Bishops Castle

CURLEWS UNDER THREAT - Members of the Curlew Nest Monitoring Project will be sharing information on their activities at a presentation in Bishop’s Castle Town Hall on Monday.

Over the last 11 years monitoring has shown that the local curlew population has diminished by 25 per cent.

During the 2015 nesting season a local nest monitoring project was carried out by the Stiperstones and Corndon Hill Country Landscape Partnership Scheme to see why these iconic, long-lived birds are failing to breed successfully.

Over 30 farmers gave permission to enable nests to be closely monitored, but none of the birds managed to breed successfully. Amanda Perkins, countryside officer, and Tony Cross, field ornithologist will give a presentation on the project to date and will be discussing what can be done to save these birds. For more information call Stephanie Hayes, Shropshire hills AONB Partnership Promotions office 01938 561741.

HELP YOUR LOCAL MUSEUM - The axe may fall this year on opening hours at the House on Crutches Museum in Bishop’s Castle. More volunteers are urgently needed to keep the building open at weekends, as it has been for the last 22 years.

At the moment the museum, which is next to Bishop’s Castle Town Hall, welcomes visitors from Easter to September and trustees hope more people will come forward to help. “We are very lucky to have a great group of volunteer stewards, but always need a few new recruits,” said museum trustee, Evelyn Bowles. “We really want to avoid closures so we’d like to encourage new people into stewarding who may never have thought about it, or thought they didn’t know enough. The commitment is nine to 12 hours spread over three or four sessions per season. We provide the basic training required and rota our stewards in pairs giving them days and dates which match their preferences whenever possible. There is printed information about most exhibits but also scope for comparing ideas with visitors about what some unusual objects were used for.

Thanks to the nearby campsite we have more families visiting, who enjoy trying on the dressing-up clothes and playing with the old-fashioned toys provided. Some international visitors like UK visitors, have an old family connection to the area and offer information about their part in its history, which our stewards record. This can be a worthwhile and enjoyable way of contributing to the community.” To find more Evelyn Bowles 01588 638851, evelynbowles@decorich.

plus.com.

LENT LUNCHES - Volunteers from local churches and organisations will be serving Lent lunches to support Christian Aid in Bishop’s Castle Methodist Hall every Friday morning until Good Friday, March 25. Soup, bread and a hot drink will be available by donation from noon to 1.30pm. Call 01588 630387 for more details.

EYES DOWN FOR BINGO - Prize bingo night in aid of Running for Tommy children’s charity on Monday. Eyes down 8pm at the Inn on the Green in Wentnor. Organisers Julie Burgwin and Jan Robertson also have a full programme of cash bingo nights at the Kings Head in Bishop’s Castle to raise money for local and worldwide charities. Next is Wednesday to support the AMP project for young musicians in the town. Must be 16 to attend the Bishop’s Castle sessions, there is a jackpot game, snowball game, raffle and lucky square competition. Ticket sales begin 7pm.

QUIZ SUCCESS - In Lydham Village Hall on January 29 attracted 50 competitors and raised £514 to be divided equally amongst the three churches.

BREAKFAST AT EDGTON SALE - Full English breakfast is the big attraction at table top sale in Edgton Village Hall Saturday, starting 10am, you can enjoy a plate of freshly cooked food until the sale ends at 2pm. Tables £5 still available for trading. All proceeds to Edgton Church. 01588 680226.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY, February 25-March 2

TODAY

  • NT Live. ‘As You Like It’. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £11/£7. 7pm. 01588 630321/638038.

TOMORROW

  • Beetle drive for Bishop’s Castle Bowling Club. Kings Head, Bishop’s Castle. £7/£6 inc. sausage supper. 7pm. 07966 281969.
  • Footpath Walking Group planning meeting. 7 High St, Bishop’s Castle. 10.30am. 01588 650451.
  • Lent soup lunch. Methodist Hall, Bishop’s Castle. Donations to Christian Aid. Weekly until Easter. Noon. 01588 630387.
  • Art exhibition - Keith Noble. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. Until March 12. 01588 630023.

SATURDAY

  • Beginners knitting workshop. First of two. Sheepish, 1 Market Steps, Bishop’s Castle. £37.50 for 2. 10am-12.30pm. 01588 630421.
  • Table top sale and all day breakfast in aid of Edgton Church. Edgton Village Hall. Tables £5. 10am-2pm. 01588 680226.

SUNDAY

  • Sir Arthur Howard Appreciation Society. Speaker Mick Westrip, Rhos market garden. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. 3pm.

MONDAY

  • Shropshire Credit Union. Church Barn, Bishop’s Castle. Weekly. 11am-noon. 01743 252325.
  • Wildlife talk. Curlew Recovery Project – Mandy Perkins. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. £3.50. 7.30pm. 01588 630023.
  • Footpath Walking Group. Garthmyl. Four miles. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishop’s Castle. 9.30am. 01588 620668.
  • Prize bingo in aid of Tommy’s charity. Inn on the Green, Wentnor. 8pm.

TUESDAY

  • Film. Cabaret (15). Lydbury North Village Hall.

WEDNESDAY

  • Bishop’s Castle Film Society. Barbara (12). Germany. 2011. Three Tuns, Bishop’s Castle. 8pm. 01588 630778.
  • Bingo in aid of AMP youth music project, Kings Head. Over 16. 8pm.

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

 

Bockleton

WI - February meeting was held at the home of member Wendy where we enjoyed the warmth and welcome.

Business was guided by secretary Rosemary, our president Angela will attend the meeting at Brighton in June and details of our birthday lunch meeting later in the year were given.

Next fundraiser of the annual jumble sale March 5, at 2pm were discussed and volunteering members and helpers were gratefully slotted into their allocated jobs, with requests for jumble, raffle prizes, cakes and other goodies on the list of things on offer.

We were then enthralled by host Wendy who explained to us her working skill knowledge and experiences.

Wendy returned to university in her thirties to study psychology with a special interest in children’s memory and then went on to gain her Masters Degrees in forensic psychology and criminology.

Also she has worked on many research papers and her data has been published in several books.

All members then enjoyed a lovely supper supplied by Thelma and Rosemary.

Raffle winners were Ingrid Rosemary and Wendy. The competition of something made from re cycled material was won by Thelma, Claire and Carol.

Next meeting is at the parish hall March 16, 7.30pm, speaker is Jeremy Griffiths talking about growing and using herbs.

 

Clun

FILM - A Walk in the Woods (15), tomorrow at Clungunford Village Hall, SY7 0PP. Running time: 104 minutes. Tickets: £4 adults, £2 under 18s. Licensed bar, ice-creams available. Car parking, raffle box office/information: Ann on 01588 660727, or Maureen 01588 660781 maureenrooney2012@gmail.com.

Robert Redford, Nick Nolte and Emma Thompson star in a delightfully funny adaptation of Bill Bryson’s international bestseller. Deciding to hike the notoriously tough Appalachian trail, Bryson (Redford) invites old pal Katz (Nolte), who turns up wheezing and overweight for a trip involving high altitudes, hardy terrain and... bears. Using their journey as a metaphor for the uncertainty of old age, with majestic footage of rural America, it’s a hilarious, touching film with very enjoyable comic turns from Redford, Nolte, Emma Thompson (as Bryson’s wife), Nick Offerman and Kristen Schaal.

CAFÉ CHURCH - Sunday, 3pm- 4.30pm in the High Street Chapel, Clun. Everyone is welcome to come for refreshments (which are free) and a relaxed opportunity for fellowship and friendship. For more information, call Michael Newman 01588 640776.

POP UP CRAFTS - Monday, at 2pm in the Hightown Community Room, Clun. Do you fancy getting together to sew, knit, knot, crochet, draw or even learn a new craft or skill from others? Bring along your craft project to a relaxed and informal session where you can do your thing and natter with others while they do theirs. Home-baked cakes and tea are provided, in return for a small donation. Everyone welcome.

BINGO - Monday, The Maltings Café, Clun. Eyes down at 7.30pm. New players always welcome – no experience necessary! Enquiries to Tim Wood, 01588 640506.

NT LIVE SCREENING - Hangmen. Aston on Clun Village Hall, SY7 8EH, next Thursday, March 3 at 7pm. Tickets: adults £4 (unavailable online, book by calling 01588 660493 or 01588 660893).

Following a sell-out run at London’s Royal Court Theatre, Olivier and Academy Award winner Martin McDonagh ( The Pillowman , The Cripple of Inishmaan , In Bruges ) returns to the West End with Matthew Dunster’s award-winning production of his deeply funny new play. In his small pub in the northern English town of Oldham, Harry (David Morrissey – The Walking Dead , State of Play ) is something of a local celebrity. But what’s the second-best hangman in England to do on the day they’ve abolished hanging? Amongst the cub reporters and pub regulars dying to hear Harry’s reaction to the news, his old assistant Syd (Andy Nyman – Peaky Blinders , Death at a Funeral ) and the peculiar Mooney (Johnny Flynn) lurk with very different motives for their visit.

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT - Monday to March 13. “Before you have finished your breakfast this morning, you will have depended on half the world” (Dr Martin Luther King).

We are celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight in the Clun Valley this month. This year’s theme is Fairtrade Breakfast. Breakfast events will be taking place all over the country.

Millions of farmers and workers in developing countries work hard every day to grow the food we eat, but many still don’t earn enough to know where their own next meal is coming from. In other words, they do not have food security. We can all do something to tackle this injustice and support farmers and workers to put food on their families’ tables, by harnessing the power of the breakfast!

In Clun you can enjoy both local and Fairtrade produce with a slap-up Fairtrade Breakfast at The White Horse Inn on March 5. Come and show your support for local and Fairtrade producers! Buy a voucher from The White Horse for £5 to book your place.

Breakfasts will be charged according to what you eat. The £5 voucher counts toward the cost (or maybe a refund given for the lighter biters).

Enjoy locally produced eggs, bacon, sausages and more with your Fairtrade tea, coffee, orange juice and muesli.

Fairtrade refreshments and information will also be available at many events and meetings throughout Clun Valley during the fortnight, including Clun Ramblers’ walk, Newcastle and District Gardening Society meeting, Clunbury coffee morning, the Clungunford Players’ production and WI meetings. You can buy your Fairtrade products at Aston on Clun, Clun Spar and Clun Garage shops.

FAIRTRADE BIG BREAKFAST - March 5, 8.30am-11am. To mark Fair Trade fortnight, The White Horse Inn, Clun will be serving delicious Fairtrade and local produce breakfasts. These feasts will demonstrate how fabulous our local and fairly traded produce tastes. Tickets are £5 and must be bought in advance – places are limited. Enquiries and bookings to The White Horse: 01588 418829.

OUTINGS - There are still a few seats left (but be quick!) for Tim’s Travels outing to Derby Theatre on March 17, to see a performance of John Osborne’s, Look Back in Anger .

It is sixty years since the play was first produced at the Royal Court Theatre in London. The theatre is staging the play specially to mark the anniversary. The play, set in Derby, was to have a radical effect on British theatre and introduced The Angry Young Man to the world of theatre and far beyond.

Tickets and coach travel are included in the price of £27.50. Contact Tim to book, on 01588 640506.

THE OLD SURGERY GALLERY at Clun is still on winter opening hours, which are Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. The Gallery is still closed Monday to Friday. The current exhibition features the work of Jacqueline Fletcher, Paul Hipkiss, Keith Noble, Noel Shepherdson and Peter Shread, amongst others.

 

Ludlow

COFFEE MORNING AND BRING AND BUY SALE - Display of Tapestries by Ludlow Cancer Support Group member, Jack Andow tomorrow, St Peter’s Church, Henley Road, Ludlow.

Group meetings take place in the Parish Room, St Peter’s Church, Henley Road, Ludlow, SY8 1QZ, 11am -12.45pm on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month.

 

Rock

WALKS - Rock Pathfinders. Free guided walks along our footpaths and bridleways taking two-three hours, off the roads and into the countryside. The March walks will be on Thursdays at 10.30am.

Next Thursday, March 3, from The Lenchford Inn, lay-by next to the B4196 Shrawley Road WR6 6TB, OS reference 813643.

March 17, AGM followed by short walk from Rock Village Hall, Rock, DY14 9SD, OS ref 735712. Everyone welcome. For our full program visit rockpathfinders.webspace.virginmedia.com or rockvillagehall.co.uk, or ring Alan 01299 400304 or Jan 01299 832571.

 

Tenbury

LENT SOUP LUNCHES - Will be held every Wednesday, until March 16, at Tenbury Methodist Church Hall, noon till 1.30pm. Please come along and enjoy good soup and good company. Donations accepted for Christian Aid. All are welcome.

BINGO - Eyes down for cash prizes. Bockleton Parish Hall, tomorrow, 7.30pm. Half time refreshments on sale, including Carol’s lovely cakes. Bring your own drinks. Soft drinks available. Tel: George 01568 750522.

QUIZ NIGHT - Tenbury Town Band. Buford Village Hall, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8LA. March 12, from 7.30pm. £5 per person, teams of four. Teams to Mark Yarnold 07970 201695.

REFLEXOLOGY - Tenbury Library, Saturday, 9.30am-1pm. A fun interactive workshop that will introduce reflexology as a holistic therapy that can be used effectively to help with a range of symptoms. Simple self-help techniques will be taught including reflexology for blocked sinuses, back pain and neck pain. Cost £30.

 

The Strettons

CEILIDH - The Church Stretton group of Amnesty International will host a ceilidh at the Silvester Horne Institute on March 4, with the Compost Band.

COMMUNITY CINEMA - Wednesday the film showing at Cardington Village Hall will be Suffragette (12A), March 7 at Church Stretton School is Everest (12). March 9 Hope Bowdler village Hall is Testament of Youth (12) and Acton Scott Village Hall is Brooklyn (12A) on March 15. All films start at 7.30pm and offer refreshments during the interval. Adults £4.

RNLI - The local committee of the RNLI will host a fish and chip supper followed by a talk about the SS Great Britain on March 5 at the Silvester Horne Institute 7.15pm for 7.30pm.

During the evening Ian Caskie will talk about SS Great Britain from launch to re-launch.

LONGMYND HIKE - The Longmynd Hike Committee and friends will meet at the District Social Club on March 6, at 7.30pm to discuss ideas for the 50th Longmynd Hike.

APPLE TREE GRAFTING - A chance to learn the art of apple tree grafting is available at a practical workshop at Karuna, Picklescote, on March 6.

MUSIC FESTIVAL - The Church Stretton music festival will be held on May 7, from 10am-5pm in Rectory Field and other indoor locations.

Stalls offering a wide range of crafts and services can be booked and the organisers would like to hear from anyone who would be interested in performing, singing or playing an instrument or helping out as a volunteer as there is also evening entertainment from 6pm-10pm.

HELP NEEDED - Volunteers are invited to join a working party today in Rectory Wood and Field, at 10am at Church Street entrance. Further working party needed for March 24.

TRAIDCRAFT - The Stretton Traidcraft Stall sells Fairtrade goods at Mayfair Community Centre on Thursday mornings 10.30m-1pm.

SHAKESPEARE - Shakespeare’s As You Like It will be streamed live from the National Theatre to Church Stretton School tonight 7pm.

Admission £11 adults, £5 children.

LIBRARY EVENTS - A writing poetry workshop is available at the library tomorrow Friday from 7pm-9pm and on Saturday the sit and knit session is from 10am-12.30pm. Please take along your needles and wool if you have them. Various regular events are held throughout the week.

CLIMATE CARE - Meet Mike Collison, the renewable energy expert from ESP Energy, at the Methodist Church tomorrow night, at 7.30pm and learn about sustainable heating systems and new ways to lower your energy bills. He will explain the latest technology behind those systems and take any questions you have about new heating systems for both the present and future. The event also offers the chance to find out about air and ground source and automated biomass heating systems and to discuss and share ideas about improving energy efficiency in the home. Admission is £3.

BREAKFAST - The last breakfast of the series at Mayfair Community Centre is Saturday morning 9.30am- 11.30am with last orders at 11am.

WELL-BEING CENTRE - Mayfair Community Centre is pleased to announce that the work of refurbishing the Wellbeing Centre is progressing and would like to thank all who have made good their pledges.

CAMERA CLUB - The next event on the programme for Longmynd Camera Club members will competition number four on Wednesday, at 7.30pm in the URC Hall. The subject of the competition is open and can include projected images and a print panel. The judge will be Tony Thomas EFIAP. Visitors always welcome, admission is £3.

CRICKET - Winter cricket nets and coaching is available at the Leisure Centre on Friday evenings from 5pm- 6pm for juniors and from 7pm-8pm for seniors. Cost per session is £4 and £5 respectively.

SCHOOL NEWS - St Lawrence’s Primary School welcomes a new governor. Soon to begin will be art club and a football club, and the under 11 girls’ football team is due to play in the county cup semi -finals. Some pupils have taken part in a high five netball competition. The school wishes to thank Church Stretton School and driver Eddie for arranging the transport. Area athletics finals at Ludlow and the Shropshire School games finals will be this week.

Both schools are collecting Active Kids vouchers from Sainsbury’s and would be pleased to receive any you can donate as these vouchers enable the schools to provide extra sports equipment.

At Church Stretton School Ragleth House supporters have raised money through the sponsored walk and by selling candy sticks in school to raise £565.51 for Buyaka School in Uganda. Mr Simon Carless, representing African Village Support, visited during a Lawley House assembly to collect the cheque, together with a plaque twinning Ragleth Hill with Wecheleha Hill in Uganda.

MYND DROVER - Walkers and runners are welcome to take part in the Mynd Drover on June 25, which is part of the Church Stretton Walking Festival. This is a 26m challenge although a 13m route is an option.

Entry fee £20 and includes refreshment and post walk meal. Those raising the most through sponsorship can win a Long Mynd Landrover tour courtesy of the National Trust. Entry forms and details available through Church Stretton School’s PTA at Shrewsbury Road, Church Stretton SY6 6EX addressed to Mynd Drover Challenge. Please enclose SAE with entry form and advance payment.

COMMUNITY GAMES - A chance to showcase your organisation is available in the Church Stretton Community Games 2016. The idea is to invite sports and leisure clubs and groups to show off their organisation as part of an open day of sport, arts and leisure, so that the general public of Church Stretton and beyond can sample the benefits of these activities at all levels of ability and including those with disabilities.

This event is planned for July 9, and is a free event for those participating and free admission for the public.

Further details are available by contacting Alan on 01694 725588 or on mobile 07977 060303.

BUMPS AND BABES - Parents and toddlers welcome bumps and babes to their get-togethers on Thursday mornings from 10am-noon during term time in the Parish Centre.

THEATRE - The National Theatre live event next Thursday, March 3, at Church Stretton School will be the Comedy Hangmen at 7pm.To enquire further ring 01694 722209.

DAY OF PRAYER - Women’s World Day of Prayer will take place at St Laurence’s Church on March 4, at 10.30am when the prayers will be for Cuba. All welcome.

GRAFTING - A practical workshop on apple tree grafting will be held at Karuna on March 6. Ring 01694 751374 to book in or find out more.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS - The committee of the Longmynd Hike and any one with an idea for the celebration is welcome to meet at the District Social Club at 7pm on March 6, when a discussion will be held.