Bishops Castle

PATIENTS’ GROUP NEWSLETTER - Bishops Castle Patients’ Group has published its latest newsletter. It is an extended four page edition which focuses on the latest developments at Bishops Castle Medical Practice. Copies of the newsletter will be available in Bishops Castle from the surgery waiting room, Bishops Castle pharmacy, Enterprise House and other venues outside Bishops Castle. The newsletter will also be available online at bcpg.org.uk under News and Information. Contact the patients’ group by email at BCPatientsGroup@gmail.com, via the drop box in the surgery or via bcpg.org.uk.

NEW BUSINESS - A couple who moved from The Philippines in 2005 to work in Bishops Castle will soon be opening their own residential home for the elderly and those with dementia. Kenneth and Noriz Andal, who live in Grange Road, have taken over Kevindale, a former care home in Aston on Clun and are busy upgrading the facilities ready for their first residents. The new business will create 16 jobs for local people and Mr Andal is keen to support local suppliers for Kevindale’s everyday needs. In November last year Kenneth and Noriz joined their friends in organising a coffee morning in the Church Barn, Bishops Castle and raised £955 for the Oxfam Philippines Typhoon Appeal. Vilma Delves raised a further £200 at a car boot stall in Churchstoke.

FAIR TRADE SPRING SALE - Fair Trade goods from Traidcraft and the leprosy care charity Created are on sale at cut price at a spring sale in Bishops Castle Methodist hall. Many of the lines are half price and organiser Elisabeth Knight assures customers that all the producers have been paid in full. Craft goods, toys, food, jewellery, accessories and stationery will all be on show. The opening times are Monday 2pm - 4pm; Tuesday in term time 1.30pm - 3pm; Wednesday in term time 6pm - 7pm; Friday 10am - 1.30pm. Call 01588 680285 for more details.

NEW AQUA FIT CLASS - Swimming instructor Zana Howells has started an aqua fit class in the pool at Teme SpArC in Bishops Castle. It’s on Thursday evening from 6 - 7pm and to book a place call 01588 630243. Aqua fit has proved to be very popular at Teme SpArC and this is a new class, in addition to a session with Lucy Evans on Monday at 6pm. As well as a full programme of after school swimming lessons for children, there is a parent and toddler swim on Tuesday at 10am; adult lane swimming on Monday and Tuesday 7 - 9pm; early bird lane swimming on Tuesday 7am - 9am and Friday 7am -10am; 50 plus swim on Tuesday 9am - 10am; family fun session on Wednesday 6pm - 7pm; public sessions on Wednesday and Thursday 7pm - 9pm and on Sunday morning 10am - noon. Call 01588 630243.

BINGO - The bingo night held on March 5 in the public hall raised £506 for Wendy’s Cancer Respite Holiday Fund, while another recent bingo event in the hall raised £490, shared between Sea Shepherd and the Midlands Air Ambulance.

RUDOLPH STEINER FILM - The Quest Group have recently shown a film called The Challenge of Rudolf Steiner in Bishops Castle. Directed by Jonathan Stedall, it is a new documentary about Rudolf Steiner and covers his work with bio-dynamic farming, Waldorf education, banking and commerce, architecture, the Camphill communities, forms of medicine and other related topics. To find out more about Quest call 01588 630648.

SPRING IN YOUR STEP - The dance band Belladonna will be back in the Church Barn, Bishops Castle tomorrow for another of their popular Balkan ceilidhs. Starting at 7.30pm, the dances are mostly from Eastern Europe to celebrate the spring equinox. No partners are needed and all the dance steps will be taught on the night. Call 01588 630648.

SING INTO SPRING - The Marches Community Choir sings its way into spring at Bishops Castle Church on April 5 at 7.30pm. The concert will include the Little Organ Mass by Haydn, Rutter’s Gloria , The Credo by Vivaldi and items from Random Brass , directed by Cecil Haywood. The conductor is John Bowen, accompanied on the organ by John Godwin. Tickets cost £10 (children and students free) from 01588 650448.

FANCY DRESS - Jan Robertson and Julie Burgwin are selling tickets for a 80s style fancy dress ball at the Three Tuns in Bishops Castle on April 26. The event is in aid of Sea Shepherd, a charity that campaigns to stop the killing of dolphins, with tickets costing £7. Call Jan on 07825374094, as there is no entry on the door.

CELEBRATE NEW HALL - Lydbury North village hall is nearly complete and everyone is looking forward to the grand opening on March 29. Diana Walker, an old friend of Dorothy Hunt and Mary Adams, (now both deceased and whose gift of money paid for much of the building and running costs of the new hall) has been asked to cut the ribbon at 2.15pm. Earlier in the afternoon Tony Lewis will be in charge of the duck race on the village brook at 1.15pm, followed by morris dancing at 2pm. The Shropshire Bedlams and Martha Rhoden’s will then lead everyone from the brook up to the new hall. After the ribbon is cut, there will be refreshments, more morris dancing and a chance to look over the new hall, built on the site of the old 1922 building, now demolished. The hall closes at 5.30pm but everyone is welcome at 7.30pm for a dance. The celebrations continue on March 30 with coffee and tea at 11am and a real ale bar from noon. Wild Edric’s Guitar Club and the band Bakerfield will play informally during the afternoon and local entertainer Val Littlehales will be putting in a guest appearance at 2pm. More Lydbury North village hall news soon. Call 01588 680203 for information.

LYDHAM CHURCH WINNERS - February winners of the Lydham Church 100 Club were Norman Jones - £27.25; Shirley Rowson - £16.35 and Kym Boraston - £ 10.90. If you want to join the club and support Lydham Church funds call Neil Hird on 01588 638379.

MORE CHURCH DRAW - Crystal Hamer, JM Littlehales and Paul Amess were the February winners in the More Church monthly draw. January winners were D and T Jones, Toby Morris and Eileen Hudson.

MARY WEBB TALK - One of Lydbury North WI’s own members was the speaker at their February meeting. Jane Freeman is also a member of the Mary Webb Society and has enjoyed the writing of the Shropshire author since she was a teenager. Mrs Freeman outlined Mary Webb’s life which was often plagued by illness and other difficulties. She showed pictures of the writer’s homes in Pontesford, Lyth Hill and Hampstead in London, from which she returned to her beloved Shropshire. Very few Lydbury North members had read the novels of Mary Webb but Jane’s enthusiastic talk has prompted them to try her books and nature poetry. The next WI meeting is today at 7.15pm in Edgton village hall when Rachel Gee will talk about Fun Rides visitors welcome.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY, March 20 - 26

THURSDAY: Birmingham Contemporary Music Group. Field Notes. SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle. £10/£6. 7.30pm. Call 01588 630321 or 638038.

  • Quiz in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. Boars Head, Bishops Castle. £3, up to six in team. 8pm. Call 01588 638521.
  • Lydham, More and Snead WI. My Books – Andrew Peters. Lydham village hall. 7.30pm. Call 01588 650315.

FRIDAY: Talk Syria and Implications for the Middle East - Pete Kelsall. Church Barn, Bishops Castle. Free. 10.30am.

  • Lent lunch for Christian Aid. Methodist hall, Bishops Castle. Weekly until Good Friday. 12 noon.
  • Talk. First World War Memorials in Shropshire - Peter Francis, in aid of Snead Church. Lydham village hall. £5. 7.30pm. Call 01588 620275.

SUNDAY: Taize meditation. Church Barn, Bishops Castle. 4.30pm.

MONDAY: Footpath Walking Group. Adstone. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishops Castle. 9.30am. Call 01694 724664.

  • Bingo in aid of Breast Cancer Research. Powis arms, Lydbury North. 8pm. Call 01588 680396.

TUESDAY: Civil Defence Bowling Club AGM. Boars Head, Bishops Castle. 7.30pm.

  • Bishops Castle town council meeting. Enterprise House, Bishops Castle. 8pm.

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

 

Clun Valley

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING - Clun town council with Chapel Lawn meets today (Thursday) at 7.30pm at Chapel Lawn village hall.

SOUP AND PUDDING LUNCHES - Soup and pudding lunch at Clun Methodist rooms tomorrow (Friday) and March 28. In aid of Christian Aid.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - Philomena (12A) is showing at Clungunford parish hall tomorrow (Friday) at 8pm. Entrance £4 adults, £2 children, licensed bar, ice creams, raffle, good car parking and excellent company. Telephone 01588 660727 (Ann) or 01588 660781 (Maureen) for enquiries and reservations.

Mud (12A) is showing at Chapel Lawn village hall on at 7.30pm. Tickets adult £4, enquiries 01547 530530.

SUNDAY CLUB COFFEE MORNING – Saturday from 10am-noon, a coffee morning at Clun Methodist church in aid of The Severn Hospice. Entertainment and stalls.

GARDEN SOCIETY TRIP – Newcastle and District Garden Society trip to Ashwood Nurseries (postponed from February due to bad weather) will take place on Tuesday. The cost, including coach and garden entrance, is £12.50. The coach will leave Newcastle bus depot at 9am and Clun Bridge car park at 9.15am. Contact Carol Gurney 01588 640163 or Stan Wild 01588 640241 for more information.

GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY TALK – The South West Shropshire Gardening Club welcome local freelance photographer, Julia Stanley as this month’s speaker at the meeting on Wednesday. Julia specialises in plants and gardens. She is a member of the Garden Media Guild and the Professional Garden Photographers’ Association and an associate of the Royal Photographic Society. Her love of plants is clear in the exquisite details observed in her photographs. Her work has been widely published in magazines and newspapers and she also works for garden designers, websites and private commissions, as well as running workshops at the Dorothy Clive Garden on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border. As well as the talk, Julia will judge a photographic competition; categories are Winter in Your Garden; Spring Emerging; Christmas. Photographs should be a maximum of A5/ 6”x8”/15cm x 21cm (unmounted). Garden vouchers for the winners. 7.30pm at Clun Memorial hall. Free to members. Visitors welcome, £3 includes refreshments.

CLUN WALKS – Clun Ramblers’ next walk is on Wednesday led by Jenny H. Meet at Clun Memorial hall car park at 9.30am. Sorry no dogs.

FIRST AID TRAINING – Clun Good Friends Scheme are organising a basic first aid training run by the British Red Cross at Hightown community room on Thursday, March 27 from 10am to noon. The cost is £15 and there is a maximum of 25 people. If you are interested please contact Ann Ogram 01588 640830 as soon as possible.

THE RIVER CLUN AND YOU – Land, Life and Livelihoods invites you to a community event about the River Clun on Thursday, March 27 at 7pm in Newcastle community centre. Free admission.

CORRESPONDENT – If you have any news or events in the Clun Valley, contact Elisabeth Taylor, elisabeth777@btinternet.com or 01981 540893. The deadline is the Thursday of the week before publication.

 

Far Forest

JUMBLE SALE – There will be a jumble sale on March 29 starting at 2pm in the village hall. All proceeds will go to the hall so please come along and give your support.

BINGO – There will be bingo at the village hall on April 4 starting at 8pm. Come along for a friendly night out.

HALL BOOKINGS – If you would like to book the village hall for an event please contact Pauline on 01299 878581.

 

Tenbury

TENBURY TOWN BAND ANNUAL CONCERT – May 10 at The Regal, tickets now on sale at The Regal.

REMEMBERING DEREK MARKS – Come and watch films of the walks Derek led in 1986-1988. Lindridge parish hall, April 4, 6pm – 6.30pm. All are welcome to a bring and share supper of finger food. Donations in memory of Derek to Lindridge parish hall. Come and see how you looked all those years ago. Relive the community spirit those walks encouraged. Further information Betty Anderson 01584 881358. This event is supported by St Lawrence’s Church, Lindridge.

FIRST AID – Level two first aid for the workplace. Two three-hour sessions at Tenbury library, students will receive a certificate at the end of the training. April 5 and 12, 10am-1pm, £22.50 for course. Further details and to book your place, speak to a member of staff or call 01905 822722.

APPLE GRAFTING COURSE – Mahorall Cider Farm, Saturday from 10.30am, lunch provided. Led by Wade Muggleton, well-known practitioner and permaculture writer and passionate expert in all things relating to the humble apple, formerly a college lecturer, Wade is now a countryside officer for Worcestershire county council. His garden is a Permaculture Association demonstration site and he is a writer on grafting for Permaculture Magazine . Take home at least two heritage apple species that you will have grafted onto supplied root stock. The course will be in the activity barn at Mahorall Cider Farm off the Tenbury Road and will include an illustrated talk by Wade, practical demonstrations and a hands on session (materials and tools provided). £25 per person, book in advance at Mahorall Farm by phone on 01584 890946 or www.thecleehilltrust.co.uk.

LENT SOUP LUNCHES – Will be held every Wednesday at Tenbury Methodist church hall from 12.30pm- 2pm with the last lunch served on April 9. All are welcome. Donations to Christian Aid.

 

The Strettons

COUNTRY MARKET – The country market has re-opened at Mayfair and will take place every Friday morning from 8.30am-noon until Christmas. On sale will be home-made cakes, produce and crafts.

AFTERNOON TALK – A talk and virtual walk will be held at the National Trust tea rooms in Carding Mill valley tomorrow at 2pm-3.15pm. Local tree expert John Tuer will speak about Trees of Shropshire, and take everyone on a virtual walk through the Shropshire hills to help everyone understand more about the issues relating to trees and offer useful information on planting and caring for trees. An actual walk will take place on May 11.

COMMUNITY CINEMA – Presents Blue Jasmine (12A) at All Stretton village hall tomorrow and also at Acton Scott village hall on Tuesday. All films start at 7.30pm and interval refreshments are available. Admission for adults is £4.

QUIZ NIGHTS – Cancer Research UK local committee is hosting a quiz night at the Silvester Horne Institute tomorrow at 7.30pm. Entry is £5 and reservations should be made by ringing 01694 722713. Saturday night will see a quiz night at the District Social Club starting at 7.30pm in aid of the Royal British Legion Appeal. Later in the month the Church Stretton Inner Wheel will host a quiz night at the Plough, Wistanstow in aid of Wheels projects. The date of this event is March 28, at 8.30pm.

CEILIDH – Amnesty International local group hosts a ceilidh at the Silvester Horne Institute on Saturday with music by the Compost Band. Admission is £10 or £5 for the under- 16s and enquiries for tickets should be made by ringing 01694 722904.

PARKINSON’S GROUP – The Shropshire Strummers will be entertaining at the next meeting of the Parkinson’s Group which will be held at Mayfair on Monday at 2.30pm, for a sing-along.

LOCAL HISTORY – The Church Stretton area local history group meets at the URC hall on Monday afternoon at 2.30pm when Olwen Hughes will speak on St Lawrence around the World.

PUBLIC MEETINGS – A public meeting will take place on Monday at 7.30pm in the Silvester Horne Institute when Recory Wood and Field management will be on the agenda. To find out more ring 01746 781192.

LITERARY SOCIETY – David Howard will lead the discussion on Censorship at the Literary Society meeting on Monday at the library starting at 7.30pm.

BIRDS – The Shropshire Ornithological Society meets on Monday night at the Methodist hall at 7.30pm and on this occasion Graham Wren will speak on Our Changing Countryside. Admission for non- members is £2 and all are welcome.

GARDENING CLUB – On Tuesday the Church Stretton Gardening Club will meet at the Silvester Horne Institute at 7.30pm for a talk by Nick Robinson on National Trust Projects. Visitors always welcome.

BUSINESS FORUM – Strettondale Business Forum will be meeting at Church Stretton School on Wednesday from 6pm to 7.30pm, offering a chance for local businesses to network, take business cards, displays and promotional material to the event. Light Refreshment will be available. Further information is available by ringing 01584 838241.

SCHOOL NEWS – Church Stretton School’s rugby team is celebrating its victory against a Leicester School in the Midlands quarter-final, and students have visited Blists Hill and taken part in a Maths Challenge. St Lawrence’s primary school is also celebrating its successes when both the under-11 girls and boys teams have made it through to the county finals which will be played at Shrewsbury Town Football Club in May. A number of people have volunteered to help with the maths games for KS1 pupils, and there are plans for a theatre visit and a trip to the Black Country. There was a surprise visitor to class two in the shape of a German shepherd dog which caused great excitement as the pupils were trying to decide if wolves were from the same family.

WELL-BEING CENTRE – A well- attended meeting was recently held at Mayfair to inform the public of the progress in establishing the new Health and Well-Being Centre in Easthope Road, and on May 13 the Methodist Wives and Friends group will be hosting a talk about the centre at the Methodist hall at 7.30pm when all will be welcome.

CLASSROOMS IN THE CLOUDS – There is a big thank you to all who support the Classrooms in the Clouds fundraising project. A recent talk organised by supporters together with the Methodist Wives and Friends was well supported and a cheque for £159 was presented in respect of the proceeds of the evening, and in addition, a further cheque for £167.50 was presented by Kaboodle from its fundraising activities, making a total of £326.50 to Classrooms in the Clouds.

LUNCH – A bangers and mash lunch for Save the Children is planned for March 28 at the parish centre from noon-1.30pm. Cost of the lunch is £5.50 including tea and coffee.

MORE SINGERS – The More Singers will be in concert at the URC at 7.30pm on March 29. Advance tickets cost £5 or £6 on the door. Ticket sales are through Burway Books and John Thomas Florists.

THEATRE – The Grassroots Theatre Company will be presenting Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton at All Stretton village hall on March 28 and 29, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £8 and £7 concessions, and are being sold through Burway Books and John Thomas Florists. You are welcome to take your own wine.

POETRY EVENING – The Cardington Poetry Group will be presenting Under Milk Wood , a play for voices by Dylan Thomas, at Longnor village hall on March 28. To enquire for tickets ring 01743 718028. Admission is £5 for adults and £3 for the under 16s.

MALAWI – Fascinations and Tastes of Malawi is the subject of a talk by Bill Ross at Mayfair community centre on March 28, at 7pm. Tickets are £5 and they include small tasters.

 

Clows Top and District Gardening Club

APRIL is the most exciting month of the year because you are well and truly into spring. The gardens are looking green and vibrant, and, on the whole, days are warming up. Nights can still be cold, so keep an eye on the weather and protect any tender plants if frost is forecast. At the February meeting speaker, Jill Guest, gave a talk and power point presentation on Easy Garden Design. She gave basic tricks, hints and tips that designers use in members own gardens, which was a great success with everyone enjoying the talk. If you need some fresh ideas or advice for your garden, then why not join one of the monthly meetings. Don’t be afraid to go along, it is a garden club not a horticulture society. Non-members are very welcome to any of the meetings. The next meeting will be on April 23 and the speaker for the evening will be Chrissy Ching with a talk on Potagers. Diary dates:

  • This year’s annual plant sale and coffee morning will be on May 17, 10am till noon.
  • May 28, Hardy Plant Society, Vivienne McGee
  • June 25, Low Garden Maintenance, Carol Smith
  • July 23, Tales From Garden Labels, Dr Murray Mylechreest
  • August 16, Clows Top Summer Show
  • August 27, Carnivorous Plant, Mike King
  • September 24, 60 Years of Wildlife Photography, John Robinson
  • October 22, I’m Not Much Good At Gardening, David Morgan
  • November 26, Hartlebury Common, Dr Joy Rooney.

Clows Top and District Gardening Club meet the 4th Wednesday in the calendar month at Clows Top victory hall. Doors open 7.30pm, for the speaker at 8pm. For further details, telephone Marion Wilson 01299 270475 or email clowstopdistrictgardeningclub@hotmail.co.uk.

 

Mamble Cum Bayton WI

THE March Mamble Cum Bayton WI meeting had a musical theme, as members were entertained by folk singers Mike and Pat Ledbury of Morning Dew. Mike explained that, as the music was not written down originally, the tunes would vary as the singers travelled around the countryside and the lyrics were often a means of telling children how to behave. They played a wide variety of tunes, which also included audience participation in “bobbing” and “turning the wheel”. Several members will be attending the Teme and Tenbury Group meeting later in March, to be hosted by St Michael’s. Secretary Lyn Bowen had attended a meeting about the Centenary Baton, travelling through Worcestershire in early September. An early reminder was given about the spring rummage sale to be held on May 3 at Mamble village hall. The competition for a “C” related item was won by president Val Evans for her China mug. The next meeting will be an evening meeting starting a 7.30pm in Mamble village hall on April 14. Brian Lawrence will talk about Home on the Range. The competition is a “D” related item and there will be a trading stall.

 

Tenbury Ladies Evening Guild

THE Tenbury Ladies Evening Guild met on March 3 and were entertained by Roger Champkin with his guitar and piano accordion, accompanied by friend Ann,who sang along. This was followed by coffee and then the AGM. The next meeting at The Penlu Lounge, Burford, is on April 7 at 7pm,when Mr Hadwell of Abberley will give a talk called Tales of a Reluctant Gardener. He is always very entertaining with his dry sense of humour. The guild meets on the first Monday of the month at 7pm (except bank holidays, when it is the second Monday) to listen to speakers, enjoy entertainers, plus attend a summer outing and Christmas lunch. It is a friendly and informal group of women of all ages. For information contact Shirley Edwards on 01584 811354.