Bishops Castle

LIGHT HEARTED EVENING AT WI - Visitors from Mainstone and Norbury WIs joined Bishops Castle WI for the October meeting in Bishops Castle Methodist Hall. The speaker was Marian Baldwin who gave a light-hearted talk about Christmases long gone and how values have changed, not necessarily for the better. The audience was soon crying with laughter at her anecdote of a nativity play, and quite touched when she described how as a little girl she would go to bed on Christmas Eve with the house as normal and wake up on Christmas morning to find it all decked out with a tree and decorations. Everyone enjoyed supper pre-pared by some of the Bishops Castle members. The next meeting is the AGM on November 17 followed by a demonstration of Christmas table decorations by Bishops Castle florist Jane Pugh.

MO’S LAST JUMBLE SALE - Jumble sale queen Mo Parry is calling it a day with her last charity jumble sale in Bishops Castle Public Hall on November 14, at 2pm. Mo has raised thousands of pounds over 47 years for local and national charities and was recently honoured by Bishops Castle Town Council for her community fundraising at the first Bishops Castle Civic Awards in the town hall. Charities and organisations such as the Lingen Davies Cancer Centre, Save Our Soldiers, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and Bishops Castle Public Hall shows the range of her fundraising interests. Mo’s swan-song jumble sale will be in aid of the residents’ funds at the Sandford Nursing Home in Church Stretton and the Churchill Home in Ludlow. All the usual stalls will be there including jumble, bric a brac, cakes, tombola, refreshments and a prize draw. If you have anything to donate to the sale call Mo on 01588 630096.

SELL AT THE TOWN HALL AUCTION - On November 14, Bishop’s Castle Town Hall will host its second com-munity auction. The first, held in 2013 made a significant contribution to local fundraising for the Town Hall renovation and this year’s auction will raise funds for the Town Hall Trust. The trust now manages the Town Hall on behalf of Bishops Castle Town Council, for the benefit of the community and it does not receive any income from public funds at all. Town Hall trustee Evelyn Bowles says, “Thanks to the voluntary services of Hall’s professional auctioneer, David Bryan Jones, the trust is able to extend the opportunity to members of the public to submit items for auction at a flat rate fee of £5 (un-returnable). This represents a useful opportunity to reach a wide market for good quality second-hand and antique items in a well-publicised event through which all participants will be helping to support a valuable community asset. At our first auction we had many very happy sellers and buyers and we are confident that in the renovated Town Hall we can do just as well.” The seller will receive the full final bid price for their items and can protect the value of their goods by setting a reserve. There will be a catalogue of items submitted for potential bidders and lots will be listed in sections covering various categories of goods such as antiques; arts and crafts; furniture; furnishings; equipment such as household or sports equipment; boxes of small items. Acceptance of any items will be at the organisers’ discretion. Buyers will pay the hammer price plus a commission of 15 percent which will go to the Town Hall Trust. For more information please contact Evelyn Bowles on 01588 638851.

MINOR SKIRMISH OR TURNING POINT? - ‘Was the Battle of Montgomery a minor skirmish of the Civil War in the Marches, or was it a major turning point in the ascendency of the Parliamentary side over the sup-porters of Charles I who, at the start of the war certainly had the upper hand in the area?’ This was the question posed by Dr Jonathan Worton at the October meeting of SWSHAS in the Church Barn. Dr Worton described the run-up to the battle, the leading play-ers and its outcome in an illustrated talk to over 60 members and visitors of South West Shropshire Historical and Archaeological Society. Montgomery Castle was already in the hands of the Parliamentarians and the Royalists had gathered in force outside the town to do battle and regain it. In this they were unsuccessful and the castle remained in the hands of Parliament. On Tuesday the guest speaker is Glynn Barratt who will focus upon Titterstone Clee. In 2006 Mr Barratt and Alf Jenkinson were instrumental in setting up the Titterstone Clee Heritage Trust, dedicated to preserving and enhancing the Titterstone heritage. The hill has a long history, starting before the building of the Iron Age hillfort still visible round its summit and now capped with its white dome. The meeting is in the Church Barn, Bishops Castle with a short AGM at 7.30pm. Visitors are welcome for a small charge. For more information call 01588 650610.

CLIMATE CHANGE ‘A CONVERSATION STOPPER’ - Bishop’s Castle Climate Change Group recently invited George Marshall, author of ‘Why Our Brains are Wired to Ignore Climate Change’, to give a talk in the Three Tuns. Over 60 people turned up to hear Mr Marshal explain he felt there were many reasons why some people reject scientific evidence for climate change, while accepting science in general. One example was a reluctance to accept short-term costs for uncertain future gains. In addition he said talking about climate change can be a conversation stopper, and there also appears to be an inability to see it as an immediate threat or to identify an ‘enemy’ to blame. He thought that we approached climate change as an unavoidable condition to which we have become resigned, instead of as an active and informed choice. There is also a fear – especially on the far right of the political spectrum – that corrective action would entail loss of personal and national freedom of action. A lively question and answer session followed the talk, and generous donations, including from the author’s sale of books raised over £100. There will be another Bishops Castle Climate Change Group event at 7.30pm on November 13 at the Three Tuns in Bishop’s Castle. Call Mike Watkins on 01588 630277 or email mikejwatkins@hotmail.co.uk.

MORE CHURCH OCTOBER DRAW - Richard and Karina Semple won the top prize in the October draw for More Church funds. Brenda Jones was second and Sally-Ann Jones was third.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY November 5 – 11

TODAY

  • ‘Language of Art’. Six European artists. Bishops Castle Town Hall. Free. Until November 14. Call 01588 630023.

SATURDAY

  • Flea and antiques market. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. Free. 9am-4pm. Call 01588 630023.
  • Auction. Bishop’s Castle Public Hall. 8.30am. Bids 10am. Call 01743 233629/07974 118467.
  • Evening of Magic and Mystery – Jason Davies. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. £5/£7.50 door. 8pm. Call 01588 630023.

SUNDAY

  • Remembrance Sunday. War Memorial, Bishop’s Castle Church. 10.45am.

MONDAY

  • Bingo in aid of Coverage Care Stone House comforts fund. Inn on the Green, Wentnor. 7.30pm.
  • Footpath Walking Group. Offa’s Dyke, Mellington. Four-six miles. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishop’s Castle. 9.30am. Call 01588 620668.

TUESDAY

  • Talk. ‘Russian Bears on the Finnish Line’ – Ric Morris. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. £3.50. 8pm. Call 01588 630023.
  • SWSHAS. ‘Titterstone Clee- a Hill Through Time’- Glyn Barratt, plus AGM. Church Barn, Bishop’s Castle. 7.30pm. Call 01588 650610.
  • Little Fish for toddlers under five and carers. Methodist Hall, Bishop’s Castle. 1.30pm. Call 01588 630055.
  • ‘Music and Birdtalk’ - Jim Ghedi, Toby Hay, Pete Carty. Bank House, Bishop’s Castle. Donations. 7.30pm.
  • Mainstone WI. AGM and crazy whist. Mainstone Village Hall. 7.30pm. Call 01588 630026.

WEDNESDAY

  • Cash bingo for Dogs Bodies Dog Rescue. Kings Head, Bishop’s Castle. Eyes down 8pm. Over 16s only. Call 07816 6127402.
  • Bishop’s Castle Film Society. Stalker (PG) dir Tarkovsky. Three Tuns, Bishop’s Castle. 8pm. Call 01588 630778.
  • ‘Tunes from the Trenches’ – John Kirkpatrick. Lydbury North Village Hall. £10/£5 U16. 7.30pm. Call 01588 680302.

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. She sends news to the paper every week. Her phone number is 01588 680445.The email address is jparker228@btinternet.com.

 

Clun

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - Presents Testament of Youth(12). Tomorrow at Clun Memorial Hall, 7.30pm.Tickets on the door: adult £4.50, under 16s £2.50. Refreshments served; disabled facilities. Any enquiries – 01588 640254.

AUTUMN FAIR - A sale of crafts, bric a brac, preserves etc, in aid of Methodist Church funds. Refreshments served. Clun Memorial Hall, Saturday, 2pm- 4.30pm.

CHURCH SERVICES - A special service is being held at St George’s Church to celebrate the installation of the new vicar, Simon Mondon. Monday, 7pm.A service of Remembrance will also be held in St George’s Church, Clun, on Sunday at 10.45am.

GARDEN SOCIETY MEETING AND AGM - New members welcome. At Newcastle Community Centre next Thursday, November 12, 7.30pm.More information from Gill Binks 01588 640216.

EXHIBITION - Continues at The Old Surgery Gallery, Clun, featuring four renowned and popular Clun and Clunton local artists. These are Noel Shepherdson, Keith Noble, Jacqueline Fletcher and Gordon Yapp.The gallery opens Thursday to Tuesday, (closed Wednesday), from 10am to 4pm.

CORRESPONDENT - If you have any news or events taking place in the Clun Valley, contact Ros Patching at clunpatch@btinternet.com or tele-phone 01588 640772. The deadline is Wednesday of the week before publication.

 

Knowberry

WI - Coughs colds and flu took its toll on the numbers attending the October meeting of the Knowbury WI but an enthusiastic, if smaller group met to hear the speaker, Carole Downing’s talk entitled “Whirlybirds” which was an account of her early life and her experiences as one of the first women to learn to fly a helicopter. As one member was heard to say, she maybe hadn’t learnt a lot, but boy was she entertained! Carole delivered her talk in a highly amusing and professional style which left members wanting to know more about her varied life which had led her from an indulged daughter to piloting a helicopter and on to a career in the Paris beauty business. President Carole Hardy reported that permission had been given for the WI to plant daffodils along the grass verge outside the Memorial Hall as part of the WI centenary celebrations and Wendy Elliot outlined her plans for the craft day she is to host on November 21. Sylvia Barrett con-firmed a “Moodle” workshop would be run at her home. The November meeting is the AGM and members were invited to nominate or put them-selves forward for the 2016 commit-tee. The evening was rounded off with a supper and lively social time. October 21 saw 10 members of Knowbury WI attend the South Ludlow Group meeting hosted by Caynham and Ashford WI. Group co-ordinator Chris King welcomed members from the five WIs to a warm and friendly gathering at Ashford Carbonell Village Hall, where the speaker Hazel Griffiths spoke on her journey from a career as a banker to being a port lecturer on some of the worlds most prestigious cruise ships. Hazel, a self-confessed “cruiseaholic”, described her visits to some of the most picturesque and exotic ports of call for cruise ships and left members dreaming of holiday destinations to come. Next group activity will be a Christmas shopping trip to Chester on November 18. Members were also invited to join Caynham and Ashfords walking group to be held the 3rd Friday of every month. More information on what members do on Knowbury WI Facebook page.

VILLAGE BONFIRE - Knowbury Memorial Hall Committee are holding a village bonfire Saturday. Festivities start with a competition for the best guy in the Memorial Hall at 4.30pm. Gates open into the adjacent field at 6.30pm for the bonfire and fireworks. There will be barbecue food and a bar. Admission £5 adults, £3 children. For more information call George Williams 01584 890923.

 

Ludlow

SILK TOP HAT GALLERY – Exhibition of prints by Frances Carlile are showing October 17-November 14, also ‘Threshold’ an exhibition of drawings and other recent work by Celia de Serra, ceramics by Sue Binns, Josephine Harvey and Mary Stephens. Further information 01584 875363 Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm or go to silktophatgallery.word-press.com. Silk Top Hat Gallery, Quality Square, Ludlow SY8 1AR.

 

Tenbury

CHANGE OF SERVICE - Tenbury Methodist Church will be taking part in a United service for Remembrance at St Mary’s Church, Tenbury, Sunday at 10.45am. There will be no service at Tenbury Methodist Church on this day.

U3A 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 German to Jazz and lots of other interesting subjects. If it isn’t fun it isn’t U3A! The 2016 calendar, produced by our very own and very talented Photography Group, will be on sale at £5. It is a limited edition so do come to this coffee and chat to make sure of a copy. As you can see there is plenty to tempt you to come along to meet old friends and new over a coffee and chat and maybe discover a new interest. Hope to see you there.

REMEMBRANCE DAY PARADE/CHURCH SERVICE - Sunday 10am - parade assembles at the Auction Yard, Teme St; 10.05am - parade marshal briefs standard bearers and organisation leaders; 10.10am - parade forms up. Parade stewards in position; 10.15am - parade moves off; 10.25am - parade arrives at church and forms up around memorial to lay wreaths; 10.40am - the mayor and council follow the parade into the church by the main door; 10.43am - standard bearers and escorts enter church via West Tower Door; 10.45am - service starts; 11.45am - service ends. Parade forms up and returns to Auction Yard.

REMEMBRANCE DAY SUNDAY LUNCHEON - Lodge of St Michael, Lodge Rooms, Church Street, Tenbury Wells, Sunday, 12.30pm for 1pm. Cost £15 per person (to include glass of punch on entrance). To book please call Phil Gibbs 01584 811011 or Brian Roberts 01584 811843.

QUIZ NIGHT - Parish Rooms – Knighton on Teme, November 14. Doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm. Licensed bar, tickets £3.50 per per-son. Teams of up to six. Tickets must be pre purchased, call 01584 781910. This night was a complete sell out last time. Please purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment.

TEME VALLEY WILDLIFE GROUP - Next meeting of the Wildlife Group is next Thursday, November 12, Rochford Village Hall at 7.30pm, when we welcome Gordon Cragg whose talk is on Upton Warren nature reserve. £2 on the door where everybody is welcome. For up-to-date information on what wildlife is being seen in the area, or to give us your sightings, visit us at temevalley-wildlife.com. The group normally holds a meeting on the 2nd Thursday of the month. All are very welcome. Tel 01584 781500 or email: danny.arnold@waterwide.com.

MUSIC, SONG AND POETRY - An evening of frivolous entertainment music, song and poetry, at St Lawrence’s Church, Lindridge, November 14 at 6.30pm. Concert only, to include a glass of wine, £10. A limited number of tickets are available at £25, to include concert and supper afterwards at Lindridge Priory. Tickets are available from:- Boo Andrews 01584 881274 or Pauline Briggs 01584 881216.In aid of St Lawrence Church.

GARDENERS’ GROUP - Meet 2nd Wednesday of the month, in the Kings Head, Tenbury Wells, 7pm. Wednesday making Christmas deco-rations with material from your gardens with Carol Cheetham. AGM December 9, prize giving and Christmas dinner.

TENBURY WELLS HEALTH WALKS - Join us on our short walks in and around Tenbury Wells every 3rd Thursday of the month. We gather at the Pump Rooms and return there for a cuppa and a chat after the walk. So please come and join our friendly group and enjoy a local walk with us.

SOUP AND ROLL LUNCHES - With pudding, will be held today in Tenbury Methodist Church Hall at 12.30pm. Please come along, share in good company, and enjoy some delicious food. All are welcome.

 

The Strettons

BONFIRE NIGHTS - Bonfire and fire-works party at Acton Scott tonight, 7pm. £2 adults 50p children includes hot soup and roll. All welcome. Church Stretton’s bonfire night is Saturday at Rectory Field, with gates opening at 5pm when there will be various stalls and refreshments available. The bonfire will be lit at 6.15pm and the firework display will be 7pm.

FESTIVE EVENT - Entertaining Elephants invitation for festive refreshment and also a 10 percent off clothes and accessories on Saturday and also November 14 from 2pm-5pm when there will be lots of delicious Christmas treats available.

FRIDAY MARKET - The market is open 8.30am-noon at Mayfair selling home-made cakes, produce and craft items and some garden items.

CRAFT EVENTS - A sale of hand-knitted items will take place at Ley Gardens on Saturday 10.30am. Admission £1.50 includes coffee or tea and cake. All proceeds will go to local charities. Church Stretton School’s PTA will hold its craft fair the following week on November 14.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY - On Remembrance Sunday there will be a procession from the District Social Club in Essex Road to St Laurence’s Church at 9.30am for the service at 10am, followed at 10.50am for service at the War Memorial.

CANCER CARE - The local Stretton and Shropshire Cancer Care Group will meet at Mayfair on Monday for a talk by Chris Stratton on Rev Carr’s night on the Longmynd in what was one of the worst snowstorm of 19th century, and which he has called A Struggle for Survival. Chris is a former head teacher in Shropshire and now the National Trust education officer based in Carding Mill Valley, and he says he loves to tell the story especially as this year is the 150th anniversary of the event. Meetings start 2.30pm. Members and friends of the group are all preparing for the Christmas Bazaar on November 28.

WILDLIFE - The Shropshire Wildlife Trust meets Monday, 7.30pm in the Methodist Hall for a talk by Tom Wall called The Singular Stiperstones which takes in landscape, literature, wildlife and reminiscences. All welcome, non-members £3.

MAYFAIR EVENTS - A beginners’ course in the use of an iPad is on offer at Mayfair on Monday and is for iPad users only 1pm-3pm, £10 per person, Tuesday Pat Philpott offers to teach how to make a pattern from a garment without unpicking it. Ten people are needed for this course to go ahead, cost £35 per person. Silver PMC clay jewellery making with Jules Harper is the course November 16, 10am-4pm, £40 includes lunch and refreshments. Ring Mayfair 01694 722077 to enquire about any of these courses.

ENGAGING ISSUES - The Future Provision of Education is the topic which Sir Kevin Satchwell will speak on at Engaging Issues on Tuesday, Sir Kevin is head master of Thomas Telford School in Shropshire and is possibly one of England’s most successful head teachers and was knighted in the Queen’s birthday honours in 2001. In his talk he will ask ‘What will education look like in the future? One size fits all or greater flexibility? How will learners learn, teachers teach, and what are we educating people for? The meeting takes place in the URC at 7.30pm and admission is £3.

WIVES AND FRIENDS - The Wives and Friends group has a meeting on Tuesday in the Methodist Hall starting at 7.30pm and will be an evening of card making. Visitors always welcome, admission is £3.

SMALLHOLDERS - Shropshire Smallholders meet next Thursday, November 12 at Leebotwood Village Hall when there will be a sales table and members’ exchange table and an invited speaker. The December meeting will round off the year with a social gathering at the Pound Inn, Leebotwood. For more information call Mel 01588 640538.

SCHOOL NEWS - Church Stretton School PTA hosts a craft fair November 14, 10am-4pm and Friends of St Laurence’s hosts a fashion show at the school November 27, tickets are available through the school and Outdoor Depot in Church Stretton. St Lawrence’s plans two open afternoons for parents and carers of children due to start school in September 2016, and offers a chance to see the school in action Monday and Wednesday 2pm-3pm.

AWARD - At the recent meeting of The Civic Society an award was presented to the Pride of Place Station Garden Team in recognition of their work and continued management of the gardens at the Station.

HOPE HOUSE - An auction of fruit, vegetables and other produce was held at the harvest supper event in Little Stretton Village Hall and raised £175 for Hope House Hospice.

CLUBS - On school Mondays the Stretton Sharks Hockey club meets 3.30pm-5pm for youngsters aged five-11 years. Fees are £2 per session or £15 for ten sessions, for enquiries call 01694 723543. A taiko drumming club will be held on Wednesdays after school at St Lawrence’s Primary School, with an adult session later in the evening. Bridge Club for adults at All Stretton Village Hall on Thursday afternoons 1.30-5pm. Lifts from Church Stretton can be arranged. Ring Dom 01694 723128 for further information or if you would like to enrol for tuition.

MUSIC NIGHTS - Friday Night at the Horne on November 13, will see Steve ‘Big Man’ Clayton at the piano with blues, boogie-woogie, gospel rock and roll. Tickets cost £10 and are being sold through Burway Books, John Thomas Florists and the Council Offices. On November 14, the More Singers present a celebration of 20th Century with English choral music at 7.30pm in the URC. Tickets sales are through Burway Books, Jophn Thomas Florists and Choir members and cost £8 including refreshment. Proceeds of the evening will go to Self Help Africa.

AGM - The annual general meeting of the South Shropshire Interfaith forum will take place at the CASCA Community Centre in Craven Arms on November 17, at 7.30pm.

INDOOR MARKET - A new indoor market will be held in the Scout HQ in Church Street on November 19, open 9am-2.30pm with a variety of stalls selling local baking, knitwear, handcrafted greetings cards, jewellery and many other craft items.

OF MICE AND MEN - Beamed live from the National Theatre to Church Stretton School on November 19, at 7pm. A pre-theatre meal is available in the restaurant before the show but must be booked in advance at the school by ringing 01694 722209.