Bayton

BAYTON FETE – Thank you to everyone who supported Bayton fete. It was a lovely afternoon and enjoyed by all. A record amount of £2300 was raised, which will go to the running costs of Bayton, Mamble and Clows Top Churches.

EASTHAM FLOWER AND DOG SHOW – Eastham’s 46th annual flower and dog show is being held on the Millennium green and in the memorial hall. It will be opened by Gruffalo at 1.30pm on August 17. There will be a barbecue and bar, so come along and have lunch. Ice-creams and afternoon teas with home-made cakes will be available all afternoon. All the usual stalls and games will be there – this year the dog show will take centre stage in the middle of the green. All are welcome, WR15 8NP will get you there.

 

Bishops Castle

NEARLY ON TARGET – Recent events at Bishop’s Castle town hall have raised more money for the Target 250 renovation fund, leaving a further £10,000 still to collect from the £62,000 target. A concert by local singers The Men from Off raised £585; a fashion show £250; a beer and quiz night £525 and a wildlife talk £75. August is a busy month at the town hall with the farmers’ market on August 16. On the upper floor of the town hall, the Lost Horizon exhibition will show paintings by artists from Shropshire, Cheshire and Wales, inspired by the images and words of war artists and poets including Shropshire’s Wilfred Owen. The paintings have been created to reflect on the centenary of the First World War and opening times are 11.30am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday until August 20.

HOSPICE SHOP JUMBLE SALE – A jumble sale in the Grange Road community room, Bishop’s Castle on July 5 raised £315 for the Severn Hospice. The event was organised by Sharon Dovey, manager of the Bishop’s Castle Severn Hospice shop and she thanks all the volunteers who helped make the afternoon such a success.

METHODIST STAND ON ISRAEL- PALESTINE CONFLICT – Members of the Shropshire and Marches Circuit of the Methodist Church, which includes Bishop’s Castle, are to join the national Methodist Church in a stand on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Church members will boycott products of the Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The decision came at the Methodist Church annual conference and follows years of debating the church’s position on the conflict. In 2010 a report called Justice for Israel and Palestine proposed a series of recommendations, one of which is to galvanise support for Jewish and Palestinian peace groups through a range of ecumenical methods, enabling church members, Methodists in particular, to get to know more be better educated about the conflict. It was suggested that where possible, church members travel to Israel and Palestine and meet those caught up in the struggles, fostering an appreciation of the grievances on both sides. Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury district chairman John Howard, who has himself travelled to the West Bank, explained: “Last year a notice of motion was approved by Conference to put forward into the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign. A report has been written by our consultation team which has presented the arguments for and against a boycott of all Israeli companies and products, similar to the boycott campaign against South Africa.”

He continued: “The report will be disseminated throughout the churches for discussion. The Israeli-Palestine issue is a difficult one to raise because lots of people characterise you as having anti-Jewish feelings. Anti-Semitism quickly gets raised when the church begins to take a stance for justice for the Palestinians. We do find ourselves being characterised in ways which are negative but you have to have the integrity to face that kind of criticism.”

HOLIDAY CLUB – Children aged four to 11 are welcome to enjoy a week of fun at the Bishop’s Castle holiday club, run by the two local churches. The club meets at the Methodist hall in Station Street from 10am to 12.30pm from Monday to August 15, with an early-morning sausage breakfast at 9.15am on the first day. All the family are welcome to enjoy a sausage butty,and to share in the Wednesday evening party, which has a Minecraft theme. The other four morning sessions have an exciting programme of crafts, games, Bible stories and refreshments, and under fours can come along too, if accompanied by an adult. On Tuesday afternoon children can bring a packed lunch and stay for an afternoon of crafts and circus skills, ending at 3pm, and on Thursday, everyone goes out for a treasure hunt. It only costs £5 per child for the whole week, or £2 a day. To register for the Bishop’s Castle Churches’ holiday club call 01588 630055.

TEA PARTY FOR NEW DOORS – Bishop’s Castle methodist hall needs a pair of new doors and Heather Holt hopes her tea in the garden on Saturday at 16 Church Street, Bishop’s Castle, will help to buy some new ones. Beginning at 2.30pm, the afternoon has free entrance with teas on sale, as well as a cake stall, bric-a-brac and a plant stall. Call 01588 630055 to find out more.

MAINSTONE BELLY DANCERS – Mainstone WI enjoyed an evening of belly dancing at their July meeting in the village hall. Cheri and her friends from Shrewsbury demonstrated the gentle art and showed how tiny cymbals are worn on the middle finger and thumb. Members from the age of 20 to 80 then joined in, shaking their hips and shoulders in time to the music. Competition winners for the best limerick were: 1st Caroline Pye; 2nd Fiona Glover; 3rd Emma Richards. The next meeting is on September 9, at 7.30pm, when Nikki Simpson will demonstrate some cheese dishes. Everyone is welcome.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY – August 8-13.

FRIDAY: Multi-activity sports day, ages six-12. Teme SpArC, Bishop’s Castle. £10. 10am-3pm. Call 01588 630243.

  • Pony day. Walcot Stables, Lydbury North. Open to all children. 10am- 4pm. Call 01588 680514.

SATURDAY: SWSHAS and Bishop’s Castle Heritage Resource Centre. First World War exhibition. Bishop’s Castle town hall. £3, in aid of Bishop’s Castle town hall renovation fund. 10.30am-5pm.

  • Tea in the Garden in aid of new doors for Bishop’s Castle methodist hall. 16 Church St, Bishop’s Castle. Free entrance. 2.30pm-4.30pm. Call 01588 630055.

SUNDAY: First World War exhibition continues. £3. 10.30am-4pm.

  • M&J Travel holiday in Bournemouth. Call 01588 640273

MONDAY: Bishop’s Castle Churches holiday club. Methodist hall, Bishop’s Castle. Daily until Friday. 10am- 12.30pm. Call 01588 680285.

WEDNESDAY: Bash a Yeti activity. Bishop’s Castle library. Free. 10am- 12 noon.

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. She sends news to the paper every week. Her phone number is 01588 680445. The email address is jparker228@ btinternet.com.

 

Far Forest

POPPY APPEAL FOR OUR HEROS – There is a barbecue on August 16, with a 1pm start, at Far Forest village hall. All money raised goes to the Armed Forces and their families. Contact Helen 01299 266864. To hire the hall call Pauline 01299 878581.

 

Little Hereford

FETE – Saturday 2pm, Little Hereford fete, Easton Court A456. Birds of prey demonstration, novelty dog show – just turn up with your dog. Tenbury Town Band, Jimmy Yuke Adcock, line dancing exhibition, etc. £1 entry, children free. Painting challenge from 11am-3pm. Contact Jean Simnett for information 01584 711877.

 

Tenbury

FAREWELL PARTY – Tenbury Methodist Church is hosting a fare well party for Rev Jay Bissett, tomorrow, in the school room, from 7pm- 9pm. This will be a bring-and-share supper. All are welcome.

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION – Get your local photographs in the 2015 St Michael’s village hall calendar. Any age can enter and you could see your image printed onto calendars to make a great Christmas gift. Simply email your entries to Ann Wallace: annwallace136@gmail.com Only digital entries supplied as high quality JPEGs (a minimum size of 1MB, maximum 6MB) by email will be considered. Note that portrait orientated images may be printed with white borders to fill the allocated landscape shaped print space. Be sure to add your full name and contact details to your email. Any problems getting your entries in, please don’t hesitate to contact Ann Wallace for any help/advice. Deadline for entries is August 31 and entries will be judged shortly after this date by a local recognised pho tographer.

CALLING ALL LOCAL ARTISTS AND CRAFTERS – For an exciting new venture in Tenbury. Great opportunity for local people to produce local products to be sold locally. People willing to learn to craft also welcome. Please contact sarah@brookfarmber ington.com or 07971 534295.

NEW VOLUNTEER DROP-IN SESSIONS – Malvern Hills volunteering. Free drop-in sessions for anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering in and around Tenbury. Sessions held at Tenbury Library, 9.30am-12.30pm on September 10, October 7, November 7 and December 10. Drop-in on the day or book an appointment in advance. Please contact Jacqueline Smith: is.malvernhillsvolunteering@gmail.com or 07935 407190. Malvern Hills Volunteering is a non- profit organisation promoting volunteering across the district including Malvern, Tenbury and Upton. We match individuals interested in volunteering with organisations seek ing to recruit new volunteers. Malvern Hills Volunteering is sup ported by South Worcestershire Citizen Advice Bureau and Malvern Hills District Council.

TOWN COUNCIL SURGERY – Tenbury town council holds a regular surgery at the pump rooms for members of the public to call in and raise any issues which they feel need to be addressed. Surgeries are held on the first Thursday of every month 4pm-6pm, forthcoming dates: September 4 and October 2. Please contact the town clerk for fur ther information on 01584 810118 or clerk@tenburytown.org.uk.

 

The Strettons

SCRAPPIES – Scrappies first work shops in August will be today, with a theme of marvellous marble runs. The sessions are from 10.30am- 12.30pm and 1.30pm-3.30pm and cost £3.50 per child. Further workshops will be held next Thursday, August 14, 21 and 28, each with a different theme.

YOGA – Leebotwood village hall is the venue for a yoga summer school starting today, offering pay-as-you-go sessions each Thursday in August from 10.30am-12noon. Cost is £6. To enquire for places ring 01694 724317.

FESTIVAL – Tonight, School’s Out @ the Arts Festival will be presented at Church Stretton School at 7.30pm when the youngsters will show off their performing arts talents learned during their workshops during the week. Their coaches will then perform their own showcase. Tomorrow is part of the jazz weekend when Tim Kliphuis trio will be cele brating Stephane Grappelli at Church Stretton School at 7.30pm and the festival will be rounded off with a finale at Concord College featuring the Big Chris Barber Band. The arts and crafts exhibition will be open daily from 11am-6pm through out, and later when there is an even ing performance at Church Stretton School.

FRINGE EVENTS – The last of the organ recitals will take place at All Saints’ Church, Little Stretton tomor row at 12 noon, when Sarah Boutwood of Packwood Haugh School will be the organist. Coffee and lunches are available at The Ragleth Inn before and after the performance Lunches are also availa ble at the Green Dragon.

HOBBYFEST – A Hobbyfest will be held at the Church Stretton leisure centre, Saturday.

MUSIC FESTIVAL – This is the week- end of farmer Phil’s music festival at Near Gatten Farm, Ratlinghope, run ning from tomorrow to Sunday. The weekend’s events offer work shops, fancy dress competition, children’s activities and main stage and acoustic stage music entertainment. Camping is available. Ring 01588 650632 to book in. Adult ticket including camping is £70, and children under 11 are free. A family ticket is £220 when children are aged 12-15 years, and includes camping.

LIBRARY EVENTS – A craft event at the library for the over fives take place today from 2.30pm-3.30pm, with another one planned for next Thursday, August 14. The craft events have a mythical theme. To enquire for places ring 01694 722535. Thursday afternoons are also open for those researching local history, with volunteers on hand to help.

CANCER CARE – The next get-togeth er for members of the Stretton and Shropshire Cancer Care Group will be on Monday and on this occasion the group has an invitation to take tea in the garden at Cherry Trees, Padmore, the garden of Jane Potts. Looking ahead the group will be hear ing all about the progress of the Church Stretton Wellbeing Centre at a talk given by Nicola McPherson in September.

OUTING – An outing to Abbeywood Gardens, Delamere, Cheshire is being arranged by the gardening club on Wednesday. To enquire for seats on the coach ring 01694 720131.

QUIZ AFTERNOONS – The second Thursday of each month is quiz after noon at Ley gardens, with the next one next Thursday, August 14, at 2.30pm. Admission is £1 and the events are open to all.

KNIT AND NATTER – If you’re in to knit and natter there are a couple of venues you may like to know about. Housman’s is the place to be on Tuesday evenings from 5.15pm-7pm and at Berry’s on Thursday mornings 10.30am-12noon. There is also a knit and natter after noon at Ley Gardens. All abilities and crafts are welcome at these events.

HOLIDAY CLUBS – Holiday clubs for children are available at Rushbury School on Monday and Tuesday for youngsters aged two-11 years from 9am-3pm. A packed lunch is needed. Enquire for places by ringing 07453 268154.

Busy Bees pre-school in Church Stretton is open Wednesday and next Thursday, August 14, from 9am- 3pm and caters for children up to eight years of age. Call in or email: busybeesprechool@ live.co.uk.

CRICKET CLUB – Church Stretton cricket club is recruiting new players of all ages. If you would like to find out more ring Peter on 01743 872499 or on mobile 07827 444964.

SHROPSHIRE SMALLHOLDERS – The Shropshire Smallholders heard a talk by Simon Battson on the Fallow Deer under his care and about deer in general. There are six species of deer in the UK, being the native Red and Roe, imported Fallow, Sika, Chinese Water, and also Muntjac, the males of which have a skull sporting short tusks and horns. Simon then went on to speak about the stages of a stags development and their natural history. It seems the deer are doing quite well with currently one and a half to two million in the UK, but it was surpris ing to hear that despite their natural tendency to hide from view and avoid people upwards of 2,400 are involved in collisions with cars during the year. So don’t forget to look out for the deer warning signs especially in the early hours.

CHARITY EVENT – A charity event on August 17, at New Hall Farm, Smethcote will raise funds for the Alzheimer’s society and Smethcote Church. The venue is offered by kind permission on Mr and Mrs Oliver. The event opens at 6.30pm with live music by the Shropshire Strummers and The Endings and includes a hot supper and a promise auction. Tickets cost £12.50. Enquiries should be made by ringing 01694 751719 / 751736.

OUTDOORS FOR SUMMER – A week of adventure and fun for all is offered in Wilderness Works, August 18-22, at a cost of £10 a day in and around Rectory Wood and field. Enquiries should be made by ringing 01694 723316.

SPONSORED WALK – A sponsored walk or run on September 13, will raise funds for Teenage Cancer and Help the Heroes. Entry is £7 or raise £7 in sponsor ship to enter. The event is based at Holly Cottage, Lower Wood, All Stretton, SY6 6LF. The number to ring is 01694 610124.

 

Westhope

CLOVER CLUB – The Clover Club have enjoyed some good meetings his year, the last one being a cream tea at the Ludlow kitchen at Roomfield. Thirty two members attended and had a good look around the food centre and garden centre. In August members are hoping for good weather for the day out to Hay on Wye. Members send good wishes to some of our members who have been ill for a while.

VILLAGE LOTTERY – July draw win ners: First prize £32.10 Beth Small, Ludlow. Four prizes of £5.35: Jean Hackney, The Bach; Josh Goode, Walls Butchers; Dot Wainwright, Ludlow; Maisey Hall, Birtley.