The Editorial Team Maxine Palmer - Sean Clarke - Wally Wilton - David Burton - Lesley Pugh - Euan Stevenson Our reporters cannot be everywhere. EMAIL YOUR STORIES TO EDITOR@OVERTON-ON-DEE.CO.UK
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Jesus
Saves but Elvis converts!
I’ve never liked Elvis. In fact I’ve been cultivating an unhealthy hatred of the ‘King’, for many years now. I know I am in the minority and that millions of people the world over still love him, but I’m not one of them. What psychological damage did I suffer as a child? Why have I shunned the artist who has influenced modern music more than Bernie Eccleston on Formula One. How are Everton fourth in the Premiership?..... Who knows? Due
to a series of complicated circumstances I found myself in Overton
Recreational Club on Saturday 12th March armed with a camera and
expecting to experience/ endure / enthuse over, (select your preference)
an evening with Elvis. Enter stage left - Shayne Prince, relative newcomer to full time entertainment as a profession (eight months), and dressed conspicuously in non-jump suit apparel. Introducing himself as an Elvis tribute, as opposed to an impersonator, Shayne kicks off his set with ‘Don’t be Cruel’. At this point I wondered if he sidelined in fortune telling. He worked through his repertoire of Elvis classics ranging from 1954 –1976 and I was defeated. Talent and Integrity in abundance—I had no chance. By the second half there was an outbreak of spontaneous dancing and Shayne was belting out ‘Viva Las Vegas’ surrounded by a decent sized gyrating throng. Even I enjoyed it. Catching a few words with the Welshpool based artiste, he explained that Elvis’ songs suited his vocal and that there was a big demand for that particular genre. The locals certainly appreciated his efforts. I may not be booking a trip to Graceland just yet but I would watch him again and although it pains me to say, thoroughly enjoyed his performance.
At the March meeting Councillors were introduced to Alan Foulkes who is to join the Community Council. Alan and his wife Sue have lived in the Knolton area for 13 years, they have two sons and three grandchildren. At present Alan works for Wrexham County Borough Council but is due to retire in June and that prompted him to consider joining the Council. “I very much enjoy living in Overton, I think it is a great village and look forward to serving its residents.” The Community Council recognises that Alan’s background will be a valuable asset and look forward to working with him. COUNTRY
BEAT
Overton Medical Practice News Our new environment feels very much like home. There is a book for comments on the reception desk and everyone seems really impressed with the new surgery. . Thank you for your comments we do appreciate feed back from our patients. We have taken note of all the comments and the raised kerb on the first parking bay at the front of the building, which has caused some problems, will be taken care of as soon as possible. There is still the spacious car park behind the surgery, the Portakabin has been removed and the contractor is returning to improve the pathway and erect clear signs to the front of the building. A statistic that might surprise patients is that since the beginning of November 2004 until end of February 2005, we had 123 lost appointments because the patient did not attend. We know it is sometimes difficult to get in to see the Doctor, so you can imagine our frustration when appointments are missed. Please let us know if you are unable to keep your appointment in order that someone else has the opportunity to take it. The school nurse, district nurses and health visitor, based at the Overton Medical Practice are having a number of health events. Leaflets will be displayed in their section of the building. Events being held in April are 11th – 17th April Parkinson Awareness week. The week after is National Depression Week April 18th - 24th. Bowling
News The Bowling Club, following a very successful season in 2004, is confident of even greater success this season. We have entered six teams (including two Veterans teams) in the Oswestry League and look forward to the start of the season on 12th April 2005. The green was reopened on Easter Sunday and we are delighted that the Club continues to attract an increasing number of new members and in fact, we are now very close to optimum membership of 60. Would all members kindly note that any outstanding membership subscriptions should be paid by 31st March 2005. Overton Recreational Club Responds to Global disaster A recent raffle and Dutch auction held at the club in aid of the Tsunami Disaster Appeal raised £620.00 a cheque for this amount has been sent to the Appeal Fund.The Committee would like to thank Doreen Hamlington and Cynthia Davies for running the Raffle and members who gave generously to the cause. Thanks also to all members who donated prizes. A very successful outcome for a worthy cause. KID'S
COLUMN Just
a little note ….Hola all! I hope you are all doing okay.
I would like to thank Heather and Lesley Davies for there awesome pics and jokes =) I am hoping to get the same great input next month. Bye for now Lela Nightingale House Hospice Don't forget! You can still get your Calendars from the Corner Shop and the Londis! They only cost one pound, and all the money goes to the charity. Come on, its for a good cause! Brain Teaser
RIDDLE 1 RIDDLE
2 If you have any idea what the answer is, please e-mail me at: info@overton-on-dee.co.uk or drop the answer through my door. If you got it right, I will print your name and age in next months issue! Last
months Answer Jokes!
Why did the woman, take a loaf of hay to bed with her? What
do you get if you pour hot water down a rabbit hole? What
do you call a woman with two toilets on her head? Jokes by Heather Davies Age 11
Now
that summer evenings are on the way - Anyone for Tennis ?
Overton Tennis Club, which has been in existence for over 20 years
( founded by Jenny and Stuart Horton ) continues to thrive. 2004
was an important year for the club, because two of the three tennis
courts were re-surfaced to produce courts which not only are pleasing
to the eye, but which are excellent to play on. The club enters 3 teams in the Cheshire Summer Leagues. There are two “Mixed Teams” and a ladies team. A “Mixed Team” also competes in the Brymbo Winter League. For more than 10 years the Overton Club has been competing well against some big clubs e.g. Chester, Wrexham, Hooton, Cheshire Oaks, which can have as many as 10 times the number of members as Overton. For many years Overton has done really well, progressing from the fourth Division all the way to the First Division. Last year, however, was a setback in terms of results, with relegation back to the lower leagues. Unperturbed, the Overton teams are preparing to “do battle” again, the summer season running from the end of April through to August. “Club
Nights” have proved difficult to organize, due to the club
players commitment to league tennis, but this year the committee
are hoping to organise some “American” tournaments
on Sunday afternoons. Having
spent all our funds on re-furbishing the courts, the club is also
planning the odd fund raising function.
Dear Editor ... I think the Village in Bloom competition is an excellent idea. Since the Best Kept Village Competition has finished there has been nothing for the people of the village to feel motivated over, so perhaps a village in bloom competition is the thing to do. It's a way of showing to people what a lovely village we live in and to show how proud we are of our village. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the team on an excellent production. It is really nice to have an oracle that keeps informed and up to date with what's happening in and around our Village. So
come on people of Overton if you've got any events coming up,
any views or ideas on anything, then why not share and air them
in the Oracle lets keep the Oracle news, local news. Dear
Editor... Dear
Editor ... Memorable
Day Out Film
Club (Adults only)
The ladies, who all knew each other
Among the throng of friendly faces
Out we trooped with all our clutter
At last, the film. A charming tale
When I think I could've been famous,
I've suddenly become old overnight,
I've now put on that much weight,
And when it comes to public loos, So
when I need to go to town, Seems
anything now gets me down, And
you know when you we're in your teens, Me
knees begin to creek, And
forgetful? Well I go upstairs, So,
a warning to any of you, If you enjoyed this then you can see further examples of her work by visiting www.harriethobbs.co.uk Wartime
Memories 61 years ago I volunteered to join the W.R.N.S, the Womens Branch of the Royal Navy. I had just left school, having had a strict and sheltered up bringing and my experience of worldly ways was nil. When I told my grandmother what I had done, she said “I'm so glad darling, every sailor is a perfect gentleman” These inspiring words were somewhat tempered by the more practical ones from my Mother. “Even if you don't like it, you must stick it out as you won't get a ration book if you run away.” So on 5th April 1944 I departed for the initial 3 weeks training on a camp on the shores of Loch Lomond. This was strict, things were done on the double, floors scrubbed and rescrubbed, regular checks for head lice and learning to tolerate the unpleasant catering arrangements. At the end of 3 weeks we were officially signed on and I became WREN No76132 and was told I would train as an Armourer Air Mechanic in the Fleet Air Arm. This involved a 5-month training at a remote Naval establishment in Staffordshire called H.M.S Eagle. We learned about the intricacies of various weapons and how to service them and I enjoyed the ordered routine, it was like being at school. Having completed the course, we were despatched to our Fleet Air Arm status. Mine was Donibristle on the shores of the Firth of Forth, a vast complex, with all the hangers and different departments widely dispersed in case of a bombing attack. The WRNS were housed in an old shooting lodge in the hills behind camp, transported by lorry to and from the camp. Unfortunately I damaged my thumb on the journey up north and was unable to start work for 10 days, which proved to be the first step down a slippery slope of trouble. Eventually I got my orders to join Squadron 14 on the parade ground at 8am the following morning, so set off carrying my heavy tool chest, my bell bottom trousers flapping wetly round my feet. I finally found Squadron 14 and got a very cool reception from R.A.F Sergeant Robinson who clearly did not welcome a female in his ranks. The order came to march off and he ungraciously pushed me into a space and off we went, finally arriving at a collection of large packing crates one of which had Uncles Joe's Snack Shack chalked over the door. We all piled in and I saw by the light of a few candles stuck in bottles that I was the only female in a group of about 20 men, headed by the hostile Sergeant Robinson. I must have seemed like a creature from outer space with my attempts of polite conversation not made easier by the fact that they spoke unintelligible Glaswegian. Quite soon, Sergeant R solved the problem of my presence by sending me on a variety of missions designed to fill my day. Sometimes these were genuine, sometimes classic leg pullers, but always accompanied by the threat that if I didn't fulfil the orders there would be BIG TROUBLE. It was most exhausting. Hours were spent trailing after red oil for port lights, bottles to keep mag drops in, matchboxes for air screws (slang for propellers), keys for Davy Jones Locker and many others, culminating one snowy day in an urgent demand for a “long weight / wait” I imagined a sort of clock weight and set off, but the weather deteriorated and I decided I would go straight to the Main Stores rather than take the endless routes ordered by Serg. R. I knocked on the Commander's door he was charming and smiled when I said I'd come for a long weight/wait. After about ¼ hour nothing happened, so feeling ominously tearful, I asked about the weight/wait, he said “you've been sitting there for ¼ hour. I think that's enough, don't you? The humiliation of it all…....Part two of Mary's story will feature next month ……….... Welcome to a community project with a difference - We're NOT after your money! We would like to launch a new project to promote all aspects of village life and to bring the community together in an annual event: a VILLAGE FETE. This will raise awareness of the diverse facilities, clubs, businesses, and projects which exist within our village and the neighbourhood / surrounding area, and provide a fun day out for everyone in the village. There is also funding available for attractions such as a band, a bouncy castle, etc. Our fete will be a fete with a difference, in that instead of one group within the village running it to raise funds for their needs, it will be a community project, involving everyone. Every single club / business / organisation / church is invited to participate. This could involve either running a stall, (the profits of which would be for the business, group, club or any chosen charity), or displaying a stand / promotion table simply setting out who they are, what they do, when they do it and how to join. Our village offers a huge wealth of opportunities and facilities, and a community fete is the ideal way to promote them. But we can't do it on our own! The provisional date is the last Saturday in June (Saturday 25th June 2005). This
letter is only the first step in the process, which is to see
if enough people are interested to make this fete happen. If you
are interested in taking part and If you would like to know more
about this exciting venture, please call either: Overton
Then and Now
Here’s our High Street in 1915 and 2005. Ninety years do
not seem to have had much impact on the architecture but there
has been something of a change when it comes to traffic! The wide
street was originally designed to accommodate four annual fairs
and a Wednesday market which were granted to the village in 1279.
The September Fair ran for five days
A group of familiar figures posing for the camera on the 26th June 1995 as they make their way to Bangor. Most of us will recall what a wonderful summer we had that year when the Club managed a ramble every Monday evening.
Longest
Golf Day Challenge… Some of you may remember 3 years ago, yes, 3 years ago (with the aid of 23 others) I set about on the “Longest Day Golf Challenge” in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief when we managed to raise in excess of £6,500. Well this year I am going to attempt it again and I'd like to better that sum (hopefully with 26 others this time) and at the end of it all I hope to organise a barbeque and Charity auction (all welcome). It is be held on the 17th July 2005 at the Vale of Llangollen golf club. Any one who is interested in donating any prizes, sponsoring me or indeed any suggestions please do not hesitate to contact me on 01978 710582.
The last concert of the season, held the Maelor School, Penley on Wednesday the 16th of March, was a triumph in every sense. From the outset, it was clear to an enraptured audience that we were in the presence of young people with outstanding talent. Their ages ranged from fifteen to seventeen. The String Quartet, played pieces from Haydyn and Beethoven superbly, with great feeling, discipline and sensitivity. Leading up to the interval the piano solo, took our breath away. Playing the Chopin sonata, Opus 58, the soloist, aged seventeen, brought such energy and vibrancy to this varied and technically exacting work that the audience was left spell bound. In thanking the students, the Vice President, Mrs Blanche Bird, summed up the feelings of the audience when she spoke of the excellence achieved by these young people through the powerful combination of their talent, determination to succeed, self discipline and high standards of teaching. The Maelor Music Society organises a varied programme of evening recitals and social events every season. As part of that, close links have developed with Cheltam's School of Music in Manchester, through concerts over the years. Long may this continue. The students were a joy to listen to and are splendid ambassadors for the school. 80 years celebrated….On Thursday 17th March 2005 Overton WI celebrated their 80th birthday. This was in the form of a dinner to which husbands and friends were invited together with members of the WI's from Erbistock, Penley, Criftins and Lyneal-cum-Colmere. Memoribillia of previous events was on show bringing back many memories. 65 people sat down to an excellent meal catered and served by Walton's of Bronnington during which gentle background music was played, this being in the charge of James Glover and Llewlyn Kember- many thanks to both for their time. Graham Watts, whom many in the village will remember and Glenys Wheeler from Criftins thanked Overton WI for inviting them and for a lovely evening. Two long serving members who had joined Overton WI 57 Years ago played a part in the proceedings-Mary Willliams made the cake and Betty Williams (whose actual anniversary of joining was the 17th of March) cut the cake. Doreen Walker, President, struggling with a croaky voice, thanked all those who had helped and for everyone's presence which contributed to a good evening. The proceedings finished with a short entertainment given by local talent-Joanne Kember performing Joyce Grenfell's “Flowers” Nursery sketch; Jean and David Hughes in “Goodness Gracious Me” and Susan Woods, a new member, rendering her own Pam Ayres style poetry.
The Fatal Shot Wrexham Science Festival has been going for eight years now and has increased in stature each year so that it now attracts high quality speakers from all over the country. Adam Hart Davies was this year's high profile speaker, but illness prevented him from speaking and his replacement was the equally high profile Dan Cruickshank. The festival has spread into every corner of the County Borough, even to Overton. On Monday 14th March, retired consultant surgeon from the Maelor Hospital, Mr Crumplin addressed a good crowd in St. Mary's Church on the subject of Vice-Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson and his death on the deck of HMS Victory at the battle of Trafalgar, 200 years ago this year. The Rector, the Reverend David Lewis who welcomed everyone to St Mary's introduced the talk. Mr Crumplin is an acknowledged expert on the Napoleonic era and well qualified to give an insight into the life and death of Nelson. Using a PowerPoint slide presentation he traced his early career and rapid rise through the ranks. Those of you who have read C S Forrester, Alexander Kent or Patrick O'Brien would have recognised many of the exploits of Nelson lifted from his life and transposed into the almost unbelievable events in the lives of their heroes. We were told of his marriage to Frances and his fateful meeting with Emma Hart, before she married Sir William Hamilton, before moving on to the battle itself. He told us of the hours before the two fleets met as the English fleet turned and split into two columns. How Collingwood in the Royal Sovereign struck the opposing line; Nelson ordering Captain Harvey in the Temeraire back so that Victory would hit first. The next images were of Victory in the thick of things alongside the French flagship Buccentaure and the Redoubtable followed by a vivid description of Nelson's death. It is believed that the fatal shot came from sharpshooters in the crosstrees of the Redoubtable, which entered Nelson's body from the left side, went down through his chest cavity, broke two ribs, pierced the bottom of one lung, broke his back and lodged in the muscles of his lower back. Nelson, when he fell, said that his back had been broken, a fact confirmed by Beatty, the ship's surgeon. Mr Crumplin demonstrated the path of the shot with graphic pictures of Nelson's anatomy as only a surgeon could. He told us how Nelson was carried below and lived long enough to know he had won a great victory. His famous last words “Kiss me Hardy” were explained. Men in those days were far more demonstrative than today and kissing each other on the cheek was quite normal. As the talk came to an end Mr Crumplin told us that the music playing as we had entered the church was the same music played as mourners entered St Paul's Cathedral for the burial of Lord Nelson in December 1805. And so the talk ended with a feeling that it had been too short, one wanted to know more. There was a display of some of Mr Crumplin's treasures of the time of Nelson, including several sets of surgeon's tools, a cannonball, a piece of the Victory's timber and a piece of one of her sails. Care Standards Inspectorate praise for St. Mary's Overton St. Mary's 'Before and After School Club' underwent their annual inspection from C.S.i.W. recently. The Inspector Mrs Lesley Roberts praised the club and the way it is run, and complimented the staff on how happy and well behaved the children were. Summing up her findings, Mrs Roberts proclaimed, “it is evident at this inspection that the service continues to be providing children with a broad range of social and leisure opportunities. The staff remain committed to ensuring that the service appears to be of a good quality”. |
