Welcome to the first edition of 'City Times' - a community newspaper aimed at providing a source of information about events, clubs, organisations, sport, achievements, interests, in fact anything which goes on within the community and helps to strengthen the bonds of community spirit and a pride in our City.
City Times is being produced on a purely voluntary basis and a great deal of help has been given to get this first issue "off the press!"
Now we need your help to let us know what is happening. We would very much appreciate hearing from any local clubs and societies who want to publicise their activities, we want to know what is happening in our schools, in the churches, in the business life and in the community in general.
We would be delighted to hear about your weddings, anniversaries and other celebrations, your examinations passes, presentations and achievements. We want to hear from the young and the not so young - we would welcome your letters and we would be pleased to try and help anyone trying to establish an organisation in the City who needs a bit of publicity to give it a boost.
We are also very aware that there are many problems affecting St Asaph at the present time - the deterioration of the High Street, the problem of heavy traffic which is exacerbating the situation, and the isolated, but very serious acts of mindless vandalism which have robbed the City of its football facilities and the tennis pavilion.
We very much hope that, by providing this community link, together we can strengthen the community spirit and encourage a positive attitude to the future of St. Asaph. Let us know your views - Take part in this community effort and ensure that St. Asaph does not deserve to be known as St. Apathy!
BOOK OF GRACES When funds are needed for such worthy causes as the Cathedral Organ, a mighty instrument which has been an integral part of the worship, ceremony and musical life of the City for many, many years, it is amazing just how inspired fund raising can be.
In the case of David Wyke, whose home, The Chantry, was once the home of a Cathedral organist, the inspiration came in the guise of a Book of Graces.
"It seemed straightforward enough, even I could manage it," said Mr Wykke. "Write to a few famous people, collect a few Graces, publish a book, easy!"
That was shortly after the new year and it has taken until this month to get the book to the printers having collected a fascinating selection of Graces in twenty one languages with contributions from one Princess, seven Archbishops, seventeen Bishops, two Generals, 26 St. Asaph School children, assorted Lords, M.P.'s and Baronets, a whole host of Reverends, Deans and Canons, Thelma Barlow, Colin Welland and John Prys Williams. Notable amongst the contributions was one from Archbishop Tutu who took time out from the first free elections in South Africa to support the effort, from Terry Waite and from Rabbi Lionel Blue. "The rejections have been interesting too, but that really is another story", said Mr.Wyke. The book, which is being printed by Charter Press at Rhuddlan will sell for £6.50 and will be available from The Chantry, Upper Denbigh Road, St.Asaph. Tel. 583636 and from various outlets in St.Asaph. Reserve your copy now.
ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS AT ST.ASAPH CATHEDRAL 9-12-94 Confirmation Service 6.30pm 10-12-94 St.Asaph Choral Society Concert 7.30pm 15-12-94 Carolau Ysgol Glan Clwyd 7.00pm 18-12-94 Celebration Service on the Radio 8.30am 19-12-94 Combined Emergency Services - Carol Service 7.00pm Christmas Eve Service of Nine Lessons and Carols 7.00pm Midnight Mass 11.45pm Christmas Day Holy Eucharist with Carols 8.00am Sung Eucharist with Address 11.00am Normal Daily Services during Christmas Week 1-1-95 Combined Holy Eucharist for all the Parishes in the St.Asaph Group 10.15am 8-1-95 Celebration Service on the Radio 8.30am
ALL ARE VERY WELCOME TO ATTEND THESE SERVICES
Any letters, items of news or forthcoming events can be sent to the editor, Denise Hodgkinson, Vermont, Glascoed Road St. Asaph, LL17 OLH Tel. 582772.
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CHORAL SOCIETY CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY
The St .Asaph Choral Society was founded 30 years ago in October of 1964, when the organist and choirmaster of St. Asaph Cathedral, Dr J.R. Middleton, advertised in the local press for singers to perform the Messiah at Christmas time. The response was excellent and resulted in some 50 local people meeting to rehearse each Monday evening in the local church. A very successful performance of the Messiah was given in the Cathedral with the solo parts taken by young singers from The Royal Northern College of Music. After such a favourable debut all the choir members were eager to continue and Dr.Middleton agreed to accept the appointment as conductor of the St. Asaph Choral Society. Under his modest and unassuming direction and with his deep knowledge of music the society flourished. When Dr. Middleton retired his place as conductor was taken by Graham Elliot who continued with a series of ambitious concerts, until he retired from the post in 1981. Mr Mike Lewis, who had founded the Rhyl Music Club, was invited to be the next conductor. He was able to share with the choir members his love of music and the tremendous sense of achievement and joy that comes with the performance of choral works. With increasing numbers of singers the choir moved to its present rehearsal rooms in the Dean Williams' Library opposite the Cathedral in St.Asaph. A little later on John Belcher, who had become organist and choirmaster of the Cathedral, agreed to become Associate Conductor.
Since 1985 the conductor has been Hugh Davies, Organist and Master of the Choristers at St.Asaph Cathedral. Under his guidance the reputation and repertoire of the choral society have increased dramatically. Works performed have ranged from those by Vivaldi to ones by Vaughan Williams.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the society the choir will be giving a performance of the Verdi Requiem in the Cathedral on Saturday 10th December. The soloist will include the international opera soprano Ida-Maria Turri and the tenor Stephen Rooke, who sings with the Glynbourne Festival Opera. Future plans for the 1995 season include a joint concert with Rhyl Silver Band and a performance of the Sea Symphony of Vaughan Williams.
ROTARY TOPS £7,000 The Rotary Club of St. Asaph has donated £7,234 to charities during the current year.
The major appeal for the year was for Hope House, the children's hosplce, which recelved over £5,000 as a result of sponsorship and fund raising events involved wlth the Arctic Challenge, an exciting event in which four intrepid Rotarians motored from Paris to the Arctic Circle and back to London.
Over £700 donated to international appeals such as Lithuania, Romania, India and the "Anastasis", a 12000 ton hospital ship which visits third world countries doing surgical, dental, medical, construction, agricultural and water projects. The club has developed close links with the "Anastasis" over the years and is keen to assist at every opportunity. The Club also donated approximately £1400 to some 25 local causes such as hospitals, the disabled, playgroups and other community activities. The Club is looking forward to another year supporting local and international projects whether it be with money or with action such as attending local fetes or filling pack boxes for international relief. Much of the funding for local community charities comes from the proceeds of the Christmas float. Last Christmas almost £1200 was raised and the Club is hoping for similar generous support this year. The float will be touring St Asaph as follows:- MONDAY 12th DEC - LOWER ST.ASAPH (evening) WEDNESDAY 14th DEC - MOUNT RD (evening) SATURDAY 17th DEC - ST ASAPH CENTRE (day-time) WEDNESDAY 21st DEC - UPPER DENBIGH RD (evening)
VIDEO ACTION St. Asaph is full of surprises and is certainly not short of talent and enterprise - if you take the time to have a look. How many of you know about the City's film company? Well it may not be on par with Stephen Speilberg's empire but at Red Hill, Mount Road, St Asaph, there is a thriving company producing tailor made educational and adventure films and promotional videos. Video Action's proprietor, Kevin Bailey, produces industrial, corporate and educational videos, promotional, training, point of sale and advertising videos, superb 3D computer graphics and animations and can transfer your old cine films onto video with titles, music and editing facilities to really make a professional job of your efforts. Video Action offers cost-effective production tailored to the needs of each customer and undertakes all types of video work from small scale information films for internal company use to more ambitious promotional films to help boost sales and image or even wonderfully graphic action videos to help teach activities of all kinds from windsurfing and climbing to fishing and golf. Kevin Bailey, who launched nis video enterprise some time ago in Denbigh, is also an experienced teacher of outdoor pursuits and so is eminently qualified to undertake such projects. Already footage produced by Video Action has been shown by BBC, HTV, and BSkyB so if you want a promotional video to boost your business just get in touch with Video Action.
CHARITY BALL On Friday, November 11th, the Mayor's Annual Charity Ball was held at Oriel House Hotel, hosted by the Mayor, Councillor Andrew Thomas and Mrs Thomas. This year the appeal was for Hope House, the Children's Hospice being built to serve North Wales. Almost £1000 was raised for the charity and the Mayor wishes to thank all those who gave donations, raffle prizes and who attended the Ball for their generous support for the Hospice.
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OPEN DAY A family business which was established over 40 years ago and which has spent the past fifteen years serving the locality from its base in the Station Yard, St. Asaph, R.N. Williams & Sons, recently held an Open Day when a general invitation went out to join them and their staff for hospitality and a look at what the company has to offer. In addition to the fuel supplies for which the company has long had an established name, R.N.Williams also supply solid fuel, oil and gas cookers by all the leading makes, multi-fuel, solid fuel and woodburning stoves suitable for space heating and central heating requirements, bathroom and kitchen fittings, plumbing supplies, bricks, blocks and aggregates and most building requirements. At the Open Day a mouth-watering cookery demonstration was given by Home Economist, Anne Timmis, who produced a delightful array of goodies, including cakes, pizzas, quiche, scones and soups using the oil/diesel Rayburn cooker capable of coping with all the cooking for a family plus the hot water and central heating for every size of home. Although R.N. Williams have long been an integral part of St.Asaph, there is concern for their future and for the jobs of the twelve full time staff and other part time workers if the company who own the Station Yard site are successful in their bid to gain planning permission for residential development. Over the past few years all the other businesses which were sited at Station Yard have moved including the farm supplies business operated by the site owners who have relocated at The Roe.
Unfortunately for R.N. Williams, relocating a coal yard is not easy. "It is not the sort of operation which is welcome on a lot of sites and it would be very difficult to relocate and maintain our links with St. Asaph. The Station Yard is ideal for our purposes and, as we have grown, we have employed local labour, people who are loyal to us and for whom We feel responsibility", said proprietor, Colin Williams. It was evident from the response to their Open Day that R.N. Williams also have a lot of loyal customers and well-wishers for their staff were kept busy throughout the day with a continuous stream of visitors.
CHURCH NEWS St Mary's Church Cefn will be holding their Grand Draw during a Quiz Night at the Neuadd in Cefn on Thursday 1st December.
AN ADVENT CAROL SERVICE will be held on Sunday 4th December at 6pm in Corpus Christi Church Tremeirchion.
Each year THE PRINCE'S TRUST helps thousands of young disadvantaged people achieve great things for themselves and the community.
Some of them are unemployed, homeless or have just had it tougher than most. Some may already have jobs , but need help in developing their skills. These young people share one thing in common - they all want to do something positive for themselves or others. With the help of the Prince's Trust, most of them go on to achieve great things. Many of them do this with the help of a grant.
The grant-making criteria are simple - young people must be aged between 14 and 25 years, and an award must truly help them achieve something for themselves or their community. Grants are awarded through a network of volunteer local committees.
Everyone who applies is visited by a member of the local committee. If the Trust is unable to help they try to refer the applicant to another organisation who may be able to assist them. The Vicar, The Revd R.H. Griffiths, is a member of the North Wales Committee of the Prince's Trust. Applications to the Trust should be made to : The Applications Secretary, Shire Hall, Mold.
ST. WINEFRIDE'S R.C. SCHOOL Pupils of St. Winefride's R.C. School, visited Prestatyn Library on October 17th to see an exhibition tracing the history of printing. Two days later pupils visited Rhyl High School for the annual Welsh Jamboree of folk songs and disco dancing.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES IN ST ASAPH PARISH CHURCH Saturday 24th December (Christmas Eve) 5pm A Children's Crib Service
Sunday 25th December (Christmas Day) 9.30am Holy Eucharist for the family Come and celebrate the birth of Christ in your Parish Church. Don't leave Christ out of your CHRISTmas!
St Mary's Church Cefn invites you to join them for their SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS (by candle-light) at 6.30pm on Sunday 18th December.
Have you been to a CHRISTINGLE SERVICE before? If you have we're sure you'd like to come to another!
This year on Monday 19th, December 6pm in Corpus Christi Church, Tremeirchion, we shall be holding a CHRISTINGLE SERVICE. We look forward to seeing you there. St Asaph Parish Church, together with Corpus Christi Church Tremeirchion, St Mary's Church Cefn and All Saints Church Sinan, have been challenged to ralse £150 by the end of November for OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD.
Once again shoe boxes full of gifts from children across the UK will be sent to Bosnia and Croatia on l7th December in time for Christmas. Our challenge is to raise £1 per box for 150 boxes which will be sent from our immediate area. In 1993 125 shoe boxes full of aid and gifts were sent and £100 was raised.
The aim this year is to send, in total, 250 boxes and raise £250 in cash. Our £1 will go towards this total. If you would like to help by giving £1 towards OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD you can do this by placing your £1 in the boxes which are to be found in each of the four churches or by giving your £1 to the Vicar, Revd R.H. Griffiths, The Vicarage, 1 Llys Trewithan, St Asaph in an envelope marked 'Operation Christmas Child"
VICTORIAN FAIR Ysgol Esgob Morgan Victorian Christmas Fair will be held on Friday, December 9th at 6.30pm.
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YSGOL GLAN CLWYD 'BRANWEN'-THE MUSICAL An exciting original musical based on the story of Branwen from the Mabinogion. Was an unique experience for 130 of our pupils from Years 8 to 12 to act in this lively show which was performed in the school Theatre between November 30th December 2nd. There was also a matinee performance for local primary schools on November 29th. The main characters were played by Angharad Llwyd, Yr 11 (Branwen), Gareth Evans, Yr 12 (Matholich), Gethin Roberts, Yr 12 (Bendigeidfran). The script was written by Mr.Aneurin Prys Williams and Mrs_Dorothy Jones, with Mrs Ann Davies composing the musical score. Mrs Catherine Jones and other members of the staff produced the show.
A BIG THANK YOU TO EGA The Ega Company, St.Asaph have generously agreed to sponsor our Senior Hockey Team by buying them a new kit. The old ones had become very tattered. Thank you Ega.
OPEN EVENING Our Open Evening on the 18th of October was a busy, lively evening. We opened our doors to the pupils, parents and prospective parents so that they could see the varied aspects of our school life. One of the most popular meeting places was the 'Cafe' Francais - the aroma of fresh coffee was wonderful?. Many thanks to everyone who contributed in anyway to the evening's success.
THE RUSSIANS ARE BACK! This is their third visit to our school. Two years ago pupils from our school went on a two week exchange visit to Russia under the leadership of Mrs Carol Bryan-Jones. The third group of 15 Russians are now enjoying a week's visit to the area. Mrs Jones has organised this last visit through 'Confidence', an organisation which promotes international understanding. The Visitors ere staying with pupils families. During the week they visited Rhyl, Conwy, Llandudno, Chester, Liverpool and London. As well as enjoying themselves they also had a real eye-opener to the different way of life from what they're used to in St.Petersburg
TO LONDON What an experience ! A two day visit on November 1 and 2, to London to see the shows 'Grease' and 'Blood Brothers' had been arranged for pupils studying GCSE and A levels Drama and Music. They also had a sightseeing tour of the City, as well as supper at Macdonalds! A full, varied and interesting trip indeed.
TO ALBANIA For the second time Mr Austin Savage went on a mercy mission to Albania. He took with him £700 worth of educational equipment to help students in the Farri Frasheri High School which is in the Capital Tirana. He was appalled by the poverty he'd scen there on his first visit. The £700 was collected by pupils from Ysgol Glan Clwyd. The overall trip-was paid for by the Central Bureau for Educational visits which has its headquarters in London.
SCHOOL VISIT A personal account of a visit to Chirk Castle by Suhanya Nagendren, a seven years old pupil at St.Asaph V.P.School
CHIRK CASTLE 12th OCT Two weeks ago we went to chirk castle and I was Sophie's partner. When we got out if the coach it was lunch time and I was in Mrs Hurst's group there were six of us in my group, there was me and Sophie, Peter and Simon and Nicola and Nia. There were other groups also, then we in the castle I liked best were these things the swords, the dining room, the dungeon. We did not see the parts that people lived in. But Sophie still wanted to see the whole Castle, then we went to the King's best lounge, then we went to the dinning room, there were these beautiful lights and there were china plates and they were very nice and I liked them, So did Sophie and Nia, but Nicola was still looking at the lights because they were so nice. By Suhanya Nagendren Age 7 V.P.School
PLAYGROUP A playgroup meets at St.Asaph V.P. School canteen on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9.00am - 11.15am. The cost is £1.40 per session and children from the age of 2½ years are welcome. Come and join us! Please telephone Carol Derry on 583092 for further details.
V.P.INFANTS SCHOOL The V.P.Infants School Friends Association have arranged programme of fund raising events which include the following:-
Wednesday, November 23 Flower Arranging Demonstration with a Christmas Theme as demonstratcd by Mrs. Hilda Green. 7.30pm in the School Hall. Admission £1.50
Friday, December 2 Christmas Fayre in the School Hall Opens 6.00pm Various stalls, Xmas Raffle, Father Xmas and his ever popular Fairy!
Friday, December 16 Christmas Concert by the V.P.Childern with and Old Time Music Hall Theme. School Hall, 2.00pm.
Next term we will be repeating our popular Balloon Race which will take place on either April 6th or 7th. Tickets will be sold in advance and the children will release the balloons just before they break up for Easter holidays. Last year's winning balloon was retrieved in Nottinghamshire - hopefully next year's will fly even further. We are also hoping to hold a Beetle Drive sometime during next term although the date has yet to be decided upon. We hope that many as possible of the parents, pupils, brothers, sisters and friends will attend
DID YOU KNOW? There is somewhere in St.Asaph where you can :- Find out the times of local buses; Book Tickets for Theatre CIwyd and the Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl; Find out about various local clubs and societies; Discover 'What's on' in St.Asaph; Find out about training and educational opportunities and borrow study-packs; Come and see exhibitions of work of local artists and societies? You can find out all about these and more if you call in and see us at St.Asaph Library - if you do call in you might also find a book or two that you would like to borrow! We are open:- Monday 9.30 - 7.00 Tuesday 12.30 - 5.30 Wednesday 9.30 - 5.30 Thursday Closed Friday 9.30 - 7.00 Saturday 9.30 - 12.30
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YOUTH CLUB St.Asaph Youth Club meets every Monday and Thursday at 7.30 pm in the Old Court House, Chester Street. All High School Pupils welcome.
CEFN MEIRIADOG HISTORICAL SOCIETY Cefn Meiriadog is a rural community immediately to the South-West of St.Asaph, bounded to the South by the beautiful Elwy Valley and to the North by the old Chester - Caernarfon road, now the B5381. Central to the Parish is Bryn Meiriadog, the Hill of Meiriadog who, legend affirms, was a giant who sat on the bryn while washing his feet in the Clwyd below, but who has been shown, by research undertaken by Society Members, to have been an almost forgotten 6th century saint who evangelized Brittany. The Parish contains many points of historical interest from the Bont Newydd Cave, which is the earliest known site of human habitation in Britain, and currently under excavation by the National Muscum of Wales, to the Elizabethan house of Plas Newydd; and from a pre-historical burial chamber to the important ruined well-shrine called Capel Ffynnon Fair. The Society was founded in 1976 when three people, passionately keen to discover something about the history of their Parish, inspired a similar interest in many of their neighbours. Its current membership stands at 50 and now includes people from all over the Vale of Clwyd who take a keen interest in a wider brief which now encompasses all of North Wales. In recent years the Society have catalogued, transcribed and published the tombstone inscriptions in Cefn churchyard; involved itself in the care of the medieval Capel Ffynnon Fair (culminating in a major restoration by CADW in 1993) and travelled to Brittany to visit many sites still connected with its local Saint Meiradog.
The Society publishes its own journal Cofio'r Cefn and meets on the last Thursday of each month. Winter meetings take the form of lectures by invited speakers and are held in the Vestry of Marli Chapel in Cefnmeiriadog, while summer visits are arranged to houses and other places of historic interest. The Society welcomes new members. The annual subscription is £5.00, OAPS-£2.50.
Following the success of its 1993 visit to Brittany, the Society is planning a further six day visit-for May 1995. Travelling by coach and ferry and staying in Pluvigne in the Morbihan region there will be opportunities to revisit some of the Meiriadog sites and visit new places of historic and natural beauty. The trip is timed to co-incide with the Bannielo, the traditional Pardon of St.Guigner, in Pluvigner on May 21st. For details contact the Secretary Tristan Gray Hulse - 0745 584814.
for the coming months :- Jan 5th New Year's Celebration Jan 26th Dr.Buddig Owen: Dr.Pierce and Denbigh Cholera Epidemic. Feb 23th AGM- Speaker to be arranged. March 30th Dr.John Idris Jones: 'Shakespeare and Lleweni'.
FRIEND'S CLUB The Red Cross Friend's Club meet every fortnight from February to July and from September to December on Tuesdays Dominoes and Whist. Details from Mrs. Jones, Esgobty, St.Asaph TEL 583505 or Mrs. Gauge, Abbeydale, Mount Road, St.Asaph. TEL 583016.
NATIONAL WOMEN'S REGISTER The National Women's Register, Vale of Clwyd Branch, is a group of women's from all walks of life who meet every fortnight, usually at the home of one of the members. The meetings take the form of discussions, quizzes, talks or even theatre visits. The activities of the group generally reflect the tastes and interests of the members. The meetings coincide with the school term and are informal, friendly, varied and interesting. If you would like to sample one of the meetings without any obligation to join, please contact either Susan Scarborough (Tel.0745 591717) or Janice Dunshea (Tel. 0745 584540)
SUCCESSFUL FAYRE Bodelwyddan Hospital League of Friends held a successful Autumn Fayre recently when approximately £2500 was raised towards their target of £23,000 to convert the day room on ward 12 into consulting room, treatment room and day room for cancer patients. The League have launched their £23,000 appeal in memory of one of their founder members, Mr Bill Ford, who died earlier this year and received all his treatment on Ward 12. The Fayre was opened by the Hospital Chaplain, the Rev. Raymond Byles.
ANIMAL BLESSING 'All Creatures Great and Small' gathered at St.Asaph Cathedral a Sunday afternoon, October 9th, when a special service of animal blessing was held. Local animal lovers with a wide variety of pets brought their dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, mice, rabbits and chickens and even sheep and horses gathered outside to await their blessing by the Archbishop of Wales, the Most Rev. Alwyn Rice Jones. The service was organised on behalf of Animal Concern of which the Christian Archbishop is the current President. The service was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended and it is hoped that similar services will become an annual
COMMUNITY POLICE The Community Police team based at St.Asaph has becn in operation now for some tweaty months and the response from the residents has been most favourable. Reported crime is down by 30% and the detection rate in the Rhuddlan Division js 46%. This is well up on national crime statistics. During the summer term P.C.'s Phil Harrison and Vince Durkin were involved in cycling proficiency at Ysgol Esgob Morgan and St. Winefred's R.C. School and there were twenly seven successful pupils who are now safe to cycle on the streets of St.Asaph. Finally, should any members of the community need their services the telephone number remains 583232, however, if they are out patrolling the streets your call would be diverted to the central switchboard who will contact them on their radios wherever they are. Should you require the police urgently, use the '999' system.
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A HAVEN WHICH WELCOMES YOUR HELP
Ty Croeso, or Welcome House, is the new parents accommodation at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan. It is named Dawn Elizabeth House in memory of a local young lady tragically killed in a hit - and -run accident three years ago.
Following her death at the age of 25 years, her parents, Dave and Vera Williams of Mochdre, decided to use a £70,000 donation by their daughters former employees to the Trust For Sick Children In Wales, to provide the parents accommodation in her memory. The House opened on February 7th this year and, in the first nine months has accommodated well over 200 families who have stayed anything from one night to three weeks. Ty Croeso is intended as a peaceful refuge to give comfortable accommodation for any parents with children on the wards, in the Special Care Baby Unit or Intensive Care. There is no charge to stay although a £10 returnable key deposit is requested.
Ty Croeso is only partly funded by the Hospital and so relies on fund raising and local gencrosity for its maintenance. But the administrators of Dawn Elizabeth House are constantly being surprised and delighted by the support of many individuals and organisations. The House has six bedrooms, (four double and two single) bathrooms, kitchen, sitting / dining room, quiet room and laundry. Every room has its own phone
so that there is direct contact with the wards. It is attached to the playroom on the children's wards so there is direct access and it has been designed to be wheelchair and push-chair friendly. There is still the offer for one parent to 'put-you-up' by their child's bed on the ward but now accommodation can be provided at Ty Croeso for both parents. There have been occasions when it is been beneficial or necessary to also include grannies and , in special circumstances cven both grandparents, and some 'whole' families including four babies who could not be left at home!.
The house relies heavily on PALS (Parents Accommodation Link Support). This is a group of eight volunteers who kocp the house manned at week-ends and holidays and also do the fund raising. The second year pupils at Emrys ap Ewan School, Abergele, are also PALS and they were at a recent coffee morning in the hospital foyer when two hand-sewn cot quilts, donated by the Tan-y-Fron Embroidery Guild were won in a raffle.
Now an appeal has been set up to raise funds for an extension to Dawn Elizabeth House in the form of a Conservatory which is to be provided at trade price by Neale's of Colwyn Bay and is also being funded in part by Denbigh Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs. Ty Croeso is looked after Monday to Friday, 9am - 3.30pm by Janet Yuille who would be delighted to show this new local asset to anyone who may be interested. Janet can be contacted TEL 0745 583910 EXTENSION 472
CAN YOU HELP?
St.Kentigern Hospice, H.M.Stanley Hospital, St.Asaph, is looking for enthusiastic, caring volunteers with a few hours to spare-to help in the day to day running of the hospice.
If you think you can help with any of the jobs listed below please contact:- Sister Iona Jones or Mrs.Sheila Parry, St.Kentigern Hospice, H.M.Stanley Hospital, St.Asaph, Clwyd L117 ORS TEL: (0745) 583275
• Shopping for day hospice and patients • Making and serving tea, coffee, refreshments etc., • Flowers and Plants(arranging and changing water). • Helping in the kitchen. • Reception. • Typing and secretarial / clerical duties (word processing) • Occupational therapy / diversional therapy e.g. art and craft work, playing card and board games, handicrafts etc. • Physiotherapy and gentle exercises. • Beauty Care. • Hairdressing. • Sewing, mending and ironing
• Co-ordinate library service for patients (and magazines). • Entertainment for patients (playing the piano, singing etc) • Assisting in nursing tasks/duties (bathing, hygiene, feeding etc.) • Helping to write letters and reading to patients • Bringing pets to see patients.
We also need volunteers to help in the Charity Shop and in the garden and drivers to bring patients to and from the day unit.
TRADE MISSION
Saudi Arabia may seem an unlikely destination for a local trade mission but that is exactly how a successful St.Asaph Company are helping to put Wales on the map - literally in many cases. For Lovell Johns, who have an office on the new St.Asaph Business Park, make high quality maps for clients worldwide and have already compiled two major atlases for the Saudi government. Lovell Johns, will be in Saudi this month with a trade mission hoping to firm up new contracts with seventeen other Welsh companies.
During the trip they will visit Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dhahran. The St.Asaph based company make maps for such clients as London Underground, Yellow Pages and the EC and one of their recent contracts has been an atlas of the Chernobyl disaster area. Technical Support and Supplies of Bodelwyddan, will also join the Trade Mission.
KENTIGERN GUILD
The first meeting of the new season of the Kentigern Guild was held in the Dean's Library, St.Asaph, on Friday, 7th October. The Chairman, Mrs Anne Ratcliffe, welcomed members and new members to the guild. The first speaker of the winter programme was Mr Maurice Greenwood, A.R.Cam.A, who talked about watercolour painting and painted a demonstration picture which delighted the audience. A vote of thanks was given by Mr John Solbe. Meetings are held at 7.30pm on the first Friday of each month in the Dean's Library, Upper Denbigh Road St Asaph. The subscription is £5.00 per annum and new members are always welcome.
The programme for the rest of the year will be:
Friday 2nd December Mr Islwyn Parry - The Recollections of a Schoolmaster.
Friday 6th January New Year Party
Friday 3rd February Mrs Harpur 'The History of the Post Office'
Friday 3rd March Lenten Meeting, The Very Revd K Goulstone, Dean of St.Asaph Cathedral- Lenten Hymns.
Friday 7th April Miss Iona Jones-The Kentigern Hospice.Friday 5th May AGM and Dinner.
Other activities during the year will include a Jumble Sale and a Guided Tour of Ruthin with lunch.
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GALA DAY Every year the St. Asaph Gala gives a lot pleasure to a lot of people. The colourful parade which makes its way through the streets is as much fun for the onlookers as for those taking part, and the festivities on Roe Plas attract crowds to enjoy the Gala events and funfair. What is not so easily seen is the fact that to stage the event each year costs a great deal of money - between £1800 and £2000 - money which is raised by a hard working committee who work throughout the year organising fund raising events to cover such costs as the hire fees of bands, the cost of coaches to transport groups and bands and the prize-money which attracts the majorettes, morris dancers and fancy dress competitors. Bands alone can cost up to £600 each with a £200 coach hire cost as well ! It is somewhat surprising then that there have been objections by a minority of people in St.Asaph to the charge of £1.00 levied by the Gala Association for entry onto the Gala Field.
Permission to make the charge was granted in accordance with the local by-law which allows for a once a year charge for entry onto the Roe Plas and the money helps to pay for the event. What is needed now is for an upsurge in interested in the event an enthusiasm to take part and a willingness to support the organising committee- in fact a positive attitude to ensure the future of the Gala and help it grow. New ideas are always welcome. You can ring Trevor on 582892 or Bill on 582746 or contact any of the committee members who are Mr.Alf Trickett (Chairman), Mrs.B.Taylor(Vice-Chairman), Mrs.D Trickett, Mrs.Donna Davies, Mrs.Flo Davies, Miss Vicky Hughes, Mrs.Mandy Hogg, Mrs.Josie Hughes, Mr.John Roberts, Mr.Andrew ONeil and Mr.Nicky Taylor. St.Asaph Gala Day is always held on the first Saturday in August. Gala Day 1995 will be on August 5th, when there will be a chance for local groups and businesses to help swell the parade by entering decorated floats and for children to join in the fun by entering the fancy dress competitions, or for the young ladies of the City to enter a new competition 1995-Miss Personality
COUNCIL TOPICS. St Asaph Town Council meets on the second Wednesday of each month at Ysgol Glan Clwyd. Meetings are open to the public and your local councillors will also be happy to tell you what is happening if you ask them.
LOSS The Council were very sorry to hear of the deaths of Mr. Arthur Moston, Ffordd Siarl, St.Asaph, and Mr.Walter Ratcliffee Tan-Y-Bryn St.Asaph, former Councillors and Mayors of the City
POLICE VISIT Superintendent Barry Jones attended the October mecting of the Council and reported that crime in St Asaph was down from 32 cases to 21 and outlined some of the initiatives such as the Drugs Operation, freeing P.C.'s of paperwork, reducing the number of assaults on the police etc. He also announced the re-launch of "Neighbourhood Watch" on November 7th
THE SLUCE GATE The Council agreed to a plaque being fixed to the 'sluice gate' at the rear of the 'Gamekeeper' On the Common. It describes what it was, what it was used for and how it was rescued. A map shows the public footpath tracing the old mill race.
TIDY CAMPAIGN The Council were pleased to receive a merit ward on behalf of St.Asaph from the Wales Tidy Campaign. This was for the litter campaign in the Spring, the hanging baskets, the murals on the High Street by pupils of Ysgol Glan Clwyd, the Fountain renovation and the Pengwern Litter Wardens etc.
PLANNING The Council were disappointed that the Borough Council had refused planning permission for "A" taxis on the High Street despite the Town Council's recommendation that it be approved.
It was resolved to ask the Councillor on the Borough Planning Committee why the decision had been taken.
CITY STATUS It was agreed to establish a working group to find out what needs to be done and the costs involved in petitioning for City status for St.Asaph. Although St.Asaph is an ecclesiastical city and often referred to as a City , it does not have a Royal Charter or Letters Patent. St.David's in Pembroke, received its Letters Patent in May this year as a result of a petition to the Queen. The petition claimed that, "of all the ancient cathedral places in Wales and England, only St.Davids and St.Asaph were without legal city status." Now there is only St.Asaph.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHANGES The new local government authorities are scheduled to start in May 1996, and the council are attending liaison and transition meetings to determine how their responsibilities may change.
MUSIC FESTIVAL The donation of £200 by the Council was well spent by the local schools on musical instruments so that they could compose and play their own music. An exhibition of what they had achieved was held during the Music Festival Week.
ACCOUNTS The clerk reported that the expenditure of this year's £20.000 budget was on target and it was agreed to pay the final instalment on the football pavilion improvements work - work carried out before the fire.
PUBLIC SEATS It was reported that the public seats at Cwttir Lane and Rose Hill had been replaced and the old damaged seats, or what remained of them, removed.
POST OFFICE Following the closure of the Post Office in Penrbewl and its re-opening at Cathrall's Store in Heol Esgob, the Council proposed that it now be called "Heol Esgob PO".
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ST.ASAPH TENNIS CLUB 1994 It has been a difficult year for St.Asaph Tennis Club following the loss of the Club Pavilion in August 1993 when it was totally destroyed after being set on fire. Fortunately the summer weather has been reasonably kind and there has been little need to seek shelter from the elements. However the loss of basic facilities has been a problem especially for visiting teams and it is hoped that various fund-raising activities will enable a new pavilion to be built during 1995. In the circumstances the various Club teams have acquitted themselves very creditably if not reaching the heights of 1993 when the Men's First Team won both the North Wales Men's Shield for the first time in the Club's history and also the First Division of the Midweek Men's League for the second year in succession. This year the Men's First Team reached the semi-final of the Shield and finished second in the Mid-week League First Division. The Men's Second Team fielding a number of youngsters over the season finished third in the Midweek League Second Division.
The Ladies Team in their second season in the Ladies Midweek League achieved their first win since entering the League and are continuing to improve. Finally the Mixed Team in the Second Division of the Saturday League also finished second narrowly being pipped by Mold for the title. Despite tbe present difficulties the Club has endeavoured to carry on as normal and many local boys and girls have taken advantage of the coaching provided by William Griffith and his assistants tbroughout the summer on Saturday mornings. Finally tbe Club would like to thank the people of St.Asaph who have been particularly sympathetic following last year's disaster, and have provided much appreciated encouragement for the Officials of the Club in keeping tennis alive in the City.
CRICKET CLUB The 1994 season proved to be a difficult one for St.Asaph Cricket Club starting as it did with more than half of the previous season's 1st XI unavailable for a variety of reasons. However, as the season progressed the situation provided opportunities for younger players to improve and, although results were generally disappointing, several players came to prominence.
The 2nd and midweek XI's had somewhat more success with match results, due mainly to reliable work by experienced players providing a springboard for several younger players to display emerging talents. During the annual dinner held at The White House, Rhuallt, in October, the season's awards winners collected their trophies as follows:- First XI: bowling: Chris Houlston ; Batting Dylan Davies; Fielding: Andrew Pierce.
2nd XI: Bowling : Colin Fleming; Batting: Phil Jones; Fielding: Gareth Jones.
Young player the Year: David Hall; Merit Trophy: Brian Gorton.
Players Piayer: 1st XI : Dylan Davies 2nd : Colin Fleming.
A special trophy was awarded to Mr.Ken Houlston in recognition of his long and much appreciated service to the Club as 2nd XI umpire. The ground has now been prepared for winter and players will next see activity at the sports centre during February for indoor net practise. The Club is keen for anyone interested in playing to contact Mr.W.O.Pierce Tel 582439, or Mr.K.Hodgkinson, Tel. 528772. In particular juniors are always welcome to come along and join the increasing numbers at the coaching sessions starting in May. Parents interested in encouraging their youngsters can be reassured that all sessions are supervised and that the young people enjoy a pleasant evening's sport.
BASKETBALL TRAINING Basketball raining sessions will be held at St.Asaph Sports Centre on Wedncsday evenings 5pm - 6pm and on Saturday afternoons from 1pm - 2pm. Everyone welcome.
SCOUTS SEEK MEMORIES The recently re-formed St Asaph Scout Troop are seeking information on the past history of their group. Re-establishing themselves after a gap of almost two years, the St Asaph Scouts are enthusiastically tackling a programme of refurbishment of their Scout Hut which includes a trophy cabinet and they wouid love to hear from anyone with information about past leaders, trophies, former members of the 1st St Asaph with memories of the troop over the years, etc.
A new Group Scout Leader, Mr.Douglas McAuslan, has been appointed and, under his guidance, the Scouts are refurbishing the badly neglected Scout Hut on which work is progressing well. In September the Cub Pack won the District 5 a side football competition for the first time in 10 years- well done lads! The Beaver colony took part in the first District Camp Fire at 1st Rhyl and had a good time learning some new action songs. A sponsored walk around Llyn Brenig was held in September and the Group would like to express its thanks to all the businesses in St Asaph who supported the boys in their endeavours. So far over £400 has been raised. Please contact Douglas McAuslin (G.S.L.) TEL.730873 or Margaret Barr (Chairperson) TEL.730873 if you have any queries or information
HOCKEY Your local hockey team meets every Thursday night 7.15pm - 8.15pm at St.Asaph Sports Centre. Anyone with an intrest in the sport is welcome. Any age, any ability welcome. Charge is just 75p
Typesetting Courtesy of Kay Forkings Production Courtesy of Pilkingtons Optronics
Committee: Councillor Andrew Thomas, Lesley Wyke, Margaret Corlett & Wendy Wren.
Archif Llanelwy - St Asaph Archive 
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