Oswestry Life December 2023

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

www.oswestry.life

ISSUE 80 DECEMBER 2023

THE MOST WIDELY DISTRIBUTED FREE PUBLICATION IN OSWESTRY

YEAR ANNIVERSARY 2017-2023

Christmas Water’s Edge Spirit Foodbank Inspiration news Party Royal in Style British Legion • • • Gift • • Shropshire Ros Hornbuckle Distillery Your Oswestry local and guide Borders GetSurge your glad in Membership rags on!

NOW IN STOCK 20kg HOMEFIRE ECOAL

HOMEFIRE KILN DRIED HARDWOOD LOGS HOMEFIRE (SHIMADA) HEAT LOGS x12 20kg BRAZIER SMOKELESS COAL

300g HOMEFIRE WOOD WOOL TWIZLERS

TG BULK BAG OF LOGS

Maesbury Road, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 8HA T: 01691 670367 www.tgbuildersmerchants.co.uk Open: Mon – Fri: 7am – 5pm, Sat: 8am – 12pm, closed Sunday

HOMEFIRE SUPAPAK KINDLING

Contents

Local news ........................................................5

Welcome to Oswestry Life

Mayor’s minutes ..............................................12 Oswestry in Bloom ...........................................15

The Soma Space ..............................................16 Gift Inspiration ................................................. 18 Oswestry BID ................................................... 22 Paws for Thought ............................................ 24 Beauty - Party Perfection ................................ 26 Fashion - Party in Style ................................... 28 Feature - Jiu-Jitsu ............................................ 33

It’s nearly Christmas and can you believe it!

This month, we’ve had the pleasure of capturing some seasonal cheer from members of the community. We had the low down on the local Jiu Jitsu club (p.33) and the Christmas pantomime (p. 36). If you’re considering getting fit in the new year, visit page 16 and we have lots of festive inspiration throughout to get you in the party mood.

We would like to thank all our contributors, advertisers and readers for their support throughout 2023. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Victoria McKenna EDITOR

Oswestry Life

Culture - Borderland Theatre .......................... 36 Culture - Film ................................................... 38 Books - Season’s Readings ............................... 39 Tree of Light Appeal ...................................... 42 Food & Drink - Recipes ................................... 44 Food & Drink - The Tap.................................... 50 Shropshire Distillery ......................................... 51 Education ........................................................ 53 Health - Nutritional Therapy ........................... 57 Health - Dr Paul Middleton ............................. 58 Wellbeing - Herbal Remedies ..........................60 Healthy Focus ..................................................61 Business ...........................................................63 Focus on Fireworks ..........................................67 Home - Products...............................................70 Property Spotlight ............................................76 Interiors - Christmas Table ...............................85 Make Space for Guests ....................................88 Gardening .......................................................89 Puzzle Page ......................................................98

www.oswestry.life

Delivered to 7,000 homes in and around Oswestry every month 7 Lower Brook Street, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 2HG Telephone: 07986 293294

Joint Managing Directors David Lee-Birch david@oswestrylife.co.uk Tracy Leonard tracy@oswestrylife.co.uk Editor Victoria McKenna victoria@oswestrylife.co.uk Production Designer Aileen Selkirk aileen@oswestrylife.co.uk Regular contributors Graham Mitchell, Dr Paul Middleton, Rebecca Evans, Stephanie Dhillon, Louise Idoux, Claire Arnold, Nicola Manford, Matt Lee Accounts and Distribution info@oswestrylife.co.uk Advertising info@oswestrylife.co.uk

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

www.oswestry.life

ISSUE 80 DECEMBER 2023

THE MOST WIDELY DISTRIBUTED FREE PUBLICATION IN OSWESTRY

YEAR ANNIVERSARY 2017-2023

DECEMBER COVER

Christmas Parade, Saturday 2 December

grahamsfmitchell

Christmas Water’s Edge Spirit Foodbank Inspiration news Royal in Style British Legion • • • Gift • •Party Shropshire Ros Hornbuckle Distillery Your Oswestry local and guide Borders GetSurge your glad in Membership rags on!

Oswestry Life is published by DTS Media. The views expressed within this publication do not necessarily reflect those of DTS Media.

The reproduction of any material in this magazine is forbidden without the written consent of the publisher. Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, DTS Media can in no way accept liability for omissions or incorrect insertions or any consequences arising from use of this publication.

PEFC/16-33-447

© DTS Media Ltd. 2023 Printed by Pensord Press - When you have finished with this publication please recycle

4

| Oswestry life

Local news

Santa steams in for Christmas treat Santa will once again make Christmas magic on Cambrian Heritage Railways, taking time away from his busy schedule to board the much loved ‘Santa Express’.

‘Santa Specials’ will depart Oswestry station for Weston Wharf on specific dates in December when passengers of all ages can enjoy a vintage train ride and visit Santa and friends in his grotto. A present for every child from the great man himself will be the perfect seasonal highlight. Festive refreshments and entertainment will also be on offer as the railway eases everyone into the spirit of Christmas.

Gearing up for the festivities, Cambrian Heritage Railways General Manager, Andy Green said, “This is a magical time of year and everyone at Cambrian Heritage Railways is delighted that Santa has chosen to make several appearances throughout December.

CHR Volunteer Harrison Gillham alongside Santa Helper David Roberts gearing up for the Cambrian Santa Specials.

“We all know how busy Santa is at this time of year, so having him visit us before the big day is going to be an enjoyable experience for new customers and those who have made it an annual Christmas celebration.”

Due to a high-level of demand for tickets, customers are being asked to book early to avoid disappointment.

To join Santa and his friends on a traditional festive railway journey with Cambrian Heritage Railways, see our website for details: www.cambrianrailways.com.

MEET YOUR FIBRE HERO IN OSWESTRY

Santa flying into Trefonen On Sunday 3 December, Santa is paying Trefonen a visit at the Barley Mow pub. As well as festive snacks and mulled wine for the adults, there will be a Best Dressed dog competition and a children’s competition for the Best Tree Decoration (2-11 yrs old). Lots of craft stalls, a raffle and tombola mean a fun afternoon for the family.

Admission is free. For more information contact Mel Oakley on 07874 911347.

D OUT MORE?

HOW CAN I FIN

Your local Fibre Heroes Community Engagement Officer, Nicky Biddle, is here to answer any questions you have about the new network, so you can understand why we’re here and what we’re doing. Your community is what matters to us, and we want to put you all first, so please do speak to Nicky by:

Calling: 07719 085 375

Fibre Heroes are building a new full fibre network in your local area. This means you can get connected to internet with speeds between 150Mbps and 1000Mbps.

Emailing: nicola.biddle@fullfibre.co

FIBRE? WHAT IS FULL It’s an upgrade to the UK’s old copper network, where the fibre goes all the way to your home: giving you internet at the speed of light. It’s an unbeatable internet connection and it’s fully future-proof.

Community Investment Fund

SCAN HERE to send me an email!

Generic Nicky Ad copy.indd 2

Our community investment fund is here for local social groups and charities that are looking to improve what they do, or to try something new, using digital technology. You can find out more by contacting Nicky, or visiting our website: fibreheroes.co.uk/ community-investment-fund

09/10/2023 17:14

Oswestry life

|

5

6

First Responder Effie wins national award

Angel caregiver Lani praised with award

A long-serving community first responder who regularly deals with life-threatening medical emergencies along the WrexhamShropshire border, has been honoured with the highest award to an individual volunteer by the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Grandmother Effie Cadwallader, from St Martins near Oswestry, has attended more than a thousand 999 incidents since she began volunteering with the service five years ago.

Previously, she turned out to more than 3,000 emergencies during 15 years with a neighbouring ambulance service.

Now she has been named ‘Community First Responder of the Year’ from a shortlist drawn up by the Welsh service’s awards committee, which considered hundreds of nominations put forward by the public on behalf of many of the 460 CFRs across Wales.

At an awards ceremony in South Wales, Dr Brendan Lloyd, WAST’s executive medical director, commended Effie for her “excellence in the pre-hospital field where she has demonstrated an outstanding commitment and contribution to her locality”.

Effie was unable to attend the ceremony and received the news of the prestigious accolade while celebrating a ’big birthday’ on holiday abroad with her family, including her seven-month-old grandson. “Hearing about it on my birthday was such a lovely surprise,” she said. “It really was the icing on the cake to complete a wonderful day with my family.”

As a member of the Wrexham Rural Community First Responders group, Effie covers a wide area of north-east Wales, stretching from Tregeiriog and Glynceiriog in the west, north as far as Penycae, Marchwiel and Overton and east to Broningon and Fenns Bank, occasionally crossing the border to the outskirts of Ellesmere.

Visiting Angels North Shropshire, based in Oswestry, has awarded its annual Angel Caregiver of the Year to staff member Lani MacDonald for her work during 2023.

Nicky Goodall, Director of Visiting Angels North Shropshire, was delighted to have awarded the title to Lani and said she has become indispensable to the company.

Nicky said, “Lani has been with us just over a year and was brand new to care when she found us. Lani originates from South Africa and lives in Oswestry with her husband.

“Lani supports us in a full-time role, providing care to many clients with early starts, some late nights and weekends which are part of her weekly schedule. She works single and double handed care visits and goes above and beyond in everything that she does, often providing cover

| Oswestry life

Mark and Nicky Goodall (left and right) with Lani MacDonald (centre)

with visits at short notice, adding to her already heavy schedule.

“Lani also volunteers in the community at the local Hope House Hospice Shop. She continues to amaze us and blows us away with her care, dedication, kindness, enthusiasm, and compassion. An ambassador for VANS, she lives our mission every day.”

Visit a warm space at Qube Oswestry-based charity, Qube are working with Oswestry Town Council to initiate a ‘Warm Space’ project, which aims to support both the financial and mental burdens of the cost of living, especially during the cold, winter months.

Qube has been working on creating a warm and inviting area within their gallery space that people can visit to enjoy a warm, social setting and access a hot drink. They are providing starter packs to visitors, which offers them the means to create a piece of warmth that they can take home. These will include yarn and either a crochet hook or knitting needles so people can create anything from a blanket or scarf to a bobble hat or some mittens.

The Qube team also plan to provide support with the cost of living, by creating informative noticeboards full of pamphlets, helpline advice, and other useful documents such as weekly shops for £20 which will all be useful to those who need guidance.

Plans are also in place to seek the assistance of a trained mental health nurse who can provide advice on why socialising and finding a craft, such as knitting or crochet, is great for mental health and well-being.

Gemma Manning-Bentley, Arts & Creativity Officer at Qube says about the project, “It’s a place where we hope the most vulnerable can make use of and feel comfortable during what we know are these tough times. We would be hugely grateful to anyone who can support us with donations of items such as yarn, crochet or knitting needles and pattern books.”

EC HOLLYWELL EST.1957

Over 60 sofas in stock for immediate FREE* delivery

WE HAVE A LARGE SELECTION OF UPHOLSTERY, DINING, BEDROOM AND OCCASIONAL ITEMS ON DISPLAY EC Hollywell 27-41 Beatrice Street, Oswestry SY11 1QE Tel: 01691 653449 email: sales@echollywell.co.uk visit our website at www.echollywell.co.uk *up to 100 miles Oswestry life

|

7

Oswestry Talking News Needs You!

Money raised for Gamekeepers Welfare Trust Last season, Yareal’s Llanforda Sporting Agency and their clients raised £1,415 for The Gamekeepers Welfare Trust, one of Yareal’s chosen charities. Steve Stringer came along from the Trust to receive the donation.

“We are very grateful for the donation to the charity, which helps us continue our work in supporting the gamekeepers and their dependents. Thank you on behalf of the Gamekeepers Welfare Trust.”

The Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust supports people who are or were a gamekeeper, stalker, ghillie or in an associated occupation when they or a family member is diagnosed with a disease or condition.

Our very own talking news helps so many in the community – the ones who can’t read. Every week, the volunteers at OTN produce an audible version of local news. If you are thinking of finding a voluntary role, look no further than Oswestry Talking News – a local charity.

There are lots of roles, with varying hours needed for each one. If you have skills in admin, IT, finance, marketing or management and want to help a local charity, this is for you. If you have a marketing, public speaking or sales background, would you enjoy promoting OTN to volunteers and clients who would benefit from the weekly productions?

The type of work involves all the behind-thescenes activity that keeps the project going and getting the weekly news out to people who need it. It’s a varied, exciting and rewarding charity to work for and contributes to the happiness and mental health of its listeners.

If you would like to get involved, email oswestrytn@outlook.com

Investing in Land & Property keeping you secure keeping you secure Emergency Lockout Emergency Lockout Locks: Fitted, Replaced or upgraded Locks: Fitted, Replaced or upgraded UPVC Door Repairs UPVC Door Repairs Wooden Doors Fitted & Repaired Wooden Doors Fitted & Repaired Keys Cut Keys Cut Boarding Up & Replacement Glass Fitting Boarding Up & Replacement Glass Fitting

www.yareal.co.uk 8

| Oswestry life

Oswestry life

|

9

Support your local independent businesses

★ Shop local ★ Eat local ★ Spend local ★ Enjoy local ADVANCED HYPNOTHERAPIST Katie Millard

Smoking cessation. Weight management.

Anxiety & Depression. Phobias. Stress 07912 435221 katie@thehappinessclub.co.uk

Amber’s Cleaning Services

Domestic and Commercial Professional Cleaning Services with competitive rates. One off deep cleans/End of Tenancy cleans. Daily/Weekly/ Fortnightly clean. Offices and building sites T: 07955 022129 E:amber123nicole@gmail.com

babyprints.co.uk

Memories that last a lifetime Professional life casts since 2000. For further information contact 07311 310874 chloe.young@babyprints.co.uk www.babyprints.co.uk

Balanced Elements Acupuncture

Park Gate Florist

A busy florist in the centre of Oswestry.

Available for weddings, funerals. Bouquets and arrangements for any occasion 01691 679898 Email: parkgate35a@hotmail.co.uk

Pippo’s Bakery

Specialising in designing bespoke celebration cakes and cupcakes for your special occasion.

Always unique, always yum! Contact us at pipposbakery@gmail.com or via Facebook. com/pipposbakery

Give your oven a little TLC with Clean & Gleam!

Professional oven cleaning services covering Oswestry & surrounding areas.

07866 472083 / 07791 655559 www.facebook.com/cleanandgleamovens

“Y Gorau o’r Gororau” Welsh Shop situated at 33 Bailey Street and online.

Welsh books, cards, music, homeware & gifts Probably the only Welsh shop outside Wales! www.siopcwlwm.co.uk Tel: 01691 680401

Dogz Dinnerz

Foods and supplies for all your pets at the best prices.

Oswestry Indoor Market Hall, Oswestry Tel: 07368 104980 Email:dogzdinnerz@yahoo.com

Enchanted Gifts By Karen

A wide range of gifts, jewellery, crystals, holistic, spiritual, new age and fun items, based in Oswestry Indoor Market.

Email enchantedgiftsbykaren@gmail.com www.enchantedgiftsbykaren.co.uk

Herd Milk

Taste the difference! Delicious, whole milk and yoghurt, fresh from our grassfed cows.Try a milkshake or grab a coffee and a cookie.

Stockists of Belton Cheese (also made with our milk).

Whittington Rd, SY11 4NB victoria@herdmilk.co.uk

J&I Carpets

Over 30 rolls of carpet in stock! Many roll ends half price! Vinyls, LVT, Blinds and Curtains.

A family business est. 1982.

Victoria Road, Oswestry www.jandicarpets.co.uk 01691 656843

Micky Finn Quality Fish

Highest Quality Fresh from Fleetwood EVERY morning! If you have not enjoyed your fish we will refund. Powis Market Hall Oswestry Wednesday and Saturday 7.30-12 Ian: 07966 201696 Erin 07742 248269

Mrs Mops Cleaning Services

Professional domestic and commercial cleaning company. Competitive rates. Followed

by Mrs Hinch on Instagram. Approached by ITV! Contact Melanie 07494 669 479 or mrsmopscleaningservices2020@outlook.com

| Oswestry life

Obertelli Play Therapy

Delivering therapy to children and young people.

Supervision and therapeutic consultation available. Please contact for a free initial enquiry on 07974 506910 or Ginaobertelli@aol.com

Chinese medicine acupuncture and accompanying therapies. Acupuncture, Cupping, Hopi Ear Candles Facebook@Balanced Elements Acupuncture Wharf Road, Ellesmere. Tel: 07495 193330

Clean & Gleam

10

Nu U Beauty

NEW!…IPL permanent hair reduction. Now is the perfect time to get rid of that unwanted hair ready for summer 2024. FREE consultation & patch test (usually £25 with this advert) www.nuubeauty.com Tel : 07506 078265

Siop Cwlwm

Simla Tandoori Restaurant

Proudly serving the best Indian cuisine since 1976 to the local community 42, Beatrice St, Oswestry. 01691 659880 www.simla-oswestry.co.uk

Sun City

Stand-ups, Lie-downs and Infrared Sunbeds.

Open 7 days a week A member of The Sunbed Association.

Telephone 01691 661115 www.suncity-oswestry.co.uk

Tails and Trails Doggy Daycare

Purpose designed with softplay, agility, chill out areas, a puppy creche and much more!

Unit 6A Whittington Business Park Oswestry Tel: 07429 123428 info@tailsandtrailsdaycare.com

Theodore’s Box

We are a family run business passionate about finding the perfect gift for your needs. We have an ever expanding range of personalised products that cater for all special occasions www.theodoresbox.co.uk

Time Invaders

Oswestry’s Comic Shop a treasure trove of comics, annuals, collectables, Retro Arcade entertainment & Gaming rooms.

Dog friendly & all at 23 Cross Street.

Tel 07946550916 www.timeinvaders.co.uk

Vicious Pink Tattoo Studio

Fully licensed. Check out work from Ruth, Sam, Gary, Karen and Libby on Facebook and Instagram. www.viciouspink.co.uk Tel: 01691 570427 Suite C, 9A Willow Street, Oswestry. SY11 1AF

Ethnic, fairtrade and lots of lovely things!

Old Chapel Court English Walls, Oswestry 01691 238227

12

| Oswestry life

MAYOR’S MINUTES Councillor Olly Rose Christmas time is here again and Oswestry celebrates the season so well with events galore and a fine layer of twinkling lights.

Of course it was only recently that we celebrated winning the large town category at the Britain in Bloom National finals. Not only did we receive gold standard for the wonderful flower displays but also for more sustainable planting and for the involvement of the many community groups and volunteers who helped to make our town look its best. It was heartwarming to see people of all ages take part. I also had the honour of collecting a national markets achievement award for small market for continued improvement and impressive occupancy rates.

Our market has recently had quite a face lift and more improvements are to come.

In my year so far I‘ve met so many wonderful people giving their time to improve things for people in very creative ways. I‘m really grateful to have been welcomed and it‘s been hugely interesting to have a window into so many organisations large and small. It‘s hard for busy groups to get their message out and to network with other groups that they could work alongside.

The Town Council held an event recently to help voluntary and statutary groups network together and hopefully more of these can continue. If you feel your group could be better connected there is a local organisation aimed at helping with just that, contact community connectors at s.lanyon@ qube-oca.org.uk The many independant shops and market stalls in town help to give Oswestry its unique character and looking around the streets and snickle ways I’m pretty sure our christmas shopping can all be done locally supporting the traders to help our town continue to thrive.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a great New Year and I am sure all our thoughts are with those who are struggling locally, and of course for those facing the devastating conflicts going on in the world at present.

WORCESTER GAS BOILER SUPPLIED/FITTED FROM £1500+VAT

(SUBJECT TO SURVEY)

Warmest Christmas Wishes from Oswestry’s local, independent plumbing & heating specialists Phone 01691 779630 Email: info@mtec-gas.co.uk

Christmas at Looking for Christmas ideas? Come and visit us at Derwen Marketplace and find a feast of delights, including: • • • • •

A wonderful array of bespoke and locally produced gift items Derwen College-made jams and chutneys Derwen College-made Christmas cakes (pre-orders necessary) Bespoke, hand-picked hampers Beautiful Christmas cards that support our charity, only £3.50 for a pack of 10.

• Fresh Christmas trees. We’ll even deliver if you live within a 5-mile radius! Prices start at £27.

Our charming Orangery Restaurant will be serving Christmas lunches on Mondays to Fridays from 27 November to 15 December.

And don’t forget our award-winning charity shop – The Vintage Advantage – for a selection of high quality clothing and more at a fraction of high street prices.

Derwen College is a registered charity supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Derwen Marketplace provides our students with valuable work experience.

Open 7 days a week. Free parking.

Derwen Marketplace Twmpath Lane, Gobowen SY11 3JA

www.derwen.ac.uk 01691 661234 Oswestry life

|

55

Oswestry is the Blooming “Best Large Town” in Britain The annual RHS Best of Britain In Bloom awards took place in London on the 23 October. The town impressed the Heart of England judges so much last year that they put Oswestry through to the national finals, and Oswestry has won gold and category winner in the large town category. The result was announced to the public on the BBC’s One Show, which is watched by an estimated 3 million people. With the amazing support of Oswestry Town Council, many organisations and the work of all the volunteers, Oswestry really wowed the judges.

The awards are organised by the RHS, The Royal Horticultural Society, which is the UK’s leading gardening charity. RHS Britain in Bloom inspires community groups in towns, cities, and villages to make positive changes to their local environment through horticultural, environmental and community action. The full list of nominees in the large town category were: Bonnie Blantyre, South Lanarkshire Coleraine, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Faversham in Bloom, Kent Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire Kendal, Cumbria Market Harborough, Leicestershire Oswestry, Shropshire Rawtenstall Civic Pride, Lancashire Truro in Bloom, Cornwall Wokingham, Berkshire

organisations, all working for the benefit of the town. The variety and number of these group, often volunteers, really impressed the judges as was the involvement of so many young people. In recent years the focus of In Bloom has shifted from “mainly horticultural” to “mainly community”, and that is something Oswestry does so well.

Oswestry in Bloom also received a ‘Certificate of Achievement for Children and Young People’s Participation’.

This is a priority for the group with various projects including the planting of 1500 sunflowers taking place this year.

Chair of the Oswestry In Bloom volunteer committee, Natalie Bainbridge said, “It was beyond our wildest dreams to win. The award recognises all the hard work, dedication, and cooperation of so many people. From individual hanging baskets to big community projects, everything is part of Oswestry In Bloom. It is Oswestry as a town that has won, and we need to build on this success to continue to grow, involving more people.”

Natalie added, “Oswestry In Bloom is now an established tradition in the town, and this year saw it win Gold (for the 16th year running) and Best Large Town (for the 2nd year running) in the “Heart of England In Bloom” competition. Britain In Bloom rules say we can’t go through to the national final for another 2 years, but we’ll be ready.”

The more people who are involved, the better the results. Oswestry In Bloom is looking for more volunteers and participants, so have a look at their website to see how you can join: oswestryinbloom.wordpress.com The overall winner of Britain in Bloom was Newcastleunder-Lyme from the small city category, also from the Heart of England region.

photos ©graham mitchell

Kay Clark, RHS Community Development Manager said, “Across the UK, groups are enjoying the benefits gardening brings both to their local communities and their own wellbeing. These groups are also trailblazers, trialling innovative ways to tackle environmental issues and engage their wider communities in the most pressing challenges.”

The RHS judges visited Oswestry in August and were given a whistlestop tour. As well as looking at the wonderful floral displays they met members of various Oswestry life

|

15

Health & Wellbeing

New Studio For Movement & Mental Health In Oswestry Two Oswestry health practitioners have launched The Soma Space, an innovative new studio for movement and mental health, located in the town’s Memorial Hall. Aiming to open this new space as a pop-up, the founders – Level 3 personal trainer Jo Hazell-Watkins and psychotherapist and author Kevin Braddock, will offer group and individual workshops combining exercise and mental health learning to benefit the community.

This project builds on the work the duo have been doing in the town since January 2023 with their Soma Dynamic: Movement For Mental Health project, running weekly sessions and so far making over 150 combined physical and mental health interventions. Their project is now also registered as a CIC (Community Interest Company) and has received backing from Santander Bank and been supported by start-up consultancy Be A Better Fish and Martin & Jones Marketing.

“The benefits of exercise on mental health are widely known

Jo Hazell-Watkins and Kevin Braddock

today and promoted by the NHS but would-be participants may struggle to find ways to bring more movement into their lives, often finding typical gym experiences anxiety-inducing,” Jo and Kevin said.

“In our workshops and sessions, we programme a range of exercises, tailored to individual abilities and include learning and group reflection to add to the experience.

Participants tell us the space we create is welcoming and inclusive, and they leave feeling that they have worked on both their physical and mental health simultaneously.”

The Soma Space is now based in its central Oswestry location and is the next phase in the project’s development.

Personal Trainer Jo is one of only three trauma-informed weightlifting practitioners in the UK – a field in its infancy but one that is attracting serious academic interest today. Kevin, who grew up in Oswestry, returned to the town in January this year after

Artist impression of the Soma Space

16

| Oswestry life

Participants tell us the space we create is welcoming and inclusive, and they leave feeling that they have worked on both their physical and mental health simultaneously. qualifying as a psychotherapist during 2022 and being accepted on the BACP’s national register of counsellors. Kevin is also author of the book “Everything Begins With Asking For Help: An Honest Guide To Depression & Anxiety”, which won standout reviews and was featured in the national press.

“We both know from personal experience the value of exercise of all forms on mental health and opening The Soma Space with the generous backing of friends, colleagues and local supporters is enabling us to serve the community at a time when physical and mental health have never been so important,” said Jo and Kevin.

Follow the project on Instagram: @thesoma.space For more information visit www.thesoma.spacek and

D es H Fre ig om e n Se e rv ic e

Fitted Kitchens, Bedrooms & Home Office

WE OFFER

0%

Whittington Rd, FINANCE Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 1HZ 01691 658444 info@coloursupplies.com

coloursupplies.com Oswestry life

|

17

1

GRAB SOME

GIFT

INSPIRATION

3

2

4 5

6 9

8

10 7 1. William Morris Strawberry Thief Adult Apron, £12.99, Upstairs Downstairs, Oswestry, www.upstairsdownstairsuk.net 2. Own It award winning Coconut & Avocado Nourishing Hair Mask, 250ml, £29.99, www.ownitlifestyle.co.uk 3. Luxury fragranced tin candles, from £6.95, www.gatcombecandleco.co.uk, Email: info@gatcombecandleco.co.uk 4. Personalised dog advent calender, with or without treats. £15 including treats, Your mug on a mug, Oswestry, Facebook. com/yourmugonamug. 5. Hand painted Cat and Moon Ornament by Nemesis Now, £15, Enchanted Gifts by Karen, Indoor Market Bailey Head, Oswestry. www.enchantedgiftsbykaren.co.uk 6. Vitoria Slippers, £35.25, www.moshulu.co.uk. 7. Hotel Chocolat’s Jolly Penguin, milk chocolate, white chocolate, caramel and vegan versions. £8.95, www.hotelchocolat.com 8. These beautiful light-weight silk scarves from India come in a wide variety of colours, £9.95 each, Rowanthorn, Oswestry, www.rowanthorn.co.uk 9. Amelia Antique Oval Necklace, £99, www.amelia-scott.com 10. Nettle Venom Cream 50ml. Tightens, firms and renews, £63.50, Home - Heaven by Deborah Mitchell, heavenskincare.com

18

| Oswestry life

11

12

15

13 14

16

18 20

17

19 11. Bespoke hampers, prices start at £15. Derwen Marketplace’s Garden Centre and Gift Shop, Gobowen SY11 3JA 12. Elephant trinket dish, £4.99, Barkers Gift Shop, Oswestry, www.facebook.com/Barkersgiftshop 13. Unisex adult socks, featuring helicopters with ‘Lifesaver On A Break’ written on the soles, sizes 6 to 11, £5, www.midlandsairambulance. com/shop 14. Hand Painted Candy Cane Cat Hanging Ornament, £12.50, Cat World Feline Superstore, 3c Church Street (alleyway next to Boots) bengalcatworld.co.uk 15. Personalised mugs, price from £10. To order message Personalised by Phoebe on Facebook or text 07957 537 136. 16. Wendy Wanderlust children’s adventure book, £10.99, www.wendy-wanderlust.com 17. Little Bird Told Me Norbert Donkey Rocker, £149.95, www.cuckooland.com. 18. Padded book sleeves, suitable for e-readers, tablets, Kindles, and iPads, £14.49, handmade in Oswestry by BeeBeautiful www.etsy.com/uk/shop/HomemadeGiftsByBee 19. Shropshire Distillery Limited Edition Gins, Cranberry and Clementine, and Frankincense and Myrrh, £40, 70cl.Available to buy online: www.theshropshiredistillery.co.uk 20. Mam cushion £13.99, Blodau hyfryd vase £7.99, Mam mug £11.99, Mam decoration £4.99, Mam candle £12. Siop Cwlwm, Bailey St, Oswestry, www.siopcwlwm.co.uk

Oswestry life

|

19

Tools

Home & garden furniture Kids ride-on cars Tools, and much much more

New store in Oswestry for quality items at great prices

Visit us in store or online for fantastic offers across a wide range of products

www.theboxbaystore.com 20

| Oswestry life

EE FR LO L CA L DE Y ER IV HOME GARDE & N

Heavy Duty Garage Wall Mounted Adjustable Tool Storage Organiser System only £32.95

Tools

We are proud to stock Draper Tool products with an expanding Draper range coming soon

Maesbury Road Ind. Est. Oswestry SY10 8HA Tel: 07903 493409 Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm Saturday 9am-4pm Sunday 10am-4pm

www.theboxbaystore.com Oswestry life

|

21

advertisement feature

Oswestry BID, Oswestry Police & Street Rangers

Oswestry BID Update 2023 Oswestry BID, Oswestry Police and Street Rangers November saw the launch of Oswestry BID’s Street Rangers initiative, fully funded by Oswestry BID, and in partnership with West Mercia Police and Valley Security.

This town centre service comes in response to a significant increase in shoplifting and incidents of antisocial behaviour which has become a national issue, impacting towns across the country.

The Street Ranger model has been successfully applied in many towns and cities. Oswestry BID are using best practice to guide the design of the service, and adding bespoke aspects tailored specifically to Oswestry town centre’s needs.

Our shops and businesses in the town centre need practical support to handle these challenges with measures to strengthen and enhance the safety of staff and customers.

BID Manager, Adele Nightingale, is looking forward to seeing the Street Rangers making a difference in the town centre, and believes the partnership with Oswestry police is vital in the endeavour.

Adele said, “We’d like to thank Inspector Greenaway for partnering with BID in this initiative, to build strong operational relationships between the Street Rangers and West Mercia Police. This is a key foundation for the service to work well on the ground, and we really appreciate the insight and experience Inspector Greenaway brings to the project.”

Inspector Greenaway of West Mercia Police said, “In recent months I have been invited to work with Oswestry BID on their Street Rangers project. Their drive and enthusiasm to bring this project to the town is extremely 22

| Oswestry life

Street Rangers in training with Oswestry Police.

encouraging and the project will very much work with, and complement, the Local Policing Charter that guides the work my Safer Neighbourhood Team in Oswestry do.

“Community Guardianship is to be encouraged and it is clear that the BID have those who live and work within the town at the forefront of their mind. I will ensure that my Safer Neighbourhood Team works closely with the Street Rangers in their continued efforts to safeguard their community from harm.”

Oswestry’s Street Rangers will be a visible presence around the town, providing community engagement and playing a key role in the town’s security network.

Focussed on reducing anti-social behaviour and crime in the town centre, the Street Rangers will work closely with Oswestry BID, West Mercia Police, Oswestry Town Council, Shropshire Council, and other partners, to bring a much-needed resource to town, keeping clear lines of communication with businesses, and contributing to the pro-active management of the town centre.

Church Street Enhancement Project

Oswestry BID receiving Coach Friendly award from CPT

Oswestry opens new chapter on Coach Tourism A thriving visitor economy is vital to Oswestry’s overall town economy, and coaches play an essential role.

Whilst Oswestry has long enjoyed seasonal coach visits, BID have set out to increase the frequency and regularity of coach visits to boost the footfall and income of local shops, cafes, businesses and organisations.

To that end, Oswestry BID, with the assistance of Oswestry Town Council, have been working to achieve the recognised Coach Friendly Accreditation Status for the town, and on 9th November 2023, were awarded this accolade by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT).

BID Manager, Adele Nightingale, is thrilled by the prize, and expects significant economic benefits over the coming years. “We’re so pleased to get this over the line. Oswestry is a wonderful town to visit and given the nearby towns and cities, we can expect to welcome many new visitors to enjoy everything we have to offer. A strong and sustainable local economy is the heartbeat of a town, and we see Coach Friendly Accreditation Status as a really positive step in support of that strategy.”

Lee Lucks, Chairman of local tourism group, Oswestry Borderland Tourism, is pleased to hear of the award, and looking forward to welcoming more visitors to the town.

“We are delighted that the town of Oswestry has been awarded Coach Friendly status,” said Lee. “We are always looking for ways to bring more visitors to our lovely town, and being known as a Coach Friendly Town will give us even more opportunities to showcase all the best of our friendly market town. With the Tourist Information Centre right next to where most coach parties are dropped off, we are looking forward to meeting visitors as soon as they arrive and being able to point them to all the great places to see in town.”

The CPT sees the scheme as a way for a town’s businesses to increase their earning potential, improve air quality and reduce road traffic congestion very effectively.

Having achieved Coach Friendly Status, the CPT will be informing their roster of Coach companies to put Oswestry firmly on their map for seasonal trips and day excursions.

A series of planned improvements to Church Street following issues during Covid of providing adequate space for pedestrians are reaching completion In summary, enhancements include extensions to pavements, street furniture with garden planters, seating, and a defined one way system to significantly improve safety.

The extended walking areas have been coloured to blend with existing pavements. Our preference was to have red brick and York Stone to match what is already there, but this was not financially viable and there were concerns about drainage too.

One key upgrade has seen a clarified marking of Disabled Bays and Loading Bays. This makes it clearer to drivers where parking is, and is not, permissible. In this regard, it is vitally important that drivers avoid parking in Loading Bays, unless actually loading or unloading, as this causes major issues for businesses receiving deliveries. We all need to support our High Street, and keeping Loading Bays clear for deliveries is a priority for our local businesses.

We do hope the changes will make for a safer and even more attractive place to shop and dwell in town, and easier for businesses to operate.

Prospect of new Railway Connection beckons!

BID were thrilled to see the announcement of the re-opening of the Oswestry to Gobowen line with connection to the Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital and RJAH Veterans Orthopaedic Centre, serving veterans nationally.

Our huge congratulations to Cambrian Heritage Railways and a host of dedicated volunteers who have worked for decades to keep the dream alive of reinstating the line.

We’re also pleased as Oswestry BID to have played a supporting and lobbying role on the Working Group and Steering Committee, providing technical support when required, and engaging local MP’s.

BID sees the reactivation of Oswestry’s railway as a catalyst for a new chapter of transport provision and economic growth in the town.

Our thanks to every organisation and individual that has helped to support Cambrian Heritage Railways in bringing this about. Full steam ahead!

Oswestry life

|

23

S !

A IN M T OW IS R N H K C OC T S

Paws ws fOr Thought Keeping Pets Safe and Content at Christmas

Pets (and their guardians) can become stressed at times of celebrations when routines change, or they may become anxious when the home fills up with visitors.

BRINGING YOU THE VERY BEST IN RAW, APPROPRIATE FOOD FOR YOUR CARNIVOROUS ANIMALS Whether you are already a seasoned raw feeder or interested in switching your animals to a raw diet then we have everything you need and much more.

As well as our large range of top quality raw minces, chunks and bones we also supply air dried chews and natural treats as well as herbal supplements to complement a natural diet.

SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF RAW FEEDING: Less Sensitivities ■ Great for allergy sufferers ■ Smaller less odorous poop ■ Clean teeth & breath ■ Shiny healthy coat ■

E

IC V ER E S L Y AB ER IL IV VA EL A

D

Unit 10 Radfords Field, Maesbury Rd, Oswestry SY10 8RA 07403737806 www.duffysdiner.co.uk Follow us on Facebook and instagram

Visit our Website

themarkettownvet.co.uk

Book Appointments Register Your Pet Pet Health Plans

Telephone: 01691 897 199 3D CHURCH STREET, OSWESTRY, SY11 2SU 24

| Oswestry life

Do not leave pets unsupervised around visitors or excited children because your pet may react unpredictably or aggressively.

Provide your pet with a quiet, safe space to escape to.

Offer a bowl of cold CHAMOMILE TEA or Bach Rescue Remedy in their water bowl to promote calmness and relaxation.

Things to avoid • Leftovers and cooked bones: NEVER feed dogs cooked bones which can splinter and cause serious internal injuries. Also, do not feed leftovers e.g., stuffing, gravy and pigs in blankets because they are high in salt. Fatty foods can trigger Pancreatitis.

• Foods containing Fruit and Nuts: Raisins, sultanas, currants and grapes are toxic. Seeds and nuts can pose a risk of choking, and macadamia nuts are a serious health hazard.

• Alcohol • Rotting food: Keep food waste and any leftovers out of reach of a pet. Blue cheese and salt dough ornaments contain compounds that may cause a pet significant illness.

• Onions, garlic, potatoes: Difficult to digest.

• Sweet treats: Chocolate can be dangerous for pets but so can artificial sweeteners, including xylitol, which is found in chewing gum.

• Food additives: Avoid food products containing edible glitter. This is often found in festive food and treats for reindeer, rabbits and dogs.

• Wrappers, Tinsel and Decorations: If ingested, these can pose a serious risk and may lead to emergency surgery if eaten.

• Plants: Be aware that the needles can penetrate a pet’s paw and cause infection or pain. Holly berries, mistletoe and poinsettia are toxic to pets.

Lilies are also dangerous for cats.

If you believe that your pet has been exposed to/has eaten something that could cause them serious health issues, SEE YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY! Wishing you and your pets a peaceful and healthy festive time.

Rebecca Evans of Knowing Noses Botanical Self-healing for Animals info@knowingnoses.com

Visit Your New Oswestry Superstore GRAND OPENING FRIDAY 8TH DECEMBER Thousands of products across 16 departments

Shop Our Christmas Collection

Kitchen Electrical bundle for the first person in the queue and goodie bags for the first 50

In-store

therange.co.uk Order by midnight * Follow on day social media therange.co.uk forus next delivery

Welcome to Suncity, we pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service in a friendly but professional salon.

We are committed to responsible tanning. Our tanning lamps are 0.3 which comply to European and British regulations to ensure tanning without burning, and we change our lamps before the manufacturers recommended usage time to ensure your best tan every session.

• 3 Lie-downs, 3 Stand-ups and an Infrared Sunbed.

• Open 7 days a week • We offer a walk-in service and an online booking service.

• A member of the Sunbed Association • Tanning from 40p per minute with free disposable eye protection for every tanning session.

• Package deals available.

• Official Stockists of Australian Gold indoor and outdoor tanning lotions, Devoted Creations and Power Tan.

• We ensure all our retail products cannot be found cheaper •

online.

You must be over 18 to use a Sunbed.

65 Beatrice Street, Oswestry, SY11 1QR Tel: 01691 661115 @suncity_oswestry

Suncity Oswestry

Suncity Oswestry www.Suncity-Oswestry.co.uk

Oswestry life

|

25

Beauty

Party perfection Foolproof, stress-free and budgetfriendly make-up ideas to turn heads this Christmas…

A flawless base is as much about skincare as it is about cosmetics. Use a gentle exfoliator and face mask the night before your Christmas party. Before the party, prep your skin with a hydrating serum.

Beauty Pie’s Japanfusion Genius Lift Elixir (from £14 at www.beautypie.com) is ideal. Follow with your usual moisturiser.

Take your foundation up a notch by blending it with e.l.f.’s Halo Glow Liquid Filter (www.elfcosmetics. co.uk). This adds a soft, naturallooking radiance to your skin. Choose from 12 shades to match your skin tone, or pick a lighter shade to use as a highlighter. Dewy skin is expected to be a key trend for 2024, so this is £14 well spent.

Next up, eyes. If you can’t have a bit of fun with your make-up at Christmas, when can you? In other words, go bold or go glittery. Is statement eyeshadow tricky to apply? Try KIKO Milano’s Create Your Balance Gaze Defining Eyeshadow Duo (£13.99, www.kikocosmetics.co.uk). Sweep the matte shade across your lids, then follow with the glitter shade in the crease of your eye, along the lash line or above your eye (the choice is yours).

Not a fan of glitter? Bobbi Brown has you covered. Its Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Sticks are a breeze to apply and will stay put for the whole evening. Even better, you can get two mini Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks (in Golden Pink and Dusty Mauve) plus a mini Smokey Eye Mascara as a set for £29.50 at the moment. Each shade works well on its own, or you can blend them for extra definition. The set is supposed to be for gifting, but it’s also the perfect size for popping in a handbag if you plan to get ready at the office.

When it comes to brows, there are a multitude of trends this winter, from rainbow to bleached and skinny to textured. So, our advice is to go with what suits you. You can’t go wrong by lightly accentuating your eyebrows with a pencil one shade darker than your natural brows.

If the winter chill has left your lips feeling dry, mix half a teaspoon of sugar with a dash of olive oil to make a homemade lip scrub. Follow with a hydrating lipstick. 3INA’s Longwear Lipstick goes on like a gloss, containing hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump lips. But, unlike a lip gloss, this one dries to an on-trend matte finish and lasts for several hours, even when you’re eating, drinking or puckering up under the mistletoe.

Finish with a spritz of Barry M Fresh Face Fixation Setting Spray (£5.99, www.barrym.com), and you’re ready to party.

26

| Oswestry life

Oswestry life

|

27

Party in S t yl e This Christmas, the fashion scene has taken a more stylish turn. With a touch of gold or silver hardware added to accessories, you can turn up the glam. Adding a faux fur coat or one with a twist will really get your friend’s attention when you walk into the party! Try these for inspiration.

28

| Oswestry life

Black Shawl Collar Tux Blazer £75, Trousers & Bag Due In, www.riverisland.com

Fashion

Sienna Sequin Cardigan £110, www.monsoon.co.uk Sage Column PU Midi Skirt £65, www.oliverbonas.com

Black Lace Bustier Wide Leg Jumpsuit £45.99, www. newlook.com Dark Multi Reversible Black And Tan Belt £12.80 (sale), www.accessorize.com

Black Cuff Heeled Court Shoes £50, www.riverisland.com

Vanessa Velvet Embellished Dress £300, www.monsoon.co.uk F&F Faux Fur Coat £55 (in store only), www.tesco.com

Hanley Close Metallic Mini Flapover Oro Crossbody Bag £159, www.radley.co.uk Long Sleeve Satin Shirt Midaxi Dress £45, www.very.co.uk RI Studio Coat £160, www.riverisland.com

Oswestry life

|

29

LJ AESTHETICS is an advanced practioner led aesthetics clinic based in the beautiful Salon XV in Oswestry run

by Lucy Jones.

Although LJ AESTHETICS is new to the XV Beauty team Lucy has over 20 years’ experience in the beauty industry. Lucy offers an array of aesthetic and well-being treatments including non-surgical facial injectables including dermal fillers, laser hair removal, Million Dollar facials and the newest Lemon Bottle fat dissolving injections.

Lucy has a passion for facial and skin treatments and has qualified in anatomy and physiology so she literally knows the face inside and out. LJ Aesthetics is fully insured and Lucy works alongside reputable pharmacies meaning not only are all the products Lucy uses the best, but also the safest.

Booking a consultation at LJ Aesthetics is free - no obligation appointment with Lucy guiding you through the process and advising what is best for each individual client to achieve their desired results.

• • • • •

SKIN TREATMENTS LASER HAIR REMOVAL DERMAL FILLERS ANTI WRINKLE INJECTIONS LASHES AND BROWS

“Lucy always makes you feel incredibly relaxed. She is extremely knowledgeable in her services and has a wealth of experience behind her. Thank you! My skin feels gorgeous.”

T: 07889 404406 E: aestheticsbyljoswestry@mail.com https://instagram.com/lj_aesthetics_wellbeing 15 Beatrice Street, Oswestry, SY11 1QE. 30

| Oswestry life

Look amazing with a little help from your local practitioners

Enjoy the very best in hair & beauty services within our luxurious & relaxing 3 storey salon. Our expert team of highly qualified, passionate hair stylists & beauty therapist are committed to delivering an outstanding professional service.

We are a Wella professional salon, but also offer some L’Oréal, Schwarzkopf & GHD hair care. As well as Decleor beauty products.

Thank you to all our lovely customers who have continued to

support us throughout the year. Warmest wishes for a happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

Beauty by Claire Beauty, cosmetic & personal care

Beauty therapy in the comfort of your own home from a highly trained professional with 25+ years experience nails • facials • massage • eyebrow/lash

07779 588280

beautybyclairemobile@gmail.com Oswestry life

|

31

recycling and waste

e v i t s Fe

over the

period

The day of the week your recycling and waste is collected will change over the festive period.

Revised collection day

Usual collection day Monday

25 December 2023

Saturday

23 December 2023

Tuesday

26 December 2023

Wednesday

27 December 2023

Wednesday

27 December 2023

Thursday

28 December 2023

Thursday

28 December 2023

Friday

29 December 2023

Friday

29 December 2023

Saturday

30 December 2023

Monday

1

January

2024

Tuesday

2

January

2024

Tuesday

2

January

2024

Wednesday

3

January

2024

Wednesday

3

January

2024

Thursday

4

January

2024

Thursday

4

January

2024

Friday

5

January

2024

Friday

5

January

2024

Saturday

6

January

2024

Red = earlier collection Blue = later collection These changes start Saturday 23rd December 2023 and end on Saturday 6th Jan 2024.

Collections will return to normal from Monday 8th January 2024.

Household Recycling Centres are open 9am-5pm daily, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day when they are closed.

32

| Oswestry life

These dates are the same as those on your collection calendar

Feature

Martial Art for All Feeling your same weekly routine at the gym isn’t challenging anymore and you’re not progressing the way you want to?

Or maybe, as a woman you don’t feel as confident walking home from work now the clocks have gone back and it’s dark earlier?

Well, Oswestry has its very own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy. A martial art that is both great for fitness (mind and body) and is also taught to women for self-defence.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting and submission holds. The history of the combat art suggests it was the fighting art of the Samurai and developed because their armour was heavy and restricting. The subsequent throws, locks and chokes made it possible for the Samurai to fight and defend themselves.

Based on the Radford Fields Industrial Estate, the Oswestry academy was opened back in 2019 by black belt Karl Franks. Karl is a black belt under Jason Tan of the MMA Academy Liverpool.

Karl explained how the academy came about. “I started the club at Activ8 gym with seven students on the mat, now we have over 100 members ages ranging from 4 - 64 years old.

“We recently opened our brand-new facility and expanded the team to kids, woman’s self-defence, free style, Graeco-Roman wrestling and kickboxing. We teach freestyle wrestling, taken by coach Al Taylor who has close ties to Wolverhampton wrestling club, one of the most successful clubs in uk. We also work with local sports teams like the TNS foundation for troubled teens and put on team grappling classes. We have people joining from all walks of life and professions. This is what makes jiu-jitsu great because everybody is treated equally on the mat.”

The goal at OJJA is to help people live a healthy lifestyle and be involved with a strong community.

“Most of the participants bring kids and other family members to train and have a great time in a fun and safe environment,” Karl explained.

Jiu-Jitsu has the power to transform, not only your body, but also your mindset. It can help you develop a resilient mindset, that never gives up, faces challenges with determination and courage, control your fears and overcomes obstacles both on and off the mats. Here’s somewhere you can gain confidence in your abilities and surpass your own expectations.

The academy has had students with cancer using Jiu-Jitsu as a tool to stay strong during treatment. Karl is very focused on the kids team and feels that by building a strong programme for them, the academy will help the area by giving children positive active role models and fight against sedentary lifestyles, drugs and crime.

Whether you are an experienced practitioner or beginner, Jiu-Jitsu has the power to transform your mindset and lead to new achievements and success. Karl welcomes you to train with him at Oswestry Jiu-Jitsu Academy!

Find more information on Instagram @oswjja or follow on Facebook @OswestryJiu-JitsuAcademy Oswestry life

|

33

THE MOBILE BODYSHOP THAT COMES TO YOU

We can repair vehicle paint damage at a location convenient to you: • Bumper scuffs • Paint/bodywork scratches • Vandal scratch repair • Cosmetic repairs • Minor paint repair to trim and body panels • Dent repair

Charity Christmas cards

“Great professional service provided with added bonus of been at your own home.

Fairly priced. Highly recommended” Mark Steman ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭

“Brilliant service, highly professional, would definitely recommend!

Thank you so much” Vicky Holloway ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭

Pin T ong Massage Therapeutic & Relaxing Massages

A POP-UP SHOP IN A POP-UP SHOP IN ST OSWALD’S PARISH CHURCH, ST OSWALD’S PARISH CHURCH, OSWESTRY OSWESTRY WILL BE OPEN TO SELL will be open to sell CHRISTMAS CARDS & GOODS ON BEHALF OF Christmas cards &CHARITIES goods LOCAL AND NATIONAL on behalf of FROM SATURDAY 29thcharities OCTOBER local and national th TO SATURDAY 10 DECEMBER UNTIL SATURDAY 9TH DECEMBER 10AM TO 4PM (MONDAY TO SATURDAY) 34

| Oswestry life

Thai Traditional Massage Deep Tissue Massage Swedish Massage Couples Massage Herbal Compress Hot Stone Reflexology Aromatherapy Foot Massage Indian Head Massage

tel: 01691 655988 mob: 07483 333650 email: info@pintong.co.uk

Open Monday to Sunday 10am to 9pm

29B Bailey Street, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 1PX

The Oswestry Framing Company Wishing all our customers a very merry Christmas and thank you for your continued support

15 Leg Street Oswestry SY11 2NL Tel 01691 670552 www.oswestryframing.co.uk Oswestry life

|

35

Culture

Affordable Theatre for Everyone Visiting the theatre in one of our surrounding towns or cities, can be an expensive day out. Especially if you have a family – ticket prices have soared in recent years and add to that the cost of travel, food and other expenses for a day out.

High costs were one of the major reasons why the not-for-profit Borderland Theatre group was created.

Some families just don’t have access to theatre simply because of the expense. One of the group’s Directors, Danielle Edwards, explained how the message behind the club was brought about.

“We realised that alongside soaring costs for theatre tickets and travel, there wasn’t actually any musical theatre in the area with community outreach. By that I mean, making theatre accessible for everyone – children and adults.

“We work within the community by attending events like the Oswestry Christmas lights switch on. We also have workshops in schools planned, which opens up the concept of theatre to young people should they have not experienced it. We have found that quite a few members

36

| Oswestry life

of the group are parents and grandparents, so the drive is very much about family and community.”

The excitement is certainly building for the Christmas period and Borderland Theatre have created their Christmas pantomime – Aladdin, which runs Saturday 2 December and Sunday 3 December.

Danielle said, “The pantomime has all the classical bits you would expect and it’s a full-length experience with songs and dancing. We also decided to include some traditional elements like the song “If I were not in pantomime”.

Borderland Theatre currently holds free rehearsals in Welshpool with all events being held in Oswestry.

Although a distance from town, finding a free location to practice has been tricky and a compromise. The Christmas pantomime is coinciding with other town Christmas events, and Danielle is thankful how supportive Oswestry Town Council have been.

“The other director and I are young mums and we both understand the pressures of family life. We have been able to connect with local businesses to source local products we need. So far we have been supported through our own fundraising events and through grants from Oswestry Town Council and The Rotary Club, and we are so grateful,” Danielle explained.

I think you’ll agree, this is a valuable initiative for Oswestry, with the benefits covering the whole community.

A Christmas pantomime on your doorstep – what better way to start the Christmas celebrations!

If you want to get involved in the theatre group, find them on Facebook @ BorderlandTheatre

Oswestry life

|

55

Culture BOOK REVIEW – EDITOR’S CHOICE

FILM OF THE MONTH

A Golden Summer in Llanfyllin

By Richard Kretchmer

Go (18)

AVAILABLE TO RENT OR BUY If you want to watch a Christmas film where the yuletide season brings out the best in everyone and people learn lessons, in the process becoming better people, there are plenty available. If you want to watch a razor-sharp comedy drama set over the festive season where no one learns any lessons and everyone stays as venal and selfish as they started, this is the one for you.

1999’s ‘Go’ sees a cast of vaguely familiar faces (including a young Katie Holmes) getting in over their heads, doubling down, making bad decisions at every opportunity and just about making it through Christmas in one piece, in most cases anyway. It’s a fun pulsating film that never stands still, constantly moving from scene to scene and character to character. Focused on a seemingly disparate group of people whose lives connect in surprising ways, it’s clearly influenced by the likes of ‘Pulp Fiction’, though escapes its debts with a great sense of style and momentum. The film flopped on release but has deservedly earned a reputation as an overlooked Tarantinoesque crime caper. Supermarket clerk Ronna arranges to buy some drugs to head off her impending eviction, setting off a chain of events that takes in talking cats, car crashes, cops making multi-level marketing pitches to TV stars, stag do’s gone awry and much much more. The joy with films like this is the way they bring together every strand of the story by the end, and ‘Go’ does it joyously. It’s a little dated at times, and a little rough around the edges, but as an antidote to Xmas excess it’s a blast. Director Doug Liman went on to great success with the first Jason Bourne film and the Tom Cruise collaborations ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ and ‘American Made’, but this early work holds its own among them, and that’s saying something.

By Michael Hudson 38

| Oswestry life

What do a house clearance, a set of lantern slides and a Llanfyllin shopkeeper have in common? The skilfully hand-tinted slides were found in Llanfyllin, providing the first colour photographs of the town, long before colour film existed.

The shopkeeper, John Ellis Jones, son of a ‘Bootmaker & Dealer’ in Leg Street in Oswestry, was a commercial traveller working in London. He met Laura Buckley, a dressmaker from Birmingham, they married and moved to Llanfyllin. There they sold boots and shoes at Globe House on the High Street.

This book will be a wonderful present for anyone who wants to read an extraordinary story and see the world as it looked over a century ago.

Available, priced £16.95, from ‘Daisy Blue’ on Llanfyllin’s town square, Llanfyllin Library or from Pauline Page-Jones, email pauline@page-jones. com or call 07989 766220.

POETRY

Christmas Eve

By Dave Andrews All’s quiet now, the family’s asleep this Christmas Eve. By our tree the gifts Gold, Frankincense and Merlot!

One more drink, one more chunk of Toblerone, then I slowly rise to put the house to bed.

On the mantelpiece I spot my optimistic auntie’s card, the same she sends each year, Madonna and Child, proclaiming ‘Peace on Earth,’ ‘Hosanna’ no one hears, Tonight the Holy Land’s awash with tears.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol was first published in 1843 and was an overnight success. It follows the fortune of miserly, penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge who views Christmas as ‘humbug’.

Letters from Father Christmas by J. R. R. Tolkien

Every December, an envelope from the North Pole would arrive for J.R.R. Tolkien’s children.

Inside would be a letter in strange spidery handwriting, and a beautifully coloured drawing or some sketches. The letters were from Father Christmas…

The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding – Poirot

Agatha Christie’s seasonal Poirot and Marple short story collection. First, a sinister warning to Poirot not to eat any plum pudding… ending with the puzzle of the victim who dreamt his own suicide. What links this series of baffling cases? Poirot, of course!

The Haunting Season – featuring eight best-selling authors

From a bustling Covent Garden Christmas market and the frosty moors of Yorkshire to a London mansion where a beautiful girl lies frozen in death, eight best-selling authors bring you a spine-chilling wintry collection of ghostly and Gothic tales.

We Wish You A Merry Christmas and Other Festive Poems by Chris Riddell The perfect stocking filler for poetry lovers of all ages. It includes The Night Before Christmas, The Twelve Days of Christmas, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and new seasonal verse.

Christmas on the Cambrian Trains running from Oswestry Station to Weston Wharf on the following dates: Saturday 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd December Sunday 3rd, 10th & 17th December Ticket prices - £16 per person (price includes, train ride to Weston Wharf, drink & mince pie and a present for the children) Trains start at 10.00am Entertainment at Weston Wharf including – Bouncy Castle, Soft Play, Face Painting & more

Booking is essential – please book at www.cambrianrailways.com Oswestry life

|

39

www.adrenalinesportingevents.co.uk

Book your CHRISTMAS PARTY However you wish to celebrate, let us help you capture ture tthe he spir spirit rit of able.

Christmas and make this year’s festivities truly memora memorable. inator Speak to our dedicated Christmas Coordinator for more information. jenniferbridger@ymail.com

Proudly sponsored by

OCCS Media Partner 2023

40

| Oswestry life

07557 950335

Join us for our Christmas Services at the Parish Church of St. Oswald,Oswestry Sunday 3rd December at 6.30pm

aDvent CarOl ServiCe

a candlelit service featuring the lovely advent carols Please note that the service starts in darkness so please be seated ten minutes before the start Sunday 17th December at 6.30pm

traDitiOnal FeStival OF nine leSSOnS & CarOlS

all your favourite carols sung by our fine cathedral quality choir. if you can’t get to King’s College Cambridge then Oswestry is the place to be Christmas eve Sunday 24th December 10.30am PariSh euChariSt 4.00pm nativity ServiCe a service especially designed for young children 11.30pm MiDnight MaSS Monday 25th December at 10.30am

ChriStMaS Day euChariSt the music for all the above services can be seen on our website

stoswaldsoswestry.org.uk

Oswestry life

|

41

is hes w s a Xm

Greetings

from Oswalds Cars

from Dainty Paws Mobile Dog Grooming

Bookings@oswaldscars.co.uk Tel: 01691 596 596

Call: 07762 278533 www.daintypaws.info

in support of the Rotary club’s Tree of Light appeal

Supporting the Rotary Club Tree of Light Appeal

Merry Catmas! from Cat World Feline superstore offering top quality gifts, homewares, cat toys, and accessories for all cat lovers and their furry friends.

3c Church Street bengalcatworld.co.uk In support of the Rotary club’s Tree of Light appeal

Season’s Season’s Greetings Greetings

from John Davies Investment & Mortgage Services LLP from Pivotal Plumbing & Heating Telephone 01691 680845 Telephone 01691 831529 Mobile 07968 741728 info@pivotalplumbingandheating.co.uk www.johndaviesinvestments.co.uk www.pivotalplumbingandheating.co.uk 22 Willow Street, Oswestry

Merry Christmas from Duffy’s Diner Supporting the Tree of Light Appeal Tel: 07403737806 www.duffysdiner.co.uk Unit 10 Radfords Field, Maesbury Rd, Oswestry SY10 8RA

Chr istm

from Gatcombe Candle Co. Tel: 07977 834762 Supporting the Rotary club’s Tree of Light appeal Unit 20, Maes Y Clawdd, Maesbury Road Industrial Estate, Oswestry

Greetings

from the Meadows Osteopath Clinic Claire Arnold Registered Osteopath www.themeadowsosteopathclinicclairearnoldosteopath.com 07792 367507 in support of the Rotary club’s Tree of Light appeal

42

| Oswestry life

from Pocket Office A range of virtual and in-person services for your office 01691 889600 www.pocketoffice.co.uk

Season’s Greetings

from John Davies Investment & Mortgage Services LLP Telephone 01691 680845 Mobile 07968 741728 www.johndaviesinvestments.co.uk 22 Willow Street, Oswestry

is hes as w

from D.R.E. Accountants Oswestry 01691 654353 Supporting the Rotary club’s Tree of Light appeal

is hes Xma s w

Season’s Greetings

Supporting local causes www.oswestry.life

Season’s Greetings from The Fort Business Centre Artillery Business Park, Park Hall, Oswestry Tel:01691 664230 Email:Info@thefortoffices.co.uk In support of the Rotary club’s Tree of Light Appeal

The Rotary Club of Oswestry’s Tree of Light Appeal 2023 The Oswestry Rotary Club Tree of Light Appeal once again seeks to raise much needed funds for local groups and charities this Christmas time.

On Friday 17 November, everyone was invited to join in the Switch On of the Christmas lights on Festival Square by Oswestry Town Mayor Cllr Olly Rose with the help of The Marches School Choir With the effects of the cost-ofliving crisis, for smaller charities, a Tree of Light donation can form a significant part of their annual income.

This year’s headline group is Oswestry’s own OsNosh, supporting and growing the community through food while funds will also be raised for SYA, Severn Hospice, Lingen Davies and the Marches Riding for the Disabled.

Santa and his elf helper, bearing some small gifts for the children, was mingling with the crowds to have photos taken with the onlookers!

But how can you make a donation?

You can make a donation by texting TREEOFLIGHT to 70085. Each text costs £5 plus one standard rate message and donors are able to add 25% Gift Aid to their donation during the process, or via the JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/campaign/ oswestrytreeoflight2023 Traditional giving by cheque is also possible by completing the sponsor form printed here, where a dedication to remember a significant event can be made, returning it to the address shown.

A Book of Remembrance will be kept for all dedications which will be displayed in Oswestry Library.

The appeal closes on Twelfth Night.

Season’s THE HOME Of HiGH qUaliTY ribbONS aT GrEaT pricES Greetings The Warehouse,

beudy Maesybwch, Waterfall road, llanrhaeadr Y.M, SY10 0bZ from Aico Tel: 01691 780416 telephone: 01691 664100 www.simplyribbons.com enquiries @aico.co.uk www.aico.co.uk In support of the Rotary club’s Tree of Light Appeal

Christmas is a time to celebrate with loved ones, look back fondly over happy years and remember those we have loved and lost. For many it can also be a time of sadness, when the loss of a loved one is most keenly felt, a time when we particularly remember those people whom we love but, sadly, see no longer. But the Tree of Light is not only about remembering those we have lost.

It is also about celebrating, a time to be glad and grateful for all of the gifts we have received and to remember how good life has been to us. A wedding anniversary, an engagement, a special birthday, a treasured friendship, the birth of a child; all of these things we can celebrate by making a dedication on the Tree of Light. plEaSE USE blOcK capiTalS i would like a light as thanksgiving for:

Simply Ribbons THE HOME Of HiGH qUaliTY ribbONS aT GrEaT pricES The Warehouse, beudy Maesybwch, Waterfall road, llanrhaeadr Y.M, SY10 0bZ Tel: 01691 780416 www.simplyribbons.com

is hes Xma s w from ABP Ellesmere Apprenticeships available Visit: abpuk.com/careers Facebook: abpcareers Tel: 01939 272 000 in support of the Rotary club’s Tree of Light appeal

................................................................ i enclose a donation of £ ........................ (minimum £5 please - Cheque payable to: Rotary Club of Oswestry) Title.........................................................

Name ...................................................... address .................................................. ................................................................

Merry Christmas from GreenThumb Lawn Treatment Service Call 01691 655111 or email oswestry@greenthumb.co.uk

In support of the Rotary club’s Tree of Light appeal

postcode ................................................

I confirm that I am an income tax payer Signature ................................................

Date ........................................................

Tick here if you do not wish to appear in the Book of Remembrance send to: Rotary Tree of Light, 20 Broadlands Way, Oswestry, SY11 2YD Registered Charity Trust Number: 1101708

Cowdell Heating & Plumbing M: 07824 669282 T: 01691 683704 Email: Cowdellheating@gmail.com Reliable, trustworthy and competitively priced!

In support of the Rotary club’s Tree of Light appeal

a Chr istm

hes s wis

from Belgrave WIncham Independent Financial Planners Tel: 01691 886554 Supporting the Rotary club’s Tree of Light appeal

Best Wishes

from Malcolm Lewis Unit 1, Glovers Meadow, Oswestry SY10 8NH Tel: 01691 650567 Email: info@malcolm-lewis.co.uk www.malcolm-lewis.co.uk Supporting the Rotary Club Tree of Light Appeal

Oswestry life

|

43

Food & Drink

Potted Smoked Salmon

This is the perfect starter for the lunch on the big day – you can make it the night before and the recipe will easily double up if you are feeding a crowd at Christmas!

Serves 6 Ready in 30 minutes plus chilling time Ingredients • 275g honey roast salmon flakes • 250g smoked salmon slices, chopped • 100g unsalted butter, softened • 125g full-fat soft cheese • 2 tsp creamed horseradish • 1 tbsp lemon juice • Salt and freshly ground black pepper • Fresh dill sprigs and green peppercorns, to garnish • Slices of toasted brown or granary bread, to serve

Method 1. Reserve about 25g of the salmon flakes for garnish (cover and chill in the fridge until required).

2. Place the rest of the salmon flakes in a food processor with the smoked salmon, butter, soft cheese, horseradish and lemon juice. Process until smooth and creamy. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper and process for a further few seconds.

3. Divide the mixture between 6 small ramekin dishes and level the surface.

Cover and chill in the fridge until required. Garnish with the rest of the salmon flakes, dill sprigs and green peppercorns. Serve with toasted brown or granary bread.

4. Most supermarkets sell packs of ready-flaked honey roast salmon but if unavailable just buy ready-cooked smoked salmon fillets and roughly flake the fish, discarding any skin and fine bones.

’tis the season

It’s only relatively recently that we have had year-round availability of fresh produce. But more than any other time of year, Christmas is when we love tradition and these are some of our favourites.

44

| Oswestry life

CHESTNUTS Although you probably won’t be roasting your chestnuts on an open fire as the song goes, they make a regular appearance at Christmas. They bring a caramelised nutty flavour to sprouts, Christmas puddings, turkey stuffing, desserts and more. Unlike other nuts, chestnuts have a high starch and water content but low protein and fat levels.

BRUSSEL SPROUTS Some love them, others think they are a form of punishment! But Brussel sprouts peak in popularity in December. Part of the problem for the haters is the perception that sprouts are very bitter, but British farmers have modified their crops to ensure most varieties they grow now are sweeter and milder – maybe this year it’s time to give them a second chance.

CRANBERRIES Turkey without cranberry sauce? Unheard of! Most people buy the ready-made sauce in jars for their meal, but you could try making your own.

Otherwise cranberries can be swapped for raisins, used in bread pudding, or the feature ingredient in sweet baked breads and cakes.

SATSUMAS AND TANGERINES Bright citrus fruits bring fresh colour to the table in winter and satsumas and tangerines are at their seasonal peak in early winter, albeit we don’t typically grow them in the UK.

and New Year Celebrations

Christmas Party Nights Festive Dining

Residential Packages over Christmas or New Year

Available on selected dates in December £37 per adult (Sun to Thurs) £42.00 per adult (Fri & Sat)

It will soon be time to indulge yourself and make the most of the jolly season with an outing to The Wynnstay Hotel.

Our chefs have devised a truly festive menu (available throughout December from 12noon), full of the season’s best treats. £32 per adult, £16 per child

Christmas Day Lunch

We know how special Christmas Day should be. It is a day to spend time with your loved ones, so let us take care of your Christmas lunch, leaving you to make those all important memories. £85 per adult, £42.50 per child Pre-booking and pre-payments essential.

New Year’s Eve

Celebrate the new year in style! Our New Year’s Eve Celebration includes an arrival drink and a four course menu, as well as live entertainment. Book early as this event is sure to be one of the hottest tickets in town. £95 per adult

✷ Browse all our delicious festive menus online at www.wynnstayhotel.co.uk

Telephone

01691 655 261

to make a booking Oswestry life

|

37

AT HENLLE HALL

LUXURY WOODLAND ACCOMMODATION AT HENLLE HALL

LUXURY WOODLAND ACCOMMODATION

EXCITING EXCITING XMAS XMASMENU MENU

XMAS PARTY BOOKING XMAS PARTY BOOKINGFROM FROMSMALL SMALL GROUPS TO EXCLUSIVE USE GROUPS TO EXCLUSIVE USE

OpeningHours Hours Opening 09:00 AM – 09:00 PM

MONDAY – SUNDAY 09:00 AM – 09:00 PM

Lunch& &Dinner Dinner Lunch 11:30 AM TO 03:00 PM MONDAY – SUNDAY

11:30 AM TO 03:00 PM 05:00 PM TO 09:00 PM

MONDAY – SUNDAY 05:00 PM TO 09:00 PM

Sunday Roast MONDAY – SUNDAY

Sunday Roast

12:00 PM TO 03:30 PM

12:00 PM TO 03:30 PM

*LATER CHECK-IN AVAILABLE BY REQUEST

*LATER CHECK-IN AVAILABLE BY REQUEST

01691 505338

01691 505338

Info@henllehaute.com

Info@henllehaute.com

HENLLE HALL, HENLLE LANE, SY10 7AX JUST OFF THE A483 BYPASS

HENLLE HALL, HENLLE LANE, SY10 7AX JUST OFF THE A483 BYPASS

Scrumptious Breakfasts Scrumptious Relaxing Breakfasts Lunches Relaxing Lunches Menu Fabulous Christmas

Fabulous Christmas Menu

Food & Drink

Slow-cooked Golden Turkey Legs Making use of leftover turkey can be quite a challenge. This dish is perfect for feeding a crowd – and the slow cooking takes the rich, dark meat of the turkey legs to another level.

Serves 8 Preparation time 25-30 minutes Cooking time 2.5-3 hours Ingredients • 50g butter • 3 tbsp rapeseed oil • Sea salt and black pepper • 8 small (around 600g each) Golden Turkey drumsticks • 2 large onions, peeled and diced • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed • 8 sprigs fresh thyme • 2 bay leaves • 500ml Madeira wine • 1.5 litres chicken or turkey stock • 150g smoked bacon lardons • 250g wild mushrooms, wiped • 150ml double cream • 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard • 1-2 tbsp white truffle paste • 250g Chantenay carrots, roasted

Recipe created by TV chef and food campaigner Rachel Green (www.rachel-green.co.uk) for Golden Turkeys (www.goldenturkeys.co.uk).

Photography © Michael Powell.

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 130°C / fan 110°C / gas mark ½.

2. Place 40g of the butter and 2 tbsp of the oil into a large, lidded, ovenproof pan and heat gently. Season the turkey drumsticks and, in batches, place them skin-side down in the pan. Cook slowly until the skin starts to crisp and turn golden brown. Turn the turkey drumsticks over and repeat on the other side. Remove from the pan and set aside.

3. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook slowly over low heat until they start to go slightly brown. Remove any excess fat from the pan and return the drumsticks to the pan, together with the thyme and bay leaves. Add the Madeira wine, bring to the boil and reduce until it starts to glaze the meat. Add 1 litre of stock to the pan and bring to the boil again.

4. Place a tight-fitting lid on the pan and cook in the preheated oven for around 2½-3 hours until the meat starts to come away from the bone.

5. Meanwhile, fry the lardons in the remaining oil. Remove from the pan and then fry the mushrooms in the same pan until lightly coloured.

Return the lardons to the pan and remove from the heat.

6. Now, make the sauce: place the remaining stock in a pan and boil until it reduces to approximately 200ml. Add the double cream and bring to the boil again. Stir in the mustard and remove from the heat.

7. When cooked, remove the turkey from the oven. Take the legs out of the pan and set aside. Pass the braising liquid from the turkey legs through a fine sieve. Place the liquid in a pan with the remaining butter and reduce the liquid down to a light glaze. Add the truffle paste and set aside.

8. To serve, place the turkey legs on a serving dish, cover in the truffle liquid, and top with the mushrooms, lardons and roasted Chantenay carrots. Serve with the mustard sauce separately.

Oswestry life

|

47

Book Your Xmas Party With Us This Festive Season

Experience a Modern Twist On Classic

indian

Cuisine

Enjoy a stunning variety of delicacies at Mumbai Maska.

COME & DINE-IN WITH US

01691 684 428 oswestry@mumbaimaska.co.uk

OPENING HOURS 05:00 PM – 11:00 PM MONDAY TO SUNDAY

Lion Quays Spa & Club Building, Weston Rhyn, Gobowen, Oswestry, SY11 3EN

Takeaway Collection & Delivery Available mumbaimaska.co.uk/Oswestry @Mumbaimaskaoswestry 48

| Oswestry life

Food & Drink

Vegan Christmas cake

Whether you’re reducing your meat intake or catering for plant-based friends and family over the festive holiday, this classic-turned-vegan is the perfect centrepiece.

Serves 10-12 Preparation time about an hour Cooking time 1-1.5 hours Ingredients • 250g vegan butter or coconut oil, plus extra for greasing • 175g soft light brown sugar • Finely grated zest of 2 oranges and juice of 1 • Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon (reserve 1 tbsp juice for the icing) • 150ml rum or brandy, plus extra (optional) for feeding • 875g mixed dried fruit of your choice, such as sultanas, raisins, currants, cranberries and chopped figs and apricots • 100g chopped candied peel • 175 g plain flour • 125g ground almonds • 1 tsp baking powder • ¼ tsp salt • 2 tsp ground cinnamon • ¾ tsp ground ginger • ½ tsp ground mace • ¼ tsp ground cloves • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg • 225g apple purée For the icing • 625g icing sugar, plus extra for dusting • 75ml aquafaba • 1 tbsp lemon juice • 4 tbsp apricot jam • 500g vegan marzipan Recipe extracted from A Very Vegan Christmas by Sam Dixon, published by Hamlyn, priced £16.99, with photography by Charlotte Nott-Macaire.

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 160°C / fan 140°C / gas mark 3. Grease a deep 20cm round cake tin and line with non-stick baking paper.

2. Melt the vegan butter or coconut oil in a saucepan along with the brown sugar, citrus zest and juice, and rum or brandy (if using). Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat.

3. Add the dried fruit and candied peel to a large bowl, pour over the vegan butter/coconut oil mixture, and stir well.

4. Whisk together the flour, ground almonds, baking powder, salt and spices in a separate bowl. Mix the apple purée into the dried fruit mixture, then fold in the flour mixture until just combined.

5. Pour the cake batter into the lined tin, smooth the surface with a spatula and bake for 1½ hours. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the tin. Once cooled, pierce holes all over the top of the cake with a skewer, drizzle over 2 tbsp rum or brandy, and let it soak in. Make sure the surface is fully dry before decorating.

6. When you are ready to decorate, whisk together the icing sugar, aquafaba and lemon juice in a large bowl until you have a stiff and glossy icing. Cover with clingfilm until needed.

7. Heat the apricot jam in a small pan, then brush over the top and sides of the cake.

8. Roll out the marzipan into a rough circle about 2.5mm thick on a work surface lightly dusted with icing sugar. Lay it over the cake and gently smooth it onto the top and down around the sides, so that there is no air trapped inside. Neaten by smoothing over with the flat of your palm or the rolling pin and trim away any excess.

9. Spread over the icing in swoops and flicks to look like snow using a spatula or the back of a spoon. Let the icing set completely for a few hours before cutting. Decorate with frosted redcurrants and rosemary sprigs (if liked).

Oswestry life

|

49

thetap Nightclub Returns Exciting news for all the partygoers and nightlife enthusiasts in Oswestry! The Gibsons nightclub is undergoing a transformation and will soon be reborn as RO-LOz, a vibrant bar and nightclub. Get ready to experience a whole new level of entertainment and dining options right in the heart of town.

Starting from the crack of dawn, RO-LOz will be opening its doors every morning to serve you delicious breakfasts. Whether you’re looking for a hearty full English or a lighter continental option, we’ve got you covered.

But the excitement doesn’t end there. We will also be offering a range of mouth-watering lunches and pub classics for those looking for a midday treat. From juicy burgers to comforting fish and chips, the menu will cater to all tastes and preferences.

And now, drumroll please, we are thrilled to announce the return of draught lager! There’s nothing quite like sipping on a cold, refreshing pint of lager, and we’re bringing it back to RO-LOz. So gather your friends, raise your glasses, and let the good times flow.

As the sun sets, RO-LOz will transform into a pulsating nightclub on Friday and Saturday nights.

Get ready to dance the night away to the beats of some of the best local and national DJs. With a stateof-the-art sound system and a vibrant atmosphere, we guarantee an unforgettable night out.

From tribute evenings that celebrate your favourite artists, to lively line dancing sessions that will get your boots tapping, there’s something for everyone. If you’re feeling lucky, join us for a thrilling game of bingo and see if you can shout “house!” before anyone else.

So, keep your eyes peeled and your calendars ready because RO-LOz is about to become the hottest spot in town. We can’t wait to welcome you to our new bar and nightclub, where great food, fantastic drinks, and unforgettable experiences await.

Matt Lee The Warren 2 Albion Hill, Oswestry SY11 1QA 01691 907100 thewarren.social

50

| Oswestry life

Buy local this Xmas

All in the

Christmas Spirit Emma Glynn, one of the UK’s few female distillers and director of The Shropshire Distillery, is urging people to buy locally this Christmas.

She said, “It’s been a really bumpy few years for small businesses with Covid-19, energy hikes, soaring interest rates, and inflation. Most recently, spirit producers like us have been hit with alcohol duty hikes. So this Christmas, please support local Shropshire businesses like ours to keep them thriving.”

The Shropshire Distillery has an online shop and will be introducing a click-and-collect option in time for Christmas gift buying.

“We are bringing back our two limited edition Christmas gins - Cranberry and Clementine, and Frankincense and Myrrh – which are available to buy online along with our award-winning gins, liqueurs, and new vodka. You can also purchase gift vouchers for our distillery experiences – the gin tasting, tour and talk package, the gin school experience, and our new cocktail masterclass.”

Ellesmere’s small batch distillery has received a lot of recognition this year, having been named as aa finalist for Brewery/Distillery of the Year at the Midlands Food Drink & Hospitality Awards 2023, scooping the award for ‘Best Small Business’ at the Shropshire Chamber Business Awards in June, and receiving a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award this year.

The Shropshire Distillery has recently been announced as one of three finalists for ‘Experience of the Year’ at the West Midlands Tourism Awards 2024. The winner will be announced early next year.

To purchase their products, gift vouchers or experiences visit www.theshropshiredistillery.co.uk.

Oswestry life

|

51

APPLY ONLINE NOW FOR

SEPTEMBER 2024 Set in its own beautiful 220-hectare farm near Shrewsbury, Walford College incorporates equestrian and animal care centres, motor vehicle workshops and more.

We have an exciting, modern campus with top-of-the-range facilities including Scholars, our professional teaching restaurant and Visage, a dedicated hair and beauty salon.

An apprenticeship is a way to earn as you learn. A paid job that provides practical, hands-on experience combined with ‘off the job’ learning. There’s a huge variety of different types of job to choose from, covering almost all industries, with opportunities across Herefordshire, Shropshire and beyond.

All the ‘facilitating’ subjects favoured by the UK’s elite Russell Group universities.

Small class sizes - exceptionally high level of individual support and a pass rate of 97.4%

View our prospectuses online by scanning the QR code.

advertisement feature

Education

Exciting Changes for Local College A recent investment of over £1.8 million has transformed North Shropshire College into one of the most exciting and modern colleges of its kind.

North Shropshire College, part of HLNSC (Herefordshire, Ludlow and North Shropshire College Group) is different from other post-16 education providers.

Upon entering through the impressive glass entrance, you will encounter the very latest, top-ofthe-range facilities coupled with exceptionally knowledgeable and friendly staff, a recipe for your success!

As part of the new investment, the latest developments include brand-new plumbing and electrical workshops, hair and beauty salons and a science lab. All are completed to the very highest standard.

North Shropshire College offers a vast range of opportunities to learners from Shropshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire and beyond. Fulltime, part-time and apprenticeship programmes are all delivered to small group sizes (typically 1:12), allowing students to experience the very best package of support in their studies, ensuring that everybody achieves their personal best.

What really sets North Shropshire

Upon entering through the impressive glass entrance, you will encounter the very latest, top-of-the-range facilities coupled with exceptionally knowledgeable and friendly staff, a recipe for your success!

College apart is the level of teaching.

All tutors are industry experts who bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience, ready to pass on to future workforces and equip students for success.

In 2022, North Shropshire College was rated as Good by Ofsted with Outstanding for Students’ behaviour and attitudes.

Want to find out more and explore your options? North Shropshire College holds open events throughout the year.

These are a great opportunity for prospective students and parents to see for themselves, the fantastic facilities and learning resources on offer.

Oswestry life

|

53

Spread A Little Joy This Christmas Shop our festive range and help make a mission possible this Christmas

midlandsairambulance.com/shop

Scan here to shop the full range

54

| Oswestry life

A friendly local taxi service operating in Oswestry and surrounding areas

DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE Don’t take risks - Call the team to ensure you get home safe and sound this festive season

We will now be accepting bookings for up to 8 seats with our new driver starting in a Ford Minibus.

We strive to offer the best service possible in Oswestry and this addition will increase our availability to larger groups or weddings wanting to get home!

The driver/vehicle will be available Thursday-Saturday evenings subject to availability.

DRIVERS WANTED

• Oswalds Vehicle or Own Vehicle (Shropshire Plated) • Over 25 Required (Insurance Purposes) • Shropshire Taxi Badge Required • Weekly Earnings

We accept card payments in all our vehicles

Bookings@oswaldscars.co.uk

01691 596 596 Oswestry life

|

55

Pain-Free Movement, Improve Mobility, Stability and Strength Tired of nagging aches or an old injury limiting you? Ready to enjoy walking, sports and life again? Movement coaching can help.

Regain range of motion, prevent injury, build strength and boost wellbeing - no matter your age or ability. “ I started seeing Andrew due to experiencing lower back pain. After just a handful of sessions, I’m already feeling the benefits of his experience” - Jane S.

07973 407 606

Don’t live with pain, contact Andrew today for a consultation.

Private Studio

Resilient Beings

andrew@resilientbeings.co.uk www.resilientbeings.co.uk

Personal Training that fits you

Hear the ones you love this Christmas

In partnership with

Treat yourself to the gift of better hearing over the festive period.

Book your FREE 15-minute hearing health check; stay connected to those you love.

Contact us today and learn more about the latest hearing aids available that are discreet, smart, wireless, and come with great Bluetooth capabilities.

Book today for your FREE hearing health check before Christmas.

Hummingbird Hearingcare recommends Sister Kate for Ear Wax Removal | W: www.sister-kate.co.uk Free Hearing Tests

2 Month Money Back Trial

Free After Care Service

5 Year Warranty

Price Match Guarantee

Oswestry Clinic: 01691 654 327 | enquiry@hbhearingcare.co.uk | www.hummingbirdhearingcare.co.uk

56

| Oswestry life

Nutritional Therapy for Mums

Christmas Self-care

Nicola Manford Registered Nutritional Therapist www.wellnourishedmama.com

Ear Wax Trouble?

Sister Kate can help

te s ur Ka nd rd yo . er e bi ll ns st m g a io Si com min for lut re m are so u H gc aid rin ng ea ri H hea

It’s almost here. That special time of year, full of magic, excitement, good food and time with family. Or, if you are a mum, a time of buying and wrapping a million presents, going to nativity shows, Christmas parties, prepping endless quantities of food, dealing with over excited children, and staying awake at night hoping you have remembered everything. It’s the most wonderful (overwhelming, stressful and exhausting) time of the year. I don’t want to come across as a scrooge – I LOVE Christmas, but there is so much to do and, if you are like me, I put an enormous amount of pressure on myself to make Christmas amazing so that my children can have magical memories that last a lifetime.

So, this year I am going to try to think about nourishing myself during the festive period. Here are my top tips: Stay hydrated. This is crucial for your health, especially if you are drinking more alcohol than usual, so keep a water bottle handy and sip throughout the day. Herbal teas with cinnamon and spices are a lovely way to add a festive touch.

Practice mindful indulgence. Instead of buying the big tins of shiny foiled wrapped chocolates that are designed to get you overeating (you know the ones), treat yourself to a good quality box of dark chocolates so that you can indulge on treats that are full of magnesium, iron and copper and won’t give you a sugar crash.

Try to eat a protein rich breakfast such as eggs, full fat yoghurt with nuts and berries or smoked salmon with avocado on toast (it is Christmas after all). This will set you up for the best start to your day, giving you energy and keeping you satiated.

But most of all, be kind to yourself and try to enjoy this magical time of year. Ask for help, you don’t need to do it all – it’s your Christmas too remember!

Sister Kate specialises in micro suction treatments to help patients remove excessive ear wax that is causing a blockage that has resulted in hearing loss or is causing unpleasant feelings in the ear.

Microsuction Ear Wax Service

The cost for this procedure is £60.00

Please note that it is the same cost for one or both ears Please email, call or visit the website to book today:

Tel: 01691 888192 Email: kate@sister-kate.co.uk www.sister-kate.co.uk

The Fort, Artillery Business Park, Oswestry SY11 4AD Alongside our main clinic in Oswestry, we now have monthly clinics available in Shrewsbury, Wem, Whitchurch, Newtown and Aberystwyth too.

Oswestry life

|

57

Health with Dr Paul Middleton

“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family…in another town”

George Burns

Christmas is the season of goodwill. Counsellors and divorce lawyers might not agree: they generally have busy Januarys! So why is that? Christmas brings a lot of festive fun and enjoyment but sadly this is often accompanied with a lot of stresses and strains - and for that reason Christmas is probably one of the unhealthiest mental health times of the year.

It starts early with the commercial pressures which in current times are even more pronounced. There is the pressure to have a plentiful, perfect Christmas and counsellors often comment that somehow, we are often remembering idealised childhood magical times and finding adult reality a bit disappointing.

Then there is the fact that we are breaking all our usual routines, spending more time with relatives than we would do normally and eating and drinking too much. Many of us can remember some heated yuletide family “conversations” that were probably best avoided!

For some people Christmas is not a joyful

celebration. For them it is a time of increased loneliness, perhaps a time of bad memories or a reminder of lost ones. For some socialising is frankly painful.

There is a surprising amount of advice on how to deal with a difficult Xmas. The mind.org.uk site is particularly good. It covers everything from money worries to severe mental health problems.

Simple pieces of advice include planning ahead, taking time for oneself, taking time out if necessary, thinking about how to cope with difficult situations or conversations, planning low stress activities and agreeing together on how things should go.

“What a Scrooge” I hear you say. I have met so many people for whom Christmas is a real battle – often these people suffer in silence as the rest of us are making merry. Scrooge in the end spreads his joy to the less fortunate and perhaps his reformed spirit, as Dickens would have us believe, is the true meaning of Christmas.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS FROM EVERYONE AT TRINITY CLINIC

We can help get the balance back in your life Sciatica Sara Hadfield, McTimoney Chiropractor BSc (Hons) Chiro MMCA GCC Reg No 02362

This holiday season, keep your loved ones close to your heart. Our Visiting Angels provide compassionate home care, ensuring they stay connected and cherished at home.

• Companion & Social Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer’s Care • Post-Hospital Stay Care • Palliative Care

Telephone 01691 888 558 www.visiting-angels.co.uk/northshropshire 58

| Oswestry life

Ann Williams, McTimoney Chiropractor MChiro MMCA GCC Reg No 04118 Ian Staniforth, Massage Therapist

IN T PA JOIN and nee lems k , Hip prob t foo ACUTE & CHRON IC BACK PAIN

Jaw problems Migraine prevention Cervicogenic headaches

ES S NE CK ST IF FN OB LE M S SH OU LD ER PR MS M US CL E SPAS

McTimoney Chiropractic & Massage t: 07802 603 752 | info@trinity-clinic.com | trinity-clinic.com

microsuction earwax service

Just £50 for one or both ears

CAMBRIAN HEARING Microsuction earwax service, in clinic or in the comfort of your own home. Just £50 for one or both ears (£20 consultation fee applies if no wax is present and no procedure required).

Laura Stone is a university qualified, HCPC registered hearing aid dispenser and trained in microsuction ear wax removal at Aston University in 2018.

Contact Laura to book:

07791 489583 Email: laura@cambrianhearing.co.uk www.cambrianhearing.co.uk

Oswestry life

|

59

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Be Winter-ready with Herbal Remedies With the nights drawing in and the change in the weather, we are all familiar with the approach of winter.

For some it could mean the familiar winter cold, an increase in aches and pains due to cold and damp or a slump in mood for many. The harvest season brings us a cornucopia of wonderful things for us to preserve and use throughout the winter months. Just a few simple remedies out of the kitchen cupboard can be simple and helpful. Even our spice racks can hold some untapped secrets. In days gone by, every household made and used their own remedies from the garden ad hedgerow, but everyone is so busy now, we are out of the habit and losing the knowledge.

Keep it simple!

the honey has natural antimicrobial effects. Using essential oils can also be very helpful. Eucalyptus oil is wonderfully clearing and can easily be added to a footbath or used on the feet (diluted in a carrier oil). Using it on the soles of the feet before bedtime will assist with a blocked nose or stuffy chest, allowing you to sleep better.

Ginger is also useful for joint pain and arthritis. It has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, particularly in those that are worse in the cold and damp. Ginger is also very useful for nausea and recovery from tummy upsets, cold extremities and where there is poor arterial circulation.

If ginger is too strong for you, cinnamon and cardamom have similar but milder effects. Use what you have!

Ginger and lemon tea, with a teaspoon of honey is very soothing in the early stages of a cold. You don’t have to have teabags ready in the cupboard, you can easily put a quarter teaspoon of ginger powder from the spice rack into a mug of boiling water with a slice of lemon and a little honey. This will warm up your system and help revive you. The lemon naturally contains vitamin C and

Louise Idoux MSc. MNIMH Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, Oswestry Herbarium, tel 01691 656934

Bluebird Care Oswestry is recruiting!

If you feel you have what it takes to care, call us, we’d love to hear from you

more than just a career in care™

Call

01743 874343 and ask for Sammie 60

| Oswestry life

Healthy Focus

Sing yourself well!

Research confirms singing can bring improvements in breathing, speech and posture, circulation, reduced pain levels and increased sense of well-being. There are also benefits from social connections and a greater sense of community, cognitive stimulation and mental health improvements! singing for memory sessions take place at Oswestry Library once a month on Wednesdays – contact to book. There are also Singing for the Brain, Choir for the Mind and Community singing sessions around the county so check out www.alzheimers.org. uk/find-support-near-you for more details.

If you fancy belting out a few songs, try the Shrewsbury based Rock Choir. Call 01252 714276 or visit www.rockchoir.com.

OsRocks choir singing alternative music, rock and pop at www.hermon-arts.org.uk on a Tuesday 7.30pm - 9.00pm, email osrockschoir@gmail.com .

Oswestry in Harmony meets Tuesday mornings, 10.30am - 12.15pm.

Oswestry Cricket Club for mostly al fresco sessions! Contact Roxane Smith, email Roxane@ roxis.co.uk or call 01743 368362 for more information (sessions in Shrewsbury and Welshpool too).

Even listening to music can have a host of health boosting benefits such as: improvements in blood flow and a reduction in heart rate which will lower blood pressure. It decreases stress hormones and increases serotonin, dopamine and endorphin levels in the blood that elevate your mood and act as natural painkillers.

So, whether you enjoy singing in the shower, with a choir or listening to heavy metal in the car, music can literally heal your body mind and soul!

There is a plethora of music venues in and around Oswestry and with Christmas coming up there are plenty of carol singing opportunities too: Choirs Connect Together, 10 Dec at 5pm - Os Rocks, Orthopaedic Ladies Choir and Orthopaedic Male Voice Choir come together for one special night in aid of Connect for Life and The Rheumatology Association. Tickets can be purchased from choir members, Rowanthorns or at the door.

Carols with Cantiones, 9 Dec at 3.30pm, Christ Church. Visit www.cantiones.org.uk Voices from the Valley Fron Male Voice Choir, 9 Dec at 7.00pm, St Oswalds Church. Visit www.wegottickets.com/event/597741 Have a happy healthy month Claire arnold The Meadows osTeopaTh CliniC

2yr warranty on new stairlifts

SHROPSHIRE BASED STAIRLIFT COMPANY

ShropShire BaSed Stairlift Company INSTALLATION Installation, Service & Repair SERVICE & REPAIR FREE NO Obligation OBLIGATIONQuotation QUOTATION Free No

07725 337918

2yr warranty on new stairlifts

Contact us for details email:info@shirestairlifts.co.uk 07725 337918 www.shirestairlifts.co.uk Crown House, Rd Find us on TwitterLancaster & Facebook Shrewsbury, SY1 3LG @shirestairlifts Email:info@shirestairlifts.co.uk

Crown House, Lancaster Rd, Shrewsbury, SY1 3LG www.shirestairlifts.co.uk

Find us on twitter & Facebook @shirestairlifts

Are you struggling with

Sleep Stress?

Back & Neck Pain? Joint & Muscle Pain? Headaches?

Womens Health Issues? Grumpy Babies & Children?

Sports Injuries? Stress or Nutrition Concerns?

We can Help

Claire Arnold Registered Osteopath & Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner

Hands-on Cranial & Structural Osteopathic Care & Lifestyle Medicine Advice to support your family’s optimal health Call 07792 367507 Based at Oswestry Herbarium & Massage Centre, 15 Albion Hill

themeadowsosteopathclinic-clairearnoldosteopath.com

Oswestry life

|

61

Apprentice of the Year 2024!

Entries are NOW Open; Closing Date: 1st of January 2024.

• Apprentices reaching the second stage will participate in an assessment at the JTL Training Centre in Birmingham on February 14, 2024. Apprentices reaching this stage will recieve a fully loaded state-of-the-art toolkit.

• Six finalists will receive an exclusive invitation to the Aico Community Awards Ceremony on April 18th, 2024. The winner will be announced at the ceremony.

• The winner will be recognised industry wide and will be adding a top of the range multi function tester to their toolkit worth up to £1400.

Open to all UK Electrical Apprentices Find out more at: www.aico.co.uk/ Submit Entry Form: marketing@aico. co.uk

www.aico.co.uk | 01691 664100 | marketing@aico.co.uk

advertisement feature

Aico to celebrate exceptional Apprentices across the British Electrical Industry Aico is delighted to launch the Apprentice of the Year Award for 2024. The award has been established to honour the brightest talents within the electrical industry.

Education is a fundamental principle for Aico; we firmly believe that providing future installers with industry knowledge and expertise is vital to creating safer communities.

Aico has introduced this new award to applaud the remarkable accomplishments made by future professionals within our industry.

In his statement, Aico’s National Sales Manager, Tony Boyle, emphasised the purpose of the Apprentice of the Year award. “Our Apprentice of the Year award aims to recognise outstanding apprentices who not only have excellent technical skills but are role models for others in our industry. The electrical professionals of tomorrow are so important to our industry, and we aim to highlight and celebrate their success.”

The electrical professionals of tomorrow are so important to our industry, and we aim to highlight and celebrate their success.

The award is now open for entries, with a closing date of 1 January 2024. All apprentices are required to submit their application forms to marketing@aico.co.uk.

Application forms can be readily accessed on our website at https:// www.aico.co.uk/news-and-events/ apprentice-of-the-year-2024.

From the entries, twelve selected nominees will attend the JTL

Training Centre Day in Birmingham to take part in the final assessment.

All twelve Apprentices reaching this stage will receive a fully loaded state-of-the-art toolkit. Following the assessment centre day, the top six apprentices selected will receive an exclusive invitation to the Aico in The Community Awards, set to take place on 18 April 2024. The deserving winner will be announced at the Community Awards and will also receive a top-of-the-range multi-function tester to add to their toolkit (worth up to £1200).

Alongside this brilliant prize, the winner can expect to be recognised industry-wide for their fantastic accomplishment.

For more information about the award, visit our website www.aico. co.uk or download the Entry Form at https://www.aico.co.uk/wp-content/ uploads/2023/10/Apprentice-of-theYear-2024-Information-Sheet-EntryForm-1.pdf Oswestry life

|

63

advertisement feature

Tragic death of baby girl was avoidable, rules coroner The finding from a coroner that the death of a baby girl just hours after being born in a Shropshire hospital was entirely avoidable has shaken the confidence of the community once more.

That’s the view of Laura Weir, the clinical negligence expert who represented the family of Poppy Russell following her death in April 2021 due to a midwife at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, failing to properly monitor her heart during labour.

Laura Weir, associate solicitor at Oswestry-based law firm Lanyon Bowdler, said the finding from Shropshire coroner John Ellery that Poppy’s death was preventable was incredibly difficult for her parents to hear.

She said, “A finding of neglect such as this is always bittersweet. Whilst I am pleased that we are one step closer to gaining justice for Poppy and her family, the painful fact remains that another baby died unnecessarily at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.

“Here we have seen a failing in the most fundamental

element of midwifery care - monitoring the baby’s heartbeat during labour.

“Poppy’s death will inevitably shake our community again. The way the Trust responds to Mr Ellery’s findings will dictate public opinion and whether we can ever feel safe with our local maternity provision.

“We wish to add our voice to the call for a national inquiry into the safety of maternity care in the UK and implore Steve Barclay, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to take this much needed step.”

Poppy’s parents, Neil and Katie Russell, said, “We are heartened that Mr Ellery has reached the conclusion that we have long known. Despite the draft Ockenden Report being published 6 months prior to our daughter Poppy’s birth, her death was utterly avoidable had the report’s recommendations been implemented.

“Throughout the process, the Trust has blamed us.

This is unforgivable and we hope the coroner’s finding of neglect makes them reflect on the way the trust tried to hold us accountable for Poppy’s death.

“We have witnessed first-hand the cultural shortcomings found by the Ockenden review and we will continue to campaign for change.”

Our People, Your Team.

Find Us: 39 - 41 Church Street, Oswestry, SY11 2SZ Tel: 01691 652241 • info@lblaw.co.uk • www.lblaw.co.uk

Shrewsbury • Bromyard • Conwy • Hereford • Ludlow • Oswestry • Telford 64

| Oswestry life

advertisement feature

Get your Self-Assessment Tax Return ticked off your Christmas list The deadline for online submission of selfassessment tax returns for tax year 2022/23 is 31 January 2024. This applies to individuals who are selfemployed, partnerships, shareholders in receipt of dividends in excess of £2,000, directors and those with rental income to name Emma Williams B.A. (Hons).

F.C.C.A - Client Manager a few.

HMRC issue penalties for late submission of self-assessment tax returns, even where there is no tax liability or the tax due was paid on time. Penalties increase further if a tax return becomes more than 3 months overdue with daily penalties increasing to a maximum of £1,300 plus the potential for tax-geared penalties ranging from 5% to 100% of the tax liability in more serious cases.

If you require any assistance with the preparation

or submission before the 31 January 2024 filing deadline DRE & Co Chartered Accountants can help. We adopt a friendly approach with local teams offering a prompt and professional service.

Alongside more corporate level advice, we provide a full compliance service for preparation of personal and trust tax returns. Our skilled team can advise on any specific queries you may have and also assist with tax efficient planning you may require relating to income tax, capital gains or inheritance tax.

From 6 April 2020, HMRC now require individuals to report a sale of any second property or a property outside of your Principle Private Residence or other available reliefs via a 60 day Capital Gains Tax Return.

Not only is the Capital Gains Tax Return required, HMRC also require you to file a self-assessment tax return for the year in which the sale happened.

Should you require any assistance with the calculations of your future taxation or require planning or advice following these new updates please do not hesitate to contact us.

We’ve got your financial needs all wrapped up Supporting business growth • Self Assessment • Audit • Book-keeping • Accounts Preparation

• Payroll • Making Tax Digital • Limited Companies • VAT Returns

Contact us today for a FREE consultation

OSWESTRY 01691 654353

• Incorporations • Succession Planning ...plus many more specialist services.

SHREWSBURY 01743 241581

www.dre.co.uk

LUDLOW 01584 875715

NEWTOWN 01686 626534

KNIGHTON 01547 528383

WREXHAM 01978 310600

tax@dre.co.uk Oswestry life

|

65

stay safe online - the most common scams With Christmas fast approaching, we need to be even more vigilant when buying Christmas presents:

Seven Ways to Stay Safe When Buying Online:

1. Look for the little padlock alongside the domain name on the search bar – this shows that the connection is encrypted and any information transmitted through it is safe.

But this doesn’t tell you that the website itself is safe.

2. Does the website have proper contact details – an email address, phone number and postal address?

If not, don’t trust it with any personal information.

Search for the postal address online – is it located on Google Earth?

3. If it’s a UK limited company, you can check it is registered with companies House – and find out the names of the directors.

4. Before choosing a supplier – check the reviews –

on sites like Google or Trust Pilot – but don’t trust everything you read, reviews can be faked too!

5. Genuine websites will have all the required policies – like privacy policy – and returns policy – listed on the site. But it may still be a copycat site – fraudsters copy corporate information including logos.

6. Remember – if it sounds too good to be true – it’s probably a scam!

7. Finally, if you pay via PayPal – not only is your purchase covered by their returns policy, PayPal will have already thoroughly checked out the business for you. And if you pay by credit card you are covered under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. Never pay for anything by bank transfer.

Report any scams to www.actionfraud.police.uk If you have been affected by a scam – help is out there - Victim Support has a free confidential helpline 0808 168 9111 and so does Mind 0300 123 3393.

Sign up for Which? Scam alerts: https://campaigns. which.co.uk/scam-alert-service/ www.rainford-it.co.uk 07552 863996

all your it in one place, we are mac specialists.

66

| Oswestry life

Focus on…

Fireworks through the lens of Graham Mitchell

4 November saw a first this year. Not only was the event held in Cae Glas park for the first time but the fireworks were also low noise. The type of display is different, as the choice of firework moves away from rockets and mines to the less noisy. You don’t get the big flower bursts, so this presents the photographer with new challenges too.

Oswestry life

|

67

The team at Griffiths Hire Shops would like to wish all their customers a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year

68

| Oswestry life

The Showroom, Victoria Garage, Victoria Road, Oswestry SY11 2HR

Keep your boiler operational for as long as possible with annual servicing. Not only will it keep your boiler running efficiently but keep everyone safe and maintain your manufacturers guarantee.

Book your service today and we will send you a reminder every year to schedule your next appointment.

• Finance available • Boiler repairs/replacement • Air source heatpumps • Supply and fit Kitchen & bathrooms Office: 01691 650031 Email:info@dpowellplumbing.co.uk Facebook@dpowellheating

Oswestry life

|

69

Home

Place a small treat inside each of the differently sized eco-cotton bags for a little bit of magic every December morning. Ferm Living Christmas Countdown – 24 bags, £95, roseandgrey.co.uk.

Alternative

ADVENT CALENDAR Add a personal touch to your Christmas countdown with a refillable Advent calendar.

Fill the drawers of this cute decoration with gifts of your choosing. Wooden Advent calendar, £32, shop.nationaltrust.org.uk.

Create a festive family tradition – in your own style • Everlasting Advent calendars can be reused (or remade) year after year, and their appearance on 1 December is bound to become a muchloved event.

• Because you can choose your own little gifts to pop inside, they can be completely personalised to your children, and change with their tastes as they grow older.

• Make Christmas more sustainable by choosing a refillable calendar that can be used for years to come.

Less plastic, less landfill – and less cheap chocolate, too.

• Choose (or make) a refillable calendar that suits your style, and display it proudly in the run-up to the big day as part of your ensemble of decorations.

• What to put inside? The choice is yours! Sweet treats, beauty products, tiny toys – you name it. If it will fit, pop it in.

70

| Oswestry life

An heirloom piece to be enjoyed year after year, this king-sized Advent calendar can be personalised with a name or two of your choice. Limitededition luxury cotton Advent calendar, £120, nancyandbetty.com.

Create your own traditions with this hand-crafted Advent calendar with 25 brass-framed treat compartments, made to stand the test of time. Alu Advent calendar, £125, nkuku.com.

Countdown to Christmas with this light-up Advent calendar, which you can fill with your favourite treats. Wooden light-up Christmas Advent calendar, £24.99, gingerray.co.uk.

This bespoke embroidered Advent calendar is a luxurious Christmas keepsake your family will love for years to come (and can be filled, as here, with hand-iced Christmas biscuits). Limited edition Biscuiteers Advent calendar by Emma Bridgewater, £65; 24 vanilla biscuits in a keepsake tin, £60; both biscuiteers.com.

Oswestry life

|

71

01691 655194 | Unit 3, Artillery Business Park, Oswestry, SY11 4AD | info@restmore.co.uk

restmore.co.uk

Zero Gravity recliner chairs designed to promote health and comfort.

A gu ccr W ar ed o an ite rc te d es es In te of sta r Bo up lle sc to r : o h 10 ffe ye rin ar g s

We offer a FREE no obligation in home demonstration and all of our products come with FREE delivery. Elevate your comfort, one recline at a time.

• GENERAL PLUMBING • GAS SAFE REGISTERED • LANDLORD CERTIFICATES • SERVICE & REPAIR • UNDERFLOOR HEATING • NATURAL GAS/LPG/OIL • BOILER/CENTRAL HEATING INSTALLATION • FIREPLACE INSTALLATION • BATHROOM INSTALLATION • RENEWABLES • NEW BUILD CONTRACTS

Office: 01691 831529

E: info@pivotalplumbingandheating.co.uk W: www.pivotalplumbingandheating.co.uk

72

| Oswestry life

Oswestry life

|

73

ess sin

01

ily fam

bu

20

YE AR

A RA N TE E

10 U G

t.

Es

ru

n

Shelfbank Windows & Conservatories

SUPPLY, INSTALLATION AND REPAIR OF ALL TYPES OF GARAGE DOORS

Extension Work - Warmer Roofs Composite Doors - Lock Repairs UPVC Soffits & Facias Kitchen Fitting & Building Maintenance ALL WORK GUARANTEED

Mobile: 07815 753361 Email: shauningram@hotmail.co.uk

www.shelfbankwindows.co.uk Hillside House, Monkmoor Road, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 2DA

We are a family-owned business with over 20 years experience in the industry With professional installations, services and top quality customer care to homeowners throughout the region, we pride ourselves on the quality of our service and competitive prices.

CONTACT US NOW ON: OSWESTRY 01691 674126

beacongaragedoors.co.uk 74

| Oswestry life

Home

Here are some quick and easy ways to make your home look and feel warm and welcoming.

1 - Pile on the cushions and throws Add cushions on your sofas and armchairs for a sense of cosy luxury, and place large throws over the back and arms. Think thick, soft and textural – knit, crochet, fake fur, soft fleece or simple wool.

Weavey Check scatter cushion in terracotta, £39, loaf.com.

2 - Light a scented candle Enjoy the flickering flame of a candle or two with a scent that fills you with contentment for wintry wellbeing.

Notes of November hand-poured, plant-based candle with a scent of woodsmoke, cedarwood and sloe, £40, Loriest & Co.

3 - Transform a room with paint Choose an earthy or spicy shade such as claret, mustard, ochre or chocolate for impact, and don’t be afraid of using deep colours in small rooms – they will feel more cocooning.

Piranesi Pink wall paint, £55.95 for 2.5l; Coolabah Green and Paprika Red Chalk Paints, £26.95 for 1l; all anniesloan.com.

4 - Swap your curtains Consider replacing lightweight, pale curtains with heavier versions until the weather warms up.

Deeper, stronger colours will add to the sense of cosiness. Adding a second layer to your window treatments, such a fitted thermal blinds, will help keep the room feeling warmer.

The honeycomb structure of Duette® blinds by Thomas Sanderson can help prevent heat loss, thomas-sanderson.co.uk.

▼

▲

5 - Upgrade your lighting A well thought-out lighting scheme is essential, inside and out. An exterior light by your gate or front door is really helpful. In living areas, try to ‘layer’ light so it comes from a variety of sources and heights, covering dark corners (add a floor lamp if necessary) and introducing flexibility with dimmers.

Sahar mango wood floor lamp, £275, nkuku. com.

6 - Create a bedroom boudoir Replace pale, summery bedlinens with sheets or a duvet cover in a deeper shade. Add quilts, eiderdowns, bedcovers, throws and blankets, combining colours, patterns and fabrics for a sumptuous and welcoming mix.

Gilbert brushed cotton bed linen in Conker, secretlinenstore.com

7 - Add a rug For warmth underfoot, throw down a deep-pile rug or two to add extra softness, as well as colour and pattern.

Arvid hand-tufted wool Rug in orange, £169, cultfurniture.com.

Oswestry life

|

75

Property Spotlight

Ample Accommodation Babbinswood, Whittington Situated in the hamlet of Babbinswood and neighbouring the village of Whittington, this spacious two storey property affords ample family sized accommodation all set within its’ own enclosed garden grounds. Having been well maintained and presented, this property is ready for immediate occupation. An attractive garden room (9.32m x 3.66m) on the rear which in tern connects to the living and dining rooms and offers views out into the rear gardens. A well-fitted kitchen/ breakfast room with built-in appliances and serviced void for dishwasher and overlooks the fore and the adjoining utility.

Asking Price £580,000. For viewings call Morris Marshall & Poole on 01691 679595 or email oswestry@ morrismarshall.co.uk

5 Bedroom Home Glentworth View, Morda This attractive double fronted 5-bedroom detached home offers excellent versatility of living over three floors and must be viewed to be fully appreciated. The accommodation briefly comprises reception hall with cloakroom, impressive through lounge, family room/ home office, attractive family dining kitchen and utility room. On the first floor is the principal bedroom with ensuite, 2 further double bedrooms and bathroom and on the second floor and additional 2 double bedrooms and shower room. Viewing highly recommended.

OIRO £515,000. For viewings call Monks on 01691 674567 or email sales.oswestry@monks.co.uk

Country Cottage Morton, Oswestry

Detached Spacious Family Home Treflach, Oswestry A wonderful opportunity to purchase an individually designed detached spacious family home situated in a semi-rural village of Treflach. The accommodation comprises, reception hall, kitchen, dining room, lounge, utility room, bathroom, bedroom, landing, principal bedroom with ensuite, two further double bedrooms, double garage, gardens and parking.

Only viewing this property, will it be truly appreciated.

Asking Price £495,000. For viewings call 01691 670320 or email oswestry@hallsgb.com 76

| Oswestry life

Town and Country Oswestry offer this truly delightful character property set within a sought-after rural location yet within easy reach of all amenities and good road networks. The pretty home has been well maintained by the current owners and offers versatile, spacious accommodation with plenty of parking and views over open countryside. There are three bedrooms, cosy lounge, spacious living room/ study, kitchen, utility, bathroom and a fantastic family room running along the rear of the property. Full of character yet offering modern living this property is one not to be missed.

OIRO £285,000. For viewings call Town & Country on 01691 679631 or email sales@townandcountryoswestry. com

New Year, New Home

Think property, think Monks.

Let us help you find your new home in 2024.

Monks Oswestry 16 Church Street, Oswestry, SY11 2SP

Monks Shrewsbury 10a Shoplatch, Shrewsbury, SY1 1HL

Monks Wem 13a High Street, Wem, SY4 5AA

01691 674 567

01743 361 422

01939 234 368

Please contact judy@monks.co.uk, call 07890 573 553 or click monks.co.uk

You can call us anytime between 8am - 8pm Mon - Fri 9am - 4pm Sat 11am - 2pm Sun

Oswestry life

|

77

Wishing all our customers past and present a very Merry Christmas

4 Willow St, Oswestry, SY11 1AA Phone 01691 679 631 Email sales@townandcountryoswestry.com www.townandcountryestateagents.co.uk 78

| Oswestry life

Property Spotlight

Stylish Home Croeswylan Lane, Oswestry Town and Country are excited to offer to the market this stunning individual three-bedroom modern detached home in a popular location on the outskirts of Oswestry with stunning views. Finished to a very high specification and offering all the latest modern technology including heat recovery systems and underfloor heating, the contemporary open plan interior flows beautifully. Located in a highly desirable position on the edge of the town, this is a mustsee property!

OIRO £550,000. For viewings call Town & Country on 01691 679631 or email sales@townandcountryoswestry.com

the contemporary open plan interior flows beautifully

Say Hello to the Town & Country Team Oswestry Town & Country have an established team. We’d like to take a moment to introduce you to them!

We’d love to invite clients old and new to pop in for a coffee and to discuss their property needs or future plans.

We look forward to meeting you!

From left to right: Ken Williams - Senior sales Negotiator Karen Walker - Lettings Manager Tiana Piercy - Lettings Assistant Emma Thompstone - Sales & Office Manager Richard Ellis - Company Director Sophie Hughes - Sales and letting advisor Liam Watson - Sales and letting advisor

Oswestry life

|

79

Your property Our priority With in-depth local knowledge and a keen eye for detail, our valuers offer professional insights and advice that can help you unlock the full market potential of your residential property.

For a free, no obligation market appraisal or for any help and advice, please contact us today...

DEC

EMB

ER A

DEC

UCT

ION

EMB

ER A

Get in touch...

01691 670 320

www.hallsgb.com 80

| Oswestry life

UCT

ION

oswestry@hallsgb.com

Oswestry life

|

81

£165,000

Viewings can be arranged by calling 01938 580768 People are welcome to turn up to look around without appointments

website: www.m-d.co.uk email: info@m-d.co.uk Address: Tavern Park, Forden, Near Welshpool, SY21 8NN

52

| Oswestry life

The Vine, Arddleen, SY22 6RU

6

5

4

The Vine is a beautiful detached family home dating back to the 18th Century retaining character features and boasting ample potential. Situated opposite the beautiful Montgomeryshire canal with countryside views yet good road connections to Shrewsbury, Welshpool, Oswestry and beyond. Inclusive in the sale of The Vine is an additional detached bungalow, annexe, stables, just over 6 acres of land including 5 serviced hard standing caravan pitches. This truly is not to be missed.

EPC Rating The Vine: G EPC Rating The Shippon: D Tenure: Freehold Council Tax Banding: F

3

2

1

4

3

2

Dyffryn Foel, Llansantffraid, SY22 6DG

The Swallows, Plot 5, Old station yard

Immaculately presented semi detached family home. Being modernised and upgraded by the current owners, this property really must be viewed. Benefitting from no onward chain, boasting a village location with good road connections and rear vehicular parking, plus garage.

EPC: D Tenure: Freehold Council Tax Band: D

The Swallows is the last to be released in a small development of only 5 luxury detached homes.

Offering spacious living accommodation and to the first floor are four bedrooms, one being ensuite along with a family bathroom. Externally there is a good sized garden, parking and garage.

EPC: TBC Tenure: Freehold Council Tax Band: TBC

RURAL 01743 791336

SHREWSBURY 01743 343343

WELSHPOOL 01938 554499

OSWESTRY 01691 655334

3

2

1

Southgate Close, Oswestry, SY11 2RR

NO ONWARD CHAIN. A well presented semidetached house. Situated in a cul-de-sac location in a popular part of Oswestry, all amenities are close at hand. The property benefits from gas fired central heating and double glazing throughout. Externally there is a garage, driveway, and lawned gardens to the front and rear.

EPC: D Tenure: Freehold Council Tax Band: B

www.rogerparry.net

Oswestry life

|

83

TOP-QUALITY SERVICES AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

If you are in need of glaziers who offer double glazing repair services and uPVC window installations, you have come to the right place.

Contact us today if you need French doors, conservatory roofs or roofline services.

DOORS • WINDOWS • CONSERVATORIES • WARM ROOFS • FASCIAS & GUTTERING Telephone: 01691 650 567 www.malcolm-lewis.co.uk Unit GM1 Glovers Meadow, Maesbury Rd Ind Est, Oswestry, SY10 8NH.

We are specialists in loft ladders and hatches for easy and safe access to your loft. We also provide boarding, lighting and insulation solutions. Call us now to find out how we can help you turn your lost space into a really useful loft space.

Call Jonathan to book a FREE survey & quote

01743 626144 84

| Oswestry life

Interiors

by Stephanie Dhillon

Christmas Red Rose Gold Cone Candle Ring £7.50 from Annabel James www.annabeljames.co.uk

CHRISTMAS TABLE

Create the setting for a memorable Christmas dinner with a beautifully styled table.

Keeping it simple and classic will mean decorating the table will be an easy stress-free endeavour, because let’s face it, there’s enough Christmas planning to do as it is. However, it really does set the scene, and shows another level of thoughtfulness to such a special occasion. If you have centrepieces, place settings, floral arrangements, and table runners that all cohesively go together then this makes setting

it all out quick and easy. Sticking to a traditional colour palette of red and green with pine foliage in your floral arrangements and classic motifs such as berries, deer, stars or Christmas trees will mean every year you can pull together a familiar table setting.

Of course, over the years adding to the collection means you can always switch things out and inject something fresh in. Here are some classic table decor items for a beautifully styled Christmas table.

Cutlery set, 4pcs £42.00 from Charlotte’s Shopping www.charlottesshopping.com Christmas Napkins Botanical £20 from Catherine Jane Designs www.catherinejanedesigns.co.uk

Enchanted Forest Runner £20 from Walton & Co www.waltonshop.co.uk

Set of 4 Olivia Scalloped Dinner Plates, Raspberry Filet £134 from Rebecca Udall www.rebeccaudall.com

Christmas Candle Pinecone Table Decoration £55 from Marquis & Dawe www.marquianddawe.co.uk

Oswestry life

|

85

Nostalgic Red and Green and Gold Christmas Dining Table with Hanging Wreath www.lights4fun.co.uk

JYSK Rutilkvarts Candle Holder £6.50 from JYSK www.jysk.co.uk

Christmas Dinner Candles £14 from talking Tables www.talkingtables.co.uk

Spode Christmas Tree Side Plate 6 inch set of 4 £46 from Spode www.portmeirion.co.uk

Tablecloth Jasmine Sage £120 from Curated Living Limited www.curatedliving.co.uk

86

| Oswestry life

Nancy & Betty Christmas Crackers, 6 Regency Partridge in a Pear Tree Portrait £37 from Nancy & Betty Studio www.nancyandbetty.com

TOp-qUAlITy SERVICES AT AFFORDAblE pRICES

DOORS • WINDOWS • CONSERVATORIES • WARM ROOFS • FASCIAS & GUTTERING If you are in need of glaziers who offer double glazing repair services and uPVC window installations, you have come to the right place.

Contact us today if you need French doors, conservatory roofs or roofline services.

Telephone: 01691 650 567 www.malcolm-lewis.co.uk

Oswestry life

|

87

Home

Create space for Christmas Guests With the festive season approaching, we look at ways to make space in your home for visitors and ensure a warm welcome for all.

Start by making enough room in your kitchen to store festive extras.

Clear space in your cupboards, fridge and freezer, adding racks, shelves, boxes and baskets to keep things neat if necessary. Use clear plastic so you can see everything, or write labels.

Prepare simple storage solutions for visitors’ arrival, such as a freestanding coat stand, a few extra hooks mounted on the wall or a stacking shoe rack. Over-door racks, hooks and shoe organisers can be added anywhere.

Declutter and clean the bathroom, and provide a space for visitors to store their toiletries. Consider bath and shower caddies that attach by hook or suction. Provide towels on a

Jigsaw extendable kitchen table, £1,395; Drummer kitchen chairs, £460 per pair; Soft Scoop seat cushions in velvet, £49 each; Bobble rug In grey, from £245; all Loaf; loaf.com.

separate hook or rail – a clothes airer that hooks over a radiator is ideal – and some soap or a shower gel.

An extendable table comes into its own at mealtimes, or add an extra, folding table and seating, whether it’s stools, folding chairs or camping chairs. A coffee table with cushions on the floor around it is suitable for children.

Lay the table with a large cloth or a runner, add pretty decorations and, if necessary, place cards. Pick up extra crockery at car boot sales, charity shops or vintage shops.

Choose a colour theme, and mix it with some plain white dinnerware, making a virtue of the fact that they don’t exactly match. The same goes for glasses and cutlery. If all else fails, have a stack of paper plates to hand.

When you’ve cleared the table, pile into the living room to relax. Bring in beanbags for the kids and pop cushions on top of coffee tables and benches to create extra seating.

The Cloud Sundae footstool sofa bed in warm grey, One of the trickiest £879, Snug; snugsofa.com. issues is where

88

| Oswestry life

An extendable table comes into its own at mealtimes, or add an extra, folding table and seating, whether it’s stools, folding chairs or camping chairs.

overnight guests will sleep. If you’re fortunate enough to have a guest room, it’s a case of airing it out (if it hasn’t been used for a while) and making the bed with fresh linens, adding an extra blanket in case your guests feel the cold. Clear space for a suitcase or bag, and add a hanger or two if there’s a hook on the back of the door. Pop a small lamp and a water glass onto the bedside table, and provide a free socket for charging phones and other electricals.

If your living room is acting as a temporary bedroom, clear space around the sofa, sofa bed or airbed and plug in a lamp as a bedside light.

A large box, bag or basket to stow bedding will keep things tidy during the day.

Gardening

December in the garden

by Graham Mitchell The days are short, often cold and frosty, so don’t feel too bad if you decide to take a month off. December is probably the ideal month to put your feet up and have a rest. There is nothing that can’t wait until the new year now, and probably good gardening days will be few and far between. However, if you want to escape the Christmas shopping and the endless mince pies then there is still plenty to do, just wrap up warm and get the wellies on. December is about clearing the remains of last year, preparing for next and dreaming of long hot days.

All those straggly perennials are now dormant so cut them back and encourage new strong growth in the spring. Make sure you clear away the trimmings and fallen leaves to discourage disease and pests. If you have been making compost, spread a layer over the beds and lightly fork in. You can start creating new compost piles/ bins with remaining old crops, and general garden debris, but avoid perennial weeds.

Time to paint the shed with preservative, sweep the paths and patio, clean the greenhouse and all those pots

Time for a good clean up

and seed trays you’ve been keeping. While you are there, check the gutters on garden structures, removing dead leaves. You won’t need to do any watering for a while so empty and clean the water-butts. I leave mine upside down for the winter to avoid them being damaged by ice. Check your garden tools and give them a wash. A paint with boiled linseed oil will help to keep the tools corrosion free. Also check the handles as they are key targets for woodworm. There is nothing worse than a fork handle falling off in the middle of a job. A new handle and a couple of spade rivets will keep an old faithful going for another generation or two. Nothing beats a solid old Sheffield forged spade or fork.

Final job is to keep the bird feeders and baths clean and topped up. You can then pat yourself on the back and peruse the seed catalogues over a glass of mulled wine.

ALL TYPES OF GROUNDWORK AND LANDSCAPING FROM HOME IMPROVEMENTS TO MAJOR SITES INCLUDING SITE MUCK AWAYS Transformative consultative competitive TARMAC | FENCING | PATIOS | FOOTINGS | CONCRETING | ARTIFICIAL GRASS | DRAINAGE Highly skilled local tradesman in Oswestry and surrounding area, With 15 years’ experience in heavy plant operation and muck aways. The Muckshifter believes in good old-fashioned values honesty, attention to detail, professionalism and delivering our client expectations.

Best company around for “Muck Aways”! Recently used The Muck Shifter to dig out footings, in a very tricky, and challenging, area of our property! All staff worked extremely hard, the work was completed to a very high standard, and our property was left tidy, and in good order!

Would highly recommend Will and his team!

Mrs Davies

Mobile: 07583 732234 E: themuckshifter@outlook.com

www.themuckshifter.com

Oswestry life

|

89

Gardening Looking forward to the plum harvest

Winter Garden An ethical gift

The Government has committed to a 100 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050, compared with emissions during 1990. This can be achieved through a combination of emission reduction and emission removal, and one of the best ways to help towards net zero, as it has become known, is by planting and maintaining trees and shrubs.

Planting now

If you are tempted to wait until spring, you’re missing out on a great opportunity. Winter is ‘bare root season’ and dormant, woody plants can be purchased at a much lower price than you’ll see in spring. You can plant a hedge in the garden or add some native shrubs to your borders for the price of a box of Christmas crackers.

Christmas natural wreath

Jobs in the garden this month •

•

If you have free-standing fruit trees such as apples and pears, this is a great time to prune them. Not only will you be able to control their size and shape, but you will encourage them to be productive. You want an open centre so that a good airflow can be achieved. Try to prune yearly rather than severe pruning when the tree has become a tangled mess.

Hard pruning causes the growth of multiple small shoots, known as water shoots, as the tree tries to replace some of its lost growth.

Protect your pots and tender plants from freezing conditions. Use horticultural fleece as a wrap or move pots into a sheltered position.

•

•

•

• Brussels sprouts growing

•

•

•

90

| Oswestry life

Mulch around the base of your favourite shrubs and perennials to keep the roots a little warmer. Take care not to allow the mulch to touch the stem, as this can cause rotting.

Check stakes and ties to ensure they are not too tight but also to ensure that strong winds are less likely to damage your plants.

Clear leaves from pathways for safety reasons, but allow them to stay on your beds. They provide valuable cover and shelter for many garden creatures and act as bird larders.

Consider positioning your bird feeders over your beds and borders, particularly near roses and other plants that might suffer from aphids. The birds will help clear your plants of pests.

In the kitchen garden, harvest vegetables for the festive season, including parsnips, leeks, Brussels sprouts and cabbages. Pick sprouts from the bottom upwards, allowing the ones at the top to develop. They can be blanched for around three minutes and then frozen if you prefer.

Keep off your beds as much as possible because it squashes the air out of the soil. If you tread on a board instead of the ground, this helps to spread the load.

Turn to your garden for Christmas decorations rather than plastic. You can make a door wreath using evergreens like yew and holly and plants with beautiful berries.

Lawns do wonders for our wellbeing. That’s why we’ve devised three programmes of year-round treatments to keep your grass a cut above.

From controlling weeds to bringing out the green, we’ll help you to look after the lawn that looks after you.

FIRST SEASONAL TREATMENT HALF PRICE When you sign up between August & December 2023*

Discover more at

greenthumb.co.uk

Scan here

Oswestry - 01691 655111 oswestry@greenthumb.co.uk * T&C’s apply. New customers only. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Half price treatment applies to first seasonal treatment only once you have signed up to GreenThumb Oswestry between August 1st 2023 and December 31st 2023.

Oswestry life

|

91

PROTECT YOUR LEGACY Expert advice on inheritance tax to secure your family’s financial future.

HAVE YOU PLANNED FOR INHERITANCE TAX? CRAIG ROBERTS Oswestry-based independent financial adviser

CALL 01691 886554 Belgrave Wincham Limited is an appointed representative of ValidPath Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under FRN 197107.

Belgrave Wicham Ltd registered in England and Wales number 12167416.

WE ARE SMALL BUSINESS IT SERVICE SPECIALISTS! Cloud Business Packages Cyber Security and Anti-Virus Solutions Backup Solutions Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace Website and Email Hosting Website Management Help and Support Endpoint Management Secure Data Erasure Services Bespoke IT Support and Services Business IT Consultancy Network Installation and Cabling Wi-Fi Installation Find out more and book a free 20 minute consultancy chat at www.8bits1byte.co.uk hello@8bits1byte.co.uk 01691 700 700 Unit 10A, Whittington Business Park, Oswestry, SY11 4ND

92

| Oswestry life

While it might not be a subject most of us are eager to talk about, understanding the intricacies of inheritance tax planning is important.

In the last tax year, a record £7 billion in inheritance tax (IHT) was collected by HMRC – that’s a £1 billion rise on the year before – partly down to rising house prices. And despite a few recent dips in the property market, a growing number of people are finding themselves in the bracket where IHT applies.

Navigating this can be tricky and the last thing any of us want is for our family to end up with an unexpected tax bill when we’re no longer here. The good news is that careful planning can lessen the impact of IHT, especially if you start early.

If this is something that you’re concerned about, the first step is working out the value of your assets. That’s everything you own, including your savings, investments, properties, vehicles and any payouts from things like life insurance policies.

There is currently no IHT to pay if the value of your estate is below £325,000, or if you are leaving it to your spouse or a civil partner. There is also an extra allowance if you leave your home to your children or grandchildren which has been frozen at £175,000 until 2028.

If IHT does apply to you, however, it’s a good idea to seek advice from an experienced independent financial adviser. Working together with you, they can find ways to pass on as much of your hard-earned money to loved ones as possible. From growing your pension pots and creating trusts to annual gift exemptions and advice on how to effectively spend your money now, they will help safeguard your assets for the next generation.

For more information on inheritance tax and estate planning, call the team at Belgrave Wincham on 01691 886554 to arrange your free, no-obligation 60-minute consultation.

Q&A

with GHP Legal’s Deon Hayward

www.ghplegal.com

Can an Occupation Order really deny me access into my own home?

Q: My girlfriend and I had a bust up when I discovered she had slept with my best friend. Next day she changed the locks and for a week I haven’t been able to get into the house we own and pay the mortgage for jointly. She says she is going to apply for Occupation Order, which means I will have to find somewhere else to live. Surely, she can’t stop me from going into my own house?

A: If you want the right to return to, stay in or exclude someone else from the home, you may be able to use an Occupation Order. Occupation Orders can also enforce rights, as well as giving or ending rights to occupy a property. They can also be used to clarify who is going to pay the mortgage and utility bills, allow you to return to the home if your partner has changed the locks, and/or to restrict someone’s use of a property, for example if you and your partner must live in different parts of the same home.

Occupation Orders usually last a specific length of time and are supposed to be a shortterm measure. They do not change the financial ownership of the property.

The making of an Occupation Order can be deemed as a draconian order, and therefore the Court will need good reason to grant such an Order. They are often granted in cases where there is domestic abuse. Whilst victims of domestic abuse can apply for a Non-Molestation Order under the Family Law Act 1996, that does not deal with the issue of who can occupy the property or offer the same protection as an Occupation Order does, excluding the perpetrator from the property, allowing you peaceful occupation.

The court will grant an order of occupation if it believes the applicant will suffer significant harm if the order is not made. You should make an appointment to see a family solicitor as soon as possible.

Working towards a kinder future

Accident & Injury Agriculture & Estates Business Structure & Issues Accident & Injury Children Agriculture & Estates Clinical Negligence Company & Commercial Business Structure & Issues Commercial Property Children Court of Protection Clinical Crime &Negligence Regulatory Employment Law Company & Commercial Family & Matrimonial Commercial Property Litigation & Dispute Resolution Mental Health Court of Protection Prison Law Crime & Regulatory Professional Negligence Probate, Wills, TaxLaw & Trust Employment Residential Property Family & Matrimonial Spinal Injuries

Litigation & Dispute Resolution OSWESTRY LLANGOLLEN Mental Health 01691 659194 01978 860313 Prison Law WREXHAM Professional Negligence 01978 291456 Probate, Wills, Tax & Trust COVID-19 Residential Property Our expert lawyers continue to provide support Spinal Injuries guidance and advice on all legal matters

NO-WIN, NO-FEE OPTIONS : WELSH SPEAKERS CONTRACTED WITH THE LEGAL AID AGENCY

Authorised & Regulated by the SRA No. 51566

This question has been answered by Deon Hayward, a Solicitor with GHP Legal. If you would like to speak to someone about this or any other legal matter, please visit our website www.ghplegal. com and use the contact us form, or call us on: Wrexham 01978 291456, Llangollen 01978 860313, Oswestry 01691 659194

Oswestry life

|

93

Classifieds

Where help is on hand locally

AERIALS

BLINDS

AERIAL SATELLITE SOLUTIONS

CRACKING DEALS

Installation & Maintenance of Digital Aerials, Satellite Dishes & Digital Solutions

FOR CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR Find us in Oswestry Indoor Market

Call Brian for a free quote with no obligation

FREE 01691 676 262 SENSIBLE PRICES QUOTES

01691 690680 07944 990 197 ACCOUNTANTS

a

BUILDING & PLUMBING

PARK HALL

BUILDING & PLUMBING

TEL: 07983 927426 DOG GROOMING

■ ALL ASPECTS OF PLUMBING, BATHROOMS, RADIATORS AND GENERAL PLUMBING MAINTENANCE ■ GENERAL BUILDING MAINTENANCE ■ SLABBING AND FENCING

OSWESTRY BASED FREE QUOTES FULLY INSURED

ELECTRICIANS

FLORENCE & OSWALD grooming spa

YOUR LOCAL ELECTRICIANS

• Periodic testing & inspection • Fuse board upgrades • Smoke alarms • Outside security lighting • Extensions & conversions • Kitchens & bathroom refurbishments • Free Quotations • Solar PV Installations • Battery Storage Systems • Electric Vehicle Charging Points

Unit 6, Maes y Clawdd Industrial Estate, Maesbury Road, Oswestry, SY10 8NN Office: 01691 681051 Steve: 07813 815333 Dan: 07976 526189

HOLISTIC PET GROOMING Providing a natural, relaxing & therapeutic experience.

Based in Oswestry, SY11 1RB florenceandoswald.co.uk

07931 426995

BOOK A CONSULTATI ON

94

| Oswestry life

sales@pureelectrics.com www.pureelectrics.com ELECTRICIANS

DOMESTIC COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL All electrical work covered (at no extra cost) by the ECA Guarantee of Work Scheme for up to six years and a limit of £50,000 Electrical certification in line with the current 18th edition wiring regulations BS7671

FINDING • GENERAL ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS • FAULT INSPECTION AND ELECTRICAL • NEST PRO INSTALLER: SMART THERMOSTATS, • TESTING, VIDEO DOORBELLS, SMOKE / CO ALARMS CERTIFICATION AND CCTV INSTALLATION CONDITION • ELECTRICAL • HAVE A RENTAL PROPERTY?: REPORTS (EICRS - ALSO KNOWN AS LANDLORD SAFETY CERTIFICATES)

Tel: 07837 839698

WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THE NEW ELECTRICAL SAFETY REGULATIONS

e: matt@mattowenelectricalservices.co.uk @mattowenelectricalservices

Classifieds

Where help is on hand locally ELECTRICIANS

DOG GROOMING

DOMESTIC - COMMERCIAL

M O B I L E

D O G

• Electric Vehicle Charging Points Installed • Rewires/Extensions • Periodic Testing and Inspection • General Electrical Work • Fuse Board Upgrades • Landlord Safety Checks • Free Estimates

G R O O M I N G

MOBILE DOG GRO OMING

P and S Electrical Contractors Ltd Call: 07762 278533 jayne@daintypaws.info www.daintypaws.info

Call: 07762 278533

ALL WORK IS CERTIFICATED

Since & FULLY TESTED 1989 Arridge Garage Doors

CONTACT STUART

07710 664 254

pandselectrical27@gmail.com

GARAGE DOORS

FLOORING

ARRIDGE GARAGE DOORS TOP BRANDS • BIG DISCOUNTS • NATIONWIDE

Domestic and Commercial • All Preparation Work Karndean Design Flooring • LVT All Vinyls • Safety Flooring • Coved and • Capped • Carpets All Types of Wood Flooring and Restoration Work and Commercial • All Preparation Work • and • WallDomestic • Karndean Ceramic Floor Tiles Design Flooring • LVT

Domestic and Commercial All Preparation Work Karndean Design Flooring LVT All Vinyls Safety Flooring All Vinyls • Safety Flooring • Coved and Capped • Carpets CovedStreet, and Capped • Carpets • All Types of1JZ and Restoration Work Showroon: 51 Castle Oswestry.

Shropshire SY11 All Types of Wood Flooring Telephone: 01691 657505 • Mobile: 07870 Ceramic 890049Floor and Wall Tiles Wood Flooring•and Restoration Work E: wendyhayward@hotmail.com garryhayward@hotmail.com Showroon: 51 Castle Street, Oswestry. Shropshire SY11 1JZ

• Top Brands EST to1989 • Discounted Supply trade and retail • Quality installation service available

REVIEWS 4.82 Rating

sales@arridgegaragedoors.co.uk

arridgegaragedoors.co.uk • 01691 670 394

Telephone: 01691 657505 • Mobile: 07870 890049

E: wendyhayward@hotmail.com • garryhayward@hotmail.com www.haywardfl 51 Castle Street,ooring.co.uk Oswestry. Shropshire SY11 1JZ

Suppliers of: Hormann, Garador, Carteck, Fort, Novoferm, SWS, Wisniowski, Cedar Door, Aluroll, Gliderol, Alutech and Ryterna

www.haywardflooring.co.uk

Tel: 01691 657505 • Mobile: 07870 890049 E: wendyhayward@hotmail.com • garryhayward@icloud.com www.haywardflooring.co.uk

01691 670394 www.arridgegaragedoors.co.uk

FOOT CARE

HANDYMAN & GARDENING SERVICES

Toenail trimming Callus Cracked heels Registered Foot Corns/ Health Practioner verrucas TREATMENTS IN A MODERN CLINIC Diabetic SITUATED IN LLANYBLODWEL, foot care 6 MILES SOUTH WEST OF OSWESTRY Ingrowing toenails For an appointment, please Fungal nail contact Lisa on 07891087394 E: tanatfootcare@hotmail.com Athlete’s foot

TANAT FOOT CARE

Need help to finish those little jobs? ❱ Flat Pack assembly ❱ Plumbing ❱ Decorating ❱ Shed re-roofing ❱ General DIY jobs ❱ Garden maintenance Fully insured with references available Competitive rates Contact Steve today for availability FB - Oswestry Handyman & Gardening Services E - oswestryhandyman@outlook.com

Mobile - 07870280747

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

SHAUN’S HOME IMPROVEMENTS FENSA REGISTERED AND INSURED

Misted up window units?

Fascia’s, soffits and guttering need upgrading?

New doors, windows and conservatories fitted.

All home improvements considered.

No job too small.

Tel: 01691 773875 Mobile: 07792 341877

PAINTING & DECORATING

DOMESTIC / COMMERCIAL / INTERIOR / EXTERIOR PAINT STRIPPING / PAINT SPRAYING

From a single room to a full property makeover, we use only the best quality products by leading brands and offer a full paint mixing service

TRUSTED LOCAL COMPANY | FREE QUOTATIONS T: 07780 379 761 E: INFO@HINTONPAYNE.COM WWW.HINTONPAYNE.COM/DECORATING Oswestry life |

95

Classifieds

Where help is on hand locally

martial arts

plumbing & maintenance

Improve your:

flexIbIlIty | confIdence co-ordInatIon physIque fItness | self control health

Whether your goal is self defence, physical conditioning or you just want to have fun and meet new friends, our quality professional Tae Kwon Do instruction could well provide you with just the results you are looking for.

Hm plUmBiNG & mAiNTeNANCe SERVICES LTD

email: hmplumbmaintain@gmail.com www.facebook.com/hmplumbmaintain

• Heating, radiators etc • gutters installation & repair • Kitchen/Bathroom installation & repair • Fencing & garden Maintenance • upvc Fascia, soFFits and cladding • gutter leaf/moss protection systems • Drainage installation & repair For a first class service by fully insured City & Guilds qualified tradesman:

Tel: 07932 659552 CompeTiTive priCes plumbing & heating

new starters get theIr fIrst lesson free!

Call: 07824364018 www.tagb-taekwondo.co.uk

plumbing & heating

•New builds specialists •Boiler upgrades •Boiler breakdown and servicing •Renewable energy •Bathrooms

10 YEaR BOilER GuaRaNtEE

Your local plumbing and heating experts

Victoria Garage, Victoria Road, Oswestry, SY11 2HR Office: 01691 650031 Email: info@dpowellplumbing.co.uk plumbing & heating

All Plumbing, Heating and Gas Work inc: Installation • Repair • Servicing Maintenance •Landlords certificate Contact Sam for a free, no obligation quote M: 07824 669282 E:Cowdellheating@gmail.com TrusTworThy, reliable compeTiTively priced Fully qualiFied, experienced and Gas saFe reGisTered 96

| Oswestry life

Classifieds

Where help is on hand locally

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE MATTERS. Project management • HMO refurbs Single let refurbs • Damp proofing Plastering • Joinery • Electrical • Plumbing Tiling • Decoration • Fencing

TRUSTED LOCAL COMPANY | FREE QUOTATIONS T: 07780 379 761 E: INFO@HINTONPAYNE.COM WWW.HINTONPAYNE.COM ROOFING

New slate/tiled roofs All flat roofing Gutters, fascias & soffits Chimney repairs/pointing Dry verge fitting

PROPERTY SERVICES

Extensions | Brickwork | Patios Driveways | Fencing | Groundworks Drainage | Steel Frame Buildings General Repairs For free advice or quote call Harvey

@HACBuilding

07966 784 840 ROOFING

WITH EXPERIENCE WE WE HAVE HAVE THE THE WITH OVER OVER 30 30 YEARS’ YEARS’ EXPERIENCE SOLUTION TOTO YOUR FLAT ROOF PROBLEMS SOLUTION YOUR ROOF PROBLEMS • Flat roofing (EPDM options available) • Liquid roofing system PREMIUM • Felt roofing EPDM PRODUCTS • Pitched roofing • New roofs • Insurance work • County Council approved • Covering Oswestry, Welshpool and Shrewsbury FULL GUARANTEE ON ALL PRODUCTS • OVER 30 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE

T: 01691 828292 • M: 07970 438816 E: sales@shropshireroofing.com W: shropshireroofing.com

TEL: 01691 658372 SCAFFOLDING

Instant response • Professional service Safety minded workforce Long or short term hire • Free quotations Comprehensive public liability insurance Very competitive rates

ROOFING

TREE SURGERY

TRAINING

TREE SURGERY • STUMP GRINDING • VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

Need Training?

Tel:01691 650900 Mobile:07968 077725

t: 07496 515324 / 01691 770247 e: evoarbtech@gmail.com facebook.com/evoarbtech

TREE SERVICES

WINDOW CLEANING

Shropshire Tree Services Ltd professional tree care

All aspects of Arboricultural work undertaken • Council approved contractor • Over 30 years experience • Fully insured • All staff NPTC qualified

Contact Oswestry 01691 680018 M: 07989477415

Lorem ipsum

W I N D OW CLEANING Simple, no hassle regular & one-off window cleaning quotes.

For an instant online quote go online www.saxonclean.co.uk/quote-me

Counterbalance - Reach VNA Pivot Steer - Pedestrian Multidirectional - Side-Loaders & Telescopic Lift Trucks Gantry & Lorry (Hiab) Cranes MEWPs (Scissor Lift & Cherry Pickers) Harness use - Abrasive Wheel Site Safety - Manual Handling & Many Other Courses Competitive Rates Based on North Wales Border with Instructors Nationally Call Us For Information, Advice, or a Quote James - 07970575588 office@warwicktraining.co.uk www.warwicktraining.co.uk

Call/Text/Whatsapp 07791674431 or Email hello@saxonclean.co.uk

Oswestry life

|

97

PUZZLE PAGE

CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONES 1. Which individual sang on the Christmas number one hit singles of 1988, 1989 and 1990?

2. What was the Spice Girls’ first Christmas number one single?

3. Starting in 2018, LadBaby have had a series of Christmas number one singles where the proceeds have gone to which charity?

4. What question is asked in the opening line of Slade’s Christmas number one hit single Merry Xmas Everybody?

5. What About Us was the working title of which Christmas number one single?

6. Which two songs were combined on the UK Christmas number one hit single of 2015 by the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir?

7. Name both the famous singer and the famous actress who duetted on the Christmas number one hit single of 2001 - Somethin’ Stupid.

8. Which boy band prevented Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You from being Christmas number one when it was first released in 1994?

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

| Oswestry life

Novel idea for a helper (4) Cricketer used to coat fish (6) Ice cream holder once put out (4) Tips up to expectorate (4) Woman-hater, somehow toying with Miss (10) 6. Tells fibs and is prostrate (4) 7. Time before march begins (8) 8. Go back and change decree (6) 13. Rodent goes back for pitch (3) 14. Factory operates well (5) 15. No premiss used to form a notion (10) 16. Headdress I made with Tara (5) 18. Vitamin deficiency disease from two fruits, we hear (8) 21. Fight container (3) 22. Inexpensive financial plan (6) 25. Regular girl with little left (6) 27. Has to be found in all townships (4) 28. Small hairpiece to flog? (4) 29. Friar to fold under (4) 30. Excluding the French ship (4)

What did one cranberry say to another at Christmas?

‘Tis the season tAo be jelly!

What do mice have for Christmas dinner?

Cheese and crackers

SOLUTIONS

crossword

98

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Across: 9 Imago, 10 Privilege, 11 Entreat, 12 Observe, 13 Threw, 15 Ivy, 16 Trade, 17 Rob, 19 Replica, 20 Yob, 22 Burns, 23 Eat, 24 Annex, 26 Dubious, 28 Lateral, 31 Erroneous, 32 Class.

Down: 1 Aide, 2 Batter, 3 Cone, 4 Spit, 5 Misogynist, 6 Lies, 7 February, 8 Recede, 13 Tar, 14 Works, 15 Impression, 16 Tiara, 18 Beriberi, 21 Box, 22 Budget, 25 Normal, 27 Owns, 28 Lash, 29 Tuck, 30 Less.

Who beats his chest and swings from Christmas cake to Christmas cake?

Tarzipan

Down

number ones

9. Adult insect produced after ignoramus runs out (5) 10. Evil gripe about exclusive right (9) 11. Implore to tear net apart (7) 12. A follower with nothing to dish out, note (7) 13. Chucked from one side to the other, we hear (5) 15. Clinging girl (3) 16. Business deal rated poorly (5) 17. Little man to take property unlawfully (3) 19. Exact copy of parcel I sent round (7) 20. Son regresses, becoming a hooligan (3) 22. Scottish poet catches fire (5) 23. Have a meal in the attic (3) 24. Girl with ten to add to the end (5) 26. Call debts suspect (7) 28. Directed sideways when all tear about (7) 31. Norse Euro exchange that’s wrong (9) 32. Elegance and form in school (5)

1. Cliff Richard (on his songs Mistletoe And Wine and Saviour’s Day and as part of Band Aid II’s Do They Know It’s Christmas), 2. 2 Become 1, 3. The Trussell Trust, 4. Are you hanging up your stocking on your wall?, 5. Earth Song (by Michael Jackson), 6. Bridge Over Troubled Water and Fix You (by Simon and Garfunkel, and Coldplay; the song was called Bridge Over You), 7. Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman, 8. East 17 (with the song Stay Another Day)

Across

IS IT TIMe To RevIew youR fInanCeS? Our team of independent financial planners provide tailored guidance to help you achieve your goals.

CRAIG ROBERTS Oswestry-based independent financial adviser

Craig can offer you expert advice on:

• Pensions and Retirement • Savings and Investments • Mortgages and Life Insurance • Inheritance Tax Planning

Independent advice | on the fCa register | your Local experts | no obligation Consultations Belgrave Wincham Limited is an appointed representative of ValidPath Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under FRN 197107. Belgrave Wicham Ltd registered in England and Wales number 12167416.

BUY NOW NOTHING TO PAY FOR 9 MONTHS 10% Deposit Only APR 13.9% representative

Over 20 beautiful kitchens and bathrooms on display and hundreds more to choose from.

Check out our amazing 3D planning service

Maesbury Road, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 8HA T: 01691 672596 E: kitchens.oswestry@tggroup.co.uk www.tgkitchensandbathrooms.co.uk Open: Mon-Fri 7:00am-5:00pm, Sat 8:00am-12:00pm, Sun Closed

Credit is subject to status and affordability. Terms & Conditions Apply. TG Builders Merchants Ltd is registered in England and Wales, VAT no. 310 435411, FRN: Register no. 825759. TG Builders Merchants Ltd, Wood Lane, Ellesmere, Shropshire, SY12 0HY trading as TG Dream Kitchens & Bathrooms is an appointed representative of TG Builders Merchants Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority as a credit broker, not the lender. Credit is provided by Novuna Personal Finance, a trading style of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC. Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.