Living In: Community News

brother of Jeffrey and the late Eirlys, a fond uncle of Anne, Dorian and Delyth, and will be sadly missed by all his nephews, nieces and many friends. The funeral was on December 1 at Morriston Crematorium. Donations in lieu of flowers in John’s memory are being accepted by Evan Rees/hywel Griffiths, funeral directors, 98, Heol cae Gurwen, GCG, towards Wales Air Ambulance.

Cwmgors RFC’S gigs Cwmgors Rugby Club’s free-admission Sunday gigs continue this weekend (December 12) when The Boffs will entertain. Cinema visit Ysgol Gwaun cae Gurwen PTA has organised a trip to the cinema on Friday, December 10, also paying for the transport for all pupils from Nursery to Year 6, to watch the new Disney film Encanto. The cost is £3 per child, which includes an ice-cream.

Christmas Advent trail walk Ysgol Gwaun cae Gurwen PTA is organising a Christmas Advent windows trail walk between December 4 and 12; contact GCGPTA@GMAIL.COM for more details.

Y Lolfa – GCG Library Y Lolfa is free to join and open for browsing or use the website to contact us/order at www.gcglibrary.co.uk; we have a huge selection of books to loan and second-hand books for sale also, as well as English and Welsh book clubs (children and adult), and Welsh and French learners.

Cwmgors Families Together Group Plant Dewi offers free activities for all the family at Cwmgors Community Centre every Monday morning, including family craft activities, baby massage, a cuppa and a chat, also language and play sessions. Please contact Sam on 07483 966168 to book a place or for more details. Volunteers wanted Gwaun cae Gurwen Library is looking for volunteers. For more information, or if you want to help, contact www.gcglibrary.co.uk December diary Gwaun cae Gurwen School has a varied December diary, including a sponsored reindeer run between December 6 and 10 during PE lessons on the school yard. Christmas jumper day this year is on December 10; wear your best (or ugliest!) festive jumper for the day (£1). Meanwhile, the cinema trip will also be on December 10 to see Disney’s Encanto (£3). On December 9, there is the Festive Pick Up – grotto, hot chocolate, carol singing, tombola, glitter tattoos and Christmas tree sales. To save parents, a £7 payment can be made per child to cover the cost of all the above school-based activities. Tai’rgwaith OAP branch The latest meeting took place on Monday, November 29, at the hall when our members helped Mr Dai James in celebrating his birthday. The branch’s Christmas dinner, meanwhile, was to be held at the Raven Inn, Garnant, on December 4. The next fortnightly meeting will be on Monday at the community hall at the normal start time.

Bancffosfelen & Crwbin Keith Evans

43 Brandyway, Pontyberem.

01269 871955 keithevans806@btinternet.com Community council The next meeting of the village council is on Thursday, December 9, from 7pm in the memorial hall. Translation facilities provided. Disabled access available. Further details from the clerk, Eryl Pellow, on 07415 355659. Post office The village hall hosts the community post office on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 2pm and 4pm. Times may vary due to the effects of the pandemic.

Defibrillator In the case of a suspected heart attack there is a public defibrillator affixed to the Bancffosfelen and Crwbin Hall. An intercom link provides live guidance for using the equipment. Digital aid Age Cymru Dyfed offers people aged 50-plus hands-on help to introduce and develop the use of digital technology. Through free telephone sessions, often led by Haroun Varden, help is given through tasks enabling older users to be comfortable with digital links. Please contact Age Cymru Dyfed on 01554 784080 or email p. mcilroy@agecymrudyfed.org

Burry Port Carol Skelton

4 Greenhill, Y Graig, Burry Port. 01554 834371 carolmskelton@btinternet.com

Capel Jerusalem December 12, cyngerdd y plant, 6 yr hwyr.

Christmas cabins A lovely gesture from the town council will allow stallholders in the Christmas cabins at the Memorial Gardens, Stepney Road, to stay free of charge for the rest of the Christmas period. Opening times and days are up to the sellers. A great way to support the local businesses.

Apres party night Join us for a fun-filled evening at the Ski and Activity Centre, Pembrey Country Park, on Friday and Saturday from 4.30pm to 9pm.there will be tubing and tobogganing with the elves. Friday we will have a live band – Preseli Pete and The Bluestone Boys from 7pm. There will be plenty of refreshments,hot and cold drinks including mulled wine. On Saturday evening we will have elf races so come in your best elf costumes. On top of all the above, why not take a stroll around our new for 2021 Christmas light trail opposite the Ski and Activity Centre which is free. Limited availability so book today. Prices: Toboggan £6 for three rides per person, tubing £6 per person. Minimum six persons (ages 6+). To book online only: https://penbre-sirgar.bookinglive.com/.../ski.../ toboggan/

Christmas appeal Food Forward are supporting local families with young children over Christmas and are asking for donations of new toys for this. Call Dee on 07703 322602 or bring items to the community shop at 38 Station Road, Burry Port, on a Tuesday.

Lighthouse Library bookswaps This is now open in Burry Port Bowls Club. Opening hours are Monday 11am-2pm, Thursday 10am-2pm, Friday 9.30am-1pm plus every second Saturday in the month from 11am-2pm. We accept donations of good-quality books, board games and jigsaws when we are open. Please note that this is run for the community and ask that if you have no books to swap or donate that you choose no more than four books.

Senior citizens lunch Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council arranges this for local senior citizens only on Tuesday from 12.30pm-2pm in the memorial hall. A cooked traditional Christmas dinner and pudding followed by a mince pie for £5 a head. To book contact 01554 834346 by Friday. Free community carol service Hosted by the Lighthouse Community Church with the support of the town council on Sunday, December 19, at 5.30pm in the memorial hall. All ages welcome to join us for carols, mince pies, mulled wine, LCC band, choir and others as we celebrate Christmas together.

Free Christmas lunch Live in Burry Port or Pembrey? Aged 60 or over? Spending Christmas Day alone? Come and join us at Burry Port Memorial Hall for a free Christmas Day lunch. Along with mince pies, carols and good company. Registration forms available at Burry Port train ticket office and Cadno, phone 07825 842981 or email isabelgoodman72@yahoo.co.uk. Returnable £5 deposit at time of booking.there’s also free transport available if needed! A huge thank you to all the local businesses and residents who are supporting this.

Welsh conversation Every Wednesday at the Pembrey Country Inn, Welsh speakers and learners of all levels are welcome to join in for some conversation and fun, 1-3pm.

Harbour Music and Poetry meets every Monday at 7.30pm in Burry Port Yacht Club. It is a community project enabling people of all ages and abilities to share their musical and literary skills. It takes the form of open mic and special guests and audience are warmly welcomed.

Ty Golau Memory Problems Group We have resumed weekly sessions every Monday at Canolfan John Burns Centre, Carmarthen Road, Kidwelly, from 10.30am-noon. Social distancing is in place and we request that you wear masks until you are seated. Refreshments are included in the cost of £5 for service users and £1 for carers. Contact Janet Lewis on 01554 890896 to reserve a place.

Pembrey and Burry Port Photographic Society meets this evening and every Wednesday at 7.30pm in Hermon Chapel, Pembrey. New members of all standards are always welcome. For further information ring 07974 001049. Pembrey and Burry Port Historical Society has resumed activities. Please note we now meet in the Ashburham Hotel at 7pm on the second Tuesday in the month. We won’t be having a guest speaker in December as it’s our annual Christmas meal.

Singing for the Soul This has started again on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 2-4pm in Jerusalem Chapel Vestry, Burry Port, where there is plenty of parking. The next meeting is today. New members are very welcome. Open to men and women, no experience or commitment required. With no expectations, judgements or auditions, we offer an afternoon of singing uplifting songs in a group of like-minded people. £3 each session including refreshments. There will be Covid safety measures in place. The venue requires us to wear a face covering while singing, either a mask or visor. Clear visors will be available to buy if you don’t already have one. For further details contact Dawn on 07773 312033 or email singingforthesoulwiththewi@gmail.com Pembrey and Burry Port Garden Club are unable to resume their meetings due to extensive repairs taking place at the Community Hall, Pembrey, our regular meeting venue. The committee will meet in the new year to discuss resuming meetings.

Cefn Sidan U3A We are now back in the

Pensioners’ Hall. Social distancing should be observed and masks should be worn where possible. Yoga is usually at 10.30am every Monday (except December 27 and other bank holidays) with Richard Rees at £4 per person per session. Please note yoga is no longer an official U3A activity but we will continue to advertise the meetings. December meetings continue today with the coffee morning at 10.45am. Please bring your own cup or mug and respect social distancing. Friday is keep fit at 10.30am and the Crochet Group at 2pm. Monday is work on the Station Garden at 10am. Tuesday, square dancing at 2pm. Wednesday, December 15, is the Quiz Group in the Neptune at 2.15pm. Thursday, December 16, the Luncheon Club are going to the Bridge, Llangennech, at 1pm. Friday, December 17, is keep fit at 10.30am. Monday, December 20, the main meeting at 2.15pm is Christmas entertainment. All the following groups are cancelled due to the Christmas and New Year holidays: December 21, Welsh History and Short Walk; December 23, Discussion Group; December 24, keep fit; December 27, drama; December 28, square dancing; December 31, creative writing and keep fit. The Silver Screen will not be available until the New Year. New members will be most welcome to all groups in the New Year. Enquiries to Paul on 07803 185281 or preynoldsuk@yahoo.com

Food Forward Food Boxes Collaborating with Faresshare and Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council, Food Forward Burry Port is a Lotteryfunded project which supports residents in your area. The venue has changed to 38 Station Road, Burry Port SA16 0LP. The opening times are every Tuesday between 11am and 5pm. Do you need to stretch your food budget a little further each week? Do you know someone who is finding times hard? £1 a year for membership then each week you will have the option of spending £3.50 or £5 for goods worth between £15 to £20. No referrals required. CBSA is supported by Fareshare Cymru, Morrisons and Burry Port Co-op. Call in on Tuesday to see what it’s all about. Our volunteers would love to meet you. Contact Ceinwen on 07958 649932 or clloyd@cbsa.org.uk

Carers Information Service will be extending our telephone support service and will be able to offer telephone support to carers up until 9pm at night Monday to Friday. This will be via our main Information Service telephone no: 0300 0200 002. People Speak Up runs online activities for people of all ages through spoken word, creative writing and participatory arts. For more details contact Eleanor on 07972 651920 or email info@ peoplespeakup.co.uk

Digital support Age Cymru Dyfed has dedicated digital champions on hand to support people aged 50-plus to make the most of technology. Free sessions are delivered over the phone about any tasks you want to achieve. Simply ring 01554 784080 or email p.mcilroy@agecymrudyfed.org.uk Coronavirus support lines Free mental health support is available to isolated individuals via the Welsh Mental Health helpline on 0800 132 737 or text 81066. A similar free service is offered by the Red Cross between 10am and 6pm daily on 0808 196 3651.

Kidwelly & Mynydd-y-garreg Carys Edwards

07465 891557 carysedwards54@gmail.com

Kidwelly and Mynydd-y-garreg Pantomine Society (KAMPS) presents Ali Baba and the Four Tea Thieves at Mynydd-y-garreg Hall on January 7 and 8 at 7pm and January 9 at 2.30pm. Tickets are £7 per adult and £5 per child and are available to purchase online from www.eventbrite.co.uk www. kampsonline.blog or telephone 01554 890551. Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi/dyffryn Tywi Male Voice Choir are desperately looking for new members. If anyone is interested, please contact chairman Martin Henry (01554 890886/ 07971 021726) or secretary Derrick Rowlands (01269 860996/ 07891 467663).

Trinity Methodist Church welcomes you to Sunday morning worship at 10.30am.

St Mary’s Church services Today, 7pm, Mother’s Union Advent Carol Service. Sunday, Advent 3, 9.30am, Holy Eucharist/ 11am cymun Bendigaid/ 5pm evening prayer. Holy Eucharist with prayers for healing every Wednesday at 9.30am. To comply with Church in Wales guidelines, face masks must still be worn in church. Short mat bowls every Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm at the Princess Gwenllian Centre. A fee of £5 is payable which includes tea and biscuits. Bowls are also provided if required.

Neuadd Mynydd-y-garreg A food and craft fair on Saturday from 10am to 2pm.

Kidwelly Library is open on Wednesdays from noon to 4pm in the Princess Gwenllian Centre. Please note, for a short period roughly between 2.30pm and 3pm, it will be unstaffed as the short mat bowls club are in the hall. You can still come in and browse the bookshelves during that time. Adhering to Covid guidelines, social distancing and masks (unless exempt) are required.

Ty Golau (Therapeutic group for people with memory problems) now meets every Monday from 10.30am to noon at Canolfan John Burns Centre, Carmarthen Road, Kidwelly. Social distancing is in place and we request that you wear a mask until you are seated. Refreshments are included in the cost – £5 for service users and £1 for carers. Please contact Janet Lewis on 01554 890896 to reserve a place.

50+ keep fit classes every Tuesday from 10.30am to 11.30am at the John Burns Centre. £2 per session. Come along to get fitter and stronger. The exercises can be done whilst standing or sitting and all at your own pace. Friendly and fun. No loud music and no strain. Wear comfortable clothing. All welcome. For further information, please call Barbara on 07597 344555 or 01554 833191.

Ladies-only kickboxing classes Sessions are now held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7pm. To avoid disappointment, booking is highly recommended as numbers are limited due to Covid guidelines. For further information please contact Shogun Cymru via Facebook Messenger. Kidwelly Walking Group meets every Thursday at 10.15am at Glan yr Afon car park (just off the Town bridge) except for the first Thursday of the month when it will be at 10.30am at Burry Port car park adjacent to the bus station over the railway bridge. We offer to two types of walks. Short walks are usually on the fringes of Kidwelly or Burry Port and are generally flat, on good surfaces and a maximum of two hours. Long walks are further afield with varying surfaces and last four to five hours. For further details please contact Ray Davies on 01554 890147 or thomas.davies20@ mypostoffice.co.uk

Kidwelly Rugby Club Bingo every Thursday at 8pm. Social distancing rules are in place. All welcome.

Mimobile Vet is at Parc Stephens, Station Road, every Monday from 10.15am to 11.30am, Tuesday from 3.30pm to 6pm and Thursday from noon to 2pm and 3.30pm to 6pm. Please ring 01267 220404 to make an appointment. Social distancing rules are in place.

Councillor surgery As the monthly surgeries are cancelled due to the current situation, county councillor Jeanette Gilasbey wishes to advise that she is still available to any members of the community wishing to discuss any concerns or issues that need addressing. Please contact either via email jgilasbey@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or telephone 01554 892729.

Digital support Age Cymru Dyfed has dedicated digital champions on hand to support people aged 50-plus to make the most of technology. Through free sessions delivered safely over the telephone, we can guide you through the tasks that you want to achieve. Whether that be video calling family and friends, making an online shop or pursuing hobbies and interests, we are here to help. Simply give Age Cymru Dyfed a ring on 01554 784080 or email p.mcilroy@agecymrudyfed.org.uk

Pontyberem Keith Evans

43 Brandyway, Pontyberem.

01269 871955 keithevans806@btinternet.com Defibrillator training This Friday from 7pm to 8.30pm under paramedic direction, training will be given in the use of a defibrillator to the local public in the memorial hall. Further such courses are anticipated in the new year. Inquiries to book a place can be made to the community council clerk on cyngorcymunedpontyberem@gmail.com Christmas appeal Due to the ongoing Covid pandemic, donations for local needy children take the form of money contributions sent to Carmarthenshire Council.

St John’s Church Next Sunday at 9.30am prayers led by the Rev Lindy Morgan.

Park maintenance tendering Competitive sealed bid tenders are invited for the annual contract to perform maintenance work in Pontyberem Park grounds from April 2022. The deadline for submitted applications to the community council is 5pm, January 20. For application details, forms and terms please contact the council clerk on cyngorcymunedpontyberem gmail.com

Post office Located in CK’S supermarket the post office operates seven days a week from 8am to 8pm with a lunch break between 12.30pm and 1pm.

Library hours The local library in the memorial hall operates on Mondays from 3pm to 7pm and on Thursdays from 9.30am to 1.30pm. There is a free internet service, DVDS and audio books for hire. Inquiries during library times can be made to Anja on 01269 870891.

Chemist times Monday to Friday trading hours of the local pharmacy are 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5.30pm. Inside the store there is a maximum of two customers at any one time.

Advice surgeries On Mondays, 6pm to 7pm,

Councillor Richard Selwood holds an advice surgery in the Memorial Hall. On Fridays, 10am to 3pm, Councillor Liam Morgan Bowen has an advice surgery in Y Cwtsh, Menter Cwm Gwendraeth.

Tumble Lesley Williams

lesleywms@tiscali.co.uk

Christmas boxes Members of Llannon Community Council have agreed to contribute to the provision of Christmas hampers for families in need in its area. The community council clerk will liaise with Carmarthenshire Council Youth Support Service, the county council’s Christmas Toy Appeal organiser and Tumble Family Centre in the preparation and distribution of the hampers. Family Centre As well as Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Tumble Family Centre will now be open on Mondays for Stay & Play, 9.30-11am, and baby group, 12.30-2pm. Booking is essential as group sizes are limited in order to adhere to Covid-19 guidelines and places fill very quickly. For more information contact Tracey on 07496 239473.

Library service The mobile library is in the car park opposite the hall on Tuesdays from 1.45pm to 4pm. You can request any item available in any of the public libraries in Carmarthenshire for free, either through the online catalogue or ask the mobile library staff.

Panto time! A reminder that Cinderella the pantomime, with Owen Money, will be on stage in the hall on Friday, January 7, Saturday, January 8, and Sunday, January 9. See the FB page Neuadd Y Tymbl/tumble Hall for booking imformation. Neuadd y Tymbl If your group/society would like to discuss the possibility of meeting in the hall, please contact the clerk on llannonccclerk@ outlook.com.

Llannon Community Council aims to meet the needs of the community and to improve the quality of life of residents. Ten councillors are elected to represent the villages of Tumble, Llannon, and Cwm-mawr. Another five represent Cross Hands. Council meetings are usually held on the third Wednesday of the month; these are still being held via the internet (Zoom) for the time being. You can find names and contact details for your councillors and other useful information on the council’s website. http://www.ccllannon.org.uk/ llannonccclerk@outlook.com or Facebook Cymunedau Mynydd Mawr Communities.

St Clears

Bethlehem Newydd Pwlltrap a Gibeon Bancyfelin Gofalaeth y Parchedig Rhodri Glyn Thomas. Dydd Sul, oedfa Nadolig gan y plant a’r aelodau yng Ngibeon am 10.30yb. Croeso cynnes i bawb. Mae Banc Bwyd Hendygwyn wedi derbyn ein cyfraniadau o fwyd a rhodd ariannol. Diolch o galon i bawb a gyfrannodd mor hael. Dim ond dwy oedd yn gwneud y gwaith arbennig yma a maent wedi rhannu allan 33,000 o brydiau bwyd yn y flwyddyn ers sefydlu’r Banc Bwyd. Maent i’w canmol am eu hymdrechion i gwrdd â’r angen dirfawr sydd yn lleol. Roedd yn fraint cael helpu. Pob bendith ar eu gwaith ar gyfer y dyfodol.

Meidrim Tess Sinden

01994 230854 tess@pleasantview.org.uk

St David’s Church news Despite the storm the annual coffee morning held in St David’s Church Hall went ahead and raised £1,800. Thank you to everyone for your support. There will be a carol service jointly with Capel Bethel in St David’s Church on Sunday, December 19, at 3pm. The service will be followed by light refreshments. Croeso cynnes i bawb.

Church services Gwasanaethau Adfent a Nadolig – Advent and Christmas Services. Meidrim: 12th Advent 3 9.45am Holy Eucharist with Baptism; 19th Advent 4 3pm Carol Service; 24th Christmas Eve 9.30pm Holy Eucharist. Merthyr: 12th Advent 3 3pm Carol Service; 19th Advent 4 9.45am Holy Eucharist; 24th Christmas Eve 8pm Holy Eucharist. All are welcome at any of the above services (within Covid limits). Other pre-christmas events in the local ministry area: tonight, 7pm, carols at Llanddowror Church with Cantorion Llanddowror; Thursday, December 16, 7pm, the Corran Singers will be giving their carol concert in the English Congregational Chapel in Laugharne. Tickets £6. From today to Sunday, St Mary Magdalene’s Church, St Clears, will be holding a Christmas Tree Festival from 11am to 5pm. Entry £3. Christmas Eve at 6pm on the AWL Bro Sanclêr LMA Facebook page and Youtube: a Christmas production called O Come Let us Adore Him. Canon Ann Howells, LMA Dean 01267 468136 annhowells@cinw.org.uk. Rev Adam Bruce 07976 829111, adambruce@cinw.org.