Aswe put the finishing touches to this edition of Shire Magazine, the first leaves are already turning colour on the trees outside the window and there’s a noticeable chill in the air by evening time. With the busy pace of modern life, it’s easy to forget that autumn is a beautiful season in its own right, not just the bit between ‘back to school’ and Christmas.
There are so many things to do in this time of transition, so we’ve put together a selection of favourite autumn pastimes and unmissable outdoor events to help you make the most of the wonderful region we call home. And because food is close to our hearts here at Shire HQ, we’ve devoted our second feature of this issue to a round-up of all the fabulous food & drink festivals across the patch. And yes, Oktoberfest is one!
In our homes and interiors section, we get practical and suggest how to go about insulating your home for the colder months ahead. It’s a good idea for lots of reasons: as well as reducing energy bills, it’s also better for your health and wellbeing – and there’s a huge benefit to the planet too.
Of course, all your regular favourites are here as well – holiday ideas, arts, books, fashion, gardening and more. Do take a look at our Retirement feature on learning in later life, we hope it gives you some ideas!
Whatever your interests, you’ll find something to enjoy in this issue of Shire Magazine. So sit back and read on!
ISSUE
INCREDIBLE EDIBLES
Our pick of the finest food & drink festivals across the Shire patch
1 Tell us about your upcoming events. Just remember that we work in advance, so 1st October is the deadline for events you’d like to feature in our November/December issue.
2
Share your reader stories
Have you got an exciting or extraordinary story to tell? We’d like to feature it in the next issue. Send us an email –and don’t forget to include a picture or two as well.
3
AUTUMN STARTS HERE
Four packed pages of reasons why this should be your favourite season!
OUT & ABOUT Our bumper listings section will keep you on your toes, with days out, club nights, Sunday runs and more!
We have lots of regulars that readers can contribute to:
Reader photos Taken a great shot recently? Email your best e ort and it might get featured! See page 110.
Reader poems Do you like penning the odd line? So do we! Send us your poems – we’d love to include them on our poetry page. See page 113 for more.
Your pets Is your pet the love of your life? Send a snap, along
with their name and anything else you want to tell us. See pages 106-7 for details. Get social Follow, like and friend us on Facebook and Instagram to be first in line for event updates, competitions and more.
Visit our website online at shiremagazine.co.uk and send submissions and information by email to editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk
TURN
6 What’s On
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025 Contents
Our comprehensive listings section is your essential guide to events across the region. From North and Mid Wales to Cheshire, the Wirral and right through Shropshire – our diary is packed with ideas for days out, festivals, shows and more, including Halloween and October half-term
46 Celebrity
We catch up with actress Vicky McClure, best known for her TV roles but now queen of the clubs – dayclubs, that is
47 20 Questions
In the spotlight this issue is Professor Paul Mealor, composer of the wonderful Welsh Kyrie at the King’s Coronation
48 Reviews
Once again, the Shire team has been out and about, reporting from local concerts, shows and events. Here’s what we recommend
50 Amazing Autumn
Our first feature is full of seasonal tricks and treats to help you make the most of this beautiful and sometimes underappreciated time of year
55 Holidays
81 Homes
As autumn whirls in, our homes and interiors section is here to help you create a cosy, welcoming space that’s stylish and ready for the season ahead
99 Gardens
Whether it’s harvest time on the plot or you’re planning next year’s planting, our gardening section has tips, trends and inspiration for every greenfingered reader
104 Pets & Wildlife
Animal stories from near and far, fascinating wildlife features – and, of course, plenty of your adorable pet photos
108 Arts & Crafts
Meet the Shropshire portrait artist who chanced on a career in painting, enjoy our gallery highlights – including news of a major David Nash exhibition in Ruthin – and take part in our popular photo competition
112 Books & Poetry
Local authors, new releases, book recommendations and an interview with a writer whose shock health diagnosis inspired her to pick up a pen and write
117 Health & Beauty
Expert advice to keep you feeling and looking your best
Now’s a great time to plan your next getaway – or even invest in a holiday home of your own. We’ve rounded up some top destinations and ideas –from canal cruising to a former Royal residence
63 Active
Our regular sports section is all about flinging things! Whether its Frisbees or dodgeballs, these high-octane sports are lots of fun as well as good for fitness
119 Weddings
If you’re tying the knot in the coming year, our Weddings section is a must, with ideas for venues, catering and suppliers
125 Education
Updates and success stories from schools, colleges and universities across the region as the academic year gets underway
64 Harvest Home
Across the Shire patch, crops are being gathered in – and food and drink festivals from Llangollen to Ludlow are set to wow us with wonderful fresh produce, fantastic entertainment and top-notch cooking. We present our pick of the best.
70 Food & Drink
136 Charities & Volunteering
Celebrating the organisations and individuals making a di erence across the region
141 Retirement
Features focused on later life, including an honest look at the challenges facing older people and an organisation encouraging a return to learning
146 Letters to the Editor
From seasonal recipes and foodie inspiration to wine advice from Gary Carter, plus local food heroes and dining destinations – our food pages will whet your appetite!
Your chance to check out the thoughts, stories and feedback from fellow Shire readers as we share our postbag once more
NORTH WALES WHAT’S ON
WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF
2ND-7TH SEPTEMBER
•2nd-30th September (Tues & Thurs only), House Tours, Bodrhyddan Hall, Rhuddlan Glimpse into local history: see the artwork and antique furniture, then explore the beautiful gardens and woodland walks. £10 (child £5).
•5th September, Sinfonia Cymru with N’famady Kouyaté, Criccieth Memorial Hall Experience N’famady’s music, his incredible vocals and balafon playing alongside Sinfonia Cymru’s string quartet and percussion. 7.30pm. £15.
•6th September, For Wales, See Wales – Podcast Live, Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham Comedians Robin Morgan and Mel Owen join Guardian columnist Will Hayward for a topical look at the good, the bad and the laughable in Welsh politics. 7pm. £11.55.
•7th September, Harry’s Duck Race, Pontblyddyn Cricket Club, Mold Support Hope House Children’s Hospice and get your hands on your very own baby duck to take part (£1) – or enter the Best Dressed Duck competition (£20). 12-3pm.
•7th September, Garden Tour, Brykinault Hall, nr Wrexham Brynkinault has been home to the Trevors since 1612 – now visit their lovely gardens with late roses and beautiful borders. 11am-4pm. £6.
DID YOU KNOW?
Jane Austen sold the copyright of Pride & Prejudice to her publisher for just £110!
Quality drama at eatr Clywd
Housemates, 9th-13th September The true story of friends who transformed the care system and the way people could live – a heart-touching tale with plenty of ’70s hits performed by a live band. 2 & 7.30pm. Tickets from £15.
Six, 23rd-27th September Henry VIII’s six wives remix 500 years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st-century girl power. Times vary. Tickets from £18.
Blood Brothers, 30th September – 4th October Separated at birth, twins grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences. 2.30 & 7.30pm. Tickets from £18.
Pride and Prejudice, 15th-25th October Jane Austen’s iconic love story: lose yourself in the world of Regency courtship as hearts race, tongues wag and passions rage. 2.30 & 7.30pm. Tickets from £15. www.theatrclywd.com
e friendliest little festival
Gladstone’s Library, Hawarden hosts another edition of Gladfest on 5th-6th September, bringing together beloved local voices, emerging talent and passionate readers for an intimate weekend of stories and conversation. See website for full programme. Tickets are £15 per event.
Vision or dream?
Mostyn Llandudno hosts ‘Carreg Ateb: Vision or Dream?’ until 27th September, bringing together newly commissioned works by Welsh artists alongside pieces by Jeremy Deller. These include a collection of Manic Street Preachers’ fan art and a documentary portrait of professional wrestler and coalminer Adrian Street. There’s also a significant collection of objects from the National Museum of Wales, Storiel and Llandudno Museum. Tuesday-Saturday 10.30am-4.30pm. Free. Don’t miss the chance to browse unique art at the Pop-Up North Wales Contemporary Craft Fair on 13th September. Details at www.mostyn.org
Aspiring writers will enjoy ‘Ways into Historical Fiction’ – a masterclass with Joanna Miller on 11th October. Consider ways of creating memorable characters, immersive settings and compelling plots. 10.30am-3pm.Tickets £70. www.gladstoneslibrary.org
Leading ladies
In Conversation with Clare Balding, 17th September From growing up in a racing yard to fronting Wimbledon and the Olympics– and commentating on the Coronation – Clare’s life has been extraordinary. She talks about her career and debut novel. 7pm. Tickets £10 (£30 with signed book).
The Dolly Show, 4th October Australian-born Kelly, voted the UK’s best Dolly Parton impersonator, captures the voice and verve of the Tennessee star. 7.30pm. £25. www.stiwt.com
Artisans in Ruthin
Ruthin Craft Centre has some stunning exhibitions running until 21st September ‘Jewellery Now’ is the curators’ edit, showcasing the UK’s most inspirational and interesting artisan designers. Toni De Jesus’s ‘Cacúlo’ presents new ceramics informed by Madeira’s 600-year history, and there’s work from Mary Griffiths, printmaker in focus.
DID YOU KNOW?
You can join a free gallery talk with Toni De Jesus on 4th September at 3pm
WHAT’S ON NORTH WALES
WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 9TH-13TH SEPTEMBER
‘RE:MADE: Upcycled and Assembled in Wales’ results from a special project between Turkey’s Elif Ağatekin and Wales’ Bonnie Grace, and offers ceramic creations on a theme of recycled shards. www.ruthincraftcentre.org.uk
Nights at the opera
Welsh National Opera takes over Llandudno’s Venue Cymru for three stunning productions this October. On 9th, A Night at the Opera is a compilation of greatest hits; on 10th, enjoy Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, where 18th-century France crashes into post-war America, combining Broadway and Voltaire’s timeless satire. Puccini’s Tosca on 11th wraps passion, power and deceit in a magnificent score. See www.venuecymru.co.uk
•9th-13th September, Under Milk Wood, Grove Park Theatre, Wrexham Dylan Thomas’s masterpiece is a lyrical, humorous and deeply moving portrait of a small Welsh seaside town. Tickets £10 (child £5).
•11th September, 1st & 30th October, Groundwork North Wales, Flint Try an interactive cooking demonstration - learn delicious, waste-reducing recipes and take home a goodie bag. Noon. Free. Booking via 01978 757 524.
•12th-21st September, Conwy Arts Festival Celebrating the region’s performing and visual arts by bringing together local artists and groups, aimed at benefitting everyone in the Conwy community. For details see their Facebook page.
Tuck
in!
Llangollen Food Festival on 11th-12th October is a beacon for producers from North Wales and beyond, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Spread across some of the town’s best-loved venues and locations – including the Town Hall, Market Street, Gales Wine Bar, the Silver Band Room, Riverside Park and Llangollen Railway – this year’s festival promises great food, live cookery demonstrations, music and family-friendly fun. Entry is free, and dogs are welcome (except Town Hall). www. llangollenfoodfestival.com
Enjoy a wee dram or two at Wales Whisky Fest from 31st October – 2nd November – hailed as one of the “best new things to do in the UK” (Time Out). The opening party at Llandudno’s St George’s Hotel comprises a four-course meal paired with Penderyn whisky, with guest speakers. The main event offers whiskies from around the world from 30-plus exhibitors offering hundreds of expressions, together with distillery tours, live music and special guests. www.waleswhiskyfest.co.uk
Save the date
The Artisan Market Company hosts creative market events at fabulous locations, like the Artisan Vintage Flea at Providero Tea & Coffee House, Llandudno on 27th September and Wrexham’s Ty Pawb on 18th October. Hunt for vintage and sustainable clothes, artisan crafts, kitsch homewares and vinyl records. Why not start your Christmas shopping early at the Tweedmill outlet event on 2nd November? www.theartisanmarketcompany.co.uk
•13th September, Up Close and Personal, Rhyl Little Theatre Lee Newsome’s Elvis tribute is a jaw-dropping experience concentrating on the King’s love songs and power ballads – with visual special e ects. 7.30pm. Tickets £14.55.
•13th September, Meet the Household, Plas Mawr, Conwy Learn more about Tudor lives, and join in with the dancing and games. 11am –4pm.
Standard admission applies.
Whisky galore
WHAT’S ON NORTH WALES
A song and dance
The Return of the Legends, 6th September Strictly favourites Brendan, James, Pasha, Vincent and Ian deliver spectacular dance routines with great camaraderie and lots of laughter. 7.30pm. Tickets from £38.50.
Daniel O’Donnell, 13th October ‘The Boy from Donegal’ performs songs old and new, celebrating his incredible 40-year career with his trademark charm. 7.30pm. Tickets from £42.
Top pick at Pwllheli
DID YOU KNOW?
Hans Zimmer worked with BMW to compose unique sounds for their electric cars
Hans Zimmer and Film Favourites Illuminated, 28th October Gladiator, Harry Potter, Star Wars: hear cinema’s most iconic music performed by the Illuminated Orchestra, enhanced by a stunning light show. 7pm. Tickets from £37.50.
Only Men Aloud – 25 Years, 31st October They performed at the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony: now hear their finest hits. 7.30pm. From £32. www.venuecymru.co.uk
We’re Not Getting a Dog, 2nd October Sam Freeman riffs on moving house and meeting new neighbours. 7.30pm. Tickets £8.
Johnny Cash Roadshow, 11th October Set on a Grand Ole Opry stage, the best of the Man in Black’s catalogue in one glorious night’s entertainment. 7.30pm. Tickets £25.
Taylor Fever, 25th October Be transported through the eras from Midnights to Fearless, with fantastic light effects and incredible dancers. 7.30pm. Tickets £25. www.neuadddwyfor.ticketsolve.com
Cheers to that…
Real ale lovers will flock to Llanbedr, near Harlech on 12th13th September for the annual Beer Festival. Sample locally brewed pints and Welsh ciders while listening to live music from Welsh folksters BandArall, acoustic guitarist Paul Martin and more.
The festival takes place in the grounds of Ty Mawr Hotel and aims to raise money for local good causes. Entry £5 (£8 after 5pm, ages 14-17 £3), includes a souvenir glass. Cash preferred. www.llanbedrbeerfestival.co.uk
WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 13TH-14TH SEPTEMBER
•13th September, Coil Basket Weaving Workshop, Nantclwyd y Dre, Ruthin Weave and stitch a unique coiled basket made from colourful materials and threads, to hold your trinkets and keepsakes. 11am-2pm. £25. Bookings via 07768 331 488.
Fright night in the Valley
ere’s spooky goings on at Green eld Valley Park, Holywell on 29th October! Will you visit whilst it’s light – or wait till a er dark? ere’ll be a host of Halloween-themed activities whenever you choose – see the website for details and tickets. 3-6pm Light Session, 5-8pm Dark Session. Pre-booking essential. www.greenfieldvalley.com
13th September, Conwy Honey Fair The
700-year old Royal Charter Fair boasts honey and hive products, plants and a farmers’ market. Local beekeepers sell over a tonne of honey by lunchtime! 9am-4pm. Free.
•13th September, Gŵyl Glyndŵr Walk, Corwen Welsh historic walks expert Arfon Hughes leads a tour of important sites associated with Glyndwr between Glyndyfrdwy and Corwen. 9.30am-1.30pm. Tickets £14.
A huge night of comedy, featuring Gary Delaney, Kiri Pritchard McLean, Tadiwa Mahlunge (Comedy Central Live) and MC Justin Panks. Expect big laughs, razor-sharp wit and some unforgettable performances. 7.30pm. £22.50.
On 10th & 28th September and 8th & 29th October you can take a guided tour of the park and its heritage mills, and hear the story of its 2,000-year history. From 11am, tickets £5. And as part of the Railway & Steam Open Day on 28th September, you can see the Railway Museum collection, the 250-yearold cotton warehouse and more for free (donations welcome).
•14th September, Owain Glyndwr Day, Castell Cricieth Let medieval Myfanwy tell you the tale of this unlikely rebel and learn about his successes and ultimate defeat at the hands of Henry IV. 11am & 3pm. Standard admission applies.
WALES WHAT’S
WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 15TH-21ST SEPTEMBER
•15th September – 4th October, Snake in the Grass, Theatr Clywd, Mold Alan Ayckbourn’s darkly comic thriller explores family, toxic secrets and manipulation. 2.45 & 7.45pm. Tickets from £15.
16th September, Fuchias for the Garden, Halkyn Cricket Club, Holywell Clywd Hardy Plant Society hosts a talk by expert Chris McManus, who’ll cover overwintering, growing standards, pests and diseases. 7.30pm. Visitors £3.
•16th September, House Tour, Brykinault Hall, nr Wrexham
See areas of the hall seldom open to the public, guided by one of the Trevor family. 2.30pm. £22. www.historichouses.org
New classics at Rhyl Pavilion
The Mersey Beatles, 13th September The band has been selling out shows since 1999 with their authentic and acclaimed celebration of John, Paul, George and Ringo. 7.30pm. Tickets £32.
London Symphonic Rock Orchestra, 11th
October Twelve classically trained artists who love rock perform AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters, Queen and more. 7.30pm. Tickets from £36.50.
Tony Christie: The Great Farewell, 17th
In a galaxy near, near here…
•17th September & 8th October, Chough Spotting, RSPB South Stack, Anglesey This guided walk celebrates this beautiful bird and the conservation work to protect its habitat and breeding. 11am-12.30pm. £10.
•Until 20th September, Summer Exhibition, Royal Cambrian Academy, Conwy Admire the creativity of over 100 Welsh artists in a vibrant mix of painting, sculpture, print and more. Thurs-Sun 11am-4pm. Free.
•21st September, Natural Wool & Clothes Dyeing, Wernog Wood, Ruthin Learn to dye wool using flowers, roots and tree bark, which can release beautiful colours. 9am-5pm. £150.
From superheroes to sci-fi, fantasy to horror, immerse yourself at Wales Comic Con, 20th-21st September at Llangollen Pavilion. Join in the cosplay and meet actors, artists, writers and content creators. The Gaming Zone showcases new releases as well as retro favourites, with contests to try or watch. The Trading Post offers awesome merch – and don’t miss Artists’ Alley. Tickets at www.walescomiccon.com
DID YOU KNOW?
An Amarillo spoof by the Royal Dragoon Guards went viral and crashed MoD servers!
October The legendary singer takes to the stage one last time, performing everything from megahit ‘(Is This The Way To) Amarillo’ through to his latest album, A New Life. 7.30pm. Tickets £34.
Defying Gravity – West End Women, 25th October Favourites from the musicals, performed by a cast of incredible vocalists: expect Wicked, Les Mis and more. 7.30pm. Tickets from £31.50. For the new autumn programme, and to book tickets, visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk
Racing into autumn
Enjoy the last of summer racing at Bangor-onDee with the September Meeting on Friday 5th: celebrate in style and dress up in your best summer outfit before it’s time for jackets and wellies.
Halloween Raceday returns on 27th October: everyone is encouraged to dress up and there’s a Best Fancy Dress competition with fantastic prizes. www.bangorondeeraces.co.uk
Laughing all the way
Wrexham Comedy Festival lights up the city from 21st-26th October, full of incredible talent and a diverse mix of world-class comedy – and accessible ticket prices (under-26s pay £10 on gala nights). Highlights include Hal Cruttenden’s ‘Can Dish it Out But Can’t Take It’ on 22nd, followed by the (confusingly named) Opening Gala on 24th. Then there’s Justin Moorhouse’s ‘Greatest Performance of My Life’ on 25th; Ria Lina’s ‘Riabellion’ on 26th and Ignacio Lopez’s ‘Nada’ on 26th. The fun wraps up on the 26th with a Closing Gala starring Kiri Pritchard-McLean. Details at www.williamastonwrexham.com
DID YOU KNOW?
Ria’s hero is Zheng Yi Sao, the Chinese pirate queen – she commanded over 70,000 pirates!
It’s all happening in Bethesda…
ARA DEG, 12th-13th September Annual festival co-curated by Gruff Rhys, with a Friday evening concert and full Saturday programme. Headliners include Kraftwerk’s Wulfgang Flur, Pete Duggal and Welsh indie band The Tubs, alongside experimental artists Ichi and Kate NV. Weekend ticket £50.
The Undercover Hippy, 10th October
WHAT’S ON NORTH WALES
Welsh hospitality
DID YOU KNOW?
Wales’ Culinary Team is the most decorated national team – they took gold in the World Cup
Enjoy the very best in food, drink and family entertainment at Mold Food & Drink Festival on 20th-21st September. Showcasing the vibrant and growing Welsh food scene, the Cookery eatre will feature the talents of three chefs from the Welsh Culinary Team, led by director Graham Tinsley. Four pop-up pubs and over 80 exhibitors bring you the pick of Welsh and locally produced food and drink, plus there’s kids’ activities and backto-back live music. See Kaylie as Taylor Swift on Sunday, and Friday night has a Motown vibe. www.moldfoodfestival.co.uk
A unique fusion of reggae, hiphop and lyrical activism – and the kind of crowd connection that turns a gig into a movement. 7.30pm. Tickets £18.50. www.neuaddogwen.com
Steam trains great and small
Bala’s Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn secondary school hosts Bala Model Railway Show on 20th-21st September. Expect over 20 layouts in various scales and gauges, refreshments and free parking. A vintage bus service connects with the Lake Railway (10am-4pm).
On 30th & 31st October, take a spooky trip down the line on the Halloween Train. Details at www.bala-lake-railway.co.uk
Wild words
Snowdonia specials
Anglesey Writing Festival is a celebration of the written word, at Ysgol David Hughes, Menai Bridge, on 4th October. Unlock your creativity with workshops, talks and the chance to connect with fellow writers. Published authors will lead workshops on subjects from finding a true voice to writing in the present tense; from poetry to scriptwriting. Why not take part in the flash fiction comp on the theme ‘Wild’? www. gwylangleseyfestival.uk
Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway lays on a special train for competitors and spectators of the Trailffest Half Marathon on 27th September
For the less energetic, Bygones Weekend on 3rd-5th October showcases trains from significant eras of FWHR’s history, with extra themed services operating – including gravity, slate and freight. Additional attractions include photography sessions, tours of Boston Lodge, and stalls at Harbour Station. www.festrail.co.uk
WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF
21ST SEPTEMBER –5TH OCTOBER
•21st September & 12th October, Relax & Refresh Yoga Day, Trigonos, Caernarfon Join Fiona Ruddle for some restorative yoga, followed by a delicious and nutritious vegetarian lunch. 9.30am-2pm. From £50.
•25th September, Surge, Pontio, Bangor National Dance Company Wales will transport you through three new worlds: from ancient mythology to futuristic sci-fi. 7.30pm. £16.
•27th September, Real Ale/ Wine Cruise, Llangollen Wharf Enjoy a horse-drawn boat trip on the Llangollen Canal. Board at noon, return 4pm. £34.95 including grazing platter. www. horsedrawn boats.co.uk
will share interesting facts and anecdotes about, and you can browse the Sunday Gathering artisan market. Call 01352 758 532 opt. 3.
•4th October, Record Fair, Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham Browse over 30 stalls of vinyl of all eras and genres: with DJ sets and live music. 10am4pm. Free entry.
•4th & 5th October, Mona Antique Home & Vintage Fair, Anglesey Showground Explore up to 250 stands indoors and 100 outdoors. Sat 8.30am-5pm, Sun 10am-5pm. Tickets £5 (£10 for Saturday early birds).
NORTH WALES WHAT’S ON
WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF
9TH-14TH OCTOBER
•9th October, Elinor Bennett: Llais Hen Delynau, Pontio, Bangor An opportunity to listen to music from the 18th and early 19th centuries played on two wonderful old harps, made in the same period. 7.30pm. £15.
•11th October, Introductory Bushcraft Skills, Park in the Past, nr Wrexham Discover core skills of fire, shelter, outdoor cooking and using edged tools, against a backdrop of mixed woodlands, wetlands and meadows. 9.30am-5pm. £75.
•12th October, Bought Patterns & How to Use Them, Abakhan Mostyn Demystify those symbols and learn how to cut and sew clothes e ectively with confidence. 11am-3pm. £40.
•13th October, Wet the Tea, Conwy Folk Club @ Conwy Comrades’ Club A multiinstrument act with influences from Irish and English folk, bluegrass and roots. 7.30pm. £8.
•14th October, Tim Peake Astronauts: The Quest to Explore Space, Venue Cymru, Llandudno Tim shares incredible stories of fellow astronauts and explores the ongoing evolution of space travel. 7.30pm. £41.50.
•14th October, Confessions of a Plantaholic, Halkyn Cricket Club, Holywell Clywd Hardy Plant Society: Razvan Chisu explores his Transylvanian heritage and the plants he can’t do without. 7.30pm. £3.
Free for all
A host of wonderful and unusual buildings will be open free of charge this September as part of the national Open Doors scheme. From Anglesey to the Borders there’ll be somewhere of interest to everyone – from tiny churches to grand stately homes and castles.
Highlights include: Wrexham’s Stori Brymbo Fossil Forest on 7th September; National Trust’s Bodnant Gardens, Plas Newydd and Penrhyn Castle on 13th & 14th; Gwaenynog Gardens
Comedy and tragedy at Bangor’s Pontio
DID YOU KNOW?
Pictured clockwise: Penrhyn, Bodnant, Gwaenynog Gardens and Brymbo
(associated with Beatrix Potter) and Bodfari’s Woodland Skills Centre on 20th & 21st; and St Mary’s, Rhuddlan on 27th & 28th, with an artisan fair on the Saturday. Denbigh has its own dedicated weekend from 19th-22nd, when over 30 sites will be open, many with talks and guided tours. www.cadw.gov.wales
Mark Steel: The Leopard in My House, 3rd October Multi-award winner Mark is back, turning his rapier wit on his battle with throat cancer, plus his trademark acute political observations.7.30pm. Tickets £18. Book online at www.pontio.co.uk
Mind-expanding
Romeo a Juliet, 13th & 14th October Theatr Cymru in association with Shakespeare’s Globe presents a new exploration of the tragic love story, setting the violent feud in bilingual Wales. 1.30 & 7.30pm. Tickets £20.
Inspirational shows
Catrin Finch & Lee House: SATORU, 10th October This immersive performance blends experimental harp with electronic manipulation and spoken word to guide you through a sonic journey. Each note, each phrase, is a thread pulling you through mystery and revelation. 7.30pm. £17.
Darkside: The Pink Floyd Show, 31st October & 1st November The celebrated Floyd tribute performs Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety on the Friday, and Wish You Were Here on Saturday. 8pm. Tickets £24. www.galericaernarfon.com
Catch three inspiring exhibitions at the Royal Cambrian Academy in Conwy until 8th November. Bob Shires’ ‘Twelve Years In The Making’ comprises landscape paintings based on memories, sketches and photographs, many featuring Anglesey. Working from West Wales, Diana Heeks presents a series of abstract landscapes in ‘Landscape and Story’, and Barry Morris’ ‘Cynefin’ offers drawings and prints inspired by natural materials. Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5pm. Free entry. www.rcaconwy.org
Rail, ale and rockets
Llangollen Railway celebrates its 50th birthday on 12th-14th September . There’s lots of activities planned looking back over its history and forwards to the future.
Take an evening journey through the spectacular Dee Valley whilst enjoying great regional ales on the Real Ale Train on 20th September or 11th October. And on 4th-5th October revisit the
John, John & Jones
Johns’ Boys, 26th & 27th September Hear the Choir of the World winners and Britain’s Got Talent stars perform chart hits, opera, musicals, popular classics and hymns. 7.30pm. Tickets £27.
Tattoo Cymru On Stage, 4th October Massed bands, Fron Male Voice Choir, precision drill displays and traditional Irish and Welsh dancing all culminate in a majestic finale remembering
Adventure of a lifetime
Step inside St Asaph Cathedral for unforgettable, immersive concerts from the UK’s best tribute bands, in the glow of flickering candlelight. On 27th September take a trip to ‘Paradise’ with Live in Technicolor, a leading Coldplay tribute (7pm, tickets from £30). The Sounds of Abba on 18th October sees ABBA Arrival performing Scandi pop favourites from ‘Waterloo’ to ‘Super Trouper’ (7pm, from £44.50). www.boujee-events.co.uk
JUST JOKING…
“Last year I watched fireworks on the TV. In hindsight, it wasn’t the best place to light them!”
halcyon days of diesel-hauled trains for Heritage Railcar Weekend – an intensive timetable will feature four heritage railcar sets in traffic.
Steam into Halloween on 31st October, and enjoy fireworks with a difference on 1st November as the ‘Ride the Rocket’ train races through the Dee Valley to a display in Corwen. Details and bookings at www.llangollen-railway.co.uk
VE and VJ Day. 7.30pm. Tickets £25.
John Lydon: He Could Be Wrong, He Could Be Right, 15th October The Sex Pistols’ frontman gives his take on life and recalls his extraordinary career – with Q&A. 7.30pm. Tickets from £35.
Griff Rhys Jones: The Cat’s Pyjamas, 17th October More funny ramblings on our national permacrisis. Age. Fraud. Nostalgia. Tik Tok –don’t get him started! 7.30pm. Tickets £27. www.williamastonwrexham.com
Island art
Mike Service’s ‘Anglesey and Beyond’ – at Oriel Môn until 14th September – focuses on paintings of local scenes. From 20th September Gerda Roper’s ‘Dance to the Music of Time’ is inspired by remembered images, and Gareth Owen’s ‘Becoming What I Am’ is a series of lino-cut portraits, on view from 14th October Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm. Free entry. www.orielmon.org
WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF
16TH-18TH OCTOBER
•16th October, Max Boyce, Venue Cymru, Llandudno Modern day folk hero Max will entertain you with his ability to paint pictures in word and song. 7.30pm. Tickets from £39.50.
•16th October, Legends Of American Country, William Aston Hall, Wrexham Featuring three fantastic singers, a band with an authentic Tennessee sound and a stage set that will transport you to toe-tapping Nashville. 7.30pm. Tickets £26.
•16th-20th October, Wales International Piano Festival, Galeri Caernarfon There’ll be French chamber music, a festival commission by Guto Pryderi Puw and Manon Wyn Williams titled ‘Madam Wen’, and a solo performance by Gwilym Simcock, along with senior and junior competitions. See www.pianofestival.co.uk
•17th-26th October, Daniel Owen Festival, Mold A bilingual arts heritage and literature festival celebrating the eminent 19th-century author. There’ll be fun events, interesting walks, lively talks and a young writers’ competition.
•18th October, Badness, Ruthin Town Hall Dig out your porkpie hat: this ska revival tribute with its high-energy frontman is sure to give you a great night out. 7pm. Tickets £19.50.
NORTH WALES WHAT’S ON
WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF
18TH OCTOBER –
1ST NOVEMBER
•18th October, The Cavernites, Beaches Hotel, Prestatyn
The band recreates the vibrant energy of the Beatles’ touring years with authentic performances that’ll transport you back to the swinging ’60s. 7pm. £45 including dinner.
Until 25th October, ‘Allanol Always’, Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham An exhibition by Welsh-Ghanaian artist Anya Paintsil, exploring her dual heritage via textile pieces and sculpture. Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-8pm. Free.
•27th October, Justin Hayward Forever Autumn Tour, Venue Cymru, Llandudno Hear Moody Blue Justin’s classic era work and newer pieces, plus special guest Mike Dawes. 7.30pm. Tickets £49.50.
•28th October – 1st November, Present Laughter, Grove Park Theatre, Wrexham Noel Coward’s sparkling comedy about a charming yet self-absorbed stage star grappling with fame. £10 (child £5).
•1st November, Workshop: Cawl Spoon & Butter Spreader, Wernog Wood, Ruthin Join David White to hand-carve traditional Welsh utensils. Learn how to source green wood, finish and oil your pieces. 9am-5pm. £125.
Classics for all
Celebrating the theme of ‘Perceptions’, the North Wales International Music Festival takes place from 11th-20th September at St Asaph Cathedral. Joseph Calleja – the ‘Maltese Tenor’ – launches this year’s programme with favourite arias, and discusses his work. World-leading choral group APOLLO5 make their festival debut; the Black Dyke Band presents brass band favourites; and BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the North Wales Choral Union & Orchestra perform. There’s also musical workshops for dementia sufferers and mindfulness, and a whole Fringe programme of jazz, poetry and comedy. Find out more at www.nwimf.com
DID YOU KNOW?
APOLLO5’s Jenny loves Christmas: she collects baubles on tour and runs their Secret Santa
Music in the Bay
Truly Collins, 24th October Chart-topping classics celebrating Phil Collins and Genesis: from ‘In the Air Tonight’ to ‘Invisible Touch’.
7.30pm. Tickets £25.50.
Budapest Café Orchestra, 25th October The snappily attired band deliver gypsy and folk-flavoured music in their unique way. Expect Balkan and Russian traditional tunes, Romantic masterpieces and Gaelic folk. 7.30pm. Tickets £21. www. theatrcolwyn.co.uk
Later learning
Join the Mayor of Llandudno for the Annual Showcase of Llandudno Area u3a on 20th September at Craig y Don Community Centre. Come and explore what the u3a has to o er at this free event (11am3pm). With 1,000 members and over 80 interest groups – including Art & Crafts, Sports, Wellness, Languages, Eating Out, Board & Card Games, and Gardening – there’s plenty to tempt you. u3a is a great way to meet new people and develop new skills. With no upper or lower age limit, the focus is towards those who are retired or semi-retired. Membership is just £12 a year.
Nature’s wonders
Learn all about seals and maybe get a glimpse of some seal pups on a guided walk with wardens at RSPB South Stack on 20th September, 12th & 18th October (10am-12.30pm, tickets £16, child £8). Have a go at weaving your own willow swallow at a traditional craft workshop on 6th September (10.30am-12.30pm, £26), or join a Fairy Door craft session on 6th & 20th October and make your own enchanted doorway for your home or garden (1-3pm, £2 per door). Details at www.rspb.org.uk
Step it up
Flamenco Orígenes, 20th September Lourdes Fernández and her flamenco company welcome you on an epic adventure across continents and centuries, to discover more about this rich dance art. 7.30pm.Tickets £15.
How Sweet It Is, 3rd October Vernon James performs songs from James Taylor’s early catalogue. Lose yourself in classics such as ‘Something In The Way She Moves’. 7pm. £17.50. www. ucheldre.org
Family days out with National Trust Cymru this autumn
There are a whole host of adventures to be had at the places cared for by National Trust Cymru in Northeast Wales and Mid Wales this autumn.
From a pumpkin trail at Powis Castle and Garden, a coat of arms themed garden adventure at Erddig Hall and Garden and a Welsh folklore inspired quest at Chirk Castle and Garden, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Please note: Normal admission charges apply (National Trust members and under 5s enter for free). Please check the property websites for individual events.
Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool |
From 25 October
Don’t miss the autumn spectacle as the garden transforms into a tapestry of colour. Discover dazzling acers as shades of bright yellows, orange and smooth reds emerge from the historic landscape.
Wrap up warm and crunch through the leaves as you take in the views of the baroque Italianate terraces. Take a walk into the Wilderness, an informal woodland which sits behind the Great Lawn. Meander down the paths speckled with bright autumn leaves and breathe in the earthy scents as the garden offers a final flourish before the winter begins. Adventure along the Pumpkin Trail from Saturday, 25 October, to Sunday, 2 November. Keep a look out for wildlife, including birds of prey soaring high over the medieval castle.
Enjoy evenings of later opening on Friday, 31 October and Saturday, 1 November. Be greeted by volunteers dressed in period costumes and projections in the courtyard from 5-7pm. This seasonal show is fleeting, making these special moments even more magical.
Plan your visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle-and-garden
Erddig Hall and Garden, Wrexham |
From 27 September
Make memories to cherish this autumn at Erddig. The National Trust property hosts its annual Apple Harvest Celebration on 27 and 28 September and 4 and 5 October. Wonder at the historic apple displays showcasing the dozens of varieties grown in the gardens, purchase a pork and apple bap, or apple crumble and custard. Have a go at making an apple bird feeder, enjoy apple-inspired games in the garden or enjoy music from choirs and Welsh folk legends Ar Log and demonstrations from local community creators.
From 25 October- 2 November, go on an adventure by exploring a world of mighty animals, symbols and family tribes. Follow the half term trail, inspired by Erddig Hall’s Tribes Room and its grand
collection of coats of arms. Discover brave beasts and magical creatures hidden in the historic shields and enjoy the stunning autumn colour in the Grade-I listed garden as you go.
On 28 and 30 October, get creative by designing your own coat of arms – what animal will you choose for yours?
Don’t forget to go wild in Wolf’s Den natural play area. Feel free as you soar on the rope swing, balance across beams, build a den and enjoy hours of fun.
Find out more on the website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/erddig
Chirk Castle and Garden, Wrexham |
From 25 October
Steeped in 700 years of history, Chirk Castle is a magnificent 13th century medieval fortress that later became a family home for over 400 years.
In autumn, the castle walls are a sight to behold as the Virginia Creeper ivy turns a magnificent gold and red. Explore 5.5-acres of garden to discover autumn colour around every corner.
During October half term, from 25 October – 2 November, adventure around the atmospheric castle and gardens on a special quest to find a golden chair, inspired by Welsh folklore. Pick up a free activity sheet from the Ticket Office and take on the self-led challenges with the help of some fairy friends along the way.
On Monday 27 October, storyteller Jake Evans will be visiting to ignite young imaginations with his captivating and spooky children’s tales. On Wednesday 29 and Friday 31 October, get crafty and make your own magic wand or sword and shield to take with you as you explore.
No half-term visit would be complete without an exploration of the castle’s magnificent state rooms and historic Adam Tower, where signs of the castle’s medieval past can be seen.
For a full list of upcoming activities visit the website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chirk-castle
Discover Autumn days out near you here:
Discover more exciting days out near you here:
Children playing in Erddig’s garden in autumn Autumn trees at Powis Castle and Garden, WelshpoolA family exploring the garden at Chirk Castle, Wrexham, in autumn
... treftadaeth a diwylliant Cymru a chenhedloedd Celtaidd.
• Mynediad am ddim i’r Ystafelloedd Darllen ac adnoddau
• Arddangosfeydd am ddim
• Rhaglen amrywiol o ddigwyddiadau a gweithgareddau
• Caffi Pen Dinas yn gweini bwyd cartref
• Siop yn gwerthu nwyddau Cymreig
• Ardal chwarae
• Free admission to the Reading Rooms and resources
• Free exhibitions
• A diverse programme of events and activities
• Caffi Pen Dinas serving home cooked food
• Play area ... the heritage and culture of Wales and the Celtic nations.
• Shop selling Welsh products
Laughing matters
WHAT’S
ON IN BRIEF
DID YOU KNOW?
Sophie once took on pro wrestler Rhia O’Reilly for a Fringe show – as Kween Bee
Aberystwyth Comedy Festival, which runs from 3rd-5th October, has established itself as a quality fixture on the comedy calendar. This year’s programme includes big names such as Sophie Duker, James Acaster, Mark Steel, Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Stewart Lee. Other highlights are Comedy Lab Cymru – Channel 4 Showcase, First Dates Motel – Live, and 8 Out of 10 Celts, along with gigs in Welsh and kids’ comedy. In all, there’ll be around 50 shows across various venues, allowing you to watch as much or as little as you wish over the weekend. Or head into town, where you can soak up the festival atmosphere and enjoy drinks at the official festival bar overlooking the sea. www.abercomedyfest.co.uk
Mayhem and mystery
Jig down to Newton’s Hafren on 1st October to join the Old Time Sailors: 17 riotous musicians romping through over 30 seafaring songs. Dress up and dance! (7.30pm, tickets £22). For more cerebral fun, Doctor Who’s Colin Baker and Terry Molloy star as Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson in Conan Doyle’s gripping mystery The Sign of Four on 23rd October (7.30pm, from £18). www.hafren.co.uk
More than just sheep!
Llandovery Sheep Festival on 20th-21st September celebrates rural crafts, food and activities, as well old drovers’ trails, farming and the wool industry. The town will be alive with exhibitors displaying their wares – from textiles, arts and crafts to locally produced food and drink. Entry is free, with entertainment and music, a model railway exhibition and a wide range of workshops and courses (charges may apply). www.llandoverysheepfestival.co.uk
Barmouth and beyond
Enjoy guided walks in southern Snowdonia as part of Barmouth Walking Festival on 13th-22nd September. A varied programme ranges from challenging all-day hikes to walking for wellness and mindfulness. The popular Woodland Trust Walk is back – and a new Foraging Walk with fermenter Antonella Stachiotti. All walks £6, book via www.barmouthwalkingfestival.co.uk
Reasons to be cheerful…
Miles Jupp: On I Bang, 3rd October Miles extracts the humour from his recent brain tumour – a tale about surprise, fear, luck, love and qualified medical practitioners! 7.30pm. Tickets £27.50.
The ABBA Reunion Tribute Show, 1st November Embark on a musical concert voyage, from ‘Mamma Mia’ to ‘Dancing Queen’. All of the group’s greatest hits, performed with unrivalled authenticity, reliving the ABBA phenomena. 7.30pm. Tickets from £24.20. www.pavilionmidwales.org.uk
•6th September & 4th October, Photography Group, Powis Castle Join a National Trust photographer in the gardens to learn something new and enjoy being in the great outdoors. 11am-1pm. Standard admission.
•6th-7th September, International Antiques & Collectors Fair, Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells Set across two exhibition halls with up to 1,000 stands, this promises a great day out. Sat 8.30am-5pm, Sun 10am-5pm. Tickets £10 (Sat), £5 (Sun).
•9th September, Iestyn Tyne yn cyflwyno Carneddi, National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth Based on Geo Charles’ photograph of a couple leaving their Eryri farm, this performance laments the decline in Welsh tradition and culture. In Welsh with simultaneous translation. 5pm. Free, donations welcome.
•13th September, Renewables for Households, Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth If you’d like to install renewables but are unsure how, what to go for and the likely costs and benefits, this course will give you an overview. 9.30am-3.30pm. £125.
14th September, From Beethoven to Liszt, Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells Pianist Sirwan Hariri presents a captivating journey from the refined elegance of late Classicism to the emotional depths of Romanticism. 3pm. £18.50.
WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF
19TH SEPTEMBER –
10TH OCTOBER
19th September, Owain’s ‘Taster’ Medieval Banquet, Senedd-dy Canolfan Owain Glyndwr, Machynlleth Celebrate Owain Glyndwr Day with authentic food from Altaea Fradley, a local chef specialising in traditional fire cooking techniques. 7.45pm. £25.
•27th September, Liam Farrelly, Hafan Yr Afon, Newton Enjoy Scottish Comedian of the Year Liam’s sharp wit, relatable storytelling, and laid-back delivery – with special guests. 8pm. Tickets £15.
•4th October, Tour of Abbey & Village, Abbeycwmhir A rare opportunity to take a guided tour of the ‘the long valley’ with its Cistercian abbey remains and village. www.abbeycwmhir.org
•4th October, Mark Steel: The Leopard in My House, Hafren, Newtown Multi-award-winner Mark focuses his rapier wit on his battle with throat cancer, plus trademark acute political observations. 7.30pm. £20.
10th October, Martin Decker: Dad, Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells Blending film nostalgia with the chaos of parenting, Dad is a funny, brutally honest show for anyone who’s wondered what it’s like to be a good father. 7.30pm. £15.50.
•10th October, Anthems of Rock, Albert Hall, Llandrindod Wells Relive the heyday of ’80s rock as three West End vocalists perform hits by Aerosmith, Queen, Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Van Halen and more. 7.30pm. £27.50.
In perfect harmony
Ben & Dom: Singing in Harmony, 27th September
Enjoy an afternoon of fun and uplifting harmony singing followed by an evening concert. Workshop 2pm, show 5.30pm. Tickets £26.50.
Horrible Histories – Gorgeous Georgians & Vile Victorians, 17th & 18th October History with all the horrible bits left in. Tickets £19.50.
The ELO Tribute Show, 18th October A stunning
Pilgrims progress
After the success of last year’s event, Strata Florida Walking Festival returns on 20th-21st September
Experience the special atmosphere of this place, home to Cistercian monks in the 12th century and culturally significant since the early Bronze Age. The festival culminates in a guided walk to the Pilgrim statue, following a service at St Mary’s. Walks are free but donations encouraged in support of the work of Strata Florida Trust. Please register by 15th September. www.strataflorida.org.uk
Ancient tales
Enjoy an evening of stories with the Welsh Whisperers at Barmouth’s Dragon Theatre on 16th September, featuring Ceri John Phillips and the Dragon Storytellers (7pm, tickets £8). On 3rd October travel back in time to medieval Scotland with Just Macbeth, an hilarious take on Shakespeare’s classic tragedy (7.30pm, tickets £15, students £10).www.theatryddraig.cymru
DID YOU KNOW?
The choir was the first act to perform in Wales Millennium Centre, at a dinner for Dame Shirley Bassey
new stage production, playing hit after hit from the band’s vast back catalogu. 8pm. Tickets £29.50.
Only Men Aloud! – 25 Years, 22nd October They performed at two Royal Variety Performances and the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony: now see them live. 7.30pm. Tickets from £30. www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk
Farm fest
Join Radnorshire Wildlife Trust on 13th-14th September for a magical weekend of music, nature and creativity at Rivers Festival. Held at Hangingheld Farm in Radnor Forest, try arts and crafts, river dipping, woodland walks, nature talks, live music and spoken poetry – and farm animals to admire! Camp under the stars in a designated Dark Skies area; fresh organic food is included. Tickets £35 (£15). www.rwtwales.org
Autumn’s on track
At Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, the season is far from over, with exciting events lined up for the rest of the year. Bring your canine friend along to Dog Day on 20th September. Take a dino-tastic Jurassic journey on Dinosaur Weekend, 4th-5th October. On 11th October, see Taiwanese diesels No 17 The Diema and DL-34 operate together for the first time during Taiwan Day. For details and tickets, call 01938 810 441, visit www.wllr.org.uk or follow on Facebook and Instagram.
WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF
•11th October, Titty Trail, Aberystwyth Lingen Davies Cancer Support brings its iconic fundraiser to Aberystwyth! Gather your tribe for a spectacular 11-mile coastal route, and spread awareness of breast cancer. You can choose to run, walk with a trained leader or under your own steam. Entry details at www.lingendavies.co.uk
•15th October, Printing with Packaging, Strata Florida, Ystrad Meurig A workshop by local artist Marian Haf, demonstrating relief and intaglio printmaking using household waste. 10am-4pm. £80.
•17th-19th October, The Eye International Photography Festival, Aberystwyth Arts Centre
Exhibitions, workshops and talks, featuring the UK’s best photographers and photojournalists. Tickets www. aberystwythartscentre.co.uk
•18th & 19th October, Barmouth Moto X Beach Race Motorcycles and quad bikes will race on a specially prepared circuit on Barmouth’s sands. View free from the promenade.
•19th October, Little Rumba & Guest, Assembly Rooms, Presteigne A cabaret evening of music and mayhem: expect silly wigs, quizzes and Little Rumba performing new material. 7.30pm. £15, under-25s £10.
•24th October, Matthew Frederick, Assembly Rooms, Presteigne Snger-songwriter performs a blend of ‘misery’ folk, ballads, blues and Cymrucana. 8pm. £15 (under-25s £10).
We’ll meet
DID YOU KNOW?
Welshpool was originally just Pool – it was renamed in 1835 to distinguish it from Poole, England
again... in Welshpool
Experience a light-hearted look at wartime in a small rural town at Welshpool’s 1940s Weekend, running from 26th-28th September in the Town Hall and across town. Be captivated by re-enactors and entertainers in period cojjstume, vintage vehicle displays, trade stands, music and dancing – all with a 1940s theme. There’ll also be activities for children. Events include Spirit of the Blitz, with tributes
Autumn at Llanerchaeron
From 3rd September you can view the estate’s collection of wooden objects – from hand tools and toys to intricate marquetry. Apple Weekend on 3rd-5th October sees over 50 varieties on display, together with apple pressing demonstrations, stalls and produce.From 29th October – 2nd November, explore the estate on a scarecrow-themed trail, and see the house decorated before it closes for winter. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales
Walk right in
Wonderful, unusual buildings open free of charge this September as part of the national Open Doors Scheme. Visit atmospheric Llanfyllin Workhouse on 7th and enjoy a food fair, live music, art exhibition, open studios, guided tours and costumes for children. Powys Archives in Llandrindod Wells offers tours on 13th, and historic Llanerchaeron on 20th & 21st. On 24th visit Machynlleth Library for a talk and workshop by local romantic fiction writer Lissa Morgan. www.cadw.gov.wales
to Vera Lynn, Max Miller and more; the Swing Commanders dance band; 1940s Afternoon Welsh Tea; the popular Blitz Ball, and live entertainment throughout the weekend from a variety of period singers and dancers. Experience flying an iconic World War Two aircraft in the Spitfire simulator! The festival is mainly free, with some ticketed events. www.welshpool1940sweekend.co.uk
Best foot forward…
Llanwrtyd Wells hosts Mid-Wales 4-Day Walking Festival from 17th-20th September Explore mountains, forests and rivers on selfguided routes of 8, 12 or 20 miles, recognised by the International Federation of Popular Sports. Nightly entertainment culminates in the Blister Ball at the Neuadd Arms Hotel. Weekend ticket £35, or £10 per day. www.green-events.co.uk
Oh my darling…
My Darling Clementine are outstanding country singersongwriters who have worked with artists such as Nick Cave and Bryan Ferry. Catch them at Montgomery Town Hall on 27th September On 4th October Vinny Peculiar performs cleverly crafted, urban musical poetry, marbled with distinctive Northern melancholy – “a warmhearted Morrissey”. (Q Magazine). Show 8.30pm. Tickets £15 via www.ticketsource.co.uk
AFONWEN
CRAFT & ANTIQUE CENTRE
HOME STYLE LIVING ACCESSORIES, FURNITURE: ANTIQUE, VINTAGE & MODERN, JEWELLERY, FOOD HAMPERS, GIFTS, CRYSTAL AND MORE. DAILY CRAFT/ARTIST DEMONSTRATIONS. AMAZING HOME FOODS.
HOME STYLE LIVING ACCESSORIES, FURNITURE: ANTIQUE, VINTAGE & MODERN, JEWELLERY, FOOD HAMPERS, GIFTS, CRYSTAL AND MORE. DAILY CRAFT/ARTIST DEMONSTRATIONS. DELICIOUS HOMEMADE FOODS, BOOKING ADVISABLE. INSIDE & OUTSIDE EATING AVAILABLE.
OPENTUES TO SUN 9.30AM TO 5PM
Live Music in Welshpool
The Welsh Chamber Orchestra Charity no. 1083071 2025 - 26 Programmes Welshpool Music Club
Thursday Sept 27th
Young Musicians Platform.
Music lovers will be able to hear talented young performers bring their musical skills to Welshpool.
The young musicians will be from Welshpool and district. Start Time - 7.30pm
Thursday October 23rd
A concert of lighter music with top vocalist Tony Jacobs and his pianist Martin Litton The show, entitled ‘Cocktails for Two’, features music from the 1920s,30s and 40s. Start Time - 7.30pm
Thursday November 27th
Much loved Welsh pianist Llyr Williams. Music by Cesar Franck, Schumann and Rachmaninov
Start Time - 7.30pm
and telephone bookings
SATURDAY 27th SEPTEMBER 2025 11AM
FORTHCOMING AUCTIONS
SATURDAY 25th OCTOBER 2025
SATURDAY 22nd NOVEMBER 2025
Cooper Barrington LLP, The Old Methodist Chapel, Hoyhead Road, Froncysyllte, Nr Llangollen, LL20 7RA. Tel. 01691 774567 Web.cooperbarrington.co.uk JOIN US IN THE ROOM OR LIVE WITH ON-LINE BIDDING
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Plus all events are included on the new What’s on App Free for all to use
Some of the fantastic places of interest within 35 mile radius: Lake Vrynwy RSPB, Coed y Dinas, Powis Castle, Hafren Forest, Ynyshir RSPB, Devils Bridge, Elan Valley, Abbey Cwm Hir, Whittington Castle, Stiperstones, Long Mynd, Llandrindod cycle museum, Clun Castle.
Autumn at Talyllyn Railway
Slate Trail, 4th & 18th September Travel with expert guides in vintage carriages and learn about the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales, with visits to Ty Dwr and Pendre Works.
The Railway Adventurer, 11th & 25th September Hear how Talyllyn became the world’s first preserved railway, with photo stops and a tour around Pendre Works.
Heritage Weekend, 13th & 14th September
See special trains including early preservation era trains – and enjoy evocative Fathew in darkness.
Steam & Scream! 30th & 31st October
Have some spooky family fun on an evening train ride to Dolgoch Woods. Details and bookings at www.talyllyn.co.uk
Watch the birdies
Autumn is busy at RSPB Ynys-hir, Machynlleth. On 14th September try a Natural Dyeing Workshop: create beautiful colours using sustainable materials and practices (10.30am-3pm, £66).
Join the wardens on 21st September for a Waders and Wetlands Walk and spot passing migrants and the arrival of winter residents (9.30am, £13). On 11th October look for tiny teals, whistling wigeons, gadwalls and more (10.30am, £12). Book via Events, www.rspb.org.uk
DID YOU KNOW?
The first recorded steam-train journey was from a South Wales ironworks in 1804
Tantalising!
Pedal, paddle or plod
Montgomery Canal Triathlon on 6th September is an endurance event along the towpath and canal. Entrants can do the whole course or parts, making it a great day out for those who enjoy a communal bike ride, paddle or walk. There’s a 12-mile cycle from Newtown to Whitehouse; five miles by canoe to Pool Quay, and 10 miles on foot to Crickheath. Entry from £14 (child from £7). www.themontgomerycanal.org.uk
Newton Food Festival on 6th-7th September promises a feast of food, music and fun. There’ll be food and drink from around the world, as well as the best regional produce. Expect crowdpulling family entertainment on the main stage, a ‘Food to Go’ lawn, bar, children’s village, festival kitchen, producers lawn and marquee. From gourmet delights to street food favourites, there’ll be something to tantalise every palate. From 10am. Free. www. newtownfoodfestival.org
From the land
Exhibitions at MOMA, Machynlleth this autumn include Elin Crowley’s ‘Lloches’ (from 3rd September), inspired by local Welsh landscapes. From 13th September view the work of 19 local artists in ‘Vanishing Wings: Art of the Endangered’, highlighting the 22 Red Listed birds living in the Cambrian Mountains. There’s also an exhibition of ceramics by North Wales Potters and sculpture by John Meirion Morris. www.moma.cymru
•25th October, Good Times, Albert Hall, Llandrindod Wells Enjoy this tribute to the raw funk and disco of Nile Rogers and Chic, together with hits by Diana Ross, David Bowie, Daft Punk and more. 8pm. £20.50.
•25th October – 2nd November, Pete Waterman’s World Record Model Railway Exhibition, Vale of Rheidol Railway Pete’s collection is the largest portable model railway in the world – and you can drive part of the 208ft-long layout! Tickets £10 (3-15s £5).
•30th October – 1st November, Other Voices, Cardigan Over 80 performances showcase the best of new and emerging music from both sides of the Irish Sea. £65 via www.othervoices.ie
•31st October – 2nd November, Halloween Haunted Holiday, Gregynog, Newtown Fundraiser for Raise the Roof: take part in paranormal investigations, then shop the festive Craft Fair. £250.
•1st November, Glasville – The Modern Country Music Show, Aberystwyth Arts Centre Be part of this immersive show, featuring hits from Luke Combs, Kane Brown, The Cadillac Three, Lady A and more. 8pm. £31.50.
•Ongoing, ‘Unexpected Artwork in the Bagging Area’, Oriel Davies, Newtown Artists bring pieces out of storage to sell – find yourself a bargain! WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 25TH OCTOBER – NOVEMBER
TO MARKET, TO MARKET
Discover dozens of artisan stalls at Port Sunlight’s new Village Market on 7th September (9am-1pm). Take your pick from the nest local produce including farm-fresh fruit and veg, quality butcher’s meats, award-winning cheeses, jams and chutneys, and local honey – plus a wonderful range of crafts and gifts. Entry free. On 4th October wrap up warm and explore over 30 stalls lled with local food, drink and little luxuries at the Sugar & Spice Festival: Autumn Edition. Families can take part in Suds the Squirrel’s Adventure Trail (£5) for an autumn-themed prize. 11am-4pm, free entry. www.portsunlightvillage.com
DID YOU KNOW?
No film with Autumn in its title has ever won an Oscar –all the other seasons have
WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 7TH-10TH SEPTEMBER
•7th September, Clonter Fair, Clonter Opera Theatre, Swettenham Heath, Congleton
A great day out for all the family, with a car boot sale, handmade crafts, vintage clothes stalls and live music from folk to opera. 10am-4pm. £6 (children free).
Come outside…
Pack a picnic and dig out the blankets – Adventure Cinema is coming to Bolesworth on 12th-14th September. e Castle provides a magni cent backdrop for a one-of-a-kind outdoor cinematic experience. Choose from e Greatest Showman (12th, 7pm), Mamma Mia! ExtrABBAganza (13th, 6.30pm), e Gru alo/Stick Man (14th, 11am), Sing (14th, 3pm) and Pretty Woman (14th, 7.30pm). Ticket prices vary; premium deckchairs, snack bags and blankets extra. www.bolesworth.com
Trending now
Cheshire Fashion Week on 16th18th October is the biggest outside London, showcasing next-gen British fashion, design and culture with a global reach. Held at Chester Cathedral and the Town Hall, the event features runway trends, exclusive showrooms and exhibitions. Unmissable! www. cheshirefashionweek.com.
Halloween magic
October means daylight adventures and spooky surprises at BeWILDerwood, near Malpas. Dress up in your favourite costume and clamber, climb and zip through the wild woods! Go Twig or Treating with the magical BeWILDerwood characters, then follow the glowing light trail as the sun sets. Halloween at BeWILDerwood –spooooky fun for everyone, without staying out late! For tickets, see www.bewilderwood.co.uk
Blues brigade
A blistering mix of blues, soul and old-school R’n’B, e Stumble have been wowing audiences with the energy and virtuosity of their live shows for 20 years. e band take their creative talents to a new level with their fourth album, e Other Side. Catch them at Alexander's Live, Chester on 18th October. Show 9pm. £12. www.alexanderslive.com
e fall guy
Take an Autumnal Walk at Arley Hall on 27th September with expert Fungalpunk Dave and discover fungi, late blooms, life under logs and other hidden fascinations most of us walk past. A gentle session of observances with emphasis on seeing, discussing, appreciating and recording natural wonders. Online booking is essential via www.arleyhallandgardens.com
•7th September, Sunday Walk: Last Orders, Congleton Museum In 1906 Congleton had 63 public houses for a population of 10,500. Seek out those longlost drinking establishments and look at how those that still exist have changed over the years. 2pm. £10 (children free, museum friends £7).
7th September, Beginners Botanical Watercolour Art Class, The Coach House at Arley Sue McHugh, fellow of the Society of Botanical Artists, hosts a twohour relaxed art class. 1pm. £45.
•8th-13th September, The Ballad of Maria Marten, MADS Little Theatre, Macclesfield A classic crime drama: a missing body, a disreputable squire, and a rural village stuck in its
age-old traditions. This play rediscovers Maria’s own story, bringing it back to vivid, urgent life. 7.45pm.
•10th September, The Creation Window: A Quite Extraordinary Treasure, Café 1092, Chester Cathedral Enjoy an evening presentation by Trevor Dennis about this stunning stained glass window, accompanied with cake and sandwiches. 5pm. £15.
WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 13TH-20TH SEPTEMBER
•13th September, Craft Pottery Short Session 101, The Potters Barn, Hassall Green, Sandbach Introduction to hand-made craft pottery, exploring the most common methods. including the potter’s wheel. 1.30pm3.30pm. £55.
•13th September, Heritage Day, National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port Stroll through this wonderful sevenacre landscape of Victorian locks, docks, stables and
cottages and imagine how it would have been in those bygone days. 10am-4pm. Free.
•13th September, Chester Food & Craft Festival, The Carriage Shed, City Road A chance to celebrate some of the North West’s most talented independent makers. Enjoy a vibrant mix of artisan shopping, with handcrafted homeware, jewellery and artwork, plus delicious street food and live local music. 10am-5pm. Free
•14th September, TREEmendous, Cholmondeley Castle Embark on a journey through Cholmondeley’s most impressive trees, discovering the giants of the forest on a specially designed trail. Watch tree climbing demos, see horse logging and chainsaw carving, woodwork and charcoal-making, have a go at den building and enjoy the local food market. 10am-5pm. £9 (under-16s £4, under-5s free).
CENTRE COURT
Northwich Memorial Court has a packed programme this autumn. Book tickets at www.brioentertainment.org
Solve-Along-A Murder She Wrote, 26th September Prepare for a unique and hilarious evening of games, prizes and audience participation, with an interactive screening of Murder, She Wrote Jessica Fletcher is invited to the island home of a famous artist, but soon there’s a murder that only she – or you! – can solve. 7.30pm. Tickets £20.
e Chicago Blues Brothers: RESPECT, 11th October With an award-winning live band, soulful Sweet Sisters and the legendary Jake and Elwood, it’s the biggest party around. 7.30pm. Tickets £27.
Dreamcoat Stars, 30th October Stars of the Technicolor musical sing your favourite West End and Broadway hits. 7.30pm. Tickets £28.
Wish come true
Chips ahoy
•From 20th September, Gladiators of Britain, Grosvenor Museum, Chester Discover the events of the amphitheatre, its wild beasts and enslaved fighters – aspects of Roman culture that still capture the public imagination today. TuesSat 10.30am-5pm, Sun & bank holidays 1-4pm. Free.
e Live Rooms, Chester is one of just four venues on Wishbone Ash’s UK tour to host ‘Double Dates’ – with two entirely di erent sets from the legendary band on 19th & 20th September. Plus, join fellow fans for AshCon 2025 on 20th, including matinee set, band Q&A, auction of rare items, fun quiz, tribute and guest speakers. www.theliverooms.com
Your Majesties…
Calling all Princesses – and little Princes! You’re invited to an enchanting concert at Chester Cathedral, to join in singing the themes from your favourite Princess movies including Frozen, Cinderella and e Little Mermaid. e Princess Proms is on 19th & 20th September at 5.30pm and also 1.30pm on 20th. Tickets are from £18.35 (child from £14). Suitable for ages 3-plus. www.chestercathedral.com
Chester Boat’s popular Fish & Chip Friday cruise sets sail from e Groves in the heart of Chester on 5th Sepember at 7pm. Enjoy a tasty sh supper whilst you sail up to the picturesque Iron Bridge at Aldford. ere's a fully stocked bar on board, and on the way you’ll play a couple of fun games of bingo, with prizes to be won! Tickets £28 (child £15). Book at www.chesterboat.co.uk
Step into a world of eerie enchantment at the 15-acre haunted Magical Woodland, where shadows dance and mysterious characters await your arrival! is spooky family fun runs from 10th October - 2nd November at Cheshire Outdoors, Blakemere Village, Sandiway. Wander the winding trail and meet creepy creatures, ghosts and witches just dying to make your acquaintance. You’ll encounter a hauntingly beautiful light and sound show that will give you chills in a good way too. Tickets £26.95 (under-15s £17.50). www.magicalwoodland.com
CHESHIRE WHAT’S ON
•20th September, Canvas Clash, The Carriage Shed, Chester A competitive live art event, where eight artists battle it out in timed rounds to find the ultimate talent! It’s fastpaced, creative and an exciting experience for artists and the audience! 5-9.30pm. £20.
•20th-21st September, Chester Tatt Fest, St Mary's Creative Space, Chester Chester Tatt Fest has the finest tattoo artists, a piercer, vendors selling arts and crafts, plus live music and performers, food and drink. From 10am. Day ticket £10, weekend £15.
•21st September, Heritage Open Day, Lion Salt Works, Marston, Northwich The Lion Salt Works Trust will be running salt-making demonstrations, guided tours and family craft sessions. See the ridges, bows and unevenly coursed brickwork of the Stove Houses and the corroded iron pans. 11am-4.30pn. Free.
•26th & 27th September, Northwich Beer Festival, Memorial Court, Northwich Sample a huge range of craft ales, beers and ciders, and visit the gin and Prosecco bar, with live bands both nights. Fri 6-11pm (£10), Sat noon-4pm (£8), 6-11pm (£12). See www.beerfest.org.uk
•27th September, Sock Knitting Workshop, Stitch, High Street, Tarporley Learn how to knit in the round and make an easy pair of mini socks. Plus you’ll have the option of turning your little socks into an advent calendar! Yarns and needles supplied, refreshments provided. 10am-12.30pm. £50.
TELLING TALES
Chester’s Storyhouse never fails to deliver. Check out the new season’s programme and book tickets at www.storyhouse.com
Joanne McNally: Pinotphile, 9th October After the success of her Prosecco Express tour, McNally has been keeping herself busy by ruining men’s lives (and her own!). Now she’s back – still single, still unfertilised, laden with hilarious war stories. 8pm. Tickets £32.
Little Women, 14th-18th October Anne-Marie Casey’s masterful new adaptation invites you to step into a world of sisterhood, courage and
Running wild
Chester Zoo’s Run For Nature is back on 21st September, bigger and better than ever. ey've added a 5k challenge alongside the 10k and kids’ Zoom miler, and the new route takes in even more of the zoo. Raise over £65 and you’ll receive a gira e plushie and tote bag. www.chesterzoo.org
Best in town
DID YOU KNOW?
Little Women author Louisa M Alcott was the first woman to vote in her US town in 1880
ambition, as the March girls navigate the challenges of the Civil War era, forging bonds of love and family. 2.30pm & 7.30pm. Tickets from £20.
Pirates Love Underpants, 25th-26th October. Based on the much-loved book by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort, join a swashbuckling party of pirates on their quest to nd the fabled Pants of Gold for the Captain’s treasure chest! 1.30pm, plus additional 10am show on Sunday. Tickets £17 (child £15).
Pitch perfect
Rosa Sparks, winner of 2024’s Betty Bannerman Award for French Song, gives a recital in Clonterbrook Music Room on 17th October, accompanied by Robin Humphreys. Rosa’s recent roles include Emmie in Britten’s Albert Herring for Opera North, and the lead in modern comedic
Spectacular!
opera Interrupted. Starts 3pm. Tickets £20. www.clonter.org
It's home to the Lovell Space Telescope and Weirdstone of Brisingamen author Alan Garner – but Goostrey’s other claim to fame is its annual arts and music festival, Goosfest, taking place this year on 26th September – 12th October
Whether it’s theatre, standup comedy, classical, reggae, folk, jazz or contemporary music, poetry, painting or craft that lights your re, Goosfest has it all – plus cheese-making demonstrations, a bookbinding workshop and so much more! Details at www.goosfest.com
Fuse old-world charm with futuristic invention and you get the Steampunk Weekender on 20th-21st September at Anderton Boat Lift. Marvel at ingenious vehicles, mechanical curiosities, gadgets, vintageinspired fashions and accessories, with stalls, games and live music. www.andertonboatlift.co.uk
Dust o your Lederhosen and say Prost! to good times at Chester Racecourse’s Oktoberfest on 20th September rilling racing, tasty Bavarian food, oompah bands, a fancy dress contest and traditional games add up to one Stein-tastic day to mark the nale of the racing season!
First race 1.55pm, last race 5.20pm. Tickets from £17 for Roodee enclosure, from £45 for Tattersalls (with tiered standing and trackside access). For full details visit www.chester-races.com
A WINNING EXPERIENCE AT CHESTER RACECOURSE
MAKE MOMENTS THAT MATTER
Every race day offers a unique blend of excitement, elegance, and exceptional service. Whether you’re hosting a corporate event, celebrating a special occasion, or simply enjoying a day out with friends and family, our hospitality packages are designed to create lasting memories.
Why Choose A Hospitality Experience?
• Stunning Setting: All of our hospitality enclosures provide a luxurious setting to your raceday.
• Tailored Packages: From private boxes to fine dining experiences, we cater to a range of preferences and budgets.
• Exceptional Service: Our dedicated hospitality team is committed to providing you with top-notch service, making your experience seamless and enjoyable.
• Thrilling Races: Feel the adrenaline as you watch the horses thunder down the track, creating an electrifying backdrop for your day.
WONDERS OF NATURE
Looking for family fun outdoors? Tatton Park has plenty on o er – try these for starters! Booking essential at www.tattonpark.org.uk
Hawk Walk, 6th & 7th September Get up close to these majestic birds of prey at Tatton Farm, learn all about their hunting techniques and perhaps even handle one yourself. Ages 8-plus. Sorry, no dogs. 10.30am. £25.
An Introduction to Longbow, 11th October is
Open invite
Don’t miss the chance to visit Dunham Massey for free on 16th & 20th September, when the Altrincham estate opens its doors as part of Heritage Open Days – England’s largest festival of history and culture. Tour the house, explore the gardens, deer park and mill, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Open from 9am, last entry 3.30pm (house), 4.15pm (gardens). www.nationaltrust.org.uk
FAMILY TIES
Meet the dysfunctional Haussman family in a sharp, darkly comic drama from the Nantwich Players, exploring the emotional cost of independence. e Last of the Haussmans runs from 17th-25th October at the Players eatre.
Matriarch Judy and her children navigate their chaotic lives, facing both the ghosts of the past and an uncertain future. A poignant and hilarious look at what happens when family ties are tested. 7.45pm, tickets £12. www.nantwichplayers.com
WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF
27TH SEPTEMBER –18TH OCTOBER
DID YOU KNOW?
A Royal stag has 12 points to his antlers, an Imperial stag 14, a Monarch 16 or more
workshop will include a fascinating talk about the history of the longbow as well as the opportunity to learn how to shoot for yourself, using quality, handmade bows. Ages 16-plus. 10.30am & 1.30pm. £60.
Family Deer Workshop, 28th October Handle real antlers and pelts, share a craft activity, and join the education team for a deer tracking walk (approx 1 mile) to view Tatton’s historic herd – children’s binoculars provided. One-hour sessions at 10.30am & 1pm. £12 (under 3s free; includes park entry and an Explorers Handbook to take home).
Mega fun
XL Comedy Club nights at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall are all about delivering a premium comedy experience: four outstanding comedians and a room full of laughter.
Gary Delaney is joined by special guests on 24th October Expect precision-crafted gags, rapid- re wit and a headline performance that sets the tone for an unmissable night. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £22.50 from www.brioentertainment.org
•27th-28th September, A Victorian Harvest, Stretton Watermill An annual celebration of the apple harvest, with seasonal Victorian crafts, food displays, apple-pressing (bring your own apples), music, plus Chris Hocking and his selection of vintage pushbikes. Noon-5pm. Free, with a small admission charge for mill tour.
•30th September – 4th October, One Man, Two Guvnors, Daneside Theatre, Congleton Brighton, 1963: an out-ofwork ski e player, Francis Henshall, becomes separately employed by two men, whom in a series of complicated events he tries to keep from meeting. 7.30pm. £15.
•2nd October, T’Pau, Live Rooms, Chester The stunning vocals of Carol Decker still enchant audiences, with hits such as ‘Heart and Soul’ and ‘China In Your Hands’. 7pm. Tickets £30.50.
DOIN’ FINE
Six-piece Fine Lines bring their exquisite blend of Americana and country rock to Roots at Ebenezer’s, Crewe on 2nd October, fresh from tours with Kiefer Sutherland and e Long Ryders. Roots at Ebenezer’s is a monthly live-streamed concert featuring Americana and roots music from the UK and beyond. Show starts 8pm. Tickets £10. www.ebenezers. co.uk
•5th October, 2025 MBNA Chester Marathon With a lively city centre start and finish, the route passes Chester's iconic landmarks, heads out into the countryside, then returns along the banks of the River Dee. All abilities, ages, fun and charity runners are welcome. 9am. Entry £62, free to watch.
•18th October, Codename Colin, Tom’s Tap, Crewe This ska-punk band delivers highoctane live performances with an energetic vibe, driven by infectious beats and captivating, horn-driven hooks. 8.30pm. Tickets £9.
WHAT’S
ON IN BRIEF
23RD-31ST OCTOBER
•23rd-31st October, Halloween at Quarry Bank, Wilmslow A spine-tingling night of thrills, chills and glowing surprises. As twilight falls over the historic mill, the shadows grow deeper and the haunting begins… The perfect night out for all ages! 4.30-9pm. From £15 (child £10).
•25th October, Christmas Calligraphy Workshop, Cheshire Clay Studios, Lowes Farm, Middlewich Start your journey exploring this mindful pastime and art form. It’s fun to learn and relaxing to practise. 11am1.30pm. £69.
•25th October, Ellesmere Port Pride 2025, Ellesmere Port Civic Hall A day filled with love,
acceptance and celebration! With live music, celebrities, local acts and drag performances, food vendors and more. 1-7pm.
•26th October, Silver Workshop, Cheshire School of Jewellery, Wettenhall Road, Nantwich Learn how to make a stone-set silver clay pillow pendant; how to roll the clay, add texture and add the stone. Materials are included, tools and equipment available. 10am-4pm. £95.
•31st October, Knutsford Pumpkin Path, Knutsford Town Centre As well as the pumpkin trail, families can enjoy lots of entertainment, singing and dance performances, photo opps with spooky characters, Halloween-themed window displays, competitions and other activities. Feel free to dress up too – there might even be prizes! 4-7pm. Free.
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
Words & Music on 13th-19th October is a small-but-beautiful independent festival in historic Nantwich, promising intimate gigs, special events and readings from unexpected artists. Individual shows take place across the week in venues including the Civic Hall and Nantwich Town Football Club.
This year’s lineup features punk legend Dr John Cooper Clarke; Rianne Downey with a voice full of heart, and songs that blend country, pop and soul; Gruff Rhys, frontman of genre-defying band Super
Monsters Inc.
Europe’s largest trucking festival, Truckfest roars into Cheshire Showground on 13th-14th September. See the mighty car-crushing Swamp ing in action! Watch Broke FMX ace freestyle motocross tricks. Spot incredible rigs of all shapes and sizes, even ride in one. Plus meet stars of TV’s Gladiators and Transformers Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and pals. Advance day tickets £16 (5-15s £8, family £40). www.truckfest.co.uk
JOIN THE CREWE!
Check out some of the brilliant acts at Crewe Lyceum this autumn…
Furry
Animals; the UK’s best-selling country duo
DID YOU KNOW?
Swamp Thing monster truck has an estimated 2000bhp and weighs 5.5 tons!
The Shires; comedy icon Rich Hall – who’ll be joined by the talented Ronnie Golden; John Bramwell of I Am Kloot; and Danny & the Champions of the World with their soul-stirring blend of Americana, rock and heartland soul. Ticket prices vary. For full details and to book, visit www.wordsandmusicfestival.com
Ministry of Science Live – Science Saved e World, 13th September e UK’s favourite science team is back and more explosive than ever. Dive deep into the world of science and look at how it shapes the world we live in – with a few loud bangs along the way! 1.30pm. Tickets from £19.50.
Russell Watson, 17th October ‘ e Voice’ celebrates his 25-year career by performing some of his best-known pieces, including ‘Nessun Dorma’, ‘Caruso’, ‘Where My Heart Will Take Me’ (from Star Trek: Enterprise), plus new songs ‘Shine’ and ‘Grow’. 7.30pm. Tickets from £38.
Jimeoin: Pandemonium, 30th October
Jimeoin’s cheeky, no-gimmicks sense of humour, superb material and broad appeal keeps audiences in stitches. 7.30pm. Tickets from £25. Book at www.trafalgartickets.com.
...GET ON A CANAL BOAT
Hire for a day, a weekend, a week or longer
Visit www.cheshirecatnarrowboats.co.uk
Tel 07867 790195 anytime
Poulton Hall, Wirral
Discover classical and sacred music events this autumn, from local choral performances to live opera screenings.
SHIRE READER AUTUMN OFFER - 10% OFF ALL REMAINING 2025 WEEKS
Spend a day exploring the beautiful Shropshire Union Canal aboard our 10 seater, self-drive Day Boat
• Ideal for family celebrations and team-building days
Choral evensong in Wirral Churches, usually 1st Sun at St Marys Eastham 6pm, 2nd; All Saints Thornton Hough 6.30pm, 4th; St Saviours, Oxton 6.30pm Oct 1st - 6.45pm
Live transmission of “Tosca” from Royal Opera House in several cinemas, including Cineworld, Broughton.
October 11th - 10am-5pm
St Saviours Church Oxton. Come and sing day with Birkenhead Choral Society, Haydn’s Nelson Mass. See Birkenhead Choral website for more details.
October 18th
Live transmission of Bellini’s “La Sonnambula” from Royal Opera House in several cinemas, including Cinewold, Broughton
October 26th - 4.00pm
English Touring Opera present “L’elisir d’Amor” at Buxton Opera House November 8th - 7.00pm
“Clonter opera Gala” at Clonter Opera. For details see Clonter Opera website November 15th – 7.30pm
St Saviours Church, Oxton, “Glorias” Choral Concert by Birkenhead Choral Society and soloists. See website or pay at the door (£15) November 22nd - 7.30pm
Chester Cathedral, “Poulenc and Durufle” Choral concert with choir, soloists and orchestra presented by Chester Music society. Tickets £10-£35 see Chester Music society website for further details
November 29th and 30th - Entry times from 4.30pm to 6.30pm
After dark “Winter Wonderland Walks” in the walled gardens of Poulton Hall, Bebington, CH63 9LN. Book by ticketsource.co.uk. Witch, Wardrobe, Santa, Hot Chocolate, etc.
Advance Booking on ticketsource.co.uk or pay on entry www.poultonhall.co.uk
Looking for a spiritual home that welcomes all pathways?
Join us on the 1st & 3rd Fridays at Noon and the 4th Sunday of each month at 4pm.
We are a warm, inclusive community exploring a broad spectrum of spirituality, drawing from many faiths, philosophies, and personal experiences. Each gathering offers a time for reflection, shared insight, and openhearted discussion about life, the world we live in, and the great mystery we may call God. www.wirralunitarians.uk
WHAT’S
ON IN BRIEF
3RD-8TH SEPTEMBER
•5th-7th September & 3rd-5th October, Tours of Sunnycroft House, Telford Learn about Dorothy Lander and her 1912 travels, explore Sunnycroft’s history and her diary recording her journey across the world. Open 10am-4pm, last tour 3pm. £9 (child £4.50, under-5s free).
•6th September, The Sound of Magic, Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton Join Lance Corporal Richard Jones, the military illusionist, the only magician to conquer the stage of Britain’s Got Talent Prepare for an unforgettable evening of entertainment as he has you questioning the fabric of reality! 7.30pm. From £23 (child £18).
•7th September, Creative Writing Workshop, The Hive, Shrewsbury Join award-winning playwright Hattie Naylor for a day filled with the magic of poetry, prose and innovative writing. With three decades of expertise in teaching and performing, Hattie will ignite your creativity and unleash your inner writer. 10am-6pm. From £5.
•7th September, Car Boot Sale, Alderford Lake, Whitchurch Whitchurch Rotary Club are back with their monthly car boot sale in aid of Rotary charities and causes. Sellers can arrive to set up from 8am, buyers’ entry is from 9am. £1 (children free).
•8th September, Paul Merson: My Life!, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Football’s Paul Merson takes to the stage for a night of unfiltered stories, laughter and behind-the-scenes revelations from his time as player and manager – and shares his battles with gambling and addiction. 7.30pm. From £33.
A CLASSICAL CELEBRATION
Join Russell Watson for a celebration of his 25-year career as the UK’s most proli c classical recording artist. At eatre Severn on 20th & 21st October, ‘ e Voice’ will share some of his best-known tracks both old and new, including ‘Va, pensiero’, ‘Nessun dorma’, ‘Caruso’, ‘Where My Heart Will Take Me’ (from Star Trek: Enterprise), plus new songs ‘Shine’ and ‘Grow Old’.
DID YOU KNOW?
Russell was the first British male to top the UK and US album charts simultaneously
Russell has clocked up an incredible eight Top 10 albums, with worldwide album sales of over seven million, and has won four Classical BRIT awards. Away from the recording studio, he’s performed for King Charles, for the late Queen Elizabeth and the late Pope John Paul II. His star power also extends to musical theatre, with roles in Chicago and Je Wayne’s War of the Worlds.
Performing alongside his live band tonight, this is the perfect chance to celebrate the incredible journey of one of the world’s greatest voices. Show starts 7.30pm. Tickets from £35.70. www.theatresevern.co.uk
Down on the farm
Acton Scott Heritage Farm is a charity in the Shropshire Hills, promoting heritage farming, traditional skills and crafts. is autumn, escape from the modern world and discover life as the Victorians lived it, complete with working horses and rare breed animals. Volunteers tend the livestock and provide lively demonstrations of traditional activities. Open weekends and 29th October–2nd November 10am-4.30pm, then closed for winter. £16 (child £8, under-6s free). www.actonscottheritagefarm.org.uk
FAIR’S FAIR
Uniting the community through the power of positive energy – “We're trying to save the planet one smile at a time!” – Whitchurch Blackberry Fair on 4th October is a mix of art and sustainability, making current issues fun while giving local artists a stage. Daytime events are free; tickets for Pooka’s Polka Big Blackberry Party with e Beatles Dub Club at the Civic Hall are £22. www.blackberryfair.co.uk
Honouring heroes
e RAF Museum Midlands in Cosford is the setting for two extra-special open-air concerts on 20th & 21st September, as the Battle of Britain Proms 2025 pays tribute to the heroes of 1940. Against the dramatic backdrop of Hercules aircraft, these evenings of stirring music, remembrance and celebration honour the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, and feature West End and Broadway star Kerry Ellis (Wicked, Les Misérables, Oliver!, Cats) alongside the Lymm Concert Band, IDA Girls and the Military Wives Choir. Concert 7-10pm. Tickets £24 (concessions £20). Why not book for the museum’s Battle of Britain Big Weekend too? www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands
Back with a bang
It’s back! Everyone’s favourite bon re and reworks returns to Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre on 25th October, thanks to sponsors Euro Quality Foundation. With hot dog and soup stands, RJ’s Smoke Shack for burgers and wa es, Wedding Pizza Co, Special Cider Company and a full bar, plus funfair and family entertainment from local singer Andrew Pearce. Gates open 5pm, the bon re will be lit at 7pm, followed by reworks at 7.30pm. Tickets on sale 2nd September. www.shropshirehillsdiscoverycentre.co.uk
e ‘original’ food festival
Ludlow Marches Food & Drink – e Festival, established in 1995, is recognised as being the rst of its kind in the UK. Taking place from 12th14th September at the iconic Ludlow Castle, the three-day extravaganza celebrates the region’s food heritage with cooking demonstrations, trails, late sessions, workshops and talks from international chefs, producers and experts.
With a range of exhibitors to explore, stock up on your favourite treats and tipples, taste new and
Fizz ’n’ chips
Shropshire
Wine School has a treat in store on 17th October –a showcase of premium French wines alongside that great British favourite, sh ’n’ chips! Beginning with three sparkling wines, you’ll move on to three Champagnes, with guidance on wine-tasting. You’ll soon be sni ng and slurping like a professional!
Runs 7-9pm, tickets £60. www.localwineschool.com
delicious avours, watch live cookery sessions and get hands-on at the workshops. e Castle’s Inner Bailey is home to the Fire Stage, where a host of local and international chefs showcase cooking on re bowls – expect some serious sizzling skills!
Plus, for those wanting to extend the festival experience, enjoy late-night street food and live DJ sets at after-hours events.
Gates 10am. Tickets from £16 (children £6, under-5s free). www.ludlowfoodfestival.co.uk
TITTY TRAIL
12th October sees the return of the Titty Trail: 11 miles to raise awareness of the symptoms of breast cancer, highlight the importance of screening, and boost funds for local cancer services. It’s organised by Lingen Davies Cancer Support and there’s three ways to take part – run, guided walk or self-guided walk, the choice is yours!
So gather your Titty Tribe to explore the beautiful Shropshire Hills around Bishop’s Castle. Whether you sign up as a group or individually, you’ll have lots of fun. Raise over £100 and receive an exclusive Titty Trail scrunchie! Entry is £30 and includes T-shirt, medal and refreshments along the route. www.lingendavies.co.uk
CLEAR THE COBWEBS
Pull on your wellies and wrap up warm for a Halloween walk around the grounds of Stokesay Court on 31st October. Fancy dress is encouraged, with prizes to be won, a pumpkin trail and goodie bags, as well as family activities in the craft tent.
A fun afternoon is guaranteed, with tasty treats available at the Shepherd’s Hut including soup, burgers, hotdogs, indulgent hot chocolate and homemade brownies. At dusk the house and garden will be lit up. Open 2-8pm. Tickets from £8 (under-5s free). www.stokesaycourt.com
All things nice…
WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 8TH-14TH SEPTEMBER
•8th-14th September, Wellington Walking Festival The organisers aim to promote the interest of local walkers in Wellington, and to promote Wellington to walkers elsewhere. Their 2025 festival features 33 walks ranging from short strolls to a strenuous 13.5 miles. For a full programme visit www.wellingtonwalkers arewelcome.org.uk
•10th September, Goldstone Hall & Hotel Open Gardens, Market Drayton For eight years Goldstone has been selected to open its gardens for the National Garden Scheme, the charity that raises more than £3.5 million each year for nursing, caring and gardening charities. Open 11am-5pm. £8.50 (children free), all entry fees go to the NGS.
•13th September, Ocean with David Attenborough (cert. PG), Bayston Hill Memorial Hall In this powerful documentary released to coincide with Sir David’s 99th birthday, the celebrated naturalist explores the planet's undersea habitats, revealing the greatest age of ocean discovery and the oceans’ vital importance. 7.30pm. £5.
Ginger & Spice is an award-winning community festival in Market Drayton that champions the local food and drink scene and explores the heritage of the ‘Home of Gingerbread’. e town is famed for its spicy biscuits – Billington’s Gingerbread has been made here for over 200 years. Since the free festival was launched in 2020, Ginger & Spice has diversi ed to o er an online store, podcast and artisan hamper service. Enjoy an eclectic mix of fringe events too! 9.30am4.30pm. www.gingerandspicefest.co.uk
•14th September, Exotic Express, Telford Steam Railway The railway has teamed up with its pals at Telford Exotic Zoo, and the zookeepers will be bringing some of their friendly animals aboard, for passengers to see close up and maybe hold! £10 (child £7).
•14th September, Talk: Adventures in Scotland in Search of the Blue Poppy, Dorothy Clive Gardens, Market Drayton Enjoy a talk by Ruth Plant in the Bryan Mayer Pavilion. 11am. £18 (includes garden entry).
SHROPSHIRE WHAT’S ON
WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF
•16th September & 17th October, Make More of Your Photography, Attingham Park
Bring your camera to Attingham and join Lindsey Bucknor for an exciting photography workshop. Explore the parkland and draw on Lindsey’s experience to enhance your photography and capture some natural beauty. 10.15am-12.30pm. £55.
•17th September & 15th
October, Grief Café, Oswestry
Library Paula J Roscoe, author of Survive Grief & Come Back to Life: The Memoir of a Survivor will be at the library on the third Wednesday every month, o ering a warm, welcoming and comforting environment for people to share their experiences. 10am-12pm. Free to attend.
•20th September, Mosaic Workshop, Willow Gallery, Immerse yourself in the wonderful craft of mosaic-making led by Lindsey Kenney. You’ll be introduced to a wide range of glass materials, and simple techniques to achieve a fabulous small mosaic. 10am-4pm. £95 (including all materials).
•26th September, Bongo’s Bingo, The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury Bingo but not as you know it! The classic game is reinvented, with added mayhem, dance anthems and prizes!
One of the best parties around – grab your friends for a night of escapism, with singalongs, false calls and lots of fun. Doors 6.30pm. Tickets £15 (over-18’s only)
•28th September, Quiz Night, The Clive Arms, Ludlow Come along to the Clive for a noughties-themed quiz, with four rounds including picture and music. Teams of up to six, prizes for the winning team! 6.30pm. £2.50 each. Call 01584 856 565 for details.
Healing vibes
Whether you prefer your festivals lively or laid back, Heal – coming to West Mid Showground, Shrewsbury on 19th-21st September – promises to deliver, with zones o ering everything from sound systems to sound healing.
DID YOU KNOW?
The world’s largest yoga class took place by the beach in India – 300,105 took part!
Heal Festival is put together in love and kindness by some of the region’s long-standing promoters. e music and wellbeing festival o ers diversity and choice, bringing the community together through a common love of music, art, culture and food.
ere’ll be over 120 acts, with headliners e Fratellis, Dub Pistols and Tom Meighan con rmed. e dedicated wellness village will feature
Round & round
healers and practitioners, yoga, breathwork, mindfulness, meditation, reiki, tarot and more. Heal works with organisations including e Rural Charity, Cope Mental Health and One Love, delivering work within the community and pushing for their goal of inclusivity and being a force for good. Gates Friday 2pm, Saturday & Sunday 11am. Tickets via www.healfestival.co.uk
Hero hour
Take part in a crazy, quirky boat race on 13th September and enter a team for the Coracle World Championships in Shrewsbury – or come along and cheer the fun! Up to 48 teams of four relay across the river in single-person circular boats, with just one oar to steer and paddle. Last year’s event raised almost £41,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support – can you help beat the target? Team registration is £300, and teams are asked to do their own fundraising. From 2pm, refreshments available. www.coracleworldchampionship.co.uk
FOOD FRENZY
Get set to eat, sip and celebrate at Newport Food Frenzy on 13th September – a free all-day event that transforms the heart of Newport into a hub of culinary delights, from St Mary’s Street to e Swan Inn and up to Library Island. Expect talented home cooks, artisan vendors and local producers, highlighting the best of Newport’s culinary scene, with something to tantalise every tastebud! Alongside over 50 stalls, there’ll be competitions, street performers and the Ale Trail Adventure. Bring your appetite! From 10am-4.30pm. www.newportshropshire-tc.gov.uk
Comic Con Midlands returns to Telford International Centre on 27th- 28th September, with star guests from the movies, TV, streaming, gaming, anime and sports entertainment. A celebration of all things pop culture, it’s a chance to meet your heroes, get an item signed and watch fabulous cosplayers strut their stu on stage! Test your skills in retro and modern gaming zones; browse unique gifts in the trader and artists areas. Find your community and have fun with other fans of comics, fantasy, sci- , gaming, horror and cosplay. 9am-4pm. Tickets from £49 (5-9s £22, under-5s free). www.tictelford.com
Julia’s health hacks
Following her battle with cancer, TV presenter and nature advocate Julia Bradbury embarked on a journey to reclaim her health. Join her at the Holroyd eatre on 15th September when she’ll be reading from and discussing her new book. Hack Yourself Healthy o ers accessible, sciencebased strategies to optimise your health and wellbeing, , based on interviews with experts and global research. Talk 7pm. Tickets from £20 (includes signed copy). www. bookabookshop.co.uk
The Indoor Market is open every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and the outdoor market every Wednesday and Saturday. Plus we hold the Artisan Market on the last Friday of every month. The new weekly street market has gone from strength to strength attracting some fantastic bespoke stalls.
DID YOU KNOW?
Tricks or treats?
is Halloween at Wonderland Telford, you can choose between trick ’n’ treating by day or a scary extravaganza at night! Daytime fun on 25th-31st October includes pumpkin carving, decorating biscuits with the not-too-wicked witch, and trickor-treating around nursery rhyme houses. ere’ll be a scavenger hunt, Mad Hatter’s maze and tea party, and Wonder Witches disco, and all the park
Pick of the patch
Pick your own pumpkins at Battle eld 1403 from 4th-31st October – the pumpkin patch is just a short walk behind the Farm Shop, on the Albrighton Estate near Shrewsbury. e Wood Shed o ers undercover seating for arts and crafts, and space to carve your pumpkins, while the Tack Room will be open from 10am-4pm for delicious Halloween-inspired food and drink. Can you solve the puzzle on Archie Sparrow’s nature trail? Open Monday-Saturday 9.30am-5.30pm, Sunday 10am4pm. Entry free, just pay for the pumpkins. Don't forget your wellies! www.battle eld1403.com
BIG NIGHT OUT
Late Night at the Market Hall returns to Shrewsbury on 6th September for a chance to enjoy great food and drink into the evening – and some retail therapy on the side. With avours from around the world, classy cocktails, delicious wines, live music, you won’t want to miss out! A cool collection of lifestyle and vintage boutique stalls will be open late too. Market Hall is a multi-award-winning food, drink and shopping destination, with over 60 traders o ering a eclectic fusion of the handmade and the hard-to- nd! Open 5-10pm.
For the early Celtic festival of Samhain people wore costumes as a disguise against evil spirits
rides will be running. For those who want to be seriously spooked, the evening event on 25th, 26th, 30th & 31st October is designed to scare, with live actors, scare maze, fortune teller, stilt walkers, creepy doll, aerial pole, re show and reworks. It's set to be the scariest ever! Open 5-9pm, booking essential. www.wonderlandmidlands.co.uk
WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 1ST-19TH OCTOBER
•1st October, Breakfast Dining Experience, Severn Valley Railway Dine in a firstclass carriage while taking in the scenic views. Departing from Kidderminster, sit back, relax and enjoy a full English breakfast. Arrive in Bridgnorth and explore the town before catching your return train. 10.15am. £43.
ON THE WAY
Each year, the Shropshire Way Association asks local walking groups to feature a walk on part of the Shropshire Way during its festival week. Between 13th-21st September, groups will be leading walks in scenic locations, celebrating the varied landscapes, towns and villages on the long-distance path. SWA is run by a dedicated team of volunteers, with practical support from Shropshire Council’s Outdoor Partnership Team and local P3 groups, and nancial support from Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust and donors. See www.shropshireway.org.uk/festival
•10th October, Tina Live – The Tina Turner Experience, The Little Theatre, Telford Get ready to experience the life, legacy and legendary music of the one and only Tina Turner, as Tina Live embarks on its 10th anniversary tour. Playing tribute to the unstoppable queen of rock ‘n’ roll, you’ll be celebrating all night long! 7.30pm. £23 (concessions £20).
•12th-13th & 19th-31st October, Pumpkin Patch, Winston Farm, Ellesemere Enjoy a family day out at Winston Farm, where there's plenty of pumpkins in a variety of sizes ready to carved for the spooky season! Any three pumpkins for £10. Open 10am-5pm.
Reasons to run
Oswestry 10k on 12th October will once again bring together an active community, taking part for all manner of reasons – tness, competition, charity, health, fun or simply to nish! e closed-road route starts and ends in Church Street, and loops around the town and through the surrounding countryside, taking in some stunning scenery. It attracts runners of all levels due to the great atmosphere and unique medal. Come and watch, and help to support Hope House Children’s Hospices. 9am-noon. Entry from £22.99. www.adrenalinesportingevents.co.uk
•16th October, Autumn House Tour, Acton Scott Hall, Craven Arms Enjoy the mellow shades of autumn on a tour of this Grade II-listed Elizabethan manor house and grounds in the Shropshire Hills, with stunning views of Wenlock Edge. 2.30-5pm. £25 (includes seasonal tea).
•19th October, China Painting for Beginners, Coalport China Museum, Telford In this creative workshop you’ll take inspiration from the beautiful china on display before the team introduce you to the art of china painting. Try a floral motif or attempt the famous Broseley Green Dragon! 11am-3pm. £60.
The fright-fully good Halloween Market returns with free themed games and activities and plenty of stalls. Stop and enjoy a cuppa and a cake whilst taking in the spooky goings-on! Opens 9am.
Visit the Winter Fair for unique treasures and vintage finds across three large exhibition halls and an array of outdoor stalls. A great day out for all the familyl Refreshments available. 8am. Entry £4.
•25th October - 2nd November, Jet & Space Week, RAF Museum Midlands Try something out of this world at RAF Cosford this October half term, with activities, talks and lots of interactive elements – the fun is really going to take o ! Open from 10am. www. rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands
•28th October, Even More… Ghost Stories by Candlelight, Ludlow Assembly Rooms
In an ambitious co-production between HighTide and Pentabus, this year’s Ghost Stories by Candlelight will draw you into secretive corners of the East and West of England, with four brandnew spooky tales. 7pm. From £14.
•31st October, The Monster Ball, West Midlands Safari Park
An evening of wickedly good fun, with a welcome drink before you enter the haunted domain. Enjoy the Sideshow of Screams live show and dance till late. Halloween fancy dress essential, prize for the best! 7.30-midnight. Over-18s only. £18.
Steam’s up!
A highlight of Severn Valley Railway’s 60th anniversary year is the Autumn Steam Gala from 18th-21st September, when the full line will be up and running. e four-day festival will feature guest and home locomotives operating a busy timetable between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth.
Stars of the show will include Merchant Navy class locomotive 35006 Peninsular & Oriental S N Co on its rst visit to the SVR, GWR 4930 Hagley Hall and GWR 7802 Bradley Manor. If you love steam, this is the place to be!
HEEERE’S JONNY!
After amassing nearly 10 million views on social media with his brilliant observations on Black Country life, Jonny Cole brings his trademark songs and daftness to Bridgnorth’s eatre on the Steps on 2nd October, with his show Armagudd’n. Expect sharp wit and engaging storytelling from a multitalented musician and entertainer. 8pm. Over-16s only, tickets £18. www.theatreonthesteps.co.uk
Just believe…
Something special
DID YOU KNOW?
35006 was taken out of service in 1964, after 1,134,319 miles. It finally ran again in 2015.
Everyone’s favourite ogre is back in the hilarious stage spectacle, Shrek e Musical, presented by ACT Shropshire. Step into a magical world of laughter, friendship and a whole lotta green, based on the Oscar-winning animated lm. Show starts 7pm at Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton. Tickets £15. www. festivaldraytoncentre.com
Walkies at Weston
On 20th September, bring your best friend along for a scenic 5k sponsored walk through Weston’s 1,000 wonderful acres of woodland. Every step you take helps raise funds for Brighter Days Rescue, dedicated to transforming the lives of dogs in need in the UK and abroad. e Granary Café will be open after the walk. Entry from £8. www.weston-park.com
Ride behind as many engines as you can, visit the Engine House at Highley, and sample the nest real ales in the local pubs. e event also sees the return of overnight running, with trains operating continuously for 60 hours from 7.30am on Friday to 7.30pm on Sunday, in addition to the ursday. Experience the Severn Valley at its steamiest! For ticket prices, bookings and a full timetable, visit www.svr.co.uk Oktober-festive
Picture the golden era of R’n’B reimagined by a live orchestra, surrounded by the soaring arches and glowing lights of Shrewsbury Abbey. is is not your average gig– it’s an immersive, classical-meets-contemporary celebration of the best in ’90s and noughties R’n’B, taking place on 19th September. From slow jams to hit anthems, expect the soulful sounds of Alicia Keys, Usher, Brandy, Mary J Blige, TLC, Destiny’s Child and more! 7pm. www.shrewsburyabbey.com
Grab your lederhosen and raise your beer steins for Shropshire Oktoberfest on 3rd4th October. is lively festival is all about championing local independent producers, with over 150 quality tipples to choose from, and German beers thrown in for good measure! e street food village will fuel you with treats from bratwurst to burgers, churros to chips. ere’s also a comedy club, silent disco, carpool karaoke tent and live music on the main stage designed to have visitors singing along. Friday 5-10pm, Saturday noon10pm. Advance tickets from £19.95 (child £10). www.shropshireoktoberfest.co.uk
QUEEN CLUBS
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, DAYTIME DISCOS ARE TRANSPORTING MIDLIFE CLUBBERS BACK TO THEIR YOUTH IN A DOWNRIGHT SENSIBLE WAY. ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL IS RUN BY TVʼS VICKI MCCLURE. SHE SPOKE TO SHIRE AHEAD OF SOME LOCAL AUTUMN DATES
If you thought clubbing was just for the under-25s stumbling home at 3am, think again. Day Fever, the unstoppable dayclub dreamt up by actor Vicky McClure (of Line of Duty fame), husband Jonny Owen and pals including singer Jon McClure of Reverend & The Makers, is flipping the nightlife script, one sunlit dancefloor at a time.
Born from a WhatsApp chat and heading to 24 towns and cities in September, Day Fever brings affordable, joy-filled clubbing into the daylight hours.
“The first one sold out in seconds,” Vicky beams. “We did Nottingham, then Sheffield, then Merthyr and Cardiff, and it just flew from there. It’s mothers and daughters, friends reconnecting, people on chemo, people grieving. It’s nurses, cleaners, teachers… These are the people keeping the world spinning and now they’ve somewhere to let go and feel joy.”
FILLING THE FLOOR
The feel-good phenomenon sees people of literally all ages, from their 20s to their 70s, letting loose on packed dancefloors.
“We had Jonny’s mum sneak along a bottle of gin and stash it in a bush outside in Cardiff,” Jon jokes. “That’s the vibe: a bit of mischief, loads of laughs, and not a hint of trouble.”
It’s that warmth and spontaneity that keeps people coming back. Inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword here, it’s baked into the experience. “We’ve had people in wheelchairs come up on stage and the crowd goes wild. We want it to be accessible to everyone.”
While you might catch a familiar face on the decks – Jonny,
Vicky, Jon’s wife Laura – most events are led by local DJs. “We’ve been really selective,” Vicky says. “They know their crowd, they know what people want to hear, and they’re smashing it.”
“There’s a loose structure,” Jon adds. “Bit of Northern Soul to kick off, disco, ’80s bangers, ’90s dance, a singalong, maybe some indie. But we always have Whitney. If Vicky’s there, it’s the law.”
Vicky grins. “Hits across the generations, that’s the key. We’ve done themed nights, even Christmas clubs, and we’ll ask: ‘Do you want more Christmas songs?’ and they’re like: ‘Nah, just give us the hits!’” She laughs. “You just get a feel for it. Manchester goes mad for Oasis, Nottingham’s got its favourites, and we make sure to tap into that local energy. It’s about community, about being together.”
TOP VALUE
With so many entertainment options pricing people out, Day Fever deliberately keeps costs down. Vicky says: “We’ve always wanted it to be affordable. A night out can be £100, easy – we didn’t want it to be that.”
Jon nods. “Jonny said from day one it’s for ordinary people, families, people with kids. We’re not here to rip people off.”
Venues love it too, explains Vicky. “We shut up shop at 8pm, they do a quick turnaround and run their usual night from 10pm. They’re making great takings and reaching a new crowd. It’s been a game-changer for loads of clubs.”
If Day Fever feels like a family party, that’s because it is. “Jon’s wife DJs, his brother Chris and friend Jamie are involved. Even Jonny’s daughter Katie’s behind the decks. It’s one big gang, and when people come through the doors, they’re part of it too.”
It’s not uncommon to see Vicky herself dancing on stage with partygoers, selfies flying and smiles everywhere. “When people realise we’re just there to have fun too, that we’re not up on a pedestal, they really get into it,” she says. “I mean, come on, when do you get to go clubbing with your mum!” And even with
“A BIT OF MISCHIEF, LOADS OF LAUGHS, AND NOT A HINT OF TROUBLE – THATʼS THE VIBE”
their busy schedules – Vicky filming Trigger Point and Jon’s band touring Australia –both say they miss it when they’re away.
“It sounds daft,” Jon chuckles, “but Day Fever cheers me up. You leave feeling lighter.”
For Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham dates and details visit https://dayfever.os.fan
Vicky and Jonny with an ecstatic crowd in Liverpool
Rob Nicholson, Pedalo Photography
1
Full, real name (including any embarrassing middle names) Professor Paul Mealor.
2
What do you do? I’m a composer and artistic director of North Wales International Music Festival.
3Partner, children, animals – who shares your life? As well as various humans, my life is shared with my white, blue-eyed cat, Clawed DePussy.
4
Highlight of the past 12 months? Composing music to mark Their Majesties 20th wedding anniversary, and performing it at Balmoral. And running my first North Wales International Music Festival last September.
5
…and the worst moment? Someone drove into the back of my car whilst I was in it. No one was hurt, but it was pretty dramatic.
6
What animal would you like to be and why? An otter. They’re full of fun, love of family and joyous.
7Your desert island disc? ‘Eternal Flame’ by The Bangles. It reminds me of youth club dances, the excitement of being a teenager, and my first love.
8
If you could have one superpower, what would it be? I’d love to be able to change into an animal. That would be cool – to run like a cheetah or fly like an eagle
9Who is your all-time hero? JRR Tolkien. I love how he is able to create worlds, and worlds within worlds, in his books. He paints the whole of humanity.
10What would you buy if you won the lottery? A new Steinway grand piano.
11What is your worst fear? Clowns.
12
What would be your dream job? I’d love to be a writer of fantasy or science fiction.
13
If you were representing your country in the Olympics which sport would you choose? I can’t swim well but I’d like to. I’d love to represent Wales.
14What’s your favourite drink? Gin and tonic!
15
Which would you have best chance of winning: Strictly, Bake O or I’m a Celeb? Bake O . I’m actually quite a good baker.
16Your guilty pleasure? Chocolate!
17When did you last laugh uncontrollably? Most days. I have the sense of humour that generally finds most things hysterical.
18
You’re hosting a dinner party – who’s invited? Mozart, Tolkien, Maya Angelou and Ricky Gervais.
19Your favourite place? Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). It’s close to where I live and a source of inspiration for my compositions. I love its intensity.
20What is your proudest achievement so far? Being the first to set the Welsh language to music at a Coronation. For over a thousand years there was no Welsh sung. I changed that in my Coronation Kyrie, sung so beautifully by Sir Bryn Terfel. That’s something I’m genuinely content to have done.
Sir Bryn Terfel sings Paul”s Kyrie at the King’s Coronation in 2023
Discover what Shire’s team thought of the concerts, live events and shows they’ve seen at local venues
ALDERFEST, ALDERFORD LAKE, SHROPSHIRE
Whitchurch welcomed excited crowds to Alderfest, a two-day festival of music, activities and family fun. After Friday night’s dance anthems courtesy of DJ Dave Pearce, the Vengaboys and Ultrabeat, Saturday’s throng were spoilt for choice. A steel band, a dance class with Strictly’s AJ and Curtis Pritchard, a motorcycle stunt team with tricks and flips – whatever you chose was going to be a fun ride.
On stage, Electric Reflex, Blozone and Liv Harris got everyone on their feet, and tributes Pink-!sh and The Brightside Killers continued the momentum. Youngsters were entertained at the Dome, while the animatronic elephant in the children’s area was a huge hit. From the fairground to Creative Corner, there really was something for everyone.
Toploader delighted the multi-generational crowd, with singer Joe Washbourn urging: “If you know this, sing along.” The response was a resounding chorus of ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’. Tilstock Skydive emerged from the clouds to splash-land in the lake, before Artful Dodger got the crowd jumping again.
The sun was setting as Pixie Lott took to the stage, with an infectious energy that proved she was born to entertain. Finally, chants of “Ella, Ella” heralded the arrival of Ms Henderson. Everyone held lights aloft, creating a spectacle as luminous as her performance.
“The animatronic elephant was a huge hit”
Waves of chatter flowed as a happy crowd headed home. Toploader’s Joe described Alderfest as a “beautiful, fun festival”. But last word goes to Pixie: it was ‘All About Tonight’. RL
If you have a show in the Shire area, we can send a reviewer – and your show can appear on these pages too! Email editorial@ shiremagazine.co.uk Get in touch!
LET’S ROCK!, QUARRY PARK, SHREWSBURY
The sun came out to join the party at Quarry Park. Living in a Box, Then Jerico, The Real Thing, Toyah, Snap! and Thereza Bazar’s Dollar made up an ’80s pop cocktail Tom Cruise himself would have been proud of, mixed with the deft DJ touch of Pat Sharp.
Brother Beyond’s Nathan Moore entertained with hits and covers, leading revellers in a crowd-pleasing version of ‘Proud Mary’. Matt Goss confessed that after a long-standing Vegas residency he was “learning the ropes back in the UK”. Treating fans to Bros hits and covers, he ranged through musical styles, even tipping his Rat Pack hat to Oasis with a swing spin on ‘Champagne Supernova’. He ended by thanking everyone for “still making me feel welcome after 38 years”.
Tony Hadley hit the stage with a terrific version of Nina Simone’s ‘Feeling Good’, summing up the vibe. “In troubled times, we all need a bit of love,” he mused as we sang to ‘Through the Barricades’.
‘Welcome to the Pleasure Dome’ signalled Holly Johnson’s arrival, and the whole place was soon jumping to his cover of ‘Born to Run’. As the familiar sirens introduced ‘Two Tribes’ he commented: “We don’t need what this song is about today but unfortunately we have it,” before finishing with his own favourite, ‘The Power of Love’. People were still singing as they left. RL
“Perfect pop – an ’80s cocktail Tom Cruise would have been proud of!”
LIVE AT LUDLOW CASTLE
The Norman castle ruins provided a majestic backdrop for this week-long series of concerts and comedy. Well planned and pretty plush, they were safe and enjoyable for everyone, especially families. Faithless and Supergrass were two of the headline acts; Texas, The Script, Olly Murs, Katherine Ryan and Russell Howard made up the rest. House, trip-hop and dub heroes Faithless were celebrating their 30th anniversary, supported by Manchester’s Antony Szmierek and Irish indie popsters 49th & Main. Familiar hits ‘Insomnia’, ‘We Come 1’ and ‘God is a DJ’ had the crowd taking to social media describing the show as “unforgettable” and “a unique experience”. But it was the sampling of Dido’s ‘Thank You’ that blew us away. Former frontman Maxi Jazz died in 2022, and his face filled the screens as the band paid tribute. The atmosphere was electric.
Fast-forward a week and it was the turn of cheeky Britpop trio turned four-piece Supergrass. This time we took along our six and nine-year-olds for their first proper gig. They loved it – stomping around the castle walls between acts, and singing along with the crowd to ‘Alright’ (which they recognised from the film Rabbit 2). They enjoyed Jake Bugg in the support slot too, and from the elevated platform (for premium ticket holders) we all had a grandstand view.
The Live at Ludlow Castle series (www.liveatludlowcastle.co.uk) is run by independent producer Futuresound in partnership Castle. It’s clearly working because both events were among the best organised, laid out and catered I’ve ever been to. From the array of
“It was the children’s first gig and they loved it, singing along with the crowd to ‘Alright’”
parking options to the signposting, to the helpful staff, variety of decent food vendors, bars where you didn’t have to queue and immaculate toilet facilities, the planning was faultless. As well as the raised viewing platform, premium ticket holders also had access to the inner bailey with comfy seating, more food vendors and shepherd’s hut toilets. There were also accessible viewing platforms.
Futuresound founder and director Colin Oliver was born and raised in Ludlow and his ambition has always been to create a “world-class live event series” that would benefit the town’s creative, hospitality and tourism sectors. Here’s to more great acts over the coming years – we’ll definitely be back! CB
THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, GROSVENOR PARK OPEN-AIR THEATRE, CHESTER
This summer’s Sherlock Holmes isn’t your typical detective. In Storyhouse’s new adaptation, the world’s most famous sleuth lands in modern-day Chester –and the result is a joyful, high-energy mystery with a big heart and plenty of laughs.
Ethan Reid is a scene-stealing Holmes, delivering a wonderfully exaggerated performance with sharp comic timing and a touch of Jim Carrey flair. His physicality and facial expressions add to the fun, and he’s perfectly paired with Alyce Liburd as the calm and capable Jo Watson. The chemistry between them keeps the pace lively throughout.
“Ethan Reid is a scene-stealing Holmes, delivering a wonderfully exaggerated performance with sharp comic timing and a touch of Jim Carrey fl air”
The cast is full of standout characters, from over-the-top aristocrats to flustered detectives, but it’s also worth mentioning two new faces, Morgan Lewis and Alex James-Mason. Both are part of Storyhouse’s Young Company scheme, where trainee actors audition to join the professional cast each year. It’s a brilliant initiative that nurtures local talent and relies on ongoing funding support to continue. Both newcomers give confident performances, full of personality.
The Grosvenor Park setting adds to the charm. Think summer skies, picnics on the grass and a relaxed festival feel. Friendly
volunteers make the experience even more welcoming, guiding you to your seat, handing out cushions, and offering help with a smile.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is a fantastic addition to the Grosvenor Park repertoire. At just over two hours, it’s the ideal summer evening spectacle: witty, whimsical and warmly engaging. Whether you bring a picnic or grab a wood-fired pizza on site, it’s a thoroughly entertaining way to enjoy theatre under the Chester sky.
AB
Amazing autumn
It is a truth universally acknowledged that our planet rotates on a tilted axis, meaning that we experience four seasons here in the UK. If this wasn’t so, we’d just have something between permanent summer and winter – think Manchester! ankfully, after the bustle of August we have the splendour of autumn, a cosier time before the deep sleep of winter. Savour its delights with help from Shire.
Walk this way...
Grab your woolly scarf, pull on your boots and venture out into the crisp autumn air for a woodland walk. Listen to the crunch of leaves beneath your feet and get swept away in all this season has to o er – it’s a great way to get in your 7,000 steps too!
Try Attingham Park, near Shrewsbury: explore the changing colours of the Deer Park with a walk taking in views over the Shropshire landscape to the river. See if you can spot some of Attingham’s fallow deer along the way. Another National Trust property, Dudmaston Hall near Bridgnorth, boasts traditional parkland and woodland with bridges and stepping stones crossing the brook. ere’s a 3.5km Explorer Trail and an orchard area for apple-spotting. Oswestry’s Nesscli e Hill is a hidden gem in Shropshire, with dramatic sandstone cli s and sweeping views. e hill
“Look left, look right, the hills are bright”
,
DID YOU KNOW?
There’s thought to be about 470,000 horse chestnut trees in Britain. That’s a lot of conkers!
“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, uttering from the autumn tree”
EMILY BRONTË
climb winds through vibrant woods with a patchwork of forests and elds below. Or discover Shropshire’s ‘mini Lake District’ along Ellesmere’s Mere Meander: a seven-mile route with nine glacial meres, meadows and woodland.
Cheshire has its own secret jewel: Northwich Community Woodlands, 1,000 acres including several woods and spectacular ‘ ashes’ (lakes) with over 200 bird species to spot. Delamere Forest is a treat in autumn: its mix of dry sandstone paths and seasonal foliage make it an ideal spot to connect with nature. Try the Blakemere Trail for optimum colour and birdlife.
Autumn is spectacular in Wales. At Abergele’s Coed y Gopa way-marked trails combine autumnal colour with breathtaking coastal views. Bodnant Gardens near Conwy are a must: see ery shades of red and amber in e Glades, and acers lighting up the Arboretum until November. Find more autumn colour on the ‘Hidden Corners’ walk at Plas Newydd in Anglesey, along with iconic red squirrels.
For those who enjoy organised walks, September is the month, with walking festivals at Bollington (6th-14th), Barmouth (13th-22nd) and Strata Florida (20th-21st). Local groups have planned 22 varied routes amongst the Shropshire hills for Shropshire Way Festival of Walks (13th-21st). Green Events (www.green-events.co.uk) is behind Mid Wales 4-Day Walking Festival in Llanwrtyd Wells from 17th-20th September. Enjoy mountains and forests in this lovely area on self-guided routes.
Watch the birdie
For birdwatchers, autumn is special: fair-weather species have all set o south, but soon our wetlands are alive again with the arrival of wintering water birds. Migrating ocks often follow features in the landscape – listen for the ‘ink ink’ of pink-footed geese or the trumpeting of whooper swans in V-formation.
Ellesmere’s Wood Lane reserve is one of the best places in Shropshire to see birds, with 180-plus species recorded. It’s a haven for breeding lapwing, tree sparrow and yellowhammer, while little ringed plover are a specialty. Winter migrants
at Eardington nature reserve, near Bridgnorth have included brambling, siskin and lesser redpoll. Winter thrushes and waders thrive here. Birds also ock to Brown Moss countryside heritage site near Whitchurch, a designated SSSI.
e jewel in Cheshire’s crown is the Dee Estuary’s RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, a place where wildfowl and wading birds thrive among wet grasslands and lagoons. Pintail, shoveller, teal and wigeon are just a few of the ducks you may spot.
e RSPB in Wales has terri c places to see birds: try Holyhead’s South Stack, where rolling heath and farmland meet rocky sea cli s. Look to the
“The earth has music for those who listen”
SHAKESPEARE
skies for rare choughs, crows with red beaks and legs – catch an event on 17th September and 8th October. At RSPB Conwy you can stroll through reedbeds to the sounds of water rails. Visit RSPB Point of Ayr at Talacre and feel on the edge of the world among wheatears, wagtails, warblers and a lighthouse that watches over sweeping sea views.
Further south, RSPB Ynys-hir near Machynlleth hosts a Waders & Wetlands walk on 21st September and a Ducks & Geese walk on 11th October. Nearby, RSPB Lake Vyrnwy nestled in the heart of the Berwyn Mountains features blanket bog, which attracts upland waders such as golden plover.
Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust has a very special site: Cors Dy near Machynlleth houses Dy Osprey Project & Wildlife Centre. See these magni cent birds, along with red kites, barnacle geese and perhaps the elusive bittern. Finally, Radnorshire Wildlife Trust’s Llanbwchllyn, near Builth Wells, welcomes overwintering wildfowl such as goosander, teal and goldeneye.
All is safely gathered in…
What do Ben Davis, a Bloody Butcher and Duchess of Bedford all have in common?
ey’re all varieties of apple! In our 24/7 supermarket culture we tend to forget where our food comes from and when crops are in season. But autumn is the time of abundance and harvest, and celebrated across the patch.
Visit TV’s ‘Victorian Farm’, Acton Scott at Church Stretton on 28th September for a traditional Harvest Festival, with a horse-drawn procession and music. Apple Weekend on 18th-19th October features apple-crushing by horse-drawn mill, while Brim eld Vintage Club shows working machinery
“Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness”
at the heritage farm’s reshing Weekend, 1st-2nd November. Go apple crazy at Cheshire’s Dunham Apple Festival weekends in September and early October, celebrating all aspects of this versatile fruit. Get hands-on by picking your own apples under expert guidance; have a go at making (and tasting) apple juice; take a wagon train ride through the orchard, and lots more.
Go back in time with the Victorian Harvest at Stretton Watermill on 27th-28th September: enjoy seasonal Victorian crafts, apple pressing, music and food displays. Knutsford’s Tatton Park has its own Harvest Festival the same weekend, complete with steam engine, Barnton brass band and harvest crafts. Tatton also has an Apple Day on 5th October, where you can learn about the di erent varieties grown in the kitchen garden and have a taste!
Celebrate apples in Wales at Deesside’s Hawarden Estate on 13th-14th September: join their annual harvest and, after the pressing, collect your free bottle of apple juice. National Trust Llanerchaeron’s Apple Weekend will be celebrated on 3rd-4th October, with a display of over 50 di erent varieties, apple-pressing demonstrations, stalls and the opportunity to bring in your own apples for identi cation.
Harvest at Acton Scott
Dunham Apple Festival
Apple Day at Tatton Park
Stretton
Watch the skies
Take advantage of the longer nights with a spot of stargazing. When it comes to locations, Wales is hard to beat – with the highest percentage of land protected by Dark Skies status in the world. e lack of light pollution means you can see thousands of stars, comets and galaxies, including our Milky Way.
Snowdonia National Park is an o cial International Dark Sky Reserve with more than 2,000 sqkm of protected terrain. A dramatic spot for stargazing is the Llyn Peninsula’s wild coastline: head to Porthor (‘Whistling Sands’) where the skies are so clear there’s a chance of spotting globular clusters, nebulae and the neighbouring Andromeda galaxy. Trefor Sea Stacks is another great spot.
“For my part, I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream”
VINCENT VAN GOGH
You might be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights on Anglesey: try Penman Point and Trwyn Du lighthouse e Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape is excellent for stargazing, with some of the darkest skies found above Caer Drewyn, an Iron Age fort above the Dyfrdwy valley. According to Ingham’s Starry Night Experience Index, Elan Valley is one of the top 10 places in the world for stargazing, with 45,000 acres protected against light pollution. Check out these locations on the estate: Claerwen Dam, Tei Pools and Craig Goch, Claerwen and Pont ar Elan car parks. With more than 1,000 stars visible to the naked eye, Ceredigion also provides plenty of opportunities. Lake Vyrnwy picnic area and Coed y Bont Dark Discovery near Strata Florida are good spots.
Shropshire boasts four Dark Skies Discovery Sites centred around the Long Mynd, all with the darkest Milky Way class rating, meaning that you can see our home galaxy with your naked eye. e sites are at National Trust car parks: Carding Mill Valley; Cross Dyke at Boiling Well, Pole Cottage and Shooting Box. Visit the Facebook pages of Shropshire Astronomical Society and Long Mynd Dark Skies for details of local events. Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement’s popular Astro Nights return this winter – a chance to get hands-on with stargazing equipment, learn from experts and celebrate all things galactic. Also visit: www.gostargazing.co.uk
DID YOU KNOW?
4th October is UK Fungus Day – visit www. ukfungusday.co.uk for . fun and games, and even haiku writing!
Fabulous fungi
Autumn is a time when the forest erupts in all manner of curious mushrooms and other fungi. It’s fun to look for them, and by reporting your nds to Nature’s Calendar (https:// naturescalendar.woodlandtrust.org.uk/) you’ll be helping with important climate change research too.
Spot the red-and-white y agaric in birch woodland, the bright purple amethyst deceiver and translucent white porcelain fungi in mixed deciduous woodland, and many more. A ‘fungal foray’ involves spotting mushrooms; ‘foraging’ means nding
“Some fungi are only edible once…”
TERRY PRATCHETT
them and picking them to eat. Suggestions for both are given below, but rst an important warning: as beautiful as many fungi are, don’t forget that some are poisonous and even deadly. is
makes it especially important to be careful when touching and picking them – even some ‘harmless’ ones can cause stomach upsets. Only pick to eat if you are accompanied by an expert and are 100 percent certain of their identity.
Shropshire Fungus Group runs forays with the goal of identifying and recording as many fungi as possible. ere are events planned in Oswestry, Bishops Castle and Wrekin. If you think wild food may be your passion, Foraging for Ages has two events at Hawkstone Park Follies on 20th September: a workshop in winter wellness tonics and a night fungi hunt.
North West Fungus Group is geared towards members’ events – why not join? Wild Food People run courses and workshops in Ruthin and Porthmadog, or go mushroom spotting and foraging around Betws-y-Coed with Discover the Wild, or at Cefn Coed, Dolgellau with Wild Food UK
North Wales Wildlife Trust is holding a Fungus Foray at St Asaph on 28th September, and Barmouth Walking Festival includes a Foraging Walk on 20th September, led by expert Antonella Stachiotti.
For those who enjoy hanging out with friends, enjoying a few pints, some good food and dancing to live music, Munich’s annual Oktoberfest celebrations are no secret. e trouble is, Germany is over 1,000 kilometres away, which makes it tricky to join in with the Bavarian fun. Not any more! Grab your Lederhosen and have your ll of beer, oompah bands and bratwurst at an Oktoberfest near you.
Shropshire’s Oktoberfest at Shrewsbury on 3rd-4th October is a huge event that champions local independent drinks producers. Expect 150-plus tipples including real ales, ciders, gins, wines and cocktails, along with incredible street food. Be entertained in the comedy tent, have ve minutes
“A ne beer may be judged with only one sip, but it’s better to be thoroughly sure”
CZECH PROVERB
of fame via carpool karaoke, dance in the silent disco and enjoy the live music stage.
Knowbury Memorial Hall near Ludlow has a smaller but perfectly formed Oktoberfest on 4th October, where you can experience an evening of German culture. ere’ll be live music, delicious food, dancing till late, plus your own stein to take home. Tickets via Eventbrite, or call 07967 118 192.
Combine racing action and Bavarian frolics at Chester Racecourse’s Season Finale on 20th September. Raise a ‘prost’ to tasty German bites, oompah bands, fancy dress and plenty of traditional games.
Wales says ‘Wilkommen’ to Oktoberfest as well! Experience two nights of Bavarian bliss at Llanbedr’s Shell Island Campsite on 26th-27th September. e festivities kick o with the traditionally attired Oompah Stompers, and there’ll be lots of food and fun (for details , call 01341 241 453). Tickets to Maesgwyn Hall’s Oktoberfest in Wrexham on 18th October include a stein of beer, authentic food box and live music.
In Mid Wales, Montgomery’s Greenhouse Café & Kitchen promises speciality beers, lively music from the Blue Barons Oompah Band and a menu of small Bavarian plates to keep your celebration fuelled on 3rd October. Last but by no means least, get down to Tower Hill Barns near Trevor on 24th October for an unmissable night of Bavarian vibes, over owing German beer and live entertainment in their traditionally dressed barn (details on 01978 823 429; tickets via Eventbrite).
Down in the pumpkin patch
Need something to entice the kids outdoors at the weekend? Want autumn decorations made from natural materials that don’t cost the earth? Pick-your-own farms o er a unique opportunity to connect with nature whilst selecting your own pumpkin. Many o er activities such as tractor rides, pumpkin carving workshops, corn mazes, hayrides, animal petting and food stalls – and it’s all the rage on Instagram!
Llynclys Hall Farm near Oswestry is Shropshire’s largest pumpkin grower with literally thousands to choose from, of all shapes, sizes and varieties. Open throughout October, they sell everything you need to carve your pumpkin, and there’s a farm shop and co ee van too. Pumpkin fun is also to be had at Arscott Farm near Shrewsbury, with everything from tiny, palm-sized pumpkins to gigantic monsters. ere’s a snack shack, wood- red pizzas and after-dark torchlight picking.
Wales is positively bursting with pumpkin action! Wrexham’s Bellis Brothers Farm Shop & Garden Centre also has a spooky maize maze to explore as well as the Strawberry Fields
“When life gives you pumpkins, make pie”
ANON
restaurant. Grab great photo opportunities at Moel Famau Pumpkins near Mold, where the maze runs until September and the baking is recommended: “We went for pumpkins, we stayed for the homemade cakes!”
Alternatively try Bodlas Pumpkin Patch at Bodedern on Anglesey and have a go at carving. You’ll nd them on Facebook, or call 07872 519 415.
Take things to the next level at Abergele’s Manorafon Farm Park. eir Pumpkin Fest from 11th October is North Wales’ biggest pumpkin celebration. Enjoy all manner of autumnal fun, with thousands of pumpkins to buy, spooky activities and entertainment, delicious food and plenty of picture-perfect moments. Keep an eye on their website for details of Pumpkin Fest Nights with activities, a light trail and more.
In Mid Wales, explore Powells Farm near New Radnor: take a walk out to the Pumpkin Patch to take your pick, then soak up the scenery, meet the animals and enjoy the great outdoors. You can carve your pumpkin on site, and there are fun children’s activities along with refreshments.
“Having carved and enjoyed your pumpkin, what should you do next? Don’t waste it – make soup, pies and stews; hang it up for the birds to feed on, or compost it. But please don’t leave them outside as wild food: they can be deadly to hedgehogs.”
Pumpkin Fest at Manorfarm Park
Montgomery Oktoberfest Take your pick at Arscott Farm
Chester Oktobefest
Shropshire
A warm Welsh welcome Holidays
For over 100 years the Trefeddian Hotel in Aberdovey has been owned and run by the Cave-Browne-Cave family, offering guests a warm welcome and a stay to remember. This independent hotel blends generations of family tradition with modern comfort, creating the perfect setting for everything from relaxed getaways to memorable family holidays.
Overlooking the sweeping sands of Cardigan Bay, guests can soak up the views from the spacious lounges, the elegant dining room or cosy bar. The hotel’s enviable location in Mid Wales makes it the ideal base for exploring the stunning landscapes of Snowdonia National Park.
“Spacious lounges, an elegant dining room and cosy bar”
Alternatively, enjoy the flexibility of self-catering with the luxury of hotel facilities at two five-star properties designed to the same impeccable standard as the Trefeddian itself. The stylish Seascape retreats are perfect for entertaining or unwinding with family and friends, offering breathtaking
sea views. The open-plan upstairs living areas lead onto sunny balconies, perfect for al fresco dining, with uninterrupted vistas across Cardigan Bay and the championship links of Aberdovey Golf Course. A cosy snug provides a peaceful corner for reading and relaxing after a day on the beach.
On the ground floor, contemporary bedrooms feature lavish waterfall showers, while master suites include indulgent baths for the ultimate wind-down. Patio doors open to expansive sun terraces, ideal for stargazing on clear nights. New for 2025, Seascape 2 will also feature its own private hot tub. www.trefwales.com
Each cottage is finished to a 4-star standard, with open-plan kitchen and dining areas equipped with modern appliances for a convenient and relaxing stay. Complimentary Wi-Fi and onsite parking ensure your stay is as effortless as it is enjoyable.
“Perfect for gatherings, celebrations or unwinding in nature”
PEAK PERFECTION
Set within 20 acres of unspoilt forest near Matlock, Darwin Lake Holiday Village offers a peaceful escape in the heart of the Peak District. The village is home to 17 charming, stonebuilt cottages – each named after a local landmark – combining character, comfort and a true sense of place.
At the heart of the village is a private lake, perfect for gentle strolls or moments of quiet reflection, and a welcoming village green, complete with large firepit. It’s the perfect setting for gatherings, celebrations or simply unwinding in nature.
Accommodating up to 127 guests across the 17 cottages, Darwin Lake Holiday Village is ideal for family getaways, corporate retreats or reunions with friends.
The prime location offers easy access to the Peak District National Park and attractions such as Chatsworth House, making it a perfect base for both adventure and relaxation. www.darwinlake.co.uk
Stylish upper-floor living at Seascape
The perfect escape in stunning surroundings
Enjoy a tranquil outlook over the lake
The village can accommodate over 120 guests
FIT FOR A PRINCESS
Built in 1832 to welcome Princess Victoria on a royal visit to Anglesey, The Bulkeley Hotel is a grand Georgian showpiece dating from the golden age of hospitality. Set in the heart of Beaumaris, it combines timeless elegance with spectacular views across the Menai Strait to the mountains of Snowdonia.
The hotel enjoys a prime position directly opposite the beach and pier – where boat trips depart for Puffin Island – and just steps away from the 13th-century castle and an array of cafés, restaurants and boutique shops.
With 43 individually styled rooms and suites, the Bulkeley has acccomodation to suit every guest and budget. Choose from cosy, pet-friendly doubles,
spacious twins and generous family club rooms, or indulge in a romantic four-poster suite or luxury sea-view room with breathtaking panorama.
“Built to welcome Princess Victoria on a royal visit to Anglesey”
Lightspout
Waterfall Hot spots
This stunning waterfall in Carding Mill Valley is often regarded as Shropshire’s most impressive waterfall, rewarding visitors with both beauty and a touch of adventure.
“Perfect for walkers looking to combine exercise with exploration”
Starting from the Carding Mill Valley car park, the route follows a well-marked path through stunning scenery, from open valley views to rocky streams and smaller cascades. The walk offers plenty of variety, with stretches of gentle terrain interspersed with more challenging sections, including a short scramble near the end to reach the falls.
Nestled within the Long Mynd, in the Shropshire Hills National Landscape, the journey to Lightspout is as captivating as the destination itself. The waterfall’s secluded position and the sound of tumbling water create a peaceful, unspoilt atmosphere – perfect for walkers looking to combine exercise with exploration.
It’s an outing that offers a memorable blend of natural wonder, scenic walking, and just enough challenge to make the reward feel truly earned.
Hansoms Restaurant offers refined dining with creative menus, attentive service and spellbinding views – often accompanied by the gentle notes of the resident pianist at weekends. Guests can enjoy elegant à la carte meals, traditional Sunday lunch or indulgent afternoon tea, all in a setting designed to charm.
For lighter bites, the traditional Coffee House serves tempting lunches and sweet treats, while the family Bar & Grill offers a relaxed atmosphere for any of the hotel’s menus. Dog-friendly dining is available in the welcoming Llewellyn Suite, ensuring every member of the family feels at home! www.bulkeleyhotel.co.uk
Hot spots
Aber Falls / Rhaeadr Fawr
AberFalls is one of North Wales’ most celebrated waterfalls and a highlight of Snowdonia National Park. Plunging 37 metres in a dramatic cascade, it’s especially breathtaking after heavy rain when the water roars into the valley below.
The walk to the falls begins in the Aber Valley and follows a well-maintained gravel path, making it accessible for families, casual walkers, and even wheelchairs and pushchairs (there are steeper sections towards the end). Along the way, you’re treated to sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and the sound of rushing water growing louder with each step. Just a short distance from the main falls lies Rhaeadr Bach, a smaller but equally charming waterfall, where plunge pools invite quiet moments of reflection. With its combination of striking scenery, easy access and the bonus of two beautiful falls in one trip, Aber Falls offers an unforgettable taste of Snowdonia’s natural splendour.
“Striking scenery, easy access and the bonus of two beautiful falls in one trip”
The rooms retain their Georgian elegance
Stay in the bustling heart of Beaumaris
Discover Parks
At Discover Parks...
Whether you’re pitching up, touring, settling into a caravan, lodge, or cottage, or spending time in your own holiday home, at Discover Parks everything’s here for a stress-free stay.
Discover the Benefits of ‘Blue Space’
All three of our parks have rivers, lakes and pondsbeing by water enhances well-being, reduces stress and encourages exercise.
Discover Yourself
Strip back the layers of life and immerse yourself in nature, space and time in Herefordshire and Powysside by side, these stunning counties are among the least populated areas in the UK.
Facilities at Discover Parks
Holiday Home Ownership in Herefordshire Offer
a holiday home at Arrow Bank, Pearl Lake or Rockbridge before the end of December 2025 and have no site fees to pay until 1st March 2026!
JANUARY
Penralley House
JUST CRUISING
Tucked away in the charming village of Llangattock, at the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park, Beacon Park Boats invites you to discover a truly unique way to explore the area’snatural splendour.
The boat hire company offers an unforgettable escape along the serene Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. From the moment you set off, you’ll find yourself immersed in the peaceful beauty of the Welsh countryside. The fleet of stylish, well-maintained narrowboats provides a luxurious yet comfortable base for your journey, allowing you to glide through the tranquil waters and soak up panoramic views of rolling green hills and unspoilt landscapes.
RESTORATION CELEBRATION
Perfect for seasoned canal boaters and first-time cruisers alike, Beacon Park Boats offers full training and guidance to ensure a smooth, stress-free experience.
“Relax, unwind, and experience the Brecon Beacons from a whole new perspective”
Whether you’re planning a weekend break or a longer adventure, this is a chance to slow down, breathe deeply and reconnect with nature. Ideal for a romantic escape, family outing or solo retreat, a voyage with Beacon Park Boats is more than just a holiday – it’s a chance to experience the Brecon Beacons from a whole new perspective. Relax, unwind and let the journey be your destination! www.beaconparkboats.com
by locally sourced products and bespoke welcome gifts showcasing the best of North Wales and the North West.
On the west coast of Anglesey, at the heart of one of the loveliest parts of the island, Ty Deryn Y Môr and The Annexe invite guests to experience five-star luxury and the coastal charms of Llanfaethlu village. Part of the FJ Holiday Retreats collection, these beautifully restored properties reflect the passion and dedication of owners Sarah and Andrew Foley Jones, who have been welcoming visitors for nearly a decade.
“Bespoke welcome gifts showcase the best of North Wales”
With additional retreats in historic Rhuddlan and the vibrant city of Chester, the family-run business has hosted more than 1,200 guests from across the globe, including travellers from Australia, Japan, the US and New Zealand. Each property has been thoughtfully enhanced to complement the surroundings, with interiors enriched
FJ Holiday Retreats caters to a diverse range of guests, from families and pet owners to newlyweds, celebrities and international visitors. Whether it’s the serene coastal views of Anglesey, the rich heritage of Rhuddlan or the cultural buzz of Chester, each location offers its own unique appeal.
With Sarah’s background in luxury travel and Andrew’s career as a solicitor and author, the couple bring both professional expertise and personal warmth to every stay. Their
commitment to supporting the local economy and creating an unforgettable guest experience has made FJ Holiday Retreats a trusted choice for those seeking comfort, character and a touch of indulgence. www.fjholidayretreats.com
The Annexe sleeps up to six and has a second lounge
Ty Deryn Y Môr: both properties have direct access to Borthwen beach
The smart and well-maintained fleet
HOME FROM HOME
Goetre Retreat Caravan Park is a tranquil, family-run haven in scenic Mid Wales, offering the perfect blend of comfort and natural charm. Set on the banks of the River Mule, between the villages of Abermule and Kerry, and just a short drive from Newtown and Welshpool, it’s the ideal base for exploring.
Whether you’re drawn to active country pursuits or simply want to slow down and enjoy the fresh air, Goetre Retreat provides the perfect home away from home. Its central location near the Shropshire border offers easy access to celebrated walking trails including Offa’s Dyke and the Kerry Ridgeway,
“Slow down and enjoy the fresh air”
while the reservoirs and dams of Lake Vyrnwy, Clywedog and the Elan Valley are a paradise for birdwatchers and promise breathtaking scenery for a day trip.
For those who enjoy fishing, golf, cycling or horse riding, the surrounding countryside offers endless opportunities. Or, for a gentler pace, the park itself is a peaceful spot to simply sit back and unwind. With Stiperstones, Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd nearby, Goetre Retreat is the perfect launchpad for exploring both Mid Wales and the Shropshire borders. www.goetreretreatcaravanpark.co.uk
Perfect peace
Llawrbetws Uchaf, affectionately known as The Farm House, is the last word in self-catered luxury, a 5-star holiday retreat where heritage charm meets modern indulgence. Set in the sleepy hamlet of Glan Yr Afon (Glanrafon), near Bala, it’s an ideal base for exploring North and Mid Wales, and the perfect setting for friends and family to enjoy a memorable holiday all year round.
Experience the warmth of a true ‘home from home’. Throughtfully restored interiors ensure year-round comfort and convenience, while every window reveals stunning vistas over the surrounding Berwyn and Clwydian mountains. And with newly installed, high-speed fibre broadband, you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds: seamless wifi connectivity alongside rural tranquillity.
The spacious, six-bedroom cottage offers plenty of room for everyone to relax. (Smaller numbers can be
IDYLLIC ESCAPE
Overwater Marina offers an idyllic holiday escape in the heart of the Cheshire countryside, close to the boating village of Audlem. With a wide range of facilities and accommodation options, this welcoming destination promises a stay to remember for anyone seeking peace and relaxation.
The Caravan and Motorhome Club certified site and holiday park features 10 luxury hardstanding touring pitches, available on a nightly or seasonal basis.
A charming alternative are bespoke glamping wagons, set beside the fomer Gingerbread Line. Each is fully equipped with fitted bathroom, kitchenette, stove and comfy beds. For extra indulgence, choose one with a wood-fired hot tub!
“Bespoke glamping wagons with hot tub”
The Marina is an excellent base for exploring Cheshire and Shropshire. The market town of Nantwich is just a short drive away, and nearby attractions include the Anderton Boat Lift and Jodrell Bank Observatory. From scenic walks to cycle trails and tranquil fishing spots, there are endless opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. www.overwatermarina.co.uk
“Every window reveals stunning mountain vistas”
accommodated, please enquire.) The well-appointed kitchen features a dishwasher, dual-fuel Rangemaster cooker, microwave and fridge/freezer, making light work of mealtimes. After a full day exploring the great outdoors or enjoying the thrill of watersports on Bala Lake, the utility room with its washing machine and tumble dryer will handle any muddy gear or damp coats.
In the enchanting Farm House garden you can soak up the sunshine, accompanied by the gentle song of the nearby stream. Then, as evening falls, sink into the inviting hot tub and watch the stars emerge overhead, letting the soothing water ease you into a state of pure bliss.
www.llawrbetws.co.uk
Time to put your feet up…
Take it easy at Overwater Marina
So peaceful you won’t want to leave the park
Escape to Glansevin, where the enchanting Welsh countryside awaits. Nestled in pri acy and seclusion this uni ue enue offers a ha en that you can truly a e your own. hether you see a si ple or lu urious stay ustlin with acti ity or lled with rela ation lanse in caters to atherin s of all si es with un atched dedication. pon arri al nd your eds ade and res ready to li ht settin the sta e for a cosy welco in at osphere. ur e pansi e rounds in ite you to en oy a es as in the sunshine unwind in the sauna or di e into our refur ished outdoor pool. ndoors the a es roo pro ises fun for children and adults ali e while the drawin roo ar awaits your fa ourite refresh ents no cor a e fee re uired ur self caterin enue features a spacious fully e uipped itchen ad acent to the dinin roo perfect for culinary ad entures. onnect with our local caterers or rin your own for an unfor etta le dinin e perience. plore the eauty of ales with scenic wal s fro our ardens or enture further to disco er castles la es and waterfalls. ear y indul e in delicious eateries isit art alleries or wander throu h a deer par and otanical ardens. ar on a elsh ad enture at lanse in a retreat offerin a
Wendon Holidays
‘Unwind,
explore, and experience the wonders of the North Wales Coast’
Situated on the beachfront of Dinas Dinlle, just six miles from the historic city of Caernarfon in Gwynedd, Wendon Holidays offers five spacious self-catering apartments where every lounge faces the sea for breathtaking 180-degree views of Caernarfon Bay, the Rival Mountains, the Menai Strait, and Anglesey.
You’ll have front row seats to glorious sunsets and ever-changing seascapes, whether the waters are calm and shimmering or wild and dramatic. After a day of exploring, return to bright, inviting spaces where you can unwind to the soothing sounds of the waves or venture out for a stroll along the shoreline, just steps from your door.
Each apartment features a fully equipped kitchen, comfortable living spaces, fresh bedding and towels, free Wi-Fi, and all the essentials for a relaxing stay—truly a home away from home. We welcome dogs, offer complimentary parking, and pride ourselves on providing a peaceful setting at any time of year; perfect for couples, families, or groups.
Book your stay today. For booking instructions or availability, please contact us directly or visit our website.
Quote Code: Shire Sept/Oct-25 when reserving your apartment to unlock special offers.
Once a playground favourite, dodgeball has bounced its way from the school gym into the spotlight
Made popular by the cult comedy Dodgeball starring Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller, this high-octane sport has really taken o in the UK. Now Wales is making its mark on the dodgeball map with the launch of its first-ever junior community club.
Based in Rhondda, the Rhondda Dragons Dodgeball Club is welcoming children aged seven to 15, and o ering lively, inclusive sessions that focus not just on physical fitness but also on building leadership, communication and teamwork skills. At just £2.50 per session, the club is keen to make sure cost isn’t a barrier – especially at a time when families are feeling the squeeze.
Funding boost
To help make it all happen, the club applied to the Be Active Wales Fund and successfully secured £778. The money has been invested in essential kit, from balls and venue hire to coaching courses and first-aid training.
There are also exciting plans in the works to create a local schools league,
“Lively inclusive sessions for ages seven to 15”
further cementing dodgeball’s place as a serious and accessible sport for young people in the region.
Grassroots support
If you’re inspired to bring dodgeball – or any sport – to your own community, take a leaf out of the Dragons’ playbook. A major key to their success was building a relationship with their local sport development team. Sport RCT provided guidance and local know-how that helped turn the idea into a reality.
Whether you’re looking to get your kids moving, or thinking about launching a grassroots project of your own, dodgeball could be the thing to spark some competitive spirit – and a lot of laughs along the way. www.britishdodgeball.org/clubs/
THE ULTIMATE IN FUN
If you’re looking for a great way to stay active, meet people and learn a unique skill, give Ultimate Frisbee a spin this season!
If your last experience of Frisbee was a casual toss-about in the park, you’re in for a surprise. The fast-paced sport of Ultimate Frisbee is fiercely competitive and growing rapidly across the UK – and it might just be your next big fitness fix.
Combining the aerobic intensity of football with the precision passing of netball, Ultimate is a team sport played with a flying disc. It’s non-contact, cooperative and built on a foundation of fair play – there are no referees, even at the highest levels. Instead, players take responsibility for their own actions, making it a game that values sportsmanship as much as skill.
Getting involved
“All you need is a willingness to run –a lot!”
It’s not just for students or elite athletes either. There are clubs up and down the UK, catering to all ages and abilities. Some
welcome new players all year round, others hold trials ahead of each season. Many o er taster sessions so you can get a feel for the game before committing.
If you’re keen to give it a go, start by finding a local team. The o cial Ultimate Frisbee website has a club map to help you search. Many clubs are active on social media and have their own websites where you can find contact details, session times and beginner events, so don’t hestitate to reach out directly. One of the best things about Ultimate is its low barrier to entry. All you need to get started is a good pair of trainers and a willingness to run – a lot! www.ukultimate.com
Rhondda Dragons: a roaring success
Training builds good teamwork skills
It’s competitive at the top!
HARVEST HOME
Autumn means harvest – and in the beautiful rural areas of the Shire patch they’ve been busy gathering the crops that will help feed us all through the coming year. In celebration of this amazing array of food and drink, many towns hold festivals supporting local farms and enterprises. From Welsh whisky to Shropshire gingerbread, we’ve found an event for everyone!
Harvest Festival on the Farm
Jayne Chapman is farm manager at Tatton Parm, outside Knutsford, and she’s looking forward to Harvest Festival, as she does every year.
“ e event is based at the historical working farm at Tatton Park,” she explained. “ e festival started approximately 20 years ago and I’ve worked on it since the beginning.”
Jayne’s favourite part of the job? e fact that life on the farm is never dull! “ ere are highs and lows every day. Harvest is especially important, as it’s a chance to show our thanks for all the new animals that have been born and to say goodbye to any we might have lost over the year,” she said. ere’s plenty at Tatton’s Harvest Festival for visitors to enjoy.
DID YOU KNOW?
Some pumpkin varieties are grown to be extra knobbly. Look out for Knucklehead and Warty Goblin!
“ e steam engine will be running, and there’s a woodland play trail and maize maze,” said Jayne. “And children can visit all the rare breed animals that live on the farm. Our Golden Guernsey goats were awarded the title of Royal Golden Guernsey goats by King Charles last year, so I’d say they are very important now!”
Jayne’s favourite part of the festival is the Harvest blessing, especially the pet blessing where visitors can bring their own pets to be blessed.
“We say thanks for all the love and friendship our animals give us on a daily basis,” she said. “ e blessing is always hilarious, with the goats trying to eat all the lovely produce that we use to decorate the shed.
“Before now we’ve even blessed one of our huge rare breed pigs. You never know what’s going to happen on the day! We also have a lovely brass band to accompany us as we sing those Harvest tunes.”
Visitors may be surprised to learn that the Harvest shed is a cattle barn at the start of the week and gets transformed into the farmyard chapel by the end of it!
Harvest Festival on the Farm, Tatton Park 27th & 28th September www.tattonpark.org.uk
“The blessing is always hilarious, with the goats trying to eat all the lovely produce that we use to decorate the shed”
3. Guarding the goodies from those pesky goats!
4. Market Drayton’s Ginger & Spice Festival features artisan food, drink and craft stalls
5. Julia Roberts is founder and director of Ginger & Spice
6. Chef Michel Nijsten o ers inspiration at a previous festival
Ginger & Spice Festival
Market Drayton’s award-winning Ginger & Spice Festival is now in its ninth tantalising year. With the festivities centred on 27th September, events take place either side of festival day in the heart of the medieval market town, and in surrounding community spaces and hostelries.
e festival, which is mostly free to attend, honours the culinary heritage of the North Shropshire town and is run by volunteers as a not-for-pro t community celebration. Julia Roberts is its director, and founded Ginger & Spice in 2017.
“I love the creative planning side of the role – looking at how we can engage the arts into telling the story of the town better,” she told Shire. “Also the community side, forging friendships with our amazing volunteer team.”
e festival features artisan food, drink and craft stalls, every one having a ginger or spice-based theme to one or more of its products.
“We are very selective in who we allow to trade as we want a high-quality shopping experience for our festival goers,” explained Julia. “We also have a few charity and local community groups that exhibit.”
Ginger & Spice Festival kicks o with a pre-event on 25th September: A Taste of Autumn and Spice, at nearby Goldstone Hall Hotel. ( is event is ticketed.)
On 27th September there’s the Spicy Artisan Market on Cheshire Street; the James Du Pavey Food eatre at the Buttercross, starring top local chefs; the Original Biscuit Bakers heritage town trail; children’s activities outside the library including clay crafting, gingerbread decorating, face painting, henna tattoos and Indian crafts, plus educational workshops for young people including drumming, block printing, mehndi (henna art), and other cultural activities such as Chinese lantern and banner making. New for this year is the Festival Parade on Cheshire Street, and the Floating Market on the Shropshire Union Canal, which runs all weekend.
ere’s also live music from Wannabe (ticketed) and Big Joe Bone; plus the Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band walkabout performance, Green Man Morris, and Chinese dance from Culture Kind.
“Ricky Ross from Deacon Blue came to do a solo gig for us in 2019, supported by local singer-songwriter Heidi Browne,” said Julia. “I’m a huge fan, so that was fantastic moment!”
Exploring the heritage elements through art and food is a highlight for Julia.
“ e festival celebrates the local gingerbread, Billington’s, which is one of the oldest gingerbread brands in the country still in production and unique to Market Drayton. Traditionally it was dunked into Port wine by the farmers’ wives in the old gingerbread café in town. We hope that festival goers can experience this at Fields Kitchen farm shop on the high street.” e festival is entirely run by volunteers – which includes Julia. e group is self-funded and go out into the community to nd the nance to put on the festival every year.
“ is is a real challenge, and we work on the festival 12 months of the year,” said Julia. “ e moment the festival ends we start planning the next one! We are always looking for more support, be it nancial or volunteering, so reach out to us if you’d like to get involved.”
Ginger & Spice Festival, Market Drayton 27th September (and throughout the week) www.gingerandspicefest.co.uk
1. Even the animals get involved at Tatton Park Farm’s Harvest Festival 2. Two of Tatton’s ‘Royal’ Golden Guernseys
1. Docket’s Stuart Collins, live at Ludlow Marches Food & Drink Festival
2. Llangollen Food Festival has over 100 stands
3. Porthmadog’s Purple Moose will be at Llanbedr Beer Festival
4. Cooking up a storm at Newtown Food Festival
5. Northwich Beer Festival (see overleaf) – all for charity
DID YOU KNOW?
Wales was one of the first places to can beer. Llanelli’s Felinfoel Brewery began producing cans in 1931
Llanbedr Beer Festival
Gwyl Gwrw Llanbedr / Llanbedr Beer Festival was established as a Welsh beer festival back in 2004 by Gru ydd Price, Eirwyn omas and two friends, and they hosted their rst event in September 2005.
“It was intended to attract visitors to the village in the quiet period between summer and autumn school holidays, but also initially to raise funds for school exchange trips to Huchenfeld, our twinned village in Germany,” explained Gru ydd. “At the time, there was a small but growing cask brewing scene in Wales, so instead of our initial idea to host a German beer festival, we decided to showcase Welsh beer instead.”
Since its inception, the festival has grown and has become a fundraiser for other local voluntary groups and community events. It’s run by volunteers – who have also taken on the erection of Christmas lights in the village.
“Another opportunity for us to all get together and celebrate life in a small village in Wales!” joked Gru ydd. e Beer Festival is run every year in the grounds of Ty Mawr Hotel in the middle of the village. With a wide selection of cask beer, all brewed in Wales, as well as some ciders, they have two hot food stands which usually sell out before the night is over.
“ is is a special year for us, having survived Covid and other enforced cancellations,” said Gru ydd. “We
celebrated our 20th birthday in June with a successful concert held in the Dragon eatre, Barmouth.
“I work behind the festival bar normally, and I especially enjoy chatting to those people who return every year. Some are memorable characters and many have travelled by train from the Midlands or as far away as London. People always bring their own stories and it keeps us in touch with the wider world.
“I’m also asked for advice on beers to try, so I have to make myself familiar with the 36 or so available on the stillage – an onerous task!
“We’ve been very fortunate over the years with great weather, and the Friday and Saturday afternoons are special as people relax and talk in the garden. e atmosphere is always friendly and relaxed. e afternoons tend to attract the beer a cionados, who are very generous with their knowledge of brewing…” ere is a di erent lineup of live entertainment every year, drawing on local talent – ranging from Llanbedr’s own male voice choir to ’60s rock. A popular act is Y Band Arall / e Other Band, who are playing again this year. “ ey’re a varied collection of local musicians, and they get people up on their feet dancing within minutes of starting their set!”
Llanbedr Beer Festival, Gwesty Ty Mawr Hotel 12th & 13th September
www.llanbedrbeerfestival.co.uk
Ludlow Marches Food & Drink –
The Festival
O ering a dynamic programme of cooking demonstrations, Ludlow Marches Food & Drink features a live re stage, trails, late sessions, workshops, children’s activities, and talks from international chefs, producers and experts alike. Ludlow is synonymous with excellent food and drink, and this event showcases the nest produce from across the Marches region.
ago and took over the role of secretary from a long-standing committee member, Ian Parry, a year later.”
Liz loves the vibrant town of Llangollen, and being involved with the festival gives her the opportunity to spend even more time there, meeting its friendly locals and visiting the great array of independent shops it has to o er.
ere are over 100 stands at the event, o ering everything from Welsh cheeses, small batch gins and liqueurs, speciality meats, fresh produce, baked goods and unique artisan products through to international street food. Many are local to North Wales, while other exhibitors travel from across the UK, bringing a wide variety of avours – and skills – to the mix.
“We have lots of activities for children, and Xplore! from Wrexham will be keeping them entertained over the two days in the Silver Band Hut,” said Liz.
“We have a wide range of live music between two stages –one on Centenary Square and one in the bandstand area, which always proves to be very popular. You can enjoy a drink and sample some of the amazing food we have on o er from a wide range of exhibitors.”
ere’s also a demonstration stage showcasing local producers and chefs, along with a wine tasting and whisky tasting event, not forgetting the Real Ale Train!
“Organising the festival takes time and commitment,” said Liz. “ e committee of seven are all volunteers giving up their time to ensure the event is special and continues to grow year on year.”
“We try and support local producers as much as possible, and offer a discount to start-up businesses to help them along”
With a broad and exciting range of exhibitors to explore, visitors can stock up on their favourites as well as tasting new and delicious food. In a time when provenance is everything, take this opportunity to discover the stories behind the food, championing British producers at their best.
Ludlow Marches Food & Drink – e Festival
Ludlow Castle
12th-14th September
www.ludlowfoodfestival.co.uk
Llangollen Food Festival
Llangollen’s annual Food Festival takes place this year on 11th-12th October in the picturesque Welsh town. It isn’t con ned to a single space – it spills across the historic centre from the Victorian-era town hall to the bandstand at Riverside Park, the charming heritage railway station, along Market Street and even to a wine bar, one of the oldest in Wales.
“ e mix of heritage and landscape is part of what makes it such a great festival,” said Liz Taylor, secretary of the Llangollen Food Festival. “ e festival was rst held in 1997 and draws in producers and visitors from across the county and beyond.
“I joined the committee as a volunteer helper seven years
Llangollen Food Festival 11th & 12th October www.llangollenfoodfestival.com
Newtown Food Festival
Jodie Gri th is the volunteer director of Newtown Food Festival. Held on the grounds of the town hall, the venue is open access so it’s free to enter.
“ e festival started in 2013 and I joined in 2015, before taking a break in 2016 to have my second child,” said Jodie. “My favourite part of the job is working with the rest of the committee to create a free, fun weekend for all. Everyone in the group is passionate about what we do.”
Stands include artisan food and drink, street food, world food, local craft ale and cider, cocktails and crafts, and there are stalls run by community groups and charities. “We try and support local producers as much as possible, and o er a stand discount to start-up businesses to help them along,” said Jodie.
ere’s entertainment too: live music throughout the event showcases local bands, choirs and artists. ere’s free children’s entertainment all weekend, usually including circus acts, creative activities and workshops.
Plus a cookery demonstration tent and a French Village run by the Twinning Association.
What Jodie particularly loves about the festival is the atmosphere. “It’s a really nice mix of stands and entertainment,” she told us. “ ere’s something for everyone.”
Newtown Food Festival, Town Hall Grounds, Newtown 6th & 7th September www.newtownfoodfestival.org.uk
Northwich Beer Festival
Northwich Beer Festival was started 31 years ago, and is jointly organised by Northwich Rotary Club and Northwich Vale Royal Rotary Club.
Visitors to this year’s event – headed Brews, Tipples & Tunes – will notice a fair few changes.
DID
YOU KNOW?
What do The Charlatans, polythene and the Pina Colada song have in common? They’re all from Northwich!
Chair Tim Henshall told Shire there would be more craft beers than ever, although they won’t be losing sight of the needs of cask beer lovers! Other tipples include gins, Pimm’s and cocktails – plus entertainment is guaranteed, with three live bands performing over the weekend.
Northwich Beer Festival, Brio Leisure Memorial Court 19th & 20th September www.beerfest.org.uk
Mold Food & Drink Festival
is year’s festival kicks o with a Friday night musical warm-up on 19th September, when
Motown Comes to Mold.
e town centre car park will be transformed into a festive wonderland.
“Mold Food & Drink Festival began in 2006, so this would have been our 20th edition, but instead it is our 19th year –thanks Covid!” said exhibitor co-ordinator Fiona Dodd.
“We’ll be celebrating our 20th festival next year.”
Fiona enjoys the variety and pace of the role. “With the whole committee being volunteers we have to be able to turn our hand to anything, and squeeze it into our busy lives!”
ere are over 100 exhibitors, half of which are food-related – street food and products to take home; a quarter are drinkrelated – anything from bars to speciality liqueurs and co ees; and around a quarter of the stands are allocated to helping the local community to thrive. is section is a mix of local charities, community groups and new young market traders.
“We try to make it a full day out, with music throughout the day – mainly local choirs, bands, soloists. is year we have a fabulous, family-friendly Sunday lined up with a Taylor Swift look-alike and Guitar Olly from Britain’s Got Talent! We also have children’s activities, a treasure hunt, crafting and a small fairground.”
e festival used to feature celebrity chefs, but now focuses on giving local chefs and restaurants the opportunity to shine.
And Fiona’s favourite part of the festival? “10am on the Saturday, when there is a queue to get in!”
Mold Food & Drink Festival
20th & 21st September
www.moldfoodfestival.co.uk
Shropshire Oktoberfest
Shropshire Oktoberfest is Shropshire’s biggest party, with real ales, cider, gin, wine, cocktails and more from local drinks producers. ere’s a village of street food trucks and stalls, a live music stage, comedy, a silent disco and carpool karaoke. Huge marquees and tipis ll Shrewsbury’s Quarry Park.
Beth Heath, director of fun told us how it all started.
“Our rst Shropshire Oktoberfest was in 2017,” she said. “It’s a Shropshire Festivals’ event, which I started with my team at my husband’s request. He pointed out we were missing an event for his demographic, and we found a gap in the market for a beer festival in our area. From 18 to 80-plus, everyone’s welcome.”
When Shropshire Oktoberfest is in full swing, Beth likes to take a moment to look at the main tent from the music stage, where there’s a sea of smiling people having the best time, with bellies full of quality food and drink, crazy costumes, and full hearts. “It really makes the hard graft worth it,” she said.
e main beer tent is lined with local producers, serving direct
“This festival is all about supporting the amazing brewers, producers and performers in the local area”
to visitors; you can tap straight into their knowledge. Outside, there’s delicious street food, such as venison burgers, hot dogs and pizza. Inside, you’ll nd a selection of exhibitors selling olives, biltong, sweet treats, festival accessories and more. ere’s great entertainment too. “As well as live music, you can visit the Saturday comedy club, choose your own music in the silent disco tent, and take centre stage with Volvo Shrewsbury’s carpool karaoke,” added Beth. “We’re also planning some darts this year – stay tuned for more details!
is festival is all about supporting the amazing brewers, producers and performers in the local area, so whilst there aren’t any celebrity A-listers on site, Beth believes it’s the local food and drinks producers and bands who are the ultimate superstars.
She loves that there’s something for everyone. “We get the beer a cionados who come to sample quality real ale, we get work teams, birthday groups, and hen parties looking for a fun night out. Everyone has the best time.”
Shropshire Oktoberfest, Quarry Park, Shrewsbury 3rd & 4th October www.shropshireoktoberfest.co.uk
Denbigh Plum Feast
e Denbigh plum is estimated to be over 300 years old and the oldest plum variety in Wales. Celebrate everything about this juicy delight at Denbigh Plum Feast, with food and drink stands, cookery demonstrations, craft stalls – and plums galore!
Denbigh Plum Feast, Denbigh Town Hall 4th October valeofclwyddenbighplum@gmail.com
Wales Whisky Fest
Sean Williams hosts the Whisgi Wales podcast, and is also the founder of Wales Whisky Fest, held at St George’s Hotel on the promenade in Llandudno.
“ e venue is incredibly atmospheric,” explained Sean. “It was the rst luxury hotel built in Llandudno back in 1854, and has an amazing history. It’s hosted at least seven British Prime Ministers, including Winston Churchill and Margaret atcher, as well as other famous gures like Napoleon III, and even Alice Liddell, the girl who inspired Alice in Wonderland
“It was also the rst hotel in Wales to have a water-operated lift, which was a huge innovation at the time.”
Founded in 2024, this is the festival’s second year.
Sean’s favourite part of his work on the festival is getting to tell the story of the Welsh whisky renaissance.
“For over a century, commercial Welsh whisky didn’t exist, and now it’s a thriving, exciting industry,” he said. “Being able to create an event that brings distillers, bottlers and passionate fans together to celebrate that revival is incredibly rewarding. It’s more than a festival – it feels like we’re part of a national story.”
ere will be over 30 exhibitors, so there’s a huge variety of whisky! “ e core is, of course, Welsh whisky, with distilleries
1. Mold Food & Drink Festival is a full day out
2. All dressed up for Shropshire Oktoberfest
3. Ripe in time for Denbigh Plum Fest
4. A highlight of Wales Whisky Fest
like Penderyn, Aber Falls and Da Mhile all present,” explained Sean. “But we also bring in fantastic producers from Scotland, Ireland, England and beyond, such as Lindores Abbey, Tomatin and West Midlands Distillery.
“We have independent bottlers, stands for old and rare whiskies, and other related craft producers, including a terri c artisan co ee roastery and a business that upcycles whisky barrels into gifts.”
Wales Whisky Fest is a strictly over-18s event, with live music acts creating a great atmosphere. Last year the Denbigh and District Male Voice Choir opened the Saturday session. ere are special guests from the whisky world, too – in uencers and experts who come and share their stories.
e Friday opening party is a big highlight; that’s a fourcourse, whisky-paired dinner with a theme. is year it’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’ to celebrate the venue’s history.
e festival attracts the stars of the whisky world. Last year some of the UK’s top whisky in uencers and experts attended, including Rob Richardson who tours distilleries on his bike, and the guys from the Honest to a Malt whisky podcast.
“It’s brilliant to have people who are so respected within the community come and share their passion with everyone,” said Sean.
His favourite part of the festival is the moment the doors open for the rst session on Saturday.
“After a year of planning, seeing the room ll up with hundreds of people who are all buzzing with excitement to taste amazing whiskies and chat with the people who make them is just incredible,” he said. “ e sound of conversation, laughter, and the clinking of Glencairn glasses is the best reward.”
Sean thinks that people would be surprised by the sheer scale of the year-round e ort it takes to put on a three-day event.
“It’s everything from co-ordinating with over 30 di erent exhibitors from multiple countries to making sure hundreds of di erent, speci c bottles of whisky arrive safely,” he told us. “ en there’s planning the masterclasses, the themed opening dinner, and all the hundreds of little details that make the experience special.
“It’s a huge logistical puzzle, but it’s driven by a real passion to create the best possible celebration of whisky in Wales.”
Wales Whisky Fest, St George’s Hotel, Llandudno 31st October - 2nd November www.waleswhiskyfest.co.uk
Last orders…
It’s worth remembering that most food and drink festivals are run by volunteers, who fund-raise and organise these events on top of their own work and family commitments. Why not check with your local festival to see if they need a hand – or even sponsorship from your business – for next year. And don’t forget to tell us all about it. Cheers!
Food&Drink
Season’s feastings
Fields, orchards and gardens reach a mellow, golden crescendo in September. is is the season of harvest, when the hedgerows are heavy, the ground is generous, and cooking turns just a little more comforting. Here are ve autumn stars to savour, from crisp roots to delicious fruits – plus tips for using, storing, and growing them.
Apples
From tart Bramleys to sweet Cox’s Orange Pippins, British apples come into their own in early autumn. Local orchards and farm shops will be bursting with freshpicked varieties far tastier than supermarket imports. Eat raw, juice them, or bake into pies, crumbles and cakes. Windfalls can be stewed down or turned into chutney. Store dessert apples in a cool, dark place –wrap each in paper and check regularly for spoilage. Cooking apples won’t last as long, so use quickly or freeze as stewed purée.
Beetroot
Earthy, sweet and vibrant, beetroot thrives well into autumn. Now’s the time to enjoy its full flavour, whether roasted, pickled, grated raw into salads or blitzed into soups and dips. The leaves are edible too: sauté like spinach or toss into stir-fries. Choose firm specimens with unblemished skins and crisp greens. Store in a cool place or the fridge for up to two weeks; trim leaves to 2cm to prevent moisture loss. Roast in foil to intensify sweetness, or boil and peel for salads.
Kale
Didknow?you
Pears are a super- food, high in fibre and good for your digestion and heart
Robust and cold-tolerant, kale thrives as the days cool, developing a sweeter flavour after the first frosts. Curly or flat-leafed, it adds texture and depth to soups, stews, stir-fries and grain bowls. Strip the leaves from tough stalks before cooking. For a lighter bite, try baking into crisp kale chips or massaging raw with lemon and oil for salads. Harvest younger leaves for tenderness and store in the fridge wrapped in a damp cloth, to keep fresh for up to a week.
Didknow?you
Barack Obama banned beets from the White House garden as he disliked their earthy smell
Apple pie: a classic
Beet tops are tasty too – some varieties have purple leaves
Toss with hazelnuts, Parmesan and olive oil –yum!
Pears
British-grown pears like Conference and Comice are at their juicy best from September through October. Eaten fresh, poached or baked into tarts and cakes, they offer soft, aromatic sweetness that pairs beautifully with spices, cheese or nuts. Unlike apples, pears ripen off the tree, so pick when firm and let them ripen at room temperature – check the neck for softness to test readiness. Store in a cool place and eat within a few days once ripe.
Pumpkins: not just for Halloween…
Didknow?you
Pumpkin blossoms are edible – they’re delicious battered and fried!
Pumpkins
A quintessential autumn crop, pumpkins and their squash cousins bring bold flavour, colour and versatility to the table. Roast wedges with herbs, mash into soups or cube for risottos and curries. The seeds can be roasted for snacks, and the flesh is a baker’s favourite for pies and cakes. Look for hard skins and intact stalks – a sign they’re properly cured and will store well. Keep in a cool, dry place (but not the fridge) and use within a few months.
Pick of the producers
Shire sits down with another top local producer – a great co ee roaster who’s creating more than just a good cuppa
Whenit comes to standout roasters, Hundred House Coffee has long been a favourite among those in the know. Its bold, ethically sourced blends and experimental single origins have garnered accolades and a loyal following far beyond its Shropshire base. A year ago the award-winning roastery relocated to Ludlow and launched Gather, an imaginative coworking and cultural hub that’s making waves in the region’s creative landscape.
Founded by husband-and-wife duo Anabelle de Gersigny and Matthew Wade, both from artistic backgrounds, the move to SY8 Studios on Gravel Hill was about more than finding a new home for their thriving coffee business. It was about giving back – creating a place where ideas could brew as easily as espresso.
A Blended space
The space offers flexible desks, meeting spaces, call rooms, colour printing, ceramics facilities, a garden – and now, to mark Gather’s first anniversary, a new wellbeing studio offering yoga and Pilates.
“This space is a true reflection of where we come from creatively,” says Anabelle. “It’s been incredible to see the local and wider community embrace it so warmly over the past year.”
Regular visitor and People & Culture consultant Antonia Katsambis echoes the sentiment: “Even with a decent setup at home, just being in a creative, energising space, connecting with others, gives me a real lift. I feel hugely lucky to have such a dynamic place on our doorstep.”
Gather runs a full calendar of workshops and cultural events, many with a playful, analogue edge. There are craft groups, drawing clubs, journalling meetups, clothes swaps, wine and coffee tastings, new parent sessions, book-binding classes and chances to network.
Meanwhile, the core mission of Hundred House remains as strong as ever: producing incredible coffee with a conscience. Beans are sourced from eco-conscious smallholdings around the world, with sustainability and ethical sourcing at the heart. And the roastery’s ongoing Art + Industry initiative ensures that proceeds from coffee sales go to support emerging artists and creatives.
Didknow?you
The world’s first web cam was devised by Cambridge scientists to watch their coffee pot!
Pick pears when firm to ripen at home
Anabelle (front left), Matthew (front right) and team
Andy Hughes
At the sign of the black rooster
Didknow?you
You can explore more Italian wines as part of a short course in November – see below
Anyone for a nice Chianti? e Tuscan red may be one of the most referenced wines in cinema history – just don’t watch Silence of the Lambs while eating your dinner! Shire columnist Gary Carter from the Shropshire Wine School shares his expert notes.
Red wine made principally from the Sangiovese grape has been a big part of Italian – and specifically Tuscan – winemaking for centuries. The name Chianti can be traced back to 1716 and references Sangiovese-based red wine made in the rolling hills between Florence and Sienna. This particular area is not only beautiful but its terroir is particularly suitable for the tricky grape variety: it has hillsides with some elevation and thin, well-drained topsoil, promoting slower-ripening, more full-flavoured fruit.
During the 1930s, the area that was allowed to label its wine as ‘Chianti’ was hugely expanded to cover a large part of Tuscany. While heralding a massive increase in the volume of wine, this did nothing to promote quality, and the focus remained very much on volume in the post-war years. In the 1960s, Italy got round to formalising its wine law with the development of the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) label – the equivalent of the French appellation – but left Chianti off the list.
by the flask
By the 1970s, Chianti had became synonymous with some very average wine, much of it presented in the famous wicker flask. Some younger winemakers wanted to make premium wines but were restricted by the rules. Specifically, they wanted to make wine exclusively from Sangiovese and also to experiment with small quantities of French varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon – they definitely did not want to include any of the obligatory Trebbiano!
Faced with the Chianti wine classification rules, they chose to make wine outside the DOC regulations, labelling it simply
Three to try
Barone Ricasoli
Rocca Guicciarda
Chianti Classico
Riserva DOCG
(Sainsbury’s £16.50)
Intense ruby red in colour, with notes of red fruits and floral hints of violets.
as ‘vino’. These wines became known as ‘Super Tuscans’ and immediately commanded much higher prices than traditional Chianti. The most famous are Sassicaia and Tignanello.
Over time, Italy decided that a higher standard above DOC was required and in 1980 introduced Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG). Chianti was one of the first DOCs to be ‘promoted’ to DOCG (in 1984), but with no change in the rules. Hence Trebbiano continued to be mandatory, and the makers of “Super Tuscans” continued on their way.
serve with food
Within the broader Chianti region there have always been sub-regions, for example Rufina, Colli and most significantly Classico. This references the original, historic Florence–Sienna region where growing conditions are mostly much better than the rest of Chianti.
With such a large amount of wine, there are undoubtedly good wines being made under the Chianti DOCG, but for reliably good and often great wine it is to Chianti Classico DOCG that I always turn. The wine typically has notable red cherries and herbs and spices on the nose, with rasping acidity and high levels of tannin on the palate – this wine really needs food! Chianti Classico is easy to spot as all bottles carry the black rooster symbol, along with the date of 1716.
There are a couple of additional things to consider. Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG comes from the same historic heartland but has extended ageing in oak – these wines are more fullbodied, complex and capable of ageing for longer in the bottle. Finally, there is Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, which is produced from single vineyards and undergoes at least 30 months ageing before release.
Chianti is extremely food-friendly, from basic Chianti DOCG making great pizza wine, through to Chianti Classico Riserva/ Gran Selezione DOCG going fantastically well with the trademark bistecca alla Fiorentina – Florence’s famous T-bone steak. Explore European Wines is a three-part short course in Shrewsbury, starting 11th November (£110). www.shropshirewineschool.com
Classico DOCG (Tanners £28)
This is a textbook Chianti Classico that is stuffed with lovely, sweet, succulent fruit and deliciously soft tannins.
Cherries, liquorice, wild herbs, spices and cedar on the nose. High acidity and tannin, with a long and balanced finish.
Riecine Chianti
Villa Antinori
Chianti Classico
Riserva DOCG (Majestic £27)
COME AND SEE US at our unique setting at the historic Henllys Hall, just outside beautiful Beaumaris on the Island of Anglesey, where you will find a great choice of traditional and contemporary food and service with a warm Harry’s welcome.
You’ll find our restaurant a unique and unhurried place to enjoy our bistro style food, our award winning desserts and our specially selected wines. If you are visiting Anglesey on a Sunday our lunches are very popular with visitors and Island residents.
FOODIE NEwS
Putting food first
e latest updates from food and drink producers and providers across the Shire patch.
A local teacher has been recognised for her amazing e orts to bring food education to the fore among her pupils in Crewe
Sara Randle, Head of Food at Sir William Stanier School in Crewe, has been named Food Educator of the Year in the 2025 Jamie Oliver Good School Food Awards, in recognition of exceptional work in turning food education into a powerful, hands-on experience for every student – and much of the community too.
Sara’s impact runs deep. She was nominated not just by colleagues but by her own family,and local MP Connor Naismith, who praised her unwavering commitment to building confidence, community and healthy habits through food. Over the past 25 years Sara has created a school-wide culture where food brings people together, builds confidence, offers real-life skills and inspires careers.
Beyond the classroom
Sara’s classroom stretches well beyond four walls. She recently secured funding to build a rooftop allotment, wildflower meadow and school pond, helping pupils grow their own ingredients as part of a true ‘farm to fork’ experience. Students learn where their food comes from and how to cook with it. Trips to local farms, food factories and hospitality businesses give real-world exposure, while in-school sessions with professional chefs help spark ambition and
Top job
Palé Hall Hotel, the five-star country house retreat on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, has announced the appointment of Edward Marsh as head chef. The appointment coincides with the launch of refined four and six-course tasting menus, and the opening of a stunning new private dining space Hearth.
Edward brings a confident and creative culinary vision to this celebrated Welsh destination. He joins Palé Hall from Manor House Hotel in Castle Combe, where he climbed from sous chef to head chef. He currently serves as captain of the English National Culinary Team, a prestigious role that reflects his commitment to excellence and
show what’s possible in food careers.
Sara also invites local primary schools into her classroom, ensuring children as young as Year 2 get the chance to cook fresh meals. In her after-school cooking clubs, students often cook alongside family members, strengthening bonds and sparking joy around the dinner table. She makes sure no student misses out, often covering costs for trips or ingredients herself. She’s led charity bake sales and helps pupils cook for local homeless organisations, showing how food can nourish others too.
High praise
MP Connor Naismith wrote: “Sara has built a vibrant, inclusive food culture where students learn about nutrition, sustainability and the power of food to bring people together. Her impact is felt by students, staff, parents and the wider community.”
Sara supports the school’s in-house food team, reviews canteen menus and was instrumental in securing a Food for Life Award for the school. Every student leaves Key Stage 3 with the ability to cook a range of balanced meals from scratch.
“She’s always available, often even on her days off, and is usually last to leave the building,” said Lisa Coombs, food technician. “She’s constantly coming up with new ideas. Her energy is incredible, but what truly sets her apart is how deeply she cares.”
Jessie Ware, singer, podcaster and passionate food advocate, was one of the judges. She said: “All the candidates were worthy winners; however, Sara’s work is truly inspiring. She’s not just teaching recipes, she’s teaching confidence, care and creativity. It’s clear how much her students adore her. It’s a joy to see someone using food to make such a meaningful difference in young people’s lives.”
Jamie Oliver added: “Sara’s the kind of teacher who changes lives. She’s shown that good food education isn’t just about cooking, it can also spark confidence, curiosity and connection. She’s a total star, and I’m so pleased we can celebrate her.”
his influence on the broader hospitality industry.
Now at the helm of the Henry Robertson Dining Room, a grand, chandelier-lit space that holds a Michelin Green Star for sustainability, Edward has introduced seasonal tasting menus that celebrate precision and produce. Each dish is designed to showcase exemplary technique and respect for local, seasonal ingredients.
apprentice of the year
Learners from Coleg Cambria excelled in reaching the finals of the fourth annual Wales Food and Drink Awards.
Nicola Culkin, a quality manager at Knolton Farmhouse Cheese
in Wrexham, won the Apprentice of the Year title. Naomi Spaven, lead baker and patisserie chef at Coleg Cambria's Iâl Bakery in Wrexham, was highly commended for Rising Star.
Also representing Cambria were Iâl Bakery apprentice Ella Muddiman, a baker and pastry chef; Tilly Squire from Village Bakery, and Maelor Foods’ Belinda Rossouw, all nominated in the Rising Star category.
Work-based learning manager Kate Muddiman congratulated the five for their hard work and dedication. “They’ve all done amazingly well – we are incredibly proud of them,” she added. “To have five learners representing the college and some of the finest companies in the region was a real honour.”
The ceremony, held at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, celebrated some of Wales’ most innovative and creative food and drink producers.
A Store of delights
Porter’s Delicatessen, tucked away on Market Street in Llangollen, is a family-run gourmet hideaway known for its fine selection of artisan foods and local delicacies. The store’s mission is simple: to source the very best cheeses, charcuterie, foodie treats and hard-to-find ingredients for visitors and locals alike.
Stepping into Porter’s is like entering a culinary Aladdin’s cave. The cheese counter alone boasts roughly 70 varieties from the UK and Europe, with a proud focus on Welsh artisan cheese. Offerings include organic Perl Las and Perl Wen, Celtic Promise Saval, Gorwydd Caerffili and Caws Cerwyn, alongside Snowdonia truckles such as Black Bomber and smooth farmhouse cheddars. Continental cheese lovers will find cave-aged Gruyère, Brie de Meaux, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Manchego and more.
The charcuterie section doesn’t disappoint either, with hand-made Italian salamis, Spanish chorizo and lomo, Parma and Serrano hams, plus Rosello and coppa cotta arrosti. Complementing the artisan meats are home-marinated olives, sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes and pickled garlic, prepared fresh daily and ideal for antipasti or picnic spreads.
Wine, beer and spirits are carefully curated too. You won’t find supermarket plonk here, just well-flavoured, good-value bottles. Porter’s stocks spices, olive oils straight from the tank, hand-made pasta from Puglia – and stylish kitchen gadgets for food lovers.
www.portersdeli.co.uk
SCHOOLS SUCCESS
Food producers and independent businesses could benefit in a partnership with Conwy primary schools. Conwy Council’s catering department has piloted a Welsh Government Foundational Economy and Business Wales initiative encouraging local authorities to use Welsh suppliers when designing school menus.
Following a pilot study that focused on green vegetables including broccoli, the organisations are calling for growers in the region to meet demand and explore pathways to supplying fresh produce for schools.
Consultant Dafydd Aled Williams, former health and wellbeing manager for Conwy, says partnerships have been formed in light of the Welsh Government’s universal primary free school meals initiative, with local authorities focused on health, sustainability and supporting families facing cost-of-living challenges. “There has been a lot of research and work behind the scenes over the last year to introduce more Welsh produce onto schools’ menus, which would have a positive knock-on effect for the local economy, the environment and ultimately the healthy eating habits of future generations of children,” he said.
Simon Doyle is one of Anglesey’s top chefs - he’s known for his traditional local foods with a zippy bistro flavour. After travelling the world and cooking in some famous kitchens he came home to Wales, together with patisserie specialist chef Nia Doyle, and established Harrys Bistro at Henllys Hall in beautiful Beaumaris as one of North Wales must try top eateries.
650g-750g whole sea bass, cleaned, scaled & head removed
- you can ask your fishmonger to do this for you
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp chopped rosemary
1 tsp chopped thyme
1 tsp chopped oregano
Zest of 1 lemon
Salt & pepper
1 or 2 whole garlic bulbs (outer skin peeled) - We use Tom’s Welsh Garlic from Prestatyn Approx. 250g cherry vine tomatoes Olive oil
Splash of balsamic vinegar
• Slash the fish skin on both sides. Mix together the dry rub ingredients and spread over the fish.
• Slice the zested lemon and place in the belly of the fish.
• Lay a sheet of foil onto the work surface approx. 45cm x 30cm. Place a slightly smaller sheet of baking parchment on top. Place the bass in the middle and wrap up sealing the foil. Refrigerate until needed. Remove from the fridge 10-15 minutes before cooking.
• Preheat a fan assisted oven to 200ºC. Place a large flat metal tray in the oven. Rub the garlic with a little olive oil and season with salt & pepper. Place on the tray in the oven. After 10 minutes place the seabass on the tray and return to the oven. Remove after 20 minutes, open the foil revealing the fish. Add the cherry tomatoes, drizzle of olive oil and a splash of balsamic vinegar to the side of the fish and return to the oven for 10 minutes. Leave to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Cooking times may vary.
Alternative cooking methods:
• You could sandwich 2 seabass fillets together with the rub in the middle. It would reduce the fish cooking time to 10-15 minutes.
• Or, cook it on the BBQ on a low-medium heat.
Proprietors Ben and Emma
Wanted: Welsh produce
Where the mountains meet the sea
Shire visits the landmark Trefeddian Hotel in Aberdovey to discover the secret of its success. This gem on the Mid Wales coast has held a special place in the hearts of generations of ests o nea l ea s
children right up to couples in their nineties. Others are on a trip down memory lane: they came here on holiday in their childhood and want to revisit Aberdovey and relive their experiences, often with their own children.”
The Trefeddian Hotel, Aberdovey, Gwynedd LL35 0SB
Call: 01654 767 213
The history of the Trefeddian itself can be traced back through four generations. The newly built hotel was just three years old when it was purchased by the Cave family, and it remains proudly independent.
Email: info@trefwales.com www.trefwales.com
In the foothills of Cader Idris, at the mouth of the River Dyfi, sits the village of Aberdovey and the much-loved Trefeddian Hotel. Owned and run by the Cave family since 1907, the Trefeddian excels at traditional Welsh hospitality.
“People come here and genuinely relax,” says the hotel’s general manager William Moeran. “Couples, families or larger family groups come for anything up to a fortnight. With all the activities on offer here, we see the whole age range – families with young
“The Trefeddian is family-owned and family-run,” says William. “Caroline Cave and her son Tom are the current directors. The hotel has expanded over the years but we are focused on leisure. We don’t do corporate events, weddings or functions.
“We’re a favourite destination from the West Midlands. There’s been a train station in Aberdovey since 1863, but from the 1960s and ’70s as more people got cars, everyone from Shropshire across to Birmingham headed this way – turning right at Machynlleth for Aberdovey.”
Your choice of holiday
As tourism evolved in the 20th century, Aberdovey stayed very true to its nature. The village lies just inside Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), which has helped to preserve it as a picturesque resort.
“The Trefeddian is very much a part of the local community, too,” adds William. “The staff come from Aberdovey, we do business with the village, and guests use the local shops.
“The hotel is so many different things to different people. We have guests who like to go to the beach and swim in the sea, guests who come to play tennis or to walk the coast path”
“We’re the largest hotel in the area. As well as the grounds and terraces with fabulous views, we’ve got an indoor swimming pool, tennis court, a putting green, a fantastic games room with pool tables and table tennis, and a children’s playground. The beach is just the other side of the golf course: there are two easy paths, giving you access to four miles of golden sands, all the way up to Tywyn.
“The hotel is so many different things to different people. We have guests who like to go to the beach and build sandcastles or go for a swim. We’ve got guests who come to play tennis, or to walk the coast path. There’s unlimited options for walking here, including Cader Idris which is nearly as high as Snowdon and far less crowded. The Fairbourne and Talyllyn steam railways are right on the doorstep, and attract visitors from all over the world.
“People come here with bikes to ride the forest trails, or with their golf clubs to play at the local course, or with paddleboards and kitesurfing kit. You can do any kind of outdoor or watersports
Above left: superior rooms on the fourth floor are extra spacious Left: the pool and whirlpool spa
The perfect spot to relax and unwind…
The Trefeddian: minutes to the beach
activity using the hotel as a base.
“We have a very high return rate – people come back time and again, and we offer a loyalty discount. They know they won’t find any big changes to the hotel or how we do things. We pride ourselves on attention to detail and friendly service, and of course the quality of our food. Tracy, our head chef, has been here for 15 years. She grew up in the area and only left to do her training.
DID YOU KNOW?
Cardigan Bay is one of the best places in the UK to see bottlenose dolphins
“Everything we serve is made in-house – “cooked from scratch,” we like to say – and the menu changes every night. The beef is local and the fish comes from Pembroke. We’d like to source our fish in Aberdovey but the excellent local fish shop can’t give us the volume we need.”
Dining at the Trefeddian
During dinner we were entertained not only by our waiter but by an incredible sunset spreading the breadth of the dining room windows. We could see all the way down to Borth and the whole outline of Cardigan Bay.
The whitebait, to start, was beautifully crispy, and the roasted garlic and lemon really came through in the aioli, which included fresh thyme – a nice addition. The teriyaki chicken featured large, tender pieces of marinated breast meat, very moreish, and delicious cauliflower rice. This is freshly grated cauliflower and was a new one to us, and very pleasant too.
To follow, a small dish of chicken with peppers and pearl onions was presented on tasty wild basmati rice.
The main courses were delicious and spectacular plates, the trout on a bed of noodles with an excellent mussel chowder: creamy, sweet and savoury with good-sized local mussels.
The large river trout fillet had been floured and pan fried, the pinkish flesh separating easily from the skin. River trout has a delicate flavour with earthy tones, completely different from sea trout, and it’s a real treat to enjoy when you get the chance.
With dessert we were spoiled for choice, but opted for the light, creamy tiramisu and a knockout white chocolate torte with lime and dark chocolate sauce.
The service throughout was warm, friendly and very efficient – as were the entire hotel staff during our stay. It’s clear that the Trefeddian puts a premium on being welcoming and going that extra mile for its guests, which is why the hotel has become a firm favourite for many in the Midlands and beyond.
2025 TARIFFS
Includes a four-course dinner and full Welsh breakfast SUMMER
From £167 per person, per night (£150 for seven nights or more) AUTUMN
From £157 per person, per night (£139 for seven nights or more)
Dogs welcome, subject to house rules. £15 each, maximum two per room. Free parking. EV charging points available.
SELF-CATERING AT THE TREFEDDIAN
Built in 2019, two luxury self-catering units Seascape I (sleeps 4) and Seascape II (sleeps 6) are available for weekly stays. Self-catering guests have use of all hotel facilities, and Seascape II has a hot tub. Call the hotel for rates and reservations on 01654 767 213.
THE MENU
TO START:
Crispy fried whitebait with paprika, and roasted garlic and lemon aioli
Teriyaki chicken strips with soy sauce, spring onions and cauliflower rice
TO FOLLOW:
Free-range chicken à la King on basmati rice
MAIN COURSE:
Pan-fried fillet of rainbow trout with fresh egg noodles and mussel chowder
Roast sirloin of Welsh beef with Yorkshire pudding and horseradish sauce
Served with minted new potatoes and a panache of seasonal vegetables
DESSERT: Tiramisu with Amaretti biscuits
White chocolate and lime torte
dark chocolate sauce
with
Rainbow trout with mussel chowder
Crispy whitebait
Teriyaki chicken
Chicken à la King
White chocolate and lime torte
apartments designed to make life easy, enjoyable and safe
¥ Exclusively for the over 55s.
¥ Caf offering fresh, home-cooked meals and snacks.
¥ Landscaped gardens and communal areas for relaxation and socialising.
¥ Flexible, tailored care and support from a friendly team on hand day or night, if you need it.
ItÔs beautiful here - the staff are just lovely. You can be as private as you like but also mix with your neighbours and enjoy social events. ItÔs reassuring to know that if something were to happen there will be someone here to help me.
Thelma, ShireLiving customer
Homes & Interiors Hidden agenda
Now’s the perfect time to make sure we’re ready for colder days at home. And one sure re way to warm up is by improving insulation.
As leaves start to turn and the temperature drops, most of us turn our minds to heating – or more accurately, the rising cost of it. But while boilers, radiators and thermostats often take centre stage, one of the most powerful tools for warmth and energy efficiency remains out of sight: insulation.
Insulation isn’t just about saving money, though it certainly does that. It’s about
“A
typical uninsulated home loses around 25 percent of its heat through the roof, 35 percent through the walls, and another 10 percent through the
floors”
energy-efficient housing in Western Europe. Which really matters, for many reasons including:
comfort, health, sustainability and tackling one of the most pressing energy issues in the UK: heat loss. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a typical uninsulated home loses around 25 percent of its heat through the roof, 35 percent through the walls, and another 10 per cent through the floors. That means more fuel burned, more emissions released and more money spent. Yet millions of homes still lack effective insulation, largely due to the quirks of our housing stock.
Falling behind
The UK’s older homes are both its architectural charm and energy efficiency downfall. Roughly one in five houses were built before 1919, according to the Office for National Statistics. These older properties often have solid walls with no cavity wall insulation at all, and poorly insulated lofts or roofs.
Insulation wasn’t a priority in construction until the 1970s, when oil crises and growing environmental awareness shifted thinking. Even then, building regulations took some time to catch up and retro-fitting older homes has proved complex and often expensive. The result? The UK has some of the least
• Rising energy bills With ongoing volatility in the energy market, reducing consumption is essential. According to the Committee on Climate Change, properly insulating a home can cut heating bills by up to 40 percent.
• Climate impact Home heating is one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions in the UK.
• Health and comfort Insulation helps stabilise indoor temperatures. That’s vital not just for comfort but for health, especially for the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions. Cold homes are linked to increased risks of respiratory problems, heart disease and poor mental health. Condensation and dampness, often made worse by poor insulation, also contribute to mould growth, which can exacerbate asthma and other lung conditions.
A well-insulated home is better for your health, your wallet and the planet
Allow for ventilation when fitting loft insulation
• Home value and longevity Energy efficiency is now a major consideration for buyers. A well-insulated home may score better on its EPC (Energy Performance Certificate), which can increase market value. It also prevents issues like damp, frozen pipes or premature wear on heating systems.
Insulation doesn’t come without its challenges. Cost is often a barrier, particularly for older properties that need specialist work – solid wall insulation is more complex and expensive than cavity wall filling. Some materials (like spray foam) can affect mortgageability, as they may trap moisture if not installed correctly. Poorly fitted insulation in lofts can also lead to condensation problems if ventilation isn’t considered. But with the right professionals, insulation is a long-term investment.
Help with costs
There have been various government schemes, like the Energy Company Obligation and Home Upgrade Grant, to help with insulation, especially for lower-income households or off-grid properties. It’s worth checking with Simple Energy Advice or your local authority for the latest support. If you’re unsure where to start, get a professional home energy assessment: some energy suppliers and local councils offer these free or at reduced cost.
Insulation deserves as much attention as your boiler or thermostat. It’s the unsung hero that works 24/7 keeping the heat in, the bills down and your home warm and dry.
Material world
Where to start
Looking to insulate your home? Here’s a summary of the main places where insulation can typically be added.
Loft/roof insulation: The most cost-effective upgrade. You can lay insulation rolls between and over the joists. In a ‘warm roof’ setup, insulation goes under the roof tiles.
Cavity wall insulation: Many homes built after the 1920s have cavity walls. These can be filled with insulating material injected from outside.
Solid wall insulation: Older homes without cavity walls need either internal insulation (like insulated plasterboard) or external systems (insulation panels fixed to the outside wall, then rendered).
Floor insulation: Suspended timber floors can be insulated by accessing the crawl space underneath. Solid floors can be insulated with rigid boards on top (usually during renovations).
Draught proofing: Not strictly insulation, but a simple, vital solution. Sealing gaps around doors, windows, chimneys and floorboards makes a big difference to heat loss.
Draught-proofing
Check out grants for schemes like
Designs on the prize
An interiors specialist from North Wales is in line for a prestigious award, after transforming a stunning property in Anglesey
Mairead Turner of Anglesey-based Mairead and Co Interiors is a finalist in the BIID Interior Design Awards 2025. She and studio manager Lauren Morgan-Clarke are flying the flag as the only Welsh agency shortlisted this year. Their standout project? The Papered House, a listed Georgian gem in Beaumaris, transformed into a stylish, contemporary holiday retreat.
“It’s such an honour to be recognised by the British Institute of Interior Design,” said Mairead. “To be the only Welsh finalist makes it even more special. It really validates all the hard work we’ve put in, especially as someone who’s self-trained. It’s incredibly encouraging as we take on bigger and more exciting projects.”
Mairead founded the company in 2019 after two decades in dance production. Married to Robin, co-founder of Dylan’s Restaurant group, and mum to daughters Marnie and Orla, she now juggles family life with a growing design portfolio that spans both private homes and public spaces. One of the team’s most ambitious recent undertakings is the internal and external redesign of Caffi Meinir at Nant Gwrtheyrn, a former quarry village on the Llyn Peninsula.
Working on home
Mairead’s passion for design was sparked when she renovated the family home in Penmon. “When we moved to North Wales, Robin was working flat out while
“I was just following my instincts”
“To
still running his café in Leeds, and I was home with two little ones and working for The Arts Council,” she said. “That’s when I decided to pour my energy into revamping the house. My dad has always been hands-on with renovations, so it wasn’t alien to me. But this time I had the freedom to really express myself.”
Word spread. Soon she was designing a friend’s home and before long freelancing full time. “I didn’t set out with a grand plan, I was just following my instincts, and people seemed to love the results.”
be the only Welsh fi nalist makes it even more special. It really validates all the hard work we’ve put in –especially as someone who’s self-trained”
Dream project
The Papered House was developed in collaboration with architect Adrian Williamson and a team of trusted local craftspeople and suppliers.
“This project was a dream. The clients gave us total trust,” she said.
“We designed and sourced everything from the floors and kitchen fittings right down to the lightbulbs. It was a huge responsibility but also incredibly rewarding. The result is elegant and full of character, and to see it now recognised on a national platform feels surreal. I keep having to pinch myself.”
The BIID judging panel conducted its site visits over the summer, and the final winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at Drapers’ Hall in London in October. www.maireadandcointeriors.com
The Papered House, Beaumaris: Mairead and Co designed and sourced every aspect of the project
Mairead:
Craig is an architectural designer with over 25 years’ experience in residential design and planning. His company Ke-design specialises in self-builds and mid-sized developments, and has won several awards including Best Self Build for Under £250k from Build It magazine, Considering a self-build?
Craig Marston, director of Ke-design, joins Shire’s team of experts, with advice on all things architectural related to planning a newbuild, renovating or extending your home
Whenproviding architectural services, one of the most common questions I’m asked is: “Do I need planning permission for this?” And my answer is usually: “It depends.”
Many smaller projects – like single-storey rear extensions, certain loft conversions, and outbuildings – may be allowed under Permitted Development, meaning you won’t need full planning permission. However, there are conditions to be met: limits on size/height, materials, distance from boundaries and how much of your garden space you can build on.
If your property is in a conservation area, is listed or has had PD rights removed (common in newer developments), permission is usually required.
Next, consider your neighbours. Overlooking, overshadowing and loss of light are common grounds for objections. Good design – and good communication – go a long way, and a wellhandled pre-application conversation can save stress later.
Think long term
Just because something is permitted doesn’t always mean it’s the best solution. I advise clients to take a step back and think strategically. Will your extension meet your needs in five or 10 years? Does it add value – not just in pounds, but in lifestyle?
Even if your project doesn’t need planning consent, it will almost certainly need building control approval. This ensures structural safety, fire protection, insulation and ventilation are up to standard. My biggest piece of advice: get professional input early. A quick call can help you avoid pitfalls and move forward confidently –to build something that really works for you.
All our firewood is sourced from sustainable UK woodlands and are naturally seasoned over 18 months. This ensures our logs hold an average moisture content of just 20%.
Building a future
As the UK housebuilding industry predicts considerable growth in the coming years, one local college is helping create a future workforce – and rebuild futures at the same time
“It’s been incredible to watch these veterans not just learn technical skills but reconnect with themselves and each other”
understand your background,” said Chris Meachem, a previous graduate. “That shared experience really matters. The confidence I got from Building Heroes has changed the direction of my life.”
For recent graduate Terry Suckling, the course has already opened doors: “This has been the best five weeks. I’m more confident now than I’ve ever been, and I’ve just secured a new job starting in September. I’d recommend this to anyone leaving the Forces.”
Courses run year-round and are open to veterans, those in resettlement and their family members. Find out more at www.buildingheroes.org.uk or www.reaseheath.ac.uk
Atransformative
training partnership between Cheshire’s Reaseheath College and the charity Building Heroes is not only helping veterans rebuild their lives, it’s also reshaping the future workforce of the UK’s construction industry.
Since 2017, the initiative has retrained over 500 Armed Forces service leavers and veterans, offering them fast-track, practical skills in core trades like bricklaying, plastering, plumbing and tiling. The five-week intensive programme, hosted at Reaseheath’s specialist construction centre in Nantwich, Cheshire, is proving a lifeline for those transitioning from military to civilian life.
“This programme is a fantastic example of working in partnership to support re-skilling into a priority sector,” said Marcus Clinton, principal and ceo of Reaseheath College. “It also supports a positive transition back into civilian life. Working as an anchor institution to support both individuals and our community is at the heart of what we do.”
Reconnection
That dual benefit was front and centre at a special celebration this summer, when 15 new graduates were recognised and the programme marked its 500th successful trainee.
Chris Charles, ceo of Building Heroes, described the course’s impact as transformative. “It’s been incredible to watch these veterans not just learn technical skills but reconnect with themselves and each other. The partnership is about empowering them to redefine their futures with confidence and purpose.”
Veterans describe the course as life-changing. “You’re learning new skills, but more than that, you’re doing it with people who
Class of ’25
• 2.2 million people are employed in the UK construction industry – around six percent of the total UK workforce.
• 234,400 new homes were completed in England in 2023-24 – below the government's target of 300,000.
• 225,000 additional construction workers are needed by 2027 to meet growing demand, according to the Construction Industry Training Board.
• 47 percent of construction employers report hard-to-fill vacancies in skilled trades such as bricklaying, plumbing and carpentry.
• Over 15,000 veterans leave the Armed Forces each year in the UK, many with highly transferable skills.
Terry Suckling: starting a new job this month
Chris Meachem: “It has changed the direction of my life”
Graduation at Reaseheath Hall
Penthouse living
For those drawn to Shrewsbury’s charm, Old Coleham Court has quickly become a landmark of riverside elegance. With the new Penthouse level now open, this unique development enters its most exciting phase.
With limited penthouse apartments available at Shrewsbury’s Old Coleham Court, each property is crafted with elegance and precision. You’ll find expansive, flowing layouts, high ceilings, full-length windows and herringbone floors gracing every room.
Living spaces are open-plan and light-filled, opening onto to wrap-around balconies and incredible views. Sleek Nolte kitchens blend style and function, all with Siemens appliances and grand centre islands. Thoughtful, high-spec design elevates daily life and makes for easy entertaining.
“Living spaces are open-plan and light-fi lled, opening onto wrap-around balconies and incredible views. Thoughtful, high-spec design makes for easy entertaining”
What truly sets these homes apart are the private balconies – generously sized, thoughtfully sheltered and never overlooked. Whether you want to relax in the sunshine or dine al fresco with friends, the views across Shrewsbury’s skyline are stunning. From the 10th-century Abbey and the clock tower to the river loops and rolling hills beyond, you’ll never tire of the panorama.
Choose between single-level living such as Penthouse 38, with an 18 square metre terrace and views of Shrewsbury Abbey, and a duplex like Penthouse 23, which has a striking cantilevered glass staircase and separate sleeping quarters below. Both apartments offer two double bedrooms, two bathrooms, and all the quality and comfort you would expect from a fivestar home.
Smart features like solar-heated hot water, underfloor heating in the bathrooms, separate utility room, built-in media unit and lift access ensure these are not just beautiful homes but practical and future-ready too. On-site parking and secure entry systems contribute to the stress-free environment.
The newly opened Penthouse level is attracting attention from discerning buyers who want more than just a down-sizing move – they want to right-size, without compromise. Book your private viewing of Old Coleham Court with Sharon on 01743 403 131 or email: sharon@syhomes.co.uk www.syhomes.co.uk/OCC
The penthouse apartments feature high-spec design throughout
A riverside residence unlike any other in Shrewsbury
Luxury apartments, duplex and penthouses with generous balconies, central courtyard, elegant lobby with lift, plus secure parking.
Old Coleham Court is now occupied. All floors are open and over 50% sold.
View availability at syhomes.co.uk/OCC
Sales office and view home open by appointment. Call Sharon on 01743 403131 or email sharon@syhomes.co.uk
A warm welcome
Eternal Flame of Colwyn Bay has all you need to turn your replace into the heart of your home
Founded by husband and wife team Mark and Judith in 2003, what started as a small local business specialising in fires and fireplaces soon sparked into life, and Eternal Flame moved to its current location in Mochdre Business Park, Colwyn Bay. The extra space gave them room to grow – more stock, more displays, and
the chance to showcase a wider range of fires and fireplaces. Mark isn’t just behind the counter: as a fully qualified and registered Gas Safe and HETAS engineer, he’s involved at every stage. He’ll chat with customers, visit their homes to carry out surveys, and prepare quotes for complete installations. By keeping the whole process in-house – from the first conversation, through supply, to installation and commissioning, Eternal Flame avoids the complications that can come from using multiple contractors.
The bright, spacious showroom is filled with the latest designs and technologies from leading UK and European manufacturers. There’s something for every taste: traditional fires and fireplaces as well as contemporary, and the newest trends in all types of fuel. Eternal Flame is at Unit 1, Falcon Estate, Colwyn Bay LL28 5HF. Showroom open Fri 10.30am-4pm, Sat 10.30am-3pm. For advice, information or to request a service, call 01492 536 353 (Mon-Sat). www.eternalflamefiresandfireplaces.co.uk
Picture this!
When is a wall not a wall? When it’s transformed into a stunning work of art…
More than just a place to cook, the kitchen is the heart of the home. And if it’s time to show your kitchen a little love, then family-run wallcovering specialists By Haleys has the answer, with its collection of timeless murals.
Like all good recipes, By Haleys murals have the perfect mix of ingredients to create a masterpiece. Combining colour, pattern and exquisite attention to detail, they have been designed to bring personality and vibrancy to one of the most functional spaces in the home. Available on exceptionally durable premier vinyl, they’re as practical as they are beautiful: with a washable substrate –ideal if you need to wipe away the odd splash or two – and good light-fastness to ensure a lengthy lifespan.
Lasting character
Richard Haley, creative director of By Haleys said: “The kitchen is a place where people naturally gather – whether to prepare a meal, share stories about the day or just spend time in each other’s company. Our vibrant wall murals offer the perfect backdrop, inviting people to linger. They are deeply expressive and bring character to one of the most utilitarian rooms in the home.” Designs include Arbour, a fantasy woodland; free-flowing Eden; and Resplendence, a floral explosion. All designs are hand-painted by members of the Haleys family, who have mastered their skills under the tutelage of patriarch Geoff. www.byhaleys.co.uk
By Haleys hand-painted murals are light-fast, so the colours won’t fade
A practical heating solution and a focal point in any setting
From traditional to contemporary, you’ll find your dream fireplace
By Haleys premier vinyl collection is priced at £75 per square metre
CARRYING THE TORCH
Three generations in the family business
As Oswestry-based Premier Windows & Conservatories begins an exciting new chapter, founders Paul and Caroline Chenery re ect on building a successful family business
Back
in 1989, Paul and Caroline Chenery took a leap of faith.
Armed with a shared vision, the determination to succeed, and the willingness to put in long hours, they opened the doors to what they hoped would become a thriving business. In those days, Premier Windows & Conservatories was just the two of them, wearing every hat from sales to bookkeeping, working side by side to build something they could be proud of.
Over the years, the Oswestry-based business grew – not just in size but in reputation. Premier Windows became synonymous with quality, trust and that personal touch that probably only a family-run operation can offer.
And Ben made three
that had shaped the company from the beginning.
As business continued to thrive, 2024 marked another milestone when Ben’s wife Kelli joined. Based in the office, Kelli quickly became the first point of contact for many clients and suppliers, her warm manner, efficiency and attention to detail making her an integral part of daily operations.
Pride and joy
Now, more than three decades after Caroline and Paul first turned the key in the lock, Premier Windows & Conservatories is taking another leap forward.
Earlier this year, Ben and Kelli’s son Charlie became the newest member of the team, marking a third generation of family involvement in the business.
While Paul and Caroline never set out to create a ‘multigenerational’ enterprise, in 2002 their son Ben officially joined them, bringing new ideas, fresh energy and a passion for the business that matched his parents’. Together, the trio navigated changing markets, new technologies and the challenges
For the Chenerys, it’s a moment of deep pride and joy.
“Synonymous with quality, trust and that personal touch”
Charlie joins at a time when the company is stronger than ever, but the world looks very different to the one his grandparents navigated in the late ’80s. His role will be not just to uphold the family tradition but to help adapt and innovate for the future. He brings the unique advantage of growing up around the business, absorbing its stories and the work ethic that has kept it thriving for more than 35 years.
Looking ahead
As the business enters this exciting new chapter, Caroline and Paul have stepped back to enjoy a well-earned retirement, while Ben has taken over the reins, leading with the dedication and values his parents instilled. With Kelli running the office and Charlie bringing all the energy and enthusiasm of youth, their legacy is in safe hands.
And while no one can predict exactly what the next decades will bring, one thing is certain: the heart of the business will always be family. www.premierwindowsoswestry.co.uk
Charlie, Ben, Caroline and Paul
Doors are another specialty
Match at the manor
e grounds of a fabulous historic home in Ruthin hosted a footballing rst recently – the new owners plan a full redevelopment
The historic Pool Park Estate brought together junior footballers from Ruthin and Denbigh for their first-ever local derby. Although the towns are neighbours, Ruthin and Denbigh junior sides play in different leagues, meaning that they never get to compete against each other.
Andrew and Louisa Godfrey, who bought Pool Park last year, came up with the idea for a match between the two Under-10s Boys teams on the site of the former tennis court. The couple have drawn up plans to breathe new life into the Ruthin estate, including restoring the manor house and gardens to their former glory and preserving the wonderful heritage of the site for future generations to enjoy.
The plans are expected to be submitted to Denbighshire County Council later this year.
Part of the community
Andrew, whose son Hugo plays for Denbigh, said: “I got chatting to Rob and Will [Rob Richards is Denbigh’s coach, Will Jones coaches Ruthin] and, due to how the county is split up, the junior sides never meet. We all agreed it would be a nice thing to bring the boys together for a game.
“The match is the latest of several activities that we have laid on at the estate, and Louisa and I are keen to embed Pool Park as an important part of the local community. We laid on medals for all the boys, and refreshments, and it was lovely to get families together to cheer on their respective teams.”
Coach Rob, whose son Harry plays for Denbigh added: “You don’t get to play football in the grounds of a stately home very often!
“Everyone is really impressed by what Andrew and Louisa are doing to bring Pool Park back to life.”
Until being bought by Andrew and Louisa, the house was last occupied as a home by Sir Ernest Tate, president of food giant Tate & Lyle.
Invest in the North West
e North West holds its position in the UK’s regional ratings for property investment, according to the latest research. Steady growth is forecast as house prices in cities like Manchester remain attractive to investors.
TheNorth West has ranked as the UK’s sixth most attractive region for property investment in Handelsbanken’s Property Investor Report 2025. Coming in at the middle of 12 regions surveyed, it was named by 23 percent of respondents as the most appealing target for investment over the next 12 months.
Sarah Smith, district head, North West and North Wales for Handelsbanken said: “A combination of stable yields and affordability make the North West a great destination for
property investors. Our cities are highly popular with working professionals and young people and there are still some great deals to be had. It has never been a better time to invest here, and we are seeing the market go from strength to strength.”
On top
Meanwhile, London has re-emerged as the UK’s most attractive option for property investment, according to the survey. After slipping to fifth place in 2024, the capital has surged back to the top spot, cited by 46 percent of respondents.
While Wales and the North East have seen rapid property value growth in recent years, the report suggests that investors are now balancing short-term gains with long-term security. London’s return to the top reflects a broader trend: a renewed focus on core markets with proven resilience.
If you have any doubts as to the merits of an investment, you should seek advice from an independent financial adviser.
It was a thrilling game
The verdict: “There are some great deals to be had”
Sealy Posturepedic mattresses are like no other
Featuring patented spring systems informed by scientific research from the Orthopaedic Advisory Board, to provide correct support for a deeper, more restful sleep.
Find your dream sleep at Hafren Furnishers with their 60th Anniversary Sale. Save 20% across all Sealy Beds and Mattresses.
Available instore
Llanidloes Store (off A470)
Llanidloes, SY18 6ES
Aberystwyth Store (on A44)
Aberystwyth, SY23 3TN
Telephone: 01686 414000
Monday – Friday 9am to 6pm
Saturday 9am – 5.30pm
Sunday: Closed
Telephone: 01970 864000
Monday – Friday 9am to 6pm
Saturday 9am – 6pm
Sunday: 10am – 4pm
O ne more reason for a day out in Aberystwyth
Hafren Furnishers
Now also at Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth SY23 3TN
Hafren Furnishers has been serving Mid Wales – and beyond – for 60 years. Shire speaks to director Tim Morgan about its long-awaited new store, the perfect excuse for a trip to the coast!
We’ve spent 10 years trying to find the right location for a store in Aberystwyth,” says Tim. “Many of our customers have been making the hour’s drive to our Llanidloes showroom for a generation or more, so by being here we can save them a journey!
“Three years ago the former Cambrian Printers site became available. We spent nine months refurbishing it, which involved converting lots of little production rooms into an open-plan, stateof-the-art furniture showroom. It was a major refurbishment: pretty much only the walls were left. Our intention was for the ground floor to really make an impression when people walk in – it’s 65
HAFREN FURNISHERS: 60 YEARS IN THE MAKING
Established in 1965, Hafren Furnishers began when Mike Morgan spotted a gap in the market and began selling tables and stools from a milk float on his dairy rounds. The venture expanded into what is now Wales’ largest independent furniture store, with showrooms in Llanidloes and Aberystwyth.
For six decades, the family-run business has thrived through a combination of continuous investment, exceptional personalised service and a wide offer of leading brands. The Morgan family maintains this proud legacy, celebrating 60 years of furnishing homes across Wales and beyond.
metres end to end. The whole store is about 40,000 square feet. Llanidloes is actually twice the size, but it’s over seven floors, so this has a totally different feel. Upstairs is the bedroom and bed display studio, accessible with a lift.
“We’ve tailored the displays and furniture slightly for a coastal area, but we know our core market so they’re included as at Llanidloes. Customers can order any item from either store and enjoy the same level of service.”
Independence matters
“A big advantage of going to an independent retailer is you get a much broader choice,” adds Tim. High-street chains tend to have a very proscribed offer, and furniture is increasingly a marginalised display. When you’re offering 40,000 square feet, you can offer many more options, more diversity and some really interesting brands. We have some lovely suppliers – whether they’re in Wales, Italy, Norway, we know their principles and that’s why we choose to work with them. It’s based on trust and quality.
“Here you can visit the store and buy a specific chair or bed you’ve found. People really do want to come and sit on things or lie on them before they make a decision. They want to see the whole fabric selection, not a small sample. Today we had someone order a leather armchair from us as they didn’t want to wait eight weeks for it to come from Italy.” www.hafrenfurnishers.co.uk
Hafren Furnishers is at Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth SY23 3TN (on A44), open seven days a week. • Border Showrooms, Llangurig Road, Llanidloes SY18 6ES, open six days a week. • Free delivery in England and Wales.
WHILE YOU’RE IN ABERYSTWYTH…
Stroll along the prom and Royal Pier, with its cafés and arcades.
Ride the Cliff Railway up Constitution Hill for sweeping views of Cardigan Bay and a glimpse through the quirky camera obscura, or hike Pen Dinas to Wellington’s Monument for traces of an Iron Age hillfort. Explore the castle ruins – and don’t miss the National Library, an architectural gem.
As an independent, Hafren Furnishers can o er more choice than chains
Relationships with suppliers are key, ensuring quality and reliability
At home
1. Autumn Magic pumpkin oil burner £10.99, The Range; www.therange.co.uk
14. Nkuku Mbata dinner candlestick from £28, John Lewis; www.johnlewis.com
15. Alessi Lily incense holder £50, John Lewis, as before
Shropshire's largest independent tool & hire company
DID YOU KNOW ?
Griffiths hire shops has a dedicated Training facility just down the road from the main Oswestry branch, We provide courses for Ipaf, Pasma, Health & Safety, First Aid, Pat Testing, Forklift & much more so check out the Training page on our website for dates & availability
We have a huge selection when it comes to Access Equipment so no matter the job we have a solution, we also offer free site surveys & training courses if your unsure what Equipment you need just give us a call, Scan the code to see our full Access fleet & prices -
Open to trade & public
Plants&Gardens
Autumn ambitions
Now is the perfect time to take on those bigger garden projects, and one local firm is ready to help…
While spring and summer tend to get all the glory, early autumn is often the smartest season for serious garden work. The soil is still warm but the air is cooler, making conditions comfortable for both people and plants. Now is the time to roll up your sleeves – or bring in the experts – and make those larger-scale changes that will set your garden up for next year.
Whether you’re envisioning a total redesign, adding new hard landscaping, installing a pergola or garden room, or simply refining your outdoor layout, this season offers a quieter window to focus on your plans without the immediate pressure of planting.
Expert advice
GA & PA Reeves, a family-run business based in Wem, is uniquely placed to help turn your vision into reality. One of Shropshire’s largest independent timber merchants, Reeves is located just north of Shrewsbury, serving the Midlands, Mid Wales and beyond.
Customers praise the vast stock, helpful service and same-day delivery, as well as their competitive pricing. The team is keen to give back to the community, and actively supports local causes including Hope House Children’s Hospices.
For both the professional and home gardener, Reeves supplies a wide range of high-quality timber and garden-related products that perfectly support landscaping and structural projects, including: Fencing and gates – from domestic panels and close-board fences to post-and-rail agricultural styles and matching gates
Landscape timber and sleepers – ideal for retaining walls, raised beds, steps or decorative borders
Timber decking and sheet materials – for garden floors, structures or outdoor rooms
Concrete and railway sleepers – durable options for structural features, edging or heavy-duty garden construction
Telegraph poles and purlins – for pergolas or bespoke frames
Sustainable wood pellets and bark products
Get stuck in
Once your project is underway, Reeves’ same-day delivery and broad inventory mean you get the right timber without long waits or hefty DIY store mark-ups.
Call 01939 232 440 to discuss your vision and bring your dream to life!
Know the rules
Under UK Permitted Development rights, most garden buildings – sheds, summerhouses, pergolas, studios – don’t need planning permission if they meet certain conditions: they remain single-storey; have a total height under 4m (or under 3m with a non-gabled roof); eaves of under 2.5m; are at least 1m from boundaries; don’t cover more than 50 percent of land around the original house, and are not forward of the house’s main elevation. For conservation areas or listed buildings, permission is typically required.
Detached structures under 30sqm without sleeping accommodation are exempt from building regulations. But if your project includes structural elements for living – stud walls, plumbing, insulation – or sits within 1m of boundaries and exceeds 15m², building regulations may apply. Features like garages or annexes often trigger approval requirements. If in doubt, contact your local planning authority or building control to check before you build.
Raised beds, new decking, a replacement fence? – now’s the time!
Time to invest
With cooler temperatures and soft ground underfoot, seize the chance to reset your space and lay strong foundations for the year to come
Assummer fades and autumn unfolds, your garden begins to wind down – but it isn’t time to retreat indoors just yet. These next months offer prime conditions for revitalising tired borders, lifting and dividing perennials, refreshing the lawn and planting for next season. Everything you do now, from bulb planting to structure building, is an investment in your garden’s future.
Plant spring-flowering bulbs
Now’s the time to get bulbs in the ground for a stunning spring display. Daffodils, crocuses, alliums and hyacinths should go in from September; tulips are best left until late October/November. Choose firm, healthy bulbs and plant in groups for natural-looking drifts.
Lift and divide overcrowded perennials
Perennials like geraniums, hostas, daylilies and asters benefit from being divided every few years to rejuvenate growth. Lift clumps with a fork, split into smaller sections and replant with fresh compost. It’s a great way to multiply your plants for free and refresh border displays.
Food for thought
As garden wildlife begins its preparations for winter – from fattening up to migrating south – you can help by giving pollinators, birds and hedgehogs a vital late-season food source. These plants bring both beauty and purpose to your garden.
Cut back spent plants
Cooler, moist conditions are ideal for planting woody plants, giving them a chance to settle in before winter. Whether it’s hedging, ornamental trees or flowering shrubs, aim to plant by mid-autumn while the soil is still warm. Water in well and mulch to retain moisture.
Clear fading annuals and cut back finished perennials to tidy borders and prevent disease. Leave seed heads like echinacea or teasel for the birds, and some shelter for wildlife.
Refresh containers
Swap out summer bedding for seasonal favourites like violas, pansies, cyclamen and heathers, adding grasses and ivy for texture.
Prune climbing roses
Once flowering is over, prune climbing and rambling roses by removing spent flowered shoots and tying in new growth. This encourages strong blooms next season. Remove crossing stems.
Clean and store tools
Before the wet sets in, give your tools a clean, sharpen blades and oil wooden handles. Remember to drain hoses and check water butts.
Michaelmas daisies These classic perennials flower prolifically in September and October, drawing in bees and hoverflies. Choose compact varieties for containers or cottage garden styles for mixed borders. They’re a reliable nectar source – and look spectacular in soft mauves and purples.
Ivy Often underrated, common ivy is a lifeline in autumn. Its late-flowering blooms offer nectar to wasps, bees and butterflies just when other sources fade. As berries form in winter, they provide food for birds like blackbirds and thrushes. Grow it on walls, fences or old tree trunks – it’s evergreen and good for shelter too.
Sedum Also known as autumn joy, this sturdy perennial provides dense clusters of pink flowers in late summer/ autumn, a magnet for bees and butterflies. The dried flower heads offer texture to borders and seeds for birds. It’s drought tolerant too.
Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)
A striking biennial that adds architectural flair and wildlife value. Its spiky seed heads are adored by goldfinches in winter, while summer flowers are a late nectar source. Let plants self-seed in wild corners or back borders.
Verbena This tall, airy perennial keeps flowering well into autumn, producing clusters of purple blooms on wiry stems. Loved by butterflies and bees, it adds height and movement to borders. It will gently self-seed in well-drained soil, creating a naturalised effect year after year.
Bulbs should be firm, not soft
Cut back to prevent disease
Prune after flowering
Look after the little guys
TOP TIP
Divide to multiply!
CARLTON GARDEN BUILDINGS
Garden Centre Pinfold Lane, Llay, Wrexham, LL12 OTL www.carltonbuildings.co.uk
G.S & P.AReeves are a family operated business–the largest independent timber merchants in the county. Based in Wem, just north of Shrewsbury, we’re near to Staffordshire, Mid Wales and the West Midlands and are committed to offering high quality, individual solutions to our clients.
GARDEN CENTRE & SHOW SITE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 9am to 5.30pm MONDAY to SATURDAY 10am to 4pm SUNDAY
Garden Fencing
Farm Gates
Railway Sleepers, treated/untreated
Firewood logs
• Eco Wood Pellets
• Agricultural & Architectural Purlins
• Telegraph Poles
Trellis Posts
• Quality Decking
• Landscape Materials
• Motorway
Crash Barriers
• Equestrian Supplies
• Joists
• Oak Beams
• Roofing Supplies
• Sawn Timber
• Plywood...
the great outdoors
Cooler
1. Menai wood-fired hot tub £4,995, RN Williams, St Asaph; www.rnwilliams.co.uk
2. Algarvegrey gazebo (3.3m x 3.3m x 2.1m) £319.99, Morgans Ltd; www.morgansltd.com
3. Classic Adirondack chair in Cedar £350, Mobek, Llysfaen; www.mobek.co.uk
4. Arada closed-back chimenea £399, Continental Fireplaces, Church Stretton; www.confires.co.uk
5. Contemporary stone-e ect fire pit £129 (sale price), British Ironwork Centre, Oswestry; www.britishironworkcentre.co.uk
6. Smart solar crystal stake lights £5.99, Bents, Warrington; www.bents.co.uk
8. MSpa Tuscany wifi controlled hot tub (6 person) £1,099, Charlies Ltd, as before
9. River Severn shepherd’s hut (12ft x 7ft), from £13,450 painted, fitted, Huts and Stu , Montgomery; www.hutsandstu .co.uk
10. Multi solar confetti glass mushroom outdoor light £40, Next; www.next.co.uk
11. Wooden shiplap garden room in pine (7ft x 5ft), £877.99, The Range; www.therange.co.uk
12. Large clay chiminea patio heater in Terracotta £84.99, The Range, as before
13. Smart Garden large boulette LED lantern £9.99, Charlies Ltd, as before
14. Kirami Tiny wood-fired CULT heater hot tub/ice bath with Thermowood shell (2 person), £4,150, John Lewis; www.johnlewis.com
15. Bramblecrest Truro 3m square parasol with LED & base in Grey £699, Bents, as before
Pets&Wildlife
A PERFECT MATCH
Many people like the idea of getting a pet, but if you’re choosing a companion for a child, there are things to consider
Few things light up a child’s face like the idea of getting a pet.
Whether it’s a wagging tail, twitching whiskers or the gentle flutter of feathers, animals have a unique ability to capture young hearts, and they teach valuable life lessons in the process. But not all pets are created equal when it comes to being a child’s first companion.
While every animal deserves commitment and care, some are simply better suited to young families or first-time owners than others. Here’s a guide to some of the best first pets for kids – ones that are relatively low-maintenance, friendly and perfect for helping youngsters to learn about empathy, routine and responsibility.
Guinea pigs: gentle and sociable
Budgies: chatty and colourful
“Guinea pigs o er heaps of personality, in a compact package!”
Guinea pigs are often top of the list for first pets, and for good reason. These small, furry creatures are gentle, rarely bite and love company – both of other guinea pigs and their humans. They live in pairs or groups, need a decent-sized cage, and enjoy being handfed fresh veg like carrots and leafy greens. With regular, gentle handling, guinea pigs can become affectionate and vocal companions. They require daily care and cleaning, but in return offer heaps of personality in a compact package!
Fish: a calm introduction to animal care
Fish, especially hardy cold-water species like goldfish, are a great way to teach young children the basics of pet ownership: feeding schedules, water changes and observation. They’re not cuddly but they are fascinating to watch, and ideal for kids who may be anxious around animals. However, fish do still require commitment – tanks need regular cleaning, and overfeeding can be a real issue. Start simple, and avoid exotic species until you’ve gained confidence.
If your family’s more into feathers than fur, a budgie (parakeet) might be the way to go. These social, clever birds love attention and form strong bonds with their owners, often learning to mimic sounds and words. They need a roomy cage, daily interaction and mental stimulation – and can live for up to 10 years. They’re ideal for slightly older children and families ready to make a longerterm commitment.
Hamsters: small, independent and fun
Hamsters are a popular choice, but they come with a caveat: they’re nocturnal, which means they’re most active after bedtime – not ideal if your child wants interaction during the day. That said, they’re fun to watch, easy to feed, and don’t need a lot of space. They do best as solo pets and can nip if not handled gently, so they’re better for older children (over-sevens) who understand how to respect an animal’s space.
Cats and dogs: lovable but high maintenance
Many kids dream of having a cat or dog, and they can make wonderful companions. But they’re not always ideal first pets. Both require more time, space, training and financial commitment than small animals. That said, a family ready to take on the responsibility will find dogs and cats offer unrivalled affection and companionship. Choose a breed that’s good with children, and adopt responsibly.
Things to consider before choosing a pet
Lifespan – some pets, like hamsters, only live a few years; others, like rabbits, can live to 10 or more. Make sure you’re ready for the long haul. Time and care – who will really be doing the feeding, cleaning, and vet visits? Be realistic about your household’s routine.
Allergies – always check for allergies before bringing an animal home.
Space – even small pets need room to play, roam or fly.
Guinea pigs: a furry favourite
Budgies are chatty companions
PAWS FOR THOUGHT
It might seem a simple way to brighten up your home – but indoor plants and owers could be a danger to your pets
Houseplants
can transform a space, adding texture, colour and a calming natural touch to our homes. But for pet owners, that beautiful leafy corner could pose more of a hazard than you realise. Many common houseplants contain toxins that can be harmful to pets if ingested, leading to anything from mild digestive upset to serious health problems. Shire invited plant experts Beards & Daisies to help you green up your home responsibly.
Best bets
Kentia palm An elegant, arching palm with tropical vibes. Unlike some palms that can irritate if chewed, the Kentia palm is non-toxic.
Money tree (Pachira aquatica) Believed to bring prosperity and good luck, this braided beauty is also safe for pets. Its glossy leaves and easy-care nature make it a favourite for busy homeowners.
Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) With eye-catching leaves that fold up at night like hands in prayer, this is completely safe for pets and thrives in lower light – perfect for bedrooms and shaded corners.
Boston fern A true classic. This plant not only helps purify the air but also brings no harm to cats or dogs. It loves humidity, so it’s ideal for bathrooms or kitchens.
Aspidistra As hardy as they come, this tough plant tolerates neglect, low light and less frequent watering. Best of all, it’s totally pet-friendly.
BE A HOVERFLY HERO
Conservationists and wildlife experts are working to boost the pro le of an important pollinator
When it comes to garden wildlife, most of us can name the big players: bees buzzing from flower to flower, butterflies adding colour to summer borders, ladybirds keeping pests in check. But there’s another group of garden visitors doing crucial work that often go unnoticed – hoverflies.
The Wildlife Trusts, in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society, are shining a spotlight on these unsung heroes in a new campaign: Be a Hoverfly Hero. It’s time to give these humble insects the attention, and the habitat, they deserve.
At first glance, hoverflies might be mistaken
“It’s a cunning disguise”
Always avoid
Lilies Extremely toxic to cats; even tiny amounts can cause kidney failure.
Sago palm Highly poisonous, causing severe liver failure in dogs and cats. Dieffenbachia (dumb cane) Causes mouth irritation, drooling and difficulty swallowing. Aloe vera Great for humans, but can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in pets.
Pothos (Devil’s ivy) Can cause oral irritation, swelling and vomiting.
Philodendron Another irritant that causes mouth discomfort and swelling.
Peace lily Not as deadly as true lilies, but still toxic and can cause vomiting.
“Lilies are extremely toxic to cats”
ZZ plant Causes stomach upset and irritation if eaten.
Jade plant Can lead to vomiting, depression and lethargy. Snake plant Mildly toxic; can cause nausea and vomiting when chewed.
If your pet is prone to nibbling, it’s best to place even safe plants out of reach.
For more tips and to order a wide selection of pet-safe plants online, visit www.beardsanddaisies.co.uk
for bees or wasps. With their yellow and black stripes, it’s an easy mistake – but hoverflies are completely harmless and don’t sting. Their look is a disguise to keep predators at bay.
There are over 280 species of hoverfly in the UK, and they are excellent pollinators, playing a vital role in helping fruit and vegetable plants thrive. Some species even help control aphids, making them a natural pest control agent, a real gift for gardeners.
Spot the di erence
Becoming a Hoverfly Hero doesn’t require a huge garden or fancy equipment. In fact, small changes in even the tiniest of green spaces can make a big difference. 1. Plant for pollinators; 2. Create a hoverfly lagoon; 3. Avoid pesticides; 4. Let parts of your garden go wild; 5. Share the buzz! Download a colourful guide at www.wildaboutgardens.org.uk
Pothos is one to avoid
Aloe vera can make pets poorly
CUTE PETS
A year’s subscription Shire, worth £24.95! Imagine… your favourite magazine delivered right to your doorstep! WIN to
Congratulations to Lucy and her owner for winning the competition this issue!
Daisy and Alfie
Alfie
Barney
Bonnie, Winnie and Luna
Lucy
Jasper and Lexie
Benji
Arlo Barlow
Archie and Lottie
Babas
Merlin
Rupert
Neema
Chico
Ralph
Merle
Poppy
Bran
Podge
Mushka
Merlin
Seren
Arts&Crafts
AFONWEN CRAFTS
4th & 5th September, Liz at Magpie Fairy Designs Liz focuses on metal tape art and papercraft journals, and will demonstrate if you’d like to try this imaginative craft.
10th September, Stitchwork by AllyMo A selection of seasonal gifts including Halloween-themed items, baby jumpers, felt animals, and cross-stitched decorations.
12th September, Little Jewellery School with Liane An opportunity to create your own sterling silver jewellery using traditional tools.
16th & 17th September, Marie at Earth Deva Marie’s clay pots, jewellery, and statues are full of character and detail, individually hand painted and finished.
18th & 19th September, Moulton Glass Andy and his daughter produce copperfoiled and stainedglass designs, with a range of decorative pieces to browse.
20th & 21st September Stef discovered painting on retirement and works in oils, pastels and acrylics, taking inspiration from the scenery of North Wales and the Lake District.
24th September, Weaving with Trevor Blackburn Trevor uses a variety of yarns including sheep’s wool, alpaca and camel to make stylish, cosy shawls and scarves.
2nd & 3rd October, Stef Nicol
8th October, Stitchwork by Carol Colourful pictures, bookmarks, cards and festive decorations, handmade and perfect for gifts.
11th & 12th October, Liz at Magpie Fairy Designs
23rd & 24th October, Tracey Davies Tracey paints beautiful watercolour portraits from photos, with pets a favourite.
30th October, Ceramic Stoneware by Clair Clair creates nature-inspired sculptures, handpainted to bring them to life.
Afonwen Craft & Antique Centre, near Mold, Tues–Sun 9.30am–5pm. www.afonwen.co.uk
LouiseStart with a story
Shropshire portrait artist Louise Poole rediscovered her creativity at a pivotal moment in her life
Poole is a portrait artist with a rare ability to draw out the emotional truth in her subjects. Her work goes beyond visual likeness: it resonates deeply, often moving viewers to tears.
“People have cried when I hand them the finished piece. One client couldn’t hang the painting of his Labrador for months,” she says. Another friend sobbed as Louise sketched her daughter. “She didn’t understand why it had such an impact – but I was capturing her essence, her soul.”
Painting wasn’t always Louise’s plan. Although she studied Art and Graphic Design, her talents had lain dormant since leaving university. It wasn’t until 2011, when she was 35 and struggling with extreme anxiety that they resurfaced. One day, a photograph of her daughter caught her attention. “Something about the way she’d been captured in the moment, unawares, on the beach with her hair blown by the wind –for some reason I felt compelled to paint.”
In control
“The painting process took me to another place, and that’s when I started to gain control again,” the artist recalls. “Not only did I feel better, I found I was succeeding in capturing a good likeness of my subjects,
as well as a sense of their spirit.”
Over the next five years, she built a list of clients and began showing work at art fairs, local galleries and markets. But life, as ever, shifted course. Her daughter became unwell and Louise turned her focus toward home education, carving out time for her own creativity in the early mornings and late at night.
Pen to paper
In lockdown, she wrote and illustrated a children’s story, Bright Star, about the first tamed pony. “It’s different from showjumping stories. I hope it will help young people see the horse’s point of view. It’s a gentle reminder they have a wild spirit.”
This summer Louise exhibited at Staffordshire County Show, painting live at her stand. “I love to meet people in person and chat about their dogs and cats, or cows,” she says. “They give you all the stories you need to create the right character on canvas.”
A portrait is not just an image, insists Louise, it’s an heirloom, “something that transcends generations and tells you who that person was”. And every portrait starts with a story. www.louisepooleartist.com
“I love to meet people in person – you need stories to create the character on canvas”
Louise prides herself on capturing the soul of her subjects
Louise’s work is a mix of commissions and nature studies
David Nash at 80
Ruthin Craft Centre celebrates a creative icon in a major new exhibition
Asone of Britain’s most respected artists, sculptor David Nash has spent over 50 years exploring the relationship between nature, material and form. Known for his work in wood, he uses only trees that have fallen naturally or had to be felled for reasons of safety or age. He uses the whole tree, quarrying ideas as well as the material to waste nothing. Frequent motifs include columns, vessels, eggs, crosses and the ‘Platonic solids’: sphere, cube and pyramid.
“It’s not about making art in nature, it’s about making art with nature”
Nash has been living and working in Blaenau Ffestiniog since 1967. A student of nature, he allows natural processes to lead him in ideas – beginning works that nature completes or complies in. For example, the Crack and Warp Columns are cut when the wood is green and left for the natural drying process to create the final shapes and curves. “It’s not about making art in nature,” he has said. “It’s about making art with nature.”
Works such as Ash Dome – a circle of trees planted in 1977 to grow into a perfect dome –embody this patient, organic approach.
A life carved slowly
Ruthin Craft Centre’s new exhibition ‘Nature Wisdom’, which opens on 27th September, is more than a retrospective – it’s a paean to a life carved slowly and with reverence. Curated
by Gregory Parsons, the show brings together sculpture, prints, drawings and films in an epic exhibition to celebrate the artist’s 80th year. A large-scale installation of cork oak bark will be installed in the courtyard, from 17th September.
Environmental pioneer
Nash was elected a Royal Academician over 20 years ago and has exhibited internationally, including solo shows at National Museum Wales, Kew Gardens and Yorkshire Sculpture Park. His work is held in over 80 public collections, but his influence extends beyond any gallery. Long before ‘environmental art’ was a term, he was quietly pioneering a sustainable, landsensitive approach. His works do not impose; they participate. Yet there’s also a formal rigour that places him in dialogue with modernist traditions. He sits ascomfortably with artists such as Barbara Hepworth and Richard Long as with ecologists. At 80, Nash displays a continued curiosity and humility in the face of nature’s slow rhythms. A reminder, in a world increasingly distanced from natural processes, to take our time, observe closely and appreciate the organic.
‘Nature Wisdom’ is at Ruthin Craft Centre from 27th September – 11th January 2026. Admission is free. www.ruthincraftcentre.org.uk
to Dusk: Birds by Jim Moir’, Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight. Until 2nd November. Jim Moir is known for his characterful paintings of British birds, around 45 of which feature in this new exhibition, including some created exclusively for the gallery. Many visitors will be familiar with Moir’s work following the Sky Arts series, Painting Birds with Jim and Nancy Moir. This will be the first time the artist’s paintings have been displayed in a national gallery, with most available for purchase. Although known as a comedian under the stage name Vic Reeves, art came first for Moir. “All I ever did as a child was paint,” he has claimed, having produced art throughout his life.
‘Carreg Ateb: Vision or Dream?’ Mostyn, Llandudno. Until 27th September. This exhibition brings together newly commissioned works by Welsh artists, pieces by Jeremy Deller and significant collection objects from National Museum Wales, Storiel and Llandudno Museum.
Carreg Ateb is the name of a rock believed to deliver an echo – an answering stone. In this context, the exhibition invites reflections on how we listen to the past and how we imagine the future. Moving between memory and material, identity and transformation, dream and vision, the artists engage with the land, languages and layered histories that shape contemporary Wales.
Rebecca Thorley-Fox, ‘Plein Air Through the Seasons – In the Footsteps of Tunnicli e’, Oriel Ynys Mon, Anglesey. Until 12th October. Don’t miss a final chance to see this atmospheric series of paintings by landscape and wildlife painter Rebecca Thorley-Fox. Prompted by Charles Tunnicli e’s Winter and Summer Diaries, Becky made trips from her home in Mid Wales to Anglesey to watch wildlife and see how it has changed since his day. The result is four collections representing the seasons, inspired by the Ladybird ‘What to Look For…’ series.
‘Dawn
David Nash: he listens, he waits, he shapes
PHOTO COMPETITION
anks so much to everyone who entered pictures on last time’s theme of ‘Rest and relax’ – it’s been a real tonic to sort through such peaceful scenes. Sadly we can only feature a small selection here, so if you don’t see your name on these pages, do try again next time. Our theme for this issue is ‘Golden moments’, and as always you’re welcome to interpret it however you like. With autumn on the doorstep, you might choose to share a spectacular show of leaves, or be lucky enough to catch that elusive golden hour in the hills. Or perhaps your golden moments are more human-centred? Send your entries to us at editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk and good luck!
By Julie She eld
By Tracey Lewis
By Kathryn Hall
By Kenneth Davies
By Sandra Bayley
By Sandra Bayley
By Rachael Williams
By Chris Bright
By Angela Mercer
By Tracey Lewis
By Julie She eld
By Sue Hutchings
By Kathryn Hall
By Dorothy Charlesworth
Books&Poetry
NATURAL HEALING
A local author tells Shire how she turned a devastating diagnosis into something positive and lasting
“When life has its downs, nature is the one constant. It soothes and calms.”
WhenCheshire author Lesley Howard was 57, life took an unexpected turn. A diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease altered her world in an instant.
“I knew something was wrong,” she recalls, “but to be told I had an incurable neurological condition was like having my whole life thrown up in the air.”
Instinctively, Lesley turned to nature for solace, drawing on a deep connection to the countryside rooted in her childhood in North Wales. The result is Whispers on the Wind, a beautifully observed memoir written in the form of a 12-month journal.
“My intention was not to dwell on the disease, but on how turning to nature has helped me,” she says. “I
hope it will help others who have similar conditions.”
The book weaves observations on the changing seasons with snippets of natural and cultural history, folklore and personal memory. “When life has its downs, nature is the one constant,” she reflects. “It soothes and calms, distracting from negative thoughts.”
Ancient truths
Lesley’s first book, Dark Cheshire, was a collection of local myths and legends brought to life in blackand-white photography. It’s now out of print, but an update is in the works, and Lesley is expanding it to include more folklore-rich locations across the county.
Perhaps it will feature another of the writer’s fascinations: churchyards. “So much wildlife can be found there,” she enthuses. “Graveyards host entire micro-habitats: fungi, birds, insects, blossoms and the ever-watchful yew… its ancient umbrella concealing what it knows of the past, together with the present.”
MAGICAL CHARACTERS AND NATURE’S PLAYGROUND
If you’ve ever wandered through woodlands and imagined friendly creatures hiding just out of sight, you’ll
home
in the magical world of BeWILDerwood
Inspired by the woods of his Norfolk childhood, author Tom Blofeld created a fantastical place where the trees whisper secrets and adventure is never far away. His first book, A Boggle
feel right at
at BeWILDerwood, introduced readers to Swampy the Marsh Boggle, a timid creature who learns to be brave with the help of some unusual friends –including Mildred the Crocklebog, a gentle beast with a heart as big as the lake she lives in.
Brought to life
Tom’s story didn’t just spark young imaginations, it led to the creation of a popular adventure park in Norfolk, and then a second in Cheshire. These immersive woodland wonderlands are filled with giant treehouses, zip wires and mysterious marshes that echo the stories’ themes of creativity,
courage and friendship.
Tom has continued to expand the universe with titles like The BeWILDermuddle and The BeWILDerbats. Perfect for young readers and bedtime storyelling alike, the series blends playful language, whimsical illustrations and gentle life lessons, while encouraging children to embrace the outdoors.
Whether you explore BeWILDerwood through its pages or by swinging through the treetops at one of the parks, the magic is unmistakable. And it all began with a boy, a wood and a very big imagination.
Calling local authors…
If you’re living in the Shire area or have written about a local person or place, we’d love to feature you on these pages. Email editorial@ shiremagazine.co.uk
Lesley in her happy place…
Tom’s latest book is aimed at younger explorers
REVIEWS
With many embarking on a new term or new learning opportunity, we focus on books with an educational setting
The Secret History by Donna Tartt Tartt’s haunting debut redefined the campus thriller. Set in an elite Vermont college, the story follows Richard Papen, a scholarship student drawn into an exclusive group studying ancient Greek under a charismatic professor. The narrative begins with a murder, and works backward to show how this privileged set, obsessed with aesthetics and ideas, descend into moral ambiguity. It’s a slow-burning psychological study of guilt, complicity and the consequences of idolising intellect over morality.
Wonder by RJ Palacio August Pullman is a boy with a craniofacial difference, attending mainstream school for the first time after years of home education. Through alternating points of view – including those of his sister and classmates – this uplifting book explores how Auggie’s presence challenges those around him to confront their prejudices and fears. The characters feel authentic, especially Auggie, whose voice is honest and often funny.
The Headmaster’s Wife by Thomas Christopher Greene At first, this presents as the confession of Arthur Winthrop, respected prep school head, arrested for indecency in Central Park. As the story unfolds, we begin to question the reliability of the narrator and the truth behind his unravelling. Though brief, The Headmaster’s Wife leaves a lasting impression.
As the peel of bells continues… as the peel of bells continues, sounds ring out through the waves beneath the water stand the original buildings:
the cottages, the shop and especially the church of Saint Mary’s from where the sounds of the bells emanate, ripples form over the site where the village lies as clear, green waters tinkle as gentle rains fall onto the watery depths
sunshine accentuates a vision of the village below still the houses are visible vague signs of a dim, distant past of days and nights from an untold age of secrets unfolding within the pages of a book
by Anne Douglas
Birds’ Nests
Next year up I will clearly look
To see their feathered occupants
And note, in my leathered book, All that is observed and relevant. How much more knowledgeable I would be
If only I stood and thought That there up in that tree
Was a beauty that could not be bought. The nests of summer now vacated –A bold reminder of nature’s fecundity –With time’s passage appear dated, Their fragility begs admiration at their audacity.
Gone are the owners, far o to sunnier clime,
Where beyond desert and sahel Their songs will blithely chime
Another observer or whoever there will dwell.
How did I miss those nests in the ivy creeper, Glossed over by waxed leaf?
If only I thought somewhat deeper I would spare myself any grief. It is a tragedy to pass and not observe All that nature has grown, And, greater still, not to preserve All in nature’s crown.
by Norman Marshall
Return to Dyfi
A frantic flurry of darting swallows
Rising and dipping above the peaceful landscape.
Disappearing then returning
Chasing through the air.
Reducing the insect population unseen by me.
Their fork-tailed feathers so distinct
Immediately identifying their species. Now treating us to a free aerial display Of surely Olympic standard.
Welcome brave birds to the Dyfi estuary.
The herald of a warmer season.
Your arrival makes us joyously expectant. Journeying many miles from the African continent
To our fair isles, striving for survival. Your natural radar protecting and defying danger.
We salute your tenacity .
Instinctively drawing you back
To familiar nesting sites, And creating the next generation.
by Helen Sweet
The Quiet Life
“Why don’t you speak louder?” he said so bereft.
“We ARE speaking loud!” she said. “You must be deaf.”
“You always whisper and are so quiet, you know you NEVER talk loud.”
“Just wear your hearing aid, I won’t have to repeat, You’ll make me feel proud.”
The hearing aid he put in his left ear and with a new battery, he heard his wife LOUD and CLEAR.
“Oh, what have I done?” he said.
“I had a quiet life… shall I chuck out the hearing aid, or chuck out the wife!”
by Mick Lewis
We want your poems! Share your creativity – we print our favourite poems every issue. Send to Poetry Page, Shire, PO Box 276, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 1FR or email editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk
Jumping ahead
Get ready for the cooler weather with our selection of jumpers perfect for autumn wear
1. Casual Friday Karl wool knit in Bitter Chocolate £30 (sale price), MOOand BOOM, Whitchurch; www.mooandboom.com
2. Barbour Roose Fair Isle rollneck in White Whisper £119.95, Outdoor & Country, Shrewsbury; www.outdoorandcountry.co.uk
3. Barbour Leazes crew-neck sweatshirt in Bronze £99.95, Outdoor & Country, as before
4. Fjallraven hoodie in Dark Forest £139.95, Outdoor & Country, as before
5. Game Unisex Countrywear pullover in Green, White and Navy £39.99, Cherry Tree Country Clothing, Ruthin; www.cherrytreecountryclothing.com
6. Hoggs of Fife Melrose II crew pullover in Green £44.95, Cherry Tree Country Clothing, as before
8. Hoggs of Fife Lothian II zip pullover in Navy Marl £58.50, Cherry Tree Country Clothing, as before
9. Barbour Men’s Essential lambswool V-neck jumper in Merlot £74.95 (sale price), Anna Davies, Conwy; www.annadavies.co.uk
10. Craghoppers Torney II half-zip fleece in Carnelian Orange Marl £27 (sale price), Charlies Ltd, Welshpool; www.charlies.co.uk
11. Selected Homme relaxed wool knit in Grey £75, MOOand BOOM, as before
12. Weird Fish Oscar eco stripe Kierra knit fleece in Navy £44, Charlies Ltd, as before
13. Alan Paine Towthorpe Fair Isle crew neck in Cocoa £155, Peppers Menswear & Ladieswear, Church Stretton; www.peppersfashion.co.uk
Season’s choice
Add some bold colour to your wardrobe inspired by the shades of autumn
1. The Bridge shoulder sack in Red £270, Douglas Attire, Ludlow; www.douglasattire.com
2. Weird Fish Pinto printed jersey tee in Fir Green £19, Charlies Ltd, Welshpool; www.charlies.co.uk
3. The Stockholm Scarf 100% recycled in Autumn Falls £35, MOOand BOOM, Whitchurch; www.mooandboom.com
4. Lace-Up floral boots in Green £44.99, Pavers; www.pavers.co.uk
5. Omnes Orielle high-rise cropped jeans in Green £59, John Lewis; www.johnlewis.com
6. Eribe Montrose cowl sweater in Bracken £185, Anna Davies, Conwy; www.annadavies.co.uk
7. Hot pink bird pyjamas with pom pom trim £48, MOOand BOOM, as before
8. Textured mule slippers in Yellow £24.99, Pavers, as before
9. Ridgeline Monsoon Nordic jacket in Ochre £109, Charlies Ltd, as before 10. Boden Valentina poplin midi skirt £120, John Lewis, as before
11. HOFF Naxos women’s trainers in Red £74.25 (sale price), Anna Davies, as before
12. Champion Windsor coat in Plum £34.95, Cherry Tree Country Clothing, Ruthin; www.cherrytreecountryclothing.com
13. Alice Collins Coco button cardigan in Cactus £39.95 (sale price), Peppers Menswear & Ladieswear, Church Stretton; www.peppersfashion.co.uk
14. Burne roll neck cable knit jumper in Spice Ladieswear, as before
£99.95, Peppers Menswear &
DID YOU KNOW?
CATARACTS DEMYSTIFIED
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which normally helps focus light onto the retina for clear vision. Imagine looking through a misty window: everything appears blurred, colours fade and bright lights may cause glare or halos. That’s the effect.
Cataracts usually develop gradually with age, but they can also occur earlier due to eye injuries, certain medical conditions like diabetes, long-term steroid use or excessive sun exposure. In the early stages, stronger glasses or better lighting may help, but as the cataract worsens, daily activities such as reading, driving or recognising faces become difficult.
Time for surgery
When a cataract starts to significantly affect vision and quality of life, surgery is the only effective treatment. The procedure is one of the most common and successful operations worldwide. It’s typically done under local anaesthetic, meaning you’re awake but your eye is numb. The surgeon makes a tiny cut in the eye, breaks up the cloudy lens with ultrasound and removes it. A clear, artificial lens, called an intraocular lens, is then inserted instead. The operation usually takes about 15-30 minutes, and most people go home the same day.
Vision often improves within a few days, though it can take a few weeks to fully settle. Eye drops help healing and prevent infection. Serious complications are rare, and most people enjoy much clearer vision afterwards, with less need for glasses. Cataract surgery improves independence, safety and quality of life.
NOW ALSO IN BANGOR…
North Wales Eye Specialist Centre is proud to announce the opening of a new branch in Bangor! This expansion brings the Centre’s trusted, high-quality eye-care services closer to the local community, offering easier access to expert treatment and advanced diagnostic technology.
The new branch is equipped with the latest in ophthalmic equipment and staffed by a dedicated team of experienced consultants and eye-care professionals. Whether you need a routine eye exam or specialist consultation, call today to schedule your visit at the new Bangor branch and experience expert eye care closer to home at very competitive rates.
Artists Monet and Turner both had cataracts, whichinfluenced their painting style North Wales Eye Specialist Centre Call 01745 258 161 www.northwaleseyespecialist.co.uk Unit 5430, North Wales Buisness Park, Abergele LL22 8LJ and Caernarfon Road, Bangor LL57 4SG
Health&Beauty
BLOODY BATTLES
September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month. Shire looks at one of the lesser-known cancers that a ects more than 40,000 people in the UK every year.
Blood cancer is not a single disease but a group of malignancies that affect the blood, bone marrow or lymphatic system. The three main types are leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma:
• Leukaemia is a cancer of the white blood cells and affects the bone marrow and blood. It’s commonly classified as either acute or chronic, and either lymphocytic or myeloid, depending on the type of white blood cells involved.
• Lymphoma originates in the lymphatic system, which helps fight infection. The two main types are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
• Myeloma affects plasma cells in the bone marrow, impairing the body’s ability to produce healthy antibodies.
MYTH BUSTER
These cancers behave very differently from one another and require different approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
Who is affected?
Blood cancer doesn’t discriminate, but certain age groups are more vulnerable. Leukaemia is most common in the over65s but also tragically affects children. Lymphoma is more prevalent in teens and young adults, but its incidence also increases with age. Myeloma typically affects people over 60 and is slightly more common in men.
Risk factors are still not fully understood, but a combination of genetics, environmental exposures, infections, and in some cases immune system disorders play a role.
Treatment and advances
more precisely, with fewer side effects.
• Stem cell (bone marrow) transplants –used especially in aggressive cases.
• CAR-T cell therapy – a groundbreaking
“Blood cancer doesn’t discriminate, but certain age groups are more vulnerable”
Treatments vary based on cancer type, severity, and the patient’s age and health. Common approaches include:
• Chemotherapy – still a frontline treatment, often combined with targeted therapies.
• Immunotherapy and targeted drugs –increasingly used to attack cancer cells
Blood may be the stuff of life, but there’s lots of stories in circulation
You can’t donate if you have tattoos
Not true – at least, not for long. In the UK, you need to wait four months after getting inked (or after a piercing) to ensure there’s no risk of infection. If the tattoo was done at a licensed studio and has fully healed, you’re good to go. The NHS Blood and Transplant service welcomes donors from all walks of life – including those with body art.
Royalty have ‘blue blood’
This intriguing theory dates back to medieval Spain, where aristocrats claimed to have sangre
form of immunotherapy now available on the NHS for certain types of lymphoma and leukaemia. As medical science advances, so does our ability to fight blood cancer. But awareness remains crucial. Many symptoms – such as fatigue, unexplained weight loss, bruising or persistent infections – are easily overlooked. Education, early detection, equal access to cutting-edge treatments, and continued support for donor registries are key to making blood cancer not just treatable, but beatable.
azul (‘blue blood’) to distinguish themselves from the working class, whose skin was tanned from outdoor labour. Because the nobles were paler, the veins under their skin appeared more blue. In reality? Everyone’s blood is red.
You only need to know your blood type for emergencies
There’s more to it than that. Your blood type also matters for donating, in pregnancy (especially for Rh compatibility) and for some medical treatments. People with O-negative blood are universal donors, valuable in crises. Rarer types like B-negative or AB-positive are often in short supply. So don’t wait: knowing your blood type can help save lives now.
Glansevin Mansion
Nestled in the stunning Welsh countryside, Glansevin Mansion is a Georgian gem perfect for your special day. Located in the enchanting Bannau Brycheiniog, this historic venue blends elegance and flexibility. Whether you dream of a colorful, festival-themed wedding or a traditional celebration, Glansevin brings your vision to life. Choose from picturesque outdoor ceremonies by a 900-year-old oak tree or cozy indoor vows by a grand open fire. With accommodation available, extend your celebration into a memorable getaway. Petfriendly and entirely yours for the day, Glansevin Mansion ensures a wedding you’ll cherish forever. Come and create your dream wedding at Glansevin Mansion.
Llangadog, Carmarthenshire, Wales SA19 9HY
Hereat Shire, we love a wedding! From the moment you say ‘I do’, there’s a urry of exciting decisions to think about – perhaps the biggest being where to tie the knot. Your venue sets the tone for the entire day, so consider the style of celebration you envision. Across the patch we’re spoilt for wonderful wedding locations. Cheshire o ers elegant manor houses and country estates, perfect for a traditional do. Shropshire is home to charming barns and historic homes, ideal for couples wanting a more rustic setting, while Wales boasts stunning castles and breathtaking coastal and mountain backdrops, creating unforgettable settings for a romantic ceremony.
What’s the plan? Location, location
Don't give up on your dream location…
“Many celebrants specialise in creating personalised ceremonies”
Couples can now get married in a wider range of settings than ever before. By understanding the rules and working with the authorities, you can ensure your special day is all you imagined: meaningful, memorable – and legally binding too!
Untilrelatively recently, couples wishing to marry in England and Wales faced strict rules about where they could tie the knot. Legally binding ceremonies could only take place in religious buildings, register offices or premises approved for civil ceremonies, such as hotels or stately homes. Approved venues had to have a permanent structure with a fixed roof, meaning outdoor ceremonies were symbolic at best, with the legalities handled elsewhere.
Changing times
Temporary measures introduced during the pandemic allowed outdoor civil weddings and partnership ceremonies in approved venues. Recognising the popularity of this change, the government made it permanent in April 2022. An ongoing review of marriage laws led to proposals for further flexibility. Venues that do not fit traditional criteria – private gardens, historic ruins, even boats – may become legally recognised, provided they meet certain conditions. The changes are an opportunity to tailor your wedding to reflect yourselves and your relationship. Outdoors types might go for a mountaintop ceremony, art fans might choose a favourite gallery.
Applying for a licence
If you have a specific location in mind that is not currently licensed, you may still be able to make your dream wedding a reality. Speak with your local council or the venue’s management about applying for a marriage licence. The process typically involves meeting health and safety requirements and ensuring the site is accessible to all guests.
For venues that cannot obtain a licence, you can always marry at a register office before or after and hold a symbolic ceremony in your chosen location. Many celebrants specialise in creating personalised ceremonies.
It’s important to familiarise yourself with the requirements for giving notice of marriage, which includes attending an appointment at your local register office at least 28 days before the ceremony and ensuring all paperwork is in order to avoid delays.
Now the fun begins!
THE SEA
CELEBRATE AFLOAT
The Beaches Hotel and Spa, Prestatyn is the ideal location for your coastal wedding, with Barkby Beach an idyllic backdrop for your photographs. The hotel’s fully licensed Beaches Suite boasts 360-degree views, with seaview terrace, bar and dance floor, and can cater for up to 180 guests. Whether you choose the popular sunset package or build your own special day, their professional wedding team will be on hand to offer support and advise throughout. Enjoy a reception close to the shore, with menus sourced from quality local suppliers – choose from a formal wedding breakfast or more relaxed sunset buffet. After, mingle with guests on your private terrace and watch the sun set over the Irish Sea.
AChesterBoat
cruise on the River Dee makes a unique option for your wedding reception – or a stylish way to arrive at your riverside venue. Whether you’re looking to dance the night away, enjoy a sit-down meal or just treat your guests to a cruise before dining elsewhere, the team will help plan a bespoke voyage.
“Mingle with guests on your private terrace and watch the sun set
The Beaches Hotel is a family-friendly hotel with 78 bedrooms and 13 self-catering chalets. www.thebeacheshotel.com
Enjoy great on-board dining – from nibbles to three-course meals – provided by quality local suppliers. Your boat can be dressed in ‘Just Married’ liferings and ribbon; you might also like your own decorations. Book a DJ or live performer, or relax to the sounds of the river and wildlife.
Alternatively transport your guests from Chester Groves to Eccleston for weddings at St Mary’s Church or receptions at the village hall. ChesterBoat’s skippers and crew have years of experience in making wedding cruise celebrations unforgettable. www.chesterboat.co.uk
“A unique reception or a stylish way to travel ”
“Dazzling combinations of precious stones in silver and gold”
TIMELESS ELEGANCE, INFINITE BRILLIANCE
In the centre of Llandudno sits a gem of a jewellers: Peers is an experienced family company offering unparalleled expertise honed over generations. They not only provide a rich catalogue of high-quality pieces but also possess deep knowledge about the intricacies of metals, gemstones and craftsmanship. The intimate atmosphere of the family-run business provides personalised customer service, fostering trust and long-term relationships. You can be sure that the creative artistic flare of the goldsmith and the incredible gift of the gemstone cutter will be made real in the pieces you select for your very special day. Peers offers rings in dazzling combinations of precious stones – diamonds, emeralds, opals, pearls, rubies, sapphires and tanzanites – wrought in silver and gold. They also fashion beautiful earrings and bracelets that could be given as extra-special wedding gifts, and can repurpose and transform treasured family jewellery.
You can purchase exquisite pieces from Peers online or visit the shop in the Victoria Shopping Centre, Llandudno. For exquiries, please email info@peersthejeweller.co.uk www.peersthejeweller.co.uk
CALM AND SERENE
Let nature provide the backdrop for your love story. In a stunning location near Welshpool, Quaint Country Weddings is an award-winning venue that promises a tranquillity that will illuminate your special day. The lined marquee is just waiting for your personal touch – transform the space to your vision, whether a chic rustic celebration filled with wildflowers, a glam affair with sparkling decor or a bold bohemian gathering. You can arrange your own catering or your wedding coordinator will help you choose from street food, a barbeque or hog roast. The licensed bar is staffed by a friendly team – you can even bring your own welcome drinks and fizz. www.quaintcountryweddings. co.uk Email janet@qcw.events
SERVICE WITH A SMILE
Hughes
“A tranquillity that will illuminate your special day”
Caterers of Welshpool has a wealth of experience in creating fabulous and delicious wedding feasts that truly reflect a couple’s personality and style. They also offer a range of services such as seating, flower arrangements and the finest tableware. Their highly trained, uniformed staff provide a professional and attentive level of service to ensure your day runs exactly as you wish. Following a free initial consultation, they can offer a bespoke menu and a tasting day to trial your wedding food. As well as professional silver service, Hughes can provide full bar facilities including bar furniture, draught pumps, bottles, spirits, glassware, requisite paperwork and of course uniformed bar tenders. Relax knowing that Hughes can be relied upon on your special day. www.hughescaterers.co.uk
“Hughes can be relied upon on your special day”
Personalised service
Plan your bespoke menu
Just the sound of the waves
Halkyn Castle Wood - NE Wales Woodland Festival Weddings &
Gatherings
We would love to host your celebration in our beautiful Welsh woodland. Please find below a sample package to start to shape your dream weekend.
• Exclusive use of the meadow temple space
• Supervised fire and marshmallow toasting
• Choice of woodland glades arranged for your ceremony
• Mics and speakers for speeches and to play your own playlist.
• Party marquees arranged as four covered areas or linked to provide 8/16m space.
• Free camping/caravan pitches for guests, bell tents £50 per night.
£1000 part-payment to reserve the weekend of your choice for your celebration. Further payments can be paid in instalments, balance paid in full six weeks before.
If you require any further information, would like to visit and chat, or wish us to pop an alternative proposal together to meet a specific idea or budget, please contact Vanessa.
Designer Mother of the Bride/Groom and Special Occasion Wear
Stockists for Veni Infantino, Invitations by Veni and Kevan Jon with beautiful designer hats to match ‘COMING SOON’
*Price does not include food, but we have some great contacts. With
John Charles, Vermonia to include Prom/Ball Gowns by Promise.
Now located next to The Secret Salon Sansaw Estate Hadnall, SY4 4AS
SPECIALISTS IN WEDDING HAIR AND MAKE UP
Exclusive offer 10% off beauty treatments
Why not make a day of it…. After trying on our dresses, why not relax and have a beauty treatment whilst enjoying a glass of Prosecco (booking essential)
THE VALUE OF EXPERIENCE
Hereford Gold is a friendly, family-run jewellers in the cathedral city. With over 45 years of experience, the specialist team offer exceptional customer service and a wide range of high-quality items. Choose from new and pre-loved jewellery, from vintage to modern and to suit any occasion, all in high-quality platinum, silver or gold – from 9ct to a few pieces in 22ct yellow, rose and white gold.
SIMPLY THE BEST
In fact, Hereford Gold is now the largest stockist of gold, silver and platinum in Herefordshire, and boasts prices much lower than those of the high-sreet chains. Why not browse the selection of beautiful earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, watches and brooches?
“The county’s largest stockist of gold, silver and platinum”
For bespoke designer jewellery, contact the team, who will help you create your personalised piece using high-quality materials for the best results. Call 01432 359 514 to arrange an appointment. www.herefordgold.uk
Porter’s is a family-run delicatessen in Llangollen, in the beautiful Dee Valley – celebrating their third anniversary in 2025. Stocking over 1,200 products, they aim to source the very best cheeses, charcuterie, gourmet foods and hard-to-find ingredients, which are all available to celebrate your special day. Porter’s will put together wedding favours and bespoke gifts and hampers to match your chosen theme: whether you’re a cheese, chocolate, spice or gin lover, the Deli has special treats in store. Their products are artisan, ethical and, where possible, local – highlights include about 70 different cheeses from all over the UK and the continent, including seasonal specialties and Welsh cheeses; a small but well-judged selection of fine wines, including still and sparkling wines from the Penarth Estate, as well as Welsh spirits and liqueurs, and delicious continental hams, salamis and chorizo. They also offer grazing boards and nibbles to get your party going with a swing! www.portersdeli.co.uk
“The very best cheeses, charcuterie and hard-to find treats”
Call 01978 862 990 or follow on Instagram @portersdeli_llangollen
HISTORIC CHARM AND ENCHANTING SURROUNDINGS
Poulton
“A
Hall on the Wirral offers a stunning backdrop for your special day. Ceremonies can take place in the beautiful conservatory, followed by a marquee reception in delightful grounds that include a magical walled garden, oriental garden and acres of wildflower meadows. The walled garden is designed to make you think you are entering a world of make-believe, with sculptures inspired by the writings of JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis – a truly original, standout welcome for your guests!
truly original welcome for your guests”
THE LOOK OF LOVE
Whether you want an intimate afternoon tea, a larger celebration with barbeque or something in between, Poulton’s team can work with you to create your dream day. This beautiful venue is offered at a market-beating price, with a marquee for up to 50 guests at additional cost. Catering may be arranged by you to meet your budgetary needs. For bespoke packages and full support with planning from start to end, please get in touch. www.poultonhall.co.uk
Located in the heart of rural Shropshire, The Hidden Gem offers a beautiful collection of designer dresses for your special day, together with a gorgeous range of hats, shoes and bags that can be dyed to match your outfit. There’s a seasonal selection of spectacular wear for brides, mothers of the bride and groom, and more. Mother and daughter Sue and Carly offer a first-class service, ensuring that every customer’s needs are met in person. Stress-beating hair and make-up packages are available at The Secret Salon, which specialises in pre-wedding beauty treatments too.
The collection is available to view by appointment only, where you can try on dresses in the privacy of this cosy boutique – friends or family are welcome to accompany you. An ever-changing selection of stunning outfits includes pieces by Kevan Jon, Invitations by Veni, John Charles and more. If you fall in love with an outfit but it doesn’t quite fit, the team can recommend trusted partners adept at alterations.
Meet Hidden Gem at Shrewsbury’s Albrighton Hall on 28th September www.thehiddengemshropshire.co.uk
Short Breaks offers adults with learning disabilities and autism the opportunity to enjoy an individually tailored stay at our specialist respite centre. Guests are encouraged to tailor their stay around what they enjoy.
Shrewsbury High School recently welcomed four pupils and two members of staff from McGehee Girls’ School in New Orleans for a week’s visit. The guests stayed with host families, and spent a day learning about Shropshire’s history, including visits to Ironbridge, Much Wenlock and Church Stretton.
Their schedule also included a biology field trip to Erddig and a day in Chester hearing about Roman life.
FOOTBALL FOCUS
SHS’s membership of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools has seen the development of a blossoming partnership with McGehee. Faculty projects and
“An exchange programme to build relationships with US peers” Joel in the classroom
teaching and learning practices are being shared, alongside an exchange programme to build relationships with their US peers.
Shrewsbury High has set up a pen-pal initiative, and over 60 students across the school are now in contact with a student from McGehee. They look forward to seeing what exciting things the alliance will bring in future!
NEW APPOINTMENTS
delivery of conductive education and has over 30 years’ experience in the UK and Hungary. Indila will be working on the new early intervention programme, for babies and children from six months old.
Joel Sweeney from Wallasey has worked at Stick ‘n’ Step previously and returns as a classroom assistant. Joel is now a qualified sports massage therapist and has extensive experience with the Galileo vibration device, which
“Using whole body vibration therapy to improve muscle strength, balance and co-ordination”
Cerebral palsy charity Stick ‘n’ Step has announced the appointment of several new recruits at its two centres in Wallasey and Runcorn.
New operations and relations officer Christina Vaughan will assist with the running of the Wallasey centre and liaise with families. Her daughter has also joined the team and her son volunteers. Indila Simandi specialises in the
the registered charity is using in the classroom. The machine uses whole body vibration therapy to help improve muscle strength, balance and co-ordination.
Stick ‘n’ Step provides free weekly conductive education sessions to children and young people with cerebral palsy up to the age of 25, delivering services to over 100 families each year across its two centres.
Students and sta at Abbey Gate College, Chester were delighted to welcome Chester Football Club’s first team to the Senior School for skills training at the end of last term. Making the most of the college’s facilities, the players had a productive two-hour session, keenly observed by students from Years 7-10. The team then stayed on at the Saighton Grange site to meet excited students, answer questions and sign autographs.
Pupils from Years 5 and 6 at Abbey Gate’s junior school in Alford also came along to watch and learn from the training session, and collected their own autographs, before returning to lessons in the afternoon.
GOLD AWARD FOR FORCES SUPPORT
Rydal Penrhos College has been presented with a Gold Award by the Ministry of Defence as part of its Employer Recognition Scheme – a prestigious endorsement for organisations o ering outstanding support to the Armed Forces. Only 12 Welsh employers were honoured with the Gold Award in 2025; Rydal Penrhos was the only independent school.
The school maintains strong partnerships with Armed Forces organisations including RAF Valley, the Queen’s Dragoon Guards and the Royal Navy Engagement Team, as a leading advocate for military families, Reservists and Cadet Force volunteers. The award reinforces its standing as a Forces-friendly school.
MEMORIAL WINDOW
Ellesmere College has installed a stained-glass window as a tribute to Brendan Wignall, the former head who died last year. The idea came from the Ellesmere College Parents’ Society, which raised £1,600 to fund the project. He was also remembered with a tree, portrait and cup.
Helena Hepburn, co-chair of ECPS alongside Sadie Norris said: “Everyone was keen to honour Brendan’s memory with something that would be meaningful. We were aware that both he and his daughter Catherine enjoyed creating beautiful stained-glass art, so having a piece specially made seemed fitting.”
Deputy head Stephen Mullock said sta and pupils were delighted with the tributes to Brendan, who was headmaster for 27 years.
Learning from the pros
The McGehee students and hosts
Parents fundraised for the artwork
National recognition
SHOW SUCCESS
Hundreds of visitors, along with nearly 100 dogs, flocked to Derwen College for the annual Fete & Dog Show. The show featured fun categories such as Cleverest Dog, Waggiest Tail and Most Appealing Eyes. Congrats to the cute and clever Olive for winning Best In Show.
READING COMMUNITIES
The
Abbey Gate College community came together in support of the Children’s Book Project, working to tackle book poverty in the UK.
Thanks to students, families and staff across Senior and Junior School sites, 30 boxes of books were collected and donated to this brilliant cause. They will find homes with children who may have few or even none of their own.
“An invitation to go on an adventure”
hardship, lack of time, negative experiences with reading or a lack of confidence in choosing books. By distributing books via schools and prisons, the charity aims to foster a sense of ‘reading communities’.
The team said: “Each book donated will be gifted onwards with an invitation to that child to go on an adventure and become lost in a book they can own and love.”
Book poverty affects many families in the UK, due to factors such as financial
Sponsored by Duffy’s Diner, each winner was awarded a goody bag packed with fantastic prizes. Visitors enjoyed shopping and eating at the college’s garden centre and gift shop, Vintage Advantage charity shop, Walled Garden café and The Orangery restaurant.
Megan Charman, Derwen College community fundraiser and events coordinator said: “This is our biggest fundraiser of the year. The money raised helps improve the lives and experiences of students and clients with special educational needs and disabilities.”
“The biggest fundraiser of the year for Derwen College”
Put a date in your diary for Derwen Christmas Fayre on 29th November!
TOP MOVES
Haberdashers’ Adams junior chess team gave an outstanding performance in this year’s ECF Team Chess Challenge, finishing second in the national finals at Nottingham University’s Kings Meadow campus. Muhammed, Malcom, Ruya and Karthikeya narrowly missed out to Westminster Under School. Adams went on to host and win the inaugural Shropshire Secondary School Chess Championships. Well done to all!
Well done to all those who donated –and to Asda who transported the boxes.
Anti-choking kit
The Fir Cones Day
Nursery is proud to be the first childcare facility in the Chester area to equip itself with the revolutionary LifeVac, a simple life-saving device designed to prevent choking emergencies.
LifeVac is a non-invasive, portable tool that can be used to clear a choking obstruction when standard first-aid techniques fail, giving staff an extra level of confidence to protect the young ones in their care.
Kathy Hague, manager at The Fir Cones said: “While we hope we never have to use it, having the kit ensures we are prepared in those critical moments.”
EXCELLENT RESULTS
Aswell as GCSEs and A-levels, students at Ellesmere College can also study for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and BTEC Sports & Coaching Development Diploma, results for which were published in July.
At Ellesmere, IB results were higher than the global average of 30 points out of a possible 45, with students achieving an impressive average score of 34.5. Sixteen percent scored 40 points or more, and one student was placed in the top IB students worldwide with an impressive 44 points, equivalent to five A*s at A-level.
“100 percent pass for
The College also achieved excellent BTEC results, with students celebrating another year of 100 percent pass results, including several Distinctions. In the Extended Diploma (equal to three
A-levels) and the Diploma (equal to two A-levels) all students passed with Distinction and Merit awards.
Ellesmere College head Vicky Pritt Roberts congratulated all Sixth Formers, saying: “They have certainly worked very hard both in and out of the classroom.”
Ellesmere students: o to celebrate
BTEC”
Best In Show: Olive with proud owner Kelly
Students worked hard sorting donations
In safe hands…
Haberdashers’ Adams junior chess stars
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BEST WEEK
Moor Park School in Ludlow held its annual Big Boarding Week at the end of the summer term, with up to 60 children boarding every night, enjoying festivities laid on by the boarding team.
Activities included Nerf Wars, an epic game of tag across the school grounds and a squash court disco, while the week was rounded off with an evening barbeque and fun inflatables.
The week also saw the annual Year 2 Sleepover, where eager Year 2s had their first taste of boarding life ahead
“A barbeque and fun infl atables rounded o the week” A fun end to the week
of beginning their boarding journey in Year 3, with the senior children stepping up to take them under their wings.
Fairer fares
AWARD
TheFirs School in Chester has been awarded a prestigious Significant Strength evaluation following its latest inspection, becoming the first school in Chester and surrounding area to receive this distinction under the new National Independent Schools Inspectorate.
‘Pupils’ respectful behaviour…”
The award recognises ‘Mutual Respect’ as an area of exceptional strength within the school and reflects the consistently high standards across teaching, pupil development, pastoral care and leadership.
The report states: “Pupils’ respectful behaviour is underpinned by their firm understanding of the school’s code of conduct, known as The Firs’ Way.”
Representatives from St David’s College Youth Leadership Academy joined Citizens Cymru and young leaders from Cardiff at the Senedd to campaign for fairer bus fares for the young.
The students attended an inspiring event where they raised their voices for positive change, seeking £1 fares for under-16s. They also urged officials to extend a pilot scheme for 16-21 year olds, to make travel more affordable for young people and families.
Three Year 4 pupils from Oswestry School Prep completed a challenging triathlon this summer to raise funds for a friend living with a rare brain cancer.
William, George and Pip, all nine, took on the triathlon in honour of William’s cousin Freya, who was diagnosed in January. George completed a 2km swim, Pip cycled 21km and William ran 5km. Their efforts have already helped raise awareness and funds. Find out more at www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/freya-fights
“Voices for positive change”
As well as campaigning for fairer fares, the Youth Leadership Academy also learned about powerful campaigns
on housing, safety and the living wage. Following the event, the student representatives received an invitation to meet Ken Skates, MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, to discuss improving access to affordable public transport.
Geography in action
Students from The Queen’s School in Chester enjoyed an unforgettable trip to Iceland, witnessing some of the world’s most dramatic natural landscapes and geological forces in action.
“A dip in a natural hot spring”
A favourite spot was the Secret Lagoon, a natural hot spring where students enjoyed a dip surrounded by geothermal steam. They also took in breathtaking views at Gullfoss, one of Europe’s most
powerful waterfalls, and stood at Pingyellir, the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, learning how the Mid-Atlantic Ridge has shaped the landscape.
Their South Shore adventure included a visit to a geothermal power plant and greenhouses growing tomatoes using natural energy. The day ended with a walk behind one of Iceland’s iconic waterfalls.
Great work, lads!
The inspectors were impressed
The YLA takes a stand
OSWESTRY SCHOOL: LAYING FOUNDATIONS IN EARLY EDUCATION
Oswestry School is delighted to welcome Mrs Claire Lyons as the new Head of Prep. Claire shares her re ections on the importance of strong foundations and the transformative power of a child’s earliest educational experiences.
Claire Lyons joined the Oswestry School family in April this year. A passionate and experienced educationalist, Claire holds a degree in Theatre Studies from the University of Wolverhampton and completed her PGCE at Bishop Grosseteste University.
She began her career as head of RE and Drama at St Mary’s Preparatory School in Lincoln, and went on to play a key role in the founding leadership team at Burton Hathow Prep School in Lincolnshire, where she later became head.
With over 17 years of experience in the independent sector, Claire brings a wealth of expertise, warmth and vision to the role. Her commitment to early years education and to developing confident, curious learners aligns perfectly with the values at the heart of Oswestry Prep.
Kindling the spark
“There is a popular misconception in education that the serious business of learning begins at senior school,” Claire says. “The GCSE years are often hailed as the launchpad for all future successes. However, any educator who has battled daily in the secondary school classroom with irreversible negative attitudes to learning will tell you a very different story. As will the parent
The start of a lifelong journey
“Those aha! moments are built not from instruction but joy”
who has seen a spark of curiosity light up a young child’s eyes and watched as they embark on a lifelong love of learning.
“Education begins, as everything does, at the beginning. The habits children form in their early years play a significant part in shaping their future. How high is their self-esteem? How worthy do they consider their voice, thoughts and opinions to be? How
well do they collaborate, analyse and hypothesise?
“From the moment they enter their first classroom, usually at the age of only four, their experiences begin to lay the groundwork for how they will engage with the world. This is why it is so vital that our youngest learners are given the very best toolkit. I do not refer to the old-fashioned essentials of ‘excellent pencil grip’ and ‘how well are you sitting on the carpet?’ but to the toolkit that unlocks wonder, resilience and a growth mindset that welcomes challenge and opportunity.
“Learning to read is about more than decoding letters on a page. It is about excitement, interest, patience and perseverance. Those ‘aha!’ moments are built not from instruction but from joy.
“At Oswestry Prep, we acknowledge the crucial role early education plays in igniting a passion for exploration, for analysis, even for failure. A healthy attitude towards getting it wrong is often the very thing that helps deeper learning and embeds concepts. We teach our pupils not what to think but how to think, and more importantly, how to keep thinking when the answer isn’t obvious.
“A child who begins their journey equipped with a full toolbox of curiosity, confidence, resilience and kindness is not simply ready for the next stage. They are ready for life.”
For details of forthcoming open days at Oswestry Prep or to book a personal tour, please visit www.oswestryschool.com
Building a toolkit for the future
Mrs Claire Lyons
Universities & Colleges
GOING FOR GOLD
Coleg Cambria student Sabrina Fortune is gunning for Paralympics gold after picking up silver in recent weeks. Sabrina was awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours and received the medal from the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle.
Having achieved a gold medal at last summer’s Paris Games, where she broke the shot put world record, Sabrina now has her sights set on the 2028 Games, to be held in Los Angeles.
Selected for an MBE for her services to athletics, Sabrina said: “I’m extremely proud but was also very surprised as I never thought that I would get one in my lifetime. Not all athletes have this opportunity, so I am really honoured.”
“Not all athletes have this opportunity, so I am really honoured”
UNIVERSITY NEWS
STATE-OF-THE-ART 6TH
Work has been taking place on the Telford 6th building at Station Quarter, creating a modern home for Telford College’s A-level provision. The project has included mechanical and electrical installations, partitioning works across the floors, work on the facade and new windows. The new building will host state-ofthe-art science labs for physics, biology and chemistry, a drama studio, arts studio, bespoke library for learners and much more, allowing Telford College to significantly expand its o ering in a self-contained sixth-form setting.
CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENTS
Sabrina joined Coleg Cambria as a Catering and Hospitality learner before moving on to the Skills for Adults
programme to sharpen her Maths and English skills. She achieved those qualifications then went on to study Digital Skills and the ESW L2 Communication course, which she is due to complete shortly.
Since breaking her own world record throw of 15.51m at the British Indoor Championships, Sabrina is keen to defend her title.
Tributes paid to Honorary Fellow
TributesReaseheath College and University Centre proudly celebrated the achievements of more than 1,000 FE students during three days of awards ceremonies.
The event recognised the academic excellence, personal growth and outstanding contributions to college life of 1,232 students, with family, friends, sta and industry partners helping to mark the occasion.
There were inspiring keynote speeches from former students who have gone on to forge successful careers, including Steph Nish, Emma Pemberton and Peter Watson.
Reaseheath principal and ceo Marcus Clinton said: “These awards are a testament to the dedication, resilience and talent of our students. We’re proud to help shape the next generation of skilled professionals across land-based and technical industries.”
have been paid to a Shropshire farmer who was an Honorary Fellow and former governor of Harper Adams University. John Aled Griffiths, OBE was born in North Wales in 1930, and by the age of 10 had already reared his first chicks. He went on to build a thriving poultry business, becoming one of the UK’s largest egg producers and marketers. He served as chair of the NFU Poultry Committee, as well as being founding chair of the British Egg Industry Council and vice president of the COPACOGECA Poultry Working Group in Brussels. He received an OBE for services to the poultry industry in 1993, and was subsequently made a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society.
“It is impossible to find words to capture his contribution to the poultry industry”
Harper Adams vice-chancellor Professor Ken Sloan said: “It is almost impossible to find words to capture the contribution Aled made to the poultry industry and the wider agricultural community. The awards and honours he received confirm the respect in which he was held and the gratitude we all have for knowing and working with him.”
NEW COURSES LAUNCH
Coleg Cambria, based in Deeside, Northop, Llysfasi and Wrexham, has launched a raft of higher education courses to meet the demands of tomorrow’s workforce. Launched in partnership with Pearson, the courses include Hospitality, Digital Marketing and Enterprise, and Esports, and begin this month. They form part of Cambria’s Higher Technical Skills Strategy, which aims to plug regional gaps in expertise and experience by enhancing access and participation, encouraging curriculum development and innovation, and forging partnerships within multiple industries.
Work is progressing
Sabrina receives her MBE at Windsor Castle
Coleg Cambria: forward thinking Party time for the class of ’25
John (centre) with his family
After completing Art & Design courses at Coleg Menai this summer, students Mali Smith and Cadi Richardson had their work selected for exhibition in London. Mali’s stunning 3D metal piece ‘Warming Waters’, highlighting the effects of climate change on sea life, was chosen for the prestigious UAL Origins Creative exhibition at Mall Galleries, while a zine created by Foundation student Cadi was showcased at The Design Museum in Kensington. Upcoming exhibitions at the Design Museum include a retrospective on the career of director Wes Anderson and a portrait of Blitz nightclub.
“Mali Smith’s stunning 3D metal piece on the effects of climate change”
An inspiration to all ARTWORK ON DISPLAY
Shrewsbury Colleges
Group student Dimitri Constantinedes has won the AoC Inspirational Student of the Year award.
Rob Elkin of AoC Sport presented the award in recognition of Dimitri’s resilience: despite personal challenges, he remained
committed to the rugby team and a role model to all.
Dimitri was unable to play sport in his first year due to injury; however, he turned up to every game to support and help his team, demonstrating his loyalty and dedication. As a result, he was made team captain for year two, and once recovered led his team to many victories.
Dale Smallman, Sports lecturer and rugby coach said: “Dimitri has such a positive tone with a really good growth mindset. It’s easy for me to pick up on that and deliver it to everyone.”
Dimitri is now off to study Sports Therapy at the University of Worcester.
‘Warming Waters’ was selected from 600 submissions
The joy of learning
The University of the 3rd Age, also known as u3a, is one of the largest member organisations in the UK, committed to making a difference and influencing change, locally and nationally. u3a provides opportunities for people who are no longer working full time to come together to learn, volunteer, continue their interests and take up new pursuits.
“It is positive ageing in action”
The things u3a members enjoy doing is positive ageing in action, offering possibility and growth in later life whilst making a difference in the community.
As well as online learning events and workshops, u3a has an annual celebration week from 20th-28th September to showcase the learning and fun that takes place across the movement every day. There are more than 1,000 u3as in the UK, each with its own interest groups. There’s no age limit to membership. www.u3a.org.uk
POSITIVITY PODS
Patients, staff and visitors at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt
World-class garden
“Shortlisted for a Green Gown Award”
Astudent-led Community Hub Garden, facilitated by University of Chester’s multi-faith Chaplaincy, has been shortlisted in this year’s Green Gown UK and Ireland Awards. The awards recognise exceptional sustainability initiatives by universities worldwide. From humble beginnings in 2022 – and without a dedicated budget or resources – the Hub has transformed an unused space into a celebrated garden. Partnerships are welcomed through placements, student societies and charities, including a local environmental charity Faiths4Change. Good luck for the awards ceremony in November!
Orthopaedic Hospital can now access and enjoy the outdoors in greater comfort, thanks to the installation of two covered seating pods on the Path of Positivity.
The pods, funded by NHS Charities Together, offer a sheltered, accessible space for rest, reflection and social interaction. Positioned along the popular wellness path at the rear of the hospital, the weather-resistant seating is intended to improve wellbeing and encourage use of the path year-round.
The Path of Positivity was developed during the pandemic as a safe and accessible outdoor space to support the physical and mental health of the RJAH community, with the new seating pods being a continuation of that vision.
The seating is sheltered and accessible
Dimitri: a role model
Find your local group and join in!
‘Is you child leaving school in the summer 2026?’
Find out more about Shrewsbury College at our Open Events in the Autumn of 2025 Go to shrewsbury.ac.uk/events for more information
Si reasons to feel con dent about studying at Shrewsbury College:
We are the only Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ sixth form provision in Shropshire – Ofsted praised the college for “A culture of high standards in teaching and high aspirations for student outcomes.”
We are in the top 10% of all colleges nationally for A Level student progress ear on year our A Level students signi cantly outperform students from independent schools when they progress to university
Our teachers are all subject specialists
We offer a huge choice of provision including A Level and Vocational quali cations as ell as enrichment opportunities
We value each student as an individual and focus on their individual needs
Charities & Volunteering
TOP CLASS Joining forces
Students at Coleg Cambria Deeside have again shown their dedication to making a difference, raising thousands of pounds for community charities over the past year.
As part of their Welsh Baccalaureate and GCP (Global Community Project), Uniformed Public Services learners gave their time to support a variety of causes, including the Domestic Abuse Safety Unit in Shotton and Teenage Cancer Trust. Fundraising efforts included a canoeing challenge on Bala
Lake, sponsored walks, and staff versus student netball.They also raised around £4,000 for the Royal British Legion.
“It will make a real impact”
Tutor Jason Ferguson praised their efforts. “Every year our students and staff go above and beyond, and this year is no exception,” he said. “Their hard work will make a real impact on these organisations and the wider community.”
Lecturer Lucy Roberts added: “We’re proud of their creativity, teamwork and compassion. Their efforts reflect the very best of what we stand for as a college.”
ANNIVERSARY TIME
Charities and community groups in Rhyl came together for a workshop focused on strengthening the town’s ‘third sector’ (charities, social enterprises and similar).
Held at Rhyl Rugby Club and organised by Rhyl Neighbourhood Board as part of the growing Ein Rhyl/Our Rhyl campaign, the event was delivered by Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council. It formed part of ongoing efforts to shape a £20m UK Government-funded masterplan aimed at revitalising the area over the next decade.
and mental health support.
“Groups want to work together”
The session followed weeks of consultation led by DVSC associate Alison Hill, who gathered insights from local organisations. Attendees discussed key challenges including poverty, youth disengagement, and a lack of affordable housing
“There’s a real appetite to collaborate more closely,” said Alison. “Groups want to work together, share resources and avoid duplication, but need more coordination and support to do so.”
Ideas shared included creating safer streets, improving public spaces, developing inclusive leisure facilities and investing in accessible community hubs. Delegates also emphasised youth empowerment, training and celebrating Rhyl’s strengths.
A decade of safety
“Specially adapted narrowboats”
Lyneal Trust celebrated its 40th anniversary in style this summer. Founded in 1985, the charity has spent four decades providing memorable canal holidays for people with disabilities and vulnerabilities. The milestone event brought together trustees, supporters, volunteers, longstanding donors and guests including the Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire Anna Turner and High Sheriff Jane Trowbridge. The Trust runs two specially adapted narrowboats on the Llangollen Canal,
The cottages sleep up to eight
including the 70-foot flagship Shropshire Maid, which sleeps six and features a hydraulic lift, wet room and full wheelchair access. Guests can also enjoy a relaxing day trip aboard Shropshire Lady, a 60-foot day boat with wide windows, a galley and accessible toilet, and a dedicated volunteer crew.
Canalside accommodation is available in a beautifully restored, 19th-century cottage with garden room, paired with two fully refurbished cottages that each sleep four, both with wet rooms. The whole site is adapted for guests with physical and sensory impairments. For details and bookings visit www.lyneal-trust.org.uk
Safe Places Shropshire is a community initiative that has quietly been supporting vulnerable people across the county for over a decade.
Launched in 2013 by local volunteers and West Mercia Police, the scheme was inspired by a Mencap campaign to support people with learning disabilities. The Shropshire group expanded its scope early on, recognising that anyone can be vulnerable at any time –whether living with dementia,
experiencing anxiety, or facing bullying on the way to school.
Over 500 businesses and premises across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin now display
“Over 500 businesses display the logo”
the distinctive logo, signalling they offer a safe haven. Anyone in distress can step inside and ask staff to call a trusted contact to help them get home safely.
If you run a local business, being part of the scheme is a chance to be recognised for the kindness you may already be showing. To get involved, email safeplacessecretary@gmail.com
If you would like a charity event to feature on these pages, just email the details to editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk
Taking on the sta at netball
Alison Hill of DVSC
MUSIC TEACHERS WANTED
Due to high demand at our Wrexham and Chirk Centres, NWMTC charity is seeking more reliable, qualified and experienced music tutors (all instruments and singing) to join our dedicated team.
Please apply to brenda@northwalesmusictuition.co.uk (hours to suit you)
Hourly rate negotiable
Exciting opportunity to join Shire magazine and work in publishing
Due to expansion and new titles, we are looking for a bright new team member keen to get a head start in publishing.
No experience required, only an ability to get along and communicate well with people. Work from your own home, and be part of a team.
3 days per week
OTE £20K p.a.
www.northwalesmusictuition.co.uk
If you’re a good communicator and enjoy building relationships, work with our clients and represent the best regional magazine covering Wales and the Borders.
Due to expansion, there is now an opportunity for a new member to join our team.
Work from home, with hours to suit you, liaising with business owners and marketing teams to help them tailor their campaigns in the magazine.
The role is wide ranging and includes:
•market research
•sales pitches to business owners
• briefing Shire design teams
•social media management
You are a proactive self-starter who enjoys working on your own initiative, and are outgoing and personable. You are highly organised, and have good computer skills. You are hardworking and like to work as part of a team, and you’re ready to learn.
Gold and Silver Roadshow
A very lucky couple called at one of our recent roadshow events with a couple of old gold chains and a silver charm bracelet and a bag of old silver shilling coins. We paid them over £1600.00 just for the coins alone. They turned out to be pre-1947 silver coins that were normal currency a few years ago and are now highly collected. We asked them for their permission to pass on this story on and they were only too pleased to allow us to let everyone know that they might be sitting on a goldmine and not even know it! Like most
FOR 1 DAY ON THURSDAY 25th SEPTEMBER
THE PRINCE RUPERT HOTEL
BUTCHER ROW, TOWN CENTRE, SHREWSBURY, SY1 1UQ.
From 10.30am to 4.00pm
people, who can only dream of winning the pools or the lottery, a lot of normal households have a hidden treasure of old gold jewellery, silver jewellery, teapots, trophies, trays and old objects d’art. Why not get a free valuation from our expert at our roadshow. There is no queuing and our expert will give you a one-on-one appraisal of the value of your treasured possessions in a private area. If you like the valuation our expert will make you the same offer in cash which you can accept or decline at no cost to yourself.
FOR 1 DAY ON FRIDAY 26th SEPTEMBER
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ST. QUENTIN GATE, TELFORD, TF3 4EH.
From 10.30am to 4.00pm
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Personal finance
HowHOW MUCH RETIREMENT INCOME DO YOU NEED?
New research suggests some retirement costs have fallen, but there is a twist… Shire talked to Karl Hartey, chairman of Hartey Wealth Management, to find out more.
much net income do you need each year for a minimum, moderate or comfortable living standard in retirement?
Every year since 2019, the Pension and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA), working in conjunction with Loughborough University, has provided the answer to this very question and in June, the latest calculations were published:
left over for fun”. Not much fun though! The minimum standard assumes no car, one week’s holiday in the UK, and £30 a month per person for eating out. Whereas the comfortable standard has a three-year-old small car, a fortnight’s four-star, half-board Mediterranean holiday and three long weekend breaks in the UK, and £42 a week per person for eating out.
“The minimum assumes no car, one week’s holiday in the UK and £30 a month for eating out”
As Table 2 shows, the comfortable standard requires a large pension income.
This year, for the first time, the PLSA has split out the pre-tax pension required to reach each of its standards.
Table 2: PLSA income calculations on living standards 2023–2025
Source: PLSA
These figures are based on people living outside London; add between £1,300 and £3,200 a year if you live in London.
One notable change from 2023/24 is that the minimum standard figures have dropped. This is due to the PLSA figures being based on an April date, so the 2024/25 figures benefitted from the sharp fall in energy costs between April 2023 and April 2024. Since April 2024, energy costs have risen: the April 2025 Ofgem price cap was 9.4 percent higher than its April 2024 counterpart.
In any case, the chances are that you wouldn’t choose the minimum standard. In the words of the PLSA, the minimum standard “covers all your needs, with some
Source: PLSA
These figures are based on a two-person household outside London. So, it might well be time to review your retirement planning now. Call Hartey Wealth Management on 0808 168 5866 or visit the website at www.harteywm.co.uk to book an appointment.
The value of your investment and any income from it can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested.
The above was provided by Hartey Wealth Management Limited. Registered office: Hilliards Court, Chester Business Park, Chester CH4 9QP. Hartey Wealth Management Ltd is authorised and regulated by the
Table 1: PLSA income calculations on living standards 2023–2025
HERE’S TO YOU!
is October, one of the UK’s leading charities for older people is encouraging the nation to celebrate our senior communities. Discover what’s on locally and get involved!
On5th October, communities across the nation will come together to celebrate Age UK’s Silver Sunday, one of the biggest celebrations of older people in the country. Hundreds of activities are taking place, from tea parties to nature walks, giving the opportunity to make new friends, try new things and connect with the local community.
Why it matters
According to Age UK, around 1.5 million older people never leave their home for a social event. Silver Sunday provides opportunities for those who are feeling lonely to meet others and access local support. Last year saw over 1,300 free events take place nationwide, supported by volunteers and community partners. Highlights included a film screening of Mamma Mia! at London’s Regent’s Park, a brass band concert in Warwickshire, and dance workshops by the English National Ballet. There are already exciting initiatives planned for this year, including a history tour
NEW BILL BOOST FOR PENSIONS Living
Millions of people across the UK will find it easier to manage their pensions – and potentially get more from them – if the government’s new Pension Schemes Bill comes into law.
Many people build up several small pensions as they move between jobs, and these can be hard to keep track of. New rules will bring these pots together, helping savers see the full pension picture in one place. The Bill also introduces a new system to show how well pension
at London Zoo and leisure classes hosted by Everyone Active. Paul Farmer, ceo of Age UK, said: “We’re excited that Age UK’s Silver Sunday is back again for 2025. It’s a fantastic initiative
“When I come to events like this I’m
on cloud nine for days after”
that brings people together, serving as a reminder that older generations are a vibrant and vital part of our community. Please do get involved in an event near you, or why not hold an event yourself, and help to celebrate the older people in our lives.”
Sandra, who took part in a previous Silver Sunday said: “Events like this are vital. I think Silver Sunday is wonderful and a chance to forget all my troubles. When I come to events like this I’m on cloud nine for days after.”
Visit www.silversunday.org.uk for events near you or call 800 169 6565.
“The
full pension picture in one place”
schemes are performing, to help savers understand whether their scheme is giving good value and protect them from getting stuck in underperforming schemes. For those approaching retirement, the Bill will require schemes to offer clear default options for turning savings into a retirement income. This means people will have clearer, more secure routes to decide how they use their pension money over time.
BACK TO SCHOOL – BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT!
Shire looks at the growing number of opportunities for lifelong learning – and the appeal of going back to ‘school’ whatever your age
As September rolls around and the school gates swing open, it’s easy to think of education as something reserved for the young. But across the UK, a growing number of older adults are also heading “back to school” – just without the uniforms, homework or exam stress. Welcome to the University of the 3rd Age, better known as u3a.
Despite the name, it’s not a traditional university and you won’t need a student loan or A-levels to join. Instead, it’s a nationwide movement that brings people together in their later years to learn for the sheer joy of it – with no pressure, no tests and no certificates, just shared knowledge and friendship.
Where it all began
every session. You simply join the activities that interest you – and you’re free to try something new at any time.
Who is it for?
The ‘3rd age’ in the name refers to the stage of life after full-time employment and family-raising – a time when you may finally have the freedom to pursue interests you’ve put on hold, or explore new ones. There’s no official age requirement, but most members are retired or semi-retired. What unites them is a love of learning and a desire to stay active – mentally, socially and physically.
“Reimagining what education can look like in later life”
The University of the 3rd Age began in France in the early 1970s as a way of offering older people the chance to stay intellectually and socially active. The idea quickly took hold, and by the early 1980s it had made its way to the UK.
The British version, however, developed in a slightly different direction. Rather than being tied to formal academic institutions, our u3as are self-managed, volunteer-led groups where members learn from each other.
It’s based on the idea of peer-to-peer learning: everyone brings their own life experience, skills and interests
There are now over 1,000 u3as across the UK, with more than 400,000 members.
How it works
u3a groups offer a dizzying variety of subjects, from art history to architecture, Shakespeare to Spanish, ukulele to urban walking. If you can think of it, there’s probably a group for it!
Sessions are held in community centres, church halls, libraries or even members’ homes, and are relaxed and friendly.
There are no teachers in the traditional sense. Instead, members take turns facilitating sessions. You might join a poetry reading group on a Tuesday morning, lead a discussion on local history on Wednesday, and join a walking group by the weekend. Many local u3as also run talks, outings and events that help members stay socially connected and curious about the world.
There’s no pressure to commit to multiple groups or attend
Many members say that u3a has given them new confidence and purpose. It’s not about returning to the classroom, but reimagining what education can look like in later life. With fees usually modest (often less than £20 a year), u3a remains one of the best-value ways to learn, connect and get the most out of your time post-retirement. So while the younger generations pick up their schoolbags, maybe it’s your turn to pick up a new hobby – or dust off an old one! Find your local group on the Shire patch at www.u3a.org.uk
BUSY BRAINS
While staying physically active is well known to support health in later life, keeping your mind engaged is just as important – and science backs that up. Numerous studies have shown that regular mental stimulation can help maintain cognitive function as we age.
Activities that challenge the brain –such as learning new skills, speaking a different language, solving puzzles or playing music – promote what’s known as neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form and reorganise connections. This adaptability plays a crucial role in maintaining memory, concentration and problemsolving abilities. Researchers also suggest that intellectually stimulating activities may help delay the onset of age-related cognitive decline, including conditions such as dementia. Group learning, discussion and shared hobbies offer more than just companionship: they can lower stress levels, boost mood and support emotional wellbeing too. It’s never too late to give your brain something new to chew on!
There’s no pressure – you can study at your own pace
You learn from each other
Retirement Living in
SHIRE
magazine
Promote your retirement communities and homes among retirees seeking their dream retirement destination. With SHIRE’s readership, you can reach the ideal demographic, ensuring maximum visibility and impact. Whether you specialise in luxurious amenities, picturesque settings, or innovative age-friendly designs, SHIRE provides the ideal platform to reach your audience.
• Television Licence Get in touch now advertising@shiremagazine.co.uk or call (01691) 661 270 Find out more at www.shiremagazine.co.uk
learn, laugh, live
The Llandudno Area u3a Annual Showcase is taking place at the Craig y Don Community Centre, Queens Road, Craig y Don, Llandudno, LL30 1TE.
Saturday 20 September - 11.00 am to 3.00 pm
The Showcase will be opened by the mayor and visitors will be able to see first hand a selection of different groups the Llandudno Area u3a has to offer includingTai Chi, Crafts, Art, Photography, Board Games, with over 80 different interest groups there’s sure to be something to inspire.
This FREE EVENT is open to both members and the public.
There’s ample FREE parking and the centre is served by local buses.
Registered Charity Number1157372
Are you tired of living alone, shopping and preparing meals for one ?
Abbeyfield can provide everything you need in a home from home environment with like minded people.
The monthly rent includes;
• All bills including heating, council tax and water rates
• 2 home cooked meals plus breakfast provisions
• Room cleaned, bed change plus washing and ironing
• Personal contents insurance
• Community Alarm
PUZZLE TIME
Across
Rearrange the highlighted letters to find the name of a village in
Sudoku
6 Robert ____, Irish chemist whose law describes the relationship between the volume and pressure of a gas (5)
8 The study of wines (8)
9 Type of lettuce also known as crisphead (7)
10 Louis ____, French chemist who published Studies on Fermentation in 1879 (7)
12 Tea blend flavoured with oil of bergamot (4,4)
13 Jewish text on Rabbinic law (6)
16 Nom de guerre of Yugoslav president Josip Broz (4)
Down
1 The ____, Leroy Anderson composition named for the machine that accompanies the orchestra (10)
2 Cheshire market town on the River Dane (9)
3 Wading bird with a long, straight bill (5)
4 The ____ Fields, the afterlife for the heroic and virtuous in Greek mythology (7)
5 Legendary monster that appears in fairytales such as Hop-o’-My-Thumb and Puss in Boots (4)
6 The ____, Neolithic chambered cairn near 2 Down (11)
Sudoku rules
1. Every square has to contain a single number.
2. Only numbers 1 to 9 can be used.
3. Each 3×3 box can only contain each number from 1 to 9 once.
4. Each row and column can only contain each number from 1 to 9 once.
17 Host city of the 2014 Winter Olympics (5)
18 ____ Karenina, novel by Leo Tolstoy (4)
21 ____ Priory, Augustinian abbey ruins in Runcorn (6)
22 Substance such as pollen that triggers an immune response in susceptible individuals (8)
24 The eighth astrological sign in the zodiac (7)
26 Instrumental music traditional to Eastern European Jewish communities (7)
27 Elementary particle with no electric charge (8)
28 Mythology in which the Nine Worlds flank the sacred tree of Yggdrasil (5)
7 Quantity measured in joules (6)
11 The collection of fibres that supply movement and sensory function to parts of the arm, wrist and hand (6,5)
14 Town in Powys on the O a’s Dyke Path (10)
15 Mikhail ____, Nobel Prize-winning author of And Quiet Flows the Don (9)
19 ____ Dock, Grade II-listed structure with a One O’Clock Gun in Birkenhead (7)
20 River that flows through Shrewsbury (6)
23 Auguste ____, sculptor of The Thinker and The Kiss (5)
25 Group of countries established in 1960 to coordinate on oil policies (4)
The highlighted letters when rearranged spell
Alice Leetham is a writer and puzzle maker from Cheshire. She works in the fintech industry and also enjoys creating quizzes and cryptic crosswords. Contact: alice@downstream.co.uk
Shropshire Di culty: hard
Imagine having every copy of Shire magazine delivered to your door as soon as it’s printed. You need never worry again about missing an issue. Shire magazine is essential local reading, packed with great features and the best What’s On guide to our area
NEW! You can now set up a new subscription on the Shire website
Just go to www.shiremagazine.co.uk and click “Subscribe to Shire” at the top of the page
Or simply fill in the order form below, choose how many issues you’d like to receive, and send with your cheque to:
Shire Magazine Subscriptions, PO Box 276, Oswestry SY10 1FR
Mr/Mrs/Miss
First name:
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Address:
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Starting with which issue? This issue (SEPT/OCT) or the next issue (NOV/DEC)?
You can pay the full amount by cheque or cash. Please complete:
I enclose a cheque / cash amount for £__________ payable to Shire Magazine for which I will receive the next _______ issues of Shire Magazine posted to the address provided (UK only) Signed Date
Post this form with your cheque to: Shire Magazine Subscriptions, PO Box 276, Oswestry SY10 1FR If you have any queries, just call 01691 661270 and our friendly sta will help!
Community grants
Community-based food and welfare support providers in Wirral are invited to apply for grants of up to £20,000 to help local people in need. I’m really pleased we can o er this funding to support the brilliant work of our community, voluntary and faith groups. They know their communities inside out, so they’re best placed to make sure the Household Support Fund goes where it’s needed most. Applications are being administered by Wirral CVS. Visit: www.wcvs.org.uk/post/ apply-now-forthe-householdsupport-fundround-7
Cllr Paula Basnett, leader of Wirral Council
Calling language lovers
We’re always delighted to hear from our readers, so a big thank you to everyone who’s been in touch recently. Your letters, stories and feedback mean a great deal to the team here at Shire
We’ve shared a selection of favourites from our postbag below – and we’d love to hear more! Whether it’s a comment, a local tale or simply something fun you think we’d enjoy, don’t hesitate to drop us a line. If you’ve got a great photo to go with it, even better! Email us at editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk
Champions of change
Keep It Rhyl is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of our town, and we want everyone to be part of it. Share your voice, your story, your ideas – no matter how big or small. Film a short message, post your favourite memory, suggest something bold, or simply tell us what Rhyl means to you. Find out more at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/ rhyl-neighbourhood-board Craig Sparrow, Rhyl Neighbourhood Board
Stammtisch Oswestry is a lively group for German speakers that has been meeting in the town every fortnight for 12 years – and now we have our own mini-bookshop!
Our members have always swapped books, music and films, eventually donating them to the Age UK shop on Bailey Street. Now there’s a whole German language shelf. The charity can raise vital funds for its important work and the local German-speaking community has access to preiswert [good value] reading material.
We’d like to thank the sta at Age UK for their support, and we encourage language lovers to visit the shop to peruse the German shelf and perhaps donate their own pre-loved books.
Ali Tickner, Stammtish Oswestry
Sign of the times
In your July/August issue you mention the Clwydian AONB numerous times –but it hasn’t been an AONB since November 2023. Unfortunately the people responsible for the brown road signs, and the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB website, still haven’t got the memo! All AONBs in England and Wales are now known as National Landscapes. Anon
Thanks for pointing this out. We’ll try to use the correct name in future, and hope that the road signs and website are updated before too long!
Sprechen Sie Deutsch?
Be first in the queue for next year’s event
Fields of dreams
At the end of July, Shropshire Petal Fields welcomed visitors from all over the UK to wander among the dazzling delphiniums, cornflowers and wildflowers on their family-run flower farm, just outside Newport. The event opened early this year due to the very hot weather and lasted 11 stunning days.
To be the first to know when the Petal Fields open next year, sign up for the newsletter at www.shropshirepetalfields.co.uk
Missed an issue or unable to get to the shops to pick up a copy? Don’t worry – we keep a stock of past magazines and are happy to send one out to you. Just pop a self-addressed envelope with £1.60 postage in the post to: Shire Magazine, PO Box 276, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 1FR. Don’t forget to tell us which issue you’d like.
And if you never want to miss another copy of Shire, why not subscribe? Full details of how to do that are on page 145.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
I have submitted some photos for consideration in your competition and just wanted to add many thanks for the opportunity – and keep this wonderful free mag going!
Tracey Ann Lewis
Today I’ve seen Shire Magazine (Shropshire) for the first time. It was a great read and really informative, better than most of the glossy lifestyle magazines I’ve read.
Janet Timmis
What a fabulous read Shire Magazine is. It will be a lifeline for my husband to connect with the outside world while he recovers from recent back surgery. Do keep up the good work, team!
Kate Burke
PICK UP THE NOV/DEC ISSUE AT THE SUPERMARKET FROM 1ST NOVEMBER
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