Bishop’s Castle

BRIGHT SPARCS FOR 2015 – Look out for a blue leaflet with details of the winter programme at the SpArC Theatre in Bishop’s Castle. After a successful 2014 SpArC manager Cait Leach is looking forward to this year with confidence. Live satellite broadcasts from the National Theatre, Royal Opera House and the Royal Ballet, films, live music entertainment for young people all feature on the programme, which features 15 different events. Bishop’s Castle drama group the Castle Players present their pantomime Cinderella from February 19-21, tickets £6 and £4. Another highlight is an NT Live performance of Treasure Island January 22, with an encore February 13. The first show of the year is tonight when the play It’s a Wonderful Life is performed live by the Farnham Maltings Theatre Company. Films on offer include Woody Allen’s latest film The Riot Club (15), based on the infamous Bullingdon Club at Oxford University, the hit film Mr Turner (12A) and a charming animation called The Boxtrolls (PG). There will also be two live opera broadcasts from the Royal Opera House and the ballet Swan Lake . To find out more, or make a booking call 01588 630321 or 638038.

DJEMBE DRUMMING – Make 2015 the year you learn to play the West African djembe. It’s a kind of traditional drum and teacher Satch Norton will be at Bishop’s Castle Town Hall fortnightly starting Sunday, 11am. You’ll need to bring your own djembe drum and then you’ll learn how to play with the correct posture and hand-positioning; to sound the various notes of the djembe and learn the different parts of traditional poly-rhythmic pieces. Classes cost £7 if you pay weekly, or £5.50 if you pay whole month at a time. Email satch@websites.ndo.co.uk.

HALF PRICE OFFER – There are seven more films on the programme at Bishop’s Castle Film Society. Last year 10 people took up the half price offer of joining the society after Christmas at a cost of £20. Why not do the same and enjoy top quality films, including Gattaca (15), The Selfish Giant (15) and the Iranian film The Past (12A). Films begin at 8pm and guests are welcome at £5.

Call 01588 680445 to find out more.

CARERS GROUP NEWS – Bishop’s Castle and District Carers Group is for anyone caring for a family member, friend or neighbour. Their next meeting, to which you are invited, is on January 19 at 2pm in the Boars Head, Bishop’s Castle. Jenny Englefield from the group says, “The afternoon will be for coffee and chat to discuss what we would like to see happen in the group during 2015. We will be looking for ideas for speakers, events and fund raising and new faces are especially welcome.” The carers get together on the third Monday of the month from 2-4pm and future dates will see solicitors from PCB Solicitors give a talk on legal matters relating to caring. Edna Evans will be talking about the Shropshire Talking Newspapers and in April the group will visit the all-ability trail on the Stiperstones before tea at the Bog Visitors Centre. Call Jenny on 01694 722024 for more information.

BOOK SALE AND EXCHANGE – The Christmas holiday book sale and book exchange at Bishop’s Castle Town Hall on December 27 attracted a steady flow of keen browsers and raised £252 for town hall funds. Many were passers-by who were pleased to find a festive atmosphere and interesting diversion in the centre of town, while others had made special journeys to attend. Organisers are very grateful for all the donations of books, CDs and DVDs, and thank the volunteers who gave up time in the holiday to help. “We hope to make the ‘book exchange’ a regular feature of these small sales,” said organiser Evelyn Bowles. “It emphasises the environmental and sharing aspects of these sales and enables bookworms to make room for new purchases, all at the same event.” Books brought for exchange on the day earn a voucher which can reduce the cost of purchases at the sale by half. Evelyn continued, “We will fit in these small scale book sales to the town hall annual programme when we can, but we still aim to have one ‘great book sale’ each year in the autumn. Once the Bishop’s Castle Town Hall project funding has been secured and Town Hall Trust costs covered, the organisers plan to support other local charities.”

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY, January 8-10.

THURSDAY: Quiz night. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall, £10 team of four, 7.30pm. Call 01588 630023.

  • Live theatre – It’s a Wonderful Life – Farnham Maltings. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle, £10/£6, 7.30pm. Call 01588 630321/638038.
  • Footpath Walking Group. Alport, Churchstoke. Four miles. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishop’s Castle, 9.30am. Call 01588 620668.
  • Norbury and District WI. The Laws and Legends of Trees – Val Littlehales. Village hall, 7.30pm.

FRIDAY: Annual party. Edgton village hall. £15/members £12.50. Call 01588 680208.

  • Saturday: Folk blues night. Three Tuns, Bishop’s Castle, £5, 7.30pm.

CORRESPONDENT - News or event, give note addressed to Julia Parker at Bishops Castle Post Office. Her phone number is 01588 680445, email jparker228@ btinternet.com.

 

Bitterley

WI RECENTLY Bitterley WI members were making “little boxes”.

In the absence of the president the meeting was presided over by Annie Jones with Sue Marsh taking the minutes. During the business future events for 2015 were discussed.

Then members turned to their artistic skills, with the help of Carol Elwis and Mary Jane Millard. We created small boxes from different coloured paper, which we then decorated, at the end of the session members went home with gift boxes suitable for Christmas. On display were an array of some gift boxes which Carol had made, showing us what could be done at home at little expense. They were thanked by Rosalie Fish for the demonstration and help. Hostesses for the evening were Rosalie Fish and Fay Hilman.

Competition beginning with P: 1st Mary Pritchard, 2nd Sheila Griffiths, 3rd Rosalie Fish. Flower of the month: 1st Dot Griffiths, 2nd Sheila Griffiths, 3rd Mary Pritchard.

Members and friends visited Abby- Cum-Hir at the beginning of December. As the tour was in the afternoon we enjoyed a Christmas lunch in the local village hall first.

There was a decorated Christmas tree in each room of the hall. The decorations varied from room to room, blending in with the decor and style of the room. One tree was decked with Royal Doulton figurines, another had all crystals, one was even decorated with handmade crotched snowflakes. Although some of us were paying a second visit it was still a very enjoyable experience. We ended the visit with tea and mince pies. The final event of the year was our Christmas social. Members contributed the food including the delicious sweets. The evening concluded with some carol singing. The first meeting in the new year will be next Thursday, January 15, when Adrian Williams will be taking us on armchair travel. Competition is something beginning with R.

 

Clun

FLICKS IN THE STICKS – Pride (15) is showing at Clun Memorial Hall Saturday. Based on a true story, it depicts a group of lesbian and gay activists who raised money to help families affected by the British miners’ strike in 1984, at the outset of what would become the Lesbian and Gays Support the Miners campaign. Starring Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West. All films start 7.30pm. Tickets on the door, adult £4.50, u16 £2.50. Large car park, disabled access and facilities. Interval refreshments including choc ices.

CLUN RAMBLERS – Next walk is Wednesday. Meet at Clun Memorial Hall car park. Sorry no dogs.

TIM’S TRAVELS – Tim Wood of the Old Surgery Gallery has organised some very interesting theatre visits over the next few months, starting with Brimingham Town Hall Concert on February 11, when Peter Donohoe will be playing Beethoven’s C Minor Concerto with the Orchestra of the Swan. The programme also includes Haydn’s Symphony No7 , Le Midi , and No 101 in D , The Clock . Good balcony seats and a cost of £30 including coach which leaves Newcastle at 9.15 and calls at Whitcott, Clun, Clunton, Aston, Craven Arms and The Clive on the A49.

The highly acclaimed National Theatre production of TheCurious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time , winner of seven 2013 Olivier awards, at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, is the next trip on February 18. Tickets, including coach £35. Bookings and enquiries about these and all forthcoming events to Tim Wood at the Old Surgery Gallery or call 01588 640506.

CRAFT GROUP – A small group of crafters – mainly machine and hand knitters – meet Wednesdays at Haslehurst Community Centre 10am to 3pm. They welcome any crafters (knitting, tapestry, quilting, embroidery, lace-making etc) to join for sharing skills, crafting experiences and good conversation. Come along for a morning, afternoon or all day (bring packed lunch). Coffee and tea provided. Small fee charged to cover the cost of room hire. Please call Rosie Ramsay 01588 641125 or just come along.

CORRESPONDENT - News or events in the Clun Valley, contact Elisabeth Taylor, email: elisabeth777@btinternet.com 01981 540893. Deadline is the Wednesday of the week before publication.

 

Tenbury

RAMBLING CLUB WALK – January 24. Meet 12.30pm at Tenbury swimming pool car park. Distance six miles. Looking at some of the quarrying history of Clee Hill SO595753. American supper after. Details contact Peter Dunkley 01584 891523.

SNUGGLES AND SNOODS – Hand sewing and basic knitting. Like to learn a new skill for 2015? A six week course starting January 14, 10.30am-12.30pm. £69 for the course, Tenbury Library. For further details and to book your place, speak to a member of staff or call 01905 822722.

BOOKS BOOZE AND BANTER GROUP – Village School by Miss Read, Tenbury Library, January 21, 7.30pm. Celebrate with us the 60th birthday of this minor classic.

BOUNCE AND RHYME – For babies, toddlers and carers, 11am every Friday at Tenbury Library.