Bishop’s Castle

BINGO AID FOR ANIMALS – A bingo night on February 2 at the Inn on the Green, Wentnor raised £300 to help the Bowen family care for a group of neglected ponies and other animals at Halford, near Craven Arms. Together with an earlier bingo session on January 28, a total of £480 has been raised for the ponies, kittens and poultry at Halford. Julie Burgwin and Jan Robertson, organisers, thank everyone who showed their support, as well as Adrian and Kate at the Inn on the Green and Bishop’s Castle Co-op store.

LECTURES ON HOMER AND DARWIN – Two illustrated lectures feature on the programme at Bishop’s Castle Arts Festival, which runs until Sunday. Historian David Preshous will talk about All the Books you Need today at 2pm in the Church Barn, Bishop’s Castle. His appraisal of Homer’s Iliad and Odysseys will explore the origins and nature of the epics and offer reasons why they are still essential reading. Admission is free, with donations to the festival fund. On Saturday at 2pm, James Moore, Professor of the History of Science at the Open University will talk about Darwin’s Sacred Cause, the Anti- Slavery Roots of Evolution. Professor Moore poses the question: How did a quiet, respectable English gentleman come to beget one of the most radical ideas of all time? It is difficult to overstate what Charles Darwin risked in developing his theory of evolution, so something very powerful – a moral fire – must have propelled him. That fire was a hatred of slavery. Admission is £5.

JANUARY WINNERS – Ivor Leeke won £23.50 in the Lydham Church monthly draw. Suzie Oulton won £14.10 and Mr A Wood won £9.40. Call 01588 638468 if you want to join in.

TALK ON SAINT – Eighteen members of Bishop’s Castle Mothers’ Union began their January meeting with the Eucharist, celebrated by Rev Stephanie Fountain. Two new members, Ellen Norton and Rosemary Rimmer were enrolled and welcomed. Rev Fountain chaired AGM and members of the committee were re-elected with Gill Phillips as branch leader.

FESTIVAL GOES INTERNATIONAL – Bishop’s Castle Arts Festival is hosting a performance by a group from Hannover tomorrow. The group will be in town as part of an international meeting of 29 people, including visitors from Poland and the Czech Republic. The meeting is organised by Pathways ID, a community interest company sponsoring a festival concert by Benji Kirkpatrick on Saturday at 8pm in the Three Tuns. Tickets cost £7.50 from the Tuns or Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. The Hannover group is made up of people of all ages from various cultural backgrounds. Most of them learn English at a community college in Hannover and their Celebrations performance in Bishop’s Castle is billed as a “homemade Kleine Feier” or little party. The group is interested in bringing people from different cultures together, bridging the gap between performers and spectators rather than putting on a show. You can see the Kleine Feier tomorrow at noon in the Three Tuns Top Room. It’s free, with donations invited. Pathways has, with grant funding from EU Lifelong Learning programmes, brought many international groups to Bishop’s Castle in recent years – visiting as part of partnerships or for educational workshops. These visits have usually had open events in the town and local villages which have connected with a wide range of local people. To find out more call 01686 670505.

BISHOP’S CASTLE DIARY – February 19 to 25.

THURSDAY: Castle Players Cinderella . SpArC Theatre. £6/£4. 7pm. 01588 630321/638038.

  • Talk. Iliad and Odyssey – David Preshous. Church Barn. Free. 2pm. 01588 638363.
  • Felt animals craft workshop. Age 10+. Cadet Hall. £2. 10am and 2pm. 01588 630200.
  • Bishop's Castle Arts Society open meeting. Methodist Hall. 2pm.
  • Talk and demonstration. Spices – Tahira Paul. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. Free. 4pm.
  • Poetry workshop – Bryan Podmore. Castle Hotel. Free. 7.30pm.
  • Bellamonda Balkan ceilidh. Three Tuns. £6/£4.50. 7.30pm. 01588 630200.
  • Pony day for children. Walcot Stables, Lydbury North. 10am. Call 01588 680514.
  • Coffee morning and bring and buy for Lydbury North Church. Lower Gardens, Lydbury North. 10.30am.
  • Lydham, More and Snead WI. My Life in Hats – Bob Jameson. Lydham village hall. 2.15pm. 01588 650315.
  • Lydbury North WI. A Farmer's Lot – Roger Evans. Lydbury North village hall. 7.15pm.

FRIDAY: Castle Players. Cinderella. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £6/£4. 7pm. 01588 630321/638038.

  • Soup lunch for Christian Aid. Methodist Hall. Weekly until Good Friday. 12 noon.
  • Talk and demonstration. Spices – Tahira Paul. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. Free. 4pm.
  • Watercolour workshop – Sue Percy. Cadet Hall. Free. 11am and 2pm.
  • Kids modelling workshop – Liz Still. Church Barn. Free. 2pm.
  • Talk. Nordic Noir – Paul Binding. Methodist Hall. Free 2pm.
  • Talk. What is Art and What Isn't – Jock Wright. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. Free. 6.30pm.
  • John Kirkpatrick in concert. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. Three Tuns. £7.50. 8pm. 01588 638797.

SATURDAY: Castle Players. Cinderella. SpArC Theatre. £6/£4. 2pm and 6.30pm. 01588 630321/638038.

  • Bishop's Castle Arts Festival. Alphabet Dancers. Three Tuns. Free. 3.30pm. 01743 891117.
  • Talk and demonstration. Spices – Tahira Paul. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. Free. 4pm.
  • Castle Artists exhibition. Bishop's Castle Public Hall. 10am to 5pm.
  • Artisan market. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. Free. 11am.
  • Talk. Darwin's Sacred Cause – Prof James Moore. Church Barn. £5. 2pm.
  • Michael Bochmann (violin). Workshop and concert. Methodist Hall. Free. 4pm.
  • Benji Kirkpatrick and friends. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. £7.50. 8pm. 01588 630023.

SUNDAY: Artisan market. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. Free. 11am.

  • Rapsquillion in concert. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. £8/£10 door. 01588 630023.
  • Castle Artists exhibition. Bishop's Castle Public Hall. 10am-5pm.
  • Block print workshop – Drusilla Cole. Bishop's Castle Public Hall. Free. 11.30am.
  • Arts Festival service. Bishop's Castle Church. 11am n Three Tuns Brewery tour – Steve Willmer. Free. 11am and 2pm. Book 01588 630200.
  • Morris dance workshop. Age 12 +. Three Tuns. Free. Noon.
  • Storytelling afternoon tea – Sally Tonge. Church Barn. Free. 2.30pm.
  • Bishop's Castle Orchestra. Three Tuns. Free. 4pm.
  • AMP open mic acoustic session. Three Tuns. Free. 8pm.

TUESDAY: Bishop’s Castle Town Council meeting. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. 8pm.

  • ROH. Der Fliegende Hollander. SpArC Theatre. £12/£8. 7.15pm. 01588 630321/638038.
  • Footpath Walking Group. Severn Valley/Pool Quay. Eight miles. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishop’s Castle. 9.30am. Call 01938 555950.

WEDNESDAY: SW Shropshire Gardening Club. Westonbirt Arboretum – Simon Turner. Lydbury North village hall. £3. 7.30pm.

  • Lent group. First of five. Lydbury North vicarage, 7pm. Call 01588 680147.

If you have news, or an upcoming event, please hand a note addressed to Julia Parker over the counter at Bishops Castle Post Office. Call her on 01588 680445. Email jparker228@btinternet.com.

 

Clows Top

CLOWS TOP AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB – February is an unfortunate month, being cold and miserable, but luckily only 28 days long. There are signs of life erupting from the ground with crocus, iris reticulata, snowdrops and cyclamen coum giving splashes of colour all through the garden. If you love pottering around the garden, or if you need some fresh ideas or advice for your garden, then why not join us at one of our monthly meetings? It’s a great opportunity for you to share your thoughts, ideas and advice with other members. Gardening is one of the few hobbies that are relaxing, enjoyable and very rewarding. Our garden club has a very friendly atmosphere, everyone is welcome. Non-members are welcome to any monthly meeting. Annual subscriptions are now due for the coming year, membership £10. Next meeting will be on Wednesday and the speaker will be Katherine Thornton with a talk on the plight of the bumblebee. Diary date: March 25, spring show and members’ quiz with Derek Walker. Don’t be afraid to come along, we are a garden club, not a horticultural society. We have a great programme of speakers as well as evening visits to local gardens. Clows Top and District Gardening Club meet the fourth Wednesday in the month at Clows Top Victory Hall; doors open 7.30pm, for the speaker at 8pm. Admission fee: members £2 or non-members £4.

 

Clun

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – Tonight at 7.30pm.

MUSICAL EVENING AT CHAPEL LAWN – Folk Roots Gig with Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston, Saturday 7.30pm in the village hall. In just a few years, Sykes and Preston have become one of the most sought after duos on the English folk and roots scene. Do not miss them. Bar tickets £11. Call Mark 01547 530002.

CLUN PRODUCE MARKET – Clun Produce Market will have lots of homemade and home-baked food Saturday 10am to noon in Hightown Community Room. Raffle, teas and coffee. If you would like a stall get in touch with Trish Munn 01588 641145.

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT – Fairtrade Fortnight is a national event running from Monday until March 3. The Maltings tea rooms will be having Fairtrade tastings on Tuesday.

SUSTAINABLE FUTURES – Watermark , a celebration of water and how essential it is for our survival is the film shown next Thursday, February 26, at the Methodist Church, Clun at 7.30pm, as part of the Environmental Matters series of films. It includes beautiful photography from large dams in China to the Greenland icecap.

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

FLICKS IN THE STICKS – Gone Girl (18), is showing at Clungunford on February 27, at 8pm. On the occasion of his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne reports that his wife, Amy, has gone missing. Under pressure from the police and growing media frenzy, Nick’s portrait of a blissful union begins to crumble. Soon his lies, deceits and strange behaviour have everyone asking the same dark question: Did Nick Dunne kill his wife? Starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris. Director David Fincher. Adult mystery drama. Entrance £4 adults £2 children. Licensed bar, ice creams, raffle, good car parking and excellent company. Telephone Ann 01588 660727 or Maureen 01588 660781, or email maureenrooney2012@gmail.com for enquiries and reservations.

BINGO – The bingo session at the Maltings Tea Room in January was a success with £125 raised. February’s bingo session will also be at the Maltings on Monday. All money raised goes to St George’s Church.

OLD SURGERY GALLERY – The Old Surgery Art Gallery at Clun is back on winter opening hours following its opening full-time for half-term week and is now open on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The artists exhibiting include Keith Noble; Noel Shepherdson, Jacqueline Fletcher, Paul Hipkiss, Tim Nash, Gordon Yapp and Brian Fletcher. Its opening hours are 10am to 5pm; telephone enquiries 01588 640506.

News or events contact Elisabeth Taylor email: et@myphone.coop, 01981 540893. Deadline is the Wednesday of the week before publication.

 

Ludlow

MYRIAD SPINNING GROUP – A new weekly spinning group is being launched in February by keen spinners Anthony Rowland and Sue Thornley. The South Shropshire group aims to promote the pleasure of spinning and working with fleece with a social group of friends. Beginners are welcome as well as those who already enjoy these crafts and we have a spare wheel to get beginners started. We also have access to fleeces for spinners. First meeting was on February 9, 10.30am to 12.30pm, at the Rural Skills Centre at Myriad Organics in Corve Street, Ludlow. There is a small charge of £2.50 to cover logs and refreshments. Call Anthony 01568 770601/07815 450599 or Sue 01584 872292. Anthony started spinning six years ago and has been teaching spinning at Myriad Organics for three years. He also repairs wheels that need some TLC. Sue started spinning about five years ago when she and her husband were farming in Scotland but they have recently retired to Ludlow and she is keen to keep up with the craft. The group will be self-help, so hope it will attract spinners of all abilities. The Rural Skills Centre is part of Myriad Organics, and a wide range of crafters meet to enjoy social crafting sessions around the log burning stove.

 

Tenbury

MOODY AND SANKEY SERVICE – Tenbury Methodist Church are holding a special Moody and Sankey service Sunday 11am. Please come along and join us, sing all your old favourite hymns. All are welcome.

LENT SOUP LUNCHES – At Tenbury Methodist Church Hall, every Wednesday from noon to 1.30pm, from Wednesday. All donations will go to Christian Aid. All are welcome.

TENBURY TOWN BAND QUIZ – Burford village hall, March 7, 7.30pm start. Call Mark 07970 201695 TENBURY WELLS WI – Meetings in the Methodist Hall, Cross Street, at 2.15pm on the 2nd Monday of each month. The WI, Inspiring Women.

 

The Strettons

BRIDGE CLUB – The Bridge Club is held on Thursday afternoons at All Stretton village hall from 1.30pm to 5pm. There are also fortnightly improvers’ courses and practice sessions available on alternate Fridays from 1pm to 4pm at the village hall. Ring Dom on 01694 723128 to enquire for further information.

CRAFT SESSIONS – Pop to Scrappies for Spring Madness Craft Sessions today, featuring birds, bees and butterflies for the fives and up. Sessions run 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm, cost £2 for members and £3.30 for non-members. Book in advance as numbers are limited, 01694 722511 or call in.

PANTO – All Stretton Amateur Dramatic Society stages its production of Cinderella from today to Saturday at 7.30pm and with a matinee Saturday at 2pm. Ticket sales are through Burway Books, John Thomas Florists or can be reserved by ringing 01694 723283. Some tickets may be available at the door.

LIBRARY – Local and Family History Advice sessions are held in the public library Thursday afternoons 1pm to 4pm, volunteers will be on hand to guide your research. Half term event for children will be held tomorrow for the under 8s and will be a story and craft session 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Collect your tickets at the library for this free event. Rhymetime with Songs, rhymes and puppets for children under three years takes place 10.30am to 11am Tuesday.

AT THE HORNE – Tomorrow night at the Horne features a quirky and entertaining band called Miss Maud’s Folly. Ticket sales are through Burway Books, John Thomas Florists and the town council offices and cost £10. The event starts at 7.30pm. Some tickets may be available at the door.

BREAKFASTS – Saturday breakfasts are still being served at Mayfair Community Centre thanks to volunteers. Open from 9.30am to 11.30am with last orders at 11am.

YOGA – Charity of Bhakti Yoga is being held at Leebotwood village hall on Saturday from 10.30am to 4pm. Drinks are provided but please take a lunch to share. Cost for the day is £15 and enquiries should be made by ringing 01694 724317.

LOCAL HISTORY GROUP – There will be a meeting of the local history group on Monday at 2pm in the URC Hall when Idris Evans will give a talk about The Old Drover’s Routes. Admission for non-members is £2.

GARDENING CLUB – Hergest Croft Garden will feature in a talk by Elizabeth Banks at the meeting of the Gardening Club on Tuesday starting at 8pm in the Silvester Horne Institute. Doors open at 7.30pm for tea and coffee beforehand.

NETWORK – At the Methodist Network meeting on Wednesday Ann Cooke will speak about Preparing for World Day of Prayer at 2.30pm in the Methodist Hall. All welcome.

WILDLIFE – The Strettons Branch of the Wildlife Trust meets at the Methodist Hall, Wednesday 7.30pm. The speaker for the evening will be Helen Trotman on the subject of vaccination versus culling of badgers. She has called her talk TB or not TB.

ARTISTS – The exhibition by Church Stretton artists at SpArc in Bishop’s Castle draws to a close next Thursday, February 26. The venue is open late afternoon from Monday to Friday and Sunday morning.

SCHOOL NEWS – To find out more about Church Stretton School’s outline proposals for the town library visit the website’s home page under announcements. Local residents can respond to kate.garner@shropshire.gov.uk to share their views. PTA will hold its AGM March 11.

BIRDS – Shropshire Ornithological Society’s speaker will be Keith Offord on The Wild Wood, meeting next Thursday, February 26, 7.30pm in the Methodist Hall. Admission for non-members is £2. All welcome.

CEILIDH – The Church Stretton Amnesty Group is hosting a ceilidh February 27, in the Silvester Horne Institute with the Compost Band, at 7pm. Tickets £12 adults, £5 children, and include a hot supper and soft drinks, or take your own alcoholic drinks. Ticket sales are through John Thomas Florists or to reserve a ticket ring 01694 722904.

IRISH MUSIC – Traditional Irish Music will be played at the Yew Tree in All Stretton February 27, 8pm start.

QUIZ NIGHT – In All Stretton village hall on February 28, at 7.30pm, will benefit the Save the Children funds.

SUNDAY LUNCHES – Sunday lunches are planned to be served every month at Ley Gardens. To reserve a place or find out more ring Dawn on 01694 722328.

MERSEY BEATLES – The Station Inn, Marshbrook, is planning an evening of live music