Local pub winning across the county

Grace Goodlad and Duncan Borrowman are celebrating winning two awards from the Shrewsbury & West Shropshire Campaign for Real Ale: Pub of the Year and Market Towns Pub of the Year. It is the sixth consecutive year the pub has won the Market Towns award, having won every year since it opened, but only the second time it has won the overall award, beating Shrewsbury and rural pubs.

Landlady Grace Goodlad said, “It is extra special winning an award from CAMRA as it is judged by consumers, who not only judge how good your beer and cider is, but also look at cleanliness, community support and customer service. It was great to hear that the knowledge of our staff particularly impressed the judges.”

Landlord Duncan Borrowman said, “Coming just days after the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) announced that we are finalists for UK’s Best Craft Beer Pub or Bar - Rural award for the fifth time has really lifted our spirits in what is a difficult time for pubs. Next week we head to Liverpool for the SIBA awards ceremony, then we will have CAMRA presenting us with a shield and after that CAMRA will judge us against the best in Telford & East Shropshire for who they say is the best in Shropshire. We have our fingers crossed!”

Local Group Looking for Singers

Local ladies, Michelle, Jacqui and Jan have put together a new singing group, the Rolling Tones. Open to both men and women aged 16 and over, the trio are on the hunt for singers and a Music Director.

Michelle said, “We have formed choirs in the past, but this time we want to move in a different direction, and away from the title of ‘choir’. The types of music we intend to sing will be a huge variety from musical hits, jazz, rock and roll and much more.

“We want a music group that stands apart from others; that will have audiences singing along, dancing and clapping. We are also looking for individuals who can play an instrument to join us, we are at least looking for piano, guitar and drums, and happy to consider more.”

If you’re interested, contact Michelle on 07858 542200.

Friendship Bench donated to The Meadows Primary School

British Log Cabins of Welshpool, have helped pupils and teachers at The Meadows Primary School fulfil a dream this February by presenting the school with a bespoke, handcrafted, solid log ‘Friendship Bench’. It’s a place where children can sit if they feel lonely or have no one to talk to at playtime - it being the cue for others to join them and start up a friendship. Children’s Mental Health Week 2023 was 6-12 February and this year’s theme was ‘Let’s Connect’, so the school was keen to get the bench in place to support the work they did to promote this theme.

The School Council initially requested the friendship bench some years ago, but PTA raised funds were always destined for other activities to support the children’s learning, so when Greg Arnold, a parent at the school, and Site Manager for British Log Cabins, suggested the company could make and donate one for them, Headteacher Mrs Morris, jumped at the chance.

The handcrafted bench, which was made from a western red cedar log, was chainsaw carved and planed before being oiled to protect it from the weather. It’s now sited on the edge of the playground for the children to enjoy.