Oswestry Life December 2017

www.oswestry.life

free issue 10 DECEMBER 2017

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Rambles with a camera Out & about Interiors & home • • • Walks around Oswestry Local events A Lagom country your Christmas life

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Contents

Season’s

Local news......................................... 4 Oswestry & Borders Foodbank........... 8

Greetings

Six of the best gifts for kids............... 13 CHALK.............................................. 14 Rotary Tree of Light.......................... 18 Property............................................ 21

We’ve got a Christmas cracker of a magazine for you with delicious Christmas treats, festive fashion, delightful decorations and some of the best events taking place around the town.

Interiors............................................. 24 Secret Agent..................................... 29 Property............................................ 31 Gardening........................................ 34 Education......................................... 37

Christmas is a time for giving, and I was blessed to meet a few people in the town who help make life a little bit easier for others. Take a peek behind the scenes at the Oswestry and Borders Foodbank; support Hope House in helping families this Christmas, and join in Oswestry’s Open House Community Christmas, determined to make sure no-one feels lonely this 25 December.

What’s on......................................... 39

To all of our loyal readers, advertisers, contributors and distributors, from all of us here at Oswestry Life magazine, Happy Christmas.

Doctor............................................... 58

Charlotte Ruscoe EDITOR

Fashion............................................. 42 Food and drink................................. 46 Local walks...................................... 49 Business............................................ 51 Hope House appeal.......................... 54 Culture.............................................. 56 Nostalgia.......................................... 59 Kids fun............................................ 64 Competitions.................................... 65 Last word.......................................... 66

Oswestry Life

free issue 10 DECEMBER 2017

december cover

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Unit 2, Glovers Meadow, Maesbury Road, Oswestry, Shropshire Telephone: 07986 293294 Joint Managing Directors David Lee-Birch e: david@oswestry.life Tracy Leonard e: tracy@oswestry.life Editor Charlotte Ruscoe e: charlotte@oswestry.life Production Designer Aileen Selkirk e: aileen@oswestry.life Fashion & Beauty Editor Victoria Jane McKenna Contributors Graham Mitchell, David Owen, Dr Paul Middleton, Tim Mitchell, Jan Hedger, Kate Howell, Katie Millard, Grace Goodlad and Debbie Marais Accounts and Distribution e: info@oswestry.life Advertising e: sales@oswestry.life Editorial e: news@oswestry.life

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Cover photograph Oswestry Visitor & Exhibition Centre

by Graham Mitchell

grahamsfmitchell

with a camera & about & home • Rambles • Out • Interiors Walks around Oswestry Local events Lagom A country your Christmas life

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. © DTS Media Ltd. 2017

Local news

Proms night raises £2000 Ellesmere’s Last Night of the Proms raised £2000 for Age UK North Shropshire Supporters and St Mary’s Church Ellesmere. Shrewsbury Light Orchestra and Ellesmere College Choral Society raised the rafters during an evening of flag waving and exhilarating music at the church.

Scouting for Girls set to headline town music festival

New music festival planned for town Plans for a new music festival in Park Hall have been unveiled. Fieldbounce, will take place on bank holiday Saturday 5 May 2018 at The Venue. Organisation is already well under way with the first headline acts released. Scouting for Girls and Dappy will both perfom at the musical extravaganza and organisers are excited at bringing a great experience to the local community. Visit www.fieldbounce.co.uk to find out more.

Adele tribute act says ‘Hello’ A charity fundraiser held at The Lion Quays raised almost £3,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Organised by Nicola Barkley, the charity evening welcomed more than 150 people for a three-course meal and a performance by Adele tribute Katie Markham.

“My friend Tanya Tinsley chose the charity as she sadly lost her mum to cancer,” said Nicola.

“This evening was in memory of her mum.”

4 | Oswestrylife life 4 | Oswestry

The programme included the Dambusters March, the Hallelujah Chorus, and medleys by George Gershwin and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The audience had to sing for their supper and joined in with songs from My Fair Lady before standing to the rousing strains of Pomp and Circumstance and Jerusalem.

A star of the evening was soloist, Seren Devismes, a chorister at Ellesmere College, while the G&T Singers’ beautiful harmonies held the audience rapt.

North Shropshire Supporters are holding their annual Midwinter Concert with the Porthywaen Silver Band and Ellesmere College Choral Society on Saturday 3 February at Ellesmere College. Further information from Anne Wignall alwignall@gmail.com TOP: Last Night of the Proms in Ellesmere

Christmas choir performance Oswestry Ladies Choir, conducted by Dawn Jaffray, are starting Christmas celebrations in style with a ‘lollipop’ concert on 6 December at Christ Church, consisting of a collection of favourite carols. Unable to resist the lure of the ‘Messiah’ the programme also includes three excerpts from Handel’s masterpiece, ending with the Hallelujah Chorus.

Joining the choir is local musician, Carol Jones, whose brilliant trumpet is guaranteed to thrill. The evening starts at 7.45pm and tickets are £10 for adults and £3 for children including refreshments and available on the door. Visit Oswestry Ladies Choir on facebook to find out more.

Os Rocks take on Christmas

Oswestry charity celebrates 20 years Oswestry based charity, The Movement Centre, is celebrating providing over 20 years of its specialist therapy, Targeted Training. The therapy helps children from across the UK who have a disability that affects their movement control, such as cerebral palsy.

The charity was kindly offered the use of Brynkinalt Hall in Chirk for a celebration event. Staff and supporters were joined by some of the families who have attended the centre. Also at the event was Tom James MBE, British rower and twice Olympic Gold Champion and patron of The Movement Centre. The day enabled everyone to mark the occasion with a special afternoon tea and entertainment.

Pauline Holbrook, Director and Clinical Lead, at The Movement Centre, said: “We were delighted to get together with so many people to celebrate.

We were so lucky to have the event in such a beautiful venue. We are very grateful indeed to Kate, Iain and family at Brynkinalt Hall for their hospitality.

We have so many wonderful friends and supporters, who give up their time to help volunteer and raise funds to enable us to continue our work. We can’t thank them enough and we are very excited for the next 20 years!”

TOP: Celebrating 20 years of The Movement Centre at Brynkinalt Hall, Chirk

Santa Claus is coming to town One of the largest and most spectacular night time events in the county is coming to Oswestry on Friday 1 December with Oswestry Christmas Music Live. Fairground rides, an ice rink, stalls, late night shopping and Santa’s Grotto and live music will entertain visitors from 6pm-10pm.

Thousands are expected to pack the streets to join in the festive fun. Porth-y-waen Silver Band will entertain the crowds with

Os Rocks, the town’s alternative rock-themed choir will be performing a Christmas concert on Sunday 10 December at Christ Church, starting at 7pm. For the first time the adult choir will be joined by children’s choir, Os Kidz Rock. Tickets cost £5 each from Rowanthorn and Shlurp, children under 12 go free.

Business booming in Oswestry

Four new businesses have opened in the town including Mule; a cycle store and coffee shop on the entrance to the main car park, Heat Health Food Bar on Willow Street and Fifty Shades of Tan on Cross Street. Meanwhile Oswestry’s Ironworks bar is set to reopen after closing down over a year ago.

If you have a new business and would like to promote it in Oswestry Life magazine, email david@oswestry.life.

and Santa will be inviting visitors to his Grotto in the Indoor Market to raise money for Hope House.

A huge Christmas market selling street food and gifts will line the main streets of the town and to top off the celebrations, there will be a spectacular firework display in Cae Glas Park.

Christmas carols, supported by local choirs. The main stage on the Bailey Head features this year’s headline act, Still Standing.

Street entertainers will be walking the town, performing fire acts throughout the evening. An ice rink will be located on Festival Square

There’s no rest for Santa though, as he leads the Oswestry Christmas Parade the following day, Saturday 2 December from 11am. Organised by the local Rotary groups, the event has become one of the highlights of the year, raising thousands of pounds for local charities.

Oswestry life | 5

experience magical for youngsters of all abilities.

Julie Hawkins, Derwen College’s Head of Speech and Language said:

Signing for Santas Santa’s little helpers gleaned a little extra help to relate to children with communication difficulties this Christmas thanks to a workshop run by Derwen College in Gobowen.

The Makaton signing workshop, held in November, ensures that stand-in Santas and elves will have no problems understanding what all children want in their stockings this year. It taught the essential signs and symbols to make the grotto

“This is the first year that Derwen College has run a Christmas Makaton workshop. We believe that by learning a few simple signs, every Santa and elf can communicate effectively with all children ensuring that the grotto experience is truly special for children with learning difficulties and disabilities.”

LEFT: Julie Hawkins, head of speech and language, takes Santa through the basics of Makaton signing.

Colour Run planned for Oswestry Macmillan Cancer Support have approved The British Ironwork Centre to become the new venue for their annual ‘Colour Run’.

Kate Thomas, fundraising manager for Macmillan in Shropshire said: “When we first found out that Hawkstone were unable to host

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Colour Run next year, The British Ironwork Centre immediately sprung to mind as a possible new venue. They have the space and creativity to make our colour run a huge success.”

The run is planned for 1 July and registration is expected to be available soon.

BELOW from left: Sarah McManus British Ironwork Centre, Clare Shinton, county commissioner for Girl Guiding Shropshire, Kate Thomas, Macmillan fundraising manager for Shropshire and Clive Knowles, chairman of The Brtish Ironwork Centre

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Vital service in the heart of our community Charlotte Ruscoe visits Oswestry & Borders Foodbank have no one else to turn to. I keep an open heart. How would I feel in that situation if there was nobody to help me? We’re not here to judge anyone, we welcome everyone, have a seat next to them and listen to their problems. Then we do our best to solve them. It will usually involve a food parcel, but it could also include advice on benefits claims or just some human interaction, which they might not usually get.”

From left, Foodbank manager Liz Jermy with volunteers Lionel Parker, Marion Clucas and Maggie Nankivell

Like many places in the UK, Oswestry is a town of two extremes, on one side we are spoilt with a huge selection of supermarkets and fast food restaurants and yet there are 31 families each week resorting to handouts from a local charity so that they have enough to eat.

The first thing I noticed about my visit to Oswestry & Borders Foodbank is its location. About half way between The Simla and The Cantonese restaurants many of us regularly visit to enjoy a good meal.

How many people I wonder have noticed the foodbank on Beatrice Street? I hadn’t.

On entering I was immediately greeted by some of the friendliest volunteers I’ve ever encountered.

They sat me down and offered me a drink before I could even tell them I was from the magazine. I assume they thought I was another person looking for sustenance. While I was waiting to meet the manager Liz, I counted eight staff, all volunteers buzzing around the waiting area, which is designed to resemble a café.

One of the volunteers was on the phone trying to sort out benefits for someone, a trolley full of food came out for a family of four and when I finally caught sight of manager Liz 8 | Oswestry life

Jermy, she had her arm around a man who had just received a food parcel.

“When you see a grown man cry because you’ve given them something it really puts everything in perspective,” says Liz, who has been

We’re not here to judge anyone, we welcome everyone, have a seat next to them and listen to their problems. Then we do our best to solve them. manager for 18 months. “Visiting a foodbank is a last resort for many of these people, they’ve been struggling for a long time before they’ve had to swallow their pride and ask for help. I call them brave.”

There are many complex reasons why people end up here including a growing number who are in-work poverty due to zero hours contracts, and many are struggling with benefit changes, delays and sanctions.

Others are struggling with debt issues. A significant minority have no fixed address and are waiting for housing. It’s not just food that the staff here supply, emotional support is also part of the package.

“We provide help on all levels, we see people who are isolated and

In a bid to tackle the unemployment issue facing some of the foodbank users, Liz has set up a job club on Tuesday 12.30pm – 2.30pm and an IT drop-in session on Wednesday 10am – midday, open to anyone seeking work and supported by volunteer mentors.

Demand on the foodbank continues to grow with figures for 2018 set to rise to 40 families each week using the foodbank, which is open on Monday and Thursday in Oswestry and also has a satellite premises in Ellesmere.

My visit to the foodbank was bittersweet, how can so many families be allowed to fall into a position where they must rely on charity to eat? And how lucky they are to live in a place where a team of amazing volunteers work tirelessly with donations from generous members of our community to help them out.

I couldn’t help but to be touched by some of the stories I heard on that day. And I certainly couldn’t leave without offering to support a family in need over Christmas.

What can you do to help?

The foodbank need: Long life food -Toothpaste Pull-up nappies - Cat and dog food Tin openers - Sanitary towels and tampons If you need help or you would like to help the Oswestry & Borders Foodbank, call 01691 671940 or 07399 291955.

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Oswestry life | 13

Donations OF THE FOLLOWING GREATFULLY RECEIVED:

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Charity throws open doors for Christmas Victoria McKenna meets the young volunteer bringing Christmas to 150 people in need.

What does Christmas mean to you? For most Christmas is a time for celebration with family, giving and receiving gifts, warm nights in front of the fire and indulging in lots of good food.

But for some Christmas is an extremely challenging time of year. Christmas can be a reminder of isolation, poverty, struggling to keep warm and finding food to feed the family. No matter your background, age, income or present situation, no one should be alone at Christmas.

Oswestry Christmas Open House works with CHALK CIC to provide over 150 people with a traditional Christmas; lunch, gifts, food and some supplies for the holiday season. Everything provided for the day, is acquired through fundraising and donations received from local businesses and members of the public.

Open House committee chairperson Megan Roberts tells us why she felt compelled to contribute to the Christmas Open House event.

“This year I have been assigned the role of committee chairperson for the Oswestry Community Christmas Open House, in partnership with CHALK CIC. I am a 19-year-old teaching student from St Martins, I live at home with my parents and younger siblings and I’ve been lucky 14

| Oswestry life

enough to grow up with my loving family around me providing me with all the support I’ve needed.

“Last year my grandmother asked me to come along to help with the preparations for Open House of which my Cousin Gemma, one of the founding directors of CHALK CIC, was running. I was instantly amazed by the amount of people whom on Christmas Eve, had given up their time in support of the event.

There was so much food, festive goodies and gifts which had kindly been donated and the sense of community was unlike anything I had experienced. That night I went home and thought about, for possibly the first time in my life, the people in my own community who were not as fortunate as me. I thought about those who were alone at Christmas, unable to afford it or those who found no reason to celebrate at all. In that moment, I decided that the next year I wanted to be a bigger part of Christmas Open House.

“This year, I am dedicating myself to the planning and delivery of the 2017 event and my whole family are totally on board and are also bringing their own talents to the cause, helping out where they can.

“Planning this type of event is a huge undertaking and we are always in need of further support. So if you can help us out on Christmas day, with the ongoing preparations beforehand or would like some more information, please feel free to contact me. We are grateful for all the help received from the community.”

Sweets, chocolates, mince pies, hot chocolate, tea, and coffee Christmas table decorations and tablecloths Christmas gifts (wrapped if possible and labelled for adult male or female, teenage male or female, boy, girl, toddler or baby) CHALK cannot accept alcohol, drug-related items or items with explicit content.

Local drop-off points OSWESTRY Costa Lawrence’s newsagents ELLESMERE Flexapeal Gym (behind the post office) Nails by Sheila CHIRK Seventh Heaven

If you or someone you know would like a place at the Christmas Open House lunch, you would like to help with the organisation and delivery or would like more information, please contact the organisers via: Facebook: Oswestry Christmas Day Open House By telephone: CHALK - 01691 655895

Megan Roberts (committee chairperson) 07927 010833

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07762 278 533

Full dog grooming services, including facial, nail trims, clipping, eyes and ears

Queens Road Professional Dog Grooming City & guilds qualified dog groomer All natural products used Calm and friendly home environment Bathing, drying, clipping, scissoring, nail trimming, ear cleaning & hand stripping

07850 044 006

12 Queens Road Oswestry SY112HY find us on facebook @Queensroaddoggroomingoswestry

All at Hollis wish a Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year to everyone 01691 655244 info@hollis.online

TINKA LODGE CAT HOTEL

OSWESTRY SHROPSHIRE Cat hotel and home visit, cat sitting service available by appointment Sleepovers at hotel and daily visits available. Playing and grooming included.

Weekly, daily and weekend rates The owner and host is a dedicated animal lover, long time volunteer and ex wildlife rescue employee. Small and select care for your little ones whilst you are away.

Email lacks0bhart93@gmail.com Mobile 07717872936

Genuine commercial expertise now on your doorstep

Corporate

Commercial

Property

Agricultural

Call Eliot on: 01691 655060 | www.nexa.law

COFFEE AND TEA GIFT PACKS EXCITE YOUR TASTE-BUDS with our Christmas taster gift packs.

Choose from either 2 different coffees or teas, complete with a 2-cup cafetiere or teapot.

Prices from £19.95+p&p

www.bridgecoffee.co.uk 16

| Oswestry life

WILLOW STREET DENTAL PRACTICE 64 Willow Street, Oswestry Family friendly dental practice currently taking on new Private patients

PROFESSIONAL TEETH WHITENING Allen Roberts (GDC 55833) Shaun Roddis (GDC 150104) Ann-Marie Lavender (GDC 65132) + Dental Hygienist

Tel: 01691-652143 willowstreetdental@btconnect.com www.willowstreetdental.co.uk

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

Usual collection day ates These d me a s e h t are e on as thos tion llec your co dar calen

In bad weather:

please leave bins out until they are collected. For boxes and blue bags, please take them back in if they’re not collected as they can be a trip hazard, and put them out on the next scheduled collection day.

Revised collection day

Monday 25 December 2017

Saturday 23 December 2017

Tuesday 26 December 2017

Wednesday 27 December 2017

Wednesday 27 December 2017

Thursday 28 December 2017

Thursday 28 December 2017

Friday 29 December 2017

Friday 29 December 2017

Saturday 30 December 2017

Monday 1 January 2018

Tuesday 2 January 2018

Tuesday 2 January 2018

Wednesday 3 January 2018

Wednesday 3 January 2018

Thursday 4 January 2018

Thursday 4 January 2018

Friday 5 January 2018

Friday 5 January 2018

Saturday 6 January 2018

Red = earlier collection Blue = later collection These changes start the weekend before Christmas and end on Saturday 6 January 2018.

Collections will return to normal from Monday 8 January 2018.

If you have lots of cardboard, please cut or tear it into pieces that are the same size as your blue bag and secure it together.

Working in partnership

Oswestry life

|

17

Charity appeal

gs ree tin G s Xma from Windowfresh 01691 750751 www.windowfresh.co.uk

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

Happy Xmas from Baby Bird Café 23 Cross St, Oswestry 01691 650603 www.babybirdcafe.co.uk

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

Christmas wishes from Ke-design 01691 656964 www.ke-design.co.uk

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

Merry Christmas from HM Plumbing

For a first class service by fully insured City & Guilds qualified tradesman 07939 839751 or 07932 659552

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

Xma s

hes W is

from The Meadows Osteopath Clinic Claire Arnold Registered Osteopath 07792 367507 in support of the Rotary club’s Tree of Light Appeal

18 | Oswestry life

The Rotary Club of Oswestry’s Tree of Light Appeal has become a firm fixture in the club’s calendar since its inception over a dozen years ago.

Whilst raising money for local charities and good causes, the appeal allows members of the public to donate, or ‘sponsor a light bulb’, in remembrance of a loved one or, perhaps, thanks for a joyous occasion such as a birth or wedding.

The totem for the appeal is the large Christmas tree sited in front of Sainsbury’s store in Oswestry where the appeal is launched each year when the lights are switched on in a ceremony by a local guest accompanied by community carol singing lead by one of our local bands. A Book of Remembrance is kept in Sainsbury’s during the appeal and afterwards moved to Oswestry Library.

This year, the lights were officially switched on by local businessman Prof Dr Peter Starbuck on 25 November. With support from generous local business sponsors and the general public, the appeal now raises over £6,000 each year which all benefits local charities.

One such group has been the North Shropshire Special Olympics which offers sporting activities for children and adults with physical and learning disabilities. Sports include athletics, swimming, basketball, table tennis, badminton and boccia. Weekly training takes place at Oswestry Leisure Centre, Moreton Hall School and The Venue. The group is a member of the Special Olympics international organisation and offers regular opportunities for competition both within the Midlands region and nationally. Receiving their cheque in March 2016, they were aiming to send over 20 athletes to M. Battams General Butcher 54 Beatrice St, Oswestry Order your Christmas meat today!

All meat, sourced locally and fully traceable. Call 01691 654844

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

is hes w t s Be from Green PAW Engineering Paul Walker 07736 737899 in support of the Rotary club’s Tree of Light Appeal

Merry Christmas from Fifty Shades of Tan

21 Cross Street, Oswestry Ann-Marie Clark: 07713 745131

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

Festive Greetings

from Pure Electrics 01691 681051 - Steve 07813 815333/ Dan 07976 526189 www.pureelectrics.com

the Special Olympics GB Summer Games 2017 in Sheffield having, in the past, sent competitors overseas to the Special Olympics World Games.

Let a light shine for someone special this Christmas

Christmas is a time to celebrate with loved ones, look back fondly over happy years and to 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.

Registered Charity Trust Number: 1101708 to: Rotary Tree of Light, 5 Greystones Way, Oswestry, SY11 2SJ

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

Merry Christmas from Salt Solutions

For all your business training needs call 01691 700800 or email heather@salt-solutions.co.uk in support of the Rotary club’s Tree of Light Appeal

(PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS) I would like a light as thanksgiving for:...............................................................................

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

Address................................................................................................................................

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

WillCrafters No fuss wills for families Affordable, Professional, Local Nigel 07882 948718 or Hugh 07971 963016 in support of the Rotary club’s Tree of Light Appeal

is hes w t s e B

from The Bailey Head info@baileyhead.co.uk www.baileyhead.co.uk. in support of the Rotary club’s Tree of Light Appeal

Happy Xmas

Greetings from Nexa Law Genuine commercial expertise now on your doorstep - Call Eliot on 01691 655060 www.nexa.law in support of the Rotary club’s Tree of Light Appeal

from J & I Carpets Professional and Friendly Service Victoria Rd, Oswestry www.jandicarpets.co.uk 01691 656843 in support of the Rotary club’s Tree of Light Appeal

Oswestry life | 19

ARE YOU READY FOR WINTER? SPECIAL OFFER

HAVE YOUR BOILER REPLACED TODAY *PRICE SUBJECT TO SITE VISIT AND BOILER TYPE

0%

+ VAT

FINANCE PLAN

BOILER SERVICE & BREAKDOWNS

BY A FULLY QUALIFIED GAS SAFE ENGINEER

£65

+ VAT FOR A GAS BOILER

The Showroom, Victoria Garage, Victoria Road, Oswestry, SY11 2HR Office: 01691 650031 Email: darrenpgas@hotmail.com @dpowellheating 20

| Oswestry life

Property

Family home with period features This three bedroom semi-detached house occupies a prominent and sought after position within Holbache Road, Oswestry. This family home retains period features and benefits from two reception rooms, three bedrooms, bathroom, gas central heating, UPVC double glazing, garage and a side garden.

Viewing is strongly recommended to appreciate this property’s charm and location.

Modern home in village location

Offers in region of £179,950. To arrange a viewing contact. Woodhead Oswestry Sales & Lettings Ltd, on (01691) 680044.

Boasting a convenient location for Gobowen railway station and the Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt orthopaedic hospital, the property situated in Trinity Close, Gobowen benefits from having modern accommodation with a kitchen/diner, bay fronted living room, en-suite shower room to master bedroom, allocated parking and an enclosed rear garden. Viewings are highly recommended.

Trinity Close offers in region of £149,950.

To arrange a viewing contact. Woodhead Oswestry Sales & Lettings Ltd, on (01691) 680044.

LET

Us Protect Your Property

Quote Lane • • • •

Buildings And Contents Cover Loss Of Rental Income Property Owners Liability Alternative Accommodation Cover

• • •

Malicious Damage and Theft By Tenants Cover Unoccupied Properties Acceptable Instant Cover And Documentation

For your bespoke quotation and free local independent advice, please contact us.

Call us on: 01691 238 032 oswestry@coversure.co.uk | www.coversure.co.uk/oswestry Coversure Insurance Services, 12-14 Beatrice Street, Oswestry, SY11 1QG

Oswestry resize 2.indd 1

15-Nov-17 12:17:47life PM Oswestry

| 21

Find out what your HOME is WORTH in 60 seconds FREE to use 3 quick and easy steps Supported by Land Registry data Visit our website to value your home now. www.woodheadsalesandlettings.com

Roger Parry & Partners

Est. 1981

Incorporating Parry Lowarch

www.rogerparry.net

| ESTATE AGENTS | VALUERS | BUILDING SURVEYORS | PLANNERS | LETTINGS | PANDY COED, LLANRHAEADR YM MOCHNANT

EW

THE OLD SMITHY, LLANSANTFFRAID YM MECHAIN

Enjoying a delightful edge of village location, a unique opportunity to purchase Pandy Coed a most well-appointed 3-bedroom detached cottage with attractive terraced gardens and riverside paddock located opposite. Oil Fired Central Heating, UPVC Double where stated, Off INSPECTION HIGHLY WITHGlazing SELF-CONTAINED RECOMMENDED SINGLE Road Parking Provision andSTOREY Garage.ANNEX EPC rating F.

N

Character 3-bedroom detached cottage set-in half an acre approx situated on the outskirts of the popular village of Llansantffraid. Offering a wealth of character features the property briefly comprises: Entrance Porch, Living Room/Dining Room, Kitchen, Spacious Sun 7/8 BEDROOMS SWIMMING POOL Room, Lobby, Sitting Room, Shower Room, Garden Room, First Floor Landing, Three Bedrooms andNobold, Shrewsbury A substantial detached, period former farmhouse set in the Bathroom, Generous private rear garden bordering highlywith desirable hamlet of Nobold, located only minutes drive Great Ryton, Condover from Shrewsbury town centre. The original part of the building An opportunity to acquire a brand new luxury detached family house built to an extremely high standard stream, extensive parking provision, is thought Garage to date fromand the 1750’s, with later extension circa with quality contemporary fittings throughout, briefly consisting: reception hall, sitting room, dining room, Double 1800’s. Extensive accommodation; reception hall, sitting room, study, open plan kitchen/breakfast room with adjoining sun room, utility/boot room, downstairs WC and Summerhouse. EPC rating G. No onward chain dining room, snug/office, family/music room, kitchen/breakfast double garage. Upstairs there is a master bedroom with large full en-suite, 2 further bedrooms both with en-suite shower rooms, 2 double bedrooms and family bathroom. At this early stage of construction, the prospective buyers can have significant input into the finishes of the property. EPC: TBC

OIRO £290,000

PONT Y MEIBION, GLYN CEIRIOG

Guide Price: £750,000

4025

room, downstairs cloakroom, cellarage, 7/8 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 en-suites. Propane gas and oil CH systems, DG, all set in manageable gardens with a range of brick built outbuildings together with outdoor swimming pool. EPC: F

Charlton, Nr Telford A 3/4 bedroom detached barn conversion with adjoining self-contained single storey annex. Indoor swimming pool, four car garage, large detached workshop, detached office block which could easily be converted to further independent accommodation subject to PP. The house and buildings are set round a central courtyard, extremely conveniently situated giving easy access to Telford, Shrewsbury and the M54 link. The property provides extensive potential to run a business from the premises subject to the necessary PP and would also suit family groups looking to reside together. EPC: D

OIRO £320,000

Guide Price: £625,000

3098 Guide Price: £475,000 TYN Y CELYN, LLANGEDWYN

3882

Situated within the picturesque Ceiriog Valley, a 4-bedroom detached cottage with stunning countryside character grade II listed 4-bedroom detached farmhouse views which has been sympathetically extended to with 2.9 acres approx. (further land of up to 40 acres include an attached 1-bedroom self-contained annexe may be made available by separate negotiation) and healing centre which could easily be converted into benefitting from an excellent range of outbuildings, further self-contained living accommodation subject to some of which offer conversion potential subject to the the necessary permissions enabling bed and breakfast/ PART EXCHANGE CONSIDERED necessary consents together with a Large Workshop. holiday use or for the working from home professional.

Sheinton Road, Much Oil Fired Central Heating, Double Glazing. EPC rating F. The property enjoys delightful landscapedWenlock gardens with A charming and unusual detached stone built cottage, offering combination a period together property with Sychtyn, Llansilin Belle Vue, Shrewsbury Agents Note: The property also offers business potential attached paddock (seta inrare1.09 acres ofapprox) parking and garden, within walking distance of the town An individual and substantial detached property built in the late 1920’s, occupying an outstanding This highly desirable ground floor garden apartment situated in a period Grade II listed building offering with thesixformer Muddy Boots Oil café. rating F.character accommodation briefly comprising: oak panelled entrance hall, large with extensive provision.

AWAITING centre. Porch, dining room, cloakroom, utilityEPC. room, landing elevated position in the hamlet of Sychtyn situated approximately miles west of Oswestry.

CH,EPCspacious open plan living parking ample parking. Porch, hall, large inner hallway, drawing room, sitting room, dining room, study/bedroom 6, large kitchen breakfast room, three ground floor bedrooms, bathroom, upstairs there are master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobes, two further bedrooms. Set in lovely gardens enjoying elevated views over surrounding countryside. EPC: E

OFFERS OVER £450,000

22

OIRO £469,000

01691 655334

Guide Price: £395,000

10%

room incorporating luxury kitchen, contemporary fire with original surround, french doors leading out to enclosed gardens. There are 2 double bedrooms 1 with en-suite cloakroom and luxury large family bathroom. With gas fired CH, many period features and 2 allocated private parking spaces. The property also comes with a large brick built store room originally part of a former coach house. EPC Rating: C

3956 Guide Price: £365,000

area leading to sitting room with stone fireplace and access to gardens, three good size bedrooms, family bathroom.

Wood framed DG, gas CH, off-street parking with small stone outbuilding/carport. Gardens run to a good size with open fields to the rear, with large summer house, garden stores, greenhouse and water feature. EPC Rating: E

20 Salop 4024 Rd, Guide Oswestry SY11 2NU Price: £365,000 Website: www.rogerparry.net

| Oswestry life WITH 4 ACRES & OUTBUILDINGS

3602

BRAND NEW LUXURY HOUSE Sarnau, Llanymynech

Llanwyddyn, Oswestry

Pontesbury, Shrewsbury

A charming detached stone cottage set in gardens and grounds extending to four acres or thereabouts,

An extremely spacious recently constructed 3 double bedroom detached family house with underfloor gas fired central

Construction is shortly to begin on this brand new, highly individually designed, spacious detached house, situated on a small development of just four

WOODHEAD sales&lettings Telephone: 01691 680044

www.woodheadsalesandlettings.com

12 Leg Street, Oswestry, SY11 2NL e: sales@woodheadsalesandlettings.com Holyhead Road, West Felton

Foel, Welshpool

Bwlch-Y-Cibau, Llanfyllin

A tree lined, gravelled driveway sweeping around the imposing triple fronted detached family home which dates back to the 19th Century. The handsome property is set back from the A458 and enjoys glorious panoramic views across the Banwy Valley and surrounding Welsh countryside. The comfortable and generous living space boasts a sitting room, drawing room, kitchen/ dining room, pantry/ larder, utility/ boot room, downstairs WC, rear porch, two en suite bedrooms, three further bedrooms and spacious family bathroom. Externally, the gardens extend to 0.79 acres with versatile outbuildings. No onward chain. EPC RATING F

IMPRESSIVE FOUR BEDROOM DETACHED HOUSE WITH DOUBLE GARAGE OFFERING GENEROUS LIVING SPACE - Woodheads are delighted to present this impressive, executive four double bedroom detached house to the sales market. Located in the popular and sought after village of West Felton, Grove House enjoys a semi rural position and offers generous living space which includes a reception hall, three reception rooms, a modern kitchen/ breakfast room, cloakroom, utility room, galleried landing, master bedroom with en suite and modern family bathroom. Outside the property boasts a double garage and private rear gardens. EPC RATING D

OIRO £459,950

OIRO £400,000

• • • •

OIRO £315,000

Edward Street, Oswestry

Llansilin, Oswestry

4 BED DET BARN CONVERSION VILLAGE LOACTION AMPLE PARKING EPC RATING D

• • • •

IMPRESSIVE THREE BEDROOM DETACHED HOUSE BUILT IN 2016 - Woodheads are delighted to present this three bedroom detached house to the sales market. The property was tastefully built in 2016 and benefits from oak flooring with underfloor heating downstairs and enjoys views across the surrounding countryside from the rear of the property.

This family home briefly comprises: living room, a modern kitchen/diner, a utility room, a downstairs WC, master bedroom with en-suite, two further bedrooms and a family bathroom. Outside there is ample off road parking, a garage with storage space above and a garden with a patio entertainment area. EPC RATING C

Parc Llwyfen, Llanymynech FOUR BE

FOUR BED DETACHED HOUSE NO CHAIN EPC RATING F ENCLOSED REAR GARDEN

• • • •

FOUR BED DETACHED HOUSE UTILITY AND CLOAKROOM GARAGE AND DRIVEWAY EPC RATING C

OIRO £399,000

• OIRO £269,950

OIRO £265,000

Longueville Drive, Oswestry

Llangollen Road, Acrefair

Park Avenue, Oswestry

• • • •

FOUR BED DETACHED HOUSE DRIVE AND GARAGE 2 RECEPTION ROOMS EPC RATING C

OIRO £250,000

• • • •

3 BED DETACHED FAMILY HOME DRIVE AND DOUBLE GARAGE FOUR RECEPTION ROOMS EPC RATING D

OIRO £240,000

• • • •

4 BED FAMILY HOME CLOSE TO AMENITIES ENCLOSED REAR GARDEN EPC RATING D

OIRO £150,000

The independent agent with national coverage oswestry’s recommended agent for the guild of professional estate agents

associated london office

Oswestry life | 23

A country

Christmas

Country styling is all about raw, rustic elements paired with classic forms and upcycled pieces for a homely, tactile and relaxing feel - can you think of a more perfect decorating theme for Christmas time?

Think raw wood, textured finishes, industrial metals, leafy prints, concrete, hessian fabrics, beautiful linens, tree motifs, vintage tableware and a mix of traditional Chrissy colours. It’s a classic festive look with a farmhouse spin.

RIGHT: Rug (1.83m x 1.22m), £549, available online from www.frithrugs. co.uk or visit the FrithRugs outlet at Vanguard Way, Shrewsbury, SY1 3TG LEFT: Earthy tones tea lights, £3 each from www.livelaughlove.co.uk BELOW LEFT: Wool natural carpets, fitted by NICF master fitters from www. jandicarpets.co.uk or visit J&I Carpets at 1 Victoria Rd, Oswestry, SY11 2HR BELOW: wood bowl, £14.99 from www.kitchencraft.co.uk

La Rochelle lantern (small), £59.95 from www.annabeljames.co.uk

24 | Oswestry life

top from left: Laminate and engineered wood floor from £18.99, fitted by NICF master fitters from www. jandicarpets.co.uk or visit J&I Carpets at 1 Victoria Rd, Oswestry, SY11 2HR; Rustic Christmas range, starts from £3.99 from www.gingerray.co.uk left: Night owl Christmas stocking, £15 from www.sophieallport.com ABOVE: Merry little Christmas cushion, £40 from www.pignut.co.uk ABOVE LEFT: Artesa bamboo rattan serving mat, £5.99 from www.kitchencraft.co.uk above: Fight Me Grande antler wall light with shade, £319 from www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk RIGHT: Brown Manila luggage tags with string, £2.49 for 10 from www.gingerray.co.uk FAR RIGHT: Large light up wicker Christmas star, £47.95 from www.melodymaison.co.uk

Oswestry life | 25

Why choose Richmond Harvey?

Free Market Appraisals.

Accompanied viewings - if required!

In house sales progression.

24hr online coverage.

Prime window display in town centre.

Friendly and experienced staff, covering all areas of property.

Free floor plans, and premium photographs taken.

Regular feedback and updates after viewings.

Distinctive “For Sale” and “To Let” boards.

Advertised on key sites; Rightmove, Prime Location and Zoopla.

Also in local magazines and papers.

Social media marketing and a newly formed, user friendly website.

An Independent agent who is large enough to cope, but small enough to care!

Discounted fees offered on production of this advert Oswestry Office 27 Cross Street Oswestry, SY11 2NF Phone: (01691) 654222 www.richmondharvey.com 26

| Oswestry life

RICHMOND HARVEY

Ashwood full page advert Oswestry Life.pdf 1 18/10/2017 12:37:38

Stylish apartments for the over 55s Ashwood show apartment now open!

01952 217306 Call to arrange your personal viewing.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Our rented ShireLiving apartments offer peace of mind and security to those looking to enjoy a hassle free retirement.

Ashwood

Our restaurants, lounges and landscaped gardens offer space for relaxation and socialising.

Upper Ash Road, Oswestry, SY11 1PQ

24-hour staff offer flexible care and support.

Call to book a viewing, have a chat and see how ShireLiving can benefit you.

Discover how we can help with moving in, advice on money matters and care and support.

www.shireliving.co.uk l 0800 0232244 l info@shireliving.co.uk ShireLiving is a partnership between The Wrekin Housing Trust and Choices Oswestry life

|

27

The partners and staff of Morris Marshall & Poole would like to wish all of our customers a Merry Christmas and we hope you have a fabulous New Year

Residential Sales & Lettings | Commercial Sales & Lettings | Surveys | Auctions

morrismarshall.co.uk Did you know the busiest day for online morrismarshall.co.uk property searches is morrismarshall.co.uk Boxing Day - Don’t miss out call us on 01691 679595

10%

Did you know the busiest day for online property searches is and arrange your free pre-sale valuation today Did you know the- Don’t busiest dayout forcall online property Boxing Day miss us on 01691 searches 679595 is Boxing Day - Don’t call us on 01691 679595 and arrange yourmiss free out pre-sale valuation today and arrange your free pre-sale valuation today 28

| Oswestry life

Secret Agent Kate Howell, of Woodhead Oswestry Sales and Lettings in the centre of town, is our ‘Secret Agent’, lifting the lid on the world of property

2018 is looking like Oswestry will finally arrive As we are coming into the winter, many worry that the property market is slowing down, but they couldn’t be more wrong. This time of year, is when we see our most serious buyers, who know what they want, with funds in place and ready to get a good deal done. With the right advice and support from good quality, well informed agents, amazing deals can be done.

It is important when selling your home that you don’t underestimate the market at this time of year. Properties cannot be left to sell themselves but with the right help, many find the winter a perfect time for uncomplicated sales within good timescales.

Looking back on this year with the twists and turns the UK has faced, it’s time to focus on how these events might shape our sales, lettings and mortgages in 2018. You need to reassess your financial picture - the value of your property, insurances, loans, lending and mortgages.

Upon reflection of the market throughout the past year, we have had a very successful time and have already started to notice an up-turn.

We, as a team are very much looking forward to assisting both new and existing clients in achieving their desired outcomes as we come into the new year. We have a number of very exciting prospects in the pipeline with lots of new build sites coming to the area and Woodhead’s being favoured for three of these.

Lending rates are still historically low and there is no better time for lending than now.

All of us here at Woodheads Oswestry would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and to thank all past, present and future customers for their continued and valued support.

Independent Mortgage Advice

Finding the right mortgage and provider isn’t always easy.

Let us search hundreds of lenders all in one place and find you the best deal.

Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Call now for Independent mortgage advice on:

01691 653335 or email abreeze@prudentltd.co.uk

www.prudentltd.co.uk Oswestry life

|

29

Park homes for the over 50s retired and semi retired

PRICES

FROM

START

ONLY

0

£99,95

• PART EXCHANGE SCHEME AVAILABLE • ALL HOMES ARE BRAND NEW WITH A 10 YEAR WARRANTY • THE PARK IS A SECURE GATED SITE WITH CCTV

ON SIT SHOWH E OMES PLOT 4

• WE HAVE 4 SHOW HOMES AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AND READY FOR IMMEDIATE OCCUPATION

10%

Viewings can be arranged by calling 01938 580768 or 07773336633 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

30

| Oswestry life

Property

Sandstone cottage in highly soughtafter location Riverside cottage for sale Enjoying a delightful edge of village location, a unique opportunity to purchase Pandy Coed, a most well-appointed three-bedroom detached cottage with attractive terraced gardens and riverside paddock located opposite. Oil fired central heating, UPVC double glazing and off-road parking provision and garage.

The property is located just over three miles from the enchanting Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall. The popular market towns of Oswestry and Welshpool are located approximately 13 and 17 miles away which are host to a comprehensive range of local amenities. EPC rating F. Pandy Coed is on the market for £320,000 with Roger Parry & Partners. Visit www.rogerparry.net or call 01691 655334 to find out more.

An attractive semi-detached cottage believed to date back to the 1830s is available to purchase in Knockin Heath.

Traditionally built from local Shropshire sandstone and set in cottage style gardens, the property has good road links to both Oswestry and Shrewsbury.

The extended ground floor accommodation includes a lounge, kitchen/dining room and bathroom. Upstairs there are two bedrooms. Outside there is ample parking and an outbuilding in the rear garden.

2 Sandstone Cottages is on the market with MMP for £230,000. Visit www.morrismarshall. co.uk or call 01691 679595 to arrange a viewing.

Maximise your living space Whether it’s for a replacement roof on an existing conservatory or a newly installed garden room or home extension.

DOORS | WINDOWS | CONSERVATORIES | WARM ROOF | FASCIAS | GUTTERING

Telephone 01691 650567 www.malcolm-lewis.co.uk

Find our brand new showroom at: Unit GM1, Glovers Meadow , Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 8NH Oswestry life |

31

Advertisement feature

What is ground source heating?

Extracting energy from the ground to heat a property is a sustainable use of the Earth’s natural resources and could reduce your fuel bills and carbon emissions. A few metres below the ground, the temperature is constant throughout the year, typically 11°C. This energy can be harnessed to heat your home and water.

GROUND BREAKING HEAT SOURCE AVAILABLE TO ALL HOMES As winter approaches many of us have a niggle that the boiler might not get us through and we become more aware that we need to be thinking about the future of our heating system. As your current system gets older and less efficient, waiting for it to break down before making a distress purchase does not always mean you will make the right replacement choices. Don’t wait for it to break down – look now at how a ground source heating system could be the right choice for you. The Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is available with ground source being a very good tariff for domestic and nondomestic properties.

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Dragon Drilling installs ground source boreholes for many leading renewable heating installers. They drill boreholes from which a ground source heat pump can extract, convert and transfer energy for domestic properties, commercial facilities such as leisure complexes, caravan parks, hotels, and industrial units.

The benefits of a ground source heating systems include: • • • • • • • •

On average, 75% free renewable energy Government incentives available Fixed and stable energy costs Lower carbon emissions Constant heat 24 hours a day Fuels both hot water and heating Directly replaces your existing boiler Reversible to provide cooler temperatures in summer • Suitable for virtually any property • Can add value to property For more information visit their website www.dragondrilling.co.uk or call 01824 707777.

ARE YOUR WATER COSTS EXPENSIVE? IS YOUR WATER QUALITY POOR? DOES YOUR WATER SUPPLY RUN OUT DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS? DO YOU OWN A FARM OR SOMEWHERE WITH A HIGH WATER DEMAND? DO YOU HAVE LOW WATER PRESSURE?

Find out more about WATER BOREHOLES AND GROUND SOURCE HEATING WITHIN YOUR HOMES AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES WE WILL BEAT ANY LIKE-FOR-LIKE WRITTEN QUOTATION* *see website for terms

WE ARE RECRUITING *see website for terms

VISIT OUR ON SITE OR ONLINE RETAIL STORE FOR PIPES, SUPPLIES AND FITTINGS

DRAGON DRILLING, GRAIG LELO WORKS, BRYN SAITH MARCHOG, CORWEN, DENBIGHSHIRE, LL21 9SD EMAIL: ADMIN@DRAGONDRILLING.CO.UK TELEPHONE: 01824 707 777 WWW.DRAGONDRILLING.CO.UK 32

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DOORS WINDOWS CONSERVATORIES car ports verandahs WARM ROOFS FASCIAS & GUTTERING

Unit GM1, Glovers Meadow Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 8NH Telephone: 01691 650567 www.malcolm-lewis.co.uk Oswestry life | 33

Gardening

Festive favourites the holly and the ivy It will soon be Christmas, and what better way to celebrate the season and bring festive cheer to your garden than with two traditional Christmas favourites - holly and ivy. Countless cards carry their image, often with leaves touched by frost or covered with a crisp layer of snow, and your garden displays will have even greater appeal.

Holly is hardy and evergreen, making it an ideal shrub to form part of the backbone or structure every garden needs. The common or English holly (Ilex aquifolium) grows across the country, but as well as choosing holly with glossy green leaves there are lots of different cultivars with more colourful foliage.

Most holly plants are either male or female, so to ensure you get a crop of berries you’ll need to grow a female variety and ensure there’s a male nearby to pollinate its flowers. However, don’t always take the name as a guarantee of the plants sex, as the popular ‘Silver Queen’ is actually male, and ‘Golden King’ is a female berry-bearing variety!

Ivy in flower - Hedera colchica Dentata Variegata PHOTO: Adam Pasco Media

for a shady spot or for cladding bare fences or garden structures. However, it must be kept within bounds with regular pruning to prevent it spreading too far or becoming invasive.

Hundreds of varieties have been bred over the years, and many garden favourites have colourful leaf forms or attractive variegated patterns adding to their appeal.

Established ivy carries flowers late in the season that provide valuable nectar for late-flying butterflies and bees, as well as great nesting site opportunities for blackbirds and others.

So, for a traditional touch to your seasonal displays, and ivy available at your local garden centres and nurseries now.

check out the varieties of holly #3836-Oswestry-148x108-F2-V1-V3-T1-B1-P1-13sept17.pdf 3 15/09/2017 11:13

Ivy is a valuable climber or ground cover plant, perfect

34 | Oswestry life

Oswestry life |

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Independent Day School for Boys and Girls Junior School ages 7-11 Senior School ages 11-16 Sixth Form ages 16-18

WOLVERHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL JUDGED “EXCELLENT” IN ALL AREAS BY THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE

Register now for the Year 7 Entrance Test on Saturday 13th January for September 2018 entry

Junior School Open Day Saturday 27th January, 10am - 1.30pm To arrange a guided tour or to learn more about registering your child for September 2018, please contact Mrs Jane Morris, Admissions Registrar tel 01902 422939 or email jam@wgs-sch.net “This is a remarkable school. The atmosphere we encountered as we walked round with a succession of delightful guides was smilingly friendly. There is a real feeling of happiness.” The Good Schools Guide

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01902 421326 www.wgs.org.uk Wolverhampton Grammar School Compton Road Wolverhampton WV3 9RB

Education

Ethan makes a splash for charity Year 10 student Ethan Lee-Birch from The Marches School raised £750 for Cancer Research UK in August by swimming 8,000 metres at Oswestry Leisure Centre Ethan aimed to raise £200 for the charity after finding out his grandad was diagnosed with cancer. Ethan set a target of raising £200 for his 8,000-metre swim but after completing the swim which totalled 320 lengths in three hours and nine minutes, Ethan managed to raise £750.

Ethan proudly presented his £750 cheque to Peter Tew, representative and volunteer from Whitchurch Relay for Life as part of Cancer Research UK who is an employee at Grocontinental in Whitchurch.

Peter Tew commented: “I would like to thank Ethan for his fantastic contribution to Cancer Research UK’s work by swimming 8,000m, it’s such a brave challenge to take on in

respect of his Grandad’s condition.

Not only has he raised an incredible amount, he has raised a lot of awareness in the local community

“I can’t believe how much money I raised above the target I set! I’d like to thank everyone who donated.” and highlighted the importance of fundraising.” He continued, “We are really grateful for his support.”

Alison Lee-Birch, Ethan’s mother, said: “As a family we are all incredibly proud of Ethan for raising such a large sum of money for such a good cause.”

Ethan Lee-Birch commented “I can’t

Peter Tew receiving the £750 cheque from Ethan Lee-Birch

believe how much money I raised above the target I set! I’d like to thank everyone who donated.”

Oswestry life | 37

CHRISTMA GIFTS S

SAN GROTTTAO’S LIVESIC MU

NSC CHRISTMAS FAYRE

MAS CHRISFTFLE RA

Friday 24th November 2017

The Stable block at Walford Campus, Nr Baschurch, from 4pm-8pm • Crafts & Stalls • Festive Food • Mulled Wine • Mince Pies • Christmas Activities

CONTACT: 01939 262187

Be a Keeper For a Day For a unique Christmas Gift for someone who loves animals, why not purchase a ‘Be a Keeper For a Day’ experience at the Walford Campus of North Shropshire College.

With 100 species and 700 animals in total, from feeding the colony of Meerkats, learning about looking after tropical fish, stroking a lizard or handling a snake, there is something for everyone at the Animal Centre near Baschurch.

VARIOUS DATES ARE AVAILABLE FOR BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN (AGED 7+) for just £50 per person.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: KEEPER@NSC.AC.UK OR CALL 01939 262187

38 | Oswestry life

Out&about On until 23 December

CHRISTMAS ARTS AND CRAFTS EXHIBITION Qube, Oswald Road, Oswestry The gallery will be filled with handmade arts and crafts for sale, from jewellery, ceramics and woodwork to fine art and textiles. Perfect for that unique Christmas gift!

For further details contact 01691 656882

On until 24 December

1 December

OSWESTRY CHRISTMAS MUSIC LIVE One of the largest and spectacular night time events in the county. Huge amusement rides, ice rink, Christmas stalls, late night shopping, Santa’s Grotto, live music stage and much much more. Fantastic night out for all the family.

5pm-10pm.

Telephone: 01691 680222

THE SHROPSHIRE SANTA EXPERIENCE Park Hall Farm, Burma Road, Oswestry A very special Santa Experience which will enthral young and old alike. All day entrance to the farm - Drinks and festive treats for adults and children. A very special visit to Santa with a generous present. Contact 01691 671123 or visit www.parkhallfarm.co.uk for more details.

1, 4, 8, 11, 15 & 18 December

On until 30th December

2 December

Christmas Craft Shop Oswestry Visitor and Exhibition Centre High quality crafts and artwork in the special atmosphere of this 16th century building, enhanced at Christmas with carol singing from local schools and live piano playing from three different pianists. The Visitor Centre is always a cosy place to visit, eat and drink. Pop in for mince pies and mulled wine or sample the coffee and chocolate Moccacino. Free entry, dogs welcome. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm. Tel: 01691 662753

Weekends leading up to Christmas

THE BRITISH IRONWORK CENTRE GROTTO Aston, near Oswestry Santa Claus and his elves will be at the Ironworks this Christmas! Bring your letter for Santa and post it in his mail box which goes 1st class to the North Pole. You will get to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as see the elves working away, building and gluing all those wonderful toys. Santa, Mrs. Claus and their magical elves will be here every weekend leading up to Christmas. For more information and to book tickets visit: www.britishironworkcentre.co.uk or call 0800 6888386

FAMILY AND LOCAL HISTORY GROUP Oswestry Library, Arthur St, Oswestry Family and Local History Group drop- in sessions for help with your family and local history enquiries. Mondays 10am-12pm and Fridays 1.30pm -4pm 01691 677388 OSWESTRY CHRISTMAS PARADE Oswestry Town Centre Organised by all the local rotary groups this huge event has become one of the highlights of the year, raising thousands of pounds for local charities. Huge floats, walking parades and live music throughout Telephone: 01691 680222

2 December

‘COUNTRY & BLUES GUITAR’ WORKSHOP WITH BROOKS WILLIAMS Hermon Chapel Arts Centre, Oswestry ‘Country & Blues Guitar’ introduces acoustic guitarists to the songs, rhythms and riffs of country and blues (aka Americana). Participants will focus on rocking back-beats, chiming chords and walking bass lines. All techniques will be taught through new and classic songs, with lyrics, chord diagrams and TAB (if needed). If you’re ready to spice up your guitar playing and want to move beyond the first few frets, and if you are looking to add a new song or two to your repertoire, then ‘Country & Blues Guitar’ is for you! 2pm - Tickets £10 01691 662196 email info@hermonchapel.com Book tickets online at www.hermonchapel.com

2 December

‘BROOKS SOLO!’ BROOKS WILLIAMS CONCERT Hermon Chapel Arts Centre, Oswestry The Hermon is delighted to present American guitarist Brooks Williams.

Brooks hails from Statesboro, Georgia, the town made famous by country-blues legend Blind Willie McTell. Ranked in the Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists, he is a mean finger-picker and a stunning slide guitarist. Plus, “he has a beautiful voice”, says AmericanaUK, “that you just melt into.” Not one easy to pigeon-hole, Brooks’ music is the love-child of country-blues and soulful Americana. 8pm – Tickets £10 01691 662196 email info@hermonchapel.com Book tickets online at www.hermonchapel.com

4 – 9 December

PETER PAN BY JM BARRIE Attfield Theatre, The Guild Hall, Oswestry Let your imagination take flight!

All performances start at 7.45pm and tickets cost £8. Box office open from Monday 20 November: Monday – Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4pm. www.attfieldtheatre.co.uk

4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23 & 30 December

SLIMMING WORLD The Whole Life Centre, Cabin Lane, Oswestry Monday Group: 9.30am, 11.30am, 5.30pm & 7.30pm Saturday Group: 8.30am & 10am For more information call Claire on 07882 174539 www.slimmingworld.co.uk

5 December

THE PROMISE (12A) Kinokulture Cinema, Oswestry.

Epic romance set in 1915 during the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Oscar Isaac plays medical student Michael, who falls for Ana (Charlotte Le Bon) sparking rivalry between himself and her American journalist boyfriend, Chris (Christian Bale), there to expose the truth of the political chaos around them. Passions must be set aside in order to survive the madness the country descends into.

Tickets & information www.oswestryfilmsociety. com

5 December

GIFT–WRAPPING MASTERCLASS Qube, Oswald Road, Oswestry Join an expert gift-wrapper from M&S to improve your present wrapping skills.

2pm-4pm – £15 For further details contact 01691 656882 Gift-wrapping Masterclass Join an expert gift-wrapper from M&S ti improve your present wrapping skills.

Tuesday 5th December, 2pm-4pm £15

5 December

THE PROMISE (12A) Kinokulture Cinema, Oswestry.

Epic romance set in 1915 during the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Oscar Isaac plays medical student Michael, who falls for Ana (Charlotte Le Bon) sparking rivalry between himself and her American journalist boyfriend,Chris (Christian Bale), there to expose the truth of the political chaos around them. Passions must be set aside in order to survive the madness the country descends into.

Tickets & information www.oswestryfilmsociety.com

6 December

HEARING AID CLINIC RUN BY NHS VOLUNTEERS Oswestry Library, Arthur St Free drop-in event. 10am – 12pm.

01691 677388

Oswestry life | 39

6, 13, 20 & 27 December

12 December

8 & 22 December

13 December

SLIMMING WORLD Memorial Hall, Oswestry Wednesday group: 9am, 11am, 1pm, 5pm & 7pm For more information call Emma on 07581 458656 www.slimmingworld.co.uk ‘WOW’ WORDS ‘N’ PICS OPEN WRITERS Community Room, Llwyn Fields, (off Llwyn Rd) Oswestry, SY11 1HG Creative writing – beginners and all abilities welcome. Interactive workshops and full support. Meeting fortnightly 1-3pm Flat access, disabled facilities and kitchen available. For more information contact Jan on 07702 165717 or email janhedger7@googlemail.com

9 December

The Ukey Monster Live at Hermon!

Hermon Chapel Arts Centre, Oswestry Vibrant vocal harmonies, Ukey sizzling solos, luscious licks and big bass grooves, from Deep Purple to Lily Allen, Michael Jackson to Motorhead, Chuck Berry to Pink Floyd.

Monsterously good tunes that are sure to get your head a noddin’ and your foot a-tappin’...

Licenced bar, parking, great vibes!

Tickets £10 Doors 7.30 for an 8pm start 01691 662196 email info@hermonchapel.com Book tickets online at www.hermonchapel.com

TIME TO LISTEN Oswestry Library, Arthur St Relax and listen in friendly company as library staff read aloud stories for adults.

Free drop-in event. 2-3pm.

01691 677388 TRANSAMERICA (15) Kinokulture Cinema, Oswestry.

Felicity Huffman was Oscar nominated for her role as Stanley, awaiting gender reassignment surgery she discovers the son she never knew she had is in jail. Masquerading as a social worker, she keeps her true identity from him, bails him out and accompanies him on a road trip to Los Angeles. Part of the film society’s ‘PRIDE’ season of LGBT films. Accompanied by a DJ set from Oswestry’s very own Vinylistas!

Tickets & information www.oswestryfilmsociety. com

19 December

KISS KISS BANG BANG (15) Kinokulture Cinema, Oswestry.

An alternative Christmas film from Oswestry Film Society. An LA set comedy murder mystery involving a petty thief, a struggling actress and a private eye. Full of whip-smart dialogue, black humour and unexpected plot twists, starring Robert Downey Jnr & Val Kilmer. All tickets just £4 including free mulled wine & mince pies.

Tickets & information www.oswestryfilmsociety. com

Celebrate Christmas with us at The Venue Have your Christmas Party with us this Christmas.Or if you would prefer a fun filled night of Bowling look no further!

The Christmas party night will include a 3 course meal, crackers and a disco or a Christmas bowling party will include a 3 course meal and two games of bowling.

40 | Oswestry life

22 December

CHRISTMAS ARTISAN MARKET Bailey Street and Bailey Head A collection of quality local craft and food producers held in Bailey Street and the Bailey Head with a Christmassy feel 9am-3pm.

Telephone: 01691 680222

25 December

OSWESTRY OPEN HOUSE COMMUNITY DAY The Centre, Oak Street, Oswestry 10am – 2pm Transport Provided For more information contact CHALK C.I.C. 01691 655895

29 December

Metropolis (PG) Kinokulture Cinema, Oswestry.

Reconstructed and restored 2010 version (including 25 minutes of footage previously thought lost to the world) celebrating the 90th Anniversary year of this magnificent film. Showings at 1.30pm and 7.30pm. The afternoon screening is Kinokulture’s ‘Christmas Afternoon Classic’ with free glass of mulled wine and a mince pie With its dizzying depiction of a futuristic cityscape and alluring female robot, Metropolis is among the most famous of all German films and the mother of sci-fi cinema. Directed by the legendary Fritz Lang its jaw-dropping production values, iconic imagery, and modernist grandeur remain as powerful as ever.

Tickets & information: www.kinokulture.org.uk

SATURDAY 2ND DECEMBER AT 11AM

Oswestry Christmas Parade

Organised by all the local rotary groups this huge event has become one of the highlights of the year raising thousands of pounds for local charities. Huge floats, walking parades and live music throughout

FRIDAY 22ND DECEMBER 9AM-3PM

CHRISTMAS ARTISAN MARKET A collection of quality local craft and food producers held in Bailey Street and the Bailey Head with a Christmassy feel

Telephone:

01691 680222 @OswestryTC

OSWESTRY CHRISTMAS MUSIC LIVE Friday 1 December 2017 5PM UNTIL 10PM

ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST SPECTACULAR NIGHT TIME EVENTS IN THE COUNTY

For further details contact Oswestry Town Council Tel: 01691 680222

OSWESTRY

HUGE AMUSEMENT RIDES, ICE RINK LATE NIGHT SHOPPING CHRISTMAS STALLS, SANTA We’re vocal about local

Official media partner Oswestry life

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41

GET THE

‘Tis the season for office parties and general Christmas festivities, which means we can bring out the sparkle and glitz for our evenings out. Hot for this party season are gold and silver shimmery fabrics, luxurious velvets and faux fur to keep us warm in the taxi home. We have some twists on the traditional LBD and two-piece outfits are easy wins if you just need a second item to add to your favourite party outfit. Trouser suits are big on the scene, so you can keep those on trend with a glittery bodysuit or blouse, some sparkly shoes and bold, gold jewellery. The catwalks shout it’s all about something different, so what will your something different be this Christmas?

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RIGHT: Grey pelted faux fur jacket £59.99, New Look www.newlook.com LEFT: Forest green embellished blouse £49, Miss Selfridge www.missselfridge.com TOP ROW L-R: Colour block sequin tunic dress £89, M&S www.marksandspencer. com; Glitter top £14.99, H&M, www2. hm.com; Trousers £13, Primark www. primark.com; Sequin blazer £28, George at Asda, www.direct.asda.com

Pomodoro ombre spot dress £69.00 (sizes 10-20), Out of Town, Oswestry

BOTTOM ROW L-R: High Ground

by Office £52, www.office.co.uk; Cropped top £36, Topshop www. topshop.com; Gold metallic disk sequin slip £65, River Island www.riverisland.com; Glitter effect knitted dress (green or silver) £18, George at Asda www.direct.asda.com

Octagon tassel pendant necklace £14 and Gold bangle £8, both from M&Co www.mandco.com BELOW LEFT: Earrings with tassels (in black or gold) £8.99, H&M www.hm.co.uk

Our Fashion and Beauty Editor Victoria Jane McKenna is a clothing designer, blogger and has her own fashion brand. www.victoriajanemckenna.com Oswestry life

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Xmas Dazzle 7 DAYS A WEEK NOW OPEN AT 21 CROSS STREET, OSWESTRY 6 BEDS AVAILABLE • BRAND NEW TANNING TUBES Achieve your most radiant, youthful looking skin with our range of beautiful treatments

SPECIAL WINTER OFFER FREE Book a course of peels or microneedling treatments in November or December and receive a FREE Epionce Essential Recovery Kit worth £28:50 AVAILABLE TREATMENTS

Anti-Wrinkle Injections Dermal Fillers Lip Fillers Micro-Needling Prescribed Skincare Skin Peels + Rejuvenation

For More Information Call/Txt/WhatsApp Amanda

Take part in our fabulous prize draw for your chance to WIN A TONI & GUY £50.00 GIFT VOUCHER, plus a gift box of treatment shampoo & conditioner.

Tel: Gift vouchers available for Christmas 07713 and loyalty cards for every customer.

Complimentary bottle of water with every sunbed

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XMAS OFFERS NOW AVAILABLE!

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NEW...LED FACIAL LIGHT THERAPY, CACI NON SURGICAL FACELIFT, MICRODERMABRASION, MASSAGE AND MAKEOVERS, NAILS, SEMI-PERMANENT MAKE-UP, AESTHETICS, HOLISTIC THERAPIES & MUCH MORE!!!

07951 902146

LET US SPOIL YOU…YOU’RE WORTH IT

Visit ourVisit website for our website for pricelist at pricelist at- Like us on www.aluminateclinic.com

WEDDING SERVICE, PAMPER DAYS & GIFT VOUCHERS

24 Salop Rd. Oswestry Telephone. 655656

We offer nurturing therapies such as aromatherapy, sound healing, flower remedies, meditation and others by request; nourishing products such as creams, lotions, potions, and gifts inspired by bees and the land; events and courses to pollinate creativity and ideas

For fabulous nails, all the time, every time!

Manicures, nail extensions and nail art Gel polish £25 Full set of acrylic nails £35 Call Terri and the team to book on 01691 659040

Eyebrow Shaping, Eyelash Tinting & Waxing, Facial Hair Waxing. Also Spray Tans at Sun City.

QUOTE OSWESTRY LIFE FESTIVE OFFER AND RECEIVE A SPRAY TAN IN NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER FOR ONLY £15 (MUST BE PREBOOKED)

Contact Sandra on 07875717277

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL:

Spend over £40 on our website from now until the end of December and receive a £5 voucher to spend throughout January and February 2018 on any treatment or product AND RECEIVE FREE POST AND PACKING! Gift Vouchers are available and are included in this offer!

www.lomah.co.uk

DECEMBER OFFERS

Gelish Colour of the Month Who Nose Rudolph £15 Dermaplaning skin treatment £42 Party Lashes £10 Ful Body Fake Bake Tan £15

Gift vouchers available for Christmas

CASTLE COURT, OSWESTRY TEL: 07784 473924

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£500 OFF A COU TREATM RSE OF ENTS

Jane Millington, owner and head practitioner at Body and Face Options clinic in Maesbury Marsh tells us all about one of the amazing new machines that is now available at her clinic.

This non-surgical lifting programme has become one of the most sought after treatments and HIFU is the latest nonsurgical technology to excel in this area in just one single session!

It targets individually brow lifting, jowl line lifting, nasolabial fold reduction, periorbital wrinkle reduction and overall muscle and skin tightening rejuvenation.

The highly focused acoustic energy creates thermal coagulation zones at 3 different selected depths, following which a wound healing response results in the formation of new collagen thus providing a longer term tightening of the skin and muscle revolution in non surgical face lifting treatment.

The technology is unique in its ability to penetrate the dermis and the superficial muscular aponeurotic system ( SMAS) layer, which is deeper than all other non invasive facial treatments. SMAS is the same layer which is tightened during conventional face lift surgery. Unlike surgery HIFU is more affordable and requires no time off work.

WHAT AREAS CAN BE IMPROVED WITH HIFU FACE? This treatment is fantastic for overall skin tightening and rejuvenation as well as brow lifting, jowl line lifting, nasolabial fold reduction, and periorbital wrinkle reduction.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE RECOMMENDED? One single treatment is recommended and then a maintenance treatment is advised every 12 months.

WHAT RESULTS CAN I EXPECT FROM THIS TREATMENT? Generally a noticeable improvement in your facial contouring and fine lines and wrinkles will be visible within a 4 week period whilst further improvement in facial skin tightening and wrinkles will be reportedly seen up to 6 weeks post treatment.

CAN I COMBINE HIFU FACE WITH OTHER TREATMENTS? HIFU Face is a standalone treatment.

WHAT WILL I EXPERIENCE DURING TREATMENT? During treatment, the HIFU face hand piece is placed on the skin and held in one area at a time. You will experience a slight vibration and warmth whilst the energy is being penetrated. The handpiece will then be placed on the next area of treatment. This treatment may feel slightly uncomfortable around the jaw line but generally this treatment is pain free.

All treatments are subject to an in depth medical consultation.

Contact the clinic on 01691 680070 for an appointment www.bodyandfaceoptions.co.uk Oswestry life |

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Who’s got room for pudding?

We’ve been counting down to the big day, sourcing recipes for the perfect festive feast to dazzle your dinner guests this Christmas. We’ve found a few alternatives to the traditional Christmas pudding that we think your guests will love.

Apricot mince pies (Makes 12)

Ingredients

100g (3 ½ oz) unsalted butter, at room temperature and cubed, plus extra for greasing 200g (7 oz) plain flour, plus extra for dusting 1 tsp ground mixed spice 1 tbsp caster sugar 6 tsp apricot conserve 6 tsp good quality mincemeat Milk or beaten egg, for glazing Icing sugar, to dust

Method

mixed and a little powdery. Add this to the flour and butter and stir in.

Using a round-bladed palette knife, mix 3-4 tablespoons cold water, stirring until it comes together. Then with your hands, work the dough gently into a ball, wrap in cling film and allow to rest for about 20 minutes.

Roll out the pastry thinly on a lightly floured work surface. Stamp out 12 circles with a fluted pastry cutter, slightly larger than the cake holes, and press the circles into the tin.

Put about ½ teaspoon of apricot conserve into each pastry case, then top with about ½ teaspoon of mincemeat.

Put the flour into a mixing bowl, add the butter and rub into the flour until the mixture is like fine breadcrumbs.

Re-roll the pastry trimmings and cut about 12 smaller circles and put them on top of the mincemeat. Glaze the tops with a little milk or beaten egg, if available, and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until the pastry is crisp and golden.

Add the mixed spice to the sugar in a pestle and mortar or a strong bowl with the end of a rolling pin and grind together until well

Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then remove and cool on a wire rack. Dust with icing sugar to finish.

Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan oven 180°C), gas mark 6. Lightly grease a 12-hole cake tin.

46 | Oswestry life

Christmas cherry soufflé

Wondering what to do with that last morsel of Christmas pudding? Despite its myriad of rich flavours – Christmas pudding, ginger, cherries and brandy – this soufflé manages to taste decadent yet light.

Ingredients:

40 g (1 ½ oz) butter, plus extra for greasing 25 g (1 oz) cold Christmas pudding crumbled 2 tbsp brandy 25 g (1 oz) black cherry conserve 4 tbsp plain flour 300 ml (½ pint) whole milk 75 g (3 oz) golden caster sugar 25 g (1 oz) stem ginger, finely chopped 4 large eggs, separated Icing sugar, to dust

Method:

Preheat oven to 180°C (fan oven 160°C), gas mark 4. Butter an 18cm (7 inch), 1.7 litre (3 pint) soufflé dish. Put a flat baking sheet in the oven to heat up.

Stir together the crumbled Christmas pudding with the brandy and conserve and set aside.

Melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in the flour and gradually add the milk. Bring to the boil, stirring, then reduce the heat and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in 50 g (2 oz) of the sugar with the ginger, then beat in the egg yolks. Gently fold in the Christmas pudding mixture into the sauce.

Whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks, then gradually whisk in the remaining sugar until the meringue is stiff and glossy. With a large melt spoon fold the meringue into the sauce and turn into the prepared dish.

Sit the dish on the heated baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes until well risen and golden. Dust with icing sugar and serve straight away.

Cooks Tip: The sauce for the soufflé can be made the day before it is needed. Don’t beat in the 50 g (2 oz) caster sugar but sprinkle on top of the sauce to prevent a skin forming.

When ready to cook, beat well before whisking and fold in the meringue as above.

Salted caramel meringue terrine A fantastic alternative to Christmas pudding. Layers of soft, mallowy meringue layered with caramel and caramel cream then frosted with toasted almonds and icing sugar.

Ingredients

5 egg whites 300g caster sugar 1 tsp distilled malt vinegar 300ml carton double cream 60g salted caramel To decorate 50g shredded toasted almonds Icing sugar Icing snowflakes

Method

Heat the oven to 110°C, 90°C fan oven, mark low. With a pencil, mark a 22.5cm square on a sheet of baking parchment and turn over, pencil down, onto a large baking sheet.

Mix together the egg whites, sugar and vinegar in a heatproof bowl. Place over a saucepan of gently simmering water and beat with an electric whisk for 10 minutes or until very stiff and shiny.

Spread the meringue mixture into the marked square and bake for 40 minutes then cool. The meringue will feel soft and mallowy and the top just slightly firm.

Whip the cream until it just holds its shape and fold in half the caramel. Keep whisking slowly for a few more seconds until the cream is just firm enough to spread.

Cut the square into 3 lengths, each roughly 7.5cm x 22.5cm. Using a palette knife, lift one length of meringue onto a serving platter and spread with about a third of the cream. Drizzle with half the remaining caramel and place a second length of meringue on top and spread again with cream. Drizzle with the remaining caramel and top with the final meringue.

Top tipples ‘‘Tis the season to dust off the fortified wine...or maybe invest in something new?’

Christmas is probably the only time of year when you give fortified wine a second thought. Is the bottle of sherry in the cupboard that you bought 10 years ago still ok? Well it’s only Auntie Kath and Father Christmas that drink it, so it’ll do. That’s just the mind-set that sherry Bodegas are trying to change. It’s a category reinventing itself, and with great success in bars and restaurants across the UK. Sherry flights served with small tapas plates is very much on-trend. The sherry, whether it’s a Fino or a Manzanilla, is bone dry, not the sweet, amber nectar you may remember. It’s a great match for seafood, so perfect for a Christmas day starter of smoked salmon or prawns.

Similarly, Port houses are working hard to regain popularity. There’s so much more choice across all price points; it’s no longer just a case of cheap Ruby or expensive Vintage Port. Look for an Aged Tawny. Its dried fruit and toffee flavours will work perfectly with Christmas pudding and Stilton.

If you’d like any help or advice selecting your wines for Christmas, please don’t hesitate to get in touch or pop into our shop.

Happy Christmas from all at Momentum Wines!

Scatter the top with the almonds, dust with icing sugar and add edible snowflakes, to serve.

Cooks Tip: The assembled meringue terrine without the almond decoration will freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge for 2 hours before serving.

Recipes from: Bonne Maman – The Seasonal Cookbook (Simon & Schuster), available through Amazon, WH Smith and Waterstones @ £14.99. Recipe development by Moyra Fraser.

By Howard Jones

Warehouse 8, Mile End Business Park Maes y Clawdd, Oswestry SY10 8NN www.momentumwines.co.uk T: 01691 654499 Oswestry life

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Awesome vegan food!

XMAS GREETINGS FROM

Soups, sandwiches, American pancakes, Japanese dumplings, Spicy black bean burgers.

Gluten free options...

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Christmas party menu available 1st-24th December 2 course £16.95 3 course £19.95

•

Starters

Serving Tandoori and Balti dishes in Oswestry since 1976

Honey roast parsnip soup served with crusty bread and honey drizzle Ham hock terrine served with homemade piccalilli and crispy croutes Smoked mackerel pate served with toasted sourdough and side salad

The perfect blend of traditional Indian cooking served with Shropshire hospitality

Traditional roast turkey dinner Buttered roasted turkey served with homemade stuffing, pig in blanket, roast parsnips, roast carrots, brussel sprouts, cabbage, roast potatoes, cranberry sauce and gravy Pan fried fillet of sea bass served with crushed new potatoes, bacon lardons, garden peas and white wine sauce Roast butternut squash with goats cheese risotto served with parsnip crisps and dressed rocket

Contact us to book a table:

T: 01691 659880 / 653818 E: dine@simla-oswestry.co.uk Simla Tandoori Restaurant, 44 Beatrice Street, Oswestry SY11 1QG 48

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Mon-Sat 9am-3pm @Liar Liar Top of Bailey Street Oswestry Facebook us @fatrabbitfood

| Oswestry life

OPENING TIMES Sunday to Thursday – 5:30 to 11pm Friday to Saturday – 5:30 til midnight

Mains

Desserts

Traditional Christmas pudding served with brandy cream Strawberry and cherry trifle topped with honeycomb Vanilla panna cotta drizzled with strawberry compote and freshly made shortbread

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Salop Road, Oswestry 01691 657484 £5 deposit per person required to secure the booking Pre-order must be received a week before the booking Follow us on facebook @TheBlackGate

Left: Breidden Hill Top to bottom: A Christmas robin The horse satue Low sun through the trees Looking west The stone throne

Rambles with a camera Walker, photographer and artist Graham, ‘Grum’ Mitchell focuses on the Old Racecourse.

Under starter’s orders... a Boxing Day morning walk Where better to walk-off the Christmas Day indulgence (and prepare for Boxing Day’s) than around one of Oswestry’s gems, the Old Racecourse and Woods. The course was closed to racing in 1848 and is now an area of common land. It is a well travelled walking route as Offa›s Dyke Path and the Shropshire Way pass through the site, but is also ideal for shorter, less strenuous rambles.

You can park in the car park or walk up from town if you feel especially energetic.

Situated on ‘Cyrn y Bwch’ hill (translated as “Horns of the Buck”), the common stands at 1000ft on the Welsh/English border. There are far reaching views on the east to the Wrekin, south to Breidden Hill, and west to Rhydycroesau and beyond. Best take wellies, as it can get rather muddy in places.

Racing is thought to have begun here in the early 17th century and the track extended for two miles. Race meets lasted up to three days and signalled the beginning of much revelry. The infamous Jack Mytton was among the locals closely involved in these events and owned a stable of 40 horses.

Baronet Sir Watkin Williams Wynn was a keen racing enthusiast and steward. He

won many of the races and in 1776 donated a Silver Cup to be contested annually. In the 1800s the course was re-laid by French Napoleonic War prisoners, and a grandstand built to house the rich nobility. By this time, racing was big business, bringing large crowds, drinking, gambling and pickpockets and many local people started to avoid the event. The arrival of the railways is thought to have been the final nail as this enabled both horses and race-goers to travel further afield to the larger racecourses. The final meeting was held in September 1848, the same year that the Shrewsbury to Chester railway line opened The racecourse was unique in that it formed a figure-of-eight, consisting of two loops meeting at the Llansilin Road, now the B4580. When racing was in progress, the road was blocked off by chains which were kept at Chains Cottage. It is possible to walk around the course today and spot evidence of the old racecourse. This includes the remains of the grandstand, standing close to the two-headed horse statue.

The common is wonderful, but try exploring.

Follow Offa’s Dyke Path into Racecourse Woods and Llanforda Estate and then further into Candy Woods. In snow, it is easy to imagine that you have entered “The Shire” or “Narnia”, especially if you come across the “Stone Throne”.

Oswestry life | 49

Business

Expansion for Beaumont Financial

Investing in Oswestry

We’ve expanded into additional offices in Salop Road, and we’re growing our Oswestry team to help you with pensions, investments and planning your financial future. There’s lots of financial advice out there - but don’t you and your family’s finances deserve truly independent advice?

Call us for a no-obligation initial meeting today!

Beaumont Financial Planners Ltd., 21 Salop Road, Oswestry, SY11 2NR

t 01691 670524 e mail@beaumont-financial.co.uk

www.beaumont-financial.co.uk Beaumont Financial Planners Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Company registered in England number 8707394. Registered address Emstrey House North, Shrewsbury Business Park, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 6LG

Oswestry-based Beaumont Financial Planners Ltd have strengthened their presence in the town, expanding into additional offices in Salop Road, to complement their headquarters at 21 Salop Road.

Beaumont Director Mark Evans says: “We have recruited a great team to look after our established client base, and as we continue to grow the team to service new clients, we’ve needed to invest in additional office space to support that growth.” He continues: “Beaumont Financial Planners are quite a rarity in the Financial Services industry, as we train our own advisers and pay them a salary. We are not tied to any particular company or products and our advisers are not commission-hungry sales people, but highly qualified professionals who can focus on the client’s best interests. That approach has led to our success and we are pleased to be creating sustainable employment opportunities in Oswestry to support that success and to offer excellent service to our clients.”

Beaumont’s rapid growth is set to continue with the expansion of their Chester office in the new year.

Pictured from left: Gemma Russell, Wyn Price and Tom Parmiter get ready to move in to the new Beaumont Financial offices.

Oswestry Life magazine is so popular and has worked wonders for my business this week.

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50 | Oswestry life

Law firm recognised

New face at Hollis

A law firm in Oswestry is celebrating after more than doubling the number of its solicitors included in a respected national guide.

Hollis Office Solutions, a leading provider of enterprise and education technology solutions, has announced the appointment of Simon Hollister as Sales Director. In this new role, he will be responsible for managing all sales activities and the development and delivery of an ongoing strategy for growth encompassing the company’s comprehensive portfolio of solutions which includes security (IT and physical) and surveillance, IT infrastructure, IT support, managed print solutions, backup and storage, compliance and IP telephony.

In the 2017 edition of the Legal 500 guide, Lanyon Bowdler now has 38 solicitors recommended across 14 practice areas and six offices making it the most ranked firm in Shropshire.

This most recent edition of the leading independent guide to the legal profession saw the introduction of ‘next generation lawyers’ which recognises the best young talent below partner level.

Managers at Lanyon Bowdler, which has offices in Church Street, Oswestry, say they are absolutely delighted to have five next generation lawyers recognised in five different practice areas, recognising its commitment to developing young talent and providing a breadth of specialist expertise not widely available locally.

The firm’s five ‘next generation lawyers’ are criminal law specialist Stephen Scully, corporate and commercial solicitor Edward Burrell, contentious probate specialist Claire Vale, Louise Howard of the personal injury team, and Court of Protection specialist Neil Davies.

According to Garry Thomson, Managing Director of Hollis Office Solutions: “We are delighted to welcome Simon to the business and his experience of building successful sales operations is this industry will play an important role in helping us to expand our customer base across the UK whilst maintaining our reputation for providing the highest quality of services.”

Oswestry life | 51

Q&A

with GHP Legal’s Claire Parfitt

with

Stevens Lucas

Solicitors, Solicitor-Advocates & Barristers

Fraudsters claim my car hit theirs and injured them.

What can I do?

Q: I was driving onto a roundabout that is partly con-

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| Oswestry life

trolled by traffic lights, with fast moving traffic feeding from a dual carriageway. I slotted into a lane promptly so I was not blocking other traffic, but another car nipped in at some speed in front of me. I felt this was a dangerous manoeuvre so I hooted them. The traffic lights changed.

We exited the roundabout and immediately this other vehicle slammed on its brakes. I reacted quickly but our bumpers touched. The driver and passenger jumped out of their vehicle, looked theatrically where the two cars touched and claimed there was a lot of damage. Before I could take their details they got back into their car and phoned for an ambulance and Police.

I was not injured but I later received a claim from them that they were injured. I have a Go Pro CCTV camera in my car that shows exactly what they did and that there was no impact, but my insurance company now wants to divide liability on a 50/50 basis. What can I do to stop these fraudsters getting anything?

A:

Unfortunately insurers always deal with things on a purely commercial basis. No doubt, they will increase your insurance premium if you allow this liability split to go ahead.

If you have film footage and it is compelling, then you need to make sure that the insurance company or their solicitors put this in front of the fraud team to see what they say. There is always a danger that you will be investigated as part of a potential fraud but, from what you say, you are completely innocent.

It is important to fight insurance companies in situations like this. They will do whatever they can do to save costs, irrespective of how it affects you and your future insurance premium.

Further information relating to this question is available from Claire Parfitt, a Solicitor with GHP Legal. For an appointment visit www.ghplegal.com or contact one of our offices: Oswestry 01691 659194, Chirk 01691 777949, Wrexham 01978 291456, Llangollen 01978 860313. We offer free legal diagnostic clinics (no appointment necessary).

In Oswestry, Wednesdays 12noon-3pm for Personal Injury, Employment & Family matters. In Wrexham, Mondays 9.30am-12noon for Employment matters, 12noon – 3pm for Personal Injury & Family matters. GHP Legal is authorised and regulated by the SRA 51566, and Lexcel Accredited.

Business

Oswestry law firm ranked in UK’s top 500 An Oswestry law firm has been ranked among the top 500 law firms in the UK. GHP Legal, which has offices in Oswestry, Chirk, Llangollen and Wrexham, is recommended as a Top-Tier Firm in The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2017 listing which was published this month.

The Legal 500 is the leading guide to law firms in the UK. The list of recommended firms is compiled by a team of experienced researchers who conduct rigorous interviews with candidates and obtain references from their clients. GHP Legal were noted for their ‘very individualized service’.

GHP Legal’s Family department gained the highest commendation for its handling of wide ranging services and in particular financial arrangements and attendant childcare issues following divorce.

Family Partner, Nathan Wright, was acknowledged for his ‘significant experience’ in dealing with complex business issues, high net worth property and high-value pensions, whilst Natalie Roberts, a partner in both the firm’s Family and Mental Health teams, was recommended for her handling of cases involving local authority concern for the welfare of a child.

The firm’s Crime department was, said the researchers, found by some to be ‘the standout criminal and regulatory defence firm’ in the Shropshire Borders and north east Wales.

Crime partner, Stephen Edwards was recommended along with associate Sallie Stokes, crown court advocate Henry Hills and Welsh speaking partner, Euros Jones.

The Legal 500 researchers found that the firm’s Personal Injury department provides ‘a very intimate and individualized service’ on everything from small claims to complex multi-track cases including major psychiatric injury and brain injury cases. Key figures noted in the team were Partners, John Hulme (Oswestry) and Robert Williams (Wrexham).

Also recommended was the firm’s Dispute resolution department which acts for owner-managed businesses and SMEs based in North Wales, Mid-Wales, Cheshire and Shropshire.

Q&A

with Carrie-Ann Morris of Prudent Financial Planning

I am tempted to buy a log cabin for our family’s annual Christmas celebrations, but I would need to borrow some money for this. Can I get a mortgage on a log cabin?

It will soon be Christmas and the magical winter snow and ice is coming! The thought of snuggling up in front of a blazing log fire peering through the window at a beautiful landscape with family and friends presents a glowing feeling!

The last thing you want is to arrive at a bank and get given the ice-cold news that you’re not eligible for a mortgage on your dream property. Mortgages can be arranged on properties of all different shapes and sizes through some of the big high street banks and building societies, but also via some of the smaller, less well-known providers. These companies often specialise in the niche areas, whether it be a quirky building or unusual personal circumstances.

Mortgages can be arranged on log cabins and various property types from light houses to house boats.

Independent mortgage advisers will also be able to access more ‘unusual’ mortgages for non-traditional properties or, for example, for people with a poor credit history, county court judgements (CCJs), defaults, arrears, facing bankruptcy, discharged from bankruptcy, IVAs, or facing repossession. Not everyone has a 9-5, 40 hour a week job and some lenders recognise this and try to accommodate less common income streams too.

As independent advisors, we take the hassle away when buying a log cabin or indeed any other purchase. We complete the research and handle all of the administration with a view to saving you time and more importantly money, so you can concentrate on stocking up for Christmas!

For advice, call us on 01691 653335, or email dphumphreys@prudentltd.co.uk Have a fantastic Christmas and prosperous new year from all of us at Prudent Financial Planning Services Ltd. Oswestry life | 53

MICKY FINN’s QUALITY FISHMONGER Oswestry Indoor Market Contact Ian on 07966 201696 Supporting Hope House at Christmas

The Rotary Club of Oswestry www.rotarycluboswestry.co.uk rotarycluboswestry@gmail.com Supporting Hope House at Christmas

TG Builders Merchants 01691 670367 www.tgbuilders merchants.co.uk Supporting Hope House at Christmas

Woodhead Sales & Lettings 01691 680044 www.woodheadsales andlettings.com Supporting Hope House at Christmas

HM Plumbing & Maintenance Services Ltd

07939 839751 or 07932 659552

Supporting Hope House at Christmas

Paul Ashby Locksmith 01691 828111 or 07803 066568 www.paulashbylocksmith.co.uk Supporting Hope House at Christmas

Dennis Edwards Ltd 01691 682194 www.dennisedwardsltd.com

Charity appeal

Brave family come f memory of Arthur It would have been so easy to just give up, says Arthur’s dad Nick When he was just two years old, little Arthur Mullis was admitted to hospital and died suddenly.

His family were shocked and devastated. Their world had been turned upside down and no words could express their pain.

“It was such a shock because he was a strong little boy and a real fighter,” recalls dad Nick.

“But when Arthur died he didn’t look like Arthur and I think I just had a complete meltdown. Those images haunted me and I couldn’t sleep.”

“It wasn’t the feeling of ‘I’ll go to see my dead child’. It was the feeling that we were going to get our child back. We walked in, and his body wasn’t stiff anymore, and he was in his suit. It just looked like our son, and there he was asleep.”

Hope House’s specialist bereavement counsellors were there to help Alison and Nick and Arthur’s sisters Mia and Katie. Their care continues as long as the family needs it to help come to terms with their devastation.

“It was only when Arthur died that we realised Hope House isn’t there only for terminally ill children but for any local family that is facing the death of their child alone,” says Nick

“Being able to go to Hope House with Arthur and receive all that love and support was a lifeline for us”

Nick and Arthur’s mum Alison were relieved but puzzled when Hope House called and offered to have Arthur’s body brought to their hospice near Oswestry so that the family could say goodbye in their own time in the special Snowflake Suite.

“The loss of a child is a terrible event for any family to go through, and being able to go to Hope House with Arthur and receive all that love and support was a lifeline for us. It brought home how important Hope House is in this community and how many families it has already saved.

Supporting Hope House at Christmas

“I was confused at first. I thought Arthur had never been to Hope House so why were they calling?

But when we walked in it just felt like home. It was not like what I had expected at all,” recalls Nick.

Morris Marshall & Poole 01691 679595 www.morrismarshall.co.uk

Fix Auto Oswestry 01691 830793 www.fixautooswestry.co.uk

01691 656425 / 07891 906373 hello@amberswoodfiredkitchen.co.uk www.amberswoodfiredkitchen.co.uk

Supporting Hope House at Christmas

Supporting Hope House at Christmas

Supporting Hope House at Christmas

54 | Oswestry life

“Hope House made it possible for us to say goodbye to Arthur in our own time and in our own way. If it wasn’t for them our family could’ve easily been torn apart.

Ambers Woodfired Kitchen

E FORWARD IN R “But – and this is the really important bit - every week three local families face the same heartbreak that we felt when their child dies. Tragically Hope House can currently only afford to help one of those families and that thought is unbearable to me and Alison.

“We are sharing our story because we want to help Hope House to raise more money now. Only then will Hope House be able to make sure more local families don’t have to suffer the death of a child alone.”

Nick and Alison with Arthur’s sister Althea, who was born two weeks after his funeral, and brother George who is eight months old.

WITHOUT HOPE HOUSE, I WOULD HAVE

TORN MYSELF APART I JUST WANTED TO BE WITH ARTHUR. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SO EASY TO JUST GIVE UP Nick, Arthur’s dad

There are no words to express how utterly devastating it is to face life without the child you love.

Hope House will do whatever it takes to keep a family’s life going until they are ready to live it again.

Every week 3 local families face their biggest fear and their child dies, but we can only afford to help one.

pshire

-2014, Shro

Arthur 2012

Hope House cannot stop children like Arthur dying but with your donation we can stop families suffering on their own.

hopehouse.org.uk/donate Registered charity: 1003859

Oswestry life

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So, what will you read on your holidays this Christmas?

As 3.5 million of us Brits head abroad for some Christmas sunshine, Oswestry crime novelist David Armstrong snoops around one Greek hotel pool to bring us the top holiday reads.

reading Arsenal’s Ian Wright’s autobiography. I’m a bit of a Gooner myself and might well ask him if I can borrow it when he’s done. (Alas, the next day, he’s gone.)

Paperbacks outnumber digital readers about two to one. Even greasy with suntan lotion, many people remain attached to words on paper.

A woman dangling her feet in the pool is tracing connections in her Wordsearch magazine.

I don’t plan to be arrested so my ‘research’ is discreet, a mid-morn saunter around the pool of a Kefalonia hotel. First up: Neil Gaiman’s 2001 American Gods. I haven’t read him. It’s thick and the cover’s garish. On the adjacent sun-bed a woman is reading Zadie Smith’s Swing Time, follow up to her best-selling White Teeth.

It’s only eleven in the morning, but her neighbour has already dropped off, a half-finished crossword at her side.

A few beds along, a man has Cartes Postales, Victoria Hislop’s follow up to The Island, a book inspired by the story of the leper colony on the island of Spinalonga just off the coast of Crete.

Beside her, a reader is engrossed in David Nicholls’ 2014 bestseller, Us, and a woman at the pool bar has John Williams’ Stoner.. This book was lauded a few years ago as the rediscovery of an all-butlost American classic. The title was clearly a problem.

Although published in 1965, the title’s nothing to do with smoking dope, but Paperbacks simply the eponymous main character’s outnumber digital name. I loved it.

readers about two to one. Even greasy with suntan lotion, many people remain attached to words on paper

A young woman is reading Jon Ronson’s The Psychopath Test. ‘Would you mind if I ask you about your book?

I’m doing a piece on what people here are reading.’ She looks at me as though I might be a psychopath. I apologise, and leave.

So, what to make of this? There’s quite a bit of crime, but although John Grisham’s The Whistler topped the bestseller list, no one here’s brought it; there’s no Martina Cole, and no Rather Be the Devil, the new Rebus from Ian Rankin.

A big man is reading Dan Brown’s Inferno. I’m probably the only person in the world who hasn’t read The Da Vinci Code, but life’s short.

And neither of the two best-selling newcomers, Clare Mackintosh’s I see You, nor Shari Lapena’s first venture into the genre, The Couple Next Door, (over threehundred thousand copies now sold) is to be seen.

Of course, this being Kefalonia, the snack shop’s got a couple of deBernieres’ Captain Corelli but, on this morning at least, no one’s reading it.

There’s the new David Baldacci, No Man’s Land on a drinks table, a Lynda La Plante next to it and Paula Hawkins’ massive seller The Girl on the Train.

At the shallow end of the pool, a woman’s reading I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes. Halfway through the book someone’s eye is removed and inserted in the hero’s eye-socket to get him through a retina-scanning security check. It was at this point that I put the book aside. Yes, life’s short.

Next to her, a man has The Hunger Games and his son’s 56

Ten minutes later, amble completed, I’m back with my partner, Alice, who can’tput-down Australian, Jane Harper’s debut novel, The Dry.

| Oswestry life

Oh, yes, and me? What did I pack? I have Rory Stewart’s, The Places in Between, an account of the Tory MP’s walk from Afghanistan’s Herat to Kabul in 2004; Michael Frayn’s, Towards the End of the Morning, about the dying days of Fleet Street, and Jessica Mitford’s Hons and Rebels: both well written, short, and funny, perfect holiday reads!

David Armstrong’s latest crime novel, Black Earth, is available at Booka, the Willow Gallery, Oswestry library, and on Amazon.

School’s acclaimed author launches new book

Poetry corner

Head of Classics at Moreton Hall, Matthew Dennison has released a new book, described in The Independent as ‘one of those rare marvels, a historical biographer whose work has reached the bestseller lists’.

Already an author of seven critically acclaimed works of non-fiction and a former Costa Prize Judge, his latest book, The First Iron Lady: A Life of Caroline of Ansbach promises to be another success.

Through the darkened sky, a glittering star breaks For his birth Frankincense, gold and myrrh are a kings keepsakes In his worth.

A weakened sun lightly fingers the early morn Christmas wakes Heralding the celebration, a saviour is born For our sakes.

Britain forgot it had: thinker, politician, schemer, patroness and matriarch. The book offers a remarkable portrait of a woman of great political astuteness and ambition, a radical icon of female power.

Published by William Collins, the book is available on Amazon priced at £14.99.

Messages ripple across the breadth of the earth Peace fulfil Spreading the Gospel with merriment and mirth In goodwill.

Faith in the wondrous creator this babe doth instil; Joy partakes, With beautiful soaring voices, praising God’s will Christmas awakes.

Jan Hedger is a local writer and poet.

Visit www.janscreativewriting.co.uk

OSWESTRY

Often compared to Catherine the Great or Elizabeth I, Caroline of Ansbach is the great Queen

SOARING VOICES

We’re vocal about local

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57

HEALTH

Dr Paul Middleton

High Lea House Residential Home Friendly and Homely.

Set in Beautiful gardens.

Established for over 30 years.

Visitors are always welcome.

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Oswestry

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Yes! Yes I do! I like Christmas. I love Christmas I wonder whether you know who said the phrase above? “Merry” and “Happy” are the words we associate with Christmas. I never heard anyone say have a healthy Christmas! The World Health Organisation definition of health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing.

On that basis I guess we’re all ill! Not surprisingly Christmas is not the healthiest time of the year and I don’t mean all those chocolates and alcohol. It was traditionally a mid-winter feast placed to raise spirits in the long dark days and it is still the time of year when infections, depression and loneliness all contribute to the mid-winter blues.

So how can we try and address this? The NHS website has a number of suggestions: perhaps more effort to go out: perhaps exercise a bit more. Make sure we understand what doctors call sleep hygiene. This is a regular pattern of bed times and rises without the stimulants or sedatives that can interrupt sleep. Eating

Make sure we understand what doctors call sleep hygiene. This is a regular pattern of bed times and rises without the stimulants or sedatives that can interrupt sleep.

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a balanced diet, perhaps taking a bit more milk or dairy produce (they contain certain beneficial vitamins) and eating well at breakfast. I remember the quotation that we “should breakfast like a King and dine like a pauper”. The NHS site even recommends porridge!

Interestingly it suggests trying a new activity recognising that staying healthy means looking after our brains as well as our body. I would add making sure you have a flu jab. Despite all the stories you will hear it is a DEAD vaccine and cannot give you flu. What it can do is save your life.

So, who said the opening quote? It was Scrooge in A Christmas Carol – after his conversion of course.

The other phrase I like from the same story is: “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.”

Have a lovely Yuletide

58

| Oswestry life

Nostalgia

Down memory lane Historian David Owen takes a walk back in time to discover the fascinating history of two of Oswestry’s best-known landmarks

COACH & DOGS Perhaps the most noticeable feature of this is the almost complete lack of change between 1947 to 2017!

The traffic lights themselves have been moved back several yards on both Church Street and Upper Brook Street due to the increased size of commercial vehicles over the years and the pillar box has disappeared, but, apart from the trees in the churchyard being considerably cut back, nothing else had changed.

Incidentally, the sign on the top of the pillar box points to the direction of the post office which was, of course, in Church Street back then.

Textile Express now occupy the entire corner block which is exactly how it was in its original form as the Coach & Dogs Inn. For a period during the mid-20th century it was split into two units, trading as a butcher’s shop and a tea rooms at the time of this image.

The Coach & Dogs Inn dates to 1660 and was built

by Edward Lloyd of Llanforda who travelled between

RIGHT: Courtesy of Graham Mitchell

his home and Oswestry in a four-wheeled cart drawn by dogs. The property continued to serve as an Inn until the late 19th century when it was owned by Mrs Wynne Corrie who had purchased it for ‘philanthropic’ purposes and it became a temperance hotel! The pillar box was erected in 1859 on the site of a small bridge

WHITTINGTON CASTLE Whittington Castle is one of the most recognisable Shropshire landmarks. Although previous settlements and structures had existed on the site from prehistoric times, the current castle building dates from the early 13th century and was the work of Sir Fulk Fitzwarine whose coat of arms appears above the archway.

At one time the outer gatehouse with its twin towers boasted a 42-foot-long drawbridge as well as a portcullis. In 1643 the castle, which was a Royalist Stronghold, fell to Cromwell’s Roundheads Following this the castle fell into disrepair with some of the structures collapsing into the moat and some of the structures were demolished so that the stone could be used build local roads.

The road that runs directly in front of the castle was, at one time, a part of the main A5, an extremely busy road during the 1960s and 70s as the main holiday route to the North Wales coastal resorts.

During this period, it was almost impossible to cross the road in the summer months and the pedestrian crossing was installed to alleviate the situation.

LEFT: Courtesy of Graham Mitchell

Opposite the castle there was once a garage and filling station, grocery store and a newsagent as well as the Ye Olde Boote Inn. In recent times all except ‘The Boot’ have disappeared.

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ORGANISATIONS

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win family tickets to see the magical peter pan christmas in neverland See page 81

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We’re vocal about local in Bridgnorth & District

A NEW ‘EDITION’ TO THE FAMILY

19,919 COPIES SHOPS INFORMATION

Delivered by Royal Mail to EVERY home and business in SY10 and SY11 during March 2018!

The guide to local connections is a new annual directory brought to you by the trusted team behind Oswestry Life and Itʼs Beautiful magazines. Comprehensive classified listings, local information pages and handy 2018 calendar make this the ʻgo toʼ resource for all local connections. ROYAL MAIL delivery ensures that your message even reaches remote rural areas - So letʼs get vocal about local!

DON’T MISS OUT - MAKE SURE YOUR BUSINESS IS LISTED

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL NIKKI GAMBLE ON 07986 293294 OR EMAIL NIKKI@OSWESTRY.LIFE

Useful numbers Councils

Oswestry Town Council.................................... 01691 680222 Shropshire County Council ................................. 0345 678 9000

Dentists

Church Street Clinic .............................................. 01691 671413 My Dentist ............................................................. 01691 658114 Oswyn House Dental Practice ............................. 01691 652424 Thomas Dental Care............................................. 01691 653074 Willow Street Dental Practice .............................. 01691 652143

Doctors Surgeries

Cambrian Surgery ................................................. 01691 652929 Caxton Surgery .......................................01691 654646 /653600 Caxton Surgery Prescriptions ......................................... 01691 659250 NHS Direct ............................................................................. 111 Plas Fynnon Surgery ............................................. 01691 655844 Shropdoc (Out of hours) .................................. 0333 222 66 55

Hospitals

Royal Shrewsbury Hospital................................... 01743 261000 The RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital......................... 01691 404000 Wrexham Maelor Hospital .................................. 01978 291100

Schools

Holy Trinity School ................................................ 01691 654832 Moreton Hall School............................................. 01691 773671 Oswestry School ................................................... 01691 655711 Our Lady and St. Oswalds Catholic School ........ 01691 656080 The Marches School ............................................. 01691 664400 The Meadows School ........................................... 01691 656080 Woodside School ................................................. 01691 652446

Services and helplines

Alert Furniture Scheme ........................................ 01691 655895 CHALK CIC ............................................................ 01691 655895 Childline ..................................................................... 0800 11 11 Citizens Advice Bureau ....................................... 03444 991 100 Crime Stoppers ...................................................... 0800 555 111

Electricity power loss emergencies .................... 0800 001 5400 Gas Emergencies ................................................... 0800 111 999 Oswestry Library ................................................... 01691 677388 Police-Ambulance-Fire .......................................................... 999 Police non emergencies ........................................................ 101 Severn Trent Water .............................................. 0800 783 4444

Sport and Leisure

New Saints Football Club .................................... 01691 684840 Oswestry Cricket Club ......................................... 01691 653 006 Oswestry Leisure Centre ..................................... 0345 0007 006 Oswestry Rugby Club ........................................... 01691 652949 The Venue at Park Hall ......................................... 01691 684840

Transport

Arriva..................................................................... 0344 800 4411 Gobowen Train Station ........................................ 01691 681010 Tanat Valley Coaches ............................................ 01691 780212

Vets

Park Issa Surgery ................................................... 01691 670067 RSPCA................................................................... 0300 1234 999 Border Veterinary Centre ..................................... 01691 670395 Oakwood Veterinary Centre ................................ 01691 679699

Useful websites

www.attfieldtheatre.co.uk www.kinokulture.org.uk www.oswestrychamber.org.uk www.oswestry.life For the latest www.oswestry-tc.gov.uk local news and www.oswestrymuseum.org.uk sport follow www.shropshire.gov.uk Oswestry.life www.tnsfc.co.uk www.veolia.co.uk/shropshire Oswestry Household recycling centre 9am-5pm (Closed Christmas day, Boxing day and New Years day)

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Kids fun Katie Millard of Baby Bird Café shows us how to design and make festive reindeer baubles and bake delicious gingerbread

Baby Bird Café CIC has craft days every Sunday 9.30-11am 23 Cross St, Oswestry, SY11 2NF.

Make: Rudolph the Reindeer Baubles

Colder days and dreary weather often mean having to find cheerful (and effective) crafts to do indoors with our little ones in the run up to the festive season.

These cute little reindeer baubles are super simple and effective and perfect to fill up an afternoon - especially if you put some Christmas music on in the background and make some hot chocolate too!

You’ll need:

• Pack of Christmas tree baubles • Pack of ‘googly eyes’ • Glue dots or strong PVA glue • Small red pom-poms or red gems • Brown pipe cleaners • Scissors

Method:

• Taking your brown pipe-cleaner, cut into four equal pieces

Bake:

Gingerbread

Nothing says Christmas like a festive gingerbread biscuit. Not only do they taste good, they’re great for making with the kids and are perfect for Christmas presents or decorations.

You’ll need:

295g of plain flour 1 tsp of bicarbonate of soda 2 tsp of ground ginger Half tsp of ground cinnamon Half tsp of ground nutmeg 125g of unsalted butter 100g of soft brown sugar 3 tbsp of golden syrup

Method:

• Preheat your oven to gas mark 4/ 180 degrees and line your baking sheet with baking parchment • In your mixing bowl mix the flour, bicarbonate of soda and all the spices • Over a low heat, melt the butter, syrup and sugar - keep stirring until the sugar dissolves, now add to the dry ingredients 64

| Oswestry life

• Select one length of cut pipe-cleaner and fold into half, bend to create an ‘antler’ effect • Take a glue dot or your PVA glue and attach the antlers to the top of the bauble at the back • To the front of the bauble now glue two googly eyes and either a red pom-pom or red gem for the nose • Hang on your Christmas tree and admire!

• Mix well until it forms a stiff dough, bring together with your hands into a ball • At this point, cling film and refrigerate whilst you tidy away the pots and bowls, then freshly flour your work surface.

• Take the dough from the fridge and half it • Roll out with rolling pin and use a cookie cutter to cut the individual biscuits. Why not try a festive Christmas tree or snowman • Place on tray -ensuring each biscuit has enough space and isn’t touching any of the others • Bake for 10-12 minutes • Either use or freeze the leftover dough, depending on how many biscuits you require • Let biscuits cool before icing in whatever design you choose

ine l o p m a r t a Win party for 10 people AIREA51 has just opened in Telford, making it one of the UK’s newest and Telford’s only indoor adventure park.

Boasting more than 30,000 sq ft, the attraction is filled with activities for the whole family. From celebrating a children’s party, hosting a corporate event, team building, or looking for a fitness class, AIREA51 offers tailored activities designed to get everyone involved.

It’s never been so easy to have fun and keep fit - with 54 trampoline beds, a jump tower, walk the wall, battle beams and foam pits. You can also try to scale the bouldering walls, play dodge ball, try your luck at ninja warrior, or go straight for the cardio wall and parkour if you’re feeling athletic.

AIREA51 has an impressive five party rooms. Birthday parties include a one-hour bounce, party host, 45 minutes in the party room, free socks, hot or cold food options and unlimited squash. A face painter, glitter tattoos, cake, polar slushes and party bags can all be provided as an add-on to any of the party packages.

Little ones can join in too, with Sing Along Story Time, Tiny Twisters, Budding Ballerinas and Dinky Disco Dancers. School age children can enjoy after school Bounce & Eat deals, Alien Crafty Arts and disco nights. Find out more by visiting: www.airea51.co.uk To win an off-peak trampoline party for 10 people, simply answer the question, how many trampoline beds does AIREA51 have?

Win a family photo shoot We’ve teamed up with photographer Tim Mitchell to offer you the chance to win a family photo shoot.

Tim Mitchell is an Oswestry-based photographer and videographer, specialising in weddings and family photography.

Tim is offering one lucky person the chance to win a half hour inhome photo shoot worth £75. The session will include backgrounds (if required), lighting, group and individual portraits of each family member. All images will be edited and provided to the family via a free download link.

To enter, tell us – which town does photographer Tim Mitchell come from?

win

£500 off a course of treatments

Tucked away in a beautiful barn conversion in Maesbury Marsh on the outskirts of Oswestry, Body & Face Options boasts being one of the most ‘advanced aesthetic clinics in Europe’.

Established in 1988 by Jane Millington, the clinic offers a wide variety of non-surgical treatments using the latest technology. From micro pigmentation, vein and mole removal to microdermabrasion, the treatment menu is vast.

Jane is an advanced electrologist, practitioner in vein and mole removal and a member of the Royal Society of Medicine. She offers the latest anti-ageing and body sculpturing, including nonsurgical face lifts and liposuction.

With an in-depth initial consultation and personalised packages of treatments to suit individual requirements, Jane and her colleague Amanda Evans, are equipped to offer the best results possible.

With such an extensive range of treatments and overnight accommodation if needed, Body & Face Options is a truly unique clinic outside of London.

To find out more, visit www.bodyandfaceoptions.co.uk Body & Face Options are offering one lucky winner the chance to win £500 off a course of beauty treatments, subject to a free medical consultation.

To enter, tell us, in what year was Body & Face Options established?

COMPETITION RULES: Closing date for competitions is 30/12/17. Send your entries, along with your name, address, email and telephone number on a postcard to Oswestry Life Magazine, Unit 2, Glovers Meadow, Oswestry, SY10 8NH or by email to info@oswestry.life or enter on the website: www.oswestry.life. By entering any competition within this publication you consent to Oswestry Life and the promoters contacting you for marketing purposes. Your data will not be shared with any other party. For full terms and conditions please refer to www.oswestry. life OCTOBER winners: Peter Pan: Mary Elizabeth Mackenzie, Oswestry JT Personal Training: Mel Joyce, Oswestry; Charlotte Cauldwell, Oswestry; Maryse Mackenzie, Oswestry; Karen Boyce, LLangollen, Lorraine Kriek, Llanymynech Black Hawk Laser: Kathleen Skinner, Baschurch

Oswestry life | 65

LAST WORD Ho Ho No! My children first asked me to put the Christmas tree up in October.

How do they even know Christmas is coming? It certainly hasn’t come from me. I’m more a leave it until the week before Christmas decorator, and shopper for that matter. Is it really essential to celebrate Christmas at all?

I was at a children’s birthday party just yesterday and the other mums were excitedly sharing their Christmas plans. They must have spotted the look on my face, or that I was trying to slope away, “What?! You don’t like Christmas?” they all looked at me in amazement. Why isn’t it okay to not like Christmas. Is it mandatory?

If there was an emoji that sums up Christmas for me, it’s the one rolling its eyes. That’s me all through December.

To fully embrace Christmastime, you have to be really dedicated – months of saving up and planning presents, cooking enough food to feed a small army, braving the shops to buy said food and going head to head in a trolley dash with over-enthusiastic shoppers battling for the last turkey, Christmas pudding, brandy sauce.

Heading out in the freezing snow for some sledging/carol singing. Braving the office Christmas party. Getting offered food everywhere you go. It’s all just too much.

I like routine; get up, go to work Monday to Friday, come home, weekends off. It’s simple and it works. Then along comes Christmas and messes up the routine. Shops and offices closing early, closing down for days or complete shutdown for a week or more. Even the TV schedule goes to pot. All the regular shows get taken over by tinsel-clad hour-long specials.

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Don’t get me started on the tree.

Every year I aim for the show home look, perfectly minimalist colour coordinated bows. I really don’t want a tree at all, it’s just a token gesture and somewhere to store the presents under. The reality is that once the children have finished with it, it resembles more of a hurricane-hit disaster zone. Terrible tinsel I thought I’d thrown away is tossed over the branches alongside decorations made from toilet roll that have come home from school.

I asked my six-year-old son why we celebrate Christmas. He wasn’t sure but thought it might be something to do with ‘Jebus’ - or was that Easter? He’s not quite certain.

He did tell me the thing he likes best about Christmas, and rather predictably, it’s the presents. Only the good ones though, not the bad ones, he doesn’t like the bad presents. And he’s not the only one.

In the UK adults receive £2.6billion worth of unwanted gifts at Christmas and spend an average of £809.97 per household, with over half of this accounting for gifts. We spend almost double the average of any other European household over Christmas.

When I was growing up, we waited all year for Christmas to get a new bike or a computer. Even then we had to share it between three of us! It was a year of anticipation

and an exercise in behaving well in the hope that we’d be rewarded.

In today’s world the latest toys and electronics are purchased on demand from January – November.

The thought of making a child wait for 12 months for a bike seems archaic. I bought my three-yearold daughter a bike in August.

She hasn’t been on it yet. I might wrap it up again for Christmas, she probably won’t notice.

Obligatory gift-giving has to be the part I hate the most. Buying gifts for distant friends and family members I don’t see from one year to the next. And why? Because they buy me one. I used to have to buy a stash of ‘emergency’ gifts in case anyone should call at the house with gifts for us that I wasn’t expecting.

No more. I’m putting my foot down this year and have already made the ‘deal’ with friends that we won’t be buying each other gifts.

Don’t get me wrong, I buy presents, I decorate a tree and I’ll be sitting watching my children in their nativity play. I’ll even take them on a trip to Santa’s Grotto, their enthusiasm for it secretly makes me smile. But when it’s all over I’ll have that tree down and back in the shed faster than you can say ‘Merry Christmas’.

Charlotte Ruscoe

e: charlotte@oswestry.life

Investing in Oswestry

We’ve expanded into additional offices in Salop Road, and we’re growing our Oswestry team to help you with pensions, investments and planning your financial future. There’s lots of financial advice out there but don’t you and your family’s finances deserve truly independent advice?

Call us for a no-obligation initial meeting today!

Beaumont Financial Planners Limited 21 Salop Road, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 2NR

t 01691 670524 e mail@beaumont-financial.co.uk

www.beaumont-financial.co.uk Beaumont Financial Planners Ltd. Head office: 21 Salop Road, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 2NR Beaumont Financial Planners Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Company registered in England number 8707394. Registered address - Emstrey House North, Shrewsbury Business Park, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 6LG

Oswestry life | 67

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