April brings with it the freshness of Easter…a time for renewal, longer days and new beginnings. Did you know, Easter never falls on a fixed date but always on a Sunday? It’s set by the first full moon after the spring equinox, linking the celebration to both the seasons and the rhythms of nature.
It’s now the perfect time to clear space, both in our homes and offices, ready for the new season. Local business Zen Space are helping residents across Oswestry do just that, transforming clutter into calm spaces.
Happy Easter and Happy Spring!
Victoria Jane McKenna EDITOR
Delivered to 7,000 homes in and around Oswestry every month
Joint Managing Directors David Lee-Birch david@oswestrylife.co.uk
Tracy Leonard tracy@oswestrylife.co.uk
Editor Victoria McKenna victoria@oswestrylife.co.uk
Production Designer Aileen Selkirk aileen@oswestrylife.co.uk
Regular contributors Graham Mitchell, Dr Paul Middleton, Lindsey Pierce, Stephanie Dhillon, Claire Arnold, Jenna Ward, Michael Hudson, Bex Syrett
Accounts and Distribution info@oswestrylife.co.uk
Advertising info@oswestrylife.co.uk
Oswestry CC’s Women & Girls’ Cricket Team Awarded 2026 Softball
Festival by Cricket Shropshire
Oswestry Cricket Club’s Women & Girls’ (WaGs) section, who dominated Shropshire’s recreational women’s cricket scene last summer by winning both the County Hardball and County Softball Leagues and also received Cricket Shropshire’s Women’s Team of the Year Award, is delighted to announce it has been awarded a Women & Girls’ Softball Festival in 2026 by Cricket Shropshire.
The festival will take place at Oswestry CC’s Stonehouse Oval ground at Morda Road, Oswestry, on Sunday 5 July between 9am –1pm and is open to all Women & Girls’ teams in the county. Entries will be on a first come, first served basis.
The round robin format will include two pitches for six x adult women’s teams and one pitch for U11s sides. The award of a festival is testament to the Club’s pro-active promotion of inclusive participation in female cricket. The announcement comes as the Oswestry WaGs revealed they now boast a recordbreaking ten mother/daughter
playing pairs amongst their 32-strong squad aged 11-67 years.
Oswestry WaGs Team Manager, Jools Payne said, “Women’s cricket will have an incredible profile this summer with England hosting the ICC’s Women’s T20 World Cup between June – July. We’ll be tapping into that in a big way in hosting our Festival of Cricket, Culture and Community, with the softball festival taking place in the morning, followed by a celebration lunch of international dishes and big screen viewing of the WWC T20 final at Lords in the afternoon.
“It will be a fun-filled, all-day event featuring pitch-side activities for all the family. We know places will fill up fast, so I’d urge interested teams to get in quick. To register interest
in your team’s participation please email in the first instance jools@ thejoolspaynepartnership.com.”
Oswestry CC WaGs are sponsored by Welshpool Printing Group, Oswestry Approved Care & Support, Turner Group and The Jools Payne Partnership. Welshpool Printing Group (WPG) is sponsoring the Festival’s Player of the Tournament Awards for both the adult and U11 girls’ players. Other Festival sponsorships are set to be announced by the Club next month.
Pictured: Oswestry Women & Girls’ award-winning team
Back row (l-r): Kamila Herbert, Hollie Dixon, Naomi Payne, Lisa Bladen, Jo Phillips, Helen Davenport, Jools Payne, Sarah Wilkinson, Linsey Arran
Front row (l-r): Charlotte Arran, Lucy Jermaine-Jones, Mia Davenport, Verity Pardoe, Kaycee Herbert
Rotary Club of Oswestry & Cambrian Making a Difference
At their recent meeting, members of The Rotary Club of Oswestry and Cambrian had a chance to reflect on the success of several of their projects.
The 2025/26 annual competition for grants from the Club’s Mary hignett Bequest Fund had resulted in some excellent applications and grants totalling £14,750 have been awarded to the following local organisations in support of their activities in the fields of sport and the arts: Music MOB (£3000), Borderland Theatre (£800) Chloe Elizabeth Dance Company (£2250), Connect for Life (£1800), Lingen Davies
Dance Project (£1100), New Saints FC Foundation (£1500), 4 All Foundation (£1000), Design and Shine (£2500) and Oswestry Community Games (£800).
The club was very busy in the pre-Christmas period helping Santa with many visits, promoting the Tree of Light, with invaluable support from local solicitors, Lanyon Bowdler. As a result, the club was able to make grants of £1000 each to: hope house, Teens with Tots, Shropshire Young Carers, Calon Riding for the Disabled and the Marches School Choir (who sang at the Tree of Light switch-on event).
Earlier in the year, the Club’s partnership with Ellesmere Rotary Club at The Ellesmere Regatta enabled it to award £1695 to North Shropshire Special Olympics.
National Award for Oswestry Station
Cambrian Heritage Railways (CHR) are happy to announce that Oswestry Station has won ‘Station of the Year 2026’ at the Heritage Railway Association’s (HRA) annual awards which were held at Llandudno on Saturday 7 March 2026.
Rob Williams, Chairman of CHR explained, “The station recently benefited from a £900,000 external restoration by Shropshire Council. CHR has however, over the last 2 years invested considerable amount of time and effort improving the internal offering. We’ve redesigned our shop area, recommissioned our café and created a function room.”
CHR’s Head of Operations & Retail, Phil Bradley followed up with, “Our services start on Good Friday
3 April 2026 with our full calendar and timetables now available on our website.
“We also look forward to our events this year which include the Beer Festival, Model Railway Show and our very popular Santa Trains. Our function room has been used for railway talks, local tourism groups and even birthday parties. If you’d like to join us, we are always looking for people to add to our passionate team.”
For more information on CHR and the operating calendar, visit www.cambrianrailways.com
Gumdrop bins arrive in Oswestry
Oswestry has a colourful new weapon in the fight against litterbright pink chewing gum bins that turn a sticky nuisance into recycled products, helping to keep the town clean and tidy. The ‘Gumdrops’ are being trialled for two years outside Costa and Home Bargains, following a proposal by Cllr Fiona Wilson to the Town Council last October.
The Mayor of Oswestry cllr Rosie Radford and representatives from The Marches School attended the launch on Tuesday 10 March.
Once the bins are full, the gum will be collected and recycled to produce new bins and other useful items, giving discarded gum a second life rather than a permanent home on the pavement.
With Keep Britain Tidy research revealing that chewing gum is the second most common form of litter in the UK staining 77% of England’s streets, councillors welcomed this new initiative as a practical and positive step forward.
Time Invaders
Support your local independent businesses
Oswestry’s Comic Shop a treasure trove of comics, annuals, collectables, Retro Arcade entertainment & Gaming rooms. Dog friendly & all at 23 Cross Street. Tel 07946550916 www.timeinvaders.co.uk
Spend local ★Eat local ★Spend local ★Enjoy local
Amber’s Cleaning Services
Domestic and Commercial Professional Cleaning Services with competitive rates. One off deep cleans/End of Tenancy cleans. Daily/Weekly/ Fortnightly clean. Offices and building sites Tel: 07955 022129
The Claypit
Oswestry’s COMMUNITY space for you to meet and make with clay. Discover weekly classes, weekend experiences, family sessions and pop-up events. Membership also available. Book: www.claypit.co.uk email: rachel@claypit.co.uk
Clean & Gleam
Give your oven a little TLC with Clean & Gleam! Professional oven cleaning services covering Oswestry & surrounding areas. 07866 472083 / 07791 655559 www.facebook.com/cleanandgleamovens
Covent Garden Fruit Market
Quality fresh fruit & veg daily - Locally made bread, cakes, honey and free range eggs plus home made preserves. Open 6 days a week, from 7.30am - 5pm English Walls, Oswestry 01691 659516 coventgarden1964@outlook.com
Dogz Dinnerz
Foods and supplies for all your pets at the best prices. Oswestry Indoor Market Hall, Oswestry Tel: 07368 104980 Email:dogzdinnerz@yahoo.com
Herd Milk
Taste the difference! Delicious, whole milk and yoghurt, fresh from our grassfed cows.Try a milkshake or grab a coffee and a cookie.
Stockists of Belton Cheese (made with our milk). Whittington Rd, SY11 4NB victoria@herdmilk.co.uk
J&I Carpets
Over 30 rolls of carpet in stock! Many roll ends half price! Vinyls, LVT, Blinds and Curtains. A family business est. 1982. Victoria Road, Oswestry www.jandicarpets.co.uk 01691 656843
Micky Finn Quality Fish
Highest Quality Fresh from Fleetwood EVERY morning! If you have not enjoyed your fish we will refund. Powis Market Hall Oswestry Wednesday and Saturday 7.30-12 Ian: 07966 201696 Erin 07742 248269
Nu U Beauty
Delay the signs of ageing. Specialist in CACI non-surgical face lift, Microdermabrasion & Collagen Lift. Over 20yrs beauty experience. Facials are my passion. www.nuubeauty.com Tel : 07506 078265
Obertelli Play Therapy
Delivering therapy to children and young people. Supervision and therapeutic consultation available. Please contact for a free initial enquiry on 07974 506910 or Ginaobertelli@aol.com
Celebrating 10 happy years designing and baking bespoke celebration cakes and cupcakes for your special occasion. Always unique, always yum! Contact us at pipposbakery@gmail.com or via Facebook.com/pipposbakery
Rahanni Reflex Healing Therapies
Take time out from everyday pressures with a reflexology treatment - a wonderfully relaxing experience! Based in Park Hall, Whittington. 07376 038253 kerry@rahannireflex.com www.rahannireflex.com
Siop Cwlwm
“Y Gorau o’r Gororau”
Welsh Shop situated at 33 Bailey Street and online. Welsh books, cards, music, homeware & gifts Probably the only Welsh shop outside Wales! www.siopcwlwm.co.uk Tel: 01691 680401
Simla Tandoori Restaurant
Proudly serving the best Indian cuisine since 1976 to the local community 42, Beatrice St, Oswestry. 01691 659880 www.simla-oswestry.co.uk
Oswestry Hoover Hub
Sales, servicing & repairs of vacuum cleaners. New & nearly new vacuums and carpet cleaners from £40. Stocking Shark, Henry, Vax, Gtech, Bissell & more. Full vacuum service just £15 (parts extra). Cross Street, Oswestry 07920 055246
Sun City
Stand-ups, Lie-downs and Infrared Sunbeds. Open 7 days a week
A member of The Sunbed Association. Telephone 01691 661115 www.suncity-oswestry.co.uk
Vicious Pink Tattoo Studio
Fully licensed. Check out work from Ruth, Gary and Karen on Facebook and Instagram. www.viciouspink.co.uk Tel: 01691 570427 Suite C, 9A Willow Street, Oswestry. SY11 1AF
Over £190,000 raised by Borderland Mountain Bike Challenge
The Borderland Mountain Bike Challenge will be held on Saturday 9 May at 10.00am at the usual location of Rhiwlas Village Hall, SY10 7JH.
It’s been a popular meeting point and fundraiser for the biking community over the generations and has raised in excess of £190,000 over the more than thirty years it has existed and although the bikes have changed dramatically – they were nowhere near as sophisticated, way back when, and of course, no E-bikes – but the motivation, community, the fun and the challenge remain as fresh as ever. It’s a great event that takes intrepid cyclists twenty-two miles through the beautiful, but hilly, foothills of the Berwyn Mountains. Borderland Rotary Club, who started the event in 1993 have supported Air Ambulance and many other local charities over the years and it looks like this will continue long into the future.
Jonathan Jones, who has organised the event for around thirty years, takes up the story, “In 1993, when I was still a young man, the recently formed Borderland Rotary Club thought it would be a good idea to have a fundraising fun-ride, and it fell upon my good self to organise the event. As it took shape, Brian Gray, a founder member of the club suggested that his company, DairiPak should sponsor the event and pay all costs so that all the money raised would go to good causes and charities. Well, although we sadly lost Brian in around 2010, the model remains much the same today as Brian’s son, Tim Gray has continued
to support the event and still takes part in the challenge. Although Borderland Rotary still organise and marshal the event, we are looking for people to get involved and help –there’s always something to do so, if you’re interested, get in touch.”
The Borderland has more recently welcomed another sponsor in Mule Cycles of Oswestry and the owner, James Davies brings the event well and truly up to date as he has direct experience, both as a proprietor of a bike sales and service company and as a keen cyclist. James said, “I’ve been riding in the Borderland for what seems like forever, and it just felt natural to become a sponsor some years ago. I just love this ride as it’s over virgin land and is suitable for most mountain bikers whether they’re on a standard mountain bike, a gravel bike or, as is quite common these days, on a mountain E-bike. The uphills are quite steep, but the downhills are not very technical and although 22 miles doesn’t sound much, you know you’ve done it at the end. The great thing is the comradery and the beautiful views with a wonderful new vista at every turn. Just stop putting it off and register today, you won’t regret it!”
To enter, go to www.borderlandmtb-challenge.org and try to get some sponsorship as it’ll help keep Air Ambulances flying.
Local home organising and decluttering business Zen Space is celebrating its first birthday this spring, marking a successful first year of helping families and businesses create calm, functional spaces that make everyday life easier.
Based in Oswestry, Zen Space offers a hands-on decluttering and organising service often compared to Stacey Solomon’s BBC programme Sort Your Life Out — just without the camera crew. The business was founded by local mums Lauren Williams and Chloe Breeze, who share a passion for organisation, simple living and beautifully calm homes.
Both founders have children under five and understand first-hand the realities of managing busy family households. The idea for Zen Space grew from their shared belief that an organised environment can have a powerful impact on everyday life, helping people feel calmer, more productive and in control of their space.
“Our aim has always been simple,” said Lauren Williams, owner and co-founder of Zen Space. “We want
to help people create homes that feel calm, functional and enjoyable to live in. When everything has its place, daily routines become easier and people can spend less time searching for things and more time enjoying their home.”
Since launching in March 2025, Zen Space has worked with households and businesses across the local area, transforming kitchens, playrooms, nurseries, bedrooms, wardrobes, staff rooms and offices through practical decluttering and organising systems designed to be easy to maintain. The team also supports homeowners preparing to move, offering packing assistance, home staging and decluttering before properties go on the market.
A typical Zen Space session lasts between two and six hours and involves one or two supportive, non-judgemental organisers working alongside clients to declutter, sort and reorganise a space. Practical storage solutions and clearly labelled systems are created to help maintain order long after the session ends, while unwanted items are responsibly donated or disposed of by the team.
Research highlights the growing importance of organised living spaces. Studies suggest people
in disorganised homes spend an average of 55 minutes a day searching for lost items, while cluttered environments can reduce productivity by up to 40 percent. Children living in cluttered homes are also significantly more likely to feel stressed and overwhelmed.
The Zen Space team also includes Emma Hinton, a home organiser who works alongside the founders to support clients across the region. Together the team brings experience from education, finance and home interiors, combined with real-life understanding of the challenges faced by busy households.
Clients say the results can be transformative
One client described the experience as “absolutely transformative”.
“In two hours, Lauren supported us to achieve what we had been trying to do for almost two years. We are inspired.”
Another customer praised the team after a kitchen transformation. “I can’t thank Lauren and Chloe enough. After struggling for years to keep on top of the clutter and make the space work, in just one day the kitchen was completely transformed.”
Another review highlighted the care taken by the team. “Lauren truly went above and beyond. She didn’t just help organise everything, she labelled it so it’s easy to keep tidy and manageable. She also sorted donations and removed rubbish so nothing was left to overwhelm me afterwards. I really feel like I’ve reclaimed my space.”
For more information about Zen Space or to book a session, contact Lauren Williams on 07792 982642 or email zenspaceorganising@gmail.com.
You can also find Zen Space on Instagram (@zenspacesx) and Facebook (Zen Space) or visit zenspaceorganising.com.
Focus on Old Oswestry
Dodge those April showers and get the walking boots on and enjoy the beauty of Old Oswestry in spring. through the lens of Graham Mitchell
Thursdays at 5.30pm and 7pm Fridays at 9am and 10.30am Saturdays at 7.30am, 9am and 10.30am
For more information call CLAIRE on 07882 174539
THE POWER TROUSER
Wide leg trousers are a big part of spring fashion. In all fabrics and different cuts, they look fab with a cropped jacket. If you really don’t like them, there are skirts to match the trend with equal style. Denim is huge too and we are loving the embroidery/ denim combo’s. These are our best picks…
Ecru Crochet Zip Up Bomber Jacket £68, www.oliverbonas.com
MAYOR’S MINUTES
Mayor Cllr Rosie Radford
I am writing this on St David’s Day, a fitting moment to reflect on Oswestry as a proud border town shaped by shared heritage and strong community spirit. It feels especially appropriate to celebrate renewal and the people who make our town such a special place.
January and February often bring a sense of fresh beginnings – a chance to pause, reset and look ahead with new energy. Across our town, that feeling of rejuvenation is already taking shape in many positive ways. I have been heartened to see the first snowdrops and daffodils peeping out from the winter ground, gentle reminders of hope and new life.
I have continued to meet local groups, volunteers and organisations who begin this new year not by slowing down, but by bringing forward new ideas, fresh thinking and a determination to build on what
already makes our community strong. I was also delighted to be invited to the BID Board, where conversations focused on the future of Oswestry and the strength that comes from working together.
As part of my mayoral celebrations, we hosted a service at St Oswald’s to thank those who help others in our community. We heard from Oswestry Food Bank, Oswestry Community Action, Soma Space and Connect for Life about why volunteers matter, the challenges they face and the benefits they bring to our town each day.
I was also delighted to take part in the Love Oswestry Lantern Parade – a festival of creativity filled with singing, making and lanterns crafted by families to light the way. It was joyful to see the town glow with imagination and togetherness. That same spirit can be seen in the renewed focus on Llwyd Mansion. Care and vision are helping breathe new life into this building for future generations.
I am thrilled that Oswestry Town Council has been awarded the Star Council Award by the National Association of Local Councils, recognising the dedication of councillors and staff. The months ahead give me one last chance as mayor to celebrate all who make Oswestry remarkable.
How to stay safe around pets
Bites and scratches from pets are common. Most incidents involve dogs and, to a lesser extent, cats, though hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits and even lizards can also inflict injuries. Children are particularly vulnerable, but adults need to exercise caution too.
How should you behave around animals?
• Research the behaviour of your pet so you know how best to approach them and the warning signs that suggest they might lash out.
• Give animals space and the choice as to whether they interact with you. This means, for example, not picking up cats as they hate feeling restricted, or handling rabbits, which tend to be shy. In general, no animal likes to be trapped or surprised.
• Don’t shout at or punish your pet, as this will make them feel more threatened and nervous.
Whether you are already a seasoned raw feeder or interested in switching your animals to a raw diet then we have everything you need and much more. As well as our large range of top quality raw minces, chunks and bones we also supply air dried chews and natural treats as well as herbal supplements to complement a natural diet.
SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF RAW FEEDING:
■ Less Sensitivities ■ Great for allergy sufferers
■ Smaller less odorous poop ■ Clean teeth & breath
■ Shiny healthy coat
DELIVERYSERVICE AVAILABLE
What precautions should you take with dogs?
• Never leave a young child alone in a room with a dog.
• Teach your child not to approach a dog that is eating, playing with a toy or something else they love, sleeping, tired or unwell.
• Make sure youngsters are gentle when touching and playing with dogs, and don’t allow them to climb on them or treat them roughly.
• Don’t let children approach dogs they don’t know.
• Have a quiet place where your canine companion can retreat away from children.
• Recognise subtle red flags of unease in dogs, such as yawning, lip-licking, turning their head away, crouching or tucking their tail under and rolling over on their back.
Heart at Home Mobile Vets provides professional, stress-free veterinary care for all your pets, from the comfort of their own home
With over 20 years’ experience in companion and exotic pets, we care for your pets where they’re happiest — at home Call: 07942 146677 hello@heartathomevets.com www.heartathomevets.com
Autism
Behaviours
Exceptional Facilities at North Shropshire College
Located in the heart of Oswestry, North Shropshire College offers a range of brandnew, industry-standard facilities designed to give learners practical experience in professional environments. These modern spaces support students across a variety of courses, helping them develop skills, confidence, and career-ready knowledge.
Gym QB
Gym QB is a state-of-the-art fitness space equipped with the latest equipment for strength, cardio, and functional training. The facility is primarily used by students studying Sport and Uniformed Protective Services, giving them the opportunity to develop their physical performance while learning about fitness, training techniques, and wellbeing in a professional environment.
The gym is also used for student enrichment activities, encouraging learners to stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle alongside their studies.
Salon QB
Salon QB is a contemporary training salon fitted with professional hair and beauty equipment. Students studying Hair and Beauty courses gain hands-on experience delivering treatments in a realistic salon environment.
Working with professional tools allows learners to develop technical ability, customer service skills, and confidence, helping to prepare them for careers within the hair and beauty industry.
Business Suite QB
Business Suite QB is a modern professional workspace designed to mirror a real corporate environment. Students studying Business courses use this space to develop practical skills in enterprise, administration, finance, and communication.
Learning in a professional-style environment helps students understand how businesses operate while building confidence in teamwork and organisation.
Bistro QB
Bistro QB is a stylish training restaurant run by our Professional Cookery learners. Featuring brand-new kitchen equipment and modern dining facilities, the bistro allows students to prepare and serve high-quality dishes while gaining valuable real-world hospitality experience.
Refectory
The college Refectory is a welcoming social space where students can relax and connect between lessons. It proudly serves Costa Coffee, offering a range of drinks, snacks, and refreshments throughout the day.
Together, these brand-new facilities at North Shropshire College create an inspiring environment where students can gain practical experience and develop the skills needed for their future careers.
North Shropshire College is committed to providing learners with an environment that reflects the standards of modern industry. These new facilities ensure students not only gain valuable qualifications, but also the practical experience and confidence needed to succeed in their chosen careers. By studying in the centre of Oswestry with access to professional spaces and equipment, learners are fully supported to develop their skills, explore their ambitions, and take the next step towards a successful future.
Apply today and be that one step closer to studying at university or stepping into employment hlnsc.ac.uk
Gym QB
A state-of-the-art fitness space featuring brandnew equipment, designed to support strength, cardio and functional training. Gym QB offers a modern, motivating environment where learners develop skills in health, fitness and wellbeing using industry-standard facilities.
Refectory
A vibrant dining space featuring a Costa Coffee outlet serving drinks, hot food and sandwiches. With brand-new facilities and a welcoming atmosphere, the Refectory is the perfect place for students, staff and visitors to relax, refuel and socialise.
Salon QB
A contemporary training salon fitted with the latest professional equipment. Salon QB provides hands-on experience in a realistic industry environment, delivering high-quality hair and beauty treatments while building confidence and career-ready skills.
Business Suite QB
A modern professional workspace, Business Suite QB mirrors a real corporate environment, enabling learners to develop enterprise, finance and administrative skills within a polished, industry-standard setting.
Bistro QB
A stylish restaurant operated by our professionally trained cookery learners. Featuring brand-new kitchen equipment and dining facilities, Bistro QB offers freshly prepared, highquality dishes while giving students invaluable real-world hospitality experience.
Discovering the Spirit of Ellesmere: A Morning that Opens More than Doors
There are moments in a family’s educational journey that feel particularly significant—crossroads where possibility becomes something you can sense, hear, and see unfolding in front of you. Ellesmere College’s Lower School Open Morning, taking place on Saturday 25th April 2026, offers precisely one of those moments. Running from 10:00am to 12:00pm on the vibrant Lower School campus, the event promises far more than a tour. It offers a window into the rhythms, relationships, and real learning that define life at Ellesmere.
Where First Impressions Become Lasting Understandings
The Open Morning invites families to step directly into the spaces where curiosity is nurtured every day. As visitors move through the classrooms, they witness how teachers bring learning to life— intentionally, creatively, and with a warmth that encourages pupils to explore ideas with confidence. These are not staged experiences; they reflect the authentic atmosphere that students enjoy throughout the year.
For those considering the next step in their child’s educational path, seeing the Lower School in action is invaluable. It reveals the meaningful balance Ellesmere strikes between academic development and personal growth, a philosophy that extends through the whole College and is rooted in its longstanding ethos of helping every child become truly Life Ready.
Meeting the People Who Make the Difference
One of the most compelling elements of any school visit is meeting the individuals who animate it—teachers and pupils. At the Open Morning, families can speak directly with staff who know each child as a learner and as a person, answering questions with insight drawn from daily experience.
Just as valuable are the conversations with current pupils. Their enthusiasm for school life, whether they speak about academic challenges, friendships, or favourite activities, often reveals a culture more powerfully than any brochure ever could. Ellesmere’s nurturing, family oriented environment is consistently highlighted by students across the College, who benefit from modern facilities, specialist teaching, and a strong sense of belonging.
The Creative and Sporting Heartbeat of the School
Ellesmere is a place where talents are not only recognised but celebrated—and the Open Morning showcases that energy beautifully. Visitors can enjoy classroom activities offering a glimpse of the artistic passion that thrives here.
Not far away, the sports fields come alive with matches involving the school’s young athletes. These moments highlight not just skills and achievements but the teamwork, discipline, and joy that sport brings to school life. Ellesmere’s wider reputation for excellence in sport, music, drama, and art is well established, with the College maintaining a strong record of supporting pupils to pursue their aspirations across all spheres.
A Welcoming Community Rooted in Place
Set within 150 acres of Shropshire countryside, Ellesmere offers a learning environment that is both inspiring and grounded, providing children with the space—literally and figuratively—to grow. The Lower School embodies that same spirit of openness: an environment where young learners feel known, supported, and encouraged to take their first steps toward independence.
During the Open Morning, families can experience the ease and friendliness that characterise the
Ellesmere community. Staff are on hand not only to talk about curriculum and classroom life but also to help parents understand the broader journey through the College, including cocurricular opportunities, support structures, and the values that guide every phase of education here.
Why an Open Morning Matters
Choosing the right school becomes easier when you can see, hear, and feel what everyday life might look like for your child. For many families, events like this become a turning point: where a school moves from an option on a list to a place that feels like a natural fit.
The Lower School Open Morning offers precisely this clarity. It allows parents to see Ellesmere’s strengths—its warm community, its balance of academic ambition and personal development, its commitment to developing confident, capable young people—revealed through genuine, lived experiences rather than marketing slogans.
An Invitation to Explore Possibility
Whether your child is drawn to the arts, ignited by sport, inspired by classroom discovery, or simply ready for the next stage of their learning, Ellesmere provides an environment designed to help them thrive. Families attending the Open Morning are warmly invited to witness this for themselves and to discover why so many children flourish here—often in ways that surprise even their parents.
To join the event, families can easily register via the Lower School Open Morning page on the school website. Ellesmere looks forward to welcoming visitors and sharing not just a snapshot of school life, but a genuine sense of the journey that could lie ahead.
If you’re after something small in scale but big in heart, Scrapper is a reminder of how inventive British independent cinema can be. Funny, scruffy and tender, it’s one of the freshest home-grown debut films of recent years.
Lola Campbell is terrific as Georgie, a sharp-witted twelve-yearold secretly living alone in her East London flat after her mother’s death. Resourceful and defiant, she keeps social services at bay while stealing bikes with her best friend. Her fragile independence is shaken by the arrival of her estranged father, Jason (rising star Harris Dickinson), who seems barely more mature than she is.
What follows is a funny, awkward battle of wills as Jason attempts to parent a daughter who isn’t sure she needs him. Director Charlotte Regan blends social realism with playful flourishes, giving this award winning film warmth without sentimentality.
At under 90 minutes, Scrapper is slight but distinctive, it›s a bright, bittersweet story about grief, growing up and learning to let someone in.
by Michael Hudson
Oswestry Cinema News
Black Beauty
by Michael Morpurgo
Whether you agree with a re-write or not, this is still the classic tale aimed at young teens and horse lovers.
A retelling of Black Beauty, this introduces a timeless classic to a new generation of young readers. Michael Morpurgo’s gentle, heartfelt storytelling brings Black Beauty’s journey vividly to life, capturing both the kindness and cruelty he encounters along the way. The story’s powerful themes of compassion, empathy, and respect for animals remain just as important today, encouraging readers to think about how we treat others.
Enhanced by stunning full-colour illustrations, the hardback edition feels quite special and makes a wonderful gift. Morpurgo’s warmth and sensitivity shine through, making the story both engaging and emotional without being overwhelming. Perfect for young teenagers, this unforgettable tale is not only a compelling read but also an important reminder of the value of kindness, ensuring it will be read many times over.
Available from all good book shops.
POETRY
Woodland in Spring
By Jan Hedger
Bluebells bow their heads, like souls in prayer, contemplative in the serenity of worship. On the smooth bark of Magnolia, red candles flame in afternoon sunlight, as wood anemone creeps unchecked across the unmade bed.
The magic of the cinema - It’s all too easy to stream films at home these days.
But you can’t beat sharing the experience with others, making the cinema part of a social occasion, and not being able to press ‘pause’ to go and make a cup of tea!
And this was a lovely accolade: a former cinema manager within a well-known UK chain came to a recent Oswestry Film Society screening at the town’s lovely 70-seat Maona cinema and said he’d never received such a warm and personal welcome when going to see a film.
It’s important to support local, independent cinemas because it’s these venues that will deliver you the kinds of movie-watching memories you’ll never get anywhere else - from the latest big-name showings, to really interesting independent films that may surprise you, to classics that you might’ve seen on DVD but the scope in a cinema allows you to experience it in a way you’ve not done before.
Oswestry’s Maona cinema delivers that. Use it, help it flourish - and spread the word. Check the schedules: www.maonacinema.com
WHITTINGTON MUSIC FESTIVAL
A classical music festival held annually in a rural North Shropshire village attracts visitors from across the UK and boasts a programme performed by a team of internationally acclaimed artists.
Whittington Music Festival was established in 2013 as a chamber music festival held in St John the Baptist Church in Whittington. The church’s wonderful acoustic makes it a perfect venue for concerts, and the warm welcome shown by the community means musicians are keen to return year after year. In recent years Artistic Director Sophia Rahman has diversified the repertoire to include jazz and song, broadening the festival’s appeal to new audiences.
Once again, the festival musicians will include violinist Braimah Kanneh-Mason, who has recently been named one of Classic FM’s Rising Stars of 2026, a list highlighting 30 of the most inspiring classical musicians under the age of 30.
For 2026 the festival theme is “Natural Wonders”, with concerts including a twist on Bach’s famous Goldberg Variations, Schubert’s iconic Trout Quintet, and works by Beethoven, Bizet, Brahms, Fauré, Finzi, Gershwin and Mozart. The programme will also feature the world premiere of “Break Out”, a specially commissioned work by Katherine Hunka. Alongside the concerts, Whittington Music Festival runs
an outreach programme in which visiting musicians lead workshops for local primary school children and students at Derwen College in Gobowen.Talented young musicians will take part in masterclasses on the Saturday morning, and also perform in a very special Family Concert at 2pm on Saturday afternoon. This year the Festival is delighted to welcome two members of the famously musical Kanneh-Mason family, with mum Kadiatu as narrator and regular Whittington favourite Braimah playing violin in a programme inspired by the animal kingdom. Come and hear the story of Ferdinand the Bull, and listen to a lovely cello piece all about Whittington’s swans! TIckets for all concerts are free to under 18’s. After the concert, Dr Kanneh-Mason will be signing copies of her books, which will be available for purchase thanks to the festival’s partnership with Booka Bookshop.
Returning by popular demand are Trio Archai on Saturday and the Far Flung Trio, bringing their unique energy to the Sunday afternoon concert. The line-up also includes the Whittington String Quartet, and clarinettist Mebrakh Haughton-Johnson. Familiar to Shropshire audiences are cellist Daniel Brandon, mezzo-soprano Samantha Lewis and soprano Kizzy Lumley-Edwards. The full programme can be found at whittingtonmusicfestival.org.uk
Oswestry Community Games
Sunday 7 June
2026, 11am-4pm, Cae Glas Park
Our thirteenth Oswestry Community Games organisation is already well underway. We are delighted that Nick Beighton Team GB Paralympian in rowing and bronze medallist in paracanoe during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, will be our Guest of Honour.
A former Royal Engineer in the British Army, Nick was injured in 2009 resulting in the loss of both his legs. Nick said that he is, “super excited to be a part of the Oswestry Community Games and I can’t wait to see everything that the day has to offer. Keeping active and reconnecting with sport was the perfect way for me to get my confidence back and I would encourage anyone to come along
and try a new activity during this event, whether just for the day or to find a new long-term hobby.”
Nick’s chosen charity is “Climbing Out” which provides support to adults following life-changing injury, illness or trauma. https://climbingout. org.uk/
Our grateful thanks go to Oswestry BID, Oswestry Town Council, Perspective Finance Group, DRE Accountants and Bunning Gas for their financial and other support. Without our partners / sponsors, our beloved Oswestry Community Games could not happen. Oswestry Life will continue as our media partner. We look forward to working in partnership with all our supporting
organisations to help make our day in the park fun, inclusive and safe.
James Manford – Event and Community Lead said, “We are delighted that Oswestry Town Council has again given us free use of Cae Glas Park and we are now embarked on putting this year’s Games together. Oswestry BID support us with sponsorship and their marketing expertise to increase our footfall. Clubs and organisations who took part in 2025 have again been invited to take part and we are delighted that the acceptance list is growing. If your club or organisation would like to take part this year please get in touch with James on oswestrycommunitygames@gmail.com
Mr C Karaoke every Friday 8pm till late raises the roof, come along, sing your song, and enjoy the free shots!
The Steve Daniels Disco every Sunday evening from 8pm till late. Well worth coming along to see and hear this gi ed DJ, a winner of the converted Carlsberg DJ Awards.
Open MIC Ist and 3rd Wednesday of month 8pm. pm. If bands would like to play at the Holly or Ebenezer, come and show us your stu .
Acoustic Night the odd 5th Wednesday evening of month.
Jazz & Blues on the 2nd Wednesday evening, 8pm.
SATURDAY 11 APRIL 8:30 PM FREEFALLING
SATURDAY 18 APRIL 8:30 PM CARL DAMINIO
SATURDAY 25 APRIL 8:30 PM ABSTRACT
SATURDAY 25 APRIL 10:30PM ANDY PEARSON MID NIGHT HOUR
In the Ebenezer:
SUNDAY 26 APRIL 12:00PM NORTHERN SOUL TRAIN
Food & Drink
Salmon and herb traybake
Light, vibrant and bursting with flavour, this fantastic midweek one-pot meal can be on the table within 30 minutes.
Serves 2
Preparation time 15 minutes
Cooking time 15 minutes
INGRED I ENTS
• 50g butter, at room temperature
• 15g fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 250g asparagus, woody ends trimmed
• 2 salmon fillets
• A handful of fresh radishes, trimmed and halved
• 1 slice of lemon, cut in half
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 courgette
• 100g fresh peas
• 2 tbsp Opies Capers, drained
• A few sprigs each of fresh dill and mint
Opies Capers (120g) are available from most major supermarkets. For more recipe inspiration using the Opies range of products or to buy online, visit www.bennettopie.com.
METHOD
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C, fan 180°C, gas mark 6. Using a fork, mash the butter until soft, then add the parsley and season well. Roll the herby butter in greaseproof paper to create a small sausage shape and freeze for 15 minutes. (Alternatively, prepare ahead of time and keep in the fridge until solid.)
2. Place the asparagus into a large roasting tray and top with the salmon fillets before scattering the radish around the sides. Top each fillet with a lemon slice.
3. Remove the herb butter from the freezer and cut into four rounds, then divide between the salmon. Season well, cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
4. Using a peeler, slice the courgette into thin ribbons.
5. After 10 minutes in the oven, remove the tin and baste the salmon with the melted butter, then add the courgette ribbons and peas to the tin and return to the oven for a further 5 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and scatter over the capers, fresh dill and mint and serve immediately.
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We want to help you create the most memorable event, from the tiny details to the extravagant gestures. Oswestry Cricket Club can help you with your layout, decorations, music choices all the way up to your food options - be that a delicious menu or making way for your favourite caterer. Whatever your budget, we can help.
FULLY LICENSED BAR
Our large, fully licensed bar is stocked with a wide range of drinks to suit everyone, including a great range of so drinks. If cocktails are your thing, we can work with you to create a great drinks list tailor-made for your event!
Please Contact Louise on 07359 113831
Food for Thought
by Bex Syrett
Hello and welcome to the first OsNosh column talking about food waste, how to prevent it and in doing so, saving money and helping to look after planet earth.
Today I am talking about bananas, one of the most popular fruits eaten in the UK with an average of 5 billion eaten every year, roughly 100 per person. That’s a lot of bananas.
Bananas are convenient to eat, ready packaged for us, providing plenty of energy, potassium which helps to keep our nerves, muscles and heart to work and B6.
Although we love bananas, we also generally like to eat them when they are yellow and bin them when they start to go black. This means we waste a lot of bananas, an amount equivalent to 280 thousand elephants!
So, what can we do to save the banana from the bin? It’s simple - freeze them – bananas freeze really well. This means you can either defrost them later to use in a recipe or use them from frozen – in your morning smoothie or blitz them frozen as ice-cream. Bananas will keep well in the freezer. Don’t worry about the appearance once defrosted, the skin will be black but the banana will be super sweet!
When you buy bananas, purchase ones that are underripe – still green, that way they will keep for longer after you have bought them. Also consider buying loose bananas, that way you can buy fewer at a time.
Bananas going brown? Add them to a fruit crumble or bake them with some honey –delicious!
For more recipe ideas go to: www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/foods-and-recipes/ bananas
My name is Bex and I work at OsNosh, which is all about preventing food waste either through a share table or cooking delicious food in our café. We open Thursdays and Fridays as a warm hub and run a community café on a Friday. We look forward to seeing you.
Pippo’s Bakery Celebrates 10 Years of Bespoke Cakes
This year marks a special milestone for a much loved local business. Pippo’s Bakery, the Oswestry based cake specialist known for its beautiful bespoke creations, is celebrating its tenth anniversary.
Founded in 2016, Pippo’s Bakery began as a small home based venture created by mother and daughter team Ella and Lucy. What started as designing celebration cakes for family and friends soon grew into something much bigger. Word quickly spread about the quality of their cakes, both in taste and design, and over the past decade Pippo’s has become a familiar name for those looking to mark life’s special moments with something truly personal.
From milestone birthdays to family celebrations, Pippo’s cakes are often the centrepiece of an occasion. Many customers approach the bakery knowing they want something special but unsure exactly what that should look like. That is where the creativity of the Pippo’s team really shines.
Ella, the Head Baker, particularly enjoys working with a theme and transforming a simple idea into something unique. Whether it’s a cake decorated with delicate flowers or a fully modelled design featuring people, pets, or favourite hobbies, each creation is handcrafted to reflect the person or story behind the celebration.
Lucy, who focuses on the customer side of the business, enjoys the moment when a cake is handed over and the customer sees it for the first time. “It’s always lovely to see people’s reactions,” she says. “Sometimes they’ve had an idea in their mind, and when they see it brought to life it becomes part of the excitement of the celebration itself.”
Over the years, Pippo’s Bakery has helped customers mark countless memorable occasions. One particularly special recent creation was a three-tiered cake designed to celebrate three generations within the same family, each reaching a milestone birthday. Each tier represented one of the family members and the stages of their life, with a growth theme connecting all three. Cakes like this capture what Pippo’s is all about, telling a story through design while making something that tastes every bit as good as it looks.
Taste, in fact, is something the team are especially proud of. While intricate decoration might first catch the eye, customers frequently comment that the flavour of the cake matches the quality of the design. For Pippo’s, that balance is essential. A cake should never simply look impressive, it should taste delicious too.
Many customers return year after year, with some families ordering from Pippo’s ever since the bakery first began ten years ago. Others discover the business when trying to organise something special from afar. It’s not uncommon for people living abroad to contact Pippo’s looking to arrange a cake for loved ones still living locally, allowing them to send a thoughtful and memorable treat across the miles.
Despite how much the business has grown, the heart of Pippo’s Bakery remains the same: a close partnership between a mother and daughter who genuinely enjoy working together. As well as building a successful business, it has also been a chance to spend meaningful time together doing something they both love.
Giving back to the community is also important to the team. Pippo’s regularly supports local charities and good causes and recently contributed to the Oswestry Life Magazine Local Hero Awards. Supporting local events and organisations is something they are always pleased to be involved with.
Looking ahead, the focus remains on continuing to grow while celebrating ten wonderful years of Pippo’s Bakery. For Ella and Lucy, the past decade has been full of creativity, memorable cakes and loyal customers, and they look forward to many more celebrations to come.
Pippo’s Bakery can be found on Facebook, Instagram and via the website www.pipposbakery.com. Call on 01691 570047 if you prefer to chat. Pippo’s would be delighted to come up with a special design for your upcoming celebration.
Raspberry crème brûlée
We’ve given a classic crème brûlée an indulgent twist by adding fresh raspberries before topping it with a creamy vanilla custard and crunchy caramelised topping.
Serves 6
Preparation time 25-30 minutes
Cooking time 35-40 minutes
INGRED I ENTS
• 200g fresh raspberries, plus 6 for decoration
• 500ml double cream
• 1 vanilla pod
• 6 Fairburn’s British Blue egg yolks
• 100g caster sugar, plus extra for the caramel topping
• 6 fresh mint leaves
• Icing sugar, for dusting
For more sweet and savoury recipe inspiration, visit www.fairburnseggs.co.uk. Recipe devised by Rachel Green (www.rachel-green.co.uk).Photography
1. Preheat the oven to 150°C, fan 130°C, gas mark 2.
2. Put six ovenproof ramekins in a baking tin and divide the raspberries equally between them.
3. Pour the cream into a small heavy-based pan. Slit the vanilla pod in half lengthways, scrape out the seeds, and put the pod and the seeds into the pan with the cream. Bring to the boil over a medium-low heat.
4. Meanwhile, put the egg yolks and caster sugar into a medium-sized heatproof bowl and beat them together until pale and fluffy. When the cream begins to boil, remove the vanilla pod and then pour the cream onto the yolk and sugar mix, stirring constantly to mix.
5. Divide the mixture between the six ramekins and pour cold water into the tin until it comes two-thirds of the way up the ramekins. Bake in the preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes until the custard is set – it should only wobble slightly in the middle when shaken. Cool and then chill until cold.
6. When you are ready to serve, sprinkle one level teaspoon of caster sugar evenly over the top of each cold crème brûlée. Caramelise the sugar using a chef’s blowtorch or place under a very hot grill – if using a grill, you will need to put them back in the fridge for half an hour before serving to cool down again.
7. Top each ramekin with a fresh raspberry and a mint leaf, and dust lightly with icing sugar.
THE RECIPE FOR MORNI
THE RECIPE FOR MORNI
THE RECIPE FOR MORNI
A CELEBRATION OF COLOUR, CULTURE, AND INDIAN COOKING
A CELEBRATION OF COLOUR, CULTURE, AND INDIAN COOKING
A CELEBRATION OF COLOUR, CULTURE, AND INDIAN COOKING
In Oswestry, Shropshire, a quiet culinary revolution is underway.
In
In Oswestry, Shropshire, a quiet culinary revolution is underway.
Oswestry, Shropshire, a quiet culinary revolution
Morni — named a er the peacock and peahen, the national birds of India — stands as a con dent response to the long-held stereotypes surrounding Indian food in the UK. This is not a place of predictable curries or familiar shortcuts. Morni is a chef-led restaurant with a clear purpose: to showcase the true depth, elegance, and heritage of Indian cuisine.
Morni — named a er the peacock and peahen, the national birds of India — stands as a con dent response to the long-held stereotypes surrounding Indian food in the UK. This is not a place of predictable curries or familiar shortcuts. Morni is a chef-led restaurant with a clear purpose: to showcase the true depth, elegance, and heritage of Indian cuisine.
Morni — named a er the peacock and peahen, the national birds of India — stands as a con dent response to the long-held stereotypes surrounding Indian food in the UK. This is not a place of predictable curries or familiar shortcuts. Morni is a chef-led restaurant with a clear purpose: to showcase the true depth, elegance, and heritage of Indian cuisine.
At Morni, the kitchen looks backwards in time to move Indian dining forward. The menu is rooted in old-aged, time-honoured recipes — many rarely seen outside Indian homes — prepared with precision and deep respect for tradition. Each dish tells a story of
At Morni, the kitchen looks backwards in time to move Indian dining forward. The menu is rooted in old-aged, time-honoured recipes — many rarely seen outside Indian homes — prepared with precision and deep respect for tradition. Each dish tells a story of
At Morni, the kitchen looks backwards in time to move Indian dining forward. The menu is rooted in old-aged, time-honoured recipes — many rarely seen outside Indian homes — prepared with precision and deep respect for tradition. Each dish tells a story of
is underway.
regions, rituals, and generations, brought to life through carefully layered spices and re ned techniques.
regions, rituals, and generations, brought to life through carefully layered spices and re ned techniques.
regions, rituals, and generations, brought to life through carefully layered spices and re ned techniques.
What sets Morni apart is its commitment to authenticity without compromise. The food is bold yet balanced, soulful yet sophisticated, designed to surprise even seasoned lovers of Indian cuisine.
What sets Morni apart is its commitment to authenticity without compromise. The food is bold yet balanced, soulful yet sophisticated, designed to surprise even seasoned lovers of Indian cuisine. This is Indian cooking as it was meant to be experienced: thoughtful, expressive, and deeply connected to its origins.
Chef Asghar Khan
Chef Asghar Khan
This is Indian cooking as it was meant to be experienced: thoughtful, expressive, and deeply connected to its origins.
What sets Morni apart is its commitment to authenticity without compromise. The food is bold yet balanced, soulful yet sophisticated, designed to surprise even seasoned lovers of Indian cuisine. This is Indian cooking as it was meant to be experienced: thoughtful, expressive, and deeply connected to its origins.
In a town far from the usual culinary capitals, Morni is quietly raising the bar — inviting diners to rediscover India not as they think they know it, but as it truly is.
In a town far from the usual culinary capitals, Morni is quietly raising the bar — inviting diners to rediscover India not as they think they know it, but as it truly is.
In a town far from the usual culinary capitals, Morni is quietly raising the bar — inviting diners to rediscover India not as they think they know it, but as it truly is.
Chef Asghar Khan is the Founder and Head Chef of Morni in Oswestry. A former IT professional, he chose passion over comfort to pursue his true calling in the kitchen. His journey led him to MasterChef India, where he competed in two seasons and ranked among the Top 30 contestants nationwide.
Chef Asghar Khan is the Founder and Head Chef of Morni in Oswestry. A former IT professional, he chose passion over comfort to pursue his true calling in the kitchen. His journey led him to MasterChef India, where he competed in two seasons and ranked among the Top 30 contestants nationwide.
Chef Asghar Khan is the Founder and Head Chef of Morni in Oswestry. A former IT professional, he chose passion over comfort to pursue his true calling in the kitchen. His journey led him to MasterChef India, where he competed in two seasons and ranked among the Top 30 contestants nationwide
A storyteller of avours, Chef Asghar believes food is deeply emotional and rooted in culture. Through Morni, he aims to rede ne Indian cuisine in the UK by showcasing India’s rich regional diversity, forgotten recipes, and authentic traditions — creating food that connects, inspires, and leaves a lasting impression.
A storyteller of avours, Chef Asghar believes food is deeply emotional and rooted in culture. Through Morni, he aims to rede ne Indian cuisine in the UK by showcasing India’s rich regional diversity, forgotten recipes, and authentic traditions — creating food that connects, inspires, and leaves a lasting impression.
A storyteller of avours, Chef Asghar believes food is deeply emotional and rooted in culture. Through Morni, he aims to rede ne Indian cuisine in the UK by showcasing India’s rich regional diversity, forgotten recipes, and authentic traditions — creating food that connects, inspires, and leaves a lasting impression.
18a Oswald Rd, Oswestry SY11 1RE
morni.co.uk
18a Oswald Rd, Oswestry SY11 1RE morni.co.uk
18a Oswald Rd, Oswestry SY11 1RE morni.co.uk
Are you struggling with
Headaches?
Back & Neck Pain? Joint & Muscle Pain? Womens Health Issues? Grumpy Babies & Children? Sports Injuries? Sleep, Stress or Nutrition Concerns?
We can Help
Claire Arnold Registered
Osteopath & Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner
Hands-on Cranial & Structural Osteopathic Care & Lifestyle Medicine Advice to support your family’s optimal health
Call 07792 367507
Based at Oswestry Herbarium & Massage Centre, 15 Albion Hill themeadowsosteopathclinic-clairearnoldosteopath.com
Healthy Focus
Crafting better health
Research shows that engaging in creative, repetitive, and tactile activities like knitting, pottery and painting can: Reduce stress and cortisol: 45 minutes of creative activity significantly lowers cortisol levels and can reduce stress levels by up to 75%.
Improve your mental health: Crafting acts as a natural antidepressant, improves self-confidence and provides a sense of achievement. It’s used in therapeutic programs to treat anxiety, depression and PTSD by encouraging mindfulness and reducing racing thoughts.
Improve your cognitive function: Crafting stimulates brain regions responsible for focus, memory, and problem-solving, and has been shown to reduce the risk of cognitive decline in seniors. Aid in pain management: Undertaking an engaging, sensory-rich activity can act as a distraction from chronic pain, reducing the perception of pain and anxiety.
Help you achieve a “Flow” State: Similar to meditation, the repetitive, tactile nature of crafts (e.g., knitting, pottery) helps ground individuals in the present moment.
There’s a new textile crafting group – Oswestry Makes, at the library on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month 2-4pm just pop along.
The Shed - Woodwork to Wellness (Saltney, Cheshire) involves people from all ages and different walks of life who are looking for that “something” to do with their spare time in a warm and relaxed environment. Even those, for whatever reason, find themselves in a most difficult place. www.woodworktowellness.com, call 01244 680094.
Sian Hughes runs Stained Glass Workshops (4 April) at The Factory, Cambrian Buildings Coney Green – 07968 328529, sianhughes14@gmail.com
Join the kids Knit & Natter & crafts group at Oswestry Climate Action Hub every other Thurs 1-3pm and on the 1st Saturday of every month 10am-12pm. The centre regularly holds midweek mends, upcycling sessions and more to support and inspire! 36 Bailey Street or Facebook.
If you need materials or have craft materials to recycle check out Scrappies – Church Stretton, scrappies.org – a charity dedicated to recycling, creative arts and children’s education.
Have a happy healthy month!
Exciting period of growth for caring company
Approved Care and Support in Oswestry is celebrating an exciting period of growth and community connection as it marks its nine year anniversary supporting people across the local area.
Founded with a passion for delivering high-quality home care, the organisation provides personalised support to older adults and individuals with disabilities who want to remain independent in their own homes. Their team helps with everyday needs such as personal care, medication, companionship and daily routines, always focusing on dignity, respect and individual choice.
Over the past nine years, Approved Care and Support has built a strong reputation in Oswestry and the surrounding communities for compassionate, personcentred care. Each care plan is tailored to the individual, ensuring clients receive support that reflects their lifestyle, preferences and wellbeing goals.
Now the company is celebrating another milestone with the opening of a new office in Shrewsbury, expanding its ability to support even more people across Shropshire. The new branch, which opened in March, is located at 7 Darwin Court, Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury, SY3 5AL. The team can be contacted on 01743 669333.
Despite their growth, the company remains rooted in the
SHREWSBURYOFFICENOWOPEN
“My most grateful thanks for all the care and attention I have received over the last 3 years. Everyone has been so pleasant and caring. Nothing has ever been too much trouble.”
community. Every Easter, Approved Care and Support show its appreciation by gifting Easter eggs to all of its customers, care workers and their children, a gesture that reflects the family-style ethos the organisation prides itself on.
As demand for home care continues to grow, the company is also recruiting new care workers in Oswestry, offering opportunities for people who want to make a real difference in their local community.
With nine successful years behind them, a new office in Shrewsbury and a dedicated team committed to compassionate care, Approved Care and Support continues to demonstrate that high-quality support at home can help people live independently and with dignity.
Visit approvedcareandsupport.co.uk or call Oswestry 01691 655999 or Shrewsbury 01743 669333 or email approved@approvedcareandsupport.co.uk.
PRIVATE HOME CARE
•
Bootcamps: How Six Weeks Can Change Everything
One of the biggest barriers to starting a fitness regime is simply getting to that first session. It’s too easy to say, “I’ll start on Monday” or “Let’s get Christmas out of the way”.
Joining a gym rarely requires a specific start date, so good intentions are easily delayed.
Bootcamps allow no such luxury. You are committed the moment you make that booking, and when you show up to the first scheduled session you begin an exciting six-week journey that could prove life-changing.
At Coach House Fitness we understand that motivation cannot simply be switched on; it needs structure. At the start of our bootcamps there’s always a nervous energy. Everyone is unsure what lies ahead, yet they are there for the same reason, looking for guidance and a fresh start. Shared challenges quickly become motivation and people laugh together as the aches of the first sessions set in.
By weeks three and four, participants begin to find their rhythm. Energy levels improve and people start sharing the changes they’ve noticed. By week six something has shifted. Exercise begins to feel normal and many find they don’t want it to end, not just the workouts, but the sociable environment they’ve discovered along the way.
Bootcamps also remove inhibitions around not knowing what to do in a gym, which can undermine confidence. All you need to do for a bootcamp is turn up. The sessions are planned and instructors are there to guide and encourage you.
The circuit-style workouts and nutritional guidance provide a great foundation, but the biggest benefit of a bootcamp is rarely physical. It’s the reset that helps people take control of their fitness, learn about their body in a supportive environment and build the motivation to continue long after those six weeks are over.
If you’d like to learn more about what our bootcamps involve, or enquire about the next intake starting on 27 April, visit www.coachhousefitness.net for full details.
Rad, Manager, Owner & Founder — Coach House
Health with Dr Paul Middleton
Cholesterol: the good and the bad
Do you know your cholesterol level? If you are over 40yrs old or have any risk factors (like diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of stroke or heart attack or raised cholesterol) then you should – it might make you live longer! So, what is cholesterol? It’s a waxy like fat and most of it is made by your liver and circulates in your bloodstream. It is an essential building block for all your cells and has quite a number of essential functions but, like in many areas of life, too much is not good for you.
How much is too much? It all becomes a bit more complicated at this stage: there is good cholesterol or HDL, and bad cholesterol or LDL. The total cholesterol should be less than 5mmol. Having a HDL over 1mmol is good, leaving to my arithmetic, LDL less than 4mmol.
About half of us will have levels that are too high. What can we do about it? Eating less dairy produce
and fatty foods, cakes and biscuits is a good start as well as helping to keep our weight down a bit! Eating more fruit and veg, nuts and seeds, oily fish and wholegrain rice, pasta and bread also helps. The nhs. uk website has more detail.
Having your cholesterol done is a simple blood test. The result is often fed into QRISK which is a risk calculator predicting your 10-yr risk of a stroke or heart attack. If your risk is over 20% then your doctor might suggest you take a statin: a drug to reduce your cholesterol. Why? Because they can reduce this risk by about 25%. The good news is that recent publications have confirmed that there are very few side effects to taking these medicines.
The number of patients having heart attacks at a young age dramatically reduced during my career. Having blood pressure and cholesterol checks was a major part of this. Have yours done.
We’re here so your loved one can stay home, where they want to be. Where things are safe and familiar and they have the best chance to live a full and meaningful life.
Whether it’s everyday companionship or everyday errands, Live-in Care or Home Care visits, our highly-trained Care Experts will give your loved one the support they need to live in the place they feel best: home. See how we can support you.
Includes:
• 2 regular exams
• 2 hygiene appointments
• 10% discount off treatment
Dancing with the Unknown - The Other Side of “What If”
by Jenna Ward, Life Coach and Reiki Practitioner.
Uncertainty is uncomfortable, isn’t it? The unknown. In its face our minds run wild with imaginative storytelling rooted in doubt and fear, leaping to worst-case scenarios and catastrophising. We feel stress, worry, anxiety. To soothe the discomfort, we try to control outcomes - to force what we want, how we want it - clinging to expectations, craving certainty, fearful that if things don’t go to plan it will be disastrous.
Yet when you think about it, there are very few true certainties in life. We don’t really know what will happen from one moment to the next. Perhaps it will be the same uneventful break for tea in the garden
at 11am. Or perhaps today, someone unexpected will pause at the gate. Perhaps an ankle will twist on the path. Perhaps a spark of inspiration will arrive and quietly change the trajectory of your life. Anything can happen. In every moment.
We often meet uncertainty as a threat. But on the other side of it is also the possibility of wonder, opportunity, beauty - even lifechanging magic.
I don’t know the full science on this but, in simple terms, our brains respond in similar ways to fear and excitement. The heart races either way. If our thoughts create our emotions, and our emotions drive our physical response, then it’s our thinking - the stories we tell ourselves - that shape whether that racing heart is fear or excitement. The body is simply doing its job. We get to choose how we interpret the sensation.
So yes, uncertainty is uncomfortable. But it doesn’t have to mean doom. We can let “what if it all goes wrong?” keep us small and fearful. Or we can gently ask, “what if it all works out?”
If you’re ready to explore your own “what if”, I offer confidential 1:1 life coaching, Reiki and wellbeing workshops to help you build confidence, self-trust and the courage to fly. You can reach me at jennawardcoaching@gmail.com
Are you grappling with the trials of pain, discomfort, or limited mobility? At Woods Orthotics, we dedicate ourselves to assessing your individual needs and providing tailored orthotic solutions designed to elevate your quality of life. Discover how our expert team can guide you on the path to a pain-free and vibrant life.
Local lawy ers for local p eopl e
Acc ident & Inj ury
Agric ulture & Estates
What information do I need to provide to a solicitor so they can write my Will?
Accident & Injury
Business Struc ture & Issues
Q: Following the birth of my first grandchild I have persuaded my partner we need to make new Wills as those we have were made thirty years ago. So that we can be fully prepared, what information will a solicitor want so they can re-write our Wills?
Business Struc ture & Issue s
Children
Agriculture & Estates
Clinic al Negligenc e
Chil dren
Clin ic al Negligenc e
Co mpany & Co mme rc ial
Business Structure & Issues
Commerc ial Property
Co mpany & Co mme rc ial
Children
Court of Protec tion
Co mmerc ial Pro perty
A: Firstly, you must provide your personal details; name, address, date of birth, contact details. Also, your marital status and personal details of family members and others to be named in your Will.
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You should make a list of all your assets and their values, i.e. property, savings, investments, life insurance, pensions in the UK or overseas. As joint assets may pass automatically to the surviving partner, they should be indicated as being jointly held. Your solicitor will also require details of any significant debts or loans you have, including details of any loans/gifts you may have made to such as family.
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With this information your solicitor will be able to provide you with a brief overview of what impact inheritance tax may have on your estate(s) when you die.
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You will also need to decide who you wish to act as your executors. You can have more than one executor. You could appoint a family member, or a friend, or your solicitor. Executors can also be beneficiaries. The Executor(s) will look after your estate on your death and will be responsible for ensuring your wishes expressed in your Will are carried out.
Your solicitor will need details of the beneficiaries and how you wish your estate to be divided up, i.e. in percentages or shares, monetary values or if you have specified items to named people, whether you want any conditions attached to them inheriting from you.
Your funeral wishes can be included in your Will. Finally, two independent witnesses must sign the Will, neither of which can be beneficiaries. Good luck and well done for deciding to update your Wills – too often people don’t and it causes problems.
This question has been answered by Paul Owen, a Solicitor with GHP Legal. If you would like to speak to someone about this or any other legal matter, please visit our website www.ghplegal. com and use the contact us form, or call us on: Wrexham 01978 291456, Llangollen 01978 860313, Oswestry 01691 659194
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Q&A: MAKING SENSE OF YOUR MONEY
Money isn’t always the easiest thing to talk about, yet many of us reach a point where we want a clearer plan for the future.
Whether it’s making better use of savings, understanding pensions, or thinking about passing on wealth, the right guidance can make a real difference.
Here, Craig Roberts, director of Belgrave Wincham, talks about the questions he hears most often and how they help support their clients.
Q: What can people gain from working with an independent financial planner?
A: Working with an independent financial planner can help people make better sense of their finances and feel more confident about their decisions. We listen, then offer clear, practical guidance shaped around individual needs. Being independent also means we aren’t tied to any provider.
Q: What services do you offer?
A: Our services cover everything from retirement and investment planning to financial protections and savings. Some people come to us with a single question, others want a wider plan, and we adapt our approach accordingly.
Q: What’s one of the most common areas people seek advice on?
A: Retirement planning comes up a lot. Many people aren’t sure where they stand or what they should be doing next. We look at what they want retirement to look like, review their pensions and savings and help shape a plan from there. The focus is on building an income they can rely on, not just a headline figure.
Q: What would you say sets your firm apart?
A: We pride ourselves on genuinely getting to know each client and delivering excellent customer service. Financial planning can feel daunting, so we aim to explain things clearly, simply and without unnecessary jargon.
Q: What’s the first step for someone unsure where to begin?
A: Start by giving us a call or booking a free initial consultation through our website. We’ll arrange a time to talk things through, ask a few simple questions and help you understand your options. Belgrave Wincham - 01691 886554.
This guide is for information purposes and does not constitute financial advice, which should be based on your individual circumstances.
Money matters
Filling in National Insurance Contribution Gaps
National Insurance credits can help eligible individuals fill gaps in their National Insurance (NI) record. This can be important because the number of qualifying NI years you have can affect the benefits you receive, including your entitlement to the State Pension.
To receive the full new State Pension, most people need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or credits. If you have fewer years, your pension entitlement may be reduced. This means it is worth checking your NI record from time to time, particularly if you have spent periods out of work.
Gaps in your National Insurance record can arise in a number of situations. For example, this could happen if someone was:
• employed but had low earnings
• unemployed and not claiming benefits
• receiving National Insurance credits for less than a full tax year
• self-employed but did not pay contributions because profits were too low
• living or working outside the UK for a period of time
National Insurance credits are designed to help protect benefit entitlement during periods when people are unable to work or are not paying National Insurance contributions. Credits may be available to individuals who are looking for work, who are ill or disabled, receiving sick pay, on maternity or paternity leave, caring for someone, or undertaking jury service.
In some cases, National Insurance credits are applied automatically, while in others an application must be made. There are two types of credits available: Class 1 and Class 3. Class 3 credits count towards the State Pension and certain bereavement benefits, while Class 1 credits count towards these as well as other benefits such as Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Taxpayers may also be able to pay voluntary Class 2 or Class 3 contributions to fill gaps in their record and protect their entitlement to the State Pension. Usually, voluntary contributions can be made for the previous six tax years, with the payment deadline being 5 April each year.
New podcast series highlights importance of farming industry
The “often invisible” ties between agriculture and the industries it supports are being highlighted in a new series of podcasts produced by a law firm.
Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors, which has offices in Oswestry, Conwy and across Shropshire, has launched the series called Grounded in Agriculture, with lawyers talking to a range of people in the agricultural sector about their role and how it impacts the wider economy.
Kicking off the series is Paul Williams, the recently elected deputy president of NFU Cymru. Paul is an experienced livestock farmer who operates his family farming business in Nebo in North Wales.
As he explains in the podcast, he is not from a traditional farming background.
“Neither of my parents were farmers, but my grandparents were, and I knew from a very young age that farming was what I wanted to do, even though my parents tried very hard to dissuade me,” he said.
“I went through agricultural college and worked on a lot of farms and had various jobs in the agricultural industry before joining the NFU as group secretary in 1999, and I suppose the rest is history.”
Katie Baker is a senior associate solicitor at Lanyon Bowdler who came up with the idea of the podcast series to highlight an important issue which many people took for granted.
“Most people don’t consider the journey between a field and the products or services they use every day,” Katie said. “We wanted to shine a spotlight on the ofteninvisible ties between agriculture and the countless industries that it underpins.
“It’s been fascinating to discuss those links, showing how agriculture is not an isolated sector but a foundation for retail, manufacturing, food, energy, construction, ecology and rural communities.
“We were absolutely thrilled that Paul Williams agreed to be our first guest, and we are keen to speak with other people in the industry about how their roles contribute to the bigger picture.”
To listen to the podcast, visit the Lanyon Bowdler website at www.lblaw.co.uk/knowledge or search for The Legal Lounge on your preferred podcast provider.
Katie Baker
Sat-isfaction guaranteed
Proving that good looks and comfort can go hand in hand, our guide to sumptuous sofas and chairs ensures the ultimate in both style and relaxation.
A deep seat cushion makes this armchair ideal for curling up with a blanket and a good book. Chorley armchair in Turmeric Easy Velvet, £1,009, Swoon. www.swooneditions.com
www.arloandjacob.com
Sink into this distinctive occasional chair with its teddy fabric and swivel base for a unique combination of comfort and style. Candiece compact tufted Papasan chair, £599.99, Wayfair. www.wayfair.co.uk
stuffed
in
www.arloandjacob.com
A contemporary take on the classic high-sided Knole sofa, this loveseat offers wraparound cosiness. Vesper loveseat in Dry Martini velvet, £2,040, Schplendid. www.schplendid.com
Generously stuffed cushions in softly rounded shapes give this large sofa perfect pillowy appeal. Felix grande sofa, from £2,236, Arlo & Jacob.
Generously
cushions
softly rounded shapes give this large sofa perfect pillowy appeal. Felix grande sofa, from £2,236, Arlo & Jacob.
Colour Consultation & Design - to choose the perfect palette.
Surface Preparation & Repairs - Ensuring a smooth, long-lasting finish.
Premium Exterior Paints - designed to withstand the elements with a
Precision work - on trims, gutters, and accents for a polished look.
Maintenance & Touch-Ups - Keep your home looking fresh year after year.
9
9 Full
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9 Tailored solutions for arthritis, mobility issues and chronic pain.
9 ‘Bath out, shower in’ service in as little as two days.
9 Walk-in baths, wetrooms, bidets and toilet lifters also available.
9 Specialists in accessible bathing.
“The finished bathroom is wonderful,” Mrs Childs, Trustpilot, September 2025
Garden and Specialist Machinery for Home and Trade
Morgans Machinery Limited, located on the Mile End Business Park in Oswestry, have been established since 1991 and is a family run business specialising in both garden machinery and more specialist machines to cater for the trade.
Our typical product range includes lawn mowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, hedgecutters, brushcutters, robotic mowers, strimmers, garden tractors, garden shredders and more.
We are proud to be stockists of the strongest brands in the industry such as Husqvarna, Stihl, Weibang, Stiga, Atco, Hayter, and we sell the full range of Arbotec PPE. Having the largest showroom in the area, and we are able to have an extensive range of products for all these brands in store ready for you to browse.
We offer the battery range of products as well as petrol so there is something to cater for everyone and to suit all budgets. We have just installed a robotic mower, so you are able to see how these perform. If you were
interested, our team will organise to carry out a site-survey as well as being able to install the machine for you.
Once you have made your purchase, we will carry out a full pre-delivery inspection which is a key process before you start operating your machine. This ensures the machine is fully operational and safe to use. The team will then register your machine under warranty, so you don’t have to worry about doing so and gives you peace of mind.
Depending on your requirements, Morgans are also able to offer a delivery service within a 30 mile
radius or if you are perhaps further afield, they can arrange for your machine to be collected from one of the other Morgans branches across Cheshire, North and West Wales for your convenience.
In addition to the machinery available, Morgans also stock a wide range of accessories such as bars, chains, oils, lubricants, files, strimmer cords and service kits to help you keep your machinery in top condition after purchase.
We have extended our PPE offering to include a range of helmets, face shields, ear defenders, safety boots, gloves and trousers to ensure you’re fully kitted out in the safest workwear for the job at hand. We are also getting more clothing in prior to Christmas from some of the biggest machinery brands.
Morgans Machinery also pride themselves on offering servicing and repair work by our in-house mechanic. This means that our customer service carries on long after your initial purchase. We will gladly carry out work on machines that weren’t purchased from Morgans and also on brands that we may not stock.
Our very talented technician can service and repair a huge range of machines including pressure washers, quad bikes, water pumps, generators, robotic mowers as well as all of the standard garden machinery such as garden tractors, lawnmowers, chainsaws and more. We also offer a chain sharpening service too.
You can take advantage of the Klarna finance option if you purchase through our website www. morgansmachinery.co.uk Please feel free to call us on 01691 670500 with any query you may have.
We are experts in bathroom installation, offering a full service to help you realise your dream bathroom. From site survey to design, supply and installation, we can take care of it all; our ‘on site’ services include, plumbing, plastering, electrics, tiling and flooring, making the whole process seamless. Our team are dedicated in providing our customers with a first class, personal service combining meticulous workmanship with structured project management from start to finish and our skill and expertise means that we will deliver on our promise to provide you with the best solution available to meet your expectations and budget.
If you are in need of glaziers who o er double glazing services and uPVC window installations, you have come to the right place.
Darren Jensen Building Services is a home grown Shropshire business which has been established for over 30 years. They are highly experienced in the construction industry and although predominantly work locally across the Shropshire area, they are also happy to travel across the UK.
Managing Director Darren sits at the helm of the business with support from Andy who assists with the day to day running of operations and customer liaison, ensuring that jobs run smoothly and in accordance with client requirements. They are supported by a team of professional and experienced workers who are friendly and respectful and who pride themselves on providing an efficient service whilst paying close attention to detail.
Darren Jensen Building Services don’t just try to meet their customers’ expectations, they aim to exceed them too. Committed to ensuring a high quality finish and wherever possible, they work with sustainable, locally sourced quality products that support
the environment and will last the test of time. “We’re proud of our professional work ethic and over the last three decades, we’ve grown a business with a reputation that we’re really proud to maintain,” explained Darren.
This time of year, is traditionally a popular time to look at some home improvements and the new PIR cutting service might be something that is of interest to the local community. From the factory based in West Felton, the business can cut PIR insulation boards up to 150mm to your own bespoke measurements and deliver them direct to your door. Darren said, “We can also cut other sheet materials such as OSB, MDF and ply so why not let us give you a hand by taking some of the hassle and the mess out of your DIY projects for you.”
If you’re looking for some inspiration, Darren Jensen Building Services can offer advice on knock throughs and extensions but as we now approach the spring and summer months, the team are receiving an increasing number of enquiries about outdoor living solutions such as bars and cabins. These are a fantastic way of maximising your living area to enjoy outdoor space whilst also adding value to your property at an affordable cost.
Now is also a great time to upgrade your windows and doors. The company are suppliers and Certass approved installers of high quality UPVC products but can also provide and fit wooden and aluminium solutions if this is your preferred aesthetic.
Contact Darren Jensen Building Services today to discuss your ideas and for a no obligation quote. They’re always happy to share knowledge and expertise and to support customers to achieve high quality solutions which are luxurious, practical and affordable. For added convenience, we also offer a range of finance options, subject to status and can provide further information on request.
“We’re proud of our professional work ethic and over the last three decades, we’ve grown a business with a reputation that we’re really proud to maintain.”
Peter & Carol Burt at Fold Cottage
Installed by QA Kitchens & Bathrooms in Church Stretton, this stunning project came together after Peter and Carol Burt visited our Craven Arms showroom, where they met Jack.
From the very first meeting, Jack helped guide them through the design process with patience and care.
Peter and Carol told us that Jack was excellent, he listened carefully to everything they wanted, took the time to understand their vision, and made them feel so confident that they didn’t go anywhere else after meeting him.
The installation was carried out by Charlie, whose work Peter described as exceptional. His attention to detail was incredible, and he kept everything spotlessly clean and tidy throughout.
Having restored the house himself, Peter found it difficult to let a company in to do work, but he said he trusted QA straight away.
The result is a beautiful, luxurious bathroom featuring a walk-in shower, a freestanding bath painted in a rich marine blue to perfectly match the furniture, and a finish that feels both timeless and indulgent.
Thank you, Peter and Carol, for trusting us with such a special space, it was an absolute pleasure
Your own QA Bathroom or Kitchen is never far away with 7 showrooms to choose from contact us to start making your dream room a reality fully installed fully project managed we do it all.
Interiors
by Stephanie Dhillon
SOFT SPRING
The timeless seasonal palette of pastel colours defines easter and spring for homewares. Light and gentle, pastel colours are hopeful and quiet and very easy on the eye after the bland harshness of winter. Here are some delightful products that deliver on spring softness.
Clockwise from left: Mustard Made the Mixer Sage Storage Cabinet £499 from Oliver Bonas www.oliverbonas.com; Lilac Zig ZagTufted Bath Mat £12.99 from Homescapes www.homescapesonline.com; Earthborn Paint Swoosh in Jemima £60 for 2.5l pot from Earthborn www.earthbornpaints.co.uk; Frieda Frilled Coloured Glass Pendant light - Lilac £245 from Glow Lighting www.glowlighting.co.uk; Ceramic Egg Holder - Green £14.95 from Rex London www.rexlondon.com; Printed Patchwork Sham Cushion Cover £32.50 from Oliver Bonas www.oliverbonas.com
Clockwise from right: Modern Geometrics Poster £15.95 from Poster Store www.posterstore.co.uk
Canvas Stripe Fabric - Pink £47.50 from Ian Mankin www.ianmankin.co.uk
Agatha Denim Blue Dining Chairs - Set of 2 £219.99 from Laura James www.laurajames.co.uk
Taper Holder in Rose Quartz £20 from Maegen www. maegen.co.uk
Dusky Pastel Flower Shaped Stoneware Mini Bowls £14.99 from Gisela Graham www.giselagraham.co.uk
Ciara Colour Block Blue Photo Frame 5”x7” £25 from Oliver Bonas www.oliverbonas.com
Barn Conversion
Golfa Isaf Barn, Llangedwyn
With no onward chain!! Town and Country are delighted to offer to the market this lovely country property comprising a spacious three bedroom, high specification barn conversion plus a detached purpose built one bedroom annexe providing further self-contained accommodation which would lend itself perfectly to additional family accommodation or income potential providing scope for a bed and breakfast or holiday let.
Set in an idyllic rural location with a lovely garden that wraps around the property, lots of off road parking and with many original features, this is a must see property!
Asking Price £475,000. For viewings call Town & Country on 01691 679 631
Popular Village location
Curlew Meadows, Baschurch
A modern, stylish 3 bedroom semi-detached house, located on the fringe of the popular village of Baschurch. The accommodation includes: entrance hall, cloakroom/ wc, living room, attractive kitchen/dining room, main bedroom with en-suite shower room, 2 further good sized bedrooms, and family bathroom.
Outside the property enjoys an exceptionally large south facing garden with a large useful timber garden room, generous Driveway and Garage. Early Viewing Is Highly Recommended.
Asking Price £289,995. For viewings call Zaza Johnson & Bath on 01743 248 351 or email info@zjandb.com
Brand New Development
The Wellbeck at Stones Wharf, Weston Rhyn
The Wellbeck is an excellent contemporary home double fronted detached home, perfect for a growing family and occupying an enviable position tucked away at the rear of the development. This accommodation features reception hall with cloakroom, lovely through lounge, attractively fitted family living/dining/kitchen with French doors to the garden, utility room, principal bedroom with ensuite, 2 further bedrooms and family bathroom.
OIRO £365,000. For viewings call Monks on 01691 674 567 or email sales.oswestry@monks.co.uk
Close to Outdoor Pursuits & Scenic Trails
Garth Road, Garth, Llangollen
This delightful two bedroom semi detached cottage offers an abundance of charm, character, and scenic countryside views, including outlooks towards the viaduct.
The accommodation includes an entrance hall leading into a well designed kitchen featuring a breakfast bar area and space for appliances. The living room offers a cosy atmosphere with its multi-fuel stove and benefits from a UPVC double glazed window and door to the front elevation. An inner hallway provides access to the bathroom, which is fitted with a three piece suite including a shower over the bath. The landing then leads to two bedrooms.
Asking Price £200,000. For viewings call Hayley Jackson on 07359 393 122 or email hayley.jackson@exp.uk.com
Detached Country Home
Trench Bridge Farm, The Trench, Ellesmere
An attractive detached country home with lovely gardens, a versatile outbuilding and workshop with adjoining grazing land, located in a peaceful rural location within easy reach of the popular town of Ellesmere.
The house which does offer scope for modernisation, currently comprises, on the ground floor, an entrance hall, living room, kitchen/ breakfast room, dining room, utility/boot Room, and shower room. To the first floor are three double bedrooms and family bathroom. The gardens are complimented by the pasture paddock which is ideal for the grazing of all kinds of livestock, if required, particularly horses.
OIRO £600,000. For viewings call Roger Parry & Partners on 01691 655 334 or email oswestry@ rogerparry.net
Hello, Oswestry. Hello, neighbour.
Meet your local team, helping you buy, sell and rent across Shropshire with 130 years’ combined local expertise.
Find us in Oswestry, Shrewsbury, or Wem –available to call 7 days a week. Our phone lines are open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday. We offer free valuations and a no sale, no charge promise.
If you’re an Oswestry landlord and need help letting and managing your properties: Zaza Johnson & Bath (ZJ&B) have now opened a branch in town. With decades of industry experience and a reputation for delivering a highly personal service, the team is bringing its trusted expertise to the local property market.
Letting a property can be rewarding, but it can also be complicated. Changing legislation, tenant management, safety compliance and maintenance can quickly become overwhelming for even experienced landlords. ZJ&B’s dedicated lettings and property management service is designed to take that pressure away, offering a professional and “hands-on” approach that ensures both landlords and tenants are well looked after.
For landlords who prefer a fully managed solution, ZJ&B handles the entire process from start to finish. This includes advising on the best rental value, marketing the property, organising viewings, and preparing property brochures and floor plans. Once tenants are found, the team manages referencing, credit checks, Right to Rent checks and deposit protection, making sure everything is compliant with current regulations.
The support doesn’t stop once a tenant moves in. ZJ&B can also arrange tenancy agreements, collect rent, hold regular property inspections and coordinate maintenance for you. Gas safety checks, electrical certificates and EPCs can also be organised when required, giving you peace of mind your property meets all legal requirements for tenants.
Partner, Sahim Zaza says their focus on long-term landlord success is what sets them apart. “We believe that securing reliable, long-term tenants is more valuable than chasing short-term gains –which helps protect rental income and keep properties in excellent condition.”
With strong local knowledge, professional accreditation and a reputation built on service and trust, Zara Johnson & Bath offers landlords in Oswestry a straightforward way to maximise the value of their property investment.
To find out more about letting or managing your property through ZJ&B, visit www.zjandb.com and speak to the team today.
ST.MARTINS
This well-presented, extended three-bedroom semi-detached family home set in the popular and welcoming village of St Martins. Ideal for families, the property offers parking for several vehicles, a large, child-friendly garden, and a spacious kitchen/ breakfast room perfect for everyday family life.
LLANGEDWYN
WITH NO ONWARD CHAIN!! Country property comprising a spacious three bedroom, high specification barn conversion plus a detached purpose built one bedroom annexe providing further self-contained accommodation which would lend itself perfectly to additional family accommodation or income potential providing scope for a bed and breakfast or holiday let.
BASCHURCH
Nestled in the desirable area of Loveridge Drive, Baschurch, this stunning detached family home offers an exceptional living experience. With five generously sized bedrooms and four well-appointed bathrooms, this property is perfect for families seeking both space and comfort.
Town and country Oswestry is very much a family- run business. With our teams combined local knowledge, we offer the highest level of service but with friendly local twist and welcome a visit to the Oswestry office to meet our great team. We aim to simplify your property journey. From your initial valuation appointment right the way through to our after sales service and support, we will guide you through the process at every step.
CHIRK
This truly stunning, extended detached family home set on a prime residential development on the edge of Chirk just a stone’s throw from the famous Thomas Telford Aqueduct and sitting in a heritage area with Chirk Castle close by. The property has undergone extensive renovations and updating to create a fantastic, modern property.
OSWESTRY
This great property in the desirable area of Mount Rise, Oswestry. This spacious detached family home offers an exceptional living experience with four generously sized bedrooms, and the potential for a fifth, this property is perfect for families seeking room to grow.
HENGOED
Situated in the pretty, sought after village of Hengoed, near Oswestry, this stunning detached house offers a perfect blend of modern living and spacious comfort. Built in 2022, the property boasts an impressive 2,196 square feet of well-designed space, making it an ideal family home.
TREFONEN
WITH NO ONWARD CHAIN!! Nestled in the charming village of Trefonen, Oswestry, this beautiful detached family home on Onnen Gardens is a true gem. Built in 2004 and the current owners being the only occupants, the property boasts an immaculate condition, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a modern and well-maintained residence.
PENYBONTFAWR
WITH NO ONWARD CHAIN!! Situated in the heart of Penybontfawr in the Tanat Valley this detached house offers a perfect blend of comfort and tranquillity in a lovely Welsh village. With three double bedrooms, this property is ideal for those looking to embrace village life.
PEN-Y-GARNEDD
This detached property in the charming village of Pen-Y-Garnedd near Llanrhaeadr in the stunning and sought after Tanat Valley. Offering a perfect blend of comfort and countryside living, the well-proportioned rooms provide ample accommodation, ensuring that everyone has their own private retreat.
£125,000
Need hire equipment ? We have you covered whether it's home improvement projects or commercial site work give us a call. Check out our website to view our full hire fleet & sales items.
April is a lively and hopeful month in the garden, as longer days and milder temperatures bring fresh growth and spring flowers like my favourite Turkestan tulip. With the risk of hard frost gradually decreasing (though not entirely gone), it’s a key time to prepare for the growing season ahead.
Start by tidying borders. Remove weeds before they establish, lightly hoeing on dry days to keep them under control. If you hoe when the soil is wet there is a much higher chance of the weeds just re-rooting. Cut back any remaining dead stems from perennials and divide overcrowded clumps of plants such as hostas or daylilies to improve vigour. By clearing away any dead vegetation and prunings, you can remove hiding places for pests and it will allow you to see where you will need to add plants this summer. Add a layer of mulch or well-rotted compost around plants to conserve moisture and enrich the soil. April is ideal for sowing hardy vegetables outdoors. Carrots, beetroot, spinach, lettuce and peas can all be sown directly into prepared beds. Plant onion sets
With GreenThumb
and second-early potatoes if you haven’t already. In greenhouses or on sunny windowsills, sow tender crops such as courgettes, pumpkins and sweetcorn ready for planting out after the last frost. Pot on your early seed sowings such as tomatoes, but keep them warm Lawns begin active growth now. Rake out moss and thatch, aerate compacted areas with a fork, and apply a spring lawn feed. Start mowing regularly but keep the blades higher for the first few cuts to avoid stressing the grass. It’s also a great month for planting. Container-grown shrubs, roses and herbaceous perennials establish well in the warming soil. Summer-flowering bulbs like lilies can go in now, and I plant up my hanging baskets but keep them inside at night until I am happy that the cold nights are over. But I keep fleece handy.
Looking to enhance your home’s exterior? Dwyer Construction offers high quality paving, patios, driveways, fencing, and general building & maintenance to homeowners across Shropshire, Mid & North Wales, and Cheshire. With over 25 years of experience, we provide reliable, professional, and affordable services to make your home look its best.
Looking to enhance your home’s exterior? Dwyer Construction offers high quality paving, patios, driveways, fencing, and general building & maintenance to homeowners across Shropshire, Mid & North Wales, and Cheshire. With over 25 years of experience, we provide reliable, professional, and affordable services to make your home look its best.
Looking to enhance your home’s exterior? Dwyer Construction offers high quality paving, patios, driveways, fencing, and general building and maintenance to homeowners across Shropshire, Mid & North Wales, and Cheshire. With over 25 years experience, we provide reliable, professional, and affordable service to make your home look its best.
Over 25 Years of Expertise
Skilled craftsmanship you can trust.
Over 25 Years of Expertise
Quality Materials & Workmanship
Skilled craftsmanship you can trust.
Ensuring durability, quality and style
Quality Materials & Workmanship
Friendly, Reliable, & Affordable
Ensuring durability, quality and style
Professional service with a personal touch
Friendly, Reliable, & Affordable
Professional service with a personal touch
Serving Shropshire, Mid & North Wales, Cheshire & Beyond!
Serving Shropshire, Mid & North Wales, Cheshire & Beyond!
Ed Baker Services
Terry on 07815 524945
www.dwyerconstruction.co.uk
www.dwyerconstruction.co.uk
Optimism, Overconfidence, and a Slightly Muddy Reality
by Lindsey Pierce
April can be a tricky month. The sun comes out for two consecutive days and suddenly I’m striding onto the allotment like I’m starring in my own gardening programme. I have plans. Big plans. Notebook-with-lists-anda-hand-drawn-layout type plans. By the end of the week, I’ll probably be panic-buying fleece because the forecast says, “overnight frost.”
Classic April.
There’s something about this month that makes you wildly optimistic. The soil is warming, the blossom is out, and the daffodils and bluebells planted last year have made a glorious return. Even the weeds seem to have perked up with enthusiasm. It’s easy to get carried away and sow everything at once. However,
April is a trickster. One minute you’re gardening in a T-shirt and the next you’re back in a coat, wondering why you were so confident. All while trying to remember where you left the plant labels that have inevitably blown somewhere into the next postcode.
But this is also the month when things really begin. The allotment shifts from looking like a slightly ambitious mud collection to something that resembles progress. Seedlings appear, beds take shape, and suddenly it all feels possible again. It’s impossible not to feel hopeful.
April reminds me that gardening isn’t about perfection. It’s about hope, second chances, and accepting that yes, I probably did sow too much again — even though I now have more
space than the collection of planters in my back garden. Will I learn? Almost certainly not.
Perhaps ask me again in September, when I’m knee-deep in onions and courgettes.
What I’m Sowing This Month
Brussels sprouts, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, spinach and hardy salad leaves, spring onions, and peas.
I’ll also be setting up my herb pallet.
And, of course, I’m sowing far more lettuce than any sensible household could ever need — because this might finally be the year I achieve salad self-sufficiency. It won’t be. But I admire my optimism.
New Gardens to Visit in Powys
After such a wet and dismal winter, any glimpse of sunshine is a real boost, especially to the gardeners amongst us! Spring brings the promise of new life and the chance to get out and enjoy the seasons again. The sight of the 2026 National Garden Scheme Powys booklets (this year bi-lingual for the first time) hot-offthe-press is very welcome, and an opportunity to plan your garden visits. Pick yours up from garden centres, TICs/libraries and supermarkets.
In Powys, there are 77 gardens opening this year, including five village openings (two new this year) and seven new stand-alone new gardens. Hosting bookahead Special Events are The Fairdene Gallery near Montgomery, and Vaynor Park near Berriew, both of which sold out last year. These events include introductory talks and guided tours by the owners.
Fifteen of the gardens listed are open by arrangement for private visits for groups of all kinds such as WI and garden clubs. These gardens are also perfect for a special celebration venue, or just to catch up with family and friends over tea and home-made cakes. The details of how to book these special gardens online are in the Powys NGS booklets.
The National Garden Scheme Powys booklet is available for the first time this year in Welsh as well as English
The new season starts with two very different gardens. To celebrate the start of British Summer Time on Sunday 29 March, enjoy the banks of daffodils above the splendid Grade II listed formal gardens of Llangedwyn Hall (SY10 9JW), open between 12-4pm. Home-made teas are being served in Llangedwyn Craft Centre Cafe, which overlooks the glorious Tanat Valley.
As a complete contrast, the hidden intimate town centre garden at Oak Cottage, 23 High Street in Welshpool (SY21 7JP) will also be open 2-5pm to show off its many varieties of unusual plant species. Oak Cottage will also be open on Easter Monday, Sunday 19 April and May 4 Bank Holiday.
For more information visit https://ngs.org.uk.
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1. By what name was the London Eye originally known when it opened to the public in 2000?
2. Which 2001 film was promoted with the tagline “You won’t believe your eye”?
3. What one-eyed mythological creature shares its name with an electronic device previously used at Wimbledon to determine whether a tennis serve was in or out?
4. In a famous scene from the William Shakespeare play Macbeth, the eye of what animal is an ingredient in the witches’ spell?
5. According to Greek mythology, Hera commemorated her watchman, Argus, by preserving his one hundred eyes on which bird?
6. On which TV series did actress Uzo Aduba play a character nicknamed Crazy Eyes?
7. Formed in 2009, all of the members of the rock group Beady Eye were previously members of which other group?
8. Who played James Bond in the film For Your Eyes Only?
9. Which part of the human eye has a name that was derived from the Greek word for “rainbow”?
10. In the 1970s the only two UK number one singles with the word “eyes” in the title were the only two solo number one hit singles by which singer?
S crossword Across: 1
9 El Niño, 10 In spades, 12 Hispanic, 13 Greene, 15 Nile, 16 Corking, 20 Iguanas, 21 Flee, 25 Harlow, 26
3. Cyclops, 4. Newt, 5. The peacock (on its tail), 6. Orange Is the New Black, 7. Oasis, 8. Roger Moore, 9. The iris, 10. Art Garfunkel (Bright Eyes and I Only
