Bishop’s Castle

CHRISTMAS DINNER SAVED AFTER POWER FAILURE - No one involved in this year’s Festive Friends Christmas Day lunch at the Church Barn in Bishop’s Castle is likely to forget it. A large team of volunteers spent hours on Christmas Eve making sure that everything was ready to go shopping; mounds of vegetables prepared; turkeys roasted; presents wrapped; tables laid and 16th century oak-framed Church Barn decorated. At 11am on Christmas Day with 60 expected for lunch, catastrophe struck – the power failed. Fairy lights, kitchen sockets, warming cabinets and most crucially of all, the ovens and room heaters, all went off. For a few terrible moments, it looked as though disaster was unavoidable and guests might have to be sent home with no turkey or Christmas pudding.

But often a crisis brings out the best in human beings and this occasion was no exception. Within an amazingly short space of time, and with no sense of panic, everything was back on track while guests were being entertained by local story-teller Val Littlehales and musician Trevor Morris. Ovens across Bishop’s Castle, including those in the Public Hall, were being drafted in to receive 60 Christmas lunches. John and Mary Strabling, the owners of the Six Bells across the road from the Church Barn, even removed their own turkey from the oven to make way for a variety of tins and trays. An angel, in the guise of Paul Owen from Wentnor, an electrician who works for Marches Biogas appeared and was able to partly restore power and, miraculously lunch was served up, not only on time but hot too. Thanks too to all the wonderful volunteers, including kitchen staff Pat Mercer and Debbie Bruce, (manager at the Castle Hotel) and the Bruce family, who leapt into action, above and beyond the call of duty, to take charge of the crisis, locate ovens and electricians and ferry food back wards and forwards.

Grateful thanks too to those who donated contributions both large and small and particularly our very gener ous supporters. These include Bishop’s Castle butcher Andrew Pugh for the lovely turkey and trim mings, John and Mary Strabling from the Six Bells for their selection of excellent beers and Margaret Whittall of Edgton Farm for our fine Christmas tree which looked a treat.

This is the fourth time Festive Friends have had their Christmas lunch in the Church Barn in Bishop’s Castle. It is for people who would otherwise be on their own on Christmas Day. It has very good support from the commu nity, as this story shows.

LIB DEM PEER VISITS LEISURE CENTRES - A prominent Liberal Democrat peer is set to visit Shropshire in the New Year. Lord Storey is Lib Dem spokesman on education in the House of Lords. He was a head teacher and also leader of Liverpool City Council, whose edu cation authorities became one of the most improved in the country under his leadership. “I am delighted to be coming to Shropshire,” he said. “I have been alerted to the problems facing swimming pools in the market towns and look forward to finding out about it in person. Sports centres are vital to our communities. They are also important to schools because they are part of the attraction a school can offer.

“Our leisure centres contribute to the well-being of our residents,” said Charlotte Barnes, Shropshire council lor for Bishop’s Castle. “They help to keep people healthy and happy. They must save the care budgets a fortune and of course they are one of the few places to offer young people activities in our more isolated areas.”

Lord Storey is expected to visit Church Stretton on January 22, where the future of the swimming pool which is attached to the primary school is being reviewed. He will then visit Norbury Primary School, near Bishop’s Castle, and the SpArC Centre in Bishop’s Castle.

“I welcome Mike’s helping to raise the profile of our rural facilities,” said Cllr Barnes. “Everybody in Shropshire Council is concerned to find a way for ward for these rural leisure centres. As I said in council, it is not about politics, just a matter of getting the job done.”

“It’s unlikely that this problem is restricted to Shropshire, I shall be extending my concern to other rural counties to see what approaches are being taken there,” said Lord Storey.

Lord Storey is expected to speak at a lunch in the Parish Room, Church Stretton, 12.30pm to 2pm. He will be at the Teme SpArC Centre in Bishop’s Castle at 3.30pm. Call Heather Kidd on 07980 635518 or Peter Phillips on 01588 650625.

Mike Storey is the education spokes man for the Lib Dems in the Lords. He was a head teacher of a large innercity primary school, renowned for its arts receiving an Arts Council gold award – and enterprise education, until 2012. He believes passionately that children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds should be given opportunities to develop their talents and the chance to succeed. He has been a Liverpool City Councillor, leader of Liverpool City Council and lord mayor of Liverpool. Under his leadership, Liverpool moved from being one of the worst performing, to the most improved authority. He oversaw the regeneration of the city, successfully delivering a European Capital of Culture year. He champi oned the smoke-free Liverpool initia tive, which is regarded as the precur sor to the smoking restrictions in public places. He also led the devel opment of Liverpool’s Science Park, Arena and Convention Centre and Liverpool One shopping complex.

STONE HOUSE CARE HOME - Celebrates Christmas. December was a month of Christmas celebra tion at Stone House Care Home and assistant manager Edna Jones thanks everyone in the town for their support. “We had a very successful Christmas fair at the beginning of the month,” she said, “and this was fol lowed by residents going out for Christmas meals. We would like to thank everyone at the Inn on the Green at Wentnor for making us all so welcome and serving such lovely food.” Edna Jones continues, “a number of Stone House residents also enjoyed going to Bishop’s Castle Community College for a very enjoyable lunch and the students looked after us very well. Some resi dents also went to the pantomime in Shrewsbury and enjoyed it very much. We had a lovely carol service at the home led by our own Pearly King Shaun Austin from The Crown at Wentnor. This was a nice old fash ioned carol service enjoyed by resi dents, family and staff.” In addition, Andrew Barker, head teacher at Bishop’s Castle Primary School brought his school choir into Stone House, as well as some of the young est pupils. Edna Jones concludes: “We were all very proud to welcome such lovely children in to Stone House and they are a credit to our town. Final Christmas surprise for residents was a visit from Rupert the horse in all his Christmas finery. The smile on everyone’s faces when they saw such a large horse in the loung es and day room was unbelievable.”

PREHISTORIC TEXTILES AND CLOTHES - At their Christmas meet ing on December 8 the South West Shropshire Historical and Archaeological Society heard their chairman David Preshous, speak on For All Ill-treated Fellows – A E Housman and His Times. The talk, which explored the life of this remark able poet and scholar, was followed by seasonal refreshments. The first SWSHAS speaker in 2016 was Sarah Thursfield who talked about the pre historic origins of textiles and devel opment of clothing. For more infor mation on South West Shropshire Historical and Archaeological Society call 01588 638363.

GREEKS AND ROMANS - Short lec ture course titled In The Company of Greeks and Romans began yester day in the Fletcher Room of Bishop’s Castle Community College. David Preshous invites you to accompany him on five visits to the classical world, at a cost of £6 per lecture, or £25 if you book all five in advance.

Yesterday’s lecture ran 2pm to 4pm and looked at the decipherment of the Cretan Linear B script. The sec ond lecture on January 20 takes the epic story of Jason and the Argonauts as its subject with later talks includ ing a play reading of The Trojan Women by Euripedes on January 27, a look at the life of Cleopatra on February 3 and an assessment of the historian Tacitus on February 10.

David Preshous is a distinguished and popular speaker. Call 01588 638363 for more details or e-mail preshous@btinternet.com.

MUSEUM 100 CLUB WINNERS - Rosie Reid won £20.50 in the December draw in the 100 Club for the Bishop’s Castle House on Crutches Museum Collection Trust. Angela Pooley won £12.30 and Janet Goodman won £8.20. 82 numbers were entered in the draw. Call 01588 638851 if you want to join.

BISHOP’S CASTLE DIARY, January 14-20

TODAY: Exhibition until February 6. Enduring Spirit and Haiku - Ellesmere Watercolourists. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. 01588 630023.

SATURDAY: Nuno felting workshop – Nicola Knapton. Sheepish, Market Steps, Bishop's Castle. £27.50. 10am-1pm. 01588 680181.

  • Farmers' market. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. 01588 630023.

TUESDAY: Bishop's Castle WI. Storytelling, Amy Douglas. Hot pot supper, Methodist Hall. 7.30pm.

  • Footpath Walking Group. Edenhope. Eight miles. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishop's Castle. 9.30am. 01588 630446.
  • Pilates. Lydbury North Village Hall, weekly £6, 9am 01743 891561.

WEDNESDAY: Bishop's Castle Film Society. 71 (15), directed by Yann Demange. Three Tuns 8pm. 01588 630778.

  • Talk. Dragonflies - Sue Rees Evans. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. £3.50. 8pm. 01588 630023.
  • Lecture. Jason and the Argonauts, the Epic Poem - David Preshous. Fletcher Room, Bishop’s Castle Community College. £6, £25 for six. 2pm. Call 01588 638363.

CORRESPONDENT - Julia Parker 01588 680445, jparker228@btinter net.com

 

Clun

FILM - 45 Years (15) at Clun Memorial Hall, SY7 8NY on Saturday at 7.30pm.

It’s one week before the 45th anni versary party of devoted couple Kate and Geoff (Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay) when he receives a letter out of the blue. The body of his ex-girlfriend has been found perfect ly preserved after falling into a gla cier in the Swiss Alps 50 years earli er. The emotional fallout from the dis covery puts untold strains on their relationship as Geoff lets his mind wander back to the past and Kate finds herself impotent in the face of his grief.

“Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay’s powerhouse perfor mances as a couple on the edge will chill you to the bone” – Daily Telegraph.

Adult: £4.50, child: £2.50. Enquiries: 01588 640254.

FILM – Brief Encounter (PG) at Everest Hall, Llanfair Waterdine, LD7 1TU on Sunday, at 2.30pm.

This poignant tale of ordinary people caught up by the extraordinary power of love, based on a Noel Coward play. Three Academy Award nominations, including best director and best screenplay. Starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard. A classic afternoon tea (£2.50) will be served following the film. Everest Hall now has full central heating so it will be lovely and warm on a cold January afternoon! Doors open at 2pm. Adults £4, children £2. Enquiries: 01547 510672.

MEETING - Clun and Bishop’s Castle Wildlife Trust January meeting is on Wednesday, at 7.30pm in Hightown Community Rooms, Vicarage Road, Clun. Rob Rowe, naturalist and writer, will present: A Miscellany of Plants and Fungi: a personal botanical journey over four decades in Shropshire.

All are welcome – £2 members, £3 non-members, students free, and free Fairtrade refreshments. Enquiries to branch contact, Mary Eminson on: meminson@btinternet.com or 01588 640921.

EXHIBITION - The New Year exhibition is now on at The Old Surgery Art Gallery, Clun. Among the artists exhibiting are Jacqueline Fletcher, Keith Noble and Noel Shepherdson, ceramics by Ralph Jandrel and jewellery by Lin Brown.

Winter opening hours are: closed Monday to Friday, open Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Please keep sending your news and events to clun patch@btinternet.com allowing at least two full weeks before the event you would like publicised.

A very happy and activity-packed New Year to all readers, from your Clun Valley correspondent.

 

Ludlow

MAYOR’S CHARITY BAND EVENING - A great solution to post-Christmas blues. All proceeds from the evening will support the mayor’s charity – League of Friends of Ludlow Hospital.

Nice up the Dance! at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms, January 23, from 7.30pm (until 11.30pm) for the Mayor of Ludlow’s Band Evening.

Come and see the Reggaelators a Birmingham Reggae Band, support ed by local bands, Pig Daze and the Fabulous Bordellos.

Tickets are £9.50 each in advance only, and are available from Ludlow Town Council, The Guildhall, Mill Street, Ludlow, SY8 1AZ. Please make cheques payable to Ludlow Town Council.

Kick off the new year with a great night out – buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Contact: Gina Wilding, Town Clerk, Ludlow Town Council, The Guildhall, Mill Street, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 1AZ - 01584 871970, ludlow.gov.uk

 

Tenbury

AFTERNOON SONGS OF PRAISE - Tenbury Methodist Church are hold ing an afternoon Songs of Praise on January 31, at 3pm.

The service will be led by the Rev James Eaton-Challinor, so please come along and join us in singing all your favourite hymns.

All are welcome.

 

The Strettons

SSIF - The South Shropshire Interfaith Round Table discussion today will be led by Noel Beattie who asks Are Integrated Communities Stronger? The discussion will take place at the Pilgrim Centre in Craven Arms from noon-1.30pm and every one is welcome to take their sand wiches as drinks are available. Donations to cover costs of room hire welcomed.

LIBRARY EVENTS - The local and family history sessions continue at the library 1pm-4pm every Thursday when free access to Ancestry is available and volunteers are on hand to assist if required. Saturday offers a knit and natter session 10am-noon to those with wool and needles.

There will be another chance to knit and natter on Tuesday 5pm-7pm, and Rhymetime for children under three years of age 10.30am-11am also on Tuesdays. At the end of January there will be the opportunity to explore the practice and craft of poetry. Ring 01694 720369 for more information.

CRICKET - Winter cricket nets and coaching will be available at the Leisure Centre starting tomorrow for juniors between 5pm-6pm at a cost of £4 and for seniors between 7pm- 8pm at a cost of £5.

QUIZ NIGHT - A quiz night raising funds for Nepal’s Classrooms in the Clouds will be held at the Plough Inn, Wistanstow, tomorrow at 8pm. Entry fee is £2 per person and there will be prizes and a charity raffle.

WALKS - A winter woodland walk at Wenlock Edge is planned for Sunday noon-3pm, arranged by the National Trust and features conservation graz ing and ancient woodlands as part of the interesting agenda. To enquire for a place or find out more ring 07972 115725. Later in the month on January 25, the National Trust offers another winter walk event following in the footsteps of the Rever Carr who got lost in the snow on the Longmynd. Booking is essential for this five-mile walk leaving Carding Mill Valley at 10am. Cost to take part is £9, and further details are availa ble by ringing 01694 725006.

HISTORY GROUP - A meeting of the Church Stretton area local history group will be held at the URC Hall at 2pm on Monday when there will be a talk by Keith Pybus on the Blue Remembered Hills of the Shropshire Hill AONB.

ENGAGING ISSUES - Tuesday is the date for the next Engaging Issues talk by John Feighery on the subject of What happened to Catholic Radicalism?. John was ordained as a Catholic Priest and spent 14 years working in Brazil, and since 2000 he has been involved in parish work in Dublin. The meeting starts 7.30pm in the United Reformed Church. £3 admission to help cover expenses.

COMMUNITY CINEMA - Acton Scott Village Hall will be screening Suite Francaise (15) on Tuesday repeating the showing in November which was abandoned due to a power cut.

Church Stretton School will be screening Woman in Gold (12A) on February 1. All films start at 7.30pm and admission for adults is £4.

Interval refreshments always availa ble.

NETWORK - At the Network meeting on Wednesday afternoon Hilary Knighton will speak about Age Concern at the Methodist Church hall starting at 2.30pm. All welcome.

CAMERA CLUB - The third competi tion of the season for Longmynd Camera Club will take place on Wednesday at the URC Hall starting at 7.30pm. The theme of the competi tion is “motion”, and the competition will be judged by Peter Warner ARPS. Visitors are welcome at all of the club’s meetings.

RACE - Organisers of the “morning after” New Year’s race were delight ed at the number of people who came to Church Stretton to take part joining with local walkers. The event raises money for charity and this year would be divided between the Harry Johnson Cancer Trust of Shropshire, the local Committee for Retinal Pigmentosis, Pontesbury Scouts, Wistanstow Special Needs School, and also flood victims. The overall winner was Freddie Fielding who also won in the under 18 cate gory with a time of 32m.08s. Many running groups took part and all entrants finished within the hour. Two well-known local runners within their respective categories were Mel Price in a time of 35m.26s and Andrew Davies in a time of 34m.44s.

AGM - The annual general meeting of the Longmynd Hike Committee will be held at the District Social Club on January 24, at 7pm. For the 2015 Longmynd Hike there were 650 entries, 492 starters, 384 finishing the course and 108 retiring. The 2016 Longmynd Hike will be on the first weekend of October and the starting date for entry will be announced shortly.

PANTO - This year’s pantomime at All Stretton Village Hall will be Little Red Riding Hood staged for three nights from February 18-20, at 7.30pm with a matinee on February 20, at 2pm.

Tickets will be on sale at Burway Books and John Thomas Florists from Wednesday and cost £5 for adults, £2.50 for children under 16 years. For the February 18 perfor mance adult prices will be £4.

RNLI SINGALONG - The local com mittee of the RNLI will host a fun singing evening at the District Social Club on January 22, with the Hobson’s Choice Sea Shanty Singers at 8pm.

Tickets cost £6 from John Thomas Florists or can be reserved by ring ing either 01694 722138 or 724371.

AT THE HORNE - Wild Willy Barrett’s French Connection will be at the Silvester Horne Institute on January 23, at 7.30pm to entertain. Ticket sales are through Burway Books and John Thomas Florists or the Town Council Offices and cost £10. For more information ring 01694 720132.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY - The annual Holocaust Memorial Day arranged by South Shropshire Interfaith Forum will take place at St Laurence’s Parish Centre 7pm for 7.30pm on January 26.

 

Westhope

VILLAGE HALL LOTTERY - Winners in the December draw. First prize of £30.90 Mrs Luscot, Diddlebury. Four prize winners of £5.15 Nikky Ray, Dick Simpson, Frank Shanahan and Mrs Luscott (won twice).

CLOVER CLUB - Forty six members of Westhope Clover Club held their Christmas lunch on December 2 in the village hall. Members enjoyed a three-course Christmas lunch pre pared by Raymond Hall and his help ers and afterwards were entertained by local farmer comedian Ken Pugh. Then Ken and Kath Woodhouse led carol singing. Cups of tea were served and a huge raffle was drawn. The Clover Club will open on March 3. Why not come along?

The holiday will be to Babbacombe, Devon. There will be picking up locally. Ring Leyland 01584 873140.

DIDDLEBURY AND WESTHOPE WI - Over 40 members and friends of the WI enjoyed an excellent Christmas party at Westhope Village Hall.

Members of Hayton, Ditton Priors and Munslow WIs were welcomed.

The buffet was bring and share, the table was loaded. Entertainer Val Littlehale, had us in stitches with her poems and jokes. Competition cups were presented to Kath Woodhouse and Elizabeth Wall. Carol singing and the singing of Jerusalem brought a wonderful evening to a close.