Once again our antipodean brethren visit these fair islands. The come to share a common camaraderie borne out of a love of oval balls and all things macho - in the best sense of those words.We accept their challenge in the spirit of the chivalrous knights of old whose virtue, gallantry and heroism set them apart from the rough and tumble of humanity.And so without further ado. Let the battle commence and the best team win.( Aside ) And stamp their colonial faces into a bloody mess of mud and bone.

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Stuck for a Christmas gift idea? Why not give them a book for Christmas? here is a complete list of books reviewed and authors interviewed on AmeriCymru over the last two years. You should find something for every taste. We will be adding more in the coming weeks so check back for more ideas. Most of the posts linked below include a link to a location where you can purchase the featured title/s. Click HERE for our Christmas Book Shopping List Granny Jones Organic Flaming Pagan Puddings are based on the traditional Christmas Puddings Sacha "Stiggly" Jones grew up with in Wales. Using her Gran's recipe (with a few twists), these rich, hearty, ceremonial desserts are made up of fruit, nuts, spices, whiskey, rum, ale, brown sugar, flour and eggs. Stiggly has been carrying on this tradition of the flaming pudding in NYC for 20+ years now - making and selling a limited edition each year. Each pudding has a coin or two hidden within. Tradition holds that the finder of the coins will enjoy good luck for the upcoming year! Make a wish! Puddings are $30 each + shipping, via Paypal, available in the United States. Puddings will be shipped after Thanksgiving weekend. Contact details: Sacha Jones holistichealthnyc@gmail.com http://stiggly.squarespace.com/pagan-puddings/ READ ON - MORE IDEAS BELOW>

Step right up, ladies and gentlemen . . . maroon blazers, more than 60 very careful users and theyre all going for a song!
Cor Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Voice Choir) members are making a massive wardrobe change.
And they are looking for a home for their old blazers.
We are making changes to our uniform, choir secretary Fred Elias said.
The maroon blazers have served us well over the years, but it is time for a change. So they are on their way out of our wardrobe.
The blazers, which bear the choir crest, are still in good condition, however, and it seems a shame to see them going to the bin or recycling centre
So we wondered whether there were any other groups or organisations out there who might be able to make good use of them?
In total, we have more than 60 blazers and they still have plenty of years use left in them.
They do, of course, come in varying sizes from the smallest first tenor to the biggest second bass!
We are quite happy to give them free of charge to a good home, so anyone interested in taking them off our hands should give us a ring.
Mr Elias added, We had thought of putting them on ebay, but we are keen that local organisations get the first chance of picking up the jackets.
Sadly, we cannot guarantee that wearing the blazers will automatically turn you into a top class first tenor, joked Mr Elias.
If you are interested in the blazers, then please contact choir secretary Fred Elias on Llanelli (01554) 741027.
Meanwhile, Mr Elias also made a call for young men to join the choir, which travels throughout the world.
"Don't think a male voice choir is just a bunch of old guys having a sing-song. We thoroughly enjoy our singing. It takes us to places all over UK and the world," he said.
"The social side of the choir is great fun. The sense of friendship and fellowship you get in a male voice choir cannot be beaten anywhere.
"So, our message to the young men of Llanelli is, please don't be shy. Pop along to a rehearsal at Furnace Community Hall (7pm on Mondays and Thursdays) to see what we are all about.
"Being a member of a choir as prestigious as Cr Meibion Llanelli is a great life experience."
Anyone interested in the blazers, or joining the choir, should contact choir secretary Fred Elias on Llanelli 01554 741027.

THE close knit village of Cefneithin is trying to come to terms with the loss of one of its favourite sons.
Former champion boxer Robert Dickie, who won Scottish and British featherweight titles and went on to become a World Super Featherweight champion, suffered a suspected heart attack at his home in Llanelli last week.
He was just 46 years old. The funeral takes place on Monday
Story from Llanelli Star -
http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Sad-passing-true-character/article-2827277-detail/article.html
Here is the tribute I gave to the Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star -
Former Carmarthen Journal andLlanelli Star editor Robert Lloyd said: I was lucky enough to be the boxing correspondent of the South Wales Evening Post during the latter part of Robert Dickies career.
He was, without a doubt, one of the most talented boxers Wales has produced.
In the Top 10 in the world at his peak, he was a class act in the ring. If he had a flaw, it was that he lacked the ruthless ambition needed to challenge for a world title.
For most Dickie fans, though, that lack of ambition was part of the charm of the man. He had a take it or leave it attitude to boxing.
On one occasion, when Dickie had gone off the radar during training, I was asked by his Swansea-based trainer Colin Breen to search West Wales for the boxer. Dickie was found, but he came back to the training ring in his own time.
In recent years, our meetings were mostly in charity dinners, social events, or shopping in Llanelli town centre.
He was hugely proud of his family, always had a smile and was always keen to recall trips boxing venues such as the Star Leisure Centre in Splott, Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre and the Kings Hall in Stoke.
When I saw him earlier this summer, he was recovering after an eye operation. But he was his usual happy self and firmly focussed on the future. Local hero, a true character, family man, world-class boxer there are many epitaphs to use when referring to the tragic loss of Robert Dickie.

Many of you may be aware of the think-tank, the Institute of Welsh Affairs. Today I received my latest copy of Cambria Magazine, in which there is a leaflet for the IWA. I confess that I know nothing about it but it looks as though it might be worthwhile investigating and it has a worldwide membership. If anyone is interested the website is iwa.org.uk.

Hwyl

Gaynor

Its been quite a year for Carmarthen Town AFC, with plenty of changes in the backroom to go with a new-look team on the pitch.

The most notable of those changes has seen club stalwart Jeff Thomas retire from his stint as chairman.

Jeff has now also moved off the executive committee, but has pledged to continue some of the fund-raising work which proved so crucial during his 14 years as chairman.

His achievements in the chair are notable

• Welsh Cup: three Welsh Cup Finals, winning once
• League Cup Final twice winning once
• Consistently finishing in top six of League
• 10 European Cup appearances.
• Ground brought up to UEFA European standard with European games held at Richmond Park. Capacity of 2,500 including 1056 seats in their Grandstand
• State of the art Community Centre, completed at a cost of 400K incorporating Social Club, Match Hospitality Suites with conference facilities and meeting rooms available for hire.
• An innovative Carmarthen Town community programme backed by EMC Electrical Services and the ever-supportive Neil Alexander.
• A debt-free club, with a high level of credibility within Welsh football and the local community.

The chairmans role is now held by club secretary Gareth (GO) Jones.

And there will be further changes in the backroom when an extraordinary general meeting is held in the near future.

The purpose of this meeting will be to appoint two new club officials. The two posts are: President and Assistant Secretary.

Carmarthen Town executive committee vice chairman Robert Lloyd explained: Anthony Jenkins, who is well known throughout Carmarthen, has decided to stand down as club president. He has made a huge contribution to the success of Carmarthen Town and he will be greatly missed.

A busy solicitor, former Mayor of Carmarthen and Under Sheriff for Dyfed, Anthony leads a very hectic life and we will be ever-grateful for the contribution he has made in giving up his valuable time to support Carmarthen Town.

We will now seek nominations for a worthy successor to Anthony Jenkins as club president.

As we move into a new era, it is also important to recognise the workload placed on current chairman Gareth Jones and, with that in mind, we are also looking for an assistant secretary.

The date of the extraordinary meeting will be decided at the next Executive Committee.

Nominations should be in writing, with a proposer and seconder, and presented to the Secretary/Chairman. The meeting is open to Gold Members, Vice Presidents and season ticket holders.

If you wish to post your nomination, then please send to Gareth Jones,3 Meysydd y Coleg, Caerfyrddin, SA31 3GR

Carmarthen Town AFC fixtures for November 2010

Saturday, November 6 away at Goytre United, Welsh Cup Round Three, kick-off 2pm

Friday, November 12 - home to Port Talbot Town, 7.30pm.

Saturday, November 20 away at Bangor City, 2.30pm.

Saturday, November 27 home to The New Saints, 2.30pm.

For the match against Goytre, the bus for Glanhafod Park will leave the clubhouse at 11.30am. Contact Anthony Parnell for details 07989448629

The new clubhouse facilities at Richmond Park are proving very popular with community groups in and around Carmarthen.

We already have Slimming World, painting classes and knitting classes making use of the new facilities here at Richmond Park, said executive committee member Jeff Thomas.

The premises are fully air-conditioned and can seat 150 in comfort. There are extra meeting rooms and conference facilities. And a fully licensed bar!

If anyone is interested in hiring the clubhouse or any of the meeting rooms, then can ring the following

Steve Adams, 01646 651367, Mark Hannington, 07929 509539, Jeff Thomas, 07813 697774

The countdown has started for the 30^th annual Carmarthen Mayors Fun Run.

And the landmark event will see one of the biggest changes in the races long history.

It is being moved from the Easter weekend to the May Day Bank Holiday on Monday, May 2.

The race is one of the highlights of the year in Carmarthen, Town Mayor Councillor Alan Speake said this week.

I would urge everyone, young and old, to consider taking part and making the event a great fun occasion for Carmarthen town.

Race organiser Noelwyn Daniel urged fun run competitors to make a note of the new race date in their diary.

It is a departure from the past, but we felt that moving the event would give more people a chance to take part in the event and we might even be guaranteed better weather in May!

Mr Daniel said: The event is recognised as a great occasion in Carmarthen. So, if you want to get into shape over the winter months ready for the big race day, then now is the time to start.

The next fun run will be the 30^th, so we are expecting a bumper crowd of spectators, more runners and a very special landmark occasion.

Entry forms will be published in the Carmarthen Journal in the new year.

Mr Daniel said other changes to the race format would be announced over the next few weeks.

The 2010 races raised cash for four Carmarthen charities and organisations - 500 each for Awaydays, Womens Refuge, Bi-Polar Organisation and Towy Salmon Swimming Club.

Details of the 2011 charities will be released in the next few weeks.