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I noticed something this week; that on the 12th October the Community Online forum was 3 years old and if you are wondering what the number in the Topic Title is then take a look at the figures below. In the 3 years the forum has been live: 242 members have joined 433 people followed the Twitter page 113 people 'liked' the Facebook page 711 Topics have been posted 10 local businesses advertised in the business section 3,286 posts have been made and a whopping 311,432 views have been made to posts on the forum. I hope that you'll agree thats pretty impressive for a local website. I also have a very exciting project in the pipeline, as things progress I will keep you updated. So thanks for the past 3 years, I'll keep moderating the forums, posting stuff and keeping all the workings up to date and running smoothly. All you need to do is keep posting topics, adding events to the calendar and adding pictures to the gallery, because community forums aren't about me posting things its about the members of our community sharing information with each other, collaborating and hopefully making the place in which we live better for everyone. See you in the forums, Lee

Community Online are proud to annouce that it has won the Media Trust Inspiring Voices Award. Quote from Media Trust’s marketing director, Gavin Sheppard: “We know that there is a wealth of great media work already going on in the community, but we were especially impressed by Community Online. This project provides a valuable communication channel for those living in the villages and is a true example of community reporting in action These awards recognise the achievements of projects like Community Online that have used media to promote a positive change in their local community. Whether it’s creating an online forum to connect local people or making a film to promote awareness of an issue, anyone can use the media for the good of their local community. I hope that the success of Community Online will inspire others in Shropshire to share their story and connect with the local community” To read the full press release download the attached PDF Media Trust Press Release.pdf

Just a quick news update to say to that Community Online will be available at the Weston Rhyn Youthclub Victorian Tea on Saturday 18th February. So if you have any questions or would like some advice this would be a great time to have a catch up. We will have a couple of computers there if people want a demonstration or need any help in signing up. Information about the Victorian Tea is in the calendar here.....

Winners of a personalised Community Online Mug are....... Smithy rachyowen Maggie Matt H Liam Hope Vuyo Madikezela Simple Simon Neo cazzie1dav Justin (Teddy) Cliffe RobGreene Shooting Folk Zoe B Well done!

What about having a go at clearing thecanal embankment slope on the Gledrid side of Avondale? Its a scrubby mess, and sycamores are growing up to hide the view. There is a seat there, but doubt you could see very much at present. Could this then be sowed with wildflower seeds? The brambles are choking out the rosebay willow herb which are very pretty where they flower. It would also be nice to put a planter or 2 alongside the canal in Chirk Bank.

Thank you to everybody at St Martins this afternoon for making us so welcome. We hope to be able to work together much more in the future.

We've recently awarded Community Chest grants to Fusion Arts Oswestry and The New Saints Community Foundation for summer holiday activities for young people in each of the villages of Gobowen, St Martins and Weston Rhyn. Starting from Saturday 18th July and running until the end of August. Full details on our website http://www.big-local.org/youthactivitiessummer2015-327

That's what we're hoping Maggie, however if anyone is struggling and would like to get to this one, get them to give me a shout. it would be a shame to miss out for the sake of coordinating a lift.

I may have some wonderful news for you, Rob: My spies have been out and they tell me that a meeting was held to discuss the old station and the possibility of turning it into a "community hub". I've been informed that representatives from Cambrian Railways, SCURA, Chirk Railway Station, Selattyn & Gobowen Parish Council and Shropshire Town & Rural Housing were in attendance. Apparently they discussed the possibility of relocating Gobowen library there, developing a café and waiting room, perhaps a ticket office...maybe even having a bridge to cross the line from one platform to the other. Those present think they can obtain the building without payment.

Saw this objection by Sue Cowley (Whittington Parish Clerk) in the 'Public Comments' section of the Application : Comment submitted date: Tue 11 Nov 2014 Members of Whittington Parish Council feel that this application should be deferred as there is not enough information to make a reasonable judgment on the impact to the quality and character of the countryside. There should have been public consultation meetings held in the parishes that are affected by this application. The meeting for Selattyn and Gobowen, the parish mainly affected by this application, is due on November, this should have been held before in this parish not St Martins. As Whittington is also affected this application should be deferred until a public meeting in the parish is arranged. Unfortunately, Sue has quoted the wrong date for the meeting which is why it is not shown above (to avoid any more confusion!) The Meeting is, of course, on the Thursday 20th November in the Pavilion at 7.00 pm Lets hope that the very least our Parish Councillors will do, is the same as Whittington.

Just seen the reports of the court case online. My take on the subject: If I lived in Gobowen I'd be very, very, wary of neighbours who are taking photos - covertly or otherwise. The reporting in both the publications I saw was somewhat misleading. Mainly in that the dog Little Boy was said in court to have "severe mange." Everyone saw the photos of Little Boy when he was being taken away from the house - does that look like a dog with "Severe Mange?" That dog was killed by the RSPCA. The report in the Daily Mail said the RSPCA inspector said they were barely recognisable as dogs. Well, it looks like a BORDER COLLIE to me. If an RSPCA inspector can't recognise this as a dog - then there is no hope. I know that many people in Gobowen will think the situation reflects badly on them - and it does. Because all it goes to show is that when people get old and when they have been independant and are losing that independance, all people do is criticise, judge, blame and attack. I have been to Gobowen and I kinda liked it. A small, close knit, supportive non-judgemental community. At least it was when I was there which was a long time ago. I'm sorry for all concerned. At every level this situation has highlighted the problems with today's culture and mentallity. What happened to a little bit of help is worth a lot of sympathy? We are getting to be a nation of old people - so remember, next time, it could be you. I wish the residents of Gobowen a peaceful future.

Brilliant archery session this morning - thanks to Nic Pickles and helpers. Sports hall tomorrow and Thursday at 10.00 - 12.00 followed by swimming at 2.00 both sessions £2. CIRCUS SKILLS FRIDAY 10.00 - 12.00. Ages 8+ FREE.

My daughter had a fab time on Wednesday, thank you. She's looking forward to Archery on Tuesday (and bringing a friend :) !!).

....and what about his poor old dog that was snatched away and then put down. How frightening was that! I cannot believe the autocratic way this has been performed. Why didn't anyone talk to the neighbours first about what was maybe needed? Don't RSPCA realise that there is a mutual relationship between owners and pets, usually based on love and respect on both sides. It's all well and good to sweep in with guns blazing when intentional cruelty occurs, but in many cases what is needed is support and help for the owners and animals, not this sort of shocking event. It's all one sided.

Hi Lee, I am a Unltd award winner, just now rolling out practical photography courses for beginners. Im trying to give people who find it hard to get time for themselves (carers) and the older members out there. new hobbies so that they can get out and enjoy new things. First course is being held in St Martins Centre starting Monday April the 8th 10-1pm. everyone welcome, bring your camera along or hire a dslr cmera to use, limited supply. 5 week block course, can guarantee it will be a fun and easy going course.

Well said that man! I know how hard the youth club committee, and Lee in particular, worked over the years to keep the youth club going, despite the lack of support from many in the village. I know how much work goes in to each application for funding, whether or not they are successful. No way is it 'just a couple of 18 year old girls' who are needed. Shropshire council do not give grants out for this sort of thing, other than via the LJC, which has supported the youth club in the past, but nowhere near the levels of funding needed to cover room hire (£1000 from Stute plus various amounts for supposed damage caused by the youth club), Insurances, activities etc etc. It is a bit late in the day for the Quinta to offer use of its facilities to the youth club, maybe this should have been done a few years ago; one costly problem in Weston Rhyn is that transport is needed to get young people to many activities because Weston Rhyn has few local facilities. Mr Bullen seems to have a very naive idea about what is needed to get a youth club running and even more naive idea that there is a plentiful supply of money sitting in 'the council' just waiting to be asked for... I wish! Many of us have supported the fundraising activities in the village over the years, such as a race night, Victorian Fair, etc etc. all of which have taken hours and hours of organizing. The youth club committee were very successful in getting grants too, But in the end it was all too much and the youth club folded this summer. It is my belief that if there had been more support from the village, and the Stute committee in particular, then we would still have a youth club, however, if Mr Bullen manages to get a youth club going again then I will also support his efforts via any fundraising activities etc he plans. Weston Rhyn village should support all its citizens, and that includes the sometimes stroppy teenagers. (I'd be more than stroppy if I was still young and stuck without transport with nothing to do in such an anti-youth village).

Motorcycles have been my passion for almost 40 years, yet I strongly doubt that a motorcross track, somewhere near Gobowen will have any impact on the current group that are using childrens offroad motorbikes illegally, dangerously and antisocially in the village now. They are also, in my opinion , unlikely to use any 'legitimate' track due to the likely restrictions of that kind of venture- not least of which will be the need to transport machines by some other means. One would like to think that it could be their fathers, but their influence is notable by its absence from my observation. However, if there really is sufficient demand, you will receive the support that you are going to need. I wish you well.

In coiffure and dress no women excel Those who in Oswalds’s city dwell. Adorned in Cheapside’s merchandise, Harmonious her citizens, and wise.” From ‘In Praise of Oswestry’ by Guto'r Glyn (transl DM Lloyd) In the 15th century one of the most well known Welsh poets was Guto’r Glyn. At that time poets were held in great esteem and received patronage from landowners and gentry. His poems are full of colourful descriptions of every day life and allow us modern readers to glimpse something of how things were in the medieval border towns and grand feudal estates. One of the most famous and complete poems is ‘In Praise of Oswestry’ and it is obvious that he knew the town and its inhabitants very well indeed. Guto’r Glyn’s fame is now being revived by a University of Wales project to reconstruct and compile a new, full collection of his surviving poetry, complete with English translations, and descriptions of Medieval life in the 15th century. This will be launched as an on-line resource in September 2012. Here are links to this project: http://www.wales.ac.uk/en/CentreforAdvancedWelshCelticStudies/ResearchProjects/CurrentProjects/Poetry and a call for papers for the project wind up conference http://www.wales.ac.uk/Resources/Documents/Centre/2012/Galwad-am-Bapurau-SaesnegMedi2012.pdf Guto’r Glyn wrote poems, cywyddau, that praised his patrons, and were written to be read or sung aloud. It is a fascinating insight into the northern borders of Wales and England that poems about Chester and Oswestry and Edward IV were written in Welsh, and that he was obviously a popular poet in an area where Welsh was common place. He describes fine living and feasts in lavish medieval homes, with a lot of interesting detail and lively descriptions which bring that world to life. Guto’r Glyn’s early life is not well known. He was born either in Glyn Ceiriog or Glyndyfrdwy sometime beween 1412 and 1420. He was brought up in the Ceiriog and was obviously a local boy. He was already well known as a poet by the 1430’s. He was large, black haired and bearded and was from a farming community and once lost some sheep whilst working as a drover and was then accused of selling them in Oswestry. In 1441 he enlisted and fought on the Yorkists side during the War of the Roses. He fought in France too. In later years he went bald and then blind and lived out his final years in Valle Crucis abbey in Llangollen, dying in about 1493 A fuller description is on Wikipedia, with references. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guto'r_Glyn and here on National Library of Wales site http://wbo.llgc.org.uk/en/s-GUTO-GLY-1440.html There is a book about his life: Rees, E. A life of Guto'r Glyn, Y Lolfa, 2008, pp.19-20, which is still in print. I really like his poem about Oswestry and look forward to a new version when the Guto’r Glyn project is launched. I love the bits about fine wine shops and good beer, and well dressed ladies… Nothing’s changed then! Derek Williams from Oswestry Library gave me a photocopy of a translation of ‘In Praise of Oswestry’ done by DM Lloyd. It's from A Book of Wales edited by D.M. and E.M. Lloyd (Collins, 1953). I have typed it out again and here it is in full. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. In Praise of Oswestry Guto’r Glyn c.1412- c.1493 Transl from Welsh by D.M.Lloyd Hill-countryman in younger days, Now with grey hairs I’ve changed my ways; My faltering steps prefer the town, Within its walls I’ll settle down, My jaded stomach milk will scorn, And calls for physic night and morn, A wandering poet near life’s goal Prefers his flask and pewter bowl, Warmth and comfort and friendly cheer, Fresh meat, white flour, and good beer. The timbered homes of lowland lea Restore my health like the green tree, Hence the home which shall be mine In Marchland where are mead and wine; Generous and true, a friendly town, Gracious, gifted, of high renown; The castle with its curtain wall Famed far as Rome above them all: Oswald’s town, where Christ is loved, To the conqueror a treasure proved. The London of our Owain’s land, With orchards rich and wine-shops grand, A school that’s free, and of wide fame, The town of preachers of good name; In a temple rich the Host they raise- Men in grammar and metrics beyond praise, A church supreme, and jewelled chalice, Clear bells, and an organ in God’s palace, A tuneful choir-a well-trained band, Vestments famed throughout the land; Where find you clergy as good and bright As they who serve in that temple white? In coiffure and dress no women excel Those who in Oswalds’s city dwell. Adorned in Cheapside’s merchandise, Harmonious her citizens, and wise. A tall Earl rules that city bright, An Earl who is England’s proud delight; May God in his grace preserve him long To maintain his rule, a guardian strong Over commons and yeomen proud and free, And citizens too of higher degree. Among these men I too, would stay As one of them to live my day. My muse to leave this town no more Would strive than the sea to leave the shore. Long wedded here, a burgess am I, To whom should I pay my fee, should I try? May Oswald’s citizens hold their hand Till hair on my head again will stand! If suddenly I’m called five pounds to pay, My fellows will aid me without delay. Among gracious folk whose hearts were true, Owain Waed Da was a burgess too; He had only to sing among his friends To gain his greatly coveted ends. The privilege I seek is what came his way, My burgess rights let none gainstay! A cowyth I offer, a song in court- Good poetry avoids great hurt. The muse’s solace is a gift more blest Than a noble of gold in the city chest; More lasting than gold, of greater fame, As Welshmen have sung, is our good name. To my fellow-townsmen sing then will I And my welcome will hold until I die: No more will I wander without consent To offer my song where once I went.

speeding through Gobowen past the playing fields and also past the school on the old A5 is a problem. as for parking on the st Martins road out side the Chapel, the gates are left open on the playing field car park with more than ample parking, but having said that parking outside the chapel does slow the traffic down, but is also dangerous.The ball being kicked out of the MUGA on to the the road outside the playing as caused a few near misses.

Don't you think that hobbits probably live down in the little nooks and crannies in Glyn Morlas? Bugger otters, I'm always on the look out for hairy feet when I'm along the Ceiriog. (after all Morda is only the other side of Oswestry)

3PYA are running a FREE sports/activity day at Rhyn Park Sports Hall on Saturday 10th March from 1pm until 4pm. It is aimed at all youth aged 10 and above within the parishes of Weston Rhyn, St.Martins, Gobowen and Selattyn. There will be a wide range of activities for all abilities and should be lots of fun. Refreshments will be available. The event will be run by Jamie Stafford and supported by youth leaders from Weston Rhyn, St.Martins and Gobowen. If you need assistance with transport please contact your youth leaders or call 07582002023

A huge thanks to everyone who came to the Racenight, sponsored races or donated raffle prizes. It was a huge success and hopefully everyone had a great time. We raised an amazing £1100 for the Youthclub, as well as £120 for Cancer Research UK from the raffle. :D

craigemery...... maybe, just maybe, this forum will get like minded people together to organise some of the events you mention. It appears to me that there are a lot of people who say, I miss or I wish we had... and if they got together then we could put all these events back on.

It's really good to be the first on to post a message on this part of the Community Chat site. I want to say to my fellow residents in St Martins what a wonderful place to live and can I ask anyone who loves living here, join this topic and post their views on what it is they find particualy good about living in this village. You could also share the thing that you think might improve the village. Come on, have your say, you never know you might make a difference!

Have you seen the latest!! BT (openreach) - regarding providing a broadband connection to the site, are "looking at having the work complete by no later than 30/06/2017. We will provide you with progress updates as the job progresses." No-one will bet on this happening! Based on their performance to date! Nick Willians (Berry's) now says that " the mast and related foundations will be removed from the site prior to 12th October 2017 regardless of whether a fiber connection is on site or not.." It, therefore, begs the question why put it up in the first place??? Why did they seem so dependent on BT providing a connection in the first place???

Reading the agenda for tomorrow's Council Meeting , the chairman is only allowing 15 mins. for Public participation!! Shame really,This project that will have such a detrimental effect on our precious countryside. Surely it would be courteous to allow the public more that 15 minutes to voice their opinion!

Focus Weston Rhyn is now getting ready to roll. Interest has been good. Our main publicity leaflet will be in local venues [shops, pubs] this week and go in the September Wren which will start being distributed in about 10 days time. There is one significant mistake in the leaflet. The Watercolour Painting Group meets on Tuesday morning [not Monday]. It will be great if loads of people make the effort to join in by competing in the shows. We are trying to move on just a little from the traditional show and tap into the media interest in being creative - things like Bake-Off, etc We hope that this will catch the imagination of people would not have participated before. It will be good also if the existing village organisations are able to use the week to attract new members. We can but try - Thanks to everyone that is already getting stuck in. As a result there's a lot to see especially on Saturday afternoon - well worth turning out for. We could do with a bit more help, especially on the day: Saturday 12th. Please contact Pam Manley [774170] or myself if you could spare an hour or two: for example we need people to take a shift on selling raffle tickets and a few people to do a hour or so stewarding. See also Focus Weston Rhyn on Facebook for the programme and publication earlier in the year of the schedules for the shows if have lost yours.

Fusion Arts and New Saints Community Foundation have worked with Three Parishes Big Local to plan a program of taster activities in all 3 villages over the summer. Each village will receive about 8 hours of activities a week over the school break, with sessions on Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat afternoons.

Agenda for meeting 11 March 2015 SAG PC Agenda 11-03-2015.pdf

Here is an interesting article from the Guardian: Magazine column by heir calls for people to value ‘landscapes, farmers, villages and pubs’ or risk losing them Press Association Wednesday 12 November 2014 theguardian.com http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/nov/12/prince-charles-says-peoples-connection-with-countryside-is-dying ----

Community Meals is a project coordinated by local volunteers and Selattyn & Gobowen Parish Council where they are able to offer the delivery of a hot meal to residents from Selattyn, Hengoed, Gobowen and Whittington Parishes who may be in need of it. More information is available in the attached poster, which can also be printed to promote the project - Wheels.pdf The project is also looking for volunteers to help deliver this service - more information in the attached poster - Volunteer poster.pdf

Please follow 3PBigLocal on Facebook.

As chairman of the Greenroom and also chairperson of the playing field committee,I'm baffled how no one as contacted me,and the first I hear that there is a problem, is on this forum,if i had been informed early I know the organisers of the Graham Edwards Memorial, would have cleared the room for this event,

I have just had a thought about this...... It's Community Online's 2nd Birthday on the 12th of October and I was planning a little event to mark the occasion. It would be open to anyone who wants to come along..... but what if we specifically put out an invite to UnLtd and the projects it has supported in the area? Maybe people could do a little presentation to showcase what they have been doing, and possibly and opportunity to discuss any future ideas of support/funding. It would also be an opportunity to put names to faces, meet and greet etc.

"Betty's Coffee Shop" is, I think, a chain whereas the one in Gobowen is just a name. I think they have been "advised" to rename the cafe. I think "Twmpath Tearoom" would suit it.

I can tell you that this year the pavilion in Gobowen was used for 2 children's parties because it was large enough, heated, has a car park, a kitchen and some toilets. One of the parents expressed in interested in using the building for a late night booking (10om to 2pm) for an event involving alcohol, but the council wouldn't allow it because they don't have a licence. The institute is a much larger building with more facilities. Would a late night party disturb in the main hall local residents? Is there anywhere else in WR that could hold this type of event?

The Green Room are doing Extra holiday sessions 2.30 -5.30 at the pavilion this Thursday and next Thursday ( 4th and 11th ) We will be doing indoor sports and weather permitting outdoor activities or just come and chill. All are welcome

You know the old saying "Money always goes to money" it should be sustainable but not if it never reaches or helps the people it was intended for !

I attended the consultation last night. This is what it was all about: Oswestry Town had applied for support from the Mary Portas review of town centres but was unsuccessful, however, they have managed to get £10,000 to improve the town centre. The idea was to put in place a "Town Team" to identify "what suits Oswestry". The scheme was a joint economic venture between Shropshire Council (they were in suits), Oswestry Town Council and Oswestry Chamber of Commerce. However, funding streams are more available to community bodies rather than local authorities, so part of the consultation concentrated on how to get different groups talking to each other, forming connections and generating ideas. I might have mentioned Community Online as an example of a forum linking up three villages that share ideas and get individuals and groups talking to each other, and it was taken on board as an option. Someone did mention that "not everyone is online" and another said any new forum should be part of the Oswestry Town Council website (did I mention there were a lot of town councillors present?). "Project North" was presented by Stewart Thomas, Planning Manager of Shropshire Council. He mention trying to get groups communicating with each other, talking to the owners of unused shops but not trying to impose development. Kate Garner of Shropshire Council set a number of quetions for attendees to answer that would give them some pointers as to how the £10,000 should be spent: How can we improve communication (between individuals and groups - should it be virtual or hardcopy?) and be inclusive? How do we promote and develop the town as a whole place (what is its USP)? What do we need as far as street scape (pedestrian/car/cycle) is concerned? How will it be managed? I heard someone mention that street furniture should be cleaned or removed. I must say I couldn't help mentioning the traffic free route a couple of times. The results of the Oswestry2020 consultation won't be made available until April. It was a good opportunity to do some networking, but I do feel that £10,000 isn't going to make a big difference to the town, and I do get frustrated with people who talk down the internet as a tool for consultation (and even actual physical change)...sheesh! The new Centre in Oak Street (replacing the old North West Centre) is very impressive, but there is a design fault: The building is one of these fashionable glass structures letting in plenty of natural light from street level windows, and during some presentations some kids outside thought it would be fun to tap on the windows constantly. Notes to architect: FUNCTION FIRST, design second.

Just a quick message to say that the Friends and Users of Weston Rhyn Institute Meeting has been rescheduled for 31st January at 7.30pm Hopefully some snow will have cleared by then. There is also an event posted in the calendar as a reminder See you there :)

I applaud you sophsmiler for what you are trying to do, in fact I sent you a link to a possible source of funding, however only yesterday I had a very similar experience to Shelley and very nearly had a head on collision on the same estate with TWO bikes on the wrong side of the road, niether wearing helmets. I'm sure it's the minority that tarnish the reputation of the majority, but it is a very regular issue on this estate, which I am finding increasingly frustrating :(

Looks like someone else has decided to join the forum and message everyone. They have already been deleted. As before do not send an email to the member.

Something to be placed into the old kebab house as it looks terrible!

Just to make people aware a new Fruit and Veg shop has opened in the village called 5 ways. Located on the whittington road just off the round about (opposite Jardine Lesiure). Definitly worth a visit!!!.

in my opinion walking a dog is one of the simplest and most rewarding pleasures modern life has to offer. It helps to strengthen the bond between you and your canine companion and it helps to keep you both fit and healthy. Once dog walking was a simple pleasure.you could just take your dog out and walk along the streets and across the fields without a care in the world, he does his business, barks at a cat or two along the way and you come home. no fuss. Today however, as our society becomes more and more complex, even dog walking has earned its own set of rules. Before you take off into the rural jungle with your four-legged friend, it’s a good idea to arm yourself with a lead and supply of doggie bags. Dog fouling is a serious problem in Gobowen. As it is in the country as a whole we are nation of dog lovers there are a reported 8 million dogs in the UK and they produce thousands of tonnes of faeces every day. Excuse Me, Did You Drop Something? Not only does dog muck make the village look unsightly and causes a bad smell people can tread in it and walk it into their homes and in to local shops and public buildings, it is also a public health risk. If dogs are not treated regularly they can carry a worm called Toxocara (roundworm) which can be deposited in there faeces.Humans can get infected by faeces carrying the eggs, through soil or sand contamination the parasite can last up to two years in soil or sand even after the faeces has degraded. Infection can last between 6 and 24 months ,children between 18 months and 5 years old are Most at risk but it as also been reported in adults, this infection can cause blindness abdominal pain, coughs, headaches and shortness of breath. It is not dangerous to clean up after your dog you will not be infected by the Toxocara eggs as they are not infectious until they embryonate. This occurs at least 2 - 3 weeks after they have been deposited by your dog. Most dog walkers are responable and clear there dog mess up but a lot don’t. The best way to clear up after you dog is to use your plastic bag Invert the bag over your hand, so you can pick up your dog's droppings without touching anything directly fold the bag back seal it and toss it in a bin or take it home with you Enjoy your walk be courteous and safe!.