FANTASTIC FETE !
by Joanne Kember

The rain stayed away and the crowds came out to make Overton Fete a great success.
But it is thanks to all those whose hard work made it such a success -
Katharine Crockford for slaving over a hot computer, the letters, stickers, insurance, advertising.
John the Groundsman for presenting the fields in immaculate condition.
Pam Palin for the posters
Mike Done & family for transport and setting up tables and chairs.
Mike Palin for providing the PA system & music.
The Buck at Bangor for stepping in at the last moment with the bar and Rob Lawrenson for arranging it.
The sign painters Claire Rosselli and Linda Done whose signs were appreciated by everyone driving through the village.
To all the stall holders entertainment and refreshment providers for all their hard work.
“Gone West” — the band.
Wrexham Olympic Gymnastics Club for their wonderful display.
Lorren Williams and her dance group for their delightful and varied display.
For all the “clearer-uppers”, particularly Alan & Glynis Farley, Sue Glover, the Evison brothers and Katharine Crockford.
Mervyn, the photographer—see all his photos of the fete in the Corner Shop from July 1st.
And last and not least, thank you to all the 100s of people who came
and made an event which got the village community together and enjoying themselves.
Same place same time
next year!
P.S. Assorted lost property from the fete, available from 710624

A Special Weekend for the Methodist Church
by Josie Ralphs

Our weekend of Arts, Crafts and Flowers, culminating in a lovely ‘Songs of Praise’ for Creativity on the Sunday Evening, was an unqualified success. This was due to all the hard work put in by members and friends who showed their beautiful needlework and paintings; some of which we were able to sell, with 10% of the profits going to Gareth Braisdell’s trip to Belize in December. The flowers in the Chapel were really beautiful. Many thanks to the arrangers!

We were delighted at the number of people who visited us and their comments were most favourable. Stewards working on a rota basis plied our visitors with tea, coffee and biscuits each day and we are most grateful to them for giving up so much of their time so willingly.
We received lots of small donations and sold quizzes for £1 a time and up to date we have been able to raise just over £250 for Gareth. Many thanks indeed to all our helpers and friends for their unstinting support. It has been a very worthwhile effort and it was lovely to see a full Chapel of lustily singing, happy people on the Sunday evening. Well done everybody!

Meanwhile the skittles competition run by the Methodist Church at the fete raised £52 and the winner of the £10 prize was Daniel Northall of Trench, Ellesmere. Thanks to Phil Edwards, Mike Coupland and Beattie Roberts for running it!

Flower arrangements in the Chapel

COUNTRY BEAT
By Constable Darren King

The warmer weather has unfortunately brought with it an increase in thefts from gardens, sheds and outbuildings where various items and tools have been stolen. As I ask every month, please, please, please do your best to secure your property and report any suspicious activity to the police.
Security mark all your property. For example, (unless it is a valuable antique model), what difference does it make by having your post code etc painted or engraved in large letters onto your lawnmower or other things that can be got at by simply forcing off an inadequate pad-lock. It shouldn’t make much difference to you, but it will certainly make a difference to the thief who tries to sell it on or has to account for it if his vehicle is stopped or house searched by police.
Please don’t hesitate to call the control room on 0845 607 1002.
I enjoyed seeing many of you at the village fete on Saturday 24th June where I had the police car and van available for all the children, (big and small), to play with, and where my colleagues and I were available to offer advice on security, neighbourhood watch and joining the police.

Thank you.
Darren King, Constable 1360.
Overton Community Beat Manager.
The Police Station, Station Road,
Overton, Wrexham. LL13 0EF.
Telephone: 0845 607 1002.
E-mail: darren.king@north-wales.police.uk

Ramblings From the Rectory
By David Lewis

Dear Friends,

St Swithun’s Day comes on July 15th. The old saying is that if it rains on St Swithun’s Day it will rain for forty days. After the May we have had, nothing would surprise me! The rhyme goes like this
St Swithun’s Day if it does rain
For forty days it will remain.
St Swithun’s Day if it be fair
For forty days ‘twill rain no more.

The legend of St Swithun is a very old one and was said to have taken place in the year 1100. Bishop Swithun lived in the town of Winchester and the people of the town loved him very much, because of his kindness and generosity of spirit. St Swithun was by nature a very humble man and he lived quite simply. He did not wish to have an elaborate funeral and wanted to be buried in a simple grave so that he could have the open sky above him instead of the roof of a grand tomb. When he died the people of the town granted his wish.

After several years, the Pope decided that St Swithun should be a saint. The monks living in Winchester became concerned about his grave. They felt it was much too humble for a Saint. And so they decided to move his body into the Cathedral, where a grand tomb would be built. The day of the removal was 15th July. A grand procession was planned, but unfortunately when the day dawned it was raining hard. By all accounts it rained so hard, the procession had to be cancelled. It rained harder and harder and the monks became concerned and uneasy., The bad weather continued and it rained for forty days without stopping, people began saying that God himself was not pleased about the monks’ intention to move the Saint from his chosen grave. In the end the monks decided to leave St Swithun where he was and built a small simple chapel around the grave, so people could come and pray.

St Swithun reminds us that we will be remembered by our kindness and compassion, rather than the money or position we have held in life. Can it be said of us that people know us by our gentleness and love? May St Swithun’s example inspire us all, and let us all hope that it does not rain on the 15th July.

Your Friend and Rector,

David

Ramblings of a female mad-man
By Lela Palin

Hey sorry about last time but there has been a lot going on. Thanks Jen for all your reviews and work for the page. If there is anything anyone wants to submit you know how to reach me.
So anyway, my sister got me reading this book called “Branded” by Alissa Quart and I LOVE it! I was up ‘till 4am reading it!
It’s all about “the buying and selling of teenagers” (as it says on the cover) I would try and explain but its probably
better if you read it yourself.
Well best be off.
Until next month, my lovelies
Lela X

Review
by Jenny England

Top Actor!

Hi Guys, this is Jen with a special award for my favourite actor ….
THOMAS KRETSCHMANN !
No, He isn’t incredibly famous like Orlando, heath ledger, Johnny D or all the rest, but he is a really talented actor!
At 43 years old, I think that he’s the fittest celeb around at the moment. (whether my friends like it or not!) He is a really special guy to me.
Background: Born: September 8th 1962 in Dessau, Germany
Family: Girlfriend Lena (unfortunately) and his two kids.
Handsome rating: 10/10! ??
People to ignore when talking about him: Catherine!
If you want to catch him in action, he has been in tons of films:
The pianist, Resident Evil, Apocalypse, Downfall, King Kong.

The Cold Within

Six Humans trapped by happenstance, in bleak and bitter cold,
Each one possessed a stick of wood, or so the story’s told.

Their dying fire in need of logs, the first man held his back,
For of all the faces round the fire, he noticed one was black.

The next man looking ‘cross the way saw one not of his church
And couldn’t bring himself to give the fire his stick of birch.

The third one sat in tattered clothes, he gave his coat a hitch.
Why should his log be put to use to warm the idle rich?

The rich man just sat back and thought of the wealth he had in store,
And how to keep what he had earned from the lazy, shiftless poor.

The black man’s face bespoke revenge as the fire passed from sight,
For all he saw in his stick of wood was a chance to spite the white.

The last man of this forlorn group did naught except for gain,
Giving only to those who gave was how he played the game.

Their logs held tight in death’s still hand, was proof of human sin,
They did not die from the cold without.
They died from the cold within.

Anonymous

FOOTBALL FOCUS

Maelor Youth F.C. held their AGM and presentation in Overton Park on Sunday 14th May. Every player was presented with a medal. Other presentations included:

Under 11
Players Player Aled Williams & Corey Williams
Managers Player Michael Roberts
Most Improved Ed Robinson

Under 12
Players Player Sam Bell
Managers Player Callum Gwatkin
Most Improved John Peter McCulloch

Under 13
Players Player Tom Cusworth
Managers Player Harry Robinson

Under 15
Players Player Josh Edwards
Managers Player Zac Bebbington

Under 16
Players Player Josh Getty
Managers Player Mike Bywater

The Player of the Year Trophy was awarded to Ross Morrison

At present the club have almost 100 players from all over the Maelor district aged 7—16.

Next season the club intend to run an all girls team which will play against other all girl teams from all over the Wrexham district. Any girls currently in Years 5 & 6 who are interested in playing and would like to attend training sessions and trials contact Carol Morrison on 710951.

Overton Scout Hut - now in use three evenings a week

Overton Scout Hut is now in regular use three
evenings a week.

On Monday it’s used by Brownies from 5.30pm to 7.00pm.
On Wednesday it’s Guides from 6.30pm to 8.30pm

And on Friday’s it’s Scouts and Explorer Scouts from 7 pm to 9 pm.

The Scout Group would like to re-start Cubs and start a Beaver colony and whilst there is no shortage of youngsters to take part – it’s all about leaders. So if you know of anyone who would be prepared to help out please ask them to contact Group Scout Leader David Burton on 710631.

No experience is necessary as full training will be given.

OVERTON MEDICAL PRACTICE

The Patient Participation Group has now been running for a year. An original member, Edward Pugh has just resigned and he was thanked for his valuable contribution. We are looking for someone who has a couple of hours every three months to spare. A parent with young children or a teenager would bring a new aspect to the group and they might find it enlightening. We are aware that the ‘disabled parking’ signs in the car park are not that visible. They will be cleaned on a regular basis; don’t forget that you can park in the rear car park and there is pedestrian access through the gate and round to the front of the building.

There is a new appointment system on trial until August; you may be offered a time later in the morning than is usual. One doctor will start at 8.30am each day, the last appointment time remains 5.40pm. The new system will add 16 routine appointments per week. We are doing our very best to improve availability of appointments but for the first 3 months there were 204 appointments where the patient did not attend, an increase on last year which is a sad reflection when we are doing our utmost to improve the situation. Please do let us know if you cannot attend surgery. The triage system is continuing as our review of appointments ensures that people who need to be seen urgently can be within 24 hours. Some problems can be dealt with over the telephone avoiding the need to come in to the surgery. If you do feel you need to be seen within 24 hours please let the receptionist know and she will ask our triage nurse to call you back.

Dr Linney is reducing her working hours per week with the practice. Three young children makes for a very busy life and understandably her family must be her prime consideration. From the beginning of this month she will be holding two surgeries a week in Overton on a Tuesday and Thursday morning only. There may be an odd occasion when she covers in Bangor but Dr Asprou will be on duty Tuesday afternoons during June. We have decided to print a large lettered copy of this Newsletter each month for those who may have a sight problem. A copy will be placed in both surgeries which we hope may be of benefit to some. If there are any other ways that we can be of assistance, to those of you who may need a little more help, please tell us.

Dr Asprou’s Clinical Fellowship year comes to a close at the end of next month, we shall be so sorry to see him go as he has fitted in so well with both staff and patients. A GP Registrar will be starting in August and hopefully a new partner should be joining the practice in the early autumn, new faces, fresh ideas to keep the place on form and full of new ideas!

THURSDAY CLUB CELEBRATES 30 YEARS

Overton Thursday Club held their Thirtieth Anniversary Celebration on Thursday 22nd June. The club meets ever other Thursday in Our Lady and the Welsh Martyrs Church Hall.

The members were entertained with music and anecdotes provided by Revd Andrew Evans. An excellent buffet was followed by a selection of cakes and a Birthday Cake to celebrate the 30th anniversary.
(Insert e mailed Photo)
A presentation was made to Mrs Gwyneth Austin, the longest serving member of the Club. Gwyneth was Club Secretary from 1987 to 2005.

Gwyneth receiving a presentation as the longest serving member of the Thursday Club

The Mongol Rally 2006

AC-Autos in Penley are part of the "Greatest adventure in the world": - Having taken the challenge of supplying the creative mechanics needed to get a Fiat Panda and a half, half way around the globe.
The 1000cc 4WD Fiat Panda and a half (half a Fiat Panda made up as a trailer!) and the Pandarama team from Harper Adams College in Shropshire are taking part in the Mongol Rally 2006, a gruelling 8000 miles rally from London to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, with no back-up and no turning back!
The rally starts in Trafalgar Square on July 26th, but you may have already seen the strange looking green Panda around the village before its departure to Mongolia. You can follow the Panderama team’s progress on their website www.pandarama.co.uk.
Ex-Overton residents, Stephen and Angela Nelson started AC Autos two years ago because they wanted to “play with cars”! They specialize in Ford Escorts of all shapes and configurations, but have sold all sorts of different vehicles from £300 upwards—several to residents of Overton.

Roger & Sam, the drivers on the Mongol Rally

Your Letters...

Dear Editor,
It is worrying that many folk drive along the Overton—St Martins road as if it is Le Mans or Brands Hatch. Surely 40 miles per hour is fast enough on a twisty road. With the weather improving more horses and riders are out and about; perhaps we all need to be more vigilant and be prepared for “anything around the next corner”.
Recently “white van man” nearly smacked into the back of a large bay horse being led by its owner. All could have been killed.
Riders could help by putting reflective strips at their horses fetlocks and tail, and by wearing a reflector strip themselves, or at least some light coloured clothing to improve their visibility to motorists.
It might be useful for those of us who have visitors from large towns or cities to make them aware of livestock around here. No-one wants to see any person or animal badly hurt or worse. Nadine Leese

View from the Village Vets. Dogs and Chips.

4 stray dogs have been handed in to our practice in the last couple of weeks. Stanley, a regular wanderer was quickly re-united with his owner with the suggestion that an operation might help to kerb his wanderlust!

The 2nd dog was unidentified without collar or microchip and so was collected by the local dog warden. It will reside at the taxpayers expense for 7 days and then if unclaimed with luck it will be taken on by the rescue kennels and kept until a new home can be found. The two other dogs arrived one evening and were both found to be microchipped. A phone call to the Petlog database let us to rapidly re-unite them with their worried and grateful owners.

Unless your dog is a serial wanderer and recognised by all the local vet practices, what would happen if your pet went astray without a collar or identification?
Microchips are an effective, permanent method of pet identification. A single fee covers the cost of inserting the chip and life-time registration with the national database. Collars can break, fall off or be removed, microchips cannot.

The welcome arrival of warm weather has been accompanied by the annual RSPCA poster reminding us of the dangers of leaving dogs locked in cars. Temperatures in a vehicle can quickly rise to over 120 degrees Fahrenheit on a summer day and a dog will rapidly suffer from heatstroke.
Please don’t leave your dog locked in your car. If you see one, contact the local Police or the RSPCA Helpline on 0870 55 55 99.

Mark Spurdens, Maelor Vet Centre.

The Twinning Association

The Twinning Association are hosting the next exchange visit between Sunday 30th July and Sunday 6th August and will entertain 17 friends from La Murette.
Monday Trip from Llangollen on steam train
Tuesday Northwich Salt Museum & Stretton Mill
Wednesday Day trip to Llandudno
Thursday Day trip to Warwick Castle
Friday Local walk and Hog Roast
Saturday Jive Night in Village Hall
Sunday Depart

THANK YOU

Overton’s Community Council wish to express their gratitude to our Clerk, Katharine Crockford, who works intensely on our behalf. However, we wish to take this opportunity to remind everyone that our Clerk is only employed on a part time basis. Therefore, if you wish to speak to her, please telephone to make an appointment or to leave a message for her attention on 710055.

PLEASE REMEMBER

Your Editorial Team—David Burton, Euan Stevenson Sean Clarke, Jackie Maskall, Cynthia Davies, Maxine Palmer. If you have a story, contact any team member or email info@overton-on-dee.co.uk

All articles and advertisements in the Overton Oracle are published in good faith and without prejudice.
The Oracle is delivered FREE to nearly 600 homes in the Overton Area.
Our thanks go the volunteer distributors who make sure you receive your copy each month. We operate a postal service for our long distance readers, and we are also on the Web. www.overton-on-dee.co.uk You can also e-mail us at info@overton-on-dee.co.uk
Useful telephone numbers; POLICE: 0845 6071002 LITTER CLEARANCE: 01978 855635