11 minute read
Community News
Gwledd Dewi Sant raises £6,000 for local charities
Gwledd Dewi Sant held a charity dinner dance at the St George’s Hotelin Llandudno last month. Over 70 people attended and sampled fabulous food and danced the night away, all while raising a whopping £6,000 for local charities Bagiau Cariad and Croeso Cynnes. Bagiau Cariad is a food and essentials parcel delivery service run by Bro Celynnin Parish Church volunteer group supporting families in Conwy, Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan. They currently deliver to 80 families. With this donation from Gwledd Dewi Sant the current list of 80 families will be extended to 150. Meanwhile Croeso Cynnes is an initiative funded and staffed by Cartrefi Conwy opening and heating comfortable community spaces this winter in several locations across Conwy County. Gwledd Dewi Sant’s donation will fund the warm meals provided to people using the service. Gwledd Dewi Sant’s next event will take place in Spring 2023, and they are inviting all to attend this seven-course gastro sensation! Email gwledddewisant@gmail.com now to book your place.
Stanley & Lottie opens first shop
Stanley & Lottie was established in 2020 as an online home and gift store offering quality homeware and gifts at affordable prices, a selection of which are handmade locally, here in North Wales. After two years of growing their website and attending local artisan markets the duo decided it was time to put their name on the high street. So, on Wednesday 26th October the doors to Stanley & Lottie - Home & Gifts, at 6 Penrhyn Rd, Colwyn Bay, opened. “Our first few weeks have been amazing!” said cofounder Caroline Stanyer. “We have been made to feel so welcome by other local businesses and our customers are just the best. We want to offer Colwyn Bay and the surrounding areas a shop where people can pop in, get a special card and gift, a lovely home accessory or a treat for themselves at a price that is affordable. People want to browse again, pick a product up, smell a soap or candle before they purchase, at Stanley & Lottie we want to put the enjoyment back into shopping. So, when you are in Colwyn Bay please pop in and see us!” Stanley & Lottie’s current opening hours are 10am – 4pm Monday to Saturday, as well as late night Christmas shopping every Thursday evening until 8pm.
Quality assured at Mostyn
Visit Wales conducted a Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance inspection and have confirmed that Mostyn remains a ‘Quality Assured Visitor Attraction’ in Wales, with a score of 90%. Considering 29 assessment points for Mostyn’s physical offer and seven for the staff team, the assessor remarked upon first impressions being “very impressive, internally and externally”, the friendly and welcoming greeting she received, the “excellent” retail offer and the striking yet accessible art exhibitions. The Oriel café also received praise for the range of dishes, cleanliness and the local produce on offer. “Assessment visits haven’t been possible over the last few years due to the COVID pandemic, so we were delighted to achieve our highest ever score this year,” said Clare Harding, Head of Marketing and Development at Mostyn. “We’re very proud of the fact that our visitor numbers are nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, and we remain open to everyone, with our exhibitions remaining free of charge. We are delighted that the quality of our offer has been recognised across the board, and really appreciated the constructive advice and support Visit Wales provided as part of their assessment.”
Andy Boardman, MD at Alcedo Care Group
Welsh football squad is presented bespoke watches as send off gift
Last month the 26-man squad selected by Rob Page to go to the biggest footballing competition of the year, received bespoke watches from Welsh jewellery brand Clogau as a good-luck parting gift before they board the plane to Qatar. The sports watches, customised with an engraving of each player’s squad number, are a one off design from Clogau, known for mining its gold from the same mine as the Royal Family use for their engagement rings. “It’s a huge honour to partner with the Welsh football team ahead of the winter competition to create these completely unique watches as a good luck gift,” said Clogau Managing Director, Ben Roberts. “We hope it reminds the squad of their Welsh roots and what an honour it is to represent their country on the biggest stage. Everyone at Clogau and in Wales is rooting for them!”
Alcedo Care arrives in Wales
Alcedo Care, one of the largest independently owned and family run home care providers in the North of England, has expanded into North Wales, opening a new office in Holywell. The company has already submitted its application for registration with the CIW and will be in a position to start delivering care across Flintshire in January 2023. With an exceptional portfolio of award-winning home care services, including personal care, nursing, nurse-led complex care and support and companionship to those wishing to remain independent in their own homes, Alcedo Care is a much-welcomed addition to North Wales. Recently rated one of the Top 20 home care groups for the third year running by leading reviews website homecare.co.uk, Alcedo Care has forged an enviable reputation as the home care provider of choice in the North of England thanks to its superb 1,000-strong team of compassionate carers. The company is fully committed to achieving the same recognition in North Wales.
Welsh-speaking solicitor latest addition to North Wales law firm
The residential property team at a North Wales law firm is continuing to expand to meet growing demand. Welsh-speaking Niamh O’Toole (pictured) is the latest solicitor to join the team at Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors in Conwy and said the housing market in North Wales was extremely busy. “Despite the pandemic, demand for housing in North Wales has actually remained very strong – the past two years have seen prices hit an all-time high,” she commented. “The team here at Lanyon Bowdler have been dealing with a record number of transactions, and I was delighted to join the firm earlier this year. I studied law at Bangor University and completed my training at a firm in Anglesey before joining the team here at Lanyon Bowdler. I am very much a North Wales native and am a fluent Welsh speaker, so I am always happy to deal with transactions for clients who prefer to speak Welsh.”
Finn Ambers releases Christmas track
Colwyn Bay resident and independent creative Finn Ambers has released his second single. ‘Another Christmas’ is a nostalgic, feel-good Christmas song in waltz-time originally written on guitar. It features orchestral instruments like piccolo and timpani, but also blends in bells and accordion among others. One listener said the song reminds them of Greg Lake’s ‘I Believe in Father Christmas’. Back in May, Finn released his debut track ‘A Part Of Me’ which quickly gained a 5-star semi-final rating and is being considered as a finalist in the UK Songwriting Contest. ‘Another Christmas’ is now available on all major streaming services.
Foster Carers retire after 36 years of service
Foster Wales Flintshire said farewell to Cherrill and Tony Bullock after they dedicated 36 years of their working life to looking after children in need of care. Cherrill and Tony Bullock from Abergele started their fostering journey in the mid 1980’s when a family in their local community needed respite care for children in their family. “We have fostered over 200 children during our time as foster carers and some of those children required additional needs,” explained Cherrill. “We have enjoyed making children’s lives better by giving them our time, patience and, most of all, our love. The Foster Wales Flintshire team have always supported us throughout our journey, everything was always explained and nothing was too much bother from our supporting social worker right through to senior management team. At times it was hard work but we will miss the fun, singing and laughter we had along the way.”
One of the new residents at the Abbeyfield Colwyn Bay Society in recent months has been Mrs Christine Whittaker. Chris moved into Rhos Road and is loving every minute of being looked after by the staff. Chris was a Trustee of The Abbeyfield Colwyn Bay Society since 1996, joining the Executive Board after retiring. Originally from Bolton, Chris worked for the Police Force but decided to change career when she moved to North Wales with her husband and daughter in 1966. Chris joined the Post Office and worked in many Post Offices in the area, finally settling into the Rhos-on-Sea branch, at the very heart of the community. Chris was a member of the Soroptimists and was a valuable member of the Abbeyfield Executive Board, welcoming new residents and making them feel at ease and advising them on moving home. Chris always said she would move in to Room 2 at Rhos-on-Sea Abbeyfield so when it became available at the right time in her life, she did just that. It is now time for Abbeyfield to look after Chris after her many years of loyal service.
Community News
It’s the big end-of-year event with Colwyn Bay’s Artisan Christmas!
Saturday 10th December will see a fantastic Christmas Market in Colwyn Bay with yuletide merriment and festive fun galore. There will be something for all the family to enjoy with two large streets of artisan stalls, a photo with Father Christmas, a brass band, carol singing, a fun photo booth, kids carousel, live music, mulled wine, street entertainment and more! It’s a festive extravaganza not to be missed on Station and Seaview Road’s, from 10am to 4pm.
A staggering £4,500 raised for NSPCC and Childline
Guests were welcomed at St David’s College Assembly Hall on a Saturday evening in late October with a complementary glass of fizz, and an exciting Fashion Show followed by an Auction of Promises, both in aid of the NSPCC and Childline. The Fashion Show was expertly organised by Kate Russell, featuring clothes from Petticoat Lane, Llandudno; Clares of Llandudno, and the local branch of Next. The twirling, lively models, in addition to St David’s staff and pupils, were members of the Llandudno Music Theatre, who entertained with songs and dances from their recent productions, with the whole show being enhanced by pounding rock music. It was a happy and successful evening, with everyone enjoying themselves, and much cash raised for these two worthy causes. Organiser Simon Buckley would like to thank all who modelled, donated, helped in any other way, and to those who spent generously.
What bereavement support is available in Conwy?
For some people, one of the most difficult things following a bereavement is the feeling of loneliness it can cause. According to the Office for National Statistics*, around one quarter (27%) of adults reported feeling lonely always, often or some of the time.
The loneliness you can experience following a bereavement can be difficult, even if you have people around you. Some
of the most isolated people in our community are those who are the most difficult to reach and encourage to participate in
existing community activities, with the elderly most likely to be digitally excluded. Here are some of the community groups we are aware of in the local area, along with what we do to help our clients.
Llandudno
First up, our monthly bereavement support group, Coffee Connection. The group that no one wants to join. Anyone who has been bereaved can join us for an informal chat and meet others who have been bereaved. We meet on the third Thursday of the month at Providero in Llandudno between 10am and noon.
Wyn’s Way is a long-standing bereavement support group, set up by Jackie to help others following the death of her husband. They meet for coffee, between 11am and noon, every Tuesday at the Cae Mor Hotel, and every Thursday at North Wales Golf Club. In addition, the group organises monthly Sunday lunches, breakfast and supper clubs, fortnightly Friday walks and day trips by coach. For more information please call 01492 593 910.
Colwyn Bay
In partnership with North Wales Reflections, based in
Colwyn Bay, we offer all of our clients one complimentary bereavement counselling session if they feel they need it.
Conwy
Mates Support Group meets monthly on a Tuesday evening at 8pm (the next meeting is 20th December 2022). They meet at Ls Coffee Shop in Conwy. They are set up to help men in North Wales who are struggling with depression and loneliness. You can see updates on their Facebook page @ matessupportgroup
Craig-y-don
The Craig-y-don Community Centre hosts a variety of activities during the day and evening. From a coffee morning every Friday between 10am and noon, to art groups, Friendship groups, to photography and bowling. There is an activity for most interests and a really friendly atmosphere. You can find out more here:
https://craigydoncommunitycentre.org.uk/societies/
If you have any questions that you would like answering please send them to info@tomowenandson.com n
Source: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/ bulletins/publicopinionsandsocialtrendsgreatbritain/latest#worriespersonal-well-being-and-loneliness
Kelly Owen is a funeral director at Tom Owen and Son – an award-winning, family run, independent community Funeral Director situated in Llandudno. They provide a modern fresh approach to organising funerals that empowers you to have a unique funeral that is fitting for the person that has died. For more information, please get in touch with one of the team by calling 01492 860 280 or visit the blog and website at https://www.tomowenandson.com
