Bishop's Castle quilt raffle, Michaelmas Fair volunteers, carnival queen quest (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Bishop's Castle quilt raffle, Michaelmas Fair volunteers, carnival queen quest

9:20am Thursday 16th August 2012 in Bishop's Castle

QUILT RAFFLE – The Onny Camlad Quilters, who live near Bishop’s Castle, have been working together on a colourful patchwork quilt for the past few months. With their work now complete, Jean Couper, Joy Martin, Margaret Rowson, Jane Semple and Angela Turner are selling draw tickets to raffle the quilt and three matching cushions in aid of charity. Their chosen charities are Hope House Children’s Hospice and the Severn Hospice, with the draw to be made at the Crown Inn, Wentnor, on October 17 at 10.30am. Tickets for the draw cost £1 each from any of the five ladies, or from the Severn Hospice shop in Bishop’s Castle. For more information, call 01588 630313.

MICHAELMAS FAIR VOLUNTEERS – This year’s Michaelmas Fair is on September 15 and16, with an exciting programme of opera, brass bands, theatre, Indian dance and street entertainers, plus steamers, street processions and much more. To help run this great event and to welcome the thousands of visitors who come to Bishop’s Castle, the Michaelmas Fair committee needs volunteers who can help steward for a couple of hours over the weekend. John Lucas, committee chairman, said: “The more people who can help the easier it becomes and volunteers are very welcome indeed. To be part of this event, either sign on at a stall in the High Street outside the pharmacy on Saturday, call me on 01588 638154 or e-mail info@michaelmasfair. org.uk.

There are also vacancies for three paid stewards to manage the road crossing from the car park. If you can help with this job, come along and see us on Saturday or contact us via the number or e-mail above.”

FIRST WINNERS – The winners of the June Bishop’s Castle Church draw were Dennis Howells £50, Matthew Bedell £15, Barbara Pickford £10. July winners were Mrs C Barnes £30, Mr H Morris £15 and Janny Phillips £10.

CARNIVAL QUEEN QUEST – Bishop’s Castle carnival committee member Karen Bavastock is continuing her quest to track down the names and photographs of the town’s carnival queens. Following publicity in local newspapers, Karen has had some luck. She said: “I now have pictures of Jane Deakin who was the carnival queen in 1973, hand-delivered by Jane herself. I also have leads on the other two people, which is great news.” However, she is still looking for the elusive queen from 1981.

Karen said: “She still hasn’t been named. 1981 seems to have disappeared off the calendar completely as there are no names for senior or junior kings or queens. It is getting to the stage where I wonder if there was a carnival at all in 1981.

“However locals I have spoken to are sure there would have been one in that year. I feel like I am so near to finishing this now and it would be fantastic if we could have one last push to find this information and produce a clear and accurate record of our carnival history. It is great to come home and have photographs through my letterbox of carnival kings and queens. In September, the Heritage Resource Centre has offered to organise an open day for people to bring in their carnival memories, which is very kind. Meanwhile, please contact me on 07967 100903 or e-mail me at karenbavastock@ btinternet.com.” Karen hopes to launch her carnival book or series of booklets in the late autumn. Look on Facebook, Bishop’s Castle Carnival 2012 for up-to-date information.

TOMORROW – Bishop’s Castle Twinning Association. French wine tasting. Three Tuns, Bishop’s Castle £6, 7pm. Tickets on 01588 630313.

Also Pony day for children. Walcot Stables, Lydbury North. 10am to 4pm.

Call 01588 680514.

SATURDAY – Volunteer for Bishop’s Castle Michaelmas Fair. Outside pharmacy. 10am Also Farmers’ market. Town hall and Market Square, Bishop’s Castle. 8am to 1pm. Call 01588 638141.

TUESDAY – Pony day for children.

Walcot Stables, Lydbury North. 10am to 4pm. Call 01588 680514.

NEXT THURSDAY – Pony day for children. Walcot Stables, Lydbury North. 10am to 4pm. Call 01588 680514. Also footpath walking group, Pennerley, seven miles. Meet Harley Jenkins Street car park at 11am. Call 01743 891487.

AUGUST 25 – Auction. Public hall, Bishop’s Castle. Call 01743 462763.

If you have any news for the paper, or a coming 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.The e-mail address is jparker228@btinternet.com.