EssentialsMAG February 2024 - North Wrexham/Cheshire Magazine by Essentials MAG

February 2024

Your monthly local community magazine

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Welcome... Welcome to our February issue!

March copy deadlines: Editorial - 9th February Advertising - 14th February

Following the festivities of the New Year and the return to daily routines, February has consistently struck me as a chance to take a moment, pause, and catch a breath.

EssentialsMAG Your go-to magazine for Wrexham and the bordering Cheshire villages

Yes, the weather may be chilly and damp, with days remaining short and dark. However, there is a sense of optimism in the air. Spring is around the corner, promising brighter and warmer days ahead. We can look forward to embracing life, feeling refreshed and re-invigorated. Of course, this month also means Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, Half Term, Pancake Day, and Random Acts of Kindness Day (on the 17th). I hope you enjoy reading this issue. EssentialsMAG is your space to share what matters to you, whether it's local heroes, your favourite businesses, hidden gems, or hopes for the future. If previous years are anything to go by, February will disappear in the blink of an eye. So, whatever this month has in store for you, I send you my warmest wishes.

We’ve got the local area covered! Hand-delivered to 6,400 homes in these villages: Rossett, Marford, Gresford, Holt, Farndon, Churton, Aldford, Eccleston, Lavister, Poulton, Pulford, Dodleston, Burton and Golly. Also available at 25+ pick-up points across the region. EssentialsMAG is published by Essentials MAG Limited, a local independent publishing company. All content within the publication is copyright of Essentials MAG Limited. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for views or opinions expressed by contributors or for the accuracy of claims made by the advertisers. All dates, times, URLs and phone numbers are understood to be correct at the time of submission to print.

Have a great month!

All the best, Vicky Heathfield

EMAIL: vicky@essentialsmag.co.uk CALL: 01978 855459

www.essentialsmag.co.uk

Cover Image: St Valentine’s Day

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When you have ﬁnished reading it please pass it on, or put it in your paper recycling bin.

Local News Darland Community Theatre Following the huge success of ‘Blithe Spirit’ in November 2023, Darland Community Theatre is delighted to announce that its next show will be another popular classic; Willy Russell’s, ‘Educating Rita’. The play is a dramatic comedy set in the 1980s, and follows the developing relationship between Rita, a hairdresser studying English Literature through the Open University, and Frank, the reluctant lecturer assigned to tutor her. On his directorial debut, Angelo Edwards told us: “Educating Rita is a superb play that explores personal development, relationships and freedom of choice, including the adage that ‘the grass isn’t always greener on the other side’. I am delighted to have Rea Hughes playing Rita, and Andy Williams playing Frank, who have brought such infectious enthusiasm to their roles.” Darland Community Theatre members help with every aspect of putting on a production, but the group also serves the local community by donating the proﬁts from every show to local charities. They are always looking for new members, so if you’d like to tread the boards, direct a show, help build the set, make the tea or get involved in anything else, then you are sure of a warm welcome. Search Darland Community Theatre on Facebook, or visit the website for more details. Educating Rita runs between 3rd - 5th April, tickets available from: www.darlandtheatre.com

Wrexham Museum Café Finds a New Home Wrexham Museum is currently closed to the public as it undergoes redevelopment, but the museum’s Courtyard Café has successfully relocated to a temporary spot within Tŷ Pawb’s food court. This move complements the impressive array of local eateries already present. Patrons can still enjoy the Courtyard Café’s familiar menu, featuring snacks, sandwiches, light meals, coffee and desserts. Opening hours are: 10:30am - 4:30pm (Mon to Fri), and 11:00am - 3:30pm (Sat).

The Lacrimosa – Our Lady of Sorrow Julie Herbert Adams, a fine art portrait photographer, who has a studio in Farndon, has reached the final of the fiercely contested Guild of Photographers’ Image of the Year Competition. The Guild is a highly-respected UK based professional association for photographers, which also includes members from overseas. Every year it runs an online monthly photographic competition, judged by internationally respected judges, with awards given to the very best entries. It has recently been announced that from all the entries across the year, over 12,000, the Guild’s judges have selected just 10 images to go forward to the Image of the Year final. Those selected for the final really are the very best of the best, and an image created by Julie, is one of those selected as a finalist! Julie told us, “My image is called ‘The Lacrimosa – Our Lady of Sorrow’’ which is a very thought provoking, haunting image that was created whilst listening to Mozart! The original images were originally taken underwater in a huge tank and represent the suffering of women throughout time. I’m very proud of her!” Julie will celebrate her achievement and discover if she is the overall winner at the Guild of Photographers’ Awards Gala evening, being held on the 3rd of February 2024. For more information, please visit: www.julieherbertadams.photography You can also find Julie on Instagram: @julieherbertadamsportraits

Share your news with us: www.essentialsmag.co.uk/article

Dodleston Local History Group By EssentialsMAG history contributor BERNARD DENNIS, MBE Archdeacon Francis Wrangham MA, FRS The tower of St Mary’s Church, Dodleston is dated to about the early part of the 16th century. The current church attached to the tower was remodelled by the Cheshire architect John Douglas in 1869/70. Inside the tower are three graves and several marble monuments to local families, but there is one monument that stands above all others. This commemorates the life of Sir Thomas Egerton (1540 – 1617). Born out of wedlock to a lowly maid servant in Dodleston, he rose to become the second most important person in the land to both Queen Elizabeth I and King James I (6th of Scotland). Throughout his life, Sir Thomas Egerton built a large collection of books. After his death in 1617, these passed to his heirs and were subsequently acquired by Archdeacon Francis Wrangham, who was himself an avid bibliophile, but unrelated. Francis Wrangham was born in 1769 in the East Riding of Yorkshire and had a very formal education which included Cambridge University, where he excelled at classics and mathematics. Having chosen a career in the church, he was ordained and became the rector of Hunmanby in the East Riding. His religious life continued apace and in 1825 he became Prebendary (effectively receiving a stipend from the diocese) of Chester and, in due course, Rector of Dodleston. A Curate was in place to take care of the daily course of events at St Mary’s as Archdeacon Francis Wrangham was the ﬁgurehead with other duties to perform.

Because of his love of books, and the importance Sir Thomas Egerton had played in our history, Wrangham was appalled Sir Thomas had not been formally recognised as such. After all, Egerton could have been buried in Westminster Abbey, as were his predecessors, but chose Dodleston as his final resting place; mainly to be close to his first wife, Elizabeth who died in 1588 and also his first-born son, also Thomas, who died in 1599 at the age of 25. All three are buried in the bell tower floor. It’s possible he wanted to be as far away as possible from his third wife Alice, but that’s another story! In 1829, Wrangham instigated and paid for an everlasting marble memorial to Sir Thomas Egerton and this grand edifice is now firmly in place on the south wall inside the tower of St Mary’s Church. Archdeacon Francis Wrangham died in Chester on the 27 December 1842 and his body was honoured by burial in the Lady Chapel of Chester Cathedral. A Chester newspaper wrote at the time “A great and bright spirit has been quenched amongst us.” His extensive library of books went initially to the British Museum and thence to the British Library which opened in 1973. St Mary’s Dodleston has a very rich history of significant clergy; Archdeacon Francis Wrangham and Canon Herbert Leigh Mallory (rector between 1927-1940) are but two.

For further information please contact: Bernard Dennis on 07966 436073.

Gresford and District Community Library

By JAN JONES, Gresford and District Community Library Happy birthday to us! We celebrate our 10th anniversary this year! Wrexham County Borough Council (WCBC) closed our library at the end of March 2014, but the community re-opened it! We had our grand opening on 17th May 2014; it’s joyful, and also a little sad, to look at photos of that day, all of us 10 years younger and some friends, sadly, no longer with us. During the past decade we’ve achieved a lot, especially in terms of improving the building – it was in a sorry state when we took on the lease! Our library was awaiting remodelling - by closing us, WCBC saved this money (a BBC report from that time states that WCBC was looking to save £92k on its libraries budget). Unfortunately, cutbacks and savings are still very much with us today.

Gresford Community Council has helped us every year with funding towards our running costs and Rossett Community Council also chips in. This has meant that some of our fundraising could be focused on the building. The first thing we did was to create a bright and colourful Children’s Library; our second priority was to sort out the cold, damp and mould-covered kitchen and loo. We’ve been successful in applying for grants and have got rid of our ancient, gas-guzzling, boiler and insulated our roof space and walls, so that we could derive maximum benefit from the solar panels we had fitted in 2021 – all thanks to grants. There is still work to do but, with the support of the community, we will get it done and, hopefully, we will continue to survive and thrive into the next decade. We will be holding a birthday Garden Party in the summer hosted, as usual, by our Patron, Baroness Walmsley. We do hope you’ll be able to join us and wish your library ‘Happy Birthday’!

Get in touch – if you have any questions there are many ways to contact us: Phone: 01978 852627 Email: gresfordlibrary@hotmail.com Website: gresforddistrictcommunitylibrary.org.uk Facebook: @GresfordandDistrictCommunityLibrary Wrexham online catalogue: wales.ent.sirsidynix.net.uk/client/en_GB/wrexham_en

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Dates for your Diary EVERY THURSDAY

WED 7 FEBRUARY

MON 12 FEBRUARY

Short Mat Indoor Bowling Rossett & Burton Village Hall, Station Road, Rossett LL12 0HE

Wrexham Prostate Cancer Support Group Trevor Arms, Marford Hill, Marford LL12 8TA

Winter Warmer Lunch Upstairs At The Grill, 70 Watergate Street, Chester CH1 2LA

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8 - 10 FEBRUARY EVERY FRIDAY

Rossett Community Café The Golden Lion, Chester Road, Rossett, Wrexham LL12 0HN All welcome to this friendly welcoming pensioners café. Chat, or join the dominoes table. Find out about other activities for pensioners in and around Rossett. 10:30am - 11:45am £1.00 (includes cuppa & cake)

WED 7 FEBRUARY

Lunch & Company Alyn Waters Country Park, Mold Rd, Gwersyllt, Wrexham LL11 4AG Socialise, meet new people and enjoy a delicious meal with entertainment. Booking is essential and places are limited. Open to the over 55s only. 12pm £5.00 (pay cash on the day) Tel: 01978 757 524 (Mair)

Animal Farm - play Grove Park Theatre, Hill St, Wrexham LL11 1SN Latest performance from Grove Park Theatre. 7:30pm £6.00 groveparktheatre.co.uk

9 - 13 FEBRUARY

Robin Hood - panto William Aston Hall, Mold Rd, Wrexham LL11 2AW Brought to you by the Wrexham and District Pantomime Company. 7:15pm (Sat matinee 2.15pm) £12.00 adult/£5.00 child williamastonwrexham.com

SAT 10 FEBRUARY

Kids Glow Party Penley Village Hall, Penley LL13 0NH Fun glow party for the kids. 6pm - 8pm £2.00 (includes food)

MON 12 FEBRUARY

‘Welcome to Wrexham’ Leighton Cox Cinematographer Tŷ Pawb, Market Street, Wrexham LL13 8BB Come and hear Leighton Cox share his insights and showcase his expertise in camera work and lighting. He recently won an Emmy Award for his outstanding cinematography in the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ TV documentary. 7pm - 9pm Free

THUR 15 FEBRUARY

Veterans Information and Recruitment Event Tŷ Pawb, Market Street, Wrexham LL13 8BB A free Information and Recruitment Event for Veterans, their families, and support networks. 10am - 2pm

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

For a comprehensive list of local events, or to submit yours, please visit our website:

essentialsmag.co.uk/whats-on 15 - 17 FEBRUARY

TUE 20 FEBRUARY

SAT 24 FEBRUARY

Beauty & the Beast panto Dodleston Village Hall, Pulford Lane, Dodleston, Chester CH4 9NN

Holt Flower Club Wrexham Golf Club, Wrexham LL13 9SB

Wine Tasting & Supper Overton Village Hall, Pen-Y-Llan Street, Overton LL13 0EE

Dodleston Youth Players present their latest pantomime with all the usual fun along the way! 7:30pm (Sat matinee 2pm) £10.00 adult/£6.00 child Tickets available to order at Chapel Stores, Dodleston

Demonstrator Sionedd Hughes with her theme, “Beyond Words”. Non members welcome. 7:30pm £7.00 visitor Tel: 078578 96496 (Christine)

WED 21 FEBRUARY SAT 17 FEBRUARY

Valentine’s Bingo Night Penley Village Hall, Penley LL13 0NH Eyes down for a full house. A fabulous night of bingo! 6pm Eyes down 6:30pm @PenleyVillageHall

Pulford & Poulton Local History Group Pulford Village Hall, off Burganey Court CH4 9ES A talk by Anthony AnnakinSmith: "Neston Colliery". 7:30pm £3.00 members/£5.00 non pplhg.org.uk

SAT 24 FEBRUARY TUE 20 FEBRUARY

The Friends of Wrexham Museum Talk Wrexham Memorial Hall, Wrexham LL12 7AG A play about the battle of the Yorke brothers to try and save Erddig. 7pm £3.00 (visitors) asandra66@hotmail.co.uk

Craft & Coffee Morning St Margaret’s Church, Chester Road, Wrexham LL11 2SH 'Winter Warmer' Craft and Coffee Morning, with live music to celebrate St. David's Day. In aid of the roof repair appeal. 10:30am - 12pm

Overton/La Murette Twinning Wine Tasting and Supper evening. 7pm £20.00 Tel: 01978 710891 (Philippa)

SATURDAY 24 FEB & SUNDAY 25 FEB

Come and See/Bottle Feed the Baby Lambs! The Bungalow, Darland Lane, Lavister, Rossett Homemade cakes and refreshments available. All proceeds to Christ Church, Rossett. 10am - 12pm (both days) Free Tel: 01244 570242

Share your events with us - it’s FREE! Let us know your events taking place next month so we can feature them. essentialsmag.co.uk /whats-on

Wrexham Tourism News By JOE BICKERTON, Tourism Manager, Wrexham County Borough Council As we head through the winter period, the tourism team are busy working on new plans for 2024. A few initiatives include a new partnership between Wrexham, Shropshire Tourism and Marketing Cheshire to recognise the accessibility of the railway between Crewe and Shrewsbury and the visitor attractions along that route. We’re busy developing some new ﬁlm and promotional materials to highlight the sustainable travel opportunities that this line provides, and the varied attractions along the borderlands. Here in Wrexham, we are planning a ’This is Wrexham’ week at the end of February to support local tourism operators to celebrate and showcase Wrexham County as a place to stay in 2024. From previous columns, I’ve spoken about the predicted surge this year of international visitors, largely due to the success and awareness of the football club, but our team is working closely with Visit Wales to highlight reasons to stay and explore the wider area of Wrexham County and North East Wales, whilst in the area. Cross promotion and supporting more hospitality staff to become Wrexham Tourism Ambassadors is a big part of this. On St. David’s Day (1st March), we’ll be launching the ﬁnal modules of our Wrexham Tourism Ambassador Scheme allowing participants to reach the ‘gold’ level! To date, we have over 200 ambassadors who have

completed a ‘silver’ award and our aim is to top 500 by this summer! For more details, please visit: www.ambassador.wales/ambassadorcourses/wrexham-ambassador-course/ In other news, in Wales we’re working with Welsh Government to launch a new registration and licensing scheme. This is intended to deliver a register of visitor accommodation types and to enable providers to demonstrate compliance with safety and quality requirements. It is intended to enhance the visitor experience and safety expectations by ensuring anyone who lets visitor accommodation meets a relevant set of standards. The ﬁrst phase will be a statutory registration scheme for all accommodation providers, which will provide a register on the broad range of visitor accommodation available across Wales. Just a reminder that the Canal and River Trust have closed the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct until 16th March. This is for some essential maintenance (well, it is nearly 220 years old!). However, there is still another 11-miles of glorious UNESCO World Heritage Site to explore between Gledrid (by the Lion Quays) and the Horseshoe Falls, just outside Llangollen. For local tourism news and to discover our ideas about things to do and see locally, please follow @ThisisWrexham and @Pontcysyllte on socials. By Joe Bickerton, Tourism Manager at Wrexham County Borough Council T. 01978 292015 www.thisiswrexham.co.uk

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What is Public Relations? By JULIE GREGORY Who can forget ‘Absolutely Fabulous’, the British comedy series, and the impact it had on the perception of the UK’s PR industry? All those boozy lunches! Known for its satirical portrayal of the fashion and PR industries, ‘Ab Fab’ offered a funny yet insightful perspective on the world of PR, yet it highlighted the importance of maintaining professionalism while also embracing creativity and flexibility. The show demonstrated the challenges and nuances of working in PR, such as managing high-profile clients, navigating media relationships, and handling crises. Additionally, Ab Fab showcased the power of personal branding and the impact of reputation management. The characters' exaggerated personas demonstrated how a strong brand image can shape public perception and influence business outcomes. So what is PR? Well, it is the strategic communication process which aims to build mutually beneficial relationships between organisations and their target audience. It involves managing how information about a brand or individual is communicated to the general public. It is widely known that a PR story in the media is three times more effective than the same space of advertising and, as such, it can help in multiple ways:

Reputation management: manage the perception of a brand, to ensure it is seen positively, ie. by handling any potential crises and addressing any negative publicity. Creating brand awareness: generate publicity and increase brand visibility through media coverage and positive mentions which reach a wider audience and potentially attract new customers. Building trust and credibility: establish brands as reliable and trustworthy to their target audience by sharing valuable, relevant information, engaging in transparent communication, and promoting ethical practices. Inﬂuencing public opinion: Social media and inﬂuencer partnerships help create a positive perception of the brand. Enhancing brand loyalty: PR can foster a sense of loyalty among existing customers. By keeping customers informed of news, addressing their concerns, and showcasing the brand's values, PR helps in building long-term relationships with customers. PR today is an integral part of the marketing mix and complements other marketing efforts in establishing a positive brand image in the competitive marketplace. EssentialsMAG marketing contributor is Julie Gregory of Time For Marketing julie@timeformarketing.org Tel: 07474 333004

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How to Beat the Winter Blues By MATILDA HUGHES It’s no secret that dark nights and chilly days can be a trigger for low mood, making prioritising mental health a top concern during winter. Planning little treats is a sure ﬁre way to boost your emotional state if the weather is getting you down, so here are some ideas to bring a little sparkle to your season, and the local businesses where you can try them. Channel your inner ceramicist It’s no secret that creativity can bring a smile to anyone’s face. Whether you consider yourself an artist, or ﬁnd your talents lie elsewhere, pottery painting is an ideal indoor activity to splash some colour onto February. Not only will you reap the reward of a beautiful new home accessory, but bring a friend along, and enjoy the social interaction that comes with it too. Cwtch Ceramics Cafe, opening in Eagles Meadow soon, offers the chance to get arty, whilst providing delicious cakes and coffees to fuel your imagination. Plan a puzzle night Getting absorbed in a jigsaw can be a brilliant distraction from any winter worries. Gresford Library offers a huge variety of designs which are available to borrow for free. Gather a group of friends and some snacks, and enjoy an evening of puzzling fun, as you work together to build a tabletop masterpiece.

Try Tai Chi Whilst braving the bitter winds for an outdoor jog may feel a little intimidating at the moment, gentle exercise releases endorphins which are scientiﬁcally proven to improve mood. Described as ‘meditation in motion’, Tai Chi is a gentle stretching workout which you can practice in the comfort of your own home. YouTube has an ample selection of guided classes available, or if you fancy getting social, Tai Chi Wrexham offer weekly classes at St. Peter’s Parish Hall. Take some self care time If it is solitude you are craving, then honour it. Plan an evening, or even a full day, into your calendar to prioritise yourself. Gather your favourite scented soaps, bath products and candles, and allow yourself to fully indulge. Not only can the relaxation do us the world of good, but crisp winter climates can leave our skin desperately in need of a little moisture. So, run yourself a bath, and permit yourself to a bit of a pamper. Whilst these cosy pastimes may help to alleviate a short term seasonal struggle, if feeling particularly low, it’s important to remember that there are people out there to listen.

Written by Matilda Hughes. Matilda is an aspiring journalist, and local resident, with a passion for sports and the outdoors!

BRHS - Burton Rossett Horticultural Society Gardening News

By EssentialsMAG gardening contributor CAROL EDWARDS Here we are at the start of a new year in our gardens; may I take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy new year for 2024. This time of the year is a bit of a bleak time in the garden, however there is quite a lot of preparation we can do to look forward to the warmer weather. We can start by planting bare-rooted rose shrubs, hedges and ornamental trees, make sure that the soil isn’t frozen though. You can also plant snowdrops in the green, this just means the bulbs are in pots and are growing, much better than dry ones. It is also possible to take root cuttings of oriental poppies, acathanus and verbascums, as these are ﬂeshy rooted. Tidy soggy collapsed stems of perennials and compost them as well. Take hardwood cuttings from forsythia, willow and viburnum. If you have any hellerbore from last year too, remove and bin any foliage that is marked with black as it will limit the spread of leaf spot disease.

Dead-head winter pansies and other bedding often. Continue pruning climbing roses while they are dormant. Apple and pear trees can also be winter pruned as this removes dead, damaged, congested and diseased branches. In the vegetable garden, you can plan this year’s crop rotation to ensure that you grow each type in a different bed to last year. The best thing to do is clean old crops and weeds from the veg plot, then dig it over and mix in fresh compost. You can start sowing seeds of hardy annuals in modules such as cornﬂowers, cerinthe and ammi which will give you an early start. In the greenhouse on sunny days remember to ventilate, which will prevent humidity building up. Of course enjoy your time in the garden, won’t you?

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Local Birds and Wildlife News By REVEREND HUGH LINN Despite the gales and floods of the recent prolonged stormy weather, most of our local bird species have carried on as usual with their preparations for Spring's breeding season. In mid-January there was plenty of activity as the birds busied themselves repairing nests destroyed by the wind. Starlings were returning to their breeding sites, and claiming territory by singing their remarkable songs containing not only imitations of other birds, but also non-avian sounds, such as motor horns and a whole variety of odd noises. On 9th January, a Song Thrush was advertising a possible breeding site in full voice with its characteristic repetitive melodious song in the wood by Marford Hill Co-op. At night, Tawny Owls can be heard duetting. Their song, commonly described as "To-Wit-to-Woo” is usually a duet with the male bird calling "To-Wit" and the female responding "To-Woo". One of my regular bird feeder visitors is a Greater Spotted Woodpecker which has now started producing his equivalent of a song drumming on a tree to advertise his presence to potential mates. As the season progresses more birds will be joining the chorus, such as Redwings and Fieldfares en route to their northern breeding grounds. The recent floods have attracted quite a good variety of water birds. Pink-footed Geese have been around in considerable numbers. Their V-shaped flight skeins have contained thousands of birds and with the Pinkfeet there have also been small numbers of Bean Geese.

EGRET

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This winter, Gresford Flash has not hosted as many wildfowl as usual, but ﬂooded ﬁelds elsewhere have attracted Little Egrets. These small members of the Heron family have been colonising the UK along with Great White Egrets and Spoonbills and are well established on Burton Mere Wetlands on Wirral.

Wrexham Birdwatchers Friday 2nd February 7:30pm, Talk by David Winniard, “Another few years of Wildlife Adventures” (Gresford Memorial Hall). Saturday 17th February, Field Trip to Deeside/Clwyd Coast. Leader: Corinne Williams (meet at Gresford Memorial Hall 9:30am). Contact Trevor Britton on 01978 855266.

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Gresford Trust Newsdesk Latest News By Ian Gibson, Gresford Trust Chairperson The recent spell of very wet weather highlighted several problems with drainage around the Memorial Hall and car parks. We are indebted to Gino Paletta and his team who have cleared out drains and soakaways to help alleviate the problem. Further work will be carried out to improve the situation soon. Gino also stepped in to carry out repairs to the roof which came to light after the installation of the new boiler. The Trust were invited to pay a visit to Gresford All Saints’ School and chat to the pupils. Janet Holmes and John Bell gave a presentation to give the children a brief history of the Trust, accompanied by photographs of how the buildings have developed over the past few years. Hopefully, this will have been enjoyable and help raise awareness of the facilities we provide for them to enjoy. On a business front, we continue to work with Wales and West Utilities towards completing the lease to allow the construction of a much needed upgrade to gas supply provision to the village. We are hopeful these negotiations will be concluded in the next few weeks. The funds generated from this lease will be invested into the upkeep of the hall and grounds and provide a large degree of ﬁnancial security for the Trust for the immediate future.

We have been grateful to be nominated for, and receive a donation of £2,000, from a Trust set up in the name of the late Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson. Sir Donald and Lady Edna were farmers and had a wide variety of business interests. Living in the Cuckoo’s Nest area of Pulford, they actively supported the local community and many charities during their lifetimes. I would like to thank the Trustees of their fund for the kindness of this gesture. Thank you to all members of our 100 club and congratulations to all winners. Reminders will go out soon to those who pay by cash or cheque. If you would like to join for only £12 a year, please get in touch. All proﬁts go directly to the upkeep of our facilities.

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Safeguarding Your Legacy By Simon Davies, LLB (Hons) Estate planning is a vital process often overlooked by individuals, who may perceive it as a task reserved for the elderly or the wealthy. However, irrespective of age or financial standing, establishing a well-considered estate plan is essential for everyone. This proactive approach not only ensures the smooth transfer of assets but also provides reassurance to individuals and their loved ones. At its core, estate planning involves making arrangements for the management and distribution of an individual's estate during their lifetime and after their demise. The estate encompasses all possessions, including property, bank accounts, investments, personal items, and more. The primary objective of estate planning is to facilitate the seamless transfer of these assets to chosen beneficiaries while minimising taxes and potential conflicts. A fundamental component of estate planning is the creation of a will. A Will is a legal document that details how a person wishes their assets to be distributed upon their death. Without a Will, the State may determine how to distribute assets, potentially diverging from the deceased's intentions. A carefully drafted Will enables individuals to specify beneficiaries, allocate assets, and appoint guardians for minor children.

Another critical aspect of estate planning is the establishment of a Trust. A Trust is a legal arrangement that permits a third party, known as the Trustee, to manage and distribute assets to beneficiaries as per the terms outlined in the Trust document. Trusts can help bypass probate, a timeconsuming and costly legal process that validates a Will. They also provide enhanced privacy, as the details of a Trust typically remain confidential. In addition to Wills and Trusts, estate planning incorporates other vital documents such as Powers of Attorney, Healthcare Directives, and Living Wills. These documents empower individuals to designate someone to make financial and healthcare decisions on their behalf in case of incapacity, ensuring that their wishes are respected even when they cannot communicate them. Seeking guidance from a professional can be invaluable in navigating the intricacies of estate planning, tailoring the strategy to individual needs, and ensuring a legacy that aligns with one's values and aspirations. Please call me to see how I can help.

For information on writing a Will, contact Simon Davies at Armour Wills Tel: 07845 019999 E: simon@armourwills.co.uk www.armourwills.co.uk

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EssentialsMAG Tasty Recipe

Corned Beef Hash Corned beef hash is a great way of stretching your food budget as the ingredients are relatively cheap and the dish is ﬁlling and versatile. Enjoy with baked beans, eggs or cheese - or any number of other toppings.

SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS 500g potato, peeled and chopped 2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 onion, roughly chopped 340g can corned beef, cut into cubes 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce Curly parsley, roughly chopped (optional)

METHOD Put the potatoes in a pan, cover with cold water and bring to the boil. Cook for about 6-7 minutes, then drain. Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan and cook the onion for 3-4 minutes over a medium heat. Add the potatoes and corned beef, and push down with a spatula to crisp up, cooking for about 5 minutes. Turn the mixture over, trying not to break up the meat and potatoes too much, then add the Worcestershire sauce. Cook for another 5 minutes, pushing down to crisp the base again. Season a little, then serve with a sprinkling of parsley, if you like.

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Seasonal Treats in February Bring some cheer to meal times in the depths of winter with these home-grown seasonal superstars… Cauliflower With a mild flavour when properly cooked – overboiling should be a criminal offence cauliflower can easily take on the taste of any ingredients it’s used with. There is, of course, the comforting classic of cauliflower cheese – steam cook then drain before generously covering in Cheddar cheese sauce and baking until the cheese is bubbling and turning golden. Its meaty texture also makes cauliflower a perfect replacement for vegetarian dishes – cut into 5cm-thick steaks, steam until just tender, then add to a hot frying pan and sear in butter before roasting for 10 minutes until caramelised. Forced rhubarb When there isn’t much fresh produce around, forced rhubarb brings a touch of brightness to winter menus. It is traditionally grown in almost complete darkness in heated sheds inside the fabled Yorkshire Rhubarb Triangle (nine square miles between Rothwell, Morley and Wakefield) and hand-picked between January and March by candlelight. Forced rhubarb’s eccentric cultivation results in pretty pink stalks that need no peeling, as they are far more tender than the outdoor-grown version, and they keep their shape better when cooked, too – and without a hint of stringiness. To prep, simply trim and remove the toxic leaves before cooking or freezing.

Jerusalem artichoke Jerusalem artichoke is a small, lumpy tuber that’s no relation to its rather more gorgeous globe namesake. But what it lacks in the looks department, it more than makes up for in taste. With a nutty, earthy flavour, it can be used both raw and cooked, but you do need to cook or serve it fast once you’ve trimmed and sliced it, as otherwise it starts to oxidise and lose its depth of flavour. It goes well with earthy fish, or white meat like chicken or pork. Try it sliced and fried in butter, spiralised in a crunchy salad, or roasted. Wild things: rabbit At this time of year, gamekeepers will keep local butchers busy with a steady stream of wild rabbits as they battle to keep them from munching through young crops. They are usually sold skinned and portioned, and their lean, gamey meat makes for a marvellous slow-cooked stew. Add carrots, smoked bacon, leek, mushrooms, beef or chicken stock and red wine for a tasty lapin au vin.

February Shopping List Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages (all types), Carrots, Cauliﬂower, Celeriac, Chard, Chicory/Endive, Forced Rhubarb, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Mussels, Onions, Parsnips, Potatoes, Purple Sprouting Broccoli Rabbit, Spinach, Spring Greens, Swede, Turnips, Venison.

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One of the Finest Churches in Wales As a Grade I listed building, historic All Saints’ Church, Gresford is rightly one of the most famous and important buildings in Wales. Whilst primarily a place of worship, All Saints’ is also home to many community events. In addition to baptisms, weddings, funerals and regular religious services, choir and musical concerts often take place with local schools holding seasonal services, concerts, events, and displays in church. The tower bellringers practice weekly on the famous bells. As well as ringing for church services, the bells are rung for weddings and community celebrations. The handbell ringers enjoy rehearsing and performing music from traditional Welsh tunes, to jazz and modern pop. Gresford Craft Festival, held annually, attracts many visitors, and raises substantial funds for local charities. In recent years The Christmas Tree Festival, and a Festival of Light have been held in the run-up to Christmas, supporting Nightingale House and Hope House Hospices. Christmas concerts from the Sirenian Singers, Christingle and Crib services are conducted in addition to the traditional carol service and Midnight Mass. Throughout the year, social events are held – coffee mornings, ‘Tuesday Group’, and occasional sing-a-longs with many charities and local causes beneﬁtting from the proceeds of church activities and collections.

The ancient churchyard includes numerous Grade II listed memorials and is a wildlife haven with a vast range of ﬂora and fauna all beneﬁtting from an area of land unpolluted by chemicals and weedkillers. The lawned areas are a favourite spot for baptism and wedding photography. Care of All Saints’ Church building, churchyard maintenance, and all activities are organised entirely by volunteers, who welcome assistance from others who are able to spare some time (or funds), to help keep this thriving building in good shape for future generations. Everyone is welcome to join in our activities, and anyone who could spend a few hours over the summer months to help mow the churchyard grass would be particularly welcome! All Saints Church and churchyard are open daily from 8am until 4pm. If you would like to become involved in any way, please contact: Sue Roden on 07766 881203

All Saints' Church The Green, Gresford, Wrexham, LL12 8RG Tel: 01978 852236 info@allsaintschurchgresford.org.uk www.allsaintschurchgresford.org.uk

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The Physio & Therapy Clinic is an established and independent clinic with a team of highly specialised and experienced physiotherapists and hand therapists. We treat a broad range of conditions - sports injuries, dizziness, women’s health and general musculoskeletal physiotherapy - using a variety of treatment techniques.

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Business Advice Learning Hub By VICKY HEATHFIELD Insurance and working from home The number of people who have ditched the daily commute in favour of working from home, has increased considerably since the pandemic. The digital world makes working from home so easy and accessible, but how many people know that not disclosing your home as a place of work could invalidate insurance? Or, if you run your own business, you might ﬁnd your insurance doesn't cover you for the equipment you use for your work? Here are some questions you should ask yourself about working from home: Do I need special insurance cover? Often (but not always) computers, laptops, scanners, printers, cameras and phones are covered under the contents of your own home insurance. However, if you remove your laptop from the home and drop it, or have it stolen, your home insurance may no longer be valid. Will my home insurance cover me for working from home? This will depend on the work you do and what you need to do it. Are you looking after stock, or do you need to use hightech tools? How many people visit you for work purposes? Do you have business supplies, or create products or food, keep ﬂammable or hazardous materials in your home or garage? If so, a dedicated business policy will probably be required.

How do I cover people that visit me at home for business? This would come under a separate Public Liability Insurance, or you’ll need a separate Employer’s Liability in place to cover any potential accidents. Professional Indemnity Insurance You'll need this if you're offering advice on a professional basis. This will protect you in a situation if you make a mistake and your client suffers a ﬁnancial loss which could result in compensation. Vehicle Insurance This is really important. If you use your car for business purposes, there’s a chance you may have to alter your policy outside of the usual ‘social and commuting’. It’s recommended to reach out to your insurance provider; a conversation with them can provide valuable insights and ensure you have the right insurance cover tailored to your unique circumstances.

Whether you’re starting a new business, working for yourself or managing a team, EssentialsMAG Learning Hub is home to a growing collection of jargon-free marketing and business resources. Visit: www.essentialsmag.co.uk/learning-hub By Vicky Heathﬁeld, Editor of EssentialsMAG vicky@essentialsmag.co.uk www.essentialsmag.co.uk Tel: 01978 855459

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Sarah Atherton MP Member of Parliament for Wrexham Recently, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, John Glen MP, announced that over 300 new civil service roles will be moving to Wrexham, as part of the UK Government’s Places for Growth programme. Having worked very hard behind the scenes with Ministers and local stakeholders since 2022, I am pleased that my campaign to bring a Civil Service Hub to Wrexham has been successful. The programme will deliver over 300 new civil service jobs in Wrexham through the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry of Justice. This is yet another win for our city and came just three weeks after the Chancellor made Wrexham an Investment Zone, which has the potential to bring £160m of investment and tax incentives. This is another example of the UK Government’s commitment to Wrexham, meaning that residents will benefit from better-paid jobs and more opportunities. Regarding the Welsh Government’s 20mph policy, you may have seen that both candidates running to replace Mark Drakeford as First Minister have said they would support a review of the policy if elected. I sincerely hope that Welsh Labour Ministers will finally stop ignoring the people of Wales and listen to myself and the nearly 500,000 people who signed the petition to scrap the 20mph policy. Let me be clear, I am not opposed to 20mph speed limits outside schools and hospitals, however, this default speed limit is criminalising hardworking Wrexham residents and slowing down our emergency services. It needs to be scrapped. The 20mph blanket policy is also costing a staggering £40 million to implement, is forecast to cost the Welsh economy £4.5 billion, and is slowing Wales down. Examples of this are that taxi prices have increased

and Arriva has had to reconﬁgure its bus scheduling to cope with the consequences of this policy. This comes at a time when they were looking to reduce ticket costs and increase ticket boundaries to make public transport more affordable for rural areas of the constituency. I understand that this has been put on hold as a direct result of the costs of Labour’s 20mph policy. I will continue to scrutinise the Welsh Government on the implementation of the 20mph policy, how they measure its success and value for money, what plans they have for the future of this hugely unpopular policy and what other policies they may be considering, for example, toll roads or ULEZ. Having revamped my Transport Survey, I want to hear your thoughts on the 20mph policy and transport services in Wrexham via my survey on my website homepage: www.sarahatherton.org.uk. As always, if you are a resident in the current Wrexham constituency boundary and need my assistance with any local or national issues, please contact me by emailing: sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk. Sarah Atherton MP for Wrexham/ Prospective Parliamentary Candidate.

Tel: 020 7217 4885 / 01978 291742 sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk www.sarahatherton.org.uk

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View from Elaine Lacey Darland High School

It’s been a bustling and positive start to the 2023/24 academic year. An early highlight was our Year 8 residential at Glan Llyn language centre where students enjoyed two packed days of activities whilst developing their Welsh skills. The sporting calendar has been particularly lively with the school superbly represented in cross country, netball and football. Community activities included students running the Darland Lane drinks station for the Chester Marathon and our senior prefects participating in Remembrance Services in Rossett and Wrexham. The autumn term ended on a high with our annual Skills Challenge activity for Year 10 students. Their tempting and innovative Christmas Fayre stalls successfully raised over £1,000 for Hope House hospice. Following elections, we’re very pleased to have been able to welcome two new Parent Governors to our team. We’ve also been working on refreshing the arrangements for our Link Governors. As part of their role, these governors work with staff to gain oversight of a particular area of school life or curriculum area. At Darland, this means acting as a ‘critical friend’ to faculty leaders and

senior staff by offering support and challenge. This year I’m very pleased to be working in this capacity with Mrs BaughHughes, our ALN Coordinator and recently published author! Her wonderful book, ‘Oscar’s Bad Day’, gives an insight into a day in the life of a child with autism and is available on Amazon. Lastly, I wanted to draw your attention to a current Welsh government consultation on revising the length of school terms in Wales. This ends on 12 February and I encourage you to take a look and contribute your views at www.gov.wales/structure-school-year. If you would like to discuss becoming a governor or the work of the governing body please contact me at enquiries@darlandschool.org.uk

Darland Head and Deputy Prefects standing next to the art display that was created as part of our Remembrance Service

Darland High School, Chester Road, Rossett, Wrexham LL12 0DL Telephone: 01244 570588, https://darland.wrexham.sch.uk

St. Peter’s School

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St. Peter’s Church in Wales Primary School in Rossett, for children aged 3 - 11 At St. Peter’s School we combine the traditions and expectations of a good standard of education, behaviour and self-discipline, with the latest curricular developments together with the development of skills and characteristics which will be needed in the future.

Come and explore our school!

Applications for Nursery places for September 2023 are now open and available on the Wrexham Council website. Please ring the school on: 01244 570594 to make an appointment and see our wonderful setting.

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All Saints’ School

Ysgol yr Holl Saint - All Saints' School in Gresford is a Church in Wales Primary School for children aged 3 - 11.

We are a forward thinking and innovative school, combining curriculum and teaching excellence with traditional values. Our school leads a number of national and local priorities, ensuring our pupils have every opportunity to succeed. To ﬁnd out more about our school, or to arrange a visit, please contact us on: 01978 852342 or email: mailbox@allsaints-pri.wrexham.sch.uk

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15 Minute Cities By EssentialsMAG environment contributor ROB RENOUF A surprising recent development has been the level of suspicion and controversy that’s emerged around the idea of 15 minute cities. What are 15 minute cities? The basic concept involves creating cities where people can more easily access things they need, such as shops, education, employment, healthcare and recreation. The aim is to have these things accessible within a 15 minute journey by foot, bike or public transport. Intended benefits include: • Environmental - reduced air and noise pollution and lower greenhouse gas emissions due to fewer long journeys being necessary • Time - less time travelling frees it up for better uses • Community - spending more time in our communities can help strengthen them • Health - increased active travel can improve our physical and mental wellbeing • Inclusively - those without cars will be less disadvantaged than they often are currently • Resources - some of those currently devoted to provision for cars can be freed up for alternative uses. For decades, cars have heavily influenced urban planning, making living without one increasingly difficult. Many people regularly travel long distances for work, family and other reasons, so even beginning to shift

away from this way of life presents a massive challenge. Why the controversy? Fifteen minute cities have increasingly been conflated with other initiatives labelled as “anti-car” such as low emission zones and low traffic neighbourhoods. There’s also been a growth in conspiracy theories which view 15 minute cities as an attempt by governments to limit people’s freedom and mobility. It’s argued that environmental issues are being used as a pretext for imposing unwarranted restrictions, echoing similar claims made about Covid lockdowns. Are these concerns warranted? Fifteen minute cities are absolutely not about removing people’s freedom to travel more than 15 minutes from their home. It’s also misleading to lump them together with initiatives designed to disincentivise car usage by making it more difficult or expensive. The approach taken is much more ‘carrot’ than ‘stick’ - they aim to make behaviour change easier and more attractive. There really is no valid basis for claims that they are part of a sinister plot to impose ‘climate lockdowns’ and restrict freedom of movement. Rather they enable residents to make different choices that can benefit both them and the environment.

EssentialsMAG environment contributor is Rob Renouf robsrenouf@gmail.com

Wrexham Prostate Cancer Support Group Our Mission... We pride ourselves in the raising of public awareness and promotion of the cause of prostate cancer, to provide support for those men who have prostate cancer or suspect that they may have symptoms. The Group meet once a month at 7pm at The Trevor Arms, Marford to support each other and listen to expert advice and opinion from visiting speakers, consultants and specialist nurses.

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Alyn Family Doctors Latest News This February many of us will celebrate St Valentine’s Day and show our loved ones how much we care. February is also National Heart Month, and it is important to care about our own heart health too. Did you know that 1 In 2 adults in the UK have raised cholesterol? Take action during heart month to reduce your risk of developing heart and circulatory disease.

What is a good target level for you depends on things such as your age, whether you have any health conditions and your risk of cardiovascular disease. Ways to help lower your cholesterol include:

High cholesterol is when you have too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood. It's mainly caused by eating fatty food, not exercising enough, being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol. It can also run in families. Too much cholesterol can block your blood vessels. It makes you more likely to have heart problems or a stroke. High cholesterol does not usually cause symptoms. You can only ﬁnd out if you have it from a blood test.

• Eating fewer fatty foods especially foods that contain saturated fat. Try to eat more oily ﬁsh, brown rice, wholewheat pasta, nuts, seeds, fruit, and vegetables.

You can request a blood test from your GP if you have not had a test before and you're over 40, overweight, or high cholesterol or heart problems run in your family. If you have high cholesterol, a doctor or nurse will talk to you about how you can lower it. This might include things like changing your diet or taking medicine. Lowering your cholesterol can help lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

• Cut down on alcohol. Try to avoid drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week.

• Exercise more. Aim to do at least 2.5 hours a week. Try things such as walking, swimming, and cycling. • Stop smoking. Smoking can raise your cholesterol and make you more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, and cancer.

Further information and support can be found at: www.bhf.org.uk www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol www.helpmequit.wales

Tel: 0333 332 3260 www.alynfamilydoctors.co.uk www.facebook.com/alynfamilydoctors

Lesley Griffiths MS Member of the Senedd for Wrexham During last year’s Spring Budget, the UK Government announced it intended to create 12 Investment Zones across the UK. Wrexham and Flintshire sensed an opportunity and started working on a joint business-led bid. The campaign is headed by a consortium consisting of the North Wales Business Council, Wrexham and Flintshire councils, Wrexham University and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Broughton. The key to regional success is working collaboratively and Wrexham and Flintshire’s bid has cross-party support. A member of my team attended a MS/MP briefing event which was attended by local and regional politicians representing Labour, the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru. I fully support the campaign and have been in regular dialogue with the Welsh Government’s Economy Minister. Last November, there was a significant development as the Welsh Government confirmed it supports a Wrexham and Flintshire Investment Zone, believing there should be two created in Wales – ours in the North East and one in the South East. Later that month, the UK Government also backed the region’s bid. It is hoped the Investment Zone, which is worth up to £160m, will create highly-skilled jobs and provide a £1.7 billion boost to the region’s economy.

Investment Zone and I will continue to do all I can to support the campaign. St Mark’s Church in Caia Park, Wrexham plays a crucial role in the community. However, since its construction in 1962, there has been no significant improvements or modifications to the building. Now, people at St Mark’s are fundraising to help transform the building into a community centre. The plans include a new roof, insulation, windows, heating system, kitchen, entrance lobby and community garden. As a long-time supporter of St Mark’s, I was delighted to learn the project has secured £300,000 via the Welsh Government’s Community Facilities Programme. This has been a long journey and I know the work St Mark’s does is appreciated by a great number of people. Obtaining this significant funding boost will make a huge difference and hopefully ensure the ambitious refurbishment will go ahead in the not-toodistant future. As always, if you’re a constituent in Wrexham and there is an issue I could help you with, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Wrexham’s proﬁle is increasing and I am excited by the additional opportunities an Investment Zone could create. Securing the funding will not only strengthen existing businesses and safeguard jobs, but also attract new investment to the area. Wrexham and Flintshire have moved a step closer to becoming the UK’s latest

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

Tel: 01978 355743 Lesley.Griffiths@senedd.wales www.lesleygriffiths.co.uk Facebook & Twitter: @lesley4wrexham

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Is Tax Planning Really That Important? By WARREN HADLOW Tax year-end can be a hectic time where people try and make the most of their tax reliefs and allowances before they lose them. But it shouldn’t just be the approaching 5th April deadline that gets us thinking about tax – it should be considered across every stage of life with the bigger picture in mind. What is tax planning? When planning for tax efficiency, it’s important to know what your goals and objectives are. A lot of people start by looking at the products first and the tax wrappers that go with them, but tax planning looks deeper at what you want to achieve and when. A financial adviser does exactly that: They get to know you, your goals, and aspirations, and they build a realistic plan to help you reach them. They combine saving money, making the most of the tax reliefs and allowances available to you, long-term investing, and protecting your wealth to form a unique blueprint for your future unique – adding the products and tax wrappers at the final step. Balancing the right blend of products, tax wrappers, and timing is the key to gaining a holistic approach to your financial plan at every stage of your life. When is the best time to think about tax planning? Tax planning should be an ongoing consideration throughout the year and can help avoid the last-minute panic at the end of the tax year. It is understandable that life gets pretty busy and it can be tough finding time to think about long-term goals, much less about how they can be as tax efficient as possible. That’s why sitting down with an adviser can be significant.

Even giving your financial adviser a vague goal, such as “I want a comfortable retirement”, can give them something to work with as they plan the best use of tax reliefs and begin to build that into your pension contributions, for example. They can take the worry away from tax year-end because tax is already built into your longterm plan, and you no longer need to think about it. If you would like help to improve your tax efficiency and want to take a more hands-off approach to tax year-end, get in touch to arrange a no obligation meeting with us. You can also join Financial Adviser, Richard Hadlow Powell, on 20th February as he busts financial planning myths, puts pensions vs. ISAs head-to-head, and shares how to take maximum advantage of the tax reliefs and allowances available to you. He’ll also provide you with an essential tax year-end checklist for the upcoming 5th April deadline to help ensure you are getting the balance right for your financial future. Use the details opposite to register for our complimentary webinar.

The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested. The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time and are generally dependent on individual circumstances.

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

Hugh Jones & Ross Shepherd Councillors for Rossett Flooding issues We both met with council officials in Burton to look at the problems concerning flooding on Burton Hall Road, Cobblers Lane and Llyndir Lane. The Environment Department have carried out a number of improvements and are contacting relevant landowners insisting they ensure their ditches are free flowing, as a number of the issues are caused by excess water running off numerous fields. The council are emptying gullies and ensuring drains are cleared on a regular basis. One way system The consultation period has now ended in relation to making the section of road between Harwood’s Lane and the Co-op junction in the village one way. This will mean that drivers exiting Harwoods Lane will still be able to turn left or right onto The Green. A number of responses were received with the vast majority in favour of this scheme. This will improve the problems associated with the entrance and exit to the shop car park making it safer for all concerned. Pot holes Street Scene Services are continuing to be active in the ward ensuring pot holes are filled in on a regular basis. Due to the adverse weather we are seeing more holes than normal appearing. Further work on this will also take place in Almere Ferry. Residents are encouraged to report pot holes on the Council web site; this creates a record and enables monitoring to ensure appropriate responses.

20mph limits A reminder that the new default speed limit in Wales is now being enforced. A number of drivers have been witnessed travelling way in excess of this limit in areas such as Burton Road, Holt Road and parts of Wrexham Road. All drivers need to be mindful of the designated limits and drive accordingly. We are asking North Wales Police to monitor speeds particularly in residential areas. We continue to press for a review of the overall scheme as it is evident that there are a number of main roads that do not warrant a 20mph limit. Pavement parking This has been raised by a number of members of the Community Council and North Wales Police have been asked to adopt a zero tolerance policy due to the problems being caused by obstructed pavements. We have raised this issue on a number of occasions but continue to receive complaints from residents with mobility issues, wheelchairs and young children. We would ask people to be aware of the problems this causes.

Hugh: Tel: 07769 706999 hugh.jones@wrexham.gov.uk Ross: Tel: 07715 473776 ross.shepherd@wrexham.gov.uk

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Beryl Blackmore - Deputy Mayor & Councillor for Marford & Hoseley Hello to readers old and new! Talks still on going regarding the budget and there will be more news as soon as I can share any. Meetings were back in force last month I attended ‘Scrutiny for Employment Business and Investment’, a hot topic was Ty Pawb, it’s five years since the market was reinvented to house arts and culture, along with market stalls. There is no doubt that the arts side has been a hugh success with many multicultural activities - we are a very diverse city. I have visited concerts, workshops, exhibitions, and taken children from the Holiday Club to projects - but the market side is very slow to improve. The current stalls are lovely, but often when visiting, the stalls are closed. I did a quick survey on Marford and Gresford Facebook group; like myself, people are finding it does not have a welcoming atmosphere; too many empty spaces; sometimes the music is too loud and advertising what events are on is poor. All the Councillors want to keep it in-house and wish it to succeed. We have given the Officers and Trustees lots to mull over and report back in two months. Resident issues have been anti-social behaviour near The Red Lion - the PCSO has responded and I hope all is under control. Affecting both Marford and Gresford, we are under pressure to sort the old antique shop site once and for all. As a Gresford resident, I fully agree. I have left it in the capable hands of the Gresford Ward member, Jeremy Kent, to see what can be done to get the ball rolling again.

There have been a couple of issues with bins, but the recycling department in Wrexham County Borough Council have been quick to respond. Deputy Mayor duties finished with a Christmas visit to Caia Park, a well attended fun evening with a short story about the Nativity; entertainment from St Ann’s school Choir, who were amazing, and Santa. We attended Hightown Barracks for the MPCT (Military Preparation College and Training) Awards Ceremony. What a wonderful project for young people, teaching life skills, confidence building and so much more. The youngsters gave a short potted history on themselves and what they had achieved, with confidence and maturity, - well worth investigating. I have spaces on a trip to The Floral Pavilion in New Brighton on 24th July for a show at 2pm, ‘Thanks For The Memories‘. £17 for your ticket, plus £10 for the coach. Hopefully we can enjoy fish and chips on the sea front! Please get in touch if you wish to join the usual gang of intrepid travellers. All welcome. So folks wrap up warm and stay in if it’s slippy. Keep safe ready for the Spring. See you in March. Contact as usual if I can help.

Residents living on Marford Hill are noticing that the 20mph enforcement is not being used by many drivers. I live near the speed sign in Gresford, which is just outside Alf Jones, and the average speed is 25mph, but often well over 30mph. Talks are still taking place so watch this space.

Tel: 07933 201731 beryl.blackmore@wrexham.gov.uk

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Jeremy Kent Councillor for Gresford January has very much been spent catching up after the Christmas period and dealing with the smaller issues that seem to take an inordinate amount of time and attention to resolve. That said, that is what makes being a councillor so interesting and enjoyable. Trewythen Hall Care Home This time last year, I wrote about the sudden closure of the Trewythen Hall Care Home and how I hoped that the Hall will be brought back into use and remain an asset to the community. I was pleased to see that a planning application has been made to be able to convert it to ‘over 50’s’ apartments. This seems a logical approach, given the location and the former use of the site. I look forward to seeing things progress. Flooding Vicarage Lane Dealing with carriageway issues is like painting the Forth Bridge! As soon as one issue is ﬁxed, another seems to appear.

If you see a lamppost not lit, please let me know the location and, if possible, the post number. Some are Wrexham Council’s, and some are Community Council, so either way I can get them reported to the right place. 2024 will be a busy year on the Council and there are increasing pressures on the council ﬁnances and services. I will continue to raise the concerns of residents, to those with the leverage to make a difference, but I am prepared that there are difﬁcult decisions ahead. As always, if there is anything that I can support with, please do not hesitate to get in touch and I will be more than happy to help. You can contact me via email: Jeremy.Kent@wrexham.gov.uk or mobile: 07832 211085.

One urgent issue that I am dealing with is the ﬂooding on Vicarage Lane that cuts the road off in bad weather, caused by poorly maintained soak aways. I have requested a meeting with the Streetscene supervisor to have a site visit. Streetlights A number of lampposts have been reported due to being out or faulty in other ways. The team is working on getting to them as soon as possible. Some are easier than others to ﬁx and they will get them sorted as soon as they can. Tel: 07832 211085 Jeremy.Kent@wrexham.gov.uk

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Useful Numbers ANIMAL CARE Daleside Veterinary Farndon Kennels & Cattery Gatehouse Veterinary Green Lane Veterinary Park Lane Kennels Rhyd Broughton Veterinary RSPCA Vets4Pets

01978 311 881 01829 270 198 01244 570 364 01244 683 858 01978 852 914 01978 720 362 0300 1234 999 01978 352 499

COUNCILS Cheshire West & Chester Wrexham

0300 123 8 123 01978 292 000

DOCTORS Alyn Family Doctors Farndon Village Surgery Marches Medical Practice Strathmore Medical Practice NHS Direct

03333 323 260 01829 771 588 01244 520 615 01978 352 055 111

DENTISTS Bridge End Dental Practice Chapel Cottage Dental Practice Rossett Dental Care Springﬁeld Dental Care

01978 762 030 01978 854 745 01244 571 544 01978 851 300

OPTICIANS Gresford Eyecare

01978 855 828

HOSPITALS Countess of Chester Wrexham Maelor

01244 365 000 01978 291 100

LEISURE CENTRES Gwyn Evans Northgate Arena Plas Madoc

01978 269 540 01244 380444 01978 821 600

LOCAL FACILITIES 3C Pest Control Adult Social Services Citizens Advice Foodbank - Chester Foodbank - Wrexham Recycling Centre - Chester Recycling Centre - Tattenhall Recycling Centre - Whitchurch Recycling Centre - Wrexham Samaritans

01948 838 111 01978 292 066 0300 330 1178 0151 355 7730 07538 547971 01244 372 764 01829 771 337 0345 678 9007 01978 292 000 116 123

In an EMERGENCY always dial 999 For your local POLICE STATION in a NON EMERGENCY dial 101

LOCAL SERVICES Air Ambulance - Wales Fire & Rescue - Cheshire Fire & Rescue - North Wales Environment Agency Natural Resources Wales Severn Trent Water Welsh Water

0300 0152 999 01606 868 700 01745 535 250 03708 506 506 0300 065 3000 0800 783 4444 0800 052 0130

LIBRARIES Chester Library at Storyhouse Gresford Library Llay Library Overton Library Wrexham Library

01244 409 113 01978 852 627 01978 855 100 01978 710 557 01978 292 090

SCHOOLS & NURSERIES Abbey Gate College All Saints’ Primary School Benison Nursery School Bishop Heber High School Dandelions Day Nursery Darland High School Dodleston Pre-School Dodleston C E Primary School Eccleston Primary School Farndon Primary School Gresford Playgroup Holt Primary School Holt Under 5’s Playgroup Leaps and Bounds Pre-school Little Scholars Nursery Marford Playgroup Rhosnesni High School Rossett House Nursery St. Paul's VA Primary School St. Peters Primary School Shocklach Primary School The Catholic High School The Homestead Day Nursery The King’s School The Maelor School The Queen’s School The Rofft Primary School The Spinney Day Nursery Ysgol Bryn Alyn

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Puzzle Page... Just For Fun Crossword ACROSS 1 7

Water ice (6) Portable device to keep the rain off (8) 8 Key on a computer keyboard (3) 9 Swimming costume (6) 10 Couple (4) 11 Rustic (5) 13 Eg shrimp or crab (7) 15 Form of an element (7) 17 Send someone to a medical specialist; allude to (5) 21 Endure (4) 22 Raised (6) 23 Not bright; darken (3) 24 Unexpected and inappropriate (8) 25 Predatory marine ﬁsh (pl) (6)

DOWN 1 Long-haired breed of dog (6) 2 Thief (6) 3 Cloak (5) 4 Compels (7) 5 Water based aircraft (8) 6 Having an absence of pigment in the skin (6) 12 Earlier in time (8) 14 Leather pouch (7) 16 Observing (6) 18 Livestock food (6) 19 Poems; sounds alike (6) 20 Clock pointers (5)

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