A Monthly Magazine for the St Ishmaels Community March/April 2008

All profits to local organisations £1

Contact Representatives and Organisations

Adam Price – MP www.adamprice.org Rhodri Glyn Thomas – AM www.rhodriglynthomas.org County Councillor – Mair Stevens 01267 267428 Community Council - Beth Saunders (Chair) 01267 267 343 - Alan Dark (Clerk) 01267 267 650 River Towy Yacht Club 01267 267 366 Secretary - Mark Kessel 01267 267 999 Commodore - John Rogers 01267 267 922 Ferryside Sports and Social Club 01267 267 557 Ferryside Village Hall - Les Jones (Bookings) 01267 267 123 Ferryside Gardening Club – Karen Rees 01267 267 438 Llansaint Gardening Club – Euan Dalton 01267 267 037 Mothers Union – Yvonne Arnold (Sec) 01267 267959 Book club – Sally Elliott 01267 267 464 Pensioners Association – Yvonne Arnold 01267 267 959 (PSoesct )O ffice - Hilary 01267 267 229 Llansaint School head - TBA 01267 267 481 Ferryside School Head – Miss Thorpe 01267 267 463 Ferryside School Secretary – Susan Dark 01267 267 463 St Ishmael’s Golf Society – John Rogers 01267 267 922 Womens Institute – Rosie McMillan 01267 267 248 Young farmers – Emyr Beynon 01554 891 505 Llansaint Welfare Hall – Arfon Davies 01267 267 647 Cylch Meithrin – Rhiannon Lewis 01267 267150 Carmarthen Journal Ferryside – Alun 07790 917 397 CHaurgmheasrt hen Journal Llansaint – Gary Baker 1a8lu nMgaueinse-ysrs-e2g@lwteyssc, oL.lnaents aint Parents for Play – Kath Morgan 01267 267502 Mothers & Toddlers – Enid Williams 01267 267 904 DOCTOR - Mariners Practice 01267 267 239 STISH Editor – Betsan Bowen 01267 267 122 Sub- Editor – Les Jones 0ed1i2to6r@7 s2t6is7h .1or2g3.u k Llansaint Editor – Kerrie Clyde 01267 2@6s7t is9h0.1or g.uk Secretary – Wendy Cassidy 01267 267 287 Treasurer – Steve Ashcroft 01267 267 405

Parish Vicar - Father Richard Jenkins 01267 267 288 Churchwardens Roger Davies 01267 267 472 - Betsan Bowen 01267 267 122 Sub-warden - John Rogers 01267 267 922

Editorial

Easter is just the right time to start a new venture. There are so many positive signs of new beginnings around us, which are much needed, following what has been for many, a very sad winter with the loss of too many of our old friends.

The idea for STISH was first discussed after a pint and a glass of wine in the River Towy Yacht Club in the autumn, so it is appropriate that we should be launching the first issue from there on 7th March. One of the main reasons for STISH is to support all our numerous associations, clubs, churches, chapels, schools etc through the publishing of events, fund-raisers and meetings; partly because a few of us felt we were missing opportunities to support worthy causes and partly because we hate missing an opportunity for a night out.

March and April hold many opportunities for socialising within the community and the Blessing of the Boats is an event that is worth going to if only to see Father Richard up to his knees in sand! The diary page will have lots more events for our social calendars. Also, this month we have the much-anticipated article, “Who was Tommy Dodd”. We have been given some interesting water saving advice by Ysgol Glan Y Fferi following their recent trip to The National Botanic Gardens. An old resident of Llansaint now living in Ferryside, Fred Bevan has written a gripping account of a tragic accident on Cefn Sidan in 1924. Gwyn Thomas of Ferryside Lifeboat tells us about the progress with fund raising for the new lifeboat station. Kath Morgan of Parents for Play has given us an update on providing play facilities for the children of the community and there is lots, lots more.

A big thank you to our AM, Rhodri Glyn Thomas and our MP, Adam Price who have taken the time to send us a joint message of congratulations. Without wishing to sound too much like an Oscar speech, I would also like to thank the Community Council for their grant of £700 which Jones the Sub has now spent, all of the advertisers and contributors, and of course I must thank the STISH team for their hard work and patience. Also thank you for the sign writing skills of my husband and a promise to him that I will now get on with some proper work….well, until next months issue anyway.

Betsan Bowen - Editor Email: [email protected] -Ivy House, Ferryside, Carmarthenshire, SA17 5SS

To ensure your event, article, letter or picture etc, appear in the next issue for May, please send them to us by the Next copy date of 14th April - Diolch.

Newyddion Llansaint News

Pwyllgor Neuadd Llansaint Llansaint Hall Committee

Cynhaliwyd cwis llwyddianus gan y The Committee held a successful Pwyllgor ar Nos Sadrwn 26ain quiz night on the evening of Ionawr, mae’r pwyllgor yn diolch i Saturday 26th January and wishes to bawb gefnogodd y cwis. Diolch yn thanks everyone who supported the fawr i Frankie hefyd am trefnu y event. Many thanks also to Frankie cwis. for organising the quiz.

Cynhelir Clwb Ieuenctid Llansaint yn Llansaint Youth Club is held at the y Neuadd bob Nos Lun am 6yh am Hall on Monday evenings at 6pm, for fwy o wybodaeth cysylltwch â more details contact Rachel Cray. Rachel Cray. Jive classes are held at the Hall on Cynhelir gwersi Jive yn y Neuadd Tuesday evenings at 7pm. bob nos Fawrth am 7yh. Remember the Llansaint Lottery is Cofiwch loteri Llansaint sydd yn always looking for new members, £1 edrych am aelodau drwy’r amser, £1 per share/ticket per month. For more pob tocyn / rhan pob mis, am information contact Alison on wybodaeth pellach cysylltwch â 267880. Alison ar 267880.

Ysgol y Fro, Uned Llansaint Ysgol y Fro, Uned Llansaint The school will soon be saying a sad Yn fuan bydd yr Ysgol y dweud hwyl farewell to Mr Rhys Thomas the fawr i Mr Rhys Thomas y Prifathro a Headmaster who will be moving on fydd yn symud i sialens newydd. to a new challenge. All the children, Mae’r plant, rhieni, llywodraethwyr parents, Governors and the â’r gymuned oll yn estyn diolch i Community as a whole wishes Rhys Rhys am ei waith yn yr ysgol ac yn well for the future and thanks him for dymuno pob dymuniad dda iddo i’r all his work at the school. We also dyfodol. Rydym hefyd yn croesawi welcome Mrs. Jane Broderick as Mrs Jane Broderick fel Pennaeth Acting Head and wish her every dros dro ac rydym yn dymuno pob success in the role. llwyddiant iddi yn ei rôl.

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

The oldest yacht club in the county Situated on the Towy estuary at Ferryside We cater for:

Skiers and jet-skiers Sailing dinghies Motorboats Yachts

Licensed bar and function room Tel: 01267 267366 Boating and social members welcomed

Ferryside, Carms. SA17 5UU Tel/Fax: 01267633

MOT Testing Tyres Exhausts Batteries

Independent VOLVO Specialists Service and Repairs to all Models Electronic diagnosis now available Authorised Autocare Dealer

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08 6

FERRYSIDE CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA.

In July of last year a group of parents from the Ferryside Mother and Toddler group got together to write a letter to the St Ishmael’s Community Council, complaining about the state of the children’s park in Ferryside. The “Parents for Play” group was born.

The park is currently in a sorry state. The equipment is old and dated. The swings are completely missing from the frame. The surfacing is damaged, and the park does not cater for all age groups.

The community council responded quickly to the letter and an initial meeting between parents and The Council was held. At this meeting all parties agreed that the park needed total redevelopment to be able to meet the needs of the community.

We, as parents, feel it is vital to provide stimulating, exciting and safe play opportunities for our children. We believe that in these days of increasing obesity levels in both adults and children it is important that children begin to enjoy the pleasures of active, outdoor play at as early an age as possible. We hope to provide a play area that will grow with the children and offer a range of play opportunities from toddlers to teens.

We have the full backing of the Community Council and their help and support so far has been invaluable. Total redevelopment of the park will cost in the region of thirty thousand pounds. We are hoping that some of the funds will come from grants, and a possible donation from the community council. The rest will come from fundraising. This will be done under the umbrella of the Ferryside Forum, an organisation set up by local people to raise money for a variety of local causes.

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08 7 Fundraising will begin in earnest as soon as all the quotes are in. If anyone, business or individual would like to get involved with the project or give a donation, please contact Kath Morgan on 01267 267502.

Message from Adam Price MP & Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM

It is a great honour and privilege for us as elected members to have to opportunity to welcome you to this the first edition of STISH. The magazine is supported by a grant from the community council who, alongside the dedicated people who have helped put this together, should be thanked for their contribution.

What we are most proud of in our constituency is the closeness of our communities. The launch of this community magazine will help strengthen that bond in St Ishmael. We hope that as readers you enjoy this first edition and many more to come.

Best of luck - Rhodri and Adam

STISH NEEDS YOU!!

Send us your letters, articles, pictures, poems, jokes…or anything you like to [email protected] Next copy date 14th April 2008

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

8 Notice Board

Mae tim cyfarwyddiadol Stish yn ddysgwyr Cymraeg a byddai©r ddau ohonynt yn croesawi©r siawns i ymestyn eu dealltwriaeth o©r iaith Gymraeg gan gynnwys erthyglau

Cymraeg gyda©r gobaith o ddiddanu y rhai sydd yn fwy rhygl yn ein plith. Mae STISH yn cefnogi yr iaith Gymraeg ac yn croesawi erthyglau wedi©u ysgrifennu yn Gymraeg

neu Saesneg.

Remember the local elections Church Restoration - the on 1st May. If you want to pews from the North Aisle at stand as a community St Ishmael's Church will be councillor apply before 4th removed over the next month April - help line 228 889 or so - if you are interested in buying any please contact Sally Elliot on 267 464

If you would like to let us know about a birthday, Egg boxes wanted @Ivy wedding anniversary or signifigant celebration ± House, Ferryside send the details with or without a photo to If you want to join in with [email protected] the Village Forum please contact Wendy James on 267 272 Book Club ± needs new members. This month's book is The Kite Runner ± Free cockerel to a good meeting last Wednesday home! - contact Steve of every month. at Ferryside Stores

Police Surgery ± WPC Sam Dawson from Kidwelly will be starting a surgery for the community from 11th March. It will be

held at The Ferrycabin every Tuesday between 2-3pm. Come along with any issues or information you want to give to the police.

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08 9

S porting and S ocial M em b ers W elcom e

Facilites include:

• P laying field w ith changing room /show ers • Function room w ith kitchen and bar • P ool Table and D arts B oard • P rojection TV (Freeview ) • Large car park

C ontacts: C lubhouse: 01267 267557 B ookings: 07970960306 (Jacko)

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

¢¡¤£¦¥¨§ © ¢¡¤£¦¥¨§ © ¢¡¤£¦¥¨§ ©

¢¡¤£¦¥¨§ ©

§ § § §

¥§ ¥§¥¨¥¨

¥§¥§ ¥¨ ¥¨ M o r g a n F in a n c e

In d e p e n d e n t F in a n c ia l A d v ic e

"!$#&% ')(* "+ "!$#&% ')(* "+ "!$#&% ')(* "+ s in c e 1 9 8 4 "!$#&% ')(* "+

,.-0/" "'1 "23!,.-0/" "'1 "23! 465073#8!465073#8! ,.-0/" "'1 "23! 465073#8! M o r t g a g e s ,.-0/" "'1 "23! 465073#8!

P e n s io n s

9:!;'<'1=>#8-0?;!9:!;'<'1=>#8-0?;! 9:!;'<'1=>#8-0?;! L if e A s s u r a n c e 9:!;'<'1=>#8-0?;! In c o m e p r o t e c t io n S a v in g s a n d in v e s t m e n t s

F r e e q u o t a t io n s

@.!$5BA;C¨D¦E>F>GHE>F3GIE>E3C@.!$5BA;C¨D¦E>F>GHE>F3G E>E3C

@.!$5BA;C¨D¦E>F>GHE>F3G@.!$5BA;C¨D¦E>F>GHE>F3G E>E3CE>E3C

Rwyn siarad Cymraeg

T e l : 0 1 2 6 7 2 6 7 7 2 9

Regulated and authorised by the Financial Services Authority

FERRYSIDE VILLAGE STORES OPEN FROM 7:30 TILL LATE EVERY DAY All you will ever need and more

Steve Griffiths

01267 267721

YOGA CLASSES.

M ONDAY EVENING 7.00-8.30 P.M . AT

FERRYSIDE VILLAGE HALL. PLEASE

TELEPHONE SANDRA ON 01267 267823 FOR

DETAILS AND BOOKINGS. BRITISH W HEEL

OF YOGA TRAINED TEACHER.

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

Plant Ysgol Glan y Fferi yn dathlu Dydd Gyl Dewi 2008

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

Free local delivery

D A LT O N ’S C A R P E T S

TO P Q U A LITY FLO O R IN G , C A R P E TS A N D V IN YLS

C hoose in the com fort of your ow n hom e O ver 1000 sam ples O ver 25Yrs experience C all for free quote 01267 267822 07971056152 Gothic CXMDUNQ V il l a S QDDRDQUHB DR F e r r y s id e • Tree felling & removal • Crown reduction & 5 s t a r dismantling S e l f -c a t e r in g h o l id a y • Grass cutting & strimming a c c o m m o d a t io n • Hedge trimming • Fencing www.gothicvilla.co.uk • Garden Landscaping • Wood chipping o r c o n t a c t • Stump grinding B e t s a n o r T im B o w e n 0 1 2 6 7 2 6 7 1 2 2 Tel: 01267 233 561 Mobile: 07904 264 207

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

Water Matters

Following a stormy night that saw Cwm Mill stream burst its banks Ferryside Year 2 to 6 pupils ventured forth to the Botanic Gardens on Tuesday the 15th of January 2008 to find out more about water conservation. The school is currently working hard on its Eco Schools Project that involves saving and using water wisely. We travelled to meet Mrs Mary Watkins the education officer for Welsh Water who told us some interesting facts e.g the Earth is called the Blue Planet because 70% is covered by water, 97% is unusable salty water and only a small percentage of the rest can be used by humans, animals and plants. We were surprised that we get our drinking water from rivers and did a water filtering workshop cleaning the rubbish, sand, stones, mud, plant and animal life from our river water sample.

Young Scientists at Work

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

14 We then went outside to do a water saving trail. We thoroughly enjoyed our day out and learnt how precious water is to us. Here are some facts for you to consider: • A bath holds about 80 litres of water whereas a shower only uses 30 litres of water each time. • Water is wasted by leaving the tap running whilst brushing your teeth. • Installing a free Hippo Bag from Welsh Water into your toilet cistern will save you 3 litres of water per flush.

Pupils Learning About Water Conservation At The Gardens

Save water, save money, save our planet!

Ysgol Glan Y Fferi

You don’t have to be a farmer to join St Ishmael’s Young Farmers! If you are aged between 11 and 25 (sadly this excludes all of the STISH team) contact Emyr Beynon on telephone 267 696 and join the list of illustrious members and ex-members….we know who you are!

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

JLKNMOKNPOKJLKNMOKNPOK JLKNMOKNPOK Peris Rice JLKNMOKNPOK

Q>RTSVU8WXSVU8Y[Z]\^8_TàbRTWXSVU8YQ>RTSVU8WXSVU8Y[Z]\^8_TàbRTWXSVU8Y Q>RTSVU8WXSVU8Y[Z]\^8_TàbRTWXSVU8Y Q>RTSVU8WXSVU8Y[Z]\^8_TàbRTWXSVU8Y Independent

Carmarthen

dfebgBhi1jbk gmlnoi1pXkVebqi1nr

Funeral Director c"d

nkVi1pXt u1p;vxw¦yzk i1pXt u1p

d i1nk{pXebkVi1gm|Vu1p;iyzjbid d i1nk

w¦yzjbid

t kV~ u1|{>u1pXq1lebpXebnkVi1i1o

Chapel of rest available lebd }

24 Hour Personal Service

u1p;jbt kVt Ni1ngo1t gBjbu1lnk fi1nt

Tel: 01267 243787 8u1nkVebjbk{6eb~1ni

Mobile: 07790 078486 u1n

11111 8811111 88

Tan y Lan Gardens VGHSDKHNM St Ishmaels EDQ Q X RHC D

Friendly, family run pub with

Restaurant and beer garden

Home grown and stocked fresh Sunday lunches fruit, vegetables and salads. Evening Meals Also a wide range of plants, inc planters, hanging baskets etc. Live music evenings

Open 7 days a week Tel: 01267 267 214 Ken or Fi Tel: 07967 250824

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

Regular Events Ferryside Events

Village Hall - Monday - Sequence Dancing 2pm (Mrs Nutting 267813) Sewing & Crafts Club 2pm (Shirley Plummer 267597) Yoga 7pm (Sandra Jones 267823) Tuesday—Computing/Digital Photography 10am (Ross Belamy 01558 824 153} Wednesday ± Pilates 6pm (Sarah Lydford 267323) Thursday ± Mothers and Toddlers 10am (Enid Williams 267904) Ferryside WI ± 1st Thurs every month 7pm (Rosie Mcmillan 267248) Tuesday ± 2-3pm Ferrycabin, Police Surgery run by WPC Sam Dawson and PCSO Richard Wells. Everyone welcome to raise issues or pass on information which may assist the police.

Ferryside Sports and Social Club Tuesday - Ferry Jazz rehearsal 8pm (Tony Bean 267249 Singers and musicians welcome to join in) Every other Friday – Whist Drive (Nerys Pearson 01267 267587 ) Every Saturday – Coffi a Sgrwrs, Welsh Conversation. 11:00am (Alexis Jones 267 618) Every last Wednesday of the month ± Book Club (Sally Elliot 267464)

Llansaint Events

Weekly Monday ± Welsh Conversation Joiners Arms 8pm Monday ± Youth Club, Welfare Hall 6:30pm Tuesday ±Jive Class, Welfare Hall 7:30pm (Brian & Caroline Wiltshire 233264)

Monthly Every 2nd Monday ± Llansaint WI, Welfare Hall 7:30 (Delia Daniels 267935) Every 2nd Tuesday ± Llansaint Gardening Club Wellfare Hall 8pm (Euan Dalton 267037) Every 3rd Friday ± Poetry and Pints Kings Arms 8pm

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

Diary for March/April 2008

10th March - 7.30pm Ferryside Gardening Club Speaker Jean Arnold of Allotment Regeneration Initiative @ Sports & Social Club. Contact Karen Rees 267438 or Email: [email protected]

12th March – 8pm Village Forum @ Ferryside Village Hall

21st March – Easter Bingo @ Llandyfaelog Hall St Ishmaels Young Farmers (Emyr Beynon 267 696)

22nd March – Easter Bonnet Parade @ Sports & Social Club (Roger Griffiths 267 591)

28th March - 7:30pm Launch Supper @ River Towy Yacht Club £3 pay at the door

30th March – Crocus Walk in aid of breast cancer awareness tel Beth Saunders or Jackie for details 267343

11th April – Cawl a Canu @ River Towy Yacht Club 7pm

14th April – 7.30pm Ferryside Gardening Club Speaker: Richard Cain of Penlan Perennials Subject: Easy Plants for Difficult Places. Sale of Plants after the talk.

18th March – 8pm Llansaint Gardening Club, Speaker David Hughes “The Sea Shore” @The Joiners Arms

25th April - 7.30pm Blessing of the Boats @ River Towy Yacht Club – All welcome Please continue to give your Ferryside diary dates to Hilary in the Ferryside post office or email us on [email protected] before 14th April to ensure you get your event into the May issue Future events for your diary……. Friday 23rd May – 25 years of our Sports and Social Club…full details next month Saturday 9th August – Ferryside Gardening ClubGet growing your plants and veg now for the annual show and handicrafts, cookery and wine!

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

Church and Chapel Services

Church In Wales - Holy Week 2008 All Addresses by Fr David Norwood

Sunday 15th March Palm Sunday 9.45am Meet at St Thomas, Ferryside. Blessing and distribution of palms then travel by cars to St Mary's Kidwelly for partnership Mass.

Monday 17th March 10.30am All Saints, Llansaint - Mass and address

Tuesday 18th March 10.30am St Ishmael's ± Mass and address

Wednesday 19th March St Thomas ± Station of the Cross with Ferryside VCP School

Thursday 20th March St Thomas ± solemn Mass of the Lord's 7.30pm Supper with

9pm-midnight St Thomas ± Watch of the Passion in the Lady Chapel in partnership with Kidwelly and Llandyfaelog Parishes. Friday 21st March Good Friday 2pm-3pm St Thomas ± Solemn Liturgy of the Lord's Passion Saturday 22nd March Holy Saturday 8pm St Thomas ± Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter Sunday 23rd March Easter Day 9.30am St Ishmael's ± Mass 10.30am St Thomas ± Sung Mass with blessing of Easter Garden 4pm All Saints, Llansaint ± Mass (Cymraeg)

30th March St Tielo's - Mynyddygarreg 10.30am Partnership mass ± no other services

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

Church and Chapel Services continued….

Church In Wales continued…. Ebrill/April

Three servcies on every Sunday conducted by Father Richard Jenkins 9.30am St Ishmael’s Mass in English & some Welsh 10.30am St Thomas Sung Mass in English 4pm All Saints, Llansaint – Mass (Cymraeg]

Salem Glanyfferi – Capel Bedyddwyr Mawrth/March Ebrill/April

9 Clyde Briggs 6 Parch Dafydd Morris 16 Roger Phillips 13 Rev Ron Clarke C 21 Parch Geraint Lloyd (Grog) 20 Noel Evans 23 Parch Eric Davies (Pasg) 27 Parry Davies 30 Dr David Powell

Tabor Llansaint – Capel Yr Annibynnwyr

16 Mawrth Parch Eifion Lewis 3 o’r gloch 20 Ebrill Parch Ieuan Davies 3 o’r gloch

Everyone welcome

Can anyone date this picture? What happened to the house in the foreground ?

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

Jean Griffiths’ Rabbit Casserole for 4

Ing red ients

1 g ood sized rabbit “w ith its pyjam a’s rem oved ” boned and cu t into pieces þ lb potatoes þ lb carrots þ lb sw ed e 1 larg e leek 1 larg e onion bou q u et g arni 1 larg e shot of D anzy Jones W elsh liq u eu r ( & 1 for the cook ) 1 pint chick en stock

M ethod

Soften the onions and brow n the rabbit. Chop all the veg and ad d all the ing red ients w ith seasoning in a larg e casserole. Cook in a low oven for approx im ately 2 hou rs… … O R

Eat Jean’s version at the Ferrycabin w ith a larg e g lass of w ine! N otice to Cook s – Got a g ood recipe , W hy not share it?

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

O fficial signw riter to The Felinfoel B rew ery C o Ltd V isit the W hite Lion, Ferryside, to see exam ples of our w ork

C om puter S olutions For S m all B usinesses

Get the most out of your PC with tailor-made applications.

Spreadsheets, data-bases and presentations Bulk mailing solutions, flyers and leaflets User training

Les Jones 01267 267123

BROADLAY GARAGE V E H IC LE R E P A IR A N D M A IN T E N A N C E TO A LL V E H IC LE S FR O M B IC Y C LE S T O M O T O R B IK E S , C A R S A N D LIG H T C O M M E R C IA LS . A LS O S P E C IA LIZ IN G IN A LT E R N A T IV E FU E LS - D IE S E L - V E G O IL C O N V E R S IO N S . P E TR O L - LP G C O N V E R S IO N S . T R A IN E D T O B R IT IS H G A S A S S O C IA T IO N C O D E O F P R A C T IC E 2. T E L 01267 267823.

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

Bury Your Old Boots - Some Seasonal Miscellany

Worn out boots? Leather is a rich source of nutrients once rotted down. March. Begin outdoor sowing of radishes, carrots, peas and other early crops and flowers. Also where soil is warmed, hardy annuals. Sow tomato seeds for planting later into unheated greenhouses, and half- hardy bedding plants such as lobelia and nemesia in propagators in a warm greenhouse or window ledge. Watch out for slugs around young shoots of lupins, and other herbaceous perennials. Thomas Mawe, Every Man His Own Gardener 1767 recommends the strewing of tobacco dust over plants but modern gardeners have an arsenal of deterrents. As they finish flowering liquid feed spring bulbs. Mulch borders.

In April…….. plant summer flowering bulbs, earth up new potatoes, prick on flower and vegetable seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and on dry days, hoe for weed control.

Obviously there are many tasks in the garden we have been unable to touch upon in these few words, but do remember that the garden club has a growing library of books and guides where you should find all the information you require, as well as having that most excellent and unbeatable of resources at every meeting; experienced gardeners always willing and happy to talk about any aspect of horticulture.

Karen Rees 267 438 - Ferryside Gardening Club

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

The Ferryside Forum ± THIS IS A RECENTLY FORMED GROUP WHOSE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:

1. Promoting the well-being of people in Ferryside.

2. Supporting the provisions of facilities for people in Ferryside for recreational pleasure and education.

3. Encouraging and developing community sustainability good practice.

4. Encouraging and developing renewable energy awareness and production.

The topics discussed at our November Meeting were:

o Childrens Play park area. o Walk/cycle path- Estuary coastline. o Village Allotments o Wind turbines o Re-instatement of Cwm-Mill Hydro-electric plant. o Development of sports leisure facilities.

If you would like to know more please come along and support us at the next meeting on 12th March (see diary Page) Wendy James 267 272

In the May issue of STISH

- The story of a Llansaint evacuee - Tales from a retired Dr - Your letters, emails, articles¼¼please - Dates for the diary - The Parish Church ± an update

STISH will be delivered to subscribers and on sale in the community from early May

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

xV{88b&bV8b{8"V ¦b

¡>V¦¦{V$6¢¦£8¦V"8¤6¦¢V¦

ESTABLISHED FOR OVER 50 YEARS STAR FORGE

Ornamental railings & gates Agricultural repair work, mobile welding services Gate automation

Alan & Llinos Jones

Tel: 01267 267 313 Fax: 01267 267 841 Mobile: 07969 992 326

Any metalwork considered with FREE no obligation estimate

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

25 Tragedy in Carmarthen Bay April 28th 1924 By Fred Bevan

Cefn Sidan sands, has always been a dangerous place for ships on stormy nights. But our tragic story does not involve a ship but a small boat and a local fishing family. The incident occurred on a Monday evening, 28th April 1924. Mrs Davies the occupant of Pant Cottage, located on the coast road about 400 yards east of the Parish Church of St Ishmaels and with a commanding view across Cefn Sidan, noticed a barrel or cask washed up on the sands.

The retrieval of any kind of “booty” has been a local tradition going back several generations in the area. It was therefore commonplace for family’s to work together to gather such finds. On this day Mrs Davies informed her son Daniel who in turn contacted his cousin, David William Davies, who lived nearby at Penyback. They decided to retrieve the barrel by using their boat to cross the river when the tide was receding at the mouth of the river Gwendraeth.

The river mouth, when the tide has ebbed, goes well out to sea, with dry sandbanks on each side, and at about 6.40pm, the two men observed an object on a sandbank in the distance on Cefn Sidan sands in Carmarthen Bay. To get to the spot they had to cross the river, which they did in their boat, a small 10ft punt with sails, and then walked about the sandbank for over an hour until eventually they came upon the object they were searching for, which it is believed turned out to be a small empty cask. They put their find in the boat and began to sail home, but when mid- stream, the small craft suddenly turned round and capsized about 20-30 yards from the bank during a sudden change in the weather.

John Davies, father of Daniel, had the distressing experience of watching the tragedy unfold through a telescope from the garden at Pant Cottage. He stated, probably at the inquest that he saw the two men struggling desperately in the water, one being on the stern and the other at the bow of the boat. Within minutes they disappeared under the water. John Davies immediately called his brother, who lived next door, and they both rushed down to the sands but nothing could be seen.

A search party under the direction of P.C. Mclaren, Ferryside, was engaged on the following days, to try and retrieve the bodies. The punt was located on the first search day, and on the third day, the body of Daniel Davies was recovered at a spot known as “Pwll Y Pastwn” (staff/cudgel pool), about sixty yards from where the boat had capsized.

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

26 The discovery of the body was made by William Thomas (the author's grandfather) and John Rees, both fishermen from Llansaint.

The body was entangled in fishing net poles, which had prevented it from being carried out to sea. Despite exhaustive searches, the body of David William Davies was not recovered until August 1st three months after the tragedy and miles away on Aberavon beach. John Singleton a bathing machine operator had discovered the body in the surf in an advanced state of decomposition. However, the victim's father was able to identify the body of son David from the clothing and contents of his pockets.

An inquest held at Port Talbot on August 5th recorded the deaths of David William Davies and Daniel Davies as ªAccidentalº. The former was aged 29 and the latter aged just 22 years old. Both had seen active service in the Great War, Daniel having served in the army whilst his cousin David had served in the navy and had on three occasions been on vessels which had survived torpedo attacks. Relatives of both men still live in the villages of Ferryside and Llansaint today.

Ferryside Inshore Lifeboat - Lifeboat Station Extension Project

Those familiar with the foreshore at Ferryside will know that the Lifeboat is housed in what is essentially a ©double garage© with no facilities except electrics, a telephone and running water.

In contrast, the new, two-storey extended building will contain essential toilet and shower facilities, dry-suit storage and a workshop on the ground floor and a crew training room, recreation area, radio room, small kitchen and office on the first floor; the essential ingredients of a modern, well equipped inshore lifeboat station. The extended building will also allow quicker safer launches because the boat and launch tractor will be permanently coupled.

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

27 The design of the extended building was, of course, constrained by the existing building however, this did not prevented the Architect, the Lewis Partnership of Llanelli, from providing a design that satisfies both the aesthetic and environmental demands of this sensitive foreshore location.

We are a Division within St John Ambulance Wales and uniquely, the only Coastguard ©Declared Facility© within that organisation, in the U.K. The relationships between the Ferryside Division and other St John Ambulance Divisions are strong and it was a donation of £32,000 by the Carmarthen Division in 2007 that made this project a reality. It has taken more than five years to raise the majority of the £75,000 needed and one of the last pieces of this major fund raising jigsaw was recently provided by a £5,400 donation last December from Nacap, Land & Marine, the gas pipeline contractor. Further donations and grants by The Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services, Welsh Church Fund, Carmarthen & District Motorcycle Club, Stradey Park Hotel, The Poachers Rest, Cefn Sidan Rotary Club, together with many other contributions, to numerous too mention here, will ensure that the Ferryside Inshore Lifeboat will continue the Village tradition of lifesaving at sea that started when the first lifeboat was stationed at Ferryside in 1860.

Whilst some £10,000 is still needed to finalise the project there are sufficient funds in place to complete the weather-proofed shell of the new building and equip it with the essential services needed to allow the Lifeboat to be re-housed and operated. Crew comforts will have to wait a little longer! Completion of this phase of the project is planned for the end of April and a positive start was made with the installation of a 12,000 litre cesspool tank in the Yacht Club©s dinghy park on the 15th February, a major undertaking completed by Holloway Development Ltd. of Kidwelly and members of the crew. During the construction period the Lifeboat will be relocated locally and continue to respond to 999 calls to H.M. Coastguard.

Further information about this project or about how help can be offered to the Lifeboat can be obtained from me on 01554 890287. Gwyn Thomas Divisional Officer

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

28 Paul & Jean

Croeso Welcome i'r to the EDQ Q XB @ A HM

F K@ M ,X,EEDQ H

“Where the locals like to eat”

Tel: 01267 267 084

Open all year round Closed Wednesdays

Fully licensed

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

All aspects of domestic plumbing and heating, including Installation, Servicing and Maintenance Gas, LPG, Oil, Solar

Tel: 01267 267497 Mob: 07971 087492 Email: [email protected]

220077 Accredited Installer C3482 P/17809/101/105E

Richard Kavanagh Electrical Services

All electrical work undertaken.

Domestic, Industrial, Agricultural, Commercial. Test and Inspection. Fire / Security Alarms. Data networks.

Mobile: 07855 312391 Fax: 01994 232978 email: [email protected] www.rkes.co.uk

File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

Who was Tommy Dodd?

The proposal for a new footpath along the foreshore at Ferryside, to be known as Tommy Dodd's Way has, naturally enough, raised the question ªWho was Tommy Dodd?º

Ferryside people remember that, as children, they played ªdown by Tommy Doddº, referring to the patch of land alongside the railway line just north of Station House, but never being quite sure of the exact limits of Tommy Dodd, or where the name came from.

Some think he was a resident of the village, but no reference to the name Dodd has been found in Census records or Parish registers.

Others think the name comes from railway slang for the nearby shunting signal. Railwaymen used slang extensively in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and research has revealed that the term ªTommy Doddº was widely used in the UK and had even spread to the USA.

But why were shunting signals called Tommy Dodd? As this poster shows, Tommy Dodd was a famous dwarf. He and his wife were reputed to be the smallest people alive in the 1880s and they made a living in touring exhibitions. He was 28 inches tall, about the same height as a shunting signal, and his wife towered over him at 29 inches.

So ªdown by Tommy Doddº meant ªnear the shunting signalº.

Mystery solved¼ unless someone can prove me wrong! Les Jones File: STISHMarch_AprilWthCover.doc Print Date; 9-Mar-08

H o t e l & S p a

Incorporating

Three Rivers Holiday Cottages

The Poachers Rest, Ferryside

∑ Modern luxury en-suite rooms ∑ Sea view balconies ∑ West Wales premier health facility ∑ Three Rivers county brasserie ∑ Licensed for civil wedding ceremonies ∑ Wedding receptions to 130 guests ∑ Functions and dinners to 140 ∑ Buffets for 160 guests ∑ Conference facilities ∑ Nine pin skittle alley ∑ 5 Star Holiday Cottages

Tel: 01267 267 270 www.threerivershotel.co.uk www.3riversholidaycottages.co.uk