Bishops Castle

COME HITHER – ‘Come Hither’ and celebrate the legacy of William Shakespeare at a special event in Bishop’s Castle Library on Saturday, starting 2.30pm, David Hughes, author of The Seven Ages of William Shakespeare will give an introduction before inviting contributions from the audience. The date for the event is exactly 400 years on from the Bard’s death in 1616; interestingly, he was also born on April 23, in 1564.

LITTLE OAKS – ‘From little acorns, mighty oak trees grow’, is an old say- ing that Bishops Castle Primary School has taken as the motto for its latest venture. Little Oaks welcomes babies, toddlers, parents every Thursday morning 9am and 11am.

Just drop in during term time with your child and enjoy free coffee and play in the school hall. Call Jenny on 01588 638522.

THREE ROUTES TO CHOOSE – On April 30, the annual Bishops Castle Round and About Walk will be held between Bishops Castle and Clun.

Walkers can choose between three different options – they can ramble, scramble or amble their way, with the longest walk covering 22.5 miles.

This is a circular walk over the Shropshire hills which starts and ends in Bishop’s Castle, via Offa’s Dyke, the Shropshire Way, the Walcot Estate and Bury Ditches, with a welcome hot vegetarian lunch pro- vided at Clun. The Scramble is a 13-mile walk from Bishop’s Castle, climbing up to Offa’s Dyke then enjoying the views along the Cefns before dropping down into Clun for lunch and transport back to Bishop’s Castle. Walkers who choose the Amble will be transported to Clun for lunch before a nine and a half mile undulating stroll to Bury Ditches, then through the normally private Walcot Estate, and Oakeley Mynd, to Bishop’s Castle. The route is very well signposted, with written instruc- tions and helpful marshals, and takes in some of the most beautiful and remote views of Shropshire.

Bishops Castle Co-op shop is provid- ing refreshments and volunteers, and Wenlock Springs is supplying water.

The Happy Bap café in Bishop’s Castle is open from 8am to sustain walkers, and local hostelries offer discounts at the end of the walks.

The Bishop’s Castle event is held in support of national blood cancer charity, Bloodwise (formerly Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research) and last year organisers donated over £4,000. If you would like to take part, book before Monday by visiting: Bloodwise.org.uk/round- and-about-walks. Registration is £16 online and includes free transport as needed, and lunch.

CHRISTIAN AID LUNCHES – This year’s seven Lent Lunches in Bishop’s Castle Methodist Hall have raised £1,683 for the charity Christian Aid, beating last year’s total by almost £400. Graham Hemmings from Bishop’s Castle Church said: “Thanks to the splendid efforts of groups of volunteers who supplied the soups and the generosity of our guests. Now we are looking towards Christian Aid week which begins on May 15 with house collections.”

QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY ROSE – Today at 11am, the mayor of Bishops Castle, Cllr Karen Bavastock will plant a rose at the Old Market Place in Bishops Castle to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s 90th Birthday. Everyone is invited and refreshments will be available at the Town Hall afterwards. Cllr Bavastock said: “We felt it was appropriate to mark the occasion in some way and councillors decided to plant a rose. As it is my birthday as well it makes it an extra special thing for me to do. My grandparents’ wedding anniversary was also on this day so it is quite a special date in my diary. I remember on my 10th birthday my grandparents celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary and of course the Queen would also have been celebrating but that is more years ago than I care to remember now!”

In addition, tomorrow, the mayor will be visiting Crowgate Children’s Centre to present coins to commemorate the Queen’s birthday to all the youngsters who attend Crowgate. Cllr Bavastock said: “I felt it was important to do something more than just the rose planting and my charity fund has paid for Year 6 pupils at Bishops Castle Primary School to attend the Crucial Crew event this year, giving them much-needed life skills and informa- tion. It also seemed right to work with staff at Crowgate and include our younger residents in the Queen’s birthday celebrations so I am very much looking forward to meeting eve- ryone at Crowgate and giving the youngsters coins to commemorate this special day. I remember being given a coin to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 by my grandmother and we were presented with a mug as well, both of which I still have and it would be nice to think the youngsters will remember being presented with their coins”.

Later in the year Bishops Castle Town Council will be joining forces with Bishops Castle Town Hall Trust to hold a Civic Pride Day on the Queen’s offi- cial birthday in June. Further details will be announced shortly. Cllr Bavastock will be launching the Bishop’s Castle Civic Awards on that day and forms to nominate people will be available there. For more information contact Cllr Karen Bavastock on 07967 100903, the town clerk’s office 01588 638141, or the Bishop’s Castle Town Council Facebook page.

WALKING FESTIVAL – The Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is recognised as one of Britain’s finest landscapes and with hundreds of miles of public foot- paths, the countryside around Bishop’s Castle is a walker’s dream.

The 17th Bishop’s Castle Walking Festival runs from May 7 to 15 and offers nine days of guided walks and some tough unguided challenge walking. The Shropshire Way, Offa’s Dyke and the Kerry Ridgeway are all at hand and information on all the routes features in the programme.

There’s a lot of choice from wide, open hilltops to narrow, winding val- leys, and fantastic views. For full details of the festival visit: walkingfes- tival.co.uk.

NORBURY PLAYGROUP – Welcomes children under five, their parents and carers every Wednesday in Norbury Village Hall, 10am to noon. Anita Bright and her team of helpers have run the group for over 30 years and she says the new vil- lage hall is proving to be a real bonus for the playgroup. “We have a big storage room for all our toys and equipment,” she says. “And the hall is a constant temperature with no draughts. We also have an outdoor patio to play on.” Coming to the play- group costs £2 or £2.50 for siblings.

Anita adds: “We offer tea, coffee and children’s drinks and every child has a present on their birthday. We look forward to meeting new faces.”

GIGGLES WITH EASTER BONNETS – Norbury and District WI March meeting went off with giggle when several of our members arrived in their magnificent creations of fun Easter Bonnets. Being such good sports they sat through the whole meeting wearing them too. President Rita Preston welcomed everyone along to our superb village hall. The obvious business was soon over. Rita mentioned the many forthcoming events from county and a varied summer programme organised for members. Our annual dinner is on May 6 at The Inn on the Green.

We are so very lucky to have many of our members with interesting talents and tonight proved to be just that.

Our very own Valerie Woodmansey gave us an informative talk of her var- ied careers. Valerie spoke of relaxa- tion, cranial therapy and many other things too. She advised us of the uses with lavender oil, apparently a few dabs on a pillow may enhance a good night’s sleep. All in all we were all keen to give it a try. Please join us, details are on villagehallnorbury.co.uk.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY April 21-27

TODAY

  • Little Oaks for parents, babies and toddlers. Bishop's Castle Primary School. Drop in 9am-11am. Weekly, term time, 01588 638522.
  • Bishop's Castle mayor is planting rose to celebrate Queen's 90th birth- day. Old Market Square, Bishop's Castle. 11am.
  • Lydham, More and Snead WI. Kurling. Lydham Village Hall. 2.15pm, 01588 650775.
  • Lydbury North WI. Antiques, Mary Smith Lydbury North Village Hall 7pm.

TOMORROW

  • Market. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. Weekly. 9am, 01588 630023.

SATURDAY

  • Nearly new sale in aid of Crowgate Child Centre, Bishop's Castle. Church Barn, Bishop's Castle. £5 table, £1 entry. 07854 312203 to book table.
  • Table top sale, Town Hall. Tables £10. 10am, 01588 630023.
  • William Shakespeare 400th anni- versary day. Bishop's Castle Library 2.30pm.
  • Art exhibition – Alison Grimley. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. Until May 21. 10am-4pm, 01588 630023.
  • Craven Arms Men's Chorus. Edgton Village Hall. £10. 7.30pm, 01588 680226.

MONDAY

  • Councillor Charlotte Barnes surgery. Enterprise House, Bishop's Castle. 9.30am -10.30am, 07772 792443.
  • Walking for Health. Enterprise House, Bishop's Castle. Weekly. 10.30am.

TUESDAY

  • E-bike ride. New Street Cycles. Free. Weekly. 6pm (weather permitting), 01588 638060.
  • Opera National de Paris. Rigoletto SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £12/£8. 6.20pm, 01588 630321/638038.
  • Talk, Wildlife and Wonder from the Shropshire Border, Andrew Fusek Peters. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. £3.50. 8pm.

WEDNESDAY

  • Bishop's Castle Film Society. Whiplash (15) US. 2014.
  • Three Tuns, Bishop’s Castle. 8pm, 01588 630778.
  • Bingo in aid of Abbeyfield . Kings Head. Over 16 only. 8pm.
  • SW Shropshire Gardening Club. Ranunculacae – Rachel Salisbury. Lydbury North Village Hall. Guests £5. 7.30pm, 01588 660753.

CORRESPONDENT - Julia Parker 01588 680445 jparker228@btinter- net.com.

Clun

A MUSICAL CONCERT - For St George’s Day, with an Elizabethan theme. St George’s Church, Clun, tomorrow, 7pm. A concert showcas- ing talented performers from the area, including the Bettws Ladies Choir, the Ad Hoc Choir, Marches Harps, Redlake Consort, Ruth and Lawrence Gittins, and many more. Wine on sale during the interval, and a raffle. In aid of St George’s Church funds. All are very welcome.

COFFEE MORNING - At Clun Methodist Chapel Saturday, 10am- noon. Not just coffee but a bring and buy stall, cakes, books, raffle and entertainment, all organised by the children from the Sunday Club.

In aid of Clun Methodist Chapel and St George’s Church. More informa- tion from Jan on 01588 60849 or Helen on 01588 640490. All wel- come.

QUIZ - At Clunbury Village Hall Saturday, 7.30pm. Just for fun, with optional ploughman’s supper served.

Teams of six people required. Tea, coffee and soft drinks available, but no bar - you’re welcome to bring your own.

To book a table contact Eirlys Ellams on 01588 660625, or e-mail ellams999@btinternet.com.

EXHIBITION: A Peace Perspective, 9 Church Street, Clun, SY7 8JW.

Entitled “A peace perspective: sto- ries and thoughts from the First World War”. The exhibition will be opened by Bruce Kent, lifelong peace campaigner and activist, at 2pm on Saturday. It will then be open daily, 10am to 5pm until April 29.

The exhibition focuses on the consci- entious objectors of the First World War.

Jenny Maxwell, who has collected the material for the exhibition, has researched a list of Shropshire “con- chies” which will be on display, along with details of the frequently tragic consequences for those staying true to their pacifist beliefs.

Susan Dowell, who is providing the venue for the exhibition, said: “This is a significant exhibition about a brave group of people, whose contribution is frequently overlooked. They lived by their consciences and often paid a heavy price for it. We are very pleased that the exhibition will be opened by Bruce Kent, a highly respected veteran of peace cam- paigning.” All are most welcome to come to the exhibition.

SONGS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD - With Northern Harmony at Clungunford Church, Sunday.

Clungunford Village Choir and Arts Alive are thrilled to welcome back to Shropshire the hugely popular US choir, Northern Harmony.

The choir sings a fantastic range of songs from different cultures and centuries. All the songs are sung with verb and passion.

Perhaps the best thing about a visit from Northern Harmony is the oppor- tunity to spend an afternoon singing with the group before the show and learn some of their wonderful materi- al.

Anyone, singer or not, can enjoy singing their hearts out in these exhilarating sessions.

Northern Harmony has a strong fol- lowing in the region. Sian Kerry, director of Arts Alive says: “This fantastic harmony singing works especially well acoustically in churches such as Clungunford.

Northern Harmony tour international- ly and their visits to Arts Alive are eagerly anticipated. Harmonies to make your toes tingle!”

Clungunford Village Choir will be host- ing Northern Harmony at St Cuthbert’s Church Clungunford, SY7 0PN as fol- lows: Sunday, 2-5pm: workshop with Northern Harmony, tickets £12/£5 (children age 10 plus); Sunday, 7pm: Northern Harmony in concert, tickets £10/£5 (children age 10 plus).

Box office: 01588 660473; copeatl lan@live.co.uk.

Full details and online sales at art salive.co.uk Combined ticket price for the concert and workshop: £20 adult, £10 child.

Please contact the box office (not available online).

CHURCH SERVICE - Clun Town Service, St George’s Church, Sunday, 3pm. All are very welcome to come and join in this service to celebrate and give thanks for the life of the Clun Valley Community.

BINGO - At the Maltings Café, Monday, 7.30pm. Eyes down time again, as ever with a view to boosting St George’s Church funds. There will be over sixty prizes, including a food hamper and baskets of fruit, and refreshments.

These sessions have now raised over £6,500 with the Easter egg special bingo last month, so the next target is £7,000.

All are welcome to come and join in to help us make it to this sum by Christmas.

Donated prizes are always gratefully received, by Tim Wood at the Old Surgery Gallery, Clun (01588 640506).

GARDENING CLUB - South West Shropshire Gardening Club meeting at Lydbury North Village Hall, Wednesday, 7.30pm.

All are welcome, members go free, vis- itors pay £5 which includes refresh- ments.

This month’s talk is by Rachel Salisbury and is “Ranunculaceae: not just a load of old buttercups!”.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - Presents: The Lady in the Van (12A) at Clungunford Village Hall, tomorrow, 8pm.

Maggie Smith stars in this heart- warming true story.

A colourful and complex character, Miss Shepherd “temporarily” parks in writer Alan Bennett’s London driveway – and stays for 15 years!

After inviting herself into Bennett’s house to use the bathroom, she proves impossible to budge. Despite her prickly, irascible nature, the neighbourhood quickly warms to her brand of charm, and she eventually becomes the heart and soul of the community.

Starring Maggie Smith, James Corden, Jim Broadbent and Frances de la Tour. Tickets: £4, children £2.

Licensed bar, ice-creams available.

Good car parking, raffle. Box office/ information: Ann, 01588 660727, or Maureen, 01588 660781; maureen rooney2012@gmail.com.

TABLE TOP SALE - Advance notice is given of a table top sale to be held on June 4, at the Hightown Community Room, Clun, in aid of Arthritis UK.

Bookings for tables can now be made at £6 each, at The Old Surgery Gallery, Clun, 01588 640506. This is a popular event so be sure to book your table early.

Craven Arms

EVENTS AT SHROPSHIRE HILLS DISCOVERY CENTRE - Shropshire elderflowers – guided walk: Saturday, 10.30am-1.30pm. The Chanel no 5 of the Hedgerow.

The elder has more folk lore, history and superstition than any other.

The Anglo-Saxons thought elders symbolised both good and evil.

Cut an elder down and a witch would appear in its place.

But planted near wells and at the door of newly weds, they would keep witches at bay.

Take care on Keith’s walk – if you fall asleep under an elder in full bloom, you might be carried off to the world of the fairies.

Return to the Discovery Centre to make elderflower fritters and to try our elderflower cheesecake. £9.50 per person, booking essential.

Discovery club – tracking and trails: April 30.

Follow a trail made of natural hidden materials to hidden treasure and then have a go at laying your own. Track animals that inhabit the meadows.

Discovery club runs fortnightly 11am to noon. Activities will be aimed at children aged three to seven and their carers, although younger or older siblings are welcome too.

£2.50 per child.

No need to book, just show up.

Often a good idea to bring wellies.

Mamble Cum Bayton

WI - The first of our evening meetings of Mamble Cum Bayton WI took place on April 11.

President Val Evans welcomed every- one.

We were pleased to hear that Mrs P Trow is recovering well after breaking her leg in a nasty fall recently. She had sent her thanks to all members for their get well card.

Members were interested in taking part in a Bewdley Town Walk on July 19.

Meanwhile, the summer outing will be a visit to Toll House Cottage Gardens, Bewdley on June 13.

“A blackbird’s tale” was the subject of Mr Barber’s talk.

A few years ago, two blackbirds had nested in his carport and he had been able to photograph the progress, from the construction of the nest, laying the eggs, hatching and development of the chicks until they flew away — all in one month. During that summer, the blackbirds had three sets of chicks, which all sur- vived, but blackbirds have never returned to nest again.

He also showed many beautiful pho- tographs and videos of Bewdley and the wildlife which inhabit the area, so close to the town centre.

On May 9, the meeting will start at 7.30pm in Mamble Village Hall, when the two resolutions for the national annual general meeting will be dis- cussed and voted upon, and it is the annual general meeting of the Institute.

The competition is an item beginning with X and there will be a trading stall.

Tenbury

THE FILLING STATION - Do come and join in this new and informal way of expressing the Christian faith in monthly celebration meetings to strengthen and help local Christians and their churches.

Tonight at 7.30pm, in the Penlu Sports Club (next to the hospital).

We will hear from Mark Timmins, a previous minister at Brandhall Church, Quinton, near Birmingham and who also spent 20 years as a missionary in Thailand where he set up a church which continues to thrive to this day.

Future meetings will be held on the third Thursday of each month.

We look forward to seeing you.

For more information contact Sue (after 6pm) on 01584 781384, thefill ingstation.org.uk.

CONCERT - St Mary’s Church, Tenbury, Saturday at 7pm. Tenbury C E Primary School Choir, Tenbury Teme Valley Band and more.

Tickets £6 on the door, children free.

AN EVENING OF ENTERTAINMENT AND LAUGHTER - With Tenbury Amateur Dramatic Society, who will be performing a short play “ Best Served Cold!

”, and a selection of famous comedy monologues.

Stoke Bliss and Kyre Village Hall, Saturday commencing 7.30pm. £7.50 per ticket which includes a pork roll and all the trimmings.

Bar open on the night.

To book, phone Debororah Ellis on 01885 410604.

Raising funds for Stoke Bliss and Kyre Churches.

The Strettons

HISTORY - Local and family history can be researched at the library on Thursday afternoons from 1pm-4pm when volunteers are available to assist if necessary as free internet access to Ancestry is available.

BRIDGE CLUB - Thursday afternoons offer bridge sessions at All Stretton village Hall from 1.30pm-5pm.

Lifts from Church Stretton can be arranged if required by ringing Dom on 01694 723128.

Tuition for beginners, improvers and separate workshops are also availa- ble.

TALK - An evening talk at Mayfair tonight will be the story of a middle aged couple and their quest to ride the PanAm Highway from Argentina to Alaska by motorcycle. Admission is £4 and doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

SSIF - The South Shropshire Interfaith Forum has arranged for a talk by Mark Poulson at the Wesley Café in Ludlow also tonight under the heading “small steps on the long journey”.

Meet at 7pm for a 7.30pm start

FRIDAY MARKET - As usual the Friday market will be open from 8.30am-noon for the sale of sweet and savoury home-baked pies, cakes, produce, craft items and gar- den plants in season.

EVERGREENS - The next meeting of the Evergreens Club is at 2.30pm offering quizzes, talks and outings.

The Evergreens Club for seniors is held at Mayfair Community Centre on the fourth Friday of each month.

AT THE HORNE - The Silvester Horne Institute will ring to the sounds of Woody Holler and his Orchestra tomorrow night at 7pm. A bar will be available. Ticket sales are through Burway Books, John Thomas Florists and Town Council offices, and cost £10. Some may be available at the door.

SPRING FAIR - The Friends of St Lawrence’s Primary School host a spring fair on Saturday from 11am- 3pm when there will be plants, books, CDs and DVDs on sale. A family cake bake competition to cele- brate the Queen’s 90th birthday and a soak the teacher stall will be among the activities.

HELP FOR HEROES - The annual sponsored walk for Help the Heroes will take place on Saturday and is a 12-mile walk over the Stretton Hills, starting at 10.30am from Holly Cottage, Lower Wood, All Stretton SY6 6LF. Registration is by e-mail: pryan@rac.co.uk.

CONCERT - The British Legion Concert on Saturday at Church Stretton School will feature the mixed choir Of One Accord starting at 7.30pm. Ticket sales are through Burway Books, John Thomas Florists and Wrights Estate Agents and cost £8 and include light refreshments.

Some tickets may be available at the door.

BEETLE DRIVE - The local Cancer Research UK committee plans a bee- tle drive at the Parish Centre on Saturday night. Enquire for tickets which cost £5 or £2 for children by ringing 01694 722713 or 723773.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR - The Bro Hafren Children’s Choir will be in concert on Saturday night at the Methodist Church at 7pm supported by the North Powys Youth Brass Ensemble. Ticket sales are through Burway Books and John Tomas Florists, or by telephoning 01694 724531.

BARN DANCE - A barn dance for St George’s Day at 7.30pm on Saturday will raise funds for St Andrew’s Church, Hope Bowdler. Tickets cost £8 or £4 if under 16, and include a buffet supper. Enquire for these by ringing 01694 723418 or 722016.

LONDON MARATHON - Sunday is the date of the London Marathon so don’t forget to sponsor our local run- ners which include Richard Pepper for Sarcoma.

PARKINSON’S - The next meeting of the Parkinson’s Support group will be on Monday at Mayfair Community Centre when John Phillips will be entertaining with a talk about Books, starting at 2.30pm.

SPRING SHOW - Church Stretton and District Gardening Club presents its spring show on Tuesday at 7.30pm in the Silvester Horne Institute when there will also be quiz- zes, refreshments and plants for sale.

There are five show classes. Four of the classes are for spring flowers and shrubs grown in your own gar- den and class five can incorporate purchased flowers.

The classes include three stems of the same spring flower, two sprays of one or more spring shrubs, three stems of different spring flowers, spring flowers and foliage attractively arranged in a jug and class five is an arrangement of any five flowers the same or different, and also foliage.

Admission to the show is £2.50.

NETWORK - The Network meeting on Wednesday will be held at the Methodist Hall starting at 2.30pm and on this occasion the speaker will be Ted Jones talking about growing and showing Bonsai.

CAMERA CLUB - The Longmynd Camera club meeting on Wednesday will be a competition evening, with an open subject. Meetings are held at the URC Hall starting at 7.30pm and visitors are always welcome.

TALENT SHOW - A talent show pre- sented by the students of Church Stretton School next Thursday, April 28, at 6.45pm will raise money for charity. Admission is £3, or £2 for children.

MAY FAIR - The annual May Fair held at Mayfair Community Centre will be on April 30, from 11.30am-2pm when there will be stalls, music and danc- ing to entertain.

There will also be an opportunity to see how work is progressing at the Wellbeing Centre, and advance appointments can be made if pre- ferred.