EssentialsMAG December 2023 – South Wrexham Magazine

December 2023

Your monthly local community magazine

MAG

essentials

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★ Shop local ★ Eat local ★ Spend local ★ Enjoy local ★

www.essentialsmag.co.uk

Christmas lights & decorations

Full range of kids and adult bikes - right up your street!

Please check with stores before driving, some ranges are also available on our website www.coloursupplies.com

1 Mill Street WHITCHURCH Shropshire SY13 1SE

Mount Street Retail Park Mount Street WREXHAM LL13 8DW

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1-3 Caia Road WREXHAM LL13 8DS

Whittington Road OSWESTRY Shropshire SY11 1HZ

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Welcome...

Welcome to our December issue!

January Deadlines: Editorial - 4th December Advertising - 11th December

As the year draws to a close and the festive season approaches, I extend my warmest greetings to our wonderful community.

December is a time for reflection, gratitude, and spreading joy, and I hope this December issue of EssentialsMAG captures the essence of this special time of year.

We’ve got the local area covered!

Delivered by hand to 7,600 homes and businesses more than any other magazine in our area.

Once again at this time of year, I’m urging our readers and customers to do just two things: Please shop local as much as you can. If everyone in our community spent just £5 extra per week with a small local business it would help them to stay open in the long-term.

Look out for our elderly and most vulnerable neighbours, who may find it difficult to get out to the shops or to keep their house adequately heated during the colder months, and just check that they are OK. So, amidst the twinkling lights, let’s reflect on the year gone by and look forward to the promise of new beginnings in 2024. Thank you all again for your support this year. Wishing you all a merry and joy-filled Christmas!

All the best, Vicky Heathfield

Garden Village, Borras, Pandy, Acton, Bangor-on-Dee, Overton, Penley, Hanmer, Marchwiel, Tallarn Green, Cross Lanes, Worthenbury, Pentre Maelor Also available at 25+ pick-up points across the region.

You can also read our magazines online at: www.essentialsmag.co.uk EssentialsMAG is published by Essentials MAG Limited, a local independent publishing company. All content within the publication is copyright of Essentials MAG Limited.

The publishers cannot accept responsibility for views or opinions expressed by contributors or for the accuracy of claims made by the advertisers. All dates, times, URLs and phone numbers are understood to be correct at the time of submission to print. © EssentialsMAG Limited 2023.

Follow us today and stay updated locally @EssentialsMagWrexham @EssentialsMAG1

EMAIL: vicky@essentialsmag.co.uk CALL: 01978 855459

www.essentialsmag.co.uk

Cover Image: Merry Christmas!

This publication is printed on FSC® certified paper.

lovepaper.org

When you have finished reading it please pass it on, or put it in your paper recycling bin.

Local News Give Blood, Save Lives Blood stocks in Wales have fallen below the desired levels, according to the Welsh Blood Service (WBS).

To address this issue, WBS is encouraging individuals to book their local blood donation appointments at: https://wbs.wales/WBS09Wrexham.

The organisation's goal is to maintain a supply of at least seven days' worth of each blood type to support patients in need.

Not sure about your blood type? WBS has got you covered – they will determine your blood type when you donate. The Welsh Blood Service is actively seeking more donors to join their ranks and help patients across Wales in their time of need.

Who can donate blood?

WBS encourage and welcome most adults to give blood. Anyone who fits in with the criteria below may be able to give blood: If you: • Are between the age of 17 and 66 (for your first donation) • Weigh over 7 stone 12 pounds (50kg) • Are healthy and not subject to medical exclusions.

For more details please visit: www.welsh-blood.org.uk

Overton-on-Dee/La Murette Twinning Do you have that someone in your life who is impossible to buy a Christmas present for?

Then worry no more! Why not gift them a ticket for the extremely popular Overton Wine Tasting event, organised by the Twinning Association?

This is where participants blind taste a selection of wine and must then decide which fits the descriptions given, accompanied by a delicious buffet. There will be a French/Welsh quiz and draw so, should wine not be your drink of choice, the food and merriment with other members of our village and surrounding areas will still make for a great evening!

All for just £20.00 per ticket... great value!

Save the date: Saturday 24th February 2024. More details to follow.

To buy your tickets, please contact the Twinners: Email: overtontwinning@gmail.com, or call: 01978 710891.

NHS Wales Launches App The NHS Wales App allows people living in Wales to access health, care and wellbeing services, proactively managing every aspect of their health safely and securely. The NHS Wales App can be used in Welsh and English, allowing you to: • Book and cancel appointments • Order repeat prescriptions • Amend personal details.

The aim is to increase people’s involvement in the management of their health and wellbeing to enable more positive health and social care outcomes for the people of Wales.

Please note that the ability to book appointments and order medicines via the NHS Wales App depends on this functionality being made available by your GP practice.

Get the NHS Wales App on your smartphone or tablet via iStore and Google.

A Victorian Christmas There’s a festive treat in store when the Victorian Christmas Market returns to Wrexham city centre on Thursday 7th December (12pm - 8pm).

There’ll be over 80 stalls from Queen’s Square to St Giles’ Church selling a huge array of gifts, clothes, food and drink.

There’ll also be street performers and entertainers, and a Victorian-themed fairground and carnival.

Fun for all the family.

Reduced Bus Fares Wrexham County Borough Council and Arriva Bus Wales have confirmed that recently announced new bus services during evenings and Sundays will commence operating from Sunday 3rd December 2023.The funding to introduce additional bus services was approved by the Council’s Executive Board to help boost public transport for local residents, and stimulate the local bus market.

Councillor Bithell said: “Wrexham Council and Arriva Bus Wales are committed to maintaining bus services and, wherever possible, increasing them across the county borough at a time when many local authorities are looking at reducing their own transport spending commitments.

“To demonstrate the partnership that we have, I am pleased to announce that during the month of December, single fares on all Arriva bus services in the Wrexham local authority area, Monday-Saturday after 1900hrs and all day Sunday, will be offered at £1.”

Share your news with us: www.essentialsmag.co.uk/article

Has Your Self-Care Slipped?

By EssentialsMAG motivation contributor SASHA KENNEY Have you struggled to keep your healthy habits now we are entering winter?

It’s the end of the year, so not your usual time to prioritise self-care, but we all know the positive effect of exercise and self-care on our mental health, so let’s look at some of the reasons why self-care slips. ...I can’t find the motivation We all lack motivation at some point... but here is the thing... motivation is not something that will hit you in the face while you are sitting on the couch. You need to go out and find it. Work for it. I can not stress enough, how important an ‘accountability buddy’ or ‘supporting community’ is when you are trying to find your motivation and achieve your goals.

• Get an ‘accountability buddy’ or join a ‘supporting community’.

An accountability buddy is someone who will work with you to create goals, checking in regularly to help ensure that you’re each following the plan. Another way of having accountability in your fitness journey is to dabble in new adventures, like group classes. You’ll find people who inspire you and get you excited to come back. There are also many communities that will keep you in check. Just have a little look. You are welcome to join Hoola Nation online (hoolanation.co.uk).

...Self-care feels selfish You’re taking care of work, home and the people you love. So often, you are the last one on the list. Especially in this challenging season, it can feel self-centred to do something just for you. I love that generosity in your spirit, but here’s what I know to be true...

• Self-care lets you offer your best to others. When you start nurturing yourself, you feel better, you become stronger - and you actually have more energy to bring to the people you care about. ...I’m too busy!

Between home and work, there are so many demands on your time. It feels like you just don’t have time to take care of yourself. You think, “I’ll just get through this one busy week.” But then one week becomes two, becomes ten.

• Start with bite-sized healthy habits that fit into your full schedule. There are so many things you can try, from a simple walk or short workout you can do from home. Start small and build up gradually.

No matter how small the improvement, it is always worth looking after yourself.

Let's start with one small step in the right direction today.

By Sasha Kenney Helping people to think and feel better The founder of Hoola Nation sasha@hoolanation.co.uk

The Electric Revolution

By SATISH CHAPPITI, Arc Healthcare Dental Services Plaque is a sticky substance made from leftover food and saliva that mix in the mouth. Brushing effectively and regularly prevents this from building up on your teeth. Bacteria in your mouth adheres to plaque and this is problematic as it can cause tooth decay and gum disease.

There are three kinds of toothbrushes.

A manual brush, a battery operated rotary toothbrush and an electric rechargeable power brush.

Toothbrushing techniques have evolved over the years and in 1948 Charles C. Bass developed the technique that we most widely use today, albeit a modified version of this. It involves using a small headed toothbrush with soft bristles, angled at 45 degrees to the gums and gently moving the brush back and forth in short strokes and in a circular motion over all the surfaces of the teeth and finally front and back strokes of brushing the tongue.

This is easier said than done. In practice it is actually difficult and the reason why many people fail to keep their mouth clean.

The electric toothbrush has evolved over the years and finally, I believe we have a solution that enables us to brush effectively with the least effort and with consistency.

The invention of the electric rechargeable power brush has been a real game changer.

I personally recommend Oral-B Electric toothbrushes to all my patients and have been using them myself for the past 25 years.

Why are they so good?

The small, round precision clean heads are just the right size to enable you to clean one tooth at a time. The bristles are gentle and have a colour-coded band to let you know when to replace it (approximately three months). There is a gentle vibration that helps to remove plaque and a pressure indicator which prevents you from brushing too hard.

The latest IO versions even let you know when you are not brushing hard enough.

The head moves in a rotary motion and all you need to do is move the brush back and forth along the gum line and up and down along the tooth surfaces. It is the only way to clean the inside surfaces of the lower front teeth.

Once you start using an electric toothbrush, you will not want to go back to using a manual brush again.

By Satish Chappiti from Arc Healthcare, 2 Watergate Street, Ellesmere SY12 0EU Tel: 01691 623692 www.archealthcaredental.co.uk

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Christmas Events 1 - 21 DECEMBER

EVERY FRIDAY

SAT 2 DECEMBER

Chester Christmas Market Northgate Street, Chester CH1

Bangor-on-Dee Lantern Parade Bangor-on-Dee, Wrexham LL13

E&M Glass Open Studios E&M Glass Studio, Sarn, Tallarn Green SY14 7LN

Discover unique crafts and stocking fillers.

The Lantern Parade will leave Ysgol Sant Dunawd at 4:30pm. It will go through the village. Christmas Tree Light Switch on at 5:30pm.

Sun to Wed 10:30am - 6:30pm Thu/Fri/Sat 10:30am - 8pm

Experience the art of live glassblowing and explore the Christmas gift shop.

10am - 4pm

SAT 2 DECEMBER 1 - 24 DECEMBER

Christmas at Erddig National Trust - Erddig, Wrexham LL13 0YT Celebrate old traditions and make new memories this Christmas at Erddig.

10am - 4pm https://bit.ly/47Fws0L

FRI 1 DECEMBER

Christmas Shopping Evening Garden Village Hall (The Institute), Kenyon Ave, Wrexham LL11 2ST 6pm - 8pm

SAT 2 DECEMBER 1 - 31 DECEMBER

Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo, Chester CH2 1LE Light and sound to immerse you in festive magic this Christmas.

4:30pm - 8pm https://bit.ly/49XvI9x

1 - 31 DECEMBER

Christmas at Bolesworth Bolesworth Castle, Tattenhall CH3 9JJ Step into the magic and sparkle this Christmas!

3:30pm - 7:30pm bolesworth.com/christmas

Erlas Christmas Fayre Erlas Victorian Walled Garden, Bryn Estyn Rd, Wrexham LL13 9TY 10am - 2pm

SAT 2 DECEMBER

Food and Drink Fayre Queen's Square, Wrexham LL11 1AT

Christmas Mini Market Alyn Waters Country Park, Mold Rd, Gwersyllt, Wrexham LL11 4AG 11am - 3pm

EVERY WEEKEND

Santa’s Magical Grotto at Eagles Meadow Wrexham LL13 8DG See our website for info: essentialsmag.co.uk/whats-on

SAT 2 DECEMBER

Chirk Frost Fair Colliery Road, Chirk, Wrexham LL14 Artisan Christmas Market, food, music and fairground.

12pm - 8pm

10am - 4pm

SAT 2 DECEMBER SAT 2 DECEMBER

Makers Market Tŷ Pawb, Market Street, Wrexham LL13 8BB 10am - 4pm

Charity Christmas Fair & Tree Lighting Pulford Village Hall, Pulford CH4 9EU 1pm - 4pm

While every effort has been made to ensure all the details are correct at the time of going to print, it is advisable to check details with the venue concerned.

SUN 3 DECEMBER

3 - 9 DECEMBER

THU 7 DECEMBER

Cefn Christmas Fayre Cefn-Mawr Community Social Club, Cefn-Mawr, Wrexham LL14 3RB

A Festival of Light All Saints Church, The Green, Gresford, Wrexham LL12 8RG

The Rofft Christmas Fair The Rofft School, Marford LL12 8LA

12pm - 4pm

SUN 3 DECEMBER

Gresford Artisan Market & Santa’s Grotto Gresford Trust Memorial Hall, Gresford LL12 8PS 12pm - 4pm

SUN 3 DECEMBER

Holt Community Gardeners Xmas Fayre Outside at The Cross, Holt, Wrexham LL13 2pm - 5pm

SUN 3 DECEMBER

Light Up a Life Nightingale House Hospice, Chester Road, Wrexham LL11 2SJ Remember loved ones when the lights on the Hospice’s Christmas tree are lit for the first time.

4:30pm - 7:30pm

TUE 5 DECEMBER

Coffee Morning The Golden Lion, Rossett LL12 0HN 10am - 12pm

A wonderful uplifting event, come and see the Church lit up with lanterns.

Wed 6 Dec, 3pm - 5pm Thu 7 Dec, 4pm - 6pm Fri 8 Dec, 4pm - 7pm Sat 9 Dec, 4pm - 6pm

WED 6 DECEMBER

Carols by Candlelight The Salvation Army, Garden Road, Wrexham LL11 2NU 6pm

7 DECEMBER - 6 JANUARY

Performance: Jack and the Beanstalk Grove Park Theatre, Hill St, Wrexham LL11 1SN groveparktheatre.co.uk

THU 7 DECEMBER

Wrexham Victorian Market Queen's Square, Wrexham LL11 1AT Over 80 stalls from Queen’s Square to St Giles’ Church selling a huge array of gifts, food and drink, clothes and accessories, etc... Street performers and carnival.

12pm - 8pm

2:30pm - 5pm

THU 7, 14, 21 DECEMBER

Evening Train Rides The Pant-yr-Ochain, Old Wrexham Rd, Gresford, Wrexham LL12 8TY Christmas train rides. Come and see the Christmas lights. All rides are free (donations welcome).

4:30pm - 7pm

8 - 10 DECEMBER

Wrexham Christmas Market & Winter Festival Bellevue Park, Wrexham LL13 7LY Three days of Festive Fun! Come along for festive family fun, food, Christmas shopping, live music, etc.

Fri 8 Dec, 12pm - 8pm Sat 9 Dec - 10am - 7pm Sun 10 Dec - 10am - 5pm

8 - 31 DECEMBER

Snow White Pantomime Stiwt Theatre, Broad St, Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham LL14 1RB Poisoned apples, magic mirrors and of course, that much loved panto magic! stiwt.com

Christmas Events 8 - 9 DECEMBER

SAT 9 DECEMBER

WED 20 DECEMBER

A Green Fairy Tale Overton Village Hall, Pen-Y-Llan St, Overton, Wrexham LL13 0EE

A Flutin' Tootin' Christmas St Margaret’s Church, Chester Road, Wrexham LL11 2SH

Coleg Cambria Christmas Market Coleg Cambria, Bersham Road, Wrexham LL13 7UH

A play by The Overton Amateur Dramatics society, written by local Overton author Amanda Padley, and the cast are all local. There is a raffle, bar.

Refreshments and ice cream during the interval 6:30pm 2pm Saturday Matinee

SAT 9 DECEMBER

Penley Christmas Fayre St Mary Magdalene Church, Penley, Wrexham LL13 0LU 12pm - 3pm

SAT 9 DECEMBER

Woody's Christmas Fair Wrexham Memorial Hall, Wrexham LL12 7AG 10am - 3pm

Wrexham Concert Band performing all the festive Christmas classics.

7:30pm

TUE 12 DECEMBER

All Saints' School Christmas Fair All Saints' School, Gresford LL12 8RW 4:30pm

SAT 16 DECEMBER

Christmas 'Give and Take' Free Stall Lle Hapus, Eagles Meadow Centre, Wrexham LL13 8DG Take anything you like, give if you want to, and donate if you wish.

10:30am - 1pm

With so many events happening in December, we simply couldn’t fit everything in!

For the full details of all the events listed here, including prices and booking information, please go to our website:

www.essentialsmag.co.uk/whats-on You will also find a list of other local events, classes and Christmas Church services.

3pm - 8pm

THU 21 DECEMBER

Santa Sleigh Ride Gresford, Marford, Rossett, Pandy Come and say hello to Santa as he flies around the village on his sleigh.

See Gresford village Facebook page for times.

4:30pm - 8:30pm

SAT 23 DECEMBER

An Audience with Father Christmas Cwtch Ceramics Cafe, Chester Road, Rossett, Wrexham LL12 0HW 10am - 3pm

MON 1 JANUARY 2024

Chester & Wrexham Charity Heritage Bus Running Day Wrexham - Chester A large selection of vintage vehicles will be running a free service between Wrexham and Chester on New Year's Day. The route will follow the current Arriva number 1 route.

The Travel Show Comes to Chester

By DELMAR WORLD in Gresford Join us at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Chester on Sunday 7th January for THE Travel Show! Nowadays we are lucky enough to be able to visit almost anywhere in the world, whether it be for culture, sightseeing, exploration, excitement or just pure relaxation. But, to make the most of any holiday, and to ensure that you are getting value for money, it is necessary to have someone with the knowledge and expertise to guide you.

Over the 60 years that we have been advising on holiday travel, at Delmar we have learned that whilst many people know exactly where and when they want to go, many others are looking for advice and recommendations.

During the course of the year, we hold many in-house events for our clients to showcase a particular destination: recent presentations have covered areas as diverse as the Galápagos Islands, Canada and New Zealand. But, once a year, we hold an all-encompassing exhibition that is open to everyone: The Travel Show.

This brings together many leading Tour Operators whose areas of expertise cover the globe: Africa, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, South America, Europe, India, the Far East, including Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand for both land-based and cruising holidays.

In addition to the various tour operator stands - where you can chat to experts and get inspiration for future trips - there are also 30 minute presentations throughout the day to provide an insight into some fascinating destinations: • Canada and Alaska with First Class Holidays • Fly-Drive USA with our very own USA Specialist, Howard Davies • India and the Ganges with Uniworld River Cruises • The Arctic, Antarctica and beyond with Aurora Expeditions • Japan the Wendy Wu way Not only are we proud of achieving the milestone of 60 years of helping our clients achieve their travel dreams, we have also been awarded the accolade of ‘Best Small Travel Agency in North West England and Wales’ - so we will be celebrating with some fabulous special offers for those who attend, as well as some fun prizes!

To register your free place at The Travel Show on Sunday 7th January 2024 from 11am, either visit www.delmarworld.com or simply email: ben@delmarworld.co.uk.

Delmar World are leading travel experts in Worldwide tailor-made holidays & cruises.

Tel: 01978 853 886, www.delmarworld.com 54-56 Chester Road, Gresford, Wrexham LL12 8NE

Wrexham Tourism News

By JOE BICKERTON, Tourism Manager, Wrexham County Borough Council The festive season is upon us and as 2023 draws to a close, we are looking forward to a busy December filled with events around Wrexham!

A cornerstone event returns to Wrexham City Centre on Thursday 7th December, with the Victorian Christmas Market weaving its way from Queen’s Square to St Giles Parish Church between 12 – 8pm.

This is swiftly followed by a new three-day winter wonderland as the Wrexham Winter Festival & Market switches from Llwyn Isaf to its new home at Belleview Park from 8th-10th December. The festival features a light switch-on (8th), plus market stalls, food and drink, rides and much more! (Friday 3pm-8pm; Saturday 10am-7pm; and Sunday 10am-5pm).

Earlier in the month, Chirk Light switch-on takes place on 2nd December at 6pm, including a firework display in the Millennium Gardens.

This month, we have also launched another three modules within the online Wrexham Tourism Ambassador Scheme – enabling participants to become a ‘silver’ Wrexham ambassador! This is a free online course consisting of six-modules, each taking 30-minutes or so, with anyone passionate about being a Wrexham ambassador encouraged to participate.

Full details at: Wrexham Ambassador Course – Ambassador Wales. www.ambassador.wales/ambassadorcourses/wrexham-ambassador-course Can we also offer a big congratulations to two local This is Wrexham tourism operators who won awards at the recent Wrexham Business & Community Awards in November!

Glyn Wylfa in Chirk (incorporating Caffi Wylfa) took home the Social Enterprise Award which was richly deserved after almost a decade of welcoming visitors to the Chirk portion of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site.

And the new city centre attraction Xplore! won the Business Learning Award.

Congratulations to both teams!

If you’re out around Wrexham enjoying the festivities this December, say an extra little thank you to our hospitality staff who are all passionate about making your experiences so special this winter.

From myself and all of the This is Wrexham team – thank you for your support this year and see you in 2024 for what promises to be an even busier year for inbound tourism into the County!

By Joe Bickerton, Tourism Manager at Wrexham County Borough Council T. 01978 292015 www.thisiswrexham.co.uk

Gardening Tips and Advice December - Winter Frost

As we approach the shortest day of the year in December, you will need to work to keep you warm outside, such as digging and tree pruning. Check your winter protection and if you have a greenhouse make sure the heater is working. Hopefully there are not too many jobs left to do this year so you will have time for some fireside garden planning.

TOP 10 JOBS TO DO IN THE GARDEN THIS MONTH 1.

Check your winter protection structures are still securely in place.

2.

Check that greenhouse heaters are working.

3.

Insulate outdoor taps and prevent ponds from freezing.

4.

Prune open-grown apples and pears (but not those trained against walls).

5.

Take hardwood cuttings.

6.

Keep mice away from stored produce.

7.

Reduce watering of houseplants.

8.

Prune acers, birches and vines before Christmas to avoid bleeding.

9.

Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, sprouts and remaining root crops.

10.

Deciduous trees and shrubs can still be planted and transplanted.

Little Scholars Day Nursery The Centre for the Child, Glyndŵr University, Mold Road, Wrexham LL11 2AW

For information about places please contact KIM or BECCA

Tel: 01978 314912 littlescholars@activechildcare.co.uk

“The best way to see Christmas is through the eyes of a child.”

- UNKNOWN

Why not pay us a visit and see what we have to offer you and your child...

• Purpose built nursery • Dedicated and passionate practitioners • Registered to deliver EE and the Childcare Offer • Open to the general public as well as students and staff at GlyndŴr University • Holiday Club provision for ages 4‐12 also available

Call today to arrange a visit ‐ 01978 314912 www.activechildcare.co.uk ALSO AT: ROSSETT HOUSE NURSERY, LLAY ROAD, ROSSETT, WREXHAM LL12 0HT. TEL: 01244 571872

Christmas Advertisements

By JULIE GREGORY Who doesn’t love a Christmas TV ad?

Each year, the Christmas TV ads are hotly anticipated and we all ooh and aah over the usual suspects – John Lewis, M&S and Aldi, to name but a few. As such, Christmas advertising has become an integral part of the festive season, playing a significant role in shaping our behaviour and setting the tone for the holiday spirit. But how has Christmas advertising evolved from traditional print ads to modern digital campaigns to reflect the changing dynamics of consumer preferences and technological advancements?

Christmas advertising traces its roots back to the 19th century when retailers recognised the potential of promoting their products during the Christmas season. Print ads in newspapers and magazines became popular, featuring festive imagery and special holiday offers.

As the advertising industry grew, so did the creativity and impact of Christmas campaigns. One such iconic campaign is Coca-Cola's Santa Claus advertisements in the 1930s, which made popular the modern image of Santa Claus as we know him today. Brands began using storytelling techniques to create emotional connections with consumers, emphasising the importance of family, togetherness, and gift-giving during the festive season.

The advent of television in the mid-20th century revolutionised Christmas advertising.

Brands started producing television commercials, utilising catchy jingles and heartwarming narratives. These ads further commercialised Christmas, making it synonymous with gift-giving and consumerism.

With the rise of the internet and digital technologies, Christmas advertising underwent another significant transformation. Brands began using datadriven marketing techniques to tailor advertisements to individual consumers.

Despite the shifting mediums, one constant in modern Christmas advertising is the emphasis on emotional connection and authenticity. Brands have learned that resonating with consumers on a deeper level, rather than just promoting products, is vital. Ads that evoke nostalgia, empathy, or warmth tend to leave a lasting impact and foster brand loyalty.

Christmas advertising has come a long way since its inception and, with each passing year, the marketing industry adapts to new technologies and consumer preferences, striving to create memorable and engaging experiences.

May I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy 2024!

EssentialsMAG marketing contributor is Julie Gregory of Time For Marketing julie@timeformarketing.org Tel: 07474 333004

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EssentialsMAG Tasty Recipe

Ultimate Festive Leftovers Pizza

Hate wasting food? Wondering what to do with that leftover Christmas dinner?

How about creating this epic pizza for your Boxing Day feast!

INGREDIENTS

MAKES 2 PIZZAS

2 ready made pizza bases 6 tbsp tomato pasta sauce Large handful (about 100g) of leftover cooked turkey, shredded Large handful (about 100g) of leftover stuffing 100g mozzarella, sliced 100g cherry tomatoes, chopped 100g mushrooms 1 tbsp olive oil

METHOD Heat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas 7.

Top with the pasta sauce over each pizza base, avoiding the edges.

Scatter over the stuffing and turkey, then top with the mozzarella, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes, drizzling over any remaining oil.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is crisp and the cheese has melted.

Trying out our recipe?

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Seasonal Treats in December

In December, the culinary scene shifts to embrace the essence of winter. While fresh produce can be somewhat limited, there are still plenty of delightful options to savour during this holiday-packed month.

Root vegetables Root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, turnips, and rutabagas are in season. Their natural sweetness and earthy flavours make them ideal for hearty stews, roasted dishes, and comforting soups.

Pomegranates These have ruby-red seeds that are sweet and tart. Perfect for adding a pop of flavour to your salads, cocktails, and desserts.

Nuts Nuts play a significant role in many festive recipes. Walnuts, chestnuts, and hazelnuts are readily available, perfect for adding crunch and depth of flavour to biscuits, cakes, and stuffing. Great for snacking too.

From the wild

Brussels sprouts These little green veggies are at their peak in December. These small gems are best when roasted with a touch of olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, and maybe a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Citrus fruits Oranges, grapefruits, clementines, and lemons add zesty and refreshing notes to winter meals. They're perfect for citrus salads, freshly squeezed juices, or even a citrus-infused marinade for roasted meats.

Winter greens Kale, chard, and spinach thrive in the cold weather, making them excellent choices for salads, stir-fries, and sautés. These leafy greens provide essential vitamins and a burst of green in your winter diet.

Wild herbs: Some hardy wild herbs can still be foraged, such as rosemary and thyme.

Seaweed: Along the UK's coastal regions, certain types of edible seaweed, like Dulse and Sea Lettuce, can be foraged yearround. They add a unique flavour to dishes and are often used in soups and salads.

December Shopping List Apples, Pears, Quinces, Cranberries, Sloes, Figs, Clementines, Oranges.

Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Leeks, Parsnips, Swedes, Turnips, Kale, Carrots, Beetroot, Chard, Spinach, Celery, Radishes, Shallots, Garlic.

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The Dog and Pickle Traditional Country Pub Restaurant Chester Road, Lavister, Wrexham LL12 0DN Tel: 01978 541194 www.thedogandpickle.co.uk

The Deep South Comes to Wrexham The team behind the popular, Southern style restaurant, Hickory’s Smokehouse, has swung its doors open in Wrexham.

The Chester based company who operate 19 restaurants across the North-West, North Wales, the Midlands, and Yorkshire are thrilled to be open in Wrexham.

Hickory’s General Manager Craig Gibson told us: “We are so delighted to open our second Welsh site here in Wrexham.

Having spent many years in Rhos-On-Sea I understand first-hand how welcoming and supportive the local community can be.

We’ve had such an unbelievably warm welcome here in Wrexham and we cannot wait to introduce a host of new fans to all things BBQ!’” So, what can you expect?

Known for their unique blend of authentic smokehouse dishes combined with an inventive drinks and cocktail offering, the Hickory’s team really do look to welcome everyone and are known for their inclusive, community focused, family-friendly vibe.

The restaurant has undergone a total refurbishment to transform the interior and exterior. From a neighbourhood bar area, open kitchen with Chef’s bar, to the

family-friendly restaurant which comes complete with its very own cinema room for younger guests.

Love your BBQ? The menu is packed full of the flavours of the Deep South, with classic smokehouse dishes such as Memphis ribs, Texas-style brisket and BBQ pulled pork, all smoked low ‘n’ slow in “Ole Hickory” smokers specially shipped in from Missouri. And let’s not forget burgers, subs, steaks, and fajitas, alongside a selection of vegetarian options. Guests are equally welcome for drinks in the bar as they are for dining.

Hickory’s is open from midday Monday – Friday; and from 10am every Saturday and Sunday. You can catch brunch until 2pm every day and it’ll be open until late every night of the week.

Hickory's Smokehouse Sontley Road, Coed-y-Glyn Wrexham LL13 7EN To see the full menu or book a table please visit: www.hickorys.co.uk

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Business Advice Learning Hub

By VICKY HEATHFIELD How giving back helps your business Your local community is a stakeholder in your business, and every business - no matter how big or small – can, and should, make Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) a core part of its business model.

Why? Because not only is it good for your reputation, it also makes you and your employees feel good, generates goodwill, and makes your community a better place to live. Giving back is great publicity, and an ideal way to establish your business within your local area. Your business and brand become more visible and you will attract new customers just as effectively as the smartest advertising campaign.

Donate your skills and time You can lend a few hours of your time in a “pro bono” capacity to help a local charity or non-profit organisation by using your expert skills. For example, in marketing, accounting, or building and decorating.

And it needn’t break the bank. Donating cash to a local charity is a fine undertaking but it’s by no means the only way. Here are some cost-effective ways to promote your small business for those on even the tightest of budgets:

Supporting your community requires a continuous effort and should not be considered a one-off activity. After all, you would never run a single advertisement and expect it to produce constant results! You should treat your charitable giving as a regular business undertaking. That’s how you will create a long-lasting impact and build a positive local reputation.

Sponsor a local youth sports team Add your brand name to the team kit, take advertising space in fixture programmes, offer to host the annual prize giving, or even provide the pizzas after the game!

Sponsor a fund-raising event You can donate money to help offset the cost of the event, or donate products that can be given away to participants. This can be anything from fresh fruit to branded reusable water bottles.

Use local services By using other local small businesses you’re demonstrating your support for them, and they will reciprocate. If it’s a positive experience, tell others and recommend them. When businesses are more focused on supporting each other than competing, the entire local economy will flourish.

Whether you’re starting a new business, working for yourself or managing a team, EssentialsMAG Learning Hub is home to a growing collection of jargon-free marketing and business resources. Visit: www.essentialsmag.co.uk/learning-hub

By Vicky Heathfield, Editor of EssentialsMAG vicky@essentialsmag.co.uk www.essentialsmag.co.uk Tel: 01978 855459

ADVERTISING LEAFLET DELIVERY WEBSITES

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To gain competitor advantage, advertise your business in the next issue of EssentialsMAG. Please contact Vicky for rates and details.

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T: 01978 855 459

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The Role of Community Agents The Community Agent service is an innovative response to a recognised need that many people living in our communities are unable to connect with key services to help and maintain well-being and support their quality of life. Each community council has a community agent covering their area.

Community agents work with the over 50’s in Wrexham and provide easy access to a wide range of information that will enable them to make informed choices about their present and future needs. The aim is to help older people feel more independent, secure and cared for to have a better quality of life.

Community agents are a vital link in enabling people to remain in their own home, supported by local services in their community.

The Community Agent service is a confidential service, bridging the gap between the local community and the statutory or voluntary organisations that offer help, support and guidance. They have a wealth of local knowledge to signpost to the relevant services that are needed.

Community agents can introduce you to and provide information on local clubs, groups and activities. They can help complete forms and support with online applications such as blue badges, bus pass applications, renewal of driving licences. A community agent can provide you with help to become digitally connected, and some community agents are trained Dementia Ambassadors specialising in support for those living with dementia.

Additionally, they can link you to energy saving support schemes and police security initiatives to enable you to feel safe and warm in your own home.

To find out which community agent covers your local area, please contact your local community council.

Rhos Community Agent Michelle Wynne, tel: 07851 798630 Email: rhoscommunityagent@gmail.com Minera Community Agent Susanne Allcroft, tel: 07988 025604 Email: mineraagent@gmail.com

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Lets Talk Tax Returns!

By RACHEL COLES Self Assessment is the system HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) uses to collect Income Tax. If you are filing your Self Assessment tax return online, it must be submitted by 31st January.

It is generally at this time of year that business owners suddenly realise they need to complete their tax return. And, as the deadline looms larger, you may decide that you simply do not have the time to complete and file this yourself.

Why use a Chartered Accountant?

The ‘pros’ of using a Chartered Accountant to complete your personal Self Assessment tax return far outweigh the ‘cons’. It takes time to understand the system, which can be confusing - especially if you are new to it – and you may feel this time could be better spent on your own business instead.

Here at Haswells, we complete Self Assessment forms every day and know the system inside out. We also reduce the chance of mistakes – which could be costly if the forms are not completed correctly.

Whether you need to pay tax and if so, how much, could depend on a wide range of circumstances. If you are trying to complete your Self Assessment tax return and are unaware of certain benefits or exclusions, it can be complicated to calculate how much you owe. You could therefore, run the risk of paying far more tax than necessary, or too little and getting into trouble with HMRC. It is important that we, as accountants, keep up to date with ever-changing tax legislation and take advantage of applicable deductions and incentives.

Not only could this reduce your tax liability, but using an accountant would alleviate the chance of any wrong information being submitted, and any penalties being incurred for late returns.

If you are required to complete a Self Assessment Tax Return by 31st January, and need help, we'd love to talk to you.

Personal tax advice and tax planning can save you money, time and effort. It can also improve your take-home income significantly and make your finances much more predictable and reliable in the long term.

EssentialsMAG accountancy contributor is Rachel Coles of Haswells Chartered Accountants Tel: 01978 351 501 r.coles@haswellsllp.com

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Gifts That Matter

By EssentialsMAG environment contributor ROB RENOUF At Christmas, the happiness of children is a focus for many of us. We may spend ages trying to find the perfect gift or worry what we’ve got is insufficient. Some gifts may become treasured possessions that last a lifetime, whilst others will be discarded and forgotten sooner than hoped. At this time of year, it’s important to try to keep sight of the ‘gifts’ that really matter.

A liveable planet This year has been the hottest for 125,000 years, yet this record is expected to be quickly surpassed. Plastic waste generation more than doubled between 2000 and 2019. Wildlife populations have reduced by a scarcely believable 69% in just 48 years.

The list goes on and on.

The painful truth is that our gift to our children is a planet in a far worse condition than the one we inherited.

The way we’re living is totally unsustainable.

We need to take onboard what this word actually means - it cannot possibly continue. In order for all children to have a decent future things must change very rapidly. The world isn’t going to end, but the future we’re creating for our children and subsequent generations is one of far more extreme weather, food shortages, pollution, massive inequalities, displacement of populations and increasing conflict. Unless we’re willing to recognise this reality and take action to prevent it, their future is bleak.

This may all seem extremely depressing; however, the critical point is that this is not the only possible future - we still have a choice, but the window is rapidly closing.

“Once we start to act, hope is everywhere. So instead of looking for hope, look for action. Then, and only then, hope will come.”

- GRETA THUNBERG

Hope Perhaps the most important thing we can give children this Christmas is hope for the future. We must be honest - the hope we offer needs to be evidence based, rather than fairytales or glib assertions that everything will be fine. We should not tell them things will be OK, without actually making the changes required to achieve that outcome; whilst this might make them feel better in the short-term, they may not thank us when they discover the truth.

If we genuinely commit to taking the necessary action, we can then be open about the challenges we face, while still offering hope that the future can and will be better.

EssentialsMAG environment contributor is Rob Renouf robsrenouf@gmail.com

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Sarah Atherton MP Member of Parliament for Wrexham For myself and thousands of veterans, service personnel and their families, the month of November is particularly poignant for us all in Wrexham. As we approached Remembrance Sunday, I was honoured to plant my tribute, on behalf of Wrexham, in the Garden of Remembrance in Parliament during a service conducted by the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Korean War and the fitting ceremony gave recognition and allowed me, on behalf of Wrexham, to thank all those who have and continue to serve in our Armed Forces.

Locally, I supported the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, collecting donations and selling poppies in Asda, alongside cadets from The Royal Welsh (RWF), based at Hightown Barracks.

Wrexham has a long and proud military history and having secured the future of Hightown Barracks, it was pleasing to hear about Wrexham’s strong and growing cadet and Army Reserve presence at the Barracks. The generosity of Wrexham people in supporting the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal never fails to amaze me. Our city’s true sense of community spirit and generosity undeniably shines through as a beacon of light in this time of commemoration.

On Armistice Day itself, whilst it was disappointing to not be formally invited by Wrexham Council as a civic leader, it was humbling to attend and talk to so many people at the Ceremony at Queen’s Square.

The day after, alongside Wrexham’s numerous veterans’ associations, I was

honoured to attend and speak at a service at the Normandy Veterans Memorial and lay a Parliamentary wreath at the R.W.F. Memorial, Bodhyfryd in Wrexham, paying tribute to our service personnel past and present. We will remember them.

Lastly, I was delighted to attend the firstever Wrexham Business and Community Awards. After months of preparations and build-up, we came together to celebrate our exceptional local businesses, both small and large, for their invaluable contributions to our now-thriving city. With Wrexham's new city status comes exciting opportunities for job creation and growth.

They are the backbone of our local economy and are truly deserving of this recognition. Huge congratulations to all the winners, your success illuminates the path to a brighter future for Wrexham.

As always, if you are a resident in the current Wrexham constituency boundary and need my assistance with any local or national issues, please contact me.

Sarah Atherton MP for Wrexham/ Prospective Parliamentary Candidate.

Tel: 020 7217 4885 / 01978 291742 sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk www.sarahatherton.org.uk

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Wrapping up For the Festivities

By WARREN HADLOW It’s been another interesting year across the world this year with another war breaking out in the Middle East, further deadly natural disasters, and the advancements of AI technology becoming a larger part of the way businesses think and operate – I’ll let you decide if that’s a good thing or not!

Closer to home, we’ve had the coronation of our new King, Eurovision came to Liverpool, the first synthetic human embryo has been created, and the England women’s team made it to the FIFA World Cup Final – not quite bringing it home though, once again!

At Hadlow Edwards, we have welcomed another handful of faces across the whole team, we continue to support a record number of clients as our team grows, and we have seen our offices transformed with our new branding.

To wrap things up for 2023, I asked our team to share what tips and tricks they use to keep their Christmas budgets down in the past: • Ange Miller says “We do a family Secret Santa each year where we spend £25 on a gift and exchange them all after Christmas dinner. We also have a great laugh trying to guess who bought who’s presents – if you guess it wrong twice, there’s a forfeit!”

• “I set a limit on how much I can afford each year,” says Shirley Gleadhill. “I can then plan to buy as many good presents as I can without going over budget.”

• Fiona Clarke goes on to say, “My family really enjoys spending quality time with one another, so I like to give them homemade vouchers that they can cash in throughout the year. That way, I am spreading the cost out rather than spending all in one go. They can be things like visits to the zoo or a babysitting night with my niece so that they can enjoy a grown-up night (which doesn’t cost a thing!).”

• “I always remember my mum making regular contributions to a Park Christmas Savings account when we were younger.

She would pay an amount each month throughout the year, and she would receive the vouchers to spend on Christmas gifts at the beginning of December. That way she was able to spread the cost across the year’s pay checks rather than taking it all out of one month.” Katy Davies tells me.

There are some great ideas here that I might even try myself!

All that’s left for me to say, as I know we are all looking forward to a break over the festive holidays, is that my colleagues and I wish all of you and your families a healthy, safe, and prosperous 2024. If you would like to consider some rather more important topics in the New Year, please do give our office a call on 01978 311611, or email hadlow.edwards@sjpp.co.uk.

Best wishes, Warren and all the team at Hadlow Edwards Wealth Management.

By Warren Hadlow of Hadlow Edwards Wealth Management Limited hadlow.edwards@sjpp.co.uk Tel: 01978 311 611 www.hadlowedwards.co.uk

Lesley Griffiths MS Member of the Senedd for Wrexham It’s been another busy month in the constituency…

Happy birthday to the Wrexham Hospital League of Friends who are celebrating their 55th anniversary. As well as running the hospital shops, the League of Friends aim to raise valuable funds for the Maelor Hospital.

This year alone the group has donated more than £300,000 to enable the hospital to purchase specialist equipment that otherwise would be unaffordable.

This landmark anniversary is particularly important as the past few years have arguably been the most challenging in the charity’s history. All our lives were drastically affected by the global coronavirus pandemic.

Charities were restricted and many were forced to think of new ways to fundraise with traditional revenues severely hampered.

Thankfully, the League of Friends persevered and praise must go to all the trustees and volunteers.

I was honoured to be asked to write a piece for their commemorative brochure which is being published to mark the special occasion.

I am sure the charity will carry on providing an invaluable service to the Maelor Hospital and the people of Wrexham for many years to come.

been remedied, but, unfortunately, it does appear replacement buses, cancellations and a reduced timetable are becoming the norm.

I’ve written to the Chief Executive of Transport for Wales to ascertain the latest position and find out when constituents can expect a reliable service.

Congratulations to everyone at The Venture.

Wales’ flagship Integrated Children’s Centre recently received excellent inspection results.

I remain so proud to be a patron of this wonderful organisation and the results provide independent evidence of what an excellent and valuable service The Venture provides to children and families in Caia Park.

In addition to the perfect inspection results, I was recently invited to The Venture to celebrate its ongoing partnership with Virgin Media. Access to fast, reliable broadband is essential in this day and age and I am so pleased The Venture will continue to benefit from free ultrafast broadband.

Finally, as this is my final column of the year, I wish EssentialsMAG readers a happy and peaceful Christmas and send you very best wishes for 2024.

Several constituents have contacted me lately highlighting the number of trains being cancelled between Wrexham and Bidston.

On one occasion, due to cancellations, passengers had to wait four hours at Wrexham before being able to travel.

I recognise the service has had a number of issues to contend with, which I thought had

Talwyd costau’r cyhoeddiad hwn gan Gomisiwn y Senedd, o gronfeydd cyhoeddus / The costs of this publication have been met by the Senedd Commission from public funds.

Tel: 01978 355743 Lesley.Griffiths@senedd.wales www.lesleygriffiths.co.uk Facebook & Twitter: @lesley4wrexham

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Legal Advice

By Wendy Marles, a Senior Solicitor and Head of Residential Property Buying a new build house – when to appoint a solicitor and apply for a mortgage There are many new housing developments springing up across England and Wales, but the process of buying new build property is quite different to buying older residential properties – particularly if you also have a property to sell.

And timing is key to everything. As new build homes are usually sold off plan (prior to the property being completed or even built), on agreeing to purchase the Developer will ask for a reservation fee which you will forfeit if you later pull out of the purchase. If you go on to exchange contracts and complete your purchase, then the reservation fee will be credited against the purchase price.

Upon reserving the property, the selling Developer will require your solicitor’s details for their reservation form. Contract papers will be issued to your solicitor, and you will be required to enter into a legal binding agreement within a prescribed timeframe.

Early appointment of a solicitor is therefore essential.

If you require a mortgage, you must obtain a mortgage offer before exchange of contracts to ensure that you can borrow sufficient monies to enable completion on your purchase. In the pre-contract stage searches

will be undertaken, the title will be investigated, and checks on planning and building regulation documentation and warranties will be made.

Be aware that if there is a long period of time between exchange and completion, your mortgage offer may expire, and you may need to extend or obtain a new offer in time for completion. Similarly, searches may need to be repeated if they go out of date.

Once the property build is completed, the Developer will serve a Notice giving the Buyer around 10 days to complete on the purchase.

This notice is accompanied usually by a cover note from the company providing a warranty, and a Building Regulation compliance certificate.

You will be required to pay your deposit for the purchase of the property at the exchange of contracts stage - usually 10% of the purchase price. Whilst you will not receive a move in date as completion will be on notice, you should be given a target date for completion. The contract often contains a long stop date. If you pull out of the purchase prior to the expiry of the long stop date you will lose your deposit unless it is because the Developer has not fulfilled its obligations, in which case you may be entitled to reclaim your deposit.

Your conveyancer will guide you through the process of purchasing a new build property and ensure that it runs as smoothly as possible.

This article has been written by

By Wendy Marles, a Senior Solicitor and Head of Residential Property at GHP Legal.

Tel: 01978 291456 www.ghplegal.com

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Puzzle Page...

Just For Fun Crossword ACROSS 1 Planetary bodies (6) 7 Decade from 1930 - 1939 (8) 8 Vital plant juice (3) 9 Showed to be true (6) 10 __ Major: the Great Bear (4) 11 Style of Greek architecture (5) 13 Repulsion (7) 15 Make progress (7) 17 Large waterbirds (5) 21 Observe; notice (4) 22 Elongated rectangle (6) 23 Annoy (3) 24 In an unequal manner (8) 25 Raised platforms (6)

DOWN 1 Desired (6) 2 Eg Eminem (6) 3 Stanza or verse (5) 4 Contempt (7) 5 Make a strenuous effort (8) 6 Glasses contain these (6) 12 Passive (8) 14 Statement of transactions (7) 16 Be contingent upon (6) 18 Border (6) 19 Calls forth (6) 20 Cunning plans (5)

If you want to find out the answers they will be published in next month’s edition.

Here are the answers from November:

Classic Sudoku

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