AMMANFORD: County’s only nursery school to close — taking Carmarthenshire’s last full-time nursery places with it

Carmarthenshire’s only council-run nursery school is to close, after county councillors approved a shake-up of early years education in Ammanford.

Full council agreed on Wednesday to discontinue Ammanford Nursery School and extend the age range at Ysgol Bro Banw and Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman from 4-11 to 3-11, allowing both schools to take children from age three.

The change ends something unique in the county: the nursery school was Carmarthenshire’s only setting offering full-time nursery education, and under the plans children will instead receive part-time provision at the two primary schools.

All children in Wales are entitled to a minimum of 10 hours of nursery education a week from the term after their third birthday — which is what the two schools will now provide.

Around 81 children aged three to five were on the nursery school’s roll when the closure was first proposed last summer.

The school was set up by the former Dyfed County Council, alongside nursery schools in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion — and its most recent Estyn inspection, published in January, did not place it in any follow-up category.

The nursery occupies a wing of the larger Ysgol Bro Banw building and sits less than a minute’s walk from Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman — a point the council has used to argue children will not have far to go.

Cllr Glynog Davies, cabinet member for education, said the decision would “modernise education provision in Ammanford, enabling pupils to attend Ysgol Bro Banw and Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman from three years of age”.

“This will allow Carmarthenshire County Council to deliver a more balanced education provision in Ammanford, in line with other schools across Carmarthenshire,” he said.

The plan has not been without concern. When the proposal went before a scrutiny committee last June, Cllr Betsan Jones — a governor of the nursery school who lives in the area — said it worried parents and staff, though she understood the council’s reasoning.

The committee heard the schools’ headteachers and governing bodies were supportive in the main, and Cllr Davies promised the consultation process would be “very thorough”.

The change is tied to the council’s decision in March 2024 to scrap its “Rising 4s” policy, under which children started school full-time at the start of the year they turned four. Since September, children instead start the term after their fourth birthday.

The council’s own consultation document acknowledged that change means children stay in nursery and childcare settings for a term longer than before — potentially increasing demand for early years places even as the county’s only dedicated nursery school closes.

The Ammanford changes are part of a wider reshaping of early years provision, with the council also having proposed extending the age range to 3-11 at four other primary schools — Ysgol Cwrt Henri, Ysgol Llanybydder, Ysgol Y Tymbl and Ysgol Y Ddwylan — as it grapples with declining pupil numbers across the county.

Discussing those plans last year, Cllr Davies admitted there was no guarantee parents would take up the new places, saying: “Sometimes you have to take a gamble and hope that it will prove its worth.”

The decision also lands while a bigger question about education in the town remains unanswered.

The council bought land in Ammanford for a new school back in 2023, with Welsh-medium provision described as a priority — but there has been no public update on when, or whether, it will be built, prompting Green Party councillor Rob James to demand answers earlier this year.

Ammanford Nursery School also runs a breakfast club each morning — the council says both Ysgol Bro Banw and Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman offer breakfast clubs and after-school provision.

When the plans went before councillors last year, implementation was planned for September 2026 — though Wednesday’s announcement did not confirm the date the nursery school will close its doors.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

AMMANFORD: Questions raised over future of school land as council stays silent
The council bought land for a new school in 2023 — but has gone quiet on when it will be built.

LLANELLI: Consultation opens on £35m Ysgol Heol Goffa rebuild — two years after council scrapped the last one
The county’s other big education decision this week — a special school saga reaches formal consultation.

LLANELLI: £35m new Ysgol Heol Goffa to open in 2029 after years of uncertainty
Scrutiny councillors unanimously backed the special school scheme — with a funding question for the new Plaid Cymru government.

#Ammanford #AmmanfordNurserySchool #CarmarthenshireCountyCouncil #CllrGlynogDavies #YsgolBroBanw #YsgolGymraegRhydaman

COAL MINING: Plans for UK’s last outstanding opencast mine rejected near Ammanford

Plans to extend an opencast coal mine in Carmarthenshire have been thrown out — the last outstanding proposal of its kind anywhere in the UK.

Carmarthenshire Council refused the application for the Glan Lash site near Ammanford, where Bryn Bach Coal Ltd had wanted to dig for 85,000 tonnes of what it called “premium quality anthracite”.

According to planning documents, the company had applied to extend the mine across 10.03 hectares — around 25 acres — and said the scheme would have created 11 jobs.

It is the second time the company’s plans have been turned down since the opencast mine closed in 2019.

The refusal notice, signed by the council’s head of place and sustainability Rhodri Griffiths and dated 4 June, sets out seven reasons for refusal — almost all centred on the environment.

It says the scheme would adversely affect protected woodland and hedgerows, with the council pointing to the permanent loss of woodland it described as an “irreplaceable habitat”.

Council ecologists said the woodland on the site was 138 years old and supported an “exceptional” number of breeding birds, and that new planting could not replace it.

The council also raised concerns about peat, saying the proposal would cause “the unacceptable disturbance, degradation and loss of peat soils and associated irreplaceable peatland habitat”.

It warned this would harm “biodiversity, ecosystem resilience and carbon storage functions, contributing to climate change and the loss of an important carbon store”.

A further reason concerns a rare butterfly. The notice says the council was not satisfied, “beyond reasonable scientific doubt”, that the Caeau Mynydd Mawr Special Area of Conservation marsh fritillary population would not be harmed.

The marsh fritillary is one of the UK’s most threatened butterflies, a European-protected species for which the area is considered one of the best sites in Britain.

The council’s own landscape officer also weighed in. While he judged the visual impact of the smaller, revised scheme would be limited, he warned the loss of mature woodland was “of greater concern” and could not be readily mitigated in the short term.

The company’s consultants strongly disputed key findings. Its hydrogeologists argued there was no peat on the site at all — a certified soil scientist’s survey, they said, found “peaty loam”, which is not peat — and that the protected area was fed by surface water, not by groundwater the mine would disturb.

They also argued the scheme would ultimately benefit nature, restoring rare grassland and managing it for 17 years in a way that could help the marsh fritillary return.

In its application, Bryn Bach Coal said it had developed “a niche non-thermal market for premium quality anthracite”.

It said there was demand for its coal from industries ranging from water filtration and battery production to green steelmaking.

The campaign group Friends of the Earth Cymru welcomed the refusal.

“This brings to a close years of campaigning, but it also brings a stop to Wales’ last opencast coal mine,” its representative Jenny Lloyd told the BBC, adding it was now an opportunity to remediate the land “for nature and the community”.

Coal Action Network said there were now no live applications for new coal mines anywhere in the UK.

The decision follows the closure of the UK’s largest opencast coal mine, Ffos-y-Fran above Merthyr Tydfil, which shut in 2023 after its operator was refused an extension.

Wales now has one remaining deep mine, at Aberpergwm in Neath Port Talbot.

Bryn Bach Coal has six months to appeal. The BBC reported it had been approached for comment.

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#Ammanford #CarmarthenshireCouncil #coalMine #Environment #GlanLashOpencastMine #Llandybie #Opencast #planning #PlanningPermission

CARMARTHENSHIRE: Two Debenhams buildings, two very different outcomes — as Senedd candidates question council’s town centre spending priorities

Two former Debenhams buildings sit at the heart of two Welsh town centres – but their stories could not be more different, and the contrast is drawing scrutiny from candidates standing in Thursday’s Senedd election for Sir Gaerfyrddin.

In Swansea, the former Debenhams building in the Quadrant was sold this week to Centurion – the company that already owns the shopping centre – with three major new tenants set to be announced within days. The sale was brokered by Swansea Council after the Welsh Government helped fund the purchase of the building.

In Carmarthen, the picture is more complicated. Carmarthenshire County Council purchased the town’s former Debenhams building and announced plans to transform it into Atriwm, a cultural and community venue – part of a strategy to repurpose large vacant units left by departing chains.

But opening has been pushed back to 2027 after a structural defect was discovered in the building following purchase – a complication the council says forms part of its £146 million capital programme.

Welsh Labour’s Calum Higgins pictured in Ammanford town centre. Image: Welsh Labour

Calum Higgins, Welsh Labour’s lead candidate for Sir Gaerfyrddin, said the situation raised serious questions about spending priorities across the county. “There have been some poorly thought out purchases in Carmarthen by the Plaid Cymru led Carmarthenshire County Council, and a lack of investment in towns like Ammanford and Llanelli because money is being sucked up by white elephants,” he said. He is calling for a Senedd inquiry into how local authorities spend money on town centres.

The spending in Carmarthen comes against a backdrop of contested town centre plans for Llanelli and Ammanford set out by the council in September last year.

The masterplan acknowledged that both towns face significant challenges – in Llanelli, the Murray Street multi-storey car park and indoor market beneath it are nearing the end of their structural life, while Ammanford’s plan focused on reconnecting the town centre with surrounding communities and tackling the leakage of shoppers to larger centres.

Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford — three of Carmarthenshire’s primary town centres at the heart of the debate over council spending priorities. Image: Carmarthenshire County Council

Llanelli Market has been at the centre of significant controversy since plans emerged in July 2025 to demolish the existing building and relocate to the former Woolworths site, with traders and Labour councillors raising concerns about the process.

A Bake Off star who opened a bakery in the market quit after just a year, blaming the council’s handling of the situation.

Independent candidate Carl Peters-Bond inside Llanelli Market Hall. Image: Carl Peters-Bond

Carl Peters-Bond, Mayor of Kidwelly and independent candidate for Sir Gaerfyrddin, said the pattern of spending reflected a wider failure of priorities. “Councils and Welsh Government must start listening to people rather than ploughing blindly on with vanity projects,” he said. “Money seems to be no object when it comes to Carmarthen – yet other market towns across the county are left to survive on whatever grant funding they can find, with all the restrictions and conditions that come with it.”

Peters-Bond said the Llanelli Market move illustrated the problem. “The proposed move to the former Woolworths site is only happening because refurbishment of existing retail is a condition of the grant the council has applied for – not because it is the best outcome for the town or its people,” he said. Carmarthenshire Council has not publicly addressed this specific claim.

Plaid Cymru’s Mari Arthur, candidate for Sir Gaerfyrddin. Image: Plaid Cymru

Plaid Cymru’s candidate for Sir Gaerfyrddin, Mari Arthur, pointed to a different root cause – arguing that the business rates system was working against town centres across Wales, not just in Carmarthenshire. “A café owner on Stepney Street pays rates that bear no relation to the advantages enjoyed by a big-box retailer on the edge of town,” she said. “That is not a fair system – it is a rigged one.” Plaid’s manifesto commits to restructuring business rates to level the playing field between high-street businesses and out-of-town retail.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s position, as set out in its capital programme, is that the Atriwm project remains a long-term investment in Carmarthen’s cultural offer, with the 2027 opening date reflecting the work required to address the structural issues identified after purchase.

Cabinet Member for Regeneration Cllr Hazel Evans said in September that the placemaking plans for all three towns would “only succeed if they’re driven by the communities they affect.”

Related coverage

Carmarthen’s old Debenhams reborn as Atriwm — but opening pushed back to 2027
Our report on the delays and structural issues affecting the Carmarthen project.

Swansea: Debenhams building sold to Quadrant owners as three major new tenants set to be named
This week’s news on Swansea’s former Debenhams — a very different outcome.

Llanelli faces twin loss as council moves to demolish market and multi-storey car park
Our original report on the Llanelli Market controversy.

Future of Llanelli, Ammanford and Carmarthen town centres set out in new plans
The council’s own vision for town centres across Carmarthenshire, published September 2025.

#Ammanford #CalumHiggins #CarlPetersBond #Carmarthen #Debenhams #Llanelli #MariArthur #SeneddElection2026

DRUG DEALING: Ammanford pair used ‘Chinese’ as codeword for cocaine orders — jailed after being caught waiting for a delivery in Swansea

Two men from Ammanford have been jailed after being caught supplying cocaine on the streets of Swansea — with an examination of their phones revealing drug users were ordering their fix by asking for a “Chinese.”

Jac Cadman, 23, of Florence Road, Ammanford, and Jamie Cook, 31, of Tabernacle Road, Glanaman, were spotted by officers on patrol in the Blaenymaes area of Swansea on March 13 this year, sitting in a parked Renault on Pentregethin Road. The officers noted the pair appeared “overly nervous and fidgety” and that the vehicle was registered and insured to a provisional licence holder.

A search under the Misuse of Drugs Act uncovered 28g of cocaine and £470 in cash in Cadman’s pockets, and 5g of cocaine and £880 in cash on Cook. Three mobile phones were also seized.

Subsequent searches of the defendants’ home addresses revealed further cash — £1,620 and an additional $1,330 in US currency were found at Cadman’s property.

Swansea Crown Court heard that messages on Cadman’s phone showed “clear evidence of involvement in the supply of cocaine,” and that he had been waiting in Pentregethin Road to collect a delivery for onward supply at the time of his arrest.

Cook’s phone told a more colourful story. Caitlin Brazel, prosecuting, told the court that a large number of messages from known drug users referred to buying “Chinese” — which she said appeared to be a codeword for cocaine. The prosecution said police concluded Cook’s phone was being used as the drugs line.

Investigators were also able to link messages from a phone seized in a separate drugs investigation in 2025 to Cook, suggesting he had been involved in supplying cocaine since at least 2024. Cook had previously been convicted in 2022 of possession with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of cocaine after being caught operating as a street dealer in the Penlan area of Swansea by a plain-clothed police officer.

Both men answered “no comment” to all questions in interview, save for Cadman telling officers he worked in tarmacking.

The court heard that Cadman, who has no previous convictions, had begun drinking and taking drugs as a teenager as an escape from the pressures of being a carer for his parents. His barrister said he had found himself in debt and turned to dealing as a result, and that he was “deeply ashamed” of the impact on his family — including an unborn child.

Cook’s barrister told the court his client had experienced adverse childhood experiences linked to his mother’s addiction issues, and that the breakdown of a relationship following his 2022 imprisonment had seen him turn back to drugs. While on remand, the court heard, Cook had reflected on his situation and hoped to undertake the 12 Steps addiction programme upon release.

Recorder Greg Bull KC, sentencing, said those who involve themselves in Class A drug supply are “dealing in human misery” and that the courts would always treat such offending seriously.

With one-third discounts for their guilty pleas, Cadman was sentenced to 28 months in prison and Cook to 40 months. Both will serve no more than half their sentences in custody before being released on licence.

Sergeant Luke Tucker, of South Wales Police, said: “Both Jac Cadman and Jamie Cook will have felt great when they thought that their Class A drug dealing was going to net them a quick windfall. However, unfortunately for them, that feeling was quickly shattered when officers caught them in the act.

“Both will now follow in the footsteps of other drug dealers who have plagued the streets of Swansea as they rightfully head to prison.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Drug gang busted: Swansea man jailed as cocaine network smashed in multi-area operation
More of our coverage of Class A drug supply sentences from Swansea Crown Court.

Five jailed after street brawl saw family arm themselves with nail-studded plank in revenge attack
Another recent sentencing story from Swansea Crown Court.

#Ammanford #BlaenYMaes #DrugDealing #drugs #SouthWalesPolice

Ammanford dad to take on London Marathon in memory of son who died before his second birthday

Jason Morris from Ammanford is one of a group of ten people taking on this epic challenge to raise money for Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice. 

Here Jason, whose son Alfi-Jay, died on 1st March 2015 just before his second birthday, explains his motivation for taking on the TCS London Marathon.  

Alfi was born with Neonatal Marfan syndrome, a rare condition that meant his life would be a short one.

“This is a deeply personal journey for me. As a bereaved father who has been supported by Tŷ Hafan for the past 12 years, taking on this challenge is an opportunity to honour my son, Alfi‑Jay, while also showing my daughter Besi-Jane, Alfi’s twin sister who is now 12, that anything is possible when you put your mind to it.  

“It’s also an opportunity to raise much‑needed funds for a wonderful charity that has helped shape our family’s life over the years. 

“For me, it represents a personal achievement. Running in the purple Tŷ Hafan running vest will make the experience even more meaningful as I support such a wonderful cause. 

“The London Marathon is such an iconic race with breathtaking views and famous landmarks. It’s been a lifetime ambition and something I’m proud to finally tick off my bucket list. 

“Just over four years ago, I decided to channel what had been overwhelming grief into something positive. I’ve since become a keen triathlete, using exercise to support my mental wellbeing.  

“Physical activity has helped me navigate the challenges of grief, giving me a healthy outlet and the chance to push my body and mind to their limits. 

“I want to prove to myself that I can keep pushing my limits. Completing the marathon is just one part of my bucket list, and I hope to keep ticking off many more goals in the future.” 

James Davies-Hale, Head of Fundraising for Tŷ Hafan, said:

“We’re hugely thankful to Jason for everything he’s doing to support Tŷ Hafan. The TCS London Marathon is such an iconic event, and seeing Jason, alongside all our amazing runners, proudly wearing our logo for over 26 miles around London means so much to us.  

“By sharing why they’re taking on this immense challenge and raising vital funds, they’re making a real difference for the children and families we care for.

“No family should have to live their child’s short life alone, and thanks to Jason and his fellow Tŷ Hafan TCS London Marathon 2026 runners, Tŷ Hafan can walk alongside more families through life, death and beyond.” 

To read more about what’s motivating Tŷ Hafan’s TCS London Marathon 2026 runners go to: Meet our Tŷ Hafan London Marathon 2026 runners – Ty Hafan 

#Ammanford #Charity #CharityFundraiser #LondonMarathon #TŷHafan

AMMANFORD: Questions raised over future of school land as council stays silent

A Carmarthenshire councillor is demanding answers over land purchased for a new school in Ammanford, after years of promises with no sign of building work on the horizon.

Carmarthenshire County Council confirmed in 2023 — following questions from Green Party councillor Rob James — that it had bought land for a new school in the town, with Welsh-medium provision described as a priority. At the time the purchase was seen as a significant step forward after more than a decade of discussion about modernising education in the area.

But despite the land acquisition, there has been no public update on when — or whether — a school will actually be built there.

Recent council decisions have focused on reconfiguring nursery provision within existing schools, with no corresponding announcement on the new build. That silence has prompted Cllr James to write formally to the Cabinet Member for Education seeking answers.

He wants the council to confirm whether it still owns the land, whether the project remains active, and whether alternative brownfield sites have been fully considered as part of a sustainable approach to development.

Cllr James, who is also the Welsh Green Party‘s Senedd candidate for Sir Gaerfyrddin, said residents had been hearing about new school plans in Ammanford for years without seeing any results.

“The council has even gone as far as purchasing land, yet there is still no clear timeline for when a new school will be built,” he said. “People deserve to know what is happening with the land that has been purchased and whether this long-promised investment is still going ahead.”

The Green councillor said the condition of existing school buildings made the lack of progress all the more frustrating.

“Having visited the schools in Ammanford, I know that the environment in which pupils are being taught in is not fit for purpose,” he said.

The need to modernise education provision in Ammanford has been recognised since at least the early 2010s, when proposals for new and reorganised schools first featured in the council’s Modernising Education Programme. More than a decade on, the community is still waiting for a clear plan — and Carmarthenshire is not alone in facing questions about the future of its schools, with rural communities across the county facing the threat of closures as the council presses ahead with its wider modernisation programme.

Cllr James has form for holding the council to account on infrastructure and investment. He has previously challenged transport plans he said left west Wales communities behind, and the Ammanford area has featured in broader debates about investment in the region’s towns and transport links.

Cllr James said the issue was ultimately one of transparency and accountability.

“After more than a decade of discussion, the community deserves clear answers,” he said.

Carmarthenshire County Council has responded to say that they are not able to provide a comment to Swansea Bay News on this during the pre-election period for May’s Senedd election

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Rural schools under threat: Carmarthenshire communities face piecemeal closures as council defends tough decisions
Carmarthenshire communities have been fighting to keep local schools open as the council presses ahead with its modernisation programme.

Future of Llanelli, Ammanford and Carmarthen town centres set out in new plans
New plans set out the council’s vision for the future of Carmarthenshire’s main town centres.

Metro row: Carmarthenshire councillor blasts ‘Swansea-centric’ transport vision
Cllr Rob James challenged transport plans he said left west Wales communities behind.

Labour candidate backs metro link to Ammanford and Llanelli as debate grows over west Wales transport
The debate over transport investment in west Wales intensified as candidates staked out their positions.

Former Carmarthenshire Labour leader defects to Green Party
A high-profile defection boosted the Green Party’s growing presence in Carmarthenshire politics.

#Ammanford #CllrRobJames #education #GreenParty #ModernisingEducation #newSchool #SeneddElection #SeneddElection2026 #WelshMediumEducation

Labour candidate backs Metro link to Ammanford and Llanelli as debate grows over West Wales transport

Welsh Labour’s lead Senedd candidate for Sir Gaerfyrddin, Calum Higgins, says new Metro proposals linking Swansea to Ammanford, Llanelli and the wider Amman Valley could deliver long‑awaited improvements for Carmarthenshire communities.

The plans, published by Transport for Wales as part of a major long‑term investment programme, outline new stations across Swansea and upgraded rail corridors stretching west. Supporters say the project could transform travel across South West Wales, while others argue Carmarthenshire needs clearer commitments to ensure it receives its fair share.

‘A major opportunity for West Wales’

Higgins, who lives in Tycroes, said the proposals show a commitment to improving public transport beyond Swansea.

“It’s great to see Welsh Labour’s commitment to investing in public transport being extended to West Wales, including Llanelli, the Amman Valley and West Carmarthenshire,” he said.

He added that strengthening the Heart of Wales line and the Swansea–Llanelli–Carmarthen corridor should be a priority, arguing that better links to Swansea’s major employers and attractions would support the Carmarthenshire economy.

Different views on how far the Metro reaches

The latest proposals follow comments from Green Party councillor Rob James, who argued the Metro vision remains too focused on Swansea and does not go far enough for rural Carmarthenshire. He said communities west of the city needed firmer commitments and clearer timelines.

Higgins did not offer a direct response to those concerns when approached, but pointed to the benefits he believes the project could bring to the county.

Long‑running questions over transport investment

The discussion forms part of a wider debate over transport priorities in West Wales. Residents and councillors have repeatedly called for better rail and bus connections, while campaigners continue to push for progress on the long‑promised St Clears railway station.

For many communities, the issue is not the ambition of the Metro vision, but whether investment will reach far enough west — and how quickly improvements will be delivered.

‘I’ll push for delivery if elected’

Higgins said he would work to ensure Carmarthenshire sees tangible improvements if he is elected in May.

“If elected in May I’ll be pushing for this project to be delivered for the people of Carmarthenshire as soon as possible so we are even better connected and can benefit from the growth in jobs it would bring,” he said.

What happens next

Transport for Wales is expected to refine its Metro plans over the coming months, with further detail on routes, timelines and funding still to be confirmed.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Metro row as councillor blasts ‘Swansea‑centric’ vision
Concerns raised over whether the Metro reaches far enough into Carmarthenshire.

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Calls for action on stalled St Clears station
Five years of promises — and still no progress on the long‑awaited rail stop.

#AmmanValley #Ammanford #Carmarthenshire #SeneddElection #SeneddElection2026 #SirGaerfyrddin #SwanseaBayAndWestWalesMetro #SwanseaBayMetro #SwanseaMetro #TheHeartOfWalesLine #TransportForWales #WelshLabour

HEARING FEAR: Ammanford star Owain Wyn Evans warns “I was missing conversations”

The Ammanford-born broadcaster and drummer says he first noticed something was wrong when he started missing parts of conversations — after years performing in loud environments.

“It was a shock,” he admitted. “I realised I was turning the volume up more and missing things people were saying.”

Now the 42-year-old is fronting a campaign with Specsavers — urging people not to ignore the warning signs.

Owain Wyn Evans outside a Specsavers store as new research reveals widespread hearing concerns across Wales. (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)

The new research paints a worrying picture.

A staggering 45% of adults in Wales say their hearing has changed in recent years — yet more than a quarter haven’t taken any action and don’t plan to.

Even more concerning, over a third say they’ve never taken steps to protect their hearing at all.

For Owain, the issue goes beyond health — it’s about identity.

“Sound is such a huge part of who we are in Wales,” he said. “From the countryside to the sea — those sounds connect us to home.”

Owain Wyn Evans has his hearing checked as experts warn many people delay seeking help. (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)

And the data backs him up.

• 72% say a Welsh accent makes Wales feel like home
• 60% say it’s the sound of a choir
• 73% say singing at rugby and football matches brings people together

But those sounds could be at risk.

More than a third of people report ringing ears or muffled hearing after gigs — a key warning sign of damage.

Experts say hearing loss often happens gradually, meaning people delay getting help — sometimes for years.

Owain Wyn Evans says protecting hearing helps preserve the sounds that define Welsh identity. (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Owain is now urging people to act early before it’s too late.

“Protecting our hearing means protecting those connections,” he said.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Owain Wyn Evans recovering after emergency surgery
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Owain Wyn Evans: “Feel the fear and take the plunge”
The TV favourite shares a powerful message during a live Swansea appearance.

#Ammanford #audiology #celebrity #hearing #hearingLoss #hearingTest #OwainWynEvans #ringingInEars #Specsavers #tinnitus

AMMANFORD: Town named among Wales’ top spots for Mother’s Day celebrations

A study of Google search habits has revealed that residents in the two towns are among the most likely to be hunting for the perfect gift or celebration.

Ammanford ranked second in the whole of Wales, with a staggering 704 searches for every 1,000 people.

Carmarthen followed closely in third place, recording nearly 700 searches per 1,000 residents.

The research, conducted by Geraldo’s, analysed over 42 million searches across the UK to see which areas celebrate the day the most.

It estimated that around 60% of the UK public took part in Mother’s Day last year, spending a combined £1.4 billion on gifts and treats.

In Llanelli, more than half of the population — 510 per 1,000 people — were found to be searching for ways to mark the occasion.

Port Talbot also showed strong results, with 488 searches per 1,000 residents.

Toni Dawson, owner of Geraldo’s, said: “Family runs through the core of our business.”

She added: “We know how important days like Mother’s Day are to millions of others up and down the country.”

The data suggests that despite the rising cost of living, recognizing the “care, advice, guidance and love” of mothers remains a top priority for locals.

Ms Dawson noted that for those missing their mothers, the day can be difficult, but remains an important time for “recognising the memories you have.”

The study found that Wales as a whole saw nearly 1.6 million Mother’s Day searches, averaging around one search for every two people.

The findings highlight the deep-rooted family values held across Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot.

The data was compiled by comparing search volumes against local population figures to find the true “Mother’s Day capitals” of the country.

LocationCombined SearchesPopulationSearches per 1,000 PeopleBangor15,66018,000870.00Ammanford8,45012,000704.17Carmarthen13,95020,000697.50Llanelli25,50050,000510.00Port Talbot18,08037,000488.65

With the big day arriving this Sunday, March 15, local businesses are bracing for a busy weekend as residents finalise their plans.

#Ammanford #Carmarthen #Carmarthenshire #Llanelli #MothersDay #PortTalbot

Port Talbot and Llanelli workers among most worried in Wales about AI taking their jobs, new study finds

Fears that AI could replace human workers are highest in Port Talbot, Llanelli and Ammanford, which all feature in the top five Welsh towns searching for answers about the risk to their employment.

The research, by efficiency experts at Ailsa, analysed how often people search for terms like ‘will AI take my job’ and ‘will I be replaced by AI’.

The research, by efficiency experts at Ailsa, analysed how often people search for terms like ‘will AI take my job’ and ‘will I be replaced by AI’.

The study found that Port Talbot was the third most anxious town in Wales, with 279 searches per 10,000 people each month. The finding comes despite recent efforts to position Port Talbot as Wales’ AI capital and schemes to help former steelworkers retrain in AI.

Llanelli and Ammanford ranked fourth and fifth, with 194 and 177 searches respectively.

Bridgend was the second most concerned town in the country, with 309 searches per 10,000 people, despite being at the heart of a new South Wales AI growth zone and plans for greater use of AI by the local council.

Swansea and Neath also featured in the top ten, with 152 and 137 searches respectively. The anxiety in Swansea exists alongside the city’s growing reputation as a centre for AI research, with Swansea University set to host a prestigious Google DeepMind programme.

In Neath Port Talbot, meanwhile, an award-winning AI project is already being used to save social workers 15 hours a week.

Across the UK, Wales was the second most concerned nation about the rise of AI, with an average of 23 searches per 10,000 people, second only to Northern Ireland. The findings come as Transport for Wales begins using AI to improve the country’s bus networks.

However, the efficiency experts behind the study have urged workers not to panic, arguing that AI is more likely to make jobs more enjoyable than to replace them entirely.

“I think it’s a big question on a lot of people’s minds at the moment, and a bit of fear, is this going to affect my job? Is this going to take my job?” said Kane Taylor from Ailsa.

“But I think we can twist this in a positive way. If AI can do all the remedial tasks in the background, it means we can upskill our workforces to do more interesting, or more complex things, that we can focus our time on.”

His colleague Jamie Burns agreed, adding that the so-called ‘robot revolution’ should be seen as a business enabler rather than a risk.

“I think a lot of people are scared and worried about AI taking their job, but companies can use AI to streamline their processes and enable them to become a better business,” he said.

“You’re always going to need people. We deal with data day in and day out, we deal with AI day in and day out, but it’s never going to replace a person. Everything still needs a person, every interaction still needs someone there, because the whole personality and personal touch is what makes business operate.”

The experts advised workers to learn how to use AI to their advantage, lean into the human skills that technology can’t replicate, and focus on building a reputation that people trust.

Location Average Monthly Searches for ‘Will AI take my job’ and related keywords per month per 10-thousand people.  Bangor 494 Bridgend 309 Port Talbot 279 Llanelli 194 Ammanford 177 Swansea 152 Neath 137 Wrexham 119 Newport, Wales 106 Cardiff 90 Maesteg 1  #AI #Ammanford #artificialIntelligence #Bridgend #Business #employment #Llanelli #Neath #PortTalbot #Swansea