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Leader Live
11-07-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Wrexham: Tribute to Family Fashions founder Marlene Roberts
Marlene Roberts died aged 89 years old at Ashleigh Court care home in Gresford on Wednesday, June 25. She leaves behind five daughters, 11 grand children and eight great-grandchildren. She was well-known in the Wrexham area for having set up the popular 'Family Fashions' business. Born in Chester in 1935, Ms Roberts began her journey to running her own business by selling Avon cosmetics door to door in the 60's. This new business venture eventually led to 'demonstrating' Tupperware in the evenings at parties and selling central heating for the national coal board. She then survived breast cancer in 1982, before later hosting Marks & Spencer's clothing parties at houses local to her in Rhosnesni, and did exceptionally well from them. 'Family Fashions' was then born a few months later and would soon become a hit in the local community. Originally operating out of the garage of 54, Dean Road in Wrexham, the business went on to become 15 shops throughout North Wales, employing over 60 people. Shops in Borras, Gwersyllt and Coedpoeth served the wider community of Wrexham. Ms Roberts' eldest daughters, Nicola Williams and Alison Jones, had worked for her full time since leaving school and eventually became partners in the business alongside their mother. The main shop was based at Henblas Street in Wrexham town centre, with the main warehouse at the old school (now demolished) on Victoria Road in Brynteg. (Image: Ashley Williams) Every shop sold affordable clothing, school uniform and fashion accessories, proving popular with families across the region. Unfortunately, the business was eventually wound down in the early 2000's, but Ms Roberts turned her attention to being actively involved with charity work. In April 1998, she started a campaign to collect Teddy Bears for orphan children in Honduras who were victims of the recent hurricanes and floods. The Wrexham Leader helped provide publicity to the cause and, eventually, over 2,000 teddy bears were received and sent to the country in time for Christmas. TOP STORIES TODAY Ms Roberts also raised money for the 'Shooting Star' unit at Wrexham Maelor Hospital whilst it was being built by selling unused coat hangers from her shops. Her family say she had been inspired to raise funds by the surgeon - Dr Michael Crumplin - who she believed had saved her life from breast cancer, when she was only 45 years old. In a tribute sent to The Leader, Ms Roberts family said: "Marlene was a kind, generous and selfless woman. She lived a life that many could only dream of. "Idolised by many that knew her including her many great-grandchildren. A woman who cherished life and the challenges it brought. She enjoyed spending time with her family right to the end and died peacefully surrounded by love and dignity. "Marlene will be sorely missed by all of her family and friends."
Scotsman
01-07-2025
- Scotsman
The 10 ‘dead zones' with worst mobile phone signal
Summer is finally here and you might be preparing to get away soon. If you are plotting a staycation to make the most of the natural beauty on show in the UK, you don't want to be caught in a phone signal blackspot. After all, in our modern digital age, getting caught with bad or no reception can be incredibly irritating. It is not only the inability to get calls or texts - it can also mean no access to the internet, for navigation as an example. Whether you are travelling or just wondering if the signal in your area is particularly bad - you will want to be aware of the so-called 'phone signal blackspots'. The Express reports that the team at Nomad have highlighted the 10 dead spots where you will get the worst coverage, using official data from Ofcom to identify them. The list is in no particular order and includes the places that can be hardest to get mobile reception. Find out if you are living in one - or planning to visit one this summer. Have you had long-standing problems with your phone signal where you live? We would love to hear from you. Get in touch by email: . 1 . Aisholt, Somerset A major signal dead spot can be found in the postcode of TA5 1AR in the village of Aisholt, Somerset. It also covers Lower Aisholt - and the rural area surrounding them. | Google Maps Photo: Google Maps Photo Sales 2 . East Anstey, Devon This village in Devon (EX16 9JT) is one of the dead spots. However it is a rural village with a population of just over 200 people, so perhaps it is not a surprise that it has dodgy phone signal. | Google Maps Photo: Google Maps Photo Sales 3 . Hanbury, Worcestershire For those in the postcode of B60 4BS in Hanbury, Worcestershire, you are likely to struggle to get a phone signal because it is one of the worst dead spots in the UK. It covers parts of the outskirts of the rural village including a first school. | Google Maps Photo: Google Maps Photo Sales 4 . Higham, Kent If you go down to the postcode of BB12 9BW in Kent you're sure of a big surprise - except instead of Teddy Bears picnic it will be poor phone signal. This dead spot falls on the outskirts of the village of Higham and includes a street of houses. | Google Maps Photo: Google Maps Photo Sales
Scotsman
01-07-2025
- Scotsman
The 10 ‘dead zones' with worst mobile phone signal
Summer is finally here and you might be preparing to get away soon. If you are plotting a staycation to make the most of the natural beauty on show in the UK, you don't want to be caught in a phone signal blackspot. After all, in our modern digital age, getting caught with bad or no reception can be incredibly irritating. It is not only the inability to get calls or texts - it can also mean no access to the internet, for navigation as an example. Whether you are travelling or just wondering if the signal in your area is particularly bad - you will want to be aware of the so-called 'phone signal blackspots'. The Express reports that the team at Nomad have highlighted the 10 dead spots where you will get the worst coverage, using official data from Ofcom to identify them. The list is in no particular order and includes the places that can be hardest to get mobile reception. Find out if you are living in one - or planning to visit one this summer. Have you had long-standing problems with your phone signal where you live? We would love to hear from you. Get in touch by email: . 1 . Aisholt, Somerset A major signal dead spot can be found in the postcode of TA5 1AR in the village of Aisholt, Somerset. It also covers Lower Aisholt - and the rural area surrounding them. | Google Maps Photo: Google Maps Photo Sales 2 . East Anstey, Devon This village in Devon (EX16 9JT) is one of the dead spots. However it is a rural village with a population of just over 200 people, so perhaps it is not a surprise that it has dodgy phone signal. | Google Maps Photo: Google Maps Photo Sales 3 . Hanbury, Worcestershire For those in the postcode of B60 4BS in Hanbury, Worcestershire, you are likely to struggle to get a phone signal because it is one of the worst dead spots in the UK. It covers parts of the outskirts of the rural village including a first school. | Google Maps Photo: Google Maps Photo Sales 4 . Higham, Kent If you go down to the postcode of BB12 9BW in Kent you're sure of a big surprise - except instead of Teddy Bears picnic it will be poor phone signal. This dead spot falls on the outskirts of the village of Higham and includes a street of houses. | Google Maps Photo: Google Maps Photo Sales
The Sun
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Sir Alex Ferguson comes across emotional letter he sent decades ago on first-ever tour of Rangers' museum
SIR ALEX FERGUSON spotted an emotional letter he wrote in the '90s in Rangers' brand new museum. The iconic Scottish manager was in Glasgow this week for the opening of the Rangers Museum at New Edmiston House. 4 4 4 Fergie, who spent two years at Ibrox from 1967 to 1969, was given the honour of being the venue's first-ever visitor. Some of the most famed items in Rangers' history are on display in the museum, including a letter from Ferguson. The letter was one Govan-born Ferguson penned to Dick Advocaat after the Dutchman guided the Teddy Bears to a treble in the 1998/1999 season. It read: "Dear Dick. Just a wee note to congratulate you and your players on winning the treble. "I know how difficult it is to maintain the level of fitness and determination to achieve all three trophies, but your players carried out the task wth great style. "Please pass on my sincere good wishes to all your staff. "Yours sincerely, Sir Alex Ferguson." Ferguson appeared to be emotional as he looked at the letter and the rest of the Gers memorabilia. 4 The Ibrox faithful were thrilled that Fergie was the first person to enter the doors of the Rangers Museum. One wrote on X: "Brilliant to see Fergie looking so well, and nice to see him at Ibrox." Another said: "Once a Ranger, always a Ranger."
Irish Independent
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
78-year-old Cork pensioner drops 16,000 feet for charity
78-year-old Liam Cunningham has completed a daring plunge to raise money for a worthy cause. Liam has raised over €7,000 to buy Teddy Bears on behalf of the Freemasons of Ireland, which will be distributed to sick children in five hospitals across Cork and Kerry. Liam estimated that he has already donated 50,000 bears in the last 13 years.
