News Letter 95

14.09.15 UNCOVERED AT THE VICARAGE!! A selection of maps of Ruabon and the surrounding villages from the 19th Century has been found languishing in cupboards at the vicarage. It was not until there was some close scrutiny that it was realised just how important these are to the local .

An exhibition of the Church Registers from the 16th Century to the present day and the maps will be on view in St Mary’s shared Church on Saturday 19th September from 10am to 5pm and on Sunday 20th September from 1pm to 5pm.

Villages also included on the maps are: ; Bychan (New Bridge); ; ; ; Eyton; Johnstown; ; Penycae; Penylan; and . Light refreshments will be available on both days and entry is FREE. ** This magnificent spectacle of a steam train progressing through Ruabon Railway Station on Saturday 12th September, has been traced on line and sent in for us all to enjoy.

News from Ysgol Rhiwabon

Leonie does it again! Leonie Saffy from Year 9 at Ysgol Rhiwabon has had a very busy and successful summer!

In May, Leonie became the RDA Grade 2 Freestyle National Class Champion (winning both the adult and junior classes) Leonie also became the RDA Grade 2 Championship junior champion

In August, Leonie was the only junior competitor to compete in the BD Para Equestrian Summer Championships. She was placed 6th, against the adults.

Leonie became the BD Para equestrian talent spotting junior champion, with the highest junior score and placed 3rd overall in a mixed class of adults. She has also gained 6 points towards qualification for the BD Para equestrian winter championships. ** More Exciting News from Ysgol Rhiwabon: App First As part of its Digital Technology Plan; Ysgol Rhiwabon, has launched its new Website and App. The partnership with ‘SchoolSays’, which is the trademark of Chris Lacey, a freelance developer of websites and apps, is a first for secondary schools and forms the platform for increasing the home to school, and community communication channel. The App is developed to allow anyone who downloads it to receive alerts about important information, read about school news and events, browse and subscribe to the school’s calendar, contact the school with a single click. The App is free to download from the app stores or through the school website. In an attempt to communicate the heritage of the school and its links to the local area, the website patterns have been inspired by the features of Ruabon ceramic and brick and help portray the strong, reliable and long-lasting education provided by Ysgol Rhiwabon at its site. Giles Evans, Business Manager, said, ‘These are exciting developments for the school as part of the Digital Plan. It represents a strong commitment by the school to its wider community to increase the way in which we communicate. Its usage will not only be a parental system but also a community tool.’ Chris Lacey, ‘SchoolSays’, said, "It has been a privilege to develop a new website and app for Ysgol Rhiwabon, a school with a distinguished history that is also keen to make the best use of modern technology." To download the app, go to this address on your Android and iOS device: schoolsays.co.uk/rhiwabon Alternatively, visit the app store on your device and search for ‘rhiwabon’ or visit the school website www.ysgolrhiwabon.co.uk and follow the App. Twitter: @ysgolrhiwabon ** The Friends of Ruabon Group, will meet on Tuesday 15th September at 7pm in the small in the small meeting room at the Village Hall. Everyone is welcome to attend, to hear Geraint Evans explain the work to be undertaken behind the Park Gates to transform this area back into a place which can be enjoyed by the whole community. Groundwork has obtained funding from AVOW with match funding by the RCC for this work to go ahead. When completed, members of Growing Ruabon will maintain the area. Geraint is a member of Groundwork and also of Growing Ruabon.

Invites you to the OPEN EVENING of the RAF Air Cadets from 1251 (Berwyn) Squadron, Ruabon on Wednesday 16th September at 7pm For more information: email [email protected], or Send a message on Facebook – Ruabon Air Cadets.

** For more information on the following items, where there are no contact details, please contact: 01978 2920001; [email protected], WCBC, 16 Lord Street, Wrexham, LL11 1LG:

Helfa gelf open art studio (WILD about WOOL)19-09-2015 01:00 PM BST ‘WILD about WOOL’: Wool and Fibre artist June McLaughlin will be at Ty Mawr country park Wrexham for 2 weekends in Sept 2015 to share her love and passion for sheep and wool. Helfa Gelf Art Trail19-09-2015 01:00 PM BST Saturday and Sunday Visit Felt and Wool artist June Mclaughlin www.helfagelf.co.uk

Open Collections 25-09-2015 01:00 PM BST Come along to our special Open Doors event where you will have the opportunity to see and get up close to items from the Archive and Museum's stores. Archive and Museum staff will be at hand to explain more about the interesting items and answer any questions you may have. Free.

Chatty Craft 25-09-2015 01:00 PM BST Chatty Craft At Acton Community Resource Centre On the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month Start date Friday 11th September From 10-11.30am Cost £2 per session Bring a craft project you are working on, have a chat and cuppa. Everyone welcome, all levels, any craft. If there is a craft you would like to learn how to do come along and ask, we may have someone who can help or if not we will find out together.

World's Biggest Coffee Morning in Acton 18-09-2015 01:00 PM BST Sam & Myra's coffee morning. Part of the World's Biggest Coffee Morning, raising funds for Macmillian Cancer Support.

Bersham Ironworks Guided Tours 23-09-2015 01:00 PM BST. Made famous by John 'Iron Mad' Wilkinson, a leading figure in the Industrial Revolution, the once noisy Ironworks now nestles quietly in the attractive Clywedog Valley, two miles outside Wrexham in North East . Tours start at . Call: 01978 297460 for tour and time updates. Pre-booking not required.

RUABON CLUSTER YOUTH SERVICE PROVISION–September 2015

Location Tim Activity

Mon Ruabon 5:30pm – 7:30pm Rugby World Cup – Lucky Dip – See 14t h Centre of which team you pick? Get ready for Excellence Rugby with team games Ruabon 7:30pm – 8:30pm GB Boxing Awards Course – Centre of Preliminary Award – Week 1 Excellence Tues Ruabon 7pm – 9pm Join in our pool competition we will 15th Centre of also be starting the Behaviour and Excellence Personal Health Project (Agored Cymru Level 2) Wed Ruabon 5:30pm – 7:30pm Junior Night (Years 6 & 7) – Junior 16th Centre of Bake Off! The best dessert wins! Excellence

Thurs Ruabon 12 -2pm 16+ Drop In – If you are aged 16+, a 17th Centre of young mum or dad, or a young person Excellence needing support then please call in for a chat and a cuppa Ruabon 7pm – 9pm Basketball Competition – who will Centre of score the most hoops? Excellence Fri Ruabon 7pm – 9pm Come and bake some biscuits and 18th Centre of look at some healthy alternatives. Excellence Sat Ruabon 1pm – 3pm Take a selfie and make into a collage 19th Centre of to put on the notice board Excellence

For further information about all of the above activities, contact (07800 689104) Or check www.youngwrexham.co.uk for regular updates and any changes to the programme. Also, if you include your mobile phone details when you register, any changes will be texted to you. This contact information will not be shared with any other party. Finally, we would love to hear your ideas for future activities, so please don’t be afraid to share. Ruabon library news

The popular Computer Taster Sessions at Ruabon library have been set up again, to take place on a Friday afternoon, but booking is essential. Please either phone to book an appointment or call in to the library to speak to a member of staff.

The WI Centenary Exhibition in Ruabon Library is now up and running and will be in place for the whole of September. These exhibits show the extraordinary talents of the members of Ruabon WI. There are samples of exquisite embroidery; patch- working; knitting; soft toys; 3D pictures; watercolours, greeting cards and carefully kept information and archives.

There are no jams, preserves, cakes or plants on show but these are always in evidence at the annual Ruabon Fete and other events which the WI supports throughout the Village. This month, WI member’s cooking can be sampled at their hosting of an Afternoon Tea event in aid of MacMillan Nursing at St Michael’s Close on Tuesday 22nd September at 2pm, admission £2. There will be a cake stall, jewellery stall, tombola and a raffle.

For advice on how to set up an exhibition in the library, or for queries to a member of staff, please telephone: 01978 822002 during normal library opening hours which are:- Monday: 10am-6pm; Tuesday-2-5pm; Wednesday-2-5pm. Thursday-2-5pm; Friday- 10-6pm. S ** Information from Welsh News Letter: Dysg a Make it Digital – Register now for BBC micro:bits t u r d Free pocket-size computers for all year 7 learners The device is a pocket-sized computer, codeable via easy-to-use software on a dedicated website, and will be gifted free to all year 7 students across the UK during the latter part of October. ** More news from Ruabon WI

At the Ruabon WI September meeting, the speaker for the evening was Lowri Williams, who enacted ‘A Day in the Life of Dottie May’, a munitions worker, members also sang songs from the war years. It proved to be a very enjoyable evening. Teas were served by Margaret Williams and Dorothy Blake, the competition was won by Barbara Taylor with Meryl Davies coming second and the raffle prize was won by Gladys Thompson.

Members made the final arrangements for their Centenary Party next week. This will be an evening of music and songs from 1915, led by Veronica Lancaster on the Keyboard and followed by a buffet. Everyone is looking forward to a very enjoyable evening.

On Tuesday 22nd September, WI members are hosting an afternoon tea in St. Michaels Close at 2pm, admission £2. There will be a cake stall, jewellery stall, tombola and a raffle. This worthy event is in aid of McMillan Nurses and members are hoping that it will be well supported. **

OPEN CHURCH NETWORK: St Mary’s Church Ruabon will be open to visitors on Saturday afternoons from 1pm until 5-00pm from Easter Saturday until the end of September. Entry is free and everyone is welcome. In the north chapel is one of the finest monumental effigies in Wales. During the 1870 restoration Benjamin Ferrey, architect and pupil of the renowned architect and designer Augustus Pugin, uncovered the magnificent 15th century wall painting depicting the Works of Mercy. This is reputed to be the finest medieval wall painting in the country.

This information is just the ‘tip of the iceberg’ - so much more to see when you actually visit or go on-line to the Open Church Network

At St Mary’s School on Monday 14th September, the After School Club will take place at 3.15pm At St Mary’s Shared Church on Friday 18th September there will be a Wedding at 2pm. On Sunday 20th September at 8am there will be a Service of Holy Communion and at 9.30am, a service of Morning Prayer followed by coffee and Fair-trade stall. At 1pm there will be a Baptism. **  Rural Ministry - Resourcing Multi-Church Groups. Talk by Jerry Marshall, Chief Executive of Arthur Rank Centre. 7 pm Monday 14th September in St Chad Church, Hanmer.  JIGSAW is changing its times. There will be an informal service for all ages at 5pm on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month followed by fun activities for 4- 9 year olds and youth group for ages 10+. All are welcome!  Collection for the Syrian Refugee crisis. We are collecting money, clothes, toiletries etc at St Mary’s Church (please bring on Saturday afternoons or Sunday mornings) and at St John’s (open 10am-4pm during the week).  The Fish and Chip Lunch and Prize Bingo is at St John’s Church on Tuesday 22nd September at 1pm. Please ring Kath (820851) or Beulah (810868) to book a place.  Open Doors is at St Mary’s Church on 19th September (from 10am) and 20th September (from 1pm). Come and see the church, look at the registers and old maps of the area.  Advent Angels. The fifth Sunday in November is Advent Sunday and there will be a joint service at St John’s Church. This weekend is the weekend of the Christmas Fair and the celebration of Advent with a display of angels made by groups from the church and community. If you wish to display an angel(s) please let the clergy know.  Art Exhibitions. John Smout’s paintings are on view at Theatre in Mold until the middle of October. Both exhibitions are well worth seeing. Malcolm Hughes has an exhibition of his paintings in the Upper Room at St John’s Church. Open daily 10am-4pm during September.

At St Mary’s Shared Church on Sunday, RC Mass will be celebrated at 11am. For weddings, baptisms and confessions in Ruabon, and please call Fr Moses Amune on 01978 821586 or email: [email protected]. ** At Ruabon Methodist Church there will be ‘Messy Church’ from 10am to 12noon. On Sunday 20th September at 10.30am, the Service will be led by the Rev’d Philip Poole. ** At the Congregational Church (the Chapel on the Hill) on Sunday at 11am, the service will be led by Tom Hopkins. ** At All Saints Church, Pen-y-lan on Sunday 20th September, there will be a service of Morning Prayer at 11am ** At St John’s Church, Rhosymedre on Tuesday 15th September at 7pm there will be a meeting of the PCC On Wednesday 16th September at 10am, there will be a service of Morning Prayer On Sunday 20th September at 11am, there will be a service of Holy Communion. ** If you know of someone who would like to receive a copy of the Ruabon News Letter each week by email and/or if you have a story with or without a photo which you would like to share, please contact: [email protected]. Please also visit the Ruabon Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/https://Ruabon

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Sybil Bremner