Lovely story in the Western Mail today about Melin Consultants @melinconsult finding a new home in Llanelli's The Beacon business hub.
Smashing story in the Western Mail today about the Jenkins Bakery plan to take a retail unit in the new East Gate development in Llanelli.
Nice piece in the Western Mail today about Three Crosses Christmas tree grower Rob Morgan and the arrival of a reindeer calf on the farm.
Splendid evening last night for the screening of the classic Grand Slam film at the launch of the first Carmarthen Bay Flm Festival.

Posted in: default | 0 comments

.

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

.

On the road with a dodgy wifi connection. Fundraising for the WCE. Best I can do for tonight is draw attention to a classic beer marathon ad from the 80's.Enjoy

.
.

Posted in: default | 0 comments

Once again, as part of this year's WCE , we've secured a booth at this year's Wordstock , Portland's book and publishing festival.

The last time we were at Wordstock was 2010. That year, Welsh authors Chris Keil and Niall Griffiths
appeared on a panel on Welsh writing in English and Chris delivered a well received workshop on writing dialouge. Their books were featured at the AmeriCymru booth and they were there with Welsh author Peter Griffiths and Welsh-American author Lorin Morgan-Richards .

As every year, Wordstock takes place at the Portland Convention Center, on the east side of the Willamette River and very easy to get to by public transit - there's a trolley/train station right there next to the convention center. Thousands of people attend and there are booths from publishers and writers and many book and literature related business and organizations and individuals as well as several stages and areas for readings, lectures, workshops, seminars and other events going on over the four days of Wordstock.

So far this year we've confirmed Jen Delyth , who will be there signing copies of her book Celtic Folk Soul: Art, Myth & Symbol , and we're working on confirming more authors.

Oregon Convention Center at night

And we'll be there, bringing Welsh literary goodness to Wordstock!

Posted in: default | 0 comments

No name is so frequently invoked on Wales as that of Owain Glyndŵr, a figurehead of Welsh nationalism and the last native Welshman to hold the title Prince of Wales. However, although much is known and recorded about Glyndŵr, he disappeared from the pages of history in 1412 and it is still not certain where his burial ground is located. Further still, except for what was recorded by some poets of the time, much less is known about his children’s lives.

It is due to these mysteries surrounding Glyndŵr’s life that author John Hughes decided to write Glyndŵr Daughter, a fictional account of the life and times of the daughter of the Prince of Wales - Gwenllian. Although it is possible to glean Gwenllian’s renowned beauty, poise, intelligence and loyalty from poems sung by poets who visited her home in Cenarth, Llanidloes, what has not been documented is the fact that as Glyndŵr’s daughter, her life was tied to the ebb and flow of her father’s war.

In Glyndŵr’s Daughter, Hughes takes the reader back to the cloak and dagger life of the time, and shows how Gwenllian was herself drawn deeply into the murky world of espionage in order to help her father’s cause. Gwenllian suffered horrific experiences during the period of the Glyndŵr uprising, experiences which are shared for the first time in the novel.

The author also suggests a new possible burial location for Glyndŵr in the novel, and argues against the common notion that he was possibly buried close to his home, or on the estates of one of his other daughters in Herefordshire. As Gwenllian lived in a remote part of Wales, she was in a better position to help hide her father and deceive his numerous enemies during the last years of his life, and would therefore have played a crucial role in his burial. So according to John Hughes, where exactly was Owain Glyndŵr buried at dusk in the dark autumn season of 1415?

Glyndŵr’s Daughter is John Hughes’ first novel. He has a PhD in Chemistry and is a newly retired head teacher of Llanidloes High School after 26 years in office.

Extract from the novel:

They returned to Glyndŵr’s grave and stood near it for a few seconds, and Gwenllian said, “If we are successful, no one will ever know where this true prince of Wales in buried. I don’t like the thought of that…”

“Don’t worry, Gwenllian,” said Meredydd. “No one knows where Arthur is buried either, but he has not been forgotten.”

Posted in: Owain Glyndwr | 1 comments

.

We are asking all members to please consider signing this petition:- Abertis - change your approach or sell Cardiff Airport

"Policies by Spanish owner Abertis have led to a collapse in passenger numbers, jobs and investment at Cardiff Airport. Every month, more and more passengers are forced to choose Bristol or Birmingham Airports, while jobs are shed at Cardiff, airport-based industrial/business property lies unused, local firms reliant on the airport suffer, Wales' High Street travel agents find their need to offer Welsh departures/arrivals are frustrated and the Welsh public discover they have no say over their international gateway.

ABERTIS MUST RETHINK THEIR APPROACH OR BE FORCED TO GIVE UP CARDIFF AIRPORT."

.

It is vital for Cardiff and for Wales that it has a thriving international airport preferably with a direct transatlantic connection. It appears that under the current owners much needed investment and development is not forthcoming. Therefore we are urging all members to consider supporting this campaign. If you do not wish the app to post to your Facebook wall, simply click 'skip'. If you do not wish to make a donation to support iPetitions you can hit the 'back' button in your browser when you come to the donation screen. Most importantly....DO NOT ALLOW THESE CONSIDERATIONS FROM LETTING YOUR VOICE BE HEARD. VOTE NOW TO SUPPORT CARDIFF AIRPORT.

Diolch

Posted in: default | 2 comments
   / 536