Bishop’s Castle

SPARKLING SUCCESS – Attendances at the theatre at SpArC in Bishop’s Castle have doubled in the last year. 18 months ago the theatre was threatened with closure but now it plays an important part in the cultural and entertainment life in the area. “The local Social Enterprise company Enterprise South West Shropshire was delighted to step in as a sort of rescue,” said ESWS chairman Peter Phillips. “We knew that taking over carried a risk but Cait Leach, the theatre manager, has triumphantly dispelled those anxieties.”

“It just shows what local enthusiasm can achieve,” said Mike Ashwell, ESWS company manager. “Cait is supported by a committed and gifted user group and an army of local volunteers has rallied round, joyful and energetic! We now have clear evidence that local management is a successful way to manage community facilities.”

“Live broadcasts from the National Theatre, Royal Opera, Royal Ballet and other great venues are now available in Bishop’s Castle, continued Mr Phillips. They have greatly boosted attendances but there is also a programme of live and participatory events for all ages and tastes. SpArC is a real community theatre.” To find out more about the SpArC Theatre, call Peter Phillips on 01588 650625.

FLU VACCINATION – Bishop’s Castle Medical Practice will be holding flu clinics from 4pm to 5pm every Monday and Thursday evening throughout October and November for those eligible for a flu vaccination. No appointment is necessary and to see if you are eligible look on the Bishop’s Castle Patients Group website www.bcpg.org.uk and click on News and Information.

TOWN HALL TAI CHI – Clare Williams has a new weekly Tai Chi class at Bishop’s Castle Town Hall on Wednesday evenings from 6.30pm to 8pm every week. The cost is £8 a class and people of all abilities are welcome. Earlier on Wednesday she teaches Tai Chi in the Church Barn, Bishop’s Castle from 10.30am to noon. Call her on 01588 638182 or 07813 826417.

AMNESTY LETTERS – A key feature of the charity Amnesty International is their use of letters to campaign for the release of political prisoners all over the world. The Bishop’s Castle branch will hold a letter writing morning on October 10 at 10.15am at 11 Copall Paddock, Bishop’s Castle. Everyone is welcome to come along. Call 01588 630018 for details.

TOWN HALL WEDDING FAIR – Are you planning a wedding, big day or other special celebration? Bishop’s Castle Town Hall is holding a Wedding and Celebration Fair on October 12 from 11am to 4pm. A wide range of local exhibitors will be there to help meet all your needs and entrance is free with a free glass of fizz for the first 40 visitors. Exhibitors include Castle Brides, Get Ahead Hats, Jane’s Petals and Gifts, Florence Fox Photography, Emma West Hair, Kerry Vale Vineyard, Celebrations in Focus Photography, Carys Cakes, Bubbles Hairdresser, Stellabrations Cakes, Love Me Do Bridal Agency, Humanist Wedding, The Old Wheelwright’s Tea Room and The Crystal Phoenix. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall is now a licensed ceremony venue.

MACMILLAN COFFEE – A Macmillan coffee morning at Lydbury North Village Hall on September 25 raised over £900. Thanks to everyone for their support. The event was held for the first time in the newly built hall after a number of years in private houses and the old village hall.

YOUNG MUSICIANS – Two pupils of Bishop’s Castle piano teacher Sarah Dixon have been successful in their exams with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. Megan Butler, a pupil at the Community College, passed Grade 1 Violin with distinction and Eleanor Rayner, who goes to Ludlow School, passed Grade 5 in Musical Theory with merit.

100 CLUB WINNERS – Jane Semple won £21.25 in the August draw for Lydham Church 100 Club. Cyril Owen won £12.75 and Rosemary Holding won £8.50. Call 01588 638486 if you want to join the club. The August winner of the More Church monthly draw was S Thomlinson, who won £20. Holly won £10 and June Pinches won £5. Thanks to Sue and Phillip Roberts for hosting a coffee morning for More Church which raised over £300.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY, October 2 - 8

THURSDAY: Live from West End stage. Great Expectations . SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £11/ £7. Book on 01588 630321/638038.

  • Flu vaccination. Bishop's Castle Surgery. No appointment needed. Weekly until end of November, 4pm- 5pm.

FRIDAY: Volunteering in the community. Bishop’s Castle Library. 10am-noon.

  • Rhyme Time for under fives. Bishop's Castle Library. Free. 10.30am.
  • Macmillan pudding party. Edgton Village Hall. 7pm. Call 01588 680621.

SATURDAY: Flea and collectors market. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. 9am.

  • Promise auction in aid of Mainstone Church. Three Tuns, Bishop's Castle. 7.30pm. Call 01588 620730.
  • Jumble sale in aid of Norbury Church. Norbury Village Hall. 2pm.

MONDAY: Flu vaccination. Bishop’s Castle Surgery. No appointment needed. Weekly until end of November, 4pm-5pm.

TUESDAY: Closing day for entries to Bishop’s Castle Bowling Club. 12 mile Russet Ramble. Call 01588 630200.

WEDNESDAY: Community College Bishop’s Castle open evening. 6.30pm- 8.45pm. Call 01588 638257.

  • Bishop's Castle Film Society. We Are the Best (15). Three Tuns. 8pm. Call 01588 680445.
  • Coach trip to Voirrey Embroidery and Grosvenor Garden Centre. £12. Depart Community College 9am. Book on 01588 638269.
  • Footpath Walking Group. Coach to Clwyd Hills. Book on 01588 650451.

CORRESPONDENT – 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 Bishops Castle Post Office, phone 01588 680445 or email jparker228@btinternet.com.

 

Clun Valley

HARVEST CELEBRATIONS – Harvest worship and supper is tomorrow at 7pm at St George’s Church, Clun and St John’s Church, Newcastle.

CLUN WI – The next meeting of Clun WI is on Tuesday at Haslehurst Community Centre starting at 7.30pm.

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

CLUN RAMBLERS – Clun Ramblers’ next walk is on Wednesday, meeting at Clun Memorial Hall car park at 9.30am. Sorry no dogs.

NEWCASTLE GARDEN SOCIETY – Newcastle Garden Society next meeting on Thursday, October 9 at Newcastle Community Centre starting at 7.30pm.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS – Presents The Baker (12A) at Clun Memorial Hall on October 11. Milo (Damian Lewis) is a professional hit man on the edge. When he fails to fulfil a contract for the first time in his career, he is forced to escape the city to avoid the wrath of his employers. He hides out in a rural Welsh village where the locals mistake him for the new baker. Forced to bake bread and cakes to maintain his cover, sparks start to fly with the beautiful local vet. He decides to start a legitimate new life as the village baker but with his past about to catch up with him, Milo soon discovers that you can’t always have your cake and eat it. Film starts at 7.30pm. Tickets on the door – adult £4.50, under 16 £2.50. Disabled facilities, refreshments. Enquiries 01588 640254 email dilysthorpe@clun.org.uk.

CORRESPONDENT – If you have any news or events in the Clun Valley, contact Elisabeth Taylor, email elisabeth777@btinternet.com, 01981 540893. The deadline is the Thursday of the week before publication.

 

Tenbury

CAMEO SOUP LUNCHES – Including pudding are to be held today and every first Thursday in the month, at 12.30pm, at Tenbury Methodist Church Hall. There is a small charge of £2.50. and all are welcome.

COMPUTERS FOR BEGINNERS – A six week course (12 hours) – to learn how to use computers with confidence will be held at the Tenbury library. Starting on Wednesday from 10am to noon. £49.80 for course (free to those on Jobseekers Allowance). For further details and to book your place, speak to a member of staff or call 01905 822722.

OUT OF THIS WORLD – Tenbury Library, October 28, 10am-noon. Book now for a free, interactive story- sharing session, followed by 90 minutes of Lego building bliss. Only your imagination can hold you back. Suitable for children four to 12 with parent/carer.

 

The Strettons

YOGA – Yoga at Leebotwood Village Hall is available each Thursday from 10.30am-noon. Ring 01694 724317 to enquire.

SINGING FOR FUN – The first and third Thursdays of the month are the singing for fun evenings held at Church Stretton School from 7pm- 9pm. All are welcome so just turn up tonight or on any of the other scheduled nights. Entry is £5 and further information is available by ringing 07538 019817.

FRIDAY MARKET – The market is held weekly at Mayfair Community Centre and is open from 8.30am- noon on Fridays selling home-made cakes, produce and craft items.

LONGMYND HIKE – This is the weekend of the Longmynd Hike which is based at Church Stretton School. The hike is a 50m event over the local hills and attracts entries from all over the country. Entrants start on Saturday and aim to complete in 24 hours, returning to the school by noon on Sunday. Many entrants complete the circuit in much less time.

HALF-MARATHON – Shane and Hazel from Kaboodle will be taking part in the Cardiff half-marathon on Sunday raising funds for Classrooms in the Clouds teacher Mani Kumar Rai and also for the new school project in Nepal. Donations welcome.

SCRAPPIES – Scrappies are open on Saturdays and are happy to receive your sweet biscuit wrappers, used pens of all kinds, baby wipe packets, and wearable jumble, mobile phones, laptops and tools for the self-reliance collection. The store offers a wide range of craft items for sale, workshops, and items for hire. Call in or ring on 01694 722511.

OPEN GARDENS – The gardens of Preen Manor will be open on Sunday from 2pm-5pm, admission for adults is £5, accompanied children free. There will be plants for sale. A thanksgiving service will take place in the church at 4.30pm.

COMMUNITY CINEMA – On Monday the film to be screened at Church Stretton School is The Grand Budapest Hotel (15). Doors open at 7pm for refreshments which are also available during the interval. The film starts at 7.30pm and entry is £4 for adults.

GREEN PARTY – A meeting of the Green Party is due to take place at Stokesay Inn, Craven Arms at 7pm on Tuesday and members will be hosting a Ceilidh with the Melomanics at the Ludlow Brewery on October 11 at 7pm. Organic refreshments will be available and there will be a tombola, offers of extra prizes would be welcome. Tickets cost £8 from the brewery or can be reserved by ringing 07989 498399.

ENGAGING ISSUES - What I Learned in Prison is the title of a talk by Sara Hyde at the URC on Tuesday at 7.30pm. Sara is a theatre maker, thinker and activist working in the criminal justice system and is currently working as a mentor with young women leaving prison, and campaigns on justice issues. Entry is £3 and all are welcome to the talk.

CAMERA CLUB – At the first meeting of the new season some of the members entertained everyone with projected image presentations taking members and visitors on a colourful scenic journey touching down in places like San Fransisco, Yosemite, Jersey, Australia and Seattle, and also featuring street scenes, bird life, and glass sculptures, then there were moon shots, autumn leaves, and in contrast some experiments in black and white, making for a very interesting evening.

The next meeting of Longmynd Camera Club will be on Wednesday when Russell and Audrey Price will present a lecture with images from Africa and the UK under the heading A Passion for Wildlife. The meetings are held at the UR Hall starting at 7.30pm and are open for members and visitors alike.

SCHOOL NEWS – At St Lawrence’s Primary School pupils are learning to write using a cursive style, and some will be taking part in cross country at Bedstone. On Friday afternoons Classes 1 and 6 will be participating in forest friends activities whatever the weather and will need to have suitable clothing and footwear.

Morrison’s Let’s Grow vouchers are now available in store and the school would like to collect these. More work is planned for the play areas.

Church Stretton School is planning a Holocaust Memorial day. There is to be a Year 9 field trip and plans are in hand for a school visit to Tanzania rather than Ghana as previously envisaged. Following the Open Evening there are two Open Mornings on Thursday and Friday to see the school in action.

Appointments can also be made for visits at other times. Other news at Church Stretton School, now South Shropshire Academy Trust, is that it will become a sponsor of Stokesay Primary School in Craven Arms when that school converts to an Academy on November 1.

THEATRE GROUP – The local theatre group arranges theatre and concert visits allowing discounts on ticket prices and coach fares, and welcomes new members. Membership is £10 per household with a £5 initial joining fee. Ring 01694 722216.

SPORT FOR ALL – If you are interested in walking football please contact Ken on 01694 724957 and if you would like to try your hand at badminton the number to ring is 01694 735588. Badminton takes place on Wednesday evenings at the local leisure centre and welcomes juniors from 7pm-8pm and adults from 8pm- 9pm. People with disabilities are welcome as sports wheelchairs are available and racquets provided free.

BRIDGE CLUB – Thursday afternoons offer a chance to play bridge at All Stretton Village Hall. Tuition for beginners and refresher courses are available. Lifts to the venue can be arranged by ringing 01694 723128/722438.

FOOD BANK – The local food bank is running low on puddings, custard, baked beans and spaghetti with meat, and other meat items. Coffee, sugar, fruit juices and squashes are also running low. Please make sure items are in date, and thanks to all who support this scheme. A receptacle is available at the Co-Op for collecting these food items.

MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT – The Roving Crows will be back at the Silvester Horne Institute on October 10 at 7.30pm as part of the Friday night at the Horne entertainment. Ticket sales are through John Thomas Florists, Burway Books and Town Council Offices and cost £10, or £11 at the door if space permits. 

Moving to October 11 the Little Big Band will be providing music for dancing at 7.30pm in the Silvester Horne Institute playing swing and golden oldies. Ticket sales are through John Thomas Florist and Burway Books and some may be available at the door and cost £8 for adults and £4 for youngsters U/12s free and include light refreshment. Proceeds to Pazapa.

DRUMMING WORKSHOP – A day of workshops in Taiko Drumming is planned for October 11, to suit all ages. The day starts with a workshop for parents and toddlers at 10am- 10.45am and costs £2 and £1 respectively, and moves to 11am-12.15pm for parents and youngsters aged six and over, charged at £3 and £2 respectively. The afternoon begins with a session at 1pm-2pm for beginners, mixed teens of 13 years and over and adults and costs £5, and the final session is for ambitious adult beginners and the more experienced and costs £7.50. There will be raffles with Japanese themed prizes and Japanese refreshments. Book in on 07849 523130.

MUD RUN – The Bomere Lake 10K Mud Run will be held on November 8 and welcomes runners no matter what their level of fitness as it is a fun event. Sponsorship is invited from parents as a fundraiser for St Lawrence’s Primary School in Church Stretton.

RAIL USERS – The Church Stretton and District Rail Users’ Association will host an autumn talk by Dave Waldron at the Methodist Church on October 23 at 7.30pm when the talk will be The Rebuilding of the Welsh Highland Railway. All welcome, admission for non-members is £1. Arriva Trains Wales special offer of Club 55 low cost off-peak return train tickets is available up until October 23, for everyone aged 55 and over for journeys which must be completed by October 30, and a £23 return ticket will take you anywhere on the Arriva Train Wales network, but please carry proof of age when you travel such as driving licence, passport or personal documents, as bus passes are not accepted as proof of age.

JUMBLE SALE – Rose Cottage Cat Rescue is holding a jumble sale at the Parish Centre on October 11 from 2pm-3.30pm, with nearly new clothing, bric-a-brac, toys and books for sale. Donations can be left at the Parish Centre between 9.30am-noon on the day of the sale.

 

Bitterley WI

MEMBERS visited the Cotswolds spending several hours at Highgrove House. They had a guided tour through the gardens on a warm and sunny day, afternoon cream tea and a visit to the gift shop. In August, members went 10-pin bowling at the Hickory Stick followed by an evening meal.

It was a blast from the past at the September meeting of Bitterley WI.

President Alvis Cummings welcomed all. The minutes were read. An outline of next year’s programme was given.

Final arrangements for the group meeting were in hand. Christmas shopping in Birmingham and a visit to Abbey-Cwm-Hir are on the horizon.

The speaker, Alf Jenkins MBE, was introduced to the meeting. He gave a talk Wagons to Wheelbiers about his childhood in Clee Hill in the 1930s and 40s. To some, it was reliving their childhood, others, it was stories told by parents and older siblings. Life around Clee Hill was tough. There was no mains water; water had to be carried from the nearest well or spring, so was used wisely. Only hurricane lamps for light, with open ranges for cooking and heating. The main employment was at the quarries, mining coal, stone, lime and clay. Over 2000 people were employed from the surrounding areas.

Alf and his sister Marina lived with their parents at a local inn called The Dhu Stone Inn. It is now a private house. Alf’s father was a smallholder, running a few sheep and cattle on the hill as well as being a wheelwright and undertaker. So growing up, he saw the life and hardships of the locals. In those days there was no greed or envy as they all had the same life, no rules and regulation, or health and safety.

Clee Hill was also known as Dhu Stone because dhu is another name for black. There is a black rim of stone around the hill. Alf was thanked by Alvis for his very interesting talk.

Competition: Something beginning with N. 1 Rosalie Fish (needlecase), 2 Kath Watkins (nine old pence), 3 Dot Griffiths (nuts).

Flower of the month: 1 Mary Pritchard, 2 Pat Roberts, 3 Shirley Dubberley.

Hostesses for the evening were: Freda Pugh and Mary Pritchard.

The next meeting will be on October 16 when Janette Rowlatt will be talking about chocolate. The competition will be ‘Something beginning with O’.

 

Clows Top and District Gardening Club

SEPTEMBER is a time to be gathering in the harvest and autumn colours begin to appear with a distinct chill in the morning air. It’s time to move frost-tender plants indoors.

Summer seems to be barely over before thoughts of next spring begin.

Buy spring bulbs for the garden early to get the best choice of varieties.

At the July meeting speaker Dr Murray Mylechreest gave a talk and PowerPoint presentation on Tales from Garden Labels. Labels come in every shape or form, the system for naming plants is Latin which is a universal language used worldwide. The labels can give other information regarding height, colour, spread habit, planting conditions etc. The evening was a great success with everyone enjoying the informal talk.

This year’s summer garden show had some very good entries, plenty of sunshine gave it a real country show atmosphere. Clows Top Garden Club would like to say thank you to all helpers and exhibitors because without you there would be no show.

Show results were as follows: Vegetable, fruit and flower cups won by Ted Mills, Harry Jenkins, Austin Fletcher and Marion Wilson; cookery cup won by C Jones; handicraft cup won by jointly C Lloyd and M Cox; floral art cup won by Marion Wilson; children’s shield won jointly by Daniel Williams and Hector Coley.

Gardening is one of the few hobbies that are relaxing, enjoyable and very rewarding. The garden club has a very friendly atmosphere, everyone is welcome. It’s a great way for exchanging gardening knowledge, learning new ways of doing things and sharing tips.

Diary Dates: October 22, I’m not much good at gardening, David Morgan; November 26, Hartlebury Common, Dr Joy Rooney.

Clows Top and District Gardening Club meet the fourth Wednesday in the calendar month at Clows Top Victory Hall. Doors open 7.30pm, for the speaker at 8pm. Marion Wilson 01299 270475 or email clowstopdistrictgardeningclub@hotmail.co.uk.

 

Teme Valley Monday Club

THE opening meeting of the Teme Valley Monday Club will be on October 13 at The Royal Oak at 8pm. The speaker will be Mr R Barber on The History of Sugar. Please make every effort to attend. New members very welcome. Mr Terry Hill, chairman, 819828.

 

Westhope Clover Club

CLOVER CLUB BINGO - Prize bingo at Westhope village hall on November 13. Doors open at 7pm. All are welcome. Wonderful prizes. Proceeds for Clover Club Christmas party.

BONFIRE AND FIREWORK PARTY – Remember remember the 5th of November at Westhope. Bonfire at the Hollow Meadow, will be lit at 7pm. Afterwards in the village hall for soup, hotdogs, tombola, toys, books etc. Adults £2, children £1. You can bring a Guy if you like.

WHIST DRIVES – There are two whist drives in October. Monday, partner whist, get your partners lined up. Then October 20, progressive whist. Admission £1.50. Refreshments and raffle.

LOTTERY – Winners in the October draw 1st £32.10 Alan Beetson, Leintwardine. Four prize winners of £5.35 Pat Turley, Culmington; David Jordan, Craven Arms; Kay Evason, Moorwood; and Alan Beetson, Leintwardine.

 

Tenbury Rambling Club

THE Tenbury Rambling Club walks for October are as follows: Thursday, October 9, meet at 10am at Tenbury swimming pool. Distance six miles.

Mathlon SO735458. Easy walking, fields and paths. Call Dave Smith 01584 811506. October 26, meet 10am at Tenbury swimming pool. Distance five miles. Bring a packed lunch. Billingsley (N.E of Cleobury). Mainly level walking. Call Gideon Hodge 01584 819658.