NEW CARERS GROUP - The Bishops Castle and District Carers Group held their inaugural meeting at Coverage Care in Bishops Castle on February 4.

They hope it will be the first of many such friendly meetings of the group and are looking for more carers to join them. One of those helping to set up the group is Jenny Englefield and she said, “Within five minutes the room was buzzing with people introducing themselves, sharing information and their experiences in their role as a carer. It was a wonderful start.” The new group was supported by Pat Morrison, Judith Payne and Janet Preshous all members of the Friends of Bishops Castle Community, care home and hospital, who have given their support from the first plans for the group. Janet Preshous and John Holt also came with their reminiscence display from the Recall project and both are more than happy to support the carers’ group at future events. Jean Rice attended as a representative for the newly formed Bishops Castle Patients Group and offered to take back to the group any patients concerns. Jenny Englefield added, “Last but by no means least, five informal (unpaid) carers had come.

Despite their busy and often unrelenting schedule they managed to join us and discuss the future of our new group and named it Bishops Castle and District Carers Group. Our first meeting was a huge success and it was generally felt that it was a good start, and good group with great potential.” Those that attended found it very informative and an opportunity to help others. As one carer quoted, “It made my day” the next meeting of the Bishops Castle and District Carers Group is on March 18 at Coverage Care, Bishops Castle from 2pm - 4pm.

The speaker is Keturah Bloor who will explain the services available from Coverage Care. If you would like to find out more, or have problems attending please contact call Jenny Englefield on 01694 722024 or email maysi@hotmail.co.uk.

PATIENTS GROUP NEWS - Bishops Castle Patients Group has an ‘open house’ on Thursday, March 7 from 2pm-4pm. The event is in Bishops Castle public hall.

KITCHEN TABLE JEWELLERY The February meeting of Norbury and District WI was well attended, with members joined by two guests and June Pinches presiding. Both darts teams reported that they were doing well with only a few more games to play. The final will be held in Shrewsbury on March 26. Social secretaries Shirley Betton and Janet Brandon gave details of the annual trip which will be to Wedgewood and Trentham Gardens. They also took names for the annual dinner at The Inn on the Green, Wentnor. The speaker for the evening was Karen von Hoff, from Ludlow, who spoke about Couture Accessories.

This was an amusing and informative talk which engaged the audience as Karen was so interesting. Members asked questions and tried on the lovely jewellery that Karen had made with some members treating themselves to a Valentine's present. Karen explained she had been in the fashion business for 25 years making accessories but her career had started making things at her kitchen table for a WI competition.

She was thanked by Mary Atkins, and Jayne Godsman won one of Karen's lovely necklaces that she gave to be raffled. Karen also judged the WI competition Your favourite piece of Jewellery and this was won by Rita Preston with Jane Pugh second and June Pinches third. The next meeting is on March 14 at 7.30pm in Norbury village hall when George Hill will talk about Bee Keeping.

STAR GAZERS - A very cold evening did not deter Bishops Castle cubs and beavers from going outside for a spot of star gazing on one of their weekly meetings. The boys and girls have also enjoyed games, a badge night and an enjoyable sports night. However the highlight of this half term’s activities has been the beavers and cubs talent night when everyone took part by singing, dancing, reciting funny poems, playing an instrument and even demonstrating their footballing skills. Bishops Castle scouts meet at 6pm on Wednesday evenings; the beavers get together at 5.30pm on Thursdays, followed by cubs at 6.45pm.

Call 01588 638382 for details of how to join.

ARCHITECT’S TALK AT WI - Architect Rick Morris was the guest speaker at Bishops Castle WI on February 19. He gave an illustrated talk on different various styles of buildings and the history of building materials. Some of the buildings he showed had sadly been demolished, with a few being preserved for posterity. The evening finished with a lovely supper provided by members. The next Bishops Castle WI meeting is on March 19 at 7.30pm in the Methodist hall. Kate Pratt will be talking about life in a Russian monastery.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE QUIZ NIGHT - Don’t miss the PTA quiz evening at the community college, Bishops Castle on March 8 in the school hall. A table of four will cost just £10 and advance booking is recommended as this event has proved very popular in the past. To book a table call 01588 638257 or call in for a booking form. People of all ages are very welcome to take part.

VINTAGE VEHICLE CLUB NEWS - The Longmynd Vintage Vehicle Club held a bingo night at the Powis Arms on February 13. Rosemary and Jodie Griffiths hosted the night, which raised £190 for the Midlands Air Ambulance.

The club would like to thank all those who attended and supporters of the club who donated prizes. Members are now looking forward to welcoming Alf Jenkins to the Inn on the Green, Wentnor on March 13 at 8pm. Mr Jenkins will be presenting a talk and slide show on The Industry, Social History and Dialect of South Shropshire, Titterstone and Clee Hill.

Guests are welcome at a fee of £3.

FAREWELL FUN AT THE HALL - The Final Fling on Saturday is a last chance to say goodbye to Lydbury North village hall. Built as a temporary structure back in 1928, plans are advancing well for the replacement of the building with a new community hall. After 85 years Lydbury North residents are preparing to bid a fond farewell to their old hall with a day programme of events open to everyone. The fun starts at 1.30pm with a duck race; then at 2pm there’s a bring and share tea party in the hall, followed at 4pm with a friendly skittles competition. At 7.30pm the action gets really lively with ‘dancing through the decades’. In all the years that the village hall has been at the heart of the community it has certainly played host to countless happy events and the organisers hope the Final Fling will give it a really good send-off.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY, March 1 - 7 FRIDAY: Quiz in aid of Bishops Castle Tennis Club. Three Tuns, Bishops Castle. 7pm. Call 01588 638295.

• Pentabus Theatre. For Once. SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle. £9/£6.

7.30pm. Book on 01588 630243.

• Lean on Me. Portrait paintings by Sharon Griffith. SpArC Gallery, Bishops Castle. Until end of month. Call 01588 630243.

• Women’s World Day of Prayer.

Methodist hall, Bishops Castle. 11am • Footpath Walking Group planning meeting. The Old Malthouse, Plowden.

10.30am Call 01588 650451.

SATURDAY: Auction. Bishops Castle public hall. Call 01743 462763.

• Jumble sale in aid of Norbury Church. Norbury village hall. 2pm.

• The Final Fling. Lydbury North village hall 2pm.

MONDAY: Meditation – Joan Baker.

Mainstone church. 7.30pm. Music 7pm.

Call 01588 638819.

TUESDAY: Bishops Castle Walking Group. Ashes Hollow. Meet Harley Jenkins St, Bishops Castle. 9.30am. Call 01588 630446.

• Potato printing workshop led by Jacs Collins. The Gallery, Bishops Castle.

11am-3pm. Call 01588 630555.

• Onny Valley Social Club. Discovering your Family History – Dr Margaret Wilson. Norbury village hall. 2.30pm.

Call 01588 638570.

WEDNESDAY: Bishops Castle Film Society. Dream of Light. Three Tuns, Bishops Castle. 8pm. Call 01588 680445.

THURSDAY: Bishops Castle Patients Group open house. Bishops Castle public hall. 2pm-4pm.