EssentialsMAG Digital magazine - May 2020

Your monthly local community magazine

VE DAY 75 T H ANNIVERSARY 8th May 2020 www.essentialsmag.co.uk

#StayHomeSaveLives

May 2020

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Welcome... to your latest edition of EssentialsMAG Who could have ever dreamt that in a few short weeks, life as we know it would have changed so drastically.

The global pandemic seems, for the most part, have brought out the best in people - many of whom are facing real difficulties in their lives, from their mental health, to their financial stability.

And while mankind struggles with a new kind of normality, the natural world very suddenly shrugged off winter and an ironically-timed, blazing beautiful Spring arrived just as communities were told to lock down.

While we are unable to produce a printed magazine at the moment, as a community publication we felt it was vital to still publish an edition, albeit in a digital form. We have offered free advertising to our regular customers, in the hope it helps maintain their profile during these difficult times.

This is the proudest magazine we’ve ever produced, and I am hugely grateful to everyone who has contributed to this publication. We hope you enjoy reading this bumper edition as much as we have enjoyed putting it together for you.

Please stay safe - and as many are saying, see you on the other side...!

All the best, Vicky Heathfield Email: vicky@essentialsmag.co.uk Call: 01978 855459

www.essentialsmag.co.uk

Cover Image: National VE Day Celebrations 8th May 2020

June Deadlines: Editorial - 15th May Advertising - 22nd May

This year EssentialsMAG is celebrating a birthday: 15 years and counting!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our advertisers, brilliant delivery team, contributors, and you, our readers, for your continued support over the past 15 years.

Creating our magazines and posting them through your letterbox each month is a joint effort. It is really appreciated and we never take it for granted.

Hopefully we can deliver a magazine to you letterbox again soon, but if we can’t we will continue to produce a digital magazine each month instead.

@EssentialsMagWrexham @EssentialsMAG1

EssentialsMAG is published by Essentials Mag Limited. The views expressed in articles and advertisements published in this edition of EssentialsMAG do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

The reproduction of any material is forbidden without the written permission consent of the publishers. Whilst every effort is taken to ensure accuracy in the publication, we cannot accept any responsibility for any error or omissions that may have occurred, or any consequence arising from use of this publication. All facts and figures are correct at time of going to press. © EssentialsMAG Limited 2020.

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Hair Cutting, Styling & Colouring We offer full cutting and styling services for ladies, gents and children. Our experienced stylists are fully qualiďŹ ed and we regularly update our knowledge through training and follow the latest trends to ensure we are well prepared to help you achieve the look you want.

Beauty Therapy Our in-house Beauty Therapist, Lisa Plack, offers multiple treatments such as DeďŹ nition Brows, Lash Lifts and Tints, Manicures and Pedicures and Spray Tans.

We look forward to welcoming our customers back soon!

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Can You Find The Essentials MAG Mice?

Growing up, I would spend hours painting pictures with my mother, who was an excellent artist. The best part was when a watercolour was finished, as I could then seek out the image of a small mouse, hidden for my pleasure, within her painting. My mother’s captivating efforts to encourage imagination and participation led to my love of art and what ultimately became a long-standing career in graphic design and photography.

This idea of playing cat and mouse has given us the inspiration for a new monthly competition... Hidden throughout this magazine are five other mice, just like the one here (but smaller) for you to find.

Find the five other mice for a chance of winning a £50 Amazon Gift Card.

How to enter the competition: 1. Simply read this magazine from cover to cover and find the other five little mice hiding amongst the adverts.

2. Visit: www.essentialsmag.co.uk/mice and complete the form with your answers.

3. Closing date: Sunday 31st May 2020.

First correct answer drawn wins the prize: A £50 Amazon Gift Voucher.

The usual EssentialsMAG competition terms and conditions apply. Good luck!!

What would you buy with yours...?

A Round of Applause For Our Heros

Doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, emergency services, armed services, delivery drivers, porters, shop workers, teachers, waste collectors, manufacturers, postal workers, cleaners, vets, engineers and all those who are out there making an unbelievable difference to our lives in these challenging times‌ bravo, you are amazing!

Clap For Our Carers is a campaign that involves Britons up and down the country showing their appreciation and respect for all the key workers keeping our country going during the coronavirus crisis.

Campaign organiser With Covid-19 turning the whole world upside down, thousands of people suddenly found themselves doing incredible things to help others. Seeing that people in other countries were showing their collective gratitude through a timed applause en masse, Dutch Londoner Annemarie Plas, felt inspired to organise something similar across the UK. Annemarie has no ties to government or the NHS, she is just a hugely grateful mum staying at home like so many of us, who wanted to show her appreciation for all the key workers doing their bit to keep the world turning. She clearly captured the mood of the nation, as the ďŹ rst Clap For Our Carers applause was a resounding national success, the second, third and fourth were beyond-huge and now the community clap has become a weekly televised event, taking place every Thursday at 8pm.

Applaud and share thanks Clap every Thursday at 8pm on your doorstep, your balcony, your garden or front room.

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During the lockdown period we are still here to help and are quite prepared to do telephone appointments to assist you.

Please call us on: 01978 291506 Carol McGuire, Thomas Andrews & Partners, First Floor, Suite 7 Church Street, Wrexham LL13 8LS T: 01978 291506 / E: carolinem@thomasandrews.co.uk / www.thomasandrews.co.uk

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How to Combat Stress

By EssentialsMAG motivation contributor SASHA KENNEY Sometimes stress can be a positive force, motivating you to perform well at a job interview or driving test, for example.

But often, if you experience stress over a prolonged period of time it's a negative force and could become chronic - unless you take action. Here are some top tips to combat stress: IMMEDIATE STRESS RELIEF: Deep breathing. Make your out breath longer than the breath you take in. Do this for two minutes; you will feel relaxed and your blood pressure will decrease.

Progressive muscle relaxation. Tense and relax different muscle groups in your body.

As your body relaxes, so will your mind.

Go for short walk. Walking briskly really does calm you down by sparking nerve cells in the brain that relax the senses.

LONGER TERM REMEDIES: Accept the things you can't change.

Changing a difficult situation isn't always possible. Try to concentrate on the things you do have control over.

Connect with people. A good support network of colleagues, friends and family can ease your work troubles and help you see things in a different way.

Talking things through with a friend might also help you find solutions to your problems.

Avoid unhealthy habits. Don't rely on alcohol, smoking and caffeine as your ways of coping. Over the long term, these crutches won't solve your problems. They'll just create new ones. It might provide temporary relief, but it won't make the problems disappear. You need to tackle the cause of your stress.

Be active. Exercise won't make your stress disappear, but it will reduce some of the emotional intensity that you're feeling, clearing your thoughts and letting you to deal with your problems more calmly.

Do something bigger than yourself; help other people. The evidence shows that people who help others, through activities such as volunteering or community work, become more resilient.

And don’t forget... while short term stress might be a good thing, it is important that you look after your long-term stress levels – for your health sake! And if you ever feel you need help, simply get in touch.

EssentialsMAG motivation contributor is Sasha Kenney, Wellbeing Coach, World Record holder, business owner and Motivational Speaker. sasha@fitphilosophy.co.uk

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Your Essential Guide to Local Services We have created a corner of our website to help local residents navigate a little easier through the coronavirus outbreak.

If you, or someone you know, is self-isolating at home, or unable to gain access to basic services and shopping, we have collated Your Essential Guide to Local Services and Businesses who are on hand to help you. This list includes local grocery stores and food outlets who can deliver to your door, plus all the local trades you may need during this time, and of course professional advice and support.

Your Essential Guide to Local Services & Businesses can be found at:

www.essentialsmag.co.uk/covid19 Our website list is updated regularly, so please keep visiting for the most up-to-date information

DISCLAIMER - Whilst we have researched local businesses that offer their goods or services we take no responsibility for them or their service.

#SpreadingOnlyKindness Community Volunteers The community response to the recent Coronavirus outbreak has been inspiring. There are many volunteers and community groups set up in different villages around Wrexham to coordinate support for those in need.

Community volunteers have been helping vulnerable people by collecting prescriptions, shopping, supplying hot meals, dog walking or maybe a chat on the phone to individuals who are at risk of loneliness as a consequence of self-isolation during this difďŹ cult time.

If your community volunteer group would like to be added to the list on our website, please email: vicky@essentialsmag.co.uk with the details. www.essentialsmag.co.uk/covid19

AVOW (Association Of Voluntary Organisations In Wrexham) If you, or anyone you know, is struggling and not receiving the necessary help with things like shopping, access to medication or looking after pets. One of AVOW’s volunteers will get in touch to make whatever arrangements are needed.

Phone: 01978 312556 / e-mail: COVID19@avow.org

BRHS - Burton Rossett Horticultural Society Gardening News

By EssentialsMAG gardening contributor CAROL EDWARDS This month is a bit different owing to the corona virus, I think that you will all agree our gardens are more important than ever at the moment. This means that EssentialsMAG will be on-line, our thanks go to Vicky for keeping us in touch this way.

I count myself very lucky to be able to walk out into my garden and get out of the house, this does mean that I notice all the jobs that need to be doing and helps me to catch up.

I shall make this a shorter article as it will give space for other things.

This time of the year there is quite a lot of things to do as the garden is waking up and growing really fast. Try not to get tempted and plant out your bedding plants until the end of the month as we can still get a frost and the temperatures can drop.

Add liquid fertiliser to ďŹ nished bulbs and don’t cut them back, and prune lavender bushes.

If you are hedge cutting remember to check for nesting birds before you start.

Lawns are growing now and will need to be kept tidy, and of course weeds need to be kept in check.

I wish you all well and hope that things will be back to normal soon.

Information provided by: www.brhs.org.uk

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Fun Things To Do With Your Family in the Garden Parents across Britain will be struggling to keep their children entertained during lockdown. If you're running out of ideas there is plenty of fun to be had in your garden, if you have one, whilst getting some fresh air with your family.

Make some rubbings You can make rubbings of tree trunks, bark, logs or even stone walls. All you need is a piece of paper and a crayon. Place the paper on the trunk of a tree and use the crayon to rub over the bark. You will see that the impression of the tree appears.

You can use different coloured paper and crayons to create beautiful patterns.

Grow your own We all remember growing cress or mustard from seeds as a child in school and you can do the same at home or in the garden. You can sow fruit or vegetable seeds into small pots or even plant up a little herb garden.

If you look online there are grow your own starter kits to get you going.

Bury a time capsule All you need is a waterproof container like a tin and what you want to put in it. You could get the children to write a letter to their future self including their age, who their friends are and their favourite things.

Cut out articles from a newspaper that they think would be important to look back on or get them to do a drawing of the family.

You could even take some pictures and print them out and put them in too. When you've packed everything in seal it all up and find a place in the garden to bury it.

Do some bird watching From your window try and spot as many different birds as you can, or try drawing a picture of your favourite bird visiting your garden. You could even have a look online or in a reference book to identify which birds you can see. The RSPB have a great guide on their website to the most popular birds to look out for in your garden.

Have your own sports day You can have a 10m sprint or longer, depending on how big your garden is, and an egg and spoon race or even a three-legged race!

Have a Teddy Bears picnic If you've got a warm sunny day coming up, roll out that picnic blanket and get all those favourite soft toys out to join you for lunch.

Go on a nature trail Start at one end of the garden and make your way to the other end. While you walk, write down or draw on a piece of paper anything you see on your way. Maybe you can count how many butterflies, ladybirds or beetles you can see. You could even collect your findings in an empty jam jar, like feathers, leaves or pine cones.

VE Day - Stay at Home Victory Party Ideas

When VE Day dawns on 8th May 2020 it will be 75 years since the guns fell silent at the end of the war in Europe. Years of carnage and destruction had come to an end and millions of people took to the streets and pubs to celebrate peace, mourn their loved-ones and to hope for the future, but not forgetting those still in conflict until 15th August when it was announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, effectively ending World War II. The 75th anniversary will provide our nation, and our friends around the world, with an opportunity to reflect on the enormous sacrifice, courage and determination of people from all walks of life who saw us through this dark and terrifying period.

To commemorate this important time a three-day international celebration had been organised to take place from 8th May to 10th May 2020. Unfortunately, due to the terrible coronavirus emergency and consequent Government guidance the majority of these celebrations have either had to be cancelled or postponed. It is hoped that events can be moved to the weekend of 15th – 16th August when we will be able to celebrate VE Day and VJ Day, both momentous points in our history, but this has yet to be confirmed.

However, in true British spirit, the current lockdown situation does not stop us from making our own victory party celebrations at home to mark this momentous occasion.

The following pages will help you put together your own celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

Text Text

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To help you prepare your day, we’ve collated a party pack and sourced resources to get you started while you #StayHomeSaveLives Venue Be sure to stay home this weekend and mark the occasion while complying with social distancing rules. Enjoy a picnic or BBQ in your garden.

Decoration Decorate your house and garden in red, white and blue.

Party food What’s a party without a buffet? We’ve sourced tasty 1940’s recipes to serve on the day.

Party playlist A party isn’t complete without a playlist. The 1940’s was known for big band and jazz, so we have complied a playlist for you to sing along to.

Friday May 8th Timetable of Events 3pm

Raise a glass (or a cuppa) with the rest of Britain to toast all those men and women who played a part in the conflict.

9pm

Join the UK-wide singalong of Dame Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’

Resources The following websites have downloadable packs to help you prepare your party at home, including recipes, tips for dancing, 1940’s playlists and VE Day posters and bunting to download make with the children to decorate your home.

English Heritage: www.english-heritage.org.uk/ve-day Official Government VE Day website: www.ve-vjday75.gov.uk/plan-your-ve-day-party

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Gresford Trust Newsdesk

By Jenny Dutton The Coronavirus restrictions have affected the running of the Trust; monthly Trust meetings are suspended and the AGM, an open public meeting, will be delayed for an indefinite period. At this point it is difficult to say when the AGM will take place or when monthly meetings will resume, and for now the hall is closed to business.

Initially, the hall was available for use by childcare providers, notably Gresford Playgroup, in order to support essential workers. However, the service has since been centralised elsewhere resulting in Playgroup closing for now. The Blood Transfusion Service booking for May was also cancelled.

Following closure, the community hall has been deep cleaned and the staff have been furloughed to protect cash flow. A big thank-you is due to our staff; Jo, George and Sam, whose support and hard work should ensure that the facilities are ready to reopen when the time is right. In the meantime, essential duties to comply with Health and Safety and Insurance requirements are carried out by Trustees.

On a more positive note, work on reflooring the main hall, originally scheduled for late August, may now be completed in early May, following a site meeting with the flooring contractor’s surveyor to agree a timetable and safe working practice.

Work to renovate the football pitches and further repair work to the cricket outfield entailed verti-draining, sand dressing and over-seeding of some weaker areas.

This was brought forward to minimise inconvenience to clubs should any relaxation of the lock-down occur.

Another contribution from the film company was made towards these renovations. Regular maintenance of the bowling greens also continues. We do not however anticipate the start of any organised sport shortly, as all leagues are currently suspended.

Trustees would like to thank all residents for the way our open grounds have been used during recent weeks. Our hope is that we can continue to keep them available for exercise, but we need to point out that use of the green gym equipment is not permitted. We hope that the few people seen using it will heed this as no one wants confrontation.

Officers and Trustees wish to thank everyone who is currently working so hard in the NHS, Care Homes, Police, Fire Stations, Armed Services, in shops, transport and all essential jobs.

Exceptional times makes heroes of ordinary people. You are no longer ordinary people, you are EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE. Heroes all.

THANK YOU!

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We’ve Been on Some Great Adventures...!

We miss travel as much as you do so let’s relive your great holiday moments whether it’s Australia, Zimbabwe or our own beautiful UK! Share your best travel memories the best of which will be featured in EssentialsMAG. All you need to do is email Abbey@delmarworld.co.uk with your best holiday snaps or share them on social media using the hashtag: #delmartimetravel

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Vegetarian & Vegan Eating We all have different ways of eating and no one way is better than the other, but current evidence suggests we could all benefit from having a couple of meat free days a week and limiting our red meat consumption to 500g per week or 70g per day. The research also advises to limited processed meat intake*.

For the majority of the population unless you have a dietary condition (and under the supervision of a dietitian/health care professional) the Eatwell Guide is where we should look to guide us on what types of food and in which proportions we should be eating them to give us the right amount of Macronutrients; carbohydrates, fat, protein and Micronutrients; vitamins, minerals and this applies equally to vegetarian and vegan eating. By eating plenty of fruit and vegetables we all benefit by getting adequate amounts of fibre, vitamins and minerals.

The Vegetarian Society and The Vegan Society have put together Eatwell Guides to show what foods are good to include if following these dietary paths. (websites included at the end).

Vegetarian diets need to pay particular attention to adequate iron intakes, however by eating plenty of iron rich plant foods, e.g. green leafy vegetables, dried fruit and fortified breakfast cereals this is not to be a concern. The other nutrient which we all need to ensure we get into our diets is Omega 3, this is most easily obtained by eating oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, pilchard or sardines,

for those following vegetarians or vegan diets this would be via nuts and seeds good examples being walnuts, flaxseed, rapeseed oil.

Public Health recommendations since 2016 has been that we should all consider taking a 10 microgram supplement of Vitamin D during the months of October to March, although there is no reason why we can’t continue to take all year round, for people following a vegetarian or vegan diet the advice is the same.

With regard to vegan diets it’s worth considering taking Vitamin B12, Iodine and Selenium supplements, or looking for foods that have been fortified with these, as it becomes difficult to get these through the diet alone. For exact amounts go to the vegan society website. Finally, whichever dietary path you choose, enjoy your food and try to ensure that it is as nutritionally balanced as possible.

• The Vegetarian Society www.vegsoc.org • The Vegan Society www.vegansociety.com • World Cancer Research Fund * (WCRF) www.wcrf.uk.org

EssentialsMAG nutrition contributor is Sarah Powell-Jones, RNutr (Public Health), Registered Nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition sarahpowelljones@gmail.com

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EssentialsMAG Tasty Recipe

Tomato and Lentil Bolognese INGREDIENTS

SERVES 4

3 tbsp olive oil 1 red onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed 2 carrots, finely diced 250g chestnut mushrooms, chopped 400g can chopped tomatoes 1 tbsp tomato purée 4-6 basil leaves, shredded, plus extra, to garnish 400g can green lentils, drained and rinsed 300g spaghetti

METHOD Heat the oil in a pan and cook the onion over a medium heat until soft. Add the garlic and carrots and stir for another 2 minutes.

Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until all the juices run out.

Increase the heat and cook until all the juices have evaporated.

Add the canned tomatoes, tomato purée, basil and green lentils, then simmer for 10 minutes.

Cook the pasta according to packet instructions. Drain, then toss with the sauce.

Garnish with basil, to serve.

Trying out our recipe?

Share your photos with us on Facebook @EssentialsMag Wrexham

Can I Freeze It? Yes You Can! As we look for more ways to keep our kitchens well-stocked, we have put together some tips to help you make the most of your fridge and freezer space.

There are lots of foods that you can put straight in the freezer instead of the fridge.

This includes meat and poultry - and did you know you can even freeze butter and cheese? Here’s some examples: Milk: All milk can be stored in the freezer and defrosted before use. Just make sure it’s still sealed. It should be defrosted fully in the fridge before using.

Cheese: Some hard cheeses freeze very well, firmer types like cheddar, gouda and Swiss cope well with the freezing process.

You can freeze in blocks or grate it and freeze in handy portion sizes.

Mark clearly the date it was cooked and frozen on the container for later reference.

And only defrost or re-heat the meal once.

Bread: Baked goods like bread, rolls, pittas, bagels and crumpets can all be easily frozen. Most toasters have a defrost function so you can toast baked goods from frozen.

Defrosting food safely Thinking about the best way to prep your food for freezing is important. But it’s even more important to defrost your food properly.

Pasta: Fresh pasta is a great option to keep in the freezer. Some pastas won’t have to be defrosted before use either, they’ll defrost once put in boiling water.

The Food Standards Agency website www.food.gov.uk has everything you need to know about freezing and defrosting food safely, including:

Fruit and vegetables: Fresh fruits like bananas and berries when frozen are great for smoothies and for baking.

• Make sure any warm dishes are cooled before putting them in your freezer.

• Place food in an air-tight container or wrap it well in freezer bags or freezer wrap.

• If the food has been defrosted it must be cooked before being eaten to be safe.

• Once defrosted, food should be consumed immediately.

Batch cooking: Consider cooking a larger portion at meal times to freeze for a later date. Make sure you freeze the leftovers as soon as possible, once they’ve fully cooled down.

Easy Nutritious Budget Meals

by CLAIRE CHAUDHRY RD BSc (Hons) Registered Dietitian The time for eating well with balanced meals is more than ever relevant in this current climate. Ensuring we eat adequate nutrition e.g. vitamins, minerals, essential proteins, essential fats and carbohydrates will make sure that we have enough energy to cope with the stresses of current life.

Ideally a balanced meal includes a food from a protein source e.g. meat, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, cheese, soya - plus a starchy source e.g. potatoes, bread, cous cous, pizza base, pasta, rice and noodles - plus some vegetables or salad and or fruit.

Meal ideas to cook on the hob or oven The following meal ideas and cooking method incorporate the three food groups above and utilises tinned, frozen, dried and jars of food which are also nutritious alongside fresh food.

• Fresh or tinned soup and a bread roll.

• Dried pasta and a jar of tomato-based sauce and add in some extra vegetables e.g. mushrooms, sweetcorn and some tinned lentils.

• Vegetable or a meat chilli served with rice.

• Fried omelette served with bread/toast add in fillings available e.g. left over vegetables, chopped tomato, chopped onion, ham, cheese, tuna, left over potatoes.

• Tinned ravioli with toast and for pudding tinned rhubarb heated with ice cream.

• Boil in the bag fish in sauce served with rice and vegetables.

• One pot casseroles and stews, e.g. chicken, sausage, mixed beans, lentils with added potatoes and any variety of vegetables.

• Frozen cauliflower cooked in a pan and in another pan milk and a packet of cheese sauce, mix together well and serve the cauliflower cheese with meat and potatoes.

• Frozen fish cakes or fish fingers cooked in the oven or fried in oil or grilled and served with mixed vegetables.

• Turkey or chicken mince, boiled potatoes, fresh or frozen vegetables heated served with packet chicken gravy.

• A jar of curry sauce e.g. korma, dopiaza, tikka masala cook with meat and or chick peas, kidneys beans, sweetcorn and serve with rice.

• Stir fry e.g. chicken with onions, garlic, carrots, courgette or mushrooms served with packet noodles.

• Vegetable risotto with added frozen prawns near the end of cooking.

• A tin of corned beef, dried mashed potato powder and tinned vegetables e.g. carrots, peas etc.

• Tinned stew heated with a cooked jacket potato (cook as above), butter, and mixed frozen vegetables, cooked.

The Nags Head LAVISTER, ROSSETT Village pub in the heart of Lavister with a lovely atmosphere, serving a range of real ales and delicious pub food at great prices.

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Local Birds & Wildlife

By Rev. Hugh Linn The Welsh poet W.H. Davies began one of his poems with these words "What life is this, if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare."

The Coronavirus lockdown has provided many of us with a less than welcome opportunity to do just that. However, for some of us being stuck at home it has enabled us to enjoy the simple pleasure of staring out of the window and discovering more about the wildlife of our gardens.

Chaffinch

One local contact reported 25 different bird species in his garden (26 if he could include a Buzzard circling overhead!).

Logging over-flying birds can yield surprising results. My list of some 20 over-flyers above Burton includes a flock of Lapwings, Curlew, Hobby and Peregrine falcons, Ravens and even on one memorable occasion a migrating Osprey.

Tawny Mining Bee

Not to be outdone, I carried out a check over the first ten days of April and managed to beat my friend with 33 species including two unexpected garden visitors (Tawny Owl and Green Woodpecker) as well as others reappearing in the garden after months or even years.

We recently acquired three nesting pairs of House Sparrows, a noisy gang of Starlings, a beautiful singing Song Thrush and a pair of Chaffinches. Chaffinches have greatly decreased in numbers. According to the RSPB's Great British Birdwatch they have dropped five places in UK gardens. Chaffinches and Greenfinches are particularly susceptible to foot lesions, avian pox and the fatal disease trichomoniasis.

At this time of year increasing numbers of butterflies and insects are visiting gardens.

Our first bee spotted in the garden was a Tawny Mining Bee. Mining Bees are often found on lawns digging nest holes. The males are inconspicuous unlike the females which are strikingly coloured (hence the name "tawny").

May is also a good month for spotting dragonflies.

I EL D OW !

N PEN O THANK YOU to everyone from Rossett and the surrounding villages for your kind words of support and for making us feel so welcome.

Whilst we’ve been closed we have been busy planning our evening pottery events along with sourcing the most amazing deli produce for you and menus.

Cwtch Deli is now open daily between 9am - 4pm serving carefully sourced artisan deli products, fresh bread, a delicious take away menu of sandwiches, baps and paninis, gorgeous desserts, coee and much, much more!

Please pop along and see us soon (with social distancing, of course).

Jules Cwtch Ceramics & Deli, Chester Road, Rossett, Wrexham LL12 0HW

Tel: 01244 570781 Facebook: @cwtchceramics cwtchceramics@gmail.com

www.cwtchceramics.co.uk

#StayHome: Video Calling

By EssentialsMAG tech contributor DAVID HUGHES My last article was a somewhat lighthearted affair; a take on how impressive, but also frivolous, technology has become… a different world indeed.

Today, technology has never had a more important role in our lives. In a world of social distancing and self-isolation, we need to find new ways of communicating with our colleagues, friends, family, and even neighbours. But just because we can’t be in close proximity to one another, doesn’t mean we can’t see one another. If you have access to the internet and a camera on your device (computer, smartphone or tablet), then the likelihood is you have the capability to video call other people. Here are three services for you to consider: Facebook Messenger. If you and the person you want to contact are on Facebook, just go to Facebook Messenger, find that person in the chat, and click/tap on the camera icon (near the top right) to start a call.

FaceTime. If you and the person you want to contact both have Apple devices (an iPhone, iPad or Mac), search for them in your contacts and click/tap on the camera icon or look for the word FaceTime to start a video call.

Skype. This one’s a little trickier, but if neither of the previous two options work for you, then go to www.skype.com and download the Skype application. You can also find

Skype in the App Store on Apple devices and the Google Play Store on Android devices. The person you want to talk to will also need to download Skype, but then you will be able to call them by username. You can even use Skype within the browser: just go to www.skype.com and click ‘Chat now’.

There are a number of other options available, including WhatsApp and Google Duo. I would recommend sticking with these known and trusted sources, wherever possible. If you want to go further, there are all-in-one hardware solutions for this very purpose. Do a Google search for one of the following to find out more: • Amazon Echo Show: Simple to use, fairly low cost and compatible with Skype.

• Facebook Portal: Works with Facebook Messenger (of course) and WhatsApp, which is now owned by Facebook.

• Google Nest Hub Max: More expensive, but has additional security features.

If you’re new to video calling, I hope this article has been useful to you. If you know someone who might be struggling to keep in touch with family and friends, do reach out to them.By broadening our use of technology over the coming weeks, we can support our NHS, do our bit, and #StayHome EssentialsMAG tech contributor is David Hughes a freelance web developer Tel: 07595 303418 www.davidhughes.co

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The sight of a gleaming red vintage Routemaster bus is guaranteed to turn heads, making it the perfect way to transport your guests or clients to any corporate or private event.

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Lockdown Cycles

By EssentialsMAG environment contributor ROB RENOUF Bicycles are one of the most environmentally friendly forms of transport. During the current lockdown, reduced traffic and good weather have seen many people getting out on their bikes. This is a really positive development, with the one caveat that we need to ensure we’re doing this in a way that’s safe for everyone.

Ride safely - always a good idea, but it’s particularly important to minimise demands on the NHS at present. This means not taking unnecessary risks and ensuring our bikes are roadworthy before using them.

Be self-sufficient - taking enough food and drink and having the tools to fix a puncture or do other minor repairs will help minimise contact with other people.

No group rides - only ride with other members of your household or ride alone.

Keep your distance - when moving, separation needs to be greater than two metres. A recent study suggested that we should leave a four metre gap when following another walker, 10 metres for a runner and 20 metres for a cyclist!

If you’re catching another cyclist, move out early to pass safely and don’t move back in until you’re well past them.

Be aware of pedestrians - pavements are often less than two metres wide, meaning pedestrians may have limited

opportunity to distance themselves from cyclists. It’s therefore important for cyclists to give them space by moving further out into the road (provided it’s safe to do so).

Pedestrians may also move into the road to distance themselves from others hopefully they won’t do this without checking it’s safe, but be alert to this risk.

Remember COAP - this stands for concentration, observation, anticipation and planning, and is equally applicable for all road users. Spotting pedestrians early allows time to check it's safe to move out and do so smoothly, rather than suddenly swerving across the road. If we’re driving we should anticipate that cyclists may need to move further out into the road to maintain social distancing and try to allow them space for this.

Be polite - the majority of motorists behave considerately towards cyclists. When a driver waits behind until it’s safe to pass, I always try to give them a wave to show my appreciation.

With a little consideration and awareness pedestrians, cyclists and drivers can all share our highways safely. If we can do this, hopefully more people will cycle and we can all enjoy the environmental benefits.

EssentialsMAG environment contributor is Rob Renouf robsrenouf@gmail.com

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Financial News with Hadlow Edwards Mortgages – time to pause and plan for the future?

Over these unprecedented times many households will have had thoughts and conversations about getting around to reviewing the current interest rate on your mortgage. The thoughts might also have turned to how you can release money* to help a loved one get on the property ladder. Maybe you’ve discussed moving home, extending, modernising the interior with a new kitchen in the future. It might also be the time you decide to buy your first home.

Although these are unprecedented times where the mortgage market has been impacted, it is still open and contrary to some newspaper reports, the industry has not closed for business!

However, some amendments have been necessary and are continuing, so talking to ourselves is important to get a clearer understanding of your options across the whole of the market.

Where should we begin?

Understanding your options when considering a new mortgage is key and we continually talk with mortgage borrowers who are looking at the next step. We can work out exactly what you can do now and in the future. This will allow you to plan with confidence of what you can afford or to discuss with builders and architects, again with the knowledge of what your affordable budget is.

Reviewing current rates is also topical at this time as households sit down to review finances. If you have not reviewed your mortgage deal in the last 18-24 months then having a conversation with us could be lucrative. We see clients who want to move to a better rate and save monthly (why not?) or where they want to reduce the term of their mortgage with a targeted aim to be mortgage free earlier than planned. Those who are wanting to help their family members onto the property ladder can benefit from the same

Warren Hadlow

meetings. The term “bank of Mum and Dad” is being referred to more now than ever before and understanding options for all parties is vitally important. Joint conversations with family members are a great way of finding out what options are there for the family compared to trying to understand jargon filled TV advertisements.

First time buyers This should be an exciting time when you are looking for your first home but you might now be concerned about next steps. My advice to first time buyers is to discuss your mortgage options as soon as possible with a mortgage adviser who is able to look at some of the market to get the very best deal that’s out there for you. Don’t restrict yourself to one just one lenders options.

Each lender is different in their approach as to how much they will lend you, especially at the moment. We will review your budget planning moving forward to ensure you are comfortable with your future costs.

Taking the time to discuss all of these areas with a mortgage adviser is surely worth the time for such a large purchase. If you would like to consider your first mortgage options or review your existing borrowing then please contact Jon Peatfield - jonathan.peatfield@sjpp.co.uk Tel: 01978 311 611. Jon offers expert advice and has access to a comprehensive range of first charge mortgages from across the market, which lenders make available to mortgage intermediaries, and he is ready to help. *This could include Equity Release which is a lifetime mortgage or home reversion plan.

To understand the features and risks associated with such products, please ask for a personalised illustration.

Contributed by Warren Hadlow Hadlow Edwards Wealth Management Limited.

Telephone: 01978 311 611 - e-mail: hadlow.edwards@sjpp.co.uk 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.

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You get all the benefits of personal attention and years of experience from an approachable, friendly team of professionals. We take care of the details and take away the frustration of financial planning.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

HADLOW EDWARDS WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD chartered Financial Planners

Telephone: 01978 311 611 email: hadlow.edwards@sjpp.co.uk www.hadlowedwards.co.uk

Government Launches Coronavirus Business Support Finder Tool A new ‘support finder’ tool has been created to help businesses and self-employed people across the UK to quickly and easily determine what financial support is available to them during the coronavirus pandemic.

The finder tool on GOV.UK will ask business owners to fill out a simple online questionnaire, which can take minutes to complete, and they will then be directed to a list of all the financial support they may be eligible for.

To support business, workers and the self-employed during the coronavirus outbreak, government has: • Made up to £330 billion of loans and guarantees for businesses.

• Offered to pay 80 per cent of the wages of furloughed workers, up to £2,500.

• Deferred the next quarter of VAT payments for firms, until the end of June representing a £30 billion injection into the economy.

• Introduced £20 billion in tax relief and cash grants to help businesses with cash flow.

• Introduced the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Schemes for both SMEs and larger businesses to make it easier to access vital financial support.

• Offered to cover the cost of statutory sick pay.

• Entirely removed all eligible properties in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector from business rates temporarily.

• Introduced the Self-employment Income Support Scheme, offering a taxable grant worth 80% of trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 a month.

• Deferred Self Assessment payments due in July 2020 until 31 January 2021.

• Allowed companies required to hold AGMs to do so flexibly, which may include postponing them or holding them online.

• Suspended wrongful trading provisions for company directors to remove the threat of personal liability during the pandemic; and • Offered a 3 month extension for filing accounts to businesses hit by coronavirus.

The new business support finder tool can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder More details on support for businesses can be found on the coronavirus business support hub: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support

This information is correct at the time of publishing, please check gov.uk for the latest updates

Business networking has changed and is now easier than ever.

Grow your business – even in today’s environment. Your trusted referral network makes it possible. And with bni onlineTM, you have more power at your fingertips than ever. Use this new platform to stay connected to your network from the comfort of your home or office.

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Need Support For Your Mental Health at Work?

Whatever is on your mind, if you’re experiencing issues that are affecting your mental health at work, Able Futures can help. There is no cost to use this service, no waiting list and it is completely confidential. If you live with mental health difficulties, you know there are good days and bad days. You also know the bad days can affect you at work. You probably find it hard to focus or perform at your best. The aim of Able Futures is to help you enjoy more good days.

With nine months support, signposting and information from a qualified mental health professional, you could learn more about your mental health, understand how you can access treatment for any mental health problems and connect with other people and support organisations who know what it's like to live with a mental health problem.

Able Futures delivers the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions. The support service is fast, flexible and, best of all, there is no charge to use this service.

Following government guidance on social distancing and direction to avoid non-essential social contact, Able Futures continues to support people by arranging telephone appointments with our Vocational Rehabilitation Consultants (VRCs). We are able to adapt our service to ensure we can still deliver support. If you call 0800 321 3137 or apply online for support, we'll arrange for you to talk on the phone, via email or video call, with a VRC who will listen to what you're feeling and help you make a plan for ways to feel better.

Employers can contact Jake O’Mara, Business Account Manager for the North West and North Wales on 07827 236 796 or email JAOMara@ingeus.co.uk to discuss how we can best support you and your staff, and receive our full digital marketing pack with leaflets, posters and information links.

Enjoy more good days Able Futures could be available to you if you can answer "yes" to the following questions: • Are you in work, on an apprenticeship, about to start work or furloughed?

• Do you have mental health difficulties that impact upon your work?

• Do you live in Great Britain?

• Are you aged 16 or over? *This list is not exhaustive*

Freephone: 0800 321 313, or visit: www.able-futures.co.uk

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Five Ways to Work Well From Home With thousands of people currently working from home for the first time, what's the best way to stay efficient and keep your spirits up?

1. Get dressed For some people, the prospect of staying in their pyjamas all day is the most tantalising aspect of working from home!

But washing and getting dressed will not only improve your state of mind, it will psychologically prepare you to start work.

Whether you need to change into business attire depends on the type of person you are and the nature of the job you have.

Some people find that dressing formally is helpful, and also useful if they need to dial into a video call.

Changing out of work clothes when you clock off for the day also helps your brain to understand that the working day is over.

2. Establish boundaries If you're employed by a company, you'll probably have set hours of work, and it's important to stick to these when you're working from home. Be ready to start your day at the same time as you would normally arrive in your office or workplace, and finish your day at the same time.

At the end of a working day, it's best to switch off your computer and tidy away papers and other items. Space allowing, set aside a specific, separate area in your home where you can set yourself up - ideally with a properly adjusted desk and chair, similar to your workplace.

3. Get out and about (unless you're selfisolating or have COVID-19 symptoms) Working from home shouldn't mean you stay cooped up indoors all day. While you might not miss your daily commute, it does guarantee that you leave the house at least once during the day. So, get your shoes on, get outside and enjoy that fresh air.

4. Pick up the phone When you're at work, you're more likely to engage with colleagues, but when you're working from home, you could spend the whole day without speaking to anyone which can be isolating. Make some time to pick up the phone and have a real conversation, rather than relying on email and instant messaging.

5. Take regular breaks It's good to have a routine when you're working from home, but work shouldn't become monotonous. And you shouldn't stay glued to your screen all day. It's important to take regular screen breaks and get up from your desk and move around just as you would in an office.

Research has also found that short breaks throughout the day are more beneficial than less frequent, longer breaks.

Many home workers recommend the Pomodoro Technique, a method of time management which breaks your working day into 25-minute chunks. Each chunk is followed by a five-minute break.

Not All Networking Meetings Are The Same

Networx4Business, a business network company based predominantly in North Wales, Wirral and Cheshire, was established because the owner, Daryl Vickers, was getting frustrated with the cost and formality of other networking groups.

“Networx4Business is supportive, pro-active and chatty networking group that allows you to make connections and grow your business.” said Daryl.

“We chat, relax and laugh, whilst allowing everyone ample time to promote their business and nurture business relationships with other attendees. We place huge emphasis on support and development and help every business to be the best it can be.”

“We believe that networking works best when members are relaxed. This way, any business or a referral passed is more genuine and better qualified.”

Business networking has changed...!

Due to COVID-19 all face-to-face meetings are on hold making it easier than ever to attend - via video networking!

See what Networx4Business can offer you.

Contact Daryl at: info@networx4business.co.uk for more details. www.networx4business.co.uk

Happy Birthday EssentialsMAG! This year EssentialsMAG celebrated a big birthday: 15 years and counting!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our advertisers, brilliant delivery team, contributors, and you, our readers, for your continued support over the past 15 years. Creating our magazines and posting them through your letterbox each month is a joint effort. It is really appreciated and we never take it for granted. We truly believe that advertising in EssentialsMAG really does work, if it didn’t, we would not have been able to continuously produce our magazines for the last 15 years. We have a high renewal rate by our advertisers, some of whom have been with us since the very first edition!

Not many community magazines can boast such loyality!

WIN! To celebrate our birthday we’re giving 15 adverts to 15 lucky local businesses for just £15...! (once we can print again!)

For further details and to enter this competition please go to:

www.essentialsmag.co.uk/biz This competition will close on Tuesday 30th June 2020 at 6pm when 15 lucky businesses will be picked at random. Terms & conditions apply. Good luck!

EssentialsMAG Text Text Book Club

Normal People

by SALLY ROONEY

Five Minute Mum

by DAISY UPTON

Slime

by DAVID WALLIAMS

Capturing the zeitgeist with all the skill and subtlety of her debut, Conversations with Friends, Sally Rooney’s Normal People follows the intersecting story of Marianne and Connell as they navigate the changing landscape of their relationship into adulthood.

Deftly written, emotionally honest and devastatingly perceptive.

This delightfully hands-on parenting guide from Daisy Upton will help keep the little ones entertained around the house. Full of quick, easy games and activities that are fun, educational and fuss-free to set up and tidy up, Five Minute Mum is heaven-sent for any parent who desires five minutes of peace.

Meet the heroic children, wicked grown-ups and mysterious creatures that live on the Isle of Mulch!

The latest deliriously silly adventure for younger readers from the unstoppable duo of Walliams and Ross finds a young, wheelchair-bound boy taking a very slimy revenge on his adult tormentors.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

by CHARLIE MACKESY A book to bring people together, Charlie Mackesy’s inspirational paintings and delicate calligraphic text are a celebration of kindness. The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse are four friends who share a deep, unshakable bond. Through a series of brief but profound conversations, Mackesy teases universal truths and rich wisdom from the mouths of his characters, celebrating warmth and empathy in all its myriad forms.

Coronavirus Looking out for each other You must stay at home, but there are safe ways to provide essential support to vulnerable people who are in isolation.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Phone or keep in touch on social media Pick up food for others Pick up medicines Find out how to help others safely at gov.uk/safehelp

All Saints’ School, Gresford Latest News

We would like to share our news with the local community that after a recent Estyn inspection our school was awarded a judgement of ‘Good’. In Estyn terms, ‘Good’ means that there are strong features, although minor aspects may require improvement.

Here’s the report summary: During their time at the school, most pupils make good progress in reaching high standards in their writing, mathematics and Welsh oracy skills. Nearly all pupils behave exceptionally well and show a high standard of care and consideration for others. Staff promote pupils’ cultural, social and moral development particularly well. The promotion of shared core values is a strength of the school. The school has an inclusive ethos where all staff know the pupils well and provide high levels of care, support and guidance.

Teachers plan a wide range of interesting and stimulating learning opportunities.

As a result, pupils have very positive attitudes towards learning. This supports their development as independent learners and enables them to make good progress. The headteacher provides strong and effective leadership. A supportive team of staff show strong commitment to the school and its pupils. Staff engage with new initiatives well and work effectively together to develop the school as a thriving learning community.

We hope that you take as much pride in reading the report as we have done; it is a true testament to the strong partnership that exists between the school, our Governing Body, parents/carers and community; a partnership that puts our children at the centre of everything that we do.

Mr Richard Hatwood - HEADTEACHER

We still have a couple of places left in Nursery and Reception for September 2020 entry.

Apply now on www.wrexham.gov.uk/admissions or contact the school on 01978 852342 or mailbox@allsaints-pri.wrexham.sch.uk for more information.

Ysgol yr Holl Saint - All Saints’ School, School Hill, Gresford, Wrexham LL12 8RW Tel: 01978852342, Email: mailbox@allsaints-pri.wrexham.sch.uk

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Anxiety Can Lead to Poor Sleep

By Infant Sleep Consultant RHIAN MILLS Most of us are bound to be experiencing some degree of anxiety during this pandemic and these unprecedented times. But did you know that anxiety can negatively impact our sleep architecture?

Feeling anxious lengthens our sleep latency meaning it takes us longer to get to sleep.

We spend less time in deep restorative sleep which means that we can wake in the morning still feeling tired, plus we spend more time in REM sleep. REM sleep is a fairly light stage of sleep meaning wake ups are more probable, also we dream and experience night sweats in REM sleep meaning nightmares are more likely.

What’s more anxiety and sleep problems are bi-directional – anxiety can lead to poor sleep, and poor sleep can cause anxiety; more time spend awake in bed results in more time to ruminate.

So how can you help feel more relaxed and improve your sleep?

• Guided meditation is a great way to calm the mind – try searching on you tube for some free clips.

• Eat foods high in Omega-3 to help lift your mood, these include salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, walnuts and soybeans.

• Daily journalling helps us become aware of our state of mind.

• Drink plenty of water – dehydration worsens anxiety.

• Have fresh air an exercise every day to get those endorphins flowing and keep mood levels up.

• Eat fairly often – low blood sugar can result in a low mood.

• Try Yoga or Pilates – there are many classes available online.

Anxiety can impact children’s sleep in the same way, and surprisingly babies and children can pick up on any anxiety that their primary caregivers may be experiencing. This can display in children as fear of the dark, bedtime resistance, an increase in nightmares and wanting to come into the parental bed.

Most of my top tips for reducing anxiety in adults are applicable for children too, in addition to this you can try: • Being mindful of the conversations you’re having with regards to the coronavirus.

• Keeping them away from the news on the TV/radio.

• Talking through their worries or concerns with them.

• Using a worry box for writing down and putting their worries in before bed.

• Listening to guided meditation tracks specifically for children on you tube.

• Overhauling their bedroom environment.

EssentialsMAG Infant Sleep Consultant is Rhian Mills, from Rested Mama restedmama@gmail.com, Tel: 07530 015704

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Let the De-Cluttering Begin!

How To Clear Out Your Wardrobe Now is the perfect time to do those jobs we’ve all been putting off! As well as having a good Spring clean, why not have a therapeutic wardrobe clear-out?

An overflowing wardrobe can mean a million and one wonderful choices, or (more likely) a daily headache about what to wear and where to find it. It’s time to sever the emotional ties to your old t shirts and the shoes you can’t walk in, and clear out your clothes for good, leaving nothing but the best-fitting garments and most versatile pieces to create a new and improved capsule wardrobe. Let the de-cluttering begin!

Remove everything from your wardrobe (or drawers, or wherever you store your clothes) and create a series of piles: keep, donate, get rid, and limbo.

The Keep Pile. Congratulations to these lucky clothes, they made the cut! No ifs or buts, your keep pile should only be things you like and still want to wear, and they need to fit you properly, right now.

The Donate Pile. Check the clothes are in good condition and clean. Bag them up and donate to your local charity shop to give them a happy new life with someone else.

The Get Rid Pile. This is for any items you no longer want because they don’t suit your style or simply do not fit, but aren’t in good enough condition for anyone else to enjoy.

The Limbo Pile. Anything that you cannot immediately commit to one of the above belongs here - items that fit but you don’t love (and don’t hate either). To help you decide, ask yourself these questions: Does it fit? • Does it suit your current style? • Have you worn it in the last 6-12 months?

• Will you wear it in the next 6-12 months? • Is it in good condition? If not, can you and will you get it fixed in the near future? • If you didn’t already own it, would you buy it now?

• Do you feel good about yourself when you wear it?

If you answer any of these questions with a firm NO, it’s probably time to say goodbye!

One of the best things about a wardrobe clear out is discovering things you forgot you had! What a great feeling when you rediscover a dress you had forgotten you bought with the label still on, or a top you haven’t worn for years and forgotten about – it’s like getting a brand new wardrobe for free!

Time for a clear out?

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What’s On The Telly?

By Film Critic BILL ROBINSON These days, we have endless streaming services, free or otherwise, that can keep us entertained and inspired during these unprecedented circumstances. Here are a few recommendations from across the spectrum of TV streaming services.

If you don’t have a Netflix or Amazon subscription, there are plenty of free alternatives to choose from. BBC iPlayer has several award-winning box-sets.

Fleabag written by and starring Phoebe Waller- Bridge balances being incredibly funny and surprisingly heartfelt and always absolutely unfiltered. Provided you have a taste for inappropriate humour, this 12-episode show shouldn’t be missed.

This Country is another hilarious BBC TV show, this time in the form of a mockumentary about bog-standard, English life – a funny and engaging reflection on our unique island.

ITV’s brand-new three-part drama Quiz takes an interesting look back at the events surrounding Charles and Diana Ingram’s incredible and highly questionable success on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” in 2001. The drama is a great mix of intense and gripping, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously, due to the insanity of the original story, which gives “Quiz” a great tone.

It’s also uniquely ambiguous and vague about the events that took place on that episode in the early 2000s, allowing you to make up your own mind.

On to the paid streaming services. Dunkirk is now on Netflix. It is perhaps the finest war film of the decade and a great film about Britons being brave and fighting adversity under astonishing circumstances.

On a completely different note, Netflix recently added an enormous amount of films by legendary Studio Ghibli such as Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke.

Netflix also has several Oscar-nominated original movies, for instance, Marriage Story, featuring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson and Uncut Gems, featuring a career-defining performance by Adam Sandler. A show that has flown under the radar is Netflix’s original series Night on Earth, a stunning nature documentary about, well, night on Earth.

Finally, Disney+ launched about a month ago in the UK and contains a ludicrous amount of blockbuster content: All the Marvel and Star Wars movies, as well as every Pixar and Disney animation. The service also features hours of National Geographic content and every episode of The Simpsons.

For decades film and TV have provided escapism for people going through difficult times, and there’s never been a better time to get into a great film, or a gripping show.

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Seeking Volunteers to Support Your Local NHS Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) is seeking volunteers to support their local NHS during this exceptionally challenging time. The BCUHB Public Volunteer scheme will not replace local groups helping their vulnerable neighbours, but is an additional service provided by BCUHB. Volunteers must be 18 or over, and ďŹ t and well with no Covid-19 symptoms. If you are 70 or over, the government has advised that you take extra precautions to avoid getting ill. If you are 70 or over, please ensure you only select the home-based tasks.

Volunteers will receive guidance from trained staff. Any training needed to carry out the voluntary tasks will be provided. The tasks you are assigned will vary, but these are some examples of what you might be asked to do: Check-in and Chat volunteer: This role provides short-term telephone support to individuals who are at risk of loneliness as a consequence of self-isolation.

NHS Transport volunteer: This role involves transporting equipment, supplies and/or medication between NHS services and sites, it may also involve assisting pharmacies with medication delivery.

Community Response volunteer: This role involves collecting shopping, medication or other essential supplies for someone who is self-isolating, and delivering these supplies to their home.

Home-based Administrative support volunteers: This role may involve helping with social media messaging, contacting local businesses for in-kind support or translation support, depending on your skillset and interest.

Non-clinical support volunteer: This role involves general administrative or cleaning duties away from patient areas, for example supporting medical records, cleaning duties away from patient areas or supporting catering staff.

Patient Support volunteer: This role provides support to patients at a basic level e.g. assisting with nutrition, serving food and drinks, helping patients move around, accessing toilet facilities etc.

To read the full list of volunteer tasks and to register your interest in becoming a volunteer, please visit: https://awyrlas.org.uk/bcuhb-volunteers

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Call Companions for the Over-75s “The high street looks like 6am on a Sunday morning… I never see a soul. I won’t pretend it’s not difficult.” These are the words of 78-year-old *Patrick who’s widowed and lives alone. More tragically still, Patrick was desperately lonely long before the lockdown came into force.

As we approach the second month of selfisolation, human connections have never felt so important. But thousands of older people across Wales, many of whom were already struggling with loneliness, are now trapped in their homes with no contact at all.

At Re-engage, we’ve been supporting the over-75s for over 50 years. Our local tea parties, which take place on Sundays across the UK, are a wonderful way to bring this age group together, establishing bonds of friendship and a sense of belonging. Sadly, in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, we’ve been forced to put these much-loved gatherings on hold. Instead, we’ve set up Call Companions, a new telephone befriending service to make sure everyone is able to keep in touch.

As our project officer for Wales, Tom Williams says, “We’re building on some of the amazing existing support that is traditionally on offer for those aged 75+.

Working with volunteers and community agents who offer crucial support in Wrexham, it's fantastic to be a part a service to help those who have suddenly found themselves Isolated and alone at this worrying time.” *Names have been changed

Like many of us, *Mary, 89, is finding the crisis incredibly unsettling. A former nurse, she’s widowed and so feels hugely grateful for her call companion. She says, “I only watch the news twice a day, otherwise it’s all you ever think about… It’s a real comfort to have someone to chat to.” In fact, Call Companions is proving to be such a lifeline for those who might otherwise have no one, we’re planning to continue the service for as long as it’s needed.

Demand for older people organisations is only set to increase. Over the next 10 years, the number of older people in Wrexham alone is predicted to rise by 10,138 – that’s 22% of the population. Of course, they won’t all be lonely, but we want to make sure we’re there for anyone who is. If we’ve learnt anything from this crisis, it’s that human bonds mean the world.

If you’re over 75 and would like a call companion or know someone who might benefit, call 0800 716543 or visit www.reengage.org.uk

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Inspiring Ideas for Young people to Stay Productive During Lockdown By 14-year old ISABEL 14-year old Isabel is one of EssentialsMAG trusty young magazine distributors. In order to stay productive and active during lockdown she has collated some great ideas to help make everyday family life as normal as possible. We hope her great suggestions inspire other young people to keep busy and focused while staying at home.

On YouTube you can access a free online stream

by Joe Wicks doing PE lessons, exercises and routines to keep ďŹ t and healthy. He is live every week day, but you can access at any time. www.youtube.com The Body Coach TV

To stay productive to make your days feel more normal. Instead of staying in your pyjamas all day, do the things you would normally do - get dressed, do your makeup, take the dog out, have breakfast, exercise, unplug your devices and be present with your family. Be creative and design something beneďŹ cial - or even dye your hair random colours!

Try and keep a tidy work area to make you feel more ready for the day and more inspired to do something creative.

Go to BBC food website and cook or bake something with a family member to extend your mind and intrigue your family! Try more healthy recipes help you to stay productive.

If you’re trying to find some determination to do your school work from home, make it easier by resisting the temptation of Netflix or social media. It helps setting regular hours to have a school schedule to stick to - and keep telling yourself that its nearly the weekend!

It helps to get dressed as you normally would (but not in school uniform!) Set up a desk space and make some targets of what you would like to achieve by the end of the day.

Turn your devices off and dont stop working even if its a hard day - just get your work done.

If you’re missing your friends set a time each week when you do a Zoom or Facetime call to have a quick catchup so it doesn’t seem too unusual that you’re not seeing them as often. You could create a list of things you want to do when we’re allowed to meet up again.

This could be going camping, having a sleepover or going to a theme park, just so you have something to look forward to doing.

If your looking for something creative to do, my sister and I did splat painting the other day. If you dont have the resources or a canvas, you could use an old matrass or a piece of paper and throw paint at it. It relieves stress and is a great way to have fun at home.

Looking After Your Car During Lockdown Keeping your battery healthy, your tyres inflated and giving your car a thorough clean could make all the difference when isolation measures are finally lifted. Here are some tips on how to maintain your car during the lockdown.

Try to avoid a flat battery The best way to make sure your car makes it through long-term storage or reduced usage is to keep its battery healthy. Using a battery conditioner, or trickle charger, is the most effective way to do this. It will keep immobilisers and other energysapping components from draining your battery completely.

Just keep in mind that using these devices could be impractical if your car is parked on the street as you may need to drape cables across the pavement, which can become a tripping hazard for passers-by.

If there are two cars in your household you may want to consider alternating your essential trips in them. You should also be mindful that repeated short journeys will flatten your battery faster than usual.

Take care of your tyres You’ll need to inflate your tyres to the maximum recommended pressure found on their sidewall, as they will lose pressure over time, even if they’re not being used in motion. If left for a long period of time this can lead to flat spots and your tyres losing their round shape, especially on older tyres.

If you think you may be leaving your car idle for a number of months, rolling it (very carefully) every so often can ensure the tyres won’t get worn unevenly.

Give the car a thorough clean Scrubbing your car before storing or when using it less frequently will not only help keep it looking its best, but could prevent damage further down the road. Waxing your car can stop tree sap, bird droppings and harsh weather leaving its mark on your paintwork, but make sure you give the car a thorough clean before applying a coat.

Paying attention to your tyres will ensure brake shavings, mud and grease are removed, which can help to prevent corrosion later on.

Cleaning the inside of your car to make sure crumbs, other pieces of food and mud don’t decay or dry into the upholstery.

If your interior is left particularly dirty, it may attract insects leading to further damage from these unwanted tenants.

Top up vital liquids Check fluid levels to keep your engine well maintained and have your car ready to drive when you need it. Top up your: • Oil, but only after safely draining used oil and its corrosive elements. Take your car on one last essential journey so that the fresh oil can circulate around the engine.

• Fuel, to prevent moisture from accumulating in the tank and rust developing. Adding fuel stabiliser will extend its lifespan too.

• Coolant, to ensure you’re ready to drive once essential travel restrictions are lifted.

• Window wash, to make sure your car is prepared for its next outing on the road.

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Essentials Mag Mailbox

Positivity in Marford Hi Vicky, Just wanted to share a photo with you of our hard work today in Marford!

We are aware that there are some elderly residents at home who are feeling trapped and scared, and we wanted to raise the community spirit in Marford. Proud of our community and happy to demonstrate our appreciation :) Here’s to all of our wonderful NHS and key workers!

Sophie Davies

Amazing Community Hello Vicky, I just wanted to say how fantastic the Co-Op and the chemist in Rossett have been during this lockdown period. Without the services of those two shops we would have been lost. It is a credit to those staff who have worked throughout to ensure we can access our essentials which has made life so much easier.

I also appreciate the services of the NHS in the form of our local doctors surgery and the services of the refuse collectors who continue to collect our rubbish and our recycling every week.

I clap every Thursday along with everyone else, but feel it would be nice for the local businesses to know how much they are appreciated here in Rossett.

On a wider note I would also like to praise Louise Clancy Pilates. Louise moved her classes from face-to-face to online in a week ensuring we could all continue with our pilates practise.

Sarah Bailey, OBE

If you have a comment about any local news/information please email: vicky@essentialsmag.co.uk

Gresford Community Council Latest News Have you ever thought of becoming a Community Councillor?

What is a Community Councillor?

Community Councillors are residents who volunteer their time towards the provision of services and improving local areas. Councillors can be elected or co-opted on to the Community Council, so they must either live or work in the area.

Becoming a Councillor is both a rewarding and privileged form of public service. You will be in a position to make a difference to the local community and those living there. It is a voluntary role but there is an annual payment available towards expenses.

All Community Councillors have shared responsibility and contribute to discussions and decisions concerning the work and achievements of the Community Council, and as Councillors, are committed to upholding its standards and values.

What does a Community Councillor do?

The Council raises a budget (precept) each year which is contributed to through the local Council rates. The Community Council is then responsible for the upkeep of footway lighting, playgrounds, the cemetery and other local priorities determined by the Council.

Councillors can also influence local planning applications, policing priorities and provide grant money to local voluntary organisations.

I live in Gresford - could I become a Community Councillor?

Anyone aged 18 or over, who lives or works in the Gresford Community Council area, (or within three miles of it) which covers all of Gresford, Marford and Hoseley and parts of Borras, is eligible to apply to become a Gresford Community Councillor. We currently have 13 Community Councillors serving on the Council, plus one vacancy.

Wouldn’t it take up a lot of my time?

You would be required to attend a meeting once a month, these last for around two and a half hours. They are ‘formal’ meetings but are relaxed in nature. Other meetings e.g. committees, can crop up from time-to-time.

Anything else?

You can be a member of groups that interest you. You can bring your own experience, interest and expertise to help the Council in its priorities. Training is available from an external provider- the costs are met by the Community Council.

Sounds great - how can I join?

We currently have a vacancy for the Marford and Hoseley ward.

To find out more and register your interest please email or telephone the Community Council Clerk: clerkgresford@gmail.com / Tel: 07470 631184 www.gresford.org.uk. We would be very pleased to hear from you!

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Hugh Jones Councillor for Rossett Covid-19 Foremost, I would like to say ‘thank you’ to not only our brilliant NHS workers, but all the others who are working to support us at this terrible time. There are so many, those who collect our refuse, serve us in the shops, care for those in need in the community, keep our communications going, and so many more.

Thank you to all those who have volunteered to support our Community Aid Group and to our Community Agent Ali and Council Clerk Wendy who have helped to co-ordinate the group. If you feel you need help or support please get in touch with either myself, the community agent or council clerk.

From a Council perspective our focus is on essential services such as social services, education and refuse collection. A number of people have asked why the recycling centres have closed, Wrexham Council was one of the last in Wales to do so and we were ordered to do so by both Welsh Government and the Police. We are currently working to get this decision reviewed.

In terms of our work as Councillors we are continuing to deal with residents’ concerns by way of email and phone calls. As an Executive Board we meet twice a week courtesy of Zoom and our Community Council is continuing to meet monthly by through the same medium. We anticipate a decision from the Welsh Government to enable Councils to hold formal meetings and to make decisions via Video links.

One concern that is being raised with me on a daily basis is the significant increase in dog fouling both on our streets and footpaths, in addition people using dog bags are dumping them alongside the footpaths and adjacent to bins in the village. I know I raise this on a regularly, but I am here to represent the concerns expressed to me by residents.

Virgin Media will again be working in the village. As a statutory undertaking the council have no powers to prevent this work. I have been liaising with the contract manager and have been assured that they will practise social distancing. I have also agreed the extension of the use of green cabinets within and adjacent to the Conservation Area.

My preference was for green throughout the village however the government have dictated grey on the basis that the colour is more environmentally appropriate.

No doubt an expert can explain this reasoning to me.

Any issues or help needed please call me.

Tel: 07769 706999 hugh.jones@wrexham.gov.uk

T. 01978 352900 We aim to not only please our customers, but to amaze them!

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Russell Gilmartin Councillor for Marford & Hoseley Hello, I hope you’re all staying safe and well.

Marford Hill I’m pleased that essential drainage work was carried out on Marford Hill recently; something I’d been asking to be done for quite some time. Most potholes have thankfully been filled and I’m grateful to the for officers managing to do it whilst resources are stretched at the moment.

Hillock Lane I know residents are concerned that the developers refused to listen to our pleas to halt the pre -planning consultation. Whilst it is frustrating that residents cannot meet to discuss it, I can assure you all that the situation is being closely monitored.

Covid-19 / Coronavirus I would like to say thank you to all those in the community that are going above and beyond in the fight against the virus, as well as the local businesses that have been allowed to stay open to provide us with what we need and of course our doctors who, along with the Pharmacies, are providing an excellent service for us during this pandemic – thank you!

Right now, we need to protect the elderly and most vulnerable in our community from any potential spread of this virus. We all need to do our bit to protect those it could seriously affect, and to do that, we need to listen to the advice from health and government officials. Adhere to the guidance given is essential, regardless of how extreme it may seem.

As a community, we are strong, resilient and work well together – so be sure to continue supporting each other and local businesses too, wherever possible.

I’m sure there are many people who are feeling anxious at this moment in time but there are people within our community that you can reach out to. If you are isolating and need some shopping, a prescription picking up, or even just to talk to someone; please feel free to call me.

We have a duty of care to each other, so please also keep in touch with neighbours or anyone you may feel is vulnerable at this time.

In addition to the above and as always, if you have any other issues, please feel free to contact me. Look out for each other, stay safe and don’t be strangers.

Tel: 07514 676175 russell.gilmartin@wrexham.gov.uk

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Consultation Times: MON - FRI: 2 - 3pm TUE & THUR: 5 - 6pm

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FREE HEARING CHECKS & FREE HEARING AID TRIALS Contact Olivia to discuss your hearing problem today Tel: 01978 316770 E: info@integratehearing.co.uk Schwarz Opticians, Charles Street, Wrexham LL13 8BT

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HIGHEST STANDARD OF PROFESSIONAL CLINICAL HYGIENE

Andrew Atkinson Councillor for Gresford I really hope that you’re all well and staying safe. This is a tough time for everyone but it has really highlighted the strengths of our incredible community.

Vicarage Lane Planning Application Appeal I’m delighted to inform you that the planning inspector has dismissed the appeal! Thank you to each and everyone one of you that supported us through every stage of the process.

I’d like to thank you all on behalf of the Vicarage Lane Action Group and pay particular thanks to two members Gino and Jonathan Paletta for their tireless work.

Hillock Lane Proposed Plans This is not a submitted planning application as yet this is at the stage where the developers conduct their own pre-planning application. I believe that it is wrong for this process to go ahead as the timing is, in my opinion, so inappropriate with everything that is going on and what we’re focussed on right now as a community.

I also believe that the community should be able to organise itself for a combined response and the conditions are not right for that.

Covid-19 I’m so grateful to every single volunteer that has come forward to help our villages, what an incredible community we live in!

I’m very grateful to Dan Sissons who agreed to coordinate our plans and the response and to everyone that is helping collect prescriptions, food and more.

We’ve been so very busy and we will continue to help so if you need us please call! For up to date information including the food list from my last column please visit the EssentialsMAG website. www.essentialsmag.co.uk/covid19 Vicky has been an absolute star throughout this process and this magazine is the best place for up-to-date local news.

Virgin Media I have been in daily contact with Virgin Media following up on residents concerns over the last few weeks. If you need to contact them directly you can via CommunityresidentsSupport@virginmedia .co.uk If you need anything at all please do get in touch.

I’ve asked that the developers withdraw but they have chosen to extend the consultation instead.

It’s up to you as individuals if you choose to engage in the consultation but I have made clear that I won’t be due to the current circumstances.

Tel: 07914 211631 andrew.atkinson@wrexham.gov.uk

Telephone Jim Hough T. 01978

853027 M. 07738 985375

Boiler Installations / Replacements Complete Bathroom Installations Boiler Service and Breakdown

221986

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Marford & Gresford Scarecrow Trail IMAGE have been asked a couple of times in the past few weeks whether we could bring forward the Scarecrow Trail to run it whilst we are in ‘social distancing’ mode, to give people “something to focus on” during their daily walks. We have discussed this carefully but for two reasons have decided we cannot do this at the current time: Firstly, because most of the IMAGE members are older members of the community and we are socially distancing quite carefully. We don’t want to put ourselves at risk and would like to still be around to see our families again when the restrictions are lifted. It is almost impossible to run the Scarecrow Trail without meeting up with each other and with trail participants.

Secondly, because we feel it would be irresponsible, and open to serious criticism, by running the event it would encourage: • • •

Scarecrow-makers to undertake unnecessary shopping for items to make the scarecrows; The community to go into shops to purchase the entry forms; Possibly hundreds of local people to walk a specified walk through the villages, making social distancing quite difficult for everyone.

We would hate to be the reason, even indirectly, that anyone caught the virus.

So, sorry, but the answer is ‘No’ for now. We will try to run the Scarecrow Trail later in the year if restrictions are lifted in time, if the weather allows, and if it coincides with a school holiday, but otherwise we may have to wait until 2021. We will be back!

We specialise in ear wax removal Friendly and professional service by a qualified nurse with a Diploma in primary Ear Care.

£35 for one ear. £50 for both.

CELEBRATING 5 YEARS AT THE PLASSEY! Day, evening and weekend appointments available

To arrange your appointment: call: 07946 231051 email: pam@earcaresolutions.co.uk www.earcaresolutions.co.uk Unit 2 The Barn, The Plassey, Eyton, Wrexham LL13 0SP

Traditional Carpenters & Restoration Specialists Timber Traditions specialise in traditional carpentry work and restoration projects

Award-winning, full-day care 8:00am - 5:30pm, Monday to Friday Age from 2 years old to school age Holiday Club 2 - 8 years old Drop off & collection at the Rofft & All Saint’s

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Little Explorers RESTORATION OF PERIOD BUILDINGS & FEATURES CREATION OF NEW TIMBER FEATURES BESPOKE SERVICE CUSTOM-MADE FURNITURE ALL CARPENTRY & JOINERY WORK Registered for Early Education & 30 hours free childcare

Childcare vouchers accepted T.

01948 519549 M. 07786 635222 www.timbertraditions.co.uk

Marford Community Centre, Pant Lane, Marford, LL12 8SH

Tel: 07947 473857 email: marfordpgbilling@gmail.com

PLUMBING, HEATING & BATHROOMS

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM

Foundry Road, Wrexham LL13 7AB (next to St. Giles Church) FREE PARKING OUTSIDE

Tel: 01978 357238 / 01978 264456 E: wrexhamplumbers@btconnect.com

We have a full range of Bathroom Suites & Wall Panels on display OPEN TO PUBLIC & TRADE

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Transform your home with bespoke fitted furniture

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

PASSENGER TRANSPORT SERVICES

Tel: 01978 265 381

Airport / Seaports Transfers Days Out / Nights Out Family Excursions / Golf Trips Stag & Hen Parties / Weddings

www.reflections-wrexham.co.uk

To book your future trips call Chris: 0151 372 3699 / 07732 991362

Unit 2, Fairfield, Barkers Lane, Borras LL13 9TP Showroom open: Monday - Friday 9am to 4:30pm with evenings and weekends by appointment

Keep on Playing It’s Good For All Of Us Playing makes children feel good and is essential for physical and mental health. It’s vital that all children are able to play during this difficult time and that learning is balanced with plenty of opportunities for play.

Playful Childhoods is a campaign that aims to help parents, carers and grandparents give children time, space and support to play at home and in their local community. They have produced some fantastic ideas for families to enjoy some fun, easy play ideas your child can enjoy at home.

Please visit their website for easy ideas for play around your home: https://www.playfulchildhoods.wales

Person Centred Care • 24 Hour Care • EMH & Residen琀al Care • Specialist Care for Demen琀a • Day Care • Intermediate Care • Respite

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info@orchardcaregroup.co.uk orchardcaregroup.co.uk

Distinctively Yours...

At Rossett Hall Hotel we are passionate about hospitality. Whether you are enjoying a meal at Oscars Brasserie, or staying with us for business or pleasure, we are dedicated to ensuring that your visit is a special one.

My team and I look forward to welcoming you back very soon.

Adrian Modoi, GENERAL MANAGER

For any further information please contact our Reception Team on 01244 571000 Rossett Hall Hotel, Chester Road, Rossett, Wrexham LL12 0DE Email: reservations@rossetthallhotel.co.uk

Futureproof Your Kitchen

Oswestry based business PSM Kitchens, takes pride in bringing high quality, bespoke kitchens to the marketplace. Owner Paul Mansell decided to start his business due to having a family and needing to create a better work-life balance.

Pricing is competitive and Paul has a bit of a different approach to pricing up each project.

He took the decision to not have a showroom (although he does have offices) and instead visits each client to discuss options and measure up, but with no hard sell in sight. PSM Kitchens is all about a personal service and making customers feel comfortable with the choices they make.

Paul says, “I am totally independent and not tied to one supplier, so I can always offer a wide range of options to my customers. This also means I can meet a wide range of budgets. This coupled with the fact all unit are made to order means we can offer a really flexible product customised to our client’s needs. I like to focus on future proofing kitchens for customers, which is beneficial as a variety of things may change further down the road. Anything from style to age related scenarios.”

If you visit the PSM Kitchens website there are lots of previous projects on show for you, from countryside style to that modern clean feel. If you have the space and ever fancied an island in the hub of the house, then take a look at the projects. Kitchens to make anyone happy, I think so!

PSM Kitchens have both traditional and modern ranges so there is something to suit everyone. Paul also offers a free planning and design package, which is part of the service.

So, if you are thinking of updating your current kitchen and would like to stay with a local firm, PSM Kitchens is just around the corner.

Contact Paul on 01691 664252 or visit psmkitchens.co.uk NB During these uncertain times we are very much open for business. We are looking at ways to minimise contact with the most vulnerable groups by use of WhatsApp, skype and zoom video calls where possible, but are also more than happy to chat on the telephone.

All Domestic & Commercial Work Undertaken Rewires • Sockets • Lighting Switches • Fuse Box Phone Sockets • Alarms Outside Lighting Showers • Extractor Fans Trip Fuse Consumer Units

Thinking of a New Kitchen This Year?

Please keep my number, you might need it one day!

To book your free design appointment call Paul Mansell on:

01691 664 252

www.psmkitchens.co.uk Visit our website to see our latest ranges and projects

T. 01978 851078 M. 07776 477396

www.lukejarrett.co.uk

Support Services Whether you're concerned about yourself or a loved one, we have collated a comprehensive list of helplines and support groups who can offer expert advice.

Age UK Cymru Alcoholics Anonymous Alzheimer's Society Anxiety UK BEAT Bipolar UK Calm Citizens Advice Cruse Bereavement Care Disabled Living Foundation Family Lives Foodbank Mencap Men's Health Forum Mental Health Foundation Mind Narcotics Anonymous National Gambling Helpline No Panic NSPCC OCD Action OCD UK Papyrus Rape Crisis Re-Engage Refuge Relate Rethink Mental Illness RSPCA Samaritans Sane The Silver Line Victim Support Adult Social Services Wrexham Council Young Minds

T: 08000 223 444 T: 0800 917 7650 T: 0333 150 3456 T: 03444 775 774 T: 0808 801 0677 T: 07591 375 544 T: 0800 58 58 58 T: 0300 330 1178 T: 0808 808 1677 T: 0300 999 044 T: 0808 800 2222 T: 07538 547971 T: 0808 808 1111 T: 020 7922 7908 T: 02921 679 400 T: 0300 123 3393 T: 0300 999 1212 T: 0808 8020 133 T: 0844 967 4848 T: 0800 1111 T: 0845 390 6232 T: 0333 212 7890 T: 0800 068 4141 T: 0808 802 9999 T: 07811 639 342 T: 0808 2000 247 T: 01978 265 028 T: 0300 5000 927 T: 0300 1234 999 T: 116 123 T: 0300 304 7000 T: 0800 470 8090 T: 0808 168 9111 T: 01978 292 066 T: 01978 292 000 T: 0808 802 5544

www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk www.alzheimers.org.uk www.anxietyuk.org.uk www.b-eat.co.uk www.bipolaruk.org.uk www.thecalmzone.net www.citizensadvice.org.uk www.cruse.org.uk www.dlf.org.uk www.familylives.org.uk https://wrexham.foodbank.org.uk www.mencap.org.uk www.menshealthforum.org.uk www.mentalhealth.org.uk www.mind.org.uk www.ukna.org www.begambleaware.org www.nopanic.org.uk www.nspcc.org.uk www.ocdaction.org.uk www.ocduk.org www.papyrus-uk.org www.rapecrisis.org.uk www.reengage.org.uk www.refuge.org.uk www.relate.org.uk www.rethink.org www.rspca.org.uk www.samaritans.org www.sane.org.uk www.thesilverline.org.uk www.victimsupport.org www.wrexham.gov.uk www.wrexham.gov.uk www.youngminds.org.uk

Discover simple steps to look after your mental health Every Mind Matters will get you started with a free online plan designed to help you deal with stress and anxiety, boost your mood, improve your sleep and feel more in control.

Find your way to better mental health.

Search every mind matters

EMM19-15 Š Crown copyright 2019

RSPCA Can pets catch COVID-19?

A very small number of animals; pets and laboratory animals, have been reported to have tested positive for, or shown symptoms of, COVID-19. Some of these animals were deliberately exposed to the disease and in an artiďŹ cial setting which did not represent real life. The others were cases where the virus has reportedly been passed from a person to an animal. Importantly, to date, there is no known evidence of the virus passing from pets to humans.

Even in cases where people have passed the virus to other animals, the risk is incredibly small, especially when we think about the number of cats and dogs we share our homes with: 17% of UK households share their homes with 7.5m cats and 25% with 12m dogs.

Like human hands, pet fur could carry the virus and so it is important to adopt good hygiene when interacting with our pets, especially if they could have been in contact with other people. This is good advice at any time and not speciďŹ c to the Coronavirus situation.

This means thoroughly washing hands with soap and water after interacting with them and avoiding being kissed or licked and sharing food with them.

If you or someone in your house is ill with the virus then if your cat is happy to stay in and is used to using a litter tray then keeping them in may be advisable. If they go outside a lot then try to minimise interactions and wash your hands afterwards. We do not recommend forcing a cat to stay in who is not used to it, as this may cause stress and even some serious health problems.

Do not use disinfectants on your cat as many household human disinfectants are toxic to cats. If you have to handle a cat that has been in a COVID-19 positive house then wiping with a damp cloth or pet safe wipe may be beneďŹ cial, but be careful not to use excess water that may create a splash.

This situation is one which is evolving and at pace, so we are advising that everyone takes sensible precautions around their pets. You should also avoid touching other animals outside your home.

For more information visit: https://www.rspca.org.uk/coronavirus

Gresford Playgroup DUCKS & DUCKLINGS Established 50 Years Offering high quality term-time childcare from ages 0-4 Registered for Early Years & 30 hour Childcare Offer FOR MORE INFORMATION: gresfordplaygroup@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 07523 398880 (term time) www.gresfordplaygrouponline.co.uk CHARITY NO: 1180659

Guaranteed Disinfection NEW PRODUCT: Simple for all to use - dissolvable in warm water Can be used as a hand sanitiser or to wipe down multiple surfaces

To order, call Steve on:

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Puzzle Page...

Just For Fun Crossword Across 1 4 7 8 9 11 15 17 19

Lead a discussion (5) Lives in (7) Wedding assistant (5) Defeat thoroughly (8) Slatted wooden box (5) Giving way under pressure (8) Microorganisms (8) Bill ___ : Microsoft founder (5) Brilliant musical performers (8) 20 Modify (5) 21 Devoted time to learning (7) 22 Lance (5)

Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 10 12 13 14 16 18

Communicating (9) Changed or modified (7) Round building (7) Dried grape (6) Nitres (anag) (6) Apply pressure (5) Goal that levels a football match (9) Sculptures (7) Light bun or roll (7) Glimpsed (6) Lived by (6) Detailed assessment of accounts (5)

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

Here are the answers from April:

Classic Sudoku

Little Scholars Day Nursery The Centre for the Child, Glyndŵr University, Mold Road, Wrexham LL11 2AW

For information about places please contact CATRIN or BECCA

Tel: 01978 314912 littlescholars@activechildcare.co.uk

“Nature is a tool to get children to experience not just the wider word, but themselves.”

STEPHEN MOSS

Why not pay us a visit and see what we have to offer you and your child...

• • • •

Purpose built nursery Dedicated and passionate practitioners Registered to deliver EE and the Childcare Offer Open to the general public as well as students and staff at Glyndwr University • Holiday Club provision for ages 4‐12 also available

Call today to arrange a visit ‐ 01978 314912 www.activechildcare.co.uk ALSO AT: ROSSETT HOUSE NURSERY, LLAY ROAD, ROSSETT, WREXHAM LL12 0HT. TEL: 01244 571872