EssentialsMAG July 2023 – South Wrexham Magazine

Welcome...

Cover Image: Tasty ripe raspberries

August Deadlines:

Editorial - 13th July

Advertising - 19th July

Hello and welcome to another hot issue of your favourite local magazine. Did you know that July is, on average, the warmest month of the year in the UK? Although British weather being what it is, there are always exceptions.

July 5th 1978 was the coldest July day on record, maxing out at just 9.1°C. What a contrast with July 19th last year, which hit 40.3°C in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, while UK’s highest total rainfall in one day (279mm), was recorded on July 15th 1955.

July 15th is St Swithin’s Day, and legend has it that if it rains that day, it will be followed by another 40 days of wet weather. Let’s hope for a warm, dry spell this year, so we can celebrate a whole host of summery events without getting soaked.

July is also Independent Retail Month, celebrating all the fantastic independent businesses in our community – many of whom are featured within these very pages. So get out there and explore all the wonderful goods and services they have to offer – they’ll be very appreciative of your support.

We’ve got the local area covered! Delivered by hand to 7,600 homes and businessesmore than any other magazine in our area.

Garden Village, Borras, Pandy, Acton, Bangor-on-Dee, Overton, Penley, Hanmer, Marchwiel, Tallarn Green, Cross Lanes, Worthenbury, Pentre Maelor

Also available at 25+ pick-up points across the region.

You can also read our magazines online at: www.essentialsmag.co.uk

EMAIL: vicky@essentialsmag.co.uk

CALL: 01978 855459

www.essentialsmag.co.uk

All the best, Vicky Heathfield

Tournament Winners

Ysgol Sant Dunawd have long held importance on sporting events. This was certainly the case, last month, when pupils took part in the Maelor Schools Football Tournament.

Steven Jones, teacher at the school, had organised the tournament with five other local primary schools. The ground maintenance company, 'The Little Red Tractor Company', sponsored the trophy for the tournament. Pupils at Ysgol Sant Dunawd were thrilled to have won the tournament with a thrilling afternoon of football, with each of the five schools using their fantastic skills and experience to play.

Mr Jones said, “Da iawn to all who took part, it was great to see all the pupils and schools getting involved and playing together. We are hoping to extend the tournament to other schools in the Maelor area in the Autumn term. We are very excited.”

Equestrian to Dinosaurs

In June, thousands of people descended on Bolesworth Castle for a sun-soaked family spectacular. The new-look Bolesworth International has been a massive hit with visitors, as crowds flocked to the 6,000-acre Tattenhall estate, and enjoyed a busy timetable of international equestrian competitions and lifestyle attractions.

Between 25th - 30th July, a T-Rex, Velociraptors, Triceratops, and more, are set to take over Bolesworth Castle, as Jurassic Live Adventure roars open. The event will see dino rangers take intrepid explorers of all ages on a unique and immersive hour-long prehistoric expedition through Bolesworth Castle’s amazing ‘Jurassic Forest’, where dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes roam freely to this day!

The experience is suitable for adults and children of all ages to enjoy – the main trail is accessible for wheelchairs and buggies, but the ground will be uneven in places.

For details and tickets, please visit: https://bolesworth.com/dinosaurs

Free Lunchtime Concerts at Tŷ Pawb

If you’ve not caught one already, and have the opportunity to do so, lunchtime concerts have returned to Tŷ Pawb on alternate Wednesdays, until the end of August. Entry is free and the concerts feature both classical and contemporary artists. It’s a great opportunity to see what else Tŷ Pawb has to offer too, from a great selection of food to a variety of stalls, and the gallery itself. For information and dates, please visit: https://bit.ly/4481c9b

‘Motorfest’ Comes to Wrexham

A brand new event is coming to Wrexham this summer in support of Nightingale House. On the 29th July, ‘Motorfest’ will land at Penyllan Farm, Wrexham Road, Marchwiel. The family friendly event aimed at auto enthusiasts will feature a range of car exhibits, an arena for shows and displays, a fairground, stalls and an area for food and drink vendors.

The event sees Council staff team up with Nightingale House to raise vital funds for the hospice.

Elise Jackson, Events and Campaigns Manager for Nightingale House, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have Wrexham County Borough Council’s support for the event. The Council’s involvement will enable us to raise even more towards the vital work that Nightingale House Hospice does.”

The event will be free entry and open between 10am – 4pm (donations will be gratefully accepted).

Funds raised will go directly towards supporting and caring for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones across Wrexham.

Google Maps Hints and Tips

By EssentialsMAG tech contributor DAVID HUGHES

In today's fast-paced world, Google Maps has become a useful tool for navigating the roads, discovering new places, and planning journeys. It’s one of my everyday apps; from regular commute, to family holidays, it offers a number of features and functionalities that can help you get from A to B. Here are a few to look into:

Offline maps: Google Maps can be available even when you don’t have an internet connection. Before setting off, download the map of the area you’re travelling in by typing "OK Maps" in the search bar. This will allow you to access the map offline, even in remote locations.

Voice commands: If you have the capability of connecting your phone to your car, you can utilise voice commands on Google Maps. Say “OK Google” followed by your command, such as “navigate to Chester” or “find petrol stations near me”

Explore nearby: Looking for restaurants, cafes, or attractions nearby? Use the 'Explore' feature in Google Maps to discover popular places near you. Simply tap on the map, click on the search bar, and select “Explore nearby” (or swipe up from the bottom of the screen). You'll be presented with a list of categories to choose from.

Live traffic updates: Avoid traffic jams and delays with Google Maps' live traffic updates. Before you set off on your journey, check the traffic conditions by

tapping on the 'Traffic' button. You'll receive real-time information on traffic congestion and alternative routes.

Customised commute: You can easily set your home and work addresses in the app's settings, and Google Maps will provide you with real-time traffic updates and estimated arrival times for your commute.

Street view: Want to get a closer look at a particular location before visiting? Use Google Maps' Street View feature. Drag and drop the little yellow person icon onto the map, and you'll be able to explore a 360-degree view of the area. It's an excellent way to familiarise yourself with unfamiliar places and plan your route.

Save favourite places: Whether it's a nice café or a point of interest, Google Maps allows you to save your favourite places for easy access later. Just tap on the location, click on the 'Save' button, and categorise it into custom lists.

As always, there are plenty of alternatives to Google Maps, including Waze and Apple Maps. But with the myriad of features available, google.co.uk/maps is an excellent companion on both regular journeys and longer trips.

18th July - World Listening Day

By HELEN CONWAY

July 18th is World Listening Day

And it’s more than simply listening to other people talk, although everyone likes to feel heard. It’s about listening to the world around us, and, most importantly, to ourselves.

As a Pilates teacher, I have to listen very carefully to what my clients and members tell me. They often come to their first session, or pre-class chat, full of fear, or in pain. Both of these things will affect the way they move, often creating more fear and pain.

And it’s very real to them. So I need to give them space to verbalise that, so that we can plan how to move forward.

But equally, they need to listen to themselves too.

Can you relate?

• How do you talk to yourself?

• How do you describe your restrictions, pain, limitations and fears?

• What do you hear yourself saying inwardly when you move in class?

Do you catastrophise a pain or ailment, or do you underplay it? Both can be detrimental to good movement, so being honest and clinical can often take the emotion out of the issue.

But what if you are fit and well?

Does that mean you don’t have to listen to yourself when you move in class?

Of course not!

It’s so important that you listen to the feedback your body is giving you when you are on your mat. If we allow ourselves the time to listen, we will get so much more from our efforts. The tiny little nuances that you might otherwise miss by rushing, or being disconnected from your internal dialogue, will transform your practice.

So, as much as you might listen to my instruction in class, you really listen to yourself too.

So quiet the inner voice, and dial up the listening ear.

As Judge Judy says, you have one mouth and two ears for a reason!

Bodywork-Pilates was established in 2002. They offer the very best in pilates, yoga and holistic fitness, with over 20 classes a week to choose from in and around Wrexham and Chester.

Ear Wax Removal & Hearing Aids

Family Fun Day in Memory of Jonnie Ratcliffe

By ROB, GILL, IAN and DAN RATCLIFFE

A Family Fun Day has been organized in memory of our dear son, Jonnie, who passed away 15 years ago aged just 28. He is in our thoughts constantly and his loyal friends have been a great comfort to us.

Over the past 15 years, several fundraising events have taken place - including long distance cycling; marathon and half marathon running; the Three Peaks Challenge; and on the 10th anniversary, a Family Fun Day.

Overall, with family and friends, we have raised over £103,000 for bowel cancer charities. Whilst the primary focus of this event is to remember Jonnie, any money raised will be donated to Bowel Cancer UK, and local charities.

Over the years, we have tracked the work of Bowel Cancer UK (formerly Beating Bowel Cancer) and they really do make a difference. Their work includes research, developing screening programmes, raising awareness of symptoms, support for patients and relatives and, most importantly for us, raising awareness amongst GPs that bowel cancer is more prevalent in younger people.

For details, please visit: www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk

We are once again overwhelmed by the ongoing commitment shown by Jonnie’s friends to keep his memory alive.

We thank them all sincerely and everyone who supports this year’s Family Fun Day.

Our local community has stood by us and given generously to our chosen charity. We look forward to meeting you.

Family Fun Day

The Family Fun Day, in memory of Jonnie Ratcliffe, will be held at the The Golden Lion, Rossett on Saturday 29th July between 2pm-10pm. All welcome!

Dates for your Diary

SAT 1 JULY

Summer Fayre

Erlas Victorian Walled Garden, Bryn Estyn Rd, Wrexham LL13 9TY

Refreshments, plants for sale, activities and crafts.

10am - 2pm Free

SAT 1 JULY

Plant Based Market

Queen's Square, Wrexham LL11 1AT

Fantastic range of plant based stalls, including food and drink, crafts and gifts.

10am - 4pm Free

SAT 1 JULY

Wrex Spirit Fest

Llwyn Isaf/Library Field

Wrexham LL11 1AU

Classical dance/live music, martial arts/artisan market food and fairground.

10am - 5pm

£2.00 Adult/£5.00 family

@paallam.arts

SAT 1 JULY

Aldford Village Fête

Aldford, nr Chester

A fun, family village fête, including classic cars and bikes, entertainment, dog show and refreshments.

1pm - 4pm Free

SAT 1 JULY

Summer Concert

Trinity Church, Wrexham LL11 1LE

Cantorion Rhos & Rhos

Male Voice Choir concert.

7pm

£10.00 (on the door)

Tel: 07922 490946 (Paul)

EVERY SATURDAY IN JULY

Afternoon Music Sessions

The Holly Bush, 1 Hill Street, Cefn Mawr, Wrexham LL14 3AE

Weekly live music, outside, weather permitting.

From 5pm Free

SUN 2 JULY

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

4 - 8 JULY

The Darling Buds of May

Grove Park Theatre, Hill St, Wrexham LL11 1SN

Latest play at Wrexham’s oldest amateur theatre.

7:30pm (& Saturday 2pm)

£8.00 Adult/£5.00 Child

www.groveparktheatre.co.uk

4 - 9 JULY

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

Abbey Road, Llangollen LL20 8SW

A week-long global arts festival of song, dance and the spoken word. From £10.00

www.llangollen.net

SAT 8 JULY

Wrexham Street Market

Henblas Street, Wrexham LL11 1AP

A wonderful selection of produce, crafts and goods from local traders.

9:30am - 4:30pm

SAT 8 JULY

Big Day Out!

Bangor-on-Dee

Sports Field

Jewellery and gift stalls, games, activities, flower competitions, refreshments

1:30pm - 4:40pm Free

TUE 11 & 25 JULY

Coffee Morning

Marchwiel Church, Bangor Rd, Marchwiel, Wrexham LL13 0SD

Fortnightly coffee mornings - all welcome.

10am - 12pm Free

heather.row3@gmail.com

SAT 15 JULY

Wine Tasting

Worthenbury Village Hall, Church Road, Worthenbury LL13 0AW

Try six wines to accompany your summer BBQ.

7:30pm £10.00 bookingwvht@gmail.com

SAT 22 JULY

Wrexham Artisan Market

Queen's Square, Wrexham LL11 1AT

A wide range of stalls from independent businesses and local producers.

10am - 4pm Free

25 - 30 JULY

Jurassic Live Adventure

Bolesworth Castle, Tattenhall, Chester CH3 9HQ

A unique and immersive live dinosaur experience. www.bolesworth.com

SAT 29 JULY

Wrexham Beer Festival

William Aston Hall, Mold Rd, Wrexham LL11 2AW

Bringing you some of the best beers from across the UK - entertainment too!

From 12pm

From £10.00 williamastonwrexham.com

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

SAT 29 JULY

Family Fun Day

The Golden Lion, Chester Road, Rossett, Wrexham LL12 0HN

Join us for a family day of fun - activities, stalls, food, drink, and lots more!

2pm - 10pm Free

SAT 29 JULY

Motorfest

Penyllan Farm, Marchwiel, Wrexham LL13 0PF,

A family friendly event aimed at auto enthusiastscar exhibits, shows and displays, a fairground, stalls and food and drink.To support Nightingale House.

10am - 4pm

Free (donations)

SAT 29 JULY

Coffee Morning

Christ Church, Rossett

Meeting Room LL12 0HN

Come and enjoy a drink and a slice of cake. Cake stall and raffle. Cash only.

10:30am - 12pm

Free (donations welcome)

SUN 30 JULY

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

Pulford & Poulton

Local History Group

There are no meetings in July and August.

We would like to thank EssentialsMAG for the updates. We wish our members and friends a pleasant summer break. Ben John, Chairman.

Share

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.

Wrexham Tourism News

By JOE BICKERTON, Tourism Manager, Wrexham County Borough Council

As we head into the start of a busy summer for tourism here in Wrexham County, we are gearing up to launch our new, free online Tourism Ambassador Course. The Ambassador Course is for anyone working in local hospitality; for anyone with a passion for championing Wrexham; or simply, for anyone looking to improve their knowledge of what we have to offer locally.

Following on from our UK City of Culture bid last year, we have met so many outwardly passionate businesses and residents of Wrexham County Borough. So this scheme will look to give some official recognition to those who wish to learn a little more about this wonderful part of Wales!

On completing three modules (which take 30-40 minutes each), you will become a ‘Bronze’ Ambassador and receive a personal certificate and display materials for your business, if more than 50% of your team take part.

The modules launch week beginning 26th June and can be found via; www.ambassador.wales/ambassador courses

We are also preparing for several key events over the coming months - with one of note being the new Motorfest in partnership with Nightingale House Hospice on 29th July at Penyllan Farm

in Marchwiel. This family friendly event, aimed at auto enthusiasts, will feature a range of car exhibits, an arena for shows and displays, a fairground, stalls and an area for food and drink vendors. The event will be free entry and open between 10am –4pm (donations will be accepted).

Finally, we’re also nearing the launch of our new 2023/24 Tourism Brochure, in partnership with VOX/EssentialsMAG This should be ready for distribution and available to be picked up from most hotels, restaurants, attractions and the Wrexham Visitor Information Centre on Chester Street from mid-July.

This is a really new and exciting addition to our tourism marketing work, as looking at the traffic via our tourism sites and requests for local itineraries from international travellers - we really anticipate the next few years being very busy for tourism here in the County Borough. From our 11-mile UNESCO World Heritage Site at Pontcysyllte; our two National Trust properties; outstanding countryside to escape to; through to the local hospitality on offer throughout Wrexham, which was highlighted in Rob and Ryan’s ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ docu-series, we really do have something for everyone.

Follow @ThisisWrexham on socials for the download link very soon!

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

The Holly Bush Afternoon Music Sessions

SATURDAY 1st JULY

Danny Gruff

SATURDAY 8th JULY

Chris Mac

SATURDAY 15th JULY

Droogs

SATURDAY 22nd JULY

Libby Jade

SATURDAY 29th JULY

Foo Boo

Gardening Tips and Advice July - Summer is Progressing

This is often one of the hottest months of the year and a great time to sit out and enjoy your garden. Keep plants looking good by regularly dead-heading and you'll enjoy a longer display of blooms. Make sure you keep new plants well watered, using grey water where possible and hoe off weeds, which thrive in the sunshine.

TOP 10 JOBS TO DO IN THE GARDEN THIS MONTH

1. Check clematis for signs of clematis wilt

2. Care for houseplants while on holiday

3. Water tubs and new plants if dry, but be water-wise

4. Deadhead bedding plants and repeat-flowering perennials, to ensure continuous flowering

5. Pick courgettes before they become marrows

6. Treat apple scab

7. Clear algae, blanket weeds and debris from ponds and keep them topped-up

8. Order catalogues for next year’s spring-flowering bulbs

9. Give the lawn a quick-acting summer feed (but don't feed wildflower patchesor meadows)

10. Harvest apricots, peaches and nectarines.

What are UPFs?

BY SAMANTHA GRIFFITHS

You may have heard the term ultraprocessed food (UPF) in the news recently, as more studies are coming to light about the impact of them on our health.

In the UK, UPFs account for 50% of the daily calories we consume (on average), and we are some of the biggest consumers in Europe. This is not really surprising, as UPFs are heavily marketed to us, as well as being convenient and appealing.

The food we eat can be split up into four categories:

• Unprocessed foods - fruit, vegetables, eggs, grains, and meat.

• Processed culinary ingredients - salt, sugar, butter, and oils.

• Processed foods - tinned fruit and vegetables, bacon, tinned fish, cheese.

• Ultra-processed foods.

UPFs usually have five or more ingredients and tend to include a lot of additives, such as preservatives, sweeteners, emulsifiers, and artificial flavours and colours. Because of this, UPFs generally have a long shelf life.

Examples of UPFs include:

Ice cream, ham, sausages, crisps, massproduced bread, breakfast cereals, biscuits, carbonated drinks, fruit-flavoured yogurts, instant soups, and some alcoholic drinks including whisky, gin, and rum.

However, some industrial processes affect the way our body responds to food. The effects of these additives has been the focus of recent research, some of which suggests a possible link with specific cancers. UPFs also tend to be high in salt, sugar and saturated fat, which can have negative effects on our health, specifically our heart health and gut health.

However, research on UPFs is inconclusive, and scientists don’t yet know the exact effects on our health.

It’s important to note that lumping all foods together into the UPF bracket can be unhelpful, as ultra-processed doesn’t necessarily mean unhealthy.

Not all UPFs are created equally! Some UPFs, such as wholegrain bread, cereal, cheese, and baked beans are nutritious when consumed as part of a balanced diet.

Completely restricting UPFs isn’t necessary. Instead, it’s helpful to focus on achieving a better balance and eating a good amount of minimally processed food, such as fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, and fish.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have a long-term illness and want to make any dietary changes always discuss these with your GP or a Registered Dietitian first.

Just because a food has been through a process, it doesn’t mean it’s suddenly bad for us. EssentialsMAG nutrition contributor is Samantha Griffiths

WILLIAM M. CHADWICK

EssentialsMAG Tasty Recipe

Broad Bean Pesto

Broad beans are rich in fibre, protein, and essential vitamins. They promote heart health, aid digestion, boost immunity, and provide energy. This green sauce is delicious stirred through pasta, spread on toast with crumbly cheese, or as a dip.

INGREDIENTS

300g podded fresh broad beans (or use frozen)

2 garlic cloves, halved lengthways

3 anchovy fillets, chopped 25g parmesan, grated juice and zest ½ lemon

3 tbsp olive oil

METHOD

MAKES 250g

Cook the broad beans in a pan of boiling salted water for three minutes until they float to the top.

Drain and quickly run under ice-cold water to stop them cooking.

Squeeze the small green beans from their skins and discard the skins.

Fry the garlic and anchovies in a small pan for a few minutes until golden, then stir through the broad beans.

Transfer to a bowl (or use a pestle and mortar) and crush the broad beans with the Parmesan, lemon juice and zest, and oil.

Will keep in the fridge for three days.

Seasonal Treats in July

In the heat of the summer, you can’t beat home-grown ingredients that are totally in sync with our seasons. Here’s our pick for July, from juicy broad beans to the sweetly tart tang of fresh cherries, and the best way to enjoy the spectacular globe artichoke…

Broad beans

English broad beans are available from May to September. At the start of the season, the small, tender beans can be eaten in their pods, a bit like sugar snaps, but as summer progresses, they get bigger and a bit tougher, which means a little prep work. Start by snapping off one end of the pod and “zipping” it open, then run your thumb along to scoop out the beans. Add to a pan of boiling water for a couple of minutes, then drain and rinse in cold water. You’ll now be able to squeeze off the dull outer skins to reveal the bright green juicy beans inside. Finally, boil again for three to six minutes until tender, drain and serve whole with pasta or risotto, or mash with black pepper, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice.

Summer fruits: cherries and currants

British cherries are a true summer treat, but only available for a few short weeks in June and July, so grab them while you can. If you don’t like dealing the stones, a cherry and olive pitter/stoner will be a gamechanger. Blackcurrants and redcurrants are usually available from June to early September and can be enjoyed raw or cooked. With a naturally high pectin content, both varieties make good jam or jelly, and they are wonderful in a classic summer pudding. Buy shiny, firm berries and keep in the fridge for up to three days before use.

Globe artichoke

The globe artichoke is no relation to the knobbly Jerusalem artichoke, (which is actually a variety of sunflower). There’s a clue to its origins in the shape of its bulbous head – it’s actually a member of the thistle family – and, funnily enough, it does have a somewhat prickly reputation when it comes to cooking and eating. But we think we’ve got it perfected…

First chop off the stem, then pop the bulb in a pan of boiling water (enough to cover). Boil for 15-40 minutes, depending on size, until the outer leaves can be pulled away easily. Remove from the pan and drain upside down. Now for the fun part – pull out a leaf and dip the base in melted butter or vinaigrette. Scrape off the tender flesh with your teeth and discard what’s left. When the leaves get too small to handle, cut them away, along with the hairy inedible “choke” – and now you can enjoy the tender, soft and delicately flavoured heart revealed beneath. It’s well worth the effort!

July Shopping List

Beetroot, Broccoli, Broad Beans, Cabbages, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cucumber, French & Runner Beans, Fennel , Globe Artichoke, Lettuce, New Potatoes, Peas and Sugarsnaps, Radishes, Shallots, Spinach, Tomatoes

Blackcurrants, Blueberries, Cherries, Gooseberries, Raspberries, Redcurrants, Rhubarb, Strawberries, Whitecurrants

AnxietyTips and Self-Help

By SARAH GRIFFITHS

Mental Health Awareness Week this year focused on anxiety so here are my seven top tips to help your mindset when you can feel anxiety start to set in!

Breathe - it really works!

Try the 4-4-4 breath. Breathe in through your nose slowly for four seconds; hold the breath on the body for four seconds and gently breathe out of the mouth for four seconds. Try doing this four times in a row and if it still hasn’t helped you feel a sense of calm, do another four. It’s great to find a quiet spot and close the eyes to do this.

Go outdoors

Look around and see the green trees, blue sky, listen to the birds singing and feel the breeze on your face. Try your breathing here too and notice when your shoulders start to soften and relax.

Write it down

Get a journal, or a piece of paper, and just write it down. Any worries or negative thoughts whirling around your head may feel less big when you see them written in front of you. It’ll also create space in your mind for new thoughts to come in. A bit like clearing the old to bring in the new. Maybe try writing down five things you’re grateful for.

Talk to someone

There will be others feeling similar to you. Speaking to someone about your worries will help and probably the other person too.

Listen to something positive

There is lots of negativity out there. Apparently, human beings are attracted to negative news. That’s why there is so much of it on our social media newsfeeds and why the news bulletins only share the bad stuff. Look for a podcast that feeds your mind with positive words and it will start to rewire the mind to focus on the positive. I always say, “If you don’t want the blues, don’t watch the news!”

Mindful eating with chocolate!

Find your favourite piece of chocolate and sit in a quiet space. Notice how the chocolate feels in your hand, hear the sound of the wrapper as you unwrap it, use your nose to smell the chocolate and then slowly put it on your tongue and notice the delicious taste. Mindful eating will help you slow down and focus the mind by using all your senses to notice just one chocolate. Did it taste any different to usual?

Smile!

Look at yourself in the mirror and smile! Look at a friend, a colleague, a stranger and smile - when you receive that smile back keep it and let it fill your cup inside so you can overspill and smile on others too.

For more details, contact Sarah Griffiths at Soul Sanctuary Meditation Tel: 07841 533666

Acton Park Primary School

Another wonderful and exciting term yet again for Acton Park Primary School!

Over the past few weeks, our children have been a credit to our school once again in showing their excellence and commitment to being ‘the best they can be’.

We have welcomed a range of different visitors to our school recently, in particular ‘The Abilities In Me Foundation’, a charity who writes stories based on real families and children’s conditions that may affect many different children in our school. It was a pleasure to welcome author, Gemma Keir, to Acton to share with our children the wonderful work she does to ensure that schools are inclusive and safe spaces for all children. It was a pleasure to see our children engage with Gemma, asking questions and sharing their own thoughts and feelings in a safe and inclusive space.

The charity has donated their collection of books to us, which will be shared with classes and be available to support families.

With the warmer weather, it has been excellent to see our children make use of the enormous grounds we have here at Acton.

Learning outside provides many opportunities for children to become creative and connect with nature. It has been excellent to see our children learn through real life experiences, such as our Early Years Department creating their own garden by planting wildflower seeds and leading their own learning by raising big questions.

Soon, we host our annual Sports Day, an opportunity for all children no matter their ability to engage and partake in a range of sporting challenges.

Recently, we started our 100 Year Celebrations. A range of current and past Wrexham Football players attended the event for the official opening ceremony of our new football pitch.

Children, parents and stakeholders from the wider community all came together to celebrate the success of our girls’ and boys’ football teams this year, and to say thank you to the staff for their hard work in securing funding to boost sporting opportunities at Acton Park Primary.

Have a lovely summer and we look forward to sharing more exciting news soon!

We offer wrap around childcare for all our pupils, including those of nursery age. We are open from 7:45am to 5:30pm during term time. We also offer childcare during the school holidays.

For details contact Mrs Sophie Cannon 07958 915685 playscheme381@gmail.com

Ysgol Sant Dunawd, Bangor-on-Dee

Ysgol Sant Dunawd, a vibrant and dynamic school nestled in the heart of Bangor-on Dee, has been buzzing with excitement as pupils embarked on a series of unforgettable experiences - from celebrating the Coronation of a King, to engaging in mini-Olympic competitions. The school kicked off the festivities with a grand Coronation Community Coffee Morning. The celebration was a spectacle to behold, as the pupils sang in honour of King Charles; ran the Royal Run for Fun to raise funds for Nightingale House; and picnicked in the park with their families.

The excitement continued with the highly anticipated Mini Olympics. Pupils showcased their athletic prowess and sportsmanship. The field was transformed into a colourful arena as teams of pupils competed in various events.

Year 6 had an incredible opportunity to step back in time during their immersive WW2 Day. Dedicated staff enabled pupils to delve into the history of the era and experience first-hand what life was like

during this significant period. From rationing activities to air raid drills, the day provided a powerful and educational experience that deepened their understanding of the sacrifices made by those who came before them.

Finally, in a heart-warming display of community spirit, Ysgol Sant Dunawd are warmly welcoming the newest members of their school family as the Nursery new starters' introduction days continue. These special days are aimed to ease the transition for the young children and their families, providing them with a safe and supportive environment to explore their new surroundings.

Dion Griffiths, the newly appointed headteacher, expressed his delight at the recent events, stating, "We are immensely proud of our pupils and their engagement in these diverse activities. These events not only foster a sense of community and belonging but also provide invaluable learning opportunities. We are committed to nurturing our pupils' academic, social, and emotional growth, and these events embody our school's ethos."

Green Growth?

By EssentialsMAG environment contributor ROB RENOUF

Economic growth is a major focus in our current economic system and it has undoubtedly improved living standards for many and lifted huge numbers out of poverty - unfortunately this has often come at a high environmental cost.

What is economic growth?

A common measure of growth is GDP (Gross Domestic Product) - the total value of goods and services produced. If this goes up, people should be “better off” due to having more money, higher employment and better funded public services. This assumes the benefits of economic growth will be shared by everyone, which increasingly isn’t the case. Another issue is that GDP doesn’t take into account nonfinancial things that contribute towards us being better off, such as our wellbeing and the environment.

Green growth

Green growth could be characterised as the holy grail - genuine sustainable growth. It’s based around the idea that through use of new technology and substitution we can ‘decouple’ economic growth from resource constraints and negative environmental impacts. There’s significant scepticism around how realistic this is at the global scale and also whether it can be achieved rapidly enough to tackle the climate and ecological emergency. Some argue that degrowth is necessary in order for us to reach a sustainable position.

Finite resources

A big problem with an economic system based around economic growth is that many of our planet’s resources are limited. Renewable energy such as wind and solar isn’t, providing yet another reason for transitioning to it. If we think of the economy as a houseplant, we’re not going to run out of sunshine, but the pot (our planet) is a fixed size and at some point that becomes a problem. Economist Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics focuses on the necessity of staying within our planetary boundaries.

Ecological overshoot

Globally, we’re currently using 1.75 times the resources our planet has the biocapacity to regenerate. This year “Earth Overshoot Day” (the projected date we’ll have used a year’s worth of planetary resources) is 2nd August.

Our situation has worsened extremely rapidly. In the year I was born, (1971), Earth Overshoot Day was Christmas Day. Resource consumption varies massively between countries - we’d need 2.6 planets to sustain everyone living as we currently do in the UK (for China the figure is 2.4, for India it’s 0.8 and for the USA it’s 5.1).

You can learn more about this at:

www.overshootday.org

EssentialsMAG environment contributor is Rob Renouf

robsrenouf@gmail.com

Professional Interior & Exterior Plastering Services

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.

Sarah Atherton MP

Member of Parliament for Wrexham

In the run-up to Carers Week, I was working hard to ensure that the voices of unpaid carers in Wrexham don’t go unheard.

For the past 25 years, I worked as a nurse, district nurse, and social worker in Wrexham. I know the vital work that unpaid carers do to support our community. It’s vital that their efforts are recognised, and that they are given the support they need. This applies to caring for their loved ones, as well as having a life outside of caring responsibilities. This is why I have been working with Wrexham County Borough Council to try and improve what they do to support Wrexham carers.

I was particularly pleased to meet with Bethan Rogers, the newly announced Unpaid Carers Development Officer for Wrexham Council. I will also be working closely with Wrexham Council and North East Wales Carers Information Service (NEWCIS) to develop a Wrexham-based Carers Strategy, because I know what unpaid carers do is truly exceptional and they deserve our support. They are our unsung heroes.

Worryingly, many unpaid carers make the mistake of not identifying as carers. They therefore miss out on vital information and support. If this applies to you, then please do not hesitate to get in contact with my office by emailing:

sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk We are here to help!

It was a pleasure to welcome the Acton and Marford Guides to Parliament. The guides

were given a full tour of Parliament and were able to see the inner workings of Westminster. Later on, they had the chance to quiz me about my day-to-day job as Wrexham’s MP.

It was fantastic to see how engaged the guides were in both Parliament – not to mention rallying behind Wrexham! If you are a leader of a community group who would like to take up this opportunity, please email:

sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk – we would be more than happy to help.

Lastly, don’t forget to take advantage of my Pothole Reporting Tool on my website, if you come across any dangerous potholes in Wrexham! In March this year, the UK Government significantly increased the funding provided to English councils to fix pothole-plagued roads. I am asking the Welsh Government to follow suit by increasing Wrexham Council funding to address road quality in Wrexham.

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

with Hadlow Edwards

8 tips for surviving the school holidays on a budget

We’re still feeling the effects of the costof-living crisis and the school summer holidays are almost here. That means organising six weeks of kid’s entertainment - all on a budget and trying to keep it interesting for them too. So here are some handy tips and entertainment ideas for you to help you survive the school holidays without breaking the bank:

Explore the countryside

Try finding a local landmark nearby to walk to or visiting a National Trust and English Heritage site to learn about history in your local area. Some country parks even have fun nature trails that children can follow.

Get crafty

Encourage your kids to get their creative juices flowing. Maybe set them a task to make an object out of the cardboard and plastic you have in the recycling, such as a pirate ship or a monster.

Visit an adventure park

Use your local authority website to find your nearest adventure playground which has much more than the average slide and swings. They are often cheap or free to visit.

Try a scavenger hunt

Why not get your kids to find objects around your town or village? Perhaps give them some clues to make it a little harder. This can be a great way to get outside and bring out their inner detective!

Enjoy a free family festival or event

Find out what free organised events and activities your local council has to offer and check out the local festival guide to see what’s on.

Take advantage of family discounts

Lots of restaurants, supermarket cafés and places such as theme parks and cinemas have discounts available throughout the holidays such as two for one or kids go free.

Visit a free museum or gallery

Lots of museums have dedicated children’s activities to take part in as you go, and they often have the added bonus of being air conditioned so you can stay cool on a hot day.

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

311 611

www.hadlowedwards.co.uk

Create your own cinema experience With the number of streaming and on demand content available now, there are so many movies that can be watched at home. Make a cosy space or den, choose their favourite movie, and enjoy some snacks.

If you would like to learn about financial planning, reaching your financial goals, and investment planning for your children, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Hadlow Edwards Wealth Management Limited is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group's wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group's website

www.sjp.co.uk/products. The 'St. James's Place Partnership' and the titles 'Partner' and 'Partner Practice' are marketing terms used to describe St. James's Place representatives.

Lesley Griffiths MS Member of the Senedd for Wrexham

Every year, thousands of guests are invited to spend a relaxed summer afternoon in the beautiful gardens of Buckingham Palace. Attendees are from all walks of life and the celebrations are a way of recognising the positive impact people have made in their communities.

Being an MS allows me to nominate deserving constituents and individuals to attend and 2023’s Garden Party was particularly special as it took place in the midst of the coronation celebrations.

My nomination this year was Dr Beatriz Albo, a Wrexham resident who founded Sabor de Amor in 2014. Sabor de Amor is a SpanishWelsh business that specialises in producing authentic Spanish cooking sauces and condiments inspired by Beatriz’s old family recipes. Her ‘Paella in a Bottle’ is award winning and featured on the BBC’s Top of the Shops with Tom Kerridge.

Beatriz had an amazing time at the Garden Party, meeting guests from all over the world in the stunning Buckingham Palace gardens, but the Spanish born entrepreneur could have never imagined the interest and publicity her trip would generate.

I’m so proud Beatriz was Wrexham’s representative at the Palace and I am pleased she had such a memorable experience.

Garden Parties are an annual event, so if any reader knows of any other individual who deserves to be recognised for their community work, and they’d be willing to travel to London for the event, please let me know and I would be happy to nominate them in future.

After a challenging period during the peak of the pandemic, a Wrexham-based support group for stroke survivors is back up and running. Life After Stroke, which was founded by Arthur Millington, meet at the Maesgwyn Community Centre on Lilac Way in Wrexham every Wednesday from 10am – 1pm.

Stroke survivors of all ages are welcome to attend the session to enjoy the positive atmosphere and interact with other members.

I know the emotional, physical and practical support offered by the group makes a real difference to the lives of members and if you’re a stroke survivor, or are caring for someone whose suffered a stroke, I recommend getting in touch.

Her story exploded back home in Spain, with every TV channel and radio station interviewing Beatriz for their prime-time programmes. The news even travelled across the Atlantic as Beatriz featured on the biggest radio station in Latin America and a TV channel in Colombia. Tel:

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.

Legal Advice

By EssentialsMAG legal advice contributor CAROL McGUIRE

Child Arrangements Orders

When a couple separates or divorces, there can be issues in relation to their childreneg. to whom the children should live with and how much contact will be given to the party leaving the family home.

Sometimes, these issues can be resolved in correspondence but there are those cases where the parties have entrenched views. In those cases we are obliged to forward the same to Mediation, as the Court will not accept any applications to deal with your problems, without a MIAMS form.This is a form that requires signing by the Mediator to say that Mediation is inappropriate.

Mediation is a good way of making your feelings known.You will be offered a joint session with your former partner/husband /wife to try and resolve the same in discussion and if successful, the Mediator will give you a copy of the purported agreement to give to your solicitor who can then draft an order to go into Court.

If you cannot agree, then we need the MIAMS form from the Mediator to allow an application to the Court. Mediation isn’t free, unless your means meet the Legal Aid Agency’s criteria, for which legal aid can be granted, but for Mediation only, and not legal fees.

If you do not meet that criteria, then you will have to pay per session you attend and also for the MIAMS form.

If unsuccessful in Mediation, then an application can be made to the Court, wherein a District Judge will speak with a CAFCASS Officer assigned to your case. They will decide how the matter progresses. A first hearing is likely to order an Impact Report from CAFCASS, which is an assessment of the situation. The Judge will make his decision based on this report and the oral evidence of the parties. If you do not agree with the CAFCASS report, then you can call the CAFCASS Officer into Court for cross examination.

Please be aware that the procedure can be slow, unless it is of a really urgent nature.

Useful Numbers

Puzzle Page... Just For Fun

Crossword

ACROSS

1 Repasts (5)

4 Paired (7)

7 Venerate; worship (5)

8 Lacking intelligence and sense (8)

9 Gardeners sow these (5)

11 People of no note (8)

15 Principal (8)

17 Bequeath an income to (5)

19 US name for the aubergine (8)

20 Yellow-orange pigment (5)

21 Spiders spin these (7)

22 Mournful song (5)

DOWN

1 Metallic element (9)

2 Assign (7)

3 Isolate (7)

4 Fine cloth (6)

5 Pokes gently (6)

6 Made a mistake (5)

10 Art of carving (9)

12 Modified (7)

13 Item used by asthma sufferers (7)

14 Remorse (6)

16 Messengers of God (6)

18 Tortilla topped with cheese (5)

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

Here are the answers from June: