Bayton and Clows Top

FUNDRAISING NEWS – The pie and mash lunch was very well supported and over £500 was raised. The bingo in February was also well attended considering the poor weather and £140 was raised. Both of these events have donated the money to the Defibrillator Appeal that is supported by Bayton Parish Council.

JUMBLE SALE – Is being held in Clows Top village hall on Saturday at 1.30pm. All are welcome to attend. Lots of jumble to sort through. If you have jumble, please contact Sue Burrows 01299 832722 to arrange collection. Proceeds again for the Defibrillator Appeal.

 

Bishops Castle

FAMILY MUSIC MAZE – In conjunction with Field Notes, a new collaboration between Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Craftspace and Arts Alive, families with children aged eight to 11 are invited to take part in a Sunday musical treat: Family Music Maze. This free workshop is a fun opportunity for children to create their own music in a relaxed and friendly environment. Those already learning an instrument are encouraged to bring it and experiment in a creative way – but everyone is welcome whether they can play a musical instrument or not. Family Music Maze is at SpArC theatre, Bishops Castle, 10am on March 9. No charge but more information and pre-booking (essential) 01588 630321/ 638038, sparctheatre.co.uk.

DOCTORS’ RETIREMENT FUND – Dr Adrian Fairbanks, Dr Sue Lambert and nurse Eleri Fairbanks retired from the Bishops Castle Medical Practice on January 31. Many of their former patients have spoken of their desire to convey their good wishes to the two doctors and nurse Fairbanks. With this in mind, two books have been left at the Dudley Building Society on Church Street, Bishops Castle, where you can write your message and also leave a donation if you choose. The fund will close on April 30 and a presentation will be held at a venue and date to be announced later. If you wish to take part in this but cannot get to the Dudley Building Society, call Jean Rice on 01588 638883 or Maureen Jones on 01588 638234 and they will assist you.

MEDICAL PRACTICE NEWS – Bishops Castle Patients Group is pleased to report that Bishops Castle Medical Practice has contracted two additional doctors to supplement Dr Adrian Penney and the two locums currently working at the practice. Dr Philippa Winter and Dr Sue Williams will be taking some appointments over the next few months to ensure continuing easy access to GPs. Online appointments are still limited as a result of an ongoing technical issue, but full appointment facilities are available by telephone. It is hoped that the technical issues will be resolved very shortly.

YOUR TOWN PLAN SURVEY – There’s still time to let Bishops Castle town council know what you think about the town and how you see its future. Your ideas and concerns will help shape a new Bishops Castle Town Plan – an update of a similar plan drawn up 10 years ago. The deadline for responses has been xtended to the end of March and you can pick up a paper copy of the survey invitation from the Dudley Building Society on the corner of High Street and Station Street. Completed forms can be returned to any one of the five drop off points in town: the Post Office, Enterprise House, Dudley Building Society, Grange Road Community Centre or Textile Traders. You can also email comments to Diane Malley, the town clerk on townclerk@ bishopscastle.co.uk stating what you value about the town, its problems and needs and your aspirations for its future. There is also a link on Bishops Castle town council’s Facebook page. Members of the Bishops Castle Community Led Plan Working Group are Ted Bleszynski, Coun Evelyn Bowles, Bernard Edwards, Coun Jim Gaffney and Coun Anne-Marie Jackson. For more information call Bishops Castle town clerk on 01588 638141.

24 HOUR MUSIC MARATHON – Instead of a concert this year, the Bishops Castle branch of Amnesty International plans to raise money with a 24 music marathon. Starting at 4pm on May 2 and ending till the following evening, they are looking for local musicians, singers, choirs and groups to help them fill the town with round the clock live music.

Spokesman Mike Plunkett says: “We want to have music happening in as many places as we can along Church Street and High Street, as well as the Poppy House. We plan to have a procession in the afternoon and have booked quite a few venues and musicians. It could turn out to be quite an exciting event and anyone who wants to take part can ring me on 01588 630018.”

MAKE SPACE – A new series of Make Space art and craft workshops starts soon at The Gallery in Bishops Castle. The 10-week term will run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and you can buy a season ticket for five sessions for £50. Then you can choose which of the 20 sessions you attend. Space at The Gallery, situated opposite Bishops Castle town hall, is limited to six places per session, from 10am to 12.30pm and gallery owner Jacs Collins promises a stimulating and varied programme of workshops to suit all interests and abilities. To find out more call her on 01588 630555 or look on thegallerybc.co.uk. The Gallery is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

BINGO AT PRIMARY SCHOOL – Friends of Bishops Castle Primary School is holding a prize bingo at the school to raise money towards some new outdoor play equipment. The date is March 14 with doors open at 6pm and eyes down at 7pm. Everyone is welcome to come along.

FEBRUARY PRIZES – The February 100 Club draw results for the House on Crutches Museum Collection Trust as follows: 1st John Bailey £18; 2nd Belinda Penney £10.80; 3rd Angela Pooley £7.20.

TOWN SKATE PARK HEDGE LAYING DAYS – The hedge around the Skate Park in Bishops Castle will be laid as part of a hedge laying course for 16-25 year olds. Young people will get stuck in to help rejuvenate the newly planted hedge that is now in need of laying. Under the expert tuition of local craftsman David Marpole, they will learn the skills necessary to create a traditional field boundary hedge. For years hedges have been partially cut and the living stems bent over to form a stock-proof barrier around fields. The practice encourages new bushy growth to fill in the gaps and is both useful to keep animals in the field and to provide a rich habitat for wildlife. This is great opportunity to learn a much in demand practical skill. The course will run from 9am-4pm, on Saturday and March 15. It will cost £15 for the day and participants are invited to book on one of the two dates available. Booking is essential, to book or for more information contact Jon Bielstein 01938 561741 or e-mail jon.bielstein@hotmail.com The course is part of the Skills in the Hills training programme of the Stiperstones and Corndon Hill Country LPS, a Heritage Lottery Funded scheme. Through the scheme there will be many more chances to put the hedge laying skills to good use, as well as find out about careers connected to the landscape and heritage. Call Bielstein on 01938 561741 or e-mail jon.bielstein@shropshire.gov.uk

BUONA SERA – The recent Italian evening in the Church Barn, Bishops Castle raised £478 for church funds. The Christmas card charity appeal in December raised £115 for the Philippines Disaster Fund.

JUMBLE SALE AT SCHOOL – Lydbury North Primary School has a jumble sale on March 15 to raise funds for the school trip to York. The sale is from 10am to 1pm, school hall and donations of jumble are welcome at the school on March 14.

WAR MEMORIALS TALK – This year marks the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War and Snead Church has a special fundraising event on March 21 at 7.30pm in Lydham village hall. Peter and Julia Francis will present an evening dedicated to the war memorials of Shropshire. A slide show and talk will be accompanied by poetry, music and a question and answer session. Signed copies of Peter’s recently published book on the subject, which includes many of the memorials in the Clun Forest deanery will also be available to buy. Tickets cost £5, from Trish Macmullan on 01588 620275 and Rev Norman Morris 01588 650244.

LYDHAM CHURCH 100 CLUB – Congratulations to Andrew Smith of Lydham Farm who won £27.25, with runners-up Barrie Geddes who won £16.35 and Rachel Coles who won £10.90. Call Jimmy Garnier on 01588638 486 to join the club.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY, March 6-12

TODAY (THURSDAY): Meeting of Bishops Castle, Chirbury and Worthen and Clun Local Joint Committee, public hall, Bishops Castle. 7pm.

  • Film, Le Week-End (15). SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle, £4.50/£3, 7pm. Call 01588 630321 or 638038.
  • Open mic night. The Vaults, Bishops Castle.

TOMORROW (FRIDAY): Women’s World Day of Prayer. Speaker Rev Sarah Hare. Methodist hall, Bishops Castle, coffee 10.15am, service 11am, soup lunch at noon.

  • Sale of Traidcraft and created Fair Trade goods. Methodist hall, Bishops Castle. Weekly 10am-noon. Call 01588 680285.
  • Quiz in aid of Bishops Castle Tennis Club, Three Tuns, Bishops Castle, £5 each, 7.30pm.

SATURDAY: Messy Church for families, Church Barn, Bishops Castle, 10am.

  • Naomi Payne’s Hotsy Totsy Band, vintage ball in aid of Lydbury North Primary School, Walcot Hall, Lydbury North, £15. Call 01588 674823.
  • Family pancake night, Mainstone village hall. Donations to hall, 5.30pm.
  • Jumble sale in aid of Norbury Church. Norbury village hall, 2pm.

SUNDAY: Family Music Maze. Birmingham Contemporary Music Group workshop ages seven to 11. Free, 2.30pm.

MONDAY: Footpath Walking Group, Llandinam, seven miles. Meet Harley Jenkins Street car park, Bishops Castle, 9.30am. Call 01588 630451.

  • Karate, Church Barn, Bishops Castle, weekly, 7pm and 8pm. Call 07887 807762.

TUESDAY: Little Fishes for toddlers under five and carers. Methodist Hall, Bishops Castle. Weekly in term time, 1.30pm. Call 01588 630055.

  • SWSHAS talk entitled Berrington Hall Costume Collection with Althea Mackenzie, Church Barn, Bishops Castle, guests £5, 7.30pm.

WEDNESDAY: Bishops Castle Karate Club, Teme SpArC Leisure Centre, Bishops Castle, weekly, 6pm. Call 077735 06468.

  • Tai Ji Quan beginners’ class. Church Barn, Bishops Castle, weekly, £6, 10.30am. Call 01588 640466.
  • Youth activities for over-11s. Church Barn, Bishops Castle. Weekly, 7pm.
  • Rainbow Gang, Methodist hall, Bishops Castle. Weekly in term time, 5.30pm, call 01588 680285.

CORRESPONDENT – 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, phone 01588 680445 or e-mail jparker228@btinternet.com.

 

Clun Valley

CLAC@CLUN – Clun’s Community Larder and Advice Centre, CLAC@ CLUN, has its first AGM today (Thursday) at 7pm in St George’s Church vestry. Contact Douglas Ogram 01588 640830.

CHEESE, WINE AND FASHION – A family friendly Fairtrade evening tomorrow (Friday), combining fun, Fairtrade and local produce. Find out about local cheese-makers and sample their wares, try Fairtrade wine and discover where you can buy it locally and see Fairtrade clothes for all the family on the catwalk.

WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER – Clungunford – a warm invitation to all to come along and join in Women’s World Day of Prayer on tomorrow (Friday) at St Cuthbert’s Church, Clungunford. The service, prepared by the women of Egypt, begins at 2.30pm, followed by refreshments. Please note men, women and children are all very welcome. Enquiries 01588 660158.

Clunbury – join in Women’s World Day of Prayer at Clunbury village hall on tomorrow (Friday) at 6pm.

PRECIOUS BANE – The village quire and Phil Smith bring Mary Webb’s famous story of love and ambition to life through specially composed song and the fine reading at Clun Memorial hall on Saturday at 7.30pm.

Prue Sarn is blessed: kind and gentle, loving and giving, bright and brave and strong, witty and sensitive and with a figure like an apple blossom fairy to boot. But she is also cursed with a hare lip. Would that her mother, being with child, had not chosen that hour to walk in the woods, but the hare did cross her path and the hare is the familiar of witches and the child was marked for life. Set in Shropshire just after the Napoleonic Wars, Precious Bane is a story of faith and folklore, pantheism and personal advancement. But above all it is a love story. Through song and the spoken word, the village quire’s Precious Bane is a fresh telling of that story, including music specially written and arranged for the show. The village quire sings in four part harmony without instrumental accompaniment and with three singers to a part, like so many of the 18th century quires. It is fast gaining a reputation for spine-tingling harmony singing with all the emotional clout, subtlety of expression and love of life that you get when voices are raised together in song. Box office 01588) 640352 / clun@villagequire.org.uk.

Tickets £8 in advance from Davies Newsagents and David Britten Ironmongers, £10 on the door. Bar and raffle. In aid of hall funds.

CAFE CHURCH – Cafe Church at Clun Methodist Church on Sunday at 3pm.

NEWCASTLE GARDEN SOCIETY – The next meeting of Newcastle Garden Society is on Thursday, March 13 at 7.30pm, Newcastle community centre.

CLUN WALKS – Clun Ramblers’ next walk is on Wednesday. Meet at Clun Memorial hall car park at 9.30am. Sorry no dogs.

PURSLOW SHOW CLASSES – Section Two Handicraft: Dr Hamar Handicraft Cup, any craft item may be entered and any medium used. Two entries per class permitted. Entries should be the unaided work of the exhibitor. 18 A knitted item; 19 A home-made garment or accessory, any medium; 20 An article for home, garden or leisure; 21 A drawing or painted picture; 22 A decorative craft item; 23 An article of canvas work or embroidery; 24 A canvas work or embroidery picture; 25 A handmade greeting card. Section Three photography: The Ken Davies Perpetual Challenge Trophy, two entries per class permitted. Maximum mounted size – 9” x 7” (23cm x 18cm). Oversized pictures will not be judged. 26 Reflections; 27 A wet weekend; 28 A still life; 29 A portrait; 30 A local landscape; 31 A black and white photograph. Section Six Garden Produce: Dr Hamar Vegetable Cup, one entry per household per class only. All exhibits to be grown by the exhibitor. Gardens to be open for inspection should the judges so desire. 57 Three long carrots; 58 Three carrots of any other variety; 59 Three beetroots; 60 Six yellow shallots; 61 Six pickling shallots; 62 Three onions from sets; 63 Three onions from seed; 64 Five green salad onions; 65 Three courgettes; 66 A pair of marrows; 67 Five white potatoes; 68 Five coloured potatoes; 69 A misshapen vegetable; 70 Five pods of peas; 71 Six French beans; 72 Six runner beans; 73 The longest runner bean; 74 Two green cabbages; 75 Two cauliflowers, with roots; 76 Three leeks; 77 The largest marrow; 78 Two lettuces with roots; 79 Two cucumbers with blossom; 80 Six cut herbs, named; 81 Five tomatoes; 82 Eight cherry tomatoes (any colour); 83 A collection of five different vegetables; 84 Five cooking apples; 85 Five dessert apples; 86 Ten raspberries; 87 Salad collection, three items. If you require any further information, please contact Eirlys Ellams, show tent secretary, on 01588 660625. This notice is available online at theparishpost.org/purslowshow.

CORRESPONDENT – If you have any news or events in the Clun Valley, contact Elisabeth Taylor, e-mail elisabeth777@btinternet.com or 01981 540893. The deadline is the Thursday of the week before publication.

 

Richards Castle

BALLROOM AND SEQUENCE DANCE – Will be held in the village hall this tomorrow (Friday) from 8pm- 11.30pm. Music from Brian Link; admission £3.50; all profits in aid of the Air Ambulance. For more details please ring 01584 831439.

THE BIG VILLAGE TIDY-UP – Which has been organised by Richards Castle WI will take place on Wednesday. All welcome – please meet at the village hall at 9.30am to collect bags, tabards and litter-pickers. Free tea or coffee in the village hall afterwards – for more details, please contact 01584 318468.

 

Tenbury

WHAT IF? – Tenbury Writers’ Group, Tenbury Library, Tuesday at 7.30pm. Visitors very welcome.

QUIZ NIGHT – Tenbury Town Band, The Royal Oak, Tenbury Wells, March 14 from 7.30pm. £5 per person (teams of four) to include light refreshments. Teams to Mark Yarnold on 07970 201695.

QUIZ NIGHT – The community centre, Tenbury Wells, Thursday, March 13, 7pm-9pm, £10 team of four to include a cup of tea or coffee. All proceeds will be going to the 100th year commemorative event of the Great War to be held on the Burgage on August 3.

TENBURY WELLS WI – WI meetings are usually held at 2.15pm on the second Monday of every month in the Methodist hall, Cross St, Tenbury. For more information please call president Primrose Wallace on 01584 819573.

CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLL – Please note that this year the TVN church electoral roll is being revised and applications can be made to add your name to the roll by mid-March at the latest. Application forms are available to download from the parish website temevalleynorthparish.co.uk. For further information: Pauline Briggs 01584 881216 or the electoral roll officer in your church area: Knighton – Mrs Pat Sutton 01584 781540; Lindridge – Mr Robin Salmon 01584 881564; Pensax – Mr John Rudd 01299 832513; Stockton – Mrs Sandra Jabbett 01584 881217.

KNIGHTON FRIENDS – A talk on Severn Hospice and its charity shops at Knighton-on-Teme parish room on March 19 at 7.30pm. All welcome at the meeting to learn about this splendid organisation.

TEME VALLEY WILDLIFE – The next indoor meeting of the Wildlife Group will be on Thursday, March 13 at Rochford village hall at 7.30pm, Judith Leavesley and Richard Pill will be main speakers. The talk is entitled Bee-Friendly Bee-Keeping and will be an insight into how best to protect and look after the bee populations. Just £2 on the door and everyone is welcome. Contact: 01584 781500 or danny.arnold@waterwide.com.

 

The Strettons

DAY OF PRAYER – The Women’s World Day of Prayer will be held at the Methodist Church at 10.30am tomorrow (Friday) and will be led by Rev Susan Wood. Gentlemen are welcome too.

CLIMATE CHANGE – Church Stretton School is the venue for a talk by Mark Lynas, international environmental campaigner, author and broadcaster, tomorrow (Friday) at 7.30pm. Mark will take as his subject climate change, evidence and denial and asks ‘why is it political ideology continually trumps scientific evidence on some key issues facing us today, and how might this affect the future of the planet and its people?’ He will also talk about his changing views on GM foods and nuclear power. For further information about this event, arranged by Stretton climate care, ring 01694 723205.

BOOK SALE – There will be a bumper book sale on Saturday at the parish centre from 11am-3pm with lots of bargains available. Admission is free and books are on offer at 50p each or three for £1. Refreshments will be available and all proceeds will go to Rose Cottage Cat Rescue.

CHOIR – Much Wenlock Male Voice Choir will be in concert at Church Stretton School on Saturday at 7.30pm. Ticket through Burway Books, John Thomas Florists and Wrights Estate Agents and will raise funds for the Poppy Appeal.

CANCER CARE – Stretton and Shropshire Cancer Care Group will be meeting at Mayfair community centre on Monday at 2.30pm when the speaker will be Sian Halliwell on the subject of the Shropshire Cancer Forum. There are a number of offers of thanks from the group to those who supported the Christmas bazaar which raised £838.05. £500 raised by the sale of mince pies and mulled wine at the Christmas carol evening and donated by Berry’s. Stretton Consolidated Charities has again donated £250 to support the work of the group which allows it to support those with needs. Further thanks go to Nichola Carriss for allowing the use of the function room at Eaton Manor for the Christmas lunch, to Edward Potter and his team for cooking and serving the excellent meal, and to the Shropshire Strummers who entertained everyone after the lunch with a medley of favourite sea - sonal and fun songs are welcome.

CLASSROOMS IN THE CLOUDS – There will be an informative talk about improving education to provide a brighter future for the children of Nepal taking place at Mayfair community centre on Tuesday at 7.30pm with all proceeds going to the Classrooms in the Clouds project. Tea and biscuits available, raffle and Nepalese gifts and budget books will be on sale. Admission is £3.50 and tickets are on sale through Kaboodle and Mayfair. All welcome.

SMALLHOLDERS – The Shropshire Smallholders Group will be meeting at Leebotwood village hall on Thursday, March 13 at 7.30pm to hear a talk by Louise Idoux on growing herbs and their uses. A sales table of smallholder produce, a seed swap and members’ exchange items will be available. Visitors and guests are always wel - come.

SCHOOL NEWS – St Lawrence’s pupils will be taking part in a under-11 hockey championship and the first round of the Tag to Twickenham com - petition, and the school is the only one to have teams through to all four county semi-finals in the boys and girls football matches. The school is also preparing for the Wenlock Arts Festival, entering the choir and choral speaking group and some instrumentalists and possibly some pupils entered as individuals in other writing categories. A colourful clothes day and cake sale has raised £457 for Guide Dogs for the Blind and will be used to sponsor three guide dogs. There is a hope of starting a forest school and acquiring some old, large or small, tractor tyres would be useful. Church Stretton School students have returned from their history trip to Berlin, there have been successes in the local winter games and the Bronze D of E participants have completed their walk.

LUCKY NUMBERS – The winning numbers in the Mayfair Lottery for February are 160, 130, 325 and 461 winning £100, £50, £20 and £10 respectively.

PANTO – All Stretton Amateur Dramatic and Social Society has done it again. Oh, yes they have. The presentation of Mother Goose entertained the audiences at this year’s pantomime which was from an original script by Jim Sperinck, directed by Bill Ross, assisted by Steve Butler and produced by Heather Hathaway and with a thanks to everyone who had helped in any way to make it a success, and in the words of the chorus it was truly ‘Wunderbah’.

MEDIEVAL FAIR – The Strettons Medieval Fair is on June 20-22, and if you would like to volunteer contact Alan on 01694 723737. Celebrations will include a medieval banquet on the June 20 with the fair continuing until June 22 with processions and entertainment on Rectory Field.

ROCKABILLY NIGHT – On March 15 you are invited to a rockabilly night at Church Stretton School from 7.30pm- 11.30pm when 50s dress is optional, dancing compulsory. Tickets cost £10 and should be reserved by ringing 01694 722130. Please take your own drinks, glasses and nibbles.

TREE GRAFTING – A workshop on apple tree grafting will be held at Karuna, Picklescote, on March 16 from 10.30am-4pm. Cost of the work shop is £38 which includes soup, bread and drinks and two apple trees. Advance booking is essential by ringing 01694 751374.

 

Weobley

COMPANION DOG SHOW – March 23, The Hopelands, Weobley village hall. In aid of Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary. Entries taken from 11am, judging from noon. Pedigree and novelty classes. Refreshments, raffle etc. Call Mrs J Shepherd 01544 327117 or Mrs S Glithero 01432 880 553.