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a permanent part of the family from morning to night. Apparently this ipad mania isn’t just isolated to kids, the big kids are just as bad, your life, your home, your community. although the big kids have grown up jobs to hold down and a house to run so surely they Happy New Year and I hope you all had a can’t be glued to it from morning to night lovely Christmas. Here we go again a fresh as well. Anyway new ipad rules entering this new year to tackle! I hope it’s started well house at the weekend. Wish me luck! for you all, but of course it hasn’t we’ve all And on Christmas Day Richard’s mum joined had to go back to work and school I hear you us, we ‘ve had a difficult year as her dementia cry! Apart from that I obviously mean! I hope has worsened. We’ve been up and down you’ve not all overspent and are wishing pay the motorway to Wolverhampton keeping day was a few weeks closer! Christmas has an eye on her but she can no longer live changed for me over the years, not having any independently. I know a few locals have had children of my own, but my partner Richard experience of dementia in the family and has a 12 year old son. So all we heard in the know how difficult it is. Anyway on Christmas run up to Christmas was ‘ipad’, ‘ipad’, ‘ipad’! Day she informed us she’d been asked to I’m sure this sounds familiar to lot’s of you. stand in for the Queen, well I tuned in at 3pm Not being the parent my answer was quite with great anticipation, you just never know! easy, well they’re very expensive and I don’t At least we can still smile. think you’re old enough to look after one, especially after losing your phone at the bus A little bird tells me the Golden Grove is shut again, which is a shame, and I don’t want stop recently and not even realising. anyone wasting a journey or spoiling their Thankfully the lovely woman who had found evening by getting there and it being closed. it took the trouble to charge it and find some key people in the contacts to ring ie those Well I better go and sort my new year out, entries that say ‘Mum’ and ‘Dad’, so that it not even got a new diary yet, but just before could be returned! This was soon followed by I do I have to say it was a nice touch to have texts (which couldn’t have been sent had the the Christmas tree in Rossett this year, it phone remained lost might I add) promising did feel a bit more Christmassy. Gresford as the world if he could have one. As Christmas always felt very festive as usual. and his birthday falls a few days apart for Max Here’s to a great year. he had a lean Christmas in terms of volume of presents as everyone contributed to this All the best, Jill golden piece of machinery! And the ipad2 is now here, not the latest and most expensive model, a deal was done. I feel like I should set it a place at the table and officially adopt it, it is
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ORdeR beFORe VAlenTine’S dAy 2014
Jackdaws & Crows gathering to roost Mute Swan © Hugh Linn
Recent mild weather has affected local birds in a number of ways. Garden visitors have been fewer than expected because natural food was plentiful in fields and hedgerows. Another consequence of warmer temperatures has been unseasonal activity. Blackbirds, usually silent at this time of year, have tentatively started to sing. Dippers on the River Alyn have been performing courtship rituals normally not seen until Spring. So far there have been only odd reports of wintering Blackcaps visiting feeders and, unlike last November, when a large flock of Waxwings appeared in the Maelor Hospital car park, only a handful of these colourful birds has been recorded anywhere in the British Isles. Rossett’s Green Sandpiper is back at the same stream it has occupied for the last five winters. On the coast a Hoopoe has taken up residence near Abergele. The Ross’s Goose at Gresford Flash was joined by another on 23rd November. The second bird left after two days. For a while there was a third Ross’s Goose in Lancashire. Experts tell us they are almost certainly not genuine migrants from arctic Canada but feral
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birds from wildfowl collections. The Gresford goose flock peaked at around 700 individuals but by mid-December they had gone, leaving behind (appropriately for the festive season) “Seven Swans a-Swimming”. Helen Ion contacted “Essentiallyours” with a query about disappearing crows in Gresford. Rooks are the most conspicuous members of the crow family. These noisy and gregarious birds thrive in company. A string of rookeries runs the length of Wrexham Road from Pulford via Rossett and Gresford through to the by-pass. Over the past 30 years this extended colony has sub-divided into satellites and gradually shifted southwards from its original concentration in the Belgrave area. Probably the answer to Helen’s query lies in this constant changing pattern of colonies. In winter vast communal roosts attract birds from miles around and Rooks are joined by Crows and Jackdaws. There is a significant roost in the Hoseley area. Shortly before Christmas in one tree alone I counted 200 birds silhouetted against a pale sunset prior to joining the main roost.
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News about our Railways
Those of you who are avid readers of the local newspapers will know that dualling of our rail link to Chester has hit the headlines. When the Welsh Government’s Transport Minister announced on October 2nd that she had agreed a ‘£44 million scheme with Network Rail’ explaining that it would “improve north-south journey times and links with Wrexham”, everyone assumed that she was backing the original Network Rail Scheme. But it now appears that the Welsh Government demanded that Network Rail produce a second scheme that left out doubling the rail track between Wrexham and the Gresford Bridge over the A483,and this was the scheme that was announced to great fanfare. Indeed I was one of those who warmly welcomed the announcement. The original plan was to double 5.5 miles of track between Saltney and Rossett. Another 2 mile section between Rossett and Gresford Bridge was not going to be dualled
Aled Roberts AM
because rebuilding the bridge would be too costly. It is a second 2 mile section between the bridge and Wrexham station that has been left out by the Welsh Government. The existing track allows for 3 trains passing in either direction in one hour, the original scheme devised by Network Rail would allow 12 and the Welsh Government’s revision would allow 6. So the number of trains linking Wrexham to Chester would be halved. The Welsh Government gives priority to the line to Holyhead so it is our links to England that would be affected. This change of policy will create congestion in the future when the new prison opens generating an extra 1000 passengers a week – an increase of around 17%. It will make it less likely that there will be direct services to the North West of England and Wrexham will not be able to benefit fully from the electrification of the North Wales Coast Line. And of greater interest to readers of Essentially Yours is the long term proposal for a new station in the Rosset area with plenty of room for commuter parking and a park and ridefacility. The aim is to reduce congestion on the A483 by encouraging more people to commute. A development that is unlikely to go ahead unless the line into Wrexham General itself is not dualled. If you would like to discuss our transport links or any other issue then please contact my office in Johnstown on 01978 843300, email me at Aled.Roberts@Wales.gov.uk or write to me at 18 High Street, Johnstown, Wrexham LL14 2SN.
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A newly formed committee overseen by The Gresford Trust is looking to expand its membership with the aim of organising a Village Festival to take place on Bank Holiday Monday, 25th August 2014. The purpose of the festival is to commemorate three separate and unique areas of remembrance. We wish to celebrate the 65 years since the formation of Gresford Trust . We would like to show our respect to the 266 men and boys who perished in the Gresford Colliery disaster exactly 80 years ago and, of course, we wish to recognise that this year will mark 100 years since the start of the First World War For the event to achieve its objectives and to be successful the current team is convening a meeting later this month and looking to recruit members onto the main organising committee and various sub-committees. In particular, we would like to recruit active support from all of the member organisations of the Trust, also from the many interest groups, schools, playgroups etc. and the support of the local shops, businesses and pubs. We are already making steady progress, with the cricket club hosting a charity fun cricket match and they have also agreed to oversee the bar. The football club is organising a series of competitions and taking charge of the BBQ. In addition to commemorating the historic events the Festival will provide a great opportunity for each of the groups involved to raise funds for their own organisation. The more help the better - as we are hoping to arrange donkey rides, have static displays, a tombola and, who knows? – if there is sufficient interest - we may even be able to arrange an “Our Village has got Talent” competition !! Please register your level of interest via email to contact@gresfordtrust.org or, if you would like more information, please call Emlyn on 01978 854360 or Phil on 07525-824-679. AS IT SAYS IN OUR GRAPHIC – WE WANT THE MAXIMUM SUPPORT FROM OUR VILLAGE FOLK TO MAKE THIS EVENT A MASSIVE SUCCESS
Wynnstay Lane Wrexham Hoseley Lane Marford
Asking price £485,000
£795,000
Pont-y-capel Lane Gresford £795,000
Grade II Georgian house, greatly renovated & extended to provide 4 bedroom family home with many period features. Pippin Lane Commanding views & is set in approx. 2.7 Acres. Rossett
MARFORD £795,000
£379,950
THIS GRADE II GEORGIAN DOUBLE FRONTED HOUSE, HAS BEEN GREATLY RENOVATED & EXTENDED TO PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIAL 4 BEDROOM FAMILY HOME BENEFITTING FROM MANY PERIOD FEATURES. THE PROPERTY COMMANDS SPECTACULAR VIEWS OVER COUNTRYSIDE & IS SET IN SPACIOUS FORMAL GARDENS & A PADDOCK OF APPROXIMATELY 2.7 ACRES .
Comprises reception hall, cloakroom, living room, sitting room, dining room, breakfast kitchen, utility room. Master bedroom with ensuite, guest bedroom with ensuite. Sandrock Road
ROSSETT £485,000
Marford
Asking price £270,000
A superb opportunity to purchase this 4 bedroom executive detached family home set on an elevated position with stunning views across the Cheshire Plains. The accommodation comprises canopy entrance, reception hall, cloakroom, living room, sitting room, dining room, breakfast kitchen, utility room. On the first floor there is a master bedroom with ensuite, guest bedroom with ensuite, two further bedrooms and family bathroom. Externally there is a driveway to the front with a detached double garage, shrubbed borders and a raised decked area. To the rear there is courtyard and a raised lawned garden beyond. Internal inspection recommended. 33 Lower Bridge Street, Chester, CH1 1RS Tel: 01244 403900 Email: info@townandcountrychester.com
33 Lower Bridge Street, Chester, CH1 1RS Tel: 01244 403900 Email: info@townandcountrychester.com
Entrance hall, cloakroom, living room, sitting room, dining Broad Lane Room, dining kitchen, landing, master bedroom with enTrevalyn suite, three further bedrooms, family bathroom. Rossett
ROSSETT £379,950
Asking price £255,000
Four bedroom detached requiring some modernisation. Double glazing, central heating, entrance hallway, lounge, dining room, kitchen, cloakroom, four bedrooms, bathroom,
MARFORD £270,000
Bodwyn Park Gresford
Asking price £249,950 ***** VIEWING IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ***** THIS SUPERB FAMILY HOME IS SET ON A LARGE PLOT IN AN ATTRACTIVE DEVELOPMENT SOUTH OF CHESTER IN THE POPULAR LOCATION OF ROSSETT. WELL PRESENTED THOUGHOUT AND FINISHED TO A HIGH SPECIFICATION. THE ACCOMMODATION COMPRISES: ENTRANCE HALL, CLOAKROOM, LIVING ROOM, SITTING ROOM, DINING ROOM, DINING KITCHEN, LANDING, MASTER BEDROOM WITH EN-SUITE, THREE FURTHER BEDROOMS, FAMILY BATHROOM, GARDENS TO FRONT AND REAR, DOUBLE GARAGE AND DRIVEWAY WITH AMPLE PARKING.
THIS FOUR BEDROOM DETACHED FAMILY HOME REQUIRING SOME MODERNISATION IS LOCATED IN THE MUCH SOUGHT AFTER VILLAGE OF MARFORD. SITUATED ON A GOOD SIZE PLOT THE PROPERTY ITSELF BENEFITS FROM DOUBLE GLAZING, GAS CENTRAL HEATING VIA A COMBINATION BOILER AND COMPRISES ENTRANCE HALLWAY, LOUNGE, DINING ROOM, KITCHEN, GROUND FLOOR CLOAKROOM/W.C, FOUR BEDROOMS, BATHROOM, GARAGE AND OFF ROAD PARKING, FRONT AND REAR GARDENS AND IS AVAILABLE WITH NO ONWARD CHAIN.
33 Lower Bridge Street, Chester, CH1 1RS Tel: 01244 403900 Email: info@townandcountrychester.com
33 Lower Bridge Street, Chester, CH1 1RS Tel: 01244 403900
Email: info@townandcountrychester.com The property benefits from double glazing and gas central heating. The internal accommodation briefly comprises an entrance vestibule, hallway, wc, living room and dining room both with feature bay windows, large kitchen/breakfast area, pantry, utility room, further wc and conservatory which opens on to the large rear garden with far reaching views beyond. On the first floor there is a landing, 4 large double bedrooms, majority with built-in bedroom furniture, one being en-suite, dressing room with family bathroom off. The property is situated in idyllic grounds offering a vast degree of privacy. The sweeping driveway leads to the single garage Porch/hall with cloakroom off, a lounge/diner and a fitted Entrance hallway, lounge, dining room, fitted kitchen, utility
kitchen. 3 bedrooms with an en-suite shower room, separate family bathroom. Off road parking leads to the single garage.
ROSSETT £255,000
room, study & cloaks. 3 bedrooms, en suite & shower room. Gravelled & shrubbed garden, carport and garage.
33 Lower Bridge Street, Chester, CH1 1RS GRESFORD £249,950 Tel: 01244 403900 Email: info@townandcountrychester.com
www.townandcountryestateagents.com • A info@townandcountryestateagents.com TRADITIONAL 1930S THREE BEDROOM SEMI DETACHED HOUSE, LOCATED WITHIN A QUIET CUL DE SAC IN THE
An opportunity to purchase a superb example of a spacious 3 bedroom semi-detached house, presented to a very high standard in a good location overlooking fields. The ground floor internal accommodation briefly comprises a porch/hall with cloakroom off, a lounge/diner and a fitted kitchen. On the first floor there are 3 good sized bedrooms with an en-suite shower room off the master bedrooms, separate family bathroom. To the outside a driveway offers ample off road parking space and leads to the single garage. The front garden is laid to lawn, whilst the rear garden is lawned, paved and gravelled for ease of maintenance.
OFFICES IN CHESTER AND WREXHAM 33 Lower Bridge Street, Chester, CH1 1RS Tel: 01244 403900 Email: info@townandcountrychester.com
SOUGHT AFTER VILLAGE OF GRESFORD. THE PROPERTY HAS UNDERGONE A PROGRAMME OF MODERNISATION & EXTENSION CREATING A SPACIOUS FAMILY HOME. ACCOMMODATION COMPRISES: ENTRANCE HALLWAY, LOUNGE, DINING ROOM, FITTED KITCHEN, UTILITY ROOM, STUDY & DOWNSTAIRS CLOAKS. FIRST FLOOR: LANDING, THREE BEDROOMS, EN SUITE & SHOWER ROOM. EXTERNALLY: GRAVELLED & SHRUBBED GARDEN TO FRONT, CARPORT, DRIVEWAY & GARAGE. A LAWNED, PAVED & SHRUBBED REAR GARDEN. 33 Lower Bridge Street, Chester, CH1 1RS Tel: 01244 403900
hugh.jones@wrexham.gov.uk
Arriva Buses. I can now report that I held a successful meeting with senior management from Arriva, together with the Head Teacher and Chair of Governors from Darland High School. Arriva have added an additional bus to run at peak times during school term times.The feedback that I have received from residents is positive; people feel that it has helped to alleviate most of the problems. Please keep me informed of any ongoing issues.
last Planning Committee an application was approved to allow temporary residential use of the first floor of one of the Coach Houses for 12 months. There are strong conditions in place to ensure that this can only be used whilst the Mill is unoccupied and the building is returned to its non-domestic condition at the end of the period.
Planning applications. Sadly the planning committee have granted approval for housing Christmas events. It was great to see two on the former bowling green to the rear of really successful events in the village. The first the Nags Head.A planning application has been was a concert by the Rhos Orpheus Male Voice received to build houses on the Rosemary Choir held in aid of the Village Hall. This event Nurseries site in Burton. I have met with raised over £1000 and was well supported by highways and planning officers and there are the local community and beyond. We hope a number of concerns regarding the current to make this an annual event as there is an application; firstly the over-intensive nature ongoing need to raise funds to replace the roof of the development and secondly the access on the Village Hall. The second event was the onto the narrowest part of Rosemary Lane. Christmas Carols’ singing by the tree on the The status of the land is ‘brown field on the park. Again a great success and well attended; edge of settlement’ and therefore there congratulations to the pupils and staff of St is a presumption in favour of some form Peters school for their excellent carol singing. of residential development. My main aim Thanks are due to the Rossett is to ensure that the development is of an Festival Committee, The appropriate size with access that is safe for Horticultural Society and all road users. I am also concerned to ensure the Community Council that the existing hedgerows are retained to who all came together to ensure that the rural aspect of the location is ensure we had a tree in the not damaged. village for the first time. As always I can be contacted at or on Rossett Mill. It is good Hugh.Jones@wrexham.gov.uk 07769706999 to see the repainted Mill looking so attractive with its May we all have a healthy and peaceful festive Christmas Tree. At the New Year.
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essentiallove Long before it was actually called Valentine’s Day, there was a good old pagan festival called Lupercalia. It was held in ancient Rome at the beginning of February to honour the god Pan and herald the arrival of Spring, and was associated with purification and fertility rituals. Sounds promising! During these rituals, goats and dogs were sacrificed, and young men were anointed with the blood. Then there was the usual feasting, raucous drinking, and so on, that we all know and love. Afterwards they had to run round and round the city slapping young women with strips of soggy goat flesh called Februa. Apparently this was welcomed as a blessing by the women as it was supposed to make them more fertile. Although the extra laundry probably wasn’t. Another great tradition: after they’d run out of slabs of dripping goat corpses, the names of all the young women in the city were placed into a giant urn. Each young man in
the neighbourhood waited in turn to take a random name out of the urn, and the couple would be paired up together for a year after a bit more feasting, eroticism, and sexualgame playing. This weird matchmaking often resulted in marriage. Valentine by name - The early Christians decided to put a stop to all this unbridled eroticism and overt sexuality, and changed the festival to one of romantic love. They grabbed hold of a fantastic public relations opportunity in the shape of Saint Valentine. The Catholic Church recognises at least three people called Valentine or Valentinus, who were martyred, so the Valentine story could be about any one of them, or indeed all of them. One legend says that Valentine was a priest or bishop who lived in third century Rome. Whatever your view on Valentine’s Day, past and present, don’t be caught out by forgetting your loved one!
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THE OCTAGON LIVES ON As I watched the convoy of rally cars driving down Overton Road, Bangor on Dee a few weeks ago, I was amazed at how many makes of cars have long since gone, and how much I have missed them. Austin, Morris, Rover,
by Terry Davies
is a 1994 MG RV8- a kind of a super MGB fitted with a Range Rover aluminium 3.9 litre V8 engine, which developed around 206 B.H.P., allowing acceleration to 60 m.p.h. in 6.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 137 m.p.h. It Riley, Hillman, Humber- and many more. I cost £26,500 when new. also miss the individual names of cars at that It has won many Concours d’Elegance awards time. They didn’t have to be grand names like since the Glovers have owned it , and in 2013, ‘Speed of the Wind’ or ‘Golden Arrow’ as they have won many more awards with it, two Land Speed Record cars were called , just travelling to events in the U.K. as well as to ordinary little names would do. Anna Irwin of Jersey and Denmark. It’s British Racing Green Cross Lanes told me that her father, who lives paintwork is always gleaming due to the t.l.c. in Ireland, is the proud owner of two Austin lavished on it by Roger and Jennifer, and it Sevens-one of which is a 1928 ‘Chummy’ certainly isn’t a car that just sits in the garage model. looking pretty, as it is always the star of MG car Wasn’t that a most suitable name for Herbert club events here and abroad. Austin’s ‘baby’? The name, and that famous MG octagonal Yes, many names have disappeared, but M.G. badge still lives on, though now MG Motor has certainly hasn’t, and who will ever forget the Chinese owners. Their latest offering from the ‘T’ Series Midgets- TA and TB before WW2, Longbridge plant is the MG3 supermini, which, then a slightly revamped TC post war, followed in 1.5 litre form costs £9,549, and has received by the TD (which infuriated the enthusiasts the nod of approval from several prestigious by having easy clean wheels instead of the motoring magazines, but I wonder what the traditional wire wheels) and then the TF with real enthusiasts of the M.G. Car Club think the sloping bonnet, before streamlining took about it, because their opinion is what really over in the form of the MGA. Perhaps you matters! remember me writing in 2011 about a very rare and rather special MG owned by Roger May I wish you all a Happy New Year. and Jennifer Glover of Bangor-on-Dee? It TERRY DAVIES. 16
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Come and join us throughout January and February for our Winter Menu “fresh, local & seasonal” Menus online…hake, lamb, duck, chicken, lobster! Or why not have lunch with us and we’ll throw in a complimentary glass of Prosecco or a complimentary bottle of Wrexham’s finest lager (yes, that one!) on the house (reasonable terms apply; one free drink per lunchtime diner throughout January and February – not including Sundays. Just bring a copy of this advert!)
Here’s to a great 2014 - iechyd da!
Machine House Restaurant Chester Road, Rossett LL12 0HW
01244 571678
www.machinehouse.co.uk
TUESDAY 25TH FEB 2014
Stiwt Family Festival
We are so excited to be throwing the very first Stiwt Theatre Family Festival in February Half Term. The festival will be jam packed with a variety of events and shows that cater to everyone in your family. We will also be running different workshops during the week, including a theatre technical workshop, perfect if your little ones are eager to learn all that goes on back stage and behind the scenes of a theatre production show. The festival guarantees family fun for everyone.
The All Star Welsh Wrestling Live: We are kicking things off, quite literally too, with the Welsh All Star Wrestling. Featuring International Superstar Wrestlers, confirmed stars include Kade Callous, Iestyn Rees, former WWE Superstar and 2013 Welsh Heavyweight Champion Stevie Star and the Mexican masked sensation Magico, who will all be battling it out in a night filled with mayhem and madness. Event Information: TICKETS: £10 Adults (£8 Concession) or £30 Family (2 Adults, 2 Children)
WEDNESDAY 26TH FEB 2014
Tudur Owen alongside Cwmni Rhos Uffen: We are proud to present a night with Comedian and S4c talk show host TUDUR OWEN. Come and join Tudur as he performs brand new unseen comedy material live. Event Information TICKETS: £12 Adults (£10 Concession)
SATURDAY 1ST MAR 2014
Rhos Male Voice Choir: Celebrate St David’s Day with the all-male voice choir as they perform a collection of choral classics at their annual St David’s Day Concert. Event Information: TICKETS: £10 Adults (£8 Concession)
MONDAY 3RD MAR 2014
The D Day Darlings: We are proud to welcomethe D Day Darlings in the closing act of the Family Festival. Come be a part of this vibrant wartime inspired concert. Join the D Day Darlings as they perform a number of wartime hits including ‘We’ll Meet Again’, ‘Run Rabbit Run’ and ‘I’ll Be Seeing You A Lot’ and many more other classic songs. Event Information: TICKETS: £5 (Free bus transport)
WWW.STIWT.COM
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Tax crackdown for second-hand motor trade industry in Powys and Wrexham
Tax cheats in the second-hand motor trade in Powys and Wrexham are being targeted as part of the next wave of taskforces launched today by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
HMRC has collected more than £90 million as a result of taskforces launched since 2011-12. It expects to bring in over £90 million per year from taskforces launched over the next three years.
The taskforce will focus on the West Midlands, East of England, the South West, the North West and Wales, and is expected to recover more than £3 million.
HMRC’s Jennie Granger, Director General of Enforcement and Compliance, said:
Taskforces are specialist teams that undertake intensive bursts of activity in specific high-risk trade sectors and locations in the UK. The teams visit traders to examine their records and carry out other investigations.
“HMRC taskforces are deployed in sectors and areas where we've detected a high risk of tax evasion. If you have declared all your income, you have nothing to worry about. But, if you haven't, we will find you, investigate you and not only could you face a heavy fine, but a criminal prosecution as well.”
Other taskforces being launched today to tackle A Memorandum of Understanding with the tax evasion will target: Security Industry Authority was signed with HMRC · the private security industry in London, which is on 9 September to strengthen the exchange of information between both organisations. This expected to recover £10 million; will help prevent, detect and prosecute criminal · the construction industry in London – set to activity and ensure that everyone pays their fair bring in £3 million; and share of tax. · hidden wealth in the Midlands – including people If you know anyone who is evading their taxes, you with offshore accounts and those living lifestyles can tell HMRC by calling the Tax Evasion Hotline beyond their obvious means through assets from on 0800 788 887. undeclared income. This will recover over £3 HMRC is currently running the second stage of million. its evasion publicity campaign through a series David Gauke, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, of targeted advertisements, including radio said: advertising and over 3,000 billboards in public “We are determined to support hardworking areas. The campaign works alongside existing people who want to get on, but the people being compliance activity such as data collection, targeted by these taskforces have no intention of taskforces and enforcement to raise awareness playing by the rules. This Government has made it among those breaking the rules that HMRC is clear that we will not tolerate tax evasion and we closing in on undeclared income. have provided HMRC with the resources to crack down on those who break the rules.
• bespoke kitchens • bathrooms & bedrooms • fine joinery 01244 579287 I 07802 624 820 www.holtcabinets.co.uk
Halkyn Terrace, Rossett LL12 0HP
free consultation with this advert
Loft & barn conversions Roofing • Pointing • Walling Stonework • Decking • Repairs UPVC Windows doors facias & sofits Mini digger & driver
t: 01978 228107 m: 07968 237086 w: www.chbuildersltd.co.uk e: craig.williams@chbuildersltd.co.uk
Michael Edwards Marford Councillor
Planning Application P/2012/0830 An appeal against the refusal of planning permission for a retail uniton the Red Lion car parkhas finally been received. The latest date for representations to be made to the Planning Inspector is 22nd January. The Appeal will probably be heard in March. Marford Community Centre
not booked at a previous meeting, you must The hall is now looking much smarter after ring Beryl Blackmore on 01978 855691. the improvements and painting. Outside, Street lights etc. by the main road, Mypag volunteers have While the lights in Wynnstay Lane, planted more daffodil bulbs supplied by Meadows View etc. were working again Wrexham Council. We look forward to the over Christmas, parts of Stancliffe Avenue new group MCC taking over the Centre this and Hillock Lane have had to wait for their year. repairs after a falling tree affected the power Maes Y Pant supply. Problems caused by high winds seem The leaflet launchingthe “Friends of Maes-y- to hit us quite often at present! But please Pant� has been distributed.More people are keep the Council informed of lighting and turning up to help on volunteer days which other road problems using the website, or continue at 10am on Jan 22nd and Feb 2nd, telephoning the Contact Centre in Lord St 12th, 16th, 26th on 01978 298989. Rofft School Wrexham to Chester Railway Service The resurfacing of Pant Lane was completed before Christmas, and we can look forward Finally I was thoroughly disappointed to to new surfacing at the pedestrian crossing learn that the Wales Government will not near the Red Lion and also where Hayfield spend the money needed to dual the track. Without this work it will not be possible to Drive meets Hillock Lane. increase the service and ever more people Marford and Gresford Luncheon Club will be forced to use our roads. The New Year meetings of the Luncheon Clubwill be heldon 14th& 28th January Please continue to contact me with and then on 11th February & 4th March at news and suggestions; I look forward to 12.30pm at Marford Community Centre.If hearing from you.
michael.edwards@wrexham .gov.uk
01978 854 992 22
Orlando 2014 2 amazing offers.. Virgin Atlantic Sale!
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Valid throughout 2014 for bookings made by 31st March 2014.
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Celebrating 50 years in travel
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Delmar World act as agents for ATOL protected tour operators. Members of ABTA.
Gresford Methodist Church Hall
We were pleased to complete the work on our church hall in time for Christmas 2013. During the autumn improvements have been made to bring the hall into the 21st century. The original hall was built in the middle of the previous century, and although always well maintained it needed a major update.
in the hall itself. We are the only hall in the area to have a stage where we have staged entertainment in the past and hope to do so in the future.
We owe a great debt of gratitude to all who gave generously of their time and energy to bring this to fruition, and we look forward to Members of the congregation together with the hall being of use to the local community professional workers installed a new ceiling as well as the church members for many years with improved lighting, decorating the kitchen, to come. toilets, entrance lobby, and restyling the decor Gill Tanner
Specialists in the design, manufacture and installation of bespoke, insulated garden buildings, both traditional and contemporary Covered outdoor structures for outdoor kitchen and dining including our wood-fired ovens www.aarco.co.uk • noella@aarco.co.uk Advert 01_Layout 1 21/11/2013 10:44 Page 1
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West Highland Ramblings
A Diary of Douglas the Westie
As I write this article on Christmas Day, I am sitting in my private suite at a luxury hotel in North Wales, better known as Ewloe Boarding Kennels. I will have to have stern words with Himself when and if he gets around to collecting me. I need to remind him of the well known saying “ A dog is for Christmas as well as for life”. Ah well, the girls who tend to my every need are very nice and I have been making loads of new friends. Of course, I was immediately identified as a celebrated author and they are all trying to get my attention. My neighbour is a very interesting character, a cross between a West Highland and a Scottie. I call him a Wottie; he’s the sort of dog that you see on the label of that well know whisky, looking just as they do after sampling a wee dram or three. Talking of a wee dram or three, I will be at home for Hogmanay. Well, when I say home I mean in Wales. I had been dropping hints that Edinburgh might be more appropriate, or better still the banks of the Douglas River at Fort William. Ah well, at least Himself has left me some travel leaflets to read whilst 26
I idle the hours away in my suite. I am busy planning my annual Scottish tour. You will recall that this year my visits to various stately homes were then immediately followed by a certain Corgi owner. I am of course checking with the Palace to ensure that there is no clash of itinerary for 2014. I must admit to being somewhat surprised not to have received a letter advising me that my services to literature have, at long last, been recognised. The letter of course might be waiting for me when I return home. If it is, I will need to consider very carefully whether it is of an appropriate level for such a refined Scottish Gentleman; after all, the standards of the Clan Douglas have to be maintained. I have to end my 2013 writings with some very sad news. My dearest friend Kira has gone to the doggy kennel in the sky. We are all devastated; she was such a dear friend. Her passing came soon after that of Timmy Fonts from across the road, so sadly I am the last remaining terrier on Stonewalls. So here’s hoping we all have a happier 2014. Och aye the noo. Douglas
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Tales of France...
Bonjour! Escape to the Country, A Place in the Sun, Wanted Down Under, how so many of us are drawn to daytime TV escapism! So much so, I do confess, that in 2002 I, like so many others, ventured across La Manche (The English Channel) to live the French dream…. Bienvenue a chez moi!….over the past eleven years I have witnessed the funniest and most bizarre happenings of real French country living, from French peasant neighbours’ antics which will make you blush, to the British family arriving with their worldly goods stacked in horse box two days late for their meeting with the French estate agent…..why? All will be revealed over the up and coming months here in Essentiallyours. I would like to share many anecdotal experiences with you. Some will raise an eyebrow, cause a titter, inspire a new recipe, and some of my tales might make you reach for the ferry schedule and venture over yourself.
Alors! I shall begin with how it all started…. An avid fan of A Place in the Sun, good ole’ Amanda Lamb tempted and teased daily with snippets of the French countryside, opening up regions less known to holiday makers from the UK. France bordered by both the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, is the largest country in Western Europe, almost double the size of the UK yet with a similar population.This therefore presented a very large map! If I were to escape, where might I head for? During those well loved by children yet dreaded 8 weeks summer holidays for parents, we would hook up the family caravan and off we would go driving through France toward our destination in northern Spain. So many places to choose from! I fondly recall my Father packing with excitement his French language tapes from Linguaphone. Tapes! A little hint of my age. Mum nervous as the map reader, this needing no more mention other than that dread I am sure we have all endured being charged with directions! “Écouter et repeater”, my sister
and I would laugh at our Father repeating allowed, in French, of sorts. This is when my French dream was planted so how did it come to fruition?.... Did I want a city pied de terre, coastal cottage or remote dwelling set in roaming countryside? A really useful guide was a good purchase, David Hampshire writes many a good read on living and working in France and it was a perfect recommendation. Accompanied by suitable aired Burgundy I indulged. Metropolitan France is made up of 96 Departments with varying geographies. To be frank it was a process of elimination. The likes of the delightful Paris, Provence in the south and skiers heaven in the mountains all far too expensive, and for me the northern regions were just too close to the UK. I wanted real France. Having narrowed down the search therefore I then thought practically and researched flight schedules. Little point in being far removed from transport networks given my family and friends all reside throughout the UK. Mr Hampshire had spoken highly of Limoges, renowned for its fine porcelain. And, there is an airport! Immediately I booked a flight, never could I have imagined the adventures ahead‌‌.until next time!
Fait français Rossett is twinned with Theix, a commune in the Morbihan department of Brittany in the north west of France. An interesting building in Theix being the chapel Notre-Dame-la-Blanche, built in 1239 for Sevestre de Salarum. The chapel home to a stone pieta dated from the 16th century and an ex-voto (a votive offering to a saint or to a divinity, given in fulfilment of a vow) dated 1690 recalling how Jean Pichon was saved from a watermill wheel.
Ladies’ Evening, Gresford Just back from Nepal, Adele Pennington, motivational speaker and mountaineer was the guest speaker at the recent Ladies’ Evening held at Gresford Memorial Hall. Adele is an experienced mountaineer, instructor and guide who held everyone’s attention with stories of her mountaineering experiences; she is the first British woman to have climbed Everest (twice). Both entertaining and inspirational, Adele conveyed her lifelong passion for the raw beauty of mountains as well as the inherent dangers. She was accompanied for the
evening by her well-travelled, but very small companion, Ted the mountaineering bear. Glenys Davies and friends organise this annual event as a ladies’ alternative to Sportsmen’s Evenings. With a speaker, good food and music to entertain, the event was once again a success and £800.00 was raised for charity on the night, which will go to Hope House Hospice, Gresford Guides, and CHICS. Thank you Adele, Glenys and friends for a memorable evening. Keep an eye out for news of the 2014 Ladies’ Evening.
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Halkyn Terrace, Rossett LL12 0HP
Andrew Bailey
COUNTY COUNCILLOR FOR GRESFORD
Gresford Library May I thank everyone who has contacted me concerning the future of Gresford Library. I have set a meeting in Gresford Memorial Hall on January 29th 2014 to start at 7.30pm. Hugh Jones, as relevant lead member and Dylan Hughes, the Chief Libraries Officer, should be in attendance. The meeting will gauge the degree of community support for the library, so please spread the word with your friends, groups and networks.We also intend to look at location and whether the general community can have a greater role in their Library. Credit Union You could almost hear Jill’s shriek of despair in her editorial relating to the “fallen Banking idol” and the travails of the Co-op Bank. On a more modest level (but possibly more creditable) I was pleased to note that Christmas savings in Welsh Credit Unions topped the £1m mark for the first time in 2013. Credit Unions are community owned and controlled financial cooperatives where you can save for a modest dividend, and loans are given if judged to be affordable. The local office is 51 King Street, Wrexham, just by the bus station, or they can be contacted at www.northwalescu.co.uk or 01745 361274. Traffic Calming measures As a fellow governor, I welcome the efforts Councillor Hugh Jones is making to secure speed restriction measures at Darland High School. To the naysayers who prefer to cut a few minutes off their journey, all I can say is “do you know you are much more likely to kill or maim someone at 30mph+ than you are at 20mph?” Red Lion Planning. This has now gone to an appeal and Councillor Edwards and I will inform you as soon as we know the precise form this will take. Whilst 32
_____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________
Contact details
_____________________________ _____________________________ Woodvale Pant Lane
_____________________________ Gresford Wrexham LL12 8EU _____________________________ e-mail
Andrew.bailey@wrexham.gov.uk _____________________________
Tel 01978 855144 rumours abound, it is important to note the appeal is on the plans considered at committee on 3rd June 2013 (P/2012/0830) and the reasons for refusal. The report can be found in the committee section of the Wrexham Council website. A thank you May I offer a thank you to all who braved the elements for our community carol singing in Gresford around the Christmas tree. Special thanks to the Reverend Rudden and the wassailers (sorry musicians) who led our efforts. Also thanks to the Spar store for the sweets and mince pies; the surplus was donated to the Salvation Army, inspired by Patrick Rudden’s thoughts.
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gardening TOP OF THE LIST THIS MONTH Prune gooseberries and red and white currants. Aim to keep the centre of the bush open, with strong branches. Prune unproductive stems back to younger, more vigorous shoots. Remove weak growth and low horizontal branches that would easily bend to soil level under the weight of the crop. Remove about a third of the oldest stems of blackcurrants close to ground level. This will encourage productive new growth from the base. Store your seeds in a cool, dry place. Collected seeds and open packets (inset) are best stored in airtight containers. It can be helpful to use those moisture-absorbing sachets of silica that often come with mail order deliveries. Take stock of your vegetable seeds and check the sow-by dates. Some, such as lettuce and especially parsnips, deteriorate quickly and it is best to buy fresh seed every year. Order mail order herbaceous perennials in good time. This is a most economical way of buying choice plants, but the season ends in spring and demand can be high for the best plants. Next month is peak mulching time. Do this after any fertiliser applications to trees, shrubs and climbers. Order mulch material
and fertiliser now – if you shop around you can make significant savings. Christmas houseplants can bring vine weevil, mealybugs, leafhoppers, whitefly and other pests – examine these plants closely and treat as required. Take root cuttings of perennials of oriental poppies (Papaver orientale), verbascum, phlox, acanthus and eryngium. Check stakes of newly planted trees to ensure that high winds have not loosened the soil around the rootball. Adjust the tie or stake and firm the soil. Now would be good time to send garden machinery for servicing and tools for sharpening, to avoid the spring rush. Encourage amaryllis to reflower - Their striking, blowsy flowers make amaryllis (correct name Hippeastrum) a popular Christmas present. Given the right care, the bulb will charm you with its flowers year after year. After the plant has flowered don’t cut off the leaves, but continue watering, feed weekly with a balanced liquid fertiliser and keep in good light indoors. You can move the pot outside during the summer, but protect from sun scorch, slugs and snails. Take care not to overwater: this can cause rotting of the roots and the base of the bulb.
A Happy and Healthy New Year to all out clients and their pets from us all
Remember we are open every weekend for all the routine stiff and the urgent stuff if you need us: Saturday 8.30 -6.30pm Sunday 10 -4 pm With no extra silly charges just because it is a weekend!
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• Business Accounts and Taxation • Self Assessment Tax Returns • Bookkeeping, VAT and Payroll • Construction Industry Scheme • Business Start Ups • Fees Fixed in advance • Meetings at home or your business premises Call Shona Hambleton for a free initial discussion without obligation on
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Check out our Facebook page and Twitter profile. Online editions of the magazine and up to date news.
Why not come and visit the excellent facilities & meet the Spinney Team?
You work, while they play Conveniently located on the Bell Meadow Park, near Pulford, The Spinney Bell Meadow Nursery offers the very best in early years nursery care with a true family ethos. • High quality, flexible childcare • Excellent facilities, incorporating a great outdoor space • Before, After-school and Holiday Clubs including The Spinney Adventurers Club • Drop offs arranged at either the Hoole or Bell Meadow Nurseries
Arrange to visit us today! Call Louise or Sarah on
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The Family Law Department atThe Thomas Andrews and Department Partners has a good Family Law reputation having runand very successfully for the at Thomas Andrews Partners has a good lastreputation 30 years and is based on experience and having run very successfully for the our approachability clients. We believe that last 30 years and istobased on experience and ourit is extremely important to build up a good approachability to clients. We believe that it is relationship with our clients our motto is extremely important to build up aand good relationship
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Advertising Feature
ETHICAL INVESTMENTS NEW YEAR - NEW RESOLUTIONS
The week of the 13th to the 19th October
By time you readUKthisSustainable article, wasthe promoted by the Christmas will be over and New Year Investment Finance Association as National resolutions in full swing. find Ethical Investment WeekYou themight aim being ittostrange that this month’s article promote the concept of green will and be about an event that happened in ethical options when it comes to people’s November, namely the Chancellor’s financial decisions. This has highlighted the autumn However, the effect growingstatement. awareness of Socially Responsible ofInvestments his actions (SRI) will start to be felt in thein amongst people next few months and where there was general and the growth of SRI or ethical bad news it gives you until April to try Funds. and do something about it. One of the main providers of ethical One of the main announcements was Investments in the UK are Aberdeen the introduction of awho transferable Asset Management has overtax 20 allowance for married couples ethical from years’ experience in running April A basic or funds 2015. and have builtrate up taxpayer a substantial non-taxpayer canin this transfer £1,000 research capability area. They also ofconsult their external allowance to their and spouses, researchers Nonpotentially saving £200 of tax. People governmental organisations to keep up to who are developments in a position to field. use the date with in this allowance will need to plan carefully Their objective is to avoid investing in incountries, the future to ensure don’twhose lose companies or they industries this importantoffend benefit.against generally businesses Not so good wascriteria. the announcement accepted ethical Amongst the that from April 2014, of a change in companies that will be avoided on ethical the calculations of capital gains tax on grounds are ones that are involved in what private residence alcoholis orknown tobaccoasproduction or involved relief. Currently there is no capital in gambling and pornography. In addition gains tax on profits made in the salein they will avoid companies involved ofintensive your main residence for the period farming and product testing on you live Companies in the property, and facilities for a animals. where their period three years afterdo moving out. in the ofdeveloping world not meet
On the positive side they would specifically
From April this period will be reduced be looking to invest in companies that to eighteen months. have a positive approach to environmental This is especially important where issues and sustainable resources and with someone moves house but can’t sell a high level of openness on all aspects of their old property and decides to rent theirold business activities. the one until the market improves. thatposition recognise IfCompanies you are in this and youtheir are responsibility have positive able to push atosale before Aprilimpacts 5th, it and well adoptbesocially responsible business may worthwhile doing so. practiceschanges can make include a significant Other thecontribution personal to society. In today’s rapidly to changing global tax allowance increasing £10,000, as economy, there is growing evidence that expected. The allowances for people aged 65 andto over have not however, responding stakeholder expectations increased, which is a step towards and anticipating and managing social the and abolition of these allowances in future. environmental concerns contributes to In other measures he also announced long-term success. Companies operating that futuretowards the state pension age will with in integrity their employees, the be driven by the principle that people community and the environment will enjoy should expect to spend uplong to run a third comparative advantage in the of their adult life in retirement. As the Ethical investments account for £8.6b average life expectancy increases, this of investments as at the end of August implies that by the mid-2030s state 2013 (source Investment Management pension will start at age 68 and to 69 Association) but this represents only 1.25% by the late 2040s. A good reason to of total funds under management which plan ahead and not be reliant on the is the pension. same as in 2012 so whilst there is state more interest in socially issues If you would like a copyresponsible of the highlights this is still to work its way to mainstream of the autumn statement by post or investments. email, or wish to know more please If you are in knowing more contact ourinterested office about ethical investments or the criteria
internationally recognised standards on The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the employment and safety would also be used by Aberdeen on behalf of St. James’s performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise.You may get back avoided. Place please contact us for a factsheet. less than the amount invested. The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the are fall dependent on You individual funds selected and and may as well as rise. may get circumstances. back less than the amount invested. Contributed by Warren Hadlow & Medwyn Edwards, Hadlow Edwards Wealth Management Limited. Telephone: 0800 652 8175 – e-mail hadlow.edwards@sjpp.co.uk Hadlow Edwards Wealth Management Limited represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products
At Hadlow Edwards we offer a distinctive approach to our clients and their financial affairs. You get all the benefits of personal attention and years of experience, from an approachable, friendly team of professionals. We take care of the details and take away the frustration of financial planning.
• • • • •
Investment Planning Retirement Plans Insurance Tax Mortgages
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
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Telephone: 0800 652 8175 Fax: 01978 311 633
email: hadlow.edwards@sjpp.co.uk • web: www.hadlowedwards.co.uk
robbieburns Born in Alloway, Ayrshire, in 1759 to William Burness, a poor tenant farmer, and Agnes Broun, Robert Burns was the eldest of seven. He spent his youth working his father’s farm, but in spite of his poverty he was extremely well read - at the insistence of his father, who employed a tutor for Robert and younger brother Gilbert. At 15 Robert was the principal worker on the farm and this prompted him to start writing in an attempt to find “some kind of counterpoise for his circumstances.” It was at this tender age that Burns penned his first verse, “My Handsome Nell”, which was an ode to the other subjects that dominated his life, namely scotch and women. When his father died in 1784, Robert and his brother became partners in the farm. However, Robert was more interested in the romantic nature of poetry than the arduous graft of ploughing and, having had some misadventures with the ladies (resulting in several illegitimate children, including twins to the woman who would become his wife, Jean Armour), he planned to escape to the safer, sunnier climes of the West Indies. But, at the point of abandoning farming, his first collection “Poems- Chiefly
in the Scottish Dialect Kilmarnock Edition”, was published and received much critical acclaim. In a matter of weeks he was transformed from local hero to a national celebrity, fussed over by the Edinburgh literati of the day, and Jean Armour’s father allowed her to marry him, now that he was no longer a lowly wordsmith. Alas, the trappings of fame did not bring fortune and he took up a job as an exciseman to supplement the meagre income. The last years of Burns’ life were devoted to penning great poetic masterpieces such as The Lea Rig, Tam O’Shanter and a Red, Red Rose. He died aged 37 of heart disease exacerbated by the hard manual work he undertook when he was young. His death occurred on the same day as his wife Jean gave birth to his last son, Maxwell. On the day of his burial more than 10,000 people came to watch and pay their respects. However, his popularity then was nothing compared to the heights it has reached since. On the anniversary of his birth, 25th January - Scots both at home and abroad celebrate Robert Burns with a supper, where they address the haggis, the ladies and whisky. A celebration which would undoubtedly make him proud.
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divorcemyths Myth: If a spouse has behaved badly or has had an affair, this will have an effect on how the family finances will be divided. Fact: Only in rare and extreme cases will a spouse’s marital behaviour affect the division of assets. In most cases it has no bearing on the court’s decisions. Myth: Long-term cohabiting couples have the same rights as married couples when they separate. Fact: Legally speaking, a cohabiting couple are treated very differently from a couple who are either married or in a civil partnership. Unlike married couples, partners in a cohabiting couple cannot bring claims against each other for assets such as property or maintenance payments. Myth: Pre-nuptial agreements in England and Wales are not worth the paper they are written on. Fact: Historically, pre-nups in England and Wales may have been persuasive in helping the court make a final decision regarding a financial settlement. Nevertheless, the court could also disregard the pre-nup if it considered the agreement to be unfair. This has led to the common view that pre-nups in England and Wales are rarely binding. However, a high profile case in 2010
(Radmacher v Granatino) which ultimately went to the Supreme Court, may now mean pre-nups have more weight. The Supreme Court highlighted that if the pre-nup was entered into under certain circumstances, it could indeed be considered fair. These circumstances included both parties entering into the agreement freely and that both parties also understood that the agreement was legally binding. That said, pre-nups are no more legally binding than they were prior to the Radmacher case, but they do have the potential to be more influential under the right circumstances. Myth: It is possible to get a ‘quickie divorce’ and be divorced in a few weeks. Fact: No matter what the media may report about ‘quickie divorces’ in England and Wales, for most people they do not exist. Typically the divorce process will take several months, with a required six week gap between the Decree Nisi and Decree Absolute before the divorce is formalised. Outside of the UK, there are some countries which allow speedier divorces, but the couple would need to have ties with one of those jurisdictions in order to get divorced abroad.
CHESTER WREXHAM
01244 470147 We Love the Jobs Most Plumbers 01978 824550 Don’t Want!!! SMALL JOBS & EMERGENCIES
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web: www.tonyvwilliams.co.uk • email: tony@tonyvwilliams.co.uk
H e a l i ng t h e Body & M i n d w i t h Hom e opat h y When it comes to looking after yourself and your family it is important that you make the right choices. Homeopathy is holistic and works by stimulating the body’s own healing abilities. Homeopathic remedies are safe to use alongside conventional medicine. Homeopathy aims to target the underlying cause of symptoms and to improve the general health of the patient Homeopathic remedies are made from natural sources and can be used alongside conventional medicine. They are safe for everyone in all age groups including babies and pregnant women. Homeopathy is evidence based and has been around for more than 200 years. It has received the patronage of the British Royal Family since the 19th century. It is one of five complementary therapies recognised by the House of Lords in 2000.
Common problems that may respond to homeopathic treatment include: ■ Skin disorders ■ Joint problems ■ Digestive disorders ■ Stress and emotional problems ■ Hormonal disorders ■ Respiratory complaints ■ Childhood illnesses I run a regular clinic in central Wrexham, please see website for further details or call Carol Lloyd on 01978 257031. Carol Lloyd BSc (Hons) Homeopathy, MSc, LFHom, LCHE, RSHom.
www.keynotehealth.com
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Dear Hugh Jones I have seen reports in the press of a proposal to close Gresford Library and the recommendation for the closure will be made to the executive committee by you as Lead Member for the council. As councillor for Rossett you will be aware that Gresford Library is used by people from Rossett, Burton, Holt and Farndon as well as residents of Gresford and Marford. I find it difficult to believe that the closure of a facility used by residents of such a wide and diverse rural area including your own electors can be recommended as being the maintenance of a valuable service to so many people in such difficult times. Regards - J. Troth Thank you for your letter - I fully accept the important role that libraries play in our communities. Clearly no one would willingly choose to close a library. The reality is that we are faced with having to find in the region of ÂŁ50 million pounds worth of cuts. This follows on from the ÂŁ18 million we have cut in recent years. Having started at the top reducing senior staff, we are now working through all levels of staff and sadly onto front line services. The library budget has to take its share of the cuts, particularly when we are struggling to support the most vulnerable people in our society. An increasingly ageing population combined with cuts in health service budgets has placed an increasing burden on local authorities. You can be assured that we are looking at every alternative, including a library and arts trust. If, and I do say if, Greaford closes, residents would still have a library service that meets the Welsh Government library standards with the provision in Llay. If the community of Gresford were to offer a solution that would save the necessary funding I am happy to consider it. Regards - Hugh Jones
ESTABLISHED 1948
MoreMore than just electricians than just electricians
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• Suites • Carpets • Karndean • Vinyl • Bedroom & Dining Furniture • Beds • Lift/Rise Recliners • Nursery Furniture
Our highly skilled team specialise in the following areas Our highly skilled trades team specialise in the following areas: Electrical Installation & Maintenance ElectricalTesting Installation & & Maintenance Electrical Inspection Electrical Testing & Inspection Oil & Gas Heating& & General General Plumbing Oil & Gas Heating Plumbing Fire Alarm & Emergency Lighting Installations & Inspections Fire Alarm & Emergency Lighting Installations & Inspections Security Alarm Installations Building Maintenance Security AlarmTelecommunications Installations Building &• Data NetworkingMaintenance Satellite & Aerial Installations Telecommunications & Data Networking Renewable Energy Satellite & Aerial Installations • Renewable Energy
01948 820200
CLIFFORD HOUSE - HAMPTON HEATH - MALPAS - CHESHIRE - SY14 8LU 01948820200 01948820232 www.barlows-electrical.com
www.barlows-electrical.com CLIFFORD HOUSE, HAMPTON HEATH, MALPAS SY14 8LU
Decorating?
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30 YEARS IN BUSINESS Extensive ranges in beautiful kitchen, bedroom and office furniture.
All manufactured and installed by our own highly skilled craftsmen. Free no pressure, no obligation consultations with Jane, our lady proprietor. Superb Value For Money
Tel: 01978 265381 Mobile: 07802 606352 www.reflections-wrexham.co.uk
Reflections, Unit 2, Fairfield, Barkers Lane, Borras LL13 9TP Showroom open Monday - Friday 9am - 4.30pm with evenings and weekends by appointment.
Contact Phil Bowen and leave time for what you want to do All work guaranteed clean reliable no job too small Tel: 01978 855399 Mob: 07944 738330 20 Orchard View, Gresford
yourmoney
Bob Dylan once wrote “Money doesn’t talk, it swears,”. Getting control over your finances will provide a passport to a speedy, stress-free year. However, gaining control is easier said than done. We’ve all seen the figures marking the increasing level of UK consumer indebtedness over the past year. When outgoings exceed income, debt is the only outcome. A survey earlier this year found that one in five people in the 18-29 age bracket is permanently overdrawn and one in three uses their overdraft to finance other debt. Every year the banks hoover up at least £40 million in penalty charges incurred by customers who breach current account and overdraft rules. But you don’t have to be a victim; instead take a few simple steps to minimise and eventually eradicate your overdraft and increase the amount of money you have ‘left’ each month. 1: ANALYSE YOUR EXPENDITURE Leaving aside the large monthly direct debits and standing orders, where can you make savings on the small stuff? Check bank statements to ensure you’re not still funding
long forgotten causes (eg associations, charities, societies) or subscribing to facilities you have ceased to use, such as gym memberships. 2: ITEMISE WEEKLY OUTGOINGS Note down every purchase you make - no matter how small. Budget food and drink at a sensible level. For instance, do you need a smoothie every day as part of your government-approved five portions of fruit and veg? A fresh apple or carrot would be a lot cheaper. Establish a weekly limit for such expenditure and pay with cash so that you can see the money disappearing. It is simple common sense; if you haven’t got the pure hard cash then you can’t spend it. 3: CREDIT AND STORE CARDS Read the small print, do the sums and understand the dangers of compound interest. If possible, switch your balances to a 0% interest deal, but note the increasing prevalence of upfront balance transfer fees and other conditions. Try to always make more than the monthly minimum repayment. Consider that a £1,000 balance at an APR of 14.9% would take 19 years and seven months to clear and cost £1,116 in interest if paid back at the minimum 2% level. Paying back at 3% each month brings the time down to 11 years and seven months, and the interest paid to £545.
King’s. The top performing school in the Chester area. Entrance Exams at King’s open the door to excellence, for girls and boys at both Senior and Junior levels. Our Senior School, for children aged 11-18, produced the top performance in the area at A level and ranked second top co-ed school in the North in 2013. The success of our girls, in fact, rivals the top performing schools in the UK. Virtually all Senior students go on to university, with over 78% of leavers studying at ‘The Times Top 30’ universities and 83 Oxbridge offers in the last 10 years. King’s Junior School offers 7-11 year olds an inspiring education within a separate self-contained school. Its caring and supportive environment encourages your child to flourish in small classes and become, as described by the last inspection, ‘happy learners’.
Strong academic foundations at both Junior and Senior Schools are overlaid with excellent drama, music and sporting facilities and over 130 clubs and activities. This year’s new developments include a Learning Centre for Juniors encompassing a Science Lab, Art studio and Computer and Design Technology workshop, an extension of the Senior’s international GCSEs programme and new enrichment subjects such as Arabic and Anthropology.
Senior Entrance Exam: Friday 24th January: Senior Year 7
Junior School Assessment Days: Saturday 11th January: Junior Year 3 Friday 24th January: Junior Years 4, 5 & 6 Please note: Financial help is available for Senior School, dependent on parental income.
For more details, call:
01244 689553 quoting ‘2014 Exam’ email: admissions@kingschester.co.uk www.kingschester.co.uk
Colour their lives forever...
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Dear Jill, It would seem that my letter that you published in the November edition of Essentiallyours, regarding speed reducing measures, really has stirred up Mr Godbold and his friends - great! These people need to be confronted because this issue, like most things in life, are best addressed when a balanced, common sense and proportional response is taken. It is unfortunate that Mr Godbold has decided to primarily make it a personal attack on me, although this is hardly surprising as he has absolutely no evidence to support the proposal to reduce speed outside Darland School, to 20mph (no incidents or accidents etc.). It is quite ironical that he says I have a patronising approach towards Hugh (which I certainly haven’t) and then proceeds to take patronising to a whole new level! Seriously, if we are to avoid the Old Chester Road becoming akin to the debacle in Kinnerton where the road resemble some sort of army assult course with 12 speeds bumps in the space of 400 yards, we need to stand up against further speed reducing measures. In fact Kinnerton village shows an interesting pattern elsewhere. Welsh village, crazy series of speed bumps, Doddleston, on the Chester side, (also with Junior School) 30mph no bumps. Holt (Wales) insane ’you then me, me then you’ highly dangerous obstacle course on the approach. Farndon, on the other side, far faster road on the approach but a simple 30mph. Kings School Chester, far bigger school than Darland much busier road, 50mph limit (although I think this should be scaled back to 40mph). In all these cases there has never been any incidents recorded over the last10 years. Quite simply these additional measures to slow traffic further are not supported by any local data and only add to our rates bills and the frustration of sensible drivers. Further evidence available at: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/.../20mph-limit-has-not-made-roads-safer.html D. Williams
Hedge Cutting • Ride on Lawn Cutting • Tree Cutting • Patio Construction • All jobs for your garden •
01244 570 220
07769 150 162
• Fencing • Decking • Gates • Paving Groundworks • Flagging • Patio Work Replace your damaged, or old loose fitting fencing panels. Made to measure. All old fencing debris disposed of. Registered waste carrier
CALL STEVE
07720 315 885 • Evenings 01978 823 750
ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS
High quality electrical High quality electrical services in Wrexham services throughout & Chester Wrexham & Chester CLC Electrical Solutions We are based in Wrexham, North Wales and predominately operate within the North West.
Providing a reliable and quality service
We offer both installation and maintenance services and typically tender for all enquiries whether it be a small domestic installation job to more complex commercial projects.
Domestic & Commercial Installations Re-wires • Fire & Security Alarms Garden Power and Lighting Services Include: Solutions L.E.D & Low Energy
We are extremely proud of services to date, meeting customer needs and providing complete satisfaction. Whatever your needs, please be assured that our team of qualified electricians are on hand to provide the right solution. ✔ Domestic, Commercial and Industrial Installations ✔ Re-wires ✔ Periodic Conditional Reports ✔ Fire & Security Alarms ✔ Garden Power and Lighting ✔ L.E.D and Low Energy Solutions and much more...
Call Cameron or Chris on 01978 720605 • 07857 482696 For a free no obligation quotation, please call us today
01978 720605 or 07857482696 / 07801994840
www.clcelectricalsolutions.co.uk www.clcelectricalsolutions.co.uk email: clc.electrical@gmail.com
Providing a reliable quality service to both the domestic and commercial market
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Cutting Edge Landscapes Scarifying & Aerating • Hedge Cutting Fencing • Hedge Reduction • Turfing Trees and Shrubs Shaping Garden tidying • Pruning • Wood Chipper and Operator hire Micro Digger and Operator hire
t: 01978 855 513 m: 07734 532 052
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essential
recipe
Smoky fish & potato layer SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS 455g (1lb) smoked cod, haddock or whiting fillets, skinned and cubed 30g (1oz) butter or margarine 1 Onion, finely chopped 1 Clove garlic, crushed 30g (1oz) flour 300ml (10fl oz) milk 55g (2oz) grated cheese 2 Large courgettes, sliced 680g (1lb 8oz) sweet potatoes or home-grown potatoes, peeled, sliced and par-boiled METHOD Preheat the oven to 200째C/400째F, Gas Mark 6 Melt the butter or margarine in a saucepan. Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, remove from the heat and gradually add the milk. Return to the heat and cook, stirring until the sauce is thickened. Remove from the heat, stir in half the cheese and all the fish. Arrange half the courgettes and potatoes in a layer onto the base of a shallow ovenproof dish. Spoon over the fish mixture. Top with the remaining courgettes and potatoes, sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes and serve with seasonal vegetables.
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LPG for Central Heating 46kg Propane refills from £50.00 inc. VAT Domestic Bulk Propane - 49 pence per litre + VAT (subject to terms & conditions)
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Pulford & Poulton Local History Group Wednesday 19th February “The Royal British Bowmen founded in Wrexham in 1787” Illustrated talk by Mr Bernard Dennis in Pulford Village Hall at 7:30pm Admission: Members £2, non-members £3 More information Hon. Sec. Jenny Nethercott
ROSSETT VILLAGE FESTIVAL 2014
Want to get involved? Want to know more? Come to the Open Meeting on Tuesday 28th January in the Village Hall, Station Road at 7.30pm. We will be in the back room! Everybody is welcome, so come and have your say or just listen. Look forward to seeing there. Any questions, phone Barbara on 571557
01244 571040
USED STAMP APPEAL
By saving used postage stamps you can help many charities including these two animal charities by sending them on to PDSA Stamp Appeal PO Box 9191 Wilshaw. Lanarkshire. ML2 OYB Nowzad Dogs PO Box 39. Plymouth. PL2 9AU
scrabble club
CONSERVATORY FURNITURE Wednesdays 7.15pm FOR SALE
Gresford Britishsolid Legion. Excellent condition, one large All welcome. Callmatching 01978 853509 and one smaller sofa's with 2 matching glass top tables from M&S. £475
Contact 07800 843054
Rossett Crime Prevention Evening & Bike Marking Event
Darland High School Sports Hall January 16th 6pm-7pm Please bring along any bikes that you wish to be forensically marked. In attendance will be the North Wales Police community safety team as well as your local PCSO Troy Williams. Though this date may have passed by the time the magazine has been deliverd, please get in touch with Troy to get your cycle marked!
Marford & Gresford Theatre Group 40 tickets reserved for
'The Buddy Holly Story'
at The Empire, Liverpool, Matinee on 15th March Ticket £19 must be paid by January 20th coach fare on the day of £8. Contact Beryl Blackmore on 01978 855 691 or berylouise@hotmail.co.uk as soon as possible.
HEDDLU GOGLEDD CYMRU Gogledd Cymru diogelach
NORTH WALES POLICE A safer North Wales
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PROPERTY TO RENT
LOVELY 3 BED DETACHED COTTAGE JOHNSTOWN AREA Stone built. Log burner. 3 double beds and ensuite to master. Gas central heating. Off road parking on driveway. Newly refurbished Contact Richard on
07967 432546 EXPERIENCED TEACHER
TUTOR AS/A2 CHEMISTY Also GCSE Science & Maths I travel to you
Call 01244 674 619
Register now at www.north-wales.police.uk www.BikeRegister.com
WAYSTO PROTECT & REGISTER YOUR BIKETO PREVENTTHEFT Know your bike’s identity
Photograph your bike
Security mark your bike 9 73 7 4 96 58 D21 00 D2 08 BRC
Write down the name, model and frame number in case you need to report this to the police. The above red circles indicate where you might find your frame number.
Enhanced security marks
A picture tells a thousand words! Keep photographs of your bike and take close-up shots of any security markings or distinctive features.
Register your bike
Marking the frame of your bike with a Police Preferred product such as www.bikeregister.com takes seconds,but is a major deterrent for thieves.
Mark your accessories
• SelectaDNA • SelectaDot • RFID
Adding further security marks will make your bike even less attractive to thieves.Look out for the following Police Preferred products: • SelectaDNA • SelectaDot • RFID (Radio frequency ID)
Registering your bike with a Police Preferred national database such as www.bikeregister.com means your bike can be traced from anywhere in the UK.
With Police Preferred products such as SelectaDNA you can also protect valuable accessories such as lights, helmets,quick-release wheels and seats, and locks.
The world is but a canvas to the imagination." - Henry David Thoreau
ry Sharing a story is just one of the ve special moments children have at Rossett House Nursery
www.activechildcare.co.uk