The Strettons (From Ludlow Advertiser)

The Strettons

8:00am Thursday 7th January 2010

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PRAYERS FOR PEACE - The Prayers for Peace drop-in will take place today (Thursday) from 10am-2.30pm but on this occasion it will be held at the Methodist Church instead of St Laurence’s Church. Specific prayer requests this month are by the URC.

GREEN PARTY - The next meeting of the Green Party will take place at the Acorn Café, Sandford Avenue, on Monday, January 11, and the Farming in the Future debate will be held on Thursday, January 14, at the Royal Oak, South Street, Leominster, at 7.30pm when the speakers will be Dr David Gibbon and Richard Priestly. It should be of interest to anyone with an interest in food and farming in the light of peak oil and climate change. To find out more, ring 01588 780886.

CANCER CARE - The Christmas bazaar organised by Stretton and Shropshire Cancer Care was a great success, raising £641.25 for the group’s funds thanks to those who helped on the day. Thanks are also given for all of the prizes for the raffle which were kindly donated by Mid-Counties Co-op, Stars News Shops, Hillside Pharmacy, Shampers, Joan Morris, Percy Tarbuck and Gill and Patrick Anderson, and thanks to everyone who supported the event. The first meeting of the New year will be at Mayfair Community Centre at 2.30pm on Monday, January 11, and on this occasion Robin Jukes-Hughes will be giving a talk about his experience creating his recent book Portrait of the Shropshire Hills and will be showing slides illustrating the variety and beauty of our surroundings.

There is a ‘thank you’ to PCB Solicitors in Sandford Avenue for offering the use of the window for a display to raise awareness of the aims of Stretton and Shropshire Cancer Care, which are to care for people in the community who have cancer and their relatives and friends. To find out more, ring Robin on 01743 718773 or Roger on 01584 878829 or visit the website strettoncancercare.org.uk.

SMALLHOLDERS’ GROUP - For the December meeting, the Shropshire Smallholders Group, members and guests enjoyed taking part in a very entertaining quiz with questions about wild flowers, rare breeds, herbs and tractors and such like. There was a chance for a chat and time to welcome the two new members who had recently moved to Shropshire from Berkshire while enjoying the bring-and-share supper. The next meeting will be on Thursday, January 14, at 7.30pm in Longnor Village Hall and it will be the annual general meeting followed by a free two-course supper prepared as usual by the members.

The group has sourced some ideas for using the ash from wood fires and wood burning stoves, and suggests placing a ring of this ash around certain plants to ward off the attacks by slugs. The ash can also be used as a free fertiliser on the garden, or to cover fragile plants to protect and nourish the roots during the winter months, but as the wood ash is alkaline it should not be used around acid-loving plants.

There is also a warning from the RSPB not to feed birds left over meat juices from the cooking pan as these can quickly go rancid and become a breeding ground for food poisoning bacteria, but instead to use up crumbs from the Christmas cake, mince pie pastry and biscuits. Mild grated cheese, cooked or uncooked rice, breakfast cereals, cooked potatoes and fruit are also beneficial.

DISCO - The Chamber of Trade holds its second winter disco at the Silvester Horne Institute from 8pm-late on Saturday, January 23, and welcomes the over-18s. A licensed bar will be available. Admission is £5, and all proceeds will go towards the Summer Fest. Tickets are being sold through Wrights and Van Does Bergs .

SOLDIER’S QUESTION - This is the subject of a talk by Brigadier Ian Dobbie, who will be speaking at the Parish Centre on Saturday, firstly at a men’s breakfast at 8am and again at a ladies’ lunch at 12.30pm.

SCHOOL NEWS - Church Stretton School took part in a sponsored walk last term and pupils and staff entered into the spirit of the occasion by dressing up in colourful and inventive outfits to raise sponsorship of more than £11,000. The money will be used to provide equipment for the new sports hall, benefiting the students and the wider community now and in the future. Well done, everyone.

The Winter Wonderland concert rounded off the term and gave pupils a chance to show off their musical talents alongside a preview of the school’s next drama production of Arabian Nights which is due to be staged from February 9-11. Displays of artwork, poetry, maths and science work were on show and there were refreshments provided by the PFA. The evening raised £144 for charity.

The Parents and Friends Association presents a music night at Rushbury Village Hall on Saturday, January 30, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5 and there will be music to suit various tastes provided by Vlaadka, 2CV, Neotopia and Skewwhiff.

WORKSHOP - Enquire for places at Mayfair if you would like to take part in a silk painting workshop with Jenny Fitzpatrick on Saturday, from 10am-4pm. It costs £20.

EVENING CLASSES - The new term of evening classes at Church Stretton School is due to start on Wednesday, January 13. Ring Shrewsbury College on 01743 342333 if you would like to sign up for an introduction to computing or to learn to play the flute. A course on kitchen gardens and growing your own food is due to start on March 3. The classes are for people aged 19-plus and certain fee concessions are available.

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