Bishop’s Castle

‘NO-SHOWS’ AT SURGERY SHOCKS MEETING - Councillors and residents at the Bishop’s Castle Town Council open annual meeting on April 14 were shocked to learn that the equivalent of half a day per week of a GP’s time was being wasted by people not turning up for appointments. Bishops Castle Patients Group reported that, during March, 141 patients failed to show for appointments, or 10% of total availability. In some cases the appointments had been made on the very same day. The revelation came in an update from the BCPG on its work to help improve health and social care in the town and locality. The town meeting was reminded that the local GP practice served 5,300 patients with over 20% resident in Montgomeryshire. The Patients Group said it was very aware of the pressure on GP and nurse appointments. It welcomed the introduction of a Friday morning ‘walk-in clinic’ and the news of the appointment of a third permanent doctor, bucking the national trend of medical practices finding it very difficult to appoint GPs.

Town Mayor, Karen Bavastock said, “We are very lucky to have our excellent medical practice. I was quite frankly shocked that we were told of the issue of ‘no shows’. This is so frustrating for other patients and the staff at the medical practice trying to find an appointment. I would urge everyone who has an appointment at the practice to either keep it or ensure that it is cancelled. I can understand possibly one or two appointments now and again being missed but it is staggering that half a day a week is lost to people who, for whatever reason don’t show up to their allotted appointment.” Bishop’s Castle Patients Group welcomed various suggestions made at the town meeting to address this situation.

Nick Hutchins, chair, said: “We are committed to working with the practice to make the best use of doctors’ and nurses’ time.” Mr Hutchins added that the topic could feature at the forthcoming Bishop’s Castle Patients Group’s annual meeting on July 9, at 7pm in the Public Hall.

DEMENTIA AWARENESS WEEK AT LIBRARY - Alzheimer’s Society staff and volunteers in Shropshire will be out in force this month encouraging residents to ‘try something new’ during Dementia Awareness Week, which runs from Sunday to May 23.

The charity is encouraging people to ‘do something new’ – from dining at a new restaurant to more extreme activities such as abseiling down a bridge. Throughout the week, people from Bishop’s Castle will also be able to take advantage of awareness-raising initiatives where there will be an opportunity to hear from staff about the services being offered by Alzheimer’s Society locally and for advice about the disease.This includes “remember”, a dementia awareness raising event taking place at Bishop’s Castle Library on Wednesday, 10am-1pm. Along with the opportunity to ask questions of dementia support worker, Jan Roberts, there will be interactive reminiscence activities run by Tara Lewis, library manager for Bishop’s Castle Library, as well as information about local support and services. The library will also be highlighting their new ‘Books on Prescriptions for Dementia’ provision, with information and reminiscence books about dementia available to borrow.

SONGS FROM THE SHOWS - Members of the Marches Community Choir are letting their hair down this summer and they invite anyone who wants a singalong to join them. The choir is holding five open rehearsals of songs from Broadway shows with music by Bernstein, Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Cole Porter . Come to the Church Barn in Bishops Castle Monday at 7.15pm, then it’s every Monday evening until June 22 (except Bank Holiday on May 25). The cost is £3 an evening with a one-off payment of £2 for music. Students are free. On June 28 ‘Broadway Comes to Bishop’s Castle – Come and Sing!’ will take place in the Community College Hall with workshops during the day and an informal concert at 6pm. Cost is £10 plus £2 for music unless you have already been to a Monday sing.

However it is not necessary to have been on a Monday to take part in the Sunday event, just come and enjoy a day’s singing but please book in advance if possible. Rehearsals and concert will be directed by Alistair Auld, the choir’s new conductor. Call Philippa Whitaker on 01588 680312 or email phwhitaker@fastmail.co.uk.

HORROR AND HUMOUR OF WAR - Reminiscence took centre stage at Bishop’s Castle Town Hall on April 26 when Abbeyfield resident, David Hughes in conversation with Bryan Podmore, delighted his audience with anecdotes and memories from his wide travels. David, who is 95, talked about his war-time experiences as a Quaker; An hour of their presentation left David and Bryan’s audience wishing for more, and the event closed with tea and cake. Shropshire Housing Group supported this event providing the refreshments and Dial-a-Ride service. Proceeds went to the Town Hall Trust which manages the renovated town hall. Look out for similar events in the next few months, such as ‘bring and share’ reminiscence events in May and June. Call 01588 638851 for more information.

FOCUS ON POETRY - Poets’ Corner will be at the Castle Hotel today. The featured poet is Gwynneth Lewis and readings begin at 8pm. If you want to book a meal for 7pm, call Bryan Podmore on 01588 620541.

POST OFFICE HOURS - Lydbury North Community Shop has a manned Post Office service twice a week. From May 11 the opening times will be 9.30am to 11.30am on Monday and Thursday mornings. Call 01588 680501 for more details.

NEPAL APPEAL THANKS - Ken and Norriz Andal thank everyone who supported their coffee morning on May 2, helping them to raise £405 for the DEC Nepal Earthquake Appeal and Oxfam. The couple run the Kelvindale Residential Home in Broome, near Aston on Clun. Keith and Jean Rudd served pancakes while friends, members of a bikers club, nearby campers and local residents all joined in to help. Mr Andal said, “It was a full packed day for us and the support was outstanding.”

PLEASURES AND PERILS - Mainstone WI welcomed Pam Pittwood to their March meeting in the village hall. She spoke about ‘The pleasures and perils of letting people in your garden’ aided by her husband who showed slides. Earlier in the evening members heard about an arts and drama festival planned for 2016 in nearby Clun. The meeting was chaired by Caroline Pye and Olwen Watkins won the competition for the best garden bloom. The meeting on May 12 was a craft demonstration by Annette Owen and Jill Hollinshead who showed how to make things from recycled materials. The evening began 7.30pm. Call 01588 638739.

AFRICAN MIDWIFE - Bishops Castle WI meeting on April 21 heard a talk on ‘Midwifery in Uganda’ by Julia Rogers accompanied by slides. It was very informative and made us realise how lucky we are in this country to have our NHS. The conditions in the state hospitals were pretty horrendous, They were better in the private sector but of course the majority of women cannot afford to pay and a large number of women and babies die in childbirth every year. They are happy if they can save the mother because she can always have another baby. The WI held their annual dinner on April 24 at the Inn on the Green and the next meeting is a talk by ‘Millie’s Menus’ on Tuesday in Bishop’s Castle Methodist Hall.

BISHOP’S CASTLE DIARY May 14-20

THURSDAY

  •  Poets’ Corner. Castle Hotel, Bishop’s Castle. 8pm. Call 01588 620541 to book meal for 7pm.
  • NT Live. ‘Man and Superman’ – Shaw. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £11/£7. 7pm. Call 01588 630321/638038.
  • Norbury and Dist. WI. Crown Inn, Wentnor. 7.30pm. Call 01588 650671.
  • Lydbury North Parish Council AGM Lydbury North village hall 7.30pm.

FRIDAY

  • Tina Turner tribute. Boars Head, Bishop’s Castle. Call 01588 638521.

SATURDAY

  • Farmers market. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. 10am. Call 01588 630023.
  • Friends of Bishop’s Castle Library cake and plant stall. Outside pharmacy. 10am.
  • Quiz and bangers and mash (inc veggie) Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. Teams of four, £10pp. 7.30pm. Call 01588 630023.
  • Circle dancing. Church Barn, Bishop’s Castle 7.30pm 01588 630648.
  • Christian Aid coffee morning. Robery Rings, Wentnor. 10.30am.

SUNDAY

  • Creativity day- Lin Brown. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. £45. 10.30am – 4.30. Call 01588 630023.

MONDAY

  • Quest Group talk. ‘Personal and Environmental Healing and Transformation’. Grange Rd Community Centre, Bishop’s Castle. 7.30pm. Call 01588 630648.
  • Bishop’s Castle and Dist. Carers Group. ‘Fire Safety’ – Sam Hamer. Boars Head, Bishop’s Castle. 2pm. Call 01694 722024.
  • Painting with Watercolours. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. £5. 6.30pm. Call 01588 630023.

TUESDAY

Bishop’s Castle Town Council meeting. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. 8pm. Call 01588 638141.

  • ENO Live. Pirates of Penzance. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £12/£8. 7.30pm. Call 01588 630321/638038.
  • Sock club. Knitting for all. Chai Shop, High St Bishop’s Castle. 2pm. Call 01588 630435.
  • Bishop’s Castle WI. Millie’s Menus. Methodist Hall, Bishop’s Castle. 7.30pm. Call 01588 638507.

WEDNESDAY

  • Mothers Union. Speaker Janet Preshous. Church Barn, Bishop’s Castle. 2.30pm. Call 01588 630018.
  • Onny Valley Social Club. Outing to Slimbridge Wetland Centre. Call 07530 687497.

CORRESPONDENT - Julia Parker 01588 680445 jparker228@btinternet.com.

 

Clun

GARDEN SOCIETY - Newcastle and District Garden Society’s next meeting is tonight at Newcastle Community Centre, at 7.30pm. Duncan Coombes will talk about ponds, marginals and bog gardens.

Duncan is a lecturer in decorative horticulture at Pershore College. His deep interest in plants and gardens has taken him to China where he was fascinated by, not only the famous ancient scholar gardens, but also the modern botanical gardens of this plantsman’s paradise. His talk will concentrate on growing plants in wet conditions. All welcome.

There will be an evening visit to Westonbury Water Gardens on Monday. This three-acre garden near Pembridge has a tangle of streams and bridges, an old mill pond, flower beds and award winning homemade food. Entry £5. Leaving Newcastle Community Centre 4pm and Clun car park 4.10pm. Call Carol Gurney 01588 640163 if you are willing to share transport. Further information contact Stan Wild 01588 640241.

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE - Man and Superman by George Bernard Shaw is being streamed direct from the National Theatre to Aston on Clun Village Hall tonight. Ralph Fiennes plays Jack Tanner in this exhilarating reinvention of Shaw’s witty, provocative classic. Doors open 6.30pm, performance starts 7pm. Tickets £10, (£6 for under 18s). Tickets and information contact David Jones 01588 660493 or Jeff Else 01588 660893.

CLUN VALLEY CHALLENGE - The annual Clun Valley Challenge, organised by St George’s Primary School and Nursery PTA, is on Saturday. It has become a very popular event over the last 12 years with local people and those who come from far and wide to enjoy the footpaths and byways of the beautiful Clun countryside. It is an important fundraiser for the school and a much-loved activity for the children.

The whole school runs a short section of the course as the Children’s Clun Valley Challenge in the weeks following the event. If you would like to take part or want to know more about the walk look at the 2015 event page on the website www.clunvalleychallenge.com You can email enquiries to info@clunvalleychallenge.com.

FILM ABOUT BILL LOCK - A film portrait of Clun’s famous character, Bill Lock, by Nicola Lane, will premiere in the Clun Memorial Hall Saturday, 3pm. Bill Lock was born deaf in 1910 into a well-known Romany family who travelled throughout the borders and Shropshire. The Lock family settled in Clun in the 1950s and Bill became an important part of the community.

To discover Bill’s world disabled artist, Nicola Lane interviewed some of the many people who remembered him, including 92-year-old Clunton farmer, Harry Collins, who employed Bill and knew him well. Memories of Bill are still strong but, as Mr Collins says, it will ‘all be gone’ after his generation have passed.

Nicola’s film aims to celebrate Bill’s long life and the vanished world in which he lived and worked. Bill died in 2000 and is buried in St George’s Church in Clun. The Clun Museum has a bronze bust of Bill by artist Jemma Pearson. The Lock family caravan is now an important part of the Hartlebury Museum collection in Worcestershire. The film was commissioned by Disability Arts in Shropshire (DASH). For more information about this free event or to book call 01743 272939 or email admin@dasharts.org.

PURSLOW HALL GARDEN PARTY - There will be a garden party at Purslow Hall on Sunday 2.30pm to 5pm, by kind permission of James and Annabel Morris. Entrance to the garden and entertainment by Rapsquillion £3. Refreshments will also be available. Held in aid of Clun Good Friends, part of Clun Valley Good Neighbours Scheme. Further information from Carolyn Lewis 01588 640477.

CELEBRATED CLUN RAMBLER - John Briscoe, founder member of Clun Ramblers, whose passion is walking and who has covered thousands of miles on foot celebrated his 80th birthday in April. John has recently joined the Clun Peramblers for some less daunting walks and was walking with the peramblers across the Kerry Ridgeway when they happened upon the ramblers who joined in celebrating John’s birthday with a presentation of a memento footpath sign bearing the inscription ‘John Briscoe -Walker Extraordinaire - 80 Years Young’ and a champagne toast. Next walk is Wednesday. Meet at Clun Memorial Hall car park 9.30am. Sorry no dogs.

COUNCIL MEETING - Annual parish meeting of Clun Town Council with Chapel Lawn is May 22, at Redlake Village Hall, at 7pm. All are welcome. There are vacancies for councillors in both Clun and Chapel Lawn wards. Making new discoveries at National Trust places in Herefordshire Applications would be welcome.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - What We Did On Our Holiday (12A) is showing at Clungunford Village Hall, May 22, 8pm. Comedy/drama. £4 adults, £2 children. Licensed bar, ice creams, raffle, car parking. Enquiries and reservations 01588 660727 Ann or 01588 660781 Maureen, maureenrooney2012@gmail.com.

CORRESPONDENT - Elisabeth Taylor, et@myphone.coop, 01981 540893. Deadline is the Wednesday of the week before publication.

 

Tenbury

SPRING TABLE SALE - Will be held, inside and outside Tenbury Methodist Church Hall and garden, on May 23, from 10am. There will be many local charitable organisations taking part, but there are still tables available at £5 each. A large and varied selection of goods and delicious refreshments will be available on the day. All are welcome. For details call 01584 781462.

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION TENBURY WELLS - Please note that the next branch meeting will be held Wednesday at the New Inn, Clifton on Teme. The meeting after that on June 17, will be held at the Fountain Inn, Oldwood Road, Tenbury Wells. Both meetings will commence at 8pm.

TEME VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY - Next meeting of the society will be May 26 at Abberley Village Hall at 7.30pm, when Leigh Griffiths will be speaking about metal detecting. All are welcome.

 

The Strettons

SERVICE - An Ascension Day service will be held at St Laurence’s Church today, at 11.30am.

FRIDAY MARKET - Friday market is held at Mayfair Community Centre, 8.30am-noon selling home-made cakes, produce and craft items.

SPRING FAIR - The Wives and Friends host a spring fair at the Methodist Church Hall from 10am- noon on Saturday with cakes, produce, books and gifts. Admission is £1 including refreshment, no charge for children. Proceeds of the event will go to The Air Ambulance Service.

PLANT SALE - Annual plant sale arranged by local Lib-Dems will be held in St Milburga’s car park 10am Saturday selling home grown plants of all varieties at bargain prices.

DUCK RACE - Saturday is also the date for the eighth annual duck race in Carding Mill Valley. The first race starts at 11am and entry is 50p each duck. The National Trust Tea Rooms will be open through the day.

TREE GROUP VISIT - The Tree Group is planning a visit to Leighton Hall on Saturday where the warden, David Williams, will be on hand to explain how the Redwood Grove came into being. This is a car sharing visit with plans to meet at the Cock Hotel in Forden at 2.30pm. Ring 01694 723208 to find out more.

TENNIS - The Church Stretton Youth Tennis Club holds a quiz night at the District Social Club Saturday night at 7.30pm with Ken Willis as question- master. Entry for the quiz is £4. On Sunday the Church Stretton Lawn Tennis Club has an open day 10am- 1pm with an invitation to just turn up.

FOLK DANCE - Saturday is the folk dance evening at Ticklerton Village Hall starting at 8pm. For more information call 01694 722148.

AGM’s - The local history group holds its AGM Monday, 2pm in the library, when there will be an update on the First World War research.

AGM of the Civic Society is at 7pm Wednesday in the Silvester Horne Institute, after which Phil Holden, partnership manager of Shropshire Hills AONB will be the speaker.

TALK - Jon Cooke will be speaking on climate care at the Mothers’ Union meeting in the Owen room at the Parish Centre at 2.30pm.

NETWORK - The Network group meet at Methodist Hall, Wednesday 2.30pm, for talk by Joy Blizzard on ‘Recycling’.

GARDENING CLUB - The spring show arranged by the gardening club was held at the Silvester Horne Institute recently when entries were invited for five stems of daffodils, five stems of any flowers except daffodils, three stems of garden shrubs and a spring flowers arrangement. Rhoda Underhill, Linda Bolton, Ann Frost, Margaret Mercer and Els Knight all featured in the winners’ table but the Daplings finished overall winners. Judging completed, refreshments served, everyone settled back for a Gardener’s Question Time. Plants were on sale for Cancer Research. The club has arranged a visit to Hergest Croft at Kington next Thursday, May 21. Enquiries should be made by ringing 01694 720131.

SCHOOL NEWS - Thanks from St Lawrence’s and Friends of the School for the support of the spring fair which raised £1,600 for school funds. Year five and year six pupils are to enter a rounders competition and a visit to Arthog will shortly take place. An experience of Pentecost is planned.

At Church Stretton School, the French exchange visitors have spent time in Church Stretton, year 10 students made their work experience arrangements and year 11 students spend their last official day in school, and have held a collection for the Nepalese Earthquake Appeal. Year 10 drama students visited Stokesay Primary School as part of the Theatre in Education project. Students have held mock elections. On the sporting front, there has been an inter-house rugby competition. At the South Shropshire swimming gala, the students all finished in the top four.

Former student Regan Jordan has captained Shropshire in their rugby win over Birmingham. Two other former students were also in the squad.

CAMERA CLUB - Longmynd Camera Club’s competition number five was an open subject. Unfortunately, the appointed judge was unable to attend and so two assessors and two marking judges were appointed from within the club members. When the points were added in, the winners in the print section were Ken Robinson with Bodleian Ceiling in first place then David Kennedy’s Raindrops on Acer, Peter Howsam’s Apprehension and Ken Robinson’s Music Hall Singer all tied for second place. In the Dpi’s section, David Kennedy’s Autumn Morning in Andalucia, Ron Kelly’s A Daisy Gathering, and third place was Linda Horler with Willow Tit. It was decided that the league table and photographer-of-the-year awards would be presented at the first meeting of the autumn term.

ANNUAL ASSEMBLY - Few people attended the town council’s annual parish assembly but from the floor there was praise for the good work done by the town council, and there was a suggestion that as time goes on perhaps more young volunteers could be encouraged to come forward and train for one of the many posts within the town council. Further questions from the floor were about the siting of the Information Centre if the library is moved, and the New House Farm development, both of which were pending at present time.

INTERFAITH - A meeting of the South Shropshire Interfaith Forum for ladies and children was held recently to hear the customs of Easter and Passover. Eggs featured in the talk as they represent a new beginning and are often given to the children as chocolate eggs, while the Jewish custom is to roast them for serving at the Passover Meal. The Easter story was read from the Bible and a picture of the Last Supper was shown.

At Passover, there is a custom for readings to be made by the youngest person at the meal and the tasting of parsley dipped in salt water was a reminder of the bitterness and tears of slavery. Usually, Simnel cake is served at Easter and hot cross buns remind us of Jesus’ death on the cross. At Passover, unleavened bread is served and the refreshments included coconut-based treats which were enjoyed by everyone.

A general meeting of members was held at the Quaker Meeting Hall in Ludlow when Mary Bunting gave a talk on Sufiism. The next meeting will be in Craven Arms on May 29, when everyone is invited to take along some food as it will be a Food and Faith event.

BOOK SALE - A book sale in aid of Mayfair is due to be held at the URC Hall May 22 and 23, 10am-3.30pm. Please take books along to Mayfair Community Centre or call 01694 723427 for collection. The sale has been arranged by local Rotary Club.

AT THE HORNE - The next Friday night at the Horne event will be on May 22 when the Hurling Boys will be at the Silvester Horne to entertain at 7.30pm. There will be a bar and tickets are on sale at the usual outlets including the Town Council offices and cost £10.

ARTS ALIVE - An Arts Alive event at All Stretton Village Hall takes place on May 24, with a showing at 11am and 2.30pm for ‘The boy who bit Picasso’. For ticket enquiries ring 01694 723378.

ART WEEK - The Shropshire Hills Art Week begins on May 30 until June 7, when many studios offering different types of artwork in the area will be open and also on view at the Discovery Centre in Craven Arms arranged by the Art Café group.