As Halloween approaches you may be looking for a pumpkin or two for the children to carve into lanterns and the Erlas Victoria Garden Project may just be able to help.
They’re having an open day on October 21 for members of the public to buy pumpkins that have been grown in the garden and the money raised is used to support the project itself.
The Erlas Victoria Walled Garden Project started in the early 2,000’s by a group who wanted to promote the well-being, skills and employability of those whose disabilities prevented them accessing every day opportunities.
They received funding from the European Social Fund which helped Wrexham Work Opportunities, the Welsh College of Horticulture, Mencap Cymru and the Wrexham Disability Forum to create “The Erlas Garden Project.”
Further funding led to a major restoration program being completed in September 2006 saw a derelict and forgotten area transformed with restored perimeter walls, reconstructed garden buildings, a Welsh Oak timber framed glasshouse and a new education building.
Since then volunteers and beneficiaries have cleared the 1.3 hectares of land to create a wildlife area complete with a bog garden, they have made pathways through the woodes area and made bird and bat boxes and hides. there is now also a nature trail, orchard, local provenance seed area and a pond.
The Project in recent years has also received funding from the Armed forces covenant and has supported several veterans to gain invaluable experience and supporting their transition back into the civilian community.
Please feel free to support this worthwhile project and bag yourself a Wrexham grown pumpkin.
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The annual Autumn Community clean up is happening on 25 October between 1pm and 3pm and the Rangers at Stryt Las Park would love you to help out.
The rangers visit the site every week and do a general check, litter pick and tidy up the park but twice a year they do a mass clean-up. That way it stays a great place for children to play and residents to walk and watch the seasons change and the birds come and go on the pond.
Cllr David A Bithell, lead member for environment and transport, said: “The Rangers do an excellent job of looking after our parks but now and again they need our support to make sure all our parks are maintained to the highest standards. Please help if you can and show your support for Park Rangers.”
If you can help out please meet at the park entrance on Cwm Glas (LL14 2AD)
For further information contact 01978 822780
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It won’t be long before clocks go back. Nights are already drawing in and it’s getting colder.
With winter on the way and bad weather becoming more and more likely, people – naturally – will want to make sure we’ve got arrangements in place to help people deal with poor conditions.
The first thing that tends to concern people is the roads, and how they can get about in the event of ice and snow.
We want to make sure the county borough keeps working and people can still get where they need to go.
We have a fleet of 10 gritters, and 30 hardworking volunteers from our Streetscene team, who step in to pilot the gritters – sometimes overnight – when the weather gets bad.
For more information, watch the video below:
The decision on whether or not they go out is made on a daily basis, based on detailed weather forecasts, so they won’t miss anything.
Their rounds follow 11 different routes throughout the county borough, covering scores of residential, rural and main roads – including the A483 and the A5.
Members of the public can keep an eye on when the gritters go out by following our Twitter account and watching out for the hashtag #wxmgrit.
We also put out reminders via the MyUpdates system, which e-mails updates directly to subscribers.
“Ready and prepared”
Cllr David A. Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “As a department we are preparing for the winter season. Operational training is currently taking place.
“In addition to clearing main highways, we prioritise our routes, like sheltered accommodation and school routes. Details of our priority routes are available on our website.
“We also share a pool of vehicles more equipped to deal with severe weather conditions to ensure that care can reach the most vulnerable people.”
Help where you can
Residents are also advised to check in on neighbours – especially any elderly, disabled or vulnerable residents.
It doesn’t’ take five minutes to help, but high winds, frost, ice and snow pose even greater difficulties for vulnerable people when trying to carry out even basic everyday trips, such as nipping to the shops or the post office.
Quick checks or offers of help could make all the difference for someone who cannot get out on their own.
Cllr Joan Lowe, Lead Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “There are many people in our communities who struggle during the colder months, and we shouldn’t underestimate just how much of a difference a small thing can make to someone’s life.
“There are so many easy ways to help – help with the shopping, taking a hot meal or just calling in for a chat. We are asking that residents take just a couple of minutes to check on neighbours, friends and relatives.”
Cllr Lowe added: “I would also recommend that people get in touch with their GP and get their flu jab as soon as possible – particularly the elderly or the infirm.”
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This week is National Hate Crime Awareness Week, a time to shine a light on hate crime, encourage victims to report and to deter perpetrators.
Partners across the region including the local authorities, North Wales Police and Victim Support, are working together to highlight the issues of hate crime and promote reporting to the Police and Victim Support.
A hate crime is any crime that is targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards them. These can be motivated by a person’s disability, their race or ethnicity, their religion or belief, their sexual orientation or their transgender The crime may manifest itself in a number of ways including verbal abuse, offensive graffiti, threats, damage to property, assault, cyber bullying, abusive texts, emails or phone calls.
Wrexham Councillor Hugh Jones, Deputy Leader of Wrexham Council and Chair of the North Wales Safer Communities Board said “Hate Crime is wrong. It destroys lives and isolates vulnerable individuals and communities. We know it is happening but it remains significantly under reported. We want all Hate Crimes and Incidents to be reported so that perpetrators are brought to justice, victims are supported and so that we can use information to identify trouble spots and prevent the problem getting worse. I am pleased that Welsh Government continues to raise the profile of this very important issue and I am confident that through partnership working we can make a real difference.”
If you or someone you know is a victim of hate crime there are a number of ways to report it:
Telephone: 0300 30 31 982 [Free, 24/7] to contact Victim Support directly. Calls are treated confidentially and you have the option to remain anonymous.
A beautiful view of St Giles Tower in Autumn, taken by Angharad Beale, has been judged to be the best entry in our Wonders of Wrexham 2018 Calendar Competition.
The photo shows the beautiful tower surrounded by Autumn colours as the leaves on the trees in the area began to die down.
There’s all the red, gold and brown that you would expect to see on a beautiful September day set against a background of clear blue skies.
Angharad has called her photo the “school run” and it’s clear she gets one of the best views in Wrexham town centre as she makes her way to work.
On hearing of her win Angharad said: “I’m delighted to have won the September competition. Wrexham has some very beautiful buildings, views and landscapes that should be recognised in this way. There’s only one month to go to get your photo in the Calendar so keep snapping and entering.”
The Wonders of Wrexham 2018 Calendar Competition was launched at the beginning of November last year following the news that North Wales is ranked fourth in the world of regions to visit. Staff at the time thought it only right that Wrexham celebrated its place in the world with a snapshot record of Wrexham throughout the year.
The aim of the competition is to find the best photograph taken by an amateur photographer which captures the essence of the month of entry. Entries are now invited for October – the last remaining spot in the Calendar. The winner will be announced early November.
All the winning photographs will be featured in the Calendar.
There’s no prize but all 12 winners will receive copies of the Wonders of Wrexham 2018 calendar when it is produced next month. Their photo, name and description of where the photo was taken will be alongside each photo.
All profits from the sale of the calendar will be donated to the Mayor’s chosen charities.
Entries can be of anywhere in the County Borough taken during October 2107.
Photos should be submitted via email, full resolution preferred, to calendar@wrexham.gov.uk.
Further information and terms and conditions are available on the Council’s website at www.wrexham.gov.uk
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Welsh medium education has hit the news recently, with plans now underway for a new Welsh medium primary school in Wrexham.
An award ceremony will be held at Ysgol Bro Alun, Gwersyllt, Wrexham, on Tuesday, October 17, to celebrate the successes of thirteen Welsh-medium primary schools in Flintshire and Wrexham with Siarter Iaith (Language Charter) – a set of goals set out by the Welsh Government aimed at encouraging more social use of Welsh among young people.
Each of the schools involved have taken part in a number of activities to get pupils using the Welsh language more frequently during the past year, and pupils from a number of schools have had the chance to put their views forward. They will also note some of their recent successes during the ceremony.
Eight of the schools in receipt of the awards are based in the Wrexham County Borough, with the other five in Flintshire.
The schools to be awarded on the day are:
Wrexham
Ysgol Bro Alun
Ysgol Plas Coch
Ysgol ID Hooson
Ysgol Bodhyfryd
Ysgol Bryn Tabor
Ysgol Min y ddol
Ysgol Cynddelw
Ysgol Llanarmon DC
Flintshire
Ysgol Croes Atti
Ysgol Glanrafon
Ysgol Terrig
Ysgol Mornant
Ysgol Gwenffrwd
As well as working with parents and their neighbouring communities, the schools involved have also worked with one another in order to promote the aims of Siarter Iaith and increase use of the Welsh language among pupils.
Cllr Phil Wynn, Lead Member for Education at Wrexham Council, said: “Congratulations to all those schools involved – their efforts have been very impressive and I’m glad to see them all being commended for their efforts.
“Welsh medium education is incredibly important, and it’s good to note that the participating schools are being recognised in this way for all the work they’ve put in to ensure children are encouraged to speak Welsh not just in school, but outside of the school setting as well.”
Cllr Ian Roberts, Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Youth, said: “Flintshire has a strong commitment to the Welsh language and we want to increase the number of Welsh speakers within our county.
“We support people of all ages to improve their Welsh language skills and to give them the confidence to use the language in their daily lives – at work, at home, at school and in their communities.
“Congratulations to all schools in achieving the Siarter Iaith.”
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Steve Townley and Janette Williams have recently been appointed as Armed Forces Liaison Officers (AFLOs) to work in Wrexham and across North Wales to promote the Armed Forces Community Covenant – they are going to find out if it is working and, if not, how problems can be solved.
Armed Forces Community Covenants are in place across North Wales. Their aim is to make sure that when servicemen and women leave our armed forces they are not disadvantaged in any way by their service to their country. This can happen with problems caused with policies or procedures that may be in place.
They will look at existing policies and procedures in areas such as Human Resources, Social Care, Education and Housing. They will also make sure the needs of the armed forces community are fully considered in any new strategic plans and services linked to legislation.
That doesn’t mean they get priority or preferential treatment, just that they are treated as fairly and reasonably as any other resident.
We at news.wrexham.gov.uk spoke to Janette and Steve shortly after they took up their roles to see what they expect from the roles and how we could promote the work they are doing.
“both very keen to get involved”
It’s clear they’re both very passionate about their roles and they both have first hand experience of leaving the forces. Steve was a former Royal Marine and Janette lived with the RAF community as her father served for 25 years and her husband for 15 years. They’re both very keen to get involved in “mapping” where the estimated 54,000 ex servicemen and women in North Wales are currently living.
They’ll be taking a look at what works in some areas and where best practice is found it can be shared with other areas. It’s all about being consistent throughout the region.
“keen to contact as many as possible”
Janette, who will be covering the Wrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire area, explained:
“At the moment we simply don’t know where the majority of this community are living and whether or not they are experiencing or have experienced any problems with things such as housing or accessing medical care. If you then look at the wider picture and include their families, who are just a very important a part of the armed forces community, you are looking for well over, 100,000 individuals. We’re keen to contact as many of them as possible to hear of their experiences, good or bad, to see how we can improve things.”
The two are very eager to access available funding to improve the work that’s already going on in the region to assist ex forces personnel and their families such as the self-build project that’s going on in Wrexham. The project sees ex service personnel learning skills to build affordable housing and also gives them the opportunity to live in the property. Currently there are vacancies on the project so if you want to see if this is a possibility for you if you are, or you know someone who is due to leave the forces or have already left just email them on:
They are also planning a “workshop” – a drop in type event at the Guildhall on 19 October between 2 and 4 for serving and ex service personnel and their families to attend to tell of their experiences and if they have any concerns or advice others can take advantage of.
“TA’s, Reservists, Cadets, former and current forces and of course, their families”
Steve, who will be serving Ynys Mon, Gwynedd and Conwy, said:
“When we speak of the armed forces community we are including TA’s, Reservists, Cadets, former and current forces and of course, their families. We would like to see as many as possible on the 19th – the event will be informal and we’re both looking forward to hearing about what goes wrong and what works for those who have made sacrifices whilst they bravely served their country both at home and abroad.”
“fit for the purpose it was meant for”
Both agreed they are looking forward to the enormity of the challenges ahead but also recognise the importance of their roles in making the Armed Forces Community Covenant is fit for the purpose it was meant for – to make sure those who leave or who have left our armed forces are not left with any disadvantage to accessing the services that they are entitled to.
“there is still a lot that can be achieved”
Cllr David Griffiths, Armed Forces Champion, said:
“Since we signed the covenant in 2013 things have improved in Wrexham for ex service personnel and we have several schemes that would not be taking place without the Covenant. However, there is still a lot that can be achieved and Steve and Janette’s involvement will help us make certain this gets done. We all owe a debt of gratitude to those men and women who have made the sacrifice to serve their country and I am determined we will not allow them to be disadvantaged as they return to civilian life.”
We wish them good luck in their roles and look forward to catching up with them further down the line to see how well their getting on.
We thought you might like to see some photographs from 5 April 2017 when the Armed Forces Community Covenant was signed and REME received the Freedom of the Borough.
7 young people from Wrexham successfully completed the Cardiff Half Marathon on 1 October with a little help from Gareth “Alfie” Thomas and international running coach James Thie.
The 7 undertook a gruelling training and nutritional schedule as part of Alfie’s Army which started in Cardiff in June with a 2 mile trial jog around Bute Park so James and Alfie could see their levels of fitness. This is where the reality set in as some started to struggle as they didn’t really do much exercise!
Training then began. Wrexham’s Senedd yr Ifanc and Wrexham Youth Service both supported training sessions on a weekly basis and supported the young people to attend sessions with run4wales and with Alfie and James in Cardiff. All 7 had to start to change their lifestyles to be able to train properly for the challenge.
The weekend of the Half Marathon arrived and began with a relaxing morning in the capital and even some crazy golf. Then it was off to meet with Alfie and James in preparation for Sunday’s half marathon. That was when the weekend changed! They were drilled off their bus by army drill sergeants as soon as they got to their training and quickly made to line up ready for action. Alfie was marched into the centre of the young people while they watched Alfie get the full army treatment! He was drilled to run, jog, get down and crawl, jog on the spot, do press ups and this went on for quite a while. Our young people thought they were next!
To their relief they were put into teams and were coached to do team building activities including a large inflatable assault course. The drill sergeants motivated the young people but were also very supportive and the 7 actually said that they’d “had fun” although they were tired. A Pasta Party and a motivational speech from Alfie finished the day then it was early to bed ready for the next day and the challenges ahead.
“going through many emotions”
The day of the half marathon began with a good filling and healthy breakfast. Inside Cardiff Castle they warmed up and prepared for the half marathon. The atmosphere was fantastic and the 7 were going through many emotions but the cheers and support for all Alfie’s Army encouraged them all to get ready to go and do their run. The encouragement stayed all the way along the 13.1 miles with everyone cheering and shouting out encouragement. All the young people agreed the crowd and Alfie’s support helped them through to the end.
The first past the finish line from Wrexham came through in just over 1 hour and 49 minutes followed by the remaining 6. They had all had their doubts and fears leading up to the run but all 7 completed the challenge and now have the medals to prove it!
Tricia Jones, Jade Griffith, Chloe Roberts, Gareth “ALFIE” Thomas, Mia Jeffs, Sam Sides, Jordan Jackson and Yasmin Sides
Some of the young people even passed on some thank you messages to be sent to Alfie
“really good experience”
“It was a really good experience. Alfie’s Army has 100% given me the motivation to become more active and healthier in my life and I am so grateful for the experience”
“Alfie’s Army has been a great motivation to get active and I’m grateful for the amazing experience”
“Alfie’s Army is an experience I am never going to forget!!! I am so grateful for all the help but also the support everyone has given – it has motivated me to become healthier”
“Thank you for the opportunity and it’s an experience I will never forget”
“An incredible achievement”
Cllr Paul Rogers, Lead Member for Youth Services and Anti Poverty, said;
“It’s an incredible achievement and all seven should be very proud of themselves. Their hard work has paid off and I wish them well for their futures. Well done everyone!”
4 charities will also benefit from the challenge, they are the Gunjur Project, Hope House Hospice, Nightingale House and the Autistic Society.
All the young people would like to pass on their thanks to everyone who has supported their charities.
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You’ll probably have seen all the recent work taking place at our leisure facilities, with update and refurbishment work having recently finished at the Waterworld Leisure and Activity Centre in Wrexham.
But did you know that a number of dual-use sites at Wrexham schools have also seen improvement?
The improvements are part of £2.7million worth of investment made by Wrexham Council and Freedom Leisure into all four leisure facilities and new 3G pitches across the county borough.
Cllr Paul Rogers, Lead Member for Youth Services and Anti-Poverty, with responsibility for Leisure, visited dual use facilities at Ysgol Clywedog, Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Rhosnesni High School, Ysgol Rhiwabon and Darland High School to view the completed works.
Giles Evans, Business Manager at Ysgol Rhiwabon, and Melanie Ferron-Evans, Headteacher, with Cllr Paul Rogers, Lead Member for Youth Services and Anti-Poverty
The works include energy saving improvements through new pool covers and filters, new energy-efficient lighting, redecoration across the five sites and the installation of a brand new 3G pitch.
Cllr Rogers said: “The capital improvements at Waterworld, Gwyn Evans, Chirk and Queensway Leisure and Activity Centres have, quite rightly, been well-publicised of late.
“But members of the public should also know that improved facilities are also available at dual-use sites at schools such as Clywedog and Rhiwabon, along with Morgan Llwyd, Darland and Rhosnesni.
“During my visits, I had the chance to note how improvements at Ysgol Clywedog and Ysgol Rhiwabon had already been welcomed by service users.
“I’m sure that the new and improved dual use sites will be incredibly important amenities for surrounding residents.”
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Recent changes to cash and coins in the UK have made the headlines, with people hunting for rare new £5 or £10 notes in the hopes of making even more money.
And the day on which the old-style, circular pound coins will be completely replaced by the new, 12-sided variants gets ever closer.
Would you want to discover more about coins used in the past?
If so, you may be interested in the upcoming Numismatics Day at Wrexham Museum on Saturday, October 28.
Numismatics is the study of coins, and a team of experts will be delivering a series of talks on Roman, Medieval and British coinage post 1660 in the morning, with the opportunity to meet the experts and have your coins identified in the afternoon.
The day is part of Wrexham Museum’s Buried in the Borderlands project which focuses upon the 15th Century Bronington Hoard.
The project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Saving Treasures: Telling Stories project in collaboration with the National Museum of Wales.
The event will start with a series of presentations from 11am until a lunch break at 1.15pm, followed by an afternoon’s “Meet the Specialists” session from 1.45pm until 3.30pm.
Specialists attending the event will be Royal Mint historian Chris Barker, medieval coins expert Carl Savage and Roman coins experts Matthew Ball and Nick Wells.
The event is free, but anyone who wishes to attend should contact Wrexham Museum in advance to give the museum an indication of numbers.
For more details, contact Wrexham Museum on 01978 297460
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