Bishop’s Castle

NEW FIREFIGHTER FOLLOWS FATHER - A newly qualified member of Bishop’s Castle Fire and Rescue Service was recently presented with his certificate at a special event in Shrewsbury. Eighteen-year-old Jordan Williams travelled with his family to a “celebration of success” evening at the Severn Theatre and he is now a member of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service with the title Firefighter Williams. Jordan is the latest member of his family to volunteer at Bishop’s Castle fire station, his father Paul having served for 27 years. Jordan applied to be a fireman on his 18th birthday and he passed the first level of his training in October with flying colours and is now waiting for his first call out. His place of work is near Bishop’s Castle Fire Station, at A Evans and Son in Station Street. Jordan is also the drummer with the Bishop’s Castle band Thin Vision.

JOIN THE TWINNING TRIP TO FRANCE - Bishop’s Castle Twinning Association is organising a trip to St Marcel, its twin town in Normandy, France in May 2016. The visit is open to all at a cost of about £130 for the coach and ferry transport. Accommodation can be with a French host or you can choose a hotel for the four-day stay. St Marcel is a small town in Normandy, France. The neighbouring town of Vernon is on the banks of the River Seine about halfway between Rouen and Paris. It is also ideally placed for visiting popular attractions such as Monet’s house and garden at Giverny. Maureen Wall is one of the secretaries of the Bishop’s Castle group and she says: “The trip to St Marcel is May 12 to 16. Our French friends offer excellent hospitality and are always keen to show us around the area. Several successful visits have been made over the years and we look forward to meeting old and new acquaintances next year. We hope to have a day in Rouen and a visit to Giverny during our time there. Most people will be hosted but some might prefer to stay in a hotel at their own expense. Everyone would of course be included in any organised activities. You do not have to be able to speak French to take part.”

The association has about 20 regular associate members with other interested people joining in for fundraising and social events. In 2013 a party from France came to Bishop’s Castle at Michaelmas to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the twinning, although the Community College had been conducting their own French exchange for a good few years before the towns were officially twinned. In July Bastille Day was celebrated at Hyssington Village Hall with an evening of French food, song and dance. Maureen Wall adds: “We would welcome new ideas for events and fundraising. The next planned social get together would be the associates’ New Year bring and share supper where we catch up with everyone’s news and have a general chat about future activities.” Call Maureen on 01588 638375, or Linda 01588 620557 for an informal chat.

SCHOOL CAFÉ AT TOWN HALL - Class five pupils of Bishop’s Castle Primary School will open another café and craft stall at the Thursday market in the town hall today. Their first Hallowe’en café raised £123 for school funds and this time will be a Christmas-themed café and craft stall, open from 10am to 2pm. Another date to look forward to is next Thursday, December 3, when the Friends of Bishop’s Castle Primary School hold their Christmas fair in the school hall at 6pm. Father Christmas promises to be there.

ZERO CARBON BRITAIN - At the meeting on November 13 members of Bishop’s Castle Climate Group discussed how a zero carbon Britain could be achieved. Michael Plunkett from the group said: “What surprised many of us at the meeting is that zero emissions can be achieved without a catastrophic effect on the way we are living. Renewable sources of energy such as wind, solar, and hydro power could very easily produce the energy we need, without the need for nuclear. The problem for the group is how they can convey their commitment over this issue to the majority of people in Bishop’s Castle.”

BISHOP’S CASTLE DIARY November 26-December 2

TODAY

  • Exhibition of paintings by Robert Bates. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. Until December 12. 10am-4pm . Call 01588 630023.

TOMORROW

  • Live music. Iain Ballamy and Stian Carstensen. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £10/£6. 7.30pm. Call 01588 630321/638038.
  • Learn 18th-century dances. Alphabet Dancers. Lydham Village Hall. £2.50. 8pm. Call 01743 891117.
  • Footpath Walking Group planning meeting. Concept House, Castle Green, Bishop’s Castle. 10.30am. Call 01588 650451.
  • Quiz. Lydbury North Village Hall. £5pp. Teams of four/five. 7.30pm. Call 01588 680454.

SATURDAY

  • Craft fair. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. Free. 10am. Call 01588 630023.
  • Concert for flute and piano. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. £10/£7. 7pm. Call 01588 630023.
  • Eight-day icon workshop –Regan O’Callaghan. Schoolroom, Lydbury North Church. £250 inc materials. Call 01588 630324.

TUESDAY

  • Bishop’s Castle Town Council meeting. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. 7.30pm. Call 01588 638141.
  • Sock Club. Knit and tea. Chai shop, Bishop’s Castle. 2pm. Call 01588 630435.
  • Film. Suite Francaise (15). Lydbury North Village Hall. 7.30pm. Call 01588 680302.

WEDNESDAY

  • Footpath Walking Group. Meet Mellington Hall Hotel 11am followed by Christmas lunch. Call 01588 638083.
  • Welshpool to Llanfair Caereinion. Nine miles. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishop’s Castle. 9.30am. Call 07910 198477.

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

 

Bockleton

WI - The November meeting was held at the parish hall with most members braving the stormy weather. The president Angela welcomed all and started the evening’s business. Upcoming event leaflets were passed out and final details were confirmed for the eight members going to Blenheim Palace the following Friday. Thelma gave a brief talk about the group meeting that she and Jan had attended a few weeks earlier with a very good speaker who told of her working life in the police force. The speaker for the evening was Jim Allen who lives locally and plays banjo in the group Grey Wolf. Jim is self taught and started playing at fifteen some fifty years ago. Jim started by giving members a brief history of the banjo and how it probably started in Africa and travelled to America when people emigrated, then into other countries. Jim brought along some of his collection of banjo which ranged from a primitive gourd banjo, a banjo from the eighteen hundreds and also one he commissioned from Shropshire.

He played various tunes throughout the evening and explained the various techniques and styles of playing. Ingrid gave a vote of thanks for the lovely music and informative evening had by all. Next members enjoyed a lovely supper supplied by Sue and Chris. The competition winners of a 60s record were Pam, Angela, Thelma. Raffle winners were, Thelma, Caroline and Louise. The next meeting is December 9, at the Parish Hall.

 

Clun

ARTS ALIVE - Presents Suite Francaise (15) at Everest Hall, Llanfair Waterdine, Clun Valley LD7 1TU, 7.30pm. Film set in occupied France from the classic novel by Irene Nemirovsky. Beautiful Lucille Angellier is trapped in a stifled existence with her controlling mother-in-law as they await news of her husband, a prisoner of war. Parisian refugees start to pour into their small town, followed by a regiment of German soldiers who take up residence in the villagers’ homes.

Lucille initially tries to ignore Bruno von Falk, the refined German officer staying with them. But soon they are drawn together by a powerful and forbidden love. Kristin Scott Thomas and Michelle Williams head the cast, with Matthias Schoenaerts as von Falk. A vivid depiction of life under foreign occupation. Adult £4, child £2. Running time: 107 minutes. Bring your own drinks, but home-made snacks will be available. Doors open 7pm. Enquiries 01547 510672.

Dark Horse: The Incredible Story of Dream Alliance (PG) at Aston on Clun Village Hall, SY7 8EH, 7.30pm.

This is a true story about a group of friends from a working men’s club in the Welsh Valleys who decide to breed a racehorse. The horse they raise on the allotments in Cefn Forest takes them on a roller coaster journey to the top of the racing world. They’re a hugely likeable crew who tell their story with smiles on their faces, barely able to believe how a horse gave hope to their whole village. “Funny, inspiring – with a round of applause at the end.” Adult £4, child £2. Running time 85 minutes. Enquiries 01588 660545.

Dark Horse (PG) is also showing at Bettws-y-Crwyn Parish Hall, SY7 8PH, on the same date and the same time as above. Refreshments are available, and a family ticket is £10 for two adults and up to three children. Enquiries 01588 640233.

BENEFICE UNITED SERVICE - United Communion service at Clun Methodist Chapel, Sunday at 10am.

CAFÉ CHURCH - Clun Methodist Chapel, Sunday 3-4.30pm. A relaxed and informal “café in the church”, to which all are welcome. Enquiries Michael Newman 01588 640776.

BINGO - At the Maltings Café. In aid of St George’s Church Funds. Gifts of prizes are always welcome. Eyes down at 7.30pm. Enquiries Tim Wood 01588 640506.

LIVE MUSIC - At The White Horse, Clun. The ever-popular Wayne Martin Band are playing live at the White Horse, from 9pm on December 4. Be there or be left out.

WI MEETING - Tuesday at 7.30pm. There will be a shared supper and secret Santa gift at this pre-Christmas meeting. The theme will be festive food preparation, with Suzanne Beaumont Davies.Visitors and new members very welcome. Enquiries margotgrimmett@hotmail.co.uk.

CORRESPONDENT - Ros Patching at clunpatch@btinternet.com or 01588 640772. The deadline is Thursday of the week before publication (ie at least two weeks in advance).

 

Hayton

WI REPORT - Meeting of Hayton and District WI meeting on November 12 at Stanton Lacy Village Hall. Eileen Pritchard welcomed members to the November meeting and AGM. Invitations to neighbouring institutes’ Christmas parties had been received; £20 from the ACWW pennies collection had been sent to India to help with a project to educate women in the fashion and tailoring industry. The collection at the Christmas party next month (instead of exchanging cards) will go to Charity Smile Train.

The AGM followed with Janet Bryan reading the minutes of the 2014 AGM, and the annual report, reminding us of a busy year of outings and meetings. Joyce Randle gave the financial report which showed our fundraising efforts had swelled the coffers nicely. Eileen thanked all the members for supporting the Institute, and the committee for organising the year’s activities. The present committee is willing to continue and was elected “en bloc”. Eileen Pritchard agreed to continue as president so we look forward to another successful year. Rose Lloyd thanked Eileen for her excellent leadership during another enjoyable year. Then continued with refreshments of homemade soup from Sue Parker and Dot Williams with home-produced apple juice and bread, courtesy of Catherine Pees. Flower competition:- 1st Sue Parker, penstemon; 2nd Gill Parker, nerine; 3rd Joyce Randle, dahlia. The next meeting will be the Christmas party on December 10 to which all are cordially invited; why not bring a friend as a fore taste to joining the group? More details from Eileen Pritchard on 01584 876437.

 

Ludlow

MAYOR’S CHARITY BAND EVENING - The Mayor, Cllr Paul Draper would like to invite you to his mayor’s charity band evening on January 23, at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms, starting at 7.30pm and finishing at 11.30pm. Come and see the Reggaelators a Birmingham Reggae Band, supported by local bands, Pig Daze and the Fabulous Bordellos. Tickets are £9.50 each in advance and are available from Ludlow Town Council, The Guildhall, Mill Street, Ludlow, SY8 1AZ. Cheques made payable to Ludlow Town Council.

Kick off the new year with a great night out – buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment. Contact:- Gina Wilding, town clerk, Ludlow Town Council, The Guildhall, Mill Street, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 1AZ – telephone 01584 871970, ludlow.gov.uk. All proceeds will be going to the mayor’s charity – Ludlow Hospital League of Friends. It may be just the answer for post-Christmas blues and will be a great night out.

KNITWEAR DESIGNER - Expert knitwear designer and maker, Alison Dupernex, will visit Ludlow’s Silk Top Hat Gallery on Saturday, the opening day of the Christmas exhibition. She has published four books: the Beginners Guide to Knitting has been featured at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Start to Knit to encourage teenagers to knit funky and fun bags, hats and scarves, Beautiful Knits for Heads, Hands and Toes ’containing a wealth of ideas for timeless hats, gloves, scarves, socks, bags and jewellery and in 2012 The Absolute Beginners Guide to Knitting . For further information or images call 01584 875363 or contact silktophatgallery.wordpress.com.

 

Mamble cum Bayton

WI - President Val Evans warmly welcomed members and six visitors to the November meeting. The autumn group meeting, hosted by the Institute, had been a most enjoyable evening and well attended by members of all the Institutes in the Teme and Tenbury Group.

Mr P Hannigan spoke about “the boom and bust years in the USA”. In the 1920s, as depicted by the song, the USA was “in the money’. Mr Hannigan described how the First World War had helped the American economy, but this was greatly affected by the various presidents who were elected over the next twenty years or so. The Christmas lunch will be on December 16, at Kateshill, Bewdley, 12.30pm for 1pm. Each member is to provide a gift for the Bran tub, £4 max.

 

Tenbury

ADVENT SUNDAY - Will be celebrated at Tenbury Methodist Church on Sunday, at 11am, with a special service taken by the Rev James Eaton Challinor. All are welcome to join in at this special time.

TENBURY SANTA PARADE - Teme St and Market St in Tenbury Wells will be closed to traffic between 4.30pm -5.30pm on December 5 when the annual Santa parade makes its way at 4.30pm to St Mary’s Church. This is a change to our published programme due to the unavailability of the original speaker.

FILM NIGHT - Breakfast at Tiffany’s (PG), a special showing sponsored by the BFL. Eastham Memorial Hall, December 12. Tickets £4, to include canapes and cocktails. Dress to impress for this special event!

 

The Strettons

DAYS OUT - A Christmas shopping trip to Trentham gardens tomorrow, leaves Mayfair 10am, returning 4pm organised by Day Care. Tickets £10 and enquiries for seats on the coach should be made at Mayfair. The Strettons Railway Society is planning a day out to Warley Model Railway Show on Saturday. Enquiries 01694 723456 or 723653, tickets £15.

IRISH MUSIC - The final traditional Irish music night for 2015 will be tomorrow, at the Yew Tree Inn, All Stretton, 8.30pm-11pm. All welcome.

QUIZ NIGHT - At the Silvester Horne Institute tomorrow, will raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Entry £5 per person, details available by on 01694 722713. Take your own refreshments if you wish, event starts at 7.30pm.

BAZAAR - Saturday is the Christmas bazaar, hosted by Stretton and Shropshire Cancer Care Group at the Parish Centre from 10am-noon.

RUSHBURY - Rushbury Village Hall and Millenium Green is the venue, volunteers are needed to help prune and tidy up the green on Saturday. Meet at 10am, take your flask, food, pruners and gloves along. Little ones are welcome to help collect up rubbish and play in the green.

EMBROIDERY - An exhibition of antique and medieval embroidery will be held at Acton Scott Hall on Saturday, from 2.30pm-5pm. Ring for details on 01694 781272.

FASHION SHOW - The Friends of St Lawrence’s Primary School are hosting a fashion show at the school tomorrow night, at 7pm.

WRITE FOR RIGHTS - Amnesty International Group local committee invites the general public to pop in to the URC Hall on Saturday, 10am- noon to send a message of hope to a selection of individuals and communities that have suffered human rights abuses. Cards and stamps are provided to enable personal messages to be sent so that these people know they have not been forgotten. Further details 01694 720040.

CHRISTMAS CRAFT EVENT - A pre- Christmas lunch and refreshments together with a demonstration of flowers and foliage arrangements for the festive season will be held at Mayfair on Saturday starting at 11am. Tickets cost £15 and all enquiries should be made at Mayfair.

EXHIBITION - An exhibition of antique embroidery including some medieval work will be on show at Acton Scott Hall 2.30-5pm on Saturday. Call 01694 781272.

HELP WANTED - Help is wanted on Saturday at Rushbury Village Hall and Millenium Green to help prune, lop and chop and tidy up the area for winter. Could volunteers take their own pruners, gloves, and a flask and some food when helping out from 10am. Little ones are welcome and can help with the collecting up of rubbish and have a bit of time to play.

CHRISTMAS FAIR - At Eaton Manor, Sunday 11am-4pm, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, Shropshire. Over 20 stalls, entry free.

SSIF - The South Shropshire Interfaith forum Ladies and Children’s meeting will take place at the Pilgrim Centre on Saturday at 2pm-4pm when there will be a discussion about the part clothes play in religion. Visitors welcome.

SREBRENICA - Remembering Srebrenica and Sarajevo was the subject of a talk by Mark Michaels following a short annual general meeting of the South Shropshire Interfaith forum held at Craven Arms Community Centre recently.

Srebrenica suffered some of the worst atrocities in Europe since the Second World War and on his visit Mark had spoken with a widow who had lost her husband and two sons and was only now able to bury a few of their body parts which have been returned to her. A short silence was observed in their memory and of those who were caught up in the recent events in Paris.

SCHOOL NEWS - Children in Need will benefit from a bake sale at St Lawrence’s Primary School and a “mufty” day at Church Stretton School. Teams of St Lawrence’s pupils have done well at cross country at Moor Park School with four of Year 3-4 girls well placed including a 1st and 2nd place and year three- four boys also well placed. Year five- six girls came 1st overall being placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd to achieve three medals with the boys having an overall win for another trophy. KS1 pupils are seeing Dick Whittington . The Friends of the school host a fashion show tomorrow.

Students on the London arts trip from Church Stretton School visited art galleries, went backstage at the National Theatre and saw a production of Woman in Black and were able to have a chat with actor Tom Godwin, before they hit the tourist trail! A geography trip to Birmingham is planned for year 10 and students are still relating their experiences on the Tanzania expedition. Preparations are in hand for the Christmas concert on December 10.

CAMERA CLUB - The next meeting of the Longmynd Camera Club will be on Wednesday when Irene Foy MPAGB, Hon PAGB, EFIAP will be the speaker and will feature images of her travels in Ireland, England and France under the heading “a passion for pastels”. Meetings are held in the URC Hall at 7.30pm and visitors are always welcome. Admission is £3.

BANKING - Barclays Bank in Church Stretton is not open on Tuesdays after November 30 but continues to open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10am-4pm.

MARKETS - There is an extended market in Church Stretton next Thursday, December 3, so the High Street will be closed 7pm-4pm. Next indoor market will be December 10, in the Scout HQ, Church Street, 9am- 2.30pm. Friday market at Mayfair is also open for business 8.30am-noon.

CRAFT FAIR - Church Stretton Girl Guides are hosting a craft fair at parish centre December 5, 10am-noon.

COMMUNITY CINEMA - Cardington Village Hall will show Paddington (PG) on Wednesday, and Far from the Madding Crowd (12) will be screened at Church Stretton School on December 7. On December 9, Dark Horse (PG) is to be screened at Hope Bowdler village hall and on December 11, Lad: A Yorkshire Story (12) is to be shown at All Stretton Village hall.

The Second Best Marigold Hotel (PG) can be seen at Acton Scott Village Hall on December 15, and Timbuktu (12) is to be screened at All Stretton Village Hall also on December 15. Films start at 7.30pm.