Bishops Castle

ROUND AND ABOUT WALK - There’s still time to register for the Bishops Castle Round and About walk on May 10. The closing date for entries is May 7, and more than 130 people have already signed up for the 22-mile walk over the South Shropshire Hills, with option of shorter 13 or nine mile routes. The event will raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. Now in its 23rd year the Round and About Walk has contributed to a variety of charities and this year is dedicated to the memory of Bishops Castle resident Dave Shirley who died of leukaemia in 2011. Dave’s wife, Jean said: “I am delighted that the walk will help us to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. We have already had a phenomenal response and hope that many more will sign up. It is a challenging route but takes in some of the most beautiful views that Shropshire has to offer. “ The day starts at Sherbourne, Schoolhouse Lane in Bishops Castle between 8.30am and 10am and walkers can choose between the 22, 13 or nine and-a-half mile routes. Entry costs just £16 and includes a vegetarian lunch and transport. To register call Jean Shirley on 01588 638877 or look on the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research website to follow the links.

CONCERTS IN NEW VILLAGE HALL - The next Lydbury North village hall event is a concert on Saturday, featuring Harriet Earis, a Celtic harp musician and Clovis Phillips who plays the jazz guitar. The evening begins at 7.30pm, with tickets at £7.50 and £5 for under 16s. Call 01588 680302 to book.

TEN YEARS IN BUSINESS - Bishops Castle florist Jane Pugh celebrates ten years in business at Jane’s Petals and Gifts in the town’s High Street with an evening in Wistanstow village hall on Wednesday. Tickets cost £10, to include cheese, wine, a variety of stalls and a floral demonstration by Jane herself. The event will raise money for Pancreatic Cancer Research, the Midlands Air Ambulance and Shrewsbury Hospital League of Friends and Jane promises a special guest will be coming along. Call 01588 638222 to book.

JUNIOR TENNIS COACHING - Junior tennis coaching starts again at Bishops Castle tennis club on Tuesday, for children aged six to 11.

The six week course will run from 4pm-5pm, led by Simon Willis an LTA Level two qualified coach. The £10 fee includes six lessons and junior membership of the club until March 2015. Parents who wish to play with their children can also join the club for a small fee, or receive some coaching themselves. Call Trevor Chalkley on 07948 305151 for more information.

COACH TO THE COAST - Sign up now for a day out in Aberystwyth and a chance to see Sister Act at a matinee performance in the Arts Theatre.

Lydbury North WI will be taking a coach to the coast on August 14, with a few pick-up points along the route. Tickets for the show must be booked by tomorrow to get a concessionary rate, so call Margaret Whittall now on 01588 680226. The coach and theatre ticket cost £29.50, or £10 for the coach only, children £5.

GARDEN CLUB IN NEW HALL - The SW Shropshire gardening club has returned to its original home in Lydbury North village hall. From now on all club meetings and the garden and produce show in August will in the new hall, which opened on March 29.

The club will hold its garden and produce show on August 30 in Lydbury North village hall and the schedule will be available this month from Sandy Burton, on 01588 680454.

BUTTERCUP’S A BLOOMING SUCCESS - A new shop selling garden equipment, plants, seeds, garden supplies, kitchen equipment and hardware has opened in Bishops Castle.

Buttercup is run by Sarah Wooff at 32 Church Street. Buttercup also sells vintage curios, small pieces of furniture, china and greetings cards and is open from Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 5pm and 10am Sunday. Call 091588 638003 for more information., SPONSORS FOR WALK - The Bishops Castle Round and About Walk has attracted some welcome sponsorship and support from local businesses.

The event takes place on May 7 and Bishops Castle Co-op is providing refreshments on the day, while the Castle Hotel, Boars’ Head and Poppy House are offering 20 per cent reductions for people with certificates of participation. Many local shops are staying open late and Walcot Hall and other local landowners have agreed to open to visitors for the day. Call Jean Shirley on 01588 638877 to find out how you can join in the walk.

CAKE STALL - A cake stall outside Bishops Castle pharmacy on April 12 raised £82 to support Breast Cancer Research. Thanks to everyone for their support.

ABBEYFIELD AGM - The Friends of Abbeyfield Bishops Castle and District recently held its AGM. Bob Berry was appointed chairman, Peter Norton vice-chairman and Clive Millard treasurer of the society.

Abbeyfield House is a sheltered home off Oak Meadow in Bishops Castle. There is a cooked lunch and high tea provided daily to residents who eat in a central dining room. The home is run on a not for profit basis so the fees can be kept at a reasonable level. To find out more about Abbeyfield House email abbeyfield.bishops@btconnect.com or call 01588 650282.

PUB QUIZ FOR MUSEUM - A pub quiz was held recently at the Inn on the Green, Wentnor in aid of The House on Crutches Museum in Bishops Castle. A total of £180 was raised and organisers thank all the 60 people who took part.

LIGHT AND DARK - Parents of children in class one joined pupils and teachers from Bishops Castle Community Primary School to watch their children present their class assembly at the end of term. The assembly focused on the class’s current topic of Light and Dark. During the term class teacher, Ms Palmer, has introduced the children to Van Gogh’s painting Starry Night and this inspired the children to produce some beautiful artwork, including wall paintings, a table covering and batik banners which were also on display. Parents were then offered the opportunity to participate in an interactive lesson alongside their children. Everyone enjoyed working together to produce a giant art installation which took its inspiration from the children’s batik banners and encouraged creativity, cooperation and engagement.

CONCERT EARLYBIRDS - Earlybird tickets are on sale for a spring concert by Kington Choral Society in Bishops Castle Church on May 21 at 7.30pm. The programme includes choruses from Handel’s Messiah, together with works by Brahms and Vaughan Williams. Earlybird tickets cost £10 from the Poppy House and the Six Bells in Bishops Castle, or by text to 079 68 044 853 or email ts_ gardener@yahoo.co.uk. Tickets on the door cost £12. Children and students are free.

NEW BOWLERS WELCOME - Bishops Castle Bowling Club offers a warm welcome to new learners at their crown green behind the Castle Hotel in the old castle grounds.

Come along on Sunday evenings at 7pm, where equipment is provided.

Call Tony Graham on 01588 638284.

WEDDING FAIR - Walcot Hall in Lydbury North will be opening its doors for the annual wedding fair on May 5. The fair runs from noon to 4pm and is a chance for engaged couples, their friends and family to see Walcot Hall. A pop-up café will serve light lunches. Entry to the wedding fair is free with a goodie bag and a drink on arrival. For more information please contact caitlin@walcothall.com or call 01588 680570.

MARKET TRADERS’ DONATION - Traders at Lydham Friday market have donated £100 to Church Stretton First Responders. One of the stallholders is Warren Prosser of Mr Bun the Baker, whose wife Tracey is a First Responder in Church Stretton. Warren thanks everyone for their support in the past year.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY, April 24-30.

THURSDAY: Film - The Lego Movie (U). SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle.

£4.50/£3. 2pm. Call 01588 630321 or 638038.

Also Bishops Castle Walking Group.

Llangollen. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishops Castle, 9.30am.

Call 01588 630704.

FRIDAY: Lunch Club. Grange Road Community Centre, Bishops Castle, £5, 12noon. Call 07956 062454.

* Acoustic roots trio. The Sweet Lowdown. SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle, £10/£6, 7.30pm. Book on 01588 630321 or 638038.

* Talk. In and Around Lydbury North in the Early Days - David Evans, Lydbury North village hall, £3.50, 7.30pm. Book on 01588 680302.

SATURDAY: 80s fancy dress dance in aid of Sea Shepherd. Three Tuns, Bishops Castle, £7. Call Jan Robertson on 07825 374094.

* Live music. Dave Rae and the Sweat Shop Boys. The Vaults, Bishops Castle.

* Auction sale. Public Hall, Bishops Castle. Call 01743 462763.

* Harriet Earis (celtic harp) and Clovis Phillips ( jazz guitar). Lydbury North village hall, £7.50/£5, 7.30pm.

Call 01588 680302.

SUNDAY: Introduction to geo-caching. Meet Norbury village hall. Call 01588 674080.

MONDAY: Bishops Castle cricket club junior coaching. SpArC, Bishops Castle, £3. Primary age 4pm; secondary age 5pm. Call 07779 844613.

TUESDAY: Street dance class with Revel Dance, ages six-14, £4. SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle,weekly 5pm.

* Bishops Castle Walking Group.

Bishops Castle, four-six miles. Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishops Castle, 9.30am. Call 07910 198477.

WEDNESDAY: Bishops Castle Film Society.

Nebraska (15). Three Tuns, Bishops Castle, £5/ £2.50 guests, 8pm. Call 01588 680445.

* Dr Fairbanks and Dr Lambert retirement fund closes. Dudley Building Society.

LOCAL 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. She sends news to the paper every week. Her phone number is 01588 680445. The email address is jparker228@btinternet.com

Cleobury Mortimer

OPEN DAY - At Cleobury Mortimer company, Landscape Plants Ltd, budding gardeners have the chance to buy trees and plants at wholesale prices.

Open day from 10am to 4pm at Six Ashes Nursery, in Bridgnorth Road, Cleobury Mortimer on Saturday. An opportunity to buy plants and trees of much bigger sizes than garden centre stock. Delivery can be arranged. For more information visit landscapeplants.co.uk, call 01299 270700 or email cashandcarry@landscapeplants.co Following this the nursery will be open to the public from 9am to 4pm every weekday.

Clun

CLUB RAISES CASH FOR CHARITY - Newcastle Football Club’s quiz and curry night raised £250 each for Air Ambulance and Newcastle Football Club, thanks to the generous support and contributions of all those who gave their time and produce to the event.

BBC SEEKS INTERESTING HOUSES - The BBC is looking for people living in Clun and the surrounding area who would be happy to try a home swap holiday for a new TV series. If you are interested get in touch by emailing your contact details to kieran.mccarthy@bbc.co.uk MP VISITS COMMUNITY LARDER - Philip Dunne MP will be visiting the community larder and advice centre in Clun (CLAC@CLUN) today at 1.30pm. The centre is based in the vestry at St George’s Church. It is hoped to have quite a few volunteers present on the day to meet him.

SHUTTLE BUS IS BACK - The Shropshire Hills shuttle is running again, every weekend and bank holiday until the end of September.

Timetables and further details at www.shropshirehillsshuttles.co.uk CLUNBURY CAFÉ - Clunbury Café is open today for Fairtrade tea and coffee with homemade cake for only £1.

Meet friends, browse the bric-a-brac and books. Walkers and cyclists welcome.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - Gravity (12A) is at Clungunford and at Aston on Clun this weekend. Tomorrow it is showing at Clungunford parish hall at 8pm.

Entrance £4 adults £2 children.

Licensed bar, ice creams, raffle, good car parking and excellent company. Tel 01588 660727 Ann or 01588 660781 Maureen for enquiries and reservations.

Gravity will also be shown at 7.30pm on Saturday at Aston on Clun village hall. Easy parking, interval refreshments, admission £4 for adults £2 for under 18, pay on the door. Details 01588 660545.

CLUN TOWN SERVICE - Organisations, groups, clubs and all residents are invited to join together to celebrate life in Clun at the annual Clun town service at St George’s Church on Sunday at 9,45am.

TEAMS AND TEAS - Come along and join a Unity Community Clunbury fun afternoon for families at St Swithin’s Church with quiz and afternoon tea.

Free entry, voluntary contribution to cover expenses. Any surplus will be given to the First Responders charity.

BINGO AT THE SUN - April bingo session is on Monday at the Sun Inn, Clun. Eyes down at 7.30pm. There are always at least 38 prizes to be won at every session. Come along and have some fun. Bingo sessions have raised over £4,000 so far for St George’s Church building fund.

Donations of prizes or cash always welcome. Take them to Tim Wood at the Old Surgery Gallery, open six days a week. 01588 640506.

MEETING - All are invited to the annual parish church meeting at Hightown community room on Tuesday at 7pm. It will be followed by St George’s PCC and election of officers.

CLUN RAMBLERS - Clun Ramblers’ next walk is on Wednesday. Meet at Clun memorial hall car park at 9.20 am. For lift sharing to Knighton, then taking the train to Llanwrtyd Wells for Sue’s walk and late afternoon meal at The Drovers restaurant. Sorry no dogs.

CLUN CARNIVAL AND SHOW - Stalls can now be booked for this year’s show on August 2. Clubs, societies and charities £10; commercial and individuals £20, Booking forms from Richard Bright, Bright Flowers, Clun.

FOOD FAIR AT ASTON - Aston on Clun is holding a food fair on May 10, in and around the village hall, featuring local food producers of cakes, bread, beer, cider, meat, fruit, ice cream, preserves and more. Free entry. The show is sponsored by the Shropshire Hills local food group which includes the community shops at Aston, Lydbury North, Wigmore, Wistanstow and Yarpole. For more details contact D Williams 01588 660378, or Janet Krengel 01588 660209.

CARNIVAL CONCERT - This year’s carnival concert will be held earlier than usual, on July 19, at St George’s Church. The New Dynamic Choir of young adults, musical director, Ruth Gittins, will sing popular songs from the musicals. The Bettws Ladies Choir, directed by David Morris will also be performing. It promises to be a great concert.

PURSLOW SHOW - Time to get making and growing for Purslow Show on August 25. Handicrafts include a knitted item, a home-made garment or accessory in any medium, article for home, garden or leisure, a drawing or painted picture, a decorative craft item, article of canvas work or embroidery, a canvas work or embroidery picture, a handmade greeting card.

Photography categories are reflections, a wet weekend, a still life, a portrait, a local landscape, and a black and white photo. There are numerous categories for garden produce. For full details see www.theparishpost.org/ purslowshow or contact Eirlys Ellams, Tent Secretary 01588 660625.

COACH TRIPS - M and J Travel run trips throughout the year with pick ups at Newcastle and Clun. Next trips include Bridgemere and Nantwich on May 11, Bath on June 15, and Sudeley Castle on July 20.

There will also be tours to Bournemouth and Tenby in September and November.

HURST BEND ROAD CLOSED - A section of the B4368 will be closed for 50 metres either side of the Hurst Bend from May 6 for four weeks in order to stabilize the river bank there.

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

Craven Arms

CRAVEN ARMS AREA YOUTH GROUP - The annual general meeting for the Craven Arms Area Youth Group is taking place on Tuesday, 6.30pm at Craven Arms community centre.

The meeting will start with short presentations from local youth groups, including Shropshire Councils Girls Group explaining how it was granted money for its health day on June 14, and also South Shropshire Youth Forum, Stokesay School and the Rock on Church Group will be letting everyone know what it has been up to recently.

The election of officers to the group will take place from 7.30pm Anyone interested in hearing what the local young people have been doing, or to find out more about Craven Arms Area Youth Group and what it does can come along to this public meeting For further information please get in contact with Lisa Bedford, lisa.bedford@shropshire.gov.uk or 07990 085656.

Ludlow

LUDLOW AREA YOUTH PARTNERSHIP - The AGM for Ludlow Area Youth Partnership is Tuesday, 6pm at Rockspring community centre. Sandford Road, Ludlow. Meeting will start with a video presentation from the young people who are part of Ludlow Youth Forum. They’ve made a video over the Easter holidays showing their thoughts of growing up in Ludlow, other local groups for young people have also been invited to come and tell the partnership what they have been up to recently and ask questions they have.

The election of officers to the group will take place from 7pm. Anyone interested in hearing what the local young people have to say, or to find out more about Ludlow Area Youth Partnership and what it does can come along to this public meeting.

For more information, please contact Lisa Bedford, vicky.turner@shropshire.gov.uk or 07990 085 265.

The Strettons

MARKETS - The country market is open every Friday at Mayfair community centre from 8.30am to noon selling home-made cakes, produce and craft items. Volunteer needed to help behind the counters. Saturday is the day when the market square will be filled with stalls raising funds for charity.

OPEN DAY - Don’t forget that Saturday is Scrappies open day when there will be a sale of books and jigsaws from 10am to 4pm.

Chance to enjoy a coffee or tea. Also plastic bottle top competition takes place and all entries should be in by 11am for judging and the prizes awarded.

QUIZ AND CURRY - A quiz and curry night will be held at the District social club on Saturday at 7.45pm. Entry is £5.

RAMBLERS - There will be a five mile easy walk to Gogbatch on Sunday led by Gerry Richardson from the A49 side of the railway station at 10.30am. To take part or find out more ring 01694 722677.

Wednesday there will be a two hour social walk led by Rose Gillan which starts from the Yew Tree Inn, All Stretton at 7pm.

Walking boots and wet weather wear advised, also take a drink and snack.

For details, ring 01694 722985 particularly if weather is inclement.

TALK - Tracy Prosser will be speaking about her role as first responder at the meeting of the Parkinson’s support group on Monday at Mayfair community centre at 2.30pm.

RHYME TIME - Children under three can enjoy rhyme time at the library from 10.30am to 11am on Tuesday.

PARISH ASSEMBLY - Held at the Silvester Horne Institute on Tuesday at 7pm.

COFFEE MORNING - The Children’s Society hosts a coffee morning and box opening event at the parish centre, 10am to 11.30am on Wednesday.

Stalls selling cakes, marmalade and plants.

SCHOOL NEWS - The principal’s afternoon tea will see the school invite parents and carers in to help celebrate successes of the students in and out of school. Students are busy fundraising for their visit to Borneo.

At St Lawrence’s Primary School year fives will visit Church Stretton School to take part in an electronics extravaganza, and the quiz club will be at Bramcote. The Friends’ Spring event will be on May 10.

SCHOOL OF DANCE - Students at The Stretton School of Dance and Drama showcased their talents and delighted their audiences with a full programme at the Dance Overture 2014 event held at Church Stretton School, and a raffle held at the performances raised funds for the new lighting appeal at the studio. The school teaches pre-school dance classes with Melody Bear, ballet, tap and Greek dance, musical theatre, singing and speaking, together with fitness adult classes and can be contacted by ringing 01694 723063.

CAMERA CLUB - The Longmynd Camera Club rounds off its season with a competition on Wednesday at 7.30pm in the URC hall. The subject of the competition is open and will be judged by Peter R Gennard, during the evening the merit award winner, league winners and photographer of the year will be announced.

BRIDGE CLUB - The Bridge Club continues to hold meetings at All Stretton Village Hall each Thursday from 1.15pm and offers tuition for beginners and a chance to refresh your game. Partners are provided and table fees are £2 including refreshment. Lifts are also available by ringing 01694 723128 or 722438.

FORUM - The South Shropshire Interfaith forum recently visited Church Stretton School where RE teacher, Phil Wright was joined by Alun Morgan, chair of SACRE and education adviser, to present an evening talk on the teaching of RE in schools. The forum hosts monthly lunchtime round table discussions at the Pilgrim Centre in Craven Arms on various related topics, and all are welcome to attend. A change of venue for a meeting on May 2, will be the community centre in Craven Arms and is titled Women of Faith and Friendship and features activities for women and children.

JUMBLE SALE - A jumble sale at the parish centre on May 3, at 2pm to 4pm is a fundraiser for the students taking part in the community projects in Borneo in conjunction with Church Stretton School.

The proceeds of the event will help Amy, Eleanor, Katie and Sophie with their fundraising for the trip. To donate items for the sale please take them along to the parish centre during morning of the sale.

SALE - Mayfair community centre will be holding a fundraising event on May 3, selling books, bric-a-brac, cakes, crafts and plants.

OUTINGS - The garden club is arranging two outings during May.

The first one is on May 9, and is to Malvern show, and the second one is on May 30, to Bryan’s Ground at Presteigne. To enquire for seats on the coach ring 01694 720131.

South West Shropshire Gardening Club SOUTH West Shropshire gardening club are now meeting at Lydbury North village hall.

A Taste of Herbs is the talk from the Cottage Herbery in Knighton-on- Teme, run by Kim and Rob Hurst.

Kim and Rob have over thirty years of experience of caring about the quality and health of their plants, which are nurtured in Fertile Fibre – the only truly organic, coir-based compost, which they have developed at their award winning nursery. They have achieved success in many shows over the years (including gold awards at Chelsea). Plants will be available at talk. Their theme for this season is Back door Herbs which can be seen in May’s edition of The English Garden Magazine.

Kim’s talk takes place on Wednesday at 7.30pm in Lydbury North village hall. Free to members of South West Shropshire Gardening Club; visitors are also welcome at £3 per person including refreshments.

Looking for inspiration when choosing which crops to grow this year?

Why not check out the schedule for our garden and produce show to be held on August 30, at Lydbury North village hall.