NWM - May 2023

MAGAZINE

DEAR READER

Last month we heard all about our fantastic local authors – this month we get to meet some inspiring local artisans…

The newly renovated Cei Llechi development in Caernarfon is now home to a wonderful cohort of creatives. In order to secure yourself some space at Cei Llechi you have to meet a single set of criteria – to produce everything you sell from scratch on site.

From photographers to graphic designers, sweet manufacturers to cafés, artists to forgers, Cei Llechi is certainly home to some diverse, and extremely talented, creative artisans. This addition to the historic town makes for a wonderful day out – and you might even get to treat yourself at the same time!

The other set of people we get to meet this month however are from the past – the men who ran semaphore stations along the North Wales coast in days gone by. It makes for a fascinating read – as does the history of two of our oldest piers on page 16.

So read on, and learn about the people of the past – while celebrating the ones of today…

We want to hear from you!

J Are you organising or taking part in an event that should be covered in our what’s on listings? Then make sure you tell us! whatson@ northwalesmagazine.co.uk

J Keep in touch. Send in your contributions, letters, photos and press releases and become
part of the North Wales Magazine family. editorial@ northwalesmagazine.co.uk

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©Beth Horrocks

It’s

the places and people combined that make North Wales what it is today

Kate Hamilton Founding Editor

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 May...

Every day

Osprey Experience at Llyn Brenig

There is a live feed to the osprey nest in the Llyn Brenig visitor centre and a café which is open daily. You can also see the ospreys from a safe distance from now until the end of August at the North Wales Wildlife Trust’s Osprey lookout – just follow the signs

Tuesday 2nd Rock Of Ages

Join the West End and Broadway smash-hit musical Rock Of Ages on their Farewell tour. After many long months rockin’ out across the UK it’s finally time for the guitars, the wigs, the bourbon, the eyeliner and the Fogmaster 5000 to get packed away and sent back to the 80’s. At Venue Cymru tonight

Friday 5th

Weaving with Trevor Blackburn

Trevor has some of his lovely hand woven items on display at Afonwen today and available to purchase, made from various yarns, to include wool, camel, alpaca and more. Trevor is happy to stop weaving and chat about this lovely craft.

Friday 12th

Cliffs, seabirds and coastal wildflower walk

Meet at the North Wales Wildlife Trust shop at Breakwater Country Park for a panad before heading off for a walk around the park and beyond. Booking essential. 11:00am - 2:30pm

Sunday 14th

Danielle McIntyre Art

Danielle is a self-taught free-motion embroidery artist, who is inspired by cityscapes and landscapes, and uses free motion embroidery to draw with her sewing machine. You can see her at work at Afonwen today

15th – 20th

Annie

The smash-hit production of ANNIE comes to Venue Cymru in Llandudno for one week only direct from London’s West End. This ‘glorious revival’ (The Times) stars Jodie Prenger as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan!

Friday 19th

Into the Melting Pot

This half concert/half play tells the story of a Jewish woman caught up in the conflict of 1492 and channels the stories of others. It will perform at St Mary’s Church in Conwy on Friday 19th May at 7.30pm

Saturday 20th

Colwyn Bay Artisan Market

Visit Colwyn Bay today where you will find two large streets lined with top quality artisan stalls, hot street food, live music, pop-up bar, street entertainment and plenty of fun for the kids

Sunday 21st

Johannes Radebe

FREEDOM UNLEASHED sees the ‘Irresistible’ Johannes joined by a diverse, world-class cast of talented dancers and singers in this melting pot of South African rhythms and huge party anthems – with a touch of ballroom magic thrown in to make this a pulsating and jubilant celebration of culture, passion, and freedom. At Venue Cymru tonight

Monday 22nd

Mike and The Mechanics, Refueled!

Mike + The Mechanics are Genesis founding member Mike Rutherford (Guitar) – one of the UK’s most prolific R&B singer, Andrew RoachfordLead and backing vocals – (whose previous hits include Cuddly Tour and Family Man) and Canadian-born singer, Tim Howar - lead and backing vocals – who formed and toured with his band Vantramp, with the likes of Rod Stewart and Paolo Nutini. They are performing at Venue Cymru this evening

Tuesday 23rd Crafty Sisters

The ladies make their jewellery in various materials, with Resin being one, which they then decorate in bright colours and embellishment. They are at Afonwen today

Wednesday 24th

Discover Wildflowers at Cors Goch

A gentle walk around the North Wales Wildlife Trust’s Cors Goch Nature Reserve where you will find heathland, wetland and grassland flowers, including orchids, on this massively varied reserve

Friday 26th

Two Waterfalls Wildlife Walk

Experience the beauty of May at this lovely National Nature Reserve, walking to the main Aber Falls and then the quieter falls across the valley with the North Wales Wildlife Trust

Saturday 27th

Carrie Hope Fletcher – An Open Book

Actress, author, vlogger and award-winning West End sensation Carrie Hope Fletcher is heading to Llandudno’s Venue Cymru this evening. Performing songs from her incredible career expect fan favourites including hits from Heathers, Les Miserables, The Addams Family and many more interspersed with chat about Carrie’s fascinating life and career

27th & 28th

Marie at Earth Deva

Marie makes all of her quirky items from her original designs, as well as some amazing artwork. You can see her at Afonwen this weekend

29th – June 3rd

The Commitments

Five years after a record-breaking run in London’s West End and a subsequent sell-out tour, The Commitments is coming to Venue Cymru! Based on the BAFTA award-winning film classic, join us for a five-star fantastically feel-good celebration of soul that will have you up on your feet dancing!

Friday 26th

Meet and Beat the Beast

Rainbow Valley Productions are delighted to present to you a unique and never before seen evening of fun, challenging interaction at the theatre with the most iconic quizzing personality on the planet, ITVs very own Chaser, ‘The Beast’ Mark Labbett. Delivered to you on stage at Venue Cymru by the legendary entertainer and BBC broadcaster Owen Money MBE

Sunday 28th

The Great Strait Raft Run

Held annually on the majestic waters of the Menai Strait, the Great Strait Raft Run is a raft run like no other! The spectacular backdrop of Snowdonia’s mountains and the Isle of Anglesey’s natural beauty contribute to the uniqueness of this fun and challenging day of rafting and raising money for good causes

Wednesday 31st

Liz at Magpie Fairy Crafts

Liz makes many different items using Metal Tape, to include art kits, notebooks, collage pictures plus much more. This will be Liz’s first visit to Afonwen, with this very interesting craft n

BIG the picture

Harlech Castle cost just over £8,000 to build back in 1295. The impressive castle boasts two rings of walls and towers, with an incredibly strong east gatehouse making it impenetrable from every direction. In addition, a 200-foot stairway joined the castle to the cliff base, meaning that supplies were easy to access. When Harlech Castle was first built, a channel would have connected the castle and the sea, meaning that a boat could sail up to the moat. Over 700 years later, the sea has receded and the castle appears almost stranded – but a modern ‘floating’ bridge makes access to the castle, and its phenomenal views, easily accessible...

POTS, PLANTS & FOOD FESTIVAL ‘23 at Bodrhyddan Hall

17-18th June 2023 ceramicwales.com

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Andrew Niblett

James Hake

Sharon Lea

Christy Keeny

Bodrhyddan Hall and Gardens

Hazel Holloway roams the Island and finds a unique piece of history hidden away and the most beautiful beach with views of Snowdonia.

The magical Isle of Anglesey

Anglesey is located off the North West coast of Wales, a land of unequalled beauty with untouched forests, idyllic beaches, castles and over 120 historical monuments – all accessed by the 19th Century Menai Suspension Bridge and the Britannia Bridge, rebuilt in the 20th Century.

There is so much to do on the island without hardly spending a penny. A path goes right around Anglesey, spanning 140 miles/225km, with 12 sections along the way to join. Take a couple of hours or even a couple of days. Not only does it take in the spectacular coastlines, but the path also passes through farmland, coastal heath, dunes and small pockets of woodlands.

There are too many beaches to choose from Benllech, Lligwy, Trearddur and Red Wharf Bay, to name a few. I parked at Pen

Cob Park on the edge of the Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest, set off with my picnic on my back, camera around my neck, and headed for Newborough Beach, also known as Llanddwyn Beach. Other car parks are dotted along the way, and the central car park is accessed via a toll road (£5), which lets you park as close to the beach as possible. I fancied a good walk which took around an hour and was graded ‘easy’.

Newborough Forest (Welsh: Coed Niwbwrch) is spectacular. It was a warm day, and the sky above me was blue but hard to see at times, owing to the towering trees. A labyrinth of trunks and vines around me and rustling leaves underfoot. The smell of Corsican pine and sweet rotting wood engulfed the air, plus the gentle winds sent scents from the sea. It was April when

I was there, but I’m told the forest is filled with the charming song of skylarks in summer. I kept my eye open for the red squirrels now inhabiting the forest. I also looked out for red damselflies and the hairy dragonfly, but I was glad I didn’t see the latter; they sound like something out of a horror film. As I left the forest canopy and walked along the path through the dunes towards the beach, I was in awe of the sight in front of me. The forest meets the sea with a spectacular view of Snowdonia and the Llyn peninsula to the left and Llanddwyn Island and the lighthouse to the right. I sat down, laid out my picnic, poured myself a cup of tea and gazed at the view for eternity until my alarm went off, reminding me it would take an hour to walk back.

If you drive directly to the beach with the kids, pick up a family activities pack from the dispenser in the car park, then follow the way markers and search for the information panels to answer the nature questions.

Later the same day, I found myself traipsing through three fields close to the cemetery in Amlwch, passing stomping, bleating

Anglesey Facts

J Anglesey is the largest Welsh Island at 276 square miles and the fifth largest in Britain.

J Anglesey was called Mona by the Romans – and it keeps that name today in Welsh as “Ynys Mon” or “Mona Island.”

J Prince George spent his first months at his parent’s cottage on the grounds of Bodorgan Hall in Anglesey, before they relocated to Kensington Palace in 2014.

J Well-known landscape painter Sir Kyffin Williams, and Dawn French were both born on Anglesey.

J And did you know Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead once lived on Anglesey? And Aled Jones – talk about opposites attract.

sheep protecting their young in search of a house abandoned just before WWII. Locally it’s known as the blue house because most of the internal walls are, you guessed it, blue. Rumour has it that it was owned by three brothers who were all conscientious objectors, and one day they just upped and left the house in all its glory, a pot of tea on the stove, boots by the fire and false teeth on the side. It was an eerie experience but a photographer’s dream and a great place to explore if you love abandoned buildings. The village of Amlwch is worth a visit too.

So, if you fancy leaving your busy life at home for a day or two, venture to this enchanting isle and immerse yourself in nature. Walk in a healing forest or sit and relax on one of the many beaches. If that’s different from your thing, drive to one of the copious villages with their brightly painted houses, independent cafés and shops selling local wares. Visit a castle or even the prison at Beaumaris. Plus, a farmer’s market is held every third Saturday of each month at Prince’s Pier, Menai Bridge but check local listings for details. You will find a vast range of mouth-watering produce on sale, including cheeses, homemade chutneys and delicious cakes… n

THERE ARE TOO MANY BEACHES TO CHOOSE FROM BENLLECH, LLIGWY, TREARDDUR AND RED WHARF BAY, TO NAME A FEW

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Pier to Pier

In the first of a two-part series, Dene Bebbington uncovers the fascinating history of two of the oldest piers in North Wales…

Do you remember childhood visits to the seaside where you could enjoy simple pleasures like making sandcastles on the beach and paddling in the sea? If you went to the right town then you could also safely have fun above the waves on a pleasure pier, one of the great inventions of our Victorian ancestors.

Coastal towns were often served by jetties at which boats could dock before the advent of railways in 1830 which led to more affordable overland travel. Initially it was the well off who were able to travel and stay at the seaside. They were attracted by the idea of sea air being beneficial for health, and by walking on a jetty they could breathe the freshest of air while doing a spot of people watching.

Their new tradition of promenading on jetties didn’t go unnoticed by astute businessmen. They realised an opportunity to make money from pleasure piers offering more than just a landing stage for paddle-steamers and a deck for people to walk over the waves. Thanks to them, Britain’s first pleasure pier opened over two centuries ago at Ryde on the Isle of Wight in 1814.

Wales got its first pier at Beaumaris, Anglesey, in 1846. This short structure of just 300ft later suffered storm damage and had to be rebuilt in 1872. Then in 1895 it was extended, a pavilion opened at the pier head and a railway baggage line added. It is unusual in design, having the shoreward section made from stone with only a stubby skeletal structure that’s supported by piles driven into the seabed. Pleasure steamers were a common sight at the pier in the years before the Second World War, especially in the summer months.

As many pier owners discovered to their cost, the sea is a harsh and unforgiving place to build on. Unfortunately, the cost of maintenance and repairs was a burden that not all pier owners could keep up with. Steamer traffic dwindled at Beaumaris Pier, leaving it in poor condition and likely to be demolished by the 1960s. Only a donation from a local yachtswoman saved it. Ownership passed to the town council who, using this donation, repaired the pier.

Nowadays a walk on the pier remains worthwhile for the fantastic view over to Eryri which can be enjoyed from

Coastal towns were often served by jetties at which boats could dock before the advent of railways in 1830 which led to more affordable overland travel

Beaumaris Pier on the island of Anglesey is the oldest in North Wales (Credit: Stuart Madden, CC BY 2.0)

The buildings at Llandudno’s pier head still have a Victorian grandeur (Credit: Tanya Dedyukhina, CC BY 3.0)

Buildings and railings on Llandudno Pier sport a nautical blue and white paint scheme (Credit: Tom Parnell, CC BY-SA 4.0)

A paddle-steamer approaches Llandudno Pier sometime in the 1890s (Credit: SLibrary of Congress, public domain)

seating at the pier head, or inside the shelter in poor weather. The steamers are long gone but you can take to the water on a boat trip from the landing stage over to Puffin Island. Those without good sea legs can instead take part in activities such as crabbing and fishing.

While Beaumaris Pier always had few amenities, Wales’ second pier at Llandudno – which opened in 1877 – has more to offer visitors and is the country’s longest spanning nearly half a mile. It’s unique in being “Y” shaped at the landward end giving it two entrances. Even though it wasn’t fully completed when opened, people were keen to experience this new pier. A newspaper report of the time states that “a throng of visitors flocked upon it, and it presented quite a lively appearance.” For many years an admission fee was charged which included music played at the pier head bandstand – a common feature of piers in the 19th Century.

It’s not surprising that storms are a perennial danger to spindly looking piers. Only a year after opening one inflicted light damage on Llandudno’s landing stage. Other risks for piers are corrosion of the iron piles, collisions from ships and fires. Also, some piers were sectioned in the Second World War so they couldn’t be used by the Germans in an invasion.

Llandudno Pier escaped that fate and was used for Home Guard training.

An ornamental pavilion at the pier head was added in 1905. Still standing, it’s flanked by two smaller buildings, and along the length of the pier are patterned railings and several kiosks. The colour scheme is an appealing nautical two-tone of blue and white. As ever, the best thing about the pier is the chance to stroll safely over the sea to take in the superb views of Llandudno seafront and the Great Orme. Kids wanting more stimulation have plenty of fun playing the colourful arcade amusements, some of them using technology that the first pier goers couldn’t have imagined.

Beaumaris Pier isn’t the prettiest, and its utilitarian appearance means that it’s unlikely to garner any design accolades, unlike Llandudno’s which won the Pier of the Year in 2005 – an award which cemented the everlasting appeal of this iconic pier and its importance to the town. n

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

While Beaumaris Pier always had few amenities, Wales’ second pier at Llandudno –which opened in 1877 – has more to offer visitors and is the country’s longest spanning nearly half a mile

Llandudno Pier looks stunning at sunrise (Credit: Patrick Metzdorf,

The kiosk at the entrance to Beaumaris Pier with remains of the old baggage line to the right (Gerald England, CC BY-SA 2.0)

The pier at Beaumaris is the shortest in North Wales (Credit: John Lord, CC BY 2.0)

Go wild in the country…

or your garden or local green space!

Take the 30 Days Wild challenge – can you do one wild thing every day in June?

It’s that wild time of year again when nature puts on the most amazing display of colour and wild activity. The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and we’re all looking forward to a summer outdoors!

It’s been scientifically proven that being in nature can help you feel more joyful and positive, and North Wales Wildlife Trust has all the inspiration you need for loads of ways to explore and experience our wonderful natural surroundings!

Once again, the wildlife charity would like to encourage you to take part in 30 Days Wild – the UK’s biggest annual nature challenge organised by The Wildlife Trusts – and do one ‘wild’ thing every day throughout the month of June. Last year over half a million people took part. That’s a whole lot of happy people and a whole lot of actions to benefit nature!

Your daily wild activities can be anything you like – you might be having breakfast with the birds on Monday, feeling the grass between your toes on Tuesday, and watching wildlife webcams on Wednesday. With five themed weeks, you’ll go on a wild adventure to indulge your senses, get out in the wild, discover new things, and connect and help nature in all kinds of fascinating ways.

You can sign up for a free pack, or take part online with the digital calendar, there’s absolutely no rules so you can take part in a way that suits you. If you already love nature and spend a lot of time outside, 30 Days Wild is a great time to share your passion with friends and family, so why not take part as a group? For many people, it’s a perfect starting point on their journey to wild wellbeing. n

Sign up for the 30 Days Wild challenge?

Everyone who signs up will receive a free pack to provide lots of inspiration along the way, and there are specially designed packs for schools, care homes and businesses too!

www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk

/30DaysWild_NWM

Evie and Tom Photography

Matthew Roberts

NWWT

Lin Cummins

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A Love Affair with Peonies

Graffeg publish an impassioned celebration of the peony by Chelsea gold medal winner Alec White…

Graffeg are delighted to publish A Love Affair with Peonies, the first book by RHS Chelsea Gold Medal winning peony grower Alec White.

Alec is the owner of specialist peony nursery Primrose Hall Peonies, based in Westoning, Bedfordshire. With the largest selection of rare and collectable peonies for sale in the UK, the nursery regularly exhibits at shows such as RHS Cardiff, RHS Malvern, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, RHS Chatsworth, RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival, RHS Tatton and BBC Gardeners’ World.

Driven by a passion for horticulture from a young age, Alec shares his extensive expertise and personal experience in this illustrated celebration of the peony. Written from his perspective as a professional peony grower and enthusiast, the book is accessible to both gardeners and non-gardeners and is more than just another gardening title – it conveys the inspiring story of how Alec pursued his passion to achieve the first RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medal for peonies in eight years.

Varied chapters introduce each of the qualities that make this remarkable flower stand out: their many varieties,

scents and colours, how to care for and cultivate your plants, the historical and cultural significance of the peony and the hard work and commitment needed to exhibit at the UK’s leading flower shows. Each is superbly illustrated, with the photography showcasing the range of changing shades of peony blooms to their cultivation on the nursery and art works featuring or inspired by peonies.

A Love Affair with Peonies is a book to be returned to again and again, whether to appreciate the excellent quality of the images and illustrations, for entertaining insight or for expert practical advice. This is Alec’s story of a dedicated career combined with all of the essential information needed to appreciate peonies to the full and keep them thriving in your own garden.

IT WAS SPAIN. 1492. BUT IT COULDN’T HAPPEN HERE, OR NOW – COULD IT?

BAFTA-nominated Nicholas Renton directs Into the Melting Pot which stars leading actor of stage and screen Suzanne Ahmet and critically acclaimed music and theatre company The Telling. The half concert/half play tells the story of a Jewish woman caught up in the conflict of 1492 and channels the stories of others. It will tour England and Wales from 17th to 24th May, stopping at St Mary’s Church in Conwy on Friday 19th May at 7.30pm – 9.15pm.

Into the Melting Pot is written by The Telling’s artistic director, playwright and soprano, Clare Norburn.

“Into the Melting Pot may be set in the past, but it’s extraordinarily relevant to contemporary issues right now,” she explains. “Somehow by looking through the camera of the past, I hope we might be able to see the present more clearly. The story of a Jewish woman forced to leave her home in 1492 is startlingly contemporary; it is has echoes in issues people face right now: the rise of Anti-Semitism, how members of the Windrush generation have been treated and refugees fleeing Ukraine and Afghanistan. My character Blanca cries: ‘This is

our home! My family, my roots in Seville go back hundreds of years. Just where do they think they are sending us back to?’”

Into the Melting Pot follows Blanca, a Jewish woman facing expulsion from Spain and setting sail for an uncertain future as ordered by the Spanish Catholic Monarchs in 1492. At twilight on her final night in Seville, Blanca tunes into voices of a community of Jewish, Christian and Muslim women from across the Spanish peninsula. Her story echoes down the ages to the personal stories of people affected by politics and war today. Down the centuries, women’s stories of integration, love, the rich cultural heritage of the Spanish peninsula and racial intolerance are played out to a soundtrack of plaintive Sephardic Jewish songs and lively medieval music, with full staging and stunning lighting. n

Imaginative company The Telling perform Into the Melting Pot in Conwy on 19th May – a play by Clare Norburn with lively medieval and Jewish music directed by BAFTA-nominated Nicholas Renton, about Jewish, Christian & Muslim women in Spain in 1492…

The Telling are bringing the concert/play to St Mary’s Church in Conwy on Friday 19th May at 7.30pm. Tickets are bookable on a donation basis online at www. thetelling.co.uk/events/itmp-conwy, or on the door.

CREATIVE Caernarfon

Cei Llechi in Caernarfon is a hub of creative activity, and the best part is that you can take a little bit of that creative flair home with you…

Nestled in the historic harbour, Cei Llechi is the beating heart of Caernarfon’s creative quarter thanks to a recent redevelopment aimed at encouraging local artisans.

Historically, Cei Llechi (Slate Quay) was an important industrial and shipping hub for Caernarfon and the surrounding area. But, following decades of decline and neglect, the buildings had deteriorated and lain empty for many years. Today, what were shells of buildings have been transformed into 19 workspaces for local artisans and craft manufacturers.

The units/workshops are suitable to makers of all kinds – the only essential factor is that everything sold in the units are made on the site – from raw material to the finished product. We met some of Cei Llechi’s residents, and discovered what it is that makes them tick…

Beth Horrocks

From her studio in Caernarfon, North Wales graphic artist Beth Horrocks uses her skill in drawing and graphic arts to realise the majesty of the North Wales coastline. Her unique style is fresh and contemporary and beautifully captures some of the places we love most in the world.

Beth’s journey into running her own studio and gallery is a slightly unusual one. An established graphic designer, she was until a few years ago happily forging her career by designing logos and other marketing materials for a range of different businesses. But a chance opportunity –¬ taking part in a workshop with her young children at Galeri in Caernarfon

¬– helped Beth to reconnect with her creativity, and reminded her how much she loved the freedom of her own imagination.

It was around this time that Beth spotted a poster calling for submissions to an open art exhibition. Enthused by how much she had enjoyed the workshop with her children, Beth entered and was delighted to find out her work had been accepted.

But that was just the beginning. Beth went on to win first prize at the exhibition, and soon afterwards her career took a completely new direction. In 2022, Beth opened Oriel Beth Horrocks Gallery at Cei Lechi in the heart of Caernarfon’s creative quarter. The location alone makes it well worth a visit – the gallery is open plan with scenic views of the nearby harbour and the mighty Caernarfon Castle. If you make time for a visit (and we really recommend you do), you might even get a masterclass in how Beth goes about creating her work.

Having previously worked exclusively from the privacy of her home studio, the artist – who grew up on Ynys Môn (Anglesey), now works from the gallery in Cei Lechi full-time, where she is able to create, showcase and frame her works all in one picturesque location.

Photo by Jethro Kiernan

A.G. Shoots Photography

A.G Shoots Photography is a professional photography studio which was established in 2015 and has been based in Unit 13 at Cei Llechi since October 2022. Agata specialises in capturing beautiful moments for families and babies. With a focus on creativity her studio provides a unique experience for clients looking to document important milestones in their lives. Agata’s beautiful studio is filled with the highest quality equipment and props that allow her to provide the highest possible standard of the service. She provides comfortable and welcoming environment for families, babies and individuals allowing

them to relax and be themselves during the photography session. Agata’s attention to detail and ability to capture the essence of her clients’ personalities is what makes her stand out. As a professional photographer she understands the importance of capturing precious moments that will last a lifetime. Agata takes the time to get to know her clients and understands their vision for the photoshoot. This allows her to tailor the approach to their specific needs and create images that truly capture their personality and style.

Siop Pen Gwyn

Walk into Siop Pen Gwyn at Cei Llechi and you will instantly be transported back to your childhood! Shelves stocked high with traditional sweetie jars, the deliciously sweet smell of sugar bubbling away in the fudge kitchen, the checker board floor and candy coloured shop complete with nostalgic chopper bicycle, it’s a real feast for the eyes let alone the taste buds! This sweet haven is the creation of Nicola Lloyd and her small team, an idea borne back in 2021 after a chance visit to the new Cei Llechi development. On seeing the renovated

The Forge

After many years working for a heritage steam railway

Chris decided to take a different path that would allow him to further explore his passion for heritage skills and crafts. He completed his degree in Artist Blacksmithing at Hereford College of Arts in 2021 where his main influence was the slate landscape of North Wales. In May 2022 he and his wife, Bethan, grabbed the opportunity to open the old forge at Cei Llechi which had once been home to Brunswick Ironworks and breathe new life into the old fires. The forge is open to the public giving people a rare opportunity to glimpse into the daily activities of a contemporary blacksmith. Chris is always willing to share the history of the forge and answer any questions about what he’s making and takes great delight in people sharing their own stories of relatives who once worked here many years ago. Likewise seeing the forge reopened and still inhabited by a blacksmith brings joy to those who can still remember the sounds of busy forge.

Brunswick Iron Reception Building looking for a new tenant, the long-held desire to open a traditional sweet shop and fudgery was ignited! Nicola’s favourite part of the job is gathering new ideas and flavour combinations to produce a huge variety of delicious flavoured fudges, with at least 12 yummy flavours being available on the shop counter on any given day. “It never fails to make my day when I hear someone trying the fudge at the counter saying wow, that really tastes like Bakewell Tart, Bara Brith or whatever special flavour I have been working on,” says Nicola. “That’s when I know I’ve got it right!”

Cwt Celf

Cwt Celf sits on the banks of the river Seiont estuary and enjoys outstanding views from every angle, the Highland Steam Railway to the left, the Castle to the right, and the Cwt tucked in the middle waiting to see you. However you word it, Cei Llechi is arguably the most beautiful spot in Caernarfon, absorbing the striking heritage from every side. Once housing an old engineering workshop, the Cwt is now a bright, airy and inspiring space, offering an eclectic range of art, craft and homewares.

It is the special location which brought Cwt Celf to Caernarfon. If you have visited Beddgelert you may have met the Cwt’s big sister shop Beddgelert Woodcraft, which has been successfully trading in the small Snowdonian village for

over 40 years. Jane and Nicola, the mother and daughter team who run these shops, have travelled far and wide to bring fairly traded artisan works from around the world and share them with the locals and visitors to the area.

Being an artist herself, Jane has always kept a keen hand in the design stage and travelled the world to oversee production, and she is now excited to have a space to showcase her own work. Within the Cwt you will find unique, individual pieces, including mixed media collages and abstract paintings hanging on the walls and the in house ranges of textiles, greetings cards and jewellery being made at the work station.

Red Boat

With four Red Boat Ice Cream Parlours throughout Anglesey and North Wales, owners Tony and Lyn know a thing or two about the finest ice creams and sorbets. Initially only one in the beautiful resort town of Beaumaris on Anglesey, the popularity and demand led to the opening of many more sites.

Voted one of the 17 coolest places to get an ice cream in the whole of the UK, Red Boat Ice Cream Parlours can also be found in Menai Bridge, Plas Newydd (National Trust, Anglesey), Prestatyn, Caernarfon and Llangefni. The parlours have a range of both beautifully modern and heritage interiors and are a great place to meet and enjoy a delicious ice cream, a sandwich, soup or coffee.

Red Boat know the art of ice cream making and, if you would like to get involved you’ll be pleased to hear that they are currently hiring! Tony and Lyn need a fun, reliable person with a passion for good quality ice cream. If that’s you and you would like to be a part of the Cei Llechi Red Boat team get in touch!

Siop Eifion

Siop Eifion has been run by Dilys Griffiths in Caernarfon town centre for over ten years, and 18 months ago Dilys decided to relocate her small, vibrant business to the picturesque new Cei Llechi waterfront development and become part of the exciting mix of new creative businesses there.

Dilys’ real passion is to transform pre-loved furniture and give it a new lease of life for others to appreciate and enjoy. Customers can see her perform this transformation on the premises using hand tools, chalk paints and her natural creativity on a daily basis, with each completed project eventually being snapped up by a lucky customer in the shop. Other items sold in Siop Eifion are sourced locally, including handmade jewellery, artwork and Welsh greetings cards. The homeware and gift section contains lots of unusual and unique items to make your home really stand out from the rest.

If you want to see Dilys or talk to her about her latest project then call in to Siop Eifion at unit 2 Cei Llechi, directly opposite the La Marina Cei restaurant.

Oriel y Castell, Andy Teasdale

Andy is a passionate landscape photographer based in Cei Llechi. As an expert mountain guide and talented photographer, Andy spends a lot of time in and around the mountains of Eryri and North Wales. Walking and climbing are very complimentary activities to photography and Andy blends them to create pleasing photographic opportunities or ideas for a future outing. Nature and landscapes are his greatest photography passions and go hand in hand with his business.

Capturing stunning imagery from in and around Eryri in his own unique style, Andy reaches places and views only the experienced mountain explorer would find! Throughout the year in all weather, snow or shine, Andy brilliantly photographs North Wales’ majestic mountain range at its best.

Back in the Summer of 2021, Andy opened his modest

Seat Of Your Pants

Over 20 years ago Frances Lewis opened a market shop in Caernarfon, and using her seamstress skills to fix and alter clothes, make curtains and various other soft furnishings for the home, she built the foundations for Seat of Your Pants.

Many years later, a chance encounter with a customer who told her about chair made from denim she had seen in a London shop, inspired Frances to get creative and cover an unloved sofa sitting in the corner of her shop using old denim jeans.

The end was result was so successful that Seat of Your Pants was born. Frances went on to make bags, cushions, guitar cases, artist brush holders, draught excluders, lamp shades and pretty much anything else that can be made out of material.

Becws Melys Café

The people behind the popular Melys Cheesecakes have opened a new café in Cei Llechi called Becws Melys (Sweet Bakery).

Becws Melys will be serving their famous hearty portions of cheesecake and other sweet bakes, as well as hot savoury food such as Philly cheese steak bagels, and Katsu chicken salads to eat in or take away.

Becws Melys is run by Bethan and Peris from Caernarfon. Business boomed for the couple during lockdown, where

gallery at Cei Llechi overlooking the harbour, where (if he’s not in the mountains looking for inspiration) you’ll find him selling his photographs in both colour and classic black and white.

Photography is only part of the process for Andy. With a keen eye for detail, a stickler for quality control, Andy does all his own printing, mounting and framing to the highest of standards. He’s a real perfectionist, in fact, if he wouldn’t hang it on his own wall at home, you won’t see it in his gallery!

Over the last year Andy has now begun sourcing all his own real air and kiln dried wood that he uses to make his frames from. Using a selection of locally felled Ash, Oak or Sycamore, Andy skilfully makes the frames at home before taking them to the gallery at Cei Llechi. This is all in keeping with Andy’s love of nature and desire to keep a low carbon footprint and produce an authentic and unique product.

Frances was thrilled when her application for a unit in Cei Llechi was accepted as it would give her the space she needed to really push the business forwards. Fast forward a few months and her products are in such demand that she struggles to get enough material to keep production going, so much so that she now has to buy second hand jeans from charity shops as donations from friends, family and the general public just can’t keep up with the speed of her sales.

Every now and again Frances can still be found altering and making curtains, but that’s usually just because she’s run out of denim! So if you have any old jeans that would be perfect for recycling then please call by Seat of Your Pants and donate them to Frances. Come back again a few weeks later and you may even find they have been turned into another of Frances’ fantastic creations for you to buy back!

they created themed afternoon teas and treat boxes.

“Peris has always wanted to open his own café or restaurant having worked as a chef for over ten years,” explains Bethan. “When the units at Cei Llechi became available, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to open up a café in a new exciting part of town. We have many plans for the café including lots of new bakes, new afternoon teas, Sunday lunch and exciting pop-up evenings! Things have been going really well, so we have decided to expand the business into the neighbouring unit which more than doubles the size of our cafe.”

All of the above artisans can be found at Cei Llechi in Caernarfon, LL55 2PB. For more information please visit www.ceillechi.cymru

Keeping watch

The tall and proud lighthouses that frame the coast of Great Britain are familiar landmarks, a warning system for those approaching the dangers of unsafe water. Mixed in with the lighthouses on the coast of North Wales were another essential tool our ancestors relied upon. Liverpool’s docks, operated by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, formed one of the busiest ports in the world and the efficiency of its operation was crucial to its success. The docks depended on physical sightings and messages passed along the coast. Once alerted to the imminent arrival of a ship, its owner’s agents could arrange the manpower needed to offload and transport cargo.

Little remains of the semaphore stations – where men looked out for ships and then signalled the neighbouring station, first using flags and then later a system similar to that used on railways. The introduction of telegraphic technology brought a simpler and more efficient method of conveying the messages. Often the telegraph stations were neighbours to the lighthouses operated by either the Board or Trinity House. The chain of stations began at Holyhead and

stretched along the coast and across the border to Bidston and, ultimately, Liverpool.

Through census returns and other documents it is possible to learn about the families who lived and worked in the Board’s stations before the First World War, and to discover how they connect to other stations either by marriage or birth.

South Stack’s lighthouse and telegraph station was home to James Stanford who was born in Amlwch in 1890. Although he lived there alone, he undoubtedly benefited from the company of his neighbour, lighthouse keeper James Dodd, who lived with his wife and seven children. Annie Dodd was familiar with the role of a keeper – her father, Thomas Eccles, worked at Hoylake and was also employed by the Board. James Stanford would eventually move to Point Lynas lighthouse with his wife, Edith.

When Henry Knott married Ellen Hall in 1877, the marriage register recorded that he was a lighthouse keeper in Holyhead – and that both his father and father-in-law were

Helen Baggott remembers the men who ran the semaphore stations along the coast from Holyhead to the Mersey…

also keepers. Henry was born in Kent and after working as a carpenter in Devon, moved to North Wales. Over a career that spanned 35 years, he worked at several lighthouses, including twice at Skerries and a short spell at South Stack. Those 35 years contributed to the longest continuous service for a family of lighthouse keepers, beginning in 1730 with William Knott through to Henry’s retirement in 1908.

Maurice Beynon was born in 1853 and worked at the Point Lynas station for almost 30 years, for some of that time he worked with William Slade and Robert Eccles. William’s father-in-law was a messenger in the Liverpool docks.

Like some of the other stations, Llandudno’s moved location – the first made way for the Telegraph Hotel. At the newer location at Great Orme, John Thomas from Liverpool worked as lighthouse keeper, living there with his wife, Eleanor, and their son. In his own accommodation, James Askew (also from Liverpool) was the lighthouse and marine telegraph keeper and had previously worked at Bidston, where his future father-in-law, James Adams, had been keeper.

Lewis Jones was born in Llaneilian in 1859 and was working at Point Lynas when he married in 1879. By 1891 he had

moved to Hilbre where he worked with John Stanford –brother of James who was at South Stack. When John married Jane Owen in 1920, he was the keeper at Holyhead.

Alfred Morgan was a lighthouse keeper at Bidston when he married Margaret Allanson in 1885. By 1901, Margaret had died and he had moved to Llandudno. Later, he married his second wife, Jane, and returned to Bidston as assistant lighthouse keeper. Alfred’s father, Joseph, had been a mariner, but later worked as a keeper in Great Meols.

The Stanford family appear in the records for several locations along the coast of Wales, and they’re also found at Bidston where James and John’s father Charles was keeper. He was born in Sussex in 1853 but had moved to Liverpool by the time he married at the age of 22. After his first wife’s death he married again and by 1891 had become a keeper at Point Lynas. Eventually the family moved to Bidston and their neighbour was another son, Charles junior, who –unsurprisingly – was also a keeper and lived there with his wife and children. The Stanfords’ neighbour was astronomer William Plummer. Also employed by the Board, William appears in records at the observatory from before 1901 through to his death in 1928.

This brief look at the stations and the families who called them home is only part of the story. As well as being paid by the Board, they had a home and, eventually, a pension. But they didn’t avoid the hardships that were an accepted part of the times. Infant mortality affected at least seven of the families mentioned and several of the men were widowed at too young an age. We might be drawn to the stunning locations, the views that became familiar to the families, but the harsh environment wouldn’t suit everyone. Those who made it their life’s work did so with the support of their families who formed a network equally as strong as the stations in which they lived. n

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

Life and SOUL

Returning to live theatre for the first time in nearly 20 years, Nigel Pivaro admits: “There’s a slight hint of apprehension.” But the Coronation Street legend is thrilled to be starring in the UK and Ireland tour of Roddy Doyle’s The Commitments, enthusing: “What’s not to love about it? It’s such an iconic show and I’ve always loved the story and the music. It means I get to spend nine months going up and down the country, and I’ll get to stretch my acting muscles again on stage,” he laughs. “In a way, it’s heralding the fact that I’m back in the business.”

Having worked mainly as a journalist for the past 15 years, the man who came to fame as Terry Duckworth in the beloved soap hasn’t been on stage since 2003, when he toured with fellow former EastEnders star John Altman in Bouncers

Nigel’s journey back to the stage in The Commitments actually started in 2020. “When it came along it felt like a golden opportunity, but then of course it was postponed because of Covid, then last year it was postponed again. But here we are now at the starting point, tantalisingly close, and I’m really excited about it.”

In the show Pivaro plays Da, the father of aspiring Irish music manager Jimmy Rabitte. Based on Doyle’s 1987 bestselling novel and Alan Parker’s hugely popular 1991 film adaptation, it revolves around working-class Jimmy’s bid to transform a bunch of amateur musicians into Dublin’s finest-ever soul band, much to his father’s dismay.

“Da provides the dramatic tension,” Nigel says of his character. “There’s lots of friction between Jimmy and the members of the band, but the constant tension in the narrative is between him and his Da. The latter thinks his music is a load of rubbish because it’s not Elvis, basically. As far as he’s concerned, if it’s not Elvis then it’s no good.” Without giving spoilers, the actor adds: “Let’s say he eventually becomes open to persuasion.”

The show is packed with great tunes like Try A Little Tenderness, In The Midnight Hour, I Heard It Through The Grapevine and Mustang Sally. Much of the singing is left to the younger cast members. But Nigel, 62, says: “I get to sing a few bars of Elvis rather than the old Motown and Stax classics,” he laughs again. “That’s probably just as well really.” n

The smash hit West End musical The Commitments is playing at Venue Cymru from Monday 29th May until Saturday 3rd June. Tickets are available from www.venuecymru.co.uk

As The Commitments rides into Llandudno later this month we catch up with star Nigel Pivaro…

THE UK'S LEADING DRILLING CONTRACTORS, DRAGON DRILLING SPECIALISE IN WATER BOREHOLE INSTALLATIONS

Visit one of National Trust Cymru’s hidden treasures this spring…

While National Trust Cymru is well known for its dramatic castles and ornate houses, it also cares for some of our nation’s lesser known, but no less remarkable, properties.

Plas yn Rhiw, Llŷn Peninsula

Plas yn Rhiw is a beautiful 17th Century manor house that was rescued from neglect and lovingly restored by the three Keating sisters, who bought it in 1939. It has a picture-perfect organic cottage garden too, which is brimming with colour and buzzing with insect life from spring all the way through to late autumn. With an orchard, old-fashioned blooms, bluebells, spring blossoms and glorious sea views over Porth Neigwl, there’s an exciting discovery to be made around every corner.

Porth y Swnt, Llŷn Peninsula

Llŷn’s unique culture and heritage are brought to life through audio, video, sculpture and artwork at this exciting interpretation centre in the picturesque fishing village of Aberdaron. Pick up an audio tour and learn about the people, history, geology and wildlife of the Llŷn, discover the new archaeology exhibit, and be amazed by the size of the Ynys Enlli’s (Bardsey Island’s) retired lighthouse optic. There’s plenty to do to while away the hours, whatever the weather.

Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant, Eryri (Snowdonia)

Tucked away in the quiet Wybrnant Valley is a 16th Century farmhouse that holds great significance for the history and culture of Wales. It was the birthplace of Bishop William Morgan, a remarkable man, whose 10-year endeavour to

translate

This year, National Trust Cymru are working with partners to share the fascinating story of this place in new ways through an exciting programme of monthly open days, each with a different theme. Workshops are free to attend and run on the first Sunday of every month, 11am-4pm, until 1st October. The exhibition room, grounds and nearby walking trails are open for you to explore every day.

May half term

Discover what fun-filled activities are planned at Plas Newydd House and Garden, Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Bodnant Garden, Erddig, Chirk Castle and Powis Castle and Garden this May half term. Scan the QR code to find out more.

Discover

exciting days out near you here:

National Trust Images © John Millar

National Trust Images © Gerallt Llewelyn

National Trust Images © Annapurna Mellor

National Trust Images © Malcolm Davies

National Trust images © Arnhel de Serra

AN OPEN BOOK

Actress Carrie Hope Fletcher talks about new chapters ahead of her debut solo tour…

For Carrie Hope Fletcher, 2022 was destined to be one to remember – she was leading the cast in the title role of a West End show, was living with her long-term boyfriend, and was going to turn 30.

Little did she expect it to turn out to be quite such a landmark in her life. Or did she? As the musical theatre actress, vlogger and author says, 22 is her lucky number…

But it didn’t get off to the best start, with the show she was starring in, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella having a Covid-enforced eight-week stop, and the end of a four-year relationship. Carrie might have been forgiven for rethinking her lucky charm.

However, come the end of the year, and it was a different story: Carrie had happily turned 30, found a new, true love – and got engaged, impressed critics with her debut in a Bertolt Brecht play, did her first pantomime, and had announced her first solo concert tour An Open Book. In the past, Carrie has spoken ‘openly’ about her fear of concert performances, so what changed her mind this time?

“Nothing. I’m still petrified!” she admits. “You know what it is, I don’t feel like I’m very good at being myself. I love being an actress, hiding behind a character, which I find interesting and fun getting into the mindset of other people and telling stories, using their emotions.”

With a CV featuring roles as diverse as Eponine and Fantine in Les Misérables, Veronica Sawyer in Heathers, Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family and Truly Scrumptious in

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Carrie’s certainly gotten to grips with a range of characters over the years. “But on stage as myself, it feels a bit boring by comparison. I haven’t got the same to offer as Veronica, or Wednesday, or Fantine…

“In concert, if people don’t like what you’re saying and singing, it’s very much you. People can say I hated how you played Veronica Sawyer, and I can put her in the way and blame the character. But a concert, it’s very personal and everything you’re feeling is very much yourself; your feelings, your stories and your voice.

“That is terrifying. I’m a people pleaser. I like people to like me so it’s scary to put myself into that place where they potentially won’t.” Fans will get to hear Carrie sing numbers from some of her previous roles, as well as new songs in the concert – which will also see her sharing stories about her life.

“I’m getting around hating being myself by writing it like a show, creating a script and character for myself to feel more comfortable,” she explains. “It feels very much like I’m creating a little show for myself.

“Every time I’ve done a concert, I feel like it’s always been I Dreamed A Dream from Les Mis, or Pulled from The Addams Family – it’s always songs I’ve done in shows.

“This time, there will be songs I’ve never got to sing. Things from roles I’ve not had chance to play, roles I probably will never play – which is a dream to be able to do. But they will all have messages or be something that I want to say.” n

Carrie Hope Fletcher - An Open Book is coming to Venue Cymru in Llandudno on Saturday 27th May. Presented by Lambert Jackson, Live Nation and Cuffe and Taylor, you can secure tickets by heading to www.cuffeandtaylor.com

One of the great treats that come with brighter days and lighter nights is the ability to dine alfresco with friends and family. This spring has been an especially soggy and cold one and even as I write, the garden furniture remains under the protective covers, untouched since last September.

Food for thought

As such, I am relishing the prospect of having some pals over soon to chat through the night under the summer rays, beer bottles chilling by our feet in a bucket of ice, sat around a table groaning with food.

I’m also starting to tire of the rich, hearty, usually meaty fare that’s been the staple supper since the clocks went back in October. I will of course start craving it again next

BOURRIDE

(Serves 6-8)

Ingredients

For the Aïoli

4 cloves of garlic

4 very fresh egg yolks

240ml good virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon of white wine vinegar

Salt and pepper

Ingredients

For the Bourride

Extra virgin olive oil

450g onions, chopped

5 garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 leeks, chopped

450g sliced potatoes

1.35 kg white fish (hake, coley, monkfish or whatever you fancy), cut into slices

1 litre fish stock

500 ml dry white wine

Zest of 2 oranges

1 bouquet garni

250g king prawns

Large croutons, to serve

Pinch of paprika

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to season

Plenty of your home made aïoli, to serve

autumn but, for now, I want to cook and eat as though the Mediterranean is only a short walk away.

This dish is a great way to fill your nose and your kitchen with the scents and sensibilities of the south of France. Place a large dish of this on a table, gather your friends around it and uncork a couple of bottles of chilled rosé…

For the Aïoli

I know it says four cloves of garlic, but if you don’t want to go the Full French or have an important work meeting the next day, maybe use two. Pound the garlic in a mortar, add the egg yolk and white wine vinegar. It is important that they and the olive oil are at room temperature, otherwise you will have trouble getting the ingredients to blend properly. Season and whisk for a minute, then start adding the olive oil very slowly, whisking briskly all the time until it is fluffy and thick. Have an electric blender handy in case wrist-fatigue sets in.

For the Bourride

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and sweat off the onions, garlic and leeks, until the onions are soft. Add the potatoes, fish, stock, wine, orange zest and bouquet garni. Season, cover and simmer gently for about 20 minutes. Ten minutes in, add the king prawns too. As soon as the potatoes are soft, the fish will be ready.

Remove the fish, arrange on the croutons and sprinkle with a little paprika. Reduce the stock by half and blend in about half of the aïoli. Pour over the fish and serve, with the rest of the aïoli on the side. Then hope it doesn’t start raining. n

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

Dyserth

Ref: WP9909

• Built by a Local Reputable Developer

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• Sought After Location

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• EPC Rating–C77

Bodelwyddan

Ref: WR11356

• Grade II Listed, Stone Built Cottage

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• Dating back to the 1850’s

• Short Drive to Local Amenities

£335,000

• Triple Garage to the Rear

• Gardens to the Front & Side

• Ample Off-Road Parking

• EPC Rating – N/A

Ruthin

Ref: RN2422

• Fantastic Views to the Rear

• Close to All Local Amenities

• Available with No Onward Chain

• Gardens to the Front & Rear

Offers in Excess of £350,000

• Three Bedroom Dormer Bungalow

• Sought After Residential Area

• Garage & Off-Street Parking

• EPC Rating–F38

St. Asaph

Ref: WR11414

• Detached Bungalow in Lower St. Asaph

• Beautifully Presented Throughout

• Sought After Location

• Easy to Maintain Gardens

£325,000

• Open Plan Living / Dining

• Outdoor Kitchen & Bar

• Ample Off-Road Parking

• EPC Rating–D65

Denbigh

Ref: WE7435

• Character Property with Exposed Beams

• Ample Living Space Throughout

• Four / Five Bedroom Detached House

• Gardens to the Front & Rear

£575,000

• Situated in a Favoured Village

• Double Garage & Large Gardens

• Kitchen with Sunroom Off

• EPC Rating–F23

Mold Offers in the Region of £275,000

Ref: WM1373

• Three Bedroom Semi-Detached House

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• Available with No Onward Chain

• Walking Distance to Town Centre

• Ideal for Families & First Time Buyers

• Spacious Kitchen / Diner

• EPC Rating–C73

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

• Eiddo Masnachol a Phreswyl

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• Ewyllysiau, Ymddiriedolaethau a Phrofiant

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• 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

FAMILY MATTERS

I contributed to my child’s house deposit and they are getting divorced: what happens to my money now?

Getting onto the property market is as hard as it’s ever been, so it’s no surprise that parents are often keen to help their children secure their first home.

The most common way of doing this is by making a contribution towards the deposit – usually quite a substantial one.

But what happens if your child gets divorced? Can you ensure that your financial contribution remains with your child rather than being divided between the divorcing couple?

Caroline Yorke, a family law specialist at Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors, says action needs to be taken at the time of the property purchase to avoid any unwanted complications.

“On many occasions we are faced with a situation where a client says their parent provided money to purchase the marital home and we have to deliver the bad news that, unless something was done at the time to protect that sum of money for the parent, it may well be regarded as having been a gift,” she explains.

“As such, it will be absorbed into the marital assets and could be awarded in whole or in part to the other spouse. The basic position is that, within divorce proceedings, the court must take all the marital assets into account and divide them so as to produce a fair result for the couple, taking account of various factors such as the existence of children, each spouse’s financial needs and resources, their age, health and so on.

“Crucially, the law does not require the court to consider fairness to the parents who might have provided part of those assets. So if you are considering helping out your married

child financially it is very sensible to take legal advice to ensure your circumstances are protected as far as possible. You could consider adding your name to the title deeds to reflect the funds you contributed, or if the money is regarded as a loan, should a formal loan agreement be drawn up setting out the repayment terms and interest?

“Perhaps your child and their spouse could agree to enter into a pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement to try to ensure that your child retains your funds if the marriage breaks down?

“If you still wish to provide the money on an informal basis, how will this be recorded by the solicitors dealing with the purchase and to what extent will your name and the arrangements be referred to in their file and on bank documents?

“All of these options will have important ramifications, such as tax and inheritance, and you should take legal advice in good time before providing the funds. Ultimately, a little thought and investment at an early stage could protect you against potentially having to intervene in divorce proceedings further down the line, at considerable cost, risk and disruption to yourself and the wider family.” n

Lanyon Bowdler’s offices are in Conwy and the firm assists individuals and businesses across North Wales. For more information, visit www.lblaw.co.uk or call 01492 557070.

Learning by heart

Over recent years, Rydal Penrhos has built upon an already-excellent academic track record and established itself as one of the leading schools for teaching and learning in the country.

Last year’s GCSE and A-Level results demonstrated once again the standard of excellence Rydal Penrhos has set for itself. Even though pupils were sitting exams for the first time after the pandemic, the school returned a fine set of results nonetheless. 64.2% of pupils achieved A*-A grades at A-Level, while the GCSE results were equally impressive, with 57% of candidates achieving A*-A (9-7) grades, compared to a national average of 25.1%. Rydal Penrhos’ A-Level pass rate (A*-E) remained at 100%; the eighth time since 2000 that the school has achieved this feat.

With summer fast approaching, pupils across the country are making their final preparations for another all-important exam season. As two-years of study culminates in a final few weeks and months of revision and consolidation, Rydal Penrhos expects another bumper set of results thanks to a range of initiatives implemented in- and outside the classroom to provide pupils with the best possible chance of success.

For a second successive year, Rydal Penrhos has offered a programme of Easter GCSE Revision Courses. These courses provided Rydal Penrhos pupils and local young people an excellent opportunity to strengthen their understanding of their subjects and fill any gaps in their knowledge. The GCSE Revision Courses offered intensive, seven-hour, distraction-free immersion in the core subjects of English, Maths and Science, led by experienced teachers, many of whom are examiners. Collaborative work with peers and teachers can play an invaluable role in the final stages of exam preparation, particularly during the school holidays, and the revision courses provided precisely this type of support. During the sessions, teachers worked to convey what examiners would be looking for in examination responses, as well as covering key areas of the subject syllabus. The small class sizes ensured pupils received the individual attention they needed to succeed. The courses were highly appreciated by the pupils who attended and provided a welcome break from individual

study over Easter. As one Year 11 pupil said, “it was great having the teacher there to answer questions, rather than sending an email.”

Alongside the revision courses, Rydal Penrhos has also partnered with Positively You, one of the UK’s leading providers of educational workshops, to prepare pupils for the personal and emotional challenges of exam season. As part of the sessions, pupils are offered advice and support on how to manage the demands and stresses of revision, helping them to be in the best possible state of mind for their exams. The workshops cover everything from goal setting and time management to building resilience and self-confidence. Young people have found these workshops extremely helpful in the past and we are sure that Rydal Penrhos pupils will similarly appreciate the sessions, as well as the emphasis our school places on both their personal wellbeing and academic success.

Of course, our pupils’ success is down to more than just these specific initiatives. Small class sizes, experienced teachers, a thriving extra-curricular programme and a robust network of pastoral support; all these day-to-day features of a great school can be found at Rydal Penrhos, and all contribute towards the overall flourishing of our pupils, both in academics and beyond.

With the commencement of a new academic year only a few months away, now is the perfect time to consider September 2023 entry to our school. Places are still available, alongside bursary and scholarship opportunities. Whether your child is about to start their GCSEs or A-Levels, or is only just beginning their school journey, a Rydal Penrhos education can provide them with the very best preparation for life ahead. n

John Waszek is the Principal of Rydal Penrhos

EDUCATION NEWS

Flying the flag for girl’s rugby

In March, St David’s College girls rugby team travelled to Roslyn Park Sevens. From its humble beginning in 1939, Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens has been held every year since becoming one of the oldest continuous tournaments in the world. Originally it was a knock out competition for public schools but as interest grew it was extended to include grammar, comprehensive and preparatory schools. In 1998 the first girls (U18) competition was inaugurated. This year there are 32 female teams competing. The St David’s College squad of 14 travelled to London on Monday 20th of March before competing all day Tuesday. They were in the same group as Seaford College, Wellington College, and Oakham School. The girls needed to top their group to secure a place in the knockout stages. However, a narrow 2pt defeat in the opening game to Seaford College meant that despite resounding victories in the remaining two games against Oakham School and Wellington School, missed out on top spot finishing 2nd. No mean feat considering most of the team have been playing rugby for less than 2 years! “The girls were all super excited to go and compete in such a prestigious and well-known tournament, they had a brand new traveling kit and really look the part,” said coach Jess Kavanagh. “Anything can happen in a 7s tournament as it’s such a fast game. We really hoped we would make it to the knockout stages – but it wasn’t to be. I am immensely proud of all the girls. They played really well and were a credit to themselves and our school.”

Children’s University secures

£800,000

funding to expand scheme across North Wales

A new scheme which aims to inspire a love of learning among children and young people in North Wales by promoting access to extracurricular activities is being expanded after securing more than £800,000 of funding.

Wrexham Glyndwr University (WGU) will work with Bangor University and a number of partners to pilot the scheme over the coming year as part of a shared civic mission commitment to work in partnership to end social inequality in the region. The new funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) will enable partners to build on the success of the Wrexham and Flintshire Children’s University pilot, enabled by WGU and the Wrexham and Flintshire Public Service Board. The pilot worked with schools, community groups and learning destinations, encouraging children and young people to complete 30 hours of extracurricular activity, with the aim of raising aspirations and rewarding participation. Nina Ruddle, Head of Public Policy Engagement at WGU, said: “Securing this funding is an exciting leap forward. We anticipate that thanks to this funding, we will be able to reach more children and young people and engage them in this exciting scheme.”

EDUCATION NEWS

Pupils at Rydal Penrhos benefit from visit of local business leaders

Rydal Penrhos School hosted its inaugural Industry and Enterprise Day on 28th April. The event saw local business leaders and representatives from national firms visit the Colwyn Bay independent school and speak to pupils and local young people aged 14 to 18 about career pathways and opportunities. A wide range of industries were represented at the event, with visitors including the likes of Dylan’s Restaurant, North Wales Motor Co. and Iwan M Williams Estate Agents. The school also drew upon its rich alumni community, with former pupils returning to share their experiences in the police and commercial aviation. Rydal Penrhos has a track record of consistently exceptional GCSE and A-Level exam results, enabling pupils to access the top universities in the UK and abroad. The Industry and Enterprise Day forms part of the school’s broader university and careers advice program, aimed at inspiring pupils and preparing them for life beyond the classroom.

College Campuses are gearing up for huge community fun days

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai is gearing up to welcome hundreds of local people to its Community Fun Days in May and June. Events will be taking place at:

J Coleg Llandrillo – Rhos-on-Sea Campus: Saturday 20 May, 11am – 3pm

Coleg Cambria’s business school offers wide variety of courses

Professional courses are an essential aspect of today’s workforce, providing you with specialised knowledge and skills required to excel in your career. Coleg Cambria offer a huge range of courses to help you upskill and keep up to date with the latest legislation and techniques all delivered from their Cambria Business School, Northop, where you will be surrounded by other professionals looking to further their career. The following courses are all available, and you may be eligible to study free of charge through a Personal Learning Account if you live in Wales and earn under £29,534 per annum:

J Accounting

J Coaching and Mentoring

J Education and Training

J First Aid

J Health and Safety and Environment

J Human Resources

J Leadership and Management

J Mental Health and Wellbeing

J Marketing

J Project Management

J Coleg Menai – Llangefni Campus: Saturday 10 June, 10am – 2pm

J Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor – Dolgellau Campus: Saturday 17 June, 11am – 2pm

The fun-filled events will be a fantastic day out for all the family with a host of exciting experiences and workshops going on to suit all tastes! The events are free, open to everyone, and are aimed at:

J School pupils

J Parents who want to visit the campus to view the facilities and speak to staff

J Local residents who are interested in what the college and local services have to offer

J People who are interested in getting a job or starting a new career

J And finally… families who just want a fun day out!

On the day, you can try out a whole host of exciting activities, while tantalising your taste buds with a wide range of delicious food options. There will also be the opportunity to speak to, and get careers advice from, representatives from a range of organisations including the Fire Service, Army and many other local companies.

The Women’s Peace Petition returns to Wales

A hundred years ago, with the horrors of the First World War still fresh in people’s memory and a whole generation galvanised against conflict, a group of Welsh women set about organising a campaign for world peace. In a Welsh League of Nations Union conference held at Aberystwyth University, it was proposed that a campaign should be launched to ensure that the women of the USA should hear the voices of the women of Wales and work together for a world without war. The result of this campaign was a peace petition signed by 390,296 Welsh women. Seven months later, Annie HughesGriffiths, Mary Ellis, Elined Prys and Gladys Thomas reached the USA with the petition, said to measure seven miles, carried in an oak chest. In New York it was presented to the women of America by the peace delegation from Wales. Since then, the chest has been preserved and exhibited at the National Museum of American History in Washington DC. But the petition’s story doesn’t end there. Thanks to funding from the Welsh Government and the work of the Women of Wales for a World Without War Partnership, and following discussions with the National Museum of American History, the chest and the petition has been transferred to the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth. This return is the first step in making it accessible to the people of Wales. Over the next year, the petition will be catalogued and digitised at the Library. This means that the public will be able to view the Peace Petition and participate in a national campaign to transcribe the names of petition signatories. This in turn will enable the public to search the Peace Petition for the first time to find out who exactly these women of Wales were who went in search of peace.

Clogau releases Coronation collection

Introduced to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III on 6th May, The Tree of Life Delphinium collection from Clogau is inspired by His Majesty’s love of gardening and the delphinium flower. The rich colour of the centrepiece Royal Purple amethyst gemstone also reflects the Crown Jewels, housed at the Tower of London. This beautiful ring features sparkling brilliant-cut diamonds in a 9ct yellow and 9ct rose gold setting. An inscription of the coronation date and a coronation hallmark creates a future heirloom which will be the crowning glory of any outfit.

Whisky and beer tasting!

Penderyn Llandudno Distillery are delighted to have whisky and beer tasting at the end of May, which is hosted by Penderyn and White Horse Brewing, from Llandudno. It’s on Thursday 25th May from 5 to 6.30pm, it is limited to 20 people and costs £20. You can book here at www. penderyn.wales/special-events. The Distillery also have their complete range of whiskies, and also Brecon Gins, Brecon Flavoured Gins, Vodka, Siddiqui Rums plus their own Merlyn cream liqueur and many other gifts in their distillery shop. Or you could book a tour which they run seven days a week. They have been rated ‘5-star’ on Trip Advisor, and have recently been awarded a Visit Wales Gold Award. You can book tours and masterclasses (a 2.5 hour in-depth look at Penderyn and whisky in general) on their website too.

Local residents celebrate Coronation

Abbeyfield always celebrate big and small events. Every birthday, every event such as Easter and St. David’s Day; even Valentines Day for the romantics amongst us. The last big party was to celebrate the Queens Jubilee so you can imagine the excitement about the forthcoming Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty the Queens Consort. The residents of all three houses will come together at Alexandra Road to have a celebratory lunch, quiz, bingo and a sing along with Malcolm. They will of course raise a toast to the Royal couple. Alexandra Road only takes 12 residents so it will be a busy house with 22 residents, staff, family and friends. Abbeyfield are having their party on Friday 5th May so the residents can leave Coronation Day free to watch all the celebrations. Many of the residents are choosing to have their lunch in their room so they can catch all the action on the TV.

North Wales law firm congratulates former trainee

A North Wales law firm has congratulated a former trainee who has qualified as a solicitor and joined the family law department. Rachel Tomley (pictured) started her career at Lanyon Bowdler following the completion of her Legal Practice Course and LLM in Professional Legal Practice in 2020 and is now a new member of the family team. “As a firm, we are proud to provide opportunities for lawyers starting out in their legal careers and it’s always a wonderful moment when a trainee qualifies as a solicitor,” said Sue Hodgson, head of Lanyon Bowdler’s family team. “Rachel has proved herself to be a very capable lawyer and I am delighted she has joined the family team in Oswestry where she will be a great asset to the firm and our clients.”

Welsh author releases debut book

Welsh author Doreen Cunningham has just released her first book, Soundings, Journeys in the Company of Whales. A memoir of single-parenthood, homelessness, and learning to mother from whales, Soundings won the Royal Society of Literature Giles St Aubyn Award, was shortlisted for the Hay Festival and Eccles Centre Writers Award, the Pat Kavanagh Award and Longlisted for the Wainwright Prize for writing on Global Conservation. Soundings is the story of a woman reclaiming her life, mile by mile; a child growing to love an ocean that is profoundly endangered; and a mother learning from another species how to parent in a time of unprecedented change. Intrepid, brave and breathtaking, her journey will take you to the ends of the earth, alongside the whales that call it home. Find out more at doreencunningham.com.

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For more information, scan this QR code or visit

Walking world

Bryn Pydew

This short but wildlife-filled walk near Llandudno Junction visits North Wales Wildlife Trust’s Bryn Pydew Nature Reserve, rich in wildflowers and butterflies, and the Woodland Trust’s Coed Bron Garth, with far reaching views towards Colwyn Bay, Rhos-on-Sea, the Conwy Valley and the Little Orme.

Things you need to know

J This walk crosses a former quarry, which can be slippery, particularly in wet weather. Some of the route is on roads, where care should be taken.

Directions

J Park your car at the lay-by (SH 818 798) above the entrance to Bryn Pydew Nature Reserve. (Approaching Llandudno on the A470, turn right for Esgyrn at the first roundabout and take successive right turns onto Esgyryn Road, Pydew Road and Bryn Pydew Road. The lay-by parking is approximately a mile further on.)

What3words

///tiger.rich.risky

Public Transport

https://www.traveline.cymru/

J Time: 1-2 hours

J Distance: 1.7 miles (2.6 km)

J OS Explorer Map: OL17

© NWWT

THE ROUTE

1. At the far north eastern end of the lay-by, opposite a metal field gate, follow the path by the information board that bears right and leads down the hill along the eastern edge of the reserve.

2. Bearing left down the hill, go into the woods. Listen for the ‘jip jip jip’ call of the crossbill and ‘phew’ call of the bullfinch. Keep to the main path, indicated by red marks on the trees, leading to a disused quarry. Look here for glow-worm at dusk in June or July. Please be careful where you tread and take care not to disturb their habitat. Dropwort, carline thistle and pyramidal orchid can be found in the quarry area in late summer.

3. To see the reserve’s limestone pavement, go left at the quarry edge then leftish uphill to reach a wide grassy area bounded by yew trees. The main limestone pavement is up to the left across a few rocks, just beyond a small stony path to the right. View the pavement from the base – it can be very slippery when wet and the grykes are hazardous to ankles! Plants in the pavement area include yellow-wort, goldenrod and devil’s-bit scabious.

4. Retrace your steps down to the quarry and go down to the right across the rocks to a row of white cottages (‘Ffolt’), passing large anthills on the way. Stinking hellebore grows near the cottages. Turn left along a path past the houses, which leads through the woodland at the edge of the reserve.

5. Continue past the first yellow arrow and follow the second yellow arrow uphill to the left. Keep the wall on your right and follow the path through four kissing gates until you come to a large field with views across to Penrhyn Bay. Look out for brightly coloured waxcap fungi in the field in autumn and buzzards flying overhead.

6. Leave the field by the footpath sign to reach Gilfach Road. Go uphill to the crossroads and then turn left, pass the playing fields on your right and take the bridle path track which bears right.

7. Go up the track, past a metal gate on the left at the brow of the hill. This is good brown hare territory. Enjoy views of the surrounding area. Go past a second metal gate and follow a path through the trees.

8. At a junction of paths, take the lower footpath which bears

right, down the hill to a stile into the Woodland Trust’s Coed Bron Garth. This is a semi-natural woodland with areas that have been replanted with larch, beech and hornbeam. In spring, enjoy wild cherry blossom and bluebells; in autumn, look for blackberries, sloes, bright pink spindle berries and the seed heads of wild clematis (also known as ‘traveller’s-joy’ or ‘old man’s beard’).

9. Follow the path through the woodland, which bears left up the hill past badger setts – look out for snuffle holes where badgers have foraged. Go over a stile out of the wood into an open field. Walk straight up the steep hill, looking out for cows. At the top, continue straight on over the hill and down to a small gate which enters the caravan site. Follow the lane out of the site and turn right at the road to return to the lay-by. n

Discover more ‘Wildlife Walks’ across North Wales

J Explore 23 walking routes in six counties

J Visit 25 North Wales Wildlife Trust nature reserves

J Enjoy gentle strolls and whole-day rambles

J Full descriptive text and maps supplied

RRP £7.50 from www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/shop

Special offer to North Wales Magazine readers! Get the Wildlife Walks book for FREE when you become a member of North Wales Wildlife Trust. Just select ‘North Wales Magazine WB’ in the ‘how did you hear from us’ section of the online form to receive your free book.

northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/membership

A WORD OF CAUTION

Walking in the outdoors can be a strenuous activity and it is up to you to ensure that you are fit and healthy enough to undertake the route described and to approach the venture with caution and care. You should wear appropriate footwear and suitable clothing, take along food and drink plus carry the relevant map and a compass and be able to use it. The details given here are believed to be correct at the time of going to press. However, neither North Wales Magazine nor the author can accept responsibility for inaccuracies encountered.

Brown hare © Zsuzsanna Bird

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On your bike! On your bike!

Two cycle companies on Anglesey are bringing their unique offers together to have everything sewn up for anyone wanting to cycle in the region this season…

From bike hire, to leisurely guided tours to some magical island destinations, to a taste of the ‘pro-rider’ experience on a 100 kilometre supported ride; whether you ride every day, or haven’t ridden since school days, Cyclewales and Green Lane Bike Tours say they have something for the cyclist in you.

Cyclewales have an extended fleet of bikes for hire at their Llangefni base, and can deliver directly to the customer. They have over 60 bikes, from mountain and road bikes to E Bikes, tandems, children’s bikes and tag-alongs and trailers for the youngest. So for cyclists who know where they want to go, it’s just a step to the nearby Lon Las Cefni cycle route or to follow a route around Anglesey.

For those less sure of where they want to cycle, or who want someone else to do the route-planning and navigating, then Green Lane Bike Tours’ guided and self-guided tours provide the solution. These tours visit some of Anglesey’s most special and secluded places, and share some insights into Anglesey’s history along the way.

Green Lane Bike Tours have been taking people on their unique guided bike tours, blending leisurely cycling with sightseeing, since 2019.

“Our rides are ideally suited to anyone who wants to spend a not too energetic day out on a bike,” explains owner Eli ElisWilliams. “We share some stories from the island’s history and heritage with our guests, and keep an eye open for wildlife as we visit some lovely and often less well-known places. We just like to think of it as a great day out, just that we travel by bicycle, with plenty of stops (and cake!) along the way!”

People can join Green Lane Bike Tours with their own bike, or hire a bike and have it delivered to the start of the route.

Cyclewales’ owner Dewi Jones is a well-known figure on the island’s cycling scene. This year, he and his team are offering three longer supported cycle routes of over 100k around Anglesey and Eryri, including the Anglesey Audax route, a round- Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) route and a route to Aberdaron on the Llŷn Peninsula.

The supported rides enable individuals and groups to undertake a longer more strenuous ride, while also getting a taste for the ‘professional support team’ feel. The team will be alongside and ready should there be any mechanical failure or unanticipated event along the route!

“This is a new experience to offer riders of all levels,” said Dewi Jones. “Knowing that there is a backup with you along the route ensures you’ll never get lost, and there’s no need to think ‘where will I go if I have a mechanical problem’. You’ll have the Bike Shop along with you!”

These cycle routes dove-tail into Green Lane Bike Tours’ offering, meaning that people can enjoy a full range of supported cycling on Anglesey, from easy self-guided tours, to the longer supported rides – so there should be something for everyone when it comes to cycling! n

Dewi Jones and Ioan Fogarty of Cyclewales are ready to support you on those longer cycle rides, while Eli Elis-Williams of Green Lane Bike Tours is ready to lead you on your guided bike tour

Where to stay

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

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

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

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

St David’s Holiday Apartments

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

If you are looking for somewhere to stay in the beautiful seaside village of Rhos-on-Sea, look no further…

Abbeyfield Colwyn Bay

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

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

Ring Anna on 01492 533724 for more information

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

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

• Home Cooked Lunch and High Tea

• All Bills included

• Community Alarm Service

• Weekly room clean and your washing and ironing done

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

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

How do I talk about my funeral wishes?

Talking about death or your own funeral isn’t an easy subject to approach but we believe having a conversation with your family about your wishes is really important and not as difficult as you might have feared.

Would starting a conversation about your funeral or dying make you feel awkward and uncomfortable? It’s something we should all do, no matter our age. You may choose to do so for your own peace of mind, or to ease the burden on your family and friends when the time comes.

From 8th – 14th May 2023, everyone is encouraged to talk about death, grief and dying as part of Dying Matters Week.

Here are some suggestions to make the conversation a little easier and help break the taboo surrounding this subject.

Be direct

Finding a time that is suitable for the conversation about dying is key. Perhaps while you are out walking would make it less uncomfortable. You should try to write down beforehand what points you’d like to cover. You could start by saying “I know this is a difficult subject but I’ve been thinking about my funeral arrangements and would like to discuss them with you.”

Refer to a funeral you have seen

Another way to approach the subject is to ask open ended, hypothetical questions or refer to a funeral you have seen in the news or on TV. Perhaps something along the lines of “Did you watch Queen Elizabeth’s funeral? I really liked the flowers and would like to have the same for my funeral.”

Write down your funeral wishes

If talking to someone about your wishes really isn’t an option, either because you or they would feel too uncomfortable or you don’t get the response you had hoped for when you broach the subject, you could write down your funeral wishes. This could be as simple as keeping written notes on a piece of paper (where someone you trust knows of the safe place it is stored) or more formally, by adding into your will. You can provide as little or as much detail as you wish here,

from key decisions such as burial or cremation, religious or non-religious to specific readings and songs, you can let your family have some choice on the specifics on the day if appropriate.

Speak to a funeral director

Most funeral directors will discuss funeral arrangements with you and make a note of these formally. Our funeral home has an open door policy, so you can visit anytime to meet with our team and look around our chapel of rest if you wish. It can be much easier to talk to someone outside of your family about your wishes as it allows you to keep the emotion from the conversation. All you then have to do is make sure you tell someone you trust where your funeral details are held. There shouldn’t be a charge for this service.

Ultimately, you know those closest to you better than anyone, so it’s important to do what you feel most comfortable with. n

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

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

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Puzzle corner

Down: 1

Delta,

Across:

Across

4 Ribbons (5)

9 Visible image (7)

10 Pains (5)

11 Register (5)

12 Pad (7)

13 Entice (5)

14 Fish covering (5)

17 The Desert Fox (6)

19 Microphone inventor (6)

20 Pyramid site (4)

21 Literary ridicule (6)

23 Cloth (6)

26 Go under (4)

27 Ukrainian Black Sea port (6)

29 Nationalist China (6)

30 Part of a military uniform (5)

33 Wide river-mouth (5)

34 Popular house pet (7)

36 Martial art (5)

37 Wash lightly (5)

38 Morning (7)

39 View (5)

Down

1 Ghosts (8)

2 Frozen treats (4)

3 Military rebel (8)

4 Adolescents (5)

5 Windcheater (5)

6 Brine-cured (6)

7 Instrument of torture (10)

8 Sir Frederick ---, choreographer (6)

15 Dry red Italian table wine (7)

16 Page (4)

18 Birthplace (10)

22 Hairy man of Genesis (4)

24 Frightening (8)

25 Pet birds (8)

27 Commands (6)

28 Posts (6)

31 Time being (5)

32 Elected (5)

35 Journey (4)

4 Tapes, 9 Picture, 10 Aches, 11 Enrol, 12 Cushion, 13 Tempt, 14 Scale, 17 Rommel, 19 Edison, 20 Giza, 21 Satire, 23 Fabric, 26 Sink, 27 Odessa, 29 Taiwan, 30 Tunic, 33

34 Hamster, 36 Kendo, 37 Rinse, 38 Sunrise, 39 Scene.

Spectres, 2 Ices, 3 Mutineer, 4 Teens, 5 Parka, 6 Salted, 7 Thumbscrew, 8 Ashton, 15 Chianti, 16 Leaf, 18 Motherland, 22 Esau, 24 Alarming, 25 Canaries, 27 Orders, 28

Stakes, 31 Nonce, 32 Chose, 35 Trip.

IN THE

STARS...

May’s horoscopes brought to you by Russell Grant

ARIES (March 21st – April 20th)

Making time for old friends will have a powerful effect on your self-esteem on the 1st. Starting on the 16th, more money will pour in, giving you the resources to purchase beautiful luxuries. The New Moon on the 19th is perfect for going to a job interview or audition. Your charisma will soar on the 20th; use it to lure an attractive person into your web of intrigue. Beware of trying to buy someone’s affection on the 23rd.

TAURUS (April 21st – May 21st)

Your work life becomes less tumultuous on the 1st; it will be a relief to resume a normal pace again. Taking a pleasure trip on the 7th is worth your time and money; you’ll get an energy boost from the beautiful surroundings. You’ll be looking your best on the 19th, courtesy of a supportive New Moon. Launching a home improvement project is favoured for the 20th. A nice pay rise or promotion will arrive on the 21st.

GEMINI (May 22nd – June 21st)

It will be necessary to revise ambitious travel or educational plans on the 1st; fortunately, you’re flexible enough to roll with these punches. Secret negotiations will resume on the 14th, making you excited about the future. The New Moon on the 19th is perfect for taking a relaxing break, preferably to a place that’s famous for its natural beauty. The 21st is ideal for delving deep into a course of study that will change your life.

CANCER (June 22nd – July 23rd)

The Lunar Eclipse on the 5th forces you to change your priorities. Your natural good looks and charisma will soar on the 7th. The New Moon on the 19th will cause good friends to rally to your side, promoting your talent and advancing your interests. Trust your intuition about an emotional or financial opportunity on the 21st. If you can’t gain admission to an educational institution on the 28th, start reading books and watching videos on your favourite subject.

LEO (July 24th – August 23rd)

The Lunar Eclipse on the 5th marks the end of a painful domestic situation. You’ll have a chance to create a comfortable home where you can relax. Thanks to an innovative proposal, all eyes will be on you at work on the 9th. Your professional prospects get much better starting on the 16th. Don’t be surprised if you’re offered your dream job on the 19th, courtesy of the New Moon. You could meet someone special on the 21st through a mutual friend.

VIRGO (August 24th – September 23rd)

A health matter that needs your attention will cause you to slow down on the 1st. Your romantic life will undergo a beautiful transformation on the 16th, whether you’re single or attached. Love will come for singletons, while attached Virgins will enjoy a delightful second honeymoon phase. The New Moon on the 19th is perfect for taking a vacation or indulging in a passionate rendezvous.

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

A powerful attraction will release its hold on your heart on the 1st, allowing you to turn your attention to other areas of life. On the 5th, the Lunar Eclipse ends a belief that’s been holding you back from ultimate success. Landing a long-term work assignment on the 13th is a distinct possibility. The New Moon on the 19th is perfect for indulging your sensual side, either with a romantic partner or a spa treatment. A surprise windfall comes your way on the 26th.

SCORPIO (October 24th – November 22nd)

Big changes on the home front will slow down on the 1st, giving you a chance to adjust to all the shifts that have recently happened. The Lunar Eclipse on the 5th forces you to abandon some attitudes that have been undermining a solid bond. On the 16th, your personal life will become a source of profound joy when someone admits their love and admiration for you. Your home life is destined to get much brighter on the 21st.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd – December 21st)

Confusing feelings could create problems in a close relationship on the 4th. On the 5th, the Lunar Eclipse brings secrets out into the open, allowing you to close the door on a relationship or circumstance that no longer serves you. The New Moon on the 19th drops a wonderful job offer in your lap; you’ll enjoy working in luxurious or natural surroundings. Friendship could easily turn to romance on the 21st.

CAPRICORN (December 22nd – January 20th)

The Lunar Eclipse on the 5th causes a rift between you and a flighty friend who demands constant attention. Lovely news from your best friend or romantic partner makes your heart soar on the 13th; it’s time to go out and celebrate. On the 16th, you’ll notice a dramatic improvement in your love life. The New Moon on the 19th is perfect for taking a financial or emotional risk. Don’t discuss personal plans at work on the 28th.

AQUARIUS (January 21st – February 19th)

Your determination to move mountains could diminish on the 1st, allowing you to adopt a slower pace toward goals. A stalled real estate deal will move forward on or after the 15th, putting you in a much more stable condition. You could stumble across the perfect place to live on the 19th, courtesy of the New Moon. Manifesting a passionate love affair is a distinct possibility on the 21st; close your eyes, envision your dream, and let it become a living reality.

PISCES (February 20th – March 20th)

The Lunar Eclipse on the 5th could force you to cut short a trip or reduce your course load. Fabulous ideas will come fast and furious on the 16th, establishing yourself as a talented and prolific artist. On the 19th, the New Moon will inspire you to take a class. Mastering a craft will give you a much-needed confidence boost. Money for a down payment will arrive when you least expect it on the 21st; your guardian angels will be working overtime on your behalf.

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DELPHINIUM TREE OF LIFE®

COLLECTION

The accession of King Charles III heralds a new dawn for the United Kingdom after so many decades of tireless service by His Majesty’s mother, the late and much-missed Queen Elizabeth II. Clogau’s links to the Royal Family date back to the 1911 investiture of Edward as Prince of Wales, when

Welsh gold from the Clogau St David’s mine was used to make the regalia. As one era ends and another begins, it is our pleasure to unveil the latest chapter of Clogau’s royal relationship with our Tree of Life® Delphinium Collection, specially designed in tribute to our new monarch.

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