Club News 2015- 2016

10.06.2016 Llandeilo Rotary Ploughman's Lunch

Llandeilo Rotary Club held their annual Ploughman's Lunch at the Civic Hall, Llandeilo on Friday afternoon,10 June to raise money for President Ken Griffith's chosen charities Cancer Research Wales and Ty Hafan Children's Hospice.The event was well supported not only by people from Llandeilo but from the county generally. Rotarians were busy over the previous two weeks selling raffle tickets in the town with the Co Operative in Llandeilo kindly allowing its premises to be used by the club.

Attendance was a little down on the previous year but those who attended were generous in supporting this major fund raising event.Ticket entry was held at £6 per person for lunch including a glass of wine. The afternoon commenced at midday with President Ken Griffiths and the newly elected Mayor of Llandeilo Fawr and Councillor Colin Jenkins accompanied by the Lady Mayoress formally opening the event. This was followed by the Grand Raffle draw and 1st prize of £100 was won by Anneka Davies of Cwmdu with 2nd prize of £50 to Nia Thomas of Llandeilo and 3rd prize of £25 to Natalie Roberts of Talyllychau. The bottle raffle followed with prizes going to Glyn Moses of Nantgaredig, Biddy Donaldson of Salem and Heather Jones of Llandeilo. Perhaps the biggest excitement was generated by the Tombola with over 200 prizes displayed giving everyone an opportunity to win a prize or two.

 In all the afternoon was deemed to be an enjoyable and successful social event and the total sum exceeding £2000 was raised for the President's chosen charities.Next year under President elect Robert Donaldson, representatives from Cancer Research Wales and Ty Hafan Children's Hospice will be guest speakers of Llandeilo Rotary Club when they each will be presented with a cheque.

President Ken Griffiths would like to thank all those who supported the afternoon in particular Ladies of Inner Wheel, Wives and Partners of Rotarians and their friends.

                             

 Lady Mayoress, Councillor and Mayor Colin Jenkins and President of Llandeilo Rotary Ken Griffiths. 

 

12.05.2016 Shelter Box

 

Rtn  Dilwyn Williams relates family business to Llandeilo Rotary

On Thursday evening 5 May Rotarian Dilwyn Williams was the guest speaker at his club Llandeilo Rotary. Dilwyn chose to speak about the family business Williams Brothers of Nantgaredig founded by his father in 1926 as coal merchants. Dilwyn's talk incorporated a lot of humour when he mentioned that his father was 26 years older than his mother and recalled that he saw his father as a battery chicken that fancied a free range hen! The William's family including Mr Williams senior, Dilwyn and his brother John rapidly expanded their business that progressed when Dilwyn's father bought him a lorry at 17 years of age.Taking his driving test Dilwyn failed the first time but passed on his second attempt. The examiner was a Harry Kybett who told the young Dilwyn following his failed attempt, "Mr Williams you have to anticipate what's coming round the corner". This saying stuck with Dilwyn for the rest of his business life. The business continued to grow and the family began to sell the heavier side of building materials including bricks, lime and stones.The market was changing and customers wanted coal supplied in bags and carried into their coal houses.To diversify, the business also went into the cement business buying two concrete mixers and hiring these to farmers who wanted to undertake their own work.At the same time the company obtained an agency with Aberthaw Cement.However Dilwyn remarked that the money was in the coal. By now Williams Brothers were selling 18-24 tons of coal per day in bags. To illustrate the physical work this entailed Dilwyn brought his own coal shovel with him suitably engraved. 

This physical work came to an end in December, 1974 when Dilwyn had a cardiac arrest but it freed him into devoting more time in expanding the business that entered the wholesaling of coal.Culminating in operating a fleet of 22 lorries and employing nearly 30 staff Williams Brothers was sold in two parts in 1991. The retail side went locally and the wholesale side went to an old established concern that Dilwyn's family had dealt with when the business started in the 1920's .

Today after an illustrious career in local politics and a generous donor to many charities Dilwyn is still heavily involved in many local organisations including the British Red Cross, as a former President of mid and south-west Wales,"Break Through" in Carmarthen, Vale of Tywi RFC, Llanegwad Senior Citizens and Rotary Clubs both in Carmarthen and Llandeilo.

Following the talk the vote of thanks was given by Rotarian Councillor Gordon Kilby current Mayor of Llandeilo Fawr Town Council.

                                     

 Rotarian Dilwyn Williams, President Ken Griffith and Rotarian Councillor Gordon Kilby Mayor of Llandeilo Fawr Town Council.
 

10.06.2016 Ploughman's Lunch

On Friday, 10th June Llandeilo Rotary Club will hold their annual Ploughman's Lunch at the Civic Hall in Llandeilo. President Ken Griffith is no stranger to this major charitable fund raising event having been President in 2009-2010. The Ploughman's Lunch brings together the people of Llandeilo and surrounds together to raise monies for Llandeilo Rotary Club's chosen charities. This year President Ken has chosen  Cancer Research Wales and Ty Hafan and the proceeds of this event will go entirely to these two charities. The afternoon will be opened by the Mayor of Llandeilo, Town Councillor     Colin Jenkins followed by an address by President Ken.

                

5.5.2016 Rtn Dilwyn Williams, Guest Speaker

On Thursday evening 5 May Rotarian Dilwyn Williams was the guest speaker at his club Llandeilo Rotary. Dilwyn chose to speak about the family business Williams Brothers of Nantgaredig founded by his father in 1926 as coal merchants. Dilwyn's talk incorporated a lot of humour when he mentioned that his father was 26 years older than his mother and recalled that he saw his father as a battery chicken that fancied a free range hen! The William's family including Mr Williams senior, Dilwyn and his brother John rapidly expanded their business that progressed when Dilwyn's father bought him a lorry at 17 years of age.Taking his driving test Dilwyn failed the first time but passed on his second attempt. The examiner was a Harry Kybett who told the young Dilwyn following his failed attempt, "Mr Williams you have to anticipate what's coming round the corner". This saying stuck with Dilwyn for the rest of his business life. The business continued to grow and the family began to sell the heavier side of building materials including bricks, lime and stones.The market was changing and customers wanted coal supplied in bags and carried into their coal houses.To diversify, the business also went into the cement business buying two concrete mixers and hiring these to farmers who wanted to undertake their own work.At the same time the company obtained an agency with Aberthaw Cement.However Dilwyn remarked that the money was in the coal. By now Williams Brothers were selling 18-24 tons of coal per day in bags. To illustrate the physical work this entailed Dilwyn brought his own coal shovel with him suitably engraved. 

27.02.2016 St David's Day comes early for Llandeilo Rotary Club
 

Llandeilo Rotary Club celebrated St David's Day early at the White Hart, Llandeilo on Friday evening 26 February. President Ken Griffiths organised the evening at the White Hart, Llandeilo that was well attended by Rotarians, their wives and Ladies of Inner Wheel including President Karen Davies of Ammanford Club.

Artist for the evening  Ben Montague, who is the accompanist for Cor Meibion Dinefwr of Llandeilo, played a number of his own piano pieces and at the end of the evening President Ken had put together the words of a number of Welsh songs including Calon Lan, Rachie,We'll keep a welcome, Eli Jenkins's Prayer and Southcote. The singing went well as a number of the audience were members of several local choirs.

 President of Ammanford Inner Wheel Karen Davies, President Ken Griffiths and Marjut Griffiths.

 

                            

Presidentof Ammanford Inner Wheel Karen Davies, President Ken Griffiths and Marjut Griffiths

 

19.02.2016  Llandeio Rotary's newest member gives talk to club

On Thursday 18 February Llandeilo Rotary Club's newest member was the guest speaker and his talk was entitled " My Lives so far". Gordon Kilby was introduced by Past President Kevin Sivyer. Gordon well known in Llandeilo and the surrounding area is the present Mayor of Llandeilo and gave Rotarians an insight into his interesting and varied career.
Gordon's working life started with a 6 year stint in the banking world. As Gordon put it he escaped from banking and trained as a teacher. In 1983 he entered the world of politics and stood as a candidate in the election in Coventry South East achieving 25% of the total vote and supported by such distinguished figures as Paddy Ashdown and Charles Kennedy. Gordon's interest of music was however the love of his life and he was later invited to join the Music Exam's Board when attending the Guildhall School of Music in London.He was then involved in the marking of exams for the next 20 years.This took him to the Far East where he worked in many countries including Borneo and Malaysia.Eventually he worked his way to becoming Chief Examiner.This career spanned 41 years as an examiner for Guildhall and Trinity and took him all over the world to countries as diverse as Spain, Ireland,Thailand, Hong Kong, USA and New Zealand.Gordon commented that the Malaysian and Chinese students were very talented and very competative and many of the mainly girl students passed their exams with distinctions.
Gordon also mentioned that on one occasion returning to reexamine some of the students a number of years later in Malaysia they still recognised him and brought him presents not as a bribe but for luck and to welcome him back to their country.
To conclude, Gordon has now retired from being a Music Examiner at 75 years of age and has now embarked on what he referred to as a "new life".
Past President Brian Carroll gave the vote of thanks and wished Gordon an interesting career ahead following his year as Mayor.

 

              
 President Ken Griffiths, Mayor Gordon Kilby and Past President Brian Carroll.

07.01.2016 Llandeilo Rotary Club presents cheque and welcomes new member

Llandeilo Rotary Club had a full evening when on Thursday, 7th January they presented one of their charities with a cheque and a little later welcomed a new member.
Following a Grand Concert held at St Teilo's Church, Llandeilo on October 17th to raise funds for Ty Cymorth Hospice Appeal a cheque for £1,050 was presented by President Ken Griffiths to David Harris representing Ty Cymorth. David, a Rotarian of 25 years, is both the Treasurer and Vice Chairman of the Trustees for the appeal thanked Rotarians for their efforts in particular Past President Kevin Sivyer who arranged the venue and the artists for the evening.
David went on to say that Llandeilo Rotary was not the strongest but was one of the most dedicated clubs in Wales.He also remarked that the raising of funds for charities generally has become more difficult and that this amount would be put to good use and would benefit children and their families in the future.Rotarian Kevin responded and mentioned that he was arranging another charity concert for next year.
The evening finished with Past President Kevin Sivyer introducing the new member, who he nominated to the club, the Mayor of Llandeilo and Councillor Gordon Kilby.Gordon a professional musician and a lover of Gilbert and Sullivan musicals recalled that he first came to the club in June 2015 when elected Mayor.Mayors of Llandeilo are automatically asked by the club to become honorary members.However Gordon with his interest in Rotary desired from the onset to become a full member and assured Rotarians that he would serve the club and adhere to the Rotary motto "Service above Self".

                      
  David Harris receiving a cheque from President Ken Griffiths with Rotarian Kevin Sivyer.
                    
  Mayor and Councillor Gordon Kilby, President Ken Griffiths with Rotarian Kevin Sivyer.

19.11.2015 Presentations to Charities

On Thursday, 19th November Immediate Past President Michael Taylor presented cheques on behalf of Llandeilo Rotary Club to Marie James representing the National Autistic Society and to Bethan Palfrey representing Parkinson's UK.Michael who was President of the club 2014-2015 supported both of the charities during his year as both have special and personal meanings to him. The evening was started by Bethan who informed her audience that she had only just started in her position some 8 weeks ago and stressed that every hour someone is diagnosed as having Parkinson's in the UK.Bethan said that the cheque for £2000 would be used to fund research and the various therapies that her charity undertakes. Marie thanked Rotarians for their efforts in supporting her charity in particular Richard Hughes who over the years has provided the facility of swimming lessons at Pant Glas, Llanfynydd for Autistic children with their families. Marie said the cheque would go towards continuing this facility and many other activities in the future.Finally President Ken Griffith thanked both Bethan and Marie for their kind words.

                             

President Ken Griffith, Bethan Palfrey, Past President Richard Hughes, Marie James and Immediate Past President Michael Taylor.

15.11.2015 Llandeilo Osteopath is Rotary guest

On Thursday, 5th November Llandeilo Rotary Club welcomed their guest speaker
David Rodway who entertained members of the club with an illustrated talk on
Osteopathy.
David who graduated from the School of Osteopathy in 1979 and now, practices 
in Llandeilo gave his audience a history of Osteopathy that had its origins 
in the American state of Missouri in the 1860's.A certain Andrew Taylor
a county Doctor began practicing and in those days David informed us the only
painkillers were Alcohol, Mercury, Caffeine, Digitalis, Cocaine and very little
else. Dr Taylor saw Osteopathy as engineers for the body and drew a parallel of
the human body as to the workings of a steam locomotive in those early days.
David related that Osteopathy became recognised in Kirksville USA in the 1870's
and his illustrations showed a stark contrast between the original building to
the state of the art building that houses the profession in the 21st Century.
He recalled that the profession was set up in Britain in 1910 by Dr
Martin Littlejohn then at Buckingham Gate in London before moving near to the
Elephant and Castle. In Wales the representation is at Swansea University.
David finalised his talk by informing his audience that the treatment involves 
no equipment and is hands on only and that every patient is different and the 
pain of his patients is more often than not caused from another part of the 
body and not from the source. The evening finished with a host of questions 
with some Rotarians hinting at a personal diagnosis!
Past President delivered the vote of thanks and mentioned that his only 
tenuous link with Osteopathy is through his daughter who is a Physiotherapist.

    
 Senior Vice President Martin Peake and David Rodway.  

17.10.2015 Wynne Evans and supporting artistes feature as Llandeilo Rotary Club hold 'Voices for Hospices' Concert

Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) speaker addresses Llandeilo Rotary Club

20.08.2015 FfionHaf talk on Memingitis Now

On Thursday evening, 20^th August Llandeilo Rotary Club entertained their guest speaker Ffion Hâf of Meningitis Now. Ffion was welcomed by Past President David Owen and the evening was of special interest to David as he lost his sister a few years ago to Meningitis.  Ffion informed her audience that Meningitis is made up of two major groups Bacterial and Viral strains, of which the bacterial strain is the most serious.  She added that some 500,000 people in Britain have had Meningitis with 4,000 people every year contracting the serious bacterial form and twice as many people contracting the viral form.  Ffion gave some statistics in that there are three age groups at rick. They are 0-6 years of age who are most at risk, followed by 15-24 years old and finally the over 55’s. The disease is very widespread in young students.  This due to the fact  of their close contact during working and socialising and  leading to the stress that occurs leading up to and during their examinations.  This is part of ongoing research.  Ffion said that viral Meningitis is the most common form but the least understood and that with the viral form most people will not realise they have the infection but  it is usually not life threatening.  She went on to add that with the bacterial form 1 in 10 people carry the bacteria in the nose or back of the throat but this is kept in check by the body.  This incidence increases to a 3 in 10 incidence in young people.  Ffion went on to say that the picture is improving with a vaccination for bacterial Meningitis having saved thousands of lives and that ongoing funding research over the past 25 years has resulted in a vaccine being available for babies under the age 4 months.  To sum up Ffion, who in Meningitis circles is known as “Miss Wales”, gave her audience an idea of the services provided by Meningitis Now including Home visits, Nurse led Helplines, Counselling, Family days, financial support, Specialist Wheel chairs and Home adaptations and monies given for headstones etc.:Following numerous questions Past President Richard Hughes proposed the vote of thanks.

 Past President Richard Hughes, President Ken Griffiths, Ffion Hâf and Senior Vice President Martin Peake.

30.07.2015 Rotarian's daughter speaks to Llandeilo Rotary Club

On Thursday, 30th July Llandeilo Rotary Club welcomed their guest speaker Jenny Donaldson daughter of Biddy and Rotarian Robert Donaldson of Salem who spokeabout her recent holiday
in the Central American country of Costa Rica. Jenny,who works for Natural England based in Taunton, Somerset, has a Degree in Environmental Conservation and chose Costa Rica as it is one of the most biodiversity hotspots on Earth. Jenny gave her audience some facts on thecountry that is situated between Nicaragua and Panama with a population of 4.5million and abolished its military
and army in 1948.She described the country ashaving wonderful scenery and wildlife with 6 distinctive weather zones , no real Winter and average temperatures of between 20-30 Centigrade with an average of12 hours sunshine per day. The country has 5% of the world's biodiversity withover 800 species of bird, 9,000 species of plant, 34,000 species of insect, 380reptiles and amphibians and 205 species of mammal.Over 25% of the country'slandmass is devoted to National Parks and the main exports are fruits, coffee,sugar, cocoa and cattle. The only downside Jenny added was the number of activevolcanoes of which there are seven out of a total of 122 volcanic formations. Inaddition there are between two and forty earthquakes on average everymonth.Jenny's talk
prompted a lot of questions from an appreciative audience andthe vote of thanks was delivered by Rotarian John Hastings.

 Past President Rob Donaldson, Biddy Donaldson, President Ken Griffiths,Jenny Donaldson, Senior Vice President Martin Peake & Rotarian John Hastings.
 

25.06.2015 Rotary Club greets new President for 2015