A SPATE of crimes has been reported in Kidwelly, Trimsaran, Mynyddygarreg and Carway over the last month — including the assault of a police officer.

Sergeant Stuart Bell, who has just taken over from Heulwen Aston on the Kidwelly patch, gave an update on crimes in the area during April while at the latest town council meeting.

Sergeant Bell, who previously worked as a roads police officer, said 21 crimes had been reported in the area, including one incident of violent crime against PCSO Joe Gardiner.

He said: "One of our PCSOs has been assaulted. Someone is on bail and will be charged.

"As far as criminal damage is concerned, there have been various isolated incidents, including damage to an abandoned car in Kidwelly, which has been off the road for nearly 20 years and the boundary fence near Trimsaran has been clipped.

"There was also an incident in Parc Pendre where a group of youths were involved in an incident and have been located and dealt with."

Sergeant Bell added that inquiries were underway regarding a burglary in Maes y Wern, Carway, where two off-road motorcycles were taken from an unsecured outbuilding, while an abandoned property had been broken into at Maes y Haf, in Kidwelly.

"There are no neighbouring properties and no possibility of house-to-house inquiries, there are some scenes of crime inquiries that we are pursuing, but nothing is coming back from those at the moment," he said.

"Metal theft continues to be an issue across Wales, I have done quite a lot of metal theft work in the county myself so I know of the issues there.

"A copper tank was removed from an unoccupied building — a small holding in Mynyddygarreg — but we have not matched a suspect to that as of yet.

"At the Charles Church building site in Mynyddygarreg some copper and lead was taken from the site. They have been given some advice on how to secure their property better."

Discussing the issue of misuse of drugs, the sergeant added that there had been three cannabis offences, adding that his team were currently working on several warrants in the area.

And he issued a plea for anyone with information to bring it forward to them.

"Any information you can give us regarding the misuse of drugs, metal theft or suspicious vehicles laden with metal or anything which suggests suspicious activity, particularly around building sites, would be gratefully received," he said.

He added that eight of the offences had been detected, with a year-to-date detection rate of 38.1 per cent.

"That will go up because there are more crimes to be detected from April," Mr Bell said.

Kidwelly mayor Lynda Finch-Jones thanked the force on behalf of the council for doing such a good job of fighting crime in the area.

KIDWELLY'S annual charity hunger lunch has been hailed a success after raising £750 for a good cause.

The event, which has been running for the last 20 years, was held in aid of Christian Aid week.

Cathrin Daniel, of Christian Aid Wales, was the guest speaker at the event, which is organised by representatives from all the different churches in the town.

Guests enjoyed a bowl of cawl, while cakes were also on offer — all donated from local organisations including Burns Pet Nutrition.

Dorian ReevE, secretary of the Kidwelly and Mynyddygarreg Branch of Christian Aid, said: "It went well, it was really excellent.

"Everybody pulled together for Christian Aid — it is always a hectic round of fundraising every year.

"This is one of the main events to raise money and this year once again we returned to Kidwelly Rugby Club, which has excellent facilities.

"We held a raffle and an auction and we have also been collecting money at ASDA and Kidwelly Post Office.

"We are hoping to raise £2,000 for the cause this year and we are well on our way with the £750 from this event."

WELSH schools are facing up to the prospect of having a separate exam system to neighbouring England.

Any move away from the traditional GCSE and A-level qualification system is sure to provoke widespread debate in Wales but the prospect is a distinct possibility following comments from Michael Gove, the Government's Education Secretary.

In a letter to the education ministers of Wales and Northern Ireland, Mr Gove said that it is time for them to go a separate way on GCSEs and A-levels.

He labelled it "a natural and legitimate consequence of devolution".

The Welsh Government has to take urgent steps to ensure confidence in the Welsh exam system, according to Plaid Cymru.

Shadow Education Minister Simon Thomas, of Plaid, said: "I have tabled an emergency question in the Senedd to get a discussion on the next steps for Wales. The Welsh Government must take urgent steps to ensure confidence in the system.

"Plaid Cymru is calling for the creation of Examinations Wales as an independent regulator as soon as possible to ensure confidence in the system and ensure standards do not fall."

Roberto De Benedictis, who is a teacher at Llangatwg Comprehensive School, divisional secretary of the Tawe Afan Nedd branch of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and elected member of the General Teaching Council, said: "It has got to the stage that England are going it alone, they have a curriculum, different inspection system, academies and own qualifications, employers and higher education are going to be totally confused. It is fine if you want to remain in Wales but not if you want to go further afield."

Pointing to the highly successful education system in Finland, he added: "Those who run education in Finland are teachers not politicians.

"The people who should be leading our educational system are the teachers, those making the decisions don't know what they are talking about, they have never been in the classroom."

A NEATH stylist who holds body images and self-esteem workshops in schools has spoken at the Assembly's Cross-Party Group on Eating Disorders.

Image consultant Wenda James-Rowe was invited to speak at the group last night by chair, South Wales West regional AM Bethan Jenkins.

Miss Jenkins said: "The Cross-Party Group has been arguing for some time that eating disorders are a symptom of a deeper problem — one of self- esteem.

"In the past, the Cross-Party Group has asked the Welsh Government to consider self-esteem lessons as part of the curriculum."

Ms James-Rowe, who is originally from Neath but is now based in Cardiff, said she is extremely passionate about helping young people and support them to love the skin they are in.

"Having a positive body image and feeling confident can have such an impact on young children growing up and can help with factors such as eating disorders, self-esteem and also their career aspirations," she said.

CREATIVE children from Saron school in Ammanford have named an oil tanker for a Carmarthenshire company.

The school was approached by OJ Williams based in St Clears to name one of it tankers as part of its work with charities and organisations within the community.

After reviewing the vast amount of entries from pupils, staff at the school selected the name Rhosyn Saron as a tribute to the school and the Welsh translation for a rose (rhosyn).

The name is now permanently printed on the front grill and cab door of the OJW tanker and will be visible for all to see as it is driven throughout the school's surrounding areas.

Head teacher Gwenda Easton said: "They really enjoyed seeing their ideas transformed into a reality and were so excited to see the tanker arrive at the school."

MORE than 140 people have objected to plans for a 77-metre wind turbine on land north of Lampeter.

Residents in Creuddyn Bridge claim the turbine will be an eyesore and fear it may be the first of several in the area.

It will also be visible from Felinfach, Temple Bar, Talsarn and as far as Llanybydder.

A planning application for the turbine has been received by Ceredigion Council by London-based renewable energy firm Livos Energy on land owned by the Parry family.

Judith and Chris Bowler who live at Cefn Bysmawr — less than one kilometre from the proposed turbine site — said they and others living in the area had several concerns.

Mrs Bowler added: "This turbine will have a huge impact on the area and will be visible from a wide area.

"We are also concerned with drainage issues because around 13 homes rely on water springs and the concrete base needed for such a turbine could upset the water table and drainage on the land below.

"There is a strong level of opposition towards this."

Full story — page 14

SPORTING enthusiasts are being encouraged to support a new touch rugby league which is being launched in Newcastle Emlyn.

The league, organised by Emlyn-based members of the West Wales regional touch team the Red Kites/Barcutiaid Coch who recently represented the region in the Wales Touch Nationals in Swansea, is holding a free taster evening on Friday, from 6.30pm to 8pm.

It is open to anyone aged 14 or above.

Organiser Curtis Bradford says: "We are hoping to get plenty of people along to the night.

"It is a great way to improve fitness and have some fun with friends.

"This is a mixed league so we would like to see some ladies come along and give it a go alongside the men."

If this touch taster gets a good following, the league will then launch the following week, Friday, May 31.

Touch rugby player and enthusiast Matthew Adams said: "It's an open sport for all abilities and levels of fitness."

Full story — page 19

A BURRY Port man whose house was broken into while his elderly mother was home alone has spoken out after a spate of burglaries on his road.

Martyn Roberts, who lives in Gwscwm Road with his 87-year-old mother Marjorie, has warned neighbours to be vigilant after police launched an investigation into two daylight burglaries at homes in the street.

Police said cash and jewellery were stolen from houses on Wednesday, May 8. Mr Roberts's home was broken into in October, and following a police appeal for information about the recent burglaries, he spoke out about the effect it had on him.

"It's frightening — especially for my mother," he said.

"She never goes out. She is in the window here all the time, watching in case anybody comes up. She's very nervous."

He said the pair had moved into the property 10 years ago, and had not experienced any problems until the break-in in October.

"This is the first time there's been anything," he said. "Whether it is linked to these burglaries, we don't know.

"I left to go up to Marks & Spencer. By the time I came back there were about three police cars here.

"The burglar thought the house was empty. He actually had a crowbar and took the whole section of the door out, which the police had never seen before.

"But we were lucky. It could have been used to attack my mother."

Speaking to Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council on Wednesday, Sergeant Stuart Bell said: "There were two break-ins during daybreak hours. We are actively looking into it. We don't have any suspects at this stage.

"There are a couple of suspect vehicles we are looking at and a number of forensic leads."

Councillor Pat Jones said: "I'm a bit concerned about Gwscwm Road. This is not the first time we've had thefts in daylight. They seem to be targeting the front houses where there are very vulnerable people.

"We've never had any problems there before.

"For that to go on in the middle of the day when everyone can see, that must have been very, very frightening for the people."

Mr Bell said: "It's going to be very upsetting for the occupants."

He said police were trying to establish a link between the Gwscwm Road crimes and two similar incidents in Hendy, in which jewellery and cash were stolen from houses on Llanedi Road on April 30 and Heol y Parc on May 7.

Councillors asked police to consider placing a mobile camera on the street in case of any further incidents.

Mrs Jones said: "I think that would give residents more confidence. I would be afraid to go out of the house."

Mr Bell added: "It's something we are taking very, very seriously."

Anyone who has seen anything suspicious should call police on 101.

KIDWELLY residents have been getting crafty for a good cause.

The event, held at the Trinity Methodist Church, in Bridge Street, featured a variety of items including wood carvings, wood-turning, handmade cards and handmade jewellery.

There were also preserves, cakes, small paintings, ceramics and other items on sale.

Church treasurer Margaret Morgan said: "It went very well and was a great success.

"It was well attended all through the day and there was a very good variety of stuff on offer that was all made locally."

The proceeds of the event, which are still being added up, will go towards the circuit fund, which gets divided between all the churches in Llanelli and Carmarthenshire.

The event comes shortly before the annual art and craft exhibition at the church, which this year will take place from Saturday, July 27, and will continue for a fortnight.

KIDWELLY: A spate of crimes has been reported in Kidwelly, Trimsaran, Mynyddygarreg and Carway over the last month — including the assault of a police officer.

Sergeant Stuart Bell said someone was on bail for the alleged offence against PCSO Joe Gardiner.

Full story — page 2

PEMBREY: A businessman has opened up about overcoming his stammer after becoming patron of a national charity supporting stammerers.

Arwel Richards, 30, is hoping to help fellow sufferers overcome the disability and not let it stand in the way of success.

Full story — page 9

BURRY PORT: Organisers of the National Eisteddfod have invited businesses to get in touch after councillors called for assurances the town would benefit from the event.

The town has been asked to donate £18,000 towards the festival, which is being held in Llanelli next year.

Full story — page 8

THE community of Kidwelly has been left stunned by the death of a "wonderful and caring" former cafe owner.

Anne Foligno Evans passed away at her Westhill Crescent home after a long-running battle with cancer.

The news sent a shock wave through the town, and tributes continue to pour in from friends and family mourning the loss of the much-loved 61-year-old.

Paying tribute to his wife of 21 years, Martyn Evans said: "It's hard, it has not really sunk in yet.

"She was the love of my life, I can't imagine life without her.

"My lasting memories will be of a wonderful, caring person who was wonderfully brave and courageous."

Mrs Evans was part of the Antoniazzi family, which owned the former Central Cafe on Bridge Street — which is now the Taj Mahal Indian takeaway.

In its heyday it was better known as Angie's cafe, due to the community's affection for Mrs Evans's mother, from whom she inherited the running of the business.

A hugely popular ice cream sold at the cafe is fondly remembered by residents.

Mrs Evans was also a former member of the town's civic society, and a member of the Slimming World social team, being hailed as an inspiration by fellow members for her efforts in losing four stone.

Her main interests in life were her family, including Mark, her son from her first marriage, stepson Jonathan, grandchildren Rachael, 15, Amy, 12, and Jon, 6, as well as her three step grandchildren.

But Mrs Evans fought a re-occurring battle with cancer, which she was diagnosed with on three occasions since the age of 19.

Her family was only told the extent of her illness three weeks before her death, something they chose not to tell her.

Mr Evans said: "We never told her about it, but I think she knew she was seriously ill.

"She had been through illness most of her life but she never showed it.

"She wanted to shield it away from her son and the rest of the close family.

"She battled through it and she just got on with it — she was an inspiration to many."

Mr Evans added that the support from the community had been overwhelming, with cards pouring through the door and the phone ringing off the hook.

"Everyone is stunned and saddened by her death," he said.

"People still used to stop her in the street to ask how she was and talk about her mother and the cafe."

Mrs Evans's funeral will take place tomorrow at St Mary's Church from 2pm.

Town mayor, Lynda Finch-Jones said: "Anne was such a kind lady, a person who touched many hearts.

"She will be greatly missed in our community."

HUW Jenkins has fired a warning shot to clubs thinking of bidding for Swansea City's players by declaring: "We do not need to sell."

Ashley Williams, Michel Vorm and Michu are among Swansea's players who have attracted interest from other clubs this season.

But with Swansea announcing record profits of £15.9m for the six months up to the end of November 2012, Jenkins is more concerned about strengthening the squad. Talks are ongoing to extend Jonathan de Guzman's stay at the Liberty, while Swansea will also be looking to bolster their attack when on-loan striker Itay Shechter leaves.

And although Jenkins expects clubs to be circling this summer, he is adamant that they have the necessary funds to keep their prized assets.

"I think other clubs know that we're in a strong position financially," he said.

"Not only do we earn respect on the field, people know how we work off the field as well.

"Clubs know where we're at if anyone comes in for our players, and we'll deal with that if and when they do."

One player who will certainly be leaving the Liberty Stadium is Shechter, who managed just one goal during his season-long loan from Kaiserslautern.

Jenkins said: "His loan runs out in May or June and I wouldn't expect him back with us next year."

Swansea's chairman was a little more coy about another loanee, Roland Lamah, who joined on an 18-month deal from Osasuna in January.

The Belgian winger has struggled to make an impact during his time at the Liberty, and Jenkins said the club would "wait and see" before deciding on his future this summer.

Swansea will also have to be patient in their bid to sign de Guzman permanently from his Spanish parent club Villarreal.

"Over the next few weeks we're going to make a decision and find out what we need to do to keep him here next season," said Jenkins.

"Michael's made his feelings known, that he'd like to keep him, and we'll see where we go from there.

"We've talked to his agent and there is an option in place (to buy him permanently) which we're fully aware of.

"But on the other side, it comes down to what the player wants and what his club, Villarreal, want.

"Like most things in football these days, it's going to be down to the player to decide where his future lies."

Meanwhile, Swansea midfielder Leon Britton is set to undergo a double-hernia operation, but is expected to be fit for the start of next season.

WE'VE changed —  for the better!

For the first time, our website and newspaper have the same name.

But while www.southwales- eveningpost.co.uk may look different, it still offers the same great news, sport and entertainment service, with more yet to come. The new site will replace thisissouthwales.co.uk

It will offer many, many more opportunities for our audience to interact with each other as well as ourselves.

The South Wales Evening Post is always evolving as we seek to maintain our position as Wales's biggest selling newspaper.

We have a readership of more than 115,000 people each day.

It is fair to say, our success is thanks to all of you. Our commitment to the paper and its readers remains steadfast.

In print, six nights a week, we will never stop reporting the stories and features that are important to you: The Swans' Premier League success; giving a voice to people who feel they have been wronged, and; helping charitable and other organisations raise much-needed funds. Recently we asked you to help us consider the name of your newspaper — the majority of you said keep it the same, so that's what we did.

And that name also sits proudly at the top of our new website.

It is available on your PC or laptop, your tablet computer, your phone, or any other means you have to access the internet.

You can read it sat on your sofa, in a cafe, on a train — practically anywhere you want to.

As well as reading, you can share, tweet, Facebook and talk with friends and strangers.

Our digital audience has exploded in the past six months alone, with the number of unique visitors (individuals counted once when they come on to the site no matter how many stories they visit) increasing by more than 53.1 per cent in that time.

We now average 18,640 such visitors each day, an average of 380,128 per month.

The new site is a more visual experience with video and pictures becoming the benchmark of content rather than thousands of words.

Most importantly, over the next few months there will be several new elements to make the site much more interactive — not just between the audience and us but between the audience themselves, with little or no involvement from us. You will be able to post your own pictures and videos of family or community events; highlight and boast about your own activity or amateur sports club achievements; promote and report on your own societies or social occasions; write your own blogs and newsletters or features on special interest groups. It can be funny or serious, worthy or wacky. The choice will be yours!

Nothing will be too small or too niche and ALL of this information will be given access to the huge audience —  local, national and international. Regular updates on these developments and the opportunities they bring will be flagged up on the site with guidelines on how to take part. It will be easy.

There will be checks on the site content but it is our intention to leave well alone where possible.

Why not wait until this is all ready? Well, with all such launches nothing is ever going to be perfect on day one and it would be arrogant to suggest it will be. That's why we have a feedback form available to give us your thoughts (try to keep the suggestions and criticisms constructive) of what we should do or not do to make your experience better.

Is the site different from the one we have currently? Most definitely. Will everyone like it straight away? Unlikely. Will there be advertising? This is a big audience and yes, advertisers will want to be part of that. We are not taxpayer-funded like the BBC.

Hopefully, by working together, this will become a much better experience in the near future. That's the aim.

The thisissouthwales.co.uk site will continue for two months or so as people get used to the new site before it is switched off.

As always, we will try the best we can. Do we always get it right? No. Do we always try to get it right? Yes. Will we correct mistakes? Yes.

We are grateful that many thousands of people still find the South Wales Evening Post part of their daily or family life.

Our new southwales- eveningpost.co.uk site and its associated mobile, Twitter, Facebook and other linked platforms is just another addition to our family.

We hope you will find it enjoyable; take part in its development and, hopefully, make it a valued part of community life.

To comment on what you'd like the site to deliver go to: www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk and follow the link from the home page. Thanks for taking an interest.

MP Geraint Davies has said winning UK City of Culture 2017 would underpin Swansea's position as the true cultural centre of South Wales.

Speaking in a Westminster debate about the prestigious title, the Swansea West MP said "thriving universities" and innovative industries put the city "very much on the cusp of the future".

The Swansea Bay city region, which includes Carmarthen and Neath Port Talbot, is competing with 12 other UK cities to be named City of Culture in 2017.

The winner will be the second city to hold the title after Derry/Londonderry.

Mr Davies told MPs: "Choirs and the history of singing and music are also important for our bid, as is the setting of Swansea Bay city region.

"We have some 'pier' pressure from Southend, but Mumbles pier is a great pier and Joe's ice cream is fantastic, and I confess that I would prefer it to the ice cream that can be found in Southend."

He also looked ahead to next year's Dylan Thomas centenary celebrations and said Swansea had "to build on the wider Dylan Thomas brand".

Llanelli MP Nia Griffith, who also spoke in the debate, said Swansea's bid was supported by Llanelli firm Tinopolis, which had "a tremendous tradition in south Carmarthenshire of cultural and industrial heritage".

She added: "Its latest venture, the state-of-the-art Ffwrness Theatre and associated venues, offers fantastic opportunities, from the more traditional male voice choirs and Llanelli proms, to avant-garde groups, such as Llanelli Youth Theatre."