Bayton

CLOWS TOP - Bayton Parish Council held a special parish meeting in Clows Top Village Hall on March 3, to discuss the closure of Clows Top Shop and Post Office. Present owners stated the business has been on the market for the last two years but a buyer has not been found. The meeting was well attended by the wider community and a group has been formed to look into options available. The vote agreed that a shop would be used at Clows Top. The initial work will be to undertake a survey of residents within Bayton Parish along with Mamble village and all of Clows Top to ask residents views on a future shop at Clows Top. The survey will be delivered this week and responses are needed by March 31.To take part in the survey contact clerk to Bayton Parish Council, Sue Burrows 01299 832722, email bayton_pc08@btinternet.com and a copy can be sent by email. The clerks to Pensax, Lindridge and Knighton on Teme Parish Council will have a copy of the survey if you prefer to contact your local clerk. We are very interested in the views of the wider users of the shop but cannot deliver to everyone so please support us with your views. We thank everyone for attending the meeting, another parish meeting will be held to give the results of the survey. If anyone is interested in helping with this project please contact Sue Burrows details above.

 

Bishop’s Castle

TOWN ON THE MAP - Last year the organisers of Bishop’s Castle Christmas Lights raised money by printing a large pictorial map of the town, with a map of the South Shropshire Hills on the reverse. Wistanstow artist Katie Alston designed the map (which folds up to a handy size) and 5,000 copies were distributed. This time the group wants to print 10,000 copies ready for summer. The map was paid for by advertisements around the border of the sheet and people who paid last time have the chance to place another advert this year. Mandy Green, the Bishop’s Castle Christmas lights chairman, explained: “Last year’s map was a great success and the feedback from tourists and businesses has been tremendous. It proved to be a good way to help fund the Christmas Lights Festival. All the advertisements must reach us by the end of March as map needs to go to print in good time.” To find out more call Mandy Green 07971 213728, or Wendy Jones 01588 638924.

NO EMPTY CHAIRS - All five parliamentary candidates have promised to attend a General Election hustings meeting in the Three Tuns, Bishop’s Castle on April 9. Organised by members of Bishop’s Castle Church, the chairman will be Edward Owen, who took the chair at the last election hustings in the town. Candidates are Charlotte Barnes (Lib-Dem); Philip Dunne (Conservative); David Kelly (UKIP); Janet Helen Phillips (Green Party) and Simon Slater (Labour).

WOMEN OF THE BAHAMAS - About 60 people attended the annual Women’s World Day of Prayer service in the Methodist Hall, Bishop’s Castle on March 6. The service was put together by the women of the Bahamas and was led by Rose Powell. The assembly heard about projects to help and care for people with social problems in the Bahamas. The service also included music and singing and the offering was taken for the work of the Women’s World Day of Prayer and for projects run by Christian charities worldwide.

MUSEUM MONTHLY DRAW - Sue Hill won the first prize of £18.25 in the February draw for the House on Crutches Museum Collection Trust. Geraldine Burkill won £10.95 and Doug Williams won £7.30.

MAYOR CUTS THE RIBBON - The mayor of Bishop’s Castle Karen Bavastock cut the ribbon at Bishop’s Castle Primary School on February 27 to open a new outdoor play area. The equipment is for children of all ages to enjoy and the Friends of Bishop’s Castle Primary School raised £3,000 to help fund the project. The new chairman of the friends is Michelle Jones and she said their next fundraiser was an Easter Fayre at the school March 27, 2.30pm. Everyone welcome.

NATURE’S WILD PARADISE - Lydbury North writer and photographer Andrew Fusek Peters launches his exhibition of wildlife and landscape photography at Bishops Castle Town Hall tomorrow at 6pm. The preview is open to all and wine and nibbles will be served. A few days later, on Wednesday, Andrew will be back at the town hall talking about his work at an evening he has called ‘In Wilderness is Paradise Now’. Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets cost £3.50. As well as publishing more than 110 books, picture books, plays and poetry collections, Andrew is now building a reputation as a photographer. He was shortlisted in two categories for the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2014 and the recent Ricoh Imaging Pentax Photography Competition. His book, In Wilderness is Paradise Now; Words and Wildlife from the Borders, comes out next year. His photographs have been used in The Countryman magazine and as covers for publications such as the 2015 Hare Preservation Trust calendar and on the cover of a new book about hares to be published in May. He has also been commissioned by the National Trust and Natural England to take photographs for their new project ‘Stepping Stones’, to celebrate species and landscape between the Stiperstones and the Long Mynd. Ben Osborne, a world class wildlife photographer who lives in Shropshire describes Andrew Peter as, “An emerging talent in the world of wildlife photography. His images have a lyrical quality which reflects not only his emotional connection to the natural world but also his heritage as a poet. He presents them with a passion and enthusiasm which are both inspiring and engaging.” The photography exhibition is open at Bishop’s Castle Town Hall until April 18. Check opening times on the internet or call 01588 630023.

CHARITY BINGO - A bingo night held in Bishop’s Castle Public Hall on March 4 raised £110 for AMP (About Music Project). On Monday Jan and Julie have a prize bingo night at the Inn on the Green, Wentnor in aid of Sea Shepherd. Eyes down at 8pm.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY DATES March 19-21

THURSDAY

  • Coffee morning. Abbeyfield House, Bishop’s Castle. 10.30am. Call 01588 630000.
  • Lydham, More and Snead WI. 'Mr JMW Turner' –Richie Self. Lydham Village Hall. 2.15pm 01588 650315.
  • Lydbury North WI. Open to all. 'Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam' – Paul and Thelma Townson. Lydbury North Village Hall. £3. 7.15pm. talk 7.50pm.

FRIDAY

  • Mike Blakesley Quintet. Three Tuns, Bishop’s Castle. £5. 8pm. Call 01686 668675.

SATURDAY

  • Photo exhibition. ‘In Wilderness is Paradise Now’ – Andrew Fusek Peters. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. Free. 10.30am. Until April 18. Call 01588 630023.
  • Farmers market. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. 10am. Call 01588 630023.
  • Jumble sale in aid of Norbury Church. Lydham Village Hall. 2pm.

MONDAY

  • Prize bingo in aid of Sea Shepherd and AMP. Inn on the Green, Wentnor. 8pm.

TUESDAY

  • Bishop’s Castle Town Council meeting at Town Hall. 8pm.

WEDNESDAY

  • ‘Shropshire and the Borders’. Wildlife talk. Andrew Fusek Peters. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. £3.50. 7.30pm. Call 01588 630023.
  • SW Shropshire Gardening Club. Restoration of Attingham Park Walled Garden. Lydbury North Village Hall. £3. 7.30pm. Call 01588 660753.

CORRESPONDENT - Julia Parker 01588 680445 jparker228@btinternet.com.

 

Clun

SOUP AND PUDDING LUNCH - Lunch tomorrow, Clun Methodist Church Rooms in aid of Christian Aid, noon-1.30pm.

COFFEE MORNING - Coffee morning at Hightown Community Room, Clun on Saturday at 10.30am.

CLUN FOREST HISTORY PROJECT - Do you have memories of life in the Upper Clun Valley, old photos or documents? Perhaps you are simply interested in finding out more about the history of the Newcastle area or have done some local history research and would like to share it with others. All are welcome to come along to Newcastle Community Centre for a weekend of sharing ‘work in progress’. A group formed after the highly successful local history gathering in 2013 and have begun a programme of fieldwork, investigation and oral history recording. They will be sharing the results of all their work including displays of research and recording of Newcastle Hall, Newcastle Mill and more on the village history, historic maps of the area and fieldwork of sites of particular interest. Derek Matthews will present some of his oral history video recordings with Newcastle residents Saturday afternoon, 10.30am-5pm and Sunday 10.30am-1pm.

OFFA’S DYKE IN WORDS AND PICTURES - As part of the Clun Forest Local History Project, writer and photographer, Jim Saunders, will talk on Offa’s Dyke, a Journey in Words and Pictures at Newcastle Community Centre on Saturday at 7.30pm. Jim’s much praised book of stunning photography and commentary on Offa’s Dyke accompanied the BBC Wales TV series Border Country with Iolo Williams.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - The Hundred-Foot Journey (PG) is showing at Clungunford Parish Hall tomorrow at 8pm. Entrance £4 adults, £2 children. Licensed bar, ice creams, raffle, good car parking and excellent company. Tel 01588 660727 Ann or 01588 660781 Maureen (maureenrooney2012@gmail.com) for enquiries and reservations.

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

VOICES - New singing group on Thursdays in Hightown Community Room on Thursdays from 10-11.30am with Sue Harris. Uplifting songs from many traditions, 01547 550158.

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE - A new production of Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge starring Mark Strong is showing as a live broadcast at Aston on Clun Village Hall next Thursday, March 26. Doors open 6.30pm, performance starts at 7pm. Tickets £10, £6 under 18s. Tickets and information from David Jones 01588 660493 or Jeff Else 01588 660893.

CORRESPONDENT - Elisabeth Taylor 01981 540893 email: et@ myphone.coop. Deadline Wednesday of the week before publication.

 

St Michaels

QUIZ NIGHT - March 27. Up to four in a team, £20 per team at St Michaels village hall. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Bring your own nibbles and drinks (no bar). Please 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.

 

Tenbury

EASTER BINGO - Tenbury Primary School PTFA, today. Doors open 7pm, eyes down 7.30pm, in the school hall. Fantastic prizes, not just Easter eggs.

KNIGHTON ON TEME LITTER PICK - Meet at Parish Rooms April 12, 10am. Bags and tabards supplied, bring a pair of strong gloves. Everyone welcome. If you cannot make it on the day, it can be done before or after, just let us know. Meeting at the Talbot afterwards for a drink. Let’s tidy up our village. Contact clerk to parish council, Karen Yates 01584 810817, kd.yates@virgin.net.

EASTER CRAFT WORKSHOP - For children followed by all age service, April 3, 10am-11.45am at Lindridge School followed by a procession to St Lawrence Church for service at noon. Come along and try one of the many crafts on offer: Easter gardens, Easter baskets, paint and decorate your own Easter egg, make a flower, weave a cross, make a card, seasonal face painting. Have a go and making your own chocolate Easter egg. All warmly welcome. Refreshments available. Children to be accompanied by parents or carers over the age of 16.

CHARITY BINGO EVENING - Regal Community Centre, April 9, 7.30pm start, doors open 7pm. Prizes for lines and houses. Draw, refreshments. Organised by the Women’s Section of the Royal British Legion. All funds towards Poppy Appeal and RBL Women’s welfare.

 

The Strettons

BRIDGE CLUB - Bridge Club meets every Thursday afternoon 1.30pm -5.30pm at All Stretton Village Hall where parking is available but lifts are available from Church Stretton if required. Tuition and development sessions are also available for all levels of play so to find out more ring Dom on 01694 723128.

FAIRTRADE - The Traidcraft Stall at Mayfair Community Centre is open for the sale of Fairtrade goods on Thursday mornings 10.30am-1pm.

RESEARCH - The library is open on Thursday afternoons for researching local and family history from 1pm-4pm with volunteers on hand to assist if required. Free internet access to ancestry is available.

FRIDAY MARKET - The Friday market at Mayfair Community Centre sells cakes, produce and craft items and is open from 8.30am-noon. Additional suppliers always welcome.

HEDGE LAYING - Practical hedge laying workshops are being held at Karuna, Picklescote, Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm. Cost is £45 per day including soup and roll and refreshment. No experience is needed to take part but booking is recommended. Karuna is also planning a one-day apple tree grafting workshop so ring 01694 751374 if you are interested in any of these workshops.

TALK - Wally Blake will be at Mayfair Community Centre tomorrow evening, to give an illustrated talk about his climbing expedition to east Greenland made in the Summer of 2014. Doors open at 7pm for the 7.30pm talk. Admission is £4 including tea and coffee. Advance tickets available from Mayfair although some may be available at the door. Proceeds of the event will go to Mayfair.

COMIC RELIEF - An evening of fundraising for Comic Relief will be held at the District Social Club tomorrow with charity auction, entertainment, country and western singer, magician and disco. Prizes for a raffle welcomed ring 07584 253560.

CINEMA - Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott-Thomas feature in My Old Lady (12A) which will be screened at All Stretton Village Hall tomorrow night, at 7.30pm. Admission is £4 and interval refreshments will be available.

SPRING CONCERT - The More Singers present their Spring Concert tomorrow night, at the URC, 7.30pm. Tickets sales are through Burway Books, John Thomas Florists and Choir Members and cost £6 including refreshment, although some tickets may be available at the door.

CHEESE AND WINE - A cheese and wine evening for the United Pack will take place at Manor Farm, Wistanstow, tomorrow, 7.30pm. Tickets £7.50, should be reserved by ringing 07976 373913 and 07929 225571.

COFFEE MORNING - Churches together in the Strettons host a coffee morning with stalls on Saturday at the URC Hall in aid of the Food Bank Reserve fund. Admission £1 including tea and coffee, and open 10.30am- noon.

BAND NIGHT - The Little Big Band will be in concert at Church Stretton School on Saturday night, 7.30pm, raising funds for the Royal British Legion local committee. Tickets £8, are being sold through Burway Books, John Thomas Florists and Wrights Estate Agents. Some tickets may be available at the door.

FOLK DANCE - Regular folk dances at Ticklerton Village Hall continue Saturday 8pm. No need to be experienced as Ron and Dot are on hand to show the way. All welcome.

CIVIL WAR - A talk about the English Civil War in Shropshire 1642-51 will be given by Jonathon Worton, called ‘A County at War with itself’. Arranged by the local History Group, the talk will be in the URC Hall, 2pm, Monday. All welcome.

STRUMMERS - All are welcome to hear the Strummers playing for the Parkinson’s Support group at Mayfair on Monday at 2.30pm.

BIRDS - Shropshire Ornithological Society meeting at the Methodist Hall Monday starts at 7.30pm when Nick Martin will speak about the ‘Secret Wildlife of the Forest of Dean’. Admission for non-members £2.

RHYMETIME - Rhymetime at the library offers songs, rhymes and puppets for children under three years of age on Tuesday from 10.30am-11am.

NETWORK - A light-hearted quiz will be the feature of the Network Group’s meeting at the Methodist Hall Wednesday at 2.30pm presented by David Jandrell. All welcome.

RED GROUSE - Counting the red grouse takes place during the evenings in late March to early May and is done by volunteers from the Strettons Area Community Wildlife Group. If anyone is interested in joining in with this activity they should contact kate.price@nationaltrust.org.uk or ring 07972 115725.

SCHOOL NEWS - Church Stretton School has five students through to the next round of the Maths Challenge, and history students have visited Coalbrookdale as part of their studies. A non-uniform day will raise money for Comic Relief.

LONGMYND HIKE - Kit list for those taking part in the next Longmynd Hike has now been updated on the entry form and 650 entrants will be allowed. There have been some more offers of sponsorship which will be considered. Website will also be updated and there will be links to other bodies including the town council. The Longmynd Hike Committee has been thanked for its donation to the purchase of Pontesford Hill. The committee is still considering ideas to help celebrate the 50th Hike. Next meeting is May 10, 7pm in District Social Club.

DROP-INS - Don’t forget the parenting drop-ins at the Community Centre in Crave Arms held on alternate Wednesday during term time 9.30am-noon which aim to help parents understand their child’s behaviour patterns. Call 01743 21465.

NATIONAL THEATRE - An Encore broadcast of Behind the Beautiful Forevers from the National Theatre. This is a new play by David Hare based on the book by Kathleen Boo and will be shown at Church Stretton School next Thursday, March 26, 7pm. Admission £11, £5 for students, paid on door. Further National Theatre events will be shown in the coming months. Doors open 6.30pm.

DRAMA - The Dorrington Players will be staging two one-act plays at the Silvester Horne Institute from next Thursday, March 26 to 28, 7.30pm.

CHARITY LUNCH - March 27 there will be a sausage and mash lunch at the parish centre noon-1.30pm raising funds for Save the Children. Cost of the two-course meal will be £6 and includes tea or coffee.

BREAKFAST - Saturday morning breakfast March 28, will be served at the parish centre, 7.30am. During the morning Roger Littleover from Willowdene Drug Rehabilitation Centre will be the guest speaker.

STUDIO OPENING - The Old Stable Art Studio, Burway Road, has its official opening March 28, 2pm. Works in clay, bronze, watercolour, acrylic and oil will be on display, drop in and meet Jane or call 07759 474621.

QUIZ NIGHT - Animal Samaritans at the Dog Shop are hosting a quiz night at the District Social Club March 28, 7.30pm. Entry is £4.