The annual Victorian Christmas Fair makes a welcome return on Thursday December 9 when it opens to the public at 12 noon after 2 years due to the Covid 19 Pandemic.
It’s one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the town’s calendar and attracts thousands of shoppers year after year. 2021 will find over 100 stalls from Queens Square right up to and inside St Giles’ Church.
There’s over 100 stalls this year selling a huge selection of festive gifts and treats alongside Victorian street entertainers and traditional rides and side stalls.
There’ll be all sorts of hot, freshly prepared food to try including German sausages, festive mince pies, mulled wine and hot chestnuts.
What makes this market really special is that it covers such a varied route and spills over into the beautiful parish church of St Giles – a real haven of warmth on a cold winter’s evening.
Inside the St Giles there more stalls and refreshments, music and carols and many of the thousands of visitors are so captivated by their surroundings that they take an opportunity to just sit and soak up the atmosphere for a while.
It’s an event not to be missed and stall holders will be pleased to see many visitors new and old to the event.
Don’t forget the date December 9 2021 between 12 noon and 8 pm.
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Booster jab appointments are being offered by letter to eligible people across North Wales and it’s really important that you don’t delay in accepting your appointment when its sent.
Why do I need a booster?
Like other vaccines the levels of protection can begin to wane over time. By having the booster dose you will be extending the protection you gained from your first two doses giving you longer term protection.
And most importantly it helps to reduce the risk of you needing admission to hospital due to Covid-19 infection this winter.
There is evidence from a programme in Israel, that started earlier this year, that gives a strong indication that those who received the booster jab had a lower rate of severe illness compared to those who hadn’t received the booster.
There was also a lower rate of confirmed infections in the booster group than in those who didn’t receive it.
What we should all remember is that although life is far more normal than it was, the pandemic is still with us, people are still testing positive and unfortunately, are still dying after testing positive for Covid-19.
Gill Harris, Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery at BCUHB, said: “Rates of COVID-19 are still at worryingly high levels and the NHS in Wales is entering its most challenging period of the pandemic.
“Getting a booster jab is a really important part of making sure we protect as many people in our communities as possible as we head into the winter months, and in turn our vital NHS services.”!
Please help keep North Wales safe and protect the NHS this winter by:
Taking up the offer of the Flu and Booster jabs as soon as they are offered.
If you need NHS care, please choose the most appropriate service for your needs by visiting the NHS 111 Wales website or the BCUHB website
Can I have the flu and booster at the same time?
Yes it’s safe to have both at the same time or close together. Please don’t delay accepting when you are offered either dose.
Mae'r amddiffyniad gan frechlynnau COVID-19 yn lleihau dros amser. Dyna pam rydym yn gwahodd pobl i gael pigiad atgyfnerthu, o 6 mis ar ôl eu hail ddos.
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We have a very well maintained fleet of gritters and experienced drivers who make sure our gritting routes are kept as safe as possible.
We are stocked with 7,500 tonnes of grit which is topped up each time we grit the roads.
We also have plans in place to cover extended periods of severe weather which includes plans to grit housing estates (where it’s safe to do so) before bin collections and to keep areas such as sheltered accommodation and school routes as clear and as safe as possible.
“To grit or not to grit in winter?”
This is the question faced several times a day by our experienced supervisors. To grit too soon may mean it gets washed away by rain. Too late – and you could be in for a slippy ride.
If you want to know if the gritters are going out you can keep an eye on our Twitter account @wrexhamcbc – or watch out for #wxmgrit.
We also send out reminders via the MyUpdates system which emails updates directly to subscribers.
When very poor weather is expected or we are experiencing a particularly long bout of cold, freezing weather we’ll keep you updated about where to find information including bin collections and school closures via this blog, our website at www.wrexham.gov.uk and our social media accounts so please keep an eye on them.
🚗 Remember to check your vehicle before you go out during or before poor weather. The Met Office has some excellent advice but always remember to allow extra time for your journey and stay safe.
Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We’re as ready as we can be and drivers have already been checking their gritting routes to make sure they’re aware of any potential problems. We value this service and we want to ensure that we keep everybody moving and safe during adverse weather which is essential to the local economy. Please take extra care during the winter and look out for alerts and weather advice and take all necessary action.”
“Help where you can”
Please also look out for your elderly relatives or vulnerable neighbours. Poor weather can mean they face greater difficulties when carrying out every day basic tasks such as shopping for essentials. Please offer help where you can – it could make all the difference to someone who can’t get out on their own.
Cllr John Pritchard, Lead Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “We all struggle during bad weather with transport and day to day tasks so imagine what it must be like for someone who has poor mobility and cannot get out at all.
“Please consider how you can help with tasks such as essential shopping or picking up prescriptions. Please don’t underestimate just how much of a difference you could make by helping with delivering shopping or just by making a phone call to have a quick chat.”
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Door step crime can take many forms and is carried out by criminals that target those most vulnerable in our communities. Always be on your guard and if you’re unsure don’t open your door. If in doubt keep them out!
You can also report any rogue traders and bogus callers to Wrexham Trading Standards on 01978 298997 or visit trading.standards@wrexham.gov.uk.
Wrexham Town Neighbourhood Policing Team Sergeant Dave Smith, said, “The nights drawing in means that you may be getting home from work after it goes dark and unlit houses attract criminals.
“There’s lots you can do including using automatic timers or motion sensors and if possible installing CCTV. Try to arrange for someone to take in any parcels you are expecting to avoid them being left out for any length of time.
“We should all be on the lookout for scams and cold callers and report them as soon as possible.
“We’ll be out and about in the community over the coming weeks and will be happy to offer to advice about how to stay safe in the winter months.”
Neighbourhood Watch groups
You’re also encouraged to help look after each other by signing up to the Community Alert Scheme and consider joining or forming a Neighbourhood Watch Group. By working together burglars will be deterred from areas that are taking action to keep them out.
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Senior representatives of Kronospan, Chirk Town Council, Unite the Union, Wrexham Council and Natural Resources Wales – along with local MP Simon Baynes and AM Ken Skates – continue to work together to improve public confidence and communication around the work of Kronospan.
The group met in June of this year and again on October 1 following the inaugural meeting held in January 2020.
The meetings have proved very effective with all parties wishing to update citizens on progress so far.
This includes:
Installation of a permanent air quality monitor in Chirk with real-time results available for the public to view. A second air quality monitor is scheduled to be installed by the end of November to the north of Chirk town.
Kronsopan has developed a public information website for the community. The website recently held the public consultation for a proposed development on site and Kronospan has committed to further develop the community facing website.
A new Kronospan Liason Group has been formed to include Kronospan, Chirk Town Council representatives, Wrexham Council, Natural Resource Wales and Trade Union representatives to ensure and maintain communication and dialogue between all parties in the Chirk community.
Kronospan has established a working group to review current odour controls on site to ensure that the site operates to the highest possible environmental standards.
Recent tree planting undertaken to the north of the site is to be reviewed by Kronopsan with a consultation exercise to be undertaken with local residents to ensure all parties are satisfied.
NRW intend to finalise the current assessment and report its findings to the group by early November. It is planned that a public consultation exercise will be undertaken in March/April 2022.
Wrexham Council’s investigation into the logyard fire is nearing completion and is undertaken in line with council enforcement policy and relevant legal procedures and considerations.
The MP and AM will continue on cross-party working on the issues.
The group has agreed to continue to work together and continue to focus on ensuring everyone is clear about the best way to address key issues of concern in the Chirk community.
A case of Avian Influenza has been identified in domestic and wild birds in the Chirk area of Wrexham.
A Protection Zone, Surveillance Zone and Restricted Zone has been put in place around the small infected poultry premises to limit the risk of disease spread. Details of the measures that apply within these zones can be found in the Declaration.
Public Protection Officers are on the ground providing advice and guidance to residents in the area and identifying any unknown poultry keepers?
Residents who keep birds are advised to contact the DEFRA helpline if they need advice – 03459 33 55 77.
The Control Zones extend from Wrexham into Shropshire and we’re working together to keep residents up to date and to control the spread of the infection.
The risk to public health is very low and the Food Standards Agency has said that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked eggs and poultry are safe to eat.
Commercial poultry keepers in the area have been informed and will be putting in place increased biosecurity measures to protect their birds.
Members of the public who have pet birds, either kept indoors or outdoors should follow the same basic guidance to keep their birds safe:
Avoid contact between your pet birds and wild birds
Avoid feeding wild birds and make sure your pet bird’s food is out of the way of wild birds.
Always clean up after dealing with your birds, especially wash your hands
Do not bring wild bird droppings into your home through dirty clothes and shoes
Ensure that any new bird comes from a reputable source
My bird is sick what should I do?
If you are concerned about the health of your pet please seek advice from your vet.
Please don’t pick it up or touch any sick or dead birds. You should contact the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 to report it.
Some birds may be collected for disease surveillance purposes. Not all birds will be collected and responsibility for disposal of dead birds rests with the landowner.
For further information about the careful disposal of dead birds disposal please take a look at the Welsh Government Website.
If you need to check if you’re in the any of the affected zones there’s an interactive map that you can use.
If you do not keep birds then you do not need to take any action, however, you can still help us by reporting dead wild birds.
If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to the DEFRA helpline on 03459 33 55 77 (option 7).
Here in NWP we are seeing an increasing amount of scam text and WhatsApp messages targeting elderly parents of adult children.
The messages claim to be from their adult children asking for money to be sent urgently for various reasons such as the need to pay a debt or bill. Victims are told that their child has a new mobile number and in some cases the scammers engage in text conversations for some time before asking for money, making the messages appear legitimate.
An increasing number of residents have lost money because of this scam whilst believing they are helping their children.
If you receive ANY unexpected message requesting money or vouchers please make additional checks to confirm the request is genuine.
If you have elderly parents, please discuss this scam with them to ensure they do not become a victim.
Please share this message with friends, family and neighbours.
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Therefore, we’re looking for someone with experience in project management, and who can demonstrate an understanding of the principles of change management. Are you the person we’re looking for?
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The Council welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, disability, sexuality, religious belief or age.
The Council is committed to developing its bilingual workforce and welcomes applications from candidates who demonstrate their capability to work in both English and Welsh.
Following on from our article earlier in the week, here are some more examples of the important role Occupational Therapists in Wrexham play in addressing health equity.
Occupational Therapy Week 2021 takes place between 1-7 November, and you can follow #OTsForEquity to see more of the great work taking place.
Case scenario 3
What was the Challenge?
“A referral was sent in from Glan Clwyd Hospital for ICF in-reach support for a citizen with right leg amputation and who was wheelchair dependent. What mattered to the client was to be able to return home to his cottage as soon as possible to recover at home. An environmental assessment was needed in order to facilitate a safe discharge. A further challenge was the Covid-19 situation; all risk assessments were undertaken and policies adhered to.”
What did you change?
“The case was given priority and an OT was able to act immediately. The environmental visit was carried out the next morning. The ICF OT was able to update the Glan Clwyd OT immediately after the visit, and the citizen was discharged home the same day.
“The ICF OT was able to carry out a subsequent follow up telephone call to client to ensure there were no immediate concerns, and further visits were made to assess the client in his own home and further interventions were put in place.”
What impact did you make?
“Due to the quick response the citizen’s outcomes were achieved. This had a huge positive impact on his overall well-being. ICF intervention freed up the hospital bed in Glan Clwyd – without this there would inevitably been a delay with the discharge.
“The referral to ICF meant that the discharge was overseen by an OT, with the benefit of being able to see the client quickly in his own home and further adaptations and equipment were reviewed in the community in a timely manner. The client is now managing well at home with all interventions and no care package in place.”
“A lady in her mid-50’s was sent home from hospital as end of life, after having a catastrophic stroke. Hospice at home was involved. Whilst in her home environment she started to pick up and regain some strength – nonverbal after the stroke, but able to indicate to family that ‘what matters’ to her is that she would like to sit out in the chair to watch TV.
“The family were initially lifting her at the shoulders and feet into an unsuitable armchair. The ICF OT was asked to review for equipment and to put safe practices in place.”
What did you change?
“The ICF OT worked alongside the Community Neuro Physio in order to establish the citizen’s functional ability and possibility for progression. The ICF OT installed moving and handling equipment, initially a mobile hoist and later a H frame ceiling track. The citizen indicated that she only wanted her family to hoist, so training was provided for family to safely use the hoist and care was cancelled.
“The ICF OT obtained funding from the Live at Home Fund for a bespoke moveable armchair with full support and pressure relieving qualities in the colour of the citizen’s choice.”
What impact did you make?
“The input from the ICF OT had a huge positive impact on the citizens overall well-being and ‘what matters’ to her was fully achieved; she can now watch TV from her armchair and be more inclusive with family activities. The family can safely move the lady without fear of injury to her or to themselves.
“The citizen and her family are managing well at home with all ICF OT interventions put in place. I will never forget the look of sheer delight when the citizen was hoisted into her bespoke chair for the first time – that was job satisfaction in a nutshell.”
How to access the OT service
The OT service can be accessed via the adult’s single point of contact for adults, or via the Multi Agency Panel for children with disabilities.
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Last week as part of Ryan Reynold’s and Rob McElhenney’s first visit to Wrexham the Mayor, Leader and Chief Executive of Wrexham Council hosted a formal civic welcome for the pair at the Racecourse Football ground
The reception was held at the football ground due to Covid-19 restrictions rather than in the Council Chamber.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Pritchard said, “It was great to hear their genuine aspirations for the football club, ground and Wrexham, including their support for both the city of culture and city status bid, it was reassuring to hear what others are saying which is “why wouldn’t you”.”
Chief Executive, Ian Bancroft said, “Wrexham is lucky to have such committed and genuine investors into the area and we thank them for their time and generosity of spirit during the visit, and we look forward to welcoming them back on many more occasions.”
Ryan and Rob – “two really nice guys”
The Mayor of Wrexham, Cllr Ronnie Prince, said, “I was really pleased we were able to give a formal civic welcome to Ryan and Rob who are two really nice guys, down to earth and very approachable.
“They both have big ambitions for Wrexham FC which is fantastic. There is a real buzz around Wrexham now they have taken over the club with big expectations at the possibility, in the future, of premier league football. No pressure for sure!
“It’s good to know that such high profile figures have faith and ambitions for Wrexham Football Club and are wholly committed to the wider community and supportive of our aspirations for Wrexham.
“The future is looking good for the Club and for Wrexham.
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