TRAINING PROGRAMME - Bishops Castle’s representative on Shropshire Council is Charlotte Barnes and she has been accepted onto a training scheme designed to support and encourage the country’s leaders of tomorrow. The Next Generation Programme is run by the Local Government Association, an all party organisation based in Smith Square, London. To get on the course, which has an intake of only 12 men and women, candidates have to be local councillors willing to take on more responsibility and leadership in local government. Charlotte said, “It seemed like a very good opportunity to take and will make me more aware of possibilities if I want to put myself forward in the future.” Charlotte celebrated her 31st birthday this week and she is the joint deputy leader of the main opposition group in Shropshire Council. She has been the member for Bishops Castle since 2011.

Charlotte Barnes has an office at Enterprise House in Bishops Castle and from September she will be holding a drop in service every Friday from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

IRON MAN JOE MARTIN - 33-year-old Joe Martin from Bishops Castle has set himself the challenge of competing in one of the UK’s toughest events - the Welsh Ironman Triathlon. Now he is looking for sponsors to help him raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity close to his heart. Joe’s father Tom Martin died from cancer in 2011 and later that year Joe, his brother Jamie and a party of 18 cyclists from Bishops Castle rode to St Marcel in Normandy, France. Joe collected sponsorship money for Macmillan on that occasion and he hopes for plenty of support this time as well. The Welsh Ironman Triathlon takes place in Pembrokeshire on September 8. It comprises a sea swim of 2.4 miles, followed immediately by a bike ride of 112 miles and a marathon length run of 26.4 miles. Joe has been getting in some serious training, including cycling to Ludlow for a swim, cycling back again and then having breakfast before going to work at Castlewood, a joinery business which he runs with brother Jamie from premises at Challenge Court in Bishops Castle. If you want to support Joe’s Iron Man challenge, go to justgiving.com/joeymartinironman.

LOCAL BUSINESS SUPPORTS HOLIDAY CLUB - Journey of a Lifetime was the title of this year’s Bishops Castle Churches’ Holiday Club held in the Methodist hall. Over 30 children were registered, with most attending each day. The organisers would like to thank local businesses who donated prizes for the various competitions during the week and all the leaders and helpers who gave up their time.

The children also enjoyed a craft afternoon, a walk and picnic on Bury Ditches and a family evening with a talent show and delicious puddings.

ANY OLD WELLIES? - Don’t throw away your old wellington boots. Give them to Bishops Castle Arts Festival organisers who plan to use 42 old and unwanted wellies to create an art installation in the Old Market Square during this year’s Michaelmas Fair on September 21. Any boot donations can be taken to Sue Willmer at 18 Market Square or to 8 Station Street, Bishops Castle. Organisers hope to have a leaflet ready at Michaelmas to advertise their Arts Festival which is on February 20 -23 next year.

TWO VACANCIES ON COUNCIL - Lydbury North Parish Council has an allocation of nine councillors and is currently seeking to fill the two vacancies through co-option. The seven serving members are Duncan Baker, Robin Beaumond, Judith Bowen, Georgiana Ellis, Roger Evans, Godfrey May and Roger Plowden (chairman). For more details call Andy Boak, the Lydbury North parish clerk on 01588 630187 or email parishclerk@lydburynorth.net.

BACK IN TIME AT RATLINGHOPE - Ratlinghope Church will provide a beautiful setting for a Festival of Churches weekend in aid of the Shropshire Historic Churches Trust.

Step Back in Time is on Saturday and Sunday at St Margaret’s Church. The Rev Norman Morris says, “We invite you to visit our beautiful church in unspoilt countryside and share our memories of special occasions and festivals held over the last 25 years.

The church will be open on both days from 10am to 4pm with a songs of praise on Sunday at 9.45am.” Light refreshments will also be available.

PAINTINGS FOR CONTEMPLATION Bishops Castle artist Jock Wright has an exhibition of paintings at The Old School Gallery in the Bleddfa Centre, near Knighton. Jock describes his Paintings for Contemplation as relating to meditation and the necessary emptying of the mind of all incidentals.

Paintings for Contemplation runs until September 21, from 2pm to 5pm, Wednesdays to Sundays.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY, September 13-19 FRIDAY: Alphabet Dancers, English country dance. Lydham Village Hall, weekly at 8pm. Call 01743 891117 SATURDAY: Auction at Bishops Castle public hall. Call 01743 462763 • Festival of Churches. Music, crafts, stalls. Lydbury North Church.

• Festival of Churches. Step Back in Time at Ratlinghope Church, 10am.

Continues Sunday.

SUNDAY: Open garden in aid of Marches Choir. Upper Bent, £5 inc tea and music, 2.30pm.

• Songs of praise. Lydbury North Church at 6.30pm.

MONDAY: Marches Community Choir.

Community College hall, Bishops Castle, weekly at 7.30pm. Call 01588 680312.

TUESDAY: Royal Opera House live, Turandot. SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle, £11/ £8, 7.15pm. Call 01588 630321/638038 to book.

• Little Fish Parent and Toddler Group.

‘Stay and play at the Methodist hall, Bishops Castle. 1pm-3pm. Book on 01694 723465.

• Bishops Castle WI. Vegetarian Cookery – Polly Smith at Methodist hall, Bishops Castle, 7.30pm.

WEDNESDAY: Bishops Castle Film Society present Argo (15) at the Three Tuns, Bishops Castle, £40/ £5/£2.50 guests, 8pm. Call 01588 680445.

• Bishops Castle Carnival AGM at Church Barn, Bishops Castle, 8pm. Call 01588 620055.

• Onny Valley Social Club. Trip to Blenheim Palace. Call 01588 650607.