to Oswestry Life Welcome

Welcome to the September issue!

We are officially in Autumn, but that doesn’t mean things slow down for Oswestry. We introduce a new studio in the Cambrian buildings offering classes in clay (page 13) and a local nutritional therapist specialising in women’s health (page 53).

If you love a courageous story, visit page 16 for an Atlantic Ocean adventure fundraising for local children. For those who may be looking to boost their CV for a fresh challenge in the new year, volunteering at our local castle could be just what you need (page 33).

For the diary - Don’t miss Oswestry CultureFest on Saturday 9 September and for the youngsters who love wizardry, the Harry Potter outdoor cinema is 23 September at Chirk Castle. Have a wonderful month.

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Hope House team receive award

Two support workers from Hope House Children’s Hospices have won a national award for the compassionate help they gave a local family after their baby died.

Mary Leighton and Brian Plimbley helped to support nine-year-old Isobel Owen when her parents discovered that her longed-for baby brother was not likely to survive at birth.

As Hope House’s sibling support team, Mary and Brian have years of experience of supporting children whose brother or sister is seriously ill or has died and were able to form an instant connection with Isobel.

Their help and support led a grateful Lauren to nominate them for the Mariposa Community Award, which is presented annually in recognition of incredible people who support others through baby loss.

Isobel’s mum Lauren explains: “I honestly believe Mary and Brian saved Isobel from years of anguish and pain in the future. It was such a blessing to us all as a family that they entered our lives.”

It was March 2022 when Lauren and her partner Paul were referred to hospital with concerns around their unborn son Freddie and were given the devastating news that their baby was unlikely to survive.

“Sadly, following a hard-fought battle our journey did ultimately end in the death of our beautiful boy, Freddie. Yet, through it all we knew we had the most wonderful support network and that Isobel’s emotional needs would be more than met with Brian and Mary there.

“Their funny, kind and loving manner has allowed us to see her smile and laugh even in the hardest times and the time spent with her has provided the most invaluable safe space where she can share feelings and emotions that she is too scared to share with us for fear of hurting us further.

“Thank you will never be enough for what they have done and for looking after our little girl and us and we hope that they will remain in our lives in some way for a long time to come.”

If you would like to find out more about any of the services that Hope House provides to local children and families, from respite and end of life care, to sibling support and counselling, please see our website www. hopehouse.org.uk or call 01691 671999.

Future Generations For Work Experience

Aico have recently welcomed ten students across two weeks in July from The Marches Sixth Form to take part in their work experience programme. Students were given the choice of departments they were interested in, including the Operations team, getting hands on with the logistical side of a company, helping pack and ship orders all over the country. Time was spent with the technical team, giving students a chance to sit with Technical Advisors, discussing Electrical Contractor queries and troubleshooting issues. Students gained experience with the in-house Sales team, getting hands-on with order processing, customer FAQs and customer service. The Marketing team gave the visitors a taste of design experience, with the opportunity to create flyers, adverts and social media campaigns while the Product Development team allowed students to explore the inner workings of their market leading products. Finally, students were also given further insight into Aico’s community work, spending time volunteering with Little Stars Baby Bank.

Since the launch of Aico in the Community in 2018, the threetime Shropshire Company of the Year have developed an engaging and inclusive work experience programme for local students to gain real experience of how the working world works. Aico has to date supported over 12,000 students with not only work experience placements but over 150 educational school visits and on the road FIA CPD accredited training sessions for colleges all over the UK. If you would like more information on Aico in the Community and their educational offerings, please visit: www.aico. co.uk/in-the-community/

Derwen gardeners join Oswestry’s Britain in Bloom bid

Derwen College’s green-fingered horticulturists were among the team showcasing Oswestry’s gorgeous floral displays to Britain in Bloom judges last week.

Paul Moss, the Nursery Production Manager at Derwen College’s garden centre, with horticulture helpers and Derwen clients, Anton Berry and Thomas Donaldson, met Britain in Bloom judges when they visited Cae Glas Park, in Oswestry, last week.

The Derwen team joined Oswestry in Bloom chair Natalie Bainbridge, Oswestry Mayor Cllr Olly Rose, Cae Glas Park Keeper Sue Cameron, Oswestry BID’s (Business Improvement District) Adele Nightingale, and Louise Humphreys from Oswestry Council when they met with RHS Britain in Bloom judges Rae Beckwith and Roger Burnett in the splendid town park on Wednesday.

Paul Moss, who has been instrumental in sourcing, designing and planting the park’s bedding, borders and planters, spoke to judges as part of their tour of the town. Paul has worked at the park with Derwen College students – who visit the gardens every Monday – as well as with some of Derwen’s long-term clients, such as Anton and Thomas. Despite a week of wind and rain, the sun shone for the judges, and the plants had survived the elements well.

Oswestry is one of 10 towns across the UK who are finalists in the competition’s Large Town category. As part of the process, judges also spoke to pupils from Woodside Primary School, who showed off sunflowers that they’d planted for a competition in the park, before being introduced to the hard-working team of Oswestry in Bloom volunteers.