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are met: “We certainly try to remember everyone’s got their own opinions on things and its vitally important that a council is made up of various opinions, otherwise there wouldn’t be any point in having them. “I think, in general, everyone’s on


board with doing stuff for the town so when something comes up and it’s going to be good, generally people will get behind it. Sometimes I’d like it to be a little smoother but that’s just my opinion.” Alex gave some words of wisdom


Ammanford Mayor Alex Smith: Standing for Town Council in the upcoming elections


THE HERALD recently


spoke with the current Mayor of Ammanford, Cllr Alex Smith, to reflect on his year in office and about the priorities for the next Mayor. He said that serving as Mayor has


been a great honour for him: “In the year of being a Mayor, I’ve obviously been to a lot of places which I wouldn’t have normally gone to, [and] met a lot of people which I wouldn’t have met. It’s been a great honour to be Mayor - not everyone gets a chance to do that and not everyone gets to do the sort of things you do when you're Mayor.” He added that being a Mayor is a great platform for somebody who is eager to get things done in the community. One event which stood out to


him was the laying of the wreath on Remembrance Day in November, which he said was of vital importance. Reflecting on how the town has


changed over the year, Alex said: “I think Ammanford now is looking a lot more progressive and forward; we are trying to get a lot more things in place.” He has also seen the significance of


the role of the Town Council, saying: "I think, in the past, Ammanford Town Council was seen to be a little bit distant, and didn’t really seem want to get involved with much. We want to change that and be more like ‘we’re


the Town Council and we’re actually here to do things and be seen doing things’.”


During his year as Ammanford


Mayor, a number of events have taken place in the town, which include the Twrch Trwyth and the Santa Fun Run, amongst others. Alex said that this was a positive step for the town: “It certainly a step in the right direction. A lot of people want to put Ammanford down but in actual fact, it’s not a bad place to live. If you ask people, they really like the events [and] they want them to continue”. He continued to explain how


residents are eager to volunteer at events: “We’re getting more volunteers coming forward; [with] the first [event], it was like pulling teeth trying to get people engaged with it, explaining it to them what it was.” A high priority of Alex’s during his


time as Mayor is working with other councils and developing relations with them: "It’s about sharing resources and it’s just not the asset transfers. [With] things like events, if we’ve got marquees and fire extinguishers and someone else has got a stage, we [can] borrow their stuff and when they hold an event, they borrow our stuff.” As a Town Council, councillors try


and work cross-party to ensure that the needs of the electorate and the town


for his successor, who is Cllr Colin Evans. He said: “I suppose [my advice to my successor is] to basically do everything - do whatever you can - [say yes] to every invite, turn up to every function that you’re invited to, and don’t be one of those mayors that doesn’t do anything. It’s a good opportunity; you’ve got to jump in with both feet. “Basically, keep things going


forward in a positive direction. The Town Council is there to lead and ensure that we don’t stall and go backwards. Keep your foot on the pedal, keep the momentum going, make sure that things happen in the town and we’re not overlooked.” The Herald asked him about the


key points for Ammanford for the upcoming election. Alex said that there are two key points, which are the asset transfers along with the education situation. He also said that the council are looking to assist local businesses in the high street. To explain these to the electorate, he said that it is vital to speak and listen well to residents: “When you go around knocking on doors, you’ve got to be honest with them and show that you’re there to do [your] best. There isn’t a magic answer to everything, unfortunately. You’ve got to speak to everyone individually and listen to what they have to say and then respond and hopefully give them the opportunity to know that you’re doing something for them.” Cllr Alex Smith is standing in the election for the Town Council.


THE HERALD FRIDAY JANUARY 27 2017


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Te Herald Interviewwith Alex Smith £30k grant for rescue hovercraſt


Ferryside Lifeboat: The existing inshore lifeboat


FERRYSIDE LIFEBOAT has


received funding which will enable the organisation to purchase a rescue hovercraft to help save those stranded on the Towy estuary. The independent Ferryside


Lifeboat has just announced it is to receive a government grant of £30,800 for the new craft, which will run alongside the existing lifeboat. The money has come from the


Department of Transport, Inshore and Inland Rescue Boat Grant Scheme 2016/17.


Ferryside Lifeboat operates in an


area of three tidal river estuaries – at low tide, this means a large expanse of sand banks, mudflats, and meandering rivers often impossible to reach by boat or wheeled vehicle. Anthony Rees, Senior Coxswain


of the Ferryside Inshore Lifeboat, said: “This is excellent news for Ferryside Lifeboat and the community. It will enhance our operating capabilities significantly and allow for a comprehensive 24/7 SAR service at any state of the tide. “This will also allow us to become


part of the national flood rescue response,” he added. The funding has also been welcomed by HM Coastguard. Maritime operations specialist


Robert James, who is based at HM Coastguard Milford Haven, said: “We recognise the lifesaving potential of a rescue hovercraft in this area and are delighted that this funding means Ferryside Lifeboat’s operational capabilities will be extended.” Ferryside Lifeboat and HM


Coastguard will now work closely over the coming months to develop the skills, experience and operating procedures needed to operate the new hovercraft. This will involve expanding


crew training, surveying the local environment and gaining an understanding of the hovercraft’s performance in different weather conditions. There will also be the need to add


further equipment, as well as the costs of operating and maintaining the new hovercraft. The divisional officer in charge


and coxswain of Ferryside Marine Division, St Johns Cymru Wales, Mike Utting, said: “The hovercraft will provide an amazing and unique asset for St John’s Cymru Wales and I am proud of the effort crew have made to extend the capabilities of the rescue service.” So far, the Ferryside Lifeboat has been called out 14 times this year.


Unlucky winner misses out on £1m EuroMillions prize Shopliſter’s ‘cry for help’


projects every single week. Andy Carter, the Senior Winners’


Advisor at The National Lottery, said: “Unfortunately, I can confirm that the ticket-holder did not come forward within the deadline to claim their prize and has now sadly missed out on this amazing prize. “To avoid this unfortunate


A LUCKY winner of


£1,000,000 and a trip to the Gold Coast has been unlucky in the end, as the deadline to claim the prize has now passed. The winning EuroMillions ticket was bought in Carmarthenshire on


July 29 last year – with the winner having 180 days to claim the prize. Now that the deadline has


passed, the prize money will be used in National Lottery funded projects around the UK. On average, over £30 million is raised for these


situation happening again, I would urge all National Lottery players to check their tickets on a regular basis. We tried very hard to find the ticket-holder and it’s a real shame that they have missed out, but there is still one winner – the nation. “This money, and all the interest


earned over the 180 days, will now go to benefit projects all over the UK funded by The National Lottery.”


AN AMMANFORD woman


who pleaded guilty to a charge of shoplifting when she appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jan 26) had committed the crime as ‘a cry for help’, Magistrates heard. Debbie Woodley-Hanley, 39, of


King Edward Road, admitted stealing items of an unknown value from Tesco Extra in Llanelli. Prosecuting, Sharon Anderson told


the court that at approximately 3.20 pm on July 16, the defendant was seen walking with two trolleys in the store and then heading towards the door, having made no attempt to pay for the goods. She was subsequently spoken to and arrested. In an interview, the defendant said that it was ‘a foolish mistake’ and she


admitted that she was going to take the goods to the car as she had no means of payment. Her defence solicitor, Mr Davies,


said that his client was open and honest with the police and showed remorse about this incident. She had some money for goods but


not enough for everything, he added, describing it as an ‘opportunistic offence’ and a ‘one-off incident’. He added that his client had


been suffering with depression due to personal circumstances, and had committed the offence as ‘a cry for help’.


Magistrates gave Woodley-Hanley


a 12 month conditional discharge along with prosecution costs of £85 and a surcharge of £20.


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