We’re taking part in the Love Your Local Market campaign this year and between 17 May and 31 May there’ll be lots of fun things for people of all ages to enjoy in all our markets.
The campaign encourages everyone to support their local market and take part in free activities.
In Wrexham we have four markets – Butcher’s, General, TŷPawb and Monday markets – and they’ll all have something to offer during the two weeks.
There’ll be face painting, live music, adult art workshops, cookery demonstrations, children’s activities and a treasure hunt across all three indoor markets.
Major funding for upcoming musicians in North Wales could be on the cards following an announcement at Focus Wales in Wrexham .
The PRS Foundation – a leading funder in new music and talent – has teamed up with the Arts Council of Wales and the Welsh Government to provide grants for those musicians reaching a pivotal time in their career, through the ‘Momentum Music Fund’.
Having already seen huge success in England where the likes of Years & Years, Bugzy Malone, Yungen and Anna Meredith have benefited from the funding at the tipping point of their careers, now Wrexham and Wales’ top talent could be given a life changing opportunity.
This follows the announcement last month that Creative Scotland has also become a Momentum Music Fund partner. These Scottish and Welsh partners will be contributing money and expertise to this unique fund. Artists based anywhere in the UK can now apply for Momentum funding to support activities such as recording, touring and marketing.
Grants will range from £5,000 to £15,000 and help develop both their creativity and business development.
So far the funding has helped produce over 160 albums for 270+ artists, whilst it’s also seen 1,000 live shows performed as a result of the grants.
Vanessa Reed, CEO at PRS Foundation said, “We’re delighted to announce this new partnership which will extend and strengthen our pioneering Momentum Music Fund.”
Lisa Matthews-Jones, Portfolio Manager at Arts Council of Wales said, “Providing opportunities for Welsh talent from all backgrounds to fulfil their potential is a huge priority for us.
“Working with colleagues in Welsh Government and the UK music Sector, we’re excited to be supporting Momentum as another development initiative for emerging musicians to secure a sustainable career, connecting their music to new audiences.”
The next deadline for application submissions is 29 May 2018 at 6.00pm
A compelling bid has been made for Chester and North Wales to become home to Channel 4.
Already the onscreen home to Hollyoaks, Chester – along with its neighbour Wrexham – is now in the running to welcome the national headquarters of the broadcaster with a compelling submission.
The company is moving 300 of its 800 staff from the capital to three new bases at different locations around the UK as part of its 4 All The UK plan.
The two areas of Chester and Wrexham have united to encourage Channel 4 to set up its new headquarters in the unique cross-border patch.
The bid by two diverse landscapes is built on the close working relationship between Cheshire West and Chester Council and Wrexham County Borough Council, MPs, businesses and the wider community on both sides of the border.
Unique benefits
The unique benefits to Channel 4 adopting this cross border proposal are clear in a bid that delivers a message of unity and delivers on the promise of the move being ‘4 all of the UK’.
Cultures and lifestyles of every kind in our area represent the diversity of modern Britain.
The bid delivers a message of unity and delivers on the promise of the move being ‘4 all of the UK.’
A choice of distinctive, digitally-enabled high quality office spaces which can be tailored to meet exacting needs.
An area voted one of the best places to live in the UK with high living standards, great schools and a host of attractions.
A strategic location at the heart of the UK with a vibrant economy which scores highly for health, wellbeing and happiness.
Home to some of the biggest programmes in the Channel 4 portfolio.
Tale of two nations
Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, said: “This is a tale of two nations – and two neighbouring councils – coming together to offer one of the UK’s most innovative companies a unique opportunity.
“Wrexham has a deep pool of talent across its college, university and creative sectors, and is a really exciting place for creative people and businesses at the moment.
“And by teaming up with our neighbours Chester, we can put a unique and much more powerful proposition to Channel 4 – giving us more opportunity to be successful, and achieving an outcome that both Wrexham and Chester can gain from.”
Chester MP Chris Matheson said: “I have already written to Channel 4 bosses inviting them to consider Chester and our bid is immeasurably strengthened by joining forces with North Wales. Chester and North Wales fits perfectly with Channel 4’s mission to innovate and not to do the obvious thing by going to one of the bigger cities.
“Our area will be easy to sell to Channel 4 staff, with our great schools, our central location and transport links, and for being recognised as one of the best places to live in the UK.
“Combine that with our dynamic and growing creative and cultural sector and our already strong links with Channel 4’s output and we believe we have a very powerful offer for Channel 4 and its employees.”
Exciting opportunity
Councillor Samantha Dixon, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for both Wrexham and Chester. We believe we have so much to offer Channel 4, which would benefit from being based in one of the finest regions of the country.
“Chester is closely linked with Channel 4. The city is home to the Bafta-nominated programme The Secret Life of The Zoo and is the on-screen home to Hollyoaks. The popular and enduring programme is Channel 4’s biggest Nations and Regions commissioned programme and we’ve welcomed the cast and crew who have filmed across the city over the years.
“There is a wealth of creative talent for the broadcaster’s Programme Commissioning Editors to draw from in Chester and North Wales.
“The attractiveness of living in our region and the robust local infrastructure with links to the transport network will attract the best talent to working at Channel 4.”
Jobs
The broadcaster will set up three bases around the UK, one being its HQ and two further creative hubs. It has vowed to spend some 50 per cent of its content funds in the regions. It estimates that 3,000 production jobs will be supplemented by the new business.
Wrexham MP Ian Lucas said: “We have an opportunity to bring Channel 4 to our unique, cross-border community in Chester and North Wales. The bid is from two, diverse nations and is built on the close working relationship developed in recent years by councils, business and the wider community on both sides of the border.
“We have a flourishing, creative sector with artists concentrated around Chester, Wrexham and Bangor and we want Channel 4 to break the mould, as it has done before, by moving to a dynamic, forward looking region.”
We all love our furry friends and take them for regular walks and runs to keep them healthy and in tip top condition.
In order to keep everyone happy – dog owners and non dog owners – we use a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to limit where dogs can go which we think is very fair and easy to understand.
Under the Order dogs are not allowed off the lead in car parks and visitor centres in all our country parks but they can be let off the lead for a good run round when not in these areas.
They’re also not allowed on sports pitches, bowling green playing surfaces, children’s play areas, skate parks, tennis courts and multi use games areas.
Your dog should also always be on a lead on a public road or pavement or if you’re asked to put one on your dog whilst in our country parks by a member of staff.
“Always pick it up”
You should also make sure that if your dog fouls you should always pick it up and put it in a bin.
If you let your dog into any of the controlled areas or don’t pick up after it has fouled you could be liable for a £100 fine and nobody wants that so please check your regular dog walking routes and make sure you’re not taking your four legged friend anywhere you shouldn’t or leaving them off the lead in certain places and always carry a bag to pick up the poo.
“No excuse for it”
Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for the Environment and Transport, said: “The PSPO was introduced to keep everyone safe and they’re based on common sense such as not letting them loose in visitor car parks as it’s dangerous. The majority of dog owners are aware of where they can and can’t exercise their dog but it’s always worth checking out your regular route as no-one wants to face a £100 fine. Dog fouling is also one of the most common complaints we receive and there’s no excuse for it. A £100 fine can be issued to irresponsible dog owners who are caught!
Pssst…BBC Radio Cymru will be broadcasting live from the HWB from 2pm today (Friday, May 11). And Tudur Owen’s comedy marathon takes centre-stage tonight 🙂
Hey. Have you seen the tipi in Queens Square?
For the next three days, it’ll be home to HWB Cymraeg – the Welsh language event held as part of the music and culture festival, FOCUS Wales.
So don’t be shy…pop your head in and see what it’s all about.
There’s live music, comedy, opportunities to learn Welsh, activities for kids, hot food and loads of other stuff.
The aim is to promote Welsh, and the event is supported by Wrexham Council and FOCUS Wales.
And you don’t have to speak Welsh to enjoy the vibe…just pop-in and be inspired by our brilliant language.
A group of young people from two local projects funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) joined together on Wednesday 9 May to celebrate Europe Day in North East Wales.
The day involved a range of fun activities on Talacre beach, lunch at Holywell Youth Centre and was rounded off with a visit to Flint Castle. The event was designed with the Welsh Government’s 2018 ‘Year of the Sea’ theme in mind, as well as showcasing what’s great about Wales’ ‘Cultural Heritage’ to tie in with theme across Europe for this year’s Europe day celebrations.
Karen Whitney-Lang, Programme Manager for the TRAC and ADTRAC Projects across Wrexham and Flintshire and organiser of the event said: “both projects have benefitted 900 people aged 11-24 in total since TRAC was launched in April 2016 and ADTRAC in January earlier this year. The staff and young people who have attended the event today represent the project successes to date and it is fantastic that everyone has fully embraced the day. We’re all very proud to showcase the positive impacts of the investment made by the European Social Fund. The event has been entered into the Regional ADTRAC 16-24 Europe Day competition and we’re all crossing our fingers that the trophy for 2018 will be coming to North East Wales, although there is strong competition from our colleagues in neighbouring counties”.
Europe Day held in May every year celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the ‘Schuman declaration’, at a speech in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman, the then French foreign minister, set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe’s nations unthinkable. Schuman’s proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union. Each year thousands of people are involved in celebrations across Europe to mark Europe day and raise awareness about the EU.
To celebrate with the young people involved in the ESF Funded projects, members of the TRAC and ADTRAC teams for Wrexham and Flintshire worked in partnership with Groundwork North Wales to deliver a range of fun activities from kite flying and sandcastle as well as an EU Brussel sprout and spoon race on the beach! It gave young people involved in the projects the opportunity to enjoy a day out and have fun whilst also accessing wellbeing support from their Youth Engagement Mentors to build up their confidence and self-esteem. For some of the young people involved it was their first experience of visiting a beach and castle and the day out gave them the opportunity to enjoy some of the local sites in North East Wales.
One-to-One Support
Both the TRAC and ADTRAC projects are part-funded by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government, offering personalised support to young people, aged 11-24, to remove barriers and help engage in either their education or to progress into work, education or training.
Find out more about the ADTRAC project or get in touch with the ADTRAC team for Wrexham and Flintshire at ADTRAC@wrexham.gov.uk for further details regarding the referral process for organisations as well as for self-referrals.
Find more information about the TRAC project or please e-mail TRAC@wrexham.co.uk
The three-day festival takes place at multiple venues around Wrexham, with performances from 200+ bands and a full schedule of Interactive Industry Sessions, Stand-up Comedy, Arts events, and Film screenings.
There is also a brand new venue being used as part of this year’s festival – our very own Tŷ Pawb!
Wrexham’s new Community, Arts and Markets hub will be brimming with activity over the three days of the festival.
With 3 stages, Tŷ Pawb will be the place to catch live performances from artists hailing from countries across the world, including Hungary, Canada, Korea – as well as a few from closer to home! Headliners will include 9Bach, Euros Childs and MOJA from Japan!
FOCUS Wales will also be holding a number of number of interactive conferences at Tŷ Pawb’s Gallery and Performance Spaces. This will include advice sessions for up and coming artists, networking sessions and panel discussions with industry professionals.
A hive of activity!
The Markets, Food Court and Galleries will be open as usual throughout the festival so you can have a browse at everything else Tŷ Pawb has to offer as well as check out some of fantastic live music!
Lead Member for People – Communities, Partnerships Public Protection and Community Safety, Cllr Hugh Jones, said: “FOCUS Wales has helped to put Wrexham on the map, attracting many thousands of people to the town to support our local economy and businesses, as well as showcasing our thriving music and arts scene to the world.
“With our range of Markets, Food Court and Galleries, Tŷ Pawb will be an ideal place to come and enjoy FOCUS Wales and we are proud to be working so closely with the festival this year. We’re going to see many thousands of visitors from all over the world coming through our doors and we hope they will be very impressed with what they see.”
FOCUS Wales will take place over 10, 11 and 12 May across multiple venues here in Wrexham.
To view a full timetable for FOCUS Wales and to find out how to purchase tickets, visit the official website – www.focuswales.com
FOCUS Wales is supported by Arts Council of Wales and Welsh Government and ourselves, Wrexham Council.
Please note – all our weekly Dydd Iau Pawb acitvities, including Mini-Movers, Junior Dance, Men’s Sheds and our Life Drawing Class will return as usual the following week – 17 May.
We have another exciting interactive event coming up at Tŷ Pawb!
Imagine a future where Wrexham has developed the technology to power itself with 100% renewable energy.
In this ‘zero-carbon’ Wrexham, we’d be able to feed ourselves sustainably and leave a safe habitable climate for our children and future generations.
If you were able to live in this future and you had the chance to send a postcard ‘back in time’ to Wrexham as it is now, what would you want to tell us?
Tŷ Pawb will be inviting you to write your message at their upcoming event, ‘Postcards From The Future’.
For this event, Ty Pawb excited to welcome back Paul Allen to Tŷ Pawb for this follow-up to ‘Zero-Carbon Wrexham’.
This event is one of a series running alongside the first major exhibition at Tŷ Pawb, ‘Is This Planet Earth?’
The purpose of ‘Postcards from the Future’ is to encourage a continued conversation around sustainability and climate change and how this affects us and our habitat.
Understanding this story can change how we think about our world and ourselves, opening us up to new possibilities – giving us the confidence to envision a Zero Carbon Wrexham.
An exciting new space for discussions
Lead Member for People – Communities, Partnerships Public Protection and Community Safety, Cllr Hugh Jones, said: “Tŷ Pawb provides Wrexham with an exciting new space for dialogue around subjects including social and civic issues, the environment, health, cultural identity, sustainability and education.
“I’m delighted to see Paul Allen returning to Tŷ Pawb for this event. His innovative approach to imagining the future will open up all kinds of conversations about issues which are becoming ever more important in the modern world.”
Postcards from the Future takes place at Tŷ Pawb on Thursday 17 May, 6.30pm-8.00pm.
It’s a free event but would advise booking ahead to make sure you can attend!
To book, get in touch with Tŷ Pawb. You can email: typawb@wrexham.gov.uk or ring 01978 292093
There’s been lots of smiles and celebrations at Ysgol Penycae as the school marks the completion of a £2.6 million new build and revamp which means pupils and teachers are now all together under one roof for the first time.
The school now boasts 4 new classrooms, a new hall, better kitchen facilities and playground area.
Reed Construction completed all the works which came in on budget and on time.
Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, said: “It was great to be at the school to see for myself what these improvements have meant to both pupils and teaching staff. There’s now a real sense of community and the future at this school is looking very bright. Our continued improvements to our schools is a sign of our commitment to improving the educational environment for children and staff. The Welsh Government continues to support us in this through its 21st Century Schools funding and I was pleased to see their representatives at the celebrations.”
“A great day for the school”
Chair of Governors, Cllr Joan Lowe, said: “This is a great day for the school and I was very proud to welcome everyone to the new facilities and to unveil the new plaque along with two of the school’s pupils. I’d like to thank everyone involved in ensuring these improvements happened and to making us all very proud of our school. Well done everyone and good luck to pupils and staff as this new chapter in the school’s history begins.”
“Excellent facilities”
Education Secretary, Kirsty Williams said: “Our 21st Century Schools and Education Programme is not only about new buildings; it is also about improving existing schools to create the best learning environments for our learners. I am thrilled to see the completion of this project, match funded with £1.3m from the Welsh Government, which has provided a new hall, improved kitchen, parking and playground space and a redesigned foundation phase area – excellent facilities that will be enjoyed for many years to come.”
“Social value objectives”
Kasia Pugh, Engagement Manager with Read Construction, said, “We’re delighted to have delivered this scheme, together with Wrexham Council and the North Wales Framework, providing a 21st Century learning environment for the pupils. Throughout the project we achieved a number of social value objectives, including maximising training and recruitment for local people, benefitting the local community.
Local Member, Cllr John Phillips, said, “The amalgamation of the two schools is beneficial for the whole area. A modern 21st century school well equipped and fit for purpose where the children will prosper and achieve to the best of their ability. The quality of the new extension is absolutely brilliant which blends in well with the original building, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their hard work and commitment, which is very much appreciated.
The works were funded using 21st Century School funding from the Welsh Government which was match funded by Wrexham Council.
The library at HMP Berwyn celebrated its first literary festival last week.
The series of events, held alongside World Book Night on April 23, saw authors and poets visit the prison to give the men the chance to write their own work.
On Monday, comic poet Les Barker performed to an audience of men from across HMP Berwyn, some of whom joined in with their own poems.
Feedback received after the event was universally positive with one of the men writing: “It was both funny and informative. I hope it will encourage others to read their work at future events. And let’s hope there will be many future events.”
World Book Night was celebrated with a quiz and book giveaway.
Later in the week Vaseem Khan, author of the Baby Ganesh Detective Agency novels, gave a talk to English classes at HMP Berwyn, and Welsh language author Sian Northey took the first of a series of workshops to encourage Welsh speakers at HMP Berwyn to produce their own written work in Welsh.
Ms Northey said: “I’ve enjoyed the experience immensely. The men have a wealth of stories to tell and I’m looking forward to returning.
“I’d like to thank Literature Wales for funding these workshops and giving me the opportunity to work with the men at HMP Berwyn.”
“Wealth of interest in literature and books at HMP Berwyn”
Librarian Alys Lewis said: “One of HMP Berwyn’s founding principles is the Principle of Normality, which requires us to replicate the outside world as closely as possible.
“In this spirit it gave us great pleasure in the library to welcome our visiting authors and provide a programme of events for the men here, in the same way our sister library in Wrexham does.
“There is a wealth of interest in literature and books at HMP Berwyn and a great deal of creativity among the men here and we were very glad to be able to encourage this during this week.
“We hope to provide many similar events in the future.”
