CHRISTMAS LIGHTS - There will be no Christmas lights festival in Bishop's Castle this year. A new team of volunteers has decided not to go ahead with the event on December 4. They feel there is not enough time to organise a successful event with the resources and volunteer manpower offered so far. Since last year several key members of the group have decided to step down for a welldeserved break. The new team wanted to get back to basics and it became clear that the event was overdue for a re-think. They felt that any Christmas celebration should be focused on the community and fun for organisers, residents, families and visitors alike. Most interested parties have been supportive of the idea of taking a complete break this year and to start with renewed energy and lots more time in 2011. There will be further announcements in the New Year to remind everyone that Bishop’s Castle still needs lots of volunteers of help and ideas for a Christmas Lights Festival in 2011.

The independently organised church craft fair and flea market will still be taking place on December 4. David Palliser, the Bishop's Castle festivals coordinator will welcome your interest, comments and offers of help for 2011. His email address is d_Palliser@hotmail.com LAUNCH - Over 50 boys and girls between the ages of six and ten came to the first meeting of Bishop's Castle beavers and cub scouts at the Community College.

The leader of the new beavers group who will meet for an hour every week is Jenny Ellis. Pete Banford will be in charge of cub scouts aged eight to ten-and-ahalf, while Tracy Magill will lead the scouts aged ten-and-a-half to 14.

The evening was attended by Keith Wale, the District Commissioner for scouting in the Shropshire Severn and Teme District. The Bishop's Castle scouts are looking for a chairman and secretary to make up a local executive. If you can help call Keith Wale on 01952 594354.

NEW PRIEST - The licensing of Rev Stephanie Fountain as priest in charge of the Ridgeway Group of Parishes will be on October 19, at 7.30pm, in Bishop's Castle Church.

The Ridgeway Group comprises Bishop's Castle, Lydbury North, Mainstone, Edgton and Sarn.

Everyone is invited to welcome Rev Fountain as the new priest.

CALLING VIOLINISTS - Bishop's Castle Orchestra meets in the Cadet Hall in New Street opposite Enterprise House every Thursday evening from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

New players are very welcome, especially if you are a violinist. Call 01588 638828 for details.

DANCE - Tickets are now on sale for a Christmas charity dance in the public hall, Bishop's Castle on December 11. The evening, in memory of Steve Waldron, is a fundraiser for a cancer charity and tickets cost £10. They are on sale at Whittall’s, the Boars Head and from Kath Davis on 01588 638914. The band Soul Party will be performing.

AGM - Bishop's Castle Agricultural Show AGM will be held on October 26, at 8pm, in the Three Tuns.

Everyone is welcome and for more information call the show secretary Sally Deakins on 01588 630290.

BLACK HAMLET - Tickets are selling well for a production of Hamlet at the SpArC Theatre on October 21. Two Gents Productions offer its interpretation of Shakespeare’s masterpiece set within a contemporary African context. Tickets cost £8/£5 on sale at 01588 630243.

COFFEE MORNING - The coffee morning in Lydbury North Village Hall on September 24 raised £840 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Delia and Tony Lewis and Elsie Corfield organised the event and they thank everyone for their support and help on the day.

NEW CHAIRMAN - The AGM of the South West Shropshire Gardening Club was held in the Lydbury North Village Hall. Pauline Edie replaced Anne Shepherdson as chairman and it was reported that under Anne’s chairmanship the club has enjoyed a good year with excellent speakers at the monthly meetings. Pauline welcomes anyone interested in joining the club - please call her on 01588 660120 or come along to a meeting. The next one is in Lydbury North Village Hall on October 27, when a former Shropshire Radio gardening panel will be answering Any Questions.

■ If you have any news for the paper, or an event to promote please hand a note addressed to Julia Parker over the counter at Bishop’s Castle post office. She sends news to the paper every week. Her phone number is 01588 680445. Her email address is jparker228@btinternet.com