Bewdley

BEWDLEY WI - Meets at St Georges Hall, Load St, Bewdley. First Monday each month 7.30pm. The Newly formed Bewdley WI welcomes new members. The next meeting will be on September 7, at 7.30pm. The speaker is Worcestershire’s Coroner Gerraint Williams talking about ‘the work of the coroner’.

Visitors pay £3. Members pay £36 per year and enjoy the many benefits it brings. Do come along we are sure you will make new friends, enjoy the great speakers, demonstrations, outings and have fun.

 

Bishop’s Castle

OLD CAMPAIGNERS CONCERNED OVER SPARC FUTURE – Shropshire Council’s proposed changes have brought back memories of previous campaigns to veteran campaigners David Preshous, the retired Bishops Castle Community College headmaster and Peter Phillips the retired Shropshire Councillor for Bishops Castle.

David Preshous said, “In 1995 we launched a campaign called the ‘Don’t Take the Heart out of Bishop’s Castle’ to save the Community College Sixth Form and the Community Hospital.’ Both were facing the axe and both were saved. The current situation, although it has echoes of those days is rather different and while we are anxious, we are also optimistic.”

Peter Phillips added, “Shropshire Council is looking to devolve a number of services to local operators in local communities. Currently they are consulting on putting the management of Bishops Castle Library into the hands of Enterprise South West Shropshire which is based in the same building in Station Street. At the same time, joint-use funding’ which supports leisure centres around the county is to be withdrawn over the next three years. This year 25 percent has already gone. This means urgent and radical new thinking is needed to ensure that leisure centre services continue.”

“The SpArC centre in Bishop’s Castle is a hive of activity,” said David Preshous. “A few years ago there was a question mark over the future of the SpArC Theatre. However an enlightened partnership between Teme Leisure and Enterprise House, supported by an army of local volunteers and a dedicated manager, have made it a roaring success. I am hopeful that Shropshire Council will find a way of sustaining the sports side of SpArC with similar success.

SpArC is a beacon of rural activity, serving a wide population over a huge area of the rural Marches.”

“We hope that the other dozen or more centres that face this problem, not of Shropshire Council’s making— will join us in seeking sustainable solutions,” added Mr Phillips. ‘First casualties would be the swimming pool and that would pose severe problems for local primary schools who have, by law, to provide swimming lessons with nothing in their budget to support it.”

David Preshous 01588 658 363. Peter Phillips 01588 650 625.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY August 20-26

TODAY: Norbury and Dist WI. Walcot Hall walk. 7.30pm. Call 01588 650671.

  • Lydbury North WI trip to ‘ Legally Blonde ’ Aberystwyth Theatre. £32. Coach only £10. Call 01588 680226.

TOMORROW: Teme SpArC multi activity day. Ages six-12. £10. 10am-3pm Call 01588 630243.

  • Footpath Walking Group planning meeting. 41 High St, Bishop’s Castle. 10.30am. Call 01588 650451.
  • Pony Club day. Walcot Stables, Lydbury North. 10am-4pm. Call 01588 680514.

SATURDAY: Des Horsfall Trio in concert. Bishops Castle Town Hall. £8/£10 door. 8pm. Call 01588 630023.

TUESDAY: Teme SpArC multi activity day. Ages six-12. £10. 10am-3pm Call 01588 630243.

  • Pony Club day. Walcot Stables, Lydbury North. 10am-4pm. Call 01588 680514.

WEDNESDAY: Bishops Castle Town Football Club soccer camp. SpArC Astroturf. £10 day, £25 for three days. Age seven-15. 10am-3pm. Call 079834 60877.

  • RSC screening Othello . SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £11/£7 child. 7pm. Call 01588 630321/638038.
  • M and J Travel day trip to Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey). Local pick up points. Call 01588 640273.

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. Her phone number is 01588 680445. The email address is jparker228@ btinternet.com.

 

Clun

TIM’S TRAVELS - Tim Wood continues to arrange regular trips to see a variety of interesting and often outstanding plays and concerts. In June a party had a very interesting day visiting the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham for the first time to see and excellent production of George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs Warren’s Profession with Sue Holderness playing a very different part to her role in Only Fools and Horses and Christopher Timothy of All Creatures Great and Small fame. As well as the play many of the party dined at Jamie’s Italian Restaurant - superb.

The Victorian theatre was designed by the famous theatrical architect, Frank Matcham and is the earliest surviving example of his work. He also designed the London Palladium, the Bristol Hippodrome, Buxton Opera House and the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, all of which still survive. Sadly many of his edifices, including the Leeds and Glasgow Empires and Leicester Palace, have been demolished. In Leeds, though, the shopping arcades, which were built alongside the Empire, still exist and now house the Harvey Nichols store in the recently renamed Victorian Quarter.

On September 16 he is taking a party to Malvern Festival Theatre to see Terence Rattigan’s outstanding wartime play Flare Path, which recently enjoyed a very successful revival in London’s West End. Based on Rattigan’s experiences, Flare Path paints an evocative portrait of life in wartime Britain for the RAF bomber crews, their wives and sweethearts.

Winston Churchill said of the work, “I was very moved by this play. It is a masterpiece.” The coach leaves M&J Travel, Newcastle at 9.15am, picking up at Whitcott Keysett, Clun Bridge, Clun High Street and stops on the way to Craven Arms and A49. Coach and good stalls seat cost £27.50.

The last 2015 theatre outing will be to see Tommy Steele in the part of narrator in The Glenn Miller Story at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton on October 21. This is the extraordinary tale of the world’s most famous bandleader and features the current 16 piece Glenn Miller Orchestra. The show almost sold out, but Tim managed to reserve some magnificent seats in the the stalls before booking opened to the general public. All enquiries and bookings to Tim Wood at the Old Surgery Gallery in Clun.

The gallery is open seven days a week, including Sundays and bank holidays, from 10am to 5pm. 01588 640506.

NEW ROPE STRING BAND - This very popular and entertaining band are on their final tour - an extravaganza of their finest routines - thrills, spills, explosions, mermaids, pink y-fronts, drainpipes, tears and hilarity. They will be at Clun Memorial Hall on September 23. Book your tickets now - they will not be available on the door. Adults £10, student/child £6. Tel 01588 640254 email: dilysthorpe@clun.org.uk or Tim Wood, the Old Surgery Gallery.

COFFEE MORNING - Clun Senior Citizens are holding a coffee morning at Haslehurst Community Centre on Saturday from 10am to noon with the usual stalls.

UNITED SERVICE - Clun Churches are holding a united service at Clun Methodist Church on Sunday at 10am.

CLUN RAMBLERS - Clun Ramblers are breaking new ground with their walk on Wednesday, an expedition from Llwyngwril to Barmouth,followed by a fish and chips supper. It will be led by Nigel and Peter J. Sorry no dogs.

CLUN BOWLING CLUB - Dorothy and Richard Gough are kindly opening their home at Jubilee House, High Street, Clun for a coffee morning on August 29 from 10.30am to noon. It will be a fundraiser for Clun Bowling Club.

CORRESPONDENT - If you have any news or events in the Clun Valley, contact Elisabeth Taylor, email: et@myphone.coop 01981 540893. The deadline is the Wednesday of the week before publication.

 

Lindridge

LINDRIDGE AUTUMN SHOW - September 5, at Lindridge Parish Hall, Eardiston. Classes are for vegetables and fruit, flowers and cookery and there are classes for children. Refreshments including barbecue and teas 1am-4pm. Schedules can be found at the Parish Hall, Eardiston Club, St Lawrences and the Bothy nurseries and to download from lindridgeparishhall.btck.co.uk.

 

Little Hereford

NEWTOWN MALE VOICE CHOIR - September 5, at Little Hereford Parish Hall, Newtown Male Voice Choir.

£6 to include light supper. Bar. Doors open 6.45pm for 7.30pm start. For tickets contact 01584 711513.

 

Tenbury

HISTORY OF BOCKLETON AND SURROUNDING AREA - An evening of wine, cheese and history. Discover local history in the company of historian Robert Robinson, Bockleton Parish Hall, September 5, 7.30pm. You are invited to bring photos and stories of your own family or house history. Tickets £5. For tickets and more information telephone: George Jarvis 01568 750522 or Wendy Garrod 01568 750414.

AGM - The Tenbury Nils Scheme AGM will be held at St Mary’s Church, Tenbury Wells, next Thursday, August 27, at 6pm. We welcome all friends, supporters and members of the public.

READ ALL THE BOOKS. - Summer-autumn. The Books, Booze and Banter Group, Tenbury Library.

LINDRIDGE AUTUMN SHOW - September 5 at Lindridge Parish Hall, Eardiston. Classes are or vegetables and fruit, flowers and cookery, and there are classes for children. Schedules are available at the Parish Hall, Eardiston Club, St Lawence’s, the Bothy Nurseries and to download from lindridgeparishhall.btck.co.uk. Refreshments including barbecue and teas 1pm-4pm.

 

The Strettons

WALKING FESTIVAL - The walking festival runs from today until Sunday, and offers local walks for all ages and abilities including four fun short walks for families led by the National Trust, Nordic Walking introductory sessions and walks for experienced pole walkers, themed walks taking in a stars in your skies night walk, a heather and heathland nature walk, a geology walk and a walk on the wild side, together with walks for health which are shorter, easier walks for fun and fitness. Contact James on 01694 724293 to book in or find out more.

FRIDAY MARKET - The Friday Market continues at Mayfair Community Centre and is open from 8.30am-noon selling cakes, produce, plants and craft items.

FORAGE AND FEAST - A forage and feast course is available at Acton Scott Working Farm on Sunday from 10am-4pm. Contact 01694 781307 for more information or to book in. The cost is £80 including lunch.

PARKINSON’S GROUP - The local Parkinson’s support group meets at Mayfair Community Centre on Monday at 2.30pm. On this occasion Jill Wallbank will be offering some easy exercises and all are welcome to attend.

LIBRARY EVENTS - At the library there will be fun, songs and rhymes for children under three years from 10.30am-11am on Tuesday as part of the regular rhyme time sessions. Every Thursday there is a chance to research family and local history from 1pm-4pm, with free internet access to Ancestry. Volunteers will be on hand to help if needed.

PRAYERS - The Methodist Church welcomes everyone to the ‘prayers for a summer evening’ at 6.30pm on Tuesday.

TRAIDCRAFT - Fairtrade goods are for sale at Mayfair on Thursdays from 10.30am-1pm.

SCRAPPIES - The last of the summer workshops for children will be next Thursday, August 27, with a theme of knights and maidens. Sessions run from 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm- 3.30pm and cost £2 for members of the Crafty Kids Club and £3.50 for non-members. Children of five-six years should be accompanied.

GARDEN SHOW - The Church Stretton Gardening Club hosts its summer show on August 29 at 2.30pm in the Silvester Horne Institute.

CREATIVE WRITING - A guided walk and creative writing workshop on August 29, is part of the Rectory Wood and Field programme. Please book in at the Town Council Offices on 01694 722113.

SKITTLES - A skittles night is planned for August 28, at the District Social Club starting at 8pm. Entry is £5 per team of two- four players and all ages are welcome including non-members. All entry money will be paid out in prizes.

TEAS TO PLEASE - The annual teas to please event at All Saints Church in Little Stretton takes place over the weekend August 29-31, from 2.30pm-6pm.