Dyserth Times Issue 133 - Aug/Sep 2024

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Dyserth Times is a not-for-profit community magazine published by Peter J Robinson solely for the benefit of the communities of Dyserth & Cwm

Email: dyserthtimes@dyserth.com

Articles are published on the understanding that they are the original work of the contributor and the publisher reserves all rights on behalf of the authors.

Opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not reflect those of the editor or anyone else associated with the Dyserth Times magazine or it’s associated Facebook group.

Whilst every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine the editor and publisher cannot be held responsible for information supplied by contributors and published in good faith. Readers are advised to check with the organiser of events listed within the magazine to ensure that dates and times have not been changed following publication.

I publish on the 1st of August, October, December, February, April, June. The cut off date for articles is usually the 15th of the month preceding publication date; sometimes a few days later. Due to publishing deadlines I cannot guarantee that items received after the deadline will be included in the magazine.

I am happy to publish your contributions in either Welsh or English, whichever you chose to submit.

Articles may be typed, handwritten, USB key or e-mailed. I cannot guarantee to publish media or photographs. Whilst I understand and will respect a contributor’s request for anonymity I will publish only if I am provided with the author’s name and full address including post code.

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This wooden box was given to Trefor Thompson – Author of The Prestatyn and Dyserth Railway – by Miss Gwyneth Kermode of Meliden many years ago.

Trefor recently presented the box to Dyserth Environmental Group and we have no idea what it would have been used for. It is about 9 inches (23 cm) tall. Externally the base is 6.75 inches (17cm) and the top it is 5.25 inches (13.5cm).

Miss Kermode’s grandfather was John Lean who became Manager of Talargoch Lead Mine in 1876. He was always known by his honorary title of Captain Lean, or just Captain John and lived in a big company house called Buarth Isaf in Meliden. In 1884 when the mines closed he bought the house and renamed it Brookdale.

Brookdale was home to four generations of Miss Kermode’s family; she died in May 1989.

She had told Trefor that the engraving on the box stood for Talargoch Mining Co.

The Talargoch Mining Company was registered 1857 and was dissolved in 1874. A new company, The Talargoch Mining Co Ltd, was incorporated in 1875 and one of their first acts was to appoint the aforementioned John Lean (apparently a Cornishman who spoke fluent Welsh).

The mines closed in 1884, so this box has to be at least 140 years old.

Community

Reported Criminal Offences in Dyserth:

The following criminal offences have been reported to the North Wales Police; that have occurred within the Dyserth Community Council area:

4 x Anti social behaviour / 1 x Burglary / 1 x Criminal damage / 2 x Drug offences / 7 x Violence

Illegal Substance Usage in Dyserth:

The Council Members are concerned with apparent usage of illegal substances in Dyserth. There are a number of areas of concern which include drug related paraphernalia found in the area of the King George recreational ground, together with constant use of the red phone box in James Park for illegal purposes.

Photographs of the drug related paraphernalia near the children’s play area have been forwarded to the Police. During the evenings and generally between 5pm and 7pm a number of male youths frequently enter the red phone box in James Park, whereafter a strong aroma of drugs emanates from the box. Photographs of two male youths have been forwarded to the Police. The Police have advised that they will visit both the recreational area and James Park on a frequent basis.

Red K6 Telephone Box in James Park:

Following a request in the last edition of the Dyserth Times, the Community Council thank the Dyserth Women’s Institute members, including one resident, for their suggestions in relation to the future usage of the red phone box adjacent to James Park. The Councillors agreed that a combination of both ideas could be accommodated.

The Council have accepted a quotation to repaint both the red phone boxes in James Park and Tre Castell, whereafter the James Park box will be fitted with shelves for its future usage.

Speed Indicator Signage:

A temporary speed indicator flashing sign has been erected on the A5151 in Tre Castell which displays the speed of each vehicle. Following discussion with Denbighshire Highways it was agreed the area was best suited as the speed limit from Trelawnyd is 60mph and immediately reduces to 20mph on a hill. Whilst the speed indicator is temporary, the Community Council have set aside funds to permanently install the unit on site, if required. The speed indicator unit is also able to record vehicle numbers and take photographs.

Accessible Children’s Play Equipment:

The Community Council are grateful for residents’ assistance as to their thoughts for accessible play equipment ideas and preferences in the Dyserth children’s play area.

The Councillors provisionally agreed an accessible play item at a purchase and installation cost of £15,709.00. An application for financial assistance under the commuted sums was made to Denbighshire County Council. Unfortunately, the County refused the application. The Community Council reluctantly agreed to not proceed with the project, as without funding the cost is prohibitive within the budget.

Concerns Reported to Denbighshire County Council:

1) A deep pothole in area of A5151 junction with Hiraddug Road (The County repaired the pot hole within two days)

2) Contractors were seen to dump excess tarmac on the highway in James Park which caused a bump in the road. The contractors’ details were passed to the County together with photographs) (The contractor returned and removed the tarmac)

3) Footpath in area of Top of Gibbs wood to stile. The footpath is overgrown and impassible in parts. (The County replied as follows: As the bird nesting season is in progress the area will be visited to access the overgrowth and ascertain if work can be completed that would cause minimal disturbance to wildlife)

4) Damage to roadside metal barrier (at traffic lights junction with High Street and Waterfall Road (photograph of damaged barrier provided). (Notification received from County Highways: ‘Inspected this morning on Monday the 10.06.24 no obstruction to the carriageway or footway in its current condition, works have been added to an additional works list for repair at a later date when Highways operatives become available’).

Planning Applications & Planning Decisions:

The Community Council have not received any planning applications, or decisions from Denbighshire Planning for the past two months.

Applications for Financial Support and Donations:

The Community Council have provided the following financial assistance: £1,500.00 - Dyserth Flood Initiative (Application for funding towards various purchases and projected works)

R. Phillip Parry, Clerk & Financial Officer to Dyserth Community Council

Tel: 01352 720547

E-mail: clerk@dyserthcouncil.wales Web Site: www.dyserthcouncil.wales

Hello DT Readers.

I'm writing here on behalf of Dyserth Junior Football Club (DJFC), as a committee member.

I wanted want to start by thanking all previous members of the DJFC committee for all their hard work and dedication to the club. DJFC now has a new committee in place and filling the boots of those that have gone before is a big ask, but we will do our best.

I’ve been part of DJFC, albeit from the sidelines, for the past eight years and it’s been a privilege. I say privilege because I’ve witnessed at first-hand the unwavering commitment of the coaches, players and parents alike. Coupled with this is a strong sense of community that runs through DJFC which has undoubtedly has led to success on the pitch.

The new committee is keen to keep this successful momentum going, and we would love to grow the club. So if you are interested in becoming a player, coach, safeguarding officer and or committee member please get in touch. Similarly we have a loyal home and away fan base and we would love to see this grow.

As you might expect operating DJFC comes at cost which increases year on year. Just recently we’ve been made aware that DJFC’s winter training session costs will increase by nearly 38%, which the club can ill afford. Previously DJFC has benefited from the generosity of local businesses who have sponsored the teams and we greatly appreciate that support and DJFC would continue to welcome the financial support of any local businesses wishing to support the club.

So if you are interested in getting involved with DJFC please do not hesitate to get in touch: dyserthjfc@yahoo.com

Many thanks

John-Paul Birch

Dyserth Bowling Club

Now that summer is here (!?!) the bowling season is in full swing and despite the weather we are all enjoying our sport.

In June, in addition to the normal league matches, we held the Cunnah Cup. An open singles competition in memory of our long time member and President, Hefin Cunnah who sadly died last October. We had 32 participants from all over North Wales taking part, and with a 9.30 start and not finishing until late into the day, it was a major event. However, we had a team of willing helpers making sure all needs were met, with particular emphasis on the provision of bacon rolls!! etc managed by Jan, Hefin’s wife. At the end of a testing day’s bowling, followed by a hard-fought final, the trophy and prize money was presented by Jan to Mr. Chris Slater from Min Y Don. A welldeserved winner!!

Turning to our league teams, we are enjoying a mixed season so far. Our ladies’ team is showing everyone else the way, currently holding second place in the Ladies “A” Division. The Vale of Clwyd and Seniors “A” teams are also doing well in their respective “A” Divisions, whilst the respective “B” teams and the NW Coastal team are finding life a bit tougher this year. However, it’s early days yet, so there’s no doubt they will move up their respective tables. What all this shows is that we have places for all levels of ability and are not just driven by results. It’s a sport, a pastime if you will, and enjoying the company of others in a game we all love, is fundamental. So don’t be afraid to make contact us, there will always be a place for you. (07460419419)

As a footnote, we should congratulate Hazel Griffiths and Pauline Etty on winning the Ladies Pairs Competition, held this year at Trefnant. This is the second year the club has won the trophy.

The quality of our green continues to receive positive comments from visiting teams, with the surrounding hedging and garden all a credit to those hard-working volunteers who make it all happen.

Denbighshire’s Wonderful Waste Washout

As I finalised the printed edition it was 7 weeks and 4 days since our black bin (nonrecyclable waste) in Foel Park was last emptied - on May 23rd. I was hoping it would be emptied on July 19th (8 weeks). It wasn’t!

We have been more fortunate than many people: our Trolibocs has been regularly emptied, though we did miss one collection of our green bin - for which we pay extra.

It has been suggested that this scheme is an illustration of the competence of those in charge at Denbighshire County Council. PJR - Editor

Dear friends,

St Bridget’s Church - Eglwys Santes Bridget

Summer is here, according to the calendar that is! When I first moved to Wales, and mentioned the amount of rainfall I was told, “how else do you think Wales keeps so green?”. That was almost 20 years ago, so I am now very used to both the rain, the greenness of the countryside, and the warmth of a proper Welsh welcome.

Our usual services are at 10am on a Wednesday and a Sunday. Please come and join us. We'd love to see you. And we will be praying for less rain and for more sunnier days when the annual “Shore to Shore” beach mission, walk, and litter pick, takes place on the coast between Pensarn and Prestatyn. With FREE, fun activities for all ages. Please see the adjacent poster for full details.

The greenness means that the young cattle now graze in the fields. The sheep have been sheared, with many lambs now almost the same size as their mothers. Hay and silage are being cut and stored. The Coast Road and A55 get busier as each week leads towards the weekends. Summer holiday time is with us, with flocks of tourists and visitors coming to share in our beautiful part of the world.

Holidays, however short or long, are the times of memory making, rest, enjoyment. Stepping away from the daily grind to do something different. There are not really any references in the bible to holidays as such, however there are mentions of Jesus getting away from others, to reconnect, and recharge.

Of course, God gave the Sabbath to us, a day to rest, to relax, and not work. Whether or not you literally follow the creation story in Genesis or consider it an allegory, I’m sure that you all like having days off. I know that I do!

As the tourist season starts for some, for others it is their busiest time of the year, as their work is to be there for the visitors. St Bridget’s is now open on most Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Between 10am and 4pm. Open for prayer, open for reflection, open for God, open for you.

Jesus said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31).

God Bless you all, and I hope that you have a lovely summer, and a good rest.

Thomas Howell - The Legend and the Legacy - A talk by

Members of the Denbigh and District Probus Club enjoyed another wonderful lunch at the Oriel Hotel, St Asaph at their meeting on Monday 1st July. The speaker after lunch was Wendy Grey-Lloyd who gave a talk titled Thomas Howell – The Legend and the Legacy.

Wendy Grey-Lloyd who was born and brought up in Aberfan, South Wales, holds an Honours Degree in Humanities from Bangor University and studied drama at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, graduating as a performer and teacher.

Since her retirement as Head of Speech and Drama at Howell’s School, Denbigh, she has found more time to devote to her interest in writing.

It was thought that Thomas Howell was born in 1480 and died in Seville in about 1540 – he lived during the reign of five kings. He was a Monmouthshire Welsh man who was an apprentice Draper in Bristol before moving to London as a merchant Draper - one of the great city merchants of the time. He had major success in selling cloth to Spain (he was frequently in Seville and he learnt the Castilian language), Portugal and the Caribbean (San Domingo in the West Indies). He also imported luxurious merchandise such as wine, dye, soap, satins, damask, oils, sultanas etc to England, accumulating a vast fortune.

He became a Freeman in 1507 and a member of the Worshipful Company of Drapers one of the Guilds which protected customers and employees, with members paying to join them. Thomas Howell was elected Warden of the Drapers’ Company in 1527.

Thomas kept immaculate financial records in ledgers and his records illustrate the first double entry recording which is still used today.

He was married and very wealthy but had no children but his brother had an illegitimate child. He was a great philanthropist and he actually left three Wills and in the first Will he was going to convert his house – Tower House, into a mixed school for forty poor children. Additionally, he would provide 12 ducats a year each for university training but he changed his mind. He invested in institutions that would shape society. Long before Mr Tony Blair he believed in Education, Education, Education.

When he died, he made provision in his third Will (written in 1540 in Seville, Spain) for the benefit of maiden orphans of his kin. On their marriage, each one was to be given 100 ducats. The executors of the Will could not find the maiden orphans and they invested in property in London purchasing Cannon St. Station and also Thomas Cromwell’s House (after his execution, the house was bought from Henry VIII for poor little orphan girls of Welsh origin).

He left 12,000 ducats to be given to the Wardens of Drapers’ Hall, London, to be invested by them (in the purchase of land in the City of London) and to produce dowries for orphan girls. As this investment grew, it was sufficient for Howell's School, Denbigh, and Howell's School, Llandaff, Cardiff, to be established by the Drapers’ Company 1853 (a little over 300 years after Thomas Howell made his Will).

The MP for Denbighshire asked the Drapers’ Company for funding to establish a school in Denbigh and was successful. It was built to provide education for orphan girls and provided board, clothing and education and it was a great source of employment for the people of Denbigh.

The architect was Decimus Burton who had designed the Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner in London and he was commissioned to design both the schools.

When Wendy worked for Howell's School, Denbigh there were 495 boarders and she believes over half of those were being educated for free or subsidised because of Thomas Howell.

Thomas Howell is an adopted son of Denbigh - a legend in his time!

The next Denbigh and District Probus Club meeting, which is an invitation lunch with no speaker, will be on Monday August 5th 2024.

New members are always warmly welcomed.

For further information have a look at the club web site denbighprobus.com or contact the Membership Officer Andrew Faulkner for more details prior to an introductory visit to a Probus meeting. Afaulkner@btinternet.com 07542 022 391

An update 2024.07

The continuing story of what goes on at Horeb, and how Horeb has moved forward as things have continued to settle down in ‘Post Covid’ times.

When I write this or something like it my mind immediately goes back to 1950s Dyserth – 6 Thomas Ave (Yes the Police ‘Station’) 6.45 p.m. and ‘The Archers – an Everyday story of Countryfolk.’. Not to be missed Mon. to Fri. and the omnibus edition on a Sunday.

So when we talk about the ‘Good Old Days’ – these were most definitely mine – a mountain to climb and play on (all pre ‘Health and Safety’ – if you hurt yourself you learned how to do it better / more carefully and probably fibbed a little to parents about the reason for the cuts and bruises.)

And then there were the times when, with my dad I spent many hours visiting local farms as he did what he did as Village Policeman simply keeping an eye on what was going on. Actually, I suspect that he enjoyed being outside and spending time with local farmers. For me, I experienced helping with Sheep-dipping; being part of a circle of helpers as a hay-rick was (I’m not sure what you would call it) but ‘dismantled’ leading to a mass exodus of first mice and – then rats that we helpers killed as they ran for freedom. What fun for an 8/9-year-old.

So, no more talk of the good old days – just a very brief summery of what we do /are doing / planning - just to let folk know that we're still alive and kicking.

Son of Food Co-op – Our Wednesday Coffee Morning

This has now been going for two years. As we do we celebrated by having a Big Brekkie day i.e. as well as the usual Tea /coffee we organised bacon butties / rolls for the posher..

If you have free time on a Wednesday – PLEASE JOIN US! As I have written repeatedly, this is not in any way a 'closed shop' - it is open to all on Wednesdays (10.00 to 12.00. Tea / coffee / biscuits / cakes (occasionally) are provided; the cost being covered whatever you feel like putting in the pot.

A relaxing time in good company with tea/coffee made to order and if it doesn't suitwe'll show you how the Lincat (Water Heater) works and where the tea/coffee/ crockery is kept provide a bit of INSET … … and you can make your own.

Community Lunches - still up and running at Horeb on the second Tuesday of the month.

The menu for our lunches continues to be one that the small team of folk from Horeb (plus some friends) can manage i.e. a bowl of soup (a choice from 2 or three) with bread roll and butter followed by a pudding and a cup of tea/coffee or a soft drink. In my role as i.c. washing up I can truthfully report that at every lunch thus far, all the dishes have been returned empty – and there have been no complaints either about the quantity of food or the choice of soups / puddings so again we must be doing something right.

BUT Numbers attending have been down a little recently – perhaps expected during the Holiday Season – but if you’re in any way unhappy about anything to do with Community Lunch – PLEASE LET US KNOW - within reason things can be changed.

Village Quizzes

I had little response to my suggestion that we could hold a quiz more frequently than annually it is at present.

• I am quite happy to organise quizzes more frequently – if there are sufficient numbers (teams) interested to make it worthwhile. If you think so and you would like to enter a team please contact me with for each team …

• Organisation /group + Contact name and position / e-mail address

So, what is now considered ‘Normal’ - I’ll repeat –

• Morning Worship: [Sundays (10.30 - 11.30) and a social time with tea/coffee and biscuits afterwards.

• The service is available 'live' to all on Zoom on a Sunday morning

DETAILS

Zoom (meeting id 923 732 5176 password 3fHEG9)

As I reported in May, we have had to stop providing CONTACT for our members and friends who are unable to attend for Sunday Worship or manage Zoom - this being a consequence of Rev. Colin Richard’s failing eyesight. What has continued is the Weekly ‘What’s On at Horeb’ which is e-mailed every Saturday evening to keep those folk who will not hear the Notices on a Sunday in touch with Horeb life.

If anyone reading this update would like to receive the Notices email me on allandavidmorgan@gmail.com. and I will add you to my list.

Ongoing

Building Maintenance

Stage 4 - Planned Repainting the Main Door and Removing the existing temporary Noticeboard and rethinking the use of the main Notice Board to the left of the Entrance.

Horeb being useful

Our link with Pengwern College in Rhuddlan – involved in some maintenance of Horeb ‘ground-works’

At present we are waiting to hear from Pengwern. At the difficult stage of needing to know but not seen to be nagging. We hope this will be resolved soon.

Finances - (always on the back of our minds)

The Hiring of Paterson Hall and other space in Horeb

This is a major source of income which, although there has been an upsurge in recent weeks, has still to return to a pre-Covid level – and with the increase in fuel costs it is increasingly difficult to balance what hirers can afford to pay and what we need to charge to cover our costs - let alone gain some 'income'.

BUT - if anyone needs to hire some space for a club or event The Paterson Hall is still available for Hiring for several hours during the week. Indeed, if anyone

reading has a need or knows anyone who wishes to Hire a space, they should contact Barbara Tebbutt on 01745 570793 or me on 01745 570364.

Aware that we, in many ways, are battling for the survival of Horeb, the Elders and Members, remain determined to continue to work hard and to do our best to keep Horeb Chapel alive and well.

Finally, as usual, you know where we are, you know we will be open for worship at 10.30 a.m. every Sunday, and if you are thinking about joining us for worship one Sunday, you will be very welcome.

So, I'll sign off wishing all the best as we hope for a little more Summery weather i.e. warmer, drier and less windy; and promising myself that I really will try to make the next update more interesting and less a re-hash of what has gone before – maybe a few jokes?

Visit www.dyserth.com for Dyserth History and well over 1,000 old photos

Allan Morgan (Horeb Elder)

Women’s Institute (WI)

Sefydliad y Merched (SyM)

COME AND JOIN US!!

This month, as well as telling you what we have been up to, we would like to ask younger women from the village (and surrounding areas) what we can do to encourage you to join us?

The W.I. isn't just about jam and Jerusalem (although we do enjoy a good sing song!).

The W.I does like its crafting. This year we have already had an evening making jewellery, paper items (bookmarks and Easter wreaths). We've painted

> This month we are going to be crafting hanging garden decorations out of recycled

Every Wednesday morning we have a walk in different places close to Dyserth. These are generally stroller always end up with tea and cake. Why not join us with your 'littlies'?

You can find details of the walks we have planned for the month ahead by going to Facebook page (Dyserth

We have some fascinating speakers including a flamenco dancer (who gave us a demonstration and encouraged us to have a go) and Debra Drake (runner up in The Great British Sewing Bee).

• In July we are having a talk on Woody's Lodge (a veterans charity) and we have a Hawaiian dancing demonstration and a talk on Mostyn Hall planned in the Autumn.

We also have evenings when we entertain ourselves including, in the future, a Chippy Quiz, a Board Games evening and a Well Being evening.

W.I. Wales is also a campaigning organisation and Dyserth Institute likes to support national campaigns locally when we can.

> Recent W.I. Wales campaigns include Ovarian Cancer - See the signs, Local Bus Services and Climate Change.

Dyserth W.I. continues to offer fun and friendship to any woman of an age (over 18) living in and around Dyserth including Trelawnyd, Rhyl, Rhuddlan and Prestatyn. We meet at 7.00 p.m. on the second Friday of every month (except August).

If you want to keep up with our activities, then find us on Facebook. Just type in Dyserth WI to see pictures and articles about past events and outings.

If you are interested in joining Dyserth WI, want to find out more or have any suggestion to help us recruit younger members then please contact our President, Linda on reesowen.lro@gmail.com or our new secretary on hughesann059@gmail.com

The Puffins of Lunga.

Lunga; such a remote island - 81 hectares in all, inhabited until 1857 and there are remnants of the old “Blackhouses” still evident in the Northeastern part of the island. It is the largest of the Treshnish isles near the Isle of Staffa about an hour’s boat ride from the Isle of Mull.

We stayed for a week in May of this year (2024) at the southwestern end of Mull and one of the highlights of the week was always going to be a trip out to see the incredible Puffins and others on Lunga. This would be our third visit over the years and with the best possible weather forecast and a trip we had previously booked on the “Turus Mara”, it was looking to be a good outing.

The day started with a boatful of likeminded people setting off from the tiny harbour at Ulva on Mull and a smooth, calm and steady journey out towards our first port of call, Staffa. The skipper announced over the Tannoy as we approached the Isle that we would be making a diversion before landing as a small pod of Common Dolphin had appeared around half a mile off Staffa; this proved to be a worthwhile fifteen minutes or so as the Dolphins were breaking surface very close to the boat giving breathtaking views of these wonderful creatures.

The Isle of Staffa is famous for its Fingal’s cave which is a huge recess in the side of the island and there is a small pathway picking its way along the rocky shore with a decent handrail allowing one to venture into the cave itself, before climbing the steep steps and mooching about on the grassy island crown with many birds including Puffins in the water reasonably close by.

The huge Basalt columns forming the island and disappearing into the cave make it look as though a mythical giant has constructed the whole thing; of course, the “Giants causeway” in Northern Island is formed from similar Basalt columns giving the same impression and is named accordingly.

If you’re lucky, the boat skipper will blast out Mendelssohn’s Fingal’s cave from his Hebrides overture very loudly at the cave entrance before you get off the boat, something that seems quite bizarre yet, so atmospheric when a good way out to sea!

An hour on Staffa and we’re off on the 25-minute boat journey to Lunga, and impressive though Staffa is, this is what we’ve been waiting for. On arrival, the boat manoeuvres its amazing floating gang plank which waits alongside the rocky shore to allow people off the boat, the delightful Puffins breathe a sigh of relief, and you can almost hear them cheering as this means they are now safe from the constant har-

assment meted out by the Great Skuas and Herring and Great Black Backed Gulls on them. Puffins are not much bigger than a Blackbird and are forever being robbed of their hard-earned catch of Sand-eels and are indeed quite often a meal in themselves to these larger predators.

Yes, so now they can venture out of their burrows which are situated along the grassy cliff top overlooking the sea, stretch their wings and pose right in front of the eager human visitors with their cameras and phones as they are easily approachable to within 6 feet; you can sense the disbelief and joy on the faces of all those present as they indulge in this phenomenal experience.

The Puffins call continually in that funny little groaning noise sounding a bit like Hilda Baker on steroids (you need to be of a certain age.... ahem) and flap their tiny wings, even courting right in front of the enthralled line of people. During this time in mid-May, the island is festooned with Bluebells and stunning pink Sea Thrift with Puffins burrowing amongst them making it a bird photographer’s paradise. The biggest threat is that they allow people to get so close that there’s a possibility of burrow collapse through treading on the grass above where the single Puffling chick might be tucked up in the nest, therefore there is a rope laid out across the cliff top to prevent this happening.

Of course there are other species nesting in the same area, Razorbills also stand confidently in front of you and Fulmars nest on the nearby ledges flying right over your head knowing they are safe; I know of nowhere else at all where it’s possible to get closer to these wild birds and the two hours spent in their company is a truly magical experience Once the boats depart, it’s back to the barrage of Gulls and Skuas until the next fine day when the humans come to visit........Dave Parry

their lives with us or some of the many interests they have gathered over the years.

The surprise election is now over and there will be celebrations or disappointment by some according to their hopes and aspirations. The Dyserth Times being a community magazine, is strictly apolitical and quite rightly so in my opinion but I wonder if our editor Peter will allow me to say that I have always been opposed to what I call the ‘ten year X’. Let me explain: We the electorate in all democracies are, every five years, given the opportunity to place that X. It is in effect the only voice we have to pass comment on any outgoing parliament and includes our aspirations for any new administration should there be one. I wish we had a little bigger voice on where and how our hopes lay. I worry that this lack of voice has left us with many disenchanted young and old. [Note to Ed: I hope that isn’t too political]

On the subject of elections, I read recently of an event in the early 20th century, when there was massive opposition to women being ‘given’ the vote. The massive male opposition to the move was outraged by one dissenting man. His argument was: “Think about it gentlemen. If we give women the vote it will double ours. They will do as the their husbands tell them” Modern young women would be dashing to the voting stations if they heard that argument!!!! Keep smiling.

Our Group has met informally on some occasions throughout Summer and we recommence meeting in the wonderful Dyserth Community Hall in Cwm Road at 10.15am Tuesday 9th October 2024. See you there and you can bend my ear if you disagree with any of my opinions.

Dyserth Community Centre Cwm Road Dyserth.LL18 8BD

Michael Corfe Secretary DTMCG 01745 585110

Birmingham Daily Post 9th September 1963.

The news also made its way to Canada, where it appeared in the Calgary Herald on September 25th 1963

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