GLAMORGAN are facing another backs-to-the-wall scrap in their LV= County Championship clash with Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.
The home side were 330-8 at the close of day two, a lead of 106.
It means Glamorgan will have to again dig deep to avoid a first defeat of the second division campaign.
Jim Allenby tempted Michael Carberry (66) into a mistimed drive to give the Welsh county their first wicket of a day interrupted by rain showers.
Tom Helm celebrated his first wicket for the county when he had Liam Dawson caught behind for 64, but Hampshire were making steady progress towards and beyond Glamorgan's first innings total of 224.
Graham Wagg, the county's shining light of the season so far, trapped the in-form James Vince (61) leg before with the score on 246, then removed Joe Gatting soon after.
Late flurries from Sean Ervine, Michael Bates and Kyle Abbott eventually put the hosts into a very strong position.
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Hampshire v Glamorgan Day 2 report
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Prince's Trust calls for mentors to lead the way
THE Prince's Trust is calling for volunteers to act as business mentors to youngsters who have taken part in one of its programmes.
And the trust is hoping the experience of Kylie Hearne will prove inspirational in its search.
Kylie, from Swansea, had a difficult life until she sought help from The Prince's Trust.
As a teenager, psychological issues, including obsessive–compulsive disorder and depression, led to regular counselling and the knowledge that she would be coping with the conditions for the rest of her life.
She had to leave university when her brother fell ill and found herself working 90 hours a week to support them both. Although she managed to return, and graduate the following year, she then struggled to find a full-time job that would give her the money she needed to support herself.
But she came across The Prince's Trust Enterprise programme when researching the possibility of starting a business based on her passion for fashion, and has never looked back.
Kylie was assigned a business mentor to support her with her online venture Stardust Boutique to sell gowns for beauty pageants, quickly attracting customers from all over the UK.
She has since become a Prince's Trust Ambassador and has represented the charity at 10 Downing Street, where she met Prime Minister David Cameron.
"I have never been so happy," said Kylie.
"I am running my own business, my life is under control and I am working in a job that I love."Mentoring opportunities are available by calling Bob Priddle on 02920 431500 or emailing robert.priddle@princes-trust.org.uk
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Clydach couple launch children's book - The Largest Rabbit - to raise money for abandoned racing greyhounds
A CLYDACH couple who dedicate their lives to helping abandoned racing greyhounds have brought out a new book to raise funds.
Chris Dignam and his wife Armelle have taken in a host of long legged beauties over the year, in various states of neglect and dishevelment. They say their home wouldn't be the same without a rescue greyhound nudging them off the sofa.
Having set up their own publishing company, called Crafty Dog Books Cymru, the latest book, The Largest Rabbit, was launched at the Greyhound Rescue Wales Last Hope sponsored walk.
Mr Dignam said: "It is a children's book aimed at the eight to 12 years age group and it tells the story of a little bundle thrown from a speeding car and rescued by a pair of rabbits. The youngster that emerges says his name is Rubbish, because that's what the people said he was, and though he thinks he is a rabbit like the ones that take him in, as the weeks go past he gets to look less and less like them."
Meanwhile, Mrs Dignam runs a small business making jams and chutneys and decorated glassware, to raise funds.
Currently, they are sharing their home with Penny, a former racer taken in after she was found abandoned Mid Wales covered in tick bite wounds and dangerously underfed.
Over the years they have come across lots of dogs in similar states. One, Sally, arrived with a puncture wound where she'd been stabbed.
Thousands of greyhounds, most of them former racers, are left at roadsides to starve when they have outlived their racing days and many are killed because they are no longer money spinners for their owners.
Buy the book at crafty-dog- cymru.co.uk or Cover to Cover in Mumbles.
Clydach
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Woman gave boyfriend fake alibi - because his mother told her to
A WOMAN gave her then-boyfriend a false alibi because his mother told her to, a court heard.
Jamie Hough had been out with Matthew Davies when Davies became involved in a disturbance in the city centre.
CCTV had recorded the incident and police attended.
When asked at the scene to give her details to a police officer, Hough, aged 21, from High Street in Abergwynfi, did so.
But she then went home, and before police arrived to take her statement, she claimed Davies's mother rang and told her to tell officers the pair had been at home together at the time of the incident.
When an officer arrived to take her statement, she told him just that, despite being warned that lying could land her in court, prosecutor Robin Rouch told Swansea Crown Court.
Hough claimed she felt under pressure to lie for Davies.
Hours later, when Hough went to the police station to collect her partner from custody, she was arrested and later pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.
Recorder Robert Britton told Hough it was a "shame" she was before the court but said she had to realise the seriousness of the offence she had committed — he gave her a nine-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and her told to complete 80 hours of unpaid work.
Davies received a community order for his part in the incident.
Courts news
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Prey on ITV review: No happy ending then, not really...
ONLY a happy ending would do after the emotional ride we've had with Prey on ITV.
And we had one, of sorts, a hug for his father, from a son.
But, as has been the case with every aspect of this top-class drama, even the happy ending was tainted.
Tainted, of course, by the crime committed at the very start, the murder of a wife and a child. This isn't Disney, they didn't magically come back to life at the end.
But the knowledge that the grief would be waiting for Marcus Farrow (John Simm) if he ever managed to prove his innocence, was what kept us rooting for him from the very moment he spat out the words "I didn't do it" at investigating officer Susan Reinhart (Rosie Cavaliero).
The third episode was at slightly less of a breakneck pace than the first two, but no les gripping.
In the first episode, we had the tension of what was to come, the gruelling nature of the crime itself and the immediate aftermath, and the anger as an innocent man is told off-hand one of his two sons is dead.
Act two was the chase and the gradual unravelling.
But in act three, it was back to close-ups again as the tired and the weary confronted their own demons and each other.
Anastasia Hille, who played DCI Andrea Mackenzie, was one of the stand-out performers in this final act.
As her world crumbled around her because of a series of events which she had initially had no control over, in which she was the first victim, she became what she had set out to destroy - a bad person.
But then that was what Prey was all about - a challenge to perceptions of good and evil. Farrow, pushed just a little further, might have become the killer he denied being. He very almost did.
Even the real killer had probably never really intended to take two lives that night in the first episode.
So, there was really no happy ending after all then.
Instead, everyone was left with death, mis-trust and grief.
Sounds depressing, doesn't it, but then that's what telly should be about - to make us laugh and cry.
Definitely need to watch an episode of Ricky Gervais's Derek now...
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Aberavon add Jamie Davies to coaching team
ABERAVON'S all-time record points scorer Jamie Davies has been added to the club's coaching team.
And the Wizards have also brought on board Waunarlwydd coach Rob Hill.
The pair will link up with head coach Jason Hyatt and his assistant Barry Maddocks at The Talbot Athletic Ground.
Davies has scored more than 4,000 points for Aberavon over a career spanning 428 games.
He said: "I'm delighted to be taking up the new role as coach. I had a chat to both Jason and Barry when I had the injury to my arm.
"We discussed my future at the club and I was then offered to join the coaching team.
"It is going to be a new challenge and one I am delighted to be doing, especially working with the up and coming youngsters at the club.
"I have also started my coaching qualifications."
Hill has played in the Premiership with Tonmawr, skippering the club when Hyatt was at the helm. He will take on the role of forwards coach.
He said: "After speaking to the coaching team I was delighted to accept the position as forwards coach. I have the same outlook and coaching style as Jason and Barry and I will be up for the challenge."
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Immediate improvements demanded at Neath Port Talbot and Princess of Wales, Bridgend, hospitals after damning report
IMMEDIATE improvements in standards of care must be made at Neath Port Talbot Hospital and Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, the Health Minister has ordered.
It follows an independent report which found serious concerns about the quality of care and patient safety in the two hospitals, both of which are run by Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board.
ABMU has apologised unreservedly to those affected, and said that it accepts all the findings of the report and that action is being taken to address issues raised.
The report – Trusted to Care – by Professor June Andrews and Mark Butler, was commissioned by Health Minister Mark Drakeford after concerns were raised about patient care at the hospitals.
The report makes 18 recommendations, including four for the Welsh Government, which have been accepted in full.
As a result of the report, the Health Minister has ordered: • Immediate improvements to standards of care at Princess of Wales and Neath Port Talbot hospitals.• A series of unannounced spot checks by a ministerial team of experts to check standards of care for elderly patients at district general hospitals in Wales. The spot checks will focus on the delivery of medication, hydration, night time sedation and continence care. This work will be overseen by Prof June Andrews and Sir Ian Carruthers, who has held a number of senior roles in the NHS, including chief executive of NHS South of England.• A new task group, including the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer, will lead the operation of the spot checks and report back to the Health Minister.
Prof Drakeford said: "This review does not make easy reading; it will be particularly difficult for all concerned with the care of older people in these hospitals.
"As the Health Minister, I give my unreserved apology to those individuals and their families whose care has fallen short of what they might expect from the Welsh NHS. I have been shocked by some of what I have read in this report.
"I am determined that nothing of this sort will be tolerated in these two hospitals, in this health board or indeed anywhere else in Wales in the future. I am not going to pick and choose parts of this report. The actions we need to make have been made clear and must be taken as a whole.
"That is why I have ordered a series of actions to ensure that the standards that we demand of our health service are being delivered and to reassure patients.
"I have met the chair and chief executive of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board and made it clear I expect immediate improvements to patient care at both hospitals."
All health boards in Wales will have four weeks to consider the report and its recommendations.
Prof Drakeford added: "I do not believe the failings outlined in this report are widespread in hospitals throughout Wales. But I am instigating a series of special spot checks in hospitals across the country to test standards of care and reassure patients.
"Let me be clear, while finding many areas of concern, the report also highlights what it describes as exemplary areas of care at both hospitals.
"It also makes it absolutely clear that what has happened in these hospitals is not and never has been the same as what happened at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust. We have heard that accusation far too many times - this report puts that matter to rest."
The Mid Staffordshire Trust was criticised in February 2013 in a public inquiry headed by Robert Francis QC for causing the "suffering of hundreds of people" in its care between 2005 and 2008.
A statement from ABMU said: "ABM University Health Board again wishes to apologise unreservedly to patients, and their families or carers, who have been let down by the poor care described in the Andrews Report. While we believe most of our care is of a high standard, we openly acknowledge some care has been very poor; this is clearly unacceptable.
"We accept all the findings and recommendations of the Andrews Report without reservation.
"The report makes very uncomfortable reading, and contains tough messages. The sort of poor care it describes cannot and will not be tolerated. High quality care must be consistently provided across all our wards and departments, in all our hospitals, and we will settle for nothing less. We are determined to put things right."
The health board said that when issues were identified at the Princess of Wales Hospital in March last year it took immediate action.
"Some of these actions are already showing progress including an improvement in mortality rates, a reduction in hospital acquired infections and pressure ulcer (bed sores) rates plus 95% positive feedback via the Friends and Family Test (ward-based feedback system).
"However, the improvements to date are still not enough and the Health Board is committed to urgently replacing any remaining pockets of poor care with consistently excellent care.
"We took immediate action when concerns were first raised, and we are taking immediate further action now on the issues raised in this report, particularly in relation to:• Medication• Hydration• Night-time Sedation• Continence care
"The report specifically asks us to develop clear standards for the care of frail older people to address some poor practice highlighted in the report. We will do this as a matter of urgency over the coming weeks with the help of external experts, patients, carers, relatives and frontline teams.
"However, there are some issues in the report which we want to be clear are completely unacceptable and should never happen in any of our hospitals:• Patients being given prescribed medication but then not being observed taking it;• Staff signing the medicines chart to say that a patient has taken medication when they have not seen this;• Inappropriate use of sedation for "aggression";• Patients being told to go to the toilet in bed;• In addition we must ensure that patients are appropriately hydrated.
"We are taking immediate action, including:• Additional staff training on each of the specific issues listed above. This training will be guided by external experts.• An urgent review of the use of sedation• Using a checklist specifically developed to check medication, continence and hydration, both regular and unannounced spot-check inspections will be carried out by senior personnel and Board members• A review will begin of the environment of wards for dementia care
"In addition, we have already:• Commissioned a nationally recognised team of clinical leaders in the field of frail elderly care to help us develop more rigorous ways of ensuring high standards are consistently maintained. • Engaged a firm of external experts who have supported other NHS organisations in major change programmes to work with us from June. This will enable us to ensure the board works in partnership with staff and our citizens to develop shared expectations of standards of care, as has now been recommended in the report.• Put in place a taskforce of experienced staff from various disciplines and professions to supplement the ongoing improvements and push ahead with the report's recommendations.• Reinforced standards through strengthened inspections and monitoring by senior clinical staff and directors."
The board said a detailed action plan setting out the actions over the next 12 months would be going to its next meeting on May 22.
"Over the next 48 hours the chairman, chief executive, director of nursing and medical director are meeting with staff to ensure everybody, no matter what their role, is clear about the high standards of care we must provide for our frail older patients.
"This is our opportunity to work together to achieve what we all want to deliver – excellent patient care – and this report enables us to make the Princess of Wales, Neath Port Talbot and all our other hospitals the best examples of excellent patient care.
"All staff share the responsibility for the safety of our patients – nurses, doctors, pharmacists, managers, support staff and others. We must all take action to ensure that poor or unacceptable practice is eradicated. Where any of us see instances of poor care we must raise these immediately so action can be taken."
Chairman, Professor Andrew Davies, said: "As a Health Board we expect the highest professional standards and behaviours and will not tolerate poor care. This report was very uncomfortable to read but we are determined to emerge as a Health Board where all our hospitals provide excellent, patient-centred, care."
ABM University Health Board Chief Executive, Paul Roberts, said: "This was a painful report to read. We know we have let down some of our patients and their families, and we apologise unreservedly for the distress this has undoubtedly caused.
"I believe the report is, however, a springboard to help us progress even faster in improving care. It has set us some tough challenges in a tight timescale. We will do our utmost to meet them.
"I appreciate that Professor Andrews has also acknowledged examples of exemplary care taking place in both hospitals. I hope this and the determination of the Board goes some way to reassuring patients of our commitment and intention to provide consistently excellent care." You can read the full report in to Neath Port Talbot and Princess of Wales hospitals here.Health
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Two people are taken to hospital following three-car Swansea collision
TWO people had to be taken to hospital following a three car pile-up on a Swansea road.
Police and ambulance were called out to Walter Road in Swansea this morning at 11.05am.
A Welsh Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "We were called at 11.05am this morning to reports of a three-vehicle road traffic collision on Walter Road, Swansea. "Crew in two emergency ambulances attended, and two patients were taken to Morriston Hospital."
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VIDEO: Port Talbot people head to Cardiff to protest closure of M4 junction 41
PORT Talbot campaigners have protested against the closing of motorway junctions in Port Talbot.
Around 100 people — a third of what was expected — flocked to Cardiff Bay to hold a demonstration against the closure of junction 41.
As part of the visit, a petition signed by 22,000 people was handed in to the Welsh Assembly.
An online petition has collected 1,600 names.
Even though a surprising U-turn was announced last Wednesday — which will only see the westbound slipway closed during peak times from August — campaigners have said they will continue to fight against any closures.
Port Talbot fundraiser Captain Beany even rallied the protesters for a sing-song with his campaign tune Harts and Arias.
Meyrick Sheen, dad of Baglan screen star, Michael Sheen, also attended the event.
He said Michael was still supporting the campaign.
"I spoke to Michael in Los Angeles and told him what was going on," he said.
"He wished everybody all the best and to carry on with what they are doing."
Rose David from Cwmavon Road, who set up the online petition, said the day had been "fantastic".
She said: "It is wonderful to see the town united in one voice against this."
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Swansea City old boy Josh McEachran set to return to Liberty as Wales Under-21s face England
FORMER Swansea City midfielder Josh McEachran will return to the Liberty next Monday as part of the England Under-21 squad to face Wales Under-21s in a European Championship qualifier.
Crystal Palace winger Tom Ince, a long-time Swansea target, is also included by Gareth Southgate along with the likes of Saido Berahino, Harry Kane, Wilfried Zaha and Jack Butland.
England are without a number of players because of the FA Cup final and the Championship play-off final.
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M4 traffic: One lane blocked after three-car crash near J41 (Baglan)
ONE lane of the M4 is blocked and traffic is queueing following a collision involving three vehicles.
Traffic is said to be moving very slowly on the M4 eastbound following the incident at J41, A48 (Baglan).
Congestion stretches back to J42, A48 (Earlswood Roundabout).Traffic and travel
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"This calamari's a bit chewy" - probably because it's a condom, allegedly
FINDING a condom in a calamari dish must rank as one of the most disgusting food finds of all time.
Mai Liang claimed she found the condom while halfway through her fish and squid rings dish at a restaurant.
Bizarrely, the restaurant owner in Anhui province, China, then snatched the suspect item and swallowed it.
Ms Liang said: "It was disgusting. My first horrific thought was: Is it used?"
"Imagine my horror when I turned it over with my fork and it turned out to be a contraceptive," she claimed.
But the restaurant boss Yi Ze Teng claimed: "They said if I ate the condom, they would leave the matter, so I swallowed it."
She has accused the diners of putting it in their food to get a free meal, but Ms Liang and her group have hired a lawyer to fight for compensation.World news
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Free poppy seeds are snapped up in Swansea
EVERY free pack of poppy seeds across Swansea has been snapped up as the city prepares to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War.
Residents, community groups, historical societies and schools have secured a total of 35kg of free poppy seeds from the Civic Centre and district housing offices since Swansea Council launched the scheme in March.
The poppy seed packs also include information about Swansea's role in the war as well a guide on how to plant, when to plant and how to care for poppies.
A state of war was declared in Great Britain on August 4, 1914.
Anyone looking for their poppies to flower in August this year to mark exactly 100 years since the outbreak of conflict is urged to plant their seeds by the end of the week.
Swansea Council will also soon be planting poppy seeds outside the Civic Centre, outside the Guildhall and close to the cenotaph on the seafront. Blaenymaes, Morriston and Craigcefnparc are among scores of schools in Swansea making the most of the scheme.
Other areas to benefit include the West Street memorial in Gorseinon, outside Llwchwr Workingmen's Club and the Penclawdd memorial, opposite Glanmor Terrace.
Swansea Council's Armed Forces champion June Burtonshaw said: "The scheme won't just add colour to the city – it will also encourage people to reflect and remember all the local heroes who gave their lives."
First World War Centenary↧
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Wilfried Bony named in Ivory Coast World Cup squad
SWANSEA City striker Wilfried Bony has been named in the Ivory Coast World Cup squad.
Bony, signed from Vitesse Arnhem last summer, played a key role in Swansea pulling away from the Premier League relegation zone.
He picked up a clutch of awards at the club's end-of-season presentation night.
He is named alongside the likes of Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure and Didier Drogba.
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Police probe sudden death in Llwynhendy, Llanelli
POLICE officers are investigating the sudden death of a man in Llwynhendy, Llanelli.
On Friday, a call was made to paramedics alerting them to a medical emergency at an address in Llwynhendy.
A Welsh Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the call was made at 12.18pm on Friday, May 9.
"A crew in an ambulance attended, and sadly a man was pronounced dead," the ambulance service spokeswoman said.
The man has been named locally as Stuart Stephen Williams.
He is believed to be from the Browen area of the Cefncaeau estate.
One minute after a call was made to the ambulance service, the emergency was reported to the police.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesman said: "Police are investigating the unexplained death of a male at an address in the Llwynhendy area of Llanelli."
The force has not confirmed the cause of death of Mr Williams, but HM Coroner has been informed and will make investigations into the death.
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Swansea City interested in signing Papakouli Diop of Senegal and Levante - say reports
SWANSEA City are interested in Levante midfielder Papakouli Diop, according to reports in the Spanish media.
The Senegal player was signed from Santander in a £100,000 deal two years ago.
He hit the headlines recently for doing a dance in front of Atletico Madrid fans after some of them started doing monkey chants during a La Liga game.
Greek champions Olympiakos are reported to have already made an offer for the 28-year-old, who has played five times for Senegal.
But the reported £1.6m bid is less than the £2.5million Levante are said to want for the player.
It remains to be seen whether he will be Garry Monk's first signing as newly appointed manager.Watch a great strike from the player here:Swansea City
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Hampshire v Glamorgan Day 3 report
GLAMORGAN have left themselves with another hole to dig themselves out of as a first LV= Championship defeat of the season looms large at the Ageas Bowl.
The Welsh county are hanging on at 185-9 in their second innings, a lead of just 64.
And even though Glamorgan have shown some remarkable powers of recovery already this summer, if they can emerge from the South Coast with a fourth successive draw, it will be their greatest escape yet.
After wrapping up Hampshire's first innings for 345, Glamorgan slumped to 9-3 in reply, with overseas star Jacques Rudolph, Gareth Rees and Murray Goodwin departing in the space of four balls.
James Vince juggled before snaffling an outside edge at third slip to dismiss Rudolph, Rees was bowled by James Tomlinson then Goodwin was caught in the gully by a diving Michael Carberry.
Yet another salvage mission began when Will Bragg — picking up where he left off in his outstanding second-innings knock against Worcestershire — put on 51 for the fourth wicket with Stewart Walters.
And when Walters was caught at second slip, up stepped Jim Allenby to continue the resistance as the pair gave Glamorgan hope of saving the game.
But on 158-4, South African Kyle Abbott made the crucial breakthrough, trapping Allenby leg before for 47 and bringing to an end a 98-run partnership with Bragg.
When Bragg followed Allenby to the pavilion in the next over — caught behind for 74 — Glamorgan were staring down the barrel of defeat.
And their cause worsened quickly when Mark Wallace was dismissed via a brilliant catch by Vince in the slip cordon.
Glamorgan were given some respite courtesy of bad light and then rain.
But when play resumed, Ruaidhri Smith and Graham Wagg were both dismissed. And unless the elements return today to keep the players off the field, it is going to take some batting heroics to prevent Glamorgan suffering their first loss of the campaign.
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Port Talbot traffic warden hailed a hero for helping collapsed pensioner
A BRAVE and quick-thinking traffic warden has been praised for giving emergency treatment to an elderly man who had collapsed in Port Talbot.
The enforcement officer was on duty in the town centre when a man in his 70s, travelling with his wife, suffered a suspected cardiac arrest, at St Mary's car park near the bus station.
An eye-witness said a young male traffic warden rushed to help the man and gave him swift medical help.
"He performed CPR on the man until the paramedics, including the air ambulance, arrived," she said.
"He was the only person to step forward and help while a crowd gathered and just watched.
"The man was rushed to Morriston Hospital and was said to still be there, recovering."
She said that the traffic warden should be praised for his actions.
"It was the brave actions and quick-thinking of the officer that saved this man's life," she said.
"We all love to hate traffic wardens, but this proves that there are some good ones out there. He is an unsung hero."
Neath Port Talbot Council leader Ali Thomas echoed the praise for the unnamed traffic warden.
"We are extremely proud of the officer concerned and pleased that he was able to assist this member of the public in what was a very distressing situation," he said.
"We wish the gentleman involved a full and speedy recovery."
A Welsh Ambulance Service spokeswoman said they were called at 2.34pm On Tuesday, April 22, to the medical emergency.
"A paramedic in a rapid response car, crew in an emergency ambulance and a Wales Air Ambulance attended, and a man in his 70s was taken by land ambulance to Morriston Hospital," she said.
A Wales Air Ambulance spokeswoman said a Swansea-based Wales Air Ambulance attended the incident.
"They were tasked at 2.42pm and landed on scene at 2.52pm, where they worked with the ground crew, treating an adult male in cardiac arrest," she said.
"The patient was then taken by road to Morriston Hospital — they left the scene at 3.29pm and arrived at hospital at 3.41pm.
"One of our paramedics travelled in the road ambulance to provide support en route to the hospital."
The current condition of the man is unknown.
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Commonwealth Games baton sparks wave of excitement in Carmarthenshire
EXCITEMENT is building across Carmarthenshire for the arrival of the Queen's Commonwealth baton.
So far it's been carried underwater across reefs, over snow-capped mountains, passed through the hands of jungle tribes and carried by rollerblades and bicycles though cities around the Commonwealth.
And in fewer than two weeks it will blaze through to Carmarthenshire.
At 8am it will leave Laugharne before it travels to Carmarthen, Ammanford and Llanelli before returning back to Carmarthen for an evening of celebration and cultural events. Fun-filled activities will take place throughout the day on May 27 to welcome the baton.
County executive board member for leisure services Meryl Gravell said: "It was a great coup to have secured the Queen's Glasgow Commonwealth baton.
"It will be a wonderful chance for those who have already got Olympic torch pictures in the family albums to get the Commonwealth baton too."
Llanelli is bracing itself for a mardi gras-themed carnival to celebrate the baton relay.
Film and TV actor Julian Lewis Jones, Big Brother winner Sam Evans, tenor Wynne Evans and former international rugby player, weightlifter and wrestler Non Evans MBE will be among the bearers.
Carnival fever will spread through the town from noon to 4pm as it passes through, with street entertainment, music and the relay itself.
In Ammanford, there will be a free sports-themed programme at the leisure centre including rugby, hockey and soccer tykes with free family swimming throughout the day. There will also be waterpolo taster sessions, fitness activities in the gym and a story trail.
In Carmarthen there will be a themed activity day a junior triathlon — the first to be held in Carmarthenshire — and a varied programme of singing, dancing and entertainment.
The schedule is: Laugharne (8am to 9am); Carmarthen Leisure Centre (9.20am to 3pm); Amman Valley Leisure Centre (10am to 2.30pm); Llanelli Town Hall to Ffwrnes (noon to 4pm); and Carmarthen Town (4.30pm to 7.30pm).
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VIDEO: After 'big cat' sighting in Pembrokeshire - do these films prove their existence?
A PANTHER is reportedly roaming Pembrokeshire.
A smallholder in Letterston called Martin Hughes claims to have come face to face with the panther on Friday night.
He told the Western Telegraph: "I was putting away our animals when I heard a bit of a commotion with the geese.
"I saw a big black animal, I went towards it and then realised what it was. He looked at me and I looked at him and then he shot off with a 30lb goose in his mouth."
He claimed the animal was around 30 feet away him and the pair stared at each other for about 15 seconds.
"I was shaking for about two hours after," he added.
He described the animal as jet black, about three and a half foot tall, four foot long, with a long black tail, large head and paws and big teeth.
"I've seen panthers in the zoo. That's what it was."
Anyone who sees what they think might be a big cat is advised by Dyfed-Powys Police not to approach the animal, and to stay a safe distance away from it.
A spokesman said: "They can report the sighting to police who will pass the report on to the Welsh Assembly.
"Experts believe that it is highly unlikely that such animals pose a threat to the public. However if anyone feels they are in immediate danger from a big cat then they should call 999 and ask for police assistance."
So, in the interests of research, here's a few other 'big cat' sightings'.
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