County Woman October 2016 by Reviewmedia

FASHION * BEAUTY * EVENTS * PROPERTY * ENTERTAINMENT * PEOPLE

COUNTY ISSUE 41 OCTOBER 2016 made in shropshire

CHILLED LAST RAYS LOOKS FOR OF SUMMER AUTUMN NIGHTS

homefirst

Come celebrate with us in the beautiful surroundings of Lilleshall Hall, the former home of the Duke of Sutherland. Enjoy our range of Chirstmas packages including our 1920â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Great Gatsby night or have Lunch with Santa. We have the ideal Christmas venue, whether you are looking to come as a large work group or with your friends and family. Accommodation is also available at special rates.

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CONTENTS

OCTOBER 2016 ISSUE 41 WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/COUNTYWOMAN

utumn is the perfect excuse for a shopping spree, with a whole new season’s wardrobe to buy.

Ruffles, bows and pleats are key trends and Robyn has found her favourite high street pieces for us. She also takes a look at top cover-ups to ward off the autumn chill, and brings us the definitive guide to adapting our hair and skin care as we grow older. Eluned has been chatting to an adventurous Shrewsbury woman who combines her love of nature with stunt skills, and we also meet a woman whose passion for healthy eating has led to a booming business. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and you can help a breast cancer charity while brightening up your home – turn to pages 14 & 15 to find out how. Game is on the menu for autumn and our mouth-watering recipes take the mystery out of cooking it to perfection. Finally, don’t forget you can find us on Facebook and Twitter, for all the latest news and views for women in Shropshire. And check out our website www.countywoman.co.uk for even more real-life stories, inspiring ideas, fashion and fun. You won’t miss a thing this autumn with County Woman!

EDITOR

WOMAN 5

Objects of Desire

Fashion – Bows, ruffles and pleats

Beauty – Ageless skincare

Fashion – October cover-up

Action woman – Octavia Hopwood

COMMUNITY 29 Education 49 Health

HOMEFIRST 14

Interiors – Think pink

Down to Earth

LEISURE 39

Events listings

FOOD + DRINK 51

Recipes – Game on!

Wholefood smoothies

MARKETPLACE 57

Six of the best

Travel – Quebec

COMPETITIONS 64

Gift fair and craft workshop

LAST WORD 66

And finally – Alison Ashmore

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OCTOBER 2016

FASHION * BEAUTY * EVENTS * PROPERTY * ENTERTAINMENT * PEOPLE

COUNTY ISSUE 41 OCTOBER 2016 made in shropshire

homefirst

CHILLED LAST RAYS LOOKS FOR OF SUMMER AUTUMN NIGHTS

COVER: We’ve got it covered with these beautiful High Street buys Picture courtesy of M&Co see page 47 MANAGING DIRECTOR AND PUBLISHER: Martin Edwards contact: 01746 766848 medwards@reviewmedia.com EDITOR: Alison Ashmore aashmore@reviewmedia.com assistant editor: Justine Flavell jflavell@reviewmedia.com fashion and beauty: Robyn Moore rmoore@reviewmedia.com features: Eluned Watson photo journalist: Karl Aston production and design: Aileen Selkirk aselkirk@reviewmedia.com accounts and admin: Anita Desai adesai@reviewmedia.com ADVERTISING SALES: Advertisement Manager: David Lee-Birch dleebirch@reviewmedia.com Paul Kirkpatrick pkirkpatrick@reviewmedia.com Tracy Leonard tleonard@reviewmedia.com

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Reviewmedia Ltd. Media House Building 9 Stanmore Industrial Estate Bridgnorth Shropshire WV15 5HP

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OCTOBER 2016

WISH LIST

8 OF OUR FAVOURITE FINDS THIS MONTH

2 1

We’ve conjured up some bewitching must-haves for a magical month 1. Cat cushion, This That & The Other, Bridgnorth, £12 We love this collection of adorable moggies; cushion comes complete with insert. 2. Small tree bowl, Ruth Gibson Ceramics, £25 Shropshire artist Ruth uses ceramic screen printing techniques to apply photographic images on to rolled out porcelain. Available through www.buy-from.com/shropshire 3. Sparkly Pumpkin bubble bar, £3.95 from Lush Have a spell in the bath with this fruity juniperberry and lime bubble bar; the energising fragrance packs a punch for a long, lingering soak. Just make sure you’re out by midnight! 4. Black star print boots, Dorothy Perkins, £45 Add some sparkle to your outfit and let your feet be the stars! 5. Brick design bracelet from Love Roobarb in Bridgnorth, www. LoveRoobarb.com, £18.50 Burnished silver finish to an age-old design from the Ottoman Empire; handmade and ethically sourced from Turkey. 6. Traditional 3.5 pint kettle, Netherton Foundry, Highley, £120 Hand made in Shropshire from hand spun aluminium, with hand turned British oak handle and knob. Stove top 2l kettle for use on ranges, electric, gas, ceramic and halogen hobs. 7. High definition eye and brow palette, Beauty Benefits, Bridgnorth, £25 Everything you need to create and maintain perfectly defined eyes and brows, in three shades including Bombshell, Foxy and Vamp. 8 Nuit a Marrakech perfume by Rituals, £39 Inspired by journeys into the Orient, with notes of mimosa, saffron and cedar wood. Exotically dreamy.

OCTOBER 2016

Just Jayne FREE FITTING ON CARPETS DURING OCTOBER

FREE HOME MEASURING SERVICE Made to Measure Curtains & Roman Blinds Roller, Vertical & Venetian Blinds Upholstery, Carpets & Karndean Flooring Wallpaper & Fired Earth Paint 5 High Street, Bridgnorth t:01746 766799 e: sales@justjayne.co.uk www.justjayne.co.uk

Exclusive Fashions

Established 30 years Mother of the Bride & Groom Honeymoon & Cruise Wear Special Occasion Wear Casual Wear

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4/5 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury Telephone: 01743 233423 Email: marianne9799hotmail.co.uk www.marianneexclusivefashions.co.uk

A B E OW K

�

A T ruffle s

& plea ts

Printed pussybow dress, Matalan, £16

�

Salmon colour blouse with ruffles and bow, Primark, £10

Nude ruffle blouse,

Light pink blouse with simple ruffle and bow, Marks & Spencer, £27.50

Marks & Spencer, £25

Ruffles Ruffles are massively on-trend for Autumn/ Winter, but many women have trouble finding the right ruffles to flatter their look. The simple rule is: Keep ruffles away from areas of your body that are already full. Pair your ruffled garments with simple, structured pieces. This will also prevent the look from overwhelming your entire figure. Remember that less is more.

Pleats We were sceptical about pleats – until we saw Beyonce wearing a monogrammed knife pleated skirt and shirt. Yes, it was the masterwork of Gucci, but we have found the high street alternatives which are more achievable. Pleats have been spotted all over the catwalks and the red carpet events and if they are done in the right way they look stunning. We usually say keep pleats to one half of your body – skirt or blouse – however we have seen beautiful pleated dresses on the high street. And what’s even cooler than pleats? Metallic pleats.

Metallic pleated skirt, Wallis, £45

Black velvet pleated dress, Phase Eight, £89

Metallic pleated skirt, Next, £46

Lace pleat skirt, Marks & Spencer, £69

Fashion model shot: From Marks & Spencer : Top, £39.50, jumper £22.50, skirt £55, bag £99 £99.

The perfect accessory: Metallic can be bold, but if you want to inject a small amount of it without it feeling too overpowering, try this metallic hand bag, Debenhams, £25

ELIFELYTS

NAMOW

Stylefile Robyn Moore on this

Shoe sales are definitely ‘going flat’

month’s local fashion new

Wardrobe malfunction

How many times hav e you bought a Fashion-conscious sho ppers in garment and after on e wear the zip Shrewsbury are hot on the heels of the breaks? It happens qu ite regularly for latest footwear – fab ulous flats. me. Usually I never we ar the garment With national reports of more and more again and it gets throw n away. women making the mo ve away from striking However, last month I brought out stilettos to more manag eable moccasins, a beautiful skirt I had pur chased a few retailers at Shrewsbury Shopping’s Darwin months before but fou nd that the zip was and Pride Hill centres hav e reported that completely broken. It wa s too late to take it shoppers are ‘going flat’. back because the skirt was out of season so I Claire Lancaster of Shrew sbury wouldn’t be able to hav e a replacement. Shopping said: “Over the past few months, Luckily, I took it to my local seamstress, there have been a hug e number of articles Dawn Nicholls at Seams Sew Special in in the media about how fashion icons Broseley and she worke d her magic on it have been flaunting the ir flats. within two days. “From Victoria Beckham treating her The shop is situated in the High Street and feet to flats through to Jerry Hall and her she offers a wide ran ge of services, including daughters’ footwear at her wedding, bridal and prom dress fi tting, alterations and it seems that heels are no longer first of course zip replaceme nts. choice for the fashion-c onscious.” Sometimes your garme nt is too nice to Claire added: “Research never wear again. amongst our own retailers here has found that the trend is not just limited to famous fashionistas, but is really being reflected among Shrewsbury shoppe rs.” Jennifer Greenwood, ma The beautiful facial pro nager of duct line, KYPRIS, Topshop at Darwin Sho is a luxurious line of ho pping Centre, listic and high said: “Sales at the store performance skin car suggest e, boasting organic, Shrewsbury shoppers are wild-crafted, and sus following tainably grown the latest celebrity flat ingredients. shoe trend very closely. Almost 60% I have been trialling the of our cleanser hanging shoe sales are con centrate and I was add flats with icted after the our Vibrant range of bal first use. It makes your let pumps skin feel so soft proving hugely popular.” and hydrated. You can instantly smell the natural ingredients in the formula. The product line was lau nched in the UK last month and is available from Selfridges & Co. According to the crossThe cleanser that I tried out is £50 party Environmental Au for 46ml. dit Committee, cosmetic companies should be banned from using plastic mic robeads in bathroom products, such as exfoliating scr ubs, toothpaste and shavin g gel. This is because of the marine pollution they are cau sing. It is estimated that up to 51 trillion micro plastic particles have accumula ted in the oceans. The committee would like to see a national ban on microbeads by the end of 2017.

KYPRIS hits UK market

The end of microbeads?

OCTOBER 2016

HEALTH ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

The power to change lives Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital bariatric consultants John Loy, Manel Riera and James Rink are changing the lives of patients with the latest in weight loss surgery and aftercare

eighing 32 stones, staff nurse and former sportsman Peter Warren struggled with sleep apnoea, lack of confidence and depression after he piled on the pounds following a knee injury in his early 20s. The 35-year-old nurse, from near Shrewsbury, had a 66-inch waistline and was wearing 8XL clothes when he was referred to consultant bariatric surgeon Mr John Loy for a gastric bypass. After just nine months, it is no exaggeration to say that his body and his life were totally transformed. Now a healthy 12 stone, Peter’s confidence has returned, he has started playing cricket and has climbed Snowdon, a challenge which was previously unimaginable. For consultant Mr Loy, this is just one of many success stories for patients who are living proof that bariatric surgery has the power to change lives. He has seen patients return to work, come off medication for diabetes, overcome depression and return to a normal, healthy life. No wonder he loves his job working in the NHS and at Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital. “It is such a rewarding branch of medicine with life-changing results,” he says. “Peter is one of many patients who has been able to get back to living life to the full after surgery. He has gone from being hardly able to breath to losing 20 stones. He plays cricket, has climbed the highest mountain in Wales and no longer suffers depression,” says Mr Loy. John Loy is one of three consultants who specialise in bariatric surgery at Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital, and between them they offer a wealth of experience in a branch of surgery that is seeing a huge rise in demand. Experts Mr Riera, Mr Rink and Mr Loy will be offering advice at Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital’s event ‘Let’s Talk About Weight Loss Surgery’ this month. On 13 October, the county’s leading bariatric consultants will be joined by dietitians and specialist nurses at an open event at the hospital on Longden Road, Shrewsbury. They hope to dispel some myths and offer straightforward advice about the benefits of bariatric surgery. There are several types of weight-loss surgery options available, including gastric band, gastric sleeve and gastric bypass. All work by restricting the

� Right, consultant bariatric

surgeon John Loy and above, in surgery

stomach’s capacity for food. The work is usually carried out as keyhole surgery and patients can be out of hospital in less than a day. Irish-born consultant Mr Loy has been living and working in Shropshire since 2014 and is proud of the work that he and his department have achieved. “Weight loss surgery has such a profound effect on people’s health. Obesity contributes to so many medical conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis, reflux, kidney problems and cancer. “It frustrates me when you hear reports that it is an easy option or that it’s for people who are too lazy to lose weight. Some patients have lost a lot of weight in the past but put it back on. There is much ongoing research that shows that fat cells have memory and that diets are simply a temporary fix; once people go back to eating as they once did, the weight will go back on. Change has to be forever. “We’re not talking about surgery to simply make people thinner. We want to make our patients healthier and have a better quality of life. Surgery is suitable for people with a BMI of 35 or above. It is about curbing diabetes, controlling joint pain, and allowing them to work and live a healthier life. “Each patient is different and should be treated as such to find the ideal procedure for them. For us it is really important to understand the psychology behind their weight problems, offer a sympathetic ear, high quality surgery and follow-up care. We want the very best for our patients to help them get on with their lives.” Let’s Talk About Weight Loss Surgery is a free and open event at Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital, Longden Road, Shrewsbury. To book, telephone 0333 305 3665.

OCTOBER 2016

Come to a FREE open event.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talk Bariatric Surgery.

For those attending on the evening, they will be able to book a consultation with one of the consultants - there will be a discount on consultations booked on the evening.

WHEN 13th October 2016

This open event will be an educational event on the various types of weight loss surgery that Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital can offer. The event will be hosted by our three Bariatric Consultants Mr John Loy, Mr Manuel Riera and Mr James Rink.

TIME 6.30pm WHERE Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital, Longden Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 9DP Places are limited so please call 01743 282628 to reserve your place.

OCTOBER 2016 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Property department expands Terry Jones Solicitors are pleased to introduce Charlotte Round to their newly expanded Bridgnorth Office. Licensed Conveyancer Charlotte specialises in all types of property transactions from sale and purchase of Freehold and Leasehold property, to transfer of equity and applications for first registration with the Land Registry. Rachel Wood, Director, said “the expansion of the Office is due to the excellent working relationship we have with local and national estate agents. Terry Jones Solicitors regularly appears as one of the top one hundred and fifty firms upon the nationally ranked Land Registry applications list”. Charlotte has over seven years’ experience in residential property, having worked in Birmingham before joining Terry Jones Solicitors in August. Lucie Couchman, Associate Solicitor and Bridgnorth Office Manager, said “I am delighted to welcome Charlotte to the Conveyancing Team in Bridgnorth. She will be a great asset to the department which has continued to flourish since the office opened in July 2014”. Should you have any queries about the conveyancing process, please do not hesitate to contact Charlotte who will be happy to assist. Charlotte can be contacted on 01746 768 748 or by email on charlotter@terry-jones. co.uk.

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OCTOBER 2016

WOMAN

Your hair and skin changes as you get older, but do you know how to transition your techniques to give your complexion what it needs? Robyn Moore shares the secrets Your hair

No matter what your age I always recommend having your hair coloured and cut by professionals. Stylists know how to colour your hair without drying it out or over-processing the colour, which will prevent damage. They also know which style will complement your face shape and which shade and tone suits your skin tone. Teens As a teenager your hair looks better with a soft natural ombre (lighter ends) or sun-kissed highlights rather than a drastic change from your natural colour – choosing a colour too far away from your natural shade can look artificial and hair will appear dry and unhealthy. Teens don’t often have the disposable income to spend on maintaining their colour every six weeks so the more natural the colour the less noticeable the regrowth will be. ‘Club 18-30’ The age group that is most likely to have hair extensions… so what do you need to know? Never go too long with your extensions, it’s the extra weight which can cause tension on the hair resulting in hair loss. There are lots of different methods out there, including tape hair, micro bead weft, weaves, micro bond and clip-in weft. Research the methods so you fully understand the process. If you think hair extensions can be washed and left to dry, think again. If you have hair extensions expect to add an extra 20 minutes on to your drying time. 30-50 age group Don’t be afraid to try something new, trends change and sometimes we can get stuck in our comfort zone but keeping your style fresh and changing the tone in your hair can keep you looking youthful. If you want to disguise grey, go lighter. Adding a few lighter foils through your hair will help scatter the regrowth line and your greys will appear subtler in between colour services. Over 50s Your hair texture will start to change and become coarse. Embrace it and have a textured cut which will work for your hair. If you have embraced your natural colour then have the occasional T-section of foils put through your hair to give it dimension.

left to right: Get an instant fresh-faced glow without looking all made up. The gel based formula enhances skin with 8 benefits in 1 – The Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream 30ml, Superdrug, £7.99; Simple Kind To Skin purifying cleansing lotion 200ml (no perfume, no colour), Boots, £3.45; Superdrug Tea Tree Cleanser & Toner with tea tree oil, peppermint oil and aloe vera, £3.29; try this hybrid product which combines the benefits of skin care and make-up in one – Garnier skin perfector daily all-in-one BB Blemish Balm Cream, £6.66, Boots. Beauty model shot courtesy of New Look.

Your skin

No matter what age you are, it is important you identify your skin type to provide it with the ingredients it needs to be beautiful. Your skin type may alter frequently so change your products according to your needs. Teens Your skin can be very unpredictable as a teen. Hormones are going crazy and it can be hard for teenagers to understand why their skin doesn’t look the same as the models they follow on social media – the models with a make-up artist and several stylists on standby. Here are some top tips to master as a teen. - Spot prone skin: opt for facial products which contain tea tree to help fight blemishes. For the bigger breakouts, apply a small swab of Listerine mouth wash at night to help dry it out. - Dry skin: use a light moisturiser. Anything too rich will lead teenage skin to break out or become greasy. - Greasy skin: exfoliate at least twice a week on top of the daily cleansing. Apply a toner after cleansing in the evening. ‘Club 18-30’ Thankfully your skin starts to settle down from the unpredictable teenage years. The perfect regime: cleanse your skin morning and night. Apply moisturiser before bed and exfoliate twice a week. 30-50 age group Don’t neglect your skin, you may not get breakouts any more but it is important to continue to exfoliate your skin twice a week to keep fine lines away and use a rich moisturiser to give your skin the hydration It needs. Over 50s Stay radiant with a hydrating oil. You may find you cut down your exfoliating because skin can become more delicate but ensure you keep up your cleansing regime, although opt for a milder solution.

OCTOBER 2016

INTERIORS

FACING PAGE CLOCKWISE:: A selection of paint colours and wallpaper from the Little Greene Paint Company CENTRE: Grey is still a strong trend in interiors, and pink complements it perfectly. Asiatic Cascade rug from Alan Ward, Shrewsbury, or online at www.alanwardfurniture.co.uk

THINK PINK

he Little Greene Paint Company has once again joined forces with national breast cancer charity, Breast Cancer Haven, to promote and support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For the whole of October, Little Greene has pledged that 15p from every tin of paint sold via the company’s 270 UK-wide stockists, including Alan Ward in Shrewsbury, or through its website www.littlegreene.com, will be donated directly to Breast Cancer Haven. The pledge applies to all the colours in Little Greene’s range, but of course Breast Cancer Awareness month is associated with pink. Most commonly used to decorate a little

girl’s bedroom, it might not be a colour that springs to mind for other rooms in the house. Yet with so many shades to choose from, you can create a grown-up scheme, too. A shocking pink feature wall in a hall will tell visitors that you have an individual home. Use a lighter, fresher hue to lighten up an otherwise lackluster space. Faded pinks work well with reds and florals in a bright sitting room filled with antique furniture. Even one pink accessory, such as a cushion, lampshade, artwork or rug, breaks up a monotone room. Certain shades can even be used as a neutral, teamed with purples, greys, taupes and blacks. So banish images of Barbie and think pink. THIS PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: n Paisley jacquard duvet set from £35-£65 at M&Co. There’s nothing too feminine about this bedding set n A hint of pink is this embroidered Baroque cushion from Laura Ashley, £50 n Snuggle up on the sofa under an Oriental Journey beehive weave throw in dusky pink, £40 from the National Trust. Woven in North Wales from pure new wool n Be bold with Scion wallpaper. Diva is a flamboyant stylised floral that’s oversized. Available from Just Jayne in Bridgnorth

OCTOBER 2016

15 INTERIORS

OCTOBER 2016

Own an impressive village home with our part exchange package.

If you have a property to sell, our part exchange options could be the key to your beautiful new Barnfields home. Choose from a selection of stunning four and five-bedroom homes, all in a desirable village location just outside Church Aston. Our part exchange packages are designed to take the hassle out of moving, helping you to enjoy the excitement of owning your dream country residence. Showhome interiors.

To find out more about part exchange options, visit between 11am and 5pm, seven days a week, call 01952 709682 or email barnfields@galliershomes.co.uk

galliershomes.co.uk

Wellington Road/National Route 55, Church Aston TF10 9JJ

It’s time to get a place of your own! And with Help to Buy you can afford it: With a Help to Buy interest free loan, you can buy a new two bedroom semi-detached home at Heritage View in Hadley with just a 5% deposit - here’s how it works:

The purchase price is:

£135,000

Get a 20% interest free loan of:

£27,000*

Get a 75% mortgage for:

£101,250

Pay a 5% deposit of only:

£6,750

Example based on plot 16, two bedroom Hawthorn, priced at £135,000

2, 3 & 4 bedroom homes available

Heritage View, Sommerfeld Road, Hadley, Telford, TF1 5RY

Help to Buy

Showhome open 10am to 5.30pm daily. Telephone: 07496 244146 or 0845 873 2893†

www.lioncourthomes.com †Calls will be charged at seven pence per minute from a BT landline and may cost considerably more from mobile and other phones. Contact your service provider for more details. Photographs show a typical Lioncourt home interior. *All offers are subject to terms and conditions. £6,750 deposit is based on a purchase price of £135,000 and is for example purposes only. There is no fee charged on the equity loan for the first 5 years. At the start of year 6 a fee is collected of 1.75% of the market value of the property at the time the loan is entered into multiplied by the outstanding percentage under the equity loan, the annual fee of 1.75% will be uplifted by RPI +1% p.a. Conditions apply and mortgage is subject to status. Please speak to our sales negotiator for more information..

OCTOBER 2016

5 STAR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION RATING

With 70% already sold, now is the time to move. If you’re looking for a rural retreat with great transport links, look no further than our fantastic Sutherlands development. These stunning homes benefit from a tranquil leafy setting, but still allow for easy access to Wolverhampton and Birmingham, as well as Telford town centre.

Sutherlands, Telford, TF1 7UL 3 & 4 bedroom homes from £162,000

We’ll be there every step of the way providing all the help and support you could need. We call this The Miller Difference and it’s why our customers have awarded us five stars for customer satisfaction. We’re over 70% sold and have amazing new prices just released, so ensure you don’t miss out and visit us today. Visit our showhome and marketing suite, open Thursday to Monday, 10am to 5pm.

03331 305 172 | www.millerhomes.co.uk Photography represents a typical Miller Homes interior. Carpets and floor coverings are not included in our homes as standard. Price and availability are correct at time of going to print.

SPONSORED PAGES

Slight caution from sellers but an abundance of buyers!

he property experts at one of Shropshire’s longest-established estate agents, say Shropshire’s housing market has continued to perform strongly in the wake of the EU referendum. Ross D’Aniello, head of the Country Homes department at Nock Deighton, has been analysing the market over the summer months – and he has some good news. Over to you Ross: “Post referendum, the market has thrown up a few pleasant surprises... the south east is propping up the regional market! “Traditionally, the summer months are not the busiest months of the year in the property world, with school holidays distracting buyers and taking their focus away to other, more important matters. “With this year’s referendum and new faces in the top tier of the government one could

Ross D’Aniello

Post referendum, the market has thrown up a few pleasant surprises... the south east is propping up the regional market

be forgiven for thinking that everything would grind to a halt. “Not so. “This year we have seen an increased number of enquiries, viewings, offers and sales agreed over the summer months.

“Prices have slightly dropped in the region – our own House Price Index showed a fall of 0.9 per cent last month – but offers are still coming in and deals being agreed across all of our areas. “We are also seeing several ‘off-market’ viewings of properties who are reluctant to come to the market, but will entertain viewings. “This is an increasing trend and one which we are happy to help with, our job is to represent the client, not just showcase a portfolio! “For example, we have one property offered in Worcestershire which is a four-bed house, further one-bed cottage, impressive stables and barns, arena, 15 acres in a stunning position. This is available for £1.1 million to a discrete buyer. “Another, in north Shropshire, a large period house with 15 acres, two acres of lakes, woodland, stunning period features, barns and

Snapped up after two viewings This month’s featured property is an exquisite family home which sold in less than two weeks. Agents at Nock Deighton, who sold the property, say they need more homes coming to the market to meet the demand from buyers. Church View in Ditton Priors, near Bridgnorth, only needed two viewings before being snapped up for very close to the asking price of £450,000. It is a deceptively spacious four-bedroom property with a fabulous lounge, complete with woodburner, along with impressive gardens and flexible living space throughout the house. Andrew Ainge, of Nock Deighton’s Bridgnorth office, said: “It’s easy to see why the property was so popular, but we have buyers waiting for all kinds of properties all over Shropshire and beyond.

“There is still a distinct lack of properties on the market to satisfy demand from buyers, so If you are thinking about putting your house on the market, why not give us a call to see how we can help?” Call the Nock Deighton sales team on 01746 767767.

stables is available for £1.6 million. “A third near Ombersley in Worcestershire - a stunning renovated five-bed country home with five acres, arena, stables, swimming pool and outbuildings is offered discretely for £1.3 million. “There is an element of caution from sellers but an abundance of buyers. “We have a large number of enquiries coming up from the south east, with the last count estimating about 90 per cent of our enquiries are emanating from either London, or the south east in general. “Food for thought. “The level of enquiries, when considered with the lack of stock on the market, can only lead to one thing and that is stronger asking prices. Simple economics dictates that this is the case. “In short, the property market in the region needs more houses. “If you have any question or wish to discuss your options, then please feel free to get in touch.”

Two building plots included in the sale of superb house Tessant House, Church Aston is on the market with a guide price of £1,100,000. This is a rare opportunity to purchase a distinctive property in a private setting including two building plots within the highly sought after area of Church Aston. Hidden from view, Tessant House is set within mature gardens, mainly laid to lawn with deep borders including mature trees, shrubs and perennials and large paved patio/entertaining area from the conservatory and dining room. Tessant House has been extended and refurbished by the present owners over the past 25 years resulting in a family home offering light, flexible accommodation throughout that would

ideally suit a large, active family particularly if the property needs to suit dependent relatives or regular visitors. Four reception rooms provide ample opportunity for a downstairs bedroom and separate sitting room while the ‘stores’ also lend themselves to bedroom, living and bathroom conversions for any dependants. The ‘stores’ could also be developed into additional reception rooms/sun rooms having views across the gardens. The detached garage has a room above therefore could be used as a separate workspace/ studio or as an annexe conversion (subject to planning consent).

The Crest, Chorley, Bridgnorth

Plot 1 has planning permission for a timber framed four bedroom detached Eco dormer bungalow with a detached double garage. Access to the bungalow and garage would be from a separate driveway. Plot 2 has outline planning for a two storey 4 bedroom detached property with double garage situated at the rear of the existing detached garage. Access for this property would be from the existing driveway to Tessant House. Contact Nock Deighton’s Newport office on 01952 570 222.

£199,950

High Croft, Church Street, Claverley

£425,000

An impressively extended and immaculate three bedroom mid terraced cottage in the heart of the village location. Energy Rating- F

A truly unique, modern four bedroom detached is set in a particularly desirable location. Energy Rating- E

18 Brook Hollow, Bridgnorth

5 Cantern, Bridgnorth

21 Kidderminster Road, Bridgnorth A charming 1930s traditional detached house located just a short distance from the historic market town of Bridgnorth. This bay fronted house has been lovingly maintained and upgraded to included a refitted kitchen, refitted shower room, new central heating boiler and a covered side passage. Brimming with character, this conveniently positioned property is on a large plot with additional vegetable garden opposite. Energy rating- E

£285,000

£465,000

Executive style five bed detached family home, occupying a substantial plot within this sought after development. Energy rating- C

£375,000

Luxury four bedroom executive style family home set within a sought after modern development. Energy Rating- D

hether you are a first-time landlord or have been in the lettings industry for years, choosing the right tenant is always a tricky task. As letting agents with many years of experience, the team at Nock Deighton are often asked for their advice by landlords who are about to take on new tenants. Dawn Clarke, director of property management and lettings, says there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing tenants – but there are some important factors to bear in mind. “The key thing we talk to landlords about is matching the right tenant to their type of property,” she says. “Some people automatically think that students will be messy and a professional couple the ideal tenants, but from our experience that is not always the case. There are lots of positive points from renting out a property to students they are usually good at paying rent on time for one thing, and often have parents on hand if they do get into any difficulties, for example. “Professional couples do tend to look after a property well, but can be difficult to keep

Dawn Clarke

Matching the right tenant to their type of property

as tenants because they will often see a rental property as a short-term commitment. “Families with young children can be viewed by some landlords as risky tenants because of the potential for mess or damage, but this is offset by a more long-term tenancy. “And in actual fact, many of our landlords find that families view their rental property very much as their own home so will look after it as such. “We have landlords who favour renting their properties to elderly people, who have a habit of being on time with their rental payments, but of course not all properties will be suitable. “As you can probably tell by now - there are pros and cons to all type of tenants. The most important thing is for a landlord and letting agent to have a good relationship with their tenant. “It’s also vital to match your property with a tenant to suit - an apartment in a city centre is far more likely to appeal to a professional couple than an elderly person living on their own, for example. “So if you want a certain kind of tenant, make sure you invest in the right type of property.” For more information and advice, contact Dawn and her team on 01952 290163.

3 College Lane, Wellington

Busy autumn is on the cards House prices have dipped slightly in Shropshire, but experts at Nock Deighton say they expect prices to pick up again throughout the busy autumn months. According to Nock Deighton’s House Price Index, prices fell by 0.9 per cent over the past month, although they are still 4.7 per cent higher than at the same time last year. Michael Nettleton, director of sales and marketing at Nock Deighton, said 2016 had been an interesting year Mike Nettleton for house prices. “As you might expect, the EU referendum has been a big influence – certainly from the media’s point of view at least,” he said. “And although we have seen a very slight decrease in prices over the past month, the rate of activity is still very high. “We are confident that prices will continue to rise because there is still a shortage of stock. “As I have said throughout most of this year – it is still a great time to put your house on the market because there are lots of buyers just waiting for the right property to come along.”

£349,950

32 Donnerville Close, Wellington

£279,950

A spacious five bedroom detached bungalow with gardens and parking. Energy rating – D.

A well presented modern four bedroom detached family home with conservatory and garden. Energy rating – C.

16 Martingale Way, Lawley Bank

10 Jasmin Close, The Rock

8 Spring Village, Horsehay This spacious semi detached cottage briefly comprises entrance hall, living room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, study and downstairs shower room. Three bedrooms with fitted wardrobes to the master bedroom and a bathroom. A tarmac driveway provides parking for several vehicles and access to the detached double garage. The large gardens surround the property and comprise of large lawned areas with flower/shrub borders. There is a paved patio area running across the rear of the property. Energy rating - D.

£335,000

£232,500

A superbly presented four bedroom detached family home with views over fields to the front. Energy rating – D.

£214,950

A spacious detached four bedroom family home in popular residential development. Energy rating – D.

Wayside, Eaton Constantine

£595,000

Wayside is a delightful Grade II listed detached thatched cottage which has been tastefully extended and improved throughout, including a superb conservatory, yet retaining all character and charm. The property has the benefit of paddock and land up to around one acre, ample car parking space and a detached double garage. Brief accommodation comprises three reception rooms, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen and utility. Within the property, a self contained annexe can be found (two storey). This is finished to the same quality as the main house and could easily be incorporated into the main house if so desired. Equally so, it can also be locked off from the main house. The landscaped gardens are a particularly impressive feature of the property, with terraces and seating areas cleverly located for both privacy and sunlight. The gardens lead to a paddock area, and also include a studio with external decked area, greenhouse and other timber outbuildings. The further you travel through the gardens towards the paddock, the more the view of the countryside imposes itself as such a unique feature of this property.

42 Reynold Wharf, Coalport

£365,000

43 Church Hill, Ironbridge

£275,000

Ox Hay Barn, Blymhill

£459,950

Ox Hay Barn is a beautifully presented home offering light and spacious accommodation throughout. Ox Hay Barn is approached over a driveway leading to two car parking spaces to the front of the property. A driveway to the rear of the property leads to a private electric gated entrance having extensive parking. The breakfast kitchen with flagstone flooring and a feature brick inglenook housing a range cooker, has a range of solid oak units with granite worktops, integrated appliances and a breakfast bar to the centre of the kitchen. A stable door opens onto the balcony to the rear. Onto the dining hall having solid oak flooring, a guest cloakroom and stairs rising to the first floor. Leading onto the sitting room with a continuation of solid oak flooring with double doors opening onto the balcony. The master bedroom has an en-suite shower room with underfloor heating. Bedroom 2 is a generous double room with built in wardrobes. Bedroom 3 is a double room currently used as a study. The family bathroom has a separate bath and shower cubicle. The rear garden is fully enclosed. The first floor balcony is ideal for outdoor entertaining. From the balcony, steps lead to the lawn and driveway. Underneath the balcony is an outdoor store with light, power and water.

The Long House, High Offley

£499,950

The Old Granary, Eaton On Tern

£484,995

A beautifully presented, five bedroom, three storey town house in a popular and historic development in Coalport. EPC rating - c.

An excellent three bedroom home with flexible layout throughout and located a short walk to the amenities of Ironbridge. Energy rating – D.

A beautiful character family home in an idyllic village setting. Energy Rating – E.

A superb three storey granary converted to a high standard in approximately 1 acre with far reaching countryside views. Energy Rating – D.

96a The Knowle, Jackfield

38 The Grove, Shifnal

10 Daniels Cross, Newport

15 Ellsmere Court, Newport

£250,000

A three bedroom detached bungalow which has been subject to an incredible transformation throughout. Energy rating – D.

£220,000

Immaculately presented modern 3 bedroom, 3 storey end terrace town house in the heart of Shifnal. Energy rating – C.

£259,995

A well presented detached family home in the sought after market town of Newport. Energy Rating – D.

£225,000

A detached family home with private garden ideally situated close to Newport High Street and local schools. Energy Rating – D.

OCTOBER 2016

www.stentonsestateagents.com LD SO

W NE

Well presented three bedroom home with good sized rear garden, conservatory and ample parking. Popular location close to the town centre.

W NE

Ideally located for the centre of Much Wenlock, this tastefully presented home offers ample parking, generous garden and three good sized bedrooms.

Southfield Road, Much Wenlock £208,750 St Mary’s Road, Much Wenlock £200,000

Pretty character cottage in idyllic location with separate self contained holiday annexe, double garage, parking, gardens and beautifully presented accommodation.

Bourton, Nr Much Wenlock £450,000

W NE

Recently re-furbished and presented to a very high standard, this period cottage offers two bedrooms, garden & parking.

An excellent family home with four bedrooms including en-suite to the master, large garden with wooded aspect, ample parking, double garage & sought after location.

Located in the heart of historic Much Wenlock this character property offers ample accommodation and a delightful rear garden.

Fox lane, Broseley £184,950

Lees Farm Drive, Madeley £325,000

Barrow Street, Much Wenlock £775,000

An exciting opportunity to acquire this former public house which includes spacious accommodation and ample grounds.

Beautifully presented family home with parking and a good sized rear garden. Spacious accommodation – internal viewing is essential.

Gorgeous character cottage in the heart of Much Wenlock. Includes a delightful rear garden, three bedrooms, breakfast kitchen, utility, spacious lounge.

Farley, Much Wenlock £475,000

Shrewsbury Road, Much Wenlock Offers Over £299,950 Barrow Street, Much Wenlock £385,000

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DOWN TO EARTH

Each month the team at Meadowdale Nurseries in Telford will be offering you lots of handy tips and advice on how to make the best of your garden

The family-run nurseries, which is now run by brothers John and Rob Anderson, has been growing plants for the last 27 years.

OCTOBER TIPS FOR THE GARDEN n Pyracantha

Berried treasure Berry-bearing trees and shrubs come into their own in autumn, creating colourful displays that can last well into winter, says the Horticultural Trades Association

From elder berries to rose hips, crab apples to firethorns, the addition of berrying plants adds a new dimension to any garden, with plants carrying fruits and berries through autumn and into winter. Berrying plants also provide home-grown food for hungry birds and wildlife too, enhancing their appeal and value to any garden. Evergreen shrubs provide structure and form throughout the year, but many produce early displays of flowers followed by autumn berries. One of the best compact shrubs for borders or patio pots is a Skimmia with a mouthful of a name, Skimmia japonica subsp. reevesiana. Don’t let this put you off as its displays of bright red berries are second to none! Also check out the compact and spreading Viburnum davidii, a hardy shrub with distinctly veined evergreen foliage that produces the most unusual metallic-looking blue-black berries. It really is quite a talking point. To create seasonal pots for autumn colour include a small Gaultheria mucronata carrying brilliant berries in pink, red or pure white. Combined with pansies and violas, trailing ivy, heather, carex or skimmia your pots will put on a display that lasts for months. Trained against walls and fences, firethorn is a invaluable evergreen shrub. Its thorny stems make it a great choice for producing secure garden boundaries, but don’t let the spines put you off buying Pyracantha. They provide valuable nesting sites for birds, flowers that attract bees, and red, orange or yellow berries to feed birds into winter. Explore the cotoneaster family too, attractive ornamental shrubs with year-round appeal. The arching stems with herringbone-patterned stalks of Cotoneaster horizontalis make it an excellent choice to carpet banks and low borders or train up to cover bare fences. Birds love these berries. If space allows, many ornamental trees produce bright berries and fruits as well as good displays of autumn foliage colour. Two of the best families are Rowan (Sorbus) and Crab Apple (Malus), and both make ideal trees for small gardens. With such a rich and diverse range of plants to choose from it really is possible to fill your borders with berried treasure this autumn!

Now is the time to divide perennials once they have finished flowering, replant them in the garden or into pots and store them in a greenhouse/cold house for next spring. If you find you don’t need them give them to family and friends. Start to plant spring bulbs for colour next year. Make a statement in your borders by planting large bulbs such as daffodils, tulips and alliums in threes and the smaller bulbs such as crocus, dwarf iris and dwarf daffodils in fives. If you like the idea of bulbs in lawns, dig small squares of turf up, plant your chosen bulbs and then replace the turf; beware though as you will have to mow around them next year until the leaves die off. Try creating a spring planted container by planting bulbs in layers using crocus planted near the top followed by daffodils, an early flowering tulip and finish with a later flowering tulip, thus giving a succession of colour throughout spring. Ensure you use containers with good drainage so that they do not sit in soggy soil and rot during the winter months. If you want instant colour for the autumn/winter, plant bedding pansies, violas and cyclamen; these need to be planted now so that the roots can establish before the ground gets too cold. They can also be used in hanging baskets teamed up with ivy and grasses. Indoors, prepared hyacinths can be potted up now for winter colour and fragrance; what could be better than a natural home air freshener? Rake off any leaves from the lawn, and do this on a regular basis. Clear any leaves from borders, you can keep a few to help protect any perennials/bulbs during the winter months, but make sure to remove any deceased leaves as leaving them will cause problems in the spring. Don’t forget the birds, they will need food putting out now because as the colder air creeps in the bugs will be less available. Although feeding them throughout the year is advisable they will need extra fat such as fatsnax and suet treats, helping them keep their energy levels high to keep warm. Finally put in garlic now and harvest your pumpkins. Halloween is just around the corner so keep some for carving as well as eating. For further information please see our website www. meadowdale-nurseries.co.uk or why not visit us at our nurseries in Telford, where our staff will be happy to help you with any gardening questions you have.

OCTOBER 2016

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EDUCATION

SCHOOL REPORT It’s been a busy time for schools and colleges, with exam results and a new year starting. We catch up with all the education news from our county

n Straight A student Eli Richardson gets a congratulatory hug from deputy head Marie Jones; SHS pupils had plenty to smile about

Shrewsbury High School

he girls and staff at Shrewsbury High celebrated for two weeks running after receiving outstanding sets of examination results. The school, renowned for its examination performance, was overjoyed with both the GCSE and A level results, with headmaster Michael Getty commenting: “We are absolutely thrilled for the girls and their exceptional results. “With newspaper headlines suggesting GCSEs are now far more challenging, we are delighted to see our girls accessing top grades so routinely. Once again we are in the position where a significant proportion of the entire year group received a flawless spread of A*/A grades,

which is testimony to their hard work. “The number of girls securing straight A grades at A level is also incredible.” The high school was particularly proud of the girls’ ability to secure the high A level grades required to gain places at the most selective institutions with large numbers of girls heading to the likes of Cambridge, Durham and Bath universities. Whilst GCSE results were excellent across the board, it was stand-out results in Arts subjects and Languages that were a particular highlight. Mr Getty said: “The high school has always been renowned for the quality of its results in the Sciences so this year it is particularly gratifying to see how highly the girls have also performed in Arts and Language-based subjects. With 100%

A*/A in the likes of German, almost 90% A*/A in Latin and over 80% A*/A in Music and Drama it is wonderful to see the girls excelling across the full span of academic disciplines. “Languages in particular are so frequently neglected which makes this kind of performance all the more pleasing.” With top grades at A level being supposedly harder to achieve, the school was delighted as a string of girls gained straight A grades, and over 85% of grades achieved the top A*to C gradings. “I am particularly delighted with the diversity of career paths that the girls are now going off to pursue, which range from engineering to accountancy, from psychology to English Literature!” said Michael Getty.

Bridgnorth Endowed School At Bridgnorth Endowed School 70% of students achieved at least five GCSEs including English and Maths at grade C or better; this measure was used by the Government until last year and is familiar to parents. It demonstrates the improvements at the Endowed since last year, when both the town’s secondary schools produced results in the low 50%s. GCSE performance provides crucial information for parents approaching the choice of secondary school for their child, as it shows how the school has enabled students to make progress and achieve their best. The much-improved Ofsted report from four months ago is further proof of this. No other school locally can show such rapid improvement. When you look deeper into the Endowed’s results they look even

better. The Government is focusing now on the progress of all students. Taking English as an example, the national norm is about 70% of students making ‘expected progress’, however at BES nearly 90% of students did so, with 42% making ‘more than expected progress’. And yet the Endowed isn’t an exams factory. Students are developed to be well-rounded citizens of the future and are given a whole host of opportunities including volunteering in a partner school in Tanzania, representing the school in a range of sports that rivals the best around, accessing fairly priced music lessons, taking part in school shows, visits to Rome and the battlefields of France and Belgium. The school is confident it can provide answers to prospective parents’ questions that will make BES the top choice in town.

OCTOBER 2016

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OCTOBER 2016

EDUCATION

New College Telford New College Telford is celebrating another impressive set of A level results, with an overall 97% pass rate. There was a 100% pass rate in many subjects including Maths, Chemistry, Art, English, Film Studies, Media and History. Curriculum vice principal Jean Wright said: “We are very pleased with the results, which overall are an improvement on last year. It is fantastic to see so many of our students going on to their first choice universities.” William Beddow from Apley in Telford has secured a place at Cambridge to study Maths, after A*s in Maths and Further Maths, and an A in Physics. “I’m very pleased, but also relieved,” said William, who opted to come to New College Telford two years ago, instead of staying on at his school sixth form. “New College Telford has been excellent for me – I’ve really loved it. The teachers have been great, and if you are prepared to put the work in, you can do really well here.” Friends Thomas Billington, Vicki Cox and Amber Mansell – former Charlton School students – all received the grades they needed to go on to Southampton University. Thomas, from Hadley, got three As and one B to study Philosophy, Vicki, from Wellington, got two A*, one A and one B and will study Maths, and Amber, also from Wellington, will be doing Film Studies after she got two As and one B. Cerys Nash, who admitted having to overcome depression during her studies, was delighted with her two As in Maths and Further Maths, and a B in Fine Art. “It has been hard at times, but all the hard work has been worth it,” she said. Her friend Rebecca Powell, from Shawbirch, secured her place at Leeds University with one A and two Bs, in English Language, French and Psychology. She said: “New College teachers have been our life-savers. They are so understanding and supportive.” Another happy student was Megan McGuin from St Georges, who gained four straight A grades in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and English Literature. She now has a choice of universities, and is hoping to become a pharmacist. “I’ve really enjoyed it here. It’s a lot more adult environment than secondary school. We are given more responsibility, backed up with lots of support.”

n William Beddow, who has secured a place at Cambridge

OCTOBER OPEN EVENTS WE WILL HELP YOU MAKE YOUR CHOICE FOR 2016 Apply on-line or come and visit us on one of the following days: Shipley Campus Sat 10th October 10am-2pm Oswestry Campus Wed 21st October 5pm-8pm Walford Campus Sat 17th October 10am-2pm Aspire Centre, Thursday 22nd October 3.30pm-7pm Everyone is welcome!

01691 688080 WWW.NSC.AC.UK

Wolverhampton Girls’ High School SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING for September 2017 entry is being held on Monday 10th October 2016 6.45pm – 8.45pm

Come and Join our Success Story! Best school in the West Midlands 8th Best School in England

We welcome students new to the school in the sixth form. Please see the school website www.wghs.org.uk

OCTOBER 2016

Encouraging children to develop their talents

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Birchfield School Harriott’s Hayes Lane Wolverhampton WV7 3AF

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OCTOBER 2016

EDUCATION

Telford College of Arts and Technology Mature student Clair Drummond has said a big thank you to Telford College of Arts and Technology for helping her to graduate with a first class honours degree in Health and Social Care. The 33-year-old, from Malinslee, completed a two-year Foundation Degree at TCAT, before topping it up with a further year at the University of Wolverhampton. And she said she was grateful to TCAT for giving her a ‘great step on to the higher education ladder’, and supporting her with her dyslexia. Clair, a former student at Much Wenlock’s William Brookes School, is now working towards a master’s degree, and can register as an approved social worker. This means she can expect to earn up to £25,000 in her first year, rising to around £40,000 if she becomes a social work manager. It marks the start of an exciting new chapter for mother-of-three Clair, whose previous jobs range from co-ordinating training at fast food chain McDonald’s, to giving scuba diving tuition in Malta. It was when she started looking for jobs in

the care sector that she realised she needed to develop her CV and get a professional universitylevel qualification. She contacted TCAT after being recommended by a friend, and the college helped her to juggle her studies with the pressures of bringing up her young children – one of which was just eight weeks old when she enrolled. Student finance allowed her to save a deposit for a house, and covered around 85% of her childcare and nursery costs. Clair said: “It can be daunting, as you are studying in smaller environment. But these group sizes allow you to learn in a fantastic way – lessons are taught in a classroom, not a theatre!” Her TCAT tutor Stuart Taylor said: “She came to the Foundation Degree Health and Social Care with a level three NVQ. “Under normal circumstances, I would have advised her to study on the Access to Higher Education Diploma, which would have given her the necessary academic skills to study on the course. “However, during interview, Clair convinced me that she was a suitable candidate to start on

BEDSTONE www.bedstone.org

n Clair Drummond at TCAT the course, and from the beginning she displayed an ability to learn very quickly. “It is excellent to see that this progression continued when she studied on the third year of an Honours Degree at the University of Wolverhampton, and obtained a first class degree.” Clair’s story shows that you don’t need A levels to go to university – and you don’t need to spend all your time at university to get a degree!

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Bedstone College • Bucknell • Shropshire • SY7 0BG • 01547 530961 • admissions@bedstone.org • www.bedstone.org

OCTOBER 2016

EDUCATION

Prestfelde School, Shrewsbury

William Brookes School, Much Wenlock Students and staff at William Brookes in Much Wenlock are celebrating the school’s best GCSE results. 82% of students secured five or more A*-C grades with 73% including English and Maths. 23% of all entries were graded at A*-A with 52% at A*-B. 96% of students gained 5+A*-G including English and Maths. Geoff Renwick, head of William Brookes School, was full of praise for students and teachers alike: “Our students and our excellent teaching team thoroughly deserve this excellent set of GCSE grades for their hard work and commitment. As the only Coubertin school in Great Britain, it is lovely that we have performed at the same high level as Team GB this summer!” Chair of Governors Catherine Connery added: “We are extremely proud of our GCSE students’ well-deserved success and of our dedicated teachers. These superb results demonstrate a strong improvement in academic performance and place us firmly amongst the top of the county’s comprehensive schools.” Fifteen Year 11 students gained nine or more A/A* with Connor Bennett and Charlotte Casteleyn sweeping the board with 11 GCSEs at A*; Oliver Shires got 7A*, 3A and a B; Tom Nock and Evyn Woodhouse gained 5A*, 5A and a B; Hannah Broadley and Jade Bruce obtained 5A* and 4A grades in their results.

A Shropshire school is “revolutionising” its boarding house by making it more flexible for pupils and parents.  Prestfelde School in Shrewsbury has welcomed boarders since 1929, but changing times have seen the numbers of pupils living on site dwindle in recent years. Now the school is developing a fresh approach by making the boarding house an “extension of home” to encourage more children to benefit from the boarding experience.  Mike Haswell, head of boarding at Prestfelde, said: “Times are continually changing and we at Prestfelde are always reviewing the services we offer. With this in mind we have decided to make our boarding house more flexible for parents and pupils.  “Boarding has changed somewhat from the days of parents dropping off their children with their luggage on the first day of term and picking them up three months later.  “The whole attitude towards boarding, from parents, pupils and teachers alike, is very different nowadays – you could call it a revolution – and we have embraced the modern, flexible style of boarding without losing the key benefits that staying in such an inspiring place as Prestfelde can provide.

n Mike and Jo Haswell with their sons Kieran and Connor

Moreton Hall School, Weston Rhyn Moreton Hall in Shropshire has been named by The Times as the UK’s top performing non-selective school following outstanding A level and GCSE results. This impressive accolade follows hot on the heels of The Tatler Schools Guide, which pronounced ‘If you’re looking for girl power, you’ll find it at Moreton Hall’. Exceptional pastoral care, detailed knowledge of individual students and unlimited extra support and help are undoubtedly key factors in explaining the school’s remarkable success in public examinations. However, principal Jonathan Forster was quick to pay tribute to the quality of teaching and learning which has long been the hallmark of the school. “We have exceptional teachers and outstanding students, both of whom are prepared to go the extra mile,” he said. “Moreton is a very special place and its unique atmosphere and ethos allows us to stretch the most able and support the least confident. “Our aim is quite simple, to enable students to reach their potential. Whether that is achieving a place at Oxbridge, representing their country at lacrosse or utilising the skills honed in Moreton Enterprises to run their own company. “Our academic results are stellar, but that is only one aspect of the business of education. A Moreton education is for life!”

“These days families want to spend much more time with each other at weekends and in the evenings.  “Our parents still want the excellent teaching, wideranging opportunities and nurturing environment that the school provides, but they also want the flexibility to spend quality time with their children when they want to.”  Prestfelde is now offering a range of flexible boarding options. Weekly boarders can stay from Monday to Friday, regular boarders can opt to stay the same night or nights each week, and occasional boarders can drop in and out depending on their parents’ commitments or their own activities.  The environment is carefully managed by Mr Haswell, who lives in Prestfelde House with his wife Jo and their two boys, Kieran and Connor, creating a real family atmosphere.  Mr Haswell added: “We have made the boarding facilities an extension of our home, providing an atmosphere which stimulates independence, confidence and a sense of belonging. We are keen to promote traditional values and skills for life, so offer wraparound quality care with the flexibility to suit individual needs.”  For more information about Prestfelde telephone (01743) 245400 or email office@prestfelde.co.uk

OCTOBER 2016

w: ssfc.ac.uk

e: info@ssfc.ac.uk

t: 01743 235491

William Brookes School Much Wenlock

OPEN DAYS DISCOVER DISCOVER Wednesday, October 12, 7-9pm Friday, October 14, 9-12 noon

82% 5 A*-C grades and the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only Coubertin School A great place to be - come and see why Tel: 01952 728900 Head: Mr G Renwick admin@williambrookes.com

WREKIN COLLEGE WREKIN COLLEGE

OPEN DAYS

Wrekin College Open House Wednesday 28th September 9am - noon Sixth Form Experience Evening Thursday 29th September 6pm - 8.30pm

New, purpose-built Business School opening January 2017. Leading the way with added-value education. www.wrekincollege.com

Wrekin College, Wellington, Shropshire TF1 3BH co-educational 11 - 18 day and boarding

• Experience a full day in Sixth Form • Enjoy a wide choice of A level courses • Sample extra-curricular activities and leadership opportunities • Receive expert advice on choosing the right university and course • Learn about scholarships • Subject information evening from 6:00pm for parents

For more information and to book a place please email enquiries@oswestryschool.org.uk or telephone 01691 655711

OCTOBER 2016

LEISURE

Fright night

About Africa

at Blists Hill

breathtaking photography

spooks on the SVR

Ghost train

� 15 OCTOBER Austentatious. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

Information on these pages is provided in good faith but we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. Please phone the contact number to check on dates and times. Events online at www.virtual-shropshire.co.uk

OTIS GIBBS

Theatre on the Steps, Bridgnorth Regarded as gypsy jazz royalty, Paulus Schafer is known across the world as one of the most gifted guitarists of his generation. 8pm, £13/12, www. theatreonthesteps.co.uk

1 October

MY BIG FAT COWPAT WEDDING Meole Brace Peace Memorial Hall, Based on real people’s experiences of mixed marriages or rural weddings attended by city dwellers out of their comfort zone, this is a fast moving comedy drama. For ages 12+. An Arts Alive presentation. 7.30pm, £10/6, 01743 235384.

1 October

CADENCE, AND WAIFS AND STAVES All Saints Church, Broseley Cadence is a small group of mixed harmony singers while Waifs and Staves is a chamber group that plays a variety of music from classical to light and popular. 7.30pm, £7.

1 October

FUNDRAISING COFFEE MORNING Whole Life Centre, Cabin Lane, Oswestry

Bridgnorth Library Meet your local policing team between 2.30-3.30pm. Free drop-in session.

4 October

MUM’S THE WORD 2 Oakengates Theatre @ The Place, Telford Brand new production with a starstudded cast taking the audience on the hilarious and emotional journey that is motherhood. 7.30pm, £24, www.theplacetelford.com

4 October

POETRY SESSION

ARCHAEOLOGY SEMINAR

1 October

THE PAULUS SCHAFER TRIO

PACT POLICE SURGERY

4 October

October

1 October

4 October

Bridgnorth Library Free drop-in session on the first Tuesday of every month. Take a favourite poem to read aloud or just go along to listen. 10am-11am.

Events Birchmeadow Centre, Broseley The American alt-country singersongwriter returns to Broseley with his strong and meaningful songs. Tickets £12 on the door or £10 in advance from www.birchmeadow.org.uk/live-music

was brought down by Geoffrey Howe, her one-time friend and political soul mate. Starring impressionist Steve Nallon (Spitting Image) as Mrs Thatcher. 7.30pm, Wed and Sat 2.30pm, from £18, www.theatresevern.co.uk

In aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and Lingen Davies Cancer Centre, from 10am until noon.

or at their Wellington market stall, Saturdays 9am-12 noon.

1 October

TODDLE WADDLE

THE REAL THING Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Britain’s top soul band celebrates 40 years in the business. 7.30pm, from £21, www.theatresevern.co.uk

1 October

SOUL PARTY NIGHT The Place @ Oakengates Theatre, Telford Sensational vocals, glamour, outstanding costumes, and a wide range of great Soul and Motown classics – the recipe to get any party started. With a top soul DJ and support from local Lisa Stephens. 18+, dance-style event, 7pm, £12, www. theplacetelford.com

1 October

SHREWSBURY CANTATA CHOIR United Reform Church, English Bridge The choir hosts Voix Amis from France for a joint concert of music from the Renaissance to Romantic. 7.30pm, £7, under 18s free, on the door.

1-29 October

THE CLIFTON FILM FESTIVAL Belmont Hall, Wellington Features Eye in the Sky (1st), Eddie the Eagle (8th), Spotlight (15th), Bridge of Spies (22nd) and Florence Foster Jenkins (29th). 7.30pm, £5 on the door, from www.theclifton.org

2 October Bridgnorth Hospital A half-mile sponsored walk for little ones from the hospital to the Castle Grounds, to raise money and awareness of meningitis in memory of toddler Fleur-Rose. 11am-12 noon. Search Bridgnorth Toddle Waddle on Facebook.

2 October

CARMEN Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury The Russian State Opera return with Bizet’s colourful and exciting story of high passion and tragedy. 7.30pm, from £29, www.theatresevern.co.uk

2 October

BRIDGNORTH JAZZ Black Boy Inn, Bridgnorth With trumpeter Jamie Brownfield and Paul Sawtell on piano. 12.30pm.

3-6 October

FRANKENSTEIN

Museum of The Gorge, Ironbridge Talk by Sam Paul, ‘Mapping the use and value of archaeological archives in museums’, part of a series of free archaeology-related seminars for members of the public with an interest in archaeology. 6pm, call 01952 435 946 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk

4, 11, 18, 25 October

TILE DECORATING WORKSHOPS Jackfield Tile Museum, near Ironbridge Join a drop-in tile decorating workshop between 10am and 3.30pm and try the tube lining technique to produce your own ceramic masterpiece. Museum admission fees apply. www.ironbridge.org.uk

4-8 October

THE SOUND OF MUSIC Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton Wonderful lavish new staging tells the true story of the singing family who escape to freedom from the Nazis. With Lucy O’Byrne, runner-up on The Voice, as Maria. 7.30pm, Wed, Thurs and Sat matinees at 2.30pm, from £22.50. www.grandtheatre. co.uk

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury A new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Gothic horror masterpiece fusing ensemble storytelling, puppetry, live music and stunning theatrics. 7.30pm, Wed and Thurs 2.30pm, from £15.50, www.theatresevern.co.uk

5 October

3-8 October

HEARING AID CLINIC

DEAD SHEEP Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury The true story of how Mrs Thatcher

ORGAN RECITAL St Mary’s Church, Alveley Free afternoon recital by highly respected organist Bernard Salter at 2.30pm followed by tea and biscuits.

5 October Oswestry Library Clinic run by volunteers, 10am-12pm. Free drop-in event.

OCTOBER 2016

LEISURE

Information on these pages is provided in good faith but we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. Please phone the contact number to check on dates and times

5 October

THE UNIQUE KOMEDY UKELELE ORCHESTRA Oakengates Theatre @ The Place, Telford A unique evening of comedy and music, from Mozart to Monty Python, Bach to The Beatles. 7.30pm, £20, www.theplacetelford.com

6 October

OSWESTRY HERITAGE COMICS Oswestry Library Talk by local archaeologist and illustrator John Swogger as part of the learning at lunchtime series of talks. 12.30-1.30pm, £2.50, book at the library.

6 October

SNOW WHITE The Place @ Oakengates Theatre, Telford Join Vienna Festival Ballet on a magical journey with their unmissable production of Snow White. World premiere choreography propels this timeless fairytale and answers the question; who is the fairest one of all? 7pm, £19.50/17.50/12, www. theplacetelford.com

7 October

SHREWSBURY FARMERS’ MARKET The Square Farmers’ market held on the first Friday of the month, 9am-4pm.

7 October

MP SURGERY 54 Broad Street, Ludlow Advice surgery with Philip Dunne MP, 4.30-6pm. To make an appointment telephone the constituency office on 01584 872187.

7 October

DAVID FRANCIS – Q&A AND CONCERT Hermon Chapel Arts Centre, Oswestry New York singer/songwriter and now film maker David Francis shows and talks about his first film A Village Folksinger. This is one of the first screenings of the film in Europe. 7.30pm, tickets from www. hermonchapel.com or 01691 662196.

7, 14, 21, 28 October

CHILDREN’S STORYTIME Wenlock Books, Much Wenlock Storytime for babies up to preschools, every Friday from 11am until noon, £2.50 per family.

7 October

TOYAH: ACOUSTIC, UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Enginuity, Coalbrookdale A wonderful chance to experience the 80’s pop superstar in an intimate setting where music and stories take centre stage. 8pm, £20, www. ironbridge.org.uk

7 October

AN EVENING WITH SALLY BARKER

Events online at www.virtual-shropshire.co.uk

The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock A singer/songwriter whose back catalogue encompasses folk, jazz, blues and soul, she reduced Sir Tom Jones to tears as he mentored her to the final of The Voice in 2014. 8pm, £15, www.edgeartscentre.com

� 14 OCTOBER About Africa by Harry Hook. Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury 7 October

8 October

ALL STAR SUPERSLAM WRESTLING

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

The Place @ Oakengates Theatre, Telford Come and see the larger-than-life characters from all corners of the world do battle inside the ring with heavyweight collisions and jaw-dropping high-flying action. 7.30pm, £15/10, family £45, www. theplacetelford.com

Alveley Village Hall Box Tale Soup present their new family adaptation, performed by just two actors and a cast of puppets. An Arts Alive event. 7.30pm, adult £10, children £5, family £25. 01746 780478.

7-8 October

Hermon Chapel Arts Centre, Oswestry Two of Britain’s most celebrated virtuoso reed players join forces to promise the ultimate jazz night. 8pm, £12. Book at www.hermonchapel. com

ROXY MAGIC Theatre on the Steps, Bridgnorth The best and longest-running tribute to Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music. Two very different concerts, featuring everything from the art rock of the 70s to Ferry’s current sold-out tour. 8pm, £12, £14 on the door. www. theatreonthesteps.co.uk

8 October

MUCH WENLOCK FOOD MARKET Corn Exchange, the Buttermarket, the Square Selling a range of locally produced and delicious products. Contact Much Wenlock Town Council on 01952 727509.

8 October

MADE IN SHROPSHIRE The Square, Shrewsbury Market featuring arts, crafts and artisan produce, 9.30am-5pm.

8 October

MAMMOTH WEEKEND Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms Celebrating the discovery 30 years ago of the mammoth at the centre. Expert talks and mammoth facts. 10am-5pm.

8 October

BRIDGNORTH MVC AUTUMN CONCERT Bridgnorth Male Voice Choir is joined by Kidderminster Valentines for a concert at Castle Hall. Tickets £7, in advance from 01746 710244 or on the door.

8 October

GILAD ATZMON AND ALAN BARNES LCD

8 October

PANT AUTUMN BAZAAR Pant Memorial Hall, near Oswestry. From 2-5pm visit stalls from local organisations and businesses. Funds raised will go towards the hall.

8 October

DANE BAPTISTE: REASONABLE DOUBTS Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Dane Baptiste is already being hailed as one of the most exciting comic talents to break in years. 8pm, £13, www.theatresevern.co.uk

8, 29 October

WORKING FROM THE LIFE MODEL Qube, Oswald Road, Oswestry Untutored life drawing class is an opportunity for artists of all abilities to work directly from the life model. 10am-12pm, £5. Booking essential on 01691 656882.

9 October

ROTARY CLUB’S UP THE STEPS WALK Bridgnorth Town Hall Bridgnorth Rotary Club holds its fourth steps walk, taking in over 800 steps between High and Low Town. Sponsored walk for Rotary good causes, £10 entry fee. www.rotary-ribi. org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=1242

OCTOBER 2016

LEISURE

Rich Hall’s critically acclaimed grouchy, deadpan style has established him as a master of absurdist irony and the king of rapidfire wit. Parental guidance 14+, 8pm, £16, www.theplacetelford.com

15 October

13 October

15 October

COMEDY NIGHT Dawley Town Hall, Telford Join Sean Percival, Stephen Dodd, Nipper Thomas & MC Ryan Gough for an evening of belly-laughs. Strictly 18+, 8pm, £8.50, www. theplacetelford.com

13 October

AN AUTHOR’S LIFE Oswestry Library Join author and poet Margaret Holbrook to hear all about the writing process, getting those ideas and inspiration, and submitting and getting published. 12.30-1pm. £2.50, book with library staff.

14 October

KNIT, CRAFT AND NATTER 9 October

TALKING ANTIQUES WITH JUDITH MILLER Booka bookshop, Oswestry An afternoon of insight with leading antiques expert Judith Miller, author of more than 100 books on collecting, antiques and design. Doors open 3.30pm, tickets £5 from www. bookabookshop.co.uk

9 October

VINTAGE PLOUGHING MATCH Spoonley Gate Farm, Rudge, Pattingham 21st annual Morville Heath Ploughing Match, in aid of the Air Ambulance. 10am.

9 October

MONSTERSAURUS The Place @ Oakengates Theatre, Telford This brand new show from the creators of Aliens Love Underpants is monsterously good! Suitable for ages three and above. 2pm, £10, family £36, www.theplacetelford.com

10 October

BOOKSTART RHYME TIME Bridgnorth Library Free session for children aged up to five, their parent and careers. 10.3011am.

10 October

RHYMETIME Oswestry Library Rhymes and songs followed by tea and talk for young mums as part of World Mental Health Day activities. 2pm– 2.30pm. Free drop-in event.

12-16 October

GANGSTA GRANNY Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury From the acclaimed producers of Horrible Histories comes the world premiere of this amazing story by David Walliams. Various times, from £13.50, www.theatresevern.co.uk

13 October

RICH HALL The Place @ Oakengates Theatre, Telford

Bridgnorth library Do you knit, sew or do any other portable handcraft? Bring along what you do for two hours of knit, craft and chatter. Meet others and gain inspiration through the stock of craft books and free access to the internet. All welcome, no pre-booking required. 10am-12 noon.

14 October

RSC: KING LEAR The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock Cinema screening broadcast from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, starring Anthony Sher as King Lear. 7pm, £11/10, www.edgeartscentre.com

14 October

SHETLAND TEA AND MURDER MYSTERY WITH ANN CLEEVES The Memorial Hall, Oswestry Join award-winning crime writer Ann Cleeves as she talks about her latest Shetland novel, Cold Earth. Doors open 1.30pm. Tickets £10 from www. bookabookshop.co.uk

14 October

ABOUT AFRICA BY HARRY HOOK Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Respected photographer Harry Hook presents breathtaking images of Africa, where he grew up and which he has been photographing for over 40 years. Each picture holds a fascinating story. 7.30pm, £18.50, www.theatresevern.co.uk

14-15 October

ROMEO AND JULIET Theatre on the Steps, Bridgnorth Traffic of the Stage touring production of Shakespeare’s timeless tale of star-crossed lovers. 7.30pm, £12/10, special matinee for schools on Friday. www.theatreonthesteps.co.uk

14-16 October

SHROPSHIRE RAINBOW FILM FESTIVAL Old Market Hall Cinema and The Hive, Shrewsbury The county’s LGBT film festival, now in its 11th year. For details go to www.rainbowfilmfestival.org.uk

APPLE DAY Bailey Street, Oswestry Celebration of the mighty apple with local apple experts from Cambrian Orchard.

ELLESMERE CRAFT MARKET Market Hall, Ellesmere This popular craft market takes place between 10am and 5pm, admission free.

BILLINGHAMS MOT&TYRE CENTRE TYRES

at competitive prices

15 October

CRAFTERNOON Oswestry Library Bring along your current project, share ideas and inspiration. 2-4pm. Free drop-in event.

15 October

SERIOUSLY DEAD Oakengates Theatre @ The Place, Telford Brand new play with a star studded cast including Crissy Rock from Benidorm, and Frazer Hines of Doctor Who and Emmerdale. Seriously Dead brings together the lives of Albert, Betty, Billy and the local undertaker Tristan de Winter as they become inextricably linked towards a path that is leading to the pearly gates and a disgruntled guardian angel named Thelma. 7.30pm, £21, www.theplacetelford.com

Call Bilko on

01746

762600 MOTORCYCLES, CARS, VANS (up to 3500kg) SERVICING, STEERING BRAKES, EXHAUSTS

15 October

SEANN WALSH: ONE FOR THE ROAD The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock One of the most entertaining observational comics on the circuit, a regular on TV. 8pm, £14, www. edgeartscentre.com

15 October

AUSTENTATIOUS Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Join an all-star cast as they improvise a brand new Jane Austen work before your very eyes, based on a single audience suggestion. Performed in period costume with live musical accompaniment, this is a Regency treat. 7.30pm, £13.50, www. theatresevern.co.uk

OPENING TIMES Mon-Fri 8am-5:30pm Saturday 8am-12noon FREE Wi-Fi

available while you wait

Unit 2C Building 11 Stanmore Ind. Est. Bridgnorth WV15 5HR

15-16, 22-30 October

SPOOKLEY PUMPKIN FESTIVAL Apley Farm Shop, Norton Ride the Pumpkin Express, listen to a story, pick and carve a pumpkin to take home. All day. www.apleyfarmshop.co.uk

16 October

ORCHARD DAY Dudmaston Estate, Alveley Celebrate the apple harvest with Shrewsbury Morris, apple pressing and more. From 11.30am, normal admission applies with additional charge for crafts, www.nationaltrust.org.uk

16 October

BRIDGNORTH JAZZ Black Boy Inn, Bridgnorth With Sarah Smith on violin, Andy McKenzie on guitar and Greg Robley on bass. 12.30pm start.

16 October

THE WHITNEY HOUSTON STORY Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton Tribute to one of the world’s most

Organiser: Joanne Battams

PROCEEDS TO BE SPLIT BETWEEN Macmillan Cancer Support and Shrewsbury Hospital’s Lingen Davies Cancer Centre

SAT. 1ST OCTOBER 10am till 12pm Whole LIfe Centre, Cabin Lane, Oswestry.

OCTOBER 2016

LEISURE

n 29 OCTOBER Ghostly Gaslight. Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge

revered singers, with a full band and dancers. Including 20 of her most popular tracks. 7.30pm, from £21, www.grandtheatre.co.uk

16 October

GRIMETHORPE COLLIERY BAND The Place @ Oakengates Theatre, Telford Stars of the hit movie Brassed Off, Grimethorpe Colliery Band present a new programme of popular material. 3pm, £22/6, www.theplacetelford.com

17 October

BRIDGNORTH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY LECTURE SERIES Castle Hall, Bridgnorth Anthony Daniels will speak on ‘fraudulent election in Bridgnorth’. Visitors welcome, 7.30pm, £3.

17 October

CHRIS PACKHAM: TADPOLES NOT INCLUDED Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton The naturalist presents an evening of zoological riches, humorous anecdotes and thought-provoking questions about the creatures we say we love – and some we don’t. 7.30pm, from £19.25, www.grandtheatre.co.uk

17 October

LIVE OPERA: COSI FAN TUTTE Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock Mozart’s opera, live from the Royal Opera House, performed by a cast of rising stars. 6.30pm, £11/10.

18 October

LIVING WITH LUKE Oakengates Theatre @ The Place, Telford This critically acclaimed play shows the daily struggle that affects those living with autism. Set entirely in a wrestling ring, it is touring nationally for the first time. Suitable for ages 14+, contains strong language. 7.30pm, £15/10, www. theplacetelford.com

18 October

OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Theatre goers are invited to spend a fascinating evening under water, without getting their feet wet! Returning to Shropshire as part of its world tour, the programme showcases the best undersea footage from around the world. 7.30pm, £14/12, www.theatresevern.co.uk

18-22 October

A TALE OF TWO CITIES Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton Interweaving one family’s intensely personal drama with the terror and chaos of the French Revolution, Dickens’ epic story of love, sacrifice and redemption. 7.30pm, Wed and Sat 2.30pm, from £12, www.grandtheatre.co.uk

19 October

LITERARY LUNCH WITH VICTORIA HISLOP The Wynnstay Hotel, Oswestry Meet the bestselling author of The Island, The Thread and The Return as she talks about her new novel Cartes Postales from Greece. Doors open 12.30pm. Tickets £30, including buffet lunch and signed hardback, from www.bookabookshop.co.uk

19-22 October

THE HOLLOW Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Mad Cow Productions present Agatha Christie’s classic English country house mystery. 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm, from £14.50, www.theatresevern.co.uk

20 October

BRIDGNORTH AND DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB: AUDIO VISUAL SHOW Low Town Community Hall, Bridgnorth The club meets every Thursday; this month’s guest speaker is John Holt with ‘audio visual show’. All welcome, 7.30pm.

20 October

BRIDGNORTH WI Baptist Church, Bridgnorth Talk by Malcolm and Val Whittall on ‘how to become a cartoonist’. 7.30pm.

20 October

SHIFNAL BEER FESTIVAL War Memorial Club, Shifnal Organised by Telford CAMRA, with more than 20 real ales plus cider and perry. Free entry, families welcome, Thursday 5-11pm, Friday and Saturday 12-11pm.

20 October

THE SENSATIONAL 60S EXPERIENCE Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury A sell-out at the theatre for the last three years, this explosive 60s show returns with five of the most influential artistes of the decade – Hermans Hermits, The Swinging Blue Jeans, The Fortunes, The Ivy League, plus Chris Farlowe and New Amen Corner. 7.30pm, from £25, www.theatresevern.co.uk

class music, slick choreography and an amazing band, this features songs from legendary artistes. 7.30pm, £23, www.theatresevern.co.uk

22 October

AUTUMN CRAFT FAIR Willow Gallery, Oswestry 10am to 5pm. Showcasing locally made craft from a range of makers. www.willowgalleryoswestry.org

22 October

BEYOND THE BARRICADE Oakengates Theatre @ The Place, Telford Recreating original West End and Broadway musical hit songs with amazing authenticity, this cast of past principle performers from Les Miserables present a blockbusting two-hour show, now established as the nation’s favourite musical theatre concert. £23, www.theplacetelford.com

22 October

PAUL DRAKELEY ALL-STAR ORCHESTRA Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock A salute to the crooners and bands of yesteryear from a talented group of musicians who are constantly in demand to back international stars or play the cruise ships. 8pm, £12, www. edgeartscentre.com

22 October

SONS OF PITCHES Ellesmere College Concert by the winners of BBC’s The Naked Choir with Gareth Malone, supported by Oswestry’s Libby Gliksman, in aid of Shropshire Rural Communities Charity. 7.30pm, £20 from 01743 360641.

21 October

22-23 October

LEE MEAD

SHREWSBURY FLEA MARKET

The Place @ Oakengates Theatre, Telford On tour to promote his new album Some Enchanted Evening, with songs from the MGM films and musical theatre of the 40s and 50s. 7.30pm, £22.50, www.theplacetelford.com

West Midlands Showground, Shrewsbury Antiques, vintage, retro, salvage and collectables. 8.30am-4.30pm. £2.50, over 65s £1.50, under 14s free.

21 October

Engine House, Highley An early chance to get your Christmas goods. £6/5/3.50, family £16.50. www. svr.co.uk

MOTOWN’S GREATEST HITS Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Completely live and combining first

22-23 October

CHRISTMAS GIFT FAYRE

22-30 October

HALLOWEEN TRAIL Severn Valley Country Park, Alveley Solve the creepy clues to win a prize. 11am-3pm, trail map £2. On 26 October, the park hosts two-hour Spooky Creatures sessions at 10am and 1.30pm, including pushchairfriendly walk, batty games, and potion making. Child £3.50, booking essential on 01746 781192. On 28 October there’s a lantern walk at 4.30pm, £5, booking essential on same number.

22-30 October

MAKE PNEUMATIC MONSTERS Enginuity, Ironbridge Use your imagination to design and make a scary Halloween monster from craft materials then see how quickly you can make it move using compressed air. Drop-in workshops run from 10.30am-3.45pm, some additional costs apply. www.ironbridge.org.uk

22-31 October

HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR Park Hall Countryside Experience, Oswestry Spooktacular happenings down on the farm with wacky games, pumpkin carving and fright time in the haunted house.

22, 24-29 October

SPOOKY TILE DECORATING WORKSHOPS Jackfield Tile Museum, near Ironbridge Join a Halloween themed drop-in tile decorating workshop and try the tube lining technique to produce a tile featuring your own spooky design and choice of colours. Museum admission charges apply, www.ironbridge.org.uk

22-30 October

VICTORIAN HALLOWEEN Blists Hill Victorian Town, near Ironbridge See how the Victorians prepared for Halloween and the traditions and efforts they went to ward off ghosts and ghouls from entering their homes, shops and streets. Museum admission charges apply, www.ironbridge.org.uk

OCTOBER 2016

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OCTOBER 2016

LEISURE

The British Ironwork Centre, near Oswestry A sports, performance, retro and classic car meet from 8.30am-11.30am. Offering bacon or sausage baps, tea, coffee and a vast array of cars.

Hammerstein’s Cinderella follows the classic fairy-tale of the orphan girl as she deals with her hateful stepmother and stepsisters, whilst all the time dreaming of simply going to the Prince’s Ball. 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm, from £12, www.theplacetelford.com

24 October

27 October

MIDLANDS BREAKFAST CLUB

FUNGI FORAY Severn Valley Country Park, Alveley Join the rangers and Jo Weightman of Herefordshire Fungus Survey Group for this guided walk. 10am-noon, 1.303.30pm. Places limited, to book call 01746 781192. Adults £4.50, child £3, payable in advance. 01746 781192.

UKELELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury The world renowed all-singing, all-plucking superstars return with their toe-tapping music and hilarious banter. 7.30pm, from £24, www. theatresevern.co.uk

24-28 October

27 October

HALLOWEEN CERAMIC WORKSHOPS

BIGGING UP THE BARD

Coalport China Museum, near Ironbridge Paint a biscuit fired ceramic money box or create a creepy creature from air-dry clay, maybe a bat, spider or rat! Sessions 11am-4pm. Museum admission charges apply, www.ironbridge.org.uk

25 October

MARK RADCLIFFE: SHOULD YOU BE INTERESTED Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Radio and TV presenter, musician, writer and friend of the stars, Mark Radcliffe has been making a little go a long way for several decades now. This show is no exception. Expect songs and stories of middle-aged angst along with tales of ineptitude. 8pm, £16, www.theatresevern.co.uk

25 October

PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING Castle Hall, Bridgnorth Annual public screening evening organised by Bridgnorth Lions. From 6pm. www.bridgnorthlions.org.uk

26 October

FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury The Royal British Legion in Shropshire invites one and all to this annual Festival of Remembrance. Hosted by Eric Smith (BBC Radio Shropshire), highlights include performances by the Shrewsbury Brass Band, Shrewsbury Male Voice Choir, a dramatic reading from the ‘Gunners’, a local WWI memoir, and an introduction to the role of the Cadets in the county. The evening concludes with the formal Service of Remembrance. All proceeds to the Poppy Appeal. 7.30pm, £10, www.theatresevern.co.uk

26-27 October

THE GHOST WALK Bridgnorth Guides from Theatre on the Steps lead you through the avenues and alleyways of Bridgnorth, finding ghosts to tell you how they met their grisly ends. Starting from the town hall at 7pm, early booking essential. Adults £10, children £5. www.theatreonthesteps.co.uk

26-29 October

CINDERELLA THE MUSICAL The Place @ Oakengates Theatre, Telford Join the award-winning TADLOP as they bring the magic to life. Originally written for television and starring Julie Andrews, Rodgers and

n 27-29 OCTOBER SVR Ghost Trains Severn Valley Railway, Bridgnorth

23 October

Oswestry Library Bard’s Best Bits ... of Romeo and Juliet with OddSocks Theatre Company. Fun for all the family from aged seven. 10.30am12pm. Free but book your place.

27-29 October

SVR GHOST TRAINS Severn Valley Railway, Bridgnorth Brave an exhilarating night-time ride from Kidderminster to Arley. Dress up in your scariest outfits, get a ghoulish goody bag and see the stations transformed into a variety of ghostly scenes. Booking essential, £10, www.svr.co.uk

28 October

PHILLIP HENRY AND HANNAH MARTIN Willow Gallery, Oswestry Winners of the Best Duo title at the Radio 2 Folk Awards, singer/songwriter Hannah is a skilled fiddler, viola and banjo player while Philip is one of the UK’s finest slide guitarists. 8pm, £12, booking at www.willowgalleryoswestry.org

28 October

NIGEL MAZLYN JONES WITH DAVE REEVES Hermon Chapel Arts Centre, Oswestry Well known on the UK festival scene, guitarist Nigel Mazlyn Jones has often toured UK and European major venues supporting well-known bands like Barclay James Harvest, Renaissance and Bob Geldof. 8pm, £7 from www.hermonchapel.com

Dr Seuss, where we revisit beloved characters including The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Amazing Mayzie and JoJo. Perfect for all the family. Fri 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm, £14, www.theatresevern.co.uk

29 October

TABLE TOP SALE Eardington Village Hall, near Bridgnorth Everyone is welcome to this annual fundraising event, between 10am2pm, in aid of hall renovations.

29 October

with ghosts, ghouls and monsters. 6-9pm, £9.95, £6.75 children, £31 family. www.ironbridge.org.uk

29 October

SOUNDBOARD IN CONCERT St Mary’s Church, Alveley Multi-talented trio combining lyrical pop, blues, African, Celtic, jazz and classical influences. 7.30pm, £7.50, 01746 780478.

30 October

BRIDGNORTH 10K

Bailey Head, Oswestry Scary goings-on in the market place. Free family fun including face painting, competitions and scary traders.

Town Hall, Bridgnorth Undulating road route starting and finishing at the town hall. Organised by Bridgnorth Running Club. 11am, £16/14, www.bridgnorthrunningclub. weebly.com

29 October

30 October

HALLOWEEN AT WENLOCK EDGE

MUDSTACLE OBSTACLE CHALLENGE

HALLOWEEN MARKET

Bailey Head & Bailey Street, Oswestry Monthly artisan market selling local produce including pies, pastries, meat, fish, cheese, cakes and crafts. 9am-3pm.

Presthope car park 3-5pm. Fun for children who are encouraged to go in fancy dress and will make their own bat. Go for a walk in search of a witch who’ll tell spooky tales. 3-5pm, £2 per child plus 50p for the bat. 01694 725000.

28 October

29 October

30 October

ALL HALLOW’S EVE WALK

CAPABILITY BROWN AUTUMN WALK

28 October

OSWESTRY ARTISAN MARKET

WINNIE THE WITCH BIRTHDAY STORYTIME Oswestry Library Celebrate the birthday of the iconic witch with stories from 2-3pm. Free but book your place with library staff.

28-29 October

BEE GEES FEVER Theatre on the Steps, Bridgnorth Tribute band performing all the soulful ballads to the high-energy disco classics of the Bee Gees. 8pm, £10, www.theatreonthesteps.co.uk

28-29 October

SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Seussical takes us into the world of

Wenlock Edge car park, Much Wenlock Wander through the wild Wenlock woods and watch out for bats, witches and ghouls. May not be suitable for under 10s. 7-9pm. Booking essential on 01694 725000. £5.

29 October

GHOSTLY GASLIGHT Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge Blists Hill Victorian Town’s annual Halloween fright night takes on a new dimension this year with the arrival of cult characters from the Ghostbusters movies. The town’s Ghostly Gaslight evening will see the streets, shops and houses transformed into eerie places filled

Weston Park near Shifnal Kick Ass Endurance challenge you to shifting terrain and lots of obstacles within a 10km course. £49 on the day, cheaper in advance, registration opens at 8.45am, www. kickassendurance.co.uk

Weston Park, near Shifnal To celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of Capability Brown, head gardener Martin Gee shows off the landscape in all its autumnal glory. 10.30am, £6/5/3 payable on the day. www.weston-park.com

30 October

ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Theatre Severn, Shrewbury Autumn concert featuring violin soloist Carolin Widmann. Pieces from Rossini, Mendelssohn and Sibelius. 7.30pm, from £32.50, www. theatresevern.co.uk

OCTOBER 2016 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

PROTECTION OF ‘HERITAGE ASSETS’

e may not all have an old master hanging on the wall but protecting the family’s antiques and art from inheritance tax should be a key part of estate planning. Tom Devey, a Partner with Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler, leads a team which specialises in the protection of ‘heritage assets’. The recent death of the billionaire landowner, the 6th Duke of Westminster, has thrown a spotlight on how astute estate planning can protect your nearest and dearest from a large inheritance bill. But the Duke’s son, 25-year-old Hugh Grosvenor, is unlikely to be worrying about a large tax demand on the reported £9 billion estate, thanks to a series of trusts designed to protect the family wealth. Tom says: “When it comes down to inheritance tax planning, people can often focus on issues such as property and

land when they may have a piece of art hanging on a wall or a vase on a table that could be worth a great deal of money. “When someone dies, inheritance tax is payable at 40 per cent on all assets over and above an individual’s nil rate band of £325,000. With rising house prices over the years, many people are already in excess of that level and adding in a valuable painting or ornament could increase the tax bill payable when you die. “There are ways you can stop this happening. You can gift fine art and antiques to successors during your lifetime. As long as you live for seven years from the date of the gift and there has been no ‘reservation of benefit’ then the item will not attract inheritance tax. “However, if you’ve gifted the item to someone but practically retained it for the use or enjoyment of it, you would be liable to pay inheritance tax. “We often work with clients to draw up an arrangement where a donor can

gift artwork or antiques and arrange to lease back the item while they are alive at around one per cent of its open market value.” If you’d like to know more you can contact Tom on 01743 284157 or by email at t.devey@fbcmb.co.uk Tom is a Partner in FBC Manby Bowdler’s award-winning Agriculture and Rural Services department, the top ranked agricultural legal team in Shropshire. He heads a specialist heritage assets team and also advises on all issues relating to property and businesses including land sales and acquisitions.

Tom Devey, a Partner in the Agricultural & Rural Services team at FBC Manby Bowdler

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OCTOBER 2016

WOMAN

The season has changed and so has our wardrobe content – keep covered up this autumn/winter with these beautiful high street buys

This look is perfect for shopping trips, keeping warm yet looking stylish. M&Co Plus range, jumper £22, coat £65, jeans £20, boots £39.50.

above: An essential wardrobe item for A/W, a light sparkly jumper, Primark, £10. below: The injection of the ruffle keeps this cover up bang on trend, Next, £30.

above: The lace trim adds a really feminine look to this jumper, from F&F at Tesco, £20.

below: Wraps always look classy and chic, especially when teamed with a hat. This cashmere button wrap is from Phase Eight for £69.

above: This print cardigan is ideal for a day time look, team with a plain white tee and black jeans. From Matalan, £35.

Love this River Island jacket, practical and stylish, £85.

OCTOBER 2016

Part of the Rotherwood Group

a new standard in healthcare

Part of the Rotherwood Group of Group Part of the the Rotherwood Rotherwood Group newPart standard in healthcare

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If you’d like to arrange a viewing or just need some advice - we’re here to help:

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admin.stgeorges@rotherwood-group.co.uk admin.stgeorges@rotherwood-group.co.uk D I S C O V E R M O R E A B O U T O U R H O M E S A N D VA L U E S :

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OCTOBER 2016

HEALTH

Living with a long-term condition More and more people are living long, happy lives while at the same time managing long-term medical conditions (LTCs). Derek Plimmer, aged 72, from Trench in Telford was first diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes aged 28. Since then he has raised a family and defeated cancer. And increasingly he manages the condition himself. When he was first diagnosed he was admitted to hospital for 10 days; when he left his lifestyle changed, and he would regularly make hospital visits which lasted all day. Now he sees a specialist every 15 months, has become an ‘expert patient’ with extensive knowledge of n Derek Plimmer is an ‘expert patient’ his condition, and has access to a diabetes nurse when needed. He played badminton regularly and sits on the management committee of Telford’s Senior Citizens Forum. Even eating a healthy diet – so vital to someone with diabetes – is less of a challenge. Derek says: “It’s much easier these days, because the food is labelled so well, especially in terms of carbohydrates, which are important and I need to know about.” Before his diagnosis, Derek had been experiencing butterflies in his stomach, and other people noticed he had slowed down a little and was a bit lethargic. An appointment with his doctor and blood tests confirmed diabetes, with the doctor telling him that the butterfly sensation was actually his stomach eating his own body fat. His GP was surprised by the diagnosis because of his age and he was admitted straight to hospital to help avoid getting a cold or the flu. “It was a big shock to everyone,” says Derek. “It wasn’t a condition that was in the family and I was young and fit. I had to spend 10 days in the hospital and when I came out, I went straight to work and had to adapt to a totally new routine.” Before his diabetes was identified, Derek played badminton, and he kept that up. Derek says he always felt it was important to take the initiative in terms of controlling his lifestyle and the diabetes and took it upon himself to find out as much as possible. “I manage my own stats, keeping a daily record in my book – which the clinical team find really helpful.” Dr Jo Leahy, chair of Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Type 1 diabetes, like many LTCs, is a serious medical condition which can’t be cured but can be managed very successfully, largely in the community. Cases like Mr Plimmer’s are proof that having an LTC need not be a bar to having a very active life. Changes in treatment and monitoring are making this more possible and we want to see more services move into the community. This will allow our hospitals to concentrate on essential services to the patients who most need to be there.”

Get the feel good factor back From Brexit to getting back to the school run and coping with an ever-increasing workload – there are times when the stresses and strains of life can seem too much. Monica Black from London’s Belsize Health Clinic has created a Little Book of Helpfulness which offers quick, easy and simple techniques to help reduce anxiety, stress and fears. Here is one of Monica’s top tips to get that feel good factor: lStand up, put your shoulders back lStand tall and feel as though a piece of string is pulling up your spine and head lPull in your tummy and close your eyes

lBreath from your tummy (diaphragm) regularly, evenly, slowly lSee standing in front of you, a happy, confident, secure you. Now see, feel and sense that YOU lWhen you are ready walk in to THAT YOU. Feel and sense all those positive, good feelings of that other you lOnce you do, press your thumb and index finger together and feel those good, positive feelings getting bigger and stronger lAs you breathe slowly in, breath in positivity and lightness and breath out anything that is not doing you any good lWhen you are ready, open your eyes and bring back with you the new you

SEASON FOR FLU Dr Simon Carvell Winter beckons, and it’s flu season. Our strategy meetings and focus groups are over. The vaccine fridges are full in eager expectation of a good uptake. Each year we endeavour to encourage as many eligible patients to have the flu vaccine as possible. The flu immunisation campaign is one of the most effective interventions offered by the NHS. Flu increases the risk of death in vulnerable groups, and the vaccine is offered to all patients who are 65 years old and over, to all patients with significant long-term conditions, to pregnant women, to children aged 2-7 years on 31 August 2016, those in long term residential care, carers and health care workers. The vaccine’s effectiveness each year is between 50-60%; there has generally been a good match between the strains of flu in the vaccine and those strains that have been seen circulating in the community. There was a blip in 2014/15 where limited protection was provided to a strain of an Influenza A virus. What’s in this year’s vaccine? It is a trivalent vaccine, which means it targets three viruses. The viruses are (abbreviated to) A/California, A/Hong Kong and B/Brisbane. The A refers to an Influenza A virus which is a virus that causes outbreaks that lead to more severe illness. The B refers to an Influenza B virus that tends to cause less severe illness and smaller outbreaks. The rather exotic title, eg California, refers to the laboratory where the virus was first isolated. The flu vaccine is offered as soon as possible between September and November, the immune response following vaccination takes about two weeks to develop fully. The protection from the vaccine lasts approximately one flu season. Our surgery is particularly targetting increasing the uptake of flu vaccination among pregnant women. Influenza during pregnancy may be associated with perinatal mortality, prematurity, smaller neonatal size, lower birth weights and an increased risk of complications for the mother. The flu vaccine is delivered to patients at a time when the flu is starting to become evident in the communities that we live in. It is a common misconception that the vaccine can cause the flu. The flu vaccination is safe and effective. As a health care worker and a keen advocate of the vaccination campaign I will be taking up the offer of my annual vaccination and I’d encourage all those who are eligible to look out for local publicity advertising flu vaccination sessions.

OCTOBER 2016

Cadmore Lodge

Set in luxurious surroundings, with as much or as little, first class, quality care to suit residents or guestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal requirements. Cadmore will soon be offering twenty four hour, nursing care, respite and palliative care, in autumn 2016. With superbly appointed modern bedrooms with en-suite wet rooms, the finest of cuisine, an indoor heated swimming pool and private golf course.

Cadmore Lodge, St. Michaels, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire WR 15 8TQ E:info@cadmorelodge.co.uk T: 01584 810044 www.cadmorelodge.co.uk

THE VICARAGE

NURSING HOME

The Vicarage Nursing Home provides high quality, twenty four hour, nursing care. It is situated in the quiet, semi-rural location of Bayston Hill near Shrewsbury. We have themed hallways, feature bedroom doors and a specially designed dining room. A full activities program, person centred and one to one activities and quality entertainers. Beautiful landscaped and sensory gardens, vegetable plots and greenhouses.

The Vicarage Nursing Home

The Common, Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury SY3 0EA E: vicaragenursinghome@tiscali.co.uk T: 01743 874030 www.vicaragenursing.co.uk

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OCTOBER 2016

RECIPES

GAME ON

imply put, game is wild animals and birds that are hunted and eaten, although nowadays many are farmed and raised domestically. Many of us are uncertain about how to cook game or are unsure about the flavours, but autumn and winter are the ideal time to indulge in this fresh, quality and low fat meat. For most game, the shooting season runs from the beginning of October until the end of January, and if you buy from a supplier who knows their game and can advise you on the best way of cooking correctly then there’s no reason at all why it shouldn’t be moist and flavoursome as well as seasonal. For more information visit theTaste of Game website for recipe ideas, news and where to buy. www.tasteofgame.org.uk

Roast grouse with red wine, port and blackberry sauce and bread sauce fritters Ingredients 2 grouse 4 rashers smoked streaky bacon 2 tbsp rapeseed oil 50g salted butter 2 garlic cloves 2 sprigs thyme Bread sauce fritters 2 tbsp mashed potato (leftovers work well) 250ml milk 2 cloves ¼ star anise 1 /2 clove garlic ¼ tsp cinnamon 1 /2 clove garlic 4 thick slices white bread cubed (fresh) Salt and pepper 2 tbsp leftover vegetables (can be anything) Red wine sauce 150ml red wine 75ml glass of port 200ml chicken stock Knob of butter 12 blackberries (optional)

Method Wrap breasts with smoked bacon, place in a medium hot, heavy-bottomed frying pan with vegetable oil and a knob of butter. Leaving the skin on crush (do not chop) a couple of garlic cloves and place them in the pan together with the thyme. Over a medium heat, brown the grouse on one side, then the other, then the breast. Finally cook it with the back down. The entire process should take about 10 minutes – remember to brown the legs. Set aside in a warm place to allow the grouse to rest for five minutes or so. It should then be ready to serve. If not, and still a bit pink, finish in an oven at 180°C for four to five minutes.

To make the fritters: Add to the milk the two cloves, a quarter of star anise, ¼ tsp cinnamon and half a clove of garlic. Warm the milk through, and then sieve to remove the cloves, garlic etc. Add bread cubes. Season with salt and pepper and cook on low heat for five minutes, stirring regularly. Set aside. Combine the bread sauce with two tablespoons each of mashed potato and leftover vegetables. Season. Heat a knob of butter or a splash of vegetable oil in a small non-stick pan, and spoon in a serving of the fritter mixture. Brown on one side and turn to brown on the other. Set each aside and keep warm.

OCTOBER 2016

RECIPES

To make the sauce: Heat port and red wine in a saucepan, reduce by half, then add the stock. Reduce again so the sauce is just thick enough to ‘coat’ the meat. Add a knob of butter for a lovely sheen. Serve the grouse whole with red wine sauce with the fritters alongside. Add blackberries to the sauce and warm through before serving. Serve with green vegetables.

Pheasant pasties Ingredients 500g of short crust pastry (for ease buy readymade or you can make your own. One ready rolled pack will make about 3 pasties). 1 pheasant 2 waxy potatoes, peeled and grated on the large side of a cheese grater 1 /2 small swede, peeled and grated on the large side of a cheese grater 6 juniper berries, crushed 8 sprigs of thyme, leaves picked and finely chopped Salt and pepper, and a little flour 70g butter 1 egg, beaten (for an egg wash)

Method Preheat oven to 375F/190c or gas mark 5. Roast the pheasant for about 20 minutes. This will make it much easier to cut/pull the meat off it. Once the bird has cooled enough to touch, peel of all the skin and discard. Using a sharp knife, or a fork, pull the meat off both breasts and legs. Carefully cut as much meat as possible off the legs, taking care not to include any small bones. Cut the meat into a rough dice. Toss the meat with the juniper berries and thyme. Season with a little salt and pepper. Roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thick. Take a 6 inch dish, and place on the dough. Cut around the dish to form a pastry disc. Do this as many times as the pastry allows. Put a layer or two of potato and turnip down – leaving a ½ inch border around the edge (room for crimping). Top with some of the pheasant meat. Add a couple of small cubes of butter (or if you are feeling very extravagant a knob of clotted cream) and sprinkle the top of the meat with a little flour. Brush the pastry edges with a little water. Bring both edges up to the top of the pasty and press the edges together tightly. Now for the crimping: Start at one end of the edge. For a classic crimp, use one finger to push one side of the pastry, pinch around that finger with the finger and thumb of your other hand to create a scalloped effect. Brush the outsides with a little of the beaten egg. On both sides of the pasty cut a short (1 inch) hole to let steam out.

Repeat until all the meat is used up. Put the pasties on a baking sheet lined with the greaseproof paper which comes with the pastry if you buy ready rolled. Crank the oven up to 425F/ 220c or gas mark 7 and bake for 20 minutes. Turn the oven down to 320F/160c or gas mark 3 and bake for a further 40 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before eating; the insides will be really hot.

Pot roast partridge with honey roast root vegetables Serves 4

Ingredients 4 whole dressed partridges 2 knobs of butter 2 tbsp olive oil Salt and ground pepper 4 sprigs of thyme 4 cloves of garlic, crushed Honey roast root vegetables: 2 large carrots 2 large parsnips 1 medium swede 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 large sprig of thyme 3 tbsp of honey 4 tbsp cider vinegar 5fl oz/150ml chicken or game stock

OCTOBER 2016

RECIPES

Method Place garlic and thyme in cavity of partridge. Heat large ovenproof frying pan with olive oil and butter. When it starts to foam add the partridges. Seal birds for 2 minutes on each side until golden brown and remove from the pan. Wash and peel vegetables before cutting into 1in/2cm square chunks. Place vegetables in pan, cover with cold water, add a little salt. Bring to boil and cook until al dente and strain. Roast off the vegetables in the frying pan, add thyme and garlic. Deglaze pan with cider vinegar, add honey and season with salt and pepper. Place the birds on top of the root vegetables and season. Roast in a preheated oven at 200C/4000F/gas mark 6 for about 7-10 minutes. Remove from the oven, cover with foil and allow to rest for a further 5-7 minutes. Strain off the pot roast juice, place in a small pan and reduce by half. Finish the light partridge gravy by whisking in 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Season and taste. Serve with game chips or potato crisps.

Shrewsbury Chocolate Festival is back even bigger and better for 2016 offering tastings, demos and talks for the county’s chocoholics. The weekend event runs from 1213 November at St Mary’s Church. Telephone 07814 113156 for details. Tiger Gin, created by The Shropshire Gin Company, has been awarded a silver medal in the ultra premium category of The Gin Masters 2016. This accolade is in addition to being recognised by the International Spirit Awards as being ‘one of the best gins in the world’. Derwen College, near Oswestry, has been recognised for its homeproduced preserves. The college’s food centre won two coveted Great Taste Awards, one for its raspberry jam and one for the spiced apple chutney.

Venison burger with root vegetable crisps and blue cheese Serves 4

Ingredients 600g coarsely minced venison 1 red onion, finely chopped 1 tsp chopped thyme Sea salt Ground black pepper 1 parsnip 2 carrots 1 celeriac 4 slices blue cheese 4 buns Seasonal salad Mustard

Method To make the burgers, mix the mince, onion and thyme together, adding salt and pepper to season. If you wish, fry a small piece of the mix and taste it to make sure that the seasoning is just right for you. Divide the burger mix into four patties and place in the fridge for a couple of hours to firm up. Finely slice the root vegetables and fry in vegetable oil until crisp. Drain, season with salt and set aside so that they remain crispy. Heat a frying pan with a little oil and fry the burgers for 4 to 5 minutes on each side – longer if you like them well done. Place the burgers on a baking tray, add a thick slice of blue cheese and brown under the grill. Serve the cheeseburgers in a toasted bun with the root vegetable crisps, salad and mustard.

A popular Shrewsbury Americanstyle smokehouse restaurant has changed hands. Smoke Stop restaurant, in Ford, which was previously owned by Shrewsbury Town footballer Jake King and his wife Linda, has been sold to an unnamed restaurateur. The owner of Blakelands Country House, near Bridgnorth, has celebrated two decades at the business. Paul Morgan took over the day-today running of the business from his parents 20 years ago and has the very busy role of wedding co-ordinator, organising and managing more than 80 weddings a year. Midlanders are urged to get behind their local farm shop or deli by voting for them as the best in the Midlands 2016. The winner will receive a stand at the BBC Good Food Show Winter at the NEC from 24-27 November. To nominate, visit bbcgoodfoodshowwinter.com/ Midlandsbestdeli Are your kitchen knives too blunt to cut? Richard the Knife Sharpener visits Battlefield 1403 Farm Shop in Shrewsbury regularly to sharpen all the blades on site and is happy to sharpen your knives, scissors and even hedging shears. He is next at the farm shop on 9 October. Call 01939 210 905 for details. Unsure on how to cook your game? Why not become a culinary expert in wild bird and meat on the Taste of Game full-day cookery course at Brompton Cookery School, near Shrewsbury on 22 October, priced £150. www.bromptoncookeryschool. co.uk for details.

OCTOBER 2016

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OCTOBER 2016

WHOLEFOOD SMOOTHIES

NATURAL WOMAN

t began as a quest to shed the n Louise Taylor with children William (aged 11), Fred (six) and Charlotte (nine) unwanted baby weight after having her third child but Louise Taylor’s healthy eating regime has grown into a business that’s booming. As well as dropping a dress size or two, Louise is now a ‘mumpreneur’ and creator of Shrewsburybased business Purition. The Shropshire mum’s passion to find a natural way to get into shape is now helping thousands of other women (and men) across the UK to achieve their health and fitness goals through her booming micro food production business. Louise first developed the Purition wholefood smoothie mixes three years ago after a friend introduced her to a similar product made in Australia. Made from a combination of nuts, seeds and coconut, the natural shakes were an instant winner for Louise, who had been struggling to find a natural, sustainable and healthy diet to use alongside her new fitness programme. “I’d always made quite a conscious effort to eat the right foods, making flavours as well as a range of vegan products. foods, sugar and starch and sure I get my five-a-day for Over the last four to five months the company increasing nutrient-dense I was so excited about example,” says Louise. “But has expanded its team and Louise’s husband greens and eating protein, as after having the children – Edward has also got on board. well as good sources of fat this discovery that I William, Charlotte and Fred – “It’s been a whirlwind few years,” said Louise. at every meal. At the same I found even a good healthy had a bit of a light bulb time she was introduced “The product has taken off and sales have really diet wasn’t enough to stop exploded taking the business from a small start-up to a natural shake product moment really and the weight creeping on. that I could run around my family life to a growing created by a team of “I tried the usual calorie enterprise which now employs seven people. that was to develop a nutritionists in Australia. controlled and faddy diets “Our theory has been very simple and that “The shakes were loaded similar product which with healthy foods providing has just been to do things better. We have never but none of them seemed to work longer term. I was needed to prove demand for the product because the perfect combination of we could launch hungry all the time, tired we know that it already exists because so many protein, fibre and healthy and generally disappointed people are already using protein supplements and in the UK fats to support my new with the results. meal replacement products. approach,” she says. “It was a frustrating situation that I’m sure “We are just saying to those people that if “Within several weeks I’d lost the baby weight many of us have been in.” you are going to use these products why not use I’d wanted, I was feeling more energetic but more one that is made from real food and contains no Eventually, Louise found a new approach importantly I no longer craved carbohydrates and nasty, processed ingredients or chemicals. to weight loss based on cutting out processed sugar – which are the main culprits in my book “It just makes sense – it’s like eating a real when it comes to gaining weight. orange instead of taking a Vitamin C tablet. “I was so excited about this discovery that I “We have customers all over the UK and our had a bit of a light bulb moment really and that product is stocked in a number of gyms and was to develop a similar product which we could fitness centres as well as the Whole Food Market launch in the UK,” she continues. and Selfridges. And so Purition was born. “We soon hope to be launching the product Louise worked closely with the original in America and who knows what will happen if manufacturers in Australia to develop a unique that’s successful. It’s such an exciting time.” smoothie blend for the UK market and very soon As well as fitness fanatics, the shakes are afterwards she had established a small food particularly popular with busy multi-tasking mums production base at Harper Adams University like her, who often skip breakfast, says Louise. in Edgmond. In April 2013, the product was “For mums on the go, it’s a really easy way launched to the trade and then online. to make sure they get a good start to the day. The business has since relocated to the There’s no excuse, it takes less than 15 seconds!” Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre in Shrewsbury Even Louise can make time for that. and recently online sales topped the £500,000 mark. It now produces a range of wholefood protein shakes in a number of different natural

For more information about Purition visit the website www.purition.co.uk.

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OCTOBER 2016

SIX OF THE BEST

THEWRITESTUFF 2

1 3 4

Six of the best things for your desk 1. Kinki Glass egg paperweight, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust shop, £15 Hand made contemporary paperweight by designer Nikki Williams 2. California Dreaming monthly personal planner, Paperchase, £18 Comes with pages for to-dos and notes, weekly and monthly pages and dividers, and slots and pockets for cards, loose papers and a pen 3. Decimo capless fountain pen, Write Here, Shrewsbury, £160 Luxury retractable fountain pen with attractive pearlised barrel, made by Pilot

4. Desk tidy, Alan Ward, £65 Eight-section wall desk tidy in the hugely popular French Country style 5. ‘In the Room’ notebooks by Designs in Mind, Oswestry, set of three £9 Designed and made by a group of makers referred through mental health services to Designs in Mind, a rural social enterprise, available at www.designsinmind.co.uk 6. Emily Sutton folding 2017 desk calendar, Black Bough, Ludlow, £6 Featuring everything from a toy penguin on skis to a punnet of pick your own strawberries and a toadstool Christmas decoration – all in the chronological order you would expect

OCTOBER 2016

TRAVEL

Only in Quebec...

rom tasting chips covered with curd and gravy to running across ice-covered rivers for sport, Québec is full of the weird and wonderful and is truly a oneof-a-kind destination. The second most populated province in Canada and the only one with a predominantly Frenchspeaking population, the province is full of unusal experiences, quirky food traditions and adventure attractions that can only be found in Québec.

Ice Canoeing Québec is the home of ice canoeing and is the only place in the world that offers this sport. Originally, it was a means of transport between Québec City and Lévis, located on opposite sides of the St Lawrence River, when there was too much ice on the river for the ferries to cross. Nowadays, it is a competitive sport and those visiting the region can even try it out for themselves on an ‘Ice Canoe Excursion’ with Québec Ice Canoeing. www.quebecicecanoeing.com

Visit a genuine ‘sugar shack’ As the world’s largest producer of maple syrup, Québec is one of the only places in the world where visitors can visit an authentic ‘sugar shack’. A sugar shack, or cabane à sucre, is a private house or farm estate where sap created from maple trees is collected and boiled into maple syrup that has opened its doors for visitors. The sugar season runs from March to April each year. www.cabanechezdany.com

n Left, visit a sugar shack; above, First Nations experience; main picture, Montreal

Learn about Québec’s First Nations

Discover Québécois French

First Nations, or the indigenous people of the Americas, have cultures that span thousands of years. Nowadays, Québec is home to 55 Aboriginal communities; of these, there are 11 Aboriginal nations which belong to the three major North American language groups: Algonquin, Iroquois and Inuktitut. Québec’s Aboriginal people are very proud of their heritage and want to teach visitors about their deep-rooted values and traditions. There are a number of aboriginal tourism projects available across Québec which allow visitors to meet with the First Nations and learn about their tales of survival which have been passed down through the generations. Visitors can also experience a traditional way of life from bush camps to ice fishing to gathering ingredients and preparing a traditional meal. www.quebecaboriginal.com

The only province in Canada to have French as its official language, it’s not just the language that has a heavy French influence. Visitors will also notice French-inspired foods, particularly in Montréal, such as foie gras, scallops and cheese.

Taste traditional ‘poutine’ Originating in Québec, poutine is the province’s most famous dish. It is made with chips and cheese curd and topped off with gravy. The hearty dish is thought to have been created in the 1950s in rural Québec but it’s still under dispute as to who officially invented it. One claim is that in 1957 a customer asked the chef to throw together cheese curds and French fries into a bag as he was in a rush. The customer then remarked in Québécois French “This is a ‘poutine’” which is slang for ‘mess’. For more information on Québec visit: www.quebecoriginal.com/en-gb

OCTOBER 2016

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OCTOBER 2016

Hawkstone Residential Park

LUXURY LIVING FROM ONLY Part exchange £105,000 available Hawkstone Park offers the very best in park home living at this stunning location in Shropshire close to the English – Welsh Border. Hawkstone Park is a residential development of just 26 spacious executive park homes. The park has been designed to the highest standards while also blending seamlessly with the local surroundings. All of the park homes for sale include individual block-paved driveways and beautiful, private gardens with plenty of natural screening.

Oswestry is a distinctive and friendly market town. A town for all seasons that enjoys a lively café culture and a growing reputation for its interesting mix of small, locally run shops that pride themselves on good old-fashioned service. The town also hosts a rich programme of festivals, events, arts and culture throughout the year.

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OCTOBER 2016

ACTION WOMAN

Wild at heart

Naturalist and presenter Octavia Hopwood would love to be the next David Attenborough, but with a variety of stunt skills, she’s likely to be examining wildlife while climbing, skydiving or abseiling, writes Eluned Watson

n Octavia, from left rally driving,rock climbing and ‘Roman riding’

f ever the phrase ‘a lust for life’ was coined for one She has spent time working in television production for the last six years, particular person it might well be Octavia Hopwood. both in front and behind the camera. She was a production researcher on At just 25 years old, the Shrewsbury woman’s CV boasts the BBC Science series Wonders of Life and on Bang Goes the Theory. work in television and radio, writing, trainee stuntwoman, From the age of 15 she has worked on and off with Bridgnorth-based wildlife enthusiast and rally driver. Knights of the Damned jousting team – a display team who perform She has also just helped present at Ellemere’s inaugural medieval shows across the UK and beyond. She was chosen for her riding Merefest and has worked as part of the Knights of the Damned jousting and gymnastics abilities. stunt team on and off for the past 10 years. It was team co-ordinator Justin Pearson – himself a stuntman in What Octavia has fitted into her quarter century on the planet is numerous TV shows and top movies – who inspired Octavia to give stuntquite remarkable. She puts her enquiring and adventurous nature down person training a go. She has developed daredevil skills including rock to a happy childhood growing up on a smallholding in Trefonen, on the climbing instructor, scuba diving, skiing, trampoline, martial arts, gymnastics Shropshire/Wales border. Her drive, she thinks, is due and, most recently, rally driving; she was recently the to more tragic circumstances; she lost several close first placed female in her class in the Heart of England friends and family unexpectedly during her childhood. Rally Championships. It gave me a shock “I don’t want to sound maudlin but it gave me a “Rally driving is almost against all that I love about shock and the sense of panic that I needed to achieve nature and conservation but it was something that I and the sense of panic things now, not put them off for the future,” she says. got into through the stunt person training. You need Octavia is brimming with enthusiasm for life. She as many skills as possible and it’s such good fun and that I needed to says that the picturesque and rugged landscapes of I started doing well and got the bug for it purely by achieve things now, Shropshire and Wales shaped a love of nature and accident.” conservation, but also of adventure. But Octavia maintains she is still happiest in front of not put them off Octavia was captivated by nature from an early age the camera. for the future and was encouraged by her parents, although they “Training to be a stuntwoman is another string to must have held their breath in terror at times. my bow and has given me the opportunity to work “When I was a child, I would spend hours in a in film and television. Acting is a very different skill to nearby quarry exploring and climbing to find creepy crawlies and creatures. presenting though, I’m still finding it hard not to look into the camera!” “My parents soon got used it, they’ve always been very supportive of all Octavia confesses she’s been lucky in some ways by being in the right my choices. place at the right time. Having said that, she has been incredibly proactive in “My dad also has a passion for wildlife. From a young age my dad and I helping create this ‘luck’. would go looking for beetles, snakes and lizards. “Being in the right place at the right time has taken a lot of “That’s what I would love to do. My absolute ideal job would be to perseverance!” she laughs. “If you want something you have to go for it. present a daring and energetic programme about conservation. I’d like to I can’t say I’m incredibly skilful in one thing but am determined to develop convey a message about conservation through enjoying the countryside every possible chance that comes my way. through adventure – rock climbing, hang gliding, abseiling.” “You’ve only got one life and can be whatever you want to be. You don’t Octavia studied zoology and environmental science at Aberystwyth get anywhere if you don’t try.” University and has volunteered with organisations such as the RSPB, Wildlife Trust and the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre. For more information visit www.octaviahopwood.co.uk

OCTOBER 2015

OCTOBER 2016

The experts in girls’ education

Sixth Form Information Evening Thursday 13th October, 6pm

Ranked by The Times as The UK’s Top Performing Non-Selective School Moreton Hall, Weston Rhyn, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 3EW www.moretonhall.org

01691 773671

OCTOBER 2016

COMPETITIONS

Win tickets to the

FESTIVE GIFT FAIR AT THE NEC

oin in the fun for the 21st year of the fabulous Festive Gift Fair! The biggest and best Christmas shopping event returns to the NEC, Birmingham, from 10-13 November. Christmas starts here with plenty of choice, unique gifts, and a fun and easy shopping day out. For their 21st year they have a whole new line-up of fantastic live music to entertain you through the day. Browse 350 stalls overflowing with fabulous decorations for the home and present ideas for all – from babies to teenagers, parents to grandparents, for him, for her and even the pets! There’s something for everyone at the Festive Gift Fair and to get your inspiration flowing, we’ve highlighted just a few of our favourite new gift ideas …

For foodies…

A set of nine specially tuned champagne glasses with glass wands for playing musical magic together after Christmas dinner! The ultimate dinner party game – Amuzika. Handcrafted, good proper fudge, great to share after dinner or give as a present in a ‘create your own gift box’. Over 25 flavours from Rhubarb & Custard, Cherry Bakewell, Heather Honey and even Irn Brun! – Ochil Fudge Pantry. Make your own cider: Simply add the supplied yeast and leave for 48 hours – Victors Drinks.

For the men in your life…

The spirit of football is captured by photographer David Shields. Unique photographic montages of football stadiums, from Arsenal to Birmingham City and many more. Flight simulator experience vouchers available for Boeing 737 & 747 – Flight Simulators Midlands. Highly original Map cufflinks made from vintage maps and albums. Choose the location that is ‘special’ to you – Mia Mia Jewels.

For the ladies in your life…

Stylish and colourful faux fur capes, gilets and jackets – Superfurs. Handmade, luxurious natural skincare and home fragrance. Choose a scent to match her mood, from lavender to patchouli, and geranium to eucalyptus – Valentte. Treat her to a classy fashion watch by leading designers, Emporio Armani and Marc Jacobs – A2Z Timebrand.

For trendy teens…

There’s only ONE DIRECTION – as the biggest boy band in the world, they can adorn your teenager’s bed with a fleece blanket throw – Linen Ideas. Get ready to be blown away by the amazing sound of the I-Bomb Cobble – a speaker that fits into the palm of your hand and works 10 metres from your Bluetooth device – Pizzazz Retail. Want to be different? One-of-a-kind handmade watches with changeable fabric straps and colourful faces – Buckle and Cog.

For the little ones…

Magic and sparkle for fairies of all ages. Fairy Goodies sell fairy wings, tutus, fairy dust, fairy gardens… A fun alternative twist to the traditional advent calendar, buy a ‘Countdown To Christmas’ activity calendar which has things to make and do to keep your kids busy as they wait for Santa – Illustries. Have fun creating their very own name plaque using a clever mosaic alphabet kit – Teresa Mills Mosaics. We have 10 pairs of tickets to give away to the Festive Gift Fair. To enter, tell us: How old is the fair this year?

Advance adult tickets are priced from just £8.50. Book now by calling The Ticket Factory on 0844 581 0808/0809 or online at www.theticketfactory.com (£2.50 fulfilment fee for postal bookings. £1.50 for E-tickets).

OCTOBER 2016

COMPETITIONS

WIN A £20 BOOK TOKEN Check the advertisements in the rest of the magazine to find where our ‘Local Bee’ (pictured above) is hidden. Entry to competitions can be made online through our website at www.countywoman.co.uk or by filling in the entry form or sending on a postcard to: SPOT THE BEE, Reviewmedia Ltd, Media House, Building 9, Stanmore Industrial Estate, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV15 5HR. First correct entry drawn will win a £20 book token

WIN A WORKSHOP WITH FRENCH GREY TALES Sarah Truswell is a Shropshire creative who has recently taken the plunge to leave corporate employment to open the very first franchise of established retailer, French Grey Tales, in Bridgnorth. French Grey Tales (FGT) is not only an official stockist for Liberty of London Art Fabrics, but it is also home to unique quirky gifts and Sarah runs creative workshops from her studio space above the shop. Sarah’s beautifully designed shop can be found on Bank Street in Bridgnorth so now you don’t have to travel to London to stock up on Liberty fabrics, they’re right here in Shropshire, all available by the metre, half metre and fat quarters. And fear not if you’re not a confident seamstress, from late September FGT will offer a range of sewing workshops – right from the basics of getting to know your machine, to dress making where you can get your hands on the Liberty prints. Sarah already has a following in Bridgnorth – an ever-growing custom base who love to have a giggle with the LOVEFGT homeware range, all designed and made by French Grey Tales. The range features naughty mugs, cushions, framed prints, tea towels, tea pots and stationery for those who have a cheeky side. A bespoke, personalised service is available too, so you can have your own random sayings printed on to any of their products. Sarah is ensuring that a visit to French Grey Tales offers all sorts of ways for you to make your home pretty, whether you want to get your hands dirty or have someone else do it for you! They are proud stockists of Autentico Chalk Paint, which comes in over 150 different colours and four different finishes including Vintage chalk paint, Versante Matt and Eggshell –designed to be used both indoors and out, with built-in water resistance and UV filter, and Velvet wall paint for a superb matt finish. If painting isn’t your thing, Sarah and her team will paint your items for you. For those of you who really want to get creative, check out the huge range of workshops available including chalk painting level one and two, lampshade making, candle making, footstools, woodwork and much more to come. Each workshop runs roughly once per month and can be booked via the store, website or app (search French Grey Tales in the app store). French Grey Tales is all about sharing knowledge with their customers – pop into the store on Bank Street and you’ll get a whole raft of advice from owner Sarah. Join their Facebook group ‘French Grey Tales Making Things Pretty’ and you’ll be joining a community of over 6,000 members all sharing their own painting achievements, advice and support to other members. French Grey Tales has offered one lucky reader the chance to win a workshop of their choice up to the value of £35, or top up to attend a longer workshop. The workshop must be taken within six months of winning. To be in with a chance of winning, simply tell us: Which range of fabrics can you find in the store? www.frenchgreytales.com

Enter our competitions online at www.countywoman.co.uk

Competitions entry form Festive Gift Fair

French Grey Tales

Spot the Bee

name ............................................................................ address ........................................................................ ...................................................................................... ...................................................................................... ................................................ postcode ................... phone number ............................................................. email ............................................................................. Competition rules. Closing date for all entries is 21/10/16. In the event of a tie the first correct entries out of the hat will be the winners. Send your entries to Reviewmedia Ltd, Media House, Building 9, Stanmore Industrial Estate, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV15 5HR. For full terms and conditions regarding competitions please refer to www.countywoman.co.uk COMPETITION WINNERS AUGUST 2016 - Steam rally: Sandra Webb, Bridgnorth Park Hall Countryside Experience: Martin Hughes, Shrewsbury; Eileen Iles, Oswestry; Wendy Hawley, Ackleton Spot the Bee: Bob Clarke, Oswestry

OCTOBER 2016

LAST WORD

AND FINALLY...

Jobs for the boys and girls

Alison Ashmore sk a child what they want to be when they grow up, and you might start hearing some strange answers. Apparently the fresh-faced fouryear-olds who started school this term will have a whole new world of jobs available to them when it’s their turn to earn a living. A group of people at Microsoft, who clearly had no real work to be getting on with, have devised a list of careers which don’t exist now but, they say, will in a decade or so. So forget dentist and plumber. Our youngsters will be taking their pick from careers as varied as space junk archaeologist, memory storage specialist (apparently we’ll all be able to store our memories through software-brain interfaces) and rewilding strategist, who will reintroduce plants and animals to regions where they have become extinct. Then there will be battery innovators, human parts designers and virtual habitat designers. Don’t fancy those? How about being an ethical technology advocate, to cope with the dawn of the age of the robot; or freelance biohacker, which isn’t as suspicious as it sounds but will involve working on everything from new vaccines to genetic

modification (OK, that does sound suspicious). If tomorrow’s careers leave you bewildered, there are opportunities out there now which have me scratching my head. I mean, what on earth is an horizon scanning officer? I imagine myself like Demelza in Poldark, standing gazing out to sea for hours on end. I don’t know what I’m looking for, but it sounds like an intriguing and romantic job. The one I particularly wanted, however, was Head of Knowledge.

Evolution took millions of years getting us to stand up straight; iPhones are reversing the trend in a single generation I can’t remember who was advertising for one of those, but I’d love to sit in my private office, Head of Knowledge sign on the door, with people asking me who sang Windmills of Your Mind and what the flag of Bolivia looks like. Aside from the obvious ones such as chocolate taster, another job I’d really love is coming up with names for paint colours. I’m a sucker for a paint name. Call it Cappuccino or Melted Mocha, and I want it on my walls. Beige just won’t do it any more. It’s marketing genius. It’s the job of marketing people to put a glossy spin on things and that goes for their own titles, too. A marketing director’s job was genuinely advertised as Wizard of Light Bulb Moments while a Head

of Creative was a Dream Alchemist. These days, companies wanting to appear cool and edgy describe receptionists as Directors of First Impressions; project managers are Scrum Masters; even temps are getting in on the act – meet the OnDemand Executive. It’s all a load of baloney, designed to make the drudgery of office life seem sexy and exciting, but I suppose coming up with these names keeps someone (a Moniker Guru?) in a job. The list of future potential careers, however, does highlight how much technology is changing modern life. It seems our bodies are also going to need to adapt to keep up. There’s a widely recognised phenomenon now called ‘Text Neck’. This is the ache you feel from constantly looking down at a device; as the neck bends forwards and down, the weight of the head on the cervical spine increases. Apparently it can be the same as carrying an eight-year-old around on your neck for several hours each day. Evolution took millions of years getting us to stand up straight; iPhones are reversing the trend in a single generation. Also on the rise is Text Thumb, a type of repetitive strain injury caused by too much time on games consoles as well as smartphones. Scientists will tell you how important having opposable thumbs has been to the development of our species. I don’t think we are showing them the respect they deserve, wearing them out playing Lego Star Wars on the PS4. Still, it seems those are the types of skills our youngsters are going to need if they are to thrive in the Brave New World of work. Rather them than me. Now, how do I save this document?

email: aashmore@reviewmedia.com

OCTOBER 2016

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