Pantyffynnon Youth - Digital Story

Over the last couple of months Carmarthenshire Connect has been working with the youth of Pantyffynnon on a blogging and digital story workshops.

"The youth involved have thouroghly enjoyed learning about blogging and how to make their own digital stories."

(Phill adding the finishing touches to their digital story)

Please watch their digital story below:

We hope to see more digital stories for this group of youths in the future.

Easter Bonnet Parade

The 5 Tys Tenants and Residents Association held an Easter bonnet parade on Wednesday 19 March. Held at the Hafan Complex, the event was an inter-generational get together with a buffet, raffle, best Easter bonnet competition and a colouring area for children to design Easter eggs. Judging the competition was Lady Dena Lloyd Waterford, Town Councillor for Kidwelly Town Council and Chair of the Gwendreath Tenant Network.

Debbie (left), Chair of 5 Tys Tenants and Residents Association enjoying some of the tasty cakes in the buffet.

The raffle prizes. Taken by Sian.

Drawing the raffle

The parade. Taken by Sheila.

Winner of the best children's bonnet prize, with Lady Waterford.

Lady Waterford with Ronald, winner of the best adult's bonnet. The giant Easter bunny is Ronald's prize!

Creative Writers (Group 2!) Get Blogging

The second of Carmarthenshire Life's two Creative Writing Groups set up their own blog as part of a blogging workshop on Wednesday 19 March. All the group's members are clients of Coleshill Social Activity Centre in Llanelli. This time a group blog was created and it was named 'Life at Coleshill Centre, Llanelli'. Merve The Swerve took the responsibility of looking after the blog.

See the blog at coleshillcentre.blogspot.com.

The Creative Writing Group at Coleshill Centre.

Back right: Peter Loughran, the Development Officer for the Creative Writing Group project. Front right: Ran Foster-Mason, Carmarthenshire Connect Field Officer.

Taken by John.

Inbetweenies Club

The Back to Basics Group in Llwynhendy holds an Inbetweenies Club. The club is for children that are between playgroup and youth club (hence 'Inbetweenies'!) and their mums. The idea is that everybody can take time out of busy home life to enjoy some time playing and getting creative with activities such as painting and cake decorating.

Monday 17 March's session was certainly action packed with cake decorating, hand painting, toys, bingo, hot dogs, a raffle and a parachute - all in a little over an hour and a half!

Loving the camera!

Taken by Amy

Cake decorating. Taken by Dawn.

Bingo time

Video of the parachute. Filmed by Cheryl.

Amy interviews...

Amy interviewed some of her friends on video to see what they liked about Inbetweenies Group.

Creative Writers Get Blogging

Members of Carmarthenshire Life magazine's Creative Writing Group put their thoughts on the web on Friday 14 March with some help from Carmarthenshire Connect.

After an introduction to the world of blogging, many of the group's members went on to create their own blog. The blogs included extracts of creative writing, people's interests and hobbies, and photos taken with help from Ken Day, Carmarthenshire Life's Photographer.

The Creative Writing Group project has been led by Peter Loughran.

Some of the Creative Writing Group with Field Officer Ran Foster-Mason (left). Taken by Peter.

Future Projects Event

Felinfoel Communities First held a 'Future Projects' event at the Calsonic Social. The event was a chance for community groups (both existing and potential) in Felinfoel to get funding advice from Communities First and the Community Bureau.

Carmarthenshire Connect was also there, promoting the project and offering groups the chance to use the project's mobile phones to take photos and video at group meetings and events for this blog.

Field Officer Karlis Ozolins with the Carmarthenshire Connect stand.

Seedy Saturday

Seedy Saturday, the seed exchange set up by Jill Davies a few years ago, was held on Saturday 8 March at the Presbyterian Church Hall, Cowell Street, Llanelli.

Seed exchanges have been set up across the country to allow gardeners from a locality to swap their seeds. The idea is that gardeners develop adaptable strains of seeds that are suited to the local climate and conditions.

Gill Davies with the seed exchange table

Some of the seeds on the exchange table. Taken by Sue.

Colin Hill from Tools for Self Reliance Cymru.

Tools for Self Reliance Cymru is a charity that cleans and repairs old unwanted tools before shipping them to rural areas in Africa. TFSR Cymru also raise funds by selling tools that are not wanted in Africa at events such as Seedy Saturday. TFSR Cymru are looking for volunteers to help out at workshops and donations of unwanted tools. You can contact Colin Hill on 01269 871133 or email him at c.hill@btinternet.com. Find out more about TFSR Cymru at http://www.tfsrcymru.org.uk/.

Some of the tools on sale. Taken by David.

Ivy Berkshire from Wild Meadows

Wild Meadows is an initiative led by Flora locale, the wild-plant restoration charity, in partnership with farmers and conservation organisations. Wild Meadows aims to raise awareness, increase public support and encourage appropriate restoration and management of wild meadows. More information can be found at http://www.wildmeadows.org.uk/.

Photos of the many seeds on sale from Touchwood Plants. Taken by Carrie of Touchwood.

Llwynhendy Waste Amnesty

The clearout in Llwynhendy continued on Saturday 8 March - the Pride In Our Communities project organised a waste amnesty for residents around Maes-ar-ddafen Road. Four County Council trucks were available, along with the help of County Council staff.

International Women's Day

Glanymor and Tyisha Communities First organised a full day's event to celebrate International Women's Day on Friday 7 March at Morfa Social Club. There were stalls from many organisations and performances and workshops by women from all around the world.

Mrs Uzo Iwobi, Chair of the African Community Centre in Wales was the compere for the event. Uzo explains more about the event and the good time that was had in the video below.

One of the many performances

Parents In Action group fundraising with sales of wool hats and gloves knitted by the group. Taken by Annette.

Ada Garton, an artist who uses recycled environmentally friendly materials for arts and crafts.

A 'dream for the future' catcher in the background. Taken by Amanda.

Hand painting.

Hand painting, plus hair style courtesy of Coleg Sir Gar hairdressing students who provided hair styling to all those who performed at the event.

Ms Nia Griffith MP, who dropped in to make a speech.

KWT community skip

Keep Wales Tidy held a community skip on Friday 7 March in Penceiliogi, Llwynhendy, as part of its Pride In Our Communities project. It was a good chance for houselholds in the area to get rid of unwanted items.

Taken by Paul

Taken by Martin

Dinner held at White Lion

Thought you might all be interested in seeing some of the pics taken at the recent dinner held just to get together and chat about what we'd been doing during the year and also discuss what future events we might hold.

Third Birthday Party

My, my how time flies. Would you believe it, Felinfoel Senior Citizens Group is three years old. So in true tradition, we are having a celebration on Wednesday, 26th March between the hours of 2.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. at Tirwnys Complex, Felinfoel. All invited. But what can you expect? A buffet will be provided - free of charge of course - plus hot and cold drinks. We promise not to bore you with too many speeches but we are sure there will be something to make your visit worthwhile. Do come along!

Morfa Senior Citizens' Late St David's Day Dinner

On Thursday 7 March, Morfa Senioir Citizens had a late St David's Day Dinner at the Conservative Club in Llanelli. The meal was followed by a few bingo games.

Morfa Senior Citizens is a long established group with a membership of around 60. All members are women, although this isn't a policy of the group - it's just evolved that way. Many of the current members have followed their mothers' footsteps in joining Morfa Seniors.

Click below to hear Eileen Millard explain what they do in the group:

Eileen Millard

Eiddwen Thomas tells us how much she enjoys Morfa Seniors and how much she appreciates the good work that the group Secretary Molly Williams does. Click to listen:

Eiddwen Thomas

Molly Williams, Secretary (left) and Cheryl, Treasurer (middle). Taken by Eunice.

Taken by Eileen

Taken by Joan

Taken by Dorothy

International Women's Day

International Women's Day was celebrated early at the YWCA in Llanelli at an event organised by Sharon Davies and Emma Jones of the YWCA and Sam Hudson, Black and Ethnic Minority Support Worker for CAVS.

Sharon Davies, Sam Hudson and Emma Jones at the International Women's Day event at Llanelli YWCA

Celebrated on or around the 8th March, International Women's Day is a global event connecting women from around the world and inspiring them to achieve their full potential. Visitors to the Llanelli event took part in an International Flag competition, created Easter egg displays and enjoyed food and songs from the many different communities living in Llanelli (including Poland, Nepal and Wales.)

A selection of Healthy Eating and International Food (Photo taken by Aneta Jaszcsak)

The Community Safety Department of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were also on hand to give advice on fire safety and promote free Home Fire Safety Checks and smoke alarms. For more information visit their website at: http://www.mawwfire.gov.uk/.

PACT Community Award Ceremony

The PACT Community Awards Ceremony took place last Thursday in the Stradey Hotel, Llanelli. The very glamorous evening was a great success with around 250 people for all walks of life turning out to show their support for the outstanding community projects that the PACT programme has supported through grants from the 1Fund over the past years.

The results for the awards and each category are as follows:

Enhancing Basic Services - sponsored by WRW Group
Winner: Bynamman Participation Officer
Runner Up: Community Physical Activity Co-ordinator
Runner Up: Swyddog Iechyd Da

(Nicola Hemsley - Brynamman Participation Officer)

Community Facility Award - sponsored by Rees Electrical Engineering Services
Winner: Brynamman Community Centre
Runner Up: Carmel Welfare Hall
Runner Up: Salem Memorial Hall

Environmental Enhancement Award - sponsored by T. Richard Jones (Betws) Ltd
Winner: Penygroes Community Garden
Runner Up: Bynea Square Environmental Enhancement
Runner Up: Betws Park Sensory & Memorial Garden

Tourism & Craft Award - sponsored by Carmarthenshire Tourist Association
Winner: Laugharne Festival
Runner Up: Felinfoel Heritage Trail
Runner Up: Llandeilo Fawr Gospels Project

Community Partnership Award - sponsored by Stradey Park Hotel
Winner: Amman Valley Women’s Aid
Runner Up: Swyddog Iechyd Da
Runner Up: Community Physical Activity Co-ordinator

Community Officer Award - sponsored by Carmarthenshire County Council
Winner: Swyddog Iechyd Da
Runner Up: Brynamman Participation Officer
Runner Up: Amman Valley Women’s Aid

Sera Leyshon Community Award
Winner: Llwynhendy Christmas Event

Overall Winner of the Carmarthenshire Community Awards 2008
Winner: Amman Valley Women’s Aid
Highly Commended: Brynamman Community Centre
Highly Commended: Swyddog Iechyd Da

The Carmarthenshire Connect Team would like to say a big congratulations to all the nominated groups and the outstanding work they have done so far.

Glanmor Neighbourhood Watch

Glanmor Neighbourhood Watch is a local Neighbourhood Watch association, established in 2001 and affiliated with the National Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. Based in Llanelli, the Watch meets on the first Monday of every month at 6:30pm at the Cambrian on Marine Street, Seaside.

The Watch meets to organised events, outings and to activly promote better security in the area through awareness raising and community action.

For more information about the Watch and to watch their video please visit http://www.glanmor-neighbourhoodwatch.org.uk/