DISTRICTS
10:35am Monday 21st April 2008
Bayton.
Parish Council: The next parish council meeting is tonight (Thursday) at 7pm.
The annual parish meeting is being held on May 15.
Further details can be found on noticeboards or from the clerk, Sue Burrows, on 01299 832722.
Village Hall: The world's biggest curry lunch is being held on Sunday at 1.30pm. Tickets are £10 and include curry and a beer; children will be catered for. All proceeds will go to the Army Benevolent Fund. Booking is essential.
Further details are available from Keith Weller on 01299 832816.
Bishop's Castle.
BORAT IN BISHOP'S CASTLE: After travelling the length and breadth of America in search of Pamela Anderson, Borat arrives in Bishop's Castle.
Tomorrow (Friday) SpArC young promoters are screening the 2006 box-office smash in the comfort of your local SpArC theatre.
Having previously screened Hairspray and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, the group of Community College students are committed to providing the best of the big screen in their local area.
Borat (15) stars the award-winning Sacha Baron Cohen (the 2007 Golden Globe award for best actor in a comedy) in the title role as Kazakhstan's leading media rep. In the film, Borat is packed off to America along with his producer, Azamat, to report on the greatest country in the world'. However, their report on the cultural activities of Americans gets slightly side-tracked as their road trip across the great divide becomes a mission to kidnap Baywatch star, Pamela Anderson. One of the most controversial and successful films of 2006, Borat is an outrageous mockumentary' of American life.
Tickets cost £2.50 and the fun begins at 4pm. Refreshments will be available outside the auditorium from 3.30 to 4pm with the special offer of 50p for a drink and a chocolate biscuit. Borat is classified as a 15 and therefore no one under that age will be admitted.
BUSINESS SUPPORT NEEDED FOR REVAMP PROJECT: A new project planned for Bishop's Castle could mean improvements for the area between the auction yard and Church Street. The yard itself could also be made more attractive and visitor-friendly, with information boards and signs leading to the town centre. Now representatives of the Better Welcome project say they need plenty of support from local businesses to make the revamp happen. A sub-committee of the Bishop's Castle tourism group is working on the project and town councillor Jane Carroll, one of the members, said: "The plans could represent a fairly significant improvement to a rather shabby bit of the town." Mrs Carroll explained that Bishop's Castle was one of some 25 towns in the West Midlands with a chance to have Better Welcome money.
The auction yard project was to be put before Advantage West Midlands at the end of May and, if successful, £25,000 would be available with other money coming from the district council and, hopefully, the opportunities fund of the Bishop's Castle Marches Partnership. She added that Shropshire County Council contractors and the district council property services department were already drawing up plans for the auction yard and the King's Head land. An SCC Rights of Way meeting has been asked to make the much-used path between the auction yard and Church Street an official public bridleway. "Now we want business people in the town to write or e-mail letters of support, so that we can get the money we need," Mrs Carroll added. "Some have already done so but more would be very welcome." Write to Old Time, 29 High St, Bishop's Castle SY9 5BE or e-mail jane@oldtime.co.uk LAVENDER LADY: The next meeting for the ladies' section of the Royal British Legion will be on Monday, April 28, at 2.30pm in the Grange Road Centre, Bishop's Castle. The Lavender Lady from Guilsfield will give a talk and demonstration of her craft and the competition is for something in a lavender colour. New members are always welcome. Call 01588 638210.
WINTER READER: Diane Gaffney won £30 worth of book tokens in a competition organised by Shropshire libraries. Mrs Gaffney, who runs the shop Textile Traders in Bishop's Castle, entered the winter reading competition and was one of six lucky winners, picked at random from entries all over the county.
BISHOP'S CASTLE WI NEWS: The March meeting of Bishop's Castle WI began with apologies and business, followed by thanks to all those who had donated time, money or soup for the hunger lunch', which raised £131 for Christian Aid.
As it is our 90th birthday in April, our certificate will be presented at the annual council. A letter has been sent to Mrs R Hamilton, county chairman, informing her of the date of our 90th party, to which she is invited. Marton WI has invited us on May 7 to a talk on the Snailbeach Mine. There have been two invitations from Norbury WI. On June 12, there is a talk on tickling your tastebuds' and an outing to the Eisteddford in Llangollen on July 9. Alison Price, the WI president, then introduced the speaker, Mr M Booth, who gave an interesting and informative talk. He told us many facts and anecdotes about the Shropshire Horticultural & Flower Show. We discovered that the show was in the Guinness Book of Records as the only event of its kind held on the same ground - the Quarry at Shrewsbury - for over 100 years. Members thoroughly enjoyed this talk, which ended with a slide show. It was fascinating to see the attractions of yesteryear, which would not be allowed now due to health and safety regulations. Dot Higgins won the competition for the best houseplant and Marj Coles won the raffle.
KEEP YOUR COAT ON: The heating in Bishop's Castle Church will be switched off on Monday, May 5, and will remain off until Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 5. A church spokesman said: "With the ever-increasing cost of oil, the PCC finance committee finds it necessary to introduce some restrictions on our use of the heating in church. The thermostat has also been turned down by a couple of degrees. Please bear this in mind when choosing your outfit for church in early summer and autumn."
RECTOR'S STUDY LEAVE: The Rev Paul Collins gave a talk at the Mothers' Union April meeting in the Church Barn. He described how he had spent his recent study leave, illustrated with excellent pictures. The three months were divided into four parts - the first being some weeks with his wife on their narrow boat cruising up the Severn from Worcester to Stourport, then on the Staffs and Worcester canal to Birmingham. This trip coincided with the July floods. He also found time for a lot of reading and writing, the result of which is a 25,000 word essay called Midwives of Thought, a title taken from Alain Boton. A further two weeks were spent in Devon at the Society of Mary and Martha complex near Exeter, which provides a respite for clergy. Lastly he went to the Emmaus House in Bath for an intensive course based on the Myers Briggs personal and spiritual development theory. Barbara Pickford thanked Rev Collins most warmly for an excellent evening. The May meeting of the MU is on Wednesday, May 14, when the topic will be the rural stress network.
MUSIC EXAM SUCCESS: The following pupils of Philippa Whitaker of Totterton, Lydbury North, recently took Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music examinations with the following success: Sarah Morgan - Grade 1 clarinet (merit); Natasha Emerson - Grade 1 clarinet (distinction); Mollie Pidduck - Grade 2 clarinet (merit); Amber Davies - Grade 2 flute (merit); Jessica Davies - Grade 2 flute (distinction); Nicholas Trott - Grade 7 piano (distinction). Nicholas Trott is a private pupil of Mrs Whitaker; the other students are taught by Mrs Whitaker as part of the Shropshire Music Service input into primary and secondary students throughout the county.
JUNE DATE FOR BOWLS CLUB: Bishop's Castle Bowling Club has received a grant from Awards for All to hold a grand opening ceremony on Sunday, June 8.
The day will celebrate the restoration of their grade 2 listed 18th century clubhouse, built in an unusual octagonal shape to mirror the octagonal crown green. The clubhouse, pavilion and surrounding wall have been restored with a grant of £49,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the club itself is reputed to be one of the oldest crown green bowls clubs in the country. As part of the celebrations, a team from Castlefields Bowling Club in Shrewsbury has been invited to compete in a friendly game against Bishop's Castle, with both teams wearing period dress of the 1880s and 1890s. G Bryan Jones from the Bishop's Castle club said: "We hope that people will enter into the spirit of the occasion and come along on the day in period dress. Members of Bishop's Castle Heritage and History Group are organising a re-enactment of historical events and I urge everyone to put the date, Sunday, June 8, in their diaries. New members will be very welcome." Call 01588 680042 for more information.
BUS ROUTE OF THE WEEK: Bishop's Castle bus passengers who have free bus passes can now use them to travel all the way to Shrewsbury on the 7.30am bus. Previous rules meant they had to pay for the part of the journey from Minsterley to Shrewsbury, but this is no longer the case. Bus passes can also be used on other buses to Shrewsbury.
Clun Valley.
Marches Recorders: If you enjoy recorder-playing, join Marches Recorders on Tuesday, April 22, at Haslehurst Community Centre at 2.30pm. For details, phone Sue Danbury on 01588 640407.
CADS Victorian Evenings: CADS are staging a Victorian evening at Hightown Community Room tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday at 7.30pm. It will include two short, light-hearted plays supported by a number of music hall acts. The overall theme for the evenings is an unmissable mixture of music, melodrama and merriment. It will be in cabaret format, include buffet supper, and there will be plenty of opportunity for audience participation. Tickets cost £5 and are available from Davies newsagents and on the door if not already sold out.
Live Music: Your Dad is playing at the White Horse Inn, Clun, tomorrow (Friday).
A Taste of Spain: It is Spanish night at the Crown Inn, Newcastle on Clun, on Saturday. Experience is playing at the Sun Inn, Clun, on Saturday. It is folk and acoustic night at the Sun Inn on Wednesday, April 23.
Town Service: There will be a town service for St Georgestide this Sunday, the nearest Sunday to St George's Day. The congregation of St George's Church invites all members of the community to join them in celebrating the life of the community, church and school. The service starts at 10.30am.
British Legion Social Evening: Members of Clun and District branch of the Royal British Legion who do not attend formal meetings may like to come along on Monday, April 21 when there will be a social evening at the Sun Inn, Clun.
Ramblers: Clun Amblers are walking on Wednesday, April 23. They start at 10am at the Memorial Hall car park. The Ramblers have an evening walk that day, starting at 6pm.
Sunshine Breakfast: Ann and Douglas Ogram are inviting parishioners from Bettws, Clun, Newcastle and beyond to join them at the Sun Inn, Clun, on Saturday, April 26 for Fellowship Communion followed by breakfast. It will be a short, informal service at 8.30am, followed by a full breakfast costing £5.50. They need to know numbers for catering so please reserve a place by phoning Ann and Douglas on 01588 640830.
Flicks in the Sticks: Hairspray (PG) is showing at the Memorial Hall, Clun, on Saturday, April 26. The film starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £3.50 and £2.50 for under-16s. For further enquiries, call 01588 640254.
The Strettons.
Parish Assembly: The 42nd annual parish assembly will take place at 7pm in the Silvester Horne Institute on Tuesday, April 22. In the Chair will be Councillor Beryl Smith, town mayor and chair of the town council.
Climate Care: Stretton Climate Care is holding a meeting at Church Stretton School on Saturday at 7.30pm about global warming, when people can hear about a film financed and produced by Leonardo di Caprio entitled The 11th Hour. On this occasion, the speaker will be the author, Mark Lymas, winner of the prestigious National Geographic Explorer of the Year Award 2008. During the evening, the pupils' designer t-shirts will be on display and judged by Mark Lymas, with the winning design to be worn by Stretton Climate Care at all future events. Entry to the meeting is free. Local wines and cheeses will be available to purchase as refreshments.
Comic Opera: Shropshire Orpheus Savoyards will be at the United Reformed Church at 7.30pm on Saturday to perform a concert version of the comic opera in aid of Hope House Hospice. Ticket sales are through Burway Books and John Thomas Florists and cost £8 including refreshments. For more information, call 01694 722092.
Flower Club: Church Stretton and District Flower Club will hold its annual general meeting at 7.30pm on Tuesday, April 22, in All Stretton Village Hall. The meeting will be followed at 8pm by a flower arranging demonstration by Mrs Irene Bates of Rugeley and non-members will be welcome.
As an additional fundraiser, Flower Club members prepared and served up a hot roast beef lunch followed by apple pie and cream, rounded off with coffee on Monday, April 7, in the village hall. Everyone was heartily welcomed, wines and soft drinks were available, and a raffle was held. The tables were beautifully laid, and a lovely floral table decoration on each was included in the numerous raffle prizes. During the afternoon, Mrs Roma Spottiswoode gave an interesting talk on medieval food, explaining that, apart from the roast potatoes, similar meals were served in medieval times, although often there were many more courses each served up on a large slice of bread rather than the nice plates used on this occasion. She was thanked for her most entertaining talk. A big thank-you goes to the Flower Club for arranging this lunch and setting out the room, to Mrs Ross and helpers who prepared the meal and to the gentlemen who waited on!
Flicks in the Sticks: On Friday, April 25, All Stretton Village Hall will be screening Brick Lane (15). This is the story of a beautiful Bangladeshi woman who arrives in London in the 1980s, leaving behind her beloved sister and home for an arranged marriage and a new life. At Church Stretton School on Monday, May 5, the film will be Zodiac. All films start at 7.30pm and admission is paid on the door.
Trips Out: On Thursday, April 24, an outing to Lichfield, Staffordshire's premier heritage city and one of the smallest cathedral cities in England, is on offer. Entrance to the cathedral is free, but donations are welcome. The entrance cost of £3.50, or £2.50 for concessions, to the Heritage Centre is not included in the £10 fare. Reservations are now being taken for a trip to the BBC Summer Festival at the NEC on Sunday, June 15, with coach, entrance and show guide all included in the £28 cost. To enquire for places for either of these outings, call 01694 724522 or mobile 07967 210008.
Puppet Theatre: The Sealegs puppet theatre will present Oscar Wilde's The Selfish Giant at All Stretton Village Hall on Saturday, May 10, at 7.30pm. Ticket sales are through Burway Books and John Thomas Florists and cost £4 for adults, £2.50 for children.
Charity Walk: Tickets are now on sale for the Charity Walk on May 17 in aid of the Severn Hospice, and need to be purchased in advance of registration which takes place at 9.15am on the day of the walk at the URC Hall. The walk begins at 10am and lasts approximately two hours, followed by a ploughman's lunch to be served at 1pm. The cost of the ticket for the walk and lunch is £8. For those who would just like to have the lunch, the ticket cost is £6. Ticket sales are being made through Burway Books and Longmynd Camping and Leisure, or by ringing 01694 722759 or 723255.
Folk night: Ticklerton Village Hall is the venue for an evening of folk dancing on Saturday from 8 till late. To find out more, call 01694 722418.
School News: All Year 8 and 9 pupils at Church Stretton School Technology College do a 13-week course on computer aided design and some were lucky enough to be invited to CAT, the Caterpillar factory, in Shrewsbury to see how they use CAD as part of their manufacturing. Six Year 9 pupils who have been attending an after-school electronics club run by Mrs Jones were successful in gaining a place on an engineering course run by the Smallpiece Trust at Harper Adams College. On two other occasions, a number of Year 8 pupils accompanied Year 4 pupils from the feeder primaries to RAF Cosford Aerospace Museum where they visited a nuclear bunker shelter, saw a clip from Apollo 13 and were told that their mission was to create some rockets! The start of the new term sees Church Stretton School Year 10 pupils making a geography visit to Snowdonia and Year 7 soon to make a humanities trip to Stokesay.
The Friends of St Lawrence's Primary School have held an Easter egg hunt in Carding Mill Valley. The Breakfast Club is now providing a healthy breakfast combined with some interesting craft activities for those who attend.
Congratulations to the pupils who have recently been awarded swimming badges for 5m, 20m, water skills level 1, and national plan levels 1, 3, 5 and 8. The girls' and the boys' under-10 and under-11 football teams which qualified have gone on to play in the county semi-finals.
A nature walk in Rectory Wood has been planned for pupils in class 1, and the Online Club has now recommenced and is open to children in Years 3 to 6. Cycle training will be available for Year 6 pupils at the end of June.
Westhope.
VILLAGE HALL LOTTERY: Winners in the April draw: First prize of £41.70, Mark Bate of Alcaston. Four prizewinners of £6.95, Jean Luscott of Henley, Mrs A Cartwright of Ludlow and Barbara Jones of Westhope, who won two prizes.
WHIST DRIVES: Monday, May 12, semi-partner; Monday, May 26, whist drive. Admission is £1.50, and there will be refreshments and a raffle.
CLOVER CLUB: Thirty-five members attended the April meeting; it was a busy evening. Bill Mackenzie of Shrewsbury was the guest speaker. Bill is an expert on falconry, but his topic was owls. He had brought three owls with him, a snowy owl, an American eagle owl and a barn owl. During the talk we heard how the population of owls is reducing in this country, mainly due to the hundreds of barn conversions, as they have less and less places to rest.
Bill had two young ladies helping him, Lauren and Mag, and to close his talk Lauren and Mag stood one each end of Westhope village hall, while the barn owl, Hope, flew from one girl's outstretched arm to the other. It was fascinating to watch. They were warmly thanked.
Names were taken for an afternoon show at Oakengates Theatre.
Tom and Henry Hall organised a Grand National sweep.
The evening closed in party spirit for local couple, Jean and Bob Edwards, as both are celebrating a special birthday soon. A beautifully iced cake was cut and glasses of sherry handed out, with the usual cups of tea. Thanks to those who washed up.
Next month, on Thursday, May 1, Miss Margery Waite of Ludlow will talk to the club on My Life as a Teacher'.