offa Community News
Summer 2014
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NEWS ‘Meet your Councillor’ My name is John Williams and I have been an Offa Community Councillor for the Hermitage Ward since 1990. During that time I have held the office of Chairman twice and I have just been elected again for a third term as Chairman. I am also the Chairman of the Barracks Field Tenants Association and have been for the past 14 years since I helped to set the group up. I have also been the Chairman of the Luke O Connor House Resource Centre Management Committee for the past 12 years and also help the Community Council in the management and day to day running of the centre. I was the Chairman of the Hightown Communities First for its first 3 years and have been a school Governor at St Giles for many years. I have been a Board Member on the Wales and West Housing Association for the last 9 years as well as being on the board of Cambria Maintenance Services and Flintshire Care and Repair. I am pleased to say I have lived in Hightown all my life and I am sure that there are not many living in Hightown who don’t already know me. I have a son and daughter and 6 grandchildren who also live locally. The grandchildren especially occupy whatever time I have left after my many commitments on various management groups. When I do have some time to myself I am a keen Wrexham and Manchester United Supporter. My grandson Lewis also plays for the Brickfield and I like nothing better on Saturday mornings than taking him to his matches.
On the cover: Pupils Niamh Gillan and Katie Jones relax on the grass during an event at St Giles’ Primary School. Photo by Collective Imagery Studio www.collectiveimagerystudio.co.uk Offa Community Council, Upper Floor, Parciau Community Centre, Bellevue Road, Wrexham LL13 7NH. 01978 291562
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NEWS Jobs Growth Wales at Groundwork
Guided Walks with Erddig's Rangers
Groundwork are looking to support employers in the voluntary sector who can create a new job for a young person in North Wales.
Explore 1,200 acres of parkland with Erddig's rangers.
Groundwork North Wales is now looking to create more opportunities for young people. As the contracted management agent for the Third Sector Strand of the Welsh Governments’ Jobs Growth Wales programme, Groundwork is delivering across six counties in North Wales. Employers receive full reimbursement of wages at the National Minimum Wage and NI contributions, for up to six month that the young person is employed through the programme. Employers are also supported through the recruitment process and given free advice and support to help source the right candidates.
Who better than the ranger team to help you discover all the special places that make up the Erddig estate? From the Motte and Bailey castle to the famous Cup and Saucer, there's lots to discover. Short on time? Don't worry there's a short walk and long walk to suit everyone. Dogs are welcome on leads and the ticket office team keep a well-stocked tin of treats and a bowl of water for them to enjoy afterwards. For more Information contact Matt L'Estrange, on 01978 315171, or Matthew.L'Estrange@nationaltrust .org.uk.
Call the Employment and Skills Team at Groundwork North Wales for further information on 01978 757524.
MAESGWYN Youth Club Every Friday, between 6:30-9:00pm, at the MAESGWYN COMMUNITY CENTRE, for ages 8-21 is free of charge. Lots of Activities on offer. For more information contact the Youth Team at Caia Park Partnership on 01978 318869. Email your news, letters and stories for inclusion in our magazine or for our website to webmaster@offacommunitycouncil.gov.uk.
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Letters It’s Only My Opinion Too… Having read the article ‘It’s Only My Opinion…’ by Margot Wicksted [last edition] I’m afraid there are many items raised that I strongly disagree with so I thought it’s only fair to provide my opinion too. I have lived in Wrexham for over 10 years and there are many reasons I look forward to the day I leave. It lacks facilities and a diverse culture of interests amongst the community. Recently, I watched a video clip showing the town in 1990 and, although a farmers market is not my cup of tea, the atmosphere looked strong and the aura seemed high; Wrexham was labelled a thriving market town. Today, many of the specialist shops and services that were available only a few years ago have since closed and all that remains are countless “pound shops” and it’s sad that I’m hearing the same thing about jobs in the area, I feel lucky to still have one! Wrexham is a victim of the “doughnut effect” where superstores and large shopping centres surround the once thriving town centre, Eagles Meadow has some bonuses including a multi-screen cinema, which could be looked after a little better, and well known brands that used to boost the old town centre’s quality shopping experience. Central Retail Park, on the other hand, is somewhat less enduring and witnessed to have an empty car park on Saturday afternoons… which leads me onto Wrexham’s traffic problems. One can wait in queues for up to an hour in the town, too long for a settlement with no more than 68,000. Parking is a problem too! Either pay more than an item in one of the pound shops, or stay a maximum of 2
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News hours, could that be the cause of Central’s car park emptiness? By comparison, Liverpool, the 2008 European Capital of Culture, is less than an hours travelling distance and I’m always impressed with the city’s diverse entertaining nightlife and welcoming atmosphere. Wrexham, as expected being a little less populous in size, has a smaller selection of venues such as Voodoo Moon and Central Station, however they tend to stick to the mainstream and Liquid and Envy clearly dominate. The closure of Fat Cats was a disappointment, a bar that I’m sure is missed by many. Improving traffic conditions could help the economy by inviting more shops and businesses to the area, and I agree, the Industrial Estate Link is a promising start. Personally I would like to see more attractions to add some uniqueness to the town centre and bring in more tourism. Put a pond in Bellevue, urban parks are vital to provide stress relief for urban inhabitants. As are leisure centres so keep it! Wrexham has a lot of potential being near mountains, beaches and famous towns and cities. Suburban new-builds substantially increase that value further, now let’s sort the town centre’s low aura… Stephen Ellis What do you think? Do you agree with Stephen? How can we improve our local area? Should there be more community spirit? Email webmaster@offacommunitycouncil.gov.uk or write to the address inside the front cover. Take a look at the video at www.tinyurl.com/60sWrexham too to see how busy the town centre used to be. Thank you Stephen for your letter.
Do you live in the vicinity of a licensed premises? Are you experiencing problems with late night noise and disruption? If so you don’t have to just ‘put up with it’. When problems are reported by local residents they are investigated by licensing officers at WCBC and licenses can be altered or revoked. To register your complaint with the Licensing Department at WCBC contact a Licensing Officer on 01978 315300.
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Erddig 2014 is already proving to be a busy and exciting year here at Erddig. We have welcomed a number of new members of staff to the team in some new and exciting roles. My role at Erddig is now Volunteer and Community Involvement Officer and I am part of a new team both at Erddig and Chirk castle. Our volunteer team is going strong, with a team of 390 volunteers who contributed almost 40,000 hours to the National Trust in 2013! Quite incredible. If you are interested in volunteering at Erddig then feel free to give me a ring to discuss it. 01978 315179. The Felin Puleston Countryside Centre, based on the edge of the Erddig estate, has been very busy this year. We have had birthday celebrations, children’s parties, youth groups and more in the centre and this summer we will have large company team building days and Tai Chi sessions
Gardener, Helen, keeping on top of the beautiful gardens at Erddig.
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Laurel Smith, running there. If you are looking for a venue to hold your youth group, business meeting or birthday party then let us know! £10 for 1 hour, £25 for 4 hours or £50 for a full day. We can even supply your catering. The centre is also home to Erddig Youth Club, a youth club open to young people aged 11 – 18. There is no fee or subscription to join. The young people have started work on their allotment so that we will have more vegetables to use in our cooking sessions and also to sell at the Erddig Edwardian weekend in August. The club is open every Monday evening (except Bank Holidays) Volunteer, Joan Capel, Erddig’s oldest volunteer at and runs right through the 96 years. summer holidays. Feel free to pop down to see what we do or call me on 01978 315179 for more details. We are proud to have such a strong connection to the local community and this year we celebrate 15 years of the community programme running at Erddig. We will be a planting a Community Orchard near Felin Puleston so if your group would like to plant a tree at Erddig and add an entry into our Memorial Book then get in touch. If you have always wanted to visit Erddig but haven’t had chance, then this is your opportunity. On Thursday 17th July we will be holding a free entry open evening at Erddig where Wolf’s Den (our natural play area), the gardens, shop and restaurant will be open. More details will be posted on the National Trust website (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/erddig) or like us on Facebook (ErddigNT). Laurel Smith, Volunteer and Community Involvement Officer.
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life
Are your children captive or free range? Conkers came from the oak (or was it beech or maybe fir?), cows hibernate in winter, grey squirrels are native to this country, and of course, there’s no such thing as a leaf that can soothe nettle stings. At least that’s what between a quarter and a half of all British children believe according to researchers. It’s hardly surprising though considering 64% of children nowadays play outside less than once a week, 28% haven’t been out on a country walk in the past year, 21% have never been to a farm, and
20% have never – not even once climbed a tree. So, it’s hardly surprising they don’t know about nature. But perhaps it’s not so much about what children ‘know’ about nature that’s important, maybe it’s the actual being in nature that matters. In this age of Sky TV, ipods and ipads, social media, ‘constructive’ after school activities, ‘stranger danger’, and parents not wanting their children to get dirty, it’s no wonder children don’t get the chance to play independently outdoors anymore.
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by jane The majority of my most treasured memories of childhood are of being outdoors. Aged 12 I would often pack myself some sandwiches and wander off into the hills for the day with my dog. It seems so sad that nowadays just 21% of children play outside compared with 71% of their parents in their day. It’s interesting that research has shown people with less access to nature show relatively poor attention or cognitive function, poor management of life issues, and poor impulse controls. And that humans living in landscapes that lack trees or other natural features undergo patterns of social, psychological and physical problems. Violence and aggression are highest in urban settings devoid of trees or grass. This reminded me of animals in a zoo. When animals are deprived of their natural habitat there is increased aggression and disrupted parenting patterns. Being outdoors is good for children. On the website childrenandnature.org there is a lengthening list of studies showing that time spent in free play in the natural world has a high impact on health. Obesity is one of the obvious ones,
redfern jones
but numerous studies show how regular time outdoors produces significant improvement in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning ability, creativity, and mental, psychological and emotional wellbeing. A study at the University of Essex showed that just five minutes of ‘green exercise’ can produce rapid improvements in wellbeing and self -esteem, with the greatest benefits experienced by the young. A lack of a natural environment promotes unnatural behaviour, such as self-mutilation, stress, obesity. And that’s the zoo animals. But they are behaviours that have seen an alarming increase in occurrence in children too in recent years. Is it a coincidence that our children are showing the same symptoms as caged zoo animals? After all, humans are animals too, and if our children’s environment is not the natural one it should be, should we be surprised? I’m not suggesting we should let our children live like wild animals, but maybe be free range and given as least some freedom and access to wild places. Jane Redfern Jones
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History Cae'r Cleifion – Terra Leprosorum - Field of the Sick Offa is very fortunate in having two very fine, but very different, parks or as they were called 'places for recreation'. I wrote about Parciau - Victoria Park – earlier in the year. Both parks were created at much the same time and for very much the same purpose. As towns and cities grew during the latter part of the nineteenth century civic authorities became very aware of the need for recreational areas for their growing populations. The population of Wrexham was growing rapidly and had reached 10,978 by 1881. This rapid growth placed great pressure on the resources of the town. One of the main problem areas was the cemetery surrounding St. Giles, the parish church. By the middle of the century the cemetery was crowded and literally overflowing, especially the lower part set aside for paupers and 'Irish residents'. Many were buried in old graves. There were many complaints especially about the
smell and rooms in houses nearby had to be 'copiously sprinkled with solution of chloride of lime'. A new cemetery had been opened on Ruthin Road in 1784 but it was not popular as people wished to be buried near St. Giles. This cemetery was extended in 1872 but problems remained as population grew. Eventually after much discussion the Borough Council decided to look for a suitable piece of land for a new cemetery and bought a plot in Hightown for £1,202. There was much opposition to this site and consequently it was sold to the War Office to build the new barracks for the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. However, in 1874 a new piece of land was acquired on Ruabon Road called Cae'r Cleifion, the Field of the Sick.In Church documents it was referred to as Terra Leprosorum, Lepers Land, and possibly, at one time, there was a lazar-house there, a refuge for lepers. The cemetery of 10 acres was designed and laid out by Yeoman Strachan, a Scotsman, who had come to Wrexham to work as a
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by Gareth Vaughan Williams gardener in Stansty. Strachan established a business in the town as a seeds man and plant breeder. He took an active interest in the politics of the borough and in 1882 was elected mayor. It is obvious that Strachan had a good knowledge of the latest ideas about the design of burial grounds and making use of the undulating nature of the site he designed a garden within a cemetery with wide curving paths and evergreen and deciduous trees. It was a pleasant place to walk in and as he said, a place 'for the passive recrea-
tion of the people of the ough'.
bor-
The borough surveyor, William Turner, designed the chapels, the one on the right for Catholics and for Protestant on the left, the lodge and the entrance with its impressive columns and wrought iron gate. The cost of the site, the design and the building was ÂŁ5,000. Since 1876 when the cemetery was opened over 37,000 have been buried here and the grave of Yeoman Strachan can be found on a path to the right of the gate. cont...
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News Cont…The cemetery is listed Grade II on the register of Welsh Historic Gardens and Parks and the building and gate are Grade II listed by CADW. The Welsh Historic Gardens Trust and CDAW believe that the Ruabon Road Cemetery is essential in order to understand the cultural inheritance of Wrexham and is of national importance. The County Borough Council has
received a substantial grant from National Lottery Heritage Fund to repair and maintain the buildings and is applying for a further grant from Parks for People section of the National Lottery to improve the burial ground. Soon, when the work is completed the the cemetery, once again, like Parciau, will be a place 'for the passive recreation of the people of the Borough'. Gareth Vaughan Williams
Connect with your Council Wrexham Council’s Connect magazine has been keeping residents up to date with the Council’s news for over 10 years. In that time it has covered some major events, shared stories of exceptional people in town and looked at difficult issues facing the Council. It has also won a prestigious award for ‘Best External Publication’ from The Chartered Institute of Public Relations Cymru - and now the time has come for a change. Connect has moved online and we want to make sure that all residents within the County Borough are given the chance to receive a copy. To make sure you receive yours, go to www.connect.wrexham.gov.uk to subscribe or email connect@wrexham.gov.uk with your email address. It is completely FREE of charge. The new online version gives you the chance to browse articles by category, search the site for a certain issue, comment on an article you have read, give your opinions in the online poll and share news with friends. Don’t forget, if you would like to make sure that you receive Connect when each issue is released, visit the new site and subscribe for FREE or send your email address to connect@wrexham.gov.uk to be added to our mailing list.
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CERDD GYMRAEG
A WELSH POEM
Penillion Telyn Modern Mae'r pennill telyn yn ffurff boblogaidd iawn yn ein llenyddiaeth ac mae'n siwr bod y rhan fwyaf ohonoch yn gallu adrodd dwsinau ar eich cof. Sawl un ohonoch tybed sy'n cofio'r pennill hwn gan fardd anhysbys am y tywydd? Yr wylan fach adnebydd Pan fo'n gyfnewid tywydd Hi hed yn deg ar adain wen O'r m么r i ben y mynydd Mae'r math hwn o farddoniaeth yn dal yn boblogaidd gan feirdd modern. Dyma ddau bennill gan Olwen Canter, bardd o Wrecsam. Maen nhw'n rhan o gerdd hirach am y misoedd. MAI MAY Dacw'r gwcw ar y brigyn Daeth y wennol i'w chynefin Yn yr irddail trydar cywion,Natur sydd uwchben ei digon MEHEFIN JUNE Wyt Fehefin fel merch hoenus Yn dy wisg flodeuog raenus Dydd Gwyl Ifan ddaw a'i firi Dawnsio, neidio yn dy gwmni For the benefit of non Welsh speakers the two verses are written in the traditional style of simple lyrical poems suitable for setting to music. The first describes the cuckoo singing in May and the swallows rearing their chicks and nature at its best. In the second verse Olwen Canter compares the month of June to a beautiful girl and all the celebrations associated with the Summer Solstice.
Liz Williams
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Bellevue Park Summer events Friday 27 June Live Music on the Bandstand with Billy Thompson Gypsy Style. 7pm – 9pm. All ages. Free entry Friday 11 July Live Music on the Bandstand with Double Focus 7pm – 9pm. All ages. Free entry. Friday 18 July Live Music on the Bandstand with Wall St Krash 7pm – 9pm. All ages. Free entry. Friday 25 July Live Music on the Bandstand with Freeway 7pm – 9pm. All ages. Free entry Thursday 31 July – Colour crowns, Make your own fancy crown! Meet by the play area. 1.30pm – 3.30pm All Ages £2.50. Friday 1 August Live Music on the Bandstand with Tobacco Road 7pm – 9pm. All ages. Free entry. Thursday 7th August – Free Bowls Taster . Meet at the bowls pavilion. 1.30pm – 3.30pm All Ages. Free. Thursday 14 August - Tennis Coaching. Learn from a qualified coach. Meet at the courts.1.30pm – 3.30pm 6-14 Free. Thursday 21 August – Wood cookie art . Create colourful jewellery and sculptures with wood. Meet by the play area 1.30pm – 3.30pm All Ages £2.50. If you would like more information about the events, contact the Park Ranger on 264150.
The Friends of Bellevue are a community group established to support Bellevue Park. The group organise and run events, raise funds, do voluntary work in the park and meet up for social events. The group holds meetings on the morning of the first Friday of each month. New members are very welcome, if you are interested in joining the Friends of Bellevue please call the Park Ranger on 01978 264150.
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Bellevue Park Music in the park Bellevue Park will once again be holding a programme of live music during the summer. As you may be aware Wrexham County Borough Council has had to significantly reduce its budget this year, which resulted in a decrease in funding for the live bands at Bellevue. Fortunately the 'Friends of Bellevue' came to the rescue and made up the shortfall, allowing a full programme of live bands to go ahead unaffected. The music evenings continue to be free to enter. The Friends of Bellevue will be coming around to ask for donations on the night of each concert, please give generously so that the Friends are able to continue their support in future years.
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News
Lesley Griffiths AM opens community resource centre Earlier this year residents welcomed a state-of-the art community resource centre which is part of a massive £15m ground-breaking affordable housing development in Hightown, Wrexham. The community centre is at the heart of Wrexham, offering classes and rooms at affordable prices for individuals, families and local businesses to enjoy.
Wrexham and Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of Wales & West Housing. Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of Wales & West Housing, said: “I’m delighted that the community love the new centre. This is a fantastic facility that can be enjoyed by Wrexham residents at affordable prices in a prime location, which helps make a difference to the community when many centres are facing closure.”
Lesley Griffiths, Assembly Member To make a booking please ring for Wrexham, formally opened the 0300 123 20 70. Also visit centre back in February. Also attendwww.facebook.com/hightowncrc ing were the Mayor & Mayoress of
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Adult education ~ Art Groups Community Arts Daytime in the week - 10 weeks courses - short courses in Summer. Visual arts / crafts / 3D art. We provide a light airy studio for holding daytime classes, which range from watercolour to stained glass. Our summer short sources cover a whole range of crafts. Contact Reg Smith The Studio, 1st Floor, Kings Mill, 01978 362967.
The Wrexham Maelor School of Artists. Painting: watercolour / oils / acrylic / pastel. A non-profit making group of leisure painters providing a running programme of demonstrations and workshops by well known local artists in all painting mediums but predominantly watercolour orientated and providing in-house inter member skill development. The group provides a platform for members’ works to be shown via outgoing exhibitions at local galleries and further afield. Current membership circa 40 and age profile 20 – 80 years. Watercolour Challenge Artist David Lloyd in residence providing tuition for beginners and improvers. Thursday 7.00pm – 9.00pm at The Bishops Own Scout Centre, Sontley Road, Wrexham. Contact name: Mr D.B. Lloyd.
Wrexham Art Group In Summer, twice monthly meetings at pre-arranged venues for drawing and painting. In Winter, art society meets for demonstrations of various forms of artistic representation by Professional Artists. Current membership of 40. Two exhibitions of members’ work are held at local venues. Monthly – 2nd Saturday in month, 10.00 am – 3.00 pm at Bethel Chapel, Kenyon Avenue, Wrexham. Contact Nicholas G. Wightwick – Secretary, 01244 570291 or visit www.wrexhamartgroup.co.uk. Luke O Connor House Resource Centre The main room can be hired Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm or evenings. At weekends it can be hired between 9am and 5pm and is suitable for children’s parties etc. To book please contact Councillor John Williams on 312236 or Mrs Karen Benfield, Clerk to the Council on 291562.
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news Vacancy - Fairy Rd School Crossing Patrol The school crossing patrol at Fairy Rd has been out of operation for a while. If you know of anyone who might be interested in the vacancy with Wrexham County Borough Council please contact: Graham Lloyd the School Crossing Patrol Supervisor on 01978 729606 for further information.
Wrexham Carers Service Are you looking after a relative or friend, who because of a disability could not manage without your help? If yes, the Carers Information and Support Service can assist in many ways. If you would like further information phone us on 0800 2761070 . How to contact Communities First We now have two offices, please call in to see us at either office: Caia Park : You can find us in the Blue Building in Caia Park Partnership, Prince Charles Road. Hightown . We are still in Luke O’ Connor House, Barter Court on the Barracksfield Estate. Or you can telephone us on 01978 357583.
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Colour me in!
Magazine edited and published by Jane Redfern Jones. www.janeredfernjones.co.uk. Send items for insertion to webmaster@offacommunitycouncil.gov.uk or post to the address on page 2.