Bishops Castle

BIKE WEEK EVENTS – New Street Cycles in Bishop’s Castle is joining in with National Bike Week which begins on Monday. On that day you can come along for a free bike check from 6pm to 8pm. No booking required. On Tuesday, Wednesday and next Thursday, June 18, there is a chance to learn useful bike safety checks and how to make minor adjustments to your bike including gears, brakes and tyres. Drop in sessions are free and run 6pm-8pm. Under 16s must be with an adult. Last bike week event is an open day at New Street Cycles on June 27. You can try out their electric cycles. Call 01588 638060 or email newstreetgarage@btconnect.com for more details.

FOUR CORNERS HANDICRAFTS – Mainstone WI met in the village hall for their May meeting with Sandra Davies presiding. Members heard that Anne Lewis had been invited to the Buckingham Palace garden party. Shelia Leeke gave a report on the annual council meeting where Jane Fairweather, a Mainstone WI member, won the Huxley Cup for a machine embroidered necklace. The evening had a Four Corners Handicrafts display and Jane Fairweather showed her machine embroidery while Sheila Leeke shared the secrets of painting with lemon juice on fabric dyed with permanganate of potash. Caroline Pye and Pat Mullard used potato printing to make greetings cards while Ingrid Hartung also showed how to make cards for all occasions. Lynne Higgs gave the vote of thanks.

HAILE SELASSIE’S VISIT RECALLED – Bishop’s Castle Town Hall Trust is creating an archive of memories of the newly-renovated building which is 250 years old this year. Following a successful town hall memories afternoon in May, there is another bring and share event in the hall on Sunday at 2pm. Admission is free and you can get a free lift with Dial a Ride by calling 01588 638350. Evelyn Bowles, a town hall trustee, explains, “Images of past mayors, town clerks and councillors were brought to the event in May, along with photos and press cuttings relating to the 1938 visit of the ousted Emperor of Abyssinia, Haile Selassie. Unsurprisingly not all the subjects in the photos have been identified and we are after the missing names.”

“We are also keen to have memories of a wider range of events at the Town Hall,” adds Patricia Theobald, from Bishop’s Castle Heritage Resource Centre, one of the event organisers.

“We know for example, that Brownies and Scouts met here, together with dances and Christmas poultry markets. All memories, whether they consist of formal or informal photos, letters to and from town hall officials, or a simple story shared with us, are equally valuable. Each person who brings us something potentially holds a vital piece of the jigsaw we are building of the town in living memory. Just the sort of material we wish we had from much earlier times and which we want to preserve for the future.” Light refreshments will be served. Call Evelyn Bowles 01588 638851 to find out more.

CARNIVAL SHOP WINDOW COMPETITION – Bishop’s Castle Town Hall is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year and carnival is marking the event with its annual shop window competition. Shops and businesses in the town will be invited to dress their windows with a town hall anniversary theme and there are prizes and certificates for all the winners. Bishops Castle Town Hall recently underwent a major renovation. It is a Grade II* listed building and is used as a visitor information centre as well as for markets, weddings, and community events. It is also home to Bishop’s Castle town council.

CARNIVAL DOG SHOW – This year’s Bishop’s Castle carnival features a fun dog show on July 5. Classes include best puppy entered by six-12 year olds; best looking dog/bitch; best rescued dog; dog with most appealing eyes; dog with waggiest tail; best veteran dog (over seven); best handler class (five-14 years) and best six legs in show. Entrants can apply on day at the show. £1per entrant. Call Dick Halliwell on 01588 660448 for information. Bishop’s Castle carnival begins with a parade through the town at 1pm and an afternoon of fun on the playing fields at 2pm.

THURSDAY MARKET – Don’t forget that the Thursday market is open at Bishop’s Castle Town Hall every week from 10am to 2pm selling cakes, fruit and vegetables, bread, pottery, baskets and crafts.

MUSEUM 100 CLUB – May draw for the 100 club in aid of the Bishop’s Castle House on Crutches Museum Collection Trust: Shirley Gould won £18.25, Brian and Margaret Wells £10.95 and Ros Gillard £7.30.

SUMMER MENU AT WI – Bishop’s Castle WI held their meeting on May 19,when Milly Rees from Milly’s Menus gave cookery demonstration. Members were shown how to make a spicy carrot dip, beetroot and goats cheese terrine, green risotto with trout and summer berries with white chocolate sauce dessert. Everything was made from scratch within the hour and Milly’s audience enjoyed tasting the dishes themselves.

LIGHT AND SHADE – The next Poets’ Corner has the theme light and shade. It will be at Sue Grimes’ house in Brocton at 3.30pm today. Call Bryan Podmore on 01588 620541 for more details and to book high tea at a cost of £6.

MORE WINNERS – Alison Davies won the top prize in May for the More monthly draw. Stuart Wassel and B Young were second and third. In April the winners were Ann Williams, E Hudson and Charlotte Swanson.

MAYTIME WINNERS – May draw of the Lydham Church 100 Club: Gladys Higgs won £23.50, Peter Jones won £14.10 and Sandra Jones won £9.40. If you want to join the club call Jimmy Garnier on 01588 638486.

BISHOP’S CASTLE DIARY June 11-17

THURSDAY: Film. Wild (15). SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £4.50/£3.7pm. 01588 63032/ 638038.

  • Thursday market. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. Weekly. 10am.
  • Poets' Corner. Home of Sue Grimes, Brocton. 3.30pm. Book high tea on 01588 620541.
  • Footpath Walking Group. Churchtown. 10 miles. Meet Harley Jenkins Street car park, Bishop's Castle. 9.30am. 01588 640792.
  • Norbury and District WI. Corn Dollies – Bernard Edwards. Crown Inn, Wentnor. 7.30pm. 01588 650671.
  • Art exhibition by Judy Osborne, Stewart Rankine and Daphne Rankine. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. Ends June 27. 01588 630023.

FRIDAY: Karen Tweed (accordion) in concert. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. £8/£10 on door. 8pm. 01588 638242.

SATURDAY: Tabletop sale in aid of Target 250. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. 10am. Book table on 01588 630023.

  • Beginners crochet. Sheep-ish, Market Steps, Bishop's Castle. 10am. 01588 630421.

SUNDAY: Bishop’s Castle garden trail. £4. Start at Bishop’s Castle Church gate. 2pm-6pm.

  • M & J Travel day trip to Bourton on the Water. 01588 640273.
  • Bishop's Castle Town Hall memories bring and share afternoon. Free.2pm. 01588 638851.

MONDAY: National Bike Week. Bike check. Free. New Street Cycles, Bishop’s Castle. 6pm-8pm. 01588 638060.

n Pilates for beginners –Vicky Robson. Bishop's Castle Town Hall.

Weekly 6pm-7pm. 01588 630099.

TUESDAY: National Bike Week. Bike maintenance drop in. New Street Cycles, Bishop’s Castle. Free. 6pm- 8pm. Continues June 17 and 18. 01588 638060.

  • Bishop's Castle Town Council meeting. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. 8pm. 01588 638141.
  • Bishop's Castle WI. Members night. 01588 638 638507.

WEDNESDAY: Footpath Walking Group. Church Stretton. Eight miles. Meet Harley Jenkins Street car park, Bishop’s Castle. 9.30am. 01694 723921.

  • Onny Valley Social Club. Outing to Llandudno. 07530 687497.

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

 

Bitterley

BITTERLEY WI – At the AGM of Bitterley WI, Alvis Cummings, president, gave her report for the year, the secretary gave a résumé of the talks and events. This was followed by the treasurer’s report. There was a vote of thanks for the retiring officers and some of the committee for the work they had done. Sue Marsh was elected president, with Mary Pritchard as vice president.

Dot Griffiths and Kath Watkins were joint overall winners of the flower of the month. Kath Watkins also won the monthly competition.

The chosen charity this year is Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. The evening concluded with bingo and a bring and share supper. Talk designs was the theme of the May meeting.

Mary Pritchard, vice president, welcomed members. Sandra Roberts read the minutes, which were endorsed. Mary thanked the members who had helped at the recent successful table top sale. Outings for the summer were discussed, with a group outing to Trentham Gardens on June 29, a visit to the Wedgwood Museum on September 9, a coffee morning to be held in September and the group meeting at Caynham and Ashford.

Mary Jane Millard, delegate, gave a comprehensive report of the spring council meeting held at Shrewsbury.

She is also going as link delegate to the AGM London. Members were asked about the motion to be debated and advised Mary Jane how she was to vote.

The speaker, Cynthia Preston-Jones Bucknell, was then introduced to the meeting, who gave us a flower arranging demonstration. As she was doing the arrangements with some attractive foliage flowers she gave us some useful tips.

Each arrangement had a theme which she related to a story or event, also how she changed her life-style from being a schoolteacher to her interest in flower arranging and demonstrating. She was thanked by Christine Crathorne for the enjoyable talk. Four members went home with an arrangement, as they were the draw prizes. Hostesses for the evening were Christine Crathorne, Mel Osell, Alma Partridge. Flowers of the month: 1st Sheila Griffiths, 2nd Dot Griffiths, 3rd Mary Pritchard.

Competition, something beginning with U: 1st Ruth Bootman, 2nd Kath Watkins, 3rd Rosalie Fish.

The next meeting will be a garden meeting at the home of Sandra Roberts next Thursday, June 18, with a bring and share supper.

 

Cleeton St Mary

BINGO – Tomorrow, eyes down at 8pm, in Cleeton St Mary village hall.

COFFEE MORNING – Saturday 10am at Cleeton St Mary Church.

DANCE – June 20, 8pm, dance to the music of Tony Hughes, pay on door £5, at Cleeton St Mary village hall.

 

Clows Top

CLOWS TOP SHOP – The Steering Group are holding a public meeting tonight at 7.30pm in Clows Top Victory Hall to ask residents to help the project move to the next stage. If you want a Community Shop, we now need your help to enable the project to move forward. The group have a representative from The Plunkett Foundation coming to the meeting and she will give a presentation on established Community Shops and can answer questions that are raised on the night. The Foundation help communities such as ours on the process of establishing a Community Shop. We also have representatives from the PO to answer questions on a further PO in the village. People who have already offered to help will be contacted this week. If you are unable to attend the meeting but wish to be involved, please contact clerk Sue Burrows on 01299 832722 or E bayton_pc08@btinternet.com. We look forward to seeing you next week.

CLOWS TOP BINGO – Next session is tomorrow, eyes down for 7.30pm.

 

Clun

NEWCASTLE GARDEN SOCIETY – Ross Bissell will talk about the garden at Moors Meadow and its plants at today’s meeting of Newcastle Garden Society. Moors Meadow is an inspirational seven acre organic hillside garden near Bromyard, recognised for its phenomenal range of plant and wildlife species, its originality of design and its intriguing features and sculptures. It features a kitchen garden, large herbaceous beds and borders, cottage style gardens and meandering paths leading through shrubberies, a grass garden and fernery, wildflowers meadow, lake, dingle, oak circle and numerous water features. Voted most romantic garden in Central England by Gardeners World magazine and features in many publications. Ross will describe the development of the garden and talk about some of its interesting plants. At Newcastle Community Centre, starting at 7.30pm. For more information, contact Stan Wild 01588 640241.

FILLING STATION FAMILY PICNIC – Instead of the regular June meeting, the Clun Valley Filling Station will be holding a family picnic tomorrow. It starts at 6pm with a picnic, entertainment and children’s activities, followed by singing and a thought-provoking presentation on healing, led by David Bruce from Holy Trinity Church, Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, with further craft activities for children. Everyone is welcome, but children must be accompanied. There is no charge for the meal, but donations are always welcome. To book, contact Brian Angell 01588 640029.

CLUN CHURCHES – There is a United Churches service at St George’s Church, Clun on Sunday at 9.45am. The theme will be gardens.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS – The Imitation Game (12A) is showing at Clungunford Parish Hall on June 19, at 8pm. £4 adults £2 children. Licensed bar, ice creams, raffle, car parking. Tel: 01588 660727 Ann or 01588 660781 Maureen for enquiries and reservations.

JUNE PRODUCE MARKET CANCELLED – The produce market has been cancelled this month as it would clash with the Clun Gardens Open on Saturday. Next market will be on the third Saturday in August.

CLUN GARDENS OPEN – Clun residents have generously been opening their gardens for charity for thirty years. On June 20 and 21, there will once again be a chance to visit many of the glorious gardens of Clun. More details next week or you can check the new website, clungardensopen.co.uk, which includes maps, details of the gardens, tickets and photographs.

GET PLANTING FOR NEWCASTLE SHOW – This year’s show competition will be container planting. It does not have to be conventional – anything from baking trays to boots.

SHROPSHIRE HILLS SHUTTLE – Shuttle bus runs every weekend and Bank Holiday Mondays until October 4. For details, see shropshirehillsshuttles.co.uk.

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

 

Craven Arms

KADOS CONCERT – Songs from the shows and the 60s. July 4, 7.30pm St Michael’s Church, Munslow, Craven Arms SY7 9EU. Tickets will be £7. Further information from Rev John Beesley 01584 841488.

 

Eastham

EASTHAM GARDEN CLUB - The next meeting is on June 23. The speaker will be Julia Scott from the Victorian Walled Garden in Worcester, where she and her husband have been gardening organically for many years. Meeting starts at 7.30pm, come early if you want a bargain from the plant stall. £2.50 to include refreshments. Come and join us, all welcome. For more information, visit eastham gardenclub.co.uk.

 

Little Hereford

CONCERT – Thank you to everyone who helped and supported our concert. The Police Male Voice Choir was excellent as was soprano soloist Hope. Many thanks, the proceeds of over £500 will go towards tarmac for the church drive.

 

Norbury

NORBURY AND DISTRICT WI – From time to time, events arise that cause a change in our usual venue; this was the case for Norbury and District WI May evening. For those unaware, our new hall is being built as I write.

So, for the very first time we all met at a pub – The Crown Inn, Wentnor on May 14. Shaun and Steve (the licensees) very kindly offered us their function room to hold our meeting.

Our president, Rita Preston, welcomed everyone including visitors and new members. Business was commenced with much news of many past and forthcoming events for Norbury and District WI. There were loads of interesting things to sign up for – Royal Albert Hall AGM; Centennial Fair at Harrogate; canoeing on river Severn combined with a steam train ride; our own trip to Portmeirion to name but a few. Rita gave a worthy report on the county AGM. Several of our ladies went along to Theatre Severn to enjoy it, included were two very inspiring speakers. The theatre was filled with many of Shropshire WI ladies – several ladies donned their glamorous hats to celebrate the WI’s 100th centenary, the outgoing Mayor of Shrewsbury remarked how splendid the audience looked and she snapped a picture for her album.

Reminder: darts practice is each Monday evening at The Crown, Wentnor.

The second change of plan for tonight was our speaker Stuart Toulson. Sadly due to bereavement he was unable to come long. All was not lost as one of our members Jo Mitton-Gore very kindly gave us a ‘My Job talk’ on her own experience as a paramedic. Jo managed to spare us too many gory details; her talk was very professional and informative. During the talk Jo had put together a video showing an ambulance negotiating its way through Worcester. Jo’s talk was very appropriate for Shaun and Steve as they are raising funds for a defibrillator to be positioned outside The Crown. Anyone who knows this beautiful location will know the importance of this lifesaver. The supper sandwiches were provided by Shaun and Steve, cakes by Mary Atkins and Sue Pinches. The competition, homemade jam/marmalade, was judged by Shaun. 1st Brenda Jones, 2nd Wendy Oakley, 3rd Jayne Godsman. The new hall is not quite ready so, the next meeting will be tonight, 7.30pm, at The Crown Inn, Wentnor. Visitors always welcome.

 

Stoke Bliss and Kyre

RACE NIGHT – Is being held at Stoke Bliss and Kyre Village Hall on June 20. Starts at 7.30pm. Entrance £10, which includes buffet supper. Bar available. Contract Jan on 01885 410588 or 410598 to book supper by next Thursday, June 18. Proceeds go towards village hall funds.

 

Tenbury

SUMMER FETE – At Tenbury Primary School, June 19, 5.30pm start. Refreshments, ice cream, barbecue, bar, raffles, jumble sale, bric a brac, cakes, plants, bouncy castle, toys, books, skittles, coconut shy and much much more. Please come along there is loads to see and buy.

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION – The next meeting of the Tenbury Wells Branch is on Wednesday at the Fountain Inn, Oldwood Road, Tenbury Wells, commencing at 8pm.

GREAT WITLEY OPERATIC SOCIETY – Following its recent highly acclaimed production of Fiddler on the Roof , GWOS (Great Witley Operatic Society) will be performing a concert Into the West End at The Regal Theatre, Tenbury Wells, on June 27, at 7.30pm. Come with us into the West End and experience the best of musical theatre with music by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sondheim, Schwartz and many more. Music from The Sound of Music , Phantom of the Opera , Sweeney Todd , Into the Woods and Chess to name but a few. Tickets £10 – 01905 425299 or info@gwos.net.

 

The Strettons

AMNESTEA – Tasty treats and a cuppa on offer at Culmore in Clive Avenue 2-5pm in aid of Amnesty International today. All welcome.

MAYFAIR COMMUNITY CENTRE – There will be a straw hat and Pimm’s garden party starting at Mayfair Community Centre today at 2pm, with entertainment in the Jubilee Room. Tomorrow there is to be a cheese and wine pairing evening at 7pm for 7.30pm when Martin Moyden of Moyden’s Handmade Cheese and Lee Grafton of Telford Wines will be on hand to a talk about varieties of cheese and suitable wines to accompany them. Six handmade cheeses will be available to try, together with wine chosen specifically to complement each cheese. Tickets £12 and the evening is limited to 50 places.

The Mayfair Community Centre is appealing for volunteers to help with washing up, waiting at table, chatting to people in day care and helping and befriending people in their own homes with the Compassionate Communities project, which has training days during June.

Drivers and admin volunteers for Ring and Ride, and IT support volunteers during the drop-in sessions on Wednesdays 1-3pm. More information about these volunteering opportunities, call Angela 01694 722077.

THEATRE ENCORE – Theatre encore showing of Man in Ring with Ralph Fiennes will be held at Church Stretton School tonight at 7pm. Reserve tickets on 01694 722209 or pay on the door if space. Admission £11 adults and £5 students.

FRIDAY MARKET – Open 8.30am- noon at Mayfair Community Centre selling homemade cakes, produce and craft items.

CRAFTS – Craft sessions are available for children every Saturday morning at Scrappies and the library is also running a craft session on Saturday for all ages, 2.30pm- 3.30pm.

SUMMER CONCERT – The More Singers present a summer concert at the URC on Saturday at 7.30pm under the heading of ‘A potpourri of choral delights’. Tickets cost £8 from Burway Books, John Thomas Florists, choir members and may also be available at the door.

PROMS – The Last Night of the Proms will be the theme of an outdoor event at Easthope on Saturday with a live band playing traditional music, and also a ukulele band to accompany the flag waving and singing. A bar and barbecue will also be available. Tickets cost £6 and should be reserved by ringing 01746 785250 or 785192.

FORAGE AND FEAST – A Forage and Feast course is planned to take place at Acton Scott Working Farm on Sunday from 10am-4pm. The cost is £80 including lunch. Ring for details on 01694 781307.

PITSTOP – St Laurence’s Church will be organising a Pitstop afternoon on Sunday with games, crafts, activities, songs and a meal from 2-5pm at the parish centre. Ring 01694 722588 for information.

OPEN GARDENS – The gardens of Cardington village will be open on Sunday from noon to 6pm.

LIBRARY – Rhymetime for the under 3s takes place on Tuesday 10.30am- 11am offering fun, songs and rhymes. On Thursday afternoons there are local and family history sessions 1-4pm with free internet access to Ancestry. Volunteers are available to assist with the research if needed.

NETWORK – An Any Questions panel will be on hand for the Network meeting on Wednesday in the Methodist Hall at 2.30pm.

AGM – Strettons Mayfair Trust holds its AGM on Wednesday at 7pm in the Mayfair Community Centre.

SSIF – The South Shropshire Interfaith Forum held a well-attended food and faith evening in the Craven Arms Community Centre recently. During the evening there were talks about the various ways food is prepared for the Muslim and Jewish tables and also about vegetarianism for certain other faiths. A buffet of shared food was available for all to enjoy and the meeting was rounded off with a question-and- answer session about the cultural food traditions spoken of before.

FUN DAY – There will be a fun day and fete at Acton Scott Historic Working Farm on June 20, and admission to the fete is £1.

WILDLIFE WALK – The RSPB is planning wildlife walks on the Longmynd on June 20, led by Trevor Halsey, with the opportunity to enjoy either a half-day or full-day walk meeting at 10am at Pole Cottage car park. Ring 01694 724268 to find out more.

FOLK DANCE – June 20 is the date of the next folk dance evening at Ticklerton village hall, starting at 8pm led by Dot and Ron Cox, who are on hand to show the way. All welcome.

QUIZ NIGHT – Ken Willis will be question master at a quiz night at Mayfair Community Centre June 20.

FUN DAY – Church Stretton Magpies football team is hosting a family fun day on Russell’s Meadow playing field from 12 noon to 4pm on June 21. There will be a football tournament, barbecue, refreshments, cake stall and side shows at the event.

CENTENARY SERVICE – Centenary service for St Dunstan’s will take place in St Laurence’s Church on June 21, 3.30pm followed by refreshments in the Parish Centre. At 6.30pm Alistair Magowan, Bishop of Ludlow, will be the speaker at a celebration evening.