Bishop’s Castle

MONTHLY FARMERS MARKET – Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm in Bishop’s Castle Town Hall, bishopscastletownhall.co.uk or 01588 630023. The January market will be on January 17 at the same time.

QUIZ NIGHT - Entry £10 per team of four - 7.30pm start on January 8. To book a place phone Bishop’s Castle Town Hall on 01588 630023 or online bishopscastletownhall.co. uk. Lift available.

WILDLIFE TALK - There will be a wildlife talk (subject to be confirmed) at 7pm for a 7.30pm start on January 28. Entry £3.50, lift available, phone Bishop’s Castle Town Hall on 01588 630023 or bishopscastletownhall. co.uk.

 

Bockleton

WI - The December 10 meeting of the Bockleton WI was held at Bockleton Parish Hall, with carols playing in the background and crackers to pull to get us in the Christmas mood. The meeting was taken up with arrangements for the annual January meal, this year held at The Roebuck in Brimfield, the shopping trip to Cardiff in January and voting on the 2015 WI resolution. Afterwards we all made a Christmas tree decoration which member Caroline had prepared ready for sewing by hand and applying sequins and beads. The evenings refreshments was supplied and enjoyed by all, while the competition was won by Angela, Thelma and Rosemary. We wish you all a happy new year and if you would like more information or would like to come and join us for a meeting please contact Rosemary on 01584 811066 for the 2015 meeting details.

 

Clows Top

CLOWS TOP AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB - December can be a wonderful month in the garden. The days may be short but on the whole the weather is usually not too bad, with wonderfully clear, frosty, sunny days when it can be a pleasure to be out if you’re wrapped up well. We may be in the colder, darker months of winter but what better time to start planning your summer garden. Our last meeting of the year in November, was the AGM and member’s social evening with a lovely spread of refreshments kindly donated from members. It has been a busy year and so a special thank you to committee members for their efforts and to the members because without you there would be no club. After the formalities it was time to eat and listen to Dr Joy Rooney talking about ‘Hartlebury Common’. Our first meeting in the new year will be on January 28. Danny Arnold who will give a talk entitled ‘Teme Valley Wildlife’. Clows Top and District Gardening Club meet the 4th Wednesday in the calendar month at Clows Top Victory Hall; doors open 7.30pm, for the speaker at 8pm. Further details telephone Marion Wilson 01299 270475. Or email: clowstopdistrictgardeningclub@hotmail.co.uk.

 

Ludlow

CHURCH SERVICES - Christmas Eve: St Laurence 4pm Christingle and Crib Service, 11.15pm Midnight Mass. Christmas Day: St Laurence 8am Holly Communion (BCP), 9.30am Parish Communion, 11.15am Christmas Service (with blessing of gifts),12.45pm Holy Communion (BCP); St John 9.30am Holy Communion; St Giles 11.15am Holy Communion.

LUDLOW PRIDE OF PLACE - Which does recycling, litter picking, public and schools education and annual surveys on behalf of Keep Britain Tidy was formed in 2005 and has been extended, developing its reach and influence since then. It has had its own webpage (www. LudlowPrideofPlace.org.uk) since November 2010 (when Alan Stewart and Graeme Perks took over its management - Alan is contactable on Alan-Stewart@hotmail.co.uk). We have recycling equipment (hi-viz vests, pickers, hoops, gloves and t-shirts) and have worked for the Ludlow Shakespeare and Arts Festival, Ludlow 21, The Green Festival, MacMillan Cancer Trust, The Big Tidy Up, Shropshire Community Recycling Network (a cardboard Christmas) and more. Our financial support comes largely from a grant from Ludlow Town Council, although they have raised and given money / time spent on other good causes. Our logo was designed through a competition at Ludlow College. We have relationships with Green Shropshire Xchange, Cae Post, Scrappies (waste and recycling), the South Shropshire Furniture Scheme, the Rockspring Centre, Cwm Harry, BBC Radio Shropshire and Helping Hand (based in Herefordshire). We wish to make lovely Ludlow a tidier, smarter looking place - to encourage civic pride in our town.

 

Mamble Cum Bayton

MAMBLE CUM BAYTON WI - The Christmas lunch was held at The Talbot, Newnam Bridge, with two visitors joining members for a lovely meal. President Val Evans thanked Pauline Blumer and Carol Marsh for making all the arrangements. An interesting and varied programme is being arranged for 2015. The first meeting of the New Year will be on January 12 at Mamble Village Hall, starting at 2pm. There will be a trading stall, and the competition is an item beginning with K. Visitors and new members will be made very welcome.

 

Tenbury

METHODIST CAROL SERVICE - The Methodist Church are holding their carol service on Sunday at 4pm. Everyone is very welcome to come along and have a good sing.

CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES - The Church of the Sacred Heart and Our Lady, Tenbury Wells. Christmas Eve, carols by candlelight at 7.30pm followed by the Christmas Mass.

NEW CHARITY SHOP - Now open in Tenbury Wells. The Aid 4 Asperger’s Charity Shop is now open in Market Street, Tenbury Wells (former Pet Shop). This shop is to raise funds to help young adults who have Asperger’s Syndrome into work, and also to financially help them with their college courses, university fees or driving lessons, and to give them help in any times of crisis. Please call in and give them your support with their work for such a good cause.

CAROL SERVICE - St Michael and All Angels, Knighton-on-Teme, Sunday at 10.30am. Do come along, have a good sing and maybe enjoy some cake and delicious spiced wine. At the carol service baskets will be in the church to receive “Christmas gifts” for Maggs Centre in Worcester. Items of food, toiletries, etc would be very welcome and help the less fortunate of us enjoy the season of goodwill. Please bring a gift to add to the basket.

MIDNIGHT MASS - St Michael and All Angels, Knighton-on-Teme, Christmas Eve starting at 11pm - see you there.

TEME VALLEY WILDLIFE GROUP - If over the Christmas holidays you need an outdoor pursuit, after too much Christmas pudding and dozing by the fire perhaps, do go and see how the birds are faring. Our seed field is marked by a sign- board, it is open to all (you don’t need to be a member of the Teme Valley Wildlife Group) and there are three bird-hides on the high ground overlooking the cultivated seed-strip. There is a small parking place at the bottom of Oakhill Drive, which, so long as not obstructing the farm entrance, can be used by a car or two. If Santa has brought you a pair of binoculars or a book on birds, here is your chance to try them in the field - literally! To find it, cross the River Teme at Eastham Bridge, ignore the first right turn to the church, but take the second right towards Tenbury. Travel 1.7miles from the bridge and the field is on your right. For satellite navigation systems the post code is WR15 8NN. The next meeting of the Teme Valley Wildlife Group is January 8 when we welcome Eric Davies whose wildlife talk is called “Orkney Adventure”. The meeting is at Rochford village hall at 7.30pm and always is just £2 on the door where everybody is most welcome.

 

The Strettons

FRIDAY MARKET - The Friday market holds its last sale of the year selling cakes, Christmas produce and craft items from 9.15am-11.45am. The market then closes down until Easter.

FOOD BANK - The food bank is now running low on small jars of coffee and drinking chocolate, beans and spaghetti with meat, and welcomes any seasonal items. Thank you to all who support. MAYFAIR - There will be a festive party in Daycare tomorrow and on Monday a trip to Theatre Severn pantomime has been arranged.

MINCE PIES AND MERRIMENT - The annual mince pies and merriment evening can be enjoyed at Little Stretton Village Hall tomorrow night, Friday (19) when seasonal food and festive entertainment will be served up. To enquire for tickets please call 01694 724796. Tickets cost £7.50 and the event starts at 7.30pm. Take your own wine or other drinks if you wish.

SCHOOL NEWS - Today is the last day of term and St Lawrence’s Primary School will hold a KS2 carol service in the church at 1.30pm after a term of many sporting successes and ending with various school performances and theatre visits. During the term Church Stretton School has commemorated the First World War in assembly, held its winter music concert, principals afternoon teas to celebrate successes, and also a presentation evening celebrating the successes of last year’s leavers. A group of students have had the chance to go on a ski trip.

CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP - A children’s Christmas workshop will be taking place at Scrappies on Saturday for youngsters of five years and over. The session will run from 1.30pm-3.30pm and places should be booked in advance as space is limited.

CHRISTMAS QUIZ - The District Social Club will host a Christmas quiz on Saturday starting at 7.45pm. Entry is £4 per person and includes mince pies.

FOLK DANCE - The regular folk dance will be held in Ticklerton village hall on Saturday from 8pm and all are welcome. To find out more ring 01694 722418.

PRESENTATION EVENING - There was a capacity audience of parents at Church Stretton School’s presentation evening. The evening began with a welcome by the principal, Mr S Lunt, in the presence of chair of governors, Mrs T Blackburn and followed by an outline of the evening given by assistant head teacher, Mr J Smith. Many of the Year 11 leavers returned to collect their certificates and their art and design work and enjoy time catching up with their former classmates. Introducing the guest speaker former student, Justin Pearson, who now works as a TV and film stuntman, was Mrs A Moore who explained that due to work commitments Justin was unable to be present on the evening but had recorded a message with pictures for the students. The next part of the evening featured the presentation of awards which was made by the heads of department . Of the three nominations for drama the award went to Cameron Brydone- Reed, for music it was Francesca Johnson and for art it was Aisha Ahmad. For design and technology/ product design the award went to Emily Williams and the BTEC construction went to Jack Goodwin. The prize for child development went to Alice Morris. The winner for English was Joe Charles and for English literature was Ciara Molloy. At this point Alice Morris and Holly Davies were thanked for their written contributions to Focus Magazine by representatives of Focus. The geography award went to Hazel Atkinson and for history to Jack Freeman. Thomas Halliday received the award for religious studies. The winner of the mathematics award was Emma Gifford and for statistics it was Rebecca Jones. There were three awards for modern foreign languages with Hazel Atkinson for French, Samuel Dickins for German and Sophie Williams for Spanish. Daisy Barnes took the physical education prize and Thomas Halliday the progress prize. Moving to science, it was Sophie Williams and for additional science Emma Gifford, Francesca Johnson for biology, Harry Ruxton for chemistry, Emmanuelle Algret for physics, and Karolina Jaremko for BTEC applied science. Robert Morris received the award for business studies. Then came the house awards with Karli Gardner for Caradoc House, Amber Quraishi for Hazler House, Lauren Hughes for Lawley House and Karolina Jaremko for Ragleth House. Finally the principals prize went to Megan Joseph. The chair of governors, Mrs T Blackburn was presented with a bouquet of flowers at the end of the evening.

SUNDAY SERVICES - On Sunday The Quakers will meet for worship at the Silvester Horne Institute at 10.30am and the URC will also meet at 10.30am for readings and carols. At St Laurence’s a nativity service will be held at 11.05am with a carol service at 6pm. The Methodist Church will not have a 10.30am service but will hold a carol service at 4pm, and St Michael’s in All Stretton will have a carol service at 6pm.

CHRISTMAS EVE - St Milburga’s meets for carols on Christmas Eve at 8.30pm and 9pm for Mass, the times for St Walburga’s in Plowden are 5.30pm for carols and 6pm for Mass, and at St Laurence’s there will be a crib service at 3pm and Holy Communion at 11pm. The Methodist Church has a Communion service at 11.30pm.

JAZZMYND - To followers of our local band Jazzmynd, the band will be playing at Ludlow Brewery at 7.30pm on Monday.

DISTRICT CLUB - The District Social Club is holding a Christmas skittles night on Tuesday with prizes to be won. Entry costs £5 per team. The event starts at 7pm and is open to all members and non-members alike. Moving to Christmas Eve there will be a fun evening for all ages with Christmas raffle and mince pies from 8pm. It will be panto time at the club on December 27, starting at 2pm.

TREASURE HUNT - Preceding its 3pm crib service on Christmas Eve St Laurence’s Church has arranged a treasure hunt at 2.15pm at the Co-op car park.

CAROLS IN THE SQUARE - On Christmas Eve there will be carols in the Square around the Tree of Light during which there will be a collection for the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund and Rotary charities. Berry’s will again be serving mulled wine for Stretton and Shropshire Cancer Care.

CHRISTMAS DAY - At 8am on Christmas Day St Laurence’s has a traditional Holy Communion Service and then a family service at 10am and All Saints, Little Stretton, has traditional Holy Communion at 11am. St Michael’s in All Stretton has a family service and communion at 9.30am. At the URC there will be a short Christmas service at 10am and the Methodist Church also has a short Christmas Day service for all ages at 10am. St Milburga’s has Mass at 9.15am and St Walburga’s in Plowden has Mass at 11am.