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November-December 2023 - Issue 254

NorthWales Superkid Goodbye Mrs Christmas

Flintshire Foodbank

Sustaining Hope

in the community

Ysgol Bro Famau

A glowing school report

North East Wales National Parks

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FOREWORD

News&Views 254 | November-December 2023

A season for giving

s the nights draw in, and we start to look towards the year-end celebrations, NewsAndViews brings you yet another information-packed edition of your favorite local publication. You will read on page 4 that times are difficult for your favorite magazine. To keep up the good work and continue to connect with our community, we have decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign. Thanks in advance for any contribution you can make, big or small! In this edition, we want to highlight some of the numerous charities and associations operating in the area, which aim to improve and enhance the lives of our neighbors who may be experiencing difficulties during this time of economic and social uncertainty. Organizations such as the Flintshire Food Bank, one of the many such charities locally and across the UK and Wales, aim to ensure that every family and individual has enough to eat and care for themselves throughout the year. As Christmas nears, this always seems of greater importance, especially as it becomes clear that donations are falling in volume as more and more people begin to feel the pinch. St. Berres Church leads the way locally, as usual, by offering its Harvest Festival donations to Flintshire Foodbank. Inside, Noel Headley describes how this year’s festival has contributed.

We heard the sad news of the passing of Margaret William, MBE, also known as Mrs. Christmas. In her honor, we bring you her story and promote the charity she established 25 years ago; North Wales Superkid. Its trustees and volunteers work tirelessly to bring festive joy to thousands of children at Christmas time. Ysgol Bro Famau News keeps us updated on the activities and events as the new academic year moves on. This month, Elizabeth Knight would like to show off the glowing Estyn Report of our local “particularly happy, hardworking, and successful school.” Remember, too, the Christmas Fair is coming up on the 8th of December. The Community Council has news of the ‘Engagement Period’ for the possible creation of the new North-Wales National Park, as well as the key local issues for the Llanferres area. The AONB office and Saul Burton, Countryside Ranger, bring news of infrastructure improvements on the Bryn Alyn circular walk and the benefits of nemophilism (or the love of forests). The Gardening Club, Llanferres, reports on their 47th Annual Show, and we welcome new contributor Paul Eaton of Perth Y Wrach farm (featured in issue 251), who will bring regular features on veg growing and advice and ideas for home-grown produce. Once again, thanks to all who read, distribute, and advertise with News&Views. Merry Christmas and see you next year. Sandrine and Dominic

NEWS&VIEWS Issue 254 - November-December 2023 Contact : Sandrine Autissier - Dominic Maher Tel: 01352 810 465 - news.and.views.magazine@gmail.com Edited by Graphicology Ltd - Maeshafn Printed in UK - Picture credits : Freepiks.

SOS

News&Views 254 | November-December 2023

I have also had to find new outlets to stock the magazine and seek new advertisers, which has proven difficult recently. Unfortunately, we are now no longer covering printing costs. I had always intended to keep the magazine afloat through the receipt of advertising revenue alone, but sadly, this is no longer the case. So, I have set up a ‘GoFundMe’ page to allow readers, contributors, and supporters to help ensure we can maintain production for the future.

azine g a m s w ie V & s New lp

e h r u o y s d e e n Dear readers, Four years ago, I took over the production and publication of the News&Views Magazine, and it has been a blast. It has been a privilege to meet and get to know the countless amazing local people, creators of social initiatives, entrepreneurs, local farmers, and volunteers who give up their precious time to ensure such a packed calendar rolls on and introduce them to the community, promote the many events, clubs, and associations in the area. Throughout the last four years, I have received so many thanks and words of encouragement from readers from all four corners of the Clwydian range;

from Llanarmon to Cilcain, Llandegla to Gwernaffield, and of course, the residents of Llanferres who receive the magazine in their letterbox. Thanks again to the great team of volunteers who help me distribute the magazines directly to the residents of Llanferres and Maeshafn, and my wise husband, Dom, who helps me correct my language imperfections! I have, to date, published twenty-four information-packed editions, and I feel the time is right to announce a fundraising drive for next year. Much has changed since I took the reins. Printing costs have skyrocketed, and advertising revenue has fallen.

Please help us cover our costs going into the new year and contribute what you can to support this important and valuable community resource.” The ‘Go Fund Me’ page can be found at this address: www.gofundme.com/f/ newsviews-2024

Or scan this QR Code to go directly on the page with your phone. Many thanks in advance for any donation !! Sandrine Autissier

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CHARITY

Sustaining Hope with Flintshire Foodbank In the face of the growing challenges posed by the current cost-of-living cri sis and increasing demands for assistance, Flintshire Foodbank stands as a beacon of hope. Founded in 2012, it has since been a lifeline for individuals and families facing food insecurity. Stacey Adams, Fundraising and Social Media Assistant, explains the organisation’s history, operational dynamics and the critical role it plays in the community, shedding light on the team’s commitment to making a difference, even in the toughest of times. 6

News&Views 254 | November-December 2023

70 volunteers. We are not seeking help as we have a full team at the moment. We are looking for more people to help on our van which can be quite a demanding role.

Could you share the origins and background of the Foodbank; its inception and the driving factors behind its establishment? The Foodbank was established as partnership between 2 churches in Mold in 2012, and has grown significantly since.

Tell us about the team. Does it have both employees and volunteers and are you actively seeking additional help? We have 4 part-time members of staff, our Project Manager, our Distribution Manager, we also have a Warehouse Manager and then me, the Fundraising and Social Media Assistant. We have about

How can individuals access your services? If someone is in need of food they will need to obtain a voucher code from one of our referral agencies. The referral agency will ask some questions and assess if a foodbank voucher is appropriate. Referral agencies are care professionals such as schools, GPS, social workers, Citizens Advice, etc. They can then take this code to one of our centres where they can exchange it for food parcel. Within your food parcels, what items are typically included? The parcels are made up of long-life items. We include tins such as soup, vegetables, beans, ready meals, custard, rice pudding, fruit, and potatoes. We also include pantry items such as pasta, rice, cereal, porridge, pasta sauces, instant noodles, juice, and UHT milk. We give out toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, 7

CHARITY

shower gel, nappies, baby wipes, and toilet rolls. Then we give out sweet and savory treats like crisps, biscuits, tomato ketchup, jam, gravy granules, and nuts. Is there a possibility to donate fresh vegetables, fruits and frozen foods? Most of our donations are given at supermarket dropoff points where they can be sat for a few days before we are able to collect them. Then they come to our warehouse to be dated, sorted, and packed up to be sent out to our distribution centres. This means it is very hard for us to get fresh food out fast enough. We do not have any facilities for frozen food as again we cannot collect it often enough, and it would be 8

very expensive for us to buy freezers to store frozen food. We do take fresh potatoes and fruits such as cooking apples as they are often donated in larger batches straight to our warehouse so we can get them out quickly. In addition to food assistance, do you offer any other forms of support to your beneficiaries, such as counselling or mental health services?

When a client goes through our referral agencies to get a food voucher they are able to discuss these needs with the care professional. The care professional is there to work with the person or family in crisis to get them the help and support they need. We also have advisors from Citizens Advice in several of our food banks who can talk to clients who need more help or support. The care professionals, Citizens Advice

News&Views 254 | November-December 2023

members, and our team can signpost and refer to other support providers. Could you shed some light on the impact of the current cost-of-living crisis on the Foodbank? In the last 12 months, our demand has increased by 47%. However, we have seen a drastic decline in the food donations we are receiving. So, we are struggling to keep up with the demand we are facing. We are having to regularly purchase food for the first time in our history. From your perspective, is it more beneficial to receive food donations or monetary contributions? We are grateful for any support. We are happy to receive both.

Are there any partnerships in place with food producers or manufacturers? Do you receive some financial help from the government? No, we do not have any partnerships. Local businesses have held collections for us in the past and some will purchase food for us too. Some local businesses also support us by volunteering at our Food drive collections in supermarkets. We receive no Government funding. We are completely self-funded.

ted with their roles? We have policies and handbooks that all volunteers and staff have access to. We are a very close community at the food bank, and we all support each other. I was a volunteer before I started my parttime role at Foodbank, and I would say that the role is very rewarding, rather than feeling like an emotional burden. However, we are always there to support our team if anyone should ever need it. Everyone looks after one another.

What aspects of managing your Foodbank are particularly challenging? The hardest thing about managing the foodbank is the logistics, making sure the food is where it needs to be, and is getting to those that really need it.

Are you pessimistic about the future of your charity? I think times are difficult for many people at the moment. But the Foodbank has an amazing team of staff and volunteers who work so hard to keep everything going. I know that as a charity and a team, we will pull through the challenges that we are facing. We all look after one another...

Do your volunteers receive any support or resources to help them cope with the emotional burden associa-

flintshire.foodbank.org.uk 9

CHARITY

News&Views 254 | November-December 2023

the barometer used by the Foodbank to record donations. The harvest festival this year in mid-October was well attended in church, with additional food donations given by Ysgol Bro Famau school children, who also viewed the collection on the following day. This amounted to a remarkable 135.9 kilos (50% up on last year’s harvest donations) and more than addressed the shortfall this year to date.

St Berres Harvest festival for Flintshire Food Bank

t Berres Church has been an active supporter of Flintshire Food Bank for many years with both financial donations and food parcels from the collection box inside the church. Most of the donations are made at Sunday services, but there are numerous drop-ins during the week, although this is limited over the winter period with the church being closed during the day. Donations in 2023 prior to the harvest festival had been down year on year by about 30% at just under 80 kilos, for two reasons. Firstly, a reduction in the actual number of items

donated, and also, following an initiative by the Diocesan Office to donate more hygiene related products, which tend to be lighter, and weight being

St Berres is just one of the churches in the Bro Famau Group which contributes to the Food Bank – our sister church in Gwernaffield, is also open every day for donations. Another active supporter is Mold Rotary Club whose members have made numerous financial donations of over £2,300 since 2019, £750 alone in 2023. We have all also seen donation points in Tesco and other supermarkets. So keep up your generosity towards this worthy cause! Noel Headley

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CHARITY

North Wales Superkids founder Margaret Williams, MBE, died peacefully on October 12, surrounded by her family. She was 74. Her husband of 52 years Geoff Williams, had the kindness to talk about his beloved wife “Mrs Christmas, the most generous person under the sun”, who spent her life giving children across North Wales opportunities and incredible memories.

Goodbye Mrs Christmas What is the story of North Wales Superkid? What is the aim of the charity? North Wales Superkids was founded just short of 25 years ago by Margaret Williams and a few foster parent friends from Rhyl. Margaret had worked as a parent support officer for Denbighshire Social Services based in Rhyl after she retired on health grounds. She wanted to try to carry on the work she had been doing in her job as most of it was not of a statutory nature and would not be carried on. The charity has a number of aims: to make Christmas happen for underprivileged children and young adults just out of the care system and to put smiles 12

on their faces. She also wanted to create memories for the children and the families and, in a small way, ease the burden of Christmas on the parents. Margaret Williams sadly passed away on October 12. Could you tell us who Mrs. Christmas was and why she chose to help vulnerable families and disadvantaged children? Margaret was a very modest, humble person not worrying about fashion or jewelry or possessions. She was almost always seen in her Superkids T-Shirt, so proud of Superkids. What mattered to her was children; as a child, her par-

ents had fostered children in their home in Liverpool, and her aunt was the head of a residential special school also in Liverpool, so caring for children was in her blood, and her job was all about working with children in some capacity. It was just her caring nature. How many kids do you help each year with the Christmas Toy Box Appeal? How

News&Views 254 | November-December 2023

many bags of presents do you give? It is difficult to answer. Over the period of time Superkids has been in operation, each year more and more requests for help have come in. There has not been one year that the number has not been higher than the previous one. Last year, just over 2500 bags of toys went out, a small increase on the year before, so she has helped thousands, tens of thousands. Superkids helps children from 1 to 18, with the older ones being siblings at home. In addition, there are the 18 to 25 people who are care leavers, just arriving out of the system and on their own at Christmas with just a little support from social workers, isolated from family and sometimes from any friends. It can be very

lonely, and the thought that someone out there cares is a big thing. We only do babies under one if we have stuff or it’s an absolute request, as babies have no idea of Christmas. We used to include them, but we had so many, and the money was not going towards the older ones, so we stopped. How many volunteers do you work with? How big is the team? There are about 7 trustees; it was 8, but one does not help much due to illness. The num-

ber of helpers varies depending on availability. Myself and about 10 others help at different times and availability, depending on the need. What kind of toys/games can be collected? Do you have a favorite kind of toy? No, we don’t have favorites. Anything appropriate for age groups, we are very age-appropriate and careful. My daughter does all the shopping

CHARITY

and hunts for bargains all year in sales to get the most out of what we raise or is donated. We can’t do big toys or computer games unless donated; we are just a small charity, totally nonprofit, and rely on donations, our own fundraising, and grants, which are hard to get as grant givers don’t believe it is a long-term need. But if a child has no presents from Santa, their only choice is to tell lies to their school friends to avoid shame, and it can live with them forever. Has it been harder to collect because of the cost-of-living crisis? It is an unknown quantity how much we get donated, but somehow we manage to fulfill our task each year. But the price of toys this year is much higher than in any previous years. Can you explain what the Caravan Project is? The group of foster parents who helped form Superkids had a caravan donated for use as a respite resource for

the foster families. The two who ran their project could not carry on, as it was too much work for them, so they asked Margaret if she would like it for Superkids. She eagerly accepted, and we made use of it to give free holidays for very needy families, many, if not most, with a disability in the family or a serious longterm or short-term life-threatening illness. Many referrals come from the oncology unit at Glan Clwyd. The Caravan got too old and needed repair, so Margaret found £60,000 to replace it with a new disabled-adapted van situated at

Hafan Y Mor on the Llyn Peninsula. It enables families to have some special memories with a loved one. What is on the agenda before Christmas? How can people help? Quite a simple answer! We get started next week after the funeral on Friday in getting all the bags of presents done to fill all the referrals and send them out before Christmas day. The number of people involved includes 2 specialist baggers who are brilliant and fast, some volunteers who are not always that good but try, and a number of people who go out and collect from the shops and businesses that have collection boxes. The poor person who has to deal with all the referrals coming in passes them to the baggers to fill, then chases them up to come and collect. That’s about it. northwalessuperkids.co.uk Tél: 01352 761 193 www.facebook.com/ NorthWalesSuperkids? locale=en_GB

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SCHOOL

Ysgol Bro Famau News Diwrnod Owain Glyndwr

e have been very busy since returning to school in September. We have welcomed new children and new families to our school.

One of our first events in the school calendar is the celebration of Diwrnod Owain Glyndwr. The children got dressed up as princes and princesses or in something that represents Wales to them.

Macmillan Coffee morning

At Ysgol Bro Famau we enjoy supporting different charities. One of our most popular fundraising event is our Macmillan Coffee morning. Our parents were as generous as ever, baking lots of delicious cakes to be sold on the morning. Our Year 6 pupils helped to run the stall and did an excellent job. Lots of parents and grandparents came to enjoy a piece of cake, a cup of coffee and a chat to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

News&Views 254 | November-December 2023

Vale of Clwyd cross Country event which was held in Ruthin. They had a great time and two children will be going through to the next round next month. Pob Lwc

Jurassic class

Harvest Service

We held our Harvest Service at the beginning of October. The youngest pupils told the story of the Little Red Hen and the older pupils shared some facts about the Foodbank and Harvest celebrations around the world. Families donated lots of tins and packets of food to be sent to the Foodbank which was delivered to the church in Llanferres.

As part of our Junior topic, Dinosaurs, the children made ‘fossils’ out of sand and bread. Amazing! They also made models as part of their Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) project

Tasc week

TASC week is always popular and parents always enjoy coming to see what the children have achieved on the Friday afternoon. This half term the focus was our Welsh culture and heritage. The children made food made from traditional Welsh recipes using only the ingredients we had grown in our school garden or had foraged in our school grounds. The results were delicious.

Outdoor activities

Our younger pupils enjoyed a beautiful walk in our stunning local environment, looking for signs of autumn. They found lots of conkers! Children in Years 4, 5 and 6 represented our school in the 17

SCHOOL

Haloween party

Our last day of term was spent having a disco which was organised by the school PTFA. All the children had a good time and looked great in their costumes.

Estyn Report

Following our recent Estyn inspection in May 2023 we are very proud to announce that the inpsection report is now published and available to read on the Estyn website. www.estyn.gov.wales/ provider/6632262 Here is an extract from the report: Ysgol Bro Famau is a close-knit, inclusive school where everyone has a say in the way things work. This means that the headteacher, teachers, support staff, pupils, governors and parents work together efficiently and effectively for the benefit of pupils. 18

News&Views 254 | November-December 2023

The level of commitment from these stakeholders, along with the support of the wider community, makes this a particularly happy, hardworking and successful school. Pupils’ attitudes to learning and willingness to support one another in their work and play are especially notable. They appreciate the importance of learning and of gaining skills, knowledge and understanding

across the curriculum, and do so with enthusiasm, interest and enjoyment. This zest for life and learning contributes strongly to their personal well-being, as well as the very good progress they make as they move through the school. Teachers take good account of pupils’ needs and opinions to plan interesting lessons and experiences that focus well on establishing pupils’ basic skills and concepts. They follow these up with a range of engaging and challenging learning opportunities so that pupils can apply what they have learnt in different contexts, often in the school’s extensive outdoor learning environment. All teachers are part of the strong leadership team. This enables them to collaborate closely with the headteacher and governors and to make a significant contribution to strategic matters, including school improvement. For further enquiries, please contact: Mrs Elizabeth Knight 01352 810242 or 01824 780722

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News&Views 254 | November-December 2023

Ysgol Bro Famau PTFA Christmas Fair P lease join us at our Christmas Fair in aid of Ysgol Bro Famau PTFA. We have lots of local businesses selling their produce, so you can come and buy your Christmas presents while supporting small and local businesses.

There will be goats milk soaps from Ffarm y Ffrith, sheepswool rugs and gifts from Sheep Floof, wax melts and candles from Aida & Maud, wooden crafts, silk flower arrangements and candles from White Lotus, handpainted items, knitted Xmas decorations & hats etc. 20

Entrance is £1 for adults to include a mince pie and unlimited hot drinks. There will also be lots for children to do including a visit to Santa in his grotto, face painting/tattoos, a craft table, a Christmas photobooth and numerous games for both adults and children including tombola, lucky dip, higher or lower, wine or water, and get the hoop on the antlers amongst others. We look forward to seeing you in Llanferres Village Hall. Friday 8th December 3.15pm-5.15pm.

COMMUNITY

Highlights from your

Llanferres

Community Council Creation of a New National Park

Natural Resources Wales are currently running a series of events explaining the process they will be going through between now and 2026. They will present their designation order (recommendations) to Welsh Government for consideration and decision on whether a new National Park should be created in Wales or not. They are now in the Engagement period and everyone in the area is being invited to express their views on the proposed land area under consideration. The area is more than double the existing Clywdian Range and Dee Valley AONB’s and spans from the Gronant Dunes and Talacre beach in the north to an area south of Lake Vyrnwy and touches on the Snowdonia National Park. The feedback from this engagement will be assessed and amendments considered in preparation for a full public consultation in 2024. At this stage, the advantages and disadvantages are not being stated as NRW do not want to influence stakeholders’ views in any way. 22

There will need to be a review of planning legislation but it has been suggested that this will make little difference to those already living in the Llanferres area, although NRW did acknowledged permitted development rights within the AONB would likely be affected. Funding arrangements have not yet been finalised but at present National Parks receive a grant from Welsh Government for 75% of the cost and the local authority funds the remaining 25%. However, the local authorities can claim a grant for their 25%, so effectively Welsh Government is funding the full cost either directly or indirectly. If you would like more information or to comment on the proposed area for a new National Park, please visit North East Wales National Parks Designated Projects website.

Local Community Plan

The Council is planning to hold a Public Meeting to establish if the community would like it to develop a Local Community Plan. Details of what this is will be available soon.

Maeshafn Village Road Name

Denbighshire CC have responded to the Councils request to change the Maeshafn road name back to Village Road from Pont y Mwynwr. They have stated that because this has been the official registered name since 2005 and that their policy is for all road names to be in Welsh, they would first need to gain support from Cabinet members and obtain an ‘exception’ to use an English name. If this is granted, a full consultation would need to take place with all households affected to obtain their opinions on whether or not the name should be changed back to ‘Village Road’ or not. This will be a lengthy process. At the moment the address gazetteer records Village Road as an alias name so if the current confusion causes problems for anyone, DCC will provide a letter explaining the situation. Contact Customer Services at Denbighshire CC.

Maeshafn Christmas Tree Lights

Volunteer wanted to check and turn on the lights on the tree on Maeshafn village green this December because Councillor Morgans will not be available to do it this year. If you are interested and happy to provide this service, please contact the Clerk, otherwise there will not be any Christmas lights on the tree this year.

News&Views 254 | November-December 2023

Architect to prepare CONCEPT DRAWINGS for presentation to residents and other interested parties for comment.

Burley Hill Quarry

The Council has been told that the Minerals Officer now has all the information needed to prepare a report and recommendations for submission to the Planning authority but due to the volume of outstanding work, do not know when this will be done.

Road Repairs

The Council is continuing to badger Denbighshire CC to fill in the potholes and resurfaced the road around the S bend and along the main road into Maeshafn.

Councillor Vacancies

There are currently three vacancies for Councillors. If you or anyone you know is interested in joining the Community Council, please contact the Clerk on 01352 810735 or email Clerk. llanferres@gmail.com

Keeping Track

The tree itself is very healthy but is growing too big for the village green. The Council has been asked if it can be cut down but as the tree is not the Councils responsibility, this is a matter for the village community to decide and make appropriate arrangments.

Maes Ysgawen Park Improvements

The grant application to fund the park improvements was submitted to the National Lottery in August and will be considered during the meeting in November. If successful, the Council will then decide whether to go ahead and formally appoint a Landscape

If you want to keep track of progress relating to any of the items above you can do so by attending council meetings, either in person or by TEAMS video conference link, by reading the minutes of each meeting published on the Council’s website www. llanferrescommunitycouncil. org or contacting the council by email clerk.llanferres@ gmail.com or speaking to one of the Councillors. 23

COMMUNITY

Cyngor cymeithas Llanferres Community council Dates of Council Meeting 2023-2024 Contact details for all Llanferres Community Councillors www.llanferrescommunitycouncil.org

MONTH

DAY

DATE

November

Thursday

9th

December

NO MEETING

January 2024

Thursday

11th

February 2024

Thursday

8th

March 2024

Thursday

Meetings are either held in Llanferres Village Hall with remote access available via Teams video conference facilities or Teams video conferencing and start at 7.30pm. Please refer to the Public Notice and Agenda published at least 3 days before each meeting on the Council’s website and noticeboards around the area, for confirmation of how each meeting will be held. All correspondence for Councillors should be addressed to the Clerk Margaret Narburgh Clerk & RFO Tel: 01352 810735 clerk.llanferres@gmail. com

Simon Grice 07881 938 862 contact@simongrice.me

Allan Morgans - Chair 01352 810 735

Huw Williams County Councillor 07545 185 756

Jac Armstrong Vice Chair Tel: 01352 810 259

Amanda Curtis 01352 810 398 Paul Sheldon 07824 099 963

Lyn Gibson 07734 230 846

News&Views 254 | November-December 2023

VILLAGE HALL ACTIVITIES Key contacts and dates of clubs listed below, please contact the organisers if interested in joining: D Tai Chi – (Sundays 6.30pm) Keith Gould 07766132413 D Pilates (Mondays 5.15 and 6.15pm) Janet Booth 07836 601149 D Yoga (Tuesdays 5.30pm) – Jill Blandford 07449 631836

D Bowls (Tuesdays 7.30pm) – Tony McKinstry 01352810506

Village Hall News

ur AGM this year will be on Thursday 16th November at 7.30pm – everyone welcome. We always need new committee members – if interested please contact Gay on: headley889@btinternet.com Other forthcoming events:D Community Council meeting Thursday 9th November at 7.30pm D Garden Club meeting – Monday 13th November at 7.30pm.

New members welcome D Almost Home (Dog’s Charity) Christmas Fair – Sunday 26th November from 10.30am. Well behaved dogs and owners welcome.

D Whist (Wednesdays 6.30pm) – Noel Headley 07836268894 D Karate (Fridays 6.00pm) – www.llanbedrdckarate.com (first class is free)

D Family Bingo (see advert) Friday December 1st at 7.00pm. Great prizes for adults and children. Tea & coffee / bar D School Christmas Fair Friday 8th December from 3.30pm

D Gardening Club (every second Monday of month at 7.30pm) – llanferresgarden club@gmail.com 25

SPORT

Llanferres Badminton Club

he club has had a great start to the new season. The junior club has resumed for the first time since the pandemic and the seniors have had some great early season results in the new leagues established by the North East Wales Badminton League. JUNIOR CLUB Re-establishing the junior club has been quite a challenge

as we have been unable to get facilities at Ruthin Leisure Centre. With great determination the committee has managed to secure the sports hall at Ruthin School. Inevitably the junior members we had back in 2020 have grown up and moved on (some to the senior club) so we were pretty much starting from scratch. A poster and social media campaign resulted in a lot of interest and coaching

is now in full swing. We are now into our 2nd month and players are showing great progress. We have a team in the junior league and look forward to further teams once the beginners get a bit more experience. The club has 5 qualified coaches with another player currently training to become a coach and a further 3 experienced players who help with practice sessions. So all looks good going forward. We still have a few spaces for new members aged 7-15. Further information please contact Claire Halestrap 07980 657496 clairehalestrap@ harrisondd.co.uk SENIOR CLUB The seniors are nearly back to full strength and are recruiting for new members. The club now has 4 mixed teams playing across 3 divisions as

News&Views 254 | November-December 2023

well as 3 women’s teams and 3 men’s teams. It’s early days but so far all teams are doing great. Everyone who wants to play matches is getting lots of match play and there is still plenty of court time for recreational play and practice. If you’ve played before and fancy coming back to the sport or if it is something you have always wanted to try please get in touch. You will be welcome to come along to have a go for up to 3 weeks with no commitment. NEW MEMBERS WELCOME It you are interested in checking us out please contact Hazel or Lara at llanferresbc. sec@gmail.com

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News&Views 254 | November-December 2023

St Berres Church

he church is now closed during the day over the winter months but everyone is welcome every Sunday at 9.30am. Communion every 1st and 3rd Sundays. Our Armistice Commemoration will be on Sunday November 12th in church at 10.15am

and proceeding to the stone for 11.00am – everyone welcome. As in previous years the collection will be donated to the Royal British Legion. Carol service this year will be on Tuesday December 12th at 7pm Bingo! at the village hall on Fri-

day December 1st at 7.30pm (see advert) – doors (and bar) opens at 7.00pm. Lots of great prizes for both adults and children. Thank you to the small team who decorated the church so beautifully for harvest and all those who made donations for Flintshire Food Bank – this year’s collection was a joint effort between the church and Ysgol Bro Famau (Llanferes unit) and was a magnificent 135.9 kilos. Trust 130 – is your home insurance due soon? Why not give Ecclesiastical Insurance a try? Ecclesiastical currently insure all the churches in the Mold Mission Area and our Village Hall. For every policy taken out they will donate £130 to St Berres church, at no additional cost to you. www.ecclesiastical.com/ home-insurance/trust130/

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Christmas Tree Extravaganza St Garmon’s Church, Llanarmon 2nd and 3rd December, 2pm-7pm See our beautiful display of Christmas trees

all kindly sponsored by locals individuals, group and firms

Remember loved ones by dedicating a star on the memory tree Indulge in festive refreshments, treats and mulled wine ADMISSION

Adult £5 Child £3 Includes refreshments.

The display of trees will be left in the church for

COR DEWI SANT CHRISTMAS CONCERT Which will be held on Saturday 16th Dec from 7pm. Some of the potted trees will be taken away to plant around the area afterwards.

AONB

Route improvements from Plymog Layby

s part of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB’s efforts to manage the increasing number of day visits to some of our better known sites the team are embarking on a series of rights of way improvements as identified in the recently commissioned Recreation Plan. The plan identified opportunities to develop a comfort zone in the central Clwydian Range area, providing routes that can be self-led and easily followed from sites other than the

Moel Famau and Loggerheads Country Parks car parks. The Bryn Alyn circular will take people from Plymog (situated on A494) on to a circular route

taking in the iconic Bryn Alyn limestone pavement. Stiles are being replaced wherever possible with Larch kissing gates or pedestrian gates to improve existing access. Another much needed improvement was the stream crossing, known locally as Seven Springs. Heidelberg Materials Aggregates at Cefn Mawr Quarry kindly donated the large limestone rocks to create new and improved stepping stone crossing. Not only has this improved the safety of the crossing but also the picturesque value of this area. www.clwydianrangeand deevalleyaonb.org.uk

News&Views 254 | November-December 2023

The Benefits of Nemophilism Nemophilist: (noun), (plural nemophilists) (rare) One who is fond of forests or forest scenery; a haunter of the woods. The word derives from the Greek ‘nemos,’ grove, and ‘philos,’ affection.

he positive impacts on general health and wellbeing afforded by spending time outdoors and interacting with the natural environment are very well documented indeed. In 1982, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries created the term shinrin-yoku, which translates to “forest bathing” or “absorbing the forest atmosphere.”

The practice encourages people to simply spend time in nature and engage their senses, focussing on sounds, smells, touch etc. It has been scientifically proven to slow the heart rate, lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, free up feelings of happiness and creativity, accelerate recovery from illness and reduce the amount of stress hormones

cortisol and adrenaline produced. The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB is the perfect place to engage in such mindful activities. Although the main “honeypot” sites such as Loggerheads Country Park and Moel Famau can get very busy, there are plenty of quieter spots a bit further from the beaten track which offer the perfect antidote to today’s frenetic pace of life. What could be better than sitting in a woodland, listening to the soothing sounds of a babbling stream and birdsong? The dappled sunlight playing through the leaves… Feeling a soft breeze on your face… Smelling the damp earth smell or “geosmin”. Geosmin comes from the ancient Greek “geo”, meaning earth, and “osme”, meaning smell. According to a study carried out by Kent University, earthy, woody smells play an important role in delivering wellbeing from interacting with nature. By opening our senses, it bridges the gap between us and the natural world. But don’t take my word for it… Get your boots on and head out into the countryside. Inhale the crisp fresh air and gaze at the vivid autumnal colours and above all, enjoy these benefits afforded by having the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB on your doorstep. Saul Burton Countryside Ranger Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

GROWING AGENDA

News&Views 254 | November-December 2023

Last harvest & late sowing Winter is fast upon us and, and the main growing season will soon be over here at PerthY Wrach Farm, but there are still some late sowings, more harvests and preserving to do, and indoor crops to tend.

t’s not to late to plant garlic or overwintered broad beans. Direct sow your broad beans as late as early December, aiming for seedlings of about 5cm high going into winter. These will hopefully give you a lovely early crop of delicious broad beans a few weeks earlier than sowings made in the new year. Garlic can be sown any time between October and early December. Make sure you sow a softneck variety if you want to plait them up to use until the following

spring. We’ve gone for organic Thermidrome garlic bulbs this year which are meant to cope well with our moist Welsh winters, and the juicy bulbs will be in our veg boxes throughout next season. We’ve had a great year for beetroots with loads left in the ground, which we will harvest by the end of November. We love to can these, so we can eat home grown beets all through the winter. We can them in a brine of cider vinegar, sea salt and honey. Home canning isn’t that compli-

cated, you basically submerge your canning jars containing the cooked beets and brine in boiling water for 10 minutes and as the jars cool it creates an air tight seal, just like cans bought from the supermarket. According to the Amish lady on you tube from whom I learnt this, they will last several years! We also like to Kraut some winter cabbages that we pull in November and December so we can enjoy sauerkraut all through the winter to. We do a really simple method pulverizing a cabbage and a couple of tablespoons of sea salt with our fists until it releases all its juices. Then jar it up making sure all the cabbage is covered by juice. Leave it to ferment for a couple of weeks in the kitchen, and then store in a cool place over winter. The resultant sauerkraut is full of probiotic bacteria which aids gut health, as-well as being delicious. And then there’s the polytunnel. Any September/ October sown winter salads and brassicas should be planted out by mid November, and should crop all the way through to April when they will bolt. We like mizuna, mibuna, mustards, spinach and winter lettuces for there hardiness and prolificacy. With a covering of fleece as added protection ours survived the big freeze last winter and went on to give us more salad than we new what to do with from February to April! Paul Eaton Perth Y Wrach Farm

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OUTDOOR

Llanferres

Parish Gardening Club

irstly we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who supported the 47th Annual Show, whether it was as an exhibitor, a visitor, a club member or even (or especially) a judge, you all helped to make it a resounding success! The members worked tirelessly organising everything on the run up to the day, setting up the hall on Friday evening and then again on the big day itself, making sure that everything ran as smoothly as possible.

Numbers were up on previous years for competitors, entries and visitors alike, reaffirming the show as a definite fixture in the community calendar. It was helped by the fact that that the weather was perfect, the tea was flowing and everyone was in the mood for digging deep into their pockets during the produce auction at the end of the day. Yvonne did a great job of persuading us to part with our cash and Ged will henceforth be known as the marrow pusher, adding a free marrow or cooking apples to every purchase… The proceeds (kindly rounded

off to £170 by a member) have been donated to Cae Rhug Holistic Farm to help with the very special work they do with gardening for children as a healing therapy. We are looking forward to a group

News&Views 254 | November-December 2023

with other stray members for a few rounds to test your general, (occasionally gardenflavoured) knowledge. Once more there will be a shared buffet (please bring a plate of something) and a glass or two of wine or tea/coffee, as you prefer.

January Annual Sunday Lunch

visit to the farm sometime in the future or maybe a talk at one of our meetings next year, so watch this space for more information.

The next four meetings will be as follows:

We have recently held our AGM which was well attended, (again thank you). The committee members all agreed to remain in office for the next year, (now that the newbies are getting to grips with how it all works!). It was agreed that after a year of no membership fees followed by a year of £5 membership fees, that we would restore the annual subscription to the pre-pandemic cost of £10 per annum, beginning in January 2024, this should enable us to have a wider choice of speakers/events for our programme of monthly meetings. Any non-member guests joining us for any of the talks will pay a contribution of £2 for the evening.

This will be a guided workshop, materials will be provided including some foliage but participants are encouraged to bring their own plant material if they have it and any extra that can be shared amongst others. There is a limit of 20 participants so if you haven’t already booked a space but would like to join in, please email Ann on: llanferresgardenclub@gmail. com You are also welcome to come along as an observer if you prefer to just come for the tea and chat.

Monday November 13th Wreath making workshop

Monday December 11th Fun Quiz and buffet

Another social event… Please come along with you own team (ideally of 4 people) or join up

Yes it’s yet another social event! (when do we find time to dig? I hear you ask…). Details of this will be emailed out to all members as soon as they’re available, alternatively keep a lookout on our Facebook page for more information.

February 12th 2024 Show meeting

This is the meeting when we discuss all things Annual Show. This will be a super important one as 2024 sees the 50 year anniversary since the foundation of the club and we’d like this year’s show to reflect this very special milestone, any input from either club members or the community will be gratefully received. We would like to wish all News & Views readers a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. For more information please email: llanferresgardenclub@ gmail.com Follow, ‘like’ or message on: Facebook @llanferresparish gardeningclub 35

OUTSIDE LIVES OUTDOOR

Outside Lives are thrilled to announce a series of exciting fundraising events over the next few months aimed at supporting our mission to acquire a new mini bus. These events promise not only to be entertaining but also to make a positive impact on our community. Mark your calendars for a day of fun-

What’s been happening with

Outside Lives

Outside Lives Fundraising Update

In October we held our Bingo event to raise money for our very own community mini bus! It was an unforgettable evening filled with laughter, fun, and surprises! Raising a whopping £535!! We want to say a BIG thank you to the people in our community who kindly donated all the prizes for the evening. It was more than just a fundraiser; it was a night of community, sharing, and 36

feasting. A special shout-out to everyone who brought a plate of delicious food to share for our extra special ‘Come Dine with Us’ Bingo event. Your culinary talents truly made the evening even more delightful! It’s moments like these that make us appreciate the incredible community we have. Thank you all for coming together, having fun, and contributing to a fantastic cause. Your generosity and enthusiasm are what make our events so special.

News&Views 254 | November-December 2023

filled fundraising at ASDA supermarket in Queensferry on November 25th and some fantastic coffee mornings at the Daniel Owen Centre in Mold on November 11th and December 16th.

contribution, big or small, will make a significant impact. Let’s come together as a community to support a cause that will benefit us all. Spread the Word: Share our events on social media, at work, and within your community. The more people involved, the closer we get to reaching our fundraising target.

Xmas Events

Coffee Morning Fundraiser Saturday 11th November and Saturday 16th December Daniel Owen Centre, Mold 9 am - 11.30 am Join us at the Daniel Owen Centre in Mold for some brews, homemade cakes and snacks. Our team of volunteers will be on hand for a chat and some fun fundraising games. A great community event for everyone to get together and raise some money. No need to book, just drop in.

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to embrace the festive spirit than by joining in the joyous community Christmas events hosted in Mold Rugby Club? This year, we’re bringing together the magic of the season with two fantastic gatherings that promise to warm your hearts and fill your spirits with cheer. From a delightful Xmas Craft Fair showcasing local handmade gifts to a festive “Come Dine With Us” Christmas party, there’s something for everyone.

Xmas Craft Fair - Local Handmade Gifts Galore! Wednesday, November 29th, 10 am - 2 pm at Mold Rugby Club Kickstart your holiday shopping at our Xmas Craft Fair, where local artisans will showcase their handmade treasures. Join us for a festive celebration of creativity and craftsmanship. Explore a wide array of locally crafted gifts, from unique ornaments to hand-knit scarves and one-ofa-kind decorations. This is the perfect opportunity to support local talent while finding

Community Spirit in Action Fundraising November 25th 9 am - 3 pm at ASDA Queensferry Join us at ASDA supermarket in Queensferry on November 25th for a day of community bonding and fundraising. Our team will be there with smiles, enthusiasm, and a variety of engaging activities to involve everyone in the spirit of giving. We’ll have donation stations, interactive games, and a chance to learn more about our mini bus campaign. Every 37

OUTSIDE LIVES

News&Views 254 | November-December 2023

meaningful, handmade presents for your loved ones. Enjoy the festive ambiance, sip on hot cocoa, and dive into the holiday spirit surrounded by the warmth of community. “Come Dine With Us” Xmas Party Wednesday, December 13th, 7 - 10 pm at Mold Rugby Club Celebrate the season of giving and sharing at our “Come Dine With Us” Christmas party on Wednesday, December 13th, from 7 to 10 pm. Gather your friends, family, and neighbours for an evening of festive delights at Mold Rugby Club. Indulge in a delicious vegetarian buffet. As we come together to celebrate, we invite you to bring a dish to share a potluck-style gathering that truly embodies the spirit of community and togetherness. Enjoy good company, festive music, and the joy of sharing a meal with those around you. This is free to attend but a booking must be made. 38

Social Business Wales Award

October saw a special moment for Outside Lives as we had the honour of representing our community at the Senedd in Cardiff. We were thrilled to receive the ‘Building diversity, inclusion, equality, and social justice’ award from Social Business Wales. One question we often hear is, “So who is Outside Lives for?” Our answer is crystal clear – EVERYONE! We believe in the power of inclusivity, welcoming people of all ages

and abilities. We’re an eclectic group of individuals, and our ‘whole community’ approach is at the heart of everything we do. We firmly believe that every single person plays a vital role in the grand tapestry of Outside Lives. We don’t see people as receivers, dependents, or service users. We see each of us as unique individuals, each bringing our own set of skills, talents, experiences, and assets to our community. Together, we create something truly magical! Think of us as an ecosystem – each and every one of us doing our own thing and, when combined, making something extraordinary happen. We are incredibly grateful for this recognition, and we couldn’t have achieved it without the amazing individuals who make up Outside Lives! www.outsidelivesltd.org

SCAN ME!

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Closing January Closed for Major major «refurbishment»