WELCOME, DEAR READER…

Welcometo the latest edition of Shire Magazine, arriving with you just as summer really hots up. Schools and colleges will soon be finishing for the holidays, so at this time of year you need your Shire Magazine more than ever to keep you up to date with everything going on across the patch.

With holidays in mind, one of our indepth features in this issue is all about getting out on the water. We share the o cial guide to our area’s best beaches – congratulations to New Quay’s Traeth Gwyn for winning a coveted Green Coast Award for 2023 – and if you’re keen to try a new and exciting watersport we have the lowdown on local hotspots to dip your toe in.

Our other indepth feature will be music to your ears, especially if you like to sing. We’ve spoken to members of the many choirs on the patch, who confirm the joy of singing together and the very real physical and mental benefits that come with joining a choir. So if you’ve been thinking about signing up, maybe now is the time for your musical debut!

As usual, your favourite magazine is packed with food and drink news and reviews of the best places to eat locally, and we have tips from the wine experts and news from the beer world too. Plus our special homes section shares ideas and style tips on getting the most from your outdoor space this summer. From barbecues to patio heating, paving to seating, we’ll help you create the ultimate entertainment zone at home. This and all your usual favourites inside – so take a seat in the sun and enjoy!

BRAVO!

Put your hands together for the talented choirs on our doorstep. Why not join them?

Inspired by our glorious coast, Shire takes the plunge into the thrilling world of watersports

WHAT’S ON Our local pages are packed with ideas for the summer, from Art to Zoos and everything in between!

Print ISSN 2514-3913

Online ISSN 2514-3921

SHIRE MAGAZINE is published bi-monthly by Superstar Publishing Ltd.

Every e ort is made to ensure that the information and advice contained in these articles is correct and appropriate, but no liability or responsibility for loss or damage to any person acting or refraining from action in reliance on or as a result of anything omitted from such articles can be, or is accepted by, the authors, the publishers, their employees or any other persons connected with Superstar Publishing Ltd. Views expressed by contributors to Shire magazine are not necessarily those of the magazine or of Superstar Publishing Ltd and should be attributed to the authors concerned. Save as expressively permitted by law no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written authority of the Publisher, acting for Shire magazine.

Privacy Policy published online at shiremagazine.co.uk © 2023 Superstar Publishing Ltd, all rights reserved.

Registered Number: 10604188.

1 Tell us about your upcoming events. Just remember that we work in advance, so 1st August is the deadline for events you’d like to feature in our September/October issue.

2 Share your reader stories

Have you got an exciting or extraordinary story to tell? We’d like to feature it in the next issue. Send us an email – and don’t forget to include a picture or two as well.

3We have lots of regulars readers can contribute to:

Reader photos Taken a great shot recently? Email your best e ort and you might get picked! See page 108.

Reader poems Do you like penning the odd line? So do we!

Send us your poems – we’d love to include them on our poetry page. See page 125 for more.

Your pets Is your pet the love of your life? Send a snap, along with their name and anything else you want to tell us. See page 103 for further details. Get social Follow, like and friend us on Facebook and Instagram to be first in line for event updates, competitions and more.

Visit our website online at shiremagazine.co.uk and send submissions and information by email to editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk

TURN TO PAGE 145 for our fantastic subscription

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8 What’s On

Contents

JULY/AUGUST 2023

Our packed events listing covers North and Mid Wales, across Cheshire and the whole of Shropshire. Check out what’s happening where, including all those summer festivals, kids’ holiday activities and fabulous outdoor (and indoor!) events for all ages.

18 Porthmadog

Our first town focus takes us to Porthmadog on the North Wales coast, which has plenty to o er visitors and residents alike.

21 Celebrity

Celebrating seven decades and still on the road – we talk to music legend and ’80s icon Midge Ure after his recent packed show in Llandudno.

48 Aberaeron

Our second local focus explores Aberaeron and the lifestyle and locations that have been attracting people to the town for generations.

51 Reviews

The Shire team has been busy attending local shows and events to bring you our unbiased report.

52 On the water

Get ready to make a splash this summer with our guide to all things wet, wild and waterbased, on coastal and inland waters across the patch.

58 Shire choirs

Tune in and check out the local groups who are winning with their singing, and lifting their voices together to make beautiful music.

63 Holidays

With summer upon us, don’t waste a minute in planning that last-minute getaway – or perhaps you’re considering investing in your own holiday home away from home? We share the pick of the region’s best breaks.

71 Active

There’s no excuse for not getting moving this summer. We have another great walking route from The Ramblers, and we take a peek inside the curious world of timber sports.

72 Food & Drink

We all love our food at Shire and we’re lucky to be surrounded by brilliant farmers, growers and producers, so our food and drink section is packed as always.

83 Homes & Interiors

We’re taking the inside out in this issue, with ideas for the entertaining space of your dreams, plus practical advice from the experts.

98 Gardens

As the garden becomes everyone’s favourite place for the summer we look at growing your own on a miniature scale…

102 Pets & Wildlife

We haven’t forgotten our furry friends! We have updates on local wildlife schemes, more of your adorable pet portraits, and news from nature and animal lovers across the region.

106 Arts & Crafts

We meet a popular Mid Wales group that unites disabled artists, encouraging them to get creative. Plus news of the summer’s exhibitions near you.

110 Health & Beauty

With advice from the experts in health and wellbeing and some more myths busted – this section will keep you looking and feeling your best this season.

112 Fashion

Summer styles for him and her.

116 Schools

The education pages round up the latest news from schools and colleges across the area, keeping you up to date with developments across the sector.

123 20 Questions

We turn the spotlight on the head of a Shropshire charity that champions young people to find purpose and achieve their goals.

124 Books & Poetry

Shire talks to an acclaimed local nature writer as a book of his walks and photographs is published. Plus reading suggestions and some of your best poetry too.

126 Charity

Introducing organisations and individuals who work hard for so many good causes in the area.

130 Retirement

We look at two issues of special interest to our senior readers – the drain on savings and catching the travel bug.

142 Competitions

Fancy your chances of winning some brilliant tickets and prizes? Don’t miss the exclusive competitions in this issue.

146 Letters to the editor

Some of the lovely messages our readers have sent in to Shire over the past two months.