OVERTON ORACLE
Overtons Free Newspaper - issued monthly to over 600 homes in Overton
August 2001
The Editorial Team Alan Edwards - David Burton - Ken Farrell - Lesley Pugh - Christine Stead Our reporters cannot be everywhere. If you have a story contact any team member or ring 01978 710422 |
Overton extends the hand of friendship Overton extended the hand of friendship to a Folk Dance Group from Brittany during the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod which took place from 2nd - 8th July, attracting entries from over 50 countries. Includes Photographs |
Overton Scout Leader Honoured Scout Leader David Burton has been awarded the Scout Association's Medal of Merit for his service to Overton Scout Group. David who has been involved with the Group for 19 years has served as Group Chairman, Group Scout Leader, Scout Leader and Venture Scout Leader and has helped many Scouts from Overton and Bangor achieve their Chief Scouts and Queen Scouts Awards as well as Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards. During this time Overton has gained a reputation for sending Scouts off to foreign countries on Jamborees and Explorer Belt expeditions. Includes Photograph |
Dee House runs away with the Cup The Captain of Dee House at St Mary's School, Overton was presented with the House Cup at the School Sports Day on the 6th June. Riccardo De Rosa, aged 11, who was presented with the cup by teacher Sandra Jones, was also awarded the Boys' Medal for winning the most races. He is pictured here with Lucy England, aged 11 who was awarded the Girls' Medal for the most races won during the afternoon. |
Community Council asked to call a public meeting At a recent meeting of the Community Council, a request for a public meeting to discuss the wider aspects of public disorder was received from a local sports club. This resulted from an extra-ordinary meeting of the club when the question of the unruly behaviour by some youths was discussed. The club felt that the problems went beyond the remit of the meeting, and called for the Overton Community Council to hold a public meeting in an attempt to find a solution to the "very serious problem of youth behaviour throughout the village". |
Experiences of a lifetime travelling on Magical Mystery Cruises as a Cruise/Dance Host By Barrie Cornes Last month I told you how I became a Cruise/Dance Host on Cruise Ships and in this edition I will try to give you a taste of what my duties entail, a little description of the places I have already visited and what the future cruises hold for me. Includes Photograph |
Photograph with the Famous This month we feature Alan Edwards who, as the Chairman of the Community Council, had the honour to present Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with a copy of the Overton Charter during the Queen's visit to Overton on 10th July 1992. |
Au Revoir but definitely not Goodbye! By David Burton I met with Doctors Turkie and Pack, Peter and Helen, to talk to them about their retirement from Overton Practice and their decision to relocate to France next year; and found two people reluctant to leave, humbled by all our good wishes and excited by the prospect of their adventure. Includes Photograph |
Confusion over funding By Barbara Watkin Many will have seen the term "Supported by the Community Fund" which appears on Village Hall notices, and which is also repeated on our letterheads and accounts, etc. This is a requirement of the National Lotteries Charities Board which recently awarded a grant for the recent alterations and extension. To avoid any confusion, this fund is in no way related to Overton Community Council. |
Bark, bark and yet more bark! No not the noise a dog makes, but the ever so huge pile of bark that was donated by Roundafencing (Lightwood Green) for the Infant swings at the Wrexham Road playing field. It was late on a Friday afternoon when a huge lorry appeared and dropped over 10 cubic metres of bark chippings on the car park . This then had to be spread straight away as safety surfacing to the newly erected swings, thus completing the final phase of the redevelopment of the play area, a facility admired far and wide. Alan Edwards, Clerk to the Community Council said: "I would like to thank the young people of Overton Youth Club, members of the Youth Advisory Committee and other young helpers who together took over two hours to help me move the bark, which they did with great willingness and enthusiasm. It was good to see them getting involved, and I really appreciated their help." |
Local Council condemns use of weedkiller Overton Community Council has condemned the indiscriminate use of weedkiller on highway verges throughout the area, following a high number of complaints received. Even privately owned verges had been sprayed as part of an overall cost-cutting exercise by Wrexham County Borough Council. Members were appalled to find that the work had been carried out without any prior consultation and consider the effect to be environmentally unacceptable. A strong letter of complaint has been sent to Mr John Bradbury, Wrexham's Chief Public Protection Officer. |
French exchange to La Murette Sixteen members of Overton's Twinning Association, including 6 children flew out to La Murette on the 22nd July to take part in the biennial exchange between the two communities. The programme for the week includes a trip to an adventure park, a tour of Lyon, barbeques, swimming, windsurfing and gentle mountain walks. More news next month. |
Gremlins attack Big Cat Story The Gremlins were out and about again in the last issue. Three very important words went missing from the final paragraph of the Big Cat story. The last line should have read: Mervyn said: "I know some people disbelieve me, but I know what I saw" Mervyn's story raised a few interesting responses, not least from Dr Keith Nicholson of Erbistock, who, while walking his dogs recently, noticed some big claw marks on trees close to the River Dee. Dr Nicholson said: "No way were these made by a feral cat. This was some big animal that had ripped about nine inches of bark off the trees." A further sighting of a Puma has also been made near Bangor on Dee. |
Is there a branch of the family tree in Overton? Two messages have been left on the Overton web site (www.overton-on-dee.co.uk) for any information which can help trace a family tree. One is from John Wilson who is tracing his family history. His research has taken him to a Charles Wilson, born in Overton in 1781. He married Sarah Jones in 1806 and their son Charles was born in 1835. He married Elizabeth and gave birth to John's Great Grandfather, George Henry Wilson in Liverpool in 1874. The second comes from Hilary Harrison who used to visit her Grandmother's sister Gertie in the early fifties when she was aged 10. Her maiden name was Reeves and she knows she had a nephew called George Reeves. Hilary would like to know if there are any relatives still in the area. Editor's comment: If you have any information in relation to the above requests, please contact the Editor at info@overton-on-dee.co.uk and I will either pass on the information or make the link for you. |
Overton Thursday Club celebrates its Silver Anniversary Overton Thursday Club celebrated its Silver Anniversary with a special meeting on Thursday 14th June at the Catholic Hall, Wrexham Road. Mrs Rose Woodfine (pictured above) was given the honour of cutting the 25th Birthday cake. |
POSTBAG Dear Editor, As I was born and bred in Overton, School Lane, 9 Poethlyn Terrace, it was with great interest that I discovered the Overton website page. I have not had much contact with the village over the last few years but still have fond memories of my childhood. If there is anyone that remembers me that uses the internet it would be nice to hear from you. In November 1956 whilst serving in Suez I received a packet of cigarettes from the Overton British Legion which I do not think I ever said thank you for. Could you please thank the people concerned. Good luck with your website. WOII Q.M.S.I. Ray Hinsley B.E.M. |
News In Brief
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