NEWSVIEWS252

Race Up the Beast

Clwydian Summer Time

Our North Wales community is thriving; united by creativity, sports and mutual support. From challenging races that push boundaries to art exhibitions that capture the essence of the region, and clubs that foster talent and inspire growth, the residents embrace the advantages life here offers. The events and clubs reflect the heart of a community dedicated to creating lasting connections and celebrating the richness of our surroundings.

Conquering The Beast:

The renowned “Beast” race, organised by the Clwydian Range Runners, took place on June 7th in Maeshafn. This exhilarating event attracted participants of all ages and skill levels, united by their love for hill and mountain running. The spirit of adventure continues to soar throughout this long summer.

Spotlight on Eryrys Pop up Gallery:

On July 23rd, art enthusiasts are invited to the Eryrys Popup Gallery, showcasing the captivating work of local artist Alison Bradley. Her plein air paintings beautifully capture the natural beauty of North Wales, providing a unique opportunity to witness her creative process and immerse oneself in the enchanting rural landscapes.

Preserving History and Embracing the Future at the Butchers Arms:

With a remarkable 115-year history, the Butchers Arms pub holds deep roots in the community. Originally a miners’ pub, it has

weathered the storms of time, serving as a gathering place for locals seeking respite and camaraderie. It continues to thrive, symbolizing resilience, warmth, and the enduring spirit of this close-knit community.

Nurturing Talents and Inspiring Growth: The JKS Llanbedr Dc Karate Club, led by experienced instructors, has evolved into a thriving institution. Offering classes for all ages and abilities, the club’s recent affiliation with JKS Wales opens doors to new opportunities for growth and development. Their dedication to inclusivity and community-oriented sportsmanship makes them a shining example for individuals of all backgrounds.

Blooming Gardens and Green Fingers: The local gardening club nurtures a sense of community among enthusiasts. With classes catering to both seasoned gardeners and beginners, the club fosters a shared love for vibrant colors and fragrant blooms. From serious growers to those starting their horticultural journey, the gardening club inspires camaraderie and a passion for nature’s beauty.

All this and more with news from your councillors, schools and businesses can be found inside.

Thanks again to all contributors advertisers and distributors.

Sandrine and Dominic

Race Up the Beast In Maeshafn

with the Clwydian Range Runners

On June 7th, the idyllic afternoon set the stage for the highly anticipated encounter with The Beast, an infamous annual race held in Maeshafn. The event is organized by Dan Hurst and the Clwydian Range Runners, a friendly group of running enthusiasts who delight in conquering the hills and mountains of North Wales while fostering a spirit of relaxation and enjoyment in hill and mountain running.

Part of a race series supported by the Welsh Fell Runners Association, The Beast takes place on Wednesdays between June and July. Other races in the series include the Hot Foot Up in Moel Famau on June 14th, The Druid on July 5th , the Green Green Grass on July 19th, and the Ponderosa on July 26th. Additionally, a winter version of the race, called the Dash in the Dark, is held in Llandegla on November 3rd. Participants, numbering 83, gathered on the Maeshafn playing field for registration. People of all ages and skill

levels, representing both running clubs and individual entrants, joined in. Due to refurbishments, the usual meeting point at the Miners Arms was temporarily closed. The £4 admission fees collected not only went towards prizes but also served as donations to NEWSAR (North East Wales Search And Rescue), aiding in raising awareness of their crucial work and ensuring their presence throughout the race to provide assistance if needed.

The race covered a challenging

course of 7.5km, ascending to an altitude of 430m. Runners navigated through the Big Covert, circumvented Burley Hill Quarry, and faced the most arduous segment on Bryn Alyn, where they had to scramble uphill using their hands before making their way back to Maeshafn. The current record for the fastest male participant stands at an impressive 36 minutes, while the record for the fastest female participant is 46 minutes. Notably, an 83-yearold participant has showcased remarkable endurance and determination.

Joel Gnomes emerged as the triumphant winner of this edition, completing the race in a remarkable 37 minutes. Joel received a well-deserved trophy, along with refreshing beverages and some chocolates. Additionally, the largest group of participants was awarded a generous 50kg bag of potatoes to share among themselves.

For further details on upcoming races, please refer to the Clwydian Range Runners Facebook page or visit their website at clwydianrangerunners.co.uk

Jodie, 18 years old, Chester

How did you hear about the Beast?

I found out about it through Facebook. One of my coaches from West Cheshire Athletics Club posted about it, and it caught my interest.

Why are you participating?

The race is relatively local, not too far away. I simply enjoy trail running, so I thought I’d give it a try. I did it for the first time last year and finished in about 51 minutes.

What do you like about it?

It’s just different, you know? The scenery is fantastic, and running in a scenic environment is always enjoyable compared to running on flat roads. It adds a level of interest to the experience.

Debbie, 65 years old, Frodsham, Helby Club

How did you hear about the race? By the running club. It’s part of their competition. It’s part of their competition and club events. We have many social runs. I’ve already done the Beat five or six times in the past.

So what was your best timing here?

I don’t know. I just come for the scenery!! I enjoy the race as I’ve done it before. And I love the hills, the mountains? I like to run different place…

Sean, 32 years old, Runcorn, individual runner

Why do you like to come to the race? One of the main reasons is that it’s a local race, and the entry fee is affordable at £4. It’s a fantastic

event with plenty of climbs. I’ve only done it once before, but there’s nothing quite like running on trails when the sun is shining.

What is the hardest part of it ? This year the challenge is to finish, as last year, I got to the top of the second climb but got picked up by an ambulance because I rolled my ankle… put me out for six weeks!!

Derek, 58 years old, Spital-Wirral, Wirral Vikings club

How did you hear about the race? It’s something I’ve done in the previous years. I’ve not done it since covid. So with it being a nice evening, I thought it was a good opportunity to get out the house and stretch my legs.

What do you like about it?

I like this part of the world? Like I say, it’s better than just sitting in the house of an evening. You get out, get some exercise, see some nice countryside.

Do you run regulary?

A couple of times a week. So I’ll be nowhere near the front. I’ll be, uh, somewhere near the back. But I’ll enjoy myself and, maybe have a beer or something afterwards just to reward myself.

So what do you think is the best side of the race? The finish is the best, and I guess the worst bits of the hills. But they’re quite character building and a bit of a scramble here and there. But like I say, you just do your best and just go for it!

The Butchers Arms

A Proud Family Heritage spanning 115 years

John

What is the history of the Butchers Arms?

This pub is now 115 years old. Originally, it was a miners’ pub, and my grandmother used to open it at 5.30 in the morning for the miners to get beer to take down the coal pit behind the pub. They would take beer down the pit because the water wasn’t safe to drink.

My grandmother was here through World War I and World War II. She and my grandfather had the premises together. She lost her husband when he was only 43, but she carried on with the help of my mother and my dad.

How many children did your grandmother have?

She had three children: my mother, Annie; my uncle Frank; and my auntie Gladys, but they all went their separate

ways. My grandmother died in 1960, and my mum and dad took over the place. They had it for 15 years, and then I took over in 1975.

What was it like growing up in a pub?

Mainly work. I went to Mold school, and when I was eleven, I went to Ruthin school. The bus would bring me back here in the afternoon, but I

didn’t help my parents in the evenings. I didn’t do anything in the pub. It just wasn’t my scene. I was more into farming, and I pursued that side. I used to raise poultry, and by the age of 20, I had a flock of 5000 birds. I also milked cows. That’s why the milk churns outside the pub, from when there was a milk stand.

I then had my own children, and I raised them in the same pub as their parents, their grandparents, and their greatgrandparents. We had Karen and Colin. Karen is the boss now. We are all just passing through, but the walls are still standing.

What do you like about the business?

I have met lots of very nice people, and I’m meeting new people all the time. We meet people from various nationalities because we welcome motor-homes. I do it because I enjoy it. If I didn’t have anything else to do, I think I would go mad!

How did you cope through Covid?

We did a lot of the work that needed to be done in the place. We decorated inside and out. We did a lot of repair work with the help of my grandchildren. They helped me a lot by giving me a hand to paint the place. It was enjoyable, to be honest. I missed the customers, of course, and we were very restricted, so we had to just carry on with the tidying and the repairs. It may have been

Arthur Whitley, a miner from Treuddyn, took the license of the Butchers Arms, Nercwys, on the 7th October 1907. More than a century later, Richard Whitley Jones, the grandson of John and his daughter Karen continue to keep the famous pub’s family tradition alive.

different if we didn’t have the support from the government.

What is the hardest part of being a landlord?

I bought the place in 1991. It was the best thing I did because I could go anywhere to buy the beer. I was no longer tied to the brewery. It is a lot better to buy outside than from the breweries. Before, we had been tied to Burtonwood Brewery. They were very good, but they wouldn’t spend money on the property. At the time, the rent was realistic, so it was manageable. Then things changed. Things started to go downhill. They wanted to sell off many of their pubs. I was in a position to be able to buy this place, and it was the best thing I’ve ever done! I think it would have been closed by now if it had been run by them. Companies like that are not actually breweries anymore. They are more like consortiums, and they charge for everything. They make sure they take a cut on the

beer sold. They wouldn’t have helped at all, which is wrong. It’s totally wrong. I do feel sorry for a lot of pubs that are tied.

What events do you host?

Back in the day, this was a singing pub. We had a piano going every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. If you arrived at 8 o’clock, you couldn’t get in as it was so crowded! Today, we have karaoke and a quiz. The quiz is held on the first Friday of the month and is very well supported. A lot of people enjoy the quiz. We do all sorts of things. On the last Saturday of the month, we have an open-mic karaoke night too. We do what we can to attract

people, and these events are very popular.

How did you get into ClayPigeon Shooting?

I got into it quite a number of years ago (1978/79), and it has just snowballed from there. I have kept on doing it. We went to Germany in 1982 when Mold was twinned with Minton in Germany. We were there to represent the area for shooting, and we had a competition over there. People who want to give it a try have to book a session. Beginners are welcome, even those who have never shot before. We show them how to hold the gun and teach them how to aim and fire.

What is your advice for younger people looking to get into the pub game?

If you can’t buy the place, forget it. Don’t get involved with any breweries or consortia. They offer you the earth, but it never works out like that. It’s a very tiring occupation, and they think you just sit behind the bar, and that’s it. But it’s not like that. It’s about keeping the place clean, decorating, managing, and organizing things. It has been very rewarding for me, but you have to do everything, and it’s not easy. Running costs now, including electric and heating, have gone absolutely silly. These prices are going over the top, so it is very hard. I know I am lucky not being tied to a brewery, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

www.facebook.com/

TheButchersArmsNercwys

Alison Bradley Brushstrokes of Rural Beauty

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of rural landscapes in North Wales at the Eryrys Popup Gallery on July 23rd. This exclusive event is an opportunity to witness the creative process first-hand and engage in conversation with Alison Bradley, a talented local artist. With her marvellous artwork capturing the essence of the region’s natural beauty, prepare to be mesmerized by Alison’s artwork.

How did you become such a renowned North Wales Artist and what is your artistic background?

I studied Art and Design in Nottingham and Textile Design at University in Manchester. Moving to Wales in 2004 inspired me to pick up my brushes and paint the landscape, and the farmers with their livestock. From meeting customers at rural fairs and farmers markets, and exhibiting at the RCA, I developed a following and in 2008 I opened a gallery of my work in Betws-y-coed with my

partner Jon, which we later moved to Chester.

What is your working method and your favourite materials?

I enjoy observational drawing and painting in the landscape,

and I often develop the sketches into larger pieces in the studio. I also take some reference photographs as memory joggers for when I’m back at base. I work mainly in oils or charcoal, but also use pastels and gouache.

What is your most successful work or your favorite subject?

My favorite subject tends to be whatever I’m currently working on. I become absorbed in a painting and then move on to the next one. I don’t really have a favorite subject, but am inspired by the seasons and changing weather in the landscapes around me.

What does it mean to be an artist in North Wales and what is so inspiring about the region?

I made North Wales my home nearly 20 years ago and found it had a rich artistic history with artists either from the area, or travelling here to paint the striking landscape. It is fascinating to visit some of the places painted by these artists

over the centuries, and then give my own contemporary interpretation. There is a thriving artistic community in Wales today and I’m looking forward to joining others for “Hidden Talents” in Eryrys.

You have your own gallery but how difficult is the path of an artist to be able to live off their art?

It is important to find the people who have a connection with your art. My customers are people who love the mountains, coast

and landscapes of the places I paint such as North Wales, The Lake District and Yorkshire, and the rural ways of life there. We have always made an effort to meet with our

customers and have found selling directly to them at the gallery a good way of building relationships. We always aim to give the best service we can at the gallery, and love it when we get the opportunity to go the extra mile for someone.

You also propose a framing service. Can you give us some details?

My partner Jon runs a bespoke framing service for my work or other pieces. We have an extensive selection of frames, including contemporary aluminium and the very finest swept frames. We use museum quality pure-cotton mountboards and extra-clear specialist art glass to enhance and protect the artwork.

Is there any other way –outside of your gallery –where people can meet you and watch you at work?

I don’t do many events outside the gallery, but I will be displaying my work at “Hidden Talents” at Canolfan Dewi Sant on Sunday 23rd July, 11am –3pm.

Apart from that, it is always a pleasure to chat with people I bump into when I’m out painting plein air.

The tradition of Karate in Llanferres

Step into the Dojo of Llanferres and discover the world of Llanbedr DC Karate Club and be guided by its experienced instructors. Here we explore the reasons why this noble martial art should be embraced - from its rich traditions to its profound benefits for personal growth, self-defence, and physical fitness and give yourself the opportunity to embark on a journey and experience the essence of Karate.

What is the story of the JKS Llanbedr DC Karate Club?

Llanbedr DC Karate club

was formed by Sensei’s Stu Needham and Dave Scregg and Phil Manning in 2010. All of the instructors have a wealth of experience and are clocking up around 100 years experience between them. Initially the club just taught kids but then developed a senior class.

Over the years the club has grown and in 2020 they joined JKS Wales and became affiliated with Japan. In the more recent years Sensei Ryan

Moore who competes for Wales has joined the trio as a club instructor.

Why did you decide to create a new group in Llanferres?

Llanferres was an option we considered a few years back but our member base wasn’t as strong as it is at present. We currently have a number of students that live in the Llanferres area and as such felt now would be a good time to create a further night at this location. This will provide further opportunities to train for our current members and potential access to the club for people of the Llanferres area.

Are you affiliated to a national club?

We are affiliated to the JKS which is a club based in Japan. More locally we are affiliated to JKS Wales. This provides our students the opportunity to travel the world training if they wish. The club is also affiliated to

the Welsh Karate Governing Body (WKGB) which allows members to compete in world events. Sensei Ryan has recently represented Wales in the karate commonwealth games.

What kind of Karate do you practice? What is Kata?

We practice traditional Shotokan Karate as taught at the hombu dojo in Japan. Kata is a Japanese word that translates as form. It is a pattern of moves which students have to complete in order to grade. Some

also choose to do kata at competition level. How does it work in terms of competition with other clubs? There are a few traditional karate clubs in the local area but very few that act on a non profit basis. We are not a business and all of the money taken is pumped back in to the club for the development of students. All instructors have their own jobs so the club is

LLANFERRES BADMINTON CLUB : JUNIOR SECTION

Our junior badminton club will be restarting in September in Ruthin on Thursday early evening

We have a limited number of places available for 7-15 yr olds

To register your interest and for more information please message Claire Halestrap: clairehalestrap@harrisondd.co.uk

not a form of income for them. All instructors have been members of similar clubs in their younger years and take a lot out of seeing the students progress, some being placed at world events. It is a real family feel to the club and it is this ethos that attracts the majority of members. A number of students have come to us from other clubs that charge extortionate monthly fees. We pride ourselves on charging a fee which hasn’t increased since we opened the club.

How can people join the club? Can a debutant of any age join?

We are insured to teach people age 4+. We teach people of all backgrounds and all abilities. We cater our classes to involve all persons.

Can you describe the benefits of the art for the young and old?

For some karate is seen as a form of self defence, for others they come just to keep active. A lot enjoy the friendship and social aspect of the club. There is something for everyone and you can train as much or as little as you want. It all depends on what you want to get out of it. As an example, this weekend a number of members are travelling to South Wales to train. This is optional but those that attend will enjoy meeting more like minded people and benefiting from the expertise of a high ranking guest instructor that will be in attendance.

www.llanbedrdckarate.com

Parc Llanferres Park update

Coronation BBQ in the Park

Thank you to all those turning up for the event on 28th May, and special thanks to Ged, Joe and Jack for their efforts to rebuild the BBQ in readiness - it worked perfectly. The BBQ is there for all to use - safelyso please feel free to make the most of the facility and park, and naturally cleaning up afterwards so its clean and ready for the next event!

Annual General Meeting

Thu 29th June at 7pm

This is a critical meeting for the whole community - for the safe running of the playground and park - for which we, as a registered charity, need a strong membership. So please be ready to sign up, at any time if year, whether you

can make the AGM or notTHANK YOU!

Gifted Coronation Coins

As a gesture of goodwill, and in the interest of fostering children to take ownership and responsibility (through their parents) for the park and playground, using National Lottery funding we have gifted a commemorative Coronation Coin to families with children in the community. There is limited supply but if you have not yet received one please send an email to Sean Thomas at seathomas99@ymail,com to check availability.

Mountain Bike Marshalling

On weekend of 16/17 September this is our biggest fund raiser so please keep these

days free to volunteer your time to help raise fundsremember we need £2000+ per annum to keep the park and playground safe and open to the public. Keep an eye on social media closer to the date for help.

It’s a great event to help out with, so please make this commitment if you do nothing else!

Guy Fawkes event

Probably Sat 4th Nov we hope to repeat the success of last years event with activiies in the hall, a lantern parade and fireworks in the park. This will need Volunteers to make it a success, and will probably be a ticket only event this time, so watch out for further updates over next few months.

Llanferres Parish Gardening Club

Whilst we don’t mean to wish away the summer, preparations for our annual show in September are increasingly underway both behind the scenes and hopefully in the garden too.

The schedules are officially out and about and if you haven’t had one delivered, they are available to pick up in and around the parish, at the Druid, Café Florence and in various phone boxes and on noticeboards. They are also available to download from the Gardening Club FaceBook page.

There are lots of different classes available, indeed something for everyone, from the serious flower and veg grower to the more ‘havea-go’ amongst us including, (cue spotlight) the Largest Marrow class! Several of us already have our marrows planted and the rivalry will only intensify as September approaches…

One of our judges, Kathy Flint, came to our May meeting to

give us a talk on Floral Art, she gave us sound advice on everything from prepping plant material for use in arrangements (conditioning), to the sizes and shapes of containers available, she also suggested alternative materials to use in place of oasis (not very sustainable!) to hold arrangements in place. Kathy is extremely knowledgeable and was able to put things across in a clear and concise way, (all those years of teaching paid off!), even the more subjective

aspects such as form, colour and artistry. She explained what a judge might be looking for in a winning arrangement. All in all it was a very enlightening evening and even some of our more sceptical members sat up and took notice and many of us left thinking that maybe we could have a shot at doing that afterall…

June 25th will see our coach trip to RHS Bridgewater in Salford in lieu of the usual meeting and we will be reporting on that in the

following issue of N&V’s. The Community Council have generously donated £150 towards the cost of this trip and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them, we are very grateful

for their support. The July meeting will be an outing to visit the Community Garden in Gellifor, Iola Quinn who instigated this project, gave us a thoroughly inspiring talk about the creation of

the garden at our November meeting last year and this visit will provide us with an opportunity to see the garden in all its glory and to chat to the volunteers from the community who help maintain it. Hopefully it will inspire some ideas for the development of Maes Ysgawen and how we can be a part of it and help make a difference in our own community.

The date for the visit has yet to be decided so look out for more details coming soon either via your inbox (if you are subscribed to our email list) or via the FB page.

@llanferresparishgardeningclub

email: llanferresgardenclub@ gmail.com

Highlights from your

Safety Appeal to Prevent Flooding from Maes Ysgawen Park

We all love to see and hear children playing outdoors, particularly when they are being creative and adventurous. Recently they have been throwing tree branches and logs into the stream running along the boundary between the park and the playing field and building dams to stem the flow of water – great fun for them! At the moment water levels in the stream are low and their playing has only caused minor flooding so no harm done. However, when it rains, the stream becomes a torrent of fast flowing water with a very real risk of major flooding both in the park and onto Cae Gwen road and the property opposite. So without being a ‘kill joy,’ can you PLEASE, PLEASE ask your children to take care not to block the water flow in order to reduce the risk of flooding.

New Councillor Dawn Skelhorn

The Council welcomed Dawn Skelhorn as a community councillor in May taking

the number of councillor members to seven out of a compliment of nine. Dawn is a keen advocate of setting up a community garden in Maes Ysgawen park to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers. You can join the Community Garden Facebook page group to just follow the feed or add your views to the discussion.

Opportunities for Young People

The Council is running an advertising campaign aimed at young people aged between 15 and 26 years old encouraging them have their say in what they would like to see within the community. Working alongside Councillors, this will provide individuals with valuable career building skills and experience – always a useful addition to a CV.

If you or anyone you know is interested in this new initiative, please contact the Clerk on 01352 810735 or email Clerk. llanferres@gmail.com

Maes Ysgawen Park

Improvements

Plans to improve Maes Ysgawen park are progressing

well with the committee having obtained quotes from landscape architects to produce drawings and material specifications. A grant application has been submitted to AONB’s Sustainable Development Fund to part fund the cost of the professional fees associated with this development and further grant applications will be submitted in due course to various other grant providers to cover capital costs. It will be at least 16 weeks before we know if the applications have been successful and the Council can move on to the next stage.

There is still time to voice your views and opinions on the planned improvements through contacting the Clerk, attending sub-committee meetings and joining the Community Garden Group Facebook page.

Darren Millar, Member of Welsh Parliament for Clwyd West

The Council welcomed Darren Millar to its general meeting on 8th June who answered many questions from the general public and Councillors. It was most interesting to lean that: He is still lobbying government to take steps to reduce speeding along the A494 through Loggerheads and he is as frustrated as the community is on the length of time it is taking to see any progress. But perhaps of more important

note, is the introduction of the new Clean Air Act which makes provision for Councils to introduce charges for using Welsh trunk roads. The A55 has already been identified as a potential candidate for tolls but plans could drift onto other roads such as the A494. Members of all political parties are concerned that this will push traffic onto unsuitable routes and are lobbying Welsh Government to consider the adverse effects of such action. This, along with the introduction of the 20-mph speed limit in September makes for some costly and uncomfortable travelling in Wales.

Woodpile habitat created from fallen tree

Removal of Dead and Overhanging Trees

The tree brought down by heavy snow along the boundary of Maes Ysgawen park and the playing field earlier in the year, has been removed and some of the logs used to build a woodpile for wildlife habitat in the boggy area at the back of the park. It will be interesting to see what takes up residence.

A tree surgeon has been employed to remove some branches along this same boundary overhanging play equipment in Llanferres playing field and further work is planned in the autumn to remove more dead trees that are in danger of falling over, and prune back overgrown hedges and shrubs in anticipation of being able to improve the park.

Burley Hill Quarry Update

There does not appear to have been any further developments since the last report or date set for the full committee meeting.

Keeping Track

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 llanferrescommunitycouncil. org or contacting the council by email clerk.llanferres@ gmail.com

Join Llanferres Community Council

C ! O M M N I T Y U

Have you consider becoming a Councillor for Llanferres Community Council?

If so, why not join Llanferres Community Council?

For more information please contact the Clerk on 01352 810735 or email clerk.llanferres@gmail.com

What’s Involved

The council meets every second Thursday of each month except August, in Llanferres village hall or by video conference facility. Its’ role in the community is to:

• Read correspondence received during the course of the month and decides how to respond

• Comment on local planning applications

• Agree actions to ensure community assets are well maintained

• Considers new projects that will benefit the community Meetings usually last between one and two hours.

To qualify to become a local Councillor you will need to be:

D A British citizen, an eligible

Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of any member state of the European Union or a qualifying foreign citizen

D Over 18 years of age and meet at least one of the following criteria:

D registered as a local government elector in the Llanferres area; or

D have lived in the area as an owner or tenant of land or premises during the last 12 months; or

D your principal or only place of work has been in the area during the last 12 months or

D you have lived within 4.8 kilometers (3 miles) of the outer boundary of the area for the last 12 months.

Certain people are disqualified from standing

These include:

D paid officers of the community council

D anyone subject to bankruptcy restriction orders

D those subject to recent prison sentances

A special message from Ann Jahn

“I would like to sincerely thank all the people who have sent me cards and gifts wishing me a speedy recovery after fracturing my shoulder and hip after tripping and falling over a kerb.

I would like to say a special thank you to Angela and Peter who were passing in their car and stopped to offer assistance and to all those who made me as comfortable as possible whilst waiting for the ambulance.

A special big thank you to my husband Douglas who has been my carer but has also taken on the roll of head cook and cleaner without complaint.”

Cyngor cymeithas Llanferres

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 www.llanferrescommunitycouncil.org and noticeboards around the area, for confirmation of how each meeting will be held.

www.llanferrescommunitycouncil.org

All correspondence for Councillors should be addressed to the Clerk

Margaret Narburgh Clerk & RFO Tel: 01352 810735 clerk.llanferres@ gmail.com

Allan Morgans - Chair 01352 810 735

Jac Armstrong Vice Chair Tel: 01352 810 259

Simon Grice: 07881 938 862 contact@simongrice. me

Amanda Curtis01352 810 398

Paul Sheldon 07824 099 963

Huw Williams County Councillor 07545 185 756

Lyn Gibson 01352 810735

Dawn Skelhorn 01352 810422 or 07483 291108

Llanferres Playing Field & Recreation Association

Secretary, Mrs Ceri Barton thomas_ceri@hotmail.co.uk

www.facebook.com/LPFRA

Maeshafn & Mynydd Isa Cricket Club

Jonathan Fagan Tel: 07500 704441

Old People’s Welfare Committee

Chair, Yvonne Foden-McCorry Tel: 01352 218 315 yvmccorry@gmail.com

Outside Lives

Lucy Powell Tel: 07887 732555 or 07939 655374

PTFA Ysgol Bro Famau

Charlotte Jaggard Tel: 01352 810357

Badminton Club

Claire Halestrap clairehalestrap@harrisondd.co.uk

Bowling Club

Tony Mc Kinstry Tel: 01352 810 506

Church Rev’d Daniel Stroud, The New Rectory, Rectory Lane, Llanferres, CH7 5SR. Tel: 01352 810694

Kathy Stewart kathy12oct@sky.com

Church Wardens

Anne Woodward Tel: 810270

Rob Amstrong Tel: 01352 810259

Lay Readers

Wendy Shillito shillitofamily@yahoo.co.uk

Clwydian Range Runners

Chairman Gareth Jaggard Tel. 01352 810357 clwydianrangerunners@ hotmail.com

Country Park Painters

Pat Armstrong. Tel: 01352 810259

Gardening Club

Ann Catherall - 07745712340

June Healy - 07810000129

Lyn Gibson - 07734230846

Village Hall News

Final tally from the recent Coronation concert, highlighted in the last magazine, raised a magnificent £1,300 split equally between church funds and Playing Fields. Thanks to everyone who supported the event. In addition to our regular weekly club activities, a new Shotokan karate group have

started on Fridays at 6.30pm. Contact Ryan on 07414 823186 for details. Beginners are made very welcome and the first class is free!

www.llanbedrdckarate.com

Future events –Playing Fields AGM on Thursday June 29th at 7.30pm – all local residents welcome

Almost Home Summer

Tai Chi Club Keith Gould - 07766 132413

Village Hall Management Committee

Chairman, Siobhan Gothorp. Tel: 810668

Booking Secretary Gay Headley headley889@btinternet.com Tel: 07836268894

Whist club Noel Headley headley889@btinternet.com

Yoga Class Jill Blandford jill.blandford@yahoo.co.uk

Fair Sunday July 23rd from 11.00am. All dogs and well behaved owners welcome. Please come along and support this worthwhile charity (too early for doggy Santa I’m afraid as in previous years) –lots of themed stalls, tombola and refreshments.

And of course the annual Garden Show, first Saturday in September. Private bookings available most weekends at very reasonable rates – contact details in the magazine.

Terry Mendies News

What wonderful weather we have been enjoying over the last few weeks! Let’s hope it continues throughout Summer. it is a perfect time for a refreshing drink in the Beer Gardens of The Raven, or the Rose and Crown!

Broadband in rural areas

Despite Openreach supplying Fibre Cable to 72% of Denbighshire, which is almost double the Welsh average, The Alun Valley Ward still lags behind.

Phillip Burrows DCC’s Digital Officer recently said “Some Residents have slow or unreliable internet connections, and that’s where I come in. I can help by diagnosing the problem and then work with the Residents to fix it, with the aim of improving the quality of their internet connection”.

May I remind Residents that there is a voucher system in place to the value of £4,500 per household and these can be pooled to offset the cost in Rural areas.

Please contact Philip at Philip. Burrows@denbighshire.gov. uk

Car park in llanarmon

After several complaints from Residents in Maes Garmon and requests to resurface the Car Park, This was completed on Sunday 11th June. (insert Photos).

A big thankyou goes to Nick and his team at Graig Quarry for donating the stone and Thanks to Alan at Lelo Aggregates for donating

the transport. The biggest thanks goes of course to the Residents who turned up with shovels and rakes and dragged Nigil Cochran out of bed on a Sunday to bring his digger. Well done all. Job done.

Horses on rural roads

Can I remind everyone to be mindful of Horses when driving around. There have been several incidents of near misses and close calls between motorists and Riders, particularly on the Llanarmon/Llandegla road. I have requested, and DCC have agreed to erect warning signs in the near future.

Planning breaches

On 27th May a Llandegla resident was found guilty in Mold Crown Court of serious planning breaches. On 19th June He was fined and incurred costs in excess of £38,000.

DCC are pursuing other breaches in the Ward, therefor, can I suggest that you seek planning advice before building and consult the Planning portal on Denbighshire Council website. Let’s hope this glorious weather continues, and if you see me out and about please come and say hello. If you have any issues or there is anything I can help you with, please contact me at Terry.Mendies@ denbighshire.gov.uk or 07795 659 777.

On Sunday June 4th we said farewell to Friar Adrian Johnson with a joint service in Gwernaffield followed by refreshments and we wish him well in his new

St Berres Church

post in Bryn a Mor. We also say farewell to Emma Dale on the 24th with her ordination in Saint Asaph Cathedral and her new curacy in Bymbo.

At St Berres we celebrated Pentecost on May 28th (50 days after Easter) and the beginning of the Christian church and the building decorated accordingly. The church is open during daylight hours every day until late October – visitors welcome at any time. A special thank you to the small group of volunteers who open / close every day

Food Bank

A donations box in located just inside the church or donations can be left in the porch. More than ever donations are needed of foodstuffs and toiletries. We donated a further 15 kilos early June (over 60 kilos so far this year).

Adult

Child Admission: FREE

Ysgol Bro Famau News

As always, we have been very busy at Ysgol Bro Famau.

As the weather improves we have been spending more time outside. Both our younger pupils and our Juniors have been planting

trees in our outside areas and have been busy planting in our gardens. The Juniors also made birdfeeders to welcome birds into our natural environment. Our younger pupils have enjoyed learning all about bees in World Bee Day and how important they are to our world.

We have had a number of visitors including some Artists in Residence in the Junior department. The children used different techniques around the topic ‘Cynefin’. The children produced some magnificent pieces of artwork.

We also welcomed parents in to school during TASC week. The focus this time was architecture. There were

some lovely examples of work and the parents were very impressed.

Jane also came to school as part of the ‘Come and Cook’ project. The children learnt all about healthy eating and how to prepare a balanced meal.

Parents of children in the Juniors were invited to spend a morning in Llanarmon to see how we teach Maths

We decided again this year to have our Sports Day before half term as the weather isn’t as hot. The Junior children took their role of designing an obstacle course very seriously and it was particularly challenging this year. We

had a great morning and the children enjoyed taking part in their activities watched by their parents and grandparents. We were visited by Estyn at the beginning of May. We were very pleased with the result and the report will be out at the beginning of July. Many thanks to pupils, parents staff and Governors for all their hard work and support.

What’s been happening

with Outside Lives

Community Cinema!

In June we held an extraordinary afternoon at Mold Rugby Club.

Our POP UP CINEMA team swept us away with a screening of the hilarious Mrs Doubtfire in a fantastically friendly and welcoming atmosphere for all involved.

The beauty of having this kit

means we can bring amazing films to your doorstep (or

This was only made possible due to the amazing POP UP CINEMA CREW - an incredible Team of people that are learning new skills in terms of event delivery! Setting up the cinema kit, making popcorn and managing the ticket sales, our pop up cinema has created some fab opportunities for the

Do you have a community space that could benefit from this? Our kit is available to hire and our team is ready to bring POP UP CINEMA to you!

Our next POP UP CINEMA event will be a showing (and maybe a sing a long) of the movie Grease! The event joins up with our COME DINE WITH US events so there will also be popcorn, hotdogs and milkshakes to give the full movie experience.

We will be in Mold Rugby Club on Friday 7th July. If you would like to come along please book via our website.

Cacao ceremony

Cacao Ceremony back by popular demand! The last sessions were a sell out so we have released some new dates for the second half of the year starting on September 1st.

Be inspired by the stunning setting & views in the heart of the Welsh mountains and countryside.

Take part in a cacao ceremony & sound relaxation in the yurt. Learn how to massage head & shoulders as well as receiving this relaxing treatment for yourself. Be led in a mindful walk through the Outside Lives woodland.

Children’s forest school

If you’re looking for something to entertain and engage your child over the summer holidays then this could be for you! Join Lottie (with the help of the lovely Sam) for a forest school session here in our very own woodland at Outside Lives. We are running 3 x 2.5 hour sessions on Tuesdays, each session is only £10!! This is a session for children of any age but there must be an accompanying adult with them. Each session will run for 2 hours from 1pm - 3.30pm. The first session is Tuesday 25th July and they’re running all throughout the summer.

In person watercolour workshop

Each session lasts 1 hour and costs £12, you will leave feeling not only beautifully relaxed, but also spacious & energised.

Half day retreats

As an extension of this we are introducing a retreat afternoon in the grounds of Outside Lives also led by Jill Blandford, longtime friend and practitioner at Outside Lives.

Finish off with tea and delicious home-made cake! Our first session will be Sunday 5th August, starting at 1pm running until 4pm. The cost is £35.

Running alongside our online classes we have some summer workshops here at Outside Lives. Run by the talented Carol Udale, these are friendly and inspiring classes that require no prior experience, just an enjoyment of painting in beautiful surroundings. The next session is July 16th @ 1pm. Cost is £18 for a 2 hour class with tea and cake included.

If you would like to come along to these events please book via our website.

www.outsidelivesevents.org

Watering wise… and well!

Summer is now really upon us and what a fabulous, sunny one it has been so far. Rachel and Simon from Cae Rhug Holistic Farm, Gwernaffield, take a look at what’s happening in the garden and how to keep everything blooming healthily come or shine…

At the time of writing we have had very little rain and the soil here at Cae Rhug is starting to look and feel really dry, at least on the surface. We try to save as much rain water as we can from the roofs, and if you haven’t already got a rain butt - do consider getting one so that you can support your plants more during dry times.

If we do get rain, or you need to water the garden,

avoid doing so in the middle of the day when the sun is at its hottest and evaporation levels high. If watering, try to make sure plants get a really good soaking and then apply a good mulch of well-rotted manure, compost or leaf mulch around plants. This will help lock in the moisture for longer and reduce the need to water again.

Newly planted trees and plants will be more vulnerable to drying out as their roots will not be well-established so keep a careful eye on your most recent plantings. Also, plants in tubs and containers have a limited supply and really need daily watering. Make sure you check just how deep your water has gone, once the compost/soil in containers drys out much of the water we put on simply wets the surface and runs off the side. Use a finger to test how wet the soil is further down into containers.

And don’t forget windy weather, it dries plants out fast too so be extra vigilant on windy days.

Don’t forget to Dead-head!

Keep flowers coming on your plants by promptly removing any heads that die off, to encourage repeat flowerings. If you are going away for a week or two, removing any flower heads that are nearing their end will help ensure you come home to a good display of flowers. If we do get rain, nipping

into the garden afterwards to gently shake the water from flower heads that hold the droplets, such as pelargoniums and peonies, will help to stop them turning brown and rotting. You can also remove any flowers that have been damaged by wind or rain that might otherwise spoil your display.

Out and about in nature…

It is a perfect time to get out and discover beautiful meadow habitats full of flowers, bees and butterflies! The RSPB, National Trust and Wildlife Trust websites list places you can visit to discover more about traditional meadow management and enjoy the special series they support.

Did you know?

97% of meadow habitats have been lost since the 1930’s.

The healing power of plants

Last edition we mentioned a little about the Social and Therapeutic Horticulture work we do here at the farm. We are often asked about this element of our work and what it actually involves so we thought we would tell you a little more

Most of us know that gardening is good for us, both physically and mentally, but it can also form part of a therapeutic programme designed to achieve particular health and social outcomes. Whilst joining a club or local gardening group are great for many people as a way to enjoy gardening socially, the health benefits of working with and around plants can be taken much further with the help of a trained practitioner.

Qualified Horticultural Therapists use their expertise in horticulture to develop client-specific programmes, often working with medical professionals, social workers, and referral units.

At Cae Rhug we work with many different groups, to achieve a wide-range of desired outcomes, from people struggling with anxiety and depression, to those facing addiction or recovery from physical injury. The glasshouses and gardens are put to use every week with groups benefitting from the many different aspects that gardening offers. We

Growing well-being through art and nature

have tools that have been specifically designed to help support people with physical challenges, including longhandled trowels and forks, supportive wrist cuffs, adapted benches and even powered wheelbarrows. Certain activities can be used to improve balance and stability, whilst others might

be good for supporting memory function and concentration. The majority of our work, is however, with those facing challenges to their mental health. Our weekly ‘Growing Together’ group supports a number of people, providing a friendly, nurturing environment in which to heal.

We really enjoy the sessions too, and what makes things even more magical is that the groups we work with have been integral to the therapy garden design and its features, helping us create a space that will suit their needs as well as many others.

«Working with the plants has really helped my mental health. Nurturing their growth and tending to their needs helps to remind me I have needs too, and that I need to take care of myself»

Programme Participant

Fur seasons Pet Hotel The Place to Be for Every Pup

Welcome to the Fur Season Pet Hotel at the Top of the Hill of Nercwys! Jane and Nick talk about their work as dog carers on a 17-acre farm. from here they offer a unique bus service to pick up dogs and ferry them to the farm for hours of play where they ensure their safety and happiness they also offer daycare, a taxi service and overnight boarding for man’s best friend.

What is the history of the company and what is your own background?

We used to be dog walkers before moving to Nercwys. Top of the Hill is a 17- acre farm and we lived here with my dad until he passed away last year.

We decided to run a bus service for the dogs – we would pick up the dogs from their homes and transport them to the farm to play together for three hours, before taking them home. So their ‘parents’ could go to work knowing that we would collect their pets and look after them for the day. We started with a taxi and a bus, but during Covid (we were able to continue working as it was classed as animal welfare) there was a sudden increase in

dog thefts in the area. So we decided to travel together to ensure the dogs’ safety. That is our number one priority.

What is the typical day for the dogs?

We drive a bus route and pick up our clients, (the doggies), and when we get to the farm they all alite and run together excitedly, until we are walking together around the yard and paddock. We have tunnels, a trampoline, paddling pools, a doggy lounge full of sofas, and many, many tennis balls! When we have exhausted the excitement of the paddock we open the yard gate and all 20 dogs run through the fruit trees to the field ... it’s very funny to watch them all getting excited about another gate being opened. We do a roll-call to ensure all of the dogs have made it to the field – and continue to run, walk, play, chase, sit in the shade/ sun and we throw balls for

those that want to fetch. We take regular breaks to rest and have a drink, I sit on the ground and get covered in dogs trying to sit on my knee, get cuddles, and give kisses. Then we continue back to the yard area to slow down and relax, get some water to drink or paddle in to cool down, until it is time to go home. We continually take photos and videos throughout the day,

and I send them to the client’s parents afterwards.

Can you give details of the different options you offer to dog owners?

We offer the half day play session as described above, using the school bus. We also have a taxi service so, if a client is running late getting home, or away until later that day, we can taxi the client home by 6pm. We offer a home boarding service for day care clients. Licensed by Flintshire County Council we can sleep up to 3 dogs from one family, per night. This service usually follows the day care play day,

and we bring the dogs into our home to stay with us as part of our family, whilst their family goes on holiday. The doggies take part in our routine every day, attending day care and travelling on the bus, during the week. At weekends they run around the fields with our own dogs, and follow us around the farm as we complete jobs and other work. The security and safety of our clients is our primary objective. The dogs must get along together in the large group – dynamics change within a pack, the more dogs you care for. Body language and communication are very important to watch ... there is a big difference between an

aggressive dog, and one that is showing their acceptable boundaries. Puppies can benefit greatly from social interaction with older dogs of all ages. The communication between animals is fascinating. A puppy can learn a lot from playing in a group, and puppy training with the parents is essential to develop a well-rounded adult dog. We cannot tolerate a dog that shows animosity towards others, and that is another thing that saddens me about the job. But we want to ensure the happiness and safety for every attendee. Having to say to a client’s parent that we cannot bring them to play, is very upsetting for everyone. But our responsibility for keeping the doggies in our care safe, this must be 100%. If a dog tries to get out, or away from the group, then I would rather lose a customer by being honest and explaining how I couldn’t

live with myself if I lost their fur-baby. Can you imagine the heartbreak? It has only happened to us twice, where one dog found a way to scale a stone wall to get to our sheep, and another found a wet patch of mud at the base of a fence and tried to get into another field. We were stunned at the skill of the dogs, but we were on our toes and prevented them from getting out. Then we immediately rectified that area to ensure the other dogs wouldn’t copy!

Nick and I travel together all the time now – for client safety. During lockdown, the price of dogs tripled, and we had to create a policy when we were picking up dogs from their homes.

Back at the farm, we put in a lot of measures to improve safety – locks on the exterior gates, taller barriers on the gates to prevent anyone climbing over, or lifting a dog over; we put in more gates to create a ‘secure-zone’ ... this ensures the dogs can’t get further than the next area should they squeeze through your legs when walking between zones! We have CCTV

cameras have been installed, 5-foot fences everywhere, constant head counts and roll calls, and getting to know our dogs’ characters. Most chose a friend or group to play with, some are loners and prefer sniffing around and only have

the occasional interaction, and some just follow me around and want a fuss. I take lots of photos to send to the parents so they can see what their pet gets up to in their social life, and I can check the photos throughout day care to ensure all our clients are enjoying play time.

Do you work alone?

It is just Nick and me working at day care at the moment, but we would like to have staff to help so that we could play with more furbabies.

How does your work change with the different seasons?

The seasons and weather does play a big part in the life at doggy daycare .... we are on the road towards Eryrys so we do get a snowfall every January! On some occasions it has been necessary to close for the safety of the clients. We won’t put our dog’s at risk, if we were to skid into another vehicle, or get stuck, our dog’s could be traumatised or hurt. Or at least stuck in the cold awaiting recovery. In summer if we get a heatwave, like today, we don’t encourage the dogs to chase balls and run in the heat, in case of sun stroke. We have more pools which are regularly topped up with more cold water so that they can paddle and cool down. We erect more parasols and gazebos creating as much shade as possible to avoid sun stroke and heat exhaustion. In the rain we have the doggy lounge to play in, and between showers we can go outside and play – then rush back to the lounge for the next downpour. Some dogs like to play in the rain, others like to curl up in a bed in the van or in the two rest areas we have in the shippon.

What is the most difficult part?

I absolutely adore dogs! I love

their company, I love their different characters, I love seeing them choose friends and play together in their chosen groups. I love sitting down and having a free for all cuddles session, and they are so good taking it in turns to sit on my knee and give me hugs. The worst part is losing them... whether it’s old age, or circumstances change. I miss the dogs so much. Like they were my own.

What is the story of your farm? When did you start and for what reason ?

We bought Top of the Hill with my dad three years after losing my mum. I had moved in with them after taking redundancy from Cheshire Police, to help look after them with my family. My Dad knew Will who lived here before us, and he loved

this farm. We had some ideas of how to make a living and we took the plunge. My dad sadly left us last year, at age 92.

Is it difficult to grow veggies in North Wales?

I made an area of the garden into a large Allotment with raised beds and wheelchair access for Dad to work on the veg. It was hard work doing all of the manual work on our weekends, but it has all been worth it. We have fresh eggs from our chickens, ducks, guineafowl, and bantams. Our turkeys don’t lay... they were Christmas rescues... now called Mary and Joseph! It would be great to expand the area and grow more... but one step at a time!

Have you had any training on sustainability or organic

farming?

No. But I was born and raised on a working farm 4 miles away. My sister and uncle are/ were very keen gardners with a vast knowledge.

What are your projects for the next few years?

We are very interested in re-wilding. The woodland Trust has supported us with tree planting, and we would like to work with the Wildlife Trust to put in a wildlife pond. An ideal goal would be to improve the breeding habitat for the Curlew ... this bird population has depleted by 80% in Wales over the last few years. It would provide a great environment for all wildlife and birds in the area. We have already identified many species of rare birds, we have a pond full of frogs, and wild ducks visit. We have planted 15 native British species of fruit trees to create a “vintage” orchard. This area has also identified some rare grasses and mushrooms, as it hasn’t been ploughed due to the slope, the woodland Trust has suggested that the area hasn’t been disturbed since it was a woodland in medieval times. Which coincides with the age of part of the farmhouse. We have been helping Colleg Cambria with work experience for a student who lives locally, and the students are very interested in working on a wildlife pond, reed beds, and wildlife friendly planting.

www.facebook.com/ furseasonspethotel

Tel: 07900 863102

Can my denture be repaired?

In most cases, yes We can replace chipped or missing teeth, cracked or broken dentures, and remove stubborn stains such as plaque, tartar, discoloration from tea, coffee, red wine, nicotine deposits and denture adhesive

Can't I repair my own denture with superglue?

Please don't try to repair a broken denture yourself! The glue is not something you want in your mouth, it's also difficult to remove and makes repairing the break accurately almost impossible.

Customer Testimonial

I appreciated the friendliness & efficiency of every member of staff I spoke to, thank you all, it DOES make a difference!

I was delighted too at the quality of the repair which was invisible and although I had fretted that the comfort might be affected, I was soon proved wrong

With my sincerest thanks

M.R – Ruthin

10th June 2020

Call now to book an appointment 01352 706 100

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A Clinical Dental Technician or CDT is a registered Dental Care Professional who is qualified to offer a range of Denture Services which were previously only available through your Dentist

Why go to a CDT rather than my dentist?

Traditionally, a dentist takes the patient’s impressions and sends them to a Dental Technician who makes the dentures. A CDT is qualified to both take the impression and make and fit the dentures. This gives the CDT invaluable first-hand insight into the patient's anatomy and requirements, resulting in comfortable, functional cosmetic dentures

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Restore your confidence with a new, natural smile. Call 01352 706 100 today for more information.

As well as providing new, natural-looking dentures from our Clinical Dental Technician, Mark Jones, we offer a denture repair service from our Mold laboratory.