news.wrexham.gov.uk

Category: Featured

Featured posts

  • Exciting Programme ahead for Wrexham’s Carnival of Words 2023

    Exciting Programme ahead for Wrexham’s Carnival of Words 2023

    A highly entertaining programme is being put together for one of Wales’ premier literary festivals. The Wrexham Carnival of Words has become a fixture in the literary calendar in Wales and the borderlands attracting a diverse range of well-known authors. The 2023 festival will be held between 22-29 April and several well-known authors have already agreed to appear at local venues.

    Among the authors highlighting the 2023 Carnival will be Sunday Times bestselling authors Erica James and Lucy Diamond whose combined worldwide book sales of total over 7 million books. Erica James’ books are loved by readers for their beautifully drawn relationships, emotionally powerful storylines and evocative settings. Lucy Diamond’s latest release, The Best Days of Our Lives, is a big-hearted, hopeful and uplifting novel about family, loss and love.

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    The Carnival will be pleased to welcome adventurous science communicator and author Sophie Pavelle who has gained an outstanding reputation across the conservation sector. Sophie finds creative routes to storytelling, putting a contemporary twist on the natural history genre, as shown in her recent book Forget Me Not: Finding the Forgotten Species of Climate Change Britain.

    There will be a special Historical fiction evening reliving “Vikings and the Last Kingdom” featuring renowned authors Matthew Harffy (The Bernicia Chronicles) and Angus Donald (The Outlaw Chronicles and The Fire Born series). There is a rumour that the organisers are keeping under wraps a special event involving huge international author Bernard Cornwell (Sharpe and The Last Kingdom)!

    Mike Gayle’s books feature ordinary people who become extraordinary. Since his breakthrough My Legendary Girlfriend, Mike has written 12 books in the lad lit genre.

    Crime fiction fans will be able to meet enthralling crime writer Conrad Jones (Anglesey Murders) and Tim Weaver (missing persons investigator David Raker), the master of clever unpredictable plot twists. The ever-popular Murder Mystery evening will feature a script written by Ann Cleves (Shetland).

    Poetry will be well-represented by local poet Aled Lewis Evans giving unique readings of his English-language poetry and the ever-popular Viva Voce open mic for local poets. There will also be a special appearance by Hanan Issa, the National Poet of Wales.

    Acclaimed Welsh-language author Meinir Pierce Jones will talk about Capten, the book that won the 2022 National Eisteddfod Daniel Owen Memorial Prize.

    Local writers and budding authors will be able to attend a free event to meet other local authors, poets, bloggers, journalists and songwriters and participate in the active panel sessions during The Writers’ Carousel.

    Families are warmly invited to a free Storytelling for Families event at Wrexham Library on Saturday 22nd April.

    Festival Director Dylan Hughes has said: “this year’s Carnival is back with a bang with an exciting and varied programme of events and we can’t wait to put on a great week for local readers and book-lovers”.

    Keep up with news about the 2023 Carnival and our regular blogs at www.wrexhamcarnivalofwords.com

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  • Congratulations! Heulfan Playgroup Plus receives National Award from Welsh Government

    Congratulations! Heulfan Playgroup Plus receives National Award from Welsh Government

    Heulfan Playgroup Plus has received the prestigious Healthy and Sustainable Pre-School Scheme National Award from Welsh Government.

    By achieving the award Heulfan Playgroup Plus have successfully demonstrated that they have implemented actions that have covered a wide range of health issues including, Nutrition and Oral Health, Physical Activity/Active Play, Mental and Emotional Health, Wellbeing and Relationships, Environment, Safety, Hygiene and Workplace Health and Wellbeing.

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    As well as focusing on these health areas they have also achieved the ‘Tiny Tums Award’ in recognition of the food that is served at the setting. They have a fantastic outdoor space for children to play and learn as well as high standards for safety and hygiene.

    Louise Roberts, Healthy Pre Schools Officer for Wrexham County Borough Council said: “Heulfan Playgroup Plus has shown that the general health and well-being of children and staff is at the forefront of the setting.

    “The environment of the setting is lovely both indoors and outdoors. They embrace all initiatives that can help to influence practice in the setting and make the experience for staff and children extra special. I am sure they will continue to promote a healthy and happy environment for the children that pass through their care in the future.”

    Mrs Griffith, Supervisor said, “We are delighted to achieve the Healthy and Sustainable Pre-School Scheme award! We are beyond grateful for the recognition we have received and will continue to encourage children, parents and staff to further develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

    “We are fortunate in our setting that we have an array of resources to promote well-being for the children and the staff. We would like to thank the Healthy School’s team at for your support.”

    The Healthy and Sustainable Pre School Scheme operates across Wales and it is managed by Public Health Wales and supported locally by our Healthy Schools Team.

    Photo:

    Staff back row (L-R) – Miss Karen, Miss Katy, Mrs Griffith, Miss Sue and Mrs Cooke

    Pupils (L-R) – Sigi, Isla, Madeline, Evelyn, Lucian, Elliot, Bodhi, Max, Erin, Kayden, Maja, Maya, Liam, Aubrey, Rohan, Theo, Arlo, Oliver, Gracie and Leo.

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  • Seven care homes across Wrexham win awards for using reminiscence software

    Seven care homes across Wrexham win awards for using reminiscence software

    Seven care homes in Wrexham have recently won awards for the work they are doing with RITA, a reminiscence, rehabilitation and interactive therapy software.

    RITA is an all-in-one touch screen solution which offers digital reminiscence therapy which is a relatively new tool in the fields of nursing and healthcare. It encompasses the use of user-friendly interactive screens and tablets to blend entertainment with therapy and to assist patients (particularly with memory impairments) in recalling and sharing events from their past through listening to music, watching news reports of significant historical events, listening to war-time speeches, playing games and karaoke and watching films.

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    My Improvement network recently held an award ceremony to celebrate those who use the device across the country and to present awards to those who have demonstrated the benefits of the device. Seven care settings within Wrexham were successful in winning awards:

    • Gold Award: Best use of RITA for learning disabilities: Dolywern, Leonard Cheshire

    • Gold Award: Best use of RITA for reducing medication use: Pen Y Garth Care Home Wrexham                                                                                        
    • Silver Award: Best use of RITA for group activities – Chirk Court
    • Silver Award: Best use of RITA for 1-1 care – Primary Health Liaison Team Wrexham
    • Bronze Award: Best use of RITA for group activities: Bodlondeb
    • Bronze Award: Best use of RITA involving families: Elm Villa

    Cllr John Pritchard, Lead Member for Adult Social Care said, “RITA is a fantastic piece of software and it’s great to see the recognition that care homes in Wrexham are getting for using it. Congratulations to all winners. I’m excited about the recent developments in the software and look forward to seeing how they are used across the county in the future.”

    RITA has recently undergone some exciting developments including updates from Wrexham Football club with the inclusion of historic match programmes and early archive footage. The Church of Wales have also allowed filming at several of their services in Cardiff including Lent, Easter and Christmas in both English and Welsh.

    The RITA interface is also now available in the Welsh language.

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  • Temporary Suspension of Wrexham Bus Station Disabled Parking Bays on Sunday 1st January 2023.

    Temporary Suspension of Wrexham Bus Station Disabled Parking Bays on Sunday 1st January 2023.

    Wrexham County Borough Council advises that the five marked disabled parking bays located to the rear of Wrexham Bus Station will be unavailable on Sunday 1st January 2023.

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    Alternative disabled parking is available within the library car park, and blue badge holders are able to park in the limited waiting bays with no time limit, and free of charge, on King Street adjacent to the bus station, and on the Single & Double Yellow Lines on Regent Street, Duke Street and King Street.

    The annual Chester & Wrexham Charity Heritage Bus Running Day is taking place on New Year’s Day, Sunday 1st January 2023, at Wrexham Bus Station.  As well as an all-day regular vintage bus service operating between Wrexham City Centre and Chester, and Barkers Lane via Acton, visitors will also be able to get up close to a static display of vintage and classic buses that will be parked at Wrexham Bus Station during the day.

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  • Refuse and recycling crews will be working on bank holiday Monday (January 2)

    Refuse and recycling crews will be working on bank holiday Monday (January 2)

    Our refuse and recycling crews will be working on Monday, January 2. If your collection day is on Monday, please put your general waste, recycling and food waste out to be collected.

    When it comes to the cost of living, making sure you claim all the help and support you’re entitled to could make a huge difference.

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  • Tŷ Pawb awarded Art Fund Reimagine Grant

    Tŷ Pawb awarded Art Fund Reimagine Grant

    Tŷ Pawb has been selected as one of 45 museums and galleries to receive a Reimagine grant from Art Fund, the UK’s national charity for art.

    Reimagine grants totalling £1.8M have been awarded for “bold, brave and experimental projects which will help museums reimagine engagement with audience and providing vital support for the future of cultural organisations”.

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    Children to be project ‘co-producers’

    Tŷ Pawb’s project, ‘Capital of Play’, will bring artists and children together as genuine co-producers to explore the role of the arts in engaging young audiences in the civic decision-making which impacts upon their lives. The project aims to support emerging creative talent across North East Wales, and support, and advance the Arte Útil (Useful Art) movement in Wales.

    Jo Marsh, Creative Director, Tŷ Pawb, said: “We are delighted to receive this Reimagine Grant from Art Fund. The funding will help us to deliver an exciting, Play-themed, artist-led project here in Wrexham – ‘Capital of Play’ – exploring what it means for artists and children to work together as genuine co-producers. We are looking forward to seeing how this ambitious project develops over the next few months. Our thanks to Art Fund for their invaluable support.”

    ‘Engaging audiences in exciting new ways’

    Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund, said: “We are delighted that Art Fund can provide millions of pounds to support museums directly engaging audiences in exciting and innovative ways. It’s an enormously challenging time for museums with a real risk that the current economic climate will stifle creativity. Museums are facing huge energy bills for their buildings and cost of living wage measures to help retain their expert staff just as they endeavour to recover their pre-pandemic visitor numbers and income.”

    Grants will support museums and galleries across the UK

    45 museums, galleries, historic houses, trusts, and professional networks have been awarded grants through the latest round of Art Fund’s Reimagine scheme.

    Some Recipients are located in all four nations, from Focal Point Gallery in Southend-on-Sea to Golden Thread Gallery in Belfast. Other organisations to receive a grant include V&A Dundee, Walker Art Gallery (Liverpool) and Tramway (Glasgow).

    The funding programme in 2022 was designed to help museums address reengaging audiences lost over the pandemic, reach new people and deepen relationships.

    135 applications were received, with a total ask of £5.3m demonstrating the continued level of need and Art Fund’s efforts to respond to the challenges the sector is facing.

    The first round of Reimagine grants were announced in August 2020 as part of an effort to support organisations deliver projects or activity that would provide a positive change in offering new or improved ways of working during and as part of the longer-term response to the COVID-19 crisis. Since this initial round, £6.25m has been awarded. In the most recent round, organisations were able to apply for support of between £10,000 and £50,000.

    Visit the Art Fund website to find out more.

    When it comes to the cost of living, making sure you claim all the help and support you’re entitled to could make a huge difference.

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  • Crown Buildings refurbishment wins national award

    Crown Buildings refurbishment wins national award

    The newly refurbished Crown Buildings on Chester Street, Wrexham, has won an Ystadau Cymru Award. The annual Ystadau Cymru awards are a celebration of the successful collaborative asset management across the Welsh public sector.

    The scheme has won the coveted award specifically for the environmental sustainability of the project as well as being awarded Overall Winners, too!

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    The refurbishment of Crown Buildings was a 2 stage design and build project for the refurbishment and extension of the councils existing 4-storey 1960’s building. It is now a base for all social care and education staff, delivering seamless children and adults’ services with the creation of a new Wellbeing Hub to the ground floor of the building.

    The project was completed on time and under budget. It has significantly improved the buildings energy performance from EPC D to EPC A, which helps to tackle the carbon crisis whilst extending the lifespan of the existing structure by over 50 additional years whilst also maximising the supply of renewable energy.

    Leader of Wrexham Council, Cllr Mark Pritchard said: “The Crown Buildings project stands out from the crowd in our dedication to our Net Zero ambition – transforming an outdated and inefficient 1960’s facility into a modern office. The refurbishment has helped to reduce the heating demand by 66% with a further 25% reduction in energy demand from the electrical installations. We would like to thank our designers, contractors and partners, it’s a fantastic project, and one in which we are very proud of as a council. I would also like to thank all Officers involved in the project from the start”.

    A spokesperson from Alex Read Construction said: “Read are proud to have been involved in the Crown Building Scheme which demonstrates a truly collaborative team effort, focusing on the decarbonisation of one of Wrexham’s major existing assets. With two thirds of 2030’s built assets, already existing today, tackling the carbon crisis through refit / refurbishment is the biggest challenge the industry faces in reaching Net Zero. Having embraced the challenge, we are proud to have supported Wrexham in beginning to address the challenge and sharing their experiences for the benefit of other portfolio managers.”

    The Well Being Hub, based on the ground floor of the building provides integrated health, social care, third sector and community services; improving access to information and advice and delivering preventative and alternative solutions to care and support in a safe environment, with accessible facilities for all ages and abilities. For more information about the Wellbeing Hub visit our website.

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  • Council staff support Ukrainian refugees this Christmas

    Council staff support Ukrainian refugees this Christmas

    Wrexham Council employees recently held a pre-Christmas event for Ukrainian refugees staying in the county borough.

    Staff in the Housing Department invited Ukrainian guests along for tea, cake and biscuits at the council offices in Ruthin Road, as part of ongoing efforts to help refugees feel safe and welcome.

    Housing staff helped lay on refreshments and there was plenty of laughter and friendship in the room.

    Councillor David A Bithell, Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Housing, helped organise the event. He said:

    “It was a lovely morning and our staff really went the extra mile to make our guests feel welcome.

    “The war in Ukraine has forced many people to flee their homes, and it’s important that we continue to make refugees staying in the county borough feel safe and supported.

    “I was really proud of our staff – they did a tremendous job and you could feel the warmth and friendship between everyone.”

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    The event was also attended by other council employees who are instrumental in supporting Ukrainian families, as well as the Leader of the Council, Councillor Mark Pritchard, and Wrexham AFC’s community development team.

    Councillor Pritchard said:

    “This will be a difficult Christmas for many people whose lives have been turned upside down by the war, and we need to do everything we can to make them feel safe and welcome.

    “Wrexham has always been known for its compassion, and is a caring and warm-hearted community, and it was wonderful to see our guests enjoying some tea, cake and friendly conversation with staff. It was a lovely event.

    “I would like to say a big thank you to all officers and members of staff who’ve been involved from day one. They’ve done a fantastic job.”

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  • Some advice for visiting the recycling centres over Christmas

    Some advice for visiting the recycling centres over Christmas

    Christmas is always a busy time at the recycling centres, so it’s a really good idea to plan your visit in advance to make it as easy and stress-free as possible.

    We appreciate Christmas can be a particularly stressful time anyway, and you’ll likely want to get in-and-out of the facilities as soon as you can. That’s why it’s best to be prepared and have everything you need ready ahead of time.

    Here are a couple of things you can do to before setting off that really helps us out, but also makes it a quicker and smoother for you as well…

    Sort your recycling before leaving

    Before setting off to your local recycling centre, please sort out the different materials, so you have them ready to deposit straight into the correct bays. This is one of the biggest ways you can help us out.

    If you arrive with your recycling unsorted, you will be on the site for much longer as this will really slow your visit down.

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    Always bring ID with you

    Our recycling centres are only to be used by Wrexham residents, so upon arrival at the sites you’re asked to show us some ID so we can make sure you are local.

    Remember to make sure you bring some with you, and having it ready for us will to check will also help to speed things up.

    “Try to avoid the traditionally busier times”

    Darren Williams, Chief Environment and Technical Officer, said: “The recycling centres are generally busier over Christmas than at other times of the year with many of us having more waste than usual, so when you visit please make sure you have your ID ready, and your materials pre-arranged ready to deposit in the correct bays. It’s also always a good idea to consider the timing of your visit and try to avoid the traditionally busier times wherever possible.

    Opening times

    Bryn Lane, Wrexham Industrial Estate LL13 9UT
    8am – 8pm

    The Lodge, Brymbo, Wrexham LL11 5NR
    9am – 4pm

    Wynnstay Bank, Plas Madoc, Wrexham LL14 3ES
    9am – 4pm

    Please note all three recycling centres will be closed on Christmas Day.

    No recyclables in the general waste skip

    If you’re bringing any black bags to the recycling centres, please make sure any plastic bottles, cans etc. mistakenly placed inside have been removed and placed in your kerbside recycling, or they can be recycled in the respective recycling banks at the recycling centre.

    Anything for reuse?

    You can donate to the re-use shop at any of the three recycling centres; just speak to one of the attendants who’ll point you in the right direction.

    Still need that special Christmas gift that’s affordable and in great condition?

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  • Let’s be careful out there

    Let’s be careful out there

    Temperatures over the last week have been incredibly cold, and while the council is making sure the roads are gritted, we all still need to be cautious!

    The gritters have been out twice in the evenings over the last week, and sometimes in the mornings and afternoons too. But here are a few things that you need to be aware of to make sure you’re safe out and about over the coming few days and weeks:

    • where there is standing or running water you need to be extra careful, even if the road has been gritted
    • be extra careful on footpaths and footways as they remain frosty
    • a number of water leaks have cropped up around the county borough and where these are spilling onto already frozen ground, additional care needs to be taken. If the risks of these become significant, we will consider traffic management or road closures as a very last resort. Please keep an eye on our social media channels for updates
    • if you need to park on the street, to do so considerately remembering the large gritting vehicle may need to pass. If parked vehicles block the gritter we cannot get through to properly treat the route

    As we approach the weekend, the weather forecast is due to change and while this may see some relief from the cold, rising temperatures can bring wet weather and, if temperatures remain low, we may see some snow in parts of the county borough.

    Wrexham Council’s Twitter (@wrexhamcbc) and Facebook (@wrexhamcouncil) pages are updated regularly with news on gritting, traffic management and road closures so follow us to keep up to date.

    When it comes to the cost of living, making sure you claim all the help and support you’re entitled to could make a huge difference.

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