Bishops Castle

SCHOOL FUNDRAISERS - Doors open at 6pm for a prize bingo this evening, at Bishop’s Castle Primary School, with eyes down at 7pm. The Friends of the School are very grateful to Mo Parry who raised £446 on behalf of the school at a recent jumble sale in Bishop’s Castle Public Hall. The Friends are also selling tickets for a fashion show and clothes sale evening at the Community College on June 12. This features clothes by Shop2Drop Ltd in sizes eight to 20. More details soon. Call Sarah on 07967600702 to donate a bingo prize.

PAUL WINS MARKET AWARD - A market trader who runs a stall every week in Lydham Market near Bishop’s Castle has won an award as Shrewsbury Mayor’s Market Trader of the Year. Paul Amess began selling fresh fruit and vegetables in 1979 with his brother Roger. As well as buying stock at wholesalers in the Midlands, Paul grows his own produce on land in the Shropshire Hills and he says he was very surprised to be awarded the honour. “The winner is chosen by the customers who use the market,” he explains. “That makes it very special and I would like to thank everyone who voted for me.”

NEW HOURS FOR PHARMACY - Opening hours have changed at Bishop’s Castle Pharmacy and it will now close at 6pm on Monday and Thursday evenings. The new opening hours are Monday and Thursday 8.30am to 6pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.

CREDIT UNION HOURS - The information point for the Shropshire Credit Union in Bishop’s Castle will be open next on June 1 from 10am to noon in the Church Barn. It will be closed on Spring Bank Holiday.

ABBEYFIELD COFFEE - Everyone is welcome to come to a coffee morning at Abbeyfield House in Bishop’s Castle today, next Thursday, May 21 at 10.30am. As well as being a social event for Abbeyfield residents, volunteers and helpers, it’s a chance for local people to pop in for a chat and find out more about Abbeyfield House. There’s a raffle, too, and all donations go towards funding outings for the residents.

TOWN HALL MARKET - Fresh bread, preserves, organic fruit and vegetables, home-made cakes and pastries, crafts, wools and greetings cards are some of the things sold at the Thursday town market in Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. The market runs from 10am to 2pm and to find out more call 01588 630023.

RAILWAY SOCIETY TRIP - The Bishop’s Castle Railway Society’s annual trip on the Central Wales Line will take place on June 5. Guests are welcome to join members for an hour’s journey from Craven Arms to Llandrindod, travelling though some delightful scenery. On arrival there’s time for a short walk and maybe a visit to a pub before the return trip.

The train leaves Craven Arms at 6.54pm, arriving in Llandrindod at 7.56pm; on the return the train leaves at 9.19pm arriving back in Craven Arms at 10.20pm. There is no need to book a seat; just turn up and buy a ticket on the train. The cheap day return fare from Craven Arms is £6.70 and you can also get on the train at Shrewsbury, Church Stretton, Broome, Hopton Heath, Bucknell, Knighton and other stations. Call Keith Lucas on 07880 737045 or email kwlgm2@gmail.com.

WALCOT GARDEN TREASURES - The gardens of Walcot Hall in Lydbury North will be open on Sunday and Spring Bank Holiday as part of the National Gardens Scheme. Attractions include the mile-long lake, walled garden and arboretum, as well as hidden pools and other treasures. Some parts of the house will also be open and teas will be served in the ballroom. Opening times are 1.30pm to 5pm and tickets cost £3.50, children free.

OPERA A LA CARTE - This year’s opera at Walcot Hall in Lydbury North is Mozart’s masterpiece The Marriage of Figaro . Directed by Nicholas Heath and with Ben Woodward as musical director, the performances are in the ballroom June 5 and 6. Standard tickets cost £60 with champagne and the option to picnic in the gardens during the interval. Premium tickets are £95 with the champagne and a two-course dinner served during the interval. The gardens will be open from 5.30pm and the performance begins at 7.30pm. Call 01588 680570 for details.

BISHOP’S CASTLE DIARY May 21-27

THURSDAY

  • Coffee morning. Abbeyfield House, Oak Meadow, Bishop’s Castle 10.30am.
  • Bingo in aid of Friends of Bishop’s Castle Primary School. School hall. 7pm.
  • Footpath Walking Group. Bicton. Eight miles. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishop’s Castle. 9.30am. Call 01588 630446.
  • Lydham, More and Snead WI. ‘Midwifery in Africa’–Julia Rogers. Lydham Village Hall. 7.30pm. Call 01588 650315.
  • Lydbury North WI. ‘A Knitted Necklace, Hat and Tiara’- Karen Van Hoff. Lydbury North Village Hall. Visitors £3. 7.15pm; presentation at 7.50pm.

SATURDAY

  • Craft fair. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. Free. 10am-4pm. Call 01588 630023.
  • Live music in aid of community project in Borneo. Three Tuns, Bishop’s Castle. 7pm. Call 01588 680312 n Auction. Bishop’s Castle Public Hall. 8.30am. Bids 10am. Call 01743 233629/07974 118467 n Jumble and plant sale in aid of Edgton Church & village hall. Edgton village Hall. 2pm.

SUNDAY

  • NGS open garden and arboretum. Walcot Hall, Lydbury North. 1.30pm -5pm. Call 01588 680570. Continues Monday.
  • Beating the Bounds. Meet Wentnor Church. 2pm.

MONDAY

  • Art exhibition. Judy Osborne, Daphne Rankine and Stewart Rankine. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. Free. 10am-4pm. Mon-Sat. Call 01588 630023.
  • NGS open garden. Walcot Hall, Lydbury North. See above.

TUESDAY

  • Illustrated talk. ‘Offa’s Dyke’- Jim Saunders. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall . £3.50. 7.30pm. Call 01588 630023
  • Footpath Walking Group. Bromfield. 15 miles. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishop’s Castle. 9.30am. Call 01588 630531.
  • Lydbury North Village Hall AGM. Village Hall. 7.30pm.

WEDNESDAY

  • Cash bingo for charity. Bishop’s Castle Public Hall. 8pm.
  • SW Shropshire Gardening Club. ‘Make the Most of a Small Greenhouse’. Lydbury North Village Hall. 7.30pm.

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

 

Clows Top

CLOWS TOP AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB - May for many gardeners is one of the best months in the garden, with the freshness of spring and the promise of an even better summer full of colour. A wide selection of summer bedding plants will be on show at the nurseries and garden centres. But, as in April, resist buying too early unless you have a frost-free greenhouse, conservatory or cold frame to keep them in, as the majority of these plants are still quite tender.

The March meeting was the spring show and quiz. Members split up into teams of three or four for some light- hearted competition. The club would like to express many thanks to Derek Walker for judging the show, compiling and hosting the quiz. The show winners were 3rd Bob Marriott, 2nd Katherine Thornton, 1st and Best Exhibit won by Marion Wilson.

If you’re not a member then come along and 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. We have a great programme of speakers as well as evening visits to local gardens. Our garden club has a very friendly atmosphere, everyone is welcome. Don’t be afraid to come along, we are a garden club not a horticulture society, the membership is only £10 pa. However, non-members are welcome to any monthly meeting. Next meeting is Wednesday, the speaker will be ‘Leigh Griffiths’ with a talk entitled ‘Digging For Fun’.

Diary Dates: June 24, rose and sweet pea show, trees and things, Paul of LP Landscapes; July 22, chocolate, Nick Tristram- Eve; August 15, Clows Top summer show; August 26, wartime on Clee Hill, Alf Jenkins; September 23, autumn show, wildlife, nature and conservation, Patrick Clements; October 28, an evening with Derek Walker; November 25, AGM, members social evening Clows Top and District Gardening Club meet the 4th Wednesday in the calendar month at Clows Top Victory Hall, doors open 7.30pm, for the speaker at 8pm. Admission Fee: members £2 or non-members £4.

Free refreshments. Further details telephone Marion Wilson 01299 270475.

 

Clun

COUNCIL MEETING - The annual parish meeting of Clun Town Council with Chapel Lawn is tomorrow at Redlake Village Hall, starting at 7pm. All are welcome. There are vacancies for councillors in both Clun and Chapel Lawn wards. Applications would be welcome.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - What We Did On Our Holiday (12A) tomorrow 8pm, at Clungunford Village Hall.

Comedy/drama starring David Tennant, Rosamund Pike, Billy Connolly, Celia Imrie and Ben Miller star in this feature film adaptation of the winning formula behind BBC smash-hit sitcom Outnumbered. As Doug, his wife Abi and their three children prepare to travel up to the Scottish Highlands for Doug’s father Gordie’s birthday, they fail to give their children a list of things that are to be kept secret. Entrance £4 adults, £2 children. Licensed bar, ice creams, raffle, good car parking. Tel: 01588 660727 Ann or 01588 660781 Maureen, maureenrooney2012@ gmail.com for enquiries and reservations.

COFFEE MORNING - On Saturday there will be a coffee morning in Hightown Community Room from 10-11.30am in aid of Hightown Community Room. Tea, coffee, cakes and all the usual stalls.

RADNOR COTTAGE GARDEN OPEN - Pam and David Pittwood will once again be opening their beautiful garden at Radnor Cottage on Tuesday. Entry £3, accompanied children free. Teas and plants for sale. All proceeds will go to charities, mostly through the National Garden Scheme to Macmillan Nurses, Marie Curie Cancer Care, the National Trust and various small charities with nursing/ gardening links. Local twenty percent to Clun Methodist Church.

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

TOUR D’ARTS ALIVE DOES THE TON - Arts Alive’s fantastic day of cycling and free arts events, the Tour d’ Arts Alive, has passed another milestone with over 100 cyclists registered for the cycling event, the Clun Sportive, on June 28. With a choice of a professionally-designed, challenging 100km ride for the serious cyclist or 50km for the slightly less adventurous, the Clun Sportive offers everyone over 16 with a bike the chance for a glorious ride through the south Shropshire countryside.

With six weeks to go there’s still time to register – and to get a few practice rides in if you’ve been a bit lazy over the winter! Full details for cyclists at: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/ events/details/123915/The-Clun- Sportive. Family members, friends, those who prefer to watch rather than take part, the cyclists themselves and anyone who just appreciates a fun day out can take advantage of a whole range of free arts events in the delightful village of Clun, where the rides start and finish. There’ll be a whole range of bike-themed activities, live music and workshops for children and their families. The Tour d’ Arts Alive is a collaboration between arts charities Arts Alive and Flicks in the Sticks, and professional bike tour company Rideventures. It’s a fundraiser for the charities, to help combat the shortfall created by drastic public spending cuts to the arts.

Please visit www.artsalive.co.uk/tour for full details about the Tour d’Arts Alive, and follow @TourdeArtsAlive and @Rideventures on twitter for updates.

 

Little Hereford

COFFEE MORNING - Little Hereford WI coffee morning, 10.30am til noon, Saturday at Little Hereford Parish Hall. Bring and buy, plants, raffle £1 to include coffee.

 

Mamble Cum Bayton

W I - The May meeting was the Institute’s AGM and also discussion on the resolution to be heard at the NFWI AGM in June. President Val Evans welcomed the WIA Sylvia Perkins and also a visitor. Several members will be attending the screening of the National AGM at the Regal Cinema, Tenbury Wells on June 4.

Initial plans were made for a fundraising event in August at Mamble Village Hall.

The AGM began with the treasurer’s report which was proposed and seconded. Secretary Lyn Bowen gave a comprehensive report on the year’s activities and president Val Evans thanked the committee for their help and all the members for their support during the year. WIA Sylvia Perkins spoke about the importance of this year, being the centenary of the WI in the UK and she read a poem she had written in 1997, the centenary of the WI being founded in Canada.

The resolution to be discussed at the AGM in June “asked HM Government to remove the distinction between nursing care and personal care in the assessment of the needs of individuals, in order to advance health and wellbeing”. This created a lot of discussion and our delegate was advised of our voting. The committee was re-elected and Val Evans was re-elected as president.

The next meeting is the outing to Ralph Court Gardens on June 12. The next meeting at Mamble Village Hall will be on July 13 at 7.30pm. Mr J Boynton will speak about “Britain thro’ my Camera”.

 

Tenbury

SPRING TABLE SALE - Will be held, inside and outside Tenbury Methodist Church Hall and garden, on Saturday, from 10am. There will be many local charitable organisations taking part, but there are still tables available at £5 each. A large and varied selection of goods and delicious refreshments will be available on the day. All are welcome! Please contact 01584 781462 for more details.

COFFEE MORNING - Tenbury Bowling Club, next to the Burgage, is holding a coffee morning on Spring Bank Holiday, 10am to noon. Tea or coffee and a scone £1. Cake stall, bric-a-brac, raffle, fun games. All welcome and try a new experience...bowls, equipment available. Any queries contact 01584 811112.

GIRLGUIDING JUMBLE SALE - Saturday, 10am – noon. Tenbury Scout and Guide Hut.

MOWER RACING - Sunday, Palmers Meadow, Tenbury Wells. Practice starts 11.30pm, racing starts 1pm. Admission and car parking free. Bouncy Castle, beer, food. Donation to the Tenbury Mayor’s Charity. WMLMRA – West Midlands Lawnmower Racing Association Ltd.See us on Facebook

ZUMBA FITNESS - In the Pump The display of vintage Land Rovers in the outer Bailey Rooms, Tenbury Wells, every Tuesday at 8.30pm. Only £2 per session. Just come, have fun and enjoy! For more information and to book: 07444 063031.

 

The Strettons

BRIDGE CLUB - Bridge Club meets every Thursday afternoon at All Stretton Village Hall from 1.30pm-5pm and lifts from Church Stretton can be arranged to this small friendly social bridge club which is one of over 40 clubs in Shropshire. Entry fee is £2 which includes refreshments. Improvers’ courses and practice sessions are available to book by ringing Dom on 01694 723128.

MAYFAIR EVENTS - A spring coffee morning takes place at Mayfair Community Centre this morning from 10am-noon and a spring Whitsun fun afternoon with quizzes and games, teas and raffle at 2pm on Tuesday will be held in Daycare.

Mayfair is encouraging everyone to vote for them in the Aviva Community Fund which is worth £25,000 to the winner, so log on to htpps;//community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/ and put Mayfair Makeover 4 Meals in the project box and then go on and vote when your confirmation email comes through.

FRIDAY MARKET - The Friday Market is held at Mayfair Community centre and is open from 8.30am-noon selling home- made cakes, produce and craft items.

AT THE HORNE - Friday night at the Horne welcomes The Hurling Brothers to entertain in the Silvester Horne Institute starting at 7.30pm. There will be a bar. Ticket sales are through Burway Books, John Thomas Florists and the Town Council offices and cost £10. Some may be available at the door.

BOOK SALE - Local Rotarians are hosting a book sale in aid of Mayfair tomorrow and Saturday at the URC Hall from 10am-3.30pm each day.

CHILDREN’S THEATRE - An Arts Alive Children’s Theatre event will take place at All Stretton Village Hall on Sunday at 11am and again at 2.30pm. The title of the show is ‘The Boy who bit Picasso’. Tickets cost £8 and £5 and can be reserved by ringing 01694 723378.

SCHOOL NEWS - The under 11 girls’ football team from St Lawrence’s Primary School emerged as winners in the South Shropshire county cup in the final held at Shrewsbury Town’s Football Stadium, and the under 10s team finished as runners- up. Thanks to all pupils who helped on the day including the ten ball boys and girls.

The pupils in year two and year six will be doing SATs, and peer mediation training will be undertaken by a group of pupils. A full Health and Safety audit has been carried out to ensure that pupils are safe when at school.

At Church Stretton School the inter- house rugby matches have been played and pupils from Stokesay Primary School were also invited along to play their own match.

PIT STOP - On Tuesday there will be a Pit Stop Pentecost Holiday Special from 1pm-3pm.with crafts, games, fun and food organised around the theme of Pentecost. Cost for a family is £4 reservations should be made by ringing 01694-722588.

FOOD BANK - The Food Bank is running low on UHT milk, pasta and pasta sauce, tinned fruit, fruit juices, dried or tinned potatoes, cereals, coffee and toilet rolls. Please ensure donated items are in date and thanks to everyone who helps in this way by depositing goods in the container at the Co Op.

SMALLHOLDERS - The South Shropshire Smallholders meet at Leebotwood Village Hall once a month on Thursday evenings. At the April meeting Andy Cawthray was the speaker on the subject of chickens, and spoke about how to rear chicks using either broody hens or incubators. It was important to test the eggs for fertility on day seven so that infertile ones can be removed. If the hatches produce many cockerels at least these can be reared for table particularly if they are from Sussex stock which are a heavier breed of poultry.

The Smallholders group will be at Burwarton Show on August 6, and at Minsterly Show on August 8, with their own stand. Road users may like to know that the speed for agricultural machinery has been slightly increased.

ARCHERY - If you would like to try your hand at archery, the Longmynd Archers are hosting an open day on May 30, at New House farm (SY6 7JH) offering half-hour slots from 10am-noon and 1pm-3pm. Cost per session is £5 per adult and £3 for children.

BLUES’ N’ ROOTS - The Blues and Roots festival returns to Church Stretton again this year on May 30, at the Rectory Field (Sy6 6BY) starring Natty, Kaz Hawkins and her Band o’Men, Gary Hall, Washington Reed, Cooper and Davies, The Big Sets, Beth Prior and Matthew Falloon.

There will also be circus skills and fun activities for the children. Gates open at noon. Tickets are from BluesnRoots.co.uk and the Kings Arms, and some may be available at the gate.

COMMUNITY CINEMA - Paddington will be screened at Church Stretton School on June 1. The film stars Nicole Kidman, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters and Jim Broadbent and features the passion of a young Peruvian bear for all things British when he travels to London in search of a home. Doors open at 7pm and refreshments are always available. Admission is £4 and £2 for students, NATIONAL THEATRE - An encore showing of Man and Superman at Church Stretton School on June 11, stars Ralph Fiennes as Jack Tanner in Bernard Shaw’s witty, provocative classic.

The theatre dining experience is again available and includes a two- course supper with wine, coffee and treats at a cost of £13 per head with serving starting from 5.30pm and must be booked in advance by ringing the school on 01694 722209 where your £11 theatre tickets will also be reserved.

The show starts at 7pm and tickets can also be pre-booked for those not dining. Some tickets may be available at the door.

FOREST GARDENING - A forest gardening week-end workshop led by Chris Evans is available at Karuna, on June 6 and 7. The workshops looks at visualising, planning, establishing, harvesting and maintaining a forest garden with theory and hands- on experience. Ring 01694 751374 to book in or find out more.

OUTING - The Church Stretton Gardening Club is planning a visit to Hodnet Hall gardens near Market Drayton on June 9, starting at 10am- 4pm. Coach fare is £6.50 and entrance to the gardens is also £6.50. To enquire for places on the coach ring 01694 720131.