whatswhatmagazine.co.uk
Come outside! Summer walks, workshops, festivals and gigs
A bird’s-eye view Our local birdlife explored
Holiday time Look inside for local family fun
JUL / AUG 2017
The magazine & website for your local area
OPEN TO PUBLIC AND TRADE
Craven Dunnill & Co Ltd. Stourbridge Road, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV15 6AS Telephone: 01746 761611 www.cravendunnill.co.uk
elcome
Contents
Welcome to our summer edition. We’ve got a magazine full to the brim with festivals, events, walks, and shows to keep everyone happy and busy in our wonderful part of Shropshire. We bring news of brilliant awards won by local businesses, and share some of the sporting successes achieved. It’s quite amazing how a relatively small population such as ours competes on the national – and international – stage. Many of our achievements are down to the volunteers who coach and lead clubs and societies, and to the resources and facilities we have. One of our big stories is the plea to get local residents behind the funding shortfall for Bridgnorth’s pool. If every person in the town donated just £6, the fundraising team would hit their target, making it a real achievement for our community. I’ve just attended a concert as part of Bridgnorth’s Haydn Festival – a true cultural gem we’re lucky to host, with internationally acclaimed musicians taking part. This too is run by volunteers, as are the brilliant Music and Arts Festival and the Wenlock Games taking place later this summer – read on to find out more! So enjoy your summer and remember to keep checking our website and social media feeds for up-to-date information about WW! in our neck of the woods.
Sally Themans What’s What Magazine
Local news
4 – 19
Bridgnorth walk album School news
25 – 33
Local arts
36 – 53
Diary dates, summer activities and festivals
54 – 67
Food & drink
68 – 75
Home & you
76 – 90
Gardening & local walks
90 – 96
Animal care
98
Local business news
@WhatsWhatmagz
19
100 – 105
Town council news
Cover photo
106
Local sport
108 – 110
Local experts
111 – 113
Wildflower meadow September/October 2017 Deadlines Editorial – 28 July, Advertising – 4 August
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Bridgnorth, Eardington, Worfield, Claverley, Hilton, Ackleton, Broseley, Ironbridge, Jackfield, Buildwas, Much Wenlock, Homer, Brockton, Bourton, Hughley, Harley, Cressage, Cound, Kenley, Harnage, Wroxeter, Leighton, Eaton Constantine, Little Wenlock, Lightmoor, Horsehay and Shifnal.
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Also available at… the Spar, Broseley; Mrs P’s, Much Wenlock; Chrisalis News, Ironbridge and Sainsbury’s, Bridgnorth.
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Meet the team Leanne Platek Managing Director
Sally Themans Editor
Kate Southan Office Manager
What’s What! Magazine 18 Barrow Street, Much Wenlock TF13 6EN Email: Advertising – leanne@whatswhatmagazine.co.uk Editorial – editorial@whatswhatmagazine.co.uk General enquiries – info@whatswhatmagazine.co.uk Telephone 01952 728162 whatswhatmagazine.co.uk
Ed Andrews Writer
Liz Orton Guest Designer
What’s What! Magazine is published by MC Marketing Ltd. The views expressed within this publication do not necessarily reflect those of MC Marketing. Any reproduction of any material is forbidden without the written permission consent of the publishers. Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, MC Marketing can in no way cannot accept liability for omissions or incorrect insertions or any consequence arising from use of this publication. Copyright MC Marketing Ltd 2006.
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LOCAL NEWS
Parish team
Special Olympics torch
The Ironbridge Gorge Parish Council has set up a dedicated Parish Environmental Team who will carry out a local works programme. The team, which includes a TWS Ltd employee plus an apprentice, will provide environmental maintenance ‘above and beyond’ what is already done by Telford & Wrekin Council’s own maintenance teams and give a ‘pride of patch’ local service. A spokesman said, “We hope residents will start to see an improvement in their environment and would encourage them to contact the Parish Council to let us know which areas they believe deserve a little extra maintenance.”
Wenlock Olympian Games will take place between 1 and 15 July and feature some 20 events, most of which are centred on the town’s Gaskell Ground and, quite fittingly, William Brookes School. The main day, with the majority of track and field events as well as the Wenlock Triathlon, is Sunday 9 July from 9.45am-5pm. Details and a timetable can be found at wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk/games
For more information, contact thegorgeparishcouncil.gov.uk
Help in Much Wenlock A day centre in Much Wenlock for older citizens has an opportunity for someone to join its volunteer team of helpers on a Wednesday to help organise activities such as bingo, quizzes and games. Run by Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, the centre provides vital social interaction for its members, as well as a hot meal and transport to and from the centre. If you work well as part of a team and would like to do something positive to help older people in Much Wenlock, contact the volunteer recruitment department on 01743 588570. Alternatively, visit ageukshropshireandtelford. org.uk or email volunteering@ ageukstw.org.uk
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There will also be a Special Olympics Torch Lighting ceremony in July. The Special Olympics is an organisation (not to be
confused with the ‘Paralympics’) which provides sporting opportunities for people of all abilities. It holds an annual games and, because of Much Wenlock’s role in the history of the modern Olympic movement, has taken to lighting its torch here. Wenlock Olympian Society has a Special Olympics torch which will be taken to the William Penny Brookes graveside on 27 July where they will be joined by representatives of the Special Olympics and this year’s hosts, South Yorkshire Constabulary.
Lauren top of world Bridgnorth runner Lauren Draper was on top of the world when she finished second in the Great Wall of China marathon – beating hundreds of others from all over the world. And her podium delight was augmented when boyfriend Alex Cooper proposed to her in style - there and then as she received her medal. Lauren, who runs with Bridgnorth Running Club, was a record holder at Oldbury Wells School, and her records in the 800m and 1500m have only just been broken. “It was the race of a lifetime” Lauren told WW! “and the proposal, well, a moment I will treasure forever.” It was a family affair in China too; dad David was the winning senior in the half marathon, mum Tanya was first senior lady in the 8.5km and fiancé Alex also ran his first – and last – half marathon.
The Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust has succeeded in meeting a £1 million fundraising challenge well ahead of schedule and The Heritage Lottery Fund has pledged to match every pound donated, which will contribute towards an endowment fund to safeguard the future of the SVR. Chair of the SVR Charitable Trust Hugh McQuade said, “We’ve been inspired by the passion and generosity of our supporters. We’re now in a position to make a real commitment to the future of the railway, to help fund the essential maintenance and restoration work on its rolling stock and infrastructure in the years to come.” Volunteer for 24 years Richard Hill, whose donation took the total to £1m
LOCAL NEWS
Railway hits jackpot
Warriors rugby camps Coaches from Worcester Warriors will be back in Bridgnorth for a rugby camp from 26 to 28 July at Swancote Energy Park. These popular camps hosted by Bridgnorth RFC will cater for all levels of experience and ability, giving participants the opportunity to learn and develop their skills. Open to new and current rugby players; girls and boys from 6 to 16 years old. You can book directly with warriors.co.uk/community/ rugby_camps.php.
LED there be light
Henley awaits Bridgnorth Rowing Club’s senior men’s squad are delighted to be competing at most prestigious rowing event in the world – Henley Royal Regatta. The event has run at Henley-on-Thames since 1839 and attracts the best rowers from across the UK and around the world. The Bridgnorth senior men have trained hard throughout the long, dark winter nights and blisteringly cold mornings, building up their base fitness and strength. Since the start of spring, the crew of four have been training intensely on the water and competed at several build up races at Dorney Lake, the home of the 2012 Olympic rowing course, and the National Water Sports Centre at Nottingham. The team, Nick McNeil Stuart Round, Rich Pilsbury and Daz Breakwell, have performed well, improving on every event, and competing against some of the best crews in the country.
A major programme to improve street lights across Telford and Wrekin has started as part of the Pride in Your Community investment programme. Over the next two years, 20,000 street lights will be upgraded by Telford & Wrekin Council with LED technology. The new LED lights use less energy, reduce pollution and make it easier for residents to see things at night, helping to make areas safer. The £5.2m investment in street lighting will lead to improved lighting and also saving the council £420,000 a year through reduced maintenance and lower energy costs.
Broseley’s WI summer Broseley WI will host its summer party at the Methodist Church Hall on Tuesday 11 July at 7.30pm. New visitors are always welcome. Entrance is £3.50 including refreshment. For more information, call 01952 882479.
5
LOCAL NEWS
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This July marks 125 years since one of the jewels in Bridgnorth’s crown, the Cliff Railway, opened. To celebrate, a special first-day stamp cover has been produced. The Bridgnorth Cliff Railway made its first ascent on 7 July 1892 and is the oldest and steepest Inland Electric Funicular Railway. The opening ceremony was performed by the mayor of the day, John Anderson, using a golden key presented to him by the railway’s founder, engineer and Brunel disciple George Croydon Marks. In 2011, the heritage and care of the railway was taken over by the Tipping family, who are cousins of Marks. The history and continuation of the Railway as a working means of transport is held dear by the people of Bridgnorth, and it attracts thousands of visitors each year. The first-day cover has been produced by Buckingham Covers.
Renewable energy It may not be everyone’s idea of a great day out, but members of the Sustainable Bridgnorth group recently had the opportunity to visit Severn Trent’s sewage treatment works in Wolverhampton to find out how the company generates green power from human waste. The group, which is committed to helping the town become a sustainable low-carbon community and supports renewable energy and waste reduction, had a chance to find out how Severn Trent uses anaerobic digestion to turn sewage into clean energy and then produce high-quality fertiliser from what’s left by the process. They also took the opportunity to find out how the company is generating energy from solar power. Kath Norgrove, who works for Severn Trent and is the chair of Sustainable Bridgnorth, said, “Severn Trent already generates the equivalent of a third of the energy it uses from renewable sources and is aiming to reach 50% by 2020.” Members of Sustainable Bridgnorth visit Severn Trent
LOCAL NEWS
Cliff Railway celebrates
Haycop celebrates Broseley’s Haycop Nature Reserve will celebrate its 10th anniversary with an open day on Saturday 1 July. An afternoon and evening of activities will include live music, hot pork baps, scones and cream (with homemade Haycop jam!), a licensed bar, local craft stalls and children’s entertainment including pond dipping. There will be visitors from the Chelmarsh Owl Sanctuary and an English Civil War Re-enactment Group, Col Nicholas Devereux Regiment of Foote, will take centre stage. Free entry.
Autism support for parents Autism West Midlands run a friendly and supportive coffee mornings in Bridgnorth and parents/carers of children who may be on the autism spectrum or have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder are welcome to attend. The coffee mornings are held at the United Reformed Methodist Church on the Cartway on the last Friday of each month from 10am until noon. On Friday 28 July, the group will run a Busy Buddies session alongside the usual coffee morning, enabling children to join in and play board games and do arts and crafts. There will be a family day at Severn Valley Country Park on Monday 14 August instead of a coffee morning in August. For more information and to book, visit shop.autismwestmidlands.org.uk
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LOCAL NEWS
Fetes for summer Pattingham’s annual St Chad’s Church fete takes place on Saturday 1 July, starting at 2pm. The main demonstration in the ring will be the Lichfield Flyball Club with their team racing activity for dogs. There will also be a collection of classic cars, motorbikes and bicycles including a Jaguar E-Type, new and old Bentleys, mopeds from the 1970s and lots more. Chelmarsh village fete will be held on Saturday 8 July starting at 2pm. This traditional village fete will feature donkey rides, coconut shy, pig roast, and plenty of stalls – cakes, plants, books and tombola. Entertainment throughout the afternoon will include a brass band, Morris dancers, a clown and juggler, and of course homemade teas.
Planning application on hold An appeal has been made to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, against the decision of Shropshire Council to resolve to approve planning permission for the proposal to build five new retail units on the Smithfield car park in Bridgnorth. The minister has ‘called in’ the application, which means Mr Javid will determine the outcome of the planning decision personally and seek further information about whether proposals conform to the SAMDev local plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.
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Ladies try cricket Women’s cricket softball is taking Shropshire by storm. Two well-attended festivals have taken place in Shrewsbury and Alveley, and with numbers are growing more are planned this summer. The festivals are part of the national ‘Cricket Unleashed’ initiative from the England Cricket Board which aims to inspire more people, in particular women and girls, to try cricket. The festivals are free to enter and teams have come from hospitals, work colleagues and cricket clubs. The next festivals are planned for Sunday 16 July at Whitchurch, Sunday 13 August at St Georges Cricket Club in Telford and Sunday 3 September at Shifnal Cricket Club. Wouldn’t it be brilliant to have a team from the WW! area taking part? If you’re inspired to find out more and enter a team, visit ecb.co.uk/play and select women’s softball festivals. The Dementia Dollies celebrate a wicket
Re-use for phone boxes In a brilliant reusage scheme, public defibrillators have been installed inside a number of iconic red phone boxes in the WW! area. Heartstart Midlands has worked closely with parish councils, Shropshire Council and BT following the sad news that telephone boxes were to be removed later this year, to try and find alternative use and life the boxes, whilst increasing the number of life saving defibrillators across the Bridgnorth area that can be called upon in an emergency. Ex-Bridgnorth Endowed pupil Chris Philips, who runs Heartstart, said, “We’ve installed Public Access Defibrillators over the last three weeks in Middleton Scriven, Glazeley, Billingsley, Cleobury North (donated by Burwarton Show Young Farmers), Monkhopton, Burwarton and in Low Town Bridgnorth (donated by Bridgnorth Winter Darts League). “Defibrillators deliver an electrical shock to a casualty in cardiac arrest in an attempt to restart the heart prior to the arrival of an ambulance. At that stage every second counts and having this vital equipment close to hand could make the difference between life and death. “The defibrillators are housed in locked cabinets within the telephone boxes, and the access code as well as full instructions are given by the operator when calling 999 for an ambulance. If we could support your local area or business in installing a Public Access Defibrillator, please contact us 01952 373 999 or office@heartstartmidlands.co.uk or find us on Facebook.”
LOCAL NEWS Hanna Sebright (CEO), Nick Whale (trustee), Carl Fogarty, Nick Sanders, Steve Parrish, Shane Lynch, Bryan Lane (competition winner), Mark Hayes and Steve Harris (emergency bikers), and front row: James and Kerry Norwood-Smith (competition winners)
Bikers fundraiser Over 3,500 motorcyclists rode the 23 miles from Shrewsbury to RAF Cosford in the Bike4Life Ride Out, raising £73,800 for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity in the process. The Ride Out was led by world Superbike champion Carl Fogarty, motorcycle and truck racing legend Steve Parrish, adventure motorcyclist and author Nick Sanders, and Boyzone star and professional drift driver Shane Lynch. It was followed by a festival supported by the Safer Roads Partnership at Cosford, which was attended
by over 10,000. Bikers and visitors were entertained by live bands including headliners The Wholls as well as a freestyle motocross display from Jamie Squibb of Nitro Circus. Jason Levy of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and chair of the Bike4Life organising committee, said, “Over 35% of the incidents our three air ambulances attend are road traffic collisions, and sadly a great number of these involve motorcyclists in urgent need of medical attention, so the money raised will help to ensure we can continue to provide lifesaving care when it’s most needed.”
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LOCAL NEWS
Can you be a friend? Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin is urgently in need of ‘befriending volunteers’ in Bridgnorth to spend a couple of hours a week visiting an older person for company and conversation as part of their No One Should Have No One campaign. Volunteers give support by visiting the older person’s own home, enjoying a drink and a chat, reminiscing and encouraging hobbies and accompanying them to come along to local activities. To find out more, call Janice or Claire on 01743 588570, email volunteering@ageukstw.org.uk or visit ageukshropshireandtelford.org.uk
Broseley history Broseley Local History Society will be holding an open day in October and they are keen to hear from anyone who may have items of local interest, including old photographs, which may be added to the display. Please contact Gillian Pope gill.h.pope@googlemail.com or phone 01952 883960.
Summer bookworms Bridgnorth Library is hosting a Summer Reading Challenge which launches on Saturday 15 July from 9.30am to 3pm. The theme for this year is Animal Agents and all children aged 5 to 12 who read six books or more during the summer holidays will receive a medal and certificate.
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New mayor’s vision Cllr Ron Whittle was sworn in as the new mayor of Bridgnorth at the mayor making ceremony at Bridgnorth Town Hall, where he was joined by visiting dignitaries, existing councillors and five newly elected councillors. He said the role ahead was a daunting task but also a great honour, and thanked outgoing mayor Vanessa Voysey and the retiring councillors. Cllr Whittle said he wanted to spend “less time talking and more time doing” and would be bringing in proposals to simplify the way the council works and make it more efficient. He went on to say that the town needs to make better use of its assets in terms of staff, properties and grounds and consider how to use these to increase income, reduce costs and add value to the town. The mayor’s chosen charities this year are the Bridgnorth Hospital League of Friends and the Bridgnorth Scouts and Guides Pack. He also donated half of his mayoral allowance – £1,000 – to local charity Rupert’s Revenge. Bridgnorth Mayor Ron Whittle with his wife, mayor’s consort Cllr Carol Whittle
Wonderful WI! Bridgnorth WI has been raising funds and supporting a huge variety of community events throughout the year. In May, branch president Judith Tranter presented Chris Phillips from Bridgnorth First Responders with a cheque for £1,242. The money was raised during the year by the WI at various Bridgnorth Town Council fundraising events such as the Christmas lights special market, where the ladies organised a bottle tombola. The WI recently catered for 100 guests in Castle Hall as part of the mayor’s Civic Sunday and manned a water station on the Bridgnorth Lions Walk. At the time of writing, the WI are preparing their float entry in the town carnival, this time raising money for Oak Farm in Ditton Priors. New members are always welcome to meetings on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7.30pm at Baptist Church, West Castle Street. Bridgnorth WI provided catering for civic Sunday
LOCAL NEWS
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LOCAL NEWS
Bridgnorth bypass roadworks Significant improvement works are to be carried out between July and November on the A458 Bridgnorth bypass and the roundabout approaches between the Wenlock Road junction and the Stourbridge Road roundabout. The bypass project will see the replacement of bridge expansion joints on the Bridgnorth River Severn Bridge, along with concrete repairs to the bridge and works on the bridge parapets. The Severn Valley Railway Overbridge will be repainted, roundabout approaches will be resurfaced, signs and markings will be replaced and refreshed and footpaths repaired; street lighting and safety barriers will also be updated and drainage improvements carried out. Work is due to start on 11 July and finish by 10 November, with traffic signals and lane closures from 11 July to 7 August, and a series of overnight closures throughout August and October.
Day centre milestones The Age UK day centre in Alveley, near Bridgnorth, held a party for members and volunteers to celebrate its 25th birthday. The centre was opened in 1992 by Anthea Whetton and her husband, and every Monday since then has offered older people a chance to get out of their house and socialise with others. Transport is provided along with a hot meal and there are plenty of activities such as singing, bingo, quizzes and talks.
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Rotary wishing well The Rotary Club of Bridgnorth’s wishing well was recently unveiled in the Bridgnorth Castle Grounds. President of Bridgnorth Rotary Club Robert Davies said “The club is extremely grateful to all these individuals and organisations helped; the design was by Vic Johnson Partnership and the main contributor being Nationwide Oak who provided the oak structure. The building of the well was undertaken by Severn Valley Landscapes with supplies provided by T & G Builder’s Merchants, the Stone Warehouse, Blacksmith Iain Seedhouse and Pod Stainless Steel. Bridgnorth Town Council have been supportive throughout with the project, and we hope the wishing well will provide pleasure as well as being a fundraiser for Rotary’s many good causes.” The club’s next fund raising events are a golf day on Friday 7 July and a classic car run on Wed 26 July for more information see bridgnorthrotary.org.uk Bridgnorth town crier John James, Rotary president Robert Davies and the Mayor of Bridgnorth Ron Whittle
Young film makers Talent comes in all shapes and sizes, and acknowledging and developing talent in all its diverse forms is a big part of what The Bridge youth centre in Whitburn Street is all about. Recently some of The Bridge’s young people came together to create the artwork for a short film which they titled ‘Sad Talents’ – and which they wrote, developed, acted in, and edited. They decided to focus on the themes of bullying and reconciliation, with the piece telling the story of a talent show where things go wrong between the contestants, with characters reconciling and apologising at the end. Youth worker John Prockter said, “This project opened up discussion about what it feels like to be bullied and how friendships are affected by horrible words and actions. Many of the young people that attend The Bridge have experienced bullying in one form or another and feel passionately about stopping it.”
LOCAL NEWS
Wig box returned A rather strange Bridgnorth artefact has been restored to the family whose name it bears. John Kenneth Banks was Bridgnorth town clerk from 1957 before he died at a young age in 1965, and the box in which the town clerk’s wig has been kept since that time is inscribed with his name. When his granddaughter, Lydia Stuart-Banks, followed in her grandfather’s footsteps and qualified as a solicitor, John’s widow Jean was keen to see if she could retain the ownership of the family heirloom for her granddaughter to store her own legal wig in. Jean Banks, who is a well-known town resident and was a local Justice of the Peace for over 20 years, was delighted to be able to make a donation for Bridgnorth Town Council to purchase a replacement wig box and is looking forward to presenting the box to her granddaughter on her wedding day this summer – in memory of the grandfather Lydia never knew. Jean Banks with the wig box which bears her husband’s name
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LOCAL NEWS
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LOCAL NEWS
Luke’s world record Bridgnorth firefighter Luke Veal has secured his place in the Guinness Book of Records for his part in playing the longest ever rugby match. The 30-hour marathon match was played at Worcester’s Sixways stadium and Luke joined forces with colleagues from across the UK to raise £50,000 for the Fire Fighters’ Charity and military charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” said Luke, “The game, which was full contact, was played at pace from beginning to end. It calmed down slightly during the night but when the sun came up it was all guns blazing again. The other firefighters in the team were amazing and the banter and camaraderie got us through.” Luke, who works for Bridgnorth Aluminium, is a retained firefighter for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service. After rupturing a knee ligament while skiing, Luke was keen to support the Fire Fighters’ Charity which helped him recuperate. Bridgnorth Aluminium is match-funding funds up to £1,000.
Ironbridge heritage grant The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, which celebrates 50 years since its foundation this year, has been awarded a £1 million endowment grant via the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Ironbridge Gorge is widely recognised as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, and securing this grant helps ensure the future of some of the monuments within the World Heritage Site. Darby’s Old Furnace, where Abraham Darby I first smelted iron using coke, is one of the sites that will benefit, along with nearby sites such as the Quaker Burial Ground, the arboretum, Darby Houses, and Coalbrookdale Company’s Warehouses. Anna Brennand, CEO of Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, explained, “This grant is part of the new Coalbrookdale Masterplan, launched in April 2017; the first phase will be the creation of a new destination café, with work starting this autumn. Future phases, once funding has been secured, will be the refurbishment of Enginuity, the National Design and Technology Centre, along with the creation of a new Collections Store and further works to the Old Furnace.” Darby’s Old Blast Furnace in Coalbrookdale
Auf Wiedersehen London, Hello Cosford! The most advanced fighter aircraft of the Second World War, the Messerschmitt Me 262, is returning to Cosford after 14 years on display at the RAF Museum London. Prior to the move the aircraft was dismantled to arrive safely at Cosford where it will be re-assembled and displayed alongside fellow German fighters the Me109, FW190 and the Ju88 night fighter in the ‘War in the Air’ hangar. This fleet of rare Second World War Luftwaffe aircraft unique for Cosford, which is also home to their rival RAF equivalents. The Me 262 was the only jet fighter to see air-to-air combat in the WW2 and its appearance in 1944 was a great shock to the Allies. It was a significantly more advanced design than its British counterparts and many of its aerodynamic secrets were eagerly incorporated in later post-war combat aircraft. Fortunately for the RAF, chronic supply shortages meant that few Me 262s saw combat and the true potential of the Me 262 was never realised. Ian Thirsk, Head of Collections at the RAF Museum said, “The Me 262’s were the first turbojet fighter to do so it heralded a new era in aerial warfare and represented a step change in technology. Today very few original examples survive so we are delighted to present this significant aircraft to our visitors at Cosford.” 15
LOCAL NEWS
Plea to help pool Local residents are hoping the community will rally round to raise funds to make up the shortfall needed to get the Bridgnorth pool open again. A crowdfunding site has been set up by local resident Rachel Mills, and Nancy Brown held a public meeting in June to raise awareness of the issue. The pool, which has been shut since September, has had to undergo unforeseen extensive repair work to steel structures which were holding the roof up. Rachel said, “Bridgnorth pool is an essential resource for our town. It’s so important for youngsters in Bridgnorth to learn this potentially lifesaving skill; and so many other members of the community, including the school and the swimming club, rely on it.” Chair of governors at Bridgnorth Endowed School Mark Freethy said, “The additional repairs were unexpected and, whilst we received good support from Sport England and the DfE emergency improvement fund, we are still some £70k short of the total needed. Halo Leisure are managing the works on behalf of the school and it’s hoped the pool will reopen before the summer holidays. I hope we can get the community behind this effort to raise the last element of funding so that Halo can complete the work they started and give the town better facilities than ever.” The crowdfunding site can be found at justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/bridgnorthpool Leisure centre manager Debbie Swales with Rachel Mills
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LOCAL NEWS
Jake’s new trike Little Jake Mountford has got a lot to be smiling about. Thanks to a massive community response, the five year old, who has the rare genetic condition Angelmans syndrome which affects his balance and motor skills, is now pedalling around independently on his special trike. Jake’s mum Karen got in touch with editor Sally Themans earlier this year to ask for help, and after WW! and Love Bridgnorth’s Facebook page covered the story, donations flowed in. Now Karen would like to express her thanks to the community of Bridgnorth and the surrounding area who have been so generous: “Jake’s on his trike nearly every day and he loves it. He’s more independent, he’s learning cause and effect through steering, and it’s strengthening his legs and keeping him fit. His teachers at school have noticed a real improvement and he can join in and keep up with his friends playing on their bikes at the park and on family bike rides.” Midwife Karen, who lives in Eardington and grew up in Bridgnorth, concluded, “Our whole family has been overwhelmed; we’re so pleased to be living amongst such a caring community.”
Jackfield award The Jackfield Stabilisation Project has won the top prize at the Institution of Civil Engineering’s Regional Awards. The £17.6m project, which has successfully stabilised the south bank of the River Severn in Jackfield, means residents, businesses and tourist attractions are now protected from potential landslips. The project won the Geotechnical category at the awards ceremony at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre. Noted for overcoming the problem of ‘historic slope instability with great geotechnical complexity’ the project used nine rows of reinforced concrete piles and a comprehensive drainage system to galvanize the Gorge. The riverbank has been reprofiled and reinforced, and a new road which is part of the Severn Valley Way reconstructed with new footpaths and seating facilities. The Jackfield Stabilisation Project now goes through as the regional entry for the Institute’s People’s Choice national award, to be judged by public vote in November.
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LOCAL NEWS
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LOCAL NEWS
Tribute book for hospice Shropshire writer Christina Graham has written the novel entitled ‘Reiver’, in memory of her husband Robert, and the book has gone on sale to raise funds for Severn Hospice, which cared for Robert before he passed away in 2006, aged 45. The book tells the story of Resa and Reiver who live a happy life with their three children, until one day, the smell of wild garlic changes everything. The humorous biography uses letters and school reports written by Reiver (Robert), along with the narrative voice of Resa (Christina) to tell a story spanning the couple’s life together, from when they first met at university to their family life in Shropshire. Christina said, “I wrote our story because I wanted to give something back to Severn Hospice for all the help we received as a family. All the events in the book actually happened, Robert was a very funny man and I think the book captures his humour, as well as the reality of living with a debilitating illness. He taught chemistry at Wrekin College before becoming a Housemaster, which he adored, and I hope the story conveys the wonderful relationship he had both with his family and his pupils.” All proceeds will be donated to Severn Hospice, for more information and stockists please see severnhospice.org.uk or call 01952 221351.
Ben Graham with his mother’s book
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LOCAL NEWS
s t i r p S h g Hi alk orth for Bridgn
W
Damp conditions didn’t dampen spirits for the Bridgnorth Lions Walk, the first to be run by the Lions, as over 620 walkers left the high street to embark on the 22 mile walk up the Brown Clee and back. In one of the very fastest walk times in the walk’s 51year history, Andrew Simmons just snatched victory from his old rival Andy Rawlings who has won the event a record 19 times. First woman home was Lorna Wickens and the junior walk was won by Andrew Jones, with his sister Louise as first girl. The biggest fundraising team was Rupert’s Revenge - raising funds for treatment for young Rupert Beckett. Over £100,000 was raised in total. Well done all – the walkers, the volunteers and the Bridgnorth Lions who made it all happen.
Heather and Chris Poole Gleed -who celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary doing the walk
Pictures by David Cooper. Gemma Marie Kemp
Winner Andy
Simmons with
Mayor Ron W
hit tle
Lydia Martin, Lisa Stokes, Christina Edwards and Sharon Topham
All raising money for Rupert’s Revenge 20
LOCAL NEWS Mike and Tony Swales
The Kings Head team cross the line
Mayor Ron Whittle, Louise Norgrove (2nd senior lady) and Mayoress Carol Whittle
Ellie Fa
rring to
n wh o w alked fo
r Alfies
Wheels
Charlotte Evans, Glenda Connolly-Evans and Liz Sinclair
Elaine Williams and Grace Mottram
Ashley Harris
The Grainger and Worrall team who put in a set of impressive results and also sponsored the event
‘Puffina’ aka Dana Power with Ron and Carol Whittle
Ray Gill and Claire Mathias dressed to raise awareness for Rupert’s Revenge who carried the crocodile throughout 21
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The ‘wow’ factor Finding the home that’s perfect for you is an art, not a science. Sometimes it can take us less than an hour – maybe just a few minutes – to make a decision to commit hundreds of thousands of pounds to a property, simply because it somehow triggers an emotional response in us. Estate agents are constantly hearing statements such as “I knew it was right the moment I walked in” or “the view was just divine” or “it would be such a great party house” – and this means they learn how to read emotions and desires with remarkable accuracy.
As a neutral observer, you might think that something more prosaic – the number of bedrooms, say, or the fitted kitchen – would be more of a factor in such a life-changing choice. Most people have a set budget that they stick to – but a ‘wow’ factor that’s different for every individual or couple has far more impact than a straightforward number.
Naturally, no computer or internet search can reveal the property that will strike a chord with the inner you… Caroline Eaton of Berriman Eaton agrees that when it comes to choosing a place to live, the heart almost always rules the head. She says, “I’ve worked as an estate agent for 30 years – and I’ve seen the way the subconscious helps people make their choices. After viewing a property, do we secretly dream of presenting it to friends and monitoring their reactions for envy? Perhaps that’s why we keep moving house, as we reinvent ourselves at least every decade and our aspirations move forward….
Caroline Eaton, Director at Berriman Eaton
Whether we’re looking to find more space, revisit childhood memories, or to find a lower-maintenance home that chimes with our advancing years, or a veggie patch that will inspire us to create plot-to-plate family meals, a home reflects our innermost dreams and desires.” Caroline finds that her decades of understanding clients’ needs have given her the ability to see beyond the figures and the tick-boxes, to dig deeper and see what clients may not be able to see themselves. “Naturally, no computer or internet search can reveal the property that will strike a chord with the inner you. Traditional estate agency at its best gives us an opportunity to employ our instincts and use our intuition to suggest a ‘wild card’ that may not even have occurred to our clients. “With experience, good estate agents when showing around prospective buyers can pick up on perhaps unnoticed or unacknowledged desires and present alternative suggestions. Likewise, we often respectfully participate in debates between partners to find a common ground that will keep both parties satisfied!” Caroline concludes, “Calling or speaking to us about your property search will really help us ‘get’ what you’re after, and will help us on the journey to finding your ideal home, so don’t just rely on searches and technology… give us a call and let us provide the human touch to your househunting process!” Ferney Lodge, Chorley Guide Price £500,000
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LOCAL NEWS
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SCHOOL NEWS
Oldbury’s baking fundraiser Students at Oldbury Wells held a non-uniform day and cake sale recently to raise money for the Harry Johnson Trust, a local charity that offers help and support to children and young adults who receive care from the Oncology team at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital. The school raised an amazing £768.89 for the cause. Sally Johnson, cofounder of the trust, said, “Thank you to everyone at Oldbury Wells for organising and taking part. As a small local charity, this amount of money will make a huge difference to the local children we support.” To find out more about the trust and the fantastic work they do, visit theharryjohnsontrust.co.uk Sally Johnson with students Daisy Jennison-Cooke, Ian Broome and Grace Thomas
On top of the world Lucky pupils from Castlefields School in Bridgnorth were whisked away to Wales to celebrate the end of their SATs tests. The Year 6 students tried a variety of different activities including rock climbing on Barmouth Slabs during their residential week away at Plas Caerdeon.
Special visitor Pupils at Church Preen Primary enjoyed a visit from one of the school’s former pupils. Mary Beard, Professor of Classics at Cambridge University, TV presenter and author came to visit the school and talk to the older children about their Roman topic work. She also answered lots of questions from the children about her current role and her work in television. The children (and the staff) were enthralled.
Singing finalist Annabel Rocket, a music scholar at Wolverhampton Grammar School, was a recent finalist in the Rotary Young Musician of the Year vocal category. Annabel won the first three stages; local, district and regional. At national level she competed against singers from Scotland and Ireland at the finals in Cardiff. Annie, who is taught singing by Beverley Wightman, has now been asked to sing in two concerts this summer for Compton Hospice, one at the Grand Theatre (see page 36) and she has also secured a place on the Eton summer school choral course in July.
Professor Beard was thrilled to look through the school’s archive material and see the names of friends, classmates and teachers from her days at Church Preen in the 1960s when she not only attended the school, but also lived in the schoolhouse, thanks to her mother being head teacher. Head Dave Tinker said, “The children have learnt a great deal from the visit but most importantly that hard work, dedication and passion for a subject will enable you to realise your dreams and take you far. It was good to hear Professor Beard reinforce the value of education and lifelong learning with the children and we are looking forward to annual visits to the University of Cambridge to engage and enthuse our older learners in the value of a university education.” Professor Mary Beard visiting her ‘alma mater’
Finalist Annabel Rocket 25
E X T R A O R D I N A RY E D U C AT I O N
www.tettenhallcollege.co.uk
SCHOOL NEWS Tettenhall College’s Bella Voce
Performers hit right note Tettenhall College’s choir has led to them being selected for a national festival. The group, Bella Voce, took part in the regional heats of Music for Youth, a festival which saw judges listen to 40,000 performers in 8,000 groups across the country. Bella Voce consists of Year 7 to 13 girls and for the competition they performed ‘Skylark’, capturing the 1940s feel of when the song was written. Judges praised their harmonies and original style and the pupils are delighted to have been awarded a place at the national festival.
Director of music at the school Catherine Douglas said, “Bella Voce took to the stage alongside other established choirs and groups, performing with a confidence and professionalism which belied their relative inexperience in this field. I’m extremely proud of all our young singers.” The National Music for Youth Festival showcases the very best brass, classical, folk, choral and contemporary renditions from the UK’s leading young musicians and takes place at Birmingham’s CBSO centre from 4 to 8 July.
EYFS Outstanding in All Areas ISI (May 2016)
Sixth formers recognised A group of sixth form pupils from Bridgnorth Endowed School were delighted be nominated by Mayor Vanessa Voysey to attend a special ceremony that celebrates exceptional young citizens, hosted by the High Sheriff at Shrewsbury College. The nomination was in recognition of the work of the Taste of Tanzania team, who produce and sell fresh coffee bags, supporting a sister school in Tanzania with the proceeds. The scheme, which has been running at the school for around five years, also gives the students a taste of running their own enterprise. As sixth formers leave, and with a change of head at the school, there is a new team taking over; Chelsie Henshaw, James Whitt, James Wilson, Gemma Harris, Connor Haycock and Lauren Preece will be guided and supported by Mr Street and Mrs Rhodes. Taste of Tanzania will be selling their wares at Pattingham Church fete on 1 July, at Cosford and Ludlow Food Fairs, as well as always being in stock at the Apley Farm Shop.
Bus Routes from this area High Scholarship Success to a range of Senior Schools Nursery - age 13 01584 876 061 www.moorpark.org.uk head@moorpark.org.uk
More than just a school a community where individuals matter 27
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SCHOOL NEWS
SCHOOL NEWS
Brightening the way Year 6 pupils from the Old Hall School in Wellington spent five days in France, participating in a variety of activities including visiting the significant sites of WW1 on the Somme. And everyone could see them coming, thanks to their vividly coloured leavers hoodies donated by the Friends of the Old Hall School committee. “The residential excursion to France is always a landmark date in the school calendar for Y6, who are busy storing up unforgettable memories from their final year,” said headmaster Martin Stott. “Such trips are not about school uniform but it was special to see them still step out as a school community. And the bright and positive colours definitely summed up the mood of a highly successful trip.” More than 150 KS2 children took part in various summer residential trips, staying away from home from two to four nights in various locations.
Banner for Thiers Children from St Leonard’s Primary School in Bridgnorth have designed and created a banner as part of the Bridgnorth and District Twinning Association banner project – which sees the twin towns exchange banners. The Y6 children worked as a whole class to follow the theme, Dream City, and the banner will be displayed in the streets of Bridgnorth’s twin town of Thiers in France until October. The banners are a great tourist attraction and are seen by many during the summer season. The banner will be displayed in Thiers
Programming the future Students from Brockton Primary school spent an exciting morning exploring tiny computers called Microbits. The students were set 10 different computing challenges on the machines, which boast 25 lights, buttons and a movement sensor. The challenges ranged from getting a three-wheeled buggy to move, to creating a textile cushion that lights up when shaken. Richard Smith, from AmazingICT, ran the session and was impressed with the children’s problem-solving skills. Harry in Y6 said, “It took us a bit of time to work it out, but it’s pretty cool.” The staff in the school also got involved; “I think it’s been invaluable for learning basic programming skills for all of us – everyone has learned something new today,” said teacher Mrs Wright. Exploring Microbits at Brockton 29
SCHOOL NEWS
Life-changing course It’s never too late to be in education – and sometimes it can have life-changing results. Signing up for a foundation degree in early years childcare at Telford College of Arts and Technology has enabled 44 year-old Nicola Jones to set herself on the road to a teaching career. Nicola, who graduated from the TCAT course with a distinction, progressed to a BA honours degree in childhood studies at University of Wolverhampton, where she gained a first. Nicola said, “My time spent at TCAT was a positive experience, which provided me with knowledge to develop the skills necessary to achieve my full potential. I mastered academic writing and also managed to gain valuable ICT skills along the way- something I was convinced I was too old to achieve!” Nicola Jones describes her TCAT foundation degree as ‘life changing’
School tackles theme For this year’s annual drama production, the drama department at Shrewsbury High School made the decision to tackle the difficult but extremely topical storyline of refugees. Entitled ‘Odyssey’, the production traced the journey of a child from Syria’s second largest city of Aleppo to the island of Kos in the Mediterranean. The play, which ran over four nights and was just over an hour long played to packed audiences every night and audience members were full of praise for the production. “We found last night’s performance to be captivating, moving and dynamic,” said audience member Philippa Hall. “It was harrowing but also treated sensitively and delivered in an exceptional way. The girls and staff should get an award for this production, it was brilliant.” Over £800 was raised through ticket sales, with all proceeds from the production going straight to Save the Children UK. The money raised is enough to pay for an ambulance for a month in Aleppo, helping people to access medical treatment in one of the most dangerous places in the world. Shrewsbury High School’s ‘Odyssey’
Olympiad glory Bright young physicists from Oswestry School have achieved some outstanding results in the British Physics Olympiad Challenge. These highly demanding tests, set by Oxford University, are designed to separate out A* candidates by stretching and challenging even the most gifted. The AS Challenge is an exciting opportunity for students to stretch their lateral thinking skills and apply fundamental physical principles to novel situations. Star pupil Max Clarke, who received a gold award in last year’s GCSE paper, excelled in the AS Challenge by again achieving a gold award, putting him in the top 100 students in the country. In the same paper Roly Hancock received a silver award while Teodora Nanescu and Adelina Crecian each won commendations. Oswestry School’s Max Clarke with his British Physics Olympiad Gold Award 30
SCHOOL NEWS
Wolverhampton Grammar School Education as individual as your child
Independent Day School for Boys and Girls Junior School ages 7-11 Senior School ages 11-16 Sixth Form ages 16-18
WOLVERHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL JUDGED “EXCELLENT” IN ALL AREAS BY THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE
Open Day Saturday 7th October 11am - 3pm To arrange a guided tour or to learn more about our open day please contact Mrs Jane Morris, Admissions Registrar tel 01902 422939 or email jam@wgs-sch.net “This is a remarkable school. The atmosphere we encountered as we walked round with a succession of delightful guides was smilingly friendly. There is a real feeling of happiness.” The Good Schools Guide
01902 421326 www.wgs.org.uk Wolverhampton Grammar School Compton Road Wolverhampton WV3 9RB
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Local learning at University Centre Shrewsbury For decades, young people wanting to embark upon a higher education qualification such as a Bachelor of Arts or Science would have had to travel out of the country to find their perfect course. However, since 2015, students from Bridgnorth, Much Wenlock or Ironbridge can simply hop on a bus… and be at a university within the hour. University Centre Shrewsbury (UCS) opened its doors to around 40 eager undergraduates in September 2015, half of them travelling from home to study, and others coming from such far-flung locations as mid-Wales, Manchester and even Sweden. In the 16/17 academic year another 80 plus undergraduates joined the group, choosing undergraduate degrees such as Events and Festivals Management, Sports Management and Biochemistry.
A team effort UCS was opened as the result of research conducted by the University of Chester at the invitation of Shropshire Council. The aim was to test the viability of a new dedicated higher education (HE) institution for Shropshire. Interest from the local business community, Shropshire sixth forms, parents and the wider community suggested there was an appetite to move the project forward… and the research also suggested that an operational university for Shropshire with 2,000 full-time students could potentially generate about £60 million each year for the local economy. The site at Guildhall is augmented with the iconic Rowley’s House in the centre of Shrewsbury, and UCS has the luxury of developing its curriculum with Shropshire-specific aims in mind. Provost Professor Anna Sutton explains, “Our curriculum, research and partnerships are constantly evolving, and have been created with the aim of having a positive and powerful impact, helping Shropshire become a focus for research across the economic, environmental and socio-political challenges 32
ahead. UCS wants to keep our talent in the county as well as attracting new talent; to make Shropshire a centre of excellence for industry, for technology, for science and healthcare, and for the creative arts.”
Courses for the county As well as traditional subjects such as History, Geography and English, UCS also offers courses that reflect the county’s agri-science focus and its increasing need for social care, such as Applied Psychology, Medical Science and Medical Genetics. The University Centre also delivers postgraduate courses, including a few unconventional choices – MSc Museums Practice has been a notable success, perhaps thanks to the
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number of cultural destinations in Shropshire; while the popularity of the Masters in Military History is reflected in the huge turn-out of people who attended a series of free talks on military history earlier in the year. A brand new MSc in Rural Health is due to start in September, which seeks to hone the skills of the region’s healthcare professionals. Programme leader Professor Elizabeth Mason-Whitehead explains, “We’re situated in one of the most rural counties in England, yet we have all the resources at hand to deliver a world-class course that will enrich the professional lives of those who actively deliver our county’s health and social care.”
Harnessing local ingenuity As UCS has begun to grow, support from the University of Chester has been vital, but the ultimate aim is for the institution to go it alone and become an independent university for Shropshire; so local schemes and partnerships that will enhance the county’s long-term economic prospects are welcome. Academic support officer David Clarke says, “At the moment we’re working with partners across Europe on the Senior Social Entrepreneuring scheme, which aims to find out how people in Shropshire solve community or social issues where there might be a shortfall in service provision. We’ve been working with the Men in Sheds project and Market Drayton’s senior enterprise scheme.” In July, UCS is hosting a conference called Practical Pathways, which aims to deliver mental-health focused strategies to help teachers, parents and anyone who deals with children, either on a personal or professional front; UCS also delivers a Primary Education degree that attributes Qualified Teacher Status.
UCS Provost Professor Anna Sutton
In the pipeline UCS is getting ready for its next open day on Saturday 21 October. Senior assistant registrar Robbie Stewart says, “We’ll be all systems go from July to September, helping people find their desired course, while prospective students thinking ahead to 2018/2019 year can come and have a look at what we have to offer at UCS.” UCS is planning to offer a new BA in Musical Theatre in 2018, which may appeal to the local area’s aspiring stars of stage and screen, and which will take advantages of some of Shrewsbury’s wealth of performance spaces. Plans are also afoot for a £1.9m project (including £1.1m from ERDF) to support the creation of a new Centre of Research in Environmental Science and Technology scheduled to commence in summer 2017, and UCS has also secured scholarship donations from the Walker Trust to support bursaries in local schools along with sixth forms and local colleges.
A university for all One of the most popular features at UCS has been the programme of free talks, on subjects ranging from Shropshire’s flying ace Eric Locke to the 10th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter to Bob Dylan’s Nobel Prize for literature. In February, UCS welcomed Dr Rob Casserley, a mountaineer who has climbed Everest eight times, which saw around 200 people filling the main lecture theatre at Guildhall. UCS has also made links with local business and educational organisations, signing a memorandum of understanding with the newly formed Shrewsbury Colleges Group and working with the Marches Growth Hub and Shropshire Chamber of Commerce on events such as a recent breakfast networking get-together for Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin businesses. Anna Sutton concludes, “At UCS, we recognise the importance of developing opportunities for young people that will keep them in the county, contributing to the economy and to advances in research, and also allowing ample opportunities for personal and professional development.” 33
LOCAL ARTS
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LOCAL ARTS
t: 01746 766477 Town Hall, High street, Bridgnorth BOOK ONLINE AT
theatreonthesteps.co.uk
What’s on May/Oct 2017
A NEW FLAME FRI 21 JULY 8PM The exceptional nine-piece band recreates every slick groove and perfect melody from Mick Hucknall’s remarkable global career in an unparalleled display of authenticity and style, guaranteed to keep the audience dancing and singing all night. TICKETS: £20
MONEY FOR NOTHING FRI 15 SEP 8PM The abundant energy and the excellence and musicality of their performance makes Money For Nothing a “must see” for any rock enthusiast or Dire Straits fan. TICKETS £16
ATOMIC BLONDIE SAT 16 SEP 8PM Celebrating over 40 years of Blondie, and their induction into the rock n roll hall of fame in 2006, do not miss this explosive tribute! TICKETS £13
FRI 22 – THU 23 SEP 8PM The Eagles released their two part “History of the Eagles” DVD in 2013. The DVD went platinum and the band followed it up with a two-year tour of most of the world. Following the sad loss of Glenn Frey in 2016 the band is unlikely to tour again. TICKETS £17 WED 25 – THU 26 OCT 7PM
EARLY BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Our tour guides lead you through the ghostly avenues and alleyways of ancient Bridgnorth, where lurking in the shadows are 10 ghosts, who tell you the eerie tale of how they met their grisly ends. Starting at the Town Hall on Bridgnorth High Street and ending at the Theatre with a SPOOKTACULAR stage show. TICKETS: ADULTS £12.00, CHILDREN £6.00
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Wolverhampton Grand Theatre will be the venue for a night of theatre to mark Compton Hospice’s 35th anniversary on Saturday 15 July. The show, entitled ‘Ethos – the Best of Times’ will be an emotional blend of beautiful music, song and dance highlighting the importance of Compton Hall from its early beginnings to a place of major importance as a hospice today. With innovative lighting design and staging, this will be a showcase of local talent including the highly rated composer and concert pianist Luke Faulkner who will be joined by former Wolverhampton students Aimee Fisher and Lauren Soley from the London cast of ‘Les Miserables’, and Annie Rocket from Bridgnorth. The finale will culminate in the 100 Voices of the Celebration Choir. Curtain up 7.30pm; tickets from £25. Call 01902 429212 or visit grandtheatre.co.uk Pianist and composer Luke Faulkner
Four play in Stretton
DESPERADO – THE HISTORY OF THE EAGLES 2017
THE GHOST WALK
Hospice remembers
A quartet of award-winning harpists, 4 Girls 4 Harps, will be delighting audiences as part of the Church Stretton Arts Festival on Tuesday 1 August at Church Stretton School. The harpists, Harriet Adie, Keziah Thomas, Eleanor Turner and Elizabeth Scorah, thrive on presenting new works, and their own idiomatic transcriptions show off the full scope of a quartet of concert harps playing together. This year, a BBC video of their performance of Shostakovich’s famous Waltz No 2 has gone viral with over 3.5 million views across the world to date. The group are now considered the leading harp ensemble in Europe. The concert starts at 7.30pm. For details, visit strettonfestival.org.uk
LOCAL ARTS
Shakespeare al fresco Professional theatre company Rain or Shine will be performing Shakespeare’s cross-gartered and hilarious cross-dressing comedy ‘Twelfth Night’ at four open air venues in the WW! area this summer. Lost and alone, Viola disguises herself as a man and sets forth. Before long, chaos ensues as mistaken identity, love, pride and alcohol set a host of comical characters on a series of hilarious adventures. Hopeless romantics, drunken knights, a pompous steward and fools galore abound in one of William Shakespeare’s most celebrated comedies: “If music be the food of love, play on!” Family audiences are requested to bring along low-backed seating or rugs. The performance is at Whitley Court on Saturday 1 July , Kinlet Hall on Sunday 2 July, Severn Valley Country Park on Friday 11 August and Stokesay Castle on Thursday 24 August. Buy tickets direct from venues, visit rainorshine.co.uk or call 0330 660 0541.
Funny Girl
Broseley Jar Family Broseley’s Birchmeadow Centre will welcome back the Jar Family on Saturday 8 July. Described as ‘Dylan meets the Pogues meets Springsteen’, the band’s last visit saw tickets sell out in a matter of weeks.
Hot on the heels of a record-breaking and critically acclaimed West End run, this ‘utterly irresistible’ new production of ‘Funny Girl’, starring West End leading lady Natasha J Barnes as Fanny Brice and Darius Campbell reprising his role as Nick Arnstein, touches down at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Monday 24 to Saturday 29 July. ‘Funny Girl’ brought global fame to Barbra Streisand 50 years ago and boasts some of the most iconic songs in film and theatre history including ‘People’ and ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade’. The show tells the story of Fanny, whose vocal talents and comedic ability see her rise from Brooklyn music-hall singer to Broadway star. For tickets call 01902 429212 or visit grandtheatre.co.uk Image courtesy of Paul Coltas
Tickets are £12 in advance from Downes’ or Hurdley’s or online from birchmeadow.org.uk/live-music or wegottickets.com/ event/391436 or £15 on the door. The Jar Family are favourites with the Birchmeadow crowd
Bridgnorth’s street fest Inspired by the buskers and street performers of Covent Garden, Bridgnorth High Street will host a street festival on Sunday 16 July. This brand new event will feature musicians and singers, street entertainers plus craft and gift traders and a funfair. Working with the local Sunflower Music team, choirs and performers will create a relaxed atmosphere while fundraising for several charities. Street entertainment is being provided by Leo’s Loco Circus with puppets, fire eating, juggling and more. The fun kicks off at 10am. 37
LOCAL ARTS
Graham Hill Flooring Ltd A work of art beneath your feet
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LOCAL ARTS
Wood’s comic genius ‘Acorn Antiques – The Musical’ is an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza about a struggling antiques shop in the mythical town of Manchesterford, which will be performed at the Birchmeadow Centre from 12 to 15 July. Written by Victoria Wood, it follows the story of sisters Miss Babs and Miss Berta, who are finding it hard to keep their antiques shop solvent. There’s plenty of laughs in this much-loved comedy as Babs and Berta are joined by Mr Clifford and Mrs Overall and the members of Bridgnorth Musical Theatre Company. Adult themes mean the show is not suitable for children under 14 years. Tickets are £12, available online; search for Bridgnorth Musical Theatre Company via positickets.co.uk, or in person from Downes’ Greengrocer, Broseley and Mike and Sarah’s Butchers, Bridgnorth. Antique laughs at the Birch in July
Agricultural ‘Errors’ This summer, Broseley’s BroADS group presents Shakespeare’s ‘A Comedy of Errors’ at the Hem Farm in Linley, set in an idyllic spot between Broseley and Bridgnorth. Director Robert Petty has produced a lively, funny, pacey version of Shakespeare’s knockabout comedy lasting just one and a quarter hours with no interval. The version is set in the 1920s in a spirit of fun and runs on 13. 14 and 15 July at 8.30pm with a matinee on Saturday 15 at 4pm. Tickets are £8 with children £5. Robert has worked with theatre company with Pentabus, as well as spending many years as head of drama at William Brookes school and over the last five years, he’s directed Shakespeare as far afield as Peru and India. Some chairs are available or bring your own with a picnic. Tickets from Downes’ shop or phone 07795 186827. Fun on the farm in ‘Comedy of Errors’
Pop star to pulpit Ex- Communard Reverend Richard Coles presents ‘From Pop Star to Pulpit’ at Church Stretton Methodist Church on Thursday 10 August as part of the Stretton Festival. A musician, journalist and Church of England priest, the presenter of Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4 is the only vicar in Britain to have had a number 1 hit single. He will talk about his early life in pop music – sex, drugs, death and, of course, music – and his subsequent path to a life devoted to God and Christianity and how he combines this with a successful radio and TV career.
Image courtesy of Andy Darby
Bridgnorth Festival The Bridgnorth Music & Arts Festival, which is Shropshire’s largest free festival, looks all set for another bumper year of live performances, communal viewing, artwork, poetry and more as Bridgnorth comes alive for 10 days from 18 to 28 August. The Bank Holiday Monday will see the Quayside live music event return with Ronnie Prudence and his rhythmic drum workshop kicking off at noon. This interactive session will be followed by an eclectic music line-up culminating with the return of Annie and the Make Believe. From 6pm, the Quayside will once again be transformed into an outdoor cinema and what promises to be a sing-a-long classic to dance the night away to. Bridgnorth Music & Arts Festival hits the streets from 18 August 39
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LOCAL ARTS
Peter Pan flies in As the summer draws to a close, Attingham Park will play host to Chapterhouse Theatre Company as they perform JM Barrie’s much loved tale of ‘Peter Pan’ on Friday 4 August. Tickets are £15 per adult, £10 per child, family ticket £44. The National Trust property will also show a screening of ‘La La Land’ on Friday
8 September and ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ on Saturday 9 September as part of the QUAD’s Summer Nights Film Festival. For more information or to book tickets, visit nationaltrust.org. uk/attingham-park/whats-on or call 01743 708170.
A New Flame With more than 30 Top 40 singles and several of the best-selling albums of the last four decades to choose from, ‘A New Flame’ brings the music of Simply Red memorably to life. “David Duckmanton’s voice is so similar to Mick Hucknall it was an obvious choice to build a theatre show around Simply Red’s many hits,” said guitarist and producer Paul Brittain who originally hails from Highley and attended Oldbury Wells School before pursuing a career in music and film in London. Together with keyboard player Adam Day, David and Paul have recorded for major record labels and songwriters and performed live shows worldwide with named acts. They are joined for this performance by nine professional musicians including a horn section and backing vocals. The show is at Theatre on The Steps on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 July; call 01746 766477 or see anewflame.info
Ceramic workshops Youngsters are urged to gain inspiration from the bottle kilns at Coalport China Museum then use their creativity to sculpt a model from air-drying clay at the furnace, fire and steam-themed family workshops taking part during the school holidays from 26 July to 3 September. Part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums’ 50th anniversary celebrations, the drop-in sessions take place every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. And every day throughout the holidays, young artists can decorate ceramic money boxes or fridge magnets and paint delicate china flowers. The hands-on workshops will be held from 11am-3.30pm; ceramic painting activities carry a charge from £1 per item and clay for modelling is an additional £2 per item, plus admission. You can take all items home with you on the day. To find out more, call 01952 433424 or visit ironbridge.org.uk Get creative with furnace-inspired workshops at Ironbridge 41
LOCAL ARTS
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LOCAL ARTS
A creative community The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2017 and is marking this golden milestone with an exhibition of works of art inspired by the 10 Ironbridge museums, all created by members of the local community. The exhibition is made up of more than 70 works in a variety of mediums including painting, print-making, photography, ceramics, glass, needlecraft and sculpture. Entries were judged in three categories: under 12s, 12-17 year olds, and 18 and over, plus education categories for primary and secondary schools. The winners in each category received a cash prize, with the schools – Hollinswood Primary and Ludlow Education Centre – receiving the funds on behalf of their winning pupils. The Art of the Community exhibition is open Monday to Friday, 10am-5pm in the Coalbrookdale Gallery, adjacent to Enginuity, until 2 January 2018 and entry is free. Exhibition curator Georgina Grant with a fox sculpture at the Art of the Community Across the Gorge’ by Jan Bell, winner of the 18+ category
Angels in America The National Theatre Live programme will present a two-part drama ‘Angels in America’ which will be screened at The Edge, Much Wenlock. The play takes us back to America in the mid-1980s, in the midst of the AIDS crisis and a conservative Reagan administration, and sees New Yorkers grapple with life and death, love and sex, heaven and hell. Part one ‘Millennium Approaches’ will be screened on Thursday 20 July and part two, ‘Perestroika’, will be broadcast live a week later on Thursday 27 July. This new staging of Tony Kushner’s multi-award winning two-part play is directed by Olivier and Tony award winning director Marianne Elliott (‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ and ‘War Horse’). Shows start at 7pm and tickets are £11/£12 from edgeartscentre.com or call 0333 666 3366. Two-part play Angels in America at The Edge
Stage and screen Bridgnorth Choral Society perform their farewell concert on Sunday 9 July with a programme of Songs from Stage and Screen including favourites from ‘Les Miserables’, ‘Cats’ and the haunting Humming Chorus from ‘Madame Butterfly’. The concert starts at 7pm at Bridgnorth Baptist Church and will be conducted by Derek Westwood with soloists Ron Vaughan and Nerys Arch. Tickets £6 on the door.
Hot stuff! The most famous bagpipe band on the planet, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, will be bringing their unique brand of ‘bagrock’ to the Newport Show with two live performances in the main ring. Organisers are delighted to have secured the appearance of the band which has a massive global following. Show president Richard Maddocks said, “Their groundbreaking fusion of traditional Scottish music and well-known pop and rock anthems really does have to be seen to be believed. They’ve sold out tours as far afield as America and India, performed at some iconic events including the Olympics and the BBC Proms and festivals such as T in the Park, and they count Sir Paul McCartney and the Queen among their fans.” The show takes place on July 8 – visit newportshow.co.uk to find out more. Pipers to headline Newport Show 43
LOCAL ARTS
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LOCAL ARTS
Church Stretton arts Three well-known artists will appear as part of the Church Stretton Arts Festival. Paul Hipkiss was recently described as one of the foremost British linocut artists of today and has on four occasions had work featured in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. In a free session on Saturday 5 August from 2-4pm, Paul will demonstrate how he creates his prints, and on Wednesday 9 August he’ll lead an all-day lino-cutting workshop. Landscape painter Di Purser leads an all-day art workshop on Thursday 3 August. Beginners and more experienced artists will be guided in the use of acrylic inks to create interesting effects enhancing watercolour and acrylic paintings. Printmaker David Harban, winner of the Intaglio Printmaker Prize for 2016 at the RBSA, will host a free ‘Meet the Artist’ session on Saturday 12 August from 2-4pm where he’ll explain and illustrate the different print processes he uses. David’s inspiration is hugely varied, from mountains, rocks and trees to cathedrals and cityscapes. The exhibition at Church Stretton School opens on Monday 31 July at 7.30pm for a preview evening and runs until Saturday 12 August. Opening hours 11am-6pm (7.15pm on performance evenings). For more information, including details of a children’s art workshop on Friday 4 August, visit strettonfestival.org.uk Award-winning printmaker David Harban will visit Church Stretton
Bradeney Drive, Worfield A beautifully designed retirement village situated in the greenbelt between Bridgnorth, Wolverhampton and Telford that encompasses living independently with a range of onsite communal activities and nursing care packages as an additional option. 14 luxury 2 double bedroomed bungalows with underfloor heating, private gardens, no pet restrictions, and extremely low running costs. The present standard services include security remote controlled gated access and 24hr nursing call-out. To arrange to visit our show homes please contact the selling agents Berriman Eaton on 01746 766499 for more information or visit
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LOCAL ARTS
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LOCAL ARTS
Art society show Bridgnorth and District Art Society will be holding their annual art exhibition at St Leonard’s Church, Bridgnorth from Tuesday 22 August until Thursday 3 September.
Westlife’s Shane in Telford Westlife star Shane Filan is set to bring his ‘Love Always’ tour to Telford’s Oakengates Theatre on Wednesday 4 October. Shane has cemented his position as one of the UK’s most popular male solo artists following phenomenal success with Westlife, one of the most successful bands of the last few decades. The singer will perform all his popular hits, plus tracks from his new album which features Shane’s favourite love songs and ballads. Tickets are going fast and can be booked via theplacetelford.com or call 01952 382382. Shane Filan comes to Oakengates
Shropshire’s secrets Bridgnorth author John Shipley’s latest book, The A-Z Of Curious Shropshire, is scheduled for publication in July. This is John’s eleventh book and follows on the heels of the successful The Little Book of Shropshire which was published in 2015. John presents another series of fascinating stories about the county, taking the reader on a grand tour of the curious and bizarre, the strange and the unusual from Shropshire's past. The books reveals such gems as where an African prince is interred, which pub is reputedly haunted by the ghost of John ‘Mad Jack’ Mytton and which village lays claim to the oldest cottage in Europe, with tales of earthquakes and floods, giants and witches, highwaymen and bandits, scandalous residents and inventors along the way. The hardback book is richly illustrated with original photographs. John’s early work concentrated on the history of football, then followed some fiction before the author switched his focus to writing about his adopted county – although born in Wednesbury, he has lived in Bridgnorth for 50 years.
Arts activists recognised Two Bridgnorth musicians were recognised by the outgoing mayor, Vanessa Voysey, for their contribution to Bridgnorth. Kevin Adams was awarded the Civic Award and Tom Barras the Davies Shield. Vanessa said, “Arts are often underfunded and sometimes undervalued, but they enrich our lives help us to express ourselves. Both have taken the time to put on events which boost tourism by drawing in audiences from outside of the area as well as within.” Former Dexy’s Midnight Runner Kevin Adams is passionate about Bridgnorth and its community; he is involved in many local projects and is a founding member of the long-established Bridgnorth Music Festival. Kevin has a sense of fairness and justice and his voluntary work in promoting the arts has enriched community life and boosted the town’s appeal to visitors. Young Tom Barras, aged 16, was recognised for his charity fundraising, and also for his services to the arts and community life. Through appearances at the Big Busk and the Bridgnorth Walk, he has helped raise over £5,000 for homelessness charities and is currently helping to organise a Youth Music Festival in Bridgnorth – Sunflower Music on Sunday 16 July. Kevin Adams works hard for Bridgnorth
Wenlock craft market A new handcraft market is being held on the first and third Saturday of each month in the Corn Exchange on the High Street in Much Wenlock from 10am to 4pm. The market sells a range of high quality handcrafted items including silver jewellery, semi-precious stones, glass pictures, papercrafts, wood turned items, lamp shades and recycled/upcycled items. 47
Advertisement Feature
Legal Life Philip Cowell, Partner at FBC Manby Bowdler
A 50/50 split? Think again The brand Laura Ashley is more used to hitting the headlines for its quintessentially English style but it was an acrimonious divorce, featuring eye-watering sums of money, which saw it in the news recently.
There are many reasons why the court may decide on a different outcome. Each case is different and decisions are based on a number of factors.
Khoo Kay Peng, a non-executive chairman of Laura Ashley Holdings, has been ordered to pay his former wife Pauline Chai a staggering £64m following their split despite her original claims that she was entitled to half of the couple’s assets, which she alleged were worth £205m.
Equally, if pre-marital property or an inheritance is held by one party or the other, then the courts need to consider whether that asset should form part of the matrimonial pot, and therefore whether it should be shared as part of any settlement, or ring-fenced.
As Philip Cowell, a Partner in the Family team at the award-winning law firm FBC Manby Bowdler, explains, divorcing couples should never assume their assets would be split equally:
In one extreme case recently, a hospital consultant was ordered to hand over 100 per cent of his fortune to his former wife. Although this decision was exceptional, it was made after the court considered the welfare of the children involved.
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Anyone considering divorce should always seek expert advice particularly in relation to a financial settlement. Many clients come to us assuming that the financial settlement will be equal shares, but as recent history shows, that’s not always the case. Philip specialises in divorce and other family matters, with particular expertise in dealing with the financial aspect of the breakdown of relationships, high value financial settlements, where there may be complex business issues, including farming cases. He is also a qualified Collaborative Family Lawyer.
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LOCAL ARTS
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LOCAL ARTS
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Shakespeare as you’ve never seen it before comes to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in July as groundbreaking new touring productions of ‘Romeo and Juliet’, with music by Mumford and Sons and Hozier, and ‘Twelfth Night’ featuring the music of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong grace the stage. Directed by the Watermill Theatre’s new artistic director Paul Hart, the productions offer a contemporary feel by challenging the way live music is used alongside text and to investigate new responses to Shakespeare’s work. Romeo and Juliet: Wednesday 12 July at 2.30pm & 7.30pm. Twelfth Night: Thursday 13 & Friday 14 July at 7.30pm. Tickets £12.50 from 01902 429212 or online at grandtheatre.co.uk
LOCAL ARTS
New twist on Shakespeare
‘Best of British’ choral Womborne and District Choral Society’s concert is the ‘Best of British’, a light-hearted celebration of the four home nations of the British Isles, in folk songs and ballads, poetry and readings, from a variety of periods up to the present day. The show is at 7.30pm on Saturday 15 July at Wolverhampton Grammar School. The choir will be conducted by musical director Ian Clarke. Tickets are £10 on the door; under 18s are free.
Brassed Off It’s 1992, and Danny’s lifelong ambition to lead Grimley Colliery Band to the National Brass Band Competition at the Royal Albert Hall looks like it might finally happen. But as Grimley pit faces closure, the future looks bleak as the town is thrown into conflict. Flugelhorn player Gloria arrives in town bringing with her a renewed sense of hope and a touch of romance, but no-one knows who she’s really playing for... Written by Paul Allen, and adapted from the well-loved screenplay by Mark Herman, ‘Brassed Off’ is the first drama to be produced by the theatre and will feature a community cast who will appear in a variety of speaking and non-speaking roles alongside high-profile professional actors - complete with a full brass band! Wednesday 23 August until Saturday 2 September. Tickets from £15.50. Box office 01902 429212 or online at grandtheatre.co.uk
1930s musical Step back in time, don your vintage best, and go along to a nostalgic 1930s musical evening at Blists Hill Victorian Town on Friday 28 July. Taking place in the Forest Glen Refreshment Pavilion between 6.30pm and 10pm, the lively evening includes a two-course meal. The museum’s resident duo will regale the crowd with a host of popular songs from the 1930s such as Bing Crosby’s ‘Brother Can You Spare a Dime’, Fred Astaire’s ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ and Judy Garland’s ‘Over the Rainbow’. Tickets are £25 per adult (including dinner) and must be pre-booked on 01785 252247 or email nikkib@jenkinsonscaterers.co.uk. For further details, call 01952 433424 or visit ironbridge.org.uk 51
LOCAL ARTS
Photographer’s talk The Friends of Conakry Refugee School are hosting an evening of exquisite wildlife photography, stories and poetry with acclaimed photographer and poet, Andrew Fusek Peters. Andrew is the author, poet, novelist of over 100 books and his stunning pictures have often adorned the covers of WW! His new book, Upland, captures the magic of the Shropshire hills and is a celebration of the county, from the Long Mynd and the Stiperstones ridge to the Caradoc. The talk will take place on Friday 15 September in Priory Hall, Much Wenlock at 7.30pm and is aid of the Shropshire-based charity which supports a school for refugee children in Conakry, Guinea. Tickets are £10 from Wenlock Books, online at fcrs.org.uk or by phoning 01746 712375/07970 437964.
Shakespeare on screen The RSC Live summer season will include Shakespeare’s ‘Titus Andronicus’, which will be screened at The Edge and at Bridgnorth’s Majestic Cinema on Wednesday 9 August at 7pm. The decay of Rome reaches violent depths in Shakespeare’s most bloody play. Titus is a ruler exhausted by war and loss, who relinquishes power but leaves Rome in disorder. Rape, cannibalism and severed body parts fill the moral void at the heart of this corrupt society. Shakespeare’s gory revenge tragedy presents us with murder as entertainment, and, as the body count piles up, poses questions about sexuality, family, class and society. Blanche McIntyre returns to the RSC to direct Shakespeare’s brutal revenge tragedy after her debut directing The Two Noble Kinsmen (2016). Visit edgeartscentre.com or reelcinemas.co.uk for details.
Awards for theatre co. Bridgnorth Musical Theatre Company has been extremely successful in the National Operatic and Dramatic Association Awards (NODA), winning the region’s Best Musical for ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ (2016) whilst the junior company, Bridgnorth Stage Academy, scooped Best Youth Production (2016) with their summer production of ‘Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies’.
Elvis at The Edge A hit new tribute touring show, JD King’s Elvis, which is wowing audiences around the world with a stunning recreation of Elvis Presley at his very best, will be appearing at The Edge on Saturday 1 July. JD has worked with Elvis’ original musicians, performed in Memphis and Las Vegas, and is now bringing his unique and powerful performances to UK theatres for the first time. Show starts 7.30pm and tickets are £14. Visit edgeartscentre.com or call 03336 663366.
Mikado at Theatre Severn A 1950’s school camping trip takes us to the far away land of Titipu, where all take full advantage of playfully poking fun at British Institutions in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Mikado – arguably the most popular opera ever written. Sasha Regan returns with inherent humour and timeless tunefulness following the hugely successful The Pirates of Penzance which won ‘Best Off West End Production’ at The What’s On Stage awards. Thursday 20 to Saturday 22 July. For tickets theatresevern.co.uk 52
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LOCAL ARTS
DIARY DATES
Dates for your diary – July & August SAT 1 & 15 JUL
Art & Craft Markets Much Wenlock Corn Exchange & Square
Rock and Fossil Hunt
Selection of creative traders bringing a wide range of skills – textiles, crocheting, embroidery, felt-making, knitting, woodcraft, papercraft, jewellery and more! 10am muchwenlock-tc.gov.uk/markets
Severn Valley Country Park, Alveley
FRI 30 JUN – 13 JUL
Wenlock Olympian Games Linden Fields, Much Wenlock This year sees the 131st Wenlock Olympian Games take place, a full programme of events with the main games weekend 8 - 9 July. Complete timetable available online. wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk
SUN 2, 27 JUL & THU 10 AUG
SAT 1 – 2 JUL
Oakengates Carnival & Fun Day The popular carnival procession will take place on Saturday leaving from Hadley Road, with entertainment, stalls and main attractions all at Hartshill Park followed by a Fun Day on the Sunday with arena acts, music and fun fair. facebook.com/oakengatescarnival2015
Join the rangers and local experts from Geologists in the Geopark and try to find your own carboniferous fossil. This family-friendly two-hour session starts at the visitor centre with a brief introduction of what you might expect to find during the fossil hunt. You will be able to take home your finds along with an identification sheet. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking essential. 1.30pm-3.30pm Child £3.50; adult FREE 01746 781192
TUE 4, 11, 18 & 25 JUL
Tile Decorating Workshops
SAT 1 JUL
Jackfield Tile Museum, near Ironbridge
National Meadows Day
Produce your own ceramic masterpiece activities vary from day-to-day; tiles cost from £5 each and can be fired and sent home later for a small extra charge to cover postage and packing. 10am – 4pm Adult £9.75; child £6.25; under 5’s FREE 01952 433424; ironbridge.org.uk
Wenlock Edge Car Park Open day where there will be information about the beautiful meadows, the wildlife that can be found there and how the NT look after them. Take a look around and test your knowledge with a fun flower identification quiz. 10am – 1pm FREE 01694 725000
SAT 1 JUL
The Comedy of Errors
SAT 1 - 2 JUL
Dudmaston Estate, nr Quatt
Steampunk Festival
The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, the UK’s premier all male theatre company, invite you to join them this summer for Shakespeare’s most hilarious farce, ‘The Comedy of Errors’. 7.30pm Adult £15; child £8.50 nationaltrust.org.uk/dudmaston
SAT 1 JUL
Highley Summer Fete Severn Centre, Highley Perfect family day out with children’s entertainment, live music, traditional stalls and refreshments. Free entry and parking. 1pm 01746 860000; severncentre.co.uk 54
Blists Hill Victorian Town, Madeley Grab your goggles & top hat and get ready for the fabulous Steampunk Festival. Visit the market for Steampunk accessories, the exhibition for inspiration and watch out for all the funky fashion & wonderful Steampunk characters. Or join for a Steampunk ‘Wild Wild West’-inspired evening extravaganza on Sat 1 July from 6pm. Dress up for the night, put on your stetsons and holster your nerf guns as you stride into town. 10am Adult £17.95; £11.85 child; under 5s FREE. 01952 433424; ironbridge.org.uk
FRI 7 – 9 JUL
Camper Jam Weston Park, nr Shifnal A friendly, fun filled show with a chilled out, ‘take it easy’ vibe. Highlights over the weekend include live bands, hundreds of traders, a taste bud tantalising food village, children’s activities, fun fair and the ever popular ‘cooking in a camper’ competition. Day ticket £15; weekend £40 (more on the day) camperjam.com
SUN 9 JUL
Buildwas Village Fete
Telford Lions Day on Wheels
Buildwas Village Hall Annual village fete raising money for Buildwas Village Hall and Holy Trinity Church, Buildwas. Lots to see and do - a dog agility display, refreshments, live music, bouncy castle, bric a brac, cake and plant stalls, games and much more! 2pm FREE
DIARY DATES
SAT 8 JUL
Bowring Park, Wellington One of Wellington’s biggest events of the year, the day revolves around an exhibition of classic cars and other motor vehicles. There is a full programme of entertainment and a wide variety of food and craft stalls. 11am facebook.com/Telford-Lions-Club
SUN 9 JUL
Severn Jesters
SAT 8 JUL
Newport Show
Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Discover the new stars of stand-up at Theatre Severn’s popular Comedy Club 8pm £9 01743 281281; theatresevern.co.uk
Deer Park, Newport Lots to entertain at this packed Shropshire show; from high-octane displays in the show ring to the best local food, vintage tractors and special guest, Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown. Adult £13 in advance (£15 on gate); child £4 (£5) newportshow.co.uk
SAT 8 JUL
Quarry Fest See our Festival Feature on pages 66 for full details. SAT 8 JUL
Chelmarsh Village Fete
SUN 9 JUL
Pam’s Pools Open Day SAT 8 - 9 JUL
Underton near Bridgnorth WV16 6TY
Black Country Weekend
A fun day out at this wildlife reserve. There will be lots to do and see including rare breed sheep, walks through wildflower hay-meadows and lavender field, bee hives with talks by bee-keeper, craft-beer from a Shropshire-based micro-brewery, kid’s activities including vintage tractor rides. Teas available in timber-built eco-cabin. 2-6pm £3 for adults; under 10’s FREE shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/events
Black Country Living Museum, Dudley Join in as the Museum spends the weekend celebrating the rich industrial heritage of the region in the run up to fourth annual Black Country Day on Fri 14 Jul. Tickets advance only Adult £17.50; child (5-16) £14 0121 520 8054; bclm.com
School Lane, Chelmarsh A traditional village fete with brass band music, donkey rides, coconut shy, Morris dancers, stalls, plants, cakes, pig roast and lots of activities for all ages. Adult £2; under 16’s FREE 2pm chelmarshparishhall.co.uk
SAT 8 JUL
West End Story Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury This new musical revue promises to take you on a magical journey through the world of musical theatre, featuring a stunning live orchestra and songs from everyone’s favourite musicals including ‘Les Misérables’, ‘Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Guys and Dolls’, ‘Footloose’ and many more. 7.30pm £20 01743 281281; theatresevern.co.uk
SAT 8 – 10 JUL
Claverley Flower Festival All Saints Church, Claverley The 41st annual Flower Festival, with refreshments in church, crafts stalls, open gardens and festival evensong on Sunday evening. 10am-6pm £3 01746 710304
SUN 9 JUL
Brockton Summer Fete Brockton School, nr Much Wenlock Friends of Brockton School present their annual Summer Fete – with all the usual fun - games, activities including pony rides and bouncy castle, stalls, bar and BBQ. Great fun for all the family. 12 – 4pm FREE
MON 10 – 15 JUL
Shirley Valentine Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Willy Russell’s heart-warming comedy premiered in 1986 and took the world by storm. It was adapted into an Oscar nominated film. Now, on its 30th anniversary, Jodie Prenger stars in the first major revival of this national treasure. 7.30pm / 2.30pm £18.50 - £28.50 01743 281281; theatresevern.co.uk
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DIARY DATES
SAT 15 – 16 JUL
1940s Weekend Black Country Living Museum, Dudley Explore the sights and sounds of wartime Britain in this atmospheric weekend of 40s fashion, food and entertainment. Also includes a special 1940s evening event. Adult £17.50; child £8.75; under 5’s FREE; family £44.10 bclm.com/40s
WED 12 JUL
Country Superstars Experience The Place, Oakengates Theatre Sarah Jayne and award-winning vocal impersonator Andy Crust take us on a journey back through time meeting some of the most influential icons who shaped country history and the music. 7.30pm £21 01952 382382; theplacetelford.com
THU 13 JUL
Poetry Breakfast Tea on the Square, Much Wenlock Savour a gorgeous hour of poetry and enjoy breakfast. Bring your favourite published poems or just come along and listen. The theme for July is ‘departures’. All welcome! 8.45am £7 to include breakfast 01952 727877 / wenlockbooks.co.uk
SAT 15 – 16 JUL
Ironbridge Gorge Brass Band Festival See our Festival feature on pages 66 for full details.
SAT 15 JUL
Carnival of Giants Telford Town Park
SAT 15 JUL
Severn Scooter Jam Edgar Davies Ground, Bridgnorth Fun event featuring over 50 scooters, stalls and live music through the day from fantastic line up including The Quik Beats, The Rogues plus Groovers & Shakers. Weekend camping available. facebook.com/runtothesevern
Plan your BIG family day out at the Carnival of Giants – this is the 3rd year it has visited Telford and it promises to be a day-long colourful celebration. The main attraction will be a colourful parade of giants and magical creatures from the deep sea – including a Disco Turtle straight from Glastonbury! Stalls, food outlets and other entertainment throughout the day – don’t forget to visit the pop-up Southwater Beach – enjoy and drink or some Brazilian street food whilst your run the sand through your toes! 10am FREE
SAT 15 JUL
Peep Behind the Scenes Severn Valley Railway Peep behind the scenes and get a unique insight into what goes on throughout the year to keep this heritage railway running: volunteer and paid staff working together to deliver an outstanding customer experience. Adult in advance £18.80; child £12 01562 757900; svr.co.uk
SAT 15 – 16 JUL
Large Model Aircraft Rally
SAT 15 – 16 JUL
Kickass Big Weekender
RAF Cosford Museum Hundreds of scale models of iconic aircraft will be taking to the skies on the airfield at Cosford. Visitors will be able to see a whole range of models designed, built and flown by members of the Large Model Association from biplanes to modern day jets. From a distance in the skies, the models truly look like
56
Weston Park, Shifnal the real thing! There’s also plenty of refreshments and trade stands galore to treat yourselves. Adult £8 (£10 on gate); child FREE 01902 376200; rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford
A whole weekend of endurance, obstacles, mud and fun! Saturday is all about the kids – with a 5K designed especially for children 8+ and parents can run alongside for free. In the evening adults will be able to take on the new night trail run ahead of Sundays 10K Obstacle Race. Camping available as well as food and trade stands and entertainment. kickassendurance.co.uk/events
FRI 21 - 22 JUL
Street Festival
Simply Red Tribute
High Street, Bridgnorth
Theatre on the Steps, Bridgnorth
A celebration of great street food, street music and street circus entertainment plus funfair and traditional market. 10am bridgnorthpromotions.co.uk
With more than 30 Top 40 singles and several of the best-selling albums of the last four decades to choose from, A New Flame brings you a truly memorable evening of great music. The exceptional nine-piece band authentically recreates every slick groove and perfect melody from Mick Hucknall’s remarkable global career. Guaranteed to keep the audience dancing and singing all night. 8pm £20 01746 766477; theatreonthesteps.co.uk
SUN 16 JUL
MILKSHAKE! LIVE Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Starring all the Milkshake! favourites - this all singing, all dancing, musical masterpiece, will take audiences on a journey through the world’s favourite fairy tales. 12pm & 4pm Adult £15; child £13; family £52 01743 281281; theatresevern.co.uk
SUN 16 & 30 JULY
Sunday Handmade Markets High Street, Bridgnorth Held under the Town Hall twice monthly, showcasing local artists, makers, artisan produce and vintage goods. 10am-4pm
SAT 22 – 23 JUL
Cosford Food Festival See our Festival Feature on pages 66 for full details.
SUN 16 JUL
Six Smashes Alveley Cricket Club Bar, BBQ, bouncy castles, ice cream – a great day out for the family. This 16-team tournament is an informal event aimed at people who don’t play cricket but fancy a fun, family-friendly day out. 07709902656; james.mcmanus@uwclub.net
THU 20 JUL
WBS Music Concert Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock An evening of country/folk music performed by the Express Club, William Brookes School. Audience fancy dress is very much encouraged… £3 0333 666 3366; edgeartscentre.com
FRI 21-23 JUL
International Comedy Festival See our Festival Feature on pages 66 for full details. SUN 16 JUL
Classic Car Sunday
SUN 23 JUL
Ludlow Dog Day Stokesay Court, Onibury There is something for everyone a packed programme of dog displays and competitions with highlights from Paws For Thought dog display team, pet dog obedience and Koomeska Siberian Huskies. A wide variety of stalls and activities, not to mention a play area for the children, a café and Hobson’s bar where adults can enjoy a well-earned drink. 10am 07841 350464; ludlowdogday.co.uk
SUN 23 JUL
Apley Farm Shop, Norton
Rupertfest
A great family day out with fabulous displays, delicious food, entertainment and children’s activities. This year the day will also include classic tractors as well as cars and motorbikes. Bring your own classic to Apley (pre-registering is recommended). 10am FREE apleyfarmshop.co.uk
Amazing fun packed family day out for everyone aged 0-100 to raise money for Rupert Beckett. All profits will go to Rupert’s Revenge to boost crowdfunding for £750,000 immunotherapy treatment in America to treat his Neuroblastoma. You can look forward to live music, entertainment from Disco Daddy & Magic Kev, crafts, inflatables, food and a licensed bar. 1pm £2 per person; under 3’s FREE
EDG Ground, Bridgnorth
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DIARY DATES
SUN 16 JUL
DIARY DATES
WED 26 JUL
FRI 28 – 30 JUL
Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Festival at the Edge See our Festival Feature on pages 66 for full details.
Castle Grounds, Bridgnorth Pack your teddies (and children!) up for this hugely popular picnic along with a great day of fun featuring puppet shows and other entertainment 11-2pm. 11am £1 01746 762231; bridgnorthtownevents.org
SAT 29 JUL – 13 AUG
Church Stretton Arts Festival Various locations around Church Stretton
WED 26 JUL – 3 SEP
Tile Decorating Workshops Jackfield Tile Museum, near Ironbridge Produce your own ceramic masterpiece – themes for activities vary from dayto-day; tiles cost from £5 each and can be fired and sent home later for a small extra charge to cover postage and packing. 10am – 4pm Adult £9.75; child £6.25; under 5’s FREE 01952 433424; ironbridge.org.uk
A varied line up of theatre, music and visual arts in the heart of the Shropshire Hills – full programme online and see our arts section for highlights. strettonfestival.org.uk
SAT 29 JUL
Midsummer Ball Cuan Wildlife Rescue, Much Wenlock A suave and sophisticated evening of fine food and music. Booking essential – tables of ten available. 7pm 07712658259
SUN 30 JUL WED 26 JUL – 3 SEP
Furnace, Fire and Steam Blists Hill Victorian Town, Madeley Join in a variety of fun furnace, fire and steam inspired events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums. See various steam machines in action on different days; a highlight most Wednesday mornings will be an iron casting demonstration in the foundry. 10am – 4.30pm Adult £17.95; £11.85 child; under 5s FREE. 01952 433 424; ironbridge.org.uk
FRI 28 JUL
AfroCaribFest The Place, Oakengates Theatre It’s the 1st annual event here in Telford, bringing you live musical performances from the XFactor and BGT acts such as Reggie n Bollie, Dez Mensa and Mythical PSM, and exciting entertainment from other local and regional artists. Tickets between £25 - £80 (for meet & greet) 01952 382382; theplacetelford.com
FRI 28 JUL
1930s Supper & Song Blists Hill Victorian Town, Madeley WED 26 JUL – 3 SEP
Holiday Workshops Enginuity, Coalbrookdale Discover more about how furnaces, fire and steam were used in the Industrial Revolution through a variety of fun, and safe, hands-on activities. Families can try enamelling and pewter casting or use their imagination to create a paddleboat to sail across Enginuity’s pool. Adult £9.75; child £7.65; under 5’s FREE 01952 433 424; ironbridge.org.uk 58
Step back in time, don your vintage best, and go along to a nostalgic 1930s supper and song musical evening in the Forest Glen Refreshment Pavilion. The lively evening includes a two-course meal after which the museum’s resident duo will regale the crowd with a host of popular songs from the 1930s. 6.30pm-10pm £25 per adult (must be pre-booked) 01785 252247; 01952 433 424; ironbridge.org.uk.
Classic Vehicle Day Severn Valley Railway In its established summer spot, the show presents classic vehicles from yesteryear on display at stations along the line. Passengers can visit all six stations to view the iconic vehicles. Different vehicles will be on display at each station with an emphasis on particular models at each. Adult in advance £18.80; child £12 01562 757900; svr.co.uk
SAT 5 & 19 AUG
Summer Pottery for Adults
Art & Craft Markets
The Hive, Shrewsbury
Much Wenlock Corn Exchange & Square
Inspired by The Great Pottery Throw Down? Join us for this workshop and create some ceramic decorations for your garden or home. These will be fired for you and available to collect from us here at The Hive. This will be a fun evening with Stephanie Kelly and a perfect way to spend time with friends and family! 6.45pm £18 hiveonline.org.uk
Selection of creative traders bringing a wide range of skills – textiles, crocheting, embroidery, felt-making, knitting, woodcraft, papercraft, jewellery and more! 10am muchwenlock-tc.gov.uk/markets
TUE 1, 15 & 29 AUG
Dear Park Safari Attingham Park Take a tractor-trailer ride through the deer park and find out about the wildlife get closer to the day as guides tell you about the animal’s lives. 10.30am–3.30pm Adults £4; child £3; family £14 01743 708123
SAT 5 AUG
Farmhouse Blues Festival Wheathill Court Farm, Bridgnorth Bringing together the best local artists plus big names from the blues world there’ll be a fully stocked bar, delicious food from mobile vendors and camping facilities for those who don’t want to leave all set in the idyllic Shropshire countryside, with views extending up to Clee Hill. All raising money for Cancer Research and Rupert’s Revenge. 2pm £20 per person – includes camping farmhouseblues.co.uk
SAT 5 – 6 AUG
Teddy Bears Picnic NT Sunnycroft, Wellington Bring your family, favourite soft toy and a picnic to this annual teddy bears picnic with activities and games to recreate the fun from Edwardian times. 11am-4pm Adult £7; child £3.50
SUN 6 AUG
Broseley Festival of Motorcycling The Woodbridge Inn, Coalport
SAT 5 AUG
Stars and Stories Dudmaston Estate Gather round the campfire for an evening of star gazing and storytelling. Discover the night sky with The Shropshire Astronomical Society and settle down for stories and supper by the campfire - includes evening meal. 6.30pm – 10pm Adult £15; child £10; family £35 booking essential 01746 780866; nationaltrust.org.uk/dudmaston
THU 3 AUG
Burwarton Show Burwarton Show Ground, Cleobury North Shropshire’s premier one-day agricultural show with a packed line-up featuring main arena events including The Squibb Freestyle Stunt Team providing airborne motorcycle aerobatics, plus the Shetland Pony Grand National along with all the usual livestock, village green entertainment, craft marquee and trade stands. Adult £15; child £4 (more on the gate) burwartonshow.co.uk
This new event in the motorcycling calendar will see motorcycles from all eras meet up and ride in cavalcade formation along the route of the historic Coalport Road Hill Climb that took place in the early 1900’s. See the vehicles all parked up in Broseley High Street around 11.30am. All in aid of West Midlands Air Ambulance. Riders must be pre-registered to attend. 10am FREE broseleyfestivalofmotorcycling.org
FRI 11 & 12 AUG
Shrewsbury Flower Show Quarry Park, Shrewsbury The Quarry will be awash with wonderful flowers, food and entertainment. Find eye-catching crafts, see celebrity chefs, listen to horticultural experts, and keep the family entertained with live music, a children’s area and of course the county’s best-loved firework finale. 9.45am-10pm Adult £25 in advance; children FREE 01743 234050; shrewsburyflowershow.org.uk
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DIARY DATES
TUE 1 AUG
DIARY DATES
FRI 11 AUG
Twelfth Night Severn Valley Country Park, Alveley Rain or Shine Theatre Company bring you hopeless romantics, drunken knights, a pompous steward and fools galore abound in one of Mr William Shakespeare’s most celebrated comedies. Sure to delight family audiences from age 6 to 96, this is an ideal choice for an outdoor theatrical event. Please bring a picnic and low backed chairs to add to your enjoyment of this outdoor theatre performance. 6.30pm Adult £13; child £6. 01746 781192; rainorshine.co.uk
SAT 12 & 13 AUG
Steam on the Road Severn Valley Railway Showcase of the very best steam on the road and on the rails. From steamrollers, traction engines and steam wagons to steam trains running on the SVR, take a trip back to the glory years with this summer steam rally. Adult in advance £18.80; child £12 01562 757900; svr.co.uk
SUN 13 & 27 AUG
Sunday Handmade Markets High Street, Bridgnorth Held under the Town Hall twice monthly, showcasing local artists, makers, artisan produce and vintage goods. 10am – 4pm
THU 24 AUG
50 Things Blitz! Presthope Car Park Come and tick off a number of 50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4. Why not get your hands dirty doing number 13 - Make a Mud Pie - or dig deep for number 26 and Hunt for Fossils and Bones! No need to book just drop in and complete your list. 11am – 3pm £2 per child 01694 725000
FRI 25 – 28 AUG
Shrewsbury Folk Festival See our Festival Feature on pages 66 for full details. SAT 26 AUG
FRI 18 – 28 AUG
Bridgnorth Music & Arts Festival See our Festival Feature on pages 66 for full details. SAT 19 – 20 AUG
Blists Hill in Steam
Lime Trees & Holloways Presthope Car Park Come along and join us to find out about the connection between the ancient holloways of Wenlock Edge and the limes. Wear walking boots for the walk (about 2 miles). 2pm – 5pm £6 - booking essential 03442 491895
Blists Hill Victorian Town, Madeley The weekend will provide a chance to get up close and personal with an eclectic collection of Victorian steam powered machines, all of which will be in their full working splendour. In addition, there will be a variety of special guest engines, both large and small, around the town. 10am – 4.30pm Adult £17.95; £11.85 child; under 5s FREE. 01952 433 424; ironbridge.org.uk 60
SAT 26 AUG
Vegetable & Flower Show Cuan Wildlife Centre, Much Wenlock Traditional fruit and vegetable show with crafts and homemade wine. Games and activities for children and grown-ups. £2; under 16’s FREE 07712 658259; fundraisingcwr@gmail.com
MON 28 AUG
Wind in the Willows Arley Arboretum, nr Bewdley Family production of this much loved classic brought to you by Madcap Theatre. 11am Adult £13.50; child £11.50; family £42 01299 861368; arleyarboretum.co.uk
DIARY DATES SUN 17 SEP SUN 27 – 28 AUG
Soap Box Derby
Shrewsbury Steam Rally
Edge Adventure Centre, Much Wenlock
Onslow Park, Shrewsbury A family fun weekend over the August Bank Holiday. The Rally’s Main Arena will be hosting a truly spectacular event called the South Africa Challenge, when a Command 1 tonne, 12-pounder field gun and limber (a two-wheeled cart designed to support the trail and the stock of a field carriage) will be raced across the main arena. 9.15am Adult £13; child £1; under 5’s -Free. 01938 570874; shrewsburysteamrally.co.uk
SAT 2 – 3 SEP
Telfood Feastival See our Festival Feature on pages 66 for full details. FRI 8 – 10 SEP THU 31 AUG
Black Magic The Little Mix Show
Ludlow Food Festival See our Festival Feature on pages 66 for full details.
This promises to be an adrenaline packed day full of thrills and spills! Racing will start at 10am. All runs will be timed and there will be a cup and £50 prize for the fastest. Other prizes on the day will be for best soap box design and best dressed team. 07712 658259; fundraisingcwr@gmail.com
SAT 23 SEP
Beckbury Show Beckbury The show fuses together a unique blend of country fare, village fete & carnival atmosphere across 12 acres in the beautiful Shropshire village of Beckbury - literally bringing the “countryside to life” – whilst raising money for local charities. £1 beckburyshow.co.uk
The Place, Oakengates Theatre A highly energetic tribute show that follows in the footsteps of the award winning girl band, Little Mix. 7pm Adult £15; child £12 01952 382382; theplacetelford.com
Looking forward to September… FRI 1 – 4 SEP
Much Wenlock Walking Weekend
SUN 3 SEP
Spitfire 10K RAF Museum Cosford Unique opportunity to race across the airfield and down the runway at RAF Cosford, in an exclusive charity run raising money for the RAF Museum. 10am £22.50 per person (15 years and over) 01902 376200; rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford
Various locations around Much Wenlock A mix of long and short works in picturesque countryside to suit every ability. Check out our local walks page for more. muchwenlockwalkers.org
Submit your events at whatswhatmagazine.co.uk Every effort is made to provide correct information at the time of going to press, however it is advisable to check details with the venue concerned.
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DIARY DATES
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Pre-book online at svr.co.uk KIDDERMINSTER • BEWDLEY • BRIDGNORTH *22 July – 3 Sep 63
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Kid’s Holiday Activities - Summer 2017 EVERY FRIDAY
24 JUL – 1 SEP
26 JUL – 25 AUG
Storytime
Activ8 Holiday Clubs
Wenlock Books, Much Wenlock High Street Storytime for little ones (babies up to pre-schoolers). A selection of stories, carefully chosen for the children to enjoy and get used to the bookshop. New families are always welcome, no need to book, just turn up!
During summer holidays boys & girls aged 4-12 can try out a wide range of multi-sports at clubs taking place across four primary school locations in Telford. Children will need to bring a packed lunch with them each day and each week culminates with a presentation of awards & goodies to all the children.
NT Cardingmill Valley Events
11am – 12pm £2.50 per family to include coffee
for the grown-ups and drinks for the children. 01952 727877; wenlockbooks.co.uk
24 JUL – 28 AUG Summer Coaching Camps Much Wenlock Leisure Centre Sports camps for boys and girls aged from 5 to 14 years held every Monday, Tuesday and during the school holidays with a focus on fun and cooperation. Try a range of activities including football, cricket, dodgeball… plus inflatable fun and splash! WEEK 1: 24 – 26 JUL
Clubs Timetable (MON – FRI) WEEKS 1 – 6: Priorslee Primary Academy WEEKS 1 – 6: St Andrews Primary, Shifnal WEEKS 2 & 4: Newport Junior School WEEKS 1,3,5 & 6: Newport Infant School WEEKS 1 & 2: Albrighton Primary £15 per day; £60 per week;
20% discount for Telford loyalty card holders 07904944833; info@activ8education.co.uk; activ8education.co.uk/ holiday-times
WEEK 2: 31 JUL – 2 AUG WEEK 3: 7 – 9 AUG
25 JUL – 31 AUG
WEEK 4: 14 – 16 AUG
Kids Adventure Days
WEEK 5: 21 – 23 AUG WEEK 6: 26 – 28 AUG £10 per day (10am – 3pm)
Extra Time – additional £5 (8.30am – 4.30pm) 07506 342885
24 JUL – 1 SEP Sporting Kidz Daycare Bridgnorth Endowed Leisure Centre Weekdays throughout Summer Holidays. Ages 8 – 12 years £13 per day or £50 per week 8.30am – 3.30pm 01746 761541; haloleisure.org.uk
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OVAC Adventure Centre, Stottesdon A full outdoor adventure activity programme for 8-16 year olds with different outdoor activities held every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the school holidays. All day supervision by Live the Adventure’s team of qualified and experienced staff. Discounts are available for multiple bookings from the same family of £5 per child. Booking essential – bring a packed lunch, towel and a change of clothes including footwear. 10am – 4pm £25 per child 01746 718436; ovac.co.uk
26 JUL & 9 AUG: Pond Dipping: 11am – 12.30 & 2pm – 3.30pm 2 & 16 AUG: Stream Dipping: 11am – 12.30 & 2pm – 3.30pm 4 AUG: Scavenger Hunt: 11am – 3pm 11 & 25 AUG: Orienteering: 11am – 3pm All events £1 per child 01694 725000;
cardingmill@nationaltrust.org.uk
26 JUL – 31 AUG Children’s Activities Dudmaston Estate, Quatt, nr Bridgnorth During the school holidays there will be a range of creative, fun challenging trails and activities to help you complete your National Trust challenge: 50 things to do before you reach 11 and three quarters! 26 JUL, 2, 9, 16, 23 AUG: Make a Mini Raft (7+ yrs) 31 JUL, 7 & 14 AUG: Make a Bug Hotel (all ages) 31 JUL & 7 AUG: Nature Bug (3-4 yrs) 27 JUL, 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 AUG: Creative Nature Ramble (8-12 yrs) Activities from £5. Call venue to see if booking required. 1am Normal admission charges apply
£7.05; child £3.50 (FREE to NT members) 01746 780866; nationaltrust.org.uk
30 JUL – 24 AUG
1 – 30 AUG
3 – 17 AUG
Big Summer Camp
Summer Events
NT Wenlock Edge Events
The Little Sports Club The Little Sports Club have teamed up with Telford College (TCAT) to provide children of Shropshire a summer holiday camp they’ll not forget!
Bridgnorth Library TUE 1 AUG: Animal Agent Detectives: 10.30am Learn about fingerprinting, forensics and crime solving skills. Ages 7 – 11 years. FREE – booking essential
THU 3 & 17 AUG: Shelter Building: 11am – 2pm
WEEK 1: MON 30 JUL – FRI 3 AUG WEEK 2: MON 6 AUG – FRI 10 AUG WEEK 3: MON 20 AUG – FRI 24 AUG Early Bird (8am – 3pm): £15
Normal Time (9am – 3pm): £10 Extra Time (9am – 4:30pm): £15 Full Time (8am – 4:30pm): £17 0800 689 4976; 07715 829376; info@littlesportsclub.org
31 JUL – 11 AUG Summer Sports & Outdoor Club Make new friends and learn new skills at this fun and active holiday camp – activities include football, rounders, cricket, dance, parkour, athletics and tennis. Ages 5 – 11 WEEK 1: JUL 31 – 4 AUG Much Wenlock Primary School Castlefields Primary, Bridgnorth WEEK 2: 7 – 11 AUG Barrow Free School 8.30am – 3.30pm £15 per day; £60 for 5 days lyndseydillonpt@gmail.com
WED 9 AUG: Animal Agents with Dogs Trust: 10.30am Come and play the senses game, to see if you have the skills to ‘sniff out’ a clue. Ages 7 – 11 years. FREE – booking essential FRI 18 AUG: Bricks and Tricks – Lego Workshop: 10.30am. Ages 5 – 11 years. Come along a build a summer seaside scene. £2.50 per child – booking essential THU 30 AUG: Pottery Workshop: 10am – 12pm Drop in workshop with Bridgnorth Pottery. For ages 5+ £2 per child 01746 763358;
bridgnorth.library@shropshire. gov.uk
2 – 23 AUG
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Keep the children entertained during the holidays with a variety of activities near you!
THU 10 AUG: Wild Woods Adventure Trail: 11am – 3pm Meet at Presthope Car Park; all children must be accompanied by an adult. No need to book. £2 per child 01694 725000
21 – 28 AUG Superweeks – Residential Camps Moor Park, nr Ludlow Fun, games, laughter, secret missions, adventures and expeditions, a day trip, games you’ve never heard of before, parties and feasts and evenings of fun, things to learn, and plenty of new friends. Superweeks are run by The ATE Trust, a not-for-profit educational trust with 50 years of experience running unforgettable holidays for children aged 8-16. Booking is essential. £435 08454 561205; superweeks.co.uk
Cosford Spies Workshops RAF Museum, Cosford Take part in workshops on Wednesdays from 2 – 23 August Workshops are suitable for ages 8 – 14; packed lunch required. £20 half day 10am – 1pm;
£30 full day 10am – 5pm
01902 376200;
rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford
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FESTIVALS 2017
Be Festival Ready… Summer’s in full swing – and that means it’s festival season! Whether it’s music, art, comedy or food that takes your fancy, the county has got a diverse range of events on offer - sure to satisfy seasoned festival goers or first-timers who are up for trying something new.
Quarry Fest 8 July, Quarry Park, Shrewsbury 3 International Live Tributes: ABBA, Bruno Mars and Madness + 5 Local Support Groups all inside a gigantic marquee with an outside festival food and entertainment zone.
RAF Cosford Food Festival 22-23 July, RAF Cosford
International Comedy Festival 21-13 July, various locations in Shrewsbury
Tickets £22 for adults (£25 on the door) child and family tickets available.
Big name comedians have been billed for the first Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival. Laugh along with famous faces such as Greg Davies, Joe Lycett and Tom Wrigglesworth who will be joined by a local and national line up of comedy genius.
For more info and to buy visit quarryfest.com
Tickets are £5 each and available at theatresevern.co.uk
Ironbridge Gorge Brass Band Festival 15-16 July, Museum of Iron, Coalbrookdale
It’s hard not to love a festival nicknamed ‘Brasstonbury’! Probably the biggest non-competitive celebration of brass band music in England, this free-to-enter extravaganza is happening right on our doorstep. Entry is free – visit ironbridgebandfestival.co.uk for more details
Fine food and flying machines! This year’s festival features a tasty line-up of over 90 producers as well as live music performances from the Cosford and Shawbury Military Wives Choir, top chefs cooking demonstrations, cookery classes for the kids plus face painting, circus skills and a play bus. Tickets are £5 for adults, £2 for children with under 5’s FREE; find out more at rafmuseumorg.uk/cosford
Festival at the Edge 28-30 July, Stokes Barn, Much Wenlock This family-friendly storytelling festival weaves together a tapestry of spoken word and musical artists from around the world, along with crafts and circus skills workshops for kids and a varied range of food and drink. Tickets from £13 for a junior day ticket up to £280 for a family weekend ticket. Go to festivalattheedge.org for full details.
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11-13 August, near Gatten Farm, Ratlinghope Shropshire’s refreshingly rural festival is great value for money and features an eclectic range of acts, so whether your bag is ska, folk, punk, rock n’ roll, classic rock, dance music... you’ll find it all here. Panic Circus and Junkfish will keep the little ones happy whilst you take in the stunning scenery.
V Festival 19-20 August, Weston Park The county’s biggest traffic-stopper this year includes headliners Jay Z and Pink. Comedians Lee Nelson and Seann Walsh provide the laughs, whilst Annie Mac heads up the Radio 1 Stage. Tickets cost between £89 for a day ticket and £189 for a weekend camping ticket. Visit vfestival.com to find out more.
Tickets range from £40 for a day ticket to £250 for a family weekender, with kids under 12 going for just £2. Visit farmerphilsfestival.com for more details.
FESTIVALS 2017
Farmer Phil’s Festival
Telfood Feastival 2-3 September, QEII Arena, Southwater Following on from the success of 2016, Telford’s newest food festival is back by popular demand with over 100 exhibitors, live music, kids entertainment, demonstrations and much more to get involved with. Entrance is £6 for adults or £12 for a family – see the website at telfood.co.uk for more details.
Shrewsbury Folk Festival 25-28 August, West Mids Showground
Bridgnorth Music & Arts Festival 18-28 August, venues around Bridgnorth This year sees the 12th festival – the county’s biggest free festival – and the High Street, Quayside and EDG will all feature live acts. Bridgnorth Arts Society hold an exhibition in St Leonard’s Church, and a food fair and vintage market will hit the High Street on Sunday 27 August. All events are free; visit bridgnorthfestival.org.uk for more information.
Some of the most established artists from the UK alongside acts celebrating folk traditions from across the world. The festival boasts four sound stages, dance tent and specialist venues for children’s and youth festivals. There are shops, caterers, bars, a craft fair, free buses into Shrewsbury town centre and a great campsite. Tickets start from £35 for a Friday night ticket to £466 for a family camping ticket with two teens. Visit shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk for more information.
Ludlow Food Festival 8-10 September, venues around Ludlow Ludlow’s food frenzy brings summer to a close with a bang. There are events all over town and over 180 exhibitors such as Bim’s Kitchen’s African cuisine, Cake Aspirations, and Chilton Liquors. Marcus Bean will be joined by a whole host of top chefs and new for 2017 – interactive baking with The Great British Bake Off favourites, Val Stones, Howard Middleton and Sandy Docherty. Prices are £8 for an adult day ticket, weekend and family also available. Go to foodfestival.co.uk to find out more. 67
LOCAL FOOD NEWS
8th-10th September 2017
THE BEST OF FOOD AND DRINK
FROM THE WELSH MARCHES
Su m m e r party events Summer all M asquerade B 8 July
Dress in your finest costumes and dance the night away in the marquee 3 course menu and themed drinks available £30pp
Caribbean
Steel Ban d
27 August 3-piece steel band followed by a disco Themed buffet £30pp
THE DOG AND
DAVENPORT Traditional village pub with fine ales, wine and food
Lee Lard Peter Kay Tribute Party Night 18 August Basket style meal £30pp
2 course For our full diary of events please go online or call for details
menu
£11.95
Available Mon - Sun
PATIO GARDEN www.haughtonhall.com
Haughton Hall Hotel
& Leisure Club - Shifnal, Shropshire
Haughton Lane, Shifnal, Shropshire TF11 8HG t: 01952 468300 w: www.haughtonhall.com 68
Food served Monday – Friday 12 – 2.30pm & 6 – 9pm Saturday 12 – 9pm Sunday 12 – 5pm
THE DOG AND DAVENPORT WORFIELD, WV15 5LF 01746 716020 www.thedoganddavenport.co.uk
LOCAL FOOD NEWS
Ludlow’s foodie heaven More than 180 of the region’s top producers will descend on Ludlow for its annual food festival, to be held from Friday 8 to Sunday September. Set within the ruined castle, around the market square and the wider town there are also two demo stages, master classes, tutored tastings, plus the famous sausage and ale trails taking visitors on a journey of discovery around the town. Producers offer everything from local cheeses and charcuterie to the most delicious cakes and liqueurs. Highlights include Ashley Palmer-Watts of the Fat Duck joining chef Marcus Bean, host of the BBC Super Theatre at BBC Good Food Live, on stage on Friday 8 September.
Flying food A tasty line-up of over 90 local producers will be heading to the Cosford Food Festival, taking place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July, promising to serve up the very best food and drink the Midlands has to offer. Held in the unique setting of the RAF Museum, a bustling food market will showcase some of the region’s finest artisan produce and locally brewed beverages. With 26 new producers this year’s event will the biggest yet. Visitors can ample street food with flavours from around the world, from Indian, Italian and French cuisine to a taste of the Caribbean, as well as Cuban and Mexican fare. There will be live cooking demonstrations from local chefs and music performances from Cosford and Shawbury Military Wives Choir along with 1940s vintage vocal harmony trio the Bluebird Belles. Tickets £5, children £2, family £14. For tickets in advance visit rafmuseum.org/cosford
Street food fair Bridgnorth High Street will play host to a street food fair on Sunday 27 August as part of the Bridgnorth Music and Arts Festival. The event will include hot street food and stalls from growers and producers, with over 30 food and drink traders providing everything from sushi to pork baps and locally produced wines to real ale. From 10am to 6pm. 69
LOCAL FOOD NEWS
o – ffer t O all s an u th del do r au e t ic or th as iou i g en te s, rill tic wi he m th alt en les hy u s c op alo tio rie ns s!
Add some spice to your life with our sizzling specials
Summer pub The Pheasant Inn at Neenton near Bridgnorth has been voted Summer Pub of the Season by the local branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). Branch chairman Eleanor Haddon presented the award to managing couple Mark Harris and Sarah Cowley. Eleanor’s fellow Pub of the Season organiser Alan Thwaites explained, “The pub’s village location, beer garden, hospitality, fine food and quality real ales make it an ideal destination for a summer visit.” The Pheasant Inn is a community-run pub which reopened in 2015 after being closed since 2006. The reopening of the pub was the culmination of four years of work spearheaded by Neenton Community Society. Mark Harris and Sarah Cowley at The Pheasant
Gourmet special – 4 courses £10.95 Poppadum & dips, any starter and main meal from our Gourmet Menu with any rice or nan (available Sun from 4pm and Wed from 5.30pm – eat in only)
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Bake off queen Candice Brown, winner of last year’s Great British Bake Off, will be the star attraction at the Newport Show this year. The PE teacher-turned-baker, who wowed judges with her showstopping creations on the hit series, will demonstrate her favourite recipes and share tips and behind-the-scenes stories during her appearance at Newport Show’s Festival of Food on Saturday 8 July. Candice will head up the programme at the festival, which showcases the best locally produced and sourced food and includes a street food market and hands-on activities for adults and children to reinforce the food journey from farm to fork. The show at the Chetwynd Deer Park retains its strong links to agriculture, with more than 140 livestock and sheep classes attracting farmers from across Shropshire, Staffordshire, the West Midlands and Cheshire.
LOCAL FOOD NEWS
The
RAVEN
Hotel & Restaurant
Marketplace Lounge Available every lunchtime and Sunday to Thursday evening
Relaxed dining in our newly refurbished lounge bar
Raven Restaurant Monday to Saturday evening 6pm ― 8.30pm
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Raven Marketplace Open Tuesday to Saturday 9am ― 2pm
Fresh fish, vegetables, fruit, and a delicious range of bread and baked products Please feel free to drop in, call or visit our website for further information
Barrow Street, Much Wenlock, Shropshire TF13 6EN enquiry@ravenhotel.com ravenhotel.com 71
RESTAURANT REVIEW
Broseley WW! has long followed the progress of the King and Thai’s Suree Coates, as the chef proprietor has scooped award after award in the years… so it was with excited anticipation that we visited for this review. The King and Thai is located in the old Foresters Arms on the Bridgnorth Road in Broseley. It’s set in beautiful gardens, with twinkly lights lending a sparkle to an atmospheric patio – perfect for pre-dinner drinks. There’s also ample parking. The interior retains an authentically ‘pubby’ feel with a bar, still called the Foresters, serving a complimentary Thai tapas with every drink before 6.30pm. Suree has been in residence for eight years but she’s been cooking for much longer. Bought up in central Thailand, she started to learn her trade from her grandmother at the tender age of seven. She recalls, “We had a smallholding and cooked everything from scratch – the vegetables we grew, the animals we’d reared and fish we’d caught.” That commitment to freshness and the provenance of the food remains very much in evidence in Suree’s cooking today. It’s a reassuringly select menu; Suree only cooks ingredients when they’re up to scratch, so specials change daily. Sweet and sour tempura tiger prawns came in a tangy sauce, a huge step away from the over-sweet gloop so often served. Our favourite was the Penang beef curry – slow-cooked, tender beef in fresh coconut with Penang paste, kaffir lime leaves and pan-roasted crispy chilli and shallots. It was simply sublime.
We started with a platter of homemade Thai favourites; spring rolls, sesame prawn toast, spicy pork skewers, prawn crackers and chicken satay, beautifully presented with a selection of homemade sauces and chutneys. While our love of Thai cuisine meant the food felt familiar, this was certainly the best we’d tasted in a long while. There is currently an ‘early bird’ deal on the Thai sharing platter for two, with a drink, which at £24 is excellent value for such freshly prepared and intricately spiced food.
Though we were too full for puddings, our host, refusing to take ‘no’ for an answer, bought us a tasting dish of blueberry cheesecake, Thai fried ice cream and about the most beautiful egg custard tart I’d ever tasted, all decorated beautifully with edible flowers – indeed, the presentation of all the food was delightfully imaginative. Suree opts for Tanners wines, herbs from her garden, vegetables from the greenhouses of the Apley walled garden, and meat from Broseley’s butcher, so the King and Thai flies the flag for local produce in every way – small wonder Suree and the team continue to gain recognition for their delicious fare.
Sally Themans
Images courtesy of gourmet-lifestyle.co.uk
The King and Thai, Avenue Road, Broseley, Shropshire TF12 5DL Tel: 01952 882004 Open Tues-Sat from 5pm; Thai Tapas Tasters free with drinks from 5-6.30pm. Prices from £12.95 for slow roasted pork belly to £16.50 for beef in oyster sauce; starters around £7. 72
LOCAL FOOD NEWS
Wood’s addition Wood’s Shropshire Lad was first brewed in 1996 to celebrate the centenary of the publication of AE Housman’s poem collection, and today it and Shropshire Lass are two of the county’s most popular real ales. Now Shropshire brewery Wood’s are planning a new addition to their family – Shropshire Born and Bred. Wood’s are hoping the offspring ale will be just as successful as its ‘parent’ brews, which have won numerous awards. Managing director Edward Wood said, “We wanted to introduce a new beer and thought it would be fun if Shropshire Lad and Shropshire Lass got married – leading to the birth of Shropshire Born and Bred.” The Wood Brewery is believed to be the oldest of the ‘new wave’ of real ale breweries to still be under the same family ownership, having opened as a modest set-up in the 1980s to being a modern plant today. Mr Wood says he’s proud of the way his family have kept their company strong and supported community causes and activities across Shropshire and the West Midlands for decades, donating money raised by special edition beers. Shropshire Lad and Shropshire Lass – ‘parents’ of Shropshire Born and Bred
Telfood is back! Back for a second year, Telfood Feastival at Southwater in Telford will provide a weekend full of local food, drink, crafts and arts as well as chef demonstrations and talks. More than 100 of Britain’s best food producers will descend on Telford during the weekend of 2 and 3 September. A tasting theatre will deliver the region’s top foods prepared and ready to sample, and there will also be free activities for the thousands of locals and visitors expected to flock to the town. Children will be able to get mucky in the hands-on cookery area and learn circus skills in the big top. Any leftover foods will also all be donated to the Telford Food Bank. Book online at Telfood.co.uk
NEW Thai Sharing Platter
Forester Bar & Gardens
All your favourites, plus a drink each*, £24 for Two!
Open from 5pm Tue-Sat Thai Tapas Tasters free with drinks until 7pm
Served Early Birds: Tue-Sat 5-7pm & lunch Fri & Sat 12-2pm *pint lager, cider, beer, small wine, Chang beer or soft drink
The King & Thai, The Forrester Arms, Avenue Rd, Broseley, Shropshire, TF12 5DL 01952 882004 www.thekingandthai.co.uk 73
LOCAL FOOD NEWS
THE
SIX ASHES
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Mon – Sat: 12 – 3pm & 6 – 9.30pm, Sun: 12 – 5pm
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The Bridgnorth branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) has recently presented its award for Pub of the Year to the Railwayman’s Arms. The pub, which is situated on platform 1 of the Severn Valley Railway station, beat off 16 other contenders to win. Noted for its choice of up to 10 real ales, the Railwayman’s Arms opened in 1861 as a licenced refreshment room. Independent judges looked at criteria such as atmosphere, pub décor, service, welcome and crucially, beer quality. The pub now goes on to compete against four other pubs from Shropshire, Hereford and Worcestershire hoping to be crowned Marches CAMRA pub of the year. Cheers and good luck from all at WW! Pub Manager Samantha-Jayne Cotterell receives the award from CAMRA’s Eleanor Haddon
LOCAL FOOD NEWS
Cake heaven Shrewsbury baker Julie Anderson is celebrating 20 years of making cakes for Sprinters Coffee Shop. In her culinary career, Julie has made an estimated 15,000 cakes, and she creates around 16 cakes a week for the customers in the 42-cover coffee shop. She started making cakes as a hobby and is self-taught, but in order to ensure a high-quality product she turned her pastime into a professional business, where she uses the very best ingredients and no additives. Julie’s next venture is to launch a new illustrated book of cake recipes and tips on baking. Celebrating 20 years of baking
Readers’ delight The King’s Head in Bridgnorth has been named the Best Independent Restaurant in South Shropshire in the What’s On Reader’s Awards 2017. Chris Walsh who runs the King’s Head said he was delighted that the quality of the food and drink on offer was appreciated and was quick to thank customers for their loyalty and support in nominating and voting for the King’s Head. The King’s Head team
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44 High Street Much Wenlock TF13 6AD
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HOME & YOU
A tale of two pretties Forget last season's nudes and noirs, right now punchy hues and sugary pastels are the perfect partners for the catwalk trends that are making waves on the high street too. Loving Cuban ruffles and tropical frocks? You'll want a juicy yellow to set them off. Rocking the deconstructed shirting look? An ivory shade is what you're after. And the colour of the season, pink, is represented on both sides of the spectrum, from raspberry to sugared almond.
Iz Beauty Wild Sage Gel Effect Nail Polish, £6, izbeauty.co.uk
Diego Dalla Palma Bleu Canard Nail Polish, £10, Marks and Spencer, marksandspencer.com
Rimmel Super Gel Nail Polish Coral Queen, £5.99, Superdrug, superdrug.com
Essie Gel Couture Bridal Collection ‘Lace to the Alter’ by Monique Lhuillier, £9.99 Boots, boots.com
From pale to eye-popping, these are our top polish picks...
Orly ‘Head in the Clouds’ Nail Lacquer, £7.95, NailPolishDirect.co.uk
House of Holland by Elegant Touch Foil Fade Nails, £8.99, Asos.com 77
Advertisement Feature
A new home for Beauty Benefits One of Bridgnorth’s favourite businesses has moved into a beautiful new space – and it’s already feeling just like home.
Beauty Benefits, which has been making the town’s women and men feel a million dollars for over 25 years, relocated from its previous site at Whitburn Street roundabout to the iconic standalone brick cottage on Whitburn Place in April, and owner Alison Caine and her team are loving their character-packed surroundings. The new salon is decorated in calming neutral tones, with the 5 beautiful treatment rooms poised to welcome clients old and new. Long-time Beauty Benefits fan Cathie Sabin joined the party to unveil the team’s new setting, cutting the ribbon and enjoying a glass of fizz. Cathie says, “Alison and her amazing team have created an extraordinarily welcoming atmosphere – and I’m looking forward to another 25 years of TLC!”
Something for everyone Alison prides herself on the breathtaking range of services offered by her staff at Beauty Benefits – “we’re the only salon in the county with such a broad range of treatments under one roof!” As well as salon services such as beautiful bronzing spray tans and shimmering shellac nail treatments, the Beauty Benefits team specialise in advanced skin care, which deliver the visual effects of a surgical facelift without the need to go under the knife. Celebs such as Kate Moss and Colin Firth are devotees of Crystal Clear COMCIT Oxygen Therapy, which replenishes the lost oxygen in ageing skin, resulting in visibly plumper skin with a reduction in lines and wrinkles. Alison explains, “COMCIT stands for ‘cyro oxygen microchaneling collagen induction therapy’, which is the most effective skin rejuvenation system yet, as we’re effectively getting down to the layers where skin health begins; these are the layers we need to reach to promote new collagen growth.” Another popular treatment is the new CACI Synergy System, which combines the technology from two best-selling systems, the CACI Ultra and the CACI Ultimate, with pioneering SPED microcurrent LED technology. The combination treatment harnesses the regenerative combined power of LED light and microcurrent for the very first time, resulting in visible and longer-lasting skin-tone improvements. 78
If you’re planning your summer holiday, why not enhance your relationship with your bikini by trying LPG Lipomassage – also known as the ‘cellulite buster’! World leader in mecano-stimulation LPG has created the new Cellu M6 generation for faster, scientifically-proven results that will boost your body image immediately. The Ergodrive treatment head delivers pleasant stimulation at the skin’s surface to stimulate the release of fat cells and drive the natural production of collagen and elastin.
Moving with the times In the 27 years since they first opened their doors, Beauty Benefits has continually embraced new technology and techniques. Alison is a very proactive team leader, and professional development and training are essential to the continued success of Beauty Benefits. She explains, “We’re passionate about beauty, and we’re always researching the latest treatments – and if we feel it’ll work for our customers, we’re enthusiastic about trying something new!
Alison explains, “LPG also works on the face, through Endermolift, which gives the most radiant, plumping facial you’ll have ever seen; as with any Beauty Benefits facial, we create a bespoke facial for your needs, as you’re not just any client, you’re our client and we want the very best for your skin!” If you’ve still got a few weeks to plan your big trip, the pioneering VPL Energist is perfect for long-lasting hair removal, skin rejuvenation, thread veins, pigmentation, acne and other skin issues.
“We only use professional skin care ranges with Katherine Daniels and Resultime, with access to the very best that science has to offer; we take full advantage of the latest technical ingredients to give you the best anti-ageing results with relaxing techniques. “The confidence-boosting effects carry on long after our clients leave the salon, and we educate people about how to ensure their skin stays looking good, both in terms of additional products to prolong the impact, and with skincare techniques that are easy to learn.” Beauty Benefits is open from Monday to Saturday with variable evening openings – call for details. The salon also offers birthday or pre-wedding parties, where small groups of friends and families can come together and indulge in an afternoon of blissful ‘me-time’, from facials to eyelash extensions to makeup by High Definition. The salon also features a range of holistic treatments such as reflexology, massage and stone therapy, for those seeking to relieve the stress of everyday life. To keep up-to-date with what’s new at Beauty Benefits, follow them on Facebook, call on 01746 768035, or visit beautybenefits.co.uk for the full list of treatments.
Whitburn Place, Old Smithfield, Bridgnorth WV16 4QT 01746 768035 beautybenefits.co.uk 79
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Advertisement Feature
Ashley joins Pure Dental Care Set in one of Bridgnorth’s best-loved streets opposite the iconic Old Castle pub, Pure Dental Care has become established as one of the town’s success stories. The practice was started by dentist Sarah Batho in 2011, and it initially offered two surgeries, a part-time hygienist, and three full-time staff to support Sarah. As its reputation for a friendly and affordable service grew, so did demand and today Pure Dental is a thriving practice with three surgeries, three hygienists and six full-time staff. The team’s repertoire includes private dentistry, tooth whitening, cosmetic work, implant referrals, children’s NHS treatment, and Denplan Essentials and Care. Business continues to flourish, and as a result Pure Dental Care is adding another dental expert to their team. Ashley Peile will be joining the Pure family for one day a week, which will enable the practice to treat current patients even more promptly, and to welcome more new faces. Ashley qualified at Queen’s University Belfast in 2006 before working in Welshpool for 10 years to broaden his experience. During that time, he also worked at Wrexham community service and the maxillofacial department in Glan Clwyd hospital. Ashley is committed to consolidating his understanding of dental science, and he’s particularly interested in restoring and straightening teeth, including with the popular Six Month Smiles clear brace. Ashley is currently undertaking a diploma in endodontics (better known as root canals) at King’s College London.
Despite his profession, Ashley is a keen baker – but living in land-locked Shropshire means he rarely gets to indulge in his other passion: windsurfing. There will be an introductory offer of £30 to see Ashley – like the other members of the Pure team, he’s an expert at putting new patients at their ease and keeping consultations warm and relaxed. To make an appointment with Ashley, call Pure Dental Care on 01746 765711
Complete dental care • Emergency treatment Cosmetic • Hygienist • Teeth Whitening Implant consultation • NHS children 42 West Castle Street, Bridgnorth, WV16 4AD 01746 765711 advice@pure-dental-care.co.uk 81
Advertisement Feature
High scores from surveys The health sector regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), has given a rating of ‘Good’ for Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital. This recent report followed an inspection in late 2016. The results from the March 2017 Nuffield Health patient satisfaction survey also back up these findings, where the Wolverhampton Hospital recently came joint 2nd for overall satisfaction at 97%, out of 31 Nuffield Health hospitals in the UK. The CQC inspection report gave a rating of good overall and specifically for effectiveness, safety, caring and responsiveness. Several areas of good practice were highlighted including the induction process for new staff and positive incident reporting culture with good quality reports. The medicine management system and safety checklists were good and there are supportive managers at all levels and staff told the inspectors that managers were visible and approachable. The protected swipecard access in areas of the diagnostic imaging department was commended. Every month Nuffield Health collects patient feedback data for each of the 31 hospitals in the group. This information is used as a benchmark to highlight areas for improvement and to share good practice. Looking at the service areas, the Wolverhampton private hospital scored 100% for gynaecology, oncology (cancer treatment) and cosmetic surgery and 98% for orthopaedics, general surgery, ophthalmology and urology. The overall quality of catering was rated 95% and 98% for housekeeping and pharmacy. There were very high scores of 99% for confidence in consultants, nurses and physiotherapists. Equally 99% score was achieved for patients being treated with dignity and respect. For all patients, whether insured, self pay or NHS, 100% said they would recommend the hospital to friends and family. Hospital Director Karen Pattison commented, “I am delighted with the results of the Autumn inspection undertaken by the Care Quality Commission and our own monthly survey, both 82
of which we welcome. We like to know where improvements can be made so we can deliver even higher patient satisfaction. I would like to thank and congratulate the whole team on these fantastic achievements which clearly demonstrates that we are working together to do things right for patients.” Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital provides a range of clinical services for both private and NHS patients. The private hospital in Tettenhall has two operating theatres of which one has a laminar flow system, to control air and reduce infection during operations. There are 27 en-suite bedrooms and two chemotherapy rooms. The diagnostic suite offers MRI, mammography, fluoroscopy and general x-ray. It also offers 10 consulting rooms within the outpatient department. The hospital is also the diagnostics service supplier to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Join us for a series of free patient events throughout July at our hospital on Wood Road, Tettenhall, WV6 8LE. Events start at 6:30pm with snacks and refreshments. You can book more than one event. Parking is free. View Nuffield Health Wolverhampton’s Facebook page to see how our patients rate their experience at our hospital. If you would like to sample the services on offer, the following free patient events are being hosted by consultants at the hospital throughout July. Each event starts at 6:30pm – parking is free, and snacks and refreshments will be served:
JULY
Wednesday 5 July: Let’s Talk Hips Thursday 13 July: Let’s Talk Knees Wednesday 26 July: Let’s Talk Shoulders, Elbows & Hands Thursday 27 July: Let’s Talk Women’s Health
To book your place at any of our events go to: nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/wolverhampton/events or call us on: 01902 793 269
WOLVERHAMPTON HOSPITAL
Specialists in you.
Choose Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital as a patient paying for yourself and you are choosing individual treatment, physiotherapy and aftercare plans tailored specifically to you. You are choosing a purpose built, well equipped hospital with 28 residential private ensuite patient rooms, flat screen TV’s, Wi-Fi, and delicious freshly cooked food prepared in our on-site restaurant. You are choosing state-of-the-art equipment - an MRI suite which is open 6 days a week, 2 ultra clean air operating theatres, treatment rooms and a JAG accredited endoscopy suite (we are the first Nuffield Hospital in the UK to achieve this status). Our hospital is easily accessible to a wide area, being located just 4 miles from the M54 and an easy 8 mile drive from the M6, and offers ample free parking. Get in touch for more information or to book an initial consultation.
01902 793 269
nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/wolverhampton
@nuffwolvhosp
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Oasis Bright Pink Leather Cross-body Clutch, £25, oasis-stores.com
Wallis Pale Orchid Pink One Shoulder Dress, £45; Grey Metal Bar Clutch Bag, £20, wallis.co.uk
Bonprix Off the Shoulder Jumpsuit, £39.99, bonprix.co.uk
Fenn Wright Manson Hvar Top, £79 fennwrightmanson.com
Dorothy Perkins Pink Stunned Heeled Sandals, £39, dorothyperkins.com
Dune Megg Pink Platform Mule Sandal, £80, dunelondon.com
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HOME & YOU
Flirting with blush Pink is this year’s biggest fashion trend – and where designers lead, interior decorators soon follow. The secret is to blend, blend, blend... A ballet-slipper sofa, a sugar-almond cushion and a coat of pale pink gloss can be designed to shape, colour and contour, and be as flattering as your favourite blush.
Kate Spade New York Greenwich Grove Tea Cup and Saucer, £45, John Lewis, johnlewis.com
Wild Rose candle, Roobarb, Bridgnorth
Le Cocktail Chair in Fuchsia, £425, Oliver Bonas, oliverbonas.com 86
Eaton sofa in Nina Campbell Montacute Weaves Pencarrow Fabric, from £2,387; Club Chair in Osborne & Little Brehon Linen Donard Fabric, £1,167, Delcor, delcor.co.uk
HOME & YOU Harlequin – Mimi C&S, Just Jayne, Bridgnorth
Ziggurat Table Lamp in Antique Silver, £140, pooky.com
A by Amara Lewes Sheepskin Rug in Rosa, £137.50 Amara.com
Chichester Console Table in Pink Peppercorn, £780, Neptune, neptune.com
Star by Julien Macdonald White Lustre Vase, £30; Feather Vase, White Lustre Vanilla Scented Candle, £15, Mirrored Nest Of 2 Tables, £280, Debenhams, debenhams.com
Harlequin – JardinBoheme, Just Jayne, Bridgnorth 87
HOME & YOU
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Oak cladding provides a cost-effective solution without the removal of your existing staircase Unit 23, Ketley Business Park, Waterloo Road, Ketley, Telford. TF1 5JD 01952 249773 sales@selectjoinery.com www.selectjoinery.co.uk
HOME & YOU
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GARDEN NEWS
A place to reflect
Lavender day Small-batch grower Morbrook Lavender based at Pam’s Pools, just outside Bridgnorth is hosting an open day on Sunday 9 July from 2 to 6pm in support of Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Recently featured on BBC Radio Shropshire, Pam’s Pools is a 50-acre self-sufficient smallholding and nature reserve in the heart of the countryside run by Dr Pam Yuille, while Ann and David Wenlock grow English lavender on the site.
The Quiet Garden at the Rectory, 16 East Castle Street Bridgnorth is open to all for peace, prayer and quiet reflection. This gem of a walled garden in the heart of the town offers a haven in our busy lives and is affiliated to the Quiet Garden Trust which celebrates 25 years of offering a network across the country of gardens which lend themselves to meditation and mindfulness. The garden is open on Wednesday 12 July and Wednesday 9 August from 10am to 3pm and visitors are welcome to call in to enjoy the tranquillity, take a moment or two to reflect on life, and to appreciate the delights of sitting still for a while. Visit quietgarden.org to find out more. A haven in the centre of Bridgnorth
Visitors will be able to see the cottage garden with abundant fruit and vegetables tended by a professional gardener who will be on hand to give plant advice; to view rare breed sheep, whose wool is used for spinning and felt making; and to enjoy beekeeping talks and natural craft beer from a Shropshire micro brewer. Visitors are also welcome to walk through wildflower hay-meadows and lavender fields. Pam’s Pools is at Underton (postcode WV16 6TY) and will be clearly signposted. Hand-cut lavender
Showtime Bridgnorth Horticultural Society will be hosting its summer show at St Leonard’s church on Saturday 5 August and members of the public and society members are invited to showcase their green-fingered prowess in the following classes: vegetables, fruit, cut flowers and pot plants, homecraft, wine, photography and floral art. Entries are on the day from 9 to 11am, when judging starts, and the show opens its door to visitors from 1 to 4pm for viewing.
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GARDEN NEWS
Flowers at Claverley Claverley is gearing up for its 41st annual flower festival which will be held at All Saints’ Church from Saturday 8 July to Monday 10 July. The flower guild are at the heart of the show and this year’s title ‘Not just a flower arranger... but also...’ will see members of the guild revealing other aspects of themselves in their flower arrangements showing off their interests, careers or hobbies. The church is open to visitors from 10am-6pm throughout the three-day festival and there will be a special festival evensong service at 6pm on Sunday 9 July.
‘Ironbridge’ from 2013 Famous Places
‘China’ from 2016 theme Happy Anniversary!
Geraniums, fuchsias and hanging basket plants now in stock
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Tel: 01902 700209 www.lealansgardencentre.co.uk Wolverhampton to Bridgnorth Road (A454), Shipley. 91
GARDENING TIPS
Good Gardening Tips for July & August
Long…hazy… summer…. garden… days… Summer is here and it’s time to be able to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labour in the garden…. but we all know there’s a lot to be done behind the scenes… It’s been a confusing time for our plants in the run up to summer; spring started early this year but then sharp frosts in April damaged large amounts of young growth, setting everything back again. On top of that it’s been very dry which stressed some plants and meant watering had to start much earlier than usual. At the garden centre customers have mentioned that the frost had damaged young growth on Oak and Walnut trees which is a very unusual occurrence and Sally our editor has lost two much loved, and previously thought to be indestructible, Buxus balls. So our poor gardens really don’t know what’s hit them…
Stunning patio pots & hanging basket heroes As we move from June into July and August there’s still time to plant larger pots of Geraniums, Fuchsias, Cosmos and Dahlias to 92
fill in any gaps in borders. Water to get established and feed on a weekly basis. Dead head regularly and you’ll have colour through to the first autumn frosts, which hopefully will be late starting. Hanging Baskets need liquid feeding weekly – even with the slow release fertilizers added to composts, you’ll see the extra benefits from liquid feed. Baskets soon dry out especially when they’re sheltered from rain at the side of a house so watering morning and night in very warm weather is a must.
Salad crops and the vegetable plot Tomatoes and cucumbers need water regularly during hot weather – preferably in the morning – this keeps the atmosphere humid and prevents the plants staying damp overnight which can cause problems with powdery mildew or botrytis – this is especially true for cucumbers as they can be very susceptible to mildew. Remove any badly infected leaves. Good growing conditions will help to prevent the
GARDENING TIPS spread – good light for plants, low humidity particularly at night and the use of resistant varieties. There are no chemical controls for diseases on fruit and veg available so good husbandry is very important. Keep sowing or planting salad crops such as lettuce, spinach, spring onions and radish in the veg patch to get a continuous harvest. Use very fine netting to cover cabbages, cauliflowers, carrots and other particularly susceptible vegetables against flies, pigeons and butterflies. Harvest peas and runner beans regularly whilst they are young and tender, freeze any spares for home grown vegetables during the winter months. Keep beans and peas moist and spray over the foliage to encourage pods to set.
Lovely Lupins There’s plenty of choice in the herbaceous sections at the moment as well as the ever popular Lupins – especially the newer West Country Range, there’s the Salvias – Hot Lips being a good one, Cleome and the butterfly loving Verbena bonanariensis and the ever popular perennial Geraniums. Hostas are good for a shady spot with their coloured foliage, watch out for the slugs
though. Make the most of a warm sunny day and pull or hoe up any weeds still lurking in your borders.
Hanging Baskets need liquid feeding weekly – even with the slow release fertilizers added to composts. Keep roses in good condition by spraying every 10 days with ‘Roseclear’ or ‘Multirose’, this will keep any aphids under control as well as dealing with powdery mildew and black spot. Woolly Aphid is a pest of fruit trees that is getting more and more common. It appears as fluffy white cotton wool like patches on fruit tree stems and ornamental trees. The insect is hidden under the fluff and sucks the sap from stems. Use Provado Ultimate Fruit and Vegetable Bug Killer as a control, but follow the directions as there is a minimum harvest interval. There’s still time to treat moss on lawns with M O Bacter if the weather is not too dry and we have regular supplies coming
in. For smaller areas of moss try the new Bio Press from the same supplier, which can be watered onto the lawn.
Looking forward…. For new potatoes in October, or at Christmas, plant seed potatoes in tubs in July and August. Growth will finish in October, but leave the tubers in their pots until required for cooking. Remember they’ll need frost protection once the winter frosts appear in November and December. To complete another gardening cycle or start a new one depending on how you look at it the spring flowering bulbs will be appearing in Garden Centre’s from the end of August! If you want Hyacinths in flower for Christmas, they must be planted and put into a dark cool place in September. Most varieties require an 8-10 week cool period followed by 2-3 weeks of warmer conditions to bring them into flower. Use a compost specifically for bulbs as it will contain charcoal to keep the soil sweet. Happy summer everyone!
This issue’s tips are provided by Ann Winwood of
Lealans Garden Centre, Shipley. 93
LOCAL WALKS
Local walks Make the most of summer and explore areas you may not have been before – we’ve complied our list of local walks and groups, so all you need is a decent pair of boots and to book your place. SAT 1 JUL
SUN 23 JUL
SUN 13 AUG
Craned Y Filiast
Cleobury Country
Stiperstones Ridge
8 miles syr.org.uk/walk/239
9 miles 01746 862652 bridgnorthwalkingclub.org.uk
THU 6 JUL
Hampton Loade 5 miles. 07903 325011; annesuffolk1@gmail.com
FRI 7 JUL
Shrewsbury Severn 3.5 miles syr.org.uk/walk/231
WED 12 & MON 17 JUL
Trimpley Reservoir 8 miles 9.30am 01746 781192 £3.50
THU 27 JUL
THU 24 AUG
Coastal Rail Walk
Stretton Hills
01952 460828 tesramblers.org.uk
THU 3 AUG 5 miles 10am 07762 083134 tesramblers.org.uk
Aran Faddy 7 miles syr.org.uk/walk/240
Jackfield Circular Ramble 9 miles 10am 07879 447804 annesuffolk1@gmail.com
Kinver Edge 8.5 miles 01952 460715 tesramblers.org.uk
THU 10 AUG
Cadair Berwyn
Delamere Forest
Severn Strollers Regular walking groups
9 miles 01939 235475 tesramblers.org.uk
ALVELEY
Tuesdays at 10am
BRIDGNORTH Mondays at 2pm Wednesdays at 10.30am Fridays at 11am
BROSELEY
SHIFNAL
HIGHLEY
To sign up or for more information contact 01743 255059; mick.dunn@ shropshire.gov.uk
Wednesdays at 10.30am Mondays at 10.30am
MUCH WENLOCK
Mondays at 10am 94
The Black Mountain 10 miles 01746 862652 bridgnorthwalkingclub.org.uk
Walking Festivals FRI 1 – 4 SEP
Much Wenlock Walking Weekend
SUN 6 AUG
SUN 16 JUL 9 miles 9am 07814 486632
9 miles 07935 840845 tesramblers.org.uk
SUN 27 AUG
Shrewsbury
SAT 5 AUG
THU 13 JUL
9 miles 01746 862652 bridgnorthwalkingclub.org.uk
Tuesdays at 10.30am
The weekend includes a range of walks from 2 - 16 miles, covering different areas around Much Wenlock, all with great views of the local countryside. There are two themed walks - one looking at trees in Homer and one looking at Ecology on Wenlock Edge. There’s also a family Treasure Hunt around the town itself. muchwenlockwalkers.org.uk
MON 11 – 17 SEP
Wellington Walking Festival Look out for details in our next edition
GARDEN NEWS
Morville Hall open Morville Hall and garden near Bridgnorth will be open to visitors on selected days throughout the summer. This stone-built family home of Elizabethan origin was extensively enlarged and expanded during the mid 18th century and this is a rare chance to explore a still lived-in home. Stone steps lead down to a beautiful garden where Elizabethan topiary meets the luxury and elegance that typified Georgian tastes. Open days are Friday 14 and Saturday 15 July, and Friday 8 and Saturday 9 September, noon-5pm, with last entry at 4.30pm.
Blooming Broseley Broseley in Bloom’s very first plant sale far exceeded expectations, raising over £850 which will go towards creating Broseley’s summer planting. Chair Carol Cooper said, “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support from the community, both from those who gave plants and helped on the day to the people of Broseley who came and purchased plants. Over the years Broseley has built up a reputation for its blaze of colour throughout the town and this year promises to be no exception.” This peachy geum was featured at the Chelsea Flower Show
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WILDLIFE DIARY
Finally from somewhere in the rush pasture below me, I hear the bubbling call of a curlew. It is brief but glorious. This is the sound of windy hillsides and untamed wetlands.
Birds of the Shropshire Hills Ed Andrews takes us on a quest deep into the hills to monitor the plight of Shropshire’s ground nesting birds. Of all the Shropshire landscapes, the arrival of summer is most dramatic in hill country. Muddy tracks are transformed into lush springy turf. Wind-swept rowan trees suddenly flush lime green with fresh leaf growth. Bird song cascades down the slopes and bubbles through the valleys. It is a mild evening and I am sitting at the side of a footpath that runs along the top of the Long Mynd. I am here to help monitor the population of a bird synonymous with upland moorland. I have not been at my station long when there is a burst of activity from within the heather. A male red grouse is flying fast and low, just above the vegetation. With a flurry of wingbeats it flies up steeply and then parachutes down. This is typical territorial behaviour so I mark the location of the sighting on the map that I have been given. From my lofty position I can see across the Shropshire plain to the north east, whilst hill country stretches out to the west. I find some grouse feathers near the path. These can reveal a lot about the habits of the birds. The base of the feather is grey and downy, providing warmth for the birds when they battle through the harsh winter months. The tips are speckled dark brown and tan, giving them camouflage amongst the heather. The evening sky is rippled slate grey and gold. Gentle waves of sound wash over me; the chatter of golden plover and a stonechat, the distant hum of a tractor. The calm is interrupted 96
by a pair of grouse bursting into view. Grouse nest in a shallow scrape on the ground, amongst the heather. The female lays her eggs in May. By the time you read this article, the chicks will have fledged. I can smell burning. Looking behind me I can see an area of scorched ground. Each winter, the National Trust burn small patches of heather on the hill. This stimulates fresh growth on which the red grouse then feed. The National Trust have organised this survey of the grouse population each year since 2011 to monitor the effectiveness of their habitat management work. The average number of male territories across the Long Mynd is around 60 and the red grouse population seems to be relatively stable. Unfortunately not all birds are thriving amongst these hills. It is an early summers morning and once again I am standing near the summit of the Long Mynd. The signpost directs me down a broad trackway towards Stanbatch. Unlike many modern roads, this track has been created to follow the contours of the land. Through a series of sweeping turns, it weaves down the steep slope towards the valley below. With each bend, a new view opens up. One minute my eyes are drawn out towards Corndon Hill. The next, I am looking along the length of the Long Mynd as it rises up above me like a great breaking wave.
WILDLIFE DIARY As the track crosses the line from moorland to farmland, I can hear the fluting call of a blackbird in a hawthorn tree. A raven cronks overhead and a distant skylark sings. I stand for a while and listen. I have come here to try and find another ground-nesting bird that returns each summer. With each minute that passes, the silence becomes more over-powering. Finally from somewhere in the rush pasture below me, I hear the bubbling call of a curlew. It is brief but glorious. This is the sound of windy hillsides and untamed wetlands. I don’t think any bird call is more evocative of our wild uplands than the curlew. These skies should be alive with their calls but in 45 minutes, that brief burst is all I hear. Across the Shropshire Hills, our curlews are disappearing.
Gentle waves of sound wash over me; the chatter of golden plover and a stonechat, the distant hum of a tractor. The calm is interrupted by a pair of grouse bursting into view. Curlew Country is a project that is being administered by the Stiperstones and Corndon Landscape Partnership Scheme. During 2015 and 2016, ornithologists observed 30 curlew nests within the Shropshire Hills. Not one chick successfully fledged.
This is a frightening statistic and highlights a trend across the UK of declining curlew populations. Research commissioned by the project has shown that, as well as changing farming practises, predation is also contributing towards the loss of our curlews. This year, the project is trialling some fox control measures coupled with protective fencing to try and boost curlew survival rates. The Shropshire Hills are a rugged landscape but the birds that live there depend on a fragile balance between habitat management, farming pressures and the communities that live there. For red grouse, the balance is tipped in their favour. For our curlew, the future is much less certain.
Do one thing for wildlife this month: As well as working with farmers on practical curlew conservation, Curlew Country is also engaging members of the public in arts activities and wildlife surveying. To learn more and get involved, please visit the website stiperstonesandcorndon.co.uk/curlewcountry
What’s What! nature expert and
Shropshire Council’s Parks and Greenspace Officer Edward Andrews looks at the changing seasons in each issue.
You can follow Ed on Twitter: @shropshirewild 97
ANIMAL CARE
Happy Tails Dogs for allergies…
The wonders of laser therapy… As with human medicine, veterinary medicine is advancing every day. With this comes the introduction of new and alternative therapies for treating many conditions. In recent years, alternative treatments such as hydro therapy and acupuncture have become popular with pet owners; these have proved to be successful safe and pain free alternatives for treating animals rather than the use of pain killing drugs alone. Complimentary therapy is now recognised as a veterinary treatment option by pet insurance companies and can be claimed on pet insurance policies in most cases. Research on the beneficial effects of laser light on cells was first recognised about 40 years ago. Since then, studies have shown the positive effects of laser treatment for different commonly treated conditions including arthritis, skin disease, ear pain, wound healing, reducing inflammation and pain relief. The laser technology works like this: the ‘laser’ light emitted triggers a photochemical reaction in the body that increases blood flow and the production of the ‘cell fuel’ ATP (or Adenosine-triphosphate). More ATP within the tissue promotes growth and the replication and repair of cells thus speeding and aiding healing. Most importantly, there are no known side-effects of laser therapy. It is also beneficial for pets who cannot have pain relief medication due to conditions such as kidney or liver disease. Technology in delivery has moved on too. The new Class IV High Power lasers are 50 times stronger than their predecessors, the Class III or ‘cold’ laser, giving enhanced results due to their increased ability to penetrate tissues more deeply and accurately. And more good news? Pets do not need to be sedated for laser treatment, fur does not need to be clipped, and we have found the majority of our patients are relaxed and calm as they can stand, sit or lie down for treatment. The laser hand piece is held over the area to be treated and a light emits from the wand, penetrating the skin with a slightly warm sensation. Sessions last around 5-15 minutes and are tailored to suit each pet individually according to need; for example laser therapy to treat a post-operative skin wound may only need one or two sessions, whereas treatment for an arthritic pet may require a longer or more complex course as multiple joints will be treated during one session. In many cases the reported benefits of laser treatment are so good that some pets require less pain medication or may be able to stop it altogether and some owners report immediate improvement in their pet’s symptoms. We are so pleased that we can now offer more alternative therapies for our patients, and move towards a more holistic approach to Veterinary medicine. Sarah Probert BVSc MRCVS Bridgnorth Veterinary Centre 98
My son has allergies but we’d love a dog. We’ve heard about a hypoallergenic cocker poo… can you tell us; is one colour better than another, do they need lots of grooming and are they truly non shedding? It’s great you are finding out about this mixed breed prior to buying one. As far as colour is concerned I don’t find one better than another, but solid black and blue roan hold the colour pigment longer and sometimes have a plusher coat. There are no guarantees with non-shedding dogs that they won’t aggravate allergies; it’s a good idea to spend time with a dog of this breed to check this before you commit. With regards to grooming… well these dogs require a commitment to daily grooming both at home and regular 8-10 weekly appointments with your professional groomer.
Should I brush my dog’s teeth? Yes! Dogs are living longer due to advances in veterinary medicine, better nutrition and exercise, and as a result we see more age-related conditions such as dental decay. Ideally you would brush your dog’s teeth as you would do your own, but that’s not always practical. One answer is to look at chew sticks which create friction when chewing, thus removing debris from the tooth. If there is decay, a dental de-scale, polish and extractions maybe required which would be performed under anaesthetic by a veterinary surgeon. Prevention is better cure and groomers such as Happy Tails offer ultrasonic cleaning of teeth which can be done weekly or during a routine groom. Amy Stewart of Happy Tails Dog Spa has a BSc in Animal Behaviour and is a certified pet health counsellor. Send your questions for Amy to info@whatswhat magazine.co.uk
ANIMAL CARE
B RIDGNORTH V ETERINARY C ENTRE
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Tel: 01746 763999 6 Faraday Drive, Bridgnorth WV15 5BA
t: 01746 711561 e: hello@bridgnorthvets.co.uk www.bridgnorthvets.co.uk
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LOCAL SPORTS
Holly captains England Shropshire tennis ace and Bridgnorth club coach Holly Mowling captained England’s over-35 ladies team at the Four Nations Championship in Glasgow. The long-serving Shropshire ladies skipper was proud to be chosen to lead her country in the prestigious tournament, which featured matches on against Scotland, Wales and Ireland. “It was a great experience and the atmosphere was fantastic with plenty of support for the England team,” said Holly who lives in Broseley. Holly is now ranked 13 in the world singles rankings in her age group.
Tammy in World Champs Bridgnorth’s Tammy Lewis is taking the tae kwon do world by storm, having just won an international championship, and is now in training for the World Championships in Holland in September. What is remarkable is that Tammy only started the sport and competing two years ago: “I started out as a means of getting fit, never imagining that I’d be winning gold medals. If someone had said to me I’d be training for a world championship I’d have thought they were mad.” Good luck Tammy from the WW! team.
Rugby club victorious Bridgnorth Rugby Club are pictured holding aloft the North Midlands Shield, which they won in an exciting match against Hereford. They finished mid table in the senior league, having been promoted for the last two successive seasons.
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Broseley Tennis Club held a Free Tennis day recently which saw over 80 people taking part in various activities with all ages playing ‘beat the coach’ and taking advantage of the free sessions offered. Founded in 1895, Broseley Tennis Club has been delighted to see membership numbers rising, with more opportunities for young children to take part through ‘mini red’ tennis. The club offers coaching on Friday evenings for players of all ages who want to improve their game. Club sessions are Tuesday at 7pm and Saturday at 2pm for those who would like to join in. More details are on the website broseleytennisclub.co.uk
Athletics medal haul Bridgnorth Athletic Club athletes again showed their class, setting four new county records at the Shropshire County Championships, with a medal haul of 19 gold , 22 silver and 13 bronze. Dan Galloway set new championship best performances in the U13 boys 800m and 1500m and Josh Roura in the U15 boys 300m, while Oliver Carvell broke one of the longest standing championship records by winning the U17 men’s 800m – the previous record in this event had been set 1983! Lucy Elcock ran an English schools’ qualifying time, winning the U17 women’s 100m in convincing style.
Dominoes news The annual finals evening for the Bridgnorth and District Dominoes League was held at the All Forces Club in Low Town. During the evening a cheque for £1,000 was presented to the Midland Air Ambulance, this money having been collected from teams in the league throughout the season, through match fees and raffles. Dave Davies from Chelmarsh was crowned individual champion while Doug Portsmouth and P Gauld from Alveley won the pairs. The All Forces Club A and the Golden Lion were winners of team trophies, which were presented by Barbara Wilson.
Cricket record Worfield cricketer and captain of the second XI Will Fox-Davies set a new record in the Henshalls Insurance Shropshire Cricket league with a high score of 264 not out off 91 balls, in a match against Knockin and Kinnerley. Will beat a previous record set in 2015. Worfield went on to win the match. Cricket record for Will
All Forces Club A won the dominoes league
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LOCAL SPORTS
Broseley tennis
BUSINESS NEWS
1. Start building your email list. IMMEDIATELY.
Top tips to reach people… Do you have a business or do any volunteering with any kind of club or organisation? If you do I guess you’ll have asked yourself many times how can we reach more people? IT and digital marketing expert Scott Bowler takes us through four rules to reach customers, potential new members or supporters more effectively, cheaply and without annoying them…. Spam. We all hate it. It’s not surprising as unsolicited emails have been associated with malware, scams and viruses. But, done in the right way, email marketing is a powerful tool for driving leads, sales and action. Here are some lessons I’ve learned and they can be applied to any business or organisation.
Local
Grab a pen and paper. Ask the next person you speak to if they would like to receive a monthly email from you. Tell them that each month it’s going to contain a surprise or something useful to them. The majority of the time they will say “yes”. Keep at it and your mailing list will grow at a rate of knots. Building a list doesn’t require technology – all you need is their name and email address. 2. Ready to send? Make your subject line irresistible Getting people to open emails is hard. That is, unless you make the subject line irresistible and personalised. Be mysterious…witty even…keep them in suspense - make it so they have to open your email.
This is the hard part - you’ve promised a surprise and now you have to deliver. The key is to provide them with something of perceived value. Shop owner? Offer an invite to an exclusive event with Prosecco and discount. Sports club? Pick a story in the news relevant to your members or those interested. Lawyer or other professional? Write an article with your insights on an issue. Make sure to encourage an action, whether it’s clicking on a link or hitting ‘reply’. 4. If you love them, let them go People change and so do their circumstances. Whatever the reason, people are going to want to unsubscribe from your mailing list. Make it clear and obvious how they can do that. Better to let them leave with a positive final interaction.
Scott Bowler is a digital marketer and developer with over 12 years’ commercial experience. He works in conjunction with What’s What! to deliver digital solutions to businesses across Shropshire.
financial advice
Pensions Retirement Planning Investments Life & Critical Illness Protection Mortgages/Equity Release Income protection Health Insurance
01746 765215 shartles@jcassociatesltd.co.uk www.johncannabyassociatesltd.co.uk 11 High Street, Bridgnorth WV16 4DB John Cannaby Associates Ltd is an appointed representative of Intrinsic Mortgage Planning Limited and of Intrinsic Financial Planning Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
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3. Deliver on your promise
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2/3 Whitburn Court, 15 Whitburn St, Bridgnorth WV16 4QN info@bridgnorth-insurances.co.uk
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BUSINESS NEWS
Bridgnorth networking A group of local business women have launched a new networking group – Bridgnorth is Business – which will meet monthly at the Woodberry Down. The inaugural meeting was well attended, with businesses from the town and as far afield as Shrewsbury represented. Dr Tim Jenkins of Shropshire Council gave an interesting talk about Bridgnorth’s history and its place in the economic fabric of the county. For more information, check out the Bridgnorth is Business Facebook page. Organisers Ruth Burley, Jo Frith, Rachel Wood, Lousie Welsby with Dr Tim Jenkins and Wendy Yates owner of the Woodberry Inn
Insurance merge Two long-established local insurance advisers, both operating in Bridgnorth just a short distance from each other, have joined forces. John Cannaby Associates, who arrange investments, retirement solutions, life and critical illness cover, income protection and the increasingly popular equity release, now work hand-in-hand with Bridgnorth Insurances, who arrange household, motor and commercial insurances. Vicky Morris of Bridgnorth Insurances and John Cannaby agree that many of their customers like to sit down in a client-friendly environment where they can deal with a person not a computer. John said, “We believe bringing together these different areas of expertise will help customers get the best advice without having to look outside Bridgnorth.” Sharon Hartles, Paul Taylor (from John Cannaby Associates) and Vicky Morris from Bridgnorth Insurances
Best in Britain A Bridgnorth retailer is celebrating after being crowned the Best in Britain. Roobarb on Waterloo Terrace, was crowned ‘Independent Retail Team of the Year’ at an award ceremony in Bristol. The award was presented by former BBC foreign correspondent Kate Adie, on behalf of the British Independent Retailers Association. Roobarb co-director Kevin Bellwood said, “This award is a stunning accolade for us and our team, who pride ourselves on super-serving our customers both in store and online”. He continued “this award comes hot on the heels of the town winning the Great British High Street Award’ and this award from BIRA is the icing on the cake for us.” There were many hundreds of entries from across the country which were shortlisted to three finalists. Team Roobarb win top award
LEADER funding available The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre has just been awarded a grant from LEADER to refresh the exhibition which is almost 20 years old. Now run by the charity Grow Cook Learn, the centre relies on grant funding as well as income from visitors and the help of volunteers to keep it and adjoining meadows open. The LEADER Programme is a European funding stream which will bring a 2.54 million Euro investment into southern Shropshire to improve the economic wellbeing of the area through sustainable development, drawing on the area’s environmental and cultural assets and qualities. The centre will use the money to bring the exhibition up to date, with new interactive exhibits as well as a new panoramic film. The LEADER Programme welcomes applications from businesses and groups; to find our more go to shropshire.gov. uk/southern-shropshire-leader-programme The Secret Hills will benefit from LEADER funding 103
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A proud history… a shared future In some professions, a long history is a genuine asset – and local solicitors Williams & Co can certainly claim that. The firm’s history stretches back over 50 years, and the focus has always been on the family pulling together to run the business.
Welsh roots Eric Williams was born in Aberystwyth, Wales, to a family of solicitors. He followed in his father’s footsteps and studied law at the University of Wales in Aberystwyth. As a fresh-faced graduate, Eric answered an advert placed by Bridgnorth solicitor Roger Haslewood, who was looking for an article clerk. Eric was successful in obtaining the job and he moved to make his home in Bridgnorth.
Beverley Jones, David Williams and David Jones
After starting his training in the early 1940s, Eric was called up for military service shortly afterwards, so he had to put his legal career on hold. After serving abroad in Burma as a wireless operator, Eric returned to Bridgnorth at the end of the war and resumed his legal training. He continued to work in partnership with Roger Haslewood in the old TSB Bank chambers in Bridgnorth’s aptly-named Bank Street. After several years, and following the death of Mr Haslewood, Eric decided to forge his own path, and he moved into his own offices in East Castle Street, from where the firm still operates today.
Working together across the generations From the earliest days, Williams & Co has been a family team. Eric’s wife Pam would do the typing for him while he was trying to build up the firm, and his father-in-law Les Scriven joined him as a solicitor’s clerk, helping out with the workload and taking care of the accounts. As time went by, later generations have become part of the business. Son David and daughter Beverley, both being qualified solicitors, have run the practice together for over 10 years and have more recently been joined by Eric’s grandson, David Jones, who is also a solicitor and specialises in conveyancing. All three have the town close to their hearts, having attended the local schools as children and continuing to work and live in Bridgnorth today. Eric continued working as a consultant well into his later years, sharing his knowledge and experience until he retired, and becoming a well-known face in the town. Beverley says, “My father was always well respected in the local community, offering solid advice and guidance, always having time for people, and embracing values we continue to hold dear as a firm and as a family.”
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Continuing the family firm The approachable, down-to-earth nature of everyone at the firm has contributed to a thriving business founded upon shared values. Five years ago consultant solicitor James Briggs joined the team to focus on wills and probate, while secretaries Carol Colebatch and Jennie Hughes are also local; Carol has been with the firm for over 30 years and Jennie for 10 years. Beverley explains, “Our work ethic is that we like to put clients at ease so they feel comfortable with us – this means they are not afraid to approach us to ask anything. Being a long established firm, we see different generations of the same families coming back to use us.”
“We pride ourselves on our reputation for delivering a quality personal service at an affordable price.” One thing is for sure: Williams & Co, as a firm and family, are very much part of Bridgnorth – and they are looking forward to striking up even more long and lasting relationships with the good people of Bridgnorth and the surrounding areas! Williams & Co today
Eric in his 20’s just before he moved to Shropshire
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Eric as a wireless operator in the British Army – Burma
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BUSINESS NEWS
Apprentice award An apprentice barber from Bridgnorth has scooped a prestigious industry award. Jay Roberts, who has just completed his apprenticeship at Bull and Co in Central Court, was crowned student barber of the year by the British Barbers’ Association at an event in Birmingham. Jay received a cash prize and says he is delighted and surprised to be recognised in this way. Jay Roberts is a cut above
Photographer’s milestone Photographer Lynsey Northall is celebrating 10 years with Emotions Studios. Based in Claverley, Emotions opened in 2004 and has photographed hundreds of families. “I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all the families photographed for allowing me to capture your special memories, for returning to me over the years and trusting me to photograph so many wonderful moments. Here’s to the next 10 years and all the families I’m yet to meet!” said Lynsey.
Businesses parking reduced Telford & Wrekin Council will be reducing the cost of Annual Parking Permits for businesses in Ironbridge. Last year following ongoing cuts in Government funding, the Council made the decision to increase the cost of these permits to £115. However, following a review of these charges and the council’s finances, a decision has been taken to revert to the charge to £55 per year. Angie Astley, assistant director for Neighbourhood and Customer Services, said, “This decision has been made to support businesses in the Gorge and reduce the impact this rise may have had on their local employees.”
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Local professional financial advice
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Advertisement Feature
Law firm leading the way Bridgnorth law firm Terry Jones Solicitors, who also have offices in Shrewsbury, Telford and Newport, have been awarded accreditation by The Law Society in their Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS). The WIQS Client Service Charter demands that law firms must follow best practice procedures to meet the highest standard of technical expertise and client care in the preparation of wills, probate and estate administration and to gain this law firms have to meet strict criteria. The accreditation process involves satisfying the Law Society accreditation team as to the level of experience of the fee earners and other staff members in the department. In addition, all members of the Wills and Probate Department are required to complete additional training. Director and solicitor Rachel Wood, who is based at the Bridgnorth office, and who specialises in wills, probate, trusts and inheritance tax said, “We’re delighted to become members
of the Law Society’s quality scheme as it demonstrates to our clients that we offer the best possible service at all times.”
Our approach is about helping clients make more informed choices as we enable them to understand all the relevant issues regarding the preparation of a will or seeking probate. The Wills and Probate department at Terry Jones Solicitors help clients to understand their options and provide them with the advice that meets their needs, without making any misleading claims about the advantages of making a will, or putting clients under any pressure to obtain more complex advice which is either unnecessary or not in their best interests. If you require any assistance in this area then please do not hesitate to contact a member of the team by telephoning 01746 768748 or by emailing rachelw@terry-jones.co.uk
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COUNCIL NOTES
Council Notes
Broseley Election results The May local elections saw the return of some familiar faces to Broseley Town Council as well as some new. Gavin Goodall takes the seat for Broseley Wood and Mick Burton, Simon Harris, Ann Maltby, John Pearce and Alan Taylor for Broseley East Ward. A co-opted councillor will fill the remaining vacancy. Councillors elected for the Broseley West Ward were Roy Childs, Lynda Garbett, Michael Garbett and Ian West. Simon Harris was elected as the Shropshire Councillor for Broseley and David Turner was returned unopposed as Shropshire Councillor for Much Wenlock, including Broseley Wood.
Council office The Town Council office is open to the public on Thursday mornings 10am to noon. Council staff can be contacted by telephone or email Monday to Thursday, between 9.30am and 3pm. Council and local information can be found on our website. Issued by Trudi Barrett, town clerk 01952 882172 broseleytc.clerk@btinternet.com broseleytowncouncil.co.uk
Council Notes
Bridgnorth Election results
At the annual meeting in May, Councillor Simon Harris was elected to serve as mayor for the forthcoming year with Mick Burton as deputy mayor.
The recent local elections saw the return of a number of members as well as some new faces and we welcome new councillors Julia Buckley, Richard Fox, Kirstie Hurst Knight, Helen Howells, Sarah Stevens and look forward to working with them and existing re-elected councillors.
Events in Broseley library
Elliot Lynch, William Parr, Les Winwood and Christian Lea were elected as the Shropshire Councillors for Bridgnorth.
Mayor and deputy
We continue to offer a range of events and activities in Broseley Library. A new craft group meets every Friday between 2 and 4pm when crafters can bring along any portable craft and share an interest in a friendly and sociable setting. Throughout the school holidays, the Summer Reading Challenge will be running for children aged between 4 and 11, with fun ideas and incentives to encourage children to keep reading during the holidays. Rhyme Time for pre-school children and Time to Listen for adults continue to run regularly. On Friday 14 July at 7.30pm, a talk with discussion will be held, entitled: ‘So which God don’t you believe in?’ Light refreshments will be provided. For further details about any of the above, please contact the librarian, telephone 01952 884119 or by email broseley.library@shropshire.gov.uk
Broseley Pipeworks needs you... Broseley Pipeworks Museum is an evocative time capsule of the cottage factory which exported clay tobacco pipes throughout the world from the 1880s until 1957. The Museum offers daily guided tours at 1.30pm and 3pm from May half term to the end of September and is looking for enthusiastic volunteers who would like to share this fascinating history with visitors. If you would like to be trained to demonstrate the traditional art of pipe-making or would be interested in providing guided tours for small groups of visitors, please contact the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Volunteer Centre on 01952 601044 or email volunteering@ironbridge.org.uk
Visit Broseley website To find out what’s happening in the town, don’t forget to check the website visitbroseley.co.uk which provides information on events, local clubs, services, places to visit, places to eat and much more. And if your group isn’t registered, do get in touch. These council notes are edited from notes submitted by the Town Clerks of the three towns. 108
Mayor and deputy At the annual meeting in May, Councillor Ron Whittle was elected to serve as mayor for the forthcoming year with Councillor Edward Marshall as deputy mayor.
Froncysyllte male voice choir The Froncysyllte (Fron) Choir is returning to Bridgnorth on Saturday 23 September at 7pm in St Mary’s Church, Bridgnorth. Tickets are available from Bridgnorth Town Council from 1 August at a cost of £10.
You’re sure of a big surprise! The ever-popular Teddy Bears Picnic will be held in Castle Grounds on Wednesday 26 July. Pinxton Puppets will be joined by other entertainment and light refreshments will be available. Bring your picnic and your teddy along for lots of fun. The mayor will judge the children’s Best Dressed Teddy Competition.
Gardens being improved Castle Gardens is gradually going under a complete improvement programme. Town council-trained staff have carried out limestone wall repairs, manicured and fed the rose beds, replanted some of the shrub beds and opened up the woodland walk further. Bridgnorth Rotary commissioned their new Wishing Well at the beginning of June and hope to raise funds for Bridgnorth-based individuals and charities. Sherbet Events’ refreshment caravan makes a welcome addition to the park. Members of the public are asked to keep dogs on a lead in the Castle Gardens and not play ball games.
Refreshments in the park Bridgnorth Town Council has agreed to move forward with a refreshment kiosk and toilets in Severn Park. Consideration is being given to installing a new play area. The council have already agreed to install a gym in the park subject to confirmation of grant funding.
New town councillors
If you have a few spare hours each week of month, the town council, on behalf of Bridgnorth, are always looking for volunteers to assist at town events, helping monitor CCTV and in our parks and open spaces. Please contact Anne Wilson on 01746 762231 or email anne.wilson@bridgnorthtowncouncil. gov.uk for more information.
Whilst there are 11 places on Much Wenlock Town Council, only 10 people put themselves forward thus leaving a vacancy which will be filled by co-option. The new mayor, Councillor Graham Edgcumbe Venning, and deputy mayor, Councillor Milner Whiteman, officially took office at the town council meeting in May.
Issued by Anne Wilson, town clerk 01746 762231 anne.wilson@bridgnorthcouncil.gov.uk bridgnorthtowncouncil.gov.uk
This is my seventh year as Town Clerk and I am looking forward to working with the new team and having spoken to some of them, I feel sure they have the best interests of our local community at heart.
Council Notes
Much Wenlock
Issued by Sharon Clayton, town clerk 01952 727509 townclerk@muchwenlock-tc.gov.uk muchwenlock-tc.gov.uk
Much Wenlock cemetery
Council Notes
The friends of the cemetery have now begun the Cemetery Access Project, for which a grant of £4,410 has been awarded from the Tesco Bags of Help scheme. Newport Men in Sheds have kindly made two bird boxes and two bug/bee hotels and are making two notice boards for the site. Trees and nectar rich shrubs from Percy Thrower’s garden centre have been purchased. The friends are grateful to them for their kind donation of £30 in vouchers and free delivery and also many thanks to Caring for God’s Acre for planting the trees and shrubs.
Annual town meeting At the annual town meeting the mayor, Councillor Herbert Harper, presented a civic gift to Eric Humphries who served as a town councillor for over 30 years and was mayor four times. Thank you to all those who came along; Council members hope you found it beneficial and worthwhile. The mayor has received compliments from residents grateful that they were given an opportunity to ask questions. Draft minutes are available to view on the council website.
Civic service This year’s civic service will take place later than usual due to repair works to Holy Trinity Church on Sunday 2 July at 6.30pm, and will include the laying down of the Much Wenlock Women’s Section British Legion Standard.
Thanks to Dr Stanford The town council has written a letter of appreciation to Dr Stanford on his retirement with thanks for his dedicated service to the local community for over 28 years. We are very grateful to him and we wish him well in his retirement.
Craft markets New fortnightly craft markets at the Corn Exchange will take place as follows: Saturday 1 and 15 July, 5 and 19 August. The markets feature a range of genuinely homemade crafts on sale including woodcraft, textiles, jewellery, knitwear, embroidery, paper craft and much more. Come along and take a look. Advice surgery Shropshire councillor David Turner’s next advice surgery is at Willey Village Hall on Saturday 8 July. It runs from 10.30-11am and he will be joined by a Barrow Parish Councillor and hopefully a representative of the police.
COUNCIL NOTES
Volunteering
Shifnal Election results Shifnal Town Council is proud to welcome five new councillors: Daniel Bailey, Tim Day, Sheila Offland, Chris Phillips and Simon Williams. Full contact details are available on the Shifnal Town Council website.
Mayor and deputy We are also delighted to confirm that Councillor Robert Harrop and Councillor Andrew Mitchell have been unanimously voted mayor and deputy for a fourth term. This is excellent news for Shifnal as it continues to evolve and grown as a market town.
Get involved Shifnal Town Council and everyone involved in local community, sport or religious groups would like to extend an invitation to all residents, old or new, to become more involved in our pretty market town. The full council meetings of Shifnal Town Council take place on the third Thursday of each month (with the exception of August) and are held at 7.30pm in the Old Fire Station, Shrewsbury Road. Members of the public are always welcome to attend. If you would like to volunteer and work with Shifnal Town Council on a variety of upcoming projects, please contact the office on 01952 461420.
Community hub Shifnal Town Council have recently acquired the Police Station in Tudor Way, with plans to develop the building as a Community Hub to include a West Mercia Police presence.
Lights switch on The Christmas Lights Switch On event in Shifnal will be held on Friday 24 November at 6.45pm. There will be markets on Friday 24 November and Saturday 25 November with a variety of stalls and entertainers. If you would like to have a stall at these events, please contact Liz at the Town Council Office. Issued by Mac Sandal, town clerk 01952 461420 and Cllr Robert Harrop, mayor 07889 541320. info@shifnaltowncouncil.gov.uk shifnaltowncouncil.gov.uk 109
LOCAL SPORTS
Bridgnorth’s footballing glory
AFC Bridgnorth U21 side triumphed in the Mercian league
Bridgnorth Town U16
AFC Bridgnorth were recently crowned champions of the Sportsjam Mercian Regional Under 21 League. The side played 20 matches in their season against teams, many of whom all have senior sides playing at a higher national level than Bridgnorth. Bridgnorth Town’s U16 team recently triumphed on penalties in a gripping cup final against Nova United at Telford’s Bucks Head Stadium. This group of players has been coached by Steve Williams for the last 10 years and it was a fitting end to their time in the junior league circuit. Members of the team, their supporters and family thanked their coach for his dedication to the team.
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Bridgnorth Spartans U11s
Bridgnorth Spartans U11s proudly show off their new silverware after becoming champions of the Telford Junior League Cup.
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What’s that Number? Animal Care
Bridgnorth Veterinary Cuan House Rescue Dogs Trust Rehoming RSPCA Severn Edge Emergency Wrekin View Veterinary
Local Services
01746 711561 01952 728070 01952 770225 0300 1234 999 01746 763998 01952 4604799
Councils
Bridgnorth Town Broseley Town Much Wenlock Town Shropshire Council Shifnal Town Telford & Wrekin
01746 762231 01952 882172 01952 727509 0345 678 9000 01952 461420 01952 380000
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01952 382770 01746 761541 01952 460499 01952 727629 01746 860 000
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Bridgnorth Broseley Much Wenlock Shifnal Southwater
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Schools & Nurseries
Alveley Primary Bridgnorth Endowed Brockton C of E School Broseley C of E Primary Castlefields Primary Coalbrookdale & Ironbridge C of E Primary Idsall John Wilkinson Primary Lightmoor Village Primary Morville Much Wenlock Nursery Much Wenlock Primary Oldbury Wells Poppets Nursery Puddleducks Pre-School Shifnal Primary St Andrew’s Primary St John’s Catholic Primary St Leonards C of E Primary St Mary’s Bluecoat Stottesdon Primary William Brookes Worfield Endowed CE Primary
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Travel
Brambles Private Hire Bridgnorth Taxis Broseley Cars Diamond Cars Rail Enquiries Shrewsbury Taxis Traveline
01746 767076 01746 765000 01952 882666 01952 222222 08457 484950 01743 244477 0871 2002233
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