Bishops Castle

REINDEER IN OLD MARKET SQUARE – The Bishop’s Castle Christmas Lights committee is getting good local support for the event on December 6. Chairman Mandy Green says: “More shops have promised to stay open during the early evening this year and Santa Claus is bringing some real reindeer with him to the Old Market Square from 5pm.

Stuart and his helpers will be making Santa’s grotto at the Kings Head and local artist Roger Williams is creating some illuminated Christmas screens to light up buildings in the town.

Snow Queen procession starts at the Six Bells at 7pm and it’s a pantomime theme for the costumes if you want to join in with your lanterns.”

Mandy Green adds anyone who wants to buy a Christmas tree to fix to the front of their house should get in touch with her on 07971 213728.

Cost will include putting up and taking down the tree as well as fixing a holder if required. Any groups in Bishop’s Castle who want to do some of their own fundraising can have a stall at the festival. “Plenty of stewards and helpers required on the night, so please call me,” she adds.

STONE HOUSE NEWS – November 28, eyes down at 7.30pm for a bingo night in the day room at Stone House in Bishop’s Castle. There’s also a Christmas fair December 6, 2.30pm.

PASTRY PERFECTION – The October meeting of Bishop’s Castle WI welcomed Nicky Simpson as the guest speaker. She demonstrated Tasty Pastries, making a sweet pastry flan case and puff pastry. Members picked up lots of useful tips, the most important being to let pastry rest before rolling it out. Everyone had a taste of the puff pastry sausage and pickle rolls, as well as blueberry tarts made with sweet pastry.

UKULELE LADY – Do you enjoy playing the ukulele or the banjolele? Jenny Hickinbottom wants to get in touch with fellow enthusiasts in the Bishops Castle and Churchstoke area to see if they would be interested in forming a group of like-minded musicians or wannabes. Call her on 07531 802326 to discuss possible meeting and venues.

FOYLE FOUNDATION GRANT FOR BOOKS – The Foyle Foundation has awarded £7000 to the Community College library, to buy books, e-readers and Accelerated Reader for the pupils’ use. A school spokesman said: “This funding will help us promote reading for pleasure by expanding the fiction section of the library, creating smaller libraries for each house in the school, purchasing e-readers to support and motivate those who are less confident in their reading and using Accelerated Reader to guide students through the stages of choosing, understanding and responding to books they read.”

MORE XMAS SHOEBOXES – Bishops Castle Churches Art and Craft Group members have been knitting and collecting toys, toiletries and other gifts to fill shoeboxes to send to the Samaritans Purse Shoebox Scheme. This year they have had a great deal of help from the knitting group Jolly Jumpers, who meet at Stone House in Bishop’s Castle. Heather Holt from the Churches Art and Craft Group says: “The Jolly Jumpers have kindly knitted many sets of hats and scarves and put together with the things we have knitted and collected, we have made up 36 boxes this year, ten more than in previous years. The boxes will be taken to the collection point in Ludlow, then to Hereford, before they go to children in Belarus.”

TOWN REMEMBERS – More than 200 people in Bishop’s Castle turned out on Remembrance weekend to pay their respects to those who had made sacrifices in conflicts, past and present. Armistice Day, November 11, at the war memorial a large group of people including pupils from the Bishop’s Castle Primary School and members of the Royal British Legion came together for short service. On Remembrance Sunday,the parade gathered at Bishop’s Castle town hall.

This included the mayor and Bishop’s Castle town councillors, representatives from the Royal British Legion, members, Women’s Section of the RBL, Bishop’s Castle WI members, Army Cadets, Bishop’s Castle Fire Service, 1st Bishop’s Castle Scouts Group Cubs and Beavers. Procession to the War Memorial was led by Bishop’s Castle Drum and Bugle Band, where a two-minutes’ silence was observed and The Last Post was played by Paul Williams and Royston Hatfield. The Remembrance service in Bishop’s Castle Church was led by Rev Stephanie Fountain and Rev Sarah Hare. The service included poems and a duologue about William Marston, one of the fallen depicted on the War Memorial. Bishop’s Castle branch of Royal British Legion thank all those who contributed to this year’s Act of Remembrance.

SHARING MEMORIES – Bishop’s Castle Mothers’ Union served a soup and puddings lunch on October 5 and raised £409 for Away From It All, a Mothers’ Union initiative which gives holidays to families who otherwise would never have a break. Members also enjoyed an afternoon knitting sheep for their travelling crib and sharing childhood memories.

ABBEYFIELD COFFEE – Today is the last coffee morning this year at Abbeyfield House in Bishop’s Castle. Everyone is welcome to enjoy coffee, plus cake, craft, produce stalls and raffle to support the Hope House children’s hospice. It starts at 10.30am. Call 01588 630000.

HOUSE ON CRUTCHES DRAW– Ann Lloyd won £18.25 in October draw for 100 club run by House on Crutches Museum Collection Trust in Bishop’s Castle. Ivy Evans won £10.95 and Rosie Reid won £7.30.

LYDHAM DEFIBRILLATOR – A prize bingo at the Inn on the Green on November 3 raised £722, with another £400 given as donations. The money will go towards the cost of a defibrillator for Lydham village.

XMAS FAIR TRIP – Onny Valley Social Club has few spare seats on day trip to Llandudno Christmas Fair tomorrow, leaving Bishops Castle 8am and Norbury 8.15am. Cost £10, call 01588 650607 if you want to go.

TWO SCHOOL FUNDRAISERS – Lydbury North Primary School has two Christmas fundraising events. Christmas quiz at the Inn on the Green, Wentnor November 28, 8pm. Teams of up to six can enjoy a sausage and chips supper for £8 each. The Christmas fair is at the school December 4, 6pm. To sign up for the quiz, book a stall at the fair or donate raffle prize call 01588 680297.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY November 20-26.

THURSDAY: Abbeyfield coffee morning in aid of Hope House Children’s Hospice. Abbeyfield House, Oak Meadow, Bishop’s Castle. 10.30am n Film. T he Story of Helen Shapiro .

Green Methodist Chapel. 7.30pm.

  • Lydbury North WI AGM. Make a Christmas Card. Lydbury North village hall. 7pm.
  • Lydham, More and Snead WI AGM. Being a JP, Peter Swanson, Lydham village hall, 7.15pm, 01588 650315.

FRIDAY: Live roots music. Bon Debarras. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £10/£6. 7.30pm. Book on 01588 630321/638038.

  • Onny Valley Social Club. Trip to Llandudno Christmas Fair. £10. Dep Bishop’s Castle 8am. 01588 650607.
  • Friday Night at Lydbury Palladium in aid of Myndtown Church roof repairs. Lydbury North village hall. 01588 650205.

SATURDAY: Table-top sale. Bishop’s Castle town hall. £12 table, 10am-5pm. 01588 630023.

  • Christmas bazaar in aid of Norbury Church. Norbury village hall. 10.30am. 01588 650427

TUESDAY: Christian Aid AGM, Palestine presentation and meal Church Barn, Bishop’s Castle. 7pm.

WEDNESDAY: AGM. Friends of Bishop’s Castle Library. Books for Christmas – Adrian Williams. 8pm. 01588 638215.

  • Royal Opera House. L’Elisir d’Amore – Verdi. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £12/£8. 7.15pm. Book on 01588 630321/ 638038.
  • AGM. Bishop’s Castle Dial a Ride. Six Bells, Bishop’s Castle. 7.30pm.
  • SW Shropshire Gardening Club. Growing vegetables – Richard Fishbourne. Lydbury North Village Hall. £3 guests. 7.30pm. 01588 660753.

NEWS, EVENTS – Julia Parker 01588 680445, jparker228@btinternet.com.

 

Clun

CLUNBURY CAFÉ – Clunbury Café is open today and every other Thursday at Clunbury village hall from 10-11.30am. All are welcome for Fairtrade coffee and tea with cake, only £1, including refills.

UPPER CLUN COMMUNITY WILDLIFE GROUP – The Wildlife Group are holding a public meeting today at Newcastle Community Centre from 7.30pm. They will be celebrating iconic species and wildlife sites and announcing the results of bird, plant and butterfly surveys for 2014 as well as planning for next year.

Find out how you can help and hear about the events for new members and plans for conservation of species and sites. You do not need to be an expert. The group are gathering information through local people, so anyone can join in. They work closely with land. Life and Livelihoods, Clun and District Branch of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust and the Shropshire Hills AONB.

THEATRE IN CLUN – Clun Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS) are performing a double bill this weekend by two playwrights. Bed Among the Lentils by Alan Bennett and The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard are on at the Memorial Hall from today to Saturday at 7.30pm. Tickets Thursday £5, under 18s £3. Friday/ Saturday £6, under 18s £4. Available in advance from Davies Newsagents. Licensed bar and refreshments.

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR – Come and buy your Christmas presents from talented Shropshire craftsmen at Clunbury village hall on Saturday from 10am-4pm. There will be lots of stalls selling handmade goods including jewellery, fabric and knitted items, sculptures, soap, candles, chocolates, cards, decorations, cakes, preserves and much more. Free entry and light refreshments available. Proceeds to the Parish Post. More details from organizer, Lin Brown 01588 660578.

FLICKS AT ASTON ON CLUN – The Monuments Men (12A) is to be shown at 7.30pm on Saturday at Aston on Clun village hall. Easy parking, pay on the door, interval refreshments, admission £4 for adults – £2 under-18s, details 01588 660545.

WINTER CRAFT FAIR – Redlake Valley Artists and Friends invite you to their Winter Craft Fair at Chapel Lawn village hall on Sunday,12 noon to 6pm. Beautifully made crafts and gifts for Christmas including greetings cards, hand-printed books photography, artists’ books, ceramics, calligraphy, stone carving, jewellery, textiles, paintings, drawings, cake- decorating and sugarcraft. Free entry and parking. Refreshments. More information from Sarah Jameson 01547 528546 email: images@sarahjameson.co.uk or visit the website: redlakevalleyartists.co.uk.

BINGO – At the bingo session on Monday at the Sun Inn there will be 50 prizes to win including the raffle. The bingo raised £175 last time for St George’s Church. Organiser, Tim Wood said: “It was a good result and With their vintage clothes are stallholders Chris Haydon and Carol Jones. Thanks must go to the many people who donated prizes. Well on the way to raise the £5,000 by Christmas.”

WALKING FOR HEALTH – A short walk around the town every Tuesday. Meet at the Maltings Café at 10.30am.

CLUN RAMBLERS – Clun Ramblers next walk is on Wednesday, led by Nigel. Meet at Clun Memorial Hall car park. Sorry no dogs.

NEWS - News or events contact Elisabeth Taylor at elisabeth777@btinternet.com or 01981 540893.The deadline is Wednesday of the week before publication.

 

Far Forest

CHRISTMAS FAIR – November 29, 2pm-4pm. Santa arrives 2.30pm. Gifts, refreshments, tombola and a wonderful variety of stalls, and Father Christmas. Raffle, Christmas hamper and other fantastic prizes to be won. Chairman Helen 01299 266864 , bookings Theresa.

 

Tenbury

TENBURY TOWN BAND CHRISTMAS CONCERT – The Regal, December 13, 7pm. Tickets from Regal Box Office.

CHILDREN’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CRAFT WORKSHOP AND CHRISTINGLE SERVICE – December 13 at Lindridge School Hall, 1pm- 2.45pm, followed at 3pm to Lindridge Church for the Christingle Service. Come along and make your own Christingle and try your hands at various crafts on offer. Refreshments available. We look forward to welcoming you. All children to be accompanied please by parents, or carers over 16.

HEART START – Lindridge Parish Council have organised a Heart Start Course for tonight. The course will be run by Martin Bennett of Axiom Training Ltd. Martin is a First Responder for West Midlands Ambulance Service. He has taught first aid for the past 25 years. The course will comprise of the information the ambulance service need from a caller, control of bleeding, managing burns, chest pain/heart attack, strokes, collapse, unconsciousness and CPR. If you would like to attend, call Rachel Lambert 01584 881599 or lindridge@parishclerk.co.uk.

CLEANER WANTED – Tenbury Library. Mornings or evenings – the hours can be flexible. Ask at library for further information.

BOUNCE AND RHYME – For babies, toddlers and carers. Tenbury Library, 11am every Friday.

CRAFT AND TABLE TOP SALE – Tenbury Methodist Church Hall, November 29, 10am-2.30pm. Free admission.

QUIZ NIGHT – Tenbury Wells WI. Come along for a fun evening. Little Hereford village hall, November 29, 7pm for 7.30pm start. Entry £3 per person in teams of four. Question master will be Graham Archer. Exciting raffle prizes plus tea or coffee and refreshments. To book your team’s place RSVP to Monica Rees 01584 819254 or email: mandprees@talktalk.net. Please bring your own bottle and glasses.

COFFEE, CAKES AND CRAFT STALLS – Kyre Park Barn, next to Kyre Church, WR15 8RW, just off the B4214, four miles from Tenbury and seven miles from Bromyard. November 28, 10am-3pm. Funds raised going to support Christians in Syria and Iraq. Other refreshments available.

JUMBLE SALE – Saturday, Tenbury Wells Methodist Hall, 10am-noon. In aid of Shrewsbury Leukaemia Unit.

 

The Strettons

RESEARCH – Local and family history can be researched at the library Thursday afternoons 1pm-4pm when volunteers will be on hand to assist.

FRIDAY MARKET – The Friday market is open from 8.30am-noon at Mayfair Community Centre selling home-made cakes and produce, and craft items.

CHRISTINGLES – A Christingle workshop is planned for tomorrow at the parish centre from 3.45pm- 4.45pm to prepare Christingles for the service at 4pm in St Laurence’s Church on Saturday and visit to the Christmas lights switch-on.

CHRISTMAS FAIR – Saturday will see the streets filled with stalls selling Christmas gifts and goods during the day and shops and cafes staying open until 7pm, with many taking part in the decorated window competition. The Chamber of Trade is supporting the Christmas Lights Committee at the Christmas lights switch-on event, which features the Tree of Light. At 5pm, Martin Longhurst, of the newly formed Stretton Rugby Club, will perform the official switch-on. There will be many activities in the square including a bouncy castle and face painting, a fairground organ, bands and music. The rugby club will be there and Berry’s will again be serving mulled wine. The first responders will be showing off their publicly funded official car with new livery. Free parking will be available from 3pm. Enquiries can be made through the Chamber of Trade and by calling 01694 720086.

FROST FAIR – A frost fair takes place at Mayfair Community Centre on Saturday from 10am-5pm. Santa will be on hand, and at 5pm will attend the switching on of the Christmas lights in the Square.

QUIZ NIGHTS – A quiz night at the District Social Club, 7.30pm Saturday will raise funds for the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry Memorial Fund. Entry fee for the quiz is £4 and question-master will be Ken Willis. November 28, Ken Willis will again be question master at a quiz night in the Silvester Horne Institute at 7.30pm raising funds for Cancer Research UK. Cost of entry to quiz is £5, for reservations call 01694 722713.

EXHIBITION – Stretton’s artists will be exhibiting their work at All Stretton village hall on Sunday from 10.30am- 4.30pm. Refreshments will be available and all donations for these will go to Hope House Children’s Hospice.

MAYFAIR – Beginners’ IT sessions are available at Mayfair Community Centre on Monday afternoons from 1pm-3pm, and at 2.30pm there is a meeting of the Parkinson’s Support Group when Julie Griffiths, of PCB Solicitors, will be speaking about wills and power of attorney.

HISTORY GROUP – The Church Stretton Local History Group is launching a First World War research project at 2pm at Church Stretton library on Monday and invites anyone who may be interested to go along.

BIRDS – The Shropshire Ornithological Society meeting on Monday at the Methodist Hall is at 7.30pm. The speaker for the evening is Sue McLamb on the subject of Dragons of the Long Mynd. Admission for non-members is £2 and all are welcome.

RHYMETIMES – The Tuesday Rhymetime sessions continue at the library from 10.30am-11am with songs, rhymes and puppets for children under three years of age.

GARDENING CLUB - The Gardening Club meets on Tuesday at the Silvester Horne Institute. Doors open at 7pm for tea and coffee before the speaker at 7.30pm.

NETWORK GROUP - Wednesday at 2.30pm is the meeting of the Methodist Network group in the Methodist church hall when the Rev Pam Rush will be the speaker and takes as her subject Cameroon Cameos. All welcome.

SHROPSHIRE SMALLHOLDERS - The October meeting took place at Leebotwood Village hall with the usual members’ exchange and sales tables, and the speaker was from Shropshire Farm Vets who stressed the importance of washing boots when visiting smallholders to avoid the spread of infections. There was also a reminder that although it was well known that TB affected cattle it also could affect goats, alpacas and pigs, so it was important to take care and do everything to avoid its spread. A message from the Farmers’ Guardian additionally suggested that poultry houses should be steam cleaned as a safeguard, and as the mild winter and good summer with plenty of food available in the field provided ideal breeding conditions for rats, it was important to check for evidence and treat the problem.

SCHOOL NEWS - Church Stretton School held an information evening for the ski trip which would take place later this year, and a visit to the Snowdome has been arranged. Students were offered flu vaccinations. At St Lawrence’s Primary School a number of older pupils have received their 2pen licence” for reaching the standard in their cursive handwriting, and there is a thank you to the Friends of the School for the successful fundraising events and the extras such as the welcome walk which benefitted pupils and parents. A non-uniform day was held for Children in Need. Pupils are making creative bugs during the art classes after their Into the Woods visits and they have visited Scrappies to shop for the materials. Thanks to parents the plastic milk carton igloo is being constructed.

CLIMATE CARE - Following the annual general meeting Professor Rod Thomson, gave a talk on Preparing for Climate Change, painted a picture of warmer, wetter winters together with summer drought both of which could de-stabilise land and buildings, cause more flooding and generally affect plant life, livestock and human comfort. Stretton Climate Care aims to raise awareness of issues concerning climate change and the need for action, and to support local people in reducing emissions and eliminating fuel poverty. A free home energy survey service can be provided and through the past year the group has held a number of events including a presentation by Mark Lynas, electric car shows and installation of a charging point at the Co-op car park, and also a fundraising duck race in Carding Mill valley.

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR - Stretton and Shropshire Cancer Care Group holds its Christmas bazaar on November 29, at the parish centre.

CHRISTMAS FAIR - A Christmas fair at Eaton Manor will take place on November 30, from 11am-4pm.

COMMUNITY CINEMA - December 1, at 7.30pm, Church Stretton School will be screening Arthur’s Dyke (15).

 

Westhope

PARTY/DANCE - New year celebration party/dance January 2, 9pm til late. Music by Mike Taylor. Admission £5, bring your own food and drink.

CLOVER CLUB PARTY - December 4, 12.30pm for 1pm. A full turkey dinner. If some of you can bring a bottle for the table that would be wonderful. There will be carol singing and a rafFle.