Bishop’s Castle

PURSE ROBBERY - A woman from Bishop’s Castle was the victim of a robbery in the town centre on October 29. Her purse, containing money and a number of cards, was stolen from her bag and although she prefers to remain anonymous, the 76-year-old wants to warn other people to be careful when they are out shopping. The robbery happened at 11.15am when she was in the Bishop’s Castle Dogsbodies charity shop in the High Street. As she began to leave a man in his 20s blocked her way in the narrow doorway, while two young women crowded in on both sides of her. She asked the man to let her pass which he eventually did, causing other people in the shop to remark on his rudeness. The victim then walked down the steps of the shop and crossed the road to enter Bishop’s Castle Co-op. Here she realised her purse was missing and she quickly returned to Dogsbodies where shop assistants helped her search the shop. The woman believes the trio, who were dark skinned, lifted the purse from her bag. She quickly cancelled her bank card and other cards and contacted the police.

HOSPITAL GROUP AGM - The Friends of Bishop’s Castle Community, Care Home and Hospital hold their AGM in the Church Barn 7pm, November 24. Guest speaker, Paul Cronin, is chief executive of Severn Hospice. Members of the group are encouraged to stand for the committee which meets every two months at Bishop’s Castle Community Hospital and Stone House alternately. Call 01588 638338 for more information.

AUCTION FOLLOWS BOOK SALE SUCCESS - £1510 was raised by the sale of books, CDs and DVDs in Bishop’s Castle Town Hall on October 25. Organiser Evelyn Bowles said she was thrilled with the total and thanked everyone involved for their help over the weekend. “Now we are looking forward to the community auction at the town hall on Saturday when local residents can sell good quality second-hand and antique items. Viewing is 4pm to 7pm tomorrow and from 9.30am Saturday, with bidding starting at 10.30am. The auctioneer is David Bryan Jones from Halls. Sellers pay a flat fee of £5 with buyers paying 15 percent commission on the bid price. All proceeds will go to the Bishop’s Castle Town Hall Trust.” Call 01588 630023.

HOT AND HEARTY QUIZ - Mainstone Village Hall is the venue for a quiz night and supper on Saturday. It begins at 7pm with a hearty and hot two-course meal, followed by the quiz. The evening is in aid of the village hall and Mainstone Church funds and costs £10 per head. There’s also a bar and a raffle. Call 01588 620028 for details.

LOCAL CHOICES FOR FUTURE - Energy, Transport and Land Use – Future Local Choices is the title of a meeting of Bishop’s Castle Climate Change Group tomorrow. Starting at 7.30pm in the Three Tuns there will be a discussion as well as a talk by Gordon Coppock from the Kington Community Solar Co-op.

CIVIC SOCIETY AWARDS - A world expert on orchids will be the guest speaker at the annual awards meeting of Bishop’s Castle Civic Society. Dr Henry Oakeley has strong family connections with Bishop’s Castle and will be talking about medicinal plants at Bishop’s Castle Methodist Hall on November 24. The evening begins at 7.30pm. Awards for the best kept gardens and buildings in the town will be given out at the event, which includes refreshments.

HARVEST HELPS ETHIOPIA - Following their harvest celebration members of Bishop’s Castle Methodist Church gave a donation of £262 to the Methodist Relief and Development Fund for their work in Ethiopia.

FOOTBALL BINGO DONATION - Norbury Football Club raised £500 at their bingo evening in Wentnor. The total includes a generous donation.

BISHOP’S CASTLE DIARY November 12-18

TOMORROW

  • Vasen. Live music from Sweden. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £12/£7. 7.30pm. 01588 630321/638038.
  • Learn 18th-century dances. Alphabet Dancers. Lydham Village Hall. £2.50. 8pm. 01743 891117.
  • Norbury and Dist WI. AGM. Beetle drive. Norbury Village Hall. 7.30pm. 01588 650671.

SATURDAY

  • Jumble sale in aid of Sandford and Churchill Nursing Homes residents’ funds. Bishop’s Castle Public Hall. 2pm. 01588 630096.
  • M and J Travel. Chester shopping day trip. 01588 640273.
  • Community Auction in aid of Town Hall trust. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. 10.30am. 01588 638851.
  • Christmas fair in aid of Norbury Church. Norbury Village Hall 2pm.
  • Fun quiz and supper in aid of Mainstone Village Hall and Mainstone Church. Village Hall.

MONDAY

  • Citizens’ Advice. Enterprise House, Bishop’s Castle. Free.10am-noon. 08444 991100.
  • Craft workshop. Make a felted toadstool house – Nicola Knapton. Sheepish shop, Bishop’s Castle. £40. 01588 630421.
  • Quest Group. Meditation and Life Skills – Diane Milbery. Grange Rd Community Centre, Bishop’s Castle. 7.30pm. 01588 630648.

TUESDAY

  • Christian Aid AGM. Church Barn.
  • Sock Club. Knit and tea. Chai shop, Bishop’s Castle. 2pm. 01588 630435.
  • Bishop’s Castle WI AGM. Christmas Table – Jane Pugh. Methodist Hall, Bishop’s Castle. 7.15pm. 01588 638507.

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

 

Clows Top

GARDENING CLUB - Clows Top and District Gardening Club news. November can be a damp, raw month. Flowers may be scarce in the garden but there are many berries, evergreen foliage and trees with decorative bark to add interest on the dullest of days. Frosts can be quite frequent at night, especially when it is calm and clear. Cold winds from the east will make it feel much colder than it really is. November is also the perfect time to plant new roses in a well prepared site and don’t forget your spring flowering tulips.

At the September meeting Patrick Clements gave a talk and slide show entitled wildlife, nature and conservation. It was based on the work done by the Halesowen Wildlife Group.

Their role has been opening footpaths, renewing styles, creating ponds, laying hedges, building bird and bat boxes, all to encourage and help our wildlife. The evening was a success, everyone enjoyed the talk.

It was also the club’s autumn show. The show winners were 1st Bob Marriott, 2nd Austin Fletcher and 3rd Marion Wilson. Best exhibit Bob Marriott, many thanks to Anne for judging the show. 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. There is a great programme of speakers as well as evening visits to local gardens. The club has a very friendly atmosphere, everyone is welcome. It’s a garden club not a horticulture society, membership is £10 pa. Non-members are welcome to any monthly meeting. The next and last meeting this year is November 25, and will be the AGM and members’ social evening.

The first meeting in the new year will be on January 27. Jo Roche will give a talk entitled Abberley Hall and Clock Tower. Clows Top and District Gardening Club meet the fourth 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 call Marion Wilson 01299 270475, or e-mail: clowstopdistrictgardeningclub@hotmail.co.uk.

BINGO - A bingo session is being held at Clows Top Village Hall tomorrow, eyes down looking at 7.30pm prompt. Bayton School PTA are arranging this event and would welcome your support.

 

Clun

FILLING STATION - Newcastle Community Centre 7.30pm tomorrow. Not a garage, or indeed a church, this is a chance for Christians in rural areas to meet together socially and top up with “spiritual food” as much as for those who want to explore faith in a relaxed atmosphere. The Clun Valley FS began in 2013 and most of the original group who met then have become the core team, making sure the monthly meetings happen. People come to meetings from a wide area, representing many churches or none. A band to lead worship, a prayer team and visiting speakers are all in the mix – and there is tea, coffee and cake. New people especially welcome. All enquiries to: Brian Angell, clunvalleyfs@gmail.com and 01588 640029.

COMEDY MURDER MYSTERY - The Clungunford Players present: The Open Gardens Tragedy at Clungunford Village Hall, tomorrow and Saturday, 7pm, Clungunford Village Hall. A comedy murder mystery, set in the Clun Valley, £3 per person. Bring a plate of food for a shared supper and your own drink. Enquiries and tickets: Eileen 01588 660438 or Brian 01588 660653.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - Presents Slow West (15) at Chapel Lawn Village Hall, Saturdays past and present. Tea and cakes will be served and there is a raffle.

MEETING - Upper Clun Community Wildlife Group public meeting, next Thursday, November 19, Newcastle Community Centre, 7.30pm. All welcome – this group is for everyone in the community to celebrate local wildlife, not just for “experts”. The meeting will discuss results of conservation work in 2015 and plans and priorities for next year. Free entry, but donations are requested. There will be a raffle, tea and cake. Please inform Jacky Harrison on 01588 630666 if you are coming, so you can be catered for.

CORRESPONDENT - Ros Patching clunpatch@btinternet.com 01588 640772. Deadline Wednesday of week before publication (ie at least a week in advance of your event).

 

Little Hereford

CHRISTMAS FAIR - November 22, Christmas Fair at Little Hereford Parish Hall, 10am-12.30pm. Free entry and coffee. Cakes/preserves, books, gifts, tombola etc.

 

Rock

ROCK PATHFINDERS - Free guided walks along the footpaths and bridleways taking two to three hours, off the roads and into the countryside. The November walks will be 10.30am on Thursdays. Next Thursday, November 19, from Dog Lane Riverside car park, Bewdley DY12 2EG. OS ref 785755. Everyone welcome. For full programme visit rockpathfinders.webspace.virginmedia.com or rockvillagehall.co.uk or call Alan 01299 400304 or Jan 01299 832571.

 

Tenbury

MISTLETOE SEASON 2015 - December 5, Tenbury Wells, England’s Capital of Mistletoe. All-day free event. An artistic mix of professional, nationally acclaimed storytellers, poets, musicians, visual artists and street entertainers. For further information: tenburymistletoe.org/festival.html

TENBURY DOJO KARATE CLUB - We teach traditional Japanese Wado- ryu karate, one of the world’s most popular styles. Start training in this fascinating art. Learn to defend yourself effectively while getting strong, fit and flexible. Beginners’ course starting now, adults and teenagers. All abilities welcome, first session free. Burford Village Hall, Fridays 6pm- 7pm. Call Andy 07764 149251 or andyhanford@hotmail.com.

TENBURY TOWN BAND - Supporting our town at the following events: Cadmore Lodge Retirement Home opening, Saturday 2.30pm. Father Christmas parade, December 5; Burford Church Christmas tree festival, December 6 (2.30pm-4.30pm); Charity Christmas concert (Regal), December 12; Carols outside the Regal, December 24 (10am-noon), tenburytownband.co.uk.

QUIZ NIGHT - Tenbury Wells WI, Saturday, Little Hereford Village hall, 7pm for 7.30pm start. Entry £3 per person in teams of four. The question master is Graham Archer. Exciting raffle prizes plus refreshments. Please bring your own bottles and glasses. To book your team’s place call Monica Rees on 01584 819254 or e-mail: mandprees@talktalk.net.

ST MARY’S CHURCH BURFORD - Presents Festive Flowers from the English Country Garden by Sue Etherington of Bredenbury at Little Hereford Village Hall, November 20 at 2.30pm. Tickets £7 to include tea and mince pies. For tickets ring 01584 810029 or 01584 811413 or on the door. Sales table. All proceeds to church funds.

CHRISTMAS FAIR - November 22, Little Hereford Village Hall A456, 10am-12.30pm. Free entry and coffee. Gifts, cakes/preserves, books, tombola, etc. Hamper raffle. Proceeds in aid of Little Hereford Church and Village Hall.

PRIZE BINGO - Burford Village Hall, November 21. Doors open 6.30pm, eyes down 7pm. Free entry, just pay for your books. Light refreshments available. Hotdogs and cakes, raffle. Further information please visit our facebook page: Nash and Boraston Community Group or contact Rae on 01584 811474. Bingo prizes sponsored by Nick Champion.

CHRISTINGLE ADVENTURE - Come and join in on a Christingle adventure, November 28, 1pm, St Lawrence, Lindridge C of E Primary School, in the school hall. Have fun making your own Christingle and try your hands at lots of Christmas crafts on offer, including seasonal face painting. The afternoon craft session is followed by a procession to St Lawrence Church at 2.45pm, for the Christingle adventure service at 3pm. Refreshments at the ready. All children to be accompanied please, by a parent or carer over the age of 16. We look forward to welcoming you.

TEME VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY - The next meeting will be November 24, 7.30pm, at Abberley Village hall, Nigel Gilbert will be speaking on Female Carpet Weavers of Kidderminster. All welcome.

HE WORE A RED HAT - By Jack McNamara, a festive noir comedy presented by New Perspectives. Eastham Memorial Hall, WR15 8NS, next Thursday, November 19, 7.30pm. Tickets £9.50 (standard), £8.50 (group of five plus) available from 01584 781255. Licensed bar from 7pm, hot dogs available to purchase during the interval.

 

The Strettons

ACTON SCOTT - The gardening club at Acton Scott meets tonight at the village hall at 7.30pm when Jack Willgoss of Wildgoose Nursery will be the speaker on the subject A Late Summer Love Affair. Non-members welcome, admission is £2.50.

MARMALADIES WI - The Church Stretton Marmaladies hold the annual general meeting at Church Stretton School tonight together with a party to celebrate 100 years of the Women’s Institute at 7.30pm.

FRIDAY MARKET - The Friday Market held at Mayfair Community Centre continues up until December 18 and is open from 8.30am-noon selling home-made cakes, produce, craft items and some garden ideas.

AT THE HORNE - Tomorrow night at the Silvester Horne Institute will feature Steve “Big Man” Clayton on the piano at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 sold at Burway Books, John Thomas Florists and Town Council Offices. Some may be available on the door.

EATON MANOR - Simon Brown, Baron Brown of Eaton-u-Heywood, will be the speaker at a dinner tomorrow raising funds for St Edith’s Church. His subject will be trial by jury and tickets for the event are £30, reserve by ringing 01694 724078.

CRAFT FAIR - Church Stretton School’s PTA hosts a craft fair at the school on Saturday open from 10am- 4pm offering ideas for Christmas, and Fairtrade and ethnic gifts, and also a raffle. Freshly-cooked food will be available all day. Admission to the event is free.

TABLE TOP SALE - A sale of quality items including gifts, household items, jewellery and cakes will take place at the URC Hall on Saturday 10am-1pm. Entry is free and proceeds of the event will go to Medecins Sans Frontieres to aid refugees. The event has been arranged by Churches Together in the Strettons and any remaining goods after the sale will go to the Red Cross. For more information ring 01694 723328.

FESTIVE REFRESHMENT - Entertaining Elephants has an invitation to pop in for festive refreshment 2pm-5pm Saturday. There will be 10 per cent off clothes and accessories.

CONCERT - The More Singers will be in concert at the URC Saturday at 7.30pm to present a celebration of 20th-century English choral music. Tickets, £8, include refreshment and sold through Burway Books, John Thomas Florist and Choir members, and some may be available at the door. Call 01694 723266 to find out more. Proceeds to Self Help Africa.

QUIZ NIGHT - Ken Willis will be question-master at an evening of trivia in aid of Rose Cottage Cat Rescue on Saturday, 7.30pm at the District Social Club. Entry fee £4 per person, prizes are National Lottery Tickets.

HISTORY - Mary Mackenzie will be the speaker at All Stretton History Society on Sunday at 3pm in the village hall and takes as her subject “how to trace your family history”.

NATIONAL TRUST - A walk through ancient woodland, plantation forestry and grassland on Wenlock Edge is planned for Sunday, 10am-2pm, £10 to take part and reservations should be made by ringing 01694 725000.

BAKED ALASKA - The Riding Lights Theatre Company put on a powerful performance at Church Stretton School last week to demonstrate the effects of climate change, and finally giving the members of the audience the opportunity to write its concerns on notes which were to be delivered to our MP Philip Dunne, in advance of the UN Conference on climate change in Paris later in the year.

MAYFAIR LOTTERY - Lucky numbers in the October lottery for Mayfair were 222, 612, 557 and 480 winning £100, £50, £20 and £10 respectively.

LIBRARY EVENTS - Rhyme time offers fun, songs and rhymes for children under three years on Tuesday 10.30am-11am, and a knit and natter session will be meet from 5pm-7pm. Local and family history sessions are on Thursday afternoons 1pm-4pm with free internet access to Ancestry.

COMMUNITY CINEMA - Screening at Acton Scott Village Hall on Tuesday is Suite Francaise (15) at 7.30pm. Admission is £4, students £2.

SSIF - The AGM of the South Shropshire Interfaith Forum will take place at the Community Centre in Craven Arms, Tuesday 7.30pm, followed by a talk from Mark Michaels looking back on Srebrenica. All welcome, non-members £3.

CAMERA CLUB - Longmynd Camera Club will be meeting at the URC Hall Wednesday at 7.30pm for the second club competition of the season with transport as the subject. The judge will be David Grounds LRPS. Visitors are always welcome, admission £3.

TREE GROUP - The next tree group meeting is on Wednesday at the Methodist Hall starting at 7.30pm when John Tuer will be the speaker on Trees of Europe Top to Toe. All welcome.

NEW INDOOR MARKET - Is based in the Scout HQ in Church Street, it will be open next Thursday, November 19, and December 10 and 17, selling local baking, knitwear, hand-crafted greetings cards, jewellery and many other items. Open times 9am-2pm.

THEATRE EXPERIENCE - Of Mice and Men will be beamed direct to Church Stretton School next Thursday, November 19, 7pm. There is an opportunity to have a pre-theatre two-course meal with wine for £13 served in the restaurant at 5.45pm, but must be pre-booked. Tickets to the show are £11, or £5 for students. Call 01694 722209 to enquire.

OPEN MEETING - A meeting of The Strettondale Local Joint Committee, at Leebotwood Village Hall next Thursday, November 19, 7.30pm.

DRAMA - Local drama group, Dorrington Players present two short plays The Browning Version and Interior Designs from next Thursday, November 19, to November 21, at 7.30pm. Tickets are through Burway Books, and John Thomas Florists.