THE PANDEMIC CRASH
Covid-19 meant families kept a tighter control on household budgets than following the financial crisis of 2008
Household expenditure experienced a larger fall and quicker recovery after the initial shock of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
THE unprecedented public health emergency sparked by the pandemic hit household spending far harder and faster than the financial crash more than a decade earlier. Lockdowns and social distancing measures meant there was a massive reduction of cash spent in restaurants, hotels, and on transport, which were the main drivers of the huge spending fall during the pandemic.
A report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that during the first two quarters of the pandemic, household spending fell by 22.2%, particularly as pubs, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, theatres, and many shops were forced to close.
With people told to stay at home and not travel, spending on transport including by rail and air was also massively reduced.
Gyms and leisure centres also closed during the lockdown, while sporting events were postponed with many including football matches later going ahead absent of the usual crowds.
However, there was an increase in spending on pets, as people forced to isolate at home sought the companionship of cats and dogs. The proportion of households with pets increased from 41% in 2019-20 to 59% in 2020-21, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association.
The pandemic caused a much greater impact on household spending than the global financial crisis of 2008, when spending dropped by 2.4% over the same period, and took more than a year to sink by 5.8%, the lowest point of the crash.
ONS analysis shows people spent far less than normal on services during the pandemic. After the financial crisis, the impact on household spending was smaller and more evenly split between goods and services.
According to the ONS “mass closures of parts of the economy and the shift towards working from home help explain the changes in spending habits over the last two years”.
Data collected during the first lockdown showed that 24% of businesses had either temporarily closed or paused trading.
Recent analysis on homeworking and household spending shows that 46% of those who left the office to work from their own home spent less money as a result.
Household spending was also influenced by the emergence of the Omicron variant in late 2021.
The new, more transmissive strain of the virus meant fewer people took the risk of catching it during the run-in to Christmas by going out to socialise. Insights from card spending transactions show that meant less cash was spent in pubs, restaurants, and on entertainment, travel, and hotels - while at the same time there was a relative increase in purchases of food and drink from supermarkets and convenience stores.
However, while the pandemic hit household spending far harder and faster than during the financial crisis, recovery was also much swifter. ONS analysis shows household spending had returned to almost prepandemic levels just two years after the first coronavirus lockdown.
Following the global financial crash of 2008, household spending took far longer to recover - almost five years.
Bancffosfelen & Crwbin Keith Evans
43 Brandyway,
Pontyberem.
01269 871955 keithevans806@ btinternet.com
County council election Two candidates are declared for the Bancffosfelen and Pontyberem County Council seat on May 5. Plaid Cymru’s Liam Bowen and Labour’s Michael Jones.
Community council elections Bancffosfelen voters will have up to 12 votes to cast in the forthcoming community council election on May 5. Candidate total 14, made up of two Independents, four Labour and eight Plaid Cymru. Postal votes are expected to arrive with those qualifying in the next few days.
Post Office The village hall hosts the Post Office on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 2pm and 4pm. Times may vary.
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.
Dementia Group Ty-Golau, a therapeutic charity group for adults with memory issues, meets every Monday from 10.30am to noon at the John Burns Centre, Carmarthen Road, Kidwelly. Refreshments are included in the £5 service charge and £1 per dementia carer/family member. To discover more contact Janet Lewis on 01554 890896.
Burry Port Carol Skelton,
4 Greenhill, Y Graig, Burry Port. SA16 0DP 01554 834371 carolmskelton@ btinternet.com
Chapel Jerusalem Ebrill 24, Parch Christopher Owen, 2yp.
Heritage Week Pembrey and Burry Port Industrial and Maritime Heritage Project from today until Friday in the Memorial Hall. Today at 10am launch of the new trail booklet and coffee morning, then at 10.30am heritage walks from the square lasting 45 minutes. Tomorrow, 10.30am, short heritage talks and refreshments. Friday, 10.30am, heritage games, crafts, activities, artefacts, displays and screening of the Parc y Tywyn school video.
Coffee mornings These are resuming in Jerusalem Chapel vestry on Tuesday, May 3 at 10.30am and every first Tuesday in the month. All are welcome.
Fashion show On May 9 the Pembrey and Burry Port Rotary Club in conjunction with Cadno Fashions and Gifts present a fashion show in aid of Tenovus. Tickets are £6 each including a drink on arrival and can be purchased at Cadno Clothing, 60 Station Road, Burry Port or the Ashburnham Hotel, Pembrey. Half-time entertainment is by singer-songwriter Brook Lyle Fox.
Mayor’s charity band night On Friday, May 13 from 7pm until late by Pembrey Burry Port Town Council in the Memorial Hall, Burry Port. Tickets £6 each from www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ mayors-charity-band-night-tickets-265161975607. A great night out with one of Burry Port’s favourite bands the Bar Hounds. Bar open and snacks available.
Burry Port Opera We have resumed rehearsals on Wednesday evenings from 7-9pm in the Memorial Hall, Burry Port. All new members are welcome, singers, particularly gentlemen, and non-singers, and help needed with other skills, stage sets, costumes, etc. For enquiries please call Bob on 01554 833630.
New dance classes These begin on Wednesday, April 27 and continue weekly at the Sandy and Stradey Community Hall. General classes for children aged five to 10 from 5.30-6.30pm at £3. Ladies Dancercise 7-8pm at £5. East Coast Swing 8.10-9.10pm at £5. East Coast Swing is a fabulous partner dance with foot-tapping music! A special £8 price is available for those attending both classes. There are only six slots available for private lessons. Dancercise is a fantastic way of attaining and maintaining great fitness, improves breathing, strength, suppleness, memory and posture. For further information or to book contact 01554 835090 or 07585 929869, or Facebook – Ann Dancercise, YouTube – Ann Dancercise introduction videos and www. dancercise.co.uk
Burry Port Bowls Club The green is now open for playing. The season ticket cost is same as last year and the treasurer will be at the clubhouse each Wednesday at 2pm until the end of April to collect subscriptions. The cost of playing without a season ticket is £3 per person per hour. You can only be registered as a player upon purchasing a season ticket. Our first competitive game is Saturday, April 30 so please come along and practice.
Meals on Wheels Provided by Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council every Monday and Wednesday lunchtime a home-cooked hot meal delivered to your door by volunteers. Delivery free to Burry Port and Pembrey postcodes. Main meal and dessert £5 per person. All allergies and food intolerences catered for but please mention at time of booking on email: louise.robinson@ pembreyburryport-tc.gov.uk or 01554 834346.
Lighthouse Library Bookswaps This is now closed in the Burry Port Bowls Club. Watch this space for news of the new venue and opening times.
Burry Port Male Choir We have resumed rehersals at 7pm on Mondays and Thursdays at the Burry Port Memorial Hall. If you want to sing and join a great group of men, come along to the rehearsal. Nothing to worry about as there is no audition. Your town choir needs you!
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. (Quiz has resumed on Tuesdays at 8pm. Advisable to book due to Covid restrictions at the moment and available space and tables).
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 meets in the Ashburham Hotel at 7pm on the second Tuesday in the month. Our next meeting is in May.
Harbour Music and Poetry Usually meet every Monday at 7.30pm in the 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 Dementia Charity Trust Ty-Golau theraputic group for people with memory problems meet every Monday from 10.30am-noon at Canolfan John Burns Centre, Carmarthen Road ,Kidwelly. Every session is specifically aimed to stimulate the brain in a non-threatening, fun way. Please come along to excercise your brain, meet friends and have an enjoyable morning. Refresments are included in the cost of £5 for service users and £1 for carers/family members. Contact Janet Lewis on 01554 890896.
Yoga This is usually held at 10.30am every Monday (except bank holidays) with Richard Rees at £4 per person per session in the main Memorial Hall.
Cefn Sidan U3A April meetings as follows: Tomorrow, the Luncheon Club are going to the New Stepney, Llanelli, for 1pm. Monday is the Drama Group at 2.15pm. Tuesday, Silver Screen still waiting on cinema manager. Thursday, April 28, the Discussion Group at 2pm will discuss “Is Welsh language needed?” and “Fostering of care home residents”. Friday, April 29, Creative Writing is suspended but may restart soon. New members will be most welcome. Enquiries to Paul on 07803 185281 or email preynoldsuk@yahoo.com
Food Forward Food Boxes Collaborating with Fairshare and Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council, Food Forward Burry Port is a Lotteryfunded project which will support residents in your area. The venue is 38 Station Road, Burry Port SA16 0LP. The opening times are every Tuesday between 11am and 5pm. £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 are supported by Faireshare 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 email clloyd@cbsa.org.uk
Carers Information Service We will be extending our telephone support service and will be able to offer telephone support to carers up until 9pm 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 through 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 & Mynyddygarreg Carys Edwards
07465 891557 carysedwards54@gmail.com
Kidwelly Local History Society We meet regularly, normally on the fourth Thursday of each month. Our venue is now the John Burns Centre, Parc House, Kidwelly, SA17 5AB. Doors open at 6pm for a 6.30pm start. Free refreshments are available after the presentations. Entrance fee: Members £1, non-members £3, under-18s free. Annual membership £10 due April. Thursday, April 28 – ‘The History of Art in Llanelli’ by Peter Dutton.
Kidwelly Rugby Club Bingo every Thursday at 8pm. Social distancing rules are in place. All welcome.
Baby Boogie Held at Trinity Methodist Church, Kidwelly. Musical fun for babies and toddlers from 9.15am to 10.15am £1 per child (siblings welcome during school holidays) held on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Sessions are subject to change in light of Covid. Face masks/ visors are optional at present (or in line with current guidelines). Risk assessments are in place for Covid and health and safety.
St Mary’s Church First, third, fourth and fifth Sunday, 9.30am, Morning Prayer. Every Sunday, 5pm, Evening Prayer. Second Sunday of the month, 11am, Foreol Weddi. Holy Eucharist with prayers for healing held on Wednesdays at 9.30am. To comply with Church in Wales guidelines, face masks must still be worn in church.
Trinity Methodist Church Sunday Morning Worship at 10.30am.
Kidwelly Pop-up Market held on the first Saturday of each month. Fresh produce available – artisan bread, preserves, jams, fresh veg, wood fired pizza and many more stalls. Come along and give your support to local producers. Adhering to Covid rules and regulations.
Ty Golau (House of Light) Dementia Charitable Trust Therapeutic group for people with memory problems meet every Monday (10.30am-noon) at Canolfan John Burns Centre, Carmarthen Road, Kidwelly. Every session is specifically aimed to stimulate the brain in a fun and non-threatening way. Come along to exercise your brain, meet with friends and have a great morning. Refreshments are included in the cost of £5 for service users and £1 for carers/family members. For further details contact Janet Lewis (manager) on 01554 890896.
Flower arranging classes Very basic flower arranging classes held on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7pm at St Mary’s Church. Please bring your own flowers. Tea and coffee will be provided at a charge of £2 but please bring your own cup/mug. Adhering to Covid rules and regulations.
Short mat bowls held every Wednesday from 1pm-3pm at the Princess Gwenllian Centre. A fee of £5 is payable which includes tea and biscuits. Bowls are also provided if required.
Ladies-only kickboxing classes Sessions are now held every Wednesday at Princess Gwenllian Centre 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.
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).
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.
Llanelli Central
Llanelli U3A calendar Today until Wednesday, May 4. For any last-minute changes to the programme, see our website u3asites.org.uk/ llanelli or our WhatsApp group. Skittles, today, The Poachers Rest, Ferryside. Crafts, 2.30pm today, Felinfoel Community Resource Centre. Baduanjin exercise, 10am tomorrow, Pwll Playing Fields (weather permitting). Boules, 10.30am tomorrow, Pwll Playing Fields (weather permitting). Sunday lunch, Sunday, 12.30pm for 1pm, Caulfield Hotel, Station Road, Burry Port, phone Rhuddwen to book, see Llanelli U3A WhatsApp group for further details. Quiz afternoon, 2pm, Monday, 35 Stradey Park Avenue SA15 3EG. Boules, 10.30am, Tuesday, Pwll Playing Fields (weather permitting). Baduanjin exercise, 10am, Thursday, April 28, Pwll Playing Fields (weather permitting). Boules, 10.30am, Thursday, April 28, Pwll Playing Fields (weather permitting). Gardening group, 2.30pm, Friday, April 29. Replacing the games afternoon for the spring and summer months. Roger’s garden is the location in Burry Port. This is to be advised on our website and WhatsApp. Snooker, 10.15am, Monday, May 2, The Conservative Club, 2 Cowell Street. Table tennis, 3pm, Monday, May 2, Llanelli Leisure Centre, Park Crescent. Coffee morning, 10.30am, Tuesday, May 3, Ty Gwyn Community Church, Vauxhall Road, Llanelli. Boules, 2pm, Tuesday, May 3, Pwll Playing Fields (weather permitting). Lunch and ten-pin bowling, 12.30pm, Wednesday, May 4. Meet at the Pavilion, Pwll Playing Fields, for lunch at Excel Bowl, 1pm, 2pm bowling at Excel Bowl, Llansteffan Road, Johnstown. Note – games afternoon on the fourth Wednesday of each month will now be replaced by the gardening group for the summer season, April 27. If you’re interested in joining the U3A with its varied groups and activities, check the website u3asites. org.uk/llanelli or contact membership secretary John Williams on johnhr.williams@btinternet.com
Penyfan Paolo Piana
07956 592806 pianapaolo@hotmail.com