Shire Magazine March-April 2026 Cheshire

Take a look at the secret meanings, medicinal properties and flower power found in the plants and blossoms of spring

www.shiremagazine.co.uk

Bloomin’ marvellous Spring

In print

One local artist shares the dedication and detail involved in creating the perfect prints

Hop to it! Go on an Easter egg hunt at one of the heritage gardens opening its doors for a great day out

Shop local Shire’s top garden centres for all your shopping (and cake!) needs

Publisher Dan Bromage

Editor

Kate Speedie

Chief Subeditor

Wendy Reed

Sta Writers

Juliet Davies

Lynda Kenny

Alison Steele

Designers

Ella Knight

Meryl McIntosh

Sean Mason

Advertising Design

Andy Beavis

Sales & Marketing

Jon Hunt

Distribution Manager

Paul Howard

Finance & Accounts

David Kynaston

Nicky Kynaston

Jane Osman

Contributors

Holly Johnson, John Hargreaves, P Parker, Helen Cooke, Bob Hickman, Lisa Whelan, Adele

Barry, Prof. Conor Magee

Alice Leetham, Deborah Law, Lee Ruddin, J McKinney, Sharon Evans, Rachel Lloyd

Credits

Selected Images by pressfoto on Freepik

Email Shire magazine editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk advertising@shiremagazine.co.uk

Shire Magazine

PO Box 276

Oswestry Shropshire SY10 1FR

Tel: 01691 661270 shiremagazine.co.uk

Print ISSN 2514-3913 Online ISSN 2514-3921

SHIRE MAGAZINE is published

bi-monthly by Superstar Publishing Ltd.

Every e ort is made to ensure that the information and advice contained in these articles is correct and appropriate, but no liability or responsibility for loss or damage to any person acting or refraining from action in reliance on or as a result of anything omitted from such articles can be, or is accepted by, the authors, the publishers, their employees or any other persons connected with Superstar Publishing Ltd. Views expressed by contributors to Shire magazine are not necessarily those of the magazine or of Superstar Publishing Ltd and should be attributed to the authors concerned. Save as expressively permitted by law no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written authority of the Publisher, acting for Shire magazine. Privacy Policy published online at shiremagazine.co.uk © 2026 Superstar Publishing Ltd, all rights reserved. Registered Number: 10604188.

WELCOME, DEAR READER…

There was a buzz of excitment at Shire HQ with the launch of the nationwide search for the UK’s first Town of Culture. We’re lucky to live in a region with such a rich and varied cultural heritage – and while the winners won’t be announced until early next year, we reckon several destinations on our home patch are very strong contenders.

In this issue, we take a look at just four of our personal favourite places to visit for a cultural hit –but who do you think deserves the crown? Do let us know, and we’ll hopefully feature more in the future.

Your spring edition of Shire Magazine is full to bursting with features, news and reviews. We’ve nosed out the best places to enjoy bluebells, blossom and other wild plants in their natural glory – and share some intriguing facts about their hidden powers. It’s growing season in the garden too, so our round-up of top local garden centres makes essential reading, and there’s tips on planting seeds and a suggestion for a stunning country estate to visit.

With school holidays on the horizon, our packed What’s On section is sure to come in handy, and you won’t want to miss the hassle-free kitchen makeover tips in our stylish Homes and Interiors pages. All this and your regular favourites inside – enjoy!

IN THIS ISSUE

CULTURE CLUB

Join the hunt for the UK’s Town of Culture in some of Shire’s favourite places

1

WILD AND (mostly) FREE The best local spots to enjoy da odils and bluebells in their natural habitat

Tell us about your upcoming events. Just remember that we work in advance, so 1st April is the deadline for events you’d like to feature in our May/June issue.

2

Share your reader stories

Have you got an exciting or extraordinary story to tell? We’d like to feature it in the next issue. Send us an email –and don’t forget to include a picture or two as well.

3

THE FUN STARTS HERE!

Check out the What’s On section for all the events, activities and entertainment in your region

GET IN TOUCH!

We have lots of regulars that readers can contribute to:

Reader photos Taken a great shot recently? Email your best e ort and it might get featured! See page 104.

Reader poems Do you like penning the odd line? So do we! Send us your poems – we’d love to include them on our poetry page. See page 107 for more.

Your pets Is your pet the love of your life? Send a snap, along

with their name and anything else you want to tell us. See page 100 for details.

Get social Follow, like and friend us on Facebook and Instagram to be first in line for event updates, competitions and more.

Visit our website online at shiremagazine.co.uk and send submissions and information by email to editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk

Personal

MARCH/APRIL 2026 Contents

The ultimate guide to what’s going on across the region, our events diary stretches from North and Mid Wales, across Cheshire and right through Shropshire – there’s Easter trails and egg hunts to satisfy the most excited little bunnies, and lots more besides!

21 Celebrity

Comedy legend John Cleese talks to Shire about adapting TV favourite Fawlty Towers into a stage show that is coming soon to a theatre near you.

48 Reviews

It’s been a busy time for the Shire team – we’ve been out and about visiting and reporting on local concerts and attractions to let you know what we think.

50 Culture Club

As the nationwide hunt begins for the UK’s first Town of Culture, we visit four top Shire destinations and explore the fantastic art, heritage and leisure attractions they have to o er.

57 Holidays

With sunshine back in the forecast, it’s the perfect time to plan ahead for a holiday, or even think about an investment in your own little piece of paradise – let us help you choose the perfect getaway.

62 Active

With sunshine back in the forecast, we focus on two fun sports activities to get you out on the water – try whichever floats your boat!

64 Food & Drink

Our food and drink section is packed as ever with foodie treats – another great recipe, wine notes from Gary Carter, culinary news, and the pick of fresh seasonal produce.

71 Homes

This issue we’re focusing on the heart of your home, with ideas for transforming your kitchen without breaking the bank. Plus homes and interiors stories to help make your place bright, beautiful and always in style.

96 Shop Local

Spring has sprung! Everyone’s heading to the garden centre –so we sent the Shire shoppers to track down the region’s best.

98 Pets & Wildlife

Our pet page this time is devoted to stray pets – we don’t expect a dry eye in the house. Thankfully we’ve uplifting news from our birding friends, and more of your pet portraits too.

102 Arts

We’re down by the Dee with a wonderful printmaker and celebrating the re-emergence of some lost artworks. And we share more of your entries from our regular competition.

105 Competition

Don’t miss your chance to win a fabulous prize in our exclusive competition.

106 Books & Poetry

In our regular section on local authors and recommended reads, we chat to a writer whose hunt for a father figure turned into a successful book

111 Health & Beauty

Our health and wellbeing guide will keep you looking and feeling your best with advice from professionals and experts.

113 Education

As the academic year continues, we share successes and developments from schools, colleges and universities across the area.

121 Charity

A look at the voluntary and charity organisations that do so much good for so many good causes across the area.

123 Retirement

Stories focusing on the older generation include a look at the top two holiday choices –cruising and caravanning – plus looking after your wellbeing in retirement

127 Retirement

The Savvy Welsh Girl is back with tips for spring-cleaning your finances.

84 Flower power

Here’s your chance to learn more about the plants that gladden us at this time of year and where you can enjoy them in the wild.

91 Gardens

Head for the woods on a spring adventure, and there’s expert advice on seed planting too…

130 Letters

Check out what other readers have to say, with a selection from the Shire postbag (and inbox!) – as well as feedback from the team and from you!

Showtime jukebox

Money for Nothing, 14th March Be captivated by the authentic sounds of this Dire Straits tribute, with favourites including ‘Sultans of Swing’ and ‘Private Investigations’. 7.30pm. Tickets £32.

Showaddywaddy, 27th March A dynamic and uplifting show featuring belters such as ‘Under the Moon of Love’, ‘ ree Steps to Heaven’ and ‘Hey Rock & Roll’. 7.30pm. Tickets £26.

Vintage vibe

e Artisan Market Company is back with more unmissable events for spring. e Artisan * Vintage * Flea on 14th March at Wrexham’s Ty Pawb is a chance to hunt for vintage clothing, quirky collectables, artisan crafts, vinyl and more. ere’s live music, a pop-up bar and street food (10am-4pm, free entry).

Another Artisan * Vintage * Flea comes to Provstretcher, Llandudno on 28th March, a stylish space next to Providero Co ee House (11am-5pm, £2, under-18s free).

e rst Artisan Market of the year is at Bodnant Welsh Food on 5th April (Easter Sunday) – 50 stalls o ering the nest arts, crafts, vintage,

WHAT’S ON NORTH WALES

DID YOU KNOW?

Dire Straits’ 1985 Brothers in Arms was the first album to sell 1m copies in CD format

e Rocket Man – A Tribute to Sir Elton John, 11th April e highs, the lows and the laughter of a musical icon. 7.30pm. £32.

Girl Power Live, 18th April From the anthems of Whitney to the pop of Kylie and Gaga, the tunes just keep coming! 7.30pm. Tickets £26.50. www.williamastonwrexham.com

MELLOW YELLOW

Bodnant Garden, near Conwy delivers an extraspecial spectacle in spring, when the Old Park Meadow and Glades are transformed into a carpet of buttercup-yellow Narcissus pseudonarcissus along with many other da odil varieties. Next come pockets of white- owered Pheasant’s Eye, blending beautifully into emerging swathes of iconic bluebells. See www.nationaltrust.org.uk

skincare, cheese, cakes, booze and more, plus activities for kids (10am-4pm, free). And Tweedmill Shopping Outlet hosts a Spring Artisan Market on 19th April, with a pop-up cocktail bar! (10-4pm, free) www. theartisanmarketcompany.co.uk

GET SET, SEW!

Ever admired a beautifully stitched quilt and wanted to have a go yourself? At Abakhan Mostyn’s Weekend Quilt Class on 14th & 15th March you’ll learn the skills and produce your own heritage quilt (10.30am-3.30pm, £100 excluding materials). Aspiring dressmakers: learn how to decode those ba ing pattern symbols, how to alter t and more at Bought Patterns & How to Use em on 11th April (11am-3pm, £40, patterns provided). Tickets via Eventbrite, details at www.abakhan.co.uk

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 3RD-8TH MARCH

•3rd-7th March, Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty, Theatr Clywd, Mold A thrilling adventure based on the work of Conan Doyle, combining powerful performances with a haunting soundscape. 2.45 & 7.45pm. Tickets from £25.

•4th & 18th March, 1st, 15th & 29th April, Open Days, Aberclwyd Manor, Corwen A chance to tour this 4-acre garden overlooking the Clwyd Valley, with spring flowers, perennials and cream teas. 11am-4pm. £6 (children free).

•Weekends from 7th March & every day in April, Greenfield Valley, Holywell The whole family will enjoy a day out at this

fascinating museum, complete with farm and soft play area. www.greenfieldvalley.com

•7th-8th March, Fawlty Towers Weekend, The Beaches Hotel, Prestatyn A weekend of chaos, comedy and classic Basil, Sybil and Manuel fun, with great food and lots of surprises. From £295 per person; dinner only, £59.50.

•8th March, Relax & Refresh, Trigonos, Caernarfon

This calming half-day retreat will focus on gentle movement, breathwork, deep rest and mindful connection. 9.30am-2pm. £55.

•8th March, Ensemble Cymru, St Mary’s Church, Conwy This wonderful ensemble of musicians and performers perform a wide variety of music to lift the winter blues. 4pm. Free, donations welcome.

NORTH WALES WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

8TH-14TH MARCH

•Until 8th March, Huw Jones, Ruthin Craft Centre An exhibition of works inspired by the human figure and the interaction between the figurative and the abstract. Tues-Sun 10am-5.30pm. Free.

•10th March, The Wonder of Stevie, Theatr Colwyn Mesmerising vocalist Noel McCalla and saxophonist Derek Nash perform iconic hits including ‘Superstition’, ‘Sir Duke’, ‘Master Blaster’ and more. 7.30pm. £34.50.

•10th March & 14th April, Paint Club, Clio Lounge, Bangor Create your own masterpiece, guided by a professional artist, in a relaxed, social and creative setting. 7.30pm. £30, bookable via www.thepaint club.co.uk

•12th March, The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins, Venue Cymru, Llandudno In her first live show in over a decade, the muchloved Bake O star delivers a hilarious treatise on stigma, humiliation and misunderstanding. 7.30pm. £33.

•14th March, Spring Fayre, St Kentigern Hospice, St Asaph Support the hospice while having some springthemed fun – there’s live music, entertainment, stalls, games, bouncy castle, food & drink, and more. 10am-3pm. Free entry.

•14th March, Madama Butterfly, Venue Cymru, Llandudno Ukrainian National Opera presents Puccini’s tragic tale of a doomed love a air between a Japanese bride and an American o cer. Sung in Italian with English subtitles, with live orchestra. 7.30pm. Tickets from £36.

AND THE BANDS PLAY ON

London Symphonic Rock Orchestra, 16th

March Reimagined hits from Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters, AC/DC and more, in a candlelit fantasy forest setting. 7.30pm. Tickets from £37.50.

James Bond Concert Spectacular, 29th March

A critically acclaimed tribute to the iconic soundtracks, with narration by Caroline Bliss as Miss Moneypenny. 7.30pm. Tickets £39.

Nigel Kennedy: Virtuoso, 19th April e master violinist is back, with his trademark energy,

Yes, you read that right. On St David’s Day, 1st March, you can celebrate with a free ride at Bala Lake Railway if you live in North Wales –and there are reduced fares for visitors. Booking essential at www.bala-lake-railway.co.uk

And on 3rd-6th April, join the railway’s Easter Egg Hunt. Can you spot all the eggs hidden along the line and in the station and solve the puzzle? ere’s a chocolatey prize for every child – and you might even get to meet the White Rabbit!

technical wizardry and humour. 7.30pm. Tickets from £39.50.

Mamma Mia!, 21st-25th

April An ingenious staging of the sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads on a Greek island idyll. 7.30pm. Tickets from £23. www.venuecymru.co.uk

A GREAT CAUSE

DID YOU KNOW?

Symphony orchestras often reach 110 decibels – that’s as loud as rock bands

Gather friends, family, work mates and fourlegged pals and embrace the great outdoors whilst raising money for children with lifethreatening conditions on the Llangollen Canal Walk on 22nd March e sponsored walk in support of Hope House Children’s Hospices starts at Trevor Basin Visitor Centre and follows a 10-mile circular, taking in stunning heritage scenery including the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. It’s happening 10am-4pm. Register for £15 (child £5) at www.eventbrite.co.uk

Over 2,000 years of history will be on show on 11th-12th April at No Man’s Land multiperiod living history weekend at Bodrhyddan Hall, near Rhyl. Around 900 exhibitors and re-enactors will be sharing authentic costumes, original and replica equipment and weapons ancient to modern. Enjoy thrilling ring displays, military vehicles, stalls, refreshments, music and more. See www.bodrhyddan.co.uk

Space invaders

Neuadd Ogwen welcomes two legendary acts to Bethesda this April. On 16th, the mighty Fairport Convention, winners of a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award, perform folk rock favourites and some surprises from albums old and new (7.30pm, tickets £25). And on 25th April Jah Wobble & the Invaders of the Heart bring their inimitable blend of global music, reggae, fusion and punk, with Wobble’s hypnotic bass ri s (7.30pm, tickets £24). www.neuaddogwen.com

Ruthin Ruthin

One ancient Welsh town. Two historic family-friendly attractions. One ancient Welsh town. Two historic family-friendly attractions.

Ruthin Gaol - make a day of it!

Nantclwyd y Dre

HISTORIC DENBIGHSHIRE

EXPLORE HISTORY TOGETHER

Medieval to modern, bygone fashions to wartime rati ons, get hands on with nearly 600 years of history at Na ntclwyd y Dre historic house and gardens. Then, unlock the past at Ruthin Gaol as you explore the cells, uncovering ta kes of rati ons, Na ntclwyd ta of ESCAPE THE GAOL FAMILY GAOLTRAIL!FAMILY TRAIL!

Medieval to modern, bygone fashions to wartime rations, get hands on with nearly 600 years of history at Nantclwyd y Dre historic house and gardens. Then, unlock the past at Ruthin Gaol as you explore the cells, uncovering takes of infamous inmates and what life was like under the Victorian ‘silent system’ (we promise to let you out).

infamous inmates and what life was like under the Victorian ‘silent system’ (we promise to let you ou t).

Picnics and pooches welcome!

Picnics and pooches welcome!

Plan your visit at denbighshire.gov.uk/heritage

TIME PASSPORT,TRAVELLER’S TEDDY TRAIL AND BATCAM!

Open from Saturday 28 March th Open from Saturday 28 March th your second attraction

TIME PASSPORT,TRAVELLER’S TEDDY TRAIL AND BATCAM!

Rhuthun Rhuthun

Un dref Gymreig hanesyddol. Dau atyniad hanesyddol sy’n addas i deuluoedd.

Un dref Gymreig hanesyddol. Dau atyniad hanesyddol sy’n addas i deuluoedd.

Gostyngiad ar bris mynediad i’ch ail atyniad

SIR DDINBYCH HANESYDDOL

DARGANFYDDWCH HANES GYDA’CH GILYDD

LLWYBR DIANC O’R CARCHAR I DEULUOEDD DIANC O’R CARCHAR I DEULUOEDD

Nantclwyd y Dre Nantclwyd y Dre

PASBORT TEITHIO

DRWY AMSER, LLWYBR TEDI-BÊR,YSTLUMODCAMERA

DRWY AMSER, LLWYBR TEDI-BÊR,YSTLUMODCAMERA - gwnewchohoni!ddiwrnod

O’r canoloesol i’r modern, o’r oes o’r bl aen a dognau’r rhyfel, mwynhewch brofiadau ymarferol gyda bron i 6 00 mlynedd o hanes yn nhŷ a gerddi hanesyddol Nantclwyd y Y na, datglowch 6 00 mlynedd na, datglowch y

y gorffennol yng Ngharchar Rhuthun wrth i chi grwyd ro o amgylch y celloedd, darganfod straeon am y carcharorion enwog a sut beth oedd bywyd o dan ‘system dawel’ Victoraidd (rydym y n addo eich rhyddhau). Mae croeso i chi ddod â phicnic a chŵn!

O’r canoloesol i’r modern, ffasiynau o’r oes o’r bl aen a dognau’r rhyfel, mwynhewch brofiadau ymarferol gyda bron i 600 mlynedd o hanes yn nhŷ a gerddi hanesyddol Nantclwyd y Dre. Y y gorffennol yng Ngharchar Rhuthun wrth i chi grwyd ro o amgylch y celloedd, darganfod straeon am y carcharorion enwog a sut beth oedd bywyd o dan ‘system dawel’ Victoraidd (rydym yn addo eich rhyddhau). Mae croeso i chi ddod â phicnic a chŵn!

Yn agor ddydd Sadwrn 28 Mawrth Yn agor ddydd Sadwrn 28 Mawrth

Cynlluniwch eich ymweliad: www.sirddinbych.gov.uk/treftadaeth

WHAT’S ON NORTH WALES

BEST OF THE BAY

John Lydon: I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right, 13th March e Sex Pistols and Public Image frontman talks about life and his career, taking questions from those who dare! 7.30pm. Tickets from £37.

Snow White, 17th-18th April Enjoy a magical adventure lled with catchy songs and cheeky jokes: this sparkling show is perfect for the whole family. Various times. Tickets from £12.

Back on the tracks

Antiques and a Little Bit of Nonsense, 24th April ey’ve made some of our best-loved TV, now Charlie Ross, Christina Trevanion and Philip Serrell share anecdotes galore. 7.30pm. Tickets £30.

Hounds of Love, 25th April A celebration of Kate Bush, taking you through the soundscapes, stories and spectacle of Kate’s world, with classics like ‘Wuthering Heights’, ‘Babooshka’ and more. 7.30pm. Tickets £28. www.theatrcolwyn.co.uk

Big night out

Circus Funtasia is a heart-racing, jaw-dropping fusion of daring stunts, spellbinding artistry and laugh-out-loud comedy, coming to Wrexham’s Bryn Y Grog Farm from 2nd-12th April

Hold onto your seats as motorbike daredevils roar through the fearsome Globe of Death with breathtaking precision. Circus Funtasia isn’t just a show: it’s an immersive theatre experience, a spectacle of courage, artistry and joy under the classic Big Top. www.circusfuntasia.co.uk

Only one thing beats sh ’n’ chips –that’s sh ’n’ chips by steam! Book your seat on Llangollen Railway for 28th & 29th March or 19th April e GWR Branch Line Gala on 10th-12th April features a visit from the 1924-built Small Prairie No 4555 from East Somerset & Dartmouth Steam Railway. With the 7754, 3802 and the nal running days of visiting Class 14 D9525 too, it’ll be an event to remember. www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

An inspiration

Visit Bala’s Mary Jones Pilgrim Centre and explore the story of a local girl who changed the lives of millions. In 1800, 15-year-old Mary walked 26 miles to Bala to buy a Bible: her journey inspired the founding of the British & Foreign Bible Society. Trace her journey via interactive displays, enjoy Easter activities and visit the church and cafe. Wednesday–Sunday 10am-4pm. www.maryjones.org.uk

WHAT’S ON

IN BRIEF

14TH-20TH MARCH

•14th March, St Patrick’s Day with The Cheesecutters, Ruthin Market Hall Grab your Guinness and enjoy a night of foot-stomping fun and Irish frolics from Holywell’s own dance band. 7pm. From £9.50.

•14th & 15th March, Brynkinalt Running Festival, Wrexham Set in the beautiful Brynkinalt Estate, there are 5k and 10k distances on o er, plus the option of canicross races for your canine friends. Book via www.letsdothis.com

FOR MUM, WITH LOVE

Looking to treat Mum on Mother’s Day?

Celebrate at e Woodworks Garden Centre & Cafe, Mold on 14th March (2pm) or the 15th (1.30pm). Enjoy a glass of Prosecco, tasty sandwiches, heavenly cakes, and freshly baked scones with jam and cream – and make some treasured memories. Mum will receive a potted plant to take home as a keepsake.

Afternoon tea for two is £49.50, additional diners £24.75, booking essential. Call 01352 752 555 opt. 3 or see www.woodworksgc.com/cafe

•15th March, St Patrick’s Day Walk, Chirk Castle Join Hector’s Greyhound Rescue for a relaxing, friendly walk around the grounds of Chirk with Fred. Dogs welcome! Noon-1.30pm. Bookings on 0300 0110 119.

•15th March, Mothers’ Day Children’s Crafts, Erddig, Wrexham Create your own bouquet picture using your child’s handprints in a drop-in art session in the Education Room. 11am-3pm. Standard admission applies.

•Until 15th March, Art Exhibition, Plas Glyn-Y-Weddw Arts Centre, Pwllheli

Featuring works by Camilla Jane Gittins, Jane Paice, Bill Swann, Meic Watts, Rhyn Williams and Anna Pritchard. Daily 9.30am-5pm. Free entry.

•20th March, BBC NOW: Magic & Melodies, PrichardJones Hall, Bangor Nil Venditti conducts Grace Williams’ bold Concert Overture, Sibelius’ Violin Concerto (soloist Liya Petrova) and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 1 in G Minor, ‘Winter Daydreams’. 7.30pm. £15 (under-26s £6).

NORTH WALES WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 20TH-26TH MARCH

•20th-21st March, One Act Play Festival, Theatr Clywd, Mold The best amateur and community theatre companies in North Wales bring dynamic short plays to the stage in this hotly contested competition. 7.15pm. From £12.

•21st March, PAS Cymru Finds Surgery, Llangollen Museum Detectorists! Book a slot (via Eventbrite) to bring your archaeological finds for identification and recording.

10am-12.30pm. Free. (Also 11th April at Denbigh Library.)

•Until 21st March, Open Art, Storiel, Bangor An exhibition showcasing work by artists and students over 16 who live or work in Wales – with a £1,000 prize (guest judge Kim Atkinson, with Jeremy Yates) Tues-Sat 11am5pm. Free entry.

•24th March, Talk: On the Shady Side, Halkyn Cricket Club, Holywell Clywd Hardy Plant Society hosts environmental and conservation expert Jill Cawthray to discuss shadeloving species for your garden. There will be plants for sale. 7.30pm. Non-members welcome, £3.

Heroes and villains

Bi to the Future, 12th-14th March e villain of Back to the Future takes centre stage in this comedic reimagination of Marty’s time-travelling escapades. 2.45 & 7.45pm. Tickets from £15.

Under Milk Wood, 16th March – 4th April

Enter an eccentric world lled with romance, fantasy, scandal and song, in this funny, moving production of Dylan omas’s iconic drama. 2.30 & 7.30pm. Tickets from £15.

COME CREATE

e Dreamatorium in Ruthin is a vibrant creative hub and home of Lavinia Stamps, known for magical, nature-inspired designs. More than a craft shop, it’s a beautifully curated space o ering a wide selection of crafting supplies, gifts and stylish homeware. Spring Extravaganza Open Days are on Fri 27th & Sat 28th March, 9am5pm. Warm, welcoming and full of inspiration, it’s a place to shop, create and connect. Find Dreamatorium at 26 Well Street LL15 1AW. www. laviniastamps.com

•24th-28th March, When We Are Married, Grove Park Theatre, Wrexham Packed with witty dialogue, JB Priestley’s delightful farce o ers a look at marriage and class pretensions within the Edwardian middle classes. 7.30pm. £10.

•26th March, Conwy Seed Fair Browse one of Britain’s oldest Charter fairs, which fills the historic town centre with heritage seed stalls, plants, crafts and local produce. 9am4pm. Free entry.

Transport to delight

Llandudno Transport Festival, at Bodafon Fields from 2nd-4th May, is the largest show of its kind in Wales, featuring commercial vehicles, cars, bikes and steam traction engines. It’s held in conjunction with the town’s Victorian Extravaganza and the two events are linked by a shuttle bus service.

ere’ll be road runs around Conwy and Marine Drive, along with the Crosville gathering of vintage buses and coaches – and a sales area to pick up bargains! For tickets, see www.llantransfest.co.uk

War of the Worlds, 15th-18th

DID YOU KNOW?

The Air Transport Auxiliary was one of the first organisations to give women equal pay

April An audacious and timely retelling of HG Wells’ classic tale of alien invasion. 2.30 & 7.30pm. Tickets from £15.

Spit re Girls, 21st-25th April Celebrating the extraordinary women who dared to y during WWII and the incredible bond that united them. 2.30 & 7.30pm. Tickets from £15. www.theatrclywd.com

Snowdonia classic

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways’ classic service e Snowdonian runs on 25th & 26th April – an unforgettable 80-mile round trip under a variety of power. ere’ll be a loco swap at Boston Lodge, then it’s through Porthmadog and onto Welsh Highland rails. Lunch at Snowdonia Parc Brewpub o ers a chance to sample their awardwinning ale, and on the return trip to Porthmadog a sweet treats box will be served to your seat. Tickets from £260. www.festrail.co.uk

Music to your ears

Blazin’ Fiddles, 12th March e power and the passion of Scotland’s music is delivered by a virtuosic ensemble of Highlands & Islands ddlers, backed by powerhouse guitar and piano. 7.30pm. Tickets £20.

Fleetwood Unchained, 2nd April Capturing the essence of the Mac sound, expect hits from ‘Dreams’ and ‘Go Your Own Way’ to ‘Rhiannon’ and more. 7.30pm. Tickets £24. www. galeri caernarfon.com

ExhibitionofTextileCrafts

AllSaintsChurch,LL128RG togetherwith WrexhamQuiltingCircleExhibition GresfordMemorialHall,LL128PS

June16th-19th2026

Tues,Wed,Fri10.30am-5.00pm Thursday10.30am-7pm GuestExhibitors

2 LynHolman,Quilter

2 TheRofftSchool

Admission£4 (cashonly) Coversbothexhibitions

Allproceedstolocalcharities

SaleofCraft•Fabric•Plants•Tombola Lightrefreshmentsavailable

FurtherInformation:Phone:01978750250 FindusonFacebook

For Curious Walkers

ART IN SPRINGTIME

Exhibitions at Ruthin Craft Centre until 22nd March include textile artist Hâf Weighton, interpreting the many faces and meanings of the ‘High Street’ in Wales through stitch, paint, print and lm. ‘Grain + Fibre: Wood and Paper in Contemporary Craft’ celebrates the use of these materials in both homes and art; ‘New Printmaking’ showcases diverse works by recent

At Rhyl Little Theatre

Lovers of soul and R&B, don’t miss e Story Behind Motown on 7th March: you’ll be on your feet dancing to the hits of e Four Tops, Diana Ross, Jackie Wilson and co (7.30pm, £15).

On 24th April, em Heavy Souls bring “the ultimate British blues rock experience”, with songs from Led Zeppelin, Je Beck, Fleetwood Mac and more. (7.30pm, £18.50). www.rhyllittletheatre.co.uk

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Discover curios of Aberystwyth on an immersive walk with Aberdabbadoo. Highlights include ‘Ahoy m’hearties’, revealing the town’s maritime past with sea shanties and beer tasting. ‘Rosemary’s Legacy’ follows the fortunes of two young evacuees through love letters, and ‘On the tiles’ will immerse you in mosaics and social history. Walks are two hours, with an interval drink. www.aberdabbadoo.com

ON IN BRIEF

DID YOU KNOW?

Haf is a Welshspeaking artist based in Penarth and likes to sew on a 1930s Singer machine

graduates from colleges across Wales, and Wendy Lawrence is featured in the Ceramic Portal. Tuesday–Sunday 10am–5.30pm. On 14th March try your hand at traditional printing, or repurposing old books to make paper roses. Both workshops are led by Francesca Kay (£35 each). www.ruthincraftcentre.org.uk

•27th March, Spring Concert, St Paul’s Church, Llandudno St David’s Hospice presents an atmospheric candlelit concert of songs from the movies and shows. 7.30pm. Tickets £20 via https://register. enthuse.com/ps/event/ SpringConcertLlandudno2026

•28th March, Kombucha Masterclass, Hawarden Walled Garden School

Our natural world

Let’s Get Excited About Ospreys is a chance to learn about these charismatic birds at Llyn Brenig visitor centre (1-3pm, £10) – or join a walk along Afon Lledr from Dolwyddelan station (10am3pm, donations welcomed), both on 14th March On 18th March Wynne ap Gwilym discusses the fascinating Freshwater Microbiota of North Wales at Gresford Memorial Hall (7.30pm, donations welcomed). www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk

Club nights

Rhyl Music Club hosts more spectacular concerts this spring. On 11th March, world-class pianist Llyr Williams performs Beethoven, Schumann and Chopin. On 25th March the Stephen Pritchard Roberts Memorial Concert features award-winning soprano Erin Rossington, with Ellis omas on piano and includes Dvorak’s Gypsy Songs. All concerts 7pm, tickets £15 (student/child free). www.rhylmusic.com

Wales in miniature

‘MiniPrint Cymru’ is an initiative designed to raise the pro le of contempoary printmaking Wales-wide, and comprises 270 individual mini prints. It’s on show at Mostyn Llandudno from 14th March, alongside Paul Eastwood’s ‘Unreadings’, which brings together works on paper, sculpture, moving image and sound to investigate how language constructs identity, memory and belonging. Open Tuesday–Saturday 10.30am-4.30pm. Free entry. www.mostyn.org

Discover the magic and flavours of fermentation with The Plucky Pickle, and learn how to make kombucha –with tasting! 10.30am-2pm. £60.

•1st April, Wales Harp Festival, Galeri Caernarfon Harpists of all ages and levels can sign up for a one-day workshop (£50, under-18s £40, registration essential) and there’ll be ‘harps galore’ at 5pm on the Galeri balconies. Free.

•5th April, Easter Fun, Bailey Hill, Mold An open-air fun day for all the family, with entertainment, activities and the Easter Bunny! Hosted by Mold Town Council. From 11am. Free.

•9th April, Daliso Chaponda: Topical Storm, Theatr Clywd, Mold Expect sharp one-liners and well-crafted gags as Daliso takes aim at the folk who report our news: journalists, bloggers and fake news purveyors. 7.45pm. From £16.

•10th-11th April, You Choose, Theatr Clywd, Mold Using a children’s book as inspiration, the cast creates a unique family performance where the audience decides what happens next! Various times. From £8.

NORTH WALES WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 10TH-18TH APRIL

•10th-12th April, North Wales Jazz Guitar Weekend, Coleg Cambria Yale, Wrexham Learn from professional musicians including Alessio Menconi, Nigel Price, Anthony Ormesher, Trefor Owen and Jamie Holroyd. £180. www.wrexhaminternationaljazz guitarweekend. co.uk

•11th April, The Ultimate Boyband Party Show, Venue Cymru, Llandudno Revisiting poptastic hits by Take That, Boyzone, Westlife and more, together with spontaneous singalongs! 7.30pm. From £28.

•11th April, Northern & Modern Soul, Rhyl Pavilion Keep the faith with DJs Tim and Chris Conway and Mike ‘Moonshine’ Roberts. Music from 8pm, 1891 restaurant open from 4.30pm. £5 or free entry if dining.

•14th April, Talk: What Have Plants Done for Us? Halkyn Cricket Club, Holywell Clywd Hardy Plant Society hosts Tracy Foster who discusses her gardening book, life as a botanical tour guide and her garden design business. 7.30pm. Nonmembers welcome, £3.

•18th April, Denbigh & District

Male Voice Choir, St Asaph Cathedral A fundraising concert in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care, with guests Rhys Meirion, Owen Barton Davies and Enfys. 7pm. For tickets, please see www.denbighchoir.com

Variety at Rhyl Pavilion

e Dubliners Encore, 19th March A tribute to the original bad boys of Irish music: 50 years of songs, stories and craic in one unforgettable night. 7.30pm. Tickets from £33.

Oh What A Night, 28th March Celebrate the timeless music of Frankie Valli & e Four Seasons: all the hits, slick harmonies and even slicker dance moves. 7.30pm. Tickets £32.

Mother Goose, 4th & 5th April Featuring a star

TWO TRIBES

Catch two authentic tributes at Buckley’s Tivoli Venue: on 13th March see Beatles Complete, direct from Liverpool’s Cavern Club (7pm, £21). On 25th April Supernova perform Oasis – they supported the band’s 2025 tour (7pm, £18). wwwtivolivenue.com

•18th April, Gypsy Crafts, Woodland Skills Centre, Bodfari Learn how to weave a traditional hazel basket that to fill with flowering bulbs, along with small willow baskets and traditional flowers. £90.

Walks on the wild side

Wildlife, history, conservation: RSPB South Stack, Anglesey has it all. Join their guided Wildlife Walk on 21st March and maybe spot a charismatic chough (1-2.30pm, tickets £10). On 26th April, budding photographers are invited to ‘Capture the South Stack’. Under the expert eyes of Jim and Andy, you’ll discover the unique stories hidden within the landscape – from sweeping sea cli s to the intricate details of local wildlife. e workshop runs 9am-4pm and costs £86. Book in advance at https://events.rspb.org.uk

cast, this ‘cracking’ Easter panto for all the family promises song and dance, colourful costumes and great sets. 2 & 6pm. Family ticket £78.

DID YOU KNOW?

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons released two singles in 1965 as The Wonder Who

e Drifters, 25th April Back on tour in the UK, the group bring a brand-new show packed with their classic hits from six decades – ‘Saturday Night at the Movies’, ‘Stand By Me’, ‘Under the Boardwalk’ and many more! 7.30pm. Tickets £37. www.rhylpavilion.co.uk

Spring exhibitions

Artist Elin Crowley returns to Oriel Glasfryn, Caerwys with an exhibition of etchings and collagraphs, to view until 29th March Also through March, explore Nic Stace’s ceramic sculptures on the theme of identity. From 3rd April there’s an exhibition of small works, and Glasfryn Hall hosts its Spring Exhibition, featuring Dave Roberts’ stunning pastels and ceramics by Katherine Breaks (until 4th May). Free entry. www.orielglasfryn.com

SOUND AND

VISION

Enjoy some ’60s magic at Wrexham’s Ty Pawb on 7th March as e Hit Parade perform Motown and Northern Soul classics (7pm, tickets £20 including £5 to Macmillan).

Exhibiting until 4th April

Jonathan Le Vay’s paintings explore structure, pattern, composition, colour and movement. From 18th April the DARCH Collective presents ‘You Have Done is Before’, an interactive exhibition and communal shrine installation exploring what it means to come of age during a climate crisis. Gallery open Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm. Free entry. www.typawb.wales

WHAT’S ON NORTH WALES

Attack of e Vapors

It’s all happening at Portmeirion! From 13th15th March, comedian Stewart Lee joins the post-punk revellers for Skids Absolute Weekend, followed by the Vapors Weekend on 20th-21st e annual Six of One Prisoner convention takes place from 24th-26th April, celebrating the 1960s cult TV series. ere’ll be re-enactments of famous scenes, a Brain Bash, black-and-white

Making waves

Re ections – e Music of Diana Ross, with special guest Roy Carter, 27th March Tameka Jackson delivers an unforgettable performance as the legendary diva. She’s joined by Roy Carter (Heatwave), who brings a dynamic stage presence. 7.30pm. Tickets £25.

e Little Mermaid, 31st March – 1st April With a star cast, this modern re-imagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved tale is a feel-good family adventure for all ages. 11am & 3pm. Tickets £17.50 (child £15.50, family £55). https://stiwt.ticketsolve.com

Prestige show

From 14th March – 26th April

Anglesey’s Oriel Mon hosts a prestigious touring exhibition by the Society of Wood Engravers, from gurative work to contemporary interpretations. Meanwhile, until 8th March you can view work by members of the Association of Anglesey Art Clubs, including paintings, portraiture, sculpture, print and digital art. You’ve until July to catch ‘Ky n’, a selection of iconic images by Sir Ky n Williams. Gallery open Tuesday–Sunday 10am-5pm. Free entry. www.orielmon.org

DID YOU KNOW?

The Vapors’ former drummer Howard Smith was elected Mayor of Guildford, Surrey in 2025

fancy dress disco, guest talks, Portmeirion’s centenary celebrations and more. You must register with the Six of One society to attend. Steampunk Wales invades on 2nd-3rd May: join in with the promenading and socialising, visit Authors’ Corner, enjoy the live music and maybe try your hand at the odd bit of spontaneous teapot racing and duelling! www.portmeirion.wales

Living wild

Reconnect with nature, yourself and others at Living Wild UK’s Rest & Rewild day retreat on 29th March. Spend a restorative day immersed in mindful, nature-based activities, foraging and nature crafting, with a sauna and natural river pool to dip in. Perfect for relaxation, re ection and reconnecting with the wild.

Step into the world of wild food and explore the vibrant spring larder on guided foraging walks in and around Llangollen. Don’t miss the Forage & Ferment workshop at Plas Newydd on 4th April, combining foraging, avour and fermentation. Book your place at www.livingwild.uk

SWEET MUSIC

Catrin Finch: Notes to Self, 21st March

Catrin shares a series of re ective, deeply personal new tracks composed for Katy, her 13-year-old-self. 7.30pm. Tickets £22.

Travellers Tunes: An Evening with Steve Cradock, 11th April Hits from the Ocean Colour Scene songbook and more. 7pm. From £30. www.neuadddwyfor.cymru

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 19TH-24TH APRIL

•19th April, Natural Wool Dyeing, Wernog Wood, Ruthin Join Liz Benson to learn how to dye wool using flowers, roots and tree bark, each producing their own gentle colours. 9am-5pm. £160.

•21st & 26th April, RBO Live!: The Magic Flute, Ucheldre Centre, Holyhead A screening of Mozart’s opera from Covent Garden, with amazing costumes and sets. Sung in German with subtitles. 6.45pm (21st) & Encore at 2pm (26th). £13.

•22nd April, Evening with Ian Botham, William Aston Hall, Wrexham Join Lord Ian, former England cricket captain and one of the greatest all-rounders of his generation, as he discusses his life and career. 7.30pm. From £35.

•22nd-25th April, The Great British Bake-o Musical, Llangollen Town Hall Llangollen Operatic Society brings this musical adaptation of the much-loved TV show to the Llangollen stage! Times and tickets from www.llangollen.events

•24th April, Ar Log, Theatr Derek Williams, Bala Ar Log celebrate their 50th anniversary – enjoy a special evening of Welsh folk music, accompanied by Lowri Evans and Lee Mason. 8pm. Tickets £15.

•24th-26th April, In the Company of Readers, Gladstone’s Library, Hawarden A facilitated weekend where you can share beloved books and stories and join like-minded people in celebrating the joy and meaning of reading in our lives. From £414.

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 24TH APRIL – 2ND MAY

•24th April – 1st May, Wrexham Carnival of Words

A feast for book-lovers, featuring all genres and events in both Welsh and English. Poetry features strongly, with ‘Poetry: Live and Dangerous’ an annual highlight.

•25th April, Jazz in the Village, Llangoed Village Hall Ian Millar and Dominic Spencer, Scottish saxophone and piano duet, bring their blend of melodic jazz standards and original compositions to rural communities. 7.30pm. £15.

•25th April, Abakhan Artisan Market, Mostyn A vibrant market showcasing local artisans, makers and producers, and o ering everything from hand-made crafts to baked goods. 10am-4pm. Free entry.

Laughter and tears…

e Fureys: e Farewell Tour, 11th March e legends of Irish music and song play their last-ever concerts, reprising favourites like ‘ e Green Fields of France’. 7.30pm. Tickets £27.

Macbeth, 13th March A magical yet lucid interpretation of Shakespeare’s blood-soaked tragedy. Flabbergast eatre fuse a rigorous and respectful approach to text and storytelling in their production of the classic tale of greed and guilt. 7pm. Tickets £18.

•25th April – 16th May, Twelfth Night, Theatr Clywd, Mold Comedic love triangles, feuds and mischievous pranks: experience Shakespeare with a vibrant twist in this fun-filled, glitter-infused show. Various times. From £15.

•26th April, Open Garden, Maenan Hall, Llanrwst A beautiful garden in the Conwy Valley with bluebell-carpeted

woodland dell, magnolias, rhododendrons and more. Light meals are available. 10.30am4.30pm. £5 (children free).

•2nd-4th May, Victorian Extravaganza, Llandudno Enjoy classic fair rides, nostalgic steam engines and lots of Victorian amusements. At noon there’s a lively street parade featuring traction engines, vintage automobiles, marching bands and street performers. Free.

DID YOU KNOW?

Robin’s inviting fans to overshare for the show too! Find a link at www.robinj morgan.co.uk

Andy Fairweather Low, 18th April

Andy and his band perform songs from across his incredible career: from ‘Amen Corner’ to his fruitful solo albums and collaborations. 7.30pm. Tickets £30.

Robin Morgan: Let’s Overshare, 25th April

Enjoy cheeky charm, quick wit and hilarious oversharing in this new stand-up show from the star of Mock the Week and Radio 4’s e News Quiz. 7.30pm. Tickets £14. www.pontio.co.uk

HOLYHEAD HIGHLIGHTS

Matt Walters, 3rd April Matt performs a launch concert on the centre’s new organ, now to feature in regular recitals and events (see website). 7.30pm. Tickets £12 (child £4).

Vanhulle Dance eatre: Olive Branch, 11th April Olive Branch is a dynamic, feel-good, family-friendly dance duet that intertwines contemporary dance with martial arts. Expect a poetic tale of friendship and a celebration of nature’s beauty. 1 & 4pm. Tickets £10 (child £5). www.ucheldre.org

Make something beautiful

Chelsea Flower Show award winner Kathryn Cronin is o ering two wild ower workshops in one day at Wernog Wood, near Ruthin. On 28th March, join her in the morning to create a hand-tied posy; in the afternoon, fashion an arrangement in a handmade ceramic bowl (workshops £110 each). ere’s a host of other courses on o er too: on 18th April try a jewellery-making taster and create a simple silver ring with textured or basic copper details (2-5pm, £75). www.wernogwood.co.uk

Going wild

Join Woodland Classroom on 29th March for a Primitive Skills course in Firelighting. Step back into the Stone Age and explore the ancient art of creating re from natural materials (course 10am-4.30pm, £70). In Wild Food, Foraging & Wilderness Cookery on 25th or 26th April you’ll learn the best and tastiest ways to enjoy wild food, as you explore the mixed woodlands, wetlands and open meadows of Chirk’s Park in the Past (9.30am-4.30pm, £75). For bookings, visit www.woodlandclassroom.com

Say Cleese!

He’s been making us laugh for six decades now, rst with Monty Python and then as the inimitable Basil Fawlty. Shire caught up with comedy legend John Cleese as he heads on tour with the stage version of Fawlty Towers, coming to Llandudno in May.

Some stage adaptations seem destined to fail – but not Fawlty Towers: The Play. John Cleese admits he always knew it would be the hit it has been, selling out every performance in its West End run. “To be honest, I was more confident about it than almost anything I’ve done. But life has taught me to be self-deprecating, particularly in the UK, otherwise you’re accused of being a bit cocky and you get slapped down.

“I remember reading the script and thinking it was really funny. And the English love farce – farce is universal.”

Don’t mention the war

That satirical silliness is what made the original such a success, and John is justifiably proud of the series he co-created with

“THERE’S TALK OF BRINGING LIFE OF BRIAN TO THE LONDON STAGE”

his first wife, Connie Booth, now embedded in popular culture. “I was told of a family who have a game where one tries to introduce a quote from Fawlty Towers into the conversation without the other three realising,” he said. “How great a compliment is that?”

Fawlty Towers: The Play opened at London’s Apollo Theatre in 2024, and is now in the middle of a 10-month tour of the UK and Ireland. The show brings together three of the best-loved sketches, stitched together with a new finale by Cleese himself. Misunderstanding drives the action, from a threatened visit by hotel inspectors to the arrival of German guests, alongside Basil’s doomed attempts to hide his gambling losses from Sybil (Mia Austen), hindered by Manuel (Hemi Yeroham).

Master but not Commander

John, now 85, has written a book to mark the 50th anniversary of Fawlty Towers, and has been working with his younger daughter Camilla on ideas for a third series, set in a Caribbean motel, in which she would play Basil’s illegitimate daughter. Together they’re also developing a musical of A Fish Called Wanda John firmly believes laughter matters, which is why much contemporary television leaves him cold. “I’ve never seen Game of Thrones, but I did catch a few minutes of something the other day where a dragon was tied to a chain.”

Fawlty Towers endures because it is both funny and timeless, he believes. “And we were lucky with Monty Python. We made two good movies, one of them medieval, one set in the time of Christ. Neither is going to date.” There’s now talk of bringing The Life of Brian to the London stage.

John famously turned down a CBE in 1996. “I asked if I could call myself Commander Cleese. Absolutely not, apparently,” he quips, adding: “It’s enough to know – because people often tell me – I’ve helped them through difficult times by making them laugh. They come home, turn on an episode of Fawlty Towers and the world doesn’t seem quite so bleak. That’s my reward.”

Fawlty Towers – The Play runs until 25th July. For venues and tickets visit www.FawltyTowersTour.co.uk

Easter Trail

Sat 28th March to Sunday 12th April

om ete o r cha enging trai across the reen e d a e seum site to win a chocolatey treat. Available each day from 10.30am - 3.30pm, 28th March – 12th April.

Pay on arrival – £4.00 per trail participant (not included in general admissions or annual passes)

green e d a e com

DID YOU KNOW?

You can play with colour and sound at the interactive Art Lab – great for families!

A feast of talent

WHAT’S ON MID WALES

Catch an exhibition at MOMA Machynlleth this spring. Until 21st March, see Terry Duffy’s ‘The Vardre’, inspired by a volcanic hill at Deganwy, and Helen Ingham’s ‘Echoes of Skomer’, evoking the island’s shifting rhythms via layered surfaces and marks. Or explore ‘Boundaries’ by The Picturemakers, 13 artists from Mid Wales, along with ‘The Sea’, running until 11th April. Carl Chapple’s dynamic ‘Portraits and Dance’ is on show from 28th March, with Susannah Lester’s abstract ‘Stones and Greek Myth’.

Three exhibitions start from 18th April: Neil Johnson and John Smout’s structural ‘Double Vision’; John Rowland’s colourful and abstract ‘Chroma’, and Glenn Morris’ sculptural ‘Other’s.

The gallery is open Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-1pm. Free entry. www.moma.cymru

e hills are alive…

Enjoy cutting-edge comedy in some unique and intimate venues at Machynlleth Comedy Festival on 1st-3rd May – “the comedy fan’s comedy festival”. Many of the performers are familiar from TV and radio, including headliners Catherine Bohart, Ian Smith, Jessica Fostekew and Stewart Lee, and there’s showcases too. Full programme at www.machcomedyfest.co.uk

Make your own medicine

Join Willow Murton’s Herbal Foraging workshop at Strata Florida on 19th March. Beginning with a herb walk, learn how to identify common medicinal plants and make your own seasonal remedies (£50). On 25th April, learn all about the literature of Strata Florida back to the Middle Ages from Dafydd Johnston, visit the ruins and admire englyns in the cemetery (£50). www.strataflorida.org.uk

Listen up

Where can you hear Ukrainian bandura player Galyna Grigoriadi, cellist Clare O’Connell, Lucy Gibbs and Declan Hickey performing work by Jonty Watt, The Velvet Violin in cabaret, ‘Dragon Tales’ puppet show, six early-career composers developing new solo cello pieces, and find a plant sale? At Springboard Weekend on 17th-19th April! www.presteignefestival.com

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 1ST–14TH MARCH

•1st March & 5th April, Wildlife Explorers Club, RSPB Ynys-hir, Machynlleth A monthly club for young nature lovers aged 8-12. 10.30am-12.30pm. £5, booking essential.

•6th March, Spiral Mandala Painting, Denmark Farm, Lampeter Explore geometry in nature and the symbolism of spirals, and then use what you’ve learnt to create your own mandala. 10am-4pm. £65.

•6th March, Classical Concert, Dolgellau Music Club Hear the Molino Duo (flautist Sarah Fletcher and Leigh Matthews on classical guitar) and Duo Sereniti with soprano Holly Morris. 7.30pm. Tickets £12.

•7th March & 4th April, Photography Group, Powis Castle Join a National Trust photographer to learn something new, meet people and enjoy being outdoors. 11am-1pm. Session free, standard admission applies.

Live at the Hanging Gardens

The Hanging Gardens is a Wilderness Trust community project in the heart of Llanidloes, offering entertainment, workshops, groups and delicious food and coffee. On 28th March, folk-rockers Three Legg’d Mare bring their foot-stomping rhythms, raucous singalongs and irresistible energy to traditional songs of Wales, England and beyond. And on 26th April, cabaret-infused musical duo Crazy Pony pitch up all the way from Switzerland, with unbelievable banjo tricks, acrobatics and laugh-out-loud antics. Expect the unexpected! Details from www.thehanginggardens.org

•8th March, Legends of Motown, Albert Hall, Llandrindod Wells Prepare to be wowed! The music of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes and more will have you dancing in the aisles. 7.30pm. £20.

•14th March, Othello (cert 15), Magic Lantern, Tywyn Filmed live at London’s Theatre Royal, starring David Harewood, Toby Jones and Caitlin FitzGerald. 7.30pm. Tickets £13.

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 14TH–27TH MARCH

14th March, Abba Night, Montgomery Town Hall Dig out those platforms for a fun evening of live music from tribute Waterloo ABBA! 8.30pm. £17.50 (£20 on door).

•19th March, Magic & Melodies, Aberystwyth Arts Centre BBC National Orchestra of Wales performs Tchaikovsky’s charmingly wintery First Symphony, bursting with strings and folk melodies. 7.30pm. £15.

•20th-22nd March, Barmouth Adventure Film Festival, Dragon Theatre, Barmouth Thrills aplenty from this selection of short independent films about climbing, skiing, mountain biking and more. Day ticket £6, three days £15.

•22nd March, Welshpool 10k A challenging single-lap race that starts and finishes in the town centre, with breathtaking views of Powis Castle en route. From 8am. Register from £25.99 via Adrenaline Sporting Events.

•25th March, Guided Tour, Strata Florida, Pontrhydfendigaid Explore the Abbey’s history including Welsh princes, Cistercian monks, the impact of nearby Consols lead mine and more. 2pm. Free, donations welcome, booking essential.

•27th-28th March, Centre Stage, Theatr Felinfach, Dy ryn Aeron Sally Saunders Dance & Theatre Academy students showcase ballet and tap to jazz and musical theatre melodies. For tickets, call 01570 470 697.

Drama in Aberystwyth

Macbeth, 11th-12th March A magical interpretation of Shakespeare’s blood-soaked tragedy of greed and guilt from Flabbergast Theatre. 7pm. Tickets £20.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, 20th & 21st March

An adaptation of Anne Brontë’s Gothic novel: a story of resilience, survival and an uncompromising need for truth. 2 & 7pm. Tickets £16.

Eggs-cellent adventures

The Gruffalo and the Gruffalo’s Child are visiting Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway on 28th & 29th March! They’ll be greeting families and children will receive an activity sheet, crayon, biscuit and juice to enjoy on the journey.

On 3rd-6th April you can meet the Easter Bunny on the Easter Carrot Express. Enjoy family entertainment and crafting fun, with a chocolate egg for every child. www.wllr.org.uk

At Aberystwyth Arts Centre this spring, you can see works by Zimbabwe-born Simangaliso Sibanda until 29th March; Sam Vicary & Catrin Llwyd’s ‘Blended Worlds’, exploring landscape through paint; and from March 23rd, ‘The Many Stories of Ivor Davies’, re-tracing a 90-year career in abstracts, portraits, landscapes, still life and films, all with a Welsh flavour.

DID YOU KNOW?

Liza was one-third of much-loved satirical trio Fascinating Aida

Pulman & Stilgoe: Hooray for Hollywood, 18th April Liza and Joe perform songs from the musicals, from West Side Story to La La Land. 7.30pm. Tickets £25.

Aberystwyth Choral Society Spring Concert, 25th April Aberystwyth’s largest choir ranges from 19-90 years old, with professional soloists. 7.30pm. Tickets £15. www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk

On stage in Presteigne

Just Visiting, 22nd March A heartening, humorous piece by About Face Theatre, exploring personal grief through storytelling and puppetry. It’s followed by a panel discussion by Wings of Change. 2pm. Tickets £10.

Remi Harris Trio, 25th April Remi is joined by double bassist Tom Moore and rhythm guitarist Chris Nesbitt for an enthralling evening of gypsy jazz and blues. 8pm. £15. www.midborderarts.com

Strength of art

‘Portrait & Power’, at The National Library of Wales until May, explores how identity and power come together in portraiture. Linked events include ‘Staring at Strangers – Celebrating the Power of the Portrait’ on 24th March, and a chance to hear how dance inspired Joshua Donkor’s captivating portrait of June Campbell Davies on 16th April. Free. www.library.wales

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WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 28TH MARCH – 11TH APRIL

28th March, Rosie Holt Doth Protest Too Much, Mwldan, Cardigan Satirist Rosie ri s as her alto ego MP and other characters, supported by political prankster Henry Morris. 8pm. £18.

A queen’s tragic love MID WALES WHAT’S

•29th March, Cello Recital, St Edwards Church Hall, Knighton Ellen Baumring-Gledhill performs pieces by Couperin, De Falla, Prokofiev, Bloch and Rachmanino , presented by Knighton & District Concert Society. 3pm. Tickets £15.

•2nd April, Nocturnal, St Peter’s Church, Lampeter Sinfonia Cymru performs meditative works by Philip

Glass, Emma Jean, Terry Riley and James Weatherley-Buss. 6pm. £15.

•4th-6th April, Easter Crank-up, The Internal Fire Museum of Power, Tanygroes The museum houses working examples of steam, para n, petrol, diesel and even a 4,000hp jet engine. Catch some being cranked into steam over Easter. www.internalfire.com

•6th April, Brassed O (cert 15) Welshpool Town Hall The ’90s classic featuring Ewan McGregor: a feel-good romcom about a brass band in a mining town. 7pm. Free, please book.

•11th & 22nd April, Sustainable Allotment Management, Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth Practical skills and ecological tips for a productive, sustainable patch, whether you’re new to it or a seasoned allotmenteer. 9.30am-4pm. £65.

This season Mid Wales Opera is performing Purcell’s Baroque masterpiece Dido and Aeneas, a tragic tale of the love of the Queen of Carthage for the Trojan hero Aeneas, which closes with the moving ‘Dido’s Lament’. The opera lasts around 60 minutes and is filled with great drama and

Havin’ a laugh

Max Boyce has been entertaining audiences across the world for more than 40 years with his ability to paint pictures in word and song. He plays live at the Hafren on 21st March (7.30pm, tickets £40). And on 9th April, Newtown welcomes Alistair McGowan in his show

3-in-1. Expect the impressions he’s famed for, plus poignant poetry and classical piano gems (7.30pm, from £24). www.thehafren.co.uk

Journey to the past

Step back in time at Talyllyn Railway on 19th & 26th April or 3rd May and ride original Victorian passenger carriages and steam locomotives built for the opening of the railway in the mid-1860s. At Dolgoch Station you can alight and watch the engine take water from the original slate column, fed from Dolgoch Falls. Standard fares apply. www.talyllyn.co.uk

DID YOU KNOW?

‘Dido’s Lament’ is always played in the Cenotaph parade on Remembrance Sunday

sublime music, including fabulous choruses of sailors, witches and courtiers as well as stunning solos. See it in a musical soirée at the atmospheric Hay Castle on 9th April, and on 11th April at Brecon Cathedral. Performances at 3pm & 7pm. For tickets, visit www.midwalesopera.co.uk

Festival of stars

Elan Valley Estate achieved International Dark Sky Park status in 2015 and is now hosting a Dark Sky Festival on 27th-28th March. The star-studded event promises astronomical fun and learning for all, including themed walks and rides under the night sky; a starlit folk concert by Toby Hay and Holly Blackshaw; light painting with Dafydd Wyn Morgan; lantern-making and a procession; planetarium shows, storytelling and, of course, stargazing. There’s a whole day of crafts, talks and more across various locations. www.elanvalley.org.uk

Live in Llandrindod

The Upbeat Beatles, 20th March A Magical Mystery Tour! Get Back to the swinging ’60s and relive those Fab days: with authentic instruments, costume changes and multimedia. 7.30pm. Tickets from £22.

The Watch plays Genesis, 28th March An intense trip into the world of early Genesis from Trespass to Wind and Wuthering, with “the closest singer you’ll find to Peter Gabriel”. 7.30pm. Tickets £22. www.pavilionmidwales.org.uk

Caereinion

... treftadaeth a diwylliant Cymru a chenhedloedd Celtaidd.

• Mynediad am ddim i’r Ystafelloedd Darllen ac adnoddau

• Arddangosfeydd am ddim

• Rhaglen amrywiol o ddigwyddiadau a gweithgareddau

• Caffi Pen Dinas yn gweini bwyd cartref

• Siop yn gwerthu nwyddau Cymreig

• Ardal chwarae

• Free admission to the Reading Rooms and resources

• Free exhibitions

• A diverse programme of events and activities

• Caffi Pen Dinas serving home cooked food • Shop selling Welsh products • Play area

Live Music in Welshpool

March

The Arisonto Horn Trio 26th March 7.30pm

This exciting London-based horn trio has performed across the UK. Winners of the 2023 Tunnell Trust Awards Scheme. Annemarie was a grand finalist in the BBC Young Musician Competition 2020. The programme features Horn Trios by Brahms (op.40) and György Ligeti (1982).

April 30th April

Harpsichord/flute concert with Despina Homatidou and her flautist, Sofia Mavrogenidou.

Enquiries and telephone bookings

Tel. Alan Caunce on 07760 223610 or 01938 578777

Concert supported by local businesses

The John Ireland Trust, The William Alwyn Foundation and The Arts Council of Wales

Cycles of all ages for all ages

Discover the history of the bicycle at the UK’s National Cycle Museum

e Automobile Palace, Temple Street, Llandrindod Wells, Powys LD1 5DL Tel: 01597 825531 curator@cyclemuseum.org.uk www.cyclemuseum.org.uk

Open days are normally:

ONE CHILD FREE WITHENTRY PAYINGEACH ADULT

Mondays & Tuesdays 10am-4pm Saturdays 10am-2pm Other days may be possible by arrangement for groups

20%OFF 3inMarchandApril, Codenightsormore. MA26.

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Woolly mammoth…

Always a highlight of the wool and textile year, Wonderwool Wales returns to the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells on 25th-26th April. Around 220 carefully chosen exhibitors, spread across three halls, showcase the very best of wool, fibre, textiles, equipment and accessories.

Whether you’re after hand-dyed yarns, undyed yarn, spinning wheels, looms or knitting and crochet tools, this fantastic festival covers them

DID YOU KNOW?

The world’s oldest sheep lived to 28 years, 51 weeks at Dolclettwr Hall, Aberystwyth

all – plus there’s a twice-daily ‘Sheepwalk’ fashion show and a packed programme of Woolschool workshops. You’ll also find books and patterns, embroidery threads, fabrics, patchwork kits and inspiration for makers of all levels and budgets.

The street food area offers delicious food choices, and there are five coffee outlets across the halls. Day tickets £16, weekend £30, workshops extra. www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk

Easter treats Folk heroes

Celebrate Easter at Llanerchaeron with a special outdoor trail for children and natureinspired activities for the whole family. With their trail map, they’ll get bunny ears and a chocolate egg – for an extra treat why not try a delicious ice cream from the renowned Conti’s Café? The trail runs 25th March – 12th April, £3.50 per child. Standard admission applies. www. nationaltrust.org.uk

Treasure hunt

Collectors’ heaven Builth Wells hosts the National Antiques Fair of Wales on 2nd3rd May, in the setting of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Showground. The event brings together top dealers from across the UK and beyond, showcasing an exceptional range of antiques, vintage treasures and collectibles. Gates open Saturday 8.30am-5pm, entry £10; Sunday 10am-4pm, £6. www.iacf.co.uk

Phil Beer, 7th March Songs of memory and significance, interspersed with musings and amusings from one of the most popular acts on the acoustic circuit. 7.30pm. Tickets £20.

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 12TH-30TH APRIL

•12th April, Ursula Martin, Assembly Rooms, Presteigne Diagnosed with cancer, Ursula walked 3,700 miles for charity around Wales. Then she walked 5,550 miles to Ukraine and back. Hear her story. 3.30pm. £8.

•17th April, Darrell Smith and the Soul Brothers Syndicate, Aberystwyth Arts Centre The start of Northern Soul at the BBC Proms will take you on a humorous romp from Manchester to Wigan Casino. Plus special guest. 8pm. £34.

•21st April, RBO Live!: The Magic Flute, Hafren, Newtown A screening of Mozart’s iconic opera from the Royal Ballet & Opera, with an all-star cast and stunning costumes (in German with subtitles). 6.45pm. £18.

Troubled Waters, 25th April Storyteller Corinne Harragin shares tales that have shaped our relationship with rivers: expect leaping salmon, fishtail women and Sacred springs. 7.30pm. £15. www.wyeside.co.uk

Spring nery

Newtown’s Gregynog Hall has miles of delightful walks: you’ll find displays of daffodils and bluebells to admire, and the rhododendrons and azaleas are a riot of reds, pinks and purples. Muddy boots and dirty paws are welcome in the Courtyard Café, open 10am-4pm. Parking costs £3.

On 14th March& 11th April enjoy a free concert by Ensemble Cymru in the Music Room (11am, donations appreciated). For details visit www.gregynog.org

•22nd April, Emily Davis: Blodwen Rocks The Boat, Mwldan, Cardigan What happens when your dream job turns into a dead end, and your escape plan involves a boat? Original songs and sharp comedy. 8pm. £15.

•25th April, Barley Saturday, Cardigan See horses paraded around the town, followed by vintage vehicles, tractors, carriages, milk floats and gypsy wagons. From late morning.

•30th April, Welshpool Music Club, Welshpool Methodist Church Despina Homatidou and Sofia Mavrogenidou give a flute and harpsichord recital, having worked together on a recording of music by Miloš Štědroň. 7.30pm. Tickets £15.

GET ARTY AT ARLEY!

ere’s a wealth of creative workshops on o er at Arley Hall. Willow Weaving on 6th March will show you how to make a chicken, cockerel or pheasant for your home or garden (10am-4pm, £75), and on 1st, 8th, 15th & 29th March, Sue McHugh, artist in residence at Knowsley Hall, hosts a series of relaxed botanical watercolour classes aimed at beginners (1pm, £50 per session

including refreshments).

DID YOU KNOW?

The willow stems used for weaving are known as withies and traditionally cut in February

On 26th April, explore the uid, meditative beauty of alcohol inks on canvas through techniques including blending, layering, creating texture and shaping space to create abstract forms (10am-1.30pm, £65). All materials are provided, but check whether you need to bring anything else. To book, visit www.arleyhallandgardens.com

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

6TH-17TH MARCH

•6th March, Have a Dabble, Silk Museum, Macclesfield

An adult art and craft group run by artist and teacher Julie. Each week the group explore and try their hand at di erent techniques and styles. Two sessions, 9am-noon or 1-4pm. £15 a session.

•7th March, The Queen Story: A Tribute to Queen, Daneside Theatre, Park Road, Congleton

60s, 70s & 80s Rewind!

ere’s something for everyone on a Rewind cruise – oor- llers from Motown to ‘Funky Town’, and plenty of glam, disco, soul and pop along the way. e Chester Boat themed cruises set sail from e Groves on 7th March & 4th April, and keep on rocking from 7-10pm. Tickets are £38.50, including a glass of wine on arrival and a light hot supper. ere’s a fully stocked bar on board too. www.chesterboat.co.uk.

READY, GO!

Run for Nature is back for 2026 at Chester Zoo on 29th March, raising money to save UK wildlife and giving you the opportunity to run through the zoo and surrounding estate grounds. Help support the zoo’s mission of preventing extinction. Entry to the 10k race is £45, the 5k race is £37, and there’s a kids’ mile on Zoom too, entry £20. Races start from 8.30am. Details at www.chesterzoo.org

Ben Portsmouth brings his jaw-dropping tribute to the King of Rock ’n’ Roll to Chester Cathedral on 11th April. Celebrating the life of the iconic showman, Ben and the Taking Care of Elvis Band will take you on a trip down memory lane with a selection of the King’s greatest hits from across the eras. is Is Elvis starts at 7.30pm, tickets from £33.50. www.chester cathedral.com

SO ELEGANT

A two-hour show telling the story of Queen through the eras, from their early shows in the ’70s right through to the stadium performances of the ’80s including a recreation of their legendary Live Aid set. Featuring fantastic musicianship and authentic costumes, this show is not to be missed. 7.30pm. £23.

•14th & 15th March, Boat Fest North 2026, Chester Racecourse A fun and a ordable boating and watersports festival, with great deals available from the UK's favourite brands. £15.

•14th-21st March, One Man, Two Guvnors, Chester Little Theatre, Newtown

Calling fans of Downton Abbey and Bridgerton! e Lord Mayor of Chester invites you to afternoon tea with a di erence on 21st March, as Chester Town Hall transforms into ‘Chesterton Abbey’. Experience the charm and sophistication of the Regency era at this special charity event. Alongside an indulgent tea, you can enjoy music from e Queen’s School, meet the Mayor, have your fortune told and take part in a game of quoits. Regency dress is encouraged but not mandatory. Doors 1pm, tickets £30. Email chestercivic@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Set in 1960s Brighton, this comedy of mistaken identities has sex, food and money high on the agenda. 7.30pm. £12.

•17th March, Spooky Guided Walk, Nantwich Museum A guided walk exploring the spooky side of Nantwich. Learn about some of the supposedly haunted sites and stories from times gone by. Suitable for ages 12 and over. 7-8.30pm. £6 (children free).

CHESHIRE WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

20TH-22ND MARCH

•20th March, Sam ofFENDER: The Ultimate Sam Fender Tribute, The Arena, Crewe A powerhouse full-band tribute delivering the anthems, the energy and the raw Northern spirit of Sam Fender. 8pm. £12.

21st March, Tutored Beer Tasting, Tom’s Tap, Crewe Drinks writer Laura Hadland leads the session to explore the stories behind the brews. 6-8pm. £30.

LIKE IT HERE

Geo Norcott: Basic Bloke 2 – ere’s No Bloke Without Fire, 7th March Comedian and political commentator Geo tells you what he really thinks. How much he judges people: bad parents, people who eat too much, anyone who wears a dressing gown beyond 9am… e gloves are o ! 8pm. Tickets from £23.

Annie, 18th-21st March With a score of unforgettable songs, and a Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical, you can bet your bottom dollar you’ll love this show! 7.30pm (and 2.30pm on Saturday). Tickets from £22.

WHAT’S ON CHESHIRE

Murder Trial Tonight: Death of a Landlord, 2nd April Victor Sloane, a wealthy and ruthless landlord, has been found murdered in his o ce. You are the jury. Hear the case from the prosecution and defence, and deliver your verdict. en the shocking real-life outcome will be revealed. 7.30pm. Tickets from £30. Book online at www.trafalgartickets.com where you’ll nd the whole Crewe Lyceum programme.

21st March, Foraging Workshop, Frodsham Hill Forage Box o er this two-hour session with a foraging expert, including identification work, finding and tasting wild ingredients. The focus is on the four Fs of foraging: fungi, fruit, flowers and foliage. 10am-noon. £25 (child £15).

•21st March – 12th April, Easter Adventures at Lyme, Disley Visit this glorious house, surrounded by gardens, moorland and deer park, for an Easter adventure! Enjoy a brand-new family-friendly route with exciting games and activities to complete along the way. Open 10.30am-4pm. Trail £3.50 (includes chocolate egg), standard admission applies.

•22nd March, Spring Forest Bathing, Frodsham Woods Relax and recharge in nature with the practice of forest bathing or shinrin-yoku, led by Nature Connect NW. Forest bathing is all about slowing down and using the senses to immerse yourself in the woodland environment. Session runs 9.30am-noon. £20.

Bloomin’ lovely

Popular open days at Grosvenor’s Eaton Estate, Chester help to raise funds for local charities by welcoming visitors to the gardens of Eaton Hall, home to the Duke and Duchess of Westminster. Visit on 17th May and learn how Grosvenor strives to provide economic, social and environmental bene t to the area. Parking 10am, garden open 10.15am-5pm, tickets £15 (child £5) via Eventbrite.

Taking roots

HEAR IT FIRST!

Clonter Opera eatre hosts the launch of Jeremy Sassoon’s brand-new album

Older and Wiser on 17th April. Jeremy is one of the UK’s most in-demand singer/ pianists and has headlined at Ronnie Scott’s, the 606 Club and Jazz Café. Solo or with his band, he captivates with his soulful voice and arrangements of jazz, blues and soul classics. Show 8pm, tickets £20. www.clonter.org

Ebenezer’s on Nantwich Road, Crewe presents Paul Armer and e Dawn Chorus on 19th March and e Far North on 2nd April – two amazing live bands with their melodic roots in Americana. Both shows start at 8pm, tickets £10. Roots at Ebenezer’s is a monthly livestream featuring Americana and roots music from the UK and beyond. It’s free to watch online and features a full concert and interview with the artists. www. ebenezers. co.uk

Delights of spring

Put a spring in your step at Cholmondeley Castle on 1st March, when the gardens reopen for the season. Don’t miss this eeting moment when snowdrops, da odils, camellias and magnolias are at their peak, in a botanical display only seen at this special time of year.

Perfect for a family day out or a peaceful stroll, it’s a beautiful way to welcome the new season. Open Sundays only in March, from 10am. Tickets £10 (child £5). www.cholmondeleycastle.com

CHESHIRE WHAT’S ON

•26th March, The Legend of Barry White: Let the Music Play!, Northwich Memorial Court A critically acclaimed revue featuring the incredible vocalist William Hicks, whose mesmerising stage presence e ortlessly recreates the distinctive style and silkysmooth bass-baritone vocals of the three-time Grammy awardwinner. 7.30pm. £27.50.

•26th March – 19th April, Easter at Dunham Massey, Altrincham Bring the whole family and enjoy a fun-filled day out, with a family-friendly trail filled with fun activities for all ages. Open 10am-4pm. Trail £3.50 (includes chocolate egg), standard admission applies.

•27th March, The Music of Ed Sheeran by Candlelight, Chester Cathedral An unforgettable evening featuring a spectacular cast of world-class vocalists and an epic live band. 7.30pm. From £30.

Written in the stars

e team at Jodrell Bank Centre of Engagement make sure that whatever your age, however immersed in science you are, you’ll nd something to love at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On 19th March, join Dr Ciara McGrath for another Lovell Lecture: ‘How to Build a Sustainable Space Future’ (7.30pm, from £12). Discover how satellites shape our world and the sustainability challenges facing the space industry.

In Next Steps Astrophotography on 25th March (7pm, from £22) Dr Anthony Holloway shows how

Raise your glasses

to elevate your technique and transform your celestial photos into works of art with this follow-on astrophotography lecture!

DID YOU KNOW?

There are approximately 100,000, 000,000,000,000, 000,000 stars in the universe

If busy places can be overwhelming, the rst Sunday of each month (1st March & 5th April) o ers a ‘relaxed’ session from 10-11am, with reduced noise and light levels and a relaxed screening of e Story of Jodrell Bank. For details of the latest events, visit www.jodrellbank.net

•28th March – 12th April, Easter Adventures at Little Moreton Hall, Congleton Hop like a hare or leap like a lamb and complete all 10 activities to claim your chocolate prize! Open 10.30am4pm. Trail £3.50, standard admission applies.

•1st April, 2026 Re-opening, Crewe Heritage Centre Embark on a journey through the remarkable history of science and engineering in Crewe, discovering the innovations that forged the transport revolution. Open Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays during the season.

10am4.30pm.

£8 (under16s free).

…as Liverpool’s Ship & Mitre brings the 21st Wirral Beer Festival to Hulme Hall on 1st-5th April. ere’ll be over 200 beers including 80 real ales and 80 craft beers, as well as Continental lagers, ciders, a gin bar and food stalls, with hot food also available from Hulme Hall. Entertainment is laid on across all sessions, except Friday afternoon which is a quiet session. Weekend ticket £18, session tickets and times vary – details at www.theshipandmitre.uk

Gentle giants

FAB FOUR

Join Harmony, Melody and Starlight as they use their magical unicorn powers to conjure up their magical fourth band member, Sparkle. Unicorn Live! comes to Ellesmere Port Civic Hall on 8th April at 1pm. After the performance there’s a free photo opportunity with the unicorns. Tickets £13 from www.brioentertainment.org

WINGING IT

Want to get up close and personal with a magni cent bird of prey?

Shire horse lovers won’t want to miss the Shire Horse Society’s National Spring Show at Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre, Tarporley on 21st March. Who will take the National Gelding, National Female and National Stallion championship titles? Find out more about Shire horses and see them in in-hand, ridden and turnout classes. Gates 8am-6pm, tickets £6 (1217s £3, under11s free). www.shirehorse.org.uk

Tatton Park Farm’s Hawk Walk on 7th & 8th March gives you the opportunity to handle a majestic hawk and delve into the fascinating world of these birds, learning about their hunting techniques and even ying them yourself. e one-hour workshop is £25 and suitable for ages eight and over. For details and to book, visit www.tattonpark.org.uk

www.tesla-powerwall.co.uk

The Rennet Works, 11 Market Street, Ellesmere, Shropshire, SY12 0AN 01691 624336 | renewables@princeslhs.ltd

www.princeslhs.ltd

www.tesla-powerwall.co.uk

www.tesla-powerwall.co.uk

JAZZING IT UP

Nantwich Jazz, Blues & Music Festival celebrates its 28th year with ve days of live music across the town this Easter, from 2nd-6th April. Featuring a stellar line-up and 100-plus gigs at over 17 venues, the popular event transforms the historic market town into a buzzing live music hub, with incredible performances, friendly hosts and a fantastic towncentre atmosphere.

Headline acts include King King, Rebecca Downes, Tom Seals, e James Taylor Quartet, e Stumble, Rebecca Ferguson, Jim Kirkpatrick

Electrifying!

Fusing magic with wondrous feats of science, ‘Top Secret –e Magic of Science: High Voltage’ comes to Northwich Memorial Court on 18th April is fast-moving, colourful science show is fun for the whole family. Hang on to your seats for action-packed, interactive experiments that will capture the imagination. Show 2pm, tickets £15 (child £12) from www.brioentertainment.org

DID YOU KNOW?

NME readers voted Bruce Foxton the 7th most influential bass player in the world

Band, Nearly Dan, and Bruce Foxton with his All-Star Band, bringing big-name energy to the heart of Nantwich.

On Easter Monday, BBC Introducing takes over the programming to showcase exciting new and emerging artists.

Festival wristbands (£13, early-bird £11) give access to a huge programme of live music throughout the event. Headline concerts require individual tickets, prices vary. For details, visit www.nantwichjazz.com

POWER ON

Sandbach Transport Festival on 25th-26th April celebrates the town’s proud transport heritage, with a tribute to Foden and ERF along with displays of trucks, classic cars, military vehicles, planes and everything inbetween! More than just transport, there’s fantastic entertainment for the whole family, with live music, food and drink, a children’s fairground, a motorcycle stunt team, an extreme BMX show, and model railway exhibits in the Town Hall boardroom (10am-4pm). Find out more at www.sandbachtransportfestival.com

Nature’s gift

Experience the joys of spring at Reaseheath College’s Lambing Weekend on 7th-8th March! Witness the arrival of adorable newborn lambs and learn about life on a working farm. is family-friendly event o ers a range of fun and educational activities for visitors of all ages. ere’s also a Farmers’ Market showcasing local businesses, with handcrafted goods and fresh, locally sourced produce. Open 10am-4pm, entry £10 (3-16s £6, under-3s free). www.reaseheath.ac.uk

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 3RD-15TH APRIL

•3rd-19th April, Easter Bunny Trail, Blakemere Village, Northwich Hop into a magical Easter adventure! Follow the Bunny Trail, solve clues along the way, and discover hidden surprises and treats as you explore. 10am-4pm. £5.

•4th & 5th April, Poulton Hall, Bebington The beautiful gardens of Poulton Hall are open for you to enjoy and explore. Add a delicious cream tea for just £5! Open 2-5pm. £6 (children free).

•9th-12th April, Bull, Nantwich Players, The Players Theatre, Nantwich Mike Bartlett’s play explores a tense, brutal power struggle between three colleagues. Set in the corporate world, this gripping drama delves into themes of bullying, survival and ambition. 7.45pm. £10.

At Easter’s traditional Historic Boat Gathering in Ellesmere Port, a eet of colourful barges take centre-stage, and the National Waterways Museum comes alive with activities for the whole family. is year is the 50th anniversary and there’ll be lots to see and do on 3rd-6th April, from boat trips, horses and lock demonstrations to live music and stalls. 10am-4pm, £13.25 (6-15s £11.95, under-6s free). www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

•12th April, The Angry Boater, Alexander's Live, Chester Join Joel Sanders, the charismatic star of Channel 4's Narrow Escapes, as he dives headfirst into a life less ordinary. Once a Las Vegas comedian thriving in the glitz of the Strip, Joel swapped it all for a nice calm life on a narrowboat… 8pm. £15.

•15th April, How to Support Your Healthy Mind, The Chester Bluecoat Charity, Upper Northgate Street, Chester For those working in not-for-profit organisations who are involved in managing people, this healthy minds workshop provides practical tips and techniques that will help you stay happy, healthy and in control, even during times of stress. 8.45am11am. Free.

CHESHIRE WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 15TH-30TH APRIL

•15th-18th April, By Primrose Wood, Chester Little Theatre, Newtown

Two interlinked plays that are set in Primrose Wood, a place threatened with development and protected by elemental forces – the spirits of the past and the power of human protest. 7.30pm. £10.

•18th & 19th April, Steampunk Weekender, National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port Try your hand at the noble arts of tea and parasol duelling, browse steampunk trade stalls, enjoy live entertainment and tuck into fine food and drink. 10am-4pm. £13.25 (6-15s £9.95, under-6s free).

•24th April, Adult’s Smartphone Photography Workshop, Tatton Park, Knutsford Learn how to use your phone’s features to the max, to understand why the light is so important, and how to craft images that are much more than snapshots. 10am-1.30pm. £55.

HIGHS AND LOWS

Storyhouse is a jewel in Chester’s crown, with a glittering array of entertainment for you!

Glitch: e True Story of the Post O ce Scandal, 21st March An inspirational stage play based on the real-life experiences of Pam Stubbs, sub-postmistress of Barkham Post O ce and her colleagues. 7.30pm. Tickets £20.

Nigel Kennedy: A Virtuoso Concert, 29th March e world’s best-selling violinist embarks

ROCK IT

•24th April, Ricky Warwick & The Fighting Hearts, The Live Rooms, Chester Irish singer/songwriter Ricky (of Black Star Riders, Thin Lizzy and The Almighty), will be bringing along a special guest – Tony Wright, lead singer of Terrorvision. 7pm. £24.

•30th April, Art School: Working with Watercolour, Grosvenor Museum, Chester A one-hour semi-guided workshop in the museum galleries, exploring the importance of ratios and values when using tubed watercolours in your painting. 6.15pm. £6.

Fresh from a successful headline tour of the UK and various festival appearances – and most recently a tour as special guest of e Dead Daisies – you can catch Liverpool rock sensation Dan Byrne at e Live Rooms, Chester on 24th March. Tickets £16 (£20 on the door). www.thelive rooms.com

Fun & froth

Enjoy an evening of beer, banter and belly laughs on 31st March and 28th April at at Beer Place, Foregate Street, Chester, with comedy pro Danny McLoughlin hosting an unforgettable night of comedic talent. Tickets are £7.50 from www.thatbeer place.co.uk

Get ready for a night lled with hearty laughs, memorable moments and the nest craft beers.

DID YOU KNOW?

Kennedy is a huge fan of Jimi Hendrix and has recorded an album of covers

on his rst UK tour in over 10 years. He’s celebrating his 70th birthday in 2026, and is as fresh and entertaining as ever. 7.30pm. Tickets from £43.

Omid Djalili: Namaste, 7th April Omid peacefully bows to his inner anger and unleashes a torrent of comedic vitriol about the state of this dangerously messed-up planet. No government gets a green card. No tyrant avoids a take-down. 8pm. Tickets £34.50. www.storyhouse.com

IN FOR A TREAT

Port Sunlight’s Sugar & Spice Festival on 3rd-4th April brings together the best of local makers for two days of family fun and delicacies from around the world. Discover over 40 stalls lled with food, drink and little luxuries in this picturesque setting, and see if you can crack the Easter trail for a prize! 11am-5pm, entry free. www.portsunlightvillage.com

Writing wrongs

It’s 1950 and a new colour has been added to the ‘Red Scare’: lavender. US State Department employees Bob and Norma have been tasked with identifying ‘sexual deviants’ in their ranks. ere’s just one problem: both Bob and Norma are gay, and have married each other’s partners as a carefully constructed cover. Sitcom gives way to provocative drama in Perfect Arrangement by Topher Payne, at MADS eatre, Maccles eld from 9th-14th March Tickets from www.madstheatre.org

Gold and Silver Roadshow

A very lucky couple called at one of our recent roadshow events with a couple of old gold chains and a silver charm bracelet and a bag of old silver shilling coins. We paid them over £1600.00 just for the coins alone. They turned out to be pre-1947 silver coins that were normal currency a few years ago and are now highly collected. We asked them for their permission to pass on this story on and they were only too pleased to allow us to let everyone know that they might be sitting on a goldmine and not even know it! Like most

FRIDAY 6th MARCH

WEDNESDAY 18th MARCH

THE WOODLAND HALL HOTEL WOODLAND HALL CARAVAN PARK, RUTHIN, LL15 2AN From 10.30am to 4.00pm

people, who can only dream of winning the pools or the lottery, a lot of normal households have a hidden treasure of old gold jewellery, silver jewellery, teapots, trophies, trays and old objects d’art. Why not get a free valuation from our expert at our roadshow. There is no queuing and our expert will give you a one-on-one appraisal of the value of your treasured possessions in a private area. If you like the valuation our expert will make you the same offer in cash which you can accept or decline at no cost to yourself.

SATURDAY 7th MARCH

THE RUTHIN CASTLE HOTEL & SPA CASTLE STREET, RUTHIN, LL15 2NU

From 10.30am to 4.00pm

Wanted For CASH

SHROPSHIRE WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

2ND-6TH MARCH

•2nd-8th March, Oswestry

Youth Music Festival Join a spectacular celebration of young talent from across the region and beyond. Featuring a broad range of classes including strings, woodwind, brass, piano, percussion, instrumental, vocal, choir and band. More details at www.oswestry-tc.gov.uk

•3rd March, RBO ‘Live’: Giselle, Festival Drayton Centre

Via satellite, this romantic classic of the Royal Ballet repertory is set to Adam’s evocative score, with atmospheric designs by John Macfarlane. Giselle conjures up the earthly and other-worldly realms in a tale of love, betrayal and redemption. 7.15pm. £16.50 (under-21s £10).

•Every Tuesday, Museum Babies, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery A drop-in sensory play session for non-walking

babies, to help develop physical and social skills. A welcoming, supportive group where you can meet and chat with other parents and carers. 10am. £3.

•Wellbeing Walks in Comer Woods, Dudmaston Estate, Bridgnorth Every other Tuesday and second Sunday of the month, take in the tranquillity and chat with new friends. 10am. Free but booking essential via www. nationaltrust.org.uk

Spellbinding

DID YOU KNOW?

Screen legend Cary Grant started his career working as an acrobat and juggler

This March, under the glittering sweep of Circus Funtasia’s big top, comes a theatrical spectacular for 2026 – a heart-racing, jaw-dropping fusion of stuntcraft, artistry and laugh-out-loud comedy. Motorbike daredevils roar through the fearsome Globe of Death, aerialists dance on ribbons of light, jugglers and hand balancers showcase their skills, gymnasts take flight across dynamic trampoline sequences that defy expectation. Lasers blaze in vivid colour, in sync with pulse-pounding soundtracks that fuel every gasp and cheer, with laughter between the thrills provided by Comedy By The Geek. Circus Funtasia is in Telford from 5th-15th March and Oswestry from 19th-29th March. Tickets from £9. www.circusfuntasia.co.uk

Out of the darkness

Witness an epic tale of courage and transformation with a live screening of the RBO’s Siegfried at Wellington Orbit on 31st March & 5th April. A young man embarks on a journey to nd his true origins, coming face to face with a shattered sword, a fearsome dragon and the cursed ring it guards. Wagner’s opera is brought to life under Barrie Kosky’s inspired direction, with Andreas Schager in his much-anticipated debut with the Royal Opera. Showing at 5.15pm (31st), Encore at 2pm (5th). Tickets £17.50. www.wellingtonorbit.co.uk

Sounds like fun

•6th March, The Carducci String Quartet, Shrewsbury School In the second of three concerts this season, the Carduccis perform Mozart’s No.19 ‘Dissonant’, plus pieces by Shostakovich and Philip Glass. 7.30pm. £18 (child £9).

Is it a noise that’s annoying or the person making it? Do pingers ever ding? If you had a pet badger, what would you call it? Bursting with joy and witty wordplay, Jude Simpson’s A Noise Annoys is a poetry show for all the senses. Using rhymes and tonguetwisters, improvised sounds and hilarious props, it’s a show that will engage children with the spoken and written word. It’s at The Wakes, Oakengates on 29th March at 2pm, tickets £8 (child £6). www.telford theatre.com

Eggs-travaganza

Spring has arrived at Wonderland Telford! Take a walk through the magical woodland, decorated with all things Easter. Enjoy party time with Hatter and friends, the Wonderland Easter Show, maze walk, crazy golf, Easter biscuit icing, indoor bounce castle and unlimited fun on four rides, along with Wonderland’s fairytale houses and Dinosaur Valley. Over bank holiday, you can also collect Easter giveaways, meet bunnies and chicks, and hunt for the Golden Eggs to win a prize! www.wonderlandmidlands.co.uk

Time to party

After ve sell-out events, the 90’s Revival Day Party is back at the Buttermarket on 18th April

Reach for the stars with the biggest pop, R’n’B and dance tracks of the decade as the music of a generation is brought to life by top DJs and dancers. e ultimate feel-good day party runs 4-9pm, tickets from £10. (After-party tickets extra.) www.thebuttermarket.co.uk

“You’re so desperate to make everybody else happy that you’ve forgotten what makes you happy. You’ve not just forgotten it, you’ve abandoned it, on a bonfire full of all your other hopes and dreams. A bonfire you’re too scared to light in case the neighbours report you to the council…”

People Pleaser is the debut novel from author, journalist and mental health campaigner Bryony Gordon – a fiercely funny, instantly relatable and utterly feel-good story about the pressures women feel to please everyone at the expense of their own happiness. And on 29th April she’s at the Holroyd Theatre, near Gobowen to discuss the new book along with her bestselling memoirs including The Wrong Knickers and Mad Woman Bryony is a passionate advocate for mental health in the media, which she explores through a weekly newspaper column and her podcast The Life of Bryony. Her books You Got This and Mad Girl were both nominated for British Book Awards. Starts 7pm, tickets from £12. www.theholroydtheatre.co.uk

On safari

A highlight of the local food scene for over 10 years, Shrewsbury Secret Supper on 24th March begins with a welcome drink at Tanners Wines before taking you to three ‘secret’ restaurants for starter, main and dessert. Locations and dishes will be revealed on the night! Last year’s event raised £11,500 for Lingen Davies Cancer Support. Tickets £42.50. www.lingendavies.co.uk

Perfect partners

DID YOU KNOW?

Bryony received the Royal College of Psychiatrists President’s Medal in

Coldplay by Candlelight

Direct from London’s West End, ‘ e Music of Coldplay by Candlelight’ comes to Shrewsbury Abbey on 25th April. Featuring a spectacular line-up of world-class vocalists and an epic live band, experience hits like ‘Viva La Vida’ and ‘Hymn For e Weekend’ as never before. You’ve been waiting for ‘Something Just Like is’! Licensed bar, plus co ee and cake bar available. Performances 6.15pm & 8.30pm, tickets from £25.

www.shrewsburyabbey.com

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 7TH-18TH MARCH

•7th March, Afternoon Tea & Mug Painting, Ludlow Farm Shop Join Colour Your Dreams for a relaxed afternoon creating your own keepsake, and enjoying a delicious afternoon tea. 4pm. £35.

•14th March, Spring Fair, West Felton Come and browse crafts, cakes and preserves: 26 stalls from North Shropshire/Welsh Borders, in aid of the Village Hall. Refreshments available. 10.30am-2.30pm. Free entry.

•14th March, Bongo’s Bingo: St Patrick’s Day Special, The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury The classic game reinvented, with added mayhem, dance anthems and class prizes. Grab your pals for a night of fun, singalongs and false calls. 5pm. £16.

•14th & 15th March, Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea, West Midlands Safari Park Treat Mum to a delicious tea and fizz at Spring Grove House. Bookings include the park’s walk-through exhibits and special gift. Noon3pm. £37 (under-10s £16).

Join Shropshire

•17th March, Interactive Quiz, Albert’s Shed, Telford Weekly quiz where fun, knowledge and a bit of luck combine for a fantastic night out. Cash prizes for the top three teams. 8pm. £2 per person.

Joel Dommett returns to his stand-up roots in his brand-new show, coming to eatre Severn on 15th April. With glamorous tales from behind the camera – and less glamorous anecdotes of rst-time fatherhood – Joel remains a charming, exhausted ‘Happy Idiot’. e popular presenter of TV’s e Masked Singer, I’m A Celebrity: Extra Camp and In With a Shout, and frontman of the National Television Awards, Joel also co-hosts hit podcast Never Have I Ever with wife Hannah. Show starts 7.30pm, tickets from £27.50. www.theatre severn.co.uk

•18th March, Blue Magpies, Blue Whales and Blue Skies, Beacon Community Centre, Market Drayton Join Shropshire Wildlife Trust for an illustrated talk by Ashley Groves, founder of Experience Nature and a speaker for the RSPB, BTO and more. 7.30pm. £4 (Trust members £3).

•24th March & 24th April, Photography Workshop, Attingham Park, nr Shrewsbury Dust o your camera and join Lindsey Bucknor to discover gems to capture around this beautiful park. Small groups and lots of opportunity for one-toone support. 10.15am-12.30pm. £55 (booking essential).

•28th March-12th April, Easter Egg Hunt, Dorothy Clive Garden, Market Drayton A family-friendly event inviting guests of all ages to explore the stunning gardens in search of Easter eggs hidden among the flowers, trees and garden features. 10am-3.30pm. £14 (child £2, under-5s free).

•28th March, Back to the ’80s, Sabrina Boat, Shrewsbury Dig out the hairspray, get your leg warmers on, it’s time to relive

the songs of the 80s on a three-hour cruise! With themed decor, playlist and dance floor. 7pm. £20.

•31st March, An Evening with John Lanchester, Booka Bookshop, Oswestry An evening with the acclaimed

author and journalist as he talks about his new novel Look What You Made Me Do, a darkly funny page-turner. The story of two women from di erent generations, in a battle only one can win. 7pm. Tickets from £10.

•4th April, Gelplate Printing with hgg Hunter, Willow Gallery, Oswestry Create art on the theme of birds and nests, with reusable stamps, templates, stencils and paint. 10am-4pm. £80 (all materials provided).

Winging it…

Grab your sleeping bag and get ready for a night of adventure at the RAF Museum, Cosford on 21st March. Youth groups (ages 6-15) are invited to set up base camp beneath some of the RAF’s most exceptional aircraft including the Belfast and the Vulcan for an overnight stay like no other.

You’ll have the opportunity to explore the museum after hours and take part in exciting activities as well as a lm screening, dinner and breakfast. New this year is an immersive pilot

Bizarre but beautiful

The impossible becomes reality at Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn on 22nd March. Cabaret Extreme

is a one-of-a-kind production, a dazzling blend of burlesque, daring drag and extreme stunts, from the creative visionaries behind the world’s most iconic circus shows. Prepare to be thrilled, moved and inspired by this unconventional masterpiece, featuring a stunning set, stellar lighting and spectacular special effects. Show starts 7.30pm, tickets from £22. www.theatresevern.co.uk

Top brass

DID YOU KNOW?

Only 10 Belfasts were built, and at the time they were Britain’s largest military aircraft

training show, taking place in H2 next to the world’s oldest surviving Spit re – sure to inspire budding young aviators.

ere’s also the option to decorate a bunting ag with a picture, joke or message of goodwill and dance the night away at the disco to your all your favourite tunes – and some old-school classics. Arrival 5pm, tickets £50 per child (adult £15, minimum 12 children and two adults per booking). www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands

Happy bunnies

Visit Oswestry this Easter for a range of fun family events. Easter Market Fun Day on Good Friday, 3rd April, will be packed with games, rides, entertainment, an egg hunt and more – hop along between 10am and 2.30pm. On 4th April from 11am-4pm, Oswestry BID presents the Street Circus, a free event with amazing acts and walkabout performers. And on 11th April, there’s a Classic Car Show at Bailey Head, with a host of beautiful vehicles to admire, and the market to enjoy too. Great for petrolheads and shoppers alike! Visit www.oswestry-tc.gov.uk

Steam into spring

Foden’s Band make a welcome return to Market Drayton on 22nd March, with a varied programme to suit all tastes that will also showcase their world-class soloists. The band was formed in 1902 at Foden’s Motor Works in Sandbach, and is consistently recognised as one of the world’s leading brass bands, currently ranked in fourth place. They have also been delighted to play by Royal Command on four occasions. The concert at Festival Drayton Centre starts 2pm, tickets £20. www. festival-drayton centre.com

Severn Valley Railway kicks off the season with its Spring Steam Gala from 16th-19th April. Guest and home-fleet locomotives will operate a busy timetable between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, with the stars of the show including GWR 4150, GWR 7802 Bradley Manor and GWR 4930 Hagley Hall. Ride behind every locomotive, visit the Engine House at Highley, and sample the finest real ales in pubs along the way. Tickets from £25. www.svr.co.uk

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An Easter classic

The Easter Motor Show & Autojumble returns to Weston Park’s Temple Field on 5th & 6th April, a fantastic opportunity for owners to dust off their classic cars and motorcycles for a cracking start to the season. The popular event has been running for over 25 years and regularly attracts 1000-plus vintage, classic and modern classic cars and motorcycles, including club vehicles and stands. Previous attendees include Jaguar Enthusiasts Club, Cherished Cars of Shropshire and Elms Motors Roadshow.

DID YOU KNOW?

Long before cars, the Peugeot family foundry made steel rods for crinoline dresses!

Add to this a large and varied autojumble, retail stands, live commentary and judging, music, children’s entertainment, quality food, responsible bars and ice cream – not to mention access to Weston Park’s woodland walks, cafes and shops, miniature railway, adventure playground and deer park – and you have an ideal Easter family day out. Gates 10am-4pm, tickets £15 (5-14s £6.50). www.weston-park.com

Paris, mon

amour…

Be transported to the City of Love by Fifi and Oliver as they journey through a golden era of French melodies. With songs and tunes by Edith Piaf, Django Reinhardt, Charles Trenet and Serge Gainsbourg, this captivating show blends storytelling, charm and iconic repertoire.

Known from their quintet Oh La La! (and a NatWest ad appearance), the duo bring charisma and flair to stages nationwide. Catch them on 5th March at Ludlow Assembly Rooms (7.30pm, £18), 6th March at Beckbury Village Hall (7.30pm, £12) and 7th at Chelmarsh Parish Hall (7pm, £15 including food). www.artsalive.co.uk

Masters of music

Ludlow English Song Weekend is a friendly three-day festival of music, events and discussions on 10th-12th April. A packed programme includes the UK premiere of eight haiku settings by Libby Larsen, interwoven with songs by Britten, Schubert and Gerald Finzi; a celebration of Finzi and his settings of Thomas Hardy; and exporing how Shakespeare has inspired composers globally and at home, with actors Alex Jennings and Joanna Scanlan. Plus Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music for 16 voices. www.ludlowenglishsongweekend.com

Thrill of the chase

On 6th April enjoy the excitement of steeplechasing at one of the UK’s leading point-to-point courses. On the outskirts of Shrewsbury, Eyton Races is a great family day out and a rm favourite for bank holiday entertainment in Shropshire. Bring a picnic or try delicious produce from local vendors on site. Running alongside the River Severn, Eyton is a at galloping course with views to the Wrekin and Long Mynd. Gates open 11am, with the rst race at 1pm and last race at 4.25pm. Admission is £20 on the gate (cash only please), under-12s go free with a paying adult. Dogs on a lead are welcome.

www.eyton-races.com

Derwen challenge

What are you doing on 18th April? Join the 10k Challenge at Derwen College! e sponsored walk and fun run follows an accessible and relatively at route around Gobowen – and there's a 6k option too. All registered nishers get a medal and a goody bag, and you'll be raising vital funds for the Derwen Charity. Warm-up is 9.45am for a 10am start. Register for £12.50 at www.derwen.ac.uk/ derwen-charity-10km-challenge

WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF 5TH-17TH APRIL

•5th April, The Vault is Open: Access Heritage Tours, Soultan Hall, Wem Designed by Sir Rowlan Hill during a time of great peril, take an intimate and insightful tour and explore the tangible connection between the Tudor and Elizabethan periods. 2-4pm. £25 including tea and cake.

•9th & 10th April, The Makings of a Murderer: The Undercover Detective, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Join Peter Bleksley, a founding member of Scotland Yard’s undercover unit and former star of Channel 4’s Hunted, as he lifts the lid on hidden aspects of murder investigations. 7.30pm. £32.50.

•11th April, Telford Stamp, Postcard & Coin Fair, Belmont Community Hall, Telford A good range of stamps, cards and coins will be available, items bought and sold, with free advice on disposing of and progressing your collections and on joining a club. See material before buying and talk to the dealers. 10am-2pm. Free entry.

•11th April, Hats O to Led Zeppelin, Theatre on the Steps, Bridgnorth Tribute act endorsed by Marshall Amplifiers and managed by Warren Grant, son of Led Zep’s legendary manager Peter Grant, this truly professional outfit promise a night to remember! 8pm. £21.

•17th April, Couples Dance Class, Hawkstone Hall & Gardens A fun and relaxed evening for couples looking to try something di erent. This guided dance class will introduce simple steps and a short routine in a welcoming, informal setting – no experience required. 7pm. £40 per couple including canapes and Prosecco.

18th & 19th April, Spring Plant Fair, Weston Park, Shifnal Get your garden ready for summer with fabulous plants from specialised, family-run nurseries, on hand to answer your queries. Enjoy the changing season at Weston Park and pick up some brilliant ideas. 10am4pm. Advance tickets £5, £7.50 on the day (under-4s free).

•19th April, Cream Tea Special, Telford Steam Railway Enjoy fresh scones, clotted cream, jam and refillable hot beverages on board a steam-hauled train, travelling between three historic stations. Tickets cover you for all-day travel, allowing guests to visit the model railway and steam tram too. 3.30pm. £21.99.

•25th April, Claude Bourbon Progressive Blues, The Birchmeadow Centre, Broseley “A breathtaking acoustic fusion of blues, jazz, classical and Spanish guitar from a stunning virtuoso,” says the Altadena News (USA). Come and find out for yourself! 7.30pm. £15.

•26th April, Shropshire Tasty Trail, Oteley Estate, Ellesmere popular event combines the beauty of a country ramble with the delights of locally sourced food and drink. Follow a scenic 7-8 mile route stopping o at three points to enjoy a starter, main and dessert, accompanied by a Shropshire ale, cider, gin or soft drink. Tickets £49.95. www. shropshiretastytrails.co.uk

•26th April, At the Rainbow’s End, The Hive, Shrewsbury Artemis Theatre Company shares real stories from older LGBT people who have experienced homophobia and transphobia in care and home settings. 3pm & 7pm. Free.

The BIG one

Get ready for Shropshire Way Festival on 18th April! Four amazing challenges see hundreds of runners and walkers head for the Shropshire Hills to take part in an event showcasing the landscape, history and food of this fascinating area.

e festival is a fundraiser for Grow Cook Learn, the charity that operates Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre. is year, all money raised will be used to support delivery of the charity’s education programme, teaching children from

Olympics live in Wenlock

Much Wenlock’s Live Arts Festival 2026 takes place at William Brookes School over two weekends: 14th-15th & 21st-22nd March Featuring a range of classes in dance, music, speech and drama, the festival preserves the ideals of Dr William Penny Brookes, who founded Wenlock Olympian Society in 1850 for the benefit of the mental and physical wellbeing of local people – “every man in every grade of life”. For more details and to register, visit www. wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk

Alpacas assemble

The British Alpaca Society National Show is one of the largest and most prestigious alpaca shows in the world, returning to Staffordshire County Showground on 20th-22nd March. Over 500 alpacas will be taking part in the Halter Show, while regional winners compete in the Champion of Champions Fleece Show, and the Fibre Zone showcases alpaca products. Visitors are welcome, from alpaca enthusiasts to friends, family and the local community. www.bas-uk.com

DID YOU KNOW?

There are reccy sessions for the 80k on 29th March & 12th April –see website

inner-city areas about how their food is grown. e choice of challenges for 2026 includes:

e Shropshire Way 80k, an 80km route with a 24-hour time limit; Mammothon, a full-distance 42km trail marathon with a 12-hour time limit; Half Mammothon, 21km with a six-hour time limit, and Tusker’s 10k, 10km with a four-hour time limit. Entry fees include a certi cate of achievement and festival memento. More details at www.shropshirehillsdiscoverycentre.co.uk

Traitors at the Castle

On 13th March, for one night only, Shrewsbury Castle transforms into a 1940s world of espionage and deception. Inspired by the BBC hit show e Traitors, this immersive fundraising event puts you at the heart of a live mystery game. You’ll be given a secret role, sent on covert missions and asked to work out who you can trust, while enemy agents operate in secret. On arrival, enjoy a sparkling wine reception with before opening a sealed envelope revealing your con dential role. e fun starts at 7pm, and it’s all in support of Soldiers of Shropshire Museum. Early bird tickets are £40. www.soldiersofshropshire.co.uk

Journey through time

Cambrian Heritage Railways in the heart of historic Oswestry promises a journey back in time, with its museum, restored signal box, period ticket o ce and more. Heritage trains operate on selected days between Oswestry and Weston Wharf, featuring steam, vintage diesel and diesel multiple units. e 1.75 mile scenic route leads to Weston Wharf’s period station with café, picnic area and displays. For timetables and fares visit www.cambrianrailways.com

Sunday 17th May 2026 10am – 5pm

Join us for a fun-filled day out for the whole family this May.

Explore our beautiful college, enjoy a range of entertainment and take part in a variety of activities right across campus.

Your ticket also includes entry to our on-site Mini Zoo and Farmers’ Market. Scan the QR code to book your tickets!

If you have a show in the Shire area, we can send a reviewer – and your show can appear on these pages too! Email editorial@ shiremagazine.co.uk Get in touch!

Discover what Shire’s team thought of the concerts, shows and attractions they’ve seen across the patch

“We met a chameleon and a corn snake called George”

EXOTIC ZOO, TELFORD

I was almost as excited as my two children, aged three and seven, to visit the Exotic Zoo in Telford for a special tour with head keeper Ryan. We had a fantastic experience feeding meerkats, armadillos and kinkajous (a relative of the raccoon), as well as meeting a chameleon and a corn snake called Ginger.

Ryan was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable, answering all our questions and providing insight into how the zoo’s Lemur Experience helps contribute towards conservation projects.

We spent some time in the new lab at the Dinosaur Museum learning about fossils. We’ll be back to have a go at fossil hunting next time!

TĀLA TARANG, FESTIVAL DRAYTON CENTRE

Harp and tabla duo Tāla Tarang (their name means ‘rhythm waves’) gave the Festival Centre audience a musical experience that was nothing short of sensational. With his three differently pitched hand drums, each with uniquely layered heads, Mendi Singh created endlessly varied streams of complex, resonant tones. Eleanor Turner clearly revelled in her harp’s capacity for making sounds both rich and nuanced, familiar and surprising. They combined with a joy that was infectious.

Whilst animal feeding and handling isn’t included in the standard entry price, there’s still lots to see at this little zoo, which features farm animals alongside the more exotic, and daily talks on the stage. A great way to spend a few hours – or make a day of it and visit the neighbouring Town Park. AS

there’s

see

In ‘Jugalbandi’ (‘entwined twins’) the two instruments seemed to compete jealously, before coalescing in the calming rhythms of ‘Kaa Fo’, a traditional lullaby from Ghana. In their stunning version of Lennon and McCartney’s ‘Norwegian Wood’ they conjured up a sound that married the clarity of a Scandinavian forest with the swirling mysticism of India. There was a Presto from JS Bach’s first Violin Sonata in an appreciative nod to early Western classical music; the traditional Hungarian dance ‘Bučimiš’ gave a sense of galloping over the steppes; and the harp has surely never sounded so sultry as in their version of Piazzolla’s ‘Libertango’.

They ended with a minuet for harp, flamenco and tabla-driven ‘Gypsies of Rajasthan’, delivering a benevolent tsunami of world music. JH

“…the clarity of a Scandinavian forest with the swirling mysticism of India”

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We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to fantastic towns, so we’ve picked one from each Shire region – Shropshire, Cheshire, Mid Wales and North Wales – and looked at the heritage, community, sport, landscapes and events that make them unique. Will one of them take the UK title?

Aberystwyth

Renowned for its university, “Aber” as it’s a ectionately known has a vibrant infrastructure of festivals, bookshops, theatres and lectures, alongside centres of research, publishing, poetry and writing. e town’s cultural scene has grown out of many in uences, historic and contemporary.

Theatre & Arts

Aberystwyth Arts Centre is located in the heart of the University’s Penglais campus, and facilities include a theatre, cinema, concert hall and studios. In addition, there are four gallery spaces, two cafes, bars and shops. It’s an award-winning hub of creativity and entertainment, with a diverse programme of exhibitions, performances, workshops and community activities. Events range from live concerts across all genres to theatre productions by local and international performers.

Cinema

The award-winning Commodore on Bath Street is a familyowned and family-run independent that first opened its doors in 1976. The purpose-built single screen cinema in the town centre seats over 400 and has one of the largest screens in Wales.

Gallery

The University’s School of Art Gallery & Museum houses an extensive teaching and research collection of fine and decorative art dating from the 15th century to today. The public

Culture club

Towns throughout the UK have been invited to put themselves forward as Town of Culture 2028, creating excitement across the Shire patch as we reflect with pride on the heritage that surrounds us. The successful town will receive £3million to deliver an ambitious programme of cultural activity in 2028, with two finalists each receiving £250,000. So which local centres are in the running?

Did you know?

Taron Egerton, who won a Golden Globe for Kingsman, began his career with the Arts Centre’s youth theatre group

Did you know?

You can see pieces by Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada in the School’s pottery collection – one of the best in the UK

Culture

“The National Library of Wales is one of the great libraries of the world"

galleries display an interesting and varied selection of changing exhibitions from the collections and by invited artists, as well as touring shows.

The town also has three works of public art by the Italian sculptor Mario Rutelli: the War Memorial on the promenade, the Tabernacle Chapel Memorial on Powell Street, and the statue of Edward VIII as Prince of Wales in the Old College, all of which are Grade II listed.

Museum

Ceredigion Museum can be found on Terrace Road, near the Aberystwyth seafront, where it is housed in a beautifully preserved Edwardian theatre. The museum is home to both permanent and temporary displays that explore Ceredigion’s heritage, culture and art.

Sports & Leisure

Aberystwyth has myriad sports clubs and leisure organisations, including an amateur radio society, chess, bowling and camera clubs, family history and floral societies, and many involved with its natural surroundings: surfing, caving, riding, hanggliding and orienteering.

The town is also home to branches of nationwide groups that help the local community such as Ceredigion Federation of Women’s Institutes, Merched y Wawr, Aberystwyth Lions and the Rotary Club of Aberystwyth.

Festivals

The Big Tribute at Lovesgrove in August is a weekend of live music performed by some of the UK’s best tribute acts, a second stage featuring local acts, a ‘little rockers’ zone, a full-scale ale and cider festival, plus quality food outlets, with free camping and parking.

Aberystwyth hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1865, 1916, 1952 and 1992.

The concerts and recitals at MusicFest Aberystwyth2026 bring together music lovers from across the region. A rich and diverse programme offers everything from classical masterpieces to contemporary works, from internationally acclaimed soloists and orchestras to emerging artists and talented students from the festival’s own Summer Music School, whose performances offer a unique blend of energy and technical skill.

History

The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway opened in 1896, operating via a water balance system until electrification in 1921. It is the longest electric funicular cliff railway in Britain, and became a Grade II-listed structure in 1987.

The top of Constitution Hill is home to Aberystwyth’s Camera Obscura, a modern recreation of the Victorian original.

Natural Environment

Aberystwyth is surrounded by beautiful countryside and coast. Nestled between the Cambrian Mountains and Cardigan Bay, its location provides a rugged landscape of rolling hills, valleys, sand and sea. The famous National Parks of Snowdonia/Eryri and Pembrokeshire are just a short distance away.

Education

As the first University College in Wales, Aberystwyth University has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and delivering an exceptional student experience. Since 1872, it has built a global reputation for teaching excellence and groundbreaking research, and today is home to students from all over the world.

Library

The National Library of Wales is one of the great libraries of the world. Situated overlooking beautiful Cardigan Bay, it’s the home of the story of Wales. Opened in 1907, the Library is a hub for research into the heritage and culture of Wales and the Celtic nations.

In 2025, Aberystwyth become Wales’ first UNESCO City of Literature, joining a global network of 350 Creative Cities that are recognised for their excellence in creative fields. The designation also makes Aberystwyth Ceredigion the first UNESCO Creative City in Wales.

Last year’s

Crewe

Crewe’s story is one of engineering, innovation and connection. From its pivotal role in the railway network – shaping the town and contributing signi cantly to the UK’s industrial story – to world-renowned automotive design and manufacturing at Bentley, Crewe has long been a place of skill, precision and forward-thinking.

Today it holds true to its motto: Ever Moving Forward, not only in industry but in culture too.

Museums & Archives

Did you know?

There’s a crater on Mars named after Crewe! It's just under two miles wide, at 25° South, 10° West

Crewe Heritage Centre tells not just the story of the railways but of how Crewe was shaped, growing from farmland to an industrial heavyweight in just 30 years. The Centre is home to a collection of locomotives and rolling stock, with permanent and visiting exhibits offering hands-on fun. There are signal boxes, a miniature railway, and special events include ‘Off The Rails’ car meets. A ‘Crewe at War’ exhibition for the VE Day commemorations last year brought together a unique collection of artefacts, photos and stories from World War II.

The new state-of-the art Cheshire Archives Crewe will open this summer, co-hosting unique and irreplaceable records of communities from the Middle Ages to the present day. It will keep the archives safe for future generations, as well as making them – and the stories they tell – accessible in all sorts of different ways. The history centre will give people opportunities to explore their past, through research, talking to expert staff and volunteers, and a programme of exhibitions and events.

Entertainment

Housed in an Edwardian auditorium with beautiful ornate gilt plasterwork, the Lyceum Theatre offers an eclectic programme of top-quality musicals, drama, comedy, dance, family shows, one-night events, and a world-class pantomime every Christmas. It’s on Lyceum Square, a cultural community space with its own state-of-the-art stage and screen, and neighbours Crewe Market Hall, a popular food, beverage and live music venue.

Music

The town has a vibrant live music scene, with venues such as Ebenezer’s, The Arena and Market Hall hosting bands and singers from around the world.

Crewe also boasts a Rail Ale Trail. Launched by the South Cheshire branch of CAMRA, it is based around seven pubs with a great reputation for cask ales, and is a fun way to discover and support our great hostelries and cask beers.

Gallery

CreweCreates runs creative workshops, events and projects in the town centre for families, schools, makers and artists. PLATFORM Gallery is a space for exhibitions, workshops and radical creativity, with micro-galleries, co-curated shows and open calls championing new voices and inclusive storytelling. Its ArtSpace is an open-access workshop for all ages and skill levels, part of the Crewe//Makes initiative, a long-term plan to establish Crewe as a Town of Festivals.

Sport

Crewe Alexandra FC’s stadium sits alongside the rail tracks, and it’s a club with strong connections to the town. Serving over 5,000 weekly visitors, Crewe Alexandra in the Community (CAITC) is dedicated to building stronger, more connected communities through sport, inclusion and opportunity. From

“It holds true to its motto: Ever Moving Forward"

football development to social programmes, they also partner with local charities to deliver outreach programmes, workshops or events in the community. Crewe is also home to the national-standard Shanaze Reade BMX Track, named after Crewe’s Olympic BMX racer.

Parks & Public Gardens

Queens Park is a 44.5 acre, Grade II*-listed public park opened in 1887. It has the largest lake in the area: hire a boat and explore. The park also features a Grade IIlisted Victorian clock tower, a man-made waterfall, and a large playground. At its centre is the Grade II-listed Boer War Memorial. There’s another memorial to the first Gulf War, and look out for the Verdun trees: oaks and horse chestnuts planted from acorns and conkers collected on the battlefield in France.

Industrial Heritage

Did you know?

‘Crewe’ means ‘weir’: the name comes from an old Welsh word criu, meaning ‘weir’

Crewe is no stranger to luxury vehicles as it’s home to Bentley. Ahead of World War II, Rolls-Royce and the British government searched for a location for a shadow factory to ensure production of aeroengines. Car production commenced at Crewe in 1946, and first to roll off the production line was the Mark V1. Bentley currently employs around 4,000 people at its Pym’s Lane headquarters.

Crewe Works is a railway engineering facility opened by the Grand Junction Railway in 1843, and employed around 7,000 to 8,000 workers at its peak. By 1853, Crewe had begun to make its own wrought iron and roll its own rails; it manufactured steel and had its own brickworks. Now owned by Alstom, a new train component facility is part of a multi-million investment for the Works’ future.

Crewe Day commemorates the first trains passing through Crewe Station during the opening of the Birmingham to Manchester and Liverpool line on 4th July 1837 – a key moment in the town’s industrial heritage. In 2025, the town celebrated with a weekend-long family-friendly festival, featuring parades and giant puppets, whilst the Heritage Centre had a visit from the Black 5 Engine 45212.

A Festival of Light

Crewe’s Diwali Celebration lights up the town with colour and sound: a day and evening filled with arts, Henna painting, family Rangoli, Diya lamp-making workshops, and music and dance performances from local artists and groups. This year it takes place from 6th-10th November.

VE

Llandudno

Wales’

largest seaside resort is famed for its Victorian style and Edwardian elegance – and for its twin limestone headlands, the Great Orme to the west of the bay, the Little Orme to the east. The views from the higher summit are breathtaking: from Snowdonia and Anglesey all the way to the Isle of Man, Blackpool and the Lake District.

The Great Orme also has a Victorian tramway, aerial cablecars, walking routes and Bronze Age copper mines, built over 4,000 years ago and uncovered in 1987. There’s also a mining museum, an Iron Age fort and the 6th-century St Tudno’s Church. And look out for the wild Kashmir goats and rare silver-studded blue butterflies!

Theatre

Venue Cymru is North Wales’ premier theatre, conference centre and arena, showing films, live theatre, opera and music, with a host of touring musicals, concerts and productions. The site of a theatre since the 1890s, the building as it stands today was reopened in 2007. The venue features a 1,500-seat auditorium and a 2,500-capacity arena for larger events.

Museum

Llandudno Museum’s collections total 9,000 artefacts, covering natural history and geology, local decorative and fine art, social and military history. Together they build a picture of the development of the seaside resort from the prehistoric age to the current day.

The museum was founded by Francis Edouard Chardon in 1925, who bequeathed his home, Rapallo House, and his art collection to Llandudno for the enjoyment of the people.

Gallery

Mostyn is a public art gallery, with a programme of contemporary exhibitions on a par with major global art centres. Its Edwardian red brick façade, turn-of-the-century galleries and modern concrete are combined in an award-winning architectural design.

Sport

Llandudno Snowsports Centre on the Great Orme has one of only two artificial ski slopes in North Wales, offering skiing, snowboarding and sno-tubing, and Wales’ longest toboggan run.

Festivals

Wales Whisky Fest offers visitors the chance to taste amazing whiskies from around the world, plus there’s music acts, special guests and limited edition festival bottlings.

Llandudno Transport Festival has been held on the seafront showground since 1993, and is the largest event of its type in Wales. The Saturday road run takes in a tour of the

Did you know?

The Royal Welsh Fusiliers select their regimental mascot from the

Gardens, Parks & Outdoors

World Heritage town of Conwy, via Llanrhos and Deganwy, while Sunday sees two major events: the annual Crosville Gathering of buses and coaches and the Victorian Extravaganza, a street fair complete with oldtime fairground rides, fun stalls, steam engines, people in costume and street entertainment the whole family will enjoy.

Happy Valley, the oldest of Conwy’s parks, was donated to the Llandudno by Lord Mostyn in 1887 as a celebration of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. It was listed as a Historic Garden of Excellence during the 1930s due to its notable Alpine plant collection. The park is extensive, with terraced gardens, woodland walks, formal lawns, a quarried cave known locally as Elephants Cave, and the Camera Obscura, dating from 1859 and believed to be one of only seven remaining in the UK. Enter the darkened room and marvel at a 360-degree view of the town projected onto a circular table.

Llandudno Pier was built in 1878, stretching 2295ft into the Irish Sea. A fire in 1994 left just the ornate wrought-iron supports standing, but it has subsequently been refurbished and is now often referred to as the ‘Queen of Welsh piers’. One of the UK’s longest, it boasts two arcades, souvenir shops, funfair rides and a state-of-the-art Ferris wheel, and is also home to the world-famous Punch and Judy puppet show.

“A public art gallery with a programme of contemporary exhibitions on a par with major global art centres"

Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury lies within a giant loop of the River Severn, surrounded by history and steeped in medieval heritage – the town boasts over 660 listed buildings.

Entertainment

Theatre Severn opened in 2009 on Frankwell Quay, a stunning riverside location and one of the main gateways into Shrewsbury. It hosts plays, lectures, drama, comedy, music and dance.

The Old Market Hall on The Square was a trading centre for Welsh cloth, then corn, later becoming a venue for dances, volunteer cavalry sword instruction, auctions, astronomy lectures – even a travelling crocodile exhibition! In the 1870s the upstairs was converted into offices and a courthouse, and today is a thriving cinema and cafe bar.

Public Art

“Voted Best Food Festival in the Midlands multiple times"

Nicknamed the ‘Slinky’ by locals, the Quantum Leap sculpture is the focal point of a Geo Garden created for the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Darwin. As Shrewsbury’s most famous son, you’ll find many references to him around the town. The sculpture also flags Shropshire’s geological diversity: the county has evidence of 10 of the 12 geological periods.

Sport

Did you know?

Veteran TV gardener Percy Thrower was Parks Superintendant in Shrewsbury for nearly 30 years

Shrewsbury Town FC’s former ground, Gay Meadow, backed on to the river, and it was common for balls to go over the stand and into the water, where they were rescued for more than four decades by Fred Davies in his coracle. Fans around the country will remember commentators mentioning his skills; his family is calling for a statue to be commissioned in his honour.

Festivals

Shrewsbury Folk Festival in August combines a stellar line-up of folk, world music and Americana with a warm and welcoming vibe. Set on a glorious riverside site, there’s four music stages, a dance tent, and plenty to keep kids and teens busy, with crafts, silent discos, circus skills and more. There’s also workshops and activities for adults from yoga, crafts and countryside walks to singarounds, topped off with an artisan shopping arena, food village, real ale and cocktail bars with on-site camping and glamping.

Shrewsbury Food Festival has been voted Best Food Festival in the Midlands multiple times, bringing together independent food producers, quality street food vendors, top chefs, local brewers and distillers. Learn about the journey of food in the field-to-fork area, sign up for cookery school, let off steam with sports activities, shop for home and garden, enjoy live music and let the little ones go wild in the kids’ area.

Industrial Heritage

Known as the grandparent of skyscrapers, Main Mill at Flaxmill Maltings opened in 1797 as a purpose-built flax mill. It was the first multi-floored iron-framed building in the world, a pioneering design that changed global skylines forever, making it an internationally important industrial heritage site.

Gallery & Museum

Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery sits in the town square and is the county’s flagship, running courses, schools’ workshops, toddler groups and much more, plus permanent and temporary exhibitions. Items on display include the Port-Y-Waen Palaeolithic harpoon and Iron Age spoons, Bronze Age metalwork and Roman collections including the Wroxeter mirror and tombstones. There are finds from the Abbey and Bridgnorth Friary too.

History

Shrewsbury’s Grade I-listed Castle sits at the head of the River Peninsula: the only part of the town centre not protected by the river loop. It is now home to the Shropshire Regimental Museum, where you can discover the county’s regimental past, from the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry to the formation of the 53rd (Shropshire) Regiment and the 85th Light Infantry.

Shrewsbury Abbey was originally a Benedictine monastery, one of the most important and influential in England. Impressive today, it was at once three times bigger! TV fans may recognise it as the setting for The Cadfael Chronicles, based on the novels by Ellis Peters.

If we’ve not mentioned your home town, forgive us! We didn't have space to feature everywhere we love – but why not get in touch and tell us where we’ve missed? We could be putting the spotlight on YOU in the next issue!

Afon Rhaiadr Country House is a luxury 5-star Victorian boutique bed and breakfast set within three acres of woodland near Dolgellau, at the foot of Cader Idris in Snowdonia National Park. Guests receive a warm welcome from Gina and Gareth, elegant surroundings, and a freshly cooked breakfast each morning. Daily afternoon teas and candle-lit dining (on selected evenings) are available with advance booking. The house retains its period charm while offering stylish bedrooms, luxury bathrooms, quality linens, Smart TVs and free Wi-Fi. Visitors can relax in the sitting room or conservatory, enjoy the gardens, watch wildlife, explore nearby paths, and relax in peaceful tranquillity.

enquiries@afonrhaiadr.co.uk www.afonrhaiadr.co.uk

Cae Cyd Holiday Cottage is a stunning barn conversion on the North Wales coast at the edge of the Snowdonia National Park near Conwy on the adults only Tyddyn Du Touring Park in Penmaenmawr.

This luxury two bedroom cottage sleeps 4 adults, and has a balcony with superb views over Conwy Bay to Anglesey and the Great Orme at Llandudno.

Awarded 5 stars by Visit Wales.

COASTAL CHARMS ON THE ISLE OF ANGLESEY

Discover the breathtaking views of Red Wharf Bay, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Spanning 10 square miles of golden sands at low tide, it’s perfect for walking, kayaking, swimming, and savouring the beach-front pub and restaurants or simply sit back and relax in one of our stunning cottages where you can just take in the magni cent view of the Bay and beyond. Being a family-run business, we guarantee friendly service and take great pleasure in making sure all our guests have a truly memorable stay.

,

or visit our website www.porthllongdy.co.uk for more details.

“100 yards from the beach”

Holidays

BREATHTAKING VIEWS AT TYDDYN DU

Forsome of the best views of the North Wales coast, head for Tyddyn Du Touring Park. Host and owner Pam Watson-Jones offers a very warm welcome to you and your touring caravan or motorhome, with an emphasis firmly on providing top-class facilities for guests.

The site is set in a gorgeous location overlooking the sea at Penmaenmawr, with views towards Anglesey and the Great Orme at Llandudno – and stunning sunsets. Tyddyn Du has worked hard to ensure that onsite amenities are second to none, offering 16-amp electric hook-ups, elsan points, wi-fi and supplies of butane

ESCAPE THE ORDINARY

Opened in 2024, Marian Resort & Spa is one of the newest of North Wales’ resorts. Surrounded by outstanding scenery, the site is just a stone’s throw from miles of sandy beaches and wooded hills, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty near Dyserth, beneath the slopes of Moel Hiraddug.

Escape the ordinary in one of the resort’s 80 stunning, well-equipped lodges, featuring beautiful interiors, luxury hot tubs and unlimited access to the Resort Leisure Club and entertainment. Guests will be spoilt for choice with four different food and drink venues on-site, and a varied programme of live entertainment

A NEW ERA AT GORSE

“Onsite amenities are second to none, truly deluxe”

and propane gas to purchase. The shower block is the showpiece of the site, a truly deluxe facility – there’s also a well-equipped utility/laundry room with a commercial washing machine, tumble dryer, ironing facilities, a Belfast sink for handwashing clothes and sinks for dishwashing.

For those who prefer bricks and mortar, Pam now offers a luxury holiday cottage with amazing sea views that sleeps up to four adults. To maintain a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, Tyddyn Du is an adults-only park.

www.tyddyndutouringpark.co.uk

will leave everyone delighted.

For those seeking spa breaks, Marian Resort & Spa has an experience to suit you, whether you’re looking for a day, half-day or overnight stay, along with full access to the resort’s health and leisure facilities, including the heated indoor swimming pool, gym, sauna and steam room.

Discover some of the best outdoor adventure activities in the world, along with brilliant beaches and thrilling mountain scenery, cycling, walking, gardens, vineyards and distilleries, and family attractions – all within an hour of Chester and Liverpool. www. marianresortandspa.com

Aniconic luxury holiday retreat

cherished for its scenic beauty and rich heritage is beginning a new chapter under fresh ownership.

Set amid the foothills of Eryri overlooking the Conwy Valley, Gorse Hill Caravan Park has long been recognised as one of the region’s most desirable destinations, offering 300 luxury caravan and lodge pitches. The site has been acquired by Gwynedd-based North Wales Resorts, with a growing portfolio of high-quality holiday parks set in stunning Welsh landscapes. With sweeping views across Conwy, Gorse Hill offers a secluded retreat for those seeking luxury holiday home

ownership. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel the warm sense of community and the reassurance of a tranquil environment. Beautifully maintained grounds blend harmoniously with the landscape.

At the heart of Gorse Hill is The Manor, a beautifully restored Victorian house now home to a fine dining restaurant and bar. Lovingly refurbished, the building blends historic charm with contemporary comfort, creating the perfect setting for memorable dining experiences. Guests can enjoy warm Welsh hospitality, seasonal menus, roaring real fires and unique period features. www.gorsehill.co.uk

A POCKET-SIZED HISTORY OF WALES

Uncover

the hidden gem of Ruthin, in the heart of Denbighshire. Explore its rich history, culture and attractions, all set in the glorious landscape of the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Start your adventure via the Ruthin Art Trail, beginning at Ruthin Craft Centre– well worth a visit, offering engaging exhibitions, workshops, a café, and artisan shops. From here, discover

THE PATH LESS TRODDEN

We’ve

all heard about the dramatic canal breach at Whitchurch, and whilst it’s disappointing for those unable to access the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct this year, it has also highlighted the option of visiting other parts of the canal system.

Cheshire Cat Narrowboat Holidays, based at Audlem on the Shropshire Union, is one of those hire companies affected,

BIRDSONG AT BREAKFAST

Enjoyluxury

boutique bed and breakfast at Dolgellau’s Afon Rhaiadr, at the foot of Cader Idris in the heart of Snowdonia National Park. Guests will receive a warm welcome from chef patrons Gina and Gareth amid elegant surroundings – and a freshly cooked breakfast each morning. Step into the charm and character of

but owner Linda Edwards says: “There are many other routes, with stunning scenery and interesting places to visit.”

Take Chester, for example: as the canal runs right into the historic city centre, you have all the time in the world to explore and no worries about parking. From here, the canal continues to the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port.

Or meander the Trent & Mersey through the salt ‘flashes’ near Nortthwich, to visit the Anderton Boat Lift. If spooky tunnels are your thing, there are three ahead.

The team at Cheshire Cat are muchtravelled boaters and can give lots of advice on choosing a route. Linda says: “Often the best holidays are had by those who doodle about with no particular place to go.” Their fleet of 2-8 berth boats are equipped with everything you’ll need. There’s also a day hire boat, if you fancy dipping a toe in the water! Give them a call on 07867 790 195 or visit www.cheshirecatnarrowboats.co.uk

this five-star award-winning Victorian country house, sumptuously decorated with luxurious furnishings, Victorian chandeliers and Edwardian antiques, creating a cosy and timeless atmosphere. This hidden gem offers seven individually decorated bedrooms, each with luxury bathroom, quality linens, fluffy towels, indulgent toiletries, generous courtesy tray, smart TV and free wi-fi.

Relax in the sitting room or conservatory overlooking the gardens and woodland whilst enjoying a glass of wine or a hot drink and a good book. Watch the birds, enjoy a walk through the grounds, explore local trails or listen to the sounds of the river from a picturesque garden seat. On select evenings, why not treat yourself to a candlelit dinner (advance

spy holes set into the town walls and learn about Welsh mythology and history –other figures are hidden in shopfronts and on roofs too. On Castle Street is the Grade I-listed Tudor Nantclwyd y Dre, now a museum taking visitors through the lives and times of its many residents.

The Castle itself is a fairytale place, with medieval walls surrounding its new incarnation as an hotel and spa. There’s an information trail around the grounds,

and of course you can dine and stay. On the darker side, visit Ruthin Gaol from 28th March to hear about the Victorian prison system, the ‘Welsh Houdini’ and more! Ruthin can satisfy your need for retail therapy too, with independent shops, including art, crafts and antiques.

Afterwards be refreshed at a welcoming inn or eatery, and maybe enjoy some live entertainment in the historic Market Hall

“Engaging exhibitions, café and artisan shops”

booking required) or indulgent afternoon tea in the garden or conservatory?

Afon Rhaiadr offers excellent value package deals throughout the year –please email Gina for details: enquiries@afonrhaiadr.co.uk  www.afonrhaiadr.co.uk

Hire for a day, a weekend, a week or longer

CARAVAN PARK HAWK LAKE

YOUR 2026

Visit www.cheshirecatnarrowboats.co.uk Tel 07867 790195 anytime

“

THERE IS SIMPLY NOTHING BETTER THAN

Spend a day exploring the beautiful Shropshire Union Canal aboard our 10 seater, self-drive Day Boat

• Ideal for family celebrations and team-building days

• All-weather accommodation

• Easy to steer – no experience necessary

• From just £130

Tel: 07867 790195 • www.cheshirecatnarrowboats.co.uk

4

Set beside Hawk Lake in the grounds of Hawkstone Park, this Caravan Park is great for a peaceful getaway.

Close to the historic town of Shrewsbury, and in the heart of Shropshire, we are ideally located for exploring Shropshire and Mid Wales.

We o er both Day and Season Fishing on Hawk Lake. The lake has a selection of fish, from big Carp up to 30lb, to Roach, Perch, Bream, Tench, Rudd and Pike.

If it’s the Shropshire wildlife that you like, the lake is home to Kingfishers, Herons, Water Voles and Woodpeckers. Much of the lakeside is perfectly walkable, and there are places to sit and enjoy your surroundings in peace.

We have 5 touring pitches each with a hook up and on hard standing, as well as 45 static caravan pitches.

Hawk Lake Caravan Park, North Lodge, Hawkstone Park, Marchamley, Nr Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 5GE

Telephone: 01630 685209 | Mobile: 07860 843341 / 07850 485859 www.hawklakecaravanpark.co.uk

01691 652126 Whitchurch 01948 662361 HEAD OFFICE 36-38 Beatrice Street Oswestry

STILL TRAVELLERS’ TOP CHOICE

Shrewsbury has it all: stunning medieval architecture, cobbled streets, vibrant independent shops, an excellent food scene and rich history (including its connection to Charles Darwin), all set within a loop of the beautiful River Severn.

Take it slow, live it up or escape to the countryside – it’s all possible in Shrewsbury, and just to the south you’ll find the Shropshire Hills, a National Landscape famed for its panoramic scenery, charming villages and very pretty, idyllic waterways.

exhibits, exhibitions and a host of activities, including themed tours.

Then there’s the Victorian prison, awarded Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award nine years running: take a tour or try to escape! For a more relaxing experience, stroll in The Quarry’s 29 acres of manicured gardens or try a Sabrina Boat Trip on the Severn for unique views.

Step back in time and experience Shrewsbury Castle’s 1,000-year history and discover the county’s regimental past. Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery sits proudly in the town square, offering

LAKESIDE BLISS FOR NATURE LOVERS

Setbeside Hawk Lake in the grounds of Shropshire’s Hawkstone Park, Hawk Lake Caravan Park is ideal for a peaceful getaway: a quiet retreat for fishing, relaxing and observing the wildlife. The park offers five attractive touring pitches for caravans or motorhomes, each with a hook-up and on hard standing. It is also home to 45 static caravans, all of which are privately owned and occasionally come up for sale.

Wildlife lovers will enjoy the lakeside setting, home to kingfishers, herons, water voles and woodpeckers – along with beautiful sunrises and sunsets over the water.  Much of the lakeside is walkable, and there are places to sit and appreciate your surroundings in peace.

If you enjoy fishing, then the carp, roach, perch, bream, tench, rudd and pike in the lake will not disappoint – day tickets for angling are available.

For days out, the historic town of Shrewsbury is nearby with its eclectic mix of independent shops and eateries, and the park offers a tranquil base for exploring Shropshire and Mid Wales. www.hawklakecaravanpark.co.uk

Take in a show at Theatre Severn, a modern theatre with a traditional feel, or enjoy the buzzing nightlife at an eclectic range of eateries, pubs and bars.

“Take a boat trip on the Severn for unique views ”

MAKING HOLIDAYS ACCESSIBLE

Founded in 1985, Shropshire’s Lyneal Trust is a charity dedicated to creating inclusive breaks for people who face disability, illness, injury or other vulnerabilities. Its mission is simple but vital: to make time away accessible and enjoyable.

Don’t worry about the well-publicised damage to the Llangollen Canal near Whitchurch as most guests prefer their trip to be towards Llangollen and the Montgomery Canal, and there has never been a better time to enjoy this iconic trip.

The Trust offers both canal boat holidays aboard the Shropshire Maid and day trips on the Shropshire Lady, as well as holidays in their canalside holiday homes.

Take a self-catered break aboard the Shropshire Maid, a purpose-built accessible holiday boat designed to give up to six guests a comfortable and

enjoyable way to explore the Llangollen Canal. She’s a boat that works with people managing disability.

Shropshire Lady offers a leisurely day trip for up to 12; she’s fully accessible, with a ramp and hydraulic lift for very easy access, as well as a galley and toilet. A trained skipper and crew are provided.

The Trust’s fully accessible wharfside and garden cottages for up to eight are designed entirely around the needs of people with disabilities and vulnerabilities, for holidays many never thought possible.

www.lyneal-trust.org.uk

Putting people first through accessible breaks since 1985

Founded in 1985, the Lyneal Trust is a registered charity dedicated to creating inclusive breaks for people who face disability, illness, injury or other vulnerabilities. The Trust’s mission is simple but vital: to make time away accessible and enjoyable.

Based at Lyneal Wharf in Shropshire, the charity owns and cares for two accessible canal boats and canalside accommodation, all thoughtfully designed to support di erent needs, allowing guests, families and carers to shape a stay that works for them.

Run by a committed team of volunteers, the Lyneal Trust continues to focus on people first, just as it has done for four decades. Following the

On the water

With warmer weather and longer days, the great outdoors beckons. For some that means walking boots and bikes, for others it’s a set of paddles and the thrill of white water

centre has been introducing people to white-water paddling and rafting for four decades. Each season it welcomes tens of thousands of visitors – from first-timers dipping a paddle in the water to experienced kayakers sharpening their skills.

Alongside popular rafting and kayaking sessions, the centre o ers coaching, courses and guided experiences, with a strong emphasis on safety, confidence and enjoyment on the water.

“Eight-year-old Seren calmly performed a controlled hand-roll”

Kayaking is that perfect combination of physical challenge, fresh air and sheer enjoyment that attracts both beginners and seasoned watersports fans. And one of the best places to give it a try is right here on the Shire patch at Canolfan Tryweryn, the National White Water Centre in Frongoch, Gwynedd.

Set on the banks of the Afon Tryweryn, the not-for-profit

Di erent strokes

In calmer waters across the patch, sculling offers a sport that’s more measured but no less physical

Sculling is a technically demanding but accessible sport, rewarding balance, timing and consistency rather than raw power. To catch a full crew in training on a calm morning is one of the most elegant sights on the river.

In Chester, the Dee has a long and proud rowing history and several historic clubs are based along this stretch of water, their boathouses forming part of the landscape near The Groves. Royal Chester Rowing Club, founded in 1869,

Social sensation

Recently the centre found itself in the global spotlight after a short kayaking clip shared online attracted millions of views. The video features eight-year-old Seren Jones calmly performing a controlled hand-roll during a club pool session, filmed by her father Paul, a director and instructor at the centre.

The video neatly reflects what Canolfan Tryweryn is about: encouraging good technique, respect for the water and a supportive environment where people of all ages can progress at their own pace.

www.nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk or call 01678

is among the oldest rowing clubs in the country, while Grosvenor and King’s also play an important role, supporting both competitive athletes and those who row simply for fitness and enjoyment.

“For experienced scullers, the Dee is a river that rewards precision and control”

The character of the River Dee makes it ideal for sculling, its wide, steady reaches allowing rowers to develop technique as they pass some of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. For newcomers, it provides a forgiving environment in which to learn; for experienced scullers, it is a river that rewards precision and control.

Choose your level

As spring settles in, the river becomes noticeably busier, with early-morning training sessions and evening rows returning as daylight extends, not to mention a busy competitive calendar. Whether enjoyed solo, as a pair or as part of a crew, it’s sport where you can compete, exercise or just experience the river at its most peaceful.

“Way-enough” is the call to stop rowing

Food&Drink

FOODIE NEwS

New look for heritage café

A popular visitor attraction on the Shire patch is embarking on a plan to make its café a desirable destination in its own right

Work is underway on a major refurbishment of the café at Greenfield Valley Heritage Park, near Holywell. The café will reopen this spring under the Welsh name Y Caffi, as part of a long-term vision to enhance one of North Wales’ most historic visitor destinations.

The project is part of an ambitious 10-year plan by Greenfield Valley Trust to transform the 70-acre site into a leading visitor attraction, while safeguarding its heritage and natural landscape. For the first time, the Trust will take the café under its direct management, with any profits reinvested back into the Valley to support conservation, education and day-to-day care of the site. The refurbishment, which has received backing from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, includes a full kitchen refit, redesigned indoor seating and upgraded patio areas, aimed at making the café a more comfortable, flexible space throughout the year.

all welcome

When it reopens in time for Easter, Y Caffi will be fully accessible, family-friendly and dog-friendly, offering a relaxed meeting place for walkers, runners and families exploring the Valley. It is also

expected to play a central role in an expanding programme of indoor and outdoor events planned across 2026.

Ian Brebner, chair of Greenfield Valley Trust, described the redevelopment as an important moment for the site. “This is a bold and exciting step for Greenfield Valley,” he said. “By managing the café ourselves, we can reinvest every pound directly back into the site and raise standards across the visitor experience. It’s a real statement of intent for the future.”

Trustee Samantha Lambert, who has helped shape the new look and feel of the café, said the focus has been on creating a space that feels both contemporary and rooted in its surroundings. “The redesign has been about creating a warm, welcoming environment that reflects the character of the Valley. We want people to feel comfortable staying a while, whether they’re calling in for a coffee or coming along for an event.”

Funding for the future

The café works sit within a broader programme of improvements made possible by £493,629 of funding secured through the UKSPF and Flintshire County Council. Across the Valley, this investment has supported access improvements, habitat and heritage conservation, museum displays, archaeological excavations, volunteering initiatives, events and visitor centre enhancements.

Council cabinet member for environment, regeneration, countrysidd and tourism, Chris Dolphin welcomed the progress. “This is a great example of how targeted investment can strengthen local attractions, enhance the visitor experience and support longterm sustainability,” he said. “Greenfield Valley is a much-loved place, and this funding will help ensure it continues to thrive for residents, visitors and future generations.”

As work continues on Y Caffi, Greenfield Valley Trust is also seeking new trustees with experience in heritage, law, education and conservation to help guide the next phase of its development. Find out more on the website.

For updates on the café, on-site events and the Trust’s 10-year vision for Greenfield Valley, see www.greenfieldvalley.com and social media

INTO tHE WILD

Shire brings you the latest on everything from ne wines to pub grub in our regular round-up of news from the hospitality sector

Spring is a wonderful time to step into the world of wild food and foraging. March and April bring a flourish of vibrant greens and delicate blossoms, rich in both flavour and nourishment. From nutrient-dense nettles and cleansing sticky weed to the pungent aroma of wild garlic and the cardamom-scented petals of magnolia, nature’s larder bursts into life.

Living Wild UK offers expert-led foraging workshops set in the stunning landscapes of North Wales, guiding you to confidently identify and sustainably harvest seasonal wild foods, medicinal plants and fungi throughout the year. Each workshop reconnects you with the land, while equipping you with practical skills so you can continue exploring long after the day ends.

each day, with an emphasis on nutrition, sustainability and locally sourced ingredients. Welsh suppliers sit at the heart of its supply chain, helping to support the regional economy while keeping food miles low.

Beyond the kitchen, NEWydd’s work extends into education and wellbeing. Its Eat Smart, Save Better programme with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has already reached 18 primary schools, helping families learn to cook healthy meals on a budget. Participants leave with skills, ingredients and equipment to support affordable home cooking. Schools are also supported through cooking classes, food days and dining space improvements, designed to build confidence and encourage positive food habits.

Whether you’re new to foraging or more experienced, these hands-on three-hour walks provide an enjoyable and informative way to learn about identifying, harvesting and preparing wild ingredients, all while soaking in the beauty of the countryside.

For those wanting to expand their culinary horizons, try a new outdoor adventure or simply deepen their connection with nature, Living Wild UK offers something for everyone. They believe foraging isn’t just about food– it’s about fostering a deeper relationship with the land, learning to appreciate the rhythms of nature and connecting with a community of like-minded individuals. Their walks and workshops are designed for all levels, from novices to seasoned foragers, and they care about creating a welcoming environment where curiosity and learning can flourish. Find out more at www.livingwild.uk

Winner winner, school dinners

Seeing stars

A catering service that feeds thousands of children every day is entering a new phase, with plans to grow beyond its Flintshire roots and take its communityfirst approach to a wider regional audience.

NEWydd Catering & Cleaning, based in Mold, has long been a familiar presence in schools and workplaces across North Wales. Now, with rising interest from organisations in Cheshire and the Wirral, the team is preparing for a period of measured expansion that could bring new jobs and partnerships, while raising the profile of the work it already does at scale. It currently delivers up to 14,000 freshly prepared school meals

Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms has once again found itself at the centre of the culinary conversation, retaining its two Michelin stars as the latest Guide was unveiled in Dublin. In the build-up to the ceremony, speculation had been rife that the Ceredigion restaurant, led by chef-patron Gareth Ward, could become the first in Wales to achieve three stars, Michelin’s highest accolade. That moment did not arrive this year, but Ynyshir remains firmly established among the UK and Ireland’s elite, holding its position as Wales’ only two-star restaurant.

The result follows a period of intense attention for the restaurant, which has never shied from doing things differently. Set in rural Mid Wales, Ynyshir has built a reputation for immersive, highenergy dining that challenges convention. The experience is deliberately theatrical: an open kitchen, curated soundtrack and relaxed atmosphere blur the boundaries between fine dining and performance, while handmade crockery, regional sheepskins and subtle Welsh touches ground the restaurant in its setting.

Ynyshir’s rise has not been without scrutiny, having recently received a one-star food hygiene rating from the Food Standards Agency, indicating that major improvement was required. Ward has said the restaurant operates at “the highest standard in the world” and that the issues identified are being addressed, while maintaining the creative approach that has defined Ynyshir’s success.

Alongside its Michelin recognition, Ynyshir holds five AA Rosettes and has collected a string of national awards. While the elusive third star remains out of reach for now, Ynyshir’s continued presence at the top table underscores its influence — and Wales’ growing confidence on the international culinary stage.

spanish treasure

Shire expert Gary Carter, from Shropshire

Wine School, talks about a Spanish favourite that often gets better with age: Rioja

Rioja is probably the most famous Spanish wine, and reigns supreme in the mind of British wine drinkers – we Brits are by far the largest export market for Rioja. Like almost all famous European wines, Rioja is a place not a grape variety. Its ‘place’ is the autonomous Spanish region of La Rioja, through which the Ebro River flows on its way to the Mediterranean.

The wine itself is officially referred to as Rioja DOCa, which like almost all famous European wines is a Protected Designation of Origin. Rioja DOCa overlaps outside of La Rioja into the neighbouring regions of Navarra and Pais Vasco (Basque country). Within the Spanish labelling system, DOCa is the highest classification; only one other Spanish wine carries this prestigious label, which is Priorat from Catalunya.

Rioja is in northern Spain, and the Ebro River basin is surrounded by mountains on three sides, shielding Rioja DOCa from the stormy weather associated with the Bay of Biscay. Most of the vineyards are planted at some altitude, which combined with the location moderates the climate somewhat, creating the ideal conditions for quality wine production.

A versatile grape

The main grape variety within Rioja DOCa is Tempranillo, which is the most important Spanish grape, now planted in many other areas under a plethora of pseudonyms. It is a versatile variety, with primarily a red fruit character and medium-high levels of acidity and tannin. It takes to ageing in oak extremely well, and

Three to try

Bodegas Muriel Crianza

Rioja 2022 (Momentum Wines, Oswestry £12.50)

The Muriel Crianza is modern and fruit-driven in style, with ripe red fruit aromas complemented by notes of vanilla, cocoa and coffee.

the better quality examples are capable of ageing for many years. Other varieties are permitted to be included in Rioja DOCa. The most common blend is Garnacha (Grenache in France), which contributes herbal notes and often a significant amount of alcohol. Whilst Rioja DOCa is associated with red wine, about 10 percent of its output is in fact white, based on the Viura variety (Macabeo in Catalunya). There is also a tiny bit of rosé and even sparkling Rioja DOCa produced.

heart of oak

The key to understanding Rioja DOCa is the labelling. Because this wine is so associated with oak ageing – using the same small barriques that are used in Bordeaux – this is an important aspect to the wine. There are four levels:

• Generico (formerly Joven): these wines do not need to have been aged in oak at all – they are designed to be drunk young and are usually simple, fresh and fruity. The name Generico will be referenced via the green label on the reverse of the bottle.

• Crianza: must have been aged for at least 12 months in oak barrels and 24 months in total before release. This will be displayed on the front of the bottle, with a bright red label on the reverse.

• Reserva: must have been aged for at least 12 months in oak barrels and 36 months in total before release. This will be displayed on the front of the bottle, with a deep red label on the reverse.

• Gran Reserva: aged for at least 24 months in oak barrels and 60 months in total before release. This will be displayed on the front of the bottle and also have a blue label on the reverse.

Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva wines all display some obvious oak flavours, while Reserva and especially Gran Reserva are designed to age in the bottle for many years, developing tertiary aromas such as leather, dried fruit and tobacco leaf. Rioja DOCa is very food-friendly and is especially good with roast lamb.

Muga Rioja DOCa Reserva 2021 (Majestic Wine £20.50) This Reserva is a real classic. It’s a masterclass in ageing, spending 36 months in oak before further resting in the bottle. Its flavours are richly complex –blackberry, vanilla, coffee and a hint of spice.

Faustino I Rioja Gran Reserva 2014 (Tesco £18.50) An 11-year-old Gran Reserva at a very accessible price, from one of the largest Rioja producers. It offers complex aromas of ripe fruit, spices and notes of toasted wood.

Season’s feastings

March and April bring a fresh wave of UK-grown produce to supermarket shelves and market stalls, with crisp greens, early roots and sharp-sweet fruits o ering a welcome lift after the colder months

Purple sprouting

broccoli

A true herald of spring, purple sprouting broccoli is prized for its tender stems and delicate, nutty flavour. Best lightly steamed, roasted or quickly sautéed, it pairs beautifully with lemon, anchovy or a scattering of toasted almonds. Choose vibrant purple-green stalks with tight buds and no yellowing. Store wrapped in the fridge and use within three to four days for maximum freshness.

Wild garlic

Foraged across woodland floors from early spring, wild garlic brings a gentle, aromatic punch to seasonal cooking. Its broad green leaves are ideal for pestos, soups, butters and folded through risottos. Look for fresh, bright leaves with a strong scent. Store wrapped in a damp cloth in the fridge and use within a few days. A simple wild garlic pesto instantly captures the taste of spring.

Radishes

Peppery and crisp, radishes thrive in the cool soils of early spring. Slice raw into salads for crunch, pickle lightly for a sharper edge, or roast to mellow their bite. Choose firm bulbs with smooth skins and fresh green tops. Store unwashed in the fridge for up to a week. Try serving with good butter and flaky salt for a classic, no-fuss snack.

Didknow?you

Rhubarb (over the page) enjoys a cold climate and thrives in Alaska Siberiaand

Didknow?you

All parts of the wild garlic plant are edible: add the flowers to salads and pickle the seeds

COME AND SEE US at our unique setting at the historic Henllys Hall, just outside beautiful Beaumaris on the Island of Anglesey, where you will find a great choice of traditional and contemporary food and service with a warm Harry’s welcome.

You’ll find our restaurant a unique and unhurried place to enjoy our bistro style food, our award winning desserts and our specially selected wines.

If you are visiting Anglesey on a Sunday our lunches are very popular with visitors and Island residents.

Harry’s Bistro, Henllys Hall, Beaumaris, Anglesey LL58 8HU Tel: 01248 812976 | Email: enquiries@harrysbistro.com | Web: www.harrysbistro.com

BBQ cooking & Everhot cookery demo April 18th 10-1pm at our showroom. All welcome. Visit ou website to reserve your FREE ticket

Rhubarb

Forced rhubarb (grown in darkness) appears early in the season, its vivid pink stalks offering sharpness and colour. Best cooked rather than raw, it shines in crumbles, compotes and syrups. Select firm, glossy stems and discard the leaves. Store wrapped in the fridge for up to a week. Pair with ginger, vanilla or orange zest to balance its natural tartness.

Simon Doyle is one of Anglesey’s top chefs - he’s known for his traditional local foods with a zippy bistro flavour. After travelling the world and cooking in some famous kitchens he came home to Wales, together with patisserie specialist chef Nia Doyle, and established Harrys Bistro at Henllys Hall in beautiful Beaumaris as one of North Wales must try top eateries.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Seared King Scallops, Tomato & Vegetable Fish Stew, Brioche Crouton and Aioli

Serves 4 as a starter

Ingredients:

• 16 king scallops (prepped & cleaned)

• Olive oil Brioche crouton:

Tomato & vegetable fish stew:

• 1 small white onion, diced

• 1 red pepper, diced

• ½ courgette, diced

• ½ carrot, diced

• 2 slices of brioche, cut into croutons

• 1 garlic clove, crushed

• 150ml white wine

Serve with poached egg for the ultimate brunch

Didknow?you

Asparagus can grow up to 10 inches in a single day!

Aioli:

• 4 tbs mayonnaise

• 1 garlic clove crushed

• Squeeze of lemon juice

• 250ml fish stock

• 1 tin chopped tomatoes

• 1tsp sugar

• 1 tbsp chopped parsley

• Small knob of butter

• Heat a heavy bottomed saucepan over a medium heat. Add a good splash of olive oil. Add all the vegetables and fry for 1-2 minutes stirring continuously. Turn the heat down, place a lid and allow the vegetables to soften (approx. 3-4 minutes).

Asparagus

• Remove the lid, turn the heat up to medium and add the white wine. Allow to come to the boil. Add the fish stock. Bring back to the boil and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes, sugar, salt and pepper. Bring back to the boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Add the chopped parsley and keep warm.

• Place the brioche croutons on a baking tray. Place in a warm oven for 10-15 minutes.

• For the aioli, mix the mayonnaise, garlic and lemon juice together.

Late April signals the longawaited arrival of British asparagus. Sweet, grassy and tender, it needs little more than quick steaming, grilling or roasting. Look for firm, straight spears with tightly closed tips. Store upright in the fridge with the ends wrapped in damp kitchen paper. Serve simply with butter, soft-boiled eggs or shaved hard cheese to let its flavour shine.

• Heat a large frying pan over a high heat. Add a splash of olive oil. Add the scallops to the pan, fry for 1-2 minutes on one side. Once browned on one side, turn the scallops over. Add the butter, salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice. Cook for a further 1 minute. Remove from the pan.

Assemble: place the stew in bowls, top with the scallops, croutons and serve the aioli on the side.

Homes & Interiors

A whole new look for less

If an interior restyle for 2026 is on the list but not in the budget, we’ve found some great ways to give your kitchen a freshen-up without breaking the bank

“Replacing the doors instantly updates the look and feel of the whole room”

With spring on the horizon, many homeowners are turning their attention to refreshing tired interiors – and the kitchen is often top of the list. While a full renovation can be costly and disruptive, there are simpler ways to achieve a noticeable update without replacing the entire space.

Made-to-measure interiors brand CutMy offers an alternative approach, providing replacement kitchen doors designed to give existing kitchens a new lease of life at a fraction of the cost of a full refurbishment. Their doors are custom-made to fit existing cabinets, and are also compatible with kitchens from leading retailers such as IKEA, B&Q and Howdens, making upgrades both accessible and straightforward.

Available in a wide range of styles, from traditional Shaker designs to modern slab doors and contemporary in-frame options,

the collection includes moisture-resistant, paintable finishes, ideal for kitchens that need a practical yet stylish refresh.

Heart of the home

“The kitchen is the heart of the home, and if yours is in need of a revamp, you don’t always have to take on a daunting renovation project,” says James Bryant, founder of CutMy. “If the cupboard carcasses are in good condition, replacing the doors will instantly update the look and feel of the whole room. It’s the perfect option for those on a tight budget.”

For homeowners keen to take on an update themselves, CutMy’s experts share their top tips for a smooth, stressfree project.

• Measure accurately

Carefully measure existing cupboard doors, noting the height, width and hinge positions before ordering replacements.

• Prime for durability

Priming is essential for a long-lasting finish. Apply a thin, even coat of high-quality primer, allow it to dry fully, then lightly sand with finegrit sandpaper before repeating the process. You'll find it easier to paint your new doors before attaching them. Top tip: use a grey primer if painting doors a darker colour.

• Choose the right paint Gloss, satin or eggshell finishes are recommended for kitchen cupboards as they’re durable, easy to clean and resistant to moisture – kitchens can be steamy places!

• Apply with care

Use a quality brush for edges and detailed areas, and a foam roller for flat surfaces. Apply thin, even coats, allowing each layer to dry fully. A second coat is usually required for full coverage.

• Reassemble and finish

Once dry, reattach the doors carefully, ensuring correct alignment. Updating handles or knobs is a simple final step that can elevate the overall look.

CutMy’ paintable replacement kitchen doors start from £25.71. Prefinished doors also available. Visit www.cutmy.co.uk

Smooth change

“Colour choice plays a key role in a successful refresh”

If replacing cupboard doors feels like more of a project than you’re ready for, there’s an even simpler way to give your kitchen a spring update: paint. A fresh coat can instantly lift the space, brighten dark corners and create a more cohesive feel – all with minimal cost and disruption.

Eco-conscious paint brand orndown champions paint as one of the most e ective tools for revitalising the heart of the home. Designed to cope with the demands of busy family life, its wall paint is durable, washable and formulated with minimal VOCs, making it a practical choice for kitchens as well as a more environmentally mindful one.”

According to Caroline ornborough, design director at orndown, colour choice plays a key role in a successful refresh. She suggests taking cues from adjoining spaces such as the hallway to create ow through the home, then introducing a contrasting accent shade to add depth and interest.

Walls, wood and metal too

“Our wall paint is incredibly versatile, so not only can you use it to breathe new life into walls but it can also be painted directly on interior woodwork, including kitchen cabinets, doors and skirting boards, as well as metal radiators. It is ideal for those who want to achieve the ultimate colour-drenched kitchen,” said Caroline.

Available in 57 shades, orndown’s at matt paint o ers a rich depth of colour that won’t fade, with a subtle nish of less than three percent sheen for a smooth, modern look. It’s also designed to last, with durability of up to 10 years. Prices start from £22 for 750ml, proving that sometimes the simplest kitchen refresh really is just a brushstroke away.

Make a splash

Whenrefreshing a kitchen, it’s often the smallest design elements that make the biggest di erence – and the splashback is one of the most e ective places to start. Hardworking by nature, it protects walls from heat, steam and everyday cooking splashes, while also o ering a prime opportunity to introduce colour, texture and pattern.

“A well-chosen tiled splashback can elevate a kitchen scheme”

Tile, wall panel and ooring specialist Hyperion Tiles is encouraging homeowners to rethink this key area, using splashback tiles that combine long-term practicality with strong visual appeal. As Richard Skeoch, Hyperion Tiles director explains, tiles are an ideal solution for busy kitchens thanks to their heat resistance, durability and wipe-clean nish.

“From timeless ceramic metro tiles to bold patterned designs and sleek porcelain nishes, a well-chosen tiled splashback can instantly elevate a kitchen scheme. Whether used to create a focal point behind the hob or kept subtle to complement cabinetry and worktops, the right tiles help balance style with everyday functionality,” he says.

Walls, wood and metal too

When selecting splashback tiles, Richard advises considering light and space – glossy nishes and paler shades help bounce light around smaller kitchens, while matt tiles o er a softer, more contemporary feel. Grout choice also plays an important role, with mid-tone shades particularly practical for family homes. For longevity, classic tile shapes paired with modern colours tend to stand the test of time better than trend-led designs. With a collection of more than 15,000 tile and wall panel options, Hyperion Tiles o ers something for every kitchen style, from subtle and understated to bold and decorative. Browse the full collection at www.hyperiontiles.co.uk

A riverside residence unlike any other in Shrewsbury

Discover refined living at Old Coleham Court — a stunning collection of luxury apartments, duplexes and penthouses with generous balconies. Residents enjoy a tranquil central courtyard, an elegant lift-served lobby and secure parking. Old Coleham Court is now complete. View availability at

Now Taking Reservations

SY Homes proudly announces Phase Two of its highly anticipated new development at Lord Hill Gardens.

Out with the old, in with the neo

“Reimagining Art Deco through a 21stcentury lens”

and playful forms offer a lighter take on the look without losing its distinctive edge. Material choice is another defining feature: glass and metal finishes add depth and richness, reinforcing a sense of permanence that stands in contrast to disposable design.

Chairs with flair

It’s time to bring a bit of glamour to our homes and lean into Neo Deco – the trend that combines elegance with timeless style

Bold geometry, refined glamour and a sense of modern indulgence are shaping one of 2026’s most talked-about interior trends. Dubbed Neo Deco, it’s been flagged by Pinterest as a key design direction for the year ahead, signalling a renewed appetite for spaces that feel both luxurious and liveable.

An evolution of the original Art Deco movement of the early 20th century, Neo Deco reimagines its defining elements – symmetry, sculptural forms and rich materials – through a 21st-century lens. The result is a look that feels confident and expressive without tipping into excess, allowing homeowners to introduce drama through carefully chosen statement pieces rather than full-scale opulence.

Switch it up

Lighting plays a central role in bringing Neo Deco interiors to life. Much like its 1920s predecessor, the trend embraces bold shapes and eye-catching details, with lighting often doubling as functional design and decorative feature. Ribbed glass, scalloped edges and strong silhouettes offer an accessible way to introduce the look, whether through a single pendant or a coordinated set of wall lights.

British brand Glow Lighting has been quietly leaning into this aesthetic, with collections that reflect the emphasis on hero pieces and craftsmanship. Pieces such as the ribbed, architectural Humphrey showcase how geometry can feel timeless rather than trend-led, while softer designs like Florrie use subtle scalloping to echo influences in a more understated way. For those looking to inject personality, bolder colourways

If lighting sets the mood, seating is where the Neo Deco style comes into its own. Today’s pieces may reference the sculptural shapes of the past, yet they’re designed for everyday living –think supportive curves, practical proportions and thoughtful detailing that make a space as functional as it is striking.

Seating offers an easy entry point for those looking to build on their Neo Deco look without committing to a full redesign. A pair of bar stools at a kitchen island or a new set of dining chairs can instantly introduce the signature drama, especially when paired with metallic accents or plush upholstery.

Lakeland Furniture has leaned into this balance of glamour and practicality with a collection of Neo Deco-inspired designs. Velvet finishes, curved backrests and metallic frames feature prominently. Deep jewel tones nod to Deco heritage, while cleaner lines and contemporary bases ensure the pieces sit comfortably in modern kitchens and dining spaces.

Buyers beware

What happens when you move into a new home, only to discover you’ve got more than you bargained for? Shire put some worst-case scenarios to local legal expert Kathryn Clare, of SAS Daniels

Buying your own home is one of the most exciting milestones in life – but nothing kills the buzz faster than moving in to find you’ve inherited a major structural issue or a neighbour from hell. Kathryn Clare, a senior associate working in the dispute resolution team at SAS Daniels’ Chester office, shares advice on this tricky topic.

What are your rights if issues arise after completion?

The basic position when you purchase a property is caveat emptor, or ‘buyer beware’. This means that you, as a buyer, are responsible for making all the necessary checks and enquiries on the property before you buy it. Standard enquiries are made using the Sellers’ Property Information Form. A seller is obliged to answer the questions posed on the form truthfully; not doing so may result in the buyer pursuing a damages claim against the seller for misrepresentation. On receiving the SPIF, buyers can ask further specific enquiries via a solicitor if necessary, and these must also be answered honestly and accurately.

What is classed as misrepresentation?

An inaccurate or untrue statement during the conveyancing process may entitle a buyer to claim for misrepresentation. Even if an incorrect statement was made innocently, a buyer can pursue a seller if it misrepresented the true position. If a

Future imperfect

In a world increasingly drawn to characterful, soulful interiors, perfection is quietly falling out of favour. Instead, designers and homeowners are embracing texture, variation and the beauty of the handmade – and tiles are no exception. British tile specialist The Baked Tile Company has introduced two

buyer can prove that they relied on the inaccurate statement to purchase the house and that they would not have entered into the contract had the inaccurate statement not have been made, and as a result, they have suffered loss, then a claim can be made.

Common examples of misrepresentation include:

• Not disclosing neighbour disputes and ongoing issues

• Unauthorised works

• Hidden defects, such as structural issues or damp problems

• Issues surrounding tenants and vacant possession

• Inaccurate information regarding boundaries.

What can be done to remedy misrepresentation?

If a seller has misrepresented something that has caused the buyer loss as a result, the court may order that the contract be rescinded, forcing the seller to take back the property and reverse the transaction. More commonly, the court is likely to order that the seller pays the buyer damages – calculated by assessing the cost of putting the buyer into the position they were in before the misrepresentation took place. Sellers may have to pay for the ‘diminution in value’: the difference between what the buyer paid and what the house was worth with the defect known. They’ll also probably be liable for the buyer’s legal costs. For advice on misrepresentation claims or any kind of property dispute email kathryn.clare@sasdaniels.co.uk or call 01244 305 955

styles with a focus on material honesty and craftsmanship. Founder Lesley Taylor explains variation is central to their appeal: “Subtle differences in tone, texture and finish are what gives them life and ensures every installation feels unique.”

Warm and wonky

Terracotta, long associated with warmth and earthiness, is reimagined through an elongated parquet format. Tonal shifts and surface variations soften the look, making it particularly suited to kitchens, hallways and lived-in spaces where character matters as much as durability. Laid in a herringbone pattern, the effect is both timeless and quietly contemporary.

On walls, handcrafted Zellige-style tiles inspired by centuries-old Moroccan techniques bring a different kind of visual interest. Undulating surfaces and nuanced glazes catch the light in unexpected ways. The interplay between matt and glossy finishes creates subtle movement, especially when laid without spacers, allowing the organic edges to define the look.

Craig is an architectural designer with over 25 years’ experience in residential design and planning. His company Ke-design specialises in self-builds and mid-sized developments, and has won several awards including Best Self Build for Under £250k from Build

NoPLANNING SOME BUILDING WORK IN 2026? START HERE…

Wouldn’t it be great to have access to expertise across every stage of the self-build and renovation process – all under one roof? You can, says Shire’s Craig Marston

matter the size of your project, there are so many elements to consider. It’s not just about producing a few drawings and appointing a builder. There’s planning, design, budgets, procurement, regulations, and countless decisions along the way.

Craig’s advice? Attend a homebuilding exhibition, where you can chat to all the experts, all in one swoop. A timely opportunity is the Homebuilding & Renovating Show (https://national. homebuildingshow.co.uk) at Birmingham’s NEC this March. The four-day event brings together a host of experts and product manufacturers in all fields of the construction industry.

Visitors can explore timber frame and SIP panels, compare heating technologies, speak to window and door specialists,

“Bring along drawings for a second opinion”

discover smart home solutions, and attend live seminars led by industry professionals.

“If you’re nervous about a project and don’t know where to start, a show like this is invaluable,” says Craig. “Whether you’re right at the beginning or focusing on finishing touches like lighting and AV systems, you’ll find guidance and reassurance.” Ke-design is a regular exhibitor and has built relationships with other specialists over the years, so can direct you towards trusted professionals in complementary fields.

“If you have property details or drawings you’d like a second opinion on, bring them along. We regularly speak to people who want to explore what’s possible before they commit.” Ke-design are exhibiting at the show on 19th-22nd March, offering architectural services and advice. For complimentary tickets, email info@kedesign. co.uk

The bespoke world of Sheds Now

Why settle for o -the-shelf products when there’s a local company that will craft the garden building of your dreams, to suit the unique dimensions of your daily life

Under the moon and stars

“We build to the customer’s design –every inch of space is maximised”

For many of us, the garden is more than just an outdoor space – it’s an extension of our home, a sanctuary for hobbies and a practical hub. Yet, for too long, homeowners have had to settle for ‘off-the-shelf’ garden buildings that seldom fit their needs. Whitchurch-based Sheds Now is changing that. With over 40 years’ experience, the family-run specialist has built a reputation on a simple promise: if you can dream it, they can build it.

Beyond the humble shed

From traditional apex and pent sheds to elegant summer houses that transform a corner of the lawn into a sun-drenched retreat, the Sheds Now portfolio is a testament to versatile woodworking. Every structure that leaves the workshop is a unique project. “We don’t believe in ‘standard sizes’ because no two gardens are standard,” says the team. “We build to the customer’s design, ensuring every inch of space is maximised.”

Durability is at the core of the Sheds Now philosophy. Using high-grade, sustainably sourced timber, buildings are crafted by experienced joiners who understand how wood behaves in the British climate. This attention to detail extends to every board and hinge, ensuring your purchase isn’t a temporary fixture but a long-term investment in your property.

Proudly local

By choosing a local firm, customers benefit from the personal touch that online giants lack, including expert design advice and a team that understands the Shropshire landscape.

Visit Sheds Now at Heathside Garage, Whitchurch SY13 2AF or call 07772 114 196.

There is something magical about an evening relaxing in the hot tub, marvelling at the stars above. But for many owners, the prospect of handling a heavy, cumbersome cover turns a luxury experience into a chore.

Thankfully, Sheds Now is redefining the art of the soak and proving your spa doesn’t have to be an eyesore. In fact, it can be the centrepiece of your garden.

Bespoke craftsmanship

Sheds Now specialises in hand-crafted wooden hot tub and swim-up spa covers.

Unlike the ‘one-size-fits-all’ plastic alternatives that often degrade after a few seasons, these are made to measure and built for longevity.

“A hot tub is an investment in your wellbeing,” says the team, “and the cover should reflect that. Our wooden designs aren’t just functional – they are pieces of outdoor furniture built to withstand the weather while looking better with age.”

The (literal!) star of the current range is an innovative canopy, offering protection from the elements while allowing a crystal-clear view of the night sky. Imagine reclining in 40-degree water, surrounded by the rustic warmth of handcrafted timber, while watching the constellations drift above you. It’s luxury, redefined.

Get in touch or visit Sheds Now to discuss your project.

Full of suprises

A North Wales couple is discovering the thrills and challenges that come with a major renovation

WhenAndrew and Louisa Godfrey took on Pool Park Estate, near Ruthin, they knew they were signing up for major structural repairs and careful conservation. What they didn’t anticipate was how much of the estate’s history would re-emerge from beneath the brambles, nettles and decades of neglect.

The Grade II-listed house had fallen into disrepair by the time the couple bought it in 2023. Once part of a deer park connected to Ruthin Castle, the estate dates back to the 16th century, while the house was rebuilt in the early 1800s. But

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WALLCOATINGS

Does your property suffer from any of the following:

•Flaking paint

•Cracked render

LONG TERM PROTECTION ON ALL PROPERTIES

That inspire.... that impress

Manor Gardens combines a peaceful location with the quality you would expect from an award winning builder.

Book your viewing:

sales@sgestates.co.uk www.sgestates.co.uk

Stylish Homes in an Exceptional Se ing

Discover beautifully designed 2, 3 and 4 - bedroom homes at Manor Gardens, starting from £230,000. Modern, spacious, and nished to a high standard throughout.

Set beside Erddig National Trust parkland, Manor Gardens o ers countryside living with excellent connections to Wrexham, Chester, and Oswestry via the A483.

Make your move today. A ractive incentives available - contact our sales team to book your viewing.

Winning homes

Local developer SG Estates is celebrating after picking up a prestigious industry award for its latest project in North Wales

Wrexham has another reason to celebrate, as Manor Gardens Phase 1 in Rhostyllen has been crowned Best High Volume New Housing Development in Wales at the highly respected LABC Building Excellence Awards 2025. The accolade recognises far more than the delivery of 223 new homes – it reflects a vision shaped by skilled craftsmanship, thoughtful placemaking and a genuine commitment to building a community that feels rooted and authentic.

“This is a hugely proud moment for us,” said Steve Griffin, managing director of SG Estates. “To be recognised on this scale, especially for a development of this size, speaks volumes about the passion and dedication of everyone involved.”

“Every discovery brings the people who lived and worked here back to life in our minds”

“We wanted to create a place where people genuinely feel at home”

area’s most sought-after neighbourhoods. It offers the best of both worlds: modern living in a green, peaceful setting, just minutes from Wrexham city centre.

Set on the edge of the National Trust’s Erddig parkland, Manor Gardens has become one of the

“We set out to build more than houses, we wanted to create a place where people genuinely feel at home,” Steve said. “This achievement is a testament not just to the design and build quality, but to the care behind every decision, from layout to landscaping.”

Next chapter

The award also highlights the commitment of the wider project team. Their close work with local authorities and attention to detail helped set Manor Gardens apart from developments across Wales. “I’m incredibly grateful to our team, our partners and everyone who shared in this journey. This success belongs to all of them,” added Steve.

With Phase 2 underway, this recognition marks an exciting milestone; not a conclusion, but the next chapter in the growth of a development praised for its design, location and strong sense of place. Manor Gardens’ success is more than a win for SG Estates – it’s a moment of pride for Wrexham itself.

continued from page 78 ›

years of abandonment had left much of its story obscured – quite literally. As work has progressed, the restoration has become something of an archaeological exercise. A pair of wooden angels, once positioned at the foot of the grand staircase, was uncovered. An Edwardian pleasure walk emerged from tangled woodland, along with a long-forgotten Victorian tennis court, old stables and a Celtic stone throne from the 11th century.

More recently, the couple uncovered Lady Bagot’s original carriage driveway. Clearing it revealed not just a route to the house but a glimpse into how the estate functioned day to day. The couple have rediscovered the gardener’s bothy, brick pathways worn smooth by daily use, and walled kitchen gardens that would have supplied food and flowers for the house.

“Every discovery brings the people who lived and worked here back to life in our minds,” Louisa says. “We feel a real responsibility to restore the estate properly, not just for ourselves but the local community and for future generations.”

Kinton Grove | Kinton, Shropshire

An Elegant Georgian Home Perfectly Positioned Between Shrewsbury and Oswestry

Kinton Grove is a distinguished Georgian country residence that combines period character with refined modern living. Built of handmade brick beneath a slate roof, the house presents timeless architectural symmetry, while inside it reveals beautifully preserved original features including a hand turned staircase, oak flooring and traditional panelled doors.

Extended with sensitivity, the home now centres around a superb open plan kitchen, dining and family space that opens onto the gardens, perfectly suited to contemporary family life. More formal entertaining is accommodated in the dual aspect drawing room and atmospheric library.

The accommodation extends to six bedrooms, including a principal suite enjoying far reaching views towards Rodney’s Pillar. A ground floor bedroom with en suite and adjoining vaulted sitting room offers excellent annexe potential, ideal for guests or multi generational living.

Set within just over half an acre, the gardens are a particular highlight. Sweeping lawns, mature trees, fruit orchard, kitchen garden and sunny terraces create a private and beautifully established setting.

Located near Nesscliffe, almost equidistant between Shrewsbury and Oswestry, Kinton Grove offers rural tranquillity with excellent connectivity to the A5, M54 and regional rail links.

A rare opportunity to acquire a Georgian home of substance in one of Shropshire’s most desirable hamlets.

For further information or to arrange a private viewing, contact Daniel James Residential

Guide Price £800,000

SCAN ME SCAN ME

YOUTUBE FULL SPEC

Spruce your space

Spring-cleaning couldn’t be simpler thanks to these storage and tidy solutions

1. Alstons Darwin storage stool from £349, Hafren Furnishers, Llanidloes & Aberystwyth; www.hafrenfurnishers.co.uk

2. Cast iron dog tails hooks on slate £24, Make Your House A Home, Whitchurch; www.makeyourhouseahomewhitchurch.com

3. Le Creuset stoneware storage jar in Deep Teal £24.99, Charlies Ltd, Welshpool; www.charlies.co.uk

4. Hepburn ottoman bedframe from £746, Stokers Furniture, Chester; www.stokers.co.uk

5. Blacksmith wall-mounted kitchen storage rack £30 (sale price), British Ironwork Centre, Oswestry; www.britishironworkcentre.co.uk

6. Niko Dining three-door sideboard £875, Stokers Furniture, as before

7. My Home overdoor organiser in Grey £4.99, The Range; www.therange.co.uk

8. Hoover HF1 Plus cordless vacuum cleaner in Black/Turquoise £109, John Lewis; www.johnlewis.com

9. Oval 12-litre bin in White £5.99, The Range, as before

10. Living Nostalgia traditional dustpan and brush set in Grey £17.49, The Range, as before

11. Joseph Joseph surface sink tidy £18, The Silver Pear, Ludlow; www.silverpear.co.uk

12. Storage boxes £39.99 for set of three, British Ironwork Centre, as before

13. Industrial shelf unit in bird cage design £285, Make Your House A Home, as before

14. Cooksmart Forest Fable acorn tea bag tidy £3.99, Charlies Ltd, as before 15. Global Home Harrogate storage bench £209, Hafren Furnishers, as before

The Shi in bl m

“March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb,” Mum used to say. Yes, spring is finally here after the marathon of winter and is showing itself with a riot of colourful blossoms. Here's where you can enjoy them across the patch, from da odils to bluebells, in formal and wild displays.

DID YOU KNOW?

Da odils are the traditional flower for the 10th wedding anniversary, for joy and resilience.

ne of the earliest sights of spring is the sunny daffodils of March, the epitome of rebirth and new beginnings. Known as ‘Lent lilies’ in earlier times, they are associated with the great Christian feast of Easter, symbolising the risen Christ. And of course, the daffodil is the national emblem of Wales, linked with St David’s Day on 1st March. A Welsh legend claims that the person to find the first daffodil bloom will be blessed with gold and silver in the coming year!

DAFFODIL FACTS

There are competing theories about why the daffodil became a Welsh icon, aside to blooming on St David’s Day, of course. It could relate to an older traditional Welsh symbol, the leek – maybe because in Welsh ‘daffodil’ is ‘cenhinen Bedr’, which translates as ‘Peter's leek’.

• Botanical name Narcissus pseudonarcissus, after the youth Narcissus of Greek myth, who fell in love with his reflection

• Brought to Britain by the Romans

• All parts of the plant are harmful if eaten

shorten

• When cut, they release latex from their stems which can shorten the life of other flowers, so keep them separate or soak them alone for 12 hours first feast

• Can be used as a natural dye for fabrics such as wool

WHERE TO SEE DAFFODILS

The majority of daffodils you will come across on roadsides, and in parks and gardens are the cultivated varieties; true wild daffodils are much rarer. A woodland species, they are smaller than their flashier relatives, with pale petals surrounding a slightly darker trumpet. Where they thrive they are quite spectacular, crowding together in colourful drifts. The North Wales Wildlife Trust has one such place – the ancient woodland Coed Cilygroeslwyd, just south of Ruthin.

However, you can find spectacular displays of cultivated varieties across our region, mixed with other stunning flora. Try the National Trust’s Bodnant Gardens, near Conwy, and Wrexham’s Chirk Castle has vibrant displays too, with varieties like Narcissus cyclamineus and Narcissus ‘King Alfred’ flourishing in the Daffodil Lawn and along Lime Tree Avenue. This year, newly planted native daffodils add a gentle splash of colour at the visitor centre entrance and in the kitchen garden.

Other spectacular displays can be enjoyed at Penrhyn Castle, near Bangor and Anglesey’s Plas Newydd from March.

“…daffodils / That come before the swallow dares, and take / The winds of March with beauty”

SHAKESPEARE, THE WINTER’S TALE

The National Trust’s Powis Castle, near Welshpool comes alive in spring: from mid-March to April thousands of Welsh daffodils carpet the Daffodil Paddock, whilst violets, tulips and grape hyacinths bloom in the garden. Ceredigion’s Llanerchaeron has a long tradition with daffodils, and 11,000 new bulbs have been planted, including favourites like the pale ‘Stainless’ and flamboyant ‘St Keverne’.

site being

Cheshire has its share of superb daffodil displays, a prime Altrincham’s Dunham Massey, where in March over a hundred different varieties form spectacular drifts. Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, near Malpas boasts breathtaking ‘one-million daffodil meadows’: rivers of gold framed by woodland, water and the castle beyond. Take a Mothers’ Day Stroll on 15th March – every woman will receive a hand-tied daffodil posy.

Not to be missed is the charming village of Astbury, famed for its spectacular daffodils covering the village green and surrounding St Mary’s Church. Take in the sea of flowers and then enjoy a drink at the adjacent Egerton Arms!

In Shropshire, Attingham Park near disappoint, with ‘a golden gateway of daffodils’ at its entrance. Attingham volunteers lead spring walks through until 22nd April. At the 60-acre Hodnet Hall Gardens Market Drayton daffodils blanket the grass under the trees, followed by magnificent rhododendron displays.

Shrewsbury does not March and , near Gatten : you can see

Of course, daffodils are also associated with Marie Curie Cancer Care, and some places have planted dedicated daffodil remembrance meadows to raise funds. One such is the Valley ‘Field of Hope’ near the Stiperstones Polardine Farm’s 170,000 bulbs in bloom, relax on the benches and make a donation.

Anemonoides nemorosa) is

March is also the time to see many wildflowers, which are crucial early food sources for pollinators like bees, butterflies and hoverflies. Sun-loving wood anemone ( one of the first spring blooms, arriving early to soak up the light through the leafless canopy of broadleaf woodland. This gentle flower is also known as ‘windflower’ or ‘daughter of the wind’ –look for them in ancient woodland that suits their slow growth.

The primrose (Primula vulgaris, or ‘first rose’) has pale to deep yellow flowers with darker yellow-orange centres that provide nectar for brimstone and small tortoiseshell butterflies. In Irish folklore, primroses in the doorway protected the home from fairies – more on them later! A taller relation is the cowslip (Primula veris) whose cheery yellow, bell-shaped flowers feed the Duke of Burgundy butterfly. Cowslips have also been called ‘keys of heaven’, because the one-sided heads resemble a set of keys. It was said they grew where St Peter’s key dropped to Earth.

IN AND OUT THE DUSKY BLUEBELLS…

SAKURA SEASON

In late March and April, and blooming for only one or two weeks, cherry blossom appears, its flowers ranging from white to deepest pink. Sakura are hugely important in Japanese culture, symbolising renewal and beauty but also the fragility and fleeting nature of life. Here in the UK we can appreciate them as part of spring season – check out the NT’s #BlossomWatch.

WHERE TO SEE CHERRY BLOSSOM

The UK has its own wild cherry, Prunus avium, also known as bird cherry, Cheshire merry tree, gean and more.

From blackthorn’s early glow to cherry trees in full bloom, many National Trust gardens put on a spectacular show. Bodnant Garden’s Glades delight with their famous ornamental cherries from Japan and China, together with azaleas and their famed National Collection of rhododendrons. Chirk Castle’s lawns are dotted with blooming cherry and pear trees, releasing a captivating fragrance to the air. Also spot pink blossom ‘snow’ lining the roads of Old Colwyn and framing the Menai Bridge.

In Mid Wales, visit Llanerchaeron to see the heritage orchard full of frothy white and pink blossom, creating quite the feast for hungry pollinators.

As part of the UK Sakura Cherry Tree Project, Tatton Park has planted a Spring Cherry Walk with white-flowered

“About the woodlands I will go To see the cherry hung with snow”

AE HOUSMAN, A SHROPSHIRE LAD

DID YOU KNOW?

For two weeks in mid-April something wonderful happens – the mesmerising sea of violet that is the bluebell wood. One sunny day I came across a carpet of bluebells in a dappled wood of spring green: the scent was so intoxicating that I wanted to run and get a jar to trap the fragrance. Of course it’s as hard to recreate in perfume as it is to paint the flowers – ask any artist! You can identify this beauty by its bells, which droop to one side, as opposed to the flashier, invasive Spanish bluebell, which grows upright with flowers around the stem.

BLUEBELL FACTS

• Latin name Hyacinthoides non-scripta, from a Greek myth: when the Prince Hyacinthus died, the tears of the god Apollo spelled the word 'Alas' on the petals of the hyacinth flower that sprang from his blood. Non-scripta means ‘unlettered’, and distinguishes the bluebell from the flashier hyacinth

• Also know as wood bell, cuckoo’s boots, lady’s nightcap, witches’ thimbles, cra’s taes (crows’ toes) and, more obscurely, Granfer Griggles

• Protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so please don’t pick the flowers or trample the leaves – this seriously weakens the plant. Native bluebells are threatened by habitat destruction and illegal collection

• Bluebells spend most of the year as bulbs underground, emerging only to flower and leaf from April onwards. This allows them to make the most of the sunlight before the forest canopy becomes too dense

• More than half of the world’s bluebells are found in the UK

Japan’s rugby team is nicknamed The Cherry Blossoms, and their emblem has three sakura flowers.

‘Tai Haku’, the pink ‘Beni Yutaka’, and ‘Yedoensis’, which has blushing white blossom. Cholmondeley Castle hosts a Cherry Blossom Celebration on 29th March: learn more about these beautiful trees as you wander through nature’s confetti.

Cherry Tree Arboretum is a hidden gem in Woore, Shropshire, a private commercial nursery only open to the public on a few dates each year. Created in 2006 on 50 acres of unspoilt, lightly farmed pasture, it contains spectacular cherries, magnolias and other blossoming trees. Enjoy views across the Cheshire plain, the Pennines, Peckforton Hills and the Breiddons on the Welsh border. Book your visit 4th April or 9th May at www.ngs.org.uk

• In the language of flowers, the bluebell is a symbol of humility, constancy, gratitude and everlasting love

was used in Tudor times to sti en

• All parts of the plant are poisonous (although the sap was used in Tudor times to sti en ru s

• An ancient woodland plant indicator

• Picking bluebells (before it was banned) was said to invoke the wrath of the fairies. Having done this as a youngster, it just incurred the wrath of my mum, who banished them to a bucket outside!

WHERE TO FIND BLUEBELLS

Finding bluebells in full bloom can be tricky, so keep an eye on what’s growing locally in gardens and wasteland to judge when to see our native species. Mortimer Forest, near Ludlow has almost Alpine displays on Climbing Jack Common, managed by Forestry England and with over 1,000 hectares to explore. A favourite route starts at Blackpool car park on the southeast of the forest, and then straight up the Climbing Jack Trail to the common – well worth the hike.

Sallow Coppice, near Craven Arms offers a circular walk renowned for intense bluebell drifts, while Nesscliffe to the north adds panoramic views. On 26th April, Soulton Hall, near Wem is hosting a charity walk: ‘Walk through the Woods that Inspired Shakespeare’s As You Like It’ – booking essential.

“In the woods the bluebells seem Like a blue and magic dream… But the eager girl who pulls Bluebells up in basketfuls When she gets them home will find The magic left behind”

ELEANOR FARJEON, ‘BLUE MAGIC’

Cheshire’s Northwich Woodlands offer a bluebell bonanza at Marbury Park, especially in Big Wood. There are wellmarked trails through this overlooked gem intersected by canals and brooks – so you might just spot a kingfisher or a heron too! Or maybe try the 7 Million Bluebell Walk at Cholmondeley Gardens: bluebells cover over 36,000 square metres of ground, holding an average of 200 bluebells per square metre! Take in the displays adorning Tower Hill before reaching the top for the panorama of the Cheshire plain.

You can tell native bluebells from their creamy-white pollen; in Spanish bluebells it’s blue or green. KNOW? bluebells

is

North Wales Wildlife Trust has several reserves containing bluebells, most of which are ancient woodland sites. Try the oak and ash woodlands of Flintshire’s Coed y Felin and Coed Trellyniau, where you’ll also find the delicate white stars of stitchwort and the unmissable pink spikes of early purple orchids.

The Woodland Trust’s Coed Aber Artro, near Harlech boasts masses of bluebells, popular with locals and visitors. On 26th April, Llanrwst’s Maenan Hall hosts a garden open day: explore the bluebell woodland dell, also with magnolias and rhododendrons in bloom.

Of course the National Trust has many other wonderful bluebell walks at their properties across Wales: the woodlands of Plas yn Rhiw, near Pwllheli overlooking Cardigan Bay; the meadows at Conwy’s Bodnant Gardens, and the grounds of Llanerchaeron. And just three miles outside Aberystwyth, Gogerddan Wood has amazing wildflower displays.

WILD GARLIC: A FORAGER’S DELIGHT

Wherethere are bluebells and water, there’s usually wild garlic too – just follow the strong scent. Allium ursinum flowers from late March and through April, and is also known as ramsons, wood garlic, buckram and bear garlic: it was thought that bears used to dig up the bulbs for a post-hibernation boost. Ransoms comes from the Old English hramsa, and several places share the name; Lancashire’s Ramsbottom means ‘ransom valley’.

Millions of wild garlic bulbs can exist in one wood, producing stunning (and pungent) drifts of starry white flowers, favoured by pollinators such as hoverflies, butterflies and longhorn beetles.

Wild garlic is a favourite of wild food foragers: leaves, flowers and seeds can be used in salads, pesto, sauces, soups and stews. The leaves can even be dried as crisps! The strong taste diminishes when cooked, but the flower buds and young seeds are the really hot ‘garlic bombs’. It’s pretty distinctive, but there are similarities with the poisonous lily-of-valley, especially when not in flower, so check leaves for that signature garlic smell. It’s best to pick and assess leaves individually, otherwise you might gather other dangerous plants such as Arum by accident.

PLEASE…

Our wild ecosystems are increasingly fragile places, so don’t pick wildflowers (wild garlic excepted) – take only memories!

“The wood is carrying the smell, earth-rich, too heavy to lift above head-height… The world is dark but the wood is full of stars.”

SEÁN HEWITT,

‘WILD GARLIC’

Finding and identifying wildflowers is a great joy in life, often providing a mood-improving walk. The Woodland Trust’s Wildflower Swatch Book is a handy guide to knowing your bluebells from your bugles. The Wildflower Society has online resources, and there are identification apps for your phone too.

USEFUL LINKS

• www.cholmondeleycastle.com

• www.hodnethallgardens.org

• www.nationaltrust.org.uk

• www.ngs.org.uk

• www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk

• www.pollardinefarm.co.uk

• www.soultonhall.co.uk

• www.thewildflowersociety.org.uk

• www.woodlandtrust.org.uk

Garden Openings April and May 2026

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Plants&Gardens

SOWING THE SEED

AS SPRING COMES BOUNDING IN, LOTS OF YOU WILL BE FOCUSING ON PLANTING FOR THE YEAR AHEAD. SHIRE HAS SOME GREAT TIPS TO SHARE FROM ONE EXPERT SEED COMPANY…

According to heirloom seed company She Grows Veg, carefully plotting out your space will enable you to create a veg patch that thrives all year round. Now’s the perfect time to plan your garden, and the team has put together a seven-step guide, invaluable whether you’re a gardening novice or seasoned grower.

1. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Choosing between raised beds and ground-level planting depends on your needs and soil quality. Raised beds are ideal for areas with poor soil or drainage issues as they provide better control over soil composition, warm up faster in spring and are easier on your back. Ground-level planting is most suitable for larger spaces with good soil. It’s cost-effective but can require more preparation and maintenance to keep weeds at bay.

as possible is essential for the health of your future garden. The no-dig method is a great way to do this – in broad terms, this means not digging down into the soil, so the ecosystem remains undisturbed. Add any new organic matter onto the surface and allow soil-based organisms to do the hard work, drawing it down into the earth.

3. SUNLIGHT VS SHADE

SHE GROWS VEG HAS A RANGE OF OVER 300 HEIRLOOM SEED VARIETIES THAT PROMISE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, UNIQUE AND DELICIOUS VEG, FRUIT AND FLOWERS

Most vegetables need 6-8 hours of sunlight a day, so observe your garden to identify sunny and shaded areas and plan accordingly. Leafy greens like spinach and lettuce can thrive in partial shade, while tomatoes and peppers need full sun.

4. DRAINAGE

2. SOIL CONDITIONS

Healthy soil is the foundation of a great vegetable garden, so do a simple soil test to check pH levels and nutrient content. For optimal growth, aim for neutral to slightly acidic soil (pH 6-7). Always use peat-free compost to enrich your soil naturally; soil is its own rich ecosystem, and preserving and nurturing this as much

Good drainage prevents waterlogging and root rot. Avoid low-lying areas prone to pooling. If necessary, amend the soil with organic matter to improve its structure and drainage.

5. WHAT TO GROW AND WHEN?

Timing is everything in vegetable gardening, so it’s important to plan season by season. Start sowing seeds in spring: fast-growing crops like radishes, lettuce and spinach can often be sown directly outdoors and will give the first harvest. Plant out all but the hardiest varieties as soon as the frost subsides (this will vary by region).

6. CHOOSING YOUR SEEDS

Choosing which seeds to grow is the fun part! There are so many varieties available. She Grows Veg firmly believe heirloom varieties are the most colourful and flavoursome. The added bonus is that colourful veg contain a broad spectrum of phytonutrients, enabling you to ‘eat the rainbow’ – as we are all being told to do.

7. PLAN TO YOUR GARDEN SIZE

Measure your space and list the veg you want to grow. Small gardens can benefit from vertical growers and compact varieties; containers make the most of trickier spaces. Draw a rough layout of beds and areas for different crops. Colour coding will help ensure diversity –say, green for leafy crops, red for root veg, yellow for fruits. She Grows Veg has a range of over 300 open-pollinated heirloom seed varieties that promise the most beautiful, unique and delicious veg, fruit and flowers. Each seed pack has a QR code, linking you to expert videos on how to get the most out of your seeds. www.shegrowsveg.com

Natural charm

As parks, gardens and green spaces across the Shire patch re-open for the 2026 season, here’s a great one to start with this spring…

Comer Woods in Shropshire is a rewarding choice for a relaxed day outdoors. Open daily throughout the year, its 457 acres offer miles of aCcessible trails, from gentle family-friendly paths to longer loops that connect into the surrounding Dudmaston Estate. Three pools – Brim, Seggy and Wall – nestle in the valley, providing peaceful stopping points and opportunities for wildlife watching.

The woodland visitors see today was largely developed in the early 19th century, and dramatically expanded in the 20th under the guidance of Geoffrey Wolryche-Whitmore. His forward-thinking approach to forestry was vital in saving Dudmaston from financial collapse during a long agricultural depression. Fast-growing Douglas fir and Corsican pine were planted on poor, sandy soils, while broadleaf trees were introduced around the pools and heavier ground.

Wolryche-Whitmore was also among the first in England to grow the dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) from seed. His pioneering work helped establish Dudmaston as a model of integrated farming and forestry, showcased at the 1951 Festival of Britain.

Today’s estate

Today’s rangers are working to reveal traces of ancient heathland beneath the trees, and the entire estate, including Comer Woods, is Grade II-listed. Under the care of the National Trust, improvements include the Explorer Trail, making the woodland more accessible to families, cyclists and Tramper users, and enhanced facilities at Heath Barn, where visitors can sit out and enjoy the surroundings.

Easter treats

We share our top seasonal picks, from traditional church favourites to flowers with surprising sensory links

Easter lily The classic flower of Easter is steeped in symbolism, representing purity and resurrection.

An Easter adventure

21st March – 6th April, 10am-2.30pm

Celebrate spring with an Easter Adventure Trail through Comer Woods. Follow the route, enjoy seasonal activities and collect a prize at the end. No need to book – just turn up and collect a trail sheet from the Comer Woods car park team. Suitable for families, everyone welcome! Sturdy footwear recommended. Dogs are welcome but should be kept on a lead.

Price: £3.50 – includes trail sheet, pencil, bunny ears and a chocolate or vegan/free-from Easter egg.

Getting there: 1.5 miles from Dudmaston’s main entrance, towards Bridgnorth. Parking £6 (free for NT members).

Accessibility: Off-road Tramper hire available – contact dudmaston@nationaltrust.org.uk

Pasque flower From ‘Pascha’, meaning Easter, the pasque flower blooms around the festival itself, producing silky, purple bell-shaped flowers above finely divided foliage. Pulsatilla vulgaris is native to chalk and limestone grasslands and increasingly rare in the wild.

Its large, trumpet-shaped white blooms and strong fragrance make it a familiar sight in churches and homes at this time of year. Lilium longiflorum is not fully hardy in all parts of the UK but is widely grown under cover, and used decoratively for seasonal displays.

Lent lily Better known as wild daffodil, it takes its name from the period leading up to Easter. Narcissus pseudonarcissus is one of the most recognisable signs of early spring in Britain, lighting up woods, verges and gardens with soft yellow flowers.

Originally from Mexico, Cosmos atrosanguineus is often grown in pots and warm borders, where its deep, velvety flowers release their aroma on sunny days. the itself, wild. is

Crown imperial A striking spring plant with tall stems and dramatic, it is said to have “bowed its head in sorrow” at the Crucifixion – reflected in its downward blooms. Fritillaria imperialis flowers from March to April and brings bold structure and colour to spring borders.

Chocolate cosmos

Summer-flowering, chocolate cosmos earns its place in an Easter plant list thanks to its unmistakable scent.

IN FOR A TREAT!

All set for spring

You’ll soon have the garden back in shape with our essential selection of tools and accessories

1. Hand fork & hand trowel set in carbon steel & ash wood £30, British Ironwork Centre, Oswestry; www.britishironworkcentre.co.uk

2. Fallen Fruits round denim garden tool bag £16.99, John Lewis; www.johnlewis.com

3. Wilkinson Sword aluminium bypass pruner £12.24, Wynnstay; www.wynnstay.co.uk

4. Charles Bentley coco broom in Natural from £9.99 for 24cm width, The Range; www.therange.co.uk

5. Rolson carbon steel edging iron £9.99, Charlies Ltd, Welshpool; www.charlies.co.uk

6. Haws Bearwood Brook 4.5 litre watering can in Graphite £99.99, Bents Garden & Home, Warrington; www.bents.co.uk

7. Garden tidy set (leaf grabbers & smart bag) £14.99, Bents Garden & Home, as before

8. Countryman hand bulb planter £12.90 (sale price), Morgans Ltd, Oswestry; www.morgansltd.com

9. Roughneck long-handled digging spade £26.99, Morgans Ltd, as before 10. Burgon & Ball / RHS Gifts for Gardeners Asteraceae gardening gloves in Sage £17.49, John Lewis, as before

11. Wolf-Garten grubber cultivator head £14.99, Charlies Ltd, as before 12. 85 litre wheelbarrow in Black with pneumatic wheel £54.99, Charlies Ltd, as before

13. Ergonomic pruning sheers in Yellow & Black £9.99, The Range, as before

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We also stock a large range of new Ride On lawnmowers and garden machinery.

BROOKSIDE GARDEN MACHINE CENTRE

The ‘Polycrub’ concept started life as a community project in Northmavine, Shetland in 2008 to reduce food miles and grow more fresh produce locally. We couldn’t nd a polytunnel that would withstand the wild Shetland weather, long term so we designed our own! Polycrub is a tremendously strong structure, and is built with a solid green ethos. The frame is recycled from the aquaculture industry, giving this material another new, useful purpose. We reinvest pro ts into Northmavine to create positive social change by supporting community-based projects.

Nortenergy Ltd

Polycrub HQ, Ollaberry, Shetland ZE2 9RU Telephone: 01806 335577 Email: info@polycrub.co.uk

G.S & P.AReeves are a family operated business–the largest independent timber merchants in the county. Based in Wem, just north of Shrewsbury, we’re near to Staffordshire, Mid Wales and the West Midlands and are committed to offering high quality, individual solutions to our clients.

• Garden Fencing

• Farm Gates

• Railway Sleepers, treated/untreated

• Firewood logs

• Eco Wood Pellets

• Agricultural & Architectural Purlins

• Telegraph Poles

• Trellis Posts

For ALL your timber needs!

• Quality Decking

• Landscape Materials

• Motorway

Crash Barriers

• Equestrian Supplies

• Joists

• Oak Beams

• Roofing Supplies

• Sawn Timber

• Plywood...

Shop local

Everyone loves a Garden Centre! And they’re at their most colourful right now. We sent Shire’s shoppers in search of the best on the patch

DIRECT FROM FIELD TO SHOP

Head down to Wrexham’s Holt village to discover Bellis Brothers, home to an award-winning garden centre, gift department, farm shop, restaurant and seasonal ‘pick-your-own’. Established in 1860, Bellis Brothers have been farming their fields here ever since, so they know a thing or two about the best seasonal choices for your garden. Their lush spring bedding has arrived, with gorgeous primulas, polyanthus, pansies and violas ready to brighten your patch. They also have a range of planted containers – perfect for livening up your doorstep or giving as a thoughtful spring gift.

FIND

YOUR SPRING VIBE

“A burst of sunshine for your home, garden and wardrobe”

“Easter gifts and wreaths for your door”

At Bellis Brothers you can find something for everyone, with products that are high quality and a little bit different. Browse homewares, toiletries, fashion accessories, children’s gifts, books, gifts – and Welsh cards too. This Easter discover themed gifts and beautiful wreaths to decorate your door. They also stock stylish, high-quality garden furniture and accessories to help make the most of your outside space. Now that we’re all shedding our winter woolies, shop leisurewear and clothing for the great outdoors – check out wellies for those April showers! There’s also a well-stocked section for our pet friends.

After all that, you’ll need refreshment: head to the farm shop, offering daily essentials through to luxury ice cream, preserves, chutneys, cakes and craft beers. Bellis Brothers also takes great pride in supplying fresh fruit and vegetables from their working farm – from field to shop in five minutes with zero food miles! Enjoy wonderful views over the countryside as you relax and enjoy home-cooked treats in the Strawberry Fields Restaurant. www.bellisbrothers.co.uk Road Farm, Wrexham Road, Holt LL13 9YU / 01829 270 302

Jackson’s Boutique Garden Centre is an award-winning, familyrun garden centre, lifestyle store and café in Trelawnyd, near Prestatyn, in the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It might not quite feel like spring outside just yet, but Jackson’s is already lling its space with fresh new stock that’s sure to bring a burst of sunshine into your home, garden and wardrobe. Browse high quality, independent and locally sourced garden products,

TREATS IN STORE

Get your garden ready with everything you need, all in one place at e Woodworks Garden Centre. Step into e Mill showroom and discover the UK’s largest range of Zest timber garden products –from benches, seating and dining sets to arches, arbours and planters. All furniture comes at-packed with clear instructions, plus online assembly guides for extra ease, and there’s free delivery within 30 miles! Outside, the plant paradise awaits. Explore hardy perennials, fruit trees and ornamentals, shrubs, spring bedding and roses: the perfect ingredients for a garden that blooms in style. Don’t forget the Garden Emporium, your one-stop shop for garden maintenance. From rakes and leaf collectors to pruners, bulb planters and a wide range of owering and ‘Grow Your Own’ seeds, you’ll nd everything to keep your garden looking its best. Pop in

NEW BEGINNINGS

There’s a renewed sense of energy blooming across North Wales as the Tweedmill Shopping Outlet family welcomes two new additions: Felin Garden Centre & Nurseries in Glan Conwy and Bay Garden Centre & Aquatics in Kinmel Bay.

At Felin Garden Centre the transformation will be completed by mid-March, promising a refreshed shopping experience with modern styling. Whilst the finishing touches are being carefully applied, visitors can still enjoy Felin’s warm hospitality in Lavender Tearooms.

Just along the coast, Bay Garden Centre & Aquatics is renowned for its abundant plant selection, o ering everything from seasonal blooms to hardy garden staples. Give your home a spring refresh with an impressive range of garden and conservatory furniture, stylish accessories, giftware, homeware and fashion.

with a friendly and knowledgeable team of horticulturalists on hand to advise. Enhance your outdoor spaces with garden lifestyle ranges of furniture, décor and living products – nd everything from pots to garden sofas and everything in between.

Jackson o ers all you need to make your house a home: from luxurious throws to home fragrance. Find something to give your wardrobe that zing of spring too – from owy dresses to vibrant accessories.

e Potting Shed Café is just the place to meet friends and enjoy delicious, homemade cakes and lunches, renowned for its high quality, homemade food and warm hospitality. Food is made fresh to order using locally grown produce, and cakes are baked daily on the premises. So make a date! www.jacksonsgardencentre.com

Marian, Trelawnyd, Flintshire LL18 6EB / 01745 570 680

AT WOODWORKS

on a Tuesday for special discounts and o ers, see website for details.

e Woodworks Garden Centre is celebrating spring with a huge range of plants and themed gifts for Mothers’ Day and Easter: in fact, on Mothers’ Day they’re o ering a free ‘potting-up’ service with pot and plants purchased in store!

Visit the Aquatics Centre o ering tropical and pond sh, along with tanks, accessories, and equipment, and afterwards relax in the Rose Tearooms.

Families can look forward to fun events throughout the half-term holidays, and a whimsical Mad Hatter’s Egg Hunt at Easter.

More than just garden centres, Felin and Bay are evolving lifestyle destinations where community and joy take root.

Felin Garden Centre & Nurseries Llanrwst Road, Glan Conwy LL28 5TH / 01492 562 755

Bay Garden Centre & Aquatics St Asaph Avenue, Kinmel Bay LL18 5TU / 01745 338 222 www.tweedmill.co.uk

THE SHED OF YOUR DREAMS

Want

a man cave, a she shed or somewhere for the kids to let off steam? Dreamt of a summer house for lazy summer afternoons, or need extra storage for tools or outdoor gear? At Carlton Garden Buildings in Llay, near Wrexham, you’ll find sheds, workshops, summer houses, potting sheds, tool storage and delightful children’s playhouses, all in wood.

Carlton also sells garden furniture – or how about a greenhouse to raise your seedlings in style? You’re welcome to come and browse the extensive selection of garden buildings on display.

Carlton Garden Buildings offers a personalised service, including removal of old buildings, base preparation, delivery and assembly within two weeks on selected buildings. Local delivery is available to a wide area of North Wales and Cheshire.

There’s a fantastic choice of quality garden items too. Find seasonal bedding plants and pick up essentials like compost, fertilisers, fencing, pots, garden ornaments and wild bird food You can stock up on logs, kindling, coal and Calor gas at the same time!

Keep in touch on Facebook @gardencentre.llay.wrexham or visit the website at www.carltongardencentre.co.uk

Pinfold Lane, Llay, Wrexham LL12 0PX 01978 852 896

Mums or other special ladies can enjoy a delicious afternoon tea on 14th March (from 2pm) or 15th March (from 1.30pm), with a glass of Prosecco, tasty sandwiches, heavenly cakes and freshly baked scones, jam and cream – all while making precious memories. Plus Mum will receive a charming 9cm potted plant to take home as a keepsake of the day. Afternoon tea for two £49.50, additional diners £24.75 each, booking essential. www.woodworksgc.com / www.zestoutdoorliving.co.uk Wrexham Road, Mold CH7 4HE / 01352 752 555

Mum’s day

“Browse an extensive selection”

Pets&Wildlife LOVE ME DO…

We may be known as a national of animal-lovers, but a high number of dogs in the UK still end up as strays. Shire takes a look at why the numbers are rising and what we can do to help.

Each year, tens of thousands of dogs are collected by local authorities after being found wandering, lost or abandoned. According to the Dogs Trust’s Stray Dog Survey, councils dealt with more than 36,000 cases in the most recent reporting year, continuing a steady rise since the pandemic. Of those, fewer than four in ten were reunited with their owners, a figure that has fallen markedly over the past decade.

Homeless hounds

By law, local authorities are responsible for housing stray dogs for a minimum of seven days. Efforts are made to identify owners, but overstretched councils increasingly rely on rescue organisations to take dogs into longer-term care. Many of these report full kennels, rising costs and increasing numbers of dogs with complex needs.

The reasons dogs become strays are varied. Some are genuinely lost, escaping gardens or slipping leads. Others are abandoned outright, often linked to changes in owners’ circumstances, housing restrictions or the long-term impacts of impulsive pandemic-era pet purchases. Microchipping has been compulsory for several years, yet inconsistent registration and out-of-date contact details undermine its effectiveness.

Beyond the numbers lie difficult ethical questions. What constitutes acceptable quality of life for dogs kept in kennels for extended periods? When is euthanasia considered, and who decides? And how do local authorities, charities and veterinary professionals balance

welfare, public safety and limited resources?

These realities are the focus of a public lecture at University Centre Reaseheath’s Nantwich campus on 18th March: ‘Dog strays in the UK: how good is our care?’ The event brings together research evidence, real-world case studies and expert insight to examine how stray dogs are managed from the moment they are found to the point of reunion, rehoming or, in some cases, end-of-life decisions. It will also address the ethical tensions surrounding longterm kennelling and euthanasia, alongside examples of successful interventions and lessons still to be learned. To book your place, visit www.ucreaseheath.ac.uk/public-lectures-and-events

DO YOUR BIT

ere are several ways pet owners and dog lovers can help support vulnerable dogs across the patch…

1. Microchip and register your pet – and ensure your contact details are always up to date. This significantly increases the chances of being reunited if they ever get lost.

2. Neuter if not breeding – unplanned litters contribute to the stray population. Neutering reduces unwanted puppies and long-term welfare pressures.

3. Report and support – if you find a stray dog, contact your local council’s dog warden or a reputable rescue charity. Prompt action can get the dog safe shelter faster.

4. Support local rescues – volunteering time, donating or fostering can directly relieve pressure on organisations struggling with rising numbers.

5. Educate and advocate – share within your community. Awareness of licensing, microchip requirements and welfare responsibilites helps prevent dogs becoming strays in the first place.

“Public lecture in Nantwich on 18th March” Help to spread the word

BRIMMING WITH BIRDS

In their latest column for Shire, our friends at the Royal Society for Protection of Birds share the exciting times ahead for watching wildlife as we head into spring

Spring is here. Nature awakens from its winter slumber and bursts into life. With longer days and brighter weather, our countryside and gardens are teeming with new growth and vibrant colours. This is the perfect time to go outside and witness the wonders of nature first-hand. Look out for early flowers like lesser celandine and primroses, which provide much needed nourishment for early pollinating insects such as bumblebees. Trees such as willow and hazel are adorned with catkins, waiting for a gentle breeze to spread their pollen. Birds such as blue tits and blackbirds fill the air with their melodious songs as they prepare to nest. Woodlands, hedgerows, fields, parks and gardens come alive with budding leaves.

Native nesters

“Keep your eyes to the skies for a wheatear fl ying over”

At this time of year our native bird populations are boosted as the first migrant birds begin to arrive, after long journeys from Africa and the continent to nest and breed. One of the earliest is the wheatear with its dark eye stripes and white bottom. Keep your eyes to the skies for one flying over. Others too are on their way: look out for house

NOT JUST FOR EASTER

Bunnies are everywhere at this time of year, adorably soft and cuddly. But would-be pet owners should hesitate before committing to these surprisingly complex creatures.

Long before chocolate eggs and gift baskets, the rabbit’s link to spring came from nature itself: wild rabbits breed early and prolifically, and their increased activity is one of the clearest signs that the seasons are changing.

In the UK, the wild European rabbit is a familiar sight in fields and on roadside verges. Living in complex burrow systems known as warrens, they play an important ecological role by shaping vegetation and

martins and swallows, whilst April is traditionally the time when the cuckoo returns, seldom seen but easily distinctive with its call.

Out on the wet grasslands at RSPB Ynys-hir, one of our earliest nesting birds is the lapwing. Watch them perform their display flights with their evocative “pee-wit” while a few of the wintering flocks of geese and wildfowl still linger. It is a time of transition.

As spring progresses, the woods transform into a purple carpet of bluebells, filling the air with sweet fragrance. Small mammals like bank voles and woodland mice take advantage of the new shoots that emerge during this busy time for nature.

Visit and view

RSPB reserves are the perfect place to get out into nature as spring bursts forth. RSPB Ynys-hir sits on the southern side of the Dyfi estuary, just over an hour’s drive from Shrewsbury. A variety of trails will take you through woodlands, marshes and out to pools and the saltmarsh. Pack a picnic and enjoy the day here, where you can hire binoculars from the visitor centre and look for herons and kingfishers, or have a go at pond dipping.

providing prey for predators such as foxes and birds of prey.

Domesticated varieties are one of the UK’s most popular pets, with an estimated one million kept in homes across the country. But despite their gentle image, rabbits are not lowmaintenance animals. They require space to run, a high-fibre diet rich in hay, regular veterinary care and, ideally, the companionship of another rabbit. Animal welfare charities consistently warn against impulse buying, particularly around Easter when their cute appearance can mask their long-term needs and lifespan, which can exceed 10 years. Appreciating rabbits means respecting their needs, and not just celebrating their image once a year.

Can you spot the lapwing’s distinctive crest? They

Arts&Crafts

AFONWEN CRAFTS

1st March, Floristry by Linda at Hyland Sprigs Linda will be here with some of her displays, which she is happy to demonstrate and chat about.

12th & 13th March,

Tracey Davies

Local artist Tracey will be adding to her fabulous paintings and portraits, for which she has taken many commissions.

17th March, Joei Brown Professional artist Joel specialises in urban art that embraces the charm of the imperfect.

24th March, Weaving with Trevor Blackburn Trevor has made all his warm and cosy scarves and shawls using various yarns.

28th & 29th March, Jackie at Jewels Jackie makes all her lovely jewellery, using as many di erent beads and stones as she can, to suit most ages. She welcomes commissions.

4th & 5th April, Stef Nicol Stef will have many of her stunning paintings on display, many available to buy.

11th & 12th April, Liz at Magpie Fairy Designs Liz has made many gift items from her metal tape art, and is happy to demonstrate.

18th & 19th April,

Thelma Evans

Local artist

Thelma paints in a delicate style on canvas, mainly florals and places of interest.

23rd & 24th April, Clair Young Local sculptor Clair exhibits in various shops and galleries, and will share examples of her work.

25th April, Colette at Cornucopia Handmade Colette makes her corn dollies and other straw-work items using heritage varieties.

Afonwen Craft & Antique Centre, near Mold, open Tuesday-Sunday and bank holidays 9.30am-5pm. www.afonwen.co.uk

Rhythms of the river

Inspired by the wetlands of the Welsh borders, Thelma Sykes has built a career of pioneering printmaking from her home near the Dee

Thecareer of artist Thelma Sykes traces a quiet but determined devotion to the natural world, expressed through some of the most distinctive wildlife printmaking produced in Britain over the past four decades.

Born in Yorkshire in 1940, Thelma’s early life gave little hint that her future would be bound so closely to marsh and estuary. But after graduating from Durham University, she moved west, settling close to the Dee, on the England/Wales border. That move proved pivotal. While her professional life initially took her across the Mersey into computer programming, her spare hours were claimed by the wetland and its wading birds. She has often described herself as “haunting the Dee at all other times and tides”, drawn to its shifting light, its migratory visitors and endless opportunity for observation.

Scientific precision

The Dee Estuary, one of the most important wetlands in the north west, became both classroom and companion. It was here that Thelma’s reputation as a field naturalist steadily grew, alongside an emerging passion for printmaking. These parallel paths came together in 1999 with her election to the Society of Wildlife Artists, recognition of her dual strengths as both observer and artist. By then she had already been working as a

professional artist for nearly a decade.

Thelma’s work sits at the intersection of fine art and scientific illustration. Her illustrations have brought clarity and vitality to works of reference, while her linocuts have been reproduced on cards for the RSPB and RHS among others.

Natural patterns

The logic and discipline of coding have translated naturally into printmaking, supporting a practice that balances precision with creative flair. “My compositions reflect my fascination with of the development of natural pattern – fractals, Fibonacci numbers, symmetry, spots and stripes: the repeating patterns of nature structure the rhythms of my work,” she says. Sketchbooks are filled as she studies not just form but behaviour: how a bird moves, how it holds itself, how its character emerges over time. “My aim in the linocut is to share this fleeting moment of skirmish – and, oh yes, to raise a smile.”

“The repeating patterns of nature structure the rhythms of my work”

Faces from the past

The works of a well-known artist that have not been seen for decades have been brought back into view after an appeal to their owners

ArthurBerry is best known as a playwright and poet who gave a powerful voice to working life in the Potteries. What is less widely known is the scale of his work as a visual artist, and how close much of it came to being lost. Recent discoveries on the edge of the Shire patch, in north Staffordshire, have brought a significant number of Berry’s paintings and drawings back into public view and helped fill important gaps in the record of his career.

“Many of his artworks were sold informally or given to friends”

Berry was born in Stoke-on-Trent in 1924 and spent much of his life documenting the people and places around him. His plays, including Sweet Bird of Card Street and St George of Scotia Road, were rooted in the streets, factories and terraces of the Potteries. Alongside writing, he painted consistently, often working with the same subjects that appeared in his drama and poetry. For Berry, painting was not a sideline but another way of recording everyday life.

the Arthur Berry 100 programme. Through a public appeal, owners came forward with paintings and drawings that had not been seen for decades. Among them are early landscapes from the 1950s, street scenes, interiors and portraits painted in the later decades of his life. Several have strong personal connections. Actor Stephen Granville, for example, came forward with paintings of characters he played in Berry’s plays at the New Vic Theatre. These works were given to him by Berry and offer a direct link between the artist’s visual and theatrical output.

Former colleagues, friends and collectors have come

Personal connections

During his lifetime, many of his artworks were sold informally, given to friends or passed on after exhibitions. Over time, a large number disappeared from public view. In recent years, Barewall Art Gallery in Burslem has led a project to trace these missing works as part of

Digital archive Berry did not idealise his subjects. He painted familiar streets, modest houses and ordinary interiors with the same seriousness that

he brought to his writing. The rediscovery and cataloguing of his works has contributed to the creation of an Arthur Berry Digital Archive and Catalogue Raisonné. This project brings together his paintings, plays and poetry in one place and ensures that his work can be properly studied and preserved. Each new discovery adds to a clearer understanding of an artist whose work was shaped by a specific place and time. Anyone who owns or has information about Berry’s artworks is encouraged to email Amanda Bromley at shop@barewall.co.uk or call 07932 717 718.

Dave Roberts: Solo Exhibition, Oriel Glasfryn Gallery, Caerwys, nr Mold, 3rd April – 4th May. Oriel Glasfryn presents its first major solo exhibition of pastel paintings by the gallery’s owner Dave Roberts PS. In work created especially for this exhibition, Dave has focused on his favourite subject: capturing the grandeur and the intimacy of some of North Wales’ most recognisable land and seascapes.

Dave is an award-winning artist and one of the UK’s leading exponents of the pastel medium. He was elected to the Pastel Society in 2024. His paintings are complemented by work from ceramicist Katherine Breaks and sculptor Nick Eames. Open Wed-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun & bank holidays 10am-4pm. Visit www.orielglasfryn.com

‘MiniPrint Cymru’, Mostyn, Llandudno, until 2nd May This exhibition is an initiative designed to raise the profile of Waleswide printmaking through the collaboration of regional partner organisations, and developed from a pilot project in 2023 led by Swansea Print Workshop. Using the maximum dimensions of 10cm x 10cm and printing onto paper measuring 18cm x 18cm, the format has enabled artists to create work in almost any setting.

A small number of community workshops were scheduled in each region to encourage submissions from complete beginners and developing printmakers. The ambition is to create a sustainable biennial event, with partner organisations hosting the programme and exhibition on a rotational basis, supported by funding from the Arts Council of Wales.

‘Chester Amphitheatre – an 8,000 year story’, Gallery One, Grosvenor Museum, Chester until July Discover the story of one of Chester’s most significant archaeological sites. Find out what was there before the Romans built the

largest amphitheatre in Britain, what new information was revealed and what happened in the centuries after the Romans left. The exhibition displays discoveries made by major excavations in 2004-2026.

PHOTO COMPETITION

What wonderful entries you sent in for our latest competition on the theme ‘Chill Out’. We loved looking through them! Sadly we only have the space to share a handful, so if you don’t nd your photo here, do try your luck with our next contest.

is time, with the Easter holidays on the horizon, we’d like your images of ‘Spring Mischief’. As usual, you can interpret the theme as you wish – it might be your children or grandchildren on an egg hunt, newborn lambs or baby goats frolicking in the elds, or a cheeky pet up to no good! Let’s celebrate the joys of spring. Send your best pictures to editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk. Good luck!

WIN! A PORTRAIT SESSION & FRAMED WALL ART WORTH £400

Jaine Briscoe-Price recently celebrated 25 years as a professional photographer, and in that time she has captured precious moments in thousands of lives. From adorable tots to cool teens and intimate boudoir shoots, her portfolio also includes engagement, wedding photography and creative branding. Not forgetting beloved family members with four paws – or hooves!

Whether in her studio in Bangor on Dee or scenic locations like Delamere Forest, Ellesmere Lake and Chester river bank, Jaine’s professional, creative skills and warm, lively approach make every portrait an artwork to treasure.

FOR A CHANCE TO WIN a portrait shoot, a photo viewing session and a framed wall art piece worth £400, simply scan the QR code and fill in the form online.

Create a magical keepsake with an award-winning professional who knows how to capture you at your very best.

CLOSING DATE: 30th April

Books&Poetry

WHO’S THE DADDY?

An author whose controversial hunt for a father figure was picked up on around the globe dropped by the patch to update readers on her success.

“I had a range of weird and wonderful responses… each brought something di erent”

friendly 31yoF looking for intrepid M50s-70s who wants to try being a father figure (not sugar daddy). More than 50 men replied, each bringing their own ideas of what fatherhood might mean.

An unusual literary conversation unfolded when non-fiction author Georgie Codd visited Nantwich Bookshop to talk about her book, Never Had a Dad: Adventures in Fatherlessness. Published by William Collins and now optioned for TV, it traces what happens when someone who grew up without a father decides, in her early 30s, to actively look for one. Georgie never knew her biological father. “I didn’t think that would ever change, but suddenly I was wondering if this was something I could explore, rather than just accept.”

Dad-vertising

Georgie placed adverts, quickly nicknamed “dadverts”, in magazines and online corners she believed might attract older, paternal men. One read: Fatherless,

LOCAL BOOKS

Memories of Deeside, by George Tattum

A new book celebrating Deeside in pictures over the past 100 years has been published by a former Flintshire Chronicle journalist. It features a collection of images from across the ages showing important moments in the life of towns and communities on the Welsh side of the Dee Estuary from the 1890s to the 1990s.

The author says: “I hope the book will bring back memories of the area as it used to be

“I had a range of weird and wonderful responses,” Georgie explained during her Nantwich visit. “Each of them brought something di erent to the experience, and helped me pinpoint what I should be looking for.”

Learning curve

Never Had a Dad goes beyond the novelty of the search itself, to examine social, cultural and biological functions of fatherhood. Georgie spoke with experts around the world, asking how families operate in di erent cultures and whether there are things fathers do that mothers cannot.

“It was a pretty big learning curve,” she said. “I won’t give away too many spoilers, but the ultimate outcome was something I’d never have expected.” www.nantwichbookshop.co.uk

in bygone days and readers will enjoy our celebration of Deeside. It’s been made possible thanks to the e orts of many people who have supported the project including professional photographer Graham Catherall.”

George was born in Connah’s Quay and studied at Flintshire Technical College in Kelsterton. He also worked in the town for a period during his 40-year career in journalism.

£9.99 from The Bookshop, Mold and Siop Yr Siswrm, Mold.

The Mysteries of The Loggerheads, by Mark Stewart Mark became fascinated by the heraldic emblem of Shrewsbury almost as soon as he moved to the town. “It was everywhere: on the sides of buildings, on monuments, even in stained glass and on benches.” He discovered

the symbol of the three leopards’ faces is much-loved and even has a nickname, “the loggerheads”. Spurred on to find out more, for five years Mark and his friends researched. “I was a regular in the Shrewsbury Archives, buried deep in old documents. There are so many stories and curious aspects to the loggerheads. Why did football fans hold protests about them? Is the word Welsh, in fact? What do they have to do with turtles? Are they perhaps lions, not leopards? – and many more.”

£7.99 from Shrewsbury Museum and local independent bookshops.

REVIEWS

What’s in a name? Quite a lot it seems! Here’s three books that use a main character in the title

We Need To Talk About Kevin, by

Lionel Shriver

Told through a series of letters from Eva to her absent husband, the book reconstructs the life of their son Kevin, who has committed a school massacre. From the outset, the question is not what happened, but why.

Eva is intelligent, acerbic and deeply unreliable, and the novel’s form traps the reader inside her perspective. Relentless in tone and emotionally draining, this isn’t an easy read. It is, however, a necessary one: a novel that lingers long after the final page, asking questions most of us would rather avoid.

Still Alice, by Lisa Genova This quietly devastating novel follows Alice, a 50 year old psychology professor whose life begins to unravel after she is

diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Genova, herself a neuroscientist, balances scientific accuracy with deep emotional insight.

Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple Set in Seattle, the story unfolds through emails, letters and reports as 15-year-old Bee pieces together the mystery of her mother’s disappearance. Bernadette is an inspired creation: a brilliant but derailed architect, paralysed by social fear, environmental guilt and hostility to parents at Bee’s elite school.

A SPRING JOG IN ABERDYFI

by Helen Sweet

Beyond, the grassy dunes

The sea emerges through the morning mist.

Now appearing, a line of golden sand. All is quiet from my window

Back and forth the waves tease the edge. Smokey, heavy grey clouds above. Out I go, trainers rhythmically meeting the ground.

Jogging parallel to the dunes. Blackbirds, crows and seagulls my companions.

Sentinel foxgloves in the hedges, A glow of yellow through the foliage, Peeping pinks in the long grass Lacy parsley guiding my route.

Not a voice is heard.

Ahead, the empty road, a transient peace. Just me, soaking up the colours of late spring.

A rewarding luxury for the early spring.

School was a memory, a ditch of school shoes in cobwebbed cupboards. We ran barefoot floated in the wind, made friends with the dirt, warmed ourselves in the dapple light. Danced to the sway of lapping water over racing metal bow. Frozen in childhood, watching the red tipped fox shrink back into shadow on the water’s edge.

SIXTY YEARS by Norman Marshall

Sixty years I have known

And half of those I have grown,

But it is the summers I seek, Tender on poet and the meek.

Sixty years I have known

And half of those I resided in school.

There each autumn obeyed the rule

To sit behind desk and wear gown.

Yes, sixty years I have known

And sixty years have quickly flown.

Through those years I sat and thought: With each year matured what I was taught.

Oh! Those years, those sixty years:

All education and work, in various gears, Have served me well, whelped knowledge –

Thanks to teacher, tutor and college.

Now sixty years have come and gone, For half the time my sun has shone, And to the next sixty I look with pleasure

That all I find will be joy to treasure!

THE SOUL OF THE ROSE by Anne Douglas

Tainted with shadows, Still in their beauty

The roses stand out, Against the grey stone wall

In darker shades

Of nightfall. Beneath it all

Grow the perfect roses

Large, pink roses

In the low light of dusk. Lonesome roses amongst a plethora of shiny, damp, miniature leaves And thorny stalks

Sharp pink-green thorns which protrude, And a faint figure in blue-green

Holds one rose amongst the thorns

And she takes in its fragrance

And portrays the enjoyment

Of a colourful, floral night!

We want your poems! Share your creativity – we print our favourite poems every issue. Send by email please to editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk with ‘Poetry Page’ as the subject.

Classic combo

We’ve got your spring wardrobe sorted, in a stylish go-anywhere scheme of neutrals and tan

1. Hoggs Of Fife 1888 baseball cap in Sand £14.99, Charlies Ltd, Welshpool; www.charlies.co.uk

2. Aran Crafts merino crew neck jumper

2. Aran Crafts merino crew neck jumper £61.95, Cherry Tree Country Clothing, Ruthin; www.cherrytreecountryclothing.com

3. WoolOvers cashmere & merino crew neck in Flax £74.99, Anna Davies, Conwy; www.annadavies.co.uk

4. Hoggs of Fife Lochore gents’ quilted jacket £62.95, Cherry Tree Country Clothing, as before

5. Barbour Oxtown tailored shirt in White £55.96 (sale price), Anna Davies, as before

6. Brook Taverner pure linen jacket in Sand £149, Peppers Menswear & Ladieswear, Church Stretton; www.peppersfashion.co.uk

7. Blend grandad LS tee in Crockery £27.99, MOOand BOOM, Whitchurch; www.mooandboom.com

8. Anatomic Delta leather shoes in Rust £140, Peppers Menswear & Ladieswear, as before

9. Jack Pyke men’s chino trousers in Mocha £32.99, Charlies Ltd, as before

10. Aubin Witham stretch chinos in Stone £99, John Lewis; www.johnlewis.com

11. Grisport Winchcombe Active shoe £99.95, Cherry Tree Country Clothing, as before

12. Barbour Langdale fleece gilet in Rust Brown £71.95 (sale price), Charlies Ltd, as before

13. The Bridge Story wallet (14047) in smooth cow leather £175, Anna Davies, as before

14. Miguel Bellido jeans belt in Tan £55, Peppers Menswear & Ladieswear, as before

15. Joules Everyday crew-neck T-shirt in White £20, Charlies Ltd, Welshpool, as before

Splash out

Make a statement this spring with bright colour choices and bold retro patterns

1. Joules Trent orange cross-body bag £22 (sale price), Peppers Menswear & Ladieswear, Church Stretton; www.peppersfashion.co.uk

2. Maliparmi patterned blouse in Senape/Rosa £122 (sale price), Olivia May, Cheshire; www.oliviamay.org

3. Joules Borg fleece jacket in Multi Bright £79, Peppers Menswear & Ladieswear, as before

4. Block-print hair scrunchie £7.50 each, MOOand BOOM, Whitchurch; www.mooandboom.com

5. Whistles Annie sparkle crew-neck jumper in Blue £59 (sale price), John Lewis; www.johnlewis.com

6. White Stu Ulla top in Pink Multi £55, Anna Davies, Conwy; www.annadavies.co.uk

7. Hoggs of Fife Cora ladies’ pique polo shirt in Berry £29.95, Cherry Tree Countryside Clothing, Ruthin; www.cherrytreecountryclothing.com

8. Brakeburn tropical beach bag £44.99, Anna Davies, as before 9. b.young beige skirt with black spots £41; long-sleeved shirt £61, Appleby & Shaw, Church Stretton; www.applebyandshaw.co.uk

10. Latte multi-coloured wide-leg trouser £137, Appleby & Shaw, as before

11. Chatham Pippa II G2 boat shoes in Tan/Pink £89.99, Charlies Ltd, Welshpool; www.charlies.co.uk

12. Amici cotton pleat midi dress in Blaze Red £259, Olivia May, as before 13. Luisa Cerano lacy retro blouse £299, Abi Fisher, Cheshire; www.abifisher.co.uk

14. White Stu Rua midi shirt dress in Red Multi £69, Anna Davies, as before

Though World War II has ended, Western leaders remain on edge over Soviet ambitions. In this gripping counterespionage thriller, British intelligence scrambles to stop Soviet agents from breaching a secret underwater weapons research base on Bay Island, off the northwest coast of Wales.

It’s a charged blend of youthful passion, fierce nationalism, and the high cost of murder, betrayal, and loss.

As a Soviet submarine closes in, its mission is clear – seize a prototype torpedo warhead and classified blueprints.

The stage is set for a deadly showdown.

Available at Waterstones, ordered through Amazon, eBay and any bookstore, or mail@austinmacauley.com

Are you a local author?

Do you have a story to tell our readers? We’d like to know more…

Shire Magazine, The best of North and Mid Wales, Cheshire, Wirral & Shropshire

Get in touch editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk or 01691 661 270

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We’d like to share your work with our readers, and tell your story.

TREATING ‘DRY EYE’ AT SOURCE

is time, the experts at North Wales Eye Specialist Centre talk us through what can be done when your meibomian glands misbehave

For many people with dry eye disease, lasting relief can be elusive. Artificial tears, warm compresses and prescription drops often provide only temporary benefit because the underlying problem is frequently overlooked: dysfunction of the meibomian glands in the eyelids.

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Meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD, affects the oilproducing glands that form the outer layer of the tear film. This oil slows tear evaporation and keeps the eyes comfortable between blinks. When glands become blocked, tears evaporate rapidly, leading to dryness, irritation, redness, fluctuating vision and lid tenderness. If left untreated, long-standing blockage can cause permanent gland damage.

“Tears evaporate rapidly, leading to dryness, irritation, redness”

While warm compresses and lid hygiene can help soften thickened oil, they may not be sufficient when glands are obstructed by scarring or hardened material. In these cases, two in-office treatments – meibomian gland probing and expression – offer a more direct approach.

More effective, long-term care

Probing uses a fine sterile instrument to gently open blocked gland ducts, relieving pressure and restoring flow. This is often followed by gland expression, where controlled pressure clears out thickened, inflammatory oil. Together, these procedures improve oil quality, reduce inflammation and enhance tear film stability.

Performed quickly in a treatment room, both procedures are generally well tolerated, with only mild short-term discomfort.

By addressing MGD at its source, probing and expression represent a shift toward more effective, long-term dry eye care.

Health&Beauty

COLLAGEN: DO WE REALLY NEED MORE?

With collagen still a buzzword, and a whole industry geared to help us keep our levels up to scratch, just how essential is this mystery ingredient?

Collagen is one of the most talkedabout wellness topics of recent years. From powders and capsules to creams and drinks, products promising to “replace” or “boost” collagen are now firmly embedded in the health and beauty market. But beneath the hype is a structural protein that plays a fundamental role in how the body functions and how it changes as we age.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It acts as a primary building block for skin, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue, and is also found in blood vessels, the gut lining, even the corneas of our eyes.

The body naturally produces collagen using amino acids – particularly glycine, proline and hydroxyproline – alongside nutrients such as vitamin C, zinc and copper. This process begins inside cells called fibroblasts, which assemble collagen fibres and integrate them into the tissue.

What’s the issue?

Under optimal conditions, the body maintains a balance between collagen

MYTH BUSTER

production and breakdown. However, this balance shifts with age. From our mid-20s, collagen production gradually declines. Existing collagen also becomes more fragmented, which affects how well tissues function. In the skin, this contributes to fine lines, reduced elasticity

“From our mid-20s, collagen production gradually declines”

and a thinner look. In joints and bones, lower collagen levels are associated with stiffness and decreased structural integrity.

Lifestyle and environmental factors can accelerate this natural decline.

Sun exposure, smoking, chronic stress, poor sleep and diets low in key nutrients all influence how efficiently the body produces and maintains collagen. Over time, these factors compound the visible and physical signs of ageing.

We break down some common misconceptions about collagen

Collagen is only about skin

Skin may get most of the attention, but collagen’s role extends far beyond appearance. It’s a major structural component of the human body. Without adequate collagen, tissues lose strength and flexibility, affecting bone density, joint movement and overall physical resilience.

You need to buy products to boost collagen levels

While collagen-focused products dominate the market, the body’s own collagen production relies on basic biological building

How diet can help

While collagen itself is not stored in large reserves, the body relies on a steady supply of raw materials to keep producing it. Protein-rich foods provide essential amino acids, while fruits and vegetables supply antioxidants and vitamin C, which supports collagen synthesis and protects existing fibres from damage. Bone broth, meat, fish, eggs, legumes and leafy greens all contribute in different ways.

As interest in preventative health continues to grow, understanding what collagen is and why it declines with age helps explain why it has become a focal point in modern health conversations.

legumes a regular part of your diet

blocks. Amino acids from protein and nutrients like vitamin C, zinc and copper all play a part in collagen synthesis. Daily habits including balanced eating, sun protection, adequate sleep and stress management influence collagen health just as much.

Collagen decline only affects women

Collagen isn’t gender-specific. While hormonal differences influence how collagen behaves in the body, men rely on it just as much for joint integrity, muscle support, bone strength and cardiovascular structure. In fact, men typically start with higher collagen density, but they still experience a decline with age, just with less focus on aesthetic changes.

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