Bishops Castle

FIRE SERVICE JUMBLE SALE - Don’t miss a jumble sale in Bishops Castle public hall on Saturday, at 2pm. It is in aid of Bishops Castle fire service and Mo Parry has lined up plenty of stalls including jumble, tombola, bric a brac, cakes, a prize draw and refreshments. Call 01588 630096 for more information.

JUNIOR TENNIS POPULAR AT CLUB - Bishops Castle tennis club has been running a coaching course for children aged six to 12 years. “The demand has been well beyond our capacity,” said Trevor Chalkley, the club’s junior tennis co-ordinator, “but we accommodated 18 very enthusiastic young people for six sessions. Nearly all of them wanted to carry on, so our coach Simon Willis has agreed to continue coaching for another five weeks. What has also been good is that we were able to get some of the mums and dads to have a go as well, with some help from our women’s team captain Vanessa Campbell.” The club charges a very low membership fee for parents and guardians who want to play with their children. To find out more about Bishops Castle tennis club look on www.bcltc.btck.co.uk or call club secretary Anne-Marie Jackson 01588 638566.

NEW CHALLENGE WALK - The Bishops Castle challenge walk is a new walk of 24, 13 or 11 miles in the Shropshire Hills and border countryside. The event on August 16 is to raise money for Bishops Castle Town Hall Target 250 appeal. To find out more look on www.bchcallengewalk.co.uk or visit Bishops Castle Tourist Inforrnation Centre in the town hall.

DR PENNEY AT PATIENTS’ GROUP MEETING - Dr Adrian Penney was one of the guest speakers at the AGM of Bishops Castle patients group on June 10. His subject was Bishops Castle Medical Practice: Planning for the Future . Speaking to an audience of over 70 patients in the public hall he said that he felt he was building the practice from scratch and that staffing was fundamental. He said that recruitment of new doctors for the practice was ongoing but proving difficult and the appointment of three full time or four part time GPs, together with two nurses would be ideal. He added that he would like the service in Bishops Castle to become more integrated with Bishops Castle Community Hospital. In answer to a question from the audience about how long he could run a single person practice, Dr Penney said that he could see the practice working with GPs in Clun and the wider locality. Karen Bavastock, mayor of Bishops Castle asked Dr Penney how the community could support the practice and hospital and Dr Penney replied they should accept this was a time of transition and that he hoped the situation would soon be resolved with new GPs coming as salaried doctors or partners. He appealed to patients not to over-use the telephone consultation facility at the surgery and use reception staff for routine requests.

FIRST AGM FOR PATIENTS’ GROUP - At the first annual meeting of Bishops Castle Patients’ Group (BCPG) Nick Hutchins, chair of BCPG steering group, welcomed the frank and open presentations on the future of medical services in Bishops Castle by Dr Adrian Penney, and of hospital provision in Shropshire and the Welsh borders by Dr Caron Morton of the Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). Look on www.bcpg.org.uk for more details. The BCPG steering group may be contacted by email on BCPatientsGroup@ gmail.com; call 07967 306615 during office hours Monday to Friday or via the drop box at Bishops Castle surgery reception.

CLERK BACK IN TOWN HALL - Bishops Castle town clerk Diane Malley has moved back to her office in Bishops Castle town hall. She will be working upstairs in the Mayor’s Parlour from Monday to Thursday, 9.30am to 12.30pm. Call 01588 63814 with enquiries.

TOWN HALL BEER AND QUIZ - Book your team in for a beer and quiz night at Bishops Castle town hall at 7.30pm on July 9. Register your team at the town hall on 01588 630023 or call Jane Carroll on 01588 638467 or Sue Willmer on 630200.

MACBETH AND THE TEMPEST - After a phenomenal start to the 2014 Globe on Screen season with a side-splitting version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream , this year’s trio of supernatural Shakespeare classics continues with Macbeth today (Thursday) and The Tempest July 17, at SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle. Continuing Globe On Screen’s exceptional standard for quality, all three performances are captured in high definition and broadcast in their entirety in pristine digital cinema quality, with full 5.1 surround sound offering audiences the opportunity to experience the world’s most famous stage as if they were there in person. Last year, Globe On Screen was broadcast at a record-breaking 2000 cinemas in 12 countries. Tickets for these special screened events are £10 adults/£7 children. Tickets can be booked at SpArC Theatre or Enterprise House in Bishops Castle, call 01588 630321/638038 or online at www.sparctheatre.co.uk.

CARNIVAL ATTRACTIONS - Three new events have been added to Bishops Castle carnival week, leading up to the July 6 big day. A wheelbarrow race on the Wednesday evening with £60 for winning team and £30 to best dressed wheelbarrow. On carnival day itself ‘It’s a Knockout’ competition between local young farmers clubs. Teams from Chirbury and Marton and Clun will be there as well as from Sarn. Sarn Young Farmers Club recently won the top prize to become the Montgomeryshire young farmers rally champions for first time in 36 years. Plans also for a dog show at the carnival, details of which will be announced shortly. Press contact: Martin Walter 01588 620055.

RACE RAISES £9000 FOR SCHOOL - Norbury Primary School, near Bishops Castle has raised £9000 for school funds with a national mountain bike event on June 7. The Longmynd Batch Burner was first held last year. The money raised last year was spent on helping to fund educational trips for all the pupils and on educational resources in school. The two years were sell outs, with the 2015 challenge fixed for June 6, if you want to take part look on www.batchburner.org.uk.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY, June 26-July 2.

THURSDAY - Thursday market. Bishops Castle town hall. Weekly 8am-2pm.

  • Globe on Screen. Macbeth . SpArC Theatre, Bishops Castle. £10/£7. 7pm. Call 01588 630321 or 638038.
  • Hatha yoga- Marj Cook. Bishops Castle town hall. Weekly. 6pm. Call 07713 621586
  • SATURDAY - Jumble sale in aid of Bishops Castle Fire Service. Public hall, Bishops Castle. 2pm. Call 01588 630096.
  • Bishops Castle Tandem Triathlon.
  • Upper Onny Wildlife Group. Day visit to Shelve Pool with Rob Rowe. 1am-3pm. Call 01588 630648.

SUNDAY - Folk dance musicians’ workshop. Lydham village hall. £25. 10am. Folk dance. £5. 4.30pm. Call 01743 891117.

  • British Stone Skimming Championships in aid of Prostate Cancer Research. Walcot Hall, Lydbury North. 12 noon. Call 01588 638818
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  • MONDAY - Bishops Castle cricket club. Carnival cricket junior competition and barbecue. Lydham Manor Ground, Bishops Castle. 6pm. Call 07779 844613.
  • Bishops Castle walking group. Bishops Castle. Four-six miles. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishops Castle. 9.30am. Call 01588 630165.

TUESDAY - Onny Valley social club. Garden visit to Prolley Moor. £3for charity inc tea. Norbury village hall. 2.30pm. Call 01588 638570.

Any news for the paper, or a coming event to promote, hand a note addressed to Julia Parker over the counter at Bishops Castle Post Office. She sends news to the paper every week. Call 01588 680445 or email jparker228@btinternet.com.

 

 

Clun

COFFEE AND STRAWBERRY TEAS - A summer event in aid of Action for Children takes place on Saturday at the Methodist Chapel, Clun starting with coffee 10am to 12 noon £1.50pp, followed by strawberry teas from 2pm to 4pm £3.50pp. There will be various stalls all day.

ART EXHIBITIONS - News just in from The Old Surgery Gallery in Clun; one of the exhibitors in the current print show at the gallery, Paul Hipkiss, has had two pieces of his work accepted for hanging in the Royal Academy’s summer exhibition in London. It is the fourth year in a row that Paul has been successful. Other exhibitors in The Old Surgery Gallery’s present show include David Harban and Peter Shread who have both shown in the London summer exhibition before, together with Mary Campbell, Janis Goodman, Lynn Jeffery, Celia Nancarrow, David White and Gordon Yapp. The gallery is open 10am to 5pm Thursday to Friday including Sundays but closes on Wednesdays. Local artists Pauline Kiteley and Jay Diamond are showing an exhibition of their work from Saturday, to July 5, in the barn at 9 Church Street, Clun, from 11am to 5pm, daily. Pauline specialises in watercolours and Jay is known for her animal portraits.

CAFECHURCH - Clun Chapel opens its doors for ‘a good natter with friends’ and free refreshments on Sunday 3-4pm. All welcome. Contact Michael Newman 01588 640776.

WALKING FOR HEALTH - A short walk around the town every Tuesday. Meet at the Maltings Café at 10.30am.

CLUN WI - Clun WI is holding an open meeting on Tuesday at Hightown community room. All are invited to hear Paul Watts illustrated talk, Walking the Severn Way. Paul is a well known speaker with a reputation for being both entertaining and knowledgeable, 7.30pm. Guests £3 admission, includes refreshments.

CLUN RAMBLERS - Clun Ramblers’ next walk is Wednesday, led by Hazel Mancini. Meet at Clun memorial hall car park at 9.30am. Sorry no dogs.

TIM’S TRAVELS - There is a coach outing going to Llandudno from the Clun Valley on Wednesday. It departs Newcastle at 8.45am, Whitcott Keysett at 8.50am, Clun Bridge at 9am and then boards at Clun High Street, Clunton, Brampton Cross Roads, Kempton, Lydbury North and Bishops Castle. The outing is being organised by Tim Wood of The Old Surgery Gallery in Clun; book with him in person at the gallery, (closed Wednesdays but open on Saturday and Sunday), or 01588 640506.

 

 

Ludlow

POETRY TRAIL - As part of this year’s Fringe Festival in Ludlow, Lower Broad Street is presenting a poetry trail. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be a walk through Broadgate towards the river; admire the lovely plantings outside the residences. But look closer. In the front window of many of the houses, you will find a poem. The poems on display are all contemporary - from Housman to Heaney. They are all good poems and easy to understand on a first passing reading. The poets are English, Irish, Welsh, Scottish and American. If you are particularly struck, you may well be offered a copy of the poem you have just read. This is Lower Broad Street’s celebration of poetry.

 

 

Richards Castle

NORTHERN SOUL AND MOTOWN NIGHT - On Saturday from 8.30pm- 12.30am in the village hall. Music by Andy Vass and others; all profits to Macmillan Nurses and North Farm Riding for the Disabled. Admission strictly by ticket only. Tickets £6, available from the Castle Inn and several outlets in Ludlow and Clee Hill. Please ring 01584 831678 or 07552 610888 for more details.

 

 

Tenbury

COUNTRY MARKET - By the swimming pool every Tuesday between 9.30am-12 noon. Homemade home grown cakes, savouries, soups, apple juice, jams, preserves, honey, eggs, ready meals, special diets, seasonal fruit and vegetables, plants, cut flowers, crafts. Tea, coffee, home-baked cakes and a warm welcome.

HEALTH WALKS - For anyone who would like to meet people, enjoy a slightly more active lifestyle and experience the outdoors. Join in the short walks in and around Tenbury Wells every third Thursday of the month, 10am at The Pump Rooms. Enjoy tea or coffee afterwards. Forthcoming dates: July 17, August 21, September 18, October 16.

ST MICHAELS SINGERS - Present a summer celebration of music from the British Isles. Rutter Gloria, Boodle Gloria, folk songs at St Michaels and All Angels Church, Tenbury Wells, July 12, 7.30pm. Tickets £10 (includes a glass of wine) available from Harlequin, choir members and Pam Owens 01584 810978.

TEME READERS - That Part was True , novel by Deborah Mckinlay. Tenbury Library tomorrow (Friday) 2pm-3pm. Copies of the book available.

 

The Strettons

LOCAL HISTORY - Volunteers at the library are happy to guide people with their research into local history from 1pm-4pm every Thursday.

SINGING - An evening for adults singing for fun is available at Church Stretton School on Thursdays 7pm- 9pm. To take part go to the drama room, admission £5, all are welcome.

AGM - Little Stretton village hall committee holds its annual general meeting tonight (Thursday) at 7.30pm and all residents of Little Stretton and Minton are invited to attend.

MARKET - The country market is open tomorrow (Friday), and every Friday at Mayfair from 8.30am- 12noon selling home-made cakes, produce and craft items.

EVERGREEN CLUB - The Evergreen Club meets tomorrow (Friday) at Mayfair when the Rev Hazel Radcliffe will give a talk about a career in machine knitting. The meeting starts at 2.30pm and all are welcome.

MARATHON - This is the weekend of the mountain bike marathon taking place tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday, starting and finishing at Church Stretton School.

WORKSHOP - How to make an earth oven is the theme of a workshop at Karuna, Near Picklescott Saturday and Sunday. There will be a demonstration of cooking pizza and bread in one of these ovens.

CAR WASH - A car wash by appointment is available at Burway Garage in Crossways Saturday 10am-4pm. Ring 01694 722588 to arrange a time.

YOGA - Calling all local yoga enthusiasts! A community charity day is planned for Saturday, a day of Bakhti yoga at Leebotwood village hall. Call 01694 724317 to enquire for places. Starts at 10.30am-4pm.

SUMMER SPARKLE - An evening of light music will take place at Rushbury on Saturday when the Halfway House Ladies Choir will be in concert. Tickets cost £7 and include light refreshment and a sparkling drink with all proceeds of the event going to St Peter’s Church. Information and enquiries for tickets will be available by ringing 01694 771341 and 771636.

FOCUS - Focus magazine holds its annual general meeting on Monday at the Silvester Horne Institute, 10.30am. All welcome.

WILDLIFE - Meet in the square around 9pm Wednesday evenings if you would like to take part in the survey to find out how swifts use the built environment. To find out more about this from Stretton Area Community Wildlife Group ring 01694 724170.

WALKING FOOTBALL - Football is the main topic at the moment and if you fancy having a go at walking football ring Ken on 01694 724957.

OUTINGS - The Tree Group is planning an outing to the Wyre Forest on July 9, and will meet at Crossways at 9.15am to arrange car sharing. Wyre Forest is one of the largest semi-natural ancient woodlands in England, and forester in charge, Richard Boles, will be on hand to give some background information about the history, wildlife, management and current usage of the forest. There are then two walks which can be taken around the area. Snacks and drinks are available at the café. Car parking is £3 and entry for non-members is £1. If you would like to join with the Tree Group on this occasion please ring 01694 723208, an early reply would be appreciated. The local gardening club has an outing to Wilkins Pleck Gardens, Newcastle-u-Lyne on July 10, and to Wollerton Old Hall Garden near Market Drayton on July 22. For seats on the coach ring 01694 720131.

SMALLHOLDERS - At the June meeting, the group welcomed Simon Battson as the speaker to give a talk on fallow deer. The Shropshire smallholders went to Harry’s Yard for a get together later in the month, where the cider makers of Clunton served up some samples along with cheese, pickles and bread for an evening of cider tasting. The cider makers have been invited to be speakers at smallholders’ September meeting. The meeting on July 10, is a visit to a smallholding in Stanton Lacy, where the group can see the aquaponic/ duckponic project, and will then retire to a local hostelry for a meal. All the Shropshire smallholders meetings are open to visitors. Call Mel 01588 640538 to find out more.

COMPETITION - Shrewsbury flower show is running a young photographer competition, with a theme new beginning. There are catagories for juniors,11years and under, and seniors 18 years and under. Application forms are available on line at www.shrewsburyflowershow.org.uk, email marketing@shrewsburyflowershow.org.uk or call 01743 234055.The closing date is July 16.

LEY GARDENS - Are there any qualified drivers willing to volunteer to provide affordable transport options for outings for residents of Ley Gardens? If anyone can offer to help call 01694 722328. Refreshments and entry fees to events would be paid.

FREE SPACE - If any not-for-profit charities would be interested in a free space in a building at Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, contact rachel.jakes@centricprojects.org as space may be available soon.

Rose Cottage Cat Rescue. On sale will be clothes, toys, books, CDs, DVDs, kitchenware, collectables, plants, garden equipment and much more. Admission is 50p including refreshment. Donations of items for the sale may be left at the parish centre between 9.30am-12noon.

YOUTH FORUM - On July 13 St Laurence’s has organised a family fun day, and from July 23-25 the holiday club will take place.

SCHOOL NEWS - Parents attending a recent progress evening at Church Stretton School were welcomed by the sound of a string quartet played by some of the music students. A literary project and cricket competition have already taken place and, in readiness for the new school year, an intake evening and interviews for Year 6 pupils have been arranged.

Wind in the Willows was staged over three nights and brought together close on 70 students players, teams of dancers and singers, and an equally large production team, including musicians, Chris Bolton, Alex Hearle and Ben Evans with music by Jeremy Sams and soundscapes by Sam Bolton and a thank you to all who helped and supported the production and to Scrappies for the advice on the snow effect. The Wind in the Willows by Alan Bennett adapted from the book by Kenneth Grahame was presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd, and in the words of head of faculty, Rachel Parker who directed the production. “Wind in the Willows is dedicated to my talented cast and their parents without whose tireless commitment and support, this production could never have been realised.” At St Lawrence’s Primary School pupils have spent a day at Acton Scott Farm Museum, and the tag rugby team has competed at Fiveways. The school offers a breakfast club with activities and also instrumental tuition allowing some of the older pupils to share their musical talents at an assembly. The school is setting up a texting service enabling messages to be sent to parents and carers.

 

 

Westhope

VILLAGE HALL LOTTERY - June winners: 1st prize £32.10 Eve Lawley, Craven Arms, four prizes of £5.35 are Magill, Walls Butchers, Val Edwards, Craven Arms, Phyliss Edwards, Ludlow won two prizes.

WHIST DRIVES - Two whist drives in July are July 14 and 28. £1.50 admission. Refreshments and raffle.

 

 

Bockleton WI

THE June summer picnic meeting was held in member Thelma’s home and garden, the president welcomed everyone as members sat in the sunshine to have the meeting. Jan gave a report on her visit to the AGM in Leeds Arena with details about current WI courses, a financial report and the details of the vote on this years resolution of organ donation which was approved.

Everyone then went on to enjoy the supper that all members brought to share while sitting in the lovely garden setting, later there was a guided tour around the scented flower borders and productive vegetable patch.

Competition winners of a single rose was judged on scent and form-1st Thelma, 2nd Jan, 3rd Caroline. Raffle 1 Claire, 2 Angela, 3 Ingrid. The next meeting is on July 16 at the parish hall all welcome.

 

 

Clover Club

ON June 5, eighteen members of the Clover Club visited Stokesay Castle. Members had the audio tour gadgets, where at a touch of a button, it takes you on a journey through the ages, with all the history. Some members relaxed and sat out in the sun while the fitter members climbed the stairs to the battlements. There was tea and delicious cakes, and a visit to the shop and plant stall. Next meeting is to Ludlow Kitchen (Bromfield) for a cream tea. This is next Thursday, July 3, at 3pm. If anyone would like to join in ring Mary 01584 861282. Many thanks to both Diddlebury and Clumington P/C for their generous donations.