Mold Connection December 2022

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Well, it’s December already. Goodness how this year has flown by.

Hello and welcome to your favourite local guide to some of the best local businesses.

As you’d expect this month, I have details of a number of Christmas events, markets, Carol services etc. including the Mold Christmas Market and entertainment which is on Sunday 4th December.

Doing these magazines, I get to speak to a lot of local business owners and I can tell you, our local business are worried. So if you can, please take a look at what they are offering before going on the internet or to Chester and Broughton.

Once you start looking at the wonderful selection of independent shops we have, we really should count ourselves lucky. And if we shop local, we are also safeguarding local peoples jobs.

Once again, I am helping “North Wales Superkids” with their Toy Appeal. This year is going to be even harder than ever because everyone is struggling, but if you are able to donate any new toys or books or even some money, it would be a big help. Please check out page 41 for more details.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope you have a lovely time.

To keep up with local what’s on, why not pop along to our Facebook page Facebook.com/ConnectionMags and like us

Or you could follow us on Twitter. @Connection_Mags

Trevor

A c a d e m y o f D e s i g n

Since your will was written, have your circumstances changed? This includes being married, moving in with a partner, being divorced, separated or having children, grandchildren or dependents. Have you bought a property, started a business or received inheritance? We provide easy to understand advice, enabling you to make the right decisions for you and your family. Choose from an appointment in the comfort of your own home or opt to come to our Hawarden based office.

’TIS THE SEASON to dazzle…

If you can’t go all out with your make-up at Christmas, when can you?

First off, you’ll want to get your base right. This takes a bit of preparation. Ideally, you’ll want to exfoliate and apply a face mask the day before each celebration. Central heating is very drying, so use an extra rich moisturiser before bed to boost hydration.

On the day, you’ll want a plumping, smoothing serum. One containing hyaluronic acid is perfect. Beauty Pie’s Japanfusion Genius Lift Elixir (£12 for members) is a good choice. Follow with a moisturiser and primer.

If you haven’t bought a new foundation since summer, you may need a new one in a lighter shade. Struggling to find the perfect match? Head to Boots or Harvey Nichols to try Fenty Beauty’s Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation (£30), which is available in more than 50 shades. It lasts all day and doesn’t feel too heavy.

Flawless make-up relies on good tools. If you haven’t upgraded your make-up brushes for a while, consider treating yourself to some new ones or adding a set to your Christmas wish list. The TRUYU Brush Collection contains pretty much every brush you might need and is only £15 at Sainsbury’s and Argos.

Christmas is the perfect time to have a bit of fun with your make-up. Try e.l.f.’s Liquid Glitter Eyeshadows. They’re easy to apply, quick drying, non-sticky and just £6 each at www.elfcosmetics. co.uk. Follow with a waterproof mascara such as MAC’s In Extreme Dimension Waterproof Mascara (£24).

You’ll likely be doing a fair bit of kissing over Christmas, even if it’s just on cheeks. NYX Milky Shakes Glosses keep lips hydrated and add a burst of colourful shine. They’re also less sticky than most glosses, which the people you’re kissing will no doubt be grateful for. And they’re just £9 from Superdrug.

For Christmas nails, it’s hard to beat a professional gel polish. Nails should stay chip-free for at least a week, but it’s wise to book as close to the big day as possible. That way, they’ll still be looking good for New Year’s Eve. Left it too late to book a manicure? Apply a base coat, two coats of varnish and a top coat to keep your nails looking their best for the festive period. H&M’s Nail Polish is only £3.99, but it lasts just as long as ones three times the price. And there are tons of shades to choose from.

possible. That way, they’ll still £3.99, but it lasts just as long as ones three times the price. And there are tons of shades

No idea where to start with your make-up? You’ll find lots of free tutorials on YouTube. Or why not book a personalised make-up tutorial? MAC offers free 30 and 60 minute virtual consultations. Visit www.maccosmetics.co.uk/ makeup-services to book.

Fridge & Café

Community Fridge

There are Community Fridges all over the UK, which operate on the simple principle of take what you need, give what you can. In Mold the Community Fridge is run by Parkfields Community Centre (next to Mold Hospital) and is stocked from a mixture of donations, grants and surplus stock. Parkfields aims to reduce food waste at the same time as ensuring that nobody within our community has to go hungry.

As well as a fridge, Parkfields has been able to buy a muchneeded freezer thanks to a very generous personal donation and a grant from Tate & Lyle to help buy frozen food.

Caroline Collis, Parkfields’ administrator explains, “The Community Fridge is used by around 15 to 20 households from Mold twice a week. The Fridge is for residents of Mold, no referral is needed so people can drop in and collect the quality food, personal hygiene and cleaning products available that day.

“Every week we receive surplus food from local supermarkets and food generously donated by customers but we still need

to purchase additional products to supplement where there are shortages. This is especially necessary for items such as hygiene products and non-perishable food, which are much in demand but not often received from donations.

“There was food poverty in Mold before the pandemic and the situation for some families has got progressively worse. Unfortunately, there remains a real need for free food here. We are very grateful to all our amazing volunteers, and donations from individuals, organisations and grant funders who make our Community Fridge possible.”

Community Café – Warm Hub

In July Parkfields launched a Community Café for people to enjoy a cuppa and a chat in our

warm welcoming Community Room. Free hot drinks and refreshments are provided, along with the chance to try various crafts. Advisors from organisations such as Warm Wales are regularly on hand to discuss what help is available to combat increases in the cost of living.

Can Cook Well-Fed mobile shop Following on from the success of a Slow Cooker course run by Can Cook Well-Fed at Parkfields, they now bring their mobile shop to the Centre once a week. As well as selling essentials such as milk, bread, and toilet paper, they stock a range of delicious, nutritious ready meals and slow cooker bags. They also have a range of free period products to give out provided by @heygirlsuk

OPENING TIMES:

• Community Fridge

Mondays and Thursdays, 10am to 11.30am

• Community Café – Warm Hub

Mondays and Thursdays, 9am to 11.30am

• Can Cook Well-Fed mobile shop Thursday 1.30pm

Maxine Wright, Cll Sarah Taylor, Caroline Collis

Stocking Fillers and Murder Mystery rillers

This month, four cracking reads for the busiest book-buying time of the year.

Grannysaurus is a roar-some picture book about unpredictable grannies, dinosaur discos and staying up late.

A boisterously funny new festive release from the duo, this is perfect for young dinosaur fans! Published by Harper Collins on December 8th

Never Give In: The 12 Commando Rules for Life by Scotty Mills

Pinch of Nom by Kate and Kay Allinson

The healthy eating phenomenon that is Pinch of Nom returns with another hundred scrumptious recipes – from fakeaways to desserts – that are both tantalising to the taste buds and good for the waistline.

Enjoy more of the food you love. Never feel like you’re missing out, from all-day breakfasts to scrumptious desserts, with crowd-pleasing foody fests so satisfying and delicious you’d never guess they are also slimming-friendly.

Published by Pan Macmillan on December 8th

Grannysaurus by David Walliams

Bursting with David Walliams’ anarchic sense of fun and blessed with Adam Stower’s vibrant illustrations,

A sudden downpour while Scotty Mills was walking down a street in South London sent him diving for cover into the nearest shop. It turned out to be a recruitment centre for the Royal Marines and, after a few minutes’ conversation while waiting for the rain to stop, Scotty was hooked and signed up to join the elite force. It changed his life and set him on a new direction that would end up with him leading the Marines on operations around the world, becoming an Olympic flag bearer in 2012 and dining at Buckingham Palace with the Queen and the royal family.

Scotty shares his lessons of performance and resilience with the reader, inviting them into the secrets of elite culture. His compelling story is one that combines tragedy with remarkable insight about the

Wild Women: A Collection of First-Hand Accounts from Female Explorers by Mariella Frostrup

A collection of the greatest women’s travel writing selected by journalist and presenter Mariella Frostrup.

From Constantinople to Crimea; from Antarctica to the Andesthroughout history, adventurous women have made epic, record-breaking journeys under perilous circumstances.

In curating this collection of first-hand accounts, broadcaster, writer and traveller Mariella Frostrup puts female explorers back on the map. Her selection includes explorers from the 1700s to the present day, from iconic heroines to lesser-known eccentrics, celebrating 300 years of wild women and their amazing adventures over land, sea and air. Published by Head of Zeus on December 8th

power of human inspiration. Published by Simon & Schuster on December 8th

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.

The Connection Sudoku Puzzle

HOW TO PLAY

Fill in the grid so that every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 without repetition. That’s all there is to it.

You solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic. There’s no maths involved, It’s fun, challenging and addictive. Solutions on page 53

Bucks Fizz for breakfast, chocolate boxes passed round before lunch, heaps of deliciously crispy roast potatoes – Christmas is a holiday of complete, unadulterated indulgence. We’re all guilty of it, and this over-indulgence is nothing to feel ashamed about – it’s Christmas, after all! The festive season simply wouldn’t be the same without fantastic food, but if you’re feeling a little more health conscious this year, there are lots of ways in which you can treat yourself without going overboard.

Pack in more veg

Traditionally, Christmas dinners were always packed with a wide variety of vegetables, including carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. However, over the years many of our plates have become more and more beige. This Christmas, why not make it your mission to make your plate as colourful as possible? If you’re in charge of the cooking, try steamed or boiled vegetables, and steer clear of cheese sauces and excess amounts of butter. Take it slowly

A common mistake many of us make at Christmas is not listening to our body. Instead of loading up your plate at lunch, eat a normal-sized portion before

taking a twenty-minute break to see if you’re still hungry. This is how long it takes for the brain to register that the stomach is full. If you feel full, you know it’s time to take a break before going back for seconds. You’ll avoid the formidable food coma – plus, you’ll be hungry again in time for dessert!

Enjoy a Christmas walk

On Christmas Day, it can be tempting to laze around on the sofa for the majority of the day. While movie marathons are a tradition for many families, there’s nothing like a Christmas walk to boost your festive spirits – and offer a break between films.

Take the family for a walk around the park and bring along any new outdoor toys and games. You’ll have lots of fun as a family, and you’ll give your body a chance to digest your Christmas lunch!

Go easy on the booze

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a tipple or two. However, if you want to cut back, check the labels on bottles to see how many units they contain. The guidelines recommend drinking fourteen units a week which, in the lead up to Christmas, it’s easy to exceed. You could also try adding more mixer to any spirits to make them last longer, and refrain from drinking early on in the day.

Upgrade your snacks

Snacks and nibbles are everywhere come Christmastime. From cheese platters to shortbread biscuits and endless amounts of chocolate, festive temptations are now arriving in our supermarkets as early as September –which makes them hard to ignore!

While it’s fine to indulge in the odd mince pie, there are loads of healthier snack options that you can put together at home. Why not try chocolate protein balls packed with dates and raisins, apple chips spiced with cinnamon or avocado chocolate mousse?

‘Healthier’ by no means has to mean boring!

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.

I’ll come straight to the point this month - there is nothing more precious or valuable than our mental wellbeing, and there is no bill or invoice that should come before it.

I have worked with mental health charities and the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute to ensure people who find themselves in difficult situations are able to access not just financial assistance, but practical and emotional support too.

The truth is when people have existing mental health problems, the administration anxiety that comes with bills, debt demands and ongoing financial

commitments, can be very difficult to handle, to the point that they’re simply unable to deal with what’s in front of them. Even when in a good place mentally and financially, so many of us find processing everyday matters exhausting, so imagine the added difficulty when starting from a place of weakness.

Remember, we have the right to determine how we are approached and contacted by those we do business with. For some people receiving a text message informing them of something may represent a nightmare. For others, a text is the only way they wish to communicate; while some

In this month’s column, Martin Lewis looks at taking back control when creditors come calling. be

prefer to converse over the phone, or even face to face.

It’s essential we stand up and state our preferences, and organisations have to adhere to these. That won’t necessarily mean the problem will go away… if you are behind on a bill, for instance; but it will bring back control to you and, from the outset, allow you to determine how you want to go about tackling a problem.

It was reported that 44% of people with mental health problems who fell behind on payments during the pandemic considered or attempted suicide; and if you macro that up to the UK population that would be two-and-a-half million people.

I’ll be honest and say that when I heard that figure, I didn’t find it surprising; but it does surprise and disappoint me that people still don’t feel they have the tools to fight back and retake control.

From recovery space to payment holidays, to freezes on interest or repayment plans, speak to your creditors in a way that is firm and fair, and you will likely get the result you want.

Croatia Blues

Azure, turquoise, aquamarine, sapphire... you may never see as many shades of blue than there are in the Adriatic. Add to that small villages of whitewashed houses and terracotta roofs, olive groves and vineyards on rocky landscapes, pictureperfect islands, and ancient walled cities oozing with history, and you have Croatia.

To best experience Croatia, board a traditional sailing ship with crew and set off along the coast, dropping anchor in a local village for dinner in a taverna. Foodies will delight in the fresh seafood and other tasty delicacies, often cooked by majka (mother) and served by other family members keen to chat. Spend your days swimming in crystal clear waters off the boat, and explore a different island each day.

Dubrovnik is a good starting point. Impressive stone plazas, tiny, cobbled streets, and outdoor cafes make it a great place to explore on foot – make sure you walk atop the ancient city walls for views over the terracotta roofs. You may stumble across one of the first pharmacies in Europe, dating back to 1317 and still

in operation today! When your walking legs tire, it’s not hard to find a welcoming bar up a tiny side street where sitting in the shade with a cool drink is the perfect remedy.

The island of Hvar offers ancient towns, fragrant fields of lavender, centuries-old olive groves and vineyards. Of course, where there are vineyards, there is wine! Spend some time at one of the many small inns on the island – you’ll get to taste some delicious homemade wine and as the afternoon turns into evening, the songs start, and a great night is had by all!

Hvar’s ancient town of Stari Grad is the oldest town in Croatia, dating back to 384 BC, its deep bay still providing a safe harbour and warm welcome today.

Not far from Hvar is the island of Brač, with its delightful town of Bol, and the Insta-famous fine pebble beach of Zlatni Rat. The shape of this promontory beach changes regularly according to prevailing currents and winds, and the waters are so clear you can often see the seabed rocks at least 10m deep. Some serious downtime can be spent here, on the beach, and in the many harbourside bars and cafes.

If you can manage to drag your gaze away from the coast for a moment, you will also discover picturesque rural areas, the glorious Plitvice Lakes National Park and up to 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites. A little reminder that there is perhaps more to Croatia than stunning beaches and waters of myriad shades of blue.

A rewarding and warming task at this time is to add compost on beds to form a mulch, provided the soil is not frozen. Ensure the soil is damp and this will help to keep roots warm and lock in a little moisture ready for potential drought in the future. It will transform the look of your beds and make you feel good too.

Winter pruning

It’s also a perfect time to prune woody species such as acers, figs, vines and deciduous shrubs, before the sap starts rising. Pruning is carried out in order to remove dead, damaged or diseased parts and to control the growth of something that might be a little too large for the space it occupies. It is also the best way to define the shape of a plant, and at the right time of year pruning will help to create flowering and fruiting branches for the next season. Not everything should be pruned at the same time, however. Plum trees and other prunus species, for example, should never be pruned

during winter because it increases the risk of silver leaf disease. Spring flowering shrubs should be pruned in late June or early summer just after flowering – otherwise, their flowering shoots will be removed. Many plants will benefit from being pruned around August when their growth has slowed, but evergreen shrubs tend to grow best when they are pruned in spring, just at the beginning of the growing season.

In the past, a fresh cut on a tree or shrub would be sealed using pruning paint. We now know that pruning at the correct time of year allows a cut to heal naturally and this is preferable.

A great symbol of Christmas One of the many symbols of the season that we all love is the fresh Christmas tree - it is never adequately replaced with plastic. The Norway spruce was once the traditional British choice but because it has a tendency to drop its needles, it has been nudged down the popularity chart by ‘non-drop’ varieties. The blue spruce, as it is known, generally holds onto its spiny needles until the end of festivities and beyond. The Douglas fir is also a good choice because it also holds its needles well – although it can be rather expensive. Undoubtedly, the bestselling tree of the ‘non-drop’ variety is the Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana). This fast-grower can reach heights of up to 30m in the wild, so it’s perhaps best not to plant it outside the kitchen door once it has done its duty indoors.

Of course, there is no point in planting a tree that has been cut from its rootstock. But containergrown or trees freshly dug from the field can often transplant rather splendidly. Bear this in mind when you are making your choice.

By Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk

Christmas tree growing outdoors

Christmas trees have

been cut from rootstock

Are you dreaming of a green Christmas? Then try these ideas!

Christmas trees

In the UK we buy between eight and ten million ‘real’ Christmas trees each year that are taken down a few weeks later. So buy local if possible, and look for Forest Stewardship Council certification and Soil Association approval. Always use your local authority’s dedicated collection service if available. A tree with a root ball or in a pot that is planted out for the rest of the year is environmentally friendly, or rent a tree, which will be collected and replanted afterwards. Artificial trees are sadly still plastic, so if you have one reuse it for as long as possible.

Tree ornaments

Nothing is as sustainable as using Christmas baubles you already have and if you want to refresh your stock of tree decorations, consider buying vintage ones. Buy from a local craftsperson or an online platform such as Etsy or Folksy (ideally someone using sustainable materials), or make some yourself. There is a world of inspiration in books, magazines, online or in hobby supply stores.

Front-door wreaths

Making a front-door wreath using fresh foliage is a wonderful, sustainable way to adorn your home (and it can be composted afterwards). Artificial wreaths are only sustainable if reused, but can easily be refreshed with a few extra seasonal embellishments, such as dried, sliced oranges, pine cones or sprigs of holly.

These ethical, sustainable and recyclable candles are individually hand-crafted in Cornwall. Mulled Wine soy-wax eco candle, £12.99, earthcandleco.com

Lights

Choosing LED lights for your festive decorations saves energy and money, and is good for the planet, too. Use a timer, or switch them off overnight and when you’re out.

Gift wrap

Stick to paper if possible or consider fabric, Japanese-style (furoshiki). Use alternatives to sticky tape such as brown-paper tape, twine, ribbons and washi tape, which is made from renewable sources.

Table settings

Use fabric that can be washed repeatedly for Christmas tablecloths and napkins. Choose reusable card or fabric crackers that you fill yourself with personalised gifts year after year.

Advent calendars

DIY perpetual advent calendars can be brought out every year and filled with carefully chosen small goodies. Either make your own or buy from a great choice, from tiny knitted stockings on a string to wooden houses with numbered doors.

Scent

You generally get what you pay for with scented candles in terms of a gorgeous scent and longer burn time, so it’s worth spending a little more if possible. Choose vegetable wax or beeswax candles, and scents made from essential oils rather than chemicals.

Use a simple wreath as a minimal decoration, or add your own embellishments such as twining leaves or tiny fairy lights. Rattan door wreaths, from £30 each, gardentrading.co.uk

By Katherine Sorrell

Talk Talk

We may feel a profound connection to our children, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to communicate with them.

Here are five tools which make the journey a little easier for both parties involved.

How to say ‘no’: Turning down some of our youngsters’ requests is a key part of their development, but only if done in the right way.

For instance, an obstructive ‘no’ is rarely going to garner a positive response. As well as being blunt, it leaves a child with little explanation as to the decision reached. Instead, parents are reminded of the benefits of using positive and negative wording. So instead of saying “stop hitting”, use “keep your hands to yourself”; or replace “no, you can’t have that”, for “why don’t we look at these?”.

How to say: ‘yes’: Children will be more understanding of the things they don’t have if they know there are many others that they have received or will get over time.

Having said that, it is also important to foster gratitude in your little one, so take time to count blessings and always encourage a sincere ‘thank you’ on the receiving of a gift.

How to scold:

Firstly, try to steer away from shaming your child as this can affect their self-esteem over time. For example, calling a child ‘clumsy’ or ‘hopeless’ because they knocked their drink over at dinner can make them feel faulty. Instead,

saying, “I know that was an accident, but in future just try

to be more careful,” will shift attention towards focus and carefulness, which will offer your child a path forward.

Also, accompanying chastising with a hug, or by holding a hand, will soften the action and reduce the sense of discomfort a child may feel.

How to listen: Empathy is a vital tool in communicating, and it can really help to see the problem through the child’s eyes rather than your own, as some behaviour that could be seen as problematic may be connected to a developmental need. For example, if you’re leaving your child with a relative or babysitter while you have a much-needed evening out, they might act up and throw a tantrum.

Instead of becoming angry, you could instead recognise the fear of abandonment and need for reassurance, leading to a calmer more pleasant night for both of you.

How to promote positivity: When faced with a decision you and your child disagree on, it can be helpful to ask what your child would like to happen or change. This prompts proactive problem-solving over helplessness and frustration, and is a tool that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Jamie Oliver’s Vegetarian Christmas Curry

Introduction

What better way to beat the winter chill than with this hearty, delicious – and rather healthy – Christmas curry. Ideal for Christmas Eve, or in fact, any day during the festive period when you’ve had too many heavy, meat-based meals and instead want something more on the nourishing side. The festiveness of this curry comes out in the spices used, and the fact the whole family can share a special, if unconventional, meal in what is a season for getting together and celebrating what we have.

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF/gas 6. Using a pestle and mortar, grind the fennel and coriander seeds, and chilli flakes until fine. Place the cauliflower on a sheet of tin foil, rub in half of the ground spices and 1 tablespoon of oil, and season with sea salt and black pepper.

Wrap the cauliflower in the foil, place in roasting tray and bake for 30 minutes, removing the foil for the last 15 minutes to brown it. Remove and set aside.

2. Peel and finely grate the ginger and 6 cloves of garlic. In a bowl, combine two-thirds of the ginger, the grated garlic and the remaining spice mixture.

Make an incision in each aubergine with a sharp knife, then rub the ginger mixture into each one, along with a drizzle of oil. Place the aubergines in a small roasting tray and cook in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until softened and starting to split. Set aside.

3. Make your spice blend. Split the cardamom pods, add the seeds to a mortar with all the other ingredients, then grind well. Finely chop the onions, then deseed and chop the chillies and tomatoes, keeping them separate. Peel and finely slice the remaining 3 cloves of garlic. Place a large pan over a medium heat and toast the ground spices for 1 minute, or until aromatic.

Ingredients

(serves 6-8)

• 1½ teaspoons fennel seeds

• 1½ teaspoons coriander seeds

• 1 teaspoon chilli flakes

• 1 medium cauliflower

• groundnut oil

• 15cm piece of ginger

• 9 cloves of garlic

• 20 finger aubergines

• 3 medium onions

• 2-3 fresh green chillies

• 1 kg ripe tomatoes

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 150 g cashews

• 100 g coconut shavings

• 1 pomegranate

• Coriander leaves

SPICE BLEND

• 1 teaspoon cardamom pods

• 2 teaspoons turmeric powder

• 3 dried Kashmiri red chillies

• 7 cloves

• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

Stir in 1 tablespoon of oil, followed by the onions, green chillies, garlic, and the remaining ginger. Cook for 10 minutes, or until the onion and garlic are softened. Add the tomatoes, cinnamon stick and 200ml of water and let it simmer over a low heat for 30 minutes.

4. In a blender, blitz the cashews with 4 tablespoons of water until you have a smooth paste, then stir this into your curry. Cook for 5 minutes, or until thick and fragrant. Chop the roasted cauliflower into florets and stir into the curry along with the aubergines.

Optional: Scatter pomegranate seeds, shaved coconut and coriander leaves over the curry.

What’s On plus Local Groups & Clubs

Mold & District Choral Society

We will be performing Handels Messiah in Bethel Chapel, Mold on 3rd December at 6pm

St Mary the Virgin, Mold Christmas Services Sunday 18th. 7.30pm Service of nine lessons and carols

Saturday 24th: Christmas Eve. 6pm Service of Light. 11pm Holy Eucharist. Sunday 25th: Christmas Day. 11am Holy Eucharist

Mold & District Probus Club, which was formed in 1976 to arrange talks and social events for retired and semi-retired men, continues to meet monthly in the schoolroom at the Bethesda Chapel, New Street. The meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month, with hot drinks served from 9.45 a.m being followed by a talk and questions ending around 11.30 a.m.. The annual subscription is £12.00. New members are welcome and further information is available from the treasurer, Richard Rowley, tel. 0l352 756835.

The Mold Bowel Cancer Support Group

Mold Bowel Cancer Support Group

Have now changed their venue and now meet at the Beaufort Hotel Mold CH7 6RQ. Our next meeting will be on Thursday December 15th at 7pm. Anyone affected by Bowel Cancer are welcome to our informal meetings. For further information contact Haydn on 07522 483374 or Janet on 07849 441566. bowelcancersupport.co.uk All will be made very welcome

Mountain Harmony Ladies Chorus

Do you enjoy singing? Do you want to make new friends? Mountain Harmony might be just the group for you.

Why not come along to our rehearsals at Gwernymynydd Village Hall and have a listen? We practise every Monday from 7.30pm

Mountain Harmony sing songs to suit all tastes and ages including traditional, ballads and contemporary music. For more information email mountainharmonychorus@gmail.com

Mold Choral Society

Are you looking for something to be involved in and to meet new friends? Do you enjoy singing? Mold Choral Society have been singing since 1969 and are back with a great programme for 22/23.

We are one of the biggest mixed voice choirs in Flintshire and sing in both English and Welsh. We meet in St Davids Church Hall on Wednesdays between 7.30 and 9.30pm. Please come and join us, you will receive a very warm welcome. For more information contact Gail Roberts on 07827 968 707 or email:- gail13.roberts@gmail.com

Northop Bowling Green Come and join our club for the perfect socially distanced game with friends and family in beautiful peaceful surroundings. No experience or own equipment necessary. Call Aled on 07778 512 385 or email:- northopbowls@btinternet.com for more information. Facebook: Northop Bowling Green.

WAF MOLD WALKS. FREE led walks in Mold Subject to Welsh Government guidelines these walks will take place Monday 10.30 Tesco Car Park near Click & Collect CH7 1UB. Grade 1 / 2 Easy to moderate. 60 to 90 +minutes duration Tuesday 14.00 Queens Head Chester Road CH7 1UN. Grade 3 Hard 90 to 120 minutes duration. Both walks finish in a cafe for a cup of tea or coffee. See walkaboutflintshire.com for more walks

Wood Turning and Carving. Want to learn new skills? The woodcraft Association are a friendly group of people who meet on a Monday morning from 9:00 until 12:00 at Level Road Community Centre in Ewloe. We make things for ourselves, friends and for charities. We have a lot of lathes and machinery and we will show you how to use them safely. The only thing you will need to start is your own tea or coffee. Just turn up and enjoy the beauty of wood. For more info ring Phil Moyes on 0771 245 4044 or look at our website: woodcraftassociation.org.uk

FLINTSHIRE U3A. learn - laugh - live WANT TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS, SHARE INTERESTS, DEVELOP NEW SKILLS? u3a is an international self-help organisation for retired and semi-retired people, in their third age, who draw upon the knowledge, experience and skills of their own members.

Flintshire u3a has a wide variety of group activities and interests in informal and friendly atmospheres on your doorstep offering two free “taster sessions”

prior to joining. 07800 930549. www.flintshire-u3a.co.uk

DANCING WITH DEMENTIA.

This is a new group for people with dementia and their careers. Music has a unique connection with dementia and people can often remember music and words to songs they have heard in the past, so if you love music and find yourself tapping your toes come along to my group and have fun with dance, movement and singing. We meet every Tuesday from 2-4 at Edith Banks Memorial Hall in Northop village, Flintshire, CH7 6BQ. There is free parking in the car park opposite the hall. Contact Pauline on 07521 377 945 for more information.

Chatterboxes Communication Support Group Struggling with getting your message across? Chatterboxes is here to help. We are a communication support group, part of the Stroke Group Network. We are run by enthusiastic volunteers who encourage interaction through a variety of activities. We meet every Monday from 10.30 to 12.30 in the church hall of Our lady of the Rosary in Buckley. A warm welcome plus tea/coffee and biscuits

guaranteed! For more information, please contact Kate - tel: 01824 750713

Mold Derby & Joan Club

Join us for bingo, a friendly chat, tea and coffee. We meet on Wednesday afternoons at Grosvenor Hall on Grosvenor Street from 1.45pm - 3.15. Come and join us, you’ll be warmly welcomed.

Mold WI meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at St David’s Hall Mold. The meeting starts at 7pm. We welcome visitors and hope that they will become members in due course. We are a friendly bunch and enjoy getting together. Come to a meeting and try us out.

Mynydd Isa Butterflies W.I. are meeting again on the first Thursday of the month at the Women’s Institute Hall on Chambers Lane in Mynydd Isa at 7.15. All are welcome. For more details contact Julie Wilkins 07970961703 juliewilkins.826@gmail.com

To have your club, group, church, charity or non profit event listed, in this section, email:trevor@connectionmagazines.co.uk by the 18th of each month for inclusion the following month.

Wyddy was hiding on pages :- 2, 23, 28, 33 and 42

Index to advertisers

Aerial Installation

Framing & Engraving

Plumbing & Heating

Owen Telstar Aerials 37 Josar 16 D2P Plumbing 2

Assembly Member Furniture sale DR plumbing & Heating 17

Hannah Blythyn AM 40 Pine & Oak Direct 25 Ken Davies Plumbing 39 Beer Sales Garden Centre Peter James Gas 49

Hafod Brewery 27 Woodworks 22 Roofing contractor Book shop Garden work DP Healy Roofing 26

Mold Book Shop 21 Beautiful Borders 39 Morris Roofing 2 Building services Tom Harvey Driveways 39 P Tattumn Roofing 32 Dickinson & Son 18 Garden structures

Septic Tank emptying

Car Bodywork Repairs Wood Store Wales 22 Wilson Brothers 25 Aurora Refinishing 10 Handyman services Solicitors

Carpet Cleaning The Care Taker 32 Swayne Johnson 30 Zero Dry Time cleaning 40 Hardware supplies Taxi Service Carpets & Furniture Morgans of Mold 36 Jays 1st Class Travel 40 Cooks 56 Hearing problems

Theatre/Cinema

Car Servicing Colwyn Hearing Practice 29 Theatr Clwyd 9 Nonstop 12 Hearshop 13 Tiler

Computer problems Home improvements Peter Thompson 16 MAC 3 49 Cranwell Interior Solutions 47 Tool Hire

Consumer Advice Kitchens installer KMA Tool Hire & Sales 25 Flintshire CAB 45 Academy of Design 5 Travel Agent

Curtains & Blinds Kitchen & Bathroom installer Polka Dot Travel 35 Andersons curtains & blinds 26 Headley Greenslade 32 Tree surgeon Decorative Balloons Kitchen Refurbishment AGM Tree Surgery 32 Balloons for all Events 37 Transform your Kitchen 15 Chester Oaks 18 Decorating supplies Loft access Van & Man Ruthin Décor 6 Access 4 Lofts 2 Eldridan Logistics 32 Denture Repairs Locksmith Website Creator

Moore's Dental Studio 47 Lock & Key Solutions 6 Doodly Dog Websites 16 Drain clearance & repair Painter & Decorators Will writing & Estate planning Drains Today Ltd 51 Craig Atkins 26 Watkins Smith (NW) Ltd 7 Electrician Personal tuition Window Blinds

L&P Electrical Services 32 Creative in Excellence 3 Andersons curtains & blinds 26 Embroidered workwear Physiotherapy Window Cleaner

Choice Workwear 25 Grosvenor Physio 10 Fred Harvey cleaning 51 Estate Agent

Plasterer Windows & Conservatories

Fisher German 55 Ross Greeenslade 51 Snowdonia 31

Reades Residential 43 Fitted bedrooms

Sliding Robes 11