Monthly Archives: August 2024

Charity

Oh yes they did! Chester businesses help raise massive £40k in pantomime race

A PANTOMIME Horse Race helped raise £40,000 for a Chester-based charity.

Thousands of people cheered as entrants jockeyed for position during the annual event at Chester Racecourse, which is quickly becoming a highlight of the city’s racing season.

Twenty-one entrants took part at The Roodee, including a zebra, a unicorn, a polar bear and a reindeer.

The event was in aid of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, which provides end-of-life care and support to local individuals and families.

The £40,000 raised is more than double the £12,000 raised 12 months ago.

Of the 21 who took part, nine came from businesses who are members of the Chester Business Club (CBC)

Among them was the CBC’s Chair, Jan Chillery, who took part alongside her teenage-daughter Bessie Belcher.

They raced as ChestaZebra sponsored by Aaron & Partners Solicitors, led by Lauren Evans, the newly appointed CBC Secretary.

Jan, whose zebra entry won the Best Dressed Award, said: “The Pantomime Horse Race is now one of the highlights of the year. Not only is it great fun, but it’s also a brilliant way to raise lots of money for a fantastic charity.  I was particularly proud to see 9 businesses from the Chester Business Club stepping up to take part and help generate donations. The money raised will make such a difference to the work the charity can do.”

The nine entrants linked to the CBC raised £7978 between them including a whopping £2220 by Teddy the Broker from Grosvenor Insurance Brokers, who won the Best Fundraiser Award.

The event was won by Net Hub’s camel Humphrey, run by Richard Omoyele and Emmanuel Biolatiri with “camel owner” Ben Rowlands.

Other CBC entrants in the race included Swedish Horse Mafia, sponsored by Nicola Arrowsmith of Handelsbanken. Its runners were Kate Render & Jennifer Briscoe);

Storrar’s Verdict, sponsored by Darlene Storrar of Storrar Cowdry Solicitors. Its runners were Emme Pierce-Kemp and Judith Malony; Never Desert You, sponsored by Andrew Hopwood of Champion Accountants. Its runners were Nathan Jones & Spencer Youd; Empire Global Trotter, sponsored by Martin Johnson of Empire Global Finance. Its runners were Daniel Johnson & Matthew Tomlinson; Oliver the Legal Legend, sponsored by Kay Cook of Oliver & Co Solicitors. Its runners were Annabel Birtles & Felicity Parry; Moogan Moonro, sponsored by Luke Pritchard of Knights. Its runners were Megan Baldwin-Brown & Rebecca Munro; and TheRoodee Rascal, sponsored by Kate Dawson of Chester Racecourse. Its runners were Steve Walls & Pete Edwards)

Health

In Psoriasis Awareness Month: expert on how to best cope with a condition affecting millions.

August is Psoriasis Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of the chronic skin condition that affects millions worldwide.

When most people think of psoriasis, they think of the skin condition which causes flaky patches of skin which form silvery-white or grey scales.

But fewer people are aware of the other complications linked to the autoimmune condition.

One of those conditions is psoriatic arthritis, which causes joint pain, swelling and stiffness.

Commenting, Dr Taher Mahmud, Co-Founder and Director of the  London Osteoporosis Clinic says: “PsA can have a negative impact on bone health, including increased bone loss, low bone mineral density and a higher risk of fractures. But adopting certain lifestyle changes can significantly help manage symptoms and improve overall well being.”

Here, Dr Mahmud shares all you need to know on the condition

 

What is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory joint condition that affects some individuals with psoriasis, although it can also affect people who don’t display any of the more common skin symptoms. It occurs when your body’s immune system attacks healthy cells and tissue. The immune response causes inflammation in your joints as well as the overproduction of skin cells.

 

Key Symptoms to Watch For:

  • Joint Pain and Swelling:Particularly in the fingers and toes.
  • Morning Stiffness:Difficulty moving joints after waking.
  • Reduced Range of Motion:Challenges in performing everyday tasks.

“Early detection is crucial,” says Dr Mahmud. “If PsA is left untreated it can lead to permanent joint damage and reduced mobility.

“If you experience these symptoms, especially with a history of psoriasis, seeking medical advice promptly is essential.”

The Connection to Osteoporosis

“Psoriatic Arthritis can predispose sufferers to osteoporosis, which is why it is important for sufferers to take particular care of their bone health,” explains Dr Mahmud.  “The inflammation from PsA contributes to bone tissue being broken down faster than it is formed, leading to lower bone density.

“Additionally, certain treatments for inflammatory conditions, especially prolonged use of corticosteroids, can further increase the risk of developing osteoporosis.”

“Osteoporosis is often called the ‘silent disease’ because it can progress in the background undetected until a fracture occurs,” Dr Mahmud explains.  “Weaker bones are more likely to break, and sufferers can find fractures caused by even minor falls or stresses such as repeated common activities like walking or exercise.

“But fractures can have a serious impact on your quality of life, especially if they occur in the spine, hip or neck and can lead to long-term pain and disability as well as a prolonged stay in hospital.

“That’s why it’s so important to take bone health seriously.”

 

Steps you can take to protect your bone health

 

“It can feel overwhelming when you have conditions such as PsA, but knowledge and understanding of how all these conditions connect empowers you to take proactive measures to improve your bone health,” says Dr Mahmud. “Concentrating on these four areas can help manage your condition and the associated symptoms as well as preventing disease progression.”

  1. Regular Screening:If you have psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, discuss bone density testing with your healthcare provider.
  2. Optimise Treatment Plans:Work closely with medical professionals to manage inflammation effectively, potentially reducing the reliance on medications that may affect bone health.
  3. Lifestyle Adjustments:Incorporate weight-bearing exercises, ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
  4. Watch what you eat:Incorporate foods which can lower inflammatory responses into your diet, such as berries, nuts and leafy vegetables. Garlic is also an effective natural remedy. Oily fish such as salmon and mackerel are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

“Managing psoriasis and its associated conditions requires a holistic approach,” Dr Mahmud concludes.  “Addressing skin and joint health while being vigilant about bone density ensures a better quality of life and reduces the risk of complications.”

The London Osteoporosis Clinic offers a wealth of resources and expert guidance for those keen to delve deeper into the underlying causes of osteoporosis and explore preventative strategies.

For more information on bone health and other related topics, visit the London Osteoporosis Clinic.

Sport

Former Aston Villa midfielder heaps praise on Emery, but expects club to drop out top four as season approaches

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie  says Unai Emery has been a ‘brilliant’ manager at the club – but expects his side to struggle for top four this season.

The Villains enjoyed an incredibly successful 23/24 campaign, finishing the season in the final Champions League spot.

And Emery has so far brought in eight new players, with defensive midfielder Amadou Onana and left-back Ian Maatsen, and Hendrie remains excited for his former club’s upcoming campaign.

Speaking at the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championships, he told event organisers Champions (UK) plc: “Unai did brilliant last season, there’s no doubt that getting into the Champions League and finishing in a fantastic league position is quite unique, and it’s something that Villa have been striving for, for quite some time.

“It’s been great to see that the club’s on the up and people have started believing, while the players that have come in have bolstered the squad. It’s a really big squad there, I was at the game against Atletico (Madrid) and they’re showing really good signs, lots of quality and knowing that they’re going to have to come up against some really big sides, particularly in the Champions League.

“We know what the Premier League is all about,” he continued. “It’s the world’s best league for me.

“I like who Unai’s brought in, I’m sure that there might be a couple more to enter the building, and I’m really optimistic after seeing what they did last season. I believe the new faces that have come in can give that added extra spark of light. I’m looking forward to the season, but there’s going to be a big onus on them to go and do well.”

With further European football on the horizon, Villa will certainly have to utilise a larger squad as fixtures pile up. While Emery has undoubtedly added quality to his squad this summer, other teams around will be expected to improve.

The Villains may have a harder task of reaching the heights of the top four spots in the upcoming season, and Hendrie believes the odds are slightly against the Midlands side.

“I think there’s going to be sides that are going to be better and stronger,” he explained. “You’d expect Manchester United to be stronger, Chelsea to be stronger, Spurs, Newcastle. I think you watch what Newcastle did the season before where they got in the Champions League and just drifted away because of the overload of games.

“But I think Villa having the taste of being in Europe last season in the Conference League, I think that will have done them the world of good. I think that was just a bit of a rerun of what’s going to happen this season on a different scale.

“I just feel that squad depth is going to be massive and keeping players fit, and hopefully we can finish around that top six, it would be a superb continuation if not better, but I think that’s going to be a big ask.”

 

Aston Villa kick off their Premier League campaign next Saturday, as they travel to the London Stadium to take on a West Ham side who have also strengthened this summer.

 

Hendrie was speaking at the Farmfoods British Par 3 Championships at Nailcote Hall, Warwickshire.

News, Tech, Technology

Panasonic TOUGHBOOK Selected for Major Ambulance Technology Refresh Across England and Wales

Ambulance Service Trusts enhance patient safety with Panasonic TOUGHBOOK devices in rapid response vehicles and dual crewed ambulances.

As part of the nationwide Ambulance Radio Programme (ARP), Ambulance Service Trusts across England and Wales are undergoing a significant technology refresh to increase efficiency and enhance patient safety. Panasonic TOUGHBOOK is working with long-standing critical technology partners Centerprise, Terrafix, and Telent to provide its latest rugged mobile devices to all rapid response and dual crewed ambulances.

The ARP will enable all 12 NHS Ambulance Service Trusts, serving 50 million people, to seamlessly coordinate with updated control room solutions to improve the efficiency and delivery of its service. The ARP delivers crucial technology solutions across the UK, such as patient transportation applications, to ensure effective communications between Ambulance Service Trusts, the NHS, and other frontline emergency responders.

As part of the ARP initiative, Panasonic and its partners are providing a standardised, yet flexible solution to be deployed nationally. With a variety of vehicles, models and dashboard designs, each deployment will be customised to meet individual Trusts’ needs. Using Panasonic TOUGHBOOK devices running on Windows enables additional functionalities and applications to be easily developed as these requirements change.

Panasonic TOUGHBOOK devices will enable ambulance crews to access the most up-to-date and detailed mapping of England and Wales’s rural and urban areas, through the National Mobilisation Application, developed by Terrafix. This software can be updated remotely, minimising ambulance downtime.

The initiative has already seen over 4,000 new installations of Panasonic TOUGHBOOK devices in ambulance service vehicles across England and Wales.

Stuart Murphy, Senior Programme Manager at the ARP, said, “We’re seeing next-to-no failure in those Trusts that have completed installations. With fantastic reliability, usability, crystal-clear display, first-class connectivity and mapping capability, the new solutions have received great feedback from our frontline crew, enabling them to pinpoint incident locations with far greater accuracy. Ultimately, the roll-out will lead to fewer vehicles off the road due to hardware failures, reduced downtime and better patient safety.”

Will Holmes, Business Manager for Public Sector (Fire, Ambulance & Central Government) at Panasonic Mobile Solutions, added: “This technology refresh is a game-changer for the NHS Ambulance Service Trusts across England and Wales. By integrating rugged, reliable, and highly functional TOUGHBOOK tablets into their vehicles, they set new standards for efficiency and patient safety. This upgrade ensures that our ambulance services remain at the forefront of emergency response, ready to save lives with the best technology available.”

For more information, read the case study here: https://eu.connect.panasonic.com/gb/en/case-studies/england-and-wales-nhs-trusts-ambulance-radio-programme

News

Former Manchester United starlet heading to Oxford University

NOTHING could stop Daniel Mayers-Jones achieving his dream to study at Oxford University.

The former Manchester United Youth Academy Goalkeeper – who played in the same side as England star Kobbie Mainoo – will study Chemistry at the prestigious University’s Lincoln College from September.

Daniel, from Buckley, secured A Levels in Maths, Business, Chemistry and the Welsh Baccalaureate and is looking forward to the next chapter in his education.

Thanking mum Cathy, dad Kenny and sister Charlotte for their support, the 18 year-old also praised staff at Coleg Cambria Deeside’s Sixth Form Centre – where he was recently named Student of the Year – for their part in his academic success.

A former pupil at Elfed High School, Daniel said: “I am thrilled to be attending Oxford University, it was a rigorous process, but I have the grades I need and can’t wait to get started.

“I had three interviews online, so I didn’t get a chance to experience the city and the university in person, but from a computer screen here in North Wales! I have been down since and it’s amazing, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Having spent a week on work placement with biopharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca in Macclesfield, Daniel is even more determined to pursue a career in the sector.

He is targeting a role in in process or chemical engineering but admits his journey to the industry was not straightforward.

“I’m not sure how I went from football to chemistry, I think it was the love of experiments and science,” he said.

“I started to really enjoy the subject after the pandemic towards the end of high school, as I had struggled with it a little beforehand. I worked even harder to get myself up to speed and got better and better until I realised it was interesting and an area I could succeed in long-term.”

Daniel added: “My family have always been a great support to me, since childhood when they would drive me over to Manchester for training and matches, they’ve sacrificed a lot.

“They are of course proud that I’ve made it into Oxford, and they have played a big part in it. I’m quite low key and just want to get there and get my head down, but I’m going to enjoy it too!

“I’ve had so much help from Coleg Cambria every step of the way, the lecturers, the progress coaches and all the staff are brilliant. They’ve all had a positive impact on my time there and I can’t thank them enough.”

Head of Deeside Sixth Miriam Riddell congratulated Daniel on not only his exam results but on being one of the “kindest and most helpful” students they’ve ever had.

“Daniel embodies everything that is good about young people, he was popular with staff and students and has a work ethic like no other learner I have ever come across,” she added.

“He deserves his place at Oxford University as he is so motivated and works so hard, always going the extra mile.

“Daniel was always seen around college helping his peers and is just the nicest person, he never missed a lesson and is so polite and courteous – we will miss him and wish him every success for the future.”

News

A Level and BTEC students have “raised the bar” with outstanding results

STUDENTS at Coleg Cambria have “raised the bar” with outstanding A Level and BTEC results.

Chief Executive Yana Williams and Principal Sue Price today (Thursday) paid tribute to learners for navigating post-pandemic challenges and contributing to “amazing and inspiring” overall grades.

They also congratulated staff and lecturers at the college’s sites in Deeside, Wrexham, Northop and Llysfasi for their commitment and dedication in supporting young people, notably those who will have faced significant pressure while in secondary school during lockdown.

“The past few years have seen our students demonstrate incredible resilience, which has resulted in amazing and inspiring results across the board,” said Ms Williams.

“But it’s not just about the highest grades, for many, success lies in overcoming adversity and attending lessons, sitting the exams and doing all they can to take the next steps in their education and careers.

“We could not be prouder of them, they are an absolute credit to Coleg Cambria, to their families and our community, and we look forward to seeing how their lives develop in the years ahead – well done to you all.”

Mrs Price said the students will always be a part of the “Cambria family” as the college prepares to welcome future cohorts for the next academic year.

“As students leave, new learners begin their journey with us, and now and in the future, we will be there for them,” she said.

“We work closely with schools in north east Wales to support that transition helping them take the next step on their journey, and look forward to welcoming them in September.”

Mrs Price added: “Once again, we thank the students and their families for their commitment and hard work across the last two years and are now focused on delivering a first-class education in a welcoming environment – with facilities unmatched anywhere in the region – for those set to join us in the coming weeks.”

For more on Coleg Cambria’s A Level and BTEC results, follow them on social media and visit www.cambria.ac.uk

NOTES: Coleg Cambria has decided to focus on the resilience and dedication of learners and staff given the challenges they faced throughout the pandemic, rather than percentages and statistics.

News

Independent school smashes national average with outstanding A Level results

A YEAR of redevelopment, rebranding and significant investment culminated in stellar A Level results for St Gerard’s School.

The Bangor institution – whose learners are continually among the best performing in Wales – achieved a staggering 96% at grades A*-C, compared to the national average of 76.5%.

For A*/A the figure was 60%, more than double the national average of 29.9%.

Regularly placed in the top 10 independent schools in the country for A Level and GCSE exam figures, the future looks bright for St Gerard’s following a hugely positive 12 months that included a 10% rise in pupils.

And there is more to come; revamped sports facilities including tennis courts and a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) are proposed for this autumn and follow the construction of a wildlife ‘wellness walk’ and an upgrade to the gardens, access, and external and internal redecoration.

Reflecting on today’s (Thursday) results, headteacher Campbell Harrison thanked learners, their families and staff for their “unwavering support and hard work” post-pandemic.

“It’s been pleasure to watch these fantastic young people grow throughout their time at St Gerard’s, culminating in these outstanding A Level results,” he said.

“Together we have overcome the challenges of recent years, I could not be prouder of them all.”

Among those celebrating were Evelyn Fisher, who achieved grades AAC and will go on to study Filmmaking at Nottingham Trent University; Anwen Hockley (AAA*B) who plans to pursue a degree in Medicine at the University of Dundee; Hannah Howick, who received two As and a B to study Philosophy, Politics and Economic (PPE) at the University of Exeter, and Jonatan D’Avossa (ABB) who will take a GAP year.

Mr Harrison said: “They’ve all done so brilliantly, as has Adam Wymer – the last of the Wymer family to study at St Gerard’s having been with us since 2019.

“He scored AA*B and will study PPE at the University of Warwick.

“There are so many pupils to mention, they are all a credit to the school, but I must give a special mention to Nanda, who has been with us for 14 years, having joined our Reception class. Nanda scored AAA and will take up a place to study medicine at Cardiff.”

He added: “We wish them the very best of luck, they have worked so hard and can now move on to the next stage of their lives with excellent results behind them.

“They are all well-grounded, humble and talented individuals. A huge well done from all of us at St Gerard’s, we will follow your journey with interest and thank you for your contribution to school life over so many years.”

For more on Ysgol St Gerard’s, visit the website www.st-gerards.org and follow them on social media. Alternatively, email sgadmin@st-gerards.org or call 01248 351656.

Charity

ClassForKids choose Youth Sport Trust as their Charity Partner to Empower the Next Generation Through Sport

Award-winning kids’ club booking and management software, ClassForKids, has today announced Youth Sport Trust – the UK’s leading charity championing the education and development of every child through play and sport – as their chosen charity partner.

 

The charity partnership – which aligns common key goals for both organisations – aims to enhance children’s access to quality sports and physical activities and to support them in balancing the demands of the digital age with meaningful human connections established through sport and play.

 

Together, ClassForKids and Youth Sport Trust are committed to building brighter futures by promoting physical, mental and emotional wellbeing amongst young people.

 

Duncan Ross, Managing Director at ClassForKids, said: “We are incredibly excited to have chosen Youth Sport Trust as our charity partner and support their mission to make sport and play more accessible for children and young people. Together, we can also support local club owners, schools and families alike, and inspire a generation to lead healthier, happier lives.”

 

As an integral part of this charity partnership, ClassForKids has committed to supporting fundraising activities for Youth Sport Trust, to support the organisation’s work in schools and local communities, with a particular focus on making a difference in areas found to struggle the most with providing the opportunity for children to stay active and healthy.

 

Nicola Boon, Chief Brand Officer at Youth Sport Trust, said: “We are very excited that ClassforKids has chosen the Youth Sport Trust to be their charity partner for the next year. We are only able to build brighter futures for children and young people through the support of organisations such as ClassforKids and we are looking forward to hearing about all their amazing fundraising efforts over the year to come. On behalf of everyone at the Youth Sport Trust, I’d like to say a big thank you for all they are doing to support children and young people to live healthier and happier lives.

Data held by charity Youth Sport Trust revealed 97 in every 100 teachers are concerned about the mental health of their students and 92 in every 100 of parents recognise sport and play are vital for every young person’s education and development.

Furthermore, the same data also highlights that children from the poorest 20% of households are four times as likely to have serious mental health difficulties by the age of 11 as those from the wealthiest 20% (Morrison Gutman et al., 2015) and the impact also extends to their physical health.

“Here at ClassForKids”, Duncan continues, “we are committed to supporting more children and young people across the UK access activities which could improve both their mental and physical wellbeing and support their development. We are doing this by supporting club owners accessing schools throughout the UK and inspiring children of all backgrounds. The partnership with Youth Sport Trust feels like an invaluable way of furthering this goal and making impactful change.”

For more information about how ClassForKids can transform your business, visit: https://classforkids.io/clubs/.

 

To find out more about Youth Sport Trust, visit the website https://www.youthsporttrust.org

Marches, Shropshire

Beautifully situated South Shropshire livestock farm offers three homes in one

A beautifully situated, 337-acre livestock farm in the heart of the Clun Valley and within the Shropshire Hills conservation area is on the market with agents Halls with a guide price of £2.725-£2.775 million.

Little Hall Farm at Newcastle-on-Clun, near Craven Arms, which has been owned by the Price family for 68 years, is being sold as whole or in two lots.

Lot one, which has a guide price of £1.45-£1.5m, comprises a picture postcard, stone, Grade II Listed farmhouse with two additional self-contained annexes, traditional farm buildings with potential for conversion, purpose-built livestock sheds and 81.57 acres of fertile pastureland with extensive River Clun frontage.

With a guide price of £1.275m, lot two comprises a 255.64-acre block of upland grassland suitable for grazing or grass conservation.

The farmstead is situated around 650 feet above sea level and is surrounded by fertile, riverside grazing land with two ponds and conservation areas accentuating its natural beauty.

The farmhouse accommodation, which has potential for sympathetic modernisation and improvement, comprises a cellar, ground floor kitchen and living room, two first floor bedrooms and a shower room and two second floor bedrooms and a WC.

Integral with the farmhouse are two additional residential annexes which provide self-contained accommodation. The ground floor annexe has a hall, bedroom, dining room, bathroom, kitchen and living room, while the first floor annexe has a kitchen, bedroom, shower room and combined living and dining room.

A well-stocked front garden has been tastefully landscaped and the farmhouse has a stone garage.

The outbuildings comprise a store shed with steps to a first floor loft and an open fronted double garage with a loft. There are also a stone former granary and traditional stone range, which both have development potential, subject to planning consent.

The farm buildings comprise a garage, six-bay lean-to store shed, seven-bay barn, cattle barn with a three-bay, lean-to loose housing shed, store shed, four-bay barn with lean-to store shed, eight-bay barn with two lean-to cattle sheds and a sheep shed.

The block of upland grassland in lot two is located between 650 to 1,350 feet above sea level and provides good grazing for livestock.

Solar panels were installed in November, 2014 and have the capacity  to generate 3.92 kilowatts.

Viewing is by appointment with Peter Willcock or Rachel Howson at Halls on Tel: 01743 450700.

Food & Drink, News, North Wales

Aber Falls’ New Cream Liqueur Sells Out in Just 72 Hours

North Wales based whisky distillery, Aber Falls, has released a new creation, the Aber Falls Cream Liqueur to its range of spirits, selling out within 72 hours of first launching.

Crafted with precision and passion, this delightful liqueur is the perfect blend of smooth, velvety, and creamy flavours, making it an exquisite addition to its esteemed range of spirits. The overall reaction to this new release has been positive with one enthusiast commenting: “It tastes better than Baileys.”

The new addition to the Distillery is available to purchase from the Distillery shop in Abergwyngregyn, the Aber Falls Pier Kiosk in Llandudno and online via the Aber Falls website.

 

Jill Boyd, Master Blender at Aber Falls, said: “As a young, Welsh distillery, we enjoy experimenting with new whisky blends and spirits – which is how our new Cream Liqueur was created. On the palate it provides velvety and indulgent flavours, making for the perfect liquid dessert. It’s great to see our range of products grow and offer new options for people to try and enjoy.”

 

Aber Falls prides itself on distilling, maturing and bottling its spirits in North Wales, between the foothills of the Carneddau mountains in Eryri and the Menai straits. The award-winning whisky is crafted using 100% Welsh malted barley and rock-filtered water taken from the Aber Falls Waterfall while crafted by a team of local people.

 The Aber Falls Cream Liqueur is bottled at 15% ABV and available to purchase from the distillery’s shop, pier kiosk and online at aberfallsdistillery.com at an RRP of £15.