Bishops Castle

TENNIS CLUB NEWS - Mains electricity has been installed at Bishops Castle Tennis Club. Players can now boil a kettle after matches and use the club house in the evening for meetings and social events. Club chairman Loveday Hickey said: “The club depends on volunteers to help maintain the site and we had good support at a recent working party which finished up in the club house with coffee and cakes. Junior tennis coaching will start soon and we have two ladies’ teams and a men’s team lined up for competitions in the Shropshire League.” It costs £100 a year to join Bishops Castle Tennis Club, with concessions for families, people under 30, juniors under 18 and those on income related benefits. To find out more, call Anne-Marie Jackson on 01588 638566.

CO-OP PRIZE BINGO - Staff at the Bishops Castle Co-op are having a prize bingo night in aid of the Bishops Castle and Clun First Responders. It starts at 8pm on Wednesday at the Inn on the Green, Wentnor. Everyone is welcome.

DONATION FROM SPAR SHOP - The Spar supermarket in Bishops Castle has donated £200 towards the 24 Music Marathon planned for the weekend of May 2 to 3. Amnesty International is organising the event and local chairman John Phillips thanked the store for their support. Spar is also one of the 12 venues in Bishops Castle where live music will be played over the 24 hours. An additional attraction for the music marathon is a showcase for young people under the age of 12. This will be the Methodist hall on May 3 between 3pm and 4pm. John Phillips explains, “Youngsters can just come along and sing a song or play a piece of music. Participants must bring a parent or responsible adult and everyone is welcome.” For more information call 01588 680528 or 07790 007469.

QUILTS EXHIBITION - Handmade quilts made by needle-women in Bishops Castle were on display in the town on March 29. The group meets in the Methodist hall and the quilts will be given to a charity called The Linus Project, to comfort unhappy and abused children. They also send boxes of gifts to the Shoebox Christmas Appeal and backpacks to schoolchildren in Africa.

FRIENDS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL - The Friends of Bishops Castle Primary School held a prize bingo evening in the school hall on March 14. They raised £591 to help pay for improvements to the outdoor play area at the school. The friends chairman is Louise Hapgood and she said: “We had a great evening with people of all ages coming along to support the school. The next event is the Easter fair on Thursday, April 10 and everyone is welcome.”

FREE SUPPORT FOR NEW BUSINESS - If you know someone who has just started out in business you’ll know that they need all the help that they can get. Enterprise House in Bishops Castle is running some free 1:1 support sessions on April 22 specifically aimed at new businesses. Four to six spaces are available during the day so email the centre manager Mike Ashwell on mashwell@bishopscastle.co.uk or call 01588 638038.

BINGO NEWS - A bingo night in Bishops Castle public hall on March 19 raised £538 to support Dogsbodies, which runs a canine charity shop in Bishops Castle.

EDWARD and MRS SIMPSON - Edward and Mrs Simpson were put under the spotlight at a talk in the Methodist hall, Bishops Castle on March 18. Bishops Castle WI heard Sylvia Barrett’s fascinating account of their life and times, which she illustrated with slides. The next WI meeting is on April 15 when Mrs Baldwin will be talking about hats. The evening starts at 7pm and guests are welcome.

ROMANO-BRITISH FARM - The SW Shropshire Historical and Archaeological Society met on March 11 in the Church Barn, Bishops Castle. Committee member Mike Greene gave an illustrated lecture on The Excavation and Evaluation of a Romano-British Farm at Lower Down. Mike is the founder of the Lydbury Field Group which, under his direction has carried out numerous investigations and excavations of archaeological sites in the parish of Lydbury North. He began by outlining with maps and charts the settlement patterns of Iron Age people around Britain, then focussing on the local tribe, the Cornovii. Aerial photographs had revealed an intriguing pattern of earthworks and enclosures in the hamlet of Lower Down, near Lydbury North. A number of trial trenches have confirmed that this was the site of an Iron Age farm, a small settlement growing up quite close below the great fort of bury ditches. An almost complete absence of pottery or other datable artefacts has made it difficult to establish dates for the settlement, and the speaker suggested that this was probably a small British Iron Age community which continued to farm in its traditional, simple manner, and would not have been radically affected by the coming of the Romans. The next meeting of SWSHAS will be at 7.30pm on April 12 in the Church Barn, Bishops Castle. This will be the 14th Ritherdon Lecture when Oliver Pearcey, chairman of The Kew Bridge Trust and formerly director of conservation, English Heritage, will speak about Steam Horse Power The annual Christopher Train Essay Prizes will also be presented.

WAFFLES AND COFFEE - Members of the Green Methodist chapel will be serving coffee and waffles in the chapel on Thursday, April 10 from 10am to 12 noon. Everyone is welcome to join them. Call 01588 638056.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY, April 3 - 9

THURSDAY: Film - The Hobbit – Desolation of Smaug (12A). SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle, £4.50/£3, 7pm. Call 01588 630321 or 638038.

  • Footpath Walking Group. Shelderton. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishops Castle, 9.30am. Call 01588 630531.
  • Music jam night. Vaults, Bishops Castle, 8.30pm.

FRIDAY: Lent lunch for Christian Aid. Methodist Hall, Bishops Castle. 12noon.

  • Quiz in aid of Lydham and Snead churches. Lydham Village hall, £8 includes supper, 7.30pm. Call 01588 650244.

SATURDAY: Marches Community Choir Spring Concert. Bishops Castle Church. £10/ children and students free. 7.30pm. Call 01588 650448.

MONDAY: Bingo in aid of Pancreatic Cancer Research Group. Powis Arms, Lydbury North. 8pm. Call 01588 680396.

  • Meditation. Mainstone Church. 7.30pm.

TUESDAY: Bishops Castle Walking Group. Newcastle, seven miles. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishops Castle. 9.30am. Call 01588 630238.

  • Mainstone WI. A Flower for Every Month with Pam Pittwood, village hall, 7.30pm.

WEDNESDAY: The Victorian Farmer’s Year in Song with John Kirkpatrick. Lydbury North village hall, £10, £5 under 16, 7.30pm. Call 01588 680203.

  • Bishops Castle Co-op bingo in aid of Bishops Castle and Clun First Responders. Inn on the Green, Wentnor. 8pm.

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

NEW CRAFTS AT OLD SURGERY - The Old Surgery Gallery at Clun celebrates the first anniversary of the opening of its Crafts section; semi- precious stones jewellery, handmade soaps, knitted and embroidered items. Complimentary tea or coffee to all visitors this weekend, Saturday and Sunday; open 10am to 5pm each day. From Monday, the new spring art exhibition opens and the gallery will be open six days a week closed on Wednesdays.

FIREFIGHTERS CHARITY CAR WASH - Get down to the Clun firefighters charity car wash on Saturday to get your car sparkling clean, 10am to 2pm.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - Presents Untouchable (15) on Saturday at Everest hall, Llanfair Waterdine. Cabaret seating. Doors open at 7pm when French refreshments will be served before the film starts. Tickets £5, 7.30pm, enquiries 01547 510672. Philomena (12A) will be shown on Saturday at 7.30pm at Aston on Clun village hall. Easy parking, admission £4 for adults £2 for under 18s, interval refreshments, details and advance bookings 01588 660545. Philomena is also showing at Clun Memorial hall on April 12 at 7.30pm. Tickets adults £4.50, under 16s £2.50, disabled access, hearing loop, interval refreshments and at Lingen village hall on April 11. Tickets, adult £4, child £2.50, 7.30pm, enquiries 01568 770920.

CHILDREN’S THEATRE - Birdsnest Theatre present Wash at St Georges C of E Primary School on Tuesday. Join Anna and Monkey as they discover a world of water, bubbles and spinning. With live music created from the paraphernalia of a washing world, Birdsnest create a gentle adventure, a game of hide and seek with rhythm and song to carry you along the way. Age range: six months - four years, spaces limited, 2.15pm. Enquiries 01588 640229, birdsnesttheatre.com.

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

NEWCASTLE GARDEN SOCIETY - The next meeting is on Thursday, April 10 at 7.30pm at Newcastle community centre.

CADS - Clun Amateur Dramatic Society meet on Thursday, April 10 at 7.30pm at Haslehurst community centre.

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

 

Far Forest

BINGO: Will be held tomorrow at the village hall. Starting at 8pm, come along for a friendly night out.

 

Richards Castle

NORTHERN SOUL AND MOTOWN NIGHT - In the village hall this Saturday from 8.30pm to 12.30am. Music from Andy Vass and guest DJs; bar; all profits in aid of the British Heart Foundation. Entrance strictly by ticket only. Tickets (£6) from The Castle Inn and other outlets - please ring 01584 831678 or 07552 610888 for more details.

 

Tenbury

EASTER BINGO - At Tenbury Primary School on Wednesday, doors open at 7pm. Eyes down at 7.30pm. Fantastic prizes, raffle and refreshments. Everyone welcome.

LENT SOUP LUNCHES - Will be held at Tenbury Methodist Church next Wednesday from 12.30pm - 2pm. Donations accepted for Christian Aid. All are welcome.

CONCERT - A concert featuring the Tenbury Primary School Choir, the Teme Valley Band and vocalists will be held on April 12 at 7pm at St Mary’s Church, Tenbury. £4 on the door, children free.

BROWNIES JUMBLE SALE - Tenbury Scout and Guide hut, Saturday, 10am – 12pm.

TENBURY HISTORY SOCIETY - Presents Water Mills on the River Rea today (Thursday), 7.30pm at the Pump Rooms when Tim Booth reveals this unknown local history. Members £10 per annum, guests £2 per meeting. Details from M Watkins 01584 711425.

 

The Strettons

COUNTRY MARKET - The country market at Mayfair is open from 8.30am to 12 noon every Friday up until Christmas selling home-made produce, cakes and crafts.

JUMBLE SALE - On Saturday, Rose Cottage Cat Rescue will be hosting a jumble sale in the parish centre from 2pm to 3.30pm selling bric-a-brac, nearly new clothing, books, DVDs and CDs and toys. There will also be a tombola. Admission is 50p including refreshment and items can be donated on the morning of the sale.

COFFEE MORNING - Churches together in the Strettons are planning a coffee morning for Saturday at the URC hall. Cakes, nearly new clothing and household items, Traidcraft goods, a raffle and side shows will all be there. The event opens from 10am to 12 noon with proceeds going to Christian Aid.

CONCERT - The Jig Saw Choir will be in concert at Church Stretton School at 7.30pm on Saturday with musical director Angela Keates. Ticket sales are through Burway Books, John Thomas Florists and Wrights Estate Agents and cost £6 including a programme and light refreshment. Some tickets may be available at the door. This event has been arranged by the Rotary Club.

FOR YOUR EARS ONLY - An evening of informal rehearsed readings by the Dorrington Players will take place at All Stretton village hall on Saturday, 7pm for 7.30pm when The Players will present two short humorous plays namely, The Public Eye by Peter Schaffer and Ways and Means by Noel Coward. Tickets are being sold through Mayfair, John Thomas Florists and Burway Books and cost £7.50 including refreshments, and there will be bar and a raffle. All proceeds will go to Mayfair.

MEETING - The South Shropshire Green Party meeting will take place at the Acorn Café at 10.30am on Monday.

VALUATION DAY - On Monday, Brightwells will be at Mayfair community centre to offer valuations of antiques and collectables including coins, medals, silver objects and ceramics from 2pm - 6pm, for £1.50 per item. During the afternoon tea and coffee and cake will be available for £2.

COMMUNITY CINEMA - Church Stretton School will be showing Philomena (12A) on Monday and at Acton Scott village hall on April 15. All films start at 7.30pm and have interval refreshments, admission for adults is £4.

WIVES AND FRIENDS - The Methodist Wives and Friends meeting on Tuesday will hear about Church Stretton’s Medieval Fair with a talk and demonstration of costumes by Derek Smith. Meetings start at 7.30pm at the Methodist hall, with coffee and tea and question time. Admission for non-members is £3 and visitors are always welcome.

FASHION SHOW - Rushbury village hall is the venue for a fashion show on Thursday, April,10 by the Edinburgh Woollen Mill. Ticket sales are through John Thomas Florists and Burway Books or can be reserved by ringing 01694 724066 and cost £5 including a glass of wine and light refreshment. The event is in aid of the Lingen Davies Cancer Relief Fund and WI funds.

SMALLHOLDERS - The Shropshire Smallholders meet on Thursday, April,10 at 7.30pm in Leebotwood village hall for a talk by Mike Donovan who will offer some practical ideas for smallholders. The usual seed swap and produce table will be open for business and notices of items for sale and wanted will be available. Graham Hicks was the speaker in February on the subject of waterfowl which he has bred for over 30 years and which became one of the largest collections of waterfowl breeds in the UK. Graham regularly showed his birds all over the country up until his recent retirement and now spends his time organising and judging at shows. Guests and visitors are always welcome at the meetings for an entrance fee of £1 and £3 respectively.

COMPETITION - Just a reminder that Scrappies is running a competition using plastic bottle top. To enter the competition a picture or pattern needs to mounted on card and submitted it to the Scrappies Plastic Bottletop Competition. The entry can be by individuals or groups and there are two categories in each section. Plastic bottle tops in all colours are readily available from Scrappies and entry into the competition costs just £1. All entries must be submitted by 11am on April 26, which is the spring open day, and prizes will be awarded on the day.

SCHOOL NEWS - Church Stretton School students entered into the fundraising for Sport Relief which also included a staff vs students dodge ball game. A school talent show, rugby competition and year 10 Bronze Duke of Edinburgh practice expedition all take place in early April.

TABLE TOP SALE - A table top sale at Leebotwood village hall will take place on April 12 from 10am - 12noon with proceeds going to Leebotwood Church. To reserve a table please ring 01694 722170, cost per table is £5.

GARAGE PRAISE - Sing along with songs of praise in an informal way at garage praise planned for April 12, starting at 7pm. Great refreshments are always available for a donation. The event is held at Burway Garage on the Crossways Industrial Estate, postcode SY6 6PG.

 

Knowbury WI

KNOWBURY WI invited guests to their open meeting on March 13 to enjoy a talk given by Leo Smith of the Shropshire Community Wildlife Groups. At the business meeting, which took place before the talk, members discussed the forthcoming fashion event, on April 6, which is a joint fundraiser for the WI and Knowbury Church. This promises to be a very interesting afternoon, with local retailers taking part, Bodenhams, Martin Pryce, Karen Van Hoff, Brown and Francis and Smarti Children’s fashions. Tickets are available from the retailers or from 07443 460208. Also discussed were the purchase of three WI centenary roses, group events within the Ludlow WIs, a recent hygiene course attended by two members and this year’s WI resolution, which is for an increase in organ donation. The president then introduced Leo Smith to the meeting. Leo gave a very detailed and interesting account of the work of the Shropshire Community Wildlife Groups in the area. The aim of the groups is to gather together people who are interested in the local wildlife and who would like to take part in surveys in their areas, to not only establish the status of key wildlife species and their habitats, but to encourage more local interest in that wildlife and to actively promote conservation. Leo spoke about the fluctuation in the number of species, which include plants, butterflies and moths, mammals and, of course, birds. Local farmers had been very proactive in aiding the work of the community groups by managing their land and hedgerows. Leo said that volunteers were always needed to join the groups and he encouraged members to look at the group’s website shropshirecwgs.org.uk to find out more about the areas covered and the work of the various local groups. Secretary Chris Walker thanked Leo for his talk and lots of ‘bird’ chat followed. The talk was followed by a very enjoyable supper prepared by Pat and Pauline and members of the committee. Instead of the normal raffle, to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, members had been encouraged to bring homemade items to the meeting to be raffled. The draw took place during supper, when about 12 members were lucky enough to win a prize, the money being put towards the WIs fund for ACWW (Associated Country Women of the World). The next meeting is on Thursday, April 10 at Knowbury Memorial hall.