AWARD FOR THREE TUNS - The Three Tuns Brewery has been presented with the Shropshire Brewers Challenge Trophy. Stephen Willmer, the head brewer, proudly received the award from John Lewis, chairman of Shrewsbury and West Shropshire CAMRA at the Bridges Pub in Ratlinghope. Stephen said, “We have spent a decade restoring this famous brewery, modernising the brew plant whilst painstakingly respecting the Three Tuns process, central to our unique beer quality. We are now having fun playing with the Three Tuns recipe book handed down through the generations of custodians of the brewery. It has been a great year for us. Our stout has won prizes at every festival it has been entered in, whilst our core beers XXX, Rantipole, 1642 Bitter and Cleric’s Cure have been in such demand that the brewery now has a reserve list for potential new customers. Plans are currently being hatched to expand the brewery’s ancient cellars in Bishops Castle to facilitate extra capacity for the amazing beers we provide.” Call 01588 638392 for more information.

FRIDAY MARKET - Bishops Castle town councillors say they are determined to keep a Friday market in the town, even when the town hall is closed for renovation. The work could take up to a year but at a council meeting on February 26 councillors felt strongly that it would be a mistake to allow the Friday market to lapse. A number of alternative sites in the town are being considered.

Town clerk Diane Malley said that holding regular markets in the town hall is a central part of the whole £750,000 renovation plan. “We need to keep Bishops Castle on the map as the market town it always was in the past,”

she said. “They will be vital to the income and life of the hall when it is back in use and we are keen to keep the Friday market going. The monthly flea market and farmers markets are both going to use the Methodist hall in Station Street and then return to the town hall when it is ready.” A number of Friday traders have said they will move their stalls to Lydham village hall, two miles away and Mrs Malley said that this was regrettable and hoped they might reconsider. If you are interested in having a stall at Bishops Castle Friday market call Bishops Castle town clerk on 01588 638141.

GIFT TO SCHOOL - Bishops Castle primary school has been thrilled to receive a donation of £250 from the Harry Tuffin’s fun day in Churchstoke.

“We are very grateful to be included once again as a beneficiary from this event,” said a school spokesman.

Pupils in the top two classes at Bishops Castle primary school will be going to SpArC on March 7 to enjoy a live show.

The Biggest Book Show on Earth is part of the UK celebrations for World Book Day. Burway Books from Church Stretton will be there and each child will be given a voucher to buy any £1 World Book Day title, or to put towards any other book.

BORDERLINES FILM FEST - Two venues in Bishops Castle will show films as part of the Borderlines Film Festival, the largest of its kind in Europe. Both SpArC and Bishops Castle Film Society are taking part.

Today (Thursday) you can see Untouchable (15 ) at SpArC at 7pm. On Tuesday another French film, Rust and Bone (15) is showing at SpArC at 7pm.

The last film is again at SpArC on March 15 at 7pm, Anna Karenina (12A). Tickets at SpArC cost £4.50/£3 and it’s a good idea to book on 01588 630243. Pay on the door at the Three Tuns, £4/£2 students.

PLANT FACTS AND FALLACIES - Botanist, Dr Henry Oakeley gave a lecture on medicinal plants to an audience at SWSHAS on February 12.

Dr Oakeley, whose ancestors lived for centuries at Oakeley (Lydham Manor), is a retired consultant psychiatrist who practiced at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.

He is also a fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society and a leading expert on orchids, travelling all over the world to discover many new species. Dr Oakeley began by pointing out that of the thousands of plants considered to be ‘medicinal’ very few indeed were actually effective. He described various types of medicinal and poisonous plants (some familiar garden species) and shared some anecdotes about the beliefs and superstitions relating to herbal remedies. He also offered stern warnings about the dangerous sideeffects of a number of these. The audience was enthralled by his scholarly approach, but also delighted by his humorous delivery.

The society’s next meeting will be at 7.30pm on March 15, in the Church Barn, Bishops Castle, when Nick Mansfield will talk on The Labour Workforce Movement in South Shropshire, 7pm for 7.30pm. Guests are welcome at a fee of £5.

CHURCH COFFEE MORNING - Diana Walker held a coffee morning at her home in Lydbury North on February 21 and raised £240. The hospice has been given £100, with £140 going to support Lydbury North church. A number of people took the opportunity to renew their church magazine subscriptions at the event. Diana thanked everyone who came and those who helped her.

NEW HALL WILL BE DEMOLISHED - The group working to build a new community hall for Lydbury North has had some good news. Its bid for stage two of the big lottery has been successful and will now go on to the third stage. In addition, Lydbury North parish council has also been awarded a development grant which will fund the additional surveys as required by the lottery. To speed up the whole process, the parish council has raised a short term loan to buy the hall car park and move an electricity pole.

A project manager has been appointed to work with hall architect Richard Pidduck to find contractors wishing to tender for the work. The village hall committee will now clear the hall and arrange for the storage of the furniture.

No tenders for the sale of the hall have been received and specialist contractors will be appointed to deal with the demolition of the hall and disposal of any asbestos.

RUN YOUR OWN B AND B - Have you just set up your own bed and breakfast business, or are you thinking about doing so this year? Shropshire Tourism will be holding two one-day training days and senior marketing officer Claire Owen says, “If you are thinking about setting up a B and B in Shropshire and would like advice on getting started, or if you have set up a B and B in Shropshire in the last 12 months and would like guidance to develop your business, we would like to encourage you to contact Shropshire Tourism to register your interest in attending a training day as soon as possible.” The day is free and to find out more call Shropshire Tourism on 01743 261919 or email cowen@shropshiretourism.co.uk.

EASING YOUR PAIN - Simon Heather was the guest speaker at Mainstone WI. His subject was Bowen Therapy and he invited members to press various pressure points on their body to ease pain.

Two visitors, Debbie O’ Shea and Lynn Higgs were welcomed to the meeting and members hope they may join the group. Bertha Hudson and Ceinwen Richards sent thanks for their 90th birthday card and get well card respectively. The competition winners were 1st Brenda Deakins, 2nd Sheila Hudson, 3rd Olwyn Watkins.

TALK - On Tuesday, St Kilda - At Last, an illustrated talk on the wildlife and history of the most remote corner of the United Kingdom by Chris Penny.

At the Powis Arms, Lydbury North at 8pm. A Kemp Valley Community Wildlife Group event. Admission is free, please call 01588 680590 for further details.

MOTHER’S DAY AFTERNOON TEA - Walcot Hall will launch its first Mother’s Day afternoon tea in the ballroom. Guests will be able to explore the gardens and there will be music playing in the Anteroom on our grand piano as well as a bar. Each Mum will receive a small gift. Afternoon tea will be run by Jenny’s Catering and will consist of either full afternoon tea served with either tea or coffee or visitors can upgrade to champagne afternoon tea for a real treat.

Prices are £15 for full afternoon tea, £20 for full champagne afternoon tea.

Children aged 5-12 are £4.50. We have bookings available for 1pm, 2pm or 3pm and should be booked in advance to avoid disappointment. For more information or to book call Walcot Hall on 01588 680570 or email Julia@walcothall.com.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY, March 8 - 9 FRIDAY: Shropshire Music Trust, Joglaresa at SpArC Theatre in Bishops Castle. £8/£4 children, starts at 7.30pm, call 01588 630243.

• Community College PTA quiz at college hall. Table of four people £10.

Starts at 7.30pm, book on 01588 638257.

• Lent lunch served by Lydbury North church, for Christian Aid at the Methodist hall, Bishops Castle at 12 noon.

SATURDAY: Linus Project quilt exhibition at Bishops Castle church.

10.30am - 12.30pm and 2pm - 4pm.

If you have any news for the paper, or a coming event to promote, please hand a note addressed to Julia Parker over the counter at Bishops Castle Post Office. Phone 01588 680445 or email jparker228@btinternet.com.