Bayton

JUMBLE SALE - Saturday 2.30pm, Bayton village hall. Lots of bargains and usual refreshments of homemade cakes. Call Sue Burrows 01299 832722.

CHURCH - On Sunday a service is being held in Bayton Church to remember loved ones who have passed on. It is a very moving service with the names of deceased being read and the chance for you to light a candle if you wish. Bayton Choir will be singing chants during the service. All are welcome to attend. If you wish to have a name read out please contact Sue Burrows 01299 832722.

 

Bockleton

BOCKLETON WI - October meeting was held at the parish hall where members put their heads together to arrange the 2015 calendar with each member choosing a month to get a speaker or guest to entertain the members. Then the speaker, demonstrator for the evening was Graham James from The Little Fish Shop in Tenbury who told how in 2007 he decided to spend three years training to become a fishmonger then opened his shop. Graham then gave members a demonstration how to make Mackerel pate and showed how to clean, prepare and cook squid served with a herb sauce. His knowledge was later tested with question and answer session with lots of names of fish that were new to members. The quiz winner for a fishy ditti was Jan and the raffle winners shared the prizes that were donated.

 

Bishop’s Castle

NEW XMAS LIGHTS - Bishop’s Castle Christmas Lights Festival is December 6. There was a good turn- out for the first planning meeting at The Vaults. The group meets every Wednesday evening, 8pm. Chairman Mandy Green and new secretary Mike Kerr invite everyone to come along and add their support. Mandy Green said: “The good news is that people are very keen to have a Christmas lights festival and we have already had some generous donations from local businesses and individuals. We intend to buy new strings of white fairy lights to put up in the town and will add to them each year as the money comes in. We have a small amount of cash from last year and Chris and Wendy Jones from the Foxholes camp site have donated £100 to get the ball rolling.” To help with running costs fundraising events are planned, with a grand raffle already organised. Malcolm and Julie Furber from New Street Bikes have donated a new bicycle as the top prize. Mandy Green continues: “Last year we asked people to donate unwanted gifts to use as prizes in our fundraisers; this worked very well and we have put a box by The Porch House for donations. More Christmas lights news soon.

MUMS MEET IN TOWN PARK - Over 20 Bishop’s Castle mums met at the town’s park recently to look at the facilities and put forward their ideas for improvement. They came at 9am after dropping off their children at school and met Shropshire Councillor Charlotte Barnes and Bishop’s Castle Town Councillor Sarah Lennox. Both women have young children and were delighted with the number of people who came along and showed interest. One suggestion was for more play equipment for older children and a strategy to discourage them from using equipment intended for younger ones. Mums were shocked how expensive new playground equipment is to buy.

Renovation of the skate park and the better use of the park for festivals were also put forward and Cllr Barnes said after the meeting: “We now intend to set up a working party to ensure the park continues to meet the needs of people in Bishop’s Castle. Older people are very welcome to communicate their ideas and we hope they will come on board too. This is early days but we are looking at ways to freshen up the park’s facilities for the future.”

LIVELY LYDBURY NORTH - Opened March this year, Lydbury North village hall has quickly attracted regular bookings for dance, keep fit and exercise classes. The two local morris dance teams Shropshire Bedlams and Martha Rhoden’s Tuppenny Dish meet there regularly and Debi Lewis uses it for her Pointeworks Ballet School classes. In addition, there’s a jive class Monday evenings at 8.15pm, pilates Tuesday at 9am and Fit Steps on the same day at 6pm. Other village hall activities in October include a quiz tomorrow at 7.30pm and Lydbury North Choir Tuesday afternoons at 2pm. To find out more about any of these, call 01588 680302 or look on lydburynorthvillagehall.org.uk.

CHURCH PRIZEWINNERS - Claire Lavender won first prize in the monthly draw for More Church. Catherine Evans was second and David and Anthea Jones were third. September draw in aid of Lydham 100 club was won by Tony Martin £21.25; Peter Sargent won £12.60 and Russell Price won £8.50. Call 01588 638486 to take part.

SPIRIT OF TT RACES AWARD - The guest speaker at the October meeting of the Shropshire Vintage Motorcycle Club will be road racer Paul Owen from Llangollen. Paul has been racing for 22 years and has competed in over 70 races on the Isle of Man TT course. In 2010 he was awarded The Spirit of the TT Award for stopping to help at the scene of an accident in which his friend New Zealander Paul Dobbs was killed. He has been Welsh Champion twice and Cheshire Champion three times. The talk is Wednesday at the Inn on the Green Wentnor, 8pm. Guests very welcome to come along. For more information call Derek Trow 01686 670626.

CASTLEWRIGHT COFFEE - Helen Phillips and Robert Davies thank everyone who supported their Macmillan coffee morning held at Lower Castlewright, near Bishop’s Castle. The event raised £625 and the couple thank Sayce, Janet, Barbara and Margery for their help on the day.

PENABUS THEATRE - Each Slow Dusk tonight at 7.30pm. An explosive and haunting new play from the UK’s most exciting new playwright. Each Slow Dusk looks at the impact war had - and continues to have - on rural communities. It charts the experiences of a young farm worker serving on the western front, linking his story to a woman today, just home to her village after a tour of the battlefields.

It’s a startling new play about action, humanity, and the legacy of war: how myths are made and how individual stories become communal experiences. Writer Rory Mullarkey is a winner of the Harold Pinter and George Devine Awards, and is under commission to the Royal Court and the National Theatre. Recommended ages 14+ due to strong language.

BISHOP’S CASTLE DIARY October 23-29.

THURSDAY: Pentabus Theatre. Each Slow Dusk . SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £10/£7. 7.30pm. Book on 01588 630321/ 638038.

  • Effective Hearing Programme. Church Barn, Bishop's Castle. 10am- 4pm. Call 01743 342168.

FRIDAY: Junior disco, Church Barn, Bishop’s Castle 5.30pm. 01588 630018.

  • Auction sale. Public Hall, Bishop's Castle. 6.30pm, continues Saturday 10am. 01743 462763.
  • English folk dance class. Lydham village hall. £2.50. 8pm.

SATURDAY: Book fair. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. Free. 10am (early entry £5. 9am). Call 01588 630200.

  • Auction sale. Public Hall, Bishop's Castle. 10am Call 01743 462763.

SUNDAY: Book fair. Bishop’s Castle town hall. Free. 10.30am-4pm.

  • Concert. Marches Community Choir and Nuremberg Choir. Bishop's Castle Church. 6.30pm.

MONDAY: Royal Opera House. Il Due Foscari . SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £12/£8. 7.15pm. Book on 01588 630321/ 638038.

  • M&J Travel holiday in Tenby. Call 01588 6402.

TUESDAY: Pony Club day. Walcot Stables, Lydbury North. All welcome. 10am-4pm. Call 01588 680514.

WEDNESDAY: Shropshire Vintage Motorcycle Club. Paul Owen, TT racer. Inn on the Green, Wentnor. 8pm. Call 01686 670626.

CORRESPONDENT - News or events to Julia Parker over counter at Bishop’s Castle Post Office, email jparker228@btinternet.com. Call 01588 680445.

 

Clun

FLICKS IN THE STICKS – The Railway Man (15) is showing at Clungunford parish hall on October 24 at 8pm. Eric Lomax was one of thousands of Allied prisoners of war forced to work on the construction of the Thai/Burma railway during the Second World War. His experiences left him traumatised and shut off from the world. Years later, he meets Patti on a train and falls in love. Patti is determined to rid Eric of his demons. Discovering the young Japanese officer who haunted her husband is still alive, she faces a terrible decision. Should Eric be given a chance to confront his tormentor? Adults £4, children £2. Licensed bar, ice creams, raffle, good car parking and excellent company. Enquiries and reservations 01588 660727 Ann or 01588 660781 Maureen, maureenrooney2012@gmail.com.

PRE-CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR – After last year’s success St George’s Church are again holding a craft fair. It is on Saturday and admission is free. There will be more than 30 stalls with a wide range of gifts including knitted goods, alpaca products, jewellery, patchwork, glassware, aloe vera products, cakes and wooden goods. Fairtrade drinks, sandwiches and cakes available. In aid of St George’s Church funds. More information from Joan Kerry 01588 640401.

GAMES NIGHT – Fun for all ages at Clunbury village hall Saturday from 7pm. Come and play table tennis, darts, dominoes, cards and table games. Free entrance, tea and coffee available or bring your own drinks.

BINGO AT THE SUN – This month’s bingo at the Sun Inn, Clun on Monday will be a food and drink special. Bingo sessions have raised a huge amount for St George’s Church and Tim Wood is aiming for the magic total of £5,000 by Christmas, so come along and have some fun and help to make the target. Offers of prizes or donations always welcome. Drop in at the Old Surgery Gallery or call Tim Wood 01588 640506.

WALKING FOR HEALTH – Short walk around the town every Tuesday. Meet at the Maltings Café at 10.30am.

CLUN RAMBLERS – Clun Ramblers’ next walk is on Wednesday, led by Alison, meeting at Clun Memorial Hall car park at 9.30am. Sorry no dogs.

CORRESPONDENT - Any news or events in Clun Valley, contact Elisabeth Taylor, email: elisabeth777@btinternet.com 01981 540893. Deadline is the Wednesday of the week before publication.

 

Mamble Cum Bayton

WI - At the October meeting, members welcomed local Naturalist Rosemary Winnall. Her Garden for Wildlife talk explained how she and her husband, a keen gardener, had created a haven for wildlife of all descriptions at their home in Bliss Gate. Her beautiful photographs and film showed foxes and badgers eating together at night, insects and birds enjoying the plant life and CCTV footage inside a blue tit’s nest, from the laying of the eggs to the fledglings leaving the nest. Several members joined other institutes from the Teme and Tenbury Group at St Mary’s Church, Tenbury Wells in September, to accept the WI Centenary baton which was later transported by vintage car to be accepted by the Forest Group at the Wyre Forest Visitor Centre. President Val Evans reported on the half yearly council meeting when blind marathon runner Dave Healey and his guide dog, and the gardener Christine Walden had been entertaining speakers. At this meeting the centenary baton was handed over by Worcestershire Federation to the West Midlands Federation for its onward journey throughout the UK, which will eventually end at the AGM at the Albert Hall next June.

Secretary Lyn Bowen informed members that a war-time canning machine belonging to the institute has been accepted by Tenbury Wells Museum. Next meeting November 10, Mamble village hall, 2pm. Frank Townsend will talk about the Christmas post. The Competition is an ‘I’-related item and there will be a Trading Stall.

 

Stoke Bliss and Kyre

THREE MEN IN A BOW TIE – Stoke Bliss and Kyre village hall November 15, 7.30pm. Silly songs, manic monologues with talented musician and storyteller Sally Tongue, Radio 4 producer Chris Eldon and madcap farmer Martin Jones. Tickets £8. Bar. Call Jan Powell 01885 410598 or Jan Kelly 01885 410588. Proceeds village hall funds.

 

Tenbury

FUN VARIETY SHOW – Tenbury Methodist Church will be holding a fun variety show, on November 1, at 7pm. Many local talented artistes are taking part in the show, which will be a mixture of music and song, fun and laughter, and community singing. Admission is £5 on the door, to include refreshments. All are welcome.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER – Can you give a bit of time to benefit your town? Do you enjoy talking to people and helping visitors to the town make the most of their stay? Why not become a volunteer at the Tenbury Wells Tourist Information Centre? If you can do a three-hour session at our shop, regularly, and would like to become a volunteer member of a team dedicated to promoting Tenbury Wells, call in and speak to one of the volunteers now. They’re a pretty friendly lot and full advice and training will be given.

FUN VARIETY SHOW – Tenbury Methodist Church, November 1, 7pm. Fun, laughter, music and song. Talented local artistes, refreshments. £5 on the door, in aid church funds.

A SEASONAL FLOWER SHOP DEMONSTRATION – By Rachael McDough of Wild Heart Flowers, Cleobury Mortimer. Presented by St Mary’s Church, Burford, November 15 at 2.30pm, Little Hereford village hall. Raffle and sales table. Tickets £7 to include tea and mincepies, available from Jackie Mapes 01584 810029 or Muriel Bell 01584 811413.

AUTUMN FAIR – Haresbrook Park, Berrington Road, 01584 811786. Saturday, 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Name the cuddly toy on arrival in reception. Music and entertainment from Trevor Santini, 1.45pm to 3.30pm. Book stall, buffet 3.30pm onwards, auction 4pm to 4.30pm. Small donation for teas and coffees, entrance fee £2.50 per person. Please come along and show your support for our much needed Christmas activity fund.

RBL POPPY APPEAL CONCERT – Regal cinema, Saturday, 7pm start. Featuring Marches Military Wives Choir, Tenbury Town Band and RBL Choir. Tickets £15 to include cheese/ biscuits and a glass of wine or orange juice on sale at Regal cinema. Funds for 2014 Poppy Appeal.

HELP! – Volunteer drivers are needed in your community. Would you like to help people in your community who cannot use public transport, while being reimbursed 45p per mile for the use of your car? Volunteer drivers in their own cars take those who are not able to travel by any other means to the doctor, hospital, shops, dentist, library or other essential journeys. Drivers are also needed urgently for 15-seater Teme Hopper minibus. For more information call 01584 810491 or 01584 819452.

 

The Strettons

PUBLIC MEETING – Silvester Horne Institute tonight 7pm, update of town plan 2015/20 will be discussed.

TALK – The Rail Users’ Association has arranged a meeting at the Methodist Church tonight starting 7.30pm. Dave Waldron will give an illustrated talk about the rebuilding of the Welsh Highland Railway. Doors open 7.15pm, admission for non- members is £1 and all are welcome.

FRIDAY MARKET – Will be open as usual at Mayfair Community Centre selling home-made cakes, produce and craft items 8.30am to noon.

LUNCH – Soup and apple puddings lunches will be served at the parish centre noon to 1.30pm tomorrow, raising funds for Save the Children. Cost of lunch is £5.50 which includes tea or coffee and can be paid at the door. There will also be a raffle and a sale of Christmas Cards.

UNA - The local United Nations Association is hosting a public meeting tomorrow at 2.30pm at the Methodist Church. The speaker will be Richard Floyer-Acland on the subject A day in the life of a Refugee Co-Ordinator. All welcome.

COMMUNITY CINEMA – Rush (15) will be screened at All Stretton village hall tomorrow, 7.30pm. November 3, Church Stretton School will screen The Monuments Men (12A). Doors open 7pm at both venues, interval refreshments will be available.

CHARITY CARD SALE – The annual charity Christmas card sale will be held in the URC Hall on Saturday from 10am to noon selling cards for The Children’s Society, Cancer Research UK, RNLI, Severn Hospice, Save the Children, Traid Craft and Amnesty International.

APPLE PRESSING – Saturday is apple pressing day at Rushbury village hall, 9am to 5pm. Take your apples along and during the day you can also enjoy refreshments, light lunches and tea and coffee with cakes.

QUIZ NIGHT – Ken Willis will be the question-master at the quiz on Saturday held at the District Social Club. The quiz starts at 7.45pm and entry fee is £3. Proceeds will go to Breast Cancer Charity.

BIBLE SUNDAY – The Bible Society Sunday service will be held at the URC on Sunday starting at 3pm.

MAYFAIR – On Monday Mayfair Community Centre offers a session of essential PC upkeep, 1pm to 3pm for cost of £10 and at 2.30pm there will be equipment for disabilities by AG Mobility arranged by the Parkinson’s Support group. Next Thursday, October 30, there will be a sale of Fairtrade goods 10.30am to 1pm.

BIRDS – Shropshire Ornithological Society will meet at the Methodist church hall 7.30pm Monday for a talk about Shetland to Scilly, Birds of the British Isles by Ashley Grove. Admission for non-members £2 including refreshment.

LIBRARY – The Rhymetime sessions for children under three years continue on Tuesdays at the library 10.30am to 11am with songs, rhymes and puppets, and also on Tuesday there is a workshop suitable for children of all ages 11am to noon when they can meet the children’s author Meg Hawkins. Next Thursday, October 30, local and family history can be researched 1pm to 4pm with volunteers on hand to help if needed.

GARDEN CLUB – Church Stretton Garden Club meet Tuesday at Silvester Horne Institute for a talk by Susan Russell on The Herbaceous Border at 7.30pm. Doors open at 7pm for tea and coffee beforehand. Non-members welcome.

HALLOWEEN – An invitation to join Scrappies for some Hallowe’en party preparations making spiders, bats and rats and creepy lights at workshops on Wednesday. Workshops are suitable for children over five years and run 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm, cost £3.50 per child. Places limited, booking essential. Call at store or 02694 722511.

PAZAPA – The Little Big Band was on hand to entertain at the Silvester Horne Institute last week providing music for dancing and raising funds for Pazapa, a facility for children with special needs in Haiti. The fundraising committee aims to send £4,000 each year to help with the provision of buildings and services, and welcomes donations. Thank you to those who have already given donations, time and support, and the More Singers for the concert in June which helped to raise more than £600 for Pazapa. Email the secretary pazapachurchstretton@yahoo.co.uk or call the chairman 01694 725530.

SCHOOL NEWS – Another of the principal’s afternoon tea has taken place celebrating the achievements of students. There has been an arts trip to London and the year 11 D of E students have been on an expedition. Students looking towards further education have attended a post-16 afternoon and evening when parents attended. St Lawrence’s Primary School has its first podcast on the website. The school is still looking for lunchtime supervisors. If you are interested in applying please contact the school.

SPONSORED RUN – Shayne and Hazel from Kaboodle both recently took part in the Cardiff half marathon which Shayne completed in 1h 45m and Hazel in 2h 6m, raising £804.54 in sponsorship and donations for the classrooms in the clouds project and to fund a teacher. SSIF – South Shropshire Interfaith Forum is hosting talk next Thursday, October 30, Grange Court, Pinsley Road, Leominster, HR6 8NP, a seminar on relations with Israel-boycott or dialogue. All welcome.

BONFIRE NIGHT – Church Stretton town bonfire Rectory Field November 1, Friends of St Lawrence’s Primary School providing the barbecue.