Bishop’s Castle

ARTS WEEK VENUES IN TOWN – Three venues in Bishop’s Castle are taking part in the Shropshire Hills Art Week that runs from Saturday until June 7. Gerry Barwell is busily renovating Bank House in the High Street but she has invited eight artists to show their work in the impressively high ceilinged 18th century building.

The artists are Jill Bagnall, Jo Halden, Caitlin Marchant, Tahira Paul, Rosie Read, Pat Simon, Pearl Taylor and Bronte Woodruff. Call 01588 630026/07712 010525 for details. The second Arts Week venue is up the hill from Bank House, at 3 Bull Street, the home of award winning print maker Drusilla Cole.

Jewellery by Anne Stephens will also be on display. Drusilla’s number is 01588 638458. Finally, Tim Phillips will be showing his recent paintings and boxes made from English hardwoods at his new home, St Cleopas, The Cabin, half a mile from Welsh Street. Call him on 01588 638762. All the Shropshire Hills Arts week venues are open from 11am to 5pm.

APRIL WINNERS – The April winner of the 100 club in aid of the House on Crutches Museum Collection Trust was Edna Burton who won £18.25. Jane Carroll won £10.95 and Judith Payne won £7.30.

BIKES AND BACON BUTTIES – 21 members of the Shropshire Section of the Vintage Motorcycle Club enjoyed a spring run recently through the Shropshire countryside.

Convenient stops for bacon butties and tea made it an enjoyable day out, ending at the home of Godfrey Cookson. Speaker for the club night May 27 was John Jolley, managing director of SRM Engineering. John demonstrated how the company seeks to improve dynamos and magnetos, bringing examples with him. For more information about VMCC call Derek Trow 01686 670626.

RICHARD WINS – Richard Reyes won £23.50 in the April draw of the Lydham Church 100 Club. Nancy Beamond won £14.10 and Angela Smith won £3.90. Call 01588 638486 to join the club for 2015-16.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY, Thursday, May 28-June 3

TODAY: Film. Birdman. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £4.50/£3. 7pm. 01588 630321/638038.

  • Craft and chat. Sheep-ish, Market Steps, Bishop's Castle. Free. Weekly 10am. 01588 630421.

TOMORROW: Footpath Walking Group. Planning meeting. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. 10.30am. Call 01588 650451.

  • Pony Club day. Walcot Stables, Lydbury North. Non-members welcome. 10am-4pm. 01588 680514.

SATURDAY: Ska night for Amnesty International. Three Tuns, Bishop’s Castle. £5. 9pm.

  • Shropshire Hills Art Week. Exhibitions in Bishop's Castle at Bank House, High St; 3 Bull Street; St Cleopas, The Cabin. Ends June 7. 11am to 5pm. 01588 630026.
  • Art exhibition. Judy Osborne, Daphne Rankine, Stewart Rankine. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. Free. 10am-4pm Mon-Sat. 01588 630023.

MONDAY: Footpath Walking Group. Whixall and Ellesmere 10 miles. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishop’s Castle 9.30am. 01588 650451.

  • Afternoon tea and floral demonstration - Jane Pugh. £6 in aid of Lydbury North Church Flower Fund 01588 680257 CORRESPONDENTJulia Parker 01588 680445 jparker228@btinternet.com.

 

Bockleton

BOCKLETON WI – May meeting was our AGM with reports from the secretary, president and treasurer, then all serving committee members were re- elected. The monthly meeting then followed with discussions about the upcoming national AGM at the Albert Hall, our entry in this year’s Tenbury Show in August and arrangements for next month’s summer supper at the home of one of our members. The evening’s competition of a household hint or tip was won by 1 Ingrid, 2 Thelma, 3 Rosemary. The raffle was won by Caroline, Rosemary, Angela. Evening’s refreshments were made by Jan and Pam, and were enjoyed by all.

 

Clun

TABLE TOP SALE - There is a table top sale at Clun Memorial Hall Saturday, 10am to 3pm. Refreshments. Set up 9am. To book phone 01588 640058 or email yvonnetyler@yahoo.es.

ARBOR DAY - Aston on Clun’s Arbor Day Celebration starts with a Ceilidh on Saturday at 7.30pm in the village hall. The Arbor Day festival begins at 1.15pm on Sunday. Shropshire Bedlams and Martha Rhoden’s Tuppeny Dish will be dancing and musician Benji Kirkpatrick, who was born within sight of the Arbor Tree and is a member of Bellowhead, will be performing. There is a tabletop sale on the Green. To book phone Roger Rankin 01588 661088.

BINGO AT THE MALTINGS - The May bingo session will be on Monday. This is due to the bank holiday being on the last Monday of the month. It will be at The Maltings cafe by kind permission of Sarah and Stig Wilkinson. Eyes down at 7.30pm. The last session before the summer break. Organiser, Tim Wood is always looking for prizes so if you have any unwanted presents or other items that you would like to donate they would be much appreciated. You can take them to Tim at The Old Surgery Gallery which is now open seven days a week. 01588 640506.

CLUN RAMBLERS - Next walk is Wednesday. Meet at Clun Memorial Hall car park 9.30am. Sorry no dogs.

COME SINGING IN CLUN - New singing group meets every Thursday at Hightown Community Room, singing uplifting songs from many traditions around the world, all taught by ear so no need to read music. Led by experienced teacher and singer Sue Harris, 10-11.30am, 01547 550158.

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

 

Hayton

HAYTON AND DISTRICT WI – Eileen Pritchard welcomed the group to the May meeting; it was agreed that the WI would serve refreshments at the monthly community market on a regular basis. Eileen gave notice of future events including skittles, the spring lunch at St Chad’s and an outing to Hunter’s End Gardens. Janet Bryan read her report of the Federation AGM at Theatre Severn and Eileen then introduced our speaker, Ian Skinner, who spoke of his life as a Soldier to Preacher. He recounted that, after 46 years of army service and two years’ retirement, he is now a minister at St John’s Church in Hereford. He left school at the age of 15 in 1967 and began a two-year apprenticeship leading to repairing howitzers and tank recovery vehicles from Germany to Canada, Malta to Libya, active service in the Falklands War and enduring temperatures of minus 30°C in Norway. After 25 years in the army Ian decided to follow his faith and spent three years in Durham to train for the church. In 2004 he joined the SAS as their chaplain and so he began his life in Hereford for the next 10 years; he recalled the highs (baptising soldiers in a river in Canada) and lows (conducting 54 funerals while an SAS chaplain) of his life in the army. It was a most interesting and inspiring illustrated talk, and questions continued over coffee.

Competition results: object beginning with ‘I’: 1st Picture of the Iron Bridge, Margaret Edgar; 2nd Identity card, Gill Parker; 3rd Ice skate, Sue Parker.

Flower of the month: 1st Tree peony, Sarah Thomas; 2nd Lilac, Eileen Pritchard; 3rd Azalea, Joyce Randle. Next meeting June 11, 7.30pm in village hall. Call Eileen Pritchard on 01584 876437 for more details and to arrange transport if needed.

 

Little Hereford

CHURCH CONCERT – We have the pleasure of Hereford Police Male Voice Choir singing in our church St Mary Magdalene on Saturday at 7.30pm, tickets £8 to include glass of wine and food are available from 01584711242/711677 or Tenbury news and Brimfield shop, proceeds to Little Hereford Church.

 

Tenbury

EASTHAM SUMMER BARBECUE – June 13, 6.30pm to 11pm, Village Green outside the Memorial Hall. Licensed bar, raffle, homemade puddings. Live music from The Yesta’Yrs. Free entry and parking.

THE TRUMPET SHALL SOUND – Presented by Music at St Michael’s 2015. June 6 at 7.30pm in the Church of St Michael and All Angels, Tenbury, WR15 8PH. Music for trumpet and organ: John Swindells – trumpet, Charles Edmondson – organ. Programme to include works by Edward Gregson, Jeremiah Clarke, Handel and Neruda’s Trumpet Concerto. Also, music in honour of the 1945 Second World War victory. Free entrance, retiring collection to Church Organ Fund.

HOPE BAGOT FETE AND DOG SHOW – May 31, 2pm to 5pm, Hope Court, Hope Bagot, SY8 3AE. Tombola, cakes, teas and plants. Music from Teme Valley Band. And much more, free entry and parking.

VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK – Interested in volunteering? Come along and find out more at the Volunteers’ Fair. Meet local organisations offering diverse, challenging and rewarding volunteer opportunities. June 5 from 10am – 2pm at the Regal Community Centre, Church Walk, Tenbury. Free entry and complimentary tea, coffee and cake. Volunteering is for anyone of any age and is a great way to meet new people, develop skills and support your community. Malvern Hills Volunteering on 07935 407190, malvernhillsvolunteering@gmail.com.

SOUP AND ROLL LUNCHES (with pudding) - Will be held on next Thursday June 4, 12.30pm at Tenbury Methodist Hall. There is a small charge of £2.50 to cover costs. Please come along, enjoy delicious food, and share in good company. All are welcome.

 

The Strettons

FRIDAY MARKET – The Friday market continues at Mayfair Community Centre each week from 8.30am to noon selling homemade cakes, produce and craft items.

SSIF – The South Shropshire Interfaith forum is hosting a food and faith evening at Craven Arms Community Centre tomorrow at 6pm for 6.30pm, which will include a shared meal. The next ladies and children’s get-together is planned for June 6, from 2pm to 4pm and, weather permitting, will be an outdoor event and picnic.

BLUES ‘N’ ROOTS – The Blues ‘n’ Roots festival will take place on the rectory field on Saturday and gates open at noon. Tickets and information available from The King’s Arms. On stage will be Natty, Kaz Hawkins and her Band O’Men, and Gary Hall, and also on the programme Washington Reed, Cooper and Davies, The Big Sets, Beth Prior and Matthew Falloon. There will be circus skills and fun activities for the children during the day. Tickets may also be available at the gate.

ARCHERY – Try your hand at archery on Saturday at New House Farm (SY6 7JH) as Longmynd Archers are offering half-hour slots from 10am to noon and 1pm to 3pm for adults and children at a cost of £5 or £3, respectively.

ART WEEK – The Shropshire Hills Art Week begins on Saturday until June 7 when studios open for visitors from 11am to 5pm at various venues in South Shropshire. The event is sponsored by Hobsons Brewery and details are available at shropshirehillsartweek.co.uk.

MAYFAIR - Just a reminder that voting in the Aviva Community Fund ends on Saturday. If voting for Mayfair put Makeover 4 Meals in the project box (or just Mayfair) to give Mayfair a chance of winning the £25,000 on offer. Log on to https://community- fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/ and putting Mayfair in the project title box. After registering a confirmation email will come through and then it is possible to vote for up to ten votes.

COMMUNITY CINEMA – Church Stretton School on Monday is Paddington (PG). Doors open at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm. Interval refreshments are always available. Admission is £4 for adults and £2 for students.

NETWORK – Rev Hazel Ratcliffe will be the speaker at the next Network meeting on Wednesday at the Methodist Church hall starting at 2.30pm. All welcome.

LONGMYND HIKE – The recent meeting of the Longmynd Hike committee was held at the District Social Club. Online entries will start from June 14 and 650 entries will be accepted. Buffs will be available for sale on the day of the Longmynd Hike and it was suggested that staff members wore ID cards for easy recognition. There was discussion about check points and tallies which would be taken into account. A new set of printed tea mugs was to be acquired for use with the catering. A letter of thanks was received from Shropshire Wildlife Trust for the donation towards the purchase of Pontesford Hill and Cub camp in September would also receive a donation towards its costs. The next meeting of the committee will be on July 12 at 7pm.

SCHOOL NEWS – At St Lawrence’s Primary School Walk to School week has been encouraged and Class 9 has taken part in an outside survival day. The Experience Pentecost workshop was held at the church and the walk into town was assisted by the local community support officer, three colleagues and two police cars as they were training that day. Year 6 will be on a visit to Arthog on Monday for a week.

Church Stretton School’s catering team has received a top rating for food hygiene. Students are all busy with exams and the principal has held another of the afternoon tea events which celebrate the achievements of students in and out of school.

BUSY BEES – Busy Bees will again be running a summer holiday club from the week commencing July 27 until the week commencing August 24 for children aged 2-8. The club will be open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am to 3pm. More on 01694 724812.

COFFEE MORNING – Church Stretton Inner Wheel is hosting a coffee morning at the Parish Centre on June 5, from 10am to noon to raise funds for a Shelter Box and Classrooms in the Clouds for Nepal.

Shelter boxes provide a tent, thermal blankets, ground sheets, water storage and purification equipment, a solar lamp, cooking utensils, a basic tool kit, mosquito nets and a children’s activity pack.

SOIREE FRANCAISE – A soiree Française event will be held in the golf club marquee on June 6, 7 for 7.30pm. Dress code is French and tickets cost £20. Reserve a table by ringing 01694 722281.

WISE AND WELL – A Wise and Well information day will be held at the Silvester Horne Institute from 9.30am to 3pm on June 10. During the morning there will be talks about how to keep safe, healthy and independent, and there will be an exercise taster, health checks and an exhibition of local charities and support organisations. After the free lunch there will be free functional fitness MOTs and a chance to join a game of Boccia Indoor Bowls. There is no charge for the day and transport can be arranged if needed. Please book in beforehand by telephoning Lisa on 01743 342162.

THEATRE AND DINING – Man and Superman will be shown as an Encore broadcast at Church Stretton School on June 11 at 7pm. A two-course meal with wine and treats is available beforehand served from 5.30pm but must be booked in advance by ringing the school on 01694 722209 and costs £13 per head.

Theatre tickets may be reserved at the same time and these cost £11 per head with £5 concessions for the U18s. Some tickets may be available at the door for those not wishing to dine before the show.

PROMS – Easthope’s Last Night of the Proms will be held on June 13 with live music, barbecue and bar. Plucking Feathers Ukelele Band will also be on hand and there will be flag waving and singing to top it off. Tickets cost £6, ring 01746 785250.

 

Westhope

WESTHOPE WI – This month, instead of the usual meeting, Diddlebury and Westhope WI had a joint meeting with Munslow WI and were given a warm welcome. The speaker was the leader of the Mennonite Church in Craven Arms. This was all very interesting and lots of questions were asked. Next month we are back at Westhope, with flower arranger, Cynthia Preston-Jones.

CLOVER CLUB – 24 members and friends attended the May meeting. Slides of old Craven Arms were shown by David Evans of Clun. There were slides of the huge sheep sales and the auctions, the railways and some right up to date with the Discovery Centre and Harry Tuffins. Dave seemed to remember all the people’s names. He was warmly thanked. Next Thursday, June 4 we are having a fish and chip lunch at the Tally Ho, 12.30pm for 1pm. If you wish to join us ring Mary on 01584 861282.

Village Hall lottery winners in May: First prize of £30.90 went to Norah Hall, Birtley. Other prize winners were Mary Holland, Pat Turley, Tom Hall and D McGill. There will be three whist drives in June. June 1 charity whist drive for Hope House, admission £2 including refreshments. Good prizes and a raffle. June 15, progressive whist; June 29 partner whist; both £1.50. Prizes, refreshments and raffle. Grand National sweep winners: First prize £20 Sheila Austin, second prize £10 Dorothy A Clinton, 3rd and 4th prizes of £5 Dennis Jubb and Sarah Hall. Thanks to Diddlebury and Culmington parish councils for their donations.