Bishops Castle

TOWN HALL TAI CHI - There are a few places available at a weekly Tai Chi class in Bishop’s Castle Town Hall on Wednesday evening, starting at 6.30pm. The cost is £8 a class. Call 01588 638182 for details.

RAILWAY SOCIETY NEWS - At their recent AGM members of Bishops Castle Railway Society elected Keith Lewis, the group’s archivist and records officer, as their president, following the death of Col R Savill. Officers were re-elected to their existing posts, with the exception of the treasurer, Judy Freemen who wished to stand down on the appointment of a new treasurer. The Railway Society meets on the first Friday of the month, with the next meeting on May 1, at 7.30pm in the Methodist Hall, Bishops Castle. Andrew Chapman will be the speaker and his subject is an update on the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway. Throughout the summer months, Bishop’s Castle Railway Museum will be open at weekend and bank holidays 2pm-5pm. Call John Corfield on 01694 722473 for more information.

FIFTY YEARS OF THE LONGMYND - Peter Carty gave an illustrated talk about The Longmynd to Bishops Castle WI on March 17. He described how the National Trust acquired The Longmynd in 1965. The next Bishop’s Castle WI meeting is on Tuesday, when Julia Rogers will talk about her work as a midwife in Uganda. The evening begins at 7.30pm and everyone is welcome.

WEDDING FAIR INSPIRATION - Walcot Hall in Lydbury North is the venue for a wedding fair on Sunday starting at noon. With free entry, visitors can expect a welcome goodie bag, a glass of fizz and canapés on arrival with a bridal catwalk show at 2pm. This show must be booked in advance as spaces are limited. Over 20 wedding suppliers will be at the fair, including caterers, venue decorators, florists, musicians, photographers and stationery suppliers. You will have the chance to see the 18th century ballroom, main hall, grounds and apartments while light lunches and afternoon tea will be served in the anteroom. To book a seat at the catwalk show, call 01588 680570 or email julia@walcothall.com.

FORDS, FERRIES AND BRIDGES - Neil Clarke, author of a number of historical studies of the Ironbridge area gave an illustrated lecture to SWSHAS on Crossing the River – Fords and Ferries on the Shropshire Severn. He described how the River Severn bisects Shropshire from west to east, forming a vital artery for transport, but also a formidable barrier. From the earliest times, the local inhabitants sought to create crossings at strategic points – using fords, then establishing ferries, and finally building bridges. Fords were located where the river flowed in shallow ‘ruffles’ over gravel – and village names like Montford and Quatford indicate the presence of these. The Romans had a ford near Wroxeter, although they may have supplemented this with a bridge. Fords crossings (always subject to the water level of the river and often impassable in winter) were gradually replaced by ferries, some large enough to carry substantial loads – notably in the industrial areas around Coalbrookdale and Highley. The craft were fragile and accidents not infrequently occurred – a maiden’s garland in Astley Abbots church records a girl drowned on the eve of her wedding, and in 1799 the Coalport ferry capsized, with the loss of 28 lives. The establishment of a network of bridges led to the disappearance of almost all the ferries, Hampton Loade being a notable survivor. The next SWSHAS meeting is 7.30pm tomorrow in the Church Barn, Bishop’s Castle, when Dr Brian Davies will speak on The Making of the Medieval Book. Dr Davies, was senior lecturer in biochemistry at Aberystwyth University and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. He is an acknowledged authority on the use of dyes and pigments in the production of medieval books and manuscripts. This will be the society’s 15th annual Ritherdon lecture, everyone welcome, guests £5.

HILL CHALLENGE WALK - A 10 strong party from Cheshire has registered for Bishop’s Castle’s second annual 24-mile hill Challenge Walk on August 15. The walk, across the Shropshire Hills landscape to the west and north of the town, attracted more than 100 walkers and runners last year and raised £1,300 towards Bishop’s Castle Town Hall Target 250 fund. This year the organisers, Bishop’s Castle Parish Paths Partnership (P3) Group with the support of the town’s tourism company, hope 150 people will take the challenge. Anyone wishing to join the walk should log into bcchallengewalk.co.uk for full details. The 24-mile walk costs £16. Routes of 11 and 13 miles are offered and cost £12. The walk starts and finishes at the recently renovated Bishop’s Castle Town Hall with two manned check points and a lunch stop at Shelve. Hot drinks, cake and local beer are available on offer at the end. On the route walkers will scale a total of 4,000ft and there are self-clipping points at the summits of Roundton, Corndon and the Stiperstones. Money from the Bishop’s Castle Challenge Walk will go to Target 250 Fund, which needs to raise a final £4,000 of match funding from the community. The initial sum needed was £62,500, so the end of the project is now in sight. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall was built in the early 18th century and is a Grade 2 * listed building. Over £1 million was spent to renovate the building. Which now hosts a full range of activities as well as being the Visitor Information Centre for the area. You can also get married in the upper chamber and then have a reception on the ground floor.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY April 16-22

THURSDAY: NT Live. The Hard Problem - Tom Stoppard. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £11/£7. 7pm. 01588 630321/638038.

  • Waffles and coffee morning. Green Chapel, Montgomery Rd. 10am. 01588 638056.
  • Lydbury North WI. Tudor Dress and the Ordinary Woman-Sarah Thursfield. Lydbury North Village Hall, guests £3, 7.15pm for 7.50pm.
  • Lydham, More and Snead WI. Scrabble night. Lydham Village Hall. 7.30pm. 01588 650315.

FRIDAY: Ex Inspiral Carpets Tom Hingley acoustic live. Powis Arms, Lydbury North. 8.30pm.

SATURDAY: Farmers market Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. 01588 630023.

  • Marches Community Choir. Acis and Galatea - Handel; Purcell. Bishop’s Castle Church. £10, students free. 7.30pm. 01588 650448.
  • Castle Connect shuttle bus roadshow. Boars Head Bishop's Castle 2.15pm.

MONDAY: Bishop’s Castle and District Carers Group. Walk on all ability trail Stiperstones. Boars Head, Bishop’s Castle. 01694 722024.

  • Prize bingo in aid of Pony Club. Inn on the Green, Wentnor, eyes down 8pm.

TUESDAY: Sock club. Knitting for all. Chai Shop, High St Bishop’s Castle. 2pm. 01588 630435.

  • Open mic with host Jonny Keeley. Three Tuns, Bishop's Castle. 8.30pm.
  • Bishop's Castle WI. Midwifery in Uganda - Julia Rogers. Methodist Hall, Bishop's Castle. 7.30pm. 01588 638650303.

WEDNESDAY: Talk. 50 Years on the Longmynd - Peter Carty. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. £3.50. 8pm. 01588 630023.

  • SW Shropshire Gardening Club. Hanging baskets-Marion Stanton. Lydbury North Village Hall. £3. 7.30pm

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

 

Clows Top

CLOWS TOP AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB - April is a good time to plant trees and shrubs. Best to plant in the autumn or now just as they are coming out of dormancy in the spring. They can be planted anytime in between but it’s often difficult if the ground is frozen. Remove dead wood from trees and shrubs missed in the winter. Check plant supports, try and keep on top of the weeding, but don’t put weeds on the compost! At the February meeting Katherine Thornton, gave an interesting talk and power point presentation on the Plight of the Bumblebee. Bumblebees are hard-working creatures but unfortunately are in decline. Luckily we gardeners are helping them by planting lots of bumblebee friendly flowers. If you’re not a member then come along and join us at one of our monthly meetings. A great opportunity for you to share your thoughts, ideas and advice with other members. There is a great programme of speakers as well as evening visits to local gardens. The garden club has a friendly atmosphere, everyone is welcome. It is a garden club not a horticulture society, the membership is only £10 pa. However, non-members are welcome to any monthly meeting.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday. The speaker will be Richard and Lesley Betts with a talk entitled Travels with Elanar Photographers. Clows Top and District Gardening Club meets the 4th Wednesday in the month at Clows Top Victory Hall; Doors open 7.30pm, for speaker at 8pm. Admission: members £2 or non-members £4. Free refreshments. Further details telephone Marion Wilson 01299 270475

 

Clun

GROW A SUNFLOWER FOR THE SHOW - This tear’s Clun show includes a class for under-16s to grow a sunflower in a pot, so get your children and grandchildren planting now to enter in the show on August 1.

CARNIVAL QUEEN - Nominations are invited for this year’s Carnival Queen and attendant to appear at Clun carnival and show on August 1. Girls must be age 14 to 20 on August 1. Nominations can be given to Richard Bright at Bright’s Flowers up to May 31, when there will be a draw. Contact Richard on 01588 640541 to book a stall at the show.

BINGO AT THE SUN - The Easter special bingo at The Sun Inn, Clun, March 30 raised £211 for the funds of St George’s Church. During the evening 36 Easter eggs; 23 Easter novelties; an Easter bonnet; an Easter bunny cuddly toy; 36 hen’s eggs; a voucher for a chicken from local butchers R and P Wheeler and four umbrellas for April showers were given away. Most of the prizes had been donated and thanks of the church go out to those kind people who did. Next bingo will be evening of April 27.

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE - Tom Stoppard’s new play, The Hard Problem, is being broadcast live at Aston on Clun village hall today. Hilary, a young psychology researcher at a brain science institute, is nursing a private sorrow and a troubling question at work, where psychology and biology meet. If there is nothing but matter, what is consciousness? This is ‘the hard problem’ which puts Hilary at odds with her colleagues who include her first mentor, Spike, her boss, Leo and the billionaire founder of the institute, Jerry. Is the day coming when the MRI scanner will answer all the questions psychology can ask? Meanwhile Hilary needs a miracle, and is prepared to pray for one. Doors open 6.30pm, performance starts 7pm. Tickets £10, £6 under 18s. For tickets and information call David Jones 01588 660493 or Jeff Else 01588 660893.

CLUN PRODUCE MARKET - Local produce, fair-trade coffee and cake at Hightown Community Room Saturday. Come and meet your friends. 10am to noon. In aid of Hightown Community Room.

OSBORNE AND AFTER - The Osborne and After group are planning a festival in May 2016 around the life, work and legacies of the playwright, John Osborne, who lived at the Hurst 1985 to 1994. The festival will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first performance of his groundbreaking play, Look Back in Anger.

The group are making a video of people who knew or encountered John Osborne and would like to hear from anyone with memories or photos to share. Copies will be made (with permission) and originals returned. They are also collecting memories and photos of what Clun was like in 1956 and of this eventful year internationally. Events included the Suez crisis, the Soviet invasion of Hungary, Elvis Presley’s first hit, Heartbreak Hotel and Marilyn Monroe married the playwright Arthur Miller, as well as the premiere of the controversial Look Back in Anger. You can have a chat with the group and find out more at the produce market in Hightown Community Room on Saturday (see above) or contact them on 07977 907982 or 01547 520602 or osborneandafter@gmx.com.

CLUNBURY QUIZ - Come along to Clunbury Village Hall for a fun quiz Saturday at 7.30pm with optional ploughman’s supper. Teams of up to six. Quiz £2.50 per person, supper £2.50, tea, coffee and soft drinks available, no bar, so bring your own. To book a table call Sue Hill 01588 660355, Eirlys Ellams 01588 660625 or sueinclunbury@gmail.com.

MONUMENT TO CHARLIE CHAPLIN - A wartime miracle inspired performance company, The Kings of England, to create a Monument to Charlie Chaplin , will be shown at Clun Memorial Hall Saturday, 7.30pm. In March 1941, during a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator , a bomb landed on the National Picture Theatre in Hull where 150 people had gathered – all miraculously survived. To commemorate this event, as the fate of the derelict building remains uncertain, performance company Kings of England are touring their black and white short film, a Monument to Charlie Chaplin . The film commemorates this moment in history and celebrates Chaplin’s playful critique of Capitalism. The 16mm 25 minute silent movie is set to an original score composed by Nick Gill, and was shot in the shadows of the National Picture Theatre and across key landmarks of Hull. The piece, which features five young people aged 10-12, draws on the choreography from Chaplin’s Great Dictator.

After an interval there follows a full length screening of Chaplin’s original movie masterpiece. Controversial at a time when America had not yet entered the Second World War, the film lampooned the Nazis and their anti-semitic policies. Later, when the full horror of the holocaust became clear, Chaplin said had he known, he would not have made the same film, although it still remains a powerful statement against war.

Monument has showed at prestigious venues including Hull Truck Theatre and now comes to Clun Memorial Hall. Tickets, adult £10, student/child £6, available from Tim Wood, Old Surgery Gallery and Dilys Thorpe, 27 High St, 01588 640254, dilysthorpe@clun.org.uk.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - Mr Turner (12A). Showing at: Chapel Lawn Village Hall on Saturday. Entrance £4 adults, £3 children. Bar, popcorn, ice-cream. Contact Peter Shearman 01547 530530. Clungunford Parish Hall on April 24, at 8pm. Adults £4, children £2. Licensed bar, ice creams, raffle, car parking and excellent company. Call 01588 660727 Ann or 01588 660781 Maureen, maureenrooney2012@gmail.com for enquiries and reservations.

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

CARNIVAL CONCERT - Clun Carnival and Show Committee are welcoming back the Shrewsbury Male Voice Choir and the inimitable Bettws Ladies Choir for the Carnival Concert in St George’s Church on July 19.

CLUN SHOW - Craft classes; a cushion, a pencil sketch of Clun Bridge, an item in wood or metal, a greetings card, a decorated egg, something new from something old, an item using quilting, an item using tartan (any medium), a child’s toy (any medium), a hand-knitted item for a child, a puppet (string of glove), an item using painting on silk, a bookmark, an item of jewellery. Photography classes; hills, autumn in the Clun Valley, a feature of Clun, reflections, humorous (with caption), working dog(s) at work, a black and white photograph, a pair of photographs: the original and a digitally manipulated version, local scene suitable for the front cover of The Clun Chronicle (square format please). Young peoples classes (16 and under); a selfie, sport.

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

 

Tenbury

CAR BOOT SALE - Saturday, Mamble, just off A456 between Clows top and Tenbury Wells. Booters 8am, buyers 9am. £5 per car pre-booked, £6 on day. £10 for vans or cars with trailers. No traders. Hot refreshments available. Call 01299 832796 to book a site. In aid of local charities.

ST GEORGE’S DAY TRADITIONAL ENGLISH LUNCH - Lodge of St Michael 1097. Sunday, 12.30pm for 1pm, £15 per person. Enquiries to: Martyn Evans 01584 873393, Phil Gibbs 01584 810011, 01584 811843.

PYJAMA PARTY FUNDRAISER - For Birmingham Children’s Hospital. King’s Head, Cross St, Tenbury Wells, Saturday, 5pm onwards. Hot food, pig roast and veggie food. Foot stomping, hip swinging, mind blowing music with: The Tenbury Ukele Orchestra, Moth, Stu Gittens, the 4 Coffs. Come shake your tailfeathers. Raffle with top quality prizes: Two tickets for the Regal cinema, two tickets for Safari Park, two tickets for Birmingham City match, £15 vouchers for flowers from no 1, Mad Hatters and more. Signed football poster from Wolves, Sweet treats hamper, Pamper hamper, and lots more. Tickets £1 per strip available now from the Kings Head. Raffle drawn on Saturday. Name the giant teddy bear £1 a go, to win big bear. All proceeds to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

AGM - Tenbury Transport Trust. April 24, 11.30am, Café 27, Teme St, Tenbury Wells. Everybody welcome.

TENBURY FLORAL ART CLUB - You are very welcome to join members for the meeting on Monday, at St Michael’s Village Hall, 7.30pm, when Katherine Kear from Gloucester will demonstrate Wot Pot. Visitors £4. There will be a plant stall May 16, in the morning next to Banfield’s. Cakes and preserves will be for sale. May 18 members will be demonstrating which should be a light hearted evening, starting at 7.30pm. All are welcome.

 

The Strettons

THEATRE LIVE - A National Theatre Live showing of The Hard Problem will be held at Church Stretton School tonight, at 7pm. An opportunity to dine before the show is on offer but must be pre-booked at the school and all enquiries should be made by ringing 01694 722209. The pre-theatre supper costs £13 per head and is served at 5pm, and admission to the show is £11 or £5 for students.

HUSTINGS - Election Hustings will take place at the Methodist Church tonight. Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start. Event has been arranged by the local UNA and Churches together.

BRIDGE CLUB - The Bridge Club meets at All Stretton Village Hall on Thursday afternoons from 1.30pm- 5pm and refreshments are included in the £2 charge. For separate improvers’ courses and practice sessions ring Dom on 01694 723128.

TASTE OF ITALY - Thursday and Friday evenings at Berry’s are Taste of Italy nights in conjunction with the White House, Affcot. Book a table ring 01694 781202.

FRIDAY MARKET - Held at Mayfair Community Centre 8.30am-noon, home-made cakes, produceand craft.

COMMUNITY CINEMA - The film to be screened at All Stretton Village Hall tomorrow night, is Mr Turner (12A) at 7.30pm. Interval refreshments will be available.

AT THE HORNE - Bill Craddock will be entertaining on Friday night at the Horne in the Silvester Horne Institute. Tickets cost £8 from the Town Council Offices, Burway Books and John Thomas Florists. There will be a bar available.

LIBRARY EVENTS - On Saturday from 2.30pm-3.30pm there will be craft sessions at the library and tickets cost £2 per child, and on Tuesday there are fun, songs and rhymes for young children from10.30am-11am. Every Thursday afternoon there is a chance to research local and family history from 1pm-4pm as free access to ancestry is available.

FOLK DANCING - The monthly folk dance evening at Ticklerton Village Hall will be held on Saturday, from 8pm.

SEVERN HOSPICE - A fundraising evening for the Severn Hospice will take place on Saturday at All Stretton village hall with live music from Whalebone, a high energy acoustic music group. Tickets cost £10 book by calling 01694 723378. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

FORAGE AND FEAST - On Sunday Acton Scott Historic Working Farm offers a forage and feast course from 10am-4pm. To reserve a place ring 01694 781307.

ST LAURENCE’S - St Laurence’s Church is arranging a bring and share meal at 5.30pm in the Parish Centre on Sunday followed by a youth service at 6.30pm.

HISTORY GROUP - The local history group will meet at the URC Hall at 2pm on Monday for a talk by Peter Francis on Images of Stiperstones Lead Mines.

ANNUAL ASSEMBLY - The Town Council annual assemble takes place at the Silvester Horne Institute on Tuesday at 7pm.

NETWORK - The Network meeting on Wednesday will be a members afternoon and will feature Bible characters starting at 2.30pm in the Methodist Hall.

LUCKY NUMBERS - The lucky numbers on the Mayfair lottery for March were 58, 329, 517 and 618 winning £100, £50, £20 and £10 respectively.

WORKSHOP - A lampshade-making workshop will be held at Mayfair Community Centre on April 24, from 2pm-4pm . Cost of the workshop is £25.

CANCER RESEARCH - On April 24, there will be a song and flowers evening at the Silvester Horne Institute with Jane Pugh together with music from the Stretton Singers. Tickets cost £10 and may be reserved by ringing 01694 722713. The event starts at 7.30pm.

QUIZ NIGHTS - A quiz night in aid of Pazapa is planned for April 24, at All Stretton Village Hall. Entry to the quiz is £5 per person. All welcome to take your own drinks and nibbles. Saturday night also offers a a quiz evening with Ken Willis at the District Social Club starting at 7.30pm in aid of the First Responders with National Lottery ticket prizes. Entry fee is £4.

CONCERT - The Rotary Club holds its spring concert on April 25, at Church Stretton School at 7.30pm, with Of One Accord . Tickets cost £7 including light refreshment and are being sold through Burway Books, John Thomas Florists and Wrights Estate Agents.

LADIES MEETING - The South Shropshire Interfaith Forum welcomes ladies and children of any faith or none to its meeting at The Pilgrim Centre in Craven Arms on April 25, from 2pm-4pm, when the theme of the meeting will be Easter and Passover.

FEAST OF MUSIC - A Feast of Music concert and buffet will be held at Rushbury Village Hall on April 25, at 7.30pm in aid of St Andrew’s Church, Hope Bowdler. To reserve tickets ring 01694 722300.