EMAIL YOUR STORIES TO EDITOR@OVERTON-ON-DEE.CO.UK |
Happy Easter to all our readers and our distribution team Calor
Village of the Year Competition At the meeting in March Overton Community Councillors agreed to enter this year’s Calor Village of the Year Competition. The Competition being run for the 10th year under the umbrella of the Campaign for the protection of Rural Wales, awards innovative communities that work together, includes everyone and embarks on projects to make their local environment better. Villages don’t need to be “pretty” or “quaint” just have to have a strong sense of community. They are looking for communities that have a pride in themselves. That have tackled problems and have engaged all sectors of the community to work together to make a better place to live for everyone. Entry is a simple matter of filling in one or all of the categories on the entry form. Further information can be found on the Calor Village information can be found on the Calor Village website www.calorvillageoftheyear.org The Council decided that interest and assistance shpuld be sought from the wider community, not just members of the Council and agreed that Clerk of the Council, Katharine Crockford, should co-ordinate the effort. If you are interested in helping please contact Katharine on 710055. Where are they now?
“Twenty
one years ago this year the village pantomine was Aladdin, these
six punk girls of the village danced to the music of Staus Quo.
Four of them are respected ladies of the village, one works here
and the sixth lives just just outside the village, so no prizes
to identify them. However for a bit of fun let us know who you
think they are. Next month we will reveal all!” Ask for I.D. ....... An incident took place in the Penley area last week involving a local resident being visited by a possible bogus caller. The resident was approached at her home by a male informing her that workmen who had been working in the area had damaged a water pipe, and that he needed to enter her house to check the water. Te resident acted very sensibly by first locking the door leaving the male outside as she went to check the water herself. This male then became agitated and eventually left. He is described as being a white male, early 20’s 5’4”, with a slight build, dark hair, strong accent and wearing a white jacket. No genuine representatives of utility companies were in the area at the time. Most of the utility companies, Dee Valley Water and Wrexham County Borough Council all operate “The National Cold Calling Protocol” which reduces the need for employees to make unannounced visits, and encourages householders to check the identity of unannounced callers before admitting them to their home.
COUNTRY BEAT
FREE ENTRY TO BANGOR ON DEE RACES. To
combat this, the police together with the Racecourse, Highways
department, Overton and Bangor on Dee Councils are looking at
initiatives to alleviate the problem, the main one being the possible
installation of a temporary one way traffic system to and from
the racecourse ground to ensure that the large number of vehicles
do not cause gridlock or accidents. If this idea is approved it
should make a dramatic difference to the flow of traffic, especially
at the end of the races where the numbers are more concentrated
with everybody leaving at once. In order to make it work though,
we need your help. Ramblings
From the Rectory Dear Friends, I think Easter is most people’s favourite time of the year with its message of new life and hope. Spring has arrived, the nights are getting longer and everyone feels reinvigorated after the long winter. One of the many legends surrounding Easter is of the Easter Bunny. The actual name Easter comes from Estore, the old Anglo Saxon Goddess of Spring. The hare was sacred to Estore and ritual hare hunts took place at this time so that sacrifices might be made to the Goddess. And this is doubtless why the hare or rabbit became associated with Easter. There are many customs regarding the Easter Bunny…. In Australia it is the custom for children to make Easter bunny nests in their gardens from twigs and moss. Their parents will then put Easter Eggs and chocolate into the nests for children to have fun finding. For me it all adds to the magic of this wonderful season of new beginnings and hope where Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead and offers us all the promise of new life. Wherever we are in life, whatever we face, the message of hope that Easter brings can touch all of our lives and reinvigorate us. Our Risen Lord offers to fill our hearts with his marvellous love and the hope of new life. May I wish you all a very Happy Easter.
Your Letters... Dear Maxine Re: Your Letters Page 2 / Overton Oracle Volume 8 Issue 3 March 2006 As this letter has been printed anonymously it is difficult for readers to determine that the “local Overton-on-Dee Pharmacy” did not contribute these comments. I
would be pleased should you receive similar letters / contributions
that you clarify this to your readers. Many Thanks. Best Bite ... Over the last few weeks I have had to purchase take away sandwiches and rolls from a variety of establishments. The rolls from our Overton Corner Shop come way out on top for freshness, content and value for money, their cakes are very tempting too. Lesley Pugh We try to print all material submitted to us in the Oracle—to encourage a variance of view and opinion - therefore, as long as you submit your name & address with your contribution—but specify if you wish to not have your details printed—your material can still be printed—we do not print anonymous material received with out a name. KID’S
COLUMN
note ...Hey. So I’m not sure if this is going be published before or after Easter or whatever, but I hope everyone has a good holiday. I just want to say thanks to Maxine for all the hard work she does putting together the Oracle every month and Jenny for all her work for the kids page. Reviews Big Momma’s House 2 Hi
guys, me again! Absolutely brilliant, Big Momma’s House
2 is great! Very funny with a good story line that keeps you on
the edge of your seat. Maybe for older kids, as younger ones may
not understand the humour. Great fun, enjoyable and interesting
all rolled into one. A highly recommended film! 9/10
Recommended ages 12+ for violence, mild language and thematic elements. It’s the year of 3183 and the fate of the world has yet again landed into the hands of eight kids. Will they band together and succeed? Or
will they break apart, and fail –just like their preceding
heroes? So yeah, a story me and one of my best mates have been working on for a few months now and feel it is ready to go public. For those of you interested, a new chapter is added every two weeks. So far we’ve had 257 hits, but we are hoping for tons more readers. If you do decide to try reading it, please feel free to leave feedback, sign our guest book and join our mailing list. ©
2006 by Jill Bush and Lela Palin People in Profile- Pat Marks
What
was the last film that you went to see/watched at home?
Describe your last Eating Out experience. What
was the last Sporting Event that you watched/participated in? What
was the last thing that made you laugh? you enjoyed? The Wrexham Advertiser Nov 15th 1892 The
final part of material submitted by Mary Hilton Jones previously
printed in the Wrexham Advertiser in 1892 of the high jinks at
Byn y Pys. The march to the mansion was safely made and the procession marched by the Hall in front of which were Mr Edmund Peel, Mr & Mrs Hugh Peel and members of the family. A space was cleared for the making of the presentation address. The committee wished Mr Peel to accept it as an expression of good will from his kind-hearted friends (cheers) Following the presentation, the band performed an excellent variety of music and there was then a full programme of horse racing and sports. Dancing took place in the evening and the enclosure was illuminated by Chinese lanterns, supplied by Mr Schotcher of Wrexham who at times discharged some huge crackers. During the day Mr Peel and Mr Edmund Peel and the house party visited the ground and were cordially received. In the evening a huge bonfire was lit in a neighbouring field. Overton Local Notes November 1892 – that Mary has found for us (before the days of the Oracle—but even then there was a roving reporter!!!) Sir Robert Cunliffe drove to Bryn y pys in a carriage attend the Ball. On arriving there one of the horses dropped down dead. The heads of the beasts, whose carcasses formed a prominent part of the procession, are in the taxidermists’ hands. The beef was fairly distributed among 300 people on Wednesday Mr Edmund Peel’s gift to his son on attaining his majority was a brace of guns which cost £80 each. The court ball at Bryn y Pys 15th Nov 1892 for the 21st Birthday of Hugh Peel. In the evening a Ball was given by Mr Edmund Peel, for which the most ample provision was made. A pavilion was erected in front of the houses by Mr Wellstad and he did his work to the up most satisfaction. The building joined the conservatory and the drawing room and dining-room were en-suite. The decorations, which were entrusted to Mr George Howe, 41 Wigmore Street, London were of the most tasteful kind. The fabrics which lined the walls had been specially woven and printed. The prevailing colour was golden copper and Mr Howe had most cleverly arranged everything to preserve the colour harmony. A large number of palms came from Messrs J Laing & Sons of Forest Hill London. Mr Bagshawe, the gardener, was able to produce form the Bryn y pys conservatories a magnificent adornment of the place. Dan Godfrey’s string band discoursed music. The entrance was arranged as an arcade, having cloakrooms on either side. The splendid rooms were illuminated by the electric light. There were numerous glow-lamps which threw a soft light on the scene, tinged with the golden copper hue which pervaded everywhere. A dynamo was sent down specially and the engine of Mr Newnes of Marchweil drove it very satisfactorily. The drive walk was lighted by powerful arc lights. It is needless to say that the Ball proved a brilliant one and was attended by a large number of people. Bernard J. Helliwell It is with regret that we inform the village community of the death of Bernard Helliwell. Bernard, who lived in the village for some 30 years, died suddenly on Saturday, 12th March as a result of a tragic accident whilst walking on the moors above Halifax. Although born in Liverpool, he had lived in the West Riding for most of his teen years before Army service and the teaching profession claimed him. He opted for early retirement 20 years ago to spend more time in his beloved garden and the great outdoors. A
very quiet and self-contained man, he will be missed by all who
knew him and partook of his knowledge. His wife, Ann, has adhered
to his specific request that there be no funeral. She would like to thank her friends and neighbours for their helpful and sympathetic support during this trying time. Twinning
News Update – 2006. We are expecting 17 guests, due to arrive on Sunday 30th July for one week. There are two new families and a selection of old as well as well as new visitors – any offers for accommodation please let me know. Melanie, daughter of Nadine & Jean-Pierre is coming over to stay for the whole of July and will start of at “Home Farm” with the Starkeys but we are away 19th to 26th July can anyone else can help for that week? She plans to move Sue and James Glover’s for the Twinning week to be joined by her friend Marielle. Fundraiser – A joint banquet with the Amateur Dramatics will take place Saturday 13th May at 19:30 hrs. Help is needed in the form of Apples pie’s / Bread & Butter Pudding (The Twinning are responsible for war time puds) The banquet will be based on “The War Years” with an excellent evening of entertainment and food (rationed, of course it is BYO drink and tickets go on sale Sunday 9th April form Glynis Farley. These sell very quickly – the hall will be decorated and costume can be worn. There will be two raffles, luxury war goods, luxury food stuffs. AGM – TWINNING Monday 24th April 19:30hrs Village Hall.
After losing our 7 year old, Old English Sheepdog Barney to leukaemia. We decided a few weeks later to look for a puppy. Because we wanted a puppy plus it’s tail, I contacted a lady named Pauline Baines who is the founder of the anti docking alliance, she gave me a list of breeders who would be willing to leave a tail on a dog if we contacted them before the puppies were born and paying money up front was also required. We were not too happy about this because we could not choose which puppy we would like. Then one day in October Pauline contacted me and said there was a lady near Hastings, who’s Bitch had given birth to eight Old English puppies and was leaving the tails on all of them. We did not fancy travelling to Hastings at the beginning of December but we rang the lady who said that she would be able to bring a puppy as far as Chepstow where her daughter was living, so we agreed and I sent off the deposit. We kept in touch over the Internet and Anne sent us pictures of the puppies each week. We eventually chose which one we liked and we chose the name Brenig and Anne started to call him by his chosen name. Then on the 04th of December 2005 we set off on a Sunday. Vince, Christopher and myself had a lovely scenic drive through Hereford and down past Tintern Abbey, we arrived about 1pm at the Tiddenham Equestrian Centre the rendezvous for meeting Anne and the handing over of our new puppy. We have the memories of taking him to see our neighbour George at the hospice where everyone fell in love with him. He was ever so good; he put his head on George’s feet and fell asleep. On New Year’s Eve we gave up our night out and stayed at home with Brenig. After midnight we went outside to hear the church bells, Brenig came too, he lay down on the front lawn and could not have cared less about all the fireworks, he was so placid and children just loved him. We had so much fun with him while it lasted and we would like to say thank you to all those dog lovers who gave us hugs, when we really needed them, flowers and cards some of which were home made ones from children. It is nice to know that friends were there for us and I am sure Brenig would have loved to know how popular he was. Nothing will bring Brenig back but we have decided to have another puppy because our house is so empty without a four-legged friend. However it is not going to be easy for us to be relaxed with our new puppy. If a dog has shown any kind of aggression, owners should keep them on a lead o fenced in their garden. That way a puppy stands a chance of growing up. How can you introduce a puppy to other dogs without them being attacked? How do you tell which dogs are aggressive? Responsible owners should know and warn! “I
Hope you Dance....'” Dear
Bertha, "People
say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don't
need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always
be there." Overton Medical Practice News There is a new semi enclosed cubicle being designed to fit onto the end of the reception counter. This can be used at any time if you feel you would like your conversation to take place a little more privately. Several members of staff are local people, known to many of you. We felt that perhaps we should remind patients that we operate a code of conduct which means we maintain confidentiality at all times regarding anything that happens within the confines of the surgery. Just regard the staff like the three wise monkeys, see all, hear all and say nothing! Regarding saying nothing, we are still finding people are failing to turn up for appointments; one doctor had five ‘no-shows’ in one day. These appointments could well have been offered to other people and it is incredibly thoughtless of the offenders. There can hardly ever be a reason why if you telephone to make the appointment you cannot telephone to cancel. Holiday time is drawing near and some parts of the world require you to have additional immunisations; we can help with advice and organising appointments to cover your individual needs. Do please give us sufficient time prior to your departure to obtain the necessary facts. Bird flu is still very much the topic of the News. So far all humans infected with ‘bird flu’ have a history of close contact with infected birds. The risk of humans catching it is extremely low but nevertheless possible. Remember up until now no human to human spread has occurred and you cannot catch bird flu from eating cooked chicken. ARTS and CRAFTS FAIR
A third “Arts and Crafts” fair will be held in May,
giving locals the opportunity to exhibit their work. The event
will take place in St.Mary’s church, which will be open
for this Spring fair every day between 10.00 am and 5.00 pm on
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday – 24th to 27th
May inclusive. The
organisers hope that many people will submit their pieces of work
– no point in “hiding your light under a bushel”
– share the fruits of your labour with the community. Changing
With the Times George’s daughter San sent it to George after finding it in an antique venue that she had been to down in the South of England. It had been sent to someone in 1905 so that puts some idea of the date around when this was taken. The modern photo was taken March 2006. The road was narrower in 1905. The wall on the left of the picture was taken back to widen the corner and also the footpath, to make it safer for pedestrians and the extra build up of traffic. I think this was done about 1960’s when larger lorries had a job negotiating the bend. Where
the Catholic Church stands now, there was small wood known as
The Plantation. Otherwise apart from the fashion of the ladies
and the cars on the road Wrexham Road looks pretty much the same
101 years on. Guidance
on handling and disposing of dead garden and wild birds. The advice here applies in all circumstances where members of the public may come across a dead bird, regardless of whether there is any avian influenza in the UK. If you find a dead swan, goose or duck or three or more dead wild, or garden birds together in the same place, please report this to Defra, via Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77. The current Defra helpline opening hours are 09.00am to 5.00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday opening hours are 10.00am to 5.00pm. They may wish to have the birds examined for signs of specific diseases. They will advise you on what action you should take. If
the dead bird is a single, small garden, or wild bird the you
do not need to call Defra. You should: Wild birds can carry several diseases that infectious to people and some simple hygiene precautions should minimise the risk of infection. It is hard for people to catch avian influenza from birds and following simple steps are also effective against avian influenza. If
you have to move a dead bird |
