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Category: Featured

Featured posts

If someone you love has dementia, you might want to read this
We know that exercise is one of the best things we can do for our minds and our bodies.
But for some people, finding the right opportunities and support isn’t easy.
So here’s some brilliant news…
Chirk Leisure Centre and Freedom Leisure have launched inclusive swimming sessions on Monday afternoons for people living with a disability – especially those with dementia.
Based in Chapel Lane, the centre has been offering supported swimming for people living with the illness for some time, and is now extending the service with fully inclusive sessions where people can swim with a carer.
If you think you or someone you know might benefit, get in touch with the leisure centre on 01691 778666.
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“…enjoy swimming in a really supportive setting…”
The centre has been working towards becoming ‘dementia friendly’, and is set to receive an award from Wrexham Dementia Friends and the Alzheimer’s Society.
Local Borough Councillor Frank Hemmings said: “Staff have put in a huge amount of effort – working closely with the Alzheimer’s Society to do something that could improve the quality of life for a lot of people.
“We all know the physical and mental benefits of exercise, and these sessions will give people living with dementia and other disabilities the chance to enjoy swimming in a really supportive setting.”
Cllr Hemmings is a member of Wrexham Dementia Friends steering group, and has created over 100 ‘dementia friends’ in Chirk in his role as a Dementia Champion.
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“…give it a try…”
Centre Manager David Watkin said: “This is a great opportunity for people across Wrexham who are living with a disability to take part in swimming.
“They’ll be able to swim with a carer provided free of charge and supported by Wrexham Council’s Active Wrexham and GOGA (Go Out Get Active), who are financing the project.
“I’m really pleased our staff are being recognised for the work they’ve done, and I’d encourage people to find out more and give it a try.”
The swimming sessions take place on Mondays from 2.45pm.
For more details contact Chirk Leisure Centre on 01691 778666.
Shaun Pearson (right), captain of Wrexham Football Club, gives his support at the launch of dementia-friendly swimming at Chirk Leisure Centre. Wrexham FC was the first professional team to become dementia friendly.
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May 18, 2018
Worried parents?
Wondering how to educate your kids about drugs and alcohol?
Meet the Wrexham Council team who educated over 3000 young people last year!
In2Change Young Person’s Drug and Alcohol team, a youth project based in the Info Shop in Wrexham, is celebrating 10 years of supporting young people and parents in the county borough.
The project, set up in 2008, is a partnership between Wrexham County Borough Council and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. It supports and educates young people, aged aged between 11-18 who are using drugs and alcohol.

Family Focused
As well as helping young people directly, the team also provides two parenting programmes:
- Drug Proof Your Kids
- Handling Anger
These programmes can help to assist parents in dealing with specific issues relating to drug and alcohol misuse.
They are evidence based programmes which can help parents in parenting and also in addressing the more specific challenges around drugs and alcohol that they may be facing now and in the future.
Tailored support
The project offers tailored support for young people in many areas of their lives – not just drugs and alcohol. One to one sessions take place at a venue of the young person’s choice – wherever they feel most comfortable with engagement being on a voluntary basis. By exploring factual information and advice, young people are encouraged to consider risks enabling them to take control and make informed choices.
In2change offers a confidential service to empower young people, based around what goals they would like to achieve.
This may include:
– Harm reduction
– Planned reductions
– Relapse prevention
– Introducing/increasing social activities
– Diversionary activities
– Specific work such as managing anger and sleep hygiene
There is also a drop in open to all young people every Monday 3-5.30pm in the Info Shop.
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Helping to educate over 3000 local young people
From April 2017 to March 2018, in2change received 86 referrals and delivered informal education sessions across schools, youth clubs and other groups to over 3300 young people in Wrexham.
“Essential support”
Cllr Andrew Atkinson, Lead Member for Young People said, “This is a fantastic project which offers essential support and education to young people and parents across Wrexham. Providing young people with quality support around their substance use is extremely important and it’s fantastic that the In2Change team have been delivering expert help and advice for ten years in Wrexham.”
For more information about In2Change and how they can help you, contact the team:
• 01978295629
• In2change@wrexham.gov.uk
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May 18, 2018
Wrexham star of primetime ITV show to perform at Tŷ Pawb
A year ago, Wrexham schoolgirl Elan Catrin Parry made a pledge to Davina McCall on ITV’s life-transforming primetime show, ‘This Time Next Year’, revealing her dream: “I want to make an album.” Fast forward one year, and Elan has signed a major recording deal with Decca Records.
The 15-year-old is releasing her debut single Anfonaf Angel, with an album to follow later this year. She is the first female Welsh singer to be exclusively signed to Decca since Katherine Jenkins 15 years ago. Elan will be performing a celebratory concert this Friday at 5pm at local arts hub, Ty Pawb.
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Elan has been competing since the age of four in the traditional Eisteddfod singing contests, celebrating music and culture and reaching over 150,000 people each year. Last year, Elan was a finalist in her Eisteddfod category, which is where she was spotted by Decca executives and later offered a recording contract.
Her single Anfonaf Angel was previously performed by tenor Rhys Meirion in 2012 as a tribute to his sister, Elen, who died aged 43. This song holds a special place in Elan’s heart as she first heard Rhys perform it at the Eisteddfod and fell in love with the song. The song was also played at Elan’s grandfather’s funeral.
The teenager is passionate about continuing the linage of Welsh choral music and keeping the tradition alive, and her debut album will feature both English and Welsh songs. Speaking of the track choices, she says “Musically it’s a mix of folky songs and classic tunes.” She is bilingual and switches naturally between Welsh and English – both on the album and at home. “I’ve always sung in Welsh and it’s something that comes naturally,” she says of her passion for the language. “It’s my generation’s responsibility to bring it forward to the next generation.”
As viewers saw on ‘This Time Next Year’, Elan made her pledge and left through the ‘This Time’ door in the studio to embark on her year-long challenge. But thanks to the “time travel” format of the show, what viewers saw moments later was Elan emerging through the ‘Next Year’ door in the studio to tell Davina about the intervening year which saw her go from schoolgirl to recording star.
Such is the format of the show, one of the hardest parts for Elan was keeping the secret of her exciting journey for a whole year: “Luckily I could discuss it and share it with my family and close friends, and I’ve never been one to brag about what I do, but a year is a long time!”
“It was so exciting for me to film,” she says, “Davina was so lovely, and made it very easy, because it was all new to me – having my hair and make-up done professionally, I don’t usually wear much make-up but it was really fun to try it all out! I wore a new red dress that she said she liked. But of course, the most important and wonderful thing is that I was signed, and I’ve made an album which I love.”
Davina McCall enjoyed meeting Elan too – saying on the show, “The combination of your beautiful, beautiful face and that incredible voice is quite intoxicating.”
Elan, who lives with her parents and younger sister, has been in the studio in between studying for her GCSE’s. She enjoys playing the piano, clarinet, drums and harp, as well as singing. She also plays netball and runs – even making the Welsh Schools finals of Cross Country.
Elan’s first love, however, will always be music. The ethereal new voice from the ‘Land of Song’ is sure to captivate audiences for years to come.
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May 17, 2018
Charges for country parks and disabled parking to start Monday
From Monday plans to charge £1 to park at three of our country parks, Tŷ Mawr, Nant Mill and Alyn Waters, will be brought in. Blue Badge holders will not be asked to pay in these parks but they will be asked to pay if they park in any other council owned parks in Wrexham town centre and Ruabon with an hour extra being added on top of the time purchased.
The decision to start to charge follows consultation in March and you can see the results of that consultation here.
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The £1 charge in the country parks will last all day.
Blue Badge holders will be given an hour extra on top of the time that they purchase.
Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for the Environment and Transport, said “These are very difficult times for local authorities and we have not made these decisions lightly or without full and proper consultation. The plans to charge Blue Badge holders for parking in country parks has been taken out of the original proposals. The charges will apply from Monday and we will be monitoring whether or not they are causing any difficulties or problems for users who from then will have to pay park.”
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May 17, 2018
Civic Honour Plans for RAF Wales
This year sees the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force – the world’s first independent Air Force – and we’re looking to mark this with a civic honour for RAF Wales.
If the plans are given the thumbs by councillors at their meeting on the 23 May the Civic Honour will be celebrated with an event to be held either in August or September.
No details of the event are given in the report but we’d expect to see a march and assembly on Llwyn Isaf if previous honours are anything to go by.
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Councillor David Griffiths, Armed Forces Champion, commented: “I am very hopeful the plans will be given the go ahead and that work on the details of the event to mark the occasion would be available soon after.”
Why are we doing this?
We’re doing this because we want to recognise the many men and women from the county borough who have served in the RAF since its creation and because of the historical links to the area.
The David Lord VC, DFC, whose bravery in ensuring supplies were dropped over Arnhem whilst his plane was damaged and burning is recognised by a Memorial situated at the Memorial Hall in the town centre. There’s also a plaque to commemorate the involvement of Air Chief Marshall Sir Frederick Rosier, RCB, CBE, DSO, in the Battle of Britain at the Grove Park Campus of Coleg Cambria.
Has the RAF ever been stationed in Wrexham?
Yes it has – during 1917-20 there was an RAF station at Borras and the area is known to this day as “Borras Airfield”. It was used by Numbers 4 and 52 Training Squadron Schools of the Royal Flying Corps and after 1918 by RAF training squadrons based at RAF Shotsick.
When the Second World War broke out Wrexham had 3 grass runways, each some 600 yards long which was used as a relief landing strip, with visits from several training squadrons such as Spitfires from nearby RAF Ternhill. It was then upgraded and concrete runways and lighting was installed. In 1941 Number 96 Squadron arrived in Wrexham with Hawker Hurricanes and Boulton Paul Defiant aircraft.
Between 1941 and 1944 Number 285 Squadron were based in Wrexham for training exercises and it was also used by the US Army to support their units close by.
It was fairly quiet until 1962 – 92 when a hardened nuclear bunker was built on site for Number 17 Group Royal Observer corps North Wales – they were responsible for providing a 4 minute warning alarm to locals during the Cold War. It’s still on site but is now used as a recording studio.
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May 17, 2018
Playday needs your sheets!
Are there any old sheets, curtains or table cloths lurking in your drawers and cupboards?
Organisers of this year’s Playday are looking for things that children can use to make dens – all colours and patterns gratefully received.
If you have anything that might fit the bill, you can donate them at Ruabon Centre of Excellence (Youth Club), the Victoria Youth Club (the Vic in the town centre) or Wrexham Family Information Service (inside Wrexham library).
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This year’s Playday will be held on Wednesday, August 1, so if you have anything that you think could be used, please bring it to us by the end of July – plenty of time to sort out those cupboards!
If you need any more information contact mel.kearsley@wrexham.gov.uk for details.
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May 16, 2018
Books to read before you die!
Too many books? Not enough time? No idea what to choose next?
Don’t worry, BorrowBox has got it sorted for you.
BorrowBox is the new way of getting hold of free e-books and e-audio books with your Wrexham Library membership, and they have a bucket list that may just be the answer you are looking for.
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They have put together a list of the top 100 e-books and top 50 e-audio books to read before you die – collections that feature all of titles that you’ve always meant to read.
To access BorrowBox simply click here and follow the link.
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May 16, 2018
About to take your theory test?
If you are about to take your driving theory test, your library has a free tool that gives you everything you need!
Theory Test Pro is an online site that contains the entire official test question bank, hazard perception video clips and an online version of the Highway Code!
This amazing site can be accessed free of charge in any library or home computer, all you need is a valid library card. For more information visit www.wrexham.gov.uk/libraries and select Online Services.
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May 15, 2018
Did you miss these stories? C4, music and other stuff
There’s only so much time in the day…and with all the news, social media notifications and other info competing for our time, it’s easy to miss stuff.
So here’s a quick rundown of some key stories on our blog over the past couple of weeks.
If you didn’t catch them the first time, take a peep. They’re still worth a read…
1. Will Chester and Wrexham be the new home for Channel 4?
A compelling bid has been made for Chester and North Wales to become home to Channel 4.
READ MORE
2. Own a dog? You should know about this…
We all love our furry friends and take them for regular walks to keep them healthy and in tip-top condition.
READ MORE
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3. Looking to relocate? Apply for a new town centre home
Brand new properties, situated near Wrexham town centre, are now open for housing applications with Wrexham Council.
READ MORE
4. Let’s get behind this bid!
There are calls for people and businesses in Wrexham and across North Wales to get behind a bid to bring massive investment to the region’s economy.
READ MORE
5. Is music your craft? This could change your life…
Major funding for upcoming musicians in North Wales could be on the cards following an announcement at Focus Wales in Wrexham.
READ MORE
6. Why this is the best event in North Wales…and how to get tickets
Take a World Heritage Site. Mix it up with some brilliant music, fireworks and a cracking festival vibe. And what do you get? Underneath the Arches!
READ MORE
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May 15, 2018
Looking to do something new?
Do you want to do something new and different but don’t really know where to begin?
If so then a visit to Wrexham Library on 17 May may be a good place to start.
The Open University is holding an Open Day to talk about their courses starting this Autumn.
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It’s a chance to meet staff and get any questions you have answered. You can also find out new ways of paying for your studies and see their excellent online resources.
No appointment necessary just feel free to pop in between 10 and 5.
More info at www.open.ac.uk/wales/events.
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May 15, 2018