Fundraiser Challenge for Midland Air Ambulance

This year the Borderland Mountain Bike Challenge takes place on Saturday 13 May, starting at Rhiwlas Village Hall. Raising money for the Midland Air Ambulance, the 22-mile challenge takes riders over natural trails, green lanes, and farm tracks, on private land in the foothills of the Berwyn Mountains and is available to riders of all levels of competence. However, it’s not for the faint hearted as there is around 300 meters of tarmac and probably no more than

OTC welcomes Shropshire Cycle Hub

Shropshire Cycle Hub has been announced as the new tenant of Cross Market Hall, in the centre of Oswestry.

Cross Market Hall is owned by Oswestry Town Council and following extensive renovations during the past year, the Council is delighted to welcome new tenants into the historic building.

Built in 1842 and after an extension in 1848, the building became home to Powis and Cross Markets in 1849.

Shropshire Cycle Hub, founded in 2020, is a community charity focused on improving access to healthy sustainable transport across the county. Its objective is to help people overcome all types of barriers to enable them to benefit from the many advantages of cycling for transport or leisure. It hopes to achieve a 5-fold increase in the number of bike journeys by 2025 to help towards a sustainable net zero carbon Shropshire by 2030.

The charity, which already has a successful hub in Shrewsbury, has donated over 1500 bikes across Shropshire and currently operates the Oswestry Rickshaw service.

that on level ground. Some may wish to ease the pain by entering on their E-bikes and they are very welcome. You just need a bike, a helmet and the heart of a lion!

Sponsors for the event are DairiPak, Aico, Mule Cycles and Organic Energy from Shrewsbury.

If you want to join the team, visit www.borderland-mtb-challenge.org

Help at home

If you could do with some help with your housework, laundry and ironing – or perhaps a hand to tidy up the garden – a local charity is ready to help.

Chris Jennings, Chief Executive of Shropshire Cycle Hub explained further, “We have big plans for our new Oswestry Hub. Oswestry’s Rickshaw will be based at the hub, and we will continue to offer rides and deliveries to residents, visitors and commercial customers – all with the aim of reducing traffic in our town and offering service with a smile. This in turn can help to improve mental and physical well-being and reduce carbon emissions in the town.”

“We will offer second hand bikes for sale and on long-term loan, provide organised cycle rides to people of all ages and abilities, educational events, e-cargo bike deliveries and be a drop-in meeting point for the community offering refreshments.”

Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin is reaching out to older people in the Oswestry area and across the whole of the county, offering its Help at Home service. Anyone over the age of 60 may be eligible. Alongside the help with the chores, the scheme also provides companionship.

The scheme employs a team of caring, well-trained Home Support Workers. All come with good references and all are checked with the Disclosure & Barring Service (previously the Criminal Records Bureau).

They carry out everyday tasks that an older person may find difficult to manage and wherever possible the same support worker will visit each time to provide continuity.

For further details, telephone 01743 233788 or email enquiries@ageukstw.org.uk