Bishop’s Castle

LIBRARY FRIENDS LOOK TO FUTURE - The Friends of Bishop’s Castle Library held their AGM on November 25 when Sue Midwood was elected as the new chairman, taking over the position from Alison Price. Other committee members are Tessa Dodd, Sarah Ellison, Alison Gouldstone, Mary Holton, Nest King, Jane Morris, Chiara Morris, Jim Pratt (treasurer), Lindsey Pilkington, Alison Price and Margaret Wilson. Thirty members attended the meeting. Mrs Price thanked the library staff, Friends of the Library committee and volunteers for their work in making the library a vibrant and welcoming place for the whole community to enjoy. She said that a growing number of teenagers were using the library with the popular Bishop’s Castle Teen Book Club now well established. She added that with the transfer of library management to Enterprise House the future of the library looked secure for the immediate future. Mike Ashwell from Enterprise House reported on the current situation with the library transfer. He said it was considered that no real changes would result from the transfer and that service would remain the same. The contract had not yet been signed due to some issues needing some resolution but these are gradually being resolved. He concluded by saying Bishop’s Castle Library would be secure for the next three years and that communication with the library staff is good. Mike also thanked the Friends for their support of the transfer plans and hoped that they would continue to support future events.

FESTIVE FRIENDS AT CHRISTMAS - Now in its fourth year, Festive Friends again offers a heartfelt invitation to all those who may be on their own on Christmas Day. Food, some light entertainment and sharing time together are all on the list of ingredients at the Church Barn in Bishop’s Castle from 11.30am. The celebration is open to people of all ages and circumstances and for those who do not have transport, volunteer Friends will be happy to offer lifts (within a reasonable distance from Bishop’s Castle). Call 01588 630719 for details and enjoy a happy Christmas Day with the Festive Friends.

BIG CHRISTMAS SING - Following the success of their recent French choral concert, the Marches Choir welcomed everyone to a big Christmas sing at the church on December 12. Marches Choir rehearsals start on January 4 for a performance of Mozart’s Requiem later in the year.    If you are interested in joining, come along to the Community College in Bishop’s Castle at 7pm for a free taster session.

CIVIC SOCIETY AWARDS NIGHT - Jim and Gill Lawler of 8 Brick Meadow were presented with the Shropshire Star Cup for the best wayside garden in Bishop’s Castle at a recent awards evening organised by Bishop’s Castle Civic Society. Jock and Carol Wright of Yarborough House won the Dr and Mrs Penney Rose Bowl for the best hanging baskets and Sally Chappell and Bernard Edwards of The Tan House won the Kenneth Lewis Cup for the best kept private premises. Carol Naden who runs the New Deli won the Robert Gwyther Cup for the best kept business premises while Gerry Barwell of Bank House won the Mawdsley Cup for the best new work or renovation in the town.

PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWS - Pupils from year four at Bishop’s Castle Primary School recently enjoyed a residential visit to the Preston Montford Field Studies Centre near Shrewsbury. They discovered information about Charles Darwin and carried out their own scientific research which included humanely trapping wild mammals, pond dipping and orienteering. Back in Bishop’s Castle the whole school dressed up in their pyjamas for Children in Need and raised £226 at a bake sale. Year six children ran their own café in Bishop’s Castle Town Hall raised £99 for school funds, while teaching assistant Val Littlehales raised £1,080 from the sale of her paintings at the same venue. She has donated the money to Cancer Research. The Bishop’s Castle Primary School choir sang in Hereford Cathedral and joined with the Marches Choir for a carol concert in the church on December 12. The whole school will be back in the church on the last day of term tomorrow after enjoying their school concert, Christmas party and Christmas dinner a few days before.

HISTORY SOCIETY AGM - Guest speaker Glyn Barratt talked about the history of Titterstone Clee hill to members of South West Shropshire Historical and Archaeological Society at their November meeting. It was also the AGM and SWSHAS chairman, Heather Williams reported on another successful year with an excellent programme of lectures. The officers and committee were re- elected en-bloc. On December 8, David Preshous shared his interest in the poet A E Houseman with a talk in the Church Barn followed by seasonal refreshments.

BISHOP’S CASTLE DIARY, December 17-23

TODAY

  • Footpath Walking Group. Hope Bowdler. Seven miles. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishop’s Castle. 9.30am. Call 01694 724664.
  • Live music. The Vaults, Bishop’s Castle.
  • Lydbury North WI. ‘Party Time’- Invoice. Lydbury North Village Hall. £3 visitors. 7.15pm.

TOMORROW

  • Film. Get Santa (U). SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. 6pm. £4.50/£3. Call 01588 630321/638038.
  • Carol service. Edgton Church. 7pm.
  • Candlelight carol service. Brockton Chapel. 6pm.

SATURDAY

  • Christmas party. Bishop’s Castle Library. £3. 2pm. Call 01588 638215.
  • Farmers’ market. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. 9am.
  • Young people’s open art exhibition. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. Until January 2.
  • John Kirkpatrick concert. Carolling and Crumpets. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. £8.8pm. Call 01588 630023.
  • Auction. Bishop’s Castle Public Hall. 8.30am. Bids 10am. Call 01743 233629/07974 118467.

SUNDAY

  • Winter’s Edge Celebration. Church Barn, Bishop’s Castle. 3.30pm. Call 01588 630648.
  • Carol service. Lydbury North Church. 6.30pm.

MONDAY

  • Pony Play Club. Ages four-10. Walcot Stables, Lydbury North. £10. 10am-noon. Call 01588 680514.
  • Christmas prize bingo. Lydbury North Village Hall. Eyes down 8pm. Call 01588 680396.

TUESDAY

  • Pony activity day. Walcot Stables, Lydbury North. Age five plus. 10am- 4pm. Call 01588 680514.

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 Bishop’s Castle Post Office. She sends news to the paper every week. Her phone number is 01588 680445. The e-mail address is jparker228@ btinternet.com.

 

Brimfield

PANTOMIME - Brimfield Amateur Drama Society present a BADS Christmas Pantomime, Sing A Song Of Sixpence on January 14, 15 and 16, at 7.30pm (Saturday matinee at 2.30pm) at Brimfield Village Hall SY8 4NE. Magic sixpences, laundry, gender confusion and pantomime cow with an identity crisis! Tickets £5 (under 16s £2) from Brimfield Village Shop or 01584 711250 or acrtco@gmail.com.

 

Clun

‘TIS the season to be at a carol service – luckily there are a good many to choose from!

CAROL SERVICES - Clunton, St Mary’s Church, Clunton, tomorrow at 7pm. Methodist Church, Clun, Sunday, 10am. United carol service for the whole benefice. All are welcome to come and sing, and enjoy the children’s Sunday Club contribution. St Swithin’s Church, Clunbury, Sunday, 6.30pm. St Mary’s Church, Bettws y Crwyn, Sunday, 7.30pm. St Georges Church, Clun, Tuesday at 7pm. With contribution from the Ad Hoc Choir. Finally, early notice that the traditional Crib Service will be at St Georges Church, Clun, at 3pm on Christmas Eve.

PRODUCE MARKET - The very friendly produce market, Hightown Community Rooms, Clun, on Saturday, 10am-noon. Lots of seasonal and festive produce and of course, mulled wine and mince pies. All welcome.

CORRESPONDENT - Merry Christmas and please remember, if you have any news or events taking place in the Clun Valley, contact Ros Patching at clunpatch@btinternet.com or telephone 01588 640772, at least two weeks ahead of your event.

 

Tenbury

CAROL SERVICE- On Sunday, 3pm, at Tenbury Methodist Church with Rev James Eaton-Challinor. All are welcome to join in at this special time of the year.

 

The Strettons

MARKETS - An indoor market will be held at the Scout HQ in Church Street today from 9am-2pm and FairTrade goods are available for sale at Mayfair Community Centre also today at 10.30am. The usual Friday market at Mayfair will be open from 8.30am-noon tomorrow. These are the last market events for 2015.

SOCIAL CLUB EVENTS - A skittles night at the District Social Club will take place tomorrow at 8pm. Entry fee is £5 per team of two or four players. On Saturday there will be a Christmas quiz night at 7.30pm with Ken Willis as question master, and entry for this event is £4. A film night is planned for Tuesday. Christmas Eve will feature fun and a raffle to be drawn at 8pm and social event with pre-Christmas drinks and mince pies available. Ring 01694 723193 to find out more about any of these events.

LIBRARY EVENTS - A knit and natter evening is planned for Saturday from 5pm-7pm. Wool and needles will not be provided, so please bring your own. Christmas rhyme time and craft offers fun Christmas songs and rhymes for children of all ages from 10.30am-11.30am on Tuesday.

GARAGE PRAISE - The annual Christmas garage praise will be held at the National Trust Pavilion in Carding Mill valley on Saturday starting at 7.30pm.

FOLK DANCE - The monthly folk dance at Ticklerton village Hall will take place on Saturday 8pm-late. For more information ring 01694 722148.

SUNDAY SERVICES - On Sunday, there will be a Carol Service at 4pm at the Methodist Church. The annual Carol Services at St Laurence’s and at St Michael’s, All Stretton, are at 6pm and St Laurence’s Church also has an 11.05am Nativity Service. The Quaker meeting is at 10.30am at the Silvester Horne Institute and The URC has a 10.30am service of readings and carols. All these services are on Sunday.

LADIES AND CHILDREN’S GROUP - The ladies and children’s group of the South Shropshire Interfaith forum met to talk about clothing in religion and it seems that covering the head is common to most faiths such as the wearing of hats, caps, scarves and turbans, and a variety of these were on display. Pictures also illustrated some of the clothing worn by ladies of different faiths from full length and loose fitting gowns similar to church vestments while others wore mid-calf length dresses in plain styles and dark colours. Prayer shawls and other personal items relating to their faith were often carried by the men. The next meeting will be held in January and will be about marriage customs.

SCHOOL NEWS - Students at Church Stretton School have been introduced to the DIA-Beat-IT Challenge. Year 8 and Year 9 students were able to see a French play which they found both amusing and entertaining. A student who had her hair cut for charity has raised £175 so far for the Little Princess Trust, and a Christmas Jumper day will raise funds for Save the Children. With thanks to all who supported the and the lucky numbers were 172, 58 and 11 wining £50, £35 and £15 respectively. At St Lawrence’s Primary School Year 6 girls’ and Year 5-6 boys’ teams have won through to the next round in an athletics competition. A pupil with some help from her friends organised a bake sale and raised £140 for the Nightingale House Hospice. There are Christmas performances by KS1 and KS2 will be enjoying a medieval banquet to complete their topic on the Tudors.

WORKSHOPS - Scrappies Christmas Workshops offer an introduction to creative arts and crafts for children five years old and over, at Sherratt Court. Please ring 01694 328508 to book a place on Monday and Tuesday.

CHRISTMAS EVE - On Christmas Eve there will be a Communion Service at the Methodist Church at 11.30pm. St Laurence’s holds an informal Crib Service at 3pm and a service of Holy communion at 11pm. St Milburga’s Catholic Church holds a carol service at 8.30pm and Mass at 9pm. During the evening there will be a blessing of the Tree of Light in the Square which is organised by the local Rotary Club at 6.30pm followed by carols for everyone to join in.

CHRISTMAS DAY - St Laurence’s starts the day with an 8am traditional communion service followed at 10am with a family service. All Saints Church in Little Stretton has a traditional communion service at 11am and St Michael’s in All Stretton, holds a service of Holy communion at 9.30am. An all age worship for Christmas will take place at The Methodist Church 10am. St Milburga’s Catholic Church has Mass at 9.15am.