Local news

Derwen College receives Autism award

Derwen College: stamp of approval from leading autism charity

Derwen College, has been awarded with world-wide autism accreditation which demonstrates the college’s commitment to supporting autistic students. The specialist further education college was presented with the official accreditation certificate from the National Autistic Society (NAS) at an official ceremony on 7 November.

Almost half of students at the specialist further education college for residential and day students are autistic. So, to meet the NAS high benchmark is hugely significant. Guests at the celebration included Shropshire Lord-Lieutenant Anna Turner, Shropshire Deputy-Lieutenant Mandy Thorn, Oswestry Deputy Mayor Olly Rose, and Selattyn and Gobowen Parish Council Chair Craig Emery. Also attending were Derwen College Chair of Governors K Kimber, Head of Quality Dawn Roberts, Derwen Autism Advisor Helen Evans, and members of the college’s Student Union Board.

The College was particularly happy with survey feedback from autistic students. More than 30 were surveyed ahead of the assessment team visit, and they unanimously said they were happy at College. Some strengths highlighted by students included the chance to meet with friends, the work experience opportunities and the support from staff. One student simply said, “I love it here”.

Wynnstay Bowling Club Appeal

The Wynnstay Bowling Club is celebrating its centenary on December 14 this year and is trying to reach past members of the club to tell them about the celebratory lunch which has been organised at The Wynnstay Hotel in Oswestry at 1pm.

The bowling club committee hope members past and present will come together and celebrate this fantastic anniversary.

If you are a past member and would like to attend the lunch, contact Club President, Annette Jones on 07855 055160 or email bobandnet@hotmail.com

Community-minded Oswestry knitters launch defibrillator fund-raising project

A group of Oswestry communityminded knitters have started a new fund-raising project for a defibrillator to be sited at the top of Hampton Rise in Oswestry. This will be available for Hampton Rise, High Fawr and the surrounding roads.

Angie Mills from The Crafty Knitters said, “We need to raise £2,500 to cover the cost of the defibrillator, installation and maintenance.

“Oswestry Town Council have kindly agreed that we can mount this on a lamp post and power the heated box. We have applied for a grant from British Heart Foundation who will hopefully donate £600 towards our target.

“Defibrillators save lives, they are very easy to use and tell you what to do. A simple 15-minute online training course is available at www.bhf.org. uk. After calling 999 and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), using a defibrillator is the best way to increase the chances of someone surviving a cardiac arrest.

“Over the next few months fundraising events will take place. Our first event will be a Crafty Knitters stall on Saturday 26 November from 9am at the Bailey Head. The stall will be selling a number of different items such as cuddly toys, jigsaws, knitted items and Christmas decorations.

“If anyone would like to make a donation towards our community defibrillator, please get in touch with Angie and Barry Mills at 23 Hampton Rise, Oswestry 01691 650147.”

Cambrian Railway scoops prestigious national award from the British Museum

A disused and derelict North Shropshire railway line brought back to life after 50 years has scooped a prestigious national award for volunteer excellence from the British Museum.

Cambrian Heritage Railways (CHR) volunteer team have been named as winners of the 2021 Marsh Award for Volunteers in Museum Learning Nationally as well as winners for the West Midlands region. The winners were recently invited to a reception at the British Museum in London to receive their award.

The Marsh Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of people who are committed to social, cultural and environmental causes. The Awards are run in partnership with the British Museum and recognise the best and most innovative ways in which volunteers engage the public with collections and projects. Cambrian Heritage Railways (CHR) volunteers came together to complete a ten-year aspiration to return their local railway. They worked tirelessly to clear vegetation and rebuild the crumbling infrastructure in order to open a heritage railway from Oswestry to Weston Wharf in April 2022. Installing two miles of new track and a station at Weston Wharf has since enabled CHR to become the latest tourist attraction in Shropshire. Speaking about the award, CHR Chairman, Rob Williams said: “We are all delighted the enormous hard work of our volunteers to re-open the railway has been recognised at a regional and national level.

“Cambrian Heritage Railways has had a fantastic fi rst season of operation since we opened in April. I think it can only be good for the local economy and tourism to have an award-winning heritage railway that people want to come and visit.” CHR has recently announced it is running Santa Specials on specifi c dates in November and December. For more details and pre-booking, please see www.Cambrianrailways.com.

Christmas on the Cambrian

Trains running from Oswestry Station to Weston Wharf Station on the following dates: Saturdays 26th Nov & 3rd, 10th, & 17th Dec Sundays 27th Nov & 4th, 11th & 18th Dec

Ticket prices start from - £12 per person for the November dates & £15 per person for the December dates (price includes train ride to Weston Wharf, drink & mince pie and a present for the children) Trains run from 1100am each day

Come join us and visit Santa in his Grotto at Weston Wharf Booking is Essential please book at www.cambrianrailways.com or scan the QR Code