news.wrexham.gov.uk

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  • FOCUS Wales announces first 60 acts for May 2023

    FOCUS Wales announces first 60 acts for May 2023

    FOCUS Wales festival will welcome 20,000 attendees, and see over 250 acts from Wales and around the world descend upon Wrexham across 4th–6th May.

    Today FOCUS Wales are thrilled to reveal the first 60 new music acts for their 2023 edition.

    Among the first acts announced, there is… The fierce, funny, post-punk soloist BILLY NOMATES who headlines Llwyn Isaf on Thursday 4th May, hot on the heels of their national TV debut on the BBC’s Later with… Jools.

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    This will be followed up by a show from North Wales own critically acclaimed band THE JOY FORMIDABLE at The Rockin’ Chair. Friday 5th May will see SQUID headline Llwyn Isaf, following the release of their top 10 debut album Bright Green Field (WARP records), and a string of worldwide festival performances in 2022 including Primavera Sound, and Glastonbury.

    NEUE GRAFIK ENSEMBLE bring an explosive show featuring the UK’s finest musicians in new jazz. Also that night will be dance music pioneer, A GUY CALLED GERALD, best known for his hit single ‘Voodoo Ray’, which became a touchstone of Manchester’s acid house scene. Closing the festival on Saturday 6th May 2023 will be the multi-award-winning band THE CORAL, headlining Llwyn Isaf, followed by a show from DREAM WIFE whose new single LEECH has earned rave reviews from NME, and The Guardian, amongst many others.

    More artists announced today include: Acid Klaus | Adwaith | Afro Cluster | Al Lewis | Band Pres Llareggub | Ben Ottewell | Camera | Cerys Hafana | Dafydd Iwan | DEIJUVHS | Delta Radio | Dilletante | Dresden Wolves | Edie Bens | Gallops | George Boomsma | Go Go Machine Orchestra | Grubb & Eedens | Gwenifer Raymond | Hannah Grae | Hannah Scott | Heather Ferrier | HMS Morris | IMMERSE | ISLET | Juice Menace | Katherine Priddy | Kidsmoke | LEMFRECK | Maddie Morris | Mantaraybryn | MINAS | MOJA | Mooi | N’famady Kouyate | NoGood Boyo | Opus Kink | Paddy Hanna | Parisa Fouladi | Prima Queen | Sad Boys Club | Sage Todz | Shelf Lives | Skunkadelic | Sophie Jamieson | Sophie McKeand | SUN | TVAM | VRï | Walt Disco | Will Joseph Cook | Ynys | To see the full list of 60 acts, visit www.focuswales.com + plus 200 more still to be announced!

    With around 500 international industry professionals due to attend the 2023 festival, FOCUS Wales has become Wales’ biggest music industry event, with three days of panels, keynote talks, and industry advice. First industry announced includes: Lauren Down (End of The Road Festival), Cecilia Soojeong Yi (DMZ Peace Train Festival, South Korea), Claudia Ferigo (Suns Europe, Italy), David Silbaugh (Summerfest, USA), John Kerridge (Glastonbury Festival), A Guy Called Gerald, plus lots more.

    FOCUS Wales 2023 takes places 4th, 5th, 6th May across various venues in Wrexham, North Wales. Full 3-day wristbands for admission to all FOCUS Wales events are available here www.focuswales.com/tickets (http://www.focuswales.com/tocynnau/)

    FOCUS Wales is supported by Arts Council of Wales, PRS Foundation and Welsh Government.

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    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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  • Get involved in SCAMnesty

    Get involved in SCAMnesty

    Throughout December the National Trading Standards Scam Team are running a SCAMnesty campaign to ask everyone to look out for any scam mail and send it to them for investigation.

    Help with the cost of living – claim what’s yours, reduce your bills, look after your health.

    I have some mail I think might be a SCAM

    In that case send it free of charge to the National Trading Standards Scams Team to be investigated.

    Mail it to FREEPOST, NTSST, Mail Marshalls.

    The team will reply to those who send in their post using the Freepost address.

    You can find out more about the SCAMnesty campaign and visit the team’s privacy policy on their website. www.FriendsagainstScams.org.uk/Scamnesty

    Roger Mapleson, Trading and Licensing Lead said, “Scams come in all forms and this campaign is specific to those out of the blue offers received through the post. Please don’t hesitate to send them off in order to prevent others from falling foul of these criminal traders.”

    Advance Fee Scams Often Include:

    • Official language or stamps/seals
    • The amount that you’re entitled to (in this case £147,000) as they know it will entice people
    • A sense of urgency (respond within 7 days, before the deadline etc.)
    • Sometimes certificates or fake cheques
    • Use of your name throughout to personalise it, making it seem like this is just for you
    • Requests for cash in advance as an “admin fee” to release funds you’re supposedly entitled to

    Clairvoyant Or Psychic Scams Often Include:

    • Promises of happiness, hope, money etc., to sell a dream to the recipient
    • A picture of the clairvoyant to make the sender seem more personal
    • Use of the recipient’s first name throughout
    • Requests for cash to get more information/specific details about your future
    • Offers of trinkets, treasures or charms that will bring good luck – for a price

    Read this article for advice about other types of scams

    Be aware of the latest scams – Stop, Challenge, Protect

    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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  • World Children’s Day a hit with young people

    World Children’s Day a hit with young people

    A free event to celebrate World Children’s Day was a great success earlier this month.

    It was held at Tŷ Pawb and was opened by Scarlett Williams, the Chair of the Senedd yr Ifanc and Katie Hill, Wrexham’s Member of UK Youth Parliament. The front of the building and entrances were lit up blue which is the colour that represents World Children’s Day.

    Help with the cost of living – claim what’s yours, reduce your bills, look after your health.

    Schools and youth groups joined in by wearing something blue and having World Children’s Day celebrations and Wrexham Youth Service provided coaches so community youth groups could attend the event.

    The event was a free event and was very well attended, it was lovely to see all ages, babies, children, young people, parents, grandparents, carers, youth groups, elected members and strategic decision makers coming together on what must have been our busiest World Children’s Day event yet,  everyone enjoying themselves and having fun.

    This year’s entertainment included Andy the bug man with his brilliant bug display, DidyaEvents capturing memories with their photo booth.

    Wrexham’s Play Team provided a treasure hunt and a fun play session, James the Jester taught children and young people some circus tricks, and the Senedd yr Ifanc provided festival faces and balloon modelling.

    Active Wrexham provided a jumping challenge and Wrexham Youth Work in Education Team had a design your own biscuit activity, Singer Megan Lee and the Dynamic Signing Sensations provided us with live entertainment.

    The free food and sweets also went down a treat. 🙂

    There was also a great mixture of stalls providing information on services and projects to support young people and families across Wrexham giving information leaflets and freebies for people to take home with them.

    During the event there was an award ceremony led by the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Paul Rogers who said he was honoured to share the achievements of some dedicated young volunteers of Wrexham.

    The Volunteers Inspiring Wrexham Award Scheme is a scheme that has been developed by Wrexham Youth Service. It recognises and rewards young people aged 11 – 25 for their volunteering achievements within Wrexham Youth Service.

    The Deputy Mayor sincerely thanked all the volunteers for their dedication, commitment and time supporting their projects. 21 young people had achieved certificates ranging from 10 hours to 400 hours, and 14 of these young people collected their certificates during the event.

    Wrexham Youth Service would like to thank everyone who made the event a great success and for helping them to Celebrate World Children’s Day 2022.

    World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare. This year the theme was: Inclusion, for every child.

    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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  • Help available for those struggling to pay broadband and phone services

    Help available for those struggling to pay broadband and phone services

    Did you know that if you receive government benefits you could be eligible for low-cost broadband and phone packages called Social Tariffs?

    They’re delivered in the same way as normal packages but at a lower price.

    Current prices range from £10 to £20 and most tariffs offer superfast broadband so you can stream HD films, keep in touch with friends and family or shop online.

    Help with the cost of living – claim what’s yours, reduce your bills, look after your health.

    Cllr David A Bithell, Chair of the cross party Cost of Living Group, said, “With today’s cost of living crisis it’s important that people claim everything they’re entitled to.

    “Cheaper broadband could mean more money for essentials for those already struggling so please check it out and claim what’s yours.”

    You can find out more here.

    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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  • Yorke Street and High Street Road Closures in run up to Christmas

    Yorke Street and High Street Road Closures in run up to Christmas

    As we approach the busy Christmas evening trade in the city centre we will be closing Yorke Street from Eagles Meadow to High Street and High Street from Chester Street to Abbot Street.

    Help with the cost of living – claim what’s yours, reduce your bills, look after your health.

    The closures will be between 6pm and 6am every Friday and Saturday on the following weekends:

    • Friday 25 November and Saturday 26 November
    • Friday 2 December and Saturday 3 November
    • Friday 9 December and Saturday 10 December
    • Friday 16 December and Saturday 17 December
    • Friday 23 December and Saturday 24 December
    • Friday 30 December and Saturday 31 December

    Alternative routes will be signposted and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

    Access will also be maintained for those businesses within the road closure, but we would encourage business owners to work around these times where possible to maximise the benefit of the closures.

    The closures follow a request from Wrexham Police as they are reporting more people in the city centre during the evening and have concerns for public safety.

    Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for the Environment, said, “It’s important to ensure public safety on extremely busy evenings and for this reason we have taken the decision, at the request of the police, to close the roads named on the dates above.

    “This will not be a permanent situation and we’ll continue to look for longer term solutions to improve road safety and traffic issues in the city centre.”

    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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  • Reduced garden waste collections during winter months

    Reduced garden waste collections during winter months

    We want to issue a reminder to residents who are signed up to the garden waste collection service that collections are going to be reduced again during the winter period of December, January and February.

    Reducing the collections during these months frees up staff to help us deal with any issues caused by the cold weather, such as gritting routes or general maintenance.

    Residents who are signed up to the garden waste collection service will still get at least one garden waste collection in each month from December-February. It’s advisable to check the bin calendars or sign up for our email alerts so you don’t miss any collections.

    The usual fortnightly collections will then resume in March, when demand increases, ready for the spring season.

    Help with the cost of living – claim what’s yours, reduce your bills, look after your health.

    Use the bin calendar to stay up to date

    The new bin and recycling collection calendars for 2022-23 are now up on our website.

    If you want to see your bin calendar for the next twelve months, just pop across to wrexham.gov.uk/bins, scroll down and click on your calendar.

    It’s a really simple way to see your collection information, and it can save you from missing bin collections.

    Bin reminder alerts

    If you don’t want to be checking your calendar every week you can sign up for email alerts instead, which will be sent the day before your collection day to remind you to put your bin out and which bin to put out.

    Want these alerts? Just click the button below.

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  • Don’t be a victim of loan sharks this Christmas

    Don’t be a victim of loan sharks this Christmas

    With Christmas just around the corner and the rising costs of energy and food bills we’re asking you not to fall victim to a loan shark.

    We’re not talking huge amounts of money – it could be £20 for a couple of gifts. But that amount could end up becoming much, much larger with interest payments adding up week after week after week.

    STAY SAFE – GET THE LATEST ALERTS ON SCAMS, PRODUCT RECALLS AND OTHER PUBLIC PROTECTION ISSUES

    Your Credit Union

    If you’re struggling financially this Christmas, and need support, using your Credit Union is a far cheaper and safer way of getting a loan.

    The credit union is licensed and legal and is a properly regulated lender who will lend responsibly.

    Some benefits of doing this are:

    • Easy application
    • Low interest rates
    • Quick decisions
    • No early repayment penalties

    You can find out more and how to apply here.

    A loan shark is an illegal moneylender!

    A loan shark is an illegal moneylender who, as well as charging high interest rates is likely to use threats, intimidation and possibly violence to secure repayment.

    There is help available

    If you’re already in difficulties with a loan shark the message is that there is help available. You can report in confidence to the illegal moneylending team who can support you and tackle the criminals.

    You can contact them on 0300 123 311.

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    Specialist client liaison officers will support and assist victims, advising on debt and other problems.

    Cllr David A Bithell, Chair of the cross party Cost of Living Group, said, “Illegal money lending, however tempting it might be, will only increase pressures during the cost of living crisis we have today.

    “I strongly advise the use of the Credit Union, they’re legal and have excellent advice and expertise to help those needing loans.

    “If you’ve never contacted them before please be assured they treat everyone and everything in a professional and confidential manner.”

    Useful contacts:

    • Citizens Advice Bureau, Wrexham 0800 7022020
    • Vesta SFS (Specialist Family Support – for Polish families in Wales) – email info@vestasfs.orgYou can also contact Citizens Advice’s Consumer Advice Line on 0808 223 1133.

    Get the latest info on scams, product recalls and other public protection issues.

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  • It’s a goal! Foster Wales Wrexham joins UK wide campaign to recruit more foster carers during the World Cup

    It’s a goal! Foster Wales Wrexham joins UK wide campaign to recruit more foster carers during the World Cup

    Foster Wales Wrexham is joining up with local authorities from across the UK to form a new virtual team for the World Cup with the aim of achieving just one goal – to recruit more foster carers.

    Twenty seven local authorities from across the UK have joined Local Councils United – a new virtual team – to share clips for each day of the World Cup and unique reasons why people should foster with their local council.

    Each day of the football tournament a council shares a video with the “Help a young person achieve their goal” message.

    The campaign brings together a united fostering community, to share with everyone why people should foster with your local authority.

    Football teams, carers, young people and families will all be featured in the clips during the World Cup campaign with the hashtag #FosterWithYourCouncil2022

    Help with the cost of living – claim what’s yours, reduce your bills, look after your health.

    Rosemarie – Wrexham foster carer

    “I didn’t hesitate when asked to be part of the campaign to help recruit new foster carers to make a difference in a young person’s life, it can be so rewarding both for you and the young person.”

    Gary – Wrexham foster carer

    “We’re really happy to be part of this campaign to bring to light the huge impact a great foster carer can have on a child’s life. When we were approached to take part in the film we didn’t need to give it a second thought to in join in and share the message “Foster with your local authority”

    Lisa –Wrexham foster carer

    “Being a part of the recruitment campaign was a bit of light relief for a morning, and enabled us to put out there how dedicated foster carers are much needed, always.”

    Cllr. Rob Walsh, Lead Member for Children’s Services said:

    “Football has the unique ability to bring the residents of our communities together. Fostering is exactly the same. It creates a sense of shared community and togetherness. We at Wrexham County Borough Council are proud to join forces with local councils across the UK to celebrate fostering and promote its wider benefits for everyone. We are looking for people who can help a child in care. To help them feel they belong, help them play a positive role in our communities. By joining the fostering team here at Wrexham County Borough Council you will be making a difference to local children. Let`s unite as a fostering community and send out the message why you should foster here in Wrexham.”

    Rhian Thomas – Senior Head of Service for Children’s Social Care said:

    “We are proud to join forces with local councils across the UK to raise the importance of fostering. Fostering and football brings people and communities from all walks of life together for a common purpose. And so local authorities are coming together as a united fostering community, to share why you should foster with your local authority.”

    Kicking off the campaign on 21 November will be Northumberland County Council with Medway Council providing the final video on Day 27.

    Wrexham will be featured on 12th December and will include a video with some of Wrexham’s amazing foster carers at Brickfield Rangers one of our local football clubs and the Foster Wales team there’s even a few glimpses of Wrob & Wryan.

    Foster Wales will share each of the council’s campaigns every day on Twitter so please follow @foster_wales

    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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  • Fan Zones in Wrexham – what a night!

    Fan Zones in Wrexham – what a night!

    Wrexham opened its first ever Fan Zones last night and as it was a free event organisers weren’t sure exactly what to expect on a Monday night in the city centre!

    They weren’t to be disappointed though as you can see from the photos a fantastic time was had by all.

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    In Tŷ Pawb over 500 families and friends joined in the spirit of the occasion, the bar and food court were open and everyone had a great time.

    On the High Street over 600 streamed into the Fan Zone to watch on a giant screen that was up specially for the occasion by the Wynnstay Arms Hotel.

    At both venues there was live entertainment before and after the match which helped to get everyone into the spirit of the occasion.

    Over at Tŷ Pawb local musicians Megan Lee and Alpha Chino took to the stage, while on High St spectators were treated to fantastic Wrexham-based bands The Columbians and The Big Beat, as well as DJ sets from DJ Tony Bear.

    Cllr Nigel Williams, Lead Member for the Economy and Regeneration, said, “A well deserved  point for Wales as Bale scored the first goal for Wales at a World Cup match in 64 years. The atmosphere at Ty Pawb was incredible from the singing of the national anthem to the final whistle everyone remained completely tuned into what was going on and you could sense the passion for this great Welsh team. Good luck Wales for your next match and either see you in Ty Pawb or, especially if the weather is better, on the High Street.

    I would like to thank the event team who worked incredibly hard to bring these fantastic Fan Zones for us to enjoy.”

     

  • Warm up while you wait at Shopmobility Wrexham!

    Warm up while you wait at Shopmobility Wrexham!

    Guest article from AVOW

    From November 28, members of the public can call into Shopmobility Wrexham to get warm, have a hot drink, and to speak with friendly staff from the Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham (AVOW) if they’d like conversation or company – while waiting for their transport or taking shelter from the winter weather.

    Free tea and coffee will be available for self-service, and biscuits will be provided on a first come first served basis. This service will be available during regular Shopmobility opening times, on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 am to 4 pm.

    AVOW’s Chief Officer, Dawn Roberts-McCabe, said: “Anyone needing a warm, safe space this winter is welcome at Shopmobility Wrexham to enjoy a hot drink, have some friendly company if they’d like it, and to take refuge from the winter cold while they wait for their transport home – please do call in!”

    If members of the public wish to share why they need a warm space, AVOW staff will listen and signpost where possible.

    Should members of the public need additional help or support with the cost of living, AVOW staff will put them in touch with organisations that might be able to help provide support.