Bishop’s Castle

LATIN BEAT AT WOMEN’S DAY OF PRAYER - The Women’s World Day of Prayer service was on March 4 in the Methodist Church Hall, Bishop’s Castle. About 50 people attended from across the Ridgeway and Onny Camlad Benefices. The service was led by Tricia Jones and the speaker was Miranda Roberts. Ceinwen Richards played the piano. The service was prepared by the women of Cuba, where music is an integral part of worship and the service was given a Cuban feel by including several songs and hymns of South American origin. Women play an important part in Cuban society with more than 46 per cent being employed in the public sector. In addition, women constitute 68 per cent of the technically and professionally qualified labour force and 39 per cent are managers.

The service was followed by a soup lunch with donations going to Christian Aid. Lent lunches will continue every Friday morning from noon, until March 25. Everyone is welcome.

ABBEYFIELD DIRECTOR - Regional director of the Abbeyfield Society was a guest at a recent coffee morning at Abbeyfield House in Bishop’s Castle. Paul Boult said he was impressed with the home and the number of people who attended the morning, residents, staff and friends from Bishop’s Castle. The next Abbeyfield coffee morning is today at 10.30am, everyone welcome. A spokesman for Abbeyfield said: “Please come along and give your support as it means so much to the residents and staff alike. All the usual stalls will be there and raffle. To find out more about Abbeyfield just have a chat to the staff and committee members who will be present.”

DRAMATISED READING - Bishop’s Castle Parish Church will host a performance of the Gospel according to Mark, Wednesday 7.30pm. It will be a semi-dramatised adaptation in a new modern translation, performed by members of the Ridgeway group of churches. All welcome, admission is free, but donations to the Severn Hospice will be welcome. The performance, with an interval and light refreshments, will end about 9.30pm.

One of those performing is Martin Rudwick and he says: “Jesus the 1st- century Palestinian Jew continues to intrigue people today, whatever we think of the Christian churches. The Gospel according to Mark is the shortest and almost certainly the earliest of the four genuine Gospels. It records what the first Christians regarded as the most significant memories of those who had witnessed the actions and teachings of Jesus. It portrays a striking figure, attractive yet also disturbing. This is an unusual opportunity, so come and hear it, you may be surprised.”

DORIS WINS TOP PRIZE - Congratulations to February draw winners of the Lydham Church 100 Club. Doris Wright won £21.50, Barrie Geddes £12.90 and Pete Griffiths £8.60. Call Jimmy Garnier 01588 638486 to join the club and help support Lydham Church.

BISHOP’S CASTLE DIARY, March 17-23

TODAY

  • Thursday market. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. Weekly. 10am. 01588 630023.
  • Coffee morning. Abbeyfield House, 10.30am 01588 630000.
  • St Patrick's Day quiz in aid of Michaelmas Fair. Kings Head. Teams of five £4. 7.30pm.
  • Wine tasting Bishop's Castle Library. £3. Bring wine, dessert or tapas to share. 7.30pm. 01588 638215.
  • Lydham, More and Snead WI. Deep sea diving – Nick le Gras. Lydham Village Hall. 2.15pm. 01588 650775.
  • Lydbury North WI open meeting, Gamesmaker London 2012, Peter Koenig. Lydbury North Village Hall 7.15pm.

TOMORROW

  • Lent lunch. Methodist Hall, Bishop's Castle. Donations to Christian Aid. Weekly until Easter. Noon. 01588 630387.

SATURDAY

  • Art exhibition – Brian Fletcher. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. Until April 16. 01588 630023.
  • Farmers' market. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. 9am 01588 630023.
  • Dror Kessler and Rapsquillion Acoustic music. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. £5. 8pm. 01588 630023.

SUNDAY

  • Wedding fair, Norbury Village Hall 11am-4pm 07828 785219.

MONDAY

  • Bishop's Castle and Dist. Carers' Group. The Samaritans, Richard Dunhill. Boars Head. 2pm- 4pm. 01694 722077.
  • Citizens Advice, Enterprise House, Bishop's Castle 10am-noon 08444 991100.
  • Walking for Health short walks. Meet Enterprise House, Bishop's Castle. Weekly. 10.30am.
  • Quest. Exploring the meaning of home, Grange Road Community Centre, Bishop's Castle. £5/£4. 7.30pm. 01588 630648.
  • Art and craft. Methodist Hall, Bishop's Castle. Weekly. £2. 2pm. 01588 630055.
  • Co-op bingo in aid of British Red Cross. Inn on the Green, Wentnor. 8pm. 01588 650105.
  • Shropshire Credit Union. Church Barn, Bishop's Castle. Weekly. 11am- noon. 01743 252325.

TUESDAY

  • Bishop's Castle Town Council meeting. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. 7.30pm. 01588 638141.
  • Little Fish for under fives and carers. Methodist Hall, Bishop's Castle. Weekly. 1.30pm. 01588 630055.
  • Footpath Walking Group. Acton Scott. Seven miles. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishop's Castle. 9.30am. 01694 723921.

WEDNESDAY

  • Dramatised reading of Mark's Gospel, Bishop's Castle Church. Donations to Severn Hospice 7.30pm n SW Shropshire Gardening Club. Climbing plants –Sue Russell. Lydbury North Village Hall. Guests £5. 7.30pm. 01588 660753.

CORRESPONDENT - Julia Parker 01588 680445 email jparker228@ btinternet.com.

 

Clows Top

GARDENING CLUB - The Clows Top and District gardening club March report. Gardeners all love March as the garden springs into life. Weather is warming up and days are getting longer and brighter. Days and nights can still be a little chilly with biting winds and rain but March can also deliver glorious blue skies at times.

Hedges are starting to bud with fresh, green leaves and new growth is showing throughout the garden.

The snowdrops are beginning to be replaced with daffodils. March 20 is the official start of spring. On this date the hours of light equal the hours of dark and from here on the evenings extend and we gardeners can start to enjoy our gardens in full.

At the January meeting Jo Roche gave an interesting talk and power point presentation on Abberley Hall and Clock Tower. It is a very visual landmark in the area. The clock tower can be seen from miles around and its history was fascinating. The evening was a great success with everyone enjoying the talk. If you’re not a member then come along and join us at one of our monthly meetings, don’t be afraid, we are a garden club not a horticulture society, membership is £10 per annum. A great opportunity for you to share your thoughts, ideas and advice with other members. A great programme of speakers as well as evening visits to local gardens. Our garden club has a very friendly atmosphere, everyone is welcome. Non-members are welcome to any monthly meeting. Next meeting will be Wednesday, members’ spring show and gardeners’ questions hosted by Derek Walker.

Diary dates: April 17, coach trip to RHS Wisley; April 27, bulbs for the unusual, Ross Barbour; May 14, plant sale and coffee morning; May 25, an evening with Bill White; June 22, rose and sweet pea show and visit to Little Bullockhurst, Rock; July 14, visit to Worralls Mill, Abberley; July 27, Burford Angels, Paul Benson; August 20, Clows Top summer show; August 24, hedgerow and garden medicine, Rowan McOnegal; September 28, autumn show; October 26, New Zealand, Ray Sturdy; November 23, AGM and members social evening.

Clows Top and District Gardening Club meet the 4th Wednesday in the calendar month at Clows Top Victory Hall. Doors open 7.30pm, for the speaker at 8pm. Admission fee: members £2 or non-Members £4.

Free refreshments. Further details telephone Marion Wilson 01299 270475 or email: clowstopdistrictgardeningclub@hotmail.co.uk.

JUMBLE SALE - Clows Top Hall is holding a jumble sale on Saturday, doors open at 1.30pm, all welcome.

 

Clun

ST GEORGE’S SCHOOL - Would like to shout out to all bakers for contributions to their bake sale for Sport Relief at the school tomorrow, 2.30pm to 4pm. Any cakes for the sale can be dropped off in the morning, labelled clearly with the type of cake and ingredients. Luci Thoday of St George’s PTA says: “We’d like to get as many people involved as possible, please invite family and friends to join in for some cake baking and buying fun, all in aid of Sport Relief 2016. Let’s see how much money we can raise!” The children of St George’s are entering their own Bake Off – not one of Paul or Mary’s dreaded technical bakes – just six decorated cupcakes or muffins, brought into school tomorrow morning with £1 entry fee. All cakes will be judged at lunch time, with prizes for best decoration and best tasting cakes in both Key Stage 1 (including Foundation and Key Stage 2). There may also be a prize for best teacher’s effort judged by the pupils’ school council.

Four of St George’s year five girls will be swimming 5km for Sport Relief on Saturday at Hereford Leisure Pool.

The school hopes to raise as much money as possible for Sport Relief and to give the girls lots of encouragement, please contact the school if you would like to support the girls by sponsoring their amazing efforts.

COFFEE MORNING - At Hightown Community Room, Clun Saturday, 10am-noon. All welcome to come and enjoy coffee with friends. There will be cake and bric-a-brac stalls.

CHARITY CAR WASH - At Clun Fire Station, Saturday at 10am. Come along to get a shiny car for spring and support your local firefighters.

HEARTSTART TRAINING - Newcastle Community Centre, Saturday 10am. West Midlands Ambulance Service First Responders, sponsorship from the British Heart Foundation have organised this training session aimed at individuals, community groups and young people. Participants trained in emergency life support skills and gain the confidence to save someone’s life in an emergency. Training is two hours, participants receive a certificate of attendance. Eddie Jones 01588 640856 David Ramsay 01588 641125.

POEM (AND PROSE) IN YOUR POCKET - At the Old Forge, Bridge Street, Clun. Saturday 7.30pm. A gathering for all readers, writers and lovers of the written word. Bring along prose or poems, penned by you or other writers to read and share, or just come to listen and discuss. The (loose) theme is Love.

CHURCH SERVICES - Holy Week begins Sunday, services: Palm Sunday: Morning prayer at St George’s Church, Clun 8am. Follow the Cross: meet at St George’s 9.45am, then process to Holy Communion at Clun Methodist Church. Evening prayer and palm cross distribution at Clunbury Church, 6.30pm. Half an hour of reflection for Holy Week at St George’s Church, Clun Monday, 7pm. Holy Communion at Trinity Chapel, Tuesday 10am. Half an hour of reflection, St George’s Church, Clun, Tuesday 7pm. Morning Prayer for Holy Week at Bettws Church Wednesday 10am. Compline at St George’s, Clun, Wednesday 7pm. Passover meal at Clun Methodist Church (tickets required) next Thursday, March 24, 7pm.

POP-UP CRAFTS - Hightown Community Room, Clun, Monday 2pm. Organised by the Hightown Community Hall committee, opportunity to come and make progress on your own craft projects, with friendly faces, and tea and cake on hand.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - The Lady in the Van (12A). Llanfair Waterdine, Everest Hall, LD7 1TU Saturday, 7.30pm, doors open 7pm. Light refreshments, tea, coffee, soft drinks available. Bring your own wine and glasses if you prefer. Adults £4, children £2. Enquiries: 01547 510672.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS - Suffragette (12A). Aston on Clun Village Hall, SY7 8EH Saturday 7.30pm. Adult £4, child £2, 01588 660545.

 

Craven Arms

IN OUR GALLERY - February 24 to April 12 at Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre. Ron Kelly – A photography exhibition of local landscapes, flowers, birds, bees and wildlife. Ross Prince at the Loudwater Studio. Ross Prince is an extremely talented young artist, 21 and autistic, he expresses his creative and warm nature through work with pastels. 10am-5pm, free entry. All art displayed is available to purchase.

DISCOVERY CLUB - Saturday. Pond dipping. Look for frog spawn and see what else is living in the pond at this time of year. 11am-noon, £2.50 per child aimed at three-seven year olds to be accompanied by an adult, no need to book just turn up.

COOKERY COURSE - (International Cuisine) - Caribbean Cookery on Wednesday at Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre. Join us on a journey as we uncover the secrets of Cajun-Caribbean dishes influenced by global cuisine. You’ll gain an understanding of blending and infusing spices and herbs in true Cajun and Caribbean style, so you can recreate dishes in your own home using locally sourced ingredients. 10am- 3pm, £60 per person, booking essential please call 01588 676060.

COOKERY COURSE - Bread making for beginners on Wednesday, at Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre.

Come and join us for an evening of bread making. Kath from Veg Patch Kitchen will teach you how to mix, knead, shape and bake your white and spelt loaves so that you can bake your own real bread at home.

We also make pizzas to share together. You will leave with your loaves to share with your family and friends, confidence to make bread at home and a recipe booklet to help you continue your bread adventures. 6pm- 9pm £40 per person, booking essential please call 01588 676060.

GOOD FRIDAY EASTER EGGS- TRAVAGANZA - March 25, at Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre. Join us for some family fun; follow our Easter trail around the meadows, design an Easter bonnet, make a 3D Easter egg and decorate a blossoming tree. Bunny and egg and spoon races. Easter bonnet judging at 2pm. Drop in between 11am and 3pm, no need to book. £3.50 per accompanied child aged three-11.

SCIENCE WITH A BANG - Part two, March 28-April 4. Take part in some wacky science experiments; see how you get an amazing colour show using milk and how a common substance acts like slime. 1pm-2.30pm, £4 per accompanied child aged five-11, discount for siblings booking essential please call 01588 676060.

INCLUSIVE CYCLING - In the Onny Meadows - Wheels for All Shropshire on March 31. Join the Wheels for All team for this inclusive cycling session.

Each session there will be a range of adapted cycles to suit all abilities. To book contact Ian Tierney 07709 140910 or 01952 234213 ian.tierney@ cycling.org.uk 11am-1pm. Free. For further information please call 01588 676060 or visit: shropshirehillsdiscoverycentre.co.uk.

 

Knowbury

QUIZ - Back by popular demand there is to be another quiz at Knowbury Memorial Hall tomorrow. Please arrive for a prompt start at 7.30pm. Teams of up to four people. Don’t worry if you are on your own, you will soon be found partners. Tickets £5 per person include the light refreshments. There will be a bar. For more information please call Chris Walker on 890569 or George Williams on 890923.

 

Ludlow

CHURCH SERVICES - Maundy Thursday: St Laurence, 7.15pm Solemn Eucharist. Good Friday: St Laurence, noon, Preaching of the Cross; 2pm Liturgy of the Day. St John’s, 4pm Vespers (Lay-led). March 26: St Laurence, Easter Vigil.

 

South West Shropshire

GARDENING CLUB - News from South West Shropshire Gardening Club by Angie Salmon. Climbing plants: the third dimension is a talk by Sue Russell. Sue has over twenty five years’ experience as a speaker and has a reputation for being lively, engaging and knowledgeable. She was the co-proprietor of a nursery in Suffolk for many years and served on the RHS Pinks and Carnations Committee as well as chairing the Pinks Trial sub-committee at Wisley.

She still produces plants for fundraising events and this year is opening her garden near Leominster, for the first time with NGS. Her talk will include information and advice on evergreen climbers; those grown predominately for foliage; plants with decorative flowers or scent and plants for sun or shade. The talk takes place Wednesday, 7.30pm in Lydbury North Village Hall. Free to members of South West Shropshire Gardening Club; visitors are also welcome at £5 per person including refreshments. Any further queries to our chairman Carol Clarke 01588 660753 or our secretary Allison Walter 01588 620055 or look at our website gardeningshropshire.co.uk.

 

Stoke Bliss and Kyre

SHINDIG/ARTS ALIVE - At Stoke Bliss and Kyre Village Hall. Fashionably Late by Ginny Davis, a comedy drama celebrating family, love, life and all that matters. Saturday 7.30pm. Bar. Tickets £8.50, £6.50 under 16s. Contact Jan Kelly on 01885 410588, Jan Powell on 01885 410598, Andrew Yarnold on 01885 410386. Doors open at 7pm.

 

Tenbury

UNITED CHURCH SERVICE FOR PALM SUNDAY - At Tenbury Methodist Church Sunday, 10.30am. Led by the Rev James Eaton- Challinor, tea and coffee after the service in the Methodist Hall. Come along and join in, all welcome.

THE FILLING STATION - Come and join in a new and informal way of expressing the Christian faith in monthly celebration meetings to strengthen and help local Christians and their churches, tonight 7.30pm, in the Penlu Sports Club (next to the hospital) we will hear from Paul Jeffrey who with his wife worked as missionaries in Brazil where they built a children’s rescue centre for abandoned children. Future meetings will be on the third Thursday of each month. We look forward to seeing you. For more information contact Sue (after 6pm) on 01584 781384, thefillingstation.org.uk.

POETRY READING - You are invited to a poetry reading by members of the Border Poets, reading from their collection – The Nettle Trick. St Michael’s Village Hall, Tenbury Wells, tomorrow, 7.30pm. Tickets £4.50 to include a glass of wine or soft drink.

EASTER BINGO - Tenbury Primary School PTFA, in the school hall, Wednesday, doors open 7pm, eyes down 7.30pm. Fantastic prizes, not just Easter eggs.

BINGO - Brimfield and Little Hereford Sports Club, next Thursday, March 24, 7.30pm.

TENBURY WELLS CARERS’ GROUP - Do you look after someone who is ill, disabled or frail? Do you need time out and some company for yourself? If so, you are not alone. Meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, Tenbury Wells Library 1.30pm- 3.30pm. For more information, contact Worcestershire Association of Carers 03000 124272.

REQUIEM (1605) - Tomas Luis de Victoria. Sung by The Tomkins 10. Director David Barclay. March 25, 7pm, St Michaels and All Angels Church, Tenbury Wells. Entry free – retiring collection.

LENT LUNCH - Last Lent soup lunch before Holy Week, so it’s our last chance to raise some money for Christian Aid. It will be at Tenbury Methodist Church hall Wednesday noon until 1.30pm. All welcome.

 

The Stettons

AUTHOR - Author, Mike Uden will be a the library tonight, at 7pm. Enquire for tickets by ringing 01694 722535.

EVENING TALK - There will be a talk about making a difference working in a Bangladesh Orphanage at Mayfair tonight, 7pm for 7.30pm, entrance ticket is £4 including refreshment.

FRIDAY MARKET - The Friday market held at Mayfair is open for business again after the winter break, selling cakes, produce, craft and garden items, open from 8.30am-noon.

BANGERS AND MASH - A bangers and mash and pudding lunch with tea or coffee is to be held at the Parish Centre tomorrow from noon- 1.30pm. Tickets cost £6 and proceeds will go to Save the Children.

MUSIC EVENT - Piers Adams on recorders, David Wright on harpsichord,Wild Men of Baroque will be at the Methodist Church 7.30pm tomorrow. Tickets from Burway Books.

CHARITY DANCE - A charity event at Church Stretton School tomorrow evening features the Little Big Band Swing Band for dancing and raising funds for Pazapa which has been making a difference to Haiti’s special needs children since 1987. The event starts at 7.30pm and further information is available by ringing 01694 723061. Entrance ticket is £8 for adults and £4 for students.

MEN’S BREAKFAST - There will be free entrance and full English breakfast served at 7.30am in the Parish Centre and a talk by Shrewsbury vicar David O’Brian on football, punk and Jesus on Saturday.

QUIZ NIGHT - Quiz night with Ken Willis takes place at Mayfair on Saturday, 7.30pm. Entrance fee £4.

FOLK DANCE - At Ticklerton Village Hall, an evening of folk dancing on Saturday night 8pm-late. No experience of this type of dancing is necessary as Ron and Dot Cox will be on hand to show the way. All welcome.

SHOWCASE - Stretton School of Dance and Drama will present a showcase of dance and drama to the renowned high standards of its local young performers on Saturday and Sunday at Church Stretton School.

OPERA LIVE - Live streaming of the opera Boris Godunov will take place at Church Stretton School on Monday at 7pm direct from the Royal Opera House. This is a new production of Musorgsky’s opera on the perils of power and starring bass-baritone Bryn Terfel. Adults £11, children £5. Pre-theatre dining is not available on this occasion.

HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS - Scrappies Holiday Workshops for youngsters aged seven years and upwards will be held on March 28 and 29, 10.30- 12.30pm 1.30pm-3.30pm. Booking essential 01694 328508.

TALKS - The area local history group members will speak about their own research at the URC Hall on Monday at 2pm, and at Mayfair the Parkinson’s Support Group will hear from Val McKay about Parkinson’s UK at 2.30pm.

BIRDS - Shropshire Ornithological Society local branch will meet at the Methodist Hall 7.30pm for an illustrated talk by Nigel Spencer on Monday about British Wildlife in Macro. Visitors welcome, admission £2.

LIBRARY EVENTS - Tuesday is Rhymetime with fun, songs and rhymes for children under three years, 10.30am-11am, and for knit and natter at 5pm-7pm. Thursdays offer the chance to research family and local history from 1pm-4pm with free access to Ancestry.

COMMUNITY CINEMA - Flicks in the Sticks at All Stretton Village Hall on Tuesday will be showing the film Addicted to Sheep (PG) at 8pm.

NETWORK - The Network meeting on Wednesday will be held at the Methodist Hall at 2.30pm when Dilys Jones will speak about Holy Week Meditation. There will be no Network meeting on March 30.

SCHOOL NEWS - At St Lawrence’s the national In2Hockey championships regional rounds are the next step for the teams and years three and four have hockey games too, and there will be tag rugby at Lucton before the end of term. There will be an Image theatre production of Wind in the Willows . Taiko Drumming is held at St Lawrence’s on Wednesday evenings at 5.30pm. At Church Stretton School a year 10 student has been nominated for the High Sheriff’s Young Citizenship Award for 2016 which will be presented at a ceremony held at Telford College for her work as a volunteer for Friends of Shrewsbury Hospital League of Friends. Two former students have just completed their Gold Duke of Edinburgh training and have received the award in London. Students have been taking part in a short story competition. KS3 boys’ and girls’ badminton teams are runners up in the badminton county finals.

WALKING FOOTBALL - Walking football is available for the over 50s on Fridays from 4pm-5pm indoors. Cost is £2 per session and new players are welcome. To find out more ring John on 01694 751245.

SINGING FOR FUN AND TRAIN INSANE - Singing for fun takes place on Thursday evenings at Church Stretton School. Find out more by ringing Liz on 07538 019817. Train Insane is also held at Church Stretton School on Thursday evenings led by Helen who can be contacted on 07775 520968.

INDOOR MARKET - Will be open for business again 9am-2pm next Thursday, March 24, at the Scout head quarters with many different craft items on sale. To enquire or reserve a space ring Sandy on 01694 723806. The market is held monthly.

WORKING PARTIES - Volunteers are invited to be part of the working parties helping to improve Rectory Wood and Field next Thursday, March 24, from 10am. Meet at the Church Street entrance.

BIRD SURVEY - A briefing on the Longmynd Red Grouse Count will take place at Carding Mill Valley tea room at 7.30pm-8.30pm next Thursday, March 24.

GOOD FRIDAY - Churches Together meet in the Square at noon on Good Friday. Earlier there will be a Meditation Service at St Michael’s in All Stretton from 10am-10.40am and later at St Laurence’s from 2pm-3pm.


Westhope

VILLAGE HALL LOTTERY - Winners in the January draw were first prize Joan Morris £30.90, four prize winners of £5.15 Kath Woodhouse, Arthur Cooper, Iris Mold and Nigel Bate. Winners in the February draw were first prize Andrew Hall £30.90 and four prize winners of £5.15 Jan Rawlings, Arthur Cooper, Derek Davies and Eileen Oliver.

WHIST DRIVES - We shall start the whist drives on Easter Monday and fortnightly after that. Admission £2 includes refreshments. This year we are raising funds for the West Shropshire Talking Newspaper for the Blind. This event starts at 8pm.