NWM - July 2023

What’s

The best events taking place this JULY

SUMMER DAYS OUT

Where to go, what to see

MAGAZINE

DEAR READER

When you think of North Wales the first thing to come to mind is its fabulous landscape – the brilliant beaches and-awe inspiring mountains – closely followed by its rich history (pick a castle!) and, increasingly, the thrill-seeking adventure that’s on offer. But there is another side to North Wales too, and that is it’s fabulous entertainment…

The International Musical Eisteddfod comes to Llangollen in early July, and it promises to be a festival not to be missed. The epitome of Welsh heritage, the Eisteddfod has brought performers from across the globe to our very own corner of North Wales for the past 76 years – and this year promises not to disappoint.

Meanwhile, three major concerts are set to take place in Colwyn Bay later this month. The Ministry of Sound Classical, N-Dubz and Rag‘N’Bone Man will all take the stage at Stadiwm CSM as part of the Access All Eiras weekend… It’s amazing to have such high profile names perform in our corner of the world!

And, speaking of big names, Jools Holland, Jack Whitehall and Strictly’s Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice are all coming to North Wales this month too. All will be performing at Llandudno’s Venue Cymru just before the international smash hit musical, Blood Brothers, takes over the stage in August…

So, while you are strolling along a beautiful beach or swimming in a stunning lake, make sure you are pontificating about which of these fabulous shows you are going to attend!

Kate Hamilton Founding Editor

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MAGAZINE

EDITOR Kate Hamilton

PUBLISHER Grant Hamilton

ART DIRECTOR Simon Marriott

ACCOUNTS Sian Roberts

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North Wales Magazine is an independent, regional monthly magazine produced by KSG Publishing. It is available to pick up from a wide range of independent outlets throughout Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham, Gwynedd and the Isle of Anglesey.

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What’s on

The biggest and best events taking place in North Wales this July...

All month

The Great Gatsby Dress up and dance until dusk at The Dolphin Pub in Mold this summer, where cocktails are flowing in an era of bootleg liquor and red-hot jazz in this immersive show. 1920s dress code encouraged, dancing shoes recommended!

Wednesday 5th

Jools Holland

CMP by arrangement with One Fifteen presents Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, with special guests Pauline Black and Gaps Hendrickson. At Venue Cymru tonight

Thursday 6th

Joy Williams at HFT

HFT is a charity that provides support for people with learning difficulties and disabilities. They make charming and quirky gifts from various recycled materials that include driftwood, t-shirts, lollipop sticks and so much more. Joy will be at Afonwen today

8th & 9th Family Arts Festival ‘23

Set in the beautiful Wepre Park, the 2023 Family Arts Festival will have shows, workshops and lots of fun. Each day of the festival is split into a morning and an afternoon session, each with an exciting programme to explore. Suitable for ages three and above – early booking is necessary!

Saturday 8th

Oh What a Night!

Oh What a Night! takes you back in time on a musical journey through the incredible career of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. At Venue Cymru tonight

Sunday 9th

It’s not just the orchids!

The Wrexham volunteer branch of the North Wales Wildlife Trust are back at Minera Quarry Nature Reserve where we may see hares, stoats, adders, grass snakes, common lizards as well as thousands of orchids. No booking is required and everyone is welcome. The event starts at 2pm

Tuesday 11th

Jack Whitehall – Settle Down

International comedy superstar Jack Whitehall is back with his highly anticipated new live show. Following three complete sell-out arena tours Jack is eager to get back on the road doing what he does best – delighting audiences! He will be performing at Venue Cymru twice today

15th & 16th

Jackie at Jewels

Jackie makes her jewellery using many different stones, beads and crystals, as well as from wood, shell and pewter. Jackie is also able to offer a repair service for any of your own broken and treasured pieces. She will be at Afonwen today

Saturday 15th

Colwyn Bay Artisan Market

Visit North Wales’ biggest artisan market and enjoy a fantastic family day out a stone’s throw from the beautiful beach in Colwyn Bay. With over 50 fantastic stalls selling the finest artisan crafts, cakes, bakes, booze, candles, jewellery, vintage and so much more. There’ll be hot street food, a pop-up bar and live music all day to keep the adults entertained and plenty of fun and games for the little ones, including street entertainers, hula hooping, art activities and a bouncy castle

Sunday 16th

Parti Penrhyn

Join the North Wales Wildlife Trust at Gwaith Powdwr Nature Reserve as they celebrate the work done to reclaim this special place for nature since it became a nature reserve 25 years ago. From 10am to 4pm, dogs welcome

Tuesday 18th

An Evening With Nigel Owens

Come to William Aston Hall tonight for an evening with one of the World’s top rugby referees. Nigel holds the record for the most number of Test matches refereed when he took charge for the final time in 2020 on his 100th Test match. He is one of the most engaging and humorous characters in the game of rugby union and it will be an evening not to miss for any sports fan as he recounts stories from his life and career

Wednesday 19th

Anton and Giovanni: Him & Me

Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke and 2021 champion Giovanni Pernice are bringing their spectacular tour to Venue Cymru tonight!

20th & 21st

Local Artist Tracey Davies

Tracey paints many subjects, but mostly dog portraits from photographs, where she takes many commissions. Tracey is happy to demonstrate and chat about any of your own ideas, and you can meet her at Afonwen today

Saturday 22nd Picnic with a porpoise

Our resident porpoises can regularly be seen off the north coast cliffs, so come and join the North Wales Wildlife Trust at Anglesey’s Bull Bay from 1pm to learn more about these and other cetaceans, seabirds and seals

Saturday 22nd

Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet

Macbeth in 40 minutes? Romeo & Juliet in 40 minutes? Both shows performed by only four actors in one evening? Two of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies transformed into outrageous, fall-on-thefloor comedies. You might have seen Shakespeare before but never like this! At Theatr Clwyd today

26th & 27th

Marie at Earth Deva

Marie makes all her gift items from her original designs, with many featuring a mythical theme. Marie also has some very eye catching art work – all of which you can see at Afonwen

Friday 28th

Woodland fun day

Join the North Wales Wildlife Trust on their final day of the Conservation and Climate Change Traineeship 2023 programme and help celebrate! Foraging, bushcraft skills, camp fires and much more will all be available, with something for everyone. Meet at 10am at Llyn Parc Mawr Community Woodland car park, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll

Sunday 23rd Comedy Club

Two top comedians, Ignacio Lopez and Louise Young, bring their Edinburgh Festival shows to The Mix for one night only!

Saturday 29th

Wrexham Beer Festival

Keg back, relax and enjoy a drink as the Wrexham Beer Festival comes to William Aston Hall today

Sunday 30th

Bodnant Artisan Market

The Artisan Market Company is hosting another top quality artisan market at the beautiful Bodnant Welsh Food. Enjoy a splendid day of shopping, eating and drinking at this premium venue and discover unique and authentic arts, crafts and creations from North Wales’ finest artisans and makers. With a top quality farm shop, restaurant and bar on site, visitors can spend the day shopping and dining in style

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS IN RETAIL IN 2023

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Biggest selection of beds and Mattresses in North Wales

BIG the picture

There is a plethora of magnificent lakes to be found in North Wales, but Llyn Padarn is perhaps the jewel of this aquatic crown. Nestled between the busy village of Llanberis and the extensive Padarn Country Park, Llyn Padarn is a magnificent glacially formed lake that offers something for everyone. Whether you fancy a spot of wild swimming, kayaking or paddle boarding Llyn Padarn delivers – in fact it is one of the only lakes in North Wales where you can hire SUPs. However, if you’d rather keep your feet on dry ground, then fear not as the walk around the lake is quite spectacular in itself…

Three major concerts are set to take place in Colwyn Bay this summer, featuring some of the biggest names in music. On Friday, July 21st, Ministry of Sound Classical will take over Stadiwm CSM. The show will feature an orchestra performing a selection of classic dance tracks, with special guests Roger Sanchez, Judge Jules, K-Klass, and Hollie Profit.

Ministry of Sound Classical is a concert series that combines the best of classical music with dance music. The show features an orchestra performing a selection of classic dance tracks, with special guests from the world of dance music.

The biggest dance tracks reimagined with an orchestral makeover! Each show features never heard before classical remakes of iconic dance anthems, including:

The Chemical Brothers – “Hey Boy Hey Girl”

Dario G – “Sunchyme”

Faithless – “Insomnia’

Fatboy Slim – “Right Here, Right Now”

Moloko – “Sing It Back”

Music to your ears!

This ain’t no DJ set! Ministry of Sound take on the very best tunes handed picked from dance music history and recreated in a breath-taking orchestral performance by an incredible 30-piece orchestra.

Then, on Saturday, July 22nd, N-Dubz will headline Access All Eiras. The trio, who recently reunited after a nine-year hiatus, will be joined by special guests Wes Nelson and Nathan Dawe.

N-Dubz is a trio that consists of band members Dappy, Tulisa, and Fazer. Fazer and Dappy, who have been best friends since childhood, first started rapping together but decided on getting a female voice in the group, inviting Tulisa to join.

They dominated the UK charts majorly from 2006 to 2011, after which they took a long hiatus. The group announced its reformation in May 2022. Their first two albums, Uncle B and Against All Odds, were certified platinum in the UK. N-Dubz hit No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in collaboration with Tinchy Stryder in 2009.

Some major music stars are due to perform in North Wales this summer…

The trio won a MOBO Award for Best Newcomer in 2007 and the Best UK Act at the MOBO Awards. The trio’s third album Love.Live.Life charted at number seven in the UK and became their third successive platinum-selling album.

Their new single titled “February” is the band’s second taste of new music in 2023 and features Dappy, Tulisa and Fazer’s signature back-and-forth storytelling. While retaining their unique sound, the track also boasts fresh production from the latter member that strikes a balance between contemporary and classic.

The Colwyn Bay concert will be N-Dubz’s first show in North Wales in over a decade. It is sure to be a huge event, so fans are advised to book their tickets early.

Finally, on Sunday July 23rd, Rag’n’Bone Man will close out the weekend with a performance of his soulful hits, with support from Josh Barry & Lily Moore.

Rag‘N’Bone Man – aka Rory Graham – rose to prominence in 2016 with the release of the worldwide smash hit Human which showcased a stunning blend of traditional blues, hip-hop and, of course, an incredible and era-defining voice.

Rory began collecting his dedicated fan base incredibly early on in his career, one that has continued to grow and sell out tours around the globe.

Having won the 2017 BRIT’s ‘British Breakthrough Act’ and receiving the BRIT’s ‘Critics’ Choice Award’ in the same year, Graham cemented his success with the record-breaking release of his 4x platinum Number

One debut album Human. A plethora of international accolades followed as well as and a further BRIT Award for ‘Best Single of the Year’ in 2018 for Human.

Life by Misadventure, Graham’s second #1 album with Columbia Records that came out in May 2021 and spent seven weeks in the Top 10, is the culmination of more than a year spent writing and working with some of music’s true greats in London and Nashville.

The album boasted a renewed sense of purpose and an entirely new energy in singles such as All You Ever Wanted, Anywhere Away From Here, Alone and Crossfire.

The Colwyn Bay concert will be Rag’n’Bone Man’s first show in North Wales. It is sure to be a memorable event, so make sure you book now! n

Tickets for all three concerts are selling fast. There are limited tickets remaining, so fans are advised to book their tickets early. Tickets for all three shows can be bought from www.accessalleirias.com

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Festival fun!

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is a weeklong arts festival in North East Wales which, for 76 years, has brought together performers from across the globe to share their love of song, dance and spoken word.

This proud heritage of international cultural exchange and its potential to heal the wounds of conflict, takes place in a uniquely welcoming and joyful Eisteddfod, rooted in traditional Welsh values. A buzzing outdoor site and world-class evening concert series join with a diverse mix of traditional and contemporary music and dance competitions.

Llangollen 2023 opens with a bang on Tuesday 4th July: Alfie Boe and musical theatre super-group, Welsh of the West End perform in an evening concert created just for Llangollen. We keep up the energy throughout the week with Guy Barker’s Big Band performing on Friday 7th July; guaranteed to raise the roof with a formidable power-house of top-drawer jazz players, guest soloists include: Tommy Blaize, Vanessa Haynes, Clare Teal and Giacomo Smith.

Mid-week the Eisteddfod’s commitment to peace is highlighted through The White Flower: Into the Light, a largescale classical music concert on Wednesday 5th July. Massed choirs and NEW Sinfonia join performers from Wales, Bosnia and Ukraine for a concert of remembrance culminating in a message of peace and hope. On Thursday 6th July daring cross-genre multi-instrumentalists Propellor Ensemble present an immersive theatrical experience blending contemporary music, folk, dance and dynamic live visuals; inspired by the wonder of the natural world.

Two incredible live finals form our closing weekend, Choir of the World and Stars of Tomorrow. The very best choirs, dance ensembles and operatic stars feature on Saturday 8th July while the next generation of talented performers compete on Sunday 9th July.

The outdoor festival site has had a makeover for 2023! Make sure you visit for a vibrant daily dose of world, folk and popular music, dance showcases, comedy, thoughtprovoking talks, workshops, street food and shopping, family

friendly entertainment all with an international flavour.

A wide range of ticket prices/options exist; Field entry starts at £5, and Evening Concert tickets cost £10-£48.

For complete immersion in the festival, a Full Weekly Festival Pass provides exclusive access and the best seats in the house for five Evening Concerts, daytime entry to the Eisteddfod Maes and Competitions in the Pavilion, plus discounts and complimentary refreshments. Priced at £230 it’s great value for money and delivers an exclusive range of complimentary privileges.

Llangollen is a beautiful mountain town, situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The festival site, incorporating the iconic 4,000-seat Royal Pavilion, is a five-minute walk from the town centre, with ample parking on-site. n

The International Musical Eisteddfod is coming to Llangollen 4th – 9th July. Tickets can be booked online at www.llangollen.net, or by phone on 01978 862 001 (Tuesday-Thursday 9am-5pm).

The International Musical Eisteddfod comes to Llangollen this month…

St David's Holiday Apartments

St David’s is a traditional marine residence which has been tastefully converted into lovely apartments, each individually designed to create a ‘home from home’ where you’ll love to relax and enjoy your time in. Pristine, light and airy accommodation with lovely gardens.

There are six inviting self-catering holiday apartments sleeping up to four people available, as well as a luxury two-bedroom garden apartment.

St David’s Holiday Apartments are superbly positioned just seconds away from the seafront, a stone’s throw away from Rhos-on-Sea village centre, the promenade, local pubs and only four miles from Llandudno. Beautiful, local scenery abounds –and the newly renovated beach is one of the best in the country.

The proprietors reside on site should you ever need any assistance, and they offer mini breaks during the low season. Carpark on the premises.

St David’s Holiday Apartments

68 Colwyn Avenue, Rhos on Sea, Conwy, LL28 4NN Landline: 01492 548576 Mobile: 07864 844485 enquiries@stdavidsapartments.com

www.stdavidsapartments.com

Bountiful beaches

Bethany Birch discovers the simple delights of beachcombing…

From vast stretches of golden sand to quaint coves hugged by dunes, North Wales is home to an abundance of beautiful beaches. With the arrival of summertime our local shores shall be met by plenty of eager beachgoers, ready to enjoy the thrill of a day spent by the coast. Equipped with body boards, buckets and picnic blankets to see you through the day; yet there is a simple yet faithfully enjoyable activity that often goes forgotten: beachcombing.

With its rugged coastline and picturesque beaches, North Wales offers an idyllic setting for the delightful pastime of beachcombing. Combining the sweet thrill of discovery with a sense of tranquility as you meander along the shore, uncovering hidden treasures amidst the sand and pebbles. This mindful activity is a wonderful way to connect with

nature and sparks a childlike sense of wonder, while soothing and focusing the mind.

One of the greatest rewards of beachcombing lies in the opportunity to immerse yourself entirely in nature. The rhythmic sounds of crashing waves, the salty sea breeze, and the vast expanse of the horizon provide a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It’s a chance to relish in the serenity of your environment and lose yourself in the simple yet joyous activity at hand.

The joy of lining your pockets with perfectly formed pebbles and delicate shells is something that never wavers or tires, it’s a timeless pursuit that transcends age and offers delights for people of all generations. The simplicity and accessibility of beachcombing make it an activity that can be enjoyed by all. From the youngest beachcomber gathering seashells

Whether you’re in search of a uniquely shaped seashell or the lesser-spotted smooth seaglass, you’re sure to find a treasure or two on your next hunt.

Aberdaron on the Llŷn Peninsula

The approach to Talacre Beach

with wonder-filled eyes to the experienced collector seeking rare finds, the shores of North Wales offer an inclusive and diverse playground for all ages.

Whether you’re in search of a uniquely shaped seashell or the lesser-spotted smooth seaglass, you’re sure to find a treasure or two on your next hunt. Head to the strandline (usually where large amounts of seaweed and driftwood are deposited), to look for more unusual finds amidst the seaweed, driftwood and coastal debris.

Alongside the more obvious benefits of beachcombing, it can also be wonderfully educational. It’s a great opportunity to delve deeper and take a fascinating glimpse into the rich marine ecosystems thriving beneath the waves. Driftwood, seaweed, and mermaid’s purses (shark or ray egg cases) are just a few of the intriguing finds that tell stories of the ocean’s inhabitants. In North Wales, the beaches of Llandanwg, Porthdinllaen and Talacre are known for their diverse marine life, offering beachcombers an up-close encounter with nature’s intricacies.

While you wander along the coast, keep an eye out for local sealife and wildlife, on occasions dolphins can be spotted travelling through the Bay. It’s also a great chance to spot and identify different bird species, crabs, fish and even seaweed that thrive in nearby rockpools and shallow waters.

It’s important to respect and take care of our local beaches and marine life to preserve the natural beauty of our local coastal areas. So, during your next beachcombing adventure it’s encouraged to do your bit and remove litter and debris from the beach, such as plastic bottles, crisp packets and discarded

fishing nets. Initiatives such as Keep Wales Tidy campaign strive to protect the region’s stunning beaches, making beachcombing not only an enjoyable activity but also a means of contributing to the conservation of the environment.

North Wales’ beaches, such as Rhosneigr, Porth Neigwl (Hell’s Mouth on the Llŷn Peninsula), and Llanddulas, provide abundant opportunities to uncover such natural wonders. While destinations such as Trearddur Bay, Criccieth, and Aberdaron offer tranquil settings for beachcombing, inviting visitors to slow down, reflect, and find solace in the simple pleasures of the beach. The beauty of beachcombing is that there is more often than not something special to be found at almost every beach, making it a fantastic activity to return to no matter which coast you’re near.

Beachcombing is a delightful pursuit that immerses us in the beauty of the coastal landscape. While also offering the joys of discovery, a glimpse into marine life, a sense of tranquility, and the opportunity to be an environmental steward. From the sandy beaches of Rhosneigr and Trearddur Bay to the rocky shores of Llanddulas and Aberdaron, the region’s coastline provides a rich tapestry of treasures waiting to be found. So, don your walking shoes, breathe in the sea air, and embark on a beachcombing adventure along the local stunning shores. You never know what simple delights and hidden wonders await you there! n

Bethany Birch is a freelance writer based who often seeks inspiration from the beauty of North Wales. Chasing beautiful beaches and the invigorating sea air, she loves to write by the water’s edge. Watching the sunset by the sea, glass in hand, is her ultimate bliss...

THE BEAUTY OF BEACHCOMBING IS THAT THERE IS MORE OFTEN THAN NOT SOMETHING SPECIAL TO BE FOUND AT ALMOST EVERY BEACH

Traditional wooden groynes reach out into the sea off Llanddulas beach

Solar Panels for Free electricity

How to qualify:

Somebody living in the property only needs to meet one out of the following three criteria:

1. Anyone living in the property that takes medication for along term health condition (eg asthma, arthritis, diabetes, depression etc)

2. If the total income of the property is <£31,000 per year (for people who areselfemployed this is your profit, notyour tur nover)

3. If anyone in the property receives Working tax credit, Child tax credit, Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or certain other benefits

We areable to help if you use either Oil, LPG, Wood, Coal or electric to heat your home. Unfortunately we areunabletohelp if the property has mains gas central heating

Inter

Funding is limited and is strictly allocated on a first come, first served basis. Any grant funding that you receivedoesnot have to be re-paid. The level of funding that you may receiveisbased upon the amount of carbon dioxide that will be saved by installing an energy saving measure. Asurvey of your property is necessary to calculate this funding. All funding offers aresubject to survey.Please contact us to arrange afree, no-obligation survey

Moreinformation on the Gover nment’sECO funding scheme can be found on the OFGEM website: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/eco/about-eco-scheme

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is agover nment energy efficiency scheme in Great Britain to help reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty Further information can be found at www.energysavinggrants.org

Air Source Heat Pumps / Electric Storage Heaters

nal Wall Insulation and Exter nal Wall Insulation

North Wales is full of magnificent scenery - which can be seen at its best from the comfort of a seat in one of our steam trains.

We offer a range of round-trip scenic journeys into Snowdonia - with a mix of heritage and new build carriages you can relax in as you enjoy the passing scenery. We'll be running trains every day until the end of October. Simply scan the QR code below for the latest information on our train services. Here you'll find details of all the journey options which will be available during your visit - and buy your tickets as well.

Recommended: Please book in advance to avoid disappointment.

No QR code scanner - then go to www.festrail.co.uk/trains

Summer time

North Wales has got such a diverse and fascinating history that you can’t beat a day out where you can learn all about it. And one way to step back in time is to board your very own steam train! The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways have stepped up services with more journey options for visitors this summer…

From Caernarfon, there are three different journeys on offer. The Cwellyn, a part day trip to Rhyd Ddu. The Gelert Explorer, a day out to Beddgelert with time to explore the village, and The Snowdonia Star that travels the full Welsh Highland line to Porthmadog. From Porthmadog, trains travel in both directions. Children will love the Woodland Wanderer to Tan y Bwlch, heritage carriages with separate compartments make it a popular choice. Meanwhile, The Mountain Spirit journeys to Blaenau Ffestiniog. The Welsh Highland’s Aberglaslyn serves Beddgelert, or The Harbourmaster travels all the way to Caernarfon with time to explore the town. Their new train from Blaenau Ffestiniog, The Quarryman, follows the journey of the slates to Porthmadog.

Meanwhile a tour of Bodrhyddan Hall offers a unique perspective of a historic Welsh family home. With a collection of artwork, furniture and swords, collected mostly by the

family themselves, an outing of curiosity awaits. Step back in time to learn about the naval escapades of Admiral Rafe in World War I, or Charlotte’s honeymoon adventures to Africa and the Middle East in the 1830’s – including an Egyptian mummy who now calls North Wales his home. With a family history that stretches back to the Normal Conquest in 1066, there is almost 1,000 years of heritage within the ornate brickwork walls of Bodrhyddan Hall.

Finally National Trust Cymru cares for an amazing collection of gardens that encompass more than 500 years of Welsh history and provide the ideal spot to escape into nature this summer. From walled gardens and Italianate terraces to magnificent topiary and delicate parterres, there’s plenty to explore.

Or head to Erddig, Wrexham, where 200 metres of herbaceous borders are putting on a colourful summer show and a very special bedding display on the Victorian Parterre commemorates 50 years of National Trust Cymru caring for this special place. At Bodnant Garden, Conwy, experience the intoxicating sights, scents and sounds of this world-class garden’s famous Italianate terraces, which are now blossoming more beautifully than ever as years of conservation work come to fruition. n

Experience the intoxicating sights, scents and sounds at Bodnant Garden

The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways have stepped up services with more journey options for visitors this summer

A tour of Bodrhyddan Hall offers a unique perspective of a historic Welsh family home

Summer days out in North Wales

Explore vast Welsh castles, get stuck in with Summer of Play activities, or let off steam in natural play areas with National Trust Cymru this summer.

With fun-filled activities and exciting events, there are plenty of great family days out to be had in Wales this summer. What’s more, Starling Bank are sponsoring the charity’s Summer of Play offer, meaning some places have new and exciting activities.

Chirk Castle and Garden, Wrexham

Chirk Castle’s new summer experience awaits with a Medieval twist. Get ready to jump, climb, run and skip through bales, because this year the centrepiece of Chirk Castle’s Summer of Play is a huge straw bale castle. Within the straw fortress lies four unique play zones where you can discover different ways to play, be active, engage your senses and have fun. On selected weekends, there will also be archery and fencing sessions. No visit would be complete without an exploration of the Medieval castle itself, with stunning gardens, preserved dungeons and state rooms fit for a king.

Erddig, Wrexham

Get active at Erddig this summer and put the whole family to the test with competitive games on the lawn. Whether it’s weaving wheelbarrows on the West Front, teaming up in relay, or racing around the Timber Yard on tricycles, there’s something to keep all ages occupied.

On selected days there will also be art workshops and the award-winning storyteller Jake Evans returns with three magical sessions of storytelling that will keep little ones gripped to their seats.

Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey

Get the family together and complete all the activity stations throughout the garden at Plas Newydd this summer. Have a go at flying a kite, play giant Jenga and other garden games. Families can also go head-to-head in a game of frisbee golf, a firm favourite with visitors, and little ones will love exploring the treehouse.

The Adventure Playground in Dairy Woods is the perfect place to let off some steam at Plas Newydd. Nestled in the woods you’ll find a big climbing frame with a slide, climbing wall, tunnels and bridges, but you’ll need to complete the obstacle course to get to it!

Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Bangor Uncover more about the farmlands that once stood at Penrhyn Castle through a series of games, quizzes and activities this summer.

There are also two play areas to explore, the natural woodland play area can be found through a secret archway in the car park while the Adventure Playground can be found nestled amongst the woods near the Walled Garden.

There’s plenty to see and do and what’s more, every visit help to support the National Trust Cymru’s work as a charity looking after special places for everyone, for ever. n

Most offers begin on 22nd July unless otherwise stated. Normal admission applies (National Trust members for free). For more information, or to plan your visit, head to the website.

Discover more exciting days out near you here:

Chirk Castle ©National Trust Images James Dobson

Penrhyn Castle ©National Trust Images

Erddig ©National Trust Images

Arnhel de Serra

Plas Newydd ©National Trust Images

Written in blood Written in blood

Bill Kenwright’s legendary, award-winning production of the international smash hit musical, Blood Brothers is coming to Venue Cymru next month.

Niki Colwell Evans and Sean Jones will continue to play the iconic roles of Mrs Johnstone and Mickey Johnstone respectively, with Gemma Brodrick stepping into the role of Linda, the “role of a lifetime” for the actress who has been a part of the production since she began in 2019.

Niki Colwell Evans first rose to fame in 2007 when she reached the semi-final of series four of The X Factor UK mentored by Louis Walsh. After her debut solo single ‘Love Me No More’ in 2008, she went on to play the iconic role Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers at the Phoenix Theatre between 2008-2009 and in 2010 where she received rave reviews from critics. Over the years, Niki has also toured as a solo singer with pop stars such as Sonia, Lonnie Gordon, Big Fun and Yell. In 2016, she performed at the Queen’s 90th celebrations at Windsor Castle alongside Dame Helen Mirren, Damien Lewis, Andrea Boccelli, Katherine Jenkins, Gary Barlow, Kylie Minogue and many more.

Sean Jones continues in the role of Mickey in Blood Brothers. His other stage credits include Aladdin; Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan; Cinderella; Snow White (UK Tour); Macbeth (UK Tour and Singapore); and Jacqueline’s Wilson’s world premiere of Wave Me Goodbye in Theatr Clwyd. TV credits include: Emmerdale, The Royal Today and Hollyoaks.

Written by award-winning playwright Willy Russell, few

musicals have been received with such acclaim as the multiaward-winning Blood Brothers. Considered ‘one of the best musicals ever written’ (Sunday Times), Bill Kenwright’s production surpassed 10,000 performances in London’s West End, one of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone. It has been affectionately christened the ‘Standing Ovation Musical’, as inevitably it “brings the audience cheering to its feet and roaring its approval” (Daily Mail).

This epic tale of Liverpool life started as a play, performed at a Liverpool comprehensive school in 1981, before opening at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1983. The musical has since triumphed across the globe, completing sell out seasons in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan, and scooping up four awards for Best Musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway.

When Mrs Johnstone, a young mother, is deserted by her husband and left to her own devices to provide for seven hungry children she takes a job as a housekeeper in order to make ends meet. It is not long before her brittle world crashes around her when she discovers herself to be pregnant yet again – this time with twins! In a moment of weakness and desperation, she enters a secret pact with her employer which leads inexorably to the show’s shattering climax. n

Blood Brothers will be performing at Llandudno’s Venue Cymru from 8th – 12th August. Tickets are available from www.venuecymru.co.uk

One of the best musicals of all time is coming to Venue Cymru next month…

Written by awardwinning playwright Willy Russell, few musicals have been received with such acclaim as the multiaward-winning Blood Brothers

Dream a little dream

In my dream I was eight years old, long ago in 1960. I was standing under the leafy branches of a walnut tree, near the front door of the school building, and I caught a glimpse of my own reflection in the window of the headmaster’s study.

A very small boy, with a mop of curly blonde hair, in grey corduroy shorts and a grey shirt with a red and black tie. My plump little legs were streaked with mud and grassy stains, as though I’d been rolling and fighting in the school playing field. And when I looked down at my hands, they were bright yellowy green. I’d picked up one of the walnuts, a windfall, and I was peeling off the skin to reveal the nut itself.

The dream blurred and faded and disappeared. And yet, when I woke up I had a strong feeling that, if only I’d managed to stay with it and it hadn’t slipped away, I could have carried on re-living my life from that moment, for years and decades, until now – as though I’d been reincarnated, as myself, and could have lived my whole life all over again.

Reincarnation… it’s an intriguing, strangely appealing notion, that you might come back in another life as a different creature, as a bird or a fish or an insect, depending on how much good or bad karma you’ve generated as a human being. I’m not sure I believe in the idea myself, although it may be sensible to hedge your bets and try to be kindly and considerate in this present-day existence. Since I enjoyed that dream and the fleeting sensation of returning to the idyll of my childhood, I’ve wondered idly how and where I might like to be reincarnated…

Where? That’s the easy bit. Who wouldn’t want to spend another lifetime, in whatever shape or form, along the seashores and in the mountains of our native North Wales?

How? Not as myself, of course. That would be oddly

claustrophobic, as though trapped in a Groundhog Day of exasperating repetition. But over the past few weeks of this variable summer, I’ve caught a few glimpses of the kind of afterlife I might relish.

We went to revisit Dolbadarn Castle, overlooking Padarn Lake at Llanberis. It’s a marvellously atmospheric site, the shell of a fortress built by the native Welsh prince, Llewelyn the Great, to guard the mountain passes and resist the looming menace of an English invasion. It’s a ruin, but the remaining towers are stubbornly sturdy and will surely survive many more centuries of rain and snow and wintry winds. We clambered into the very room in which Owain ap Grufydd was imprisoned for 22 years by his brother Llewelyn, in a period of bitter fraternal rivalry. Even on a warm summer’s afternoon, you shiver at the thought of Owain’s incarceration, the numbing loneliness of year after year in such a terrible prison.

And there were swifts, hurtling around the castle. Marvellous to behold, the most perfectly evolved of all birds, in their mastery of flight – their sheer speed and agility, their dashing and swerving and their screams of exhilaration. As we stood there, a swift came careering into the room, through the open window. In his beak he had a blue dragonfly, plucked in mid-air from the lake below. The swift, in and out of the tower in a second or two – the essence of freedom and energy and lordliness of life! Hurtling in the skies of a Snowdonia afternoon, snatching his prey from the surface of a cold, dark lake! To be a swift, in another future existence? How fine that might be…

Another day we were pootling along the Foryd estuary a mile or two south of Caernarfon town. As always, the crows were busy, so focussed on the diligence of their task that we could sit and watch them tirelessly at work. A crow, on our favourite

Stephen Gregory dreamt that he was once a boy again, at school in Colwyn Bay…

seashore – he had found a mussel, among the sweet green seaweed, and he floated up into the air and dropped it onto the rocks of the beach. And then he fluttered down again and found it.

Had it broken open so that he could enjoy its juicy flesh? No, not quite. So, again and again, maybe five or six times, he picked up the mussel, carried it into the air and dropped it onto the rocks. Until its shell was sufficiently cracked and he could prise it open with his strong black beak. Delicious, and satisfying, the more so because of the effort its enjoyment had required. To be a crow, on the seaweed shore of the estuary? That might be a purposeful future lifetime…

We went to Penrhyn Castle, a place we’ve visited many times. You can enjoy the woodlands and wildflower meadows and even go into the restaurant for homemade soup and scones and jam, without buying an entry ticket to the castle itself. The trees in the surrounding gardens and hillsides are breathtaking, the most perfect chestnut and oak and beech and ash, the finest mature specimens to be found anywhere. You can park and walk, take your own deckchairs and a picnic, find a shady grove and relax and eat and drink and relish the birdsong – and even indulge a fantasy that this beautiful place is your own private garden, that you are the squire of your own estate.

And there was a cat. He was a particularly handsome cat, glossy black with bright green eyes, sleek and well fed from a lifetime of prowling by the castle tearooms. He emerged from the undergrowth of rosebay willowherb, curious to see who had trespassed on his private property. And he had just captured an especially tasty morsel, to supplement the treats he expected to get when the tearooms were closing – in his sharp white fangs he was holding a goldfinch.

The bird was still alive. It fluttered in the cat’s jaws, and the golden-yellow flashes on its wings were bright in the afternoon sunlight. But its eyes were fading. It made feeble rowing

movements with its legs. And then the cat turned away and simply folded himself into the willowherb. He was gone, having inspected us with a scornful look – the sleek black cat, lord of his own estate, with his fluttering, fading prize.

To be a cat, in the woodlands of Penrhyn Castle? Comfortably well-fed, and holding the power of life and death. A lifetime of your own dominion…

And still another day, in the shady little garden of our son’s house in Caernarfon, I sat with a cup of tea and watched a song thrush at work on his anvil. He was perfect, quite plump in the fullness of his beautifully speckled chest, alert in the beadiness of his eyes. He was hammering a snail onto a stone in the rockery, to break open the shell and eat the succulent pink body inside. To be a song thrush in your own secret garden. Maybe?

And so, ever since the dream of myself as a walnut-stained schoolboy more than 60 years ago, I’ve pondered the notion of another life to come. What would it be like, to be made flesh again in another shape or form? According to the principles of reincarnation, it depends on the good or bad karma I generate in this lifetime.

How exciting and intriguing it would be, to return to this marvellously challenging part of our planet for another existence – as a swift, or a crow, or a cat, or a thrush. On the other hand, I might be a dragonfly or a mussel or a goldfinch, or even a snail. n

Stephen Gregory’s first novel, The Cormorant, which he wrote in Snowdonia 35 years ago, has been published several times in both the UK and the USA, and translated into German, Polish and Italian. The new edition, which is available from Parthian Books, is its tenth publication.

AND THERE WAS A CAT. HE WAS A PARTICULARLY HANDSOME CAT, GLOSSY BLACK WITH BRIGHT GREEN EYES, SLEEK AND WELL FED

Let

As funeral directors in Llandudno, North Wales Chris Lord-Brown and Jonathen Harty have over fifty years of combined experience. Serving both local and neighbouring communities, their expertise and knowledge combined with their extensive contacts have led to numerous families entrusting them to arrange and conduct the funeral services of their loved ones.

Together they run Lord-Brown & Harty Ltd. This independent, privately owned and professionally qualified funeral directors and monumental masons is situated in the heart of Llandudno on the North Wales coast.

They are proud member of The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), undergo regular inspections of premises and paperwork to ensure compliance, and abide by the NAFD's Code of Practice.

CHRIS LORD-BROWN

B.Ed(Hons) DipFD

chris@lbandh.co.uk

JONATHEN HARTY

B.Ed(Hons) DipHE FRAS

jonathen@lbandh.co.uk

www.lbandh.co.uk

12 Trinity Square, Llandudno, Conwy, LL30 2RA

Ten of the best… waterfalls

Being a land of mountains, hills, rivers and lakes, North Wales has some great waterfalls to visit this summer –here are ten of our favourites…

DYSERTH FALLS

Dyserth Falls are well signposted and located on the aptly named Waterfalls Road in Dyserth (near Prestatyn) next to The New Inn. A well-placed free car park with toilets is to be found next to the falls and there is a small charge for visiting the waterfall itself. There is hardly any walking needed unless you want to climb some of the steps giving access to the countryside above the falls. Dyserth Falls are very impressive and fall about 70ft in a rocky chasm. They are formed when the River Ffyddion (which rises 4.5 miles to the east at Marian Mills) tumbles down a vertical drop in a noisy cascade. Dyserth Falls is a popular tourist attraction as the cascade is so easy to reach from the car park and there are often lots of people there on sunny summer’s days.

LLANBERIS FALLS

ABER FALLS

Aber Falls is one of Snowdonia’s most visited waterfalls and one of the real majestic sights of the National Park overall. Called Rhaeadr Fawr in Welsh, Aber Falls is located in the foothills of the mighty Carneddau Mountains at the end of a steep sided valley on the Coedydd Aber Nature Reserve. The falls form when the Afon Goch plunges around 120ft over a rocky escarpment. In winter the falls often freeze and ice climbers can be watched climbing up it. There is a car park near the village of Abergwyngregyn at the end of a lane and from here a walk of about a mile down a good track brings you to the falls. You can get quite close to the cascading water and the area is always popular.

Llanberis Falls are also romantically called Ceunant Mawr Waterfall and are located above Llanberis. The name Ceunant Mawr translates as ‘the waterfall of the great ravine’ and Llanberis Falls certainly lives up to its name. After rain the impressive cascade foams and froths its way down a stunning tree lined gorge falling for around 100 ft. The falls are well seen by users of The Snowdon Mountain Railway as it rises from Llanberis towards Snowdon summit. For those wishing to visit on foot a marked way leaves the town centre of Llanberis up Church Street. A steep climb of about three quarters of a mile brings you to a viewing area after you cross the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Further along the road another path takes you to the head of the falls but the best view (and the safest) is from the main viewing station.

SWALLOW FALLS

Swallow Falls is among the most visited of Snowdonia’s tourist attractions and is accessed easily for a small fee via a turnstile. It is located two miles west of Betws-y-Coed and is facing the Swallow Falls Complex where there is an inn, a youth hostel and a campsite plus parking. There is also parking in a lay-by on the side of the A5 close to the falls entrance. Swallow Falls (Rhaeadr Ewynnol in Welsh) lies on the river Llugwy and although it is in reality a series of cascades, it is still classed as the longest continuous waterfall in Wales. Steps lead steeply down to viewing platforms and there are safety rails in place. It is possible to get right below the lower end of the falls and if there is a lot of water running the noise can be deafening.

FAIRY FALLS

PISTYLL RHAEADR

Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall, near Llanrhaedr-ym-Mochnant, is the highest waterfall in both England and Wales at an impressive 80 metres. Fed by water from the Berwyn Mountains, the waterfall is formed by the Afon Disgynfa falling in three stages into the Afon Rhaeadr below. There is a car park and café at the foot of the waterfall, making it a great place to explore the Berwyn Mountains and surrounding hills from, with many walks available to suit a variety of walkers. And, if you fancy stopping for a bit longer to soak up the atmosphere, a campsite is situated just a stone’s throw away from the majestic waterfall…

THE GREY MARES TAIL

The Grey Mares Tail is a dramatic waterfall hidden away in a gorge amongst thick woodland near Gwydir Castle. There is a marked car park (easy to miss) through a gate at Coed Felin Blwm (the Lead Mill Wood) on the B5106 between the town of Llanrwst and the village of Trefriw. The falls Welsh title is Rhaeadr y Parc Mawr. A good steep path climbs from the car park following a stream to reach the main waterfall. There is access from the minor lane above the falls too but the parking here is very limited. The Grey Mares tail actually consists of two waterfalls split by a rock that fall into a deep plunge pool beneath them. The stream below the falls eventually flows into the River Conwy. Surprisingly The Grey Mares Tail is a little visited waterfall but well worth the effort to find.

Approached on a marked walking route from the pleasant village of Trefriw in the Conwy Valley, Fairy Falls (Rhaeadr y Tylwyth Teg in Welsh) is approached through the wooded Fairy Glen above Trefriw Woollen Mill. The glen is very atmospheric and so are the series of waterfalls leading to the main fall in a tree-lined basin. Local children and visitors often leave small toy figures on the ground near the main falls for the fairies believed to inhabit the area. The falls are on the River Crafnant which flows from the popular Llyn Crafnant high above it. The main falls are around 25ft high and fall down an angled rock face. The Fairy Falls Inn in the village of Trefriw takes its name from Fairy falls and is a popular spot for a drink or some food after a walk to them.

ANANTCOL FALLS

Here’s an unusual set of falls that deserve to be better known than they are. Nantcol Falls are a series of waterfalls set on the River Nantcol at the foot of Snowdonia’s most rugged and wild mountain range –The Rhinogs. The falls are set amongst privately owned farmland and the best way to see them is to camp on the award winning Nantcol Waterfalls Campsite and use one of the marked walks that the site provides for campers to explore them from. It’s a bit of an unusual way of gaining access to a falls system but well worth the effort involved in bringing along a tent. The best route for those wishing to see Nantcol Falls is the ‘Riverside Walk’ which follows the river past the falls and returns on the ‘Woodland Walk’. Nantcol Waterfalls Campsite is accessed off the A496 between Harlech and Barmouth.

CEUNANT CYNFAL FALLS

The spectacular narrow wooded ravine of Ceunant Cynfal was much loved by The Victorians and a very popular day out for them. It has a series of pretty waterfalls but the main one, Rhaeadr Cynfal, is quite spectacular. To see it you’ll need to descend some slippery steps to a viewing platform. The rock above the fall is known at ‘Huw Llwyd’s Pulpit’ after an eccentric 17th Century wizard reputed to live there. The River Cynfal is not a long river but races swiftly over rocks as it gallops through a glacial gorge. This is a natural habitat for ferns and lush growth and the sound of crashing water amongst the foliage is very atmospheric. Finding the way to the gorge is not easy but there is access from a lay-by on the A470 below Ffestiniog and in Ffestiniog itself.

THE TORRENT WALK

A marked circular footpath gives access to the famous Torrent Walk from a signed parking area at the top of it near the village of Brithdir between the A494 and A470 just east of Dolgellau. It is quite a strenuous outing and the full round is a good three miles. The Torrent Walk is very popular and makes a circuit of the Afon Clywedog taking in numerous waterfalls and dramatic gorges. It descends (and re-ascends) 350ft metres on good, but often rough paths. The walk was created in the late 1800’s by The Richards Family of the Caerynwch Estate and designed and engineered by Thomas Payne. It was much loved by The Victorian and Edwardians and makes a beautiful walk at anytime of the year. Some areas can be slippery so wear boots and take your time. n

It is no secret that I am a huge Bond fan. You can only imagine my joy when the James Bond of my childhood, Sir Roger Moore, actually came to dine at Paysanne a few times. (I might have mentioned this once or twice in the past…)

Food for thought

Fancy a bit of North Wales-based Bond trivia? Obviously you know that Timothy Dalton was a Colwyn Bay lad, but did you know that parts of the climax of From Russia With Love were filmed in Snowdonia? Do you remember Tiger Tanaka’s ninja academy where Bond stays during You Only Live Twice whilst pretending unconvincingly to be a local fisherman? That was actually Himeji Castle in the Hyōgo Prefecture of Japan.

Why do I mention that? Because a few years ago, Himeji Castle was officially twinned with our own Conwy Castle, which was built at around the same time during the late 13th Century. This initiative took place just after Japan’s Tourism Promotion Council listed Conwy as one of the 30 most beautiful destinations in Europe, back in 2015.

GUNKAN MAKI

Ingredients

1 wild sea bass fillet, sliced very thin

1 cucumber (carefully sliced lengthways with a peeler)

Sushi rice

1 tbsp wasabi (add more if you like)

3 tbsp light soy sauce

1 tbsp mirin

1 tbsp sake (or white wine as substitute)

Coriander, finely chopped Laverbread

Japanese chef Hisae Driver was asked at the time to mark the occasion by creating a fusion dish that combined the best of Welsh and Japanese food and, with her chef husband Robert, invented Wushi – a sushi dish that incorporated leeks, Sewin or sea-trout, Welsh cheddar cheese, laverbread, cockles, and even Welsh lamb.

Hisae Driver arrived here in 1998 to study in Bangor University and was so taken by North Wales that she never left. She is now running her own Asian fusion restaurant, Sakura in Abergele. This is her North Wales-inspired take on gunkan maki with wild sea bass, which you should be able to get in most North Wales fishmongers.

Enjoy with a glass of sake, as Bond himself does in You Only Live Twice. “I like sake, especially when it’s served at the correct temperature - 98.4 degrees Fahrenheit.”

Terrible smarty-pants, isn’t he?

Boil light soy sauce, mirin and sake for around ten seconds in a little saucepan then set aside to cool down. Add wasabi and mix well.

Place thinly sliced sea bass in a flat container, sprinkle over some coriander and pour the cooled wasabi sauce over the sea bass. Leave it covered in the fridge for at least one hour.

Make a little oval shape ball with sushi rice. Wrap it around with sliced cucumber. Place two slices of marinated sea bass on the top and put a pea-sized amount of laverbread on the top. n

Cai Ross is co-owner and Maitre d’ of the award-winning Paysanne Bistro in Deganwy, which has been serving French country-style food to the fine people of North Wales since 1988. He also writes for Calibre Magazine, BBC Good Food, HeyUGuys.com and The North Wales Weekly News

Offers in the region of

£450,000 St Asaph Avenue, Kinmel Bay, LL18 5HB

• A fine example of family living offering a four bedroom detached house with double extension

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Justholme, Llanddulas Road, Abergele, Conwy, LL22 8EU

• Beautifully presented

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• Private, yet convenient location

• Lawn gardens to all sides

• Ample parking and workshop

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We hold the key s to makin g your dreams com e tru e!

£550,000 Glan Yr Afon Ch8 9BQ

• A delightful country residence which stands in just over half an acre

• Paddock/log store, detached double garage, sweeping driveway and two further double garages

• Boasting charm and character it enjoys breathtaking panoramic views.

• Viewing highly recommended

£1,499,000 Hafod Gwaenysgor, LL18 6EQ

• An exquisite four bedroom detached residence standing in 4.61 acres with paddocks

• Stable block and an indoor swimming pool along with a double garage and extensive driveway

• Enjoying breath taking panoramic views of the surrounding open countryside.

• Located in a village within easy access of the A55 Expressway

• Highly appointed throughout

The Selling & Letting Agents

INDEPENDENT ESTATE AGENTS

Abergele

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Gellifor

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• Two Bedroom Detached Bungalow

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Northop Hall

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• Five Bedroom Detached House

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Yma i helpu. Here to Help.

Mae ein swyddfeydd agor ar gyfer cyfarfodydd sydd wedi eu trefnu o flaen llaw ac er mwyn gollwng dogfennau. Rydym eisoes yn cynnig cyfarfodydd dros y ffôn a thrwy fideo.

Rydym ni’n cynnig ystod eang o wasanaethau cyfreithiol, sy’n cynnwys:

· Eiddo Masnachol a Phreswyl

· Ystadau ac Amaethyddiaeth

· Ewyllysiau, Ymddiriedolaethau a Phrofiant

Cyfraith Teulu

· Cyflogaeth

· Corfforaethol a Masnachol

· Anghydfodau

· Niwed Personol ac Esgeulustod Meddygol

· Hamdden a Thwristiaeth

Our offices are open for pre-arranged appointments and to drop off documents, we continue to offer meetings via telephone and video.

Offering a wide range of legal services including:

· Commercial & Residential Property

· Landed Estates & Agriculture

· Wills, Trusts & Probate

Family Law

· Employment

· Corporate & Commercial

· Disputes

· Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

· Leisure & Tourism

MEET THE TEAM AT LANYON BOWDLER

Family law expert, Jon Moriarty, talks about his career highlights and sheds light on some hidden gems in North Wales, as he joins Conwybased Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors.

Jon has been a solicitor for more than 20 years and has recently joined Lanyon Bowdler as a partner at the firm’s Conwy office. He helps families deal with divorce and other legal matters, with particular experience in financial matters during a divorce or separation, as well as arrangements concerning children.

How would you describe your job?

Varied, interesting and hugely enjoyable. In my role as a family solicitor you get to meet a real mix of people from different backgrounds and each case has its own unique facts and considerations, often spanning different areas of the law. Quite apart from the challenge of breaking down the issues and hopefully coming up with solutions to achieve the best outcome for your client, it is a privilege to be able to help your client embark on the next chapter in their life, and seeing them thrive, knowing that you have been part of that success. I still get a “kick” out of helping clients, which was the reason I wanted to go into the law when I was younger.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in law?

Don’t shy away from a challenge and try to get as much experience in as many different areas of the law as you can early on in your career. This will stand you in good stead later on as you will have a greater understanding of the wider issues and you will be a better lawyer for it.

What’s your favourite thing about living and working in North Wales?

It has to be the location. We are truly blessed by our surroundings with wonderful mountains, countryside and beaches. I wouldn’t want to live or work anywhere else.

What has been your proudest moment?

There are many, but if I had to choose one it was a case where I was able to recover a very significant sum of monies against a father who had misrepresented his true income position over many years. The sum recovered ran into many thousands of pounds and the money was life-changing for my client and her daughter. Of course, if my wife and children are reading this then it has to be my wedding day and birth of my children!

How do you relax away from work?

I’m a keen walker and take every opportunity I can to get up out onto the hills.

Where is your favourite place to visit in North Wales?

It has to be Llanddwyn beach with its fantastic setting in the shadow of Eryri. It is just as beautiful in the midst of winter as it is in summer – I challenge anyone not to feel recharged and refreshed after a walk along the beach to Llanddwyn Island.

What are your favourite events that take place in North Wales?

Roll the barrel on Boxing Day in Denbigh is always popular and there are some great agricultural shows over the summer months like the Flint and Denbigh Show and the Anglesey Show.

Do you know of any hidden gems which more people should know about?

I’m unsure if this is such a hidden gem, as it always seems popular, but I love Paysanne in Deganwy – the food, drink and service are second to none and it’s well worth a visit. n

Learning by heart

A great education is a gift that keeps on giving. When children spend the formative years of their young lives in the right school environment, it fundamentally shapes who they are and how they respond to the opportunities and challenges of adulthood. This is true for all school-aged children, but is felt strongly in the case of those exceptional young people who have untapped potential ready to be unleashed.

Whether it is in business, sports, or the arts, life offers us countless examples of talent being unearthed when it is situated in the right environment. In education, it is no different. The children and young people in our shared North Wales community have the potential to thrive; developing their skills and refining their gifts to bring value to themselves and those around them. All they need, in many instances, is a school that recognises and celebrates their individuality. A school like Rydal Penrhos.

Thanks to our Fully Funded Places initiative, the opportunity to enjoy a Rydal Penrhos education is accessible to those that need it most. The initiative sees a select number of bright local children and young people from financially disadvantaged backgrounds offered free places at the school each academic year. As a charity and one of the largest employers in the Colwyn Bay area, Rydal Penrhos sees its Fully Funded Places initiative as a key part in its ongoing work to benefit the region and promote the public good.

Supposing they continue to demonstrate virtue and good behaviour during their time at our school, pupils awarded a Fully Funded Place retain their place until they finish their Sixth Form studies in Year 13. During that time, the cost of all school fees, textbooks, uniform, sports kit, school meals and curriculum trips are covered by the school – or, more specifically, by a combination of the school’s charitable trusts and the proceeds from our commercial activities.

Receiving a Fully Funded Place can have a transformative impact on a pupil’s journey. This can be measured in the

examination outcomes our pupils achieve. Based on data gathered from the entrance assessments all pupils complete upon joining us, we know that Rydal Penrhos pupils score an improved grade in 40% of all GCSEs and A-Levels entered, compared to what would be expected at the average school.

Although this impact can be measured over time, pupils also feel the difference of a first-rate education immediately upon joining our school. One of the most noticeable differences is class size. Whereas pressures on other schools mean class sizes continue to rise, at Rydal Penrhos we have maintained a limit of 20 pupils per class. Consequently, pupils have greater one-to-one time and attention from their teachers, which enables them to learn and progress faster.

Outside the classroom, all pupils, including those who have been awarded a Fully Funded Place, experience a broad and varied sporting and extra-curricular programme. For an hour at the end of each school day, pupils participate in a club, society or activity of their choosing. From sports and outdoor education pursuits, such as sailing, archery, or skiing, to cerebral or artistic activities, including subject clinics, STEM club or band rehearsals, the extra-curricular opportunities available to our pupils both enhance classroom learning and put a smile on their faces! n

John Waszek is the Principal of Rydal Penrhos

EDUCATION NEWS

St David’s pupil presents at prestigious conference

St David’s College pupil Thomas Pearce has spoken in front of 100 surgeons and consultants from all over the world at a prestigious conference. Thomas, who has a very rare syndrome, was asked by a surgeon on his team at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital if he would speak at the ESPO 2023 (European Symposium for Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology). Thomas spoke about the airway difficulties associated with his condition. He spoke about his life with over 40 anaesthetics to date and living with a tracheostomy for over six years (since taken out) and night-time ventilation for over 10 years. He delved into

Degrees with a difference at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has one of the largest suite of degrees and university-level courses in Wales, and is suitable for students at all stages of their educational journey. Are you ready for a new challenge? Maybe you are looking to change career or improve your chances of promotion? Are you looking to study for a degree but you have commitments at home, you don’t want to incur exorbitant costs, or you don’t relish the long-distance travelling? Grŵp Llandrillo Menai ticks all of these boxes… The number studying on universitylevel courses has increased steadily year-on-year. Today, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has around 1,200 higher education students studying on 50 different degree courses across its three colleges: Coleg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai and Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor. Grŵp Llandrillo Menai continues to expand its portfolio of Higher Education courses, both independently and in partnership with Bangor University. As well as the

Rydal Penrhos pupil shines at international karate championships

Toby Simmons, a Year 9 pupil at Colwyn Bay independent school Rydal Penrhos, recently travelled to Romania to represent Wales in the Karate World Championships and European Championships. Adding his name to the coeducational day school’s legacy of sporting excellence, the adept karateka achieved the impressive feat of finishing fourth in Europe and the world. “It was a pleasure to be there,” said Toby, “and it was an honour to be able to represent Wales.” Rydal Penrhos continues to provide a broad and diverse sporting curriculum led by expert instructors and coaches. In recent years Rydal Penrhos has invested in significant redevelopment of its swimming pool and fitness suite facilities, supporting pupils in their pursuit of sporting excellence.

some of the difficulties but also wanted to explain how he has overcome challenges and continues to try to lead as normal a life as possible. The Year 11 student also explained that he wants to work at Alder Hey as a neurosurgeon when he is older! The PowerPoint Thomas did was extremely well received and he had the longest clap of the whole conference according to local reports.

more traditional honours degree programmes and higher nationals, the college has been at the forefront in developing and promoting innovative and unique Foundation Degrees and vocational courses. Most of the degree courses are offered at the fully-equipped, multimillion-pound University Centre in Rhos-on-Sea, with some university-level programmes also available at the Bangor, Llangefni and Dolgellau campuses.

Nursing at WGU ranked top for student satisfaction for second year

Nursing at Wrexham Glyndwr University (WGU) has been ranked first for student satisfaction for the second year in succession, in newlypublished league tables. The Complete University Guide rated WGU first in the UK for student satisfaction in the Nursing subject league table, in the 2024 tables. This is the second year in a row that Nursing has topped the table. Nursing was also ranked first for graduate prospects in the subject league table. WGU offers Nursing BN (Hons) courses in Adult Nursing, Children’s Nursing and Mental Health Nursing. Overall, the guide has ranked WGU second for student satisfaction in Wales, and sixth in the whole of the UK. The guide has also ranked WGU first for student satisfaction in Sociology subjects – in which WGU offers courses in Criminology and Criminal Justice (BA Hons) and Law and Criminal Justice (BA Hons).

Counselling, Psychotherapy and Occupational Therapy subjects also performed highly in the league tables – in which WGU offers courses in Occupational Therapy (BSc Hons) – with it rated first for graduate prospects in the subject league table, as well as being ranked third for student satisfaction.

Award winning education set in a 30 acre Tudor Estate, nestled between Snowdonia / Eryri National Park and the North Wales coastline

YEAR 5 & YEAR 7

For more information, scan this QR code or visit STDAVIDSCOLLEGE.CO.UK

Penderyn delighted to welcome the Three Castles Trial

The Three Castles Trial was in Llandudno in June, and this beautiful car parked right outside Penderyn’s distillery, which is located right in the heart of the town. The Old Board School in Lloyd St was built in 1881, and the building has been fully restored and many original features have been saved – including the parquet floors, wall tiles, roof beams and the old steel banisters. Open seven days a week, Penderyn also offers tours and masterclasses, which you can book via their website. During the hour-long tour you will learn about the founding of Penderyn, the new distillery building, how their awardwinning whisky is made and what makes it so unique. See their mill, mash tun and the innovative single copper-pot Penderyn still. At the end of your tour sample some of the products available in the Tasting Bar. And, if you do a tour, you can park in Penderyn’s car park all day for free!

Informal North Wales business events go from strength to strength

People from businesses across North Wales came together for a successful event in Anglesey – and another one is on the way soon. The 4NorthWales group has been established by Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors and Barclays Bank to host informal business events in enjoyable locations, with the most recent being held at Ocean’s Edge restaurant in Trearddur Bay. Emma Deering, of Lanyon Bowdler, which has offices in Conwy and works with clients all over North Wales, said the events had proven popular. “We only set up the group last year and have been really pleased with how it has been received,” she said. “The idea behind 4NorthWales is to give businesses a chance to meet new people in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, rather than a formal networking meeting. We were also keen to use a variety of interesting venues, which have included Dylans in Conwy, The Bank Wine Bar in Wrexham, and Ocean’s Edge which has stunning views over Trearddur Bay. We are in the process of arranging the next evening, which will be in an equally attractive and enjoyable location. The events are really welcoming and are open to business owners and professionals – it’s definitely worth signing up to make sure you receive updates of future dates.”

Dancing Barefoot encourages less plastic

Did you know that by 2050 it’s estimated that there will be more plastic than fish in the sea? Plastic pollution is a huge problem but it’s not too late to help turn the tide on this looming environmental disaster. That’s where worldwide campaign Plastic Free July comes in. Throughout July it’s highlighting how to reduce plastic waste, and there are many easy ways to do this. For example, swap plastic soap dispensers for a solid soap bar. Or when shaving, why not switch to a reusable steel razor instead of using plastic ones. And why not choose skincare and makeup that’s not in single-use plastic packaging? All of these plastic-free alternatives and more can be found at eco-friendly beauty and homeware store www. dancing-barefoot.com where everything is 100% plastic-free.

To celebrate Plastic Free July, they’re offering 10% off all their products to readers of North Wales Magazine throughout July. Use code: NWM10 at checkout (discount coupon can only be used once per person).

Around 500 people from North Wales are referred to The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre each year for treatment following a cancer diagnosis.

You can make a real difference for those people and so many others, by joining Clatterbridge Cancer Charity to take on the Glow Green Night Walk to Eryi’s iconic summit.

Our team of experts will guide you up the mountain through the night, in time to take in the early morning sunrise.

Whether you ’ re celebrating a life, taking on a personal challenge or remembering a loved one, you’ll be changing the lives of local people with cancer

What does nature mean to you?

Abbeyfield Colwyn Bay

Abbeyfield offer a fully inclusive life, including all your heating and food bills in a sheltered housing setting

Why not try our guest/respite room to see if you would enjoy staying in an Abbeyfield House

Ring Anna on 01492 533724 for more information

Your family are welcome to visit you in your accommodation at any time, all flats and bedsits have door entry systems.

Let Abbeyfield take the strain of every day living; a life of no food shopping, cooking and household bills

• Home Cooked Lunch and High Tea

• All Bills included

• Community Alarm Service

• Weekly room clean and your washing and ironing done

If you would like to view any of our three properties please contact Anna by telephone or email Search @ abbeyfield colwyn bay society on facebook Abbeyfield.com

For more information contact General Manager Anna Hamblett on 01492 533724 or email abbeyfieldcolwynbay@gmail.com

What flowers are perfect for a funeral in summer?

Flowers play an important part in honouring and celebrating the lives of those that have died and summer is high season for many different varieties of amazing flowers. We are incredibly lucky to have an in-house florist within our funeral home, James Crompton, who can provide bespoke funeral flower arrangements for our clients. Here are some of his favourite summer flowers…

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are a popular choice for funeral arrangements. These lovely, large and frilly flowers are sure to catch the eye in any floral display they’re featured in and make for a highly effective focal flower due to their size. They come in various colours but white and soft shades of blue and pink are popular and readily available throughout the summer. Hydrangeas add a sense of grace, softness and tranquility to floral tributes, making them a fitting choice to honour someone’s memory.

Peonies

Peonies, with their lush, multi-layered blooms and delicate fragrance, are often associated with beauty, love, and compassion. Peonies symbolise a deep emotional connection and are a powerful representation of remembrance. Peonies come in a range of colours, including white, pink, and red however they only have a short flowering season from mid May to late June.

Delphiniums

Delphiniums are known for their tall, majestic spikes of flowers and are commonly used in garden style, loose and natural funeral arrangements. Their deep blue colour is often associated with tranquility and calmness, providing a soothing presence during a time of grief.

Astilbe

Astilbe are delicate, feathery flowers that add a soft touch to funeral arrangements. Astilbe come in shades of pink and white and are a beautiful addition to any wild or informal style arrangement to give an authentic, natural feel.

Cornflowers

Cornflowers, with their vibrant blue hue, can bring the beauty and grace of a wildflower meadow to funeral flower arrangements. These flowers symbolise devotion, faithfulness, and eternal love. Cornflowers one of the few naturally bright blue blooms that are available as commercially grown cut flowers, making them a popular choice while in season.

Dahlias

Dahlias are bold and captivating blooms that come in a variety of colours, shapes, and sizes. Dahlias are immensely popular with gardeners and professional horticulturalists for showing at competitions. These delightful blooms can be incorporated into funeral arrangements to represent a vibrant and welllived life. The colour choices can be tailored to reflect the personality and preferences of the departed, from deep reds to soft pinks and cheerful yellows and fiery oranges.

Remember, flowers have a way of speaking when words fail us. They offer a visual representation of our love, respect, and gratitude for those we hold dear, even in times of sorrow. So, if you find yourself faced with the task of selecting funeral flowers and you’re unsure of what to choose – never hesitate to lean on the expertise and knowledge of your local professional florist. A great florist will be able to talk you through seasonal availability, colours, size and price options. Don’t forget to ask to see a portfolio of their work so you can be certain that the florist’s style and quality of work corresponds with your wishes! n

If you have any questions that you would like answering please send them to info@tomowenandson.com

Kelly Owen is a funeral director at Tom Owen and Son – an awardwinning, 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 www.tomowenandson.com

James Crompton is a florist at Tom Owen and Son – an award-winning, family run, independent community Funeral Director situated in Llandudno

Driving past

The Vintage Marine Drive Tour is operated by a fleet of vintage coaches to transport guests around the magnificent Great Orme in Llandudno.

The tour is a four-mile scenic drive round the stunning Great Orme headland to Llandudno’s West Shore, before returning once again to the Llandudno Pier entrance. During the tour you will enjoy spectacular views at every turn. By travelling on the vintage coach, you will witness the Great Orme from an elevated position and observe this wonderful natural asset from a comfortable seat.

Some of the tours highlights include:

• St Tudnos Church

• The Great Orme Lighthouse

• The Rest & Be Thankful Café

• Ffynnon Gaseg

• Royal Artillery Coastal Gunnery School

• Helig`s Palace

• Llys Helig

• Gogarth Abbey

• Penmorfa (The Gogarth Abbey Hotel)

The Vintage Marine Drive Tour departs from Llandudno seven days a week, and is a brilliant way to see the town and the surrounding area, all while getting a fabulous insight of what tours would have been like in times gone by.

There are stunning views in all directions, all year round, from the brilliant flora and fauna of the summertime to the crashing of the waves below on a stormy winters day. n

For more information, and to book tickets, please visit https://alpine.palisis.com

From sailing to soap....

Two years before lockdown changed the working lives of so many people, Tim and Mary had already taken the plunge into a new world. They had sailed on the Menai Strait all their lives, and Mary, an artist, had developed her unique monoprints inspired by the Strait and the mountains in all their moods. When their daughter Alice was born they finally decided to throw in the corporate and city life for something quite different. They moved to Beaumaris, not quite knowing what they’d do, but certain it would be something better for the three of them.

Mary quickly obtained a tiny studio where she began to work seriously on her artwork, and in the first couple of years staged several exhibitions in Wales and Northwest England. Then the opportunity arose to take over Cole & Co, a quirky business making artisan soaps, home fragrances and toiletries. Cole & Co used the old Beaumaris Post Office as a shop front and the former Sorting Office behind it as a workshop.

Tim and Mary took over the lease, reemployed the staff and began to make small changes to the interior, and the wonderful eccentricity of the place slowly emerged as they found, behind the bland Post Office cladding, a huge wall safe, pigeonholes still with paperwork in them from the War, parquet flooring, a hidden hatch and an electrical board with 1930’s fuses still in place.

Although it took a while, they utilised whatever they could for shop displays and workshop stock while modernising a little and they kept the quirkiness going.

In the Cegin Sebon (or Soap Kitchen) local ingredients have always been used wherever possible, including Halen Mon sea salt and locally-grown oilseed, honey from Snowdonia and even seaweed from the beaches. Branching out alongside their cold-process soaps they began to make Castile soap with the very finest Greek olive oil to a method in use for 2,000 years.

They combined Mary’s artwork with four seasonal candles and soaps. Refill and eco-shops use Cole & Co products in bulk, and the business operates a circular return and re-use of plastics. While a lot of the business is internet-based, many Welsh customers commission bespoke products for their own shops stamped with the name of the shop or what the product actually is, eg Sebon Siafio (or shaving soap).

You will probably have seen Cole and Co products dotted around the place as they supply many independent shops, holiday homes and Glamping sites across the UK.

Alice is still young, but she helps in the family business when not at school. Her job is stamping the soaps, and while she often misses, it doesn’t matter much to Tim and Mary so long as she’s happy! n

For more information please visit www.coleandco.com or, even better, pop into the shop on Beaumaris’ Church Street for a browse!

• Indoor, purpose built storage units

• Dry, secure and clean

• Undercover loading bay

• Friendly, helpful staff at all times

• Business or domestic customers

• We sell packaging, boxes, tape etc

• No deposit needed to reserve a unit

• Units from £8 per week

• Business tariff available

• Discount for blue light members

BOCS Self Storage Ltd, 1A Quinton Hazel Enterprise Park, Glan y Wern Road, Mochdre, Colwyn Bay, LL28 5BS

Blues and whites are the colours of the season so be on trend this Summer with this fabulous dress from White Stu . You will remain cool in the heat whilst staying on trend.

Summer is here and we are so excited to see summer re ected in our wardrobes! Colour just makes everything better… so shop some of the comfortable, stylish pieces available in Clares to get your wardrobe Summer ready!

We are loving this orange wrap dress from Joules. The perfect piece to have on hand for those unexpected sunny days!

Florals never get old. This blouse is a staple piece that will be a favourite in your wardrobe year after year. This can be styled down with your favourite pair of jeans or styled up with a skirt to have the perfect out t for some Tapas in the sun!

Landscape Design, Construction & Maintenance Contractors

Commercial & Domestic: Driveways, Decking, Lighting, Paving, Brickwork, Turf Laying, Water Features, Artificial Grass, Fencing, Tree Work, Stump Grinding, Ground Maintenance

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5 of the most common foster care myths

Have you ever thought about becoming a foster carer? You’re not alone. Over a third (39%) of Welsh adults have considered fostering, but sadly not enough of those people take the next step. This means that more than 500 foster carers and families are needed to keep up with the number of children needing a home in Wales. We think the common myths around who can and who can’t foster play a huge part in the number of people coming forward to foster, so read on to learn more.

Myth: “I can’t foster because I’m not in a relationship”

We welcome fostering applications from people regardless of their relationship status – provided they are able to provide a safe and stable environment.

Myth: “I can’t foster because I’ll need to quit my job”

We just need someone in the household to be available to care for the child when they’re in your care. For example, you could work part-time during school hours or work opposite shifts to a partner.

Myth: “I can’t foster because I don’t own my own home” It makes no difference to your application whether you rent or own your home. Although you’ll need to get permission if you live in a rented property, we find that most landlords are very supportive of decisions to foster.

Myth: “I can’t foster because I have health issues”

We welcome applications from people who experience or have previously experienced physical and mental health challenges. We will need to consider whether those challenges allow you to care for a child, but please do not let it prevent you from applying.

Myth: “I can’t foster because I don’t have any qualifications” Your personal characteristics and qualities are far more important to us than any qualifications you may or may not have.

Why foster with Foster Care Values?

If any of those myths have made you think again about becoming a foster carer, you might now be wondering who to foster with. Foster Care Values is not a faceless corporation, we’re a local and independent foster care agency, right here in North Wales. You will have access to our whole team, from me (the founder and CEO), to our social workers and office staff.

We put the needs of children and their carers at the heart of everything we do.

As an FCV foster carer, you will receive a comprehensive support package, which includes:

J The ability to contact a member of staff 24/7

J A visit from one of the team at least once a month and ongoing support

J Free legal advice and legal expenses insurance

J A professional financial package

J Up to two weeks’ paid respite

J Ongoing training and workshops

J Regular events and social activities with the team and other foster carers

How to apply

The first step for anyone thinking about becoming a foster carer is just to contact us. Either send us an email letting us know it’s something you’re thinking about or pick up the phone for an informal conversation – we’d love to hear from you! n

Mick Sams, founder of Foster Care Values, is here to encourage more people to foster – by busting some of the most common fostering myths!

Puzzle corner

Across 9 Strangle (9)

10 “Steady State” astronomer Sir Fred --- (5)

11 Creatures (7)

12 Senior Australian politician (7)

13 Deliberate destruction of property (9)

14 Career golfers (4)

17 Six legged creatures (7)

20 Superficial area (7)

21 Short death notice (4)

22 Not here (9)

27 Makes sorrowful (7)

28 Regulate (7)

29 Essentials (5)

30 Genuine (9)

Down

1 Dam across the Nile (5)

2 Second-largest continent (6)

3 Timidity (9)

4 Maiden (6)

5 Continues obstinately (8)

6 Ring (5)

7 Emotional outburst (8)

8 Downcast (9)

15 Luxurious car (9)

16 Northern Russian city (9)

18 Superficial (4-4)

19 Rep (8)

23 Stir to action (6)

24 Something unusual (6)

25 Animal (5)

26 Absence of light (5)

IN THE

STARS...

July’s horoscopes brought to you by Russell Grant

ARIES (March 21st – April 20th)

Spending time with family makes you feel treasured, secure and fulfilled on the 1st. It’s a good time for a reunion. The Full Moon on the 3rd marks a big career achievement. Reaching this milestone results in a higher paycheque, as well as more prestige. Taking a relaxing vacation is advised on the 9th; if you keep working at the same rate, you’ll suffer from burnout. Step up your fitness routine on the 10th.

TAURUS (April 21st – May 21st)

Inconsistent behaviour can cause problems at home on the 2nd. Be more considerate of your loved ones and follow through with promises. On the 3rd, the Full Moon finds you returning from a long trip or graduating from a course of study. This recent adventure gives you an air of glamour that’s hard to resist. Pursuing a cherished dream feels exciting on the 10th. Take this opportunity to confess a crush or put your creative work on display.

GEMINI (May 22nd – June 21st)

The Full Moon on the 3rd brings a big windfall. Use this money to pay off debts, then put the rest into savings. You will be offered your dream job on the 9th; contrary to popular belief, you can make a ton of money doing work that you love. Don’t be intimidated by an executive or bank official on the 10th; they’re all bark and no bite. Your schedule will pick up on the 11th, prompting you to check your calendar often to make sure you don’t miss important meetings.

CANCER (June 22nd – July 23rd)

On the 3rd, the Full Moon marks the conclusion of a partnership. Happily, both of you will walk away feeling satisfied and productive. The 9th is perfect for taking a course in a subject you’ve always loved. The instructor will single you out as one of the most gifted people in the class. Don’t bother getting into a war of words with an authority figure on the 10th; you have better things to do with your time.

LEO (July 24th – August 23rd)

Don’t be surprised when a powerful executive offers you a plum position because of your hard work. The Full Moon on the 3rd helps you reach an ambitious health goal; give yourself a prize for having crossed this finish line. Money will go out as quickly as it comes on the 10th, but don’t let that bother you. Treat every purchase as an investment in your happiness. Getting your ideas across will be easy on the 11th.

VIRGO (August 24th – September 23rd)

Friendship can turn to love on the 1st; if you’ve developed tender feelings for someone in your social circle, it’s time to confess your crush. Cancelled travel plans on the 2nd fill you with frustration, but you should know that a better plan for getting away is unfolding for you. On the 3rd, the Full Moon brings a romantic situation or creative project to fruition. This will be a highly rewarding day for you.

LIBRA (September 24th – October 23rd)

While everyone remembers Russell Grant from his Breakfast TV appearances in the 1980’s, most people don’t realise that Russell was the first astrologer in over 300 years to present a horoscope forecast to a member of the Royal Family (HRH Queen Mother). Now dubbed the “Royal Astrologer” Russell has appeared on numerous television shows, including Strictly Come Dancing. He divides his time between London and his North Wales home near Portmeirion.

www.russellgrant.com

Your career gets a big boost on the 1st when you get funding for a passion project. On the 3rd, the Full Moon helps you bring a real estate deal to a conclusion. This is a great time to buy or sell some property. Alternatively, you may decide to move to a much better place that appeals to your love of luxury. A creative project on the 9th brings you fame and acclaim; it’s gratifying to be in professional demand.

SCORPIO (October 24th – November 22nd)

A close relationship is a source of profound excitement on the 1st. Listen to your best friend or romantic partner’s advice and take a bold risk. The 3rd finds you graduating with honours from a class, thanks to a supportive Full Moon. Alternatively, you will wrap up a successful business trip on this day. Beware of criticising a sensitive person on the 10th; you don’t want to discourage a talented artist from creating more work.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd – December 21st)

Your personal magnetism is strong on the 1st and will lead to an exciting job offer. This is a great time to go to a job offer or audition. Beware of engaging in negative self-talk on the 2nd; replace every critical thought with praise. On the 3rd, the Full Moon brings a big payment for a job well done. Use part of this money to buy something that makes your daily life much more pleasant. Getting a loan, grant, or scholarship will make the 9th an extremely happy time.

CAPRICORN (December 22nd – January 20th)

The Full Moon on the 3rd finds you realising an ambitious goal. Give yourself a pat on the back for persisting through a difficulty; very few people have your courage, drive, and strength. Talking with a business or romantic partner on the 7th will inspire a creative project. Take time out of your busy schedule to do something for pure fun. On the 10th, you should beware of imposing your limiting beliefs on your best friend or amour.

AQUARIUS (January 21st – February 19th)

Home is where the heart is on the 1st; you may decide to launch a home-based business on this inspiring day. Don’t let a hot-headed relative criticise your romantic partner on the 2nd; it’s important to set healthy boundaries. On the 3rd, the Full Moon brings an end to a period of solitude. It will be nice to venture back into the social scene. Making money from a passion project fills you with joy on the 9th.

PISCES (February 20th – March 20th)

A romantic relationship on the 1st gives you the courage to take up a course of study that fills you with happiness. Don’t worry about looking awkward when learning a skill on the 2nd; anyone who passes judgement on you isn’t worth your time or attention. The Full Moon on the 3rd finds you wrapping up a collaboration. You should be proud of the progress you’ve made. Your air of mystery draws an admirer into your web of intrigue on the 9th.

TAKING SPORTS WATCHES TO A NEW LEVEL

Choosing a Clogau sports watch means choosing excellence in design, and engineering that won’t let you down. Utilising the finest quality materials, our timepieces are forged with the toughness and accuracy needed to reach the very top – just like their wearer. And all Clogau sports watches are rated as 10 ATM, meaning they are suitable for swimming, sailing and other non-diving watersports.

WITH EVERY MEPIEC