Carmarthen

Ian Lewis

07790 591150 ian.lewis@mediawales.co.uk

Y Priordy, Eglwys Annibynnol Gweinidog y Parchedig Beti-Wyn James. Y capel ar gau ond oedfa ar Dudalenau Wepryd yr Eglwys am 10 y bore gyda’n Gweinidog.

Bancyfelin

Capeli Cana a Bancyfelin Dydd Sul, Mehefin 28. Dim oedfa yng Nghana na Bancyfelin. Darlledir Oedfa Deulu dros dudalennau Facebook Cana a Bancyfelin gan ein gweinidog Y Parchg Beti-Wyn James am 10yb dydd Sul. Bydd yr oedfa yn ymddangos ar dudalen YouTube yr Ofalaeth hefyd. Croeso i bawb ymuno. Cadwch yn ddiogel.

Brechfa Forest

Caroline Evans

Gwylfa, Gwernogle. 01267 202305 cothivoice@yahoo.co.uk

Brechfa Community Shop/Bryn Stores is continuing to keep open with adjusted opening hours from weekdays 7am to noon, Saturdays 7am to 1pm. Anyone self-isolating/shielding locally can arrange for doorstep delivery or shop-door pick-up by ringing 01267 202333 between 10am and noon or email Brechfashop@aol.com or by dropping in a list with their requirements and contact details. The Ty Mawr Hotel is baking bread daily and bringing it to the shop to sell and the regular delivery of local milk continues. Customers to the shop are asked to conform to two customers inside the shop at any one time and to maintain social distance and hygiene behaviour at all times. Many thanks to all the stalwart volunteers and offers of help coming in!! The shop Facebook page has up to date info, requests and helpers.

Takeaway Local pubs and hotels may be operating a meal takeaway service and might be able to home-deliver – contact them and ask or check out their websites or Facebook pages. This includes the Forest Arms and the Ty Mawr Hotel, Brechfa.

Thursday is quiz night The Forest Arms in Brechfa is organising a weekly Lockdown Quiz online using Zoom – Thursdays at 8.15pm – check out the Forest Arms Facebook page.

Brechfa IT Hub Cancelled until further notice – open sessions normally run in Brechfa Church Hall on Wednesdays from 6pm to 8pm. Info Lorna Bradley on 07765 497930.

Brechfa Pop-Up Market Saturday, July 4, from 10am to noon outside Brechfa Church Hall. Social distancing and hygiene arrangements stand. Info 01267 202359.

Church in Wales services All services cancelled and churches closed until further notice at the churches of St Teilo, Brechfa, and St Michael’s Llanfihangel Rhos y corn in accordance with

Government guidelines. In the meantime, the outside bell at St Teilo’s will be rung daily at 10am and 4pm so you might want to pause and say a prayer or think about your loved ones – stay safe! Info Reverend Roger Nock on 01267 202347.

Abergorlech

Abergorlech Knitting Class is cancelled until further notice – normally Wednesdays from 2pm to 4pm in Abergorlech Church Hall – info Kath McKenzie on 07973 122 939. Abergorlech Lunch Clubs are cancelled until further notice – normally the last Wednesday of the month in Abergorlech Church Hall - bookings/info Mary Thomas 01558 685 474. Abergorlech whist drives are cancelled until further notice – normally held on the second Wednesday of the month. Info Elizabeth Griffiths on 01558 685 436.

Meals Many local public houses and hotels are offering a takeaway service for meals and some will deliver to those in shielded or self-isolation. Ring them to find out or check their Facebook pages. Bro Dyfri local ministry area All services cancelled and church buildings closed until further notice at the churches of Abergorlech, Caio, Llansawel and Talley following Government guidelines. Info Reverend Viv Sayer 01550 777200.

Llansteffan

Kay Anthony

2 Ferry Point, Llansteffan. canthony225@btinternet.com 01267 241677

Church news Although at the moment we cannot be certain as to details it would appear in forthcoming days some churches will be allowed to open for private prayer and meditation. There will be no actual services taking place at present and we continue to rely on our hardworking ministry team and virtual visiting. In order to comply with all regulations regarding numbers and social distancing. Some major decisions on which churches will open and when, and also the layout of each building will need to be considered. The availability of supervision will also need to be a factor to ensure all is in order.

Ammanford

Byron Evans

25 Cwmamman Road, Ammanford. byronevans1@hotmail.com

Scarecrow challenge A local scarecrow challenge has really caught on in the Amman Valley,and weird and wonderful creations are being seen outside peoples’ homes at this time. Saron Cuppa Club got the ball rolling, and it has helped lighten the mood in these troubled times as families got creative in the community, and a fantastic response has seen 40 scarecrows incorporating all sorts of characters, from The Little Mermaid and Disney characters to pirates, key workers and other wonderful creations. Well done, all!

Grants available Llanedi Community Council is offering financial support to local groups and organisations in the next financial year; applications need to be made to the clerk of the council. You can email your address to daidoc@yahoo. co.uk or call 07971 026493,or alternatively write to him at Cwmffrwd Farm, Llandeilo Road, Glanamman SA18 2DZ. All applications must be accompanied by your most recent balance sheet and bank statement, entries closing on June 30.

Pantyffynnon Plodders This roup will be closed, until further notice, with no subs to be paid during this period.Hoping all stay safe until we can all meet again. Capel Hendre OAPs have announced that they will not be holding any meetings during July or August, and probably not September, but hopefully we could possibly meet in October, depending on what happens. However, even though we cannot meet in person, we can still wish members well for their birthdays. Mr James will be 90 years young in August, and John Jones 80 in July. Two of our members have required medical treatment in the past weeks, and Eirlys is recovering, but Hilary remains quite unwell. We are thinking of you, and all other members who have ongoing health problems. Until we can all safely meet again, stay safe and well, all.

Free book library Saron Cuppa Club has set up a free book library at Saron Phone Box; come along anytime and pick up a book or DVD to keep you occupied in these strange times when many have a lot of time on their hands. You can also donate books,but please bring them along in a waterproof bag; they are collected daily by Lynne. Bereavement Deepest condolences are extended to the family of the late Elizabeth (Betty) Roberts, formerly of Llandybie, who sadly passed away at her daughter’s home on June 3. Betty was the widow of the late Ceneth Lloyd Roberts, loving mother of Pauline, dear mother-in-law of Stephen,and sister of the late Aurelia (Lal). The funeral took place at Llanelli Crematorium on June 16. Ammanford Royal British Legion The branch asks that,if any ex-service personnel and their families are in need of assistance at the moment,to please contact our branch community officer Luke Toms on 07855 363938.

Meals on Wheels Ammanford area residents can now access Cwmamman Meals on Wheels service, which has been restarted, in view of the current coronavirus pandemic, available to deliver hot meals to the elderly, housebound and self-isolating in our community over the coming weeks and months. The meals will be prepared at Garnant Day Centre’s kitchens, and will cost £4.90 per meal. Clients will be sent a monthly bill from the council. If you, a neighbour, family member or know anyone vulnerable who could benefit, please contact the day centre on 01269 826059, or Meals on Wheels chairman county councillor Kevin Madge on 01269 825438.

Meals on Wheels Penygroes cafe,Y Cwtsh Cafe is providing a local Meals on Wheels service in the Amman and

Gwendraeth Valleys. If you are elderly, shielding, alone or self-isolating at this difficult time and need a hot meal (Monday to Friday), please get in touch with Amanda on 07976 910634 or contact cooke.amanda28@gmail.com for more details.

Food parcels The phone numbers you need,for registering for a food parcel coming out of Betws RFC,for anyone in the Betws area, are: 01554 783933 or 01554 783922. Distributing was due to begin the week beginning April 20.This service is for anyone elderly,or unable to leave their home, or indeed any family that is finding it hard to make ends meet at this time.Please pass the word to anyone you think might benefit in the Betws area.

Margaret Street pharmacy has now extended its opening hours to the public, as from June 1, by a further two hours. The pharmacy will now be open from Monday to Thursday (10am-1pm and 2pm-5.30pm) and on Fridays (9.30am-1pm, 2pm-5.30pm). Phone lines are open from 9am each day (8.30am on Fridays) as usual. They are thankful for all your understanding and support throughout the last few months and thank you all for supporting your local pharmacy. Diolch yn fawr.

Cwmaman

Byron Evans

25 Cwmamman Road, Ammanford. byronevans1@hotmail.com

Wedding anniversary Very best wishes to Glanamman couple Susan and Gethin Davies (Y Llaeth), of Bro Ryan, who will be celebrating 47 years of marriage on Tuesday; llongyfarchiadau! Virtual choir Some of the pupils of years 5 and 6 from Ysgol y Bedol have been busy bees over the past couple of weeks in creating a virtual choir. Thank you all for taking part and a special thanks to one particular Year 5 pupil for writing the words – well done!

Deputy mayor Cwmamman Town Council have appointed councillor Ffion Lewis, of Stepney Road, Garnant as the deputy mayor of Cwmamman for the new term. Ffion will take over next year from recently-appointed mayor, councillor Tori Sparano of Glanamman, who is also taking over the chain of office for the very first time this term.

Food parcels Last Friday,another 20 or so food parcels were distributed out to families in Glanamman and Garnant from the Glanamman Foodbank situated at Y Ganolfan Community Centre to those in need, supported by the volunteers in the community who packed and delivered the items. Thankyou so much to all who have donated money so far, otherwise it would be not possible. Diolch yn fawr. Collection points Essential donations of non-perishable food items towards the Glanamman/Garnant Foodbank at the Community Centre can now be made at Siop y Pentre, Cwmamman Road, Glanamman, and also at the Premier Store, Cwmamman Road, Garnant. Depression support Many people are feeling particularly anxious at the moment, for quite obvious reasons. The local Shadows Depression Support Group which usually meets at the cadet hut at Cwmamman Park is unable to physically meet at present, but despite not being able to meet in person, if you are struggling at the moment in these difficult times with anxiety or depression, you can still access Shadows in other ways, i.e. via their website, or on Facebook and Twitter. You can also contact Louise on 07587 709899 or Jennifer on 07543 741788 for more details.

Meals on Wheels The Cwmamman Meals on Wheels service has been brought back to help the community in light of the current coronavirus pandemic, and is available to deliver hot meals to the elderly, housebound and self-isolating in our community over the coming weeks and months. Although Garnant Day Centre is closed, the meals will still be prepared in the day centre’s kitchens and will cost £4.80 per meal. If you or anyone you know could benefit, please contact the day centre on 01269 826059 or Meals on Wheels chairman, county councillor Kevin Madge, on 01269 825438. Cwmamman United AFC have confirmed that Ryan Stephens will continue as first-team manager for the new season; Llion Jones will be first-team coach. Cwmamman have also announced that joint-managers Grant Rees and Stuart Dunn and coach Brendan Nicklin will again be in charge of the second team in the forthcoming season,having won the Division 1 Neath League title in the curtailed Neath League last season. Sadly, the Welsh League have last week decided that, after the season had been ended prematurely,that Cwmamman United’s first XI would be relegated, as they were in the bottom few at the time. We are sure it will only be temporary though and the boys will bounce back!

Gwaun-cae-Gurwen

Byron Evans

25 Cwmamman Road, Ammanford. byronevans1@hotmail.com

Wedding anniversary Best wishes to Gwaun-cae-Gurwen couple Janet and Malcolm Jones of Graig Road,who celebrate their 32nd wedding anniversarytoday; llongyfarchiadau, Jan a Malcolm (Milky Bar)!

Meals on Wheels Residents in the GCG and Cwmgors areas are informed that they can now access the Cwmamman Meals on Wheels service which has resumed in view of the current coronavirus pandemic; they are available to deliver hot meals to the elderly, housebound and self-isolating in our community over the coming weeks and months. The meals will be prepared at Garnant Day Centre’s kitchens and will cost £4.80 per meal. If you or anyone you know could benefit, please contact the day centre on 01269 826059 or Meals on Wheels chairman, county councillor Kevin Madge, on 01269 825438. We must all stick together and hopefully will get through this tough time as a community. Amman Valley Foodbank has had another incredibly busy week, and with lockdown still in place. If you are able to spare a few tins this week, please drop them in to us at Gwaun cae Gurwen Community Centre at New Road, GCG, on Friday between 10am and 12.30pm; alternatively, if you wish to make an online cash donation, please get in touch. We will be taking phone calls and messages this week for food parcels; please call 07394 904324 between 10am and noon on Friday, or drop us a message. Canolfan Maerdy, New Road, Tairgwaith, is providing an essential response for the community in this time of pandemic, at a time whe the centre itself has seen its income and staff hit and come to a virtual halt. Canolfan Maerdy provides phone support to people with little or no contact with the outside world;they are also busy collecting food from local supermarkets and provide food parcels so that people can collect, or distribute, five days a week. The Community Transport team are collecting and distributing essential foods and medicines to people who are vulnerable to harm and self-isolating. They are also transporting people to essential medical appointments or providing care. They want to continue this level of community support, so if you are able to help, financially or physically, please get in touch with the centre on 01269 826893. You can also donate by contacting localgiving.org/appeal/CanolfanMaerdy/ VirusAppeal

Bancffosfelen & Crwbin

Keith Evans

43 Brandyway, Pontyberem. 01269 871955 keithevans806@btinternet.com

Vandalism At the June community council meeting it was reported that following recent acts of vandalism to Bancffosfelen children’s play area inquiries by the authorities had not yet identified the culprits. Anyone with information to help police inquiries should phone 101or CrimeStoppers. Helpers wanted The community council is looking for volunteers in Bancffosfelen to help support vulnerable locals. To volunteer or find out more about helping please phone the council clerk Eryl Pellow on 0741 535 5659 or e-mail cyngorcymunedpontyberem@ gmail.com

Bancffosfelen defibrillator Local residents are reminded that there is a defibrillator attached to the Bancffosfelen and Crwbin Hall for use in emergencies. Instructions on its use and an intercom for medical guidance are with the unit.

Drefach

Clive Green

61 Heol Cwmmawr, Drefach. 01269 841071 drefachnews@yahoo.co.uk

Tumble Surgery The practice is requesting that people only contact the surgery by telephone. Doctors will decide whether patients need a consultation over the phone or in person. Prescription

THEATR Felinfach will launch a recording of one of T Llew Jones’ classics, the novel Tân ar y Comin, on Tuesday, with an accompanying picture of Gwenllian Beynon’s work.

This is the latest project in the Imagine series, which are digital creative activities provided by the theatre during the lockdown on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube platforms.

The picture that accompanies the recording is the work of Pontrhydfendigaid artist Gwenllian Beynon.

Gwenllian said: “It was a very different challenge for me to respond to a story and try to think of how to convey that in a piece of artwork that would capture the drama and emotion in the novel.

“I was also keen for the artwork to fit into the narrative rather than look like a “drawing tutorial”.

Dwynwen Lloyd Llywelyn, head of Theatr Felinfach, said: “I wanted children and young people to have access to hearing Welsh stories during this period of isolation, and decided to go for one of Wales’s classics, Tân ar y Comin, because it’s a story that offers excitement, emotion, hope and challenges.

“One of the main features of T Llew’s work was creating pictures with words, and I thought it would be exciting to ask an artist to respond to the story and create a piece of work to accompany the recording.”

The artwork will develop during each episode of Tân ar y Comin recorded by the theatre and will be released weekly over 14 weeks.

“We are very grateful to the family of T Llew Jones and Gomer Press for granting us permission to publish this work and we hope to see Gwenllian’s interpretation of the story catch the imagination of listeners and viewers alike,” said Rhian Dafydd, Theatr Felinfach’s business and marketing manager.

Theatr Felinfach’s Imagine programme includes weekly craft activities, theatre makeup, drama games, toddler stories and micro scripts for children to act out. There is also a TicToc creative session for toddlers released fortnightly.

“The magic of creative and cultural participation is people coming together to co-create, develop ideas and celebrate together,” says Dwynwen, “Being separated is difficult and isolates some more than others, but digital platforms give a new lease of life to the work of creative groups and venues and give us as a team the opportunity to develop our skills.

“While we will be developing the digital offering in the coming weeks, we will also plan and imagine the future where we can bring people together to create in a safe and inclusive way. ”

The first chapter of the story will be broadcast on June 30. Follow the story on Theatr Felinfach’s social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and on YouTube.