NWM - March 2023

MAGAZINE

DEAR READER

Welcome to March – the month that’s full of things to celebrate! First up we have St David’s Day on the 1st of the month, a day that’s literally full of hope and optimism – as well as just a little bit of patriotism! Keep your eyes peeled for daffodils, Welsh cakes and children in traditional Welsh dress…

Then on the 19th its time to celebrate our precious mum’s on Mother’s Day. Whether you buy her a bunch of spring flowers or a locally made gift, or spend the day together enjoying a traditional Sunday lunch or a relaxing spa treatment, remember to enjoy every minute. And, if you are the mum in question, start dropping hints about breakfast in bed now!!

And on Monday 20th March spring officially arrives. Exciting times indeed – especially when the monumental day is swiftly followed

by the clocks going forward on the 26th. Longer, warmer days anyone?!

We have a raft of ideas for spring days out in this issue. So whether you want to see an Osprey for yourself, hear a Tide Bell ring or attend a local repair café read on…

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Daffodils at Penrhyn Castle

©National Trust Gwenno Thomas

Kate Hamilton Founding Editor

Contents

MAGAZINE

EDITOR Kate Hamilton

PUBLISHER Grant Hamilton

ART DIRECTOR Simon Marriott

ACCOUNTS Sian Roberts

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.

Disclaimer: All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part (electronically or in print) without written permission by North Wales Magazine 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. Please note that some of the authors and companies featured may have paid in order to write their column or article. The publishers assume no responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from participation in, or as a result of, any offer, competition, information, editorial or advertisement contained within the magazine. North Wales Magazine does not endorse any of the advertisements featured, or any of the author’s opinions. 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.

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COVID-19 DISCLAIMER

North Wales Magazine is produced in advance. While we take every care to ensure that our content is up to date, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in regards to current COVID-19 restrictions. We absolutely do not encourage travel where local rules forbid it, so please check with both your local council, and the council of your destination, before planning any days out in order to ensure that your journey is legal and in line with current guidelines.

What’s on

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

Saturday 4th

Quiz night

Nibbles, tea, coffee and biscuits on hand – but you’re welcome to bring something stronger if you’d prefer! Hosted by the North Wales Wildlife Trust in CraigY-Don (near Llandudno) at 6.30pm, the quiz will also be streamed online - join in at home!

Every day

Bodnant Gardens

March is the last month when you can take your dog to Bodnant Gardens every day of the week. From 1st April to 30th September, dogs on short leads are welcome every Thursday to Sunday

28th February – 4th March

The Cher Show

The Cher Show tells the incredible story of Cher’s meteoric rise to fame, flying in the face of convention at every turn. This huge new production is at Venue Cymru this week

Friday 3rd

Weaving with Trevor Blackburn

Trevor has many of his lovely hand woven scarves, shawls and cushion covers with him at Afonwen today, and he will be busy weaving and adding to his collection

Saturday 4th

Dog walkers day at Minera Quarry, Wrexham

Join the North Wales Wildlife Trust for a dog walk and find out about the changes happening at their newest nature reserve – they’ll have treats for dogs and their owners!

4th & 5th

NWCF: Saturday Choir Competitions

Llandudno’s annual North Wales Choir Festival will return to Venue Cymru on 4th & 5th March for a singing filled weekend that any choral lover will not want to miss

4th & 5th

Clockwork Carnival

Lavinia Stamps is holding free Art and Craft Demonstrations throughout the weekend at its Ruthin Shop. Demonstrations start at 10am

7th – 11th

The King and I

The multi award-winning Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I is at Venue Cymru this week. Helen George, best known as Trixie in the hit BBC One series Call The Midwife, will star as Anna

Friday 10th

Cross Stitch by Carol

Carol will be busy with her stitchwork at Afonwen today, plus her other crafts, and is happy to stop and demonstrate the basics

Saturday 11th

Skyflyer takes flight

Zip World’s latest attraction, Skyflyer, opens for the season today. Located on the popular Rhyl promenade, this beachside experience will see you taking to the skies on a giant blimp-like aerostat, enjoying the stunning 360-degree views on offer

11th & 12th

Spinning with Jenni Frost

Jenni has many of her hand spun items with her at Afonwen today, and is happy to demonstrate the basics of her wonderful craft

Friday 12th

Giovanni Pernice - Made in Italy

Strictly Come Dancing 2021 champion and dance heart throb

Giovanni Pernice invites you to join him at Venue Cymru for his brand new 2023 production of ‘Made in Italy’

16th & 17th

Local Artist Tracey Davies

Tracey loves to paint in watercolours, and does many portraits from photographs. You can see her work at Afonwen

Thursday 16th

Bring your dog for a walk on the Denbigh Moors

Dogs on leads are welcome on this walk as you explore the North Wales Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve at Gors Maen Llwyd and the shores of Llyn Brenig in the wonderful Denbigh Moors

Friday 17th

Soul & Motown Night

Don’t miss this great night of Motown and Soul classics in the Orme Suite at Venue Cymru

Saturday 18th

The Rod Stewart Story

Endorsed by Rod’s own family, ‘Some Guys Have All The Luck – The Rod Stewart Story’ is at Venue Cymru tonight

Tuesday 21st

Bootleg Beatles in Concert

The world’s premier Beatle tribute band is at Venue Cymru tonight to take you on a whistle-stop journey through the most vibrant revolutionary and divisive decade of all – the Swinging Sixties

Wednesday 22nd Crafty Sisters

The ladies will be working side by side at Afonwen today, making their lovely jewellery from various materials, to include resin, wood and some glass. They also have handmade greetings cards in English and Welsh

Friday 24th

Hidden Anglesey: wildlife and history

Join the North Wales Wildlife Trust to find hidden pockets of wildlife, the amazing Boston Sulphur well and panoramic views from Bodafon mountain on this 9km walk

25th & 26th

Local Artist Gill Benjamin

Gill will be painting to add to her stunning work, with many being on display at Afonwen during these two days

BIG the picture

Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island) has received International Dark Sky Sanctuary certification by the International Dark Skies Association (IDA). This makes Enlli the first site in Europe to achieve this status. International Dark Sky Sanctuaries are typically situated in a very remote location with few nearby threats to the quality of its dark night skies. With its new designation Enlli meets strict criteria and joins just 16 other sites worldwide. It is possible to take a day trip to Enlli, which is just off the tip of the Llŷn Peninsula, or even to stay overnight in one of its self-catering houses. But be warned there isn’t any electricity – hence why it has managed to achieve International Dark Sky Sanctuary status!

You & Your Pet FLEA AND TICK SEASON

It’s that time of the year again when the temperatures begin to rise and our little creepy crawler friends come out to play, bringing a whole new meaning to spring.

Fleas and ticks are two of the most common parasites that latch onto pets. Without treatment, not only will they irritate your cat or dog but these small pests can cause infection, carry disease and leave bald patches on your pet’s coat.

Prevention is the best cure when it comes down to these critters. Both cats and dogs love nothing more than exploring their world, which includes going to the places where ticks and fleas may live; tall grasses, garden sheds, rubble or sand. That is why checking your pets after a walk in the woods or some time outside is important.

Ensuring your cat or dog has their monthly dose of flea and tick preventative is one of the better ways to prevent these parasites.

MSD Animal Health has created a map of the UK which shows areas in the UK that are at high risk of ticks, this is great when planning a walk or holiday with your dog.

There is a myth that ticks have the ability to jump –fortunately, this is not the case which should help when trying to avoid them. Wearing brightly coloured clothes when walking will also make them more visible to the eye should one fall onto you.

Wash your pet’s bedding on a regular basis, washing at a high temperature should remove any unhatched eggs. Followed by hovering your carpets and furniture.

Signs that your pet may be infected

J Itching a considerable amount as well as chewing or licking an area more than they usually would

J Bald patches, or red and inflamed skin

J Small dark particles on your pets can often turn out to be fleas poo, this theory can be tested using cotton wool and water. If it is from a flea the particles will dissolve and turn red

J Small bumps or lumps on your pet may suggest that a tick is hiding within the fur, they can be found on the warmer parts of your pet’s body such as their head, ears, neck and feet

When removing a tick some of the common mistakes people make are burning the tick off, removing it with regular tweezers or using their hands to pull the tick away from the body. Using any of these techniques can cause harm to your cat or dog.

To remove a tick, using a tick remover which can be purchased from any of our stores, twist it in a clockwise motion until it becomes loose, making sure there is no bit left on your pet’s skin.

As always if you have any questions regarding fleas or ticks, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team, you can pop into the store or get in touch via any of our social channels. n

Ashlee is the social media and marketing assistant at petplace. Animal obsessed, she has a fondness for all living things and the environment using her creativity to build awareness. If you follow petplace on social media you will no doubt have interacted with Ashlee, she loves engaging with their customers and, most importantly, seeing all your wonderful pets.

Connection Welsh

Could Welsh culture be affecting our mental wellness?

Psychiatrist Dr Olwen Lisa Payne thinks so, and will attempt to answer the question in a new S4C documentary this month. The programme, entitled Meddwl yn Wahanol – thinking differently – will air on Sunday 5th March on S4C.

Olwen first developed an interest in this link during a period of medical training in Nepal. “It was remarkable how mental health presents differently in different countries,” she says. “Common conditions there were very uncommon here, with shared beliefs and differences in education both having an effect on how they understood themselves. For example, spiritual healers were used to treat epilepsy, while arranged marriages often caused depression. A lack of understanding about germs, meanwhile, meant a lady presented to the mental health team with psychosis and delusions of bugs in her body ‒she’d been told by a doctor she had an infection but didn’t quite understand what an infection was.

“It’s interesting how the Western idea of mental health has influenced the understanding of mental health in Nepal, but actually they didn’t quite marry up and weren’t as sympathetic

to its culture. I’d love to explore that further but, to start with, let’s try and understand ourselves.”

We may be worlds apart but we have our own unique culture that influences our lives here in Wales. “Although on face value we may think we’re just like everybody else, actually we’re all different; the villages that we live in will share certain belief systems separate to another village down the road,” she continues. “It’s a very subtle difference but they do exist.”

Olwen, who specialises in CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services), believes stigma can have a very real effect on our mental health. For those already facing stigma around their sexuality or gender, this sense of shame may be compounded by the culture they were born into. The ability to communicate in our native language is key to the development of trust and rapport between doctor and patient, she believes.

“The majority of psychiatrists don’t speak Welsh here and that may mean some, particularly older generations within rural Wales, may then find it more frightening to be honest about how they’re actually feeling,” she adds.

As speakers of a historically oppressed language, it’s possible we lack the cultural self-assurance of those whose language has never been under threat. An 1847 government commissioned report – referred to by the Welsh as the Treachery of the Blue Books – presented Welsh speakers as stupid, unruly and sexually promiscuous.

As a result, school children caught speaking Welsh were forced to wear a heavy wooden plaque – reading W.N, or Welsh Not –

Is there a connection between Welshness and mental health? That’s the question that Lowri Llewelyn asked Dr Olwen Lisa Payne…

Dr Olwen Lisa Payne

around their necks. The child found wearing the plaque at the end of the day would be physically punished.

Though today Wales is officially recognised as a bilingual country, and Welsh a legally protected language, we still see regular displays of disrespect and even outright contempt from the London-centric British media. On UNESCO’s World Mother Tongue Day, language expert Alex Rawlings was left ‘speechless’ when a Sky News presenter asked whether Welsh was the most ‘pointless’ language.

When even the national media deems it acceptable to ridicule an indigenous language, what hope is there for the millions who consume that media? We saw it in the backlash when park authorities announced it would refer to Eryri’s tallest peak exclusively by its native name Yr Wyddfa, while we’ve all heard the one about the whole pub switching to Welsh as soon as a tourist walked in.

What might this denial of the way with which we communicate with the world have on us as a collective?

When Welsh place names are replaced in guide books in favour of more palatable translations devoid of any history – an example being Llyn Bochlwyd replaced with Lake Australia – what effect might this cultural erasure have on the native population?

Despite the Welsh government’s push to secure one million Welsh speakers by 2050, the results of the 2021 Census proved disappointing, with the percentage of speakers dropping to just 17.8% ‒ a 1.2% decrease from the previous decade.

“Cymry Cymraeg, as we say, tend to have more attachment towards their heritage and culture because of a general threat of it dissipating, and therefore having to defend it at all times,” explains Olwen. “When I went to university in Leeds people would often be so shocked that Welsh is even spoken. They’d ask, isn’t that a dying language? It would hit me like a stab to the heart.”

It stands to reason that such widespread invalidation of one’s culture might affect the collective confidence of its people.

THE ROAD

According to Olwen, having the option to speak Welsh in a clinical setting is crucial to forging a connection between patient and practitioner. “The fact that I speak their first language translates into the work we do ‒ the trust they have in the medication I might be offering or the therapy that’s being provided. There’s a real sense of connection there just from speaking those words. But it’s not just words, is it? It’s about the culture and shared belief system attached to those words.”

One thing which surprised Olwen was how difficult it would be to persuade people to speak on camera. “What is it about our culture that makes us feel ashamed about being exposed? Is it the topic, or us as people? Is it the tendency to be more reserved in our culture, the ‘North Walian reserve’ as it’s coined here?”

Many of us dream of far-flung cultures but there’s still plenty to discover right here on our doorstep. Olwen stresses she may not yet have all the answers, but we very much look forward to joining her on this journey. n

Watch Drych: Meddwl yn Wahanol on S4C on Sunday 5th March at 9pm, or with English subtitles on BBC iPlayer. To keep up to date with Olwen’s work follow her on Instagram @dr.olwen

Lowri Llewelyn is a North Wales based journalist who is endlessly curious [read: nosy] and loves everything to do with this beautiful region that she is lucky enough to call home

ALTHOUGH ON FACE VALUE WE MAY THINK WE’RE JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE, ACTUALLY WE’RE ALL DIFFERENT; THE VILLAGES THAT WE LIVE IN WILL SHARE CERTAIN BELIEF SYSTEMS SEPARATE TO ANOTHER VILLAGE DOWN

Dr Olwen Lisa Payne

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Step into spring

Spring’s here! Step outdoors and celebrate the arrival of a new season with an array of blossoming colours, delightful scents and chorus of birdsong – not to mention longer, warmer days to enjoy them.

From March through to May, National Trust Cymru are inviting you to enjoy beautiful spring displays across North Wales in the gardens they care for.

Dazzling daffodils

Typically flowering between mid-March and late April, National Trust Cymru have some of the best daffodil displays in Wales. There are more than 27,000 cultivated varieties, with most a yellow colour, with exception of some white, orange and salmon petals.

Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Bangor

The dazzling carpet of yellow, as dramatic as the castle itself, can be seen throughout the wooded areas to the front and side of the castle, as well as in front of the Keep.

Bodnant Garden, Conwy

The Old Park meadow and Glades are transformed into a carpet of buttercup-bright daffodils where generations of gardeners have been planting daffodils since 1920 and are still adding to the display today.

Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool

The Welsh daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus thrive in their thousands in the aptly named Daffodil Paddock at

Bask in bluebells

Flowering from end of April to mid-May, these delicate blooms are found across Western Europe but about half of the world’s population is right here in the UK. Help us care for these beautiful flowers by sticking to paths and never picking bluebells to take home.

Plas yn Rhiw, Llŷn Peninsula Bluebells cover the woodland glades in this sheltered garden, showing off a showstopping display set against spectacular coastal views of Cardigan Bay.

Chirk Castle, Wrexham

Take a woodland walk from Stable Bank, following the blue waymarked trail across the estate to enjoy the best of Chirk Castle’s bluebell displays.

Plas Newydd, Anglesey

Visit the hidden corners of Plas Newydd and discover Church Bank, a woodland overlooking the Menai Strait scattered with bluebells and wild garlic.

Wonderful wild garlic

The most obvious tell-tale sign that you’ve discovered wild garlic is its smell! The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, but when foraging it’s important to only pick the leaves and flowers and not uproot the plant.

Erddig, Wrexham

Erddig’s woodlands are choc-full of walking trails that wind their way between magnificent beech and oak trees. From early May the pathways are lined with wild garlic – one of the highlights of the season. n

Discover more exciting days out near you here:

Daffodils at Penrhyn Castle ©National Trust Gwenno Thomas

Daffodils at Bodnant Garden ©National Trust Annapurna Mellor

Bluebells at Plas Newydd ©National Trust Annapurna Mellor

Daffodils at Powis Castle ©National Trust Paul Harris

Wild garlic at Erddig ©National Trust Annapurna Mellor

Bluebells at Chirk Castle ©National Trust Annapurna Mellor

Bluebells at Plas yn Rhiw ©National Trust Clwb Camera Dwyfor

MAKE DO

AND MEND

Who hasn’t heard the catchy phrase ‘make do and mend’ – initiated by Ministry of Information during WWII? Resources were scarce and a campaign started to urge people to reduce their waste and to repair their own clothes. Reusing and recycling is more important than ever today as we consume more and more of the planet’s resources.

“We have found that locals are keen to keep repairable items out of landfill,” says Tony Franks, co-founder of Repair Café Conwy and FIXPERT. “We welcome anyone who wants to join us – as FIXPERTS, as cake bakers, as café helpers or meet and greet volunteers.”

The sessions – held at St Mary’s Church Hall in Conwy on every second Sunday of the month between 2 and 5pm – enables people to get more life out of broken electrical appliances like toasters and kettles, printers, lawnmowers, vacuum cleaners, clothes, dolls, even chairs and leather items.

As well as saving cash, Repair Cafés play an important environmental role by preventing items from going to landfill.

Not all items can be repaired and some will have either reached the end of their life or spare parts can’t be sourced, but the success rate is around two thirds of items brought along to Repair Café.

“Fixing things is very satisfying,” explains Richard Hatton

With a little help from our Repair Café FIXPERT friends!

Repair Cafe Conwy co-founder Tony Franks, not only vacuum-FIXPERT

WE HAVE FOUND THAT LOCALS ARE KEEN TO KEEP REPAIRABLE ITEMS OUT OF LANDFILL

FIXPERT Clive, mending a bike

who, inspired by the world-wide movement established by Martine Potsma in 2009, has been involved since day one – sourcing funding, volunteers and a venue. “Helping people learn that they can often do it for themselves is hugely fulfilling – I learn something new from virtually every fix and, when I personally strike out, there’s always the collective wisdom of the growing team of FIXPERTS to call on. I hope many others will be inspired to join the uprising – it’s hugely empowering, builds community resilience as well as spirit and reduces waste.”

Reverend David Parry, Vicar of Conwy , can also see the benefits of the sessions. “I think that ‘Repair Cafe’ is a great example of the often untapped potential for mutual support in communities,” he says. “It has become an established part of Conwy life since October 2021, reducing waste and building friendships. Now that so many people are being forced into poverty, ‘Repair Café’ will be even more important as a source of practical help. I’m delighted that we are able to host it.”

Matthew Misiak is a secondary school teacher who has used the Café himself: “It has been wonderful to see the growth of the Repair Café, thanks to the consistent effort of organisers and volunteers. I hope it draws more users and helpers long into the future, to use existing resources, prevent waste, and up-skill and connect local residents. As the resources we depend on become more scarce and globalisation starts to fray, these seeds of activity will become ever more important for ensuring our community is resilient and prosperous in the future.” n

Making repairs is often easier than you think, especially if there is a Repair Café in your area. Check out www. repaircafewales.org to find an event near you. You can even get involved as a volunteer, or rather, a FIXPERT…

NOT ALL ITEMS CAN BE REPAIRED AND SOME WILL HAVE EITHER REACHED THE END OF THEIR LIFE OR SPARE PARTS CAN’T BE SOURCED, BUT THE SUCCESS RATE IS AROUND TWO THIRDS OF ITEMS BROUGHT ALONG TO REPAIR CAFÉ

FIXPERT Andrew, Repair Café Conwy volunteer since day one

Even FIXPERTS need a fix; Co-founder Richard Hatton beaming in his likenew fleece jacket

Seamstress Gaynor, fixing well-loved outdoor clothing

Shall we dance?

Perhaps one of the most famous musical productions of all time, The King and I, comes to North Wales this month. Jasper Rees reports.

is the most sumptuous musical of them all. One of the great classic musicals from the “golden age” of Broadway shows with one of the finest scores ever written, Getting to Know You.

It opens on the deck of a ship as it snakes up river at dusk, heading for a glimmering royal palace in 19th Century Siam. No production of the timeless classic by Rodgers and Hammerstein has managed to lay on a feast for the eyes quite like the one now touring the UK, following its recordbreaking runs at the London Palladium and on Broadway.

The powerful spectacle staged by the acclaimed multi Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher now welcomes two new stars to lead roles famously occupied by many before , returns to the stage after many years to play Anna Leonowens, a widow from Victorian England who has travelled to Bangkok to

“I’d been wanting to do a musical for a while,” says Helen. “I was waiting for the right one to come along and just couldn’t say no. It’s just such a classical musical theatre part.”

Though better known for bringing babies into the world on TV, her first job after drama college was in the The Woman in White in 2004. She has since sung at the BBC’s VE Day 75th anniversary commemoration and on the cast album of

As for dancing, she took the dancefloor by storm on Strictly in Shall We Dance?”. In the show’s climactic song, Anna and the King dance a

sweeping polka that is an ecstatic meeting of minds, hearts and, most of all, feet.

“When we do this incredible dance I wear this incredible dress,” she says. “I’m as big as a house. In the rehearsal room everybody has had to get out of the way. I lift up the skirt and drag scripts and tea cups with me along the way. It weighs ten pounds and it’s uncomfortable but this was the life of a Victorian woman.”

The role of the strutting, domineering King of Siam will always carry a trace memory of Yul Brynner, who clung to it tenaciously for 34 years and 4,600 performances. However, returning to the role is Broadway star Darren Lee, who has himself made the role his own since he first played it there in 2016. “I started my career primarily as a dancer so early on it was not on my radar,” says Lee. “But growing up as an Asian American performer you know that there is this role, and it sits within the top five to ten shows of classic musicals.”

With a stunning score, given the full velvet touch by a sublime orchestra, exquisite costumes, a stellar cast that discovers dark, rich, exotic layers through incredible storytelling and the most charming and endearing group of young children performers, you have the ultimate classical musical theatre show. It’s rare to feel such warmth and delight about a production but The King And I delivers that and so much more in abundance. n

The King and I is playing at Venue Cymru from 7th – 11th March. Tickets can be purchased from www.venuecymru. co.uk or by calling the box office on 01492 872000

Helen George, star of Call The Midwife, returns to the stage after many years to play Anna Leonowens

Majestic Ospreys at Llyn Brenig

Did you know that Ospreys have made Llyn Brenig their home since 2018? They can be seen here in North Wales from April until August before they migrate back to Africa.

This spectacular fish-eating bird of prey is rare in the UK because of its historical decline and low breeding numbers. Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water built the first nests around the lake in 2013 using wood recovered from the visitor centre when the café was redeveloped in the previous winter.

The hard work paid off on and, in 2018, the first successful breeding took place. A single chick named Luned triumphantly fledged, with another, Roli, doing the same in

2019. Sadly, in 2020, the sole chick to successfully leave the nest, Dwynwen, was killed after being struck by a wind turbine blade a few weeks later.

In 2021, the ospreys suffered perhaps the most famous wildlife crime incident to have taken place in North Wales for many years when, in April, their nesting site was callously felled by vandals with a chainsaw. (Although the adult birds remained in the area for the remainder of the summer, they

THE LLYN BRENIG VISITOR CENTRE IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND, INCLUDING AN OSPREY EXHIBITION ROOM FEATURING WITH LIVE FOOTAGE FROM THE NEST

didn’t breed.) Once they had left for the winter, a team from Openreach and GT Williams Engineering replaced the pole for free and, in early 2022, staff from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water winched a new nesting platform – funded by donations to North Wales Wildlife Trust in the aftermath of the disaster – into place. It was with huge relief that Brenig Osprey Project staff and volunteers subsequently witnessed the most successful breeding season to date, with three eggs hatching. Whilst one youngster died of natural causes, the other two, named Gelert and Olwen by local schoolchildren, successfully fledged. n

Want to see the ospreys with your own eyes?

Why not visit the osprey exhibition, lookout hub and viewing hide at Llyn Brenig for yourself!

The Llyn Brenig visitor centre is open all year round, including an osprey exhibition room featuring live footage from the nest. A short walk away, telescopes are available to use for free from the North Wales Wildlife Trust osprey lookout – or, for a really close-up experience, you can book a visit to the osprey hide, located only 140m from the nest.

The Brenig Osprey Project is a collaboration between Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and North Wales Wildlife Trust

© Gary Jones Wildlife Photography

© Gary Jones Wildlife Photography

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

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

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

CHRIS LORD-BROWN

B.Ed(Hons) DipFD

chris@lbandh.co.uk

JONATHEN HARTY

B.Ed(Hons) DipHE FRAS

jonathen@lbandh.co.uk

www.lbandh.co.uk

12 Trinity Square, Llandudno, Conwy, LL30 2RA

Table for three

“And who’s that? The statue up there, above the castle gateway. I guess it’s me?”

He’s looking at me across the table, and his eyes are so cold and grey that I hesitate before answering him. “No, it isn’t you,” I reply.

“It’s your son, who was born here, of course.”

He frowns and shrugs. “Yes, of course,” he says. “I remember. But when I was last here in Caernarfon, in 1284, this side of the castle hadn’t even been started.”

We’re all sitting inside the Palace Vaults, the pub right outside the King’s Gate of Caernarfon Castle. Through the window we can see the walls and towers, golden in the brilliant floodlights.

Me and my three guests. I’ve invited them to join me for a drink. Three fantasy guests from long ago, from different times, and yet sharing in common their connection with the huge, looming stone building we’re all staring at.

A fantasy, yes. I think we’ve all played this party game, where you think of three people from different periods of history and invite them to dinner together. So that’s what I’m doing. It’s all in my imagination. And it isn’t dinner, it’s just a few beers. We’re already on first name terms, at a corner table in the Palace Vaults, Caernarfon.

Me, and Edward and Owain and David. We met up on the quayside, by the river Seiont. It was already dark at seven o’clock, and I wanted all three of them to have that breathtaking view of the castle’s fully completed south side.

Edward Longshanks, remembered as the Hammer of the Scots

because of his relentless campaigns in Scotland… King Edward 1st of England, who had swaggered into the strongholds of Llewelyn and crushed all resistance, until Llewelyn himself was dead – and then he had initiated the construction of his castles along the coast of Wales.

He surveys the multi-angled towers, the bands of different coloured sandstone which would reflect the walls of distant Constantinople… and on the highest turret of the Eagle tower, the remains of an eagle which symbolises the ambitions of King Edward 1st in Wales.

I watch him, Edward, as he appraises his castle. A tall lean figure, with grey hair and a grizzled grey beard, he feels our eyes on him, because he turns to look us up and down, as though to say ‘and who are you, to stand with me and share this space, beneath the walls of a monument I have built as my everlasting legacy?’ But then the flicker of an ironic smile plays on his lips… for he knows we all have our different connections with the castle. And so we find the warmth of the bar in the Palace Vaults and I buy the beer.

My connection? Me, I’ve been a tour-guide in the castle, in the relatively recent 1980s and 1990s. Funny thing, I probably know its towers and turrets and long dark corridors better than the

Stephen Gregory tells a fictional tale of times gone by…

king could have known them, because he would hardly have seen one single tower completed in his lifetime. And so he glances somehow wistfully at the King’s Gate and the statue of his son, who had been born in Caernarfon and would become the king himself.

We all drink the beer I’ve bought, although they grimace because it’s too cold for their taste. And so I go back to the bar for three glasses of whisky. That’s better – Edward swirls it around his mouth and he swallows, and Owain and David do the same. And so we all go outside again, and this time we follow Owain as he turns down Palace Street and pauses to stare eastward, where the rocky outcrop of Twthill is like a boulder heaped against the horizon…

Owain Glyndwr, one of my other fantasy guests – it’s his turn to remember. He’s remembering how hard he fought in his rebellions against the English, some 600 years ago in the early 1400s. He’s a bulky figure, built with the strength and resilience of an ox. As he narrows his eyes at the outline of Twthill he’s remembering a battle which was fought on that rocky knoll on the 2nd November 1401, when his troops confronted the forces of the English king, Henry IV. A gruelling, exhausting day, bitter and bloody… at the end of it all, when both sides had withdrawn in a state of numb weariness, it was hard to say who had won.

The hill was strewn with the dead, and nobody could celebrate a victory. Owain Glyndwr would know that 300 of his soldiers had died on that day. For the possession of a modest hilltop at Caernarfon? To show the English that the spirit of Welsh rebellion was still fierce in the north-west of the country? Now, as Owain turns and looks back at the walls of the floodlit castle, he remembers also that, a few years after the battle of Twthill, his troops would lay siege to that great building in further attempts to overcome English rule.

Owain Glyndwr, Prince of Wales – the only native prince of Wales since the conquest in the late 13th Century. Now, he shrugs his broad, bowed shoulders, ands his eyes meet those of the English king who started it all. Owain Glyndwr, who spent every ounce of his energy, every day of his life in his efforts to win Wales for the Welsh, and who would disappear into the hills when he could give no more. And lastly, who is this David, the third of my guests?

With a nod, sensing that both Edward and Owain have satisfied their silent communion with the past, he leads us back up Palace Street and onto the town square. We all pause by a statue, beneath a high archway known as the Queen’s Gate. David can’t resist a mischievous smile of self-satisfaction, as we appraise the statue and read the plaque on its plinth.

It’s him, it’s David Lloyd George. Not a king or a prince, but a politician. He exudes a kind of jaunty energy. As he meets the eyes of the other two men and reads their suspicion of his status, compared with theirs, he relishes the irony that, in his time, he wielded his authority as effectively as they had done – that as Prime Minister he would be credited with leading Britain to a successful conclusion of the Great War in the early 20th Century.

And yet… another of his achievements, celebrated on this very spot, he wears a little uneasily. He’s proudly, defiantly Welsh. And yet David Lloyd George stage-managed the investiture of an English prince here at Caernarfon castle in 1911. How can he justify such a conundrum, under the unwavering stares of the English king who began the succession of English princes and the rebel who spilt blood to be the native prince of Wales? He shrugs and smiles. He’s a politician, not a king or prince.

Our time is running out. Or rather, I feel my imagination of this fantasy is fading. My guests, after all, are ghosts from the past of this historic town. I set off in the direction of another pub, Y Castell, thinking how appropriately ironic it would be for the three of them to enjoy a drink there – only yards away from the fortress of such conflicting memories.

But when I turn to gesture them politely in its direction, they have vanished. My guests have disappeared, into the shadows of a night-time in spring. A king, a prince and a politician, separated by many centuries, inextricably linked to the history of Caernarfon Castle. n

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

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The one-act operatic exploration is aimed at fostering empathy and reducing stigma around dementia © Ian Smith

Singing from the heart

Local opera will translate experiences of dementia into powerful performance…

A new research-led opera exploring the nuances and experiences of living with dementia will be staged in both English and Welsh in North Wales at the end of this month.

The one-act operatic exploration aimed at fostering empathy and reducing stigma around dementia is led by University of Exeter’s research programme Improving the Experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL), and is the university’s first ever Arts Council of Wales funded project.

The opera, entitled ‘Y Bont/The Bridge’, seeks to harness the fusion of instrumental music and the human voice in creating a sensory piece that portrays what dementia sounds and feels like to the audience. This act builds on IDEAL’s previous success with arts-based work including the recent play, then documentary film, ‘The World Turned Upside Down’.

“Using performance is a powerful way to bring our research findings to life and convey aspects of what it can be like to live with dementia, or support someone with dementia,” explained Professor Linda Clare, Chief Investigator of the IDEAL programme. “We learn a great deal, too, when audience members share their insightful reflections on what they have seen and heard. It’s a huge privilege to have a talented

group of artists engaging with our work and translating it to enhance public awareness about dementia.”

The opera’s cast and crew spoke with IDEAL’s project involvement group, Action on Living Well: Asking You (ALWAYs), which is made up of people who live with dementia and carers, who provided insights into their unique experiences of living with dementia and its effect on families.

A workshop, entitled ‘How can we improve living with dementia?’, will be held at each venue on the day of the opera performance

SINGING AND MUSIC, ESPECIALLY IN THE FORM OF AN OPERA, CAN OFTEN EXPRESS AN EXTRAORDINARY RANGE AND DEPTH OF EMOTION

Rehearsing for the opera © Ian Smith

This, coupled with the creative team’s local discussions, has resulted in the creation of an opera that communicates lived experiences.

“Singing and music, especially in the form of an opera, can often express an extraordinary range and depth of emotion,” said the librettist and director of the opera, Marian Bryfdir. “Dementia, by its nature, hinders the expression and communication of innermost anger, grief or even joy and happiness. That was my starting point for Y Bont/The Bridge – to illustrate the frustration experienced by many living with dementia due to a lack of sensitivity, experience and knowledge from those around them.”

Echoing the director’s desire to change attitudes through the opera, mezzo-soprano Deborah Lea said: “We want to create an impactful and sympathetic production which will highlight awareness of dementia and promote understanding of not just the disease, but how we treat those who are affected by it.”

As a part of the Arts Council of Wales’s ‘Create’ grant, the IDEAL team is running free community workshops and an innovative photography project as part of their on-going research into living with dementia. A workshop, entitled ‘How can we improve living with dementia?’, will be held at each venue on the day of the opera performance.

Three of the singers went into two care facilities in Conwy on Welsh Music Day last month to sing Welsh folk songs and some of the opera music, the score for which has been created by acclaimed composer Dr Edward Wright. Dr Wright’s

previous commissions include Botany, a choral work for Llandudno Arts Festival, Space to Think for ElectroacousticWales, and Polarities for symphony orchestra and electronics.

Ian Smith, a photographer who has worked extensively with people living with dementia and their carers from Dementia Actif Gwynedd, will be documenting the creation of Y Bont/The Bridge and curating a photographic exhibition which showcases relationships and images captured by members of the Caernarfon group. These will be on display at the Ucheldre centre from 28th February until the 31st March.

“We are proud to be able to support this operatic project and the community work taking place in Anglesey and Gwynedd,” said Dafydd Rhys, Chief Executive of Arts Council of Wales. “The arts play a major role in reducing social isolation for those living with dementia and providing them and their carers with enriching cultural activities. We can also learn from projects like these on how to make spaces and activities more accessible and dementia-friendly. It is a fantastic example of how groups and organisations can work together to highlight the positive benefits the arts can

have on health and wellbeing.” n

WE ARE PROUD TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS OPERATIC PROJECT AND THE COMMUNITY WORK TAKING PLACE IN ANGLESEY AND GWYNEDD

The opera, entitled ‘Y Bont/The Bridge’, seeks to harness the fusion of instrumental music and the human voice © Ian Smith

As a part of the Arts Council of Wales’s ‘Create’ grant, the IDEAL team is running free community workshops © Ian Smith

The IDEAL team is running an innovative photography project as part of their on-going research into living with dementia © Ian Smith

Y Bont/The Bridge will be performed in English at the Ucheldre Centre, Holyhead on 31st March and in Welsh at Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre, Bangor on 1st April. There will also be a free dress rehearsal performance in Llanfairfechan Community Hall on Friday 24th March at 2pm

As the tide rises it moves the wave catcher to ring the Time and

For whom the tide bell tolls

At first glance from a distance the bell looks like a small moon lander stuck into the shore with a wave catcher dangling underneath. It’s one of several Time and Tide bells installed around Britain’s coast as a public artwork project. These innovative bells owe their design to a collaboration between Dr Neil Mclachlan and sculptor Marcus Vergette. Using computer modelling they’re able to create a bell which sounds a melody from several notes in sequence when struck.

Cast from bronze in Sheffield and weighing in at nearly a tonne, the bells sit in a harness made specific to where they’ll be placed. Several, like that at Cemeas Bay, are fastened into the shore, while the one at Aberdovey is unique in being suspended below a wooden pier and held in place by metal rods.

Anglesey has artist Helen Grove-White to thank for their Time and Tide bell. She had the opportunity to meet Marcus

The bell at Cemaes Bay rings for a reason, as Dene Bebbington explains…

St Patrick’s bell at Cemeas Bay asks people not to ring it

(Credit: Robin Drayton, CC BY-SA 2.0)

AT FIRST GLANCE FROM A DISTANCE THE BELL LOOKS LIKE A SMALL MOON LANDER STUCK INTO THE SHORE WITH A WAVE CATCHER DANGLING UNDERNEATH.

Vergette and suggested that one of his bells be placed on the island. He didn’t need to be persuaded since he’d also wanted one there, so the pair explored the coastline together to find a suitable site. From inception, it took three years for the idea to become reality. Officially known as St Patrick’s Bell after the Christian saint who, according to legend, was shipwrecked on the island in the year 440, its launch was celebrated by a traditional band.

Installed in April 2014 by engineers from the Wylfa nuclear power station, it has a message for any visitors who are tempted to manually ring the bell: “Please respect the local residents by waiting for the tide to ring the bell. Os gwelwch yn dda parchwch y trigolion lleol trwy aros am y llanw I ganu’r gloch. Diolch.”

Over time seawater creates a patina on the bronze, changing its colour. The colour can vary depending on water conditions in the different locations, but is usually some shade of blue like the one at Ceamas Bay.

So far seven bells can be found across Britain, with more in development. Funding has come from the Arts Council, the National Lottery and private donations. All the bells include a locally chosen inscription, and Anglesey’s is from the poet

Glyndwr Thomas:

Tawel ei chnul uwch heli, Enw Sant yn ei llais hi, Cloch a’i thraw yn dweud o’i thrig Dragwyddol weddi Padrig.

Above the waves, melodiously, sounds

The name of a saint, so fair, A bell whose knell is here to tell Patrick’s eternal prayer.

The youngest generation will eventually come to know if the Time and Tide bell needs to be moved landwards due to sea level rise predicted by climate scientists. Let’s hope not, otherwise they’ll know that the bell tolls for both them and the sea…

Dene Bebbington is a part-time feature writer with an interest in heritage and history

FUNDING HAS COME FROM THE ARTS COUNCIL, THE NATIONAL LOTTERY AND PRIVATE DONATIONS.

From a distance the bell at Cemeas Bay looks like a small moon lander (Credit: Tom, CC BY 2.0)

the trend

Situated close to the river in Bangor On Dee, The Buck has had an extensive revamp, both in terms of design and the quality of food…

The Buck first appeared on the map of Bangor-On-Dee in 1865, but it is believed to be much older than that. Originally one of seven pubs, it now sits alongside The Royal Oak is one of the last two surviving public houses in the village.

After such a rich history, it is no surprise that the pub was in need of a major overhaul. So, last year, The Buck underwent a major refurbishment in order to bring the pub back to its former glory. After a total transformation, The Buck reopened its doors at the end of October – and what a winter it’s been!

The local community wanted a pub to be proud of and, in return, they have made The Buck a real local hub. Residents helped turn on the Christmas lights, supplied Christmas decorations to support the local Christmas fête – the Buck handed out free turkey baps, mince pies and mulled wine.

During the renovations many of the original features were rediscovered, such as the unique well – meaning that you can see the level of the river while actually sitting inside the pub!

Another unusual feature is the dog bar. Free treats and blankets are available for your furry friends at the ‘Dog and Bone’ – a canine friendly area in the pub that’s in the shape of an old phone box.

But fret not, as humans are kept warm and toasty too thanks to the three wood burners located throughout the pub. There is also a snug area which is perfect should anyone like a more personal dining experience or hold a private meeting.

The Buck is proud to serve Wrexham Lager and supports many other local suppliers, alongside some international big

hitters. There is also a nice selection of cask ales – but the food is the main attraction.

Only fresh produce is served at The Buck, and the pub has a selection of daily specials on offer. Their Sunday roasts are certainly worth checking out, and the team is looking at introducing fish and chips to take away soon in order to further service the local village and surrounding areas.

In fact, anything that the local residents want, The Buck is looking to provide. So make sure that you pop in for a pint and a bite to eat and make the next era as good as the last. n

J The Buck is located on the High Street in Bangor On Dee. For more information please visit

Food for thought

A few weeks ago, David, Paysanne’s chef, spotted some fabulous, thick skate wings at the fishmongers and snapped them up to sell that week as one of our fish specials. By the end of Saturday night, we hadn’t sold a single of them. It reminded me of a week-end about 20 years ago when my dad bought a job lot of skate for pittance from a fish-erman, but had to skin them himself – pure hell on one’s fingers as skate have a hide as rough as sandpaper. He didn’t sell any then either and we ate nothing but skate for three days

I find this disdain for skate wing utterly baffling. To me, it’s one of the great fish deli-cacies and it’s as healthy and vitaminpacked as it is delicious. Perhaps it’s the miscon-ception that it’s full of ‘little bones.’ It’s not at all: there’s a layer or cartilage running through it and you simply pull the meat away from it, turn it over and do the same again.

Having said that, I shudder to recall one night in the restaurant years ago when a couple hadn’t noticed until it was too late that their American guest had eaten about half his skate, bones and all. Perhaps they were alerted by the strange crunching sound? He commented that the second half of it, without the cartilage, was much nicer.

If you’re in the mood for something a little different, do give this classic dish a try. The skate themselves have to be big thick pieces. If you see some miserable flat little ones in supermarkets sometimes that resemble a duck’s webbed foot, give them a wide berth.

This is the ultimate way to cook skate and it’s incredibly easy too. Match it up with a chilled bottle of Muscadet Sur Lie.

NOISETTE & CAPERS

(Serves 4)

Ingredients

2 decent sized skate wings, a bit more than a pound each 100g butter

1 jar of capers, drained Plain flour

Salt and pepper

Small glass of dry white wine

Lemon juice

Parsley

2 finely chopped shallots

Cut the fish into four portions and dust them with the seasoned flour. Get the butter up to a good heat and seal the fish quickly on both sides until it starts to brown, season it again then place it in a hot oven on a steel flat or something similar, and cover it with foil. Make sure that the thicker flesh above the bones is on top. After about ten minutes, remove the foil to let the top brown a little.

Quickly heat up some new butter in the pan until it is frothy. Lightly brown some very finely sliced shallots, add the capers (about ten per person), a slug of dry white wine, lemon juice and a handful of chopped parsley right at the end. Bubble that up, deglazing the pan as you go and pour it over the fish. n

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

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Business NEWS

Penderyn whisky maturing nicely!

Penderyn are coming up to two years in Llandudno on May 2023, and their peated spirit has been maturing in casks down at their HQ in the Brecon Beacons. This is the first time that Penderyn has done Peated Spirit, and the results so far have been excellent. Whisky has to be matured for three years and one day in a barrel. This was made law by David Lloyd George when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer, and then he became Wales’ only Prime Minister. Lloyd George was worried about alcohol consumption in the first world war, and so he made sure that moonshiners couldn’t describe their alcohol as whisky. Indeed, he developed the premium whisky trade! This was celebrated in Penderyn’s Icons of Wales bottle, The Headliner which can be bought in their Llandudno distillery, and online. www.penderyn.wales

Rydal Penrhos host Argentinian school

Rydal Penrhos’ sporting facilities have provided a base for several visiting sides over the years; from top-level professional sides –such as reigning Super League champions St Helens, who visited Rydal Penrhos for their pre-season training camp in 2021 – to other schools on tour. In recent weeks, Belgrano Day School’s boys and girls’ sports teams became the latest visitors to benefit from a trip to Rydal Penrhos, travelling thousands of kilometres from their hometown of Buenos Aires to set up base in North Wales. Bringing their extensive European tour to UK soil, the independent coeducational Argentine school played a series of rugby, hockey and volleyball matches against leading UK independent schools, while also visiting notable tourist attractions. Belgrano’s over 150 pupils and staff not only enjoyed Rydal Penrhos accommodation and catering, but also faced off against the school’s sports teams in some thrilling and closely fought contests. Rydal Penrhos would like to thank Belgrano for proving such wonderful guests and hope the two schools cross paths again soon. rydalpenrhos.com

Law firm expands Conwy team

A North Wales law firm has expanded its team in Conwy with the addition of another Welshspeaking solicitor. Sioned Williams, a specialist in preparing wills, advising on inheritance tax and estate planning, has joined Lanyon Bowdler’s private client team at the firm’s Conwy office. Edward Nutting (pictured), head of the Conwy office, said Sioned was an excellent addition to the team. “Demand for all of our services has increased over the past few years, so our team of staff has been growing to ensure we can provide the best possible service to our clients,” he said. “We are very happy to welcome Sioned to the team, who not only brings valuable experience in private client matters but also adds to the number of our Welsh-speaking lawyers. We understand that some clients prefer to communicate in Welsh, and we are delighted to be able to offer a multilingual service here in North Wales.” Sioned studied law at Bangor University and graduated with a First Class degree in 2018. She qualified as a solicitor in December 2021, after graduating in the Legal Practice Course with a Distinction at The University of Law in Chester.

Is it time to grow your business?

Registration is now open for the next “Help to Grow” Management Course starting at Bangor Business School on 27th March.

This unique and valuable course is open to all small and medium sized enterprises, and is delivered by Bangor University Business School in partnership with Cardiff Metropolitan University.

What does the “Help to Grow” Management course consist of?

The “Help to Grow” Management Course consists of the following 12 modules, all of which have been designed around known drivers for business growth:

J Strategy & innovation

J Digital Adoption

J Internationalisation & Winning New Markets

J Vision, Mission, and Values

J Developing a Marketing Strategy

J Building a Brand

J Organisational Design

J Employee Engagement & Leading Change

J High Performance Workplace

J Efficient Operations

J Finance & Financial Management

J Implementing Growth Plans

What else is included on the “Help to Grow” Management Course?

J Together we’ll look at case studies of successful companies to find out how you can engage and motivate your staff and win new markets

J You’ll work on a Growth Action Plan

J You’ll benefit from 10 hours of business mentoring

J You’ll become part of a Peer Group, (meeting on-line in a group with around five participants from other businesses to discuss the topics covered in each of the on-line modules)

J You’ll receive a certificate upon completion of the course

J You’ll become part of a large network of like-minded businesspeople

J You’ll become a member of the “Help to Grow” Management Alumni

J You’ll receive exclusive invitations to “Help to Grow” Management Alumni events

How is the course delivered and when does it start?

The “Help to Grow” Management course is delivered on a hybrid basis, with eight sessions being delivered on-line via Zoom, and four face-to-face

sessions at Bangor University. The course begins with a short introductory session on Monday 27th March 2023, this will be held on-line via Zoom between 10am and 11:30am.

Eligibility

Please note that the “Help To Grow” Management Course is only open to small and medium sized enterprises. All businesses must have been operating for at least one year, and must employ between 5 and 249 staff. All delegates must be senior decision makers. Only one person can participate per business, (unless your business employs more than ten staff, in which case two senior staff may participate, with the second person being eligible for a 50% discount).

Value and Cost

The “Help to Grow” Management course is valued at just over £7,000 and is 90% funded by HM Government. Therefore the total cost payable is £750 per person.

Expressions of interest

If you meet all of the eligibility requirements and you’d like to reserve a place on the upcoming “Help To Grow” Management Course, then you can register at: https://lnkd.in/eGghqMaQ

To request a copy of the “Help to Grow” Management timetable and information booklet please email n.sturrs@bangor.ac.uk or call 01248 383024. All applications for the next “Help to Grow” Management Course must be received by Friday 17th March 2023. For further information please visit: http://smallbusinesscharter.org/help-togrow-management

Tying the knot

As the wedding season fast approaches, brides and grooms are gearing up for their upcoming nuptials and all nervousness and glitz that comes with them. Not only this, but those in the planning stages will be busy putting the finer and more important details in place ahead of the big day this year or in the not-too-distant future.

Rydal Penrhos is becoming an increasingly popular venue for weddings after the school announced ambitious plans to offer occasions to the wider community. With stunning listed buildings in picturesque surroundings, it’s not hard to see why.

Staff at the school are very experienced when it comes to wedding planning and Rydal Penrhos can host anywhere from 40-250 guests inside or outside depending on the wedding requirements. Guests will be surrounded by illustrious history and grandeur or should they choose, take advantage of more relaxed surroundings within the school’s grounds under the marquees.

The school is in the final stages of renovating the Osborn Hall, which was formally the school chapel and dining hall. It is a beautiful room that boasts a vaulted ceiling, wood panelling, stained glass windows and parquet flooring. It is a magical setting for a wedding.

Whether it’s a wedding ceremony, the reception or the entire occasion, the Osborn Hall is the perfect spot and seeing is believing.

The Memorial Hall is one of the grandest, oldest most

beautiful buildings on the Rydal Penrhos estate. As you dance the night away or walk up the aisle you can look up and enjoy the beautiful painted ceiling and be enveloped by the history that echoes around this dramatic room.

The hall can host up to 150 guests and is perfect for dances, weddings, and once again opens on to the quad and gardens and treasured “cloisters” that form just one of the many photographic opportunities on the estate.

With the summer months rapidly nearing, Rydal Penrhos also has the benefit of the New Field area with a Pavilion and marquee for those beautiful occasions in the sunshine to celebrate and Rydal Penrhos is fortunate to have its very own place of worship, St John’s Church, and we also have our school chaplain who will only be too happy to discuss your service with you.

Arranging everything wedding-related can be a stressful business. Rydal Penrhos can also assist in this critical area with a team of dedicated event planners available to help you plan and enjoy your perfect day or evening. They are also working with local suppliers to ensure that everything is on hand to create the wedding of your dreams. n

Ein Pobl, Eich Tîm Our People, Your Team

Yma i helpu…

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

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

• Eiddo Masnachol a Phreswyl

• Amaethyddiaeth

• Ewyllysiau, Ymddiriedolaethau a Phrofiant

• Cyfraith Teulu

• Cyflogaeth

• Corfforaethol a Masnachol

• Anghydfodau

• Troseddau Moduro

• Niwed Personol ac Esgeulustod Meddygol

Here to Help…

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

Offering a wide range of legal services including:

• Commercial & Residential Property

• Agriculture

• Wills, Trusts & Probate

• Family Law

• Employment

• Corporate & Commercial

• Disputes

• Motoring Offences

• Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

HOW TO PLAN FOR THE POTENTIAL OF CARE FEES

Last month, Emma Deering, of Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors in Conwy, looked at the pitfalls of gifting your house to your children to avoid inheritance tax. In this issue, she examines how to prepare your finances to plan for the possibility of care fees in your later years...

What are the current rules and obligations in relation to paying care fees?

Put simply, in Wales any individual who has assets over the value of £50,000 will have to fully fund their care until they get down to that level, and only then will they start to get assistance from the local authority.

Many people who come to see us are concerned about the prospect of paying for their own care when they get older, because care packages are means tested, so if you own a property it will get taken into consideration.

However, it’s important to understand that if you go into care and are assessed on your capital, there are certain things which get disregarded. For example, if you are a married couple and one of you has to go into care and the other continues to live in the family home, then the whole of the property value is disregarded when looking at the capital of the spouse who is going into care.

What can you do now to plan ahead?

A common misconception is that if someone gifts their house to their children it will not be included in their estate when the local council considers if they can afford to pay for their own care – but that is often not the case. In actual fact, if you have given your house away there is a strong risk that a local authority, when looking at your capital, can go back any

number of years and argue that the reason you gifted your house was because you were trying to avoid care fees.

Another option which people consider is transferring their house to a trust instead. But again, there is no guarantee that it will obtain the desired result. A much better thing to do is prepare what is known as a care fee planning will, which is a light-touch way to get your finances in order, taking potential care fees into account.

Essentially, you restructure your wills so rather than everything going to the surviving spouse, the half-share of the house belonging to the person who has passed away goes into a trust. The terms of that trust allow the surviving spouse to still occupy the house and enjoy the benefit of the half-share for the rest of their days.

Then if the surviving spouse has to go into care and are assessed on their capital, they only own one half of the property. The other half is owned by the trust and is therefore disregarded by the local authority.

This type of care fee planning will could also cover individually-owned cash assets, and therefore potentially protect half of the value of a married couple’s entire estate. n

For more advice about wills and planning for the future, contact the Lanyon Bowdler team in Conwy on 01492 557070 or visit the website at www.lblaw.co.uk

Emma Deering of Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors in Conwy

Learning by heart

Easter is the key revision period for GCSE pupils at Rydal Penrhos and beyond, as schools finish teaching the syllabus and attention turns to fastapproaching exams. Mocks will be over, results received, and key targets identified.

Now is the time to consolidate understanding, fill any knowledge gaps and really get to grips with what the examiners are looking for. Many pupils will not have clear techniques for revision and may not have sat public examinations before.

Exam sitting, like most things in life, is a skill that can be taught, and one that we are very keen on developing here at Rydal Penrhos. Similarly revising (i.e. the process of reviewing content to remember and understand it) is a learnt skill. At Rydal Penrhos, we understand that each and every one of our pupils are individuals who learn in different ways and hence they quite often need to use different strategies and tools for revision.

Rydal Penrhos can officially confirm a dedicated GCSE Revision Week during the Easter holidays to assist the exam preparations of not only our current pupils, but also any other young people from across the North Wales area that might be interested. The revision days will include:

J Expert tuition in core subjects from experienced teachers, some of whom are examiners; all are DBS checked

J Small class sizes, with a maximum of 10 pupils

J Meeting other pupils who are in the same situation! Revision can be lonely but being with other pupils can offer some reassurance and inspire the kind of peer discussion that can prove a powerful tool for clarifying understanding

J Tailored tuition where possible; if pupils can identify the topics they specifically wish to focus on in advance, we will try to include these in the days’ schedules

J Immersion in the subject, with up to a seven-hour day of distraction-free focus

J Teachers will also ensure each pupil understands the assessment objectives for their subject and exam board, and therefore gain a clear understanding of what the examiner is looking for

The GCSE Revision Week is set to take place over two days:

Wednesday 12th April and Thursday 13th April 2023. The first day will focus on two of the most important subjects that lie at the heart of the curriculum; Mathematics and English. The second day will turn attention towards Science, with tuition in both Biology and Physics.

These intensive days will also consist of how to better prepare mentally and practically for exams, providing helpful tips on how to attain peak performance along with essential revision tips and guidance.

This is an incredible opportunity for Rydal Penrhos pupils and GCSE candidates from other schools to get additional support and guidance ahead of their exams. The school is proud to have a rich history of exam results in recent years, which continued to go from strength to strength despite unprecedented uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.

We understand that keeping stress levels low during examinations is a key factor in performance. Timely preparations can reduce these complications to a great extent and after thorough revision, pupils become more comfortable in an exam setting and are impacted far less by exam stress that can have a detrimental impact on performance. Those who commit heavily to revising a topic before their exams subsequently gain more confidence. We recognise that approaching examinations with confidence and assuredness can often be a decisive factor in overall outcomes.

When a comprehensive revision period is undertaken on a topic, pupils become much more able to face questions in the examination and answer them in a way that will enable them to achieve the best results.

This revision course is excellent value for money at £150 for a full working day of lessons, revision and exam guidance tuition, with breaks for snacks and meals that are included in the cost. This is a can’t-miss opportunity for any GCSE pupil sitting exams this year and for parents, the assurance that you have done something constructive to prepare your child for their exams can also ease a considerable burden. n

To book a place on the GCSE Revision Week, or for further information, please email admissions@ rydalpenrhos.com or call 01492 530155

Digwyddiadau Agored Open Events

Mae digwyddiadau agored yn gyfle i weld ein campysau a'n cyfleusterau tan gamp, i gyfarfod a'r tiwtoriaid ac i ddod i wybod rhagor am y dewis eang o gyrsiau rydym yn eu cynnig.

Open events are an opportunity to explore our campuses, discover our outstanding facilities, meet the tutors and find out about our wide range of courses.

Dolgellau

Dolgellau - CaMDA (Adeiladu a Pheirianneg / Construction and Engineering)

Llangefni

Parc Menai (Celf a Dylunio / Art & Design)

Abergele

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos / Rhos-on-Sea

Bangor

Y Rhyl / Rhyl

Pwllheli

Pwllheli - Hafan (Peirianneg / Engineering)

Archebwch eich lle heddiw! Book your place today! gllm.ac.uk/events

Rydym yn croesawu ymholiadau yn Gymraeg neu Saesneg We welcome enquiries in Welsh or English

EDUCATION NEWS

Rydal Penrhos sporting star shines

Year 9 pupil Lily Copeland has added her name to the long list of Rydal Penrhos School pupils who have made a huge impression across multiple sports during their time at the independent Colwyn Bay day school. In the ten years since she joined Rydal Penrhos at the age of three, Lily’s sporting talent has flourished and is now being recognised at a national level. In recent weeks, the sports scholar was capped for North West Wales in the Inter County Netball Tournament. Competing against some of Wales’ top netball prospects, Lily impressed with some excellent performances. A few days later, Lily travelled to Bangor University’s Treborth Field and secured a second-place finish at the Eryri Cross Country Championships. As a result, Lily was chosen to represent Eryri at the national championships on Wednesday 15th February. There she registered a fine performance, finishing strongly in a field comprising over 70 competitors. Rydal Penrhos is delighted to support Lily in her endeavours, and expects that she will one day prove a decisive contributor to the success of the school’s first teams, much in the style of her older brother, current Head Boy and First XV rugby captain James Copeland.

Health and Education Innovation Quarter officially opened at Wrexham Glyndwr University

Healthcare education provision in North Wales has taken a remarkable leap forward after Wrexham Glyndwr University (WGU) officially opened its state-of-the-art Health and Education Innovation Quarter (HEIQ).

A ribbon-cutting event took place at the University to mark the opening of the Health Simulation Centre, which is housed within the HEIQ at WGU. The HEIQ will transform healthcare education provision in the region by ensuring WGU is at the forefront of technology-led learning experiences and training the region’s future workforce to be experts in their chosen profession. The facility will provide a physical home for the delivery of a range of Nursing and Allied Health Professions courses – including Physiotherapy, Paramedic Science, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Nutrition and Dietetics and Operating Department Practice. “The official opening of the HEIQ was a proud day for all at WGU,” commented Maria Hinfelaar, WGU Vice-Chancellor. “It was also a big moment for the community as we are being entrusted to train the next generation of healthcare professionals.”

Oliver Pearce Wins ISA Young Musician of the Year

Huge congratulations to St David’s College student Oliver Pearce for winning the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Young Musician of the Year award. Oliver, from Old Colwyn, faced stiff competition from 38 pupils from across the UK. He delivered a virtuoso performance that impressed the judges and took home the top prize. The incredibly talented cellist beat a raft of other young, gifted musicians at the finals on February 8th in Warwick, in front of an invited audience and a panel of judges. Oliver, a student in Year 8, performed a four-minute modern piece called Juli-O by the composer Mark Summer. “I love the musicality of the piece,” said Oliver, who is working towards his Grade 8 cello examination. “I was the only cellist in my age category, I was up against lots of pianists, a violinist, and a clarinet player. I’m very proud to win this award. I have been practicing the piece before I go to school and in the evenings.” The 12-year-old also enjoys acting and has a big part in the school’s eagerly anticipated production of Matilda. When he grows up, he says he’d like to be either a doctor or a solo cellist in an orchestra travelling the world.

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai announces March Open Events

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s colleges are delighted to announce their latest suite of on-site Open Events across their campuses for March 2023. Open Events are the perfect opportunity to explore their campuses, discover the outstanding facilities, meet the tutors and find out about the wide range of courses available. Coleg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai and Coleg MeirionDwyfor have thousands of options to suit your needs and to help you fulfil your potential, including the widest choice of Full-Time, Part-Time, Apprenticeships & Degree courses in North Wales. They offer over 30 AS/A Level courses, delivered by highly qualified and experienced tutors. With such a wide range of choice available, you can be sure to find the right subjects for you. In 2022, their A Level subject area recorded fantastic results, with 84% of learners achieving A* to C grades and over a third of our learners achieving the coveted A* and A grades. They also offer a wide range of vocational and subjects in more than 35 subject areas, making it easy for you to find your match. Many of our vocational courses are developed in consultation with employers, to equip you with the skills and knowledge that companies require in the modern workplace. At the Open Events, visitors will also be able to glean information on degrees and higher-level programmes: Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has one of the largest selection of degrees and university-level courses in Wales. So, whether you’ve made the wrong choice after your GCSEs, lack the qualifications needed to get a better job or to go to university, are unemployed, or just looking for a new start, college staff will be on-hand to answer all your questions at the open events.

Upcoming open events:

Coleg Llandrillo:

J Rhos-on-Sea Campus:

Monday 27 March, 5.30pm – 7.00pm

J Abergele:

Monday 27 March, 5.30pm – 7.00pm

J Rhyl Campus:

Tuesday 28 March, 5.30pm – 7.00pm

Coleg Menai:

J Llangefni Campus:

Wednesday 22 March, 4.30pm – 7pm

J Parc Menai Campus:

Thursday 23 March, 4.30pm – 7pm

J Bangor:

Tuesday 28 March, 4.30pm – 7pm

Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor:

J Dolgellau Campus:

Tuesday 21 March, 5.30pm – 7pm

J Pwllheli Campus:

Wednesday 29 March, 5.30pm – 7pm

LLWYN Landscapes LTD

Landscape Design, Construction & Maintenance Contractors

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

LLWYN

LANDSCAPES LTD

Quinten Hazell Enterprise Parc, Glan Y Wern Road, Colwyn Bay LL28 5BS

Office: 01492 552521

Mobile: 07896 222702

Email: info@llwynlandscapes.co.uk

www.llwynlandscapes.co.uk

Celebrate St David’s Day with Clogau jewellery

St David’s Day has long been the best time for people around the world to celebrate all things Welsh. And what better way to celebrate the best of Wales than to highlight precious Welsh gold – which is said to be the rarest in the world. Welsh jewellery brand Clogau has used Welsh gold sourced from the same mine as many of the Royal Family’s wedding rings, including that of Queen Elizabeth II and Meghan Markle, for over 100 years — the Clogau St David’s Gold Mine in Wales. Every piece contains rare Welsh gold, straight from North West Wales – identifiable by the Welsh dragon and “Clogau” stamp, forever linking the wearer with a personal and cultural connection to their celtic homeland.

www.clogau.co.uk

Abbeyfield – a home from home

Many people move to the beautiful North Wales coast for various reasons. Some of Abbeyfield’s residents move to be near family, while some have previously retired to the coast and moved to Abbeyfield when they are no longer able to live in their own home. In fact, only four of Abbeyfield’s current residents are born and bred in the area. The Society has four new residents moving in to Alexandra Road in the next few weeks, it will be a very full house and the current residents are excited to meet the new people. All four of the new residents are from outside the area, two of them moving to be close to their children. All of the residents are happy and content to be part of the Abbeyfield family, enjoying a life without worry for the rising cost of living, utility bills or concern about a leaky roof or finding a company to maintain their garden. This seems all the more pertinent when we such sad images are shown the national news of Ukraine and Turkey. The consensus from both staff and residents is that we are all lucky to live where we live.

www.abbeyfield.com

Get Mother’s Day all wrapped up with Penderyn

Mother’s Day is fast approaching on Sunday 19th March! Penderyn has a range of whiskies and other spirits – like Brecon Gin, Brecon Flavoured Gins (pictured), Vodka, Rum and their own Merlyn cream liqueur – available at their distillery shops which make for the perfect Mother’s Day gift . They also have hampers filled with a range of goodies as well! Alternatively you could book your mum a tour which Penderyn run seven days a week, and have been rated ‘5-star’ on Trip Advisor and has recently been awarded a Visit Wales Gold Award.

www.penderyn.wales

All aboard the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways! Spring is such a positive time – the daffodils are out, lambs are playing –and steam trains are tooting! There is plenty going on around the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways this spring with a new train service and some family fun. There are footplate rides and activities at Y Stesion in Caernarfon. The Tea Rooms at Tan y Bwlch will be offering afternoon teas, seasonal treats and activities for kids. There are some great family woodland walks around Tan y Bwlch station which can be accessed by car as well as by train. Theirnew service, The Quarryman, launches Easter Saturday and gives passengers chance to join the train at Blaenau Ffestiniog, following the journey of the old slate trains down to the coast at Porthmadog. This joins family favourites such as the Woodland Wanderer and Mountain Spirit from Porthmadog and the Gelert Explorer from Caernarfon. www.festrail.co.uk

Superheroes supported by North Wales law firm

Superheroes and their trusty sidekicks are being invited to take part in the ultimate inclusive triathlon – and raise money for a good cause at the same time. North Wales law firm Lanyon Bowdler is supporting The Movement Centre, which provides life-changing physiotherapy for children, to enter teams in the Superhero Tri, powered by Marvel. The Movement Centre, based at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital in Oswestry, is an official charity friend of the Superhero Series and is calling for people to join their fundraising teams at the event. The Superhero Tri is designed specifically for people with disabilities to take part, alongside their “sidekicks”, to complete the challenge at their own pace and with whatever support they need. Edward Nutting, head of Lanyon Bowdler’s Conwy office, said the firm was excited about being involved. “The Superhero Series is a truly inspiring project, and even has its own highlights programme on Channel 4 presented by Clare Balding, so is extremely popular,” he said. “As a firm, we are providing financial assistance to cover the entry fees for The Movement Centre, and we are also offering staff members to take part if any entrants need a sidekick!”

www.the-movement-centre.co.uk/superhero-series-saturday-12th-august

Foster Bear – a social media super bear!

Primary schools and families across Flintshire are welcoming Foster Bear into their homes and sharing their adventures on social media. In January 2023, Foster Wales Flintshire launched their Foster Bear campaign to raise awareness of local authority fostering in Flintshire. Primary schools across Flintshire have welcomed the campaign and are sharing Foster Bear’s adventures on social media using the hashtag ‘#fosterbear’. Foster bear has been busy with children taking turns to care for the bear over the weekends. Foster Bear has visited local playing parks, cinemas, hobby clubs and has even been to see the Strictly Come Dancing tour show! Foster Bear also went shopping in Aldi with a ride in a trolley resulting in a re-tweet on Twitter by Aldi, generating 41.7 thousand views. Foster Wales Flintshire is one of 22 notfor-profit local fostering service teams in Wales. www.fosterwales.flintshire.gov.uk

Local Soroptimists help those in need

The Llandudno and District Soroptimist Club is one of six Clubs in North Wales. They enjoy social events as well as working to support women and children locally, nationally and internationally. Their current project involves establishing and running a clothing bank for Ukrainian refugees as well as local families in need, and they have recently sent warm clothes to victims of the Turkish earthquake as well as nappies, baby food and bottles. They are an active Club who enjoy social events as well as various projects e.g. supporting the local Women’s Refuge, raising awareness of Modern Day Slavery and sending help to the children of Chernobyl. They are also environmentally aware and recycle many items, such as bottle tops and blister packs. They also assist the Friends of Happy Valley and Haulfre Gardens in maintaining the environment in these local attractions.

sigbi.org/llandudno-and-district

Abbeyfield Colwyn Bay

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

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

Ring Anna on 01492 533724 for more information

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

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

• Home Cooked Lunch and High Tea

• All Bills included

• Community Alarm Service

• Weekly room clean and your washing and ironing done

If you would like to view any of our three properties please contact Anna by telephone or email

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

Search @ abbeyfield colwyn bay society on facebook Abbeyfield.com

Hi Victoria, thanks for agreeing to talk to for us. Firstly, please can you tell us what the National Day of Reflection is?

For the third year, end-of-life charity Marie Curie is uniting the nation on 23rd March to remember those who’ve died, and support everyone who is grieving. Many of us feel unsupported in our grief or unable to talk about the person who has died. This was particularly felt during the pandemic when we were forced to grieve alone. The National Day of Reflection unites us all in grief and provides much needed connection and emotional support.

That’s great, how can we join in with the National Day of Reflection?

Organisations and individuals can join in by marking a minute’s silence at midday on 23rd March.

You can also create a Wall of Reflection in your school, workplace or community space to share names and remember those who have died. Marie Curie is also hosting an online events programme to help people in their grief. Toolkits and information are available at: www.mariecurie.org.uk/ dayofreflection

And finally, how does Marie Curie support those who have been bereaved?

Marie Curie’s Wales Bereavement Information and Support Service offers a range of bereavement support to help with grief. Whether your bereavement was expected, happened recently or was some time ago, we can help. We can als o support you before your loved one dies.

Our free Support Line can offer a listening ear, a safe space to talk as well as practical information around bereavement. The Marie Curie Bereavement Service is for people who might want to have ongoing support, from the same volunteer, on the phone. You can access up to six sessions. This is not a counselling service, but provides a safe, confidential space to talk.

The National Day of Reflection

Each year, the nation holds a National Day of Reflection to remember the people who died during the Covid-19 pandemic. It takes place on the anniversary of the first national lockdown in the UK. The event was initiated by Marie Curie, so we asked Victoria Hardy, Senior Community Fundraiser for Wales, to answer some questions about the event and how you can get involved.

We also offer bereavement counselling with a qualified counsellor, across Wales, by phone, virtually or face-to-face (subject to location). With support from Diverse Cymru, Marie Curie is setting up virtual and in-person bereavement groups across Wales. All of our bereavement services are available to those bereaved due to a terminal illness, regardless of whether you have received Marie Curie care, though in our hospices, patients and their loved ones also have access to bereavement support through our Family Support teams. n

Marie Curie support line: 0800 090 2309

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

Kelly Owen is a funeral director at Tom Owen and Son – an awardwinning, family run, independent community Funeral Director situated in Llandudno. They provide a modern fresh approach to organising funerals that empowers you to have a unique funeral that is fitting for the person that has died. For more information, please get in touch with one of the team by calling 01492 860 280 or visit the blog and website at https://www.tomowenandson.com/

allwch chi wneud gwahaniaeth i fywydau plant a phobl ifanc lleol yn sir y fflint?

could you make a difference to the lives of local children and young people in flintshire?

Mae yna blant yn Sir y Fflint angen cartref maeth.

Lle diogel, lle i ddysgu, a lle i chwerthin.

Lle llawn cariad.

There are children in Flintshire who need a foster home. A safe place, a place to learn, and a place to laugh. A place to be loved.

I ddarganfod mwy: www.maethucymru.siryfflint.gov.uk

Discover more at: www.fosterwales.flintshire.gov.uk

ydweithio i adeiladu gwell dyfodol i blant lleol

orking together to build better futures for local children

Flintshire

Sir y Fflint

Country Diary Wales

Join Guardian columnist John Gilbey for an immersive year in the Welsh countryside with this collection of Country Diary contributions

Since 1906 the Guardian Country Diary, the oldest newspaper column in the world, has published daily dispatches about the countryside and nature from around the UK. John Gilbey began contributing in 2006 and has since authored over 100 articles, with the new book Country Diary Wales collecting 50 of these journeys through the Welsh landscape into a compact illustrated volume.

Arranged by season, starting with meteorological spring –March to May – and then following the year around, each walk is recounted in John’s informative and frequently evocative pieces, detailing local history and geography and the flora and fauna encountered through the year, rich with sensory detail and a true sense of place. The routes and John’s insights are a reminder to slow our pace, to pause and appreciate the world around us and to take stock of the simple pleasures of the passing seasons. Reached by bus or train, and occasionally concluding with a quiet pint, each walk gives others an opportunity to join John on his travels and become immersed in a year in the Welsh countryside.

Most take place in west Wales and the county of Ceredigion, where John is based, with others stretching north and east to Gwynedd and Powys and south to Pembrokeshire – offering glimpses of Wales’s natural diversity, from the rugged coastal path at Aberystwyth to livestock-scattered uplands in Gwynedd and bluebells blooming in the quiet woods.

Combined with original photography taken along their course, each article can be dipped into and enjoyed time and again, as

a return to familiar places or with the chance and interest of something new.

John says about the book: “Country walking has always been important to me, and has become more so as the years pass. Contributing to the Guardian Country Diary column has let me share elements of the Welsh countryside, in all its moods, with many others. I hope that collecting the 50 walks in this book, together with photographs I took along the way, will let new readers explore the countryside with me.” n

To get your copy of Country Diary Wales for £12 (normally 14.99) visit www.graffeg.com and use code CDNW12 at checkout

John Gilbey is a writer and photographer based in west Wales. His work has appeared in the New Scientist, Geographical, Times Higher Education and the science journal Nature, as well as the Guardian newspaper, which publishes the Country Diary column. His career in environmental research, and a lifelong interest in landforms and ecology, give him a solid base on which to build the story of the varied landscapes of Wales.

COMBINED WITH ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHY TAKEN ALONG THEIR COURSE, EACH ARTICLE CAN BE DIPPED INTO AND ENJOYED TIME AND AGAIN

IN THE

STARS...

March’s horoscopes brought to you by Russell Grant

ARIES (March 21st – April 20th)

Give yourself a reward for your hard work; a spa treatment may be just the ticket. Tempers will be running high on the 11th, especially with neighbours and family members. Flattery will get you nowhere with an authority figure on the 16th. If you want a favour, be straightforward about it.

TAURUS (April 21st – May 21st)

A lovely opportunity to rest, relax, and enjoy the finer things in life arrives on the 2nd; indulge your sensual side. The Full Moon on the 7th marks an exciting turning point in a romantic relationship; this is an excellent time to get engaged or married. Turning a hobby into a lucrative business is also a distinct possibility on this powerful day.

GEMINI (May 22nd – June 21st)

On the 7th, the Full Moon allows you to buy or sell a piece of property, giving you peace of mind. Avoid being aggressive with a kind authority figure on the 16th. It’s better to listen more than you speak on the 17th; err on the side of silence. A show of force could throw a wrench into this relationship.

CANCER (June 22nd – July 23rd)

A pay rise, bonus, or promotion is headed your way on the 2nd; it feels great to be recognised for your hard work. The Full Moon on the 7th finds you successfully passing a test, returning from a trip, or finishing a work errand. It’s a relief to get this chore off your plate since it allows you to embark on an exciting adventure.

LEO (July 24th – August 23rd)

The Full Moon on the 7th shifts your focus from work to love. Devoting more time to a romantic partner will create a welcome sense of stability. If you’re single, you’ll start looking for a serious relationship. Your charisma turns heads on the 15th; you’ll have your choice of admirers on this magical day. It’s also an excellent time to make money from artistic ventures.

VIRGO (August 24th – September 23rd)

On the 7th, the Full Moon brings the successful end to a demanding role, allowing you to make more time for fun. Accept if your business partner or amour offers to take work off your plate. The 18th is good for discussing a sensitive topic with someone who is close to your heart. Be brutally honest.

LIBRA (September 24th – October 23rd)

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

www.russellgrant.com

The Full Moon on the 7th prompts you to withdraw from public life and get some much-needed rest and relaxation. Resist the temptation to fill your days with more work; you need to strike a better balance between your personal and professional lives.

SCORPIO (October 24th – November 22nd)

A serious talk with a relative will be productive on the 2nd; be honest but fair. On the 7th, the Full Moon finds you scaling back your social life. The New Moon on the 21st is perfect for beginning a fitness regimen. More aerobic exercise will give you an incredibly attractive, healthy glow.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd – December 21st)

A romantic encounter on the 2nd makes you feel like you’re walking on air. If you’re single, your chances of meeting someone special are very high, especially if you venture out to a place you’ve never been before. The Full Moon on the 7th is suitable for wrapping up a career matter. This is a good time to scale back work responsibilities for the sake of a more enriching personal life.

CAPRICORN (December 22nd – January 20th)

Happy news about your family is cause for celebration on the 2nd. Obey the impulse to give a relative a generous financial gift; they’ll greatly appreciate it. The Full Moon on the 7th finds you returning from an extended trip or graduating from a course. Moving forward, your priority will be making better use of your time.

AQUARIUS (January 21st – February 19th)

Business talks will go well on the 2nd; sticking to your principles will be advantageous. Take advantage of a surprise sale on household goods and appliances on the 6th; you’ll get some great bargains. The Full Moon on the 7th finds you paying off a big bill. It will be such a relief to get this obligation off your back, allowing you to build your savings account.

PISCES (February 20th – March 20th)

Your financial situation dramatically improves on the 2nd, when you get a terrific job offer. Use your sharp communication skills to negotiate an even better deal than you are originally offered. An exciting chance to travel, study, or both falls into your lap on the 6th; you’ll enjoy the mental stimulation this experience affords. The 15th is perfect for submitting your creative work for review or going to an audition.

NATURAL WALES

At Clogau® we feel a deep connection to Wales; a connection to the myths and legends of our ancestors, the culture and traditions of the people, and a spiritual bond to the nation rooted in the very earth on which we stand. It is from this limitless seam of inspiration we mine our designs.