Letters

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Thank you so much to all those who have written to us over the past few weeks. It’s great to hear from so many of you and to read what you’ve been up to in and around the patch. Your stories and feedback really do brighten our day so please keep them coming, with pictures when you have them. Just send whatever you want to share to editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk.

If you haven’t been able to get out and grab your copy of Shire, don’t panic. As always, we have a supply of previous issues we’re happy to send out. Get in touch if you’ve missed an edition, let us know which one, and we can pop it in the post to you. Send an SAE for £1.60 to Shire Magazine, PO Box 276, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 1FR.

Maybe receiving a copy as soon as it is out would be easier for you? If so, why not subscribe to Shire and we’ll send each issue straight to your door? See page 52 for details.

Do keep in touch!

An author writes

Thank you so much for the lead story on my book in May’s issue and to your editor Kate, who, I presume, wrote it. It was not only beautifully written but had a big picture of the front cover as well. I didn’t expect so much coverage. It coincides with my fi rst excursion into Shropshire, as I delivered 15 books to Stan’s Shop in St Martins yesterday, and the Oak Furniture Shop in Oswestry has sold 20 books now!

With this new reprint, I have delivered and sold over 100 copies to retailers in North Wales to date, so it will be interesting to see how it progresses, as well as thinking about the sequel, which is galloping along. I hope to fi nish it in the summer.

Nobody said self-publishing was easy, but a little bit of success boosts the confi dence hugely! Many thanks once again.

Julia Ozanne

The atmospheric cover

Disappointed…

Hi, just a quick note to say how much I enjoy your magazine. It gives me inspiration on where to go for a trip out. I noted that the Anglesey Vintage Rally was mentioned last time, and it said free entry, so o we went.

We did the Mona car boot sale down the road fi rst, at a very reasonable £1 for the car. Then on to the rally. But then what a shame to discover it was £10 entry, and not even for all of us – that was each. No, we didn’t pay to go in – these days you have to watch every penny and I’m looking for cheap or free days out. I wonder how many other people got caught out that day?

Bethan

We’re so sorry to hear this, Bethan. We are looking into where this information came from, but we do apologise to you for the disappointment.

READER FEEDBACK

Keep up the great work, it is a wonderful free magazine! Regards,

Mrs Tracey Lewis

Many thanks for giving our Open Gardens event in May a mention, that’s very much appreciated.

Rachel

Your magazine is a great read, with lots of local information. I’ve just subscribed because a few times I’ve not been able to pick one up.

Maxine Burton

Good idea, Maxine – they do get snapped up pretty quickly! Ed.

Academics in action

As your readers may be aware, Glyndwr University has an exciting new programme of free public lectures, titled ‘Glyndwr Talks/ Sgyrsiau Glyndwr’, which are open to everyone. The purpose of the series is to introduce our academics and the research they conduct to the local public, so that people know what we as a university are doing and how our research is impacting their lives.

The latest lecture in the series, ‘The price of a pint? Can Welsh alcohol policy do good?’, by our own Dr Wulf Livingston, Reader in Social Sciences, aims to discuss the e ectiveness of minimum unit alcohol pricing and how it can a ect health, as well as how policy di ers across the devolved nations.

With alcohol minimum pricing being such a hot topic currently, we’re sure interest will be high. Those wishing to book a place, please email vco@glyndwr.ac.uk

If any readers have further questions, don’t hesitate to contact me at Jack.Birch@glyndwr.ac.uk

Jack Birch

Dr Livingston will

Do you recognise these men?

I am hoping your readers may be able to help us in a search for historical information. I volunteer at Nantwich Museum, and we are looking for information about Racecourse Camp 74, Taporley, which housed WWII prisoners of war.

Our interest stems from a hand-crafted document box, currently on display, which was made by Italian prisoners. In 1943, it was presented to Len Pearson, camp foreman. Paolo Testori, Cristoford Camisasca and Martino Michetti inscribed their names inside. The gift was accompanied by a photo dated 27th October 1942, with the message: “So that you remember the Italian prisoners of the 74 camp”.

Racecourse Camp 74 was located on the site of Tarporley Racecourse. It was demolished in 1953 and all that remain are two ponds. We are keen to learn more about the camp and those who worked and lived there, especially the people pictured in the photo.

If readers have any information, they can contact enquiries@ nantwichmuseum.org.uk or call 01270 627 104. Thank you.

Richard Tate, Nantwich Museum volunteer

The photograph… …and the hand-made box

COMING NEXT ISSUE

We’re in the middle of a glorious summer, but here at Shire we’re already busy gathering in content for our autumn edition! So while you’re basking in the garden or soaking up the sun on the beach, read on to nd out what’s in store for September/October. We’ll have another packed magazine for you to enjoy, full of all your favourites and some seasonal treats too.

PICK UP THE NEXT ISSUE AT THE SUPERMARKET FROM 1ST SEPT

AUTUMN GLORY

Whether you’re planning a woodland walk or hoping for a haunting this Halloween, Shire will have everything you need to know to make the most of the season. From days out where the autumn colours will be at their best, to the perfect spooky settings for your little ghosts and ghouls, as well as a round-up of ideas for October half-term too. Don’t miss your next issue!

Harvest time will be upon us before we know it, and the garden will be ready for some attention before winter. We’ll pitch in with the important jobs you need to do, as well as tips for future planting, and more top gardens to visit.

Snug as a bug

As the days and nights get cooler and there’s talk of another energy price rise, we look at home heating options. Whether you need to adjust your energy usage, switch sources, or just fancy feeling cosy as the evenings draw in, we’ll have everything you need to know.

SCHOOL NEWS

September is a time of new starts, whether you have little ones on their rst days or older children ying the nest for university. Our packed education section covers courses at schools and colleges across the patch, and celebrates learners at all levels.

INDIAN SUMMER?

If you don’t want your summer fun to end, why not squeeze in a late break, especially if we get a lovely burst of September sunshine? We’ll bring you the favourite hotels and holiday parks across the Shire patch. You might even consider investing in your own slice of holiday heaven.

GREAT GARDENS

FASHION FIRST

As the weather changes, it may well be time to refresh your wardrobe. Our fashion and style guides – there’s one for men, too – will keep you on trend and wearing the hottest styles of the season as you add those extra layers.

SNAP TO IT!

A lot of readers seem to enjoy our regular photography comp – entries are booming. Our next issue will feature more winning images alongside the packed Arts section.

As always, we’ll have a guest chef who’ll share a special recipe for you to try at home. Plus all the latest news from the world of booze, and a focus on our brilliant food producers too. It’s enough to make your tummy rumble!

YOUR TOWN We’ll continue our tour of the region’s favourite towns and villages, focusing on Pwllheli on the North Wales coast and the Marches town of Montgomery.

Recover from summer’s sun and get ready for the colder weather with tips from our experts that will make sure your body is braced for the seasons’ change.

Tuck in

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

DON’T FORGET…

With events and activities going on all around us – for young and old, families, individuals and groups – don’t make any plans until you’ve checked out our What’s On guide for September and October, in the next issue of Shire Magazine.

GET IN TOUCH

Shire wants to hear from you!

1. Tell us about your upcoming events

We work in advance, so 1st August is the deadline to let us know about events for our September/October 2022 issue.

2. Share your reader stories

Have you got an extraordinary or exciting story to tell? We would love to share it with our readers. Send us an email and don’t forget to include a picture or two!

3. Contribute to one of our pages

Send all your submissions and pictures by email to editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk or call 01691 661270. You can also get in touch via social media – just search for ‘Shire Magazine’ on Facebook or Instagram.