Bishops Castle

GREEN TRANSPORT TALK – South Shropshire Green Party held a talk recently in Bishop’s Castle Town Hall on Greening Shropshire’s Transport. The speaker was John Whitelegg, Professor of Sustainable Transport at Liverpool’s John Moore University and research associate at the Stockholm Environment Institute. Professor Whitelegg is also a Green Party member and explained how we can upgrade our bus, rail, cycling, walking and car-share offers in Shropshire. Call Mike Watkins on 01588 630277 for more information.

COFFEE AT ABBEYFIELD – Spring is the time for a coffee morning at Abbeyfield House in Bishop’s Castle. Next Thursday, March 19, at 10.30am. An Abbeyfield spokesman said: “The coffee mornings act as a social event for the Abbeyfield residents, volunteers and helpers. The general public are also very welcome to pop in for a chat and a coffee. There is a raffle and all donations go towards funds for helping with the cost of outings for the residents. So please come along to support your local Abbeyfield House.” Call 01588 630000 to find out more.

BEAUTY OF BAROQUE – The Marches Community Choir has a Baroque celebration in Bishop’s Castle Church Saturday, 7.30pm. The programme includes Zadok the Priest by Handel, Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring by JS Bach and pieces by Purcell. Alistair Auld will conduct the Marches Sinfonia and soloists are Alison Kingshott, Deborah MacIntyre and Roger Langford. Tickets £10 on the door, children and students free, call 01588 650448.

THE NORMANS – For the next few weeks a group of history lovers are meeting at the Fletcher Room of the Community College in Bishop’s Castle to examine the Norman Period. Alison Webb who runs the course in Bishops Castle invites questions and discussion as she shares her expertise. She explains: “The course is aimed at filling gaps in people’s knowledge and information sheets are provided. It is not all work however as everyone is treated to coffee and cake halfway through the two hour session. Anyone is welcome to join. All you need is an interest and enthusiasm.” The cost is £10 per session, for more details of this or any other course, contact Alison at finesse_education@yahoo.co.uk or on 01588 640092.

FORTY YEARS ON – Bishops Castle WI held a well attended meeting in the Methodist Hall on February 17.David and Janet Preshous gave a talk which looked back on their 40 years in Bishop’s Castle. A selection of slides showed the changes that have taken place notably at Stone House and the Community College. They said how much they have enjoyed their time in such a beautiful part of the country. At the end of the evening members came away feeling very lucky that they lived in Bishop’s Castle too. The next WI meeting is 7.30pm, Tuesday, when Peter Carty will talk about The Longmynd.

GARLANDS AND HEARTS – Mainstone WI served teas at the recent Bishop’s Castle Arts Festival and organised a pancake evening in Mainstone Village Hall February 21. Members met in February to see Cath Murphy share her skill in making garlands and wreaths from natural materials. Cath brought hazel, birch and willow twigs and told members that birch draped in red and white ribbons was hung outside stables to protect the horses from passing witches. She also bent hazel twigs to form a heart shape and decorated it for St Valentine’s day. Then members made something themselves and by the end of the evening some attractive hearts and wreaths were taken home for decoration. The competition for a potted plant was won by Sheila Leeke; 2nd Annette Owen; 3rd Caroline Pye.

GARDENING CLUB NEWS – Angela Salmon from SW Shropshire gardening Club writes: “If we needed waking up on a cold, wintry evening, then Frank Hardy certainly achieved that. He seemed such a mild and softly spoken man on the phone and when he first arrived but as soon as he took to the floor, a different character sprang into life, as he paced up and down, firing questions at us. A few brave souls attempted to provide answers but most of us played safe and listened to Frank’s extensive knowledge of plants and their preferred soil and conditions. He started by pointing out that an acer (like many plants in the wrong site) might survive on a patio in July but it was far more likely to flourish in dappled shade. He encouraged us to feel the texture of our soil to ascertain the amount of sand or clay present. He told us that ‘great dollops of wheat straw and loads of nutrients’ will improve soil with clay in it which can then become a ‘goldmine for gardeners’. He was keen to encourage the use of conifers to provide an evergreen backbone for the garden, including those in the shape of a spire, ‘which asks you to look at it’. Red, blue and green grasses put together can look fantastic without having to rely on flowers.” Next SW Shropshire Gardening Club meeting is March 25 at 7.30pm, when Kate Nicholl, head gardener at Attingham Park will talk about the renovation of the walled garden. Guests £3. 01588 660753.

BISHOPS CASTLE LEGAL FIRM IN MERGER – One of Bishop’s Castle’s longest-established legal firms has announced a merger. Wace Morgan Solicitors, which has offices in Shrewsbury and Newtown, has acquired Snows, the local branch of Medlicott Snows. The acquisition is aimed at widening Wace Morgan’s geographical area of operation. Announcing the expansion, Diana Packwood, managing partner of Wace Morgan, said: “We are very pleased to have acquired this well established Bishop’s Castle business – it is a positive development for our firm and for the team at Snows. The expansion will enable us to offer our specialist legal services to a wider area of Shropshire and Mid Wales. Both practices are renowned for their professional, personal and high quality work so we feel it will be a highly successful merger which will benefit clients. This is an exciting time for us all.” Caroline Denham of Medlicott Snows’ Bishop’s Castle office commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity to ensure that people in the Bishop’s Castle area can access a fuller range of legal services than we were previously able to provide.” Caroline will be at the Bishop’s Castle regularly on Fridays, and will continue to see clients by appointment there, on other days she will be based in Newtown.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY March 12-18

THURSDAY

  • NT Live. Behind the Beautiful Forevers. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle/ £11/£7. 7pm. Call 01588 630321/638038.
  • Live music, The Vaults, 9pm.
  • Norbury and Dist WI Natural Music – Penny Burns’ Norbury Village Hall. 7.30pm. 01588 650671.

FRIDAY

  • Local band Wyson + Bonnie May. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £4. 7pm.
  • Alphabet Dancers. English folk dancing. Lydham Village Hall. £2.50. 8pm. Call 01743 891117.

SATURDAY

  • Marches Community Choir Baroque Celebration. Bishop’s Castle Church. 7.30pm. £10, children free. 01588 650448.
  • Auction. Bishop’s Castle Public Hall. 8.30am. Bids 10am. 01743 233629/07974 118467.

MONDAY

  • Bishop’s Castle and District Carers Group. Shropshire Talking Newspapers – Edna Evans. Boars Head, Bishop’s Castle. 2 to 4pm. Call 01694 722024.
  • Bead jewellery workshop – Lin Brown, Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. £5 + materials. 6pm. 01588 630023.
  • Footpath Walking Group, Lingen. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishop’s Castle. 9.30am. 01588 630531.
  • Monoprint and ink transfer workshop continues March 17, 18. The Gallery. 01588 630555.

TUESDAY

  • Bishop’s Castle Amnesty International. AGM. Church Barn, Bishop’s Castle. 10.15am. Call 01588 630018.
  • Royal Ballet, Swan Lake, SpArC Theatre. £12/£8. 7.15pm.
  • St Patrick’s evening with Bouzatina. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. £7.50/£10 door. 8pm. Call 01588 630023.
  • Bishop’s Castle WI. The Longmynd, National Trust – Peter Carty. Methodist Hall, Bishop’s Castle. 7.30pm. 01588 638650303.

WEDNESDAY

  • Bishop’s Castle Film Society. Iranian film. Le Passe. Three Tuns. 8pm. Call 01588 680445.
  • Talk, wildlife photography – Andrew Peters, Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. £3.50.
  • Mothers Union. Speaker Deborah Wills. Church Barn, Bishop’s Castle. 2.30pm. Call 01588 630018.

 

Clun

CLUN SENIOR CITIZENS – Clun Senior Citizens meet at Haslehurst Community Centre today at 3pm.

COME SINGING IN CLUN – Voices is a new singing group for everyone who fancies singing. There will be uplifting songs drawn from many traditions around the world, all taught by ear, so you don’t need to be able to read music. Led by experienced, inspiring singing teacher, Sue Harris, Hightown Community Room, 10 to 11.30am Thursdays, 01547 550158, sumarieharris@btinternet.com.

NEWCASTLE GARDEN SOCIETY – The perennial border is the subject of a talk by Andrew Humphrys at Newcastle and District Garden Society’s next meeting at Newcastle Community Centre today at 7.30pm. Andrew is head gardener at Wollerton Old Hall, a world class example of an English garden. Meetings are on the second Thursday of the month. Usually a plant stall and raffle, always refreshments. New members and visitors are always welcome. Membership £15 per year, visitors £3 per meeting.

TOOLS FOR SELF RELIANCE AGM – Tools refurbishing group, Tools for Self Reliance South Shropshire, will hold its AGM today, 7.30pm at Clun Methodist Church. Speakers, Bobby and Martin Britnell, of Hands Up for Uganda, will give an illustrated talk on the charity’s work. Refreshments 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 call secretary Dave Thomlinson 01588 640550.

SOUP AND PUDDING LUNCH – Excellent lunch and good company at Clun Methodist Church Rooms tomorrow and March 20, in aid of Christian Aid. From noon to 1.30pm.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS

  • Before I Go to Sleep (15) at Bedstone and Hopton Castle Village Hall tomorrow, 7.30pm. Adult £4.50, call 01547 530282. Screening as part of Borderlines Film Festival Click here for Borderlines Website and box office numbers.
  • The Hundred-Foot Journey (PG) is showing at Clungunford Parish Hall March 20, 8pm, adult £4, child £2. Licensed bar, ice creams, raffle, parking and excellent company. Tel Ann 01588 660727 or Maureen 01588 660781 maureenrooney2012@gmail.com for reservations.
  • Waking Ned Devine (PG) is showing at Clun Memorial Hall, Saturday 7.30pm Adult £4.50 child £2.50. Disabled facilities, refreshments. Call 01588 640254.

CLUN VALLEY FILLING STATION – Rev Nick Crawley, regional director for the Filling Station Trust, is returning to the Filling Station tomorrow to speak on Who in Heaven do You Think You Are? Nick has also pioneered a new Mission Church, Crossnet and runs a website, Bible for Life, to help people understand scripture better. Nick has been a clergyman for 25 years in London, Harare in Zimbabwe, Sheffield and Bristol. There is always a warm welcome at the Filling Station, whether you are a regular or a newcomer. At Newcastle Community Centre, refreshments 7.15pm, starts 7.30pm. Contact Brian Angell 01588 640029, clunvalleyfs@gmail.com.

FIREFIGHTERS CAR WASH – Clun firefighters are holding another charity car wash at Clun Fire Station on Firefighters National Car Wash Day, Saturday 10am to 2pm. Firefighters all over the country will be 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.

SUNDAY CLUB ON SATURDAY – The Sunday Club invite you to coffee and entertainment at the Methodist Chapel 10am to noon on Saturday.  Stalls include cakes, bric-a-brac and tools. Offers of help and items to stalls call Helen 01588 640490 or Jan 01588 640849. Proceeds to Tools for Self-Reliance.

CLUN BOWLING CLUB – AGM of Clun Bowling Club is Tuesday, 7.30pm in Haslehurst Community Centre. Come and support the club and perhaps join for the summer season. New members welcome.

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

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST – Matt Wilcoxon, Countryside and Greenspace Team Leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, will be the speaker at the next meeting of the Clun and Bishop’s Castle branch of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust in Hightown Community Room, Wednesday, 7.30pm. He’ll be talking about Shrewsbury’s natural spaces and the work of a countryside ranger. Learn what to look for next time you are in Shrewsbury and bring along any young people who are interested in working in the countryside management. £2 members, £3 non members, fair-trade refreshments. Information from Mike Tucker 01547 530935, tucker25@btinternet.com.

TAX DODGE FILM – The UK Gold , an award-winning documentary about global tax dodging through the eyes of an East London vicar, showing next Thursday, March 19, 7pm, Clun Methodist Church. Free entry, refreshments and post discussion.

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE – David Hare’s new play, Behind the Beautiful Forevers , is broadcast live from the National Theatre to Aston on Clun village hall today at 7pm. Tickets and details from David Jones 01588 660493 or Jeff Else 01588 660893.

GOOD FRIENDS TEA PARTY – Book a stall at Clun Valley Good Friends Garden Tea Party this May at Purslow Hall, by kind permission of Annabel Morris. The tea party will be on May 17, from 2.30 to 5pm and will be a fundraiser for Good Friends. To book a stall phone 01588 640477. News or events contact Elisabeth Taylor, 01981 540893, et@myphone.coop. Deadline is the Wednesday of the week before publication.

 

Ludlow

CIVIC AND YOUNG PERSONS CIVIC AWARDS – Ludlow Town Council would like to receive the names of Christine Dance, Maurice Young, Trish Munn and Yvonne Tyler line up to buy vegetables off Mellie Lewis at the Clun Produce Market local people and community groups who have undertaken voluntary work of an outstanding nature for the community. The work may have been for a single event, or for a period of exceptional service over several years. The recipient of the award should have undertaken the work for the benefit of people in Ludlow.

There are three awards:

  • for people over 18 – civic award.
  • for people under 18 – young persons' civic award.
  • community group – civic award.

If you wish to make a nomination, please apply to town clerk for an application form, or download from ludlow.gov.uk on the downloads page. Nominations should reach the town clerk by May 1, at 3.30pm. The town council will consider all nominations at their meeting on May 13. The awards will be presented at the Mayor Making Ceremony on May 27, 7pm at the Assembly Rooms, Mill Street.

 

St Michaels

QUIZ NIGHT – March 27. Up to four in a team, £20 per team at St Michaels village hall. Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start. Bring your own nibbles and drinks (no bar). Contact Laura on 07968 768746 for tickets or more info. All monies raised will be donated to Stuart’s London Marathon Journey for Children with Cancer. There will also be a raffle half way through.

 

Stoke Bliss and Kyre

50/50 AUCTION – At Stoke Bliss and Kyre village hall March 21, 2pm. Is there anything you would like to sell? Antiques, bric-a-brac, furniture etc. Transport provided for larger items. The hall is open 10am to 1pm for delivery of items for sale. Contact: Andrew Yarnold 01885 410386 or Janet Powell 01885 410598. Sellers keep 50 per cent of sale takings and the remaining 50 per cent goes to village hall funds.

 

Tenbury

BOOKS, BOOZE AND BANTER GROUP – Armchair Travel, choose your own destination, Wednesday 7.30pm, Tenbury Library. Travellers very welcome.

TENBURY AND DISTRICT ART GROUP – Painting classes, water colour and oils. Thursday evenings in the Scout Hall. Contact Mrs M Dallow 01584 811706.

TIDDLYWINKS PLAYGROUP – Methodist Hall, Tenbury Wells. Every Wednesday (during term time) 9.45 to 11.45am. £1 for first child, 50p for each additional child, drink and snack included. Indoor and garden play area. Babies welcome.

QUIZ NIGHT – St Michael’s village hall, March 27, start 7.30pm. Up to four in a team, £20 per team. Bring your own nibbles and drinks (no bar). Contact Laura 07968 768746 for more info. There will also be a raffle. All monies raised will be donated to Stuart’s London Marathon Journey for Children with Cancer.

WILD FOOD UK – Spring Foraging Course, The Temeside, Little Hereford, SY8 4AT, March 21 and 27, April 18, May 9, 31 and June 5. On these introductory foraging courses you will be taught about edible wild plants and mushrooms that grow in and around Shropshire. Our spring foraging courses along the banks of the beautiful River Teme will start at 12pm and take roughly 3.5 hours, including tasting our finds in the pub garden at the end of the walk. For more details, or to book, visit our website wildfooduk.com, email us at admin@wildfooduk.com or give us a call on 01584 711646.

 

The Strettons

SSIF – The South Shropshire Interfaith Forum is hosting a meeting at the Craven Arms Community Centre tonight, at 6.45pm for 7pm when Muslim Chaplain and Islamic Religious Advisor to the British Army, Imam Asim Hafiz, OBE, will be the speaker. He has titled his talk Radicalisation and Faith in the Modern World. Imam Asim Hafiz has served in Afghanistan several times and was awarded the OBE in the New Year’s honours list. The meeting is open to all of any faith or none and there will be a question and answer session following the talk. Admission for non-members is £3 and all are welcome. For more information ring 01588 672640.

GARDEN CLUB – The Acton Scott Gardening Club meet tonight at Acton Scott Village Hall. The speaker will be Tamsin Westhope and the subject A Garden Editor. Non- members welcome admission £2.50.

SMALLHOLDERS – The Shropshire Smallholders meet tonight at Leebotwood Village Hall at 7.30pm for a talk by Ben Jones of Wood Matters. He will be giving hints on pruning fruit trees and hedge management and general management of trees. There will be members’ exchange and sales tables and refreshments. The committee is still looking for a chairman. The group has welcomed more new members. At the previous meeting in February Nicola Fitter gave an informative talk about how to look after horses, and taking care to provide shelter, pasture and adequate fencing. The speaker at the April meeting will be Andy Cawthray who will be taking about keeping chickens.

FRIDAY MARKET – Is open for business at Mayfair Community Centre from 8.30am to noon selling cakes, produce and craft items.

AT THE HORNE – Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra will be entertaining at the Silvester Horne Institute tomorrow at 7.30pm. Ticket sales through Burway Books, John Thomas Florists and Town Council Offices, cost £10, or £6 for students.

GRASSROOTS THEATRE – The Grassroots Theatre Company will present Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit at All Stretton Village Hall tomorrow and Saturday at 7.30pm. Tickets £8, £7 concessions, sold through Burway Books and John Thomas Florists.

QUIZ NIGHT – At Mayfair Community Centre Saturday night at 7.30pm. Entry fee is £4 and quizzers are invited to take their own refreshments.

HARP CONCERT – In St Laurence’s Church 7.30pm Saturday, will raise funds for Pazapa’s newly rebuilt school and medical facility for disabled children in Haiti. Traditional Welsh tunes and unaccompanied harp music will feature, played by Emma Spandrzyk and Bethan Griffiths. Tickets £8 through John Thomas Florists and Burway Books or reserved on 01694 725530.

FOOD BANK – Needs tins of baked beans and spaghetti with meat, savoury rice and pasta, also tins of vegetables, tomatoes, fish, fruit, sponge and rice puddings, custard, drinking chocolate, coffee, biscuits and sweets. Please put donations of in date food in the receptacle provided at the Co-op. Many thanks to everyone who supports the Food Bank.

COMMUNITY CINEMA – Mr Turner (12A) will be shown at Acton Scott Village Hall Tuesday and March 20. At All Stretton Village Hall My Old Lady (12A) will be screened, 7.30pm.

NETWORK – The Network group will meet in Methodist hall Wednesday, to hear Rev Heather Osmond speak on the subject God Has No Barriers, at 2.30pm. All welcome.

HUGH CORNWELL – Hugh Cornwell of The Stranglers fame will be at the Silvester Horne Institute Wednesday at the invitation of Burway Books to do book signings and readings. He will be available for book signings at 7pm before the main part of the evening. Tickets cost £5 and include a glass of wine or soft drink and are being sold through Burway books and John Thomas Florists.

CAMERA CLUB – Next meeting of Longmynd Camera Club will include an audio-visual presentation by Jon Baker on The Wrekin Salon of International Photography starting 7.30pm Wednesday, in the URC Hall. Visitors are always welcome. At previous meeting Sue McGarrigle was the competition judge which saw Peter Howsen’s Water Crowfoot take first place in the DPI’s section, Ken White second place with Hazel trunk with lichens, third place was David Kennedy with Yellowstone-travertine terraces. The print section Dorothy Robinson took first place with Andean Bear, David Kennedy second place with Mule Deer and third place was Amanda Page with Brown Butterfly. Subject of the competition was nature straight from the camera, and was under competition rules.

TREE WARDEN – Church Stretton needs another Tree Warden to take the place of Don Hale. This is a voluntary position which does not require too much time but helps to keep an eye on the safety of the trees in the area. For an informal chat about the work call 01694 723208.

LADIES MEETING – The ladies and children of the South Shropshire Interfaith Forum met at the Pilgrim Centre recently for an informal chat about the various religious traditions which surround the birth of a child and its after care in Christian, Muslim and Jewish homes. While in Christian tradition a formal baptism can take place when names are chosen this is not so in either Muslim or Jewish traditions, but a Hebrew name is included for a Jewish child. A girl born to a Jewish mother will be welcomed into the Jewish faith and will always be Jewish, but with Muslims as with Christians the children initially follow the teachings of their parents but can decide in later life which path to follow. While the adults were chatting the children busied themselves with drawings and playing with Lego and then everyone enjoyed the cakes and savoury refreshments at the end of the discussion. The next ladies meeting will focus on Passover and Easter. Meetings are open to ladies of any faith who are not members of the Interfaith forum.

SCHOOL NEWS - Church Stretton School was runner up in Shrewsbury Schools under 16s, 7s rugby competition. The school held a Pathways Evening for students to make their future choices and Bronze D of E students went on a Youth Hostel trip. St Lawrence’s Primary School pupils will be representing the school at the swimming gala in Ludlow and took part in the Shropshire Indoor Athletics Championships when girls finished first and boys finished second, school is also basketball county champions. Tag rugby team came joint second. Under 11 boys football team represented county in regional finals and been guests of Shrewsbury Town football team.

LUCKY NUMBERS - In the February lottery for Mayfair were 42, 252, 130 and 186 winning £100, £50, £20 and £10 respectively.

BRIDGE CLUB - There is a chance to play bridge every Thursday afternoon at All Stretton Village Hall. Tuition at all levels and practice sessions are also available. Call Dom on 01694 723128.

COMIC RELIEF - An evening of country and western entertainment, magic and disco for comic relief is planned for March 20, at the District Social Club, 7pm. Entry £2 and if anyone can offer a prize for the raffle call 07584 253560.

CHEESE AND WINE - The United Pack will hold a cheese and wine evening at Manor Farm Wistanstow March 20, 7.30pm. Tickets £7.50, 07929 225571 or 07976 373913.

HEDGELAYING - Practical Hedgelaying workshops are on offer at Karuna, Picklescote March 21 and 22, 10am-5pm each day. Cost £45 per day includes soup, roll and drinks. No experience needed but booking essential. Also a one-day practical workshop on apple-tree grafting. Ring 01694 751374.

BAND CONCERT - Little Big Band will be in concert at Church Stretton School March 21, 7.30pm raising money for Royal British Legion local committee. Tickets £8, through Burway Books, John Thomas Florists and Wrights Estate Agents.

FOLK DANCE - Next Folk dance night March 21, Ticklerton Village Hall 8pm- late.