Clwyd Connection November 2022

Daniel Hayhurst Susan Wallace Toby GaleHasleham Michael Harris

CONNECTION

Hello and welcome to your local guide to some of the best local businesses. This month, as you’d expect, there is already a focus on Christmas, with a number of Christmas markets and events such as the Ruthin Light switch on. I’m sure there will be similar events taking place in Denbigh as well but I haven’t been sent any information about what’s happening or when.

As I’m working on the December edition of the magazine now, please, if you know of any events going on in the Vale of Clwyd, please let me know about them by the 18th November and I will do all I can to help promote them. This can be any events taking place in December. This could be Christmas fairs/markets, Carol services or anything else that you know of. Even if you are not connected with something being organised, if you know of something being planned, you can still let me know about.

My email address is on the left of this page and I’ll do the rest.

Given the current struggles many people are facing at the moment, please remember, there is help and advice available from the Denbigh and Ruthin offices of the CAB. You can find their details on page 45.

See you next month.

01824

Stepchildren and Inheritance

In a time of increasingly fluid family relationships, many children are brought up by stepparents. In fact, at least 1 in 10 children are brought up by a stepparent within the family home (Office of National Statistics).

But how does this affect our assets when we die without leaving a valid Will in place?

A recent study conducted by the co-operative showed at least 60% of people die without leaving a Will. In this situation, the estate will be administered in accordance with the intestacy rules. Stepchildren are not included within these rules and only include the bloodline of a deceased person. In recent years, the intestacy rules have been subject to strong criticism particularly in light of the ever-changing family dynamics we see in our modern-day society. In some cases, the people we wish to benefit are not necessarily related by blood.

A recent case seen in the Manchester Courts (Higgins V Beneficiaries of the Higgins Estate 2021) highlighted the importance of making a Will when it comes to benefiting stepchildren.

The defendant was brought up from a young age by his stepfather, even changing his name

by deed poll to match that of his stepfathers. His stepfather died without a valid Will in place, which meant his estate passed to distant cousins with whom he had not had a relationship for many years. The claimant applied for provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975, stating that he was financially reliant on his stepfather, having lived with him since he was a child. The court awarded the claimant just £55,000.00 of the £200,000.00 estate.

partner (having inherited the whole state) then requires care, most of the leted in order to meet the cost of can offer a solution. You can alue of one-half of the joint nsuring that the surviving er will be financially secure.

The above could have been avoided if the deceased had made a valid Will gifting his estate to his stepson. Preparing a valid Will is the only way in which you can be certain that the most important people in your life stand to benefit upon your death.

w if a Life Interest Will is ou, call me or speak to a m. We are always matters on the phone n initial meeting, at to you and without ortunity to get ou.

If you would like to discuss making a new Will to ensure that your wishes are met upon death, please contact one of our experienced team members who would be happy to assist you.

Swayne Johnson Solicitors, 2 Hall Square, Denbigh LL16 3PA or telephone 01745 812835.

01824

Kristin Charlton

Tom Aikens’ Pro teroles

Introduction

There is something so contradictory about profiteroles that they keep me coming back for more. There is the sweetness of the chocolate against the plain cream; the dryness of the pastry against the moisture that spills from the middle; and a solitary, innocent-looking ball that ends up being filling and extroverted. What I love most about profiteroles is the fact they’re easy to make yet considered luxurious and even slightly opulent; so here’s a recipe that, in a similar way, is simple, yet sensational!

Method

1. Put the butter, sugar and salt for the profiteroles in a pan with 250ml of water and bring to a simmer. Add the sifted flour and stir for a good 5 minutes over a low to medium heat, until the paste comes away from the pan.

2. Transfer this immediately to a food mixer or processor with a beater attachment. Add the eggs, one by one, and beat to a smooth, shiny paste. Put this in a bowl, cover with clingfilm and leave to cool.

3. Preheat the oven to 190°C/ gas mark 5. Spoon the choux

Ingredients

(serves 4)

For the profiteroles - 80g unsalted butter - 25g sugar - ½ tsp salt - 150g plain flour, sifted - 4 eggs - 2 handfuls of chopped almonds, to serve

For the crème Chantilly - 1 vanilla pod - 250ml whipping cream - 40g caster sugar - ½ tsp vanilla extract

For the chocolate sauce - 50g unsalted butter - 250ml double cream - 180g sugar - 1 tsp vanilla extract - 100g cocoa powder - 50g dark chocolate paste into a piping bag with a plain nozzle and pipe 2.5cm blobs onto a baking tin. Each one should stand up nice and high, and you should get roughly 30 profiteroles in total. Bake for about 15 minutes until golden in colour. Pierce each one to let out the steam and cool on a wire rack before filling.

4. To make the crème Chantilly, add the vanilla seeds, scraped from the pod, to the whipping cream along with the caster sugar and vanilla extract and whip until firm. Pipe into the choux buns.

5. To make the chocolate sauce, put the butter, double cream, 180g of sugar and vanilla extract into a pan and bring to a simmer. Add the cocoa powder and whisk while continuing to cook for 5 minutes at a slow simmer. Break up the dark chocolate and put it into a bowl. Pour over the hot chocolate mixture and stir until the dark chocolate has melted, then pass the sauce through a fine sieve.

6. Drizzle the choux buns with warm chocolate sauce and sprinkle with the chopped almonds.

The

Endorsed

Money on my mind...the Martin Lewis column

He’s the UK’s leading money saving expert - a journalist and presenter who has kept millions of pounds in people’s pockets as well as lifting the lid on the threats and dangers we need to be aware of as consumers.

In this month’s column, Martin Lewis looks at the current energy crisis, and the fact no real solution appears close.

Our energy sector is in a mess, and there is little doubt about that. For too long we have experienced this continual up and down shift of prices and supply and tariffs and everything else that, as consumers, drives us bonkers.

The reality of what we have and what’s going on right now has been brewing for a long time. A perfect storm of situations, from Brexit to covid to the conflict in Russia, effectively means we are being throttled in our desire to heat and light our homes, ensure water comes through our taps and more.

You may say we have been unlucky to find these factors all colliding in together at one time, yet it is the job of the government – and any sort of decent opposition – to put fail safes in place so that when something catastrophic like this happens, the end result isn’t the sort of bewildering increase in bills that really may move a greater quantity of people into poverty than we have ever seen before.

It’s a disastrous combination and we are praying for short-

and medium-term solutions that will see not just the most vulnerable through the winter, but everyone else besides, because this is a national problem coming at a time of huge inflation and cost of living emergency.

Let’s just go to a basic summary of what we have here – in the UK we’re talking about having privatised energy firms, but we effectively now have restricted competition and regulated prices in the form of a price cap. You have to ask yourself, what is the benefit of privatisation if you work in that marketplace?

The next price caps – they’re going to be in January and April – will reveal where we go from here.

All I can say right now is energy bills will go down – they will be lower in April than they will be in January, but higher than they are now.

And while we wait for a solution, we will need to ride this out – we have no choice. Yet rest assured the consumer has been sold down the river and the lessons of this will resonate with both current and future governments, as they should.

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Radiators are often-overlooked essentials, but over time, rust, corrosion and blockages can build up. Chemical ‘flushing’ and regular bleeding will help but sometimes radiators need replacing because a new boiler, with increased pressure, causes leaks, or you may be installing an entirely new home heating system such as a heat pump.

Extra efficiency

Modern radiators heat up more quickly and can be 50% more energy-efficient than old models (pre-2000). Today’s radiators come in an array of sizes, shapes, materials and colours, to let you complement your design scheme and even add a dash of style.

Where to start

Start by calculating the heat output required for each room in BTUs (British Thermal Units. The next task is to look at each space and work out what size and shape of radiator you want to install. You may even like the look of the traditional column radiator, while in a bathroom a heated towel rail is a great choice.

A choice of materials

The vast majority of modern radiators are made from mild steel. Other options include stainless steel (more expensive, but less prone to rust build-up) and aluminium, which is the most expensive option but also the most efficient and the greenest to manufacture. Stone, glass and brass radiators are also available.

Positioning your radiators

Radiators are best placed in the coldest part of the room, which always used to be under a single-glazed window. In well-insulated homes this principle is less important, and you can put radiators wherever you wish, depending on the positions of your furnishings, and whether you want them to blend in or stand out. Don’t block them with long curtains or bulky furniture, and in period houses aim for symmetry with radiators placed centrally on a wall.

Design possibilities

Typically it’s a case of choosing the radiator material you prefer and deciding on a style and colour, though where space is limited or awkward you may need to research a few different solutions. It could be a corner radiator, a curved one for under a bay window, one that’s completely flat, one with a mirror finish, or one including a bench seat. There is a range of radiators shaped like abstract wall art and, increasingly, radiators are available in a wide variety of powder-coated colours. No longer do radiators have to be an unseen necessity –both attractive and efficient, they may well be the new heroes of your home.

By Katherine Sorrell

This steel radiator incorporates a wooden seat and is made to order in a choice of four, five and six columns and 218 colours. Ancona Bench Seat Vertical, from £1,312.80, theradiatorcompany.co.uk.

A copper finish gives this mild steel towel radiator a luxurious and timeless look. Terma Jade curved heated towel rail in True Copper, from £154.99, onlyradiators.co.uk.

Remember Remember, a good book this November

This month, four November autobiographies to while away those increasingly dark nights.

Gloves Off by Tyson Fury

He presided over quite possibly the greatest sporting comeback ever – a colossally overweight, drug-addicted former champ whose deterioration in physical health was as profound as his plummet in mental health.

Thus, this no-holds-barred tome of bamboozling brilliance, both in the ring and out of it, chronicles the entirety of the Gypsy King’s career to date, from his tempestuous Travelling upbringing, through to the devotion he has to his wife and children.

Grounded yet never ground down, this book is an extension to his previous autobiography, released in January 2021, and worth the read. Published by Penguin Books on November 10th

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry is the incredible actor that brought to life Chandler Bing in Friends - the funny, witty, and often goofy character that lived across the hall from Rachel and Monica.

Almost every one of his scenes had us in stitches, but it wasn’t until the reunion show that many realised Matthew was dealing with some profound struggles.

This moving memoir documents being catapulted to dizzy

stardom; it’s about fame, wealth, living with addiction and recovering from some truly dark days. Published by Headline on November 1st

Too Much by Tom Allen With trademark wit and insight, Tom Allen writes about becoming a reluctant adult - leaving home, securing a boyfriend, and finally growing up by facing the grief of losing his beloved father.

The comedian, actor, writer and presenter, who is host of The Apprentice: You’re Fired and Bake Off: The Professionals, shares his unwillingness to move on from the arrested development of millennial life, whilst philosophising over travel adventures to Japan, America, and beyond. Published by

Ticket to the World: My 80s Story by Martin Kemp Ticket to the World is a joyous, nostalgic celebration of eighties culture from one man at the centre of it all.

In this candid, evocative memoir, Martin Kemp reflects on the unforgettable decade that made him, and that he in turn helped to shape, as he reminisces on leading the New Romantics, adventures with Spandau Ballet, the eradefining Live Aid and many other memorable moments along the way.

From friendships with George Michael, Sade and Boy George to living under Thatcher, from his musical influences to some of his more distinctive fashion choices, Ticket to the World explores both Martin’s personal experiences and the social and political climate underpinning the decade. Published by Harper Collins on November 10th

Hodder & Stoughton on November 10th

HOW TO PLAY

Fill in the grid so that every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 without

That’s all there is to it.

and addictive. Solutions on page 47

solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic. There’s no maths involved, It’s fun,

Koray Eau de Parfum, £28.00, www.hotelchocolat.com.

The Amika Blowout Buffet Blow Dryer Brush + Styling Set (£82 www.loveamika.co.uk) makes blow-drying a breeze.

Fairtrade and just £3.50? There’s a lot to love about this Primark Balm To Oil Cleanser.

Who doesn’t love a gift set at Christmas?

Elemis X Rixo The Story Of Glam Gift Set, £65, www.johnlewis.com.

Make the Christmas countdown extra special with this Wilko Joy Fabric Advent Calendar (£20 www.wilko.com). Fill it with nail varnishes, make-up, travel-sized skin and hair goodies, and a chocolate bar or three.

Give the gift of great skin with Bondi Sands Everyday Skincare Starter Bundle. £42.99, www.bondisands.co.uk.

New beauty goodies deserve a luxe new home. How about this Dune London Shining Green Diamante Make Up Bag? £40, www.dunelondon.com.

These little soaps are perfect for popping into stockings. £13 for a set of six, shop.nationaltrust.org.uk.

Need a Secret Santa gift? Here you go… Matalan Luxury Bath Company Bath Fizzer Set, £5, www.matalan.co.uk.

Tuesday - Ruthin St. John’s Ambulance Hall 5.30pm & 7pm

Thursday - Denbigh Plas Pigot 9am, 11am, 5pm & 7pm

Saturday - Ruthin St. John’s Ambulance hall 8am

Balloons for every occasion, we help you celebrate in style. Bespoke design and personalised premium balloon decorating services for:

Weddings, Anniversaries Baby showers,Christenings Parties, Corporate events

us a call today! We look forward to helping you make your event unforgettable.

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Magni cent inside a month

While pursuing a full-time healthy lifestyle takes time and no small amount of commitment, even within a month it’s possible to see and feel real changes to who you are, how you feel and the way your body responds to life’s challenges.

Here are five tips to give your health and wellbeing an instant boost, where you can start feeling the positive effects almost immediately.

1. BETTER DIET

Diet is probably the most obvious place to start. It goes without saying, the unhealthier the food you consume, the harder it’s going to be to make a full 180-degree turnaround.

Focus on replacing fatty foods with fruit and fibre, keep a check on your salt intake, cut down on alcohol and make food preparation changes, such as grilling rather than frying. Topping up the body with vitamins and supplements is a good idea.

2. WALKING OR LIGHT RUNNING

Movement is so vital to the human body, and you don’t have to become an Olympic athlete to be able to see and feel the differences.

Daily walks and regular running can significantly improve your outlook over the course of a month, with recent research revealing that doing regular 60-second energetic activity broken down into three separate 20-second bursts will bring about noticeable benefits within four weeks.

The endorphins created during exercise also make you feel great.

3. SLEEP

Getting at least seven hours a night is essential if you’re looking to enhance your health – it will also help you hold off illnesses… both run-of-the-mill colds and viruses, and more serious ailments including cancer, diabetes and stress.

A consistent sleep pattern is also essential, as regulation helps the body figure out the best way to recover from twinges, tweaks and other things that hold us back.

4. WATER

Water is absolutely vital for the human body, and arguably the easiest thing on

this list to tick off, providing we can drink around two litres of the stuff a day.

What’s more, hydrating offers the body an instant and very noticeable boost, so you will get instant gratification for your efforts.

5. FOCUS AND POSITIVITY

Yoga, Pilates, Zumba and a variety of other exercise pastimes are perfect for people looking to become fitter, whilst also boosting happiness and mindfulness.

Not only will you feel reward for the effort put in, but your inspiration to keep at it and build further will become automatic, because feeling good is addictive!

The Clwyd when using any of the advertisers

With Christmas now just around the corner, if you find yourself fantasising about mulled wine and steaming chestnuts – you’re not alone. Christmas market season is upon us, the perfect time to wrap up warm and hunt for gifts you wouldn’t find anywhere else. While we have plenty of markets to visit on our doorstep, nothing quite compares to Europe’s fairy-tale, festive spirit.

From Hungary’s regional specialities and the dazzling lights of Vienna, all the way to Tallinn’s cobblestone streets dusted with snow, we’ve pulled out five of the best Christmas markets in Europe, and what makes each one so magical.

Vienna, Austria

Every winter, Vienna’s prettiest squares transform into a maze of Christmas markets, adorned with fairy lights. Wherever your feet take you, expect to see everything from artisanal handicrafts and traditional wooden toys, to ice rinks Ferris wheels and merry-go-rounds. This is Christmas at its most traditional.

Oh, and did we mention the food? Warm the cockles of your heart with a mug of mulled wine while inhaling the smell of roasted chestnuts and freshly baked pretzels.

Tallinn, Estonia

Part of what makes Tallinn’s Christmas markets so magical is their setting. Come December, this beautiful medieval city is completely dusted with snow, and the markets filled with local arts and crafts and festive treats. They’re also joined by Tallinn’s very own Santa, who arrives at his winter grotto on an authentic reindeer sleigh. The highlight, though, is Tallinn’s Christmas tree, which has been displayed in front of the town hall since 1441, making it the first of its kind in Europe.

Budapest, Hungary

Officially hailed as Europe’s best Christmas market in 2022, Budapest’s Advent Feast at the Basilica is a delight for the senses. Shop for unique gifts from more than 160 artisan vendors and sample local Hungarian specialities. Goulash and flódni are must-tries!

There’s even an ice rink in the heart of all the action, circling a nine-metre-tall Christmas tree. Be sure to hang around for the real star of the show though – a spectacular laser light show projected on the facade of St. Stephen’s Basilica.

Nuremberg, Germany

Home to more than 150 towns and cities with established Christmas market traditions, Germany is synonymous with the festive season. Berlin and Cologne are world-renowned but most visitors will agree that Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt just about comes out on top.

One of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets, dating back to around 1530, Christkindlesmarkt is a foodie’s paradise. Grilled sausages, crackling pork, mulled wine, sweet gingerbread –every festive food fantasy can be fulfilled here. Prague, Czech Republic

Postcard-worthy Prague was made for the festive season, so it’s no surprise its capital’s market is one of Europe’s favourites. This is part and parcel down to its magnificent setting, but as Czechs are famously heavy drinkers, they go above and beyond when it comes to booze too. Sample mead, punch and grog, a concoction of rum, lemon, sugar and hot water.

If you’ve got little ones, they’ll love the Old Town Square’s petting zoo – complete with sheep, goats and donkeys.

Please

Even on an overcast November day, the garden can be bathed in light. But it doesn’t need to come from the sky: plants can provide a golden glow that looks as warm as sunshine.

The stars of the autumn garden are not only spectacular leaves, turning shades of crimson, orange and yellow before they fall from deciduous trees, but ornamental grasses that send spirits soaring. They quietly grow in stature throughout the summer, then burst forth in full glory during autumn and winter, filling borders with joy once most other plants have faded.

Grasses soften the understorey in a cloud of luxuriant waves. These are plants to excite and stimulate the senses. The sound of rustling in the autumn breeze cuts through the stillness in the air, evoking memories of the turning tide and of passing time.

The secret of successful planting lies in repeating forms and patterns throughout the space. One or two specimen grasses are certainly worth having, but it’s not until you repeat the theme across the garden that you create an unforgettable sea of beauty.

Top tips for using ornamental grasses in the garden

• Aim for contrast. Think about the backdrop against which your grasses will be seen. An evergreen yew hedge, for example, will make your golden autumn grasses look brighter and bolder than a background of mixed deciduous shrubs. A black wall or fence will provide a similar effect.

• Place taller grasses at the back of the border, such as Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner

Osten’ (Chinese silver grass), which can reach heights of 1.5m, and mounded forms of slightly lower grasses in the middle. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Kleine Silberspinne’ (another variation of Chinese silver grass) is a particularly easy grass to grow and it changes colour as winter progresses. Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ (fountain grass) is a rather beautiful smaller grass, and the evergreen or semi-evergreen Anemanthele lessoniana (pheasant’s tail grass) looks magnificent when placed towards the front of the border, spilling slender foliage and airy flowerheads onto paths.

• Plant most grasses in multiples of odd numbers, if possible. It creates a balanced composition that feels harmonious.

• Consider incorporating structural elements amongst grasses to provide an anchor. Topiary such as tall cones of evergreens, pillars of hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), cloudpruned trees or multi-stemmed trees can look highly effective.

• Don’t expect all grasses to stay where you put them! Some tend to seed themselves around and the parent plant might eventually fade away. Aim for an informal look that allows this natural transition to take place.

• Research your grasses so that you know how to care for them. Deciduous grasses should be cut down to the ground in very early spring or late winter. Evergreen and semi-evergreen grasses generally need a comb through with a gloved hand in order to remove dead stems. The harder-leafed evergreens sometimes benefit from a very light pruning, just removing damaged stems.

By Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk

Verbena bonariensis, planting partner for grasses

By Caroline Knight -Gardendesignideas.co.uk

Wool and the gang How knitwear became cool again.

For some of us, knitwear evokes uncomfortable memories of itchy, misshapen cardigans in garish hues and patterns knitted by one’s nan or elderly aunt. It is a giant leap therefore to appreciate just how cool those same woollies, and all associated needlecraft, have now become.

Modern knitwear

In some ways it is just the inevitable movement of time, as that which was once au fait becomes so again, but there is also another social phenomenon which has helped propel this ancient art form to fashion’s front row: Instagram. Now boasting a breadth of needlewielding influencers, the photo-sharing app has become the ideal place for knitters to show off their yarns. Whether cutesy crochet bikinis or gorgeous, grannyish cardigans, wool enthusiasts such as New Zealand native Nicole Leybourne (@theknitter) and California student Kara Eng (@karas.knit.eng), not only have thousands of followers (43k and 118k respectively) they also have thriving online marketplaces where they sell their highly coveted patterns across the globe.

Not surprisingly, this online trend has begun to seep into modern culture with knitwear having a few massive moments. There was Bernie Sanders’ mittens which basically became the meme of Joe Biden’s inauguration; the cream, cable knit sweater worn by Chris Evans in thriller flick Knives Out (who knew cable knit could be so sexy?); and diver Tom Daley’s magnificent Team GB cardigan which he was seen knitting poolside at the Tokyo 2020 games.

Knitting inspiration for the nation

It comes as no surprise that a huge boost in sales was seen across sewing machines, knitting kits and crochet books during various lockdowns that commenced in the spring of 2020, while many of us around the globe sat anxiously at home.

After all, if one is going to nervously twiddle their thumbs

for weeks on end, one might as well acquire a beautiful scarf and beanie set at the end of it.

Knitting is community, as the plethora of online forums will attest. It is unity, and comes with free online patterns widely available to download.

Purling that makes perfect sense

Beyond all the cultural ephemera, however, is the fact that knitting is just good sense. With the perils of fast fashion becoming more apparent by the day, making clothes yourself is an appealing antidote.

Made with care, made with time, and made with love: you can modify the pattern exactly to your size and colour preferences, save money, and nurture a real sense of pride and accomplishment at the end of it.

WOOD STORE WALES

Specialising in custom built garden buildings and constructional grade timbers, at Wood Store Wales, we provide a wide range of multipurpose timber products, including:Sheds, Fencing, Decking, Fence posts, Fence rails, Garden Sleepers, Siberian larch Cladding, Full range of treated timbers C16/C24

Using timber sourced from across the globe we provide our customers with quality, pre-treated, durable timber products.

a small

on

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- who has many years experience - will expertly measure your rooms and ensure the fitting is carried out to the highest standard, and in a professional and efficient manner. We take pride in every job we do and make sure customers are happy with our service. We even hoover up and take any unwanted bits away for you.

As a result, our customers return time and again and also

to friends and family.

When was the last time you rode a bike? Last month? Last year? So long ago you can barely remember? It might be time to rediscover the joys of cycling. According to the NHS, there are lots of health benefits to riding a bike. It can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. It’s low impact, so it puts less stress on your joints than running, football and other aerobic activities. It can help to ease anxiety and boost your mood. And, of course, it’s better for the environment (and a lot cheaper) than most forms of transport.

Learn to ride

If you’ve never ridden a bike before or aren’t a confident cyclist, it’s worth taking an adult beginners’ course with Bikeability. Find out more at www.bikeability.org.uk. You’ll also find some useful tips at www.cyclinguk.org/teachingadults.

Choosing a bike

The right bike will depend on a whole range of factors, including where you’ll be riding it (e.g. on roads or dirt tracks), your height and your budget. Head to a bike shop to discuss your requirements. If you live in a hilly area, fancy more leisurely rides or need to build your fitness up, then an e-bike might be the best bet. Buying second hand? Try to get the bike serviced or at least checked over. Halfords offer a free bike safety check.

What to wear

The most important thing is to be seen by other road users, so choose brightly coloured or high-vis clothes. To start with, you can just cycle in a T-shirt and jogging bottoms or leggings. Avoid loose bottoms that could get caught up in the chain, or use clips to keep your trousers in place. Long-term, you might want to invest in decent cycling gear. Padded cycling shorts and a sweat-wicking T-shirt can make longer rides a lot more comfortable!

Extras

You’ll need a decent helmet that’s the right size for your head. Check out guides.wiggle.co.uk/ how-choose-perfect-cycling-helmet for guidance or visit your local sports shop. You’ll also want a water bottle holder, puncture repair kit and pump. A bum bag is handy for your phone, wallet and keys, but you might need a backpack, basket or panniers if you need to carry anything else.

Stay motivated

Staying motivated is difficult at the best of times, but winter makes things a whole lot harder. Deciding a set day and time helps, as does finding a cycling buddy or joining a club. You could also set yourself distance goals or book onto a sponsored cycle ride to focus your training.

Stay safe

To begin with, you’ll want to stick to daylight rides in traffic-free areas, but you’ll still need decent reflectors, and a bike light is a good idea. Always let someone know where you’re going and keep your phone with you just in case. A flat tyre ten miles from home is never fun, but it’s a lot trickier if you can’t call someone to pick you up!

call 01824

“

Running a business without advertising is like winking at someone across a dark room. You know what you're doing, but no one else does.” This magazine can get your business noticed. Call Trevor on 01824 707013 to be in the next edition.

Market starts at10am Musical entertainment during the afternoon Lights switch-on by the Mayor at 5pm, followed by truck convoy straight afterwards.

What’s On and Local groups.

LOCAL GROUPS and MEETINGS

NEW CLUB started ‘Clwb Natur’ workshops in Denbigh and Llanrhaeadr.

They take place Tuesdays (Ysgol Pendref, Denbigh) and Thursdays (Ysgol Bro Cinmeirch, Llanrhaeadr) during term time 3.30 – 4.30pm and include workshops aiming to connect people with each other and the environment – gardening, nature studies, arts & craft, mindfulness. All ages are welcome. There’s no charge to attend.

Ruthin W I meet on the third Tuesday of evert month in LLys Erw Community Hall Ruthin at 2pm.We also have a craft class in the same place and time on the second Tuesday of every month. We have guest speakers , outings and meals out. Come along and see what we get up to. For further information call Mary Marquess on 01824705166 or Jen Roberts - Jones on 01824 703816.

Trefnant WI meet on the second Thursday of every month in Trefnant Village Hall at 7.00pm. In addition to guest speakers we have outings and meals out. Why not come along and see what we’re up to. We are not just about Jam and Jerusalem! We always welcome new members. For further information please call Jane Wood 01745 710 201.

Denbigh Church Ladies Guild, A warm and friendly social group, have now restarted meeting at 2pm every 2nd Wednesday of each month at Eirianfa, Denbigh. New members welcome. We also hold a coffee morning every 2nd Saturday of the month 10am - 11.30am at Eirianfa which is open to all. For more details contact Annwen on 01745 815 827

Ruthin Girl Guides are reopening to all girls aged between 10 and 14 years old. Meetings are Monday evenings during term time. You can apply and register for a place via the Girlguiding website www.girlguiding.org.uk

Please message Girlguide Leader Alex Jones for more information via 2nd Ruthin Guides Facebook page or ruthingirlguides@outlook.com

Denbigh & District Male Voice Choir meets at 7.30 on Tuesdays at the Eirianfa Centre, Denbigh.

We have seen an upsurge in membership since the appointment of Sam Pritchard as Musical Director and a warm welcome awaits those who would like to join us.

Contacts : Choir Secretary mbaines@uwclub.net or 01824 703832. www.denbighchoir.com

Denbigh Floral Art Club

Ladies have you ever thought about flower arranging? We are Denbigh Floral Art Club. We meet the first Tuesday of the month at Plas Piggott Club, Ruthin Road, Denbigh at 7.30pm

September 6th Tuesday. Work shop please bring a pair of scissors and a little greenery if you have some.

October 4th Helen Raymond Clarke. From Albrighton title Roundabout

Thursday November 3rd at TOWN HALL Donald Morgan. Title, Christmas Celebration

Shed in Rhuthun.

Ruthin Men’s Shed has been created to help Men with their mental health and to stop guys feeling isolated and on their own during their bad periods, there is no actual correct way of running a shed it’s entirely up to the guys involved in the shed activities can be anything.

At Ruthin Mens Shed, guys will have a brew and generally discuss anything that may be causing anyone problems in their life, we openly talk, laugh, cry about mental health and no judgement is made on anyone. We are part of the Resource group from Cai Dai Denbigh where people can participate in Gardening work or craft work, caring for nature and wildlife in general, there are two other groups we are also part of Repair cafe very similar to the BBC program and Library of things where the idea is you can borrow a gardening implement and return it when you have finished with it with a small donation. If you are a man or you know a man that needs help and emotional support, get in touch. Our email ruthinmensshed@gmail.com or Rhuthun Men’s Shed The Skills and Happiness Exchange is our Facebook page.

Henllan Table Tennis club has started up again in the Community Hall at 7pm. The club will be run in accordance with Government guide lines relating to Covid 19, and the appropriate risk assessment has been completed. Every attendee will receive a copy either prior or upon arrival.

To advertise in the Clwyd Connection, call 01824 707013

Can’t pay your bills & debts?

What can you do about debts when you are struggling to pay bills and keep a roof over your head?

Work out a budget & know what is top priority

When there isn’t enough money to pay for everything, you have to make choices.

It’s important to know what must be paid first and in full, even if this leaves not enough to pay other debts.

What debts and bills are top priority?

• Mortgage repayments and loans secured on your home;

• Rent;

• Car finance and HP for furniture;

• Gas and electricity bills;

• Child support and maintenance payments;

• Council tax;

• Income tax, VAT and other tax debts;

• TV licence payments;

• Magistrates Court fines (not penalty fines such as parking)

These are priorities because bad things can happen if you don’t pay them. Getting behind with the mortgage or rent can lead to eviction. Your gas or electricity supply could be cut off, or you may have to accept an expensive prepayment meter instead.

Although you can’t get sent to

prison in Wales for not paying council tax, it may escalate to a bailiff visit resulting in fees being added and removal of your vehicle or possessions.

What are nonpriority debts?

• Credit cards, store cards and catalogues;

• Buy Now Pay Later such as Klarna;

• Unsecured loans, from a bank or other lender;

• Overdrafts;

• High cost debts;

• Water bills; and loans from friends and family.

Paying your rent/mortgage, car finance, food, clothes and heating may leave little or nothing for unsecured loans, credit cards or catalogues. This may sound alarming, but nonpriority creditors know that they are bottom of the list and that priority bills have to be paid in full.

Failing to pay non-priority debts is usually less serious than not paying a priority debt. You can’t get sent to prison for paying non-priority debts! But they can still result in CCJs, bailiffs, charges over your house, bankruptcy etc so “nonpriority” doesn’t mean “safe to ignore.”

Sometimes one of these debts is really important to you so you want to treat it as a priority:

• Perhaps you have a loan from your employer and are worried your job might be affected if you can’t repay it;

• Your mum may have taken a loan so that you could buy a car and she can’t afford the loan repayments if you don’t pay them;

• You may have taken a guarantor loan and you don’t want your guarantor to be asked to pay.

If you have this sort of “very important but not a priority debt” problem, it’s a good idea to get debt advice to help you resolve it.

Sort out the priority debts first

If you have a large debt problem including some priority debts, the priority debts need to be under control before the non-priority debts. This essentially means making an agreement with each priority creditor to get them to accept £x per month.

Before you start making these offers though, you need to know that you can genuinely afford them over the length of time it is going to take to clear the debts!

Only when you know what all these £s add up to will you know how much money you have left to offer to your nonpriority creditors.

Index

Aerial installer

Owen Telstar Aerials

Denture repairs

AS. Moore

Loft access

Access 4 Lofts

Domestic appliance retail Locksmith Unit 15 Emporium

Antiques & Collectables

E. Jones (Denbigh) Ltd

Denbigh Locksmith

Artisan Market Drain services Market

Ruthin Artisan Markets

Assembly Member

Darren Millar AM

Drains Today

Ear health

Hear Shop

Ruthin Market Hall

Oven cleaning

Oven U

& Decorator Mold Book Shop

Book shop Electrician

L&P Electrical Engineering

Steve Price

Builder Estate Agent Vale Painters 2 CWM Builders

Septic Tank Emptying Steve Roberts

Fisher German

Equipment hire Wilson Bros 14 Camper & Caravan repairs Borrow Bus

Solicitor MPI Campers

Furniture showroom Swayne Johnson Solicitors 6 Carpet Cleaners Pine & Oak Direct

Theatre/Cinema Simply the Best

Garage door replacement Theatr Clwyd

Vale Carpet Cleaners

Garolla Doors

Tool Hire Carpet & Flooring Garden buildings JT Williams

Carpet Emporium

Wood Store Wales

Website designer Carpenter & Joiner Garden centre DoodleIT 26 Ben James Clayton Joinery

Weight loss help Ken Jones

Woodworks Garden Centre

Handyman Slimming World

Car Sales G. Cross Handyman

Car Sales

supplies

Window Blinds

Curtains & Blinds

Hilary's Blinds

For further information please contact one of the following:- Don Grigg Tel 01824 709959.

Email d_grigg@sky.com

Iain Macgillivray 01824 780672

Email Iainmacgillivray@btinternet.com

Trinity Table Tennis club meet in the Village Hall in Trefnant on Monday evenings from 7:30pm and every Thursday except the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7pm.

We are a very social club and cater for all levels of play, whether a seasoned player or indeed a newbie to our game, youngsters or more mature folk, physical disabilities not a problem, all will be made most welcome.

Contact :- David Jones Tel :- 07502 544 688 Email :- david.trinitytt@gmail.com

Public Crown Green Bowling Facility at the Llanfwrog Community “Centre” on Mwrog Street, Ruthin.

All ages are invited to have a go at crown green bowling, beginners welcome. . “Pay and Play” facilities are available, including all equipment.

Contact “The Centre” on 01824 702885 or info@thecentreruthin.co.uk.

Membership of the Llanfwrog Bowling Club, who play on this green, is also available. Club meetings are at 11am on Tuesdays and 2pm on Thursdays and Sundays. For details contact Guy Alford on 01824 703645 or guyalford@tiscali.co.uk

CHURCH MEETINGS

Ruthin Quakers meet on the second and fourth Sundays of the month 10.30 - 11.30 in the Parish Rooms behind St Peters Church, followed by social time over refreshments - all welcome! Just tollow the signs round the Church or from School Road! Phone 705592.

New CAFE CHURCH held in St. Thomas’ Church Hall, Vale St Denbigh on 2nd Sunday each month at 10.30am. We start with coffee and cake followed by a short very informal family friendly service Why not give it a try everyone is welcome

To have details of your non profit event, club, group or Church included here, please EMAIL:- trevor@clwydconnection.co.uk by the 18th of each month.

Competition and puzzle solutions

EASY HARD

Where’s Rebus

WIN £15!

I have hidden 5 pictures of “Rebus” the dragon in this magazine

Cryptic crossword

For your chance to win £15, just email or write to the address on page 4 and tell me where he is hiding. Don’t forget to include your name and address. NOTE Only 1 entry per person. The winner will be picked at random on 18th November and will receive £15.

The winner of the “Where’s Rebus” competition in October was:- Anna Morgan of Llys Gwydyr, Denbigh Well done.

Rebus was hiding on pages :- 11, 15, 31, 33 and 42

Please mention The Clwyd Connection when using any of the advertisers

Please mention The Clwyd Connection when using any of the advertisers