ENTERPRISE South West Shropshire, which is based in Bishops Castle has good news to take into the Christmas season. Photo voltaic panels have been fitted to the large roof of the building in Station Street and the generation of power should begin on December 18. 200 south facing panels have been fittest, making it the largest solar installation in the town, capable of producing 50kw of power. "It has been a long and sometimes vexing journey over the last year or so," said company manager Mike Ashwell. "However we have made it just in time as the income (FiTs) from the panels would have been much less if Go Green Systems of Shrewsbury hadn't fitted them by December 31. The company is always looking at ways to improve its finances, especially as Shropshire Council support may become more difficult."

SpArC theatre bookings are up.

Cait Leach is the manager of the SpArC Theatre in Bishop's Castle. She reports a dramatic increase in ticket sales last month reaching a total of 903. This comfortably exceeds the previous record of 790. Jean Shirley is a member of the SpArC Theatre support group and she said, "This is a very good figure; of course attendances can vary greatly according to the programme, weather and the time of year but the trend has been one of steady increase. For this we are indebted to the hard work of Cait Leach and all her volunteers." Enterprise South West Shropshire took over theatre operations some three years ago and works in close partnership with the SpArC operators, Teme Leisure. The chairman of ESWS is Peter Phillips and he added, "We always operate on a financial knife-edge, but, thanks to the diligence of our staff, we manage to keep in the black. The theatre is a real success story, while the photo voltaic panels serve as a pilot for similar schemes locally—not only ourselves, but possibly for the SpArC centre and local schools. At the same time, we are painfully aware that Shropshire Council's position is looking difficult and we shall be keen to work with them and local groups to maintain services in this fragile and remote rural area." ESWS is also expected to assume the operation of Bishop Castle Library early in 2016. It is also based in Enterprise House. ESWS was set up as a social enterprise to promote economic and social regeneration in SW Shropshire.

Mike Ashwell 01588 638038, Jean Shirley 01588 638877, Peter Phillips 01588 650625.