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January-February 2024 - Issue 255

Garden of Friendship launch with Outside Lives

Christmas memories The photo album of our local festive events

Discover our great Heritage Roman history experience at Park in the Past

Michael Roberts

Local artist under nature’s influence

Roman Bath House

Show your Archeologic Skills in Prestatyn

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FOREWORD

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

Back to the future

ello everyone and welcome to 2024 with your favourite local magazine. We hope that you have had a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas period and New Year. We are heading into the next year full of ambition and are happy that we can keep you informed and interested in the positive goings on of the area for the next twelve months. To begin the year we want to look back a little (and a lot) with features on many of the events run over Christmas last year. From Llanarmon, Gwernymynydd and Llanferres we bring a review and images from some of the fun events that many of you would have experienced and some of you may have missed. We also take you even further back to present the groundwork for exciting future projects in the area. The Park in the Past uses the stunning environs of the area to bring to life the a ‘living history’ experience from the times of the Roman visitors to north Wales and it has much to bring visitors as the year unfolds. Further north in Prestatyn we learn about how the same Roman legions added to the architecture and development of the area. Here you can visit and learn about the bath house built to keep the Roman soldiers clean and healthy. Included also is our usual look what St Berres’ activities and that of the Village Hall, Ysgol Bro Famau and the Community Council.

The Gardening Club celebrates its golden anniversary this year. If you have any memorabelia connected to the club and its annual show check the dedicated pages inside to see how you can contribute to this historic event. We feature Michael Roberts, a local and international artist and catch up with Paul Eaton’s farm garden diary and Outside lives keep us up to date with their activities too. Not a bad start to the year we hope you will agree. To keep this resource afloat and looking to the future we launched a GoFundMe campaign at the end of last year with the aim of raising £3,500 to cover our annual printing costs. To date we have raised a little over £600 towards the total. To those who have already contributed we offer a big heartfelt thanks! We want to carry on with News&Views, so if you think you can offer a little financial assistance please visit the website at this address or scan the QR code. Gofundme.com/f/newsviews-2024 Happy New Year 2024 !! Sandrine and Dominic

NEWS&VIEWS Issue 255 - January-February 2024 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.

CHRISTMAS 2023

In L lanarm

Christmas Tree

Extravaganza For 2 days only in early december, Elaine Jones and her magic team organised a total immersion in the Christmas spirit with their new edition of the Christmas Tree Extravaganza in Saint Garmon Church Llanarmon. Elaine gives News&Views a few details of another great memory to keep from 2023.

Whats’s the story? When did you start? It all started with a visit to Chester Cathedral to see their Christmas trees.We did a flower festival last summer and thought it would be an idea to do the tree theme.The feedback has been fantastic with people wanting it to become a yearly event. How did yo collect so many different trees? We sourced the trees locally then asked individuals, businesses, friends and

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

family to buy a tree. They each had their own theme and afterwards they can take them away. The pride of place memory Tree with stars attached contain personal messages to loved ones will remain in the church until after Christmas where they will later be buried with one of the potted trees... Who installed the trees? There was a Christmas tree team who set up the church. What happens to the trees

after the event? The local cor Dewi Sant choir had their concert on Sat 16th December so we have arranged some of the left over trees around the church for a woodland effect. We raised £1623 and a donation of £200 went to Cancer Research UK. Will you have another edition next year? We as a village are a busy lot writing and putting together a pantomime every other year so maybe we will do another festival in December 2025. 5

CHRISTMAS 2023

Gwernymynydd Christmas Fair

emories of the wonderful Christmas Fayre in Gwerny mynydd Village Hall from Saturday December 2nd 2023 still linger! The festive air was alive with joy from 1pm to 5pm as the Vil lage Hall was transformed into a winter wonderland. People wandering through charming craft stalls, each one a treasure trove of handmade delights. The air was full with the wonderful aroma of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and the rich, comforting scent of Mince Pies and Mulled Wine wafting through the air. Children’s eyes lit up with excitement as Father Christ mas and his hansome elves

6 6

made their grand entrance to spread good cheer to all. The festive spirit reached its peak with heart-warming carols echoing around the beau-

tifully adorned Christmas tree. What a splendid afternoon it was, bringing the community together in the true spirit of the season!

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

CHRISTMAS 2023

Very successful

Bingo Night rres

In L lanfe

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

The annual Bingo Night on December 1st was an absolute great success. All money raised was dedicated to St Berres and the Ysgol Bro Famau PFTA.

oel Headley shared uplifting news of the annual December fundraising bingo night... Reporting a highly enjoyable night filled with fantastic prizes and good cheer. Such events are the cornerstone to local parishes like ours fostering a genuine sense of community and shared enthusiasm. Despite the inclement weather

and chilly temperatures, a resilient crowd of over 100 people attended the big Chrismas Bingo Night at the Village Hall, raising funds for Saint Berres’ Church and the Bro Famau PTFA. The event featured Gay Headley as our engaging number caller and boasted impressive prizes including food and drink, luxury spa cosmetics, beauty products,

CHRISTMAS 2023

children’s toys and even a free MOT kindly donated by the Loggerheads Garage. A bar facility was also available on the night, enhancing the overall experience and the night successfully raised a whopping £700! A heartfelt thank you goes out to all those who braved the cold to attend and generously donated raffle and bingo prizes. Special appreciation is extended to those who assisted with various tasks, including setting up and clearing away afterwards. 10

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

Thanks also to everyone who dedicated their evening to sell raffle tickets, prepare tea and coffee, and manage the bar. A special thanks to the “team” Yvonne, Sheila, Wendy, June, Ann and Elaine for co-ordinating on the night. Your thoughtful gestures underscored the collective commitment to supporting this worthy cause. Thank you!

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CHRISTMAS 2023

Ysgol Bro Famau PTFA

Christmas Fair Y

sgol Bro Famau PTFA enjoyed putting a Christmas Fair together for the children at the school and the local community on Friday 8th December. Gates opened as school finished which meant that most of the children and their parents arrived for the start with many staying to the end to throw a snowball (made of cream!) at their teacher, Mr Jones. Along with plenty of stalls arranged by the PTFA, such as Guess the Name of the Reindeer, lucky dip, Higher or Lower card game, Sprout or Chocolate, tombola, and throw the hoops on the reindeers antlers, we were grateful that Moel

Famau Donkeys could bring their donkeys for people to admire as they arrived/left. We were also grateful to the craft stalls attending. It was nice to see lots of interest in their stalls and connections being made with each other all as small business owners in the local area. There was a good variety of crafts with wooden products made by the Hayes in Gwernymynydd, wooden signs by Finley Jaggard, lovely knitted items by Lorna Jones from Llanarmon and pretty painted bottles by Claire Guitton from Llanferres who was selling her crafts for the first time. We also had local companies White Lotus and Aida&Maud selling their candles and wax melts, Ffermy-ffrith selling their goatsmilk soaps, and Sheepfloof selling their sheep’s wool products from local sheep. Santa also

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

made an appearance in his grotto and children were able to visit him and receive a gift. It can be hard to keep little ones entertained for long so we had crafts to make including snowmen made out of marshmallows, which were obviously promptly eaten by most! Our main aim was to provide a festive gathering getting the local community together and to provide fun

activities for the children to add to their excitement in the lead up to Christmas. We chose to keep costs low for each activity so that children could have a go at everything. As a result it was busy throughout the time it was open, and everyone seemed happy. We raised around £360 for the school. This is

less than previous years but we still feel it was a success with the number of people who attended and said that they enjoyed themselves. The PTFA have just allocated a significant amount of funds for new IT equipment at school which is obviously very important for learning nowadays. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event.

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SCHOOL

Ysgol Bro Famau News

e have been really busy leading up to Christmas. Year 5 pupils went to Ysgol Brynhyfryd for some transition activities which they thoroughly enjoyed.

We took part in the Llanarmon Christmas Tree Festival. All the children made decorations to hang on the trees. The trees looked spectacular. We went to visit the church to see our trees. The younger children even popped into the Community Shop to buy some sweets.

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

We also visited North Hills Farm to visit the reindeer. The children fed the reindeer and learnt all about what they eat and their antlers. We walked through the enchanted forest looking for elves and ended our visit by toasting marshmallows on the fire. Delicious! We all had a great time. For the last few weeks of term, the children were busy

practising for our show, ‘Aladdin Trouble’. The village hall in Llanferres was full on show night with parents and grandparents. The children did an amazing job and the show was a huge success due to everyone’s hard work. We were all very proud of the children. We also raised £328.16 for Nightingale House through generous donations on the night.

LOCAL ARTIST

« I grew up with a passion for history and nature because of where I was born » Michael Roberts, a Welsh illustrator, has been shaped by nature’s influence. From childhood bird sketches and exploring the countryside around Caergwrle, he has become a renowned for wildlife and historical artist. Based in his studio in Nercwys, he also collaborates on a U.S. interstate literacy project. You are a recognized illustrator who works for multiple publications and projects. Can you give us details about your background and about your professional journey? I grew up in Caergwrle which 16

was surrounded by nature and history, so it was bound to have an influence on me. Searching the local springs for watercress with my Dad really sparked an interest in birds which I still have. My Dad could identify each species by

their calls and this fascinated me. I had a love of drawing, so trying to draw birds and other wildlife just came naturally. My Mum would buy me pencils and paper and was always encouraging. My Dad died just before my 17th birthday and when the chance came up later that year to go to Art College to study Wildlife Illustration, my Mum encouraged me to embrace the opportunity. So for three years I studied at Carmarthen Art College in Dyfed. When I came home there wasn’t much work available,

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

so I worked in a factory for a few years before joining the local newspaper industry as a Graphic Artist. This was a period of major change in the industry. Computers were now the main tool in the workplace. I spent the next 20 years between Mold and Chester working almost exclusively on a keyboard. When the newspaper industry went into a rapid decline, I found myself falling back on my hobby to make a living. I’d been a keen medieval reenactor for several years and I utilised my experience to bring

a unique interactive presentation to educational authorities and historical bodies across Wales. My personal circumstances changed dramatically and with the pandemic hitting too, I reverted to my first love of drawing and painting. I had quite a regular stream of commissions, particularly wildlife and historical subjects often for information panels or museum displays. I did some illustrations for a fairy story which I really enjoyed and while looking for more work like this online, I was contacted by an Irish novelist Suzy Duffy, asking if I’d be interested in working with her on a huge project. Her idea was to co create new characters and stories about each State in America to encourage children to embrace stories and reading. They would then be made into short, narrated videos free to view online. As I was spending long periods alone during the lockdowns, it was just fantastic to be busy. Three years later we’re now on number 17. As part of the process we approach celebrities from the relevant State to narrate and so far we’ve had some big names willing to do so including ‘CSI Miami’ star Emily Proctor and top comedian Greg Proops. Now I’m living on

a farm with some great friends and I have a Studio for the first time. When time permits, I love to paint for pleasure but my illustration workload is quite intense sometimes. What is your working method and your favourite medium? A potential client will provide me with a brief, sometimes it’s quite vague others can be very specific. I recently illustrated 50 tree species for the Carneddau Project in Eryri National Park. I try to use my own reference material to create a ‘rough’ for the client’s approval. If it’s ok, I then produce the finished piece. The methods are traditional drawing techniques in ink or if colour is required, I use coloured pencil or watercolour paints. My computer graphic days are long gone. You have a specific interest in Wales, its wildlife and also its historical past. Does being a Welsh artist have any special meaning to you? Being an artist/illustrator from North Wales is everything to me. I grew up with a passion for history and natural history because of where I was born. Artworks created in Caerg17

LOCAL ARTIST

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

for a loved one or conservation organisations and historical bodies who need illustrations to enhance their latest projects. How can people see your work and support you? I’ve been lucky enough to have a great couple of friends who see the potential in selling my art as affordable gifts. Jane and Nick have given me an opportunity to market my work, something I would not have done without their amazing business knowledge and input. If anyone wants something special for a gift have a look for Michael Roberts Art Prints on Facebook. For Illustration and actual paintings, it’s Michael Roberts Illustration and Art. To look at my portfolios, behance.net/ mikeroberts2

wrle, Gwernymynydd and now Nercwys have travelled across the world, I love that. What do you like best about your job? What I like best about this job is being creative and the potential joy it can bring others. Whether a client who is moved to tears by a pet portrait they’ve commissioned or parents and their children who have viewed United Tales of America 1.7 million views! What inspires you the most and do you have a favourite subject? My story illustrations are probably inspired by watching certain things on tv especially programmes featuring the work of Peter Firmin, Noggin the Nog, Ivor the Engine, Pogle’s Wood etc. I also love the work of artists such as Norman Thellwell, famous for his pony themed cartoons. He drew and painted beautifully, very inspiring. Denys Watkins Pitchford, who wrote about the countryside, used scraper18

board and ink drawings to illustrate his books. His prose and his art are wonderful. His life was influenced by him apparently seeing a real gnome when he was a child. He went on to win prizes for writing about them. There is a certain rural ‘folkiness’ about them all I suppose.

What advice can you give to young people who like to draw and want to become an artist? For anyone with artistic aspirations I would say do it. Draw and paint as much as you can but do it for the sheer joy of it. Don’t expect to make a living at it. If you do, wonderful. Otherwise always have a trade or some other financial safety net to pay the bills.

Is it difficult to make a living as an artist today? Making a living from being an illustrator or an artist has always been difficult. Unless you move in the wealthy modern art world, money is tight. Even having an agent is no guarantee of income. I work for individuals who want a special gift

What are your plans for 2024? For 2024, we’re hoping for United Tales of America to be published in book format. I’m also hoping to find time to do more painting and to get out of the studio more to sketch and take photographs and enjoy the countryside I’m lucky enough to live in.

Where were you in 1974?! Do you remember th e First annual show? (1 975)...

f the ...the early dgayCsluob? Gardenin

The Gardening Club

is celebrating glorious years since it’s foundation in 1974 and we will be marking this special year with a Golden themed Annual Show this September. We are aiming to put together a display of archive memorabilia relating to the history of the Club and the annual shows and for this we need your help!

If you have any photos, newspaper cuttings, show schedules or any other related material we could use or make copies from, we’d love to hear from you.

Please get in touch with Ann Catherall, June Healy or any of our members if you think you can help, or email us at: llanferresgardenclub@gmail.com or message us on our Facebook page: @llanferresparishgardeningclub

Thanking you in anticipation

and best wishes for the New Year!

HERITAGE

Park in the Past A Remarkable Leap Back in Time Discover this unique heritage project’s journey. Its rewilding initiative, water-based leisure activities, historical realms, educational programs, and plans for an exciting 2024 with a lakeside cafe and expanded Roman experiences. Park in the Past is a non-profit organisation, a heritage, conservation and leisure attraction, initiated with a specific aim. What was the primary goal at the outset of the project, and what factors led to its location in North Wales? The main aim of Park in the Past was to create an extraordinary heritage attraction by reconstructing a full-size Roman auxiliary fort using authentic materials and tech20

niques, all set within a rewilded 1st century AD landscape. Enter Britain’s Big Fort Build - the first complete timber Roman fort to be built in Britain for nearly 2,000 years! The fort offers a unique ‘living history’ experience, transporting visitors back in time to about AD74 during the Roman conquest of Wales so they can walk in the footsteps of their ancestors. Based on an excavated archaeological site in Scotland, the fort is the

centre-piece visitor attraction of the Park and has been designed by experts at Chester-based heritage company Roman Tours Limited to accommodate school trips and provide educational activities for primary school pupils from around the region. Supported by academics at the University of Chester and

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

many other specialist organisations in the UK and Europe, the fort also provides a dynamic ongoing study, a ‘living laboratory’ that is shedding new light on ancient history. Piece by piece the fort team investigate new techniques expanding the knowledge in the field of experimental archaeology. Historians, archaeologists and re-enactors have

freedom to test and unravel how Roman troops built effective fortifications and lived off the land in what often proved to be a hostile environment during the occupation of Roman Britannia in the cold, wet and windswept north. The fort team are complemented by the Park’s own resident re-enactment group Deva Victrix from the XX Legion in Chester who put on displays for visitors at special events throughout the year and are always happy to explain military life, reveal new discoveries and demonstrate how the fort was built.

Please describe the site - its forest, woods, river, and lake. What can you tell us about the natural environment restoration and the water sport activities? The Park’s extensive 120-acre site is about twice the size of the Eden Project and comprises a rich range of habitats including wildflower meadows, woodlands, a beautiful 35acre crystal-clear lake, rolling fields and pastures, wetlands, scrubland and sand dunes. The gorgeous River Alyn also meanders through the Park and is frequented by kingfishers, wagtails, otters and many other river species. As part of the Big Fort Build, we are encouraging the landscape to return to a natural ecological state as it might have looked about two thousand years ago, by minimising human intervention and unnecessary landscape maintenance. And by actively rewilding the Park, we’ve managed to significantly increase biodiversity and attract key species - rare raptors such as peregrine falcons, sparrow hawks and important once extinct indigenous 21

HERITAGE

mammals such as beavers. Quite remarkably, an osprey has also been spotted over the lake, no doubt interested in the large fish species that swim near the surface oblivious to eagle-eyed predators above. Our lake is also incredibly popular with visitors, and we provide opportunities for healthy water-based leisure activities such as open water swimming, kayaking and SUP boarding for families, groups, and individuals - a perfect

place for much needed relaxation in the outstanding beauty of the Welsh landscape in Flintshire. A large section of the lake is reserved exclusively for wildfowl and other species like great crested grebes and geese. We plan to build a number of strategically placed wildlife hides for birdwatching in the near future so people can enjoy nature and take in magnificent views across our lake to Hope Mountain.

Can you give some details about the prehistoric realm, the Celtic Village and the construction of the Ro man fort? Park in the Past has been conceived as an outdoor heritage experience with several historic realms for visitors to explore. Upon entry visitors pass through a Prehistoric Realm along an avenue of standing stones and a recreated stone circle and wood henge, crossing over a beautiful stretch of the River Alyn, then along a reconstructed Roman road to discover the Roman Realm - the Roman fort experience itself - and an adjacent field planned as a small Celtic village and farmstead. Reconstructed prehistoric dolmens - chambered tombs - dot the

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

landscape here and there as they did thousands of years ago. What is a typical day at the Park for a family? A typical day at the Park varies from season to season and person to person. If you’re a member of the open water swimmers’ group, the day could begin with a rejuvenating early morning swim followed by a mug of hot chocolate and homemade cake in our cafe. Countless visitors enjoy going for a gentle stroll in gorgeous green surroundings with their faithful canine friend or a brisk walk along the numerous woodland paths and tracks alongside the lake that crisscross the Park site. Families have a brilliant time kayaking

or SUP boarding with friends capped off with a scrumptious picnic on our sandy lakeside beach, or eagerly dropping in to see the latest transformation of the Roman fort courtesy of our two hard-working and supremely skilled full-time fort builders. Many visitors tell us they come to the Park to escape the stresses of everyday life, meet friends or simply chill out with Mother Nature. Can you explain what ‘Arteology’ is and the whole educational programme you provide? The Park’s resident artist and educationalist is Fee Jackson. Fee is a professional artist with a passion for prehistoric and Romano-British time periods. Fee’s creative company Arteology explores history through art and provides art workshops and a range of related experiences for schools and organisations like ourselves. We are currently focussing on the Iron Age, both Britons and Romans, and exploring history using the medium of earth paints. We also deliver talks and workshops

dealing with environmental issues of plastic pollution. You have a great team, and an army of volunteers, could you give more details about their work and explain how people can get involved? The Park team numbers a small core of dedicated staff with a variety of experience and specialisms ranging from former army personnel, heritage and education, ecology, management, fundraising and marketing, building and construction and media and journalism. A supporting cast of volunteers supplement the team bringing their own unique skills to make the Park ‘tick’, so anyone wanting to volunteer can chat with the team in the visitor centre and offer help if they wish. You have unfortunately suffered serious flooding recently. What happened and how were you able to put everything back in order? The recent severe storms and flooding across the UK also affected the Park for a short spell at the end of October 23

HERITAGE

closing the site for a week or two whilst the waters receded, and the team pulled together on the ‘mop up’ operation. Fortunately, less than 40% of the site was affected and we quickly returned to normal with the help of our supporters who donated towards special plant machinery used to repair the foot bridge over the river ford. Could you say a few words about the Community Interest Company? We began as a social enterprise aiming to restore a

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

derelict quarry site with the community very much at heart, and an ambitious plan to create a unique educational archaeological project, but the Park has exceeded our wildest dreams. Through the hard work and vision of the Park team led by Roman expert Paul Harston, the project has grown into a fantastic attraction and diversified community resource that appeals to people from all walks of life from around the UK. Our visitors benefit tremendously from engaging with nature and wildlife, leisure and her-

itage for their wellbeing and physical and mental health. What is on the schedule in 2024? 2024 will be a very exciting year at the Park. We’re planning to introduce new facilities and services for visitors including a lakeside cafe, an all-weather Earth House venue for special events and educational activities, and also build a commander’s HQ or Principia in the Roman fort to expand our Roman heritage experiences for schools and visitors. On top of this, we’ll be celebrating our achievements in conservation and ecology through a series of rewilding and nature trails, guided tours and interpretation displays around the Park. Visitors can expect our cafes to extend their range of delicious food and beverages too. It’s certainly going to be a busy, fascinating, and fun-filled place for families and all our visitors across the seasons. Watch this space! For more information contact us at info@parkinthepast.org.uk or on facebook. com/parkinthepast

Find us inside

Open daily:

Cilcain Village Hall

8am to 2pm

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01352 741354

LOCAL COMMUNITY -RUN SHOP , HERE FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS . We stock a wide range of groceries, including locally produced food items and beers, newspapers & magazines, toiletries, pet food, greeting cards, stamps, and medicines. Our suppliers include: Bread and cakes from Henllan Bakery of Denbigh, milk from Bellis Brothers of Buckley, Meat from JH Jones Butchers of Denbigh, ice-Cream from Chilly Cow, takeaway meals from Thai Authentic Cuisine, eggs from Ffrith Farm, Cilcain, honey from Nercwys, preserves from Pantymwyn, and general Welsh produce from Blas ar Fwyd of Llanrwst.

We have a small sit-in café area and hold a regular Wednesday morning café in the village hall. Take-away hot drinks are also available. We accept card or cash payments. Phone: 01352 741 354 or find us on Facebook & Instagram

Did you know… We accept vouchers for newspapers. Why not pre-order your milk, bread, meat, newspapers and magazines? Just contact orders@cilcaincommunityshop.co.uk, or pop in for a chat.

HERITAGE

Unearth the history of the

Roman Bath House of Prestatyn Almost two thousand years ago the Roman settlers and their army built a communal bath house in Prestatyn. Today its remains offer an insight the area’s rich local history. We asked Sasha Taylor to explain. Can you give our readers some details about the history of Prestayn’s Roman Bath House and its discovery? The Roman Bath House site is located on Melyd Avenue, Prestatyn. The remains are an example of a well preserved Roman civilian bath house. They were discovered on March 30th 1934 by Mr F. Gilbert Smith, a local architect, surveyor and archaeologist.

Who built it and when? The bath-house was built in around AD 120 and extended in about AD 150. It had a cold plunge-bath at the far end which was fed by a local spring by means of a timber aqueduct. The floors and roof were made with tiles transported all the way from the workshops of the 20th Legion at Holt near Wrexham, over 40 miles

to the south-east, and may have been built by legionary masons. What kind of building was it and what was it used for? The Bath House would primarily have been used by Roman Soldiers and consisted of multiple rooms. They would have had a hot room (called a Caldarium) where they would oil and scrape their bodies with a special tool called a strigil to remove sweat and dirt. A warm room, which was more of a social area for people to relax and talk, a cold room which was primarily used for changing and exercising and an icy plunge pool, typically used at the end of a bathing session. Why were the Romans in Prestatyn ?

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

year, which is set to be finished this spring. Whilst there haven’t been any more recent discoveries on the site, in 1984-5 reexcavation of the bath house and surrounding area was undertaken by the ClwydPowis Archaeological Trust, their work revealed part of a civilian settlement established shortly after AD 70. Samian Ware pottery discovered here indicates an occupation during the second century and there is evidence that the site continued to be occupied until the late 3rd or early 4th century AD.

The site is closely linked with various sites throughout the AONB and Dee Valley area. It is very likely that a Roman branch-road linked the industrial settlement at Prestatyn; a government controlled centre of lead production, with the main highway near St. Asaph, and continued south through the territories of the Deceangi in the valley of the River Clwyd, to the fort at Ruthin and the Berwyn Mountains, the realm of the Ordovices. It has even been postulated that it was most likely also linked to a harbour due to its coastal location.

occasionally whilst restoration works are underway. Are there any archaeologists working at the site today? Restoration specialist Ben Davis started works to preserve the stone work last

Are there any other important Roman heritage sites in Denbighshire? If you are interested in other Roman sites in North Wales, the Ruthin Roman Fort is also worth a visit. Here, archaeologists discovered evidence of a hilltop auxiliary fort built by the Roman military during the late 1st century, along with a civilian settlement and burial ground.

Can we visit the site today? Is it open to the public? The site is open to visitors year round, though sections have had to be temporarily closed 27

HERITAGE

Tell us about your activities. What do you offer to the public? Over the last few years, Denbighshire Countryside Services have held volunteer sessions on the site. Tasks included tending the herb border, planting new wildflowers and general site maintenance. Volunteers also took park in helping with some of the stone restoration and paving works. We ran some art/craft sessions with Ben and Jude Davis in local schools to engage them with the story of Roman presence

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in Prestatyn and stimulate an interest in local history. Sessions included the likes of making clay insignia tiles (following an example of one which was actually found on the site) and casting pewter coins. The children even had an opportunity to learn about stone restoration techniques and apply some lime mortar in situ. Denbighshire’s Heritage team also came out to do sessions with the school children and visitors at our open days, bringing artefacts and replicas of the same time period, and some that were even discovered on the site itself.

Why is it important to share this kind of knowledge and heritage? We feel that it is incredibly important to engage as many people as possible with the project and inspire an interest in local heritage and culture. It became apparent quite early on in the project that despite being an incredibly significant historical site, many people including local residents were unaware of it’s existence. A huge part of the project entails broadening the reach of the site, so that as many people as possible can benefit from it and learn more about the Roman activity in Prestatyn and North Wales. We had a great deal of visitors attend our last open day after the first stage of restoration works, and a few visitors had actually come from half way around the world and stopped by to check it out which was incredible! What is the programme for 2024? The restoration works are scheduled to resume in spring 2024. We will be offering a series of volunteer sessions and opportunities to get involved with the work on site and in the local community. Dates for these sessions will be shared on the Denbighshire County Council’s Countryside Services page, so keep your eyes peeled if this is something you would like to take part in! We also offer a host of other volunteering opportunities throughout Denbighshire with our Countryside Services team, so worth checking those out too. For more information, contact Sasha.Taylor@ denbighshire.gov.uk

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COMMUNITY

Highlights from your

Llanferres

Community Council Maes Ysgawen Park Improvements

The Council has been successful in securing a grant from the National Lottery People and Places fund, to cover the costs of employing a landscape architect to prepare drawings, material specifications and other documents required to go out to formal tender to improve facilities in Maes Ysgawen park, Llanferres. When concept drawings are available, they will be presented to the community for views and suggestions at a public meeting to be held as soon as possible afterwards. The Council has also secured funding from the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB’s Sustainable Development Fund to remove a number of dead trees and prune others along the boundary between the park and Llanferres playing field. There may be bats roosting in at least one of the trees and therefore advice is being sought from Denbighshire CC. If you would like any further information on either of these projects, please speak to the Clerk, one of the Councillors or a member of the Park Improvements Committee. 30

Local Community Plan

The Council has provisionally booked Thursday 18th April to hold a Public Meeting to establish if the community would like it to develop a Local Community Plan. Further details will be circulated as soon as they are available.

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

Creation of a New National Park

The Welsh Local Government Association is planning to hold 2 TEAMS video conference sessions on 30th January – one starting at 1.30 in the afternoon and the other at 7 pm in the evening. There will be a 30 minutes presentation providing information on the proposed New National Park affecting this area, after which there will be a question and answer session.

If anyone would like to join one of the meetings, please email the Clerk at Llanferres Community Council and let Margaret know which session you would like to attend.

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

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.

Cyngor cymeithas Llanferres Community council Dates of Council Meeting 2024 -2025 Contact details for all Llanferres Community Councillors www.llanferrescommunitycouncil.org MONTH

DAY

DATE

January

Thursday

18th

February

Thursday

8th

March

Thursday

14th

April

Thursday

11th

May

Thursday

9th

June

Thursday

13th

July

Thursday

11th

August

NO MEETING

September

Thursday

12th

October

Thursday

10th

November

Thursday

14th

December

Thursday

12th

January 2025

Thursday

9th

February 2025

Thursday

13th

March 2025

Thursday

13th

Meetings are usually held on the 2nd Thursday of the month in Llanferres Village Hall with remote access available via TEAMS video conference facility or on TEAMS video conferencing and start at 7.30 pm. 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 details 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 Allan Morgans - Chair 01352 810 735 Jac Armstrong Vice Chair Tel: 01352 810 259

Simon Grice 07881 938 862 contact@simongrice.me Amanda Curtis 01352 810 398 Paul Sheldon 07824 099 963 Huw Williams County Councillor 07545 185 756 Lyn Gibson 07734 230 846 31

COMMUNITY

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

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

lot of activities at the hall in the run up to the end of the year The AGM was held on November 16th with all committee members in attendance and two members of the general public. The Chairman welcomed the attendees, noting the increase in activities in the hall with two new clubs, table tennis and karate starting in 2023. The Treasurer reported a deficit for the year of £545 which was to be expected with the outlay for the new curtains. Works are planned in the New Year on the broadband cable and hall lighting. Hall booking rates, with just a few tweaks, will stay the same for 2024 and are the most competitive in the area. If you would like to book a private

D Whist (Wednesdays 6.30pm) – Noel Headley 07836268894

function please contact Noel on the email address below. We are always looking for new committee members – if interested, please email the secretary Gay on headley889@ btinternet.com The annual “Almost Home” Christmas fair was held in late November, and the very well attended event of dogs and humans raised nearly £2,500 for the charity. A fundraising bingo event was held in early December and raised over £700 for church and PTFA funds. The weather was slightly kinder this year, with sub-zero temperatures replacing the heavy snow of last year and over 100 people braved the conditions to make it a very enjoyable night with some fantastic prizes.

D Karate (Fridays 6.00pm) – www.llanbedrdckarate.com (first class is free) D Gardening Club (every second Monday of month at 7.30pm) – llanferresgarden club@gmail.com

PARISH

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

St Berres Church

very busy period for the church in the run up to and over Christmas. The annual Remembrance Day commemoration was held on Sunday November 12th with a well attended service in church at 10.15am

followed by a procession to the memorial stone in pouring rain for the 11.00am tributes and two minutes silence. A donation of £130 was made to the Royal British Legion from the collection. A fundraising bingo event was held on Friday December 1st in the village hall, over 100 attendees braved the sub-zero conditions to make it a very enjoyable evening, with two raffles, nine games and a well patronised bar! A big thank you to all those who donated prizes for the event and raffles, with a special thanks to Nick’s cheese and meat stall from Mold market for donating the main prizes of a turkey crown, beef joint and just under a stone (6 kilos) of a selection

of delicious cheeses. Thanks also to The Great British Bakehouse for donating the bread, and Lara Stroud for her pumpkin bread. Above all, thanks to the “team”, Yvonne, Wendy, Sheila, June, Ann and Elaine for co-ordinating the event on the night, Paul for setting up the PA equipment, and not forgetting Tim and Juanita behind the bar. The event was well supported by the PTFA and thanks to Lara, Jesse and Wendy for the kitchen duties. Finally, of course, not forgetting all those who attended, helped set up and clear away. The event itself raised over £700 for joint funds. The PTFA share will be used towards new IT equipment for the school. A well-attended Christmas carol service this year was held on Tuesday 12th evening, followed by sherry and mince pies. A donation of £300.00 from this service, and the equally well attended Crib Service and Midnight Mass, will be made to the Christmas Appeal for the Holy Land to support Christian projects in the Gaza Strip and Israel. A big thank you to the handful of volunteers who decorated the church prior. A small donation of 16 kilos was made to Flintshire Food Bank the week before the services The church is now closed during the day until March, but everyone welcome to attend the weekly Sunday service at 9.30am. Any Food Bank donations would be very welcome at that time. Noel Headley

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GARDEN CLUB

Llanferres Parish Gardening Club

appy New Year to all News&Views readers! We hope this year will bring us some perfect gardening weather as it’s going to be a very special year for our club – this year we are celebrating 50 years since our foundation in 1974. We are aiming to make the annual show in September a bumper affair to mark the occasion, possibly with a ‘Golden’ theme and some retro 70’s styling… You may have noticed our advert in the current issue of N&V’s, we are trying to put together a collection of newspaper cuttings, photographs,

programmes and any other memorabilia that you may have from some of the early years of the Gardening Club and/or the annual shows, this is so we can make a display of our 50 year history as a community event. If you have something suitable but deem it too precious to part with, we can make careful copies so please delve deep into your archives and attics, if you can help us create a visual record for our celebratory year, we will be forever grateful. We rounded off another enjoyable year with two varied events; our November meet-

ing saw a number of us take part in a guided wreath making workshop, something a little different to our usual meetings. The village hall was inundated with copious amounts of greenery, berries, wire and ribbon contributing to a lovely Christmassy atmosphere, this was further enhanced by the smell of mulled wine and mince pies which helped us rise to the occasion. Ann provided us with the essential components, gave us a brief demonstration then we were let loose on our own. The time flew by, and aided and abetted by a handful of observers, (who were there mainly for the refreshments…) we produced some fabulous results and everybody went home with wreath to be proud of. The December meeting was (what has become) our annual fun quiz night and sharing buffet. This year Hugo did a great job of setting the quiz and acting as question master and Sheila, June and Barbara took home the winner’s (chocolate) trophy, well done to Team Holly Jolly Berry Elves (or whatever you were called!) In January we will get to-

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

gether for a late Sunday Lunch at the Druid on the 21st at 5pm, everyone who is going should have paid their deposit by the time you read this, those of you who haven’t – you know what to do… We have a full programme of events taking us through our monthly meetings for 2024, February 12th will be the show meeting when we’ll discuss the

arrangements for this year’s big ‘5 Oh’ golden anniversary event. The March meeting will host a fascinating presentation about solitary wild bees by expert George Pilkington, and April’s meet will be a visit to Cae Rhug Holistic Farm to see first-hand the considerable set up they have and to learn about the amazing charitable work they do there. We are also aiming to have an informal Q&A session at the end of each of our meetings to help those members with less experience to learn from those with more and also simply as an exchange of tips and ideas. We also encourage members to bring along any surplus seeds or plants that they may have to any of the meetings so they can be swapped or shared amongst members.

As always you can find further details of events nearer the time on our Facebook page, email us for more information or lookout for the posters and flyers on the noticeboards throughout the community. Everyone is welcome to join us from within or outside the parish, we look forward to welcoming you.

Meeting schedule:

JANUARY 21ST Late Sunday Lunch. FEBRUARY 12TH Show meeting. MARCH 11TH George Pilkington talk. APRIL 8TH Cae Rhug Farm visit. email: llanferresgardenclub @gmail.com Follow, ‘like’ or message on: Facebook @llanferresparishgardeningclub

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GROWING AGENDA

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

Prelude to the Garden’s Next Act The solstice has passed and thoughts of spring are emerging, but its still a time of dormancy in the garden

opefully well rested after the Christmas break now is the time to be planning the next season and hitting the seed catalogues. Its a time to be going through your valuable garden notes and refining visions of what you want for next year based on successes and failures of the past years. We got some great feedback

from our veg customers at the end of the year which is guiding our plans. I’ve ordered a boat load of carrot seed, far less chard and beetroot seed and am going for a few new crops to expand our range, like caulis, sweetcorn and celeriac. Get your seed orders in soon as more popular lines do sell out surprisingly fast!

We are still getting plenty of harvests from summer and autumn grown crops, with kallete tops, kale and the occasional winter salad being firm favourites. And the outdoor spinach is doing surprisingly well. I sowed direct mid September hoping to get a late autumn crop which did not materialise fast enough to warrant harvesting! But its doing well uncovered outside giving small pickings now and looking like it will be really good in February and March. Quite often mistakes in the garden can be turned around into little victories! We will be planting a few bare root fruit trees in the garden over the next couple of months when they arrive, as winter is the time for doing this when trees can be lifted and planted out whilst in a state of dormancy. We are going for larger root stocks that will take 4-5 years to bear fruit, but should be more suitable for our windy exposed conditions, and hopefully will be worth the wait. There seem to be a lot of theories on the best way to plant trees, but I’ve found dig a massive hole, put manure on top of the ground not incorporated in the hole, and the using a mycorrhizal inoculant works well for us. Enjoy the rest of the winter keep your tools well oiled and your bodies limber ready for spring which will be upon us in the blink of an eye! Paul Eaton Perth Y Wrach Farm

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Learn Life-Saving Skills with Our BiteSized First Aid Courses in Mold!

The importance of basic first aid knowledge cannot be overstated. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, sports enthusiast, or just a concerned community member, being equipped with essential first aid skills can make a significant difference in times of need. We are thrilled to announce our upcoming Bite-Sized First Aid Courses, a series of short 40

and informative sessions tailored for busy lives. Course Details - 6 sessions. Every Wednesday from January to April 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Mold Rugby Club £5 per class Limited Spaces: Only 20 spots available per class! We understand the demands of modern life, so we’ve designed these courses to fit seamlessly into your schedule. Join us every Wednesday after work for just 90 minutes and

leave with life-saving skills. Our experienced instructors will cover a range of essential first aid topics, including CPR, wound care, choking, and more. Gain practical, handson experience that could make all the difference in an emergency. Held at Mold Rugby Club, these courses offer a fantastic opportunity to connect with your community while learning valuable skills. Share the experience with friends,

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

family, or neighbours and foster a safer, more prepared community. Priced at just £5 per class, our Bite-Sized First Aid Courses provide cost-effective access to vital knowledge. Investing in your first aid skills is an investment in the safety and well-being of those around you. Spaces are limited to 20 participants per class, so don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity. Reserve your spot today by visiting www. outsidelivesltd/events. Book early to guarantee your place in these informative and engaging sessions. In emergencies, every second counts, and having basic first aid knowledge can be the difference between life and death. We invite you to be part of this initiative to empower our community with life-saving skills. Let’s come together, learn, and make our neighbourhood a safer place for everyone. Don’t delay—book your spot today and be prepared to make a difference when it matters most!

A Symphony of Serenity: Cacao and Sound Bath Ceremonies at Outside Lives HQ

Escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the Welsh countryside with our enchanting Cacao and Sound Bath Ceremonies, hosted at the picturesque Outside Lives HQ. Guided by the expert hands of Jill Blandford, these monthly sessions are crafted to provide a harmonious blend of relaxation, self-discovery, and the rich flavours of cacao. Led by the knowledgeable Jill

Blandford, each ceremony begins with a comforting cup of cacao, celebrated not only for its rich, indulgent taste but also for its numerous health benefits. High in antioxidants, iron, magnesium, calcium, and theobromine, cacao supports heart function and enhances mood, offering a deliciously wholesome start to your experience. Following the cacao, Jill will guide you through a mesmerising Sound Bath experience. Lie back, relax, and let the soothing vibrations of Tibetan singing bowls wash over you, creating a symphony of tranquillity. The sound waves gently invite you to release tension, inviting a deep sense of peace and stillness within. Starting Friday 26th Jan at 6:00 PM £12.50 per session Space are limited so be sure to secure your spot for an hour and a half of blissful escape into the world of Cacao and Sound Bath ceremonies. www.outsidelivesltd/events

OUTSIDE LIVES

NEWS&VIEWS 255 | January-February 2024

even if you couldnt make the launch on the day we’d love to hear your thoughts. Our launch event included some wonderful activities; including:

LAUNCHING OUR ‘GARDEN OF FRIENDSHIP’ COMMUNITY NATURE SITE IN DEESIDE

We have organised a community event at Ty Calon in Deeside on Friday, January 19th, and we’d love to have you on board! Our goal for this event was to introduce our wonderful local community to the TY CALON Community Centre nature site. More importantly we’re eager to drum up involvement from local folk who can help us transform this unused patch of land into something truly awesome. After months of collaboration 42

with a talented garden designer this event in January was the grand unveiling of our plans. This upcoming year holds a plethora of exciting opportunities for involvement, including planting trees, installing a pond, creating an orchard, and setting up habitat boxes and bug hotels galore! We envision this space being created by the people, for the people, benefiting both our community and the planet. The launch event and this article serves as an opportunity for us to spark interest from the local community. We’re open to any and all ideas, and

D Wellbeing in nature with one of our woodland practitioners D Gardening-related activities D Artistic activity D Delicious and warming food (menu still in the works!) D Volunteer Recruitment D Stall holders Now, we’re extending a special invitation for you to join us. Come and see what we have in store and how you can get involved! www.outsidelivesltd.org

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Closing A VeryJanuary Happy major & for prosperous «refurbishment» New Year to All!! Remember to follow us on our social media for regular updates on the renovations to your friendly local pub !

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