Community News

Easy eco-friendly gifts

As more and more of us become aware of the rising threat of climate change and plastic pollution, this year is the perfect time to give an eco-friendly gift. And there’s lots to choose from at Dancing Barefoot’s online plastic-free & vegan store. Their range of cosmetics and toiletries are all free from plastic packaging and ingredients, and their seasonal gift sets all have the environment in mind. Sets include organic hand and body lotions as well as Spa Facial sets with natural

exfoliators. For all-over relaxation they offer Pamper

Boxes featuring soothing massage oils and luxurious

bath bombs. Or Aromatherapy sets, which include sumptuous skincare with a hand-poured soy wax

candle scented with essential oils – perfect for helping you unwind. “Our eco-friendly gift sets mean you can treat someone to luxury cosmetics made of natural

ingredients that are kind to the skin, without worrying about adding to plastic pollution,” said founder Sarah. “Traditionally, the beauty industry is guilty of using a lot of plastic packaging, much of it single-use, generating an estimated 120 billion units of plastic a year. Our beauty gift sets only feature plastic-free products in recyclable or reusable packaging.”

www.dancing-barefoot.com

Welsh Water to save residents money

Welsh Water’s ‘Cartref’ project has been helping its customers in communities across North Wales to understand just how much water they use and helping them to make small savings in the home. The team can resolve common internal leaks such as taps, and toilets for free of charge and are working their way around North Wales, starting in Dolgellau in October. “We are passionate about helping customers save water, energy, and money,” said Euan Hampton, Cartref programme manager at Welsh Water. “Through the Cartref Project we hope to lend a hand to customers who are keen to become more water efficient and

shave money off their water bill. It’s brilliant to be out on the road again and to be able to help people solve simple jobs. Any visit will be fully compliant with Welsh Government Covid-19 safety procedures to give our customers peace of mind. We recently visited a customer to fix her toilet but, while at the property,

installed new energy efficient shower heads to help her save

even more money in future.” There is an easy-to-use postcode checker, which allows you to see if your property falls into one of the areas the team are currently working in. If it does, the team can set up an appointment with one of their certified plumbers,

completely free of charge.

www.dwrcymru.com/en/help-advice/get-water-fit

Funding support for Conwy’s athletes

Athletes in Conwy are able to benefit from funding schemes

that will assist them in their sporting endeavours. For

athletes competing at a regional level, they can apply for the Sport Conwy (the local voluntary sports council) Personal Development Grant. This provides up to £300 for travel,

accommodation, equipment and other costs associated with

competing at that level. Sport Conwy also administer the Sports Injury Grant, this provides up to £100 for athletes competing at a regional level to cover the costs of treatment. To be eligible athletes must to members of clubs affiliated to Sport Conwy. Meanwhile the Conwy Excellence fund is provided by

Conwy County Borough Council and supports those pursuing excellence in sport and the arts. Athletes need to be competing

at a national level. The fund covers costs associated with competing at a national level e.g. items of personal equipment,

accommodation, travel etc. Applicants will need to provide supporting documentation from their National Governing Bodies. To make an application go to Conwy Excellence Fund

www.conwy.gov.uk

Limited-edition Wrexham AFC gin now at Morrisons

Morrisons has kicked off the new football season by securing the listing of Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation American Gin Away Edition – a limited edition gin which has been created to celebrate Wrexham AFC’s new away game shirt. Featuring the

club’s crest on the bottle, Aviation American Gin Away Edition will be available at nine Morrisons stores in North Wales: Wrexham, Colwyn Bay, Newtown, Connah’s

Quay, Denbigh, Caernarfon, Bangor, Saltney and Holyhead. The special gin is the latest Wrexham announcement made by the Hollywood owners of Wrexham

AFC, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, with Morrisons stores in North Wales

being one of the only places where fans are able to snap up the exclusive drink.

“I am delighted that Aviation’s Limited Edition Wrexham bottle will be available

in Morrisons stores close to the Wrexham AFC ground,” commented Aviation’s

founder Ryan Reynolds. “With limited stock, I suggest you get to your local North Wales store pretty quickly!”

www.morrisons.co.uk

New history app launches

The clocks are to go back a little earlier for the launch of a new history app. The first of its kind in North Wales, a free history app, called Imagine Trail, will shed

light on some of the Bay of Colwyn and Mochdre’s old tales and bring them to life through augmented reality (AR) technology. The app has been created as part of Imagine Colwyn Bay, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund with support

from Conwy County Borough Council and the Bay of Colwyn Town Council. Local arts charity TAPE Community Music & Film and tech experts Reality Boffins worked

closely with local creatives, heritage groups and the wider community to develop it. Animated videos, old footage and photos, sound recordings and interviews have been used to recall stories of note from monks in the Middle Ages through to the mod rallies of the 70s and 80s. “The app is a real treasure trove of stories,” said TAPE’s Neil Dunsire. “We’ve been fortunate to unearth some terrific tales and memories from Dinosaur World to Medieval

ambushes. It has been brilliant to work with 20 local creatives, who have adapted and overcome challenges brought about by the pandemic. In all, we’ve worked with 300 people, from school children to local historians to create the 52 pieces of

video, sound, and animation included in the app, which will be free to download. We’re hugely grateful to everyone who has taken part and are very much looking forward to being able to share the Imagine Trail.”

tapemusicandfilm.co.uk

Alternatives to court discussed by divorce experts

“There’s an option for everyone” – that’s the message from a North Wales-based legal expert who specialises

in helping divorcing couples avoid court proceedings. Lawyers from Lanyon Bowdler’s family law team, which has offices in Conwy, discuss the various options available in a

newly-launched podcast, called The Legal Lounge. Caroline Yorke and Gemma Hughes, both associate solicitors in family law, talk through the process of Alternative Dispute Resolution – also known as ADR – in the latest episode of the podcast, available on Apple Podcasts or on the Lanyon Bowdler website. “Alternative Dispute Resolution provides a number of different channels of resolving an argument or issue between a couple, which might otherwise involve the courts,” explained Caroline. “Mediation is probably the

most well-known element of ADR, which is recommended at the outset of any dispute, and indeed the courts will usually require evidence that mediation has at least been

attempted before court proceedings can begin. Mediation can often be the cheapest route to a resolution, and it can certainly help narrow down the options available. It’s important to be clear that each party is not bound to any agreements reached in mediation sessions until they have been to see their solicitor and taken legal advice. In other words, it’s a safe bubble to discuss your differences with a trained mediator, without the pressure or stress of a court hearing. There are also other elements of ADR, such as collaborative law, which can be very effective ways of reaching an agreement. I would say there is an option for everyone, and it’s important to consider all avenues before embarking on time-consuming and expensive court

proceedings.”

www.lblaw.co.uk/podcast

Cyclists to raise money for Wrexham charity

Cyclists are on track to raise £15,000 for a music studio for disadvantaged children. Wrexham

Sounds chairman Chris Lloyd and a group of friends and supporters will journey more than 250 miles around the mountains of North Wales from October 7th – 10th to garner funds for the revamped social enterprise. Chris hopes people will get behind the VELO 21 challenge to help pay for instruments and equipment that will transform the

lives of young people through music. “Thank you to everyone who has sponsored us so far, we are almost a third of the way to our target but do need more people to get behind the campaign,” said Chris. “Wrexham

Sounds is an incredible project with a big future, I am honoured to be a volunteer director and part of such a brilliant team who are all focused on making music more accessible to children, especially those from challenging backgrounds. The services it will provide are needed now more than ever, as we emerge from the pandemic and restrictions continue to ease; many young people have been isolated and behind closed doors for so long they will need support and guidance in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, something we will provide through music, performance, dance and more.”

www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/christopherlloyd-1

Family fun day supports clock tower restoration

A family fun day raised thousands of pounds and united a community behind the redevelopment of an iconic North Wales landmark. Following the success of their

recent live event, Vicki Roskams and the team behind plans to save the dilapidated John Summers clock

tower site in Deeside are pressing ahead with further activities in the months ahead. Having collected more than £3000 from proceeds of the fair – which was

attended by more than a thousand people and backed by Art & Soul Tribe CIC and Brooklyn Yard – they will now use the money towards further renovations to the roof and ensuring the building is ready for the winter. “We want to say a huge thank to everyone who rallied behind this project and pledged time and effort to come together for our recent event, and to all of those individuals and companies regularly on-site working hard to bring it back to life,” said Vicki. “It was a fully immersive and spectacular occasion, showcasing advances in technology and bringing together some wonderful up and coming talent onstage and behind the scenes. We had it all, from music and craft workshops to independent food and drink producers, stalls, retro fairground games and more.”

www.savetheclocktower.co.uk

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