Bishop’s Castle

NEW CARNIVAL CRICKET COMPETITION - Bishop’s Castle carnival committee has teamed up with the Bishop’s Castle Cricket Club for a six-a-side knock out competition which starts at noon on June 28. The event is part of a fun-packed week leading up to carnival day itself on July 5. Simon Palmer is Bishop’s Castle cricket club secretary and he says: “We have been looking for an event that would bring the town together, so the six-a-side is a chance for everyone to come to the club, have a great day out and hopefully get in some good cricket”. The competition is being promoted in Bishop’s Castle and beyond, and pubs, hotels and local businesses are being encouraged to raise playing teams. The winners will receive a barrel of beer from The Three Tuns Brewery; second prize is beer supplied by The Six Bells Brewery and The Castle Hotel is providing a trophy for the winners. You can find an entry form at pubs and businesses or look on www.bishopscastlecarnival.co.uk. Entries must be submitted to Simon Palmer by June 20 (his details are on the entry forms). Entry is £5 a head and all players must be 16 years and over. The day after the six- a-side there’s a cricket club and carnival evening for youngsters on June 29 starting at 6pm at the cricket ground. The carnival will be giving prizes for the cricket fun and games and there’s a barbecue as well.

CATWALK BARGAINS - Join the Friends of Bishop’s Castle Primary School for a fashion show and clothes sale evening by Shop2Drop Ltd at the Community College on June 12. Doors open at 6.30pm, the show starts at 7.30pm, with tickets at £5 from the primary school or on the door. The evening features high street fashion reduced by up to 75 per cent and brands include M&S, Next and Monsoon in sizes 8-20. All garments are brand new. Ticket money will go to the Friends of Bishop’s Castle Primary School fund. Call 07817766679 for details.

BIKE WEEK EVENTS - New Street Cycles in Bishop’s Castle is joining in with National Bike Week which begins on June 15. On that day you can come along for a free bike check between 6pm and 8pm, no booking required. On June 16, 17 and 18, there’s a chance to learn some useful bike safety checks and how to make minor adjustments to your bike including gears, brakes and tyres. These drop-in sessions are free and run 6pm to 8pm. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Last bike week event is an open day at New Street Cycles, June 27, when you can try out their electric cycles. Call 01588 638060 or e-mail newstreetgarage@btconnect.com for details.

NEPAL FUND - Coffee morning in aid of earthquake victims in Nepal raised £1070 at Lydbury North Village Hall ,May 21. Organisers Vee Collumb and Chris Penny thank everyone.

FINEST COUNTRY CHURCH ORGAN IN ENGLAND - Village of More has a festival recital in St Peter’s Church, Saturday at 7.30pm. Rebecca Thurgur (soprano) will be accompanied by Alistair Auld (organ) in a programme that includes Mozart’s Exultate Jubilate and other well- known pieces. The organ at More has been described as the finest church organ in the country and the evening is a fundraiser for the church restoration fund. Tickets £6, available on the door or from Marion Denwood 01588 630350.

CHARITY TRACTOR RUN - A tractor run in aid of the Lingen Davies Cancer Relief Fund leaves New House Farm at Kempton near Lydbury North on Sunday. The start time is 10.30am and the cost is £20 per tractor, to include a hot meal and pudding. Extra meals cost £10 a head. To find out more call 07813 186555 or 01588 680297.

MEGA PLANT SALE - This year’s plant sale in aid of the Marches Community Choir includes bedding plants, perennials, house plants, shrubs, herbs and vegetables, all of good quality and very reasonably priced. It will take place outside the Bishops Castle chemist 9am-2pm on Saturday.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY June 4-10

TODAY: Globe on Screen. Julius Caesar. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £11/£7 child. 7pm. 01588 630321/638038.

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

TOMORROW: Entries close for Bishop’s Castle Open Art Exhibition. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. 01588 630023.

  • Whitney Houston tribute night. Boars Head, Bishop’s Castle. 01588 638521.
  • The Marriage of Figaro in aid of Alzheimer’s Society and Lydbury North Church. Walcot Hall, Lydbury North £95/£60 6.30pm 01588 680570.

SATURDAY: Plant sale in aid of Marches Community Choir. Outside pharmacy. 9am.

  • Flea and antiques market. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. Free. 9am-4pm. 01588 630023.
  • Peg loom weaving demonstration. Sheep-ish, Market Steps, Bishop’s Castle. 01588 630421.
  • Concert. Rebecca Thurgur (sop) and organ. For the church in aid of restoration fund £6 7.30pm 01588 630350.

SUNDAY: Bishop’s Castle Town Council civic service and parade. Bishop’s Castle Church 11am.

  • Mainstone fun day in aid of village hall. Dog show 2pm; duck race 3pm; barbecue, home crafts competitions. Mainstone Village Hall.
  • Tractor run in aid of Lingen Davies Cancer Relief Fund. New House Farm, Kempton, Lydbury North. £20 inc hot meal. 10.30am. 01588 680297.
  • Italian motorbike meeting. Powis Arms, Lydbury North. 10.30am. 01588 680666.

TUESDAY: Introduction to yarn spinning – Shirley Elwell. Sheep-ish, Market Steps, Bishop’s Castle. £40. 10am. 01588 630042.

  • Bishop’s Castle Civic Society AGM. Methodist Hall. 7pm.
  • Mainstone WI. Women’s Health Issues – Lynne Aitkin. Mainstone Village Hall. 7.30pm.

WEDNESDAY: Cash bingo for charity. Bishop’s Castle Public Hall. 8pm.

  • Talk, Beginners Guide to Birdsong – Pete Carty. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. £3.50 8pm. 01588 630023.
  • Bookworms. Border Poets reading. Lydbury North Village Hall. £4. 7.30pm. 01588 680302.

CORRESPONDENT - Julia Parker at Bishops Castle Post Office. 01588 680445, jparker228@btinternet.com.

 

Clows Top

CLOWS TOP SHOP - The Steering Group is holding a public meeting next Thursday, June 11, at 7.30pm in Clows Top Victory Hall to ask residents to help the project move to the next stage. If you want a community shop we now need your help to enable the project to move forward. The group has a representative from The Plunkett Foundation coming to the meeting and she will give a presentation on established community shops and can answer questions that are raised on the night. The foundation helps communities such as ours on the process of establishing a community shop. People who have already offered to help will be contacted this week. If you are unable to attend the meeting but wish to be involved please contact clerk Sue Burrows on 01299 832722 or at bayton_pc08@btinternet.com. We look forward to seeing you next week.

BINGO - The next session will be June 12, eyes down looking for 7.30pm.

 

Clun

CHILDREN’S PICTURE COMPETITION - Arts Alive invites local children to get involved with the Tour d’ Arts Alive; an exciting cycling and arts festival based in Clun, Shropshire on June 28.

Shropshire and Herefordshire children of primary school age are asked to create a picture based on the title “me and my bike.” All the pictures will be displayed in Clun Memorial Hall on the day of the tour. There will be prizes for the pictures judged to be the best by the Arts Alive team, with a first prize of a £20 voucher for a local cycle shop.

Arts Alive director Sian Kerry says: “We would love local children to engage with both outdoor activity and the arts through getting involved in the run up to the Tour, as well as on the day of the event itself. Please use your imaginations to show us what riding a bike means to you! We’ll have some truly local artwork to add a unique flavour to the festival.”

The Tour d’Arts Alive, which combines 100km and 50km rides through the south Shropshire hills with a day of free bike-themed arts activities and workshops for children and their families, is a collaboration between arts charities Arts Alive and Flicks in the Sticks, and professional bike tour company Rideventures. It’s a fundraiser for the charities, to help combat the shortfall created by drastic public spending cuts to the arts. Visit www.artsalive.co.uk/tour for full details about the Tour d’Arts Alive, and follow @TourdeArtsAlive and @Rideventures on twitter for updates.

TIM’S TRAVELS - Anything Goes , Cole Porter’s classic, multi-award winning musical comedy is Tim Wood’s theatre trip for July 15 to Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre. Leave Newcastle at 9.15am, calling at Clun Bridge and stops to Craven Arms and the Clive Restaurant. Good stalls, seats and coach £40. All enquiries to Tim at the Old Surgery Gallery, now open seven days a week 10am to 5pm. 01588 640506. Advance notice, the summer outing to the coast will be a trip to Barmouth, August 12. Put it in your diary, more details to follow.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - What We Did on Our Holiday (12A) 95 mins is showing at Clun Memorial Hall on Saturday, 7.30pm, tickets on the door adult £4.50, under 16 £2.50. Disabled facilities, refreshments. Enquiries 01588 640254.

OPEN FARM SUNDAY AT BRYNMAWR - Sunday is Open Farm Sunday and Brynmawr Farm near Newcastle is opening the gates to visitors 10am to 4pm, for what promises to be both a fascinating and enjoyable day out for the whole family with free entry. Brynmawr is an organic hill farm in The Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We will be running farm tours at 10.30am and 2.30pm and you will discover how we rear sheep and cattle in such a way that the biodiversity of the Shropshire Hills is maintained as well as producing meat with great flavour. Come and see the Hereford and Highland cattle and Highlands teddy bear calves, and different breeds of sheep. There will be a walk to the wild flower hay meadows and lots of activities for children (and adults) – bring some crayons! To find out more about Brynmawr Farm go to www.clunvalleyorganics.co.uk or follow us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/Brynmawr- Farm-163765077148943.

CLUN CHRONICLE AGM - Clun and the Clun Valley is very well served by the excellent monthly Clun Chronicle, packed with news, information and colour photos of all that is happening in the area, and produced by a dedicated team. You can buy it from Spar, the Old Surgery Gallery, Clun Garage, Bright Flowers, Clun Museum, the Maltings Cafe, Aston on Clun shop and the Crown Inn, Newcastle. AGM of Clun Chronicle is at Haslehurst Community Centre, Tuesday 7.30pm.

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

NEWCASTLE GARDEN SOCIETY - The next meeting of Newcastle Garden Society is next Thursday, June 11, at Newcastle Community Centre, starting at 7.30pm.

CLUN PRODUCE MARKET - Next market is June 20, from 10am at Clun Memorial Hall.

CLUN GARDENS OPEN - Clun residents have generously been opening their gardens for charity for thirty years. June 20 and 21 there will once again be a chance to visit many of the glorious gardens of Clun. More details next week or you can check the new website, www.clungardensopen.co.uk which includes maps, details of the gardens, tickets and photographs.

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

 

Tenbury

SOUP AND ROLL LUNCHES (with pudding) - Will be held today, 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.

COFFEE AND CHAT - A warm welcome awaits you tomorrow, and on the first Friday of each month, 10am- noon at The Pump Rooms. Organised by the Tenbury Branch of the U3A this is a great way to find out what we have to offer that might interest you – our activities range from film study to German (via ballroom dancing and musical boxes plus lots of other groups). If it isn’t fun it isn’t U3A! A reminder to members that your subs were due at the end of May, you can call in and pay them at this coffee and chat. You are also reminded that the AGM will take place at 10.30am and will last about 30 minutes. So do drop in to meet old and new friends over a coffee and chat and maybe discover a new interest. Hope to see you there.

BOOKS, TEA AND TALK - Tenbury Library, last Friday in the month. June: Margaret Atwood – The Blind Assassin. The Blind Assassin describes a risky affair in the turbulent thirties between a wealthy young woman and a man on the run. During the secret meetings in rented rooms, the lovers concoct a pulp fantasy set on Planet Zycron. As the invented story twists through love and sacrifice and betrayal, so does the real one. This is a novel filled with deep humour and dark.

NEEN SOLLARS VILLAGE FETE - At Tetstill, Sunday, 1pm-4pm. Games, prizes, band, barbecue, teas, stalls, dog show.

SUMMER CONCERT - Little Hereford Voices Community Choir in aid of charity. An evening of song from pop to classical. Little Hereford Village Hall, Saturday at 7.30pm. Bar, raffle. Tickets £5 available from The Roebuck Village Shop or Peter Sandall 01584 711114.

TEME VALLEY WILDLIFE GROUP - The next meeting of the group is next Thursday, June 11, when we will be having a different format, with an evening meeting outdoors. We will be visiting an organic farm at Rushwick and taking a walk by the River Teme to its confluence with the River Severn. Details will be on the website: www.temevalleywildlife.com and always everybody is most welcome. For up- to-date information on what wildlife is being seen in the area, or to give us your sightings, visit our website. The group normally holds a meeting on the second Thursday of the month, all are very welcome. Further information: 01584 781500 or e-mail danny.arnold@waterwide.com.

LINDRIDGE SHOW - On Saturday in aid of local charities at Woodston Manor on the A443 Worcester to Tenbury Wells Road. Judging starts 9am prompt with numerous horse trials throughout the day with dog show at 2pm. Lots more going on including the parade of the Ludlow foxhounds, mini farmers’ market, Tenbury Town Band, tombola, side shows, children’s entertainment, gifts, books, plants and cake stalls. Refreshments available, ice cream, public bar. Grand draw in aid of Midlands Air Ambulance.

 

The Strettons

ART WEEK - Shropshire Hills Art Week continues until Sunday when studios open 11am-5pm. Visit www.shropshirehillsartweek.co.uk for more information. Event is supported by Hobsons Brewery.

FRIDAY MARKET - Is open for business 8.30am-noon selling home-made cakes, produce and craft items.

FOREST GARDENING - A forest gardening workshop is planned for Saturday and Sunday at Karuna, Picklescote, led by Chris Evans. The workshop will feature visualising, planning and establishing through to harvesting and maintaining a forest garden, and will include theory and hands-on experience. Ring 01694 751374 to book in or find our more.

SOIREE - A Soiree Francaise evening will be held in the Golf Club Marquee on Saturday 7pm for 7.30pm. Dress code is French and to reserve a table ring 01694 722281, tickets cost £20.

NEPAL - Shayne from Kaboodle will be taking part in the Derby half marathon on Sunday raising funds for the Nepal appeal and Classrooms in the Clouds so pop some money in the collecting box if you would like to support his efforts for this appeal. Many thanks to everyone who supported his last effort which raised over £1,000 for the Nepal Appeal.

OPEN MEETING - The Stretton and Shropshire Cancer Care Group is hosting an open meeting at Mayfair Community Centre on Monday. The meeting will begin promptly at 7.30pm. The Rev Sarah Hare, assistant curate in the Ridgeway Benefice which covers Bishop’s Castle, Lydbury North, Mainstone, Edgton and Sarn, will be the speaker and she will speak about her journey to ordination as well as her experiences as a nurse when she worked in the Teenage Cancer Unit and in Cancer Research, and how her role as a nurse has been a good grounding for life in the ministry.

OUTING - An outing to Hodnet Hall gardens, Market Drayton, has been arranged by the Church Stretton Gardening Club, leaving at 10am Tuesday and returning at 4pm. This 60 acre garden features brilliant coloured flowers, magnificent forest trees, sweeping lawns and a chain of ornamental pools which run tranquilly along the cultivated garden valley to provide a natural habitat for water fowl and wildlife. There is also a garden restaurant. The coach can pick up at Sandford Nursing Home and also Beaumont Road. Ring 01694 720131 to enquire for seats on the coach as there is a charge for coach fare and entrance.

WIVES AND FRIENDS - The Wives and Friends group meets at the Methodist Church Hall on Tuesday at 7.30pm when there will be a talk by Mrs Christine Harvey on her role as a town clerk which she says “is a long way from Dibley”. Admission £3 including refreshments, all welcome.

WISE AND WELL - On Wednesday there is a Wise and Well information day at the Silvester Horne Institute from 9.30am-3pm. There is no charge for the day. During the morning there will be talks about how to keep safe, healthy and independent together with an exercise taster, health checks and an exhibition of local charities and supporter organisations. After the free lunch, there is a free functional fitness MOT and a chance to join a game of boccia indoor bowls. Although there is no charge for the day it is important to book a place in advance, and transport can be arranged. Ring Lisa on 01743 342162.

NETWORK - A network meeting at the Methodist Church Hall on Wednesday at 2.30pm will feature a talk by Margaret Woods on the Women’s Voluntary Service. All welcome.

MAN AND SUPERMAN - The National Theatre encore showing of Bernard Shaw’s Man and Superman will be held next Thursday, June 11, 7pm, at Church Stretton School. With an opportunity to dine before the show as a two-course meal with wine, coffee and treats is served from 5.30pm. The cost of the pre-theatre dinner is £13 per head and must be reserved in advance by ringing the school on 01694 722209 when theatre tickets can also be reserved. Theatre tickets cost £11 with £5 concession for under 18s. Some tickets may be available at the door for those not wishing to dine.

SMALLHOLDERS - The South Shropshire Smallholders meet at Leebotwood Village Hall next Thursday, June 11, when guests and visitors are also welcome to attend. During the evening there will be a sales table for smallholder produce and a members’ exchange table. The speakers for the evening will be Nick and Lezlie Feeney who will talk about general smallholding matters. The previous meeting held on May 14, gave Steve Powell a chance to talk about his bee keeping experiences and the harvesting and selling of Offa’s Dyke honey. The Smallholders plan to have stands at Burwarton Show on August 6 and at Minsterley Show on August 8.

FOOD BANK - The Food Bank is still in need of donated goods but at present does not need any more baked beans or soup. Thanks to everyone who supports the scheme by donating in-date items.

CRICKET CLUB - New players of all ages are being recruited by Church Stretton cricket club. Details on 01743 872499 or 07827 444694.

SCHOOL NEWS - At St Lawrence’s Primary School pupils have been at Arthog during the past week. Some pupils will be entering the Dodge Ball finals. Class 7 has received a message from the author of Arsenic for Tea , a detective novel for children set in an English Country House in the 1930s. Robin Stevens is so pleased that the children are reading the book and hopes they can solve the mystery! Pupils have entered a poster competition to remind everyone not to drop litter and for dog owners to scoop the poop and the posters will be displayed around the town.

The girls’ cricket team took part in the South Shropshire Kwik Cricket championships in Ludlow and despite losing on the last ball of the game Annabel Hartshorne won the best player of the tournament shield for her fantastic leadership and cricketing skills. A sponsored swim for Nepal is being arranged for St Lawrence’s pupils.

One of the school’s families will be hosting a child from Chernobyl during the summer holidays and the school is hoping to send donations of multi-vitamins, small toothpaste and toothbrushes, small toiletries, plasters, lip balm, hand cream, vapour rub, Olbas oil, small games, skipping ropes, dominoes, playing cards, Lego, sewing kits, craft sets, school stationery, pens, pencils, tea bags, instant coffee and any other unwanted gifts back with Kyril to distribute in the community in which he lives.

At Church Stretton School a student has become the winner of the Lions International Peace Poster competition and will be awarded with £75 worth of books at the Lions International Conference in Stoke- on-Trent, and the school will receive a cheque for the same amount. The French exchange students visit to Church Stretton was a great success and Church Stretton students now look forward to their visit to France.

The planning application for Church Stretton School is available for viewing on the Shropshire Council Planning portal Ref 15/01276/FUL.

BRIDGE CLUB - The Bridge Club continues to meet at the All Stretton Village Hall on Thursday afternoons from 1.15pm, partners are provided and lifts from Church Stretton can be arranged. Table fees of £2 include refreshment. Tuition and refreshing skills can be arranged by ringing 01694 7823128 or 01694 722438.

PROMS - Easthope’s Last Night of the Proms will be held on June 13, with traditional music from a brilliant live band and Plucking Feathers Ukelele Band. A bar and barbecue will be available and there will be flag waving, and singing. Tickets cost £6 and may be reserved by ringing 01746 785250.