Bishop's Castle childminder scheme, footpath volunteers needed, friends old and new, walks, French classes and more (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Bishop's Castle childminder scheme, footpath volunteers needed, friends old and new, walks, French classes and more

10:23am Thursday 6th September 2012 in Bishop's Castle

Find out how to become a registered child minder at an information day in Bishop's Castle on September 19.

Enterprise South West Shropshire is running a project with Shropshire Council to create 10 childminder businesses in the area. Mike Ashwell from Enterprise SW Shropshire says, “There are no registered childminders in Bishop’s Castle, and few in southwest Shropshire. We have a limited amount of funding that we can use to help people to get started.

“Becoming a childminder is easier than you think,” adds Ashwell. “You can get free training and we can get you started with a grant.” Call Enterprise House on 01588 638083.

FOOTPATH VOLUNTEERS - Can you help maintain the public footpaths in the Bishop's Castle area under the direction of Shropshire Council?

Volunteers are needed to help cut back overgrowth, replace way marks and stiles and generally help to keep the paths in good order. All the work will be covered by Shropshire Council’s insurance and training can be given.

Call Bishop's Castle Town Hall on 01588 638141 to find out more.

FRIENDS OLD AND NEW - Bishop's Castle Friends in Retirement Club meets every two weeks on a Thursday in the Grange Community Centre from 2-4pm. The afternoons offer refreshments, cards, dominoes and a chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones. Barbara Pickford and Betty Williams look forward to meeting you at the next meeting on September 20. Call Barbara on 01588 638703 or Betty on 638315 for details.

WALKS - Why not enjoy a short walk of half an hour or so every Wednesday, in the company of others? Volunteers from Walking for Health meet at Abbeyfield House in Oak Meadow at 10.30am and they will be pleased to have you come along. Tea and coffee are served afterwards and the walks are free. Call John on 01588 620811 or Anne-Marie on 07813 885906.

FRENCH CLASSES - French classes for adults are starting up again on Tuesday evenings in the relaxed atmosphere of the Castle Hotel. Two levels are offered - further beginners at 6.40pm and intermediate at 8pm, beginning on September 11. Linda Atkins, who has been teaching adults for many years, tailors the courses to meet the needs of the groups. The further beginners follow Breakthrough French Book 1 and the intermediates Book 2. If you are interested, call Linda on 01588 620557 for more details, and/or come along for a trial lesson.

BIG MICHAELMAS SING - Bishop's Castle Church will be playing its part during the Michaelmas Fair weekend on September 15 and 16. It will be the venue for the Bishop's Castle Arts Society exhibition and also provide tea and cakes for visitors over the two days. On September 15 at 5pm the Big Michaelmas Sing will aim to gather 100 voices in the church for a sing-song.

Anne Loughran, who leads local choir Castle Voices, is looking for 100 singers of all ages and abilities to celebrate the Michaelmas weekend. Entry is free with your Michaelmas Fair ticket.

Call 01547 520339 to find out more.

BISHOP’S CASTLE RAILWAY SOCIETY - The society has a new venue, meeting for the first time in the Methodist Hall in Station Street tomorrow (Friday) at 7.30pm. Guest speaker Mike Riley will talk about the Great Central Railway.

Future meetings will be on the first Friday of each month. Bishop’s Castle Railway Museum in School Lane is open every Saturday and Sunday from 2-5pm until the end of October. For more details call Nick Downes on 01588 660626.

MYTH AND MEMORY POEMS - Nigel Sustins, author of a poem about Wild Edric, has published a new collection of verse narratives associated with Shropshire landmarks, churches and people. Most of the poems in Myth and Memory deal with the supernatural, but they also reflect the glories of the Shropshire countryside. Nigel Sustins, who lives in Wentnor, has also written a three-part sequel to Wild Edric, entitled Edric’s Land. Myth and Memory: Poems of the Shropshire Hills (Marchland Books), by Nigel Sustins will be launched on September 26 at 6.30pm at YouCaxton Publishing, 23 High Street, Bishop’s Castle. Entrance is free and wine will be served. For more information call 01588 650590.

TRIP TO JCB FACTORY - The Shropshire section of the Vintage Motorcycle Club, which meets at the Inn on the Green in Wentnor, is running a trip to the JCB factory and the Rudyard Lake Railway on October 30. The cost is £60, to include the tour, railway trip and lunch. The first visit of the day will be to the JCB factory near Uttoxeter, followed by lunch. The group will then visit the Rudyard Lake Railway. To find out more, call Derek Trow on 01686 670626. All welcome.

BISHOP’S CASTLE DIARY September 7: Tai Ji Quan class – Clare Williams. First session. Church Barn, Bishop's Castle. Weekly, 10.30am- 12pm. Call 0781 3826417.

Garden produce stall in aid of Bishop's Castle Twinning Association. Outside pharmacy, 10am.

Bishop's Castle Railway Society. ‘The Great Central Railway’ – Mike Riley.

Church Barn, Bishop's Castle, 7.30pm.

Call 01588 660626.

Onny Valley Social Club AGM, Norbury Village Hall, 7.30pm.

September 8: Auction, Public Hall, Bishop's Castle. Call 01743 462763.

September 9: Bishop's Castle Civic Society. Heritage Open Day. 2-5pm.

Endurance GB fun ride. 10 or 20 miles.

Start Norbury Village Hall, 10am. Call 01588 650603.

September 10: Slimming World – new consultant. Methodist Hall, Bishop's Castle, 7pm. Call Alan 01584 874430 Bingo, Powis Arms, Lydbury North.

8pm. Call 01588 680396.

September 11: Bishop's Castle Town Council meeting, Town Hall, 8pm.

Weekly French classes – Linda Atkins.

Castle Hotel, Bishop’s Castle. Further beginners, 6.40pm; intermediate, 8pm.

Call 01588 620557.

Footpath Walking Group, Llanymynech, 9 miles. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, 9.30am. Call 01588 650451.

Mainstone WI. ‘Sketching’ – Eve Dutton, village hall, 7.30pm. Call 01588 640585.

September 12: Mothers Union.

‘Abbeyfield House’ – Kent Tomey.

Church Barn, Bishop's Castle, 7.30pm.

September 13: Meditation course - Dave Phillips. First session. 4 Field Lane, Bishop's Castle, 8pm. £25 for six.

Call 01588 638614.

Poets' Corner, Castle Hotel, Bishop’s Castle. Book a 7pm meal on 01588 620541. Readings and music 8pm. Call 01588 620541.

Norbury and Dist WI ‘Three Course Meal Demonstration’ – Eve Evans and Hilary Lewis, Norbury village hall, 7.30pm.

September 14: Film The Pirates cert U.

SpArC, Bishop's Castle, £4/£2, 6.30pm.

Call 01588 630243.

Christian Aid harvest stall, High St, Bishop's Castle, 10am.

Quiz in aid of Friends of Bishop's Castle Community, Home and Hospital, Inn on the Green, Wentnor.

£7 including supper.

Alphabet Dancers. Traditional English dances, Lydham Village Hall, £2.50.

Second and fourth Friday of month.

8pm. Call 01743 891117.

September 15: Michaelmas Fair weekend. Party in Pink Zumbathon in aid of Breast Cancer Research. Top field, Community College, Bishop's Castle, £5, 2pm.

SWSHAS Michaelmas exhibition.

‘Going Places, Historical Transport in SW Shropshire’. Cadet Hall, New St, Bishop's Castle, 10am-5pm. Continues Sunday.

Real Furniture Show, Community College hall, Bishop's Castle, 10.30am- 6pm. Continues Sunday.

Big Michaelmas Sing with Castle Voices. Bishop's Castle Church, 5pm.

Call 01547 520339.

Farmers’ market. Town Hall and Market Square, Bishop's Castle, 8am- 1pm. Call 01588 638141.

Flea and collectors’ market. Bishop's Castle Town Hall, 9am-4pm. Call 07970 409045.

House on Crutches Museum, Bishop's Castle, 10.30am-1pm and 2-5pm.

Race bikes exhibition, New St, Bishop's Castle. Free with donations to Welsh Air Ambulance and Help for Heroes.

10am-5pm.

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 or call 01588 680445 or email jparker228@btinternet.com.