DECEMBER 2019
! EE FR
MAGAZINE
What’s On
Your bumper guide to Christmas events
Interview with Gruffydd Wyn SINGING HIS WAY TO SUCCESS
The slow tourist DISCOVERING FLINTSHIRE ONE STEP AT A TIME INSIDE J Competitions J Food & Drink J Homes & Interiors
MAGAZINE
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INDOOR ADVENTURE CLIMB
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A unique obstacle assault course with the UK’s only extreme kicker slides! Adrenaline Indoors entry from £12, activities from age 5+.
SOFT PLAY CAFÉ
Keep the smalls entertained, come rain or shine. Entry £5 Free for under 12 months | Under 7s only
THE CAVES
Will you brave the caves? Over 100-metres of indoor caves & tunnels.
CONWY VALLEY, N. WALES. LL32 8QE Beat the queues and book your activity in advance at Page 2 NWM 2019 adventureparcsnowdonia.com or call 01492 353 123
CHRISTMAS
VOUCHERS
Vouchers from ÂŁ10. Valid for retail, surf and adrenaline indoors activities. Buy now at adventureparcsnowdonia.com NWM 2019 Page 3
MAGAZINE
BRINGING THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS TO NORTH WALES
Olive Tree Coffee Rooms open from 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am-4pm Sunday
Free local delivery service on fresh Christmas Trees available from late November
Page 4 NWM 2019 Snowdonia Nurseries & Garden Centre, Glan Conwy 01492 580703 www.snowdonianurseries.co.uk
MAGAZINE
DEAR READER It’s December (in case you hadn’t noticed), and that can only mean one thing… Yes, you’ve guessed it, Christmas has arrived
Just make sure that you take a day or two to
and, with it, all of the usual fanfare. In this
get out and about and enjoy our wonderful
day and age there are a million and one
region. Sunbathing on the beach might not
ways to celebrate Christmas and, luckily, in
be an option at this time of year, but walking
North Wales we can facilitate most of them.
on the beach most definitely is – so grab
So, whether you prefer to celebrate quietly
your coat and head to the coast to blow those
at home, or want to paint the town red with
festive cobwebs away. There is, after all, no
your festive partying then the opportunities
better way to welcome in the New Year than
are there…
with fresh air and a glorious view.
Most people of course prefer to do a
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
combination of both – wining, dining and dancing in the run up to the big day, eating as much as humanly possible during the bank holidays themselves, and then crashing out on the sofa before it’s time to return to work in January.
Kate Hamilton Founding Editor
J
In this issue...
What to do, what to eat and what to drink! December in North Wales has never looked so exciting…
We want to hear from you! J Are you organising or taking part in an event that should be covered in our what’s on listings? Then make sure you tell us! whatson@ northwalesmagazine.co.uk J Keep in touch. Send in your contributions, letters, photos and press releases and become part of the North Wales Magazine family. editorial@ northwalesmagazine.co.uk J Subscribe. If you want to ensure that you receive each and every copy of North Wales Magazine then why not subscribe? All you pay for is the post and packaging. subscribe@ northwalesmagazine.co.uk J Advertise. If you own a business in North Wales and want to get your message in front of 25,000 local readers every month then drop us a line. Prices start from just £75. sales@ northwalesmagazine.co.uk
Front cover credit: © Shutterstock
NWM 2019 Page 5
MAGAZINE
Page 6 NWM 2019
MAGAZINE
EDITOR
Contents
Kate Hamilton PUBLISHER
Grant Hamilton SALES MANAGER
Scott Lawson
18
09 What’s On
MARKETING MANAGER
Carly Redgers
Your guide to the local events taking place this December
ART DIRECTOR
18 The Big Pic
Simon Marriott
Wild camping on Snowdonia
OFFICE MANAGER
Sian Roberts
21 The A-Z of Christmas
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Your complete guide to the festive season
27 A Christmas tale A relaxing festive story…
Nigel Smith
27 31
31 Interview with… Singing sensation Gruffydd Wyn
35 Discovering Flintshire At a slow pace…
39 Competitions Two amazing prizes to win!
43 Food & Drink The local wining, dining and culinary scene
59
59 Homes & Property 71 Walking 75 Community news A roundup of regional happenings
81 Crossword Get to grips with our brainteasing puzzle
98 Horoscopes What does December have in store for you?
CONTACT US editorial@northwalesmagazine.co.uk sales@northwalesmagazine.co.uk subscribe@northwalesmagazine.co.uk whatson@northwalesmagazine.co.uk
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.
The ascent of Cyrn-y-Brain
Our expert columnists share their thoughts
Steve Goodier Cai Ross Sally Ann Harding Frankie Hobro Caroline Roberts Julian Hughes Ali Hough Russell Grant John Crane Pete Greensmith Stephen Gregory Sarah Lewis
01492 472052 2nd Floor, 23A Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay, LL29 7RS
Get inspired by local homes and interiors
83 In my opinion…
CONTRIBUTORS
81
Disclaimer: All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part (electronically or in print) without written permission is strictly prohibited. Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of published content, and any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of North Wales Magazine. The publishers assume no responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from participation in, or as a result of, any offer, competition, information or advertisement contained within the magazine. North Wales Magazine does not endorse any of the advertisements featured. All words and images remain the property of their respective owners and all copyrights are observed. North Wales Magazine is not associated with any newspaper group. Privacy Notice. You can read North Wales Magazine’s Privacy Notice in full at www.northwalesmagazine.com
NWM 2019 Page 7
Presented by Bolesworth Events LLP
SAT 28 DEC
SUN 29 DEC
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MON 30 DEC
TUE 31 DEC
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1st & 8th
Ucheldre Broadcast: CBeebies Christmas This year’s highly anticipated CBeebies Christmas Show is once again coming to the big screen at the Ucheldre Holyhead for a FOR TICKETS WWW.CBEEBIESCHRISTMASSHOW.COM
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December
family-friendly feast of Christmas fun, including interactive content created for cinemas alongside the Hansel & Gretel stage performance recorded at Edinburgh Festival Theatre
1st
Christmas Magic at Anglesey Sea Zoo Meet Santa, his elves and reindeer, enjoy mulled wine, hot cider and
1st-24th
a mince pie and try fun holiday activities at the Sea Zoo.
Christmas at Gwyrch Castle
Purchase local Anglesey Christmas trees and meet the team.
A traditional market Fayre set within
Free for season pass holders
the Courtyard of Gwrych Castle. With bespoke vendors from all over North
1st
Search for Santa & Nature’s Christmas
Wales bringing hot food and drink, a beer tent, crafts, and a children’s funfair.
Toast marshmallows, take part in a craft workshop, browse
There will be plenty to keep everyone in
stalls and try to find Father Christmas as he visits the RSPB
the festive spirit this winter at Gwrych
Conwy nature reserve. Search for Santa cost is £4 per child and £2 per accompanying adult 1st, 7th-8th, 14th-15th
1st
Mold Christmas Market
Christmas Crafts at Penrhyn Castle
Festive stalls and
Create a beautiful wreath with
entertainment will be on the
the help of skilled florists in the
High Street, Daniel Owen
surroundings of the Grand Hall
Square and Daniel Owen Centre from 11am-6pm. Santa will
at Bangor’s Penrhyn Castle. Cost
be making an appearance and visitors will be invited to step
is £6 per wreath
inside a Winter Wonderland Giant Snow Globe
1st-4th
‘Welsh Walks’ Exhibit
1st-19th
Stop by Ffin y Parc Gallery in Llanrwst to marvel
Christmas lunch at Gladstone
at the beautiful landscape portraits by local artist
Gladstone’s Library in Hawarden invites you to
Anne Aspinal
enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings this holiday season
NWM 2019 Page 9
MAGAZINE
December 1st-22nd
Enchanted Christmas at GreenWood Family Park
4th
Nestled beneath the treetops
Stewart Francis: Into The Punset
at the foothills of Snowdonia
The star of ‘Mock the Week’, ‘Live at the Apollo’
National Park, hides a magical
and ‘Crackerjack’ embarks on a brand-new
Christmas adventure to
show, in his last tour ever!!! See him before he
remember. Imagine a two-hour Twilight adventure full of
heads off... Into The Punset. Show starts at 8pm
Elves, crafts, and magical surroundings bringing Christmas to
at Venue Cymru
life for every child. A journey parents and grandparents will love too. Cost is £20 for children and £7 for adults, running on select dates 5th
Wrexham Victorian Christmas Market 1st-24th
With more that 100 stalls stretching from Queen’s Square to St.
Dine with Santa at Erddig
Giles Church, enjoy Christmas gifts, fresh food, mulled wine and street entertainment from 12pm-8pm
Create magical family memories and enjoy a delicious breakfast or supper with Santa at Erddig
All month
Sea Though Art Exhibition The Ucheldre Holyhead will be exhibiting ‘Sea Thought’ by Anglesey Performing Arts
4th
Arrival: The Hits of Abba 5th
Voted best ABBA show for the last six years, the high-energy show will return
St. Asaph Lovelight Christmas Concert
to Theatr Colwyn to entertain all ages
Tenovus Cancer Care in conjunction with the Sing With Us
with a catalogue of hits
Llandudno Choir, Flint Male Voice Choir and Fairholme Prep School will be hosting a special celebration at the St. Asaph Cathedral to support everyone affected by cancer and to remember loved ones we’ve lost. Hosted by Rupert Moon, the © Shutterstock.com
concert will commence at 7:30pm 5th-6th
Eric & Ern Christmas Show From the Olivier nominated duo behind the hugely celebrated and critically acclaimed West End Hit Eric & Little Ern, enjoy the brilliant homage crammed full of renditions of those famous comedy sketches. This wonderful show evokes memories of times when whole families would huddle around the telly on Sunday evenings. Tickets are £18 at the Pontio Bangor
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MAGAZINE
GWENER / FRIDAY - IONAWR 24 JANUARY
GALERI, CAERNARFON GALERICAERNARFON.COM 01286 685222
Page 12 NWM 2019
December 6th
Caerwys Winter Show Free to enter, this is the ideal festival to help stock up on Christmas presents. The fair will showcase the 7th
very best of locally hand-crafted and homemade gifts, produce and wares.
Llandudno Magical Christmas Parade
Fair is from 6pm-9:30pm
Entertainment starts at 2:30pm at the Llandudno Town Hall followed by a magical Christmas
6th
parade at 4pm which will travel from the station
Frank Skinner
area along Vaughan Street into Mostyn Street, Lloyd Street and Madoc Street back to the station
Watch the beloved comedian live on stage at William Aston Hall at 7pm. Tickets are £27.50
6th, 7th, 13th-14th, 21st-24th
7th-8th
Meet Santa in the Winter Wonderland at Snowdonia
Set in the quaint, bustling castle town of Beaumaris this
Nurseries. Entrance is free of charge, with all donations
Georgian hotel, plays monthly host to popular fairs in its
going toward Ty-Gobaith Children’s Hospice. No need to book.
ballroom with panoramic views of the Menai Straits &
Children receive a small chocolate and Reindeer dust
Snowdonia, accommodating 20 stallholders. Open from 10am-
Santa’s Grotto at Snowdonia Nurseries
The Bulkeley Hotel Christmas Fair
4pm 7th-8th
Bala Lake Santa Train All aboard the Bala Lake train for a magical journey from Llanuwchllyn to Glan Llyn. Journey includes a glass of sherry (for adults), mince pie and hot drink. Tickets are £9 for adults and £10 for children
7th
St. Nicholas Mass The Mold & District Choral Society will be singing Christmas carols and perform Handel’s ‘Messiah’ at the Bethlehem Welsh Independent Chapel 7th
Pet Photo Day Farm and Pet Place in Ruthin will be holding a Pet Photo Day from 9:30am-4:30pm. Pop down with your pet to take
7th-8th
dogs are invited to a half price wash. A Christmas Hope
Christmas Market at Adventure Parc Snowdonia
House Hamper will be raffled off and best Christmas Jumper
Expect live music, surf, gifts, real ale and
will win a prize
festive fun at Adventure Parc Snowdonia.
professional photos – an ideal early Christmas present. All
Santa will be visiting in his very own surfside grotto. Free entry from 10am-6pm
NWM 2019 Page 13
MAGAZINE
December 7th-8th
8th
Burn off the pre-Christmas calories at the Plas y Brenin
Put on your Santa suit and get ready for a fun run this holiday
National Outdoor Centre and take a guided walk through
season. Registration takes place at Bwlch Pen Barras car
the beautiful Welsh hills. Contact the centre to book your
park, Moel Famau from 9am. Race starts at 11am
Big Christmas Walk
Santa 5K Dash
Christmas meal after the walk 8th
Cinderella’s Christmas Ball
7th-8th, 14th-15th & 21st
Llanberis Lake Santa Train
Honoured guests are invited to join Her
Santa returns to Llanberis Lake Railway to enjoy a scenic ride,
Highness and her fairytale friends for food,
mince pie and glass of seasonal drink for adults. Take the
fun and festivities. Enjoy afternoon tea, meet
twilight train to see Santa’s grotto, a journey to delight young
Cinderella, enjoy a performance and meet
and old alike
Santa. Fun starts at noon
7th-24th
Santa Specials at Llangollen Rail Take a ride aboard the festive Llangollen steam train from Llangollen to Carrog, which has been renamed to Lapland for Santa’s visit. Tickets are £20 8th-10th
North Choral Festival 7th-29th
The choral festival returns to Venue Cymru to celebrate choir
Sleeping Beauty
music from all over the country! There will also be workshops, competitions, community performances and more 11th-31st
Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs Rhyl Pavilion welcomes this year’s spectacular pantomime starring Sue Holderess (Only Fools and Horses) as the Wicked Queen and Andrew Agnew Starring Sherrie Hewson, Kieran Powell and Nigel Ellacott,
(Balamory) as Muddles, and the Queen of pantomime dames
experience the festive magic and plenty of laughs of this
Charles Burden in the role of Nursie. Tickets start at £11
year’s pantomime at Venue Cymru. Tickets start at £19.50 12th
Celebration of Christmas
7th-31st
Aladdin
In aid of St David’s Hospice and Ty Gobaith Children’s
Wrexham’s Stiwt theatre invite you to enjoy this year’s pantomime Aladdin. Filled with sparkling costumes, a dazzling set, laugh-a-minute scripts, brilliant songs
Hospice, St John’s Church in Llandudno is hosting the Maelgwn Male Voice Choir Ysgol San Sior Choir and Drummers. Refreshments are available after the concert
and great choreography – this is one
which starts at 7.30pm. Free admission, but there is a
show you don’t want to miss
collection for charity
Page 14 NWM 2019
13th
Brynkinalt Estate Christmas Open House Take a tour and learn about the history of the family and estate. The house will be decorated for the holiday season and tickets include coffee/tea, mince pies and homemade biscuits served in the Galleried Great Hall. Tour begins at 10:30am 14th-15th
Santa’s Welsh Highland Railway Experience Visit Porthmadog for two festive days with the man in red aboard the Welsh Highland Railway. Enjoy minced pie, mulled wine and gifts for children. Advance booking is essential 14th-22nd
Twilight at Gypsy Wood Park Hop aboard Woody’s train and head to the magical grotto to meet Santa! The park will be decorated for Christmas and will be open from 3:30-7pm 13th-5th January
A Christmas Carol The Charles Dickens family favourite story will take stage at Theatr Clywd this holiday season. Tickets start at £10 14th
Christmas Dance Party The North Wales Rock ‘n Roll Jive Club invite you to join Colin James & Co for a brilliant party night with live music & DJ. Party starts at 8pm at the Comrades Club in Conwy 14th
Abergele Craft Fair Head to Church Street from 10am-2pm to peruse through craft stalls selling hand made goodies just in time for Christmas
15th
The Nutcracker The Bolshoi Ballet will perform the timeless classic
14th
Only Men Allowed: A Merry Little Christmas Only Men Allowed will
accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s beloved score at Neuadd Dwyfor in Pwllheli. Show starts at 3pm
15th
favourites accompanied
A Very Merry Christmas with Gruffydd Wyn
by Sophie Evans from
Since performing on Britain’s Got
Wicked at the Pontio
Talent, Gruffydd has been touring
Bangor. Tickets are £27,
solo across Wales and England.
show starts at 7:30pm
To celebrate his debut album in
be performing Christmas
2020, he will perform some of his favourite Christmas classics at the Ucheldre Centre. Tickets are between £15-18 and include mulled wine and mince pie
NWM 2019 Page 15
MAGAZINE
December
26th
Boxing Day Sea Dip The annual Boxing Day tradition of taking a dip in Llandudno beach returns, inviting brave souls to jump in the ice-cold water for a good cause. Benefitting St. David’s Hospice, the event, hosted by the Lions Club of Llandudno, will also award the person dressed in best costume on the day. Dip starts at 11:30am 20th
Richard Durrant Candlelit Christmas Concert
30th
Join Richard, Amy and Nick at Theatr Clwyd for a wonderful
Christmas Meeting at Bangor on Dee Racecourse
musical offering with its very particular and inclusive take
Bring the family for a fun-filled event and
on our shared wintertime with Christmas, the Solstice and an
enjoy the races during holiday season. Gates open at 10:30am
inherent, heartfelt generosity, warmth and optimism at the very heart of the show. Tickets are £10 21st
Stand-up at the seaside Christmas special Colwyn Bay’s comedy night rounds off the year with the very best in live stand-up starring Ignacio Lopez, Chris Washington and Josh Jones, as well as regular MC Dave Rothnie and audience joke competition. Show starts at 8pm upstairs at The Station pub in Colwyn Bay. To book tickets and tables please contact dcothnie@gmail.com 21st
31st
The beloved Welsh voice choir will perform at Palé Hall to
Ring in the New Year in style at Portmeirion and get tickets
accompany a 4-course set Christmas dinner
for their New Year’s 1970’s Disco! Cost is £45 per person (over
Cor Meibion Bro Glyndwr at Palé Hall
New Year’s Disco at Portmeirion 18’s only) and included is a buffet, disco and glass of fizz at
21st
Midnight
PetPlace in Abergele welcome you and your best
31st
Santa Paws
There will be a dog bowl deli hamper for best-
New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Theraplate Liverpool Horse Show
dressed duo and money raised will benefit Hope
Celebrate the New Year
House. Stop by anytime from 10am-5pm
in Style at the Theraplate
furry friend for a festive photo shoot with Santa Paws. Each dog and child will get a treat from Santa and post their letter to the North Pole.
Liverpool International Horse Show the Grand Prixe, access to the Shopping Village and 21st-4th Jan
Aladdin
kids Zone as well as a Champagne reception, live music, fireworks and more
Theatr Colwyn welcomes Aladdin this year as their Christmas pantomime. Full of singing, dancing, comedy, puppets, music and illusion, it’s sure to delight all ages. Tickets are £14 for adults and £11 for children
Page 16 NWM 2019
Are you organising or taking part in an event that should be covered in our what’s on listings? Then get in touch! whatson@northwalesmagazine.co.uk
The Big Picture Dawn finally breaks over the Snowdon Massif “Having grown up in North Wales, I’ve always enjoyed spending time in nature and the outdoors in general; yet it wasn’t until about two years ago that I discovered my passion for mountains as well as photography,” explains Ciaran Bowyer. “Snowdonia consists of nine mountain ranges which cover approximately 52% of the National Park and has a tremendous variety of landscapes on offer, which means there’s always something to suit your mood! One of the things I love most about taking photographs in these types of landscapes is the fact that you never know entirely what you’re going to get until the very moment you push that shutter! The weather changes so quickly up there. One minute it could be raining, the next it could entirely change. Everyday is a different kind of adventure!” @ciz.explores
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MAGAZINE
NWM 2019 Page 19
MAGAZINE
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A –- Z YOUR
OF CHRISTMAS
Christmas is here! So it’s time to slip into your reindeer onesie, pour yourself a large glass of Eggnog, enjoy a warm mince pie and discover the secrets of a North Wales Christmas…
C
Christmas Cards
Nikki at the Crafty Kitten in Llanrwst makes
A
gorgeous bespoke hand-made cards for every occasion in English or Welsh. All cards are blank inside to allow you to make your own personalised greeting. Short on time? No need to worry, Nikki has ready-made cards in her shop too!
is for...
Advent Calendar Why should the kids have all the advent fun? Follow @NorthWalesMag on social media for local gift ideas, Christmas giveaways, events, family days out, festive recipes and more
B
is for...
is for... Brie
The Grate Cheese Deli
D
Give the gift of learning something new this Christmas with a Learn Welsh course. Courses for beginners are starting across the region in January.
is for...
Go to learnwelsh.cymru for
Dysgu sut I siarad Cymraeg
gyda’r dysgu! (Good luck with
E
more information. Pob lwc the learning!)
is for...
EggNog
in Colwyn Bay has a
Treat your guests to a little taste of
delicious selection of
Christmas with this creamy eggnog recipe.
Welsh, French and
George Washington, the first American
English bries. Bake it,
president, even made his own eggnog, and
wrap it in pastry or serve
let it age for a few days to let the flavour
cold with an assortment
mellow. To serve 12 people, simply separate
of chutneys, meats and
six medium fresh free-range eggs from J.A
fruit for a delightful
Kynaston in Llangollen into a mixing bowl. Add
Christmas nibble
500ml Welsh whole milk, 400ml Welsh double cream, 150g caster sugar, 350ml rum or bourbon and freshly grated nutmeg
NWM 2019 Page 21
I
MAGAZINE
F
is for... Ice
skating
Enjoy skating fun with friends, family and colleagues on the first pop-up ice rink on Y Maes in Caernarfon. With the iconic castle as a backdrop, the rink is open now through the 5th of January (closed on Christmas day)
is for... Festive
fun
K
Adventure Parc Snowdonia offers an exhilarating range of activities to choose from. Surf, climb, zip and slide and make sure to check their events calendar for festive markets, grotto and drive in Christmas movies
G
J
is for...
Kids
is for...
Jingle bells
Let Cor Meibion Colwyn bring music to your ears this holiday season at one of their many scheduled shows. The group is proud of their long history recognising that there has been a choir in its home village of Colwyn since the 1890’s. To find a
is for... Grotto
list of performances in a town near you, visit @ Cor-Meibion-Colwyn on Facebook
Let’s face it, it’s what Christmas is all about!
Nestled beneath the treetops
Take the kids ice
at the foothills of Snowdonia National Park, hides a magical
The Winter Light Show in
skating, experience the
Christmas adventure to
Llandudno is a free, captivating
Christmas magic of a
remember at Greenwood.
event for the whole family.
play or pantomime, go
Imagine a two-hour Twilight
On 14th December, witness a
see a light show, take
adventure full of elves, crafts
magical, technicolour tale about
part in a craft session
and magical surroundings
the millennia-long chase for
or visit Santa’s Grotto
bringing Christmas to life
the elusive Conwy mermaid.
this year! For up-to-
An evening of spectacular story
date events for the
telling where buildings will be
family, check our events
transformed into windows on
tab on Facebook @
time through light projection
northwalesmag
for every child. Enter Santa’s grotto for an ‘Elfie’ photograph with the man himself and receive a golden ticket for Santa’s Toy Factory!
H
is for... Hot
chocolate
Page 22 NWM 2019
L
is for...
Lights
which starts at 5pm
Achieve the ultimate satisfaction in a mug with a handcrafted hot chocolate from HAUS Coffee in Colwyn Bay. Using 100% natural and gluten free chocolate provided by Harry’s Hot Chocolate; all drinking chocolate is served with an option of cream and marshmallows. Customise your hot chocolate by choosing a 70% dark, mint, orange or original flavour; or step it up with a cheeky shot of Baileys
M
o
is for... Mince
n is for...
Nativity
Pies
There’s a reason that there’s a queue at Scilicorns Bakery in Llanrwst during lunch hours. The bakery produces fresh breads, pastries and, of course, Christmas Mince Pies. Swing by their friendly bakery at 42 Denbigh Street
If you have young children, or indeed grandchildren, then the school nativity play is often the highlight of the seasonal calendar! Who can resist those mumbled lines from the slightly bigger kids while the little ones frantically wave to their parents during Away in a Manger?
It’s an exciting year for pantomimes in North Wales! TV personalities like Nigel Ellacott and Andrew Agnew are taking part in the festive fun this
P is for...
Panto
is for...
Reindeer
year. Make sure to catch the very talented Sherrie Hewson (Benidorm) in Sleeping Beauty at Venue Cymru as well as Only Fool’s and Horses own Sue Holderness play the Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Rhyl Pavilion
R
is for...
Q
Queen’s speech
Did you know that the
first royal broadcast was at Christmas in 1932, and was made by George V? He broadcast from Sandringham,
is for...
Visit reindeer at the North Hills Farm in Mold this
speaking words written for
Ornaments
year. Originating in Scandinavia, each reindeer has its
him by Rudyard Kipling. The
own unique personality and is cared for around the
royal speech became an annual
Create your perfect
clock. North Hills Farm will also bring the reindeer
event – the first televised one
Christmas with a handpicked
to you and offers Christmas packages which include
by Queen Victoria was in 1957.
selection of ornaments to
an illuminated mobile enclosure and two reindeer
Tune into either BBC One, ITV,
adorn your tree and home
accompanied by fully-trained handlers
Sky One or Sky News this year for Her Majesty’s annual speech
this year from Snowdonia Nurseries in Glan Conwy. At this time of year, the centre is transformed into a magical stage for all things festive, so it’s always worth a visit in order to get you into the festive mood!
S
is for...
Santa train
Enjoy festive frolics and family fun during a trip on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways from Caernarfon or Porthmadog. These trains are fun for adults and children alike. Santa and his elves pass through the train giving out presents to the children along the way – with plenty of laughter and jokes as well
NWM 2019 Page 23
MAGAZINE
T
is for...
W
Wreath
Adorn your door and let the
neighbourhood know that you’re
ready for Christmas with a gorgeous wreath. And, if you fancy going
is for... Turkey
the extra mile, then you could also attend a wreath-making class at
Make sure you’re prepared this year with an
Luna Florist in Rhos-on-Sea. Contact
award-winning organic turkey or goose from
Andrea on social media to find out
Rhug Estate Organic Farm in Corwen and get
more @Lunaflowerflorist
all the trimmings plus extra delights from their farm shop on site
U
is for...
Yule log
YX
is for...
Xmas jumper
Everyone is in luck this Friday 13th December as its Christmas Jumper
OK, the Yule log might be originally a Nordic
Day! What better way to do your bit
tradition, but Christmas just wouldn’t be
for Save the Children than wearing
Christmas without this chocolatey treat –
your favourite seasonal sweater?
especially for those people who actually aren’t
Sign up your work, school or friends
too keen on raisins, as it makes the perfect
and get a free fundraising pack. Then
Let’s face it, the presents are
alternative to either Christmas cake or even
donate £2 (or £1 if you’re at school) and
the main event! But, if you
Christmas pudding…
BOOM – that money will help children
is for...
Under the Tree
all around the world.
want to give the gift of North Wales, then Welsh Slate makes for a great gift this Christmas. Giftwarewales.
Z is for... Zip into the New Year
co.uk uses only the finest
Why not welcome in the New Year at a speed of 117 miles per hour?
slate from Welsh mines dating
Home to 13 different adventures to choose from – one of them being
back over 500 million years,
the fastest zip line in the world – Zip World offers fun for all ages and
and all of their slate items can
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If you run into a tourist this holiday season looking for directions and/or recommendations, make sure you give them a warm Welsh ‘Croeso’. We are after all, a very friendly bunch!
Page 24 NWM 2019
NWM 2019 Page 25
FOOD & D RINK | C ONSES S IONS | EVENTS
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As if by
Magic
A Christmas story by author Stephen Gregory
People say that cats can do magic. This is the story of a cat
But Smokey sat with his mother and he watched. He was
called Smokey. He was born in faraway Borneo, but he waited
dark, as dark as a shadow … and yet, if you picked him up
until he came to live in Caernarfon in wonderful Wales, to
and stroked his fur this way and that, you would see it was
show how magical he was – at Christmas.
black one way and white the other. Maybe that would be his special trick, one day. But then he would wriggle away, with
When Smokey was born, and while he was a kitten, he kept
a shudder and a shiver which made him all black again. He
himself to himself. He was quiet and patient, as though he
was dark and very quiet – he was waiting, as though the time
was waiting for his time to come.
would come, sooner or later, when he would reveal something magical in him.
He was born in a cupboard under the kitchen sink of a little bungalow in Borneo, the last of the litter that his darling
And in Borneo, yes it was smokey. Day after day of dazzling
mother produced. Before he slithered into the world and took
sunshine, but the evenings would fade into a haze of smoke.
his first breath, his older sister and two older brothers were
Late in the afternoons, people lit fires and burned rubbish
already mewling and fidgeting and trying to get their mother’s
in their gardens. The air was pungent with wood smoke.
milk. And for the next year he stayed close to his mother and
Sometimes the world was a fug of black smoke, from the
watched, while his sister and brothers learned their different
burning of the forests. There were weeks when the sky
tricks and developed their own style of kitten-magic.
was dark and the air was a whirl of big black smuts, while Borneo burned…
His sister, mottled and striped, became a huntress in the deep green shadows of the garden, returning to the house with
And our little Smokey… we called him Smokey because he
beetles and birds. One of the brothers, who was deliciously
was black and because he would sit at the window for hours
orange and white, decided he was a climber, and he would
and narrow his eyes at the smoke which smothered our own
climb up and onto anything in his path – first of all the
garden. He would put his face outside and wait for a smut to
furniture in the bungalow, and then high into the branches of
land on his nose. And then he would shudder and shiver and
the jungle trees. And the other brother, sleek and silvery, was
sneeze, as though it was the smut itself which had made him
an indoor assassin. He caught chik-chaks, the house lizards
so smokey-black.
which were everywhere in every room, and he stalked into the roof-space of the bungalow and came down with mice and
And so the time came for us ex-pats to leave Borneo. Sadly,
bats, and even a yellow and black snake.
but inevitably, we said our goodbyes to Smokey’s sister and
NWM 2019 Page 27
MAGAZINE
brothers and we found them new homes, with kind and caring neighbours. As for Smokey, so lovingly attached to his mother, we brought him back with us – Smokey and his mother snuggled in a little box and flown in a huge thundering aeroplane over 7,000 miles to London, and thence to North Wales. Wales – and nearly Christmas. Smokey and his mother were a long way from their tropical homeland. Smokey, so relieved to have survived the 20-hour journey in the plane and the car, seemed reinvigorated by his new surroundings. A town-house in Caernarfon, high above the estuary of the river Seiont, with views from its upstairs windows across
special child. Smokey sat on his window-sill and he stared
Coed Elen and to the castle itself – and Smokey, hitherto so
into the darkness.
reluctant to leave his mother’s side, went exploring from the dusty cellar to the window-sill of the highest bedroom. There,
And there was a sign. Exactly at midnight, when the church
at the very top of the house, he found his favourite vantage
bells of the town began to peal, another of the native creatures
point, from where he could survey his new domain.
of this land came especially to alert him, to make him ready. The white owl, the loveliest of birds, came wafting from the
Yes, his domain. He held himself tall and proud, like a prince.
woodland across the river and hovered at Smokey’s window.
He had loosened the bond with his mother. He had no more
It dipped its pale round face forward and tapped on the glass
pesky, boisterous siblings. And that winter, as the days grew
with its beak.
shorter and darker and colder, as the wind blew flurries of frost from the mountains of Snowdonia and down the valleys
And Smokey knew what it meant him to do. He reached up
to the seashore, the native creatures of this land discovered
with his paw and felt for the catch of the window. He pressed
Smokey and came to pay homage…
it gently and the window slid slightly ajar.
He sat on his window-sill, high above the river and the sea
He pushed his face outside. And the thing he was waiting for,
and even the mighty castle. And the gulls came, battering
which the gulls and the swans and the owl had known was
and beating around the rooftops. Smokey sat and he
coming, was all around him.
narrowed his eyes at them. Even when the gulls tapped on the glass of his window with their yellow beaks, though
Snow. Smokey had never seen it before. He had seen smuts of
they stared with their cold yellow eyes, he just sat and held
smoke and felt them land on his nose, but never this whirling
himself tall. For he was a prince – a dark and quiet and
whiteness.
mysterious prince, who had come from the tropics, from a country of snakes and lizards and monkeys, to this land of
He closed his eyes, as though in a swoon, as though in a
cold winds and frosty mountains.
dream, and he leaned into the snow. And when the biggest, softest flake settled on his nose, at last it was the moment he
And in the afternoons, as the darkness gathered on the
had been waiting for.
shortest days of the year, the great white swans beat into the estuary. They swerved from their ancient river-road and up
With a shudder and a sneeze, he shivered his fur this way
to the windows of the house, until they brushed the glass
and then the other. And his smokey-black fur turned white –
with their wings. For they had come to see the cat, the dark
as perfectly pure white as the snow of a Christmas night. As if
prince who sat and waited at his window.
by magic. n
Waited – waited for what? To reveal the magic he had withheld so long and so patiently. He was waiting for something which would enable him to show his magic. And it was coming. It was gathering in the skies, in the grey and black clouds which loomed on the horizon. Christmas Eve – a special time for the people of the world, who were watching for a sign, for a star, for the birth of a
Page 28 NWM 2019
Stephen Gregory’s new book, an anthology of short stories entitled ON DARK WINGS, is now out in the USA from Valancourt Books. It features 14 of his stories, many of them previously published in the Illustrated London News and the London Evening Standard, as well as a Christmas ghost story he wrote especially for the North Wales magazine. Search for ON DARK WINGS at www.valancourtbooks.com to order your copy, postage free!
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NWM 2019 Page 29
Meet Anglesey’s
Gruffydd Wyn
24-year-old North Walean singer, Gruffydd Wyn, won our hearts over last year when he performed a beautiful rendition of “Nessun Dorma” at the 2018 audition of Britain’s Got Talent. The singer who hails from Anglesey received the ‘golden buzzer’ from Amanda Holden and made it all the way to the finals. Although he missed out to the Lost Voice Guy, he has done quite a lot in the last year including touring with Only Men Allowed and Diversity. He will also be releasing his anticipated first solo album early in 2020. We sat down to chat with the man behind the voice… How did you get your start in singing? I always knew that I wanted to be a performer of some sort when I was a little boy. I was always singing around the house or dressing up in any random clothes I could find. But I joined a choir when I was around 7 and it was from then I grew to love singing. Tell us about growing up in Anglesey... Growing up in Anglesey was great! I’m an Amlwch boy through and through and growing up there was fun! I was lucky enough not to be that interested in video games and modern technology and enjoyed building dens, playing football or rugby and being outdoors! What was it like receiving the golden buzzer by Amanda Holden on Britain’s Got Talent? Possibly the best feeling in the world! To this day nothing has come close to the way I felt when I saw all the golden confetti falling from the roof of the Winter Gardens stage in Blackpool that day! What is your favourite place to listen to local talent perform in Anglesey? The Copperfest in Amlwch Port is always a great weekend celebrating local and welsh
NWM 2019 Page 31
MAGAZINE
music and it always has a fantastic atmosphere down there with friends and family! Biggest accomplishment to date? I have done quite a bit since finishing Britain’s got talent in 2018... I’ve toured with Only Men Aloud, Diversity, my own solo tour and I’m now currently recording my debut Album along with many other special performances! It’s difficult to choose because they’re all so different. But I’ve loved every second of it! Who would you like to perform for? As a performer I look up to many other artists and I absolutely love listening to Pavarotti. But if I could perform for anyone, I would love to be able to perform for my grandmother again, nothing can compare to seeing her smile when I come off the stage. If only I could see that again. How do you celebrate Christmas in North Wales? I usually like to spend as much time as possible with friends and family over Christmas. I also like to eat my weight in chocolate, turkey and pigs in blankets! Doesn’t everybody?! What can we look forward to from you in 2020? You can certainly look forward to the release of my debut album along with much much more that will be announced soon! n Keep up to date with Gruffydd’s musical journey and follow him on social @gruffyddwyn
Page 32 NWM 2019
AS A PERFORMER I LOOK UP TO MANY OTHER ARTISTS AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE LISTENING TO PAVAROTTI.
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How to BE in
FLINTSHIRE Sarah Lewis explores Flintshire, and experiences some some epic adventures at low speed…
Would you like to learn to be a slow tourist – someone
amazing one is a replica of the stunning Mold Gold Cape.
who’s curious, who dawdles, explores new paths,
The cape is so important it’s featured in A History of the
heads for the quirky places, sits a while, listens, smells
World in 100 Objects. The fascinating story is here for
the smells, carries a notebook for doodles, poems and
you to discover.
thoughts? Being a slow tourist is all about experiencing a place in a new way. Sound good? Then read on…
Our next library is very different, in fact you can sleep there! Gladstone’s Library in Hawarden was voted
Flintshire is the perfect place for slow tourists. It even
Best Well-Being Retreat in 2015. On this cold winter’s
has an officially slow town! Mold was the first town in
day there’s a log fire and the tempting smell of hot
Wales to join the Cittaslow movement, which was ‘set
scones. Maybe you’ll join (for free) and gain entry to the
up in the 1990s by some laid back Italians to combat the
wonderful Hogwarty reading room, with access to a
stresses of modern life’.
secluded desk and lots of time to write slow adventures.
Our first stop is the quirky museum above the library in
Let’s get some fresh air in the nature reserve in
Mold. It’s packed with interesting artifacts but the most
Rhydymwyn. During World War Two, this site was
NWM 2019 Page 35
MAGAZINE
so secret it wasn’t named on any maps. Now it’s a peaceful place with a giant chair, a sensory garden and lots of wildlife. Charles Kingsley who wrote The Water Babies stayed nearby. Sit on the giant chair, open the box of painted story stones and make up your own magical tale. Fancy a longer walk? Let’s visit St.Winefred’s Well in Holywell and start a slow pilgrimage to Bardsey Island. How about bathing in the healing waters of The Holy Well first? Or, we could immerse ourselves in the place without taking a dip by sitting in the grounds and reading ‘A Morbid Taste for Bones’ by Ellis Peters. Reading a book set in the locality really takes
Be a slow tourist in Flintshire and:
J Sleep in a library J Climb on a castle J Bathe in healing waters J Make a pilgrimage J Begin an epic coastal walk J Scamper on an iron-age hillfort J isit an officially slow town
you there. The Slow Tourist in Flintshire will take you on many In Wepre Park let’s follow the path through ancient woods to
more adventures and with the help of Sleepy Sparrow’s
the ruins of 12th Century Ewloe Castle. Look out for dippers
SloMo suggestions, encourage you to stop, sniff, listen,
and kingfishers along Wepre brook. Make some leaf art and
dawdle and doodle. There’s a list of Special Slow days,
after taking a photo for your Slow Journal, let the wind blow it
useful web sites and even a certificate at the back for
away. Flint Castle on the edge of the Dee isn’t far. In the winter
when you’ve finished the book and can officially call
when the watery sun turns the mud silver, the twisting and
yourself a Slow Tourist.
turning of thousands of shorebirds is mesmerizing. Sketch the bird shapes, quickly without thinking about it too much.
www.theslowtourist.weebly.com
Listen for the curlew’s bubbling song. Flintshire is known as The Gateway to Wales and often people whizz through on their way to the drama of Snowdonia or the cosy coves of Anglesey. But gates are also for leaning on. So lean for a while, have a look around and slowly explore what’s on the other side – you may be surprised. n
Page 36 NWM 2019
The Slow Tourist in Flintshire by Sarah Lewis is available from Mold Book Shop and from www. sigmapress.co.uk priced £8.99
NWM 2019 Page 37
MAGAZINE
Whether it's some family fun, a special gift, a festive treat or a relaxing scenic steam-hauled train ride - there's something for everyone at the F&WHR...
Santa Trains: 7, 8,14,15, 21, 22, 23 December Choice of Santa trains from Porthmadog - Beddgelert or Caernarfon - Rhyd Ddu. Santa and his Elves give out presents on the train.
Christmas Gifts: Our shops stock a wide range of bespoke souvenirs, railway items, books, DVDs - plus a range of vouchers. You can also shop online at www.festshop.co.uk
Pullman Afternoon Tea: Looking for an extra-special gift or a treat for yourself..? Our Afternoon Teas are an ideal answer. You can buy special gift vouchers as a present - details on website.
Seasonal Snowdonia: Shrug off any Post-Christmas Blues with a scenic train ride. Relax in comfortable, heated carriages with 'at-your-seat' buffet service. Trains run daily Boxing Day - New Year's Day.
FFESTINIOG & WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAYS Harbour Station, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9NF Page 38 NWM festrail.co.uk 2019
01766 516024
Win
COMPETITIONS North Wales Magazine has two amazing prizes to give away this December! Read on for entry details, and remember to follow our Facebook (@ northwalesmag) to ensure that you don’t miss out on any extra competitions that are taking place throughout the month. Good luck!
Win a two-course lunch at the Rhug Estate Bistro Enjoy a fine quality meal that has travelled metres rather than miles. Rhug Estate prides themselves on using the very best ingredients to create quality seasonal menus. Their Bistro head chef and the team create every dish from scratch. The meat is sourced from their own organic farm and all other ingredients are sourced locally. The bread and cakes are made daily in the Bistro kitchen. The Bistro menu reflects the ‘field to plate’ ethos and includes dishes such as Rhug Organic Aberdeen Angus 28-day aged steaks and Rhug Rib Eye beef burgers. The team at Rhug Estate offers a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes and can cater for special dietary requirements. Open throughout the day, seven days a week, you can enjoy a hearty Welsh breakfast, a lunchtime bite, relaxing afternoon tea and on a Sunday a traditional roast dinner. Large parties and private bookings are welcome, so why not book a table for your next special occasion. Rhug Estate also host evening dining themed events throughout the year. Visit www.rhug.co.uk for a full list of events and menus. * The prize is for two adults to enjoy a two-course lunch in the Bistro. Cannot be redeemed on a Sunday. Prize does not include drinks
To Enter
Win a one-hour Thai Yoga Massage (worth £40) The lovely May at Nature’s Touch Therapy is offering one lucky reader to experience a wonderful Thai Yoga Massage at one of her locations in Rhuddlan, Ruthin or Denbigh. The Thai Yoga Massage is an ancient healing modality that was born in Thailand and has flourished in North America. This therapeutic style of massage combines soft tissue manipulation techniques, assisted yoga postures, breathing and meditation to bring the body into a state of deep relaxation. Contact May for more information about her services, 07831 638577 * T’s&C’s apply
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Notice
In order to enter, all you need to do is email your name and address to us at competition@northwalesmagazine.co.uk by Friday 27th December, making sure that you put the name of the competition that you are entering in the subject line. Of course, you could always enter both – good luck!
We collect your information when you enter our competitions, and store this information on our systems. We will use this information to contact you if you are the competition winner, and to contact you occasionally with details of relevant offers and items which may be of interest to you. If you win the competition, your name and the town where you live may be printed in a future edition of North Wales Magazine. We will also share your information with the competition provider, and they may contact you with details of relevant offers. Please see www. northwalesmagazine.com for our full Privacy Notice.
EACH COMPETITION NEEDS TO BE ENTERED SEPERATELY
NWM 2019 Page 39
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MAGAZINE
FOOD & DRINK INSIDE: recipes wine cocktail of the month
NWM 2019 Page 43
Want to get into the Christmas Spirit? Join us at ‘Samphire Brasserie & Bar’ for our Christmas Fayre Menu Llandudno's Newest AA Rosette Rated Restaurant, ‘Samphire Brasserie & Bar’
Situated at The Cae Mor Hotel, right next door to The Venue Cymru. Open for Lunch 12.00- 14.00; Dinner 17.00 - 21.00 Tuesday to Saturday. Get your Christmas Jumpers ready and join us for some delicious Fayre. Using local Supplier Poyntons to supply the meat. Call us on Tel: 01492 878101 to make a booking. F: caemorhotelllandudno
Andy Tabberner and Oli Thompson are the new faces of the Gaerwen Arms on Anglesey…
It takes two
two
We first interviewed Andy Tabberner back in the summer of 2018
when he was the executive chef at The Bull in Beaumaris. It’s safe
to say that a lot has changed for him in the past 18 months, as he has
now moved on to pastures new and has leased the Gaerwen Arms with partner in crime Oli Thompson. Getting a little restless at The Bull, Andy decided that it was time to branch out on his own and, as luck would have it, his future partner was already working with him. “I hosted a course at Coleg Llandrillo in Rhos-on-Sea where Oli was studying,” explains Andy. “Luckily for me he liked what he saw and applied to do some work experience at The Bull.” Oli was studying Level 3 in hospitality and catering, and was even crowned ‘student of the year’ while at college. “After my work experience finished a position came up at The Bull, and I was so happy when Andy offered me the job,” says Oli. “After working with him now for over two years I can really see a different way of cooking – I understand now that food is more than just a meal – it’s about providing the experience for the customer. I didn’t really play around with food too much before I met Andy – he really is my inspiration.” So when Andy decided that the time was right to take the plunge into self employment it made sense for him to include Oli in the venture, and the two of them leased the Gaerwen Arms from Star Pubs, one of Heineken’s subsidiaries.
NWM 2019 Page 45
MAGAZINE
“It’s been a massive learning curve,” says Andy. “The pub was pretty tired when we first got the keys and so we had to spend the first week doing an industrial deep clean. It’s a very classic pub and we haven’t changed the design as such – but we have changed people’s expectations.” Whereas the locals used to frequent the Gaerwen Arms for a burger and a beer, they are now presented with fresh, seasonal produce that wouldn’t be out of place in a fine dining restaurant. “The pub has only been open for 14 weeks and we’ve had four menu changes already,” explains Andy. “This is because we only want to use local produce that is in season – and so if we can’t get the ingredients for a dish locally then we won’t do that particular dish.” The pork belly is currently proving the pub’s most popular dish, and it’s perhaps no surprise when you hear the care and attention that has gone into creating it. “We cook the pork for 24 hours in a sous vide machine to get the texture just right, and then we serve it with a homemade potato rosti that has been cooked in duck fat.” And they are certainly going out of their way to ensure that Despite such attention to detail and the increasingly
this is the case. Next on their list is a revamp of the exterior of
adventurous menu – the Gaerwen Arms has just started
the pub and, as they have a fair bit of outside space, a summer
serving venison – the dynamic duo are also keen to keep the
food festival is also on the cards.
locals happy. December at the Gaerwen Arms is set to be quite the event, “We have a bar menu which has things like a pie and a pint
with no less than 700 guests booked in for the festive season.
on it,” says Oli. “However the difference is that it’s a really good
And Valentine’s Day looks set to be pretty special too, seeing
homemade pie.”
as how the pub has just won The Most Romantic Restaurant award at the Restaurant Awards - Welsh Edition – an accolade
And it’s not just the food that has had a revamp since the boys
that came just weeks after the pub got awarded 2AA Rosettes.
took over. The wine list now hosts a wide range of vino from a quality house wine up to a £50 bottle of Amarone.
And when you consider that all of this has been achieved in just 14 weeks, then it really is time to take your hats off to both
“We just want to make sure that there is something here for
Andy and Oli. But, when you realise that they are only 27 and
everyone,” adds Andy. “Whether you have travelled especially
21 respectively, then they are in a different league altogether.
to see us or live just down the road, we want to make sure
Watch this space, because the Gaerwen Arms could just be
that you have an experience to be remembered.”
about to put Anglesey on the foodie map…n
Page 46 NWM 2019
NWM 2019 Page 47
THE GLASS ONION CAFÉ A small friendly cafe offering a place to meet, eat, relax and watch the world go by!
C
M
Enjoy tasty home cooked food, prepared and created daily using fresh, Y locally-sourced produce. We try to cater for a wide range of dietary requirements; including vegetarian, vegan, gluten and dairy free options. CM Outside catering; from a platter of freshly made sandwiches to something more elaborate.
MY
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Back by popular demand - Glass Onions
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"Full Christmas Dinner in a Yorkshire Pudding!"
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Vegetarian/GF available (please pre-order) We’re licensed to BYO too !!!
Start your Christmas with a visit to North Hills Farm Choose from our great selection of fresh cut, potted and home grown trees. We have a fantastic selection of handmade wreaths along with hot drinks and home made treats. Meet our stunning reindeer herd and soak up the festive atmosphere.
From 16th to 24th December; daily limited availability booking recommended! • ’NEW' for this year selected ‘EVENINGS TOO!! Thursday, Saturday & Monday still available..bookings required!! • More information on our website Glass Onion Café, Back Row, Denbigh, LL16 3TE. Tel: 07715545564. www.glassonioncafe.co.uk
Perfect Gift Half page.qxp_Layout 1 22/10/2019 08:34 Page 1 Also find us on Tripadvisor & Facebook
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OF THE
Month
INGREDIENTS J Ingredients J 1 shot of Grand Marnier
During the Christmas season cocktails tend to get relegated in favour
J 1.5 shots Tequila
of more traditional drinks, such as a warming mulled wine. But, for
J 1 shot Cranberry Juice
those of you who prefer the idea of a mulled wine to the actual mulled
J 1 Shot Lime
itself, then you can’t beat a festive Mistletoe Margarita… cheers!
J 1/2 Shot Gomme J Coarse salt J Ice
Mistletoe Margarita Method J Rim each glass with a lime wedge and dip in the coarse salt J Fill each glass with ice J In a cocktail shaker, add three to four ice cubes, Grand Marnier, tequila, cranberry juice, lime juice and syrup and shake for 30 to 60 seconds. J Pour into glasses filled with ice Garnish with: Fresh cranberries, a sprig of rosemary and extra limes, if desired
IN THE MIX
Of course, if you’d rather sit back and relax while somebody mixed your ideal cocktail for you, then why not visit Sheldon’s in Colwyn Bay? From a Margarita to a Mojito, it has quite the cocktail selection and is quickly becoming the place to go for cocktails in North Wales. 01492 339821 www.sheldonsbar.co.uk
NWM 2019 Page 49
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Book your appointment today at Renew Hearing Care, for immediate relief from earwax discomfort.
Please call 07415 937778 or visit our website www.renewhearingcare.co.uk If you require a home visit appointment please contact us. Appointments available at Swettenham Chemists in Bromborough, Chester & Llandudno and also at West Kirby Physiotherapy.
Food for thought
At this festive time of the year, it’s important
we’re still in thrall to popular music’s two
to remember and keep in our thoughts those
golden ages of novelty Christmas music.
whose suffering is especially acute in the run
First there’s the Sinatra-era croon-a-
up to the big day. I am referring, of course, to
thons from the 1950s, when America stole
shop workers who have to listen to the same
Christmas from the Victorians and made it
Christmas music playlist on a constant loop
their own. Then later, when we stole it back
for anything up to six weeks in a row. This
off them in the 1970s thanks to the triple-
remains a time of good cheer, but just how
whammy of Slade, Roy Wood & Wizzard and
much cheer I’d have left after hearing ‘Merry
the Morecambe & Wise Christmas Specials.
Christmas Everyone’ by Shakin’ Stevens four times a day every day is debatable.
In recent years, I’ve become quite attached to a compilation of French Christmas songs,
Cai Ross is co-owner
The overkill is a pity because Christmas
‘A Christmas Eve in Paris’, that we put on
and Maitre d’ of
music, enjoyed within a strictly enforced
in the restaurant for a bit of authenticity.
the award-winning
twelve-day period, plays a huge part in
Mainly the big names like Charles Trenet,
Paysanne Bistro in
everyone’s personal family traditions.
Yves Montand and Edith Piaf; it conjures
Deganwy, which has
‘Christmas isn’t Christmas,’ I always hear,
up a pleasing monochrome world of Paris
been serving French
‘until I’ve heard… (insert your own song title
under a dusting of snow, while shoppers
country-style food to
here).’ In our house it’s ‘One More Sleep Til
warm their hands with demi-tasses of
the fine people of North
Christmas’ by Kermit The Frog, though I have
black coffee and side-helping of Pastis.
Wales since 1988. He
an somewhat indefensible soft spot for Bob
also writes for Calibre
Dylan’s Christmas album, even though he
With that in mind, I sent a telegram over
Magazine, BBC Good
sounds like he’s just been gargling drawing
to the south of France and asked my mum
Food, HeyUGuys.com
pins in a poorly ventilated aluminium foundry.
to cook up the sort of thing that you might
and The North Wales
be served if you visited a French relative
Weekly News
The annual race to be the Christmas Number
at this time of year. No great fans of
One used to be a huge deal, back in the days
turkey and sprouts, the French have their
when the Top 40 still meant something. I
own festive food traditions like oysters,
honestly can’t remember a single Yuletide
brandade and bouche-Noël – all worth
chart-topper since 1999, though I’m pretty
researching if you want to try something
sure that for about ten years in a row it was
new this year.
whomever transient celebrity had just won The X Factor.
Whatever you do, whatever you choose to listen to, I wish you a very Joyeux Noël and a
As such, it’s extraordinary just how much
superlative 2020. n
NWM 2019 Page 51
MAGAZINE
Recipes WITH A WALNUT DUCK BREAST IL USHROOMS CRUST AND W D M
trout) TARTARE DUO OF SALMON (or Serves 4 mon fillet J 250g very fresh sal n mo sal ed ok J 250g sm oil e oliv oon sp rt sse J 1 de on juice J 1 dessert spoon lem ce J 1 tsp Worcester sau s chopped d fresh dill and chive xe mi oon sp rt J 1 desse J Salt and pepper SAUCE al yoghurt crème fraîche or natur J 1 tablespoon thick radish sauce J 2 tsps creamy horse apple, opped Granny Smith ch J 50 grams of finely skin on
t in Mix together and pu
fridge.
METHOD d chop into bones from salmon an Remove skin and any very small cubes. s. Put in a salmon into small cube Chop up the smoked er and put redients, mix well, cov bowl, add the other ing hrs. in the fridge for two a plate and place a ring mould on When ready to serve peat on the xture with a spoon. Re press in the salmon mi mon and a sal d the sauce beside the other plates, then ad rnish. little watercress to ga
Don’t fancy cooking? Page 52 NWM 2019
01492 582079 @PaysanneDeganwy www.paysannedeganwy.co.uk
Serves 4 J 2 Duck breasts (Magret de Canard) ls J 80gs walnut kerne s mb cru ad J 50gs bre J 50gs soft butter J 300g mixed fresh wild mushrooms J 20g butter J 2 garlic cloves ped fresh J A handful of chop parsley walnut oil J 1 dessert spoon of balsamic vinegar of oon sp rt sse J 1 de J Salt and pepper METHOD lnuts pretty lnut crust. Chop the wa Start by making the wa adcrumbs, bre the in a bowl and add fine in a blender. Put a sort of ve ha you till r with a fork then work in the butte s of kitchen re between two sheet dough. Put the mixtu Put in the to about 0.8cm thick. paper and roll out flat rooms. sh ile you cook the mu freezer to harden wh finely in the butter with the Sauté the mushrooms and pepper t rsley. Season with sal chopped garlic and pa ep warm. and the walnut oil. Ke season and on the duck breasts, Lightly score the fat Turn on the wn onto a frying pan. place them fat side do ht minutes) eig t ou den and crispy (ab heat and cook till gol go. Turn into a container as you pouring the excess fat t on a baking er five mins, then pu over and cook for anoth ll. gri any juices. Turn on the tray to rest. Reserve ces the size of crust and cut two pie Take out the walnut side of the them on top of the fat the breasts and place n. de grill till crisp and gol duck. Place under the n with the balsamic Deglaze the frying pa reserved juice. vinegar and add the te up, pouring Slice the breasts, pla and serve with ce jui over some of the suggestion. ng rvi Se . ms the mushroo A side dish of potato chestnut mash.
and
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Raise your glass
Celebrate, share and enjoy
December has arrived and Pete has finally lifted the ban on the use of the word Christmas in the shop. As we were putting new stock out on the shelves, we got to some lovely ports, which triggered a conversation around Christmas which inevitably led to celebration wines. The usual discussion around champagne, cava, prosecco etc ensued. Once the inevitable heated debate ended the conversation moved to how we celebrate, and why people default to having sparkling for a celebration. What is it that makes us instantly default to something fizzy when we want to celebrate? For the most part a bottle of fizz isn’t what we would choose to drink, most of us don’t really enjoy it, or if we do would get the same level of excitement from a £10-20 bottle of Cava/
Pete’s Christmas Celebration selection
Prosecco as we would from a very expensive Champagne.
Morning/Present opening
So lets look at this another way. In a supermarket a decent-
Pignoletto Frizzante
ish bottle of Champagne will cost you around £39. We will
With Lunch – Gwinllan Conwy – Pefriog,
sell you a very nice bottle for the same price. But if I said
3 Cru Amarone, Hauller Reisling
to you “Oh you’re celebrating, why not by this nice bottle of Amarone for £34 or this wonderful Chardonnay for £40” you
Afternoon/Evening
would probably think I had gone crazy.
Lunadora Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, Tomasella Cabernet Franc
I’m going to throw something out there for you. Why not celebrate with a bottle of something you enjoy. Not necessarily something expensive (but you are celebrating so
Pefriog sparkling with starter, to an Amarone with main
why not), but something you know that you will like.
course (none of that turkey/white wine thinking from me),
We usually spend a lot of time exploring wine and choosing
finishing with toffee apple rich Reisling with pudding. This
either one that we think will go well with the situation
leaves the evening for grazing on snacks, leftovers and
we want to enjoy it in (paired to food, nice to drink chilled,
chocolates, so a Vino Nobile and Cabernet Franc take me
warming for a winter evening) or finding our likes and
nicely through to time for a little cheese and port.
dislikes. So carry this through to a celebration wine.
There are no rules, make your own rules. Celebrate with what you will enjoy and
The pictures shows a selection of wines that I would drink
enjoy your celebration. n
to celebrate on Christmas day. Because I usually cook the dinner, and prefer to eat it at lunchtime, my selection reflects
Iechyd da!
this. I would start with a light frizzante for opening gifts/ breakfast. With lunch I would move through a Gwinllan
Pete, Tim, Mark & Blu
The Grape to Glass Wine Shop and Tasting Room
Tim Watson and his team run the Grape to Glass
8b Rhos Parade, Penrhyn Avenue, Rhos-on-Sea, LL29 7RE
Wine Shop and Tasting Room in Rhos-on-Sea which,
Tel: 01492 545934
as well as offering wine from far reaching lands, also
www.thegrapetoglass.co.uk
stocks locally produced beers, wines and spirits
NWM 2019 Page 55
MAGAZINE
✓ Family run business ✓ 10 year manufacturer and fitters guarantee ✓ Secure by Design Standards ✓ Showroom car parking ✓ Installers are employed not sub-contracted
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01492 543 317 info@conwyvalleywindows.co.uk
www.conwyvalleywindows.co.uk
Showroom location: The Roundabout, Glan Y Mor Road, Penrhyn Bay, Llandudno, LL303NI
Page 56 NWM 2019
WINDOWS . DOORS . CONSERVATORIES EXTENSIONS . ORANGERIES . LANTERNS TILED CONSERVATORY ROOF SYSTEM Our sales team, workmanship and aftercare are first rate, but don’t just take our word for it, this is what our customers have to say... “Every workman was on time, knowledgeable and friendly. The workmanship is of a very high standard. I must say a special ‘Thank You’ to Andy, the Surveyor. He has been very approachable and nothing has been too much trouble. I highly recommend Conwy Valley Windows.” - S.Lloyd “Provided sound, practical and budget-friendly advice on the best ways to double glaze The fitters were polite, knowledgable and experienced... The windows and doors are of excellent quality, and heating bills have reduced since fitting. Sound-proofing is top notch. Finally, this was an on-going project over 18 months; we used Conwy Valley Windows for all the work because we were confident and happy they would provide the best service. - S. Gow “We are more than happy to continue to work with Conwy Valley because the support was honest, authentic and the price was so fair, and to top if off the quality of the work was absolutely superb.” - I. Urbat NWM 2019 Page 57
Page 58 NWM 2019
HOMES & INTERIORS
REDUCED TO CLEAR - 1/2 PRICE ON ALL STOCK RUGS
NWM 2019 Page 59
Property of the month
Pydew House is an impressive detached country residence
lawns on either side, a further parking area and stone built
located in Bryn Pydew. Set in approximately three acres
outbuildings with attached timber storage shed – all set in
of lawned gardens, enjoying countryside views, this
approximately three acres with fruit trees, a slated paved
substantially extended five-bedroom property has been
seating area, flowers and shrubs and side patio area.
designed to combine the ‘old’ with the ‘new’. There is ample Land that lends itself to housing a horse or On the ground floor the accommodation offers reception hall,
pony, and magnificent countryside views complete
cloakroom, lounge with wood burning stove, snug, games
the package.
n
rooms with bi-fold doors to garden, open plan kitchen/ breakfast/family room, utility room and office. Upstairs and the property boasts a galleried landing, five bedrooms (the master with en suite shower and dressing rooms and bedroom two with en suite shower room) and a four piece family bathroom.
For more information Pydew House is currently on the market with Anthony Flint Estate Agents. It has an asking price of £750,000. For more information visit www.anthonyflint.co.uk
Externally is a driveway providing ample parking with
NWM 2019 Page 61
MAGAZINE
The Selling & Letting Agents
Sales / Lettings - 3 Lancaster Square, Conwy LL32 8HT • Tel 01492 583100 Sales - 1a Penrhyn Avenue, Rhos-on-Sea LL28 4PS • Tel: 01492 549178 email: conwy@fletcherpoole.com
email: rhos@fletcherpoole.com
website: www.fletcherpoole.com
DEGANWY
DEGANWY £279,950
£300,000
• A Beautifully presented and extended three bedroom detached bungalow • Upvc double glazing and gas central heating throughout. • Driveway parking and lovely landscaped low maintenance gardens to front and rear. • NO CHAIN
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EPC
F
CONWY
CRAIG Y DON £495,000
£245,000 • 3 bedroom semi-detached house is situated close to all amenities and only a short walk to the promenade • Well maintained & beautifully presented • This is a property that is well worth viewing to appreciate the size & layout • Outside to the front there is off road parking & a rear garden
• A four bedroom detached modern home • Situated for easy access to the secondary school, beach, marina and a five minute walk into Conwy Town • The newly carpeted and freshly decorated accommodation • Driveway parking, garage, front and rear gardens NO CHAIN
OPENING HOURS: MONDAY – FRIDAY 9.00-5.30 SATURDAY 9.30-4.00
INDEPENDENT ESTATE AGENTS
Page 62 NWM 2019
VALUATION - If you are thinking of moving at anytime in the near future please do not hesitate to ask for a FREE SALES VALUATION www.fletcherpoole.com
The Selling & Letting Agents
Sales / Lettings - 3 Lancaster Square, Conwy LL32 8HT • Tel 01492 583100 Sales - 1a Penrhyn Avenue, Rhos-on-Sea LL28 4PS • Tel: 01492 549178 email: conwy@fletcherpoole.com
email: rhos@fletcherpoole.com
website: www.fletcherpoole.com
PENRHYN BAY
UPPER COLWYN BAY £595,000
£549,950
• Immaculately Presented Five Bedroom Detached House • Situated In A Much Sought After Area • Enjoying Uninterrupted Countryside Views
• Convenience Store/Post Office & Potential Deli/Takeaway • In Prominent Position • Two, Three Bedroom Apartments
EPC
F
COLWYN BAY
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£595,000 • Four Bedroom Detached House • Recently Extended & Refurbished Throughout & A Stunning Family Home Created • Situated In A Highly Desirable Location • Beautiful Landscaped Garden
• NO CHAIN • Stunning Two Bedroom First Floor Apartment • Situated Within Walking Distance of Local Amenities • Fully Refurbished To A High Standard Throughout
OPENING HOURS: MONDAY – FRIDAY 9.00-5.30 SATURDAY 9.30-4.00
INDEPENDENT ESTATE AGENTS VALUATION - If you are thinking of moving at anytime in the near future please do not hesitate to ask for a FREE SALES VALUATION www.fletcherpoole.com
£350,000 Cae Thorley, Rhyl
Bryn Gobaith, St Asaph
£259,950
• Great location
• Four reception rooms
• 5 bedroom detached house
• Built by Anwyl builders
• Kitchen/utility
• Conservatory
• Spacious family accommodation
• Lounge, open plan dining & kitchen
• Attractive cottage gardens
• Parking for four cars
• Utility, ground floor toilet
• 2 En-suites
• Must be viewed
• Garage and gardens
£385,000
Clocaenog
• 3 bedroom detached character property • Set in approx. 0.4 acres • No onwards chain
• Stunning views of Moel Famau
• Modern kitchen
• Log burner
• EPC rating TBC
£285,000 St. Davids Close, Pantasaph
Gardd Eirlys, Mynydd Isa
£650,000
• Great location
• Substantial family home
• Superb chapel conversion
• Available with no onward chain
• Off road parking with single garage
• Views towards Moel Famau
• Village location
• Access to A55
• Walking distance to local amenities
• Gas central heating
• Five bedrooms
• Cinema Room
• EPC rating D-60
• Large double garage
INSIDE OUT North Wales Magazine brings you the latest products from the world of interiors
Restoring features
My my my Delilah A statement 1950’s inspired dining chair with a curved
Premium bathroom brand ASQUITHS, from Roxor Group,
sculptural backrest and dynamic tapered legs is
has introduced Restore, a timeless collection of classically
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green polyester velvet upholstery. Minimal assembly
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collection features stylish chrome finishes, with the much-
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they cost £179.99 for a set of two.
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outstanding performance and longevity. Restore collection includes basin and bath taps, including mono basin mixers, 3TH deck basin mixer, mono bidet mixer, 3TH wall bath filler, deck mounted bath shower mixer and wall mounted bath shower mixer with either classic white enamel lever
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pull-out kitchen spray tap to its range, which can be used in
brassware range is covered by a 20-year guarantee, for
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ARK 938 Single Lever Pull-Out Spray Kitchen Tap has an ultra modern design, with sleek geometric lines as well as incorporating the latest technology such as a 40mm cartridge to enhance flow and an anti-scale aerator. The pull out mousseur spray head extends the reach of the end of the tap spout and when not in use it is almost impossible to tell that the tap includes this practical feature. The pull-down spray head delivers even more flexibility, allowing the user to switch easily between a fine spray jet and normal spray and its versatility allows it to fill a bucket as easily as rinsing salad or washing pots. www.teka.com/en-gb/
NWM 2019 Page 67
MAGAZINE
Fabric first
In the frame The DRU Passo Eco Wave is a sleek, cylindrical gas
Imperio is an opulent story of decadent Velvets and
stove with a large, wrap-around viewing window
shimmering textural wall coverings in a stunning array of
framing a gorgeous log fire bed. It is operated by
colours and textures from ILIV. The Imperio Stripe Fabric
the exclusive DRU Eco Wave app for tablets and
in Grape, on the left, costs from £53.00 per metre, while the
smartphones, has an A energy rating and is over
Rosario Fabric in Grape (on the far right) is available from just
90% energy efficient. The Passo is a balanced flue
£33.00 per metre. Use these stunning fabrics to make your
stove, a technology that was originally developed by
home your own…
DRU and now used for millions of gas appliances
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On the tiles Stone & Ceramic Warehouse is currently selling these Rimini tiles with a realistic stone-effect. Available in two large-format sizes, these tiles are ideal if you want to create a seamless, contemporary effect. Pictured here in Brera, these tiles are also available in Bluestone and Lava colourways, and they cost from £66 per square metre. 2cm thick exterior tiles are also available from SACW Paving for an inside/outside scheme. www.sacw.co.uk
Page 68 NWM 2019
Fires and Fireplaces The Fireplace Specialist You Can Trust...
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Walking
world
THE ASCENT OF CYRN-Y-BRAIN
The Clwydian Hill range is best known for its tops in the Mold, Ruthin and Denbigh areas and is very popular with hill walkers and mountain bikers most weekends of the year. The summits that surround the famous Horseshoe Pass are less well known but make great outdoor days on mostly good paths and tracks that lead onto high ground which has a real wilderness feel about it. Cyrn-y-Brain is the top that lies to the north east of the Horseshoe Pass summit
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW J 7.5 miles/12.06 kilometres J Time: Allow 4 hours J Start: There are parking areas on the A542 at the summit of The Horseshoe Pass facing the Ponderosa Café
J Grid Ref: SJ 192480 J Nearest postcode: LL20 2DR J Ordnance Survey Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer 256 – Wrexham and Llangollen
J What to expect: This is a strenuous
– it’s an unusually named hill whose 1,852 ft/565.6 metre summit
walk that climbs to the lofty summit of
ranks as the 302nd highest in Wales and the 4,433rd highest in the
Cyrn-y-Brain twice and involves a fair
U.K. as a whole.
bit of ascent and descent. The route is mostly on good tracks and paths but it
On the top you will find two communications masts, a trig point and
can be rough going in places and the walk
the ruins of Sir Watkins Tower. What you won’t find is a lot of other
takes you into remote wilderness country
walkers which makes this a very remote feeling outing which is best
which should be avoided in mist and bad
suited to experienced hillwalkers. It should be saved for a fine bright
weather. It can be wet in places so wear
day when the views are at their best and you will get a real sense of
boots and take along full hill walking gear
achievement out of walking the slopes of this often neglected hill.
including a map and compass (and make sure you know how to use them). There is
The Horseshoe Pass is a great place to start walks from because its
some quiet lane walking on one section.
top lies at an altitude of 1,368 ft/417 metres and a lot of the climbing
Dogs are OK on leads
has already been done before you step out of your car. The pass is
J Suitable for: Experienced hill walkers who
crossed by the A542 road which connects Llangollen to Llandegla
are comfortable on high summits and in
and is named because the road travels in a horseshoe shape around
wilderness situations
the sides of the valley. The Welsh name for the pass is Bwlch yr
J Refreshments: The Ponderosa Café is at
Oernant which translates as ‘Pass of The Cold Stream’. At the summit
the start of the walk and there is a good
of The Horseshoe Pass you will find the famous Ponderosa Café
selection of cafés, restaurants and pubs in
which is extremely popular with motorcyclists. The pass forms a
nearby Llangollen
natural barrier between the hills of the Llantysilio Massif and todays objective, Cyrn-y-Brain.
NWM 2019 Page 71
4
MAGAZINE
WALK DETAILS
5
START
3
2
Exit the car park to cross the A542 to go left through the car park for the Ponderosa Café. Exit the car park right through a gap near the car park end to go right on a road. As you reach the end of the café buildings again go left to cross grass and
START/ FINISH
pass left of a pond to pass through a kissing gate. Follow the rising path beyond to reach a track by two metal gate posts. Go right rising on the track to curve right and continue rising by trackside barriers. Beyond these continue climbing the track to bend left. Follow the track soon rising more steeply to reach a track junction right at the first mast – this https://openstreetmap.org is just https://openstreetmap.org/copyright before a marker post.
Copyright OpenStreetMap and contributors, under an open licence
Points of interest on this section
J The Ponderosa Café at the summit of The Horseshoe Pass started life in the 1930’s as a little shack for motorcyclists to buy refreshments at. It has been added to and extended many times and the current name comes from the 1960’s T.V. series ‘Bonanza’ which revolved around life on the Ponderosa Ranch 4) Pass through the gate to go left. Rise with a fence left to a 2) Take the right fork towards the mast and then go right on
track junction and go left over a stile. Go ahead on the path to
a track before the mast gates are reached. Curve left around
curve right and continue climbing. The angle eases as the two
the mast and continue over the moor. Soon the track narrows
summit masts appear again. At a marker sign for ‘Sir Watkin’s
and becomes a path through heather that begins to descend.
Tower’ go right over a stile and follow the path beyond to the
A peaty track runs next to it and is easier going. Descend to
trig point and summit of Cyrn-y-Brain.
join a fence right for a short while and after this stay ahead
Points of interest on this section
on the path ignoring any turnings off. Curve sharp left at a track junction right continuing to cross a stream in a gully.
Cyrn-y-Brain is an unusually named hill whose 1,852 ft/565.6
Follow the rising path beyond and continue ahead to start
metre summit ranks as the 302nd highest in Wales and the
descending again. Lower down descend more steeply to reach
4,433rd highest in the U.K. as a whole
a boggy hollow. Rise out of this on the path to reach a road. 5) Re-trace your steps back over the stile and go right towards Points of interest on this section
the masts. Cross a muddy section on a rickety bridge and
J The white crags you see ahead as you descend from the
continue to follow the path right of the first mast. Join a good
mast are the escarpment of Eglwyseg Mountain and this area
track and continue on it to pass the second mast and pick
is more popularly known as ‘Worlds End’
up your outbound route at the junction left after a marker post. Follow your outbound route down the track to reach the
3) Go left on the road following it to a small slate marker stone
two metal gate posts. Here leave the track to go left following
left for ‘Offa’s Dyke Footpath to Llandegla’ (this is near car pull
the descending path to pass through a kissing gate. Cross
in areas). Leave the road here to go left taking Offa’s Dyke
the grass to a road, go right down the road to go left into the
Footpath up the moor. The way is eased by slabs and sleepers
café car park and pass through it to cross the A542 to your
until you cross a stream on a small bridge. Rise beyond
parking area. n
following the path (some sleepers in places) to reach a gate and stile on the forest edge. Points of interest on this section
J Offa’s Dyke Long Distance Footpath runs for 177 miles/285 km from Prestatyn in North Wales to Chepstow in South Wales. It closely follows the Wales/England border
Page 72 NWM 2019
A WORD OF CAUTION Walking in the outdoors can be a strenuous activity and it is up to you to ensure that you are fit and healthy enough to undertake the route described and to approach the venture with caution and care. You should wear appropriate footwear and suitable clothing, take along food and drink plus carry the relevant map and a compass and be able to use it. The details given here are believed to be correct at the time of going to press. However, neither North Wales Magazine nor the author can accept responsibility for inaccuracies encountered.
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Community
News
North Wales to host stars next year
AA Rosette for Llandudno restaurant The Cae Mor Hotel’s Samphire
North Wales will be hosting a wide range of stars in
Brasserie & Bar has received it’s first
2020, as Little Mix, Westlife and Lional Richie are all
AA Rosette. This is awarded because
set to perform in the region. International superstar
the restaurant achieved standards
Lionel Richie has announced that he’ll be returning to
that stand out in the local area. The
North Wales on Thursday 4th June at the Racecourse
food served is prepared with care and
Ground Wrexham. Richie has sold more than 100 million
has a good understanding of flavours
albums sold worldwide, as well as being the recipient
and skill, using good local quality
of an Oscar®, a Golden Globe®, four Grammy Awards®,
ingredients. This ensures that guests
the distinction of MusicCares Person of the Year in
can eat in with confidence and a sense
2016, and Kennedy Center Honoree in 2017. Then, on
of anticipation. Andreas Leisinger
Sunday 5th July, Westlife will perform at Stadiwm Zip
joined to head up the team only seven
World in Colwyn Bay as part of their Stadiums in the
weeks prior to the inspection. The team
Summer Tour. The global pop kings perform all of their
consists of Jaimie Gould who joined
greatest hits including ‘Swear It Again’, ‘Flying Without
on the same day and Natalia Gibson.
Wings’ and ‘You Raise Me Up’ as well as sensational
Andreas joined from 1891 restaurant
up-tempo new songs from their forthcoming new album
and bar so has a good knowledge
‘Spectrum’. Then, just a week later, Little Mix will also
of pre-theatre dining, previously he
be bringing their unmissable live show to Colwyn Bay.
was head chef at The Imperial Hotel
The group are set to perform at Stadiwm Zip World on
in Llandudno where he achieved and
11th July Speaking about the Summer 2020 tour coming
maintained a 2 AA rosette award. The
to Stadiwm Zip World, Pablo Janczur – Orchard Live
Christmas Fayre Menu is now being
Director said: “Little Mix are one of the biggest names
served at the Samphire Brasserie, so
in music and have been getting rave reviews for their
there is no better time than to come and
current shows. Their last show in 2017 at the venue was
try it out for yourself!
absolutely incredible and we can’t wait to have them
www.caemorhotel.co.uk
back in 2020!” Tickets for both Little Mix and Westlife are available from Venue Cymru, while Lional Richie tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk
NWM 2019 Page 75
MAGAZINE
Awards success for Portmeirion Portmeirion scooped the gold award for Best
Tourism Awards. “The
Golau Gaeaf Winter Light returns to Llandudno
team here at Portmeirion
Chapter Two of the Golau Gaeaf Winter Light festival
are truly honoured and
takes place this month. The story continues with
proud to have won the
‘The Mermaid’s Purse’, a series of stunning video
Best Wedding Venue Go
projections on to a strip of buildings facing North
North Wales Tourism
Western Gardens. “We’re being a bit cryptic about the
award,” commented Portmeirion sales manager Delyth
precise details of the show as we want the audience
Wyre. “We work extremely hard as a team to make sure
to be captivated by the mystery that surrounds them
that every Bride & Groom has the most memorable wedding
both when they experience them,” said a spokesperson.
day, in our idyllic and magical place.”
One of the key features of the parade is ‘Ychen Bannog’,
https://portmeirion.wales
an Ox-like beast, created by artist Dave Young, that
Wedding Venue at the recent Go North Wales
emerges from its centuries-deep slumber at the rear of the parade. Breathing steam and awakening other monsters that have been lurking on this iconic rock for centuries, Winter Light promises to give visitors a unique experience which features performance, music and special effects. Chapter 2 ‘The Mermaids Purse’ can be seen on Saturday 14 December, at 7pm. The show features a series of projections on to the strip of buildings running from the Kings Arms to the edge of Mostyn Street, opposite Great Western Gardens. www.conwy.gov.uk
New bar for Rhos-on-Sea A new bar has opened in the heart of Rhos-on-Sea. Run by
New shop opens in Ruthin
Tim Watson and Tim Watson (what are the chances?!) the
Tracey Dutton founded Lavinia Stamps in 2007 along
bar is called Elementary by
with partner Kevin Jones. Originally working from a
Messrs Watson and Watson,
spare room at home, they have since moved three times
and will serve craft beer, wine
increasing the size of premises each time. Tracey has a
and a specially curated spirits.
fascination for fairies, fantasy, flora and fauna. She hand
Tim number one is the founder
draws and creates beautiful and mystical images that are
of The Grape to Glass Wine
transferred on to polymer stamps for the crafting industry.
Shop and Tasting Room, which can be found just over
Up until now all Tracey’s designs have only been available
the road to Elementary, while Tim number two sold
on-line and from specialist craft shows and events.
up the Kinmel Arms in St George last year. Both Tim’s
However a new retail shop in Ruthin will now give local
have a keen eye for style and have transformed the
customers an opportunity to see the complete range, watch
former hairdressers into a comfortable place to explore
demonstrations and engage in craft workshops.
different styles of beer. With some local Wild Horse
laviniastamps.co.uk
brews on tap, wines by the glass and some wonderful, and unusual spirits – including no alcohol gin – having a drink here will be Elementary my dear Watson!
Page 76 NWM 2019
Be an inspiration in 2020
In 2020 Citizens Advice Denbighshire will have some amazing
up with other services and agencies, help write letters and
volunteering opportunities available in the communities of
complete forms, negotiate with creditors, make phone calls on
Rhyl, Denbigh, Corwen and Ruthin. Volunteering is one of the
clients’ behalf and represent them at courts and tribunals. Our
greatest ways to appreciate our capabilities. By volunteering,
clients and volunteers come from all walks of life and we offer
we can change the lives of others for the better. Volunteering
volunteering opportunities to the whole community.” If you are
is also a tool to improve the community and help those in
interested in volunteering, learning new skills and inspiring
need of free, confidential and impartial advice. “Here in
others then get in touch or come along to the ‘Volunteer Drop
Denbighshire we currently have 75 volunteers helping us to
In Session’ on Friday 17th January 2010 to Eirianfa Community
deliver our essential service to the people of Denbighshire,”
Centre, Factory Place, Denbigh, LL16 3TS. Anytime between
commented Julie Pierce. “We act as a one-stop-shop for clients.
2pm and 6pm for a cuppa, some cake and an informal chat
Advisers provide up-to-date advice and information using
with the friendly team.
our unique electronic information system, we link clients
Julie.pierce@dcab.co.uk / 01745 818082
Mountain Training Trust launches charity campaign
RNIB Cymru offers bilingual Letters from Santa Sending off a Christmas list and receiving a letter from
The Mountain Training Trust, the
Santa Claus in return is one of the highlights of the year
charity responsible for operating Plas
for many children in the run up to the festive period.
y Brenin National Outdoor Centre,
Many fantastic charities offer Letters to Santa schemes
Capel Curig, is launching a new campaign aiming to get
for families across Wales. However, blind and partially
more people active outdoors. To coincide with the global
sighted children are often unable to read these letters
charity giving day ‘Giving Tuesday’ on December 4th, the
themselves because they are not available in accessible
Mountain Training Trust will be asking for donations to
formats. That’s why RNIB Cymru offer a specialised
go towards ensuring more people can access world class
service that sends blind and partially sighted children
outdoor training at Plas y Brenin, a place regarded by
festive letters from St Nick in their preferred reading
many as the spiritual home of British mountaineering and
format. Letters can be sent in uncontracted or contracted
the ‘gold standard’ provider in outdoor training in the UK.
Braille, large print, audio CD or audio file. What’s more,
“We are incredibly grateful to all those who have already
Santa and his elves are bilingual, so children can receive
shown their support in the lead up to the launch of our
their letters in Welsh too! To receive a tailored letter or
campaign,” commented Sarah Ritchie, head of fundraising
email from Santa for your child, simply send your letter to
at the Mountain Training Trust. “We know that what we
Santa Claus, RNIB, Midgate House, Midgate, Peterborough
do at Plas y Brenin can be life-changing, and this is our
PE1 1TN. Make sure to include the child’s name and
opportunity to ensure that more people than ever can
delivery address, a contact number, whether the child
experience that for themselves, wherever they are and
would like to hear from Santa in Welsh or English and
whatever their background or circumstances.”
what format is required. The deadline is December 2nd
http://mountaintrainingtrust.org
for letters and December 20th for emails.
Law firm supports fundraising cause
Llandudno. Part of the fundraising involves
A North Wales law firm is getting behind a local team’s
getting sponsorship from businesses
fundraising challenge to walk the Somme battlefield
who had their logo carried on the vehicle
blindfolded – and is urging other businesses to do the
which takes the team on their trip. Lanyon
same. The team of four from North Wales Audi headed to
Bowdler was one of the first to sign up and
France in November, timing their trip to coincide with the
Edward Nutting, who heads up the firm’s North Wales office
commemorations surrounding Remembrance Day. They
in Conwy, said: “Lanyon Bowdler has a proud tradition of
embarked on the trek over two days before paying their
supporting the military, serving and former armed services
respects to the fallen on Remembrance Sunday and then
personnel, and did not hesitate in offering our support
headed for Ypres in Belgium to lay a wreath at the Menin
by way of sponsorship to this fundraising challenge. The
Gate memorial. The team is comprised of Matthew Losing, a
trip tied in perfectly with Remembrance Day and it would
former Royal Navy petty officer, Jack Allred, an ex-corporal
be wonderful if other businesses got behind the team by
in the Royal Welch Fusiliers, Jordan Irving, who documented
donating money to such a worthwhile cause.” To donate
the journey, and Head of Business at North Wales Audi,
to the team’s blindfolded Somme Battlefield fundraising
Shalan Sanati. They have set a fundraising target of
trek, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/
£3,000 in aid of Blind Veterans UK, which has a centre in
northwalesaudi-walkingthesommeblindfolded
NWM 2019 Page 77
MAGAZINE
Hope House awarded Children in Need grant Hope House Children’s Hospice is celebrating being awarded a grant of £108,380 by BBC Children in Need,
condition. Each young person has a bespoke programme
to help make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged
of therapeutic emotional or bereavement support to help
children and young people living in Shropshire, Cheshire,
them process their feelings or cope with their loss.
Mid and North Wales. The grant, paid over three years,
The BBC Children in Need grant will pay for exciting
will go towards the hospice’s Sibling Support Service,
trips and activities as part of the Sibling Support Service,
which gives help and support to the brothers and sisters
including a bush-craft activity day, trips to the zoo and
of children who use the hospice. Specialist staff help the
team-building challenges such as raft-building and zip-
siblings to adapt to the changes in their lives caused
wires at a local activity centre.
by living with a brother or sister with a life-threatening
www.hopehouse.org.uk
Welsh beaches need Deposit Return Scheme
London calling Kane Oliver Parry
The UK’s leading marine charity,
to appear on the side of a London bus. The former Coleg
the Marine Conservation Society
Cambria student may soon get his wish, having made
(MCS) has released the results of its
a name for himself in some of the West End’s biggest
most recent Great British Beach Clean, a UK-wide weekend
musicals. Originally from Rhyl, the 30 year-old is currently
of coastal cleaning which has been running for 26 years.
treading the boards in the multi award-winning global
Volunteers at the Great British Beach Clean not only clear the
smash Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre. Having starred
beaches of litter, but become citizen scientists and record
alongside Emma Thompson in Sweeney Todd and been
what they find, providing valuable data on what’s polluting
understudy to the lead role of Galileo in an international
our beaches. This year 30 beach cleans and litter surveys
arena tour of We Will Rock You, Kane has enjoyed an
took place across Wales, with over 700 local volunteers
amazing start to life as an actor. However, he says the
getting involved to remove more than 15,000 litter items
“exceptional” lecturers and staff at Cambria’s Yale site in
from Welsh beaches. MCS’ 26 years of data has shown a
Wrexham gave him the confidence to follow his dreams.
concerning upward trend of glass bottles on the UK coastline.
“I studied a National Diploma in Performing Arts at Coleg
In 1994, when the first Great British Beach Clean took place,
Cambria and absolutely loved it,” said the former Rhyl High
an average of 2 glass bottles were found per 100m of Welsh
School pupil. “It was surprising to me when I went on to
beach, in 2019 that figure has grown to an average of 8
study further how much I already knew because of my
Kane Oliver Parry has a driving ambition – for his face
glass bottles per 100m – a staggering 412% increase! This data illustrates the urgent need for the implementation of an all-inclusive Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) which would include not just plastic bottles, but also glass bottles and cans. “Last year’s consultation on a Deposit Return Scheme for England, Wales and Northern Ireland received an overwhelmingly positive response, with 208,000 responses in favour of DRS being implemented,” commented Gill Bell, head of Conservation Wales. “Disappointingly, progress has stalled, with UK Government calling for further consultations and evidence for DRS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
time at Cambria. It was such a good programme and the
despite the public’s support. This year’s Great British Beach
teaching was exceptional.” So, does Kane have any tips
Clean data really speaks for itself, showing how important an
for the next generation of Performing Arts students at
all-inclusive DRS is to reduce the volume of drinks containers
Cambria? “Go and watch as much as you can, even if you
we’re seeing on Welsh beaches. We urge the Welsh
think it’s bad you will still have learned something,” he said.
Government to join the 40 countries worldwide with effective
“And remember, you don’t have to be in the West End or on
DRS in place and implement an all-inclusive Deposit Return
TV to be an actor or have ‘made it’ in this industry. Just do
Scheme as soon as possible.”
what makes you happy, and most importantly, be kind.” www.cambria.ac.uk
Page 78 NWM 2019
DEFFRO CHWEDLAU A CHREADURIAID MYTHS & MONSTERS AWAKEN
PENNOD DAU - 7PM 14 RHAGFYR GERDDI’R NORTH WESTERN, LLANDUDNO MAE’R STORI RYFEDDOL YN PARHAU YN 'THE MERMAID’S PURSE’ DEWCH I WELD HANES AMRYLIW MÔR-FORWYN DDIRGEL CONWY MEWN SIOE O OLEUADAU A THAFLUNIAU DIGIDOL
CHAPTER TWO - 7PM 14 DECEMBER NORTH WESTERN GARDENS, LLANDUDNO THE CAPTIVATING STORY CONTINUES IN 'THE MERMAID’S PURSE’ SEE THE TECHNICOLOUR TALE OF THE ELUSIVE CONWY MERMAID UNFOLD IN SPECTACULAR DIGITAL PROJECTION AND ILLUMINATION
#YmgolliDyHun WWW.CONWY.GOV.UK/DIGWYDDIADAU
/DIGWYDDIADAUCONWY /EVENTSCONWY
@DIGWYDDIADCONWY @EVENTSCONWY
#GetWrappedUp WWW.CONWY.GOV.UK/EVENTS
DIGWYDDIADEVENT
@DIGWYDDIADAUCONWY @EVENTSCONWY
NWM 2019 Page 79
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Puzzle corner
Across 1 German liqueur (8) 9 Burden excessively (8) 10 Self-important (8) 11 Travelling case for clothes (8) 12 Refrain voluntarily (7) 13 Gambling game (4,4) 14 Private feud (8) 18 Acts (8) 21 Bald (8) 23 Black magic (7) 24 I o W town (8) 26 Staple of Mediterranean cooking (5,3) 27 Goodbye (8) 28 Charismatic (8) Down 2 Responsive to drugs (7) 3 Midday (8) 4 Musician who could play the Moonlight Sonata (7) 5 Drunkards (4) 6 Musical performance (7) 7 Tranquil (6) 8 Cushion for kneeling (7) 13 Poaches with a torch (5) 15 Substantial (8) 16 West Atlantic island country (7) 17 Decreased (7) 19 Covering for a building (7) 20 Cocktail (7) 22 Battered (6) 25 Small island (4)
Down: 2 Curable, 3 Noontide, 4 Pianist, 5 Sots, 6 Recital, 7 Placid, 8 Hassock, 13 Lamps, 15 Concrete, 16 Bahamas, 17 Reduced, 19 Roofing, 20 Martini, 22 Rammed, 25 Holm. Across: 1 Schnapps, 9 Overload, 10 Arrogant, 11 Suitcase, 12 Abstain, 13 Liar dice, 14 Vendetta, 18 Performs, 21 Hairless, 23 Sorcery, 24 Yarmouth, 26 Olive oil, 27 Farewell, 28 Magnetic.
NWM 2019 Page 81
MAGAZINE
An exceptional academic and enriching education on the stunning North Wales coast
PRE-SCHOOL AT RYDAL PENRHOS Outstanding Pre-School provision for 2-4 year olds • Wrap Around Care included Coastal and Forest School schemes to enhance early development At Rydal Penrhos Pre-School, young children will explore, investigate and question so that they learn while their curiosity and imagination are given full reign Find out more on our new website
www.rydalpenrhos.com For more information contact 01492 530155 or email admissions@rydalpenrhos.com
Page 82 NWM 2019
#RPInspires
Learning by heart As the first term of school and the Christmas holidays comes to
difficult periods of time. This should only be done if there is
a close, a sense of excitement undoubtedly fills the air.
a structured environment at a specific location that enables revision to be done constructively and in a positive manner.
However, the reality of exams after the holidays soon set in. The
5. Set aside a few hours a day to revise
Christmas season is a wonderful time to spend with family and friends, so it can be extremely hard to focus on revision.
Find the best time to revise for you and make sure that you stick to your timetable! For example, some work best in the
There is plenty that you can do in order to ensure preparation
morning, so they make sure to get up early and do a few hours
is maximised during the busy festive season, including
of revision. Others prefer studying in the evening or afternoon,
securing the right balance of study and free time that will also
so it is simply a case of what works best for you and plan
be essential for your wellbeing and state of mind during this
around that.
specific period of your education. 6. Plan something fun to do every day It can be exceptionally difficult to see others having fun when
Even if it is just going for coffee with a friend or watching a
you’re not, especially when you are sat at home revising ahead
film at home, this will give you something to look forward to and
of examinations, so here are some helpful hints that could serve
motivate you to finish your revision.
well during this critical stage of your objectives. 7. Explain to your family why your revision is important 1. Organise
Sometimes it can be difficult for family to understand why
This means that you should draw out a plan on paper on what
you are not spending time with them. So, make sure you tell
you will achieve each day (taking into account any non-study
them why your exams are important and perhaps you can
days/events). Set a specific time on how long you can study
agree to do something nice with them when your exams
each day and how much to achieve in the given time and stick
are over. Family members are sure to be supportive of your
to it. A simple timetable can easily help with this.
efforts and commend you for your commitment to examination preparations.
2. Hydrate Whilst studying hydration is immensely important, whether it
8. Take time off
is water, juice or any other hot/cold drink. Have the odd snack
It is important to take some time to relax and when you do get
too to keep energy levels up – there should be plenty of these
back to revising, you’ll probably find it easier to concentrate.
around the house during Christmas time!
Pick the most important days for you and your family to concentrate on celebrating Christmas and, again, plan around
3. Take breaks and get fresh air
the significant dates that mean the most to you.
The brain tends to stop functioning well during a prolonged period of revision, which leads to becoming easily distracted
9. Remember that it won’t last forever!
and losing focus of the task in hand. It is therefore essential that
You might have to spend your Christmas revising this year, and
regular breaks are taken, do something completely different for
perhaps in the years to come depending on your ambitions, but
a while to get your mind off the revision. Being in a different
soon enough you’ll be free of exams forever. And, after spending
environment for however long will do wonders for your mind-
time revising, your future Christmases will seem even better. n
set, allow your brain to rest and enjoy your surroundings before returning to your revision studies. 4. Have a change of scenery Studying at the same desk all the time can be monotonous for most, so moving your revision to a new location such
Sally Ann Harding is Senior School Head of Rydal Penrhos. She is about to embark on her 28th year at the school and her 40th in the teaching profession
as a library or relative’s house can be beneficial during
NWM 2019 Page 83
MAGAZINE
PUPIL RAISES FUNDS FOR CHARITY
old to run a half marathon and as mentioned, I am only 16. However,
A sixth form pupil is aiming to mark his 17th
what if I ran a marathon on my
birthday to raise funds for a national cancer
17th birthday in aid of Cancer
charity. Morgan Kendall, a Year 12 pupil at Rydal
Research UK? Why not? As a
Penrhos, has registered for the Milton Keynes
result I would like to run the
half marathon on 3rd May next year, which is
Milton Keynes Half Marathon
the earliest he can compete at an event of this
not only for him, not only for
kind. He is running in aid of Cancer Research UK
personal goals and ambitions but
just over five years after his father Stuart was
also for people who have or will
diagnosed with the disease. The keen runner is
have cancer in their lifetimes.”
already working hard on his fitness levels to give
Morgan will be joined on his half
a good account of himself at the event and has set an initial target time of one hour, 35 minutes for his debut run. A post on Morgan’s Just Giving page, read: “Running has been one of my biggest passions for a few years now and I always like to have a goal, whether it be a new PB or a milestone. Currently, you must be 17 years
marathon quest by family friend Rob Mandley, who has had a similar experience emotionally to the sixth former. Anyone wishing to donate to Morgan’s fundraising efforts can do so via: www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/morgankendall
EDUCATION NEWS MYDDELTON PREPARATORY IS EXPANDING
PIONEERING RESEARCH AIDED BY WREXHAM GLYNDWR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS A pioneering company which helps people with rare conditions has partnered
Myddelton College opened its preparatory school in 2017
with Wrexham Glyndwr
with the vision of a school where pupils are equipped
University students as part of a study into a condition
with both the personal and professional skills to thrive
affecting young people. The partnership was one of several
in the 21st Century. As a Microsoft Showcase School
which the university has developed with Aparito, a wearable
and as a recognised EdTech School, tablet technology
technology company whose work helps people across the
has an important part in the prep school. Each student
globe improve the quality of their lives while living with rare
has their own device, which is used in lessons, but this
diseases. The company, whose head office is in Wrexham,
is also blended with the traditional style of teaching
worked with Glyndwr psychology students Kate McDonald,
and an emphasis on handwriting. There is a focus on
from Ellesmere Port, and Ariana Bradshaw – originally from
educating our students in mindfulness, by an embedded
Minnesota in America. The students – guided by lecturer Dr
curriculum through its MISP (Mindfulness in Schools
Shubha Sreenivas – were tasked with analysing data from
Project) trained teachers. This teaches pupils how to deal
interviews carried out for Aparito with patients, carers and
with the pressures of life in the 21st Century and helps to
families affected by a rare metabolic disease. The disorder,
strengthen their concentration, memory, self-management
which to protect study participants cannot be disclosed, is
and even their relationships with family and friends. It
caused by a genetic mutation which affects young people and
is all about learning to be in the ‘here and now’. Now in
adults. “It was great to collaborate with the University on this
its third year, the vision for Myddelton Preparatory is
project, and I hope that many more opportunities will emerge,”
expanding; since opening it has doubled in size, and it is
commented Dr Elin Haf Davies, CEO of Aparito, who will now
now welcoming pupils from the age of seven upwards in
be working alongside Dr Sreenivas at Glyndwr after having
its classrooms.
been appointed an Honorary Research Fellow.
www.myddeltoncollege.com
www.glyndwr.ac.uk
Page 84 NWM 2019
Addysg Adsefydlu Anafiadau Chwaraeon Animeiddio Busnes Celf a Dylunio Cemeg Cerddoriaeth Comics Cwnsela Cyfrifeg a Chyllid Cyfrifiadura Darlunio Datblygu Gemau Effeithiau Gweledol Ffotograffiaeth a Ffilm Gwaith Cymdeithasol a Gofal Gwyddor Fforensig Gwyddor Anifeiliaid Hanes Hyfforddi PĂŞl-droed a Chwaraeon Iechyd a Lles Ieuenctid a Chymuned Marchnata Nyrsio Peirianneg Plismona Radio Rheoli Adnoddau Dynol Rheoli Technoleg Ariannol Saesneg Sain Seiberddiogelwch Seicoleg Teuluoedd a Phlentyndod Theatr a Pherfformio Therapi Galwedigaethol Troseddeg Y Cyfryngau a Chyhoeddi Yr Amgylchedd Adeiledig Ysgrifennu Creadigol
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apply now for 2020 entry. UCAS deadline: January 15th 2020
wgu.ac.uk
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Ramada Plaza Wrexham
Weddings
A desirable setting that offers stunning function suites, sumptuous food, an array of wonderful packages and bespoke options and unrivalled service, our venue in Wrexham is a fantastic choice. We will surprise you with our picturesque secret gardens, a welcome tranquillity in the middle of the town centre. The Ramada Plaza Wrexham is a true hidden gem, and the perfect choice for your dream wedding day! Quote North Wales Magazine, when making your enquiry
Tel: 01978 291 400 Fax: 01978 291 401 | Email: events@ramadaplazawrexham.co.uk Ramada Plaza Wrexham, Ellice Way, Wrexham, LL13 7YH
www.ramadaplazawrexham.co.uk
The
Wedding planner I’M DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS… Gone are the days when people only got married during the summer months, weddings are all year round, with the autumn/winter seasons proving to be quite popular now. If you’ve already booked your wedding during the winter season or, if you’re currently trying to decide what time of year to book your big day, here are some things to think about which might excite you about your winter wedding… Summer weddings are popular, but this also means that dates may be difficult. You may have found your dream venue, but they’re already booked. During the autumn/ winter months venues have more availability meaning your perfect date may be available at your dream wedding venue. For your colour scheme, you can also pick some amazing And, if you love Christmas, why don’t you think about a mid-
jewel tones like deep red, purple and gold. During the winter
week wedding between Christmas and New Year, where
months, florists will be able to advise the perfect flowers
you may be able to save on costs, and your guests may have
which will be in season, which will really stand out, giving
booked time off already due to the holiday season too!
you the most beautiful eye-catching bouquets and flowers with an opulent mix of colours.
You also don’t need to worry too much about the weather, as you’ll be spending most of your time indoors. Yes autumn/
The only bit of advice I would say, but this isn’t just for
winter may be cold but what’s more romantic than having
winter weddings is… wedding insurance. For peace of mind
lots of fairy lights, candles and a roaring log fire during
in the lead up to your big day, I would make sure you’re
your evening reception, with the possibility of snow on
covered. With a range of wedding insurances out there from
your wedding day. You’ll have to choose your wedding
multiple providers, shop around for the best cover and deal.
attire a little more carefully but only in the sense of having
After writing this month’s column it’s got me thinking about
a pashmina, bolero or fur wrap, to make sure you and your
my wedding day, if I had the chance to do it all over again, I
bridesmaids are warm when stood outside for pictures.
would opt for this time of the year!
Don’t forget if you are having a winter wedding make sure
All that’s left to say is… Merry Christmas and I wish you all
you book the ceremony time early in the afternoon, to allow
the very best for 2020! n
you some daylight time for photographs after you’ve said ‘I do’ and before the evening draws in.
Caroline Roberts runs Events by Caroline With the drinks reception you can also play around with
Louise, an event management company that
drinks, instead of the normal glass of Prosecco on arrival
specialises in wedding planning. She also
why don’t you opt for mulled wine or even better hot Pimms,
owns Bella, the Prosecco Van and provides
yes, that’s right hot Pimms – you can thank me later!
happiness in a glass! For more information please visit www.eventsbycarolinelouise.com
NWM 2019 Page 87
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Three places to visit in December
Getting back
to Nature
There’s plenty of wildlife across the region in December, says Julian Hughes, if you know where to look…
Bull Bay, Anglesey The Wales Coast Path is a great walk on a dry day, and the seas here are among the best place to see two different dolphin species in North Wales, as well as Grey Seals. A pod of Risso’s Dolphins are almost resident here, while Bottlenose Dolphins visit in the winter – so take some binoculars. Park behind the Bull Bay
Time for bed – with friends…
Hotel and follow the footpath signs.
The short days of December, whether wet and windy or cold and frosty, are a challenge for birds that stay in Britain and mammals that don’t hibernate. They have to get enough
Clwyd estuary, Rhyl/Rhuddlan
food to see them through the long, cold nights, so every daylight moment is precious.
Although one of the smaller estuaries
Some birds huddle together to share each other’s warmth, Wrens and Blue Tits often
in North Wales, the Clwyd is rich in
using bird boxes or natural crevices in trees or stonework. Members of the Crow family,
birds through the winter. At low tide,
such as Jackdaws and Rooks, also come together to sleep in mature trees, gathering
waders feed on the muddy banks
noisily in the half hour before darkness, which is believed to be an important part of
near the rivermouth at Rhyl/Kinmel
communicating good food sources.
Bay, and gulls gather before going
Credit: Julian Hughes
Candles in the wood
to roost on the nearby Marine Lake. Credit: Norbert Nagel
Flocks of geese and Wigeons feed on
Candle-snuff fungus can be found on dead
the adjacent fields, best viewed from
wood throughout the year, so it’s evident in
Marsh Road, along the west bank.
the run up to Christmas. It has a white, upright fruiting body with a black and hairy base, the
Alwen Reservoir, Hiraethog
upperparts covered in white powder that looks
A network of forest tracks and
like molten wax. The stem can sometimes fork
footpaths weave through the forestry
into more than one branch, prompting its other English name, Stag’s Horn.
Credit: Alastair Rae
plantations around this reservoir, smaller brother of nearby Llyn Brenig. Listen for flocks of Siskins and Crossbills feeding on the pine cone seeds, and look for Redwings and Fieldfares on the surrounding fields.
Credit: Rob Mitchell
Show your House Spiders some love!
Arachnophobia is a genuine affliction, but please do give your spiders a chance. House Spider is the most common species to share our homes, and their bite poses no risk to humans or pets. They’d rather run away to their funnelshaped web or hide in a crevice. Horror stories about False Widow Spiders are loved by tabloid papers but these are much scarcer than House Spiders, and even if one was to bite you – which is very rare – the localised pain and swelling usually disappears in a few hours.
Life on the ocean wave
Grey Seal pups were born in the autumn, and are only a month or two old when they have to face the rough seas and winter storms. Their silky white fur is shed around a month after they’re born, once they have been weaned off their mother’s fatrich milk. It is replaced with dense, grey adult fur that is waterproof, and the youngsters then learn to fish for themselves. Male Grey Seals in Arctic Canada will grow up to two metres (seven feet) long and weigh as much as 300kg (680lb), but those in more southerly Welsh waters are usually a bit smaller.
Visit late in the afternoon, and you might chance across a Barn Owl or even a Hen Harrier hunting over the moorland as you drive away. Wild places to explore This new book features nature reserves and other destinations across the region. It’s £7.50 from northwaleswildlifetrust. org.uk or from the Trust’s Bangor office in Garth Road.
Julian Hughes grew up in North Wales, which instilled a lifelong love of nature. He lives near Llandudno, manages the RSPB’s species conservation work in Wales, and writes about the region’s wildlife.
NWM 2019 Page 89
You & Your
Pet
GET YOUR PET SAFELY INVOLVED THIS CHRISTMAS Christmas is a wonderful time for us humans, but sometimes we are so caught up in the festivities that we forget about the possible dangers to our pets. There are lots of hazards that can cause major issues for our pets. Cats and dogs are being increasingly involved in the festivities, so we need to be more aware of the risks. 5.5 million dog owners unknowingly feed their pets harmful foods at Christmas, so to avoid any health emergencies, here are the top festive food hazards to be on the lookout for: Chocolate - Contains a stimulant called theobromine, a bit like caffeine, that’s severely poisonous to cats and dogs. Only 750g of milk chocolate may cause a Labrador to have a seizure. Carob is a dog friendly alternative to chocolate and is available at all our stores. Mince Pies & Christmas Puddings - All grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas are toxic to dogs, as are foods that contain them. As a nation, we go through 25 million Christmas puddings every year and a jaw dropping 300 million mince pies.
Top Fact
Did you know that we throw away 230,000 tonnes of Blue Cheese - Seen by many as a festive treat, it contains a
Christmas food? That’s a vast amount of leftovers and
substance called roquefortine C which dogs are extremely
scraps going in the bin. Make sure your food recycling
sensitive to.
bin is well sealed or kept outside as dogs are natural scavengers and although it may not look the most
Onions - Can cause stomach irritation and lead to red blood
appetising to us, they will explore. To us it’s a bin –
cell damage and anaemia, even if just used as an ingredient in
to them it’s a buffet.
stuffing or gravy. Alcohol - There is a 40% increase in alcohol consumption in
All of this sounds very daunting, almost to the extent that we
December. Alcohol can cause severe liver and brain damage
should skip the festive period altogether. However, this article
in your pets. As little as a tablespoon can lead to problems for
is merely here to help inform you of potential dangers. Now
your cat or dog.
you are aware of all these potential pitfalls, you can sit back and relax knowing Christmas ‘19 will be a safe and joyous
Artificial Sweeteners - One sweetener in particular, xylitol, is
time this year. n
found in many foods, including some cakes. Ingestion can lead to potentially fatal hypoglycemia, acute liver disease and blood
Meurig Davies is the Buyer for the Dog
clotting. Even small amounts can be extremely dangerous so
& Cat departments at petplace. He has
keep away from pets at all costs.
worked in every part of the company over the past 21 years and, as a passionate pet
Cooked Bones - Once cooked, all bones become brittle and
parent to Libby his Labrador, he knows
splinter easily which can pierce your dog’s digestive tract or
how important it is to be prepared for this
cause an obstruction. 61% of owners will let their dogs join
time of the year. For any advice, pop in to one of our stores
them for Christmas dinner, so be conscious of what you are
and have a chat with Meurig or one of the team.
feeding them.
NWM 2019 Page 91
Cato Crane Auctioneers MAGAZINE
CELEBRATING 34 YEARS OF HELPFUL SERVICE AND SUCCESSFUL SELLING
Dhuvra Mistry - Mixed Media - Sold by Kettles Yard Gallery in Cambridge in 1985' Sold for £500
Antoine Bouvard - ‘A Venetian Canal’ 14’’ x 18’’ £1,500-£2,000
Cosmo Alexander C1750 - Double Portrait In Our Fine Art Auction In November Sold for £3,900
• Free Pre-Sale Valuation at the Sale Room • Very Prompt and Courteous Service • Valuations for Probate and Sale • Valuations for Insurance • Weekly Collections and Furniture Auctions • Monthly Antiques and Fine Art Auctions • Specialist Book and Toy Auctions • International Advertising and Buyers • Specialist Removals with In-House Experienced Team • Removal of Low Value Items • Secure Insured Storage Facilities • Removals Arranged to All Parts of the UK • Live Internet Auctions
Our main offices and two auction rooms are located in Stanhope Street, opposite the Liverpool Marina. There is free on-road parking. Visits to clients in Wirral, Chester and North Wales are made every week. Evening and weekend visits to clients homes can be made by prior arrangement. To book your appointments simply call John Crane personally on either 01766 771777 or mobile 07836 209995 Cato Crane Auctioneers Liverpool Auction Rooms 6 Stanhope Street Liverpool, L8 5RF
Wirral Valuation Office 48 The Mount Heswall Wirral CH60 4RD
Chester and North Wales Tel: 01244 680055 Wirral Tel: 0151 342 2321
Email: info@catocrane.co.uk & sell@lowerpercent.co.uk
www.catocrane.co.uk
Telephone Soon For Home Visit Appraisals
Page 92 NWM 2019
Valuable Nest of Teak & Afrosia wood Tables
All Things
Auctioneering Sometimes objects are not what they appear to be; but how can you tell the difference? The illustrated yellow beads are a point in question. Are they cheap baubles or are they something to be treasured forever? Well, the simple answer is that they are particularly good example of a well designed string of amber beads probably dating from the 1950s or thereabouts. Amber is found in many different colours including dark brown and green. The most desirable amber is the mottled bright yellow which looks
quality and worn antique furniture brings poor results which is
somewhat like scrambled eggs. The clear amber comes next
disappointing for all concerned, including ourselves!
and often includes insects in the beads which were trapped in the original resin. Many people like the dark red amber – but
My heart did leap with joy a few months ago at a Wirral
it is all a matter of personal preference.
property which had been totally furnished with teak furniture in the 1960s and 1970s. I explained to the beneficiaries that
As far as I can remember the top price paid at auction at one
this furniture was now very much in demand and worth more
of the Cato Crane 5 Counties Auctions was over £3,000 about
than antique furniture nowadays. They said they watched the
three years ago for the ‘scrambled egg’ variety. If you have
TV shows and that they would soon decide what to do; a few
any good large amber beads please let us know and we can
days later I passed the property and noticed three skips full
place them in one of our specialist monthly BidLive-OnLine-
of the furniture, broken up and out in the rain – it was worth
RealTime auctions where people bid from all four corners of
about £6,000!
the globe. Just send me a photograph by email and they are easy to post to us to be included.
Teak was never an inexpensive wood. It was difficult to
Good gold and diamond jewellery is in high demand, and I can
transport as it did not float and had to be drawn overland by
make a visit to you to discuss the sale of good items.
elephants thus increasing the costs enormously. As it was so expensive many pieces of furniture used teak veneers over
Since writing my last page, I have covered over 4,000 miles
a low-cost frame. Furniture designers across Europe and
by car and appraised more house contents than usual of
especially Denmark and the UK took teak furniture design
extremely good quality antique furniture right across the
very seriously and the name of G-Plan is known to everyone
Northwest, Cheshire, Wirral and North Wales, where we are
but there are hundreds of small and large high quality
now extremely active.
designers to choose from and collect! The ‘cut-off’ date at the moment seems to be around 1980 when mass production
A client asked me, the other day, if my heart jumped for joy
designs were perhaps not so desirable.
when I discovered antique furniture? The simple answer is ‘YES’, when it is of exceptional quality as this will still encourage
Our business is expanding again so follow us on Twitter &
enthusiastic bidding on auction day in Liverpool! Mediocre
Instagram and remember: ‘Don’t skip it - Cato Crane it!’ n
John Crane runs Cato Crane Auctioneers which offers a free pre-sale valuation service at its busy Valuation Office in Wirral. It also offers a home visit valuation service throughout North Wales, which is ideal if you would like advice on a few objects. Cato Crane’s selling commission rates are competitive, and a rate of 8% (or lower for very high value items) is available to clients in North Wales during December 2019. You can call Cato Crane’s head office in Liverpool on 0151 709 5559 or their office in Wirral on 0151 342 2321 for further information or, alternatively you can ring John directly on 07836 209995 if you would like any auctioneering advice. You can also follow Cato Crane on Twitter and Instagram: @CatoCrane www.catocrane.co.uk
NWM 2019 Page 93 NWM 2019 Page 93
For the love of all things
vintage...
Confessions of a modern day magpie A Slip Dress in Seattle produced under her label.
Did someone say cocktail party? Oh how Tatty adores the festive season, my social calendar has never looked
Mary Black was a London born designer,
so promising. With the constant
who emigrated to New York towards
RSVP’ing, I’m single-handedly
the late 1930’s, where she leased
keeping Smythson afloat. But what
a showroom on 47th Street – her
to wear? Such a dilemma – so many
dresses were also sold at the high-end
events to attend and I can’t possibly
department store Bergdorf Goodman.
be seen in the same ensemble twice,
The queen of the bias cut dress, Black
not in my line of business.
preferred unadorned simple lines, a style that celebrates and flatters the
Luckily for me “old” has never
natural lines of the female figure. The
been so fashionable. To quote Coco
moment the dress arrived at TDHQ,
Chanel: “Fashion fades, only style
I could not wait to get it onto the
remains the same”. What wise
mannequin and photographed, ready
words from the high priestess
for its global preview on Insta. Within
of French couture. Such forward
the hour it was sold. Bought by a very
thinking so relevant to today, in
happy Google executive in Seattle, who
an industry full of poor quality,
will be wearing the dress to her sister’s
synthetic “throwaway fashion”,
forthcoming nuptials.
destined for landfill. We can all learn a valuable lesson from this quote: to
As much as I love sourcing these
buy clothes that are going to last the
amazing dresses, I am always thrilled
test of time. Preferably, vintage.
to hand them over, knowing that they are going to appreciative homes where they will attend such celebrations
This week’s star purchase proves
and be admired, as they deserve. We
testament to the longevity of style. Pinging into my inbox an email from a lady in Scotland,
are also witnessing a cultural change in the way we are
entitled “1930’s dress – for sale”. Wonderful, I thought as
buying, especially amongst the young, who are rejecting
this is Tatty’s specialist field and I was not to be found
mass produced fashion in favour of one off vintage finds
disappointed. Excitedly clicking open the several email
that reflect their individual personalities. Proving that style
attachments unveiled a striking red, white and blue gown.
never fades...
The fabric print and shape so aesthetically modern, you would struggle to believe it was nearly 90 years old and not
Merry Christmas one and all!
off today’s peg. Designed and made by in Britain by Mary Black Couture, this dress was one of her first dresses ever
Tatty is constantly searching for new stock and would love to hear from you if you have any of the
Tatty x
Ali Hough (Tatty) is a dealer in fine
following for sale: fine vintage, decorative antiques,
vintage and antiques. Based at: Tatty
vintage textiles/quilts or Welsh blankets.
HQ, No. 12 Ivy Street, Colwyn Bay. For all
You can catch Tatty on Insta @tattydivine.co.uk
enquiries please contact 07940 730421
or Twitter @tatty_divine
or email sales@tattydivine.co.uk
NWM 2019 Page 95
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Sea life
Christmas in the Aquarium Does it involve festive fishes, tinselly turbot and prawns pulling crackers?
to be heated during the winter in order to keep the animals comfortable and happy if they are accustomed to warmer conditions, and our
People often ask what happens to our
triggerfish are one of these species. Grey
animals on the most festive day of the year,
triggerfish are common seasonal visitors to
while everyone else is tucking into their
British waters during the warmer summer
Christmas dinner. We have very few visitors at Christmas time so it isn’t worth our while opening to the public, but for our livestock here, Christmas Day is the same as any other day and they still need the same basic care.
months, when they migrate here from the Mediterranean. Ours were accidentally caught in a lobster pot by a local fisherman last summer and they have done well since we got them. However, the wonderful thing about having native species in a natural system is that, if it ever
For almost a decade now, Matt our curator has held the
doesn’t work out and an animal seems unhappy or isn’t doing
important but unenviable role of playing Santa in the
well in captivity, we can simply release it again. Our conger
aquarium on Christmas Day, dedicated to his task of ensuring
eels are all brought in when they are small and we keep them
that he checks up on all our livestock and dishes out their
on display for a year or two until they start to get large, then
fair share of Christmas dinner. Fortunately, as his family live
we release them to allow them to live to maturity in freedom
locally, Matt manages to carry out this work in two shifts,
and breed in the wild. Thus we are able to practise a constant
either side of his own much deserved Christmas meal!
form of stock rotation which is both ethical and sustainable.
The first and last job of the day is feeding the seahorses,
When the temperature drops in the winter, other animals
as they feed constantly throughout the daylight hours and
such as our wolffish, octopus and invertebrates no longer
therefore require a constant supply of live food which needs
require the constant chillers which they have throughout the
regularly topping up. The food for all the other livestock also
summer months to maintain a low water temperature, and
needs to be defrosted, chopped and prepared in different
they are in their element!
sized pieces for all the animals in each tank and then distributed throughout the aquarium exhibits – without a
However, most of our fish and other critters slow down when
sleigh or reindeer in sight!
the temperatures drop, becoming less active just as they do during winter in the wild, feeding less, or sometimes
The fantastic thing about the Anglesey Sea Zoo is that all the
not feeding at all and in a state of semi-torpor. When sea
sea water which feeds our tanks is pumped directly from
temperatures are at their lowest at the end of February and
the Menai Strait on our doorstep, and it is this that allows
early March, our visitors often witness this relatively inactive
us to house only British species in a natural environment,
state of some animals, which is an important part of the
something which no other aquarium does, making us
natural seasonal cycle of their behaviour.
absolutely unique. Using real sea water recreates the conditions which our animals would experience living in
However, despite this reduced activity, there are still plenty
the wild around the Welsh coast and further afield, and this
of hungry mouths to be fed on Christmas Day before Matt can
includes the natural seasonality of sea temperature changes
break off for his own dinner and celebrations! Merry Fishmas! n
and food availability such as plankton. So all our animals behave naturally and feel at home here in their native environment, and as a result many of them breed in captivity of their own accord. By early December the temperature of the incoming sea water has dropped dramatically and thus so has the temperature throughout the exhibits in the aquarium. Some tanks need
Frankie Hobro is the owner and director of Anglesey Sea Zoo. She has always been a passionate advocate for conservation, and has a long history working on hands-on conservation projects with critically endangered species in difficult conditions abroad
NWM 2019 Page 97
MAGAZINE
IN THE
STARS...
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
December’s horoscopes brought to you by Russell Grant ARIES (March 21st – April 20th) You’ll be coming into your own on the 13th, thanks to an empowering Full Moon. Take this opportunity to command the spotlight. Promote your agenda, challenge rivals and satisfy your urges. In the past, people have accused you of being selfish, implying this was a character flaw. That’s not the case in mid-October, when you’ve earned the right to satisfy your needs.
LIBRA (September 24th – October 23rd) The Full Moon on the 13th is a great time to strike a compromise with your best friend, romantic partner or business associate. Instead of clinging stubbornly to a particular point, be willing to negotiate. You can back down from your position without losing respect. If you’ve been collaborating on an original project, you’ll bring this work to its satisfying conclusion.
TAURUS (April 21st – May 21st) Hidden information will come to light on the 13th, due to a revelatory Full Moon. Now that you understand a loved one’s past, it will be easier to achieve intimacy. Do your best to ease their fears and encourage their dreams. The New Moon on the 28th will pave the way to a partnership. This alliance won’t be entirely easy. It will be difficult to satisfy your unusual tastes and sensibilities.
SCORPIO (October 24th – November 22nd) You’ll see the results of a health regimen on the 13th, thanks to a gratifying Full Moon. Your efforts to eat well, be more active and get more reset will pay off handsomely. Give yourself a handsome reward for your diligence and sacrifice. If you’ve been working on a cutting-edge project, you’ll bring it to a successful conclusion in mid-October.
GEMINI (May 22nd – June 21st) The Full Moon on the 13th is an ideal time to attend a social gathering. If you’re single, you will meet someone who makes your pulse pound. Throw caution to the wind and get romantically involved; you won’t be sorry. If you’re already in a serious relationship, your amour will enjoy showing you off. On the 28th, the New Moon will mark a difficult work assignment. CANCER (June 22nd – July 23rd) The Full Moon on the 13th trains the spotlight firmly on you. You’ll enjoy showcasing your talent and working before the public. Instead of trying to blend in with the crowd, emphasise your differences. This will allow you to land the creative assignments you enjoy. On the 28th, the New Moon could mark the beginning of a passionate romance.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd – December 21st) After a long period of drudgery, you’ll be able to relax and have some fun on the 13th. That’s when an uplifting Full Moon invites you to come out and play. If you’ve been yearning for romance, you’ll find it with a wild rebel. The two of you share a love of adventure; lots of far-flung trips are in the cards for you both. CAPRICORN (December 22nd - January 20th) Home, family and real estate command your attention on the 13th. That’s when a stimulating Full Moon draws your attention to domestic life. On the 28th, the New Moon pushes you into an unfamiliar environment. You’ll feel like a fish out of water in this group. Fight your instinct to flee the scene. It’s much better to stay and make new friends.
LEO (July 24th – August 23rd) Taking an ethical stance will be rewarded on the 13th, thanks to a satisfying Full Moon. You may prevail in a legal matter or vanquish an immoral enemy. Give yourself a reward for putting personal interest aside for the sake of principle. The New Moon on the 28th will mark a professional opportunity that shakes up your domestic life. This job will require you to move far from home.
AQUARIUS (January 21st – February 19th) The Full Moon on the 13th invites you to clear your desk and finish tasks. The middle of the month is the ideal time to process paperwork, tackle correspondence and pay bills. Fill the pantry, clean the bathroom and clear out clutter. These tasks will be time consuming but satisfying. Signing official paperwork will be especially fortunate for you at this time.
VIRGO (August 24th – September 23rd) On the 13th, an enriching Full Moon will put more money in your bank account. An inheritance, refund or settlement will allow you to make some extensive home improvements. If you’ve always wanted to buy your own place, you’ll be finally able to do so. A course of study could be overwhelming on the 28th, thanks to a tense New Moon.
PISCES (February 20th – March 20th) Don’t hesitate to ask for what is rightfully yours on the 13th, when the Full Moon sheds lights on your material needs. Demand payment for services rendered, ask for a loan to be repaid or indulge in a luxury purchase. The New Moon on the 28th invites you to expand your horizons. The thought of earning an advanced degree is daunting.
Page 98 NWM 2019
Luxmore Mews Livingstone Place, St.Asaph
3 & 4 Bedroom Luxury Townhouses
Sales suite open every day
10.30am - 4.30pm
.....quality in the making! www.pureresidentialandcommercial.co.uk
Contact us for details today on
0845 6036746
NWM 2019 Page 99 sales@purecommercial.co.uk
MAGAZINE
#SomeGiftsMeanMore
FREE BRACELET UNTIL DECEMBER 24 TH Receive a beautiful Clogau® Kiss stretch bracelet (pictured) worth £119, FREE with purchases of £229 or more. Just use offer code KISS during your online order at www.clogau.co.uk or in any of our Clogau boutiques and outlet stores or at participating retail partners. Offer ends Tuesday December 24th. T&Cs apply.
www.clogau.co.uk Visit your nearest Clogau store
Page 100 NWM 2019
Bangor | Broughton | Llandudno | Cheshire Oaks