NWM - Oct 2022

DEAR READER

So, hands up whose favourite season is autumn? There is something to be said for hunkering down during the darker nights after such a busy summer – almost like a brief hibernation before the Christmas party season kicks off!

Autumn is a chance to relax, to reset your batteries if you will. But in order to really enjoy those cosy nights in, it helps if you’ve had your fair share of fresh air first!

We have got a fabulous walking route, courtesy of Cadw, on page 75 – which provides ideal inspiration for a stroll around Anglesey. Meanwhile the North Wales Wildlife Trust has some great advice about how to connect with nature on page 31, and page 21 is all about Halloween days out to be had with the kids.

But if you are planning on spending this autumn plotting and planning a wedding (congratulations if so!) then turn to page 33 for some magical venue inspiration.

However you choose to spend this October, I hope you have a good one!

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EDITOR Kate Hamilton

PUBLISHER Grant Hamilton

ART DIRECTOR Simon Marriott ACCOUNTS Sian Roberts

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

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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 October...

Barn Dance in a Brewery

Saturday 1st October

Come and join Snowdon Craft Beer in Mochdre for a night full of dancing and foot stomping to the music of the band Tympathology. Hog Roast by Popty pig. A full stocked bar.

Apple Harvest

Saturday 1st and & Sunday 2nd

Visit Erddig this weekend to enjoy the apple harvest display, tours and talks and kids’ crafts. And taste the fruits of their labour with scones made with home-grown apples.

Spinning Masterclass with Jenni Frost

Tuesday 4th

Jenni will be busy spinning at Afonwen today, but happy to stop and chat about her wonderful craft, where she makes various items from her own flock of sheep’s wool. To book a half hour slot with Jenni, please contact her direct at jennifrost@outlook.com

Fungi Foray at Gors Maen Llwyd and Llyn Brenig

Thursday 6th

Join the North Wales Wildlife Trust along with fungi expert John Ratcliffe to identify fungi species on both Gors Maen Llwyd Nature Reserve and the forest at Llyn Brenig

An Evening with Liverpool Legends

Friday 7th

The Ultimate evening of Liverpool legends with European Cup Winners and Captain Phil Thompson, Sammy Lee and Bruce Grobbelaar on stage together at Venue Cymru hosted by Jed Stone.

Live Rugby Union

Saturday 8th

RGC play Cardiff at Stadiwm CSM, Parc Eirias, in Colwyn Bay today

The Elvis Years

Sunday 9th

The Elvis Years is an outstanding musical production which brings to Venue Cymru the incredible and compelling story of the ‘king of rock and roll’ – Elvis Presley.

Handmade Gifts by Hannah

Tuesday 11th

Sleeping Beauty

Wednesday 5th

Every child’s favourite fairy-tale, Sleeping Beauty is the classic story of love and innocence, mystery and magic set to Tchaikovsky’s sublime score. The ballet is at Rhyl Pavilion

Hannah from HanCraftedGifts makes unique and quirky gifts, and specialises in Welsh Language home décor/gifts that can be personalised. Hannah is also able to etch glass and create personalised glasses and ornaments, as well as decorating Box frames. She is at Afonwen today

Woodland Walk for Welsh Learners, near Wrexham

Wednesday 12th

Learners of all abilities are welcome for a guided walk through the Marford Quarry nature reserve with the North Wales Wildlife Trust.

Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita

Friday 14th

Multi-award winning duo Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita visit Pontio Bangor tonight to celebrate the release of their third album ECHO, the tender triumph of an extraordinary musical partnership that combines Wales and Senegal, harp and kora, the classical and traditional, different cultures and common humanity.

Dreamboys

Friday 21st

Dreamboys are ready to give you a night of fun, fantasy and no holding back with their brand new “No Strings Attached” UK tour which is at Venue Cymru today!

Birdwatching at The Spinnies

Thursday 27th

Join local experts and the North Wales Wildlife Trust staff to discover some of the tremendous variety of birds that can be seen on and around this wonderful little reserve.

Colwyn Bay Artisan Market

Saturday 15th

A spooky Saturday is lined up for the whole family at Colwyn Bay’s special Halloween Artisan Market!

Tylwyth 28th & 29th

A Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and Sherman Theatre production

Ten years on from the trail-blazing and award-winning Llwyth, Aneurin, Rhys, Gareth and Dada are back in this witty and compelling new play by Daf James. Playing at Pontio Bangor

Fungus Foray, Erddig Country Park

Sunday 16th

A walk around the country park looking for the many fungus species found here. Hosted by the North Wales Wildlife Trust

Paul Smith – Joker

Thursday 20th

Paul Smith is back with ‘Joker’ – his biggest and funniest tour show to date in which the scouse funny man mixes his trade mark audience interaction with more hilarious true stories from his everyday life. He is playing at Rhyl Pavilion tonight

Queen Warrior Jewellery by Stacey Allen

Friday 21st

This will be Stacey’s first visit here at Afonwen Craft Centre, with her handmade jewellery made with many different crystals, which she then puts into Trolls, necklaces, bracelets key rings and rings etc. Stacey is very happy to share her knowledge about crystals and their many healing properties and is happy to chat as she works.

Live Rugby Union

Saturday 29th

RGC play Bridgend at Stadiwm CSM, Parc Eirias, in Colwyn Bay today

Halloween stories 29th & 30th

Spooktacular tales from award-winning storyteller Jake Evans await brave children at Erddig...

Halloween Market

Sunday 30th

Ruthin Artisan Markets is here to show you a frightfully good time this Halloween! From 10am – 4pm at Ruthin Gaol

Brewmageddon

Monday 31st

Do you dare to walk the creepy corridor? Who knows what or who is lurking in the shadows… Over 18’s only at Snowdon Craft Beer in Mochdre

October is the month when autumn really begins to creep in, with crisp fresh air and even crisper leaves underfoot. Loggerheads Country Park is a very special place at any time of year, but it really comes into its own in the autumn thanks to the fabulous colours found in the beautiful woodland. Loggerheads has a well-marked Discovery Trail and easily accessible pathways, making it the ideal place for an autumnal day out…

You & Your Pet

HOW TO KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE DURING FIREWORK SEASON

October welcomes the wonderful colours of autumn, however this is also a time when our skies are lit by the bright lights of fireworks and the unnatural sounds that accompany them.

To some, this is a beautiful sight but to our four-legged friends and other small creatures, firework season can be a terrifying experience. While we can’t control the skies and this annual celebration, there are a few things we can do to help our best friends and other helpless small animals through it.

Preparation is key to helping create a safe and comfortable place for our pets and other garden visitors. Below are some excellent tips to help our four-legged friends get through this season.

Create a safe space for your dog or cat to go to. Making the perfect den using a crate or cat bed with their favourite blankets, toys and perhaps some small treats to try and help them relax. Try to place this in the quietest part of your home.

Firework sound effects are easy to download, buy or just play on Youtube. This is a great way to help your pets gradually get used to the sounds of fireworks if you start by playing them in advance. Start the volume off low and gradually increase and hopefully when the fireworks go off your four-legged friend won’t take any notice.

For cats and dogs, there are a huge variety of calming aids which are perfect for this time of the year. Plug-indiffusers from Pet Remedy, Feliway & Adaptil are becoming increasingly popular and a great way to keep most pets calm. Calming sprays, wipes and dog-friendly tablets will get you through October and early November.

Trying to keep your furry friends busy using puzzle mats, lick mats, as well as toys which can hold small treats, are great at distracting them from the noise.

During the day is the perfect time to walk your dog and

avoid the displays. And as well as letting your cat out for the morning and afternoon, try to keep them indoors throughout the night, and get them settled in that safe space we previously mentioned.

For any small animals outside, if you are unable to have them indoors then cover their pens, don’t forget to include a sufficient amount of bedding which will allow them to burrow deep and protect their small ears from the sounds.

For horses, nothing beats having you there in person to reassure them and make them feel safe. Also available are boredom breakers which might help with distracting them for a small while, but using one of these will also depend on their sugar intake due to the amount one might contain – consult with your vet or a member of our staff in the store.

And finally lets not forget our local wildlife, this can be a particularly dangerous time for hedgehogs, especially if they decided to make a nest or hide out underneath a potential bonfire. If you have hedgehog friends in or near your garden, why not purchase a hedgehog house? Not only are these a safe place for them to rest and perhaps hibernate throughout the winter, but they can also look great in your garden.

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

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

KING OF THE CASTLE

Late afternoon in October... I’m sitting on the quayside of the river Seiont, beneath the beetling walls of Caernarfon Castle.

There’s a blackbird singing on the King’s Gate. On the Eagle Tower the flags have been flying at half-mast, for the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday 8th September, peacefully at Balmoral Castle, in the highlands of Scotland.

A few years have passed since I last set foot inside Caernarfon Castle, but throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s I conducted more than 3,000 guided tours of its towers and battlements, its long dark corridors and stately rooms. And on all of those tours I’ve described the castle’s enduring and special relationship with the Princes of Wales.

The great castles of the English King Edward I were built along the coast of North Wales as his forces overpowered Welsh resistance in the 1280s. After years of bitter conflict with the English, the last of the native princes of Wales, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the grandson of Llywelyn the Great, had been killed in an ambush in Powys... and King Edward initiated one of history’s most expensive and formidable projects of castle building, which would see his mighty fortresses constructed at Caernarfon, Conwy, Harlech and Beaumaris, as well as other sites – a so-called ring of steel manned by garrisons of his troops.

The story goes that King Edward arranged for his pregnant queen, Eleanor of Castile, to make an arduous journey through the forests of North Wales in order to arrive at Caernarfon in time to deliver a son... a significant and poignant reminder to the native Welsh that their princes had been defeated and replaced by an English prince. The king had promised a prince born in Wales, who would not speak a word of English...

Sure enough, Queen Eleanor made it to Caernarfon and delivered a boy, on 25th April 1284. On my tours of the castle I would take a small group of punters into a room on the first floor of the Eagle Tower, where a modern stained glass window showing the ostrich feathers of the Prince of Wales and his motto Ich Dien – I serve – purports to mark the spot as the birthplace of the prince who would be King Edward’s heir to the throne and become King Edward II.

The tourists, impressed by the historical significance of the room, would take their photos of the stained glass window, and then I would tell them that the room couldn’t possibly be the birthplace of that particular royal child. Work had only started on the foundations of Caernarfon Castle in the previous summer of 1283, so it would have been nothing much more than a great sprawling muddy building site when Queen Eleanor arrived. Yes, she delivered a son and heir to her husband at Caernarfon in April 1284, but within the confines of a wooden shed on the site –uncomfortable for the Queen

Stephen Gregory has conducted more than 3,000 guided tours of Caernarfon Castle – the fortress that saw the investiture of the former Prince of Wales back in 1969…

King Charles III was invested as Prince of Wales in Caernarfon Castle on 1st July 1969

Credit: Mircea Rosca /Shutterstock.com

Prince William has a strong connection with North Wales thanks to the time he spent serving for the RAF on Anglesey.

after her difficult journey –so that King Edward could announce a new dynasty of princes had begun at Caernarfon, the very seat of his newlywon power. And of course the new prince, born in Wales, couldn’t speak a word of English.

There was a period in the early 1400s when Owain Glyndwr declared himself to be Prince of Wales, during the Welsh War of Independence... but since then we have had two modern investitures within the walls of Caernarfon Castle, carefully stage-managed and rehearsed to echo King Edward’s political master-stroke in the 13th Century.

On the 13th July 1911, another Edward, the future King Edward VIII (who would later abdicate in order to marry Mrs Wallis Simpson) was invested as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon. His father, King George V, bestowed on his young son a sword, a coronet, a ring, a golden rod and a kingly mantle, and the boy uttered his oath of allegiance to the English throne – vowing that he would forever be the monarch’s ‘liege man of life and limb and of earthly worship...’

Poignant and powerful words indeed, for this was the very oath of allegiance which Llywelyn ap Gruffudd had refused to take in 1282, a refusal which cost him his head. By all accounts, and indeed the day was captured on film, the investiture of 1911 was a grand and spectacular affair. David Lloyd George, who was the MP for Caernarfon and Constable of Caernarfon Castle, had been energetic in organising the event, attended by the royal family and the great and good of that time, including Prime Minister Asquith and Winston Churchill. The story goes that, years later, on his abdication and exile, the then King Edward VIII illegally took the investiture coronet away with him and it was never seen

again... and so, for the more recent investiture in 1969, the young Prince Charles had to have a new coronet especially made for him.

Yes, it was 1st July 1969 when Charles was invested as Prince of Wales in Caernarfon Castle, a title bestowed on him by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Charles also declared his allegiance, in the words of his recent predecessor and indeed the first of the English princes some 700 years previously.

Now, in 2022, even while the flags were still fluttering at half-mast at Caernarfon Castle, indeed within a few days of becoming the new king, Charles III has passed the title of Prince of Wales to his eldest son and the heir to the throne, Prince William. And, even before the funeral of his mother, King Charles has let it be known that there might not be an investiture of the new Prince of Wales in Caernarfon Castle – an announcement that has been greeted with dismay and disappointment by some local people and welcomed by others. And yet Caernarfon’s historic connection with the princes of Wales will remain uniquely strong, unshaken, unbroken.

Visitors to the castle will know that an English prince was born somewhere in the town, long ago in 1284. They will stand on the balcony of the Queen’s Gate, in the footsteps of the princes who were invested there in 1911 and 1969. They will climb to the highest point of the Eagle Tower, place their hands on the weather-beaten remains of a stone eagle which symbolised the authority which King Edward I wielded over Wales at the end of the 13th Century, and at the same time they will gaze down onto the slate plinth where the English princes were crowned in modern times. An historic link enduring more than 700 years...

It’s a lovely evening in October. There’s a golden autumnal sunset over the Menai Strait. The blackbird has stopped singing, leaving his favourite perch with a chattering alarm call. A noisy mob of jackdaws has displaced him. And soon the gulls will return to their roosts on the castle walls, as night falls. All things must pass. The day thou gavest, Lord, has ended...

Our Queen has passed, who served so long and so faithfully, and she will forever be fondly remembered. Long live the King! And the princes of Wales... . n

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

Credit: Isaaack / Shutterstock.com

Winning formula

The Go North Wales Tourism Awards are back with a bang this year…

After what has been a challenging few years for our industry, it’s now time to look forward and what better way than to celebrate and recognise excellence in the region’s hospitality and tourism sectors than with the 2022 Go North Wales Tourism Awards.

Now an established event in the industry’s calendar and in its sixth year this year the awards will showcase and celebrate the achievements, hard work and dedication of those working in the industry.

If you are involved in our region’s tourism industry then these awards are for you! The awards aim to shine a spotlight on excellence across the board in areas such as accommodation, food and drink, attractions and events to name a few.

We want people to nominate their tourism business, by demonstrating their success and showing how they offer an exceptional experience to visitors – one that makes people return time and again to North Wales.

There are a wide range of categories because there are so many different providers in the tourism and hospitality sector in North Wales.

They are being run by private sector body North Wales Tourism, one of the UK’s leading tourism organisations, supporting businesses across the region’s six counties. Its aim is to build and maintain a prosperous and sustainable tourism industry in North Wales.

Tourism and hospitality are worth millions to the economy of North Wales. Thousands of people already work in the industry across the six counties and there’s the potential to grow this, to enable more jobs to be created. It is hoped that the tourism and hospitality industry in North Wales will eventually return to and then exceed pre-pandemic levels when it was attracting record number of visitors and annually pumping £3.6 billion into the region’s economy.

For the second year running the awards are supported by headline sponsor Harlech Foodservice who, since 1972, remains an independent, family owned company that delivers a total foodservice solution, with a core range of products across the region of North Wales.

The categories are:

Go Hotel Award 2022

Go B&B / Inn Award 2022

Go Self Catering Award 2022

Go Holiday Park Award 2022

Go Caravan, Camping or Glamping Award 2022

Go Attraction Award 2022

Go Activity Award 2022

Go Best Event Award 2022

Go Food and Drink Award 2022

Go Tourism Supplier Award 2022

Go Skills Award 2022

Go Responsible and Sustainable Green Award 2022

Go Pet Friendly Award 2022

Go Young Person Award 2022

Go Best Newcomer Award 2022

Go North Wales Judges Award 2022

The window for nomination submissions in 16 categories is open until Monday October 10th, and more details can be found at: www.gonorthwalestourismawards.website

The 2022 Go North Wales Tourism Awards also been supported by other businesses across North Wales, Wales and the UK and a big thank you goes out to them. A full list and information of all of the sponsors and supporters are available on the Go North Wales Tourism Awards website.

The Oscars-style ceremony will be held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on Thursday, November 24th and will be hosted by radio and TV presenter Sian Lloyd. North Wales Tourism will also be using the occasion to raise money for their nominated charity, Wales Air Ambulance.

For further information on the tourism awards including how to attend please visit www.gonorthwalestourismawards.website, email digital@gonorthwales.org.uk or call 01492 531731

Prepare to be scared

Deep in the forest something is stirring… A scary-BOOlous adventure with friendly frights! So gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good day out this October at SpookWood (otherwise known as GreenWood Family Park the rest of the year). Open every weekend this month from Saturday 8th October, as well as every day during half term, SpookWood 2022 will be a brilliant experience for the whole family. Are you brave enough to take on the Scare Maze, wonder up to Ghostly Wood, enjoy a mindblowing freakish show, or head down to Fear Island?

With lots of additional activities, from Circus of Screams and Petrifying Parlour, to the Pumpkin Patch, you won’t run out of things to do! Not forgetting all the usual WhooshZooming rides and activities for the whole family, plus there will be unmissable competitions and spookylishous treats making a visit to SpookWood a Halloween day out that the whole family will remember.

Meanwhile, families with slightly older kids (aged nine and over), need to brace themselves for North Wales’ ultimate spook fest this Halloween – as Ffear Fforest returns to Zip World Fforest, Betws-Y-Coed, from 17th October until 1st November!

Two North Wales attractions are going all out to scare the wits out of you – and the kids! – this Halloween… OF TO THE PATCH, YOU WON’TOF THINGS TO DO!

SpookWood 2022 will be a brilliant experience for the whole family

Escape the horde of demonic clowns as you navigate up to four thrilling adventures; the Cursed Coaster, a terrifying trek twisting and turning through the woodland; The Nets, bouncy nets infested with clowns at every corner; Nightfall, a stomach-churning 100ft drop through trapdoors, and Screamride – one of Europe’s largest swings by the dead of night.

Night Passes are available from £30, and include two rides on the Cursed Coaster, and access to The Nets all evening, as well as the chance to get up-close and personal with Zip World’s terrifying line-up of clowns. Nightfall and Screamride are available as optional extras from just £12 if you really fancy getting the adrenaline pumping.

This is Zip World’s fourth Ffear Fforest to date, and has been a sell-out every year, so pre-booking is essential if you want to face your fears! n

Ffear Fforest returnsto Zip World Fforestfrom 17th October

The Strictly Ballroom UK Tour comes to Llandudno!

When Kevin Clifton was ten years old he watched the film of Strictly Ballroom and, as a budding competitive dancer, immediately saw himself in the character of Scott Hastings, recalling: “He was a hero to me and such an inspiration.”

Growing up in the village of Waltham, near Grimsby, Kevin was being taught ballroom and Latin by his parents Keith and Judy and told the four times British Latin American Champions: “I guarantee you that one day they’re going to make a musical out of this and I’m going to play Scott Hastings in it.”

Three decades later Kevin’s dream has come true. The 39-year-old former Strictly Come Dancing star is headlining the UK and Ireland tour of Strictly Ballroom The Musical and beams as he says: “It’s been a lifelong ambition of mine and I’m so excited that I’m getting to be in the stage version of my favourite film of all time.”

His co-star Maisie Smith, with whom he danced on the Children In Need Strictly Come Dancing special in 2019, is just as excited to be playing fledgling hoofer Fran. “It combines all my favourite things: Singing, dancing, acting, sequins and a bit of glitz and glamour,” says the former EastEnders actress and Strictly Come Dancing finalist who is making her musical theatre debut.

“It’s such an amazing role to play in my first ever musical. It’s such a feel-good show and everyone will come out of the theatre feeling the love and the excitement. And of course it’s got such great dancing

and music in it – Latin flavours, modern tracks and some real classics.”

Adapted from the film by creators Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce – and directed in this new production by Craig Revel Horwood – Strictly Ballroom The Musical revolves around rebellious Australian dancer Scott, who causes a commotion with his radical moves and raises eyebrows when he opts to dance with absolute beginner Fran. Craig also choreographs the production with Strictly Come Dancing’s Creative Director Jason Gilkison.

The show’s first-ever UK and Ireland tour will feature a cast of more than 20 world-class performers, such familiar songs as Love is in the Air and Time After Time and new music from artists including Sia, David Foster and Eddie Perfect.

“I know people who come see the show are going to have an amazing time – and that’s what everyone needs right now. It’s as good as musical theatre gets, with great singing, great dancing and a love story at its heart,” concludes Kevin. n

Strictly Ballroom The Musical is coming to Venue Cymru in Llandudno between Monday 24th and Saturday 29th October. Tickets are available from www.venuecymru.co.uk

Director Craig Revel Horwood

Former EastEnders actress and Strictly Come Dancing finalist Maisie Smith

Strictly star Kevin Clifton

Afternoon Tea

e l i c i o u s s p e c i a l s f r o m t h e g r i l l t o s t a r t y o u r w e e k e n d t h e r i g h t w a y .

N I G H T F R I D A Y G R I L DL

S A T U R D A Y S P r e t h e a t r e d i n i n g

N e w A u t u m n / W i n t e r m e n u

L o c a l l y s o u r c e d m e n u i n c l u d i n g a w i d e r a n g e o f m e a t , f i s h , v e g e t a r i a n a n d v e g a n d i s h e s

S U N D A Y T R A D I T I O N A L R O A S T

M a k e a n e v e n i n g o f i t w i t h o u r d e l i c i o u s p r e t h e a t r e d i n i n g m e n u , t h e p e r f e c t w a y t o s t a r t y o u r t h e a t r e e x p e r i e n c e

K i c k b a c k a n d l e t u s d o t h e c o o k i n g , e n j o y o u r f a m o u s r o a s t s e v e r y S u n d a y

C h o o s e f r o m t e a a n d c o f f e e o r a g l a s s o f p r o s e c c o t o g o w i t h a r a n g e o f d e l i c i o u s t r e a t s i n c l u d i n g s a n d w i c h e s , h o m e m a d e s a u s a g e r o l l s , B a r a B r i t h , c h o c o l a t e s t r a w b e r r i e s , l e m o n d r i z z l e c a k e a n d m o r e . A v a i l a b l e 1 p m 4 p m W e d s S a t u r d a y . 2 4 h o u r a d v a n c e b o o k i n g r e q u i r e d . E W F O R A U T U M N / W I N T E l K

Don’t let cataracts stop you doing what you love

Cataract surgery for private patients at Newmedica Shrewsbury

If you’ve been diagnosed with a cataract, you’ll know it can have a major impact on your life – and chances are you might face a bit of a wait to have it treated. We want to help you get back to doing the things you love sooner. Newmedica Shrewsbury can help private patients across North Wales by providing a fully-supported package of care that will enable you to have cataract surgery within weeks.

Private treatment starts from £2,295 per eye for the standard monofocal lens, or (for an additional cost) you can choose a different type of lens which could reduce your dependency on glasses after your surgery. The clinic also accepts patients with private medical insurance from Aviva, Allianz, AXA PPP, Bupa, Saga and Vitality, amongst others. To find out more, visit newmedica.co.uk/clinics/shrewsbury email shrewsbury@newmedica.co.uk or call 01743 292392.

Simone’s story

Diagnosed with a brain tumour when her son Sam was only six, Simone Baldwin desperately began to look for a book to help her tell him the news, but just couldn’t find anything suitable.

Simone has been a primary school teacher for over twenty years, and was teaching in Rhos-on-Sea when she was diagnosed. The lack of available resources for parents inspired her to create a picture book to read with children to help talk about tumour diagnosis. Not just brain tumours, but any tumour.

“I wrote a poem for young children, aged approximately three to eight, called ‘Mummy has a lump’, to begin conversations about tumours,” explains Simone. “The book includes a section for parents about my own experiences of telling my family. Everyone’s experiences are so unique, I hope reading about my journey will help other parents decide what feels right for them. I found an incredibly talented illustrator, Caroline Eames-Hughes, who created beautiful and gentle illustrations that help with explanations, but without being too clinical. We believe this type of book is vital for parents facing a scary diagnosis and worrying about telling their young children.”

The book has received huge support through social media and Simone has raised enough money to make her idea a reality, providing free copies of the book for local libraries, schools and charities. As a Welsh learner, Simone has also worked with the support of Rhys Iorwerth to publish the book in Welsh, ‘Mae Gan Mam lwmp’.

“We continue to fundraise to provide additional free copies of the book to local libraries, schools and charities supporting newly diagnosed parents. It is already working its way to most libraries in Conwy and further copies for libraries can be requested through my website,” adds Simone, who answers some further questions below…

Why is your book important?

When I was diagnosed with my brain tumour, the biggest worry as I was walking out of the hospital was about telling my family, including my son and stepsons. ‘What do I tell them?’ hit me like a sickening punch in the stomach. This was closely followed by the questions of ‘Should I tell them?’ and then ‘How do I tell them?’

I spent almost an hour in the hospital car park trying to decide how to act when I got home, and whether to say anything. There is so little support out there for talking to children. I think it may be because no one ever wants to really think about having to do that, but when you are faced with that decision, it’s huge. Added to that is the complication that kids are far more switched on to our emotions than we often

After being diagnosed with a brain tumour Simone Baldwin’s biggest concern was how she was going to tell her young son. Five years on and she has turned her experiences into a children’s book so that her journey can help as many other people as possible…

‘Mummy has a Lump’ is available to buy in paperback and online

Simone began her writing journey at Llyn Brenig

Thankfully Simone’s brain tumour is benign, meaning she is now able to live life to the fullest

Left: Simone with her young son cycling in Llandudno just before her diagnosis

Above: ‘Mummy has a lump’ was written to help start conversations with children about tumours

give them credit for. They can often sense when something is wrong or when we are hiding something. I am terrible at hiding things so was worried this would make things worse. There is a section in my book when I explain my decisions. They might not be what someone else would do, but I think hearing about someone else’s choices can sometimes help us to make our own minds up.

What has been the toughest part of publishing? Because I knew what I wanted the book to do, getting it started was the easy part. I’m not a natural writer though, so felt extremely self-conscious when I finally started to share my idea and the text. Showing my writing to people for feedback and proofreading was definitely the hardest part. Whenever I got stuck, I took a deep breath and turned to social media to ask for ideas and contacts. I found Caroline, the amazing illustrator that way. I received some extremely valuable publishing advice through contacts of friends on social media too. Most publishers are understandably in the business of finding titles that will make them money. Printing children’s colour picture books is an expensive business and the nature of the book isn’t aimed at being a Christmas best seller – quite the opposite really, we don’t want people to need this book! So, I had some wonderfully supportive feedback but, in the end, I worked with a hybrid publisher and starting fundraising to cover the costs.

How do you think this will help parents?

I really hope that this book will reach the people who need to use it and act as a bit of support for parents. Reading about when and why I told my children may help others, and for parents who like me, decide to tell their children, I hope the picture poem will provide a starting point. The clinical side of illness can be quite sterile and hard. The words and

illustrations in this book aim to help explain this side to children, but in a much softer and more gentle way. Everyone is so different in how illness affects them and how they feel when dealing with it. This is true for both adults and children. I’ve tried hard to share that message in my book too. I don’t have advice or answers for people at this difficult time, but if my book does help in a small way, great.

How has your tumour affected you?

I consider myself very fortunate in that my brain tumour is benign. However, because of where it is in my brain, the speed it was growing and the damage it was doing, I had to have major surgery to reduce it. The surgeons did an amazing job and removed a lot of it, but some of it had to stay in there because of the parts of my brain it is attached to. I have had several surgeries to deal with the effects of it and am monitored regularly to check for any signs of continued growth or further damage. I’m a very different person to who I was before and it affects me daily, but I’ve learnt to adapt, accept my new normal and I’m doing well. My family and friends have been a huge support, including our youngest son. They understand how I’m a bit different now and have to do things a bit differently and that’s OK.

How did you find writing the book?

At the time of my diagnosis I looked hard to find something to help me, and so I suppose the seed was planted then. It was a few years after my diagnosis that I started to think about what I would have liked access to. One day while sitting on the edge of Llyn Brenig waiting for my family to finish their bike ride, I just started to jot down ideas and the poem started to form. I hope the peace I feel when I go there has come across in my writing. I don’t profess to be a natural writer, but I hope I have done enough to provide some support to others. I moved to North Wales in 2011 and have worked hard to learn Welsh through Bangor University. I feel strongly that when people are vulnerable, support should be available in their first language, which is why I wanted to make the book available in Welsh too. My Welsh language isn’t yet good enough for the nuances of a sensitive subject like this, so I worked with Welsh poet Rhys Iorwerth. n

Written and illustrated in Conwy county, ‘Mummy has a Lump’ is available to buy as a paperback from Amazon, as well as by request through local bookshops and Waterstones. It is also available as an e-book through Amazon, Kindle and Apple books in both Welsh and English.

Go wild for thiswellbeing winter

Lin Cummins of North Wales Wildlife Trust describes how connecting with nature at this time of year can boost your physical and mental health.

The benefits of being outdoors have been well reported and, at this time of year, as the weather gets cooler and the nights start drawing in, it can be tempting to hunker down indoors. But did you know that our relationship with nature – how much we notice, think about and appreciate our natural surroundings – is a critical factor in supporting good mental health and preventing stress?

We’ve all come to appreciate nature so much more over the last couple of years, with many people discovering new places and things to do outdoors. Here at North Wales Wildlife Trust we’re all for donning the woolly hats and gloves, waterproofs and wellies and making the most of the chilliest of days, whatever the weather.

Take a walk on the wild side

This can be a beautiful time to go for a wild walk, with misty mornings and the call of tawny owls at dusk. A blast of cold air first thing can activate the calming part of the nervous system, and slowing down and focusing on what you can see, hear and smell will really ease your mind from the stresses of the day.

We have amazing places to walk in this part of the world, and with 35 nature reserves managed by North Wales Wildlife Trust there’s bound to be a wildlife haven near you. But you don’t have to go far to nurture your wellbeing – your garden, yard or even your window box can be a fabulous place to experience nature and wildlife. Something as simple as watching the birds in your garden can be a real joy. Gardening is a pastime that keeps us fit and healthy in both mind and body, and connecting with the pace of the natural world in this way has been described by the Royal Horticultural Society as ‘a perfect antidote to modern living’. n

Get your free Wild Winter Wellbeing pack

To help you make the most of our wonderful natural world this autumn and winter, why not sign up for the North Wales Wildlife Trust’s free Wild Winter Wellbeing pack? They’ve got lots of ideas and inspiration for things that you can do both indoors or out, ways to help you connect with nature and banish the winter blues.

You’ll receive a free guide plus weekly tips on how to stay happy and well this winter.

There’s also a chance to win wild wellbeing related prizes in their prize draw.

Find out more at www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/wellbeingNWM

Jon

Caitlin Howell

Luxurious Destination on the North Wales Coast…

‘I wish I was emailing you with more wedding arrangements, so sad it's all over but I just wanted to convey a BIG thank you to for making our day so memorable from start to finish. We couldn't have wished for better.’ - Kristian & Sara

SIMPLY THE BEST

You’re never too old to believe in fairy tales – especially on your wedding day! Believe in the magic of your childhood dreams and let the dedicated wedding planners at Château Rhianfa turn them into reality. You may not see them waving a wand, but their experienced wedding planners have a few tricks of their own, and a little black book of gold dust suppliers nestled up their sleeve, as they work behind the scenes to deliver a wedding day to remember at this fabulous wedding venue in Anglesey.

Romance is at the very heart of the Château Rhianfa story, the spectacular surroundings igniting the sparks of passion. The hotel has earned a reputation as a premier wedding destination with a range of wedding packages on offer for couples looking to take advantage of the hotel’s fairy-tale setting on their special day. A wedding isn’t the only way to capture the heart, however; the on-site restaurant Le Dragon Rouge is beloved by foodies for its creative combination of Welsh ingredients, offering gourmet dishes with a hearty Welsh feel.

A collection of 30 beautifully-designed rooms await you and your guests to enjoy a relaxing night’s sleep following the

Back on the mainland and The Quay Hotel & Spa in Deganwy epitomises cool sophistication on the North Wales Coast in arguably the most beautiful location in the country.

If you are looking for a wedding destination surrounded by castles, mountains and coastline which create a truly stunning backdrop for your photographs, then look no further.

Whether you are imagining a wedding on a grand scale or a more intimate ceremony, The Quay Hotel & Spa has a package to suit your needs. What is more, with a fantastic selection of accommodation, you and your guests can extend your staycation and enjoy a slice of Welsh heaven for a little longer.

Your first feast as a married couple should be special; and this is why their talented chefs have created a truly mouthwatering menu using only fresh, local and seasonal produce. When booking your special with The Quay Hotel & Spa, you can be sure to expect something different, something new and, above all, something truly memorable! n

If you are thinking of tying the knot in North Wales, it is worth considering these two fantastic venues…

perfect wedding day at Château Rhianfa.

Have a fairy tale wedding at Château Rhianfa.

Credit: Martin Vaughan Photography

The Quay Hotel & Spa has a package to suit every wedding

Visit Erddig and step back in time

Erddig is a much-loved home, garden and estate which tells the 250-year story of a gentry family’s relationship with its servants.

The Yorke family took a curatorial attitude to their possessions. The house’s diverse contents were lovingly handed down over time. As a result, Erddig has the second largest collection in the National Trust, with a total of 30,000 items to care for.

Even Erddig’s servants were recorded in portraits, photographs and verses, and celebrated for their loyalty and hard work. With their working areas almost unchanged, Erddig is a place where servants are not forgotten.

Outdoors lies a fully restored 18th Century garden, with fruit trees, herbaceous borders and avenues of pleached limes. The beautiful gardens welcome families to play today, as photographs show the Yorkes doing a century ago.

For over 300 years, Erddig’s parkland has been open to the local community as a place for tranquillity or adventure. Secrets wait to be discovered here, from the earliest origins of Wrexham to the technology of an 18th Century designed landscape.

Don’t miss Erddig’s Chinese State Bed was once a place reserved for the home’s most privileged guests. It was draped with delicate Chinese silk satin textiles, embroidered with Chinese figures, pagodas, birds and flowers. In 2019, National Trust began a six year conservation project to restore the bed, to provide visitors the rare opportunity to see the exquisite detail only those lucky enough to sleep in the bed would have experienced. This autumn, visitors are invited to see the newly restored Chinese silk embroidered curtains on display. n

Things to see and do

Are you looking for ways to keep the family busy this half term and over Halloween? Look no further. Erddig is back for the 32nd celebration of its annual apple harvest. The National Trust grow over 200 apple varieties, many rare and historic, which is no doubt worthy of celebration. Join them on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October to enjoy the apple harvest display, tours and talks and kids’ crafts. And taste the fruits of their labour with scones made with home-grown apples.

Throughout half term, follow the spooky trail through the garden. Watch out for Y Ladi Wen, the White Lady, who might try to catch those who stayed out too late!

Then, on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th October, spooktacular tales await brave children because award-winning storyteller, Jake Evans, is back. And, if your little monsters still have energy to spare, then fly on the rope swing and balance across beams in Wolf’s Den, Erddig’s natural play area.

@NTWales

For more information about Erddig, including opening times and to plan your day out, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/erddig

Brighten your winter nights at Pontio, Bangor!

Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita

14th October

Multi-award winning duo Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita tour the UK in 2022 to celebrate the release of their third album ECHO, the tender triumph of an extraordinary musical partnership that combines Wales and Senegal, harp and kora, the classical and traditional, different cultures and common humanity.

Tylwyth

28th & 29th October

A Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and Sherman Theatre production. Ten years on from the trail-blazing and award-winning Llwyth, Aneurin, Rhys, Gareth and Dada are back in this witty and compelling new play by Daf James. Taking an irreverent look at love, family and friendship, Tylwyth is a provocative commentary on contemporary Welsh life.

SHOWSTOPPER!

The Improvised Musical

18th November

Spontaneous musical comedy at its absolute finest –direct from the West End and now heading to Pontio!

With 12 years as an Edinburgh Fringe must-see phenomenon, a BBC Radio 4 series, a critically acclaimed West End run and an Olivier Award to their name, The Showstoppers have delighted audiences across the globe with their ingenious blend of comedy, musical theatre and spontaneity.

Rich Hall: Shot From Cannons

16th December

Montana’s transatlantic messenger returns with new rants, knife-edge observations, thrilling musical interludes and an ever-formidable knack for laughs on the fly. You’ll pay for the whole seat, but you’ll only need the edge of it.

Tickets available at pontio.co.uk

RGC 1404 – Representing North Wales

For those of you that aren’t aware RGC 1404 (to use the full name) are the regional rugby team representing North Wales, with the best players from throughout the region brought together to play in the Welsh Premiership against teams such as Cardiff, Newport, Llanelli and Swansea.

RGC stands for Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (North Wales Rugby) and 1404 is the year the first ever Welsh parliament was held by the newly crowned Prince of Wales, Owain Glyndwr, at Machynlleth. Draw a line from Machynlleth to Llanidloes and you will find the southern boundary of a region that includes half the land mass of Wales and nearly one million people.

The team were formed to represent North Wales in the national league system as North Walian club teams were stopped from competing in the national leagues and specific leagues for North Wales were formed.

After a series of friendly games RGC started their journey officially in 2012 and were entered into Division 1 East. They began with an away win at Gilfach Goch and went on to win the league therefore gaining promotion to the Championship.

After three seasons in the Championship, RGC achieved

promotion to the Premiership, reaching the play-offs and showing that North Walian’s can compete against their southern counterparts.

2017 also saw RGC win the National Cup, beating strong favourites Pontypridd in the final at the Principality Stadium. This victory really enhanced the profile of the team throughout the country and that summer the Welsh National Team visited, playing RGC in a friendly at their home stadium in Colwyn Bay.

Since 2018 the team have been there or thereabouts in the top half of the Premiership, but two seasons have

been lost to Covid and so the 2022/23 season will be the first ‘normal’ season for a long time.

RGC are now coached by former Harlequins and Wales international, Ceri Jones, who has previously held roles at Worcester and the Dragons. They have recruited Wales u20 openside flanker Ethan Fackrell and promoted a number of players from their youth system to the senior squad, therefore increasing the ratio of home-grown players in the squad to nearly 95%.

Part of the remit of RGC is to develop North Wales players in order to feature for National Age Grade teams and eventually make it as professional players. The first player to go all the way through the RGC pathway and represent the National Team occurred recently with Sam Wainwright coming on during the 2nd Test against South Africa.

RGC now have male u16, u18, Senior Academy and Senior teams as well as an u18 women’s team. The women’s game is expanding rapidly and plans are in place to further develop the number of pathway teams for women and girls.

One of RGC’s key partners is Conwy County Borough Council

and they have recently submitted a Levelling Up Fund (LUF) bid for £20 million in order to redevelop part of the stadium. If successful, this would see a 4,000 seater cantilever grandstand built as well as re-surfacing the main pitch to World Rugby 3G specification, further enhancing the facilities already on site.

2022/23 is the region’s 10th Anniversary and a number of activities will be taking place to celebrate this milestone as the region continues to build. Why don’t you head on over to Colwyn Bay and enjoy supporting your region and watching the entertaining brand of rugby on show? n

RGC ARE NOW COACHED BY FORMERHARLEQUINS AND WALES INTERNATIONAL,CERI JONES, WHO HAS PREVIOUSLY HELDROLES AT WORCESTER AND THE DRAGONS.

RGC NOW HAVEMALE U16, U18,SENIOR ACADEMYAND SENIOR TEAMSAS WELL AS AN U18WOMEN’S TEAM.

Honing their craft

An industrial estate on the edge of Mochdre may not conjure up much romance when talking about craft beers – but one could say that Snowdon Craft Beer, or rather the brewery, is perfectly positioned. Located just off the A55, in between the North Wales Coast and the rolling hills of the Aberconwy Valley and the mountains of the Snowdonia National Park, the brewery has grown steadily over the last 15 years. In fact, despite the turmoil of COVID and the devastation to the hospitality sector, the brewery has bounced back with sales recovering to where they were in 2019.

In an ever-complex market of high alcohol experimental beers with obscure names, Snowdon Craft Beer Ltd has gone the other way, keeping things simple –both in the naming of its beers and the design of the bottles. Each bottle proudly states what’s in it, be it IPA, Lager, Bitter or Porter. The only deviation from this philosophy is ‘Summit’ the 5.2% pale ale, although the name hints at the close association of the brand and the area in which the brewery is located.

The link between the brewery and the Snowdonia National Park is strong. Much of the branding promotes the beauty of the surrounding area with photographs taken by local professional photographer Lee Evans used on pump badges,

posters and their website. Even the water used in the brewing process is sourced from the Snowdonia basin giving the beers a clear sense of place.

The beers are available throughout North Wales in pubs, restaurants, hotels and a number of well-known tourist venues such as Zip World and Snowdon Mountain Railway. The bottles are easily identified by their bold coloured labels and many outlets display a ‘Snowdon Craft Beer Available Here’ poster.

However there is more to Snowdon Craft that just the beer. The brewery houses an entertainment space which currently holds events as wide ranging as an annual barn dance to a Halloween spectacular, alongside the more usual fare such as brewery open days and quiz nights. Plans are being developed to build on this and bring more activities to the venue in order to the benefit of the local community. n

The brewery shop is open during the day, but it is advised during the off-season to contact Snowdon Craft Beer in advance to confirm opening times. Alternatively, the brewery has an online shop which can be accessed via www.snowdoncraftbeer.co.uk

Local brewery Snowdon Craft Beer already has an excellent reputation in North Wales, and it has grand plans to become an even greater part of the local community…

Food for thought

Autumn is very much here now. For many, this is a time to be dreaded; the dark nights, the rain, the cold etc. – all of it reminding us that summer has definitely finished for another year. Ever the optimist, I prefer to think of it as a time for walking down country lanes paved by crunchy leaves, picking blackberries as you go, and the copper and gold kaleidoscope of autumn trees going through their great

Then again, the reason so many of us might be awaiting autumn this year with a heavy heart is the insane increase in the cost of our upcoming heating bills. I desperately wish I had the answer to this problem. I have no wish to come across like, say, a recently-demoted PM, giving out advice about kettles and such, but I can say with absolute certainty that this is a moment for soup to come into its own.

Whether it be the inner warmth, or the direct heat of a mug of soup cradled within cold hands, it is more than just a meal, it’s medicinal. We all have our favourites and likely as not, they’re pretty easy to make. This is a firm family favourite. It’s especially handy if you’ve had a roast chicken the day before – you can use leftover chicken in the soup and make a stock from the bones.

rosemary, the chilli and seasoning. Leave to cook for a minute or so

Now add the chicken stock, turn up the heat until boiling, then leave to simmer for five minutes. Take the Savoy cabbage apart leaf by leaf. Cut away the hard stem-centre of the leaves and slice the rest thinly. Carefully stir in the cabbage and leave to simmer for no more than five minutes.

Serve in warmed bowls, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese, with crusty bread to mop

Don’t fancy cooking? www.paysannedeganwy.co.uk

4 £379,995

Across its three storeys, the Cheltenham’s generous proportions and high ceilings create the space in which to enjoy the best of family life.

The impressive master suite is a luxurious escape spanning the second floor and boasts large fitted wardrobes as well as its own grand ensuite bathroom.

Key features:

Four large bedrooms and two ensuites.

South facing rear garden.

Exquisite views of the North Wales coastline.

Energy efficient home with B rated EPC.

Property of the month

Set within beautiful countryside, this superb rural residence has been transformed in recent years, both internally and externally. The property now presents as a stunning family house with the bonus of an additional cottage providing possible extra income, 13 acres of land including deciduous woods and meadow, fishing rights and indeed scope for further development and commercial opportunity.

This superb rural Farmhouse residence has been transformed in recent years, both internally and externally. The property now presents as a stunning family home with an additional cottage perfect for friends and family or for providing potential additional income. It boasts ten acres of deciduous woodland, a three acre meadow, fishing rights, limited light pollution for star gazing and significant scope for further development of the outbuildings and land creating an exciting commercial opportunity if desired.

Located on the scenic route from Abergele to Llanwrst, Bryn Yr Aur Farm sits in the picturesque Elwy Valley. It has views of the north side of the valley hillside, which is occupied predominantly by grazing land and interspersed livestock. The residence is set into the south side of the valley nestled in woodland, with a stream running alongside one of its boundaries and the River Elwy along another.

Approached via a winding driveway which crosses the River Elwy, the property stands in an elevated and prestigious position, overlooking glorious open countryside which is rich in wildlife including herons, ducks and geese on the river, with

hares, badgers and pheasants making regular appearances. There are lawned gardens, delightful hideaway seating areas and several sun terraces from which to enjoy the setting.

The present owners have managed the land following organic practices and enjoy apples, plums, elderberries and hazelnuts picked from the trees.

We, at Peter Large Estate Agents, wish to stress the enormous potential with this property because, in addition to the separate cottage which is perfect for a long term rental or holiday let, the main house can be easily divided to form a further property, ideal for a dependant relative or teenage or adult children. Added to this, is the tremendous scope regarding the vast range of outbuildings which include stables, a Dutch barn, workshops, garages, air raid shelter and large storage areas.

The property benefits from 4G WIFI, double glazing and has LPG central heating, some electric heating and several cast iron multi fuel stoves. The property also benefits from a 5-oven Aga which is essential for country living. n

This impressive land and property package is currently on the market with Peter Large Estate Agents for £1,200,000. For further information please visit www.peterlarge.com / 01745 825511 / abergele@peterlarge.com

Business

New minimum payment rates highlighted

Farmers and agricultural business owners are being reminded of a new set of minimum payment rates for agricultural workers in Wales. John Merry (pictured), head of employment law at Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors, which has offices in Conwy and works with businesses across North Wales, says employers need to be aware of the new rates – some of which are higher than previously announced in April. “The Agricultural Wages (Wales) Order 2022 came into effect on 22 April 2022, and applied retrospectively from 1 April 2022. But now a second order has been made, again applying retrospectively from 1 April 2022, and replacing the previous order,” he said. “The new grading structure introduced by the previous order has been maintained but the minimum hourly rates have increased, in some cases to bring them in line with the national minimum wage – which employees were entitled to in any event – but importantly, in other cases beyond the minimum rates which employers were required to pay prior to the implementation of the new order. For instance, the previous order increased the minimum wage for grade B4 workers, that’s Agricultural Workers aged 23 and over, from £8.91 to £9.50 an hour, but that has now risen to £9.79. As well as hourly rates, the new order includes provisions about sick pay, time off, holiday pay and bereavement leave. The annual leave entitlement and payments in lieu of annual leave have not changed since the previous order.”

The full list of rates of pay and payable allowances are set out in a blog on the Lanyon Bowdler website at www.lblaw. co.uk/blog but for more information, contact the firm’s employment team in Conwy on 01492 557070.

Rydal Penrhos makes facilities available for events

Rydal Penrhos is set in beautifully landscaped gardens and is the perfect venue for an event or a special occasion of any kind thanks to its range of listed buildings. The school buildings can host between 40 and 250 guests inside or for larger events outside in marquees. Whether you want your wedding or event to be surrounded by history and grandeur or be more relaxed and outdoors there is something for you at Rydal Penrhos. Excitement is growing ahead of another major event at Rydal Penrhos. The school is thrilled to be hosting the 2022 North Wales Wedding Guide Awards, which is an annual occasion organised by Wedding Guide Wales magazine. This will take place on Sunday 23rd October 2022 and is the first time the awards are being held in person due to recent COVID-19 restrictions. The event will take place in the newly refurbished Osborn Hall, the Grade II Listed jewel in Rydal Penrhos’ crown that has been transformed into an area that pupils can use to hold events, where guest speakers can come and talk to pupils and play a leading part in major gatherings alongside the Memorial Hall. The Osborn Hall is a building with beautiful wood panelling, parquet floors and stained-glass windows. It is both iconic and glorious in equal measure. The first few weddings are already in place for the Osborn Hall and we are delighted to be able to offer this new venue to couples on Saturdays and throughout the holidays.

Anyone looking to enquire about Rydal Penrhos’ fantastic facilities should emailevents@rydalpenrhos.com or call 01492 530155.

The perfect place

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

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

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

The school recently renovated the Osborn Hall, which was formally the school chapel and dining hall. It is a beautiful room that boasts a vaulted ceiling, wood panelling, stained glass windows and parquet flooring. It is a magical setting for a wedding and is the jewel of Rydal Penrhos’ crown.

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

The Memorial Hall is one of the grandest, oldest most beautiful buildings on the Rydal Penrhos estate. As you dance the night away or walk up the aisle you can look up and enjoy the beautiful painted ceiling and be enveloped by the history that echoes around this dramatic room.

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

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

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

Anyone wishing to require more information about Rydal Penrhos as a potential wedding venue can email events@ rydalpenrhos.com, call 01492 530155 or register your interest at rydalpenrhos.com.

A wedding will probably be the biggest and most involved party either of you have ever put together, but don’t be scared, Rydal Penrhos is here to help!

Holiday Property Management (Conwy) Limited started trading late September 2019, little did we know we were about to enter a global Pandemic. We had started to build our business and were signing up customers. Things seems to be going well and we looked forward to a promising future. Then the pandemic hit, we struggled through between lockdowns in summer 2020 but it became too much of a struggle so we closed for business.

I have also been running an IT company for 18 years based in Colwyn Bay, this also been affected. I believe the pandemic has made us all think differently about our lives, families and future. During the spring/summer of 2022 I decided to rethink my future. The IT company will remain but I am taking a back seat. Holiday Property Management will be my main focus going forward as this is where my passion lies.

My partner and I run a successful Airbnb at home in Old Colwyn and really enjoy making our guests visits memorable. We are both passionate about the area and want it to thrive and prosper, in order to do so everyone in the tourism arena needs to provide the best quality services we can to ensure our visitors come back time after time.

This is why I decided to relaunch the holiday property management business. The first decision was that the trading name was too long so we shortened it to myHPM. I worked with a local graphic designer and professional photographer and we rebranded the business and built a new and fresh website with new services, www.myhpm.co.uk.

In my own Airbnb I try to use local products and produce where possible, my guests are greeted with fresh bread and lemon buns from our local bakers, and Welsh milk, yoghurts and butter along with other items. One of the new services myHPM are offering are welcome boxes, containing Welsh tea, coffee, hot chocolate, Welsh waffles and other products. They

Meet the expert

are aimed to cover the basics for your guest’s arrival. They are cost effective and not luxury hampers that are readily available from other companies. We have also put together condiments and toiletries boxes, these are available from the website and can be tailored to whatever the customer wants and can then be delivered locally or popped in the post.

We are offering a start-up package of a set of professional photographs and the initial setup with the online booking agents. This booking management package handles tall of your bookings and customer queries from start to the finish –taking the strain from the property owner. n

myHPM is a holiday property management company based in Colwyn Bay. For further information visit www.myhpm.co.uk or call 01492 539023.

Karen Anfield runs myHPM, a holiday property management company based in North Wales. Here she explains why she loves supporting local accommodation owners…

Expert tips for writing your Will

Emma Deering, a specialist in Wills, trusts and the administration of estates at Lanyon Bowdler in Conwy, shares her tips for writing a Will – including what to do with your Lamborghini…

1. You’re in control

By taking the positive step of making a Will, you can control the distribution of your estate, rather than relying upon what are known as the Statutory Intestacy Rules. These govern how a deceased person’s estate is to be distributed if they have not made a Will, and who should deal with the administration. More often than not, they do not provide for your desired outcome.

2. It’s your choice

By preparing a Will, you can choose your executors, the guardians for any infant children, and the beneficiaries of your estate.

3. Specific gifts

When preparing your Will, you have the opportunity to provide for specific items to pass to beneficiaries of your choice. This could include your grandfather clock that has been in the family for generations, your Lamborghini or favourite gold necklace. Please, if you have promised someone a specific item, prepare a Will and ensure such a gift is included to save arguments or indeed litigation at a later date – often it is items of limited monetary value but huge sentimental value that cause the most upset! You may also wish to include monetary bequests to individuals or charities.

4. Inheritance tax

If you seek specialist advice when you prepare your Will, you will be advised on your inheritance tax position and whether it is likely your estate will be taxable. We can also advise on the options available to you in potentially reducing any tax liability. The rules relating to inheritance tax can often be complex, so seeking specialist advice is vital.

5. Your situation is not “too complicated”

Until you seek advice from a suitably qualified Lawyer, you cannot fully understand or appreciate the options available to you regarding the distribution of your estate. It is our job to understand your particular circumstances

and prepare a bespoke Will accordingly. Often, clients put off seeking advice believing their situation is too complicated. We are well aware that the average family no longer consists of a married couple with two children but instead, blended families with unmarried parents or second marriages. We can assure you, we will always find a solution. In the case of second marriages, where spouses have children from previous relationships, there are ways your Wills can be drafted to ensure that the surviving spouse is catered for, but that also, your children from a previous relationship also benefit. If your assets are complicated and consist of business and/or farming interests (meaning your estate is assets rich, cash poor) and/or you are trying to achieve fairness between your children and can’t quite figure out how – we are here to help!

6. We are not ogres!

Clients often feel worried about taking that first step in making a Will. I promise we are not scary, we are all very friendly and approachable and do our very best to make you feel at ease throughout. The initial appointment consists of taking information regarding your personal and financial circumstances and understanding what you are trying to achieve. We will provide advice on your inheritance tax position and ensure that you understand the options available to you in distributing your estate. n

For more advice, give Emma a call on 01492 557070 or visit the Lanyon Bowdler website at www.lblaw.co.uk

Learning by heart

Pre-School is a foundation for learning, giving your child the chance to be in a structured setting with similar-aged peers and skilled early years staff to help them develop socially and emotionally. They won’t miss out on important playtime because all the learning is through play. Children also get the opportunity to explore new things while becoming more independent, which will in turn build self-confidence.

Beginning early years education at a younger age appears to have a high positive impact on learning outcomes. It is estimated that children who attend Pre-School setting before turning three make approximately six additional months’ progress compared to those who start a year later.

These positive learning outcomes would include vocabulary, reasoning and early numeracy and would benefit the child throughout their education, not just for the short-term.

The positive outcomes are still measurable through throughout their time in education. Children who accessed good-quality nursery provision were more likely to go on to higher education than their socio-economically matched peers.

Simply put, Pre-School forms the bridge between home and school and is a young child’s first experience of an educational environment. It is therefore an important stepping stone in a child’s life.

Rydal Penrhos Pre-School is for children aged two to four and aims to provide a stimulating environment in which every child can thrive and develop at their own pace. This also includes progression in important areas such as social, physical, emotional and academic.

Children within Pre-School are softly prepared for a more structured classroom environment when the time comes. Our staff encourage each child to explore their curiosity, be selfmotivated and independent, yet aware of their peers under the supervision of the department’s first-class staff team.

Pre-School activities are guided by ‘The Early Years

Foundation Phase Framework’ which leads to nationally approved outcomes and links closely with that of the Reception class to ensure progression and continuity for the children.

The Pre-School department is vast, with specialist agedbased spaces and rooms designed specifically to improve thinking and cognitive progress at an important time while having plenty of fun in the process.

Rydal Penrhos also benefits from a vast outdoor space, which is something our staff take full advantage of with Forest School and Coastal School – two unique opportunities with proven results. Parental involvement is something else we value highly at Rydal Penrhos. Parents are invited to join in some activities throughout the academic year and are regularly kept up to date with day-to-day achievements online.

This is a great way to examine what children are getting up to and, more importantly, let parents know they are having fun, learning and safe, which is especially important given this will be the first time for them away from familiar surroundings.

The Pre-School experience at Rydal Penrhos is vibrant, caring and everything in between. A truly happy environment where children thrive. n

John Waszek is the Principal of Rydal Penrhos

EDUCATION NEWS

Degrees Of Success At GRŴP Llandrillo Menai

Studying for a degree can be life-changing – new knowledge, independence and exciting opportunities – but, going away to university can also have some drawbacks – accommodation costs and debt, restrictions and the thought of being lost in the crowd. But what if there was a different way? By studying locally, you can combine the benefits of achieving your degree without the drawbacks of moving away. Grŵp Llandrillo Menai offers over 30 different degree courses across its three colleges – Coleg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai and Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor – giving you the flexibility of studying locally and saving thousands of pounds. Smaller class sizes mean that you’ll have personal support throughout your course from tutors and classmates, and with degrees validated and awarded by Bangor University. Most of the degree courses are offered at the fully-equipped, multi-million pound University

Centre in Rhos-on-Sea, with some university-level programmes also available at the Bangor, Rhyl, Llangefni and Dolgellau campuses. Many of the courses on offer are vocational qualifications developed in consultation with employers, to equip learners with the skills and knowledge that employers require and to make progression into employment easier. Often, the full-time courses are delivered over two days per week, helping learners fit their studies around work and family commitments.

Sixth Form Leadership Day

All Year 12 pupils took part in a specially designed Leadership Day as part of their introduction to life as a sixth former at St David’s College. Hosted by the Outdoor Education Department, the pupils took part in a range of different activities that helped them see and experience different leadership styles and explore ways that they can personally develop. Working in small groups, a variety of physical, mental, and team challenges were navigated across the school campus and culminated in a session on personal wellbeing to help maintain peak performance during the term and beyond. Debating, conversation, and delegation were just some of the life skills that the pupils were able to practice. Identifying personal character strengths and how to use them to flourish, is part of a St David’s College initiative that is currently being championed across the whole school community with all our staff and pupils involved. “Moving into the sixth form is a big transition, and often a formative part of the education experience for any pupil,” commented Ian Martin, Head of Outdoor Education. “Having the chance to be exposed to these kinds of leadership scenarios and spend structured time thinking about how they can be their best, is yet another thing that sets St David’s College apart.”

Students excel in Speech and Drama at Rydal Penrhos

One of the more popular initiatives at Rydal Penrhos is the Speech and Drama programme, which allows pupils to communicate with and understand others in new and exciting ways, providing training in the very practical aspects of performance and the ability to express themselves in front of others. Participation in Speech and Drama activities requires self-control and discipline that will serve the pupil well in all aspects of life. Not only this, but they learn to work together, co-operate with one another as well as listening to and accepting the viewpoints and contributions of others. Pupils also get the opportunity to gain additional qualifications from their London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art assessments throughout their time at Rydal Penrhos. This can lead to a prestigious Gold Award and even valuable UCAS points ahead of securing their first-choice university destinations. There was plenty to celebrate during their latest round of assessment results, with 37 of the 42 candidates within the Senior School gaining a distinction thanks to their exceptional commitment under the tutelage of Christina Bloomfield.

Open Events at Coleg Cambria –booking now open!

Coleg Cambria Open Events are the perfect opportunity to discover what it’s like to study at the college. They’re your chance to find out more about which subjects they offer, check out the world-class facilities, meet the expert course tutors and speak to current students about what it’s like to study at Cambria. Employer partners will also be available to discuss progression opportunities and apprenticeships. As well as learning about the facilities and support services across their sites, it’s also the ideal opportunity to apply to study at the college as there will be staff on hand at each event to help you with this. Upcoming Coleg Cambria open events dates and times are:

J November 9th: Deeside & Deeside 6th 5.30-8.30pm

J November 12th: Llysfasi 10-1pm

J November 16th: Yale, Yale 6th & Bersham Road 5.30-8.30pm

J November 19th: Northop 10-1pm

News Community

Halloween at Ruthin Artisan Market

Ruthin Artisan Markets is here to show you a frightfully good time this Halloween! On Sunday 30th October, they will have trick or treat for the children and gin for the adults – and stall holders will dress up to increase the fear factor! From K&G chocolates to Mrs P and Miss Marples, there will be something available for everyone. Entry is free, and why not also pop in to Market Hall Ruthin just off the Square where there will be even more interesting stalls and events.

Charging ahead

Need a battery? Tayna Batteries offers the largest range in the UK and they are based in North Wales! Tayna has a battery for almost anything including cars, motorcycles, boats, trucks, mobility scooters, golf trolleys and much more. You won’t find your battery cheaper anywhere else but if you do, they’ll do their best to match it. To discuss your requirements give them a call or pop into their Bodelwyddan shop.

End of an era for Abbeyfield residents

The sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II was a shock to the residents of Abbeyfield, some of who are of a very similar age, especially as Prince Charles was the Patron of The Abbeyfield Society. Both staff and residents are hoping he will continue to do so now that he is King, or he may pass this duty on to Prince William. Nine new residents have moved into The Abbeyfield Colwyn Bay Society in the past few weeks, which really changes the dynamics of a communal living setting. There have been many lively conversations amongst all of the residents regarding this wonderful Royal connection.

Sophie Reynolds, owner of Marmalade Kitchen, Ellekat and EK & Co in Rhos-on-Sea is branching out in Abergele, continuing her passion for fashion at Oh So Sassy. Catering for sizes 8-28 there really is something to suit all ladies, as well as a selection of bags, scarves and the beautiful Envy jewellery collection. Kirstie, Emma and Sophie can be your personal shoppers and offer honest fashion advice.

Local funeral director offers pre-paid funeral

Recently, the Financial Conduct Authority has regulated the pre-paid funeral market, ensuring enhanced protection for plan purchasers. Lord-Brown & Harty Funeral Directors of Llandudno are delighted to be granted. Appointed Representative status by Ecclesiastical Planning Services after completing a comprehensive training programme to ensure the highest standards of care. “We have worked closely with Ecclesiastical for many years, and pride ourselves in providing a funeral plan perfectly tailored to the individual,” commented Company director Chris Lord-Brown, a funeral director for over 25 years. “Whether a simple direct cremation, a traditional service or a green funeral; our considerable experience ensures we plan every detail perfectly for you. Increasingly, people are considering funeral planning as a way of ensuring their final wishes are noted, and to make financial provision for future funeral costs.”

Local business woman branches out

How to help your loved one with reduced mobility

If you have a loved one who struggles to move around, you may have wondered what you can do to help. They may have gradually become less mobile, or they may have had a sudden change in their mobility after illness or an injury. Whatever the circumstances, reduced mobility can rob people of their confidence and independence. Adjustamatic has a range of beds which are ideal for those with reduced mobility and have been designed to give you the most comfortable night’s sleep. Building strength and coordination is important, but adjustable furniture, such as riser recliner chairs, can help too. The ‘rise’ function of these chairs supports the user’s legs, knees and hips. By elevating their feet, this position helps to reduce swelling in their feet caused by sitting for long periods.

Kids go free at Snowdon Mountain Railway

Children under 16 go free this September and October at Snowdon Mountain Railway. This September and October the railway is offering children the chance to travel for free with an accompanying fare paying adult. The railway will be running daily to Clogwyn Station, ¾ distance up Snowdon, until Sunday 30th October (weather permitting). To redeem this offer, simply enter code S3SM910 to your basket at checkout. Terms and conditions apply and advance booking essential.

Spooktactular shopping at Colwyn Bay Artisan Market

Colwyn Bay Artisan Market has got a spooky Saturday all lined up for the whole family with their special Halloween Artisan Market on Saturday 15th October. It’s a fancy dress event so the ghosts and ghouls will be out to play and there’s a special ‘trick or treat trail’ for the kids in costume, so be sure to bring a bucket to fill with treats on your way around! And get your shopping bags at the ready as there’ll be a huge variety of top quality goodies on offer with the talented artisans selling the finest arts, crafts & creations, and plenty of tasty treats, cakes and bakes to tuck into.

Fixed-fee divorces launched by North Wales law firm

Lanyon Bowdler has launched a fixed-fee divorce scheme at the lowest-ever cost offered by the firm. Lawyers say the new service is aimed at helping people who might be struggling with the cost of living crisis, allowing the firm to pass on the benefit of the new accessible and simplified divorce process to their clients. “The introduction of no-fault divorce means that an applicant can now simply file a document saying the marriage has broken down irretrievably, rather than having to make allegations of adultery or unreasonable behaviour,” explains Sue Hodgson, head of family law at Lanyon Bowdler. “Couples can even file a joint application for divorce, which has never been permitted before. It’s a really positive development in moving away from the blame culture. It also means that in straightforward cases, the process of getting the divorce approved is reasonably simple in legal terms, so we are making a conscious effort to pass that onto our clients.”

Abbeyfield Colwyn Bay

Abbeyfield

Baby Loss Awareness Week 2022

Baby Loss Awareness Week (9th – 15th October) takes place every year and is now in its 20th year. The week aims to raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss in the UK.

What is Baby Loss Awareness Week?

Baby Loss Awareness Week takes place annually between the 9th and 15th October. Bereaved parents and their families are given the opportunity to come together, as a community, in a safe and supportive space to commemorate their babies’ lives. The week also aims to raise awareness of how pregnancy and baby loss affects thousands of families each year in the UK and to drive change and improvements in care and support available to parents. The theme for this year is wellbeing which is important to allow those affected by baby loss to process their grief, loss and other challenges.

How can I get involved in Baby Loss Awareness Week?

J Join the #waveoflight

You can join with bereaved parents and families by lighting a candle on Saturday 15th October at 7pm in memory of every baby who has died. You are encouraged to share a post on your social media using #waveoflight.

J Turn the UK pink and blue Buildings and significant landmarks across the UK are encouraged to light up pink and blue during the week.

TRIGGER WARNING

We appreciate that this may trigger emotions for some of you in the community. It’s important to do whatever you need to protect yourself and your mental health.

If you have been affected by pregnancy or baby loss If you have been affected by pregnancy or baby loss, we are very sorry for your loss. If you need some specialist support, we would recommend getting in touch with the following charities as a good starting point.

J Tommy’s are the UK’s largest charity dedicated to carrying out research into the causes of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth as well as providing trusted pregnancy and baby loss information and support.

https://www.tommys.org/

J Sand’s is the leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity in the UK. Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to ensure that anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best possible care and support for as long as they need it. They offer bereavement support nationally through their helpline and support groups.

https://www.sands.org.uk/

J Our Sam works to raise awareness, understanding and improve support and access to support for anyone that has been affected by baby loss following miscarriage, stillbirth, termination for medical reasons and neonatal death.

https://www.oursam.org.uk

If you have any questions, on any funeral or death related subjects, that you would like answering please send them to info@tomowenandson.com

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

Walking world

A different angle of Anglesey

The 15-mile stretch from Pentraeth to Beaumaris – comprising some incredible Welsh wildlife, a lighthouse, ancient priory, and two castles – makes the perfect autumn walk.

Curated by Natural Resources Wales’ Deiniol Tegid, this itinerary is yet another collaboration between Wales Coast Path and Cadw – marking the celebration of the Coast Path’s ten-year anniversary by inviting visitors to explore Welsh history and nature in all its glory.

Described by Wales Coast Path Office, Gruff Owen, as “a route which incorporates a little bit of everything that’s great about Anglesey”, this idyllic walk also offers a slightly shorter, 12-mile option for those wanting to take a pause –stopping at the small, quaint village of Llangoed.

And, even though this particular journey is one that can be enjoyed all year round, it truly comes into its own as the leaves change and crunch underfoot when autumn takes hold.

So, what are you waiting for? Pack a flask, wear plenty of warm clothing — and get ready for miles upon miles of sandy beaches, coastal scenery and epic Welsh history.

Things you need to know

J Amenities and Parking: Toilets can be found in Llanddona and Beaumaris, with car parking available in Pentraeth and Beaumaris

J Food and Drink: Both a pub and shop are available in Pentraeth. In Llangoed, you’ll find a convenience store to replenish supplies, and plenty of cafés, pubs, and shops can be found in Beaumaris

J Transport: Direct buses from Beaumaris to Pentraeth don’t run regularly, so plan ahead just to be sure. Most services change in Porthaethwy / Menai Bridge, taking around about an hour. Another popular option involves parking at the end of the route, before getting a bus to the start, to save time waiting for buses after completing the walk

THE ROUTE

After parking in Pentraeth and walking down Brick Street, your journey starts by crossing the bridge and turning right to reach the Wales Coast Path. There, you’ll be greeted by one of Anglesey’s largest bays: Traeth Coch / Red Wharf.

Be sure to check tide times when planning your walk, as this part is prone to becoming submerged at high tide. To get started, turn right along the track and follow it around the edge of the water. You’ll find yourself upon the boardwalk – which runs parallel to the beautiful Llanddona beach – after which you’ll climb the steps at the beach’s far end. Leaving the sand, you’ll then head off through fields and lanes.

With the sight of Ynys Seiriol / Puffin Island in the distance, now is the time to get your camera out, as the path takes you inland for a mile or so towards Trwyn Dy at Penmon Point. Here, you’ll find the area’s iconic lighthouse. A sight for sore eyes – and worthy of a social media post or two! The Pilot House café is the perfect spot to rest and recuperate, before following the road away from Penmon Point for a mile or so until you reach Penmon Priory.

Next, you’ll follow the road for a mile and a half to Lleiniog, detouring inland to the ruins of Norman-built motte and bailey castle, Castell Aberlleiniog. From here, you’ll explore a wonderful woodland nature preserve, before reaching the village of Llangoed.

Back on the coast, a tidal section awaits – with the shoreline’s crumbling cliffs providing breathtaking views across the sea towards the Carneddau mountains in northern Eryri / Snowdonia. Saving the best until last, you’ll soon reach Beaumaris Castle: an exceptionally well-preserved fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A fortress of near-perfect symmetry, this unfinished masterpiece was the last of the royal strongholds created by Edward I in Wales. Nowadays the Castle welcomes visitors from across Wales and beyond to marvel at its medieval stone walls and explore centuries of historic tales. n

With Christmas on the horizon, it’s never too early to start thinking about buying presents for those on your annual gift list –or start writing your own wish-list! With senior membership costing £42 and adult membership £53 a year, a Cadw membership represents a gift with a deeper meaning; your loved one gets to enjoy Wales’ past, while safeguarding its future.

Because, as sites across Wales like Beaumaris Castle continue to shape and improve the lives of Welsh people, the Castles themselves need care and protection too. Without the contribution and support of our valued members – who enjoy the cultural, educational, and wellbeing benefits of unlimited access to over 130 historic sites – that care and protection simply wouldn’t be possible.

That’s because Cadw members, who see the inherent value in preserving the living link to our unique histories, help make Wales’ historic places something for us all to be proud of – something for us all to keep.

Help safeguard our heritage for the future: become a Cadw member at cadw.gov.wales today.

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.

Why should you care about calories?

If you are someone that wants to take things to the next level with your health and well-being, having a great understanding of calories will definitely help.

To start with you have to understand your energy balance, which is a simple equation of calories in versus calories out.

Calories in are made up from everything you eat and drink during the day, while calories out is made up from the following:

Percentage of calories burned Example of someone that burns 2600kcal a day

Calories burned from digesting food 8-15% 208-390

Any planned exercise session 15-30% 390-780

Unplanned exercise such as step counts, how active your job is etc. 15-50% 390-1300

How many calories your body burns at rest 60-70% 1560-1820

Now we understand the basics of calories in versus calories out we can talk about the variations.

1. If you were to consume more calories than you burned in a day you would GAIN weight – this is known as a calorie surplus

2. If you consume the same amount of calories as you burn you would MAINTAIN your weight – known as being at maintenance

3. If you burn more calories than you eat you would LOSE weight – this is known as a calorie deficit.

Any diet that you have ever used and lost weight on is based on being in a calorie deficit, most of the different diets out there are simply a marketing spin on this formula. Let’s say

you’re someone that burns a total of 2600 calories throughout the day – for you to lose weight you’d need to eat less than that, simple right?

Weight loss on paper is simple, but there are so many factors which make it difficult in this day and age but I will save that for another article.

Step 1 - Workout your how many calories you burnTotal daily energy expenditure (TDEE)

How? Google TDEE calculator and workout how many calories you burn each day- www.tdeecalculator.net

Step 2 - Workout your calorie deficit

For you to lose approximately 1lb of fat each week you’d need to consume 3500 less calories of the week or 500 less per day. Let’s use the above example of someone burning 2600kcals per day. 2600 – 500 = 2100kcal each day.

Step 3 - Start tracking your calories

How? Use a calorie counting app. The one that I usually go to is usually MyFitnessPal.

Be aware of the calories they give you and change the goals to match your calculation from above!

Step 4 - In the words of Nike ‘Just do it!’

You really don’t need to over complicate weight loss at the beginning. Give your everything into getting this right 80% (24 days out of 30) of the time and you will start to see results!

Keep it simple and remember to drop me an email or message on social media if you need any help!

Rich Blake is a co-founder of LVL 5, a business founded upon the vision of helping as many people as possible enjoy the process of becoming happier and healthier. For further information you can reach him on 07909 245472 or at rich@lvl5gyms.com

Where to stay in North Wales

Swan Cottage

Swan Cottage is a beautiful, recently renovated stone cottage for two in the heart of Rowen. Walking distance from the local pub and a short drive from all the best attractions, this one-bedroom cottage boasts a bright modern interior with all mod cons. Sleeping two in king-size comfort, the first-floor bedroom offers a view over the lane to the small river which runs through the village.

The country escape

Another ideal retreat for a couple or a small family is Tan Y Celyn, and it’s also a short walk from the pub. This semi-detached bungalow-style cottage offers offroad parking, a modern interior, a small but perfectly formed kitchen and two bedrooms (a double and a single). This delightful cottage also boasts a small garden with countryside views.

Both Swan Cottage and Tan Y Celyn are available to rent on a holiday-let basis from North Wales Holiday Cottages. For further information please visit www.northwalesholidaycottages.co.uk

Famous for its excellent pub, community spirit and peaceful rural setting, Rowen is a wonderful place to unwind. Located in the Snowdonia National Park, this picturesque village is popular with walkers, nature lovers, visitors and locals alike…

IN THE

ARIES (March 21st – April 20th)

Don’t let your larger-than-life personality intimidate your best friend, romantic partner, or business colleague on the 1st. A stalled health regimen will roar back into action on the 2nd. Your leadership ability reasserts itself on the 8th, making it easier to take charge of your personal and professional life situations.

TAURUS (April 21st – May 21st)

Overindulging in food and drink will cause regret on the 1st. You’ll get a clear idea of how to finish a stalled creative project on the 2nd. Starting on the 8th, you’ll have opportunities to expand your horizons through travel and study. The Full Moon on the 9th finds you retreating from public view, taking some time to rest and reflex.

GEMINI (May 22nd – June 21st)

Family relations become a lot easier beginning on the 2nd, much to everyone’s relief. A nice windfall will arrive on the 6th, giving you the chance to put a down payment or deposit on a big purchase. The Full Moon on the 9th is perfect for attending a big social gathering, where your expertise puts you in line for an impressive job.

CANCER (June 22nd – July 23rd)

A relative is jealous of your success on the 1st; don’t let their petty remarks undermine your enthusiasm. Confusion over plans clears up beginning on the 2nd. Positive feedback from your business or romantic partner gives you the courage to make a bold move on the 6th. On the 9th, the Full Moon marks an exciting career milestone.

LEO (July 24th – August 23rd)

Stalled financial negotiations will move forward on the 2nd; nail down the details quickly. On the 9th, the Full Moon brings the successful conclusion to a legal matter, allowing you to focus more fully on a close relationship. Your sunny outlook attracts an attentive admirer like a magnet on the 11th; this relationship has the potential to last a lifetime.

VIRGO (August 24th – September 23rd)

It will be much easier to command the attention and respect you deserve starting on the 2nd. The 6th is perfect for showing off your creative talent; don’t be surprised if an admirer approaches as a result. The Full Moon on the 9th marks an exciting turning point in an intimate relationship; things are getting serious.

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

Don’t let your best friend, romantic partner, or colleague talk you out of a personal goal on the 1st. Homelife is a profound source of peace on the 6th; spend time close to family. The Full Moon on the 9th causes a close friend to champion your talent and expert knowledge. Arguing with your closest friend is a waste of time on the 11th; you won’t make a dent with this stubborn individual.

SCORPIO (October 24th – November 22nd)

A passionate discussion with a friend on the 6th paves the way to an exciting creative project. On the 9th, the Full Moon allows you to leave an unsatisfying job for a much more rewarding one. If you’ve always wanted to work from home, you will be able to do so on the 11th. Escaping to a private hideaway with the one you love will be a great release on the 13th.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd – December 21st)

Resist the temptation to steer a friendship into romantic waters on the 1st. Realising your professional plans becomes much easier starting on the 2nd. The Full Moon on the 9th marks a beautiful turning point in a budding romance; news of an engagement or marriage is possible. A manipulative relative will try to interfere with a personal relationship on the 11th.

CAPRICORN (December 22nd – January 20th)

Don’t let a boss talk you into assuming more responsibilities on the 1st; protect your private time like a precious jewel. Stalled travel plans move forward on the 2nd, after a prolonged delay period. It becomes much easier to assert your authority on the 8th, allowing you to move forward with a significant personal project.

AQUARIUS (January 21st – February 19th)

You’ll become clear about your most profound dreams and desires starting on the 2nd. The Full Moon on the 9th finds you acquiring knowledge about a subject that has always fascinated you, causing accomplished people to look at you with respect. Your calm, relaxed demeanour paves the way for an excellent professional opportunity to teach, lecture, or write on the 11th.

PISCES (February 20th – March 20th)

It won’t be possible to buy happiness on the 1st; it’s better to look within for the fulfilment you desire. The 6th is perfect for signing a contract or making a binding agreement. On the 9th, the Full Moon attracts a big paycheque that gives you a more significant measure of freedom. Don’t let relatives dictate how you lead your life on the 11th; take command of your destiny.

We are thrilled to have partnered with Welsh fashion designer, Julien Macdonald OBE to bring you four distinctive collections. These items feature the bold ideas that you’d expect from one of Britain’s top fashion designers combined with the timeless beauty associated with a piece of Clogau.