Acton Park, on our doorstep in the middle of Wrexham. Not been here before but lovely area. Acton Park in Wrexham originated in the late 18th century as the landscaped grounds of the grand Acton Hall. Rich in Welsh history, the estate was once home to the infamous "Hanging Judge" Jeffreys and features an ancient sweet chestnut tree. Today, it serves as a 64-acre public park with a large lake and recreational facilities.
History - https://www.wrexham.gov.uk/service/parks-and-countryside/acton-park
Zookeepers at Chester Zoo are helping raise a rare newborn baby aadvark nicknamed Womble.
The calf is only the second aardvark ever born at the zoo in its 94-year history.
Workers have been bottle-feeding it warm milk after its mother, Oni, struggled to produce enough milk.
As aardvarks are nocturnal animals, staff carried out feeds overnight.
The calf's nickname was inspired by the fictional Wombles from the children's books and television series, with keepers saying its wrinkled hairless skin, long snout and oversized claws bore a resemblance to the characters.
Sophie Tyson, one of the zoo's keepers, said: 'Oni's new arrival is only the second aardvark to be born at the zoo in our 94-year history, so it's a really special addition for us all.
'While we don't yet know whether the calf is male or female, as it's a little too young for us to tell, the nickname 'Womble' has definitely stuck. With the calf's giant ears, long snout and playful personality, we think it's the perfect fit for the time being.
'Aardvarks spend their days sleeping and are most active at night, so while mum Oni heads off to forage for food, we've been giving the calf some extra support to help it grow stronger.'
Zookeepers at Chester Zoo have helped raise a rare newborn baby aadvark nicknamed Womble
The calf is only the second aardvark ever born at the zoo in its 94-year history
As aardvarks are nocturnal animals, staff carried out feeds overnight
You can add other dried fruit such as raisins and also add olives or whatever you want. I also like to top with a drizzle of mint sauce.
Tomato salad - https://www.essexgirlcookshealthy.com/chilli-tomato-caper-salad/ Can't seem to find the link for Rick's recipe but this one is the same.
Nigella's Cherry cheesecake - https://www.nigella.com/recipes/cherry-cheesecake I'm afraid the above photo is not mine as it was eaten before I could take it. I couldn't find cherry jam so used a damson jar I had left from last year.
Pomegranate Cous Cous - Cous cous soaked as per instructions and mixed with stock, parsley and topped with pomegrate seeds.
After weeks of campaigning, polling stations are open today as voters cast their ballots in local elections being held in Wales, Scotland and large parts of England.
And it is not just the electorate exercising their democratic right to vote today, it is their canine friends as well.
The tradition of taking a picture of your dog waiting patiently for you outside the polling station while you cast your ballot has continued to grow.
#DogsAtPollingStations is one of the highest trends on X today, with adorable pooches pictured next to signs.
So whether you're a lover of golden retrievers, corgis or terriers, here are some of the best canine-centric photographs from today's election.
Rory the dog waits next to a sign put outside the polling station at St James Church Hall in Inverleith, Edinburgh
A golden retriever is pictured with its owner at a polling station in Burrelton, Scotland
A dog poses for a photo at the polling station in St Davids, Wales, for the Senedd election
A person is seen with three dogs as they leave a polling station in London today
A dog named Obi-Wan Kenobi outside the St James Church polling station in Edinburgh
Solly the Labrador at a polling station in London
A dog waits for its owner outside a polling station in Edinburgh, Scotland
A dog jumps outside a polling station in London today as voters cast their ballots
A daschund waits for its owner outside a polling station in Edinburgh today
A dog is seen outside a polling station in Edinburgh today
A dog waits outside a polling station as voters cast their ballots at Pollokshields Burgh Hall in Glasgow
A dog waits outside as people cast their vote at Pollokshields Burgh Hall in Glasgow
A spaniel sits outside a polling station in London today
A dog waits by a polling station as voters in Hartlepool head to the polls during the local elections
A border terrier waits for its owner outside a polling station in Lewes, East Sussex
A Whippet dog waits outside a polling station in Wimbledon while its owner votes at the local election
3-5teaspoonground ginger(depending on how gingery you like your biscuits)
1teaspoonground cinnamon
1teaspoonbaking soda(bicarbonate of soda/bread soda)
2¼cupplain flour(standard grade/all-purpose)
½teaspoontable salt
Sugar Coating
¼cupraw sugar(granulated white sugar)
1teaspoonground ginger
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 180°C/355F, or 160°C fan-forced. Line two large baking sheets/baking trays with parchment paper/baking paper or silicon mats.
In a large bowl, cream the room-temperature butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and golden syrup together. This will take about 3 to 5 minutes. If using a stand mixer - cream together using the paddle attachment.
1 cup butter,1 cup white granulated sugar,¼ cup light brown sugar,2 tablespoons golden syrup
Add in the room temperature egg and vanilla, and beat together until fully combined (2-3 minutes).
1 egg,1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a smaller bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon. Add half the dry ingredients to the wet and mix in until combined, this may need to be finished off using a wooden spoon. Then add the rest and mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough in the bowl a few times by hand to make sure all the ingredients are fully combined.
3-5 teaspoon ground ginger,1 teaspoon ground cinnamon,1 teaspoon baking soda,2¼ cup plain flour,½ teaspoon table salt
Portion out the cookie dough either using a 2 tablespoons cookie scoop or by rolling out small balls of 2 tablespoons of dough.
In a small bowl or ramekin, stir together the raw sugar and ground ginger. Roll the cookies in the sugar-ginger mix and place them on the large baking sheet approximately 7cm (3 inches apart). Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the cookies are deep golden brown.
¼ cup raw sugar,1 teaspoon ground ginger
Allow the baked biscuits to cool on the baking tray for at least 5 minutes before gently lifting them with a spatula onto a wire rack and allowing them to cool completely.
