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Christmas
Switch on grows in stature Regular readers may recall that this time last year, we ran an article describing the grand switch on in Maelor court Overton on the 1st December. This year Alice Jones continued the tradition and once again a gaggle of villagers braved sub-zero temperatures (well maybe not that cold) by hosting the most incongruent Barbeque of the year. As usual, the food was excellent and she was assisted by a number of admirable helpers who ensured that the adults ate well and the children drank plenty ( or may be that should read the other way around)……. Many thanks Alice & co. This year Overton and Penley do seem to be upping the ante’, festively speaking as we are still trying to brush away the memories of last years Christmas tree opposite the G.P. surgery. It looked like an example of drive-by decorating. I understand that the contractor responsible for fitting the lights has since been referred to his Occupational Health Dept. As soon as his guide dog learns how to read he’ll pop along. Penley’s lights seem to be growing year by year and I understand that a decent sum of money has been raised for charity through the local collections- well done to those concerned. There are rumours that the recent road works there are for a proposed tram system which will be known as the “Golden Quarter Mile” ; so far reports are unsubstantiated although the Pleasure Beach Management Committee is said to be seeking legal advice. By contrast Overton responded with a colour co-ordinated frontage (matching white lights along the whole of the High Street) , except for one unnamed individual who let the side down with pale blue fairy lights. Our editor’s decision to buck the trend was apparently down to a mix up at the suppliers as opposed to an episode of village anarchy: I for one was disappointed to find out. Taking investigative village journalism to new heights / peddling cleansed local rumour mongering (select you preference), we undertook a rigorous, scientific, readers straw poll, by asking someone we know, what they thought of this years Christmas trees. The feedback was generally positive and fair play to the person who managed to gain permission from the dwellers to erect the trees. The village did look particularly festive and drew plenty of positive comments. As the year is over and we have probably already broken our New Years resolutions, here’s to the next one. Best Wishes from all at The Oracle. COUNTRY
BEAT
Your opportunity to have a say in how Overton should be policed…. As part of the Neighbourhood Policing Plan which was implemented last year, residents are again invited to attend and discuss with me and the Council any issues they have with local policing, and also to receive an update with regards to issues previously highlighted as problems in the village, (speeding, parking, youth club). This is your opportunity to be heard if you think that the police should be concentrating on something that we’re not. We will naturally continue dealing with thefts, disorder and motoring offences, but the Neighbourhood Policing Plan gives us the opportunity to draw upon the services of other organisations such as highways and the youth service to help us achieve our aims. If
you are unable to attend but wish to raise a point, please feel
free to deliver a message to me at the police station and I will
ensure it is raised at the meeting. Both Martin, (The Ruabon CBM), and myself look forward to having another officer work with us from Overton Police Station, and I look forward to introducing him/ her to you in a future article. Thank
you. Ramblings
From the Rectory Dear Friends, January 25th is St Paul’s day. This was once an important day in the old countryman’s year. It was on this day that farmers and country people took stock of the weather. A long-range weather forecast was devised for the year to come and everyone took this very seriously and planned their farming year accordingly. There is an old rhyme concerning St Paul’s day, forgive the old English spelling! If
the day of St Paul be cleare We can only hope that it doesn’t rain or be windy or overcast on the 25th January! At the beginning of a new year, we all look forward with anticipation and maybe some unease to the coming months. What will the next twelve months bring? None of us can know with any certainty. For us as a family we will have our first grand child, due any day now as I write this in mid December. But what we can be sure of is, that whatever the next twelve months bring, God will be there alongside of us, to share in the good and bad times alike. We just have to have the faith to feel his presence alongside of us as we travel through the year. We can rely on him, whatever we face in the future! May I wish you all the very best for 2006.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity A United Service will take place in St Mary’s Church at 1900hrs on Tuesday 24th of January . Everyone is welcome A
Few Winter Gardening Tips Now
in the dark dismal cold days of December and January, what is
there to do in the garden? The answer as far as I am concerned
is keep off it. You’ll do no good trampling on wet soil,
let nature take over for a month or two. So unless you have to
trim a hedge or remove a tree or some big job of that nature,
KEEP OFF IT. KID’S
COLUMN Just a little note ...First I’ d like to introduce (and thank) Jenny, who has written a review on the new Harry Potter film and has promised to write more reviews in the coming months. She is a very talented writer and I am sure you will enjoy reading her reviews as much as I do. Remember if you have anything you would like me to print, please put it through my door at 20 Bangor Road (it’s the one with the funny mail box) or email me at:info@overton-on-dee.co.uk I
hope you all had a good Christmas + a Happy New Year. I know I
did!! We anyway I think I am going to run out of space if I don't
story typing soon! Until next month Christmas
Quiz Answers: Reviews
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (12a) For those who have read the book this will also be a gripping experience! With shocking effects and amazing new characters you will enjoy this film as much as the others. Sadly, you might be a bit disappointed as the director has edited some essential parts from the book, like the humorous Ludo Bagman and the challenging maze creatures. But don't worry, as Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson manage to mask the poor editing. Despite the editorial mistakes, I still think this movie was excellent and I would rate it 81/2 out of 10. Community
Council News Cynthia Davies has retired as caretaker of Overton Village Hall after six years of sterling service. Cynthia, who is a popular local figure, has served the trustees and management committee with unswerving loyalty and dedication. Paul Galloway, speaking on behalf of the trustees and Jim Glover for the management committee would like to extend their thanks, publicly, to Cynthia for all that she has done. Without her the hall would not have run so smoothly and efficiently. Her cheerful good humour will be missed. Cynthia has expressed her regrets at leaving. She has enjoyed working at the village hall and will be continuing to serve on the management committee. The committee are also grateful to Diane Bell and Katherine Crockford who have stepped in to fill the vacancy and keep the hall on course. The new contact number is 01978 710 055 Overton
Illuminations As mentioned in the last edition of the Oracle, this year Overton Community Council decided to buy some Christmas Lights for the Village. Wrexham County Borough Council were invaluable in helping to light up the village, at a particularly busy time of the year for them. All work of this type must be done by qualified electricians, to ensure that the lights are safe to be displayed in public areas, and they were all fitted by various engineers and electricians “loaned” to us from WCBC. I would like to thank them for their professional work in wiring and fixing all the lights. I would also like to say a very big thank you, on behalf of the Councillors and indeed the whole Village, to the various residents and businesses on the High Street, for allowing us to fix the brackets for the Christmas Trees to the walls of their properties. I think that you will agree that the village looked fantastic for Christmas. Overton
Club’s “Turkey Trots” dominated by Two Champions
Doesn’t time fly – by the time you are reading this,
Christmas will have come and gone. This
year, finals night was dominated by two true champions. Congratulation to all winners and finalists and commiserations to the beaten semi-finalists, who missed out on the turkeys. Big
thanks to the Overton Rec. Club committee and competition organisers
for another successful event. Overton Medical Practice News A very happy and healthy new year to everyone. Many people admired the Christmas tree standing in the atrium that was donated by Stan’s Shop in St. Martins. We thank them most sincerely for their kind and generous gesture. Peter and Helen Turkie paid a quick visit to the surgery in November. Dr. Turkie was looking very well and asked if we could thank everyone who sent them ‘good wishes’ during his treatment. Something ‘new’ at the surgery is a piece of equipment standing resplendent in the waiting room. We have installed an automatic booking in machine. Patients will just have to follow the very simple instruction using a tough screen and they will be able to book themselves into the doctor’s without waiting at the reception desk. We will, of course, still be on hand in reception if anyone has any doubts or queries but, hopefully, it will be quick and simple. The Practice has been extremely fortunate over the years in having a Manager who is not only highly efficient but a very nice person. Sadly Mary Hamilton is to retire at the end of January. There are probably some people who have never met her but all have benefited from her management and she will be greatly missed and a hard act to follow. Good luck and a happy retirement Mary, from everyone in Overton. Account
of Santiago trail November 2005
24/25 November (Thursday) We finally found someone who opened up the office for us in order to register us as “pilgrims”. So we set forth into the slushy snow – the only pilgrims to be found. The trees were very Christmas-y outlined in snow but as it snowed and rained alternately we got extremely wet. The last think I had packed in my rucksack was some sun-block cream! And I had neglected to line my sac with a plastic back (having only experienced sunny Spain in the past) for which I paid a penalty later. We walked through alpine meadows with cows complete with bells and woods, but no views on account of the weather. Finally up and down a second hill when we came to a village and looked for accommodation for the night. The first place did not answer the door bell but when Richard telephoned the advertised number he was told they were “full” (i.e. shut). However at the other end of the village there was another hostel. There a diminutive Basque woman opened up for us telling us that we were sole guests. I shall always be grateful to her as she also could have claimed to be “full”. I called her the gnome which Richard told me was disrespectful. This was not the case as I could have hugged her! I had a bath (lovely hot water) and after a modest supper, I spend the evening drying the shoes and clothes by the open fire; all the clothes in the rucksack and the rucksack itself had to be similarly dried. Richard meanwhile had a bath before supper (and promptly fell asleep) and again after supper. He produced his computer from his rucksack and spent a happy time working! There are only a few requirements for comfort, the ability to dry out, a warm room, a modest meal and a flat bed. All these were ours for E26 with meals extra (total bill was E53). The distance we had walked in appalling conditions was 11.58KM (7.7 miles). We both finally fell into bed and didn’t wake until 9am the next morning. 26th
November (Saturday) We eventually found a very comfortable hostel (which opened up especially for us-the sole pilgrims; after trying other places all firmly shut. Hot baths again and a good meal in the (fairly) local bistro an excellent meal washed down with rose wine. Light snow falling so to bed. Distance walked about 7KM and still no broken leg! 27th
November (Sunday) We
walked along the riverbank into Pamplona 3 + KM – a magnificent
walled city. We walked up and down and round about these ramparts
(the mechanism for pulling up the drawbridge still in place).
After an abortive attempt to look at the Cathedral (locked Sunday
afternoon) we took a taxi to the station. We had 2 hours to kill
so out came the computer again. The train was very comfortable
which was just as well as the journey back to Barcelona took 6
hours, arriving about 11:30pm. Temperature here 13 degrees (2
degrees in Pamplona) Picture Below..some will remember Richard in the old Primary School in the 60’s. I was 29 when we arrived in Overton. Both of us unrecognisable from those days….
Just
Desserts “Pass me the trifle Maxine” I smile, a simple request at the dinner table, but one that evokes a memory or two. Some weeks ago my manager announced the department that I work in was to temporarily close down for two weeks to ensure that all in the Technical team could assist in making Christmas a success! (a bold statement!) I work for a company that produces desserts for a number of retailers from top tier highly indulgent desserts to the humble strawberry trifle! (Oh we also produce cottage cheese & pro-biotic yogurt to maximise on the January diet season!) I am a member of the Technical Services team my role is one of inputting data, recipes, and processes into a large database, which facilitates product to be produced and delivered to store. I call my self a “data monkey” tapping away at a key board all day ….I am not sure if anyone really has a career plan when they begin a working life, I spent 3 years studying furniture design and then many years in a more commercial role, selling products and services. Before undertaking this role, which to my surprise I enjoy, but if I am honest never would describe as a career… We had our Xmas rota given to use a gruelling programme of 12 hour shifts, some days and some night shifts. I have always described myself as “night owl” so I was not too concerned about undertaking the night shift; in fact I was looking forward to it, how hard could it be? Little did I know that by only the 4th shift as I clocked on, clutching the boxed set of “Waking the Dead”, (I had promised to pass on to my colleague for a little light hearted festive viewing), I would resemble an awoken corpse! Ones body is a strange thing; I have discovered that it is not food that we really need, its sleep and the people around us whom we care about. The night shift means that you do not see any one, you live to work. The “killer zone” for me was 3AM; the only thing that would get me through the night was my colleagues. For example the lion share of the people in the factory undertake these hours, working a 4 on 4 off rota. The majority of which fully embrace their roles. Standing on a line that produces 700 Trifles an hour and placing a sponge in each vessel as it passes you is not as easy as it sounds, physically demanding, and not without pressure (if you slip up the whole line stops, which impacts on a number of people) I did this for 4 hours and as a result, learnt about guinea pigs, trials bikes, mixing ones own music and his sisters cat (well no one said you couldn’t talk!) Everyday was different, cutting sponges, placing lids on large desserts and cursing at the speed in which I had to do this, filling out forms for “pot breakages” , checking the position of chocolate snowmen, cleaning cream heads, some of the events that took place are unprintable if not highly amusing….On a couple of occasions we had visits from some of our customers, it was fantastic to see how every one pulled together to ensure these visits went smoothly, a personal challenge for me then on was to make everyday have a sense of achievement, for all involved. If we could get it right on the day of a visit why not all the time?. I think the answer lies in the people that do the job all of the time, whom I admire and would work alongside any time. Now back to that career…finally at the age of 35 I know what I want to do, make a difference. I am dreading going back to my desk. I want a career, I am not sure how this will develop, initially I intend to spend every spare hour in that factory, I suddenly understand what makes me tick! All the data, every piece of packaging, ingredient, machine run rate that I input on a daily basis has been brought to life on such a scale, its truly thrilling (you should see how much cream we get through!!) Sometimes you just need to leave your desk! It may only be a trifle but for me it represents making a difference….even if it is only in the world of trifles! We
are pleased to include another People in profile , thanks to Lesley
for tracing down this elusive character……What is that
commotion in the field? Good gracious, surely not!! Oh but it
is….. “Er, hello there.” “Hello, ho, ho,
ho, just watering the lads at your trough, don’t mind do
you?” “No of course not. I have to interview a stranger
for the Oracle, would you mind answering a few questions?”
“Be glad to, I often read the Oracle, look it up on the
website, very handy.” What
was the last Album/piece of music you purchased? What
was the last film you went to see/watched at home? Describe
your last ‘eating out experience’. Where
was your last holiday? What
was the last sporting event you participated in/ watched? What
was the last thing that made you laugh/you enjoyed? “Must go, still some deliveries to do, Merry Christmas, ho ho ho.” Rudolph gives me a nuzzle and a lick and then they are off for another year. |
