Bishops Castle

WALCOT HALL HOUSE AND GARDENS - Walcot Hall gardens in Lydbury North, near Bishops Castle will be open to the public for two days over the spring bank holiday weekend Sunday to Monday. Open in conjunction with the National Gardens Scheme, these are the only two days in the year that the private family gardens and the main house are open for general viewing. Opening times are 1.30pm to 5.30pm and tickets cost £3.50 for the gardens and arboretum plus an additional £2 to view the house. Afternoon tea will be served in the ballroom during the afternoon and there will be also be a variety of plants on sale. The gardens cover over 30 acres and includes one of the finest arboretums in Britain. The rhododendrons and azaleas will be in full bloom and looking their best at this time of year making Walcot Hall one of the finest gardens in Shropshire. For more information contact enquiries@walcothall.com or call 01588 680570 NO MICHAELMAS FAIR - There will be no Bishops Castle Michaelmas Fair this year but the committee hopes to hold one in 2015 if they can get enough volunteers. A Michaelmas fair spokesman said, “Since this year’s AGM the dwindling committee have been asking for additional volunteers for help, with almost no effect. Regretfully we have come to the conclusion that there are not enough resources to run a Michaelmas fair in 2014. We have every intention of running the fair in 2015 and would welcome any new volunteers to join us to make this happen.” Email info@michaelmasfairco.uk if you can help in 2015.

PATIENTS GROUP MEETING - Bishops Castle patients group (BCPG) will hold its first annual meeting on June 10 at 7pm in Bishops Castle public hall. Dr Caron Morton, accountable officer, Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group will give a keynote speech on the Future Fit programme which is currently developing proposals for major changes in acute and community hospital care. These changes will affect all patients in Shropshire as well as those patients in Powys who use medical services in Shropshire. The programme involves public consultation and this meeting will identify how to get involved as well as details of progress to date. Dr Adrian Penney will speak on future developments at Bishops Castle medical practice and on changes already underway. Following the speeches, a question and answer session on future medical provision in the area will be held. Nick Hutchins (chair) and Jean Rice (vice-chair) will give a report on BCPG activity to date and the Steering Group will be available to answer questions. Proposals for election of members to the BCPG Steering Group will be presented and voted upon. The meeting is open to all registered patients of Bishops Castle medical practice.

FRIENDS OF SPARC THEATRE - The SpArC Theatre in Bishops Castle has just launched a Friends of SpArC Theatre scheme. Manager Cait Leach said the idea came in response to audiences asking to become more involved in the theatre. “Becoming a friend of SpArC theatre will help to continue the fantastic arts opportunities in our wonderful corner of rural Shropshire,” she said. As well as pledging valued support for the theatre’s future, friends wil receive advance notice via email of the upcoming season; priority booking for National Theatre Live screenings; an opportunity to reserve a table for cabaret-style events subject to availability; invitations to gallery private views when arranged by the artist and a. quarterly email newsletter. It costs £15 a year to become a friend of SpArC theatre and £25 for a couple. To join call the box office on 01588 630321 or 638038, or visit SpArC in person.

HEART OF WALES TRAIN TRIP - The Bishops Castle Railway Society’s annual trip in support of the Central Wales Line (also called the Heart of Wales Line) will take place on June 6. Open to everyone, the journey begins at Craven Arms station at 6.31pm, arriving in Llandrindod Wells at 7.33pm. There’s time to enjoy a drink or a walk in the park before catching the return train at 8.44pm and getting in to Craven Arms at 9.42pm. Keith Lucas from Bishops Castle Railway Society says, “Non-members are most welcome to join us but please note that this is not a special excursion train. We shall be using the ordinary service trains. There is no need to book, just turn up as tickets are obtained from the conductor on the train. The cheap day return fare is £6.60, less with a railcard. Note too that it is not necessary to start the journey at Craven Arms; you may also join us at Shrewsbury, Church Stretton, Broome, Hopton Heath, Bucknell, Knighton and other stations. All of these have been used by people on the trip in the past.” For more information call Keith Lucas 07880 737045 or email kwl@aber.ac.uk.

TASTE OF HERBS - A Taste of Herbs is the title of a talk at SW Shropshire gardening club on Wednesday at 7.30pm in Lydbury North village hall. Kim and Rob Hurst have run The Cottage Herbery in Knighton-on Teme for over 30 years, using organic coir-based compost which they have developed themselves at their award winning nursery. In addition to achieving success in many shows over the years (including gold awards at Chelsea), they attend many plant fairs, events and farmers’ markets, including Ludlow. Plants will be on sale on the night and guests are welcome to come at a fee of £3, to include refreshments. The schedule for the club’s 2014 garden and produce show is now available; the event is on August 30 in Lydbury North village hall.

NEW DATE FOR VEHICLE RUN - The Long Mynd Vintage Vehicle Club has moved the date of its annual road run to July 13 from the original date of June 8. Club chairman Karen Bavastock said, “We realised that our event would clash with a number of local activities and a tractor run in Leominster.” Booking forms for the LVVC road run will be available soon and the club hopes to cater for those with tractors and cars on a route which is being planned by the committee. After the run there will be a social event and a barbecue for all participants and guests. Call Karen Bavastock on 07967100903 or email karenbavastock@btinternet.com. Look on longmyndtractors.wordpress.com.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY, May 22-28.

THURSDAY - European elections. Polling station Bishops Castle public hall.

  • Bingo in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness. Coverage Care Stone House, Bishops Castle. 7.30pm.
  • NT Live. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time . SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle. £10/£7. 7pm. Book on 01588 630321 or 638038.
  • Bishops Castle Walking Group. Cwm. Four-six miles. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishops Castle. 9.30am. Call 01588 620702.
  • Talk. ‘Bishops Castle Carnival Through the Ages’ Karen Bavastock. Bishops Castle Library. £2/£3. 7pm.

FRIDAY - Boccia. Grange Road Community Centre, Bishops Castle. 2pm. Call 07956 062454 n Philip Dunne MP constituents’ surgery. Enterprise House, Bishops Castle. 4.30pm-6pm. Call 01584 872187 SATURDAY - Fancy dress dance in aid of AMP (About Music Project). Three Tuns, Bishops Castle. £7. Call 07816 127402.

  • Auction sale. Public Hall, Bishops Castle. Call 01743 462763 n Bring and buy sale for Christian Aid. Robbery Ring Farm, Prolley Moor, Wentnor. 10.30am.

SUNDAY - NGS Open garden. Walcot Hall, Lydbury North. 1.30pm. Call 01588 680570 MONDAY - NGS Open garden. Walcot Hall, Lydbury North. 1.30pm.

WEDNESDAY - Bishops Castle Walking Group. Acton Burnell. Eight miles. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishops Castle. 9.30am. Call 01694 723921.

  • SW Shropshire Gardening Club. Back Door Herbs - Kim and Rob Hurst. Lydbury North village hall. £3. 7.30pm.

CORRESPONDENT - 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. News is sent to the paper every week. Her phone number is 01588 680445. The email address is jparker228@ btinternet.com.

 

Clun

PRINT SHOW AT OLD SURGERY - Just opened at The Old Surgery Gallery in Clun is its annual print show featuring three Royal Academy Summer Exhibition print makers; David Harban, Paul Hipkiss and Peter Shread and others. New work will be shown from all three artists. In addition traditional paintings will be shown in the second room of the gallery including work by Jacqueline Fletcher, Tim Nash and Noel Shepherdson. The gallery opens six days a week including weekends, 10am to 5pm, but is closed on Wednesdays in June. You will be warmly welcomed to browse.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - Captain Phillips (12A) is showing at Clungunford parish hall on tomorrow (Friday) at 8pm. Captain Phillips is a multi-layered examination of the 2009 hijacking of the US container ship Maersk Alabama by a crew of Somali pirates. It is - through director Paul Greengrass’s distinctive lens - simultaneously a pulse-pounding thriller, and a complex portrait of the myriad effects of globalization. The film focuses on the relationship between the Alabama’s commanding officer, Captain Richard Phillips (two time Academy Award®-winner Tom Hanks), and the Somali pirate captain, Muse (Barkhad Abdi), who takes him hostage. Phillips and Muse are set on an unstoppable collision course when Muse and his crew target Phillips’ unarmed ship; in the ensuing standoff, 145 miles off the Somali coast, both men will find themselves at the mercy of forces beyond their control. Starring: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Director: Paul Greengrass. 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.

COFFEE MORNING – There is a coffee morning at Hightown community room at 10am on Saturday.

GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE – Come and find out about how you can create a wildlife-friendly garden to encourage bees, butterflies, birds and small mammals at Folly Brook House, Newcastle on Saturday from 2-5pm, courtesy of Sue Wilks and Rob Harris. Talks, wildlife-friendly gardening advice, activities for children, stalls, plants, tea and cakes. There will also be an optional short minibus trip to Ireland cottage garden, courtesy of Gill Binks. Free event jointly organized by Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Land, Life and Livelihoods and Upper Clun Community Wildlife Trust. Further details from Fiona 01743 284295 or 07506 120019 or Sarah 01547 528546.

ROGATION DAY WALK – Reverend Canon Paul Wignall, priest in charge of the Clun Valley churches, will lead his last Rogation Day walk on Sunday, before moving to Prees near Whitchurch. The walk starts at 2pm at Trinity Hospital and goes round the town, stopping on the way in the square, at the Methodist Church, Waterloo ford and St George’s Church for readings from Pilgrim’s Progress, hymns and prayers and finally ending at Sue Dowell’s garden for tea, cake and Songs of Praise at 4pm. Everyone is welcome to join in. There will be a lambing service at St John’s Church, Newcastle at 6.30pm.

CLUN RAMBLERS – Clun Ramblers’ next walk is on Wednesday, led by Nigel. Meet at Clun memorial hall car park at 9.30am. Sorry no dogs.

PARISH MEETING – Clun’s annual parish meeting is next Thursday, May 29, at Clun memorial hall at 6.30pm, followed by the town council meeting at 7.30pm.

FARMHOUSE BREAKFASTS – Start your day the right way on May 31, with a farmhouse breakfast (veggie option available) from 9am to 11am in Chapel Lawn village hall. Cooks, Christine and Patrick will cook to order. Booking preferred but not essential. Ring Chris on 01547 530585. £5 for a full breakfast with coffee and teas.

VOICES OF THE VALLEY CONCERT – Enjoy a concert and cream tea at St Mary’s Church, Chapel Lawn, on June 1, at 3pm. Tickets £5 includes a cream tea.

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.

 

Richards Castle

LOCAL HISTORY GROUP – The local history group meets in the village hall tonight, starting at 7.30pm. Ruth Richardson will be giving an illustrated talk about the life of Blanch Parry of Bacton, a friend and confidante of Queen Elizabeth I. Admission £2, refreshments available, all welcome.

 

Tenbury

MR WILLIS ON STAGE AND SCREEN – John Swindell plays the mighty Father Willis organ, St Michaels and All Angels Church, Tenbury Wells, May 31 at 7.30pm. Including excerpts from Oklahoma , West Side Story , Fantasia and music from the world of films and much, much more, and scrumptious food. Tickets £5 available from Wendy 01885 410244. In aid of St Michael’s Church funds.

SONGS FROM AROUND THE WORLD – Tenbury Library Choir sings for you at Tenbury methodist church, June 12, 7.30pm. Admission £5 to include refreshments. All are welcome. In aid of Cafe 27 and church funds.

WAR IN EUROPE – May 1914, war with Germany threatens. Germany, led by Prussia, has already been involved in European wars, if not as the aggressor, as the ally of Austria-Hungary, wars in Albania and the Balkans. Can the country afford to reduce even further the armed forces? Join the Royal British Legion now, your service personnel need you. Sign up now at www.britishlegion.org.uk/membership/join-us oe email: richardfox2@homecall.co.uk or phone 01584 819845.

DARK ROOM – By Steve Mosby. It’s the place where fear comes from. Teme Readers – Tenbury library’s afternoon reading group, May 30, 2pm-3pm. Find out if British crime writing can be as bleak as the Scandinavian novels with this dark mystery about a serial killer and the flawed hero, Di Andrew Hicks.

LINDRIDGE SHOW – In aid of Lindridge Church, Woodston Manor (on the A443 Worcester to Tenbury Wells road), June 7. By kind permission of T P Adams and Sons, Mrs M Walker and Mr A Victor Powell (agent) for the owners of the field at Woodston. Judging 9am prompt, dog show 2pm. Parade of Ludlow foxhounds, mini farmers market, Tenbury own band, tombola, side shows, children’s entertainment. Gifts, books, plants and cakes stalls. Refreshments available – ice cream and public bar. Grand draw in aid of Midlands Air Ambulance. Show schedules, s.a.e. please: Mrs E Gutteridge, Barn Cottage, Eastham, Tenbury Wells, Worcs. Tel 01584 881223 or www.lindridgeshow.co.uk.

QUIZ NIGHT - Fountain Inn, Tenbury Wells, May 23 starting at 7.30pm. Teams of four, £5 per head. Tickets available from Burford pre-school CIC, Tenbury News or the Fountain. More information Amy 07966 498176. All proceeds to Burford pre- school.

 

The Strettons

MAYFAIR EVENTS – The country market is open for business from 8.30am-12noon every Friday at Mayfair community centre selling home-made cakes, produce and craft items. The Evergreen Club holds its meeting at Mayfair tomorrow afternoon at 2.30pm, and on this occasion Derek Poundford will be speaking about This and That but mostly That.

CAR BOOT SALE – A charity car boot sale will take place at St Milburga’s church car park on Saturday from 9am-1pm. Refreshments will be available and there will be access to toilets.

ABBA TRIBUTE – An Abba tribute act and Robbie T Disco will be held at the district social club on Saturday from 8.30pm – late. Tickets cost £10 from the club and enquiries should be made by ringing 01694 723193 during the evening. No admission after 10.30pm.

LIBRARY EVENTS – There will be Rhyme time at the library for the under threes on Wednesday from 10.30am-11am offering fun, songs and rhymes. There are also local and family history sessions available at the library from 1pm-4pm next Thursday, May 29.

DRAMA – Dorrington players start a three night run of Funny Money next Thursday, May 29, until May 31, at the Silvester Horne Institute at 7.30pm. Ticket sales are through Burway Books and John Thomas Florists and may be available at the door.

ASCENSION DAY – Ascension Day communion will take place at St Laurence’s Church next Thursday, May 29, at 11.30am.

BOOK SALE – A book sale for Mayfair will be held at the URC hall on May 30 and 31, from 10am-4pm. The event is supported by the Rotary Club and collections can be arranged by ringing 01694 722138.

THANKS – Amy, Eleanor, Katie and Sophie would like to thank everyone who supported the recent jumble sale at the parish centre which raised £255 towards their expedition to Borneo in conjunction with Church Stretton School.

WALKING FOOTBALL – Anyone interested in trying out a session of walking football should contact Ken on 01694 724957.

SCHOOL NEWS – Year 11 and year nine rugby teams at Church Stretton school are celebrating victories in the county cup. The school has held a fancy dress day for charity and hosting primary transition visits. There is a big thank you from the Friends of St Lawrence’s Primary School for the support of the fun day which raised £1,437 and will be added to by Barclays Bank. The school will be running a netball club after half term, the U11 boys and girls football teams have been playing in the county finals and the SSCFA world cup football tournament and orienteering events. Pupils have visited Ludlow museum and the discovery centre. A free Bikeability course for year six pupils is planned. Following government changes to special needs provision in schools the schools will be working to implement these changes next term.

WIVES AND FRIEND – At a recent meeting arranged by the wives and friends group at the methodist hall, Bob Welch gave an interesting talk bringing everyone up to date on the proposed development of the Well- Being Centre which it is hoped might start to be transformed as early as July, ready for opening in July 2015. He illustrated his talk with diagrams of the interior design which would be adaptable for various uses as time went on and the needs of the community changed. The next event on the wives and friends calendar is the annual spring fare and coffee morning on June 7, from 10am-12noon,which will raise funds for the Well-Being Centre. There will be stalls selling plants, books, gifts, bric-a-brac, cakes and produce, and any donations of items for the sale would be welcome.

LONGMYND HIKE – Entries for the Longmynd hike will open in June when the amendments to the entry forms and changes to the equipment list will be included. The Longmynd Hike Committee wishes to maintain its good relations with the landowners and asks that those practicing for the hike in advance of the event control the amount of litter left around and avoid disturbing the cattle. The next meeting will be on July 13, at 8pm at the district social club and there are plans to refresh the website.

OUTING – The local gardening club is arranging an outing to Bryan’s Ground at Presteigne May 30, and enquiries for seats on the coach should be made by ringing 01694 720131.

PLANT SALE – The Church Stretton, and Craven Arms and District Liberal Democrats will be holding the annual plant sale on May 31, at St Milburga’s car park from 10am.

FESTIVAL EVENTS – The Blues ‘n’ Roots festival will take place in Rectory field on May 31, with great music, licensed bars, delicious food and, how to, musical workshops and children’s activities. Gates open at mid-day. Tickets available from www. BluesnRoots.co.uk. MacMillan Cancer Support is the charity to benefit. The next festival event on the calendar is June 5-8, and will be the 12th annual walking festival offering 12 walks of six-13 miles to suit all abilities and with pub meals on the Friday and Saturday evenings. Entry per walk is £6 and a returnable deposit of £5 will reserve a place at an evening meal. Ring 01694 724268. June 7-14 is the date of the Longmynd cycling festival which offers various activities for the whole family. There will be free learn to ride sessions taking place on June 14, from 10am to 12noon or 12.30pm- 2.30pm. Booking is essential by visiting www.travelshropshire.co.uk/long- mynd and for more information about other activities.

 

Hayton and District WI Report

REPORT of May 8 meeting, Stanton Lacy village hall - Eileen Pritchard welcomed everyone to the May meeting; resolution regarding organ donation was agreed upon; arrangements for walking part of The Shropshire Way to celebrate Shropshire WI’s 95th birthday were finalised. Eileen introduced speaker, Jo Carter, telling members something about the life of a lady’s maid. She appeared in costume and told members how she had started to play the role of lady’s maid at Warwick Castle and now at Calke Abbey. She based her character on Lady Mary Curzon’s maid (nb Downton Abbey). Lady Mary came from America as a pirate of men – English name for rich Americans coming over to catch a man and title. She decided to engage a Swiss maid, having been advised by her rivals French or English were best; Violet, a dressmaker, was sent to French finishing school before being employed as maid to Lady Mary and although her duties entailed long hours there were also perks – her own bedroom, cast-off dresses, as the lady only wore things once in public and once at home.There were also gifts of jewellery, a wage of £35 a year and a tea allowance – all to ensure the loyalty and discretion of the maid. Jo brought a corset that would have been worn by the women to ensure an hourglass figure with a waist measuring 18 ins (rumour has it that many babies and heirs were in fact born by servant women as it was often impossible for her ladyship to physically bear children after wearing stays from the age of four or five). Personal hygiene was also catered for by the maid – herbs in cloth pouches under arms and ‘contianers’ to match dinner service were at hand in case madam was ‘caught short’ at the dinner table. Members were given a short course in the language of fans, always useful at a gathering to give a man the ‘come on’ or ‘brush off’. Rose Lloyd thanked Jo and members inspected items Jo brought with her over refreshments. Competition results: flower of month: 1st lilac, Barbara Wright, 2nd geum, Sue Parker, 3rd camellia, Mary Holland. Beginning with ‘Z’: 1st Zebo, Barbara Wright, 2nd Zig Zag Gill Parker, 3rd Zinfandel wine, Janet Bryan.

A talk/demonstration by Alex Roderick on beauty therapy will be held on June 12. For details on how to join contact Eileen Pritchard on 01584 876437.