Bishops Castle

MAINSTONE HISTORY WEEKEND – More than 60 people packed into Mainstone Village Hall on May 6 to hear Anthea Toft, author of Beneath Safer Skies talk about her wartime experiences in the village during the Second World War. The talk was the centrepiece of a weekend event organised by a small group of local people to display some of the work that has already been done and to encourage others to share any memories, photos and documents relating to Mainstone. The event, supported by Land, Life and Livelihood, received more than 120 visitors, and the group has a number of new contacts to follow up. If anyone has information about the Mainstone that might be helpful to the group, contact Miriam Ellison on 01588 638314 or Anne Lewis on 01588 620028.

ENTERPRISE SOUTH WEST SHROPSHIRE – Held its AGM recently, with Peter Phillips re-elected as chairman and John Crowe as vice chairman. It was also the 21st anniversary of the company’s registration and an official celebration will be held on June 22 when the guest speaker will be Graham Biggs. Mr Biggs created the Bishop’s Castle and District Lifeline Company and has offered it invaluable advice over many years. “There have been a number of similar bodies set up,”

said Peter Phillips. “But Lifeline/ ESWS is the sole survivor. We owe our success to the determination and activity of the board and the firstclass reputation which is due to the excellence of our staff.” Centre manager Mike Ashwell, Gail Pickford and Sarah Ellison are full-time members of staff at Enterprise House and the trio have been with the company from the beginning. Mike Ashwell reported to the AGM that since ESWS took over the running of Bishop’s Castle Library on April 1 all was going smoothly with plenty of local optimism. He added that footfall in Enterprise House continues to grow reflecting services offered to local business and community groups. The SpArC Theatre is also run by ESWS and is attracting record attendances. There was also discussion on the future of the SpArC Leisure Centre where attendances and memberships are continuing to rise quite sharply. With the signing off of new contracts with Shropshire Council, income from the new PV solar panels on the roof of Enterprise House and increasing leisure centre usage, ESWS can look forward to a more settled future and another 21 years. For more information, call Peter Phillips on 01588 650625 or Mike Ashwell on 01588 638038.

PAY AND PLAY AT TENNIS CLUB – Bishop’s Castle Tennis Club has introduced a new pay and play session for people who would like to play the game on a casual basis. The scheme is open to anyone over the age of 18 and costs just £3 a session. “We are responding to interest shown by people who can’t commit to frequent play and so do not want to pay an annual fee, as well as those who just want to try it out, ” said Anne-Marie Jackson, membership secretary of the Bishop’s Castle club.

The pay and play sessions run on Thursday evenings between 6pm and 8pm from May to September. Mrs Jackson continued: “People can just pop in as and when they wish and anyone completing 10 sessions will automatically be eligible for membership of the club for the remainder of the season which continues until March 31, 2017. They will then be able to play whenever they wish and to participate in club social events and tournaments. An additional bonus is that those under 30 will not pay anything for full membership and 30s and over will only pay £20 to become a full member. To enjoy pay and play, just turn up on Thursday at 6pm to the Love Lane courts on the A488 at Bishop’s Castle. Call Lorraine Reaney on 01588 680645.

NEW SITES NEEDED FOR NEST BOXES – The Bishops Castle branch of the Shropshire Swift Group are gearing up for the imminent arrival of the local birds from its 7,000 mile migratory trip to Africa for the winter.

The birds are a spectacular sight with their aerobatic screaming parties around the rooftops of the town on warm summer evenings. This year the group will attempt to establish a new colony at The Wintles eco housing estate where the high buildings are very suitable as nest sites. Nest boxes are being installed and a recording of swifts calling will be played through a speaker to attract other swifts.

Clive Millard, one of the founder members, said: “As other residents of the town repair and maintain their houses, nesting sites under the eaves may be lost which could partly explain a decline in the number of birds arriving each year. Anyone who is carrying out roof repairs could ease the problem by fitting inexpensive specially designed nest boxes which are built in to the building fabric.” To find out more about Bishop’s Castle Swift Group call Clive Millard on 07971 731833 or Richard Moulson on 01588 638851.

THANKS – To Stone House volunteers.

The Friends of Bishop’s Castle Community, Care Home and Hospital committee held a coffee morning on May 11 to thank volunteers for the services they offer to service users in Stone House Home and patients in Bishop’s Castle Community Hospital.

Shopping volunteers take requests for buying anything required from the local shops; reading books are taken round on a trolley while knitting enthusiasts join service users to knit items to be sent to Malawi. It is often remarked that the opportunity to socialise is as welcome as the activities and volunteers appreciate the importance of taking time to have a chat. More structured conversations take place with a volunteer trained in Reminiscence work, who introduces artefacts and topics designed to encourage mental stimulation.

Volunteers tend to offer long service with at least four of them having worked in the home and hospital for over 20 years. A rough ‘guesstimate’ is that some 1,300 hours a year are offered by these teams alone – a real indication of a caring community.

Visit stonehousefriends.org.uk to find out more.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY May 26-June 2

TODAY

  • Family prize bingo. Friends of Bishop’s Castle Primary School. School hall. 7pm.

TOMORROW

  • Live music. Cardboard Fox. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £10/£7. 7.30pm. 01588 630321/638038.
  • Market. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. Weekly. 9am. 01588 630023.

SATURDAY

  • Paintings by Tahira Paul. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. Until June 25. 10am-4pm. 01588 630023.

MONDAY

  • Prize bingo in aid of Save SpArC campaign. Inn on the Green, Wentnor. 8pm n United Pack Companion Dog Show. Showground, Bishop’s Castle. £1 a class. noon.

TUESDAY

  • E-bike ride. New Street Cycles. Free. Weekly. 6pm, (weather permitting). 01588 638060.
  • Talk. Birds in Shropshire Gardens, John Arnfield. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. £3.50. 8pm. 01588 630023.
  • Pony day. Age five plus. Walcot Stables, Lydbury North. £30. 10am2pm. 01588 680514.

WEDNESDAY

  • Footpath Walking Group. Hyssington. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishop’s Castle. 9.30am. 01588 638083.
  • Pony play and craft. Walcot Stables, Lydbury North. Ages four-10 £10. 10am-12.30pm 01588 680514.

NEXT THURSDAY, JUNE 2

  • Well and Wise information day. Community College Bishop’s Castle. Free lunch. 10am. 01743 342162.
  • Film. Spotlight (15). SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £4.50/£3. 7pm. Call 01588 630321/638038.
  • John Jones, Reluctant Ramblers, Benji Kirkpatrick, Boff Whalley. Three Tuns, Bishop’s Castle. £12. 7.30pm. £12/£15 door. 01588 638797.
  • Pony day. Age five plus. Walcot Stables, Lydbury North. £30. 10am2pm. 01588 680514.

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

Bitterley

WI – Our May meeting took place in the village hall, unfortunately our speaker was unable to attend, but we had a lovely evening, making our own entertainment, needless to say we are a resourceful group of ladies.

After our very successful outing to Chatsworth House, we are going to Portmeirion on July 13, if any one would like to join us ring Carol 01584 823623. Before that we are going to Halfpenny Green Vineyards to include a tour of vineyards, wine tasting, and a cream tea.

Competition: 1st Jean Childe, 2nd Rosilie Fish, 3rd Sandra Roberts; Flower of the month: 1st Ruth Bootman, 2nd Sheila Griffiths, 3rd Kath Watkins.

Our next meeting is our garden meeting and Rosilie has very kindly invited us to visit her, for more information take a look on our Facebook page.

Clee Hill

WI – The May meeting was a little extra special because Lucy, our oldest member, had been on TV – Midlands News. Lucy was 90 on the same day as our Queen. Marina told us, how it all came about, how the recording went first at Lucy’s home, then at Cafe V in Ludlow. The secretary and president dealt with the other WI business. Alison said about the arrangements for the June outing. Margaret then gave the report of the annual meeting at Theatre Severn, which she and Marina attended. Marina thanked Margaret for the report and said what a good meeting, and both had enjoyed the day. Jenny Vanderhook was our speaker, telling us, of the holiday spent in China, arriving in Beijing travelling to different places, we could see from the photos, what a marvellous time she had, also meeting John Craven and being able to hug a panda. Marina gave the vote of thanks. Competition winners Maggie, Marina, Jean. Dot won the raffle. Hostess were Dot and Pat.

THREE TUMPS CHALLENGE – 70th birthday challenge tomorrow in aid of : Lingen Davies and Team Verrico.

Local walk over the Brown Clee, Titterstone Clee and Caynham Camp, in aid of Lingen Davies Cancer Fund and Team Verrico. With Bev and Gaynor Huntbach and Kate. The challenge finishes at the workshop bar, Greete tomorrow around 7pm, all welcome to support over the finish line! A special thanks goes to Hobsons Brewery for its kind and generous donation of shirts and a barrel of beer to raise funds for our two charities (hobsons-brewery.co.

uk). Lingen Davies Charity is committed to improving cancer services for the relief of cancer patients in Shropshire and Mid Wales, through the provision of specialist equipment and buildings. Over the years the charity has invested millions to improve the facilities for local cancer patients. Team Verrico became a charity in 2014 with the aim of fighting lethal diseases especially Triple Negative Breast Cancer and supporting those affected. Donate at mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/sueamos1.

Clun

CLUNBURY CAFÉ – Today, 10-11.30am. Café run by volunteers in Clunbury Village Hall. Delicious refreshments served in a relaxed atmosphere. Everyone is welcome.

ARBOR DAY – At Aston on Clun on Sunday. This is the oldest tree dressing ceremony in the country, and 2016 is the 330th year of celebrating.

Each year at the famous Arbor Tree (a black poplar), the village of Aston on Clun celebrates Arbor Day, with a children’s pageant remembering the 1786 wedding of a local squire.

The pageant leaves the village hall at 1.30pm, arriving at the tree at 1.45pm. Proceedings at the tree start at 1.15pm with dancing and music, including John Kirkpatrick’s Arbor Day Song and morris dancing. The procession then returns to the village hall and green for food and drink, entertainments for children and displays and activities including the story of the tree and other local history. There will be a table top sale and anyone wishing to book a place (£10 per stall) should contact Sandra Spence on 01588 660657 or Roger Rankin 01588 661088. Car parking is available on the green.

TABLE TOP SALE – Tables are still available for the coffee morning and table top sale being held on June 4, 10am, at the Hightown Community Room in Clun. Reserve your table for only £6, and you can sell whatever you can fit on a table. Or just come to peruse, purchase and enjoy the coffee morning. All proceeds will be to the charity Arthritis UK. Please ring Tim Wood at The Old Surgery Gallery in Clun on 01588 640506 or call in to see him between 10am and 4pm to book a table.

JAZZ AND POETRY – On June 4 at 7.30pm in Clun Memorial Hall, the literary focus is on Shropshire writer and poet Mary Webb, when celebrated Shropshire poet Roger Garfitt presents his ground-breaking jazz and poetry project with the John Williams Octet. He will tell, through his poetry, some of the stories behind the sound of jazz and invoke some of its most haunting voices.

Premiered at the Ledbury Poetry Festival, this concert was a sell-out.

The words and music then move to the present with a performance of ‘In All My Holy Mountain’, poetry and music inspired by the life and work of Mary Webb. Roger collaborated with composers Nikki Iles (piano) and John Williams to celebrate the writer’s life and work. Nikki’s atmospheric score takes elements from the English folk tradition, giving them a powerful new jazz identity. A jazz suite in six movements, this is a compelling work played by some of the UK’s finest jazz musicians. Tickets: £13, £6.50 under 18s, available now from The Old Surgery Art Gallery in Clun: 01588 640506; Christina Anderson, Prospect House, Clun: 01588 640213; and from Frances Williams: 01694 722656.

ARTS WEEK – Shropshire Hills Arts Week is approaching. It runs from June 4 up to and including June 12.

In Clun there will be a diverse show of work by four Clun Valley artists, Tom Barker, Vic Butt, Josie Crompton and Gary Price-Hunt, encompassing photographic, watercolour, acrylic and collage. The exhibition will be at The Barn, 9 Church Street, Clun SY7 8JW, June 4-12. Open every day, 11am5pm. Free entry. Enquiries to Gary Price-Hunt (pricehunt@btinternet.com).

Ludlow

CHURCH CRICKET MATCH – There will be a charity cricket match at Downton Hall near Ludlow on Saturday on behalf of Bitterley and Middleton churches. Gates open at 10am and play starts at 10.30am.

Traditional teas will be served from 3pm. Bring a picnic and enjoy the stunning views from this private cricket ground which is rarely open to the public. Only £7.50 entry per person, free parking and children under 12 are free. The three teams will represent St Mary’s Bitterley, Holy Trinity Middleton and The Ashfords. The play will be fast and furious: minimum six bowlers per team and no player bowling more than two overs. Come and enjoy the beauty of the classic game of a traditional English summer in glorious surroundings and good company.

The post code for Downton Hall is SY8 3DX. For directions or further information call Ludlow 878888.

Tenbury

COUNTRY MARKET – In Tenbury Scout Hut (by the swimming pool) every Tuesday 9.30am-noon. Homemade cakes, savouries, preserves and crafts. Free range eggs. Local produce made by local producers.

Admission free. Meet up with friends for tea or coffee and cake. This local market needs your support.

HISTORY SOCIETY TALK – The Tenbury Wells History Society welcomes members and non-members (£2) to their June talk entitled, timber frame buildings – recent finds in Herefordshire, given by Duncan James who is one of the country’s leading authorities on timber frame buildings. He will not only tell about his work with old buildings but also his most recent and exciting finds.

Next Thursday, June 2, at 7.30pm in the Pump Rooms Tenbury, for more information call Mike on 01584 711425.

JUMBLE SALE AND TABLE SALE – Will be held at Tenbury Methodist Church on Saturday from 10.30am.

Everything must go, so please come along and get some bargains.

COFFEE MORNING – Tenbury Wells Lawn Bowling Club, Bank Holiday Monday, 10am-noon. Cakes, bric brac and raffle. £1 for tea, coffee and scones. All welcome – bowls, equipment available. Any queries contact 01584 811112.

TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE – A talk by Robert Robinson will be held again, so if you missed the last time do try to come. Then you can talk about the old times, places and faces, Bockleton and surrounding areas. Bring your photos, get digging, and your memories. Love to see you at Bockleton Village Hall, June 4, 2.30pm. For information, Shirley 07766 614420. Entrance £1.

TAI CHI AND CHI GONG – Health, wellbeing, self healing. Tai Chi is a continuous sequence of movements which balance and calm the body and mind. Chi Gong uses the breath and chi (“chee” = energy) with soft exercise, to strengthen and tone.

Wednesdays, The Pump Rooms, Tenbury Wells. Class 1, 5.20pm6.20pm, Class 2, 6.30pm-7.45pm.

Further information on all classes and workshops, or for individual appointments, call 01584 819010 – Hilary Foxwell, who teaches the Golden Wings System of Chi Gong and Tai Chi. She is also a teacher of the Alexander Technique, a Bowen Therapist and Healer.

CHURCH FETE – St Michaels Church, Bockleton, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8PP. Sunday, 2pm. Raffle, white elephant, tombola, plant stall, dog show, cakes and produce and many more attractions, and also Tenbury Town Band. Entrance fee £1 including lucky draw ticket, children under 14 free of charge.

FAMILY HISTORY FOR BEGINNERS – A short introduction to getting started on family history research. Tenbury Library, June 18, 10.30am12.30pm. Cost £15.

The Strettons

MARKETS – The Friday market held at Mayfair Community Centre is open 8.30am-noon and also has a town delivery service offering, home-made cakes, produce, craft and garden items, and on Wednesday, Marlene will be selling jams and chutneys in the reception area at Mayfair.

EXHIBITION – An exhibition of work by Diana Nuttall will be on view in the Gallery at Barbara’s Picture Framing from tomorrow until June 10, open from 10am-5pm daily.

EVERGREEN CLUB – Will meet at 2.30pm in Mayfair Community Centre tomorrow when there will be a talk by Age UK about scams.

URC – To celebrate 150 years of the URC being built a display of documents and pictures recording the building history will be held on Saturday and open from 10am-noon and 2pm-4pm. All welcome. On Sunday the church elders will conduct a service at 10.30am which will be exactly 150 years since the building was opened.

HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS – Holiday workshops will be available at Scrappies on Bank Holiday Monday which will be making colourful kites, and on Tuesday making Chinese wind socks. The workshops are from 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm3.30pm each day and are for youngsters aged seven years and upwards.

Cost of each session is £3.50 and pre-booking is essential.

COMPETITION – Scrappies also holds a competition for the five-sevens, eight-11s and 12-18s to make a collage of the Queen’s face using at least three different materials which would all be available at the store.

Entries cost 50p and finished collages must be handed in by June 6.

Entries will be on display and the competition will be judged on June 11. The store is open on Wednesdays 10am-5pm and on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10am-4pm.

CELEBRATIONS – Rushbury and Cardington Wi will hold a tea party to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday with friends, family and visitors at Cardington Village Hall 2.45pm5.30pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

Enquiries for tickets, which cost £6, call 01694 771554. The Royal birthday week at Mayfair begins on June 6, in Day Care with a guest speaker then on Tuesday it will be afternoon tea and tiaras.Wednesday will feature a Royal family quiz, Thursday will be a sing along afternoon and on Friday there will be a coffee morning. Then on June 13, there will be a drive into the countryside and a pub lunch which should be booked through Day Care. On June 12, the Church Stretton and District Social Club will host an afternoon tea dance with live music from Chloe, from 2.30pm-5pm.

Tickets cost £3 from the club. Refreshments will be available.

WIVES AND FRIENDS – A celebration of 40 years of the Methodist Wives and Friends group took place at the Methodist Hall on May 14, when 25 present and past members were on hand to enjoy a buffet lunch and catch up on past news. The minutes of the first meeting were read and there were photographs and information on display. The group has supported various good causes by raising money with a spring fayre and coffee morning and this year the proceeds went to the Tuesday Day Centre. Next meeting is June 14, 7.30pm, with a talk about the work of Focus Magazine. Visitors welcome.

CAMERA CLUB – Longmynd Camera Club held its last meeting of the season when the awards were handed out to the merit award winner, league winners and the photographer of the year, and there was a special presentation of a framed picture to mark the appreciation of the club for the work of the competition secretary following his decision to stand down.

During the evening, the winners gave a review of some of their winning pictures, followed by a social get-together and refreshments.

SCHOOL NEWS – At Church Stretton School a student, one of only 40 to qualify in the UK, has been selected to attend a maths summer school at St Anne’s College, Oxford, following success in the Intermediate UK Maths Challenge, and now 70 Year 7s and Year 8s are to receive their Junior UK Maths Challenge results, run by Leeds University.

Many students took part in the music fest held in Church Stretton, others have competed in golf, swimming, cricket, rounders, girls’ football and enjoyed success in archery.

St Lawrence’s Primary School pupils had an enjoyable day at Lucton Acquathon. Thanks to the catering team, all were able to enjoy a cup final celebration menu. School tea towels have been ordered and will be ready for delivery at the end of term.

After the half-term break there will be a visit to Acton Scott Farm Museum.

BOOK SALE – The next book sale in aid of Mayfair Community Centre will be on June 3 and 4, at the URC Hall from 10am-3.30pm. Entrance is 50p for adults, no charge for children. Refreshments will be available.

COMMUNITY CINEMA – On June 6, the film at Church Stretton School is The Programme (15). Veteran British director Stephen Frears dramatises the war of attrition between Irish Sports journalist, David Walsh, and seven times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong at 7.30pm. Staring Ben Foster, Chris O’Dowd, Dustin Hoffman, Elaine Cassidy and Guillaume Canet. Adults £4. Interval refreshments are available.

OUTINGS – The Church Stretton and District Gardening Club has arranged an outing to Fraithwen on June 7, and a further outing on June 21, to Abbey Dore Court Garden. To enquire for seats on the coach for either of these outings ring 01694 720131.

SMALLHOLDERS – South Shropshire Smallholders meet at Leebotwood Village Hall, on June 9, for a talk on goats, by Stephen Derrick.

Westhope

VILLAGE HALL LOTTERY – Winners in the May draw: First prize £30.60 Raymond Hall, Birtley. Four prizes of £5.10: Eileen Oliver, Eve Lawley, Peter Harvey and Frank Gardner.

WHIST DRIVES – Two whist drives in June, both on Mondays, June 13 and 27. The one on June 27, is a partner whist starting at 7.30pm. Admission £1.50, refreshments and raffle.

CLOVER CLUB – The Royal tea party was a great success. The village hall was decked with flags and bunting.

Forty five members attended and we started with a sherry. The toast was ‘Queen Elizabeth’ and we all sang God Save the Queen . Everyone dressed up and looked lovely. Some ladies wore large hats so Lillian Tomlinson was having a heyday with her camera. Sheila and Gerald Goode laid out a delicious tea and we all tucked in. We all thought we had finished, then Gerald appeared with trays of strawberry scones, cream horns, meringues and coffee sponge. Food in abundance and lots of members went home with a plated supper. Everyone joined in a fun quiz, winners were the ‘egg heads’. A raffle was drawn. Next Clover Club is Thursday, June 2. Doors open 7pm.

Two Welsh farmers will be entertaining. The Two Gareths in an evening of music and songs. Just £1 admission, tea, biscuits and raffle.