Bayton

JUMBLE SALE - Is being held at 2.30pm on October 10, in Bayton Village Hall.

HARVEST SUPPER - Bayton Church will be holding their harvest supper in Bayton Village Hall on Saturday at 7pm. Tickets £7. Further details for both events – Sue Burrows 01299 832722 e-mail bayton_pc08@btinternet.com Bishop’s Castle YOUNG READERS MEET CHALLENGE - Over 100 children in Bishop’s Castle have joined in a holiday reading challenge at the town’s library. Librarians Tara Lewis and Ali Jones have worked hard to encourage 110 local children to read during the holidays. Together with other Shropshire libraries, Bishop’s Castle Library took part in a UK-wide Summer Reading Challenge, sponsored by the Reading Agency, the Arts Council and Guinness World Records. The challenge to read six books was open to all primary school age children and by the end 86 junior members of Bishop’s Castle library had completed the whole challenge. This compares to 77 children last year and 46 in 2013. Tara and Ali arranged a number of events at the library to support the theme of Record Breakers. They invited representatives from the Dogs Trust and Zoolab to visit the library and there were other incentives to complete the challenge such as stickers and small toys. Everyone who took part was awarded a certificate and those who managed to read six or more books received a certificate and medal on a ribbon. Children who attend Bishop’s Castle, Lydbury North or Norbury primary schools were presented with their awards by Tara and Ali during their school assembly. Older children are not forgotten at Bishop’s Castle Library with their own teenage reading club which meets regularly and a film club run by the librarians. Call 01588 638215 for further information.

OLD BUILDING “TRANSFORMED” - One of Bishop’s Castle’s most prominent buildings has found a new lease of life as a beauty and hair salon. Transform opened earlier in the summer in the former premises of Snow’s Solicitors in the High Street. It is the brainchild of Sarah Speke who has transformed the former solicitors’ offices into a modern and welcoming suite of rooms. The building has a distinguished and interesting history and was originally a Wesleyan chapel. In the 1940s it became Bishop’s Castle cinema and was later one of E Walter’s trouser factories and then a solicitors. In the 1990s Bishop’s Castle Christmas Lights Festival was held there as the weather was so cold and wet. Sarah Speke employs three people, Kate Jukes, Rhiannon Jones and Libby Spragg. Between them they can offer a variety of top to toe hair and beauty treatments for women and men including toning tables, spray tanning, sun bed, nail treatments, hair extensions, facial treatments, waxing and more. Call 01588 630036.

CASH JACKPOT - A bingo night in Bishop’s Castle on September 16 raised £100 for the charity Sands. Bingo will be held at the Kings Head every two weeks with the next date on October 14.

FAIRGROUNDS AND CIRCUSES - Bishop’s Castle artist Drusilla Cole has an exhibition of linocuts at the SpArC Theatre in Bishop’s Castle that runs from tomorrow to October 31. Drusilla is fascinated by quirky and unusual architecture, with fairground and circus scenes another interest. These images frequently find their way into her work, based on her won sketches and photographs. Drusilla says: “Currently I am exploring linocuts, and in particular reduction linocuts. The lino is gradually cut away as each colour is printed, which essentially destroys the lino during the process, meaning a reduction print can never be reprinted. I use rainbow rolls, stencils and sometimes caustic soda to enrich areas of the prints and enhance texture. Printmaking processes are especially exciting to me because they create so many variables, presenting a challenge to achieve a desired end.” For SpArC opening times 01588 630321.

WRITER AT CARDIFF LITERARY FESTIVAL - Writer Alix Nathan, who lives near Bishop’s Castle, was recently invited to discuss her novel The Flight of Sarah Battle at the New Under the Sun literary festival in Cardiff. Alix, who has been described by prize-winning novelist Hilary Mantel as “an original with a virtuoso touch”, published The Flight of Sarah Battle in the spring this year, after her collection of short stories, His Last Fire , appeared in 2014. The novel tells of a woman, born and brought up in a coffee house at the end of the 18th century riot torn London, who searches for a better life, escaping to Philadelphia from a tyrannical father and a duplicitous husband. Alix Nathan was recently interviewed by New Welsh Review and the interview can be viewed on the magazine’s website or http:// eepurl.com/buMj5j. Both books can be bought at Art & Artisan and Yarborough House in Bishop’s Castle, The Guardian Bookshop and Amazon, where there are many complimentary reviews.

FLU CLINICS START - Flu clinics will be held at the Bishop’s Castle Medical Practice every Monday and Thursday afternoon 5pm to 6pm. No appointment necessary, just report to reception on arrival. You are eligible to receive a free flu jab if you are 65 years of age or over; pregnant; have certain medical conditions; are very overweight; are living in a long- stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility; receive a carer’s allowance, or you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill; are a healthcare worker with direct patient contact, or a social care worker. For more information on flu vaccinations and clinics look on bishopscastlemedicalpractice.co.uk or call 01588 638285.

MIRIAM’S COFEEE MORNING - Miriam Ellison hopes to welcome a good crowd to her coffee morning and bring and buy on Saturday. It is a fundraiser for Mainstone Church and begins 10am at Alder Barn, Mainstone. Tickets £1.50, to find out more call 01588 638314.

BISHOP’S CASTLE DIARY October 1-7

TODAY: Flu clinic. Bishop’s Castle Medical Practice. Weekly. 5pm-6pm. No appointment necessary. 01588 638285.

  • Film. Far from the Madding Crowd (12A). SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £4.50/£3. 7pm. 01588 630321/638038.

TOMORROW: Art exhibition. Drusilla Cole linocuts. SpArC Gallery, Bishop’s Castle. Until October 31.

01588 630321.

  • Ska night. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. 8pm.
  • Live tribute night. Miss Amy Winehouse. Boars Head, Bishop’s Castle. 01588 638521.

SATURDAY: Quiz. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. £2 each, teams of four. 7.30pm. 01588 630023.

  • Flea and antiques market. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. Free. 9am-4pm. 01588 630023.
  • Coffee morning with bring and buy. In aid of Mainstone Church. Alder Barn, Mainstone. £1.50. 10am. 01588 638314.
  • Bluz Box live music. The Vaults, Bishop’s Castle.

SUNDAY: Shropshire Chamber Orchestra in aid of Medic Malawi. Bishop’s Castle Church £9, £3u16. 3pm.

  • Harvest festival. Mainstone Church. 11am MONDAY: n Flu clinic. Bishop’s Castle Medical Practice. Weekly. 5pm-6pm. No appointment necessary. 01588 638285.
  • Meditation led by Sarah Hare. Mainstone Church. 7.30pm. Music from 7pm. 01588 638819.

TUESDAY: Bishop’s Castle Town Council meeting. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. 8pm. 01588 638141.

  • Film. Dark Horse (PG). Lydbury North Village Hall. £4/£2.50. 7.30pm. 01588 680302.
  • Footpath Walking Group. Coach outing Brecon Beacons. Book on 01588 650451.

WEDNESDAY: Castle Voices. Cadet Hall, New St, Bishop’s Castle. Weekly. £5. 7pm. 01547 550158.

  • Tai Chi with Alan. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. Weekly. £7/ £24 for 4. 10.30am. 07976 321345.
  • Bishop’s Castle Early Music Group. 7.30pm. 075385 68378.

CORRESPONDENT - Julia Parker 01588 680445, jparker228@btinternet.com

 

Clows Top

JUMBLE SALE - Is being held at Clows Top Village Hall on Saturday. Door open at 1.30pm. All welcome.

 

Clun

FUNGUS FORAY - Local and legendary fungi expert, John Hughes from the Shropshire Wildlife Trust will be leading this fungus-gathering walk through Clunton Coppice. You will be able to learn about the delicious, the edible but not very nice, and the absolutely-avoid-at-all-times fungi. Bring a basket. Sunday, meet at Clunton Coppice carpark at 10am. £2 for SWT members as £3 for non- members. More information from Mary, 01588 640921.

CAFECHURCH - Sunday, 3pm- 4.30pm at the Methodist Church, Clun. This informal, friendly session has a drop-in format with space to talk, think, listen and participate within a relaxed, café-style format. Some attendees have been knitting squares for caps for premature babies; some have made cards or practised their drawing, while others simply sit and talk. A short DVD might be shown towards the end of a session, which in the past has covered lambing time around Offa’s Dyke or the work done by the YMCA in Bethlehem with Palestinian and Israeli teenagers. All ages and persuasions are welcome to the CafeChurch for a welcoming, peaceful gathering. For more information: Michael North 01588 640776.

WI MONTHLY MEETING - Clun WI meets on Tuesday at 7.30pm in the High Town Community Rooms. Speaker this month is Kenneth Ballantyne who will talk about “our finest hour”. All are welcome, including new members, to come along, £3 charge includes refreshments.

WALKING WEDNESDAYS - Clun Ramblers and Peramblers. New people always welcome at these weekly walking groups. Ramblers go on longer walks and meet at Clun Memorial Hall at 9.30am each Wednesday. Peramblers walk around seven miles or so every week and meet at 10am. More information from Peter James (ramblers) 01588 640027 or Mandy Newton (peramblers) 01588 640195.

NEWCASTLE GARDEN SOCIETY MEETING - The meeting is at Newcastle Community Centre, next Thursday, October 8, at 7.30pm. There is a guest speaker and refreshments. More information from Gill Binks, 01588 640216.

CORRESPONDENT - Ros Patching at clunpatch@btinternet.com, 01588 640772. Deadline is the Wednesday of the week before publication.

 

Tenbury

TABLE SALE JUMBLE - Will be held at Tenbury Methodist Church on October 10 from 10am. Tables are available now at £5 each - so please book your space and sell all your unwanted goods! Contact Donna on 01584 781462.

COFFEE AND CHAT - A warm welcome awaits you tomorrow and on the first Friday of each month, from 10am until noon at The Pump Rooms. Organised by the Tenbury Branch of the U3A this is a great way to find out what we have to offer that might interest you – our activities range from ballroom dancing to film study and lots of other interesting subjects. If it isn’t fun it isn’t U3A!

We will be taking names and payment for those who want to go on the last garden visit of the year. This is to Arley Arboretum at Upper Arley (£5 plus lunch in the tea room if you wish). Lots of trees and walks by the River Severn. Also the 2016 calendar produced by our very own, and very talented, photography group will be on sale at £5. It is a limited edition so do come to this coffee and chat to make sure of a copy. As you can see there is plenty to tempt you to come along to meet old friends and new over a coffee and chat and maybe discover a new interest. Hope to see you there.

SOUP AND ROLL LUNCHES - Soup- and-a-roll lunches with pudding, will be served in Tenbury Methodist Church hall today at 12.30pm. Please come along, eat some delicious food, and share in good company. There is a small charge of £2.50. All welcome.

SUPPER AND OWLS - The Friends of Hope Bagot invite you to supper and owls in Hope Bagot Village Hall on Wednesday. Supper at 7pm followed by Baroness Sasa of Hereford Owl Rescue (with her owls). Entry by pre- purchased ticket only - £12.50 (includes a glass of wine). Contact David Hatchell 01584 890664 or Di Cooley 01584 890258.

TENBURY APPLEFEST 2015 - Fun day dedicated to the mighty apple 10am-5pm Saturday, on the Burgage, Tenbury Wells. Great family day out. Over 250 varieties of apples on display, plus: apple identification, juicing, tree husbandry, cider makers forum, shopping village with food and drink, crafts, licensed bar area, demonstrations, classic cars, Leominster Morris Dancers, home-brewed cider, apple pie and photography competitions, Alpaca treks, owls and animal encounters, Tenbury Teme Valley Band, Bandemonium, local primary school choirs, Punch and Judy show, facepainting, story walks, willow workshops, blacksmith. Admission £2.50, under 16s free. 01584 810502 or 890007, tenburyapplefest.co.uk, facebook.com/TenburyApplefest, twitter:@TWApplefest.

FUN CLAY PIGEON AND LASER CLAY SHOOT - The Friends of Nash and Boraston Churches, Sunday, shooting from 11am in Boraston village, WR15 8LH, then see the signs. Barbecue and refreshments. Trophy prizes for top guns (ladies and junior too). Thanks to SunRG, our main sponsor, installers of Solar Panels 01584 811866. Thanks to the farm for providing the venue and the Peacock Inn for prize sponsorship too. Clay shooting for all, novices welcome. Cartridges available, bring your shotgun licence. Laser Clays £5 for £50 shots. Clay shoot entry £20 includes 40 clays and 50 laser shots. Or pre book for discount 01584 811474. More info: e-mail: rae.lesleymorgan@gmail.com. Charity clay shoot with proceeds to The Friends of Nash and Boraston Churches.

 

The Strettons

OPEN MORNINGS - Following the open evening at Church Stretton School there are now two open mornings from 9.30am-noon today and tomorrow Friday for those wishing to see the school in action. Appointments can be made at other times. All welcome.

CHESS CLUB - Every Thursday 1.30pm-5pm. The Chess Club is in action at All Stretton Village Hall. Lifts can be arranged from Church Stretton by calling Dom 01694 723128 who also offers tuition.

DINNER EVENT - A dinner is planned for 7pm tonight at the Silvester Horne Institute, when Fiona Castle, widow of Roy Castle will be the speaker on the subject “making the most of the moment”. Tickets sales are through the Parish Office and cost £12.50.

FRIDAY MARKET - At Mayfair Community Centre, 8.30am-noon selling homemade cakes, produce, craft items, and some garden items.

FLU CLINIC - The second flu clinic will be on Saturday at the Medical Centre open from 9am-noon.

LONGMYND HIKE - The Longmynd Hike takes place on Saturday and Sunday and is based at Church Stretton School. This is an annual 50m event with completion in 24 hours and attracts entries from far and wide and everything is set in place to help the event run smoothly.

FUNGUS DAY - On Saturday in Rectory Wood and Field there will be a fungus day 10am-noon. Meet at the gate by the Scout HQ in Church St.

NEPAL - Shayne from Kaboodle is taking part in the Chester marathon event Sunday raising funds for Nepal. To support him there is a collection box in the shop.

COMMUNITY CINEMA - The Theory of Everything (12) will be screened at Church Stretton School on Monday at 7.30pm. Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start. Admission £4 adults, with a student reduction.

SCHOOL NEWS - A visit by the team from St John’s College in Cambridge to Church Stretton School was to encourage the most academically able students to apply to Russell Group Universities, which the students found most interesting. The under 16 netball team are now South Shropshire Champions and will be looking towards the county finals. All students have taken part in last week’s sponsored walk.

At St Lawrence’s Primary School the welcome walk has been held, and the school has received a visit from a group of soldiers injured during conflict who are raising funds for those taking part in the 1200 mile Walk of Britain challenge for UK and US veterans, and the school plans to do some fundraising of its own to support them.

ROCKY HORROR SHOW - The Rocky Horror Show was beamed live to Church Stretton School last week. The show was raising awareness for Amnesty so local Amnesty supporters were on hand to greet the theatre-goers, several of whom had been able to enjoy a gourmet meal in the restaurant beforehand.

LAUDATO SI’ - This event attracted a good crowd interested to hear Mike Bourke’s responses to Pope Francis’ Encyclical on the Environment, which was followed by discussions among those present on the six chapters of the 116-page document. This can be downloaded from the internet or bought from the Catholic Truth Society at 44-46 Harleyford Road, London SE11 5AY, telephone 02076 400042.

SURE START CENTRE - The Sure Start Centre on the local Schools’ Campus is the venue for monthly clinics on Mondays from 2pm-4pm for appointments and from 4pm-6pm for drop ins, covering healthy eating, health advice, toileting issues, sleep issues, emotional wellbeing, and any other issues for youngsters aged five years-18 years. The clinics are offered by Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust. To enquire for information or to make an appointment ring 01743 277675. The next clinic is due to take place on October 19, and will take the theme of physical activity.

 

Westhope

CLOVER CLUB - Thirty members and friends of Westhope Clover Club have enjoyed a cream tea at the Plough Inn, Wistanstow. Thanks to George Parkes and his staff for looking after us so well. A raffle was drawn. October meeting sees a talk and slide show by Mr Roy Bounds – “a life changing experience”. Doors open 7pm. Refreshments and raffle.

VILLAGE HALL LOTTERY - Winners of September draw: first prize £30.90 Ruth Whiting, Little Stretton. Other winners: Peter Caine, Joe Evans, Arthur Cooper and Mrs Luscot.

WHIST - There are two whist drives for Westhope in October. They are on Monday and October 19. £1.50 admission. Refreshments and raffle.

HARVEST SUPPER - The Westhope harvest supper is next Thursday, October 8, 7.30pm for 8pm. Three- course meal and entertainment with Maggy O’Hara. Admission £12. To book your place please ring 01584 861282. Licensed bar and raffle.

HARVEST FESTIVAL - The harvest festival at Westhope Chapel is on October 15, 7.30pm. All are welcome.

DIDDELEBURY AND WESTHOPE WI - There was a good attendance at the September meeting. Minutes were read and signed and plans made for the forthcoming group meeting which was on September 24. The speaker was Mike Kelly who spoke on fresh water pearls and where they can be found in the River Clun. It is such an interesting topic, you learn something new every day.

Mary Holland thanked him. We met again on September 13, this time for our own 100-year celebration. This was a village walk, that took us across the fields from Westhope Manor to the church and back around the road to the village hall where a tea awaited. The scrap books were on show and the afternoon closed with a quiz, which members and visitors thoroughly enjoyed.

The October meet will be the skittle match – WI v Craven Arms Ladies.