"Shakers" a roller coaster glimpse of the world Last month, Overton Village Hall was converted into a trendy bar for the performance of "Shakers" by Overton Amateur Dramatic Society. Skillfully produced and directed by Sue Glover, "Shakers" was a fast roller-coaster ride of mini-scenes and quick role changes, revolving around the ever so trendy cocktail bar where everyone wanted to be seen. From the checkout girls to the chinless wonders, to the yuppies dropping in for a quick drink and to the local lads downing several pints, the audience were given a wickedly funny glimpse of this world by the four long-suffering waitresses Mel, Nikki, Carol and Adele, played by Ruth Overthrow, Eleri Farley, KayLawrenson and Marion Sinclair.
Following in the shadow of "Bouncers", which received great acclaim when it was staged in the Scout Hut last year, the all-female cast was faced with some real challenges. But the whole performance of "Shakers" was so professional that at times it was hard to imagine that one was in Overton Village Hall. In particular, the soliloquies of Marion Sinclair and Eleri Farley, were outstanding, bringing a deathly hush to Hall. Even the sketch of the local lads tittering at the thought of a "long, slow, comfortable screw", was done "in the best possible taste" to great applause. Many people in the audience openly admitted to being emotionally "touched" at various times during the performance. It was, without doubt, another excellent example of the versatility of the members of Overton Amateur Dramatic Society. Preparations are now in hand for the Pantomime in January, and if past performances are anything to go by, one is in for some great entertainment. Ed. No only did the play stretch the actors, who were on stage non-stop for almost two hours, but also demonstrated the skills of the technical cast. A thoroughly enjoyable performance. Well done. |
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It is understood that the Community Council has received a letter from North Wales Police dealing with new arrangements for policing in the Maelor area. These changes are being made to give a more effective cover in the area and will release the Community Beat Officers from most of the operational demands. The current arrangement of community police teams has been in existence in this area for some 20 years, and there are currently three community police teams covering the area of Wrexham South. These are supported by an additional mobile unit that can provide a 24 hours service. At the moment, both the community police team staff and the mobile unit staff will be dispatched to deal with incidents as they arise. Under the new arrangements, there will be a larger mobile unit covering the area which will respond to the majority of calls leaving nine Community Beat Officers to concentrate on aspects affecting their communities, one of whom will remain at Overton. It is understood that there are no plans to close Overton Police Station. |
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Overton Youth Club Club members have been out and about recently, enjoying a visit to the American Adventure Theme Park in Derbyshire, Ten-Pin Bowling and Ice-skating at Deeside. On Tuesday 24th October they visited Laser Quest in Chester and also celebrated Halloween with a fancy dress competition and Karaoke night. On 8th November, they are off to Plas Madoc Leisure Centre. The youth discos continue to be a popular event and two more are planned for Saturday 18th November and Wednesday 20th December. Discount flyers, which give 50p off the normal admission fee of £2.50 will be available in the Maelor School and St Mary's during the week before the disco. Vonnie Bamber, Treasurer of the Club said: "If any parent is able to do one Rota duty per month at the Youth Club on either a Tuesday or Wednesday between 6.30pm and 9.00pm, or is willing to help at the discos, they can contact me on 01978 710786." |
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Although the Citroen 2CV looks about as suitable for racing as a shopping trolley, it has in fact been involved in motor sport for many years. Mike Ridgway, who came to live in Overton five years ago, has been with a local racing team for 6 years. This year he has been racing at several circuits, including Oulton Park, Mallory Park, Zolder in Belgium, Anglesey, and Spa in Belgium where the team ran in a 2 hour race on the full Formula One track.
This exciting and relatively cheap form of motorsport started in this country in 1989, when the 2CV Club of Great Britain held its first meeting at Mallory Park with a grid of 22 cars. It won instant recognition as close, exciting, affordable racing, with drivers taking corners two or three abreast, and these are still the main attractions of 2CV racing today. Mike, who is the team's mechanic said; "Last winter we built an additional car that is in its first year. Although the racing is slow, it provides a good spectator sport as we usually put up a grid of between 24 and 32 cars depending on track regulations. At several meetings this year we've had to run two qualifying sessions because the races were oversubscribed. For example, we took 30 cars to Spa in Belgium, this October. Our car is number 5, which was our position at the end of the 1999 season. It was built by "Car Tech" in Shrewsbury who specialise in servicing Citroen and Renault cars. It is also maintained by them". The 2CV Club says that one of the great advantages of 2CV racing is the good availability of cheap "donor" cars, the abundance of spares, and the relatively small amount of modifications required to transform the road-going version into a race-winning car. The Club also assigns all new racing members to an existing race member who will then help them through the pitfalls of starting up. If anyone is interested in taking up the sport, or would like more information, they can contact Mike Ridgway on 01978 710573. Ed: The 2CV Racing Club (GB) has a very informative web site at www.2cvracing.co.uk |
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Four members of Overton Methodist Church, Iris and Phil Edwards, Beaty Roberts and Josie Ralphs recently travelled by coach from Overton to Oberammagau, where they witnessed the life and death of Christ, brought to life in the Passion Play which is performed by over half the population of this village of 5000 people every tenth year. After receiving their tickets, rugs for their knees, booklets and scripts in English (the performance is in German), from the local family with whom they were billeted for the night, they were in their places by 9.15am. The Passion Play started at 9.30am and after a break for 3 hours at lunchtime, the play finished at 6.15pm. Everyone was spellbound. Josie Ralphs said:- "The time just flew. Coming home through the tunnel, I thought about all that we had seen and heard both culturally and spiritually. For me the scenes of the play which will always remain in my memory were those when Jesus placed his hand on the heads of the children, stood up to the Pharisees, comforted his mother, looked sorrowfully at Judas, accepted his crucifixion, being on the cross and when he forgave his enemies. It is an experience I would not have missed." |
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After reading the article that appeared in the December 1999 issue of the Oracle, entitled “Remembering Who”, Alan Jones from Maelor Court, Overton, decided that he would research the history of the War Memorial in the High Street. We continue with the third and final part of his story.
OVERTON’S
FALLEN OF THE GREAT WAR 1914 -1918 .......After an address by the Rev.F.J.Okell, the Roll of Honour was read which contained five additional names to those commemorated on the Memorial Tablet in the Church. Colonel Parry then unveiled the Memorial saying at the start of his address that it was a great privilege to be allowed to unveil the Memorial - a Memorial which expressed in permanent form the high regard, affection, and esteem, in which the memory of the men of Overton inscribed upon it were held in the parish. The Memorial served two objects. First that it was a permanent record of the deeds and the sacrifices made, and secondly, it would remind them daily and hourly of the great debt they owed these men. The Rector then dedicated the Memorial, after which the hymn “ For all the Saints who from their labours rest” was sung. After Prayers including the Lord’s Prayer and the hymn “O God our help in ages past” came the Blessing, and the National Anthem. What was described as a beautiful and moving service was brought to a close by the sounding of the Last Post and Reveille by Buglers from Wrexham Barracks. Wreaths were then placed around the Memorial which is worked out of red Runcorn stone, its base 11ft x 9ft, its height 10ft 6”. The names of the fallen are inscribed on a brass plate with wreaths and palms worked into the stone. A brass plaque commemorating those who fell during the 1939 - 45 conflict was added later. In 1927 Overton Branch of the Womens Institute undertook the care of the Memorial and on the recommendation of Mrs Sarah Louise Jones, the widow of Ernest Jones, Mr Edwards (stonemason) of Ruabon Road, Wrexham, was employed to repair and clean the Memorial and repaint the chains at a cost of £4.10.0. this being met by the Womens Institute. Cleaning and repairs carried out in 1949 were paid for by the Royal British Legion and the Memorial now remains in their care. Ed: We have listed below the names of those who fell. OVERTON’S WAR MEMORIAL A LIST OF THOSE FALLEN Frank Allen, Ivanhoe Cottage, Willow Street. Aged 29 - Private. Royal Welsh Fusiliers Died 13.11.1916. Killed Puisieux, Pas de Calais Tom Bristow, Gwalod House, Gwall Hill. Aged 19 - Private. Montgomeryshire Yeomanry, then R.W.F. Died 23.4.1917. Killed Wancourt, Pas de Calais William E Burdett, Maeslewis, Knolton. 29 - Private. Machine Gun Corps Died 26.4.1918. Killed Ypres Salient, Belgium Thomas E Davies, Adwy, Bersham. Private. Royal Welsh Fusiliers Killed 25.12.1917 Killed in action in France Alan Durdle, Lloc, Holywell. L/Corporal. Welsh Horse. Duke of Cambridges Own Died 4.3.1917. Killed in Flanders Richard Edwards, Asney Cottage, Overton Bridge. Private. Welsh Horse, then Royal West Kents. Died 16.7.1917 Killed in action in France Walter Edwards, Asney, Overton Bridge. Gunner. Royal Garrison Artillery Died 20.9.1918. Died of wounds in France. Herbert W Ethelston, Bryn y Pys, Overton. Aged 33. Lieutenant, Grenadier Guards Died 14.3.1915. Killed in action Robert W Eyton, Gwydyr House, Overton. Aged 22. Lieutenant, Rifle Brigade. Died 22.3.1918. Killed near Flavey. Mentioned in Dispatches. F.D.Fitzjohn, High Street, Overton. Aged 31. Private. 65th Battalion Canadian Armed Forces Died 23.3.1917. Buried in Saskatchewan, Canada. Walter Hamer, Wrexham Road, Overton. Aged 28. Private. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. Died 19.9.1918. Killed in action. Ralph W. Hargreaves, Llan y Cefn, Overton. Aged 25. Acting Captain. Welsh Guards. Died 1.12.1917. Wounded France 1916, Killed Cambrai. Edward Haynes, Lilac Cottage, Overton Aged 25. First Class Stoker. Royal Navy. Died 31.5.1916. Served HMS Black Prince. Drowned Stanley Haynes, Lilac Cottage, Overton. Private. Royal Marine Light Infantry Died 28.5.1915. Killed Gallipoli Thomas Henderson, Edinburgh. Private. Royal Welsh Fusiliers Died 18.8.1915. Died of Wounds at Sea Frank Howard, Argoed lane, Overton. Trumpeter. Welsh Horse Died 24.1.1919. Died from meningitis. Walter Jackson, Ivy Cottage, Overton. Aged 35. 2nd Lieut. Welsh Yorkshire Prince of Wales Own. Died 9.10.1917. Twice wounded and killed in Ypres Salient. Joseph Jones. Private. RWF. Formerly Montgomeryshire Yeomanry Died 29.4.1918. Killed Mesopotamia. Richard Jones, Penyllan Cottage, Overton. Sapper. Royal Engineers Died 1.6.1918. Killed Ypres Thomas H Jones, Baysdon House, Overton.Bombadier. Royal Field Artillery Reported missing 21.3.1918. Taken prisoner and shot. Thomas Jones, Tanners Row, Overton. Sapper. Royal Engineers Died 24.3.1918. Killed in action in France. Charles Johnson, Knolton Bryn. Aged 25. Private. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died 26.10.1914. Killed in France Harry Morgan, Maeslewis, Knolton. Aged 27. Private. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died 24.10.1918. Badly wounded in 1917. Killed in France. Edward Northover, Mossleigh, Overton. Gunner. Royal Field Artillery. Died 23.10.1918. Died in hospital in Le Havre, France. John Henry Powell, Back Lane. Aged 42. Sergeant. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died 11.7.1916. Killed Somme. Albert Roberts, White Horse Hotel, Overton. Private. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died 22.4.1918. Killed Flanders. Alfred Roberts, Tanners Row, Overton. L/Cpl. Royal Welsh Fusiliers Died 27.6.1919. France 1915-1916. Died of consumption. Arthur Studley, Little Overton. Private. Wellington Infantry New Zealand Force. Died 1916. Killed at Gallipoli. William Taylor, Queensbridge, Overton. C.S.Major. Kings Shropshire Light Infantry Died March 1917. Served in France and died from wounds. William Wainwright, Lightwood Green. Corporal. Royal Welsh Fusiliers Died 14.6.1919. Died from wounds and gas poisoning. Cecily M Bruce Benjamin, Pendyffryn, Overton Aged 20. Chief Wren. Womens Royal Naval Service Died 19.8.1941. HMS President 11 Norman H Bolland, Peothlyn Terrace, Overton. Aged 19 Fusilier. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died 14.4.1945. Died from shrapnel wounds. Buried in Germany Reginald Hillman, Salop Road, Overton. Aged 23. Guardsman. Grenadier Guards. Died 14.8.1944. Killed Bayeux, France George Lindsay, High Street, Overton. Aged 43. Flight lieutenant. RAF Voluntary Reserve Died 29 6.1944. No known grave. John Winston Pearson, Maesgwylod. LAC. RAF Died of Pneumonia. Hugh William Jardine Ethelston Peel, Bryn y Pys, Overton. Aged 25. Lieut. Armed Reconnaissance Battalion.Welsh Guards Died 17.2.1945. Killed Netherlands. Awarded Croix de Guerre. |
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"What a difference a day makes" are the words to a song. But they apply equally well to the recent transformation of the Avenue. As one local resident remarked, "What a joy it is to have the Avenue restored to its spacious beauty again through having its "haircut". It is understood that the Community Council has suffered a series of setbacks in making progress with the scheme, and has now severed all ties with the former habitat consultant who was originally appointed to oversee the project. As a result, the Community Council has been in discussion with Wright Landscapes from Lightwood Green who carried out the latest cut, regarding the preparation of a management programme and a revised scheme for the establishment of the Meadow. The Chairman of the Community Council, David Burton said:- "The set-backs have been unfortunate but we are committed to providing a worthwhile amenity. I am confident that we can now move ahead with the scheme." |
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The Community Council is now making arrangements for the pruning of the holly trees at the entrance gates to the Avenue in Wrexham Road. This follows the grant of permission by the Wrexham County Borough Council Council, who dealt with the application last July. A spokesperson for Flintshire Woodlands, who has been commissioned to carry out the work said: "One of the trees will be easy to prune to a conical shape, but because the other larger tree is of a different species, it will not be possible to reduce it to the same height, nor shape it in the same way. Its only really practicable to reduce it to the height of the adjacent lamppost and remove the lower branches to shoulder height." It is also proposed to remove the two self-seeded ash saplings growing adjacent to the pavement. |
Our Library by Paula Bottomley A visit to this library is always such a pleasure, do you know our library Lady? Well - she really is a treasure. She orders all those obscure books and no complaint she makes, but regretfully refuses my request for hot teacakes. She even surfs the Internet for Luddites such as me, but shakes her head in sorrow at requests for cups of tea. Most helpful, happy, kindly, and never in a rush, she's now logged onto AMAZON in search of Burning Bush. This group plays Jewish music guaranteed to make you dance, but of tea and toasted teacakes, alas - there's not a chance. |
