PREPARATIONS FOR JUBILEE GET UNDER WAY Over 15 people representing 10 organisations attended the inaugural meeting of Overton's Jubilee Celebration Group on January 23. There was much support and great enthusiasm for a group to be set up to spearhead the celebrations over the weekend 1st - 4th June 2002. David Burton set the ball rolling by describing the sort of events and celebrations that the National Jubilee Committee thought would be fitting for the occasion, but it was up to local communities to come together to celebrate in whatever way they thought was appropriate. David was elected to chair the new group, with Louise Morcumb as Secretary and Iris Edwards as Treasurer.
Many good ideas were suggested for further consideration, including some form of Garden Fete at the playingfield, with on-going entertainment and firework display on Monday 3, with possibly a beacon being lit as part of a chain throughout the country. Another suggestion was that a photographic record of everyone living in the village could be made and put onto Compact Disc for future generations. Each organisation in the village will no doubt be organising something to celebrate the occasion, and some streets may want to organise their own street parties. All these events would need to be dovetailed into a programme for the weekend, and those present were asked to discuss further ideas at the next available meeting of their organisation. The next meeting of the Jubilee Group will take place on February 19. Can you remember what you were doing on the day of Her Majesty's Coronation 50 years ago? Were you listening to the 'wireless' or were you one of those who were fortunate to be able to have a television with a 9" black and white screen? Do you have a story to tell? Then send an e-mail to info@overton-on-dee.co.uk and your story will be considered for publication over the coming months. Youth Club gets new leader Overton Youth Club has welcomed its new leader, Gaynor Spencer, an experienced youth worker appointed by Wrexham County Borough Council. Brought up in Worthenbury, where her parents still live, Gaynor attended both the Maelor School, Penley and Bishop Heber School in Malpas and then Radbrook College in Shrewsbury. She is therefore no stranger to Overton. She is married to Paul, and they have a son Richard (13) who attends Ysgol Morgan Llwyd in Wrexham. Her interest in youth work began some 22 years ago, when she became involved on a voluntary basis, and has worked regularly for the youth service for the past 18 years. She comes to Overton therefore with a great depth of experience, having been involved in youth exchanges, disco dancing, mentoring, teenage support in the community, and the setting up of the very first Adventure Service Challenge in Wrexham.
Gaynor said: " I look forward to the new challenges which Overton will bring and the building and renewing of old friendships, which I am sure will happen over the coming months". Russell Simon from Eastwick Lane is about to embark upon his training as the assistant youth worker. Overton Youth Club meets on Tuesday evenings in the Scout Hut between 6.30.pm and 9.00.pm. Subscriptions are just 50p per night. The Club welcomes young persons from 11 years of age, although those in the final year of Primary school (year 6) will be able to attend. Parents are welcome to visit at any time and see for themselves how the Club is run and the facilities it has to offer our young people. The next Junior Disco is to be held on February 8, commencing 7.30 pm. Admission is £3 by allocated number only. Dear Editor, The letters about the racetrack at Trench Farm are I feel a little dramatic, implying residents of Overton are being denied access to their gardens because of noise pollution. This sport provides youngsters with an opportunity to acquire driving skills that sadly many adults do not possess prior to being let loose on the roads. The people who take part in this sport are on the whole ordinary responsible citizens from all walks of life. Autograss racing has its roots in the rural community, an affordable means of enjoying motorsport. It is easy to condemn things we know little about, without trying to find a compromise or see the other point of view. Attitudes like this breed suspicion distrust and prejudice. The organisers of all forms of motorsport accommodate the wishes of the local community wherever possible; race meetings usually start at midday to avoid church hours for example. Talk to the organisers regarding an acceptable noise level, ask them to ensure all cars are fitted with an adequate exhaust and visit the venue, I feel sure many of you would enjoy the spectacle and although there wont be many Formula One greats there, the commitment and skill of the drivers will entertain you for a small charge. The sport has a serious side channeling the appetite of many young people for speed and excitement from our roads to the track. So continue to enjoy a "Barby" - weather permitting, put aside your prejudices and respect the rights of others to be different. I have no connection with Ruabon Raceway now or in the past. Mr A. Richardson, School Lane. Ed: Whilst we positively encourage readers to contribute to this section, the letters we are receiving are getting longer and longer. By adopting a policy of not editing letters, this has meant a reduction in the limited space available for news. We have therefore reluctantly put a limit on the size of letters submitted to a maximum of 220 words. We feel sure however that this will not prevent contributors from fully expressing their personal views. The search for a place in the sun Do you fancy giving up work and living in Spain? Well, Keith and Jan Palfrey have done just that. Jan and Keith, who lived at 3 St Mary's Court, School Lane, had been thinking of buying a holiday home in Spain for a number of years and two years ago started looking with some conviction. Where they looked, what they found and the experiences they had along the way is a fascinating story in itself. In November 2000 they found what they had been looking for, a typical Andalucian style property on the Costa Del Sol, half an hour away from Malaga airport in Torrox Costa near Nerja. The area is far removed from Torremolinos and Fuengirola, although enjoying the benefits of restaurants, bars, banks, clinics and all mod cons. Jan said: "It has 2 large bedrooms, a living room, dining room, bathroom and kitchen, together with two terraces with views of the Mediterranean sea only 150 metres away, two swimming pools, 8 tennis courts, and golf locally. What more could we have wanted?" After purchasing the property they made several return visits, each time buying something to make it just as they would like it, right down to the newly fitted kitchen. But the draw of the sunshine, the cost of living, the wonderful restaurants, sea views, walks along the promenade and more so the relaxed lifestyle all put together, made them think. Keith said: "Our careers were fine, the money was nice, but the pace of life, the pressure, stress and daily aggravation from our jobs made us think seriously about moving out here permanently, which we did a few months ago." In November 2001 they found property Number 2, a house in the mountains with wonderful views, their own swimming pool and a large garden. So they now live here and rent the house on the coast, about 10 minutes away. Keith said: "Should anyone be thinking along the same lines we would be more than happy to assist as it really is not so difficult to purchase property, alternatively if it is an inexpensive holiday you are looking for, our property by the sea is now for rent. We are letting it out from £175 - £250 per week, which is for the property not per person, and of course we are here to welcome you personally". If you wish to contact Keith and Jan about how to buy a place in the sun, or for more details of their holiday home and letting arrangements, they can be contacted at janpalfrey@hotmail.com or by telephone on 0779 912 7170. NEW - NEW - NEW - NEW NEW COLUMN - This month's Oracle features a new Column. STARGAZER is offering us the benefit of his thoughts and wisdom on topical issues which make him reach for the quill. Yew trees have, for centuries, been associated with church-yards and Overton's, as we all know, are no exception, with the added distinction that they form one of the Seven Wonders of Wales. Many yews, in different parts of Britain are believed to be at least 2,000 years old and some could well pre-date the church built next to them as was indeed suggested when a tree expert examined our own venerable yew in 1992. An enterprising organisation, called the Conservation Foundation, based in London, has been striking cuttings taken from trees believed to be at least 2,000 years old, and offering them to parishes who wish to plant a yew in their church-yard to commemorate the Millennium. Apparently 5,000 parishes have taken up the offer! Bearing in mind the letters in the last Oracle, I wonder if there is an opportunity here for St Mary's Church to echo the work of the Conservation Foundation and raise cuttings themselves and sell them to members of the public. In this way they could generate apparently much needed funds. Indeed, some people might well welcome the chance to plant a scion of one of the Seven Wonders of Wales in their own gardens. Incidentally, the Conservation Foundation plans to use its income to set up a fund to help churches unable to afford the proper care these ancient trees deserve, so safeguarding their unique place in history - a living link across 2000 years. Photo with a difference This month, instead of the usual "Photograph with the Famous", we feature a rather unusual photograph and ask you to guess what it is.
If you think you know, send an e-mail to info@overton-on-dee.co.uk Sorry, entrants only from within the community of Overton. This is just a bit of fun, but who knows you may even win a prize!! Answer next month TALKING RUBBISH Overton Community Council has for some time endeavoured, in vain, to appoint a Village Warden to keep the streets litter-free. Now, following recent discussions with Wrexham Maelor County Borough Council, a simple phone-call from anyone is all that is needed to achieve the same result. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 Part IV brought in powers to get Britain clean, particularly our streets and public open spaces. The Act also made littering a more serious offence, subject to a maximum fine of £2500. Under the Code of Practice of this Act, recently adopted by the County Borough Council, cleanliness grades are laid down for each area and also a response time for the Local Authority to clear any offending litter once it has been reported. In simple terms, then, any citizen can call on Wrexham Maelor County Borough Council (tel. 01978 292044 or 297096) to report a litter problem and ask their mobile response team to carry out their duties under the Act. The Chairman of the Community Council said: "Naturally, if one reports a solitary beer can dropped in the High Street, it will hardly produce a sympathetic response. Much better to do what a lot of people do already - and that is to pop it into the nearest bin. The Council thought this was a good scheme, giving a potential saving to the Council of £1965, and the best advice I can give everyone is to use it but don't abuse it or you might lose it." |
