Country & Border Life

No. 1 f o r Wa l e s & t h e E n g l i s h B o r d e r C o u n t i e s

October 2010

Book it!

Hay-on-Wye, the country’s literary capital, is the perfect place for a day out

What a picture

The landscapes of renowned local artist Richard Corbett go on display in Herefordshire

Issue 82 • £2.50

www.cbl.org.uk

WIN!

Discover Shropshire’s berried treasure

Meet the blueberry grower who’s impressing food lovers

Enjoy the fruits of autumn From Llangollen Food Festival to ghostly walks in Shrewsbury, the new season awaits

A £300 SPA BREAK FOR TWO AT A LUXURY WELSH BORDER HOTEL

News & event s The best seasonal activities and latest developments across the region

TEE-OFF

A buzz has been building in Wales for some time, and it’ll reach fever pitch as the ryder Cup takes place from the 1st to 3rd october at the Celtic Manor resort in the Usk Valley.

The competition pits the best golfers from europe against the top players from the USA. to celebrate this year’s ryder Cup being so close to home – and the fact that the club’s the only one in the country to have had two members who have served as

ryder Cup captains: Harry Weetman and ian Woosnam – oswestry golf Club in Shropshire will be holding an open day on 9th october.

Harry Weetman, born in 1920, was elected along with his wife as an honorary member of the club in 1959 and went on to captain the european team in 1965. ian Woosnam, born in oswestry, was elected as an honorary member in 1985. He captained europe’s squad in 2006.

The open day will include free coaching on the practice grounds for

beginners (whatever your age), membership deals for those interested in joining, and golfers will be able to play the course (this must be booked in advance).

A fun day out with lunch available, it’s going to be a great family event for anyone who’s interested in playing golf! k 9th October, 10am-3pm.

Oswestry Golf Club, Aston Park, Queen's Head, Oswestry, Shropshire.

Tel: 01691 610535. www.oswestrygolfclub.co.uk

Hitting tHe rigHt note Wales and the Borders will be alive with the sound of music this month.

The Bridgnorth Jazz Festival on the last weekend of october will open with a Billie Holiday tribute and culminate with a jam session at the river House Kitchen. The festival is supported by Bridgnorth District Council, Bridgnorth town Council and tanners Wines Ltd. The Autumn in Malvern Festival takes place throughout october at

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various venues around the town. Highlights will include the european Union Chamber orchestra, a piano recital by Sofya gulyak and an American Spectacular with Carlo Curley. k Bridgnorth Jazz Festival. 29th-31st October. At various venues. Bridgnorth, Shropshire. Tel: 01746 765737.

k Autumn In Malvern Festival. Events throughout October. Great Malvern, Worcestershire. Tel: 01684 892277. www.malvernfestival.co.uk

Country & Border Life

NEWS & EVENTS

Get involved

Do you have a favourite river? If so, you can now vote for it online as part of the Our River campaign.

Voters are being asked to choose the ‘best’ or ‘worst’ river in England and Wales to celebrate the finest ones and bring attention to those that need the most help.

The river with the most ‘best’ votes overall will be awarded a commemorative panel or sculpture donated to the winning town, while the ‘worst’ river will receive a visit from a team of experts who’ll conduct a one-day workshop with the local council and/or local groups to help develop an action plan to help improve the condition of the river and bring back the wildlife.

Vote for your local river now! k To cast your vote, visit www.ourrivers.org.uk. Voting remains open until 31st October 2010.

Fun to the core

Tony Burns and Nathan Cousins of St George’s Hotel with mayoress Ann Yates

Suite talk St George’s Hotel in Llandudno is adding an independent and exclusive function facility, with room for more than 120 people. The new function room, the Menai Suite, will feature an open terrace to provide it with its own private entrance at the side of the fourstar hotel, which is also celebrating being awarded a Gold Award by Visit Wales.

“This is an extremely exciting tim e for the team at St George’s,” says general manager Tony Burns. “The Menai Suite will have the ability to offer events with complete independence from the main hotel. It’ll be unique in North Wales.” k St George’s Hotel, The Promenade, Llandudno. Tel: 01492 877544. www.stgeorgeswales.co.uk

Apple-lovers will be descending on the Grosvenor Garden Centre in Cheshire on 9th and 10th October for its annual apple weekend.

Villagers and customers will be asked to bring along their apples so they can be turned into bottles of juice for the villages to sell at fêtes and other village events to raise funds for the community. For those with their own apple trees, Les Armstrong, head gardener at Eaton Estate, will be on hand to identify them. Around 3,000 varieties are grown in Britain.

An apple press will be making juice on the day for visitors to try, and there’ll be cooking demonstrations, competitions, children’s nature activities, storytellers, music, food tasting and much more. k 9th and 10th October. 11am-3pm. Grosvenor Garden Centre, Wrexham Road, Belgrave, Chester. Tel: 01244 625200. www.grosvenorgardencentre.co.uk Country & Border Life

Read all about it If it’s culture you crave, head to one of the many literature festivals on in the Borders this month.

Cheltenham Literature Festival, sponsored by The Times, is a firm favourite. Guests include Simon Pegg and Maureen Lipman.

Emphasis is on local talent at the Wellington Literacy Festival in Shropshire. Speakers include Birmingham-based crime writer Judith Cutler.

Chester Literature Festival in Cheshire will be attended by Alexei Sayle, Sally Vickers, Alastair Campbell and some of Cheshire’s brightest stars.

And Julia Jarman and Andrew Peters will be attending North Shropshire’s Worldwise Family Litfest. k Cheltenham Literature Festival.

8th-17th October. Tel: 0844 576 8970. www.cheltenhamfestivals.com k Wellington Literary Festival. 2nd26th October. Tel: 01952 567697. www.wellington-shropshire.gov.uk k Chester Literature Festival. 18th31st October. Tel: 0845 241 7868. www.chesterfestivals.co.uk k Worldwise Family Litfest. 28th October-3rd November, contact Pam Parish 01743 255031.

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The magnificent Glansevern

Glorious gardens and a stunning hall on the banks of the Severn provide a uniquely tasteful setting for the Welsh Food Festival Words: Will Harris Pictures: Kate Hamer 60

September 2010

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GLANSEVERN HALL

A

t a tranquil spot near the village of Berriew, in the midst of some 25 acres of beautiful gardens and with awe-inspiring views of the rolling Powys countryside, stands the magnificent 18th-century Glansevern Hall. Just 30 years ago, however, the hall and gardens were a little less striking than they are today.

“The house and grounds unexpectedly came up for sale while we were living eight miles away in the Banwy Valley,” says barrister Neville Thomas who, with his wife Jenny, is the proud owner of Glansevern Hall. “We both fell for it immediately; we both fell in love, one might say, with a wreck.”

“It was the very special view from the far side of the lake, looking back at the house, that caught us. It’s like a fairy tale, it’s beautiful,” adds Jenny. “Love affairs are dangerous!”

Neville was born and raised in North Wales. Though he’s lived in London and worked as far afield as Hong Kong, Welsh is his first language and he’s never felt distant from his roots.

“I was spending an awful lot of time overseas, and, yes, we had a London flat, but I never regarded London as anywhere other than a place from which to work; my home has always been here in Wales.”

They’ve certainly made Glansevern home. It’s hard to believe the property could’ve been anything other than the country paradise it is today – a beautiful site that also happens to be the location of the popular annual Welsh Food Festival (4th and 5th September).

Neville and Jenny believe it’s one of the best locations for a food festival, being both practical and unique.

“It’s the only food festival that I’m aware of that takes place in a 25-acre garden,” beams Neville. “And that obviously has an enhancing value.”

“It’s intimate enough but you’ve also got space; I think food festivals can often be quite a claustrophobic experience,” adds Jenny.

It would be difficult to imagine a national food festival taking place here when they bought the property in 1982.

“The back wall was disintegrating fast and had to be completely rebuilt. The whole house had to be reroofed, there

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was dry rot as well as water coming in everywhere. Sheep were grazing right up at the walls of the house, and the second ‘walled garden’ was being used as an intensive pig rearing unit!”

Rise and fall

The house and garden have a history spanning more than two centuries; the house was designed by the architect Joseph Bromfield, who was commissioned by Sir Arthur Davies Owen to build it in the 1790s or 1800s.

Bromfield was heavily influenced by the neoclassical movement (Glansevern was described by the architectural historian Pevsner as an “austere Greek revival house”), and he is responsible for much of the plasterwork seen in the region’s grand houses, including Nannau and Rug in North Wales and Oakley Park, Walcot Park and Attingham Park in Shropshire. It’s believed Glansevern Hall, however, was Bromfield’s masterwork.

The Owens prospered and with them the Glansevern estate. The gardens, reputedly magnificent, were tended by either nine or 14 gardeners in full-time employment up to 1939. The last years of the Owen ownership saw a decline in the upkeep of the house and gardens, before it was eventually sold in 1951.

Over the following years, ownership of Glansevern changed four times and the grounds suffered as a result (the first buyer was a timber merchant who took his share of the woods before selling it on).

Restoration

When Neville and Jenny took over the ownership of Glansevern Hall and gardens, they made every effort to return it to its former glory by restoring its original appearance. However, this proved to be much more difficult than they’d expected.

“Research was attempted but turned out to be a failure,” says Neville. “There are 7,000 folios of Glansevern papers at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth, deposits made by the family who built the house when they left, but from those I wasn’t able to find anything really definitive. What one would have wished to have is old

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Once the area’s major stronghold, Powis Castle is definitely worth a visit, with beautiful gardens, a grand Elizabethan long gallery and even audio trails

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Country & Border Life

Welshpool Move to...

Surrounded by unmarred countryside stretching into the distance, Welshpool is a rural gem that’s friendly and full of character Words: Will Harris Pictures: © Crown Copyright Visit Wales

L

ying in undulating scenery in the Welsh Borderland, surrounded by calm canals and quiet countryside – and just a stone’s throw from offa’s dyke – is the rural market town of Welshpool, or y trallwng in Welsh (literally meaning ‘the marshy or sinking land’, due to the site upon which it was founded).

This paradigm of rural culture has a pleasant, friendly atmosphere and though often busy is never hectic or crowded. The town has plenty to offer someone who’s looking for a quieter, more relaxed place to live.

CharaCter and history

Relax on the Montgomery canal; the timber-framed Framework Studio and The Buttery (above) Country & Border Life

Welshpool became a borough under the title of Burgus de Pola by charter in 1263, although it seems certain that the settlement is much older – records mention a castle here in 1196, which is probably the motte and bailey earthwork lying near the railway station. during the rest of the 13th century, the new borough was laid out along what is now Broad street and high street, and the town grew rapidly. it was at this time that Powis Castle, still standing just south of Welshpool, developed as the area’s major stronghold, however the surrounding area still has many great ruined castles, notably dolforwyn (built by Llywelyn ap Gruffydd in 1273) and the norman ruin of Montgomery.

For a long time the town was known simply as Pool, but it had its name changed to Welshpool during the 16th century to differentiate it from Poole in dorset. today, you can trace Welshpool’s history through the great variety of building styles that adorn its streets, with 16th-century, Georgian and Victorian architecture to admire. even the local cinema, purpose-built in 1938, is pleasingly characteristic of its era.

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Local

LITERATURE

From treasures in the earth to those in the hive, life in Shropshire to childhood in the Forest of Dean, walks in Wales and the Borders and Britain’s best flowers, here’s this month’s pick of the best regional books Whistling In The Dark, Joyce

Pick of the Bunch: The

Joanna Ryde

Latham

Story of Twelve Treasured

RRP: £7.99.

Flowers, Margaret Willes

New Holland

RRP: £19.99.

holland

RRP: £12.99. ISBN 978-0750950374.

Sutton Publishing. www.thehistory press.co.uk

Following on from the success of the late Joyce Latham’s first book, which details her childhood days during the wartime years in the Forest of Dean, this second volume of her autobiography sees Joyce through her adolescent years, from grammar school to marriage. An emotional and pleasurable read, Whistling In The Dark can be both cheerful and saddening. It includes a selection of the author’s enlightening poems, and there are photographs to accompany the text.

ISBN 978-1851243037. Bodleian Library Publishing. www.bodleianbookshop.co.uk

Remarkably, the list of Britain’s favourite flowers has barely changed for more than 400 years, and in this illustrated book Margaret Willes studies 12 of the most popular. The list includes, perhaps not surprisingly, the rose, iris, carnation and lily. She looks at their social history, etymology and symbolic associations through the ages. Anyone with an interest in British flowers will find this book fascinating, but its appeal as a book on British history is universal.

The list of Britain’s favourite flowers has barely changed for 400 years

Beekeeping,

ISBN 9781847734358.

Publishers. www.new publishers.com

If you’ve been inspired by the feature on p. 58 to help Britain’s bees, this is the definitive book on apiculture, or beekeeping, with everything a would-be beekeeper needs to know: essential tools and equipment, setting up and maintaining a hive, harvesting and selling honey and wax, and even honey recipes. Each chapter goes into the advantages and disadvantages of certain methods and tools in-depth, and one even features a seasonal reference guide.

Undiscovered Wales: Fifteen Circular Walks, Kevin Walker RRP: £12.99. ISBN 978-0711228672.

Frances Lincoln Ltd. www.frances lincoln.com

In this handy pocket-sized guide Kevin Walker presents 15 circular one-day walks taking in relatively unseen parts of the Welsh countryside, covering spots both in North and Mid Wales as well as closer to his home in Brecon. The walks vary in difficulty, and each route is accompanied by illustrations and interesting local history, providing some great ideas for a Sunday outing, treading the paths of undiscovered Wales.

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COUNTRY CREATIONS

The Riches Beneath Our Feet, Geoff Coyle

book, a lively account of the county’s heroes – including Wilfred Owen and

RRP: £20. ISBN 978-

Charles Darwin – battles, discoveries and even its crimes. The most well-read

0199551293. Oxford University Press. www.oup.com

With mineral riches in its earth, Britain

Salopian is likely to learn something new about their county from Bob Burrow’s fascinating book.

South, David Bathurst

how mining shaped Britain: its landscape; technology; and society.

Informative and interesting, Coyle devotes a large portion of the book to the abundant Welsh mines, which he does with enthusiasm and authority.

It Happened in Shropshire, Bob Burrows RRP: £7.99. ISBN 9781906122195. Merlin Unwin Books. www.merlin unwin.co.uk

Shropshire’s famous folk and events are highlighted in this

DIARY

To 22nd May

The Big Walks of the

has a long history of mining. Here, Geoff Coyle looks into

Creat ive

RRP: £8.99. ISBN 9781849530248.

Summersdale Publishers. www.summersdale.com

The author of a number of walking guides to Great Britain, David Bathurst has now written individual books split between north and south, with the latter covering some great routes in Wales, including Offa’s Dyke Path and Glyndwr’s Way. Routes vary in difficulty for either the casual walker or more experienced trekkers, and the author makes sure to include mention of all nearby historic or geographic areas of interest.

Showcase exhibition Work from artists displaying a diverse range of styles.

10am-8pm. Oriel Theatr Mwldan, Bath House Road, Cardigan, Ceredigion. Tel: 01239 621200. www.mwldan.co.uk

1st to 3rd May Spring Craft Fair Demonstrations and items for sale.

11am-4pm. Erddig Hall, near Wrexham. Tel: 01978 355314.

1st May to 27th June Mick Casson Exhibition of the ceramicist’s work.

10am-5.30pm. Ruthin Craft

Book of the month Charlotte van Praagh finds Iris Gower’s novel has a real-life twist House of Shadows, Iris Gower RRP: £19.99. ISBN 978-0727869074.

Severn House Publishers. Tel: 020 8770 3930.

Centre, Park Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire. Tel: 01824 704774. www.ruthincraftcentre.org.uk

9th May Pottery Open Day Elspeth Soper invites you to the launch of her new range.

www.severnhouse.com

11am-3pm. Willey Furnace

The latest offering from Wales' best-loved author, Iris Gower, is set in the Second World

Pottery, Barrow Road, Broseley,

War and based on real-life events at Aberglasney Hall in Carmarthenshire.

In the 17th century, six maids were alleged to have died in Aberglasney's Blue Room, from asphyxiation or arsenic poisoning.

Shropshire. Tel: 01952 885759.

15th May Spring Fair

Since then, there have been reports of ghostly occurrences. Iris Gower takes

Food, arts and crafts, and plants.

this historical event as the basis for her solid, well-structured period mystery.

Artist Riana Evans falls in love with the dilapidated Welsh mansion, despite rumours of its being haunted, and buys it. The ‘ghosts’ prove good for

10am-4pm. Shropshire Wildlife

business, inspiring her paintings and ghost-spotting weekends. But it soon becomes clear the house holds many secrets – which Riana tries to uncover.

Tel: 01743 284280.

Country & Border Life

Trust Visitor Centre, 193 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury. www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk

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Through the thin mist we could make out a number of semi-wild horses running down the mountainside. “That’s a sight we don’t see on the outskirts of Chester”

A path drops down to the Wye Valley with the Brecon Beacons in the distance

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COUNTRY WALKS

the Peak District but Patricia and I have never been to the Brecon Beacons. We felt if we tried it on our own we’d end up missing something out. This gives us the best of both worlds: a variety of walks without having to worry about where we are going to park or how we reach the start; a local guide who knows the area and can pass on her knowledge; and the comfort of relaxing in luxury at the end of our day.”

Yesterday’s sunnier walk along the tranquil banks of the River Wye had been a gentle introduction to the area.

“The walks are not necessarily meant to be long and hard going. They’re quality walks that’ll deliver a real mountain experience or a calm and tranquil interaction with the countryside and nature when walking at a lower level,” explains Sarah.

“Walking should be fun and done at a pace that suits you, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the views and observe the flora and fauna.”

Unlike today, when we were picked up from the hall in a private vehicle and dropped off at our starting point, yesterday’s walk began from the front door. The River Wye sweeps past the hall’s grounds and there are several

different routes to explore along it, with the opportunity to watch swans gliding gracefully on the water, leaping salmon at spawning time and, for the lucky ones, the occasional otter fishing in the rapids.

Today, our path along the Rhiw yr Ysgyfarnog ridge is relatively level and easy going, although boggy in places.

As we descend gently towards our journey’s end, Sarah explains about her leading experience. “Since 1995, I’ve led treks and mountain bike expeditions to countries throughout the world, including the Atlas mountains in Morocco, the Andes in Peru, Namibia, the Libyan desert and Finland, as well as here in England and Wales. My main experience is leading in Morocco and this developed over the years through a love of the country and the people I have made friends

Walkers look ahead to the climb up Pen y Fan – the highest point in South Wales

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CountryKit chen

Toss those spears into the pan to celebrate the start of the asparagus season, and there’s the chance to win some wonderful Emma Bridgewater china

Galloping gourmet

What? British asparagus and purple sprouting broccoli with caper butter Who? Serves 6 (as a side dish) Why? A simple but tasty dish to satisfy everyone’s taste buds Prepare: 1 tbs capers, rinsed • 2 tbs flat-leaf parsley • 75g/3oz butter, slightly softened • 1 small garlic clove, crushed • 2 bundles British asparagus • 200g/7oz purple sprouting broccoli • Sea salt and black pepper Make: 1. Roughly chop the capers with the parsley and add to a bowl with the butter, crushed garlic and seasoning and mix together with a fork.

2. Steam or boil the asparagus and purple sprouting broccoli for about 5 minutes or until tender. Drain and place in a warmed serving dish.

3. Add the caper mix and combine, then dot the surface with a little more butter and serve immediately with sauté potatoes and sprinkled with the flat-leaf parsley.

In season

Spears for spring

The asparagus season only lasts from May to June, but this delicious vegetable mustn’t be missed. As it deteriorates relatively quickly, freshly picked British asparagus is preferable to jet-lagged imported packs. Or why not try growing your own?

Traditionally matched with hollandaise sauce, enjoy it with a drizzle of olive oil, a twist of black pepper and perhaps a few shavings of Parmesan cheese. Alternatively, it is great steamed or boiled and is ready in minutes, best served firm to the bite. It’s also great roasted, chargrilled or barbecued, developing an intense smoky flavour. Fine, young spears also work well sautéed, stirfried or in a salad.

Packed with iron, potassium and folic acid, this spear-shaped

Tip

g, ng or steamin Whether boili ea to tie superfood also it’s a good id les of 10-12 nd helps protect bu asparagus in against cancer oking, so they spears for co ed from the and heart disease. can be remov ce.

And don’t forget its water all at on aphrodisiac properties!

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ARCADIAN BELOW: Brighten up the breakfast table with this delightful red polka dot teapot. It has an 800ml capacity and is available with matching mug, cup & saucer, bowl and egg cup.

MW Polka Dot Teapot in Red, £12. Available from Maxwell & Williams. Tel: 020 8200 5100. www.maxwellandwilliams.co.uk

Arcadianhome

ABOVE: This gorgeous tiffin has been hand painted by craftspeople from Kashmir, helping to provide much-needed employment. Each tiffin has four compartments and includes four metal plates. Perfect for storing cakes and biscuits, or as serving bowls. The word ’tiffin’ means ‘light lunch’. Handpainted Eva Tiffin (25cm x 21cm), £60. Available from Funky Olive. Tel: 0118 988 7330. www.funkyolive.co.uk

From a tiffin to tealights, travel to teapots – and plenty for the garden, too!

BELOW: Ideal for finishing off an apron, dress, or bag, each one-metre length of ric rac comes on a hand-turned reel. Vintage set of four, £7.50. Available from Pearl and Earl.

Tel: 01903 885456. www.grannyknits.co.uk

LEFT: These charming Fairtrade blossom tealights all have a floral scent and are ideal for using with or without holders.

Blossom Tealights Mixed Flowers, box of 10 assorted, £4.99. Available from Strawberry Fool. Tel: 0845 226 9177. www.straw berryfool.co.uk

LEFT: Keep your passport pristine with this pretty French-style passport holder. Wild & Wolf Keepsake Passport Holder, £18.

Available from Breeze.

Tel: 01223 354403. www.breeze.uk.com BELOW: In pretty frosted sorbet shades, these Amina Tea Glasses look beautiful anywhere. Each glass (height 6cm x diameter 6cm) has a delicate filigree-look rim and holds a standard tealight. Comes as a set of four. Boxed Set of Amina Tea Glasses, £18. Available from Berry Red. Tel: 01432 274805. www.berryred.co.uk

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RIGHT: Crafters will love these vintage quilting squares.

Pictured here packaged in jam jars and topped with a square from the set. Vintagequilting Squares With Jar, £12.50. Available from Pearl and Earl.

Tel: 01903 885456. www.grannyknits.co.uk

Country & Border Life

’Tis the

Season … to take to the streets and be jolly. There’s no better time to visit Shrewsbury than during its vibrant Summer Season, when the historic market town is filled with the very best in entertainment Words: Will Harris

T

he streets are packed with lively, chattering people.

The roads are closed off and the centre of Shropshire’s county town is buzzing with excitement. It can mean only one thing: Shrewsbury Summer Season is here again, and it’s bigger than ever.

Walking through the town during the Summer Season among the crowds of

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people, enjoying a warm sun and light breeze, it’s hard to imagine that, seven years ago, there wasn’t a big event like this for local people to take part in.

Now people flock to Shrewsbury, many coming a great distance, to see the culmination of festivals and shows that the Summer Season has to offer.

“Every year I hear more and more different accents,” says Dominic Wallis, business development manager for

Shropshire Council. “Scottish accents, London accents – people are starting to come from all over the country. I think it’s really getting a reputation.”

There are a number of reasons for this success, says Dominic, who’s been involved since the season’s inception.

“There’s this word going round at the moment: ‘staycation’. I think it’s beginning to stick because more and more people are staying in Britain to

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SHREWSBURY SUMMER

go on holiday. Shrewsbury’s in the middle of the country, so it’s easy to get to and has this wonderful, lively town centre; there’s always plenty to do when you come here. Increasingly, people use the town as somewhere to shop during the day then go see or do something in the evening.”

Shrewsbury certainly does have a lot going on. There are more than 150 events held from May to September

Country & Border Life

under the banner of Shrewsbury Summer Season, with something to suit all ages and interests. That’s a significant increase, given that the first season took place as recently as 2004.

“There was a Shrewsbury before the Summer Season and there’s now a Shrewsbury with it,” says Dominic.

“The theatre used to be dark at high season, and now we have this great opportunity every year for people to

just get out there and do stuff, enjoying what’s on offer and participating, too – just bringing the town alive.

“We really try to use the landscape of the town as a canvas, and the palette used to colour in that canvas is the local residents of Shrewsbury, who help to put the whole thing together.”

We show just how colourful that canvas can be, previewing a selection of the best of this year’s events.

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Frost Bound "The tree in this picture is one that I see daily. On this particular winter’s day, all of the branches were covered in frost, and there was no touch of warmth in the entire landscape except for this lovely woodpecker.

"As a printmaker, I'm very interested in the composition of pictures and the recurrent patterns in nature. I drew a sketch outside, and decided to put the image into linocut because it had such a great contrast."

Thelma Sykes SWLA, from Saughall, Chester. www.swla.co.uk

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LOCAL WILDLIFE ART EXHIBITION

First day at school "This is a pencil drawing of some penguins, which not only lend themselves to black and white, but as I work for the Born Free foundation, I tend to concentrate on species that are threatened."

"Wildlife is a source of inspiration for so many of us, and I think once you've seen animals in their natural habitat then that in itself is an inspiration. I often used to go on holidays in Mid Wales, and I remember always being inspired by the wide open spaces and the wildlife; it was there I saw both red kites and badgers for the first time."

Chris Wright www.cwright.co.uk

Labrador Duck "I thought it would be interesting to do a sculpture of a bird that had been extinct since 1875; it's more of a challenge to create something purely from bits of information, photographs of old stued birds and illustrations from other artists, then put them all together and try and come up with something accurate.

"I take a lot of inspiration from the local area, mainly making woodcarvings of indigenous waterfowl; there's plenty of places around here to see them."

Philip Nelson, from Gresford, Wrexham.

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