EssentialsMAG August 2023 – South Wrexham Magazine

Welcome...

Cover Image: Summer holiday illustration

September Deadlines: Editorial - 10th August

Advertising -17th August

With the arrival of warm weather and a break from daily school routines, the summer school holidays offer a much-needed opportunity for relaxation, exploration, and quality time together. It’s also a time to relish in the wonders that our community has to offer.

In these pages, we showcase the local events, festivals, and outdoor activities that bring our community together, encouraging you to embrace the warm weather and make lasting memories.

Our food section explores the abundance of fresh produce that graces our tables during August. From succulent berries and stone fruits, to vibrant vegetables and fragrant herbs, our local farm shops and markets are teeming with ingredients that inspire mouth-watering summer recipes.

Finally, we extend our gratitude to you, our loyal readers, for your unwavering support and for being an integral part of our local magazine. We hope that this August edition brings joy, inspiration, and a deeper connection to our community and the incredible season we find ourselves in.

Wishing you a memorable August!

All the best, Vicky Heathfield

EMAIL: vicky@essentialsmag.co.uk

CALL: 01978 855459

www.essentialsmag.co.uk

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Green Flag Accolade

Nine areas in Wrexham have retained their Green Flag Status – the international mark of a quality park or green space. Flags are awarded for areas that have excellent visitor facilities, high environmental standards and a commitment to deliver quality green space.

Acton Park, Alyn Waters Country Park, Bellevue Park, Ponciau Banks Park, Tŷ Mawr Country Park and Wrexham Cemetery, were awarded, along with volunteer-run Green Flag Community Award winners, Chirk Station, Maes Y Pant and Plas Pentwyn.

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Environment, said, “It’s once again a pleasure the hear this news and thanks must go to the staff and volunteers who are committed to ensuring the quality of our green spaces remains of a high quality. Our parks and open spaces continue to be valuable areas of natural beauty and we are committed to protect and maintain them to ensure residents and visitors can use them as places to relax and exercise.”

Now in its third decade, the Green Flag Award recognises well-managed parks and green spaces in 20 countries around the world. For details visit: www.greenflagaward.org

Become a Wrexham Ambassador!

Are you passionate about our city? Clued up about everything Wrexham county has to offer? Then you might be interested in becoming a Wrexham Tourism Ambassador. Enhance your knowledge of the tourism offer in the whole of the borough – from Rossett in the north to Llanarmon DC in the south. You’ll discover more about our diverse culture, history, tourism offering and what makes us that extra bit special!

The scheme was originally developed to support tourism businesses and providers in ensuring their staff have all the local knowledge to hand to help visitors make the most of their time in Wales. But it’s interesting and useful to residents and visitors alike as well.

The first three modules are now live – take a look and see if there’s still more you can learn about our wonderful county!

Visit: www.ambassador.wales/ambassador-courses/wrexham-ambassador-course

Wrexham Launches Tourism Brochure

In a bid to attract international visitors and locals alike, Wrexham County Borough Council (WCBC) Tourism department has proudly revealed a brand new tourism brochure. The brochure serves as a gateway to the city's best-kept secrets and must-see attractions. Joe Bickerton (of WCBC) told us: “Fuelled by demand, we are delighted to take delivery of our new Wrexham tourism brochure! Ahead of what promises to be a buoyant period in our history, material like this, complementing our socials and wider work, will hopefully increase length of stays and awareness of what the County has to offer. Huge thanks to all of our partners in helping make this happen - in particular Vicky Heathfield and Clara Hughes for copywriting and design.”

Copies are available at the Wrexham Visitor Information Centre and most tourism-related businesses around the County. You can also read the brochure online: English version: https://bit.ly/3Dt5I6U / Welsh version: https://bit.ly/44YIwZL

Professional Musical Director required for Brymbo Male Choir

Brymbo Male Choir are seeking applications for the position of Musical Director, who can take them into the next phase of their development and fulfil current commitments. This is a part-time position with good remuneration, offering flexibility & camaraderie. Apply in the first instance to: miket2540@gmail.com or call: 07775 996088

Penley Village Hall Needs Your Help

Penley Village Hall is a fully-licensed space, which can be booked for private events, such as parties, weddings and functions. Run by a dedicated committee, they have a couple roles available to help with the organising and upkeep of the hall.

• Committee Role: Join and support present members with organising events, fundraising, decision making, etc.

• Helper Role (Non-Committee): Adhoc help at events and/or to help maintain the hall.

If you can spare some time, and are interested in helping, please contact: penleyvillagehall@gmail.com

Flower Remedies Animals & Change

By MELANIE BURGESS

Change can be difficult for both animals and their people to process and cope with, especially if that change involves moving to a new home, losing a companion or leaving one family to join another family. As always, when we are talking about our emotions, Bach flower remedies are on hand to help.

A puppy or kitten going to their new home, or an animal that is being rehomed, is a huge and unsettling change in their life with lots of new things to get used to.

Recently, we got a new puppy and it has been a big change for all of us. It has been 15 years since we last had a pup!

For our puppy, as soon as she came home on that first night, she had remedies added to her water – Rescue Remedy for the trauma of leaving her old family, Walnut to help her to adapt to a change, Mimulus as she was likely to be feeling scared, Larch for confidence and Elm to help with sensory overload so she didn’t feel overwhelmed.

She settled in no time at all and has become an integral part of the family - she is a gorgeous little tinker!

Another change our pets may have to face is the death of their owner or animal companion, or if their ‘person’ goes away, perhaps to University, resulting in feelings of extreme grief.

They are left feeling lonely and vulnerable, creating an enormous amount of stress and extreme emotions. Star of Bethlehem will help to recover from the shock and trauma of loss, Gorse will help brighten an animal that is very depressed or heartbroken, Sweet Chestnut for the mental anguish, Wild Rose to restore the will to live, and Walnut to help them to adapt to such a major change.

Even just moving into a new house, or a change of furniture or carpets can upset, or unsettle our animals. Walnut is always my ‘go to’ remedy for change, and helps to give them strength and resilience to move forward and be happy and settled again. With the correctly chosen remedies, the help they can provide, especially for animals, is quite astounding. There are 38 to choose from and as they can be used in combination, Bach Flower Remedies are there to support any emotional challenges faced by anybody - animal or person.

For more details, contact Melanie Burgess at Daisy Holistics Tel: 07970 758811

E: daisyholistics@gmail.com Facebook: @daisyholistics

Trauma and PTSD

By EMMA GOUGH, Mindkey Therapy

Fifty percent of people will at some point in their life experience trauma, 20% of those will go on to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A traumatic event is anything that is distressing or upsetting. Events can include (but is not limited to) actual or threatened death, serious injury, accidents, disasters or being hurt by others.

PTSD can develop after exposure to a single traumatic event, or because of exposure to prolonged and repeated traumatic events. It’s normal to have strong emotions in response to trauma and to feel overwhelmed with anxiety and depression. Everyone responds in different ways, and we all have different capacities to cope.

Some of the most common reactions to trauma can include:

Re-experiencing – such as dreams, nightmares, flashbacks or physical reactions that mimic what we felt at the time. Our senses can re-experience trauma too (smell, sight, sound, taste, touch).

Hyper arousal – feelings of being on edge, on guard, jumpy, easily startled, poor sleep, poor concentration, restlessness.

Avoidance – an understandable reaction to coping with pain and distress. You may be avoiding people, places, situations, objects, or certain activities.

Changes in beliefs – about yourself, other people or how you view the world. This is common when traumas have been sustained – you may now think the world is unsafe, or blame yourself. Often, people are left with persistent beliefs of low selfworth, hopelessness and are unable to regulate their emotions. You may be unable to feel close to others and find it difficult to form and maintain relationships.

Strong emotions - if the trauma experienced has been prolonged and repeated, you may be left with strong emotions, such as shame, guilt, anger, or complex grief.

In time, many people recover from their experiences. For others, the impact of trauma can last and develop into PTSD.

CBT, EMDR, and Narrative Exposure Therapy are all treatments that can help. These treatments all involve talking about what happened, making sense of what happened, reducing the avoidance and overwhelming emotions, helping you to reclaim your life.

There is hope. You hold the key to your mind.

By Emma Gough from Mindkey Therapy Tel: 07487 373628 emma@mindkeytherapy.co.uk

Why Can’t You Lose Weight?

By CAT WILLIAMS

“If I lose weight I put it all straight back on again.”

“I can’t stop eating the wrong things when I’m emotional or tired.”

Does this sound familiar?

Our brains are complex. We actually have around 70,000 thoughts a day but 95% of these come from our subconscious mind which is using information that was programmed into us as youngsters. This is what often lies at the root cause of our emotions or poor eating habits.

The good news is help is at hand. I’m a Clinical Hypnotherapist specialising in Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT). Read on to learn three simple ways that RTT can change your thought patterns and help you to live a long-term healthier lifestyle.

Learn to “switch off” your interest in certain foods

A few weeks ago I had a client who said she was “addicted” to junk food. During the session we uncovered the root-cause of her habit and “updated” her neural programming so that she could re-install the healthy habits she’d had as a teenager. The client now can’t stand the thought of certain junk foods and happily hasn’t eaten them since!

Become motivated to exercise

As young children we are hard-wired to move and play and run around.

This instinct can dim over time, but it doesn’t need to! A recent client has returned to swimming, dancing and hoola hooping and she feels so much healthier, lighter and happier because she’s using her body to have fun again!

Uncover the root cause

Our subconscious mind only has one job, which is to keep us safe and alive, so it is always “acting in our best interests” even when we don’t feel like it is!

As children, food can be one of very few things we can “control” and so the rootcause of over-eating, sugar addiction, under-eating, bingeing, being secretive about food, craving or disliking certain foods etc is rooted in our childhood experiences. Especially if we experience a chaotic, sad or traumatic childhood in some way.

Once my clients have understood the relationship they formed with food and eating as a young child, they can set themselves free from old “out of date” habits that are just not relevant any more.

Cat Williams is our mental health contributor Speaker - Psychotherapist and Confidence Expert

Dates for your Diary

EVERY WEDNESDAY

Darland Badminton Club

Sports Hall, Darland

High School, Chester Rd, Rossett LL12 0DL

We welcome players of all abilities. Just turn up.

7:30pm

£2.50

Tel: 07881 455581 (Jean)

5 - 6 AUGUST

Darganfod/Discover

Chester Street, Wrexham

Xplore! and Tŷ Pawb are working together to put on a fantastic festival of science and art for the city.

9:30am - 4:30pm

£9.50/Free under 4s

www.darganfod-discover.com

5 - 6 AUGUST

Rushbearing Weekend

St Chad's Church, Bridge Street, Holt LL13 9JP

Come and explore the medieval Church, examine old records, and climb the tower. Free refreshments.

10am - 4pm (3;30pm Sunday) Free (donations welcome)

EVERY SUNDAY

Wrexham Car Boot

Penyllan Farm, Wrexham Road, Marchwiel, Wrexham LL13 0PF

Plenty of room, £5 a pitch.

5:30am - 1pm

THUR 10 AUGUST

Kids Summer Dance Workshop

Penley Village Hall, Penley LL13 0NH

Mix of Commercial, Latin & Street with Chloe Hewitt.

5-6pm / Reception - Year 3

6-7pm / Year 4 - Year 6

£5pp

chloehewitt27@hotmail.com

11 - 13 AUGUST

Summer Craft & Gift Fair

Bellis Brothers Garden Centre, Holt LL13 9YU

A selection of quality crafts, art and gift ware.

10am - 4pm Free

11 - 14 AUGUST

Deva Fest 23

Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire SY14 8AH

Family friendly music and food festival.

£44.50 Adult/£19.50 Child www.devafest.co.uk

SAT 12 AUGUST

Llanarmon-Yn-Ial Show

The Park, Gelli Gynan Hall, Llandegla

Great family day out, shows, stalls, food and car boot sale.

9am - 4pm Free (donations welcome) @llanarmonynialshow

SAT 12 AUGUST

Wrexham Street Market

Henblas Street, Wrexham LL13 8AD

Second Saturday of every month - produce and crafts from local traders.

9:30am - 4:30pm Free

SAT 12 AUGUST

Chester Town Hall Tour

Chester Town Hall, 33 Northgate Street, Chester CH1 2HQ

Chester Town Hall is a designated Grade II listed building in the heart of the city. Guided tours at 11:00/13:30/15:30.

£9.50 Adults/Free under 16s

12 - 28 AUGUST

Gresford and Marford

Scarecrow Trail

Gresford and Marford

Trail maps are available from Gresford Spar, Marford Co-op, Gresford Newsagents, and the Community Library.

£1 per map

SAT 19 AUGUST

Chester Pride

Castle Street, Chester

A celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. Parade starts 12pm

www.chesterpride.co.uk

SAT 26 AUGUST

Annual Flower Show

Darland High School, Chester Road, Rossett LL12 0DL

The BRHS Annual Flower Show - the archetypal British summer event! Fun for all the family.

1pm - 4:30pm Free

www.brhs.org.uk

SAT 26 AUGUST

Rossett Dog Show

Darland High School, Chester Road, Rossett LL12 0DL

In conjunction with the BRHS Annual Flower Show! Prizes up for grabs in the different classes and demos from the ‘That Dog’ team.

1pm Free

Tel: 07702 068932 (Jayde)

SUN 27 AUGUST

Bersham Colliery

Open Day

Bersham Colliery, Colliery Road, Rhostyllen LL14 4EG

Bersham Colliery Open Day - bring the family. It is an industrial site, so sensible shoes and clothing are a must. Free parking.

10am - 4pm Free

northwalesminers@gmail.com

For a comprehensive list of local events, shows, groups and classes please visit: essentialsmag.co.uk/whats-on

SUN 27 AUGUST

Eaton Hall Gardens

Charity Open Day

Eaton Hall, Eccleston, Chester CH4 9ET

Explore the beautiful gardens at Eaton Hall.

10:15am - 5pm £11.98 Adult/£3.76 Child

https://bit.ly/3MQO7vA

MON 28 AUGUST

Llay Gardening Society

Annual Show

Llay Miners Welfare Institute, The Ring, Llay, Wrexham LL12 0TH

Vegetable and plant exhibits, floral displays, craft stalls, jams and cakes.

2pm - 4:30pm

cbaugh1954@icloud.com

SAT 2 SEPTEMBER

Overton Village 51st

Open Produce Show

Overton Village Hall, Overton LL13 0EE

Classes for vegetables, fruit, blooms, eggs, plants, cookery, preserves, beverages, photography. Open to the public 2.30pm overtonoracle.weebly.com

SUN 3 SEPTEMBER

Marchwiel Church Open Day & Children’s Games

Marchwiel Church, Station Road, Marchwiel, Wrexham LL13 0RT

Various outdoor stalls and refreshments available.

11:30am - 3pm Free (donations welcome)

SUN 3 SEPTEMBER

Gresford and Marford

Picnic in the Park and Summer Artisan Market

Gresford Trust Memorial, Gresford, LL12 8PS

An afternoon of fun for all the family - artisan market, dog show, yummy food, displays, local groups and charities. Bring a picnic!

12pm - 4pm Free

While every effort has been made to ensure all the details are correct at the time of going to print, it is advisable to check details with the venue concerned.

The

Soapbox Derby

Join us once again for the fun fundraising event of the year - the Farndon Soapbox Derby, on Sunday 17th September 2023.

Everyone is invited to enjoy Farndon’s very own Whacky Races! Another spectacular day of fun and laughter is nearly upon us. Please come along as we attempt to raise as much money as we can for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd (HOGS) and needy local village causes!

Last year, the Farndon Soapbox Derby proved to be a phenomenal success and was enjoyed by thousands of people who lined the streets to show their support for our now legendary fundraising event. We are so proud that the event raised over £26,000 for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd and also supported local community initiatives with generous donations being presented to the Farndon Memorial Hall, Farndon Primary School, Holt CP Primary School and the Chester Food Bank. This year, with your help, we aim to double our fundraising efforts.

As we go to press, we have over 35 confirmed racing karts and are once again being supported by our generous platinum sponsor, Gittins and Co Wealth Management, along with Aaron and Partners Solicitors, Daulby Read Insurance, Kenny Moore and Rickitt Partnership Estate Agents.

The event will be even bigger and better this year with live music, entertainment and a wide variety of food and refreshments to suit every taste available on the Farndon Primary school field.

Once again, the Soapbox event will bring a real party atmosphere to the village to be enjoyed by all the family. So please do come along to support us - and don’t forget to bring along lots of spare change!

This incredible event has been pulled together by a group of Farndon and Holt residents and businesses supported by the HOGS Fundraising Team who really want the villages to have something special to celebrate that shows true community spirit. HOGS told us: “To raise over £26,000 for the hospice of the good shepherd was absolutely incredible but to see so many people having so much fun and coming together as a community was just phenomenal.”

We are still looking for volunteers who would like to give a couple of hours of their spare time either on the day to help set up the track and then to take it down again at the end of the day, or help steward our car parks. Please do get in touch if you can help! It’s also not too late to join in the fun if you are a local business or entrepreneur able to sponsor or help our kart teams raise money. Please get in touch!

For more information and to find out how this event may affect you if you are a local resident living in Farndon and Holt, please visit the website: www.farndonsoapboxderby.co.uk check out our Facebook Page @farndonsoapboxderby or get in touch with the team directly getinvolved@farndonsoapboxderby.co.uk

The Holly Bush Afternoon Music Sessions

SATURDAY 5th

Elie

SATURDAY 12th AUGUST

Salty Hog

SATURDAY 19th AUGUST

Fat Man & Little Boy

SATURDAY 26th AUGUST

Lady & The Tramps

By JOE BICKERTON, Tourism Manager, Wrexham County Borough Council

As we head into the peak summer period, there are a number of exciting activities going on around the County in the coming weeks. To help raise awareness of things to do in the area, we now have a brand new tourism brochure which is full of ideas and inspiration! We know that there’s more and more national and international tourism coming into Wrexham at the moment, and this will no doubt continue in the coming months, especially as season two of the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ docu-series is due back on our TVs from 12th September. Therefore, we need to continually keep aiming to increase the awareness of what's on offer across the whole area to complement the football offering.

‘This is Wrexham’ tourism brochure is available in print from the Wrexham Visitor Information Centre, and will soon be at most tourism-related businesses around the County. You can also find it online at:

English version: https://bit.ly/3Dt5I6U

Welsh version: https://bit.ly/44YIwZL

Chirk Castle

Always a family favourite during the summer holidays, there’s even more excitement and adventure to be had a Chirk Castle this August, in the form of a huge straw bale castle!

Costing just £1 to play on all day – the National Trust have designed this with family days out in mind… and, having had a preview, I wish I was 10 again as it looks great fun! Within the straw fortress lie four unique play zones where you can discover different ways to play, be active, engage your senses and have fun. The straw castle (next to the car park) is open throughout the school holidays each day.

Tŷ Pawb

Tŷ Pawb’s gallery has been transformed into an evolving film set where children can work alongside artists, filmmakers and play workers to explore play in Wrexham, and create an epic feature length film. Anyone is welcome to get involved, either starring in front of the camera, or staying behind the scenes. The film will premiere at a red carpet event at Wrexham Odeon later in the year.

Finally, we’re gearing up for the Tour of Britain cycle race finish in Wrexham city centre on Monday 4th September. Throughout the day, there’ll be free activities and entertainment – with a sprint finish along Chester Street with the world’s best cyclists later that afternoon.

Have a great summer everyone, and for ideas and inspiration for things to do, check out: www.thisiswrexham.co.uk

By Joe Bickerton, Tourism Manager at Wrexham County Borough Council T. 01978 292015 www.thisiswrexham.co.uk

Gardening Tips and Advice

August - Sultry Late Summer

August is usually one of the hottest months of the year - making watering essential. Try to use grey water wherever possible, especially as water butts may be running low if it has been a dry summer. August is traditionally holiday-time, so you might need to enlist the help of friends and family to look after the garden while you are away. When you are at home, take the time to prune Wisteria and summer-flowering shrubs such as lavender, once they've finished flowering.

TOP 10 JOBS TO DO IN THE GARDEN THIS MONTH

1. Prune Wisteria.

2. Don’t delay summer pruning fruits trained as restricted forms.

3. Deadhead flowering plants regularly.

4. Water! Particularly containers, and new plants, preferably with grey recycled water or stored rainwater.

5. Collect seed from garden plants.

6. Harvest sweetcorn and other vegetables as they become ready.

7. Continue cutting out old fruited canes on raspberries.

8. Lift and pot up rooted strawberry runners.

9. Keep ponds and water features topped up.

10. Feed the soil with green manures.

The Fascinating World of Marketing

By JULIE GREGORY

I have always found the world of marketing to be fascinating. Hence I have made a career out of it!

Marketing has existed for centuries, but the first planned marketing dates back to the 1920s. In those days, "marketing" was synonymous with advertising, and companies spent the majority of their budgets on newspaper ads, radio spots and billboards.

In the decades since we, as marketers, have learned that advertising isn't enough to build a successful business. Today's marketers must also learn how to use social media, create compelling content and develop products that customers want to buy.

Marketing is a field that spans many disciplines: psychology, sociology and economics are just some of the areas that overlap with marketing. Some people even consider it an art form — after all, it's not enough to know what will sell; we have to make it resonate with our audience in a way that makes them take action.

To do this, we need to know who our audience is, ie. how do they behave? Where do they live? What does their lifestyle look like? What makes them tick?

We then need to work out the most effective method of grabbing them with the right message at the right time via the right media. If we get it right, we see an increase in the number of enquiries received; how many more people physically visit a store; how many more hits a website receives and of course, an increase in sales – of products and/or services.

As we all know, the world of marketing never stands still. There is always something new on the horizon which makes our industry, and the opportunities and platforms available to us, very exciting.

The new addition of Threads by Instagram is the latest app to be aware of. It is still being rolled out but basically, it can be used to post ‘threads’ of conversations, reply to other threads and follow profiles that you may be interested in. In turn, others can follow you, reply to your threads and encourage discussion.

As always, watch this space for more updates in the ever-changing world of marketing!

Spinach & Courgette Lasagne

Enjoy a vegetarian lasagne bursting with spinach and courgette, held together with a creamy mascarpone sauce. It's a delicious filling midweek meal for all the family.

INGREDIENTS

400g spinach

1 tbsp olive oil

2 garlic cloves, crushed

250g mascarpone

1 tsp ground nutmeg

100g parmesan, grated

9 lasagne sheets

100ml double cream

3 large courgettes, sliced lengthways

METHOD

SERVES 6

Pour boiling water over the spinach in a sieve or colander to wilt it. Leave until cool enough to handle, then squeeze out any excess liquid.

Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat, add the garlic and soften for 1 minute. Tip in the nutmeg and cook for 1 minute more, then add the mascarpone, spinach, half the cream and half the parmesan. Season generously, stir well and set aside.

Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.

Spread a third of the filling over the base of a 20 x 30cm baking dish, cover with 3 lasagne sheets, then add a layer of courgettes. Repeat twice more. Pour the remaining cream over the final layer and sprinkle over the remaining parmesan.

Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling and the pasta has no resistance when you push a skewer through. Rest for 5 minutes, then serve.

Seasonal Treats in August

August is a delightful month when the bounties of nature flourish, offering an array of fresh and vibrant produce. As summer reaches its peak, here's a glimpse of the abundance of fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are in season.

Berries

Fruits take centre stage during August. Berries are in their prime, with juicy strawberries adorning desserts and indulging taste buds. Raspberries and blackberries are also abundant, providing a delightful balance of tartness and sweetness. They can be enjoyed fresh, added to summer salads, or transformed into jams and preserves.

Stone fruits such as peaches, nectarines, and plums come into their own. These juicy fruits are perfect for enjoying on their own or incorporating into desserts, fruit salads, or savoury dishes like grilled peach salads. Apples and pears start to make their appearance, showcasing a range of varieties that vary in taste and texture.

Vegetables

Fresh peas, both garden peas and sugar snap peas, are at their peak, providing a delightful burst of sweetness. They can be enjoyed raw, steamed, or incorporated into salads, pasta dishes, or risottos. Courgettes are abundant too, offering versatility in the kitchen. They can be spiralized, grilled, roasted, or added to stir-fries, soups, and stews.

Leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach, and rocket provide the perfect base for summer salads. Sweetcorn is at its best

during August, with its plump kernels offering a burst of sweetness. It can be enjoyed grilled, boiled, or added to salads or salsas.

Herbs

Herbs also play a prominent role in August's culinary offerings. Fragrant basil is an essential ingredient in Caprese salads, pesto, and pasta dishes. Mint lends its’ refreshing flavour to beverages, desserts, and savoury dishes like lamb or couscous.

As summer progresses, August offers an assortment of delicious and refreshing foods in the UK. Whether you're enjoying the juicy sweetness of berries, the vibrant flavours of seasonal vegetables, or the aromatic herbs, this month provides a culinary experience that celebrates the best of the British summer. So, embrace nature's offerings and indulge in the vibrant and fresh produce available.

August Shopping List

Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Redcurrants, Cherries, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Apples, Pears, Damsons, Apricots, Melons, Figs.

Courgettes, Sweetcorn, Tomatoes, Green Beans, Peas, Sugar Snaps, Beetroot, Carrots, Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Spinach, Lettuce, Radishes, Rocket, Watercress, Spring Onions, New Potatoes.

Carol McGuire has specialised in all areas of Family Law, including: Divorce; Separation; Issues Relating to Children and Financial Remedy for over 30 years. Carol can provide sound, impartial advice and guidance that comes from years of family law experience

So, whether you are having child custody issues or problems with negotiating financial settlements, we are here to help.

Complementary Therapies

By GAYLE WHITTAKER

Have you ever wondered if there’s any real benefit to complementary therapies such as reflexology, acupuncture, Bowen Therapy or aromatherapy? If there is, why doesn’t the NHS prescribe it? I often ask myself that question when I listen to the struggles some of my clients have with their health, and their reports about how the therapies I offer have given them back some quality of life, helped to manage their pain or helped them to feel more confident about moving forward in life.

So can complementary therapies work alongside conventional medicine?

The answer is most definitely ‘yes’. The reason they’re called complementary therapies is because they “complement” conventional medicine, often helping patients to better manage their condition.

The NHS isn’t widely prescribing complementary therapies quite yet, but it is beginning to recognise there’s a place for them in healthcare. Hospices in particular, are leading the way by employing therapists qualified to give treatments including aromatherapy, massage and reflexology to people in their care.

So why are complementary therapies becoming more popular - or at least understood by - conventional medicine practitioners?

One of the main reasons is they’re recognised for their impact on reducing stress.

Clients report feeling less stressed, less overwhelmed, more able to cope with what life throws at them.

Stress can be a major contributor to ill health, both mental and physical. Physical symptoms of stress can include general aches and pains, muscle tension, frequent colds, lack of energy, digestive issues, a rapid heartbeat etc.

Stress can manifest as changes in a person’s behaviour. They may isolate themselves, find it difficult to make decisions, not be able to sleep, eat less or more than is healthy for them or begin to use alcohol or cigarettes to cope.

Cognitive changes also occur in people when they are stressed. They may find it difficult to concentrate, be more irritable than normal or become very negative about their life.

Therapies such as reflexology, massage, aromatherapy and Bowen Therapy work on reducing stress, not only by providing a relaxing treatment, but by calming the body’s nervous system, reducing levels of the stress hormone cortisol and helping the body and mind to “reset”.

By Gayle Whittaker, Bowen Therapist and Reflexologist, The Universal Therapist Tel: 07766 701479

www.theuniversaltherapist.co.uk

Prolong the Life of Your Carpet

Having your carpets professionally cleaned is not only a matter of aesthetics but also an essential aspect of maintaining a clean and healthy indoor environment. Here are some reasons why it is important to have your carpets professionally cleaned every once in a while:

Improved indoor air quality

Carpets act as filters, trapping airborne particles and pollutants that can settle deep within the carpet fibres. Regular vacuuming helps, but it may not remove all the allergens, bacteria, or dust mites embedded in the carpet. Professional carpet cleaning uses specialist equipment and techniques to extract deep-seated contaminants, resulting in improved indoor air quality and a healthier environment.

Elimination of allergens and dust mites

Professional carpet cleaning methods remove allergens, dust mites, and other microscopic organisms from your carpets. This can greatly reduce the risk of allergies, asthma attacks, and other respiratory issues.

Stain and spot removal

Carpets are prone to spills and stains which can be challenging to remove with regular cleaning methods. Professional carpet cleaners have the expertise to tackle even the most stubborn stains. They can help restore the appearance of your carpets by effectively removing deep-set stains and spots, giving your carpets a fresh and revitalized look.

Prevention of mould and mildew

Moisture can get trapped in carpets, creating an ideal environment for mould and mildew to thrive. This can lead to health issues and unpleasant odours. Professional carpet cleaning methods effectively extract excess moisture and prevent mould and mildew growth, helping to keep your carpets clean, fresh, and odour-free.

Prolonged carpet lifespan

Regular professional carpet cleaning helps extend the lifespan of your carpets. Over time, dirt, debris, and abrasive particles can accumulate within the carpet fibres and cause them to wear down more quickly. By removing these particles and maintaining the cleanliness of your carpets, you can preserve their quality, texture, and appearance, ultimately saving you money by avoiding premature carpet replacement.

By investing in regular professional carpet cleaning, you can ensure a clean, fresh, and inviting space for yourself, your family.

ESSENTIALSMAG READERS:

3 areas of carpet cleaned for the price of 2 with Zero Dry Time Wrexham

- only when quoting code: ZDT342 at time of booking

BOOK BY 30th SEPTEMBER 2023

Terms & Conditions apply

By Steven Thompson Zero Dry Time Wrexham

Tel: 0800 170 1420

steven.thompson@zerodrytime.com www.zerodrytimewrexham.co.uk

We

Professional Interior & Exterior Plastering

Whether you’re looking for a quick repair for some cracks, or a total redecoration complete with floor screeding, existing render removal and coving, you won’t find better than J P Plastering.

The Diary of a Chainsaw Sculptor

By Award-Winning Sculptor SIMON O’ROURKE

Down time

Like many small business owners, I rely on my physical ability and time to earn the majority of our household income. When things happen that threaten that ability, it gets difficult to maintain a positive outlook on life while not being able to work.

I recently suffered with a detached retina, and I was very quickly put in a position of needing to call all my clients and delay their sculptures by an indeterminate time. What I thought would be a fairly speedy recovery turned into 10 weeks due to the severity of the damage in my eye and it was one of the most frustrating times I’ve ever had as a sculptor!

If you don’t know what the recovery after a detached retina involves, it consists of not lifting anything heavy or doing anything that involves impact, like running or heavy exercise. This does include not using heavy tools like chainsaws… this is, of course, the majority of my work and I can’t stay still for very long, so you can imagine the frustration!

I count myself blessed with a good team of people around me, including Paul, my assistant, also a skilled sculptor. We had a commission that I had priced up for Paul to do which alleviated some of the financial loss, but there was still a major shortfall. For the first time, I was forced into an age old practice of getting other people to work to my design under my instruction!

Throughout time, artists have employed helpers or apprentices to work under their instruction to complete their artworks, and today is no different. I had the concept and Paul had the physical ability!

We employed the use of some more modern technology with radio headsets for communication, and we were able to make some headway with a large dragon I have commissioned for a private client. It’s been a humbling experience to hand over some of the physical aspect to someone else, but all in all, quite liberating too!

So here’s a reminder to yourself that it’s ok to ask for help!

By Simon O’Rourke, Environmental artist specialising in wood sculpture Tel: 07886 881815 treecarving.co.uk

The Last Chance Saloon?

By EssentialsMAG environment contributor ROB RENOUF

We’re rapidly approaching the mid-point of this decade which will be critical in determining the severity of the impacts of the climate and ecological emergency. The UK Climate Change Committee’s latest annual assessment published at the end of June says, “our confidence in the UK meeting its medium-term targets has decreased in the past year”. Once again, their clear message is that our politicians are still not doing enough, meaning we’re increasingly unlikely to be where we need to be by 2030.

So what can we actually do about this?

In Wales, we’ll have Senedd elections in 2026, but the scope of devolved powers is limited. We no longer have the opportunity to vote in European elections and affect what happens there. The upcoming UK general election, therefore, represents our only real opportunity to influence much of what will happen in the remainder of this crucial decade.

Beyond the election, our voices are less likely to be heard and our ability to protest has been severely restricted by recent legislation.

How we vote in the election will clearly be critical, but we don’t have to wait until then.

One option is to get involved in an election campaign; another is to try to influence the parties’ manifestos.

You may have noticed ideas being floated by political parties and in some cases hastily rowed back - in the coming months they’ll decide which policies will form their offer to the electorate.

I’ve been working with colleagues in Climate Cymru on a list of things we’ll be asking all political parties to include in their manifestos. No doubt, those opposed to climate action will also be lobbying. If you have a view on what our politicians should do, now is the time to tell them.

Polling indicates that most of us are concerned about the climate and ecological emergency and want the government to do more. However, research also suggests that our support for action can prove fragile once we’re presented with lifestyle and cost implications. It’s therefore perhaps understandable that our politicians may be nervous about proposing bolder action.

They may believe we’re enthusiastic about environmental action in theory, but not in reality. The messages we give politicians in the next few months will be critical - if we genuinely want them to do more to tackle the climate and ecological emergency, we need to make this clear to them right now.

EssentialsMAG environment contributor is Rob Renouf

robsrenouf@gmail.com

Atherton MP

Member of Parliament for Wrexham

Earlier this month, we celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the National Health Service. As a former nurse, who returned to support the wards during the COVID-19 pandemic, I know how hard our NHS staff work and how often they go above and beyond for patients every day under ever-increasing pressures. Thank you to our amazing health and social care workers, and especially those at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, for all that you do.

During the week our NHS turned 75, I was honoured to attend an NHS Champions’ Reception at 10 Downing Street with Zoe Roberts. Zoe is the Armed Forces Lead at BCUHB, who does vital work raising awareness of our Armed Forces community and meeting their specific healthcare needs. Following the creation of Zoe’s role, in which I assisted with securing charitable funding, the Maelor Hospital has become ‘Veteran Aware.’ As a veteran myself, I am especially pleased to see this role making a real difference in lives in Wrexham. Nominating Zoe for this award was an easy choice!

I was pleased to open the Wrexham Salvation Army Employability Day. The Salvation Army Employment Plus, and the Salvation Army have teamed up to support people into employment. During the visit, I was pleased to have the opportunity to speak to some of the Employment Plus team and to learn more about their work. As a former Social Worker, I know that employability is absolutely vitalespecially now, as many of us are experiencing serious challenges with the cost of living. So the work they do is more important than ever. Thank you for all the incredible work being done to support the people of Wrexham.

In other local news, it was great to chat with locals at the Gwersyllt Congregational Church Luncheon Club. The lunches are a great opportunity for people who may otherwise not come to the Church regularly, to come together to learn about what support exists in the local community. In addition to the Lunch Club, the Church runs a coffee morning every Wednesday 10am – 12pm and a food bank, showing the strong community spirit in Gwersyllt. A great example of Wrexham looking after Wrexham.

Lastly, it was a pleasure to pop down to the Erlas Victorian Walled Garden (The Lungs of Wrexham) to see the beautiful display of flowers and chat with the team. I have a family wedding coming up very soon and what better place to get your eco-friendly confetti from! A great opportunity to shop local and recharge your batteries with a cuppa in these beautiful gardens.

If you are a resident in the current Wrexham constituency and need my help, please email sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk.

Sarah Atherton MP for Wrexham/ Prospective Parliamentary Candidate.

Sarah

Recognising Financial Anxiety and Four Ways to Cope

By WARREN HADLOW, Director of Hadlow Edwards Wealth Management Ltd

We’re still in a time where everyday costs are continuing to rise around us and it’s increasingly difficult to keep on top of.

These continued additional costs could lead to financial stress and it’s essential to notice how it may impact your mental health. A great way to start is being able to recognise the symptoms of financial anxiety.

Here are some of the most common indicators that you may be experiencing financial anxiety…

• Overspending: Shopping provides a temporary relief from money anxieties, which then becomes a vicious cycle.

• Hoarding: Comfort in material items to relieve the anxiety from money challenges.

• Fear of spending: Obsessive saving could prevent you from doing things that you enjoy.

• Out of control finances: Difficulty in budgeting or prioritising household spending.

• Depression: Feeling depressed can stem from financial anxiety.

Whatever your circumstances, there are ways to get through these tough economic times, ease stress and anxiety, and regain control of your finances.

So here are four ways that could help you cope with your financial stress:

1. Talk to someone: sharing your thoughts with another person could help ease your anxiety. They may be able to give some advice or share their own experiences.

2. Keep track of your finances: being aware of what is going in and out of your accounts is a start to understanding where you could make savings and how much you can afford for leisure activities after your essential payments are made.

3. Keep a regular routine: knowing that specific payments are going to be taken regularly and that you have enough to cover them can help you gain control – a great antidote to anxiety.

4. Make a plan: Set yourself small, achievable goals for those bigger payments or future life events that you would like to reach. Checking in regularly can help you keep on track and amend your path as you go. Speaking to a financial adviser or wealth management consultant could help you with where to start and putting that plan into place.

If you would like to discuss how we could help to make a financial plan for your future, please feel free to get in contact on: 01978 311611 or via email: hadlow.edwards@sjpp.co.uk for a no obligation chat.

By Warren Hadlow of Hadlow Edwards Wealth Management Limited hadlow.edwards@sjpp.co.uk Tel: 01978 311 611 www.hadlowedwards.co.uk

Lesley Griffiths MS Member of the Senedd for Wrexham

Regular visitors to Wrexham city centre will be aware parking problems have persisted at the privately-operated Island Green Shopping Centre for several years.

Euro Car Parks (ECP), are the operators responsible for the daily running of the car park and my communication with them is ongoing.

While my lengthy correspondence has had some success, with a number of constituents receiving refunds and having their parking tickets cancelled, I, unfortunately, continue to be contacted by shoppers from Wrexham, as well as people who live outside my constituency, who have been unfairly fined.

In recent months, I have made representations to the Leader of Wrexham County Borough Council, The British Parking Association (BPA) and of course, ECP themselves. ‘Minor’ and ‘major’ keying errors still appear to be a problem and I have called on ECP to service their machines as a matter of urgency. I have also approached all the businesses on Island Green as I would be interested to hear their feedback.

More recently, Euro Car Parks accepted to meet with Clwyd South MS, Ken Skates and I, but they cancelled at the last minute with no explanation. Regrettably, it appears ECP representatives do not wish to reschedule, so Mr Skates and I have written to Nuveen Real Estate, which ultimately owns Island Green, requesting it ends its relationship with ECP.

Wrexham’s profile is growing but the conduct of Euro Car Parks is driving people away from Island Green and the city centre.

Despite the difficulties, we are not deterred and as long as parking issues remain at Island Green, both Ken Skates and I will continue to fight and stand up for local residents.

I’m a long-time supporter of the Wrexham Walking Festival and was pleased to join the team for a walk around a sunny Erddig Country Park.

During the nine-day event, people of all ages and abilities were invited to enjoy a series of free walks exploring the picturesque surroundings of North East Wales.

I’m so pleased this year’s event was the most successful yet with over 550 people taking part.

Although the 2023 festival has reached its conclusion, organisers, Walkabout Wrexham & District, arrange walks throughout the year so if anyone is interested, please email walkaboutwrexham@outlook.com

As always, if you’re a constituent in Wrexham and there is an issue I could help you with, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Talwyd costau’r cyhoeddiad hwn gan Gomisiwn y Senedd, o gronfeydd cyhoeddus / The costs of this publication have been met by the Senedd Commission from public funds.

Little Scholars Day Nursery

Legal Advice

By ROBERT WILLIAMS, a Partner at GHP Legal

Reducing premises running costs

As the economy continues to shrink and costs keep rising, just about every town in England and Wales is experiencing a growing number of empty units on its business parks and industrial estates. This is undoubtedly due in part to businesses being unable to sustain activity levels and has led to owners having to look for more creative ways to remain profitable.

One of the major travel agents, for example, has hit upon the idea of downsizing its shops and separately letting out part of each to a major coffee shop chain. It uses this symbiotic relationship to help secure booking choices whilst saving costs.

When it comes to owning business premises, many smaller company owners hold their business premises personally to keep them safe from the hands of receivers if the company should become insolvent. For others the premises are their ‘pension’, giving them the option to sell or rent out after they retire.

Selling off a portion of your business premises could be a good way to release some of your

assets if you are struggling, enabling you to retain enough of the property to still run your business whilst having the potential for further disposal or rental income in the future.

This can however, be a complex course of action to take, so it is important to ensure that you take account of all considerations such a move will require, including building regulation and planning permission approval. Each part of the property will need all the necessary utilities to operate autonomously, which may involve granting rights of drainage from the retained property to the new unit.

In addition, the new unit may require rights of way to be granted to allow the buyer to egress over your retained property.

If you intend to sell land with the new unit, will your buyer want to know if they can obtain planning consent to develop the land before they complete the purchase? In these circumstances a conditional contract may be requested from the buyer. Whilst conditional contracts are relatively common, they do require more complex drafting than a straightforward sale.

Time spent thinking everything through with your solicitor before you make any decisions will be beneficial, to ensure you are aware of all legal and other implications.

This article has been written by Robert Williams, a Partner at GHP Legal Tel: 01978 291456

To get in touch please use the ‘Contact us’ form on the website: ghplegal.com

Useful Numbers

Puzzle Page... Just For Fun

Crossword

ACROSS

1 Touches gently (4)

3 Believable (8)

9 Secures; ties in place (7)

10 Leader or ruler (5)

11 Drowned river valley (3)

12 Lowest level (5)

13 Loud metallic sound (5)

15 Informs (5)

17 Visual representation (5)

18 Dry (of wine) (3)

19 Dens (5)

20 Involving active participation (5-2)

21 Longing (8)

22 ___ Hathaway: actress (4)

DOWN

1 In a servile manner (13)

2 ___ Rhymes: rapper (5)

4 World's largest country (6)

5 Medicine taken when blocked-up (12)

6 Constructor (7)

7 Fizz (13)

8 Type of food shop (12)

14 Endurance (7)

16 Composite fungus and alga (6)

18 ___ Sarandon: US actress (5)

Classic Sudoku

If you want to find out the answers they will be published in next month’s edition.

Here are the answers from July: