Bayton and Clows Top

FILM NIGHT - Bayton hall tomorrow at 7.30pm, all welcome.

COFFEE MORNING - Bayton hall on April 1, 10am to12 noon, all welcome.

 

Bishops Castle

PATIENTS SURVEY RESULTS - Bishops Castle Patients Group (BCPG) has published the results of its recent patient survey and associated action plan. The response rate to this year’s survey was very high at 52.5%. The survey looked at key areas of interest to patients: services at Bishops Castle Medical Practice (BCMP), hospital services and a miscellany of items relating to the surgery environment and BCPG itself. The survey was conducted through the month of February 2014, and is based on patient experience for the previous 12 months – it therefore largely pre-dates the recent changes at BCMP which were introduced on February 3 with the retirement of two partners and the return to the practice of Dr Adrian Penney. Based on the survey results, BCPG will investigate and pursue with the practice various developments which it hopes will be available to patients in the near future. Key points of the survey included good results for patient access to a doctor on the same day as an emergency (88%) and for access to a doctor within 48 hours of seeking an appointment (88%), but these figures are down on a year ago when they were 91% and 93% respectively. Patients were very enthusiastic (87%) about the idea of introducing a daily drop-in surgery which would not require an appointment. Twelve percent of respondents expressed a desire for a Saturday surgery and 10% for evening appointments. As far as hospital services were concerned, 86% of those who had had a hospital referral were either very satisfied or satisfied with their first communication with the hospital, 66% were either very satisfied or satisfied with the waiting time for first consultation, 89% were either satisfied or very satisfied with the location of their consultation, 93% were either very satisfied or satisfied with the courtesy they received at the hospital and 70% were either very satisfied or satisfied with the time taken to reach final diagnosis and treatment. Whilst 66% of respondents felt that the condition and comfort of the surgery waiting room was good, 34% felt that it could be improved. Seventy-six percent were aware of the existence of the patients group, but only 44% were aware of what it does. Full details of the results and the action plan can be found on BCPG’s website at bcpg.org.uk. Bishops Castle Patients’ Group can be contacted by email at BCPatientsGroup@gmail.com, via the drop box in the surgery or via bcpg.org.uk.

HELPERS NEEDED - Sponsors, stewards and musicians are needed for a 24 hour music marathon in Bishops Castle on the weekend of May 2-3. The event is being run by Amnesty International and organiser is John Phillips, (conductor of the Bishops Castle Orchestra) has already signed up over 20 musical groups and individual musicians, with the Shropshire Bedlams and Martha Rhoden’s morris dancers coming on board earlier this week. John says, “We are looking for a number of people to help the event run smoothly and to act as stewards over the 24 hours. Amnesty members and sympathisers will be very welcome, plus anyone else who wants to get involved. The music marathon will run in 12 different venues, including the Spar supermarket from 3.45pm on May 2 to 6pm the next day, so it is an ambitious programme, needing plenty of helpers.” Musical groups already signed up for the marathon include Anything Goes, the Little Big Band from Craven Arms, the Marches Choir and young people who play with AMP, About Music Project. If you can help out at the music marathon, call John Phillips on 01588 680528 or 0779 0007469.

COMMUNITY WOOD FUEL PROJECT - Things are happening with the Bishops Castle Community Energy wood-fuelled boiler project for the Bishops Castle Community College and SpArC leisure centre. BCCE has now received a grant for a full feasibility study, which will gather in-depth data on the heat use, building energy performance, site suitability and technical demands that will be involved in this exciting project. BCCE communications officer Kate Evans says, “We are meeting our technical consultants this week and hope to have a full feasibility report by the end of April. Following this, our next step will be to design and cost an integrated system to cope with the varied needs of the site and to begin the process of procuring quotes from the gratifyingly large number of Shropshire firms who supply and install wood-fuelled heating systems. “Over the summer we will be launching a serious fund-raising campaign with a share issue where we hope to raise up to half of the money we will need to complete our project. These will be investment shares, hopefully paying an eventual dividend of up to 5%. We hope that all local residents and business people will dig deep and support this great project. To find out more about this project, BCCE and wood-fuelled heat systems in general, go to our website, bccommunityenergy.org.uk”.

LOGO COMPETITION - Bishops Castle Community Energy is running a logo competition with students from the community college competing to design a logo for BCCE publicity materials. This will go on BCCE stationery and website and will spearhead a BCCE social media campaign, planned for Easter. The competition is being held in Dragon’s Den style, with a boot camp event for the students to pitch their designs to the BCCE directors. The designs will then undergo further development before being finally judged at the end of the Easter term.

SWAPSHOP AT COLLEGE - Raid your cupboards for good quality clothes, CDs, DVDs, games and books to swap at an event in the community college on Saturday. The Swapshop runs from 11am to 1pm, with proceeds going to the Bishops Castle Community Energy college wood heat project and the college book fund. The rules are simple – bring in any quality items you no longer need, buy a swap token for 50p for each item and get swapping. Home-made cakes and refreshments will also be on sale. To find out more email Diana Morris at the college on morris.d@ communitycollege.org.uk.

SING FOR 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.

WOMEN OF EGYPT - Nearly 50 people attended the recent Women’s World Day of Prayer service in the Methodist hall, Bishops Castle. The service was put together by the women of Egypt and was led by Sylvia Taylor. Rev Sarah Hare gave the address on the theme Streams in the Desert. The readers and congregation came from all parts of the Ridgeway and Onny Camlad groups of parishes and from the Catholic, Anglican, Quaker and Methodist churches. The service highlighted the efforts of the women of Egypt to be recognised as equal citizens, a theme that was re-enforced the following day which was Women’s International Day.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY, March 27 - April 2

THURSDAY: NT Live, War Horse, SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle. £10/ £7. 7pm. Book on 01588 630321 or 638038.

  • Bishops Castle Twinning Association AGM, Three Tuns, Bishops Castle, 7pm.
  • Lydham, More and Snead WI, Group beetle drive.

FRIDAY: Junior disco. Church Barn, Bishops Castle, 5.30pm.

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

  • Opening of new Lydbury North village hall. Duck race1.30pm; morris dancers 2pm; opening of hall 2.15pm; morris dancers 2.45pm; dance and real ale bar, 7.45pm.

SUNDAY: Mothering Sunday service, Bishops Castle church, 11am. Call 01588 630018.

  • New Lydbury North village hall celebrations. Coffee 11am; bar, acoustic music by Wild Edric Band 12 noon; Shropshire storyteller Val Littlehales, 2pm.

TUESDAY: Onny Valley Social Club. The Land of Lost Content with Stella Mitchell. Norbury village hall, 2.30pm. Call 01588 638570.

WEDNESDAY: Bishops Castle Film Society, The Snows of Kilimanjaro (15). Three Tuns, Bishops Castle, £5/£2.50 guests, 8pm. Call 01588 680445.

  • Literary supper with Jim Perrin, Lydbury North village hall, £12.50, 7.30pm. Book on 01588 680302.

CORRESPONDENT - 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.

 

Clun Valley

THE RIVER CLUN AND YOU - Land, Life and Livelihoods invites you to a community event about the River Clun today (Thursday) at 7pm in Newcastle community centre. Free admission.

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

PUB NIGHT - Come and enjoy a pub night at Clunbury village hall on Saturday from 6.30pm. Pub games, licensed bar, tea and coffee.

BINGO AT THE SUN - Monday, eyes down at 7.30pm at the Sun Inn for a fun evening of bingo with splendid prizes, including Easter eggs and wine. Everyone welcome. Come and join. If you would like to donate an Easter egg or other prize you can leave them at the Old Surgery Gallery – or buy an egg at Davies newsagents and leave it with Janet Davies to bring along on the night. All proceeds to St George’s Church building fund.

CLUN WI - The next meeting of Clun WI is on Tuesday at 7pm in Haslehurst community centre.

CLUN RAMBLERS - Clun Ramblers’ next walk is on Wednesday. Meet at Clun Memorial hall car park at 9.30am. Sorry no dogs.

 

Tenbury

LENT SOUP LUNCHES - Will be held at Tenbury methodist church every Wednesday from 12.30-2pm. Donations accepted for Christian Aid. All are welcome.

TABLE SALE JUMBLE - Will be held on Saturday at Tenbury methodist church from 10am. There will be a large variety of items for sale, at bargain prices, and also refreshments will be available during the morning. Please come along and support local good causes. All are welcome.

THE EASTHAM SPRING WALK - Presented by Eastham memorial hall, April 6, 10.30am at the hall. What better way to see nature bursting into life. Enjoy a gentle walk round the parish, or if you are feeling a little more energetic, take the longer route, and burn off some calories whilst taking in the gorgeous scenery. £5 per person (including soup and a roll at the hall) or £2 per person (walk only), don’t forget suitable footwear. For further info easthammemorialhall@gmail.com.

CYSTIC FIBROSIS - Is why we’re baking. Tea or coffee and a slice of cake, whole cakes for sale too. Please support the charity – come along and buy some tasty treats. Cafe 27 (opposite Post Office) Saturday from 10am – until all cakes are sold. Contact Maureen Kendrick 01584 811054.

CAR BOOT SALE - In aid of local charities, April 5, Mamble just off the A456 between Clows Top and Tenbury Wells. Booters 8am, buyers 9am, £5 per car pre-booked, £6 on the day, £10 for vans or cars with trailers, no traders. Ring 01299 832796 to book a site.

 

The Strettons

COUNTRY MARKET - The country market held at Mayfair community centre is now open from 8.30am to 12 noon every Friday morning until Christmas, selling homemade cakes, produce and craft items. If there is anyone who would like to offer to become part of the team of producers they should speak to those behind the counter.

LUNCH - A Save the Children lunch of bangers and mash will be served up at the parish centre tomorrow from 12 noon to 1.30pm. Cost of the lunch is £5.50 including coffee and tea.

QUIZ - The local Inner Wheelers will be hosting a quiz night at The Plough, Wistanstow, on tomorrow starting at 8.30pm and raising funds for Inner Wheel charities.

TALK - Tomorrow Bill Ross will be giving a talk at Mayfair community centre at 7pm on the subject he has called Fascinations and Tastes of Malawi. Admission is £5 and will include small tasters of the region. Proceeds will go to Mayfair.

POETRY EVENT - Cardington Poetry Group will be at Longnor village hall tomorrow to present Under Milk Wood , a play for voices by Dylan Thomas. Tickets cost £5, £3 for under 16s, and may be reserved by ringing 01694 771289 or 01743 718028.

FOR THE FALLEN - The More Singers and Shropshire Literary Society present a concert at the URC at 7.30pm on Saturday at 7.30pm as a commemoration of the First World War. The conductor of More Singers is Kathryn Leeke and the organist is Dr John Godwin. Advance tickets are being sold through Burway Books and John Thomas Florists and cost £5 or £6 at the door.

THEATRE - Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton will be presented by The Grassroots Theatre Company at All Stretton village hall tomorrow and Saturday at 7.30pm. Tickets are being sold through Burway Books and John Thomas Florists and cost £8, or £7 for concessions. You may take your own wine if you wish.

SCHOOL OF DANCE - This weekend the Stretton School of Dance and Drama presents its spring showcase at Church Stretton School tomorrow and Saturday when there will be both an afternoon and evening performance.

CAMERA CLUB - The Longmynd Camera Club will be taking part in an Interclub Competition at Welshpool on Tuesday when the subject of the competition will be Food. This is a change from the regular meeting day, and car sharing will be arranged. The meeting March 19 was also a competition evening with an open subject judged by Roger Hague, DPAGB. During the evening members presented a panel of three photographs with a linked theme on which the judge commented and awarded points. The winners in this section were David Wraith with his monochrome pictures of Ashanti People, then came Jane Howsam in second place with Men and Mountains and in third place was Norman Axtell with his Three, Two, One pictures. Then followed the digitally projected images with Peter Howsam’s Rose Thorn, the protector, taking first place, Hugh Stanton’s Full Steam Ahead was in second place and Graham Brown’s picture entitled Evening News came third. The annual general meeting will be held on April 16, and at the meeting on April 30 ,with the end of year league tables now being compiled, winners will be announced together with the Merit Award Winner and Photographer of the Year Award. The Long Mynd Camera Club, based in Church Stretton, Shropshire welcomes members of all levels of ability. Whether you are a beginner or expert, whether you are interested in film or digital, you are sure of a warm welcome. Meetings are held during the winter months (September to April) on alternate Wednesdays at 7.30pm in the United Reformed Church Hall, High Street, Church Stretton, SY6 6BY. The club programme for the 2013/2014 season includes competitions (for prints and projectable images) as well as practical evenings, demonstrations and talks by guest speakers. Details are shown on the programme page at longmyndcameraclub.co.uk. If you are interested in photography, at any level, members would be delighted to see you. For further information and details of membership please email club secretary, Graham Brown at secretary@ longmyndcameraclub.co.uk.

SCHOOL NEWS - At Church Stretton School local author Barry Raynor presented certificates for the Short Story Awards during an assembly with year sevens and eight. Years nine, ten and 11 have taken part in a maths challenge and year nines have also taken part in a public speaking workshop. There has been an educational visit to Blists Hill. At the two most recent principal’s afternoon teas the PTA 200 Club draws took place and the lucky numbers for February were 134, 87 and 38, and for March were 113, 82 and 153 with prizes of £20, £10 and £5 respectively. St Lawrence’s Primary School pupils entered a cross country team in the Lucton Cross Country Championships with the school finishing 2nd out of 20 schools, and hope to be able to compete in an aqua-thon at Lucton School in the summer. The hockey team also played several schools from different counties at Cannock Hockey Club and though they didn’t make it into the national final they had a very enjoyable day. The school had several successes in the Wenlock Festival this year in the music sections, poetry , prose and choral speaking. The KS1 children would love it ifdads or grandads could pop along to the school and read them a story at the end of the school day, so if any of them can, perhaps they could speak to the KS1 co-ordinator to make the arrangements. There are visits to Blist’s Hill, Black Country Museum and to Arthog planned before the end of term. An Image Theatre production of The Sword in the Stone at the school offered a workshop for the children giving them a chance to join in with the singing during the play and a few of the pupils taking on some of the roles.

PUBLIC MEETING - The CPRE together with the Shropshire Wildlife Trust are holding a public meeting on Thursday, April 3, at the Lord Hill Hotel in Shrewsbury from 6.30pm when the topic under discussion will be the Threat to the Shropshire Countryside.

JUMBLE SALE - Rose Cottage Cat Rescue will be holding a jumble sale on April 5, at the parish centre from 2pm - 3.30pm with stalls selling bric- a-brac, nearly new clothes, books, DVDs and CDs, toys and tombola. Donations of items for the sale may be made during the morning of the sale. Admission will be 50p including refreshment.

CHOIR - The Jig Saw Sound is coming to Church Stretton School at 7.30pm on April 5 raising funds for Rotary charities. Tickets cost £6 including a programme and refreshments and are being sold through Burway Books, John Thomas Florists and Wrights Estate Agents.

READINGS - Dorrington Players are presenting informal rehearsed readings at All Stretton village hall on April 5, 7pm for 7.30pm under the heading For Your Ears Only. The two short humorous plays will be The Public Eye by Peter Schaffer and Ways and Means by Noel Coward. Tickets, including refreshments cost £7.50 and are being sold through Mayfair, John Thomas Florists and Burway Books. There will be a bar and a raffle and all proceeds will go to Mayfair.

COMMUNITY CINEMA - The next film to be shown at Church Stretton School will be Philomena (12A) on April 7, at 7,30pm. Interval refreshments will be available. This film can also be seen at Acton Scott village hall on April 15.

 

Westhope

CLOVER CLUB - It was the first meeting of 2014 so members had lots of catching up to do. Numbers were down, with some members in hospital and others with bad coughs. Twenty one members attended to hear Malcolm Massey of Legal Solutions Wolverhampton advising people about their savings, should they have to stay in hospital for a while or a retirement home, all very interesting. He answered lots of questions and afterwards tea and biscuits were served and a large raffle drawn. On Thursday, April 3, members are paying a visit to Ludlow library. Meet there at 7pm, parking on Co-Op car park.

VILLAGE HALL LOTTERY - Winners in the November draw: 1st prize of £32.10 Henry Hall, Craven Arms. Four prizes of £5.35 each Mark Bate, Craven Arms; Tom Hall, Westhope; Frank Gardner, Westhope and Anne Dyer, Westhope.

CHARITY WHIST DRIVE - The whist drives start again on Easter Monday. Proceeds will be for the Severn Hospice. April 21 starting at 8pm, admission £2, good prizes.

DIDDLEBURY AND WESTHOPE WI - At the March meeting members and guests watched a slide show by Mr David Evans entitled Old Craven Arms with pictures of Stokesay Castle and church, the Post Office, the sheep sales when 20,000 sheep were sold in one day and the railway station when it had a waiting room with a coal fire, a shop and pretty gardens. It was a most enjoyable evening and Dave was warmly thanked. The next meeting is on April 8. Ken Arch will talk on Hanging Baskets. Everyone welcome.

 

Bockleton WI

THE March meeting was held at Bockleton parish hall with president Angela welcoming everyone. Members discussed upcoming events including art courses, a group meeting, skittles matches and flower and chutney demonstrations. Later Angela gave a demonstration on the art of needle felting and she brought with her some examples that she had completed before, a beautiful bag and a picture. After the demonstration members all had a practice and then went on to make a flower which they mounted on a card or made into a brooch. Supper was supplied by Liz and Rosemary, the competition for the evening was a homemade biscuit 1st Liz, 2nd Rosemary, 3rd Pam. Raffle winners were Ingrid, Angela, Chris. The next meeting is on April 16 and will be an outing to a forge, for more information please contact Rosemary on 01584 811066.