Bayton

BAYTON CHURCH - Bayton Church are delighted to host an exhibition of striking religious paintings by the artist Nigel Robert Pugh, depicting The Stations of the Cross. These paintings have already been exhibited in other churches and cathedrals across the country. If you wish to see the paintings, the church will be open tomorrow from 2pm - 4pm and on Sunday from 11am- 1pm. On Saturday at 7pm there will be an evening of art and music. This will be a short choral and instrumental concert followed by cheese and wine and an opportunity to view the paintings at leisure. Please come and visit the exhibition and see these remarkable paintings. Admission is free to all the exhibition events. For more details, call Sue Burrows on 01299 832722.

 

Bishop’s Castle

BISHOP’S CASTLE DIARY March 5-11

SATURDAY

  • Quiz and curry in aid of Refuge charity and Bishop’s Castle Town Football Club. Kings Head, Bishop’s Castle. £5. Teams of four. 7.30pm.

SUNDAY

  • Talk. Beneath Safer Skies - Anthea Toft. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. £5 inc tea. 3pm. Call 01588 630023.

TUESDAY

  • Film. Mr Turner (12A). SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle/ £4.50/£3. 7pm. Call 01588 630321/638038.
  • Footpath Walking Group. Much Wenlock. Eight miles. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishop’s Castle.
  • 9.30am. Call 01694 723921.
  • SWSHAS. “Forges and Ferries of the Ironbridge Gorge”- Neil Clarke. Church Barn, Bishop’s Castle. 7.30pm.
  • Mainstone WI. “Opening your Garden to the Public”- Speaker Pam Pittwood. Mainstone village hall. 7.30pm.

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 Bishop’s Castle Post Office. She sends news to the paper every week. Her phone number is 01588 680445. The email address is jparker228@ btinternet.com.

 

Bitterley

BITTERLEY WI - There was a good attendance at the February meeting of Bitterley WI with Alvis in the chair. After the minutes had been read voting for the national and county executive took place. During the summer, members are having the chance to go on educational visits to either the American Museum at Bath or the Wedgwood Museum at Stoke-on-Trent. The president then introduced Karen Van Hoff who had knitted a necklace, a hat and a tiara. She told members of the ups and downs of her life from a teenager to the present day. It all started by learning to knit followed by making hats. The next challenge was creating jewellery followed by designing clothes. She now makes elaborate tiaras suitable for headdresses. She holds craft sessions and courses sharing her skills with others. Alvis thanked her for the interesting and very amusing talk. Also for bringing some beautiful items that she had made. Hostesses for the evening were Ruth Bootman, Shirley Dubberley and Kath Watkins. Next month it will be “Fit 4 Fun” with Margaret Turner on March 19. The competition will be something beginning with T.

 

Clows Top

JUMBLE SALE - A jumble sale is being held in Clows Top village hall on Saturday. Doors open at 1.30pm. All welcome.

BINGO - The next session is on March 13 at 7.30pm.

 

Clun

FAIR TRADE COOKERY - As part of Fair Trade Fortnight, there will be a cookery demonstration at Hightown Community Room today.

ENERGY ADVICE AT THE SUN - On Saturday, the Light Foot Energy Team working with The Marches Energy Agency will be based at The Sun Inn, Clun, noon to 2.30pm. There will be free advice on how to stay warm, how to improve your home’s energy efficiency, tariff switching, payment options, accessing grants, finance options, help dealing with energy companies and free home energy visits (subject to criteria). This local scheme is supported by Shropshire Council. This is the time of year when many people receive an energy bill. Despite the falling prices and mild winter, many people in the local area are struggling to keep warm and pay their energy bill. If you feel unable to visit us on the day, call The Marches Energy Agency on their free phone number 0800 112 37 43, email eco@mea.org.uk or call Mandy Brick The Lightfoot Coordinator on 01547 528265 email mandy@lightfoot.org.uk. Many thanks to Jen and Tony Jones for allowing us to use The Sun Inn to host this event.

CLUN YOUNG FARMERS PANTOMIME - Clun Young Farmers pantomime and additional entertainment is on Sunday at Clun Memorial Hall. Afternoon performance 4pm, £7. Evening performance 7.30pm £10. £3 under 16s, under fives free.

FOLK NIGHT - Howden Jones perform at Clun Memorial Hall tomorrow at 7pm. Kate and Paul are musicians who continue travelling all over the country playing at village halls, churches and community venues. In the past four years, they created their “beautiful music in beautiful places” tour, and have been sharing their music and stories, often meeting friendly and fascinating people and visiting some wonderful, unusual venues in sometimes remote and always beautiful areas along the way. The 2015 tour is called No Halls Barred , so whether your venue is a Nissen Hut, a Methodist chapel or a reading room howdenjones’ versatility will adapt to any space. As contemporary musicians they enjoy exploring the acoustic sound of each unique venue and use no effects. Their show has been described as “relaxed and enchanting” and “an absolute delight”, “their joy, talent and good humour were infectious” and “music for all ages.”

‘We have heard some brilliant guitar playing at the hall in recent years - but none as warm and mellifluous as these two talented performers.The lyrics were poetic, based on closely observed details of life and sometimes bizarre local stories, and the tunes quite beautiful. And between the songs Kate and Paul told amusing anecdotes. It all made for a gentle and thoroughly entertaining evening.’ Clayhidon village hall, Devon 2014.

THE FUTURE OF THE NHS - Dr Bill Gowans will talk about the future of the NHS at the Memorial Hall, Clun on Tuesday at 7.30pm. His talk will be followed by the Meadows Patient Group AGm and refreshments will be provided.

CLUN RAMBLERS - Clun Ramblers next walk is on Wednesday. Meet at Clun Memorial Hall car park at 9.30am. Sorry no dogs.

SUSTAINABLE FUTURES - The film, Thin Ice , explains why climate change occurs with evidence to persuade doubters. It will be shown at Clun Methodist Church on Wednesday.

CLUN SENIOR CITIZENS - The Clun Senior Citizens next meeting will be held at Haslehurst Community Centre, next Thursday, March 12, at 3pm.

NEWCASTLE GARDEN SOCIETY - The Newcastle and District Garden Society next meeting will be at Newcastle Community Centre next Thursday, March 12, starting at 7.30pm.

SOUP AND PUDDING LUNCH - Excellent lunch and good company at Clun Methodist Church Rooms on March 13 and March 20. In aid of Christian Aid. From noon to 1.30pm.

TOOLS FOR SELF RELIANCE AGM - Tools refurbishing group, Tools for Self Reliance South Shropshire, will hold its annual general meeting next Thursday, March 12, starting at 7.30pm at the Clun Methodist Church. Speakers, Bobby and Martin Britnell, of Hands Up for Uganda, will give an illustrated talk on the charity’s work. Tea coffee and cake etc will be served and admission is free. Everyone is welcome. South Shropshire TFSR group meets twice weekly at its workshop to refurbish tools, which it sends to artisans in Africa. The group is seeking new volunteers to help with its work. Anyone interested is invited to contact Dave Thomlinson, the secretary, on 01588 640550.

FIREFIGHTERS CAR WASH - Clun Firefighters are holding another charity car wash at Clun Fire Station on Firefighters National Car Wash Day, March 14, from 10am to 2pm. Firefighters all over the country will washing cars to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity - the official organisation which exists for injured fire fighters and their families during times of need. The charity helps over 13,000 injured individuals a year by providing pioneering treatment and support services. Funds raised at Clun will also be used for other national and local charities such as Air Ambulance and First Responders and they hope people will be as generous as last year.

TIMS TRAVELS - Tim Wood is organising more theatre excursions in March and April. And Then There Were None at Malvern Festival Theatre is the performance on March 18. This is Agatha Christie at her best. A group of ten strangers is lured to a remote island off the coast of Devon.

Upon arrival it is discovered that their host, an eccentric millionaire, is missing. At dinner a recording is played accusing each of them in turn of having a guilty secret. By the end of the evening, the ten guests become nine - stranded on an island by a torrential storm and haunted by an old nursery rhyme... It is an afternoon performance with good stalls seats. Theatre ticket and coach cost £27.50.

The Bodyguard is an award-winning musical based on the blockbuster film and comes straight from a smash-hit two-year West End run to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

It tells the story of former secret service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, who is hired to protect superstar, Rachel Marron, from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge. What they don’t expect is to fall in love. A brilliant ( The Times ) breathtaking romantic thriller featuring a whole host of Whitney Houston’s greatest hits including I Will Always Love You. April 22 afternoon performance. Theatre ticket and coach £40. For both excursions, the coach leaves Newcastle at 9.15am and calls at Whitcott Keysett, Clun, Clunton, Aston-on-Clun, Craven Arms and the Clive on A49. To book contact Tim Wood at the Old Surgery Gallery in Clun or phone 01588 640506.

If you have any news or events in the Clun Valley, contact Elisabeth Taylor, email: et@myphone.coop or call 01981 540893. The deadline is the Wednesday of the week before publication.

 

Tenbury

COFFEE AND CHAT - Warm welcome awaits you tomorrow and on the first Friday of each month, 10am until noon at The Pump Rooms. Organised by the Tenbury Branch of the U3A, this is a great way to find out what they have to offer that might interest you – activities range from film study to table tennis (via ballroom dancing, badminton and lots of other subjects). If it isn’t fun it isn’t U3A ! So do drop in for a coffee and friendly chat, make some new friends and maybe discover a new talent or interest. Hope to see you there.

JUMBLE SALE - Bockleton village hall, Saturday, 2pm.

KNIGHTON ON TEME PARISH ROOM - This well equipped Parish room is set in attractive rural surroundings with ample parking. An ideal venue for parties, meetings and special occasions. Bookings: Joy Powell 01584 781246 or email: joypowell64@yahoo.co.uk.

LINDRIDGE PARISH COUNCIL - The next meeting is Wednesday at Lindridge Parish Hall, starting at 7pm.

TEME VALLEY WILDLIFE GROUP - The next meeting, when we welcome Kate Mobs-Morgan talking on working horses, is at Rochford village hall, next Thursday, March 12, 7.30pm. £2 on the door where everyone is welcome.

TENBURY TOWN BAND QUIZ NIGHT - Saturday, 7.30pm, Burford village hall, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8LA. £5 per person (teams of four) to include light refreshments. Teams to Mark Yarnold: 07970 201695.

 

The Strettons

SINGING - Every first and third Thursday of the month is an informal singing evening held at Church Stretton School 7pm-9pm. All welcome, as there is no need to be able to read music or book in. Pay as you go £5 per session. Call 0753 801817.

FRIDAY MARKET - Will reopen for business at Mayfair Community Centre tomorrow, after the winter break, 8.30am-noon selling cakes, produce and craft items. New suppliers welcome.

DAY OF PRAYER - Prayers for the Bahamas feature in Women’s World Day of Prayer taking place at the URC tomorrow at 10.30am.

JUMBLE SALE - A jumble sale in the parish hall on Saturday will raise funds for Mayfair Community Centre. Donated items may be taken to the hall on the morning of the sale.

RNLI - Local RNLI fundraisers will be hosting fish and chip supper at Silvester Horne Institute, Saturday 7.15pm for 7.30pm. Speaker, Sheila Parkes, with a talk about RMS Titanic – then and now.

QUIZ NIGHT - Royal British Legion members plan fun evening of trivia with a quiz night at the District Social Club on Saturday. Entry fee for players £4.

READINGS -On Sunday, there will be some dramatic readings from the lives of Afghan Women at the URC Hall, starting at 8pm. This event has been arranged by the local Amnesty International supporters and admission is by donation.

CANCER CARE - Stretton and Shropshire Cancer Care Group will be meeting at Mayfair Community Centre Monday 2.30pm, when Dr Barbara Hall will speak on “Living with risk, or the poison paradox” in which she looks at everyday life through the eyes of a toxicologist. Dr Hall is a scientist with a career of over 20 years in the toxicology of cosmetics and now specialises in scientific consultancy for the cosmetic industry. Contact Stretton and Shropshire Cancer Care on 01694 723427or 722123, or visit one of the meetings.

SOS - Following a public meeting at the Silvester Horne Institute on February 26, planning application for New House Farm goes to the Planning Committee Tuesday, so to make your response please do so before that date by either writing to Philip Dunne MP or call him on 01584 872187, writing or emailing the planning officers at Shirehall, or emailing the councillors on the Planning Committee. Head your communication New House Farm 14/04374/OUT.

WIVES AND FRIENDS - The Wives and Friends will be hosting a meeting on Tuesday at the Methodist Hall starting at 7.30pm when there will be a talk by Jean Huff on “Keeping Alpaca as a Hobby.” All welcome, admission for non-members is £3. At the previous meeting, Sasha Robinson gave an interesting illustrated talk about the expedition to Borneo she experienced, in conjunction with Church Stretton School.

PANTOTIME - All Stretton Amateur Dramatic Society staged Cinderella in the village hall during the half term holiday. Not surprisingly, children of all ages were out in force for the Saturday matinee along with mums, dads and grandparents all eager to support the players some of whom were regulars and some new faces and all playing to a packed house. Singing, dancing and lots of audience participation made for a great afternoon’s entertainment. Thanks to everyone who was involved with the production in any way.

PARENTING - Don’t forget the drop in sessions at the Craven Arms Community Centre 9.30am-noon on alternate Wednesdays in term time designed to help parents “Understand their child’s behaviour.” Ring 01743 210465 to know more.

SCHOOL NEWS - Church Stretton School’s PTA holds its annual general meeting on Wednesday, at 7.30pm and the principal will be hosting another afternoon tea event celebrating special achievements of the students. There will also be a draw for the PTA’s 200 club during this event.

At St Lawrence’s Primary School, pupils will be dressing up for World Book Day. KS2 pupils will have spent time with children’s author, Piers Torday, as one of the special events relating to books and reading. St Lawrence’s has teams taking part in athletics, basketball, hockey and tag rugby in the Shropshire School Games. The Friends of the School are planning a spring fun day for April 25.

YOUTH FORUM - A youth forum will take place at Church Stretton School next Thursday, March 12, starting at 6pm. Contact Lisa on 07990 085656 if you would like to know more.

HARP CONCERT - ‘The Harp in Spring’ concert at St Laurence’s Church will feature a variety of traditional Welsh tunes and unaccompanied harp music played by Emma Spandrzyk and Bethan Grifffiths on March 14, at 7.30pm. Tickets are being sold through John Thomas Florists and Burway Books and cost £8 or can be reserved by ringing Noel Beattie on 01694 725530. Proceeds of the evening will go to Pazapa for the newly rebuilt school and medical facility for disabled children in Haiti.

UNITED PACK - Cheese and wine evening will be held at Manor House, Wistanstow, March 20, at 7.30pm for the United Pack. Tickets £7.50 and may be reserved by ringing 07976 373913 or 07929 225571.

HEDGE LAYING - Practical hedge laying workshops will take place at Karuna, Picklescote, March 21 and 22, 10am-5pm each day costing £45, which includes soup and a roll and drinks. No previous experience needed but advance booking required.

MERSEY BEATLES - Mersey Beatles will be live at Station Inn, Marshbrook, March 28. Admission £13.95.

MEN’S BREAKFAST - A men’s breakfast event will take place at the parish centre on March 28, at 7.30am. The guest speaker will be Roger Littleover who will give a talk about Drug Addiction to Freedom.

 

Westhope

CLOVER CLUB - After the winter break, the Clover Club starts again. We will be doing lots this year. Quiz, slide shows, five day holiday at Eastbourne, day trip, cream tea etc. Do come along you will be welcome. Westhope village hall, doors open at 7pm. Admission 50p tea and biscuits.

VILLAGE HALL LOTTERY - Winners in the February draw, first prize £30.90 Bob Edwards, Diddlebury. Four prizes of £5.15 Alan Beetson, Derek Davies, Raymond Hall and Joy Malandri.

WESTHOPE WHIST - Start again April 6, 8pm. Admission £2. This whist will be for charity. Good prizes, refreshments and raffle.

INDOOR BOWLING - Indoor bowling is held fortnightly at Westhope. Mostly on a Wednesday evening at 7pm. Call Tom 01584 861282. Admission £1. Prizes and refreshments.