Bishop’s Castle

CREDIT UNION – The Bishop’s Castle information point for the Shropshire Credit Union will be closed for both Bank Holiday Mondays on May 4 and 25. It will be open as usual in the Church Barn, Bishop’s Castle between 10am and noon on May 11.

JUMBLE SALE FOR SCHOOL FUNDS – There’s a jumble sale in aid of Bishop’s Castle Primary School at the Public Hall on Saturday. Starting at 2pm, Mo Parry has lined up plenty of stalls, including jumble, bric a brac, tombola, a prize draw and cakes. If you have something to donate to the sale, please call her on 01588 630096.

WALKS WITH A THEME – Bishop’s Castle Walking Festival begins tomorrow with three weeks of walks to suit local people and visitors alike. One of the organisers is Lesley Baddeley and she says, “The festival covers two Bank Holidays and there is a huge range of guided walks on offer, from one to 15 miles. “As we are surrounded by the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it’s not surprising that all the walks are in beautiful places. “But there’s even more; walks with a special theme include a wander around the village of Wentnor with a local geologist, exploring old lead mines sites and restored miners’ cottages, a wild flower walk and walks for children and for dogs.” To find out more please visit walkingfestival.co.uk.

BISHOPS CASTLE DIARY between April 30 – May 6

THURSDAY: With Cruel Times in Between – Theatre Newfoundland. SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £10/£7. 7pm. Call 01588 630321/638038.

  • MOJO Festival. The Vaults, Bishop's Castle. Call 07971 213728.
  • Art exhibition This Floating World – Lin Brown. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall until May 23. Call 01588 630023.

FRIDAY: Bishop’s Castle Walking Festival. Call 01588 630446/630023.

  • Bishop's Castle Walking Festival. Long Mynd Circle walk. Nine miles. Call 01588 630446.
  • Bishop's Castle Railway Society. Welshpool and Llanfair Update – Andrew Chapman. Methodist Hall, Bishop's Castle. 7.30pm.
  • 24 hour music day for Amnesty International. All over town. Donations to Amnesty.

SATURDAY: Jumble sale in aid of Bishop’s Castle Primary School. Bishop’s Castle Public Hall. 2pm. Call 01588 630096.

  • Bishop's Castle Walking Festival. Around Bishop's Castle nine miles; Unk Valley seven miles; guided walk of town. Call 01588 630023/630446.
  • Flea and antiques market. Bishop's Castle Town Hall. Free. 9am to 4pm. Call 01588 630023.
  • Castle Brides celebration weekend. Bishop's Castle Town Hall and No 1 The Cobbles. Free. 10am to 4pm. Continues Sunday and Monday. Call 01588 638332.

SUNDAY: Bishop’s Castle Walking Festival. Hopesay hike 10 miles; dawn chorus walk 1.5 miles. Call 01588 630023/ 630446.

MONDAY: Bishop’s Castle Walking Festival. Bishop’s Castle walk 10 miles; Snailbeach lead mines four miles. Call 01588 630023/ 630446.

TUESDAY: Bishop’s Castle Town Council annual council meeting and mayor making. Bishop’s Castle Town Hall. 8pm. Call 01588 638141.

  • Royal Ballet broadcast. La Fille Mal Gardee . SpArC Theatre, Bishop’s Castle. £12/£8. 7.15pm. Call 01588 630321/638038.
  • Sock club. Knitting for all. Chai Shop, High St Bishop's Castle. 2pm. Call 01588 630435.
  • Open mic with host Jonny Keeley. Three Tuns, Bishop's Castle. 8.30pm.
  • Footpath Walking Group. Brocton. Eight miles. Meet Harley Jenkins St car park, Bishop's Castle. 9.30am. Call 01588 382.
  • Film. The Imitation Game (12A). Lydbury North Village Hall. £4/£2.50. 7.30pm.

WEDNESDAY: Needleworkers Group outing to Abakhan Fabrics. Dep. £12. Community College 9am. Call 01588 638269.

  • Bishop's Castle Walking Festival. Walcot, Clunton and Bury Ditches eight miles; industry and farming past and present walk six miles. Call 01588 630023/630446.

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

CLUNBURY CAFE – Clunbury Cafe will be open today in the village hall from 10am to 11.30pm. Come along and enjoy a cup of Fairtrade coffee and tea for £1, or some cappuccino and hot chocolate at £1.50. Includes cake and a free refill – what a bargain.

GREEN MAN WEEKEND – Clun will be buzzing over the bank holiday weekend, Saturday through to the May Bank Holiday Monday, with the Green Man Festival. It is a traditional springtime festival with live music, drama, colour and medieval merriment, including a Johnny Cash tribute on Saturday. Tickets £12 from The White Horse Inn, Clun. The children’s daytime workshop at Hightown Community Rooms from 10.30am on Saturday will make something for people to wear so they can join in with the Monday procession. On Sunday watch The Frost Queen’s Battle with the Green Man in The Square, street entertainers, Matt Pang, Les Amis D’onno, the Clun Mummers, animal man, Jack the Jester, morris dancing and live music with The Endings. The party is continuing into the evening with music in the square from Whalebone. On Bank Holiday Monday there is pre battle entertainment on the bridge from 11.30am with Jack the Jester. At noon the Green Man approaches the bridge accompanied by the May Queen, morris dancers and entertainers. The famous Battle on the Bridge follows. If the Green Man does not defeat the Frost Queen there will be no summer in the Clun Valley. If he wins the traditional May Fair opens in the grounds of Clun Castle (courtesy of English Heritage) with Green Man Fire and Drumming display on the hill, stalls and traditional craft demonstrations, morris dancing, strolling entertainers, jugglers, Sylvesta the Jester, magician, battle re-enactments and equestrian display with Les Amis D’onno, live music, maypole dancing, circus workshop, garlands, face painting, duck racing, beer tent and plenty of refreshments. Craft fair 12.45 to 5pm on the castle grounds. For more information check the website clungreenman.org.uk.

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

VE DAY CELEBRATIONS – On May 8, it will be 70 years since peace was declared in Europe as the Second World War drew to its end. Here, in Clun, we will be celebrating that special day with a party at the Memorial Hall in Clun. The wonderful (not so) Little Big Band from Craven Arms will be playing music from the era and there will be a space set out for dancing and a chance to sing along. A bar will operate all evening with hot drinks and cake available at the interval. Come along dressed in fashions from the 40s if you want. A prize will go to the best fancy dress, but it is totally optional. It starts at 7.30pm and seating will be cabaret style. Tickets, costing £8, can be bought from Davies Newsagents or Brights Flowers in Clun or by contacting in on 01588 640315. Do come along and join the party. Enjoyment is guaranteed. Any profits will go to the British Legion Poppy Appeal. Barry and Tricia Oldham (Poppy Appeal organisers).

CORRESPONDENT – If you have any news or events in the Clun Valley, contact Elisabeth Taylor.Email: et@myphone.coop. Call 01981 540893. The deadline is the Wednesday of the week before publication.

 

Mamble Cum Bayton

MAMBLE CUM BAYTON WI – At the April meeting, members were saddened to hear that our president’s husband, Don Evans, had passed away. The secretary, Lyn Bowen, conducted the business. The summer outing will be to Ralph Court Gardens on June 24. Our speaker, David Barrie, spoke enthusiastically about the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, of which he has been chairman. Growing up in the 1950s, he read the Eagle magazine, and on one occasion he read that the Darjeeling railway line was closing. He wrote to the magazine appealing for it to be retained. This resulted in numerous people and societies getting involved, including Benedict Cadbury, who is still involved today. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society was formed in 1998 and now has a worldwide membership. A charity has been formed to help the many villages along the line, providing doctors and a teacher, as well as helping the elderly and orphan children. David and his wife are also tour guides for Darjeeling Tours. The line climbs 7400ft to the summit – the Roof of the World – and David’s colourful slides showed the beauty of the country and also the difficulties encountered with the steepness of the hillsides. The AGM and discussion on the resolution for the NFWI Centenary annual meeting in June will take place on May 11, at Mamble Village Hall, starting at 7.30pm. The competition is a an item beginning with the letter “O”. Items are required for the Trading Stall as this is a valuable source of additional income for the institute.

 

Tenbury

SOUP AND ROLL LUNCHES – with a pudding, will be held next Thursday, May 7, at Tenbury Methodist Church Hall from 12.30pm. There will be a small charge of £2.50 per person. All are welcome to come along and share some good company.

TENBURY RAMBLING CLUB – Walks for May. May 13, meet 10am at Tenbury swimming pool car park. Distance five and a half miles. Bring packed lunch. Gentle hills, field tracks. Bluebell wood if we are lucky. For details contact Jim Allen 01568 750546. May 30, meet 10am at Eastham telephone box. Distance six miles. Bring packed lunch. For details contact Charlie Wilcock 01584 819722.

QUIZ NIGHT – Lodge of St Michael 1097, Lodge Rooms, Church St, Tenbury Wells. May 9, 7pm for 7.30pm. Teams of four (or to be teamed up on the night). Entrance £5 per person, to include light refreshments. Bar available and raffle. Further details: Martyn Evans 01584 873393 or Brian Roberts 01584 811843.

IN THE MOOD – By Quattro Amici (four friends). A concert at St Mary’s Burford, May 9, 7.30pm. Tickets £10 to include refreshments available from Spotty Dog Tea Rooms or Team Ministry Office in St Mary’s, Tenbury.

TENBURY CAR BOOT – On the Burgage every Bank Holiday Monday, 7am until 2pm, plus every second Sunday of each month. Cars £6, trailers £4, vans and trade from £12. Contact: 07752 505210.

COFFEE AND CHAT – A warm welcome awaits you tomorrow and on the first Friday of each month, from 10am until 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 badminton to ukulele (via ballroom dancing, garden visits and book club – plus lots of other groups). If it isn’t fun it isn’t U3A. So do drop in for a coffee and friendly chat, meet old and new friends and maybe discover a new talent or interest. Hope to see you there.

 

The Strettons

CLUBS – The Bridge Club meets every Thursday afternoon at 1.15pm in All Stretton Village Hall and lifts can be arranged from Church Stretton if required. Tuition courses are also available so ring Dom on 01694 723128 to find out more. The Chess Club meets on Thursday evenings at 7.30pm in the District Social Club and the number to ring to finds out more is 01694 723724.

RESEARCH – Local and family history can be researched at the library on Thursday afternoons from 1pm to 4pm. Free access to Ancestry is available and volunteers are on hand to help if required.

TASTE OF ITALY – The Taste of Italy evening at Berry’s continues on Thursdays and Fridays in conjunction with the White House, Affcot. To book a table ring 01694 781202.

FRIDAY MARKET – The Friday market continues at Mayfair Community Centre selling homemade cakes, produce and craft items and is open from 8.30am to noon.

TALK – An evening talk by Noor Paula Jacobs will take place at the Ludlow Friends Meeting House tomorrow. The subject of the talk is Sufi Mysticism. All welcome.

MAY FAIR – The annual May Fair opens at Mayfair Community Centre from 11am to 2.30pm on Saturday with stalls selling books, bric-a-brac, cakes, plants and preserves, and many handmade items. A special menu will be available in the café and there will be entertainment by St Lawrence’s Primary School. Maypole dancing, craft demonstrations, The Shropshire Strummers and the Accordion Players. A grand draw with a first prize of £100 will take place. Admission is 50p for adults and free for children.

SPONSORSHIP – While Shayne from Kaboodle is keeping his feet firmly on the ground as he tackles a half marathon at Hereford for Classrooms in the Clouds, Elaine from the Post Office is doing a tandem sky dive in June for the blind so any donations for either will be welcome. Sam Goddard of Church Stretton’s PTA is climbing Snowdon in May for the charity Empathy which helps children with Autism, Asperger’s, ADHD and Dyspraxia to enjoy fun filled recreation. Sam can be contacted on 01584 841618 and to sponsor her efforts visit goldengiving.com/fundraising/ madness.

CRICKET CLUB – The Cricket Club would like to hear from anyone interested in joining the club as all ages welcome. To find out more telephone 01743 872499.

DOG WALKERS – The Cinnamon Trust is looking for volunteers who are prepared to help elderly or terminally ill pet owners who are unable to walk their dogs, and even one walk a week would make all the difference. If anyone can help please ring 01736 757900 to offer.

RECYCLING – To help with the recycling of low energy light bulbs Sandford Hardware now has a special recycling box but does not accept LED or tungsten bulbs.

RNLI – On May Bank Holiday Monday there will be a flag day at Stokesay Castle, and on May 9, the local RNLI fundraisers are hosting a quiz night at the District Social Club starting at 7.30pm when Ken Willis will be the question-master.

SCHOOL NEWS – On May Bank Holiday Monday the St Lawrence’s under-10 and under-11 girls’ football finals will take place at Shrewsbury Town Football Club. Class three will be visiting Ludlow museum and castle. Church Stretton School’s PTA is now taking bookings for the annual craft fair on November 14.

GREEN PARTY – A Green Party meeting on May 11, will be held at the Bucks Head at 10.30am and will be a post election semi-social meeting when all will be welcome.

OUTING – The Gardening Club is arranging a visit to Hergest Croft, Kington, Herefordshire, on May 21, leaving at 10am to 4pm. Hergest Croft features an old fashioned kitchen garden, flower borders, an azalea garden, maple grove and Park Wood. In the house there is a gift shop, tea rooms, and also a plant nursery. The coach picks up at Sandford Nursing Home and Beaumont Road in Church Stretton. When travelling south there is a pick up at the Old Post Office in Craven Arms by arrangement. To check this out and enquire for seats please ring 01694 720131