Essentials Mag Bangor on Dee April 2015

MAG APRIL 20 15 • DELIVERED FREE

YOUR MONTHLY INSIGHT INTO LOC AL LIVING COVERING BANGOR ON DEE, OVERTON, CROSS LANES AND SURROUNDING AREA S

MAG

essentials

AT A GLANCE VIV LAVIS JONES

Gravestones in Bangor churchyard

TERRY DAVIES Meteorite memories

JENNIFER DUTTON Gresford Bell

ST. MARY’S SCHOOL

Designs county flag

EMMERGENCY FOOD BANK For people in crisis

Follow us on @EssentialsJill for online editions of the magazine and up-to-date news

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essentialsMAG www.essentialsmag.co.uk DISCLAIMER

The opinions and views expressed in articles and advertisements published in this issue of essentialsMAG are not necessarily the views held by the editors All facts and figures are correct at time of going to press Whilst every effort is taken to ensure accuracy in this publication, we cannot accept any responsibility for any error or omissions that may have occurred Registration No. 08947483 Printed by EWS Colourprint www.ewsprint.co.uk 01244 545 829 Design & Layout by Victoria Lee www.victorialee.uk.com Front cover image of sunset by local resident

Welcome

editor’s LETTER Spring is here and it's getting warmer, I'm pleased to say. As you start to think about holidays, I thought I'd share my recent experience with you to help save you from a holiday nightmare.

I'd booked a weekend away recently to go to the Costa del Sol in the South of Spain, and was flying from Liverpool airport to Malaga. I'd booked the flights online via Easyjet, but when I went to check in online the week before, I kept getting an error message.

No surprise as I'm hardly a whizz on the internet! I rang the call centre to be told it was our browser and to just check in at the airport. When we turned up at the airport we were told we were on standby as the flight was fully booked. I couldn't believe it as I'd booked and paid for the seats some six weeks earlier. The lady at the check-in told me that Easyjet double book seats as policy because on average the number of no-shows per flight is five per cent, and they can make more money by doing this.

Still, I was wondering why me! I thought I couldn't have been the last person to book, so it doesn't work on a last-in firstout system. From what I can gather, if you pay extra to reserve your seats you should be able to check-in online and all should be fine.

Telephone 01244 571602 email jill@essentialsmag.co.uk Just booking and paying (no matter how far in advance) is not quite good enough it seems. In our case, everyone turned up for the flight and we couldn't get on.

Their policy is then to offer you a replacement route which for us was Gatwick to Seville the following day. I'm sure I don't need to comment on the suitability of the option! Failing that, you get a refund for your flight and some standard compensation, which could fall short of actual costs depending on hotels and hire cars etc.

More to the point, I was amazed that this is legal, as it seems highly unethical and even deceitful - especially as they are not honest and up front about it! The staff at Liverpool airport told me people had been falling victim to this system every other day recently, so it seems that Easyjet’s gambling policy is not working at the moment.

Please take extra care when booking flights; even though not all airlines do this, quite a few do and I'd hate for anyone to have their holiday ruined.

Anyway I'm looking forward to seeing you all while I'm out and about delivering now the days are lighter , longer and warmer.

Who needs Spain!

All the best, Jill

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Wrexham News

WW1 Commemoration Parts of Belle Vue could become Centenary Field for WW1 Commemoration. At its next meeting Wrexham's Executive Board will be asked its views on applying to the Fields in Trust, Centenary Programme, to dedicate an area of Bellevue Park as a Centenary Field commemorating World War One. The Centenary Fields initiative, aims to secure recreational spaces in perpetuity of honour the memory of the millions of people who lost their lives in World War One. The programme encourages landowners to dedicate recreational space as a Centenary Field.

Fields in Trust has established a partnership with the Royal British Legion and have adopted the Centenary Fields as one of three flagship initiatives to commemorate WW1, the other two being a project to protect war graves and the Centenary Poppies Campaign.

The Council is also a signatory of the Armed Forces Community Covenant and the initiative, if agreed, will form part of the Council's commitment to that covenant. In his report report Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for the Environment and Public Protection, supported by Cllr David Griffiths, Armed Forces Champion, explained: "Bellevue Park has been proposed as the site for Wrexham's Centenary Field due to its past links with veterans of the world wars, who have held memorial events in the park over the years. The area is central and easily accessible and there is space to hold memorial events in the future, utilizing the band stand and surround green space. Fields in Trust have also indicated Bellevue park would make a suitable site for the scheme."

If agreed, notice of the council's intention to dispose of council owned land at Bellevue Park will go ahead and any objections will be considered at a future Executive board.

The Trotting Mare Overton on Dee, Wrexham LL13 0LE

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Terry Davies

Meteorite memories Perhaps some readers will remember the old garage that used to be near the St.Martins turning off the old A483 before the new Wrexham to Oswestry by-pass was built? I used to pass by quite frequently, but one day I noticed a large object covered by a tarpaulin on the forecourt. It seemed to be there for ages, so, wondering if there was a motoring story in it, I called in and asked the proprietor, Mr Jerman, what it was.

“It’s a 1924 Meteorite- want to have a look?” I replied “I certainly do!” and he pulled the tarpaulin off to reveal the scant remains of an old car. “It might look a heap of junk, but it is probably the only one of its kind in the world.” he said.

Apparently, Meteorite Motors Ltd. were one of the many companies to get in on the horseless carriage boom before WW1, only to fade into obscurity during the years of depression immediately following it. Formed in 1912, the company produced an 8 h.p. Vtwin J.A.P. engined car as its first venture, but ultimately 10.8 h.p. four cylinder and 20 h.p. six cylinder cars were manufactured. In 1921, Meteorite Motors became Meteorite Cars Ltd., but the change of name did not bring good fortune, for three years later production came to a halt.

This particular model was in very poor shape indeed. The radiator and bonnet were missing; the wings and wheels were badly Before

rusted and the two seater drophead coupe body, with dickey seat by Strachan and Brown ,was very battered indeed. At least the four cylinder Coventry Simplex engine, gearbox and chassis were intact. “Are you REALLY going to restore that rusty heap?” I asked. “Yes, I’ll get around to it some day!” he replied with a smile.

Many years later, I was asked to go and photograph it again, and I was astonished by the transformation from a heap of junk to a rare and gleaming vintage car- as you will see by the attached photographs. I wonder where it is now?

After the garage closed down, Mr Jerman opened a vintage and antique centre in Llangollen, and when I visited it, he had a most interesting item for sale. It was a small piece of aluminium about half an inch square, nailed to the top of a small wooden stand about six inches high. The plaque on the base told that the aluminium was from the German Zeppelin which had been shot down in flames over Potters Bar, London, in 1917. The asking price was too high for the little piece of aluminium, and I seem to remember it being said that lots of other little pieces of aluminium on little stands were sold in the area, that certainly hadn’t come from the Zeppelin, being a nice little earner for the local ‘wide boys’- so I didn’t buy it!

After

Viv Lavis Jones

Gravestones in Bangor Churchyard The chancel of the church was reserved for the burial of the wealthier or prominent members of local society but many of the memorial brasses that record the event have been lost, probably when the chancel underwent one of its many restorations.

Perhaps they may still be behind the later wooden panelling that now lines the walls.

In many parishes people were buried in the nave of the church itself and the inscribed tombstones were inserted into the floor of the aisles. There is no evidence that this took place in Bangor, or if it was no stone now marks the place. The fashion for erecting stone or marble effigies, if indeed they had existed in Bangor, would have been a casualty of the civil war.

Early graves in the churchyard were either unmarked, or were marked with just a simple wooden across until the 17th century when tombstones began to be erected by the better-off inhabitants. In my book A History of Bangor Isycoed I mentioned that the earliest grave that had been identified in a survey made about 2009 was that of Richard Hughes in 1702, aged 29, but whose burial was not recorded in the church register. I have been rereading an earlier survey made in the 1960s by Mrs Sunter Harrison (d 1992), local historian, and found she had recorded the date as 1796.

Over the 50 years since she recorded inscriptions the lettering has obviously become partially eroded resulting in the date being misread. This explains why no corresponding entry was found in the burial records. Using this corrected date an entry has been found for Richard Hughes 'of Pickhill', aged 29, buried March 25th 1796.

This means that his gravestone is now not the earliest that has been identified and this

title should be given to a grave on the south side of the church that bears the inscription September 1718. In both surveys the name of the person interred in this grave was not recorded on the stone or, over time, had become eroded. In the burial register there were only two people interred in that month: Roger ap Edward of Pickhill on 2nd September and Humphrey Jones (clerk) of Bangor on the 24th- the choice is yours!

Mrs Harrison recorded all the information, including funeral verses, for all the occupants of each grave. I have decided to merge the 2 surveys and at the same time check the church burial register to see if there is a matching entry for each name to find any missing information. This will assist the church officials who from time to time are asked to find an ancestor's grave-but it will take time!

People have been saying for years that the churchyard is full but so far no other ground has been identified as suitable for an extension. Perhaps they should bring back the old practice of clearing the graves from time to time and putting the bones into a charnel house and reusing the land for fresh burials. just a thought!

12:35

Page 1

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Wrexham News

Advertisitng Feature

North Wales Prison Construction work on a new prison in North Wales is set to be stepped up after the contract to build it was officially signed.

The Ministry of Justice signed the £156.9m contract with Lend Lease as the project reached its latest key milestone.

The signing of the contract means that construction work can begin in earnest following months of preparatory work that has included levelling the site, erecting the secure perimeter fence and digging foundations for the first houseblock.

Prisons Minister Andrew Selous said: "I'm delighted that the contract has now been signed to signal the start of full construction works in Wrexham.

This prison will be a huge benefit to the estate and North Wales with the project set to boost the regional economy by around £23m a year and create up to 1,000 jobs once operational. Lend Lease have also committed to spend at least £30m with local businesses during construction, and with £1.2m already spent they are currently ahead of their target."

The estimated overall cost of the project is £212m - substantially under the original £250m estimate - and includes a design and construction cost of £156.9m.

The prison will provide around 2,100 Category C places for male offenders from North Wales and North West England, including a small remand function

serving the courts in North Wales. It will include places for education, 12 large workshop spaces, and resettlement functions, helping offenders who will be held closer to home reintegrate into their communities on release.

Lead Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said: “This is excellent news and will see more jobs and opportunities for businesses in Wrexham and the region.”

Wales Office Minister Alun Cairns said: "It's great news for Wrexham and Wales that the prison contract has been signed and construction can now get underway. The prison will give a massive boost to the North Wales economy by creating hundreds of jobs and countless opportunities for local businesses in Wrexham and the surrounding areas. This is a tangible example of the UK government's commitment to ensuring that Wales has world class infrastructure and is part of our long term plan to rebalance the economy. Strong public services need a strong economy."

Last month it was announced that the prison would be operated by HM Prison Service and recruitment for the project director has already begun. The director will work closely with the Welsh Government and the local health board to agree the education and health provision, before taking on the role of Governor as the prison starts taking prisoners from early 2017.

Jennifer Dutton

The Gresford Bell The bell carving at the Cross Tree junction approach to Gresford was eased into position in October 2014, once more making a feature of this gateway to Gresford and historically significant crossroads.

The Cross Tree junction was once the site of a wayside cross, guiding pilgrims towards Gresford Church, though now only the base remains in situ. A magnificent tree then slowly grew as a significant way-mark of the junction giving shelter to those waiting to catch a bus from the stop which was positioned there. This tree had to be removed when it became diseased and Gresford Community Council replaced it with an Oak, which failed to thrive. This was found to be due to gas leaks.

When advised not to replace with another tree the Council decided to investigate an alternative marker for the island, funded by compensation from the gas board.

Meanwhile Gresford Women’s Institute planted and tended seasonal floral displays.

In 2007, a large oak was felled on Old Wrexham Road. When John Dutton, a local farmer, offered to donate part of the trunk, the Council approached Simon O’Rourke (an award-winning chainsaw carver living in Wrexham) to create a sculpture. The brief was to design a simple, solid and unique work of art of relevance to the locality.

John transported the trunk to Simon’s workplace and the design (a bell at an angle with a simple sweeping curve behind it) was approved. The sweeping backdrop is textured, with the bell given an aged brush sanded look. The idea is that the bell is ringing in, or heralding what is to come, a combination of Gresford’s past heritage and forthcoming future.

Planning advice was sought and eventually permission was gained to place the carving on the splitter island. In October 2014, many years after the idea was first discussed the bell was manoeuvred into position on its bobbin, with fresh planting at its base, for all to see.

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Wrexham News

Flagged for Attention St. Mary’s School designs county flag for the town.

A pupil at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School has been chosen as the lucky Wrexham winner of the 2015 Parliament Flag Project.

The entry will join the other 649 flags chosen from schools across the country to represent each constituency in the United Kingdom, as part of the 750 anniversary of the Montfort Parliament, the first of its kind in Britain, which paved the way for the House of Commons.

The winning flag from St Mary’s was designed by Year 5 pupil Alyssa Aranas out of a class of 30 and was impartially chosen by teachers for its representative colours of Wales, daffodils and the W emblem reflecting the symbol of Wrexham County Borough.

Headteacher of St Mary’s, Mrs. K.M. Jones said: “We are so proud to have won such a prestigious competition and are thrilled that Alyssa's flag has been chosen to represent Wrexham in the House of Commons.”

For the first phase of the project, a Primary school (ages 7-11) from each constituency across the UK was invited to submit a flag for the launch of the exhibition. A selection of these flags will also be sewn and flown at special events during the spring and summer of 2015.

The exhibition will be open for submissions until December 2015.

The 2015 Flag Project aims to inspire young people to consider this long history of representation and how they would emblemize their area or community today, by designing a flag to represent their constituency.

For more information please go to: www.parliament.uk

OPEN Good Friday & Bank Holiday Monday 11am - 4pm

Emergency Food

For Local People in Crisis Every day people in the UK go hungry for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. Trussell Trust foodbanks provide a minimum of three days emergency food and support to people experiencing crisis in the UK. Last year the network fed over 900,000 people. So how does a foodbank work?

Food is donated The main way that food is donated is though ‘Supermarket Collections'. These collections engage the public at supermarkets where they are met by volunteers who give them a ‘foodbank shopping list’ and ask them to buy an extra item with their shop, which is then donated to the foodbank. Schools, churches, businesses and individuals also donate nonperishable, in-date food to the foodbank.

All food given out by foodbanks is donated.

Food is sorted and stored Once collected, the food is sorted by volunteers who check it’s in date and pack it into boxes ready to be given to people in need.

Frontline professionals identify people in need Care professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers, Citizens Advice Bureau staff, welfare officers, the police and proabation officers amongst others identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher.

Clients receive food Foodbank clients bring their voucher to a foodbank centre where it can be exchanged for three days supply of emergency food. Volunteers meet clients over a cup of tea or free hot meal and are able to signpost people to agencies able to solve the longer-term problem.

What’s in a foodbox?

Each foodbox contains a minimum of three days nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food.

Get involved Your gifts of time, funds or food can help stop local people going hungry. We could not do it without you. If you would like to help you can either volunteer, donate money, sponsor a parcel, give food, or fundraise. To find out more please visit: www.wrexham.foodbank.org.uk Please bring any food donations to the Foodbank at The Salvation Army, Ark Community Centre, Garden Road, Wrexham LL11 2NU during our opening hours 9:30am - 5pm Monday to Friday.

Wrexham Foodbank Tel: 01978 311076 info@wrexham.foodbank.org.uk

1st

Overton on Dee Blues Roots & Real Ale Festival The Village Hall, Overton on Dee, Wrexham LL13 0EE

May 8th/9th

Friday May 8th, 7pm doors for 8pm THE BLUES DUO (TOMMY ALLEN & JOHNNY HEWITT) HALF DEAF CLATCH

Saturday May 8th, 12.30pm doors for 1pm NEVER THE BRIDE THE PRODUCERS DAVID MIGDEN & THE TWISTED ROOTS 3KINGS BLUE SWAMP STARK HENRI HERBERT JACK BLACKMAN

Limited tickets available so early booking recommended Tickets Weekender £30 Friday £10 Saturday £25 Send cheque made out to OVHMC with SAE to :Overton Blues Festival, Church Cottage, High St, Overton on Dee, Wrexham LL13 0DT For camping and caravan info ring before 9pm 01978 710413 Five food outlets available in village + 12+ real ales and ciders, donation car park available Shuttle service available to outlying B&Bs and Hotels Festival organised by Goin’ Up The Country Blues Club, Worthenbury www.hookerblues.co.uk Info contact: info@overtonvillagehall.co.uk or petevans@btinternet.com

Robina Ahmed

Police Advice The Eastern Community Safety Department of North Wales Police are, from Monday 30th March, trialling in the Wrexham area only, a Temporary Unoccupied Premises Scheme (TUP). This scheme will allow members of the public to notify us when they are away from home, when they are going on holiday, having a short stay in hospital or working away on a temporary basis. This scheme will not be available to temporary void properties, businesses, public buildings, schools, houses of multioccupancy, long term unoccupied properties or empty properties that are being refurbished.

The local PCSO’s usually get this information from residents when they are out and about but this is a bit more formal.

It is a good scheme, so please take the opportunity to use it. You can notify us via email at: easterncommsafety@nthwales.pnn.polic e.uk by writing into: The Community Safety Department, Bodhyfryd, Wrexham, LL12 7BW, or by contacting us by phone on 01978 348697/348840.

You can also visit the front desk at Wrexham Police Station, or simply speaking to your local PCSO. Please do not call the 101 or 999 to inform us of a TUP.

Also whilst on the subject of protecting/watching out for your home I would like to invite everyone to the following event.

WREXHAM CRIME PREVENTION ROADSHOW 2015

With Online Watch Link (OWL) Flintshire & Wrexham Neighbourhood Watch.

This will be held outside Costcutter (Marchwiel Stores), Bangor Road, Marchwiel On Thursday 16th April, between 9:30am - 5:00pm.

Please make an effort to pop in and see us. the Online Watch Link Association (OWL) will have some great advice for you and it’s a really good service to be part of plus it’s FREE to join. They can give you some great security advice and assistance with protecting your home and community.

We are very honoured to get them to Marchwiel as they are only holding five of these Roadshows and we are getting one of them so please come and see us. Also we would like to thank Meg and Pete Lewis at Costcutter for letting us take up part of their car park for this event. See you there.

Lynne Maurice

CONTACT NUMBERS PCSO 0151 Lynne Maurice Blackberry 07854 352 815 PCSO 2858 Phil Jones Mobile 07854 389056 Overton, Hanmer, Bettisfield, Horeseman’s, Green & Penley PCSO 2610 Robina Ahmed Mobile 07854 334279 Cross Lanes, Bangor on Dee, Bronington, Worthenbury & Tallarn Green Overton Police Station 01978 348 425 CALL 101 which is a 24 hour number for non emergency calls ie. threatening and abusive behaviour, drunk and rowdy groups, drug related anti-social behaviour.

essentials MAILBOX Dear Jill, I was interested to read the article by Lynne Maurice regarding dog fouling. I live on the Bangor Road in Cross Lanes and here we have a great problem with horse fouling. The pavement is extremely narrow and the road very busy and it is a real problem when I walk back and to from the bus stop. When I can I try to get a stick and flick it into the undergrowth - if I didn't it would stay there forever.

Walking in the dark is particularly problematic. I have frequently seen riders walking their horses on this stretch of pavement and I think it is very selfish and thoughtless of them to allow their horses to foul the pavement as they do.

I would be very grateful if you could pass this message on to PCSO Maurice and maybe she could mention it in her next article.

I hope I continue to receive copies of Essentials as I enjoy reading it very much.

Jane Roden

Dear local residents Easter Bin and Recycling Collections As the Easter Holidays approach residents in Wrexham are reminded that there will be no changes to the bin or recycling collections due to the bank holidays.

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for the Environment and Public Protection, said: "Please remember to put your bin and recyclables out by 7.30am on Good Friday and Easter Monday. It's easy to forget and then have to wait another two weeks for your bin to be emptied."

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Overton on Dee Twinning Association

Garden Tidy up for Comic Relief Overton on Dee Twinning Association killed two birds with one stone on Saturday 14 March when they helped the local Bowling Club tidy up their garden ready for the new season (which begins on Saturday 29 March - new members welcome!) and raised cash for Comic Relief by sporting silly hats and serving tea and cakes in the pavillion.

The weather was kind for the time of year and the job was done in two hours,

confirming the adage “Many hands make light work”. £220 was raised for Comic Relief, so a grand Merci to all who participated.

The Twinning Association is open to everyone in the Village, young and old, and holds various events to help cover the costs of entertaining visitors from La Murette in August. What an opportunity for students to improve their French!

£220 Raised!

Prestigious Award

For Rossett House Nursery Rossett House Nursery has added to its multitude of awards by becoming the first Day Nursery in the County to receive the prestigious Healthy and Sustainable Pre-School Scheme National Award from Welsh Government. The Healthy and Sustainable Pre School Scheme operates across Wales and it is managed by Public Health Wales and supported locally by the Wrexham County Borough Council’s Healthy Schools Team.

By achieving the award Rossett House have successfully demonstrated that they have implemented actions that have covered a wide range of health issues including, Nutrition and Oral Health, Physical Activity/Active Play, Mental and Emotional Health, Well-being and Relationships, Environment, Safety, Hygiene and Workplace Health and Well-being.

As well as focusing on these health areas they have also achieved the ‘Tiny Tums Award’ in recognition of the food that is served at the setting and the Gold Standard Small Workplace Health Award which shows they take staff health and well-being as a priority. They have a fantastic outdoor space for children to play and learn as well as high standards for safety and hygiene.

Nerys Bennion, Healthy Pre Schools Officer for Wrexham County Borough Council said:

“Rossett House Day Nursery has shown that the general health and well-being of children and staff is at the forefront of the setting. The environment of the setting is outstanding both indoors and outdoors. They embrace all initiatives that can help to influence practice in the setting and make the experience for staff and children extra special. I am sure they will continue to promote a healthy and happy environment for the children that pass through their care in the future.”

Cllr Michael Williams, Lead Member for Children’s Services and Education said: “It is wonderful to have the first nursery, of what I hope will be one of many in Wrexham, receive this national award.

The effort staff have put into encouraging child nutrition, well-being and fitness is outstanding and it is fantastic to see Rossett House Nursery’s efforts being officially recognised.”

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Advertising feature

A Matter of Trust Since we wrote last month we have had the Budget and by next month the General Election will be history.

We plan to write more when things have settled down a bit on both areas.

Today, let's take a look at the subject of Trusts.

First the basics. Any adult can set up a Trust (providing they have mental capacity) to in effect ensure that certain assets are handled as they would wish them to be during their lifetime or after their death.

The parties to a Trust are - the Settlor (who is the person setting it up and usually owns the asset), the Trustees who will look after the Trust (and usually includes the Settlor) and the Beneficiaries - who will one day receive the benefit of the Trust.

Here are a few examples - and a comment on the benefits of each; 1) Dave and Danielle - have each taken out a life policy to protect their young family, which would pay out a lump sum if either of them were to pass away. The policies are held in a

simple trust to ensure that funds would be quickly available for the family without the need for Probate and without forming part of their estate for tax purposes. They have also decided who their Trustees would be to look after the funds for their children for both policies, should they both pass away. (How many readers have life policies which are not held in Trust?).

2) Walter, who was widowed, has recently remarried. He has created a Will Property Trust which allows his second wife Theresa to live in his property for the rest of her life in the event of his death. On Theresa's death (or if she went into care) the property would thereafter be owned

by Walter's own children.

3) Bob and Rita have built up substantial funds, saving and investing effectively over many years. Bob has a big salary and has decided to protect his employers Death In Service cover by using an Asset Preservation Trust.

If Bob were to die, the pension trustees would pay the lump sum due into the trust for Rita to use as she wished. Importantly this stops the

funds becoming part of Rita's estate where they could be subject to Inheritance Tax at 40% in years to come.

The above are just the basics of a few popular trusts. There are many more including arrangements that allow you to put investments into Trusts for your chosen beneficiaries now and keep the income they generate during your lifetime, safe in the knowledge that you know who will one day benefit from your planning.

Lastly, a word about Discretionary Trusts and Absolute Trusts.

Discretionary Trusts allow the Settlor to choose Trustees at the outset and amend them as you see fit as time

goes by. You can also add or remove beneficiaries giving you good control during your lifetime.

An Absolute Trust is very different.

Once you choose beneficiaries - they cannot be changed. Not seen as often - but occasionally useful to provide for children/grandchildren that you wish to be the only potential beneficiaries of the asset in question.

We are very happy to discuss your particular needs and how one of the wide range of Trusts available can make a very real difference to your future planning. If you would like to spend an hour or so considering your options please do call or email to arrange a meeting.

Advertising feature

Abbeyfield Society Sheltered Homes Major Richard Carr-Gomm gave up his brilliant army career to work as an unpaid home help in a run-down part of south London where his family owned property.

The much-decorated soldier regarded scrubbing floors and washing up as the most worthwhile thing he had ever done because it brought companionship to the lonely. It was the loneliness of the elderly that struck him most forcibly – and the paralysing apathy that went with it.

“Going in to clean, he realised that he might be the only human being an elderly person would see all week,” says his daughter, Elizabeth Parker,.

At the end of 1955, Carr-Gomm used his £250 army gratuity to put a deposit on a tatty two-up two-down in Eugenia Road in Lewisham. He did it up and invited four lonely pensioners to share it with him.

‘The Scrubbing Major,’ as he became known, slept on a camp bed and furnished his own room with orange boxes. Acting as housekeeper, he provided shelter and companionship and two hot meals a day.

Within two years, he had opened five more sheltered houses and so formed the Abbeyfield Society. Today the charity provides supported and sheltered housing in more than 500 homes all inspired by Carr-Gomm’s original vision.

th 13th & 14

May

15pm 3.1 15-3 2.1

King’s Infant School

Discovery Afternoons

Colour their lives forever orever

Colour their lives forever...

We’d like to invite you with open arms to take a look around King’s. Here you’ll uncover a vibrant, academic environment for girls and boys with distinctly separate schools for Infant, Junior and Senior pupils. A nurturing approach and stimulating curriculum will combine to develop and enrich your child’s life forever.

www.kingschester.co.uk

#KingsChester

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Ages 7-11

Ages 11-16

Junior Discovery Days

Year 5 Discovery Days

8th and 15th May

2nd and 3rd July

We are proud to show parents and potential students around King’s, any time.

To book a place or register your interest, please call

01244 689 553 or email: admissions@kingschester.co.uk

Local Athlete

George Morris Local athlete named in Commonwealth Games squad.

George Morris, a young fencer from Gresford, has been selected to compete for Wales in the Commonwealth Games to be held in Cape Town South Africa, July this year.

Because of his outstanding results on the British rankings this season he will compete in his age group of under 17 and the higher age group of under 20.

Since starting fencing at the age of nine George has gained titles including Welsh Youth champion, Elite Epee champion, Leon Paul champion and British under seventeen champion. He has represented Wales twice at the UK school Games achieving medal places on both occasions and represented Great Britain in Bonn, Copenhagen, Bratislavia and Slovinia during the past two years. He has also achieved a place on the British Fencing Talent Pathway scheme, training for future Olympics.

“With the support of my coach, family and school, my training is homed to bring back a medal from South Africa, this competition will give me a great understanding and experience for future events and be part of my ambition for the Olympics�.

Name of athlete: Age of athlete:

Sport:

George Morris 17 Fencing

From 19th March - 30th April 2015

2 COURSE LUNCHES Québec & Its Wildlife 8 Day Self Drive Tour Your Québec & Its Wildlife Tour includes:

Flights, 7 nights in Québec, car hire and sightseeing

from only £1399 Prices per person based on 2 sharing.

• RETURN FLIGHTS - MANCHESTER TO MONTRÉAL • 7 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION INCLUDING 2 NIGHTS AT SACACOMIE LODGE • STAYS IN QUÉBEC CITY & MONTRÉAL • 8 DAYS INTERMEDIATE CAR HIRE • WHALE WATCHING CRUISE ON SAGUENAY FJORD

Monday - Friday, 12noon - 2.30pm Choose from a selection of homemade dishes using local ingredients where possible

£9.95

Full menu also available.

SUNDAY LUNCHES Enjoy Sundays at The Inn at The Lanes with roasts from the carvery 12 noon - 2.30pm

£11.95 Children under 12 half price BEST WESTERN Cross Lanes Country Hotel, Bangor Road, Wrexham

Tel: 01978 780555 www.bw-crosslaneshotel.co.uk

Theatre

Overton Amateur Dramatic Society

See How They Run...

A Farce by Philip King

OVERTON AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY Friday 1st May & Saturday 2nd May In the Village Hall Curtain up 7.30pm

Ticket ÂŁ5 available on the door The Rev. Lionel Toop's wife, Penelope, is an ex-actress.

While Lionel is away Clive, a actor friend, calls. He invites Penelope to dine in town which is out of bound's to servicemen. He dresses in Lionel's blacks.

Miss Skillon, a parishioner, sees the couple repeating one of their theatrical scenes and draws the wrong conclusion. Matters become highly complicated when Lionel arrives, followed by the Bishop of Lax and a German POW disguised as a vicar!

essentials

NOTICEBOARD E

GO MILY BIN A F R E T S A ily

ll the fam Fun for a m March, 7p ll 0 Friday 2 Ha e g la il V e n De Bangor O 3 £ ts TICKETS freshmen t card & re rs fi e th s Include sket Shop om The Ba 78 780735 fr le b a il Ava , Tel 019 rian Neale or from B in aid of Proceeds d’s church St Dunaw

ST DUNAWD'S CHURCH PRESENT A CONCERT FEATURING: Sant Dunawd's School Choir & Madras ( Penley) community Choir & soloists Friday 24 April, 7.15pm

Tickets £5 Available from Brian Neale, Tel 01978 780735 or from the basket shop in the high street

Bangor on Dee Bowling Club We are a very friendly club and would welcome new members.

We play on Tuesday afternoons in the Wrexham Veterans League and Wednesday afternoons in the Malpas Senior League, plus plenty of social bowling.

For further information contact:Sylvia Longson Tel:- 01978 262641 We look forward to hearing from you.

UPVC White Conservatory for sale - £800 at Bangor on Dee Village Hall Saturday 9th May 10am-12pm

10ft x 10ft approx. dome shaped, good condition, buyer to take down. call richard on: 07580 077099

Toy sale and stalls Entry £1

Tallarn Green Methodist Church

Coffee Morning

FASHION SHOW on Friday 17th April at 7.30pm at the Madras School, Penley Sponsored by M&Co, Whitchurch Tickets £6.00 include a glass of wine and snacks To reserve tickets contact Phyllis 01948 830258 or Viv 01948 830483 Proceeds to Penley Church

AFTERNOON TEA with music by a Madras School Choir Sunday 10 May 3pm Penley Village Hall Tea, coffee and home-made cakes, sandwiches and savouries Tickets £5.00 to reserve contact Phyllis 01948 830258 or Viv 01948 830483 Proceeds to Penley Church

Tallarn Green Methodist Church will open the Church on Wednesday 1st April, from 10am - 12noon, for a time of private prayer, and we invite you to come along, to join in this fellowship.

------------------------------The Good Friday service will be at 7pm led by Rev. Rob Weir, followed by hotcross buns and tea.

------------------------------On Easter Sunday, we have one service only, when we invite everyone to come to hear Rev. David Hudson, past Minister of this Church, the service will include Holy Communion.

------------------------------The Youth Club meet on a Friday night from 6pm - 8pm admission £1, and we invite young people to come along, a varied programme and summer events are being arranged.

------------------------------The recent Quiz raised £456.

------------------------------Worthenbury W.I. An Open Meeting will be held on Tuesday 14th April at 7.15pm when Diane Beard will talk about her Great British Bake Off experience. Visitors £5 incl. refreshments. Just come along for a good evening.

"There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all."

Jacqueline Kennedy For further details and availability call CATRIN or BECCA on 01978 314912, littlescholars@activechildcare.co.uk Little Scholars Day Nursery The Centre for the Child Glynd Ĺľ r University Mold Road Wrexham LL11 2AW