VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED - The Bishops Castle Carnival takes place on July 7 and planning for the event is now well under way. Like all events of this type much depends on the faithful band of volunteers who turn up on the day and insure that the event runs smoothly and everyone has a good time. “Every year we get a band of faithful volunteers who turn out rain or shine”, says Anthony Jones, who is responsible for organising the volunteer groups.“ To these people we owe a debt of gratitude for their loyalty and hard work. Nevertheless the event is of such a size that we could really use additional staff on the day.

Another 20 people would be really great.” The staff of HSBC in Bishops Castle have already responded to the call for help. Four of their staff have agreed to be on duty all day to insure the event is a great success. Volunteers can contact Anthony Jones on 01588630079 or 07814215180 for more details on how to help. Information on this and more about the carnival can be found at www.bishopscastlecarnival.co.uk.

DAY TRIP TO STRATFORD - The Friends of Bishops Castle Library have organised a day trip to Stratford on Avon on June 20. Departing from the Boars Head bus stop at 8.30am and leaving Stratford at 4pm, the fare is £10 for members and £12 for others. “Our annual trip is always popular," said Juliet Slavin the Bishops Castle librarian “and there is plenty to see and do at Stratford, with the Shakespeare Museum, theatre, riverside walks and shops.” To book a place, call 01588 638215.

PLAY AT SPARC - Tickets for the sellout play The Audience are on sale at the SpArC Theatre and at Enterprise House in Bishops Castle. Starring Helen Mirren in her acclaimed performance as the Queen, the play is at SpArC on Thursday, June 13 at 7pm, with tickets costing £10 and £7 for a child. It is a National Theatre Live broadcast direct from the West End. To book call 01588 630321, or 01588 638038 or visit SpArC or Enterprise House.

LIGHTFOOT ENERGY SERVICE NEWS - Lightfoot, the community energy saving service would like to invite everyone in Powys, South Shropshire and Herefordshire to their offices above the Bishops Castle pharmacy for coffee and chat tomorrow (Friday) from 10am to 1pm. Energy co-ordinator Mandy Brick said, "It will be a great opportunity to catch up with friends and for those who are not so familiar with Lightfoot to find out more. The volunteers achieved some great things last year, not least pushing Lightfoot into Environment Wales top 20 projects out of over 300 they currently support.” This year Lightfoot has support from Environment Wales for an innovative project to find out how people think about energy and how to use it. Mandy and the volunteers look forward to meeting you and promise some good coffee and plenty of interesting chat. Email mandy@lightfoot.org.uk, call 01588 630683 or visit www.lightfoot.org.uk.

OPEN GARDENS - Eleven gardens in Bishops Castle will be open to the public on June 16 from 1.30pm to 6pm.

The afternoon is in aid of the Shropshire Historic Churches Trust and a wide variety of gardens will be on show from a two acre wild flower meadow garden with 900 native trees to small cottage gardens, allotments and gardens with wonderful water features. Tickets are on sale at Bishops Castle Church gate and cost £4.

ROAD RUN AT TWITCHEN FARM - The Longmynd Vintage Vehicle Club is holding its annual road run in aid of the Midlands Air Ambulance on Sunday starting at The Twitchen Farm at 10am. Entries are £20 to include a Sunday roast dinner. Call club chairman Jackie Llewellyn on 01588 680297 to book.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY, June 6-13 THURSDAY: Mariinsky Ballet live broadcast Swan Lake at the SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle starting 6.15pm. Tickets £12.50/£8, call 01588 630321.

• Explore Cwm Ffryd Wildlife Site with Fiona Gomersall. Meet Mainstone village hall at 10am, call 01588 680693.

FRIDAY: Lightfoot community energy saving service, coffee and chat. Offices above Bishops Castle pharmacy from 10am -1pm, call 01588 630683.

• Beetle drive at the Grange Rd community centre, Bishops Castle.

Open to all, call 0795 6062454.

• Lydbury North parish council local housing meeting at Powis Arms, Lydbury North from 3pm-7pm, call 01588 630187.

SUNDAY: Longmynd Vintage Vehicle Club road run in aid of Midlands Air Ambulance. Meet at Twitchen Farm at 9.30am. £20 per tractor including food, call 01588 680297.

• Music day at Lydham village hall from 10am -7pm, call 01743 891117.

TUESDAY: Three day Bishops Castle Walking Festival begins, call 01588 630531.

• Mainstone WI, Bird Song with Peter Carty at the Mainstone village hall at 6pm, call 01588 640585.

WEDNESDAY: Needleworkers Group meet at Enterprise House, Bishops Castle. 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of month at 2pm, call 01588 638269.

• Bishops Castle and District Carers Group afternoon tea at the Boars Head, Bishops Castle at 2.30pm. Carers free, guests £6, call 01694 722024.

• Bookworms - guest Roger Garfitt.

THURSDAY: National Theatre Live present The Audience starring Helen Mirren at SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle at 7pm. £10/£7, call 01588 630321.

• Norbury and District WI. Japanese Vintage Kimonos with Kirstie Barton at Norbury village hall at 7.30pm.

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, call 01588 680445 or email jparker228@btinternet.com.