Category Archives: Carmarthenshire

Awards, Business, Carmarthenshire

Carmarthenshire Business Awards Welcomes Swansea Building Society as Sponsor

The inaugural Carmarthenshire Business Awards will feature Swansea Building Society as the sponsor for the Financial and Professional Service Business of the Year award. This much-anticipated event will be held on July 12, 2024, at Parc Y Scarlets in Llanelli, uniting the county’s thriving business community to honour outstanding entrepreneurial and innovative achievements.

The Carmarthenshire Business Awards will commence at 6:30 pm with a drinks reception, followed by a dinner and the awards ceremony. This black-tie event aims to celebrate the vibrant business community in Carmarthenshire, recognising significant contributions to the local economy.

The Financial and Professional Service Business of the Year award, sponsored by Swansea Building Society, is open to any business operating within the financial and professional services sector in Carmarthenshire. The award celebrates excellence within the sector, recognising companies that demonstrate remarkable growth, strong financial performance, innovation, and exceptional customer experience. Judges are looking for companies that have achieved growth and strong financial performance through innovation and exceptional customer experience, with a clear focus on future business success.

Sioned Jones, Area Manager for West Wales, Swansea Building Society, said:

“We are thrilled to support the Carmarthenshire Business Awards and to celebrate the remarkable achievements of businesses in the county. At Swansea Building Society, we are committed to fostering innovation and excellence within the financial and professional services sector. These awards highlight the outstanding contributions of businesses that drive economic growth and provide exceptional service to their clients. We look forward to recognising and honouring their success.”

In addition to the Carmarthenshire Business Awards, Swansea Building Society will also sponsor the Financial and Professional Service Business of the Year award at the Torfaen & Monmouthshire Business Awards on September 19, 2024, at The Parkway Hotel, Torfaen, and the Vale of Glamorgan Business Awards on October 4, 2024, at The Vale Resort. These events continue to celebrate the vibrant business community across South Wales.

Carmarthenshire, News from Wales

Carmarthen Athletic RFC’s Sports Museum Receives Funding For Landmark Digitisation Project

Carmarthen Athletic RFC and award winning Learning Technology company, Aspire 2Be are thrilled to announce that funding for a groundbreaking project aimed at preserving and promoting its historic Sports Museum, has been secured. The collection of sporting memorabilia, which boasts national and international significance, will undergo a transformation that will make it accessible to a global audience while engaging the local schools community in a unique heritage initiative titled; The Early in the Morning Project.

The museum, founded in 1967 after the UK ‘Foot & Mouth’ epidemic restrictions prevented the New Zealand All Blacks touring rugby team from returning home with their leather playing boots, has been a hidden gem in Carmarthen for many decades. The physical relocation of the club, economic challenges, changing socio-economic behaviours, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have left the museum isolated in its own clubhouse, with its importance largely unknown to both visitors and the local community.

To address this, Carmarthen Athletic RFC, in collaboration with Aspire 2Be, sought funding to undertake a multifaceted project designed that has already seen professional research carried out as well as the cataloguing of all museum exhibits, providing detailed background information on each item of memorabilia, its connection to sporting legends, and its relevance in the world of sports. Subsequently, the collection will be digitised and made available to a worldwide audience through an immersive online portal.

Schools in Carmarthen have already started playing a crucial role in this project. As part of the grant funding, schools will visit the Club and Carmarthen Library to learn about the sports stars. Once knowledge has been developed, each school will then receive recording equipment, including iPads, tripods and microphones and will be guided in using these tools to capture the essence of the museum’s most iconic pieces. Pupils will delve into the rich history of sports, immersing themselves in heritage while developing digital skills.

Partner Technologist at Aspire 2Be, Ryan Evans stated that “we crafted and designed this heritage project, directly linked to the new Welsh Curriculum, ensuring it involves all teachers and pupils from 8 Carmarthen based primary schools. Pupils will research, script, film, edit, and produce videos showcasing the iconic items from the museum. The videos will then be made publicly available, celebrating the local community’s involvement in preserving this invaluable sporting heritage”.

To mark the culmination of this ambitious project, a celebration event will be organised at the club, involving pupils, parents, teachers, civic leaders, press, and club officials. This event will promote the project, unveil the club’s virtual museum, and recognise the significant contributions of Carmarthen schools, their staff, pupils, and local library staff.

This landmark project aims to breathe new life into Carmarthen Athletic RFC’s Sports Museum, ensuring that its historic significance is not lost to future generations. By engaging the local community, especially children, and embracing modern digital technologies, the project will cement the museum’s place in Carmarthen’s heritage.

Speaking on behalf of Carmarthen Athletic RFC, Museum Curator Wynne Jones, who has been involved with Carmarthen Athletic RFC in various capacities for around fifty years, mentioned there has always been a sense of pride for the unique selection of sporting memorabilia which has grown significantly over the last thirty years but “the ‘Early in the morning’ project is the perfect way to preserve the collection, in a digital format for posterity. Particularly pleasing is the participation of young local school children who will learn new skills and contribute to the project.”

This project has been commissioned by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. For more information, please contact:

Ryan Evans, Aspire 2Be / Ryan.Evans@Aspire2Be.co.uk / www.Aspire2Be.co.uk

Carmarthenshire, Construction, Construction News, News, West Wales

New project for Welsh fabricator focuses on health and wellbeing

WELSH fabricator Dudley’s Aluminium has secured a new project in Llanelli which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people across the region.

Dudley’s is working with Bouygues UK on the Pentre Awel development for Carmarthenshire County Council, the largest ever regeneration project of its size in south west Wales.

As well as supporting the region’s health and wellbeing, Pentre Awel will create over 1,800 jobs, training and apprenticeship opportunities and is expected to boost the local economy by £467m over 15 years.

Pentre Awel will be developed in four zones and the fabricator is supporting the construction of zone one which includes research and development spaces for businesses, a clinical delivery and research centre, education and training facilities and a state-of-the-art leisure centre featuring gyms, studios, swimming and hydrotherapy pools.

Dudley’s will install Kawneer capped curtain walling, windows and doors in addition to an automatic curved sliding door, automatic sliding doors and mechanical louvres to the build.

Future zones of the project are set to include social and affordable housing, a range of assisted living accommodation, a hotel and business expansion space.

Colin Shorney, Managing Director at Dudley’s Aluminium, said: “We are excited to be working with Bouygues on zone one of Pentre Awel. From providing access to modern leisure facilities to having dedicated spaces for medical research and training, this project will transform and benefit the health and wellbeing of local people.”

Since 1993, Dudley’s Aluminium has offered clients full in-house design and production facilities, completing many successful and prestigious projects within the education, health, commercial, retail, residential and defence sectors throughout the UK and Channel Islands.

Dudley’s reputation for quality has been recognised with several industry-related accreditations. The company is CHAS accredited, Constructionline registered and BM Trada certified to manufacture enhanced security products to align with PAS24:2016 and BS 4873.

 

Carmarthenshire, Construction, Construction News, News

Pentre Awel Project Takes Shape with First Steel Structure

Bouygues UK and Carmarthenshire County Council have revealed the first steel structure for the landmark Pentre Awel project. This is the first of five buildings and will house education and business development.

Leaders from Carmarthenshire County Council joined representatives from Bouygues UK and local contractors Shufflebottom and Dyfed Steels to view the steel structure, which marks a significant milestone in the project.

The multi-million pound development is being delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council and is the largest regeneration scheme in south west Wales. It will bring together life science and business innovation, community healthcare and modern leisure facilities at the 83-acre Delta Lakes site on the Llanelli coastline. It is part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal (£40million) and is the largest regeneration scheme in south west Wales.

Lead contractor Bouygues UK is committed to using local subcontractors as part of its commitment to provide employment, training and skills opportunities to local people and underrepresented groups.

Dyfed Steels is providing the reinforcement bar for the project’s foundations which has 98% recycled content, and Shufflebottom is providing the structural steel for the building, which has 80% recycled content. With a commitment to the heritage of the area, the steel frame also provides the historical link to the previous industrial buildings that were located on the site. These including South Wales Tinplate Works and the Richard Thomas (Tinplate) Mills.

Pentre Awel 3.8.23 (LtR) Wesley Shufflebottom (Shufflebottom), Cllr Gareth John, Peter Sharpe (Bouygues UK), Cllr Darren Price and Ian Mills (Dyfed Reinforcements)

Peter Sharpe, Bouygues UK’s Pentre Awel Project Director, said the steel structure marks a significant part of the project.

He said: “This is a major construction milestone at Pentre Awel and an exciting one as we can really start to see the structure taking shape providing the scale of the project. Steel framing has a proven track record of providing sustainable benefits and it also offers significant cost benefits compared to alternative materials.

“For us it’s very important that we have as many local sub-contractors as possible working with us on this project and it’s great to welcome our guests from local companies Shufflebottom and Dyfed Steels to see the progress that is being made here.”

 

Cllr. Darren Price, Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council added:

“Whilst works have been progressing at pace for many months, this milestone represents the start of aboveground works. We are delighted that Carmarthenshire businesses, Shufflebottom of Cross Hands and Dyfed Steels of Dafen, are playing such a significant part in the construction of Zone 1. Their skill and expertise as two local businesses helping us deliver what will be a fantastic facility at Pentre Awel is a significant boost to the local economy. This alongside the project’s complementary programme of apprenticeships, recruitment and training, reflects the County Council’s and Bouygues UKs joint ambition to maximise opportunities for local people and businesses.”

 

As well as Shufflebottom and Dyfed Steels, other companies contracted to work on Pentre Awel include: Green4Wales, Redsix Partnership, Gavin Griffiths Group, Davies Crane hire, Dyfed Recycling Services and Owen Haulage.  Bouygues UK has opportunities for numerous trades over the next few years of the project, from those in external works to companies who specialise in internal fixings.

 

Carmarthenshire, News

Ammanford Business Owner Prosecuted For Conning Victims Out of Thousands

James Sibley, Director of Sibley’s Solutions Ltd in Ammanford has received a suspended prison sentence following an investigation and subsequent prosecution by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Trading Standards team.

James Sibley pleaded guilty to offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 at Swansea Crown Court for five separate instances where he agreed to carry out building/landscaping work, for which he received a total of £34,290.77 from his victims. The court heard that work carried out was of very poor quality and in some cases very little or no work was carried out despite the victims paying for Sibley’s services.

The Court sentenced Sibley to:

  • 16 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months
  • 100 hours un-paid work
  • £12,000 compensation to be distributed between the five victims.
  • Disqualified from being a Company Director for 4 years

 

Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Trading Standards said: “James Sibley falsely claimed to be a professional tradesman and I’m pleased that our Trading Standards team have achieved a positive result for his victims”.

“When hiring someone to do work in your home always  be vigilant, do research before entering into any agreement and to be cautious when paying money upfront.

“I would encourage anyone looking for a tradesperson to do work in their home to use The Buy With Confidence scheme to find a Trading Standards approved trader. All businesses listed with Buy With Confidence have passed a number of checks so you can be reassured that you are appointing a trustworthy business to carry out the work”.

 

The council offered the following advice to householders when choosing a trader to do work on your home:

 

  • Obtain at least three quotes to compare prices

 

  • Don’t pay in full until the work is completed and you are happy with the standard of finish

 

  • Obtain the details of the work in writing

 

  • Check with the Council if you are unsure whether the work will need planning permission/building regulations

 

  • Take your time. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a decision

 

  • If you agree to a contract in your home you may be entitled to a 14 day cooling off period

 

Visit the Council’s website to view Trading Standards approved traders

https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/home/council-services/trading-standards/buy-with-confidence

Accountancy & Accounts, Carmarthenshire, News, Pembrokeshire, Swansea, Wales News

Welsh Accountants Bevan Buckland LLP Ranked Top 30 in UK

Wales-based accountancy and financial planning specialists, Bevan Buckland LLP, has been ranked a top 30 mid-tier accountancy practice in the UK by industry bible Accountancy Age.

The firm, which has its headquarters in Swansea, in the only independent accounting practice in Wales to make the  Mid-Tier Power Index list, which spotlights excellence in the industry across the UK. The ranking judges mid-tier firms in the UK based upon their strategic planning, profitability/growth, professional excellence, people & community.

Alison Vickers, Managing Partner at Bevan Buckland LLP, said: “We are very pleased to be ranked highly on the Mid-Tier Power Index, which is recognised by our industry peers and by clients as a mark of quality. It is a great achievement since we are the only independent Welsh firm on the list. The Bevan Buckland ethos has always been one of continual growth and improvement and of strategic investment and planning, so we are delighted these attributes have been recognised by the judges. We have a number of initiatives in place designed to nurture and develop our team members to thrive and to enhance their skills and expertise, including our very popular skills academy, and I feel this is one of our great strengths, which is benefitting not only the company but the wider economy here in Wales.”

This latest accolade follows on from Bevan Buckland LLP, being named one of the top 100 accountancy businesses in the UK in the Accountancy Age Top 50 + 50 List.

The practice, which is more than 120 years old, is going through a period of expansion and it now has five offices: in Swansea, Carmarthen, Pembroke Dock, Haverfordwest and Cowbridge.

Bevan Buckland LLP is the largest independent accountancy firm in Wales providing practical support and strategic accounting, tax and financial planning advice for small to medium-sized businesses.

For more information go to: www.bevanbuckland.co.uk

Photo – left to right – Harri Lloyd Davies, Michael Jones, Llinos Williams, Andrew Muxworthy, Matthew Denney

Carmarthenshire, Insurance, News, Sport

Towergate Insurance Brokers sponsors Ammanford Cricket Club

One of the UK’s leading independent insurance brokers, Towergate Insurance Brokers, has teamed up with Ammanford Cricket Club for their current season.

The partnership sees Towergate Insurance Brokers sponsor the upcoming Premier League match at home against Neath on 30 July, receiving exclusive access to one of the club balconies for 12 invited guests, featuring in the coin toss and appearing on the website and in match day programmes.

In return, Towergate Insurance Brokers is providing essential funds to help cover the costs of running the club, maintaining the playing surface and ground at Ammanford Park, as well as donating two prizes of fourball golf at St. Pierre and Machynys for the club’s charity day which takes place later in the season.

Ammanford Cricket Club runs three senior sides on a Saturday, Cup teams on a Sunday and a midweek side, in addition to ten junior mixed teams, two girls’ teams and Friday evening All-Stars programme. They are focused on developing grass roots cricket, having over 150 juniors registered with the club.

Their first team plays in the South Wales Premier League and is captained by Alun Evans, ex-Glamorgan, and NZ Northern Districts player, for the 13th year running. They also have two allocated Glamorgan players available to their squad, Billy Root and Andrew Salter.

Peter Davies, Club Chair, said: “We’re really pleased to have Towergate Insurance Brokers on board as a sponsor this season, supporting our club as we continue to grow stronger after the pandemic.

“Towergate is well known here in south west Wales and have strong links with the sporting world, so having an association with such a large company will hopefully help enhance the wider attraction of the club.”

Howard Phillips, Account Executive, at Towergate Insurance Brokers, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Ammanford Cricket Club this season, helping them continue to provide cricketing opportunities to so many in the town.

“This partnership was a natural fit for us as we have a lot of expertise in providing insurance to sporting clubs and associations, having worked with the Cardiff Devils and West Wales Rugby Union already this year.

“We look forward to watching the first team in the South Wales Premier League, particularly seeing Andrew Salter and Billy Root in action, and wish them the very best for the rest of the season.”

Towergate Insurance Brokers, which has over 60 offices nationwide, has a strong Welsh presence and a long-standing relationship with sporting teams across the country, having sponsored ice hockey team the Cardiff Devils since 2019.

Towergate Insurance Brokers is one of the UK’s leading independent insurance brokers and risk management advisors. Boasting an experienced team of insurance specialists, Towergate Insurance Brokers has built a solid reputation for understanding many business sectors and industries, and the everyday risks they face in today’s increasingly complex world. They also look after the insurance needs of private individuals and families seeking tailored personal covers.