WELCOME, DEAR READER…

Wecan’t believe it’s nearly Christmas! The year has flown by, but the season of cheer is practically upon us and we can’t wait to make the most of it – and help all our readers to do the same. Whether you’re hitting the town with friends, hosting the o ce Christmas party or simply gathering the family for a good old-fashioned knees-up, this special edition of Shire is packed with everything you need for an unforgettable festive season.

For starters, we’ve rounded up the very best local shops and businesses, who are ready to help you find the perfect gifts, tastiest ingredients and most Christmassy experiences! ‘Use it or lose it’ has never been more true in these tricky economic times. Supporting local business is good for our communities, our planet and ultimately all of us – so let’s make it a caring, Shire-ing celebration this year.

For our festive food and drink section, we’ve spoken to so many fabulous producers, artisan bakers, brewers and butchers that your mouth will be watering before you turn the first page! There’s food news, our regular wine column and restaurant reviews too, plus two delectable recipes to try at home.

When we tackled the subject of good bosses in our last issue, we were amazed at the feedback. You loved our feature – so we hope you’ll enjoy meeting more inspirational individuals from across the patch. And all your favourite sections are here too: homes, arts, books, schools, fashion, health, holidays and so much more! Happy reading – and a very Happy Christmas from all of us at Shire!

FOLLOW THE LEADER

The second part of our feature on local business heroes

BRING shiremagazine.co.uk

1

Tell us about your upcoming events. Just remember that we work in advance, so 1st December is the deadline for events you’d like to feature in our January/February 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 it might get featured! See page 105.

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 121 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 107 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

6 What’s On

Contents

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

Our packed events listings cover everywhere from North and Mid Wales, across Cheshire and the whole of Shropshire – check out what’s happening where, including Bonfire Night celebrations and all the festive fun on your doorstep.

41 Shrewsbury

This issue we set out to explore to Shropshire’s county town, birthplace of Charles Darwin and home to one of the country’s biggest flower shows

42 Reviews

The Shire team reports back from local shows and events.

44 Keeping Christmas local It’s definitely beginning to look at lot like Christmas around the Shire patch! Check out our guide to all the wonderful shops, businesses and local producers waiting to make your festive season merry and bright.

53 Food & Drink

Seeing as it is o cially feasting season, we know you’ll want to hear from the region’s top chefs, eateries and producers with their recipes, tips and news. Our food section is packed as always.

63 Holidays

It’s never too soon to think about booking a break for next year – we’ve a round-up of waterways, cottage stays, parks and property companies to give you lots of inspiration.

68 Active

Getting out and keeping active can be harder in the winter –but it’s always worth the e ort. We’ve got a great town walk for you this time as well as some mountain climbing for the more intrepid among you!

70 20 Questions

We turn the spotlight on another TV favourite – a familiar face from hit show Below Deck who’s happiest at home on the North Wales coast in Conwy.

72 Meet the boss

Our feature on the region’s top bosses in the last issue was so popular, we’ve had to bring you a follow-up… Prepare to be inspired by more of the area’s awesome business leaders.

77 Homes & Interiors

Family and friends flocking to your place for the holiday? Make sure it’s ready for guests with our homes and interiors guide, and check out some amazing renovation projects too!

89 Charity Shire meets some of the extraordinary folk going the extra mile – or 360 miles! – to support the organisations that do so much good work across the area.

97 Gardens

Just because the weather has turned doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do outside! And our friends at Reaseheath College have some great ideas for festive decorations too, using natural materials from your plot.

102 Arts & Crafts

A North Wales conservationist shares her new photographic collection, and we visit the 1950s Museum in Denbigh. Plus craft news, exhibitions near you and of course your fabulous photos.

106 Pets & Wildlife

Some heartening news on the Wildlife Trusts’ new recovery programme, a plan for the struggling habitats of the Marches, and some more of your adorable pet pictures.

109 Celebrity Our celebrity interviewee this issue is everyone’s favourite animal hero – TV Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick, who’s on tour this month with his new stage show. Some of you may even have tickets!

110 Health & Beauty

Advice from the experts in health and wellbeing – this section will keep you looking and feeling your best through the party season.

113 Schools

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

120 Books & Poetry

Our books section includes a piece on the local author and Wrexham fan whose fantasy football novel is going global – as well as book reviews, festival news and some of your best poetry too.

124 Retirement

Top tips on how to get the most of your later years in our retirement section.

130 Letters to the editor

It’s over to you! We share some of the lovely post we’ve received from our amazing readers over the past two months.