Recycle with Michael
by Nick Price, Wrexham C B Council

Recycling is getting easier!

Most households in Overton will, by now, have received their green bin, box, bag and information pack.

The green box is for food and drink cans, glass bottles and jars and plastic bottles (no other plastic packaging). The green sack is for newspapers, magazines and junk mail - please, no cardboard. The green box and sack will be collected every week on your collection day by the recycling crew.

The green bin is for garden waste only. That is, the material that grows above ground and its roots; no rubble, timber or other garden debris please. It should be put in the bin loose (not bagged). The green bin is collected on your collection day one week, the rubbish bin the other week by the bin crew.

There is no limit to the amount of recycling can be put out for collection. If after the first few collection cycles you think you need an extra recycling box or sack please ring the Helpline: 01978 292085 or e-mail: recycling@wrexham.gov.uk

There will be a small minority of properties that we are unable to provide with the service at this time due to access difficulties but the majority of households will be able to participate fully.
You will be amazed at the difference recycling makes to the waste that is normally placed in your ordinary household bin, as well as the difference it makes to the environment.

For more information telephone 01978 292085 or e-mail recycling@wrexham.gov.uk or check website www.wrexham.gov.uk/recycling

The Harvest Supper
by Josie Ralphs, Treasurer of Cytun

The Cytun Harvest Supper was held in the Village Hall on Fri. Sept.22nd. This is the 3rd year that we have held it and it has grown in numbers from 60 in our first year, around 70 last year and this year we catered for 80! Everyone agrees that it is a grand evening, with good food, in tasteful surroundings. All the committee worked very hard on the day to get all the food prepared, tables laid, everything served and then the washing up! We all ended up very tired—with “never again" in our thoughts, but of course some of us will carry on.
Then there was the entertainment – to begin with the school children sang to us beautifully and then after our meal Jerry Martin led us in community singing with his tenor voice ringing out as clear as a bell. Our grateful thanks go to all the organisers, the providers of the food, the shoppers for the wine and groceries and the washers up as well as the entertainers for once more giving us a wonderful Harvest Supper Evening. Long may it continue. Proceeds will go to Charity.

COUNTRY BEAT
by Constable Darren King

Please note the following which has been brought to our attention. This has been highlighted in the local press and via the North Wales Police ecomms system, but I’ve included it here in case you missed it.

A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number. DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize. If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £15 for the phone call. If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 02072396655 or ICTIS (the premium rate service regulator) at http://www.icstis.org.uk or your local trading standards office. This is a genuine scam. This service is under investigation by ICSTIS. Please be aware of this scam and forward this information to as many persons as possible.

On a separate issue, upon the evening of Thursday 28th September 2006 a motorist reported that a wire had been placed across the road on School Lane. This wire was approximately 4 feet off the floor and it is believed that it was deliberately placed to cause injury or damage. Thankfully this wire was seen and taken down before anyone was hurt. This is a serious matter. Common sense should show that, if for example a motorcyclist had hit this wire, the injuries could have been fatal. Enquiries are underway to identify the idiot(s) involved and I urge anyone with information to get in touch with me.

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.

The NSPCC needs your help The local Branch had been raising funds for over 50 years. We hold fashion shows, coffee mornings, cookery demos to name a few. Can you a spare a little time to help? Contact Janet Edwards 710277 or Lorna Burdge 780228 & see details of our Xmas Market.

Ramblings From the Rectory
by David Lewis

Dear Friends,

One day a little boy asked his parents “How do wars break out? How are they declared?”
So the father, who was very learned in economic matters, started talking about wheat, oil and all the things that divide the world.
But the mother thought the little boy was far too small to understand such things and she said, “Let me explain it.”
The mother began to explain and the father grew angry and a great argument developed, with much shouting and hand gestures.
The little boy was very frightened indeed and held up his hands and cried,
“Stop, stop! Now I know how wars begin.”

That little boy found out first hand how little things can develop into huge arguments and disagreements, which can take on a life of their own. This November we shall remember once again those who lost their lives in the two world wars and countless other conflicts since. Remembrance Sunday will ask us to pray for peace. But peace starts in our own hearts and in our own relationships.

I along with you and millions of others was shocked by the school massacre in the Amish community in the United States on October 2nd. The person, who shot those little girls, had dropped his own children off only minutes before going into this community to senselessly kill and maim. It was said that one of the reasons this man did this dreadful thing, was because of an incident that happened when he was 12 which had remained unresolved within him, festering away leading in the end to violence.

Another ten-year-old boy said this, “If you want to stop war in the world, stop war in the home.”

This Remembrance Day may we remember this old Hindu proverb,
“The wise man looks inside his heart and finds eternal peace.”
May that be true for us all?

Your friend and Rector
David

On Remembrance Sunday the British Legion, Scouts, Guides and Brownies will be parading to the Overton War Memorial. As “old soldiers” fade away it is the youth of the village that is helping to keep the memories alive.

KID’S PAGE !
by the overtinions and our mascot Lucy!

Hey everyone,
As you know Lela has finished writing the Kids Page for the Overton Oracle and so before I introduce the new crew I would just like to say a big thank you to Lela for writing it over 2 years!!!
Okay, we are the new writers of the Kids Page, on our team we have; me (Jenny), Catherine, Lewis, Rebeccs, Lucy C. and our mascot Lucy the dog! We hope that you will enjoy our columns and that we can follow Lela’s great example! From Jen x

Who’s who?
Back row from left: Rebeccs & Lucy
Front row: Lewis, Jenny, & Catherine, (with our mascot Lucy)

Agony Aunt
by Catherine

Hey Guys!
I am Catherine. I am 13 years old and I am your new agony aunt!
Basically, if you have a question to ask, about anything from school life to making friends, I am here to help!
Please don’t feel embarrassed and I hope to hear from you soon!

Jen’s reviews

Hi everyone I’m back again!
And as you already know what I do I’m not going to tell you. Right, my first review is going to be on ‘John Tucker must die’.
For all you who loved ‘Mean Girls’ (starring Lindsay Lohan), you will love ‘John Tucker must die’, a romantic comedy which lets you see the world through a new girl’s eyes.
Desperately searching for friends, Kate Spencer comes across three girls out for revenge as they realise that they have been dating the same boy!
Funny. Romantic, a real chick flick!
Rating: 8/10 Certificate: 12A

Diary of a new yr. 7
by Rebeccs and Lucy

We know that the thought of moving up to high school is scary. Most of our thoughts were what if I get lost or what if I don’t make any friends? So we are here to help.
If you feel anxious, have a read through our thoughts on our first term at high school. So if you have any worries or questions why not drop them off at the Corner Shop or Londis and we will be happy to help. Looking forward to hearing from you.
From Rebeccs and Lucy

Need help?
Too busy to walk your dog?
I am here to help!
I am a reliable 13 year old who would love to walk your dog, for just £2.50 per walk I am cheap too!
Call Catherine on: 01978 710351 for more information.

Bonfire night!

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot,
I see no reason why gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot !
All of us from the Kids Page hope you have great bonfire night but remember to stay safe!
· Always wear gloves when handling sparklers
· Never go too close to a firework. Let the adults set them off and stand well back.
· If you have pets, always keep them inside when the fireworks are going off as they are frightened by screechy noises and will not appreciate it!
· And remember to have a great time!!!

TRACING THE ANCESTORS

A few weeks ago the Oracle was contacted by Bob and Mary Hetzel of Richmond, Virginia, USA who were planning a trip to the UK and were interested in tracing some of Mary's ancestors, whom she believed came from the Overton area. After a quick check of the 1841 census we were able to assure Mary that indeed we had found her family living in 1841 in Knolton.
It was Mary's birthday when they visited Overton. Many thanks to Euan Stevenson for making the Church records available and finding the baptism of Mary's gr. gr. grandfather in 1842 and confirming that the family had indeed been farmers at Knolton Farm.
And many thanks to the Latham family who entertained Bob and Mary to tea and showed them the farm where Mary's ancestors had lived.

Look for the full story of the families emigration from Overton in 1850, soon.

Bob & Mary getting the feel for olden days farming

AUTUMN SONNET
by Margaret Evison

Bold Autumn has unfurled her leaves of gold.
Red apples clinging to the trees above
Soft summer days we long to keep on hold
Clinging to warmth and sunshine we so love.
Children seek conkers midst the falling leaves
Their eyes alight like berries after rain.
While swifts no longer sweep amongst the eaves.
Tall tractors carry maize along the lane.
Coldness and frost will soon transform this scene
And noisy fireworks splinter the dark sky.
A hint of wind is blowing sharp and keen.
Wishes can not our winter thoughts deny.
Away with this sad muse of wintry days,
Bright fires and books will fill our lazy gaze.

Race Day Traffic Update
by David Burton

In case it wasn’t clear last month traffic on race day directed by AA signs from the A483 will go along Argoed Lane to the racecourse and come back along Turning Street through the village. In response to comments - the race traffic from Marchwiel & Whitchurch direction is still going through Bangor-on-Dee.

University of the 3rd Age

The Wrexham Association of the University of the 3rd Age was set up last February and already has over 140 members. The main meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at NEWI, Mold Road, Wrexham when there is a guest speaker and a brief business meeting.

Smaller Interest Groups have been set up including Book Group, Bridge, Chess, Computers, Craft, Debating, Digital Photography, Family History, Gardening, Local History, Painting, Stock Market for Beginners, Music Appreciation, and Walking & Rambling, and other groups are planned. In addition educational events and visits are arranged. As you can see we have made rapid progress in only nine months.

Membership costs £15 p.a. of which £2.50 goes to the Third Age Trust and covers insurance and a quarterly “U3A News”.

If you would like to find out more contact Wrexham U3A, PO Box 2257, Wrexham LL11 0DE

Walking with lions
by Natalie Stevenson

Having travelled and worked abroad extensively over the last 10 years I decided that this year my trip was to be something a bit different; a conservation project. Looking at all the options, the one that appealed was a lion breeding project in Zimbabwe. So after a lot of paperwork and injections I eventually found myself travelling all the way from Overton to Antelope Park, Zimbabwe for a month of working with lions.

The first surprise I got was that the owner of the park only had one arm – yes, the other arm had been ripped off by a lion! The idea of the project is to breed lions for re-introduction back into the wild, thereby boosting the ever decreasing lion population in Africa. In 1985 there were an estimated 250,000 lions in Africa; in 2005 that figure had dropped to 23,000 (due largely to increase in human habitation thereby decreasing lion habitation, hunting, snaring and poaching and disease outbreak such as Anthrax and Bovine Tuberculosis). There are no illusions that the African continent could again sustain 250,000 lions ; there is neither sufficient room for them nor sufficient prey species for them to feed on. However, the remaining dramatically reduced population of lions continues to decrease – to such an extent that the African lion is now officially on the list of vulnerable species.

One of my key tasks was to bottle feed, accompany and observe cubs (ages ranging from 3 weeks to 2 years old) everyday, walking and playing with them. Being sociable animals, the lions come to accept us as part of the pride and are quite happy to interact with humans. Of course they are still wild animals so there are certain rules to adhere to, particularly with the larger cubs – you must be confident at all times – you can not panic, run or crouch down. You must stay in the group and if a lion stalks you (which is normal) you have to walk towards them, point a stick at them and say NO in a firm voice.

We also got to take the older lions out hunting, which was certainly not for the faint hearted; on the one hand I wanted the lions to do well but I did feel sorry for the prey – to have a huge lion thundering behind you and jumping onto you with dagger like claws must be terrifying! My whole time involved in this project was incredible ; every morning I was awoken at 4.30am by lions roaring, and over a course of time I got to know each lions personality.

Captive bred lions can, and have, been rehabilitated into the wild. There are 4 stages to this program :
1. young cubs (2-16 months) will spend as many daylight hours in the wild as possible with experienced handlers and volunteers. At this age the lions are able to successfully stalk and hunt down small prey.
2. Lions too old to walk with humans (they are at an age where it is too dangerous to do so) are given the opportunity to hone their hunting skills. Here we take the lions out – we ride in a jeep and they follow. Their ability to hunt is monitored closely.
3. From stage 2 the lions will be translocated in selected breeding groups to fenced mini eco systems where there are no humans, no other lions and sufficient prey.
4. Lions in stage 3 will give birth to cubs in a totally natural environment which will be able to be reintroduced into game reserves and National Parks.

I am so pleased to have been involved in supporting the welfare of this magnificent animal, which certainly lives up to the title of ‘King of the Jungle’, and to have had the opportunity to be part of a pride.

Natalie and two of the pride

Congratulations to Overton football team for reaching the top of Division One in the Nizam-Druid Welsh National League

Overton Playgroup & Toddlers
The Playcentre, School Lane, Overton, Wrexham LL13 0ES
Tel: (playcentre) 01978 710688 Charity no: 701478

Overton playgroup is registered with the Care Standards Inspectorate of Wales (CSIW). Its team of qualified staff offers a warm and friendly welcome to children from 2½ years old to pre-school.
Pre-schools, also known as playgroups or playschools, are for young children to learn and play in small groups, often close to their homes. Most pre-schools open for sessions of around two and a half hours at a time but some are open for the whole day. Pre-school staff work with the children and parents often help out. They offer a range of fun activities for children and lots of opportunities to learn.
Plus points your child can enjoy learning and playing in a small group
your child can acquire skills for a head start at school
you can meet and get to know parents in your area.

Early Entitlement. The term after your child’s third birthday we can offer a free playgroup place for 10 hrs per week (4 mornings or 5 afternoons). Conditions apply so please ask for more details.
Family Sessions Every Tuesday morning between 9am – 11am for children from birth to nursery age – it is a really good opportunity to meet other new mums/carers or catch up with parents/carers over a cup of tea or coffee while your children play. Lots of exciting things happening over the next few months so look out for details!

ALL DAY: £13.00 AM Session: £4.50 Lunch: £2.50 PM Session: £3.50
Monday 9.00 – 11.45 am 11.45 – 1 pm 1.00 – 3.00 pm
Tuesday Family Session (Birth to pre-school) 11.45 – 1 pm 1.00 – 3.00 pm
Wednesday 9.00 – 11.45 am 11.45 – 1 pm 1.00 – 3.00 pm
Thursday 9.00 – 11.45 am 11.45 – 1 pm 1.00 – 3.00 pm
Friday 9.00 – 11.45 am 11.45 – 1 pm 1.00 – 3.00 pm
Please contact Margaret Davies (Supervisor) on 01978 710688 for more details

OVERTON MEDICAL PRACTICE

The big important issue at this time of the year is the flu injection. It is very important that those aged 65 or over, or who fall into the ‘At Risk’ categories do take up the offer and get their injections booked. We cannot, at this time, give flu injection appointments to anyone else. If this situation changes we will make it known in the surgery.

The triage system is working very well but has a few problems. If we have to call you back make sure there is someone there to answer the phone. Medical results are given out by the surgery’s secretaries. We offer this service 11:30am – 3:00pm week days (Thursday half day 11:00 – 12:00). The surgery telephones are not available from 1 – 2pm each day during the lunch hour. Please allow 5 days for the results to come back and be reviewed by the doctor.

Car parking can sometimes be a bit of a problem. Please do not park on the main road outside the surgery. Do not forget the large public car park on Church Lane with access through to the surgery. This option is far safer and means the spaces at the front of the surgery can be kept for those with mobility problems.

In October our own Dr Charlotte Koundakjian became Dr Charlotte Jones. We wish her every happiness in her married life and she sends her thanks to everyone for the cards and good wishes she has received. We were sorry to say goodbye to Donna Kendal, our part-time receptionist who left on 6th October. Donna has taken up a permanent post near her hometown of Barrow and we thank her for all the hard work, always with a cheerful smile, and wish her every success for the future.

The Practice Patient Participation Group met again on Monday 23rd October at 6pm – we are still anxious to get new members, please come along and join us at the next meeting if you can.

View from the Village Vets.
WARNING: Don’t read this whilst eating spaghetti!!

Worms! The fascination of small children and the delight of horticulturists, but sadly I’m not talking about Earthworms.

All animals will be exposed to parasitic worms at some time in their lives. Most live in the intestines although there are also lungworms and heartworms (until recently only ever found overseas). You will not always know if your animals have worms – it is usually only with a severe infestation that it will become apparent. In sheep and cattle this may show itself as diarrhoea or ill thrift, in horses poor performance and even colic. With lungworms (mainly cattle) the presenting sign will be a nasty cough.

By the time you read this article, the grazing season is likely to be over and most livestock (sheep excluded) will be in winter accommodation. If animals have not been wormed at the end of the grazing season it would be a good idea for them to be treated. There is nothing to be gained from allowing parasites to survive the winter in animals and cause further problems again next year.
If your horse has not been wormed recently then now is also a good time for it to be done. At this time of year it is important to use a product which is effective against both roundworms AND tapeworms. If you share pasture with other horse owners try to coordinate the timing and type of wormer you use.

Finally, don’t forget that cats and dogs also need to be wormed on a regular basis. Your vet will be able to advise on the most suitable products. Now that worms are dealt with, I’ll let you get back to that spaghetti!!

Andrew Mason, Maelor Vet Centre

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congratulations to Matthew Pritchard and his partner Heather on the birth of their baby son, Drew Matthew; a new brother for Teague and another grandson for Geoff and Davina.

To Donna Bush and Martin MacDonald on their marriage at Ruthin Castle
and to Anna Roberts and Guiseppe Coco on their marriage.

Belated happy 60th birthday to Lin Jones

Our heartfelt thoughts go out to Helen and Zoe Fernee who has lost their beloved pet dog, Gizmo.

WANTED!
URGENT VACANCY for Cleaner at St. Mary’s School. Please contact the school.

THANK YOU

Thank you to all those who supported the Bowling Club Coffee Morning. It raised a wonderful £467

Many thanks to all our family & friends who helped us celebrate our 30th Wedding Anniversary in October. We had a wonderful evening and £525.00 was raised for HOPE HOUSE in lieu of gifts. Alan & Glynis Farley.