EssentialsMAG June 2023 – South Wrexham Magazine

Welcome...

Welcome

Here comes the summer! Yes, June is the official start of summer, and the solstice on Wednesday 21st June is the longest day, when the Earth tilts on its axis closest to the sun.

In the British imagination, solstice – from the Latin words “sol” (sun) and “stitium” (still) – is invariably associated with Stonehenge. This mysterious group of massive standing stones rising majestically from Salisbury Plain took 1,400 years to build – the one construction on Earth that makes the HS2 project look speedy!

This month we’re also celebrating Father’s Day –it’s on the third Sunday of the month, which this year is 18th June. While there is a long tradition of honouring fatherhood in Catholic European countries on the Feast Day of St Joseph (19th March), Father’s Day in the UK owes more to the American celebration, which was designated a US public holiday in 1972 by President Richard Nixon. But whatever its origins, it remains a wonderful opportunity to treat our dads and commemorate the loving memories of those no longer with us.

Until next time,

Cover Image: Beautiful purple blue butterfly

July Deadlines:

Editorial - 15th June

Advertising - 22nd June

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

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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

Cheshire’s Event of the Summer!

Finding the perfect day out for mum, dad, the kids, the dog, granny, grandpa and anyone else you can pack in the car, can be a challenge! Thankfully, this summer, the Bolesworth International has you covered.

You already know about the worldclass sport, but what about the heart-pounding freestyle motocross and BMX displays? Mouth-watering masterclasses from multiaward winning chef BBQ Ben Bartlett? Or how about the more than 70 fashion, beauty, art, pet and food retailers on site? And that’s just scratching the surface!

At Bolesworth International, there’s an amazing fairground, hot air balloons, circus workshops, zorbing, bouncy castles, pony rides, beekeeping, chainsaw carving, wildlife encounters, and falconry - to name a few. As well as a huge range of food options, including wood-fired pizza, Mediterranean and Latin street food, Italian pastries, Thai, gelato, churros, and more.

The event is, of course, dog-friendly too, so four-legged members of the family can also get involved in their have-a-go dog agility sessions, family dog shows, or simply soak up the atmosphere.

Live Music

When the sun goes down the party well and truly gets started! Get ready to dance and sing the night away on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th June with a host of top artists and bands ready to truly bring the summer festival atmosphere to the event.

The live music is included in your ticket and you’ll be able to see the likes of Rick Parfitt Jnr and The RPJ Band, DJ Phoebe D’Abo, The Brand New Heavies and Trevor Nelson!

Camping at the castle

Located conveniently on-site, the Bolesworth Field Campsite is the perfect place to really make the most of your festival weekend with friends and family.

Automotive Experience Zone

There’ll be plenty of horse power on show at the Bolesworth International, but if you’re looking to make the (show)jump to an electric vehicle, hybrid or e-bike, the spectacular Driving Experience Zone will have you feeling charged up. Visitors will be able to discover and test drive an array of the latest high-tech EVs, hybrids and e-bikes available from a host of the world’s leading brands.

Bolesworth International 2023 - at Bolesworth Castle

Book Online today!

Get your tickets at Bolesworth.com/international and save 20% on gate prices by buying in advance!

WIN Tickets to Bolesworth International 2023

EssentialsMAG is proud to announce our partnership with Bolesworth International. We have four All Day Tickets to giveaway to one lucky reader!

For your chance to win x4 All Day Tickets to Bolesworth International 2023, on a day of your choice, please complete the entry form on our website:

www.essentialsmag.co.uk/prize

The competition will close on Monday 12th June 2023 when one lucky winner will be picked at random. Terms & conditions apply. Good luck!

Get Your Walking Boots On!

The annual Wrexham Walking Festival is taking place from Saturday 3rd to Sunday 11th June and consists of nine days of walks celebrating the history and beauty of North East Wales. There are 22 walks planned of varying length and difficulty within the county borough of Wrexham and surrounding area. All the walks are led by trained volunteers. They are free-of-charge and there is no need to book in advance.

Full details of the programme are available at: www.walksinwrexham.com. Walkabout Wrexham also run weekly and monthly walks throughout the year - everyone is welcome to join!

Sunshine Meadow Returns

Stalls Wanted

Bangor-on-Dee’s Big Day Out Summer Fair is to be held on Saturday 8th July. There will be craft and cake stalls, games, raffle, food and drink from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Then onto music, food and drink until 9pm. We still have some spaces for stalls, if anyone is interested in joining us, please contact Jackie on: 07749 494180.

The Nightingale House Sunshine Meadow returns to Chirk Castle for its 5th Anniversary. The National Trust welcomed the Sunshine Meadow to Chirk with a beautiful sunflower display five years ago. Since then, the annual Sunshine Meadow's flowers of choice have been poppies, bluebells, and forget-me-nots. This year, the magnificent grounds of Chirk Castle will be adorned with the perennially popular snowdrop.

The partnership between Nightingale House and The National Trust has developed over time. The Wrexham-based hospice helps children deal with loss and ‘The Woodland Wellbeing Days’ held at Erddig Hall's grounds provide breathtaking scenery for children to engage their senses, make new friends, and feel a sense of connectedness with someone else in a similar situation.

Delyth Underwood, Community Fundraiser at Nightingale House said “We are delighted to once again be working in collaboration with The National Trust to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of our Sunshine Meadow. 1000 Snowdrops will be planted at Chirk Castle in front of the Bachelor Tower from 3rd - 30th June 2023.”

The snowdrops are £30 each plus postage. If you would like to purchase a snowdrop please visit: www.nightingalehouse.co.uk/event/sunshine-2023

Local Boy Becomes Movie Stunt Artist

Local lad, Adam Rhys Williams, grew up in Garden Village Wrexham and attended Watts Dyke Primary School, then Darland High School in Rossett. He went on to study Media at Coleg Cambria, where during his course, he made a short film which concluded with him jumping out of a bathroom window onto strategically placed boxes and settee cushions!

After college, he passed all four phases required to be an Elite Action Performer at the British Action Academy - the UK’s leading screen action training academy providing industry recognised action courses for those looking to enter into the film and TV industry.

Recently, Adam worked on a British action comedy-drama called ‘Polite Society’, written and directed by Nida Manzoor. As Fight Coordinator, he taught the actresses fight routines and had a fight scene in the film with the lead actress, Priya Kansara.

Adam has recently been accepted onto the British Stunt Register as a trainee. A great achievement for all the hours he has put in to reach his goal and is well on his journey to become a Stunt Performer - his parents are very proud of him!

Follow Adam’s career progress on Instagram: @Adamrwilliams13

Art Gallery

The former Groves School in Wrexham has been shortlisted as a potential anchor site for a National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales. The detailed bid has been submitted, and if successful, it will secure the re-use of a prominent listed building, subject to all of the necessary consents being obtained.

Motivated To Move

By EssentialsMAG motivation contributor SASHA KENNEY

In today’s world everybody is looking for a magic pill. A magic pill that will make us slimmer, a magic pill that will make us feel better, a magic pill that will solve our problem.

I have some good news! I know of the magic pill. It is simple. But it is not easy. The magic pill - exercise.

The benefits of physical movement have long been documented - it’s great for your body and mind, it is energising, it clears your head, lowers stress levels etc…

So,

what is the problem?

We know we should move, go for a walk, run or do some hooping. We make a plan, but then we don’t follow it through. And this happens again and again.

Why are we so good at thinking of what to do, but so terrible at actually doing those things?

The problem is, we are skipping an essential step: the feelings. We rarely take our emotions into account, even though they are a fundamental part of why humans do what they do. We keep finding excuses because we don’t feel like going out, or we don’t feel like hooping today. And yes, granted, hooping is great because it doesn’t feel like your regular boring exercise… but still, sometimes even the best exercise can be hard to keep up!

If you want to get your magic pill, you will need to start thinking about exercise in a more “mechanical way”. Here are three basic hacks to get you moving:

Ignore the feelings

Trick yourself; no matter how you are feeling and what excuse you find, ignore the negative self-talk and put on your trainers anyway. Open the door. Push yourself out and start walking. You know you will feel better afterwards.

Monitor the progress

Nothing is more motivating than progress. So, track your progress. Celebrate small wins. Research shows that rewards are responsible for three-quarters of why you do things. Congratulate yourself whenever you complete a workout.

Use peer pressure

Surround yourself with active people. According to research, you are likely to develop health habits of those around you. If you’re in a group of people who have high goals for looking after themselves, you are likely to take on that same attitude.

As I said: ”It’s simple, but not easy.” You can do this!

By Sasha Kenney Helping people to think and feel better The founder of Hoola Nation sasha@hoolanation.co.uk

Dental Health and Dry Mouth

By SATISH CHAPPITI, Arc Healthcare Dental Services

Dry mouth (Xerostomia) is the feeling of insufficient saliva in the mouth. We all occasionally experience a dry mouth, but many (approx. one in four) experience it more frequently, and if not treated, it can be very uncomfortable and can impact on your dental health.

The main causes of dry mouth are:

• Prescription and over-the-counter medications

• Medical conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s , Parkinson’s, Sjogren’s syndrome, hypertension, stroke, dementia, depression

• Patients having treatment for cancer

• Dehydration as a result of fever, sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea, blood loss and burns

• Smoking, drinking alcohol, coffee

• Surgical removal of the salivary glands.

The main symptoms of dry mouth are:

• Viscous or sticky / stringy saliva

• A burning or tingling sensation in the mouth and especially on the tongue

• Cracked lips and split skin at the corners of the mouth

• Severe halitosis (bad breath)

• Frequent thirst causes excess drinking of water, resulting in increased urination and disturbed sleep

• Problems speaking, tasting, chewing, swallowing, wearing dentures.

Saliva plays an important role in keeping your mouth moist for comfort, lubricates as you chew and digest your food, neutralizes harmful acids, kills bacteria, prevents bad breath, protects your teeth’s enamel and helps in the healing process of wounds.

Management of dry mouth:

• Manage your medical conditions to reduce your medications. Speak to your GP to see if they can reduce the dose or change to one that does not cause dry mouth

• Change your lifestyle by stopping smoking, reducing caffeine and limit alcohol consumption

• Visit the Dentist regularly, improve oral hygiene, use a fluoride toothpaste and if necessary use an alcohol-free mouthwash

• Limit sugary foods and drinks

• Chew sugar-free gum where possible or suck on sugar-free pastilles to stimulate saliva flow

• Try over-the-counter saliva substitutes that contain xylitol. Brands include Biotene moisturising gel/mouthwash, Oralieve mouth spray, XyliMelts, ACT moisturising gum.

• Full denture wearers can use a fixative like Fixodent which has antibacterial properties to help hold the dentures in.

By Satish Chappiti from Arc Healthcare, 2 Watergate Street, Ellesmere SY12 0EU Tel: 01691 623692 www.archealthcaredental.co.uk

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod 2023

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is a week-long arts festival, which for 76 years has brought together performers from across the globe to share their love of song, dance and spoken word.

This proud heritage of international cultural exchange, takes place in a uniquely welcoming and joyful Eisteddfod, rooted in traditional Welsh values. A buzzing outdoor site and worldclass evening concert series join with a diverse mix of traditional and contemporary music and dance competitions.

The 2023 festival will feature a wide variety of performances, from traditional Welsh folk music to classical ballet and modern pop - there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

The 2023 Llangollen Eisteddfod promises to be another fantastic celebration of music, culture, and international friendship. Whether you are a music lover, a culture enthusiast, or simply looking for a fun and memorable experience, the Llangollen Eisteddfod is not to be missed.

In addition to the music and cultural performances, the Llangollen Eisteddfod also features a range of food and drink stalls, selling traditional Welsh food and drink as well as international cuisine. Visitors can sample everything from Welsh cakes and bara brith to sushi and curry, making the festival a feast for the senses.

The festival site, incorporating a 4,000seat Royal Pavilion, is a five-minute walk from the town centre, with ample parking.

With its stunning location in the heart of North Wales, its diverse and exciting lineup of performers, and its warm and welcoming atmosphere, the festival is sure to be a highlight of the summer calendar.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is on for one week between 4th - 9th July

Tickets and information

A wide range of ticket prices/options exist; Field entry starts at £5, and evening concert tickets cost between £10 - £48. Tickets can be booked online at: www.llangollen.net or by phone: 01978 862000 (Tue-Thu 9am-5pm).

Dates for your Diary

SAT 3 JUNE

Chirk Carnival 2023

Chirk Recreation Ground, Chirk LL14 5PA

A great family fun day out for all the family!

10am - 7pm

Adult £2.50 / child £2.00

https://bit.ly/43mk97D

SAT 3 JUNE

Wrexham Street Market

Queen's Square, Wrexham LL11 1AT

A host of local traders offering a selection of gifts, crafts, food and drink.

10am - 4pm

SAT 3 JUNE

Coffee Morning

Bangor-on-Dee Village Hall, Bangor-on-Dee, Wrexham LL13

Raffle, and stalls selling homemade cakes.

10:30am - 12pm

£2.00 (includes refreshments)

Tel: 01978 780558

3 - 11 JUNE

Wrexham Walking

Festival 2023

Nine days of free walks exploring the beauty and history of NE Wales. See website for programme. www.walksinwrexham.com Free

SAT 10 JUNE

Rhosddu Fun Day

The field next to Rhosddu Park

A great day for all the family - entertainment from local acts, stalls, food and drink and activities.

12pm - 6pm

Free

SAT 10 JUNE

Marchwiel Church

Summer Fayre

Marchwiel Church, Wrexham Road, Marchwiel LL13 0TE

Various outdoor stallsplants, preserves, books, cakes, crafts, bric-a-brac, raffle and refreshments. Games for the children. For all the family. Proceeds in aid of Church funds.

2pm - 4pm Free

SAT 10 JUNE

Joint Male Choir

Charity Concert

St Martin's Church, Llay, Wrexham LL12 OSA

Rhos Orpheus Male Choir and London Welsh Rugby Club Choir will be combining for a charity concert.

7pm

£10.00

https://bit.ly/41ZVbKb

SAT 10 JUNE

Church Concert

St Dunawd’s Church High Street, Bangor on Dee LL13 0BU

St Cecilia Singers concert, music for a summer evening! All welcome.

7:30pm

£8.00 on the door

14 - 18 JUNE

Bolesworth International

Bolesworth Castle, Tattenhall, Chester CH3 9JJ

Cheshire's unmissable event for the whole family! All-day entertainment, live music, action sports and driving experiences, fashion, shopping and things to do for the kids. Book online and save 20% off the gate prices. bolesworth.com/international

SAT 17 JUNE

Picnic in the Park

Rossett Park, The Green, Rossett LL12 0DE

A fun afternoon for all the family - community stalls, games, tug of war, football. Bring the whole family, a picnic rug and chairs and your own food. Burgers, hot dogs and cakes will be available to purchase too.

1pm - 4pm Free

20 - 23 JUNE

Festival of Crafts

All Saints Church, Gresford, LL12 8RG

Gresford Craft Group will be exhibiting their knitting, crochet, sewing, quilting, papercraft, needlecrafts. Also, a sale of craft, fabrics and plants. Tea, coffee and cakes are available.

10:30am - 5pm (Tue/Wed/Fri)

10:30am - 8pm (Thursday)

£4.00 gresford-craft-group.co.uk

WED 21 JUNE

Pulford & Poulton Local History Group talk

Pulford Village Hall, off Burganey Court, Pulford, Chester CH4 9ES

“A Local History of Aviation” by Robert Hughes Refreshments served.

7:30pm

£3.00 members/£5.00 non www.pplhg.org.uk

SAT 24 JUNE

Overton Village Fete & Picnic on the Pitch/Fun Dog Show

Multi-location, Overton Street Market in the morning with a “Picnic on the Pitch” and a Fun Dog Show in the afternoon.

10am - 4:30pm Free

www.overton-on-dee.co.uk

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

SAT 24 JUNE

Ploughfest

The Plough Inn, Chester Road, Gresford LL12 8NE

A summer fun day for all the family - kids’ funfair, games and activities. Live evening entertainment.

1pm till late

Tel: 07525 824679

SUN 25 JUNE

Bersham Colliery

Open Day

Bersham Colliery, Colliery Road, Rhostyllen LL14 4EG

Bring the family. It is an industrial site, so sensible shoes and clothing are a must. Free parking.

10am - 4pm Free northwalesminers@gmail.com

Zumba with Sian

MON 26 JUNE

Walking Football for the over 60+ Colliers Park, Gresford, Wrexham LL12 8PW

Walking Football for the over 60+ an excellent way of staying fit and healthy.

4pm - 5pm

£3.00 per session

(first 2 weeks free of charge) Tel: 07747 431607 (Ruth)

TUE 27 JUNE

Coffee Morning

The Golden Lion, Wrexham Road, Rossett LL12 0HN

Coffee Morning for Christ Church, Rossett. Cake stall and raffle. Come and meet new friends - all welcome.

10am - 12pm

£5.00

Gresford Memorial Hall

TUESDAY: 9:30am - 10:15am

WEDNESDAY: 6:30pm - 7:15pm

Zumba is a fun, dance-based fitness workout, for all abilities!

To book or for information call Sian on 07708 149517

St. Margaret’s Church Hall, Wrexham

FRIDAY: 9:30am - 10:15am

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.

Visiting Rome in a Day

By DELMAR WORLD in Gresford

With regular and reasonably priced flights going from Manchester or Liverpool to Rome, I decided to reacquaint myself with this magnificent city on a quick break of two nights, giving me only one full day to catch the highlights.

The best, and cheapest option, was the Big Bus Hop-on, Hop-off tour www.bigbus.com which circles the city and stops at the most popular landmarks, such as the Colosseum, Basilica, Vatican, Trevi Fountain, and you can wander around these sights to enjoy a good overview before re-joining the bus again. A prerecorded narrative gives an interesting insight to each place visited and some entertaining anecdotes about the historic characters who formed Rome’s history

The buses get busy, however, and my advice would be to spend a little more and purchase the 48-hour tour ticket which will give you the chance to do the whole circle on the day you arrive to get your whereabouts. Then start early the following day to beat the crowds, getting off at the stops you are most interested in.

The ticket is around £28 per person for a day, and £35 for two days.

If you are lucky to get them, the upstairs front seats have an amazing view and particularly good for taking photographs.

Another top tip is to decide which of the attractions you want to see in detail.

I chose the Vatican, Cistine Chapel and Basilica and used the Big Bus to get there. By pre-booking a guided tour, not only did I get to see everything with an interesting and entertaining guide, but I did not have to queue for two hours to get into the Vatican and then another two hours for the Basilica. This guided tour was around £80 but worth every penny.

We stayed in a boutique hotel called the Fifteen Keys, situated in the Monti neighbourhood in central Rome. We were just a short walk from the Big Bus stop and surrounded by several independent friendly restaurants which was a welcome end to a busy, but invigorating day.

Many cruise ships either start or end their itineraries in Civitavecchia near to Rome, so you may want to consider this, as a pre or post city stay.

Let’s face it, if you are passing by, it would be a shame not to see this amazing city even if you only have a day to spare!

Delmar World are leading travel experts in Worldwide tailor-made holidays & cruises.

Tel: 01978 853 886, www.delmarworld.com

54-56 Chester Road, Gresford, Wrexham LL12 8NE

LET’S TALK TRAVEL®

To make sure you can look forward to your holiday without stress, we offer a FREE Pre-Departure Service to all our clients to make sure you comply with the COVID travel requirements and that you are fully informed and prepared before your holiday.

WHY USE DELMAR WORLD?

We are an Independent Travel Agency - Established 1964

Cruise and Destination Specialists

Winner of the Best Small Travel Agency in the North West & North Wales 2021

Talk Travel Appointment Service to make sure you get the best possible advise and guidance with a travel specialist best suited to your destination choice

Zoom, telephone or face-to-face appointments available

Pre-Departure Service to check your documents and give you peace of mind

Tel: 01978 853 886 • email: sales@delmarworld.co.uk • www.delmarworld.com

54-56 Chester Road, Gresford LL12 8NE

“We have had not just a wonderful time but an absolutely fantastic trip, very emotional and beautiful. Thank you so much for all your help in planning it Samantha, just amazing!” - MRS G, HOLT, WREXHAM

Forging Ahead in North Wales

By Property Consultant CHARLES LAWSON

Forge Property Consultants has announced a further expansion of its business with the news that the company is opening a new office in Wrexham, North Wales, taking its network of regional offices up to four.

Forge Property was founded by Managing Director Charles Lawson in 2010. Starting with one office at West Felton, near Oswestry, the company has grown year on year, with its second and third offices established in Staffordshire and South Wales. Charles has subsequently been joined by two more directors, Tom Mason, who heads up the Eccleshall office in Staffordshire and Ed Merriman, who leads the South Wales operation, based in Pembrokeshire.

Charles Lawson, Managing Director of Forge Property Consultants said:

“We are really excited to move into our new office. Located at 41 King Street, in the heart of Wrexham’s vibrant and inclusive business community, we are looking forward to getting to know our neighbours, particularly those operating in the professional services sector.

“Demand for our services, both residential and commercial, is up across North Wales, and Wrexham, now Wales’ seventh city,

is undergoing a real transformation, so it was an obvious choice of location for our fourth office.”

Forge Property Consultants Ltd is a firm of Chartered Surveyors and Valuers, providing advice to clients on a wide range of property and land matters from its offices in Shropshire, Staffordshire and South Wales. The new Wrexham office of the firm will now aim to serve clients based across North Wales as well.

Experienced in dealing with all types of property, the company works across agricultural, residential, and commercial property sectors. Clients include private individuals, corporate entities, and statutory undertakers.

For more information on Forge Property Consultants, and to see if they can help you with a property matter, please visit their website at www.forgeproperty.co.uk

The new office is located at:

41 King Street

Wrexham

LL11 1HR

WILLIAM M. CHADWICK

By JOE BICKERTON, Tourism Manager, Wrexham County Borough Council

It continues to be an exciting time for tourism, here in Wrexham. We were all thrilled to see Wrexham AFC achieve promotion, and last month there was a brilliant atmosphere throughout the City Centre during the parade of both the men’s and women’s teams, when 1000s of people lined the streets to cheer them on. It was a sight to behold!

To build on the international spotlight shining brightly on Wrexham at the moment, we continue to work with the local hospitality trade via the This is Wrexham Tourism Partnership who’ve just been awarded a £64,000 grant from Cadwyn Clwyd to support their members with new marketing materials this summer.

With so many new visitors coming to the area already, and more expected over the coming months, it’s important that we all act as ambassadors and show how proud we are of this area.

To support businesses with this, we are also gearing up for the launch of our new Wrexham Tourism Ambassador Programme – an online modular scheme designed to enable tourism staff and members of the community quickly learn more about the Wrexham area.

This compliments our new tourism brochure which we’re working closely with VOX and EssentialsMAG magazines to get ready very soon! If you are a tourism/hospitality business working in Wrexham County – please visit www.thisiswrexham.co.uk/membership for more details.

Over the coming weeks, you may also see a number of colourful bikes positioned around the County. These are being decorated by local businesses in partnership with Groundwork North Wales and ourselves to promote National Bike weeks, between 5-11 June. The bikes will stay out over the rest of the year and more will appear to welcome the Tour of Britain cycle race finish in Wrexham City Centre on Monday 4th September! Keep your eyes posted on www.thisiswrexham.co.uk for a trail map later this summer too.

We were really excited to see international tennis return to Wrexham Tennis Centre in May, as the Junior International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour served up excitement. The tournament saw some of the best young tennis stars of the future descend on the city, along with their families and coaches.

Finally, I’m really looking forward to talking at the next VOX Magazine networking event on 22nd June at the Croes Howell. details at: www.ezpublishing.co.uk/events

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

Gardening Tips and Advice June - Summer Arrives

June 21st is the longest day of the year and the extra light and warmth encourages the garden to put on an exuberant burst of growth. But this extra light and warmth also means weeds will sprout up from seemingly nowhere. Keep on top of them by hoeing regularly in dry conditions.

TOP 10 JOBS TO DO IN THE GARDEN THIS MONTH

1. Hoe borders regularly to keep down weeds

2. Be water-wise, especially in drought-affected areas

3. Pinch out side shoots on tomatoes

4. Harvest lettuce, radish, other salads and early potatoes

5. Position summer hanging baskets and containers outside

6. Mow lawns at least once a week

7. Plant out summer bedding

8. Stake tall or floppy plants

9. Prune many spring-flowering shrubs

10. Shade greenhouses to keep them cool and prevent scorch

Tasty Cauliflower Cheese & Bacon

Whether you’re making this delicious dish as a midweek main course, or as a side dish to your Sunday lunch, this easy Cauliflower Cheese recipe is full of flavour.

SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS

100g bacon lardons

1 tbsp rapeseed oil

1 onion, finely chopped

20g unsalted butter

30g plain flour

500ml semi-skimmed milk

METHOD

60g mature Cheddar, grated

1 whole nutmeg, to grate

0.25 tsp English mustard

1 head cauliflower (approx 650g), cut into florets

250g Brussels sprouts, halved

Cook the bacon lardons in a non-stick pan over a medium heat for 5-10 minutes, until crisp and golden. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Add the oil to the pan and cook the onion for 5-10 minutes until soft, then add the butter and let it melt before stirring through the flour. Cook for 2 minutes, before stirring in the milk, a little at a time. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes before adding half the cheese, the nutmeg and mustard.

Season to taste with freshly ground black pepper.

Preheat the oven to 200°C, 180°C fan, gas 6. Meanwhile, bring a pan of water to the boil and cook the cauliflower for 5 minutes, adding in the Brussels sprouts for the last 3 minutes until just tender. Drain and place into the bottom of a 1.5 litre baking dish with the bacon lardons. Pour over the cheese sauce and top with the remaining cheese.

Cook in the oven for 15 minutes, until golden on top and bubbling.

Seasonal Treats in June

The British summer food season starts picking up pace this month, with berries galore and savoury treats, too. Here are three of the best.

Strawberries

Yes, we know you can buy strawberries all year round, either grown in the UK under glass in cooler weather, or imported from warmer climes. But, there’s nothing like a freshly picked strawberry ripened under the English sun. Supermarket offerings can tend to be bland, especially Elsanta, which is grown more for its shelf-life than flavour, but Malling Centenary is juicy and sweet. And if the weather is dry, why not visit your local pick-your-own farm – great fun for all the family!

Strawberries are wonderful eaten on their own, dipped in yoghurt, or with sugar and cream as an indulgent treat. For a superhealthy twist, serve with balsamic vinegar, basil or black pepper to enhance their flavour. They are best stored in the fridge, with their stalks intact, then taken out a couple of hours before eating, to reach room temperature. PS: Did you know that a handful of strawberries (around seven medium-sized ones) counts as one of your five a day?

Turbot

Wild turbot is in excellent condition in June. A large flat fish with firm white flesh and, unusually, no scales, it’s expensive but incredibly meaty, so a little goes a long way. You can also use the bones to make stock. It can be steamed, poached, baked, roasted or even cooked in a spicy curry, but probably the best results come from

simply grilling or pan-frying gently with lemon, butter and a little black pepper.

Wild thing: elderflowers

The glorious scent of creamy white elderflowers is unmissable in June. These tiny flowers grow in huge clusters from elder trees and shrubs, and you’ll find them everywhere from roadside hedgerows and woods to scrub and wasteland. Like elderberries, they are edible but slightly toxic when raw, so they should be eaten cooked. Elderflowers can also be used to make vinegar and, of course, the classic cordial. They are best picked in the late afternoon on a sunny day, when they are holding more pollen and therefore more flavour. Give the sprigs a good shake to dislodge any insects before using.

June Shopping List

Artichoke, Asparagus, Beetroot, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Cabbages, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chard, Courgette, Cucumber, Garlic, Gooseberries, Lettuce, Peas, Potatoes, Radish, Raspberries, Rocket, Rhubarb, Runner Beans, Spinach, Spring Onions, Strawberries, Sugar Snaps, Watercress

Black Bream, Mackerel, Pollack, Turbot, Wild Salmon

Lamb

The Power of the Review

By JULIE GREGORY

There are those of us who take time to reward a good experience by leaving a positive review, and those who only rate a service or product if they are disappointed. But how important is a review to a business and does it impact sales if it only receives poor ratings?

It may seem obvious that good reviews lead to more sales but even a small improvement in an overall star rating can boost sales too. Businesses with Google reviews, or those on Yell or Trip Advisor, can see a marked upturn in bookings or sales if their overall rating increases by just one star.

Online reviews are easy to find and add your own comments to and it really is important to any business to receive feedback – good and bad. If the business owner thinks he or she is offering a great service, but their customers disagree, the owner needs to be told, politely, there could be improvements. Reviews should be checked regularly and responded to.

‘Trust’ is important for any brand. People want to like and buy from you. But if they don’t feel they can trust you, they will look elsewhere.

Researching a product or service is much easier these days, as most brands have a website with product reviews and ratings.

If you’re searching for a particular washing machine, for example, all you need to do is enter the details in your internet search bar and the machine’s pros, cons, price differences between retailers etc will appear. If you are a retailer, the only difference could be your customer service. The better the experience, the easier customers will find it to return.

The marketing journey is slightly different as some brands incentivise customers for simply leaving a review, positive or negative. How often do you enjoy a meal out in a restaurant and are given a feedback form or online link with the bill? Do you participate or simply ignore it? Are you indifferent to the offer or the experience you have just had?

Consider the impact your review may have on a brand. If it is negative, is it constructive or a rant? Will others find it helpful? All I would say is that if you have had a positive experience, please leave a review to reward the business, and don’t only leave feedback after a negative encounter.

St. Mary’s School, Overton Latest News

Children from St. Mary’s School, Overton on Dee have been enjoying National Outdoor Learning Week in conjunction with National Resources Wales. There have been a multitude of cross-curricular activities taking place that have incorporated team games and problem solving, creative and expressive art activities, scientific experiments, texture exploration, and springtime kitchen garden preparation.

Children in year one and two have explored the Japanese art of hapa-zome; the technique is hammering flowers and leaves into fabric and is literally translated as ‘leaf dye’. As experts of their newfound skills, they have worked collaboratively with year five and taught the older children how the process works and we will use the material to create bunting for the Coronation Celebrations.

Year six have worked as Environmental Health Officers on behalf of National Resources Wales, investigating a report of fly tipping within the school grounds that may have affected a vital water course. They worked collaboratively to assess the area including measuring the water clarity and purity in our school pond and are working to identify a culprit – watch this space!

These are examples of the open-ended and exploratory ways in which children learn in our wide range of environments.

To find out more about our school, or to arrange a visit, please contact us on the details below.

Soapbox Derby

Things are well and truly underway for the 2023 Farndon Soapbox Derby which takes place on Sunday 17th of September. The organising committee, made up of local community volunteers from Farndon, Holt and further afield, together with the fundraising team at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, have been working extremely hard behind the scenes. We are pleased to say that with over 32 Racing Kart Teams have now signed up, and it promises be another thrilling fun-packed day for all the family.

However, it’s not too late to join in, even though places are now strictly limited to first-come-first-served! So if you’d like to enter a Racing Kart Team, simply get in touch with us:

getinvolved@farndonsoapboxderby.co.uk

Last year’s phenomenal event saw more than 4,000 people from all over Cheshire and North Wales come along to support this incredible fundraising extravaganza that raised over £26,000 for our chosen charity. At the end of the day, prizes and medals were handed out to the winning teams by, none other than British sporting champion, Hollywood star and Olympic Legend, Eddie the Eagle! We hope to have similar celebrity support this year to add even more stardust to our event.

With such a huge focus on our villages, local businesses are urged, once again, to get behind the event and support this year’s Farndon Soapbox Derby.

You can do this by either becoming a sponsor, or giving up your time to help

steward the event. We also need local businesses to supply resources and donate prizes. Every little helps, and no offer of support is too small! If you would like to be a part of this fabulous day, please contact: getinvolved@farndonsoapboxderby, or visit our website to find out more about our sponsorship packages: www.farndonsoapboxderby.co.uk Facebook: @farndonsoapboxderby

The Farndon Soapbox Derby is your community event, and everyone is welcome to join in, to help make this fun-tastic fundraising extravaganza something to be really proud of!

Save the date!

Make a note in your diary - 17th September to come along to experience a fun-packed, thrilling Sunday with lots of laughs!

EssentialsMAG is proud to be competing in the Kid’s race again this year. Checkout our Facebook page to follow our new kart building progress @EssentialsMagWrexham

Play To Win

By EssentialsMAG environment contributor ROB RENOUF

Wrexham AFC is currently enjoying incredible success and like many, I’m loving every minute of it! It’s scary to realise that a ‘realistic’ timeframe for Wrexham AFC reaching the Premier League might not be far off the government’s target date for delivering net zero. Based on recent progress, I think the former is looking far more likely to actually happen than the latter! So, could adopting elements of Wrexham’s approach enhance our response to the climate emergency?

Deeds not words

This month is the fourth anniversary of the UK Government setting its 2050 net zero target. So how much has really changed since then? Unfortunately, the truth is nowhere near enough - the government’s own independent advisers have expressed concern about the “scant evidence of delivery”. In contrast, the progress made by Wrexham in the two years since Rob and Ryan took over is clearly evident. If they’d said the aim was to reach the Premier League by 2050 and then done nothing about it, I imagine fans would be getting very restless by now. Like getting to the Premier League, reaching net zero is a huge challenge involving significant time and effort, which is why we need to be making real progress right now.

Listen to the experts

Rob and Ryan have said that a critical component in their success has been allowing people with the necessary expertise to make key decisions.

There’s widespread consensus on what needs to be done to tackle climate change - the advice from the experts is clear and what is required from the government is to implement it rapidly.

Proven methods

Wrexham AFC brought in a manager and players with proven track records - they didn’t gamble on unknown quantities or try to invent a new way of playing football. We have ways of tackling climate change that are proven to work, such as insulating homes to reduce energy consumption. Whereas, gambling on new technologies, like carbon capture, which are unproven at anywhere near the scale required, is unnecessary and reckless. 15 years in the National League felt bad enough, but failure to act now on the climate crisis will have horrendous consequences lasting thousands of years.

Wrexham AFC currently provides a textbook example of how to achieve success by doing the right things. Applying some of the same principles to tackling the climate emergency will increase the likelihood that we’ll be able to celebrate success there as well.

Rob Renouf

robsrenouf@gmail.com

Acton Park Primary School is a friendly, caring and nurturing school with a ‘family feel’, catering for children aged from 3 - 11 years

To find out more about our school, or to arrange a visit, please contact us on: 01978 318950

mailbox@actonpark-pri.wrexham.sch.uk

At Reflections we specialise in the bespoke design, manufacture and fitting of high quality bedroom, kitchen, offices and bathroom furniture.

All manufactured and installed by our own highly skilled craftsmen.

Free no pressure, no obligation consultations.

Superb value for money.

Tel: 01978 265 381

co.uk

Sarah Atherton MP

Member of Parliament for Wrexham

Last month, I was pleased to attend an event at Moneypenny alongside business leaders and local authority representatives to explore the opportunity of a Wrexham Investment Zone bid. This is a golden opportunity for us to capitalise on Wrexham’s winning streak and take our city to the next level.

I’ve had productive meetings recently with the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up and the Secretary of State for Wales, where I’ve enthusiastically made the case for a Wrexham Investment Zone. I am keen now to work in partnership with Wrexham business leaders, the university, and other politicians on a cross-party basis to get the best deal for Wrexham and secure £80 million worth of tax incentives for our local economy and city centre. I am proud of Wrexham, and I think a bid from our city would be a strong one!

Due to the shocking state of dental services in Wrexham and following countless conversations with concerned residents, I have written to the Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan MS, asking how this issue will be addressed. The Minister’s response stated that anyone seeking access to NHS dental services should contact their Health Board for the latest information and with a view to joining a practice waiting list. With no immediate plan, nor vision, I can assure residents that I will continue to call on the Welsh Government to put the people of Wrexham first.

Following a recent meeting with Together Creating Communities where we discussed their disability-friendly Changing Places Toilets campaign, I went down to the

Wrexham Wellbeing Hub to visit their large, accessible toilet and to talk to staff members. Wrexham currently has four Changing Places toilets and while this is a good start, we need to ensure people can go to the toilet safely wherever they are. I will be contacting Wrexham Council regarding this issue and will also ask them to consider including Changing Places toilets in future developments.

Lastly, as a result of my office’s ‘Grant Finder’ service, the Friends of Gresford Lake and Gresford Community Council have been granted £48,145 to deliver the first phase of environmental improvements for Gresford Lake. I am proud to share that in two years, we have raised over £315,000 for charities and community groups in Wrexham.

If you are in Wrexham and have any questions or need funding, please do not hesitate to contact me by emailing sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk

If you are a resident in the current Wrexham constituency and need my help with any issues, please don’t hesitate to contact me by email on sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk

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.

Should I Pay to Top Up My State Pension?

By WARREN HADLOW, Hadlow Edwards Wealth Management Ltd

Making a voluntary contribution to your State Pension pot could be an efficient way to put money towards your retirement, but it’s important to consider all the implications. On 6th April, the new full State Pension rose to £203.85 a week – a 10.1% increase. However, just how much you’ll be eligible for when you reach State Pension age will depend on the National Insurance contributions (NICs) you’ve made.

To get the full State Pension, you now need 35 years of NICs. If you’ve got between 10 and 35, you’ll get a pro rata amount, but if you’ve got less than 10, you won’t be eligible for any State Pension.

If you aren’t on track to get the full State Pension, it’s possible to buy top-ups. Those with big gaps can take advantage of the government offer to make voluntary NICs going back 16 years. However, the scheme comes to an end on 31 July 2023.

Normally, you can only make voluntary NICs for the previous six tax years. However, this scheme means it’s possible to make voluntary contributions going back to the 2006/07 tax year, so it’s worth considering for anyone aged 45-70 who might have significant gaps in their National Insurance (NI) records.

Where do I stand?

If you’ve been working and paying NI consistently throughout your career, you should have paid enough to get the full State Pension, but if you haven’t (and weren’t claiming benefits), you might not reach the 35-year threshold you need.

You can find out whether you’re on track by applying for a State Pension forecast on the government website. In addition to telling you how much you’ll get and when, it will highlight any gaps you might have in your NI record.

What happens if I haven’t paid enough National Insurance?

If you do have gaps in your NI record, you can make voluntary contributions. These allow you to increase the State Pension you eventually receive, and for some people they could be an excellent investment.

Currently, Class 3 NICs cost £17.45 per week or £907.40 per year. Each year represents 1/35 of the full State Pension, and one year’s additional top-up alone could boost your weekly income by £5.82 a week or £302.64 a year (based on the 2023/24 State Pension).

However, a person with 10 years of missing contributions would be able to boost their State Pension by £3,026 per year in return for a one-off payment of £9,074, by taking advantage of the government’s offer before it runs out.

It might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to think the decision through and discuss it with us, particularly if you’re likely to have a high income as there could be tax implications.

If you would like to learn more about whether you should pay to top up your state pension, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

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

Lesley Griffiths MS Member of the Senedd for Wrexham

I’m proud to support a Wrexham community which is pulling together to save a much-loved lake for future generations to enjoy. Gresford Lake is a unique feature and clearly holds a special place at the heart of the community, however, it has been slowly deteriorating for decades.

The Friends of Gresford Lake and Gresford Community Council are determined to restore and enhance the area’s natural habitats, recently securing over £48,000 from the Welsh Government’s Landfill Disposal Tax Community Scheme to help the project advance.

Once a thriving oasis, the introduction of carp in the 1980s has led to a steady decline of Gresford Lake. Feeding bread to ducks and fish has, unfortunately, also contributed, resulting in these populations exploding and eating any remaining water plants and insect life. Harmful algal blooms have thrived and the lake is now a pea green soup, void of life.

The Friends of Gresford Lake and Gresford Community Council recognised urgent action was needed to halt the decline and help preserve the naturally occurring greenspace for future generations. Removing the nonnative carp is a crucial first step and the partnership ultimately hopes to encourage the return of wildlife in all forms, such as tadpoles, newts, water beetles and waterlilies.

Working together, the Community Council and Friends of Gresford Lake recently applied for, and successfully secured, funding from the Welsh Government’s Landfill Disposal Tax Community Scheme, administered by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action.

The grant of over £48,000 will help restore the biodiversity of the lake. Work will commence this month, with the funding allowing the group to remove the invasive carp, install a solar-powered ultrasonic algae remover, purchase safety equipment and introduce aquatic plants.

As well as writing a letter of support for the funding application, I recently visited Gresford Lake to meet the volunteers and help raise awareness about the project.

In a relatively short amount of time, they have taken huge strides towards saving the lake and I am pleased they were able to secure significant Welsh Government funding. It will help restore the natural habitat and hopefully transform the lake into a thriving ecosystem the whole area can enjoy.

There may be plenty of work still to do but the determination, knowledge and passion demonstrated by the volunteers is inspiring, and I will continue to do all I can to support the project.

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.

Legal Advice

By SOPHIE BEBBINGTON, a Legal Executive with GHP Legal

Did you know if your tenant dies, you may not be able to just automatically repossess your property?

Many landlords are under the impression that if a property is rented to a sole tenant, they can automatically repossess the property if that tenant dies. This is, however, not the case if the tenant dies without leaving a Will, or with a Will but without an Executor.

So, if you are a landlord, be aware that in such instances you may be breaking the law if you try to repossess the property without giving statutory notice to quit. This is even the case if the tenancy was due to end. If you try to repossess the property without following the rules, you could find yourself facing a fine.

The notice procedure should begin with you posting or delivering a letter to the tenant’s last known address (usually the rental property), saying you are giving them written notice. You should address the written notice to “The Personal Representative of (full name of the tenant who died) of (last known address for the tenant who died).”

A copy of the notice should then be emailed or posted, along with a completed NL1 form

and appropriate application fee, to the Public Trustee. Note: the payment can only be made by BACS transfer. The Public Trustee will then either register or reject the notice.

If the notice is registered, you will be informed of the registration date. To ensure you can legally rent out the property again or sell it, you should check that the tenancy has been ended. You can do this by doing a search of the Law of Property database.

If it is the case that the tenant owed rent at the time of their death, any arrears would normally pass to their estate and the landlord would be able to claim for them from the tenant’s executor. However, if the tenant dies intestate (without a Will), then a claim should be made to the Public Trustee until the grant of administration, whence the claim should be made to the appointed administrator of the estate.

Landlord legislation in Wales changed dramatically on 1st December 2022. It is therefore essential that any landlord renting out property in Wales is fully aware of the requirements for staying compliant.

If you are unsure about your and/or your tenant’s rights, it is advisable to seek advice from a solicitor.

This article has been written by Sophie Bebbington, a Legal Executive with GHP Legal. Tel: 01978 291456

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

Useful Numbers

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.

Puzzle Page... Just For Fun

Crossword

ACROSS

1 Barrels (4)

3 Car light (8)

9 Not in any place (7)

10 Tiny arachnids (5)

11 Unhappy (12)

13 Utilise wrongly (6)

15 Level plain without trees (6)

17 Renditions (12)

20 Up to the time when (5)

21 Slackens (7)

22 Examines in detail (8)

23 Lyric poems (4)

DOWN

1 Royal domains (8)

2 Loose garments (5)

4 Expels (6)

5 One who takes part in a protest (12)

6 Belgian port (7)

7 Luxurious; stylish (4)

8 Regretfully (12)

12 Continues obstinately (8)

14 Carpets (anag) (7)

16 Screen of metal bars (6)

18 Doctrine (5)

19 Insect stage (4)

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

Here are the answers from May:

Classic Sudoku