Contents JA N UA RY/ F E B R UA RY 2 02 2
PAG E 9 2
6 What’s On Our listings cover all the events, shows and activities you might like to see and do at the start of 2022. Covid restrictions apply in some places and may yet change again, so please check with the venue or organiser before you go!
PAG E 4 8
Garden shoping
Better times ahead
14 Bangor The oldest city in Wales is bang up to date, with a bustling centre, lively student scene and state-of-the-art leisure facilities 27 20 Questions In the Shire hot seat this time is Zoe Ellis, of Palm Cocktail Bar & Eatery in Chester – and Curve festival fame 36 Oswestry Our second visit of the issue is a Shropshire favourite – a fascinating ancient meeting spot, now thriving modern town
PAG E 6 What’s On in North Wales
PAG E 1 0 6
38 Reviews The Shire team bring you the best of the season’s shows and pantomimes
Men’s fashion
41 Anton and Erin We recovered from the angst and awe of the Strictly final just in time to catch up with our celebrity interviewees as they head out on tour PAG E 8 9
Climate solutions
Your pets PAG E 1 0 7 Women’s fashion
Holidays
PAG E 4 1 Celebrity chat
Weddings PAG E 1 0 2
PAG E 7 3 Home shopping
COVER FEATURE 42 Climate crisis With the Glasgow summit still fresh in everyone’s minds, we’ve compiled a Shire special dossier to explain the issues facing our planet – and what each one of us can do to prevent disaster COVER FEATURE 48 Covid recovery The last two years have been tough on us all and local businesses are no exception. We meet the resilient employers in the Shire patch to see how they’re faring now
PAG E 8 0
87 Active Try archery as a stress-buster with a difference 88 Pets & Wildlife It’s all about the birds this month – and your pet pictures too! 92 Snack time! Gorgeous garden feeders 94 Health Veganuary is here again – and it’s better for you than you may think 95 Plants & Gardens Follow us to Horatio’s Garden at the RJAH, Oswestry to see why Alan Titchmarsh wants your support. Plus winter jobs and planning ahead for spring 98 Arts & Crafts We’ve dragons, gorillas and a whole aviary of your bird photos from our last competition
40 Subscribe to Shire!
PAG E 4 2
80 Holidays With travel likely to be limited again this year, we have plenty of ideas for breaks closer to home – including a glamping wagon on the famous Gingerbread Line!
56 Homes & Interiors New year, new looks… Take inspiration from a stunning kitchen installation, Mid-Century simplicity and a smart way to conceal that giant screen 72 Green Living Join us down on the farm at Rhug and Oteley, where two different schemes are tackling the eco challenge
102 Weddings It’s not called The Big Day for nothing… With so much to think about, let Shire help with a guide to local specialists 106 Get fit, get active Sportswear for the lads 107 Wrap up warm Look stylish in the coldest snap 109 Top of the class Celebrating the achivements of schools, colleges and talented youngsters around our region – and an appearance from the Wimpy Kid himself! 120 Business & Finance Tax news and investment advice 122 Retirement Living Hope for weary farmers – and pensions demystified 123 Charities & Volunteering Good news from good causes 124 Books & Poetry New books from local authors, and poems from readers… what a talented spot we live in! 126 What’s in Your Stars? Forecast by Gloria Mans
73 Everything in its place Storage solutions for every room 74 Food & Drink Make a dreamy Italian dessert, meet Snowdonia’s first family of ice-cream and raise a glass to our new wine columnist
127 Letters to the Editor Send us your thoughts and news – we love hearing from you 128 Puzzles Keep that brain busy! 129 Over the Farm Gate Eryl Jones spurns caviar for dirty spuds and British beef
January/February 2022 | SHIRE MAGAZINE 5
EK02 Contents JanFeb 2022DB.indd 1
23/12/2021 18:21
