Bishops Castle

WEATHER SCIENTISTS TO VISIT SCHOOL – Scientists from the UK Meteorological Office visited Bishop’s Castle Primary School for the day on Tuesday to tell the pupils and staff about a new research project they are undertaking in the Clun Valley. The Met Office is the world’s leading weather service, providing forecasts and information on weather and climate to the public, business and government. The aim of the Clun Valley project is to improve the understanding of fog in all its aspects, including its formation and how best to forecast it. Hundreds of measurement sites have already been established in the Clun Valley and the visit to Bishop’s Castle Primary School was part of the MET education programme. The scientists also went to Clunbury School.

WILD AND MYSTERIOUS – The next exhibition at Bishop’s Castle Town Hall features work by Brian Fletcher, who lives in Stourbridge. He is an elected member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, a member of the Birmingham Art Circle, the Birmingham Pastel Society and vice president of the Birmingham Easel Club. Brian uses a variety of media, but his main passions are for oils, watercolours and graphite. In recent paintings he has worked mainly on landscapes based on drawings and studies in Pembrokeshire, the Hebrides, Ireland and the industrial Midlands. He finds great excitement in these rugged, mysterious and wild landscapes and through rich textures and bold colours explores his responses to them.

The exhibition in Bishop’s Castle runs from Monday to April 11, with opening hours from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday. Call 01588 630023 for more details.

THE SINGULAR STIPERSTONES – Tom Wall, who worked as a warden on the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve for 30 years was the speaker at the February meeting of the South-West Shropshire Historical and Archaeological Society. He has recently published a book called The Singular Stiperstones and gave an account of the area from the time of the Bronze Age people to the owners of the grouse-moors and lead- mining rights. He also included those who made a precarious living in squatters’ cottages and the geologists, artists, literary figures, tourists and hill- walkers who visit the Stiperstones today. Tom Wall also reminded his large audience of the legends surrounding the mysterious Devil’s Chair, and the special quality of the plants and bird-life, as well as the management problems of such a diverse landscape.

OCEAN AND CLIMATE CHANGE – The Bishop’s Castle Climate Change Collective has invited Dr Alison Weeks to give a talk on ‘the ocean and climate change’ at the Three Tuns on Monday.

Starting at 7.30pm, she will explain how the ocean constantly interacts with the atmosphere and how ocean currents affect the way in which global warming influences climate change, with consequences for life on the planet. The ocean makes up 70 per cent of the world’s surface and is a huge holding tank for water, heat, gases and particles of various kinds. Dr Weeks lives in Clun and is a former lecturer on Oceanography at Southampton University and now teaches at the Open University. For more information, call 01588 630277.

100 CLUB WINNERS – Carol Akillian won £20.50 in the February draw for the 100 Club in aid of the House on Crutches Museum Collection Trust, Sally Chappell £12.30 and Prue Dakin £8.20; 82 numbers entered the draw.

HOME SWEET HOME – The Quest group will be exploring the meaning of ‘home’ and what it means to the individual at their meeting in the Grange Road Community Centre, Bishop’s Castle on March 21, 7.30pm. “Home can be seen in terms of cultural identity, as an investment, a focus for the family or just a place to lay your head,”

said Quest founder Rosa James. “We will look at how we choose our houses and homes and ask how if this changes over our lifetime. We will also consider those with no settled home – the voluntary wanderers or millions of homeless and exiled people across the world. We will be asking is home a location, a state of mind, or simply where the heart is?” Entry by donation, to find out more call 01588 630648.

WI – Lydbury North WI held their February meeting in the village hall when arrangements were made for the meeting in May for members of the Clun Valley North WI Group. The Shrewsbury hand-bell ringers will entertain with music on the theme of May merrymaking. The speakers for the evening were Hilary and Ian Templeton who gave an audio visual presentation titled ‘pictures in harmony’. Members were taken on a tour of some interesting features of Europe that are not on the main tourist trail. The photography was accompanied by an informative and amusing commentary and with appropriate music. The audience was shown landscapes from snowy to verdant, lakes and rivers, fascinating buildings and people wearing national costume and enjoying traditional dances. Next Thursday, March 17, is an open meeting for Lydbury North WI and the guest speaker will be Peter Koenig, who was a Gamesmaker at the London Olympics in 2012. Everyone is welcome to come along.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY March 10-16

TODAY

  • Art exhibition – Keith Noble. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. Until Saturday. 01588 630023.

TOMORROW

  • Lent lunch. Methodist Hall, Bishop’s Castle. Donations to Christian Aid. Weekly until Easter. Noon. 01588 630387.

SATURDAY

  • Bishop’s Castle Orchestra, Lydbury North Village Hall, for Cancer Research 7.30pm.

SUNDAY

  • Taize-style service. Church Barn, Bishop’s Castle, 4.30pm, 01588 630018.

MONDAY

  • County training apprenticeship information event. Enterprise House, Bishop’s Castle. 4pm-6pm. 0345 6789023 (free number).
  • Bishop’s Castle Climate Change Group talk. ‘The ocean and climate change’ – Dr Alison Weeks. Three Tuns, Bishop’s Castle. 7.30pm. 01588 630277.
  • Shropshire Credit Union. Church Barn, Bishop’s Castle. Weekly. 11am- noon. 01743 252325.
  • Walking for Health short walks. Meet Enterprise House, Bishop’s Castle. Weekly. 10.30am.
  • Art exhibition – Brian Fletcher. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. 10am- 4pm. Until April 11. 01588 630023.
  • Footpath Walking Group. Clunbury-Bishop’s Castle. 12 miles. Dial a Ride, book on 01588 630531.

TUESDAY

  • Sock Club. Knit and drink tea. Chai Shop, Bishop’s Castle. 2pm. 01588 630435.
  • Bishop’s Castle WI. Serving as a steward aboard HMS Britannia – Andy Jones. Methodist Hall, Bishop’s Castle. 7.30pm. 01588 638507.

WEDNESDAY

  • Bishop’s Castle Film Society. Watermark (U) Canada. 2013. Three Tuns, Bishop’s Castle. 8pm. 01588 630778.
  • Bingo in aid of Newquay Seal Rescue. Kings Head, Bishop’s Castle. Over 16 only. 8pm.

CORRESPONDENT - Julia Parker 01588 680445 jparker228@btinter net.com.

 

Clows Top

BINGO – 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.

JUMBLE SALE – Clows Top Hall is holding a jumble sale on March 19, doors open at 1.30pm, all welcome.

 

Clun

SOUP AND PUD LUNCH – For Christian Aid. Clun Methodist Chapel, tomorrow. All are welcome to come along for delicious food and good company. All funds raised are for Christian Aid.

FILLING STATION – Clun Valley Filling Station, at Newcastle Community Centre, tomorrow at 7.30pm, refreshments served from 7.15pm. The March meeting will welcome speaker Mr Adrian Williams from Ludlow, who has chosen as his topic ‘The Bible speaks today’.

Adrian may look familiar to many – before he retired he worked for the Shropshire Library service, including a stint driving the mobile library. He has also been a popular lay preacher with Methodist congregations since 1979. All denominations and none are very welcome to Filling Station meetings. If you have any questions or would like some more information, call Brian Angell 01588 640029 or email clunvalleyfs@gmail.com. Filling Station is also now on Facebook as The Filling Station – Clun Valley.

TABLE TOP SALE – Hightown Community Room, Clun, Saturday at 10am. Admission is £1, to include tea or coffee. There will be much to browse and buy, all in aid of Bloodwise, which is the new name for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. There’s still time to book a table if you want to sell. Please donate items for sale, including bric- a-brac, and suitable raffle prizes. You can take them to Tim Wood, at The Old Surgery Gallery which re-opens daily from March 7. Offers of cakes are welcomed, please contact Margaret Jones on 01588 640506.

THE CLUNGUNFORD PLAYERS – Present The Sound of Clungunnas . A specially written spoof Shropshire version of the Sound of Music ! Guaranteed good, family-friendly fun. The performances are in Clungunford Parish Hall tomorrow and Saturday. Tickets are £4.50 adults and £2.50 for children. To book please ring: Eileen Chapman on 01588 660438 or Brian Taylor on 01588 660653.

FILM – Flicks in the Sticks presents: The Martian (12A), running time 141 minutes at Chapel Lawn Village Hall, Saturday, 7.30pm. Adults £4.50, children £3.50. Bar and refreshments, including ice creams. Enquiries Pete Sherman 01547 530530.

EASTER EGG BINGO – The Sun Inn, Clun, Monday, 7.30pm. A warm welcome to anyone wishing to join this special bingo session, in aid of St George’s Church funds. If you can donate an Easter egg or novelty as a prize, Tim Wood would welcome them to The Old Surgery Gallery, open from 10am to 4pm.

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST MEETING – Swifts! The Clun and Bishop’s Castle branch of the SWT meets at the Hightown Community Room, Clun, Wednesday, 7.30pm.

Guest speaker Peta Sams of the Shropshire Swift Group. Peta will talk about these most fascinating visitors from Africa, the familiar airborne screechers of high summer. She will explain how we can look after them and conserve their nesting places.

Peta has been surveying swifts across Shropshire for many years, and is a founder member of the national network that keeps swifts enthusiasts in touch with one another. She will also lead a swift walk around Clun later in the year, when the swifts are once more in residence. Register your interest for the walk at the meeting, or by contacting Mary Eminson on 01588 640921 or meminson@btinternet.com. The cost for the meeting is £3 for non-members and £2 for members. There will be free Fairtrade refreshments for all.

SUSTAINABLE FUTURES – The Methodist Church, Clun, next Thursday, March 17, at 7.30pm.

There will be a screening of the film This Changes Everything , based on the book (about climate change) of the same name by Naomi Klein.

Admission is free. Donations are welcome. There will be a discussion and refreshments served afterwards. For more information, contact Bob Cunning on 01588 640789 or Elisabeth Newman on 01588 640776.

 

Craven Arms

SHROPSHIRE HILLS DISCOVERY CENTRE - In Our Gallery, February 24 to April 12. Ron Kelly – A photography exhibition of local landscapes, flowers, birds, bees and wildlife. Ross Prince at the Loudwater Studio – Ross Prince is an extremely talented young artist. At only 21, Ross is autistic and expresses his creative and warm nature through work with pastels. 10am-5pm. Free entry. All the art on display is available to purchase.

Cookery course – (International Cuisine) – Magical Asian fusion on Saturday, at Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre. Learn how to cook Asian vegetarian cuisines that is fun to cook and perfect for sharing: Food will include a fusion from three Asian Countries: India, China and Thailand. Have fun, meet new people, enjoy the food you have cooked and take some home for your family too. 11am-4pm, £70 per person, booking essential please call 01588 676060.

INCLUSIVE CYCLING – In the Onny Meadows – Wheels for All Shropshire on Saturday. Join the Wheels for All team for this inclusive cycling session, at each session there will be a range of adapted cycles to suit all abilities.

To book contact Ian Tierney 07709 140910 or 01952 234213 mail: ian.tierney@cycling.org.uk 11am-1pm. Free.

 

Knowbury

RUMMAGE SALE – St Paul’s Church, Knowbury are holding a rummage sale at Knowbury Memorial Hall at 2pm on Saturday which is in aid of church funds. Admission is free, there will be a plant stall and refreshments. For more information please email or ring me on 01584 890349.

 

Ludlow

MAYOR’S CHARITY BLACK TIE EVENT – The Mayor of Ludlow, Cllr Paul Draper would like to invite business owners and residents of Ludlow to the mayor’s charity black tie event night at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms, on March 19, from 7.30pm.

The evening will comprise a three- course dinner, accompanied by music and dancing as well as magic tricks performed by local magician, Sonny Pennington. Tickets are £30 each and are available from Ludlow Town Council, The Guildhall, Mill Street, Ludlow, SY8 1AZ. Please make cheques payable to ‘Ludlow Town Council’. All proceeds will be going to the Mayor’s charity, League of Friends of Ludlow Hospital.

There will be the chance to bid in the charity auction. Lots include family hotel and ticket to the Story of the Beatles, Liverpool, tickets to Ironbridge Gorge Museum, bed and breakfast at the Feathers, blacksmithing tuition, tickets to the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre, a family ticket to Cadbury Word and a family ticket to the Transport Museum. There will also be a traditional raffle.

Come and join us for an entertaining night out and if you would like to make a donation to the promise auction or raffle please contact Naomi Brotherton at Ludlow Town Council 01584 871970 or email assistant@ ludlow.gov.uk.

 

Tenbury

LENT SOUP LUNCHES – Will be held on Wednesday, at Tenbury Methodist Church Hall, noon till 1.30pm. Please come along and enjoy good soup and good company, with donations accepted for Christian Aid. All are welcome.

UNITED CHURCH SERVICE FOR PALM SUNDAY – At Tenbury Methodist Church, March 20, 10.30am. This will be led by Rev James Eaton-Challinor. There will be tea and coffee after the service in the Methodist Hall. Please come along and join us – all welcome.

COUNTRY MARKET – In Tenbury Scout Hut (by the swimming pool) every Tuesday 9.30am-noon. Home- made cakes, savouries, preserves and crafts, free range eggs. Local produce made by local producers. Meet up with friends for tea/coffee and cake.

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION – Next meeting of Tenbury Wells Branch of the RBL will be at the Fountain Inn, Oldwood Road, Tenbury Wells, 7.30pm Wednesday.

WILDLIFE GROUP – Next meeting of the Teme Valley Wildlife Group is today, when we welcome Wade Muggleton whose talk is on apples and orchards of the Teme Valley. The meeting is at Rochford Village Hall at 7.30pm and is £2 on the door where everybody is most welcome. More information: 01584 781500 or email danny.arnold@waterwide.com HISTORICAL SOCIETY – Next meeting of the Teme Valley Historical Society is March 29 at 7.30pm at Abberley Village Hall, when Roy Murphy will give a talk entitled “Manchester Ship Canal”. All are welcome.

TOWN BAND – Tenbury Town Band meet for rehearsals at Penlu sports club on Sundays (Apprentices 4pm- 4.30pm and full band 4.30pm-7pm.

More information: Steve and Mel Parker 01584 881683. Or visit the website: tenburytownband.co.uk.

DISCUSSION ON HOLY WEEK – On March 21 you are invited to bring along lunch and a drink to Knighton-on-Teme Church and to partake of a discussion on Holy Week with Sally and Ted.

KNIGHTON FRIENDS – Knighton Friends is a ladies afternoon club holding meetings on the third Wednesday of each month. We go for meals, garden visits, train rides, boat trips, etc. More information: Sheila 01584 781190.

CHILDREN’S EASTER CRAFTWORKSHOP – March 25 at Lindridge School Hall. Crafts 10am- 11.45am, followed by children’s praise finishing at noon. Come along and enjoy the many crafts that will be on offer, including making your own Easter garden, Easter baskets, egg decorating, cross weaving, and cross mosaics and much more. Refreshment served throughout. All are warmly welcome. Children to be accompanied by parents or carers over the age of 16.

EASTER EGG TRAIL – Clifton-on- Teme Early Years Centre. Please join our Easter egg trail around Clifton- on-Teme Village on March 28. Starting in the playground just off Pound Lane WR6 6DE at 10.30am until 12.30pm ending at the Lion. Car parking at the playground. Fundraising event in aid of the Early Years Centre. £2.50 per hunter, all ages welcome.

EASTHAM GARDEN CLUB – This has been recently set up with occasional meetings at Eastham Village Hall. More information: Diana Clarke, secretary, 01584 781505 or diana clarke17@yahoo.co.uk.

EASTER BINGO – Tenbury Primary School, March 23, 7pm eyes down 7.30pm. Fantastic prizes to be won.

 

The Strettons

HEDGE LAYING – Saturday and Sunday practical workshops in hedge laying will be held at Karuna, nr Picklescote. Cost is £50 per day to include soup and a roll and refreshment, and bookings can be made for one or both days.Telephone 01694 751374 to enquire.

CRICKET – Friday evenings offer pay-as-you-go cricket practice and coaching at the Leisure Centre for juniors from 5pm-6pm and for adults from 7pm-8pm. On school Mondays, boys and girls aged five-11 years can play hockey with Stretton Sharks from 3.30pm-5pm. Ring 01694 723543 to find out more.

SSIF – South Shropshire Interfaith forum Round Table Discussion today 12.15pm-1.15pm at the Pilgrim Centre in Craven Arms will be led by Rizvan Khalid. The subject will be what really is ‘Jihad’. All welcome to munch their lunch if taking their sandwiches, as drinks are provided. Donations towards hire of the room welcome.

SOUTH SHROPSHIRE SMALLHOLDERS – The next meeting of the South Shropshire Smallholders group at Leebotwood Village Hall will be today when Pamela Craig RGN will be the speaker about Emergency First Aid on the smallholding where accidents can happen when people are working in the fields. There will be a Q&A session following the talk. Visitors and guests are always welcome, there is a small entrance fee of £3 and £1 respectively. Refreshments available during the evening and there will be members’ exchange announcements for items for sale or wanted, and a sales table of smallholder produce, tools and crafts.

PENTABUS – The Pentabus Theatre Company will be at All Stretton Village Hall today to present This Land by Sian Owen, at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 and £6 and should be reserved by ringing 01694 723378.

AT THE HORNE – Tonight, the ‘Churchfitters’ Folk will be at the Silvester Horne Institute to entertain at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 from Burway Books and John Thomas Florists and also the Town Council Offices. A bar will be available.

LECTURE – The Stretton Climate Care group hosts a lecture by Christian Wolmar on ‘Sustainable Transport’ at 7.30pm in the Methodist Church tomorrow. Non-members welcome, admission is £3.

FRIDAY MARKET – The Friday market held at Mayfair Community Centre will be back in business tomorrow from 8.30am-noon selling cakes, produce and craft items.

COFFEE MORNING – Churches together in the Strettons host a coffee morning to raise funds for Medecins sans Frontieres at the URC Hall from 10am-noon on Saturday.

CHARITY CONCERT – The More Singers will be in concert at the URC on Saturday at 7.30pm featuring the Durufle Requiem . Tickets sold through John Thomas Florist, choir members and at the door, cost £8.

CARDING MILL CANTER – The Carding Mill Canter of 7.8km takes place on Saturday. Registration and start is Carding Mill Valley. Full details available from merciafell runners.org.uk

BINGO – Bingo for the over 18s is held at the District Social Club every Monday evening from 7.30pm for eyes down at 8pm. Each game has money prizes.

CANCER CARE – The Stretton and Shropshire Cancer Care group will be meeting at Mayfair Community Centre on Monday at 2.30pm when Julie McLoughlin from Citizens Advice Bureau will give a talk on the help the CAB can offer in assessing financial services and support which can give access to expert knowledge on benefits.

COMMUNITY CINEMA – The film to be shown at Acton Scott Village Hall on Tuesday will be Brooklyn (12A), a romantic drama adapted from the novel by Colin Toibin, and amongst those starring in the film is Julie Walters.

CAMERA CLUB – Wednesday is the date of the next meeting for Longmynd Camera Club held at the URC Hall from 7.30pm. On this occasion Scott Latham will give a talk about a wildlife journey and also covers his favourite images across several genres including his composite and creative pictures.

The previous meeting on March 2, was a club competition night with an open subject judged by Tony Thomas EFIAP.

MEETING – On Wednesday there will be a listen, learn and discuss meeting at Mayfair Community Centre from 10am-11.30am. The subject of the discussion is ‘What do you think about Trident and Nuclear Disarmament? All welcome.

NETWORK – The speaker at the network meeting on Wednesday will be Mike Fawdrey on the ‘Missionary Aviation Fellowship’. Meetings start at 2.30pm in the Methodist Hall and all are welcome.

MAYFAIR – The winning numbers in the February lottery draw for Mayfair were 521, 276, 335, and 331, winning £100, £50, £20 and £10 respectively.

The work on the well-being centre is coming along well and the pledges received now total £100,346. Many thanks to all who have responded to this fundraising.

BUMPS AND BABES – The parents’ and toddlers’ meeting at the Parish Centre welcomes bumps and babes on Thursdays during term time from 10am-noon.

LIBRARY EVENTS – In addition to the usual weekly events held at the Library, next Thursday, March 17, offers a talk by author, Mike Uden, starting at 7pm. Tickets cost £3 and booking is essential. Ring 01694 722535 to enquire for places.

EVENING TALK – Another of Mayfair’s evening talks will be held next Thursday, March 17, and will give an insight into making a difference working in a Bangladesh Orphanage. Tickets £4 including refreshment, 7pm for 7.30pm.

LUNCH – A bangers and mash and pudding lunch in aid of Save the Children is planned for March 18, noon-1.30pm at the Parish Centre.

CONCERT – Wild Men of the Baroque featuring Piers Adams and David Wright will be in concert at the Methodist Church, March 18, 7.30pm CONCERT AND DANCE – A concert and dance in aid of Pazapa is planned for March 18, at Church Stretton School starting at 7.30pm. A bar will be available. Admission is £8 for adults and £4 for students.

EASTER CRAFTS – On March 19 at Scrappies there will be a demonstration on chick bird feeders from 10am-noon and noon-2pm. The Easter workshops will take place on March 21 and 22 for youngsters aged seven and over. Cost is £3.50 per child or £2 if a member of the Crafty Kids Club.

DANCE OVERTURE – The Stretton School of Dance 7 Drama presents a showcase of dance and drama to the renowned high standards of the local young performers. The showcase takes place at Church Stretton School on March 19 and 20.

THEATRE LIVE – Direct from the Royal Opera House will be a new production of Musorgsky’s magnificent opera on the perils of power, starring bass-baritone, Bryn Terfel, as Boris Godunov and streamed to Church Stretton School on March 21, starting at 7pm. Admission is £11 for adults, £5 for youngsters.