Oswestry Life May 2024

I think we can all agree, we’ve had enough of the rain and flash flooding around Oswestry this past month. We need something to perk us up. Here at the magazine, we’ve been busy speaking to locals for the best news and most interesting stories.

If you love our Welsh connection, there’s a hunt for dragons around town on page 37. Enter Oswestry in Bloom on page 23, get in touch with men’s health on page 55 and there’s a page dedicated to mamas and mamas-to-be on page 61.

Have a happy, healthy month.

Community News

TV star joins The Movement Centre as patron

Former BBC Breakfast TV presenter, Louise Minchin, is championing a charity committed to providing life-changing therapy for children with movement difficulties by becoming its newest patron.

The Movement Centre, based in Oswestry, is delighted to welcome the former TV news anchor on board - a prominent figure in the media industry and a fervent supporter of charitable initiatives who’s involvement is expected to elevate the organisation’s profile and broaden its impact.

The centre specialises in Targeted Training, a unique and innovative approach that focuses on helping children with movement difficulties achieve greater independence and mobility. The charity’s commitment to improving the lives of children aligns seamlessly with Louise’s dedication to making a positive difference in the world.

She explains, “I am honoured and excited to become a patron of The Movement Centre. Witnessing the incredible work they do to transform the lives of children facing movement challenges is truly inspiring. I am eager to contribute to their mission and help raise awareness for the invaluable services they provide.”

Louise’s involvement comes at a crucial time for The Movement Centre as it continues to expand its reach and impact. Her support is anticipated to amplify the charity’s message, encouraging further support of the cause.

Kate Halewood, Chair of Trustees at The Movement Centre, says, “Having Louise Minchin as our patron is a tremendous privilege. Her passion for philanthropy and commitment to making a positive impact aligns perfectly with our mission. We believe that with her support, we can reach new heights in our efforts to empower children with movement disorders and help them lead fulfilling lives.”

The Movement Centre is inviting the public to join them in welcoming Louise Minchin as their patron by encouraging everyone to support ongoing initiatives and fundraising activities to provide essential therapy for children in need.

For more information about The Movement Centre and Louise Minchin’s involvement, please visit www.themovementcentre.co.uk or contact Curtis Langley at curtis@themovementcentre.co.uk

Wonderful walkers raise thousands for children’s hospices

Hundreds of walkers put their best foot forward and took on the 10-mile Llangollen Canal Walk in March, raising a massive £18,000 for Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith children’s hospices.

The walk started at the recently reopened Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on Sunday 24 March, where hikers strode across the world-famous aqueduct and along the canal all the way to The Poachers pub at Chirk for refreshments before heading back to receive their special medals.

The event was sponsored by the Principality Building Society and there was a team of volunteer marshals on the day from the Llangollen, Wrexham and Erddig Rotary Clubs.

Vicky Bradbeer, fundraiser, says, “We’d like to say a huge thank you to all of our amazing supporters who have joined us on our Llangollen Canal Walk, raising £18,000 so far with more money still coming in.

“This money will be supporting seriously ill local children and their families, and without this fantastic support we simply wouldn’t be able to be here for those that need us the most.

“A huge thank you also to our super team of volunteers and our event sponsors Principality Building Society who have helped make this such a great event.”

James Harper, Social Impact Manager at Principality Building Society says, “We were delighted to sponsor the Llangollen Canal Walk for a second consecutive year as part of our ongoing charity partnership with Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith.

“It was wonderful to welcome all of the Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith supporters again this year and we cannot thank them enough for all the support.”

If you have been inspired to take part in an event or fundraiser for the charity, visit www.hopehouse.org.uk for inspiration and ideas on how you can get involved.

Visit Horatio’s Garden Midlands

Nationwide charity Horatio’s Garden, which won a gold medal and Best in Show at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023, has launched a new series of tours offering the public the chance to visit Horatio’s Garden Midlands, one of the charity’s seven awardwinning, fully accessible gardens.

Opening on selected dates from April to October, the public can book a date to visit Horatio’s Garden Midlands at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry. Opening in 2019, the fourth of the charity’s gardens was created by acclaimed journalist and six-time RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winner, Bunny Guinness. Led by the Head Gardener Alex Law, the private tours offer people a special opportunity to explore

this rarely opened garden and immerse themselves in the beautiful, restorative sanctuary designed to nurture the wellbeing of people after life-changing spinal injuries.

Visitors can discover the garden’s thoughtful design featuring an incredible variety of vibrant, uplifting plants. Those attending will also learn more about the charity’s vision to sustainably grow a thriving Horatio’s Garden in all 11 NHS spinal injury centres in the UK, and the positive impact gardens and gardening have on our wellbeing.

Tours cost £20 per person and include hot beverages and homemade cake, with a selection of plants and Horatio’s Garden merchandise on sale. All support the charity’s vital work to support patients and their loved ones rebuilding their lives following a devastating spinal injury.

To book your tour of Horatio’s Garden Midlands today, visit  www.horatiosgarden.org.uk/gardentours - please note that spaces are limited and are allocated on a firstcome, first-served basis.

Bronze

Antique

Support your local independent businesses

ADVANCED HYPNOTHERAPIST

Katie Millard

Smoking cessation. Weight management. Anxiety & Depression. Phobias. Stress 07912 435221

katie@thehappinessclub.co.uk

Amber’s Cleaning Services

Domestic and Commercial Professional Cleaning Services with competitive rates. One off deep cleans/End of Tenancy cleans. Daily/Weekly/ Fortnightly clean. Offices and building sites Tel: 07955 022129

Beside The Wood Aromas

Luxury Wax Melts & Candles, handmade in Oswestry using the finest ingredients available for a stronger, longer lasting home fragrance. Every Saturday in Cross Street, Oswestry. BesideTheWood15@outlook.com

Clean & Gleam

Give your oven a little TLC with Clean & Gleam! Professional oven cleaning services covering Oswestry & surrounding areas. 07866 472083 / 07791 655559 www.facebook.com/cleanandgleamovens

Dogz Dinnerz

Foods and supplies for all your pets at the best prices.

Oswestry Indoor Market Hall, Oswestry Tel: 07368 104980

Email:dogzdinnerz@yahoo.com

Heatwave Hair & Beauty

Fully qualified in all aspects of ladies and gents hairdressing and beauty treatments. Lower priced hair appointments with our apprentice. 10% off for senior citizens on Tuesdays. Visit our new salon at 3 Leg St, Oswestry 07368 638807

Herd Milk

Taste the difference! Delicious, whole milk and yoghurt, fresh from our grassfed cows.Try a milkshake or grab a coffee and a cookie. Stockists of Belton Cheese (also made with our milk). Whittington Rd, SY11 4NB victoria@herdmilk.co.uk

J&I Carpets

Over 30 rolls of carpet in stock! Many roll ends half price! Vinyls, LVT, Blinds and Curtains. A family business est. 1982. Victoria Road, Oswestry www.jandicarpets.co.uk 01691 656843

Micky Finn Quality Fish

Highest Quality Fresh from Fleetwood EVERY morning! If you have not enjoyed your fish we will refund. Powis Market Hall Oswestry

Wednesday and Saturday 7.30-12

Ian: 07966 201696 Erin 07742 248269

Mrs Mops Cleaning Services

Professional domestic and commercial cleaning company. Competitive rates. Followed by Mrs Hinch on Instagram. Approached by ITV!

Contact Melanie 07494 669 479 or mrsmopscleaningservices2020@outlook.com

Nu U Beauty

Delay the signs of ageing. Specialist in CACI non-surgical face lift, Microdermabrasion & Collagen Lift. Over 20yrs beauty experience. Facials are my passion. www.nuubeauty.com Tel : 07506 078265

Obertelli Play Therapy

Delivering therapy to children and young people. Supervision and therapeutic consultation available. Please contact for a free initial enquiry on 07974 506910 or Ginaobertelli@aol.com

Oswestry Transport

Man & Van hire/General haulage

Trailer hire/Removals/Collection & deliveries

Motorcycle collection & deliveries

ADR QUALIFIED - FULLY INSURED 07816 830019 Email Otsj14@aol.co.uk

Park Gate Florist

A busy florist in the centre of Oswestry. Available for weddings, funerals. Bouquets and arrangements for any occasion 01691 679898

Email: parkgate35a@hotmail.co.uk

Pippo’s Bakery

Specialising in designing bespoke celebration cakes and cupcakes for your special occasion. Always unique, always yum! Contact us at pipposbakery@gmail.com or via Facebook. com/pipposbakery

Pollen Pantry

Specialising in all things floristry Weddings • Events • Funeral/sympathy

Gift bouquets and arrangements

Local delivery 37, Bailey St, Oswestry 07596 095715 www.pollenpantry.co.uk

Siop Cwlwm

“Y Gorau o’r Gororau”

Welsh Shop situated at 33 Bailey Street and online. Welsh books, cards, music, homeware & gifts

Probably the only Welsh shop outside Wales! www.siopcwlwm.co.uk Tel: 01691 680401

Simla Tandoori Restaurant

Proudly serving the best Indian cuisine since 1976 to the local community 42, Beatrice St, Oswestry. 01691 659880 www.simla-oswestry.co.uk

Sun City

Stand-ups, Lie-downs and Infrared Sunbeds. Open 7 days a week

A member of The Sunbed Association. Telephone 01691 661115

www.suncity-oswestry.co.uk

Theodore’s Box

We are a family run business passionate about finding the perfect gift for your needs. We have an ever expanding range of personalised products that cater for all special occasions

www.theodoresbox.co.uk

Time Invaders

Oswestry’s Comic Shop a treasure trove of comics, annuals, funkopops, sci-fi, collectable models. Dog friendly & all at 23 Cross Street

SY112NF Tel 07946550916 or find us on FB, Instagram, TikTok @timeinvaders23

Vicious Pink Tattoo Studio

Fully licensed. Check out work from Ruth, Gary, Karen and Libby on Facebook and Instagram. www.viciouspink.co.uk

Tel: 01691 570427

Suite C, 9A Willow Street, Oswestry. SY11 1AF

Applications for ART-efact 2024 are open

Building on the success of ART-efact 2023 and with secured UK Shared Prosperity Funding Oswestry’s Cultural Connection, the group behind Love Oswestry, is delighted to launch ART-efact 2024.

Four local artists will be selected to participate in the second ART-efact artist-in-residence program from midMay to September 2024. Artists in residence will work closely with the Oswestry Town Museum and Oswestry Town Archive collections over the summer months and deliver a final body of work for an exhibition coinciding with Heritage Open Days 2024 (6 September).

Project 1 is built around the Gilbert and Gordon letters housed at the museum, which is reputed to be the largest collection of love letters from WWII. We are looking to work with SAND, Oswestry’s Pride in June, along with the young LGBTQ+ community in the town. Artists will also work with schools to highlight the struggles that Gilbert and Gordon would have faced at that time. For this project, we are looking for two artists/creatives from the local LGBTQ community.

Project 2 will focus on the Heritage Open Day theme of Routes - Networks - Connections. We are particularly

interested in applications that explore the border town identity of Oswestry. Artists will work with and deliver workshops at Qube, Designs in Mind and with local schools. For this project, we are looking for two artists/ creatives from all backgrounds.

Please send a CV of past work and projects and a cover letter explaining your practice, detailing which project you are applying for (1 or 2), and what you would like to work on and achieve during the ART-efact art residency. Submit 6-8 images and/or links to your work.

We accept applications from all creative disciplines including music and sound, dance and performance, visual arts, textiles, sculpture, film, and moving images.

Submission deadline is 11.59 pm, Sunday 28 April. Final artist selection will be made by Wednesday 8 May 2024.

Application details can be found at ART-efact Linktree: https://linktr.ee/art_efact_oswestry

Please send your application to Holly Maries, artefactoswestry@gmail.com

Follow on Facebook @ART-efact Art Residency Oswestry or Instagram @artefactoswestry

Old Too New

RE - FINISHED FURNITURE AND HOUSEWARES

www.oldtoonew.co.uk

Call: 07803 536 441 • Oldtoonew@outlook.com

Here at Old Too New we take old unloved pieces of furniture that people do not want anymore and turn them into new bright modern pieces to fit into any home

Visit our shop at 2 Upper Street, Oswestry SY11 2AE

Here at Old To New we take old pieces of furniture that people do not want any more and turn them into new bright modern pieces. We can even transform your unloved kitchen with new paintwork, handles and worktops! Whether you prefer a classic vintage look or a contemporary style, we have something to suit every taste.

Visit our new shop at 10 Leg Street, Oswestry, SY11 2NL

Call: 07803 536441 Oldtonew21@outlook.com RE-FINISHED FURNITUREand housewares

www.oldtoonew.co.uk

With a character appearance at your party, I provide a variety of packages that include party games, craft activities, dancing and much more.

Princess / Superhero / Barbie / Fairy / Unicorn. To spread a li le stardust, contact me on 07908

508520

Or reach out through Facebook or Instagram Extra charge for outside the Oswestry area.

Feature

A life-sAving service thAt keeps you fulfilled And fit

If you enjoy being active and you’re looking to add something extra into your life, this could be for you. Finding something fulfilling, that helps others is always the ideal, so have you ever considered becoming an on-call firefighter? Here, we find out what’s involved and introduce a current on-call fire fighter who not only fits it around his work and passion but is now using it to help with his fundraising efforts for charity.

24-year-old Connor Beardmore is one of the on-call firefighters here in Oswestry. He has always had a passion for fitness and sport since a young age, with a background in hockey, making him an ideal person for the job. Although you don’t need to be a fitness fanatic to join the fire service, an interest in keeping fit does help.

In October 2023, Connor took his love of sport and the fire-service to another level – he ran the Oswestry 10k in full fire service kit (weighing just under 3 stone). If running in sports kit it isn’t enough, the thought of adding a helmet and an oxygen cylinder on your back is enough to break anyone out in a sweat. Connor raised over £1600 for the Fire Fighters Charity, who provide support to firefighters and their families at times of need, and he took home the Oswestry Life Local Hero award for Sports Person of the Year 2023.

Connor has a sporting history of playing international and national league hockey until he became an on-call firefighter 18 months ago. He had to make the difficult decision to hang up his hockey kit in order to be able to make the commitment needed to be an on-call fire fighter for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service. Despite this, he is still called upon to guest for other hockey clubs when he is not on call and able to make a match.

There are 22 on-call fire stations throughout Shropshire, all staffed by firefighters who have everyday lives and jobs…until their pager sounds; then as quickly as possible, they make their way to the fire station. Oncall firefighters are professional firefighters on the front line, saving lives.

The on-call staff come from all walks of life; from stay-at-home parents to office workers, the service welcomes everyone who meets the basic criteria and can pass the recruitment process.

To apply you must:

Although you don’t need to be a fitness fanatic to join the fire service, an interest in keeping fit does help.

• Live or work within five minutes of an on-call fire station (this doesn’t include Telford Central fire station)

• Be over 18

• Be physically fit (you are supported and given training in this area)

For more about the role and how to apply, visit www.shropshirefire.gov.uk/ on-call

Tiny treats

We all need a little pick-me-up now and then. These feel-good treats are all £20 or less…

1. Tea Caddy, £10, www.emmabridgewater.co.uk

2. Gold Cocktail Shaker, £11, www.habitat.co.uk

3. Fruit Teas Stoneware Mug, £8, www.daisypark.co.uk

4. F&F Pink Boa Slippers, £12.50, www.tesco.co.uk

5. Set of 3 Storage Boxes, £20, www.dunelm.co.uk

6. Ayva Floral Duvet Cover Set, from £14, www.dunelm.co.uk

7. Shell Swirl Compact Mirror, £8, www.oliverbonas.co.uk

8. After the Rain Room Spray, £20, www.arran.com

9. Yellow Orchid, £12.99, Dobbies

A friendly local taxi service operating in Oswestry and surrounding areas

AIRPORT TRANSFERS AVAILABLE

We will now be accepting bookings for up to 8 seats with our new driver starting in a Ford Minibus. We strive to o er the best service possible in Oswestry and this addition will increase our availability to larger groups or weddings wanting to get home!

The driver/vehicle will be available Thursday-Saturday evenings subject to availability.

DRIVERS WANTED

• Oswalds Vehicle or Own Vehicle (Shropshire Plated)

• Over 25 Required (Insurance Purposes)

• Shropshire Taxi Badge Required

• Weekly Earnings

We accept card payments in all our vehicles

Bookings@oswaldscars.co.uk

New Oswestry Directories Announced

Finding your way around Oswestry’s industrial estates and business parks just got a whole lot easier with the fully refreshed FIND IT, BUY IT Oswestry Business Directory & Map - inside your Oswestry Life magazine!

This directory is packed with businesses across Oswestry Industrial Estate, Artillery Business Park, Park Hall and along Shrewsbury Road. There are 50 categories to explore to find what you’re looking for from builders’ merchants to document shredding, upholstery repairs to new windows - you may be surprised what’s on your doorstep!

“We are really pleased to be publishing this directory showcasing local businesses,” says Oswestry BID Manager, Adele Nightingale. “It will help customers navigate the estates and find what they’re looking for, as well as giving businesses a tool for promoting their business.”

You can also view or download the directory online at: tinyurl.com/ OsIndEstates2024

DOWN ON THE BEACH

* And next month sees the release of the sister publication, FIND IT, BUY IT - The Oswestry Town Centre Business Directory & Map, also fully renewed and up to date - so keep an eye out for that.

Following on from the madcap Easter frolics of The Street Circus, Oswestry BID are thrilled to see the return of THE BEACH to Festival Square for the Bank Holiday Weekend, 25-26 May 2024.

This will be the third year for The Beach because of its popularity with children and families, enjoying seventeen tonnes of the finest sand, lined by deckchairs and all surrounded by the sound of waves and seagull calls!

BID Manager, Adele Nightingale, is looking forward to another great family weekend in the town centre. “Any outdoor event like this requires lovely weather to make it really special,” she says, “so we are hoping for a couple of wonderfully sunny days. It’s all part of our desire to make Oswestry a great place to live, work, visit and enjoy. Of course, what really makes it is to see the smiles on the faces of the children and families, relaxing and building sandcastles!”

YOUR WHAT’S ON GUIDE TO OSWESTRY

There’s so much going on in Oswestry, it’s easy to miss gigs, workshops, festivals, authors, foodie and artisan markets, exhibitions, and more! You can keep up to date by checking in at the OSWESTRY WHAT’S ON listings page at oneoswestry.co.uk/events.

We have listed events right up to December 2024, so you can plan ahead.

JOIN US FOR THE GRAND OPENING OF OUR BIGGEST SHOP YET!

FREE goody bag for the first 50 customers (purchase required)

Monday 29th April, 10.30am

In the former Argos store on Smithfield Road DONATE NOW

We urgently need your pre-loved homeware, electricals and bric a brac

Help fund vital care for seriously ill local children

Professional Dog Groomer in Oswestry

07970710830

Thewooferygrooming@gmail.com

www.thewoofery.co.uk

BRINGING YOU THE VERY BEST IN RAW, APPROPRIATE FOOD FOR YOUR CARNIVOROUS ANIMALS

Whether you are already a seasoned raw feeder or interested in switching your animals to a raw diet then we have everything you need and much more.

As well as our large range of top quality raw minces, chunks and bones we also supply air dried chews and natural treats as well as herbal supplements to complement a natural diet.

SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF RAW FEEDING:

■ Less Sensitivities

■ Great for allergy sufferers

■ Smaller less odorous poop

■ Clean teeth & breath

■ Shiny healthy coat

fOr Thought ws

LIBRELA: FRIEND OR FOE OF OUR PETS?

If your pet has suffered with stiffness, pain and lameness you will most likely have been offered a Librela injection. Librela was licensed in the UK in 2020 to treat osteoarthritis pain.

The active ingredient in Librela (bedinvetmab) is an artificial monoclonal antibody, designed to attach itself to a nerve protein (NGF) and interrupt the transmission of pain signals to the brain.

It reduces arthritic pain, with a 60-70% chance of positive benefits. But it does so by blocking a protein that has many important functional uses throughout the body, including your dog’s immune system. It binds NGF everywhere, not only in the painful areas.

There is a 10-20% chance of minimal affectivity and a 2-10% chance of negative side effects. Once it’s injected, it’s there for a long time until the body slowly clears it out.

Side effects include:

• Swelling at injection site.

• Systemic disorders, thirst, death, lethargy, anorexia.

• Renal and urinary tract disorders, urinary incontinence.

• Digestive tract disorders, diarrhoea, vomiting.

• Neurological disorders, balance, seizures.

It must also be noted that Librela manages pain and stiffness, but doesn’t treat the underlying osteoarthritis. Dogs who suddenly feel pain-free are likely to overdo things, which may result in further joint damage.

Alternative Treatments for Arthritis

• Give high dose omegas or green lipped mussels, turmeric and rosehips.

• Consider the addition of CBD, acupuncture or acupressure and hydrotherapy.

• When holistic options are not enough, continue with prescription pain relief like Gabapentin.

• Only as a FINAL option consider Librela when all other avenues have been exhausted.

For some dogs Librela significantly improves their quality of life. But DO YOUR RESEARCH before deciding, as reports of adverse effects are increasing. Presently data is limited due to the fact it is a relatively new treatment. Feedback of positive and negative experiences is being collated by manufacturers ZOETIS.

Further information is available in Librela (bedinvetmab injection) prescribing information pdf, produced by Zoetis.

GOBOWEN YOUTH CLUB

MONDAYS 4:30PM - 6PM

WESTON RHYN YOUTH CLUB

MONDAYS 6:30PM - 8PM

ELLESMERE YOUTH CLUB

WEDNESDAYS 7PM - 8:30PM

WHITTINGTON YOUTH CLUB

7 - 8:30

THURSDAYS 7PM - 8:30PM

OSWESTRY YOUTH CLUB (IN ASSOCIATION WITH )

JUNIORS 4:30PM - 6PM & SENIORS 6:30PM - 8PM

Garden Lovers – a chance to win

The Oswestry in Bloom competition is now open so it’s time to enter

No-one in Oswestry could have failed to hear that we were “Best Large Town in the Country” at the Britain in Bloom awards last year. The rules state that Oswestry must wait to be selected again in a few years’ time, but Oswestry in Bloom continues to ensure that our town is “Blooming Marvellous”.

Our town competition is open from today and closes Friday 21 June. Judges will start inspecting all entries in July. There are lots of categories, and entries are welcomed from residents, businesses, and community groups.

The outgoing mayor of Oswestry, Cllr Olly Rose, visited some of last year’s entrants. “What an absolute privilege to view the entries and the beautiful gardens and businesses. I would love to see as many businesses as possible enter the Oswestry in Bloom competition this year as flowers and plants really help to increase biodiversity and wildlife, as well as brighten up the areas we live and work in. There are so many categories to enter, something for everyone.”

• Best Commercial Premises (Town Centre)

• Best Commercial Premises (Industrial Estate)

• Best Dressed Window Display

• Best School Project

• Best Community Project

• Best Residential Front Garden. Gardens will be divided into small and large.

• Best Back Garden. Gardens will be divided into small and large.

• Best Residential Container Garden

• Best Residential Kitchen Garden

• Best Pub or Hotel

• Young Gardener Award Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony which will take place in the autumn with a trophy awarded to the winner of each category. This year each category will be sponsored by a

local business. So far sponsors include Oswestry Life, Oswestry BID, AICO, Cambrian Hearing, Roche, Oswestry Borderland Tourism, North Shropshire College, Oswalds Cars and Black Hawk Laser.

Chair of Oswestry in Bloom, Natalie Bainbridge says, “Having local businesses so keen to sponsor our awards shows how much the work of our residents and volunteers is appreciated. In 2024 we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of Britain in Bloom, and this year’s theme is “Friendship”. We have set the shop window competition to reflect “Garden Friends” and are really looking forward to seeing the results.”

You can find out more information and even enter on-line from Oswestry in Bloom’s website, www.oswestryinbloom.wordpress. com. Entry forms will be available at The Guildhall and the Library.

Building sustainable futures for our communities

As the European market leader in home life safety, we strive to deliver safer homes through engaging with our communities to educate and promote best practice. Our sustainability programme enables us to do just this. Aico in the Community was developed to provide support to both local and national educational and charitable organisations, focusing on five pillars; Workplace, Marketplace, Community, Environment and Governance

If you would like to know more about Aico in the Community, please get in touch with our Community Liaisons: sustainability@aico.co.uk www.aico.co.uk

Hive of Activity at Aico

Aico Celebrate WoodMor’s Successful Beekeeping Programme for Derwen College Students

Aico was a hive of activity earlier this week, as they hosted a celebratory event at its headquarters in Oswestry showcasing the success of the WoodMor Foundation CIC.

The WoodMor Project runs an employability programme, ‘Becoming a Beekeeper’, designed for students at Derwen College with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Through this year-long programme, sponsored by Aico, students gain valuable transferable employability skills such as patience, organisation, and problem-solving, all while learning the fascinating art of beekeeping.

The event highlighted the programme’s impact on Sophie Dempsey, a Derwen College student, who created a compelling “MeMovie”™ showcasing the skills she developed throughout the year. This “MeMovie”, available to watch on WoodMor Foundation’s YouTube channel, can be a powerful tool for Sophie to demonstrate her newfound abilities to potential employers.

With Aico’s sponsorship and support from WoodMor, Derwen College has established multiple beehives on-site, managed with the help of their students. Their dedication has resulted in the production of their own Derwen honey, and they’ve even extended their beekeeping knowledge by assisting other local businesses.

“This was a fantastic celebration event enabled by Aico for the Oswestry community, It’s been a phenomenal success, and we couldn’t be prouder of the entire

team at Derwen who have been so supportive of the project, not to mention the real star Sophie, who’s self-esteem, confidence and communication skills have grown tremendously since the beginning of the programme, furthermore her reliability and commitment to the programme have been exemplary. Sophie’s MeMovie shows indisputable evidence of her employability skills. Sophie is studying Hospitality, Food and Beverage at Derwen and is looking to gain employment in this area. She’s now also an avid beekeeper and hopes to take her Level 1, beekeeping qualification in the summer,” explained Matt Wood, WoodMor founder.

The WoodMor Foundation have been working in partnership with Derwen and Aico for the last 18 months and are rolling out our Becoming a Beekeeper employability programme to other SEND colleges together with other charities locally.

The event brought together key figures who contributed to the programme’s success.

Representatives from WoodMor, Derwen College, and Sophie herself were present to answer questions from attendees, including the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, Anna Turner, the Mayor of Oswestry, Olly Rose, Gobowen & Selattyn Parish Council Chairwoman, Cllr Erica Morgan, OsNosh and even local beekeepers!

Laura Opechowska, Community Liaison at Aico, commented on the event, “It was a pleasure to be part of and attend the launch of MeMovie. The event was a huge success, and the live bees were fascinating! Learning about the growth and achievements of students like Sophie, who participated in the ‘Becoming a Beekeeper’ programme, was very insightful. This initiative nurtures practical skills and provides a sense of purpose and confidence in each participant. It’s great to see the impact collaboration and dedication can have on transforming lives.”

Guests were treated to a unique experience, including a chance to see live bees in an observation hive, beekeeping suits and equipment demonstrations, honey tasting, and an array of beeswax products.

Aico are committed to supporting students in their local community and believes that programmes like these are essential to empower the next generation of learners.

Find out more about the programme at woodmor.org/ becoming-a-beekeeper

Choose your distance AND support cancer services across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and Mid Wales

Welshpool Rugby Club, Howell Rd, Welshpool, SY21 7AT

BRAND NEW LOCATION FOR 2024

As a family owned and run venue, we’ve hosted thousands of weddings in the many years we have been here. You could say we have some experience in making your special day extraordinary.

We know and love the fact that every wedding is different, because nobody has a relationship like yours.

We love The Sweeney, and nothing makes us happier than when you fall in love with it too. We pride ourselves on our versatility to cater for your wedding

whatever the requirements. We have something here for everyone, from our rustic Barn or our at one with nature, Garden Room to the Georgian hall itself with its stunning rooms and gorgeous outside terrace.

Look at our brand-new web site or better still “Get in Touch” to book a viewing.  We would love to hear from you.

The Sweeney Team x

Weddings at the Sweeney

Morda, Nr. Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 9EU

Tel: 01691 652 450 Email: hello@thesweeneyhotel.com

Web: thesweeneyhotel.com

Casual that looks styled Fashion

Finding wearable clothes that ooze style is difficult, especially when we don’t all have a professional on hand to help us. Whether you’re in the mood for denim or seasonal shades, we know what looks good. Copper

Pastel Pieces

Stretch Denim Jacket Dusky Lilac £42, www.cottontraders.com

Aria Ruffle Blouse £59, www.monsoon.co.uk

Jersey Trousers Ivory £35, www.cottontraders.com

Denim Day

Denim Waistcoat £17, www.matalan.co.uk

Hopeful in Blue Denim £85, www.dunelondon.com

Denim Midi Skirt £19, www.matalan.co.uk

Shopping Chic

Michelle Keegan Cropped Button Blazer £45, www.very.co.uk

Sparse Rope Shoulder Bag Cream £35, www.accessorize.com

Cotton Split Hem Midaxi T-Shirt Dress £19.99, www.newlook.com

Highest £65 in Cream, www.dunelondon.co.uk

Capture your pet’s personality in a beautiful portrait

A commissioned artwork is a deeply personal and lasting memento of a pet that can be treasured for a lifetime. Pets are a huge part of family life and capturing their true essence whilst they are with us will give you a most wonderful image that can only be created when the artist meets the animal.

Local artist, Clare Roberts has had a love of drawing since childhood and being an animal lover, they have always formed the subject of her artwork. Growing up, Clare spent many happy hours drawing dogs, horses and birds which later evolved into creating artworks of pets for friends and family.

After being self-taught for many years, Clare took

the opportunity during lockdown to undertake training with a classical artist who specialises in dogs and horses. Having always been drawn to classical realism and the classical method of drawing taught in the nineteenth century ateliers of Europe and with the modern possibilities of online learning, she was able to begin her journey in classical art training.

Speaking about her expertise in the area, Clare says, “I specialise in creating pet portraits and undertake realistic portraits in a classical style encompassing elements such as anatomy and light and shade to create a physical likeness and portray the unique essence of the subject. I create most of my artwork in the medium of charcoal because I’m drawn to the simplicity of using charcoal on paper and how such a timeless medium has endless possibilities.

“I offer a bespoke service locally where I can travel to meet clients and their pets so that I can discuss their commission idea in more depth to ensure that I can offer something personal and unique to them. It may be a certain way their pet holds their head or looks that the client wants to capture in the moment of the drawing. Meeting the pet in person is really helpful for me to take observations from life and get to know the pet’s character and nuances that may not be noticed in a photographic reference. It’s a really lovely part of what I do when I get the response from a client that I’ve captured ‘their’ pet and not just a pet of that type or breed.”

To discuss a commission idea visit www.clarerobertsfineart.com/commissions and complete the contact form. Clare will then contact you to discuss and offer a no-obligation quotation for consideration.

Culture

TV REVIEW

The Repair Shop – BBC iPlayer

With its heart-warming stories and incredible transformations, the BBC TV series The Repair Shop is one of the nation’s favourite TV shows and has picked up a slew of awards in recent times, including a TV BAFTA and a National Television Award. The series, which is described as an “antidote to throwaway culture” sees a group of expert craftspeople bring treasured antiques and much-loved pieces of family history back to life, proving that anything can be restored to its former glory.

You can apply to appear on the show through an online application form at www.ricochet.co.uk – Ricochet being the production company behind the show. All applicants must be aged 18 or over.

BOOK REVIEW

EDITOR’S CHOICE

The Trading Game

The Daily Telegraph says, “For a self-proclaimed mathematics nerd, Stevenson is a fine wordsmith. His greatest strength is his ability to unravel complex concepts… Stevenson candidly shares his traumas and experiences… finance, for all its allure and excess, is a world where excess comes at a cost, a cost not measured in dollars but in the essence of who we become.”

What kind of person does it take to enter the world of city trading? In describing his tumultuous life as a trader, Gary Stevenson tells us exactly who. He’s been there and now writes to tell us exactly what happens. The lure of trading trillions of dollars isn’t anything like the vision we might have.

Available from all good book shops.

A Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Haiku, compiled by William Scott Wilson Haiku is a Japanese verse form most often composed, in English versions, of three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables. This book is a comprehensive introduction to Japan’s best-loved haiku poets.

The Waste Land and Other Poems by T.S.Eliot

Arguably the most influential and important book of poetry produced in the 20th Century. In addition to the title poem, this selection includes The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock and Ash Wednesday.

Poems on the Underground, selected by Judith Chernaik, George Szirtes & Imtiaz Dharker

Poems on the Underground displays various contemporary and classic poets on the London Underground three times a year. This edition covers love, London, exile, family, dreams and music.

The Best Ever Book of Funny Poems, by Brian Moses

Featuring a fab line-up of poets, discover rib-tickling poems about pets, school, family, dinosaurs and dragons – and just plain silly poems!

The Forward Book of Poetry 2024, various poets

Bringing together the best new works published in the UK and Ireland over the last year, including the winners of the 2024 Forward Prizes, this anthology offers a perfect introduction to contemporary poetry.

Events

Dragons have escaped over the Welsh Walls!

Can you find them all for the Urdd Eisteddfod?

As part of the celebrations for the Urdd Eisteddfod, Lowri Roberts, owner of family-run Welsh shop Siop Cwlwm in Oswestry, has been working with local Author and Illustrator Sarah Parkinson and Oswestry’s bilingual residents to create beautiful Welsh dragons to hide all over the town.

The National Urdd Eisteddfod is the largest youth festival in Europe, celebrating the Welsh language with literature, music and performing arts. This year the festival will be held at Meifod, just 14 miles from Oswestry which brought funding to surrounding towns and villages.

Once Lowri learned there was creative funding to honour the festival coming to our area, she reached out to the town’s local artists. The aim was to run a couple

of workshops and create something to be displayed in Oswestry.

Sarah won with her proposal of a Welsh dragon hunt and got to work in workshops at Memorial Hall with the town’s enthusiastic residents.

From 20 May 2024, take a look on www. siopcwlwm.co.uk to view the map and solve the kids puzzle, then visit Siop Cwlwm for your prize. The most exciting prizes go to the quickest players. Move quickly dragon hunters!

Funded by Menter Maldwyn through the Levelling Up Making a Difference in Powys PAVO grant scheme.

From hives to honey, get buzzing with our selection of books to mark World Bee Day on 20 May.

What A Bee Knows by Stephen Buchmann

Although a bee’s brain is incredibly small – just one million neurons compared to a human’s 100 billion – bees have remarkable abilities to navigate, learn, communicate and remember.

Peep Inside a Beehive by

Help instil a love of bees in young children with this colourful illustrated board book, with flaps to lift and holes to peep through, that explores the world of bees.

The Bee Book by Fergus Chadwick

This book offers startling insights into the lives of bees and shows how we can best support and benefit from their presence in our gardens and hives. It contains all the essential information you need to set up your hive and establish a colony.

QueenSpotting

Author, experienced beekeeper and professional ‘swarm catcher’ Hilary Kearney knows a thing or two about bees – especially queen bees. This book for young readers contains 48-fold-out visual puzzles.

Derwen Fete

10am–4pm, 25 & 26 May. Free entry all weekend.

Stalls & Games Inflatables

BBQ and Bar

Local artisan crafts

Duck Race

Live Music

Grand Raffle

Dog Show

12:30pm, Sunday 26 May. Register from 10am.

Best veteran (7+ years)

Best puppy (6–12 months)

Best junior handler (10 years and younger)

Best junior handler (11–16 years)

Dog the judge would most like to take home

Prettiest bitch

Cleverest dog Dog Show classes

Most handsome guy

Waggiest tail

Most appealing eyes

Events

Oswestry Community Games

Sunday 9 June 2024 11am – 4pm, Cae Glas Park

The eleventh Oswestry Community Games organisation is well on its way and now has most of the key areas sorted. Last year’s Games was yet another success with over 30 local organisations contributing to the activities and around 1000 people of all ages taking part. To have a look at what happened last year, just go to the Facebook page Oswestry Community Games, look for “videos” and sit back and enjoy watching “What a day we had”!

James Manford, Lead Organiser says, “I am delighted that we now have twenty-seven organisations signed up at the time of writing this, including newcomers Crafty Knitters who will be in our workshop arena and Netball – Leagues 4 You, with a few more anticipated in the pipeline. We will have Pedal and Push Caterers to provide the necessary food, so thanks to them for coming on board. Pizzas and crepe pancakes are their specialities so don’t miss out! The Bartells – “Probably the best rock ‘n’ roll band in the world” will be playing again from the bandstand, having recently released their new debut album ‘Piece By Piece’. Border Counties School of Gymnastics are confirmed to provide the finale. Last but not least, we have The

David Davies as our MC, so this role is again in safe hands.”

Although it is past the deadline for signing up, if your club or organisation has overlooked previous promotions and would like to take part this year, there is no charge for taking part. Please get in touch with James on oswestrycommunitygames@gmail.com and leave a message asap!

Look out for our further progress in June’s issue!

Our large, fully licensed bar is stocked with a wide range of drinks to suit everyone, including a great range of soft drinks. If cocktails are your thing, we can work with you to create a great drinks list tailor-made for your event!

Watercolour Masters

This May 15-24, the International Watercolour Masters 2024 is set to be a breath-taking showcase of artistic talent, taking place from 10am to 4pm daily, at the historic Lilleshall Hall. This prestigious event promises to bring together some of the most renowned watercolour artists from around the world, creating a unique and inspiring experience for art enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Lilleshall Hall, a stunning country house, provides the perfect backdrop for this celebration of watercolour mastery. The event not only celebrates the versatility and beauty of watercolour as a medium but also pays homage to the rich tradition of this art form while pushing its boundaries to new heights.

The festival has been organised and curated by David Poxon, a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours. Poxon, a distinguished watercolour artist himself, is widely recognized for his contributions to the art world. His passion for watercolour and commitment to promoting its significance have made him a driving force behind this event.

attendees. From traditional landscapes to contemporary abstracts, the exhibition will showcase the versatility of watercolour as a medium and the boundless creativity of the artists involved.

Beyond the stunning artworks on display, the International Watercolour Masters 2024 will offer a platform for art enthusiasts to engage with the artists themselves. Workshops, demonstrations, and interactive sessions will provide a unique opportunity for attendees to learn the art of watercolour directly from the masters.

As Lilleshall Hall opens its doors to the International Watercolour Masters 2024, it invites visitors to immerse themselves in a world where artistic mastery and innovation converge. Under the guidance of David Poxon, this event not only celebrates the brilliance of individual artists but also fosters a shared passion for watercolour art. As patrons explore the halls filled with the mesmerizing creations of international watercolour, they are sure to be inspired and captivated by the beauty and diversity that this medium has to offer.

The list of participating artists reads like a who’s who in the world of watercolour. Among the artists set to showcase their masterpieces at Lilleshall Hall are Fabio Cembranelli from Brazil – the worlds foremost floral painter and Mexican Maestro Patricia Guzman whose portraits share the soul and spirit of her people are amongst the 50 or more world famous names on display. The diverse styles and techniques of these artists, along with many others, promise to transform Lilleshall Hall into a visual feast for

Shropshire Good Food Partnership

The innovative food trail which put Shropshire’s top quality food producers firmly on the map is to be rolled out again in 2024 to feature even more locations.

The Shropshire Good Food Trail was launched last year by the Shropshire Good Food Partnership. The fun and informative map and guide featured more than 50 venues growing, making, selling or serving the county’s finest and most sustainably produced food.

Now the SGFP is expanding the tasty trail to showcase more members as well as looking for new sponsors. It is promoting the theme of Shropshire’s Abundance and has extended the event to take in the entire summer holiday.

Daphne Du Cros of the Shropshire Good Food Partnership said the first food trail had been very successful with excellent feedback from those involved.

“We’re planning to make the 2024 food trail even bigger and better. We want the public to know and celebrate what is produced just on their doorstep and give them longer to visit every one of our special producers.

We want the public to know and celebrate what is produced just on their doorstep and give them longer to visit every one of our special producers.

“This year’s trail will run from 20 July to 31 August so that we can connect as many people as possible to the beauty and bounty of our landscape,” she said.

The partnership is now looking for new producers as well as sponsors to support the trail and highlight Shropshire’s Good Food Movement.

New members will be featured on the 2024 trail map and guide as well as being included on the growing Shropshire Good Food Partnership directory

which signposts the public to the leading good food producers in the county.

They will be included in the county-wide promotion of the Shropshire Good Food Trail as well as working with SGFP’s regional co-ordinators and nearby members to collaborate on and highlight events and activities.

New producers interested in registering for the 2024 Shropshire Good Food Trail can fill in the registration form at www.shropshiregoodfoodtrail.org or email hello@shropshiregoodfood.org

The partnership is also looking for new sponsors to join the team of businesses that support the Good Food message via the food trail.

“We’re looking for businesses who can help us celebrate the growers, makers, sellers and servers across the county producing food that is good for people, place and planet. If you have a business that believes in a better food system and want to sponsor the Shropshire Good Food Trail, please get in touch at hello@shropshiregoodfood.org,” said Daphne.

01691 662000

OPEN FOR COFFEE, REFRESHMENTS AND CAKE - KITCHEN CLOSED. TUESDAY 9AM-9PM WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY 9AM-10PM SUNDAY 9AM-6PM Nestling in beautiful woodland, Henlle Heights has been especially designed and built with passion to provide a beautiful area for our guests to relax, unwind and enjoy our freshly cooked food.

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE HEAD CHEF WHO MADE MUMBAI FOOD SO POPULAR IN LONDON AND LOCALLY HAS NOW JOINED US AT HENLLE HEIGHTS.

eat@henlleheights.com

Alaska Salmon Tagine

Wow family and friends – and make entertaining easy – with this Moroccan-inspired tagine-style dish, served up in less than 30 minutes!

Ingred I ents

• 4 x 125g Wild Alaska salmon fillets

• 2 tbsp olive or vegetable oil

• •1 onion, peeled and sliced

• 1 tsp cumin seeds or ground cumin

• 2 tsp ground paprika

• 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes

• 1 x 298g tin mandarin segments, drained

• 1 tsp vegetable stock powder

• 50g sultanas

• 100g baby spinach

• 150g couscous

• Chopped fresh coriander, to garnish

method

1. Remove the skin from the salmon fillets, if preferred.

2. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the onion for 3-4 minutes. Add the cumin and paprika and fry gently for about 20-30 seconds.

3. Stir in the tomatoes, mandarin segments, vegetable stock powder and sultanas. Cook for 5 minutes, then add the spinach and stir it in as the leaves wilt.

4. Arrange the salmon fillets on top of the tomato mixture. Cover with a lid or a piece of greased foil and cook over a medium-low heat for 8-10 more minutes.

5. Meanwhile, cook the couscous according to pack instructions. Serve with the salmon tagine, garnished with chopped fresh coriander.

For more recipe inspiration, cooking tips and nutritional inaformation, visit www.wildalaskaseafood.co.uk.

The

bar

We’ve been busy in the last 12 months! We’ve undergone a full refurbishment of our restaurant, and have just launched a full rebrand and brand new website, which we feel truly represents us as a business and as a family.

The vision for the new website was to capture the essence of the hotel without losing its charm and we believe that The Social Saint with their eye to detail and Katy Yates Photography with her amazing images has done just that; but not forgetting that they did have a wonderful old building in the Sweeney to work with, and we are also happy that this project was very much local independent businesses supporting local independent businesses which is very much our ethos. A new logo and a total colour re-brand has given a fresh new feel to www.thesweeneyhotel.com so why not come and take a look.

We hope you love our new look as much as we do, and can’t wait to see you soon

Crêpes Suzette

A classic French favourite, the idea of flambéing crepes arose at the end of the 19th century. Not only do the flames look spectacular, they caramelise the sugar to sweet perfection!

Serves 2 Preparation time 20-25 minutes, plus resting Cooking time 10-15 minutes

Ingred I ents

• 70g plain flour

• 1 egg

• A pinch of salt

• 50g caster sugar

• 150ml milk

• 70g soft butter, plus extra for frying

• Grated zest of an orange

• 20g icing sugar

• 4 tbsp orange liqueur

method

1. Blend the flour, egg and salt in a bowl. Add the sugar and 50ml of the milk, and whisk to form a smooth batter.

2. Melt 50g of the butter in a saucepan. Gradually add the remaining milk to the batter, then add the melted butter and half the grated orange zest. Let it rest in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

3. Heat a crepe or pancake pan over a medium heat. Very lightly grease the pan with a little melted butter. Using a ladle, pour roughly 2 tbsp of batter into the pan and swirl it around so the bottom of the pan is evenly coated. You want to use just enough batter to make a delicate, lacy crepe. Cook for about 45 seconds on one side until golden and then using a palette knife or fish slice, flip the crepe over and cook the other side for about 30 seconds until it freckles. Stack the crepes on a plate as you cook them. It’s best to cover them, so they stay warm and don’t dry out.

4. For the orange crème, mix the icing sugar, the remaining grated orange zest and 20g soft butter in a bowl.

5. Spread some orange crème on each crepe and fold them to form a triangle.

Recipe extracted from At the Table in Paris by Hardie Grant, published by Hardie Grant priced £20.

Photography © Finken & Bumiller, Stuttgart with Anja Samson.

6. Ten minutes before serving the crepes, briefly warm them in an oven preheated to 170°C, fan 150°C, gas mark 3.

7. One by one, sprinkle the crepes with icing sugar in a pan and heat them up. In a separate small, deep pan or a small saucepan, heat the liqueur to approximately 40°C/100°F. Light the liqueur and pour it over the crepes. Serve straight away.

For more recipe inspiration, cooking tips and nutritional inaformation, visit www.wildalaskaseafood.co.uk.

Fruit and veg that’s fresh and lasts

Arriving home from food shopping to be able to bite straight into a peach or apple with the confidence it’s fresh, always feels like a win.

There’s nothing worse than getting your fruit home from the shops to discover it’s rotting at the bottom of the punnet. A waste of time and money.

But Covent Garden Fruit Market in Oswestry set themselves apart from the mainstream and strive to only provide fresh, tasty fruit and vegetables for customers.

For some of us, it’s a lovely trip down memory lane going to the greengrocers with mum or dad as a child. Watching the grocer weigh up the fruit and veg on the big scales and quickly putting it into brown paper bagswithout even having to look. The twist of the bag to close it and the smell of fresh cold veg always lingers in the mind.

But Covent Garden doesn’t disappoint – the smell, the market feel, and the friendly welcome means you’ll leave with everything you need plus a smile.

Richard and Dawn Edwards have owned the shop for over 5 years now and visit Liverpool or Manchester markets at least three times a week to source fresh produce for the business.

These days, it’s not just one product we shop for. We like to find lots under one roof, saving us time and allowing us to show our loyalty as customers.

That’s why Covent Garden support other local, independent businesses like Smith’s Bakery, cakes from Laura’s Tearoom and Haughton Honey. Don’t forget – a bit of local honey can help the hayfever this time of year.

Stocking local produce means offering customers a wider range of products and some that may not be found in shops closer to home. On a table by the tills, you will even find free range eggs from local farms – perfect for boiled egg and soldiers.

For those who love a good scone or cheese and crackers, a wide range of Welsh speciality chutneys, condiments and conserves stand on shelves at the back of the shop. Dawn has been busy making homemade pickled onions, eggs, beetroot and red cabbage – just like Nan used to make.

Shopping for high quality foods doesn’t mean high prices. When you’re getting a personal shopping experience, high quality produce, knowledge and exceptional customer service, you won’t want to shop anywhere else.

Our customers say:

“Lovely, friendly, helpful staff and very reasonable prices.”

“Such fresh daily fruit and vegetables, cakes and the staff are fantastic.”

If you’ve got a special occasion coming up like a birthday or celebration, hampers filled with edible goodies are a great gift. Let’s be honest, we all need to eat so

you’ll always have a big thank you after giving one of these. Covent Garden offer this service, so drop in for a chat about your needs.

“As well as retail, we have the wholesale and home delivery side of the business. We supply lots of local restaurants, small shops, pubs, hotels and care homes, so we keep ourselves busy,” Dawn says.

“We supply businesses with fresh food in the hospitality and catering industries, helping them deliver top quality dishes to their customers. We love helping businesses and welcome all enquiries for a friendly chat.”

Staff members Trudie, Sue, Av and Dil are waiting to see you.

Shop open Monday – Saturday, 7.30am - 5pm.

The Lounge Open for Sports Fans

Oswestry’s brand new, competitive socialising sports bar, The Lounge, “has brought a bit of city nightlife to our little market town economy,” according to its owner, Graeme Kirkham.

“Five local business owners and I have invested heavily in the building previously known as The Sports Lounge, Fitz’s and The Cross Quays, to bring something new and exciting to our hometown which so far has been really well received by customers.”

Opening its doors in December 2023, the newly renovated bar has lots to offer for those looking to add a bit of competition to their evening or weekend socialising.

The Lounge offers a state-ofthe-art ‘Smart Darts’ board and technology which offers players and groups of up to 12 the chance to compete against each other. It’s a traditional dart board with a difference - a series of interactive

The bar has no less than 10 HD TV and projector screens, showing all the latest football and sporting occasions from Sky Sports, TNT and terrestrial.

games without the hassle and need for manual scoring.

The Lounge also offers customers the ability to try their skill on a 12ft Shuffleboard - a first of its kind for Oswestry. Players need to slide pucks down the table, aiming to

get as close to the edge as possible without falling off the end and in the process, trying to prevent their opponent from keeping their pucks in the scoring areas on the table.

Alongside these unique games, The Lounge boasts five professional 8-ball pool tables which are available to hire by the hour. The bar has no less than 10 HD TV and projector screens, showing all the latest football and sporting occasions from Sky Sports, TNT and terrestrial.

“As we approach the warmer months, we are looking to improve the front of the building, opening up historic windows and doorways. We are hopeful we can add some more interactive games to one of the front rooms which is currently not being used, to give our Oswestry nightlife even more to look forward to as we hit summer and beyond.”

Your Career Starts Here!

Your Career Starts Here!

Apply now to North Shropshire College

Apply now to North Shropshire College

Home to an array of academic disciplines, North Shropshire College prides itself on its ability to cater to the needs of all. Whether you are looking to improve your skills or learn a new trade, the extensive choice of qualifications makes it easier than ever to excel at your chosen subject. We understand that everyone experiences different paths in life and believe that education should be available to all, and hence, we offer the opportunity to study full-time or part-time with different entry levels to suit all academic abilities. From Beauty to Uniformed Public Services, Business to Travel & Tourism, we have a course for you!

Home to an array of academic disciplines, North Shropshire College prides itself on its ability to cater to the needs of all. Whether you are looking to improve your skills or learn a new trade, the extensive choice of qualifications makes it easier than ever to excel at your chosen subject. We understand that everyone experiences different paths in life and believe that education should be available to all, and hence, we offer the opportunity to study full-time or part-time with different entry levels to suit all academic abilities. From Beauty to Uniformed Public Services, Business to Travel & Tourism, we have a course for you!

If earning whilst you learn is an important factor for you, North Shropshire College offers a wealth of apprenticeship courses, including health & social care, hairdressing & barbering, teaching support, customer service, IT and more. Level 2 certificate courses are available to study via distance learning (online) and we also offer free, government-funded courses for adults including Level 3 qualifications and courses to improve your maths and numeracy. The College offers low-cost short courses for adults (19 years+) too which can be perfect for trying out something new or learning more about a hobby you enjoy, while meeting new people.

If earning whilst you learn is an important factor for you, North Shropshire College offers a wealth of apprenticeship courses, including health & social care, hairdressing & barbering, teaching support, customer service, IT and more. Level 2 certificate courses are available to study via distance learning (online) and we also offer free, government-funded courses for adults including Level 3 qualifications and courses to improve your maths and numeracy. The College offers low-cost short courses for adults (19 years+) too which can be perfect for trying out something new or learning more about a hobby you enjoy, while meeting new people.

Most recently, North Shropshire College has introduced a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) for Community Coaching. This course will equip students with the community coaching skills, knowledge and understanding gained through research, independent study, directed study and workplace scenarios, providing students with an understanding of culturally diverse organisations, cross-cultural issues, diversity and values. The awarding body has worked closely with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) in developing this programme, laying the foundations of learning by

Most recently, North Shropshire College has introduced a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) for Community Coaching. This course will equip students with the community coaching skills, knowledge and understanding gained through research, independent study, directed study and workplace scenarios, providing students with an understanding of culturally diverse organisations, cross-cultural issues, diversity and values. The awarding body has worked closely with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) in developing this programme, laying the foundations of learning by

providing a specialised introduction to coaching in the UK landscape and different coaching functions. HTQs are designed by employers with the intention to provide students with an alternative to apprenticeships or degrees, putting a strong focus upon practical skills and knowledge acquisition, widening North Shropshire College’s offerings.

providing a specialised introduction to coaching in the UK landscape and different coaching functions. HTQs are designed by employers with the intention to provide students with an alternative to apprenticeships or degrees, putting a strong focus upon practical skills and knowledge acquisition, widening North Shropshire College’s offerings.

Studies are carried out within state-of-the-art facilities at North Shropshire College including Scholars, a professional teaching industry standard kitchen and restaurant, and Salon QB, a dedicated hair and beauty salon. Additionally, a recent investment of £2million has introduced contemporary plumbing, and electrical workshops, science labs and updated salon facilities.

Studies are carried out within state-of-the-art facilities at North Shropshire College including Scholars, a professional teaching industry standard kitchen and restaurant, and Salon QB, a dedicated hair and beauty salon. Additionally, a recent investment of £2million has introduced contemporary plumbing, and electrical workshops, science labs and updated salon facilities.

If you have an interest in hair and beaty therapy, Salon QB features two fully equipped beauty salons with 26 individual hair styling bays, full barbering facilities, 16 individual beds, steam and sauna facilities, and nail bar facilities. Salon QB enables the students of North Shropshire College to become professionals covering all aspects of beauty therapy including holistics, Hopi ear candles, body wrap, roller waxing, ear piercing, extensions, colouring and much more.

If you have an interest in hair and beaty therapy, Salon QB features two fully equipped beauty salons with 26 individual hair styling bays, full barbering facilities, 16 individual beds, steam and sauna facilities, and nail bar facilities. Salon QB enables the students of North Shropshire College to become professionals covering all aspects of beauty therapy including holistics, Hopi ear candles, body wrap, roller waxing, ear piercing, extensions, colouring and much more.

North Shropshire College is a relatively small college, allowing us to support every student to achieve their personal best: we treat you as an individual, not a number. We know many young people living in our rural community face long daily journeys and have structured our timetables with this in mind. You’ll have free half-days and, in most cases, a free day every week, allowing you time to study at home, pursue sporting or other extra-curricular activities or possibly even take up a part-time job. If you are looking for a course that can be flexible to suit your needs whilst still providing you with industry standard skills, then head over to HLNSC.ac.uk where you can apply to a course, find out more or get in touch and start your career with us today.

North Shropshire College is a relatively small college, allowing us to support every student to achieve their personal best: we treat you as an individual, not a number. We know many young people living in our rural community face long daily journeys and have structured our timetables with this in mind. You’ll have free half-days and, in most cases, a free day every week, allowing you time to study at home, pursue sporting or other extra-curricular activities or possibly even take up a part-time job. If you are looking for a course that can be flexible to suit your needs whilst still providing you with industry standard skills, then head over to HLNSC.ac.uk where you can apply to a course, find out more or get in touch and start your career with us today.

North Shropshire College

North Shropshire College

Adventures in the

MORETON HALL BUSINESS LUNCH

FRIDAY 3RD MAY, 11AM

Join us for the opportunity to hear from inspirational speakers, network with other entrepreneurs and business people and enjoy a delicious lunch.

Guest Speakers

Rachel Clacher CBE Moneypenny

Book Now

Dave Allan What If!

Co-founder of Moneypenny, the world’s largest outsourced communication provider and multi-award winning employer of 1300 people in Wrexham, London and Atlanta. Founder of social mobility charity WeMindTheGap, giving new opportunities to young people who deserve better.

Founder of international innovation business What If! that has created over £100 billion of value for clients and twice won ‘Best Place to Work’ in the UK.

www.moretonhall.org/business-lunch

email: parsonsk@moretonhall.com

phone: 01691 773671

Moreton Hall Weston Rhyn Nr Oswestry SY11 3EW

Let’s

discuss men’s mental health and open up about it

Mental well-being is a bigger topic now than it has ever been before, especially after the covid-19 pandemic. Mental health as a whole should be a topic which is brought up between everybody, it is necessary to speak out to family or friends when we begin to feel over stimulated with degrading thoughts.

However, a lot of men tend to cover up their well-being issues which they struggle with. This could be because they do not want to damage their self-image, as men want to be seen as strong and not vulnerable. Men don’t tend to open up when it comes to their mental issues due to the negative stereotypes surrounding them, so they carry huge burdens which can lead to poor mental well-being. The main causes of men’s mental struggles seem to be work, finance problems and health, especially since the pandemic ended and many people found themselves not being able to work or struggling with health issues.

Statistics show the suicide rates of men are three times as much compared to women. Men are also three times more likely to depend on either alcohol or drugs due to their mental struggles. Also, there are around 6,500 registered suicides each year and 75% of this number are men.

also lead to a healthy mindset, if you start to consume healthier foods you will feel good about yourself and your health.

KEEP TALKING - if you regularly chat with somebody about how you are feeling mentally, you may start to feel less burdened after letting it all out.  CHECK IN - chat with your friends and family regularly. You could be feeling as if you have no more options but this will help a lot. Listening clearly to someone else’s problems may give them the hope they need, sharing your problems can pave the way towards healing and having a healthier mindset.

There are a few ways to clear your head to maintain a happy mindset - keeping fit is a great way to distract your mind from all of the issues you might be facing.

There are a few ways to clear your head to maintain a happy mindset - keeping fit is a great way to distract your mind from all of the issues you might be facing. Being part of a walking group may help you with the motivation for working out and you can also be accompanied by other people who you could open up to, which may help. I have come across the men’s walking and talking group in Oswestry who meet up every Thursday on Red Square at 7pm. They walk together to chat about the importance of mental health issues which men face almost every day. Maintaining a healthy and nourishing diet can

Designs In Mind are a workshop based in Oswestry on Cross Street that help people with mental well-being challenges to form brand new friendships through the creation of art. The workshop treats people as individuals rather than labelling them with their mental health issues. They offer everybody who comes in support through inclusivity, and they meet people’s needs regarding their personal, cultural, social and religious needs. The workshop works through a referral system.

Speaking up to somebody about your battle with mental health is always important, it is important to speak up and you should never feel ashamed.

Be kind to yourself and others and always be understanding.

Are you struggling with Headaches?

Back & Neck Pain? Joint & Muscle Pain?

Womens Health Issues? Grumpy Babies & Children? Sports Injuries? Sleep, Stress or Nutrition Concerns?

We can Help

Claire Arnold Registered Osteopath & Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner

Hands-on Cranial & Structural Osteopathic Care & Lifestyle Medicine Advice to support your family’s optimal health

Call 07792 367507

Based at Oswestry Herbarium & Massage Centre, 15 Albion Hill themeadowsosteopathclinic-clairearnoldosteopath.com

Healthy Focus Mills, Hills and Meditation

national Mills Weekend (11-13 May) takes place across the UK to celebrate our milling heritage, with tours and demonstrations. locally there is Pontysgawrhyd Mill, near Meifod and two (of five) closest in Shropshire are The Mill on the Green, ludlow and daniel’s Mill, Bridgnorth. details of the mills taking part found at www.spab.org.uk.

The Pagan festival, Beltane (1 May) celebrates springtime, the start of the traditional planting season and fertility. Why not celebrate this change of the seasons at the Green Man Festival Clun 5-6 May www.clun.info/clun-events. Perhaps an Early Bird Song Walk is more your style to welcome spring. 2 May join bird expert, John Tucker, to explore the Onny Meadows before heading back for a breakfast in the cafe. Contact the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre on 01588 676060. Booking essential.

Explore the Shropshire Hills with the Ironbridge Gorge Walking Festival 4-12 May. Bishops Castle Walking Festival 16-19 May, Stiperstones Bird walk (4 May) or Bluebell Walk (5 May). Details at www. shropshirehills-nl.org.uk/aonb-events or call 01588 676060.

Nesscliffe Country Park has its own permanent orienteering course. Consisting of an easy (2.3km) and medium route (2.9km). Three family-friendly walking routes have been designed at the site with many bridleways across the site. The Nesscliffe Volunteers hold conservation tasks on the first Sunday of the month starting at 10am, meeting at the Pine Car Park. Details can be found at www. shropshiresgreatoutdoors.co.uk/site/nesscliffe-hillsand-the-cliffe-countryside-heritage-site.

You could explore the Wrekin, with a number of routes of varying lengths. Visit www. explorethewrekin.co.uk for info and some that start from Shropshire Wildlife Trusts, Ercall Wood Nature Reserve. Visit www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/ nature-reserves/ercall.

Finally, this Meditation Day, on 21 May, give yourself some inner peace with a mindfulness & meditation session at Open Space Studio above Oswestry Library. Contact Sarah on 07890 854 710 or sarah@openspacestudioscic.com to book. Or try a 31-day meditation challenge via www.insighttimer. com - a free wellness app with sections covering meditation, yoga, breathwork and sleep. Have a happy healthy month!

We are celebrating World Health Day by offering £200 off a pair of the brand new Oticon Intent hearing aids. Benefits include:

We are celebrating World Health Day by offering £200 off a pair of the brand new Oticon Intent hearing aids.

We are celebrating World Health Day by offering £200 off a pair of the brand new Oticon Intent hearing aids.

Benefits include:

Benefits include:

• The world’s first hearing aid with user-intent sensors.

• The world’s first hearing aid with user-intent sensors.

• Powerful features and functions, now smaller than ever before.

• The world’s first hearing aid with user-intent sensors.

• Powerful features and functions, now smaller than ever before.

• Discreet hearing technology personalised for you.

• Powerful features and functions, now smaller than ever before.

• Discreet hearing technology personalised for you.

• The fastest charging Oticon hearing aid ever.

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Call now to book your FREE hearing health check and demo; we’ll even let you trial them for 60 days so you too can experience clear effortless hearing again!

Call now to book your FREE hearing health check and demo; we’ll even let you trial them for 60 days so you too can experience clear effortless hearing again!

Call now to book your FREE hearing health check and demo; we’ll even let you trial them for 60 days so you too can experience clear effortless hearing again!

Receive £200 off with this advert Scan the QR code to book an appointment today

Receive £200 off with this advert

Receive £200 off with this advert

Receive £200 off with this advert

Scan the QR code to book an appointment today

Scan the QR code to book an appointment today

Pain-Free Movement, Improve Mobility, Stability and Strength

Tired of nagging aches or an old injury limiting you? Ready to enjoy walking, sports and life again? Movement coaching can help. Regain range of motion, prevent injury, build strength and boost wellbeing - no matter your age or ability.

“ I started seeing Andrew due to experiencing lower back pain. After just a handful of sessions, I’m already feeling the benefits of his experience” - Jane S.

Navigating Wellness: A Journey of Sustainable Change

In the realm of wellness, the path to lasting change can be daunting – a landscape marked by time constraints, external pressures, and deeply ingrained habits. As a seasoned navigator in this journey, I understand the challenges that lie ahead.

Recent feedback reminds me of the need for compassionate guidance amidst life’s chaos. My clients seek not quick fixes, but rather thoughtful strategies rooted in expertise and understanding.

Sara Hadfield, McTimoney Chiropractor BSc (Hons) Chiro MMCA GCC Reg No 02362

Ann Williams, McTimoney Chiropractor MChiro MMCA GCC Reg No 04118

Ian Staniforth, Massage Therapist

McTimoney Chiropractic & Massage

Don’t live with pain, contact Andrew today for a consultation. 07973 407 606 andrew@resilientbeings.co.uk www.resilientbeings.co.uk Personal Training that fits you Resilient Beings t:

Amidst the noise of fad trends, I am committed to sustainable transformation. My approach is deliberate, focused on behavioural shifts that yield enduring results. This is no journey for the fainthearted; it requires dedication, discipline, and a keen understanding of the terrain.

This is no journey for the faint-hearted; it requires dedication, discipline, and a keen understanding of the terrain.

In the face of adversity, I find hope in the stories of resilience and triumph shared by those who have walked this road before us. Their journeys remind us that change is possible, even in the most challenging of circumstances.

Let me be clear – transformation takes time and effort. There are no shortcuts or magic solutions, only small steps forward guided by compassion and selfawareness.

Central to my approach is the idea of balance – the art of integrating small, incremental changes into daily life. It is through these measured adjustments that you will achieve lasting transformation, one step at a time.

Take the first step and contact me today to understand how you can begin to make changes to your health and wellness.

andrew@resilientbeings.co.uk www.resilientbeings.co.uk

Cyst: from Latin cystis: from Greek Kustis: meaning bladder

“I’ve had a sebaceous cyst removed from my head,” said one of my friends recently. This brought back memories of my student days when a physically small but rather terrifying female professor of dermatology would respond to the term sebaceous cyst: “there is no such thing as a sebaceous cyst,” whilst scowling at the perpetrator of this dermatological travesty.

Medicine is full of Greek and Latin terms coming from the time when these were the universal languages of doctors across Europe, and dermatology is packed full of them. My friend’s cyst was a trichilemmal cyst, causing firm lumps on the scalp, often inherited and a joy to take a scalpel to! The name coming from Greek “thrix” meaning hair. They often come out easily and whole. The more common skin cyst, that about 1 in 5 of us will have, is termed an epidermoid cyst. It can occur almost anywhere and is formed by skin cells migrating under the surface. They are much more friable and difficult to remove.

So, a cyst is a fluid filled sac – just like the bladder they are named after. Generally, they are nothing to worry about, and sometimes will resolve spontaneously. When should you be worried? Well, don’t squeeze them however tempted you might be. It will often just rupture the cyst wall and possibly cause infection. So, if the cyst is getting bigger quite rapidly and going red, bleeding, or oozing then it’s time to seek advice.

There are lots more types of skin cysts with names like dermoid, cysteatoma simplex, cysteatoma multiplex, dermatofibroma, ganglia and then, of course, a whole lot more cysts that can occur throughout your body: if you don’t have a cyst you’re probably the odd one out!

So, Barbara, as our dermatology professor was called, would I’m sure be delighted to know how well I remembered the classification of skin cysts – but don’t let her hear you say the words “sebaceous cyst”!

EAR WAX TROUBLE?

Sister Kate can help

SisterKate HearingcareHummingbirdrecommends forallyourhearingaidsolutions.

Sister Kate specialises in micro suction treatments to help patients remove excessive ear wax that is causing a blockage that has resulted in hearing loss or is causing unpleasant feelings in the ear.

Microsuction Ear Wax Service

The cost for this procedure is £60.00

Please note that it is the same cost for one or both ears

Please email, call or visit the website to book today: Tel: 01691 888192

Email: kate@sister-kate.co.uk

www.sister-kate.co.uk

The Fort, Artillery Business Park, Oswestry SY11 4AD

Alongside our main clinic in Oswestry, we now have monthly clinics available in Shrewsbury, Wem, Whitchurch, Newtown and Aberystwyth too.

Oswestry Breastfeeding Support Group celebrates one-year anniversary

A local breastfeeding support group held at Oswestry Library celebrated it’s one year anniversary last month. Commissioned by Shropshire Council and run by national charity, The Breastfeeding Network (BfN), the group offers two, free drop-in sessions each month giving mums face-to-face, reliable, evidence-based information and support.

Who are the groups for?

Led by trained volunteers, the drop-in sessions are there for any mum who feels like they need support with their breastfeeding journey, or just wants to come along for a friendly chat and meet other local, breastfeeding mums. The group has supported mums on a variety of topics such as, helping with positioning and attachment to improve a latch, information on combi-feeding, support with returning to work whilst breastfeeding, information on breastfeeding whilst introducing solid foods, support with stopping breastfeeding and much more. The group also welcomes pregnant families to come along to talk about breastfeeding, discussing any questions or concerns they have to help them plan for how to feed their new baby when they arrive.

Who runs the group?

All of the volunteers are local mums with breastfeeding experience and a passion for supporting others with their breastfeeding journey. Nicola, a local volunteer at the Oswestry group, says, “I love volunteering with the BfN. It’s such a wonderful charity that works so hard to support mums through what can sometimes be a lonely and difficult time. The training we get is excellent and it’s fantastic there is now local, free, face to face support available in Oswestry for breastfeeding mums. It’s been wonderful to meet so many local mums and support them with their breastfeeding goals. It’s lovely when mums that we have supported previously, drop in for a social chat and share their experiences with new mums.”

What do local mums say about the group?

Here’s some feedback from local mums who have visited the support group:

“I am so grateful for the breastfeeding support group. I have been several times throughout my breastfeeding

journey and have found the volunteers so incredibly helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. I’ve always felt very welcome, and no question is ever silly or too much. I always feel a lot more confident about myself as a mum after attending and I genuinely feel that I have been able to continue to breastfeed for as long as I have despite a number of difficulties, in part due to the advice and help from the team. I’ve had advice on expressing colostrum when I was still pregnant, advice about tongue tie, breastfeeding a teething baby and weaning, among other things. Thank you so much to all of the BFN team.”

“Very welcoming and listened to my concerns, offered sound advice and I didn’t feel judged at all.”

“Invaluable service that has given me the confidence to carry on with my breastfeeding journey.”

“Very inviting, friendly and child friendly place to take my 18-month-old and ask about toddler breastfeeding... it was informative and supportive. Thank you very much.”

When does the group meet?

The group runs every first and third Friday of the month from 10am-12pm at the library. It’s a free, drop-in service so families can come at any time during the session and stay for as long as they would like. There are toys for older children to play with and the library provides a lovely setting with lots of beautiful books to help entertain children.

Where can I find out more about breastfeeding?

More information can be found at www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk and you can also follow-on social media. The BfN runs a number of support groups across the country and there are other local groups in Shrewsbury and Ludlow.

If you need to talk to someone about breastfeeding and can’t wait for a local group, the National Breastfeeding Helpline offers friendly, non-judgemental, independent, evidence based breastfeeding support and information to anyone in the UK who needs itcall 0300 100 0212.

Calls made for national inquiry into hospital maternity services

Parents who tragically lost their babies due to failures in maternity care at Shrewsbury and Telford hospitals are calling for a full national inquiry into maternity services.

Kayleigh and Colin Griffiths MBE, along with Rhiannon Davies MBE and Richard Stanton MBE, were the founding parents of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust maternity inquiry.

They are now lobbying for a full national inquiry into maternity units at all hospitals across the UK, saying the situation has got worse rather than better since the Donna Ockenden report was published more than two years ago. Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors are the lead law firm dealing with clinical negligence cases arising from maternity care failings in Shropshire. In a recent edition of the firm’s Legal Lounge podcast, clinical negligence lawyer Laura Weir, spoke with Kayleigh Griffiths about the campaign.

Laura said: “Donna Ockenden’s inquiry ended up becoming the biggest maternity scandal in the history of the NHS.

“We got her final report in 2022 in which she identified hundreds of cases, so it went from an initial few cases to hundreds of cases of harm and death to mothers and babies in Shropshire.

“We all felt that when that report came out it was going to be a watershed moment when everything was going to change, because it was so clear what needed to be done.

“We are now nearly two years on and it still feels stagnant - if anything, things feel worse with recent data showing that more babies and mums are dying.”

Kayleigh said: “A major problem is that hospitals are still being investigated as individual units, and it’s easy for people to have the mentality that it’s not happening in their hospital.

“For years, the CQC has not been picking up on where maternity units are failing. I know that shortly before Pippa was born, SaTH was rated as ‘good’. We have a systemic failure going on - it goes far deeper than individual trusts, it goes down to the regulators themselves.

“We are now seeing all these families who are facing the same experience as us, trying to uncover the truth, whereas the system should now be in place, so they don’t need to fight to do that.”

For more information about the campaign for a national maternity inquiry, visit www.change.org/p/national-maternity-inquiry

A new development, targeted at niche retailers, beauty therapists, drink bar and commercial businesses, providing an exciting opportunity within Oswestry’s busy centre.

■ Total Floor Area of 360 - 1,713 sq ft

■ Newly refurbished

■ New shop frontage

■ Town centre location

■ Targeted at niche retailers and commercial businesses

Three newly refurbished ground floor lock up shop units that can be taken as a whole or as separate units to suit the tenants needs

The property comprises of three ground floor lock up shop units that are arranged to provide a total net internal sales area of approximately 1,713 ft sq. (159.18m sq.) the units can be taken as a whole or as separate units to suit the tenants needs.

The property benefits from a new shop frontage and is offered in shell condition but will include WC and kitchenette area. The units would lend themselves to a variety of commercial uses.

This new development is situated directly opposite Poundland, on the busy prime area of Cross Street.

STAY SAFE ONLINE - EMAIL AND ADVERT SCAMS

Which? warn that every day, millions of people receive suspicious emailsfrom fake PayPal invoices to phoney McAfee emails claiming that their internet protection is about to end. Scammers often use emails that try to get you to click on malicious links which will then provide them with personal details.

It can be difficult to distinguish between genuine emails and those created by fraudsters. Note the email addresses in the two scam emails detailed below:

Respond Required: Deactivation Pending Review

Meta for Business ryansanders24@hotmail.com

The email states that the account will be removed unless you click on the box: ‘GO TO APPEAL’

Check Your Vehicle TAX – N9843219328610011

GOV.UK <vehicle-002024gov.uk@mbvemail.com

This email states the vehicle is illegal and you must fill in a form - click on the link ‘START NOW’

A genuine email is not going to be sent from a Hotmail address – but sometimes fraudsters can be very clever – if in doubt – never click on links until you have checked directly with the organisation concerned.

Scam Ads

Fake ads on social media are becoming more convincing. Which? helped a victim recover £3000 for a car that was never delivered. They had responded to an Instagram ad impersonating a legitimate company, having stolen the company’s name, number and other details from Companies House. Watch out for fraudulent investment ads on Facebook and Instagram claiming recommendations from well-known investors like Cathie Wood, founder of ARK Invest.

Witnessing someone endure the aftermath of a scam is very upsetting and, sadly, millions of people suffer this experience every year. Friends and family can play a crucial role in helping victims recover with non-judgmental emotional support and financial advice.

If you have been affected by a scam – help is out there – Victim Support has a free confidential helpline 0808 168 9111 and so does Mind 0300 123 3393.

www.rainford-it.co.uk 07552 863996

Focus on… Spring walks

through the lens of Graham Mitchell

May is the time for seeking out spectacular displays of wildflowers. We have so much choice around Oswestry. Go and experience the wild garlic at Ifton Meadows, St Martins, the rhododendrons at Nesscliffe Hill, the bluebells on Old Oswestry and the orchids and cowslips at Llanymynech. You won’t regret it!

If you are in need of glaziers who o er double glazing repair services and uPVC window installations, you have come to the right place. Contact us today if you need French doors, conservatory roofs or roofline services.

You are in safe hands with J & I Carpets when it comes to your flooring requirements.

• We have 3 NICF Master Fitters, which is the highest industry standard a fitter can achieve. Installers with this status will have successfully completed an advanced level of assessment by NICF who are a registered body.

• We have a wide variety of flooring products such as Carpets, Vinyl, Luxury Vinyl Tiles, Laminate, Oak Engineered, Solid oak flooring, and safety flooring.

• Over 32 Rolls of Carpet in store, and 6 Vinyl Rolls plus many ranges to choose from to order

WASH&GLOW

Illuminate your ablutions with lighting that’s both practical and flattering.

• The perfect bathroom lighting scheme is flexible enough to illuminate each area according to your needs. Combine general and decorative lights with ‘work’ lights – above the shower and either side of the washbasin, for example. You may want to add some clever touches, such as lowlevel lighting that comes on automatically when someone enters the room, or LED strips behind baffles or panels, which give a gentle glow from an invisible light source.

• Glass, crystal and metal fittings are great for maximising light and bouncing it around the room, as are mirrors. Combine a mirror with an LED light (perhaps with a concealed heat pad to avoid misting, a shaver socket and a Bluetooth speaker) and you’ve got everything in one.

• Strict regulations govern electrics within the bathroom and, depending on how close your fitting will be to water sources and splashing, you’ll need specially designed lighting for safety, marked with an IP (ingress protection) rating appropriate to the zone in which it will be used. Ask for advice from your retailer, and always use a qualified electrician to carry out the work.

▲ Matt black and textured glass combine in a minimal, refined design that makes a good-looking statement. Wayne bathroom semi-flush matt black opal glass IP44, £90, darlighting.co.uk.

▼ This compact light by Davey Lighting is inspired by a 1930s design and features an integral LED light source. Cabin LED wall light in polished brass, from £459, originalbtc.com.

▲ A brushed-brass frame surrounds this mirror light, which features a touch on/off switch and a demister pad. Lomax 70cm round mirror light in brushed brass, £545, originsliving.uk.

This handy cordless lantern can be used inside and out and features a long-life battery and dim-to-warm LED technology. Tala

Made

▲ This pretty, flush-fit light is great for rooms with low ceilings, and with a rating of IP44 is suitable for bathrooms. Pink three-light flush ceiling light, £249, houseof.com.

▼ This Art Deco-style ceiling fitting twinkles as the light shines through its decorative glass rods. IP44-rated round Roddy light, £158, pooky.com.

Have your broken items repaired

The rise of the Repair Café

Shropshire has six repair cafés across the county, organised by the community for the community. The repair cafés are designed to attempt to fix your items in return for a donation, helping reduce waste and bringing people together.

Volunteers who are skilled at fixing items lend their time to the repair cafés for free to help people fix their beloved possessions that might otherwise be thrown in the bin.

Shropshire repair cafés are:

• Oswestry and Borders Repair Café

• Shrewsbury Repair Café

• Ludlow Repair Café

• Telford Repair Café

• Ellesmere Repair Café

• Church Stretton Repair Café

You can take anything along – a teddy, clothing, bike, electronic goods. All you have to do is book your space ahead of time.

When you get to the café, you will sit with your allocated ‘fixpert’ and learn how to repair the item yourself. So not only is it a chance to have a coffee and cake, but to also learn something new and take away a new skill. Save money and save the planet.

Repair Cafés were started back in 2009 in Amsterdam and have since expanded worldwide, with over 3000 in existence. You can find out more about them at www.repaircafe.org.

The Oswestry and Borders Repair Café is held on the second Saturday of the month and alternates between Oswestry and Llanfyllin.

To enquire or book your space, email osbordersrepaircafe@gmail.com

Follow on Facebook @Oswestry & Borders Repair Cafe

When selling or renting out your property, it is essential you choose an agency you can trust.

At the core of Monks’ practice are honesty, transparency, professional qualifications and accountability.

Co-owner and Director, Patricia Baila explains how this is instilled into the culture of the business.

“Estate agency is about people.

At Monks, we believe our role is to guide and support our clients –home buyers and sellers are making the largest financial decisions of their lives! With our job comes responsibility, a duty to be honest, and to work with knowledge and expertise.”

Monks staff are professionally trained and qualified Members of the National Association of Estate Agents. Patricia ensures all staff have continuous training and opportunities for career progression.

In February 2024, two further staff achieved their Level 3 Propertymark qualifications to become Members of the National Association of Estate Agents (MNAEA): Beth Williams and James Archer.

Monks are pro regulation of the UK property industry, as it is already in many countries. Government regulation by licensing would

ensure estate agents abide by a set of guarantees and requirements, receive official training, and are regulated by an Ombudsman with accountability through law.

“We are ready to be recognised for our commitment to exceptional services and our professionalism,” says Patricia.

Monks is a well-established, leading agency in Shropshire. The team of professionals has more than 130 years’ combined estate agency experience. With prominent offices in Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Wem, these friendly agents are experts in their local areas.

Under Patricia’s guidance, Monks is primed to lead a regulated and licensed industry. To be confident you are receiving the highest levels of service and professionalism, choose Monks as your local Estate and Lettings agent.

Find out more at www.monks.co.uk.

REDUCED TO £525,000

Town and Country Oswestry offer TWO SUPERB PROPERTIES

being a BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY COTTAGE dating in parts to the 18th Century offering a wealth of character and a DETACHED ANNEXE/ HOLIDAY HOME offering spacious accommodation and lots of possibilities. Along with the cottage, there are various outbuildings and stone barn offering fantastic potential. Located

in the popular and sought after village of Trefonen, the property has all amenities close at hand with Oswestry being a short drive away. A fantastic, rare opportunity to purchase two lovely properties full of character and potential.

Online Auctions

16 Leg Street, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 2NN

01691 679595

01691 679595 oswestry@morrismarshall.co.uk

oswestry@morrismarshall.co.uk

01691 679595

oswestry@morrismarshall.co.uk

Morris Marshall & Poole's online auction platform o ffers a modern and streamlined method for selling your property

The Benefits of Selling Through Auction -

Morris Marshall & Poole's online auction platform o ffers a modern and streamlined method for selling your property

Transparency: The process ensures fairness by providing clear bidding opportunities, fostering competitive offers and potentially higher selling prices.

The Benefits of Selling Through Auction -

Transparency: The process ensures fairness by providing clear bidding opportunities, fostering competitive offers and potentially higher selling prices.

Speed: With set timelines for bidding and closing, online auctions often lead to faster sales compared to traditional methods.

Transparency: The process ensures fairness by providing clear bidding opportunities, fostering competitive offers and potentially higher selling prices.

Speed: With set timelines for bidding and closing, online auctions often lead to faster sales compared to traditional methods.

Reach: By attracting bidders from around the world, online auctions maximize the pool of potential buyers, increasing the chances of selling the property at the best price.

Speed: With set timelines for bidding and closing, online auctions often lead to faster sales compared to traditional methods.

Reach: By attracting bidders from around the world, online auctions maximize the pool of potential buyers, increasing the chances of selling the property at the best price.

Flexibility: Sellers retain control over the auction process, including setting reserve prices and determining the auction duration.

By attracting bidders from around the world, online auctions maximize the pool of potential buyers, increasing the chances of selling the property at the best price.

MRICS)

Flexibility: Sellers retain control over the auction process, including setting reserve prices and determining the auction duration.

For further details regarding our Auction services, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Oswestry team.

Flexibility: Sellers retain control over the auction process, including setting reserve prices and determining the auction duration.

For further details regarding our Auction services, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Oswestry team.

01691

For further details regarding our Auction services, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Oswestry team.

/ oswestry@morrismarshall.co.uk

Property Spotlight

Five bedroom family home

Morda Road, Oswestry

Town and Country are pleased to offer to the market this five-bedroom, detached period family home in a much sought after location on the outskirts of Oswestry. The property has the benefit of a purpose-built annexe offering multiple opportunities to a potential buyer. The property, which requires some updating, sits within wellproportioned gardens and has parking for several vehicles on a private driveway and garage. There are multiple reception rooms, dining kitchen, master bedroom with ensuite and a further four double bedrooms and bathroom. The property boasts many original period features and offers the opportunity to create a most spectacular home.

OIRO £595,000. For viewings call Town & Country on 01691 679631, email sales@townandcountryoswestry.com

Extended family home

Cabin Lane, Oswestry

Extended and upgraded detached family home offering split accommodation for two generations. The property has been extended to offer annexe living as well as a spacious family home. In brief, the accommodation affords entrance hall with cloakroom, home office, living/dining room and kitchen to the first floor is the principle bedroom with dressing room and ensuite, four further bedrooms, wet room and family bathroom. The extension/annexe comprises ground floor accommodation to include living room, kitchen, bedroom and wet room. Externally there is a beautiful rear garden with covered sitting area, patio, lawn garden and summer house with power and lighting. To the front is ample of road parking and further lawned garden.

OIRO £500,000. For viewings call Roger Parry & Partners on 01691 655334 or email oswestry@ rogerparry.net

Historic Grade II listed property

Brookside, Llanfyllin

A rare opportunity to acquire this impressive Grade II listed property within the heart of Llanfyllin. The property dates back to the early 19th Century and retains a wealth of character and history. The main entrance leads to the entrance hall with access to the cellar and storage area, living room with fireplace and stain glassed window, dining room with fireplace, sunroom with direct access to the rear garden via a stable door. The kitchen has a range of units and built-in storage, side entrance hall leads to a utility room. The first floor gives a family bathroom with three-piece suite and airing cupboard, three double bedrooms and a fourth single bedroom

Asking Price £450,000. For viewings call Morris Marshall & Poole on 01691 679595 or email oswestry@morrismarshall.co.uk

Spacious semi-detached

12 Garside Close, Hengoed

This impressive, recently constructed, semi-detached home has been extended to provide spacious and versatile living, perfect for today’s modern lifestyle and those who love to entertain. Occupying an enviable position on the edge of this popular village a short drive from the busy market Town of Oswestry and for commuters, ease of access to the A5/M54 motorway network.

The contemporary open plan accommodation which truly must be viewed to be fully appreciated, briefly comprises reception hall with cloakroom, lovely light through lounge and beautiful open plan living/dining/ kitchen with bi-folds leading to the garden. The principal bedroom has an en-suite and there are two further bedrooms and a family bathroom.

OIRO £335,000. For viewings call Monks on 01691 674567 or email sales.oswestry@monks.co.uk

A

new season begins and with it brings spring offers...

Selling or renting? Contact our friendly Monks team on 01691 674 567 for details of our competitive no sale – no charge commission rates.

• Selling and Renting for you 7 days a week

• Available 8.00am – 8.00pm Monday to Friday

• Professional and qualified team with over 180 years of collective experience

• Prominent high street offices in Oswestry, Shrewsbury & Wem

• A free, no-obligation valuation and marketing appraisal

• And most importantly competitive no sale – no charge commission

£165,000

103, Cabin Lane Oswestry, SY11 2PF

Extended and upgraded detached family home offering split accommodation for two generations The property has been extended to offer annexe living as well as a spacious family home In brief the accommodation affords entrance hall with cloakroom, home office, living/dining room and kitchen to the first floor is the principle bedroom with dressing room and ensuite four further bedrooms, wet room and family bathroom The extension/annexe comprise ground floor accommodation to include living room, kitchen, bedroom and wet room EPC: TBC, Tenure: Freehold, Council Tax Band: E

Situated in a semi rural location, benefitting from beautiful countryside views and with good road connections. 6 Lilleshall Cottages is being sold with no onward chain and briefly comprises; Entrance porch, kitchen, living room, two bedrooms and bathroom. Externally offering a private garden and allocated parking for two. Lillieshall cottages will be set within communal grounds benefitting from the beautiful countryside views, there will be an additional area for visitor parking, from which there will be a management charge

EPC: D, Tenure: Freehold, Council Tax Band: A

Oak View Morda Road, Oswestry

DETACHED FAMILY HOME. A wonderfully located detached family home on the outskirts of Oswestry town centre close to schools and amenities'. Benefitting from no onward chain, ample parking and gas central heating. In brief the accommodation affords entrance hall with cloakroom off, living room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room and utility. The first floor offers four good sized bedrooms, two being ensuite and a family bathroom.

Externally there is a double garage, ample off road parking and rear garden. EPC: C, Tenure: Freehold, Council Tax Band: E

Buttery Yellows

Yellow often dominates as a go-to for brightening up spaces and injecting a mood boosting summery feel to our homes. But consider a muted buttery tone of yellow. It’s soft and warm and still gives a room luminosity without taking away from any other colours in the room. This creamy shade of yellow is unobtrusive and most definitely in the family of neutrals, making it a great option for being the main colour in a space. It’s paired back, under-stated and certainly doesn’t shout, making it the perfect soft launch colour for summer.

Yellow Geometric Tassel Cotton Cushion

from Homescapes  www.homescapesonline.com

Buttercup and Bee Tray £9.95 from Annabel James www.annabeljames.co.uk

Left: Card Candle Shade - Swedish Stripes £12 from Nickolas Engert Interiors  www.nicholasengert.co.uk

Gardening

May in the garden

I hope your garden has dried out. At the time of writing this, I’m still coping with a quagmire and having to take great care on the slopes. May is always a big turning point in the garden, and perhaps the busiest of all. There is so much to do this month. The weeds are growing and so are the plants you’ve started indoors. With one eye on the forecast, I’ve started to harden off some of the new plants to prevent them getting shocked by planting them straight out. We still might get bad weather, hail or even a snow shower in May, so be careful.

I’ve planted up my hanging baskets in a bright workshop to give them a head start. I’m trying a few new ideas this year. I fancy some Coleus filled baskets and that may keep those dreaded slugs away (Coleus is a favourite for them). I’ve found some training Sweet Peas “Pink Cupid” and may even include a miniature bush tomato or two. “Aztek” micro dwarf tomato is “determinate” which means it grows as a small bush, doesn’t need the side-shoots removing and the fruit comes in one go. I’ll be sowing in succession, so I get several crops.

Seedlings doing well

I like to plant for height in the courtyard, so have ornamental trees, vines, climbing roses and clematis. I then fill in with rapid growing climbers such as Black-eyed Susy and Morning Glory. They can grow eight feet in a season in the right position and with correct care. The Morning Glory family, Ipomoea, has

many varieties. Everyone will be aware of the stunning blue flowers. I’ve recently discovered “Carnivale di Venezia” with specked blue and pink flowers. A new one for me this year will be “Ipomoea (Mina) Lobato” which for obvious reason is called the Spanish Flag Flower, producing masses of tubular flowers along the side of long shoots. Initially these are red, then they turn orange, then yellow, then finally creamy white.

Gardening

Landscaped gardens add value to your property

Knowing someone is working on your home with the love and care that you do, allows you to sit back and relax without a worry.

Gardens are a big part of family life and according to YouGov, 94% of people believe gardens and green spaces make an area a pleasant place to live. 87% believe gardens and green spaces benefit their state of mind - so, they’re important.

Charlie Green, who owns the award-winning CG Landscape & Maintenance, knows exactly what it means when a home-owner delegates an important job to an expert like him.

“We are a small, family run business and award-winning for a reason. It’s the attention to detail and peace of mind we give our clients, that keeps them coming back. The client is at the heart of our service, so exceeding their expectations every time means they see value in what we do – our motto is Design, Build, Maintain.”

Charlie has some advice for Oswestry homeowners thinking

about making significant changes to their gardens or even looking for help with green space maintenance.

If you look out to your garden area and think, “It’s a great space but what can we do with it that’s best for us?” It’s the job of a landscape specialist to help you understand the answer to that question.

If it’s a complete overhaul that you need, involving digging and heavy work, the best landscapers can provide a full project service. Meaning you’ll have access to professionally drawn designs for your dream garden and a fully managed service from start to finish.

On the maintenance side of things, a great landscaper can offer pricing for any sized job and should be able to meet all budgets. Even though winter weather can be a challenge, green space still needs maintaining through those months to get the beautiful results we see in the summer.

There are some key benefits to using a professional to help you create the garden of your dreams: Adds value to your property: completing to a high standard and complementing your home can increase the value of your property by as much as 10%. Cost-effective: landscapers have the tools and access to suppliers to get the job done properly and within your budget.

You’ll stay within budget: landscapers know all the bits that can catch you out like paving and drainage. They also know what’s achievable within your budget. They know what they’re doing: they understand plants, conditions, which tooling to use and how to future-proof the final result.

“We’ve had the privilege of working at the RHS

Chelsea, Hampton Court, Tatton flower shows and the Shrewsbury Flower Show. We work domestically within a 25-mile radius of Oswestry but are always open to other projects,” Charlie explains.

‘Having worked for these prestigious events, we can bring that experience and those skill sets to homeowner’s gardens. It means you benefit from a highly trained landscaper, who’s able to work will all types of budgets.”

CG Landscape & Maintenance cover all aspects of outdoor work from high end bespoke design and build to day-to-day maintenance and mowing.

For more information visit  cglandscapeandmaintenance.com, email cg.maintenance@hotmail.com  or call 07557 877 351.

Follow them on Facebook CG Garden Landscape & Maintenance and Instagram @cg.landscape. maintenance

You feed the family, we’ll feed the lawn

GreenThumb have been treating lawns for nearly 40 years, so we know a thing or two about how to look after your outdoor space. We know, for example, how slippery driveways, patios, and paths can get with algae, moss and the like. Plus, cleaning hard surfaces can freshen up your outdoor area, providing a welcoming space for family and guests. And, of course, we know how to deal with weeds.

So, if you’d like your hard surfaces cleaned or clear of weeds, get in touch with the experts at our local branch by visiting greenthumb.co.uk

We provide a premium lawn care experience. We seed them, feed them, even control the weeds. So, you don’t have to.

For a FREE lawn analysis visit greenthumb.co.uk or contact our local team.

... And, now, we can treat your hard surfaces

C l o u d B u s i n e s s P a c k a g e s

C y b e r S e c u r i t y a n d A n t i - V i r u s S o l u t i o n s

B a c k u p S o l u t i o n s

M i c r o s o f t 3 6 5 / G o o g l e W o r k s p a c e

W e b s i t e a n d E m a i l H o s t i n g

W e b s i t e M a n a g e m e n t

H e l p a n d S u p p o r t

E n d p o i n t M a n a g e m e n t

S e c u r e D a t a E r a s u r e S e r v i c e s

B e s p o k e I T S u p p o r t a n d S e r v i c e s

B u s i n e s s I T C o n s u l t a n c y

N

IS CASHING IN YOUR PENSION WISE?

If you’re approaching retirement and questioning whether you should cash in your pension, you’re not alone.

With the promise of new-found freedom peeking over the horizon, it’s natural to consider tapping into those funds. But before you decide, there are a number of factors to consider.

The first is working out whether you’ll be better, or worse, off by doing so. Any growth on the money you have in your pension will be tax-free - and often outperform your savings accounts - so if you don’t need to access all of your funds straightaway, it may be best to leave some of it where it is.

If you do need to take money out, however, consider if this will affect how much you are taxed. In most cases, a person can take out 25% of their pension tax-free. If they were to cash in the remaining 75% though, this can trigger a (sometimes unexpected) tax bill. And, this can be even more problematic if you’re still earning a salary, as it could bump you up into a higher tax bracket.

Think about whether you’ll want to continue paying into your pension too. If so, cashing it in can activate what’s called ‘the money purchase annual allowance’ which then restricts what you can contribute from this point onwards.

And lastly, it’s worth bearing in mind that when funds leave a pension, they instantly become a part of your estate. This means, that if anything were to happen to you, the money could be subject to inheritance tax.

There are, as ever, some exceptions to this advice. Those who have pensions which are worth £10,000 or less, for instance, may benefit from cashing in the entire pension if they’re eligible to take out what’s called a ‘small pot’ lump sum.

Every case is unique, and there is no onesize-fits-all solution so it’s important to seek professional guidance when planning for your retirement.

For independent pensions advice call Belgrave Wincham on 01691 886554 to book a free consultation.

with GHP Legal’s Jessica Wright

How does an Advance Directive differ from a Health & Welfare LPA?

Q: Following the recent death of my sister who had a severe stroke and lived out the remainder of her days being kept alive rather than ‘living’, I want to ensure that my own life ends with more dignity and less suffering. With this in mind, please can you explain the difference between an ‘Advance Directive’ and an LPA for Health & Welfare? And should I make both?

A: Firstly, it is worth pointing out that an Advance Directive is also known as a Living Will or Advance Decision. Both an Advance Directive and a Health & Welfare LPA must be made whilst you have capacity, the main difference is that the former identifies certain medical treatment that should not be undertaken if you lose capacity, for example, a blood transfusion or CPR. In the case of the latter it is your attorney who decides how you are looked after, such as where you are to live and your medical treatment.

Whichever you choose it is wise to discuss your decision with your loved ones and/or Attorney(s), so that if the time comes they will ensure your instructions are carried out. It is also important to provide your doctor and your loved ones with copies of these documents, so they are aware of your wishes.

The Advance Directive requires less formality in setting it up as it is like a letter. The LPA has to be drawn up in a certain way and is like a deed and cannot be used until it has been registered with the Court of Protection.

Talking through things with a solicitor will help you decide the most appropriate course of action for you to take and give you peace of mind.

This question has been answered by Jessica Wright, a Solicitor with GHP Legal.  If you would like to speak to someone about this or any other legal matter, please visit our website www.ghplegal. com and use the contact us form, or call us on: Wrexham 01978 291456, Llangollen 01978 860313, Oswestry 01691 659194

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PUZZLE PAGE

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. Sets of things offered at auction (4)

4. Contagious infection of the skin (8)

8. Inflammation of a nerve accompanied by pain (8)

9. Musical work (4)

10. Complacently foolish (5)

11. Wine merchant (7)

13. Light wind (6)

15. Male servant (especially a footman) (6)

17. Fingerless gloves (7)

19. Assembly of witches (5)

22. What remained in Pandora’s box after she let out all the evils (4)

23. Gambling game with a revolving wheel and a small ball (8)

24. Small item of cutlery (8)

25. Measure of 36 inches (4)

Down

2. Large body of salt water (5)

3. Medical instrument used to inject (7)

4. The smallest quantity (4)

5. Medicated lozenge used to soothe the throat (8)

6. Salmon-like fish (5)

7. Hard cheese originating in Switzerland (7)

12. Italian painter and sculptor, ___ da Vinci (8)

14. Horizontal plant stem with shoots above and roots below (7)

16. Preparation of food for eating (7)

18. Time of life between the ages of 13 and 19 (5)

20. Organic compound (5)

21. One of five siblings born at the same time (4)

TOYS & GAMES

1. First launched in 2001, which range of dolls was advertised with the slogan “the girls with a passion for fashion”?

2. Which are there more of in a game of Cluedo? a) suspects; b) weapons; or c) rooms?

3. What is the name of the toy retailer on Regent Street in London that is set over seven floors and has over 50,000 lines of toys on sale?

4. How are Happy, Henry, Homer and Harry known collectively in the name of a tabletop game that was first introduced in 1978?

5. Which doll was created in 1963 by a company in Exeter as a rival to Barbie and went on to be named Toy of the Year by the British Association of Toy Retailers in both 1968 and 1970?

6. What is the only letter of the alphabet that doesn’t appear in the names of any of the squares on a standard UK Monopoly board?

7. Which character from the Toy Story films was based on a toy that, in 1952, became the first ever toy to be aadvertised on TV?

8. “Around the world”, “rock the baby” and “walk the dog” are all tricks that can be performed using what classic toy?

9. Which American manufacturer of toy trucks took its name from a Dakota Sioux word that means “great” or “big”?

10. Which battery-operated game features a character known as Cavity Sam?