Offa Community News Offa Community Council erddig Update
school news
Youth club latest
Community councillors How to get involved
Bellevue park Jubilee links of our favourite park
summer 2012
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Teams 4U Teams 4U is a charity sports programme founded by Dave Cooke over 20 years ago. Its aim is to encourage children and their families throughout the world to participate in the education around the devastating diseases of HIV and AIDS. This August a planned charity programme to Uganda will take place. A young man from the Offa area Matthew Subacchi is proposing to take part and is asking for sponsorship towards the cost of the trip to Uganda where he will be working with young children. Matthew is a serving police officer in Wrexham covering the town centre and can be contacted at: matthewsubacchi@tiscali.co.uk or via the Offa Community Council office on 291562.
Offa Young Person of the Year Award Pictured receiving their award from Councillor Linda Subacchi the Chairman of Offa Community Council, are joint winners Abigail Catherall, Abigail Fletcher, Huw Kendall and Oliwia Kowal. They all attend Victoria Primary School and have been given the award for all the work they put in to organising the successful Operation Christmas Child fund raising event at the school. The children organised the publicity for the event by producing flyers for other children at the school to take home and also arranged and organised the collection of over 75 shoe boxes. They were presented jointly with the glass award and each received book tokens from the Community Council. If you would like to nominate a young person or jointly a group of young people for the 2012 award please write into the Clerk at: Offa Community Council, Parciau Community Centre, Bellevue Rd, Wrexham, LL13 7NH. Offa Community Council, Upper Floor, Parciau Community Centre, Bellevue Road, Wrexham LL13 7NH. 01978 291562
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NEWS New play equipment for Court Rd play area
THE RAFA CLUB Ruthin Rd, Wrexham
This year Offa Community Council has continued its on going programme of improving the play areas in Offa. Funding has been targeted at the Court Rd play area on the Brickfield with the installation of a new junior multi unit with safety surfacing and also a whirling platform roundabout which is flush ground level and therefore suitable and safe for wheel chairs to be pushed on. The total donation given by the Community Council for the 2 units was £18,659 with a further £8,000 towards the cost of the multi unit provided by Wrexham County Borough Council.
Whats on: Mondays : Aerobics sessions between 7.30pm and 8.30pm all welcome. Tuesdays: Youth Club from 6.30pm and Bingo in the bar with great prizes. Zumba dancing with Aspirations all levels catered for classes from beginners upwards ring for times. Thursday & Saturday: Active dance hold their dance group .Thursday 4pm to 6pm. Saturday 12pm 3pm. Saturday back to basics family bingo night all welcome. Sunday Bingo and karaoke night. Lunch Club for the over 50's. Venue hire—Booking taken for private functions and parties. For information on any of the above please contact The RAFA Club on Tel 261221 or 07834 811525
Offa Carnival Saturday 7th July. 11am-4pm. If you would like to book a community stall contact Debbie French on 01978 312236.
Our New Website www.offacommunitycouncil.gov.uk Offa Community Council have a new website where you can find out the latest news and events for your area and find information on residents’ groups, meetings and useful links. Take a look and let us know what you think!
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Memorial Garden In February this year Jean Topping sadly passed away at the age of 54. Many residents of Offa will remember Jean who was the Neighbourhood Worker with Offa Community Council for over 16 years and instrumental in forming the many residents groups we still have running today. It was also Jean that helped establish the Luke O Connor House Resource Centre in Hightown as well as the Offa Playschemes that ran for many years. Her achievements are too many to mention and she will be sadly missed by all her many friends and colleagues throughout Offa. In Bellevue Park a rose memorial garden has been planted in Jeans memory by the Friends of Bellevue Park yet another community group that Jean helped establish. The garden is situated adjacent to the Bowling pavilion and the Community Council will be erecting a plaque in Jean’s memory.
Residents groups Offa Community Council have several active residents groups in the area discussing issues raised by residents and keeping you informed of upcoming developments. If you would like an opportunity to meet your local council representatives and local police and have the chance to feed back any concerns please come along to your local meeting listed on our website. If you have any further questions or are uncertain which is your local group visit our website at www.offacommunitycouncil.gov.uk or contact Debbie French on 01978 312236, email loch@offacommunitycouncil.gov.uk for further information.
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GEIRIAU
(WORDS)
Liz Williams
How often does one feel lost for words. If anyone can say that they have never had this experience how lucky they must be. I am not however going to philosophise over this point I am simply going to draw your attention to a recent poem by Olwen Canter. This time last year our town was busy preparing for the National Eisteddfod and Olwen Canter had the honour of being one of the literary adjudicators. In time for the Eisteddfod she also launched her long awaited volume of poetry under the title Cerddi Bob Lliw. GEIRIAU Dan glo yng ngeiriadur yr ymennydd ifanc gorffwysant yn rhesi cyn i'r meddwl eu rhyddhau yn eu purdeb. Fesul un ac un cydiant yn gadwyn o synnwyr, cyn i'r tafod eu croesawu i'w fin, a'u troi yn sĹľn mentrus ar ddibyn y wefus. This simple poem describes a baby forming words in the mind before they reach its lips. How often has one wondered about the inner thoughts of a little child before words reach the tip of the tongue. On a personal note this is very appropriate for me as I watch the development of Eilish , our first grand-daughter. Os ydych am ddarllen mwy o gerddi gan Olwen Canter gellwch eu cael yn y gyfrol Cerddi Bob Lliw Gwasg y Lolfa ISBN 971-1-84771-278-0 Pris ÂŁ 6.99
Music in the park
Live music concert from the bandstand in Bellevue Park. From 7pm to 9pm. Suitable for all ages. Enjoy a summer evening listening to the music and all for free. On the following Fridays: 22 June, 6, 20, 27 July, 10 August.
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History Parciau – Victoria Park Gareth Vaughan Williams It is appropriate that I should write about Parciau or Victoria Park in the year of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. In 1897 Queen Victoria, the longest reigning British monarch, celebrated her Diamond Jubilee with great pomp and ceremony. This year Queen Elizabeth's celebrations have begun and she has already visited South Wales. As part of the celebrations it has been proposed that 2,012 beacons be lit across the Commonwealth. Since 1876 as Wrexham grew and spread the Council had been investigating the possibility of creating a park where the inhabitants could relax with wooded walks, gardens, playing fields and areas designated for children. In 1881 Bradley Road had been opened linking the town to Ruabon Road and the area was developed with the red brick houses planned on a grid pattern - Cobden, Bright, Villiers, Peel and Gibson Streets on one side and Poyser, Hampden and Edward on the other. Further along came Alexandria, Empress and Princess. The names tell us a lot about nineteenth century Wrexham. A site for a park was eventually found on open land between the Ruthin Road and Bellevue Road owned by Lady Williams Wynn, Wynnstay which came on the market in 1902 at a price the Council could not afford. Eventually in 1905 and with the help of a grant from the Local Government Board the land was bought for £4250. The Parks and Cemeteries Committee of the Council decided that the park should be known as Parciau and a competition was advertised for plans for the park with a prize of 25 guineas. The prize was won by J. Cheal and Sons, garden designers from Westminster. The park was to have 5 entrances, the main one at the junction of Bradley and Ruthin
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Roads and the others from Bellevue Road, Ruabon Road and Ruthin Road. There was to be a broad walk with a view of the tower of St Giles, children's playing areas, a bowling green, tennis courts and football and cricket pitches. There was also to be a lake and a house for a park keeper. The lake never materialised because of the cost but a band stand was built and opened in August 1914 with a concert by the band of the Suffolk Regiment. The house was built with money collected to celebrate Queen Victoria's Jubilee. The beautiful wrought iron gates were added in 1911. The park was a great asset for the people of Wrexham and it was very well used. In 1912 the National Eisteddfod was held there and again in 1933 and 2011. In 1901 at the death of Queen Victoria the artist Henry Price, formerly a student at the Wrexham College of Art, was commissioned to create a statue of the queen which was unveiled on 1 May 1905 and stood in front of the old Guildhall facing Chester Street. In October 1928 the statue was moved to Parciau. Wrexham is the only town in Wales with a statue of Queen Victoria and it is still standing by the Bellevue Road path. Over the years Parciau has changed very little and is still a very pleasant area and in 2011 won a Green Banner award.
The role of a Community Councillor Ever wondered who can become a Community Councillor, what it involves and how to go about it? Basically if you are over 18 years of age and live in the community of Offa you should be eligible to stand subject to meeting certain qualifying criteria. Offa Community Council has 18 community councillors covering its 4 wards. The elections which took place on May 3rd this year start the term of office which last for 4 years until the next elections. Vacancies not filled by election can also be filled by co-option during that 4 year term. The Community Council meets twice a month in various venues around the Offa Community. Meetings are often lively and very interesting with discussion covering a range of issues such as policing, traffic calming, licensing, planning as well as youth provision, play areas and grants. The role is unpaid as Community Councillors commit their time voluntarily. If you are interested in your local community and would like more information on eligibility to stand then please contact the Clerk on 291562.
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School News News from Ysgol Clywedog As our Year 11 students make their final preparations for this summer’s GCSE exams, we begin to also prepare for September when we will welcome our new students into Year 7. Working closely with colleagues in our cluster primary schools we have developed a new transition programme. Building on the excitement of the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games we are “ Getting Set for September 2012 ”. Special “Heroes” assemblies are being led in each school by our Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Barlow. Year 6 pupils will also visit school and take part in different activities during the term, including our very own Clywedog Cluster Mini Olympics! Rehearsals for this term’s school production of Dracula Spectacula are well underway. We would like to thank all those customers who recently supported our bag packing evening at Asda to raise funds for this. Diolch yn fawr! We have been delighted to be asked by Debbie French, Offa’s Community Development Officer to help support the Raffles Club Luncheon Club. We hope that the diners enjoy the wonderful food prepared by our School Catering Team! Our school newsletter, “Clebran Clywedog” is published monthly during term time. Copies of this and further news and information about school events can be found on our website www.clywedog.org . Pictured right at a tree planting event in the grounds of St Josephs Catholic and Anglican High School are school children from the Eco group along with their teacher Miss Davies and also Mr Mark Bostock the Business Manager at the school. The Eco group children helped to plant 13 Lime trees and 2 Hornbeam trees donated by the Community Council on land bordering Erddig Road.
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Forest School
Events
Children at St Giles Primary School At Bellevue park have been enjoying taking part in Offa Carnival Saturday 7 Forest School. July . A fun community event for all Forest School sets out to encourage the family 11am – 3pm. and inspire individuals of any age Free Bowls Taster Thursday through positive outdoor experi26 July. Meet at the bowling ence. The Forest School environpavilion 1pm – 3pm. All ages. ment gives each child an opportunity to develop their emotional and Fun Family Orienteering social skills. The children are Course Tuesday 31 July . Meet at offered the opportunity to explore the bandstand 1pm – 3pm. Ages 814 . FREE. in a safe environment. The Forest School sessions run in the afternoon and the children work in groups of ten. They are encouraged to work in teams to achieve a given task.
Sports and Games Sessions Wednesday 15 August . Meet at the playgrounds for lots of fun. 1Pm – 3pm. Ages 8-14. FREE.
Summer Craft Sessions Thursday 23 August. The artist will Activities that take place in the Formeet you at the bandstand 11am – est School sessions are: tree plant1pm. Ages 5-10. £2. ing, using natural materials to make Music in the Park Bellevue pictures, shelter building, fire
fighting, looking for colours in Park. From 7pm to 9pm. 22 June, nature.
6, 20, 27 July, 10 August. What is Health Challenge Wrexham?
Health Challenge Wrexham is a challenge to you as an individual to do what you can to improve your own health and the health of your family. It is also a challenge to local businesses to promote and improve the health of their employees and customers. For further information contact 01978 297023 or 01978 297063, or e-mail health@wrexham.gov.uk. Find their website at www.healthchallengewrexham.co.uk
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Erddig Update Members of Erddig Youth Club have been working on their John Muir Award, planning to create a woodland trail through an area of young woodland at Little Vawnog, a section of community land owned by Offa Community Council. The young people have been working on the project for the last few months and after plotting all of the trees in the area, carrying out surveys and working with Erddig’s Rangers to plan the best route, they have now been able to start building the path. On Saturday 28th April, seven young people worked with Paul Nunns, Assistant Ranger at Erddig, and managed to dig out approx 15 metres of the path, as well as thinning out some of the trees. They made a great start to the project and will be returning over the next few months to complete the path. Erddig Youth Club meets every Monday and Thursday evening from 6.30pm – 8.30pm at the Felin Puleston Countryside Centre. For more information or if you would like to get involved, pop down to the youth club or contact Laurel Chalk on 01978 315179. Email: laurel.chalk@nationaltrust.org.uk.
RAFFLES CLUB LUNCH CLUB Come along and join us for a two course lunch at The RAFA Club Ruthin Rd Open to all over 50's. Hot lunch and pudding with tea & coffee to finish. £3.50 per person To book your place please contact Debbie French on 312236 leaving your name contact number and the amount of diners. We hope you can join us !
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Parciau Bowling Club Did you know that the Parciau Bowling Club has been playing bowls in Bellevue Park since 1921? The original cup used in the Club Cup Competition dates from that time and is presented to the winner annually. It is inscribed 'Parciau Bowling Club Challenge Cup presented by Alderman Sauvage JP'. Unfortunately no record of the winners from 1921 up to 1972 exist but since 1972 records have been kept. Originally the Park Rangers Office at the side of the green was used for the storage of the woods by club members and then sometime in the 1950's the present club house was built. The Club continues to go from strength to strength and encourages all ages and abilities to come along and get involved. They even encourage and coach local school children. Thanks to Mr Grenville Edwards the Club Secretary for supplying the information.
Friends of Bellevue Park The Friends of Bellevue are a group who work for the benefit of the park and it's users. The group meets regularly with park staff, fundraise and hold events. The group is open to anyone with any interest in the park whether you are a dog walker, local resident or have an interest in nature.
The next meeting dates are: Friday 6th July at 11am, and Friday 3rd August at 11am. All meetings start at 6pm and are either in the park office or bowling pavilion.
Bellevue Park Opening Times April - October 7am - 9pm; November - March 7am - 5.30pm.
Magazine edited and published by Jane Redfern Jones. Send items for insertion to jane@janeredfernjones.co.uk or post to address on page 2.
Fr Adm ee issio
Offa Community Council Contact Us: Karen Benfield, Clerk to the Council: 01978 291562 Debbie French, Offa Community Development Officer 01978 312236 Email: loch@offacommunitycouncil.gov.uk
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